READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l The book of Revelation is not a timeline for predicting the future but a divine unveiling of reality from heaven’s perspective. It pulls back the curtain on history to show that even amid chaos and cosmic conflict, God is on the throne.
Revelation offers unshakable hope, not by removing the struggle, but by showing us who truly reigns. Darrell Johnson, in Discipleship on the Edge, highlights four key moments where John uses the word “open,” each marking a major turning point:
- A door standing open in heaven (Revelation 4)
- The temple of God opened (Revelation 11)
- The tabernacle of testimony opened (Revelation 15)
- Heaven opened when Jesus returns (Revelation 19)
Today’s passage focuses on the second, the central theme launching seven visions of cosmic conflict unfolding in three dramatic acts, revealing deeper spiritual battles.
Act 1: The Unseen Battle (Revelation 11:19 – 12:17)
The temple opens with lightning and thunder, and the ark of the covenant appears. We enter a vision of spiritual warfare. John sees a woman (God’s people), a dragon (Satan), and a male child (Jesus). This is heaven’s view of the nativity; Jesus was born into conflict. From the start, the dragon sought to destroy Him, but God’s plan could not be stopped. Jesus ascends, the woman is protected in the wilderness, and Satan is cast down, defeated by Christ, yet still waging war on God’s people. Revelation 12:12 says he is “filled with fury because he knows his time is short.” This is the unseen battle we live in: temptation, pressure, and compromise. But we are not without hope. Revelation 12:11 gives our strategy:
“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
We overcome by:
a. Trusting what Jesus has done (His blood) – His sacrifice is not just past history but present power. We are forgiven and covered.
b. Telling others about it (Our testimony) – Your story of God’s faithfulness brings light into darkness.
c. Living with courage (Even when costly) – Courage is not absence of fear but obedience to Christ despite it.
Act 2: The Imitation Kingdom (Revelation 13)
John sees two beasts, one from the sea and one from the earth. This parallels Daniel 7’s vision of beast-like empires, now unified in Revelation as a satanic counterfeit trinity; the dragon (Satan) as false father, the beast as false Christ, and the false prophet as false Holy Spirit. This imitation kingdom mimics divine power but deceives the world. It performs signs, demands allegiance, and places the mark 666, the number of imperfections, on people. This mark is not just literal but symbolic of any system demanding worship and loyalty in place of God. These aren’t just ancient prophecies, they are alive today. Governments and cultures demand ultimate allegiance. Consumerism reshapes desires. Algorithms learn habits and subtly manipulate choices. AI bots mimic emotional connection, always affirming, never truly real. These are false loves, deceptive comforts designed to keep us passive, distracted, and disconnected from truth. We must be discerning. Not everything that looks good is good. The world seeks our worship, but only God is worthy.
Act 3: The Lamb Wins – A Call to Faithfulness (Revelation 14:1 – 15:4)
Despite deception and danger, Revelation gives a glorious vision of hope. The Lamb stands victorious, and those who stand with Him share His victory.
a. The Redeemed Will Be with Jesus (Rev 14:1–5)
John sees the Lamb on Mount Zion with 144,000 faithful followers, representing God’s people, marked by spiritual purity and true worship. They are sealed with God’s name, following the Lamb wherever He goes. They sing a new song only the redeemed can sing—those loyal in a world of compromise.
b. The Gospel Will Be Preached to All Nations (Rev 14:6–7)
An angel proclaims the eternal gospel to every nation, tribe, language, and people. Even as judgment approaches, God’s mercy reaches out. Before justice, He offers salvation. This is our mission: proclaim the gospel, knowing the time is short.
c. Justice Will Be Executed and the Saints Rewarded (Rev 14:8 – 15:4)
The second angel declares Babylon’s fall, a symbol of pride, rebellion, and corruption. The third angel warns that those who worship the beast will drink God’s wrath. But here is the gospel: Jesus already took that cup for us. On the cross, He bore the judgment we deserved. Jesus, the perfect Lamb, died for the whole world’s sins and rose on the third day, proving He is the Son of God. All who believe are saved and receive eternal life. In Revelation 15, John sees the faithful victorious beside a sea of glass, singing the song of Moses and the Lamb:
“Great and marvellous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the nations.” This is not just a future vision, it’s our present calling. The Lamb has already won. If we stand with Him, we will overcome. Even amid unseen battles, we can live with unshakable hope.
Conclusion
The world tempts us to seek comfort, fear, and compromise. But Revelation reminds us: the Lamb wins. If we stand with Him, we will be victorious. John Wesley knew the deep assurance of God’s love that casts out all fear even the fear of death. That is the peace the Lamb offers, not just at life’s end, but today. So, the question for each of us is:
Will you bow to the pressures of the world?
Or will you stand with the Lamb and hold fast to unshakable hope?
Let’s stand firm in the unseen battle. Let’s live now in the unshakable hope we have in Christ.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- 1. STUDY SCRIPTURE
- Read Revelation 11:19–15:4
- What images or symbols stood out to you in these chapters?
- RECALL SERMON
- Reflect on the key points from the sermon.
- What was one insight or truth that struck you most from the message?
- How did the sermon help you understand the reality of the unseen spiritual battles?
- RELATE PERSONALLY
- Apply the message to your own life and experiences.
- Have you ever felt like you were in a spiritual battle? What did that look like?
- In what ways are you tempted to follow “imitation kingdoms” in your daily life?
- What does “faithfulness to the Lamb” look like in your current season?
- How does the vision of the Lamb’s victory encourage you today?
- COMMIT TO ACTION
- Respond with intentional steps of faith.
- What is one area where you need to stand firm in spiritual battle this week and cling on to the unshakeable hope of Christ?
