In this class we go over a couple of tough passages: God's acts of divine discipline represented by seven bowls and seven trumpets. Our approach is to view them as God standing in solidarity with the victims of oppression by holding guilty people accountable, while emphasizing that these acts of judgment are intended to produce repentance.
The Judgment Scenes
October 26, 2023 • Bryan Fojtasek
There's a lot of judgment scenes in the book of Revelation. How should we make sense of those? Is God an angry tyrant bent on punishing people he doesn't like? Or is there a healthier view of him that makes sense in the grand scheme of Scripture? Perhaps the better reading is to view God as a loving father who is disciplining his children so that they will turn away from evil and turn to God instead.
Martyrs of the Faith
October 19, 2023 • Bryan Fojtasek
Revelation 6-7 describes a multitude of faithful Christians who remained steadfast in their commitment to Jesus even when it cost them their lives. Their example should inspire us to live bold and courageous lives of faith and to trust in God's goodness, no matter what.
God is on the Throne
October 12, 2023 • Bryan Fojtasek
Revelation 4-5 brings us into the throne room of Heaven. There are many people on earth who claim to be the ultimate authority, but God reigns above them all.
A Vision of Heaven
October 5, 2023 • Bryan Fojtasek
The book of Revelation gives us a remarkable vision of what life in Heaven will be like.
A Portrait of Babylon
September 28, 2023 • Bryan Fojtasek
The final major member of Team Dragon is a prostitute called "Babylon" in Revelation 17. Bible scholars universally agree that Babylon represented Rome in the first century, but it's also a metaphor for every future group, organization, or nation that operates in the same violent, greedy, idolatrous way. The more we understand the qualities and character traits of Babylon, the more we can be on guard against those kinds of influences in our lives and in our congregations.
Team Dragon
September 21, 2023 • Bryan Fojtasek
Revelation describes an epic spiritual battle between good and evil. On one side is Team Dragon (Satan and his allies), and on the other is Team Lamb (Jesus and his followers). One key thing Revelation is designed to do is help us understand our enemy and learn to see the ways we are influenced by Team Dragon in our daily lives. Today's class is based off Revelation 12-13, and it's designed to help us get to know our enemy so we can anticipate and resist his attacks.
Seven Messages for Seven Churches
September 14, 2023 • Bryan Fojtasek
Revelation chapters 2 and 3 contain shorter, more specific messages for each of the seven churches that John is writing to. The general outline of the letters is pretty similar -- Jesus affirms what they are doing well, points out areas that need correction, gives them a call to action, and reminds them of the amazing promises God has in store for those who endure faithfully. Those messages of repentance, perseverance, and faithfulness are just as important for us today as the day they were written.
Revering Christ as Lord
September 7, 2023 • Bryan Fojtasek
Revelation begins with a magnificent vision of Jesus Christ, the one true ruler, king, and Lord of all the earth.
