The End of Time
Teaching Notes
How do you like your stories to end?
Teleology - an explanation of something that refers to its end, purpose or goal.
Eschatology - the final event in the divine plan; the end of the world.
We make chaos but we are made for completion.
No matter the rattle or the shaking, we can be unshakeable. We can stand firm and be steadfast because…
“...confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Apostle Paul - Philippians 1:6ἐπιτελέω - epiteleō: complete; accomplish
The Vision
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
Revelation 1:17-19
Three Themes in Revelation
The Story’s Call To Faithfulness
The Story’s Central Character
The Story’s Completion
Revelation is not a secret predictive code we have to crack to work out when the world will end. It is first and foremost a letter to encourage the early churches in their cultural context. Despite all the speculative end-time controversies connected with Revelation, it is a book written in real time, to real Christians who were part of actual churches in the first century. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea. In each of these cities real flesh-and-blood people like us gathered together as the kingdom family.
The God Story, Emerson & Cox
The Story’s Call To Faithfulness
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
Revelation 14:12
ὑπομονή - hypomonē, steadfastness
“Patient Endurance”7X’s used in Revelation and 32 times throughout the entire NT
The Story’s Central Character
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power,for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Revelation 5:6-15
“They may have been surrounded by the empire ideology and threat, but the one who was really ruling over the universe is a meek, crucified God. Sacrificial Love had dismantled every other empire…This is the ultimate direction of The God Story plot. All of history is on a throne-ward trajectory heading towards the feet of the humble resurrected King, Jesus!”
The Story, Emerson & Cox
The Story’s Completion
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
Revelation 21:1-6
Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.
Peter, Acts 3:21
When Will Jesus Return?
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Jesus, Matthew 24:36
How Will Jesus Return?
Don’t get so wrapped up in YOUR THEORY that you miss THE STORY!
This is THE STORY, but is it YOUR story?
Setlist
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
Redemption Has Come- Life Church Worship
Our God(Conquered The Grave)- Mitch Langley
A Thousand Hallelujah’s- Brooke Ligertwood
Blessed Assurance- Elevation Worship
WFC Speedway
Glorious Day- Kristian Stanfill
Trust In God- Elevation Worship
House of Miracles- Brandon Lake
Blessed Assurance- Elevation Worship
Be sure to save our Spotify Worship Playlist, updated weekly with the upcoming Sunday’s set!