November 2023 – Colona Community Church

God Is Coming, pt. 7

November 25, 2023 by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Last Sunday, Terry took us through a survey of the first part of Revelation 6. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. Also included are some notes with links to Bible Gateway for verses Terry references.

God Is Coming, pt. 7

Introduction: The Last Days will be like the Days of Noah (Matthew 24:37), but His people are here to be the Salt, the preservative in the world, for now. The Days of Noah – Genesis 6:5-8. Before salvation, we all stand in opposition to God. But praise God…Romans 6:23. He loved us so much…John 3:16. God has patiently waited for all men to accept or reject His offer of salvation. Karma says you have many chances to get it right, but Hebrews 9:27. The hour is getting late; Antichrist is coming to deceive (John 5:43). God will judge and punish for sin, & we shouldn’t misunderstand why some don’t seem to pay for their sin (2 Peter 3). God is merciful, & we should keep that in mind always. He is coming! We need to be ready.

Breaking of the Seals – Revelation 6

v. 1: John was in heaven
- He saw…
  - the Lamb broke the first seal on the book/scroll
- He heard…
  - one of the living creatures
  - voice was terribly loud, reverberating, powerful
- He was invited…
  - to “Come!” to see from the vantage point of the creature
v. 2: John saw a White Horse and rider
- the rider of the White Horse is NOT Christ
  - the rider of the White Horse IS the false/Antichrist
    - antichrist = set against/in the place of
  - revealing of the Antichrist is the beginning of the Tribulation
  - Rider of the White Horse…
    - has a bow with no arrows
      - comes as a warrior, but without weapon
      - will be victorious through diplomacy
    - a crown is given to him
      - the crown is not earned
      - crown (Greek – stephanos) is like a wreath of laurel leaves given to the winner of a race
      - is not the diadem of Christ
    - he comes conquering & to conquer
      - everything he gets is through subtlety and manipulation
      - 1 Thessalonians 5:3 talks of peace before destruction in the last days
        
        the world is primed for a peacemaker
        
        he will seem to be a “good” guy
      - 1 John 4:3 says that many antichrists have already come, but Revelation 6:2 is talking about THE Antichrist
v. 3: The Lamb breaks the second seal on the scroll/book
- a second creature invites John to “Come!”
v. 4: John saw a Red Horse and rider
- War: red = bloodshed
- will take peace from the earth
  - not just local battles…the WHOLE EARTH
  - war on a greater scale than ever before
- given a great sword
  - a weapon of war
- We need to thank God for the peace that we do have today.
v. 5: The Lamb breaks the third seal on the scroll/book
v.6: John saw a Black Horse and rider
- scales in his hand
- denotes famine/scarcity of food
v. 7: The Lamb breaks the fourth seal on the scroll/book
v. 8: John saw a Pale Horse and rider
- Death is the rider & hell/Hades follows him
  - those who reject Jesus will go to hell when they die
- God is still in control – He gives the riders their authority.
  - 1/4 of the people on the earth will die by
    - sword
    - famine
    - pestilence /plague/disease
    - wild animals
v. 9: The Lamb breaks the fifth seal on the scroll/book
- John saw martyrs – believers who die during the first four seal judgments
- This is another picture of heaven
- They are slain because they believe the Word and they stand fast
v. 10: The martyrs are crying out to God.
- How long will the slaughter go unpunished?
v. 11: The martyrs are…
- Given white robes of the righteousness of God
- Told to rest until the full number of their fellow believers have been killed

Stand firm in the faith, because to him who overcomes….

God Is Coming, pt. 6

November 25, 2023 by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Two Sundays ago, Terry continued his series on the Book of Revelation by taking us through chapter five. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. Also included are some notes and links to Scriptures that Terry references in his message.

God Is Coming, pt. 6

Introduction: the day of reckoning is coming, so we need to be about the Lord’s business.

