Revelation 21

1
Revelation 21
New Hope in the midst of trouble
2
Old Tesament Prophecy - revisited

• God in control
• the creator (Is 6517, 6622) - now recreates
• the I am (Is 4812, Ex 314) - restates His
  eternal nature
• The Holy City
• temple central for worship (2 Chr 618) - God
  comes to His people
• The City where God dwells (Is 48, 52) - now is
  the church!
• Judgement
• violators of truth are treated as traitors and
  violators of law (Lev 26, Josh 7, Is 6616,17, 24)

3
How do we approach prophecy in Revelation?

• Not a recipe for future events
• Not a puzzle to be solved
• For the original audience
• the prophecies are now a reality!
• Its purpose is to reveal
• the nature of God Jesus
• the reasons for persecution
• promises for Gods faithful
• warnings to rebels

4
Revelation 21

• To the seven churches
• promise of an imminent reward for patient
  endurance
• reassurance that God is in control
• reminder of Gods intimate love for them
• warning to false teachers
• to Christians facing persecution today
• the message is as relevant as it was then

5
Revelation 21...

• to us
• should cause us to evaluate what is important
  eternity or earthly security?
• reminds us of our obligation to suffering
  brothers and sisters
• exhorts us to remain faithful - we are the bride!
• gives us a fresh glimpse of Gods awesome power
  and his amazing love
• should make us question who is the king? Is it
  me or is it God?