Revelation A Promise for Now - A Roadmap for Later The Who, What and Why Revelation 1:1-9/ 2 Timothy 3:16-17 A Few Key Passages Revelation 1-5 How to Study the Book of Revelation The Promise and The Roadmap (1) Revelation is not a book. It’s a book. John 5:39-40 & Luke 24:25-27/ 1 Peter 1:10-12 (2) These are the . But Jesus might not return for a . The last days began ago. Acts 2:17/ Hebrews 1:2/ James 5:3/ 1 John 2:18-19/ Jude 1:17-19 God’s calendar doesn’t – and never has. 2 Peter 3:8-10/ Isaiah 55:8-9/ Genesis 13:14-15 & Genesis 15:13-16 “No one knows the day or hour,” actually means, “ .” Matthew 24:36-39/ Matthew 24:42-51 & Matthew 25:1-13 (3) When these things , we won’t need Bible scholars to comprehend the Book of Revelation. (4) There is nothing we can do to or these events. (5) Our blessed hope is , not the things most of us hope and pray for. Titus 2:11-13 The best way to connect with us is the Connection Card in the bulletin. For the Digital Bulletin, visit myncc.info. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Support Our Ministry If you found this message beneficial and you would like to help continue our ministries, we would be grateful for your support. Go to northcoastchurch.com/give ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Life Group Study Questions For the week of October 10, 2021 QUICK REVIEW Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or something that caught your attention, challenged or confused you? MY STORY When you hear someone talking about the end times and speculating about Jesus’ return, what is your typical response? How has your interest in and/or understanding of the return of Christ changed as you’ve gotten older? James 5:7 tells us to be patient as we wait for the return of Jesus. Most people aren’t very good at patiently waiting for anything. What is something that is hard for you to wait for? Have you developed any ways to help you be patient when you’re in a situation requiring waiting? DIGGING DEEPER Revelation is not the only place in the New Testament that talks about the last days and the return of Jesus. At least 12 of the New Testament books refer to it. One of the longer passages is found in 2 Peter 3. As you read through this passage… Circle / highlight any words or phrases talking about how we are to live in the last days in light of the future. Underline the portions that describe what will happen when the day of the Lord arrives (Jesus returns). Put an X next to anything that confuses you. (For Live Notes, you can use the note field.) 2 Peter 3:3-14, 17-18 3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. What sticks out to you about how we’re supposed to live in light of what will happen when Christ returns? Knowing how everything will turn out in the end, what differences could this make in how we live out our faith? How does 2 Corinthians 4:18 influence your answer? 2 Corinthians 4:18 New International Version (NIV) 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. The Book of Revelation was written to seven churches located in modern day Turkey. In chapters 2 and 3, John recorded a message from God for each of these seven churches with the first one being to the church at Ephesus. If you had to sum up God’s assessment of the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7, what would you say? Revelation 2:1-7 New International Version (NIV) “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. If God were to make a similar assessment of your life like He did with the church at Ephesus, what do you think He would commend you for and what would He say needs some attention? TAKING IT HOME Looking back on this week’s sermon and study, what’s most important for you to remember? PRAYER REQUESTS MEN’S CONFERENCE Join us Friday, October 22 & Saturday, October 23 for the first ever North Coast Church Men’s Conference held at the Vista Campus! Come enjoy teaching led by pastors Chris Brown and Mark Clark! Register at northcoastchurch.com/2021-mens-conference/. WOMEN’S GATHERING – North Coast Leadership Conference Join us Monday, October 18, 6-9pm at the Vista Campus and be equipped to lead no matter what role you serve in — as a student, single woman, wife, mom or in the marketplace. Visit northcoastchurch.com/womens-gathering-event/.