BETHANY BAPTIST BIBLE STUDYWelcome! We are glad you are here!

Don’t worry if you don’t know how to do this, we will teach you as we go!

HOW TO DO A CHAPTER SUMMARY BIBLE STUDYThree Easy Questions

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Three Questions when you read the chapter you wish to study:

1. What does the chapter say?

2. What does that mean – specifically – to me?

3. What am I going to do about it?

Some add an optional memory verse as a part of the process to help them retain what God has said to them.

REVELATION 21

KV 22: Reality comes to Earth at last

1 - 8: God will dwell among humankind

9 - 14: The Wife of the Lamb - New Jerusalem

15 - 21: New Jerusalem Described

22 - 27: Reality instead of types and shadows

THINGS TO REMEMBER!

THINGS TO REMEMBER!

Remember – at least four six(!) levels to understand!

1. To the believers at that time in that place (Historical context)

2. To all the churches (Ecclesiastic context):

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

3. To all believers (Homiletic context):

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

4. To world historical events (Prophetic context)

5. The Symbolism and interpretation thereof (Symbolic context)

6. Geopolitical context (won’t say much here)

BIBLE STUDY PRINCIPLES

Some principles of Bible study:

• Take the text in context

• Be sure of literal or symbolic interpretations

• Don’t be afraid to ask the Author ;)

• Cooper’s first rule of Interpretation:

• If the plain sense of Scripture makes good sense, then seek no other sense!

REVELATION 21

God will dwell among humankind…

Some amazing things here:

• New Jerusalem is revealed (more shortly)

• Pain and sorrow are no more

• There will be no more death

• New heavens and new earth

• Amazing things!

REVELATION 21

The Wife of the Lamb – New Jerusalem…

The picture here is to give an idea of the size compared to the planet. Big, isn’t it? Some features include:

• External brilliance like precious stones

• Great and high wall with 12 gates and 12 angels

• Each gate names a tribe of Israel

• Twelve foundation stones, one for each apostle

• It’s amazing to consider! And there’s more…

REVELATION 21

New Jerusalem Described…

This picture captures some of the detail and ethereal glory of the city itself.

• The city itself is 1500 miles cubed

• The wall around it was 72 yards thick

• Walls made of precious stones and pure gold

• Each foundation a different precious stone

• Each gate made from a single pearl (Imagine the oysters that must have made those pearls!)

• Streets made of pure gold

REVELATION 21

REALITY instead of types and shadows at last…

• No temple – God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple

• No sun or moon – God has lit it with His Son, the Lamb of God!

• The nations of the earth bring their glory to it

• The gates remain open perpetually

• There is no more evil in it

• Everyone’s name shall be in the Lamb’s book of Life!

SOME THOUGHTS TO ENTERTAIN

1. 1 Cor 2:9 says “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for they who love Him.”

2. We do not live in the “real” world right now. Actually there is some basis for this in Physics, and the phrase “the only true God” may also be translated as “the only REAL God.”

3. This REAL world is coming, and in it, there will be no more evil, or pain, or suffering. Death will even cease to exist. The really GREAT news is that we can be a part of it. First, we must be saved, or justified. After that, we must become his disciples, or be sanctified. Only as we satisfy these two conditions will we truly be glorified.

This brings me to the main point…

THE MAIN POINT

We need to make sure we qualify to be there! And this is a three-step process:

1. We must be saved. Remember, there isn’t a thing that we can do to save ourselves – we must accept the substitutionary sacrifice God provided for us in Jesus for our sinfulness.

2. After that, we have the ability to choose for God and His interests instead of our own. We must learn what He wants us to be doing – and then do it, no matter the cost, be that financial, emotional, or even physical, right up to death.

3. Jesus said if we were faithful to death, he would give us the crown of life. Think about that – it’s what He did for us! And it should motivate the same kind of response in us for Him. And THAT is a CHOICE.

THE MAIN POINT

All choices have consequences. When you make your choice, you choose the consequences.

So choose:

“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 NASB)

THE MAIN POINT…

Believers in Jesus have a UNIQUE, God-given right and ability to follow Jesus and choose for Him. We, as His disciples NEED to choose for Him. But how?

Acts 2:42 – “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

We must cultivate this attitude with these activities daily.

AND THAT’S ALL FOLKS!