March 2024 – Colona Community Church

God Is Coming, pt. 22

March 29, 2024 by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

We are nearing the end of Terry’s flyover of the Book of Revelation. In this teaching, Terry finishes up chapter 20 and takes us into chapter 21. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included some notes with links to verses he references.

God Is Coming, pt. 22

Review: In the first 10 verses of chapter 20, we saw Satan bound, the martyrs judged/rewarded, Christ’s 1000-year reign, Satan released to deceive again, Satan & his new followers defeated, & Satan finally thrown into the Lake of Fire.

Clarification: John 5:28-29 – the two resurrections: 1st resurrection (Revelation 20:4-5) is the resurrection of the righteous to be judged/rewarded (1 Corinthians 3) then to rule & reign with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:2-3); 2nd resurrection (Revelation 20:11-13) is the resurrection of unbelievers unto damnation – this is the 2nd death, where they will be thrown into the Lake of Fire to be tormented for eternity.

Revelation 20

v. 11: Great White Throne Judgment
- Christ sits on the throne
  - to judge the dead
  - Philippians 2
  - 2 Peter 3 – this takes place after Satan is throne in the Lake of Fire, but before the Great White Throne Judgment begins
v. 12: The Dead Before the LORD
- John’s eyewitness account
  - the dead – small & great (everyone) standing before the throne
  - books were opened
  - Book of Life opened (the Lamb’s Book of Life)
  - the dead are judged by the things recorded in the books
    - all deeds, thoughts, etc. are the evidence contained in the books
v. 13: The Dead Brought Out
- from the sea
- from Hades/Sheol/the grave (a temporary holding place for those who reject Christ)
- to be judged according to their deeds & their words
  - we’re not saved by our works, but our works are evidence of our salvation (James 2)
  - Matthew 12
v. 14: The Second Death
- death & Hades cast into the Lake of Fire
- the 2nd death
  - spiritual separation from the Lord for eternity
v. 15: The Eternal Dumpster
- anyone not found in the Book of Life – all the ungodly dead – will be thrown into the Lake of Fire
- We are ALL accountable to God – take your walk with Him seriously!
- The criteria for judgment is found in the Word, so don’t neglect your Bible.
- Walk in the light, as He is in the light.

Revelation 21

v. 1-2: The New
- John’s eyewitness account continues
  - new heaven
  - new earth
  - no longer any sea
  - New Jerusalem
    - Holy City – undefiled by sin
    - comes out of heaven
    - from God
    - like a bride adorned
v. 3: God With Us
- the tabernacle (dwelling) of God is among man
- He shall dwell among us
  - this is all God has wanted since the beginning of the story
- we shall be His people
v. 4-5: The Great Promises
- He shall wipe away all tears
- no more consequences of sin:
  - death
  - mourning
  - crying
  - pain
- “Behold, I am making all things new.”
- these words are faithful and true
  - from the mouth of God
v. 6: It Is Done!
- He is the Alpha (beginning) and the Omega (end)
- He will give living water to the one who thirsts
  - freely partake of the presence of God
v. 7: He Who Overcomes
- will inherit ALL things
- Romans 8 – joint heirs with Christ
  - meditate on these things!
v. 8: Things That Won’t Be in Eternity with God
- the unrepentant
  - cowardly/fearful (1 John 4)
  - unbelieving
  - abominable
  - murderers
  - immoral
  - sorcerers
  - idolaters
  - liars
- all fall to the 2nd death/Lake of Fire
v. 9: One of the 7 Angels
- offers to show John the wife of the Lamb
v. 10-11: John Carried Away
- shown the Holy City coming out of heaven
  - glorious
  - brilliant
    - like a very costly stone

God Is Coming, pt. 21

March 29, 2024 by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

After a late winter storm dropped more snow than we expected, church was cancelled for the first Sunday of March. So, Terry picked up where he left off in his overview of the Book of Revelation with chapter 20. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included notes and links to verses Terry references.

God Is Coming, pt. 21

Review: In chapter 19, Christ returns to put down all rebellion. In the beginning, God created perfection; man rebelled. Christ came to redeem us all unto the Father – He paid for our sin and broke the power of sin & death. But man is still in rebellion…until Christ returns.

*Additional notes from chapter 19 – Romans 11:26 says that all Israel will be saved at the 2nd Coming; Zechariah 13:8-9 – Battle of Armageddon: 2 out of 3 Israelites will die in the attack.

Revelation 20

v. 1-3: Satan Bound
- John’s vision:
  - 7 things about the angel:
    - comes from heaven
    - has the key to the abyss
    - has a great chain
    - lays hold of Satan
    - binds him for 1000 years
      - the 1st installment of God’s eternal plan
      - the Day of the LORD – when God directly intervenes in the affairs of man & sets up His kingdom on earth
    - throws him into the abyss
      - shuts/seals it
  - Satan is imprisoned
    - so he can’t deceive the nations
    - for 1000 years
    - will be released for a short time
v. 4: Tribulation Saints
- sat on thrones to judge
  - 1 Corinthians 6:2-3
- the reason they were killed
  - the testimony of Jesus
  - the Word of God
  - had not worshiped the beast or his image
  - had not received the mark
- came to life
  - 1st resurrection
  - John 5:28-29 – believers at the beginning of the 1000 years; unbelievers at the end of the 1000 years
  - reigned with Christ for 1000 years
v. 5: The Rest of the Dead
- all the dead unbelievers will stay in their graves until after the 1000 years
v. 6: A Promise
- First vs Second Death
  - 1st is spiritual separation from God while we live
  - 2nd is eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire with no recourse
v. 7-9: The End of the 1000 Years
- Satan will be released from prison
  - will again deceive the people
  - gather them together for war
    - they come from those believers who survived the Tribulation & then have children (similar to the repopulation after the flood in Genesis)
    - so many they can’t be counted
    - man rebels even without Satan’s influence
      - Jeremiah 17:9
  - surround Jerusalem
  - fire comes down from heaven & destroys them
v. 10: Devil Destroyed Forever
- thrown into the Lake of Fire
- will be tormented day and night forever & ever
  - beast (Antichrist) and False Prophet are still there (it’s been 1000 years since they were thrown in)
  - no annihilation

