BOOK OF REVELATION L10

last lesson
   -the 4 seals, represented by the 4 horsemen
   -the 5th seal abt the great tribulation which will last for 3.5 years

it is very clear that the antichrist will have a reign that last 3.5 years

the great tribulation intensity is so great and awful tt is unprecedented such as has not been since the beginning till this time

the elect are all the believers in the body of Christ

-Jesus wants us to watch and pray so that we can live our life with spiritual intelligence

-Jesus doesnt want us to believe in the false /fake so tt we maybe deceived

-we can see and link the 1st 5 seals to incidents, but for the 6th seal, we cant… its too unique

-out of the ruin judgement, will emerge a new redeem order

   -millennium reign of Christ (new heaven and new earth)

its a very impt day: "Day of the Lord"

there will be multiple earthquakes

5 things we need to know concerning the Day of the Lord

1. day of cataclysmic shaking

greatest earthquake / series of earthquake in human history and the whole world will be affected

its true fulfilment will be on the day of the Lord

2. the day of cosmic blackout

-the cataclysmic earthquake will cause wide spread fire, which may cause volcanos to erupt and thick smoke will darken the skies, blocking the sunlight and hence sun is darken

-while the sunlight is blocked, the moon will continue to shine, but taking a reddish appearance cos of the atmospheric dust and refraction… become like blood

-stars fell to the earth… their light cannot be seen cos of the thick smoke

-stars = aster (Gr)… it will hit the surface of the earth every abt 2000 years creating fire ball burning up before reaching our surface

3. Day of 2nd coming of Christ

-the Parousia (2nd coming) will happen on the day of the Lord

the dead in Christ will rise first… the resurrection of the dead

on the day of the Lord, there will also be a rapture

4. day of the resurrection and rapture

Parousia – personal, visible presence

5. the day of God’s wrath

-outpouring of God’s wrath upon the wicked

-brings an end of Satan on earth, no longer the ruler of this world

   -all evil, wickedness, oppression, persecution must finally come to an end

   -scale of injustice will be restored

   -Satan, the antichrist, the evil forces and his followers… God will release His fierce wrath on the earth to destroy

-the wicked and sinners were all shaking

-wrath and judgement is the only correct response to evil
-if God doesn't judge sin, He ceases to be God, the whole universe will be in chaos

-God's mercy triumphs over judgement
-God nv have pleasure in His wrath and judgement
-God has to rescue the righteous and the church

5 things on the day of the Lord
1. cataclysmic shaking
-everywhere will be shaking and everyone will be panic
2. cosmic blackout
-God will cause a "power-trip" in the heavens and the sky will be pitch dark
3. 2nd coming of Christ
-in the darkness, ppl will look up and see Jesus coming sitting on His throne, shining is glory and power
4. resurrection and rapture
-the body of the dead will be resurrected and the living believers will be raptured to meet the Lord in the air
5. God's wrath
-the proud and wicked, the evil and unrepentant will run in fear as God pours out His wrath to the whole world
*the day of the Lord is the day the Lord finally visits the earth in bringing redemption and judgement

Great tribulation -> cosmic blackout -> Day of the Lord

Jesus coming in His visible, physical presence

-the church will be gathered to Christ
   -resurrection and rapture

we are unable to predict when exactly is Jesus' 2nd coming.. but we should be prepared that it's closer and closer each day

things will be as normal...

rapture will be in a full view of the whole world! Not a disappearing action tt can't be seen

Jesus challenge His disciples to be ready, on guard, alert on His coming

parable of faithful and evil servants

-directed to those who are given the responsibility over the flocks
   -the servants were expecting the master's return
   -the evil servant was complacent, thinking that the master won't return so soon
A. Jesus wants to be gracious
   -the moment Christ returns, there's no more opportunity to put things right... so He waited for more to repent

B. we must ensure that our hearts are pure.. we are responsible to the flock under our care

parable of wise and foolish virgins

-bridegroom is expected to come, but he delayed
   -however when there is a need to wait, we tend to give up
-the lamp of the foolish virgins were no longer burning.. their hearts are no longer on fire for the Lord
-don't be so busy with life tt sometimes the fire is no longer burning

parable of talents

-the older we get, we need to utilize what God has given us
   -the man who received one talent hid it cos he is afraid
      -fear is something we must overcome.. it hinder us from the productive of service to the Lord

parable of sheep and goats

-do we have a heart of compassion to those who are in need
-we may not be able to meet every need out there and Jesus sees it and will help us to make a difference

-don't be indifferent towards

   -Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Word
   -resource, gifts that God has given to us
   -the needy ard us