END WELL

Sermon Notes, November 11, 2012

Pastor Jan Sinozich

Pastor Jan’s sermon was titled “End Well,” and her scripture reference was Revelation 19, 20, and 21.  Do you ever go to the end of a good book to see who wins?  At the end of the Bible is the Revelation.  It is the story of the end of our story.

John revealed his vision about the end.  John, an apostle, is in exile on the Isle of Patmos.  He writes with authority to the churches.  He communicates the battle between good and evil.  He speaks of the Judgment: the joy of those whose names are written in the Book of Life.  However, the followers of Satan are not joyful.

Chapter 19 is the first ending, with the white horse, the armies of heaven, the devil, the Beast, and the False Prophet who are thrown into Lake Fire.  Chapter 20 tells of Satan being chained for a thousand years, and the rule of those who suffered for God’s kingdom.  Then comes the final judgment, when everyone is judged by the way he lived, by what is written in the books.  Those whose names are not written in the Book of Life are thrown into Lake Fire along with Satan, the Beast, and the False Prophet.  Chapter 21 is the celebration, the wedding reception of the bridegroom Jesus, and his bride, the church.  A glorious Heaven is described.

Each of us has a story.  We write our story by the choices we make.  We live or die by our own choices.  The good go the heaven, the bad go to hell.  What makes a good life?  Is being good enough?  Is it enough to do your best?  No.  God sent His Son to show us how to love God and love others.  We have to choose to accept His gift. 

The end is God’s story.  The hero dies, then comes back.  The sequel is eternity.  The ending is the beginning of eternity.  How will your story end?  Jesus is telling us in Revelation 21, “I’m on my way.  I’ll be there soon!”