Message: Blessing or Woe? Speaker: Rev. Walter Lau

What Would They Say? The Wall Street Journal: DOW JONES PLUMMETS AS WORLD ENDS PC Magazine: IT'S ALT/CONTROL/DELETE FOR MANKIND Forbes: HOW YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU ESPN: WHO WOULD HAVE WON THE SUPER BOWL? USA Today: WE'RE DEAD

What Would They Say? Sports Illustrated: GAME OVER Time: NO MORE TIME Christianity Today: Now Do You Believe Us?? The Skeptical Inquirer: The Final Judgment -- Just Another Hoax? Christian Weekly: WE TOLD YOU SO!

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ… ἀ ποκάλυψις (Apokalypsis)  Unveiling  Apocalypse Revelation 1:1

Revelation Author:Apostle John (1:1-2, 4) Author: Apostle John (1:1-2, 4) Date: A.D Place of Writing: Island of Patmos (1:9) Recipients: Seven churches in the province of Asia (1:4) Recipients: Seven churches in the province of Asia (1:4)

Revelation Author:Apostle John (1:1-2, 4) Author: Apostle John (1:1-2, 4) Date: A.D Place of Writing: Island of Patmos (1:9) Recipients: Seven churches in the province of Asia (1:4) Recipients: Seven churches in the province of Asia (1:4) Theme Verse:1:19 Theme Verse: 1:19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.”

What Will Take Place Later What You Have Seen What Is Now Lord Jesus7 ChurchesThe Throne T h e T r i b u l a t i o n Second Coming The Millennium Eternal State 1:1 1:20 2:121:1 4:1 6:119:1 20:1 3:22 20:15 19:2118:24 5:14 22:21

The Tribulation 6:18:5 7 Seals7 Trumpets7 Key Figures7 BowlsFall of Babylon 6:118:24 6:1 18:24 8:611:19 17:118:2416:116:21 12:115:8

4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,

Seven spirits = Holy Spirit Isaiah 11:2-3 (LXX [Septuagint]) 2 and the Spirit of God shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and godliness shall fill him; 3 the spirit of the fear of God ( NIV: he will delight in the fear of the LORD )…

8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

Before you were conceived I wanted you Before you were born I loved you Before you were here an hour I would give my life for you This is the miracle of life. ~Maureen Hawkins~

17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-- Psalm 103:17

8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

Blessing or Woe? Know That Our God Controls Eternality

5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-- to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-- to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Kim Phuc

Blessing or Woe? Know That Our God Controls Eternality Know That Our God Transforms Lives

7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.

1 …soon take place… 3 …the time is near… Imminent ≠ Immediate Revelation 1:1-3

8 …With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9

3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Blessing or Woe? Know That Our God Controls Eternality Know That Our God Transforms Lives Know That Our God Will Not Forsake Us