Posts in End Times
Living in the Tension

April 21, 2024

Revelation 11:1-14 — During the inter-advent period, the time between Christ’s first and second coming, we are called to witness, proclaim, and prophesy God’s judgment and salvation. During this time, the Lord protects his people, but believers are not exempt from persecution. Living in the here and now is complex and complicated. There are both joys and sorrows. We are living in the tension of the end times. We will be criticized, defamed, attacked, and some even killed. However, the Lord protects during the storms of persecution, and ultimately, God's people will be vindicated.

We resume our series on the book of Revelation, Come, Lord Jesus! Too many resources were used in this series to list them all. However, the following source shaped this series and the content of the sermons extensively: Thomas R. Schreiner, Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023). The following key resources were also used — Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); McKnight, Scot; Matchett, Cody. Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple (Zondervan. Kindle Edition); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002).

Read More
End Times, Eschatology, RevelationPieter TheronTag 01, Tag 02
A Bitter Sweet Calling

April 14, 2024

Revelation 10:1-11 — After the devastation and horror of the six trumpets, we may wonder, “Is there no hope? How long before the end? What is our calling in this interim time?” The Lord’s angel makes a great announcement to all of creation. There is hope. There will be no more delay. The time is short, soon, but the exact time and nature of the end is hidden. With the seventh trumpet, God’s mystery and plan will be accomplished and his promises fulfilled. During this time, we are to be faithful witnesses to the gospel and continue to proclaim the word of God. This is a bittersweet calling. It’s bitter because it proclaims God’s judgment on the unbelievers and also because the believers will suffer persecution. It’s sweet because it proclaims God’s salvation, the consummation of his kingdom, and the new creation. This bittersweet message gives us hope and encouragement.

We resume our series on the book of Revelation, Come, Lord Jesus! Too many resources were used in this series to list them all. However, the following source shaped this series and the content of the sermons extensively: Thomas R. Schreiner, Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023). The following key resources were also used — Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); McKnight, Scot; Matchett, Cody. Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple (Zondervan. Kindle Edition); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002).

Read More
End Times, Eschatology, RevelationPieter TheronTag 01, Tag 02
A Vision of Following Jesus Faithfully

April 7, 2024

Revelation 1:1-8 & 22:6-21 — “I am coming soon.” This is the focus of Revelation. Until our Lord Jesus Christ returns, we are exhorted to worship God alone, persevere in persecution, obey Him by living the kingdom life, and remain faithful witnesses to Christ. Revelation presents us with the vision of how to follow Jesus faithfully today. It’s a book for all times because it is about all time. It may be the most relevant Bible book to us today for our times and challenges. It’s God’s Word. Therefore, we must read Revelation with humility, wonder, and worship, doing due diligence with rigorous interpretation and obedient application in our lives.

We resume our series on the book of Revelation, Come, Lord Jesus! Too many resources were used in this series to list them all. However, the following source shaped this series and the content of the sermons extensively: Thomas R. Schreiner, Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023). The following key resources were also used — Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); McKnight, Scot; Matchett, Cody. Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple (Zondervan. Kindle Edition); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002).

Read More
End Times, Eschatology, RevelationPieter TheronTag 01, Tag 02
Worship God Alone

November 20, 2022

Revelation 9:12-21— We are to worship God alone. Idols deceive and destroy life. God pours out his wrath on the unbelieving world and rebellious humanity by allowing demonic forces to destroy their own followers. We must repent and turn away from our idols. Jesus calls us to a life of undivided devotion to and love for Him. Only He gives us true life and freedom. We worship God alone by giving all of our lives as living sacrifices to Him.

This is part of our sermon series on the book of Revelation, entitled, Come, Lord Jesus!

Although I have used many resources in this series, I give special credit to the following sources: Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); David E. Aune, Revelation, Word Biblical Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998); Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary Book 20 (Zondervan Academic); J. Scott Duvall, Revelation, Teach the Text Commentary Series (Baker Publishing, 2014).

Read More
Revelation, Eschatology, End Times, Return of ChristPieter TheronTag 01, Tag 02
The Lord Our God Rules Over All

October 23, 2022

Revelation 8:13-9:12— The sovereign Lord our God rules over all. He controls everything that happens in this world as He executes his judgments. He allows demonic and evil forces to serve his purposes to bring his judgments upon the unbelievers, evil, and sin. But He is in control because they can do only what He tells and allows them to do. Their actions are limited as God gives the unbelievers a final chance for repentance. This is a warning to all unbelievers that their idols are demonic. They deceive and kill their own followers. This is a wake-up call and encouragement to the church to endure in faithful witness to Christ and not to give in to the lure of these demonic idols.

This is part of our sermon series on the book of Revelation, entitled, Come, Lord Jesus!

Although I have used many resources in this series, I give special credit to the following sources: Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); David E. Aune, Revelation, Word Biblical Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998); Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary Book 20 (Zondervan Academic); J. Scott Duvall, Revelation, Teach the Text Commentary Series (Baker Publishing, 2014).

Read More
Revelation, Eschatology, End Times, Return of ChristPieter TheronTag 01, Tag 02
I Am the Lord Your God

October 16, 2022

Revelation 8:6-13— God pours out his judgments on earth to punish the unbelievers/earth-dwellers for their hardened hearts and idolatry; so that all will know that the Lord our God is One and He is God alone. There is no one like Him in all the earth. He is the Lord God Almighty and He rules. Those who live only for this world have no security and are doomed for destruction. Only in God is there true life. This is a call and warning for us to repent, identify, and get rid of our idols. We must put our trust in and find our security in God alone.

This is part of our sermon series on the book of Revelation, entitled, Come, Lord Jesus!

Although I have used many resources in this series, I give special credit to the following sources: Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); David E. Aune, Revelation, Word Biblical Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998); Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary Book 20 (Zondervan Academic); J. Scott Duvall, Revelation, Teach the Text Commentary Series (Baker Publishing, 2014).

Read More
Revelation, Eschatology, End Times, Return of ChristPieter TheronTag 01, Tag 02
Our Prayers Matter

October 9, 2022

Revelation 8:1-6— Our prayers are important and matter as we pray that God’s kingdom will come and His will be done. God responds to the prayers of his people by pouring out his judgments on the unbelieving world. God is in control, and the outpouring of his wrath on earth demonstrates his awesome sovereignty and power.

This is part of our sermon series on the book of Revelation, entitled, Come, Lord Jesus!

Read More
Revelation, Eschatology, End Times, Return of Christ, PrayerPieter TheronTag 01, Tag 02