October 1st, 2023
Today we are really excited to kick-off a new 7-part study on the Book of Revelation we are calling, “Reveal.” So many people today have so many questions about this book – even those in the secular media are asking questions. I read where the number one podcaster in the USA for the past 15 years recently read from the Book of Revelation on his podcast but “didn’t understand it.” People are asking questions! To be clear, the Book of Revelation is not an easy read – mostly because of the prophetic imagery and symbolism contained in it. However, it is clear from Scripture that the Lord desires everyone to read Revelation because He attached a blessing for those who read it (Revelation 1:3). Additionally, the Lord desires that we not only read Revelation, but that we submit ourselves to the leadership of the Holy Spirit while we read it so that we also hear what the Spirit is saying through it as well:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”
(see Revelation 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:29; 3:6; 3:13; 3:22; 13:9)
Although this will be the first time I am teaching a series on the Book of Revelation, I suspect that it will not be the last time. I have been studying it, praying through it, and researching several excellent resources about it (some are listed below) over the past year. Honestly, the more I take a deep dive into this book the more I realize how much more there is to learn! That’s okay, however, because as a disciple of Jesus I am reminded that the word “disciple” in the original Greek means, “learner.” My hope throughout this series is that I inspire you to become more of a student of God’s Word and that you are more motivated than ever before to spend time with Jesus, learning from Jesus, how to become more like Jesus each and every day.
Each week we will be reading through a section (we call it a “window”) of the Book of Revelation. Those readings are listed below, and we encourage you to read through each verse throughout the week. Also – each week we will be highlighting one of the 7 Promises Jesus gives to a special group of people: “overcomers.” Although these promises were initially spoken to the faithful believers in the 1st century, we believe that they are also timeless prophetic promises given to all faithful believers – even in the 21st century as well. The key verse to understanding how to be an overcomer in Christ is found in Revelation 12:11:
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
Revelation 12:11
The Lord has called every believer to be an overcomer in this life. Our heart is to help you personally grow as an overcomer in Christ and we pray that it is one of the main takeaways each one us gets out of this study on the Book of Revelation. Remember: God ALWAYS wins, Jesus IS the Victor and through Him, you can do all things (Phil. 4:13). Let’s enjoy growing in God’s Word together!
“REVEAL” Series Overview
How this Story Ends and the New One Begins
WEEK 1 Sunday, October 1, 2023
- Prologue – Jesus reveals Himself as the “Alpha” and the “Omega” (Read Rev. 1:1-1:8)
- Promise #1 – Overcomers shall eat from The Tree of Life (see Rev. 2:7)
WEEK 2 Sunday, October 8
- The 7 Churches (Read Rev. 1:9-3:22)
- Promise #2 – Overcomers shall not be hurt by the 2nd death (see Rev. 2:11)
WEEK 3 Sunday, October 15
- The Lamb Unseals the Scroll (Read Rev. 4:1-11:18)
- Promise #3 – Overcomers shall be given hidden manna, a white stone and a new name (see Rev. 2:17)
WEEK 4 Sunday, October 22
- The Cosmic Conflict (Read Rev. 11:19-15:4)
- Promise #4 – Overcomers shall be granted power over nations; given the morning star (see Rev. 2:26-28)
WEEK 5 Sunday, October 29
- The Bowls of Wrath and the Fall of Babylon (Read Rev. 15:5 – 19:10)
- Promise #5 – Overcomers shall be given white garments and named in The Book of Life (see Rev. 3:5)
WEEK 6 Sunday, November 5
- Jesus Arrives on the White Horse Ushering in the City of God (Read Rev. 19:11-22:5)
- Promise #6 – Overcomers shall be made a permanent pillar in the Temple of God (see Rev. 3:12)
WEEK 7 Sunday, November 12 (FINAL)
- Epilogue – The New Heaven and New Earth of the New Story is Revealed (Read Rev. 22:6-21)
- Promise #7 – Overcomers shall be granted a seat on the throne with Jesus (see Rev. 3:21)
Resources:
Primary:
Revelation (yes, the last book in your Bible is the primary source☺). The outline above gives you the specific verses that we will be covering each week.
Books and Commentaries:
N.T. Wright (2011) Revelation for Everyone (A Commentary on the Book of Revelation)
Darrell Johnson (2021) Discipleship on the Edge: An Expository Journey Through the Book of Revelation (NOTE: Our outline for this series is adapted from Dr. Johnson’s book)
Scot McKnight (2023) Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple
Bruce Metzger (1999) Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation
Richard Bauckham (1993) The Theology of the Book of Revelation
C.S. Lewis (2013) Screwtape Letters: The Annotated Edition (updated version of the 1942 classic) NOTE: This book is not specific to the Book of Revelation, but it DOES give a fictional glimpse of how persistent Intelligent Evil often works to deceive, discourage, and cause division in the lives of believers. I wanted to include this book as a resource for this series because in order for you and I to be an overcomer in Christ, we must understand how the enemy relentlessly works to create separation between people and God and division between one another. Very entertaining and incredibly insightful!
Videos available for free online:
Revelation Seminar: Tenth Church (Session 1) Dr. Darrell Johnson (2016)
Revelation Seminar: Tenth Church (Session 2) Dr. Darrell Johnson (2016)
“God’s Power is Coming” (The Two Witnesses Movie) Ambassadors of Christ (2018)
*NOTE: Although I may not agree with 100% of everything in this video and/or what this group promotes, this video gives an incredible view of a perspective of prophetic Last Days ministry and the POTENTIAL importance of Jew/Gentile reconciliation in the End Times. Really inspiring!