Study 11: Leader's Guide

Leader’s Guide

Study 11: New Creation

Instead of an introduction, it would be good for you to get your members to recap the gist of the past 10 studies. If possible, get them to recap it for you and you just provide the corresponding bible passages to help them along if they need to. It is important for you to help set the scene and string the narrative along to be able to make the most out of this week’s study.

Revelation is like other apocalyptic works in this respect: despite its elaborate symbolism, it presents a rather straightforward interpretation of history. Appearances to the contrary, God is in charge of the world. Even though his people suffer tribulations and evil appears to be triumphant, God will decisively intervene on behalf of the oppressed, bringing history to its goal with the presence of God among humans.

Section 1:

Whilst the questions are fairly straightforward in this passage, be wary of taking the symbolism in this passage literally. Verse 12 alludes to Daniel 7:10. It would be good to take a look at that verse to help understand that the judgment that John writes about is eternal. Again, remember that the lake of fire is an image. It refers to “gehenna” which you might have discussed about in Mark before this. “Gehenna” was the burning fire outside Jerusalem’s walls where people threw rubbish and sometimes the dead. Hell is not necessarily a burning lake of fire but a place where God is not there.

Whilst God’s righteous judgment proceeds on the basis of works as works are an index of the spiritual condition of someone’s heart, judgment is not a balancing of good works over bad. Rather, works are seen as unmistakable evidence of the loyalty of the heart; they express belief or unbelief, faithfulness or unfaithfulness. The judgment will reveal whether or not people’s loyalties have been with God or with God’s enemies. The imagery reflects the delicate balance between grace and sin. Our loyalties are a reflection of our faith in God.

Section 2:

John sees the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven. Jerusalem was an accepted symbol of the people of God. It was a tangible sign of the covenant, the focus of Jewish faith and hope. In the OT, it was described as the place where God dwelt (Psalm 72:6), and it is the place where our redemption was accomplished. But this Jerusalem is different from the old one as this one is new and holy. This is no human construction that can be destroyed, but its origin is God.  This place is where God eternally dwells with his people, and where there will be no emotional and physical pan or illness. God speaks directly to his people, declaring that the recreation of all things/kingdom of God is complete. Remember that this completed kingdom/heaven is holistic and that it encompasses the physical, emotional and spiritual. The question about trusting God’s promises should point towards that fact that God has always been faithful to God’s people and creation.

Section 3:

We started the first study with this passage and we now look at it as the last. We see the promise of life and hope, of healing and God’s love and light. The themes of redemption and God’s faithfulness have been prominent throughout the Bible and continue to be prominent even in our daily lives. The recap at the start should help with the second question. With the last one, it is important to be careful not to imply that receiving hope depends on merely a prayer. If possible, do give your members some time to think and reflect over all that they’ve learnt and the opportunity to share with each other some thoughts as well.