Revelation 22:12-21

Theme

God holds all things together in his hands

Questions
  • There are four places in John’s vison in Revelation where either God the Father or Jesus is described as the Alpha & Omega – Rev 1:8, 1:12-18, 21:5-8 & 22:13.
    • What stands out to you from these verses?
    • What do these verses tell you about God?
  • Compare what Jesus says about being Alpha & Omega with Isaiah 44:6-8.
    • What does this passage tell you about God?
    • Why do people put their hopes (for the present and the future) in something other than God?
    • What can help you know and live with the truth that “there is no other rock, I know not one” (Is 44:8)?
  • In v.12 Jesus says that he is coming “soon” (also in v.7 & v.20).
    • If John had this vision almost 2000 years ago, can we really believe that Jesus is coming soon? What do you think Jesus is saying here?
    • Do you ever think about the fact Jesus is coming back one day? Does it have any bearing on how you live here and now? Why/why not?
  • What do you think it means that people will be rewarded according to what they have done – is it about making sure you’ve done enough good things or something else? [Look at Matthew 16:24-28 for some ideas]
  • There are two blessings mentioned for those who “wash their robes” (v.14). Look at Revelation 3:4-5 & 7:9-17. What does it mean for robes to be washed white? What do the white robes represent?
  • The first blessing is to have the “right to the tree of life”. Look back to Genesis 2:8-9 & 3:22-24. How do the verses in Revelation promise the restoration of life as God designed it to be before humanity disobeyed him?
  • Later there is an invitation to take the “free gift of the water of life” (v.19) – this echoes the story of Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman in John 4:13-14, and the words of God through Isaiah (Isaiah 55:1-3).
    • How do these verses speak about life?
    • Is this life a future hope, or something for now (or both)?
  • The second blessing is to be allowed access into the city of God (compare v. 14 with Rev 21:24-27)
    • What does the image of the open gates of the city where God lives with his people say to you?
    • Both revelation 21 and 22:15 speak about people left outside of the city. Does it bother you that some are excluded from the city?
    • Do these verses motivate you in sharing your faith with others?