Gideon – Victory in Weakness

I. Victory in weakness – Judges 7

Here we are in Judges chapter 7 summary; it began with Gideon, now known as Jerubbaal. He prepared to attack the Midianites with his army. God let’s him know he has too many men in his army; they may believe they conquered Midian on their own strength and numbers.

God orders Gideon to send some men home. Jerubbaal was left with ten thousand, which God still thought was too much. More were sent home! The Lord then used an exercise to get rid of some more; so his army was down to three hundred men. God was content with this number (similar number Abram had when he went to recapture his nephew Lot in Genesis 14:14).

The Midianites were like the sand of the sea in number, so Jerubbaal was still slightly afraid. God had to strengthen him by letting him hear the conversation the Midianites were having where God had given a dream to prepare the way.

Key Passage: “ [Jdg 7:13-14 NLT] 13 Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his companion about a dream. The man said, "I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!" 14 His companion answered, "Your dream can mean only one thing--God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!"

The Midianites were scared of Jerubbaal, and this gave him confidence to attack. He broke his three hundred men into three companies and gave them each a trumpet, empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.

The broke the pitchers while shouting, “the sword of the Lord, and of Gideon,” and Midian was fearful. The Midianites began fighting each other and they also fled. Captured were two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; they were both killed.

Big Idea: [2Co 12:9-10 NLT] 9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Key Question: Are you depending on your own strength or God’s strength for the victory?

1. Our salvation is all HIS grace and not our works.

2. Only when we see our weakness do we become thankful and love the Lord.

3. We grow in our Christian faith when we recognize “we can’t” but “He can!”

II. Gideon seeking glory for God’s victory – Judges Chapter 8

This chapter began with the children of Ephraim. They were upset with Gideon because he did not call them, initially, to the battle. Fortunately, and unfortunately, some people really enjoy a good fight, battle, or war. Gideon settled their frustration; he also continued to pursue the kings of Midian, namely Zebah and Zalmunna. Gideon asked the men of a town named Succoth to provide food for his small army. They refused, and they demanded he first captures the kings of Midian. This was a way of saying, “finish the work, then get bread.” It also screamed, “we don’t think you can do it.”

Gideon, wasn’t happy about that and responded by saying, ‘when God delivers these kings to me, I will come back and tear your flesh apart.” Gideon proceeded to ask another neighboring town, the village of Penuel, and they said the same thing as Succoth. Gideon responded that he would break down their towers when he returned in victory. So far Midian had lost 120,000 men in the battle against Gideon, most of the damage was from the LORD, entangling them to war with themselves. Gideon then captured the two kings of Midian and paid a return visit to the men of Succoth and Penuel. He taught the men of Succoth not to doubt him or the LORD. He tortured 77 princes and elders and destroyed the men of Penuel as well. This was not a justified war for God had not called him to attack these people.

After this, the men of Israel requested Gideon to become their ruler. He refused and responded that God the LORD would rule over them. All Gideon wanted was the golden earrings the Ishmaelites (Midian) wore to make a ephod (sleeveless garment). But he acts like a priest and king.

Key Passage: [Jdg 8:27 NLT] 27 Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family.

The end result, Israel had peace for 40 years while Gideon was alive. The chapter ended with the downfall of his (Gideon) household. Gideon had many wives that produced 70 sons for him. He had one son named Abimelech (My father is king) from a concubine. Gideon died a good old age and Israel went back to worship Baal, forsaking the God who just delivered them through the hands of Gideon. Further, Israel didn’t even show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal (Gideon) for all he did for Israel.

Big Idea: [1Co 3:6 NLT] 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.

Are there aspects of your life and work you think you should get more recognition and honor for from people? How will the gospel of grace help you deal well with your successes?

Gideon and Finding God’s Will

Have you ever wondered what is God’s will for your life?

What methods are acceptable?

Fleeces?

          Dreams?

Circumstances?

LUCKY DIPPING – BAD!

            Judas went out and hanged himself Matt 27:5

            “Go and do likewise” – Luke 10:37

            NO!

Judges 6:1–6 (ESV)

1 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian seven years. 2 And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds. 3 For whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. 4 They would encamp against them and devour the produce of the land, as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel and no sheep or ox or donkey. 5For they would come up with their livestock and their tents; they would come like locusts in number—both they and their camels could not be counted—so that they laid waste the land as they came in. 6 And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel cried out for help to the Lord.

Midian –  RELATIVES! (ABRHAM’S OTHER SONS WITH KETURA)

Judges 6:7–10 (ESV)

7 When the people of Israel cried out to the Lord on account of the Midianites, 8 the Lord sent a prophet to the people of Israel. And he said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery. 9 And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land. 10 And I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.’ But you have not obeyed my voice.”

Isaiah 59:1–2 (CSB)

1 Indeed, the Lord’s arm is not too weak to save, and his ear is not too deaf to hear. 2 But your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not listen.

Judges 6:11–12 (ESV)

11 Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the angel of the Lordappeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

Winepress – don’t do it that way – living in fear

Angel calls him “O mighty man of valor” –

            NOT YET!

PINE CONE ILLUSTRATION

Judges 6:13 (ESV)

13 And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

If God is with us, why is this happening? Ever feel that way?

Judges 6:14 (ESV)

14 And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”

NOTICE: THE LORD – previously The Angel of the Lord, hear THE LORD.

            Angel of the Lord = Jesus pre-incarnate

God is telling him Go in this might of yours and save Israel. – YOUR MIGHT???

Judges 6:15-16

15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” 16 And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

HOW? I’m weak, my clan is weak, I’m poor, I’m nothing.

1 Corinthians 1:27–29 (NLT)

27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

1 Corinthians 1:31 (NLT)

31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

Judges 6:16

16 And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

“I WILL BE WITH YOU”

“you shall strike the Midianites as one man” – “ONE” – ehad – one unified whole

IF GOD IS WITH US

Romans 8:31–32 (ESV)

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Judges 6:17–18 (ESV)

17 And he said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, then show me a sign that it is you who speak with me. 18Please do not depart from here until I come to you and bring out my present and set it before you.” And he said, “I will stay till you return.”

LOOKING FOR SIGN/CONFIRMATION

What are some of the ways that God gives us confirmation?

            Through his word

            Through other Christians

            Through peace

            Through circumstances

Judges 6:19–21 (ESV)

19 So Gideon went into his house and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and the broth he put in a pot, and brought them to him under the terebinth and presented them. 20 And the angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened cakes, and put them on this rock, and pour the broth over them.” And he did so. 21 Then the angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. And fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. And the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight.

Judges 6:22–24 (ESV)

22 Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.” 23 But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” 24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites.

Judges 6:25–27 (ESV)

25 That night the Lord said to him, “Take your father’s bull, and the second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it 26 and build an altar to the Lord your God on the top of the stronghold here, with stones laid in due order. Then take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah that you shall cut down.” 27 So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the Lord had told him. But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night.

Judgment begins with house of the Lord –

GIDEON’S FATHER HAD OWN ALTAR OF BAAL

            Obedience begins with our own home

            God calling you as a dad or boss to do something in your family or business?

God tests obedience with small things

Judges 6:26

26 and build an altar to the Lord your God on the top of the stronghold here, with stones laid in due order

Altar on top of the stronghold

Gideon – does it, but at night. And gets people to help.

Judges 6:27

But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night.

Do you fear your family? You are like Gideon and most people. WALK BY FAITH

Judges 6:28–30 (ESV)

28 When the men of the town rose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah beside it was cut down, and the second bull was offered on the altar that had been built. 29 And they said to one another, “Who has done this thing?” And after they had searched and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.” 30 Then the men of the town said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has broken down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it.”

Gideon in TROUBLE

Judges 6:31–32 (ESV)

31 But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because his altar has been broken down.” 32 Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he broke down his altar.

GIDEON inspires his dad.

Sons an daughters can bring faith to parents!

Judges 6:33–35 (ESV)

33 Now all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East came together, and they crossed the Jordan and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel. 34 But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him. 35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, and they too were called out to follow him. And he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they went up to meet them.

Midianites camp at valley of Jezreel – valley of Armageddon. 

The opposing army comes in and Gideon sounds the trumpet to summon the Israelites

Judges 6:36–38 (ESV)

36 Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, 37 behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.” 38 And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water.

FLEECE – make dew only on the wool – was and rung out bowl

Judges 6:39–40 (ESV)

39 Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.” 40 And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.

Gideon asks again

SO how do we discern God’s Will?

FLEECE

Looking for signs vs. confirmation

Wicked and adulterous generation seeks for a sign

FLEECE – supernatural event

            Not a phone call at 3:35 pm – what if comes at 3:45?

BAD SOURCES FOR FINDING GOD’S WILL

1.     Horoscopes, Astrology, Tarot Cards, Psychics, Spirit Guides

Deuteronomy 18:10–14 (NLT)

10 For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, 11 or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord…14 The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the Lord your God forbids you to do such things.”

2.     Social Media – crowd sourcing – tell you what you want to hear or their experience

3.     YouTube and Google

      Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints = Mormon

      Jehovah’s Witness

      Other cults, and twisted versions of Christianity

      Google – sometimes answers are out of context due to algorithm; or wrong

UNRELIABLE SOURCES FOR GOD’S WILL

1.     Fleeces

2.     Dreams (21 in Bible, 10 in Genesis)

a.     Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar, Pharoah, Pontius Pilate’s Wife

3.     Casting Lots, flipping a coin (Matthias Acts 1:26, Jonah 1:7, Prov 16:33)

a.     Dave calls it “going to Las Vegas”

4.     Circumstances and Open Doors

a.     Garden of Eden didn’t have a fence around Tree of Knowledge

b.     Tye and Lori deciding to homeschool (and God providing)

5.     Prophets and Pastors

1 Corinthians 14:29 (ESV)

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

“weigh” – judge, evaluate

HOW TO FIND THE WILL OF GOD

1.     The Word of God

1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 (ESV)

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Peter 2:13–16 (ESV)

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

DON’T KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS? GO TO

GOTQUESTIONS.ORG

1 John 2:15–17 (ESV)

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

HOW TO FIND THE WILL OF GOD

1.   The Word of God

2.     The Spirit of God

John 16:13a (ESV)

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…

Ephesians 5:17–18 (ESV)

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

HOW TO FIND THE WILL OF GOD

1.   The Word of God

2.     The Spirit of God

-       Know His voice (1 Kings 19:12 – sound of silence)

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV)

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

TEST THE WILL OF GOD (mind renewed; Romans 8 – walk in the Spirit)

2.     The Spirit of God

-       Know His voice (1 Kings 19:12 – sound of silence)

-       Examine your heart

Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT)

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

 George Müller (evangelist and director of orphanage in England in 1800’s) - “I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is” (Answers to Prayer: from George Müller’s Narratives, compiled by A.E.C. Brooks, Lector House, 2020)

JESUS PRAYER – NOT MY WILL BUT YOURS BE DONE

HOW TO FIND THE WILL OF GOD

1.     The Word of God

2.     The Spirit of God (examine your motives)

a.     Can speak through verse, pastor/counselor/friend

3.     The Peace of God

TRUE TEST - PEACE

Colossians 3:14–16 (ESV)

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

You can have a false peace when steps out of order (vomit letter)

PAUL’S APOSTOLIC PRAYERS

Colossians 1:9 (ESV)

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Ephesians 1:18-19 (ESV)

18that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

NOT ABOUT YOU! ALL ABOUT HIM!

God chooses to use us, then blesses us for the work He did through us.

ADDITIONAL VERSES ON THE WILL OF GOD

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Ephesians 5:15–18 (ESV)

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Micah 6:8 (ESV)

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

1 Timothy 2:3–4 (ESV)

3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

How Do I Get Rid of my Idols & Find Jesus? A meditation on the book of Judges

[Jdg 2:11 YLT] 11 And the sons of Israel do the evil thing in the eyes of Yahweh, and serve the Baalim,

[2Th 2:3 NASB20] 3 No one is to deceive you in any way! For [it will not come] unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Big Idea:  The root of every sin in our lives is idolatry.

Only by repenting of the idols of our heart and turning to Jesus Christ instead can we consistently overcome repetitive patterns of sin by the power of a real personal relationship with Jesus Christ based on his sacrificial death and resurrection from the dead.   

Only the Holy Spirit can give us such faith and repentance.   We need HIS revelation and power to stop believing in false “saviors” and trust instead in Christ Jesus alone to save us in all aspects of our lives.

Three options

1.      Idol directed life – Unbeliever.

2.      Double minded life – Unstable weak believer.

3.      Christ directed life – Mature believer.

Recommended Reading:  Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Mattersby Timothy Keller

“In the 1830s, when Alexis de Tocqueville recorded his famous observations on America, he noted a “strange melancholy that haunts the inhabitants . . . in the midst of abundance.”2 Americans believed that prosperity could quench their yearning for happiness, but such a hope was illusory, because, de Tocqueville added, “the incomplete joys of this world will never satisfy [the human] heart.”3 This strange melancholy manifests itself in many ways, but always leads to the same despair of not finding what is sought.”

Keller, Timothy. Counterfeit Gods . Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition

Summary of the book of judges:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOYy8iCfIJ4&t=449s

Commentary on Judges:  https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/judges/

OUTLINE of the book of judges: [1]

I. Introduction to era of the judges, Chapters 1, 2

II. Era of the judges, Chapters 3-16  - Seven Seasons of Apostasy

III. Results of era of the judges (confusion), Chapters 17-21

A. Religious apostasy (the temple), Jdg 17, 18

B. Moral awfulness (the home), Jdg 19

C. Political anarchy (the state), Jdg 20, 21

Apologetics Concerning Judges: 

Judges is an X rated book of the bible.  Just because God uses a man does not mean that he endorses all that the man does or says.   This is real history, but the point is that even the leaders God is using are very “double minded” and unstable in all their ways.

[Jdg 3:1-11 NLT] 1 These are the nations that the LORD left in the land to test those Israelites who had not experienced the wars of Canaan. 2 He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle. 3 These are the nations: the Philistines (those living under the five Philistine rulers), all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath. 4 These people were left to test the Israelites--to see whether they would obey the commands the LORD had given to their ancestors through Moses. 5 So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, 6 and they intermarried with them. Israelite sons married their daughters, and Israelite daughters were given in marriage to their sons. And the Israelites served their gods. 7 The Israelites did evil in the LORD's sight. They forgot about the LORD their God, and they served the images of Baal and the Asherah poles. 8 Then the LORD burned with anger against Israel, and he turned them over to King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram-naharaim. And the Israelites served Cushan-rishathaim for eight years. 9 But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help, the LORD raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Othniel, the son of Caleb's younger brother, Kenaz. 10 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel's judge. He went to war against King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram, and the LORD gave Othniel victory over him. 11 So there was peace in the land for forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died.

First Apostasy: Judges 3:5-7

First Oppressor:  Cushan-rishathaim - 'Cushan' or 'Chushan' may indicate Cushite origins. 'Rishathaim' means 'double-wickedness'("resha" רשע - "evil" or "wickedness" + "im" יים - doubling suffix). -

The First Judge:  Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother

Results – 40 years of שָׁקַט shâqaṭ, - Rest, peace, and security – Yahweh is their KING and Othniel is HIS judge.

Second Apostasy - Now the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. Judges 3:12

Application: 

Read the book of Judges prayerfully and carefully.   Note anything that strikes you while reading it. 

What sins do you find hard to release?   Remember they come in two forms.  Lawlessness and Legalism. 

What is the “idol” that is the source of this sin?   Apply the gospel to the idol. 

[1] https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mcgee_j_vernon/notes-outlines/judges/judges-outline.cfm

Meeting Jesus in Scripture, Prayer, and Fellowship

The goal tonight is to learn a process of combining Scripture, Prayer, and Fellowship to have a personal encounter with the Living Christ.

Four Parts of the process

Read The Scriptures

Reflect On the Scriptures

Relate to the Lord through the Scriptures (Prayer based on scripture)

Resting in the presence of the Lord

The Therefore is that Jesus has given to us the perfect “rest” or Sabbath from works through HIS death, burial, and resurrection from the dead.  (Hebrews 4:1-13)

[Heb 4:14-16 NET] 14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.

I.               Read The Scriptures out loud with a prayer for revelation – Lord Jesus, reveal to me now more about who YOU are and what YOU have done in YOUR WORD.  Meet me now in YOUR WORD. 

Take two minutes to be quiet before God and slowly read the scripture.  

What is the big idea of this passage?  In one sentence how would you explain the big idea?

II.              Reflect on the Scriptures – Read the scriptures out loud again.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring revelation to YOU through this passage.

Quiet Reflection Question: What is one word or phrase that you’re drawn to?

If you have received a word or phrase you can share that with the group now by speaking it out loud as a prayer — with no explanation or commentary. This way, we can feed off the fruit of each other’s meditations.

III.             Relate to the Lord through the Scriptures – Read the passage again out loud.   Pray again for the Holy Spirit to help YOU see Christ more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow HIM more nearly.   Read it quietly to yourself and put YOUR name into the passage.

Base a prayer on the word or phrase the Lord gave you.  

What in this passage help you understand more about the Lord Jesus?

What in this passage most helps you deal with some issue in your life?

What do you experience when you read this passage?

What are your emotional response to this passage?

What specific situation in your life today relates to this passage?

IV.            Resting in the presence of the Lord – Read the passage again asking the Holy Spirit to make it so that the words are being spoken just to you today in a very personal way. 

What is God’s personal invitation to you from the Bible passage?

You can journal what God may say to you or offer a prayer of thanks for what God is showing you.

To hear God, you need to turn off the critic or cynic in your mind that questions whether you’re really hearing God. When God speaks, it’s usually in thoughts and feelings that come into your mind. Later, you can check what you discerned to see if it’s consistent with God’s inspired words in the Bible…

If you’ve received a personal invitation from the Lord it’d be a blessing if you share that. This helps you hold onto what you’ve received from God and it helps others to feed off the fruit of your meditation.

V.              Close in Prayer asking the Lord to transform us through this passage

RESOURCE:  JOURNAL OF SACRED READINGS BY KEN BOA

https://kenboa.org/product/a-journal-of-sacred-readings-2/

THE BATTLE OF FEELINGS VS FAITH

 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”

Jeremiah 29:10-14

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord..”

Jeremiah 32:25-27 NKJV

“…the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans.’

” Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Isaiah 59:19 NKJV

“…When the enemy comes in

like a flood The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.”

like a flood,    כַנָּהָר֙    A stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

Ezekiel 47:1-6 NKJV

“Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river.”

Revelation 16:12 (NKJV)

Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.

PIC OF CHURCH IN RODNEY GEORGIA

Romans 8:12-14 NKJV

“…brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

Galatians 3:3 NLT

“How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?”

Revelation 22:1 NKJV

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

Revelation 22:17 NKJV

“And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Matthew 14:30-31 NKJV

“…when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him…”

John 7:37-39 NKJV

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

John 19:33-34 NKJV

“But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.”

Acts 2:1-2 NKJV

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”

Acts 2:14-18 NKJV

“But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.”

Acts 2:36-39 NKJV

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Romans 12:1-2

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Come, lord Jesus! - Revelation 22

Revelation 1:1

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place.”

Revelation 1:19 NKJV

“Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.”

Revelation 1:3

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

I Corinthians 13:11-12 NKJV

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

Revelation 22:1-2 NKJV

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

Revelation 2:7 NKJV

“… To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”

I John 3:2-3 NKJV

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

Revelation 22:3 NKJV

“And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.”

Revelation 22:4 NKJV

“They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.”

Revelation 22:5 NKJV

“There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”

Revelation 22:6 NKJV

Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.”

Revelation 22:6-7 NKJV

And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.”

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Revelation 22:8-9 NKJV

“Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

Revelation 22:10 NKJV

 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.”

Revelation 22:11 NKJV

“He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

Revelation 22:12 NKJV

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”

Revelation 22:13 NKJV

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Revelation 22:14-15 NKJV

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”

ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD

1. DOGS

2. SORCERERS

3. SEXUALLY IMMORAL

4. MURDERS

5. IDOLATERS

6. LOVERS OF LIES

Revelation 22:16 NKJV

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

Revelation 22:17 NKJV

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Revelation 22:18-19 NKJV

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

Revelation 22:20-21 NKJV

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

THE LAST WORD

THE OLD TESTAMENT

Malachi 4:6 NKJV

“…Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

THE NEW TESTAMENT

Revelation 22:21

“…The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

SATAN CAN’T HAVE GOD’S CHILDREN

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

“…we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

II Timothy 1:7 NKJV

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Exodus 1:8-22 NKJV

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage—in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor. Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; and he said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?” And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.” Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them. So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”

THE SATANIC STRATEGY

1. ADAM & EVE (God’s children)

2. CAIN (Adam & Eve’s children)

3. THE DAUGHTERS OF LOT

4. ISRAEL’S CHILDREN (Jacob’s kids)

5. THE CHILDREN OF KINGS (1&2 KINGS)

6. THE DECREE OF HEROD (2 & under)

7. THE MESSIAH (God’s Son)

Revelation 12:4-5 NKJV

“…the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.”

THE SATANIC STRATEGY

1. ADAM & EVE (God’s children)

2. CAIN (Adam & Eve’s children)

3. THE DAUGHTERS OF LOT

4. ISRAEL’S CHILDREN (Jacob’s kids)

5. THE CHILDREN OF KINGS (1&2 KINGS)

6. THE DECREE OF HEROD (2 & under)

7. THE MESSIAH (God’s Son)

8. OUR CHILDREN (God’s children)

Matthew 2:13-15 NKJV

“…an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Ezekiel 33:6-7 NKJV

“...if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’ “So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.”

Deuteronomy 18:9-14 NKJV

“When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not appointed such for you.”

Proverbs 19:18

“Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.”

Asleep In The Light

Do you see? Do you see?

All the people sinking down?

Don't you care? Don't you care?

Are you gonna let them drown?

How can you be so numb?

Not to care if they come

You close your eyes and pretend the job's done

"Oh, bless me, Lord, bless me, Lord"

You know, it's all I ever hear

No one aches, no one hurts

No one even sheds one tear

But, He cries, He weeps, He bleeds

And He cares for your needs

And you just lay back and keep soaking it in

Oh, can't you see it's such sin?

The world is sleeping in the dark

That the church just can't fight

'Cause it's asleep in the light

How can you be so dead

When you've been so well fed?

Jesus rose from the grave

And you, you can't even get out of bed

How can you be so numb

Not to care if they come?

