8-The Kingdom
The Kingdom
(REVELATION 19—22)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Revelation 19—22. This lesson references chapters 11 and 12 in Be Victorious. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
“How will it all end?” has been mankind’s major question for centuries. Historians have studied the past, hoping to find a clue to understanding the future. Philosophers have tried to penetrate the meaning of things, but they have yet to find the key. No wonder perplexed people have turned in desperation to astrology and spiritism!
The prophetic Word of God shines like a “light … in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19), and on that we can depend. Here in Revelation 19—20, John has recorded five key events that will take place before God “wraps up” human history and ushers in His new heavens and earth.
—Be Victorious, page 165
1. What are the five events noted in the previous commentary excerpt? (See these sections of Revelation: 19:1–10; 19:11—20:3; 20:4–6; 20:7–10; and 20:11–15.) Why are people so consumed by trying to understand the future? In what ways does Revelation shine like a light in a dark place? In what ways does it appear murky to believers? What role does faith play in our attempt to understand the meaning of Revelation?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Revelation 19—22 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
Since the “great whore [harlot]” of Revelation 17 was destroyed by “the beast” and his fellow rulers (Rev. 17:16) in the middle of the tribulation, the “great whore” referred to here must be Babylon the Great. Comparing Revelation 17:2 with 18:3 and 9, the connection is obvious. Both the apostate religious system and the satanic economic-political system led the world astray and polluted mankind. Both were guilty of persecuting God’s people and martyring many of them.
The song emphasizes God’s attributes, which is the proper way to honor Him. We do not rejoice at the sinfulness of Babylon, or even the greatness of Babylon’s fall. We rejoice that God is “true and righteous” (Rev. 15:3; 16:7; 17:6) and that He is glorified by His holy judgments.
—Be Victorious, pages 165–66
3. In what ways does the song in Revelation 19:1–4 emphasize God’s attributes? What does this teach us about how to honor Him? (See Rev. 15:3; 16:7; 19:6.)
More to Consider: John was so overwhelmed by all of this that he fell down to worship the angel who was guiding him, an act that he later repeated (Rev. 22:8–9)! Of course, worshipping angels is wrong (Col. 2:18), and John knew this. We must take into account the tremendous emotional content of John’s experience. How is John’s response similar to the response some Christians have today to great speakers or teachers of God’s truth? What does this tell us about the power (and danger) of our emotions in the context of our faith story?
From the Commentary
When Babylon fell on the earth, the command was given in heaven, “Rejoice over her!” (Rev. 18:20), and what we read in this section is heaven’s response to that command. The word alleluia is the Greek form of the Hebrew word hallelujah, which means “praise the Lord.” …
First, John described the Conqueror (Rev. 19:11–16) and then His conquests (Rev. 19:17—20:3). The rider on the white horse (Rev. 6:2) is the false Christ, but this Rider is the true Christ. He is not coming in the air to take His people home (1 Thess. 4:13–18), but to the earth with His people, to conquer His enemies and establish His kingdom.
—Be Victorious, pages 165, 68
4. Why does John describe the Conqueror as a rider on a white horse (19:11), when earlier the false Christ was referred to as a rider on a white horse? (See Rev. 6:2.) How does this reframing of the “white horse” imagery make the message of God’s victory even more dramatic? What does this tell us about the symbols that fill the entire book of Revelation?
From the Commentary
The phrase “thousand years” occurs six times in Revelation 20:1–7. This period in history is known as “the millennium,” from two Latin words, mille (“thousand”) and annum (“year”)—the 1,000-year kingdom of Christ on earth. At last, Christ and His church will reign over the nations of the earth, and Israel will enjoy the blessings promised by the prophets (see Isa. 2:1–5; 4:1–6; 11:1–9; 12:1–6; 30:18–26; 35:1–10).…
At the close of the millennium, Satan will be released from the pit and permitted to lead one last revolt against the Lord. Why? As final proof that the heart of man is desperately wicked and can be changed only by God’s grace. Imagine the tragedy of this revolt: People who have been living in a perfect environment, under the perfect government of God’s Son, will finally admit the truth and rebel against the King! Their obedience will be seen as mere feigned submission, and not true faith in Christ at all.
—Be Victorious, pages 171–74
5. What does this section of Revelation teach us about God’s kingdom on earth? What message is God trying to teach us with the description of a time when Satan is permitted one last revolt? What does this say about the heart of man?
From the Commentary
There shall be a second resurrection, and the unsaved will be raised and will stand before God’s judgment. Do not confuse this judgment at the White Throne with the judgment seat of Christ, where believers will have their works judged and rewarded. At this judgment, there will be only unbelievers, and there will be no rewards. John described here an awesome scene. Heaven and earth will flee away and no place will be left for sinners to hide! All must face the Judge!
