July 7, 2013
Morning Service

We are drawing to the end of our study of the apostles teaching on the second coming of Christ.  We have finished with Peter and Paul and today we will complete John’s teachings.  Last week John taught us: to not love this world, that false teaching would abound in the last days, and about the anointing we have received (Holy Spirit).  He also encouraged us to “abide” (receive our strength, nourishment and guidance) in Christ as we continue “looking” for His appearing.

1Jn 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He is revealed, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him in His coming.

 

As we study future events it is inevitable that we come to the Book of Revelations written by John.  It can be a very difficult book to understand, but there are some things that are very plainly stated for us to build our faith on.  Let’s see what God has for His people this morning.

 

Rev 1:1-6  A Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him to declare to His servants things which must shortly come to pass. And He signified it by sending His angel to His servant John,  (2)  who bore record of the Word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ and of all the things that he saw.  (3)  Blessed is the one who reads and hears the Words of this prophecy, and the ones keeping the things written in it, for the time is near.  (4)  John to the seven churches which are in Asia. Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is coming; and from the seven spirits which are before His throne;  (5)  even from Jesus Christ the faithful Witness, the First-born from the dead and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,  (6)  and made us kings and priests to God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

• Notice the promise of blessing in verse 3.
• This message comes from the eternal God (verse4) and Jesus Christ who loves us and washed us from our sins with His own blood AND has made us all kings and priests.
• That thought seems to trigger a reaction of anticipation praise from John.

 

Rev 1:7 Behold, He comes with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, and those who pierced Him will see Him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

• He will return in plain sight for all to see.  “Every eye will see Him.”  As Christians, we will be rejoicing but there will be those who mourn His glorious appearing.  It is those who have ignored and rejected His wonderful gift of salvation.  At that point all will bow to His majesty.

 

Php 2:9-11 Therefore God has highly exalted Him, and has given Him a name which is above every name,  (10)  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of heavenly ones, and of earthly ones, and of ones under the earth;  (11)  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

 

Rev 1:11 saying, I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. Also, What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.

• It is only in the letter to the church at Philadelphia that He mentions His second coming.
• Philadelphia is the only church that receives only praise from the Lord and no rebukes.

 

Rev 3:7-10  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts; and shuts and no one opens, says these things:  (8)  I know your works. Behold, I have given before you an open door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength and have kept My Word and have not denied My name.  (9)  Behold, I give out of those of the synagogue of Satan, those saying themselves to be Jews and are not, but lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.  (10)  Because you have kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which will come upon the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth.

• The church has been faithful despite their lack of strength and persecutions and opposition.  They “kept My Word and have not denied My Name.”
• Our goal as a church, and as individuals, should be to be found faithful in these areas.  It does not happen naturally.  Our flesh cries for us to go our own way and fulfill the “lust of the eyes, flesh and the pride of life.”  We must commit ourselves to a life of transformation.  Yielding our will to His.
• We do not do this alone.  Verse 10 promises His keeping power to be with us.  (Anointing/Holy Spirit)
• As we follow Him, our ministry will not be hindered for He opens the door for us. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)  God is in control and His Will will be done. 
• We are also motivated by the promise of our future with Him.

 

Rev 3:11-13  Behold, I come quickly. Hold fast to that which you have, so that no one may take your crown.  (12)  Him who overcomes I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will go out no more. And I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from My God, and My new name.  (13)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

• Look at the encouragement we have to “Hold fast.”  There is no place to ease up or quit.  His coming will come quickly and we need to be ready and making preparations.
• We are promised a strong, secure, and honorable position (pillars) in His coming kingdom.  We will be marked with the name of God, the name of the city of God and the new name of Christ identifying us as belonging to all three.
• Don’t we all desire to belong?  Don’t we feel complete knowing we are a part of something bigger than ourselves?  We are His; He has bought us with His own blood.
• “Hold fast!”  Will it be worth it?  Are the burdens and trials we must bear too great for the reward we seek?  Absolutely not!

Revelation Chapter 21

 

Lord, may we hold fast until you return as you gather us into our eternal home where You will be our God and we will be Your people.