WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF REVELATION: THE HOPE LESSON 5
- Live for Jesus
- To honor God is to honor His Word
- The more you confess your sins, the more you’ll love Jesus
- To Jesus is the glory
- Jesus is all we need
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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 5, Day 4: Revelation 2:24-29
Summary of Revelation 2:24-29
Jesus speaks to those in Thyatira who hold to his teachings, telling them they will not have any more burdens. Jesus will give authority over the nations to those who does his will.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 5, Day 4: Revelation 2:24-29
9) Jesus promises to not impose any more burdens on believers in Thyatira. He tells them to hold to their beliefs until he comes. I simply try to make my decisions through prayer and what I believe God wants me to do. I read my Bible, do Bible study, and try to attend church events as much as possible in order to strengthen my resolve to be more like Jesus.
10a) Jesus’ will for believers is to give them authority over the nations — that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’. He rewards them with everlasting life and blessings. Jesus is our reward (Revelation 22:16).
b) Jesus’ words are very uplifting. He promises to make our burdens light to carry and that we will have authority over nations if we hold true to his teachings. This helps when the world and circumstances become heavy, knowing he is strengthening me.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 5, Day 4: Revelation 2:24-29
In a book so full of doom, these moments of joy are important. Jesus is promising us eternal life if we only hold to his teachings. While this is not always easy, it is something we can strive for day after day.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 5, Day 4: Revelation 2:24-29
Jesus promises that believers will reign with him and share in his kingdom if they overcome immorality and idolatry.
The quote is from Psalm 2; those who rebel will be dashed to pieces like pottery.
The Morning Star is Jesus (Revelation 22:16). He is our reward!
Everyone should hear the word of the Lord.
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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 5, Day 3: Revelation 2:18-23
Summary of Revelation 2:18-23
Jesus addresses the church in Thyatira. Jesus knows their deeds, their love, faith, service, and perseverance. Yet, they tolerate Jezebel, a woman calling herself a prophet. She is misleading them into sin. He will make her suffer and those who commit adultery with her suffer. Jesus will strike her children dead. Then all will know he is Jesus and he will repay each of them according to their deeds.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 5, Day 3: Revelation 2:18-23
6) Jesus knows their deeds, their love, faith, service, and perseverance.
7a) The people are enticed into sexual sin and eating food sacrificed to idols.
b) Jezebel was a foreigner who married Ahab King of Judah. She tempted him and the Israelites into serving and worshipping Baal, as well as setting up altars for Baal and setting up Asherah poles. Jezebel was condemned by the Lord to be eaten by dogs as punishment for her sins. She was tossed out a window and eaten by dogs. She was a deceiver. She was pure evil, wicked, and defiant to God. She had the prophets of God killed and she falsely executed at least one man.
c) If the false teacher did not repent, her children will be struck down.
8 ) Jesus is compassionate as much as he is the bearer of justice. He offers everyone a chance to repent. If they don’t, they face judgment.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 5, Day 3: Revelation 2:18-23
I’m beginning to love this pattern of the churches! Jesus commends and then warns. I feel like this is Jesus in our lives. He loves us for all the good we do and then warns us of the bad we do and redirects us to the good!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 5, Day 3: Revelation 2:18-23
Thyatira was a small city in Asia at the time. Still, being a Roman colony, it was heavily engaged in idol worship.
Jesus is the Son of God with penetrating eyes of judgment Revelation 1:14. Remember, brass is pure (Revelation 1:15 )
All of those whom Jesus addressed would have known the reference to Jezebel from the Old Testament. She was evil and injected Baal worship into the culture of Israel.
The woman whom Jesus referred to as Jezebel was pretending to be a prophetess. She was leading them into sexual sin and idolatry.
You can read about Jezebel HERE
She did not repent even though Jesus gave her plenty of time to do so.
Thus, Jesus would make her suffer and kill her children.
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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 5: Revelation 2:8-11
Summary of Revelation 2:8-11
Jesus addresses the church in Smyrna. He described himself as the First and the Last and as the one who died and was risen again. He assures the church that he knows about their affictions, poverty, and those who slander them. He says they will suffer, but to not be afraid. If they are faithful, they will receive the victor’s crown.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 5: Revelation 2:8-11
12a) Jesus faced abundant persecution from everyone, really. Since Jesus was persecuted, his followers should expect to face the same. They will face ostracism from the church and even death. 2 Timothy 3:12, “ In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
b) Very similar. Some Christians around the world can face death. Christians can be ousted from the church, shunned by their friends and family, and persecuted for their beliefs, such as not patronizing Christian businesses. Any discrimination based on Christianity is a form of persecution.
13) Their suffering would be for a limited time. And, they would receive the victor’s crown or eternal life for their faithfulness. Their rewards (and ours) are in heaven, not here.
