Assurance of Salvation and Christ's Ultimate Victory

 

Summary

In this sermon, we explore the profound assurance of salvation and the ultimate victory of Christ over all antagonists. The imagery of Revelation is vivid, depicting the faithful as those who follow the Lamb and are redeemed, standing secure despite the world's chaos. The message is clear: nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This assurance is rooted in the vision of the final judgment, where the enemies of God are judged and defeated. The vision of heaven in Revelation 15 is a powerful reminder of the ultimate triumph of God's people, who stand victorious over the beast and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb.

The sermon emphasizes the certainty of God's judgment on those who oppose Him, as seen in the pouring out of the vials of God's wrath. This judgment is complete and final, contrasting with the partial judgments seen throughout history. The principle of warning before punishment is highlighted, reminding us of God's patience and the eventual finality of His justice. The destruction of Babylon, the great harlot, symbolizes the end of worldliness and sin, revealing the futility of living for the world's pleasures.

The sermon concludes with the ultimate defeat of Satan, the final antagonist, and the promise of a new heaven and earth where righteousness dwells. This vision offers comfort and hope, assuring believers of their secure position in Christ. We are called to live in light of this truth, rejecting the seduction of the world and pursuing holiness. The message is a call to remain steadfast, knowing that our ultimate destiny is to be with Christ in glory.

Key Takeaways:

1. Assurance of Salvation: The faithful are secure in Christ, and nothing can separate them from God's love. This assurance is rooted in the vision of the final judgment, where God's enemies are defeated, and His people stand victorious. This truth offers profound comfort and calls us to live without fear, knowing our salvation is certain. [22:32]

2. The Finality of God's Judgment: God's judgment is complete and final, contrasting with the partial judgments seen throughout history. This principle of warning before punishment highlights God's patience and the eventual finality of His justice. It serves as a reminder to heed God's warnings and live in obedience to Him. [32:13]

3. The Futility of Worldliness: The destruction of Babylon symbolizes the end of worldliness and sin, revealing the futility of living for the world's pleasures. This message calls us to reject the seduction of the world and pursue holiness, knowing that the world and its desires are passing away. [39:11]

4. The Ultimate Defeat of Satan: The final judgment and destruction of Satan assure us of the ultimate victory of Christ. This truth encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that all evil will be defeated, and we will dwell with Christ in a new heaven and earth. [44:13]

5. Living in Light of Eternity: The vision of the new heaven and earth calls us to live in light of eternity, pursuing righteousness and holiness. We are reminded that our ultimate destiny is to be with Christ in glory, and this hope purifies us as we await His return. [47:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [21:44] - Assurance of Salvation
- [22:51] - Vision of Final Judgment
- [23:25] - Overcoming Antagonists
- [24:32] - Vision of Heaven
- [25:29] - Victory Over the Beast
- [26:25] - Fearlessness in Christ
- [27:30] - Standing in Safety
- [29:12] - Order of Judgment
- [30:22] - Pouring Out of Wrath
- [32:13] - Complete Judgment
- [34:05] - Historical Judgments
- [36:04] - Distinction Between Trumpets and Bowls
- [37:17] - Destruction of Babylon
- [39:11] - Futility of Worldliness
- [44:13] - Defeat of Satan
- [45:09] - Final State in Glory

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:35-39
2. Revelation 15:1-4
3. Revelation 16:1-2

