Background:
Herod the Great - the ruler of Judea at the time of Jesus’ birth. He was not well liked by the Jews. Reasons: a) Herod was not a true Jew. Descendant of the hated Edomites. His father converted to Judaism for political purposes. b) The Jews viewed Herod as a puppet of the hated Romans. c) Herod was not only hated by the Jews but also feared. He had a violent temper particularly in the last years of his reign which is when the story of the wise men takes place. Herod was believed to have been responsible for burning a monastery in 8 B.C. The Romans placed a golden eagle (a symbol of Roman authority) at the entrance of the Temple. Two popular Jewish teachers encouraged their pupils to riot in order to have the eagle removed. Herod had the teachers and pupils burned alive. Herod’s hold on power was shaky at best which fed an overwhelming paranoia that he had enemies everywhere including family members. Herod put to death two wives and two sons. The Roman emperor Augustus joked that it was preferable to be Herod's pig than his son.
Wise Men – also known as the Magi. They probably were Persians. They were highly respected in Persian society. The magi were a combination of scientist, astrologer, and royal adviser. They were not kings. The magi investigated the works of nature (such as the stars) for the purpose of becoming acquainted with truth. They believed that Heaven communicated its desires and intentions through signs, comets, stars and astronomical phenomena. They believed the stars and planets foretold the coming of major events – death of a king, birth of a king, whether or not a king should go to war, etc. Indeed, a person's destiny was considered determined by the stars under which one was born. Persian rulers rarely made any decision without consulting the magi first.
Messianic prophecy – Around the time of Jesus’ birth, Judea was caught up in Messianic fever. The Old Testament prophets foretold the coming of a mighty ruler who would crush the enemies of the Jews, in their case the Romans, and restore Israel to glory. He would be a descendant of King David. Around the time of Jesus’ birth, some Jewish scholars had discovered that seventy-six generations had passed since the Creation, and there was a well-known prophecy that the Messiah was to deliver Israel from its foreign rulers in the seventy-seventh generation. Several Jewish men who claimed to be the Messiah attempted to lead revolts against Roman rule. Herod put them down mercilessly.
Read Matthew 2:1-12
The magi/wise men saw a new astronomical wonder in the night sky. A bright new star appeared in the western sky. They interpreted its appearance to mean a new king had been born for what group of people? The Jews. The star was such a wondrous sight the magi/wise men felt compelled to go see this new king and pay their respects. As we’ll see in a moment, God played a role in their decision to go west. The journey of wise men/magi was a long one. At least two years. (Read Matthew 2:16) They travelled 500-1000 miles across desert and over mountains. They most likely travelled only at night. There was probably many a night when their view of the star was obstructed by clouds, sandstorms, etc. The new star was their only point of reference for where the magi/wise men were going.
1) Where do you think the wise men expected to find the newborn king? In what kind of residence? Probably a palace. Certainly not a barn.
2) Where did the wise men stop at first and why? Jerusalem. Several possible reasons why:
a) Bethlehem, where Jesus lived, was located only 5 miles from Jerusalem. The close proximity of the star to Jerusalem probably led the wise men there first thinking the newborn king was there. Jerusalem was the capital of Judea. Home of King Herod. Where else would a new king be born? b) There was also the possibility that the wise men lost sight of the star due to inclement weather. Went to Jerusalem to see if someone knew where the child was at and get directions to his residence. c) God led the wise men to Jerusalem. He used Gentiles to make aware to His people the Jews about the birth of THE Messiah.
3) What question did the wise men ask? Where is he who is born king of the Jews?
4) What was Herod’s reaction to the wise men’s visit and question? He was disturbed/troubled. Why? Last time he checked, Herod was king of the Jews. Moreover, he had not had a child in a long while. If what the wise men said was true, somewhere was a child who posed a threat to his position/authority. His paranoia began to well up.
5) What was the people of Jerusalem’s reaction to the wise men’s visit and question? Disturbed/troubled also. Why? Whenever Herod was troubled people usually ended up dead. People were fearful of how Herod would react to the news of a new king being born.
6) vs. 3. What did Herod do? Herod probably told the wise men “Hold on and I’ll get back with you.” He called together the Jewish religious leaders and asked them where the Christ/Messiah was to be born. Wise men asked where a “king” was to be born not the Messiah. They had no clue what a Messiah was or what he meant to the Jewish people. Herod did know and immediately concluded the king the wise men referred to was the Messiah. He ordered the Jewish religious leaders to search the Scriptures to discover where the Messiah was to be born.
