Revelation
Living Faithfully
October 9, 2022
October 9, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 22:18–21
Passage: Revelation 22:18–21 Theme: Conclusion to Revelation Revelation’s conclusion leaves us with three final challenges: 1. Be Warned (18–19) a. To hearers who add to the Word, God will pour out His plagues. b. To hearers who subtract from the Word, God will remove them from life in His city. Application: • Teach the Word and only the Word. • Live according to the Word. 2. Trust His Promise (20) a. Jesus is coming soon! b. His followers long for His return. 3. Receive Grace (21) a. From beginning to end, its only by grace. b. Jesus offers grace to all of us. Main Idea: HEED JESUS FINAL WORDS! Application Questions: • What does it mean to add to God’s prophetic word? How are you tempted to add to God’s word? • What does it mean to subtract from God’s word? How are you tempted to subtract from God’s word? • Do these warning apply to believers? How do vv. 18–19 impact our understanding of eternal security? • What can you do to keep your focus on Christ and His coming? • What application can we make from the final statement that Jesus extends His grace to all of us?
October 2, 2022
October 2, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 22:16–17
Passage: Revelation 22:16-17 Theme: A Call to “Come” 1. Jesus’ Testimony (16a) a. “I, Jesus” i. Authorization ii. Autograph iii. Attestation b. “give you this testimony for the churches” i. Warning ii. Encouragement iii. Exhortation 2. Jesus’ Credentials (16b) a. He is God (“I am”) b. He is Messiah 3. Invitations to “Come” (17) a. The Spirit and Bride say “Come” b. Let the hearer say “Come” c. Let the one in need come d. Let the desirer take freely of the life-giving water Main Idea: Jesus’ Revelation invokes invitation. Will you come?
September 25, 2022
September 25, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 22:12–15
Passage: Revelation 22:12–15 Theme: Payday is Coming Notice three truths about payment at the Second Coming: 1. Jesus brings life’s paycheck (12–13). a. He renders payment because He is God (13). b. He pays each of us for what we have done (12b). 2. He blesses those who repent to receive His cleansing (14). a. Penitents have the right to partake in eternal life. b. They can freely come into God’s eternal presence. 3. He excludes those who remain unrepentant (15). Main Challenge: Wear clothes washed in Christ’s blood. Application Questions: • From what you heard today, do you think that there will be degrees of reward in heaven for believers? Why or why not (consider the rewards mentioned in this text)? • How do you define repentance? Is this something you did at some point or something that is an on-going process? • In what ways is this passage encouraging news to people who sin? How is it frightening news as well? • How can you wear clothes today washed in Christ’s blood? What attitudes and actions is this passage calling you to embrace?
September 18, 2022
September 18, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 22:6–11
Theme: Revelation’s Concluding Exhortations Passage: Revelation 22:6–11 As Revelation concludes, we are exhorted to ... 1. Keep the words of this prophecy (6–7). Why? a. They are true and reliable. b. They are given by God. c. Jesus is coming soon. d. You are blessed for doing so. 2. Worship God alone (8–9). Why? a. He alone is worthy of worship. b. He alone can reveal what will take place. c. Everything else serves His purposes. 3. Repent while you have time. a. God extends the call of His word to respond before time runs out. b. Sin and right living eternize themselves. Main Idea: We must orient our lives to God’s Word now while we have time. Application Questions: • From everything that you have heard and learned in this study of Revelation, what does Keep the words of the prophecy written in this scroll look like in your life? • What does Christ mean when He says that He is coming soon in v. 7 (cf. 2:16; 3:11)? • Although he may have been unaware of it at the time, John failed to worship God by his action toward the angel (9). How can we fail, knowingly or unknowingly, to worship God the way He deserves? • What is the angel communicating when he commands John to not seal up the words of prophecy and to let the unrighteous and filthy, righteous and holy continue in those states? How do these commands apply to us today? • What is God revealing in your life that you need to repent before time runs out?
September 11, 2022
September 11, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 22:1–5
Passage: Revelation 22:1–5 Theme: God’s Reign in New Jerusalem God’s reign in New Jerusalem enables His people to experience: 1. Perpetual Life (1–2): God’s reign produces life. 2. Freedom from the curse (3a): God’s reign ends the curse and all its effects. 3. Service for our King (3b): God’s reign empowers our worship. 4. His Presence (4–5a): God’s reign brings us into the fullness of His presence. 5. Eternal Rule (5b): God’s reign reciprocates with us. Main Idea: God’s reign in New Jerusalem enables us to fully experience Him. Do you truly want Him? Application Questions: • What parallels do you see between this vision and the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2)? How does Revelation 22:1–5 go beyond what Adam and Eve experienced? • As you contemplate these verses, in what ways do they provide you with hope amid what you are currently experiencing? • What parallels do you see between this vision and Psalm 1:1–3? How can we experience life now? How does what the world promises as abundant life fall short of this vision? • What do you think “serving” and “ruling with” God eternally will look like? • In your life currently, what competes with you wanting God and submitting to His reign over your life? What is the passage challenging you to do with that?
