Prelude
Is this the end of the world as we know it?
88 reasons the Lord will come back again in 1988.
Discuss Y2K 2000 is the end of the world.
The Mynan calendar ends in 2012 and that ends the world.
So will there be a new date set for the end of the world in 2013?
Jesus said, But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matthew 24:36 (KJV)
“1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
As Christians, Jesus said that we would recognize the season of His soon coming!
You see Jesus is in control!
Scripture
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands.
The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven lamp stands which thou sawest are the seven churches. Revelation 1:20 (KJV)
Prayer
Introduction
Explain Revelation 1:20 and the meaning of seven, the angels, and the lamp stands.
It’s all about Jesus
There are many descriptions of Christ in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, but none like the one we are looking at this evening.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place.
Revelation is the unveiling of Jesus, not the Riddle of Jesus Christ!
It is not a book that is made to confuse and baffle one’s mind.
It is a book that was written to the church so that we might know of the things to come for those that reject Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
It is intended to equip the Church to proclaim the gospel to a lost and dying world.
The first five words of the first verse tell us who Revelation is all about: JESUS.
It’s not about the devil, the beast, or the antichrist.
Like the other 65 books of the Bible, it is about Jesus!
Revelation 1:20 has a key word seven it is used throughout this book.
• Chapters 2 and 3 talk about the 7 churches
• Chapters 4-7 talk about the 7 seals
• Chapters 8-11…7 trumpets are revealed
• Chapters 12-14…7 persons
• Chapters 15-16…7 bowls
• Chapters 17-20…7 judgments
Throughout the Bible numbers mean things, even more so in the Book of Revelation.
The Blessing
There is a blessing to those who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
The Book of Revelation is about Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; Revelation 1:4 (KJV)
The Book of Revelation shows us the nature of God.
• A faithful witness
• The first begotten of the dead
• The prince of the kings of the earth
• The Alpha and Omega
• Full of wisdom
• Without sin
• All seeing
• Full of justice
• Judges all
• Holds pastors in his hand
• Holds the churches in his hand
• Holds the two edged sword
• His countenance as the sun
• Full of strength
• Has the keys to hell and death
He is Coming Again
He is coming again and no one knows when he will return, not even the angels in heaven.
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matthew 24:36 (KJV)
He is preparing a place for all of those that have put their trust in him.
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3 (KJV)
When he comes back to this earth he will come back as a ruling King and everyone will behold him.
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Revelation 1:7
Are You Ready
You need to be read, because the Son of Man will return when you least expect him. Matthew 24:44
We need to be ready to open the door when he knocks. Luke 12:36
Our minds must be clear and ready for action, be serious and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Remember this:
If you are a Child of God then, our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
