Revelation 21 The Holy City New Jerusalem

SLIDE 1 A dying man asked his Christian physician to tell him something about the next life. The doctor fumbled for a reply, when he heard a scratching at the door. "Do you hear that?" he asked his patient. "It's my dog. I left him outside. He has no notion what is inside this door, but he knows that I am here. Isn't it the same with you? You don't know what lies beyond the Door, but you know that your Master is there." A.M. Hunter, Christian Theology in Plain Language, p. 208.

While teaching Randy Alcorn’s “Heaven” an older lady firmly stated, “No one can know what heaven is like.”
Sisters the last two chapters of Revelation is all we need to know.  PRAY

SLIDE 2 Revelation Chapter 21 New Heaven and New Earth

·        Where is your home?

·        God is into details?
Heaven is my home.

 As beautiful and thrilling it will be to be present at the wedding feast of the lamb, there will be an unexplainable joy when we behold the Holy City, New Jerusalem.

SLIDE 3 Warren Wiersbe says “Human history began in a garden and ends in a city like a garden paradise.” He developed a chart comparing the creation in Genesis and the recreation in Revelation.

Genesis	Revelation
Heavens and earth created, 1:1 Sun created, 1:16 The night established, 1:5 The seas created, 1:10 The curse announced, 3:14—17 Death enters history, 3:19 Man driven from the tree, 3:24 Sorrow and pain begin, 3:17 17	New heavens and earth, 21:1 No need of the sun, 21:23 No night there, 22:5 No more seas, 21:1 No more curse, 22:3 No more death, 21:4 Man restored to paradise, 22:14 No more tears or pain, 21:4

The exciting thing in the New Jerusalem is what will be missing. No more evil, wickedness, nor greed. No more fear nor curse nor death. No more pain, nor tears, nor sorrow.

SLIDE 4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. As John watched² And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

The saints referred to in 19:7-8 will inhabit the New Jerusalem. The Holy city and the citizens will share the Lamb’s eternal love. All believers will abide in this eternal home for God’s people not only the church, but all redeemed people from all ages. John describes it as a holy city, a prepared city (John 14:1-6) and a beautiful city.

*A tourist was visiting a village priest, as the man looked around the sparse furnishing in the humble abode he ask the man of God, “Where is your furniture?”  The old priest replied, “Well, where is your furniture?” he man stuttered and spouted, “I’m just a visitor I am just travelling through.” The holy man smiled and nodded his head. “Me too!” Ladies Heaven is my home.

http://www.heavenquestions.com/oceans_in_Heaven_.html. 

SLIDE 5  3 "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

Wiersbe says the Bible records the dwelling places of God.

·        God walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.

SLIDE 6 Hebrews 11:10 Abraham… was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

 God gave to Moses the exact dimensions and details to build in the desert tabernacle where His glory could reside.

SLIDE 7 Later Solomon and Herod completed elaborate temples to worship and give honor  to the LORD. In both place the veil stood between men and God. When Israel sinned God departed from those dwellings.

·        John 1:14 says “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” God’s plan for our salvation from Creation.

SLIDE 8  At the exact moment that Christ died, the veil was torn from top to bottom to permit our access to a holy, unapproachable God. No more blood sacrifices to pay for sin. No more priests to intercede. Jesus was the perfect sacrificial lamb. His blood was the price, paid in full for you and me. For every sin-past, present, and future, we are redeemed, justified, and sanctified. Jesus Christ is our advocate seated at the right hand of God making intercession.

On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came to live in the bodies of His disciples. Today God does not live in manmade temples, but in us. 1 Cor. 6:19 “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,” If you received the Holy Spirit He will fill you up to overflowing. Release all your bitterness, fear, and pain. Let Him fill you with joy, unspeakable joy, love overflowing on everyone you meet, and peace that passes all understanding.

SLIDE 9  But on that Day we shall behold Him in all His glory face to face bow at His feet unable to speak. His majesty will render us speechless, joy bubbly over. Heaven is my home.

⁴ He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Glory what a day that will be I can only imagine when His face I see.

SLIDE 10  Why did God create a new heaven? Remember when Lucifer was an angel; when the devil appeared before the throne to accuse Job. The angels constantly battle in the heavenly. God will make all things new. There is no place for satan or his angels.

Rev.21:27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

SLIDE 11 ⁵And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

In life we have all been deceived or cheated by salesmen or contractors. We can be disappointed in family or friends. But Christ Jesus can be trusted He is truth, he never disappoints, and He will never leave us or forsake us.

