Revelation Intensive 2015-16 New City Church Week 3 – Eschatology of a Victorious Bride

I.

Your Eschatology Determines Your End Time Vision A. Most confusion about the events in the Book of Revelation come from a lack of discernment concerning “Eschatological Frameworks”. Eschatology simply means “study of the end-times.” B. There are four basic Eschatological Frameworks Bible scholars teach from: i. Historic Pre-millennialism ii. Amillennialism iii. Post millennialism iv. Dispensational Pre-millennialism C. Each Eschatological framework uniformly interprets the scripture from its own viewpoint. D. The trouble with not studying the scriptures ourselves, is that we tend to mix information from various Eschatological Frameworks: the result is utter confusion. E. To study as a group, we really have to pick an Eschatology and go with it. F. Because the fundamental theology behind each eschatological framework is different, only one can be right. It is important for each of us to decide which we believe, and then to know which “well we are drinking from” as we study the Bible. Here is my very simplistic summary of the four popular frameworks: 1. Historic Pre-millennialism: This eschatology believes in the literal end-time fulfillment of the prophetic revelations in the Bible. It typically holds that the Church is raptured to be with Jesus at the 7th trumpet in Revelation, following the Great Tribulation. Historic=early church Pre-millennialism=Jesus returns before the millennium (1,000 year reign of Jesus to renew the earth as described in Revelation 20).

1 Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Early church historians (i.e., Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian ) indicate the original apostles and disciples held to this eschatology for approximately the first 300 years of Church history. It holds that what has been made available to believers in the past (i.e., the Holy Spirit) is still available. This is my eschatology, and the things I write and teach are from this framework. 2. Amillenialism - believes there is not really a 1,000-year physical reign of Jesus, and that the prophetic declarations regarding the millennial reign, including the events leading up to it in the Book of Revelation are symbolic of what takes place in our hearts. To hold this view requires that we believe the 150 chapters in the Bible describing the return of Jesus are primarily symbolic, and that God is primarily interested in us overcoming sin in our own hearts. This view generally promotes a commitment to holiness, which is awesome, but disregards much of the prophetic information in the Bible, which is not awesome. This is a common view of the Catholic tradition, made popular by Augustine in approximately 400 ad. 1|Page

Revelation Intensive 2015-16 New City Church Week 3 – Eschatology of a Victorious Bride

4. Post Millennialism - holds that Jesus returns after the millennium, and that we are actually in, or nearing, the millennium right now. The Savoy Declaration of 1658 contains one of the earliest creedal statements of a postmillennial eschatology. This view is very optimistic, believing that "revival" will make everything better and better until Jesus returns. This view makes much of Revelation either symbolic, or mostly already fulfilled by past events (like the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.). Much of the scripture has to be disregarded to hold this view, since revelation describes the moon turning red, the sun turning black, 100 lb hail killing millions, meteor showers hitting the earth, global war, pestilence and famine killing over one half of the world's population in 3.5 years, which has obviously never happened. This view has been hijacked in the past to promote socialism and communism as projects to bring “heaven to earth” in advance of Jesus’ return. This view typically focuses on revival and its great effect on transforming the earth and hearts, which is awesome, but it requires disregarding or taking as symbolic much of scripture, which is not awesome. This eschatology is popular in some large charismatic movements (i.e., 7 Mountain Mandate). 3. Dispensational Pre-millennialism - dispensational = God deals with each Church age differently, with different "dispensations" of relationship with God available to each one. Dispensational Premillennialists are typically, but not always, “cessationists”. Believes Jesus returns to rescue to the Church "from tribulation" rather than keep the Church "through tribulation." This eschatology has a very negative view of the earth and Jesus’ plans for it, often leading to escapism or fatalism. This eschatology holds the extra-Biblical views that Jesus returns twice, and that the gifts of the Spirit experienced by the Acts church stopped operating after the Bible was written. This view was first proposed in 1830 by a man named John Nelson Darby. The Scoffield Reference Bible was written to support this eschatology and the resulting theology that came from it. This view has widespread popularity. This view supports a literal reading of the prophetic scriptures, which is awesome, but denies the great victory of the end time Bride operating in the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit and requires extra-Biblical beliefs, which is not awesome. G. Once we establish which framework we are working from, we can sort out what the book of Revelation is describing. II.

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My Eschatology – Historic Premillennialism A. I have settled on Historic Pre-millennialism for the following reasons: i. It takes a straight-forward LITERAL interpretation of the Bible, and minimizes symbolic interpretation of the intense events described by the prophets and in the Book of Revelation. Only things stated to be symbolic by the word itself are taken as symbolic. ii. It is what those closest to Jesus believed. It is by far the oldest Eschatological framework, according to established Church historians. iii. History and current events both support the common-sense understanding and application of this eschatology, that we will share in the same experience of the

Revelation Intensive 2015-16 New City Church Week 3 – Eschatology of a Victorious Bride

first believers: 2 Revelation 1:9-10 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, iv.

