Questions for the Next Meeting
Discussion for this week: Revelation 14:1-5
1. The church triumphant – Rev 14:1 (the sealed)
2. The church celebrant – Rev 14:2-3 (the singers)
3. The church reverent – Rev 14:4-5 (the sanctified)
Looking forward to our fellowship and discussion tonight!
Pastor Steve
2 Cor. 4:5-7
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2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
The man of lawlessness, the antichrist, the beast of the sea, the beast of the land, the restrainer, etc. we will be discussing. But within these images of turmoil there is also tremendous hope in Christ. 2 Thes. 2:13-17 is our true Thanksgiving and joy.
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These past fee weeks we’ve been looking at two great visions that John has received from the Lord. The first one is recalling the birth of the Messiah, the fall of Satan (the dragon) from glory and his war with the O.T. Church (the woman) and his blood lust on devouring the child (Jesus).
The second vision deals with a war in heaven, but this time with Michael the Archangel battling with Satan. Satan has already been thrown out of glory, but now he has been cast down as an accuser of the brethren. He is forever barred from heaven’s throne because of his defeat by Christ on the cross. All of the elect and our sins were so propitiated and explicated by Jesus in the atonement that there is nothing for Satan to now accuse us with (cp, Zech 3:1-13; Roms 3:21-26). We’ve been completely covered with the perfect, complete imputed righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:21). As Romans 8:33 says, “Who can bring a charge against God’s elect?”
Satan’s continued rage against the church is intensified by his defeat. He knows his time is short, and therefore, his wrath against the bride of Christ has been increased. The good news? Jesus said, “I will build My church, and the gates do Hades cannot prevail against it.”
Read Revelation 12:1-12 and ponder these things for tonight’s CrossLife.
Grace and peace to you,
Pastor Steve
Hebrews 2:9-18
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The Angel:
(Revelation 10:2-3a)
“He had a little scroll open in his hand.
And he set his right foot on the sea,
and his left foot on the land,
and called out with a loud voice,
like a lion roaring.”
This action of the angel demonstrates God’s sovereign authority to judge the entire earth (cp, 1 Cor 10:26) The roar of a lion: His loud cry reflects the power, majesty, and authority of God (Jer. 25:30; Hosea 11:10; Joel 3:16).
The Seven Thunders
(Revelation 10:3b-4)
When he called out, the seven thunders sounded.
And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about
to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying,
“Seal up what the seven thunders have said,
and do not write it down.”
We know the meaning of the lampstands, the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls… But there are other forces at work here; namely the seven thunders (cp, Ps 29:1-11).
1. What does this text teach us about the character of Christ?
2. How does Psalm 29:1-11 give us insight on the mystery of the seven thunders?
3. The roar of the lion signifies what attributes of Jesus?
4. What symbol did The Lord use to communicate His sovereign rule over His creation? (Revelation 10:2) Consider also 1 Cor 10:26
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An open conversation about what was taught, the Q and A sessions, and who you would like to see invited to come to our church in the future.
Looking forward to our fellowship together.
Pastor Steve
2 Cor 4:5-7
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Text for this week: Revelation 10:1-11 (pt 2)
Questions for this week:
1. What marks Revelation 10:1-11:14 unique in its placement in the flow of this Apocalypse?
2. Name four characteristics the mighty angel in Revelation 10:1 is described by?
3. Is this mighty angel Jesus? (Define your answer biblically)
4. How does God begin to comfort His persecuted people in Revelation 10:1?
5. How does this apply to us today and encourage us to live gospel strong for Jesus?
Additional Scriptures:
The Angel of Revelation 10:1
1. Symbolism signifies it is closely associated with Christ, but is not Christ. (Rev. 1:7, 16, 4:3). Jesus is never referred to as an angel in Revelation. (Cp, Rev. 1:1-2; 19:9-10, 22:8-9; Heb. 1:4-14)
2.The description: (cp, Dan. 10:5-9)
-The cloud: God’s presence, judgment
and Christ’s eschatological glory
(Zeph. 1:15; Ps. 97:2; Dan. 7:13; Mt.
24:30; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thes. 4:17)
-The rainbow: God’s mercy, glory,
and covenant faithfulness
(Gen. 6:18, 8:20, 9:9, 11-17; Ez 1:18)
-Angel’s face: the exaltation of
Christ (Ex. 33:20, 34:29-35; 1 Ti
6:16; Rev 1:16; 2 Cor 4:6)
-The legs as pillars of fire:
unbending holiness, protection,
guidance, & deliverance (Ex 13:21,
14:24, Lev. 9:23-10:3; Micah 4:1-5)
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This past week we looked at an introduction to Revelation 10 under the title, “The Covenant Promises of a Faithful God.” First and foremost, we discussed the problem of evil in the world. And secondly, why the angel in verse one is not The Lord.