God Is Coming, pt. 20

March 13, 2024 by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

As Terry has been taking us through the book of Revelation, he has taught us that Revelation describes the fulfillment of God’s plan for this earth. He has suffered a long time with people who have been in constant rebellion against Him. But Christ is coming to set this world right again. Praise God!

To listen to this message about Revelation chapter 19, simply click play on the audio player below. Some notes with links to verses referenced are also included.

God Is Coming, pt. 20

Revelation 19

The first part of Revelation 19 (v. 1-6) is sometimes called the Four-Fold Hallelujah.

v. 1: After These Things…
- after the judgments & the destruction of the worldly system (ch. 5-18)
- a voice of a great multitude in heaven
  - sing a hallelujah chorus
  - hallelujah = “Praise the Lord!”
  - praise Him for His salvation, glory, & power
v. 2: The Chorus Continues
- why they praise God:
  - God begins to make this earth like heaven (The Lord’s Prayer)
  - He judged rebellion righteously
  - He avenged His people
    - Psalm 116:15
    - 2 Corinthians 5:8
    - The 5th Seal (martyrs under the altar)
- contrast with the weeping/mourning of those opposed to God in Revelation 18
- Matthew 24:29-31 says the ungodly will mourn when He comes in His glory
v. 3: Praise
- not rejoicing for those who lost their lives
- rejoicing for God’s righteousness
- smoke rises forever
  - this dispels the false teaching of annihilation (that there is no eternal punishment for sin/rebellion/rejection)
v. 4: Worship
- 24 elders
- 4 living creatures
  - seraphim – give glory to God 24/7
v. 5: Voice from the Throne
- 14th doxology in the Book of Revelation (includes all of v. 1-6)
- calls out for all servants of God to praise Him
v. 6: John Heard…
- a great multitude
  - the sound of rushing waters or peals of thunder
- Hallelujah! For the Lord God Almighty reigns.

The second part of Revelation 19 describes the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (v. 7-10)

v. 7: Rejoice
- the marriage of the Lamb
- His bride is ready
  - the Church (ecclesia) is the bride of Christ
    - also described as Christ’s body, building, called out ones
- Ephesians 5
  - marriage on earth is a picture of how Christ sees His relationship with His Church
v. 8: The Bride of Christ
- clothed in fine linen
  - the “righteous acts” of the saints
v. 9: John is Told to Write
- invitations to the wedding feast
  - those who are invited are blessed to witness
v. 10: John is Overwhelmed
- falls at the feet of the angel
- angel tells John:
  - don’t worship me – I’m a fellow servant
    - Colossians 2 tells us not to worship angels
    - worship God alone
  - the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy
    - all prophecy has Jesus Christ at its center

The next section of Revelation 19 (v. 11-19) describes the Second Coming of Christ

v. 11: Heaven Opened
- a white horse
- He who sat on the horse:
  - called Faithful & True (titles/attributes of God/Christ)
  - everything He does is righteous
v. 12-13: Christ Described
- takes us back to Revelation 1
- Almighty, conquering King returning in glory
  - not the picture we usually have in our minds
  - not the baby or the crucified Christ of the Catholics
- eyes are flames of fire = judgment
- many crowns = power, authority
- name only He knows = we only know what He needs us to know
- garments are bloody from the destruction of His enemies
- name is the Word of God (John 1:1)
- contrast to His “Triumphal Entry” (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19)
v. 14: Coming with Christ
- armies of heaven
  - angelic hosts & saints
- clothed in white
- on white horses
- Jesus will return with His saints:
v. 15-16: Christ Further Described
- sharp sword from His mouth = the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12)
  - used to smite His enemies (who are gathering at Jerusalem)
  - Armageddon is no real “battle”
  - all the unredeemed will be wiped out instantly & their souls will await judgment
- rule with a rod of iron (Psalm 2)
  - because of the heard heart of man
- treads the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God
- name written on Him
  - King of Kings and LORD of Lords
v. 17-18: An Angel Cries Out
- calls the birds to gather for the “great supper of God”
  - all of God’s enemies that were killed are going to be cleaned up by the birds
  - eat flesh of all who rebelled against God at Armageddon
v. 19: John Sees…
- all God’s enemies
  - the Beast
  - the kings of the earth
  - the kings’ armies
- gathered to make war against Christ
v. 20: Beast Taken
- Antichrist & False Prophet cast alive into the Lake of Fire
- first occupants of the realm of eternal judgment
- no human was supposed to go to the Lake of Fire (Matthew 25:41)
v. 21: Battle of Armageddon
- all the rest of the rebels are slain instantly with the sword (a Word)
- birds were filled with their flesh
The next order of business is dealing with Satan himself.