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Summary of Week 3:
Week 3 Audio - click here
Week 3 Notes - click here
In chapters 2-3, Jesus has a message for each of the seven churches. The general structure of these messages is: praise, rebuke, and promise. While there a things for which the churches are praised, there are also things for which they are rebuked. Yet as a whole, these chapters continue to show that there is a cosmic/spiritual reality going on behind the visible reality of the church.
Question for reflection: If Jesus were to write you a letter, what would he praise you for? Rebuke you for?
Summary of Week 2:
Week 2 Audio
Week 2 Notes
John is writing to seven downtrodden churches who are facing the harsh realties of persecution. John is given a vision of the eternal reality so that he might share it with those consumed by the temporal reality. The message of Revelation is a call for "patient endurance" to the Church as they face the realities of fallen world and await the return of Christ.
In chapter 1, we get the first part of the vision. John says that he sees "one like a son of man". John is scared to point that he falls down as though dead. Yet John need not be afraid, for the "son of man" puts his right hand on John's shoulder. The right hand being the hand of favor.
We also see seven lampstands that are "among" the son of man. Yet we know that these lampstands are also on earth (i.e. seven churches in Asia). So what is the point? There is a cosmic/spiritual reality going on behind the visible reality of our lives. We should be encouraged by the fact that there is more to life than what we can see with our eyes. Christians are in some sense members of two different kingdoms, both the earthly and heavenly kingdoms. We are to live out our lives, in faith, here on this earthly kingdom as we await our entrance into the heavenly kingdom.
Below are the links to the class audio and document from Week 1.
Week 1 Audio
Week 1 Document
Summary - The book of Revelation provides a message of hope amidst the storm. The goal of the author is to encourage his audience to wait patiently and endure hardships as they look forward to the return of Christ.
This blog is intended to be an information resource and discussion board for those participating in the "Patient Endurance" class held at First Presbyterian Church. The study takes place on Wednesday nights at 6:15 pm in the King Hall. The content of the study will cover the book of Revelation.
Please visit this blog each week to get the class audio, class documents, and updates.
Summary of Week 3:
