Emory Baptist Church

Invitations to Come

Well, we’ve made it.  You’ve made it.  Today, we finish John’s Revelation.  For some of you, 9 months is too long.  For others, 9 years wouldn’t be long enough.  For most of you, I pray this study and the time it took has been just right.

 

On that note, I hope you have been encouraged during this study.  I hope you’ve been encouraged to study all of God’s Word, even the intimidating books.  I hope you’ve been encouraged to find out that with a little time and effort, you can understand God’s Word, even the most difficult texts.  Finally, I hope you’ve been encouraged in that we don’t have to know the answer to every question.  We don’t have to know the meaning behind every symbol.  It’s ok that some questions go unanswered for now.

 

Our final message in Revelation is entitled, “Invitations to Come.”  Notice I said “invitations.”  That is plural.  This morning, we’ll see three.

 

Notice also that all three invitations are to come.  We see that word or some form of it 6 times this morning: 12, 17 x3, and 20 x2.

 

This morning, I want you to see an invitation to Jesus, an invitation to the Lost, and an invitation to the Saved.

 

 

1. An Invitation to Jesus to Come Again, Revelation 22:16-17a

16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”  17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”

 

In verse 16, Jesus is speaking, and He says to John that He has sent His angel to testify to him these things in the churches.  We have seen that in Revelation 2-3.  Through John’s pen, Jesus spoke to those 7 churches in modern-day Turkey.

 

Jesus then said He was the beginning and the offspring of David. How can that be?  He is testifying that because He is God, He is the source of David’s lineage, and because He is man, He came from the line of David.  The Morning Star speaks to Him being a new beginning from Orthodox Judaism.

 

Then in verse 17, there is His invitation.  The Holy Spirit and the bride, the Church, invite Jesus to come again, and Jesus said He’s coming quickly in verse 12 and verse 20.

 

I pray that you are extending that invitation to Jesus even as we speak.  That’s what Paul did in 1 Corinthians 16:22.

 

22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!

 

 

2. An Invitation to the Lost to Come to Jesus, Revelation 22:17b

And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. 

 

The rest of verse 17 is an invitation to the Lost to be saved.  Jesus described your lack of salvation as one who thirsts, and if you’re lost this morning, you know what exactly what He is saying.

 

You are restless.  You are not at peace.  You are longing for something beyond yourself.  You’re thirsty, and you’ve tried everything in the world to satisfy your thirst but to no avail.

 

You’ve tried money, but there’s always more to be had.  You’ve tried success or popularity, but the world will turn on you just as fast as they turned to you.  You’ve tried sex, but you’re still empty. 

 

Jesus invites you to come to the water of life and drink freely.  We’ve seen that idea in the previous Sundays.  See 22:1 and 21:6. 

 

1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

 

6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.

 

However, as I mentioned last Sunday, this idea of salvation in Jesus being living water comes from John 4.

 

1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), 3 He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. 4 But He needed to go through Samaria.  5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.  7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.  9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.  10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”  11 The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? 12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”  13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

 

If you’re lost this morning without Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I invite you to come this morning to Him as living water and drink freely and be saved from you sins. 

 

 

3. An Invitation to the Saved to Come to God’s Word, Revelation 22:10-15, 18-21

10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”  12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”  14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie…18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.  20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”  Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

 

Our last invitation this morning is for the Saved, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and it is to come to God’s Word.  First, come to God’s Word and know it.

 

In verse 10, the angel said to John not to seal the words of the prophecy of this book.  In other words, don’t hide it but know it.

 

Brothers and sisters, are you effectively sealing God’s Word by not reading it, not studying it, not memorizing it, not meditating on it?  Come to God’s Word and know it.

 

When he says at the end of verse 10 that the time is at hand, that is the time of judgment.  At that time, there will be no turning back.  There will be no turning back for the bad and no turning back for the good. 

 

At the time of judgement, the unjust will remain, and the filthy will remain.  The righteous will remain, and the holy will remain. 

 

Not only are the Saved invited to come to God’s Word and know it, but also, come to God’s Word and obey it.  In verse 12, Jesus says there will be a rewarding for the righteous. 

 

The righteous in verse 14 are said to do His commandments and partake of the tree of life.  Your translation may say the righteous have washed their robes.  The thought is in the blood of the Lamb. 

 

This rewarding of the righteous is the judgement seat of Christ and referenced in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:10.

 

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

 

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

 

And those who haven’t trusted in Christ and their lives don’t reflect that choice, they will not have a place in heaven but will be outside and separated from Christ.  Here, they are identified as dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and those who are constantly lying.

 

Finally, in verses 18-21, there is an invitation for Saved to come to God’s Word and trust it.  You can trust, and you don’t need to add to it or take away from it.  It has been divinely penned and divinely preserved.  Trust it.  Come Lord Jesus.  Grace to you.  Amen!

Heaven's Holy City

Do you have a particular city where you like to go and you like to eat and you like to recreate?  I do. 

 

You probably aren’t surprised, but my city is College Station. I love to go there and eat there and have fun there, and someday, I want to live there again.

 

What about you?  Is it Dallas or Austin or Fredericksburg or Gulf Shores or Destin?  What is your city?

 

I don’t know what your favorite earthly city is, but if you’re a follower of Christ, your favorite eternal city is New Jerusalem.  I want to talk more about our city this morning as we get closer and closer to finishing our study of John’s Revelation. 

 

Remember that Revelation 21 begins eternity.  Last week, we previewed heaven.  Beginning today, we are detailing heaven. 

 

 

1. Heaven’s Holy City will be protected for eternity, 21:9-13.

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.

 

In verse 9, an angel from the seven-year earthly tribulation began to show John what the new Jerusalem would be like, and he continues with an analogy that we saw last week, and that is the analogy of marriage.  Jesus, the Lamb, is married to His bride, the new Jerusalem.

 

Once again, don’t miss that analogy.  The groom is married to his bride.  Jesus, the Lamb, a male, has a wife.  He is her husband.  This marriage is between husband and wife.  That is God’s plan.

 

In verses 10 and 11, John saw the holy city coming down from heaven and from God.  It will demonstrate the glory of God and compare to a costly stone of crystal-clear jasper.

 

In verse 12, we see that it will have a great and high wall.  While this city doesn’t need protection, it will be protected as a great and high wall was certainly the custom for any and all great, first-century cities. 

