Sermon Tone Analysis

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

gen 3:8

Temple

ex 40:34-

Church

Emmanuel

Emmanuel

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?

Who comforts His people in the face of suffering?

Polycarp, disciple of John

Acts 8:54-60

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.

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

He gives to the thirsty.

It IS done

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

the faithless… are conscripts to the cause of Satan

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.