The New Testament Part 2 (Revelation)

There is one book in the Bible that guarantees a blessing to all who read it.

It's the very last book, the book of Revelation written in apocalyptic language rich in symbolism. Revelation portrays the future yet to be, including the glorious return of Jesus.

The resurrection of the dead, the judgments, the millennial reign and then the eternity which follows from Chicago.

This is The Moody Church. Our weekly service of worship and teaching with pastor Erwin Blitzer on this broadcast. We conclude a four-part overview of the entire Bible in a series that traces the drama of redemption. Later Erwin Blitzer will take us on a tour of the entire book of Revelation. Our service today begins with joyous singing will be like 10 virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

Five of them were foolish and five their land. They took no why took flask of oil with their land and the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept, but at midnight there was a crying Graham to me and then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps and went to the Y give us some of your oil are going but the wise answered, saying, since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealer and buy for yourselves. And while they were going out to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who are ready went in with him to the marriage feast and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us but he answered them, truly I say to you I do not know you watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour you will and in will will will will will will and in and in all. Thank you so much for being here today. Joining with me on a journey at this time.

I want you to make sure that your tray tables and your seatbacks are in the upright position. I want you to put on your seatbelts because we are going to take a flight that will last no more than 30 or 35 minutes and in that flight we are going to see the entire book of Revelation, we will cover all 22 chapters. The good thing about this flight is that all of you have a window seat and you will be able to look out of the window and you'll be able to see the landscape throughout the whole time.

I don't have any notes with me today. That wasn't intentional.

I couldn't find them this morning but God will that I not need them. And so what were going to do is to look at the book of Revelation.

I want you to turn to it and just in case you didn't bring your Bible because you forgot it. All members and those who attend church regularly bring their Bibles but I can imagine that there's someone here who did. I think it's going to be on page 1028 of the pew Bibles you really do need a Bible for this particular trip across the landscape notice why I want to preach this message because it says in verse three of chapter 1 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and those who keep what is written in it for the time is near. This is one of seven different blessings in the book and this one says blessed are you if you read it out loud. Of course, in churches, in those days people could read for the most part, so there would be a reader who would be brought in and he would read it and then blessed are those who hear and you are going to hear or read parts of it I will quote parts of it and when I do. By the way I'm quoting from the King James which is the translation that I learned many years as a teenager and also in Bible college and so were going to hear and we are going to keep this this word of God. You see there many people have a mental block against the Scriptures, they have that mental block because especially the book of Revelation seems to be so complicated and they've looked at charts and they want to know where it all fits in the early church didn't have charts they didn't know where it all fits and they didn't see this scheme is lady about which there is disagreement and yet the Bible says as special blessing upon you to hear the word of God.

This book this book especially and to keep it. You can benefit from the book of Revelation. Even if we don't understand all the details. I want you to leave here today excited about this book. I want you to become someone who says that it is my most favorite book in all of the Bible. Blessed are those who listen and you hear parts of this book are going to take our breath away, but were going to begin in just a moment.

Notice in verse nine.

John says that he was a brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and patient endurance. He says I was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. He was there as a prisoner, probably he was working in the minds that is believed because he was a believer. He was being persecuted and it is there that he received this marvelous revelation. The island of Patmos is a beautiful beautiful island.

Rebecca and I had the chance to be there this past summer. As you approach the island you can see its beauty. And then once you're on an island. You can see there a sign that says to the cave of the apocalypse. So of course we took that sign and we went to the cave. When you get to the entrance, you will become somewhat discouraged because I am of course skeptical as to whether or not this is the cave in which John received his revelation, but when you go inside there is something that impresses you on the ceiling.

There is a crack. Now this cave is naturally out of rock and there is a crack on the rock and tradition says that when the voice of Jesus came to John that says the voice like that of a trumpet, it split the rock and so when we were there in the cave. We got an idea of what it might be like for John to be there if indeed it is authentic and it might be and then when you leave the cave you can see the landscape, probably much like it was even during the time of John, now the text tells us the outline of the book in verse 19 God is speaking, Christ is speaking right.