 

These walls will have twelve gates and twelve angels standing guard.  The twelve gates have names that correspond to the twelve tribes of Israel, and Ezekiel 48:31-35 seems to give us the order.

 

31 (the gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel), the three gates northward: one gate for Reuben, one gate for Judah, and one gate for Levi; 32 on the east side, four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates: one gate for Joseph, one gate for Benjamin, and one gate for Dan; 33 on the south side, measuring four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates: one gate for Simeon, one gate for Issachar, and one gate for Zebulun; 34 on the west side, four thousand five hundred cubits with their three gates: one gate for Gad, one gate for Asher, and one gate for Naphtali. 35 All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

 

 

2. Heaven’s Holy City will be precise in its measurements, 21:14-19.

14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.  19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 

 

Not only will this holy city have twelve gates representing the twelve tribes of Israel, but it will also have twelve foundation stones with the names of the twelve apostles.  See verse 14. 

 

Beginning in verse 15, we begin to see the precise measurements of the holy city.   An angel will do the measuring with a gold reed or rod symbolizing perfection. 

 

Verse 16 says it will be a square, but more accurately, it will be what we know as a cube.  Its length and width and height are all equal to 12,000 furlongs. 

 

Commentators estimate that to be between 1,400 and 1,500 miles.  That is 2,000,000 square miles. 

 

Surrounding the city will be a wall that will be 144 cubits or 216 feet thick.  Try to get your mind around that. 

 

Certainly, there are plenty of questions regarding what do these measurements mean.  I would simply say to you that if they are symbolic, the Bible is silent regarding the symbolism. 

 

On the other hand, if words mean something, and they do, the Holy Spirit is simply giving us details that are facts.  The way that angels measure is the same as humans measure at least in this instance. 

 

In verses 18-21, we see the building materials of the heavenly city.  There are no less than fourteen different metals and precious stones.  As with the measurements, we could speculate for hours on the symbolism, but the reality is that the Bible is silent. 

 

Therefore, we will simply acknowledge their reality and observe their glory.  They are beginning in verse 18: jasper, gold, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, amethyst, and pearl.

 

 

3. Heaven’s Holy City will be pure in residents, 21:22-27.

22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

 

It was common in the OT and the NT as well to be overwhelmed with the Jewish temple when you first entered a city.  Being a good Jew, John initially looked for the Jewish temple here, but found nothing.  Why? 

 

The temple was believed to house the presence of God.  Therefore, no temple would mean no God.  However, in this case, there was no need for a temple because the physical and literal presence of God will permeate the heavenly city.  You will have direct and uninhibited access to God if you are a resident of the new Jerusalem. 

 

Furthermore, not only will God be in heaven’s holy city, but Jesus will be there too.  The Lamb is the light of the holy city.  There will be need for a sun or moon. 

 

Thirdly, God will be in heaven.  Jesus will be in heaven, and the people of God will be in heaven.  When John speaks of nations and kings, don’t think these individuals are here apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  Every human in heaven’s holy city will be there because they received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and his or her name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

 

 

Conclusion

My first invitation this morning is for any one and every one to make sure your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  You can do that by admitting that you are sinner, believing that Jesus died on the cross in you place and for your sins and calling on Him to save you.

 

My second invitation is for every Believer this morning to be encouraged in these ways.  Did you know notice that the angel in verse 9 that the angel said that the holy city was the bride of Christ?  I thought the Church was the bride of Christ. 

 

The truth is that both are as the city has taken on the traits of the Church.  First, the Church is protected for eternity.  If you are truly and genuinely saved, your salvation is protected for eternity. 

 

Second, being a part of the Church has a very precise requirement.  It’s not be a member of this church.  It’s not be baptized.  It’s put your faith and trust in Christ and Christ alone. 

Third, in being a follower of Christ and in the eyes of God, you are no longer a sinner.  You are now and forever a saint, a holy one, and your eternal home is in heaven. 

 

This morning, I invite you to be saved or I invite you to be encouraged about your eternal home in the holy city.

 

A Preview of Heaven

In September, I will have been pastoring a local church for 16 years.  As you can probably imagine, I have officiated a few funerals during that time.

 

Of church member funerals, some very well-known songs are often chosen to be sung or played during the service.  How Great Thou Art is a popular choice.  Amazing Grace is a popular choice.  However, in my mind, it seems that the most popular choice, or at least close to the top, is Beulah Land.  See Isaiah 62:4.

 

4 You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; For the Lord delights in you, And your land shall be married.

 

In addition to Beulah Land being sung at many church member funerals, John 14:1-3 is a very popular Scripture text that is chosen.  Why?  I think it is because it speaks of heaven.

1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

 

Followers of Christ love, or at least should love, to think about heaven and the eternal state.  This morning, we are going to do just that. 

 

Today, we are going to see a preview of heaven.  Then, in the coming weeks, we are going to see some details of heaven.

 

Remember, we have considered the rapture of the Church.  We have considered the seven-year earthly tribulation.  We have considered the return of Christ.  We have considered the Battle of Armageddon.  We have considered millennium.  Now, it is time to consider eternity. 

 

 

1. A Summarization of the Eternal State, Revelation 21:1-4

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

 

In verse 1, John says he saw a new heaven and a new earth because the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.  The first heaven and the first earth are what we have now, but when will they pass away?  Revelation doesn’t tell us, but 2 Peter 3 does.

 

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

 

Therefore, after Jesus comes back and before eternity begins, the first heaven and the first earth will pass away, and there will be no more sea.  They pass away because they are tainted with sin, but specifically, why will there be no more sea? 

 

It is hard to say, but it may something to do with the anti-Christ coming from sea in Revelation 13.  It may have something to do with being the place of the dead in Revelation 20.  The bottom line is that Scripture isn’t clear.

 

In verse 2, John saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, and he compared her to a bride adorned for her husband.  Again, as I said two weeks ago, don’t simply pass over the significance of this analogy of a wedding and a marriage that has one bride and one groom.  We can probably conclude that John uses this analogy because the holy city will be the home of bride of Christ, His Church. 

 

The absolute greatest fact about heaven is revealed in verse 3.  Heaven will mean the presence of Christ.  In verse 3, He is called the Tabernacle of God which reminds of the Old Testament.  However, it also reminds of John 1:14.