SLIDE 12 NO SEAS In Genesis the seas became a barrier separating what we now know to be continents, dividing the nations of man. John was on an island surrounded by water, separated from other Christians and loved ones. On the new earth, it there will be no sea because the earth will be restored to its original splendor. 64 There will be no more seas but that does not mean there is no water for the River of Life flows from the throne of God. Chapter 22:1

⁶ And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. What a glorious promise. Heaven is my eternal home.

SLIDE 13  Twelves in the Bible

Depending on the version of the Bible, you can find reference to the number 12 over 164 times in KJV. Twelve times in Joshua: you may remember our study with the mounds of 12 rocks and ten times in Revelation.The number twelve seems to be very important to God and it represents, in most cases, the number of perfection and authority.

 CLICK on each BULLET

§  Think of the twelve sons of Jacob becoming the twelve tribes of Israel.

§  There were 12 spies sent into the land of Canaan.

§  Joshua choose 12 men from the 12 tribes who carried 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan to build a monument to the Lord (Joshua 4:3).

§  The high priest’s breastplate had 12 precious stones embedded within them.

§  There are 12 Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. 

§  There are 12 historical books in the Bible.

§  Jesus chooses twelve disciples. In the Bible as this number also signified governmental rule or authority.

• In Revelation 7, twelve thousands from each of the 12 tribes of Israel will be saved near the end of the present world system.
• Twelve thousand will be taken from the earth so that they may serve the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ (Rev 14:1-5)

SLIDE 14  There are an abundance of 12’s in Chapter 21

¹⁰ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,¹¹ having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

SLIDE 15 ¹² It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed---¹³ on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. I can’t wait to be home in heaven.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/09/28/what-does-the-number-twelve-12-mean-or-represent-in-the-bible/#ixzz3XteaMogO

SLIDE 16 21:15-16 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls.¹⁶ The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal

The city lies foursquare meaning the city is a cube.. The size of this city indicates that each border is approximately fifteen hundred miles long. Thus the dimensions of the city would be equal to the area of the United States from the North Carolina to Colorado across one side and from the Canadian border to the southern tip of Florida on the other. In addition to the length and breadth, the city will be fifteen hundred miles high. This great size will afford sufficient space for the habitation of the saints from all ages of history.

http://www.discoverrevelation.com/Rev_21.html

SLIDE 17 The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass.¹⁹ The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,²⁰ the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.²¹ And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.

Twelve brilliantly colored gemstones will reflect the shining radiance of God's glory into a spectrum of beautiful colors that will flash from New Jerusalem throughout the re-created universe.

SLIDE 18 23 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.²³ And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.²⁴ By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, ²⁵ and its gates will never be shut by day---and there will be no night there.

 There is no temple in heaven because God will be with us. No need for sacrifices in the temple because Christ was the supreme sacrifice that redeemed all from their sins forever.

Until then ladies we must be light in the world. We must reflect His light through our love to others. Do not hide your light under a bushel but go out tomorrow and shine, shine, shine.

SLIDE 19 Will you choose heaven for your eternal home?

Revelation 20 The Great White Throne

SLIDE 1 CBS Register Now for study of Matthew $25; July 1 $35

SLIDE 2 David Jeremiah in his book Escape from the Coming Night states “Peace may be found in two places; a man's heart and the dictionary.” chapter 18 “The 1000 years”

During the thousand year reign, Jesus and His disciples and His saints (from the Old Testament through all time) will rule the world restored to its former glory after the destruction of the tribulation.

(Spurgeon)"Let us rejoice that Scripture is so clear and so explicit upon this great doctrine of the future triumph of Christ over the whole world    . . . We believe that the Jews will be converted, and that they will be restored to their own land. We believe that Jerusalem will be the central metropolis of Christ's kingdom; we also believe that all the nations shall walk in the light of the glorious city which shall be built at Jerusalem. We expect that the glory which shall have its center there, shall spread over the whole world, covering it as with a sea of holiness, happiness, and delight. For this we look with joyful expectation."

SLIDE 3

Tonight we will study Revelation 20

•      The Millennium Kingdom

•      Satan’s Short Release and Eternal Torment

•      Great White Throne

–     Only Unbelievers

–     5 books per David Jeremiah

–     Hidden actions revealed

Are you ready?