The problem of evil: Consider these verses: Job 12:6, 21:7; Psalm 10:1-5, 74:10-11, 83:1-2, 94:3-4; 2 Peter 3:3-4.
As to the mighty angel in verse one, consider the following five reasons:
First, the use of allos (another of the same kind) identifies this angel as one exactly like the previously mentioned trumpet angels. If Christ were being referred to here, the word heteros (another of a different kind) would be expected, since Christ is essentially different from angels. Christ could not be described as an angel exactly like the other angels, since they are created and He is the uncreated, eternal God
Second, whenever Jesus Christ appears in Revelation John gives Him an unmistakable title. He is called “the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth” (1:5), the son of man (1:13), the first and the last (1:17), the living One (1:18), the Son of God (2:18), “He who is holy, who is true” (3:7), “the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God” (3:14), “the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” (5:5), the Lamb (6:1, 16; 7:17; 8:1), Faithful and True (19:11), the Word of God (19:13), and “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” (19:16). It is reasonable to assume that if Christ were the angel in view here He would be distinctly identified
Third, other strong angels, who clearly cannot be identified with Christ, appear in Revelation (5:2; 18:21). Since other angels are so designated, there is no compelling reason to associate that title with Jesus Christ. Further, while the pre-incarnate Christ appeared in the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord, the New Testament nowhere refers to Him as an angel
Fourth, it is inconceivable that Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, could make the oath that this angel makes in verses 5 and 6: “Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things in it, and the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it.” Since He is God, the risen, glorified Lord Jesus Christ would swear by Himself (cf. Heb. 6:13).
Finally, this angel came down out of heaven to the earth. To identify him as Christ is to add another coming of Christ to the earth unforeseen elsewhere in Scripture, one that is not in accord with the biblical descriptions of the Second Coming (cf. Matt. 24:30; Matt. 25:31; 2 Thess. 1:7-8). (source, MacArthur Revelation Commentary)
Have a blessed fellowship tonight,
Pastor Steve
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Outline:
Demons (9:13-14)
Death (9:15-19)
Defiance (9:20-21)
1. What is idolatry?
2. What becomes of people who commit idolatry? (Psalm 115:3-8)
3. Consider Romans 1:18-32. God gave up those who worship the creature rather than the Creator to what? (Three things).
4. Revelation 9:20-21 describes the sin of idolatry as how?
5. What are the idols in our lives that we need to repent of?
Grace and peace,
Pastor Steve
Colossians 3:5
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Questions:
1. What is the golden altar and its significance?
2. How is God’s sovereignty revealed in this passage?
3. Why is Satan permitted to rake havoc in the world?
4. Who are these Demon Armies permitted to harm and who are they not to harm?
5. The purpose of The Trumpets is threefold. What are they?
6. Are these things a past historical event only? Present for our day? Or divine revelation for the future?
7. How does this passage bring us hope?
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Revelation chapters 1-6 in review
Revelation’s Great Theme Is: All the shadows and types of the Old Covenant including the holy sacrifices and feast days, the holy covenants, the holy land of Israel, the holy Temple of God, the holy city Jerusalem, have been fulfilled in the holy Lord Jesus Christ.
This past Lord’s Day we did an overview review of the first six chapters that I have exposited in as many months on this great book of Revelation. A quick tour:
Chapter One: The reason why the book is written (Rev 1:1-3), the Trinity in eschatology (Rev 1:4-8), the Apostle John’s identification with the people he is writing to (Rev 1:9-11), the vision of the risen glorified Son of God (Rev 1:12-16), and Christ’s comforting exhortation concerning His risen nature and His Lordship over the churches (Rev 1:17-20).
Chapters Two and Three: The Lord Jesus’ seven epistles to the seven churches on faithfulness, endurance in suffering and over sin, being a conqueror even unto death, and honoring the Lord in the most arduous and heated trials.
Chapter Four: The glory and sovereignty of the Father
Chapter Five: The glory, worthiness and sovereignty of the slain Lamb
Chapter Six: The beginning of judgment (in the opening up of the first six of the seven seals) upon an apostate Israel, an unbelieving world and an apostate church for their persecution of His church, Christians (of both Jew and Gentile) and for their rejection of Jesus as Messiah, Lord and King. Seals one to four (Rev 6:1-8) The Four Horsemen… points to the destruction of the Temple in AD70 (cf,Matt 24:1-28). Seal Five (Rev 6:9-11) is unfolding the suffering of the martyrs and their cry for vengeance and justice. Seal Six (Rev 6:12-17), God’s particular and future judgment upon Rome and apostate Israel – answering the cry of the martyrs and the question at the end of verse seventeen “who can stand?”
Review these chapters tonight and see how these things relate to the Lord’s sovereignty, worship and glory as King of kings and Lord of lords! We serve a risen Savior beloved; let us rejoice in who He is! Amen?
