Text: Revelation 1:1 - 8
Sermon Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBEfO0tlCGw&list=PLYSdk4DAv_anFhxfY0u-bVYvh0vcgJIqn&index=3&t=7s
Intro Question: What do you know or understand about the book of Revelation?
Warning: I do not take a read the newspaper headlines approach to interpreting the book of Revelation. We need to understand when it was written, to whom it was written to keep it in context, garner the meaning and bring that meaning forward to today and apply.
What are ways that you are asked to compromise your faith?
Where does pressure to conform come in for you?
Where do we give in to society, family, sin? How does fear come into play?
Setting the Stage:
Author: The apostle John (same author as the Gospel of John)
Written around 90 AD
Emperor: Domitian
Not outright persecution, but pressure from the Imperial Cult and cultural pressure from places like Trade Guilds. Think through all of the economic stimulus that comes from having an Imperial Cult and from the trade guilds.
Genre: The book is both prophetic (book of warning) and apocalyptic (book of comfort/the Triune God is in control/you will rule with him)
Application:
Do you fear things of this world or God?
Do you take the short term or long term view?
Who is in Control?
Jesus or kings of the earth? (Verses 5, 6, 8)
What do you do when it seems like God isn't in control? (Blame, wait, trust, pray, complain)
Have we lost the plot? (Verse 6: Christians are part of God's Kingdom/Royalty...Priests on a Mission we are to be on mission with no compromise. Courage at the crossroads or compromise?
As I shared earlier the book contains both warning and comfort. Warning that we should be hearing and doing...Comfort that God's in control.
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