THE KEYS--REVELATION 1:18--MATTHEW 16:19

THE KEYS
REVELATION 1:18--MATTHEW 16:19

Revelation 1:18. “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Matthew 16:19, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Introduction:

The Bible speaks of only tow sets of keys. The church was given the first set of keys by Christ during His public ministry on the earth. These keys are of great importance and the local church controls the use of these keys.

The second set of keys is in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ. These keys have an effect on the lives of every man on the earth. No one will escape the effect of these keys if he does not take advantage of the keys that Jesus gave the church.

I. THE FIRST SET OF KEYS.

Matthew 16:19, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

A. The keys of the preaching of the Word of God. Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

1. It is the church that has the responsibility to preach the Word of God.

2. Man has the responsibility of accepting the Word of God, Romans 4:3, “For what saith the scripture? ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS COUNTED UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

B. The Keys of the preaching of the Truth. John 8:32, 36: “And ye shall know the truth, an the truth shall make you free. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

1. Knowledge of the truth is the key that opens many doors.

a. The door of liberty.

b. The door of democracy.

2. Knowledge of the truth in Christ frees man from the greatest burden of life, SIN. Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

II. THE SECOND SET OF KEYS.

A. Jesus Christ has this set of keys. Revelation 1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

1. A key for the door of death.

a. The death of the body – separation of the soul from the body terminating life upon the earth.

b. This word in the Greek has the idea of misery because of sin that began on the earth, but continues and grows after death in Hell.

2. Another key is to the door of Hell.

a. Hades, In Biblical Greek it is associated with Orcus, the infernal regions, a dark and dismal place in the very depths of the earth, the common receptacle of disembodied spirits. Usually Hades is just the abode of the wicked, Luke 16:23, Rev. 20:13,14; a very uncomfortable place. Luke 16:23, “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

b. This key also opens the Lake of Fire, the SECOND DEATH, Revelation 20:13-15, “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

1) The BELIEVER IN CHRIST dies only once.

2) The UNBELIEVER dies TWO TIMES.

a) A physical death.

b) A spiritual death (the second death) when he is cast into the Lake of Fire.

B. Do not wait to trust Christ as your Savior.

1. Time is not on your side, 2 Corinthians 6:2, “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

2. Jesus invites you to come, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

CONCLUSION

Jesus has the keys of death and hell in His hands. If you leave this life without trusting Jesus as your Savior, that key to hell will turn in the lock to open the door to hell for you to enter for all eternity. There is not second change after death.

But there is time right now! Don’t put it off! Tomorrow never comes! You have today, now. RIGHT NOW!!!!!!

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST TO YOU?--REVELATION 1:1-8

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST TO YOU?

REVELATION 1:1-8

Introduction:

A few months ago I preached a message of a similar title, but this message has a different message. I hope you will listen with your heart open to receive this message from the Lord.

God has blessed us with so much, the least of which is our freedom to preach and hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am afraid that our freedom has become a license to sin by not giving the Lord His due in our lives.

I. HE IS THE FAITHFUL WITNESS, v. 5.

A. He spoke with authority, Matt. 7:29, “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

B. He is the faithful witness, Rev. 1:5, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness.”

C. He is my example.

1. Of faithfulness, Heb. 3:1-2, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.”

2. Of authority and power, Matt. 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” The word “POWER” can be translated “authority” as well. It come from two Greek words, “εκ” – “from” - and “ειμι”- “I AM” MEANING: FROM THE I AM.

3. Of loyalty,

a. Loyalty is faithfulness, 1 Thess. 5:24, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

b. Loyalty is fear of God, 2 Cor.7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

c. Loyalty is humility, 1 Pe. 5:5, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

4. Of a good ministry, Acts 6:4, “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” 1 Cor. 16:15, “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)”

II. HE IS THE FIRST BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD, v. 5.

A. He was raised from the dead, 1 Cor. 15:4, “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

B. He lives today and we shall live also, 1 Cor. 15:22-23, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”

III. HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVED US, v. 5.

A. He gave Himself a Propitiation for our sins, Rom. 3:25, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”

B. He washed us from our sins, v. 5, “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”

C. He made us sons of God, 1 Jo. 3:1, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”

D. He made us priests and kings, v. 6, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

IV. HE IS OUR HOPE.

A. He is the author of our faith, Heb. 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

B. He is our hope for the future, Jo. 14:3, “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.”

CONCLUSION:

Who is Jesus Christ to you? Is he your Savior? Is He who you live for?

