OVERVIEW
OF REVELATION
REVELATION: LESSON 2
GOD’S GLORIOUS CONSUMMATION
Lesson 2 Questions
First Day: Read Lesson 1 Notes.
The notes and lecture fortify the truth of the passage for understanding and application to daily life.
1. What from the lecture was meaningful to you as you prepare to study the book of Revelation?
2. What concepts about prophecy are new to you or do you better understand after studying the notes?
Second Day: Revelation’s Themes
The truth that streams throughout the Bible converges in Revelation with God-ordained consistency.
3. a. What themes are in the following passages, and how do they alarm you or give you hope?
Revelation 1:4-8; 22:7
Revelation 2:9-10; 13:10b; 14:12
Revelation 12:10-17; 13:5-7
Revelation 19:6-9, 11-16
© BSF 2015, 2024 (This material may be downloaded from mybsf.org and used by BSF class members in connection
Lesson 2 | 23
with their personal BSF class studies. It may not be otherwise reproduced without BSF’s written permission.)
Revelation 21:1-4; 22:1-5
b. Which theme are you most interested in learning about? Why?
Third Day: Revelation’s Writer and Recipients
The writer of Revelation and its original recipients loved Jesus and His Word.
4. a. What do the following Scripture passages tell us about John, the author of Revelation?
(Note: The term “the one Jesus loved” refers to John, the author of his gospel and Revelation.)
Matthew 4:21-22; Matthew 17:1-3
John 19:25-27
John 20:1-10
John 21:20-25
Acts 4:13
b. How do these facts speak to the trustworthiness of John’s witness?
5. a. Read Revelation 1:9 and 2:2-3, 9-10. What do these passages reveal about the lives of some of
the original recipients of the book of Revelation?
b. What similarities are there between the original recipients of Revelation and Christians today?
c. How do you desire your relationship with God to be transformed through your study
of Revelation?
24 | Lesson 2
Fourth Day: Revelation’s Subject: God
God is majestically on display throughout Revelation.
6. Read Revelation 2:7; 4:8-11; 5:9-12; 19:10; 22:17. What do these passages say about God the
Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit?
7. a. What do you learn about worshipping God from today’s passages?
b. What attributes of God are especially meaningful to you, and how can you incorporate them
into your worship of Him?
Fifth Day: Revelation’s Content: Eternal Hope
Revelation is as relevant today as it was for the first recipients of the book.
8. a. What glorious truths about the Lord Jesus Christ are proclaimed in Revelation 1:17-18?
b. What does it mean to you that Jesus is alive forever and ever? How does this help you?
9. a. What are some things in this world that lead to doubt or despair? Which impact you personally?
b. Read Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 22:12-13. How
does the certainty of Christ’s return impact your perspective and actions in our broken world?
Sixth Day: Review the previous days’ Scripture passages.
God’s promised eternal victory offers God’s people assurance for today.
10. What have you learned this week about God and His relationship to His creation and His children?
No Passage Discovery (homiletics, word study, etc.) assigned for Group and Administrative Leaders.
Next step: Listen to the lecture.
Bible Study Fellowship | 25
Lecture Notes
Next step: Read the lesson notes.
26 | Lesson 2
Lesson 2 Notes
Overview of Revelation
Focus Verse
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who
hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3)
Outline
● Why Should I Read Revelation?
● How Should I Understand Revelation?
● What Difference Does Revelation Make?
Engage
In the beginning, God commanded light to penetrate the darkness. Throughout history, His light
has never gone away. God’s overarching redemptive plan prevails, despite the catastrophic
consequences of human rebellion. Through hardships and personal failures, God called a
people to Himself. Patriarchs believed and prophets spoke. Then, Jesus came! He healed the
sick, delivered sinners, and proclaimed truth. The cross that appeared to be a victory for evil
declared the Lord’s resounding triumph. Light again dispelled darkness when Jesus rose from
the grave, victorious over evil, sin, and death. Jesus’s light and life work powerfully in the lives
of all who believe in Him.
How does God’s light shine today? Though God’s people have increasing means to reveal
Jesus’s light to the world, rebellious resistance to Him intensifies. The consequences of
human sin—anxiety, fractured families, environmental concerns, violence, debilitating illness,
terrorism—pervade the planet. Will God prevail? Revelation answers emphatically: Yes! God
reigns over history; His redemptive purposes triumph through His Son.
