TueRevBibStudy - Week 2

Tuesday Night Rev Bible Study

November 27th – Second Week  – Recap /  Chapter 1

Blog Format:

1.       Housecleaning Notes -  things pertaining to Tuesday night at Leah and Jon’s

2.       Recap of the night’s discussion

3.       Chapter notes and background

4.       Questions and homework for the next meeting night

Housecleaning: 

We will not be signing up to bring snacks this time around (but if someone wants to bring snacks, no one will stop them). Coffee will be available. We will go from 6:30PM to 7:45PM. At 7:45PM we will finish so people with kiddos can get them home. If someone has further questions, we can discuss for a few minutes afterward, but it will be informal. We will begin with prayer requests and then move on to the study.

Recap of Questions Chapter 1:

1.     Is the first verse in chapter one implying that it will be a revelation about Jesus Christ, or a revelation from Jesus Christ? Both. The book of Revelation is genius in that the Holy Spirit weaves a revelation from Jesus about things to come, and the book also gives us further revelation about the nature / person of Christ. Both themes continue through the remainder of the book.

2.    Why do you think there is a promise of blessing at the beginning of the book in chapter 1? Revelation is the only book of the Bible that promises us a blessing for reading, hearing, and heeding its contents. The promise of blessing occurs in the beginning and at the end of the book. The knowledge that Christ overcomes in the end, is helpful to any believer in any time, and the specific events foretold in the book can help a believer understand world events as they relate to scripture so they are not caught unaware about things that seem to happen inexplicably, and can appear to be outside God’s will.

3.      During the time period (90 – 95A.D.) that John wrote the book of Revelation, it was common practice for the Gospels, and letters in the New Testament to be read aloud for all of the congregation to hear. When this book was first read aloud, what type of reaction do you think it got from the listeners just after the first few verses? The circumstances for those listening to the letter from John, that we now know as Revelation, were difficult. The reigning emperor had exiled John to the island of Patmos, and other believers had been faced with loss of possessions, exile, death and other hardships. They needed hope, and this letter was different from all other New Testament letters that they had listened to, the tenor changed, the urgency changed, and ultimately the letter promised that even as things got MORE difficult, the reality of eternal life in Christ matters more than any earthly circumstance. Chapter one starts the tenor and tone, and I am sure some audibly gasped as the obvious difference between this letter and ALL previous letters of the New Testament became apparent.

 

4.      What is the difference between hearing something, and taking it to heart? As warnings about hurricane Sandy were broadcast well before Sandy hit land, some heard and took action to protect their homes and ultimately their lives. However, some heard and either talked themselves into believing that ‘it would not be that bad’, or heard the warnings, but still did not take enough action to help prevent loss of property or lives. We all react to warnings about events, especially before the events happen, with similar reactions. It is important as we read through this book of the Bible, and all other books of the Bible, to realize that listening and obeying, acting upon what we hear is always the formula for successful living.

 

5.      What do we learn about Jesus in chapter one? “Grace be unto you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before His throne;⁵ and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first-begotten of the dead, and the prince over the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,⁶ and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.⁷ Behold, He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him, and they also who pierced Him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so. Amen.⁸ “I Am Alpha And Omega, The Beginning And The Ending,” saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev 1:4-8. These words must have been incredibly inspiring and sobering to the first listeners, who NEEDED to be reminded that Christ is in control. We learn a ton in this chapter about Christ, and continue to learn as the book rolls on.

