Revelation

Dancing With Damnation

November 2, 2022 • Scott Richards, Sean Richards • Revelation 22:18–21, 1 Thessalonians 5:20–22, Deuteronomy 4:2–4, Deuteronomy 18:18–22

The closing words of Revelation continue the trend we've seen since the beginning of the book. With a quotation of the Old Testament, we're reminded to have high standards for what we hear from God and even higher levels of accountability for what we say about God. False teachers don't fear accountability. True followers of Jesus will consider the challenge of testing everything they hear as worth the effort if it means they know they're really hearing from their Lord. 1. False teachers don't fear accountability from God. 2. True prophets will always affirm what God's already revealed about Himself. 3. Deeper fellowship with Jesus is worth the effort of having high standards for prophecy.

Revelation Wrap Up

October 26, 2022 • Scott Richards • Revelation 1:1–3, John 6:27–28, Numbers 24:15–17, Revelation 22:6–17

The focus of prophecy is Jesus. The purpose of prophecy is revealing who Jesus is. The intention of prophecy is further appreciation of all that we have in Jesus. 1. The purpose of prophecy is to reveal who Jesus is. 2. The Bible is a self-interpreting book. Incomplete knowledge results in incomplete understanding. 3. Prophecy is the most practical aspect of personal bible study.

Paradise Found

October 19, 2022 • Scott Richards • Ezekiel 47:1–12, John 7:37–40, Matthew 11:28–30, Revelation 22:1–5

With the restoration of God and man finally complete, a series of fulfilled promises are drawn attention to representing our eternal relationship with God. In the River of Life, we see the Holy Spirit. In the Tree of Life, we see our fellowship with the Father. And in the jobs we will have to do, we will serve the Son. 1. The Tree of Life represents the fellowship with the Father we lost in Eden. 2. The River of Life represents the Fellowship with the Holy Spirit we can even enjoy today. 3. Eternal Life is knowing the Son face to face.

The Final Kingdom

October 12, 2022 • Scott Richards, Sean Richards • Revelation 19:7–8, Exodus 28:17–21, Philippians 4:2–3, Revelation 21:9–27

The New Jerusalem is described as best as John is capable. Points of comparison are made to things already described in the book of Revelation and outside of it as well. The most important and significant part of it is the fact that Jesus is there. 1. The Kingdom of God is where God is King. Today, it's in the hearts of His people. 2. The Bible describes the New Creation as having distinctions between nations united by the Book of Life. 3. The presence of God is what makes anything Heaven.

When All Is Said and Done

October 5, 2022 • Scott Richards • Revelation 21:5–8, 2 Peter 3:10–13, 1 Corinthians 2:9, 1 John 5:3–5

With the introduction of the New Heavens and New Earth, Jesus repeats the offer He made during His earthly ministry as well as to the seven churches at the beginning of the book. Those who want fellowship with Him forever can take it freely. Those who don't want it will be respected enough to be given what they want. 1. A Heavenly Mindset does the most earthly good for those who actually know what Heaven is. 2. Water is a deliberate picture Jesus uses of the peace and satisfaction that only comes through fellowship with Him. 3. People who reject Jesus for things that come from Him will lose both Him and what they try to replace Him with.

With Jesus

September 28, 2022 • Scott Richards, Sean Richards • Revelation 21:1–5

The definition of Heaven is “With Jesus.” Everything else is details. 1. With the removal of the Old Universe and Jerusalem, a New one will take its place fulfilling their original purpose. 2. The presence of Jesus doesn't just remove the effects of sin, but introduces the things we were created to enjoy. 3. The promises of God are trustworthy because He's proven Himself worthy of trust.

What Everyone Needs to Know About Judgment Day

September 21, 2022 • Scott Richards, Peter Martin • 2 Peter 3:10–13, John 5:22–23, Colossians 2:13, Revelation 20:11–15

Judgment Day is a sobering reminder for all of us. It puts into perspective our understanding of how we live, who we live for, and where this life is ultimately taking us. The more we understand that reality, the more thankful we will be that God's infinite mercy is and continues to be what will make us rejoice on that day rather than recoil in horror. 1. Everything we have done in rebellion against God will be answered for. 2. The Book of Life includes all of those who have a saving relationship with God through Jesus' sacrifice. 3. Hell is eternal separation from God.

The Last Battle

September 14, 2022 • Sean Richards, Scott Richards • John 10:10, Revelation 20:7–10, Micah 4:1–5, Ezekiel 38:22–23

After the Millennium, one last rebellion is permitted to take place. Those who freely chose to reject Jesus in spite of living 1,000 years under His rule and knowing God's goodness personally are judged accordingly. Those who chose to receive Jesus throughout history are defended by Him personally for the last time. 1. People who accuse God of setting us up for failure don't know God or what's He's said and done. 2. Gog and Magog is a reference to the Old Testament to an uncountable army. 3. God delays judgment for as long as possible, but won't refuse it when every last chance has been rejected.

What's Wrong With A Perfect World?

