|
The
Bible: Sunday Sermon Tape # 73 |
of the Lamb & His Bride John the Romantic Apostle |
|
The
Bible: Sunday Sermon Tape # 73 |
of the Lamb & His Bride John the Romantic Apostle |
Don't
miss the pictures of the zoo days. The Lord willing, Creation Creature Features
soon.
Review:
See
the previous sermon notes on the Web -
|
|
Every warning, struggle,
temptation, promise, strategy, and victory
in the Revelation can also play out in your life, your family, and your church!
The choice is yours ................
The Text ("Blue Letter
Bible"): Revelation
19
(Strong's numbers, Hebrew-Greek lexicons,
cross references, etc., can be accessed from the above link)
Review: Outline
of The
Revelation: Key verses = Rev 1:8 & 19
I. Character of Christ
for His Father's Glory (Who Was) (Things You've Seen) Chapter 1
What about your character, & your family's character, & that of your
church?
Can other people see Jesus' goodness, unselfishness, & humility through each
one?
A. Introduction (1:1-8) Of Jesus to His servants (1:4 Church)
(see also 6:1 Israel)
B. Post-Incarnate, glorified Jesus (1:9-18)
II. Counsel of Christ
for the Church (Who Is) (Things Which
Are) Chapters 2-3
This counsel also applies to you personally, your family, your local church,
& all of "Christianity".
A. Command to Prophesy (1:19)
B. Seven Churches Counseled (1:20) ESP-TS-PL (Praise
before correction!)
C. Ephesus (2:1-7)
Loveless
D. Smyrna (2:8-11)
Persecuted
E. Pergamos (2:12-17)
Compromising
F. Thyatira (2:18-29) Corrupt
G. Sardis (3:1-6)
Dying
H. Philadelphia (3:7-13) Revived
I. Laodicea (3:14-22)
Lukewarm (no praise)
III. Consequences of Christ
for the Church, Israel & the World Chapters 4-22
(Who is to come again!) (Things
which will happen soon!)
Are you ready for your future? The judgment seat of Christ?
A. Church In Heaven
1. The Rapture (Jesus Rescues His Bride) up to Heaven (4:1)
2. The King & His Bride prepare for the future. (4:1-5:14) (see also Ch 19)
B. Tribulation of Israel (Jacob's) Trouble on Earth (6:1-18:24) (Daniel's 70th Week)
1. Seals (Seven) of Judgments (Rev 6:1-8:2), includes chapter 7's message of encouragement
** Ch. 7 Who Can Stand? Those God Has Chosen, & Who Choose Him
2. Trumpets (Seven) of Judgments (Rev 8-9)
a. The Little Book (Rev 10)
b. The Two Witnesses (Rev 11)
3. Players (Seven) on the Tribulation Stage of His-story (Rev 12-14)
(Woman, Child, Dragon, Michael, 144,000, Sea Beast, Earth Beast)
* These three chapters are an interlude, zooming in for a personal look at the people.
4. Bowls (Seven) of Judgments (Rev 15-16)
5. Babel's Final Fall (Rev 17-18) The Woman Who Rides The Beast
The Martyr's Motive & Method: Loving Our Enemies Into Our Family !
C. Christ's Wedding & War (19:1-21)
Marriage of the Lamb & His Bride
D. Millennial Kingdom (20:1-6)
E. Final Futile Rebellion (20:7-10)
F. Great White Throne & Second Death (20:11-15)
G. New Heaven & Earth Coming (21-22:15)
H. Jesus' Promise & Warning for YOU, your family,
& your church (22:16-21)
Outline -
Rev 19:11 THE Groom
(Faithful, True, Blood)
Rev 19:1-6 He Rejects the Phony Harlot Church (during the Tribulation).
Rev 19:7-11
Christ's Marries His True Church Bride
The Real Halleluiah Chorus
| Marriage Process Stage | Relevant Scripture | Jesus' toward His Bride |
| 1. Courtship | John 2 & 4 | Called by Love |
| 2. Betrothal / Engagement | John 10-12 | Saves by Grace |
| 3. Preparation | John 14:2 | Goes to prepare |
| 4. Retrieves & Vows | John 14:3 | Returns to rapture/rescue |
| 5. Supper with Guests | Rev 19:9 | Guests = OT/Trib saints |
| 6. One Flesh | Rev 19:11 | Physical Return |
| 7. Honeymoon | Rev 20 | Millennium |
The common process through which first century, middle eastern marriages normally progressed, followed seven steps as listed in the chart above. These same seven steps parallel the process by which Jesus will complete His marriage to His bride - the Church.
