May 12, 2024
Revelation 12:1-17 — Like John’s churches, God’s people today face persecution and we are tempted to compromise our faith. John pulls back the curtain to show us that God reigns and that a Child was born. He is the Christ who has come as the Lord and Savior of the world. The dragon, Satan, tried to destroy the Child in order to stop God’s kingdom purposes. However, the Child triumphs and wins the victory at the cross. God’s kingdom is inaugurated. Because of his death and resurrection, the Child is exalted and rules as Lord over the nations. Satan’s time on earth is short, and his doom is sure. He now takes out his anger on God’s people. We are involved in a great cosmic battle between heaven and earth, between good and evil, between love and hate. We must continue to proclaim God’s Word and be his faithful witnesses until the end. We will suffer and be persecuted, but the Lord protects, secures, and nourishes his people.
We resume our series on the book of Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus! Too many resources were used in this series to list them all. However, the following source shaped this series and the content of the sermons extensively: Thomas R. Schreiner, Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023). The following key resources were also used — Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); McKnight, Scot; Matchett, Cody. Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple (Zondervan. Kindle Edition); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002).
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