Therefore, the things that you have seen, that's the vision of chapter 1 the glorious vision of Jesus. The right the things that you have seen those that are that's the chapters 2 and three. The seven churches, and those things that are to take place after this. And it's the after this that is going to attract our attention turn to chapter 4. You'll notice that after the letters are written to the seven churches. Chapter 4 after this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven and the first voice which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said come up here and I will show you what must take place after this. And John is transported to heaven now, it is often believed and that it's the position of Moody Church in Moody Bible Institute that the coming of Jesus is really in two phases. First of all, you have the rapture of the church. First Thessalonians 4 where we as believers are caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and then sometime after that, at least seven years after that, it may be longer.

You have the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ with his saints and hear if you believe in the pre-tribulation will rapture as we do. It is here that you will put the rapture. Isn't it interesting that in the rest of the book of Revelation know where else in the rest of the book, does it refer to the church. I hinted that the church is no longer on earth.

The body of Christ has been snatched up now, of course, because this is controversial.

We here at the church also accept other views, but if you have seen the charts with the rapture. This is where it would be an John in chapters 4 and five sees heaven as no one has ever seen it but I hear we are introduced to what is called apocalyptic literature and notice how John writes I'm picking it up in verse six, he's trying to describe what he sees, but he doesn't have the words he doesn't have the categories don't notice it says before the throne there was as it were, a sea of glass like Crystal. We continue to read around the throne and on each side of the throne are four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind the first living creature is like a lion, the second living creature is alike to noncitizens and oxidizing the lion. John is seeing this marvelous vision and all that he can do is use analogies all the way through the other day I was reading chapter 8 about some of the judgments and there are 13 times at least the word like is used. It was like locusts and it was like fire and the face of someone like a man on it on because because he's seeing things that can't really be described and the best he can do is to use analogies to help us to at least begin to think about what it is that he is saying. Remember when the apostle Paul was called into heaven. He says that he heard things that were not lawful for any man to utter. There's another translation.

An equally good translation that would indicate I saw things that I cannot utter I can't describe it like trying to someone as suggested describe electricity to a primitive tribe and how are you going to do that. All that you can do is use analogies wealth electricity is something like a an unseen spirit that runs along things like that.

Look like vines and and on and on and on and apocalyptic literature has to be that way because we can get our minds around it. Chapter 5 the dramatic event occurs. You'll notice that in the midst of the throne he sees of the right hand of him who is seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

I saw strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals and no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into why is John crying.

This scroll contains the title deed of the universe. It'll have the answer to the question, what about all the martyrs did they die in vain. Is there no justice for them. What about to Christians throughout the centuries who believed in heaven. Is there no heaven, no permanent abode at stake is nothing less than this question are the promises of God worthy to be believed or are they not is the purpose of God is going to be fulfilled, or will the purposes of God as he wraps up.

History will they be aborted. That's the question then well might John weep.

But, oh then then when he weeps the angel says the elder rather weep no more behold of the lion of the tribe of Judah and the root of David as conquered so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals and again were introduced to apocalyptic literature review have metaphors that are the mixing of metaphors. It is a lion that is going to open the book but no lion appears in the addition to that, instead of a lion we have in verse six the Lamb I saw Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes of you ever seen a lamb with 707 eyes, no, but the Lamb of course is Jesus the lion is Jesus.

The seven horns indicate authority and kingship and then the seven eyes, his omniscience, seeing everything in the world and beyond and you'll notice that these are the seven spirits of God that permeate the earth, does that mean that we now give up on the Trinity, because there are seven spirits of God, of course not.

Just like the eyes are symbolic of his ability to see all things. The seven spirits indicate the fullness of the Holy Spirit as it permeates the entire universe, and on it goes. And now we come to the seals, remember this that this scroll was wrapped up and then you'd unwrap it a piece for chapter 1 and then there was another seal and that would be broken and that would be chapter 2 chapter 3 in all the way along the line. Have you ever been at a party. Usually it happens at a party where you want to give someone a gift and you give them a real big box and then within that box there's another box there's another box and another box and you get to box number seven and box number seven has seven boxes and then you get to the seventh of that series and that one also has seven boxes. That's the way the judgments are in the book of Revelation, and that's why at this time. It is so critical for you to look at the chart which was in your bulletin today. Please turn to it now. Your chart has two different sides to it. One says, and the time prophecy. That's not the one you want to be looking at right now. Look at the one that says the outline of revelation and notice the judgments. Do you see that the seal judgments are chapter 6 and then we have the trumpet judgments eight and nine and then the seven bowls or saucers with their judgments is chapter 16. So if you wanted to just read all the judgments of the book of Revelation.

