03.27. Lesson 27
Lesson 27:Read Revelation 21:1-27; Revelation 22:1-21 again.
(1) Recall Wilcock’s suggestion that Revelation 21:1-8 provides an outline of Revelation 21:9-27; Revelation 22:1-19. Without looking back at Wilcock to see where he draws the parallels, examine the two chapters. Do you think his understanding of the structure of the passage is valid?
(2) In Revelation 22:1, what type of water is in the river? Where do most rivers originate? Where does this river originate? Why is this significant? See Zechariah 14:8 and John 4:9-14.
(3) Consider Revelation 22:2; see also Psalms 1:1-6 and Ezekiel 47:12. What is unusual about this tree? How is the tree in Psalms 1:1-6 similar to this tree? How is it different?
(4) In Revelation 22:3 we read "there shall be no more curse." What curse is the text referring to? See Genesis 3:17 and Zechariah 14:11.
(5) Who receives the name of God on their foreheads? What is the significance of this mark? See Revelation 7:3; Revelation 14:1, and recall our discussion of those passages.
(6) In what sense is Jesus coming quickly (Revelation 22:7 & Revelation 22:12)? In what sense is "the time near" (Revelation 22:10)? See Habakkuk 2:1-4, 2 Peter 3:8, and Revelation 2:16; Revelation 3:11.
(7) Consider Revelation 22:11. Why is there no call for repentance in this verse? See Matthew 25:10 and Luke 13:25. What point is being made in all three of these verses? See also Isaiah 6:9-10, Ezekiel 3:27, Daniel 12:10, and Matthew 13:9-17.
(8) Consider Revelation 22:12-17. What different types of "reward" are mentioned? Who receives the just "reward" for what he has done? (Note that the Greek word translated "reward" can mean "just recompense," and thus can include punishment). How is Revelation 22:12 consistent with Revelation 22:17? See 2 Corinthians 5:9-21, Hebrews 11:6, Revelation 7:14; Revelation 11:18.
(9) Read the concluding sections of Wilcock and Stedman. Let me quote from each:
"As a symbolic book, [Revelation] requires interpretation, but be careful. Do not take away its meaning by emphasizing the symbolic at the expense of the literal. Do not destroy its intent by accepting only the literal without understanding what it symbolizes. Believe it." (Stedman, from the original sermon)
Jesus has given [the Revelation] to us as a sacrament of the imagination, to quicken the pulse and set the soul aflame over the gospel which all too often we take for granted. (Wilcock, 222) Is your pulse quickened? Is your soul set aflame? What are the lessons of this book that you will be sure to heed?
(10) Finally, read the entire book of Revelation in one sitting, keeping these comments from Wilcock and Stedman in mind. Reflect on our earlier discussions, but focus once again on the overall picture provided for us here. Ask yourself again, "What is the primary message of this book today? What was the primary message of this book in 95AD and 1600AD?"
Thank you for all your work. May God fulfill His promises, and bless you through your reading, studying, and heeding the words of this book.
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