Revelation Bible Class by Hiram Kemp Part 1

June 4, 2023 - Sunday AM MPR Bible Class

 

Questions for Revelation: Chapter 1

Summary of last week’s class:

Last week we introduced the book of Revelation. We discussed a few things that will help us to better understand the book: visual imagination, knowledge of the Old Testament, a good outline of the book, and properly interpreting the symbols. The book of Revelation is an apocalyptic word of prophecy and epistle written to seven churches in Asia in the first century (Rev. 1:1-4). Some of the background information we discussed was that John, the apostle, is the author (Rev. 1:1, 1:4, 22:8). The book was written in the 90’s AD during the reign of the emperor Domitian (he reigned from 81-96 AD). Christians were being persecuted due to their allegiance to Jesus Christ and their failure to practice emperor worship (aka “ the imperial cult”). Roman emperors wanted to be worshipped as God and Christians could only worship the true God of heaven (Rev. 19:10). John’s purpose in writing was to encourage Christians to hold on to Jesus in the midst of their suffering and remind them that they were victorious as long as they held on to the victorious Jesus. The things John wrote about (i.e., the Christian’s deliverance and their enemy’s destruction) was going to happen soon (Rev. 1:1, 1:3, 3:11, 22:6, 22:7, 22:10, 22:12, 22:20).

Questions from Chapter 1

1. Who is the Revelation about that John received according to Revelation 1:1? What was the process that brought the message to John?
2. The word testimony appears 9x in the book of Revelation (Rev. 1:2, 1:9). What does testimony mean—especially as it’s used in chapter 1?
3. What does someone have to do to receive the blessing promised in Revelation 1:3?
4. How many members of the Godhead are mentioned in chapter 1 (note the verses)? What does that tell us about the book?
5. What does “Son of Man” mean? Where does that term come from in the Old Testament?
6. List the things John mentions in his description of Jesus in Revelation 1:12-16. Take a shot at briefly explaining what you think each description represents. How would this description be received by Christians suffering in Asia?
7. Why does John fall down when Jesus stands before him (Rev. 1:17)? What does Jesus do and say to John?
8. What does it mean that Jesus has the keys of Death and Hades? How did he get them?
9. What are the 7 stars (Rev. 1:20)? What are the 7 lampstands?
10. Where was Jesus standing and why was this important for Christians suffering for their faith (Rev. 1:12)?

Duration 47:21