Revelation 7 

1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: 5 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, 6 12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh, 7 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi, 12,000 from the tribe of Issachar, 8 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed. 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 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. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:1–17  

Revelation 14:1-5

1 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. Revelation 14:1-5  

Reasons for interpreting the 144,000 symbolically:

1. The 144,000 appear in a book full of symbolic language.  

2. The lists of the twelve tribes is unique to Revelation.  

3. The chapter parallels with Revelation 5 in the revealing of the vision.  

4. The language describing the 144,000 in both Revelation 7 and 14 make the most sense symbolically.  

Revelation 7 – “The Judgement and Mission of Jesus”

1. While Jesus doesn’t remove His people from trials, He will protect them from His judgement 

upon evil (7:3, 14:1).  

2. The redeemed worship Jesus for His salvation and protection (7:11-13, 14:3).  

3. The mission of Jesus will continue until the very end (7:13-14). 

13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:13-14 (ESV)

“Jesus and Beginning Judgment”

Revelation 6

Two guiding rules for the entire series:

1. What’s most certain and stable in Revelation centers on Jesus.

2. As we hold to the certain and stable Jesus in Revelation, we can trust Him regardless of how the end of days unfold.

1 Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 

2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer. 

3 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 

4 And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword. 

5 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. 

6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!” 

7 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 

8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth. 

9 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.  

10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 

11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. 

12 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 

13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 

14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 

15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 

16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 

17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Revelation 6 – “Jesus and Beginning Judgment”

1. Jesus is sovereign over all history (6:1-8).

2. Jesus will bring forth justice for all those who remain faithful to Him (6:9-11).

3. Jesus will hold sinful, unrepentant people accountable (6:12-17).

Heaven’s Worship

Revelation 5

The word “worship” means to ascribe worth, and that’s exactly what Revelation 5 does for Christ.

1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 

2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 

3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 

4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.  

5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 

6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 

7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.  

8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 

9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,  

10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 

12 saying with a loud voice,  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 

13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,  “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

1. Worship focuses our attention upon Christ centrally (5:9, 12, 13).

2. Worship requires complete humility (5:8, 14).

3. Worship magnifies Jesus through the praises of many (5:9, 11, 13-14).

4. Worship celebrates through creation’s creativity (5:9).

5. Worship rejoices in the saving work of the Savior (5:9-10).

Developing a Lifestyle of Worship

-Meditate on the Word

-Shut off the noises

-Sing

-Speak Jesus up and sing Jesus up often

https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=JL6wXoO2aW

“God Moves in Times of Difficulty”

Matthew 14:22-33

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 

23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 

24 but the boat by this time was a long way[a] from the land,[b] beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 

25 And in the fourth watch of the night[c] he came to them, walking on the sea. 

26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”  

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 

29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 

30 But when he saw the wind,[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 

31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 

32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 

33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

God moves in times of difficulty…

1.  So that we would not follow Jesus circumstantially, but with consistency

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ---Matthew 14:28-29 (ESV)

 

2. So that we would not miss the goodness of God displayed in the worst of our lives

30 But when he saw the wind,[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ---Matthew 14:30-31 (ESV)

 

3. So that others can see the power of God at work

33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” ---Matthew 14:33 (ESV)

 

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” ---Mark 4:35-41

“The Lamb Slain”

Revelation 5

1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 

2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 

3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 

4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 

5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 

7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 

8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 

9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 

10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”  

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 

12 saying with a loud voice,  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 

13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 

14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.  

1. Revelation 5 asks, “Do we long for Christ?” (5:1-4).

2. Revelation 5 asks, ”Do we worship Christ?” (5:5-14).

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

---1 Corinthians 11:23-32 (ESV)

Preparing for Communion

Anticipation – Do we look for His return? (11:26)

Examination – Are we checking ourselves? (11:28)

Confession – Are we seeking Christ’s forgiveness and correction? (11:31-32)

Exaltation – Are we proclaiming Jesus’ work?  (11:26)

King of Kings

Revelation 4:1-11

The key point of Revelation 4-5 declares that Jesus is the Ruler of the present and the future.

