REVELATION
READING PLAN + STUDY QUESTIONS
READING PLAN
WARNINGS + PROMISES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
THE HEAVENLY THRONE ROOM
THE SEVEN SEALS + THE GREAT MULTITUDE
FAITHFUL WITNESSES + FIERCE OPPOSITION
GOD’S JUDGEMENT + CALL TO WORSHIP
THE FALL OF BABYLON + THE FINAL JUDGMENT
ALL THINGS NEW
HOW TO USE
READ THE CHAPTERS IN THE BIBLE FOR EACH SESSION
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS + REFLECT ON THE READING
This study encourages going at your own pace, allowing each session to be a day, a week, or however long you need. Each session contains questions to be used for individual reflection or small group discussion.
This study was made to be used alongside Bible reading. Although we have created chapter summaries, there is no substitute for reading God's Word.
SESSION ONE: REVELATION 1-3
WARNINGS + PROMISES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
Who wrote this book, and what was he recording (Revelation 1:1–2)?
Revelation 1:7 states that Jesus will return on the clouds. How does this description compare to His ascension in Acts 1:9-11?
In Revelation 1:8, how does God describe Himself? How does this compare to how He identifies Himself in Exodus 3:13-15?
According to Revelation 1:9, why was John imprisoned on the island of Patmos?
Revelation 1:10 describes the voice of the Lord as loud, like a trumpet. This imagery appears throughout Scripture in moments of judgment or war (see Exodus 19:16, Joel 2:1, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16). How do these themes set the tone for the rest of Revelation?
The church in Ephesus was commended for its perseverance but warned for abandoning its first love (Revelation 2:4). How might this warning translate to the life of a believer today?
In Revelation 2:7, God promised the faithful in Ephesus access to the Tree of Life. Looking back at Genesis 3:22-24, why is this significant?
In Revelation 2:17, God promised “hidden manna” to the faithful people of Pergamum. Looking back at Exodus 16, what might this symbolize?
Based on Revelation 3:14-17, what do you think it means to be spiritually “lukewarm”?
Of the messages given to the seven churches, which one do you feel most convicted by—or most encouraged by—and why?
If you could choose one of the seven churches to be part of, which would be your first choice? Which would be your last?
SESSION TWO: REVELATION 4-5
THE HEAVENLY THRONE ROOM
In Revelation 4:1, John saw a door open in heaven and heard a voice saying, “Come up here.” What does this invitation suggest about what John was about to witness? Why might God have wanted to show him this heavenly scene?
In Genesis 9:11–17, God made a covenant with Noah never again to destroy the earth by flood. Why might this promise be relevant when discussing the end times, especially in a book like Revelation?
The number twelve is significant in both the Old and New Testament. Consider the twelve disciples and twelve tribes of Israel. How are these groups, and the twenty-four thrones, representative of the Old Covenant followers and New Testament believers?
The ephod worn by Old Testament priests held twelve gemstones, each representing a tribe of Israel (see Exodus 28). What connections can you draw between this priestly imagery and Revelation 4–5?
Read Ezekiel 1:4-14 and Isaiah 6:1-7. How do the living creatures in Revelation 4 compare to the cherubim in Ezekiel and the seraphim in Isaiah? What similarities and differences do you notice? What might their constant praise of God reveal about His nature?
Revelation 1:4, 4:5, and 5:6 all reference the seven spirits of God, which many connect to the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Read Isaiah 11:2. How do these seven attributes of the Spirit help us understand God’s power, wisdom, and presence in Revelation?
Throughout Scripture, the image of a lamb points to God’s provision and protection. Read Genesis 22:1–14 (Abraham and Isaac) and Exodus 12:1–13 (the first Passover). How do these stories foreshadow Jesus as the Lamb who was slain?
Revelation 5:5–6 introduces Jesus as both the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Lamb who was slain. What do these two titles reveal about Jesus' character and His mission?
In the ancient Roman world, a scroll sealed with seven seals often represented a will or inheritance. Read Romans 8:16–17. What do believers inherit, and how does that deepen our understanding of why Jesus is the only one worthy to open the scroll in Revelation 5?
SESSION THREE: REVELATION 6-9
THE SEVEN SEALS + THE GREAT MULTITUDE
The number seven appears repeatedly throughout Revelation. Why is the number seven significant within the Jewish faith? What does it symbolize?
Read Revelation 6:1-8. What do these horses and their riders symbolize? How might this imagery have been especially meaningful (or alarming) for the early believers living under Roman rule?
In Revelation 6:9–11, John saw the souls of those who were martyred for their faith. Who were the martyrs, and why is their role significant?
What natural (or supernatural) events occurred with the opening of the sixth seal in Revelation 6:12–17? Read Joel 2:30–31 or Isaiah 13:9–13. How are these descriptions similar?
What number is stated in Revelation 7:4, and what number is mentioned in Revelation 7:9? What might this contrast reveal about God's people?
If the number twelve represents governance and ten symbolizes completeness or authority, what might the number 144,000 (12 x 12 x 10 x 10) signify about God’s people in Revelation 7?
Read Revelation 7:9 and John 12:12-13. What do you think is the significance of the palm branches in these passages?
Revelation 7:14 says the great multitude has “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” What does this imagery communicate about salvation, purity, and sacrifice?
In Revelation 8:1, heaven fell silent for about half an hour when the seventh seal was opened. Read Habakkuk 2:20. What might this silence represent in the context of God's judgment?
