Sermon Tone Analysis

Turn to and read Revelation 17:1 and Revelation 18:1-3.

We are almost there!

I’m talking about Christ’s return to establish His kingdom for His millennial reign upon earth.

We’ll get to that event in Revelation chapter 19.

But before that, we have before us the events of Revelation chapter 17-18.

The Destruction of the Whore

We are not going to look “verse by verse” through these two chapters.

I am going to give you the “highlights” because I want your attention to be drawn to something other than the destruction of the whore but found within the destruction of the whore.

But first, I would like to remind you of the unholy trinity.

Can anyone remember who makes up the unholy trinity?

The Dragon - Satan

The Beast - The antichrist as the leader of the unified political system.

The Whore - The false prophet as the leader of the unified religious system.

Within the next several chapters we will see God’s judgment upon each of these individuals.

Here in Revelation chapters 17-18 we see God’s judgement upon the unified religious system that has deceived the entire world into worshipping the antichrist.

An interesting aspect to this is the fact that God doesn’t “lift a finger” to bring this judgment to pass.

The Beast - the antichrist and his political system - do it!

Nothing could be further from the minds of these kings than to be fulfilling the divine will, but God makes even the wrath of man to praise Him!

Now, by a sovereign act of God, it is all over.

The most insolent, daring, blasphemous, and powerful coalition of nations ever brought together by godless, wicked men is shown here to be a mere tool in the hands of God to wreak His vengeance upon that which has provoked His wrath for centuries.

So, Revelation chapters 17-18 are all about the destruction of the world’s religions that have all been brought together and unified during the tribulation.

What is “religion?”

(Hey!

Don’t show the following definition until I share it with the congregation.)

Religion: Man’s attempts to make life work apart from God.

Ever since Cain brought his sacrifice of the “fruit of the ground,” mankind has been trying to make life work apart from God.

The religion of atheism

The religion of evolution

The religion of humanism

The religion materialism

The religion of education

The religion of _____________________

Anything that is man’s attempt to make life work apart from God is religion, whether we want to call it a religion or not.

I believe that we need to ask ourselves this question: “Are we trying to make life work apart from God?” Sure, we’ve been saved by grace through faith in Jesus but now that we are saved, are we still “trying hard” to make the Christian life work?

Next month, our Connection Groups will begin a new Bible study, entitled, “Real Christianity,” which is really centered around this thought: Religion vs. Relationship and how even Christians, once they are saved, can have difficulty.

If you’re saved and you’ve found yourself on the ladder trying to impress [Christ], earn His grace, or perform for His acceptance - He can save you from that too!

He can bring you back into a daily resting relationship where all the doing flows from loving; all the serving flows from growing in grace.

I hate to say it but that describes my life at times.

Even though I know that I have been saved by grace through faith, I sometimes find myself “working” for His acceptance.

But, I have to remind myself that God loves me.

If I have a bad day, it’s ok; He still loves me.

If I have a good; I better not become prideful.

He doesn’t love me any more just because I had a good day!

That really leads us into our main focus this evening.

While, on the surface, these two chapters are about the destruction of the unified religious system led by the False Prophet, that really shouldn’t be our focus.

Our focus should be the Lord!

God is and will be victorious.

I don’t always feel “victorious.”

And that’s ok! Aren’t you glad that victory doesn’t depend on us?

Even though we have “up’s and down’s” in the end, we will be victorious.

God’s Word is and will be victorious.

The Bible stands though the hills may tumble.

The Bible stands though the earth may shatter and crumble.

I will plant my feet on its sure foundation,

Though all around is sinking sand, the Bible stands.

Although our world mocks the Word of God, you will never be disappointed planting your feet upon its sure foundation!

God’s Word will have the last laugh!

God has an excellent memory.

God has an excellent memory but He would rather forget!

I’m so thankful that God stands ready to forgive - and to forget - when we humble ourselves and seek His forgiveness!

Unfortunately, for those living during the Tribulation, it will be too late.

God’s judgment will have come!

God is strong.

In the previous two verses (vs.

6-7) the whore, in pride, glorifies herself and says in her heart, “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.”

Pride has been the downfall of many and will continue to be the downfall of many.

God hates pride.

It was Satan’s pride which caused his downfall.

It was Cain’s pride which kept him from offering to God an acceptable sacrifice.

Religion - any attempt to make sense of life apart from God - is born out of pride.

God will judge pride; He must judge pride.

He is strong and is very capable of judging pride.

But God is also gentle enough to lift up the humble in heart!

God can be trusted.

Jesus said...

Paul said...

Peter said...

God said...

Turn to and read 1 Peter 4:12-17.

When you and I find ourselves suffering for the cause of Christ, we can trust God.

He is the original avenger!