7) Where did the Jewish leaders tell Herod the Messiah was to be born and how did they discover it? Bethlehem which was 5 miles south of Jerusalem. Found the location in Micah 5:2.
8) After learning of the Messiah’s birthplace, Herod met with the wise men in secret. Why? Herod did not want this information to become public. People might use it against him. Force him out of power.
9) What did Herod want to learn from the wise men and why? The exact time when the wise men first saw the star. Read vs. 16. He wanted to know how old the child was for the purpose of identifying him so that Herod could have him killed.
10) vs. 8 What did Herod tell the wise men? When you find the child be sure to let me know so that I can pay my respects as well.
11) When they got to Bethlehem, where did the star lead the wise men? To a house. Not a barn, stable, or manger. A house with four walls, a roof, and a carpenter shop. What was their reaction when the star stopped over a house? Overjoyed. Exceedingly happy. Probably not where the wise expected to find the newborn king. Yet, they were not disappointed by the fact the child lived in an ordinary house and not a palace.
12) When the wise men entered the house, what did they see? A child/toddler and his mother. Not a baby in a cow stall. What was their reaction when they saw the child? Bowed on their knees and worshipped. Again, probably not what the wise men expected a newborn king to be. Yet, they were not disappointed by the fact the child was not of royalty. Why is it that the wise men are present at Jesus’ birth in the Nativity scenes? During the Middle Ages, there were travelling plays where people performed Bible stories for the public. The most popular plays were the Nativity (birth of Jesus) and the Passion play (death and resurrection of Jesus.) When performing the Nativity, they included the visit of the wise men without the disclaimer, “Two years later …” and changing the set pieces. Kept it simple for the audience.
13) What did the wise men give the child as gifts? Gold, incense/frankincense, and myrhh. Tradition associates the gifts with Jesus as king (gold) and priest (incense) and his death (myrhh.) It was common for the newborn of royalty to receive valuable gifts out of respect. All three were very valuable items. They may have been given to help support Jesus and his family while they were in a foreign land, Egypt (vs. 13-15)
14) Did the wise men return to Jerusalem to inform Herod of the child’s location? No. When back to their own country by a different route.
15) How many wise men were there to visit Jesus? Nobody knows. Tradition says three based on the number of gifts. My guess is there was a lot more. Three would have been too few to create such a commotion in Jerusalem.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Prelude to Christmas – Birth of John the Baptist pt. 2
8) Why did God select Zechariah and Elizabeth to be the parents of this special child? Read verse 6-7. They would raise the child in the knowledge and righteousness of God. He would be in an atmosphere of godliness in the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Also the fact that they were an older couple with no child may have played a factor. God wanted to bless their faithfulness. Finally, Elizabeth’s relation to Mary, the soon to be mother of Jesus was a factor. The first person Mary goes to after she receives the news from the angel that she will bear God’s Son is Elizabeth. The only person who can relate to Mary’s experience is Elizabeth.
Read Luke 1:57-66
9) Read verse 59. What were Zechariah and Elizabeth’s relatives and friends wanting to do? Name the child Zechariah. What was Elizabeth’s response? No. His name will be John!
10) When they asked Zechariah what was his response? He wrote on a tablet “His name is John!” What happened after he wrote his response? Zechariah could speak. He proceeded to give praise to God.
11) Read verse 66. What did Zechariah and Elizabeth’s friends, family, and neighbors recognize about the child John? The Lord's hand was with him.
In verses 67-75, Zechariah filled with the Holy Spirit prophesies the imminent coming of the Messiah and how he would bring salvation to Israel.12) Read verses 76-79. What did Zechariah have to say about his son? He would prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah by proclaiming salvation through forgiveness of sins. John’s role was to be the Opening Act for the Main Event. He was to lay the foundation that Jesus would build upon. John was to get the people focused on the coming of Jesus.
Read Luke 1:57-66
9) Read verse 59. What were Zechariah and Elizabeth’s relatives and friends wanting to do? Name the child Zechariah. What was Elizabeth’s response? No. His name will be John!
10) When they asked Zechariah what was his response? He wrote on a tablet “His name is John!” What happened after he wrote his response? Zechariah could speak. He proceeded to give praise to God.
