Part 1: Christ and the Seven Churches Revelation 1-5
Lesson 1 - The Illustrated Letter Revelation 1:1-11
Persecution, imprisonment, martyrdom. These seem far removed from the lives of many Christians today. Yet we do suffer. Who can witness the breakup of families, the death of unborn children, the threat of war and the plight of the poor without crying out, "Come, Lord Jesus"? In this passage he does come in a vision to give us hope in a suffering world.
Following Jesus brings many benefits. It also causes new pressures and problems. In what ways have you found being a Christian difficult?
Read Rev. 1:1-11. The word revelation means to bring to light what was formerly hidden, veiled and secret. Who and what will be unveiled by the revelation given to John (Rev. 1:1-3)?
What statements stress the urgency and importance of the revelation?
How would John's description of God be a comfort to his readers (Rev. 1:4-5)?
Why would it help discouraged believers to know they are "a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father" (Rev. 1:6)?
John presents a vision of Jesus as both coming (Rev. 1:7) and already and always here (Rev. 1:8). What would it be like to have only one of these two perspectives?
In what ways has a knowledge of Christ's coming encouraged you in the midst of suffering?
How does John's description of himself in Rev. 1:9 make you want to hear what he has to say?
Why are the circumstances of his receiving the revelation especially encouraging (Rev. 1:9-11)?
What does John's example teach us about helping believers to be faithful through hard times?
Imagine that you are a member of one of the seven churches. How would you feel when you discovered that Christ himself had asked John to send you this letter (Rev. 1:11)?