The Revelation of Christ – Part 43: The Second Coming

The Revelation of Christ –

Part 43: The Second Coming

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

Online Audio Files | HOF Church Facebook | Truth Digest Facebook

 

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SERMON INTRODUCTION

Nearly one year ago we began looking at the book of Revelation.

We have seen how the Lord revealed Himself to John as the One who stands among the lamp stands (churches), and that He holds the seven angels (earthly messengers of the Lord) in His right hand and He alone decides which church will have the Holy Spirit.

The Lord warns in these verses that if a church is in disobedience that He may remove that Spirit.

With the seven letters to the seven churches, we see the Lord spell out for us what He expects, desires, and disapproves of. We have the Will of God for the church in these seven letters.

We see the Lord then sit upon the throne in heaven, and open the seven seals. We are introduced to the Antichrist, and shown how he rises through the power of Satan, the Great Dragon, who works through the False Prophet to empower the Antichrist.

This unholy trinity is Satan’s attempt to fulfill his prophecy of himself in Isaiah 14:12-15.

We see in these verses Satan was cast down to earth from heaven, and he proclaims that he “will raise his throne above the stars of God.”

The unholy trinity (666) is Satan’s attempt at being God, by mimicking the one True God, who is the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit). Satan unsuccessfully creates his unholy trinity form of god as Satan, Antichrist and False Prophet.

After the seven seals, we see the seven trumpets and the beginning of Tribulation. Then the seven bowls of God’s wrath poured out upon the earth.

Over the last few weeks we have looked at the punishment of the Great Prostitute, who is Babylon, and the adulteries are the false teachings leading people away from God and the Truth of His Word.

These adulteries began in Genesis chapter 3 when Satan led Adam astray using Eve to manipulate him through his feelings as opposed to the Word God had given him and continued to the point where Satan, in his unsuccessful efforts to destroy the woman (Israel/Mary), destroy Jesus at birth, destroy her (Israel) offspring, then after seeing he was powerless, tried to destroy her (the woman) other offspring (Christians).

Satan could not, and we see in Revelation out of desperation the Great Dragon (Satan) spewed forth a great deluge of water in efforts to drown them all. This deluge (water) is Satan’s word, his “spring”, yet as opposed to the Lord’s “Spring of Life” his only leads to death and destruction.

This deluge of false teachings is where false doctrine, religions and systems of beliefs, along with many “new” gods began in Satan’s efforts to drown out the Truth of God’s Spirit (water, spring of life).

We see the prostitute (not an actual person, but the personification of adulteries, or turning from the Truth of God to any other teaching) was destroyed.

This brings us to our text today, and the Second Coming of Christ Jesus.

Probably one of the most anticipated events in all of time, at least to those of us who belong to Him, for the rest of the world; it is the beginning of the end of the Tribulation, and the reign of Satan on earth.

SERMON SERIES

THE THINGS WHICH SHALL BE – The Coming Judgment

Part 35 – The Seven Angels with the Seven Plagues

Part 36 – The First Bowls

Part 37 – The Last Bowls

Part 38 – The Punishment of the Great Prostitute I

Part 39 – The Punishment of the Great Prostitute II

Part 40 – The Punishment of the Great Prostitute III

Part 41 – Rejoice Babylon the Great has Fallen

Part 42 – Threefold Praise of God

 

TODAY’S SERMON - THE THINGS WHICH SHALL BE – The Coming Judgment

Part 43 – The Second Coming

 

SCRIPTURE READING

Revelation 19:11-14

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. ¹² His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. ¹³ He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. ¹⁴ The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

 

         I.      HEAVEN STOOD OPEN AND BEFORE ME A WHITE HORSE

a.  I (John) saw heaven standing open

                                    i.   Here we see heaven is opened up, once separated from this dimension.

 

                                   ii.   Closed to the world, the spirit realm has been opened

 

                                  iii.   The purpose? The armies of heaven are coming, being led by the true savior of humankind, Jesus Christ, King of King’s and Lord of Lord’s.

 

 

b.  There before me was a white horse

                                    i.   Zechariah 14:3 “Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle.”

 

                                   ii.   The Second Coming of Christ, He comes to make war upon a war horse

 

                                  iii.   Notice this horse is “white”, remember when the seals were broke and a “white horse” appeared with a rider upon it?