In MY opinion, Historic Premillennialism values all of the teachings of the Bible as necessary to ENDURE and GROW IN VICTORY through the end time tribulation events:

3 Matthew 24:9-14 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. v.

Historic Premillennialism is the only eschatological framework that establishes that a truly victorious Bride will emerge PRIOR to JESUS’ return and THROUGH the events of Revelation, in agreement with what Jesus prayed for in John 17:

4 John 17:13-21 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. 20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. vi.

Jesus will get what He prayed for. Historic Premillennialism affirms that in a literal way, as the first disciple lived it out. B. You don’t have to subscribe to a certain eschatology to learn from those who teach from the eschatology. BUT, you need to discern the eschatology of any Bible teacher to correctly understand their view. C. Teachers should know their own eschatology. III.

The Eschatology of a Victorious Bride A. A main and plain reading of the Book of Revelation indicates seven divided churches in Revelation 2 and 3 become “ready” in the form of one pure and spotless Bride THROUGH the end time events:

5 Revelation 19:5-9 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!" 6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great 3|Page

Revelation Intensive 2015-16 New City Church Week 3 – Eschatology of a Victorious Bride

multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." B. The “bright” fine linen described in Revelation 19 is the restoration of the glory covering lost in Genesis 3, which will allow mankind to be back in the presence of God C. This brightness/readiness will EMERGE as the end time Bride grows in submission to Jesus’ leadership THROUGH the end time events. This was the eschatology of the writers of the New Testament: 6 1 Timothy 6:10-16 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. D. Jesus is INFINITELY bright. Being in His presence requires preparation, or being “made ready”…saved is not the same as ready. Jesus told saved people to be ready: 7 Matthew 24:42-44 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. E. Readiness is entirely related to living in the light (sanctification), which gives vision to the coming of the Lord. Responding to the Lord’s warnings gives us the promise of not only knowing when He is coming, but being ready for it: 8 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

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Revelation Intensive 2015-16 New City Church Week 3 – Eschatology of a Victorious Bride

IV.

The End Times are the Greatest and Worst Time to Be Alive A. Jesus will prepare the earth for His return by giving people over to their desire slowly, before He returns. B. Everyone is going to get what they want in a progressive and incremental way, as the restraining hand of the Holy Spirit is lifted from mankind’s desire as God described in Genesis 11 (Tower of Babel). The end time Babylon and her leader, the antichrist, will both emerge:

9 2 Thessalonians 2:2-6 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. C. The end time is the time of revealing of the harlot, the antichrist, the Bride, and Jesus! D. This will produce deep darkness…the deepest darkness earth has ever seen, but will ALSO will produce the most righteous generation earth has ever witnessed. 10 Isaiah 60:2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. E. Jesus showed his disciples that the re-emergence of mankind’s glory covering would be the main evidence of the “kingdom coming” 11 Matthew 16:27-28 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." 12 Matthew 17:1-9 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid." 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead." F. Jesus’ glory will be seen on earth exactly as He prayed for it in John 17: through the unity of His Bride with Jesus and each other

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Revelation Intensive 2015-16 New City Church Week 3 – Eschatology of a Victorious Bride

13 John 17:22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: G. The process of the Tribulation, and then the Great Tribulation, will result in many being made great or least forever, as evidenced by their BRIGHTNESS, which they will be covered with forever. H. This desire to respond to the return of Jesus will make many great as they partner with Jesus to “adjust the eyes of the earth” to be ready to see Him. This is clear doctrine in both the Old and New Testament: 14 Daniel 12:1-4 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. 4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." 15 Matthew 5:14-19 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. I.

Responding to this invitation will result in leadership roles in Jesus’ government (crowns) forever:

16 2 Timothy 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. J.

Not everyone will have a crown (governmental leadership role) in the age to come, but only those who LOVED Jesus’ appearing. Many will LOSE their crown, or authority to rule with Jesus, as they fail to respond to the intensity of the end time events:

17 2 John 1:7-8 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 18 Revelation 3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 6|Page

Revelation Intensive 2015-16 New City Church Week 3 – Eschatology of a Victorious Bride

K. The response to this reality will forever be reflected in our resurrected bodies and in our proximity to Jesus. L. On ONE DAY the truth of our love for Jesus will forever be reflected in our garments, our station in life, and our proximity to Jesus’ physical presence: 19 1 Corinthians 15:40-43 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 20 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. M. The measure we are willing to follow Jesus in the way, will forever be reflected in how near we will be to Him: 21 Mark 10:35-40 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask." 36 And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 37 They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" 39 They said to Him, "We are able." So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared." N. The end time tribulation, the worst time earth has ever seen, will produce one generation who has the most grace to respond to the invitation to greatness. If tribulation is good for a believer, great tribulation is GREAT for a believer: 22 Romans 5:2-5 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. O. One generation responding to tribulation by going hard after holiness, wrestling through the night WITH God, is what will open heaven and make the earth ready to receiving Jesus in glory: 23 Psalms 24: 3-6 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 7|Page