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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 8:35-39, what are some of the things that cannot separate us from the love of God? How does this passage assure us of our salvation? [22:15]
2. In Revelation 15:1-4, what imagery is used to describe the victory of the faithful over the beast? How does this vision provide comfort to believers? [25:29]
3. What is the significance of the "vials of God's wrath" being poured out in Revelation 16:1-2? How does this relate to the finality of God's judgment? [30:22]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the assurance of salvation in Romans 8:35-39 influence a believer's daily life and perspective on challenges? [22:15]
2. In what ways does the vision of the final judgment in Revelation 15:1-4 encourage believers to remain steadfast in their faith? [25:29]
3. How does the destruction of Babylon in Revelation 16 symbolize the futility of worldliness, and what lessons can be drawn from this for contemporary believers? [39:11]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did the assurance of salvation in Romans 8:35-39 help you navigate that situation? If it didn’t, how might it have helped? [22:15]
2. The sermon calls us to reject the seduction of the world. Identify one area in your life where you feel the pull of worldliness. What practical steps can you take to pursue holiness instead? [39:11]
3. Consider the principle of warning before punishment as highlighted in the sermon. How can you apply this principle in your relationships or responsibilities? [32:28]
4. The ultimate defeat of Satan assures us of Christ's victory. How does this truth impact your view of spiritual battles you face? [44:13]
5. Living in light of eternity is a call to action. What is one specific way you can align your daily life with the vision of the new heaven and earth? [47:33]
6. Think of a time when you were tempted by the pleasures of the world. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future to remain steadfast in your faith? [39:11]
7. How can the vision of believers standing victorious over the beast inspire you to face your own "antagonists" in life? What steps can you take to stand firm in your faith? [25:29]

Devotional

Day 1: Assurance in Christ's Unbreakable Love
The assurance of salvation is a profound truth that offers comfort and security to believers. In the vision of the final judgment, the faithful are depicted as those who follow the Lamb and are redeemed, standing secure despite the chaos of the world. This assurance is rooted in the ultimate victory of Christ over all antagonists, where nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. The imagery of Revelation vividly portrays the faithful as victorious, singing the song of Moses and the Lamb, symbolizing their triumph over the beast. This truth calls us to live without fear, knowing that our salvation is certain and that we are secure in Christ's love. [22:32]

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in the assurance of your salvation? How can you remind yourself of Christ's unbreakable love today?


Day 2: The Certainty of Divine Justice
God's judgment is complete and final, contrasting with the partial judgments seen throughout history. This principle of warning before punishment highlights God's patience and the eventual finality of His justice. The sermon emphasizes that God's judgment on those who oppose Him is certain, as seen in the pouring out of the vials of God's wrath. This serves as a reminder to heed God's warnings and live in obedience to Him, knowing that His justice will ultimately prevail. The destruction of Babylon, the great harlot, symbolizes the end of worldliness and sin, revealing the futility of living for the world's pleasures. [32:13]

"For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him." (Isaiah 30:18, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are ignoring God's warnings? How can you align your actions with His call to obedience today?


Day 3: Rejecting the Allure of Worldliness
The destruction of Babylon symbolizes the end of worldliness and sin, revealing the futility of living for the world's pleasures. This message calls us to reject the seduction of the world and pursue holiness, knowing that the world and its desires are passing away. The sermon highlights the importance of living in light of eternity, focusing on what truly matters rather than being swayed by temporary pleasures. By understanding the futility of worldliness, we are encouraged to live a life that is pleasing to God, pursuing righteousness and holiness. [39:11]

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: What worldly desires or distractions are currently pulling you away from your relationship with God? How can you refocus your heart on pursuing holiness today?


Day 4: Christ's Ultimate Victory Over Evil
The final judgment and destruction of Satan assure us of the ultimate victory of Christ. This truth encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that all evil will be defeated, and we will dwell with Christ in a new heaven and earth. The sermon emphasizes the certainty of Christ's victory over all antagonists, offering comfort and hope to believers. By understanding the ultimate defeat of Satan, we are reminded of the power and authority of Christ, who reigns supreme over all creation. This assurance calls us to live in confidence, knowing that our ultimate destiny is to be with Christ in glory. [44:13]

"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." (Romans 16:20, ESV)

Reflection: How does the assurance of Christ's victory over evil impact your daily life and faith? In what ways can you live more confidently in this truth today?


Day 5: Living with Eternal Perspective
The vision of the new heaven and earth calls us to live in light of eternity, pursuing righteousness and holiness. The sermon reminds us that our ultimate destiny is to be with Christ in glory, and this hope purifies us as we await His return. By focusing on the eternal perspective, we are encouraged to live a life that reflects the values of God's kingdom, rejecting the temporary allure of the world. This eternal perspective offers comfort and hope, assuring us of our secure position in Christ and motivating us to live a life that honors Him. [47:33]

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary concerns to an eternal perspective today? What practical steps can you take to live with eternity in mind?