Revelation – Key Reminders:

Revelation was given to believers facing trial.

This section of Revelation jumps into the

imagery and symbolic nature of the book.

Revelation is about Jesus.

We are comforted by Jesus’ authority.

 

Revelation 4:1-11 (ESV)

1 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.” 

2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 

3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.  

4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 

5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 

6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 

7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 

8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”  

9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 

10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  

11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Revelation 4 – The King of Kings

1. The King of Kings rules our present and our future (4:1-3).

2. The authority of the King of Kings provides our comfort (4:2-10).

  The Throne:

    1.     The King of Kings, is on the throne (4:2)

    2.     In 4:3 a rainbow is around the throne drawing the gaze of heaven.

    3.     Around the throne 24 elders continually worship (4:4).

    4.     From the throne came flashes of lighting and peals of thunder (4:5)

    5.     Before the throne seven torches burn (4:5).

    6.     Before the throne is a sea of glass (4:6).

    7.     Around  the throne four living creatures worship day and night (4:6).

    8.     The elders cast their crowns before the throne in continual worship and exaltation (4:10).

    9.     And all of these descriptions culminate at the One seated upon the throne — the King of Kings, God above all, who deserves all our attention and all our awe (4:9-10).

3. The glory of the King of Kings demands our worship (4:8-11).

Redeeming Sexuality

Genesis 1:26-31

Three Questions:

1.    How does our worldview impact our understanding of sexuality & gender identity?

2.    What does the Bible say about sexuality & gender identity?

3.    How do we minister to those who have sexual or gender identity struggles?

Authority: Who has the right to tell me what to do? 

Knowledge: Who knows what is best for me to do? 

Trustworthiness: Who loves me and wants what is best for me?

Genesis 1:26-31

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” 

27 So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. 

28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.” 

29 God also said, “Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This will be food for you, 

30  for all the wildlife of the earth, for every bird of the sky, and for every creature that crawls on the earth—everything having the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good indeed. Evening came and then morning: the sixth day.

FALSE Authority / Knowledge / Trustworthiness

•    Culture

•    Media

•    False Religion

•    Science

•    Myself

TRUE Authority / Knowledge / Trustworthiness

•    GOD / GOD’S WORD

    -Authority – God as Creator and Sustainer

    -Knowledge – God as all knowing and eternal

    -Trustworthiness – God as an all-good Savior

What Does the Bible Say?

•    God created humanity in his image— we are intentionally made. (Genesis 1)

•    God created humanity in male and female forms— we are not made interchangeable. 

•    God created humanity in such a way that man and woman are created for one another— each made to complement the other. 

•    All this was part of God’s “very good” blueprint for multiplication (Genesis 1:31)

•    The fall in the Garden had catastrophic effects upon creation (Genesis 3)

•    As a result of the fall humanity suffers from various cognitive, emotional, and physical weaknesses.

•    Gender Dysphoria is a weakness brought about by the fall

•    Gender Dysphoria can have both nature and nurture as its cause

•    Sexual & Gender Identity are weaknesses brought about by the fall.

•    Both can have both nature and nurture as their cause.

•    No matter the cause, God’s commands are clear

God’s Commands Regarding Sexual & Gender Identity

1.    Men and women are to live out the gender of their biological creation

2.    Men and women are to find their ultimate identity in Christ

3.    Husband and wife are to become one flesh (Genesis 2:24)

4.    Husband & wife are to be fruitful and fill the earth with God worshippers (Genesis 1)

5.    Husband and wife are to live as true complimentary partners (Genesis 1, Ephesians 5)

6.    Biblical sexual intimacy is only found in heterosexual, monogamous, married relationships. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)

7.    Men and women are to crucify any temptations / appetites of the flesh that war against the Spirit (Galatians 5, Colossians 3:5, James 1:14-16)

Our Response to Those Who are Struggling

1.    Sacrificial Love

2.    Godly Dignity

3.    Sincere Empathy

4.    Spirit-Guided Patience

5.    Healthy Modeling

6.    Authentic Community

7.    Biblical Truth