Season Recap

Intro:

Good morning. Welcome to TRC. We don’t do this often, but why don’t we take a moment to say “hello” to one another. Give someone a high-five. Tell them you’re glad they’re here.

[If new people]

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Let’s pray for the giving and for this morning’s sermon.

Intro:

I’ve mentioned over the past few weeks that my current Netflix-binge show is Designated Survivor. I don’t really know why I like it. Most of my friends know I’m not a political-person - it’s just something I’m not into. But I really enjoy this show!

It probably has to do with the captivating storyline. It hooks me; and if I’m not careful, I’ll watch 3 of 4 episodes back to back. All of a sudden, I’ve lost 4 hours of the day! It’s crazy! It doesn’t help that Netflix does that thing where it’ll automatically jump to the next episode: Next episode in 5-4-3-2-1...

Designated survivor is a pretty complex story. A lot of stuff goes on. So, at the beginning of each episode, they do a recap. They explain what happened in the previous episode. Recaps can be super helpful for our understanding, especially when the story has a lot of moving parts.

This morning, if you have your BIble/app, you can turn to . To recap, last week we looked at chapter 11, which ended with this...

Revelation 11:15 ESV

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

In John’s vision of the future, we arrived at the part when Jesus is at the gate - it’s finally time for Him to come back! The seventh trumpet sounded and Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven. As I phrased it last week, “Time’s up!”

And while that is exciting news, some of us may be wondering, “Wait, how did we get to this point in the story?” A lot has happened in Revelation… how did we arrive at the Second Coming of Christ ? You know what would be helpful? A recap!

That’s exactly what we get in chapter 12.

Now, I don’t know about you, but many times - I skip recaps. On Netflix, usually, there is a little box you can select in the lower right of the screen that says “skip recap.” I press that button a lot! But some recaps are too important to skip!

For example, another popular Netflix show is Stranger Things. Most people watch Stranger Things in one sitting, or over a couple of days. And once you’re done, you have to wait at least another year for the next season. And by the time that comes, we usually forget a lot of what has happened. That’s when a “season recap,” not just an episode recap, is helpful! It’s an important type of recap that goes way back in the story to help give a greater understanding of “how we got here.”

Chapter 12 is a huge season recap; in fact, it recaps the entire story of redemption.

Revelation 12:1–6 ESV

And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.

Rev 12:1-

Season recap on Designated Survivors.

Some recaps are too important to skip. In fact, some require you go way back. That’s what happens with Stranger things.

What John is seeing is so important that it needs a recap. It’s got people asking “How did we get here.” It’ll leave people asking, “How do we respond?” So he gives them a full recap.

Exegesis:

Just a heads up… we can going to move super-fast through intense stuff. We just don’t have time to break it down on Sunday mornings. If you have any questions, catch me after service or send me a text/email, and I’d be happy to answer questions or point you to study resources.

But the recap starts off with:

The great sign of the woman described with the sun, moon, and stars which represents the nation of Israel, based on a dream Joseph had back in . We are also told this woman is pregnant (more on that in a second).

The red dragon who is responsible for a rebellion against God.

This red dragon is also the enemy of the woman because he hates both God and his people. Actually, he wants to devour the child the woman is pregnant with - referring to Jesus. Remember, Jesus came from the people of Israel. He is the Lord and Savior who would one day make everything right and rule the nations.

The dragon tries to destroy the child, but God takes Jesus up to His throne. Additionally, God also prepared a place for the woman to be protected for a season, which could be symbolic of God’s protection of the church, or specifically referring Israel’s protection in the last days, or maybe both.

And that’s the recap… And I’m not sure if you realize it, but we just recap’d thousands of years. And if you’re like me, you’re like, “Wait… what? Tell me more. I need more details!”

It’s like when Georgie and I watch the season recap of Stranger Things and we realize, “We’re going to have to go back and watch actual episodes because we need more details.”

And in verses 7-17, John gets to go back and watch episodes of previous seasons, to get more details. Specifically two episodes:

(1) The episode when the dragon takes a third of the stars in rebellion; and...

(2) The episode when God took the child up to His throne and gives protection and victory to His people.

Verses 7-8 talks about a war in heaven. When the dragon (or devil) and a third of the angels rebel and Michael (a chief angel) and his angels fight against them. Michael wins and the dragon is defeated and thrown down to earth. Actually I love how it says, “there was no longer any place for them.” To put it in modern terms, “Michael said, ‘Hey, you don’t work here anymore. Get out!!”