Quotes

and you remember we are told that these are the people who follow the lamb whether soever he goeth and they were redeemed from among men being the first fruits un God to the lamb and of course what we are told about them is that they are safe that in spite of all these enemies that nothing shall be able to separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our lord in other words the best exposition of this is that eighth chapter of the epistle to the Romans we are LED every day as sheep to the slaughter you remember all the things that Paul says that are happening to us but he is persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our lord the five antagonists are there but the name of God is in our foreheads and they cannot Prevail our Salvation is certain and sure [00:21:30]

now this is of course Beyond everything in the book that which is most full of comfort and of consolation and all I want to do is to show you the order in which the vision given to the prophet gives us the truth in order that we may know how to apply it to ourselves and to our situation now you start off in chapter 15 with a wonderful vision of Heaven I saw another sign in heaven great and marvelous seven angels having the seven last plagues for in them is filled up the wrath of God you see it's the final we've already seen in dealing with the section from chapters 8 to 11 how God has visited and meet without punishments from time to time upon these persons who opposed the Christian church but it was only a third part it was only partial but now we are going on to look at the final the cup is filled up the end their destruction [00:24:00]

and we are reminded of that in these terms I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire that always stands for judgment but listen he saw also in that very context them that had gotten the victory over the Beast and over his image and over his Mark and over the number of his name stand on the sea of glass having the harps of God and they sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the lamb saying great and marvelous are thy Works Lord God of Almighty just and true are thy ways Thou King of saints and so on now that is to me a very marvelous thing you see before we are given any account of the final judgment and the ultimate destruction of all these Mighty antagonists we are again given this Blessed assurance that we who belong to Christ and are faithful to him need fear none of these things terrible things are going to happen in the Earth but we need have no fear we are already saved from them [00:25:29]

now that doesn't mean that we may not have to go through many of them it does not mean that we may not have to suffer shipwreck earthquake pestilence and many other things but this is the truth none of them can rarely harm us none of them can ever really touch us none of them can even to the slightest extent affect our relationship to God and to our blessed Lord and Savior there we are standing as it were on the sea of glass mingled with fire and we've got hars in our hands we are singing the Praises already now that's the whole essence of this vision and it is the very essence of our comfort that whatever may happen in this world you and I need have no fear of it we need never be filled with any alarm or with any Terror because we have already passed from judgment into life these things may affect us superficially but they will never affect us in the depth of our being we are already in the position of safety [00:26:25]

or if you like it in the language of the Apostle Paul we are already seated in the Heavenly places with Christ Jesus or as the Apostle John puts it in his first epistle in the fifth chapter that evil one toucheth him not he cannot touch us he can often terrify us and alarm us but he cannot touch us we are safe in Christ so we are seen in Vision already standing around the throne safe from all harm and safe from these judgments that God is going to visit upon his antagonists that then is the great message of chapter 15 and it is a chapter that we can never read too frequently read it and meditate upon it and realize its great message to you then having given us that we go on to the account of the judgments as they are poured out and the thing to grasp at this point is the order in which the judgment is Meed out [00:27:30]

now first of all the Judgment starts with those who are least important that's the interesting thing about this part of the book in describing the antagonists he starts with the Devil and then he comes down the scale as it were and the least important of the antagonists are men and women who got the mark of the beast in their forehead or in their right hand but you notice that in giving an account of their final judgment and destruction he reverses the order and in a sense it is but natural that he should do so because his purpose is to show us how every conceivable antagonist of whatever strength is finally going to be judged and destroyed so he starts with the weakest and so in chapter 16 you have an account of God's meeting out his final punishment and judgment upon men and women who foolishly have listened to the efforts of the devil and his assistance to draw them away from God and from his Christ and to lead them to destruction [00:29:12]

