Author: Art Davison

THE NEW JERUSALEM–REVELATION 21:9-22:5

Art Davison PROPHECY 0 Comment
THE NEW JERUSALEM
REVELATION 21:9-22:5
Introduction:

The first vision is a city, coming down from heaven over a newly created earth. This is the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, and is identified as the dwelling place of God. From now on He will be “with men, and He will live with them” (21:3). God’s presence will bring perfect peace and joy; “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (v. 4).

This magnificent city is described: “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband,” v. 2.

I. THE NEW JERUSALEM COME DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN.

A. From God out of heaven, v. 10, “And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.”

B. Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

C. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal, v. 11.

1. Having the glory of God, Isaiah 60:1-2, 19-20, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2-For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 19-The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. 20-Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.”

2. Her light was like unto a stone most precious…

a. Like a jasper stone…

b. Clear as crystal.

D. The Great and high wall, vs. 12- 14.

1. It had twelve gates. There were three gates on each side. The gates resemble huge, single pearls.

2. At the gates were twelve angels,

3. The gates had names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

4. The wall of the city had twelve foundations,

5. In them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

E. The number 12 is prominent in the city with 12 gates and 12 angels (v. 12), 12 tribes of Israel (v. 12), 12 foundations (v. 14), 12 apostles (v. 14), 12 pearls (v. 21), 12 kinds of fruit (22:2), with the wall 144 cubits—12 times 12 (21:17), and the height, width, and length, 12,000 stadia, about 1,400 miles (v. 16).

F. An angel measured the city with a measuring rod of gold, about 10 feet in length. The city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth, vs. 15-17.

1. Twelve thousand furlongs, about 1,400 miles in height, width, and length. Tremendous as is the dimension of the city, the amazing fact is that it is also 1,400 miles high.

2. The measure of the wall’s thickness was an hundred and forty and four cubits, i.e., 216 feet thick.

G. The distinction between Israel and the church is maintained.

1. The names of Israel’s 12 tribes on the gates (v. 12).

2. The church is represented by the apostles’ names on the twelve foundations (v. 14).

H. The decorations of the foundations (with the apostles’ names inscribed on them) include 12 stones involving different colors.

1. The color of the jasper is not indicated.

2. The sapphire was probably blue.

3. The chalcedony comes from Chalcedon, Turkey and is basically blue with stripes of other colors.

4. The emerald is a bright green.

5. The sardonyx is red and white.

6. The carnelian is usually ruby-red in color, though it sometimes has an amber or honey color.

7. The chrysolyte is a golden color, probably different from the modern chrysolyte stone, which is pale green.

8. The beryl is a sea green.

9. The topaz is a transparent yellow-green.

10. The chrysoprase is also green.

11. The jacinth is violet in color.

12. The amethyst is purple.

I. The street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass, Revelation 21:18, “And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.”

J. John declared that he did not see a temple in the city because God the Father and the Lamb (God the Son) are its temple, v. 22, “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”

K. There will be no need for light from the sun or moon because the glory of God will provide the light. As John explained, the Lamb is its lamp, v. 23, “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

L. “The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it,” v. 24, “And the nations of them, which are saved, shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.”

M. John then goes on to picture the river of the water of life. Its clear water flows from the throne of God right through the middle of the city, 22:1, ” And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

1. The trees by its banks yield fruit, 22:2, “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

2. Its leaves are for the “healing of the nations.”

N. God’s presence provides light, and the people “will reign forever and ever” 22:5, “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST–II CORINTHIANS 5:10

Art Davison PROPHECY 0 Comment
THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
II CORINTHIANS 5:10

Romans 14:10, “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”

II Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Introduction:

Some time in the near future, God’s people who are alive on this earth at the coming of Jesus Christ, will be raptured out of this life and into the presence of God. The dead in Christ will have been resurrected just moments ahead of the rapture. Then what happens?
The Bible gives us information regarding what happens next. The saints of God will be reviewed and rewarded for their service here upon the earth. This event is called the Judgement Seat of Christ and you don’t want to be ignorant about this doctrine. Ignorance is not bliss regarding this event.
This judgement is three-fold and every believer will face it.

