Sunday, Septemer 6, 2020

maybe something

alright you joining in singing now open your Bible, please to the Book of Revelation and chapter 20 Revelation chapter 20, possibly one of the most controversial passages in all the scripture not because it's that hard to understand at least in my opinion. But because there are so many people who have their own idea and I'm one of them. I have my own idea about how this thing ought to be interpreted but it has something to do with the thousand year reign of Christ that is caused a whole bunch of division. In fact, I was thinking through it and I saw one of the commentators and I believe it's the Holman commentary that brought out a new Millennial thought there is post millennial. Means after the Millennium that's when Christ come back. There's a millennial saying no, we're not even going to have that such a thing. There's premillennial which I tend to favor meaning that the Rapture of the church is going to happen tribulation will happen and then a millennial Kingdom will be set up. there is one that easily wrote about called Pro millennial and what he tried to do was to take a blend of all Millennial and premillennial and throw it all in the mix. Don't leave me yet. I'm going to get off of this and just a moment. We're going to get down to some other things. But when you look at all of the difficulty, that's come out we have to be honest when Jesus came the first time religious leaders missed. When the prophets even though they absolutely prophesied what was going on. It was it was one of those weird scenarios where there weren't even sure that they were prophets. I mean when Isaiah said behold the Virgin will conceive and bear a son. They thought it was a local situation. They had no idea that about nine hundred years later. Jesus would be born of a virgin. They didn't know that they could look in the future. So having said that there's a lot of things here. We don't understand one thing that I heard years ago about millennialism. I'm a pain Millennial I think it's all going to pan out in the end. And only Jesus knows only God knows so instead of spending a ton of air and breath and time on the millennial concept. We're going to look at some other functions of this passage primarily for items. Today. We're going to look at Satan and his restraint the reign of the savior of the rebellion of Satan and then sends final resolution and that'll take us through verse 10 and then next week. We're going to talk about a place you do not want to be here me you don't want to be what we're going to talk about next week. It's the great white Throne judgment. Now, we hear a lot of people today say well when I get before the great white Throne God knows I'm good with him and he's going to let me in cuz I've been such a good guy. Well, we're going to find out next week. We really are we're going to find out what your goodness is all about. But your righteousness is all about and if you appear before the great white Throne judgment folks, it's not going to be pleasant. St. Peter is not going to be at the Golden Gate. I hate to break that to you, but he's not going to be there. Jesus is going to be there. God is going to judge and what he does it's going to be a righteous judgement. Well for centuries, I mean centuries people have talked about a golden age. We want to live in a Utopia. We want to live where everybody is equal right? There is no red yellow black white or brown. There are no races there. No divisions were all the same. We're all good. We have no crime. We have no hospitals. We have no prisons. We want to live in that kind of an age. We want to live in that kind of a day. In fact, every politician that I've ever read about from old goodness. How far back Abram Every one of them thought they could bring in a Utopia Golden Age. None of them have none of them can none of them. Will the only time we're going to find a perfect peace is when the principes replaces the Sonesta cold devil when he is completely released their completely obliterate our lockdown that's one piece is going to come the golden age is not going to happen. We've tried to Tri that goal. And in fact, we're not able to I don't know if you recognize it or not, but the world's not getting better. We're not getting better. We're getting worse. In fact, if preaching the gospel as some believe is going to bring in the kingdom of God. I think you miss what God's trying to say the scripture. If you think the preaching of the gospels go to bring in the Kingdom. Then you are a signing the gospel to something that God never intended for it to be now. We do praise thy kingdom come thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. We pray that way however, we are convinced or I am hopefully you will be as well. I'm convinced that the only time God's perfect will be done on Earth is after the events of revelation 22. That's when it's going to be right with everything. Well, what is The Gospel Four? The gospel is not something to save civilization at for civilization to save them from wreckage. If it were then I think we would have seen that happen. The gospel does not save civilization the gospel presents the claim of Jesus Christ to individuals so they can let their hearts be blessed by God the Father. It's God's plan to save men from the wreckage of our civilization. every civilization has crumbled under the weight of its own corruption and they will continue to do that because the heart of man is desperately wicked who can know it scripture says we are so It for evil. We have a nature that is a sin nature. We may be saved but rather and we have the nature of sin The Flash is still working and until we get into Romans 7 and Romans 8 where we discover what the answer really is. I'm going to tell you it's the dwelling of the Holy Spirit. Would we get to that part one of these days we're going to recognize that that's how we overcome in this world. And it's a constant battle. It never stops. It just keeps on going. So the purpose.