You could read chapter 6809 and 16 and you'd have them all and it is best to see one is the continuation of the other. Even though there are some reasons that I won't go into where it appears at first that it doesn't fit.

But the point is, these are the judgments that God is going to heap upon the earth.

These are different than all the persecutions that the church is ever endured, because throughout revelation it will say this is the wrath of God on God bless sinful humanity.

Now let's look at the first seals of chapter 6 very briefly.

He opens them end of the first one is nothing less than false peace. There's someone writing on a right white horse and he has. He has the ability to conquer the second one clearly is war. You'll notice it says he's permitted to take peace from the earth. The third one, verse five, I heard the living creatures say, and it's a black horse its famine and then you have Jeff in verse seven and this happens to be the fourth seal, but I want you to notice the next seal. The fifth seal number nine is verse nine.

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne they cried out with a loud voice owes sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth, and they were each given a white robe and to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brother should be complete who were to be killed as they themselves had been parenthesis have ever wondered what the people in heaven today are like they don't have their resurrection bodies. Yet, my father, who died in 106.

What is he doing. What does he look like Kenny communicate with others will obviously the answers yes these folks don't have their resurrection bodies there waiting for justice and for their bodies. But notice that the soul takes on the characteristics of the body and so the fifth seal isn't a judgment per se.

It's a little vignette into heaven, and on and on. The seals go you say well okay if the seals are chapter 6 and that the trumpet judgments began their eight and nine. What's all the intervening chapters.

The intervening chapters are sidebars.

They are sidebars and we know for sure that they are not chronological and the reason is because every once in a while you have this vision of the return of Jesus.

And then you go down to earth again, and this is why the book becomes confusing and why it elicits some disagreement is people disagree regarding these schedule the chronology and that's why I haven't included any chronology in the chart. As such accept the general chronology that is very clear because I don't want you to get hung up on the chronology as much as on the events themselves. Remember, even if we don't understand exactly where they all fit. We can benefit from the book and blessed is the person who hears who reads and who does the words of this prophecy, and by the way, the reason prophecies complicated as you add to this the book of Daniel, which has many prophecies you add easy kill Ezekiel talks about Russia. And then he names that a lot of countries, most of which are MIDI, Eastern Middle Eastern countries, particularly the Islamic nations going up against Jerusalem and God destroying them. How do you fit it all in. That's why prophecy is complicated, but today were going to keep it simple. Even I'm well aware that this message is going to stir up a lot more rabbits than I'm able to shoot home right now, you're with me. Chapter 7 tells us that people are going to be saved during the tribulation. It tells us that God is going to seal 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each tribe and they are going to be sealed and believe it or not they're going to go all the way through the tribulation and not one of them is going to die. We know that later. From chapter 14 and it could be that they are the ones who were sealed in God sovereignly saves them and through their witness in the tribulation.

You have a great multitude that no man can number in chapter in chapter 7. Here, beginning at verse nine and then know John already sees them as being in heaven and I have to I have to give you these verses.

Verse 15 therefore they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple.

And he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence they shall hunger no more, neither first anymore. The sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat for the Lamb is in the midst of the throne he will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, while chapter 8 and nine. We now come to the trumpet judgments the trumpet judgments are so severe you can read them on your own. But there are hailstones fish of the sea. 1/3 of them are dying when you get to chapter 10. It is an encouragement for John and Chapter 11 tells us about two witnesses, and many people think that they are Moses and Elijah and they witness all during the tribulation. They do miracles.