The word millennium in Greek (chilia) means 1000 years and is used six times in Revelation 20:2-7

Most commentators I study adhere to this belief: Warren Wiersbe, Tim LaHaye, David Jeremiah, David Guzik, Spurgeon, Randy Alcorn

SLIDE 4 The Premillennialist believes a literal interpretation

•      Christ will return to earth before 1000 yr. reign to gather His saints

•      He will rebuild Jerusalem for His kingdom

•      Satan bound for 1000 years

•      Old Testament  prophecies for Jews will be fulfilled

•      World gets worse before it gets better

The Lord’s prayer commands “Thy will be done on earth as it is heaven.”  This cannot be done on earth until Christ enemies are defeated and Satan is bound.

SLIDE 5 Why do we need a millennium?  It is a reward for the people of God.

The millennial is needed to redeem creation after the terrible devastation of the world. It will be made new and beautiful once more, like the Garden of Eden. It will be peaceful, no wars, the Lord reigns supreme. The wild beast will be loving and docile to humans as they were in the Garden of Eden. Satan is chained so there will be no idol worshipers, no cults, and no satanic worship. It will be a time of prosperity and perpetual health. Neither infant mortality nor an “old man who fails to live out his day.” During the millennial believers will continue to populate the earth, however our children will have free will can still rebel against God. David Guzik

 SLIDE 6 Old Testament prophesies of the Kingdom

•      Daniel 2:31-45

•      Psalm 2

•      Ezekiel 40-48

•      Zechariah 14:8, 16-21

•      Isaiah 65:17-25

Even under ideal conditions of the kingdom, human hearts are still self-centered as in Judges 17 “every man did what was right in his own eyes.”

"It will be proved once more that man, whatever his advantages and environment, apart from the grace of God and new birth, remains at heart only evil and at enmity with God." (Hoste)

SLIDE 7 Satan is in the pit bound and locked up for 1000 years. Revelation 20:3 says he must be set free for short time period. The Millennium displays the eternal wickedness of Satan, who continues his evil as soon as he is released from his captivity. In v.7-9 He will “deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth.”  

SLIDE 8 In Ezekial Gog is a person of the land of Magog but not necessarily the same here. Satan returns to gather an army.

This time he will gather an innumerable army from among those born during the Millennium for the war on Israel and Jerusalem. As at Armageddon, it will be a short war. God zaps them with “fire came down from heaven and consumed them.” God used fire to totally obliterate Sodom and Gomorrah. What a fitting end of the rebellion against The Sovereign God of Creation.

SLIDE 9 ¹⁰and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Imagine eternal torment the beast and the false prophet are still there not gone in a sudden burst of flame but eternal punishment

SLIDE 10 "The devil and the damned have punishment without pity, misery without mercy, sorrow without succor, crying without comfort, mischief without measure, torments without end and past imagination." (Trapp)

Some illustrations depict hell brightly because of the fire. But there will be no Sun or the Son.  Darkness represents evil and death. 2 Peter 2:17 say “gloom of utter darkness”

Pat Malvenko Smith does an excellent representation of this.

SLIDE 11 *“How does a worm get inside an apple? Perhaps you think the worm burrows in from the outside. No, scientists have discovered that the worm comes from inside. But how does he get in there? Simple! An insect lays an egg in the apple blossom. Sometime later, the worm hatches in the heart of the apple, then eats his way out.

How could there be unbelievers after the Millennial Kingdom?

Sin, like the worm, begins in the heart and works out through a person’s thoughts, words, and actions.”

Are you ready?

Revelation 20: Judgment Before the Great White Throne

SLIDE 12 ¹¹    Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.

Recall from our last lesson v. 20:5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.

¹²And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

Warren Weisbe-states these are the Books of Human Works Revelation 20:12-13

SLIDE 13 From verse 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

(Walvoord)" 'The 'first resurrection' is not an event but an order of resurrection including all the righteous who are raised from the dead before the millennial kingdom begins."

John 5:²⁴ Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Ladies, have no fear. Believers will not be here. Jesus paid for our sins, they are covered with the blood of Christ, thrown into the sea.

SLIDE 14 The Old Testament teaches about “Sheol” a Hebrew word meaning the "place of the dead." No direct reference to either eternal torment or eternal happiness. The idea of Sheol is often accurately expressed as "the grave." But when we come to faith in Christ our souls don’t stay in a grave but we are immediately present with the Lord.

Are you ready?