1.  Revelation 6:2 “I 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.”

 

2.  The Antichrist appears on a white horse at the beginning of Tribulation, appearing as a man of “peace” but he held a bow because he was preparing for war.

 

3.  He rode out, from the very beginning, bent on conquest of earth.

 

                                  iv.   Again, Satan imitating Truth of God’s Word

 

                                    v.   Knowing a White horse would come and upon it the one who would rule the earth, Satan tried to fulfill this prophecy himself with the Antichrist whom he controls through the power of the False Prophet.

 

                                  vi.   However, this rider and white horse are coming straight out of heaven!

 

                                 vii.   And this rider has a name!

 

 

c.   Whose rider is called Faithful and True

                                    i.   Faithful is what He is called

1.  “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

 

2.  “God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

 

3.  “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)

 

4.  “The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession.” (Psalm 94:14)

 

5.  “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19)

 

6.  “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:21-26)

 

7.  “He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!” (Deuteronomy 32:4)

 

8.  “God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

 

9.  “Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.” (Joshua 21:45)

 

10.      “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9)

 

11.      “Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)

 

                                   ii.   True is what He is called

1.  If we claim we are without sin, we deceive ourselves and the Truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)

 

2.  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

 

3.  He chose to give us birth through the Word of Truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created. (James 1:18)

 

4.  For the Law was given through Moses, grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17)

 

 

        II.      WITH JUSTICE HE JUDGES AND WAGES WAR

a.  Unlike the first pale rider

                                    i.   The first rider upon a white horse (the Antichrist) judges without justice

 

                                   ii.   Punishing those who do not deserve it, destroying any who stand in the path of his conquering

 

                                  iii.   The first rider waged war unjustly, to rule, conquer and command the armies of nations so he would have power to wage war against the Lamb.

 

 

b.  With justice He Judges

                                    i.   The second rider upon the white horse (Jesus) comes to judge with justice!

 

                                   ii.   Justice says, “You receive what you’ve earned and deserve.”

1.  Those who have confessed Christ, and repented have earned the right to receive the Holy Spirit and Salvation, not by deeds but through submission and obedience.

 

2.  Having obtained the righteousness of Christ, filled with His Holy Spirit, and covered with the white garments, we deserve, through Christ, reward of Salvation.

 

3.  Those who do not confess Christ, or confess but do not repent, do not receive forgiveness, and therefore do not qualify to receive the Holy Spirit of God.

4.  Without obtaining God’s Holy Spirit and Salvation, we stand before the Great White throne on Judgment Day before God, not to receive reward and Salvation, but the Judgment of guilt and condemnation.

 

5.  Without the white garment of Christ and the Holy Spirit, we stand to be judged by the Commands of God, which no one but Christ can fulfill. And therefore receive what we have earned and deserve.

 

6.  This is Judging with Justice.

 

 

c.   With Justice He Wages war

                                    i.   Not to conquer and rule (because the Lord is already King of King’s and Lord of Lord’s and rules ALL of creation!) But to Wage war in justice, destroying those who oppose Truth, oppress mankind, spread the falsehoods (confusion, false doctrines, teachings, gods, paths, belief’s, etc), all sorts of evil who are Judged in Justice, receiving what they have earned and deserve, destruction, and eternal condemnation for warring with the Lamb.

 

d.  The rider’s description

                                    i.   In the beginning of revelation when the Antichrist is described riding in on a white horse, it says he had a bow with no arrows (came in peace but preparing for war), crowns (authority given to him by nations) and he was bent on conquering.

 

                                   ii.   Jesus, the TRUE rider and white horse of the Apocalypse, is described differently!

1.  His eyes are like blazing fire (fire symbolic of judgment, eyes meaning He “sees” or is fully capable of correct judgments

 

2.  On His head are many crowns (exclaiming he is King of King’s and Lord of Lord’s. He rules ALL of creation!

 

3.  He has a name written on Him that no one knows but himself (we call Him Faithful and True, Lord, Son of God, Jesus, but these are not His name…)

 

4.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood (signifies the blood of the Lamb, Jesus’ atoning sacrifice that Saves in His blood)

 

5.  His name is the Word of God (John 1:1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”)

 

 

       III.      THE ARMIES OF HEAVEN FOLLOW HIM

a.  They too ride in white horses

                                    i.   Armies of the faithful who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.