You close your eyes and pretend the job's done

You close your eyes and pretend the job's done

Don't close your eyes, don't pretend the job's done

Matthew 18:1-6

“…the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

RETURN OF THE GODS

Jonathan Cahn

THE DARK TRINITY

1. BAAL (the processor)

2. ASHTAR (sexuality) wife of Baal

3. MOLECH (the destroyer)

Leviticus 18:21

“ ‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.”

PIC OF MOLECH

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 NKJV

“Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’ “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Joshua 24:14-15 NKJV

“Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Psalms 95:1-7 NKJV

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.”

Psalms 97:9-10 NKJV

“For You, Lord, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.”

Heaven out of this world

Heaven? What will heaven be like?

            Will your loved ones be there? Will our pets be there?

Will we sit atop clouds and play harps all day?

Lots of myths

CARTOON – FARSIDE

Isaac Asimov “I don’t believe in an afterlife.  So I don’t have to spend my whole life fearing hell or fearing heaven more, for whatever the tortures of hell are, I think the boredom of heaven would be even worse.”

            Heaven boring because it is one eternal church service

Satan attacks the person of God, the people of God, the place of God

Review

Rev 19 – the Most Important – Return of Jesus Christ

Rev 20 – Most Controversial – Millennium and Hell

Rev 21 – Most Exciting – Description of Heaven

Revelation 20:11 (ESV) — 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.

Chapter 20 – earth and heaven fled away (passed away in chapter 21)

New heaven and new earth

Message

Revelation 21:1-8 (ESV)

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Exodus 33:18–23 (ESV) — 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21 And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”

Revelation 21:1 (ESV)

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

Multiple phases or ages of the earth

Ephesians 1:20–21 (ESV)

20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Ephesians 2:7 (ESV)

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

2 Peter 3:10–13 (ESV)

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

MANY HEAVENS

CHART: Creation, Fall, Flood, Millennium, Heaven

Revelation 21:1 (ESV)

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

Sea no more – sea in Revelation often a reference to lost people or Gentiles

Revelation 21:2 (ESV)

2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV)

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

HEAVEN DEFINED BY WHAT’S NOT THERE

No more death

No more mourning

No more crying

Isaiah 65:16 (ESV) — 16 So that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten and are hidden from my eyes.

Isaiah 65:17 (ESV) — 17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.

Philippians 3:13–14 (ESV) — 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Too many today – still living in the past

            Satan wants you to live in the past – nostalgia, never satisfied with today

                                    Live in the past – holding on to past hurts, unforgiveness

                        Live in the future – fear and anxiety, worry

                                    “Worry is complaining to God about something that hasn’t happened yet.” – Ken Graves

Revelation 21:5-6 (ESV)

5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.

God distracted by all that he is seeing – God has to say:  Yo!  John!  Write this down!

Revelation 21:7 (ESV)

7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

John 1:12 (ESV) — 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Revelation 21:8

8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Who is not in Heaven?

Ouch –

            Detestable

            Murderers

            Sexually immoral – porneia (all forms of sexual immorality, homosexuality, pornography, bestiality, fornication, adultery, pedophilia, hooking-up, friends with benefits)

            Sorcerers – pharmakia – drug use, witchcraft,

            Idolaters – any idols, any thing above God

            Liars –

            Notice also:

                        Cowardly

                        Faithless

            I understand faithless – no faith, not get into heaven, it is by faith

                        Cowardly – stand before men/deny Jesus before men

                        Many say on last day, did we not do miracles in your name, cast out demons,

                        Many say we were in church every week, but Jesus will say you made no room for me in your life.

REVIEW – what’s not in heaven

Those walking in their sin

Tears, pain, suffering, crying

Former things

Revelation 21:9-14

9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Revelation 21:15

 15 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel’s measurement. 18 The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass.

Size – 12,000 stadia (or furlongs) = 1400 miles!

            Cube

            About the size of the moon!

12000 stadia = about 1400 miles

On United States:

Florida to Canada out to Colorado to the Atlantic

2 million square miles

larger than India

1400 miles high!

Earth’s atmosphere ends about 75 miles up

If 12 foot floors – 600,000 floors

Elevators –

            Vertical and horizontal passage ways

            Travel much faster?

BIG CITY! – 3 billion cubic miles –

How many people there?  No clue, but all people who trusted in Christ, believe in the promise by faith from the OT, all infants born and unborn

Revelation 21:19-27

19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Wall – 216 feet wide, 70 yards.  

12 different jeweled walls – dazzling beauty

            stained glass

            Jewels correspond to breastplate on the high priest

Gates – pearls – single pearl – huge

            Pearl formed by oyster – an irritation of sand or small worm

            Oyster coats the sand to cover the irritation, and continues – amazing beauty

            Like you and I – trials in this world, but God is using them to create

something beautiful

            Oysters – not Kosher for the Jew, yet gates of pearls – oyster

            We are the pearl of great price – that Jesus gave all that he had, his life for us

Finally – streets of gold – like transparent glass

            God is saying – so many gave their lives in pursuit of gold and riches, yet in heaven, gold is the asphalt.  It is common place

            Gold transparent – current work among scientists to create or manipulate metals to be clear – however, not there yet.  Gold still be yellowish due to it’s properties, but in New Jerusalem God may show us somethings we don’t know!

ILLUSTRATION

1952 Florence Chadwick, first woman to swim the English Channel and back, in 1952 decided to swim from Catalina to California, swam for 15 hours, got tired, weary, and gave up because of dense fog (even though mom was in boat along side saying not much further)

she gave up, less than half mile from the shore

She said, “I think if I could have seen the shore, I would have made it.”

We need to keep eyes focused on Heaven!

Are you laboring in vain?

Are you living in vain?

[1Co 15:56-58 NASB20] 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers [and sisters,] be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not [in] vain in the Lord.

I.                The gospel saves us from a wasted life but one of victory!

II.              Are you doing the work of the Lord?

a.    Firm

b.    Immovable

c.    Excelling

III.            A life of faith lived “East of Eden” is not in vain!

  [1Co 10:31-33 NASB20] 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God. 32 Do not offend Jews or Greeks, or the church of God; 33 just as I also please everyone in all things, not seeking my own benefit but the [benefit] of the many, so that they may be saved.

You have an eternal life with God and the first 100 Years of that eternal life is difficult but has a once in eternity opportunity to reflect the nature of God and accomplish good which you will never have again for all eternity.

In heaven you cannot glorify God by:

Forgiving someone who sins against you

Loving your enemy.

Giving the gospel to an unbeliever.

Sacrificing limited resources to give to a ministry.

Provide help to those in need.

Visiting a sick friend.

Raising a child in the faith.

Working with sweat and tears to provide for your family.

Giving birth to a child.

Fighting against injustice

Making disciples of people.

Teaching people who don’t know the truth the truth.

Comforting the mourning.

Worshiping God after suffering loss.

Jewish toast, L'Chaim, which means “To life!” Judaism puts very big emphasis on life and the importance of living a good life,

Big Idea:  As a priest of God saved by faith in Christ Jesus, every moment of your life is sacred and brings glory to God you live a life worthy of the gospel in every relationship.

Take note this week of all the ways you are reflecting the truth and love of God in all the things you do. 

When god rules: The Millennial Reign

Revelation 20:1-6 (ESV)

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. 4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Antichrist and False Prophet dealt with at end of chapter 19, at battle of Armageddon.

Now Satan dealt with – Begins by angel coming with key to the bottomless pit and a chain.

Bottomless pit = abyss (abusso), used 8x in Revelation

            Chuck Missler believes center of the earth

Revelation 20:2-3

2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

Satan bound and sealed in abyss so CAN’T DECEIVE THE NATIONS FOR 1000 years.

3 VIEWS ON THE 1000 YEARS

Post-millennial – The Church will prepare the world for Christ’s return, and we are in the millennium now. The world will be “Christianized” and then Jesus will return.