 

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

 

In His first coming, Jesus became flesh and dwelt or tabernacled among us.  He will do that again in heaven. 

 

Then in verse 4, the eternal state will be a return to Genesis with the new heaven and the new hearth, it will be the presence of God with the Lord Jesus, and it will be the absence of sorrow with no pain.

 

Verse 4 is one of our favorite and most comforting verses in all of the Bible.  The followers of Christ are certainly in view.

 

Think about this life.  Unfortunately, it is full of sorrow and pain.  However, that won’t be true in the life to come.  There will be no illness.  There will be no death.  There will be no betrayal.  There will be no abuse.  There will be no loss.  What is impossible now will be reality then for then for those with a home in heaven. 

 

 

2. The Transformation of Every Thing, Revelation 21:5

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

 

You might be wondering how will there be no sorrow and no pain.  The answer is in verse 5.  Jesus said He will make all things new. 

 

Here is what I know about this transformation just from one verse.  First of all, in heaven, Jesus will be in charge.  It won’t be me.  It won’t be you.  It won’t be anyone other than Him.

 

Second, His promise leaves nothing out.  There are no exceptions.  He said, “I will make ALL things new.”  There is no need to elaborate.  Heaven will be the transformation of every thing.

 

Third, this promise is a promise made and a promise kept.  It hasn’t happened yet, but it will.  These words are faithful and true.

 

 

3. The Invitation to Experience Life, Revelation 21:6-8

6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

 

Finally, in our last three verses for today, there is an invitation to experience life and eternal life.  In verse 6, Jesus is the Alpha and Omega.  Those are the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet. He is the beginning and the end.

 

He was there in the beginning and was the Creator.  He will be there in Heaven in the end for eternity, and He invites anyone who thirsts to come to the fountain of the water of life. 

 

He isn’t talking about physical thirst but spiritual thirst.  That may be you this morning.  Is there something more to this life?  Are you missing something?  Are you not at peace with your Creator?  Come to Jesus and thirst no more.

 

Through Jesus, God promises to adopt you and become YOUR heavenly Father, and for those who lives are characterized by cowardliness, unbelief, anger, murder, sexual immorality, sorcery, idolatry and lies, He is not their heavenly Father. 

 

They will be experience the second death.  That is dying spiritually and spending eternity in hell, the lake of fire.

 

 

Don't Go to the Lake on Mother's Day!

Today is Mother’s Day.  This morning, I want to share a message with you entitled, “Don’t Go to the Lake on Mother’s Day!”  Some of you are saying, “Of course not.  I’m here aren’t I?”  Hold that thought.  We’ll come back to this idea in a few minutes.

 

We are continuing to think about End Times Chronology in our study of Revelation.  After the rapture of the church, there will be a seven-year earthly tribulation.  The tribulation will end with the return of Christ and the Battle of Armageddon.

 

We saw that last Sunday in Revelation 19.  In Revelation, we see what is often called the earthly, millennial reign of Christ.  The word “millennial” is Latin and means one thousand.  You can find it used six times in this chapter: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. 

 

Historically, Christians for 2000 years have interpreted this “one thousand years” in one of three ways, and all of these words that I am about to share speak of the millennium in relation to the return of Christ. 

 

First, Amillennialism says there is not a literal millennium, and we are perhaps living in a time of divine peace as we speak, and it is happening before Jesus returns.  Second, Postmillennialism says that Jesus will come back after the millennium.  Most of those who held that position went by the wayside at the advent of World War II. 

 

Finally, Premillennialism says that Jesus will come back before the millennium.  In short, I believe that you can take Revelation 19-20 in chronological order. 

 

I also believe that you can understand the 1000 years as literal as opposed to figurative.  This morning, I want to show you what happens before the millennium, what happens in the millennium, and what happens after the millennium, and remember, don’t go to the lake on Mother’s Day!

 

 

1. What will happen before the millennium?

 

The short answer is that the devil will somewhat be free to do as he pleases.  Please, notice I said “somewhat,” and we’re talking about right now.

 

Job 1:6-12

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?”  So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”  8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”  9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”  12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”  So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

 

Luke 22:31-32

31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

 

1 Peter 5:8

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

 

Again, Satan has to have God’s permission to do anything.  However, he is looking for someone to attack.  He can’t endanger your eternal life, but he can certain attempt to destroy your earthly life.

 

 

1. What will happen during the millennium? Revelation 20:1-6

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.  4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. 

 

John doesn’t tell us a lot of details here in Revelation 20.  Some specifics are added from Old Testament Prophets.  However, we do know at least two truths. 

 

First, Satan will be restricted.

John saw an angel coming down from heaven in verse one, and he had keys and a chain.  He laid hold of the dragon, the serpent.  If we stopped there, you might be wondering who this is.

 

However, the verse continues, and we are told this is the devil and Satan.  He will be bound or restricted for 1000 years.  He is not restricted to hell at this point, but to the abyss, a prison of sorts.  He won’t be able to deceive anyone for 1000 years.  However, after the 1000 years is over, he will have a very temporary freedom.

 

Second, the Saints will be reigning.

In verse four, John saw a group sitting on thrones and judging.  Who is this?  The bible mentions at least three groups of saints elsewhere and then one here. 

 

First, Daniel 7:27 says that OT saints will reign. 

 

27 Then the kingdom and dominion,

And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven,

Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.

His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’

 

Second, Matthew 19:28 says that the twelve apostles will reign. 

 

28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 

Third, 1 Corinthians 6:2 says that the Church will reign. 

 

2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

 

Therefore, you have here Jesus, OT saints, the twelve apostles, and the Church reigning during the 1000 years.

 

John then, introduces us to a fourth group.  This is the group of Tribulation saints who were martyred.  They were murdered for the cause of Christ, and they did not worship the beast, and they did not have the mark of the beast on their foreheads.  They also will reign with Christ and these other saints during the 1000 years.

 

Verse five then says that the rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1000 years was completed.  That is a reference to all dead nonbelievers.  They will be resurrected after the 1000 years.

 

Then we come to a rather interesting statement.  This is the first resurrection.  What does that mean? 

