Point of Grace International
PGI - October 9, 2022 Sunday Service
In our church we aim to make it feel like a home, where strangers feel they are part of the family, where smiles are overflowing and hugs are natural, because we believe that life is a journey, and that we are simply channel of blessings. In our church we value three things, gratitude because it's the proper response to God, excellence because God expects nothing less, and grace because we all need it.
Locations & Times
Point of Grace Church
15601 Sheridan St, Davie, FL 33331, USA
Sunday 9:30 AM
https://www.facebook.com/PGIFortLauderdale
LYRICS FOR TODAY'S SONGS
CCLI License # 1613304
CCLI License # 1613304
Sermon Notes
October 9 | Revelation 12 ISG
Literary Analysis
1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman…
3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads.
The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born.
5 She gave birth to a son who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.
6 The woman fled into the wilderness…
7 Then war broke out in heaven.
Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 9 The great dragon was hurled down
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. 11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness…
15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent.
16 But the earth helped the woman…
17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring —those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.
Context
“In 11:1–14 we saw a symbolic depiction of the church being protected by God as the temple in which he dwells (11:1, 2), and we saw a symbolic depiction of the church’s prophetic witness throughout church history (11:3–14). Then in 11:15–19 the seventh trumpet was blown at the midpoint of the book of Revelation. I think that here in 12:1–17 we have another symbolic depiction of the church being protected by God and testifying to the gospel throughout church history. The center of the whole book is the announcement that Christ is King in 11:15–19. The section before that announcement is matched by the section after that announcement, and they say the same thing in different ways: God will protect his people against all satanic opposition, and God’s people will proclaim the gospel until the kingdom comes. Satan wants to accuse God’s people before God, but Jesus has defanged him.”
Excerpt From: James M. Hamilton Jr. “Revelation (PTW).” Apple Books.
Recap
“Act I of Revelation concluded with the blowing of the seventh trumpet and the announcement that “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (11:15). The cycle of devastating plagues had ended, God’s slain witnesses had returned to life, judgment had fallen on a part of humanity, and the rest ascribed glory to God. The twenty-four elders, who regularly appeared in scenes of heavenly celebration, returned to the stage singing praises to God for taking the royal power that was rightfully his (11:16). But as the chorus of praise resounded in the celestial halls, an ominous undertone could be heard, indicating that the end of Act I was not the end of the drama, for the time had come for “destroying those who destroy the earth” (11:18).
As the curtain rises on Act II, the audience prepares for a renewed attack of divine powers that will culminate in the final destruction of the forces of evil. Readers have already seen intimations of the direction that the story will take. In the visions of the temple under siege and of the two witnesses giving testimony at the cost of their own lives, Christian readers could see how their own communities were called to bear witness to God’s truth in the face of social opposition and threat. A mysterious beast ascended from the smoke of the bottomless pit just long enough to slaughter God’s witnesses before vanishing as quickly as it came (11:7), but it will soon be back so that readers can see more starkly the powers that oppose the faithful. The previous chapter showed that God’s witnesses did not suffer in vain, for God vindicated them and brought many to repentance, but the sinister presence of the beast and other powers must be brought to an end.”
Excerpt From: Craig R. Koester. “Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition.” Apple Books.
Suggestions for Reflection on Ch. 12
On the complex nature of the wilderness (1-6).
These verses speak of the wilderness, in both its OT and NT forms, as a place of complexity: it is where God protects His people, yet also a place of danger. How do we find the place of God’s presence in the midst of a hostile world? What is the nature of the safety or security He provides? What can we legitimately ask for in that respect?”
On the battle in the unseen world.
In vv. 7-12, John presents an astounding insight into the unseen world. What light does this shed on Paul’s comment, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood … but against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12)? Christians can commit two errors, either being oblivious to the spiritual battle or being fixated on or fearful of demonic powers. How do these verses give us a balanced perspective?
On confronting the attack of the enemy by understanding God’s sovereignty (13-17).
How is it true that Satan’s rampaging on earth is actually a reflection of his defeat in heaven and a portent of his ultimate doom? How can it be true that at the same time as the authority of Christ has been established in heaven, the devil is free to attack God’s people on earth with great wrath? These verses present a view of the utter sovereignty of God in all things. Even the work of the devil occurs only on terms determined by God. How critical is it that we hold to a biblical view of the sovereignty of God, given that God’s people will surely suffer during their earthly lifetimes? How do we find comfort in the fact of the establishment of God’s rule in heaven even as we face trials on earth?”
On the ebb and flow of spiritual battle.
In vv. 13-17, we see portrayed both the violence of the enemy’s attack and the magnificence of God’s protection. The wings of the great eagle are given to the woman even while the serpent pours out water like a flood to destroy her. When there is a victory for the woman, the enemy becomes enraged and takes the battle elsewhere. How does this portray the ebb and flow of spiritual battle both through the ages and in our own personal experience? How can we take comfort in the midst of the storm that at some point God will deliver us? And how do we avoid the delusion in times of peace that times of testing will never come — which sometimes thus find us unprepared?”
Excerpt From: G. K. Beale,David Campbell. “Revelation.” Apple Books.
October 9 | Revelation 12 ISG
Literary Analysis
1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman…
3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads.
The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born.
5 She gave birth to a son who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.
6 The woman fled into the wilderness…
7 Then war broke out in heaven.
Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 9 The great dragon was hurled down
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. 11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness…
15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent.
16 But the earth helped the woman…
17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring —those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.