11) Read verse 66. What did Zechariah and Elizabeth’s friends, family, and neighbors recognize about the child John? The Lord's hand was with him.
In verses 67-75, Zechariah filled with the Holy Spirit prophesies the imminent coming of the Messiah and how he would bring salvation to Israel.12) Read verses 76-79. What did Zechariah have to say about his son? He would prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah by proclaiming salvation through forgiveness of sins. John’s role was to be the Opening Act for the Main Event. He was to lay the foundation that Jesus would build upon. John was to get the people focused on the coming of Jesus.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Prelude to Christmas – Birth of John the Baptist
The events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist. A prelude to the Christmas story so to speak. Scripture readings - Malachi 4:4-6; Luke 1:5-25, 57-80.
Read Malachi 4:4-6
1) Who did God say he would send in the last days? Elijah. What would be his task? Read vs. 6
Read Luke 1:6-25
2) Characterize in your own words Zechariah and Elizabeth? A godly, righteous couple.
3) What was the one shortcoming of their marriage? They had no children. At this point in their lives, they were too old to have children. Zechariah and Elizabeth were the Abraham and Sarah of their day. Despite their advanced age, they continued to pray that
God will bless them with a child. See verse 13. Zechariah probably praying for a child at the moment he was burning incense in the temple.
4) How was that viewed in Jewish culture? It was a negative. See vs. 25. Barren couples were perceived as being cursed by God. They were denied children because they had sinned.
5) List what all the angel told Zechariah said about his future child, particularly his tasks.
a) a joy and delight to Zechariah and Elizabeth
b) many will rejoice because of his birth
c) he will be great in the sight of the Lord
d) He is never to drink alcohol. Why? Symbol of consecration (being set apart) to do God’s work. Example – Nazirites/Recabites
e) He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. John would be anointed by God from conception to be a prophet. He will do God’s work/proclaim God’s Word.
f) John will bring back to God many of the people of Israel.
g) John will have the spirit and power of Elijah. If Israel had a top ten list for prophets, in the top three without a doubt would be Elijah. Elijah stood up to the king of the Northern Kingdom (Samaria/Israel) and condemned him for his sins and leading the Northern Kingdom into sin. Elijah prophesied that it would not rain for three and a half years and it didn’t. Elijah took on hundreds of prophets of Baal in a contest to determine which god was the true God – Baal or God. Elijah was the prophet who called down fire from heaven to win the contest. Elijah was the prophet who prayed that rain would return and it did. Elijah was the prophet who did not know death. God took him up in a chariot of fire. The Jews regarded Elijah with great reverence. The angel informed Zechariah that his boy would be like this great prophet for what purpose? The angel quotes Malachi 4:5-6 - to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous so that they may be prepared for the coming of the Lord – Jesus Christ. For more on Elijah read I Kings chapter 17 – II Kings chapter 2.
Review list.
6) How did Zechariah respond to the news? Disbelief. How did the angel respond to Zechariah's response? Punished Zechariah for his lack of faith by denying him the ability to speak until John is born.
7) Read verses 23-24. What happened? Elizabeth became pregnant.
Read Malachi 4:4-6
1) Who did God say he would send in the last days? Elijah. What would be his task? Read vs. 6
Read Luke 1:6-25
2) Characterize in your own words Zechariah and Elizabeth? A godly, righteous couple.
3) What was the one shortcoming of their marriage? They had no children. At this point in their lives, they were too old to have children. Zechariah and Elizabeth were the Abraham and Sarah of their day. Despite their advanced age, they continued to pray that
God will bless them with a child. See verse 13. Zechariah probably praying for a child at the moment he was burning incense in the temple.
4) How was that viewed in Jewish culture? It was a negative. See vs. 25. Barren couples were perceived as being cursed by God. They were denied children because they had sinned.