But they are a threat. They are a threat to the antichrist and when they are put to death. Everybody rejoices. It's a premature Christmas they sent one of the another gifts and then at the end they are raised and are taken to heaven. That's why people think that it may be Moses and Elijah, but they're not identified. When you get to the seventh trumpet. It is the return of Christ in verse 15. But here's the point I want to make when you think of the judgment still to come. The bowls or the vials as they are called they end up also with the return of Christ and that's why we say that inherent within the trumpets themselves and this seventh trumpet also is the other judgments that indicates that they are indeed connected chapter 12. What an interesting chapter Satan pursues Israel, Satan has always hated Israel to the Jews and the woman who gives birth to the child and the child is obviously Jesus is his Israel, and Satan pursues that Satan is cast out of heaven for sale what the world is he doing there. Well, the Bible says that he accuses the saints day and night you look at the book of Job or Satan comes in begins to talk to God about Job there is that kind of dialogue taking place in the heavens and Satan is so angry.

It says that when he was thrown down to earth.

He was so angry I love it there in verse 12 he has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short. I can hardly wait for Satan's time to be very, very short. Do we have any takers out there today. Chapter 13 is all about antichrist and and it takes your breath away when you realize that God gives them already. You'll notice it says in verse seven he was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.

And authority was given to it.

That is, to the beast over every tribe and people in language and nation. You think all my Jesus has surrendered his authority.

It's given to antichrist.

All who dwell upon the earth will worship him.

Well, wait till you read the end of the book and that's where you have the mark of the beast, and so forth.

In chapter 14, you have a vision of these 144,000. They have remained Chase. They were not involved in sexual immorality. That's the idea of the text throughout all this, and they get a brand-new song. Listen to this.

It says, verse three and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders and this was a song that Tim cannot sing and not even Scott Griffin can play on the piano. I'm serious.

It says no one could learn that song except the hundred and 44,000 had been redeemed from the earth, so they get a special song they belong to a special choir last part of the chapter is terrifying.

I will not read it to you all comment on that. At the end of the message. Chapter 15 introduces now the bowls and it says you'll notice that the wrath of God is finished in 15 verse one and as I indicated chapter 16 are now the seven judgments of the bowls and these judgments also take your breath away. You'll notice that the Bible says that there is an earthquake, the likes of which has never yet happened upon the earth. We think Hades bad.

This is going to be an earthquake throughout the whole earth. The Bible says and it says in verse 21 and great hailstones, about 100 pounds each, fell from heaven on people and they cursed God for the plague of hail because the blade was so severe, but you know what the people do not repent on and on it goes on to say, even though they were gnawing their tongues in pain, they would not repent judgment usually hardens hearts. One time my wife and I had done someone at home who is doing some work for us. And of course I was witnessing to him and he was basically an atheist, and he says if there's a hell let God. Send me there and I'm going to spend all of eternity.

Defying him that is gotta go down in history as the most stupid foolish comment that I have ever heard you are defying God forever when all that you would need to do is to repent of your sin and acknowledge your need of a Savior, and be ready for heaven and your defiance of God is going to add to his own justice and glory.

It'll be to your hurt and no one else's. But the human heart is wicked there all kinds of passages that tell us that that they even say mountains and rocks, fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, but they will not repent of their sins.

Some do. Many do not know when we come to chapter 17 what can be said about this.

There is a prostitute that is riding a beast and that you'll notice it says in verse five on her for head 17 five was written the name of ministry.

Babylon the great mother of prostitutes and theorists abominations. This is false religion, and she rides the beast to his antichrist and the antichrist uses her, but in the end he hates her, throws her off destroys or what's going on there.

Antichrist is going to use false religion is going to use false religion, but ultimately he's going to destroy all the religions put himself up as God and ask all people to worship him. That's why this probably relates to earlier in the sequence when antichrist is gaining power at the beginning of the tribulation. Chapter 18 read it and weep. This is now commercial Babylon.

Some people think Babylon might be rebuilt.

I don't know if that's true, but whether it is or not, whether this is symbolic.