Context
“In 11:1–14 we saw a symbolic depiction of the church being protected by God as the temple in which he dwells (11:1, 2), and we saw a symbolic depiction of the church’s prophetic witness throughout church history (11:3–14). Then in 11:15–19 the seventh trumpet was blown at the midpoint of the book of Revelation. I think that here in 12:1–17 we have another symbolic depiction of the church being protected by God and testifying to the gospel throughout church history. The center of the whole book is the announcement that Christ is King in 11:15–19. The section before that announcement is matched by the section after that announcement, and they say the same thing in different ways: God will protect his people against all satanic opposition, and God’s people will proclaim the gospel until the kingdom comes. Satan wants to accuse God’s people before God, but Jesus has defanged him.”
Excerpt From: James M. Hamilton Jr. “Revelation (PTW).” Apple Books.
Recap
“Act I of Revelation concluded with the blowing of the seventh trumpet and the announcement that “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (11:15). The cycle of devastating plagues had ended, God’s slain witnesses had returned to life, judgment had fallen on a part of humanity, and the rest ascribed glory to God. The twenty-four elders, who regularly appeared in scenes of heavenly celebration, returned to the stage singing praises to God for taking the royal power that was rightfully his (11:16). But as the chorus of praise resounded in the celestial halls, an ominous undertone could be heard, indicating that the end of Act I was not the end of the drama, for the time had come for “destroying those who destroy the earth” (11:18).
As the curtain rises on Act II, the audience prepares for a renewed attack of divine powers that will culminate in the final destruction of the forces of evil. Readers have already seen intimations of the direction that the story will take. In the visions of the temple under siege and of the two witnesses giving testimony at the cost of their own lives, Christian readers could see how their own communities were called to bear witness to God’s truth in the face of social opposition and threat. A mysterious beast ascended from the smoke of the bottomless pit just long enough to slaughter God’s witnesses before vanishing as quickly as it came (11:7), but it will soon be back so that readers can see more starkly the powers that oppose the faithful. The previous chapter showed that God’s witnesses did not suffer in vain, for God vindicated them and brought many to repentance, but the sinister presence of the beast and other powers must be brought to an end.”
Excerpt From: Craig R. Koester. “Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition.” Apple Books.
Suggestions for Reflection on Ch. 12
On the complex nature of the wilderness (1-6).
These verses speak of the wilderness, in both its OT and NT forms, as a place of complexity: it is where God protects His people, yet also a place of danger. How do we find the place of God’s presence in the midst of a hostile world? What is the nature of the safety or security He provides? What can we legitimately ask for in that respect?”
On the battle in the unseen world.
In vv. 7-12, John presents an astounding insight into the unseen world. What light does this shed on Paul’s comment, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood … but against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12)? Christians can commit two errors, either being oblivious to the spiritual battle or being fixated on or fearful of demonic powers. How do these verses give us a balanced perspective?
On confronting the attack of the enemy by understanding God’s sovereignty (13-17).
How is it true that Satan’s rampaging on earth is actually a reflection of his defeat in heaven and a portent of his ultimate doom? How can it be true that at the same time as the authority of Christ has been established in heaven, the devil is free to attack God’s people on earth with great wrath? These verses present a view of the utter sovereignty of God in all things. Even the work of the devil occurs only on terms determined by God. How critical is it that we hold to a biblical view of the sovereignty of God, given that God’s people will surely suffer during their earthly lifetimes? How do we find comfort in the fact of the establishment of God’s rule in heaven even as we face trials on earth?”
On the ebb and flow of spiritual battle.
In vv. 13-17, we see portrayed both the violence of the enemy’s attack and the magnificence of God’s protection. The wings of the great eagle are given to the woman even while the serpent pours out water like a flood to destroy her. When there is a victory for the woman, the enemy becomes enraged and takes the battle elsewhere. How does this portray the ebb and flow of spiritual battle both through the ages and in our own personal experience? How can we take comfort in the midst of the storm that at some point God will deliver us? And how do we avoid the delusion in times of peace that times of testing will never come — which sometimes thus find us unprepared?”
Excerpt From: G. K. Beale,David Campbell. “Revelation.” Apple Books.
ISG Material
Study & Reflection Guide
1. Revelation 12 is about the entire history of the Israel-Church.
2. Reflect on the concept of wilderness (1-6). How do we find the place of God’s presence in the midst of a hostile world?
3. Reflect on the concept of spiritual battle (7-12). How do you explain Ephesians 5:10-12? What are the ways we make an offensive in this area?
4. Reflect on the concept of God’s sovereignty and our vulnerability to the attacks of the devil (13-17). How critical is it that we hold to a biblical view of the sovereignty of God, given that God’s people will surely suffer during their earthly lifetimes? How do we find comfort in the fact of the establishment of God’s rule in heaven even as we face trials on earth?”
5. Reflect on the concept of victory (11-12, 17). How can we take comfort that at some point God will deliver us? And how do we avoid the delusion in times of peace that times of testing will never come — which sometimes thus find us unprepared?” What is the real meaning of overcoming/victory of the enemy? (Romans 8:31-39)
Study & Reflection Guide
1. Revelation 12 is about the entire history of the Israel-Church.
2. Reflect on the concept of wilderness (1-6). How do we find the place of God’s presence in the midst of a hostile world?
3. Reflect on the concept of spiritual battle (7-12). How do you explain Ephesians 5:10-12? What are the ways we make an offensive in this area?
4. Reflect on the concept of God’s sovereignty and our vulnerability to the attacks of the devil (13-17). How critical is it that we hold to a biblical view of the sovereignty of God, given that God’s people will surely suffer during their earthly lifetimes? How do we find comfort in the fact of the establishment of God’s rule in heaven even as we face trials on earth?”
5. Reflect on the concept of victory (11-12, 17). How can we take comfort that at some point God will deliver us? And how do we avoid the delusion in times of peace that times of testing will never come — which sometimes thus find us unprepared?” What is the real meaning of overcoming/victory of the enemy? (Romans 8:31-39)