Revelation Series Study Sheet
Revelation Series Study Sheet Week 18—September 16 Message Title: The Dark Side of Love Text: Revelation 14:6-20
Read Revelation 14:6-20 This passage deals with the difficult issues of hell, God’s judgement, and wrath. Have you experienced a time when these topics have been overemphasised or handled badly? Can you think of any example of when these topics have been neglected, maginalised or under-emphasised? Read the following description of God’s wrath from Stan Grenz: “We ought not to separate God’s love and wrath as if they were two contrary characteristics. Instead wrath is the best description we have for the way in which God’s love encounters sin...the presence of sin transforms the experience of the divine love from the bliss intended by God into wrath.”1 With the above definition in mind, how would you define the wrath of God? How is God’s wrath anchored in his love for us and desire for relationship with us? Reuben discussed how the images of God’s judgement in this passage are symbolic, not literal (v10 & 20). What are the dangers of taking these images too literally? Discuss the following quote by C.S. Lewis: “there are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘thy will be done.” All that are in hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no hell.”2 What does the above quote by C.S. Lewis reveal about hell? What role (if any) should the judgement of God play in our evangelism? Is it appropriate to talk to nonChristians about these topics? What response should Christians have to these images of judgement? How should they affect our lives? Read v7—What does it mean to have a healthy fear of God? How can we learn to approach God with fear and confidence at the same time (Heb 4:14-16 is helpful here)?
1 2
Stanley Grenz, Created for Community (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996), p48. C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (London: Harper Collins, 1946), p.75.
Read Revelation 14:6-20 This passage deals with the difficult issues of hell, God’s judgement, and wrath. Have you experienced a time when these topics have been overemphasised or handled badly? Can you think of any example of when these topics have been neglected, maginalised or under-emphasised? Read the following description of God’s wrath from Stan Grenz: “We ought not to separate God’s love and wrath as if they were two contrary characteristics. Instead wrath is the best description we have for the way in which God’s love encounters sin...the presence of sin transforms the experience of the divine love from the bliss intended by God into wrath.”1 With the above definition in mind, how would you define the wrath of God? How is God’s wrath anchored in his love for us and desire for relationship with us? Reuben discussed how the images of God’s judgement in this passage are symbolic, not literal (v10 & 20). What are the dangers of taking these images too literally? Discuss the following quote by C.S. Lewis: “there are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘thy will be done.” All that are in hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no hell.”2 What does the above quote by C.S. Lewis reveal about hell? What role (if any) should the judgement of God play in our evangelism? Is it appropriate to talk to nonChristians about these topics? What response should Christians have to these images of judgement? How should they affect our lives? Read v7—What does it mean to have a healthy fear of God? How can we learn to approach God with fear and confidence at the same time (Heb 4:14-16 is helpful here)?
1 2
Stanley Grenz, Created for Community (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996), p48. C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (London: Harper Collins, 1946), p.75.