I. WE WERE JUDGED IN THE PAST AS SINNERS.

A. 2,000 years ago God took every sin that you have committed or will commit and PLACED THEM ON JESUS CHRIST at Calvary, Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
1. The JUST suffered for the UNJUST, 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”
2. He who knew no sin became sin for us, 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
B. The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ judged sin and His blood paid for sin so perfectly that God can find nothing for which to condemn us, Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

II. WE ARE BEING JUDGED PRESENTLY AS SONS.

A. We have the OPTION of judging ourselves during this life, 1 Corinthians 11:31-32, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32-But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”
1. This means walking in fellowship with the Lord, 1 John 1:6-7, “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7-But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
2. This means confessing our sins in order to maintain fellowship, 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Psalm 32:5, “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”
B. When we DO NOT judge ourselves the Lord judges us.
1. He deals with us as sons, Hebrews 12:5-7, “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6-For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7-If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”
2. Chastening is not payment for sin.
a. It is a sign of sonship.
b. It is a means of directing us back to God’s will.
1) Loss of health.
2) Loss of possessions.
3) Loss of joy.
4) Loss of loved ones.

III. WE WILL BE JUDGED PROSPECTIVELY AS SERVANTS AND STEWARDS.

A. No believer will miss this judgement, Romans 14:10b, “for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
B. Christ will examine every son regarding his service to the Lord.
1. This will not be a judicial bench. Salvation is not the issue here. If you are not a Christian your judgement is at the Great White Throne Judgement of Revelation 20:11-15.
2. It is the “Bema” judgement. In the Grecian games, the arena had a raised platform on which the presiding judge sat. From this seat he watched the contestants and awarded all of the winners. This was called the “bema” seat. It was a place of reward. But before the reward came the review.
C. The books will be opened.
1. The book of Revelation – the Bible, Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
2. The book of Redemption – The Lamb’s Book of Life, Revelation 21:27, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
3. The Book of Remembrance, Malachi 3:16, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”
a. The Lord is not writing down your sins – they are blotted out.
b. He is writing down the little things that no one else knows or things others have overlooked.
1) Bottles of our tears, Psalms 56:8, “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?”
2) Our midnight prayers that were uttered when no one else could hear. In the Temple boxes held the burnt up wicks from the lamps in the sanctuary.
3) A cup of water, Matthew 10:42, “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”
D. Every Believer has to GIVE AN ACCOUNT of …
1. His building, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, “ According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11-For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12-Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13-Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”
2. His body, 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
a. Our works, 1 Corinthians 3:13, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9-Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10-For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
b. Our faithfulness, 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
c. Our motives, 1 Corinthians 4:5, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”
E. Some will receive REWARDS from God, 1 Corinthians 3:14, “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” Five crowns are mentioned in the Bible:
1. Incorruptible crown, 1 Corinthians 9:25, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” “Those who conquered in these games were crowned only with the withering leaves or boughs of trees, of olive, bays, or laurel. But Christians have an incorruptible crown in view, a crown of glory that never fadeth away, an inheritance incorruptible, reserved in heaven for them.” Matthew Henry
2. Crown of Rejoicing (a soulwinners crown), 1 Thessalonians 2:19, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?” These are expressions of great and endeared affection, and high estimation.
3. Crown of Glory (Shepherd’s reward), 1 Peter 5:4, “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” These are expressions of great and endeared affection, and high estimation.
4. Crown of Life (Sufferer’s reward), James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” The crown of life is promised not only to great and eminent saints, but to all those who have the love of God reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above where love is made perfect.
5. Crown of Righteousness (for those who love the appearing of Christ), 2 Timothy 4:8, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
F. Some will LOSE rewards, 1 Corinthians 3:15, “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” The great day will pluck off all disguises, and make things appear as they are.

CONCLUSION

With great joy we will lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus. Revelation 4:1-4, 10-11, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2-And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3-And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4-And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 10-The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11-Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT OF GOD–REVELATION 20:11-15

Art Davison PROPHECY 0 Comment
THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT OF GOD
REVELATION 20:11-15
Introduction:

The final 5 verses of chapter 20 introduce the judgment at the end of human history and the beginning of eternity. The events here described clearly follow the thousand years of verses 1-6.

