Sermon by Neil Earle, 4/23/2005
Revelation 13:18: "Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is six hundred and sixty-six."
This scripture talks about calculating who is the beast and his number 666. It is a big topic in the world today. What is Revelation all about? Who are the main characters? When was it written? To whom was it written? What is the message? The book of Revelation is for the church and needs to read and needs to be in the Bible. It is the revelation of John. There are many speculations on the book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:1-9: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
"John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
"Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,' says the Lord, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.' I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
The message of Revelation is for the seven churches in Asia. There are more questions about the book of Revelation than the other books in the Bible. The book of Jude talks about God and Jesus Christ. Revelation is all about Christ and the church. It is deeply rooted in Christ. We need Jesus Christ inside of us.
Four ways to look at the book of Revelation.
Revelation 12:1-6: "Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days."
The church comes before the beast and the false prophet because they are the enemies of the church.
Revelation 1:19: "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this."
Revelation 2:5,10-11,16: "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place – unless you repent....Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death....Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth."
Here John is writing to the seven churches in Asia. The mission of the church is to update the church.
Revelation 3:2, 11: "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God....Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown."
In the first century people laid down their lives for what they believed. Read Revelation chapters 4 and 5. This talks about John being taken to heaven in a vision and shown the throne room in heaven. This is part of the book of Revelation that most people do not read.
Revelation 6:1, 9-11: "Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, 'Come and see.'....Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, 'Come and see.'
The Roman Empire is the enemy in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 8:1-6: "When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound."
This talks about the prayers of the Saints.
Revelation 22:20-21: "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
This book of Revelation is about the authority of Jesus Christ and shows that the church will survive. It is about the love of God for the church and that God is still on His throne and hearing and answering our prayers.
Sermon summary prepared by local Glendora church member Charlie Schreiner.