14a) Knowing Jesus gives believers hope for the future and strength to persevere for the long run. Sufferings are temporary. When our lives end, we are in heaven celebrating! Having an eternal perspective makes the trials less challenging. Jesus provides us with the hope, strength, and knowledge to keep moving for his sake. He gives us purpose, which can fuel our days. He is there when we need him. He is our rock and our shelter. What could be better?!
b) Good question. I always feel like I have a pretty cushy life in comparison to many and especially to the early Christians 2000 years ago. I would say I hold to my beliefs, and I’ve lost jobs and friends over that.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 5: Revelation 2:8-11
Great questions to explore! I love how Jesus is always in our corner when no one else is.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 5: Revelation 2:8-11
Smyrna is another city controlled by the Romans. It was quite wealthy, but almost everyone there was pagan and practiced emperor worship. By this time, emperor worship was required by the Romans, and many cities (including Smyrna) has temples dedicated to the emperors.
Jesus describes himself as the First and the Last, which only God can do (Isaiah 41:4, 44:6, and 48:12.) Jesus used this terminology when he first appeared to John (Revelation 1:11, 1:17).
He chose to state his resurrection, as he is about to encourage the Christians in Smyrna that although they may face persecution and death, there is home and life after death. Again, Jesus has used this before with John (Revelation 1:18).
Jesus knows the works of the church (like he did with the Ephesians). He also knows their suffering and poverty. Bible scholars speculate that the Christians were poor despite the city’s great wealth because they were being persecuted for their faith.
All of us are rich because we have Jesus!
The Christians were afraid. Jesus tells them their suffering is from the devil, but it is limited to 10 days (Bible scholars debate the actual meaning of 10 days. Some think it is a figurative 10 days. Some think it refers to the reign of 10 Roman emperors. Others say 10 days was an expression used back then for a short time.)
If you were imprisoned, you would most likely be executed.
The attack was to test the Christians according to God’s purpose for their lives. Remember, we suffer to become more like Jesus (1 Peter 1:6-7 Romans 8:17)
Fun Fact: Smyrna is the only church out of the 7 not to have anything bad spoken about them from Jesus. This church is also the only one still surviving to this day.
Remember, crowns were made of leaves and flowers in ancient Rome and given as rewards for contests. Roman emperors wore crowns of laurel. Therefore, receiving the crown of life/victor’s crown was magnificent, indeed!
Jesus tells the church at Smyrna to hear like he told the church at Ephesus.
Polycarp was from Smyrna. He was a great Christian who was martyred. You can read his story HERE.
Those who overcome and stay true to their faith shall never face the second death, which is the final condemnation by Jesus for eternal hell (Revelation 20:14 and 21:8). Jesus conquered death once and for all.
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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 3: Revelation 2:1-7
Summary of Revelation 2:1-7
To the church in Ephesus: Jesus praises the church for their hard work and perseverance. He knows they have endured many hardships. YET: They have forsaken the love they had at first. He asks them to repent and whoever is victorious (i.e. follows his ways), Jesus will grant them eternal life.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 3: Revelation 2:1-7
6) Compare what false prophets say against what the Bible says. As you grow and become more with Jesus, you will have a greater understanding of God’s ways and word and be better able to discern false teachings. False teaching may curse Jesus.
7a) Jesus says,”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” Someone who does not back up their words with actions. They no longer walk the walk of loving God or others. They have let evil into their heart when it comes to one or both of these.
b) I express my love by trying to do God’s will for my life and obeying His commands. I also try to help others along their Christian walk. I fall short in many ways. I can be very selfish, very cautious, and think the worst-case scenarios, rather than helping others. I think more about how it will affect me rather than others.
8 ) Repent means to change your ways and go in a different direction. It’s the act of changing your mind and changing the course of your life. Here, Jesus is telling the Ephesians to turn back to their old ways. God could be telling me to turn to him and away from my sins as well.
9) The tree of life was the tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden that God had made. Adam and Eve could eat from the tree of life. Jesus here promises that those who return to him can return to God’s paradise in heaven and have eternal life. Therefore, if I follow God and his ways, I can have eternal life!
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 3: Revelation 2:1-7
I love how we visit such a great passage twice! Again, we see a repetitive them in Bible and the book of Revelation: if we walk in God’s ways, we’ll have eternal life!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 3: Revelation 2:1-7
Most Bible scholars say that the Nicolaitans promoted an incorrect doctrine of Jesus and God’s Word. They could have claimed they were from the body of Christ but then perverted the word.
