Heaven Came Down – Revelation 21:9-22:5

By Dave Stone

Revelation 21:9-22:5

RELATE

1. Share a story (lovingly and with permission) about a relative’s quirky habit which may have initially irritated you but now endears them to you.
2. Read Revelation 21:9-22:5. Is New Jerusalem a place you would pick as a vacation spot? Why or why not? What’s missing in the description that would make you want to go there?
   Ask people what attracts them to the city. Chris wants to see Jesus’ face. Bob wants to see the crystal clear water…how deep can you see? I (Dave Stone) want to know what restaurants will be there. Kelli likes that she wouldn’t need sunscreen. Bob thinks that New Jerusalem is so much better, there is hardly a way for us to begin to understand how great it really is.

REVIEW

1. Is there anything from the sermon that particularly challenged or confused you?
2. What was John’s first impression of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:11a?
   John’s first impression of New Jerusalem is that the glory of God radiates from it. If we were to “reconstruct” the city according to John’s description, it would not have the glory of God.
3. What is temporary about this current world? What is not?
   We expect Pastor Dave to offer some good insights into this question during point 1. One of the temporary things mentioned in the text is the curse (and all that comes with it--pain, sorrow, tears, death, etc.). As has been said before during our study of Revelation, the Word of God and people are not temporary.
4. According to Revelation 21:27, what is required to be a citizen of New Jerusalem?
   Your name needs to be in the Lamb’s book of life. We’re still hearing reports of people saying they are not sure their name is written in the Lamb’s book of life. Use this as an opportunity to ask the people in your group.

APPLICATION

1. In the next week, share with an unchurched person how and why you were involved with ShareFest. Who might you share with, and what would you say?
2. What attracts you most to the New Jerusalem?
   This question can reveal what our hearts value. Hint: note that all these jewels and gold are used merely as construction materials. So the real valuable things must be something else. (Bob) Just think, even the pavement is beautiful! I (Dave Stone) am looking forward to being free from the battle with sin, it will have been put to death in me completely.
3. God describes the New Jerusalem in terms of light and riches because it is His dwelling place. Today, if you are a believer, you are His dwelling place. What light and riches are in your life that demonstrate the glory of God?
   Encourage people not to just think about the totality of their life, but individual things they have done or tend to do because of their belief in Jesus. For example, I get angry but I don’t say anything, I put myself out for other people, I give some of my money so that others’ lives would be better, etc.

DIG

1. What do you learn about the “glory of God” in each of the following passages?

• Psalm 19:1 -- the heavens declare the glory of God
• Romans 1:19-27 -- This passage has a different response to the glory of God than the sermon’s passage. You either embrace the glory of God or the glory of something else (Paul mentions idols…for more information on modern day idols, see Tim Keller’s book Counterfeit Gods, by the way, Tim Keller is one of the speakers at this year’s Global Leadership Summit.) Here is Tim on why he wrote Counterfeit Gods:
  

• 2 Corinthians 4:6 -- We can share the light of the knowledge of the glory of God when we speak the truth of the Gospel.
• Hebrews 1:3 -- Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God, the perfect imprint.
• Revelation 21:23 -- The glory of God brings light.

REVelation REView

By Dave Stone

Revelation 1:1-3

Time-lines, lists, and charts are included with this week’s online sermon notes.

UPDATE: Next week Pastor Dave will move on to chapter 21–he will not cover the last two points again. If you have questions about the last two points, send them in or text them to 509-713-2751.

RELATE

What question you would like to ask Pastor Dave? How would your small group try to answer it?

REVIEW

Summarize the time-lines Pastor Dave provided regarding prophecy and “that day.”
Illustrations, time-lines, and diagrams from Sunday’s service are available for reference in this week’s online sermon notes.

Daniel 2 describes a statue representing world kingdoms. What are the different materials each section of the statue is made of? Where are we on the statue? What’s the significance of the materials that describe us?
We are the feet of the statue (iron and clay). The significance is that the iron has an appearance of strength, but is weak because of the combination with clay. On Sunday, Pastor Dave believes the iron refers to dictatorships (relatively strong) and the clay represents democracies (relatively weak).

