A deep feeling that we are soon to stand in the presence of a holy God, our final Judge, cannot but have a happy influence in making us pure.
James, 1847, Baker, p. 266.
Effective preaching about “the last things” maybe one of the best ways to help Christians internalize a worldview that puts eternity and this world in there right proportion.
2 Peter and Jude, Zondervan, www.zondervan.com 1996, p. 219.
The goal of studying eschatology is not mere head knowledge or the disputes over the specific details. The goal is edification that promotes godly living. The goal is allowing the risen Lamb to live His victorious life through you. The goal is Gospel-centered, Holy Spirit-empowered transformation. And my friends, if you are living like that day-to-day, you will always be ready for whatever happens and whenever our Lord chooses to return (1 Thes. 5:4).
Sermon, The Beginning of the End-Part 1, Revelation 6:1-17, October 18, 2015.
How should we be motivated in our study of Revelation or for that matter, the study of what theologians call, “Eschatology”? First, we should realize that God has a wise plan for the world that He has set from eternity past that He will fulfill His plan according to His will. Nothing is catching Him by surprise. Second, we know that God will be the victor. Despite what we see, evil and Satan will not win in the end. This gives us incredible hope. Third, we are reminded that this world is not our home. Our time here on earth is but a vapor (Jas. 4:14). We should live with abandon for the glory of God and look forward to the greater joy that awaits us. Fourth, we learn to assess our values. We learn that all that really matters is what lasts for eternity. All in this world will be burned up. Only God’s Word and human souls will live forever. Fifth, we know that God is holy. Heaven is about holy living. Our true identity in Christ is holiness. That’s why Peter concludes after discussing the end times: “What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Pet. 3:11). Sixth, knowing the terrible fate of those without Christ, how can we who claim to believe the Scriptures and truly love people refrain from sharing Jesus with them? And seventh, we have been given a glimpse in chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation into the glorious throne-room of God in heaven. May we worship God on earth as all of creation worships Him in heaven.
Sermon, the Beginning of the End – Part 2, Revelation 6:1-17, October 25, 2015 – Adapted from Bruce Ware, Eschatology, biblicaltraining.org.
As we dive deeper into the book of Revelation, Christians commonly walk away with two wrong responses. First is they hear about God’s awful wrath and the persecution on the church and they become scared, very scared. Second is they contemplate the heavy symbolism and make it their life’s goal to interpret the events down to the smallest detail. Then they often dogmatically defend their position, even to the expense of dividing the church. If the first individual has his head in the sand, the second has his head in the clouds!
Sermon, the Beginning of the End – Part 2, Revelation 6:1-17, October 25, 2015 – Adapted from Bruce Ware, Eschatology, biblicaltraining.org.