If the answer to these questions is not “YES” then you have something wrong in your life. Jesus has done everything for you and He desires to be the one that sets on the throne of your life.

Taken from a message by Ron Thomas at Fellowship at the Birdwell Ln. BC, Big Spring, TX - 1999.

THE URGENCY OF KNOWING THE TRUTH--REVELATION 1:3

THE URGENCY OF KNOWING THE TRUTH

REVELATION 1:3

Introduction:

Jesus came to His home town and entered the synagogue and open God’s Word and began to read, Luke 4:16, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.”

This is the place where He was not readily accepted, yet He knew the need of these people hearing and knowing the Word of God. This was an URGENT NEED and the Lord treated it as such.

Today the need is even more urgent than at any time in history. Paul wrote in Romans 13:11, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” The NEED TO KNOW IS MORE URGENT NOW than at any time since God created this world.

I. THE BLESSEDNESS OF BEING INFORMED

A. Blessed is he that reads the words of this prophecy, Luke 4:16, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.”

1. Moses read the Word of God before the people, Exodus 24:7, “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.”

2. Joshua faithfully read the Word of God, Joshua 8:34, “And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.”

3. The effect of reading the Word of God, 2 Corinthians 3:2, “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:”

a. Lives were blessed, 2 Chronicles 31:10, “And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.”

b. Men are blessed who keep the sayings of the Word of God, Revelation 22:7, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”

B. Blessed is he that hears the words of this prophecy, Luke 11:28, “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”

1. Not everyone who claims to be a Believer will hear God, Matthew 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

2. Blessed are those that hear and seek the Lord with their whole heart, Psalms 119:2, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

a. Faith is seen in the doers of the Word, James 1:22, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

b. Those who not ONLY HEAR, but also KEEP those things, Romans 2:13, “(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”

II. THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY BE DONE

A. To show His SERVANTS, Revelation 22:6, “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.”

B. To PREACH the SAYINGS of this prophecy, Revelation 22:10, “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.”

1. Jesus sent His disciples to preach, Matthew 10:7, “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

2. Jesus Himself preached, Matthew 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

3. Jesus sent His Church to preach, Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

4. Paul admonished Timothy to preach in season and out of season, 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

a. WARNING every man, Colossians 1:28, “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”

b. NOT JUST at home, but to every tongue and people, Revelation 14:6, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,”

C. Another Gospel is being preached by Satan’s emissaries, Galatians 1:9, “As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

1. Our enemy works hard, 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

2. The Devil is aware of the time, Matthew 8:29, “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?”

CONCLUSION:

The TIME is SHORT and the HARVEST IS PLENTEOUS, Matthew 9:37-38, “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Are we praying and preaching?

THE SECOND DEATH--REVELATION 20: 13-14

THE SECOND DEATH
REVELATION 20: 13-14

“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

Introduction:

There are three things in these verses that I would like to note: 1) The word “death;” 2) The word “hell; 3) The phrase “the second death.” Let us examine these three words and phrases and when I terminate, I hope that you all will understand the danger that exist today.

I. Death, What Is It?

A. Death is the cessation of life in the human body.

1. God put the breath of life into man, Genesis 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

2. Man disobeyed God and suffered the penalty, Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

B. Capital Punishment, the death penalty, Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

II. Hell, Does It Exist or Not?

A. What is it?

1. A place prepared for the Devil and his angels, Matthew 25:41, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”

2. It is also a place for those who reject Jesus as Savior, those who have no faith in Christ. Religion is not enough (“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22-23).

B. Does hell really exist? YES!!! Luke 16:22-25.

1. It is a place of torment, v. 23.

2. It is a place of flames, without water, v. 24.

3. It is a place where sinners can see the saints of God in the paradise of God adding to the agony of their disbelief, vs. 23, 25.

