The Unveiling

Revelation: When Time is No More

Part 1: The Unveiling

Revelation 1:1-3, 19

• We had recently began a study of the book of Revelation on Sunday nights

• Chapter 6 - first half of the 7 year tribulation when our study was suddenly interrupted by what would come to be known as the Coronavirus.

• Unprecedented killings, riots, murders.

• About the corresponding famines, plagues, and death.

• The past weeks have show how easily these things can come to pass.

• I am no fearmonger

• Nor do I profess to know when the rapture will occur and the 7 years of tribulation will begin.

• But I have no doubt that we are seeing the shadow of a reality soon to come.

• For that reason, I am beginning the study of the Book of Revelation again, this time on Sunday mornings; under the title: When Time is No More

Revelation 1:1-3 (HCSB) 1 The revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave Him to show His slaves what must quickly take place. He sent it and signified it through His angel to His slave John, 2 who testified to God’s word and to the testimony about Jesus Christ, in all he saw. 3 The one who reads ⌊this⌋ is blessed, and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it are blessed, because the time is near!

Revelation 1:19 (HCSB) 19 Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this.

THE PERSON OF THE UNVEILING (1:1)

• Revelation 1:1 (HCSB) 1 The revelation of Jesus Christ

o Revelation – Greek -- ap-ok-al'-oop-sis – Unveiling

o Illustrate: Veiled Picture

o Not revelations but a revelation

• The Unveiling of Jesus Christ in His Fullness

o When he came the first time as man, His Glory was veiled

The First Time He Came The Next Time He Comes

To a Crucifixion to a Coronation

In Shame in Splendor

Like a lamb Like a Lion

To a Tree To a Throne

Stood before Pilate Pilate will stand before him

As a Servant As a Sovereign

John laid his head on Jesus’ shoulder John fell at his feet

• The Book of Revelation speaks of the day when we will see His glory unveiled.

• We shall behold Him, not as he was, but as He is: The king of kings and lord of lords.

THE PURPOSE OF HIS UNVEILING (1:1-3)

See if you can pick out the two purposes

Revelation 1:1-3 (HCSB)

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave Him to show His slaves what must quickly take place. He sent it and signified it through His angel to His slave John,

2 who testified to God’s word and to the testimony about Jesus Christ, in all he saw.

3 The one who reads ⌊this⌋ is blessed, and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it are blessed, because the time is near!

To Show US

To Bless Us

TO SHOW US

• 1…to show His slaves what must quickly take place

• Are you a slave of Jesus?

o Translations: Slaves/servant

 Bond slave - Doulos: willingly submitted to another

 -- Call me slave John (not of Roman Empire)

• Master provided for Needs, Protection, Health for life

• Are you a slave of Jesus Christ?

o If so, He wrote this for you so that you may know what the future holds.

TO BLESS US

• Revelation 1:3 (HCSB) 3 The one who reads ⌊this⌋ is blessed, and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it are blessed, because the time is near!

• Who wants God’s blessing?

• Who wants God’s favor on their life?

o Read it, Hear it, and Keep it

• READ IT

o 2 Books of the Bible Satan hates the most

 Genesis & Revelation

 How do I know? -His attacks

• Genesis = Myth

• Revelation = Too mysterious to understand

o Every time I read it, I understand it more

 Revelation finishes the story

GENESIS REVELATION

Heavens and Earth Created New Heavens and Earth

Bride was given to Adam Bride given to Christ

Beginning of Death End of Death

Driven from God’s Face See Him Face to Face

Satan appeared the first time Satan is seen for the last time

• HEAR IT

o “Did you hear what I said?”

• KEEP IT

o Allow it to have influence over your life

• Blessings are promised to those who read it, hear it, and keep it.

• We are blessed by it because it

o Brings SURITY to the FUTURE

 No task force

 No emergency sessions

 Ephesians 1:11 (HCSB) according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will

O Brings STRENGTH to our SUFFERINGS

 Hospice

 Baby dies

 Spouse lost their loved one

 “It’s not over yet. This is not God’s final plan.”

o Brings STABILITY to CHAOTIC TIMES

 Illustration: Tight Rope Walker

 In a world of uncertainty and shifting evil, we need a sure focus on what lies ahead.

THE PLAN FOR HIS UNVEILING (1:19)

• Revelation 1:19 (HCSB) 19 Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this.