5) List what all the angel told Zechariah said about his future child, particularly his tasks.
a) a joy and delight to Zechariah and Elizabeth
b) many will rejoice because of his birth
c) he will be great in the sight of the Lord
d) He is never to drink alcohol. Why? Symbol of consecration (being set apart) to do God’s work. Example – Nazirites/Recabites
e) He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. John would be anointed by God from conception to be a prophet. He will do God’s work/proclaim God’s Word.
f) John will bring back to God many of the people of Israel.
g) John will have the spirit and power of Elijah. If Israel had a top ten list for prophets, in the top three without a doubt would be Elijah. Elijah stood up to the king of the Northern Kingdom (Samaria/Israel) and condemned him for his sins and leading the Northern Kingdom into sin. Elijah prophesied that it would not rain for three and a half years and it didn’t. Elijah took on hundreds of prophets of Baal in a contest to determine which god was the true God – Baal or God. Elijah was the prophet who called down fire from heaven to win the contest. Elijah was the prophet who prayed that rain would return and it did. Elijah was the prophet who did not know death. God took him up in a chariot of fire. The Jews regarded Elijah with great reverence. The angel informed Zechariah that his boy would be like this great prophet for what purpose? The angel quotes Malachi 4:5-6 - to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous so that they may be prepared for the coming of the Lord – Jesus Christ. For more on Elijah read I Kings chapter 17 – II Kings chapter 2.
Review list.
6) How did Zechariah respond to the news? Disbelief. How did the angel respond to Zechariah's response? Punished Zechariah for his lack of faith by denying him the ability to speak until John is born.
7) Read verses 23-24. What happened? Elizabeth became pregnant.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The End - Revelation chapters 21 and 22
Read Revelation chapter 21:1-5; chapter 22:1-5
1) Describe life in the New Jerusalem.
a) Rev. 21: 1-3, Rev. 22: 3-4 - See God face to face. After the tribulation, the Second Coming - The New Jerusalem comes down from heaven to the spotless new earth. Who dwells in the new Jerusalem? God Himself. After millennia of separation, God makes His home among humanity. God Himself will be in our midst. Do you know what that means? We can see Him, we can talk to Him, we can worship Him, we can praise Him, we can sing to Him – join the heavenly choir in singing praises with no song books, we can bask in His glory, take in His awesome majesty, or just stand there in awe at the wonder of it all.
b) Rev. 21: 4-5a – God will wipe away all tears. From now on, no more tears. Only joy/happiness.
c) No more death – What causes death? Diseases (cancer, heart disease, strokes, ALS, MS, Alzheimer’s – share about Uncle Travis/pancreatic cancer, Wayne liver failure age 22, Jimmy’s wife ALS mid-30’s). What else causes death? Famine, murder, war, terrorism (no planes crashing into buildings). None exist in New Jerusalem.
d) No more mourning - Mourning – long term sadness/depression. What causes you to be depressed? Stress, anxiety, fears, worry brought on by job related burdens (deadlines, quota to meet), financial burdens, parental responsibilities, spouse responsibilities. All these factors, individually or in combination, can lead to depression/cause one to be sad/melancholy for a long period of time. In New Jerusalem, there is no stress, no anxieties, no worries, no fears therefore no mourning/depression.
e) No more crying - What are some things that bring tears to your eyes? What causes you to cry? Saying goodbye – I hate saying goodbye to someone close who I won’t see for a long period of time. Ex. Family when I moved to Richmond. Nieces and nephews.
f) No more pain – What causes physical pain? arthritis, headaches, backaches, bursitis, tendonitis. What causes emotional pain? rejection. Feeling unloved, unwanted.
g) No more evil (Revelation 20 – From the beginning of time, followers of God have experienced suffering due to evil in the world. Many of them have looked to heaven and ask God for justice. In His Word, God made a promise to them: “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord!” On Judgment Day, God deals with evil once and for all. Everyone who has suffered at the hands of evil from Abel to the present will be avenged. Satan and his followers are thrown into the Lake of Fire forever.
In New Jerusalem there is no more death; instead there is eternal life.
In New Jerusalem there is no more mourning/depression; instead there is eternal happiness.
In New Jerusalem there is no more crying, instead there is eternal laughter.
In New Jerusalem there is no more pain, instead there is eternal perfect health.
In New Jerusalem there is no evil, instead perfect holiness.
