148. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 42: The Kingdoms of this World Don’t Win

148. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 42: The Kingdoms of this World Don’t Win

Revelation 11:8-19   From the perspective of earth, things look pretty bleak in Revelation chapter eleven. Judgments are being poured out on the earth, people are refusing God’s grace, the enemies of God are celebrating the death of the two prophets, and righteousness seems to be losing. But then comes the hopeful line, “the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” When things look dark, look up. Christ is coming to reign. Behold, he comes quickly.

147. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 41: How’s Your Witness

Revelation 11:3-7   We read of two witnesses in Revelation 11, who stand up for God and confront the world. We should be striving to represent God in much the same way as these two ministers in our own lives in this world. Just like them, one day our work will come to an end, and after that we have the resurrection to look forward to. Don’t give up, your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

146. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 40: Measuring the Temple

Revelation 11:1-2   In these verses, John is told to go measure the future temple of God that will be instrumental in the tribulation. Perhaps the greatest lesson as we think about the temple down through the millennia is that God is always in control, whether we have an unfulfilled good desire, or are given the opportunity to participate in something we don’t deserve. God’s will is going to be accomplished, and we can trust in that. It’s real, tangible, and will certainly come to pass.

145. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 39: In the Secret Place, Part 2

Revelation 10:7-11   I love the fact that just as God paused the chaotic judgments to give John a glimpse of Himself in Revelation chapter 10, we too can spend time beholding Him each day and hearing His private voice to us (not audibly, but through His Word). Whether or not this message was directed to John personally, we can still be comforted by the sweetness of Scripture and challenged by the work God still has for us to do here. And we know this, one day it will all make sense. The wise shall understand.

144. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 38: In the Secret Place, Part 1

Revelation 10:1-7   In the middle of Revelation, God pauses the story of unfolding judgment that is to be poured out on earth to speak to John personally-to reveal Himself to John when he needed it most. This is one of the most touching and encouraging chapters in Revelation to me. Before we get to the application, we must understand the setting in the timeline of the book as well as the scene, who the angel is, the rapid culmination of God’s judgment, and the book that he is holding. Be sure to tune back in next week to hear the applications from this chapter.