The darkness-shattering light God spoke into existence in Genesis explodes into glorious,
unfiltered radiance in Revelation. The stunning consummation of God’s story unveils His perfect
justice and glorious design for believers from every tribe, language, people, and nation. God’s
children find hope, peace, and rest in His unfailing purposes. God’s promised eternal victory
offers God’s people assurance for today.
Why Should I Read Revelation?
Revelation’s opening words expose its heart: “The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him
to show his servants what must soon take place.”1 Jesus stands in the center of history, the Bible,
and Revelation. His light floods the visions, promises, and warnings of this book. Revelation is “the
1. Opening: Revelation 1:1
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word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.”2 The Holy Spirit spoke to God’s people in seven
churches3 and throughout the book speaks to believers today. We read Revelation because God the
Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have given it to God’s people throughout the generations.
The Writer and World of Revelation
Verse 1 names John as Revelation’s writer. This is most certainly John the apostle, the brother of
James and one of the 12 men Jesus called and trained. John enjoyed a deep relationship with Jesus.
He walked with Him beside fields of grain and saw Him asleep in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee.
He saw Jesus transformed in light-filled glory on a mountain.4 From the cross, Jesus asked John to
care for His mother.5 After Jesus ascended to heaven, John continued to serve his friend and Savior,
proclaiming the gospel to Jerusalem and beyond.6
John lived in the imperial Roman world of military dominance and political intrigue. He encountered
cities of ambitious commerce and ethnic diversity. Rome tolerated Judaism, into which John was
born. But by the time John wrote, the empire was increasingly suspicious of Christians. Jesus’s
followers were ordered to worship the emperor. Refusal cost many Christians their lives. John, like
many believers today, navigated a world that misunderstood, accused, and persecuted Christians. Yet
the good news of Jesus overtakes this hostile world, transforming hearts by the power of God.
Most scholars place John’s writing of Revelation during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian,
who ruled AD 81-96. Others believe John wrote it during Nero’s rule, AD 54-68. Although the exact
date of the letter is unknown, John wrote to seven churches in the Roman province of Asia.
Streams of Truth in Revelation
Truth streams through the Bible and converges in Revelation. God’s purposes and plan permeate this
book. Revelation unveils the Father’s sovereignty, His Son’s greatness, and His Spirit’s supernatural
activity. God’s people worship Him in victory. God’s justice forever resolves the conflict between good
and evil. Renewed and flourishing life amid God’s glory banishes sin and death.
God (Revelation 4:1-11) – We read Revelation to know God! John described Him as the One “who
sits on the throne,” resplendent and mysterious, yet revealing Himself in word and action. Constant
praise surrounds His heavenly throne. God calls Himself the “Alpha and the Omega” (the first and last
letters of the Greek alphabet) and the one “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”7
Revelation reveals the finality of God’s judgment alongside His saving grace toward His redeemed
people. He is beyond full comprehension. Yet He promised to live forever with His people.8
The Slain Lamb Who Triumphed (Revelation 5:9; 14:9-11; 19:7-16) – In Revelation, God’s people
see and worship King Jesus, God’s Son. In his gospel, John unveiled Jesus as the “Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world!”9 Jesus is the only one worthy to unseal God’s plan because
He purchased God’s people with His blood.10 God’s Lamb also unfolds His judgment, pictured as a
2. Testimony: Revelation 1:2
3. Holy Spirit: Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22
4. Transfiguration: Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36
5. Jesus’s mother: John 19:26-27
6. Spreading the gospel: Acts 3:1–4:22
7. Alpha and Omega: Revelation 1:8
8. God’s people: 1 John 3:2; Revelation 21:3; 22:4
9. Lamb: John 1:29
10. Purchased: Revelation 5:9
28 | Lesson 2
The Mystery and Majesty of the Triune God
The Doctrine of the Trinity
Though God has revealed Himself in His perfect Word, the Bible, the truth about His infinite
character cannot be fully contained in human thoughts and words. The truth that God is one, yet
three, represents an inexpressible wonder. As individual persons, God the Father, God the Son, and
God the Holy Spirit are equally God and work together in seamless unity of purpose. From Genesis
to Revelation, the mystery of the Trinity unfolds.