The Nicolaitans are mentioned in Revelation 2:15-16, too. They are considered a heretical group within the early church. When we see them mentioned again, they are mentioned in association with Balaam. Some say it could have been a reference to a false teacher who taught heretical beliefs. This belief taught Christians to be of the world. Learn more about who the Nicolaitans were HERE
Here, we have the first letter to the first church, Ephesus. They all follow a very similar pattern: Jesus will tell the church what they are doing good and/or bad and then he will offer up a command for reparation. He also promises a reward!
Jesus addresses the church as angel.
The church in Ephesus should be familiar to you. It is mentioned a lot by Paul since he ministered there for 3 years. Aquila, Priscilla, Timothy, and Apollos served there as well. (Acts 18:24-28, Acts 19:1, Acts 19:10, Acts 20:31, 1 Timothy 1:3)
One of the seven wonders of the ancient world was located here, the temple of Diana. It was absolutely massive!
Jesus describes himself as John sees him in Chapter 1. Jesus is central in all of this.
Jesus knows all about the church (as he knows everything).
The church left (not lost) their first love. This is a deliberate choice.
Their first love is most likely God AND the people. You have to love both (Matthew 22:37-39)
Jesus tells them to:
- Remember the times when they had their priorities right. You must get back to where you were with Jesus.
- Repent
- Go back to the basics (pray, read God’s Word, be excited about Jesus).
He says another positive word, by pointing out how they hate the Nicolaitans. Not much is known about the Nicolaitans, but you can be sure they were evil.
We don’t see Jesus use the word “hate” much (after all, he’s a God of love), so this is strong indeed.
All (including us) who hear.
If you overcome your cold hearts, you’ll receive eternal life.
map courtesy of: https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/article/id/1887/truth-revelation-2-3.htm
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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 2: Revelation 2:1-7
Summary of Revelation 2:1-7
To the church in Ephesus: Jesus praises the church for their hard work and perseverance. He knows they have endured many hardships. YET: They have forsaken the love they had at first. He asks them to repent and whoever is victorious (i.e. follows his ways), Jesus will grant them eternal life.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 2: Revelation 2:1-7
3) Jesus identified himself as the one who, “holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.” He told them he knows, “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.”
Jesus offers encouragement by telling them that whoever is victorious (i.e. follows his ways), he will grant them eternal life. He holds against them, “You have forsaken the love you had at first.”
The consequences of not repenting/doing what Jesus is asking them to do are, “If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” i.e. remove his blessing from them.
Jesus’ final exhortation or encouragement is, “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
4a) The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
b) He walks among the 7 lampstands; he also encourages them and chastizes them. Jesus walks with his church/me is wonderful news! I am not alone, and I can always turn to Jesus for anything: advice, help, praise, and worship!
5) I work hard, and I persevere. I would like to love others more and put Jesus first in my life more.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 2: Revelation 2:1-7
I love how first Jesus speaks positive things and praises the church before telling them what they are doing wrong. He also is gracious enough to give them directions on what they need to do to do right: repent and return to their old ways. While it sounds simple, we know it is hard, but each day is new, so we try, try again!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 2: Revelation 2:1-7
Here, we have the first letter to the first church, Ephesus. They all follow a very similar pattern: Jesus will tell the church what they are doing good and/or bad and then he will offer up a command for reparation. He also promises a reward!
Jesus addresses the church as angel.
The church in Ephesus should be familiar to you. It is mentioned a lot by Paul since he ministered there for 3 years. Aquila, Priscilla, Timothy, and Apollos served there as well. (Acts 18:24-28, Acts 19:1, Acts 19:10, Acts 20:31, 1 Timothy 1:3)
One of the seven wonders of the ancient world was located here, the temple of Diana. It was absolutely massive!
Jesus describes himself as John sees him in Chapter 1. Jesus is central in all of this.
Jesus knows all about the church (as he knows everything).
The church left (not lost) their first love. This is a deliberate choice.
Their first love is most likely God AND the people. You have to love both (Matthew 22:37-39)
Jesus tells them to:
- Remember the times when they had their priorities right. You must get back to where you were with Jesus.
- Repent
- Go back to the basics (pray, read God’s Word, be excited about Jesus).
He says another positive word, by pointing out how they hate the Nicolaitans. Not much is known about the Nicolaitans, but you can be sure they were evil.
We don’t see Jesus use the word “hate” much (after all, he’s a God of love), so this is strong indeed.
All (including us) who hear.
If you overcome your cold hearts, you’ll receive eternal life.
map courtesy of: https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/article/id/1887/truth-revelation-2-3.htm
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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 3, Day 5: Revelation 1:17-20
Summary of Revelation 1:17-20
When John saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. Jesus tells John he is the First and the Last and is alive forever. Write what he has seen and what will take place later. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 3, Day 5: Revelation 1:17-20
13) When John saw Jesus, he fell at his feet as though dead. We need to understand that we are nothing before Jesus, and we need to show him reverence at all times.