6.      Is this book only intended for 7 churches, why or why not? “In Scripture, seven symbolizes completeness or perfection. On the seventh day God rested from his labors and creation is finished (Gn 2:2). Pharaoh in his dream saw seven cattle coming from the Nile (41:2). Samson’s sacred Nazirite locks were braided in seven plaits (Jgs 16:13). Seven devils left Mary of Magdala, signifying the totality of her previous possession by Satan (Lk 8:2); "seven other devils" will enter the purified but vacant life of a person (Mt 12:45). However, on the positive side, there were the seven spirits of God (Rv 3:1). In the seventh year the Hebrew slave was to be freed (Ex 21:2), having completed his time of captivity and service. Every seventh year was a sabbatical year (Lv 25:4). Seven times seven reiterates the sense of completeness. In the Year of Jubilee (at the completion of 7 x 7 years = the 50th year), all land is freed and returns to the original owners (Lv 25:10). Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks, is seven times seven days after Passover. "Seventy," which is literally "sevens" in Hebrew, strengthens the concept of perfection. There are 70 elders (Ex 24:1) in Israel. Israel was exiled to Babylon for 70 years (Jer 25:12) to complete its punishment. "Seventy times seven" (Mt 18:22) reiterates this still further. The Lord was not giving Peter a mathematical number of times that he should forgive another person, but rather was insisting on limitless forgiveness for a brother’s sin.”  - Tyndale Bible Dictionary              Seven represents not only 7 literal churches, but the whole of the church through every generation until Christ comes back. Again, this book is genius at having a double meaning in that it speaks to the 7 literal churches mentioned in Chapters 2 and 3, and yet each letter ends with, ‘He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.’ As long as you have an earJ Chapters 2 and 3 are meant for you. 

7.      What day did John receive the vision, and is it important? Sunday. http://www.bible.ca/7-sunday-significance-for-christians.htm  This is a good link that explores the importance of Sunday in the New Testament. Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday, and the fact that Jesus deliberately chose to deliver this vision to John is not coincidence, but points to the importance of believers gathering on Sunday as a reminder that Sunday marks a hope that transcends all earthly events. No matter the situation of a believer good or bad, Jesus resurrection promises eternal life to those who put their faith in Him. As we read on keep this day in mind.

8.     A popular song  asks the question - what would someone do when they came face to face with Jesus Christ in Heaven. The author of the song is curious if he will fall down on his knees, or dance. After reading chapter one, what do you think is the answer? Fall down.

9.      What was confusing about the chapter, what was easy to understand? Imagery in and throughout the book of Revelation can be confusing, but one way to better understand what John is communicating is to pay attention to the cross references that point back to the Old Testament. In your Bible you typically have verses that cross reference with other verses in the Bible. http://www.bible-researcher.com/cross-references.html Another good link that explains this in more detail. Again, going back to how we interpret the Bible, especially this book, will help. Taking a literal interpretation can be difficult, but with the cross reference approach, this can be a bit easier to digest.

Background / Notes / Questions for Chapters 2 and 3:

Key Verse:    “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later."   - Chapter 1, Verse 19
The above verse gives the reader an outline for the vision that John will convey to the reader. Essentially John will communicate things seen in the vision past, present and future, which will help the reader to better understand the events as they unfold throughout the letter. 

Map of the Seven Churches (Chapters 2 and 3)

 Ephesus was one of the four largest cities in the Roman Empire, with a population of 250,000, and a center of culture and trade. Its great temple dedicated the goddess Artemis was one of the "Seven Wonders of the World." It was four hundred and twenty five feet long by two hundred and twenty feet wide; it had one hundred and twenty columns, each sixty feet high and the gift of a king, and thirty-six of them were richly gilded and inlaid.  Its large amphitheater, capable of holding 24,000 people, was the scene of the riot against Paul described in Acts 19.21-41 and is intact to this day. Ephesus is now known for its huge metropolis of ancient streets, arches and ruins.

 Smyrna was a port city on the Aegean at the mouth of the Hermus River. In 26 CE it was chosen to be the center of the imperial cult which worshipped the Emperor. Today the city is called Izmir, and, alone among the seven churches, there is still a Christian congregation in the city.

 Pergamum, a city of 180,000, contained notable temples to the emperor Augustus and the goddess Roma, to Zeus Savior, and to Aesclepius the god of healing. It probably was the official center of the Roman government and was also noted for its practice of emperor worship. Pergamum is located on the plains and foothills along the Caicus River in Western Turkey. It was considered a major city in Asia Minor since the 3rd century BC, and became a Greek and Roman hub for temple worship.

