Understanding Bible Translations and the Reality of Judgment
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to address a topic that's been circulating on social media regarding Bible translations, specifically the NIV and ESV. Some people are claiming these translations are deceptive because they omit certain verses found in the King James Version. However, these omissions are due to the discovery of older manuscripts that were not available when the King James Version was translated. These older manuscripts, dating back to the second century, provide a more accurate representation of the original texts. Therefore, there's no need to discard your NIV or ESV Bibles.
We then transitioned into our ongoing series on the Book of Revelation, focusing on the end times, the final judgment, and the millennial reign of Christ. Revelation 19 and 20 describe the return of Jesus on a white horse, symbolizing His final victory over evil. This period will be marked by the binding of Satan for a thousand years, during which Christ will reign on earth. However, after this millennium, Satan will be released for a short time to deceive the nations once more, leading to a final battle.
The ultimate fate of Satan, the beast, and the false prophet is eternal torment in the lake of fire. This serves as a stark reminder of the reality of hell and the importance of choosing Christ. The Great White Throne Judgment will follow, where unbelievers will be judged according to their deeds. Those not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire, emphasizing the urgency of accepting Christ and sharing the gospel with others.
In conclusion, the message is clear: hell is real, and we must take our faith seriously. We have a responsibility to share the hope of Christ with others, ensuring they understand the gravity of their choices. Let's commit to living out the Great Commission, making disciples and spreading the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Accurate Bible Translations: Modern translations like the NIV and ESV are based on older, more reliable manuscripts. These translations aim to provide a more accurate representation of the original texts, even if it means omitting verses found in later manuscripts like the King James Version. This should reassure us of the integrity of these translations and the reliability of God's Word. [16:45]
2. The Reality of the Final Judgment: Revelation 19 and 20 vividly describe the return of Christ and the final judgment. Jesus will return as a conquering King, and all evil will be defeated. This serves as a powerful reminder of the reality of God's justice and the importance of living a life that honors Him. [27:03]
3. The Millennial Reign of Christ: During the thousand-year reign, Christ will rule on earth, and Satan will be bound. This period will be a time of peace and righteousness, offering a glimpse of what the world could be like without the influence of evil. However, the release of Satan at the end of this period serves as a final test for humanity. [29:19]
4. The Urgency of Sharing the Gospel: The Great White Throne Judgment is a sobering reminder that those who do not accept Christ will face eternal separation from God. This underscores the urgency of sharing the gospel with others, ensuring they understand the gravity of their choices and the hope available through Jesus. [39:04]
5. The Eternal Consequences of Our Choices: The lake of fire is described as a place of eternal torment, emphasizing the seriousness of rejecting Christ. This should motivate us to live out our faith authentically and passionately, striving to lead others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. [40:53]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[16:45] - Addressing Bible Translation Concerns
[19:25] - Offering and Generosity
[24:16] - Introduction to Revelation 19 and 20
[27:03] - The Return of Christ
[29:19] - The Millennial Reign
[33:12] - Timeline of End Times
[34:31] - Satan's Release and Final Deception
[39:04] - The Great White Throne Judgment
[40:53] - Eternal Consequences
[49:33] - Call to Accept Christ
[53:12] - Closing Prayer and Song
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 19:11-16 - The Return of Christ on a White Horse
2. Revelation 20:1-3 - The Binding of Satan
3. Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment
#### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of Jesus returning on a white horse as described in Revelation 19:11-16?
