Sermon Central
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Revelation Study Series 1 - God's Mysterious Plan Fulfilled Series
Contributed by Clayton Beck on Feb 16, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Jesus is alive! Jesus is coming back! Jesus wants you ready for His return!
Revelation Study Series 1 - God's Mysterious Plan Fulfilled
10.03.21
Message…
“In the 1960s, the Russians sent the first cosmonaut into outer space. He circled the earth, and when he came back down, he did a press conference and said, “I searched the heavens, and I looked for God, and I did not see Him anywhere. Therefore, there is no God.” The Communists, which was an atheistic [socialist] regime, said, “We now have scientific proof that there is no God.”
About six months later, John Glenn went into space, circled the earth three times on Gemini, came back down, and held a press conference. He said, “I saw God everywhere! I saw His glory in the galaxy. I saw His splendor in the universe. I saw His majesty in the stars.”
Which one was right? They both were. Jesus said, “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
-http://rickwarren.org/listen-online/using-the-bible-to-make-decisions-part-1/daily-radio
The word “Revelation” is “apokalypsis” in the Greek.
It means, “uncover” –John MacArthur Study Bible; “...be revealed” -Strongs, 601
The book of Revelation is the “uncovering”...”revealing” of Jesus Christ. It is the revealing of His future return and the setting up of His kingdom. And, therefore we, those that are His...are to be prepared for His return.
1 This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to His servant John,
2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
This revelation was from God to Christ...who then revealed it to His servant, John to then be revealed to His servants.
All the things that John witnessed with Jesus as a disciple...all of the miracles he saw...the people Jesus healed, the people John saw Jesus bring back to life… John was right there...an eyewitness to it all.
And, yet what was about to be revealed to him is beyond anything he could have imagined.
You will never exhaust your knowledge, understanding, or working of our Lord!
We read these events “...must soon take place” and, “the time is near”...
Now, we’ve had over 1900+ years since John wrote these words that were given to him.
That does not seem “soon to take place”, nor a “time is near” time frame. Does it to you? We do not know God’s timing.
Jesus said, ...“The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.” (Acts 1:7)
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father knows. (Mark 13:32)
“And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!” (Mark 13:33)
The question isn’t “when”...the fact is it will! Therefore, be ready!
3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
There is a special blessing attached to the book of Revelation and it’s prophecy.
It has been said that there is not any other portion of scripture with that promise. -J R Rice, Behold He Cometh, p. 24
I cannot tell you what that precise blessing is. But, there are three parts to that blessing. Blessing to the one who reads it to the church. Blessing to those that hear. Blessing to those that obey it.
If you want to be blessed, read it, hear it, obey it!
Again we were told ...“the time is near”...
James 5:8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
1 Peter 4:7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined
in your prayers.
Romans 13:11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
Anyone here ready to be blessed?
4 This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the One who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before His throne;
5 and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding His blood for us.
