Un-Intimidating Revelation

For the last eight weeks, we have been doing a mini hermeneutics course in our high school seniors Sunday school class. We’ve covered genres, themes, and keys to interpretation in the hopes that they will feel more confident as they approach Scripture study. This Sunday is the last Sunday, so you guessed it, it’s time to approach the ‘scary’ Revelation. True, wars, whores, strange beasts and fiery dragons are the stuff that nightmares are made of. Not to mention, we’re not all that comfortable with uncertainty, and the numerous symbols and visions don’t lend themselves to easy interpretation. And of course, that many mini-battles over millennialism aren’t that pretty either.
And yet, I volunteered to lead this study, because I am so passionate that this is a book of hope about Jesus Christ, and people should not only not avoid it, but should study and enjoy it. The most helpful resource has been Scotty Smith and Michael Card’s book, .The subtitle says it all: “eternal encouragement from the book of Revelation.” In these last days, which had been lasting for a long time, we all need encouragement to persevere through life in a broken world. Revelation tells us the end of the story, and it is good. The day is coming, a city is coming, when and where a wildly varied fellowship of believers, Jesus’ name tattooed on our foreheads (okay, maybe that’s just a symbol, but who knows?), will dwell with God forever, freed from sin, sickness, and sorrow to finally live as we were created to do. It’s a really good story. Why not read it again for the very first time?
PS. Stay tuned: I’ll post my notes for the seniors here tomorrow.