Read Relation 22:1-5
h) Healing of the nations - From the beginning of time, one group of people has shown contempt for another group of people – contempt has taken the form prejudice, racism, discrimination, segregation, genocide, wars between peoples. Ex. European vs. Asian, white vs. black, red vs. white, Russian vs. American, Jew vs. Arab, Irish vs. British, African tribe vs. African tribe. In New Jerusalem, this contempt/hatred between races, cultures, and nations will no longer exist. There will be a healing of all the nations – black, white, Asian, African, Arab, Jew, and all other races and nationalities will experience healing under the leaves of the tree of life. All nations, tongues, and tribes will be as one worshipping and praising God.
i) No more curse – vs. 3. After man fell in the garden God did a lot of cursing. He cursed the serpent to slide on its belly and eat dirt; He cursed the woman to have a painful childbirth; He cursed the earth with thorns, thistles, weeds, poison ivy, etc.; He cursed man to labor and toil for his food. These curses produced stress, anxiety, fear, worry, pain, and ultimately death. In New Jerusalem, curse is no more. No pain, no stress, no toil, no anxieties, no poison ivy, no death.
j) No more night/darkness – When are we most afraid? When it’s dark. Darkness instills fear. When light comes fear goes away. In New Jerusalem, there is no night/no darkness. There is always light. Light is not provided by a candle or the sun. Both temporary sources of light. Light provided by the glory of God Himself.
Who are the ones enjoying life in the New Jerusalem? Rev. 21:27 says it is the ones whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. How do you get your name in the Book of Life? You must be born again. How do I do that? John 3:16. For those of you whose names are already written in the Book of Life and you are going through the storms of life (heartache, depression, sickness, pain.) Know that it is only temporary. The bad things do not last forever.
2) What warning does John give in Revelation 22:18-19? A warning to anyone who will add to or take away any words written in the book. There will be serious consequences.
3) Revelation 22:20-21. How does the Book of Revelation end? Jesus saying He is coming soon. John saying come on back.
4) You are a member of one of the 7 churches of Asia. What could you have gained from hearing John’s visions of heaven, beast, false prophet, the Great Tribulation, Armageddon, Great White Throne Judgment, and the New Jerusalem?
Encouragement, hope, faith.
The world the seven churches lived in. Ruled by a beast (Domitian). Head of a world-wide empire. Capital - Rome. Ruled over many nations. Much like Babylon the Great - mother of harlots and abominations. One world currency – had face of emperor and an inscription proclaiming his deity. Christians refused to worship Domitian. They had a negative view of Rome. Greatly persecuted. Seemed hopeless. Evil was triumphant. The Enemy was winning. 60 years had passed since Christ ascended into heaven and promised to return. They were in desperate need of hope. The Book of Revelation offered that hope.
5) Today, what do you gain from reading John’s visions of heaven, beast, false prophet, the Great Tribulation, Armageddon, Great White Throne Judgment, and the New Jerusalem?
Worship, the beauty of heaven, power of the Enemy, greater power of God, danger of pride/hearts hardened toward God, perseverance in times of adversity, value God places on living out our faith (godliness), bonuses of citizenship in the New Jerusalem, impetus for witnessing.
Read 2 Peter 3:3-14
1) Describe life in the New Jerusalem.
a) Rev. 21: 1-3, Rev. 22: 3-4 - See God face to face. After the tribulation, the Second Coming - The New Jerusalem comes down from heaven to the spotless new earth. Who dwells in the new Jerusalem? God Himself. After millennia of separation, God makes His home among humanity. God Himself will be in our midst. Do you know what that means? We can see Him, we can talk to Him, we can worship Him, we can praise Him, we can sing to Him – join the heavenly choir in singing praises with no song books, we can bask in His glory, take in His awesome majesty, or just stand there in awe at the wonder of it all.
b) Rev. 21: 4-5a – God will wipe away all tears. From now on, no more tears. Only joy/happiness.
c) No more death – What causes death? Diseases (cancer, heart disease, strokes, ALS, MS, Alzheimer’s – share about Uncle Travis/pancreatic cancer, Wayne liver failure age 22, Jimmy’s wife ALS mid-30’s). What else causes death? Famine, murder, war, terrorism (no planes crashing into buildings). None exist in New Jerusalem.
d) No more mourning - Mourning – long term sadness/depression. What causes you to be depressed? Stress, anxiety, fears, worry brought on by job related burdens (deadlines, quota to meet), financial burdens, parental responsibilities, spouse responsibilities. All these factors, individually or in combination, can lead to depression/cause one to be sad/melancholy for a long period of time. In New Jerusalem, there is no stress, no anxieties, no worries, no fears therefore no mourning/depression.
