Part 98 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series

In this last study on Revelation, David Pawson lists the reasons for his view of the Millennium and resumes looking at John’s visions about our future including the final judgment. Books will be opened that reveal our records. Those who are ‘in Christ’ on that day – their names will be in His book, the Book of Life. The human race finishes in 2 groups only – those who live under the rule of God and those who want to live their own way. David warns against the lack of the fear of God abroad today which says that those who are not faithful to the Lord will be annihilated. Rather, ‘our God is a consuming fire, so let us worship him with awe and reverence.’ The good news for our future is that there is to be a new heaven and a new earth where God and those who have been faithful to him will live together. We can live in this new heaven and earth if we are willing to be ‘recycled’ now. Recycling is making useless things (and people) useful. David reveals evidence for the truth of Revelation in regard to the gems that are mentioned in the New Jerusalem – fascinating. He gives 10 reasons for reading Revelation.

Part 97 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series

David Pawson says Christian hope is fixed on the ultimate future – as seen in the book of Revelation. Toward the end, there are 7 visions as well as oral messages to John. David warns about the division of the Word of God into chapters and verses which has caused people to become ‘text people’ where a verse is taken out of context and misunderstood. The visions thus have been split into 3 chapters. For a thousand years the church had no chapter and verse numbers. David says we need to take the visions in their order, and not juggle chapters. We find 4 enemies of the human race: Satan, antichrist, the false prophet and Babylon. Jesus doesn’t ride a donkey – he is on horseback, ready for war against evil. A world battle will take place at Megiddo, at the crossroads of the world, and Jesus will destroy his enemies with a word. Then he will rule the world with Christians sharing that reign for a thousand years - the millennium. It will be a time of world peace. 4 major events in the visions: The Second Coming; The Millennial Rule of Christ on Earth; The Day of Judgment; and the New Heaven and New Earth.

Part 96 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series

David Pawson says, there are 3 women in the book of Revelation that are actually representative of either a group of people, a city or something else. He helps with interpretation. Much of the book deals with 2 cities – one labelled ‘Babylon’ – a city of man; and Jerusalem, the city of God – represented by 2 of the women. Throughout the Bible ‘Babylon’ is used for all that is secular and wicked. David says that sin, vice, aggressiveness, lust, greed and crime are more concentrated in cities. There are cities of the world now that could be the final ‘Babylon’ of Revelation. Revelation shows that politicians will bring about the destruction of ‘Babylon’, a city of pleasure, crime and commerce. David says it is pictured as a prostitute because it takes your money and gives you pleasure. The martyrdom of the church will not be total because there will be those who come out as advised. David says that the whole world finance system will collapse. He discusses the concept of Christians being raptured out before the trouble – a very important teaching.

Part 95 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series

David Pawson, looking at Revelation, says that when the Lord writes history he gives us the whole picture including what is happening in heaven and in the future – Apocalyptic History. David says Revelation is full of art, worship and singing. Jews and Christians will be one flock under one Shepherd. David explains the animals, pictures and symbols. God has told us the worst of what is coming so that we will be prepared if it happens in our lifetime. We know that the disasters to come will last only 3-and-a-half years. David explains the bowls, seals and scrolls. There will even be satanic miracles on display. The unholy trinity of Satan, the false prophet and the antichrist will rule, and many believers will be martyred. David informs about the differing ways of interpreting Revelation.

Part 94 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series

David Pawson says that Revelation is the only book of the Bible that nobody decided to write. John simply wrote down what he saw and heard at the instruction of an angel. Jesus appears to him in a vision, but now his glory is apparent. David says that we need Revelation to fill out our picture of Jesus. Jesus reveals a knowledge of 7 cities and their churches to whom he is giving personal, individual messages. These cities in The Fertile Crescent are a melting pot of culture, politics and religion where roads between Europe and Asia traverse. Also, it was the area where Satan had his headquarters. The number seven is God’s perfect number and appears throughout this book. There are 7 parts to the letters – the Address, an Attribute of Jesus, an Approval of the church, an Accusation, Jesus’ Advice to put things right – sometimes with a warning that they will be closed down if they continue in wrong, an Appeal for them to heed, and finally an Assurance. For two of the churches – the largest ones – he has nothing good to say about them. For those who are suffering persecution, he has no accusation. David gives an outline of the whole book, and though things will get worse, they will ultimately get better and stay that way.

Part 93 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series

David Pawson believes Revelation is one of the greatest books in the Bible. Without it, the Bible would be incomplete. The Church needs to study it to prepare for what lies ahead. God’s opinion of this book is clear; it is the only one that has a blessing for reading it aloud, and a curse for tampering with it, attached. The Bible is a history book and we are the only people who know how our world is going to end. It helps to remember it was written for ordinary people and should not be twisted by the highly educated. We need to read it with common sense. For instance, if the same word is repeated in the same context it has the same meaning. If people had used this logic, we would not have made some of the blunders we have. Revelation was written for a very practical purpose – to prepare for the difficulties ahead for believers so that we will have ‘patient endurance’. ‘Jesus is coming back – that’s the very centre of our hope for the future.’ There are promises of rewards for those who are victorious. David says, ‘Revelation is written for this very simple purpose – to keep Christians’ names in the Book of Life.

Part 92 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series

David Pawson says the little neglected letter of Jude is wonderful. He reads his own paraphrase and shows that it divides into 2: a dangerous corruption and how to deal with it. David says that Jude (a brother of Jesus) is like a surgeon ‘wielding a knife to cut out the cancer in the Body of Christ.’ All churches are in danger, either from outside – which pushes Christians together and strengthens them; or from inside – being either legalistic or too liberal which can destroy the Body of Christ. Legalism says: you are not free to sin and we’re going to see that you don’t. License says: you are free to sin and it’s okay now you’re a Christian. True liberty says: in the Spirit, you are free not to sin. David says that we are constantly hearing a sentimental view of God being preached on TV and it’s not a true picture of God. Their other problem was regarding Jesus as only one way to God rather than the way. David says when your creed is corrupted, your conduct will be too; when your conduct is corrupted, your character and conversation will be too. He hopes the little letter of Jude will encourage you to contend for the Gospel in truth and love.

Part 91 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series

Teaching on the Letters of John, David Pawson discusses the issue of sin in the believer’s life. At first sight, there appear to be contradictory verses, but careful study brings clarity. David proves that it is dangerous to take a verse out of its context. Another subject covered is the difference between males and females because two of John’s letters are addressed separately to a woman and a man about the same subject, and yet saying opposite things. Hospitality was the very important theme, as it is possible to invite heresy into a church by inviting visiting ministries without verifying the truth of their teaching. David says that churches need both local ministry and travelling ministries. John’s third letter addresses the problem of holding a church’s ministry too closely and not showing love to honourable visiting ministries. David emphasizes the need for both truth and love in each life.