 

In the Bible, there are two deaths and two resurrections, and here is the sequence.  There is the first death.  That is physical death.  Then, there is the first resurrection.  It includes Jesus and all saints of all time, and it happened in stages.  There was Jesus.  There were some OT saints.  There was the Church.  Then there were the rest of the OT saints.  Finally, there will be these Tribulation saints who were martyred.  That is all of the first resurrection. 

 

There will then be a second resurrection that we will see in just a minute.  It will be all the nonbelievers of all time.  They will be resurrected in order to be judged.  Then they will experience the second death.  Notice in verse six that everyone who experienced the first resurrection will not be influenced at all by the second death.  However, they will reign with Christ for 1000 years.

 

During the 1000 years, Satan will be restricted, and the saints will be reigning.

 

 

• What will happen after the millennium? Revelation 20:7-15

7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.  11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

First, Satan will be destroyed but everlastingly.

After the 1000 years over, Satan’s time is over, but not before one last attempt to overthrow the Lord.  He will do his best in rallying his troops from the four corners of the earth. 

 

Who will be his troops?  They will be unbelieving offspring of millennial saints.  Keep in mind that there will multiple generations during 1000 years.  Christ will be on His throne, but it won’t be perfect, and it won’t be sinless. 

 

Gog and Magog is a reference to Ezekiel 38-39.  Gog will be the individual in charge.  Magog will be the rest of the followers.  Their attempt to overthrow the Lord will be short lived. 

 

In verse nine, fire will come down from heaven and destroy them in an instant.  Then in verse ten, the devil will be thrown into the lake of fire joining the anti-Christ and the false prophet.  The unholy Trinity will then spend forever in hell.  They will be destroyed but everlastingly. 

 

When you say destroyed, by definition, it assumes an end.  There will be no end to Satan’s destruction.  He and the rest of the unholy Trinity will be tormented day and night forever and ever.  His destruction will be everlasting.

 

Second, sinners will be dead but eternally.

Our final observation is found in verses eleven through fifteen.  This is known as the great white throne judgment.  It is the final judgment of nonbelievers.  They will be judged by King Jesus, and the standard will be perfection symbolized by the color white. 

 

As you see in verse eleven, it will happen somewhere in space as the earth and heaven flee away.  We are about to enter eternity. 

 

In verse twelve, all unbelievers from all time are resurrected for judgment.  They stand before the throne and books are opened.  These are books of every deed by every individual in all of history who hasn’t trusted in Christ as Lord and Savior. 

 

Also, we have here the book of life.  That is eternal life.  If you are believer, your name is here.  Otherwise, you will be judged on your works. 

 

Again, the standard is perfection…not even one little sin or mistake.  No one measures up.  All are judged to death in hell.  If you lie once and committed your life to Jesus as Lord and Savior, it is death in hell.  If you get angry once and haven’t committed your life to Jesus as Lord and Savior, it is death in hell for you.  If you are prideful once and haven’t committed your life to Jesus as Lord and Savior, it is death in hell for you.  Like I said, no one measures up.

 

As a result, they are all cast into the lake of fire joining the unholy Trinity.  This is the second death, but it doesn’t have an end. 

 

It is death but eternally.  There will be no reprieve. There will be no letting up.  There will be no mercy and grace at this point.  This is the second death for unbelievers, and it is death eternally in the lake of fire.

 

 

Conclusion

So here is my question again.  Are you headed to the lake on Mother’s Day?  I’m not talking about Fork or Tawakoni or Holbrook.  I’m talking about the lake of fire. 

 

Today, our invitation for you is to repent and call on the name of the Lord and be saved. 

And Now, Here's the Groom!

Last Sunday morning, Bro. Ronnie shared a message with you from Revelation 19:1-10 entitled, “Here Comes the Bride!”  That message was about the global body of Christ or the universal church coming to the “marriage supper of the Lamb” according to Revelation 19:9.

 

Today, we are going to look at the second half of Revelation 19 and a sermon entitled, “And Now Here’s the Groom!”  By the way, don’t overlook this imagery of a marriage in describing eternity in heaven using a single bride and a single groom.  That is God’s design for marriage.  That is biblical marriage.  It is not two brides or two grooms. 

 

Think about this end times chronology.  Between Revelation 4 and 6, I believe you will have the Rapture of the Church when Jesus comes for the Church and takes everyone to heaven who is alive and born-again. 

 

Then, a seven-year earthly tribulation will begin and include earthly judgments from God described in Revelation 7-19 as seals, trumpets, and bowls.  In the first half of the Tribulation, Babylon, the system of belief, will be highly influential in gaining a world-wide following.  It will seem as if all is well. 

 

However, at the mid-point of the Tribulation, the antichrist will destroy Babylon, the system of belief, and require world-wide allegiance to him.  The last half of the Tribulation will be the absolute worst time in all of human  history to be a follow of Jesus on the earth.  Persecution will be unbearable. 

 

The end of the Tribulation will be signaled by the Battle of Armageddon and the return of Christ.  The Groom will one day come with the Church to a wedding and judge unbelief and to a war and judge the unholy trinity. 

 

Now, here’s the Groom.

 

 

16. The Groom will return to a wedding to judge unbelief, Revelation 19:11-16.

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 

 

As it pertains to the Groom, notice His appearance.  In verse 11, John saw heaven open and a white horse was coming to the earth.  His white horse is reminiscent of Roman generals parading through town after their victory showing off their spoils of war. 

 

The horse’s rider was called “Faithful and True.”  Have we heard that name previously?  See Revelation 3:7, 14.

 

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:

 

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

 

His eyes will be like a flame of fire.  Have we heard that previously?  See Revelation 1:14.

 

14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;

 

On His head will be many crowns demonstrating His authority, and He will have a name that no one knows except Himself.  Have we heard that previously?   See Revelation 2:17.

 

17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’

 

In verse 13, His robe is dipped in blood.  Whose blood is this?  Some say it is the blood of Christ.  Others say it is the blood of His enemies.  I believe it is the blood of the saints who have been martyred.  Why?  Look at verse 14 and who is with Jesus on His white horse?

 

This leads us from the Groom’s appearance to the Groom’s accompanists.  Again, notice who is with Him in verse 14.  The armies of heaven are with Him in their white robes symbolic of purity and on their white horses too.  I believe this to be the Raptured Church, the Tribulation Saints, and the OT Saints.

