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Scripture: Revelation 18:1-2a, 4-5, 7b-17, 20a CEB Babylon is an empire from _________________________________. John uses them as a code for ________________. For us, they could symbolize _____________________. _____________________ and ______________________ bemoan Babylon’s fall. The Greek word for slaves, somata, means ________________. John claims that slaves are ________________. Why does this matter? Where do you see the values of Babylon at work in our world today? In verse 7, Babylon expresses immense arrogance. How do greed and arrogance play off of one another? The first direction Revelation gives us is ___________________________________. Pastor Drew compares our lives as Christians still living in Babylon to Leon Russell’s song, “________________________________________.” What do you think about this perspective? In your life experience, when was a time where the values of your faith were difficult to live out in real life? Do Jesus’ teachings apply to real life? What portion of your life are you silencing Jesus? John Wesley’s three simple rules are: 1._______________________ 2. _________________________ 3. ___________________________ Where can you grow as a disciple by following each of these rules? The second direction Revelation gives us is ________________!
On Babylon's Fall
This Week's Announcements 9/17-9/23/23
Scripture: Revelation 16:12-17 CEB Sermon Worksheet: When did you first encounter the term “Armageddon”? Harmagedon: Har = ____________________ + Magedon = ________________________ What is Megiddo’s significance in the Hebrew Scriptures? ___________________ What is Megiddo’s significance in the ancient world? ___________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Rome was afraid of the _________________ Empire invading from the East [recall the 1st Horsemen of the Apocalypse’s appearance that alludes to them] Who did many in the 1st century fear would lead the Parthians in an attack? _________________ Why do you think humans long for bloodshed? What is the significance of Jesus’ victory on the cross ultimately? How does this scripture communicate hope? Where do you need hope and encouragement in your life? How has this series so far impacted your understanding of Revelation and eschatology (theories of the end of times)?
On Armageddon
Scripture: Revelation 13:11-18 Sermon Worksheet Taking the Preterist view (1st century perspective), who might 666 be referring to? ________________________________ Notes about this person: ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Whose deaths was this person responsible for? _____________ & ___________________ G__________________ is the practice of assigning a numerical value to a name, word, or phrase. Taking the Idealist view (timeless symbolism), how can 666 be interpreted? __________________________________________________________________________ The question that remains for us is: ________________________________________? Wild thing #2 looks like a ________________ but has the voice of a ________________. What do you consider to be the heart of your faith? When has your faith felt most alive? When have you felt the most disconnect or cynicism? Before Christianity was a “world religion” its followers called it __________________. Moving beyond platitudes, why do you think the faith of Jesus has withstood time, tribulation, and test? The Roman Empire adopted Christianity as its official religion in the 4th century. How do you think this changed our faith?
On the Mark of the Beast
Scripture: Revelation 12:18-13:10 Notes about the Antichrist: _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 1st century interpretations of wild thing #1: __________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Contrasting the Wild Thing with Jesus Symbolism The wild thing symbolizes _____________________ Jesus, depicted as a ____________________________, symbolizes _________________ When has the Christian religion resembled the beast? When have you seen it resemble Christ best? When does Salem best resemble Christ? 2. Actions The wild thing leads people to _______________________ Jesus leads people to ________________________________ John Wesley’s three simple rules for people of faith are “1). Do no harm 2). Do good 3). Stay in love with God.” How might you shape your life around these rules? Where in your life is an opportunity to grow into one of these? 3. Time The wild thing’s time is _____________________________ Jesus shall reign _____________________________________ This truth should remove fear and motivate us to action. Some may see it as an excuse for complacency. How do we resist that thinking? Pastor Drew’s challenge. My # will be _____________.
On the Beast or “Anti-Christ”
Scripture: Revelation 8:1-6, 11:15-19 Sermon Points and Discussion Questions What happened in 70AD? _________________________________________________ We 21st century readers have difficulty with the violence that unfolds with the blowing of the 7 trumpets. Consider the experiences of Revelation’s original audience. What violence and horror were they exposed to on a regular basis? How would this impact their understanding of Revelation? What do trumpets symbolize? _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Revelation both calls us to a radical trust in God’s providence and calls us to live out our faith. How do trust and living it out go hand in hand? Life Application: Wake up calls Wake up to ___________________________________. Where are you in your journey of faith? What is a growing edge? What steps can you take to tend to your spiritual health? Wake up to ______________________________________. Consider a circumstance in your life where you are not completely in control. In this circumstance, what are things that cannot be taken away from you? Wake up to _______________________________________. What are you most hopeful for in the long-term? In hard times, what role does hope play in your life? What is the power of hope? Now, consider these points for the 1st century Christians who John writes to. What is similar? What is different?
On Revelation’s Symbols
Scripture: Revelation 5:6-6:8 Common English Bible (CEB) The Four Hermeneutical Approaches to the Book of Revelation Preterist: ____________________________________________________________________ Historicist: _________________________________________________________________ Futurist: ____________________________________________________________________ Idealist: _____________________________________________________________________ Which approach do you tend towards? What surprised you about these? Traditional Understandings of the Four Horsemen The White Horse: ____________________________________________________________ The Fiery Red Horse: _________________________________________________________ The Black Horse: ____________________________________________________________ The Pale Green Horse: _______________________________________________________ How important do you believe historical context is to interpreting the Bible? Life Application Trust that God ________________. What is the power of knowing that you are seen amidst struggles? Trust that God is ________________. Why would the 1st century Christians have doubted this? Why would John want to reassure them of this? How might this assurance impact your life? Trust ___________________________. When approaching this difficult book, what role can trusting in who you know God to be through Jesus Christ play?
On Interpreting Revelation
Promo for our upcoming series on the Book of Revelation
All Shall Be Well: Untangling the Mysteries of Revelation promo
Scripture: James 3:1-12 part of "Growing Up With Jesus: The Christian Life according to James, the Brother of Jesus" series
"Tongues of Fire"
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