September 4, 2022
September 4, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 21:9–27
Theme: The New Jerusalem Passage: Revelation 21:9–27 Theme: The New Jerusalem displays God’s design for the future of those loyal to Him. 1. New Jerusalem’s Appearance (9–14): a. Shines with God’s Brilliant Glory b. Narrates God’s Salvation Plan 2. New Jerusalem’s Measurements and Material (15–21): a. Point to God’s Perfection b. Adorn His dwelling with beauty and grandeur 3. New Jerusalem’s Inhabitants (22–27): a. Require no temple because God and the Lamb are present b. Need no sun and moon because God and the Lamb are light c. Consist of all peoples who walk in light and worship God d. Wrestle no more with sin because they possess the Lamb’s holiness and life Main Challenge: Our eyes must look to God’s city. Application Questions: • What is something you have seen or experienced that simply amazes you? Why do you find it so amazing? • Why do you think God chooses to reveal his final place with his faithful followers as the vision of a city? • What details of the city stand out to you? What things are missing from a description of a city? How does the city reveal God, and what does this city teach us about God? • In what ways does vision transform from what John anticipated in 21:9 to what he sees in 21:10ff? What does this teach us about our relationship with God? • Why would John bring up impurity, sin, and deceit in v. 27? • What relevance does New Jerusalem have to your present life?
August 28, 2022
August 28, 2022 • Pastor Josh Kee
Revelation 21:1-8 Sermon Information Title: “All Things New: Our Glorious Future” Contextual note: Each verse in 21:1-8 reflects the fulfillment of a promise made in the Old Testament, proving God’s faithfulness to do exactly as he has promised, thus making him the One worthy of our trust and worship. 1. The New Heaven and New Earth (21:1-4; Isaiah 65:17-18) a. The New Jerusalem appears like a beautiful bride (21:2; Isaiah 52:1; 61:10) b. God fulfills his covenant promise to dwell with humanity (21:3; Leviticus 26:11-12; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 37:26-27; Zechariah 2:10-11; 8:8) c. God heals every wound caused by sin (21:4; Isaiah 25:8; 51:11) d. POINT: The old (all that belonged to a world broken by sin) has passed away and is no more. 2. All things are made new (21:5-8) a. God declares that he is making all things new (21:5a) b. John is commanded to write down God’s word (21:5b; see 1:11) i. Divine authority ii. Unchanging purpose iii. Trustworthy promise c. God’s redemptive and restorative work is done (21:6a; John 19:30) i. God backs his promise with his very being ii. He is the Alpha and Omega (see 1:8; 22:13) iii. Our hope in God’s faithfulness rest solely on who he is (Lamentations 3:22-22; Timothy 2:13) d. The thirsty are invited to drink freely (21:6b; Isaiah 55) i. Represents ultimate satisfaction in God ii. The only thing that qualifies those who receive is thirst (need) iii. Q: What do you thirst for? Pay attention to your longings. 3. One of two endings for humanity (21:7-8; Matthew 25:1-46) a. Those who conquer (endure to the end) inherit all that belongs to the Father and Son (21:7) b. Those who do not are thrown into the lake of fire (21:8) Main Idea: God will do everything he has promised. Nothing matters except that you are in Christ. The reward for perseverance is beyond anything the human heart can imagine or long for and the consequence for rejecting Christ is beyond anything the human heart can dread. Application: Worship God now with joyful anticipation for what he will do when heaven and earth are made new. Discussion Q’s: 1. How often do you think about this day when all is made new? How much substance does your hope have? (Is it vague and ambiguous, or does it have specificity?) 2. What new things do you get excited about? How long does their newness typically satisfy? Are you misplacing your hope in the incessant new and yet ever-tarnishing things of the world or are you preparing for the day when all will be made new with joy? Which does your life attest to? 3. How are your longings? What do you long for? Do you have anticipation for Christ’s return? What captivates you? 4. Read slowly through Revelation 21:4 again. Consider each point carefully and recall what things cause you sorrow in these areas. Again, work to be specific. Take hold of the promise that every one of these sorrows, committed by or against us, will one day pass away and God himself will comfort you with his eternal comfort, peace, and joy. Even in sorrow or remorse, rejoice now that he will make all things new! 5. What does it mean to conquer (verse 7)? How do we conquer? Are you abiding in Christ through faith, or are you tempted to abandon Christ? 6. What can you think of that you could possibly gain that compares to what is promised in these verses? Does anything hold too much of your attention or affection? Is it worth laying down in light of these promises?
