REVELATION - PART 8


READ REVELATION 19:11-18

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in[b] blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule[c] them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.”

DISCUSS

  1. What things stand out to you about Jesus from this description?

  2. What parts of this description are surprising to you or are in contrast with how you normally think of Jesus?

  3. What does Jesus intend to do upon his return based on this description?

  4. Do you struggle to reconcile the claims that God is a God of judgement as well as a a God of love? How is it that he can be both?

  5. What about this description of Jesus gives you hope or confidence?

READ REVELATION 20:11-15

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

DISCUSS

1. What feelings or thoughts does this passage evoke for you? Do you find yourself inclined to avoid anything in this passage? Why?

2. According to this passage, what will be the basis for how people are judged?

3. How does this passage address the objection, that it wouldn’t be fair for God to judge or punish people?

4. For whom would the knowledge that all people be judge actually be a comfort for?

5. How does understanding judgement clarify or highlight the beauty of the gospel?

APPLY
1. Are you confident that your name will be found in the book of life? How do you know?

2. How should sitting with the reality of a final judgment, influence or motivate the urgency with which we share the gospel with others?

PRAY