 

                                   ii.   Confessing and repenting, receiving the Holy Spirit of God and Salvation

 

                                  iii.   They ride along side of their King, Jesus Christ, at the Second Coming!

 

                                  iv.   Not because the Lord “needs” our help, but because He wants to include us in the re-taking of His creation for God’s sake, and the clearing of the land in preparation of the NEW heaven, NEW earth and NEW Jerusalem!

 

 

b.  Dressed in fine linen

                                    i.   Our fine linens are from the presence of God’s Holy Spirit and the Salvation that we received from the Lord when we submit to Him, confess our sins and repent, thus receiving Salvation and the benefits of such.

 

 

 

c.   White and clean

                                    i.   Symbolic of there being no presence of sin, corruption, falsehood, anything unpleasing!

 

                                   ii.   We will finally be at one with our bodies and souls uncorrupted!

 

CONCLUSION –

I Corinthians 15:50-54

I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

 

 

NEXT WEEK: Armageddon

 

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Want to hear the audio to this sermon?   

CLICK HERE!

 

 

Paul's Epistles – Hebrews – Part 7: Jesus the Great High Priest

Paul's Epistles – Hebrews – Part 7:

Jesus the Great High Priest

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org | Online Audio Files

SERMON INTRODUCTION

The “official” writer of this epistle is unknown. However, I obviously believe it is Paul since I have included it in the “Paul’s Epistles” Sermon Series.

I believe there is enough evidence from early scholars to agree this was more than likely Paul’s work.

Last week we examined Paul’s writings on Jesus, the Son being Greater than Angels.

This week, Paul will give a warning for listeners to pay attention, and the fact that Jesus was made fully human.

We have already seen in Hebrews so far;

·        Jesus is greater than angels

·        And that we are to pay the most careful attention to Jesus and His way so we do not stray

·        And how Jesus (New Covenant) is greater than Moses (Old Covenant)

·        Paul’s warning about unbelief

·        A Sabbath Rest for the People of God

TODAY’S SERMON

“Jesus the Great High Priest”

  

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Hebrews 4:14

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The overall message of this epistle to the church is;

“The Cure for Lacking Boldness or Courage in your Christian Faith and Backsliding is a Right beginning for the Glory and Work of Christ”

I. SINCE WE HAVE A GREAT HIGH PRIEST

a. Jesus, Son of God, our Great High Priest

                                                                 i. What is a High Priest?

                                                              ii. Everything in the Old Testament pointed to Christ

                                                           iii. The High Priest in the Old Testament represented a foreshadowing of Christ and His position

1. The High Priest was the supreme religious leader of the Israelites, and was hereditary, chosen by God from the Tribe of Levite (Exodus 28:1; Numbers 18:7) and can be traced back to Aaron, the brother of Moses.

2. Jesus, likewise, is the Supreme leader of the Church, namely the Head of the Body of Christ.

                                                            iv. One of the High Priests duties was overseeing the responsibilities of the subordinate priests (Equivalent to Jesus overseeing the Spiritual Leaders in the Church, the Elders)

                                                               v.  The High Priest had to offer a sin offering for the sins of the entire congregation, in the same way, Jesus as the High Priest of the Church offered Himself as the sin offering for all those who accept Him to become part of His congregation.

                                                            vi. When the high priest died, all those who were confined to the cities refuge for accidentally causing the death of another person were granted freedom, just as when Christ died, we were freed from sin as well.

                                                         vii. But the most important duty of the High Priest was to conduct service on the Day of Atonement.

                                                      viii. He was the ONLY one allowed to enter the Holy of Holies behind the veil and stand before God, make a sacrifice, sprinkling the blood on the mercy seat, God’s Throne.

                                                            ix. In the very same way, our High Priest, Jesus, Atoned for us with His sacrifice and blood, and now sits at God’s right hand.

b. Ascended into (LIT. has gone through) the Heavens

                                                                 i. As mentioned, Jesus, as High Priest, now sits at the right hand of God

                                                              ii. To do this, He returned to “heaven”, or the “third” heaven.

