Higher Aim With Dr. Curt Dodd

Last time, as we discussed Revelation chapter 15, we saw the wrath of God being described. In today’s chapter of focus, this final barrage, seven bowls of wrath are released upon the planet. This wrath is released upon all of the inhabitants, all at the same time. Nothing is held back; all of it happens immediately. Can you imagine all of this happening at once by the hand of God? This is sobering indeed! So as we study this chapter, we learn a lot about what is going to happen in the end times in regards to God’s wrath.

It is important to understand a basic truth. Before the worst of the worst is poured out upon an unbelieving mankind, we should grasp the reason for God’s wrath, and that is this: God is just! Many of us struggle with questions like, “Is it fair? Does it make sense? Why should I have to go through this?” The answer is simply this, especially for those going through the Great Tribulation, God is just! That truth is what we’re going to unpack in this message.

In our culture today, we don't understand God’s wrath. We would rather focus on God’s love, but Scripture balances the God of love with the God of justice. You need to understand that His love is also balanced with His wrath. If you emphasize one of the characteristics of God without looking at the other characteristics of God, you are not seeing a clear picture of God. In today’s key passage of Scripture, we are speaking of God's wrath and aiming to understand how that balances with His love.

Our world has fallen so far, and oftentimes we don’t even realize how far we’ve fallen. We live on a sin-filled, broken planet. It’s as sad and simple as that. But thankfully, because of Jesus, that’s not where the story ends. We aren’t stuck like this forever. Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, there is victory to be claimed! That’s what we read about in today’s key passage as we continue our study of Revelation. This final book of the Bible is filled with a lot of heavy content about the end times, but it’s also full of hope because it reminds us that in the end, Jesus is victorious, and because we are on His team, we are victorious too!

Revelation chapter 20 gives us a majestic view of what God will do in the days to come. Earlier in the book of Revelation, John saw that the evil one was behind the dragon, antichrist, and false prophet. Now he is seeing the visions and pictures of the Lamb. He assures us that we will get to see the Lamb's Victory. So as we dive into this chapter, we’ll see that these 20 verses will be full of all kinds of pictures and images. Allow them to seep into your heart and mind and understand that through these small visions and images, we can have a broad picture of what is to come.

As you know, we are taking one step after another to unpack the Book of Revelation. Today, above all days, your eyes will be opened. Today, we are looking at Chapter 13. It will literally catch you off guard, but it should open your eyes as never before. You will realize how close we are to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches us that the Second Coming of Jesus is twofold. First, there is the Secret Coming of Christ for His Saints; that is called the Rapture of the Church. We will immediately be with Christ at that moment in time. There will be a vacuum in this world when believers leave this planet. The Great Tribulation will last for a period of seven years. The first three and a half years will not be as bad as the horrible and disastrous last half of the Great Tribulation. That second half is what we’re going to dive into today.

We are now in the 13th Chapter of the Book of Revelation. Today, we will look at the last half of Chapter 13. It will introduce us to the false prophet, the second beast. The Bible speaks about him over and over again, as one who survives a fatal head wound. It is important for us to understand that. He has one agenda and it's the agenda of the dragon, Satan, who empowers him. He literally wants to conquer the world. He will be given authority to do that for 3 1⁄2 years. That is half of the 7-year Great Tribulation period.

At this particular moment of time in the Book of Revelation in Chapters 12 and 13, we have seen several things. We have seen that the woman is Israel. We have seen Michael the Archangel. We have looked at Israel's remnant, those who will be saved. The male child, who is Jesus; we have been introduced to the male child (who is Jesus). The dragon is Satan himself. We need to keep these characters in mind as we see this vision story that John is telling us, while he unfolds the picture. The Bible tells us that the devil is going after the entire world. Because he knows his time is short, he is extremely angry. Clearly, Satan will turn up the heat. So let’s look at what we need to do to understand better what’s ahead for this world in the end times.

We are in a spiritual battle. John saw it correctly; he saw a war in heaven. Does that sound odd to you, that heaven (which should be a place of peace) is at war? Does that sound out of place? Today’s key verses provide a great perspective on history. They also provide a great perspective on the reality of what is happening now. When we get this right and put it in order, we will be able to make sense of what is happening right now in our culture and in this world. Let’s look at what John had to say about the war going on in heaven when he wrote this chapter of Revelation.

Today’s key passage can be a difficult one to interpret, but it’s one that’s so important to understand so that we gain a better idea of what the Lord is trying to tell us through this book of prophecy. So throughout this message, we are going to look at who the woman is and who the dragon is in this particular section of Scripture, and then we’re going to close with why this information matters to us in present day. Let’s dive in.