Chapter 20 verse 1. Let's look at it first three verses. I saw an angel coming down from heaven holding in his hand of the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain and They seized the dragon that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan and bound him for a thousand years and threw him into the pit and shut it and sealed it over so that he might not deceive the Nations any longer until the thousand years were ended and after that he must be released for a little while. What is the purpose of the millennial Kingdom? What is the purpose for binding the devil and then releasing him for just a little while? Well, let me put this in perspective.

Those of you who are listening to me now either hear live or on Livestream or maybe on a recorded message your hearing me now. We are on the plus side of Calvary and before the Rapture of the church, you'll say you can't prove that biblically. The word rapture is not even in the Bible. You're right. It's not the word is catching up wrap here in the other language in the Latin and what it means is they catching up. I believe 1st Thessalonians 4:13 tells us about that time. We are on this side of that event. We haven't it hasn't occurred yet. If it has there's a whole lot of us in here that are in trouble. God's people are going to be taken out of this world. The church is going to be raptured. We're going to be judged at the judgement seat of Christ. Not the great white Throne judgment. No, no. No, that's next week, but the Judgment seat of Christ as we find in first in the book of Corinthians, That's when we are determined. In fact, the Bible says we shall all be judged according to our works to determine what sort they are. Is it wood? Hay stubble gold silver precious stones. What work are we? Why are you even watching today? I have the cows. My mama made me come to church. Okay your attitude extract but there are many of you who are here because you don't want the Lord you want to be around God's people you're saved and because of that you are doing something right for him everything we do for the glory of God is gold silver precious stones. What about the wood? Hay and stubble that's going to be burned up. You're not going to be lost. In fact one old preacher said you going to be singed but saved that's how that works my works if I'm doing it, so everybody will know how good I am that's going to be burned up, but I'm still going to be saved. I'm still going to be in heaven. I'm still part of the church. That's the part of the Bride getting ready for the bridegroom. We're being cleaned up. We're being pruned down. We're being made ready to be with him. Well. The judgement seat of Christ happens we are gone. During that tribulation. Of a seven-year time frame are going to be kids born just because of Calamity in the world doesn't mean that they're not going to be babies born are doctors. I've got to speak to our resident doctors this week. And one of the questions was do I think that we're going to have a baby bun late October November December, absolutely. I'm quite convinced of it. I know the nature of human beings. I've also talked to her Obstetricians. Their office volume has increased nearly threefold. For once they were seeing about 50 patients through a pregnancy now, they're seeing 250 some of them 200 going through and that's that's all over. So yeah, we're going to run out of space. We're not going to have enough room for all the babies being birth. I don't think it I think that's going to be a greater hit on the hospital than some of the yogurt stop because you got to have a place for him. I mean, we're we're fresh out of a Manger scenes or else but you got to have your babies born and they're going to be born and we're going to have them they're going to come during the tribulation the same thing. They're in prices. They're going to be having babies during now. You got to remember Bible doesn't say this, but Ricky is saying it that ought to be good enough for me. I don't know about good enough for you, but they're going to be babies born in that thousand year. They're going to grow up. In fact when you read the book of Isaiah and Ezekiel, you determine very quickly that these things are going to continue but they're going to continue with a difference. They're not going to have presents. They're not going to have hospitals. They're not going to have wife-beating. So they're not going to have suicides. They're not going to have dying old man are going to live for a while. The young ones are going to grow up and they're going to have kids and they're going to have grandkids and they're going to live in a utopian society for that. Of time, but they're going to be having kids. Why do you think the Bible says in verse 3 after that after that Thousand Years War ended Satan must be released for a little while. Italian wine God is going to prove that the problem is the human heart and without salvation without a commitment by grace through faith, not under yourself unless we make a commitment to Christ votes. We're still lost. Even if we had a perfect environment, even if we had a perfect leader, even if we had everything going the way it should we are going to steal. Have a sin nature. Are you saying I just don't know if I believe that well, I don't care. I'm doing the preaching. I'm the one that determines whether I'm right or wrong. You owe that sounds a lot like politicians that I don't want to be that. No, really, honestly people listen to think about it as people are being saying they're going to be in a perfect environment. They're going to still be able to be deceived and that's why Satan is going to be released for a little while to prove the long-suffering of God to demonstrate the necessity of the cross at the shed blood of Christ. That's why it's so important to get save today. Don't wait until that time remember just because you're in heaven that mean you're going to stay there Satan was in heaven for as long as we know from the day God created him. He was in heaven and when you come to Isaiah 14, you discover very quickly that old Satan wanted to elevate his throne above God. And he was kicked out of heaven. We saw that earlier in Revelation as well. So the purpose of the millennial Kingdom or 1 it will be a fulfillment of God's promise to Israel and the Christ. God is not finished with this real God is not finished with them. They are still as he said his chosen people. He made a covenant forever with Abraham. He made a covenant forever, but David and people he's not going to break that Covenant just like he made a covenant with us when we gave our hearts to Jesus Christ. He said Ricky if you'll trust me. I'll prepare a place in heaven for you. We celebrated that this weekend we are. Pasco being in heaven I envy am I really do. Because we long for that place. Anyway, our Lord is going to be reaffirmed to his own Apostles. The kingdom will be a worldwide display of God's glory all nature will be set free from the bondage of sin. You say well that that maybe but do you have other New Testament teaching 819 tells us all about that. It'll be the answer to the prayer the Saints when we pray that kingdom come it's going to come it'll come in that. Of time. And as his will is being done on Earth as it is in heaven. We're going to be able to experience it to a degree. It's going to be a time when God has a final demonstration of the sinfulness of sin and the wickedness of the human heart. Tribulation Martyrs are going to be raised from the dead and when they are raised from the dead those who've been beheaded during at 7. Seven-year period of time and this is not a small number people. This is a large number a tremendous amount of people are going to be saved during the tribulation. Well who's going to share in that while we are the church for twenty Elders that we find here in Revelation or go to be there. They represent the church and his they represent the church that we're going to be there.