August 21, 2022
August 21, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 20:11–15
Theme: Final Judgment Passage: Revelation 20:11–15 1. The Judge (11): God presides over the final judgment. a. Great White Throne b. The one able to sit on it c. From Him the earth and heavens fled Theological Truth: God alone is worthy to judge. 2. The judged (12–13): The dead a. The whole of humanity i. No respecter of persons ii. Includes all people (the sea, death, and Hades) b. The scrolls of works and life i. The scrolls were opened: judged according to their works ii. The scroll of life: The only basis for eternal life Theological Truth: God judges without partiality according to his revealed will. 3. The Judgment: the lake of fire (14–15) a. Death and the place of the dead come to their end. b. Anyone not found in the book of life finds their end here as well. Theological Truth: God judges decisively. Main Point: Choose Christ now! Application Questions: From what we have seen so far in our study of Revelation, what does it mean to “Choose Christ now”? For unbelievers; for believers. What should the truth that God alone is worthy to judge mean for us now? Are we ever able to (Will we ever) judge others? Why or why not? How do the themes of God’s sovereignty and human freedom emerge in this text as well as throughout Revelation? How do you handle the tension inherent in these themes? What does it mean that God judges decisively? What do you believe this is calling you to do in your relationship with Christ?
August 14, 2022
August 14, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 20:1–10
Theme: The Thousand Year Reign Passage: Revelation 20:1–10 Main Idea: The coming of Christ brings ultimate justice. How? Notice three consequences of Christ’s Coming Reign: 1. Satan bound and imprisoned in the Abyss (1–3) This means: a. God allows Satan’s current activity. b. He deceives the nations. Application: As followers of the Lamb, Counter Satan’s deception. 2. Faithful martyrs vindicated (4–6) How? a. God has passed judgment in their favor b. They will be made alive again c. They will rule with Christ Application: View life from your eternal position: • You are blessed and holy • You have eternal life • You serve God and Christ • You will rule with Christ 3. Satan’s deception eternally ended (7–10) a. God allows His release. b. Those who decisively reject Christ will always oppose God. c. God will eternally destroy His adversaries to protect His people. Application: Follow the Lamb and Rest in God’s protection Questions to Ponder: Why do you think God allows Satan to currently deceive the nations as well as engage in his activities to wage war against His people? How can you counter Satan’s deception with your life? How can we do so corporately as the body of Christ? What role do you play in that? What will service and rule look like in Christ’s kingdom? How should our eternal destination as resurrected co-rulers with Christ impact the way that we live now? Why would God choose to release Satan to deceive the nations once again? What does resting in God’s protection and provision look like in your life?
August 7, 2022
August 7, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 19:11–21
Theme: The Return of the King Passage: Revelation 19:11–21 John emphasizes three aspects of the 2nd Coming: 1. Christ’s Glorious Appearance (11–16) a. He is faithful to His promises and true in His words. b. He judges and wages war justly. c. He sees perfectly and completely. d. He possesses sovereignty over all nations. e. He earned his victory through self-sacrifice. f. He is the Word of God. g. He brings His loyal followers with Him. h. He unleashes the full wrath of God over his opponents. i. He announces that He is the only King and Lord. Christ’s glorious appearance needs to motivate obedience now. 2. Angelic Invitation for birds to feast on the opposition (17–18). Heed the invitation to trust in Christ alone now! 3. Christ’s Victory over those who oppose Him (19–21) Long for this victorious day by preparing yourself and others now. Main Idea: The return of the King must change our mindset and actions now! Application Questions: • How often do you think about the return of Jesus Christ? What can you do to ponder this climactic event more often? • Which description of Christ at His return challenges you (vv. 11–16)? Why and how so? • What emotions does Christ’s defeating of His enemies cause in you (sadness; fear; joy)? Why? • If you knew the exact time of Christ’s return, what would you be doing differently? What can you be doing so that you are living this way now?