C. He who is not born twice (John 3:3, 5-6) will suffer the second death in hell.

III. THE SECOND DEATH

Revelations 20:14, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

A. Who will suffer this second death? Revelations 20:15, “and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

B. Look at the examples in the Word of God,

2 Peter 2:4-8:

1. The fallen angels, v. 4.

2. The world in Noah’s time and the flood.

3. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah – only the believers were saved.

Judas 6-7, “ And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

CONCLUSION:

Those that have faith em Jesus Christ as Savior have no danger of hell, neither the second death, but the unbeliever is in grave danger.

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST--REVELATION 1:1-9

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

REVELATION 1:1-9

Introduction:

This book does not contain “revelations,” but is ONE GREAT REVELATION. Its name is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.”

The word “revelation” means “unveiling” or “uncovering.” Thus this book reveals God’s plans for the future of mankind and especially for those who have received His Son, Jesus Christ, as their personal Savior.

John was on “the isle that is called Patmos”

I. THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY COME TO PASS

A. God gave the Revelation to His Son, v. 1; Amos 3:7, “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

1. God has raised up a PROPHET like unto Moses, Deuteronomy 18:18, “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”

a. The very SON of God, THE MEDIATOR between man and God, 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

b. This Revelation is of A BETTER COVENANT, Hebrews 12:24, “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”

2. The PROPHET SENT by God TO ISRAEL was NOT WELL RECEIVED, Mark 6:4, “But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.”

a. Jesus was REJECTED by His people, John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

b. However, Jesus was FAITHFUL to FULFILL the WILL of His Father, John 17:4, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”

c. Jesus FINISHED the WORK of REDEMPTION, John 19:30, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

B. The Son of God gave the Revelation TO HIS SERVANT, John, v.1; Revelation 22:6, “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.”

C. John gave the Revelation TO THE CHURCHES, v. 11, “Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”

D. The churches gave the Revelation TO THE WORLD, Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

II. JOHN BEAR RECORD…

A. Of the WORD of God, John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

1. Jesus is the Word of God INCARNATE, John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)full of grace and truth.”

2. John KNEW the “WORD OF LIFE,” the Lord Jesus, PERSONALLY, 1 John 1:1-2, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)”

B. Of the TESTIMONY of Jesus Christ, John 19:35, “And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.”

1. John was a WITNESS of the MINISTRY of Christ, 1 John 1:3, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

2. This IS the VERY SON of God, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

C. Of ALL THE THINGS he saw, v. 2; v. 19, “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;”

1. John made a FAIR and FAITHFUL RECORD of what he saw, John 21:24, “This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.”

2. The PURPOSE of John’s record was “THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE,” John 19:35, “And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.”

a. John VERIFIED that the Father HAD SENT His Son to be the SAVIOR of the world, 1 John 4:14, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”

b. He VERIFIED the TESTIMONY of the Son of God, Acts 4:20, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

CONCLUSION:

John was a faithful witness and a faithful writer of what the Lord had revealed to him. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” is most important document ever given to mankind.

It is THE MESSAGE OF LIFE. The Lord Himself declared in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

THE NEW EARTH AND NEW HEAVEN--REVELATION 21:1-8

THE NEW EARTH AND NEW HEAVEN

REVELATION 21:1-8

Key verse: v. 1, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”

Introduction:

History as we know it will have come to an end and God prepares to purify everything that sin had contaminated. The Devil is in the Lake of Fire with all of his fallen angels as are the Antichrist and the False Prophet. All unbelievers have been judged and sent to their eternal abode in the Lake of Fire.

Now God opens a new chapter in the history of man – that of the eternal bliss in the presence of the God of heaven. Consider what He plans to do:

I. A NEW WORLD IS CREATED, v. 1.

A. The new heaven.

1. The Lord starts with heaven because it was contaminated by Satan rebellion.

2. This is the only reference to the new heaven in the Bible.

B. The new earth.

1. Satan has contaminated the earth with his presence.

2. Satan contaminated the earth as he tried to convince man to rebel against the God of heaven, Genesis 3:1-5

II. A NEW WORLD FOR A NEW MAN, vs.3-8.

A. The changes that God will make regarding the born-again man, vs. 3-7.

1. God will dwell with man, v. 3, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

2. God will do away with some things that have plagued man, v. 4, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

a. No more tears, Revelation 7:17, “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

1) No more death, Isaiah 25:8, “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.” 1 Corinthians 15:26, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”

2) No more sorrow, Isaiah 35:10, “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

b. No more pain because there will be no sickness.

