Weekly Message
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New Covenant - Weekly Message

Directions: Part 2

Scripture:

Revelation 4 - 7

The Throne in Heaven

    1After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

   In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
    11"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
   for you created all things,
      and by your will they were created
      and have their being."

The Scroll and the Lamb

    1Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" 3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

    6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song:
   "You are worthy to take the scroll
      and to open its seals,
   because you were slain,
      and with your blood you purchased men for God
      from every tribe and language and people and nation.
    10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
      and they will reign on the earth."

    11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they sang:
   "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
   to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
   and honor and glory and praise!"

    13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
   "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
   be praise and honor and glory and power,
         for ever and ever!" 14The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

The Seals

    1I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" 2I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

    3When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" 4Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.

    5When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"

    7When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" 8I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

    9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 11Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

    12I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

    15Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

144,000 Sealed

    1After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3"Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 4Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
    5From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,
   from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,
   from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
    6from the tribe of Asher 12,000,
   from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,
   from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
    7from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,
   from the tribe of Levi 12,000,
   from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
    8from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,
   from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,
   from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

The Great Multitude in White Robes

    9After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10And they cried out in a loud voice:
   "Salvation belongs to our God,
   who sits on the throne,
   and to the Lamb." 11All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying:
   "Amen!
   Praise and glory
   and wisdom and thanks and honor
   and power and strength
   be to our God for ever and ever.
   Amen!"

    13Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"

    14I answered, "Sir, you know."

   And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15Therefore,
   "they are before the throne of God
      and serve him day and night in his temple;
   and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
    16Never again will they hunger;
      never again will they thirst.
   The sun will not beat upon them,
      nor any scorching heat.
    17For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
      he will lead them to springs of living water.
   And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."




Part 2: A Vision of Heaven and a Glimpse of Hell
(Revelation 4-7)

 

 

Introduction

The vision in chapters four through seven begin and end with worship in the heavenly throne room.  The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures sing praises to God, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”  After asking whether or not there was anyone worthy to open the seals on the scroll, the Lamb appears and receives the scroll that is sealed.  We are allowed to see a vision of God’s throne and of Jesus Christ who has conquered through faithful suffering.  As the Lamb opens the first six seals, threatening visions appear and the coming great day of wrath is impending.  This leads the hearer to proclaim, “Who can withstand the wrath that is to come?” (6:17) Then John of Patmos tells the hearer about the redeemed who are able to stand in the heavenly throne room where they join the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures in offering songs of praise to God and the Lamb.  As we began this vision in worship, so we end this vision. 

Away Church

God is the very center of the vision and his presence is the radiant point of all worship and praise.  All creation worships God Almighty.  The four living creatures represent the face of an ox, eagle, human and lion.  The twenty-four elders represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles.  They leave their thrones; remove their crowns and fall down to worship God and the Lamb. 

God holds the sealed scroll in his right hand and the question is who is worthy to open the scroll.  When there seems to be no one who is able, John begins to weep.  But one of the elders ceases the need for weeping when he says that there is one who is able to open the seals “ the lion from the tribe of Judah… and he has triumphed”.  After hearing about the lion, John sees a lamb that has been slaughtered.  The lion reminds the hearers of the promises of Israel and the lamb reminds the hearer of the Messiah who has conquered sin, the devil and death by enduring death.  The seven horns depict the royal image of the lamb who has been slain and found worthy (Psalm 132: 17).  Now, the elders and the four living creatures all bow down to worship the Lamb, as they did God.  However, the Lamb does not usurp God’s place on the Throne. 

As the Lamb opens the seals of the scroll, the four living creatures announce, “Come!”  Four horsemen warn of conquest, war, economic hardship and death.  Rather than see these threats as a one-time future event, we know that these tribulations have been going on since the first century and continue even today.  Just as Jesus told his disciples that only the Father knows when the end will come, so we listen to these threats as a warning for our own daily living as individuals and as a Christian community of faith.  If we listen with ears of faith, these threats from the seals on the scroll will compel us all to exclaim as John did, “Who then can stand before this great wrath?” 

This question is answered in chapter 7 as John sees the redeemed “standing” before the throne singing praises to God and the Lamb (7:9).  To be sealed in chapter seven means that one belongs to God and falls under the protection of God.  It does not mean that the redeemed will be spared suffering, but that God will be present and protect the redeemed.  There are two descriptions of the redeemed of which the first is found in 7: 4-9.  The redeemed are 12,000 from every one of the twelve tribes for a total of 144,000 a number of completeness.  The second description describes the redeemed as a “great multitude which no one can number, from every nation and from all tribes, people and tongues.”  We are reminded that the Lamb conquers through his death and the threats in chapter six turn to God’s great promises in chapter seven.  Thus, we end here as we began with a vision of worship to God and the Lamb. 

Home Church

Are we prepared to give up our thrones, to remove our crowns and fall down to worship God and the Lamb in order to place our trust in God?

C.S. Lewis wrote, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next.  It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”  Do you think more about life on earth or about eternity in heaven?  (Phil. 3: 18-20)

What do the opening of the seals of the scrolls meant to you in our context today?  What does the promise of the redeemed mean to you?

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Directions

Scripture:

Revelation 1:1-8, 2:1-5, 3:7-8 & 15-20

Prologue

The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Greetings and Doxology.

John,  To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.  To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.  "Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him,  even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him."  So shall it be! Amen.  "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

To the Church in Ephesus

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:  These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.  I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.  You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.   Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.  Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."