July 31, 2022
July 31, 2022 • Pastor Josh Kee • Revelation 19:1–10
Revelation 19:1-10 Sermon Information Title: “From Haunts to Hallelujahs” Note: Revelation 19:1-10 is the response of the call to worship in 18:20 and here, the Bride of Christ is contrasted with the Harlot (Prostitute) of Babylon. This begins the last portion of the broader section detailing God’s judgment of Babylon from 17:1-19:21. 1. The multitude praises God for his salvation and justice (19:1-5) • “Hallelujah” (10:1-3) – lit. “praise Yahweh”; used 4 times, only here in the NT o Hallel (Psalms 113-118) – exuberant joy in worship o Praise God for his salvation (1; see 7:9-12) o Praise God because his judgments are true and just (2) o Praise God because he has avenged the blood of the saints (2) o Praise God because his judgment is final and enduring, guaranteeing salvation (3; see 14:11; 17:21-23) • The elders and four living creatures command God’s people to praise him (19:4-5) o “voice from the throne” – indicates divinely authorized praise (divine imperative) o “Praise our God” – Greek form of hallelujah o Command to the small and great – all have access to worship God 2. The multitude praises God because he reigns and the Lamb takes his Bride (19:6-8) • “roar of many waters” (1:15; 14:2) – the redeemed who had not defiled themselves with the beast join in the praise of God • Praise because “the Lord our God the Almighty reigns” (6) • Praise because the marriage of the Lamb has come (7) • God as husband/ Israel as Bride: Isa 49:18; 54:5; 61:10; Jer 2:2; Ezek16:8; Hosea 2:19-20 • Church as Bride: Matt 19:15; Mk 2:19-20; Jn 3:29; 2:1-11; 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:28-32 • Praise because the Bride is ready (7-8) – faithful, prepared, pure (contrasted with the prostitute of Babylon) 3. The testimony of Jesus is trustworthy and shapes our worship (19:9-10) • Blessed are those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb (9) - see the Luke 14:15-24; Matt 22:11-14 • “true words of God” (see Rev 1:2-3) • “testimony of Jesus” and “spirit of prophecy” – Jesus’ earthly ministry, carried on by those who remain faithful to him (10) • God’s word provides clarity, stability, joy, and assurance in an unstable world Main Idea: If we love justice, we will hate all that is evil and opposed to God’s purity and righteousness. Those aligned with Babylon share in its prostitution and will experience the devastating end of God’s judgment, but those aligned with Christ will anticipate and rejoice now over the salvation that Christ will bring, when we are wed to him in eternal joy. Application: Rejoice in God’s salvation and his justice (19:1), Give your praise to God for who he is (19:5), Prepare for Christ’s return by living righteously (19:7-8), Trust the true word of God and the testimony of Christ (19:9-10), and Worship God (19:10). Discussion Questions: 1. Why are greed and sexual immorality so offensive in light of God’s holiness, glory, and heart for humanity? Do we (you) share Jesus' offense at unfaithfulness to God or have we (you) minimized sin? 2. Is our joy tethered to God's righteous and just judgments (even if those judgments come against systems we have been raised within and are prone to benefit from)? 3. If the means of your wealth and lifestyle turned out to be aligned to the Babylonian system that hid brutality as a means of gain, would you rejoice at its judgment or mourn because of personal loss associated with its downfall? 4. What motivates your praise (See Psalm 113 & 117)? How much do you cherish/ value God's salvation (19:1)? How precious is that to you? 5. In light of the command to praise God in 19:5, in what ways are you prone to withhold praise because of circumstance or factors other than God’s worthiness? 6. With what measure of joy do we anticipate and prepare for the “marriage of the Lamb” (19:7)? 7. What are the righteous deeds we ought to be devoted to? (Consider Matthew 5:16; 22:11-14; 25:31-46; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Peter 3:11-12, 14-18; 1 John 3:1-3)
July 24, 2022
July 24, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 18
Theme: Aftermath of Babylon’s Fall Passage: Revelation 18 The aftermath of Babylon’s Fall enables us to see the ... 1. Reasons for her fall (3, 23–24) a. Nations fell under the spell of her seductions. b. Leadership got in bed with her. c. Profiters grew rich on the power of her luxury. d. She spilled the blood of Christians and commoners. 2. Reactions to her fall a. Her Beneficiaries: Weeping and Mourning (9–19) i. Political Leaders: Terrified at their sudden demise (9–10) ii. Business Owners: Terrified at their loss of wealth (11–17a) iii. Prosperous Workers: Lamenting their hopelessness (17b–19) b. Christ-Followers ... i. Run: “Come out of her” (4–5) ii. Request God’s will to be done (6–8) iii. Rejoice at Christ’s victorious coming (20) Main Idea: The Fall of Babylon reveals where our loyalty lies. How will you react to the collapse of this material world? Application Questions: • How are we susceptible to the fall of Babylon that we see depicted in this chapter? • How do we balance the command to “come out of her” (4) with the reality that we still have to live in the world (job; relationships; entertainment)? What practical steps can we take to avoid being contaminated by this world’s system? • In what ways do we see the complete focus on self-interest displayed by the world’s beneficiaries (9–19) play out in our present world? How can we spiritually protect our own minds from these delusions? • What should our requesting for God’s justice to be done in this world (6–8) and our rejoicing at his justice accomplished (20) look like today?