Together, the three persons of God work in and for God’s people. The Father sent the Son to be the
Savior of the world. Jesus came to earth and returned to heaven after dying for humanity’s sin and
rising from the dead to conquer sin and death for those who put their trust in Him. The Holy Spirit now
indwells believers, giving them power to live transformed lives and share the gospel with the world.
People sometimes ignore or reject the concept of the Trinity, failing to accept what they cannot fully
explain. What would God be like if we could contain Him in our limited expressions? The God of
eternity surpasses and exceeds us in every way. When we fail to find comfort in God’s mysterious
and exalted person, we sacrifice the stability and perspective we desperately need.
Though the truth about God, especially the Trinity, confounds our minds, God’s presence and
power settle our hearts. How does God’s mystery and wonder point you beyond yourself? We
seek and worship a trustworthy, majestic, three-in-one God who anchors our souls. Will you study
Revelation with a heart to understand more about Him?
harvest of the grapes of God’s wrath.11 Yet Jesus relates to His people as the bridegroom to His bride,
even as He comes as a warrior prepared to destroy God’s enemies.12 His loving triumph and righteous
execution of justice stand unmatched and unrivaled.
The Spirit (Revelation 1:4; 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22) – Before He left earth, Jesus promised He and
the Father would live within His people through the Holy Spirit.13 Revelation also reveals the Holy
Spirit’s work. The “seven spirits” before God’s throne perhaps refer to the Spirit Himself.14 Jesus
repeatedly commands His people to “hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”15 The Holy Spirit
reveals God’s truth and brings new, eternal life.16
Redemption (Revelation 5:9-14; 7:9-10) – Jesus paid sin’s penalty for His people, dying on the cross
to redeem sinners and bring them eternal life.17 Forgiven and set free, believers stand against evil,
self-indulgence, and false religion. Majestic scenes in heaven reveal immense numbers of God’s
redeemed people rejoicing in victory before His throne. Heaven’s triumph energizes God’s children to
11. Wrath: Revelation 14:9-10
12. Warrior: Revelation 19:7-16
13. Holy Spirit: John 14:16-20
14. Seven spirits: Revelation 1:4
15. Seven churches: Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22
16. Truth: John 16:13-14
17. Redeemed: Romans 3:22-24
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live God-honoring lives each day. A glimpse of heaven reminds believers that their ultimate home is
elsewhere and evil is temporary.
Sin, Satan, and Conflict (Revelation 12–13) – Even with assurance of Jesus’s redemption, within
God’s sovereignty, evil still exercises great force. Jesus defeated Satan at the cross,18 but the devil
continues to oppose God and His people.19 Revelation depicts the horror of arrogant human rebellion
and satanic influence. Conflict in the spiritual realm erupts into open conflict on earth, as terrible
creatures emerge from a great abyss.20 Demonic armies march,21 and a grotesque beast rises from
the sea to seize authority.22 God reveals His perspective on nations and people who resist Him. The
sobering news of Revelation also comforts us; evil will not prevail forever. Those who belong to Jesus
have no reason to fear.
God’s Judgment (Revelation 15:1–16:7) – The judgment depicted in Revelation sometimes raises
questions. Some struggle with the severity of God’s intervention, while others question why He delays
judgment while evil seems to run rampant. God enacts judgment to defend His people and uphold
justice on their behalf.23 Because our finite minds cannot fully understand God’s ways, we must focus
on His perfect character. God’s divine nature perfectly balances the exercise of benevolent grace
and just judgment. God does not violate one attribute to exercise another. We trust Him with what
we do not understand and thank Him for His grace, forgiveness, and justice. Revelation reveals God’s
wrath against sin. God created a world that reflects His pure, perfect, and beautiful nature. He made
everything good in every way, including humans in His image. When sin defiled God’s perfect world,
His judgment became inevitable. God’s holy response to the horror of sin should increase our awe of
Him and the fact He has redeemed us.
Witness and Worship (Revelation 4–5) – The power of the bold, often sacrificial witness of a
redeemed life rises as a repeated theme in Revelation. The book offers the “testimony of Jesus
Christ,” the “faithful witness.”24 John attested that he wrote all he heard and saw.25 God’s people in
churches such as Ephesus26 and Philadelphia27 received commendation and promise of His reward
for upholding truth about Jesus. God’s people know God and worship Him because He is worthy!