John, the romantic (beloved) apostle, focused his message around God's love. In addition, early in his gospel presentation, John mentions Jesus' first miracle which took place at a wedding, and His call of the less than faithful woman at the well. In the first century, the groom initiated the courtship process, just as Jesus came to call us, His Bride. We love, because He first loved us.
Our betrothal/engagement to Jesus is a salvation covenant initiated by His grace alone, and we responded by submissive faith. Even though the full consummation of the marriage has not yet taken place, our salvation is sure and secure. Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and will follow Him. Even though corporate, national Israel rejected Jesus as Messiah, He called out a bride to Himself, the church (ekklesia - a mystery not revealed in the Old Testament). The church is a unique entity, a mixture of both Jews and Gentiles, regenerated (John 7:37-39) in a manner unlike believers of the Old Testament. The church is the bride of God the Son, not God the Father.
In preparation for marriage, the first century groom would prepare a room in his father's house for himself and his new bride. Then he'd go and get his bride, take her out of her old world, and bring her to the wedding ceremony. Jesus (John 14:2) in a similar manner promised to prepare a special place in His Father's house for His bride, and to come again and take her out of her old world. We the Church are His bride, and at the rapture Jesus will rescue us out of this old world, from the coming judgment on unbelieving Israel called the time of "Jacob's Trouble", "the Great Tribulation".
The first century wedding was followed by a marriage supper, where the friends of the groom and the bride were special guests invited to share in the joy of the couple's new union. So, who are these invited guests at the marriage supper of the Lamb? They are certainly believers, but as "guests" they cannot be the same as the bride. These friends of the Lamb and bride are believers from the Old Testament and the Tribulation. This is a further piece of evidence demonstrating the distinction between national Israel and the Church (please see previous notes detailing the evidence for this crucial fact). While the marriage of the Lamb apparently will take place in heaven during the tribulation, the supper will take place on the earth at the end of the tribulation.
After the marriage supper, the groom and his bride consummate their one flesh union, a picture (Eph 5) of the perfect intimacy soon to come for Christ and His Church. At that awesome time, we will know Him fully even as we have been fully known by Him (John 17; 1 Cor 13). There will be no barrier, no sin, no separation. Finally, we will be filled and satisfied in a way in which the things of this world could never produce.
Following the consummation of the marriage comes the honeymoon period (Deut 24:5). Our coming honeymoon with Christ Jesus will extend not merely for a week or even a year, but for 1,000 years during which Satan will be bound and the whole world will be filled with the love and knowledge of the Lord (Isa 11 & 65).
Please be sure to look back at previous sermon notes for more evidence for the distinction between Israel and the Church. In summary:
The Church - was chosen as a special bride for His Son. Ephesians 5 tells us that the "church" was a mystery, unrevealed to the Jews. The church, the bride of Jesus the Son, is a special entity, consisting of a mixture of both Jews and Gentiles, who would trust in Christ between the time of His resurrection and her rescue/rapture. The "time of Jacob's Trouble", would then refocus God's ministry in the world on and through the corporate nation of Israel.
Israel - was sovereignly chosen as the Father’s Wife, not the Son's. In fact, Zech 12 reveals that Israel, officially and corporately, will one day (Rom 11:26) see Jesus as its Son, not its husband.
"[the One] whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. (Zech 12:10)".
Israel was the physical, corporate representative of God to the world prior to the creation of the church at Pentecost. Due to its rejection of Jesus, Israel has been temporarily (Rom 9-11) set aside, and God's corporate representative is the church, the bride of His Son. God does not intend the church to be a corporate, physical nation like Israel. We are not to try dominate the world's governmental systems with Christian authority. The physical domination of the world system will one day be achieved by Jesus Himself, when He comes to rule with a rod of iron. At that point, the physical nation of Israel will again be the central physical manifestation through which Jesus, the King of the Jews, will rule. The church, His bride, will be at His side.
How is your marriage?
Husbands, are you faithful and true as Jesus is for the church? What about your eyes (Job 31:1)? Do you lovingly lead your wife, and gently wash her with the water of God's Word?
Wives, do you respect, follow, and help your husband? Are you his best cheerleader, or have you tried to replace the Holy Spirit as his coach?
