1. The nature of Salvation
Revelation 2:10-11
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. 11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Is eternal life and crown of life the same thing?
What constitutes the crown?
A crown that is a wreath made of leaves.
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
This is a reward for finishing the race
2 Timothy 4:8
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Also given after the person has passed on
Hebrews 2:9
But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
In Revelation, Tree of life
Ruling the nation
Become a temple
Reminds us to stay pure
How is this crown connect to eternal life?
Like a black sheep in family doesn't means the family is all sheep
On one hand eternal life, it is given, to be received, cannot be earned, cannot merit it. It's unceasing life
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.
Crown of life is to Keep, to persevere to overcome
What are the benefits of having our names written?
1. We are known by God
Philippians 4:2-3
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
2. We're saved from God's wrath
Revelation 20:14-15
Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
3. We're granted an admission to the new Jeruselam
Revelation 21:27
Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
God's judgement is served based on how a person lived
We need to bear witness
Revelation 3:5
The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.
Book of deeds
Under what conditions will these names be blot out?
Revelation 13:8
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.[a]
Revelation 17:8
The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
Not to bow to idolatry
Because our names are in the book of life, we have eternal life. Therefore We're called to Persevere and overcome. Don't lose our focus
2. The call to be Ready
Revelation 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Revelation 22:10
Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.
Joel 1:15
Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.[a]
Joel 2:1-2
Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand— 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come.
What does it means?
2 Peter 3:2-4
I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
2 Peter 3:8-10
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.[a]
The lord is patient toward you, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should reach repentance
While we do not ignore the current affairs, we do not allow them to interpret the bible
Jesus exalts us to be prepared now, not to do so when we see all the signs appearing. Be prepared NOW
Be ever ready
Don't wait for signs
Commitment to Christ or Compromise to the world?
Don't play with fire until the last minute
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
The world is passing away
We're made for the new heaven and the earth
Revelation 22:10-11
Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
God made us free moral agents to exercise freewill
He'll grant us wisdom to make logical decision
It is their wilful choice but He does not delight any of us perishing
Grace always requires faith
This should push us to pray even more seriously so that they will not perish
Persist not in apathy
Revelation 22:7
“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
Revelation 22:12
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
Revelation 22:20
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
A. If you have confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believed in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you are saved.
B. Live now as a child of God, as Christ's ambassador. Shine as children of light and as the salt of the earth. Fight the good fight, keep the faith, and finish your race.
C. Watch that you do not fall into the trap of the enemy. Worship no other gods! Flee from temptations. Be EVEREADY! Live with the Crown of Life in view.
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