Revelation resonates with the music and worship of His angels, His people, and all creation. Exalted
elders and amazing living creatures never stop praising God day and night around God’s throne,
saying, “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”28
Resurrection and Renewal (Revelation 5:5-6; 11:7-15) – Jesus said, “I was dead, and now look, I am
alive for ever and ever!”29 In Revelation 5, John saw Jesus both as the triumphant “Lion of the tribe
of Judah, the Root of David,” and “a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain.” Resurrection and victory
followed Jesus’s sacrifice. Similarly, Jesus’s witnesses die but will be raised to life into His eternal
kingdom.30 Revelation promises God’s people rewards, renewal, and victory with the Lord Jesus, who
died so they can live with Him—today and forever.
18. Satan defeated: Hebrews 2:14
19. Satan’s influence: 1 Peter 5:8
20. Creatures: Revelation 9:1-6
21. Demonic armies: Revelation 9:13-19
22. Beast: Revelation 13:1-4
23. Justice: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 18:20-24
24. Testimony of Christ: Revelation 1:2, 5
25. John’s witness: Revelation 1:2; 22:8
26. Ephesus: Revelation 2:1-7
27. Philadelphia: Revelation 3:7-13
28. Holy, holy, holy: Revelation 4:8
29. Eternal: Revelation 1:18
30. Resurrected: Revelation 11:7-12; 20:4-6
30 | Lesson 2
How Should I Understand Revelation?
People often characterize Revelation as a book filled with multi-headed monsters and symbolic
numbers only scholars could attempt to understand. However, God intended Revelation to bless His
people—those who love and serve Him.
Apocalyptic Writing
John introduced his letter as the “revelation from Jesus Christ.” The Greek word he used for
“revelation,” apokalypsis, means “disclosure” or “unveiling” and refers to a type of literature familiar to
John’s first readers. The Old Testament books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah also contain
examples of apocalyptic writing.31 Many more apocalyptic writings also exist outside of the Bible. This
style typically presents a narrative message received in a dream or vision, often with an accompanying
explanation.32 An angel frequently speaks to a human recipient. The events recorded are both temporal
(earthly) and transcendent (relating to God and spiritual beings) and can announce the present as well
as predict the future. This kind of message sometimes relates to a crisis or protests worldly views.
Apocalyptic writing in Scripture assures readers that God controls history and His universe, bringing
hope and comfort to believers enduring trials. He has a plan and program to deal with evil. Revelation
presents a series of pictures of the last times on earth, when God concludes history and introduces
the eternal state. God alone determines how the earth’s history will end.
Apocalyptic literature often excites, challenges, and puzzles modern readers. Even John wrote of
matters he did not fully understand. Often the meaning of symbols understood in the writer’s time are
not obvious today. For example, a “horn” symbolizes a powerful king or kingdom, an association not
naturally drawn today.33
The visual nature of apocalyptic literature often appeals to people today. The stark imagery makes us
not only think but also see and feel. Popular movies filled with fantastic special effects demonstrate
how much humans relate to pictures and images. The dramatic scenes of Revelation, revealing God’s
glorious and exalted throne and the terror of cataclysmic judgments, stun us. The images within
Revelation symbolize future events rather than depicting them literally. We may be unsure of the
timing and context of many events, but God’s knowledge and control of the future give His people
blessed assurance.
Biblical Thinking
John wrote in the apocalyptic style with a biblical perspective. John was devout, trained by Jesus
Himself, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Scenes and images he wrote of often mirror other parts of the
Bible, confirming the consistency of God’s message.
The Tree of Life envisioned by John ties to Genesis and the garden of Eden.34 Adam and Eve
disobeyed God, prompted by Satan in the form of a serpent.35 In Revelation, Satan appears as a
dragon. The angel Michael and his heavenly army defeat the “ancient serpent,”36 hurling him down
31. Apocalyptic writing: Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:1-24; Ezekiel 1; 37–38; Daniel 12; Zechariah 14
32. Vision explanations: Revelation 1:20; 12:3, 9; 17:18
33. Symbol of power: Revelation 5:6; 9:13; 12:3; 13:1, 11; 17:3, 7, 12, 16
34. Tree of Life: Genesis 2:9; Revelation 22:2
35. Serpent in the garden: Genesis 3
36. Serpent in Revelation: Revelation 12:9
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from heaven. God again grants His people access to the Tree of Life through the redemption won by
the Lamb.37 Ultimately, God wins the cosmic battle of time and eternity.
