Revelation Twenty Questions

 1. Who is “the revelation” from, and who is it to?  Who is the Book of Revelation from, and who is it to?

2. John sees a vision of seven stars and seven lampstands (Revelation 1:12-16).  What does Revelation 1:20 say these images represent?  Does this mean that other elements may convey symbolic meaning?

3. Does each of the seven churches who John writes to receive both praise and criticism from Jesus?  Which ones are the exception?

4. The four living creatures of Revelation 4 are like a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle, with six wings and covered with eyes.  If not an actual physical description, what might these characteristics represent?

5. Who is the One on the throne in Revelation 4:11?  For what reason do the 24 elders proclaim that He is worthy? 

6. Who is the only One found worthy to take the scroll in Revelation 5? What two animals are referred to in Romans 5:5-6?

7. In the new song of Revelation 5:9-10, for what reason is the Lamb declared to be worthy?

8. What are the colors of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse in Revelation 6:1-8, and what do each of them represent?

9. Who are the ones in the multitude wearing white robes (Revelation 7:9-17)?  How many people are there?  What is their reward?  

10. After the 7 seals, another series of 7 takes place. What is it?  Instead of a fourth of the earth (6:8), what proportion is affected this time?

11. Where does it appear the events of Revelation 11:1-14 take place?

12. Who is the dragon?  Can you cite a scripture that tells us directly?

13. The Sea Beast of Revelation 13 is often thought to be the Antichrist, while the Earth Beast is called the False Prophet.  What would an “unholy Trinity” like this tell us about Satan?

14. What are the consequences of not receiving the mark of the Beast (13:16-18)?  What are the consequences of receiving it (14:9-12)?

15. A final cycle of 7 begins in Revelation 15-16.  What is it this time?

16. Revelation 17 provides a vision of a prostitute sitting on the beast.  Who do you think she may represent?

17. What happens to “Babylon” in Revelation 18?  Who is listed as being saddened at her fate in 18:9-20? 

18. What is the fate of the beast and false prophet (Revelation 19:19-21)?  What is the eventual fate of the dragon (Revelation 20:7-10)?

19. What excites you the most about the vision of a new heaven and a new earth we see in Revelation 21 and 22?

20. Is Revelation just about the end, its words only for those living in the last days?  Or does it contain a message for its first hearers and subsequent generations of Christians?  If so, what is that message?

I & II Peter, I, II & III John, and Jude Twenty Questions

 1. In I Peter 1, what things does the apostle describe as “imperishable” and “perishable” (note: your translation may use different terms)?

2. I Peter 2:4 speaks of Christ being the “living Stone” - chosen by whom and rejected by whom?

3. What is Peter’s advice on how Christians should relate to human authorities like emperors and governors (I Peter 2:13-17)?

4. What is the difference between a woman’s outward adornment and her inner beauty?

5. What does Peter have to say about suffering for doing good (I Peter 2:19-23, I Peter 3:14, and I Peter 3:17-18)? 

6. Have you ever been insulted or have you otherwise suffered for being a Christian (I Peter 4:12-16)? 

7. How is Peter’s advice to elders to be shepherds (I Peter 5:1-4) reflective of Jesus’ last conversation with him in the Gospel of John?

8. What event from the Gospels is Peter describing in II Peter 1:16-18?

9. What lesson does Peter say that the experiences of Noah and Lot teach us about God (II Peter 2:4-10)?  

10. What does II Peter 3:8-9 teach us about waiting for the last days?

11. According to I John 1:8-10, what is the most successful strategy in dealing with our sin: denial or confession?

12. What characteristic marks the difference between living in the light or living in the darkness (I John 2:9-11)?

13. How should we reconcile John 3:16 with I John 2:15 in regards to “loving the world”?

14. I John speaks of “antichrists.”  What is the definition of an “antichrist” (I John 2:22)?

15. In what ways does I John 3:16-18 say we should love our brothers and sisters?

16. How does John recommend that we test the spirits in I John 4:1-3?

17. I John 4:16 says “God is love.”  What is the difference, if any, between “God is love” and “Love is God”?

18. What do you see in II John that sounds similar to I John?

19. What does John say gives him the greatest joy in III John 4?

20. Who or what is Jude warning the Church about in Jude 3-19?

NOTE: We will not have Bible Study on Sunday, December 27, 2020.  We will conclude our "Twenty Questions" study over Revelation on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Hebrews and James Twenty Questions

1. In Hebrews 1, who does the author say that Jesus is better than?

2. In a letter written to the Hebrews, would you expect to find a lot of references to Old Testament scripture, concepts, and people?  Are your expectations met?

3. What is our relationship to Jesus, according to Hebrews 2:10-11?  

4. According to Hebrews 3:1-6, how does Jesus compare to Moses?

5. When is the right time for repentance and getting right with the Lord, according to Hebrews 3:7, 3:13, 3:15, and 4:7? 

6. Which is scripturally correct? A) Jesus was not tempted.  B) Jesus was tempted but did not sin.  C) Jesus was tempted and sinned. 

7. Who is our great high priest?  What does a high priest do, according to Hebrews 5:1?

8. Can you reconcile Hebrews 6:4-8 and Hebrews 10:26-30 with a belief that Christians cannot lose their salvation?  How would you do so?

9. Hebrews speaks of the priestly order of Melchizedek.  We don’t know much about him (Genesis 14:18-20).  What does the author of Hebrews say about Melchizedek, and how does that relate to Jesus?  

10. According to Hebrews 7:23-28, what makes Jesus the best high priest?

11. Hebrews 8 compares the old covenant with the new one.  Which is better?

12. How did Christ enter the heavenly tabernacle (Hebrews 9:11-14)?

13. What was the mission of Christ’s first coming, and what will be the mission of His second coming (Hebrews 9:28)?

14. Can the blood of bulls and goats take away sin?  What takes away our sin as followers of Jesus (Hebrews 10:10, 10:12, 10:19-20)?

15. Hebrews 11 lists some champions of the Old Testament.  Through what did they accomplish great things or endure severe trials?

16. According to Hebrews 12:4-15, should you be discouraged to receive discipline from the Lord?  Why or why not?

17. Do James and Paul have an argument about faith and works?  Compare James 2:14-26 with Romans 4.  How do you resolve the tension between their points of view?

18. What do the examples of a bit, a rudder, and a fire in James 3 teach us about the tongue?

19. According to James 4:7-8, what happens when we resist the devil?  What happens when we draw near to God?

20. Which two Bible heroes does James cite as examples of patience in suffering and the power of prayer?