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Point of Grace International
PGI - November 20, 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
Revelation 19:1-10 ISG
Literary Analysis
1 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, 2 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.”
3 Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”
4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Summary
“The new section of Rev. 19:1-6 (perhaps extending to 19:8) actually continues the last literary segment of ch. 18 (18:20-24) and may be seen as the conclusion of that segment by emphasizing Babylon’s fall. The phrase after these things refers primarily to the vision of Babylon’s demise, especially as portrayed in 18:20-24. After the preceding vision and extended audition (18:1-3 and 4-24 respectively), John hears something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, proclaiming Hallelujah! This is the Greek transliteration of a Hebrew phrase meaning “Praise the Lord!” God is to be praised because salvation and glory and power belong to Him alone. The entire assembly of the saints praise God at the consummation of history (vv. 1-3, 5b-8) for His judgment of Babylon and His accomplishment of salvation for His people by His mighty power.”
On the nature of our praise of God. Often our praise of God is focused on what He has done for us — whether our salvation or things related to our daily lives. Yet here the praise of the saints is centered on who God is and what He has done entirely apart from the circumstances of our individual lives — the fact that His judgments are righteous and true, the fact that He has judged the harlot, and the fact that He reigns over all. While there is nothing wrong with our praising God for what He has done in our lives — it is always a good thing to acknowledge His faithfulness and providential mercies toward us — how often do we step back and thank Him simply for who He is and what He has done in the wider context of His creation, and what He has done simply for the glory of His name?
On the refining of believers. The commentary states that Babylon’s existence was necessary in that it provided the occasion for the refining of believers necessary for them to enter the eternal kingdom. How often do we view those who cause us pain as undesirable obstacles to be removed, rather than seeing the possibility that God has placed them in our lives to bring forth His character in the face of suffering? What is more important — our earthly comfort, or the forming of Christ within us? The fact that God detests the wickedness of Babylon and will certainly judge it does not prevent Him from using it to accomplish His purposes in our lives.
On the white clothes as both gift and reward. The commentary presents the view that the white clothes are both a gift from God and a recognition of our righteous conduct in this life. All righteousness comes from God, yet those who receive His gift of righteousness and walk in it will be rewarded. This helps us to understand the refining process better. No matter what the suffering, there is a heavenly reward — and what greater reward could there be than being finally identified with Christ through resurrection and having a permanent place in the new eternal creation in God’s intimate presence (on which see 21:1–22:4)?
Excerpt From: G. K. Beale,David Campbell. “Revelation.” Apple Books.
Revelation 19:1-10 ISG
Literary Analysis
1 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, 2 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.”
3 Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”
4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Summary
“The new section of Rev. 19:1-6 (perhaps extending to 19:8) actually continues the last literary segment of ch. 18 (18:20-24) and may be seen as the conclusion of that segment by emphasizing Babylon’s fall. The phrase after these things refers primarily to the vision of Babylon’s demise, especially as portrayed in 18:20-24. After the preceding vision and extended audition (18:1-3 and 4-24 respectively), John hears something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, proclaiming Hallelujah! This is the Greek transliteration of a Hebrew phrase meaning “Praise the Lord!” God is to be praised because salvation and glory and power belong to Him alone. The entire assembly of the saints praise God at the consummation of history (vv. 1-3, 5b-8) for His judgment of Babylon and His accomplishment of salvation for His people by His mighty power.”
On the nature of our praise of God. Often our praise of God is focused on what He has done for us — whether our salvation or things related to our daily lives. Yet here the praise of the saints is centered on who God is and what He has done entirely apart from the circumstances of our individual lives — the fact that His judgments are righteous and true, the fact that He has judged the harlot, and the fact that He reigns over all. While there is nothing wrong with our praising God for what He has done in our lives — it is always a good thing to acknowledge His faithfulness and providential mercies toward us — how often do we step back and thank Him simply for who He is and what He has done in the wider context of His creation, and what He has done simply for the glory of His name?
On the refining of believers. The commentary states that Babylon’s existence was necessary in that it provided the occasion for the refining of believers necessary for them to enter the eternal kingdom. How often do we view those who cause us pain as undesirable obstacles to be removed, rather than seeing the possibility that God has placed them in our lives to bring forth His character in the face of suffering? What is more important — our earthly comfort, or the forming of Christ within us? The fact that God detests the wickedness of Babylon and will certainly judge it does not prevent Him from using it to accomplish His purposes in our lives.
On the white clothes as both gift and reward. The commentary presents the view that the white clothes are both a gift from God and a recognition of our righteous conduct in this life. All righteousness comes from God, yet those who receive His gift of righteousness and walk in it will be rewarded. This helps us to understand the refining process better. No matter what the suffering, there is a heavenly reward — and what greater reward could there be than being finally identified with Christ through resurrection and having a permanent place in the new eternal creation in God’s intimate presence (on which see 21:1–22:4)?
Excerpt From: G. K. Beale,David Campbell. “Revelation.” Apple Books.
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Study & Reflection Guide
1. What do you think is the main message of Revelation 19:1-10? (hint: verses: 2,7 & 10)
2. How are the concepts of salvation, glory and power (19:1) understood in the context of what the Roman Empire provides to its citizens? Why does John ascribe these to God instead?
3. The Hebrew word, “Hallelujah” was mentioned three times in 19:1-4, why do you think the third was mentioned with the word “amen”?
4. What do you think is the connection between “the Lord God Almighty reigns” to the “marriage of the Lamb has come” in the context of Isaiah 25:6-9? In your own words, describe what it means to say that God reigns presently amidst the seemingly invincible Babylon.
5. What does it mean to “hold on to the testimony of Jesus” (19:10)? How can followers of Jesus encourage one another to hold on to the testimony by simply gathering together consistently? (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Study & Reflection Guide
1. What do you think is the main message of Revelation 19:1-10? (hint: verses: 2,7 & 10)
2. How are the concepts of salvation, glory and power (19:1) understood in the context of what the Roman Empire provides to its citizens? Why does John ascribe these to God instead?
3. The Hebrew word, “Hallelujah” was mentioned three times in 19:1-4, why do you think the third was mentioned with the word “amen”?
4. What do you think is the connection between “the Lord God Almighty reigns” to the “marriage of the Lamb has come” in the context of Isaiah 25:6-9? In your own words, describe what it means to say that God reigns presently amidst the seemingly invincible Babylon.
5. What does it mean to “hold on to the testimony of Jesus” (19:10)? How can followers of Jesus encourage one another to hold on to the testimony by simply gathering together consistently? (Hebrews 10:23-25)