Unveiling the Apocalypse: Power, Prosperity, and the Pull of Empire

What if the greatest threat to your faith isn't something obvious, but something you've learned to admire? Revelation isn't a roadmap to the end of the world; it's an unveiling of the powers, systems, and allegiances that quietly shape our lives. In this message from Robyn Elliott, we explore the beasts, the infamous 666, and John's startling warning that evil often disguises itself as success, security, prosperity, and even religion itself. Discussion Questions: 1. When you hear "Revelation," what assumptions or images immediately come to mind? Where do you think those ideas came from? 2. Robyn suggested that reading Revelation primarily as a prediction of future events can become escapist. Do you agree or disagree? Why? 3. What does it mean to say that Revelation "comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable?" 4. Why do you think evil is often easier to recognize in individuals than in systems, institutions, or cultures? 5. The dragon, the beasts, and the prostitute all symbolize forces larger than any one person. What modern examples might fit those categories today? 6. How does John's portrayal of empire challenge the way we think about power, success, patriotism, economics, or influence? 7. Robyn's message describes evil as something that often masquerades as good. Can you think of examples where something beneficial or attractive can also become harmful or oppressive? 8. Revelation presents the slaughtered Lamb - not military strength - as God's answer to evil. Why is that vision so counterintuitive? What implications does it have for how Christians engage conflict today? 9. If the "mark of the beast" is less about a future technology and more about allegiance and participation in systems opposed to God's kingdom, how might that change the way we read the passage? 10. Looking honestly at your own life, where do you feel tension between the values of God's kingdom and the values of the surrounding culture? Resources: BOOKS: Bauckham, Richard, The Theology of the Book of Revelation Duncan, Jeremy, Upside Down Apocalypse Gorman, Michael, Reading Revelation Responsibly McKnight, Scot, Revelation for the Rest of Us Peterson, Eugene, Reversed Thunder Sprinkle, Preston, Exiles Whitaker, Robyn, Revelation for Normal People Wood, Shane, Thinning the Veil Zahnd, Brian, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God Zahnd, Brian, The Wood Between the Worlds PODCASTS & LECTURES Boyd, Greg, Woodland Hills Church sermon series beginning 2023 09 17 Whitaker, Robyn, Bible for Normal People podcast, Ep 259 Witherington, Ben III, Seven Minute Seminary series, Youtube Wood, Shane, Ozark Christian College Lectures https://www.shanejwood.com/the-book-o... Wright, N. T., Youtube Lectures =========================================================== ❓ DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: https://lakesidechurch.ca/sermon-ques... 🌟 SUBSCRIBE: https://bit.ly/2RMUKBE | 🔔 Turn on notifications!🔔 💻 WEBSITE: https://lakesidechurch.ca 📸 INSTAGRAM:   / lakesidechurchguelph   📻 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/729iNjL... 🎧 SOUNDCLOUD:   / lakeside-church