 

In verses 15-16, we see the Groom’s activity.  In verse 15, a sharp sword comes from His mouth.  With it, He strikes down the nations, and will rule them with a rod of iron.  Have we heard this previously?  See Revelation 1:16.

 

16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

 

Notice the second half of verse 15.  The Groom will judge the sin of unbelief on behalf of God.  He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the almighty.  Have we heard this previously?  See Revelation 14:20.

 

20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.

 

Why would God be so angry?  He hates the sin of unbelief.  He hates the sin of not believing or receiving or surrendering your life to His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior of the world, and Lord of your life. 

 

Therefore, who is this Groom?  It is none other than the Lord Jesus.  He is identified as the Word of God in verse 13 and in John 1:1, and He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in verse 16 and in 17:14. 

 

14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

 

By the way, does verse 16 say that Jesus will have a tattoo when He returns?  It’s possible even though I don’t have a tattoo or plans to get a tattoo.

 

If Jesus were to return today, would He judge your unbelief?  Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?  Have you called on Him to save you from your sin?  Have you invited Him into your life and surrendered the throne of your heart to him? 

 

 

21. The Groom will return to a war to judge the unholy trinity, Revelation 19:17-21.

 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”  19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

 

In this war, there will be carnage, captives, and a conquest.  By the way, what war is this?  See Revelation 16:12-16.

 

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.  15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”  16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.

 

Back to Revelation 19:17, notice the carnage of this war.  This is a pretty gruesome picture as an angel summons all the birds which fly in midheaven to come and eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of captains and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses.  

 

When I read these verses, I immediately think of vultures.  They are some of the ugliest and dirtiest animals ever created but created specifically for this purpose.  Did you know that God created 23 species of vultures and their digestive systems contain acids that dissolve anthrax, botulism, and cholera bacteria?  Their eyesight is also remarkable as some species can spot a carcass 4 miles away. 

 

Verse 19 shows us the captives of this war.  The beast, the anti-Christ, and the kings of the earth and their armies will be assembled to make war against Jesus and His army, but praise the Lord, we know who wins!

 

When Jesus returns, He will take the beast from the sea, which is the antichrist, and the beast from the earth, which is the false prophet, and throw them into the lake of fire.  This is the final hell where Satan will join them after Jesus’ millennial kingdom. 

 

Finally, in verse 21, we see the conquest of war.  And the rest are those who followed the antichrist and the false prophet.  The Lord Jesus and His Saints will defeat them, and they will die twice.  They will die physically and spiritually and eventually join the unholy trinity in the lake of fire.

 

 

Conclusion

Don’t let the nations of verse 15 and the rest of verse 21 be you.  Call on Jesus today to save you, and He will, and we will rejoice. 

 

Here Comes the Bride!

The Judgment of Babylon

Two Sundays ago, we were in Revelation 17 and saw that in seven-year earthly tribulation, Babylon will be both a system of belief and a specific place just like Hollywood is a system of belief and a specific place, and Wall Street is a system of belief and a specific place.

 

In Revelation 17, Babylon is system of belief.  In Revelation 18, Babylon is specific place.  It may even be the headquarters, if you will, of the system of belief.

 

This system of belief will be religious but not Spirit-led.  This system of belief will promote prosperity and success but oppose being born-again. 

 

If I could summarize Babylon as a system of belief, I would say it will be the worship of wealth or the idolatry of money and things.  In other words, it will be materialism, and Revelation 18 speaks of its headquarters. 

 

It could literally be Babylon rebuilt and restored.  It could be Rome as Peter used the term on 1 Peter.  It would be Jerusalem. 

 

Regardless, in Revelation 18, we see the Judgement of Babylon, and this judgment will take place at the end of the seven-year earthly study.  It will precede the second coming of Christ. 

 

3. The Judgement of Babylon will be Deserved, Revelation 18:1-3.

1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” 

 

Why you ask?  This system of belief and specific place will be irreverent, immoral, and influential. 

 

This angel in verse 1 is different from the seven angels, but he has great authority and loud voice.  He will cry mightily, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen.” 

 

Notice then the irreverent at the end of verse 2.  This specific place will be the dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and cage for every unclean and hated birds.  Think of vultures and what attracts them. 

 

In verse 3, this system of belief and specific place will be immoral.  We saw this last week, but Babylon is described as engaged in fornication or spiritual immorality or unfaithfulness.

 

Third, this system of belief and specific place will be influential.  All the nations have drunk her wine, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.  Her influence will be far and wide. 

 

 

19. The Judgement of Babylon will be Deplored, Revelation 18:9-19.

9 “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’  11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’  19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’ 

 

When Babylon falls, the system of belief and the specific place, many will lament and grieve and deplore her falling because her influence is so vast.

 

First, the monarchs will deplore her falling.  Look at verses 9-10. 

 

They will weep and lament because they will commit fornication with her and live luxuriously with her when she falls. 

 

Second, the merchants will deplore her falling.  Look at verses 11-16. 

 

These are merchants of goods and unfortunately of people.  They will become rich by her, and they will weep and wail at her falling.  Verse 16 says that in one hour, such great riches will come to nothing.

 

Third, the mariners or shipmasters or sailors will deplore her failing.  Look at verses 17-19.

 

Again, they will cry out and mourn with dust on their heads and weep and wail.  For they had become rich by her wealth, and in one hour, she will be gone.

 

 

• The Judgement of Babylon will be Definite, Revelation 18:20-24.

20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”  21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. 22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. 23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”

 

Because of Babylon’s hatred for Christ and Christians as seen in verse 24, the apostles and prophets will rejoice with this judgment from God that will be definite. 

 

Verse 21 says a mighty angel will take up a millstone and throw it into the sea pronouncing judgment on Babylon, this system of belief and this specific place.  She will be thrown down and will be found no more.

 

From this point forward, Babylon will have no music.  She will have no utility.  She will have no light.  She will have no people, and she will deceive no more.

 

 

Applications

As we think about the application of this text to our lives, notice the invitation from Jesus in verses 4-5. 

 

4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

 

Jesus invites His people to leave that way of living for it is sinful, and God will judge it.

 

I am reminded of His words in Luke 12:16-21.

 

16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’  21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

 

Instead, seek first His kingdom.  Invest in eternity.  Then provide for your family.