Amillennial – Jesus is reigning now, and the Millennium is just figurative for a very long time.

Pre-millennial – Jesus will come back before to the earth and physically reign over the earth for a literal 1000 years.

What happens during the Millennium?

MILLENNIUM FULFILLS THE KINGLY PROPHECIES ABOUT JESUS

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV)

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Jews don’t believe because Jesus hasn’t done this yet.

Angel to Mary at conception:

Luke 1:32–33 (ESV)

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

During Millennium – Theocracy – Jesus reigns

Ezekiel 37:21–28 (ESV)

21 then say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land. 22 And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms. 23 They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions. But I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 24 “My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes. 25 They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children’s children shall dwell there forever, and David my servant shall be their prince forever. 26 I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. 27 My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28 Then the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”

Revelation 20:4-6

4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Tribulation saints resurrected

First Resurrection is a CATEGORY

            Jesus (1 Cor. 15:20)

            Church (1 Cor 15:51-52; Rom 6:5)

            Tribulation Saints (Rev 10:4)

RULE WITH CHRIST-

1 Corinthians 6:2–3 (ESV)

2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!

Revelation 20:5-6

5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

KINGS AND PRIESTS

Revelation 1:6 (ESV)

6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:10 (NKJV)

10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

SO WHO DO WE RULE OVER?????

BEGINNING OF MILLENNIUM: JUDGMENT

FIRST- Sheep and Goats judgment

Matthew 25:31–34 (ESV)

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Matthew 25:39–40 (ESV)

39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

CHART _

People in the Millennium

            Resurrected Saints

Repentant Israel who survived

            Believers who were not beheaded

            Unbelievers who didn’t take the mark but did protect Christians/Jews  (?)

ALSO

OTHER PASSAGES THAT TALK ABOUT MILLENNIUM

Isaiah 65:17–20 (ESV)

17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. 20 No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.

Isaiah 65:21-25 (ESV)

21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord, and their descendants with them. 24 Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 11:6–9 (ESV)

6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. 9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Zechariah 14:16–17 (ESV)

16 Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths. 17 And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, there will be no rain on them.

Revelation 20:7-10

7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. 9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, 10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

FINAL REBELLION

Gog and Magog – some link to Ezekiel 38-39, but the rest of chronology doesn’t fit (more likely this is allusion to the rebellion in 38-39)

Revelation 20:10

10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

NOTICE CONNECTION BETWEEN BEAST, FALSE PROPHET AND DEVIL – SAME FATE

“THEY” will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

1000 years after Armageddon – and still being tortured

Revelation 20:11-15

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

GREAT WHITE THRONE – for unbelievers

Revelation 20:11

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.

RUN FOR THE HILLS!

Revelation 20:12

12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

Revelation 20:13

 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.

Everyone gets a resurrection – sea, death and hades

Revelation 3:5 (ESV)

5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

Suggest – everyone’s name written in the book of life, but those that reject him or don’t choose to receive him, names blotted out.

Revelation 20:14-15

14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

2 Peter 3:1–14 (ESV)

1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”

2 Peter 3:5-7 (ESV)

5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

2 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV)

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2 Peter 3:10-14 (ESV)

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

The Great Supper of God: The Battle of Armageddon - Revelation 19

Revelation 19:1-10 (ESV)

1 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” 3 Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.” 6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Wedding of Heaven – Dave’s message from a couple weeks ago.

Overwhelming worship

Seeing all this worship of the Lamb and encounter with God’s presence results in worship

            HOWEVER – don’t worship the instrument!

            We worship pastors, we worship churches, we worship singers, we worship

JESUS HASN’T EVEN APPEARED YET!

Revelation 19:10b

“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Revelation 19:10 (NLT)

10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.”

Second coming mentioned 8x more than first coming 
            1845second
            1527, 318 NT

Every time atonement mentioned, 2nd coming mentioned 2x

PROPHECY POINTS TO JESUS

            HE IS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER

IT’S ALL ABOUT…. JESUS!

– V. 1-10 focus on what John heard 2x (next section what he SAW -3x)

TIMELINE CHART

Revelation 19:11-16 ESV

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

NOW JESUS!

SO MANY TITLES!

            On the White Horse (Air Horse One)

            Faithful (never leaves us or forsakes us, He is faithful)

True  (he is the way the truth and the life) – contrast Father of lies

            Judges in righteousness  (judges fairly)

                        SATAN ATTACKS THESE TITLES (don’t you care? Are you really there)

            Makes War (in righteousness)

                        We don’t attack the people, we need to attack the ideas

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (ESV)

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Revelation 19:12

12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.

Chapters 1-2 “eyes like a flame of fire” – sees through and burns away pretense, eyes burn a whole, see through us – no pretense, no hiding, no getting away

Many diadems – many crowns – taken from other kings, he is the King of kings – He has all authority

            Antichrist

Revelation 6:1–2 (ESV)

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.

Crown – stephanos (wreath of the victor in games)

Diadem – diadema (crown/diadem of kings)

Revelation 19:12

12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.

Name = identity – SO MUCH TO EXPLORE ABOUT JESUS

            “I know who you are…”

Revelation 19:13

13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

Word of God (John 1 – the Logos)

“robe dipped in blood” – His own or someone else’s? CONTEXT

Skip to verse 15 –

Revelation 19:15

15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Isaiah 63:1-4; 6 (ESV)

1 Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.” 2 Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress? 3 “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel. 4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come…6 I trampled down the peoples in my anger; I made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.”

REMEMBER REVELATION 14?

3 harvests:

barley (Feast of First Fruits - Jews)

wheat (Pentecost – Church)

grapes (Yom Kippur – the Wicked)

Revelation 14:18–20 (ESV)

18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia.

MAP

1600 stadia (183 miles) – distance from Staging area of Armageddon in Megiddo to Bozrah/Petra

Revelation 19:14

14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.

Revelation 19:15-16

15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Sharp sword – Rhomphaia – broadsword – stab, piercing

On his robe – name written King of kings and Lord of lords!

            Flag – some say tattoo.

Revelation 19:17-18

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.”

Battle of Armageddon – all men, slave/free, small/great.

Revelation 19:19-

19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.

Psalm 2:1–3 (NLT)

1 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. 3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

Psalm 2:4-9 (NLT)

4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. 6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” 7 The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. 8Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. 9 You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.’ ”

Psalm 2:10-12 (NLT)

10 Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! 11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities— for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him!

Zechariah 14:1–5 (NKJV)

1 Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, The houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. 4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south… Thus the Lord my God will come, And all the saints with You.

Revelation 19:20-21

20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 (NLT)

8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.

Breath = pneuma = Spirit

“Talk about being blown away!”

Beast and False Prophet – thrown into the Lake of Fire -  MORE ON THAT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER

You’ve Already Won – Shane and Shane

[Verse 1]
There's peace that outlasts darkness
Hope that's in the blood
There's future grace that's mine today
That Jesus Christ has won

So I can face tomorrow
For tomorrow's in Your hands
All I need, you will provide
Just like you always have

[Chorus]
And I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome

Don't know what you're doing
But I know what you've done
And I'm fighting a battle
You've already won

[Verse 2]
There's mercy in the waiting
Manna for today
And when it's gone, I know you're not
You are my hope and stay

When the sea is raging
Your Spirit is my help
He'll fix my eyes on Jesus Christ
I'll say that it is well
Oh, I know that it is well

[Chorus]
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome
Don't know what your doing
But I know what you've done, thank you, God
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won

[Bridge]
I know how the story ends
We will be with you again
You're my Savior, my defense,
No more fear in life or death

[Chorus]
I'm fighting a battle
That You've already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome
Don't know what your doing
But I know what you've done,
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won

Coming out of Pride - Part 3

Proverbs 16:18-20 NKJV

“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.”

