Summary: Jesus, the king of all creation, is with his people for eternity.
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What Happens Next? Revelation 21: The New Heaven, Earth & Jerusalem
Chapter 21 can actually be subdivided into two large sections. The first deals with the new heaven and new earth in verses 1-8, The second deals with the new Jerusalem in verses 9-26.
Vision three of Revelation contrasts the two rival cities, the prostitute Babylon and the bride New Jerusalem. In chapters 17–18 John foresaw the prostitute city’s doom. In chapters 19–20 the Lamb-Bridegroom’s wedding was announced. Now, at last, the third vision concludes with a brief scene of the holy bride city. At once John is ushered into his fourth and final vision (21:9–22:5). This time, he is shown the bride city in detail. The most wonderful part of the final vision, however, is his portrait of Jesus among his people throughout eternity. – Easley, K. H. (1998). Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 393). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
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What Happens Next? Revelation 20: The Millennium; The Great White Throne
“The two competing major solutions should be summarized briefly, even at the risk of oversimplification. The first one that developed in Christian history usually goes by the names millennialism (Latin mille, “thousand,” and annus, “year”) as well as premillennialism. In this solution, the return of Christ will be followed by the visible, earthly kingdom of Christ and his people on earth that lasts numerous 365-day years, probably a thousand. After this, there will be one final battle in which the last human rebels will be crushed, the devil will finally be cast into eternal torment, the final judgment of humanity will occur, and at last there will be a new heaven and new earth. Chapter 20 is a central point in this view, especially the perceived literary unity between the closing verses of chapter 19 and 20:1–3, where the “demonic trinity” meets its judgment. This solution faded into obscurity for more than a thousand years of Christian history but has reemerged in the past two centuries in several forms.
The second major solution was urged by Augustine in the early medieval period. It completely dominated Christian thinking both throughout the Middle Ages and throughout the Reformation era. It still finds many devout, Bible-believing proponents, and is usually called amillennialism. In this solution, the return of Christ described in Revelation 19 is preceded by the invisible, spiritual kingdom of Christ and his people that lasts throughout the period between his First and Second comings. After this, there will be one final battle in which the last human rebels will be crushed, the devil will finally be cast into eternal torment, the final judgment of humans will occur, and at last there will be a new heaven and new earth.
Bitter theological battles have been fought over which view is correct. The more this writer has studied Revelation and the rest of Scripture on the millennial question, the more difficult it has been to decide. Both views have strengths. Both views have weaknesses…” – Kendell H. Easley, Revelation, vol. 12, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 367–368.
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Exegetical Notes: Psalm 100
- A psalm used in the temple to accompany sacrifices of praise.
- Similar Psalms: 47; 93; 95-99.Celebrating God’s kingship, sovereignty, majesty, etc.
- “God is not merely Creator and Ruler of the world. He is also Founder, Guardian, Lord, and Shepherd of His Church. His people should exhibit their sense of this relation, and especially give it expression in public worship, in order that all the world may discover that this God is the only God, to adore whom, men of all lands should unite with the Church.” – John Peter Lange et al., A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Psalms (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2008), 515.
- “We have here, 1. A strong invitation to worship God; not that God needs us, or any thing we have or can do, but it is his will that we should serve the Lord, should devote ourselves to his service and employ ourselves in it; and that we should not only serve him in all instances of obedience to his law, but that we should come before his presence in the ordinances which he has appointed and in which he has promised to manifest himself (v. 2), that we should enter into his gates and into his courts (v. 4), that we should attend upon him among his servants, and keep there where he keeps court. In all acts of religious worship, whether in secret or in our families, we come into God’s presence, and serve him; but it is in public worship especially that we enter into his gates and into his courts. The people were not permitted to enter into the holy place; there the priests only went in to minister. But let the people be thankful for their place in the courts of God’s house, to which they were admitted and where they gave their attendance.” – Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 887.
1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
- This psalm was sung as people approached and entered into the temple for worship. See verse 4a.
- “Make a joyful noise” – One word in Hebrew which means “raise the noise”, or “to shout”. We might say, “sing loudly”.
- “to the Lord” – God’s creation wasn’t meant to celebrate haphazardly, but to celebrate with one focus. Our celebration should be directed to The Lord. APP: It is often most easiest to celebrate when you’re in the presence of that which you wish to celebrate. Consider watching football on TV vs going to watch one in person.
- “all the earth” – An all inclusive call. “All y’all” or “everybody up in here”. Maybe not now, but one day it will be. APP: Consider this your invitation to join in this choir.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing
What Happens Next? Revelation 19: The Victorious Christ
In chapter 19 we see the beginning of an exciting finish for the book of John and for the timeline of history as we know it. Christ is celebrated. The church is purified. Satan is defeated. Jesus executes righteous judgment and is the supreme victor.
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What Happens Next? Revelation 18: The Great City Falls
When God destroys the final product of civilization, a great wicked city, its commerce and culture will vanish forever because it enticed people away from true religion and holiness and into false religion and impurity.
Kendell H. Easley, Revelation, vol. 12, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 325.
- Chapters 17 and 18 go together as a unit. 17 focuses more on what was seen, 18 more on what was heard.
- The chapter can be understood from two different perspectives. A heavenly one in verses 1-8, and and earthly perspective in 9-ff.
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What Happens Next? Revelation 17: The Prostitute
John has a vision of human civilization, religious but independent of God, blossoming for one last time as a splendid city supported by Antichrist. The city is personified as a gorgeous prostitute drunk on the blood of God’s people yet doomed to be destroyed by Antichrist and his forces. – Kendell H. Easley, Revelation, vol. 12, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 302.
- Chapters 17-21 feature the personification of two systems, worldview, and allegiances. The first, here, described as a prostitute, the other, later, described as a virtuous bride.
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Exegetical Notes: Titus 2
Titus 2.1-15 – Strive For Spiritual Excellence
Paul’s purpose is to encourage Titus to encourage others to live their lives with certain godly behaviors, or marks of genuine salvation.
Paul addresses a variety of groups here (older men, older women, young women, younger men, bondservants).
Which leads us to conclude that no one who receives Christ as Lord should remain unaffected by the Holy Spirit in their lives. As a person experiences and understands the truth of God’s Word, their conduct must follow the internal work of the Spirit on their lives.
Exegetical Notes: Titus 1
Titus 1.1-16
- BUILD UP BELIEVERS 1.1-4
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
- “a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ” – these designations give Paul authority to write to Titus.
- Notice Paul did not use his position as an apostle as a tool of leverage, but he understands apostleship as service.
- See Matt. 23.1-11.- 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
- “Jesus Christ” – Paul understood himself to be a servant because he correctly knew that Jesus was the one and only Lord.
What Happens Next? Revelation 16: 7 Bowls of Wrath
In six scenes, bowls of divine wrath demolish the realm of nature and the realm of Antichrist. In the seventh scene the whole world is engulfed in one final catastrophic judgment. – Kendell H. Easley, Revelation, vol. 12, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 282.
1-9 – Wrath Upon Creation
10-16 – Wrath Upon The Beast
17-21 – Final Consummation Of Wrath (Armageddon)
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