In this message we will see the basis that God will use to determine, not who will go to heaven for that is determined by the Lamb’s Book of Life, but rather what will be the degree of punishment these will receive in the Lake of Fire. Their appearance before this throne means that they are already destine for Hell.

I. THE GREAT WHITE THRONE OF GOD.

A. This throne differs from the other throne mentioned more than 30 times in the book of Revelation.

1. Its purpose is different in that it is a place of judgment.

2. Its location is different.

a. It doesn’t seem to be in heaven nor on earth, v. 11, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.”

b. Some have theorized that it may be in space.

B. The Person on the Throne of heaven is not specified, but without doubt it is Jesus Christ, John 5:22-23, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23-That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”

II. THE PURPOSE OF THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT IS TO JUDGE THE UNSAVED DEAD.

A. The Judgment Seat of Christ will deal with the judgment of BELIEVERS in order to receive rewards for service, 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

B. The persons to be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment are the lost dead, vs. 12-13, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13-And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

1. The dead, small and great, are judged.

a. The young and the old.

b. The poor and the rich.

c. None are so great as to avoid the jurisdiction of this court.

2. The grave shall surrender the bodies of men.

3. Hell shall surrender the souls of the wicked.

4. The sea shall surrender the many that seemed to have been lost in it.

III. THE BOOKS (RECORDS) ARE OPENED.

A. The books were opened – what books? Revelation 20:12, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

1. The Word of God, the Bible.

a. This is the book of the Law of God, Romans 2:12, “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law.”

b. It is the Scriptures, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

c. It is the Statute Book of heaven, Psalms 119.

1) V. 5, “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!”

2) V. 8, “I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.”

3) V. 16, “I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”

4) V. 80, “Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.”

d. It is the rule of life.

2. Perhaps another book is the book of the sinner’s conscience.

a. Heretofore, this book was secret, Romans 2:12, 15-16, “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15-Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16-In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”

b. However, before the great white throne judgment nothing will be hid when the books are opened, Daniel 7:10, “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”

B. The Book of Life.

1. The record of those who are saved, Luke 10:20, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

2. This book determines who goes to heaven, Revelation 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

C. The other books are books of evidence, which contain the records of the works of men,

IV. THE FINAL JUDGMENT DEALS WITH WORKS.

A. The Judgment Seat of Christ is the judgment of Christians that they might receive reward for service rendered to the Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

B. The Great White Throne Judgment will determine the degree of punishment sinners will receive in the Lake of Fire.

1. The Lamb’s book of Life has already established who will good to heaven, v. 15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

2. Now at this throne Christ will determine by the works of men what degree their punishment will be, Matthew 11:20-24, “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21-Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22-But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23-And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24-But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”

CONCLUSION

God will be perfectly just in this judgment. All who will be involved will be before the Great White Throne by their own choice. There will be no mistake. Jesus Christ died to keep man from before this throne, but men WILL NOT come to the Savior, not that they cannot, John 4:48, “Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” John 5:40, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

THE ANTICHRIST–II THESSALONIANS 2:1-12

Art Davison PROPHECY 0 Comment
THE ANTICHRIST
II THESSALONIANS 2:1-12
Introduction:

“In his first letter to the Thessalonians Paul had taught them that the day of the Lord would come as a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2). This instruction raised a question in his readers’ minds. It must have seemed to some of them that the day of the Lord had already come. After all, the persecutions they were experiencing seemed to be what the prophets had predicted when they wrote about the great calamities coming on God’s people and the world in the day of the Lord.” (Thomas Constable)

Apparently the Thessalonians had received some teaching that was not correct causing confusion among the believers. The Apostle Paul seeks to correct this error and set the record straight about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the Antichrist.

I. THE PREPARATION FOR THE ANTICHRIST.

A. Before the Second Coming of Christ there is a well recognized apostasy (abandonment of one’s religious faith, backsliding, falling away), 2 Thessalonians 2:3, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”

B. Iniquity shall abound on every hand, Matthew 24:12, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

C. The formation of the NEW WORLD ORDER will take place:

1. World banking – moving toward one-world monetary system.

2. World religion – one world church.

3. World government – setting the stage for the Antichrist.

II. THE PROHIBITION OF THE ANTICHRIST, 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7.

A. The Antichrist does not have a free hand to do as he pleases, but is restrained from acting until the TIME IS RIGHT, v. 6, “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.” – the Greek word is “hold down, detain.”

