1. Understanding the 1 st Century Mindset Before launching into Rev.19-end…

2. The 1 st Century Mindset Understanding Revelation means understanding its writer and audience. –Means understanding its impact and significance. They had a very different world view… They had a very different church life…

3. The Ascension of Christ Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away… Acts 1:12

4. The Ascension: Background Crucified, risen from the grave… NOW WHAT? –Crucifixion, resurrection were surprises… –The disciples had never planned for this… –The entire Gospel of Luke was a beginning: “The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach…” Acts 1:1 –They were confused…

5. The Ascension: Background Crucified, risen from the grave… NOW WHAT? Jesus teaches them the ‘rest of the story’ –Something BIG was in the works… –The global expansion of the kingdom! –Consistent with Old Testament prophecies! “To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” – Acts 1:6 “…make disciples of all the nations…” – Matt. 28:19 “…in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 “There will be no end to the increase of His government…” Is. 9:7

6. The Ascension: Background Crucified, risen from the grave… NOW WHAT? Jesus teaches them the ‘rest of the story’ His slow growth teachings did not register. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed…it becomes the largest of garden plants…” “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed…it becomes the largest of garden plants…” – Matt. 13:31,32 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed…It is the smallest of all seeds, but it grows…” – Matt. 13:31,32 “Is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" - Acts 1:6

7. The 1 st Century Mindset Eyes fixed on the inevitable, proper, and pending rule of God. –Established at the birth of the church (Acts 1:9-11) –This small band of followers were transformed… And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” - Acts 1:9f And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And…they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going… - Acts 1:9

8. They Saw the Ascension Eyes fixed on the Exalted Jesus Christ! The Ascension proves the 2 nd Advent. “He will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go.” (Acts 1:11) “they were straining their eyes to see him” (Acts 1:10 NLT)

9. “With the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming… And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom…” - Dan.7:13-14 “You will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God's right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven.” - Matthew 26:64 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." - Rev. 19:11-16

10. The 1 st Century Mindset Eyes fixed on the inevitable, proper, and pending rule of God. But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ… - 2 Cor. 2:14

11. The 1 st Century Mindset Eyes fixed on the inevitable, proper, and pending rule of God. Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow. - Psalms 144:4 Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow. - Psalms 144:4

12. The 1 st Century Mindset Eyes fixed on the inevitable, proper, and pending rule of God. A love for the only worthy and authentic ruler. “He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood (Rev.19:13) The blood is his own. –He came to offer clemency. “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain…” (Rev.5:12) He is trustworthy to rule your life: the only one in the universe without any personal needs to fulfill. The only ruler in the universe who will not dominate you: “All who came before Me are thieves and robbers…” (John 10:8) For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. - 1 Pet. 1:18-19

13. The 1 st Century Mindset Eyes fixed on the inevitable, proper, and pending rule of God. A love for the only worthy and authentic Ruler. They hurled their lives at the Kingdom of God. –They overcame the Ruler of this World because “they did not love their life even when faced with death.” (Rev. 12:11) As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return. - 2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For we are not our own masters when we live or when we die. While we live, we live to please the Lord. And when we die, we go to be with the Lord. So in life and in death, we belong to the Lord.” - Rom. 14:7,8

14. The 1 st Century Mindset Eyes fixed on the inevitable, proper, and pending rule of God. A love for the only worthy and authentic Ruler. They hurled their lives at the Kingdom of God. Saw the Kingdom of God rollout. –Talk about excitement! “He will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go.” (Acts 1:11) Acts 2:47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come. - Matt.24:14

15. A revolt against the tyranny of the Cult of Man “The spirit of the lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” -Lk.4:18ff “And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.” 2 Cor. 3:18