Rejoicing in Heaven
Revelation 19:1-8
Introduction
- Share something on my heart this week:
-- “My prayer is that God will send faithful men and women to our church to work for His glory in reaching people for Christ.”
-- To work, we must be trained, which means faithfulness to study & prepare
-- APP: This is where our “walk” becomes tangible to those around us
- We’ve examined all of Ch. 18 with the collapse of the economic system
-- God’s judgment is final an brutal; complete and total annihilation
- Today we begin Chapter 19 which concludes the tribulation period
-- Leads us to the final battle between the armies of Satan and Christ
-- This time will only happen at the end of the Tribulation
-- It must be fulfilled to show Christ’s ultimate authority
- The application to the church is: to ensure that we are prepared
-- To be qualified (able) to teach others what the bible says
-- IMP: this is NOT the time to shy away from our responsibilities
- We can easily read this and say, “Oh great, its worship in heaven …”
-- And in that, we can TOTALLY MISS what God is saying to us
-- Stick with me, and I assure you you’ll see how it all comes full circle
- Read Revelation 19:1-8
Ω Point 1 – Celebration in Heaven (1-3)
- John is hearing the shouting of the great multitude
-- The voices of all those who have given their lives during the Tribulation
-- This shouting is one of triumphant readiness: they are prepared to do battle with Satan on behalf of Jesus Christ
- They are also cheering the destruction of Babylon
-- The root of this city was the cause for their death
-- Martyred for their faith because they dared to oppose the anti-Christ
- The great harlot represented the religious system that was setup by Satan
-- Her destruction is a time of rejoicing for those in Heaven
-- Her actions will be avenged by God and the smoke of the destruction of Babylon will be instantaneous – but the smoke of those who were destroyed (this is punishment) is still yet to come.
- Those that lived in Babylon were killed b/c they were loyal to Satan
-- Their final destruction will be at The Great White Throne (Rev 20)
- (v4) The 24 elders from Revelation 4 worshipping at the throne
-- This is the representation of the church; those who served Christ in life
-- They are celebrating the majesty of Jesus Christ; act in eternal worship
- This is where all those who were raptured from the Earth will be
-- Those that were faithful will be at the Throne for all eternity
-- This worship is what it happening now, and will continue forever …
- TRANS: This is what we wait for – this is what we need to focus on
Ω Point 2 - The Throne (v5)
- Pay special attention to the voice from the Throne
-- This is voice of the One we worship today. This is Jesus Christ!!
-- He is leading the worship of the Father. Can you imagine that service?
-- Imagine attending a worship service and Jesus is the worship leader!!
- Heaven exalts the Father, not ourselves (this is the litmus test for reality)
-- Today there is praise going on around the Throne and toward the Father in Heaven – can you imagine it?
-- Can you picture the revelation of your loved ones who have gone before us waiting to show this to you?
- If ever there was a reason to finish the race, this worship service is it
-- It is what we wait for … it is the reward for our faithfulness
-- We have got to get serious about this life and the calling to show others
-- APP: If we are not willing to do this, how can we claim Him as Lord?
Ω Point 3 – The Marriage of the Lamb (6-8)
- The Lamb is the suffering Messiah who died as a sacrifice for you and I
- (v6) What’s happening? King Jesus is celebrating with His bride!
-- This is the church and those who are faithful to follow Him
-- This bride is the entire church – from Adam to Revelation
-- Each who has lived his/her life in obedience to Christ is part of the Bride
- I want you to take away that you are part of the bride (IF you are His …)
-- BUT, the revealing of the Bridegroom has not yet happened
- We believe because we have not seen, and because of that we are blessed
-- John 20:29, “Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
- The church is prepared to meet the Bridegroom through the Mercy Seat
-- This is where Jesus is now; it is where He intercedes for us
-- Contrasting: The Judgment Seat is where He is about to go …
- (v8) Talks about the “fine lines” which represents the rewards given
-- Those that go before the Bema Seat will be to receive the just rewards
-- Not only do they wear fine linens, but crowns given by Jesus as reward
-- Stephanos crowns: given as reward for overcoming
- These are clear in the Scriptures, which are one of five crowns
1. The incorruptible crown
-- Given to those who master the flesh
-- 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
- Does your flesh rule you? Is your favorite sin more important than Jesus?
2. The crown of rejoicing
-- Given to soul-winners
-- Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”
-- 1 Thess 2:19, 20, “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”
- Do you desire to see people saved? Are you willing to tell others?
3. The crown of life
-- Given to those who successfully endure temptation
-- James 1:2-3, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
-- Rev 2:10, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
- Ask yourself, does sin control you? Do you have a repentant heart?
4. The crown of righteousness
-- Given to those who especially love the doctrine of righteousness
-- 2 Tim. 4:8, “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
- Do you live your life in expectation of the return of Christ at any moment?
5. The crown of glory
-- Given to faithful teachers of God’s Word
-- Acts 20:26-28, “Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
-- 2 Tim 4:1-2, “1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
-- 1 Pet. 5:2-4, “Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
- Do you teach and live what God’s word says to show others Christ?
- At this same seat, the Saints will be rewarded for their persecution
-- IMP: The church will be purified in Heaven; without blemish (perfect)
-- The rewards are gifts from the Father; those faithful will be rewarded
-- These are something that we need to continue to desire; to hunger after
- We need to ensure, in light of all this, that we never forget God's warning to the church today
-- Warning: Luke 11:28, “He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
-- If it’s contrary to God’s Word He might allow it, but it’s not a blessing
-- Calls for careful understanding and a willingness to repent when we sin
-- James 4:17, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.”
- We can be forgiven for the sin we commit, and God can make blessings from that sin, but we must REPENT!
-- IMP: Attitude of repentance brings us Christ’s mercy and God’s rewards
-- Contrast: Satan’s pride and swelling brings him total destruction
Ω Big Ideas
- Can you imagine the fine linen because we were faithful to Christ?
-- The Word says that our righteousness will be made complete
-- Do you desire it?
-- It is the promise of Christ if we are faithful
- Can we remain faithful to obey and continue to stay focused?
-- This faithfulness must be our focus in this time, 2014
- VERY IMP: We can’t get side-tracked thinking about the finish line
-- Why? The race is NOT finished for us yet!
- That is the challenge for this week
- Pray