Verse 10-11 expands upon the child being taken to the throne… or the victory of Jesus, which happened at the cross. At the cross, the devil was completely defeated.

Colossians 2:15 NLT

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

And through Jesus’ victory, God’s people are given victory. Even when we DIE, we WIN, because we rise again in Christ!

And here’s the important theme to these recaps: Jesus is victorious and the devil is defeated.

In both episodes, the devil took an “L” and it’s not the last one he’s gonna take. He’s going to take more as we Revelation continues. But here’s why it’s important we understand this now...

In verse 12, John’s vision of the future continues and it doesn’t look good. And if we don’t have the proper perspective moving forward, we can be deceived.

Verse 12 says...

Revelation 12:12 ESV

Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

We now get to see the end of days from another view. John begins to talk about the devil, who knows his time is short, and his activity during the last days. He’s super mad and his thinking is, “If I’m going to take an “L”, I’m taking as many people with me as I can.”

Which brings up an interesting side-subject...

First, the Bible says man is made in God’s image. also reminds us that God loves us! Jeremiah describes it as an “everlasting love!” And if the devil knows he can’t defeat God, he figures, “I might as well destroy those made in His image and the receivers of His supernatural love.” Therefore, we see things like verses 13-17, where the dragon relentlessly pursues God’s people to destroy them. But even in the Great Tribulation, God supernaturally protects His people and the devil loses again. All this to say, we need to remember that the devil hates us! He has declared war against us and we need to be aware of this spiritual warfare. In fact, write this down: My homework is to read Ephesians 6:10-18.

The second interesting side-subject is the description of the devil. Verse 10 says he’s the “accuser.” The one who stands before God and says, “He’s not worthy of your love! She doesn’t deserve your salvation!” But consider this: How often do our words sound like this? How often do we stand accusing our brothers and sisters in Christ, in the likeness of the dragon, instead of loving in the likeness of the Father.

Romans 8:1 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

We need to check our heart!

But back to our text, our recap shouts one clear statement: Jesus is victorious and the devil is defeated.

Again, we MUST hold onto this because in the last days, the devil is going to ramp up his efforts. And we discover the primary way he will do this is through the person known as the antichrist - or “first beast.”

Revelation 13:1–8 ESV

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

After Satan’s defeat at the cross, the only power he has left is deception. His thinking is: If I can’t defeat God, then I’ll trick people into believing I am god, and lead them away from God. And the primary way the devil tricks people is by copying God. Remember, the devil can’t create, he can only copy. Check it out...

If I can’t defeat God, I can trick people into thinking I’m god.

The antichrist (the beast who symbolically rises out of the sea) is given authority from Satan, similar to way God gave Jesus authority.

Then, the antichrist will appear to be killed and also appear to miraculously rise from the dead - the same way Jesus died and rose from the dead.

And people will make him “lord or king”, the same way people call Jesus “Lord and King”.

Then, look what happens next: How many people know what a hype-man is?

In hip hop music, hype-men are extra dudes who surround the hip hop star, and point to the star, in an effort to promote the star. For example:

Flava Flav was Chuck D’s hype man. Chuck D would rap and Flava Flav would just say, “Yea.... boiiiiiii!”

It’s kinda like another modern hype man: DJ Khalid. DJ Khalid is always on popular songs, hyping up other superstars. He’ll say things like, “Uh huh!” or “We the best music!!!” He will hype the star and his song up.

In the last days, the antichrist has a hype man.

Rev.

Revelation 13:11–12 ESV

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.

We call this guy the false prophet. Notice he’s like a lamb (a name given to describe Jesus), but he’s really like Satan - the dragon. And his job will be to hype up the antichrist - to get people to worship him.

And sometimes hype men have skills too! DJ Khalid isn’t just a hype man, he’s a musical producer. He produces some good beats. And the false prophet has skills… we read...

Revelation 13:13–14 ESV

It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

Rev 13:

Notice: You have the devil, the antichrist, and the false prophet. Again - copycat. In the endtimes, these three will form a false trinity (copying the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), in order to deceive people. And don’t underestimate this deception - it will be strong. In fact, we read...

Revelation 13:9–10 ESV

If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

What’s that mean? It means, “Beware! Don’t believe the lie of the devil! Remain faithful because his deception is strong.” Many will make the antichrist their lord and some think even believers will be led astray - or fall away.

Which brings us back to the key theme of the recap: Jesus has the victory and the devil is already defeated!

