Sunday 13 November
Revelation 22
Dave Bosma
Dave walks us through Revelation chapter 22. Dave highlights 3 key encouragements from the passage that help us to walk out our faith in everyday life: to be disciplined in our obedience to God and obey Him alone, to proclaim the God's word, and to be in hopeful alertness in anticipation of Jesus's return.
Life Group questions
Revelation 22
The Revelation of Jesus Christ Part 2: Session 8 – Rev 21-22:5
Cheat Sheet
A new heaven and a new earth is first described by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 65 and 66. Scholars debate whether the term “new” is referring to a creation that is a distinct replacement of the current world, or rather a renovation and redemption of it. Yet whatever perspective one takes on this, the major point of John and Isaiah’s visions of this future reality is that God will one day dwell with his people in this new setting. Our future in Christ is not located in some mystical heavenly realm, but instead on a redeemed earth.
The new Jerusalem was a common theme in other Jewish writings at the time Revelation emerged. Generally, it was understood as a symbol of the future life and state of God’s people; protected, perfected, and eternal. It also operates in Revelation as a point of contrast to “the great city” described in earlier chapters.
The spring of the water of life is a fulfilment of the promise given in Revelation 7:17, that God will lead his people “to springs of living water.” It also may have reminded the first readers of the concept of a spiritual thirst, which is found in places like Psalm 42:1.
The dimensions of the city, described in Revelation 21:15-17, are a fulfilment of the instruction given to John at the start of Revelation 11. They also continue of a theme found in both Zechariah 2 and Ezekiel 40-41, although John’s measurements are nearly 2000 times bigger than Ezekiel’s! The measurements are highly symbolic, working with multiples of 12 and 1000, which symbolise completion in Jewish thought. While the design of this city would quickly break down under a careful engineer’s analysis, a spiritual analysis of these measurements reassures the reader that there is a future glory awaiting God’s people that is truly mind-boggling in its grandeur. For those early Christians struggling to remain faithful to Jesus in their small, persecuted churches, this would have been hugely encouraging.
The tree of life shows us how God unites the end of history with its beginning. Adam ate from the wrong tree, but here at the end we see a tree laden with the fruit that fuels eternal life. The prophet Ezekiel also prophesied about such a tree, in Ezekiel 47.
Study
Read Revelation 21 — 22:5
This week’s study is based on the work of the team at the Bible Project.
Start by watching the following video:
What does this video teach us about Jesus?
What was one thing in the video that you found interesting?
These are the last chapters in the Bible. What do you think of that?
Comparison Exercise
Break your group into two (if it is appropriate to do so.)
One group, take five minutes to compare Revelation 21:1-7 with Isaiah 65:17-24.
At the same time, the second group, compare Revelation 22:1-4 with Genesis 2:8-14.
Regather as a larger group and share what you have discovered.Finish by taking a closer look at Revelation 21:22-25. Key here are the times John states a negative, such as “I did not see a temple in the city.”
Work through each of the “negative” statements John makes in this passage.
Why are each of these things significant, given their absence?
What is positive and exciting about these negative statements?
How does this vision impact our lives today?
Optional Extra Resources
Here are some creative expressions that engage with the ideas found in Revelation 21:
Past talks