—Be Victorious, page 174
6. Why is this second resurrection mentioned in John’s revelation? What does this event tell us about God’s judgment? Why is this important to understand in the context of God’s ultimate plan for salvation?
From the Commentary
Human history begins in a garden and ends in a city that is like a garden paradise. In the apostle John’s day, Rome was the admired city, yet God compared it to a harlot. “That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). The eternal city of God is compared to a beautiful bride (Rev. 21:9), because it is the eternal home for God’s beloved people.
—Be Victorious, page 179
7. How is Revelation 21:5–6 a summary of the final two chapters of the book? In what ways does Revelation describe the completion of what began in Genesis?
From the Commentary
In Revelation 21, John gives us a threefold description of the citizens of the [garden-paradise] city.
(1) They are God’s people (vv. 1–5). The first heaven and earth were prepared for the first man and woman and their descendants. God had readied everything for them when He placed them in the garden. Unfortunately, our first parents sinned, ushering death and decay into God’s beautiful world. Creation is in bondage and travail (Rom. 8:18–23), and even the heavens “are not clean in His sight” (Job 15:15).
(2) The citizens of heaven are a satisfied people (v. 6). People who live in modern cities do not think much about water, but this was a major concern in John’s day. No doubt John himself, working in the Roman mines, had known the meaning of thirst. Tortured saints throughout the ages would certainly identify with this wonderful promise from the Lord. Free and abundant living water for all!
(3) These heavenly citizens are an overcoming people (vv. 7–8). “He that overcometh” is a key phrase in this book (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; note also 12:11). As John pointed out in his first epistle, all true believers are overcomers (1 John 5:4–5), so this promise is not just for the “spiritually elite.” Because we are the children of God, we shall inherit all things.
—Be Victorious, pages 179–81
8. How does the description of this city compare with the description of the garden of Eden? How does it compare with the living conditions all humans have endured between the garden and the final resurrection?
From the Commentary
The eternal city is not only the home of the bride; it is the bride! A city is not buildings; it is people. The city John saw was holy and heavenly; in fact, it descended to earth from heaven, where it was prepared. John’s description staggers the imagination, even accepting the fact that a great deal of symbolism is involved. Heaven is a real place of glory and beauty, the perfect home for the Lamb’s bride.
—Be Victorious, page 182
9. Review Revelation 21:9—22:5. How does John describe the character of the city? Why do you think the revelation focuses on these particular elements? How would they have been significant to the early Christian culture? What can we take away from the description of the city that speaks to us today? Is it important to understand all the details of the city? Why or why not? How does this section of Scripture offer Christians hope today?
More to Consider: What will we do in heaven for all eternity? Certainly, we shall praise the Lord, but we shall also serve Him (Rev. 22:3). How will serving the Lord in heaven differ from the way we serve Him on earth?
From the Commentary
Heaven is more than a destination; it is a motivation. Knowing that we shall dwell in the heavenly city ought to make a difference in our lives here and now. The vision of the heavenly city motivated the patriarchs as they walked with God and served Him (Heb. 11:10, 13–16). Knowing that He was returning to the Father in heaven also encouraged Jesus Christ as He faced the cross (Heb. 12:2). The assurance of heaven must not lull us into complacency or carelessness, but spur us to fulfill our spiritual duties.
—Be Victorious, page 186
10. What does this passage tell us we ought to be doing in order to prepare for heaven? In what ways is our participation in God’s kingdom on earth part of that preparation? What does it mean to participate in God’s kingdom on earth?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Revelation 19—22. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. Do you spend much time pondering the end of the world? Why or why not? What are the biggest questions you have about how things will end? Do these questions affect the way you live your daily life? If so, how?
12. What are your personal thoughts about the millennium alluded to in Revelation 20? How important is it to you that your beliefs about the end times are correct? How might this affect the manner in which you share your faith with others?
13. What are you most looking forward to about heaven? Do you live your life today in anticipation of heaven? In what ways are you living as part of God’s kingdom on earth? Why is this important if the ultimate destination is heaven?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you want to live a more Christhke life now in light of your ultimate destiny? Be specific. Go back through Revelation 19—22 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: One of the more common approaches to evangelism is to present the promise of heaven and allow the appeal of “a better life, forever” to compel people to accept Christ. However, this approach tends to put too much emphasis on the “not yet” part of living for Christ. With your small-group members or family, come up with an approach to sharing your faith that not only presents the wonderful promise of heaven but the promise of a better, richer life on earth as well—a kingdom life. Then look for opportunities to share this truth with friends and neighbors and coworkers. Don’t sugarcoat the truth—a life of faith isn’t all buttercups and butterflies. But speak from your own story about how God’s love and nearness have helped you to live a meaningful life. And heaven? That’s just the cherry on top of the ice cream!
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.