Revelation: Lesson 1

Prophesy: The Telling

and Retelling of God’s
Story
Various Scriptures
Lesson 1 Questions
First Day: Read the Introduction Lesson Notes.
The notes and lecture fortify the truth of the passage for understanding and application to
daily life.
1. What stood out in the lecture to encourage or convict you? How will you respond?

2. How did the notes enrich your understanding of the authority and interconnectedness of
the Bible?

Second Day: Read the Scripture passages with the questions.

Biblical prophecy reveals God’s plan for creation. Revelation foretells the culmination of
that glorious plan. Before studying Revelation, we will explore the nature and significance
of prophecy throughout the Bible.
3. a. What does 2 Peter 1:19-21 say about prophecy?
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do
well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and
the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no
prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For
prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from
God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
If you want to hear God talking to you read the Word of God as it is completely reliable
and it will be like a light shining in a dark place until Jesus could live in your heart.

b. Why is this truth important?

The Bible's reliability gives us confidence that the Bible we read is the word of God. If I
do not believe in the truth of biblical prophecy, I fail to recognize God’s sovereign
hands. I fail to recognize his powerful and purposeful plan for both human history and
eternity. Without this purpose, life and the future seem so uncertain and random.
When I believe that God has spoken with authority through prophets and prophecies,
his presence and proposes a stable foundation. I can view my life, the world and the
future from this stable foundation. And with an assurance that God control the future.

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 God’s plan is immoveable. God will prevail.

4. a. What reason did Jesus give to His disciples in John 13:19 and 14:29 for revealing
future events?
John 13:19
19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will
believe that I am who I am.

John 14:29
29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will
believe.

b. How might this affect your life of faith?

I can rest assure that I believe in one true God.

5. In what way might the reliability of biblical prophecy connect to the character of God
Himself?
God calls prophets to teach His commandments, warn against sin, and the blessing
of the obedience and prophesy of future events. The Bible records many
prophecies that have already been fulfilled as well as many that have yet to
happen. This reveals that God is true God and he cares for his people. He is trying
to sanctify his people and warm them throughout the human history. Humans were
so sinful and stubbornly committing sin against God.

Third and Fourth Days: Read the Scripture passages with the
questions.
Prophecy declares God’s plan to God’s people.
6. a. Why does the future intrigue or alarm people?
Fears of the future are usually associated with existential fears and the plaguing
uncertainty about one's own path in life. It doesn't matter if it's about the near
or distant future. In brief, it is the fear of change, of uncertainty, of the impact
of our decisions, and of the "worst-case scenario".

b. What are some ways people seek to know the future?

For believers
Read the bible
Listen to the sermons about future

For unbelievers
astromancy,
horary astrology,
pendulum reading,
spirit board reading,
tasseography (reading tea leaves in a cup),
cartomancy (fortune telling with cards),
tarot card reading,
crystallomancy (reading of a crystal sphere),
and chiromancy (reading palm of the hands)

7. a. What do the following passages say about biblical prophecy and prophets?
Isaiah 45:21 (God told Isaiah to declare about the salvation of humanity through Jesus
Christ since very long ago to let people know that he is one true God and the one and
only savior)

Lesson 1
 21 Declare what is to be, present it—
let them take counsel together.
Who foretold this long ago,
who declared it from the distant past?
Was it not I, the Lord?
And there is no God apart from me,
a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none but me.

Amos 3:7 (God is faithful he reveals his plans through his prophets before he
implements them.)
7 Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing
without revealing his plan
to his servants the prophets.

2 Timothy 3:16 (God uses scripture to teach, rebuke, correct and train his people to
make them walk the path of righteousness)

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness,

Hebrews 11:32-40 (There are greater treasures far more valuable than these earthly
treasures which are prepared for those who obeyed and suffered for their faith)
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson
and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith
conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut
the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the
sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle
and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again.
There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain
an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and
imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning;[a] they were sawed in two; they
were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute,
persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in
deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had
been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only
together with us would they be made perfect.

1 Peter 1:10-12 (The prophets intentionally search about the future with great care
with the help of the Spirit of Christ to let us know about the salvation and even angels
want to hear what the prophets are trying to tell us)
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come
to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and
circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the
sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them
that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that
have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy
Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

b. How do these passages give you confidence in biblical prophecy?