B. The Holy Spirit of God DETAINS him, vs. 7-8a, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8-And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth,”

1. He is already at work, v. 7a, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:”

2. However, the Spirit of God contains his activity, v. 7b, “only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”

C. The Lord is holding back the appearance of the Antichrist and the subsequent judgment of God until the work is accomplished through His churches.

III. THE PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF THE ANTICHRIST.

A. God’s program is on schedule.

1. The Lord Jesus arrived on time, Galatians 4:4, “But when the FULNESS OF THE TIME WAS COME, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,”

2. The Antichrist will arrive on schedule according to God’s plan, NOT HIS OWN.

B. The Holy Spirit is removed to allow Satan to bring on the Antichrist, 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. AND THEN SHALL THAT WICKED BE REVEALED, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:”

1. The Antichrist shall rise to power through the power of Satan, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 9-12, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 9-Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10-And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11-And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12-That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Revelation 13:4, “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?”

2. His rise to power is through a Ten nation organization, Revelation 12:3, “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” 13:1, “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” 17:7, And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.”

3. He has the cooperation of the FALSE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM, Revelation 17.

4. The Antichrist will be a man of personal charisma and ability.

a. He will have great power, Revelation 13:3, “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.”

b. He will promote PEACE (or prosperity), Daniel 8:25, “And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.”

c. He will be a master of deception and trickery, Matthew 24:24, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Revelation 13:14, “And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”

CONCLUSION

The Antichrist will arrive soon enough with all of his power to deceive the world. I believe we can already see some of the signs mentioned in this message. However, the Lord is still in charge and the Holy Spirit continues to stand in the way of the Antichrist until the Father takes Him out of the way.

You need to make sure that you are in Christ, one who has trusted Jesus as his personal Savior. Terrible times are ahead for those whose life is not protected in Jesus Christ.

SEVEN GREAT EVENTS OF FUTURE PROPHECY–I THESSALONIANS 4:13-5:11

Art Davison PROPHECY 0 Comment
SEVEN GREAT EVENTS OF FUTURE PROPHECY
I THESSALONIANS 4:13-5:11
PART ONE
Introduction:

Jesus taught his disciples that He would die, be buried, and rise again on the third day. Then He told them that He would return, John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

The Thessalonian Church got so excited about this promise that they would not work. Paul had to write to inform them of the signs that would precede the Lord’s coming in order for them to serve the Lord correctly.

2,000 years have passed since the Lord made that promise and He has not returned yet. Scoffers have ridiculed the idea of His Second Coming, and many Christian have grown cold.

Here we will discuss the “Seven Great Events of Future Prophecy.” God’s program of future prophecy extends over 1007 years and then into eternity.

FIRST, in order to understand these things, we need to know that we are in the “LATTER TIMES OF THE LAST DAYS.” In Matthew 24:36 Jesus tells us that no man knows the day or the hour of the Coming of Christ. However, immediately after making that statement He declares that the coming of the Lord will be in times like the times of NOAH. We are not told the day or the hour, but we are told of the SEASON.

CERTAIN SIGNS mark the season, such as….

• Mockers, Jude 18, “How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.”

• Scoffers, 2 Peter 3:3, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,”

• Perilous times, 2 Timothy 3:1, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”

• A departure from the Truth, 1 Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”

SECONDLY, we need to understand that there are TWO PHASES to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ:

FIRST PHASE:

In the Air, as a thief, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” This brings JOY and BLESSING.

SECOND PHASE:

To the earth; every eye will se Him, Revelation 1:7, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.“ This will bring SORROW and JUDGMENT.

In order to rightly divide the Scriptures we must understand that the Coming of Jesus has two phases. Titus 2:13 tells us of the “blessed hope,” which is the FIRST PHASE, and the “glorious appearing,” which is the SECOND PHASE.

EVENT # 1: THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS: This is the FIRST PHASE of the Coming of the Lord.

A. The dead in Christ are resurrected, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”

B. The living saints are caught up to the Lord, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

C. The Saints are changed, 2 Corinthians 15:51-57.

EVENT # 2: THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST.

