What you see is what you get.

George Lim Jr

Ready - The Book of Revelation • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

Revelation 19–20

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What’s the Big Idea?

Your vision of the future impacts your decisions today.

Intro:

If you have your Bible/app, turn to . If you need a Bible, raise you hand and we will bring one to you. And if you don’t own Bible, please feel free to keep that as our gift to you.

If you prefer reading digitally, we recommend the YouVersion Bible App, which is free app available for most operating systems. There will also be the verses on the screen behind me as well.

I’d like to start this morning with two situations for us to think about. Picture yourselves in each of these circumstances...

The cell phone accident (picture yourself…):

You’re driving around town. Your phone goes off. You got a message. We all know we aren’t supposed to use our phones while driving, but most of us do anyway. Heck, you’re a pro at texting and driving. You’ve done it a million times.

But this time is different. As you grab your phone and look down, someone abruptly pulls out and you slam into them. It’s bad - really bad. You’re going to be prosecuted and go before the judge. Even worse, you know you’re guilty.

Soon after, you find out your court date - if you will, you’re “invited” to court. You are NOT looking forward to this future judgment … but honestly, you know you deserve it.

The wedding invitation:

Situation number 2: It’s 3:30 in the afternoon. You’re headed out to wait for your kids at the bus stop. You might as well stop at the mailbox. When you open it up, there is a strangely official-looking envelope in it. You open up and almost fall over in disbelief… it’s an invitation to the Royal Wedding.

This has to be fake. But you contact the powers-that-be and it’s totally legit. The Royal Family has “invited” you to their wedding. You don’t know why. You don’t deserve it. But you’re going to the most extravagant wedding in the world! All expenses paid! You can’t wait.

It’s like Christmas morning. You can’t wait. You even go to sleep so time will pass faster.

These two chapters use 3 events to distinguish two groups:

Okay, which story do you want to be a part of? 1 or 2?

These two stories describe events that solicit two extremely different reactions. One invites you into misery; the other in excitement beyond belief. As you envision the future of one, dread overwhelms you. The vision of the other gives you joy.

In & 20, the apostle John is shown 5 future events. We can break these into 3 comparisons. Each compares an event of judgment and an event of joy. And each comparison distinguishes two different groups from one another:

Those who follow Jesus into eternal joy.

Those who follow the devil into eternal judgment.

And the intention is for us to understand this: Your vision of the future impacts your decisions for today.

When you see where you are going, you make better decisions about where you are walking. God’s purpose is for these visions of the future to impact our decisions for today. So, let’s jump into the text and see what God has for us today.

Heavenly transition scene: Song of Judgment vs Wedding Song: Marriage of the Lamb.

Armageddon vs Millenium.

Eternal judgement vs Eternal paradise (more next week).

Two groups:

Followers of Jesus.

Followers of Satan (I don’t need God - that’s the spirit of the devil - he started that thinking).

Exegesis:

Song of Judgment vs Wedding Song: Marriage of the Lamb (vv. 19:1-10):

Revelation 19:1–5 ESV

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”

This is the first half of the first comparison. And it’s in the form of a song. And it’s a bit of a strange song: It’s a song praising God for His judgment on Babylon - which symbolically represents God’s enemies.

Judgement Song (vv. 1-5).

I know. It’s a little weird to be singing about judgment. Seems a little morbid. But its purpose is to communicate a simple truth: That God is just. Meaning, God is right in judging Babylon for its wickedness. God’s just judgment is a scary truth to process, but it’s also a necessary part of something we’re ALL hoping for: That one day God will make everything. Truth is, in order for God to make things RIGHT, He must judge EVIL.

Now, let’s read a second song...

Revelation 19:6–10 ESV

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Believe it or not, I have some experience as a DJ. My brother is a well-known DJ in San Diego and back in the day, I used to fill in for him when he took breaks at house parties.

When you DJ a party, you understand that song selection is IMPORTANT. Play the wrong song and you clear the dance floor and kill the party. But you play the RIGHT song and hype up the party! It brings joy. This next song is a party-favorite!

Wedding Song (vv. 6-10).

It’s a song about an event that every Christian should look forward to: The Wedding Supper of the Lamb. It’s better than the Royal Wedding! There’s a lot I can say about this event, but for time’s sake, I’ll summarize it this way. It’s the moment when Jesus makes everything right!

So, our first comparison is between two songs. One is a song of joy and the other is a song of judgment. One applies to those who follow Jesus; and the other to everyone else.

Which song do you see in your future?

With themes of faithfulness and endurance throughout the book, this is the moment the church has been waiting for. The moment when perseverance is no longer required, but perfect rest is fully experienced. The moment when we finally finish the race.

