Fourth Vision and Conclusion (Albert Martin)

The point: Remember that the book of Revelation is primarily for instruction and comfort to real saints in the real world, not for gratifying an itch to know the future.

The book of Revelation is not a 'sanctified crystal ball' or a 'Christian fortune teller,' but a word of instruction and comfort. This analogy corrects the common misconception that the book is primarily for predicting the future.

God is not interested in giving us some kind of sanctified crystal ball. And the moment...

1:36 - 1:44 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that the fourth vision (Revelation 21:9 onwards) acts as a zoom lens, magnifying the description of the eternal state introduced at the end of the third vision. He…

The fourth vision is like a 'zoom lens' on a camera, zeroing in on and amplifying one part (the eternal state of the redeemed) of the broader third vision. This analogy helps explain the relationship between the two visions and the detailed focus of the fourth.

What does the fourth vision do? It takes this one part, and you know what a zoom lens does. If your camera's looking at a picture covering this much field of vision, when you hook in your zoom lens, it zeroes in on one part, excludes the others, and amplifies or magnifies it. I should have more board over here.

8:29 - 8:48 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The second characteristic is the church's absolute perfection, glowing with the 'glory of God.' This is illustrated by descriptions of precious stones, pure gold, perfect…

John describes the city as 'pure gold like unto pure glass,' a mixed figure that emphasizes absolute purity even if it's not literally possible. This analogy highlights that the spiritual message of purity is more important than a literal interpretation of the materials.

And so the second outstanding characteristic of the church in its perfected state will be its perfection. And that's why you have this emphasis, such as you find further in verse 11, her light was unto like unto a stone most precious, as it were, jasper stone, clear as crystal. 21 and verse 8, I'm sorry, verse 18, and the building of the wall was jasper and the city was pure gold like unto pure glass. Well, you know gold is not transparent.

20:39 - 21:16 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The second characteristic is the church's absolute perfection, glowing with the 'glory of God.' This is illustrated by descriptions of precious stones, pure gold, perfect…

The detailed measurements of the city are not meant to be literally calculated as a '1500 mile cube' to house millions of people. This analogy critiques a crass, materialistic interpretation of heaven, redirecting focus to the spiritual perfection of the church.

What's all this measuring? I am amazed when people say, well, that means that heaven is actually going to be about a 1500 mile cube and they figured out if you have so many layers at 12 feet high, how many millions of people. Dear ones, what a crass, crass materializing of the glory of the perfected church. This is not a description of the new heavens and the new earth.

21:50 - 22:07 Read in full sermon

The point: If you have any problem with the unity of Old and New Testament saints, study Ephesians 2, the book of Hebrews, and Romans chapter 11 on your face before God and with good solid commentators.

The idea that the New Testament church is the bride and the Old Testament church are merely 'friends of the bridegroom' is presented as bordering on heresy. This example highlights a specific doctrinal error that diminishes the unity of God's people.

It will be all of the people of God in the new economy, not two churches. And I stand to say publicly it is borders on heresy when I read people say that in the redeemed state the New Testament church will be the bride and the Old Testament church will simply be the friends of the bridegroom holding the coats for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. My Bible says they shall come from the east and the west and the north and the south and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God. And there are elements of dispensational teaching that border on heresy.

25:00 - 25:37 Read in full sermon

The point: If you have any problem with the unity of Old and New Testament saints, study Ephesians 2, the book of Hebrews, and Romans chapter 11 on your face before God and with good solid commentators.

Romans 11 is referenced to describe 'one olive trunk of redemption,' illustrating that there is no basic difference between Old and New Testament saints. This analogy reinforces the comprehensive scope and unity of the redeemed.

The book of Hebrews Ephesians chapter 1 says that Abraham Ephesians chapter 2 and Romans chapter 11 forever should lay to rest any notion that there is any basic difference between the saints under the old economy and the saints under the new. And if you have any problem with that don't go out angry. I hope you go out challenged and you study on your face before God and then on your seat with some good solid commentators Ephesians 2 the book of Hebrews and Romans chapter 11 says there is one olive trunk of redemption not two there is but one house of God Hebrews 3 there is but one church Ephes...

