Songwriters have echoed the theme “Everything’s gonna be alright.” As we kick off the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ, the Son of God - God the Son, is revealed as “one like the son of man.” Even in the midst of all the spiritual battles with all the evil forces, we are reminded that Christ wins, we win, and through Christ “Everything is gonna be alright”!

Revelation 1:7-20

7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Vision of the Son of Man
9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Discipleship Conversation Questions:

For Adult Homes or Groups

1. The book of Revelation begins, “The revelation of Jesus Christ...” As you scan through Revelation 1, what character and qualities of Jesus are revealed?
2. Why do you think there is a special blessing for those who “read aloud the words of this prophecy”? What is the significance of the stern warning given at the end of the book? (See Revelation 22:18-19.)
3. Today’s Light Bible tells us, “Christ is revealed – that’s what the Book of Revelation is about! Those who try to read it as some kind of Christian horoscope or as ‘planet earth’s future’ will miss God’s point.” Why would verses 17-20 be especially comforting to persecuted Christians of John’s day (v. 9)?
4. Martin Luther once exhorted people to “...stick your eyes into your eyes. You won’t see until you hear. And when you hear you will see. And when you hear and see you will not be afraid.” What about Christ and His return do you need to hear and see in order to conquer your fears today?
5. What are some of your greatest fears? Take time to pray for one another – for God’s grace and peace to be upon each of us and give us greater faith to “listen and look,” to see Christ and be amazed.

For Families with Kids

1. Read Revelation 1:7-8 with your family.
2. Have everyone share about a time when they got to see someone they had not seen for a very long time. For example, maybe you got to see family at Christmas that you hadn’t seen in years. How did you feel when you found out you would be seeing them? How did it feel to see this person again?
3. Even though we do not know when He will come back, Jesus has promised to return. When He does, He will make all things new. How does this make you feel?
4. Bonus Activity: Play a game of hide and seek as a family! Remember, per the rules of hide and seek, the first person to be found is the new seeker. After you’re done playing, ask your kids, were you excited to be found, or were you hoping to be the last one hiding? Why?