Romans 14:11-12, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12-So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

A. In the PAST, we were judged as SINNERS.

1. Our sins were paid for on Calvary by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

2. The Judgment Seat of Christ will not be a judgment for sin.

B. In the PRESENT we are judged as SONS.

1. Here we are subject to our heavenly Father’s discipline.

2. Our disobedience here will bring chastisement in this life.

C. In the FUTURE we will be judged as SERVANTS and STEWARDS. When believers stand before the Lord there will be…

1. An Examination, 1 Corinthians 4:5, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”

2. A Manifestation, 1 Corinthians 3:13, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

3. An Accounting, Romans 14:10-12, “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11-For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12-So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

4. A Rewarding, 1 Corinthians 3:8-14, “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.”

a. Rewards gained will be deposited at the feet of Jesus, Revelation 4:10, “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne.”

b. Rewards are lost, but not salvation, 1 Corinthians 3:15, “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

EVENT # 3: SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION.

Following the rapture of the believers, the world will undergo the divine judgment of God. This time is called…

A. The Day of God’s Vengeance, Isaiah 34:8, “For it is the day of the LORD’S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.”

B. The Time of Jacob’s Trouble, Jeremiah 30:7, “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.”

C. The Great Day of His Wrath, Revelation 6:17, “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

D. The Indignation, Isaiah 26:20, “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.”

E. The Great Tribulation, Matthew 24:21, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

1. Nothing in man’s previous history will match this period. It is marked by…

• Horrible wars, earthquakes

• Famines, stinging locusts

• Darkened skies, falling stars, gigantic hail stones

• Cancerous sores, Bloody seas, etc.

2. During this period, the last 3 ½ years, the Antichrist will reign over a one-world government, one-world economy (the mark of the beast, 666), and a one-world church, a false religion.

EVENT # 4: THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST TO THE EARTH.

A. The only hope of the earth is the return of Jesus Christ.

B. This is second Phase of the Coming of the Lord.

1. Christ’s return to the earth is at the end of the Tribulation period.

2. The Lord returns to make war on His enemies, Revelation 19:11-12, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12- His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.”

3. Satan is taken prisoner and bound for a thousand years, Revelation 20:2-3, “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3-And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”

C. All of His Saints return with Him.

1. The Lord returns with all of His saints to set up His kingdom, Jude 14, “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,” 2 Thessslonians 1:7-9, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8-In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9-Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”

2. The saints will rule and reign with him during His one thousand-year reign, Revelation 5:9, “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 20:6, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

EVENT # 5: THE 1,000 YEAR (MILLENNIAL) REIGN OF CHRIST ON THE EARTH.
A. Jesus Christ will literally reign on the earth.

1. A Glorious time, Revelation 20:1-6.

2. John mentions this 1,000-year period six times in Revelation 20.

B. Satan will be bound in chains during the millenium. Because of this the earth will enjoy…

• Peace, Isaiah 2:4, “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

• Joy, Isaiah 9:3-4, “Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4-For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.”

• Holiness, Isaiah 1:26-27, “And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. 27-Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.”

• Glory, Isaiah 24:23, “Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.”

• Comfort, Isaiah 12:1, “And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.”

• Justice, Isaiah 9:7, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

• Freedom from oppression, Isaiah 14:3-6, “And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, 4-That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! 5-The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. 6-He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.”

• Prosperity, Isaiah 35: 1-2, “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 2-It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.”

C. Jesus will sit on the Throne of David, Isaiah 9:7, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

D. At the end of this period Satan is loosed to deceive the nations again, Revelation 20:3, “And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”

EVENT # 6: THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT.

A. The Final Judgment.

B. The resurrection of the unbelieving dead. The “small and great” will be there.

C. All unsaved of all ages brought before God, Revelation 20:11-15.

D. The Devil and his angels are cast into the Lake of Fire, Revelation 20:10, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

EVENT # 7: ETERNITY.

A. The Old Heaven and Earth are destroyed, 2 Peter 3:10-11, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11-Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,”

B. A New Heaven and a New Earth, 2 Peter 3:13, “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

C. The Believers will discover the goodness, graciousness, and the glory of God, Ephesians 2:7, “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”