Proverbs 11:2

“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

pride

a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements

Pride: (Webster)

Disproportionately large self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others.

TITAN:

a person or thing of very great strength,

James 4:14 ESV

“you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

Psalm 138:2 NKJV

“…You have magnified Your word above all Your name.”

THE DESIGN OF GOD

-Government

-Gender

-Marriage

-Sex

-Family

-CHURCH

2 Corinthians 2:11 NIV

“in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”

Isaiah 14:12-15 NKJV

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.”

Genesis 3:1 NKJV

“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said…?”

IDENTITY CONFUSION ATTACK

🔥SIGNS OF IDENTITY CRISIS🔥

1. Consistently question their salvation

2. Hold to an unhealthy fear of demonic powers

3. See trials as if they’re abandoned by God

4. See spiritual bondage as a normal part of the Christian life

5. Live with their past hanging over their heads

Genesis 1:27-28 NKJV

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply…”

Galatians 3:28 NKJV

“…there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:26-28 NKJV

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Isaiah 3:12 NKJV

“As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.”

STAY AWAY FROM

1. I feel…

2. In my experience

3. In my culture

4. In corporate America

Genesis 3:16 NKJV

To the woman He said: “…Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”

Ephesians 5:23-24 NKJV

“For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.”

1 Timothy 3:2

 “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife…”

I Corinthians 11:8-9 NKJV

“For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.”

1 Corinthians 11:3-16

“But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. A man dishonors his head if he covers his head while praying or prophesying. But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head. Yes, if she refuses to wear a head covering, she should cut off all her hair! But since it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or her head shaved, she should wear a covering. A man should not wear anything on his head when worshiping, for man is made in God’s image and reflects God’s glory. And woman reflects man’s glory. For the first man didn’t come from woman, but the first woman came from man. And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man. For this reason, and because the angels are watching, a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority. But among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women. For although the first woman came from man, every other man was born from a woman, and everything comes from God. Judge for yourselves. Is it right for a woman to pray to God in public without covering her head? Isn’t it obvious that it’s disgraceful for a man to have long hair? And isn’t long hair a woman’s glory? For it has been given to her as a covering. But if anyone wants to argue about this, I simply say that we have no other custom than this, and neither do the other churches of God”

Titus 2:3-5 NLT

“…teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.”

KJV

“that the word of God may not be blasphemed”

Proverbs 12:4a NKJV

“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband…”

1 Timothy 2:11-14 NLT

“Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result.”

Matthew 23:6-12

“And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the seats of honor in the synagogues, and personal greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by the people. But as for you, do not be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for only One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for only One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest of you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”

“When I believe a title given by man defines me, I will do everything for and anything to man to get that title, no matter the cost”

Signed,

The wounded and searching soul

Mark 10:42-45 NKJV

But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Proverbs 16:18-20 NKJV

“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.”

Psalm 138:2 NKJV

“…You have magnified Your word above all Your name.”

Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.”

Romans 10:17 NKJV

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

John 1:1-14 NKJV

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Psalm 107:20 NKJV

 “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

Coming OUT OF PRIDE part 2

John 8:31-36 NKJV

Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

Proverbs 14:12 NKJV

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

“Running towards the truth that you perceive is very, very problematic when the 'truth' that you perceive is, in fact, a delusion sent by God himself as a judgment on those who did not love the truth.”

II Thessalonians 2:9-12 NKJV

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

I Corinthians 6:9-10NKJV

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9 KJV

nor effeminate,

nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Revelation 22:12-15

Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

James 4:1-6

“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

I Corinthians 5:1-2 NKJV

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.”

 Ephesians 5:3-7 NKJV

“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.”

Proverbs 13:12

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Despite increasing acceptance (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/06/25/global-divide-on-homosexuality-persists/) of the LGBTQ+ community, adults who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual are more likely than those who identify as straight to have serious thoughts of suicide and mental health conditions including major depressive episodes, and they are more likely to misuse substances like alcohol or drugs, according to a new US government report.

Romans 7:19-25 NKJV

“For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

II Timothy 2:20-26 NKJV

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

🌈WHEN WE STAND FOR THE WHOLE TRUTH FROM GOD, WE WONT FALL FOR ALL THE LIES 🌈

I Corinthians 6:9-11 NKJV

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

🔥GRACE FOR THE HUMBLE🔥

I Corinthians 6:11 NKJV

…you were washed

…you were sanctified

…you were justified

1. IN the name of the Lord Jesus

2. BY the Spirit of our God

1 Corinthians 6:11 AMP

“But you were washed [by the atoning sacrifice of Christ], you were sanctified [set apart for God, and made holy], you were justified [declared free of guilt] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God [the source of the believer’s new life and changed behavior].”

1. WASHED: a new mind, removal of sin. Cleansing of conscience

2. SANCTIFIED: a new nature. Set a part, declared holy

3. JUSTIFIED: a new righteousness. Full pardon with a new name.

IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS

BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD…

Titus 3:4-7 NKJV

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Isaiah 54:17 NKJV

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.

THE PERFECT CHURCH

\Matthew 16:18 NKJV

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

“I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH”

                     JESUS CHRIST

CHART OF CHURCH HISTORY

A.D. 33 The birth of the Church

A.D.380 Christianity declared  State religion of the Roman Empire

1054 The Great Schism

( Eastern Orthodox Church)

1517 Protestant reformation (Martin Luther)

1600s

Denomination: name.

-Lutherans

-Baptists

-Methodist

-Presbyterians

2023

over 45,000 Protestant denominations

Revelation 3:1-2 NKJV

And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.”

Revelation 7:9-12 NKJV

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

ONE CHURCH

ONE THRONE

ONE VOICE

ONE GOD

“I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH”

                        JESUS CHRIST

THE PERFECT CHURCH

1. HOSPITAL

2. FAMILY

3. ARMY

Matthew 16:18 NKJV

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

1. HOSPITAL

2. FAMILY

3. ARMY

CHURCH: Ekklesia - called out of.

“Called out of imperfection to perfection, being perfected.”

Hebrews 10:14 NKJV

“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”

 I John 4:17 NKJV

“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”

I John 4:18 NKJV

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

THE PROCESS OF PERFECTING LOVE

1. HOSPITAL

2. FAMILY

James 1:2-4 NKJV

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Philippians 3:12 NKJV

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”

Matthew 5:48 NKJV

“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

3. ARMY

Matthew 16:15-19 NKJV

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

THE MYSTERY OF BABYLON REVEALED part 2 - Revelation 18

Genesis 1:1-4 NKJV

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.”

THE TALE OF TWO

2 KINGDOMS: LIGHT & DARKNESS

2 CITIES: JERUSALEM & BABYLON

2 WOMEN: THE BRIDE & THE HARLOT

HARLOT and beast front of the UN building pic

Priests in scarlet and purple with cup pic

Revelation 18:1 NKJV

“After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.”

Hebrews 1:7 ESV

Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire."

Job 38:4, 7 NKJV

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.”

“When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

FOUR VOICES OF THE FALL OF MANKIND (Rev.18)

1. CONDEMNATION

2. SEPARATION

3. LAMENTATION

4. CELEBRATION

Revelation 18:2-3 NKJV

And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”

VIEWS ON PHYSICAL BABYLON

1. APOSTATE ISRAEL

2. THE ROMAN EMPIRE (7 hills)

3. BAGHDAD IN IRAQ REBUILT

4. AMERICA

5. NEOM

PICS OF NEOM

Isaiah 21:9-10 NKJV

 “And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen!” Then he answered and said, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen! And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground.” Oh, my threshing and the grain of my floor! That which I have heard from the Lord of hosts, The God of Israel, I have declared to you.”

