Historical Posts
Revelation 01:18 He Lives – audio
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Text: Revelation 1:18
I. Christ lived!
A. He was born of a virgin as prophesied and witnessed by the wise men, Simeon, Anna, and others – Matthew 1; Luke 2
B. Jesus grew, and amazed many with His wisdom and understanding – Luke 2:52
C. Jesus was baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness – Matthew 3:15
D. He performed many miracles as multitudes witnessed.
E. He overcame temptation, witnessed by the devil – Matthew 4
F. Jesus taught His disciples, the Jews, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and countless others.
II. Christ died!
A. He was falsely accused and put on trial:
i. They placed a crown of thorns on His head.
ii. He was struck, spat upon and mocked.
iii. He was crucified on a cross.
iv. His side was pierced with a spear.
v. Darkness covered the sky.
vi. The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
vii. The earth quaked, the rocks were split, and graves were opened.
B. Witnessing these events, the centurion and guards confessed “truly this was the Son of God.” – Matthew 27:54
C. Joseph of Arimathea:
i. Wrapped the body of Jesus.
ii. Lay His body in the tomb.
iii. Rolled the large stone to guard the entrance.
III. Christ arose!
A. The tomb was empty!
i. The stone was rolled away.
ii. The linen clothes and handkerchief were neatly folded separately.
B. An angel declared,
i. “He is risen”
ii. “why do you seek the living among the dead?”
C. He appeared to:
i. Mary
ii. The apostles
iii. Some on the road to Emmaus
iv. Saul of Tarsus
v. Over 500 at one time!
IV. Christ lives forevermore!
A. Romans 6:3-5, 8-11
B. 1 Corinthians 15:1-26, 54-57
C. 2 Timothy 1:10
D. Acts 2:22-24
V. Because of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we can live forever!
A. Eternal life is in Christ alone – John 11:25-27; 1 John 5:10-13 John 10:10
B. To be in Christ, one must be baptized into Christ – Galatians 3:27
C. All spiritual blessings are in Christ – Ephesians 1:3
D. Just as Christ died, was buried, and rose again, we must die to sin, be buried with Christ, and be raised to walk a new life – Romans 6:1-5
E. Man must die except Christ should come first, but then what? – Hebrews 9:27
Content by Richard Dillon
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Revelation 3:1 Autopsy on a Dead Church Member – powerpoint – audio
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Revelation-03-01-01-Autopsy-on-a-Dead-Church-Member.pdf
Revelation-03-01-01-Autopsy-on-a-Dead-Church-Member.pptx
Text: Revelation 3:1
- Causes of Death
– Starvation – 1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-14; Matthew 5:6
– Spiritual Diabetes – Isaiah 30:9-10; Jeremiah 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:3-4
– Sclerosis of the Giver – 2 Corinthians 9:7; Luke 12:19-20
– Sunday Sickness – John 4:23-24; Hebrews 10:24-25 - Big Head – Proverbs 16:18; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Proverbs 21:24; 1 Timothy 3:6
- Busybody – 1 Peter 4:15; 1 Timothy 5:13
- Big Mouth – James 1:26; James 3:6-8; Proverbs 10:19; Proverbs 17:28
- Stiff-Knecked – Acts 7:51; 2 Chronicles 30:8
- Always Looking Back – Luke 9:62
- Too Busy – Matthew 6:24; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 10:37-39
- Patting Himself on the Back – Luke 17:10; Matthew 6:3-4
- Finger Pointing – Matthew 7:3-5; 2 Corinthians 13:5
- No Backbone – 2 Timothy 1:6-7; 2 Timothy 4:1-2
- Straddling the Fence – James 3:9-12; 1 Kings 18:21
- Sitting in the Pew – Proverbs 22:13; James 2:18; Titus 2:14
- Full of Envy – Proverbs 14:30; Galatians 5:26; Proverbs 23:17
- Can’t Bend the Knee – Ephesians 3:14; Romans 14:11
- Won’t Spread the Gospel – Romans 10:14-15; Matthew 10:32-33
Content by Ralph Price
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Revelation 14:13 Righteous Dead
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(The Blessed State of the Righteous Dead)
Text: Revelation 14:13
Introduction
1. In describing the Revelation that was shown to him, John heard words of comfort…
a. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'” – Revelation 14:13a
b. “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” – Revelation 14:13b
2. What else does the Bible say about the state of the righteous dead…?
a. In regards to the intermediate state?
b. That period from the moment of one’s death until the resurrection of the last day?
