The Book of Revelation: Lesson 12

April 19, 2013 by admin

Sunny Greek islands in the Aegean Sea are pleasant vacation spots for tourists today. For the Apostle John, however, Patmos was hardly a luxury location like it is now. That’s because in his time it was a tough penal colony under the jurisdiction of the Roman Empire. John had been sent there for the “crime” of preaching the Gospel. In spite of his advanced age, most likely he was assigned to hard labor.

Persecution was a word John understood both mentally and experientially. So when Jesus revealed to him some of what the future held for believers, John could fully identify with the hardships involved.

We can assume that soon after the visions from Christ were seen, John wrote down or dictated what he saw to someone. It was probably difficult just to obtain the materials necessary to record what was to become a rather lengthy manuscript. It will be interesting in eternity to hear the details of how this all came about.

The truth be told, the opening chapter of Revelation is not all that hard to understand. The only item that might give one pause is in the opening paragraph:

1:1—What must soon take place

1:3—because the time is near

Soon and near imply everything happening rather quickly. In Revelation 3:11, Jesus again says, “I am coming soon.”And, He repeats this in Revelation 22:7, “Behold, I am coming soon”; 22:12, “Behold, I am coming soon”; and 22:20,“Yes, I am coming soon.”

These verses remind us of what Jesus said in the Olivet Discourse:

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it [the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory] is near, right at the door” (Mark 13:28-29).

Apparently that’s the sense of anticipation with which Jesus expects us to live.

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Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Please click here.

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The Book of Revelation: Lesson 11

April 17, 2013 by admin

What do the following have in common: Jonah, Daniel, Isaiah, and Elijah? I could easily add more names, but you probably already know the answer. They were all Old Testament prophets.

Some prophets predicted the future. Some performed miracles. But all the biblical prophets claimed to have received a divine word from God that they were accountable to deliver accurately.

Jesus was the greatest of the prophets. His was the most clear and complete word from the Lord ever given. He also performed incredible miracles and made numerous statements regarding the future.

The Apostle John was not a prophet. He only passed on to readers like us the prophetic visions shown him by Christ.

Revelation 1:3 reads: “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy…” So Revelation falls into the category of prophetic books.

History doesn’t just continue on indefinitely. Scripture makes it clear that we are heading toward a showdown battle between the forces of good and evil, light and darkness, God and Satan. Revelation gives us the eventual outcome of that conflict.

As is the case with all real wars, there are also many casualties. The number is large of those who suffer and/or die. Revelation predicts a long and costly encounter.

Let me add that this book aims more at the heart than it does at the head. As a prophecy, it is not so much one of charts and timetables as it is of personal encouragement and comfort. It says to those whose lives are in danger because they are on the front lines:

“Play the man, exercise patient endurance and faithfulness, and know that Jesus is with you even in the darkest of times. Trust Him. You could not have a better commander-in-chief.”

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Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Please click here.

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The Book of Revelation: Lesson 10

April 15, 2013 by admin

He was terrified the first time it happened, and this second time, John collapsed to the ground as though he had died. Had we been witness to what he saw, we probably would have responded the same way.

When the Apostle John looked at the face of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, it “shone like the sun” (see Matthew 17:2). In Revelation chapter one, he describes his second encounter with the glorified Christ this way: “His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” Other features of our Lord’s appearance included, “…his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters.”

The picture of Jesus presented throughout Revelation is much more majestic and overpowering and cosmic than what we see portrayed throughout the gospels. Surprisingly confronted by such a memorable personage, I’m sure we too would fall prostrate before Him.

In my mind, this is the most important feature to note in Revelation chapter one. This new presentation of Jesus is markedly different than the way Christians normally picture Him. This change of appearance should have a bearing on how we hear what Jesus says. He is now the Ruling Lord of the Universe whose word cannot be questioned. When He speaks, everyone needs to take careful note of what He says. This fact is underscored early on in the text as readers are encouraged to “take to heart” what is revealed (Rev. 1:3).

Keep this picture of Christ in all His power and glory in mind as you study Revelation. What John has been asked to reveal is a message from none other than the reigning Lord of the Universe.

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Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Please click here.

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The Book of Revelation: Lesson 9

April 12, 2013 by admin

Churches in the United States in the year 2013 were not the primary audience Jesus had in mind when the book of Revelation was written. For the most part, white Christians in this land have known incredible religious freedom since the founding of this country in 1787. It’s one of the bedrock principles of our Constitution. In the ensuing years, minorities in this nation have come to enjoy this privilege as well.

However, Jesus’ bottom-line message in this final book of the Bible is to encourage Christians facing persecution, especially those alive during the end-times. In the various times I have heard Revelation taught, this emphasis has hardly even come up. Instead, the sermons or lectures have been filled with timelines and prophecy charts. That’s because we haven’t known persecution, and therefore the subject hasn’t seemed that relevant to us. Unfortunately, while we have been experiencing great liberty in the way we exercise our faith, large parts of the rest of the world haven’t.

I am told that more Christians suffered martyrdom in the 20th century than in all the previous centuries combined. That statement alone makes Revelation a most-relevant text for believers worldwide to be studying.

In our short lessons, there won’t be a lot written about when the return of the Lord will take place. There are more than enough places where such opinions can be found. But we will be sensitized to the spiritual war that is heating up between the powers of light and darkness, and what our response should be.

With that said, we are now ready to look at chapter one of this amazing book.

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Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Please click here.

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