e) No more crying - What are some things that bring tears to your eyes? What causes you to cry? Saying goodbye – I hate saying goodbye to someone close who I won’t see for a long period of time. Ex. Family when I moved to Richmond. Nieces and nephews.
f) No more pain – What causes physical pain? arthritis, headaches, backaches, bursitis, tendonitis. What causes emotional pain? rejection. Feeling unloved, unwanted.
g) No more evil (Revelation 20 – From the beginning of time, followers of God have experienced suffering due to evil in the world. Many of them have looked to heaven and ask God for justice. In His Word, God made a promise to them: “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord!” On Judgment Day, God deals with evil once and for all. Everyone who has suffered at the hands of evil from Abel to the present will be avenged. Satan and his followers are thrown into the Lake of Fire forever.
In New Jerusalem there is no more death; instead there is eternal life.
In New Jerusalem there is no more mourning/depression; instead there is eternal happiness.
In New Jerusalem there is no more crying, instead there is eternal laughter.
In New Jerusalem there is no more pain, instead there is eternal perfect health.
In New Jerusalem there is no evil, instead perfect holiness.
Read Relation 22:1-5
h) Healing of the nations - From the beginning of time, one group of people has shown contempt for another group of people – contempt has taken the form prejudice, racism, discrimination, segregation, genocide, wars between peoples. Ex. European vs. Asian, white vs. black, red vs. white, Russian vs. American, Jew vs. Arab, Irish vs. British, African tribe vs. African tribe. In New Jerusalem, this contempt/hatred between races, cultures, and nations will no longer exist. There will be a healing of all the nations – black, white, Asian, African, Arab, Jew, and all other races and nationalities will experience healing under the leaves of the tree of life. All nations, tongues, and tribes will be as one worshipping and praising God.
i) No more curse – vs. 3. After man fell in the garden God did a lot of cursing. He cursed the serpent to slide on its belly and eat dirt; He cursed the woman to have a painful childbirth; He cursed the earth with thorns, thistles, weeds, poison ivy, etc.; He cursed man to labor and toil for his food. These curses produced stress, anxiety, fear, worry, pain, and ultimately death. In New Jerusalem, curse is no more. No pain, no stress, no toil, no anxieties, no poison ivy, no death.
j) No more night/darkness – When are we most afraid? When it’s dark. Darkness instills fear. When light comes fear goes away. In New Jerusalem, there is no night/no darkness. There is always light. Light is not provided by a candle or the sun. Both temporary sources of light. Light provided by the glory of God Himself.
Who are the ones enjoying life in the New Jerusalem? Rev. 21:27 says it is the ones whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. How do you get your name in the Book of Life? You must be born again. How do I do that? John 3:16. For those of you whose names are already written in the Book of Life and you are going through the storms of life (heartache, depression, sickness, pain.) Know that it is only temporary. The bad things do not last forever.
2) What warning does John give in Revelation 22:18-19? A warning to anyone who will add to or take away any words written in the book. There will be serious consequences.
3) Revelation 22:20-21. How does the Book of Revelation end? Jesus saying He is coming soon. John saying come on back.
4) You are a member of one of the 7 churches of Asia. What could you have gained from hearing John’s visions of heaven, beast, false prophet, the Great Tribulation, Armageddon, Great White Throne Judgment, and the New Jerusalem?
Encouragement, hope, faith.
The world the seven churches lived in. Ruled by a beast (Domitian). Head of a world-wide empire. Capital - Rome. Ruled over many nations. Much like Babylon the Great - mother of harlots and abominations. One world currency – had face of emperor and an inscription proclaiming his deity. Christians refused to worship Domitian. They had a negative view of Rome. Greatly persecuted. Seemed hopeless. Evil was triumphant. The Enemy was winning. 60 years had passed since Christ ascended into heaven and promised to return. They were in desperate need of hope. The Book of Revelation offered that hope.
5) Today, what do you gain from reading John’s visions of heaven, beast, false prophet, the Great Tribulation, Armageddon, Great White Throne Judgment, and the New Jerusalem?
Worship, the beauty of heaven, power of the Enemy, greater power of God, danger of pride/hearts hardened toward God, perseverance in times of adversity, value God places on living out our faith (godliness), bonuses of citizenship in the New Jerusalem, impetus for witnessing.
Read 2 Peter 3:3-14
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