While the foundation of our faith is grace, there is an aspect where what we do matters. We aren’t robots. Nor are we lifeless chess-pieces. God has made us in His image. We are extremely valuable individuals who - in the likeness of God - are given the ability to choose, and act upon those choices. Therefore, while we are saved by grace, God will one day reward us for our very real choices. He will say, “This is your reward garment. You deserve to put this on. Well done good and faithful servant.”

Make things right through judgment or salvation.

And before we move onto the next comparison, there’s something I want to point out. Did anyone notice John’s moment of stupidity?

When John - the apostle of love, Jesus’ best friend, the disciple who survived being thrown into boiling oil - sees the vision of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, he gets so excited that he has a brain fart. He bows down and worships the angel showing him the vision. The angel’s like, “Hey man, what are you doing?!? You trying to get us both zapped? God don’t play that (homie don’t play that?) Don’t worship me - worship Jesus!”

But I believe this moment of stupidity teaches us an important life lesson. The lesson is, none of us, not even John, deserve heaven. None of us DESERVE to be at this wedding. God used John powerfully, but he is still a sinner like us. It’s only by God’s grace (undeserved favor) that we experience God’s goodness! It’s only because JESUS paid the price of admission - on the cross - that we get to go in.

Paul talked about his own stupidity this way...

Romans 7:24–25 NLT

Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Roman

Let’s read about the second comparison...

Armageddon vs. Millenium (vv. 19:11-20:6)

Revelation 19:11–20:3 ESV

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Then 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, 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.” 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. 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. 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. Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 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. After that he must be released for a little while.

:11-20:

This next comparison involves a sort-of taste testing in order to help your decision - John is shown two events that preview two possible futures, that hopefully helps us make the right decision.

The first events is knows as Armageddon. And while many picture this as an epic war between good and evil, its really not. Actually, it’s just a warning shot. It’s like God firing a shot into the air to tell the world, “I ain’t playin.”

Don’t get me wrong. Armageddon is more than a bullet firing into the air. God does damage. It says the King of Kings, Jesus, comes back in warrior-status. Got His sword and army with Him (not that He needs them). He’s ready to take care of business.

Verse 19 says the beast (antichrist) also has his army gathered and ready to fight. Seems like it’s about to go down! But the next two verses make it clear that no fight happens. The beast and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire and the army is instantly annihilated.

Look man… God and the devil are not equals. Jesus easily handles business. People may think Armageddon is this great end-times battle, but it’s really not. It’s a warning shot. Yes, people are physically judged as Jesus kicks some tail, but it’s not the final judgment. It’s a preliminary judgment that warns the world, “God takes sin serious and He aint playin.” Choose wisely.

And once again, let’s detour into another life lesson before we move to the second part of the current comparison.

Wrath supper vs. Marriage supper (extreme comparisons). We use extremes to issue serious warnings. God ain’t playing and you can’t win. Ps. 2:1-12.

This preliminary fight (although historically knowns the big war of the future) is both “not a fight” and “not the last fight.” It’s still a warning. God’s like, “Hey man… I ain’t playin. Back up...”

Verses 1-3 mention that an unnamed angel grabs Satan, binds him, and throws him in prison. You hear that? Satan - the great dragon of history. An ordinary angel, empowered and given authority by God, easily takes care of king of evil.

Now, think about how teaches us that angels are servants, “just like us.” And if Jesus has also given us authority and empowered us by His Holy Spirit, how bold should we be in our faith? The same power resides in us!

Ephesians 1:19–20 NLT

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

When we are operating within the will of God, we have access to incredible power. Power that the devil and demons shake at.

Church, let’s be bold with our faith. Let’s take risks for the Kingdom of God. Let’s stand against the darkness in Jesus’ name. Jesus said the gates of hell won’t prevail against us (). That we are more than conquerors! That no weapon formed against us shall prosper!

Let’s get back at it...

Revelation 20:4–6 ESV

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 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.

This second part is another small taste test - but more like an appetizer than a warning shot.

Appetizer (vv. 20:4-6).

Who here has been to Texas Roadhouse? What do they give you when you first get there? Yes - the warm bread rolls with the apple cinnamon butter. Holy moly! And it’s just a taste of what’s to come.

If you’ve ever at Texas Roadhouse, you know the bread is simply the promise that the rest of your meal is about to be BOMB (good). That’s what the 1,000 years - what the church calls the millenium - is. It’s a heavenly appetizer of a greater eternal future.

Although there are different interpretations of this section, I believe this describes a literal future when Jesus is ruling as King on earth. During that time, Satan will be locked up and unable to influence the world with his lies. It will be an amazing time of peace and glory. It will be as close to perfection as this current world gets. At the same time, it’s not the end; not the meal. It’s the appetizer.

[pause]

This second comparison shows us a future that should impact our present. What’s in our future? God’s showing us a warning shot and hot rolls with apple cinnamon butter? Which one you want?

You want to follow Jesus with the anticipation of a 1000 years of peace? Or, are we under the deception of the devil, thinking we can fight against God?

