Visions of blessings from god for heaven and earth. The word translated grace in the new testament comes from the greek word charis, which means favor, blessing, or kindness. It is the revelation of jesus christ to show his servants revelation 1. The revelation is a very solemn book speaking much about divine judgments but it is also a. The book of revelation is a teachers delight, yet the preacher must tread softly here. Stop searching for it receive what is already yours as we remember jesus perfect sacrifice this easter weekend god placed in my heart to write something that he has opened my eyes to and i know. The book is all about jesus christ, and it is his selfrevelation.
We must embrace the fact that we all need to repent of the intolerance that leads to such destruction. The book of revelation is speaking to the same reality. Gods grace enables us to be all that god intends us to be. What gods grace means to christians learn religions. Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come.
Story flow of the book of revelation united church of god. The revelation is the only prophetic book of the nt and it is the keystone of the word of god. God is worthy to receive all our worship revelation 4. In depth teaching on the grace of god bible knowledge. For example, we see the victorious christ, riding on a horse revelation 19. Gods provision of grace is throughout the bible even during the times of his wrath. Therefore, take up the whole armor of god, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm eph 6. Mar 18, 2020 revelation has been called the most controversial book in the bible, for good reason. Therefore, believers are strengthened to press on and endure e.
This is possible if the seven spirits of god that are before his throne compare 4. John macarthur takes readers on a journey through biblical texts to discover what lies beneath the surface, focusing on meaning and context, and then reflecting on the explored passage or concept. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. To be clear though, the revelation of grace comes from gods spirit and his word and not from the flesh. Be it understood that this is not a revelation primarily from jesus anointed. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book. Therefore, this book contains information god intends to disclose or reveal to humans, rather than conceal from us. Notes on the book of revelation the grace of god in. As christians, one of the most important things we need to fully understand is the grace of god. Pulling back the veil an overview of the book of revelation. The lord did not give us revelation so that we can point the finger at. May the grace of the lord jesus be with gods holy people. I like the treatment of this verse that is found in the second edition of the book grace in eclipse by ges board member zane hodges. This portrayal of an apostate and harlot church is not just about one denomination, but about what we will all become without the grace of god.
No book in scripture reveals the glory of god and christ in more detail and splendor than the book of revelation. The message of revelation is as relevant today as ever before, as our world seems to be descending into chaos. A careful examination of the book of revelation explains its purpose and what it is about. To understand revelation it is helpful to think of this writing as first and foremost a book of symbols.
It is used in the opening verse of the bibles final book. Prophecy begins with a look at the seven ages or dispensations into which god divided the history of mankind. Next we study the three great mountain peaks of prophecy. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Johns grace and peace formula has sometimes been described as trinitarian, centering on father, son and holy spirit.
Jun 21, 2016 the big theme of revelation is gods sovereign rule chs. One of the greatest hindrances within the church is that christians dont believe what god has declared, that those who are in christ have been freed from both. Years ago i heard some preach this book of revelation as we do the gospel. Revelation 1 niv prologue the revelation from jesus. In short, the book of revelation is arguably the most important book you will read in your life time. But what good is a sword in an age of nuclear weapons. Does the justice of god in revelation underwrite acts of human justice such as just wars, capital punishment, a harsh. The new testaments greek word for revelation is apokalupsis, meaning unveiling. To properly understand johns vision, we must first understand the name he gave it. While many associate the word apocalypse with great disaster, the book of revelation begins and ends by saying that those who read, understand, and apply its message would be happy for doing so. In the christian bible, the term seven spirits of god appears four times in the book of revelation. At the same time, no other book has been more misunderstood, misinterpreted, and neglected throughout the history of the church. The justice of god in the book of revelation1 does the book of revelation picture god and gods justice in ways that contradict jesus teaching about god being the model for christians loving their enemies.
In conclusion, the book of revelation is one which offers comfort and encouragement to believers. This just means that the book sees god and jesus as being equal in divinity and awesomeness. Dec 29, 2018 as christians, one of the most important things we need to fully understand is the grace of god. As you will see in the scripture verses i will list below, there are two main definitions as to what the grace of god is all about. On the surface it seemed to even possibly contradict some of pauls writings, taking a step back from the finished work of christ and putting the emphasis back on our efforts to receive. As part of scripture, the book of revelation was given by inspiration of god 2 timothy 3. The meaning of this term has been interpreted in multiple ways. The truth of god about any particular subject is found in the bible, so we should give glory to god for his grace that has rested upon us and to share gods word with our neighbors. It gives us insight into the realities of our situation, our enemies, our champion, and our true identity, and it calls us to patient endurance, hopeful purity, and courageous witness. This brings up another important lessonwhat causes some to be the recipients of grace and others not. Stop searching for it receive what is already yours as we remember jesus perfect sacrifice this easter weekend god placed in my heart to write something that he has opened my eyes to and i know will set you free to live the life that jesus came to. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Revelation 1 new international version niv prologue. The revelation of grace explains the truth of gods grace in terms that are reader friendly not too technical theologically.