Revelation 18:4 NKJV

And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.”

Genesis 19:12-13 NKJV

Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”

Genesis 19:22 NKJV

Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.”

Genesis 19:9 NKJV

And they said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them.” So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door.

Joshua 6:18 NKJV

“And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.”

Revelation 18:5 NKJV

“For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.”

Revelation 18:6 NKJV

“Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.”

Revelation 18:7 NKJV

“In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’”

II Thessalonians 2:3-4, 11-12 NKJV

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Revelation 18:8 NKJV

“Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.”

Jeremiah 51:6-9

“Flee from Babylon! Save yourselves! Don’t get trapped in her punishment! It is the Lord’s time for vengeance; he will repay her in full. Babylon has been a gold cup in the Lord’s hands, a cup that made the whole earth drunk. The nations drank Babylon’s wine, and it drove them all mad. But suddenly Babylon, too, has fallen. Weep for her. Give her medicine. Perhaps she can yet be healed. We would have helped her if we could, but nothing can save her now. Let her go; abandon her. Return now to your own land. For her punishment reaches to the heavens; it is so great it cannot be measured.”

Revelation 18:9-10 NKJV

The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’

Zechariah 14:12 NKJV

“And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.”

PIC OF The destroyer of worlds

Revelation 18:11-13 NKJV

“And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.”(slaves)

Revelation 18:14-18 NKJV

“The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’”

Revelation 18:19-20 NKJV

“They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’ “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”

Revelation 18:21-24 NKJV

 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”

Revelation 6:6 NKJV

And I heard 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 the wine.”

Exodus 20:17 NKJV

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Revelation 14:11-12 NKJV

“And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

COME OUT OF BABYLON

1. BE PATIENT

2. BE FREE

3. BE GENEROUS

James 5:7-8 NKJV

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

II Peter 3:1-9 NKJV

“Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Revelation 3:10-11

“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”

MYSTERY BABYLON: “Woke or Awake”

Revelation 18:1-5 NKJV

After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every UNCLEAN and HATED BIRD! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “COME OUT of her, MY PEOPLE  lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities”

Revelation 18:7 NKJV

 “…she glorified herself and lived luxuriously…”

Revelation 18:8 NKJV

“…she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.”

Revelation 18:9-10 NKJV

“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’”

WOKEISM (woke)

the behavior and attitudes of people who are sensitive to social and political injustice.

WOKEISM (woke)

promotion of liberal progressive ideology and policy as an expression of sensitivity to systemic injustices and prejudices

WOKEISM

1. Women’s liberation movement 60s

2. LGTBQ Rights 70s

(while this organization began in the 20s, it began to gain major movement after the Stonewall riots in 1969)

3. Critical race theory 80s  (Derrick Bell)

4. B.L.M. Black Lives Matter (Marxism)

5. Covid fear

6. Gay pride month 🌈

7. Every unclean bird (Rev18:1-3)

(Pic of ages of gender transitions)

BANNING GAY MARRIAGE AMENDMENT VIDEO

Isaiah 5:20-21

“What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.”

Ephesians 5:14 NKJV

“…Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”

Psalms 1:1-6 NKJV

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

Jeremiah 51:1-2, 6 NKJV

Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will raise up against  Babylon”

“For in the day of doom They shall be against her all around. Flee from the midst of Babylon, And every one save his life! Do not be cut off in her iniquity, For this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; He shall recompense her.”

Genesis 18:16-19 NKJV

Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.

Billy Graham quote: “If God doesn’t punish America, he will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Additional notes from this website attached at the end under “Additional Notes”

Luke 17:28-30 NKJV

“Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.”

Jude 1:7

“And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment.”

Genesis 19:1-3 NKJV

Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, “Here now, my Lords, please turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” And they said, “No, but we will spend the night in the open square.” But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

Genesis 19:4-5  NKJV

Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.”

Genesis 19:5 NLT

They shouted to Lot, “Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!”

The Bible holds homosexuality as the ultimate threshold, which marks the ultimate corruption of a culture

Troy Perry in the Metropolitan Church championed the lifestyle of a homosexual Christian. Now what does someone like that do with thousands of years of biblical documents to clearing different? You have to re-interpret the scriptures

Genesis 19:6-11 NKJV

So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, and said, “Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly! See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof.” And they said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them.” So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door. But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door.”

Genesis 19:12-14 NKJV

Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.

Genesis 19:15-17 NKJV

When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.”

Genesis 19:18-23 NKJV

Then Lot said to them, “Please, no, my Lords! Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die. See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.” And he said to him, “See, I have favored you concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken. Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar.

Genesis 19:24-25 NKJV

Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.

Genesis 19:26 NKJV

“But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”

Genesis 19:27-29 NKJV

And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace. And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.

2 Peter 2:5-10

“And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood. Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling.”

II Corinthians 6:14-18 ,7:1 NKJV

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Genesis 13:10-15 NKJV

And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord. And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.”

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

SODOM & GOMORRAH

(from www.Holylandsite.com)

1. Sodom and Gomorrah are located around the eastern side of the Dead Sea.

2. Gomorrah is located at the base of Masada, and Sodom is about 13 miles (20 km.) south of Gomorrah.

3. Though the actual locations of the cities are somewhat disputed, the growing evidence reveals that the locations are quite certain. This evidence is provided in the following section.

Historical Background

1. Josephus, a historian writer during the time of Christ, said the ruins could still be clearly seen in his day.

2. Archeologists have discovered around 1.5 million bodies in graves in these areas around Sodom and Gomorrah.

3. There are a lot of brimstone (old name for sulfur) balls in these cities.

4. This sulfur is unique and different from all other sulfur found in the world. 

    •    It is around 90-95% pure.

    •    It is white, unlike any other place in the world.

    •    It is so pure you can light it on fire, and it burns a hot blue flame.

    •    These sulfur balls are not found between the cities.

5. There is a lot of ash in these areas that fits the biblical narrative.

2 Peter 2:6: And if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter.

6. The material of these city formations is calcium sulfate, which is what limestone and sulfur become when heated. 

7. The choice building material in Israel is limestone, so these cities fit the scientific evidence as well.

8. There is a lot of charcoal layers found in the strata of these cities.

9. The amount of ash, charcoal, and calcium sulfate reveal overwhelming evidence of extreme heat in these cities.

10. There is also no geothermal activity in these areas to explain the ash, charcoal, and calcium sulfate.

11. In addition, there are many unexplained shapes in these areas that look like buildings, Sphinxes, pyramids, and palaces.

12. These cities existed around 4,000 years ago, so their remains would be difficult to distinguish. Plus, God destroyed and reduced them to ashes as well.

13. These cities fit the location as described in the Bible.

Genesis 13:10: Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar [Zoar has been identified as being south of Sodom and Gomorrah].

14. Because the Dead Sea basin used to be like the Garden of Eden, it was an extremely desirable climate that was great for agriculture and life in general. It was, therefore, a very populated area.

15.God also used Sodom and Gomorrah to refer to all of the cities of the Dead Sea basin.

THE MYSTERY OF BABYLON REVEALED

Revelation 1:10, 19 NKJV

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.”

Isaiah 42:9 NKJV

“Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

Revelation 4:1-2 NKJV

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.