• This is the key to understanding the Book of Revelation

o What you have seen

o What is

o What will take place after this

• Write: What you have seen (Ch 1):

o He Saw the Glorified Savior

o I AM The Alpha and Omega, says the Lord

o Garments: Long robe and golden sash of The Great High Priest

o Hair: Brilliant White – symbolizing holy knowledge and wisdom

o Eyes: Like flames of fire that penetrates and reveals everything

o Feet: justice

o Face: Shown in glory as light covers the sun

o In one Hand: Pastors of the churches

o In the other Hand: The keys of authority over death and hell

o When He spoke: Voice like a mighty waterfall that cannot be ignored

o His Words: Like a sword, having the power to defend or destroy life

• Write: What is (Ch 2-3):

o Seven churches of Asia Minor

 Ephesus: Lost their first love for Jesus – Remember, Repent, Return

 Smyrna: Persecuted and poor – remain faithful

 Pergamos: Some were beginning to compromise

 Thyatira: Tolerated sin in the Church

 Sardis: Going through the motions without the H.S.

 Philadelphia: Praised for their faithfulness

 Laodicea: The Sickening Church – Lukewarm church

o Revelation 3:22 (HCSB) 22 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Third Part: Write

• Write: What will take place after this (Ch 4-22):

o After the church age -- in the coming future.

o Quick Brief Tour – Big Picture

o 4:1

 Signals a time transition

 The church is gone

 The Holy Spirit’s restraining influence is gone

 Chaos and the tribulation begins

o The 7 years of tribulation will include

 unprecedented killings, murder and war

 Famine and Plagues and Death

 Satan’s Counterfeit of Christ – Antichrist

• Inspired and empowered by Satan

• He will deceive many by power, cleaver lies, signs, and wonders.

• Declare Himself God

• Demand worship or death

• Require His mark to buy or sell

• Most will take His mark worship Him

 God’s judgments then come on the earth

• Earthquakes – mountains crumble and islands sink

• Volcanoes Erupt, contaminating the atmosphere and blocking the sun

• Hailstones and meteors will fall to the earth

• Those demons who have been bound in hell since Genesis 6, will be release on earth to torment man in their fury.

Revelation 19:11-16 (HCSB) 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and He judges and makes war in righteousness. 12 His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on His head. He had a name written that no one knows except Himself. 13 He wore a robe stained with blood, and His name is the Word of God. 14 The armies that were in heaven followed Him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. 15 A sharp sword came from His mouth, so that He might strike the nations with it. He will shepherd them with an iron scepter. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. 16 And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGSAND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 19:19-21 (HCSB) 19 Then I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and against His army. 20 But the beast was taken prisoner, and along with him the false prophet, who had performed the signs in his presence. He deceived those who accepted the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image with these signs. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 The rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Rev 20

• Satan Bound in the abyss

• King Jesus will rule from Jerusalem for 1000 years

o With Him in glorified bodies

o Peace and prosperity

o Lion/Lamb

o Desert will blossom like a rose

o Earth will be filled with the Glory of God as waters cover the sea.

• Those saved during the tribulation will still have earthly bodies, but will not grow old

o Children born

o Hard as it is to believe, some of those children will reject Jesus

• After 1000 years

o Satan loosed

o Those born during the 1000 years who rejected Jesus will wage war again

o Short battle – Fire will consume them

o Satan is bound forever in the lake of fire

Revelation 20:11-15 (HCSB) 11 Then I saw a great white throne and One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. 12 I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. 13 Then the sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead; all were judged according to their works. 14 Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And anyone not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:1-4 (HCSB) 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. 2 I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.

Revelation 21:8 (HCSB)

8 But the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

The Great Invitation

Revelation 22:17 (HCSB) 17 Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Anyone who hears should say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift.

• To the thirsty soul, come

• I am not on the Program Committee – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

o I don’t know all the answers to the Hows and whys.

• I am on the Welcoming Committee

o Welcome all those who will come

o Romans 6:23 (HCSB) 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Revelation 22:20 (HCSB) 20 He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

June 14, 2020

ALL HCSB

Revelation 1:1-3

Revelation 1:19

Revelation 19:11-16

Revelation 19:19-21

Revelation 20:11-15

Revelation 21:1-4

Revelation 21:8

Revelation 22:17

Revelation 22:20