I've heard all my life, especially when I went to college and then Seminary Concepts like the great the general Resurrection. Everybody's going to be raising one time. Well Bible didn't say nothing about that. In fact, we find that it's very clear looking for 4. I saw Thrones and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been the head for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God and those who had not worship the Beast or its image and had not received its Mark in their foreheads are their hands. They came to life and reign with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the Dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection over such the second death has no power but they will be Priests of God and Christ and they will reign with him for a thousand years. You say when Jesus writes Verses 4 to 6. He's going to put right everything that has been wrong. So there's two resurrections one. Okay, I'm out. I thought you said the Rapture had will it hatch? What about those who died in Christ? Will there going to be raised up and then we're going to be caught up together with them in the cloud and we'll ever be with the Lord. That's the Rapture and yes, that is a resurrection. But we're talking about the tribulation Resurrection pay close attention. We're talkin about a resurrection of the martyrs who have died and there will be an uncounted numbers of thousands and millions who have been killed for the glory of God. So the two resurrections one will be those that lead to life the martyrs who were here during the tribulation. Then there's going to be another Resurrection next week. We talked about that. So here's what we have. We have a time. We have a place we have something going on and there are several principles here that I want to lay out for you so you can get your head around it. Hopefully and I won't confuse you too much. Let's look at verse 7.