14a) “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
b) “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now, and what will take place later.”
c) He explained that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 3, Day 5: Revelation 1:17-20
Jesus is always concerned with our feelings, as he comforts John and tells him not to be afraid. What a Savior we have!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 3, Day 5: Revelation 1:17-20
Jesus is the Lord of all eternity. Jesus is the one who holds the keys to Hades (or Hell), not the devil.
Here is the 2nd command to write what he has seen: the past, present, and future.
Revelation will go over the past in chapter 1, the present in chapters 2 and 3, and then the rest of the book of Revelation will deal with future events.
Bible scholars debate what the angels are: some say the pastors of the 7 churches, some say actual angels, others say the spirit of the churches.
The 7 angels are at Jesus’ right hand. That’s where I want to be!
We can know Jesus as John did. In fact, this is our life mission. Jesus is also often the closest when we are at our most desperate hour.
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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 3, Day 2: Revelation 1:1-3
Summary of Revelation 1:1-3
John writes that the book of Revelation was truth given to him by an angel whom Jesus sent to tell him the following to share with others. Those who read and hear it and believe it will be blessed for the time is near.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 3, Day 2: Revelation 1:1-3
3a) Jesus Christ
b) An angel gave this testimony to John to show his servants (believers) what soon will take place. Those who read and hear it and believe it will be blessed.
4) Blessed here means “endowed with divine favor and protection.” I anticipate growing closer to God through His son, Jesus. I hope to be blessed in unknown ways, too, such as growing more like Jesus, having more patience, and just reflecting Jesus more, too.
5) Take to heart means to live out what you hear, really embrace it, and make an effort to implement it into your daily life. I hope to truly grasp more of the book of Revelation and what it is telling me and implement it into my daily life.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 3, Day 2: Revelation 1:1-3
Yeah! Finally, the Word!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 3, Day 2: Revelation 1:1-3
Here, we see the revelation, or apokalupsis in the Greek, that will reveal a prophet’s dreams and visions. It’s a prophecy to tell us what is to come so that we can prepare. Apocalypse means “unveiling” or “revealing.”
John will use lots of symbols from the Old Testament that his readers should be familiar with.
Jesus is both the person this book is about and the one doing the revealing.
This is predictive prophecy because the events will happen “soon.”
The book of Revelation would have made sense to the 1st century Jews and Christians who were familiar with the Old Testament.
We see the first blessing of Revelation here, and it is offered to those who read or hear this message and take it to heart.
Fun Fact: There are almost 500 allusions to the Old Testament in the Book of Revelation, making up almost 70% of the entire book!
Here, we see the first of the book of Revelations’ 7 Beatitudes: (Revelation 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, and 22:14).
The Book of Revelation was first written about in the works of Justin Martyr around AD 135, so we know it was written before then.
Prepare to be blessed this year!
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7 Blessings of Revelation
7 Blessings in Revelation
- Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”
- Revelation 14:13 “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’”
- Revelation 16:15 “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
- Revelation 19:9 “Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’”
- Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”
- Revelation 22:7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
- Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”
Again, we see the number 7, which represents the number of completeness or wholeness.
Great commentary HERE
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 2, Day 5: Revelation’s Content: Eternal Hope
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 2, Day 5: Revelation’s Content: Eternal Hope
8a) Jesus is the First and the Last. “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
b) Jesus is there always and he will be there always once I have passed. He is omnipresent, and whenever I need him, he is there.
9a) Oh, gosh, so much. World events, wars, crimes, murder, the breaking of the 10 commandments, the move towards agnosticism, so many things that are evil and not of God. I think all evil impacts us in some small way because we are all connected. Evil infiltrates people, which then permeates outward. Evil tends to make me wary and guarded.
b) It keeps me from freaking out every day and worrying about things I cannot control. I am at peace and can be more peaceful with others knowing that God has got it. One day, we will all be with Christ. That is comforting, indeed!
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 2, Day 5: Revelation’s Content: Eternal Hope
Without Christ, you have no hope, and I see those people who live with no hope, and their lives are utterly sad. Christ and his return is what we as Christians hold onto to get us through the tough times. Will you share this with others?
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 2, Day 5: Revelation’s Content: Eternal Hope
Revelation was written for the express purpose of revealing what is to come so that the church could be prepared for what is to come. The time of the writing was, needless to say, tumultuous, and moral decay was everywhere. This book reminded Christians about their eternal hope in Christ Jesus.
God alone is in control of our lives. Surrender to Him, and you will feel an indescribable peace in your life. God determines history; the devil is merely a player.
Understanding what will happen allows us to live today.
When you think there is nothing left, remember there’s always the Triune God!
Great Resources for Our Study of Revelation: The Hope
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