Old Testament parallels flow throughout Revelation. John saw an altar in heaven and the ark of the
covenant, both described in the book of Exodus.38 God’s redeemed people sing the Song of Moses,39
probably referring to Exodus 15, the celebration song of Israel after they crossed the Red Sea.
The prophecies of Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, and Zechariah parallel scenes in Revelation. Isaiah
envisioned the new heavens and new earth.40 Daniel saw the Son of Man with heaven’s citizens
gathered before Him, as well as terrible beasts who were enemies of God.41 Ezekiel witnessed living
creatures before God’s throne like those seen in Revelation.42 He and Zechariah also saw a vision of a
restored temple with a river flowing from God’s throne, similar to Revelation’s new Jerusalem.43
Revelation brings the Bible to a glorious finale. Will you commit to biblical thinking as you study the
consummation of God’s consistent message revealed throughout His Word?
Symbolic Numbers
Revelation repeats meaningful numbers. Interpreters differ about whether these numbers are literal
or symbolic. When John spoke of 12 tribes of Israel or 12 apostles, we know from history he spoke
literally. But did he foretell a literal number of people when he pictured 144,000 (a multiple of 12) from
the tribes of Israel with seals on their foreheads?44 Scholars have differing opinions.
The most repeated number in Revelation is seven, which in some contexts represents
completeness and perfection. Because Revelation perfectly completes God’s story of human history,
this seems appropriate. There were seven churches to whom John wrote.45 Seven lampstands,
with seven angels and seven stars, represent those churches.46 The Lamb, with seven horns and
seven eyes, was found worthy to open the seven seals of God’s scroll.47 This leads to seven scenes
beneath the seals48 and to seven trumpets and seven bowls of wrath.49 God’s people receive seven
blessings in Revelation.50
The fascinating, mysterious numbers in Revelation perhaps point to God’s perfect rule of the universe
and plan to redeem His people. God upholds a structure we often do not fully understand. The
circumstances of God’s people’s lives are not random but part of His ordered, sovereign plan.
Historical References
While John did not date his letter, most scholars believe John wrote Revelation as an old man, near
the close of the first century AD. Numerous references to suffering and martyrdom point to this
time when persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire intensified. Jesus said to the church at
37. Access to Tree of Life: Revelation 2:7; 22:2
38. Altar, ark: Exodus 25:10-22; 27:1-8; Revelation 6:9-11; 8:3-5; 9:13-16; 11:1-6; 14:17-20; 16:7
39. Song of Moses: Revelation 15:3
40. Isaiah's visions: Isaiah 65:17-25
41. Daniel’s visions: Daniel 7:1-27
42. Living creatures: Ezekiel 1:4-14; Revelation 4:6-9
43. Restored temple, river: Ezekiel 47:1-9; Zechariah 14:8-9; Revelation 22:1-2
44. 144,000: Revelation 7:1-8
45. Seven churches: Revelation 2–3
46. Lampstands, angels, stars: Revelation 1:19-20
47. Lamb and scroll: Revelation 5:6-9
48. Seven scenes: Revelation 6:1-17; 8:1
49. Trumpets, bowls: Revelation 8:2–9:21; 15:1–16:21
50. Seven blessings: Revelation 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14
32 | Lesson 2
Pergamum, “I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You
did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to
death in your city—where Satan dwells.”51 Chapter 17 comes close to identifying the symbolic Babylon
with Rome, the city with seven hills,52 symbolizing great powers that persecute believers. Some view
Babylon as a future literal city that will see the concentration of all that is wicked.53
Packed with mysterious imagery and written amid profound persecution, Revelation stirs our
anticipation. As we try to unpack each chapter and verse and wrestle with their meaning, we eagerly
anticipate the glory to come.
What Difference Does Revelation Make?
Perspective of God – Revelation 1:3
The study of Revelation is not merely interesting or academic, but life-changing. Jesus will richly
bless every person who reads this book and conforms to its truth. To take Revelation to heart is to
live under the authority of God’s agenda. Revelation helps us understand the destructiveness of sin,
love God’s presence, and honor His Son. This book illumines God’s vision for His people, freeing them
from pursuit of lives and futures prescribed by this world’s shortsighted assumptions. God’s loving
redemption and renewal can shape your perspective on life and eternity. Seeing what will be helps us
know how to respond now.
