Eschatology, a Broad Perspective From Genesis to Revelation 9/25/2016

Our Considerations Overview and The Old Testament The New Testament Principle Views, Timeline, and Major Prophetic Events Four Covenants and Seven Feasts Daniel (Ch 2, 7-9, 11); Ezekiel 37-39 The New Testament Gospels (Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21) The Great Apostasy (II Thess 2, II Tim 3, II Peter 3) The Rapture (I Cor 15, I Thess 4, Revelation 4) Christ with His Church in the Parable of the Wedding Feast The Book of Revelation

A Synopsis of the Four Views 9/25/2016

Basic Outline Three major divisions; John was commanded to write concerning Things past, “the things which you have seen,” i.e. the Patmos vision (1:1-20) Things present, “the things which are,” i.e. the existing churches (2:1-3:22) Things future, “the things which shall take place after these things,” i.e. events after the Church Age ends (4:1-22:5). Note: same phrase used in 4:1 Note: symbolic representation of translation/rapture of the Church “Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall take place after these things.” (Rev 1:19) NASB 9/25/2016

Vision of the Glorified Christ Preface, 1: 1-3 The revelation of Jesus Christ Given Him by the Father To show His servants what will soon take place Communicated by His angel Recorded by John Note: “shortly”…same Greek word translated “speedily” in Lk 18:8 The blessing of Jesus Christ Blessed is the one who reads & hears the prophecy Note: Privilege to be given insight Blessed is the one who heeds the prophecy Note: Hearing requires a response 9/25/2016

Vision of the Glorified Christ Greeting, 1: 4-8 John to the seven churches in Asia Note: original audience was these seven churches in current day Turkey Grace & Peace From the Father – the One “who is and who was and who is to come” Note: God is eternal; outside the limitations of time; ever present in time From the Holy Spirit – the seven spirits before His throne From Jesus Christ The faithful witness The firstborn from the dead The Ruler of the kings of the earth The One who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood The One who made us a kingdom 9/25/2016

Vision of the Glorified Christ From Jesus Christ (cont) The One who has made us priests to His God and Father The One to whom glory and dominion will be given forever First of 7 doxologies in Rev (4:9,11; 5:12,13; 7:12; 19:1) The One who will come with clouds visible to all (Acts 1:9-11; Mt 24:30) The One who is the Alpha and the Omega Who is and who was and who is to come The Almighty Greek pantokrator…pas “all” & kratos “might, power” Is 44:6 “I am the first and I am the last; apart from Me there is no other God” Is 48:12 “I am He; I am the first and I am the last” 9/25/2016

Vision of the Glorified Christ The Vision of Christ, 1: 9-20 John Brother Fellow partaker of what is in Jesus (common things we share in Christ) Tribulation – trouble, affliction, distress – general troubles, problems, sufferings that all Christians experience (John 16:33) Kingdom – Christ’s rule, his present & future kingdom Perseverance – “hupomone” … idea of endurance, the ability to abide under pressure, regardless of the intensity or length of time The Setting Patmos – small island in Aegean Sea ~37mi SW of Ephesus; used as a Roman penal colony “Because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” 9/25/2016

Vision of the Glorified Christ The Setting (cont) In the Spirit Beyond & Above normal human perception & understanding Enabled to transcend the world – Holy Spirit takes him into the presence of God with a view of things impossible to see with normal eyes On the Lord’s day – Sunday The commission from God Heralded & spoken by a trumpet Note: trumpets associated with a call to action or assembly Expressed in two commands Write what you see Send the record to the seven churches 9/25/2016

Vision of the Glorified Christ The Vision of Christ – First look at the glorified Christ since the transfiguration in the Gospels A voice speaking with John Among seven lampstands – the seven churches One like the Son of Man – title points to his true humanity & messianic character Clothed in a robe held close by a golden sash – judge His head & hair white like white wool & snow – Christ’s absolute purity Eyes like a flame of fire – judgment Feet of burnished glowing bronze – holy from head to feet; He will trample down sin & wickedness Voice like the sound of many waters – powerful/absolute authority Holding seven stars in His right hand – explained in 1:20 9/25/2016

Vision of the Glorified Christ One like the Son of Man (cont) Sharp two-edged sword coming out of His mouth – God’s Word; He will judge every person by the standard of His Holy Word Having a face shining like the sun – deity & holiness of Christ Brings John to the ground as “a dead man” The same John who laid his head on Jesus’ chest; saw Jesus at the transfiguration – to see the unveiled glory of Jesus is all consuming Immediately places His right hand upon John Wonderful expression of God’s grace Speaks to John Do not be afraid I am the first and the last I am the living One who was dead I am alive for evermore I have the keys of death & Hades 9/25/2016

Vision of the Glorified Christ Speaks to John (cont) Write What you have seen The things that are What will take place afterward The mysteries are made plain Seven stars are the angels of the seven churches Seven lampstands are the seven churches How then should we respond? 9/25/2016

The Next Several Weeks Oct 2 The Letters to the Churches, Ephesus Chris Oct 9 IBC Band (No Morning Song) Oct 16 Smyrna Chris Oct 23 Pergamum Jim Oct 30 Thyatira Jon Nov 6 IBC Band (No Morning Song) Nov 13 Sardis Jim Nov 20 Philadelphia Clint

See you NEXT week!

2/18/2019

When will the end come?