 

Luke 16:31-34, 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.  32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

1 Timothy 5:8, 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

 

But keep in mind, there is a difference between providing and living in luxury.  That word is used three times to describe Babylon and her followers.  Therefore, it is not good: 3, 7, 9.

 

Seek first His kingdom.  Invest in eternity.  Provide for your family.  Come out from the way of materialism.

 

 

The Three Days of Easter

If you have your Bibles this morning, please find Mark 15:42.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “The Three Days of Easter.”

 

As you are finding our text, I am reminded of Brother Billy when he preached his Easter sermon at Main Street BC.  He asked the children, “Can anyone tell me what happened on Easter?”  There was complete silence.

 

He persisted by saying, “Now I know that someone here knows what happened on a long time ago for us to celebrate Easter today.”  Again, there was total silence. 

 

Now frustrated, Brother Billy exclaimed, “Somebody please tell me about Easter Sunday!”  Little Johnny slowly raised his hand and said, “They killed Jesus!”  Brother Billy praised Johnny, “That’s right.”

 

“And then what?”  Johnny answered again, “They put him in the ground, and he was there for three days.”  Brother Billy had now gone from frustrated to excited, “Right Johnny.”

 

“And then what?”  Johnny said, “And on Easter morning, Jesus came out of the ground!”  “Wonderful,” Brother Billy exclaimed. 

 

Then Johnny blurted out, “And if he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.”

 

Johnny’s account of Easter is mostly true.  However, I want to remind you of the Easter story that is completely true, and it revolves around the three days of Easter.

 

 

1. A Forgetful Friday, Mark 15:42-47

42 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

 

For us, we celebrate Good Friday, and it was good that Jesus died on the cross in our place and for our sins.  However, His first disciples certainly didn’t see it that way.

 

First, Jesus literally died.  Because we know that the Sabbath started at sundown on Friday and went until sundown on Saturday, we know that Jesus died on the cross on Friday. 

 

He was put on the cross at approximately 9 AM.  We know it got dark around 12 noon.  We know Jesus died, and the temple veil was torn in two at approximately 3 PM.

 

Finally, we know that He had to be taken down sometime before 6 PM.  Why?  See Deuteronomy 21:22-23.

 

22 “If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.

 

Therefore, it seems to be probably between 3-4 PM, and in verse 43, we are introduced to Joseph of Arimathea.  He was a prominent member of the Jewish Sanhedrin or council. 

 

Mark said he was waiting for the kingdom of God.  Therefore, we know had recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah. 

 

Joseph was also very courageous because he came to Pilate to request Jesus’ body.    Pilate was not a fan of the Jews and felt like the Sanhedrin forced him to execute an innocent man.

 

In verifying that Jesus literally died, the Roman centurion in verses 44-45 confirmed that Jesus was dead, and Joseph wrapped His dead body in linen and placed Him in a previously unused tomb.  Therefore, we have at least three individuals who confirmed that Jesus literally died: Pilate, the Roman centurion, and Joseph. 

 

Not only did Jesus literally die, but Jesus was also literally buried.  Scripture tells us that Joseph and Nicodemus prepared Jesus’ body with probably close to 100 pounds of grave clothes and placed Him in a family tomb belonging to Joseph. 

 

Thirdly, Jesus literally died and was literally buried, and that tomb was literally sealed.  The stone was circular and on a track and was rolled down an incline and into place to protect the body from grave robbers and wild animals. 

 

It was not as difficult to get the tomb sealed.  However, it would take a supernatural act to move that stone.

 

For the first-century disciple, Friday was awful.  It was terrible.  It was one to be forgotten.

 

 

2. A Silent Saturday, Mark 16:1

1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.

 

On Saturday, we don’t hear a single word from Jesus.  Do you know why?  Because He was dead.

 

However, we do read about the first female disciples on Saturday night.  Because they didn’t understand His resurrection and therefore presumed Him to still be dead, they bought spices on Saturday night to anoint Jesus’ body on Sunday morning.

 

How would they know where He was?  Go back to 15:47.

 

47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. 

 

As I said a moment ago, I believe Jesus was dead on Saturday.  Therefore, I don’t believe He went to hell to preach to those there for whatever reason. 

 

Through the years, some pastors and preachers have tried to prove this speculation with their incorrect understanding of certain passages in Ephesians and 1 Peter.

 

 

3. A Spectacular Sunday, Mark 16:2-8

2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.  6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”  8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

 

Verse 2 says they came to the tomb on Sunday morning, the first day of the week.  Again, the end of chapter 15 says they saw were Jesus was laid.  Therefore, they knew where to go.

 

As they were on the way to the tomb, they began to get worried about who would move the stone.  As I said previously, this would have been a round stone that would have been rolled down an incline into a track.  Therefore, while it was easier to put in place, it would have been difficult to move and would have required the efforts of multiple men.

 

Matthew’s gospel tells us that a localized earthquake dislodged the stone, and an angel to move it.  Keep in mind that Jesus was already gone.  Therefore, moving the stone was to allow the witnesses in, not to let Jesus out.

 

When they arrived, the stone had been rolled away, and they were greeted by an angel.  Again, the other gospels tell us there were two angels, but only one of them spoke.  However, these women were deathly afraid which is the common human response to interactions with angels in the Bible.

 

Beginning in verse 6, we see the angel’s conversation with the women. He informed the ladies that Jesus was in fact alive.  The Jesus they were seeking, who had been crucified, had been raised. 

 

The NKJV says He is risen.  That is better translated, “He has risen.” 

 

Like the stone, an outside forced raised Jesus.  He didn’t raise Himself.  God the Father brought Him from the tomb.  He was no longer there. 

 

The angel then invited the ladies to look at the place where Jesus had been laid.  He was gone.  He was not there.  He had risen. 

 

Then in verse 7, he told the ladies to go and tell the disciples that Jesus would be awaiting them in Galilee.  Not only was He alive, but they would get to see Him again. 

 

Verse 8 says they left the tomb amazed at the prospect of Jesus, whom they saw die with their own eyes, living again.  Therefore, these women came and saw and were sent.

 

I want to share one final point with you and then conclude.  Look back at verse 7.  Remember that this is really Peter’s gospel that was written down by Mark.  That is the same Peter back in Mark 14 who denied any association with the Lord on three occasions.

