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 17
(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)
  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)

**  Be sure to see the more detailed, biblical analysis of "Lucifer" in our online booklet, 
"The Real Soul War".

Outline - 
The Martyr's Motive & Method:  
Loving Our Enemies Into God's Family

* What does the word "martyr" mean?
        (Rev 1:5; 2:13; 12:11; Acts 22:20)

-  Martyr = witness.  Jesus is the model martyr who gave perfect witness to the character of His Father's holiness and His love, even for His enemies (Rom 5).

* How should we respond to persecution?
        (Mat 5:10-16; 38-48; 1 Pet 2)

-  The only responsible response for the church, the Body of Christ, in the face of persecution is the truth in humble love (2 Tim 2:23-26).  Even when faced with opposition that has been "taken captive [by Satan] to do his will", we are to be humble, gentle, and loving in our response. 

-  We are to speak the truth, yet we must do it in a manner that leaves no doubt that we love even our enemies and desire that "God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil . . . .".

* How does "replacement theology" fail?
        (Luk 19:41-46; Rom 5; Rom 13; Col 1:24)

-  Replacement or Dominion theology (see introductory messages in this Revelation series) mistakenly assume that the "Church", Christ's Bride, has replaced "Israel" as God's physical, governmental representative on earth.  

-  Christ is not waiting for His Bride to dominate the world system in order for Him to return and set up His eternal Kingdom.  He alone, by His Word, the Sword that proceeds from His mouth, will come and end all rebellion (1 Cor 15; Rev 19).  

-  Seven years before His second coming to the earth, His Bride, the Church, will be rescued (raptured), in order that the final "time of Jacob's trouble" (Israel's discipline) can occur, during which Israel as a national, governmental representative, will corporately acknowledge Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) and cry out for Him to save them from the anti-semetic nations of the world.  Israel as God's national people, the seed of David, will officially recognize Jesus as 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)".

-  The error of replacement theology is causing many conservative Christians today to adopt an unbiblical strategy toward unbelievers, especially toward government authorities.  Instead of humbling showing honor and obedience as the Church is commanded in Rom 13, Titus 3, and 1 Pet 2, many Christians have absorbed the attitudes and actions of conservative politicians instead of Christ.  The result is that the world doesn't see the love of Christ, but rather the arrogant self-righteousness of Pharisaical flesh.  Consequently, the world is reacting just as Peter warned.  We are beginning to suffer a backlash of unnecessary persecution, not simply because of the gospel which is expected, but also sadly because of our rebellious, worldly attitudes and actions toward them.

* How are American Christians doing?  Not Good ..................
        (Rush/McCain/Hagee/McVeigh)

-  For example, Rush Limbaugh has become the model of character even for many conservative Christians.  His tongue in cheek, humorous attitude of arrogance has been adopted by Christian leaders, yet without the element of humor.  They clearly preach, teach and act as if unbelievers and government leaders are less than they are.

-  John McCain in his book, Faith of our Fathers, describes with pride how he cursed and ridiculed the Vietnamese prison guards while he was a captive.  Yet Jesus said we are to love our enemies, pray for them, do good to them, and witness (martyr) before them.

-  Pastor John Hagee (even though he is not a replacement theologian) has nevertheless said on his TV program that when Christians gain control, they will be the "worst nightmare" for the unbelievers.  His choice of words, tone, and countenance were diametrically opposite of love.

-  Mass murderer, Timothy McVeigh, is quoted in Reader's Digest as saying that he believed that America could only be turned around through another violent revolution.  Where did he get such unbiblical ideas?  They are not only a part of the imperfect roots of our American history, but are now becoming a common conversation topic among many groups, including some "conservative" Christians.

-  One final example is that of Christian petitions to government leaders.  These petitions are not at all the character of 1 Peter, nor even of early church fathers like Justin Martyr who wrote with humble respect to Caesar.  Modern Christian petitions demand of government leaders that they do what we want, and threaten various forms of retaliation if they don't.  Little to nothing is said in these "Christian" petitions about our biblical mandate to honor and obey even secular governments, so long as they don't command us to sin.

* What’s God’s reaction to our failure?
        (Grief Eph 4:30; Warning Rev 13:10)

-  God is grieved at the Bride's modern failure to present to the world the face of her husband Christ, the model martyr (the faithful witness).  The Church in many ways is acting like a domineering, rebellious wife, who thinks she knows better than her husband how to get things done.  But God warns that those who step out of rank and seek to achieve God's goals by worldly means, will have stepped out from under God's hand of protection.  They will suffer severe consequences unnecessarily.

* How can we turn the tide for God's glory?

- Repent, pray, live it, teach it . . . .
- Christian Schools
- Write letters like Justin Martyr to Auth.
- Write letters to ministries when they blow it.
- Send materials . . . .

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
How to Interpret Prophetic Passages: Four Different Views with Important Consequences
Why "Normal" Interpretation is the Key to Prophetic & Apocalyptic Passages
Daniel's 70 Weeks: The Heart of God's Prophetic Puzzle 
      (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, Mat 24, 2 Th 2)
Introduction & Outline of The Revelation
 . . . . . . . 

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