Revelation Lesson 10 - To the Church at Sardis

Revelation 11:15-19  is the text for this sermon entitled, "The Seventh Trumpet (God's Great Power to Reign)".

This passage in John's prophecy contrasts God's Kingdom with the kingdom of the world, a singular collection of all earthly kingdoms and what they represent). God will reign for ever and ever, in contrast to earthly kings that will reign only shortly. Note the significant statement that He “has begun to reign” must not be overlooked. This is the powerful note of encouragement in the midst of earthly kings and kingdoms acting as if their reigns are all powerful and will last forever!

We remember these things:
• God is already at work in his kingdom.
•Worship is thanksgiving to God for who He is & what he has done.
•Time has come for judgment, both wrath and reward
•Our God is a covenant God.
•God’s messages are serious, and he means what he says!

Revelation 11:1-14 is the text for this sermon entitled, "The Measuring Rod."

This passage recounts John's vision of the sixth trumpet sounding and the vision that comes with it. The vision is largely symbolic, not literal, and describes in sweeping terms what will happen to God's church. John received a measuring rod like a staff. God commands that John measure three things: the temple of God, the altar, and the people worshipping there. This lesson explores the message that Christians will undergo hardships, but they will be victorious in the end through God's grace.

Revelation 10 is the text for this sermon entitled, "The Mighty Angel and the Little Scroll."

When the first mighty angel appears in 5:2, he asks John who is worthy to open the sealed scroll. Once the seventh seal is opened (8:1), that scroll is not mentioned until this chapter 10. Now, the mighty angel holds the little scroll. After making an oath to heaven, the angel declares to John that time (chronos) will be no more. 

Next, the voices of the 7 thunders speak. John is told not to write down these prophecies. But toward the end of Revelation, God commands John NOT to seal them up because the time is near. This refers to the distinct differences in the two types of prophecy. The ongoing spiritual warfare in this earthly life will go on until God's final judgment arrives and earthly time will end. John must write about that prophesy.

The sweetness of God’s word will sustain us and remain in us eternally, no matter what brief bitterness in this ungodly world initially results. The final prophecy is universal—the call of the gospel.

Revelation 9 is the text for this sermon entitled, "The Seal of God on Their Foreheads."

This passage teaches that being “marked” means we are one of God’s people, and we are protected from Satan and a sinful lifestyle. The Old Testament background for this imagery is found in Ezekiel 9:3-6 where only those with God's mark on their foreheads were spared death.

Interpreting this mark as baptism means we are identified as God’s people, imprinted with His Holy Spirit, waiting for the day of redemption, a deposit guaranteeing what is to come, and a firm foundation of belonging to the Lord and turning away from wickedness. It means we have repented.

Revelation 8 is the text for this sermon entitled, "All the Prayers of God's People."

Revelation 8 offers encouragement and hope by the image of the “prayer angel” bringing prayers of all the saints up before the throne of God. This angel stands in the throne room before God and in front of the altar. The angel brings the prayers before God and offers them with incense to God. The incense was given to the angel, who lit it with fire from the golden altar, all symbolizing the purity of this offering.

The offering of prayers sets the stage for seven angels with trumpets, heralding the events of spiritual warfare affecting part of the earth (1/3). The trumpeting angels are taking part in the judgment of the devil and his works.

Revelation chapter 7 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Washed in the Blood of the Lamb."

This chapter is the immediate answer to the question at the end of chapter 6: “For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?” The answer is that the blood of the Lamb seals two groups: 
(1) the faithful Jews, who followed God throughout their lives under the Old Testament law, and 
(2) the world-wide multitude of believers who know and follow God under the new and final testament.

The chapter also refers to great tribulation that will come to believers, pressures to renounce the faith or suffer consequences. These times of spiritual warfare will come and go, and the faithful can take comfort that a crown and white robe await those faithful. 

Revelation 6:1-17 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Opening the Six Seals."

The vision of the opening of the six seals represent God’s plan unfolding, even with the calamities and woes that come upon the earth. Note this chart:

                Revelation 6                                                   Matthew 24
1.False Christ (v.2)........................................False Christs (v.4-5)
2.Wars (v. 3-4) ..............................................Wars (v. 6-7)
3.Famine (v. 5-6)...........................................Famine (v. 7)
4.Pestilence (v. 7-8) ......................................Pestilence (in Luke)
5.Persecutions (v. 9-11).................................Persecutions (v. 9-10)
6.Earthquake, solar eclipse, ..........................Solar & lunar eclipse,
          blood red moon, stars                                        heavenly bodies shaken
          falling  (v.12-13)                                                      (v. 29)
7.Heavenly silence (8:1)................................Son of Man appears (v.30)

So we can see this close correlation between the first 6 seals and Jesus’ prediction of events to be fulfilled within a generation in the gospels. Today, in the face of unfathomable earthly events, God and the Lamb are in control.

Luke 1:1-20 is the text for this sermon entitled, "The Meaning of Christmas."

Curtis preached his 50th sermon on Christmas today, having completed his golden anniversary as a gospel minister. He asks and answers these seven questions:
1 - Is it even okay to celebrate Christmas?
2 - What do we make of this intersection between faith and culture?
3 - Why do we celebrate Jesus birth in the "Christmas season?
4 - What are some healthy spiritual practices that can be observed with Christmas?
5 - Why do we look forward to Christmas so much?
6 - What would happen if Christmas just disappeared?
7 -What is the core message of Christmas?

Revelation 4:1-11 is the text for this sermon entitled, "In Heaven's Throne Room (You Are Worthy, Lord)."

This fourth chapter of the book of Revelation has been called a picture of heaven's throne room. Curtis looks at the powerful imagry of John's vision and shows us what we Christians today can learn from the worship that is done in heaven. Everything centers on God and praising his power, glory, honor and giving thanks to him. The acts of worship that we often focus on (teaching, praying, giving, communion, singing, etc.) are acceptable channels of worship, but our entire focus should be on God.

We are now invited into God's presence without needing a priest to intervene for us. Jesus has broken down that barrier and made each of us priests, welcome into the throne room. There we can worship the Almighty God, fully worthy of our adoration!

Revelation 3:14-21 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Laodicea, the Lukewarm Church."

From this passage, we learn that we should be self-aware as a church and ask the hard question as to whether or not we are lukewarm.This is the 7th and last of the letters to churches in Asia Minor that are included in Revelation. This collection has a collections of commendations and condemnations. There are also several commands, and all of these items are messages to the universal church of the Lord. Curtis goes over these lists and makes application. 

In the end, Jesus counsels the Laodiceans to "buy refined gold" by learning from the martyrs tried with fire. They should wear white clothing by practicing purity and following the Lord's commands. And they need to put eye salve on their eyes, because they are seeing themselves as rich and righteous...but that's not what God is seeing.