Queen's Road Cell

For Thought and Discussion: Consider the repeated refrain that ends (or almost ends) Jesus' word to each church (such as 2:29). Does this suggest that these prophetic words are meant only for the specific church addressed, or for others? Why? Does this refrain prove that the words are not for specific churches? Why or why not? "  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churche s" (2:7,n11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22) suggests that the message to each church forms a part of an overall message to every church, of every age. 1. The rebuke Jesus has for the Ephesian church is "You have forsaken your first love" (2:4). What do you think this means? (Optional: See Jeremiah 2:2, Matthew 22:37-38.) The first devotion to the Lord. "Abandoned" may speak of a more deliberate step to emphasize certain things instead of others.   But isn't this normal? Can we sustain devotion? Shouldn't love grow with greater knowledge of God? We can never love...

6. When "a voice like a trumpet" commands John to "Write ... what you see," John turns to see the voice (1:10-12). What John sees recalls visions that the prophet Daniel had centuries earlier. What do the following passages help you understand about John's vision in Revelation 1: 12-16? Da 7:9-10. The vision of Jesus recalls the vision of God ("the Ancient of Days"): white hair, fire Da 7:13-14. "The Son of Man" is presnted to the Ancient of Days to receive a kingdom Da 10:4-6. This angelic being has a belt of gold,  his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.   7. What does the "sharp double-edged sword" (1:16) seem to signify? (Consider Isaiah 49:2; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 2:16; 19:15,21.)   The power/authority of words/the Word to strike down and rule nations. A  double-edged tool comfort...

How is your situation like the first-century situation in which John wrote Revelation? How is it different?  Similarities: a secular world, with different opposition. Pressure to conform, apathy Differences: non violent persecution in our location,  the immediacy of apostolic authority then but  dependency on completed Scripture now.  Secularism vs. pluralism, different non-centralised political systems (not just Rome).  A clearer hope of Christ's return then  What do you think people need to know about biblical prophecy? (Is it strictly foretelling the future?) What features mark Revelation as a prophecy?  Prophecy is both 'forthtelling' of God's view of a current or past situations as well as 'foretelling' of the future.  Why is it important that Revelation is an epistle (a letter)?  It is meant for real people at the time it was written, by a real author. The book was meant to be understood at the time it was written. It spoke to particula...