When Christ took the Throne, there was a moment in heaven of unique tension, and most especially in the mind and heart of John who seeing that there was none to open the scrolls began to weep for there was in his mind a dilemma as the plan of God could not be carried out until the scroll problem was solved. Christ solved this problem through his death, burial, and resurrection, and as He took the throne He did so as one having been given the responsibility and authority to carry out the plan outlined in that scroll. Much of revelation is given over to the reading of what lies within it, and so ..read more

Joseph Fowler - Revelation: The Unveiling ..read more

Joseph Fowler - Revelation: The Unveiling ..read more

The depth of the rebellion and idolatry of Israel is manifestly exhibited here in Revelation, where we find a warning given to a people who have no hope to respond in repentance. In fact the warning, though not expressed in half-hearted fashion is more a full throated condemnation against the city that rejected the Messiah. More than a condemnation we also find the exhortation to those who are righteous to continue to walk in righteousness for God will bring with Him reward, in addition to just desserts. To the obedient a promise of peaceful dwelling, to the rebellious the promise of a life ba ..read more

We are reminded of what John has already written concerning the nearness of Christ's coming in judgment against the city of Jerusalem, the city wherein He was crucified, having been rejected and sentenced to death by those who rejected Him as the Messiah. What Christ has to say is faithful, it is true, and His words are to be the very foundation upon which we build our lives, shape our action, and establish our hope ..read more

Having examined the people of God, who are made new in Christ Jesus, by His work of reconciliation will bring all men through the process not only of justification, of adoption, and sanctification, but also that fulfilling act of glorification, wherein all who are in Christ Jesus will be fully redeemed, body and soul, never to feel the effects of sin again, comforted, exalted, dressed in the imperishable garment. John's vision of the heavenly city, coming to earth, perfect in righteousness and exalted in glory, we now see the characteristics of this city where God will dwell with men in the ag ..read more

One final enemy will remain at the end of this age, one enemy that only Christ can and has promised to bring to utter destruction, ruin, and then banished for all eternity it that pit of brimstone and fire. That enemy is the one mentioned here, Satan. Again, when we come to a text in Revelation there are some questions we need to ask of it, and also lean upon the answers that I have already answered concerning past verses. When is Satan loosed, what will be the fall out of him being loosed, and what else takes place in that time? Let us look at those questions. In addition to those questions t ..read more

This morning the subject shifts, for us, from the nature of the millennium and the binding of Satan, to the significance and event of the resurrection and what John is speaking of when he speaks the resurrection as it applies, namely to what looks like two distinct groups in the verses 4-6. Those who experience resurrection unto life with the Redeemer of sinners, and those who are raised unto everlasting judgment. What are these resurrections and what role, even now, do the saints possess until the coming of Christ Jesus? Praise be to God that there is life beyond the grave, that there is purp ..read more

It must be said from the outset that the chapter before us, Ch. 20, is a chapter over which there is no small amount of debate as to its meaning and when and how, as a prophetic word, it has been or will be fulfilled. This chapter, more than any other is a kind of summation of the whole of revelation and is particular point wherein eschatological positions are taken and reinforced. Let us not be thwarted however by disagreement, for this is not the only passage of Scripture over which students of the Bible differ, for they are many and that is testimony not to the lack of perspicuity or clarit ..read more

There two things we see this morning from John's apocalyptic letter to the churches in Asia Minor: that Christ rides forth into battle through the work of the Church on earth, and He will rule nations through the means which He has set up through the power and glory of His Word and Spirit. Second, through the establishment of the glory of His name, in this age we call the millennia, Satan and His forces will be defeated such that the final enemy to be destroyed, at the time of Christ's second coming is death itself. Until then the kings and powers of earth, even outposts and expressions of Sat ..read more