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The first Sunday of April found us in the last chapter of Revelation. To listen to this teaching, simply click play on the audio player below.

God Is Coming, pt. 24

God doesn’t want us to be ignorant (unknowing) of His blessings and His promises found in the Book of Revelation, even though it can be difficult at times to understand. Persevere! At God’s first coming, He broke the power of sin and death. At His second coming, He will overcome the prince of the power of the air (Satan).

Revelation 22

• v. 1: The River of the Water of Life
  • comes from the Throne of God & the Lamb
• v. 2: The Tree of Life
  • twelve types of fruit
  • every month a different fruit
    • God supplies all we need
• v. 3: The Curse is Removed
  • Genesis 3 – man, woman, all of creation has been cursed in judgment for the transgression against the holy God
  • we will serve at the throne of God & the Lamb for all eternity
    • joining the angels and all redeemed around the throne of God
    • Holy, holy, holy!
• v. 4: We will see God face-to-face
  • no longer looking through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13)
• v. 5: God is our light
  • we will reign with Him forever and ever
• v. 6: He will fulfill all His promises
  • His words are faithful and true
• v. 7: I am coming soon!
  • He reminds us of this often. Keep watch & be ready!
• v. 8-9: John is caught up in the moment
  • He falls at the feet of the angel
  • the angel corrects him
  • nothing is to be worshipped except God Himself
• v. 10: The Time is at Hand
  • don’t seal the book up because of the blessing and the promise
  • remain faithful to God
• v. 11: Let them do what they’re going to do
  • some people cannot be reached
• v. 12: Our Reward
  • He is coming quickly
  • bringing our reward for what we have done
    • 2 Cor. 5
  • so important to bring glory to God in the spiritual darkness of the world
• v. 13: Alpha & Omega
  • God is eternal; He has no beginning and no end
• v. 14: Right to the Tree of Life
  • wash their robes
  • keep the commandments of God
• v. 15: Another list of those who will not be in the Holy City
  • God has redeemed us from this list
  • They would not repent of their sins
• v. 16: How we received the Revelation
  • From Jesus
  • to the Churches
  • His genealogy
  • He is our Morning Star
• v. 17: Invitation to Redemption
  • God does not intend for any of us to be in the Lake of Fire; we choose to be there
  • the Spirit & the Church: tell others of the joy and freedom of redemption
  • we all have a longing for God, whether we know it or not – we thirst for Him
• v. 18-19: Warning
  • Don’t mess around with the Word of God
• v. 20-21: Close of the Revelation & the entire Bible
  • “I am coming!” (for the 3rd time in this chapter)
  • John responds with the prayer of the saint: “Come, Lord Jesus!”
  • Grace be with you – everything we’ve been talking about is grace (the unmerited favor of God)

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

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

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:
    • Zechariah 14
    • Jude 14
    • 1 Thessalonians 3
• 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.

Hello yet again! Terry took us through the 18th chapter of Revelation last Sunday. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included the usual notes and links to verses on Bible Gateway. Enjoy!

God Is Coming, pt. 19

Intro: God “putting up with stuff” is Him extending His grace to all. Matthew 24 warns us, “Don’t be deceived!” – deceivers are coming. It will be like the “days of Noah” (Genesis 6). Revelation 17 describes how the false religions will fall/be destroyed. There is a 3-fold blessing for those of us who read/listen to/pay attention to the Word (Revelation 1).

Revelation 18

God’s Judgment on Babylon

• Babylon was a physical city/kingdom – will be revived again
• Is in modern-day Iraq
• Bible speaks of it about 200 times
• Revelation 17:5 – Babylon is a mystery
• 1 John 2:15-16 – the world system is in rebellion against God, running amuck without God
  • the people of God are to live in the world with integrity, stay strong under the temptation to live as the world lives
  • He gives us all we need to live – the people of the world accept it ungratefully
    • the lusts of the flesh are never satisfied

