Holly and I are currently wrapping up a months long journey through the book of Revelation in our Bible study group, “Connecting Our Roots”. We have worked hard to dive deep into the meaning of John’s extraordinary vision laid out in this final book of scripture. It’s hard to put into words just how impactful this study has been – not just for understanding prophecy, but for deepening our connection to God’s promises and to one another. Speaking for myself, I have never experienced such a deep(er) understanding of Scripture as a whole after working through this final book of the Bible. I fully recognize that I have much to learn.
When we started, we knew Revelation wasn’t going to be an easy read. It’s full of symbols, judgments, victories, and visions that can feel overwhelming at first glance. But as we studied it together, chapter by chapter, we began to see something deeper: Revelation isn’t just a book about the end – it’s a book about God’s faithfulness to Israel, His justice for the world, and His unshakable hope for His people today. Our groups all grew together as we shared insights that we all came away with. I am grateful for those friends that study His word with us. I really feel that we are experiencing when “Iron sharpens iron”.
One of the biggest insights we uncovered was Revelation’s connection to Israel’s story.
From the promises given to Abraham, to the covenant at Sinai, to the prophetic hopes of the Old Testament, Israel has always been at the center of God’s redemptive plan. In Revelation, we saw how God’s promises to His people are not abandoned. Instead, they’re fulfilled – often in ways that remind us that God’s timeline and ours are not always the same. Israel’s future restoration, protection during tribulation, and role in God’s final victory were all woven into the story. It gave us a renewed appreciation for the deep roots of our faith, and the unbreakable promises God made to His chosen people.
At the same time, we also found clear messages for believers today.
Revelation calls us to stay faithful even when the world around us feels chaotic. It reminds us that Jesus reigns now, even if His full reign isn’t visible yet. It pulls back the curtain and shows that no matter how dark things may seem, God is still in control, and victory is certain for those who trust Him.
As we traced the judgments, the rise and fall of worldly powers, the worship around God’s throne, and the final restoration of all things, one thing became clear:
Revelation is a book of hope.
Hope for Israel. Hope for the Church. Hope for you and me.
In the end, our study wasn’t just about gaining knowledge – it was about strengthening our roots.
- Rooted in God’s promises.
- Rooted in Christ’s victory.
- Rooted in the assurance that He is making all things new.
We may not have all the answers (and honestly, some parts of Revelation still leave us wide-eyed and wondering!), but we came away with a deeper awe of God’s power, a greater trust in His timing, and a stronger connection to the ancient promises that still speak to us today.
This fall we will begin reading and studying “Pilgrim’s Progress” by John Bunyan. For those of you who might be unfamiliar with this work, it is a short novel describing the path of sanctification by the main character: “Christian”.
If anyone is interested in joining our group studies, please feel free to reach out to either Holly or myself. We can always make room for someone that wants to gain in understanding of God’s Word!
We’re excited to keep growing, keep digging, and keep connecting our roots — because the Word is alive, and so is our hope.
Thanks for being on this journey with us. Stay rooted!
Jim Halloran
Rooted in the Word
Rooted in the Word 
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