3. The beauties of Eden will be restored, Isaiah 55:13, “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

B. The description of who will not qualify to live in God’s heaven, v. 8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

1. The fearful, those too timid to receive Christ as Savior for fear of man, Proverbs 29:25, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”

2. The unbelieving, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 16:9, “Of sin, because they believe not on me;”

3. The abominable, the Greek word means, “to stink,” perhaps referring to those that pollute their own bodies, Romans 1:26-27.

a. Adoration of Images, Deuteronomy 27:15 “Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.”

b. Cheating the customer, Deuteronomy 25:13-16, “Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. 14 Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small. 15 But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 16 For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God.”

c. Incest, Leviticus 18:18 ”Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.”

d. Sodomy, Leviticus 18:22-23, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.”

4. Murderers, and whoremongers, Revelation 22:13, “For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”

5. Sorcerers, =Greek, “pharmakeus” those who use drugs, i.e. spell-giving potion. Deuteronomy 18:10-12, “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.” [One who claims to know the future through communication with the dead].

6. Idolaters, Greek = a worshipper of false gods, used of anyone even Christian, participant in any way in the worship of the heathen, esp. one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of offered victims. Ephesians 5:5, “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

7. All liars, to deceive one by a untruth, John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

C. Nothing that corrupts will be there.

1. Nothing as it was in Noah’s day, Genesis 6:11-12, “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.”

2. No sinners will be there, Psalms 14:1, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”

3. Our uncorrupted treasures will be there, Matthew 6:20, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”

4. Corrupt communication will be no more, Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

CONCLUSION:

The new heaven and a new earth will be glorious. It will be like nothing we have ever experienced before. It will be heaven.

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST--REVELATION 1:5

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

REVELATION 1:5

Revelation 1:5, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”

Acts 2:36, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Introduction:

Jesus gives a picture of Himself in this verse. Look at the Savior as the Spirit of God reveals Him in the Word of God.

I. THE FAITHFUL WITNESS

A. He is the Faithful Witness of His Father.

1. He is the Only Begotten of the Father, John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)full of grace and truth.”

2. He has DECLARED the Father, John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

a. He has declared that He is the WAY to the Father, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

b. He has declared how the Father is to be worshipped, John 4:23-24, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

1) We worship Him in Spirit.

This is in opposition to all carnal conceptions of him, as if he was a corporeal being, or circumscribed in some certain place, dwelling in temples made with hands, or was to be worshipped with men’s hands; and in distinction from the carnal worship of the Jews, which lay greatly in the observation of carnal ordinances: and this shows they should NOT worship with their bodies only, for bodily exercise profiteth little; but with their souls or spirits, with their WHOLE hearts engaged therein. ---John Gill’s Exposition.

2) We worship Him in Truth, Joshua 24:14, “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.”

c. He has declared that He is ONE with the Father, John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.”

d. He declared that He is EQUAL with the Father, John 5:18, “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.”

B. He is the Faithful Witness of the Promises of the Word of God, Romans 15:8, “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a MINISTER of the circumcision for the truth of God, to CONFIRM THE PROMISES made unto the fathers:”

1. To minister to man, Matthew 20:28, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

2. As Priest He is the MINISTER of the TRUE TABERNACLE, Hebrews 8:2, “A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.”

II. THE FIRST BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD

A. The FIRSTBORN of the dead, at the head of those who rise from their graves, Colossians 1:18, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

B. He has risen to die NO MORE, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

1. He is the HOPE of our great future, 2 Timothy 1:12, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

2. God raised Jesus from the dead that we might HOPE IN GOD, 1 Peter 1:21, “Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”

III. THE PRINCE OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH

1. Jesus by his resurrection won LORDSHIP over the kings of earth, Revelation 17:14, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”

2. Satan had offered this if He would bow down to the Devil, Matthew 4:8-9, “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