 

However, in this verse, we see the foreshadowing of Peter’s restoration from a mistake and for ministry.  Again, Peter didn’t just deny the Lord once or even twice but three times. 

 

That was a huge mistake, but the Lord wasn’t done with Peter.  He would later use him mightily in the book of Acts preaching and seeing thousands saved and as a prominent leader in the early church.

 

Some of you are here today and the devil has told you that your time and opportunity of the Lord using you is done because of mistakes in your past.  I want you to know that the Lord can and will restore you for future ministry if you let Him. 

 

Tell the Lord that you’re sorry for those mistakes and ask for His forgiveness.  Then, ask Him to restore you and use you again in ministry for His Church. 

 

 

Invitation

I have two invitations this morning to give to you.  If you are a follower of Christ, I invite you to come again to the empty tomb on the pages of Scripture and see that Jesus is alive and live sent…sent to tell others the good news of the gospel.

 

My second invitation is for those who have never believed.  Today, I invite you to come to the empty tomb on the pages of Scripture and see that Jesus alive and call on Him this morning to save you.

 

Everyone Wants to Win...

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and quickly find Revelation 17:1-18.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Everyone Wants to Win…”

 

If you have every competed in a competition, you know that everyone wants to win.  I know that to be true from experience as a high school athlete and an amateur coach.  Everyone wants to win, but everyone doesn’t want to do what is necessary to win. 

 

That which is necessary to win might be more practice or more study.  In our context today, it means commitment to Christ.  If you want to win in life, you must make a personal commitment to Christ and His ways because in the end, Christ wins.

 

In our study of John’s Revelation, we have seen many symbols and signs and figurative language.  Chapters 17 and 18 are FULL of symbols and signs and figurative language, and I will do my best this morning in identifying them. 

 

However, as I have already said multiple times, I am going to share with you what I think and maybe even share with you some popular options, but at the end of the day, it is very difficult to be precise, and any dogmatism is only speculation.

 

Once again, it seems that John as paused in his chronology of end time events.  It seems that he is commenting on the events of seven-year tribulation, both the first half and the second half. 

 

The primary symbol in these two chapters is Babylon.  We see that first referenced in verse 4 of chapter 17. 

 

Let me remind you of some facts regarding Babylon.

1. Babylon was founded by Nimrod, great-grandson of Noah. See Genesis 10:9-10. 

9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

 

2. Babylon was the beginning of idolatry. See Genesis 11:1-4.

1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

 

3. Babylon was revived under Nebuchadnezzar. See Daniel 1:1.

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

 

4. Babylon is in modern-day Iraq.

 

5. At least one NT writer uses Babylon referring to Rome. See 1 Peter 5:13.

13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son.

 

So again, chapters 17 and 18 are difficult to understand.  However, we will do our best.

 

Please keep this in mind.  Babylon may have multiple meanings.  It is more than possible that John could be referring to a system of belief as well as a particular place.  For example, consider how we use the terms Hollywood or Wall Street.  Hollywood is a specific location in Los Angles, California.  However, it is also used in referring to show business or the film industry.

 

Think about Wall Street.  There is a literal Wall Street in New York City.  However, it is also used to refer to our country’s financial markets.

 

This morning, allow me to show you the personification of a city, the identification of the beast, and the subjugation of the Lamb.

 

 

1. The Personification of a City & a System, Revelation 17:1-6

1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”  3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.  6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. 

 

In verse 1, one of the seven angels from chapter 16 speaks to John.  The angel shows John a harlot or a prostitute.  A harlot is one who is sexually unfaithful and immoral. 

 

Obviously, this is not a literal woman but the personification of a city & system.  In other words, a city and a system will be described in human terms.  This city & system has been unfaithful.  She is guilty of spiritual fornication.  Specifically, she is guilty of idolatry.

 

First, notice that her influence is vast in verse 2.  That is what it means when it says she sits on many waters.  She has been involved with kings, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 

 

By the way, fornication is a word that we don’t use a lot in today’s language, but it means living together and sexually active.  Just as the Bible said that fornication was sin almost 2000 years ago, fornication is still sin today even though it is accepted as normal in our culture and unfortunately even in the Church. 

 

Second, as we continue in verse 2, not only notice that the harlot’s influence will be vast, but her character will be vile.  She is a harlot.  She is a prostitute. 

 

The word “harlot” is found four times in this chapter: 1, 5, 15, and 16.  She commits fornication with multiple kings. 

 

In verse 4, her hand is holding a gold cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.  In verse 5, we see that she has name on her head.  She is the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.  She is a harlot, and verse 6 says she is a drunk.

 

Third, notice also that her actions will be vicious.  In verse 6, she is drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.  These are not two different groups. 

 

The point is that Babylon, this harlot, this city and this belief system will persecute and execute Tribulation Saints.  Those that name the name of Christ during the Tribulation will be sought out and killed by Babylon, the harlot.

 

 

1. The Identification of the Beast, Revelation 17:7-13

7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.  9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.  12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.

 

In verse 7, the angel who began this conversation with John says that he will tell John the mystery of the woman and the beast.  The beast was first mentioned back in verse 3 as carrying the harlot.  We also see that the beast is scarlet or red and has seven heads and ten horns.  Go back to chapter 13:1.

 

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.

 

This beast is none other than the devil’s man, the Anti-Christ.  He will be a Gentile political leader.

 

What does it mean that he was, and is not, and is about to ascend?  That is regarding the Anti-Christ’s fake death and resurrection. 

 

Remember that one of his heads had been wounded but healed, and because of this, those who aren’t Christians, who don’t have their name written in the book of life, will follow him hook, line, and sinker.  See 13:3, 14.

 

3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.

 

14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.

 

In verse nine, the water gets a little murky, and as the angels says, we need wisdom. 

 

The seven heads of the beast are seven mountains on which the woman sits.  Let me stop right here for just a moment.  If a first-century Christian heard the term seven mountains or seven hills, he would immediately think of Rome, the city of seven hills. 

 

However, the angel then speaks of seven kings.  Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come.  Many commentators say this is a reference to the great empires of history that include Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. 

 

The one who is would be the Roman empire that existed when John wrote this book.

 

According to verse 11, the one to come will be the Anti-Christ.  However, he is described as the eighth and of the seventh.   It’s hard to know what John means here.