2. According to Revelation 20:1-3, what happens to Satan during the thousand-year reign of Christ?
3. What is the ultimate fate of those not found in the Book of Life as described in Revelation 20:11-15?
4. How does the sermon explain the reason for the omissions in modern Bible translations like the NIV and ESV? [16:45]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the imagery of Jesus on a white horse symbolize about His return and final victory over evil? [27:03]
2. Why is the binding of Satan for a thousand years significant for the millennial reign of Christ? [29:19]
3. How does the Great White Throne Judgment emphasize the urgency of sharing the gospel with others? [39:04]
4. What are the eternal consequences of rejecting Christ, and how should this impact our daily lives and interactions with others? [40:53]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the importance of accurate Bible translations. How does understanding the history and reliability of modern translations like the NIV and ESV affect your confidence in reading and sharing the Bible? [16:45]
2. The sermon emphasized the reality of hell and the final judgment. How does this understanding influence your sense of urgency in sharing the gospel with friends and family? [39:04]
3. During the millennial reign, Christ will rule on earth, and Satan will be bound. How can this future hope of peace and righteousness inspire you to live a life that honors Christ today? [29:19]
4. The Great White Throne Judgment is a sobering reminder of the eternal consequences of our choices. What steps can you take to ensure that your name is in the Book of Life and to help others understand the gravity of their choices? [40:53]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of living out the Great Commission. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the gospel. What specific actions can you take this week to share the hope of Christ with them? [43:05]
6. Reflect on the pastor's story about people believing they are beyond forgiveness. How can you communicate the message of grace and forgiveness to someone who feels they are too far gone for God's love? [25:44]
7. Considering the eternal consequences described in the sermon, what changes can you make in your daily life to live more authentically and passionately for Christ? [40:53]
Devotional
Day 1: The Integrity of Modern Bible Translations
Modern translations like the NIV and ESV are based on older, more reliable manuscripts. These translations aim to provide a more accurate representation of the original texts, even if it means omitting verses found in later manuscripts like the King James Version. This should reassure us of the integrity of these translations and the reliability of God's Word. The discovery of older manuscripts dating back to the second century has allowed scholars to create translations that are closer to the original writings. Therefore, there's no need to discard your NIV or ESV Bibles. Instead, trust that these translations are faithful to the original texts and continue to study God's Word with confidence. [16:45]
"For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." (Matthew 5:18, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding the historical context of Bible translations affect your trust in the Scriptures you read daily?
Day 2: The Reality of the Final Judgment
Revelation 19 and 20 vividly describe the return of Christ and the final judgment. Jesus will return as a conquering King, and all evil will be defeated. This serves as a powerful reminder of the reality of God's justice and the importance of living a life that honors Him. The ultimate fate of Satan, the beast, and the false prophet is eternal torment in the lake of fire. This serves as a stark reminder of the reality of hell and the importance of choosing Christ. The Great White Throne Judgment will follow, where unbelievers will be judged according to their deeds. Those not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire, emphasizing the urgency of accepting Christ and sharing the gospel with others. [27:03]
"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done." (Revelation 20:12, ESV)
Reflection: How does the reality of the final judgment influence the way you live your life today?
Day 3: The Millennial Reign of Christ
During the thousand-year reign, Christ will rule on earth, and Satan will be bound. This period will be a time of peace and righteousness, offering a glimpse of what the world could be like without the influence of evil. However, the release of Satan at the end of this period serves as a final test for humanity. The millennial reign of Christ is a significant event in eschatology, symbolizing the ultimate victory of good over evil. It is a time when Christ's authority will be fully realized on earth, and His followers will experience the fullness of His kingdom. This period also serves as a reminder that even in a perfect environment, the human heart can still be susceptible to deception. [29:19]
"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What does the millennial reign of Christ teach you about the nature of His kingdom and your role in it?
Day 4: The Urgency of Sharing the Gospel
The Great White Throne Judgment is a sobering reminder that those who do not accept Christ will face eternal separation from God. This underscores the urgency of sharing the gospel with others, ensuring they understand the gravity of their choices and the hope available through Jesus. The reality of eternal consequences should motivate us to live out our faith authentically and passionately. We have a responsibility to share the hope of Christ with others, ensuring they understand the gravity of their choices. Let's commit to living out the Great Commission, making disciples and spreading the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. [39:04]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.'" (Mark 16:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel, and how can you share it with them this week?
Day 5: The Eternal Consequences of Our Choices
The lake of fire is described as a place of eternal torment, emphasizing the seriousness of rejecting Christ. This should motivate us to live out our faith authentically and passionately, striving to lead others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The ultimate fate of Satan, the beast, and the false prophet is eternal torment in the lake of fire. This serves as a stark reminder of the reality of hell and the importance of choosing Christ. The Great White Throne Judgment will follow, where unbelievers will be judged according to their deeds. Those not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire, emphasizing the urgency of accepting Christ and sharing the gospel with others. [40:53]
