The Meaning of Christmas

“The meaning of Christmas: The all-seeing, all-knowing, infinite, and almighty God caused himself (i.e. the second member of the triune Godhead, the Word or the Son) to become fully human through a miraculous conception in the womb of a virgin girl, Mary, so that he might completely identify with mankind, his fallen creation, live the sinless life we could never live in our present state, die a substitutionary death on the cross, and ultimately rise triumphant over the grave so that all who trust in him would not perish but have eternal life.” – Rick Arnold

Crucified Preachers

“A crucified Savior can be preached in divine power only by crucified preachers…The Holy Spirit uses a man with converting power when the people see in that man not demands from them but desires for them.” – Raymond C. Ortlund Jr.

Themelios: Volume 34, No. 1, April 2009. United Kingdom: The Gospel Coalition, 2009.

Revelation Reloaded 30: “To Be Continued…”

Revelation Reloaded 30: “To Be Continued…”

Terms to know:

Sorcerer = a person who practices sorcery; black magician; wizard.[i]

Text: Revelation 21:1-22:21.

Thesis: These chapters close up and give us a description of the new heavens and the new earth. We are able to gain a feel about what the eternal state of man is going to be in the final consummation. John is allowed to see the Holy City and highlights some of the important facets of this City. Genesis 1& 2 and Revelation 21 &22 are synonymous and time has moved in a circle.

Revelation Reloaded 29: The Millennium

Revelation Reloaded 29: The Millennium

Terms to know:

Abominable = repugnantly hateful; detestable; loathsome.[i]

Text: Revelation 20:4-21:1.

Thesis: Now that we have cleared up some of the mess surrounding the concept of the millennium let us take a look at what the scriptures actually teach us about this period of time, it’s end, the great white throne, the renovation, and the fate of the unsaved. This will lead us to the final lecture next week where we will see man’s eternal state revealed.

Revelation Reloaded 28: The Millenial Views

Revelation Reloaded 28: The Millennial Views

Terms to know:

Millennium = a period of 1000 years.[i]

Post-Millennial = to the Protestant doctrine that the second coming of Christ will occur after, not at, the Christian millennium.[ii]

Amillenialism = No Millennium.

Pre-millenialism = the doctrine or belief that the Second Coming of Christ will precede the millennium.[iii]

Text: Revelation 20:5-6

Thesis: Some assert that pre-millenial doctrine is also an old doctrine. This is to show otherwise.

Revelation Reloaded 27: The Second Coming (2.)

Revelation Reloaded 27: The Second Coming (2.)

Terms to know:

Abyss = a deep, immeasurable space, gulf, or cavity; vast chasm.[i]

Cleave = to adhere closely; stick; cling.[ii]

Text: Revelation 20:1-6. Zechariah 14:4-10.

Thesis: At this time we begin to clean up as many loose ends as possible tying it all together into a complete narrative. The King has returned with Armies and has waged a battle against the nations that have come up against Israel. He has destroyed the armies of the Beast with the brightness of his coming. Exactly how these events are going to go in chronological order is uncertain so the following is a hypothetical situation.

Revelation Reloaded 26: The Second Coming (1.)

Revelation Reloaded 26: The Second Coming (1.)

Terms to know:

Omnipotent = almighty or infinite in power, as God.[i]

Text: Revelation 19.

Thesis: In this scene we return to heaven and see what the saints have been doing. The last time we saw the saints they were being judged at the Bema of Christ in Revelation 11. Here they are at the wedding reception about ready to appear as Mrs. Jesus Christ. Then when it is finished Jesus and the saints will come to earth to claim the earth as his and to quell the rebels. This is the culminating event in which is alluded to over and again by the Holy Prophets. It will take two lectures to cover the events that are discussed here as it is important to make sure that the entire Panorama is visible.

Revelation Reloaded 25: The Fall of Babylon Proper

Revelation Reloaded 25: The Fall of Babylon Proper

Terms to know:

Merchandise = the stock of goods in a store.[i]

Millstone = either of a pair of circular stones between which grain or another substance is ground, as in a mill.[ii]

Text:  Revelation 18.

Thesis: This event is most likely toward the end of the tribulation and right before the great battle of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. There is a great city that exists and serves as a seat to the Antichrist. This city is an economic powerhouse that is destroyed by the judgment of God. What happens is unknown but we know that the city of Babylon will be rebuilt and destroyed either at or right before Jesus returns.

Revelation Reloaded 24: The Great Harlot

Revelation Reloaded 24: The Great Harlot

Terms to know:

Harlot = a prostitute; whore.[i]

Text: Revelation 17.

Thesis: This is one of the most peculiar texts found in the book of Revelation and it seems that give us insight into a mysterious religious system that has prominence in the last days but is turned on and burned by the Antichrist and his cohort of 10 Kings. The spirit that is ruling this religious system has ruled every religious system from the Egyptians to the Romans and will be destroyed by the beast before the destruction of Babylon proper. This Babylon is mystery Babylon and it is a city. This is a parenthetical passage.

Revelation Reloaded 23: The Seven Vials

Revelation Reloaded 23: The Seven Vials

Terms to know:

Vials = A small container, usually with a closure, used especially for liquids.[i]

Text:  Revelation 15 & 16.

Thesis: We are at the close of the tribulation period and these are the last displays of wrath which take place and lead right up to the battle of Armageddon which we will be discussing in the coming lectures. This text should be sequentially connected to chapter 19 as 17 and 18 are relatively parenthetical.