The Study of Revelation

Date Title "Revelation, Part 1"  Chapters 1 through 6
Feb. 5
9:30 a.m.		 Introduction
to
Revelation		 Introduction to Apostle John's "Revelation"

• Author, Date, Place of Writing, Purpose, and Recipients

• Review of the Four Main Interpretive Views of Revelation (See details of the four views in next week's section.)

For review and application: Click here1. When have you had a "revelation" that you were eager to share with someone?
2. Who wrote the book of Revelation, and where was he when he wrote it?
3. To whom was the book addressed?
4. Why is Rome portrayed negatively?
 to read the questions Tim will ask.
Feb. 12
9:30 a.m.		 The Four Main
Interpretive Views
of Revelation		 • Review of the Four Main Interpretive Views of Revelation:
    Historicist, Preterist, Futurist, Idealist (Spiritualist)

• "Prologue" and "Greetings and Doxology" (1:1–8)

• Listen to the first chapter recited by Max McLean of The Listener's Bible.

• Buy the suggested resource book from Christianbook.com.

Click here The Historicist view: Revelation surveys the whole of church history.
Representatives:
1. Matthew Henry. Acts to Revelation, vol. 6 in Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible. [Fleming H. Revell]
2. Jim Pinkoski. The Prophecies of Daniel and Revelation [Frederick, Md.: Amazing Facts, Inc., 1986]

The Preterist view: Fulfillment of Revelation is in the past, shortly after the time of writing.
Representatives:
1. David Chilton. The Days of Vengeance: An Exposition of the Book of Revelation. [Dominion Press, 1987].
2. Kenneth Gentry. The Book of Revelation Made Easy: You Can Understand Bible Prophecy. [American Vision Press, 2008]

The Futurist view: Everything after chapter three awaits fulfillment in the future.
Representatives:
1. Hal Lindsey. There's a New World Coming: A Prophetic Odyssey. [Harvest House, 1973]
2. Henry M. Morris. The Revelation Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Revelation. [Tyndale House, 1983]

The Spiritual (or Idealist) view: There is no single fulfillment; only transcendent principles and recurrent themes.
Representatives:
1. William Hendriksen. More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation. [Baker Book House, 1939]
2. Henry Alford. The Revelation in The Greek Testament, revised by Everett F. Harrison [Moody Press, 1958]
 to see Tim's outline of the four main views of Revelation.
Feb. 19
9:30 a.m.		 The Vision of the
Glorified Christ		 "The Vision of the Glorified Christ" (1:9–18)

Listen to the first chapter recited by Max McLean of The Listener's Bible.

For review and application: Click here1. What religious pictures adorn the walls of your house? Your mind?
2. What is the meaning of the seven stars? The seven lampstands?
3. What's significant about John's circumstances (v. 9) and the day when he received this vision (v. 10)?
4. How does an understanding of the book of Daniel help you understand the symbolism in Revelation 1:9–18?
 to read the questions Tim will ask.
Feb. 26
9:30 a.m.		 Special
Teaching		 Guest Teachers Today — Wil and Gloria Swihart

"The Real Deal about Homosexuality" Part 1

Teachings will include: What homosexuality is and what isn't; how one responds to homosexuality when experiencing it in the family or with friends; a live testimony from a pastor who worked directly in the deliverance process; and resources and helps for responding to or learning about homosexuality.

Relevant reading: "The Bible and Being Gay" from Blogos.org
Mar. 4
9:30 a.m.		 Special
Teaching		 Guest Teachers Today — Wil and Gloria Swihart

"The Real Deal about Homosexuality" Part 2

Teachings will include: a live testimony from a person freed from homosexuality, and how churches and individuals should respond to and deal with homosexuality.

Relevant reading: "The Bible and Being Gay" from Blogos.org
Mar. 11
9:30 a.m.		 Special
Teaching		 Guest Teacher Today — Pastor Dick Jefferson

"A Pastoral Wrap-up on the Sexual Identity Question”

Scriptures, deliverance, and discipleship; questions; personal experiences from 45 years of ministry with the those struggling with the issue; and a few conclusions
Mar. 18 No class Snow cancellation today
Mar. 25
9:30 a.m.		 One Like a
Son of Man		 "The Apostles' Commission to Write" and "The Letter to the Church in Ephesus" (1:19–2:7)

Listen to chapter 1 and listen to chapter 2.

For review and application: Click here1. What is the meaning of the seven stars? The seven lampstands?
2. What does it mean for a church to be a light?
3. At first glance, the Ephesian church was doing everything right. Where were they falling short and how could they obey the command in 2:5?
4. Why was repentance necessary for the Ephesian church??
 to read the questions Tim will ask.
Apr. 1
9:30 a.m.		 The Letters to
the Churches
in Smyrna and
Pergamum		 "To the Churches in Smyrna and Pergamum" (2:8–17)

Listen to this chapter.

