Sharon Church | Sermons

As the visions John has are coming to a close, the Bible itself is coming to a close, as well. And the Bible ends just like it began. In God's sovereign plan for His creation, God's presence was felt in personal, unfettered access. So, for John's final vision, God shows him a renewed earth full of God's glory but it looks like other models we have seen in Scripture before.

The first ten verses of Revelation 20 are some of the most debated verses in all of Scripture. While the church has disagreed on their interpretation for ages, we actually agree more than with disagree. Either way, Jesus wins. But the sobering truth is what we read in the last five verses of the chapter. Time runs out. So, what is the church to do before that final judgment?

As the book of Revelation reaches its conclusion, John is shown two more visions of Jesus. These two visions reveal the way Jesus is returning at His second coming. He is coming as a groom to take His bride home and to celebrate with a wedding feast. AND He is coming as a victorious warrior king to collect the spoils of the battle He has already won. This is the heart of any prophecy - revealing Jesus. 

As the book of Revelation begins to make its descent to its conclusion, John begins to call back to many of the patterns and pictures he has given us in the book. In this passage, the churches on Asia Minor - under intense persecution from the Roman Empire - are shown what Rome actually is. They have been tempted to give in or give up and John is being shown an image of a woman on the first beast that will show Christians that they need to be careful and have their eyes open. They must not be deceived by the beauty of this woman - she is fallen.

There is coming a day when the wrath of God is finally poured out. Until that day we have a choice to make regarding the finished work of Jesus.

While the dragon and its beasts are after humanity, God has a response - the eternal gospel.

The dragon has two beasts on earth to do his work in pursuit of the Church.

There is a reality that is more real than what we see everyday. There is a war being waged for the souls of mankind. 

How does the Church live as a faithful witness in a world that seems directly opposed to Jesus?

As John's vision continues to unfold, Jesus shows him a glimpse of what God is doing with those who have persecuted the Church.