 

Notice verses 12-13.  The beast will be followed by ten kings, and they will rule with the beast for a short time as designated as one hour.  That is not a literally hour but another to say they will have one purpose in their ruling. 

 

Here it is.  They will give power and authority to the beast.  He will receive much devotion.

 

 

• The Subjugation of the Lamb, Revelation 17:14-18

14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”  15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

 

Even though the Anti-Christ will receive much devotion in the last days, he will not have victory in the end.  Subjugation is a word that means to bring under control or to conquer. 

 

In the end, the one who conquers is the Lamb.  Jesus wins.

 

Notice verse 14.  The Anti-Christ and the ten kings will wage ware with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them because He is the Lord of lords and King of kings. 

 

However, not only will the Lamb win, but you will win if you put your faith and trust in the Lamb, Jesus Christ.  You are the called and chosen and faithful who call on the name of the Lord to be saved.

 

Finally, God wins.  Look at verses 16-17.  The ten kings who were following the harlot who was following the Anti-Christ will turn her and follow the Anti-Christ only, and this is strangely part of God’s plan. 

 

The very last verse in this chapter seems to indicate that not only will Babylon be a system of belief, but she will also be an actual city.  Perhaps this city will be the headquarters of the Anti-Christ. 

 

With that being said, that is why some commentators have said that Babylon will be the Roman Catholic Church, and the headquarters will be Rome.

 

 

Conclusion

So what does all this mean?  In order for you to win in life and for eternity, you will need to make a personal commitment to the Lamb, Jesus Christ. 

 

You can do that by admitting you’re a sinner and believing that Jesus died for your sins on the cross, and by calling on Him to save you.

God's Final Warning

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Revelation 16:1.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “God’s Final Warning.”

 

In our study of Revelation, which is of the end times, we find ourselves at the end of the seven-year earthly tribulation.  Remember, seven-year period will follow the rapture of the church and precede the second coming of Jesus Christ. 

 

So far in the last half of the earthly tribulation, we have seen God’s wrath demonstrated in seven seals of judgement and seven trumpets of judgement.  The seventh trumpet actually begins the seven bowls of God’s judgement that we saw introduced last Sunday in Revelation 15.

 

 

Exposition

In verse 1, John says that he heard a loud voice from the temple in heaven.  Undoubtedly, this is the voice of God as we know that these are His judgements.  His instructions are to the seven angels.  They were to pour out the bowls of God’s wrath or God’s anger on the earth.

 

We saw these seven angels last week.  Look at 15:1 and 15:6.

 

1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.

 

6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands.

 

So here is what we about to see.  We are going to see seven bowls or plagues of God’s wrath or anger poured out on the earth at the end of the tribulation as God’s final warning before Jesus returns. 

 

The first bowl is in verse 2.  It was foul and loathsome sores or ulcers on the individuals who had the mark of the beast and those worshipped his image.  This isn’t two groups but one.

 

What beast is this?  This is the beast of sea of Revelation 12:1. He is the Gentile Anti-Christ. 

 

These individuals took his mark in order to buy and sell in the one-world economic system.  These individuals also worshipped his image that was created at the command of the false prophet. 

 

In other words, these are individuals who have rejected Christ as Lord and Savior.  However, not only will the first bowl and plague be for them, but all of them will be these who reject Christ.

 

The second bowl is in verse 3.  This will be the contamination of the salt-water bodies.  Will it literal blood or blood-like?  Regardless, it will kill every living creature in the seas of the world.

 

The third bowl is in verses 4-7.  This will be contamination of the fresh water bodies.  It will also be blood or blood-like.

 

Verses 5-6 tell us what these individuals will do that will deserve such.  They will kill the saints and prophets and then be forced to drink blood or something like blood that will kill them. 

 

And while you make think this is harsh, verses 5 and 7 tell us about angels speaking of how right this is on God’s part because they will reap what they have sown.

 

By the way, the world calls it karma.  In the Bible, it is called the law of the reaper.  See Galatians 6:7-9.

 

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

 

Here is what else I have learned in life.  Not only do you reap what you sow, but you also reap after you sow, and you reap more than you sow.

 

Moms and dads, here me this morning.  Your parenting right now will bear fruit later if not sooner, both for good or for worse.

 

Mom and dads, here this.  You will reap more than sow.  If you have a casual relationship with Jesus and the church now, don’t be surprised when you children grow up and get out of the house and have no relationship with Jesus and the church.

 

You reap what you sow.  You reap after you sow, and you reap more than you sow.

 

Bowl four is found in verses 8-9.  It will be fire and heat from the son, and if you think that this will cause the lost to repent, think again.  Verse 9 says they continue to blaspheme God and refuse to give Him glory.

 

Look at verse 10 for the fifth bowl.  It will include darkness specifically on the throne of the beast, but it will affect all who reject Christ as Lord and Savior.  This beast is the anti-Christ of 12:1, the beast of the sea.

 

Not only will it include darkness but physical pain as well.  Will this judgement bring them to repentance?  No, they refuse to repent, and they blame God.

 

The sixth bowl is in verses 12-16.  This will be the drying up of the Euphrates River.  Look at these two maps for some geographical perspective.

 

This will happen in preparation for the battle of Armageddon.  Trying to identify these kings from the east will only be speculation at this point. 

 

However, three demonic spirts coming from the mouths of frogs on behalf of the unholy trinity will convince these kings and other nations to be part of this war.  It will immediately precede the second coming of Christ, and like Jesus told us in the gospels, the timing of His coming will be when we least expect it…like a thief.

 

Matthew 24:43-44, 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

 

The seventh and final bowl, God’s final warning, is in verses 17-21.  It involves natural disasters such as thunderings, lightnings, earthquakes and 100-pound hail stones.  That is in verse 21.

 

Cities such as Jerusalem, the great city, and Babylon will suffer and drink the cup of the wine of the fierceness of God’s wrath.  Will this final warning bring the lost to repentance?  Look at the end of verse 21.

 

 

Conclusion

How can the wrath of God be avoided?  Look at the blessing tucked away in verse 15.

 

Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.  Of what garments or clothes is Jesus speaking?  Look at Galatians 3:26-28.

 

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

Jesus is talking about putting on Himself.  How do you do that?  You do that putting your faith in Him.  When you do, there is no shame because He is the perfect, sinless Son of God.

 

Would you put on Christ this morning?