"And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure that you and those around you are making choices that lead to eternal life with Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Have you ever heard somebody say, well, I'm going to hell anyway? Does it ever just kind of, kind of maybe shoot you? Like a, I don't know, even a spear through the heart. I've heard a couple of people in my life say that to me and I don't even know what to say. Because why would you want to do that willingly, right? Why would you want to live your life in a way that that's where you're going? But then I was talking to a guy about four years ago. We had a small group and we got together in a park and we were having a picnic and one of them brought one of her friends and, you know, I'm talking to him and he said, you know, I've just done so many bad things. Bad things in my life. I don't understand. God can't forgive me for that. Maybe I'm just on my way to hell. And I tried to talk to him about it and, you know, I think I just came to the realization through him that maybe people just don't understand that we have grace." [24:55](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We have forgiveness. You know, we have the throne that we can approach. You know, Hebrews 4.16 tells us the throne room is wide open. Come boldly to it with confidence. And there we're going to find our grace and mercy in times of great need. And that's really the message. The message we as Christians have to get out to people, right? That there is hope, that there's not just nothing and we have to concede to this. I'm going to hell anyway and continuing on this life that is destructive and will leave us there if we don't do something." [25:44](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you know someone that you have fear is not saved and they're going to end up in the lake of fire, you really need to get some urgency in you, right? You need to go talk to them. If you yourself have not, you need to get things right with God, like today, okay? I want you to think about a few things. Hell is very real. I hope that the story didn't just hitch in the side of the head or silence you or scare you. I hope that it will open your eyes that hell is very real and we need to rescue people from hell as many as we can, okay?" [43:05](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You can repent, turn from your old ways, your old self, face Christ, follow him, have faith, and let him save you, okay? Ephesians 2 talks about how we're dead in our sins and on our way to hell, but then enter the picture, grace. And we just have to put our faith in him, and he'll give us all the grace that we need. And we can't do this by any, any, works. You know, Paul tells us, not by works, so that no one can boast. And we see that living out here at this great white throne judgment, because the books were opened with all their good works. Didn't do them any good. Their name wasn't in the, in the book of life, okay?" [46:58](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You just have to repent of your sins, you know, just turn away from them. Let them go. It's hard. Some will still chase after you, but you know, you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you ask him to save you, you ask him to forgive you, you follow him. And throughout life, maybe some of those things that were heavy get a little bit lighter, a little bit easier, as he grows you and grows you and pulls you away from your old self and rebuilds you as this new self, you know? And then you can go and be his workmanship, his workmanship in Christ." [46:58](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So at this point, we've gone through all the judgments, you know, the trumpets, the bowls, the antichrist and the unholy trinity have risen. There's a mystery Babylon city that pops up as you'll see. Lots of events. It's just, you know, the great tribulation, not a good time. But now we're at the end of all of that. So verse 11, then I saw heaven open to behold a white horse, the one sitting on it called faithful and true. And in righteousness in he judges and makes war. So again, we're wrapping up the tribulation period. We're going to move to this, this thousand year millennial period, which we're going to dig into Jesus. He's coming on his white stallion. The first time he came, he came into Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday on a colt. At that time, a colt meant the king was coming for peace talks, basically he was coming in peace. But when they came in riding on a white stallion, it is all out war. Jesus came in peace. Once he's not going to do it again, he's going to come back and he's going to take a, take care of business." [27:03](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Several things are apparent after the thousand years, some nations are going to survive the tribulation period and live into the millennium. Children are going to continue to be born to the people of earth. Christ will rule during the millennium with a rod of iron and mankind will rebel against Christ despite the blessing of the millennium. I mean, maybe we just don't get it, right? So first nine and they marched up over the broad plane of the earth, surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, Jerusalem. But fire came down from heaven and consume them and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire. And sulfur where the beast and fault profit were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever forever is not only a long time, it is never ending. It is forever. They're not going to ever get out of this." [34:31](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Then I saw a great white throne in him who is seated on it from his presence, earth and sky fled away and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead great and small standing before the throne and the books were opened. Then another book was open. Which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books according to what they had done. So imagine that everything just fades away around you. You're just, you're in this, before this great white throne, there's a table with some books. It's a little courtroom, just you and this judge, you know, Jesus, your judge, and they've got out, he's got all these books open and he's going through your life, you know, and you're being judged according to your works. And we're all found guilty. Every single one of us. But if you've accepted Christ, your name is in the book of life and you get a pass. Why wouldn't you want to take that pass?" [39:04](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of men who have rebelled against me, for their worms shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be in abhorrence to all flesh. Isaiah was prophesying about the very end of time. This is after the judgment, after, oh, I don't have the timeline up there anymore, sorry. You get things stuck in your head. But it's that eternal state where we're just living on the new heaven and new earth forever. And apparently there's another chasm, just like we read about in Luke 16, and we'll be able to see this. Why? I don't know. I always wonder, why are we going to be able to see this? But perhaps it's a reminder never to let this happen again, never to do this, keep ourselves in check, keep our eyes on God forever." [50:49](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You can repent, turn from your old ways, your old self, face Christ, follow him, have faith, and let him save you, okay? Ephesians 2 talks about how we're dead in our sins and on our way to hell, but then enter the picture, grace. And we just have to put our faith in him, and he'll give us all the grace that we need. And we can't do this by any, any, works. You know, Paul tells us, not by works, so that no one can boast. And we see that living out here at this great white throne judgment, because the books were opened with all their good works. Didn't do them any good. Their name wasn't in the, in the book of life, okay?" [46:58](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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