The Curtain Falls. Exodus & Summary

Transcription

1 The Curtain Falls Exodus & Summary

2 Parallels between the Prologue & Exodus An angel sent to show God s servants what must soon take place (1:1-2; 22:6, 16) Blessings on those who keep the prophecy (1:3; 22:7, 9) John heard and saw (1:1-2; 22:8) Alpha & Omega (1:8; 22:13)

3 vv The Angel Exits The prophets spirits (2Pe 1:19-21) Sixth benediction Worship God (19:10)

4 vv The Angel Exits (cont.) Do not seal (Dan 12:4, 9) Evil & filthy, righteous & holy (Dan 12:10) vv The Lord Exits Seventh benediction: M-Text who do his commandments

5 The Seven Benedictions 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy 14:13 Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord 16:15 19:9 20:6 22:7 Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book 22:14 Blessed are those who do his commandments

6 What, then, brothers, ought we to do? Should we grow slack in doing good and give up love? May the Lord never permit this to happen at any rate to us! Rather, should we be energetic in doing every good deed with earnestness and eagerness [Tit 3:1].... We too, then, should gather together for worship in concord and mutual trust and earnestly beseech him as it were with one mouth, that we may share in his great and glorious promises. 1 Clement 33-34, ACCS

7 vv The Angel Exits (cont.) Do not seal (Dan 12:4, 9) Evil & filthy, righteous & holy (Dan 12:10) vv The Lord Exits Seventh benediction: M-Text who do his commandments The outsiders (Deu 23:18; 1Co 6:9-11)

8 vv The Apostle Exits The Spirit & Bride (Acts 4:33) Trustworthy & sufficient (Deu 4:2)

9 Apocalyptic books were treated with great freedom in John s day. Men cut out the part they wanted and discarded the rest. But this is no ordinary apocalypse. To add to it or to take away from it is to incur the displeasure of God with its consequences strong language to assure the preservation of the book as John sent it to them. Ray Summers, Worthy is the Lamb 218

10 The centrality, authority, sufficiency, and eternality of the word (and words) of God are foundational to all of Scripture, from the first words of Genesis to the last words of Revelation, as seen, e.g., in: Gen. 1:3 ( and God said );... Deut. 6:6 ( these words shall be on your heart ); Deut. 32:47 ( by this word you shall live ); Psalm 12:6 ( The words of the LORD are pure words ); Isa. 40:8 ( the word of our God will stand forever );... Matt. 24:35 ( Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away );... John 1:1 ( In the beginning was the Word ); John 6:68 ( You have the words of eternal life ); and 1 Pet. 1:25 ( the word of the Lord remains forever ). The ESV Study Bible

11 vv The Apostle Exits The Spirit & Bride (Acts 4:33) Trustworthy & sufficient (Deu 4:2) Come & come (1Co 16:22)

12 vv The Apostle Exits The Spirit & Bride (Acts 4:33) Trustworthy & sufficient (Deu 4:2) Come & come (1Co 16:22) Our Lord & God (vv. 6, 20; John 20:28)

13 vv The Apostle Exits The Spirit & Bride (Acts 4:33) Trustworthy & sufficient (Deu 4:2) Come & come (1Co 16:22) Our Lord & God (vv. 6, 20; John 20:28) M-Text all the saints (1Th 3:11-13)

14 May the almighty Jesus Christ grant to us that as we earnestly await his coming we might, with his protection, keep ourselves from every grave sin, and that when our desire is fulfilled, he find nothing in us worthy of punishment. But should there be anything to pardon, may he nevertheless have mercy upon the accused and not condemn the sinner. May he with whom the blessed One lives and reigns forever grant this. Amen. Apringius of Beja, Tractate on the Apocalypse 22.20, ACCS

15 The Drama of the Apocalypse Summary & Conclusion

16 Key Themes Through his sacrificial death, Christ has conquered Satan and ransomed a people to become a kingdom of priests, serving with joy in God s presence (5:5-10). Jesus is present among his churches on earth through his Holy Spirit, and he knows their trials, triumphs, and failures (1:12-20). World history, including its woes and disasters, is firmly in the control of Christ, the victorious Lamb (6:9-11).

17 Key Themes Christ presently restrains both his own wrath and his enemies efforts while he patiently gathers the elect through our testimony as his disciples (7:1-3). Present disasters (war, drought, famine, disease) are foreshadows and warnings of escalating judgments to come (11:13). By keeping their faith to the death, believers in Jesus will conquer all trials and enemies of this life (12:10-11).

18 Key Themes Satan attacks the church s perseverance and purity through persecution, false teaching, and the allure of worldly pleasures (2:12-16). God s people are not perfect in this age, but Jesus will one day destroy all his enemies; renew all things in the new heavens and new earth; and clothe his church in his own righteousness and luminous purity (21:1-8).

19 Works Cited Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Ed. Thomas C. Oden. InterVarsity, Accordance. The Comprehensive Bible Cross References. Ed. T. E. Clontz & J. Clontz. Cornerstone, Accordance. The ESV Study Bible. Ed. Lane T. Dennis & Wayne Grudem. Wheaton: Crossway, Accordance. Oden, Thomas C. Classic Christianity. HarperCollins, ibooks. Summers, Ray. Worthy is the Lamb: An Interpretation of Revelation. Nashville: Broadman, Print.