Review: Revelation 4

Before the throne in heaven
- 24 elders join in praise with 4 living creatures
- 7 Spirits of God – the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2)
- 4 Living Creatures – Seraphim
  - accompany the Lord wherever He is
  - praise Him continually
  - many verses in Ezekiel (28 in the NIV)- “Then you will know…”
    - Ezekiel 28:23 (for example)

Heaven – Revelation 5

v. 1: “I [John] saw…”
- This is an eyewitness account (also in vs. 2, 6, 11)
- Book/scroll
  - Written within & without (on both sides of the parchment)
  - Sealed with 7 seals
    - to keep it closed until the time is right
v. 2: An angel speaks
- Who is worthy?
v. 3: No one could open the book/scroll
- Unworthy to open it
v. 4: John wept
v. 5: One of the 24 elders spoke
- Told John to stop weeping, because…
- The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David –
  - the kingly line
  - Jesus’ line
  - overcame/triumphed
  - can open the book/scroll
v. 6: John saw…
- Between the throne & the elders
- NOT the Lion of Judah, but…
  - a Lamb, as if He’d been slain
  - 7 horns = perfect power
  - 7 eyes = the Holy Spirit
v. 7: Lamb took the book/scroll from the Father’s right hand
- Only the Lamb is found worthy
v. 8: 4 Living Creatures & 24 Elders
- Praise, worship, adoration, homage, giving glory
- All to the Lamb (not the Father this time)
  - Shows that Jesus is God
- Holding harps & bowls of incense
  - incense = prayers of the sasints
  - offered unto the Lamb
v. 9: Creatures & Elders sing a new song to the Lamb
- Why is the Lamb worthy?
  - He was slain & redeemed us back unto God
  - For ALL who receive salvation
v. 10: We will be kings in His Kingdom
- How?
  - the Lamb’s sacrifice makes is possible for us to be priests/kings/administrators in His Kingdom
  - must be found worthy based on our faithful service to the Lord
    - NOT a salvation issue
    - a reward issue
v. 11: John hears the voice of many angels, the creatures, & the elders
- all around the throne
- innumerable angels join the chorus
v. 12: The innumerable angels say:
- Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
- To recieve:
  - power
  - riches
  - wisdom
  - might
  - honor
  - glory
  - blessing
v. 13: Others join in the chorus
- EVERY created thing
  - in heaven
  - on earth
  - under the earth
  - in the sea
- Crescendo of what John sees happening
  - to Him who sits on the throne (the Father)
  - and to the Lamb
    - blessing
    - honor
    - glory
    - dominion
    - forever & ever
- We need to worship Him with all we are for He is worthy
- Find contentment in a relationship with the living God
v. 14: Four Living Creatures say, “Amen!”
- Elders fall down in worship
  - prostrate before the Lord is the position (physically &/or in our hearts) of true worship

God Is Coming, pt. 5

November 11, 2023 by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Terry’s continuing series in the book of Revelation took us to Revelation 4, where he taught about Worship in Heaven. To listen to this message, simply click on the audio player below. Also included are some notes and links to Scriptures referenced by Terry.

God Is Coming, pt. 5

Review:

Revelation 1:19 – outline of the book of Revelation
- ch. 1 – things that you’ve seen
- ch. 2 & 3 – things that are
- ch. 4-22 – things that will be
Reminders/Pitfalls/Concerns – Lessons from the letters to the churches
- Don’t lose your first love
- Don’t be afraid to suffer (Matthew 10:28)
- Be on guard for sexual sin/impurity
- Be on guard against spiritual deadness
- Hold fast to the Word
- Be on guard against lukewarmness/indifference
- Be on guard against compromise/moving away from the Lord
Ch. 2-3: John was told, “Write what you hear…”
Beginning in ch. 4, John is told, “Write what you see…”
- Test the spirits – 1 John 4:1
- Test and approve all things – 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Worship in Heaven: Revelation 4

v. 1 – After all these things: the beginning of John’s eyewitness account
v. 2 – Immediately
- God took John to the spiritual realm to give us a glimpse of heaven
- Translated from Patmos to heaven
- Saw a throne
  - One sitting on the throne – the Father
v. 3 – John describes the beauty he sees as best he can
v. 4 – 24 thrones with 24 elders
- clothed in white
- golden crowns
- clues will tell us later that these seem to be humans who have received their reward for faithfulness
v. 5 – Lightning & thunder around the throne
- 7 lamps are the 7 spirits of God (Isaiah 11:2)
v. 6 – Before the throne
- a sea of glass – the magnificence of being in the presence of God is unimaginable
- In the midst of the throne –
  - 4 living creatures (Isaiah 6:2; Ezekiel 1:5-11)
  - Full of eyes

Artist representation of the Four Living Creatures

v. 7 – the Four Living Creatures
- Lion
- Calf
- Man
- Eagle
v. 8 – What do the 4 Creatures do?
- full of eyes
- have 6 wings
- rest not
- do not cease to say (a doxology):
  - Holy, holy, holy
  - Lord (Master)
  - God
  - Almighty/All-powerful
  - Was, Is, Is to Come – eternal nature of God
v. 9 – the creatures give glory/honor/thanks to God
- this triggers v. 10
v. 10 – the 24 elders fall before God
- worship Him
- cast their crowns before the throne
- say another doxology
v. 11 – Doxology of the 24 elders
- God is worthy of everything
- Because He created all things
Our purpose is to glorify the Lord by accomplishing the things He has for us to do, because we give Him pleasure.