There are a number of pictures related to the number seven. Name seven of them.
See the online sermon notes for reference.

Jesus is unveiled as the lamb and the lion. Describe Jesus as the lamb. Describe Jesus as the lion. Share how you relate to Jesus as both the lamb and the lion.
Jesus came first as a lamb and was slaughtered. Jesus will come again as the lion and will judge righteously and reign forevermore. Use this as an opportunity to find out how your people have been affected by a biblical understanding of who Jesus is (as opposed to how our culture portrays Jesus).

What is the “mystery” (previously unrevealed truth, now revealed by God) that so amazes John in Revelation 17:1-6? What does that symbol stand for?
The mystery that amazes John is the revelation of the prostitute as the “world system” – a series of kings and rulers that will make war against the Lamb. You might discuss with your group how the “world system” carries out it’s war and how we as believers can be prepared to fight it.

How could you be blessed by hearing, reading, and keeping (applying or taking to heart) the book of Revelation? (see Revelation 1:3, 22:7, 16:15)
We are blessed when we live in light of the revelation of who Jesus is: the all-powerful, righteous, king who will one day judge everyone. We are blessed when we know how to interpret the signs of His return.

APPLICATION

As a result of our study of Revelation, have you gained a new perspective or experienced a change of heart that has influenced the way you live? (about Jesus, God the Father, or the end times)

Of all the prophecies we’ve encountered in Revelation, have any of them strengthened your faith in believing the Word of God is accurate in describing God and His plans?

As a group, do you have questions to ask Pastor Dave? You can:

1. text your question to 509-713-2751
2. submit it via the blog
3. email it to Joanne Lueck
4. write on your welcome card next week

Resurrected and Ruling (R & R)

By Dave Stone

Revelation 20:4-6

Sermon Outline

RELATE

Have you ever shopped for a major purchase (car, major appliance, house, etc.)? What criteria did you use to make a final decision?

REVIEW

Looking back over this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly challenged you, confused you, or caught your attention?

Read Acts 20:32. How does the Word build your “character,” “competency,” and “chemistry” in order to inherit the Kingdom? [Address each 'C']
The Word builds character by revealing problems, judging the heart.
The Word builds competency by giving clear instructions.
The Word builds chemistry by telling us how to relate to God and one another.

What is the millennium, when does it occur, and how is it different from eternity?
The millennium is a 1000 year period when Satan is bound and Jesus reigns. It occurs after the Great Tribulation and before the Great White Throne judgment. The millennium differs from eternity in that it is still bound by time.

APPLICATION

Read Revelation 20:6 and 1 Peter 2:9. Note: these verses show Christ’s followers are priests now and in the future. What are the roles and responsibilities of a priest? To whom are you being a priest?
The roles and responsibilities of a priest include serving God, prayers on behalf of people (intercession), and proclaiming God to people (help them understand Scripture). Perhaps more after hearing the sermon…

Which of the three ‘C’s do you need to focus on now? What specific change do you think you need to make? Can you or your group think of Scripture to help you?
Use this as an opportunity to apply specific Scripture to your life and the lives of your group members.

DIG

Read 1 Corinthians 6. What implications does this have for receiving an inheritance? Consider the possibility that believers can choose to be righteous or unrighteous.
Certain activities indicate that we are not being faithful to the guidelines God has established. Key concept: all believers do not receive the same inheritance. In fact, the biblical use of “inheritance” refers to those who are faithful followers (disciples) of Jesus Christ. How we live our lives as believers has eternal consequences.

What do you discover about inheriting the Kingdom of God from the following passages:

• Matthew 25:31-40 – describes those who will inherit the Kingdom
• 1 Corinthians 15:50 – we need new, imperishable bodies to inherit the Kingdom of God
• Galatians 5:19-21 – describes those that won’t inherit the Kingdom although they may enter it
• Ephesians 5:3-5 – describes those that won’t inherit the Kingdom although they may enter it