The Final Word

At least six times in Revelation 14-16, the wrath of God is referenced. For many of us, describing God as wrathful seems contradictory to other characteristics He possesses such as compassion and mercy. What we need to realize is that God’s wrath is an extension of His holiness. Revelation 14-16 reminds us of this truth as it presents some images that help to shape our understanding of God’s wrath. Sermon Handout REVELATION 14:6-16:21

In Revelation 12 we were introduced to “a great red dragon” who represented Satan. In Revelation 13 we will be introduced to the agents through whom Satan exerted his evil influence. They are depicted as two beasts who are empowered by Satan and who are leading the persecution against Christians. While chapter 13 may depict Christians as helpless in comparison to these beasts, it does not depict them as hopeless. In fact, there are some beautiful truths hidden among the…

In Revelation 12 we are introduced to “a great red dragon” who is identified as “that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.” Up to this point in Revelation, Jesus has provided a behind the scenes look at how God is in control despite the fact that, at times, it seems as though Rome is in control. Now, Jesus pulls back the curtain a little further to reveal who is the ultimate…

Revelation 1:3 said, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who KEEP what is written in it.” To this point in Revelation, there has not been a lot in the way of instruction for the church to “keep.” That is where the interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpet comes into play. From the vision of the little scroll, the measuring of the temple, and the two witnesses,…

Back in Revelation 5, John saw the Lamb take a scroll, which was “sealed with seven seals” out of the hand of “the One who was seated on the throne.” Then, in Revelation 6, the Lamb began opening the seven seals. As the first six seals are opened, they reveal what the church would endure at the hands of Rome, but they also revealed that God is still in control. When the seventh seal is opened, it introduces us to…

In Revelation 4, the emphasis is on the throne, and that whole vision revealed that everything in all of creation is under the throne of God. In Revelation 5, the emphasis is on the Lamb, and that whole vision revealed that the Lamb is worthy of opening the scroll. In Revelation 6, the Lamb begins the process of opening the scroll and some seemingly strange events take place. However, we must not forget that this is a continuation of the…

John’s vision of God’s throne room in Revelation 4 reveled that everything revolves around the One on the throne. It is a beautiful reminder that God never abdicates His throne. But Revelation 5 does not begin with as beautiful of a scene. Instead, what John saw brought him to tears before it brought the heavenly audience to their knees. What does John see in the heavenly throne room of chapter 5 and what does it reveal to us today? Sermon…

After completing the presentation of Jesus’ letters to the seven churches, John’s vision takes us to the throne room of God where John does his best to describe an infinite God with finite words. He compares what he saw to precious gemstones, natural phenomena, and bizarre creatures. The one thing that is consistent throughout his description is that all of the activities in this heavenly scenario were described in relation to the throne because the point of this vision was…

Jesus’ final letter to the seven churches of Asia was written to the church in Laodicea. This congregation, like the one in Sardis, received no commendation from Jesus. All they received were criticisms and corrections. What was the problem in this prosperous congregation that prevented it from being successful? Why was Jesus so critical of these Christians, and how does His message to the church in Laodicea serve as a warning to us? Sermon Handout 14 “And to the angel of…