God Is Coming, pt. 4

November 4, 2023November 4, 2023 by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

In Terry’s continuing series, he took us through Revelation 3 and the last three churches. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. Also included are some notes and links to Scriptures referenced. Be blessed!

God Is Coming, pt. 4

The Lord knows what’s going on in His churches – He walks in the midst of them.

1 Peter 4:17 – God only corrects those who belong to Him, whom He loves (Hebrews 12:6)

The things the Seven Churches of Revelation are working through here have parallels with churches/church ages throughout history, as well as today.

The Church of Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6)
- v. 1 – attributes of Christ
  - Holds the “seven spirits/seven-fold spirit” (Isaiah 11:2) – the Holy Spirit
  - Hold the seven stars – angels (Revelation 1:20)
- What They Were Doing Wrong (v. 1b)
  - Look good on the outside, but spiritually dead
- Instruction to the Church (v. 2-4)
  - Wake up!
  - Strengthen the good things
  - Trust & obey
  - God gives a way back to Him (that’s His mercy, hope, & grace):
    - Remember
    - Hold fast
    - Repent
  - If you won’t turn back to Him:
    - Christ will come when you’re not ready (as a thief)
  - To those who have not gone astray:
    - They are found worthy to walk with Him
    - White clothes = clothed in the righteousness of God
- Instruction to the Individual (v. 5)
  - If you overcome:
    - clothed in white
    - name will NOT be erased from the Book of Life
    - He will confess your name before the Father
      - If you are ashamed of Jesus, He’ll be ashamed of you before His Father (Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26)
The Church of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13)
- v. 7 – attributes of Christ
  - Holy
  - True
  - holds the key of David (King of Israel)
  - what He opens/shuts:
    - God gives us opportunities & redirects us to His will, but we need to be in tune with the Spirit
- What They Were Doing Right (v. 8)
  - No misdeeds
  - they are weakening, but God’s grace is sufficient
  - kept the Word
  - held onto His Name
- Promises (v. 9–11a)
  - God will make sure that everyone knows that He loves His true Church.
  - Those who have kept His Word will be spared from the “hour of testing”
  - He is coming quickly!
- Instruction to the Church (v. 11b)
  - Hold fast
    - be faithful to the end
- Instruction to the Individual (v. 12)
  - He who overcomes/is victorious (many start the race, but not all finish)
    - will be a pillar in the temple of the Father in heaven
      - help hold up the Kingdom
    - will write on him the Name of God & the name of the city of God (the New Jerusalem – Rev. 21:2)
The Church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22)
- v. 14 – attributes of Christ
  - the Amen
  - faithful
  - true witness of the Father
  - Creator/Sustainer
- What They Were Doing Wrong (v. 15-17)
  - No good deeds!
  - they are lukewarm
    - need to make up your mind how you truly feel about God (get right with Him)
    - WARNING: stay lukewarm and He will spit you out!
  - they are spiritually unaware
    - think they are rich, but are poor
      - they are too comfortable/content in worldly things apart from the Lord
    - they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked
- Instruction to the Church (v. 18-19)
  - buy from God
    - invest in Him
    - look to Him for everything, because He will sustain you
  - clothe yourselves in white
    - be right with God
  - see with spiritual eyes, not worldly eyes
- Indictment of the Laodicean Church (v. 20)
  - Jesus is on the outside of this church.
    - They think they have it all together, but Jesus isn’t even a part of it. He’s standing at the door, waiting to be invited in.
- Instruction to the Individual (v. 20b-21)
  - Listen!
    - If you hear His voice, open the door to Him.
  - If you repent and hold fast (He always gives us a road back):
    - you’ll have the right to sit with Jesus on His throne
- v. 22 – Listen/hear the Spirit
  - His Spirit is preparing the Bride of Christ (the Church) for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb
    - Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
    - He wants to bring clarity & purity to the Church