Turn to Matthew 24 & Revelation 1
*Who here today believes we are living in the midst of troubling times?
- John 16:33 - Jesus promised us troubling times - “…in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good
cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Matthew 24:1-14
*Who here believes troubling times are going to get worse before it gets better?
*Todays BIG IDEA… Trouble is not Optional… Being Troubled is!
- vs.6b - “See that you are not troubled” - “See” - “to stare at to the point of discernment”
- Tell somebody - Trouble is not optional! Being troubled is! Don’t let trouble trouble you!
- Now go back to John 16 - “Be of good cheer!” Cheer up my friend, He has overcome the world!
Revelation 1:1-17 - John was having a bad day… He was in trouble…He didn’t let trouble trouble him!
When you think of the book of Revelation, what immediately comes to mind?
- The Great Tribulation! - The last days!
*let me push the pause button
- The Antichrist - Judgments!
- Some people think this has all already happened… Preterists…
To all my preterist friends, You’ll REALLY be surprised when we all get raptured before the 7 year trib!
When you read through Matthew 24 & Revelation, it can be OVERWHELMING!
“See that you are not troubled???? Are you kidding me????
Beverly & I grew up in the Jesus Revolution - Fun but kinda fearful! - reel to reel movies about TROUBLE!
- we’re not having kids!!!
*Jesus was about to reveal to John stuff that undoubtedly was OVERWHELMING!
- How in the world would he be able to hear, comprehend and record this end times book?
- How could he keep from letting trouble trouble him?
*Important Note - Revelation is not primarily a revealing of last days tribulation and trouble…
It’s the REVELATION OF JESUS!
vs. 1 - “The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show His servants…”
The Revelation of Jesus to John was OVERWHELMING!
- vs. 17,18 - “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feat as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last…”
*The secret to not being overwhelmed by the End of Days is to be overwhelmed by the Ancient of Days!
John was OVERWHELMED by Jesus! - vs. 17 Of course His glorified Presence… but also by His Person!
He was overwhelmed by His…
1. FOREVER FAITHFULNESS - vs. 5 - “the faithful witness”
2. OMNIPOTENT AUTHORITY-vs. 5 -“firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.”
3. SACRIFICIAL LOVE - vs. 5 - “To Him who loved us”
4. PURIFYING POWER - vs. 5 - “washed us from our sins in His own blood.”
5. TRANSFORMING POWER - vs. 6 - “made us kings and priests to His God and Father”
6. PROMISED RETURN - vs. 7. - “Behold He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him…”
7. ETERNAL NATURE - vs. 8,17 -“Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end who was and is and is to
come.”
Trouble is not Optional… Being Troubled is - You can trust Him in troubling times!