[The answer depends upon what covenant was in force. But in both testaments we find words and imagery that suggests a condition of blessedness for the righteous dead. Consider what we find…]
Body
I. DURING THE OLD COVENANT
A. WORDS THAT COMFORTED…
1. The death of God’s saints was precious in His sight – Psalm 116:15
2. The death of the righteous was rest and peace, confronting evil no longer – Isaiah 57:1-2
— Such words hinted of a blessed condition of the righteous dead in OT times
B. IMAGERY THAT CONSOLED…
1. The beggar Lazarus was consoled and comforted – Luke 16:19-22,25
2. The reference to Moses places this during the Old Covenant – Luke 16:29-31
3. Jesus’ account accords somewhat with Greek concepts of Hades
4. The Greek conception of Hades was that of a locality receiving into itself all the dead, but divided into two regions, one a place of torment, the other of blessedness. – ISBE
5. Greeks referred to the place of torment as Tartarus; Peter also – cf. 2 Peter 2:4
6. Jews viewed the place of blessedness where Abraham was as Paradise – Barnes
7. Jesus later promised the thief that he would be in Paradise – Luke 23:43
8. Which between His death and ascension must have still been in Hades
a. For after His death Jesus descended to Hades – cf. Acts 2:27
b. Yet after His resurrection He had still not ascended to Heaven – cf. John 20:17
— The story of Lazarus and the promise to the thief on the cross illustrates the blessed state of the righteous at that time
[While the Old Covenant was still in effect, little was revealed about the state of the righteous dead. We now live under the New Covenant, where more is revealed and the blessedness is even greater…]
II. DURING THE NEW COVENANT
A. WORDS THAT COMFORT…
1. Paul viewed his impending death as a departure, using “a metaphor drawn from loosing from moorings preparatory to setting sail” (Thayer) – 2 Timothy 4:6
2. Peter used the Greek word exodos (translated “decease”), meaning “exit”, the same word used to describe the Exodus of Israel from Egyptian bondage – 2 Peter 1:15
3. Paul wrote of death as a gain, something far better than living – Philippians 1:21,23
4. He looked forward to being with Christ, at home with the Lord – Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8
5. He described the righteous dead as asleep in Jesus, yet living with Him, and coming with Him – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14; 5:9-11
6. He described Paradise as now in the third heaven (the presence of God!) – 2 Corinthians 12:1-4
a. Could the location of Paradise have changed from Hades to heaven?
b. Many believe that such occurred at the ascension of Christ, as suggested in Ephesians 4:8-10
— Death for the righteous now promised something far greater!
B. IMAGERY THAT CONSOLES…
1. Jesus made promises that clearly refer to the eternal state, after the Judgment
a. The right to the tree of life – Revelation 2:7; cf. 22:2, 14
b. Not hurt by the second death – Revelation 2:11; cf. 21:8
c. Names not blotted out of the Book of Life – Revelation 3:5; cf. 20:12, 15
2. Yet also those that refer to the intermediate state, between death and the resurrection
a. To reign over the nations with Christ – Revelation 2:26-27; 3:21; cf. 20:4-6
b. To walk with Him in white, clothed in white garments – Revelation 3:4-5; cf. 7:9-17
— Jesus describes blessings for the righteous dead prior to eternal state!
Conclusion
1. The condition of the righteous in the intermediate state has always been one of bliss…
a. As depicted by the story of the rich man and Lazarus
b. Yet that only describes the condition while the Law of Moses was still in effect
2. The New Testament indicates that the condition of the righteous dead changed after Jesus ascended to heaven, so that…
a. Paradise is now in the presence of God in heaven
b. Faithful Christians can look forward to being with Christ upon their death
c. The righteous dead are now in the presence of Jesus, comforted by Him and serving God in His temple, even reigning with Him!
3. “But if righteous dead are in heaven now, what happens after the resurrection and judgment…?”
a. God and Jesus will dwell with them in heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven into a new heaven and new earth – cf. Revelation 21:1-22:5
b. A promise Peter and the early Christians looked forward to – cf. 2 Peter 3:13
4. Wonderful are the words John heard from heaven…! “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Revelation 21:08 A Journey Through Hell – powerpoint – audio
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Text: Revelation 21:8
Revelation-21-08-08-A-Journey-Through-Hell.PDF
Revelation-21-08-08-A-Journey-Through-Hell.PPTX
References:
Matthew 7:13-14
Luke 16:22-23
Mark 9:43-48
Matthew 25:41
Luke 12:4-5
Revelation 20:13-15
Revelation 21:8
Pilate (Indifferent):
– Matthew 6:24
– Matthew 12:30
– James 4:17
Pharisees (Corrupt):
– Luke 7:29-30
– Matthew 23:15
Demas (Materialist):
– 2 Timothy 4:10
– James 4:4
– 1 John 2:15
Agrippa (Hesitant):
– Acts 26:28
– 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
Demetrius (Idolator):
– Acts 19:23-29
– John 4:24
– Revelation 21:8
You or I?
– 2 Corinthians 13:5
– 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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