For many years, popular radio personality Paul Harvey would tell stories about real-life people and situations. With his soothing voice, perfectly suited for radio, he would spin every tale with great detail. Each story ended with a surprising twist followed by Harvey’s signature line, “And now you know the rest of the story!”
There was something very gratifying about gaining fresh new insight that helped you put together the pieces of a story you thought you already knew.
Such is the case when we read chapter 31, the book of Revelations, which gives us insight to how God’s story ends…and how eternity begins. With beautiful portrayals of Jesus, clear teaching for the church, and vivid word pictures of the end of time, John wrote down what he saw and heard in a great vision. As we are drawn in by the drama, we gain the fresh hope that comes when we realize that God wins. We are inspired to stand strong until all of this becomes a reality…and we know it will.
If we listen closely to The Story’s final words, it’s almost as if we can hear the silky tones of Paul Harvey’s voice saying, “And now you know the rest of the story!”
Think about the ending of one of your favorite books or children’s stories. Why do you like this ending?
The above is taken from The Story: Getting to the Heart of God’s Story, page 199.
1. In his letter to the church in Laodicia (Revelation 3:14 – 21; The Story, pg. 462), Jesus told the people he did not want them to be “lukewarm.” What does it look like when the church becomes lukewarm, and what can we do to make sure our church stays hot for God?
2. In John’s vision, he got glimpses of heavenly worship (Revelation 4 – 5; The Story, pgs. 463 – 465). What, from these scenes, do you learn about worship and how might this shape the way we engage and enter into praise of our God?
3. The end of The Story is this: God will be with his people again. This has been his goal from chapter one to chapter 31. This life is really a time to practice for heaven. What can you do on a daily basis to stay close to God and have a dynamic friendship with him?
4. What are some ways people “miss it” when it comes to Revelation?
5. As you read through the letters to the churches in Asia Minor, what themes emerged as especially relevant to the American church?
6. Why might Christians resist studying this book? According to this chapter, what are the benefits connected to studying Revelation? (Hint: The Story, pgs. 379 and 387; Revelation 1:3, 22:7).
7. Notice the description of the throne room of heaven (The Story pg. 382; Revelation 4:1 – 6). Look up Ezekiel 1:26 – 28, Exodus 19:16 and 20:18, Job 37:4, and John 12:27 – 28. What do these images communicate about God?
8. What four-fold reason makes the Lamb worthy to open the scroll and receive praise (The Story, pg. 383)?
9. From what you have learned in this chapter about the great white throne judgment and the lake of fire, how might you respond to the person who does not believe that a loving God could ever sentence anyone to hell (The Story, pgs. 385 – 386; Revelation 20:11 – 15, 21:8)? See also Revelation 20:10 and Matthew 25:41 for further insight.
10. Find at least three similarities between the original creation (Genesis 1-2) and the new heaven and new earth (The Story, pgs. 385 – 387; Revelation 21 – 22). How do these sections of Scripture contribute to our understanding of God’s Upper Story, and what would we be missing without them?
ReplyDeletePoint to ponder…
God wins! If we are on his side, we win too.
For many years, popular radio personality Paul Harvey would tell stories about real-life people and situations. With his soothing voice, perfectly suited for radio, he would spin every tale with great detail. Each story ended with a surprising twist followed by Harvey’s signature line, “And now you know the rest of the story!”
There was something very gratifying about gaining fresh new insight that helped you put together the pieces of a story you thought you already knew.
Such is the case when we read chapter 31, the book of Revelations, which gives us insight to how God’s story ends…and how eternity begins. With beautiful portrayals of Jesus, clear teaching for the church, and vivid word pictures of the end of time, John wrote down what he saw and heard in a great vision. As we are drawn in by the drama, we gain the fresh hope that comes when we realize that God wins. We are inspired to stand strong until all of this becomes a reality…and we know it will.
If we listen closely to The Story’s final words, it’s almost as if we can hear the silky tones of Paul Harvey’s voice saying, “And now you know the rest of the story!”
Think about the ending of one of your favorite books or children’s stories. Why do you like this ending?
The above is taken from The Story: Getting to the Heart of God’s Story, page 199.
ReplyDeleteQuestions to consider…
1. In his letter to the church in Laodicia (Revelation 3:14 – 21; The Story, pg. 462), Jesus told the people he did not want them to be “lukewarm.” What does it look like when the church becomes lukewarm, and what can we do to make sure our church stays hot for God?
2. In John’s vision, he got glimpses of heavenly worship (Revelation 4 – 5; The Story, pgs. 463 – 465). What, from these scenes, do you learn about worship and how might this shape the way we engage and enter into praise of our God?
3. The end of The Story is this: God will be with his people again. This has been his goal from chapter one to chapter 31. This life is really a time to practice for heaven. What can you do on a daily basis to stay close to God and have a dynamic friendship with him?
4. What are some ways people “miss it” when it comes to Revelation?
5. As you read through the letters to the churches in Asia Minor, what themes emerged as especially relevant to the American church?
6. Why might Christians resist studying this book? According to this chapter, what are the benefits connected to studying Revelation? (Hint: The Story, pgs. 379 and 387; Revelation 1:3, 22:7).
7. Notice the description of the throne room of heaven (The Story pg. 382; Revelation 4:1 – 6). Look up Ezekiel 1:26 – 28, Exodus 19:16 and 20:18, Job 37:4, and John 12:27 – 28. What do these images communicate about God?
8. What four-fold reason makes the Lamb worthy to open the scroll and receive praise (The Story, pg. 383)?
9. From what you have learned in this chapter about the great white throne judgment and the lake of fire, how might you respond to the person who does not believe that a loving God could ever sentence anyone to hell (The Story, pgs. 385 – 386; Revelation 20:11 – 15, 21:8)? See also Revelation 20:10 and Matthew 25:41 for further insight.
10. Find at least three similarities between the original creation (Genesis 1-2) and the new heaven and new earth (The Story, pgs. 385 – 387; Revelation 21 – 22). How do these sections of Scripture contribute to our understanding of God’s Upper Story, and what would we be missing without them?