This is the end of commerce as we know it when I read it I think of New York City I think of Wall Street. For example, chapter 18 it says in verse 11 and the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her since no one buys their cargo anymore cargoes of gold and on and on it goes. And then it says in verse 15 the merchants of these wearers who gained wealth from her will stand afar off in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning allowed alas for the great city that was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet adorned with gold with jewels and pearls for a single hour all of his wealth has been laid. That's what the judgments will do, it will and to commerce as we know it when you get a new car and you are so concerned as to whether or not it's going to get a scratch, relax, relax. In the end it'll totally be destroyed in the person parking next to you only begins what's going to be an ultimate promise while no wonder Peter says what manner of people at we to be an old conversation and godliness. Knowing that all these things are going to be destroyed now. Chapter 1919 2021 and 22 are in sequence will be glad to know we finally have a sequence. Chapter 19 opens with the marriage supper of the Lamb and that's where we will be if we are enraptured as many of us believe we will be and we will be having the marriage supper of the Lamb. You'll have to admit that there is no relationship with such ecstasy and joy is the marital relationship between a man and a woman in a good marriage and God dares to use that as an example of our relationship with him. This is a time of breathtaking.

Breathtaking fellowship and beauty and purity Jesus meeting with his saints. And then there is another description of the return of Christ throughout the book of Revelation. As I mentioned, because the chronology is not what we perhaps might wish it to have been other many descriptions of the return, but I suppose there is none like this one that includes us in the glorious return of Christ. Verse 11 of chapter 19. Then I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse. This now is Jesus, the one sitting on it is called faithful and true, and in righteousness he judges and makes his eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadem's and he has a name that no one knows but himself.

He is clothed in a row dipped in blood, and it has the name which is called the word of God and the armies of heaven arrayed in fine linen, white and pure were following him on white horses. That's us folks if we trusted Jesus from his mouth. Yes, we can clap after I'm finished, let's do that okay from his mouth comes a sharp sword with it to strike down the nations. He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty on his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, let's hear it now for him King of Kings and Lord of the Lord and then that his judgment is described. Chapter 20 talks about a period of peace for thousand years to get theologians get this idea of the millennium. If you take your chart and turn it on the other side, you'll notice that it says the church age tribulation seven years.

Millennium a thousand years worded that they pull that out well in the Old Testament. This period of peace was predicted in the New Testament. Here in chapter 26 times you have a reference to a thousand years, and by the way, have you been scared to be beheaded for the faith. You'll notice it says those who die in the tribulation who are beheaded, it says they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. This is verse four. Everything is a thousand years and then at the end of the thousand years Satan is bound during the thousand years and at the end of the thousand years what you have is the final judgment and now it is time for you to simply catch your breath. I hadn't planned on quoting it, but I'll see how I do, I beheld a great white throne and him that sat on the before, whose face the earth and the heavens fled away, and there was found no place for them. But I saw the dead, small and great stand before God and the books were opened.

And another book was opened, which is the book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which are written on the book and the sea gave up the dead which were in attend death and Hades delivered up the dead which where in them than they were judged, every man according to what was in the books, and death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second half while all of the people who appear at this judgment or unbelievers.

They have one thing in common they are kings they are poppers they are rich, they are poor there from every nation and every religion but they share one thing and that is they don't have the righteousness that God requires to enter into heaven because they didn't receive the gift of Jesus.

I promise you that if God gives me health and if I'm still around for a few months and maybe even years, who knows. I promise you I will preach an entire message on chapters 21 and 22 that beauty beauty of heaven is overwhelming. John sees this new heaven and new earth come down from God out of heaven as a bride adorned for her husband and here's a great voice, saying, behold all things are new and lots of things won't be there. No more crying, more death, but the most beautiful thing about it is, it says, behold, the dwelling place of God is with men.

He will dwell with them, they will be his people, God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There shall be no more death, nor pain for the former things are passed away all the way from the beginning beginning in Leviticus and Exodus God says I want to dwell with my people want to dwell with them, and God can't dwell with them, like you'd like to because of sin. It is true that God dwells with us as his people, but his dwelling always has to be mediated because sin keeps getting in the way.

Imagine a time nothing but purity nothing but holiness and we dwell directly on mediated with God.

