“The Book of Revelation” (NIGTC series) by G.K. It is very accessible and helpful, but many times you’ll find yourself wanting more explanation about what’s going on in the text.ģ. Wright’s training as a historian and experience as a pastor, this short commentary provides valuable insight into both the historical backgrounds at work in Revelation along with practical applications to today. You’ll find yourself going back to it as you progress through teaching Revelation, but it probably won’t be a part of your day-by-day prep.Ģ. This short book is more of an introduction to interpretive methods and major themes than it is a commentary, so it’s best to read before you dive into the in-depth study. “The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation” by Vern Poythress In particular, I found the following three resources to be most helpful:ġ. Best of all, there are wonderful guides to help you on the journey. Studying through Revelation will take much study, prayer and diligence, but it will be worth it. Revelation can help youth more faithfully orient their lives here and now along the trajectory of God’s new creation. So many significant life decisions happen between the ages of 15 and 25. Revelation, especially chapters 21-22, offers a vision of the end toward which all history is moving (which, we find, is actually a new beginning – a new creation). I’ve lead several camping trips, and it’s always helpful to know where you’re going whenever you set out on a journey. One of the apostle Paul’s favorite metaphors for the Christian life is “walking” in the faith. It is an extremely practical book, though it will take some work to discern what’s actually being said. It reshapes how we perceive the world around us.Īs you actually get into the Book of Revelation, you’ll see that it has as much to say – if not more – about our lives and the world today as it does about Jesus’ second coming. Like James warns, we’ll have a well-articulated faith that is actually dead, failing to produce any real fruit in our lives or communities.Ĥ.
Without the transformation of our imaginations, we will be in danger of being able to speak well about Christianity while failing actually to live Christianly in any meaningful way.
If we only spend time refining our language about truth and never spend time cultivating our minds to better imagine how God’s truth relates to our world, then we are missing out on the fullness of the renewal of our minds. Revelation gives sight and sound to much of what the apostle Paul gives language. They think not just in terms of words and ideas, but also with pictures and images. Social media like Instagram and Snapchat only heighten this reality among youth. Revelation sharpens our Christian imagination. We say Jesus is Lord, but Revelation reminds us that He is indeed the Almighty God, Ruler of All.ģ. When we read Revelation and get caught up in the vivid visions, we realize that we aren’t meant to domesticate God – we are meant to submit to Him. The book literally begs to be read and discussed.Īfter being a Christian for a while, we can start to feel like we have the Bible tamed and God pretty well confined to a certain theological box. Revelation reads like so many of sci-fi fantasy books that end up on The New York Times best sellers list. Youth (all people, really) are naturally curious about the Book of Revelation. They may be confused when first reading through the book, but they definitely won’t be bored. You don’t need gimmicks to make it interesting. And, yes, I totally think it’s worthwhile to teach through the Book of Revelation with youth.ġ. Yes, it can start some tough discussions. In case the PrintFriendly service is not working - you can printthe Bible lessons by following the instruction here → Print Daniel and Revelation Bible Study Lessons.Yes, it can be confusing. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” (Revelation 22:20, 21). John fills us in on some important details.Īnd now the concluding words of the book of Revelation, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Revelation presents us with a heaven that’s a very real place for very real people. Heaven is not some vague spot in the clouds where spirits sit around playing harps. But John the Revelator keeps trying to tell us, “It’s very real. There is nothing on Earth you can really compare it to. In vision he has looked on a place so brilliant, so fantastic, that he can put into words only a fraction of what he’s seen. He has seen more than human eyes ever have. John’s glimpses of the glories of heaven.
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