The End of All Evil

September 8, 2024

Revelation 20:7-15 — This is the last act, the final scene in the drama of this world’s history. This is the conclusion of God’s plan to ensure that all evil is rooted out to allow for the incredible transformation of the old creation into the new creation. God’s divine justice brings about the victory over and the end of all evil to make room for the new creation where evil will no longer exist.

This is part of 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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We Will Reign with Christ

September 1, 2024

Revelation 20:1-6 — We will reign with Christ. Satan will be bound, and his rule on earth will end. All evil will be destroyed and removed from God’s creation. God’s people will be vindicated, holy, and blessed as we rule forever with Christ in the new creation. This truth encourages us to faithful kingdom living and to endure as faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ. In this world and life, we already are kingdom citizens and a kingdom of priests reigning with Christ as his ambassadors.

This is part of 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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Jesus Is the Coming King

August 25, 2024

Revelation 19:11-21 — Jesus returns in majesty and glory. He comes as Judge, Conqueror, and King, the Lord of all. He is Faithful and True. He is the Word of God, and as the all-seeing Judge and warrior King, He destroys the destroyers of the earth with his Word, the sword from his mouth. The coming of Jesus Christ as our King and Lord gives us hope by showing that we have a King who is coming and will triumph over his enemies. This encourages us to remain faithful and live holy, righteous lives so that we will ride on white horses behind our conquering King.

This is part of 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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Hallelujah—Praise Yahweh!

August 18, 2024

Revelation 19:1-10 — Heaven explodes with hallelujahs, rejoicing and praising God because Babylon, the unbelieving world, has been judged. This judgment indicates that salvation has come and God’s justice has been revealed. There is rejoicing that evil has been wiped from the earth forever, and God has begun to rule and reign. The Lamb’s marriage has arrived, and his bride, the church is ready. Those invited to the wedding feast are blessed. Are we invited to the wedding feast? Are we, the church, ready as the bride of Christ? We must worship God alone.

This is part of 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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Do Not Store Up Treasures on Earth

August 4, 2024

Revelation 18:9-24 — Jesus’ command is clear, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth … You cannot serve both God and money” (Mt 6:19-24). As kingdom citizens, we must come out of Babylon because we cannot participate in her economic, political, and social injustices. We cannot share her greed and lust for luxuries and riches that come at the cost and oppression of others. We cannot be silent about the economic injustices that even our nation, business practices, and political policies perpetrate. Nations, institutions, corporations, businesses, and individuals will stand under God’s judgment. We who participate in such institutions share their responsibility before God unless we explicitly repudiate our complicity with them and declare their activities wrong. We must evaluate all systems according to their impact on people, especially the most vulnerable. When God blesses us, we are called to use those blessings for the well-being of others, placing their needs above our own, and to use those blessings to further God’s kingdom purposes.

This is part of 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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Come Out, My People!

July 28, 2024

Revelation 18:1-8 — Money, wealth, power, sexual pleasure, and self-glorification are extremely seductive and present us with overwhelming temptations to compromise our faith and loyalty to God. The fall of Babylon warns us that the godless and unbelieving world will be judged by the mighty Lord our God. God calls us to come out of Babylon, to separate ourselves from the world’s idolatries. We should not live like the world but follow the way of the Lamb. We are in the world, but we are not citizens of this world. We are sojourners traveling through this world on our way to God’s promised new creation.

This is part of 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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Jesus Christ is the Lord of lords and the King of kings (2)

July 21, 2024

Revelation 17:9-18 — We continue to look at Babylon, the great prostitute and the great city. It stands in contrast to the persecuted women of chapter 12 and the bride of the Lamb, the new Jerusalem (chapters 19 & 21), both representing God’s redeemed and faithful people. The bride endures forever while the glory of Babylon disappears quickly. With this contrast, John encourages the believers’ allegiance and faithfulness to the Lamb as his Bride. He challenges us to alienate ourselves from Babylon, the prostitute, who represents the adversaries of God. She deceives the world and the unbelievers with her promises of wealth and prosperity, but in the end, evil implodes on itself, and the fate of Babylon, the beast, their kings, and followers are sealed according to God’s purposes. Their end is destruction because the Lamb triumphs. He conquers because He is the Lord of lord and the King of kings.

This is part of 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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Jesus Christ is the Lord of lords and the King of kings (1)

July 14, 2024

Revelation 17:1-8 — Babylon, the great prostitute and the great city, stands in contrast to the persecuted women of chapter 12 and the bride of the Lamb, the new Jerusalem (chapters 19 & 21), both representing God’s redeemed and faithful people. The bride endures forever while the glory of Babylon disappears quickly. With this contrast, John encourages the believers’ allegiance and faithfulness to the Lamb as his Bride. He challenges us to alienate ourselves from Babylon, the prostitute, who represents the adversaries of God. She deceives the world and the unbelievers with her promises of wealth and prosperity, but in the end, evil implodes on itself, and the fate of Babylon, the beast, their kings, and followers are sealed according to God’s purposes. Their end is destruction because the Lamb triumphs. He conquers because He is the Lord of lord and the King of kings.

This is part of 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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