September 7, 2022 • Scott Richards • 1 Timothy 4:1–5, Matthew 25:31–46, John 11:25–26, Revelation 20:1–10

In a perfect world, we will see perfect government and a perfect environment. The people who will enjoy it will be the same kind of people enjoying the reason it became that way. Our relationship with God today is preparation for how much more we will enjoy Him and the things He has for us to do into eternity. The only thing standing in the way of fully appreciating those promises are the lies, distortions, and distractions offered by the enemy. Our response to his one and only threat is through His Word where those promises can be found. 1. The only influence the enemy has over us is false doctrine. 2. Knowing the promises of God only give us more to look forward to. 3. This life is preparation for our eternal calling as kings and priests representing God to His Creation.

The Moment You've All Been Waiting For

August 31, 2022 • Peter Martin, Sean Richards • Revelation 19:11–21, Isaiah 63:1–6, Ezekiel 39:17–20, 2 Thessalonians 2:8

The second coming of Christ is a perfect exercise in Biblical interpretation. Nothing happens or is described without a direct reference to previous scripture. It is through a complete understanding of God's Word that we come to a proper understanding of who Jesus is, what He's promised, and how we live in light of those realities. 1. Jesus is identified by claims made about God and the Messiah in the Old and New Testaments. 2. The angel's announcement of the Battle of Armageddon is an intentional quotation of the Old Testament. 3. Our hope in God is formed and informed by His Word.

The Ultimate Blessing

August 24, 2022 • Scott Richards • Revelation 19:9–10

1. The Setting of Ultimate Blessing - (1-8) -The condemnation - (1-3) - Psalm 50:16-23 (Justice delayed isn't justice denied/Silence doesn't = approval) 2. The choir - (4-7a) - Hallelujah returns (Psalm 96) - The contrast - (7b) In contrast to religion gone to seed (Mystery Babylon) - Relationship in purest form - The bride is ready 3. The Significance of Ultimate Blessing - (9) - Blessing declared - 7 beatitudes in the book of Revelation - Blessing defined - All 9 payoffs in Matthew 5:3-12 will be realized - Blessing directed - "The marriage supper of the Lamb" - God loves a party - (Isaiah 25:4-8) Greatest blessing - (Luke 12:35-38) 4. The Savior and Ultimate Blessing - (10) - The prostration - (10a) - Who could blame John? - The problem - (10b) Fundamental error - focusing on the messenger, or even the message, but forgetting the 5. Messiah (I Corinthians 3:1-7) 6. The Priority - (10c) 'Worship God" - Jesus and the Father worshipped in Revelation 5:13 - Jesus explains this - (John 5:16-23) "God cannot give us a happiness apart from Himself, because there is no such thing. It does not exist." - C.S. Lewis

The Church As She Should Be

August 17, 2022 • Scott Richards, Sean Richards • Revelation 19:1–9, Genesis 15:2–5, John 3:29, Ephesians 5:23–24

The Church is reintroduced in contrast to Mystery Babylon. Where one was a prostitute, the other is a bride. As Heaven is rejoicing over God's justice and answer to prayer, it is also celebrating with the Lamb over the work He's done through His bride and everything that makes her beautiful. 1. The Judge of all the earth will do what is right. 2. Heaven acknowledges who God is and what He's done as right given all the information. 3. The World System of Babylon is a prostitute, while Heaven's System of the Church is a bride.

The End of the World As We Know It

August 10, 2022 • Peter Martin, Sean Richards • Revelation 18, Jeremiah 51:36–37, 1 John 2:15–17, Isaiah 47:4–15

Mystery Babylon's judgment is as absolute as it is final. Everything wrong with this world is shown in all its glory in order for it to be taken away from us forever. Those who invested their hope for the future in it will weep. Those who invested their hope apart from it will rejoice. 1. Babylon during the Tribulation is given the same type of judgment literal Babylon was given in the Old Testament. 2. Justice will be accomplished for every wrong committed in this world. 3. If this life is coming to an end, invest in the next one.

Hard Times for a Harlot

August 3, 2022 • Scott Richards • Revelation 17:7–18, Proverbs 2:1–7, 2 Corinthians 11:13–15, Psalm 2:1–5

In a very heavy section of scripture, we are shown a symbolic representation of the Antichrist's kingdom. In direct contrast with how the Bride of Christ will be described in Revelation 19, it's described as a prostitute who will appeal to everyone, but ultimately be cast aside when her usefulness has reached its end. That's a system we can all buy into if our eyes aren't on who Jesus truly is. 1. Mystery Babylon describes this world's system, whereas the Bride of Christ contrasts herself through Heaven's. 2. There are things we don't understand about this passage, but enough to form practical conclusions. 3. The purpose of Mystery Babylon will be to unite the world against Jesus until the 2nd half of the Tribulation.

The True Face of Idolatry

July 27, 2022 • Scott Richards, Peter Martin • Revelation 17:1–6, 1 John 2:15–17, James 4:1–5, 2 Timothy 2:2

John is given an explanation of the Mystery Babylon figure that is mentioned for the first time in Revelation 16. In this clarification, he is shown everything that appeals to our fallen sinful nature. The significance of every detail with the rest of scripture in mind shows us just how ugly the most beautiful thing in the world can be. 1. The world's counterfeits haven't changed. The Lust of the Flesh, The Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life. 2. Every generation has the opportunity to pursue or forget the work God wants to do in their lives today. 3. Exchanging Jesus for anything is always a trade-down.

Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson, AZ

There's a New World Coming