For review and application: Click here1. What problems is the church in Smyrna facing?
2. Jesus talks about life and death over and over to the Smyrnans. Why do you think He does this?
3. What do you think Jesus means by calling Pergamum the place "where Satan has his throne" (2:13)?
4. How are the Christians in Pergamum being tested?
 to read the questions Tim will ask.
Apr. 8
9:30 a.m.		 The Letters to
the Churches
in Pergamum
and Thyatira		 "To the Churches in Pergamum and Thyatira" (2:12–2:28)

Listen to chapter 2.

For review and application: Click here1. What do you think Jesus means by calling Pergamum the place "where Satan has his throne" (2:13)?
2. The Ephesian church was strong on resisting false doctrine and immorality but weak on love (2:2–4). The Thyatiran church was strong on love but weak on resisting false doctrine and immorality (2:19–20). Which of these, if either, are you more like? What can you do about this?
 to read the questions Tim will ask.
Apr. 15
9:30 a.m.		 The Letters to
the Churches
of Sardis and
Philadelphia		 "To the Churches of Sardis and Philadelphia" (3:1–13)

Listen to chapter 3.

For review and application: Click here What encouragements does Jesus offer in 3:7–13 to those suffering persecution?
 to read the question Tim will ask.

• 10:15 a.m.: Meet the Stanfield missionary family. Jeff and Christine will tell of their work with World Global Missions in Kenya and Uganda.
Apr. 22
9:30 a.m.		 The Letter to
the Church
of Laodicea		 "To the Church of Laodicea" (3:14–22)

Listen to chapter 3.

For review and application: Click here1. In context, is 3:20 addressed to believers or unbelievers? What is the meaning of the verse, in your own words?
2. In each letter, Jesus closes (before or after the promise to the overcomers) with the same summons for those with ears to hear. What is the point of this call? Whom do you think He is addressing?
 to read the questions Tim will ask.
Apr. 29
9:30 a.m.

The Throne
in Heaven
(Part 1)

 "The Throne in Heaven" (Part 1) (4:1–11)

Listen to this chapter.

For review and application: Click here1. What does the association between God and thunderstorms suggest to you about God?
2. What impressions does 4:1–11 give you of God the Father? What can we learn about Him from this chapter?
3. Thrones, especially God's throne, are mentioned 45 times in Revelation. Why do you think they appear so often? What do they have to do with the book's message?
4. What attitudes do you think are expressed by falling down before God? What is expressed by laying one's crown before Him?
 to read the questions Tim will ask.
May 6
9:30 a.m.		 The Throne
in Heaven
(Part 2)		 "The Throne in Heaven" (Part 2) (4:1–11)

Listen to this chapter.

For review and application: Click here1. Search for or Google "the millennium" view; check out a few different definitions.
2. See how it might include "premillennialism," "postmillennialism," and "amillennialism."
3. Bring your questions to class this Sunday.
to read the questions Tim will ask.
May 13
9:30 a.m.		 No Meeting
Today		 Enjoy a Mother's Day breakfast this morning — between services — starts 10:15 a.m.

Eleven high school students, who will attend this year's CHIC high school conference in Tennessee, and a number of fathers will team up to serve you pancakes, eggs, and fruit. Please bring a donation to help subsidize student admission fees for this Christian conference in July.
May 20
9:30 a.m.		 The Scroll
and the Lamb
(Part 1)		 "The Scroll and the Lamb" (Part 1) (5:1–14)

Dr. Donald Gray Barnhouse once observed that "there are four things out of place in the universe: the church, which should be in heaven; Israel, which should be living in peace occupying all the land promised to her; Satan, who belongs in the lake of fire; and Christ, who should be seated on His throne reigning. All four of those anomalies will be set right when Christ takes the scroll from His Father's hand."

Listen to this chapter.

For review and application: Click here1. For what is the Lamb praised and worshipped (5:9–10, 12–13)?
2. How is this relevant to your life today?
3. What can we learn about worship (its true meaning, nature, and reasons) from 4:1–5:14?
4. What are your impressions of heaven from 4:1–5:14?
 to read the questions Tim will ask.

See the continuation of Revelation: Part 2 (available in July)


Adult Sunday school classes are taught by in House #1.
   Doors open at 9 a.m. for fellowship.
   Worship and prayers begin at 9:15 a.m.
   Class begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends by 10:30 a.m.

Please invite people who you feel would appreciate learning about Apostle John's book of Revelation.