What does the book of Revelation teach us what is the bottom line. Let me give you three very quickly. First of all, the great divide the great divide. I read this book and I wish that you know I read it nice. They were all the people who weren't quite good enough to go to heaven but they're not bad enough for hell either where they know where Cedar Hill or heaven book of Revelation is really the tale of two cities Babylon and Jerusalem, or the tale of two women. If you wish the prostitute and the bride of Christ. It's either one or the other. Either you have enough righteousness to enter into heaven or you don't. Last week I was speaking in Palm Springs and am the man who took us to the airport, said, you know that Frank Sinatra is just buried in the cemetery just across from us and I said well pick us up early on the way to the airport tomorrow and let's go see Frank's grave. What you think was on Frank Sinatra's grave, I know you're thinking I did it my way, but that is what was on his grave. It was a different song entitled the best is yet to come out of the tree of life. I just picked me up plumbing you came along and everything started to hum. Still, it's a real good that the best is yet to come. It's about a romance I want to judge Frank Sinatra let God be as judge but look at what it says in the book of Revelation. Now were in chapter 22. This is the last beatitude in the book. By the way of the seven verse 14 of chapter 22. Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they might have the right to the tree of life, and that they may enter into the city by the gates God is Frank Sinatra's judge, but if he did not wash his robes that he would have the right to enter into the city by the gates for him the best was not to come. I see this great divide. That's the first thing I have to ask you today.

Have you washed your robes, I mean have you been cleansed by the blood of Christ. See, there is no other way. Don't tell me that you think another religion is as good it can't be because it doesn't have a Savior.

Teachers maybe, but no Savior able to cleanse you from sin that you might be washed and entering the city, it says outside of the city are dogs that is perverse people, sorcerers, sexually immoral murders, idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood and the way you get from verse 15 to 14 is you have your robes washed many people will be in heaven who were sorcerers, sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters there going to be there in heaven. Why, because of verse 14.

They washed their robes by receiving Christ as Savior. Apart from that, I'm just reading the text.

So first of all, the great divide.

Second, the length of eternity time is short eternity as long you know that little phrase forever never occurs 13 times in the book of Revelation. It talks about hell the smoke of their torment. I didn't read this in chapter 14 because it's too terrifying but it says the smoke of their torment goes on forever and ever.

And then regarding us.

It says, we will reign forever and ever. I don't have time to tell you along. Eternity is I guess it would take me in eternity really read it and we finally, I marvel at the absolute total, unquestioned triumph of Jesus.

Chapter 13 K chapter 13 antichrist is given power over people that he can even have power over the saints and kill them in all the world worships him.

Now listen to this chapter 15 and I saw as it were, a sea of glass mingled with fire in them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his number and over his mark and they stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God, and they sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb, saying, great and marvelous are thy works, old Lord God Almighty just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints who shall not fear the old Lord, and glorify thy name who comes out triumphant Jesus, King of Kings, Lord of lords. Things are not as they appear to be in chapter 13, because chapter 15 is coming, and then you think of the chaos in the world and you think of the beauty of heaven and I beheld a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne and from the Lamb and in the midst of the street of it out on either side of the river, was there the tree of life which gives its fruit every month and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations and there shall be no more curse, for the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall worship him, and they shall see his face and his name shall be on their foreheads. And there is no need of the sun for the Lord God gives them light, they shall reign with him forever and ever. While he that testified these things saith, behold, I come quickly. Even so, Lord Jesus. Let's bow for their some of you for whom this message was especially meant you have never trusted Christ as Savior.

You have never been washed and purified through his sacrifice. Oh, that you might have the right to enter the city the way you do it is you receive Christ to say on the center.

I deserve judgment, but I received the gift of eternal life. Do it right now we are seated in the balcony on the lower floor.

Here the sanctuary of Moody Church you're watching by Internet listening on the radio right now. You receive Christ say Jesus. I believe you and I receive you as my Savior. Father confirm that decision in the lives of many today and we pray those of us who love him. Pray. Even so, Jesus and in will and in and on today's Moody Church over students are spoke on the New Testament to the last of four messages in a series on the drama of redemption.

We hope today's overview of Revelation will help you put all the pieces of the Bible together in a grand unity of purpose. The drama of redemption series helps us make sense of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

We'd like to put this four-part series in your hands on either CD or DVD is our way of saying thanks for your gift of any amount Moody Church. Our just call us at 1-800-215-5001. Ask about the drama of redemption. When you call 1-800-215-5801 or you can write to us at Moody Church media 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, IL 60614 also you can go online moodyoffer.com that's Moody offer all one word.com join us next week for another Moody Church.

Our with pastor Erwin Blitzer in the congregation of historic Moody Church in Chicago. This broadcast is a ministry of The Moody Church