Revelation and Christmas

Jeff Gordon

Revelation 21

Continuing to consider Heaven, this passage brings one to consider why God would welcome sinners into Heaven. Through this and other verses in the Bible, it is clear that He does this out of a desire to relate with His people. God created people in His image, and He worked through them to restore their relationship with Him. The new "Temple" is revealed to be God now dwelling with His people, instead of separately from them. There is a large reference from Tozer's "The Pursuit of God".

God's Eternal Kingdom (Part 1)

Gary DeLashmutt

Isaiah 25:6-9

The eternal kingdom of God will be a material place, will be primarily about relationships, and will be a place of healing. The main reason to believe that this will be a real place is because of God's flawless record of fulfilling his predictions. God says that entrance is absolutely free, and only requires asking God for the forgiveness purchased by Christ.

Eternal Life

Lee Campbell

Revelation 21:1-4

After John describes Hell, he changes gears in this passage to focus on Heaven. The passage and other supporting verses in the Bible describe Heaven as: 1) "earthy" in some way, 2) interesting and relational, 3) living with God, and 4) free of brokenness. The importance of choice by every individual is emphasized. Christians are encouraged to think more about Heaven and look forward to it.

The Final Judgment

Gary DeLashmutt

Revelation 20:11-15

In John's vision of the final judgment, he sees that all those who are judged are condemned and sentenced to hell. Many raise objections to the idea of hell, but the Bible abundantly answers these. Contrary to the idea of many, living a good life is not what saves people but instead it is by receiving Christ's offer of forgiveness.

Final Judgment

Jeff Gordon

Revelation 20:11-15

John describes a scene where the Book of Life is opened, and the dead are judged by God. Anyone whose name did not appear in the Book of Life was thrown into the "lake of fire", which represents Hell. While considering different perspectives on Hell, Scripture is clear that Hell is eternal and a choice. God's wrath and goodness are questioned and explained, and Christians are encouraged to share the Gospel to help people make their own decision about how they want to spend eternity.

Jesus' Millennial Kingdom

Gary DeLashmutt

Revelation 20:1-10

In John's vision of Jesus' 1000-year kingdom on Earth he sees that it begins with Satan's binding and ends with Satan's brief release followed by his final judgment. Countless numbers of Old Testament passages predict a time in history when the Messiah rules with His people, particularly in the book of Isaiah. There is a sound basis for knowing this will really happen in the hundreds of biblical predictions that have already been fulfilled. We have the opportunity to be participants in this period of history by receiving Christ.

Jesus Speaks

Dennis McCallum

Revelation 1:1-19

A revelation from Christ appears to John, which he records in this letter. John emphasizes the importance of listening to the message God presents here because the time of Christ's return will be sudden. He directs the letter to the seven churches in Asia. The significance of the number seven, the mourning of all people in light of Christ's sacrifice, and John's conviction to write this letter are explored. Several ways to interpret Revelation (preterist, historical, futurist, idealist, and blended) are critiqued, followed by John's description of an intense vision of Christ.

The Resurrection

Scott Risley

Mark 16:3-4

The resurrection of Jesus Christ has been portrayed by some scholars as a nice parable for modern, rational people. If the resurrection was not a literal, historical event; however, the ramifications for Christianity and humanity as a whole would be life-altering, and so the evidence must be examined thoroughly. The accounts given in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John present a complete picture of the events that transpired on that Sunday, and through studying them skeptics and believers alike can gain a realistic and accurate perspective of the resurrection.

It all turns out to be true!

Dennis McCallum

John 20:1-31

Three days after Jesus' death on the cross, Mary Magdalene, John and Peter discover his tomb to be empty. Regarding the empty tomb, several theories have been posed to account for the event, but the most rational explanation that also explains the effects after the cross is that Jesus physically resurrected as he had predicted. Without this being true, Jesus' claims would be completely false, his followers would be liars and the Bible would be worthless. Since there is real evidence that his resurrection happened, then Jesus is true; he is the sole authoritative spokesman for God and God accepted his sacrifice as adequate. As a result, there is a basis for an afterlife and having a new life in Christ.