Revelation
The New Jerusalem
August 13, 2017 • Toby Henson
1. The Dwelling Place of God and His People (21:1-4) The final state of the new world will be characterized by God "dwelling" with His people (21:3). None less than God will be the comforter of His people. "He will wipe" away "every tear" (21:4). His concern is infinite. The loud voice from heaven lists evils that will cease to be: "death," "mourning," "crying," and "pain" (21:4). 2. The Separation between Good and Evil (21:5-8) The new Jerusalem is only for those who have already experienced the new life in Christ. The eternal life of the believer is contrasted with the eternal destruction of the unbeliever. The "fiery lake of burning sulfur" is the destination of the wicked at the end of the final judgment (21:8). 3. The Description of the Holy City (21:9-21) Let's not get caught up in the pearly gates or the streets of gold. The most striking thing about the holy city is "the glory of God" (21:11). It is the place where God dwells. The truth that needs to be repeatedly highlighted is the glory and presence of God. For all eternity, we will enjoy perfect fellowship with a holy God. 4. The Light of the Holy City (21:22-27) The heavenly city has no need of sun or moon to shine because it is illuminated by "the glory of God" and the "Lamb" (21:23). Part of the curse of wicked Babylon was that never more would a lamp shine there. By contrast, the new Jerusalem will be forever full of light.
The Final Victory
August 6, 2017 • Toby Henson
Truth 1- Satan is no match for God. Truth 2- Satan is a defeated foe. Truth 3- Christians will reign with Christ in heaven. Truth 4- At death, the believer is immediately ushered into the presence of Jesus. Truth 5- At the resurrection, we will be clothed with heavenly bodies. Truth 6- Satan will be defeated and cast into his final place of eternal fiery torment. Truth 7- Salvation is by faith alone.
The Second Coming of Christ
July 30, 2017 • Toby Henson
1. The Triumph of Christ (19:11-16) These images recorded by John paint one of the most powerful pictures of Christ ever recorded. The suffering servant who came into Jerusalem riding on a humble donkey is now coming out of heaven riding on a white warhorse, a symbol of victorious conquest. 2. The Demise of the Antichrist (19:17-21) The enemy prepares for battle, but John says nothing about the battle. He proceeds from the drawing up of the armies to the seizing of the "beast" and the "false prophet" (19:20). Though the forces of evil appear mighty they are completely helpless when confronted by Christ.
Heavenly Hallelujahs
July 23, 2017 • Toby Henson
1. Hallelujah! Babylon has Fallen! (19:1-5) Revelation 18 was John's report of what he heard about Babylon's fall. The laments of the monarchs, merchants, and mariners had dominated the chapter. Now, there is "shouting" for joy (19:1). Human-centered worldliness will ultimately be overcome by God-centered worship. 2. Hallelujah! The Lamb and His Bride! (19:6-8) An unidentified voice that sounded like a great multitude announces the "wedding of the Lamb" to His "bride," the church (19:7). The "bride has made herself ready" (19:7). Throughout Christian history, every grace ordained good work have been woven into a tapestry of the bride's attire. 3. Hallelujah! God's Word is True! (19:9-10) We are blessed because we have been "called" by God. One day we will share in "the marriage supper of the Lamb" (19:9). The only appropriate response of the believer is thanksgiving and praise.
The Fall of Babylon
July 16, 2017 • Toby Henson
1. Babylon's Fall Announced (18:1-8) Babylon, symbolic of those who oppose the kingdom of God, will be destroyed. The city's doom is still future but it is so certain that it can be spoken of as already accomplished. The great purpose of God in triumphing over evil is a fate that cannot be changed. 2. Babylon's Fall Lamented (18:9-19) In this section, we hear the lament of three groups impacted by the final judgment of God on wicked civilization. A. Monarchs B. Merchants C. Mariners 3. Babylon's Fall Celebrated (18:20) The monarchs, merchants, and mariners lamented Babylon's fall. In contrast, there is heavenly rejoicing. Final Babylon had judged that righteous people be persecuted and murdered. God's just judgment of Babylon reverses the sentence. 4. Babylon's Fall Symbolized (18:21-24) The throwing of a great stone into the sea is a symbolic action announcing the destruction of Babylon. She shall be destroyed, never to rise again. The great city will be destroyed completely, suddenly, and eternally.
The Judgment of Babylon
July 9, 2017 • Toby Henson
1. The Woman on the Beast (17:1-6) John has a vision of human civilization personified as an attractive prostitute drunk on the blood of God's people riding on the beast--the Antichrist. The use of a prostitute to symbolize a greater evil is common in Scripture, where God's people are identified as his bride. It shows us that sin is first of all a sin against love. 2. The Angel's Interpretation (17:7-14) The woman and the beast belong to the cosmic struggle between God and Satan which lies behind the scenes of human history. The good news of this revelation is that God's final judgment will destroy Satan and his evil forces. Not for one moment should we lose sight of the certainty of the overthrow of evil. 3. The Punishment of the Prostitute (17:15-18) We expected the final Antichrist and his powers to hate the Lamb, but we could not have anticipated that "the beast and the ten horns will hate the prostitute" (17:16). Evil often turns on itself, carrying the seeds of its own defeat. Notice that "God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose" (17:17). All will ultimately serve God's end.
