Burn Brightly – Introduction

Message 1 of 9 in the series Burn Brightly

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Expand Passage …
Revelation 1:9-20, ESV

Discussion Questions

  • What are some things that you know (from the sermon or other Bible studies) about the Apostle John? What stories from the NT can you think of that show the special closeness he had with Jesus? Knowing how close John was to Jesus, what do you learn from his reaction to seeing the vision of Jesus on Patmos?

  • What symbol does Jesus use in Revelation 1 to represent the church? What does that teach us about Jesus’ plan for each of his congregations?

  • In his vision, John saw that Jesus was among the Lampstands. What does this symbolize to us? How aware do you think Jesus is when it comes to the needs of his congregations?

Live Generously, Give Cheerfully

If the LORD leads you to give as part of worship

Give Today

Learn About Giving …

Stay Connected

Get Agape in Your Inbox!

Subscribe to Agape News for the latest messages, news, events, & useful resources.

Sign Up!