Fall of the Political/Economic Side of Babylon

• v. 1: Another Angel
  • comes from heaven
  • has great authority
  • is so brilliant he lights up the world with his glory
• v. 2: The Angel Cries Out
  • Babylon is fallen!
  • It is now the habitation of:
    • demons
    • unclean spirits
    • unclean/hateful birds
• v. 3: Babylon’s Effect on the World
  • nations – intoxicated by Babylon’s worldly pleasures
  • kings of the earth – their hearts are following Babylon
  • merchants – gave up God to get rich
• v. 4-5: Another Voice
  • calls to God’s people
    • one last offer of grace/mercy
    • don’t get entangled with the things of the world
    • get out of Babylon’s allure to sin or you will receive her plagues
  • why Babylon will be judged
    • her sins have piled all the way to heaven
• v. 6-8: Encouragement to God
  • Pay Babylon back for what she did
  • Justice – double-portion of what she’s meted out
    • the cup that she used to deceive the nations should be poured out on her
    • as she glorified herself, to the same degree give her torment/mourning
  • In One Day
    • plagues
    • pestilence
    • mourning
    • famine
    • burned up with fire
  • Revelation 17:18 says this will be a physical city
    • speculation that it will be Rome, a rebuilt Babylon, New York, no one knows for certain
• v. 9-10: Kings of the Earth
  • they’ve enjoyed following Babylon
  • they will mourn her destruction
    • because they can’t get anything more from her
  • stand at a distance
    • they see her judgment & know exactly what is happening and Who is doing it
• v. 11-13: Merchants
  • weep because they are out of business (sad for the wrong reasons)
  • List the items they deal in:
    • everything is expensive
    • the best of the commodities
    • also the “bodies & souls of men”
      • slave trade
      • human trafficking
      • commercialize humans for the money
• v. 14-15: End of Commercial Trade
  • all “good” things are now gone
    • not just a disruption of trade, but a destruction of the entire system
  • the merchants stand back and watch
    • weep for the loss of their income
  • 2 Timothy 3 – the heart and mindset of the people in the last days
    • conscience has been disengaged from God
• v. 16-19: Merchants Mourn
  • don’t care about people, but merchandise
  • laid waste in one hour
    • maybe not literally
    • all at once, not a slow decline
• v. 20: Heaven’s Response
  • told to rejoice over God’s righteous judgment
    • God has avenged His people
• v. 21: What the Destruction Looks Like
  • Angel takes a huge millstone & throws it into the sea – a symbol of the Babylonian system being thrown down
  • no more commercial system
• v. 22-23: It Is Done
  • no more celebrating
  • no more industry
  • no more electric grid – no light
  • no making merchandise
  • deceived by pharmakeia – mind-altering drugs, sorcery, witchcraft
• v. 24: Why
  • the world system was built on the blood of God’s people

At the end, God moves in vengeance rather than mercy & grace.

Be careful what you’re focusing on – “Come out of her, My people.”

Hello again! Here is the message from the second Sunday in February, where Terry took us on a tour through Revelation 17. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included some notes and links to verses Terry references on Bible Gateway. Enjoy! 😁

God Is Coming, pt. 18

Intro: Revelation 17 & 18 are God’s explanation of the Babylonian systems (false religion & economic/political systems) and how God will bring them down. Praise God today is the day of salvation. If we turn to Him now, we will not have to face the judgment/punishment reserved for Babylon. 1 John 2 tells us to love not the world – the world system is in opposition to God.

Revelation 17

• v. 1-2: An Angel Speaks to John
  • will show judgment of the “great harlot who sits on many waters”
    • v. 15 – riding on the people of the world
    • committed fornication with the kings of the earth
      • Proverbs 7 – the allure of sin
    • those who are drunk
      • not in their right minds
      • Genesis 3 – the devil can’t force us, but he can distract us
  • an analogy of spiritual adultery against God
    • the world religions
      • all apostate
      • all have their roots in Babylon
      • the devil is behind them all
        • he desires worship (Isaiah 14)
      • Psalm 96:5
      • always attack that which is true
      • use bits & pieces of the truth to deceive
• v. 3: John Carried Away to the Wilderness
  • saw a woman (a harlot)
    • riding on a scarlet beast (Antichrist)
    • full of blasphemy
    • 7 heads & 10 horns
  • False religious system is riding on the Beast world system
• v. 4-6: The Woman Described
  • decked out in colors of royalty
  • gold & precious stones
  • super wealthy
    • as most false religions are – constantly taking money from the people they’ve deceived
  • wealth is full of immorality
  • identification written on her forehead
    • is the “mother” of all false religions
    • drawing people away from God
  • is drunk on the blood of the saints
    • persecutes the true followers of Christ
• v. 7-13: The Angel Explains (the Bible Explains Itself)
  • the Beast
    • Revelation 13
    • appears to die (counterfeiting Jesus Christ)
    • those who are written in the Lamb’s book won’t be deceived, but everyone else will
      • Matthew 24 – even some of the people of God could be deceived
    • empowered by the abyss
  • the 7 heads
    • 7 mountains on which the woman sits
    • 7 kings/kingdoms rule over Israel
      • Daniel 2, Daniel 7
      • Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medes-Persians, Greeks, Romans, Antichrist
      • Babylon – originated at the Tower of Babel & Nimrod (Genesis 10 & 11)
        • the origin of all false religions
  • the 10 horns
    • 10 kings
      • don’t have a kingdom yet
      • will give allegiance to Antichrist
• v. 14: Kings Will Wage War
  • The Battle of Armageddon
    • the Lamb will be victorious
    • those who are with Him are the Church Age saints:
      • called
      • chosen
      • faithful
• v. 15: Waters
  • explains v. 1
• v. 16: Babylonian Religious System Falls
  • the kings will turn against Babylon’s religious system
  • all false religions have to be destroyed so everyone will turn to worship the Antichrist
• v. 17: God Is Completely in Charge
  • God uses the kings to accomplish His will
    • to eliminate false religions
    • until the words of God should be fulfilled
• v. 18: The Woman
  • Babylon = the great city
  • reigns over the kings of the earth
• God calls us to come out of Babylon!

