July 10 2022
Today, Sunday July 10
What Does the Future Hold?
Revelation 19:1-5
“After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “AMEN. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.” Over the ages people have been asking the big questions. Who am I? Where am I from? What am I here for or what is my purpose in life, and where am I going? They have turned to the philosophers who have given them so many different answers that they are even more baffle and confused. They have turned to the scientists who have looked into the test tube with the microscope, and into outer space with the telescope to find the answer and their answers change with the latest discoveries. They have even turned to religion to find the answer, but with so many religions, how can you know which one is right and which one is false.
My friend, I’m convinced the Bible is the only source of truth that has the answer to these big questions! From the Bible I know by faith and fact that I am a special creation of God, created with great value in His own image (Genesis 1-3). This also answers the question as to why I am here and what is my purpose in life, which is to love my Creator and live for His glory. The last big question is where am I going? What does the future hold? Again, the scientist and philosophers have no answers. So, people have turned to palm readers, spiritism and astrology, which also leaves them confused as the answers vary depending on who they ask.
Peter tells us, “that we have the prophetic word of God confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19), and on that Word we can depend. We have that “Word” here in Revelation 19-20, where John has recorded five key events that will take place before God "wraps up" human history and ushers in His new heavens and earth.
First, Heaven will Rejoice when the final destruction falls on the religious, commercial, and political world system of Babylon. (Rev. 19:1-10).
Second, we are told that Christ will Return to the earth with His saints to destroy the armies of the Antichrist and throw him and his false prophet into the lake of fire. Then Satan will also be bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years (Rev. 19:11 – 20:3).
Third, Jesus and His saints will Rule and Reign over the earth for one-thousand years (Rev. 20:4-6).
Fourth, Satan will Revolt one last time against Christ when he is loosed from the bottomless pit at the end of the thousand years. (Rev. 20:7-10).
Fifth and finally, Sinners will be Recompensed at the Great White Throne Judgment, at the end of the thousand years (Rev. 20:11-15).
We will be looking at these events in more detail in the next few days.
They all begin with great praise in heaven. “After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God…” (v. 1). Notice that heaven will be populated with great numbers of people, and they will be shouting out “Hallelujah”! Which means, “Praise the LORD.”
It might be interesting to note that this word “Hallelujah” is used 24 times in the Old Testament and that this is first time it is used in the New Testament, and it is used here 4 times. May the Lord help us today to also sing this song of praise as we worship the Lamb of God who gave His life for us!
God bless!