and the first went we are told in in Chapter 16: 2 where we are dealing now with the pouring out of the vials of God's wroth you remember the instruction to the angels go your way and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth and the first went and poured out his vile upon the Earth and there fell a niome and Grievous SAR upon the men which had the mark of the beast and upon them which worshiped His Image in other words you remember we saw in dealing with chapters 8 and N that in those two chapters you get get exactly the same things described as you have in this chapter 16 the trumpets blew and certain things happen first of all to the Earth and then the sea and then the rivers and the fountains you remember well now we've got the same things described here the first vile is poured out upon the Earth the second upon the sea the next upon the the rivers and the waters then upon on the sun and so on but you notice the difference it's no longer a third part that was destroyed it's no longer a partial visitation but this time it is complete this time it is entire [00:30:22]

and that of course is obviously a very great significance because it is a principle that is constantly repeated and emphasized in the scripture that God always warns before he finally punishes you had that in the case of Sodom and gomorra you had it indeed in the case of the flood you have it in a very striking manner in the case of Egypt God sent 10 plagues upon the Egyptians before he dealt with them in the Judgment of the Red Sea see and indeed before he sent his destroying Angel to visit them even before that now that's the principle first of all the plagues and because they wouldn't listen and because Pharaoh's heart was hardened and because he wouldn't repent God then finally punishes and you get exactly that same principle here in this book God first of all V visited these particular judgments upon the world he been doing so throughout the centuries we described it last time the wars and the pestilences and the times of terrible immorality and all these things but here now we are told that all those are but Shadows of what God is going to do he's going to do it with a terrible fullness and the things that are going to happen in the world all the things that have happened in the past as mere nothing [00:32:13]

that then is something which is yet to be and yet at the same time I believe that it is true to say this that there are clear instances in the history of the world where God as it were has already visited certain areas with a final judgment now an instance of that it always seems to me is to be found in North Africa there was once a great and a flourishing Christian Church in North Africa it isn't to be found there today terrible judgments have been visited upon certain areas of the world as if God's patience has at last ended and he has visited a kind of final punishment but the great message undoubtedly is that this is something which is mainly yet to take place it is already possible as I'm suggesting that God may already have turned his back upon certain situations I don't know but sometimes one is almost tempted to think that as if God has finished with certain parts of the world I don't know that is partly speculation but I do say that it is a principle running right through the Bible that when God has warned and as threatened and there is no response he meets out a kind of final punishment and certainly that will happen to all who are unbelievers there is to be a final Judgment of all who have died in persistent Rebellion against God they will be visited with a final punishment a final judgment a final consigning of them to Perdition [00:34:05]

and this is Babylon Babylon the great or Babylon the great Harlot mystery Babylon the great the mother of harlots and Abominations of the earth and as I've already reminded you the the prophet John here as a sear and as a prophet diverts a good deal of attention to this it occupies the of this 17th chapter the whole of the 18th chapter and then the Thanksgiving and the praise at the beginning of the 19th Chapter and of course in a way it is but natural because it speaks directly to our own experience for we all are aware of the subtlety of sin in the form of the world in its worldliness which I've already been describing and here we are given this detailed and terrible description of how all that is to be destroyed and to be brought to nothing it's almost incredible but it's absolutely true think of the world this evening think of worldliness look at it as you see it here in the Streets of London look at it as you see it reflected in the newspapers look at as you see it in the so-called Society papers in particular and then having read your newspapers and your Society papers and your court circulars as it were come and read these chapters and it's most Illuminating look at the dress look at the wealth look at the luxury look at the vaunting of itself look at its pride in itself and in its Great Men well that's all the the result of the seduction of the world that is the result of the action of this great Harlot that calls Kings and princes and great merchants and people it's all described here and it is a perfect picture of the world tonight outside Christ bursting of its wealth bursting of its food its Banquets its carriages its equipment its dress and all its beauty and its glory and then read what's going to happen to it and if we only agress this teaching we would never be tempted Again by worldliness it's going to be destroyed utterly and absolutely [00:36:04]

