By Coty Pinckney

Read Chapter 1 at least 3 times, avoiding reference to any commentaries or notes.

Now consider the following Old Testament passages, comparing them to what you just read in Revelation:

Ezekiel 1:26-28, 43:1-5; Daniel 7:9-14, 10:5-10. Also read Mark 9:1-8.

Look up several of the other allusions made in this chapter to the Old Testament:
1:6 to Exodus 19:6
1:8 to Isaiah 44:6
1:13 to Exodus 28:6-8
1:16 to Isaiah 11:4, 49:2, and 60:19-20
1:18 to Isaiah 22:22

(1) Who is the one "who is, who was, and who is to come" in verses 4 and 8? Why is each of these three important? How does this title relate to the themes of Revelation you highlighted last week?

(2) Verses 5b to 7 present us the two sides to God’s redemptive plan for the first of many times in this book. What benefits do these verses describe for us, the redeemed? Why will some "mourn" because of him?

(3) Compare John’s vision with the Old Testament visions above. Note both similarities and differences in the visions and in the responses of those given the visions.

(4) Throughout this book we will have to decide which descriptions are purely symbolic, and which also have a literal truth. In the description of Jesus, are there any details that are clearly symbolic only? Do the Old Testament passages help in answering this?

(5) Who is speaking in verses 17 and 18? How does this self-description relate to question 1?

(6) What one thought do you need to hold onto from this first chapter that will enable you to live the Christian life more effectively?

(7) Here’s a nice, simple question to end with: What is reality? Consider what we’ve read here, as well as 1 Cor 13:12; 2 Cor 4:16-5:1; Heb 11:8-16, 13:14.

Commentaries:

After you have done all the Bible reading and considered the questions, read the remainder of Ray’s sermon on Revelation 1, and pages 27 to 42 of Wilcock. Look closely at Wilcock pages 31-33, 37-39, and 42. Reconsider your answers to the questions, particularly question 7, in light of the commentaries.

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