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Doctrine matters because… We love God. Belief shapes behavior. It informs our worldview. We need to be equipped to explain what we believe and why we believe it. God is... 1. Alone, like no other    - He is alone like no other in that… He does not depend He does not change 2. Alive, like no other        - He is alive like no other in that… He did not begin He will not end 3. Above, like no other    - He is above like no other in that… He is not limited by size or space He is not divided This attribute is the Unity of God -To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.   - 1 Timothy 1:17  

Doctrine matters because… We love God. Belief shapes behavior. It informs our worldview. We need to be equipped to explain what we believe and why we believe it. God has revealed Himself to us… Through His Creation Through His Son Through His Word God’s word is to your soul what food is to your stomach.   We consume, trust, and obey God’s Word… 1. Because it is Inspired  2. Because it is Inerrant  3. Because it is Instructive  If God’s Word is inspired, inerrant, and instructive, why wouldn’t we be in it every day?

“Is that your final answer?”  Because of the Resurrection, Jesus is The Final Answer! In the Final Answer… 1. We See the Final World v.14-15  2. We Know the Final Winner v.16   He is The Source “I sent” He is The Starter “root” He is The Savior “descendent” He is The Star 3. Many Offer the Final Welcome v.17  4. He Gives the Final Warning v.18-19  5. He Has the Final Word v.20a  6. We Hear the Final Want v.20b  Come, Lord Jesus!  

Before we leave this book, remember and reflect on… 1. The Reliability of the Revelation v.6  - If we believe Revelation is true, we must live our lives accordingly. 2. The Readiness of the Revelation v.7a, 12  3. The Reward and Repayment of the Revelation v.7b, 11, 12b       -Revelation teaches Recompense… Reward for the Righteous Reckoning for the Rebellious 4. The Restrictions of the Revelation v.8-10 Do Worship God ONLY Do NOT seal up the words of the prophecy of this book 5. The Reason for Revelation v.13 Jesus is the reason! He is The Revelation!  

Think about the best days of your life What made those days so special? Heaven is indescribably better than your very best day…everyday...for eternity. What is bound from Heaven and what is found in Heaven? 1. Bound From Heaven 21:22-27         The five “nos” of Heaven… No Separate Place for God v.22 No Solar Light v.23-24 No Secondary Security v.25a No Struggle to See v.25b-26 No Sin or Sinners v.27 2.  Found In Heaven 22:1-5          Believers will experience… The Water of Life v.1-2a The Tree of Life v.2b The Source of Life v.3 The Sight of Life v.4 The Light of Life v. 5 If you know Christ, the best is yet to come.  

We will be overwhelmed by…. 1. The Scene of Heaven v.9-11  2.  The Story of Heaven v.12-14  3.  The Size of Heaven v.15-17             -You measure what matters 4.  The Splendor of Heaven v.18-21 - How often do you dream or think of heaven? When I learn of a place of great beauty, some questions come to mind… Where is it? How do I get there? When can I go?Can I take others with me?

A believer looks forward to…  A New Totality v.1   A New Community v.2   A New Proximity v.3   A New Reality  v.4-5   A New Finality v.6-8  Live a life… Loving Him Longing for Holiness Looking for Heaven

In the lead up to the end… 1. The Devil Will Be Discharged v.7-9a  2.  The Defiers Will Be Decimated v.9b-10  3.  The Dead Will Be Doomed v.11-13, 15  4.  Death Will Be Defeated v.14 But because we know the ending… Satan can be resisted The lost can be warned You can face tomorrow Live today with the end in mind!  

It matters that you understand… 1. The Revelation of The Return of Christ           - This movement is seen in 5 ways… From Waiting to Watching 19:11-16 From Glory to Gory 19:17-19 From Lying to Dying 19:20-21 From Aggressive to Arrested 20:1-3 From Resting to Reigning 20:4-6 2. The Explanation of The Return of Christ  3.  The Invitation of The Return of Christ  

Two questions for our future… Do we desire to be known as a people characterized by the presence of God? Are you a person who desires the presence of God above all other things? In Psalm 84 we see a rhythm of life revolving around God’s corporate intimate presence in four ways. 1. There is Anticipation in seeking the presence of God together v.1-4 2. There is Preparation in seeking the presence of God together v.5-7      - But not the pilgrim on his way to meet God!  He goes from Full to Full. “Strength to strength”      - Preparing for the presence of God in corporate worship is more than just “showing up”. 3. There is Participation in seeking the presence of God together v.8-11a 4. There is Continuation in seeking the presence of God together v.11b-12 Take what He has done with you…and walk in it!

Two questions for our future…        1. Do we desire to be known as a people characterized by the presence of God?       2. Are you a person who desires the presence of God above all other things? Are you thirsty for God’s presence? A deep desire to be With Him causes us to… 1. Remember why He is worth thirsting for v.2-3 2. Drink and be satisfied! v.4-8 3. Be sustained in the battle v.9-11  

How can we pursue God’s presence?  Return – to Him daily  Receive – His wisdom through His Word  Relate – My heart to His in prayer  Repent – Of my sin He reveals  Release – My will and yield to His  Respond – To His will by obeying  Remain – Consciously try to “abide” with Him  

There are at least 5 parts to every wedding.  The last wedding in history will be no different. A wedding is not a wedding without… 1.  The Excitement v.6-7a   2. The Date v.7b   3. The Dress v.7b-8   4. The Guests v.9a   5. The Food v.9b   Have you accepted the invitation? Is the reality of this event on the calendar of your life keeping you encouraged? Have you joined the groom in making the invitation known?  

When God’s people celebrate judgment, it is a completely different song It is a song of... 1.  Exaltation 18:20 2. Vindication     18:21-24 3.  Affirmation 19:1-3    Hallel (praise) + Yah (Yahweh) = Hallelujah  Praise Yahweh! - God's people affirm:   What He Has  What He Does  What He Did  He has judged Babylon  He has avenged His servants  He has done so permanently and eternally 4. Participation 19:4-5  

As humans, our songs tell the story of our hearts. This soundtrack has three songs… 1. The Declaration of Defeat v.1-3       -Babylon represents the total culture of the world apart from God. 2. The Weeping of the Wicked v.9-19      - Kings – Those in power      - Merchants – Those in business      -Seafarers – Those in logistics 3. The Call to Come Out! v.4-8 The call to come out of Babylon is a timeless message to the people of God NOT to participate in the worldly behavior of those who embrace wickedness Association leads to participation Be IN the world but not OF the world Why come out of Babylon? So you don’t commit her sins So you don’t receive her punishment Come out of Babylon... Spiritually – nothing matters more than HIM Emotionally – overall attitude and identity Physically – taking care of your temple Sexually – eyes, body, spouse Relationally – do they see HIM in you  Socially – personal faith = public difference Professionally – your “why” at work is HIM