A Tour Through John, Lesson 49

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.Review of the first two lessons and the idea of the third.Introductory matters, and Rev 1 A Tale of Two CitiesRomeThe  Heavenly JerusalemSelections from 17-18, 21-22 Three keys to interpretation, and three vital lessons.Two ultimate outcomes, two kingdoms, two cities.One God, one gospel (14:6), one faith. The Christian version of reality is the correct one — not the world’s misconstrued version of reality.Scriptural focus: Rev 12:10-12 (Rev 12 as the message of the Apocalypse in miniature) and Rev 22:8-21:12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,“Now have come the salvation and the power    and the kingdom of our God    and the authority of his Messiah,for the accuser of our comradeshas been thrown down,    who accuses them day and night before our God.11 But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb    and by the word of their testimony,for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.12 Rejoice then, you heavens    and those who dwell in them!But woe to the earth and the sea,    for the devil has come down to youwith great wrath,    because he knows that his time is short!*    *   *   *    *   *   *    *   *   *    *   *22:8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me; 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servantwith you and your comradesthe prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” 12 “See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.16 “It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”And let everyone who hears say, “Come.”And let everyone who is thirsty come.Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book; 19 if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.20 The one who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.Further study:Revelation & the End of the World (audio series, 3 hours, plus 60 pages of chapters notes)The Book of Revelation: “The Blast of the Trumpet” (James Greig)Last Things series (Armageddon, Rapture & Tribulation, Heaven & Hell, etc)Rethinking Hell (website)Understanding the Apocalypse (first lesson; 7 in all, with John Boyles)Christ Through the Ages: Revelation -- King of Kings (login required)Revelation, by Jim McGuiggan (book)What Happens After We Die? (book)What's The Truth about Heaven & Hell? (book)Summary (McGuiggan):... What have we seen in this book? The central thrust is comfort and assurance of ultimate triumph. In its unique way, the book told of a coming and terrible storm... We saw that the heart of the universe is a heavenly throne! That God and the Lamb rule -- not Italy!We saw the seals reveal, the trumpets warn and the bowls punish in a full and complete way. We saw the saints sealed against the coming fury upon the ungodly -- the world, piece by piece, attacked; her seas bloodied as well as her water supplies; her commerce was ruined and her armies defeated while their property was invaded; her gods were punished while her society ran riot in decadence.We saw that the church under the heel of the oppressor and the witnesses preaching in sackcloth, while death was awaiting them. But we saw the inner sanctuary hold and the witnesses loyally preach and, after death, vindicated in resurrection. We saw the people of God in a wildnerness, yet nourished while the Devil is raging on earth and in heaven.We saw Rome go under in blood and fire and smoke -- Rome in all her apocalyptic manifestations, from the civil persecution (the sea beast) to the religious pervert (the earth beast). The God of all power broils the sea beast; and the seductive power of a commercially successful Rome (Harlot) is set on fire by no man's hand and burns as Nero's fire never did -- eternally and thoroughly.We saw the end of Rome, pictured in the battle of Armageddon, and we heard the serpent thrash as he was bound and salted away for a thousand years, while the saints, living and dead, sat enthroned with their Lord!We saw the full story of those who died in the service of the beast. They were raised to no thrones but to die one more time, finally, in a lake of fire. We hear from God, through the "little time" of loosing the Devil, that all attempts by the Devil are doomed to failure, anytime and anywhere.And then we saw the picture of the Church of God. Consecrated in her service; glorious and honored in her reputation and appearance; unbeatable in her strength; intimate in her communion; a blessing to the world and beloved of her Lord. Her future secure and her triumphs eternal!