The word Gehenna used 12 by Jesus comes from a deep narrow ravine south of Jerusalem where some Hebrew parents actually sacrificed their children to the Ammonite god, Molech, during the time of the kings. This valley later served as the city dump and, because there was continual burning of refuse there, it became a graphic symbol of the place of punishment for the wicked. It was named the “Valley of Hinnom,” which translated into Greek becomes Gehenna. 

SLIDE 15 ¹³And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.¹⁴Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

John 5:27 (The Father) he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.²⁸Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice²⁹and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. Are you ready?

SLIDE 16 David Jeremiah describes 5 Books he thinks will be opened

Book of Law Romans 3:20, For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Book of  Works  Matthew 16:27 ²⁷For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

Psalm 28:4 Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward

Book of Secrets Romans 2:16 God judges the secrets of men

Luke 8 v.17"There is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open"

Book of Words  Matthew 12:36-37 ³⁶I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,³⁷for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Book of Conscience-Romans 2:15 the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse

Romans 2:5-6 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. ⁶He will render to each one according to his works:

Book of Life Revelation 20: 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/uploadedfiles/111614_The_Judge.pdf

2 Thessalonians 1:9They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

SLIDE 17 Why do men shy away from the thought of God as a judge? Why do they feel unworthy of him? The truth is that part of God's moral perfection is his perfection in judgment. Would a God who did not care about the difference between right and wrong be a good and admirable being? Would a God who put no distinction between terrorists and rapists, and his own saints be morally praiseworthy and perfect? Moral indifference would be an imperfection in God, not a perfection. And not to judge the world would be to show moral indifference. The final proof that God is a perfect moral being, not indifferent to questions of right and wrong, is the fact that he has committed himself to judge the world. James Packer, Your Father Loves You,  Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986.

SLIDE 18 Some believe that the Scriptures reveal three different judgments to come. The first is the judgment of the sheep and the goats or a judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-36). This takes place after the tribulation period but prior to the millennium; its purpose is to determine who will enter the millennial kingdom. The second is a judgment of believers’ works, often referred to as the “judgment seat [bema] of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10) ¹⁰For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. At this judgment, Christians will receive degrees of reward for their works or service to God.

Are you ready?

The third is the great white throne judgment at the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:11-15). This is the judgment of unbelievers in which they are judged according to their works and sentenced to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire.

Other Christians believe that all three of these judgments speak of the same final judgment, the great white throne judgment in Revelation 20:11-15 will be the time that believers and unbelievers alike are judged after the Millennium.
Those who hold this view believe in Christians live through the tribulation

SLIDE 19 Warren Wiersbe said this, “The Church is always one generation short of extinction, If our generation fails to guard the truth and entrust it to our children, then that will be the end! When you think of the saints and martyrs who suffered and died so that we might have God’s truth, it makes you want to take your place in God’s army and be faithful unto death.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/great-white-throne-judgment.html#ixzz3X2lpD8jV

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/uploadedfiles/111614_The_Judge.pdf

Revelation 19:17-20:6

SLIDE 1 Ladies we are so blessed that you could join us tonight. I know some churches have a Maundy Thursday service. We hope you will stay with us through May 7 and hear the end of the story. Find out about our eternal home-heaven brought down to earth. I can wait to share!

SLIDE 2 Good Friday rarely has a religious celebration attached. We rejoice in getting another day of vacation; a long week-end. But before we can celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, He must suffer on the cross and die. Good Friday Jesus was cruelly beaten and brutally crucified at Calvary. His suffering also included the turning away of His Heavenly Father when Jesus took upon Himself all the sin for you and me.

Matthew 27: 46  “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” 

SLIDE 3 Think of Christ death as you plant you seeds for the garden. Before the plants can emerge the seeds must die. John 12:²⁴ Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. That is our challenge every day we are alive, to die to self and be an humble servant of Christ.

SLIDE 4Matthew 28:6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.

·        "Death is swallowed up in victory."

·        "O death, where is your victory?

·        death, where is your sting?" 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray.

SLIDE 5 Revelation 19:17- Revelation 20:6

·        Which Supper will you attend? 19:17-18

·        Eliminating the enemies

o   Beast and False Prophet 19:20-21

o   Dragon chained 20:1-2

·        The First Resurrection

Choose your place in the eternal kingdom.

SLIDE 6 I discovered another excellent a pastor and theologian, William Newell who is also the writer of the hymn we sang, At Calvary.

