Revelation Bible Study

The book of Revelation is the greatest conclusion of the best story ever told. Not only is it filled with the "unveiling" of Jesus Christ, but it summarizes the entire Bible, along with the past 2008 years of church history. The information can be a lot to swallow. I hope our attendees will dedicate themselves to being life long students of this great book.

As we study Revelation our hearts and minds ought to begin to change. We ought to have a new passion and an empowered spiritual life that leads to evangelism. As the true nature of Jesus Christ is revealed and unveiled for us in this book we will truly change in the process. For many of us, we would like to think the change is either complete or almost complete. However, as we come face to face with the Holy God of Revelation it will begin to reveal in us our true nature and attitudes. The information in this book can change us again and again and eventually impact our church. Once others catch the excitement and expectancy in this book it can become very contagious. Ever read the book, "How to become a Contagious Christian?" Read and study Revelation. This is the blessing that I believe is held within the pages of this book. The blessing is a renewed passion for Jesus Christ and the desire to tell others. The blessing from the beginning that was promised to Abraham was Christ. The blessing is still the same at the end of the story. This is why Jesus said, 'I am the alpha and the omega." He was the blessing in the beginning and he will still be the blessing in the end.

This week we began to look at the seven churches of Asia Minor. The Ephesians church was the church that spread the gospel to the entire known world. They were the first generation removed from Christ himself. They were on fire and passionate about the gospel because they were madly in love with Christ. However, as church history has unfolded over the past 2000 years that passion has faded. Christ reminded them to cling to their first love.

The Smyrna church was know as the persecuted church. They were persecuted by the Romans. In 212 years nearly 5 million Christians were killed by the Roman Emperors. However, during this time many manuscripts of scripture were hand copied.

The Pergamum church became more Roman than Christian. They were married to the government. It become more important to please the emperor rather than God. The deity of Christ was questioned. Finally, in 325 AD the Council of Nicaea met and declared that Christ was "very God of very God and Perfection of Perfection. God and man in one." Praise God for this meeting. I can imagine Satan pitching a fit when this meeting was concluded. He had been defeated once again.

I hope all of you will stay interested during this study. Don't forget to read your Bible before you come. Really try to get an NIV Study Bible so we can all be on the same page. Also, don't forget that a good student prepares for class. You can't expect me to cover the material and read the material at the same time. We used to do this in elementary school. No class I ever took in high school or college read through the books one paragraph at a time. We were expected to read the chapter before class and then discuss and learn what it was saying during the one hour class time.

Looking forward to your comments.