July 17, 2022
July 17, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 17
Theme: Vision of the Great Prostitute Passage: Revelation 17:1–18 John’s vision shows why this world is so deceptive. 1. It’s Seductive: The prostitute seduces (3–6) ... through her opulence ... her suitors to partake in her perversions ... to violently oppose God’s people ... by aligning with the beast. 2. It Seems Right: The Beast parodies the Lamb (8–11). a. “Coming” b. Rule c. Followers 3. It Offers Power: The powerful submit to the Beast (12–14). a. They offer their power to him. b. They wage war with the Lamb and his followers. 4. It Masks its End: Destroyers destroy (15–17). Main Challenge: Rather than being amazed by places, people, and possessions, focus through the deception on the victorious Lamb. The Great Threat to Us Western Materialism Application Questions: • What makes our world so seductive and alluring? In what areas are you susceptible to being seduced? • Is this world really drunk on the blood of Christians (v. 6)? How so or how not? • Do you think those that claim to follow Christ can be misled by the Beast? In what ways? • What does this passage teach us about power? How does the world’s approach to power differ from that of heaven (cf. 4:9–11; chap. 5; 12:10–11)? • How do you explain the gruesome and abusive description of the “prostitute’s” end as being part of God’s purpose and plan (vv. 16–17)? • Do you agree or disagree that the great threat to us from this vision is Western materialism? What are some practical ways to help us see through this deception to focus on Christ?
July 10, 2022
July 10, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 16
Passage: Revelation 16 Theme: The Bowl Judgments Revelation 16 details God’s wrath being poured out upon the earth and the responses it elicits. 1. 7 Bowl Judgments: God’s wrath poured out Bowl 1: Horrific sores (2) Bowl 2: Sea turned to blood (3) Bowl 3: Fresh water turned to blood (4) Rationale: God will justly retribute people for their treatment of His witnesses (5–7). Bowl 4: Sun scorches people (8–9) Bowl 5: Darkness engulfs the beast’s kingdom (10–11) Bowl 6: Euphrates dried in preparation for Harmagedon (12–16) Bowl 7: God completes His judgment with Christ’s return (17–21) 2. Response of the people experiencing judgment: a. Blaspheme God b. Refuse to repent c. Follow the deception to go to war against God Main Idea: Eventually, those who reject and oppose the Lamb will deservedly experience the destruction of God’s wrath. How are the Lamb’s followers to respond to this vision? • Acknowledge God’s justice: worship and witness • Stay prepared for Christ’s return: dressed and engaged in this spiritual war Application Questions: What about this vision makes you uneasy? What rationale does the text provide for such displays of God’s wrath? Do you believe that this display of God’s wrath is justified? Why or why not? Why do people refuse to repent and choose rather to blaspheme God and oppose Him and His followers? How is this seen today? How do we stay alert and dressed for Christ’s return? What should this mean in our treatment of others, both believers and unbelievers?
July 3, 2022
July 3, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 15
Passage: Revelation 15:1–8 Theme: Preparation for the Final Bowl Judgments Notice what the preparation for the final bowl judgments teaches us about God’s victory and judgment: 1. Temple Imagery: Victory and Judgment emerge from the presence of God 2. Seven Angels carrying seven bowls: Victory and Judgment are offered by God in response to human loyalty 3. The Conquerors: Victory and Judgment motivate worship in God’s faithful followers. Why? a. He alone is holy. b. He draws followers from all nations. c. His actions and ways are right. Main Idea: God’s judgment reveals his justice and faithfulness to deliver those loyal to Him. Application Questions: • How does what we see in chapter 15 concerning God’s judgment and victory in heaven counter what judgment and victory have looked like on earth under the rule of the dragon and his beasts (Cf. chap. 13)? How might that play out in our society today? • What parallels do you see in this chapter with God’s relationship to his people at the time of the Exodus? What is this vision communicating through these parallels? • Why do people today struggle so much with visions like this about God, His wrath, and judgment? How would you respond to someone who rejected such a depiction of God? • Is it appropriate for believers to worship God for his vindicating judgments? How can we do so in a proper manner? • According to this vision, how do we demonstrate our loyalty and submission to our just God?