Hello! I’m trying to get caught up (again!), so I will try to post the last few weeks of Terry’s lessons on the overview of Revelation this weekend. God willing! The first week of February, Terry took us to chapter 16. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included some notes with links to references verses on Bible Gateway. :)

God Is Coming, pt. 17

Revelation 16

• v. 1: A Loud Voice from the Temple
  • speaks to the 7 angels
    • Go
    • pour out the 7 bowls (sometimes translated “vials”)
      • bowls are filled with God’s wrath
• v. 2: 1st Bowl
  • loathsome & malignant sores
    • similar to other plagues in the Bible, but far worse
      • plague of boils in Egypt (Exodus 9)
      • sores Job is afflicted with (Job 2)
      • sores that covered the beggar, Lazarus (Luke 16)
    • plague only affects the followers of the Beast
• v. 3: 2nd Bowl
  • is poured into the sea (ALL the oceans)
  • turns the oceans to blood
    • like that of a dead man
    • coagulated, rotten, putrid
  • kills all the sea creatures
• v. 4: 3rd Bowl
  • is poured into the rivers and springs
    • waters turn to blood
    • similar to the plague in Egypt (Exodus 7), but affects water all over the world, not just the water of one nation
• v. 5-7: Doxology
  • angel of the waters speaks
  • judgment on the earth vs. rejoicing in heaven
    • given blood for blood spilled
    • avenging the martyrs (Revelation 6)
  • another voice from the altar continues the rejoicing/praising
• v. 8-9: 4th Bowl
  • poured out on the sun
  • sun is given power to scorch men with fire
  • men who are scorched blaspheme God 😦
    • rather than repenting
    • they know it’s not “climate change” – it’s God
    • shows the heart of man (Jeremiah 17, Matthew 12)
• v. 10-11: 5th Bowl
  • is poured out on the throne of the Beast
  • total darkness over the Beast’s kingdom (not the whole world)
  • followers of the Beast gnaw their tongues because of the pain
  • they continue to blaspheme God 🤦
    • because of their pain/sores
    • apart from God, this is who we are
    • Romans 7
• v. 12: 6th Bowl
  • is poured out on the Euphrates
    • dries up the river
    • Euphrates River was the original eastern boundary line of the Promised Land (Genesis 15)
    • so that the kings of the east can come into the Promised Land
      • mobilize & begin to travel
• v. 13-14: Three Unclean Spirits
  • come out of the mouths of the unholy trinity:
    • Dragon
    • Beast
    • False Prophet
      • possessed by the power of darkness
  • spirits are “like” frogs
  • are the spirits of demons
    • perform signs which go out to the kings of the whole earth
    • gather them for war against God
      • not the war of God & Magog
      • this war is on a much larger scale
      • is the Battle of Armageddon
• v. 15: Warning from Jesus Christ
  • “I come as a thief!” (suddenly & unexpectedly)
  • Blessed is the one who is prepared for His return
    • perseverance
    • patience
• v. 16: Gathering at Armageddon
  • the kings of the earth & their armies gather
• v. 17: 7th Bowl
  • is poured out on the air
  • loud voice from the temple:
    • “It is done.”
  • final judgment
• v. 18-21: Results of the 7th Bowl
  • lightning & thunder
  • earthquake
    • bigger than any ever experienced on earth
    • splits Jerusalem in three parts
      • preparation for the New Jerusalem
  • cities of the nations fall
    • global devastation
  • Babylon the Great is given God’s fierce wrath
    • specifics to come in Revelation 17 & 18
  • all the islands disappear
  • all the mountains disappear
    • preparation for the New Earth
  • hailstones
    • 75-100 pounds each (like a bag of concrete)!
    • fall on men – no place to hide
    • they continue to blaspheme God 😞