Gods grace is available to us at all times, for every problem and need we face. Oct 17, 2019 the final wrath of god, part 1 revelation 15. Oct 20, 2019 the seven bowl judgment, part 2 revelation 16. Look at the book how to read revelation revelation 4. Jonah shows gods grace toward both immoral nineveh and moral jonah, irreligious pagans and a religious prophet, both of whom need and both of whom receive the grace of god. It is a dangerous thing to point the finger at others, or think we are better than they are. First and foremost, revelation was written to reveal or unveil jesus christ. In this book, discover that gratuitous grace truly is real and how it applies to your life. The revelation of gods grace reformed bible studies. And no other book of the bible promises blessings to those who read it, hear it and take to heart what is written in it.
A revelation of jesus christ, that god gave to him, to shew to his servants what things it behoveth to come to pass quickly. I am the alpha and the omega, says the lord god, who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty. In the last days of judgment on earth, he will again show his. To live a life under gods unmerited favor and led by the spirit at all times. Michael horton writes, in grace, god gives nothing less than himself. The revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servantsthings which must shortly take place. Clearly, the promises to the overcomers are rewards for obedience to the commands of the lord of the church. The seven spirits of god are mentioned in the book of revelation. Revelation 1 commentary grace and peace, glory and power. It does seem to be as simple as god resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble see james 4. The lord did not give us revelation so that we can point the finger at others, but rather at ourselves. The coronavirus, the apocalypse, and the book of revelation. Its important for us to know about the events that will.
Someone can take my tin away if in letting go of tin i am doing so to grasp gold. Revelation has been called the most controversial book in the bible, for good reason. Armageddon revelation 16 john macarthur the book of. The best way to look at this revelation is to look at it like you are looking at a twosided coin. The grace of our lord jesus christ be with you all. Its about getting our focus off the things of this world to grasp the things of the world to come. In revelation, jesus also has a special saving role to play in the world as the son of god. God s grace frees us from slavery to sin, guilt, and shame. In so doing, it declares without ambiguity who the victor is. It is a discovery to us of how he is judging the church now, and of how he shall come from heaven to judge the world and take the rulership of empires. Did god send the coronavirus as a biblical plague from. The justice of god in the book of revelation peace theology. Jan 17, 2012 jonah shows gods grace toward both immoral nineveh and moral jonah, irreligious pagans and a religious prophet, both of whom need and both of whom receive the grace of god. The final wrath of god revelation 15 john macarthur the.
Grace is a constant theme in the bible, and it culminates in the new testament with the coming of jesus john 1. The authors nightmarish prophecies and visions of natural disasters, violence, bloodshed, revenge, and. Studying the book of revelation grace online library. God s grace enables us to be all that god intends us to be. Jun 25, 2019 god s grace is available to us at all times, for every problem and need we face. Sproul explains the importance of properly dating the book of revelation as we seek to understand the destruction of the temple in 70 a. The grace of godthe book of revelation publications. The revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him revelation 1. Lesson 52 the seven sevens of the revelation ambassadors. Unlike, say, the gospel of mark, where jesus is portrayed as pretty human and separate from god. Gods unfathomable gracethe book of revelation prod.
Therefore, the book concludes emphasizing the hope which the preceding chapters gave, warning against tampering in any way with what has been written, and concluding with the certainty of his coming as well as a prayer of grace. We receive forgiveness according to the riches of gods grace, and grace drives our sanctification. In fact, as holcomb explains, without the grace of god, our entire world would crumble without the hope of redemption for anyone. The holy scriptures start with a revelation on the past genesis 1 and they end with a revelation on the future. Grace, then, is not a third thing or substance mediating between god and sinners, but is jesus christ in redeeming action. Matthew 24 and 25 are also covered as a bridge between daniel and revelation. Gods grace frees us from slavery to sin, guilt, and shame. In fact, esther is the only old testament book not directly quoted. God gave us the book of revelation not only to inform our minds but also to transform our lives.
When gods people are beset with temptation and persecution, a revelation of gods character and glory is the best remedy. People have shied away from this book because of its use of symbolism and its cryptic references. Lit books tells us what grace is, how it works in our lives, and why it is so vitally important. The book of james is a book that i found difficult to understand specially since the revelation of grace entered my life. This book is gods open letter to us and contains critical information about our future.
The big theme of revelation is gods sovereign rule chs. James talks about not being doubleminded, to only rest on the finished. But revelation, like every other book in the bible, is about jesus. The book explains what grace is, how it is given, and why it is complete and sufficient to take care of sin in our lives. Micah shows gods grace in the prophecys repeated wonder at gods strange insistence on pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression 7.
1303 748 218 289 490 1 130 1131 820 363 478 384 428 357 1541 1180 1075 489 1047 535 1485 1593 599 282 1268 1204 783 1312 782 797 332 1382