 Thyatira was located on the road from Pergamum to Sardis. It held a temple to Apollo (son of Zeus) and the sun-god Hellios, but it was more noted as a center of trade guilds and commerce. (Recall that Lydia, a seller of purple cloth mentioned in Acts 16.14 was from Thyatira.) Association in such trade guilds often involved eating "food sacrificed to idols." (2.20) Thyatira is located in western Asia Minor about 42 miles inland from the Aegean Sea.

 Sardis was located at the junction of the imperial highways linking Pergamum, Smyrna, and Ephesus. It had a reputation for its glorious past when it was the capital of the wealthy Croesus, but it had been captured twice (by Cyrus in 546 BCE and by Antiochus III in 214 BCE) and suffered a devastating earthquake in 17 CE. Sardis is located on the banks of the Pactolus River in western Asia Minor, 60 miles inland from Ephesus and Smyrna. Popular ruins include the decadent temples and bath house complexes.

 Philadelphia was even more devastated by the earthquake of 17 CE. The area is subject to frequent seismic activity and today is known as Alasehir. Philadelphia is located on the Cogamis River in western Asia Minor, about 80 miles east of Smyrna. Philadelphia was known for its variety of temples and worship centers.

 Laodicea was a very prosperous city whose wealth and reputation were based on its wool and linen industry that produced black cloth and its manufacture of an eye ointment. (Rev 3.18) Laodicea’s liability was its limited and foul tasting water supply. Water provided by the hot springs of Hierapolis five miles away. Laodicea is located in the Lycus River Valley of western Asia Minor, a primary trade route between the cultures of the West and East. Laodicea was known as a primary hub for the Roman aqueduct system.

Ephesus	Smyrna	Pergamum	Thyatira	Sardis	Philadelphia	Laodicea
"First, Desirable"	"Bitter Affliction"	"Earthly Height"	"Sacrifice of Labor"	"Prince of Joy"	"Love of A Brother"	"Just People"
33-70 AD	70-313	313-1157	1157-1367	1367-1517	1517-1874	1874-?
Paul 35-64 AD	John 70-100	Arius 313-336	Waldo 1157-1217	Wycliffe 1367-1384	Luther 1517-1546	Russell 1874-1916
7 Golden Candlesticks	First & Last, Dead and Alive	Sharp 2-Edged Sword	Eyes like Fire, Feet like Brass	Reputation for being alive, but dead	Key of David	Amen, Faithful & True Beginning of Creation
Left 1st Love	Synagogue of Satan	Antipas	Jezebel	Come as Thief	Hast Little Strength	Lukewarm
Nicolaitanes	Tribulation 10 Days	Balaam & Balac, Nicolaitanes	Depths of Satan	Defiled Garments	Keep from Hour of Temptation, Hold Fast Crown	Gold Tried, White Raiment Eyesalve, Knock at Door, Sup with Him
Tree of Life	Crown of Life, Not Hurt of 2nd Death	Hidden Manna White Stone, New Name	Rod of Iron, Potter's Vessel Morning Star	White Raiment, Confess Name to Father	Pillar in Temple, Name of God, New Jerusalem, & New Name	Sit in Christ's Throne

1.      Most individuals want to know what God thinks of them…how do you think the actual churches responded to God’s word for their respective church?  

2.      What do you think it means to ‘forget your first love’.

3.      What letter to the church in your opinion reminds you of the church of today?

4.      What letter to the church do you feel speaks to your situation the most accurately, and why?

5.      What cultural influences complicate your life or distract you from your relationship with Christ?

6.      What makes you uncomfortable in reading the letters to the 7 churches?

7.      What is a dispensationalist?

8.      Are there any common themes in the 7 letters?

9.      What was confusing about the chapter, what was easy to understand?