3. Jesus is the RIGHTFUL OWNER of the title, Revelation 19:16, “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

B. Jesus our Prince LOVES His people, John 13:1, “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”

C. Jesus WASHED US in His own blood, Hebrews 9:14, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

1. His blood has cleansed us from ALL SIN, 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

2. His blood has SAVED US FROM the WRATH to come, Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

3. Through His blood we have REDEMPTION and FORGIVENESS of sins, Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

THE EMBLEM OF JOY--REVELATION 22:1-5

THE EMBLEM OF JOY

REVELATION 22:1-5

Introduction:

A native in the Bible Lands will not sleep in a dark room. However poor he may be, he absolutely must have some light. To them it is the symbol of the supremacy of good over evil, the triumph of life over death.

Light, therefore, is the EMBLEM of JOY in the Eastern mind. It is where there is not the danger of evil and corruption. The Scripture says in John 3:19-20, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

I. LIGHT IN SCRIPTURE IS THE EMBLEM OF JOY

A. The joy of the saints in heaven is comprised in this:

1. Jesus CHOSE us, John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

2. Jesus BOUGHT us, 1 Corinthians 6:20, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

3. Jesus WASHED us, Revelation 1:6, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”

4. Jesus ROBED us, Isaiah 61:10, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”

5. Jesus KEPT us, John 17:12-13, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”

6. Jesus will GLORIFY us, Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

B. We are here entirely through the Light of the Lord Jesus, John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

II. LIGHT IS THE EMBLEM OF THE JOY OF KNOWLEDGE

A. The Lord Jesus himself is the fountain knowledge, Ephesians 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

1. Lack of knowledge of Jesus Christ destroys man, Hosea 4:6,“My people are destroyed (CUT OFF) for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”

2. Knowing Jesus Christ as Savior is the beginning of knowledge, Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning (the principle part) of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

B. All that puzzles us now will become plain to us in the light of Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

1. Then we shall see God as our ALL IN ALL, 1 Corinthians 15:28, “And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”

2. We shall see Him as He is, 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

III. LIGHT IS THE JOY OF THE MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST

A. In this world it does not yet appear what we shall be, Psalm 31:19, “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!”

B. We shall be changed into the image of his manifested glory, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

C. We were poor and wretched, but what a transformation it shall be, Philippians 3:21, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

1. We had the stain of death upon us, Job 3:5, “Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.”

2. But Jesus had the victory over death, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

CONCLUSION:

“Whatever there may be of effulgent splendor, Jesus shall be the center and soul of it all. Oh! To be present and to see him in his own light, the King of kings, and Lord of lords!” ---Barne’s Notes

SATAN AND THE BOOK--REVELATION 1:9; 2:7-11

SATAN AND THE BOOK

REVELATION 1:9; 2:7-11

Introduction:

The word Satan in the Hebrew, is simply an “ADVERSARY,” as in 1 Kings 5:4, “But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.” This original sense is still found in our Lord’s application of the name to the Apostle Peter in Matthew 16:23, “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

The Word of God, THE BOOK, or the BIBLE, is hated by Satan above every book in this world.

I. SATAN IS GOD’S ADVERSARY

A. Satan’s character, John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

1. The Devil (Satan) is the father of those who know not God, 1 John 3:10, “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

2. He who sins is of the devil, 1 John 3:8, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

B. Satan is the enemy of righteousness, Acts 13:10, “And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?”

C. Satan is the deceiver of the whole world, Revelation 12:9, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

II. SATAN’S HATRED FOR THE BOOK

A. God’s Word is sent out to accomplish HIS PURPOSE, Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

1. The creation of the universe was by the power of His Word, 2 Peter 3:5, “For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:”

2. The future of the world are reserved by the power of that same Word, 2 Peter 3:7, “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”

B. Satan challenges the Word of God, Genesis 3:4-5, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

1. The father of lies is so saturated with lying that he even attempts to make God out to be a liar, John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

2. Satan challenges with “attractive suggestiveness”, “ye shall be as gods,” Genesis 3:5, “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

C. Satan knows the power of the “Book”, Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

1. This is Living (quick) Word of God, John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

2. The Word is Jesus Christ in the Flesh, John 1:1, 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)full of grace and truth.”