Worthy of Worship
June 11, 2017 • Toby Henson
1. The Heavenly Scene of Triumph (15:1-4) In a heavenly vision, John sees those who emerged victorious over the beast praise God for His great and righteous acts. Those "standing beside the sea" (15:2), like the ancient Israelites who burst into song beside the Red Sea, "sang the song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb" (15:3). These overcomers are unable to hold back their worship of the Lord God Almighty. 2. The Final Preparation for Judgment (15:5-8) In this scene, John sees the heavenly "tabernacle" open (15:5). The tabernacle, particularly the holy of holies, represents the very presence of God. Out of this presence of God came seven avenging angels. "Seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God" are given to the angels by "one of the four living creatures" (15:7). Now, the stage is set for the last plagues of the tribulation period. 3. How do we worship God in His wrath? Here, at the beginning of Revelation 15 and right in the middle of Revelation 16, we see songs of worship. God is being worshiped in His wrath. That is challenging to comprehend. There are three steps that help us understand how we can worship God in His wrath. A. Start with a high view of God B. Move to a humble view of humanity C. Land on the hope of the Gospel
Visions of Final Judgment
May 28, 2017 • Toby Henson
1. The Harvest of the Earth (14:14-16) The return of Christ is pictured as a harvest. The harvest will happen when the "earth is ripe" (14:15). The hour to reap is the precise moment determined by God. At the second coming of Christ, believers will enter into a glorious eternity with their Savior, and at the same time, unbelievers will be judged and subjected to God's wrath. 2. The Vintage of the Wicked (14:17-20) The first vision portrayed judgment under the general picture of harvest. Now, by means of the more vivid picture of the vintage, John stresses the violent judgment of the wicked. The vision paints a gruesome scene of judgment and horror. The symbolism is that of a great defeat of the enemy and a sea of spilled blood. 3. The Response of the Believer In these visions of judgment, we are given a picture of hope. There is coming a day when evil will be purged, and the righteous will be gathered unto God where we will enjoy His presence forever. What is to be the believer's response? A. Perseverance B. Passion C. Praise
Three Angels with Messages
May 7, 2017 • Toby Henson
Disclaimer: Due to an audio error, the first few minutes of the sermon are missing. 1. The First Angel--Judgment is come! (14:6-7) 2. The Second Angel--Evil is fallen! (14:8) 3. The Third Angel--Hell is real! (14:9-11) 4. The Eternal Blessedness of Believers (14:12-13)
A Glimpse into Heaven
April 30, 2017 • Toby Henson
1. The Security of the Sealed (14:1) We see precisely the number that were sealed appearing in heaven with the Lamb--the Savior. 144,000 were sealed, and 144,000 were saved. Not one was lost. God has the power to save and keep secure all who trust in Him. 2. The Sound of a New Song (14:2-3) In chapter 13, John recorded the "worship" of Satan and the Antichrist (13:4). In our present text, the volume is turned up as the 144,000, those "redeemed from the earth," worship "before the throne" of God with a "new song" (14:3). 3. The Sanctification of the Saints (14:4-5) The 144,000 who will endure the Great Tribulation will faithfully live their lives in dedication to God's holiness. What is stressed is their relentless pursuit of Christlikeness in the face of terrible persecution.
The Unholy Trinity
April 23, 2017 • Toby Henson
1. The Dragon (13:1a) The dragon represents Satan in the war against Christ and His church. From his seashore position, the dragon summons first the sea beast and then the earth beast. 2. The Sea Beast (13:1b-8) The beast is revealed as the Antichrist presented in an evil parody of the Christ of God. A. Curses God's Name B. Crushes God's People C. Controls the Nations 3. The Earth Beast (13:11-18) The earth beast is a deceiver. Elsewhere, he is called the false prophet. Some see the second beast as a parody of the Holy Spirit. A. Magnifies the Antichrist B. Murders the Innocent C. Marks Followers of the Antichrist 4. The Exhortation (13:9-10) In light of the coming persecution and death of Christians during the Great Tribulation, how are believers to maintain steadfast faithfulness? A. Hear God's Word B. Trust God's Sovereignty C. Lean on God's Grace
Warring Triumphantly
April 2, 2017 • Toby Henson
1. God's Son Triumphs over Satan (12:1-6) Satan was hostile to Jesus from the very beginning. It began with the determination to murder the Christ-child, continued through the dangers and temptations of His earthly life, and culminated in the crucifixion. The evil plans of Satan were foiled by the resurrection, ascension, and exaltation of Jesus. John writes that the "child was snatched up to God and to His throne" (12:5). 2. God's Angels Triumph over Satan (12:7-12) Satan had been strong enough to sweep away a third of the stars with a flick of his tail, "but he was not strong enough" to prevail over the angels led by Michael (12:8). Satan "was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him" (12:9). Satan is Hebrew in origin and means "accuser." He had been the accuser of God's people, but now he has no place in heaven. 3. God's People Triumph over Satan (12:13-17) Satan is at war against Christians. He is not able to accomplish his purpose against God and therefore he does what he can in opposing God's people. The spiritual battle that is being waged today in the world is a battle that has already been won "by the blood of the Lamb" (12:11). Therefore, believers can "keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus" (12:17).
The Seventh Trumpet
March 26, 2017 • Toby Henson
1. An Announcement of Victory (11:15) The great announcement is that there is a transfer of the world's dominion. Satan, who had assumed kingship, is identified by Jesus as "the prince of this world" (John 12:31). The "loud voices in heaven" declare that the rule of "the kingdom of the world" has been transferred to God the Father and His Son (11:15). The Lord's visible rule begins. 2. An Acclamation of Worship (11:16-18) The twenty-four elders, normally "seated on their thrones," "fell on their faces and worshiped God" (11:16). They offer a hymn of thanksgiving to God who with a great display of power will enter upon his eternal reign. In the schedule of God's redemptive plan a decisive point has now been reached. It is a time of judgment, reward, and destruction. 3. An Assurance of God's Faithfulness (11:19) The disclosure of the heavenly ark of the covenant encourages God's suffering people. The ark represents God's presence and His faithfulness to fulfill His covenant promises. One day we will behold His majesty, and on that day we will be welcomed by His mercy. The judgement sequence is beginning, but God's people need not fear His wrath.