Fine Linen

Revelation 19:7-9

Welcome! Since August we have been working our way through the book of Revelation. Our pace, on average, has been about one chapter a week. But this week and next week we come seemingly to a screeching halt. We will look at other passages of scripture beyond the book of Revelation, but in Revelation, we only cover three verses this week and only one verse next week. Why?

If you were present at John Farmer’s last several messages in Revelation, he has had a wonderful chart that outlines the Book of Revelation. If you remember, the final part of this chart, representing the last few chapters of Revelation, was represented with smiley faces. We are on the verge, the cusp of the real smiley face stuff, but this Christmas season, we arranged this “screeching halt” so that you would have to wait. At this point in Revelation, Christ is about to return at last; Satan is about to be defeated. Soon. But not yet. I hope and trust that you long for that day as I do, when all is set right, when we begin the happily ever after, an eternity beyond imagining in the very presence of the Lord.

The Fall of the Fall

Revelation 18:1-19:6

 “The Man Comes Around”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9IfHDi-2EA

And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder:

 One of the four beasts saying: "Come and see." And I saw.

 And behold, a white horse. [Rev 6:1-2]

 There's a man going 'round taking names.

 And he decides who to free and who to blame.

 Everybody won't be treated all the same.

 There'll be a golden ladder reaching down.

 When the man comes around.

 The hairs on your arm will stand up.

 At the terror in each sip and in each sup.

 For you partake of that last offered cup,

 Or disappear into the potter's ground.

 When the man comes around.

Plagues and Bowls

Revelation 15:1-16:21 

Some people see the book of Revelation as a fictitious story.  Some see it as true prophecy but they see every element as figurative, and none of it as literal.  Others see every element as literal and none of it as figurative.  Some people see it as a hoax.  “After all,” they say, “it was a book written by men nearly 2000 years ago.  Men make errors, therefore, this book is only full of errors.  Countless additions and subtractions in this book have shown that it’s not a reliable source at all.”  How are we supposed to read Revelation?  As a myth?  As only figurative?  As only literal?  As a hoax?

        

We’re about to read some of the most disturbing images found in the Bible.  Will these things really happen?  Are they literal or just figurative? 

            

Before I answer these questions let me ask you a few questions to think about.  If you read a book that predicted the future accurately how would it change your view of it?  Do you think it would be possible that an all knowing, intelligent being who is not bound by time, is possibly behind that book?  At this point, I’m not asking if you believe in Revelation or if you believe in God.  But do you think it’s possible that an all knowing, intelligent being who is not bound by time could be the ultimate author behind the Bible?

The Eternal Gospel

Revelation 14:1-20

Welcome! Today we continue our series on the book of Revelation. To put today’s passage in context, here is a summary of where we have been. Chapter 1 contains a vision of Christ moving among His church, His body, His followers. Chapters 2 and 3 consists of personal letters to particular churches, pointing out both weaknesses and strengths, and giving warnings and encouragements. Chapters 4 and 5 shift the scene to God’s throne in heaven, with countless worshipers around the throne, and at the center, the Lamb, who alone is worthy to open the seals of a special scroll. Chapter 6 describes the opening of 6 of 7 seals on this scroll; accompanying each are judgments of God.

The opening of Chapter 7 is particularly relevant to today’s passage, so I want to present that to you now.

Man's Number

Revelation 13:2-18

Good morning everyone!  We’ll continue today with our series on the book of Revelation.  Two weeks ago, Fred brought us to the midpoint of the book, and we heard the last of seven trumpets sound.  This sounding initiated worship in heaven rejoicing that the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and Christ and He will reign forever and ever.  (Revelation 11:15)  It was a victorious sound.

Let’s pray:

Lord God, thank You that You reign forever and ever.  Thank You that the kingdom of the world will become Your kingdom and you will set things right.  I pray that You will open our hearts and our minds to hear and apply Your Word in our lives.  Grow us up, I pray.  May we all walk with You in boldness and faith.  May we patiently endure and faithfully love you amidst the trials that we face.  Guide our time, we pray.  Amen.

The Dragon

Revelation 12:1-:13:1

Welcome! Today we will continue our series in Revelation, focusing on Chapter 12. Due to the amount of content here and limited time, I want to give only the briefest of overviews in terms of where we are in Revelation. We have had seven letters for seven churches, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses and giving them instructions in how to respond. We have been presented a special scroll that no one is worthy to open, except the Lamb of God, Christ. We have seen seven seals opened, one after another, with increasing signs and tribulations on the people in the vision. We have seen seven trumpets blown by angels, each also accompanied by judgments against the people, who despite all this, continue to remain unrepentant. There are seven thunders, but we don’t get to see these; they remain “sealed up.” Interspersed with these events are other events and images, including several scenes of multitudes worshiping at the throne of God, a scene of the sealing up of the 144,000, protecting them from what is to come, and a scene of two witnesses who will prophecy for 1260 days against the unrepentant people, be killed, and come back to life. At the end of chapter 11, it is announced that it is time, finally, for judgment of the unrepentant, for rewarding those who followed after Christ, and “for destroying those who destroy the earth.” And then God’s temple in heaven was opened and the Ark of the Covenant could be seen.

Kingdom Come

Revelation 11:15-19

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever.”—Revelation 11:15 (NIV)

In John chapter 18 verse 36, when Jesus answered Pontius Pilot concerning Him being a king, He said “My kingdom is not of this world.  If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would be fighting, that I not be delivered up to the Jews but as it is My Kingdom is not of this realm.” (NASB)

Sweet Turning Sour

Revelation 10:1-11:14

Good morning!  We’re closing in on the midpoint of the book of Revelation.  Before we get into today’s passage, I’d like to keep with the pattern of giving a short recap of where we’ve been over the past weeks.  I don’t know about you, but I find myself struggling a bit to keep things in order in my mind.  There are a lot of seals and trumpets and bowls and things going on.

Let’s look at a power point slide with a graphical display of the chapters.  The first glance is as series of blocks which correspond to each chapter of the book.  There are 22 chapters in Revelation.

Unrepentant

Revelation 9

Welcome! This past week the small fall break team from NC State was here. Their visit was brief, but they spent a day on campus doing surveys and sharing the gospel with all who would listen, with all who were curious; we estimate that the gospel was shared between 10 and 15 times, and seeds of Christian thought were planted in other cases as well. We used a custom survey this time, and the results were interesting. I thought you might want to hear the questions.

1. Of the following, which gives you the greatest fear? (a) Ebola (b) Terrorism (c) Economic collapse (d) Solar storm (e) Manmade environmental disaster (f) Natural disaster (g) Other

Blasts

Revelation 8

Let’s review where we have come from so far in Revelation. This book starts out with John’s vision of Jesus, who gives him the seven letters for the seven churches. Then we have the vision of the throne in heaven, attended by the four living creatures and the 24 elders offering worship and praise. Then we have the scroll with seven seals, which only the Lamb is able to open. And we have the worship of the Lamb by every creature in heaven and on earth. As the Lamb opens the first four seals four horsemen are summoned by the four living creatures: a white one representing conquest, a red one for war, a black one for famine, and a pale one carrying Death, followed by Hades (or hell) and given power over a fourth of the earth, to kill by violence, starvation, disease, and attacks by wild animals. So we have a picture of all the bad things happening on earth, down through history, under the control of Almighty God.