Understanding the 1 st Century Mindset Before launching into Rev.19-end…

Understanding theUnderstanding the11stst Century Mindset Century Mindset

Before launching Before launching into Rev.19-end…into Rev.19-end…

The 1The 1stst Century Mindset Century Mindset

Understanding Revelation means Understanding Revelation means understanding its understanding its writerwriter and and audience.audience.– Means understanding its Means understanding its impactimpact and significance. and significance.

They had a very They had a very different world viewdifferent world view……

They had a very They had a very different church lifedifferent church life……

The Ascension of ChristThe Ascension of Christ

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away… Acts 1:12

The Ascension: BackgroundThe Ascension: Background

Crucified, risen from the grave…Crucified, risen from the grave…

NOW WHAT?NOW WHAT?– Crucifixion, resurrection were Crucifixion, resurrection were surprisessurprises……– The disciples had never planned for this…The disciples had never planned for this…– The entire Gospel of Luke was a The entire Gospel of Luke was a beginningbeginning::

““The first account I composed, Theophilus, about The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all all that Jesus began to do and teachthat Jesus began to do and teach…” Acts 1:1…” Acts 1:1

– They were They were confusedconfused……



NOW WHAT?NOW WHAT?

Jesus teaches them the ‘rest of the story’Jesus teaches them the ‘rest of the story’– Something BIG was in the works…Something BIG was in the works…– The global expansion of the kingdom!The global expansion of the kingdom!– Consistent with Old Testament prophecies!Consistent with Old Testament prophecies!

““To these He also presented Himself alive after To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days appearing to them over a period of forty days and and speaking of the things concerning the speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of Godkingdom of God.” Acts 1:3.” Acts 1:3

So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” – Acts 1:6

“…make disciples of all the nations…” – Matt. 28:19“…in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in

Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

“There will be no end to the increase of His government…” Is. 9:7



NOW WHAT?NOW WHAT?

Jesus teaches them the ‘rest of the story’Jesus teaches them the ‘rest of the story’

His His slow growthslow growth teachings did not register. teachings did not register.

““The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed…The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed…it becomes the largest of garden plants…”it becomes the largest of garden plants…”

– Matt. 13:31,32

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed…It is the smallest of all seeds, but it grows…” – Matt. 13:31,32

“Is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" - Acts 1:6


Eyes fixed on the Eyes fixed on the inevitableinevitable, , properproper, and , and pendingpending rule of God.rule of God.– Established at the Established at the birthbirth of the church (Acts 1:9-11) of the church (Acts 1:9-11)– This small band of followers were transformed…This small band of followers were transformed…

And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. beside them.

They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” - - Acts 1:9fActs 1:9f

And after He had said these things, He was lifted And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And…they were received Him out of their sight. And…they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going…gazing intently into the sky while He was going… - - Acts 1:9Acts 1:9

They Saw the AscensionThey Saw the Ascension

Eyes fixed on the Eyes fixed on the ExaltedExalted Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ!

The Ascension The Ascension provesproves the 2 the 2ndnd Advent. Advent.

““He will come in just the same way as you He will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go.”have watched Him go.” (Acts 1:11) (Acts 1:11)

““they were straining their eyes to see him” (Acts 1:10 NLT)they were straining their eyes to see him” (Acts 1:10 NLT)

““With the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming… With the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming… And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom…”And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom…”

- Dan.7:13-14- Dan.7:13-14

““You will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God's right hand in You will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God's right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven.”the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven.”

- Matthew 26:64- Matthew 26:64

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." - Rev. 19:11-16


Eyes fixed on the Eyes fixed on the inevitableinevitable, , properproper, and , and pendingpending rule of God.rule of God.

But thanks be to God, who But thanks be to God, who alwaysalways leads us leads us in triumph in Christ…in triumph in Christ…- - 2 Cor. 2:142 Cor. 2:14



Man is like a mere breath; Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow. His days are like a passing shadow. - - Psalms 144:4Psalms 144:4



A love for the A love for the onlyonly worthyworthy and and authentic authentic ruler.ruler.““He isHe is clothed with a robe clothed with a robe dipped in blooddipped in blood (Rev.19:13)(Rev.19:13)

The blood is his own.The blood is his own.

– He came to offer clemency.He came to offer clemency.““Worthy is the Lamb that was slain…” (Rev.5:12)Worthy is the Lamb that was slain…” (Rev.5:12)

He is trustworthy He is trustworthy to rule your lifeto rule your life: : the only one in the the only one in the universe without any personal needs to fulfill.universe without any personal needs to fulfill.

The only ruler in the universe who The only ruler in the universe who will not dominate youwill not dominate you: : “All “All who came before Me are thieves and robbers…” who came before Me are thieves and robbers…” (John 10:8)(John 10:8)

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. he paid was not mere gold or silver.

He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. sinless, spotless Lamb of God. - 1 Pet. 1:18-19- 1 Pet. 1:18-19



A love for the A love for the onlyonly worthyworthy and and authentic authentic Ruler.Ruler.

They They hurled their liveshurled their lives at the Kingdom of God. at the Kingdom of God.– They overcame the Ruler of this World because “they did not They overcame the Ruler of this World because “they did not

love their life even when faced with death.” (Rev. 12:11)love their life even when faced with death.” (Rev. 12:11)

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return. - 2 Timothy 4:6-8

“For we are not our own masters when we live or when we die. While we live, we live to please the Lord. And when we die, we go to be with the Lord. So in life and in death, we belong to the Lord.” - Rom. 14:7,8



A love for the A love for the onlyonly worthyworthy and and authentic authentic Ruler.Ruler.

They They hurled their liveshurled their lives at the Kingdom of God. at the Kingdom of God.

Saw the Kingdom of God rollout.Saw the Kingdom of God rollout.– Talk about excitement!Talk about excitement!

““He will come in just the same way as you He will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go.”have watched Him go.” (Acts 1:11) (Acts 1:11)

Acts 2:47Acts 2:47 all the while praising God and enjoying the all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.their group those who were being saved.

And the Good News about the Kingdom will be And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come. - Matt.24:14come. - Matt.24:14

A revolt against the tyrannyA revolt against the tyrannyof the Cult of Manof the Cult of Man

““The spirit of the lord is upon me, because he The spirit of the lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” the favorable year of the Lord.” -Lk.4:18ff-Lk.4:18ff

“And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.” 2 Cor. 3:18

Understanding the 1 st Century Mindset Before launching into Rev.19-end…

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