When the thousand years are ended Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the Nations that are at the Four Corners of the earth dog. And may God could gather them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the sea and they March up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the Saints and the Beloved City, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them. And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the Lake of Fire and sulfur where the Beast and the false prophet were and they shall be tormented day and night forever and ever people. That's a horrible moment. Satan's going to be released 00. When it happens, it's going to demonstrate the wickedness of man. We don't want that to happen. So principal number one. The devil is being bent on saving human beings about God. He will lie to you. He will fool you he will do everything he can to abuse you he will plant suggestions in your mind to get you wandering away from what God wants you to do. And when he does he's going to be bound, we're going to live a thousand years without him, but he's going to be released and it's going to prove that God's word is true. The heart of man is desperately wicked who can know it. It's also shows second principle. God is greater than the devil who will one day be sent to Eternal damnation. I think he's panicked. Because he knows that his days are limited. His time is limited. He can read the book just like we can but he's going to interpret it the way he wants to not the way it should be Christ cherishes those who are Martyrs for his sake principal 3. If you're going through persecution today. If you are perhaps living in Washington DC area you're watching us today. You know that being a Christian on the hill is not very popular thing to do. If you're living out in the Great Northwest, you're very very convinced just by looking around that secularism is on the rise. If you're living in a country other than the United States, maybe you're in Belgium. Maybe you're in Holland perhaps even in Argentina where I've gotten emails from some of you. Listen folks. I know you're in persecution. We see it in Africa. We see it in Korea. We see it in China all over the world. But these are not necessarily the martyrs that were talking about in Revelation 20 the martyrs in Revelation 20 are those who are persecuted greater than you ever will be. They are maligned greater than you will ever be simply because Satan is pouring out his wrath as well as God pouring out his wrath on the world. A fourth principle all people will be judged according to the Deeds they have done.

The judgement seat of Christ will determine whether your works are wood. Hay stubble gold silver precious stones. The great white Throne judgment is going to demonstrate to you that even if you think you are a good person and have done tremendous works. It's going to reveal not only the good but the bad and I promise you if you want to put it on a scale. There's not one righteous. No, not one. I read that in the Book of Romans. The Bible says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. And when those books are opened at the throne judgment your works are going to be revealed and you will have to stand before God you never knew. And tell him exactly why. You didn't trust his son.

another principle Eternal Destiny for All Those whom Christ condemns It's fiery torment forever.

When I was in high school, I would I was stating a little girl in another church and I went over to their church and they say they had a real good Youth Choir. They did not invite me to join. For reasons, which I'm very tight. But they were going to sing a song called. There's a great day coming or great day coming. There's a great day coming by and by When the when the saints of Earth are gathered over on the other Shore, there's a great day coming by and by but there's one person that old old song. It says there's a great day coming a great day coming a great day coming by and by

when the Lost hear the word of their dying faith

It's a great day, and the music director would not let the choir sing that. Invitee turned to the congregation and he said this verse is so horrible. It's so Unthinkable that we're not going to sing it. And the piano still playing it very softly very quietly. And he says the words tears run down his face. It's a horrible horrible scene. We didn't would sing a song about. Eternity coming and it be a old water a day. That will be when my Jesus I shall see when I look upon his face the one who saved me by his grace 20 takes me by the hand and leads me through the promised land. What a day what a day that will be.

But there's coming a day. There is coming a day. when those absolutely reject Christ Will be judged eternally. And when they're judged eternally. They're going to hear from the one on the throne depart from me worker of iniquity. I never knew you. People we don't have to go there. We don't have to worry about eternal Destiny. In fact, we need to stay on the alert for the devil's distortions. He is deceiving people by the very some very preachers in pulpits around our nation. He's deceiving them. They think they're doing a good thing but they're not they're not telling the truth. What is the truth the truth is if you reject Jesus Christ, you're going to suffer any Eternal damnation in hell. If you have said no to Jesus who said yes to the cross. You cannot survive. You will not survive. Site will reveal and then said will have its final retribution. We are Christians facing martyrdom today. But they're going to be resurrected at the rapture. It's the martyrs in the tribulation that we find in this Resurrection here. I want to closest down very quickly

Let me tell you what this verse means to me first. It's a word of encouragement encouragement. You see the gospel has not failed. The gospel will convince people of send. It did me. I was a young boy when I heard the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for my sin that he was buried that he rose again and he is coming back and if I'll simply by grace through faith put my trust in him. I will be saved I'm convinced of that and it said encouragement. I'm waiting for Jesus to return. I'm not just raging decks on the Titanic chairs on the Titanic deck. No, no, no. No, we are looking for that City whose Builder and maker is God. There's an anticipation here. I believe that Jesus could come any minute. There's about a 15-second delay between when I say a word and when you hear it, that's because of technology and that's okay the folks. In the it in that time, I could completely disappear and see if I was really wanting to be dramatic. I would say between that time and I ducked behind.