Single folks, including the youth, are you preparing to be a God-honoring spouse?
Remember,
every warning, struggle,
temptation, promise, strategy, and victory in the Revelation can also play out in your life, your family, and your church!
The choice is yours ................
What do you need to change?
(The final question to ask God, whenever
you study God's Word)
Lord, how
am I doing on your conflict meter, for your glory?
Giving Up < < < < Standing
Firm > > > >
Blowing Up
Remember there are only two
modes for a believer:
* Marching forward with the gospel.
* Standing firm when conflict arises!
Return to related articles from "The Bible: One Bite at a Time" -
Biblical Prophecy: A Jigsaw Puzzle with Pieces Throughout the Bible
(Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, Mat 24, 2 Th 2)
For further study of prophecy:
Prophecy
Today - http://www.gospelcom.net/shofar/pp/htm/report.shtml
Soulcare's
Recommended Materials on Prophecy (books, audios, videos, etc.)
http://www.soulcare.org/Resources_Biblical_Authority.htm#Prophecy
Booklet: The
Rapture,
by Thomas Ice & Timothy Demy
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1565073924/qid%3D980349983/104-6768955-3395119
John
MacArthur, D.D., The Second Coming of Jesus: Signs
of Christ's Return & the End of the Age.
- Book: This text is an excellent
overview, placing the puzzle pieces together until the picture is clear.
*- Audio Set (9 tapes): This tape set is the best I've heard
yet. Nothing beats the spoken word for clarity.
J. Vernon McGee, B.D., M.Th., Th.D.,, Thru the Bible Commentary Series,
Revelation. Dr. McGee's commentaries are probably the simplest, most
practical, yet thorough and biblical that are available on the Bible.
_______, Reveling Through Revelation.
Chuck Missler, Revelation
Commentary in MP3 on CD. Chuck's commentaries on Daniel, The
Revelation, etc., on CD not only contain extensive study notes, but also many
hours of audio teaching.
Henry Morris, Ph. D. (Physical Science doctorate), The Revelation
Record. A theologically and scientifically sound commentary on the
book of The Revelation. Dr. Morris explains the amazingly accurate
scientific parallels described in the Revelation that were unknown to the
culture of the first century. Only God's direct revelation to John can
explain such accuracy. For example, the "flaming mountain"
crashing into the sea during the second trumpet judgment. How would John
have known of even the possibility of massive asteroids that would ignite in our
atmosphere as a result of the friction and tremendous speed?
Dwight Pentecost, Ph.D., Things to Come: A Study in
Biblical Eschatology. This is a 600 pp encyclopedic reference
to all of the major passages, topics, and issues involved.
_________ Thy Kingdom Come: Tracing God's Kingdom Program &
Covenant Promises Throughout History. 1995.
Randall Price, Ph.D. Jerusalem
in Prophecy (Th.M. graduate of Dallas Theological
Seminary and holds a Ph.D. in Middle
Eastern Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.
He has done graduate study at the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem, and conducted archeological
excavation in Israel with the University of Texas
in conjunction with the teaching of courses in biblical
archaeology and the history and culture of modern
Israel.)
Renald Showers, Th.D., Maranatha, Our Lord, Come! A Definitive Study of the
Rapture of the Church. [Dr. Showers, a graduate of Grace Theological
Seminary, serves with Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, as well as the
Institute of Biblical Studies.]
John F. Walvoord, Every Prophecy of the Bible. This
reference commentary is over 600 pages long and is an invaluable tool for those
studying prophecy regardless of their perspective. When studying
eschatology, nothing is more important that having a comprehensive awareness of
all that the Bible says on the subject. This new work is more than
comprehensive. It is exhaustive. Dr. Walvoord was on the faculty of
Dallas Theological Seminary for 50 years, and is recognized even by those who do
not hold to a premillennial perspective as being one of the most knowledgeable
scholars in the area of prophecy and eschatology.
Audio Message: "The
Rapture: The Great Escape", John Ankerberg
http://www.khouse.org/media/conferences/steeling/stmankerberg98.html
Article: "The
Great Snatch", by Chuck Missler
http://www.khouse.org/articles/prophetic/19950101-35.html
Article: Byzantine
Text Discovery & the Rapture
http://www.khouse.org/articles/biblestudy/19950601-39.html
Revelation
19:1-11