Perseverance and Purity – Revelation 2:2-3, 10; 3:8-11; 13:8; 18:4
Jesus repeatedly called His people to persevere in loyalty to Him, despite worldly pressure and
opposition. He knows exactly what His people face54 and promises eternal rewards. Jesus calls His
people to hold firm in His truth, not compromising with false religion or unbiblical living.55 Pervasive
evil makes ignoring or disobeying God seem normal. John wrote of the Lord’s redeemed people:
“They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as
firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.”56
The sobering reality of judgment in Revelation motivates God’s people to live in purity and share the
gospel with others.57 God is patient, giving people time to repent, but the reality of coming judgment
remains certain.58 The Redeemer’s presence and promise assure His followers of His strength.59
Power and Victory – Revelation 11:3-15; 12:10-11
Jesus sees His people when they experience hardship and empowers them as His representatives.60
Triumph is theirs through Jesus’s death and resurrection. He calls believers to follow Him in sacrifice,
love Him more than their very lives, and experience triumph through His power: “They triumphed over
51. Pergamum: Revelation 2:13
52. Babylon: Revelation 17:9-18
53. Concentration of wickedness: Zechariah 5:5-11
54. God knows: Revelation 3:8
55. Hold firm: Revelation 2:2-3, 25; 3:3, 11; 12:17; 19:10
56. God’s redeemed: Revelation 14:4-5
57. Share the gospel: Revelation 14:6
58. Repentance and judgment: 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 6:10-11; 9:4-6, 18-21
59. Redeemer’s strength: Matthew 28:18-20; Revelation 3:8; 11:4-6
60. God’s power: Revelation 11:3-14
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him [Satan, the dragon] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love
their lives so much as to shrink from death.”61 God’s promised eternal victory offers God’s people
assurance for today.
Take to Heart
Hold Fast
In the book of Revelation, John recorded Jesus’s message to His people regarding the settled future
ordained by Sovereign God. Powerful images of judgment and promises of full redemption offer hope
and an eternal perspective to God’s suffering people. Jesus, the Lion of Judah and the slain Lamb, will
vanquish Satan, evil, and evildoers and establish God’s eternal kingdom. No matter how the details in
Revelation are interpreted, this glorious book offers a deliberate focus on our victorious Savior and
certainty for those living in a world that appears uncertain.
Lasting security cannot be found in this world; even the stars will fall at God’s command. God
provides hope that this world cannot take away and for which we yearn. Will you approach Revelation
with expectancy? Nothing about the future escapes God’s control. Redeemed by His Son, God’s
people rest safe as they await the final victory and renewal He promises. Only the Lamb of God leads
His people to strong, enduring, radiant life forever in the presence of Holy, Almighty God.
Apply It
What will you ask God to do as you study Revelation? Though you came intrigued, do you desire to
leave transformed? Will you set aside your preconceived ideas about this mysterious book and read
each chapter seeking God’s comfort and hope? Trust that God intends to reveal timely, practical
truth that will impact your life today. Will you ask God for understanding of His perspective on the
world and your life? The study will be challenging but worth it.
Revelation divides humanity into two distinct camps. God knows the people who follow the Lamb and
those who seek only this world. How much do you think about those who need Jesus, the new life
He gives, and the hope He alone offers? Revelation may be God’s call for you to tell others about the
Savior. Time is short and judgment is sure, but God’s grace through Christ remains certain.
People have many ideas about God and how He works. God created the world in eternity past and
controls the outcome of eternity future. His eternal truth exponentially exceeds the limited wisdom
and experience we gain through a few decades of life on earth. Everything God declares remains true
and certain. Revelation reveals God and His Son, the triumphant Lord Jesus. We study Revelation not
merely to satisfy our curiosity about the shrouded future, but to know and worship God. When John
saw God’s glory, he fell at His feet like a dead man.62 When you see the Lord in His glory, how will you
worship Him? His splendor can transform your heart. Make room in your life to worship the God who
sits on heaven’s throne!
61. Loving self-sacrifice: Revelation 12:10-11
62. John saw God’s glory: Revelation 1:17
34 | Lesson 2 All Scripture quotations in this publication are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® NIV ®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
