It's a Wedding!

Intro

The end is near.

Kevin started our series last week and broke down our theme verse.

1 Peter 4:7

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

The end is coming, so be ready!!

Some have used the end times as a scare tactic.

Turn or burn, get right or get left, picket signs.

Reality is, we read of some dire things in the last days, but the right message isn’t fear.

What is the end??

Jesus is coming back again!

John 14:3

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Acts 1:11

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Jesus died, rose again, walked to earth in his glorified body, and then ascended to heaven in the sight of hundreds of people.

He will return in the same way.

He is coming again to set the world back into order.

In the beginning God created and it was good. it was perfect.

Then sin entered and fractured everything. now we live in a broken world.

He will come back to bring his people to himself and to set back the way things were intended.

The church is referred to as the bride of Christ, and he says he is coming back for his bride.

Biblical prophecy shows us things that are to come.

1/3 of the bible is prophecy.

Things that have happened and some that hasn’t

The bible has predicted historical events with incredible accuracy,

The call of the city of Tyre in crazy detail. (conquered 100 years after predication by alexander the great)

The Fall of Babylon to the Assyrians.

The coming of Jesus.

The bible can be trusted!

over 150 chapters in the bible contain some prediction about the end times.

These aren’t contained in the bible to scare you, but to prepare you.

How should we live and what should we do in light of the end times.

I’m going to give you an overview of the book of revelation. Revelation in 10 minutes and then circle back and talk about how can we be ready.

Revelation is a book that is a series of events given in a vision (revelation) to John. John was a disciple of Jesus who was being punished and had been banished to the island of Patmos.

Here he saw Jesus.

Chapter 1 is his encounter with Jesus.

Over the next 21 chapters there are some major events that take place, and a lot can be confusing.

WE are going to talk about just the overarching events, so that we can be aware and be prepared.

We hold the only book in the world that holds the future!

Chapters 2-3 - THE CHURCH AGE

This is the time that we live.

He gives instructions to church ahead of everything that is to come, telling them how to get ready.

THE RAPTURE

We don’t know the exact time of this event. This is where Jesus calls his church out. Greek word means to snatch.

Word rapture is not in the bible. But the event is.

Some christians and theologians don’t believe this will take place and others argue about when it will.

1 Thess 5:1-9

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I believe it will happen before the time of the tribulation because God did not appoint his church to suffer wrath...

But whenever it happens, he will snatch his church out.

matt 24, 2 will be working 1 will remain 1 will be taken away.

no time to prepare then.

Not the same event as Jesus second coming.

Chapters 6-19 - THE TRIBULATION

This will be a 7 year period where the wrath of God is poured out

This event happens with the reveal of the anti-christ.

A person who actually will begin to bring peace. But it won’t last long.

After this things get bad. Lots of destruction and tragedy unfold on the earth.

And it gets confusing.... Beasts and dragons etc.

But imagine someone 2000 years ago getting a vision of modern times and trying to describe things that had no words for.

Chapters 19-20 - THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS!

happens after a great battle called Armageddon.

Revelation 19:11-16

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.”

Battle is short lived when Jesus shows up!

1000 year reign, Satan is ultimately defeated for good!

Chapter 20 - THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT

Revelation 20:11-12

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

A judgment is happening with everyone who ever lived.

there are books and a book.

The books have every thing you ever done in the them.

There are 2 ways to judge people.

Either by the books of everything they had done, or the book.

The book is the book of life. If you have given yoru life the Jesus your name is in that book.

Only your name recorded. Everything you’ve done has been paid for.

Which will you be judged by??

jesus came so you never have to be judged according to the books!

Chapters 21-22 - A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH.

Things finally brought back into its perfect order.

Perfect balance and harmony.

Lion and the lamb

Now… Let’s go back.

Before all of these events take place, Jesus himself gives instructions to his church.

We are like a bride that getting ready for the wedding.

Rev 19:7

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

I went to 2 weddings this weekend. Would you believe that there is a lot of work to get ready for the wedding.

Ive never seen a bride just show up in sweatpants and hair half fixed...

There is planning and attention and care put into making sure it’s perfect!

Shouldn’t we care about being ready??

Chapters 2-3 and give warnings and instructions to the church.

It was directed to 7 church that were in that area, but not meant for just them, it is universal instruction for us all.

1. Church of Ephesus

Get back to your first love.

Each church Jesus compliments them and tells them what they are doing well, and then tell them hey, you need to work on this..

Revelation 2:4

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

You don't love me like you did.

Revelation 2:5

Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

have we allowed Jesus to be some secondary motive of our lives?

Do you remember when you first got saved??

Couldn’t wait to tell someone about Jesus.

(tell story)

2. Church of Smyrna

Stay Faithful

Revelation 2:10

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

Life may not be easy at times, but we don’t know what it means to suffer the way some people in the world do.

In some countries to proclaim jesus is to give up everything.

Does jesus have that kind of value?

If not we don’t see him for who he is.

Remain faithful no matter what.

Don’t give up, don’t give up. Jesus is coming. It is worth it.

3. Church of Pergamum

Reject Compromise

Revelation 2:14-16

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

They had began doing things outside of Gods will and making light of it. Not big deal.

It’s fitting in and going along. It’s not hurting anyone.

Jesus is looking for a morally pure church.

4. Church at Thyatira

Stand strong

This church had become weak and allowed things to happen they shoudln’t have.

Revelation 2:20

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.

Sometimes church its not just what we do, but what we allow.

We make excuses for things.

But the church needs to be a light and that will take standing for what’s right. In love, but standing.

We can excuse our passivity but Jesus doesn’t.

5. Church of Sardis

Be fully alive!

Revelation 3:1-3

...I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

This church looked alive but was dead on the inside.

Not passion, no sense of purpose.

Church, it’s time we wake up!!

No greater time to live for Jesus.

6. Church of Philadelphia

Keep the Word

He had no complaints to this church!!

Revelation 3:8

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Revelation 3:10-11

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

We need this word.

Stay true to it.

It guides us.

Embrace the word of God. Read it, study it, memorize it.

It is your playbook.

7. Church of Laodicea

Repent of Complacency

Revelation 3:15-17

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

(my coffee the at Dunkin)

This church was more concerned with comfort and convenience than God’s kingdom.

It was good when things were good.

Halfway in.

CONCLUSION

When the time comes, the trumpet sounds and Jesus is ready for his church there won’t be time to get ready.

The time to get ready is now.

Revelation 3:20-21

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

come on church, its not to make us scared, but to get us prepared.

What is God speaking to you today?