biblical time line ascension rapture return eternal

Biblical Time Line

Ascension Rapture Return

Eternal

The Law Church Age Trib. Kingdom State OT NT 7 years 1,000 years

Day of the Lord

Rev. 3:1 - Sardis

• Great past – King Croesus called “Midas”• Present – not so great• Ditto the church

Rev. 3:1 - Vision

“I see what’s going on”

Jesus knows their true spiritual condition.

Rev. 3:1 - Evaluation

Great reputation, terrible reality.

Superficial spirituality.

Rev. 3:2 - Evaluation

“Be watchful”As common encouragement, especially in the context of

the Lord’s return.Mt. 24:42-44; Lk. 12:37-39; 1 Thess. 5:6; 1 Pet. 4:7;

Rev. 16:15

Rev. 3:2 - Evaluation

Many good qualities which the church had were lost and what remained was in danger of being lost.

“Don’t slide any farther…”

Rev. 3:2 - Evaluation

“I have not found your works perfect”The idea seems to involve completing what they should

have done.

Intention is no substitute for action.

Rev. 3:3 – Remedy #1

“Remember therefore how you have received and heard…”

They had excellent instruction and needed to go back to how they were taught.

Rev. 3:3 – Remedy #2

“…hold fast…”

Obey what you know.

Rev. 3:3 – Remedy #3

“…and repent…”

Get right with God over your superficial spirituality.

Rev. 3:3 – Judgment

“Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come

upon you.”

Refusal to give this proper attention will result in discipline and consequences.

Rev. 3:3 – Judgment

The language is again very eschatological, meaning…

It reminds us of language that is used when talking about future, prophetic judgments.

“Thief”Mt. 24:43; Lk. 12:39; 1 Thess. 5:2, 4; 2 Pet. 3:10;

Rev. 16:15

Rev. 3:3 – Judgment

When we face the Lord, we will answer for the choices we made, both individually and corporately, both good

and bad.

Rev. 3:4 - Reward

“…have not defiled their garments…walk with Me in white for they are worthy”

Rev. 19:8; 16:15Also, Mt. 22:1-14 and Dan. 12:3; 1 Cor. 15:35-42

Rev. 3:4 - Reward

• Works are involved• Reward, not automatic• Timing involves the Messianic Feast • “Walk with Me in white” – intimacy, fellowship• “Worthy” = merit

Rev. 3:5 - Reward

“Not blot out his name from the of the book of life”

Litotes = understates a reality to affirm a positiveHeb. 6:10; 13:6

Rev. 3:5 - Reward

Notice what this stands over against…“but I will confess his name before My Father and

before His angels.”Mt. 10:32-33; 16:27

Rev. 3:5 - Reward

Jesus is saying something like, “Not only will I not blot your name out of the book of life, but I will acknowledge you before all of heaven!”

Rev. 3:5 - Reward

These believers were living lives that were phony.

They were living phony lives for public consumption, hoping they would fool people into thinking they were

spiritual when they were not.

Rev. 3:5 - Reward

Now, the challenge was to live genuine and not give in to compromise.

If they would go public with Jesus and live genuine lives, He would go public with them.

Rev. 3:5 - Reward

Faithful believers will be on display with brilliant bright appearance and public acknowledgement before the

angels of heaven and God Himself!

Rev. 3:5 - Reward

What is our reality?