A Certain Future in Uncertain Times

A Certain Future in Uncertain Times

Revelation 20

Considerations of the Kingdom

       Christian Considerations

       Revelation 20:2-7

Is the number 1,000 allegorical?

Does it matter?

Majesty worship His Majesty

Jewish Consideration

       - Prophets predict it (biblical); Jews believed it.

       - People wait patiently for it.   

              One of the 13 principles of faith

       - Passover Seder declares it: Next year in Jerusalem!

Satan Removed

       - He is bound for a thousand years

       - He is incapable of deceiving the nations

Israel will be regenerated

Israel Restored

       - Universal in scope

       -there will be long life, joy, no sickness

       -no weeping, no failures in work, peace, holiness, righteousness

LIFE ISN’T FAIR!

Israel Re-gathered

       Ezekiel 37

       Amos 9:15 – Planted forever

Jerusalem

       - Mountain of the Lord there

       - The throne is there

       - Temple located there

Who will be there?

       - tribulation survivors

       - Tribulation Martyrs

The centerpiece

       - His glorious return

       - His rule will be righteous

       - His reign is eternal

Conclusion

       Revelation 20:7-10

       1,000 years pass

       Satan is released      

Israel: Past, Present, Future

Romans 9:10,11

Chapters 1-3a                Sin

Chapters 3b-5               Salvation

Chapters 6-8                Sanctification

Romans 9-11                 Sovereignty

Chapter 9         Past                  Selected

            - Privileges

Chapter 10        Present             Rejected

            - Problems

Chapter 11         Future

Biblical Considerations

            Romans 9:6

            Romans 11

Key Questions

What method of interpretation is used when handling the scriptures? Literal or spiritual

Major position replacement theology

            - Knox Theological Seminary

                        D. James Kennedy

            - Ligonie Minismes

                        RC Sproul

            - Hank Hanegraff

                        Bible Answer Man

            - The Catholic Church

            - Most Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Episcopalians

Martin Luther

            - The Nazi researched him

Paul’s unfinished Business

            - Promised by the prophets

            - Priority of the Jewish People

            - Adavantage of the Jewish people

            - Yet we must deal with the Jewish rejection of Christ

            Romans 1:2; 3:1

Why are so few Jewish saved?

            It started well and then?

                        - Acts 2:41 records 3,000 saved

                        - Acts 4:4; 6:7 5,000 were saved

Paul’s outline of Israel’s Privileges

            - They are special

            - They are adopted Deuteronomy 14:1; Jeremiah 31:9

            - They had the glory

            - They had unconditional covenants

            - They had the law

Romans 10

Paul’s heart

Paul’s hurt

Paul’s hurray

Romans 11

May it never be

Look at me

Look at Elijah

Always has a remnant

God is moving: results of a focused life

Preparing for Worship: Results of a focused life

Joshua 3-4

I. Understanding History

            Israel; they have already crossed the Red Sea

                        - Delivered from Egypt

                        - Crossed the Red Sea

                        - Wandered in the wilderness

                        - It was time to “move”

            You and Me

                        - God’s working until now

                        - His desire to “move”

                        2,000 cubits = ½ mile

II. Gaining Focus

Ø  Joshua 3:5 Consecrate

Ø  Used the word “focus” = a narrowed purpose; concentrated effort or attention on a particular thing.

Ø  Emphasis on being devoted or pure vs. idea of taking away things

Ø  God says and continues to say “look at me”

Ø  Deuteronomy 8 – 9

Ø  They are under God’s direction

Ø  They wanted His direction to be seen, we don’t what is coming next.

Ø  It is a command

Ø  It is a wonder that God works in our hearts.

Ø  Be prepared, be focused.

III. Purpose of Focus

            A. Leads me to follow

                        God didn’t give details they just had to follow

           

            B. Prepares me to hear instructions

God is leading us we just need to follow, sometimes blindly. What is God asking you to do? Do we hear him or are we to busy to listen.

           

            C. Allows me to see God’s working

                        Tells them to stay back, so they could see God

                        Pay attention to God so you don’t miss a thing.

                        We need to focus in so we don’t miss anything

                        How have you seen God work?

           

            D. Compels me to remember

                        The rocks serve as a reminder

                        Remember is huge in the Bible

                        A visual reminder

                        Reminder was soon after the event, in involved work, intention, and effort.

                        A reminder for the people

                        God wanted them to remember God’s work and power.

                        How will you do to re-focus?

                        Use visual to refocus on God

                        God is intentional, God does everything on purpose.

            E. Results in God’s Glory

                        The hand of the Lord is mighty

                        We are here to glorify God

                        What are our results?

                                    Do they know God made me

                                    Do they know me or God better

                                    How is my relationship with God after ministering

                                    God’s work always points to God

God is working, pursuing, reaching, loving

Lets Get practical

            Leads me to follow

                        Follow…do the basics, read, pray, listen

                        Ask Him for His help, don’t expect Him to provide it.

            Prepares me to hear instructions

                        Set yourself up to listen

            Allows me to see God’s working

                        Expect God to be God

            Compels me to remember

                        Take steps to remember

                                    1. Journal

                                    2. Book

                                    3. Bulletin Board

                                    4. Basket of Rocks

                                    5. Scripture on the wall

Keep reminders of what God has done

            Results in God’s glory

                        - Keep perspective “God Help Me”

Find your time with God, Humble ourselves!