As God unfolded many things to John throughout the book of Revelation, God unpacked the judgments upon this planet that will take place in the future during the Great Tribulation. The Two Witnesses have appeared, the Second Woe has passed, and the Seventh Trumpet has sounded. In the midst of this calm, before everything breaks loose, God gives John a heavenly perspective. I have a feeling that things are different in your life spiritually; it is confusing and distressing. Maybe, you are wondering, “God, where are you?” He hasn't moved. He wants you to have a heavenly perspective, just like He gave John. We’re going to look at the aspects of that perspective in this message.

Nothing is more powerful than standing for the Lord against the backdrop of a dark culture. God calls us to do that. We must ask ourselves, “Am I willing to stand? Am I willing to take a stand in this culture where God has placed me? Am I willing to be different? Am I willing to be hostile to the culture or to people I care about? Because I would rather stand on the principles of God.” Scripture tells us that God will bring judgment on a religious system that has nothing but distraction concerning it. In the midst of this, God raises up two dynamic witnesses. We don't know their names. They are not identified by their names, but rather by their purpose. I want you to see several things as we examine this passage of Scripture so that you can be encouraged and challenged to be a bold witness for Christ.

As we continue our study of the book of Revelation, we need to understand the concept of the Kingdom of God. First, there is the Millennial Reign of God, which is to come. In this thousand-year period, God will set up His Kingdom on earth. Second, there is the Kingdom of God within you, where God rules over your heart and life. Even though this chapter is more informational rather than inspirational, it is important that we understand how everything fits together. Therefore, we will take a step back and look at the Temple that is mentioned specifically in the first two verses.

Whether you are in pain or in service and doing God's will, we need a fresh glimpse of who God is. That is very critical in your spiritual maturity. John was in service. He was on the Isle of Patmos and God was allowing him to go through pain, while allowing him to serve. In the midst of this, Jesus gives John a fresh glimpse of Himself, and He can do the same for you. As we wrap up this mini-series, let’s review what we’ve already learned about how John saw Jesus and learn a little bit more about the fresh glimpse John got of Jesus so that we too can have a fresh glimpse as well.

In Revelation Chapter 10, we are taking it step-by-step to uncover some of the jewels and gems in this passage. When God comes alongside us in the midst of our trials and tribulations, He does not often give us a detour. Instead, He provides the way for us to go through the middle of the mountain, all the way through. The way He does this is to give us a fresh glimpse of Himself. This is exactly what He did for John as he wrote the book of Revelation. So in this message, we are going to look further at the glimpse John was able to get of God.

The passage we are going to look at today passage is powerful when we are going through difficult times. I am sure John must have felt overwhelmed writing about the judgment of God. As I have been preaching verse by verse through the Book of Revelation, I have been overwhelmed. I am ready to get through the judgment part and focus on heaven, but not yet. We are looking at this passage because it is there for you and for me, so that we are reminded that God will come through for us just when we need Him the most.

When you are going through a difficult season in your life (whether it's financially, your health, or relationally), you need to have the right focus. For many of us, our focus is, “God, take away the pain.” God often does not take away the pain; at other times, He does take away pain. With many of us, we want to take a detour around the pain. God often says, “I want you to go all the way through the middle of it.” In order to make it all the way through, you must have the right focus and you need a glimpse of God. In reality, the greatest thing God wants to give you to help you make it all the way through is a fresh glimpse of Himself. That is exactly what John experiences in the middle of having to write about all the judgment that is coming on this planet. So in today’s message we’re going to look at how John saw Jesus and how this fresh glimpse of the Savior helped John get through not only what he was walking

We need to be sober in our thinking and realize that things on this earth are not going get better. I know that many people want things to get better and better. If we would just love everyone, we want to believe everything will get better. But that is not what the book of Revelation says. We need to understand that we don't have long. This should be so sobering to us that it causes us to make sure we are ambassadors for Christ. Jesus wants us to be ambassadors in our generation at this time. So let’s continue our study of the book of Revelation and learn what we can about the end times so we can be motivated to share the hope of Christ with those who need it.

When the fifth angel blows his trumpet, another kind of judgment is released upon the inhabitants of the planet during the Great Tribulation. This judgment is one of the “woes.” At the end of Chapter Eight, we meet this vision of an eagle that John saw flying through the air; it is crying out, “Woe, Woe, Woe!” The last three trumpets (five, six, and seven) are getting ready to be blown. The judgment released upon the planet will be horrible! It is difficult for us to fully comprehend this description. However, it is important for us to do our best to understand what he is seeing. So let’s take a look at what that is.

In today’s message, we are going to look at what happens during the Great Tribulation after all the followers of Jesus are caught up in the rapture of Jesus’ return. You might think you’re facing trials and tribulations right now, but they are nothing compared to what is to come. So, let’s take a look at Revelation chapter 9 and see what is in store for the world as the Great Tribulation hits.