Newell points to four different suppers described in the Bible.

·            The supper of salvation, alluded to in Jesus' parable (Luke 14:16-24)

·            The Lord's supper, a commemoration of Jesus' sacrifice

·            The marriage supper of the Lamb

·             The supper of the great God

SLIDE 7 Luke 14:16-24 Jesus explained-Once a man prepared a great banquet and invitations were sent. His servant announced 'Come, for everything is now ready.' But they all began to make excuses.

Today it may be said: “The Panthers are playing today;” or “Gotta take my new car for a test run;” or “My son is playing soccer in another city.”

 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.'²² And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.'²³ And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.²⁴ For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"

SLIDE 8 Ladies this is our invitation to come to Christ and accept the gift of salvation. To us the cost is nothing but it cost our Savior His very life. Do you have friends and loved one who are too busy for a life in service to Jesus? One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD.

 Choose your place in the supper table.

If you reject the first supper- which is an invitation to salvation, the second supper our remembrance of Jesus’ death will mean nothing to you.

SLIDE 9The last Passover meal Jesus observed with the twelve disciples Luke 22 ¹⁹ Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."²⁰ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

SLIDE 10  When we participate in The Lord’s Supper in our churches we are practicing a covenant with the Lord to remember His sacrifice. We should confess our sins to be worthy to join in this Holy Sacrament. The cracker represents Jesus body broken for you and the grape juice represents His blood spilled for our sins.

SLIDE 11 If you reject the first supper- Then you will not be present at the third supper, the elaborate wedding supper of the Lamb in heaven,(we studied last week)but you will be present at the fourth supper of the great God.

Everybody gets to attend at least one of these suppers, but some will eat and others are eaten at the suppers. Choose your place in the eternal kingdom.

SLIDE 12 ¹⁷Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, "Come, gather for the great supper of God,

¹⁸ to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great."

SLIDE 13 Similarly Ezekiel prophesied in 39:17"…..Speak to the birds of every sort and to all beasts of the field, 'Assemble and come, gather from all around to the sacrificial feast that I am preparing for you, a great sacrificial feast on the mountains of Israel, and you shall eat flesh and drink blood.

SLIDE 14 Rev. 19:¹⁹ And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.

It is hardly a competition. The sword of the Lord God is ¹² … the word of God .. living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, ... Hebrews 4:12

SLIDE 15 ²⁰ And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.

SLIDE 16  Walvoord  “In the Second Coming the saints and angels will accompany Christ in His return will destroy the armies of the world that were gathered to conquer the Holy Land. It is a gruesome picture of the divine judgment upon a wicked world that rejected Christ. The world leader described as the beast and the false prophet associated with him will be cast alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.” These two will never rise again to torment and deceive the men of earth.  

²¹ And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

SLIDE 16 Our Lord God is omnipotent, all powerful over the deceiver of the brethren. Now is finally coming to lock him up for a time. He has always had the key over hell and Hades, but God in His wisdom has perfect timing I will not challenge.

It is time to choose a side in the battle for in the eternal kingdom.

Revelation 20: ¹Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.

SLIDE 17  ² And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,³ and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended.

Thank you, Jesus for this reprieve of Satan’s lies for a time of peace and joy. We know a day with the lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day. I’m  trusting Jesus knows best. After that he must be released for a little while.

 SLIDE 18  ⁴Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. The martyred souls who refused to take the mark of the beast.They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

We will have no temptation, aggravation, irritation or imitation for satan is sealed away during this time.

Have you chosen your place in the eternal kingdom?

⁵ The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. (These I think are the unsaved who will be judged at the Great White Throne in our next lesson.)

⁶ Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. Choose your place in the eternal kingdom.

SLIDE 19  Matthew Henry says “Those who suffer with Christ, shall reign with him in his spiritual and heavenly kingdom, in conformity to him in his wisdom, righteousness, and holiness: this is called the first resurrection, with which none but those who serve Christ, and suffer for him, shall be favoured.

Later in Chapter 20 we will study the second death, the lake of fire.¹⁵ And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

The second death is much more dreadful; it is the death of the soul, eternal separation from God. Their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.  

Click  Will you choose to receive the invitation to Salvation?

SLIDE 20 Sisters please be sure your name is written in the book of life. Receive the invitation to Salvation. We look forward to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb and eternity in the everlasting Kingdom of Jesus Christ our Savior. Have a Happy Easter.