The New Testament Part 2 #1

Looking to Jesus written in apocalyptic language rich in symbolism. The book of Revelation to be the glorious return of Jesus. The resurrection of the judgments, the millennial reign and then eternity which follows church in Chicago. This is one teaching helps us make cross the finish line. Revelation is a mysterious book in many ways.

Some see its prophecies as having already been fulfilled.

Others see them as foretelling entirely future events. Where do you come down on this day.

First of all let me say the chapters 1 through three are very historical list the letters to the seven churches. When you get to chapter 4 in heaven is opened and John begins to describe heaven.

I believe then that we are talking about future events and one of those future events actually is the coming of someone who is known as antichrist. I have in my hands a book I've written, entitled, when a nation forgets God. Seven lessons.

We must learn from Nazi Germany.

If you ask me how the antichrist will be.

Perhaps Hitler is a bit of a prototype, but there are lessons to be learned about the economy propaganda at the role of law for a gift of any amount. This book can be yours. Here's what you do go to RTW offer.com RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337.

Now let us open our Bibles and let us contemplate how it's all going to and thank you so much for being here today and 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 route. 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 attended a church regularly bring their Bibles but I can imagine that there's someone here who didn't. 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 and regular read parts of it and 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 the us this word of God is either. 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 he 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. In 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 Deb 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, and 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.

It 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 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 into phases.

First of all, you have the rapture of the church. First Thessalonians 4 were 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 same 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, but John is seeing this marvelous vision and all of that he can do is use analogies all the way through. Yesterday 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 an audit is because because if he 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 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, 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 the lion that is going to open the book but no lion appears in the edition 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 70 horns and seven 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 someone writing on her 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 that 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 noise.

Those 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 the schedule. The chronology and that's why I haven't included any chronology in the chart. As such, except 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 prophecy is complicated as you add to this the book of Daniel, which has many prophecies you add EZ Kilroy 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 are 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 are 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 will my friend.

Isn't it wonderful to know that we don't have to know how to hold fits together to still rejoice in the triumph of Jesus Christ and the fact that he is returning to make this world right and just let me ask you a question. Are you acquainted with someone who said these words. Your children belong to the right. They are ours already and what he went on to say is that you can clothe them.

You can feed them, but their hearts belong to us. Well, if you know anything about history.

You already know that those were the kinds of words that Adolf Hitler spoke to the German nation in my book entitled when a nation forgets God. Seven lessons. We must learn from Nazi Germany.

One of the lessons has to do with parental control over education and water. Children are taught and I point out that there is a similarity actually between Nazi Germany's teaching of children and what is even happening in America today for a gift of any amount.

This book can be yours. Here's what you do go to RTW offer.com RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337, when a nation forgets God. The seven lessons we must learn from Nazi Germany. Thank you so much in advance for helping us as we continue to help you make it across the finish line.

You can write to us running to win 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, IL 60614 running to win is all about helping you understand God's roadmap for your race of life drama of redemption began even in missions with new heavens and a new earth dear the redeemed find themselves on streets of gold in the new Jerusalem. On our next running to win the grand finale to the marvelous plan. God set in motion before the world began the plan to redeem lost sinners.

Thanks for listening for Dr. Erwin lutes are this is Dave McAllister running to win his sponsor by the Moody church