Growing up, I was the oldest child and the oldest grandchild. If you need someone to be bossy, just let me know. I’ve got it covered!
I know I can overdo it, so I try really hard not to.
However, I may never EVER ask a Bible study group what they want to study ever again. I don’t think I want their input anymore.
A few years ago, when my husband and I were leading a youth and young adult Bible study for a church plant we were part of, they wanted to study Job. (Who asks to study Job?!?) I learned a lot preparing for it, the group learned a lot from it, and we created a totally awesome skit from it to perform for church. (Think: “Wizard of Oz,” except it was “Job, from the wonderful land of Uz.” – please tell me you sang that. The best part? My husband was the wizard, AKA God, and I was – yep! – the wicked witch, AKA Satan. Hehe.) It ended up to be a really good study.
Last week, I asked the 1st-5th grade Sunday School class I teach every other month what they wanted to study in November, and they said Revelation.
Ugh.
First of all, I only get four weeks with them. How am I supposed to get through 21 chapters in four weeks? Second of all, how do I get that material down to their level? I don’t even understand a lot of it myself!
However, as I’ve been studying Revelation to prepare for this, there are a few main themes that stood out to me that I want to share with you.
Revelation is broken into four sections.
> Chapters 1-3 are church history
> Chapters 4-5 talk about the church in Heaven
> Chapters 6-19 talk about the coming Tribulation
> Chapters 20-21 talk about the new Heaven and new Earth
In every single section, we see that Jesus has already won!
In the history of the church, God worked amazing things through the church. His Word was spread, His love was shown. Miracles were performed. Even in the not-so-great (downright ugly) parts of church history, the places John writes to the churches to improve in, Jesus gives a second chance to improve because He can. Even today, He humbles us and lets us try again because He defeated sin and death.
In the church in Heaven, Jesus shows us His glory and holiness.
In the coming Tribulation, there will be seven years where things are so bad, Christians will be begging for death. (My words.) At the end, Jesus will throw Satan in Hell for good. He will be victorious. (Spoiler alert:Jesus already beat Satan on the cross! Satan doesn’t stand a chance. Jesus is already victorious over both sin and death. Halleluiah!)
In regards to those seven years – will Christians be taken up before the seven years? Will they have to endure it to the end? Will they be taken up halfway through? I honestly don’t know. My policy is hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Philippians 1:27 (ESV) says, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” He’ll put me where He needs me. (And may He give me strength to endure!)
And when all is said and done, we will celebrate His victory, we will celebrate HIM, in the new Heaven and new Earth He creates.
Friend, I know life may seem hard now. I know with the election tomorrow, life can be downright scary. I know watching the news with all the wars across the world, natural disasters, and dangers close to home, it might feel like the end times are at hand.
The last main point I want to make about Revelation is that it talks about the righteous enduring until the end.
Endure, my friend! No matter what you are going through, God can help you get through it. It’s okay to collapse in His arms. Know that He loves you so much.
And know that I care about you, too.
Cling to your righteousness, Friend. I want to encourage you with Galatians 6:9 (ESV): “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Don’t give up! Endure! Through Christ, you can overcome! (Revelation 21:7)