THE TALE OF TWO

2 KINGDOMS: LIGHT & DARKNESS

2 CITIES: JERUSALEM & BABYLON

2 WOMEN: THE BRIDE & THE HARLOT

Revelation 17:1-5 NKJV

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

THE MYSTERY OF BABYLON REVEALED

BABYLON: a culture of counterfeit worship (no longer of mystery)

THE HARLOT: a religious system of counterfeit worship

THE BEAST: a political figure of counterfeit worship

FORNICATION: the act of counterfeit worship that breaks covenant relationship with God

Pic of woman and beast in front of the UN building

Pic of UN building in babel tower

European coin with beast and woman

UN secretary general quote

Revelation 17:6 NKJV

“I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.”

Pic of Roman Catholics in purple and scarlet

Pic of Roman Catholics with golden cup

10 commandment pic

Pope Benedict quote

Revelation 17:7 NKJV

“But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.”

Revelation 17:8 NKJV

“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.”

Revelation 17:9 NKJV

“Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.”

Revelation 17:10 NKJV

“There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.”

Revelation 17:11 NKJV

“The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.”

Revelation 17:12 NKJV

“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.”

Revelation 17:13 NKJV

“These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.”

Seven kings +1 pic

Revelation 17:14 NKJV

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

Revelation 17:15 NKJV

Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.”

Revelation 17:16 NKJV

“And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.”

Revelation 17:17 NKJV

“For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.”

Revelation 17:18 NKJV

“And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

Matthew 24:29-35 NKJV

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”

REST FOR THE WEARY

Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Matthew 11:23-24 NKJV

“And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.””

“Your desire to be touched by God is Him aligning your heart with what He is about to do…”

Colossians 1:21-23 NKJV

“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard…”

Colossians 2:4-8 NKJV

“Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Colossians 2:16-17 NKJV

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

Genesis 2:1-3 NKJV

“Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.”

Hebrews 4:1-16 NKJV

 “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.” Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

John 19:28-30 NKJV

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

“Your desire to be touched by God is Him aligning your heart with what He has already done”

Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Genesis 1:2-4 NKJV

“The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.”

Genesis 1:26 NKJV

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…”

Psalms 104:1-2 NKJV

“…O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment…”

Revelation 21:22-24 NKJV

“But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.”

Mark 9:2-3 NKJV

“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.”

John 8:12

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

James 1:17-18

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”

Genesis 2:25 NKJV

“And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”

Genesis 3:9-10 NKJV

Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

Genesis 2:8 NKJV

The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.

Genesis 2:15-18 NKJV

Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

Genesis 3:1-10 NKJV

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

Genesis 3:21-24 NKJV

“Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Galatians 3:13 NKJV

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 NKJV

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life…”

Ephesians 5:1-8 NKJV

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”

Avoiding Superficial Faith

18, 19 [Arabic, p. 148] And when Jesus said that, he went out leisurely to go to Jerusalem. And when he arrived at Bethphage and at Bethany, beside the mount which is 20 called the mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, and he said unto them, Go 21 into this village that is opposite you: and when you enter it, you shall find an ass tied, and 22 a colt with him, which no man ever was mounted: loose him, and bring them unto me. And if any man say unto you, Why loose you them? Say unto him thus, We 23 seek them for our Lord; and straightway send them hither. All this was, that what was said in the prophet might be fulfilled, which said, 24 Say you unto the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King comes unto you, Meek, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass.

25 And the disciples did not know this at that time: but after that Jesus was glorified, his disciples remembered that these things were written of him, and that this 26 they had done unto him. And when the two disciples went, they found as he had 27 said unto them, and they did as Jesus charged them. And when they loosed them, 28 their owners said unto them, Why loose you them? They said unto them, We seek 29 them for our Lord. And they let them go.

And they brought the ass and the colt, 30 and they placed on the colt their garments; and Jesus mounted it. And most of the multitudes spread their garments on the ground before him: and others cut branches 31 from the trees, and threw them in the way. And when he neared his descent from [Arabic, p. 149] the mount of Olives, all the disciples began to rejoice and to praise God with 32 a loud voice for all the powers which they had seen; and they said,

“Praise in the highest; Praise to the Son of David: Blessed is he that comes in the name 33 of the Lord; and blessed is the kingdom that comes, that of our father David: Peace in heaven, and praise in the highest.”

 34 And a great multitude, that which came to the feast, when they heard that Jesus 35 was coming to Jerusalem, took young palm branches, and went forth to meet him, and cried and said,

Praise: Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord, the 36 King of Israel.

Certain therefore of the Pharisees from among the multitudes 37 said unto him, Our Master, rebuke your disciples. He said to them, Verily I say unto you, If these were silent, the stones would cry out. 38,

39 And when he drew near, and saw the city, he wept over it, and said,

Would that you had known the things that are for your peace, in this your day! now that is 40 hidden from your eyes. There shall come unto you days when your enemies 41 shall encompass you, and constrain you from every quarter, and shall get possession of you, and your children within you; and they shall not leave in you a stone upon another; because you knew not the time of your visitation.

42 And when he entered into Jerusalem, the whole city was agitated, and they said, 43 Who is this? And the multitudes said,

“This is Jesus, the prophet that is from Nazareth 44 of Galilee”

. And the multitude which was with him bore witness that he called 45 Lazarus from the grave, and raised him from among the dead. And for this cause great multitudes went out to meet him, because they heard the sign which he did.

Tatian The Assyrian. The Diatessaron . Fig. Kindle Edition.  (Read John 12:12-19, Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:18-24, Matthew 21:1-11)

I.                Different types of Christian faith – (Matthew 13:18-23)

a.     No Christian faith

             i.     Tim Keller Podcast – Questioning Christianity

            ii.     Tim Keller – Making Sense of God

            iii.      The Case for Christ – 2017 – Lee Strobel

b.     Superficial Christian faith

c.     Sincere and true Christian faith

II.              Superficial Christian Faith

Mat 13:20-21 NET] 20 The seed sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. 21 But he has no root in himself and does not endure; when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away.

“Christ, you know I love you; did you see I waved?  - (Should. Be slide)

I believe in you and God, so tell me that I'm saved!

Christ, you know I love you; did you see I waved?

I believe in you and God, so tell me that I'm saved

Jesus, I am with you; touch me, touch me, Jesus!

Jesus, I am on your side; kiss me, kiss, me Jesus!

[SIMON ZEALOTES]

Christ, what more do you need to convince you

That you've made it and you're easily as strong

As the filth from Rome who rape our country

And who've terrorized our people for so long?”

a.     Lots of “Joy” but lack of depth of understanding. – (Matthew 13:20,21)

b.     Looks to “use Jesus” to get something else.

c.     Loses faith when it seems that Jesus “doesn’t work.”

III.             Overcoming superficial Christian faith

a.     Learning more about the Messiah Jesus

       i.      The heart cannot long be committed to something the head rejects. 

      ii.      What is your “reason for the hope you have in Jesus? – (1 Peter 3:15,16)

[1Pe 3:15-16 NET] 15 But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. 16 Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.

b.     Wanting the Lord Jesus and not just what HE can do for you.

        i.     “If Christianity is untrue, then no honest man will want to believe it, however helpful it might be; if it is true, every honest man will want to believe it, even if it gives him no help at all”. ― C.S. Lewis, God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics

       ii.     If following the devil led you to an eternal place of happiness and following Christ led you to suffer hell, would you follow the devil or Christ? – C.S. Lewis

c.     Experiencing the presence, peace, and power of the “Living Christ” in daily times of private worship and regular times of public worship.   (Hebrews 4:14-16)

[Heb 4:14-16 NLT] 14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Handbook to Prayer: Praying Scripture Back to God by Ken Boa

       i.     What plan do you have for encountering Christ privately?

     ii.     What plan so you have for experiencing Christ publicly?

IV.            Is your faith superficial or sincere?

[Isa 1:16-18 NASB20] 16 "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil, 17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor, Obtain justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow's case. 18 "Come now, and let us debate [your case,]" Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They shall become as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.