The Christmas We Didn’t Expect #2
Philippians 2:5-8

The Expected King
Exploits Position for Personal Gain
Maintains Distance from His Subjects
Arrogant Attitude
The Unexpected Christ
Used Position to Bless Others
Came Near to Serve Humanity
Humble Heart
Are you an unexpected Christian?
Generosity
Proximity
Humility
What is your attitude this Christmas?

Return of the King #10
Revelation 7:1-17

The Saints of the Church Age

The Rapture of Church
(1 Thess 4:17, Rev 3:10)

The Church in Heaven
(Revelation 5:9-10)


The Saints of the Great Tribulation

The Redeemed of Israel
(Revelation 7:1-8)

The Redeemed of the Nations
(Revelation 7:9-17)


The Kingdom of God Culture (vs. Kingdom of Man)

Diversity of Peoples (Jew & Gentile, all nations & tribes)

Oneness in Worship
Jesus is our Salvation.
Jesus is our Shelter.
Jesus is our Shepherd.

Are we giving people a foretaste of the Kingdom today?

The OT Context: Daniel 9:24-27

69 Weeks (483 years) from Decree to Messiah
1 Week (7 years) of Flood, War, & Destruction

The NT Parallel: Matthew 24:4-8

The Six Seals of Revelation Six:

The Four Horsemen

Seal #1 = Conquest (6:1-2)

Seal #2 = War (6:3-4)

Seal #3 = Famine (6:5-6)

Seal #4 = Death (6:7-8)

The Great Tribulation

Seal #5 = Martyrs (6:9-11)

Seal #6 = Signs in Heaven & Earth (6:12-17)

Our Takeaways:
Christ the Lamb is also Christ the Judge.
No one will escape the judgment of God.
The urgency of our mission.

Return of the King #8
Revelation 5:1-14

The Scroll (5:1)

The content of the scroll: God’s redemptive plan

The seals on the scroll: God’s perfect timing

Who is Worthy? (5:2-7)
Only Jesus, who is…
The Lion of Judah (Genesis 49:9)
The Root of David (Isaiah 11:10)
The Sacrificial Lamb (Exodus 11-12)

What do we learn about Jesus? (5:8-14)
He is God.
He overcame by His blood.
He leads a different Kingdom.

How should we respond to the Lamb?

Get under His blood.

Return of the King #7
Revelation 4:1-11

A New Vision of Heaven

Worship in heaven invites participation on earth.

A New Reality on Earth

Worship of God changes our priorities on earth.
Give glory = praise for His attributes
Give honor = respect for His position
Give thanks = gratitude for His blessings
A New Framework

What’s at the center?