As we conclude our journey through the book of Revelation, we're reminded that this powerful text is not just a script for the future, but a guide for our present lives. The central message calls us to keep our focus on Jesus, the Lamb who was slain. We're challenged to examine where we place our worship and allegiance. Are we inadvertently bowing down to false idols – even good things like success or security – instead of giving our full devotion to God? The vivid imagery of Revelation serves to reshape our imagination, presenting a counter-cultural view of power and salvation. We're invited to see true strength in the sacrificial love of Christ and to embrace a vision of God's kingdom that includes people from every nation and language. This perspective should transform how we live and interact with others daily. As we hear the recurring promise 'I am coming soon,' we're urged to live with both urgency and expectancy, always ready to respond to what the Spirit is saying to us today. Let's embrace this call to stay alert and pour our energy into the present, trusting that God's future will be more wonderful than we can imagine.
How might our understanding of worship change if we truly grasp that even good things, like angels, are not to be worshipped? What areas of your life might be at risk of becoming objects of misplaced worship?
The sermon suggests that Revelation is meant to reshape our imagination about power, exemplified by the image of a slaughtered lamb. How does this contrast with worldly notions of power, and what implications does it have for how we live as Christians?
In what ways might we be getting distracted by the 'envelope' (symbols, numbers, speculation) of Revelation rather than focusing on its core message about Jesus? How can we refocus on the central purpose of this book?
The phrase 'I am coming soon' is repeated multiple times in the closing of Revelation. How does this create a sense of urgency without promoting anxiety, and how can we apply this perspective to our daily lives?
How might our approach to prayer and daily life change if we more frequently used the phrase 'Come, Lord Jesus' (Maranatha)? What situations in your life right now need this prayer?
The sermon emphasizes that Revelation is a 'script for the church, not a script for the future.' How does this perspective change the way we read and apply the book of Revelation to our lives today?
Revelation presents a vision of people 'from every nation, tribe, people, and language' worshipping together. How does this challenge our natural tendencies towards tribalism, and what practical steps can we take to embrace this diverse vision of God's kingdom?
The sermon suggests that worship helps us 'reshape our imagination.' In what ways does our regular gathering for worship reform our understanding of God, ourselves, and the world?
How does the concept of Revelation as a letter to seven churches (representing all churches) impact our interpretation of its message? How might this affect the way we apply its teachings in our local church context?
The sermon concludes by emphasizing God's grace as a gift. How does viewing salvation and our relationship with God as entirely gift-based (rather than earned) change our approach to faith and service?