1. Lit translation states in verse 14 “… {Jesus} passed through the heavens…”

2. As explained in my book “Heaven & Hell, an In-depth view of Old Testament Man” there are three “heavens” scripture speaks of.

a. God first created His abode, where He actually dwells, first in Genesis 1:1, this, being the furthest “heaven” from earth is referred to as the “Third Heaven”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        i.      Hashamayim in Hebrew

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ii.      Ouranos in Greek

b. God created the sky around us next in Genesis 1:68, this is where the clouds and birds exist (as well as the powers and principalities we war against in Ephesians 6) called Hayamiym in Hebrew; this is the “First heaven” because it is closest to Earth.

c. Finally the “heaven” that separates our sky from the abode of God, outer space where the stars and planets are. God created this thirdly in Genesis 1:14-17, but it is referred to as the “Second Heaven” in between our sky and God’s abode.

                                                           iii. Paul states Jesus ascended, or “has gone through” the heavens.

                                                            iv. This was after His atoning death to sit at the Right Hand of God on the Throne.

c. Hold firmly to the faith we profess

                                                                 i. THEREFORE {since we have a Great High Priest who has ascended the heavens, Jesus the Son of God}

                                                              ii. “Let us hold FIRMLY to the faith we PROFESS”

                                                           iii. Paul has instructed many to “walk the talk”

1. Many do not

2. This is why so many mock “so-called Christians”

                                                            iv. What my experience has been;

1. “Christians” involved in the world

2. Forming their own religion, not based on True Doctrine

3. Jesus-Cults

4. TV Evangelists scammers

5. Regular people claiming something they do not live

                                                               v. Jesus’ letter to the one of the seven churches makes it clear how the Lord feels about this in Revelation 3:15-16

                                                            vi. To the church at Laodicea, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spew (vomit) you out of my mouth.”

                                                         vii. LIT 2 Peter 2:20 “for it were better to them not to have acknowledged the way of the righteousness, than having acknowledged [it], to turn back from the holy command delivered to them,”

                                                      viii. If you profess Christ, call yourself a “Christian”, be on fire for the Lord, otherwise, if you are “lukewarm”, the Lord will vomit you out.

                                                            ix. It is better in God’s eyes to never know Him than to know Him and be lukewarm.

                                                               x. SO…Hold FIRMLY to the faith you profess!

II.      FOR WE DO NOT HAVE A HIGH PRIEST UNABLE TO EMPATHIZE

a. Jesus can empathize with our weaknesses

                                                                 i. Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness

1. If you are God, prove it, feed your hunger

2. If you are God, prove it, try to commit suicide

3. I will give you the world if you bow down and worship me

b. He was tempted in every way just as we are

                                                                 i. I believe there were many temptations not recorded, and some that were explained and described, but sometimes overlooked by us.

1. I believe Jesus was being tempted in the garden before the crucifixion, perhaps tempted to run, hide, find another “way” to save humankind.

2. Matthew 26:39 Jesus prayed, “…if there be any other way…”

c. Yet He did not sin

                                                                 i. Why?

                                                              ii. It is actually simple…He trusted in God

                                                           iii. With the power of the Holy Spirit, you have the strength to turn from any temptation!

                                                            iv.   I Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

                                                               v. This can be us…

III.   LET US THEN APPROACH GOD’S THRONE

a. Approach God’s throne of Grace with confidence

                                                                 i. Confidence - the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.

                                                              ii. Approach God’s Throne in Trust, Belief, Faith, Conviction

b. So we may “receive mercy” and “find grace”

                                                                 i. RECEIVE God’s Mercy – charity, clemency, leniency, kindness, and compassion, the forbearing of punishment even when justice demands it.

                                                              ii. FIND God’s Grace – His unmerited mercy, favor, the God gives because of you belonging to Christ

c. To help us in our time of need

                                                                 i. When we need it most!

CONCLUSION – THEREFORE {since we have a Great High Priest who has ascended the heavens, Jesus the Son of God}

Hold FIRMLY to the faith you profess!

I Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

And approach the Throne of God confident of receiving His mercy and finding His grace!

Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?   

CLICK HERE!

Want to hear the audio to this sermon?    

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