The Old Testament often refers to the Day of the Lord as a time of both judgment and hope. Read Joel 2:1–2 or Zephaniah 1:14–18. How do these prophecies relate to what we see in Revelation?
In Luke 10:17–20, Jesus mentioned seeing Satan fall like lightning from heaven. How might this statement connect to the falling star in Revelation 9:1?
SESSION FOUR: REVELATION 10-13
FAITHFUL WITNESSES + FIERCE OPPOSITION
Revelation 10:7 says, “the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” Why is this phrase significant in the context of Revelation? What do the messages of the prophets reveal about God’s consistency and faithfulness throughout Scripture?
In Revelation 11:3, the two witnesses were given authority to prophesy for 1,260 days (about 3.5 years). If the number seven represents completion, what might the use of 3.5 (half of seven) represent in the context of God's timing?
Read Revelation 11:4–6. Who were the two witnesses, and what do they represent? Consider also the imagery of lampstands in this passage—how does this connect with Matthew 5:14–16 and Psalm 119:105?
Revelation 11:19 says that God’s temple in heaven was opened and the ark of His covenant was seen. Why is the ark’s appearance significant? What does it symbolize, and how might this be encouraging to believers?
Read Revelation 12 and summarize it in your own words. Who do the woman, child, and dragon represent?
What does Revelation 12 teach us about spiritual warfare? How might verses like Revelation 12:10–11 give us hope in the midst of trials?
Revelation 13:16–18 introduces the mark of the beast and the number 666. Compare this to Deuteronomy 6:4–8, where God commanded His people to bind His words to their foreheads and hands. What might this symbolic parallel reveal about our allegiance, worship, and identity?
SESSION FIVE: REVELATION 14-16
GOD’S JUDGMENT + CALL TO WORSHIP
Revelation 14:17–20 describes an angel gathering grapes for the winepress of God’s wrath. Read Matthew 13:24–30 (the parable of the wheat and the weeds). How does this parable help us understand the imagery of harvest in Revelation?
In Revelation 15:3, God’s people sang the Song of Moses and the Lamb. Read Exodus 15. What themes of deliverance and worship do you notice in both songs? How is Jesus portrayed as a “new Moses” figure, leading God’s people to victory?
Revelation paints a sharp contrast between Babylon (a symbol of worldly power and corruption) and the coming New Jerusalem (God’s holy city). Based on what you’ve read so far, how are these two cities different in character and destiny? What do they each represent?
Read Revelation 16:9, 16:11, and 16:21. What repeated phrases or themes do you see in people’s responses to God’s judgment? What do these reactions reveal about human hearts and the nature of true repentance?
Revelation 16:16 mentions Armageddon as a gathering place for battle. Look up the meaning of “Armageddon” and its connection to Megiddo in ancient Israel. Why might this location be significant for a symbolic final battle between good and evil?
In Revelation 16:17, a loud voice from the throne said, “It is done.” Compare this with Jesus’ words on the cross in John 19:30: “It is finished.” What might these similar declarations reveal about God’s complete work of judgment and redemption?
SESSION SIX: REVELATION 17-20
THE FALL OF BABYLON + THE FINAL JUDGMENT
Revelation 17:6 describes the prostitute as intoxicated with the blood of the saints and martyrs. How might this contrast with the wine of communion, which honors the blood of Jesus?
In Revelation 18:21, a mighty angel threw a millstone into the sea to symbolize Babylon’s fall. Read Matthew 18:6. How might this comparison emphasize Babylon’s guilt and God’s judgment towards them?
In Revelation 19, we shift from mourning Babylon to celebrating the marriage supper of the Lamb. What does the image of the bride teach us about our identity as the Church? How does this image contrast with the earlier image of the prostitute?
Revelation 19:10 says, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” What do you think this phrase means? How does it help us understand the purpose of prophecy throughout Scripture?
Revelation 20 introduces the concept of the millennium—a 1,000-year reign. There are multiple interpretations of this passage (premillennial, amillennial, postmillennial, etc.). Why might believers understand this period differently?
In Revelation 20:2, Satan is referred to as the “ancient serpent.” Read Genesis 3:1–15. What connections can you draw between the serpent in Eden and this final defeat?
Read Revelation 20:6. What does it mean to “share in the first resurrection”? How does this verse offer hope for eternal life?
The Book of Life is mentioned in Revelation 20:12 and 15. Why is this book so important? What does it mean for someone’s name to be written in it?
SESSION SEVEN: REVELATION 21-22
ALL THINGS NEW
Read Revelation 21:1–2. What do you notice about the new heaven, new earth, and the New Jerusalem? How is the new creation an image of the restored Garden of Eden?
Revelation 21:3 says, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people.” How does this verse reiterate God’s promises in Exodus 29:45–46 and throughout Scripture?
Revelation 21:4–5 offers one of the most beloved promises in Scripture: “He will wipe away every tear… Behold, I am making all things new.” How does this passage give you hope for eternity? How does it give you hope for today?
In Revelation 22:2, we see the Tree of Life again. Where else in Scripture did this tree appear (hint: Genesis 2–3)? What does its return symbolize regarding the new creation?
Revelation 22:7, 12, and 20 all include Jesus’ promise: “Behold, I am coming soon.” How can you respond to this promise? What does it look like to expectantly await Jesus' return?
Looking back at the full book of Revelation, what has stood out to you most about God's character, His promises, or His plan for redemption? How can this study shape the way you live, worship, or hope moving forward?
Way to go! You finished the book of Revelation!
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