Podcast Introduction

This is Prophecy Friday, and we will complete the book of Revelation with the reading of chapters 18-22. I’m calling today’s show, “A New Creation.”

Comments on Revelation 18-22

There were a tremendous amount going on in these last five chapters of Revelation, and I’m only going to touch on a few highlights. 

In chapter 19 we saw those in Heaven giving thanks to God for bringing down Babylon and bringing justice to the woman who had killed and slaughtered those who believed in Jesus. It was a time of celebration and a time of worshipping and honoring God.

Then we saw the wedding supper of the Lamb. The Lamb is Jesus, and His bride is the church, those who are followers of Jesus. They are clothed in fine white linen, which is the righteousness that they have been given because of the grace of God.

And then we see Jesus, the King of Kings, sitting on a white horse. He is called Faithful and True. As it is translated in the version we read from today, “He is the One Who punishes in the right way. He makes war.” I like the way it reads in the New International Version: “With justice he judges and wages war.”

Some people have the idea that war is always wrong. Listen to the commentator J.A. Seiss:

“In the letter to the Laodiceans he (Jesus) was “the Faithful and True witness,” reproving and instructing his friends; here is the Faithful and True Warrior and Judge, for the punishment of his enemies. Heaven cannot be at peace with iniquity, and justice cannot be at amity with falsehood and rebellion. When sin is once incorrigible and incurable by remedial measures, it must be put down by force of arms. Mercy slighted and abused, brings the executioner. The world banded together in arms against its true Sovereign brings against it the sword of insulted majesty. Not as human kings and nations war—out of covetousness, pride, and an ambition for selfish greatness and dominion—but in absolute justice and right; and in strictest accord with every holy principle and every holy interest, he now unsheathes and wields the sword of infinite power. Dreadful is the carnage which follows, but no one can ever say that it is not precisely what was merited and demanded.”

And then the beast (or antichrist) and the false prophet, with the kings of the earth and their armies are gathered to wage war against Jesus as He sat on the white horse. But the beast and the false prophet were captured and thrown into lake of fire, and the rest were killed.

And after that, in chapter 20, an angel seized satan and threw him into the hole without a bottom, or as it translated in most versions, the abyss. But only for 1,000 years. This thousand year period is referred to by most as “The Millennium”, and during this time, Jesus reigns on the Earth, and the believers who had died before, reign with Him.

At the end of the Millennium, Satan is released from the Abyss for a short time, and he tries to wage war once again. But he is then thrown forever into the lake of fire.

After that is the Great White Throne judgment, where all are judged. Anyone whose name is not written in the book of life is thrown into the lake of fire, because God does not force anyone to spend time with Him in eternity. If you have not chosen to love Him of your own free will, He will respect that decision.

At the beginning of chapter 21, we see a new heaven and a new earth. It is a glorious new creation, and the beginning of an indescribably marvelous and wonderful eternity with God. God will actually dwell with us, and we will be able to see Him just as we see each other now. 

There will be no sorrow, no pain, no decay, no sickness, no sin, no temptation, no weakness at all of the flesh, because we will all be in our brand new glorified bodies. No strife, no wars, no envy, no hypocrisy. None of the things that bring us pain and heartbreak today.

My friend, after more than 68 years here on earth, I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to this time. I’m not going to do anything to shorten my time here, but I do not dread leaving this place either. How about you?

The New Jerusalem is described in chapter 21, and I believe that this is where we will live, but with twelve gates (which never close) in the four walls, I believe that we will be free to come and go. There will be an eternity to worship around the throne of God, but I believe we will also be doing other things in that eternity. What sort of things? I don’t know. 

I do know that God is an infinitely creative God, and as His sons and daughters in our glorified bodies, I believe that He has some infinitely creative plans for us! Jesus paid the ultimate price to buy our admission into this eternity, and as His bride, we are in store for an incredible eternity that we cannot even begin to imagine.

Are you with me? I want to see each and every one of you there. Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and as your Savior? Oh, I hope so. 

If you are not sure that your name is written in the Book of Life, if you don’t know for sure where you will spend eternity, or that you will be with the Lord in Heaven, then there is no better time than right now to settle it once and for all.

Jesus said,“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

John 3:16 says, “For God loved the world so much that he gave  his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

If you want to know that you will go to Heaven when you die, then all you have to do is pray this simple prayer. Pray with me: Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I have broken your commandments and fallen short of your standards. I turn from that sin now, and ask you to come into my life. I ask you to be my Lord, my Savior, my friend and my God. I put my faith in you, Jesus, to save me from my sins. Thank you for loving me. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, and you meant it in your heart, congratulations. Welcome to the family. You are now a brand new person. You are forgiven, and your eternity is forever changed. I would like to send to you, at no charge, a very special NT that has hundreds of notes in it to help you get a solid start as a new believer. It’s called the New Believer’s Bible, and it is my gift to you. All you need to do is email me at st***@*************ia.com and tell me your name and address so that I can put it in the mail to you right away. I promise not to spam you or sell your information. I just want to help you get a good start on your new life. st***@*************ia.com. In the subject line, just enter New Believer. 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 18-20 NLV; Ch. 21-22 CEB

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The Team

Transcript Correction: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Denise
Podcasting 2.0 Chapters: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Sean of San Pedro and Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Michael Haner
Show Art: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Scott Snider and Lifespring Family Berean Jason Paschall
Newsletter Publisher: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Brittaney