Have you ever wondered whether everything you've been taught about heaven is actually what the Bible says? What if the greatest hope of Christianity isn't escaping this world, but seeing God make all things new? In this message from Robyn Elliott, we unpack Revelation's breathtaking conclusion, challenge some of our biggest assumptions about heaven and the rapture, and discover why our future hope changes how we live right here, right now.

Discussion Questions:

1. When you hear the word "heaven," what images or assumptions immediately come to mind? Where do you think those ideas came from?

2. What stood out to you most from this message? Why do you think it resonated, or challenged you, or even confused you?

3. Revelation ends with heaven coming to earth rather than people escaping earth. How does that reshape the way you understand God's ultimate plan?

4. Why do you think "escape theology" has become so compelling throughout church history? What needs or fears does it speak to?

5. Jesus spent far more time caring for people's present suffering than describing the afterlife. What might that teach us about what following Jesus looks like? And how does that shape the way we love people?

6. How does understanding books like Matthew and Revelation within a first-century Jewish and Roman context affect the way we read difficult biblical passages? What resources do you use or find helpful when studying the Bible and understanding context and theology?

7. This message suggests that theology has practical consequences. Can you think of ways certain beliefs about the future influence how Christians engage (or disengage) with justice, compassion, and the world around them?

8. Which gives you more hope: the idea of going somewhere else after death, or the promise that God is making all things new? Why?

9. Romans 8 says nothing can separate us from the love of God - not even death. How might believing that change the way you face uncertainty, grief, or fear?

10. If our future is ultimately life with God in a renewed creation, what is one practical way you can participate in God's renewing work this week?

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-of-revelation/

Wright, N. T., Youtube Lectures