why we are told here that even its own devotes are going to turn against it you'll find that in the 17th chapter some of these Kings so called when they see things going wrong they'll turn against it they always do I'm not sure we didn't see something of that during the last war you see when there's an air raid and bombs are falling you rather forget your fineries don't you and we were told that there were very little there was very little differences between duchesses and Char women in air ra shelter they were suddenly called out in the middle of the night and there was no time for the final they all appear as they are and they're all the same it's all here but it's going to be infinitely worse in the future it's going to be stripped it's going to be ridiculed it's going to be shown in all its foulness for the hag that it really is the paint and the powder are to be taken off and it will be revealed in its utter awful nakedness and filthiness read it at your leisure read it time and again see the discomfort of all who lived for it and all who believed in it and all who said this was everything they've got nothing left they're left absolutely ref I say again that what we've already witnessed during Wars and calamities is as nothing in comparison with what it's going to be a terrible thing is going to happen and then listen to the appeal that is made to us rejoice over her thou heaven and ye Holy Apostles and Prophets for God ha Avenged you on her the world that's laughed at us the world that's pointed it finger at us the world that's called us fools the world that's dismissed Our Gospel as narrow and as hideous and cramping and confining and has bursted about its marvelous life Suddenly It's destroyed and this is the appeal Rejoice over her for God ha Avenged you on her and a mighty Angel took up a stone like a great Millstone and cast it into the sea saying thus with violence shall that great City Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all and the voice of Harpers and musicians and of Pipers and trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee the bands will stop the Jazz will end the drinking will finish all will be silenced and no Craftsman of whatever craft shall be shall be found anymore in thee and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee and the voice of the bridegroom and the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee for thy Merchants were the Great Men of the Earth for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived and in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all that were slain upon the Earth What a Mighty book this is if you really understand its message that's what's going to happen to the world so so John says love not the world nor the things that are in the world it's all passing away it and its things and its Kings and its princes it's all going to be destroyed in this unutterable manner and all who belong to it the destruction of the great the great Harlot Babylon the so-called great worldliness the spirit of the world this seductive power that so often has Charmed even some of God's people well there is its description [00:37:17]

and then for me to complete this bit of General Exposition at the end of chapter 19 you are given an account of the destruction of the two beasts the Beast that arose out of the Sea and the Beast that arose out of the Earth the secular power all false religions they're going to be thrown and cast into the Lake of Fire and destroyed forever that's in chapter 19 so we have seen the destruction of the people with the mark of the beast the destruction of the great Babylon the destruction of the first Beast the destruction of the second beast but still one antagonist remains and he has given special treatment a fresh section starts in chapter 20 because there we are given an account of the judgment and the final destruction of the Devil Himself Satan the head and Fountain origin of it all the ultimate antagonist of God even he is taken and cast into the L of Destruction forever and forever the last antagonist is judged and destroyed so that there's nothing else left to do now in the remainder of the book but to give us a picture of the new heavens and the new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness of Christ's people the church as his bride and the the marriage of the lamb and the bride and the description of our final and eternal state in glory [00:39:11]

well there we must leave it this evening I still propose to deal a little more in detail with chapter 20 I was simply anxious to give you tonight this general account of the enemies of Christ and his church and the account of the Judgment of God upon them and their final destruction but because of the significance of chapter 20 I hope to come back to it next Friday evening and to deal with it as I say a little more in detail and then we shall go on to consider the resurrection and end our final and ultimate state in glory let us pray our heavenly father we would again thank thee at the end as we did at the beginning for thy kindness and for thy Grace and for thy Compassion oh God we thank thee that thou H has revealed these things to us so that we are not surprised at the world as we see it we are not terrified we are not alarmed we thank thee for the assurance that thou dust thus give us that because of our relationship to thee in Jesus Christ all is well with our souls and nothing shall ever be able to separate us from thee Oh Lord open our eyes we pray the to the things that we have considered together oh God forgive us if we have ever looked with longing eyes at the seduction of the world and its sin and its way of life oh God help us to see the truth to hate evil and to love righteousness and holiness and to hunger and thirst after them knowing that if we do so we shall be filled we shall be blessed oh God may we realize as we part from one another the truth of thine own word which tells us he that ha this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure [00:44:13]

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Transcript
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