When we keep that in mind, we won’t believe the lies of the devil and be led astray. Because in the last days, it WILL seem like devil is winning - it’ll make us question whether we are on the right team. But it’s all a lie. Remember, in Jesus has ALREADY WON!!!

Important that we understand the victory.

Satan’s been defeated 3 times.

It’s important because John sees somethign that hasn’t been talked about yet - the antichrist as his role in the last days.

All he has is lies, but when we’re living in the present and dont recognize the full story, it can mess with our perspective.

In the end times, it’s going to seem like Satan is dominating and the church is losing. But it’s all a lie. That’s all Satan has.

Don’t let it trick you into responding the wrong way, because the most important thing is finding yourself on God’s side when it’s all over. God’s going to let you choose. Who’s side are you on? There will come a day when we have to choose - will you have the seal of God (Christian) or will you take the mark of the beast? It will seem smart and normal to take the mark. But remember, the call is to faithfulness! Sacrifice the perfect for the imcomplete, eternity for the temporary. holy holy holy - incomplete, incomplete, incomplete. ( NLT - Do not agape - do not love the world with the love that is reserved for God).

Response:

Although we are talking about a vision of a future time, it’s still relevant to us today! We are already experiencing these things. The devil isn’t waiting to deceive people, he’s doing it now! We may not be worshiping THE antichrist, but we are tempted to worship things that aren’t Christ! Fame, pleasure, money...

Everyday the world is tells us, “You don’t need Jesus to have a good life. In fact, life is better without Him!” But it’s a lie, the same way it’ll be a lie in the future.

So, here’s the big idea for these two chapters that I want us to take home: God wins and the devil loses; therefore, whose side are you on?

And the thing is, there is no neutral side. Jesus said we must pick…

Matthew 6:24 ESV

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Matt 6:24

The word for money doesn’t refer to literal money, but the god of money - or the devil. We’re going to worship someone or something… so who are we picking?

Crazy thing is, eventually the devil will copying this thinking too. We see this at the end of chapter 13...

In the last days, the antichrist will require people to take his mark - the mark of the beast - in order to buy or sell (or to basically, live!). Verse 18 connects this mark with with the number 666.

In the same way that those who choose Jesus are sealed with his mark, those who choose the beast will be sealed with his mark (again - copying). Verse 18 connects this mark with with the number 666.

There are many theories about what this means, but here’s what most of them boil down too. The perfection of God can be numerically represented by 777. Obviously 666, falls short of that; if you will, 666 is the number of incompletion - then number of man.

If God’s perfection is described as “holy holy holy,” 666 symbolically declares “incomplete, incomplete, incomplete.” And whether it’s now, or in the future last days, we must choose who’s mark will we be sealed by.

Will we live for Jesus, the One who is “holy holy holy,” and be sealed by Him? Or will we believe the lies of the devil, and be “incomplete, incomplete, incomplete” - 666 - putting our trust in the things this world?

Because God lets us choose. And when Jesus comes back, we want to find ourselves on the right team. So, what’s our choice? Whose team are we on? .

But before you decide, remember… Jesus has the victory and the devil is defeated.

I’m going to call the worship team up and I’ll leave you with this Scripture...

1 John 2:15 ESV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

The word for “love” there is agape - the love reserved for God. In a sense, John’s helping us choose. He’s saying, “Do not believe the lies of the devil and give him the love that is reserved for God.”

Family, today, choose to love Jesus. Turn away from your sin and put your faith in Him. The One who loves you. Don’t believe the hype and give your love to Satan, the one who lies to you.

Let’s pray.

Friday night live coming back. Brian Cardalico. It’s like WWE - the match has already been determined. But you got to go through the formality of wrestling. Sometimes it looks like someone is going to win, but the match has already been determined. Satan looks like he’s winning, but it’s a lie. The outcome is already fixed.

But the battle is real. When you get a chair smashed over your head, it’s going to get hurt. But remember, God wins. So be on his squad.

Don’t let it trick you into responding the wrong way, because the most important thing is finding yourself on God’s side when it’s all over. God’s going to let you choose. Who’s side are you on? There will come a day when we have to choose - will you have the seal of God (Christian) or will you take the mark of the beast? It will seem smart and normal to take the mark. But remember, the call is to faithfulness! Sacrifice the perfect for the imcomplete, eternity for the temporary. holy holy holy - incomplete, incomplete, incomplete. (

NLT - Do not agape - do not love the world with the love that is reserved for God).