Have a Christ-exalting, grace-filled, Word-enriched CrossLife tonight!
Pastor Steve
Hebrews 10:1-39
REVIEW of Last Week: Revelation 6:9-11 “The Fifth Seal – The Lord’s Faithful Servants.”
This study of Revelation is an exciting adventure. I have so appreciated the feedback and many questions and comments you have encouraged me with and challenged me through.
One important thing to remember as we make our way through John’s Apocalypse: this is an opportunity for many in our church to approach this book with “fresh eyes.” This can be joyous and at the same time an exercise in frustration. If you’ve already felt those tensions, you’re not alone. This is a difficult book to translate, teach and expound. The symbolism this book uses is unique in scope and depth of any book found in the Bible. I think you will see that patient, careful, consistent study will prove beneficial in the months to come in unlocking the meaning of this powerful book!
My desire for us as a church, though we may disagree from time to time on certain views that have been popularized in the last 200 years, is to commit ourselves to pursuing what I call “A Biblical or Exegetical Eschatology” (one that is grounded in the Word of God and not in 21st century imagery or headlines).
This not only requires a vigorous study of N.T. passages associated with Revelation, but also a robust look at O.T. passages (as you know close to 70% of Revelation is from the O.T.) So disagreement, beloved, done in the right spirit can be profitable and helpful. But… division is never an acceptable option… amen? So if you have any questions pertaining to the Sunday messages on Revelation, please don’t hesitate to contact me so we can meet to go over your thoughts. I look forward to always that kind of meaningful dialogue.
This section that we looked at this past Lord’s Day dealt with the first martyrs that occurred under Nero’s reign beginning in 64AD and culminating in 68AD. He was the last of the Julio-Claudian emperors ending a dynasty. But at the end of the year 69AD (after already having three emperors serve in that year) Vespasian became Emperor. This new Caesar began the Flavian dynasty. He, along with his son Titus, led the attack on Jerusalem in 70AD and destroyed the Temple and the City of Jerusalem itself. This major happening in redemptive and Jewish history is known as the Abomination of Desolation and was prophesied by our Lord in Matthew 24:1-28, Mark 13:1-23, and Luke 21:5-24. I am teaching and approaching this book of Revelation as a book of worship, sovereignty and glory. This fulfilled prophecy by our Lord Jesus Christ extols all three. Worship, for He is truly the God-man whose words are true; sovereign, for He is Lord over all the affairs of His creatures and no event escapes His providential control; and glory, this is the judgment of the Lamb who was slain upon even His covenant people who rejected Him.
In Revelation 6:9-11, we come to these faithful martyrs of the first century church and studied three aspects about them:
1. The Condition of the Martyrs (Revelation 6:9)
2. The Cry of the Martyrs (Revelation 6:10)
3. The Comfort of the Martyrs (Revelation 6:11)
Please discuss each of these aspects of these precious saints who were slain for their faith in Jesus. Some questions to consider are:
1. According to 2. Why were they slain? (Revelation 6:9)
3. How did they address the Lord in Revelation 6:10 and why is this important? (Ps. 13:1; 89:46)
4. What is the white robe in Revelation 6:11 that they were given? (cp, Revelation 2:17; 3:4–5; 7:9, 14)
5. When will vengeance for these servants and the future number of other martyrs be completed? (cp, Revelation 19:12-16)
6. APPLICATION: what is one of the greatest joys that we as Christians can partake in on this earth? (cp, 2 Tim 2:3-4, 3:12, 1 Peter 4:12-19)
Last Week:
Revelation 6:1-8 – “The Wrath of the Lamb, The Four Horsemen.”
As we continue with our study from the book of Revelation, admittedly, this next section of verses addressing the seven seals is challenging and requires diligent, focused study of God’s Word.
May I encourage you to ask the following questions in your study and CrossLife group discussion:
1. Who is the one directing and unleashing the judgements on the earth through the Four Horsemen? (Revelation 6:1) Why is this important? (Revelation 6:16-17; Revelation 5:1-10)
2. Identify the Four Horsemen and their individual roles and functions as commanded by the Lamb.
3. How does Zechariah 1:7-17, 8:1-6, Ezekiel 14:12-23 (especially Ezekiel 14:21 and Leviticus 26:18-28) help us understand the Four Horsemen and their respective judgments?
4. Lastly, as we considered the Olivet Discourse of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt 23:37-24:28; Mark 13:1-23; and Luke 21:1-24) and His prophesying of the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem (The Abomination of Desolation – Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11) that was fulfilled in A.D. 70. How is this related to The Four Horsemen?
This is heavy lifting in the Word beloved! Take these things one at a time and don’t let frustration, new questions, past beliefs, even differences of views with each other, etc. keep you from digging further into the truths of God’s Word to understand these great verses. Amen?
Have a Christ-centered-glorifying CrossLife this evening!
Pastor Steve
2 Cor 4:5
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