God declares about the salvation of humanity through Jesus Christ since very long ago
to let people know that he is one true God and the one and only savior. He is faithful
and always he reveals his plans through his prophets before he implements them. God

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Fellowship
 also uses scripture to teach, rebuke, correct and train his people to make them walk
the path of righteousness. Through scripture, God let his people know that there are
greater treasures far more valuable than these earthly treasures which are prepared
for those who obeyed and suffered for their faith. In order to reveal his plans God uses
his chosen diligent prophets who intentionally search about the future with great care
with the help of the Spirit of Christ to let us know about the salvation and even angels
want to hear what the prophets are trying to tell us. The given scriptures give me
confident that the bible is the word of God given to us to reveal his plans and so, I
must read the bible and study what God is telling me to do or live especially in difficult
times.

8. How were the Old Testament prophecies below fulfilled in the New Testament, and what
do you find most interesting about them?
Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; Luke 1:26-27 (a Child will be born from a virgin in Bethlehem to save
humanity and become Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace. He will develop the kingdom with peace and uphold it with righteousness. Though he
took all our pain and bore our suffering, transgressions and was crushed for our iniquities
he would be despised by the people.)
Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you[a] a sign: The virgin[b] will conceive and give
birth to a son, and[c] will call him Immanuel.[d]

Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Luke 1:26-27
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a
town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant
of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-6

Micah 5:2
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans[a] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”

Lesson 1
 Matthew 2:1-6
The Magi Visit the Messiah
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a]
from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born
king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he
had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them
where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is
what the prophet has written:
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”

Isaiah 53:3-6; Matthew 27:22-26

Isaiah 53:3-6
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
4 Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

Matthew 27:22-26
22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was
starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent
of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him
over to be crucified.

9. How does Matthew 7:15-20 help you discern false prophecy and teaching from what is
reliable and true? (See also Deuteronomy 18:21-22; Matthew 24:24; 2 Peter 2:1; and 1

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Fellowship
 John 4:1.)
Matthew 7:15-20 (Be careful of the false prophets)
True and False Prophets
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they
are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes
from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but
a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot
bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into
the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Deuteronomy 18:21-22 (We can recognize the false prophets if what they prophesized
didn’t come true)
21 You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been
spoken by the Lord?” 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does
not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That
prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.

Matthew 24:24 (False messiahs and false prophets might perform great signs)
24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and
wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

2 Peter 2:1 (There will be false prophets and they deny the sovereign Lord they will
bring destruction on themselves)
False Teachers and Their Destruction
2 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false
teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even
denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on
themselves.

10.Why is it important to know that the Bible records fulfilled prophecy?

They are proof that God is sovereign and has planned thoroughly in advance to
redeem the humanity.

Fifth Day: Read the Scripture passages with the questions.

Prophecy ultimately points God’s people to the Messiah.
11.Read Deuteronomy 18:15-19; 34:10; John 5:46; and Acts 3:18-23. Who is the greater
Prophet, and how did Moses point toward Him?
The greater prophet is Jesus and Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a
prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.
23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’
Deuteronomy 18:15-19
15 The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your
fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. 16 For this is what you asked of the Lord your
God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the
Lord our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.”

17 The Lord said to me: “What they say is good. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet
like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He
will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who
does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name.

Deuteronomy 34:10
10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to
face,

Lesson 1
 John 5:46
46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.

Acts 3:18-23
18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying
that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may
be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may
send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive
him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through
his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet
like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23
Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’[a]

12.Read Matthew 16:27; Luke 24:44-47; and John 14:3.

Matthew 16:27
27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he
will reward each person according to what they have done.

Luke 24:44-47
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be
fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told
them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the
third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name
to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

John 14:3
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me
that you also may be where I am.

a. What do these passages promise, and what confidence do you have in their
fulfillment?
These verses give me a confident that Jesus will reward each person according to
what they have done. Though Jesus had suffered, he had risen from the dead on the
third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to
all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Jesus had promised that he will come back and
take us to be with him in heaven.

b. What hope and comfort do these promises give you today and as you look ahead to
your study of Revelation?
Since Jesus had died and suffered for our sin, if I repent of my sin, I will be
saved form eternal destruction and not only will be able to be with Jesus in
heaven but also be rewarded for what I have done on earth for his ministry.

Sixth Day: Review this week’s assigned passages.

Fulfilled prophecy confirms God’s character and the trustworthiness of His Word.
13.What is the biggest challenge or opportunity you face this year as we approach the study
of Revelation? How can your group pray for you?
I will have a great opportunity to find the will of God and his command to live and react to
the world in a correct way especially in end time.

No Passage Discovery (homiletics, word study, etc.) assigned for Group and Administrative
Leaders.

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Fellowship
Lesson 1