Serving with Distinction

The call is from Heaven down, not the reverse v1-4

About the Revelation

1 - It is Revelation, not Revelations - it must be taken as one whole and harmonious book (letter)

Revelation 1:1 ESV

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

7 Churches

7 Seals

7 Trumpets

3 Monsters and a Baby

7 Plagues

Fall of Babylon

Millennium and Satan’s Defeat

2 - The main themes are: The Sovereignty of God, The Preeminence of Christ, and a call to endurance of the church

Revelation 5:1 ESV

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

Revelation 5:5 ESV

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Revelation 5:9–10 ESV

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 2:10–11 ESV

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

Rev 2:10

3 - Much of John’s future is our past and present

John was writing to encourage the 1st century churches in the face of coming persecution. Because it was God inspiring, its application is for churches in any age.

In Revelation we see through symbols the paradox that even when it seems things are getting darker, and in some senses they really are, it is still true that God is sovereignly bringing His plan to completion; the Kingdom reality is breaking into this earthly reality.

Eschatological tension - the already and not yet

Holy City from a Holy God

The purpose of a new heavens and a new earth is that the first is so tainted with sin

2 Peter 3:12–13 ESV

waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Isaiah 65:17–18 ESV

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.

The new Heavens and Earth are the ultimate / final fulfillment of the restoration of Jerusalem prophecies from the OT

It is only the Holiness of God that can make a Holy City

Isaiah 6:3 ESV

And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

The earth is not full of holiness, nor can it be, yet God will make it and the people who reside there holy as He is holy

Coming down is to picture the source of the City and the Holiness

Hebrews 11:10 ESV

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

This is that fulfilling of the promises of old; that which God has been doing from everlasting

The Bride imagery is a continuation of that Old Testament

Isaiah 61:10 ESV

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

isa 61

Whatever this mysterious city is, it is clear it is connected to prophecies of salvation and restoration; it is clear that God brings this about. it is the Bride of Christ.

The dwelling place of God

The Garden, The Temple, The Church

Garden

Genesis 3:8 ESV

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

gen 3:8

Temple

Exodus 40:34–35 ESV

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

ex 40:34-

Church

Acts 2:1–4 ESV

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Emmanuel

Emmanuel

Matthew 1:20–23 ESV

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

When did it begin that the dwelling place with God was with men? At the incarnation of Jesus. The virgin brith is chapter 1 of the gospel, beginning a life of perfect obedience in our stead, during which He institutes New Testament local church as the new temple until His return at the end of the age. This begins the Kingdom reality breaking in on this world. But what does that look like?

Sinai

But what does that look like?

God does the wiping

Who can/has overcome death?

Revelation 1:17–18 ESV

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

John 11:25–26 ESV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Who comforts His people in the face of suffering?

Mark 4:39 ESV

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Acts 7:54–60 ESV

Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Polycarp, disciple of John

Acts 8:54-60

Philippians 4:7 ESV

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Enlistment and training is still ongoing v5-7

I AM making - present active indicative

In the Present Active Indicative, the kind of action is linear, the relationship of the subject to the verb is active, i.e. the subject is performing the action rather than being acted upon, and the degree of contingency is zero, i.e., reality rather than hypothetical activity is in view.

John 14:3 ESV

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

He is making all things new by way of saving lost sinners, adding them to His church, and sanctifying them

It IS done

I WILL give / will have - v6/7

John 4:10 ESV

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

2 Corinthians 6:18 ESV

and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

He gives to the thirsty.

John 6:37 ESV

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

It IS done

Isaiah 44:6 ESV

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.

Acts 4:12 ESV

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Psalm 24:7–10 ESV

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

1 Corinthians 2:8 ESV

None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

There are no non-combatants; only victorious veterans and enemy conscripts

v7 - the one who conquers

“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed, For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.

Lift up your heads, O gates! The King of Glory is walking among His people; He is making all things new; He is comforting and soon will do away with death and with pain and suffering forever.

He is our God. We are His children by grace, and none can take that away!

Press along weary pilgrim Press along thru the shadows of night Press along weary pilgrim To the city where faith ends in sight Look above to the portals Ever praying, ever singing a song.

Press along press along weary pilgrim, press on

v8 - enemy conscripts

John 8:44–45 ESV

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.

the faithless… are conscripts to the cause of Satan

John 3:36 ESV

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Revelation 14:11 ESV

And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

rev 14:11

v 12 says this is then a call for endurance of the saints. I say today this is also an invitation to escape the realities of sin and eternal dying

Believers in Christ have everything to rejoice about. God is making all things new through the empowered proclamation of His Gospel. He is victorious. He is with us and comforting us now, and soon will put an end to death and all suffering. In light of this, we are called to endurance. The unbeliever has only judgment and wrath to look for until or unless they turn to Christ in faith. The good news is that the Gospel offer is made again today; believe and be saved.