Calvary Chapel Central - Phoenix and Arrowhead

S0956 The 7 mountains are 7 kingdoms that comprise political Babylon and they all support the harlot. In other words they are all in support of the pagan idol worship in rebellion against the true God. 5 of these great kingdoms have come and gone. According to Daniel and our history books they are Persia, Greece, Egypt, Assyria, and of course, Babylon. One of these kingdoms was in existence at John’s time. It was the Roman Empire. The other is “yet to come” and will last only “for a short time.” This last kingdom corresponds with the toes in Daniel’s image and as we know most feet consists of 10 toes. It is most likely that this yet future “kingdom” will the 10-nation confederacy comprising the European Common Market. This Last great “kingdom” will last only through the 1st 3 1/2 years of the tribulation.

S0957 The Babylonian system (since time began) had caused millions to offend the Lord and miss their opportunity for Heaven. For that, “with violence”, she will be utterly destroyed. All the things that once made her beautiful will be completely destroyed. The musicians, the great builders, even the sound of commerce: no joy that weddings bring. There will not even be a trace of light in the city. She is held accountable not only for all the Apostles, and the Prophets, and all the saints that were killed because of her, but also for every human life that was “seduced” by her.

S0958 Now we move into what is probably the most beautiful part of the Revelation. Seeing Jesus return as KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS. Verse 1 contains the famous HALLELUJAH CHORUS. The “great multitude” in heaven break out in praise to the Lord. The word hallelujah is a combination of hallal = “praise”, and yah = short for “Jehovah”. So the meaning is actually “praise ye the Lord”. In the New Testament, this word occurs only in this chapter and is used 4 times in verses 1 through 6.

S0959 In one mighty act of God, the beast and the false prophet are captured and forever confined to the “lake of fire”. They are its first occupants. It is only later that the devil and everyone who has rejected Jesus as Lord will join them. (Rev 20:10, 15) All the “kings of the earth” somehow had hope that they would defeat the Lord and His redeemed army until now. Now it has become evident that they were lied to by satan, but it is too late.

S0960 Remember the saints all dressed in white wedding robes? It seems that those “white robes” are also the garments of kings and priests. Revelation 1:6 . . . has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. You see the saints, during the millennium, will be assigned individual thrones of authority and judgment and co-reign with Christ.

S0962 The angel shows John the source of this water flowing through the city. He had already shown John that there would be no more seas on this new earth. No doubt John couldn’t figure the nature, or the source of this water. This “river of water of life”, (the source of water in the New Jerusalem) has been referred to throughout Old and New Testaments. Almost always, in the bible – our physical need for water is used as an example of an even greater thirst. It is symbolic of our need for the Lord. We can go for 40 days or so without food, but only a brief time without water. Likewise, the Lord never intended for us to live without Him. It has always been His desire to be our “Thirst Quencher”. Right down the middle of the “street of gold” flows this river of life, and both sides of the river are lined with the “trees of life”. These trees have fruit that constantly produce, and they produce a different variety each and every month for 12 months, then the cycle is repeated. The important part is that each fruit contains, (as does the river), LIFE. There is every indication that this is the same tree offered in the Garden of Eden, also called the tree of life.

S0931 Pastor John explains the different views of interpreting the book of Revelation. The position taken will greatly affect the conclusions. He also covers chapter one and the Apostle John's visitation in which was given the Revelation.

S0933 The church in Smyrna suffered great persecution and great poverty, but held on to the Truth. The First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life - reassured them that He had conquered death and that whatever happened in this life - there was more to come. The over-comers would see Jesus and suffer no more.

S0934 Lehman Strauss called the church at Pergamos, "The Church Infiltrated". Never has the church been more "infiltrated" than it is today. The church in Pergamos fellowshipped with sin and compromise without rebuke. The church is and always has been full of sinners, but most of those sinners (though not "sinless") are growing and desire to sin less.

S0935 The Lord reveals to John that the Church in Thyatira abounds in love but they have allowed evil to remain in their fellowship. Good deeds do not excuse false doctrine and God will be the final judge of their actions.

S0936 Sardis was “The Dead Church”. They had a name, but very little life. They were most likely busy doing many religious things - perhaps even impressing many people, but the Lord judged them as dead. This is a lesson to all Christians that Jesus desires relationship over activity. It is more important for us to know Him, than it is for people to know us.

S0937 Pastor John continues his study in Revelation with a closer look at the Church in Philadelphia. The Lord commends the Church in Philadelphia for their patience and their willingness to endure for the gospel of Christ.

S0938 Pastor John takes a look at the last church addressed in Revelation, Laodicea. Laodicea was known for its monetary wealth but, in the Lord's eyes, they were spiritually bankrupt.

S0939 After addressing the churches God begins to reveal to John what will happen after the church is ruptured from the earth. Pastor John teaches that God's mercy is exceedingly great but He is also righteous and just. There will come a time when the end has come and those who have not accepted Christ will face the final judgment.

S0940 As John is "in the Spirit" he sees that there is no one to open the scroll and it grieves him to the point of tears. Then the elder shows him the Lamb-slain, the only one who is worthy to open the scroll. Jesus begins to reclaim what has always been His - the earth and everything therein.