3. The Word is skilled in judging (a discerner), as the surgeon has to be and able to decide on the instant what to do, Jeremiah 17:10, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

D. The Book of God is a formidable enemy of Satan, Malachi 1:14, “But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.”

E. He attempts to prevent the reading of the Book because…

1. It tells of Satan’s character: Revelation 12:9, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

2. It reveals the character of his works,

a. He is the instigator of all evil, 2 Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

b. He is the corrupter of churches, 2 Corinthians 2:11, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

c. He is the persecutor of Christians, 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

CONCLUSION:

The Book or the Word of God is the most powerful force in this world. With it we can defend ourselves against our archenemy, the Devil. He hates “the Book” because it is beyond his power to resist, James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

IN THE MIDST OF THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS--REVELATION 1:12-18

IN THE MIDST OF THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS

REVELATION 1:12-18

Introduction:

The “candlesticks” mentioned here refer to the lampstand of the Tabernacle. It was a stand of seven lamps fueled by olive oil and burned perpetually in “holy place” of the Tabernacle just outside of the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place.

It was NOT a candlestick OF CANDLES because candles were not invented until later by Scientist Michael Faraday, during his life in the nineteenth century.

In the “Holy of Holies” was the Ark of the Covenant where the High Priest made expiation or atonement once a year for the Hebrew congregation on the Day of Atonement.

I. SEVEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS vv. 12-13

A. The Voice, Exodus 20:18, “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.”

1. The AUTHORITY of the voice causes John to turn to see who spoke, Matthew 7:28-29, “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

2. It was the LORD’S voice, Micah 6:9, “The LORD’S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.”

B. The Golden Candlesticks, Zechariah 4:2, “And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:”

1. These REPRESENT the SEVEN CHURCHES of Asia, Revelation 1:20, “The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS which thou sawest ARE THE SEVEN CHURCHES.”

2. These churches are TO HOLD FORTH LIGHT, Matthew 5:15, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it GIVETH LIGHT unto all that are in the house.”

a. This LIGHT is the WORD OF GOD, Psalms 119:130, “The entrance of thy words GIVETH LIGHT; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

b. The WORD of God BRINGS BLESSING, Luke 11:28, “But he said, Yea rather, BLESSED are they that HEAR the word of God, and KEEP IT.”

3. God’s churches are “THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD,” Matthew 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

a. While the Lord was here HE was the LIGHT of the world, John 9:5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

b. Now His churches REFLECT THAT GREAT LIGHT in a DARK world, Matthew 4:16, “The people which sat in darkness SAW GREAT LIGHT; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”

II. THE SON OF MAN IN THE MIDST OF THE CANDLESTICKS v. 13

A. John RECOGNIZED JESUS’ GLORIFIED FORM as MAN because HE SAW IT at the TRANSFIGURATION, Mark 9:2-3, “And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was TRANSFIGURED before them. 3 And his raiment became shining, EXCEEDING WHITE as SNOW; so as NO fuller on earth can white them.”

1. John HAD SEEN the Lord ENDURING the AGONY of Gethsemane, and the SHAME and ANGUISH of Calvary, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, DESPISING THE SHAME, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2. Now he sees Jesus in His GLORY as THE SON OF MAN, Revelation 4:1-3, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.”

B. The Lord Jesus’ CONTINUAL PRESENCE in the MIDST of His churches, Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

1. The Lord has NOT SENT His churches into the world ALONE, Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

2. The Lord has NOT LEFT US COMFORTLESS or WITHOUT GUIDANCE, John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

a. The Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God, John 14:16, 26, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

b. The Comforter will GUIDE US into all truth, John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

3. He will NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE HIS OWN, Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE.”

CONCLUSION:

Jesus is in the midst of His churches. He is ever present in the person of the Holy Spirit guiding and counseling regarding the Lord’s work on this earth. He has not given us work that we cannot do, but rather, has supplied every need as individuals and as His Church to accomplish His will.

HEAVEN IS A WONDERFUL PLACE--REVELATION 21:1-3

HEAVEN IS A WONDERFUL PLACE
REVELATION 21:1-3

Introduction:

There is an old Negro spiritual called “Everybody talkin’ ‘bout heav’n not goin’ there.” I hope that is not your case. Heaven is going to be more wonderful than we can imagine. What do the Scriptures say about the subject?

I. HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF UNDENIABLE REALITY

A. We do not know anything about heaven, Isaiah 64:4, “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.”

1. Paul says we can’t even imagine what God has for us, 1 Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

2. God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings, Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ::

B. Three heavens are mentioned in the Bible:

1. The Firmament, or heavens, Acts 1:11, “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

2. The Celestial heaven, Psalms 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

3. The Third Heaven, 2 Corinthians 12:2, “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.”

a. Where the Father is, Psalm 102:19, “For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;”

b. Where the Son returned to, Mark 16:19, “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”

II. HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF UNSPEAKABLE BEAUTY

A. The Walls, Revelation 21:18, “And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.”

B. The Foundation of the walls, Revelation 21:19-20, “And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.”

C. The gates and streets of the city, Revelation 21:21, “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”

D. The River of Life flows from God’s throne, Revelation 22:1, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

III. HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF UNENDING JOY.

A. The things that will not be in heaven:

1. No tears, Revelation 21:4, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

2. No death, 21:4

3. No sorrow, 21:4

4. No crying, 21:4

5. No pain, 21:4

6. No sin, nor unbeliever and no evil forces, Revelation 21:27, And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

7. No sickness, Revelation 22:2, “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

8. No curse, Revelation 22:3, “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:”

B. Heaven will be A HAPPY PLACE because of who will be there:

1. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, Revelation 22:4, “And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.”

2. Our Advocate, the propitiation for our sins, 1 John 3:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

3. All of those believers who have gone on before us will be there, Revelation 22:14, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”

CONCLUSION:

Because Jesus died for me, I will be there. Will you be there? The heavenly city of God is open to all who will receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.

HE LIVES UNTO THE AGES OF THE AGES--REVELATION 1:9-10, 18

HE LIVES “UNTO THE AGES OF THE AGES”

REVELATION 1:9-10, 18

Psalms 18:46, “The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.”

Revelation 1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Introduction:

For hundreds of years Satan has tried to destroy the preaching of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He knows that it is the KEY to the Gospel’s power of over of sin. Death is the one enemy that man fears more than any other thing.

Jesus Christ is “LIVING” today and because He is “living” the believer will live “unto the Ages of the Ages” in God’s presence. Satan, who hates Jesus and the truth, is CONSTANTLY on the ATTACK to destroy this great doctrine of the Word of God. HOWEVER, JESUS LIVES…

I. HE LIVES BY THE PLAN OF GOD

A. God’s plan is to save man by Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, Matthew 16:16, “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

1. God is not the God of the dead, Matthew 22:32, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

2. Death has no dominion over the Son of God, Romans 6:9, “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.”

B. God’s Son has the VICTORY OVER death and the grave, 1 Corinthians 15:54-55,57, “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1. Jesus has DELIVERED US from the POWER of death, Hebrews 2:14-15, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

2. There is NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

3. He RESCUES our BODIES from the grave, and FASHIONS them LIKE unto HIS glorious body, Philippians 3:21, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

II. HE LIVES BY THE PURPOSE OF GOD

A. God’s purpose GUIDED HIS PLAN for the redemption of man, Ephesians 1:11, “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

B. God’s purpose is NOT temporary, Ephesians 3:11, “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”

C. God’s purpose is to DESTROY the works of the devil, 1 John 3:8, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

III. HE LIVES BY THE POWER OF GOD

A. Even though Jesus was crucified YET HE LIVES, 2 Corinthians 13:4, “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.”

1. He lives by the POWER of God, John 10:18, “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

2. We shall live WITH HIM by the same power, Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

B. CHOSEN WITNESSES of His Resurrection are ABUNDANT, Acts 10:39-41, “And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly 41 NOT TO ALL the people, BUT unto witnesses CHOSEN BEFORE OF GOD, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.”

1. The Lord was seen by Peter and then by all twelve of the Apostles, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:”

2. The Lord was seen by more than 500 brethren, 1 Corinthians 15:6, “After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

3. The Lord was seen by James, 1 Corinthians 15:7, “After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”

CONCLUSION:

Because He lives, we shall also live, John 14:19, “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.”