26:22 - 27:51 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that the absence of anything unclean or defiling in heaven is part of our bliss, as it means an end to the pain caused by sin in the world.

A hymn from an InterVarsity hymn book is quoted: 'Heaven itself without thee dark as night would be, Lamb of God thy glory is the light above.' This quote emphasizes that the greatest bliss of heaven is face-to-face communion with God, not material comforts.

are the temple there in other words there is no special place where God's presence has gathered people his special dwelling place there it will no longer be where two or three are gathered in my midst there am I because wherever they are they are the gathered people of God and God is there God is there in the unclouded vision and glory of his countenance God is there oh the indescribable bliss to a Christian servant shall serve him and they shall see his face the indescribable bliss of heaven has as its greatest its pinnacle expression of bliss the unclouded unsullied communion face to face wi...

30:48 - 32:17 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that the absence of anything unclean or defiling in heaven is part of our bliss, as it means an end to the pain caused by sin in the world.

An anecdote about Scottish Covenanters martyred for their faith, with tombstones stating they were 'chased them up to heaven,' illustrates that persecution ultimately leads believers to the greater bliss of God's presence. This story provides comfort and courage to those facing opposition.

all perfections there's the first lines of it Jesus all perfections rise and end in thee heaven itself without thee dark as night would be frankly this is why I'm convinced there's been so much emphasis on the idea of literal streets of gold and the rest over the past fifty to a hundred years because the mark of most evangelical Christianity is it's left people devoid of a hunger for God of realized communion with God and therefore they had to find the bliss of heaven in something that bypassed God himself imagine what this meant to suffering saints who looked up at the angry face of a captor ...

32:17 - 33:46 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that the absence of anything unclean or defiling in heaven is part of our bliss, as it means an end to the pain caused by sin in the world.

George Whitefield's quote, 'I've never grown weary of his service but I've often grown weary in it,' is used to describe the current reality of Christian service. This quote highlights the future bliss of unwearied labor in heaven, contrasting it with present struggles.

to quench every thirst every legitimate thirst of the soul of the redeemed and then unwearied labor in the service of God verse 3 of chapter 22 there should be no curse anymore and what was one of the marks of the curse? not work contrary to the philosophy of some work is not a curse before sin ever entered God gave Adam in his sinless state a task to perform he said you dress the garden and keep it and Adam whispered all day long happy in communion with God but now when the curse came what did God say? he says in the sweat of thy brow you'll make that earth yield its increase there'll be thor...

36:42 - 38:11 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that the absence of anything unclean or defiling in heaven is part of our bliss, as it means an end to the pain caused by sin in the world.

Martin dismisses the common, unappealing image of heaven as 'sitting around somewhere and plunking a harp and count the hours and count the feathers and angels' wings.' This analogy challenges a simplistic view of heavenly activity, emphasizing purposeful service instead.

and you grow weary as Whitefield said I've never grown weary of his service but I've often grown weary in it there'll be no weariness of nor in the service of God what are we going to do? God doesn't tell me except I'm going to serve him that's all I need to know because the him whom I serve is the God of infinite wisdom and love what we're going to do? well you might sit around this afternoon and speculate about that I don't know but it's going to be service I'm not going to sit around somewhere and plunk a harp and count the hours and count the hours and count the hours and count the feather...

38:11 - 39:39 Read in full sermon

The point: Never be deceived into thinking that our ultimate joy will be found in any measure of triumphs of the gospel in this present time system, but rather in the coming of the Lamb and the New Jerusalem.

Reverend Ike and Jehovah's Witnesses are cited as examples of those who promote false hopes, focusing on worldly riches or a 'new earth' based on human effort. These examples contrast with the true blessed hope found in the New Jerusalem coming down from God.

of Babylon that mother of harlots look at the influence of the world and many professing Christians turning away under the pressure of persecution can it really be that the beast shall be cast into the lake of the sea can it really be that the devil is chained to any degree God says yes it's true there's the attestation of the angel and the attestation of Jesus at the mouth of these two witnesses everything is confirmed and so confirmed that if any man dares to detract one word that is spoken God says judgment will come upon him if anyone dares to add to what is spoken judgment will come upon ...

44:07 - 45:24 Read in full sermon