Let’s finish up...

The millenium is gonna be awesome, but it’s just the bread with the apple honey butter. It aint even the real thing yet. It’s an appetizer.

Explain the millenium. I believe it will be a literal 1,000 years with Jesus reigning and Satan locked up.

Some believe this is symbolic, but how can it be if Satan still currently controls the world. It must point to a specific point in the future.

Eternal judgment vs. Eternal Paradise (vv. 20:7-15):

Revelation 20:7–15 ESV

And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and 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. 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. And 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. And 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. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Rev 20:

The third comparison is a vision of the end. We’re only reading the first part of the comparison this week. We won’t get the rest until next week. But the first part shows us the final judgment.

In John’s vision, Judgment has finally come. This ain’t no warning. This is THE actual judgment. For realz this time. No more chances. God’s been ridiculously patient. He’s given a million chances - a million warning shots.

I can remember asking God for second chances, Him giving them to me, and then me rebelling again. I lived the life of not listening to God - you guys know, I didn’t grow up in the church. And God has been so patient with me. I don’t deserve it. But He loves me so much He WANTS me to get it right. He is FOR me. And one day, I got it through my thick rebellious head that I need Jesus to save me… And by God’s grace, I didn’t wait until it was too late.

But in these verses, it’s too late. God is a holy judge. Eventually, He needs to deal with sin. And He ain’t playin...

But here’s the crazy thing. He’s not happy either. The prophet Ezekiel says...

Ezekiel 33:11 NLT

As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?

Here’s what God WANTS to do:

Ezekiel 36:26–28 ESV

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

My friends, please hear me today. God doesn’t want to judge us. He loves us. He wants to spend eternity with us. Even in all our mess, He wants to forgive us. But the reality is He also created us with a free-will. We get to choose who we love. We get to choose our destiny. And God chooses to honor that decision, even if it breaks His heart.

At this point in the vision, we arrive at a difficult truth - people deserve hell because of their sins. Our hearts are so wicked, filled with sins, that left to ourselves we will naturally rebel against God, even when we’ve lived with Jesus for 1000 years (14 lifetimes).

Think about that. Jesus, literally reigning on Earth. Some think people don’t believe in Jesus because they can’t “see” Him. No, the problem isn’t sight, it’s sin.

After 1000 years, people will still choose to rebel against God. They deserve judgment because sin is serious. But they’ll get Hell because they chose it. God doesn’t want us to go there. He gave us a way out. He sent Jesus to the cross so we don’t have to go there. We can choose LIFE! If we go to eternal DEATH, it’s because we choose it.

That’s one reason Satan is released after the 1000 years: To show our wickedness is deserving of judgment. Verse 20:3 says he must “dei” be released. It’s a word used for a divine reason. God has a purpose for this Satan’s final release. It proves God’s case - He is just (right) in judgment because He’s simply giving people what they wanted all along -to be without God.

Even after 10 billion chances, they will never serve God or receive His salvation.

Response:

As we close, I want us to think about these visions for the future. God is desiring to speak to our hearts through them. He wants to use the future to transform us today.

Let’s ask ourselves: Is what we are doing TODAY influenced by God’s FUTURE?

Do we set our eyes on heaven and then intentionally align our life-steps in that direction?

Or, do we set our eyes on this world and hope our future is somewhere we never walked towards?

Maybe you’re like, “I don’t even think about the future! I’m just trying to make it through today.”

I get that. But if I can be honest, most of the time that kind of life describes someone who is stuck or just going in circles. Better yet, it’s someone who has only set their eyes on themselves.

Think about it. When you set your eyes on yourself, there’s no movement. You either stop or move in circles.

My hope is today, where ever we are at - we would set our eyes on Jesus. The One who loves us and has a beautiful future for us.

As I call up the worship team, would you begin to think about what’s in your future? How is that future affecting your decisions today? Are they leading you closer to God or taking you away from Him?

Set your eyes on Jesus. I guarantee you’ll end up in places you’ve never imagined - in a good ways. You’ll find purpose, forgiveness, and life. Don’t wait. Give your life to Jesus today. Turn away from your sin and call out for Him to save you.

Let’s pray.

Our personal future.

Church’s future.

Community’s future.

If we have God’s heart, then we won’t want the wicked destroyed either.

Part of that is connected to the fact that we understand we don’t deserve to be invited to the wedding/heaven.

People from all over the world will follow the devil. That’s why we have to go out. That’s why we have to be active in the community and not hiding. That’s why we need to be lights at work. That’s why we have to raise up and send out church planters and missionaries - so we can go all over the world with the gospel. To give people the truth so they won’t believe the lie!

What if I’m not looking to the future? Well maybe your decisions are reflecting that? You feel stuck? You going in circles? Maybe its because your vision is only focused on you. So there’s no real movement.

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