To the Church in Philadelphia

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:   These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.  Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me."


Download | Duration: 00:29:09




Part 1: Warnings are for your Protection (Revelation 1-3)

                            
Away Church

What is the purpose of these warnings?         Revelation 1: 1-8


John uses three words to speak of this vision and how it is embedded in the historical context of these seven churches, relevant for our present need of repentance and forgiveness and how our responses will have the potential to brazenly impact the future of the church and its mission.  The first word is apokalypse (v.1) which translated from the Greek means literally Apocalypse or Revelation.  This revelation has come to John through Jesus Christ and is a revelation that discloses important information that would otherwise, not be known (Romans 2:5).


The second word that John shares is semeion (v.1) which means "signified" or signs. It is often translated in bibles as "To make known" but that is an inadequate translation here because the meaning of the word "signs" is complex, communicating several meanings at once and not just one.  These signs don’t give us a simple answer but engage us in a process of ongoing reflection and interaction with God’s Holy Spirit through the Word.

The third word used by John to communicate this vision is prophateias or prophecy (v. 3).  Prophecy could mean a narrowly focused prediction of future events (Acts 1: 27-28), or it could include any sort of bold preaching and teaching.  The latter is implied here because the focus is upon worship.  "Blessed is the one who reads the words in worship and hears the prophecy and observes what is written, for the Kairos time is near."  This is not ordinary time – this holds the potential to be a life-changing moment.


The use of all three of these words to describe this revelation highlights that the message includes a more complex purpose than just predicting information about the future.  It calls us into a continual reflection upon our lives as we hear these words of condemnation of sin, calls for repentance and words of encouragement.  The revelation is addressed to seven churches and these seven churches are struggling with three particular issues.

Rev. 2:1-5    The first is Assimilation. There is social pressure to conform to false teachings and the image of the Christians having sex with prostitutes from the fertility temples, eating food sacrificed to these false gods, implies that these Christians have wound themselves intimately with the counterfeit teachings of these false teachers. Christ does battle with these idolatries but he does battle not by violence or rejection but through his Word. Hence the role of worship becomes central to our faith.  What are the idolatries that we are being confronted with today: Financial Affluence - Excellent Health – Job Security?  How have these sacrifices tempted us to trust in other gods?

Rev. 3: 7-8    The second concern is Persecution. Historically we hear about two Jewish sects, those who follow Jesus as Messiah (Believing Jews) and those who don’t (Unbelieving Jews) who are not getting along.  The unbelieving Jews in Smyrna and Philadelphia have ejected the believing Jews from the Synagogue.  This is particularly dramatic because with the synagogue came protection from the Romans.  The believing Jews were subjected to the loss of civil liberties and perhaps even the loss of life.  The Roman political machine was ruthless.  The promise is not to escape suffering but that the faithful will not be harmed by the second death (2:11).  The believing population is decreasing dramatically in the United States.  Ten years ago we were able to see approximately 33% of Christians participating in the life of the church on a weekly basis. Today that is now about 15%.  This is a factor that is affecting most churches. As our Christian influence declines culturally and even within our Christian sub-culture, how will we reform ourselves to be a viable and relevant force of God’s Grace for the future?


Rev. 3: 15-20    The third matter has to do with Complacency.  Sardis and Laodicea had become very comfortable.  They may not have experienced the threat of society’s judgments but that does not mean that they will not be judged by Christ.  Laodicea was near hot springs and part of the prosperity of the city was due to the health benefits from the springs and a medical school that was known for its eye salve.  To say that they are neither hot nor cold was a reminder of the hot water of the springs and a warning to them because of the absence of affliction in the church.  Hence, Christ is knocking at the door waiting to see if they are ready to follow and worship him or whether they will continue to worship their cultural gods.


                                    
Home Church

How have we allowed the Gospel of earthly security to replace the only one and true God who can give us security?  Who are some of these cultural gods which have tempted us with our concern and devotion?  If a church is growing today, it is growing usually by transfer of members' growth.  How do we also begin to grow by conversion growth?  Are there people in your peer group who have never heard of Jesus?  If they have, what is their impression of the church and how it operates?

Which of these three issues affect you most in your struggle to be faithful to Jesus Christ? 

 

Download | Duration: 00:29:09

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Walking Together

Scripture:

Ephesians 5:1-9

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).


Download | Duration: 00:17:28

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Living With An Open Heart

Scripture:

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!

Amen.


Download | Duration: 00:30:53

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Hope

Scripture:

Romans 8:18-25

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.


Download | Duration: 00:29:37

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They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love

Scripture:

Acts 4:33-37


With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.


Download | Duration: 00:21:30

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You are the President of Your Peer Group

Scripture:
1 Peter 2:4-10

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
   "See, I lay a stone in Zion,
      a chosen and precious cornerstone,
   and the one who trusts in him
      will never be put to shame."  Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
   "The stone the builders rejected
      has become the capstone, and,
   "A stone that causes men to stumble
      and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.


Download | Duration: 00:00:00

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Are You Ready...To Pray?

Scripture:

Mark 1:35-39

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.  Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"

Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."  So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.


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Are You Ready...To Be Changed

Scripture:

Mark 1:21-34

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.  The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.  Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"

"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!"  The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Jesus Heals Many

As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.  Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her.  So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.  The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.


Download | Duration: 00:20:19

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Are You Ready...To Follow?

Scripture:

Mark 1:14-20

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.  "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  At once they left their nets and followed him.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.  Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.


Download | Duration: 00:24:10

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