And then in a couple of minutes all of a sudden he comes back or Checkers it comes back on and there's nobody here, but that be cruel I would want to do that. First of all, I get down there would be able to get back up and then I have to poke my head around the side and use the side to get up. My knees are so bad. But I'm encouraged to know that Jesus is coming back. I'm anticipating him to come back any moment. He could come back before the service is in the Bible says in Matthew 24 in such an hour as you think not the son of man coming and I think I've already told you that's going to be on a Monday morning about 10 because I don't think very clearly on Monday morning at 10. That's when he'll come but it's also a great time for evangelism.

We have seen more people accept Christ in our Hospital in the last 5 months then we have in the entire time since I've been there. I had a man just this week call and say I need to talk to a chaplain and I walked in and he said are you Catholic? I said no. He said praise God. I'm not disparaging those of the Catholic faith. I'm just telling you what he said. I said why did you need to why do you want to talk? You said I want to make sure I'm saved. So I went over the Roman Road with him to nurses kind of join. I heard them at the door. They were listening and I let him in a Simple Plan of Salvation. Listen folks. There's none righteous. No, not one. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God the wages of sin is death. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ Our Lord. And we must only confess and believe she Romans 10 says if you will confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness with the mouth confession is made unto salvation and then Ephesians chapter 2 for it's by grace. Are we saved through faith? Not of Works lest any man should boast we come in simple faith. Evangelist. Did you get it? Is it in your heart? Do you want to share the gospel of Christ when that guy started to pray I could hear the nurses out, I think what I must been Pentecostal cuz they were having a good time and we we prayed he accepted Christ and he said, you know, I have never done that. I've never had anybody explain to me that passage note that that pathway so clearly and our other chaplains are seeing the same thing. They're seeing people come to Christ because they're in the middle of a crisis now will will it work or they going to follow through, you know something That's always bothered me. But it should. Because I'm not in charge of that part of the program. God is called me to share the gospel and leave the results to him. And that's what we do. We present the gospel. We tell them of Jesus who died and that if they will simply come just as they are all of a sudden they can be saved the fourth word. is examination

You know, you may be watching me right now. You may be watching me at the encouragement of a friend. And you can't say, you know Pastor. I'm I know I'm going to heaven something in your soul just won't let you believe it lie here to tell you. That's good news. Not bad news. The good news is Jesus Christ is ready today to receive you. If you're concerned about your salvation, just that should give us a call on that number. 469-288-6729 Send me a text. I'll get back to you just as soon as we're finished here. It's a free people in light of Calvary know lost Center. Who is condemned by God can never blame God? He is giving us he's giving us Calvary. He's giving us the word. He's giving us a message. He's giving us everything. We need to say Jesus. I love you. I want to trust you. The judgment is going to be horrible the great white Throne. We're going to talk about that next week. But here's a verse I want to leave with you in John 5 chapter 24, he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me has eternal life and shall not come into judgment or condemnation but is passed from Death unto life. What does that say? Charlotte Elliott wrote it this way just as I am. Without One Plea But that by blood was shed for me. that thou b**** me come to the oh Lamb of God.

My prayer today is that you will give your heart to Jesus Christ. My prayer today is that you will trust him and that you will let us know. We'll send you something. I know Billy Graham used to say will send you some literature we will. You throw it away if you want, but it'll show you the Roman Road of life.

You're here today you're watching today. Maybe you're watching on tape delay. You can be safe right now. Would you bow your heads with me, please Lord in heaven as we seen this marvelous Hymn of invitation. Let people everywhere come to Jesus. Let them know today. They can be and heavenly father. Let this be a moment of Eternal decision where we give our hearts to Christ in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Would you stand with me as we seen that great invitation? Together ready one eye blue eye wash.