From the viewpoint of God’s eternal purpose, the church exists to be
• the incarnation and manifestation of the ultimate passion of God
• the organic expression and physical extension of the Trinitarian Community
• the corporate image-bearer of the Lord Jesus Christ on the earth
• the family of God
• the divine building whereby every living stone is being transformed, reshaped, and fitted together to form the Lord’s temple
• the colonial outpost of the coming kingdom
• the masterpiece of God
• the spiritual “Bethany” where Jesus of Nazareth is received, obeyed, and adored in the midst of a rejecting world
• the vessel in which the power of Christ’s resurrection life is visibly displayed
• the object of God’s supreme affection and delight
• the willing vehicle for Christ’s manifested presence
• the torchbearer of the testimony of Jesus
• the “one new man”—the new species—the “third race”
• the fiancée of Jesus Christ—His very body, His very bride
• the new humanity marked out in the Son of God before time and brought into existence by His cross
• the Christian’s native habitat
• the spiritual environment where face-to-face encounters between the bride and Bridegroom take place
• the living witness to the fullness and headship of God’s Son
• the colony from heaven that bears the image of its Ruler

Revelation 21:1-5

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
2 I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
4 ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.”

Revelation 21:1-5

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
2 I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
4 ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.”

SERMON TITLE: "HEAR THE SON IN THE LAST AGE"
Text: Hebrews 1:1-2, Acts 2:17, Joel 2:28-31

INTRODUCTION: THE TIME WE ARE IN
Brothers and Sisters, we are not guessing. We are in THE LAST DAYS.
Hebrews 1:2 — “but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son”

Acts 2:17 — “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh... and your young men shall see visions”

God promised visions in the last days. And He is doing it.
I myself was shown 3 things: A RED 7 IN THE SKY, A GREEN 7 ON THE WALL, AND A SKELETON.

But hear me: I’m not here to make you stare at visions. I’m here as REAGAN a servant& a witness of Jesus to do 2 things: Feed His sheep with truth. Testify to what I have seen Him do Acts 26:16

The goal of every vision is this: To bring you back to THE SON. John 3:30



POINT 1: SPIRITUAL AWAKENING - GOD IS SPEAKING NOW Joel 2:28-29
“I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh”

We are in Pentecost season. The Spirit is being poured.
God is waking people up through dreams, visions, and His Word.

Why? Proverbs 29:18 — “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint”
When God stops speaking, people go wild. But God IS speaking.

THE 3 VISIONS I SAW - GOD’S WARNING:
RED 7 IN THE SKY - The Blood of Jesus. The work is finished. Time is short. Hebrews 9:12
GREEN 7 ON THE WALL - Life from the Spirit. God wants to restore His house. Ezekiel 37:9
SKELETON - What’s left when we ignore the Son. Death. Dry bones. Ezekiel 37:11

Application: Don’t chase the sign. HEAR THE SON. Hebrews 1:2

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POINT 2: SPIRITUAL RENEWAL + REVIVAL - COME BACK TO THE WORD Joel 2:29, Psalm 51:10
Revival is not hype. It’s not noise.
Revival is when the Spirit brings us back to Jesus and to the Word. John 15:26

2 Chronicles 7:14 — “If my people... turn from their wicked ways, then I will heal their land.”

The Spirit was poured at Pentecost to make us like Jesus, not to make us famous.
Ask God today: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

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POINT 3: REPENTANCE + OBEDIENCE = LIFE + PURITY BEFORE GOD Acts 3:19, John 14:23, 1 Peter 1:15-16
“The day is near. So what do we do?”

A. REPENT Acts 3:19 — “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out”
Turn away from darkness. Turn to the Light.

B. OBEY HIS WORD/COMMANDMENTS John 14:23 — “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word”
Love is not a feeling. Love is obedience.

C. BE HOLY / BE PURE 1 Peter 1:15-16 — “as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct”
Why? Because we serve a Holy God. And Jesus is coming for a pure bride. Ephesians 5:26-27

THE PROMISE: John 10:10 — “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”
Obedience brings LIFE. Disobedience brings SKELETON.

---

WARNING: DON'T MISS JESUS IN THE VISIONS Matthew 24:24, 1 John 4:1
The enemy also gives signs. Matthew 24:24
Test every vision: Does it lead you to Jesus? To the Cross? To Holiness? To the Word?

My vision was not to glorify me. John 3:30 — “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
If a vision doesn’t make you love Jesus and obey His Word more, throw it away.

---

CONCLUSION + ALTAR CALL: CHOOSE LIFE TODAY Deuteronomy 30:19, Matthew 24:44

Church, the Red 7 says: THE BLOOD IS STILL SPEAKING. Hebrews 12:24
The Green 7 says: THE SPIRIT IS STILL POURING. Acts 2:17
The Skeleton says: WITHOUT THE SON, WE ARE DEAD. Ephesians 2:1

Today God is saying:
WAKE UP - Spiritual Awakening Romans 13:11
CLEAN UP - Renewal + Repentance Psalm 51:10
LINE UP - Obedience to the Word John 14:23
SHOW UP - Holy and Pure for Jesus 1 Peter 1:16

“We wait for Jesus not by watching the sky, but by washing in the Word and walking in obedience.” Ephesians 5:26

Heaven Will Be Worth the Wait

There is a day coming for every child of God when faith will become sight, hope will become reality, and the long journey home will finally be over. Whatever trials we endure in this present life, whatever tears we shed, whatever prayers seem to wait unanswered, there is a glorious promise before us: Heaven will be worth the wait.

The Bible does not describe eternity as an endless existence floating upon clouds. It presents something far greater—a restored creation, the presence of God, the glory of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of our bodies, the reunion of God’s people, and a world where sin, suffering, death, and sorrow are gone forever.

The Greatest Gift: We Will See Jesus

Above everything else, Heaven is glorious because Jesus will be there.

Paul wrote that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Jesus Himself promised His disciples:

“I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
—John 14:3, KJV

Imagine that moment.

The One whom we have trusted without seeing, we will finally see face to face. The One whose name we have worshiped, whose Word we have believed, and whose grace has carried us through our darkest days will stand before us in glory.

The Apostle John tells us:

“We shall see him as he is.”
—1 John 3:2

Every question about faith will be answered by His presence. Every doubt will disappear. Every struggle will seem small compared with the glory of being with Christ.

Jesus is not merely the One who gets us to Heaven.

Jesus is the treasure of Heaven.

We Will See Our Loved Ones Again

For those who have died in Christ, death is not the final goodbye.

The Christian hope is resurrection.

Paul comforted believers who were grieving their departed loved ones, telling them that Christians should not grieve “even as others which have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). He then described the great day when Christ returns and the dead in Christ are raised.

“And so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
—1 Thessalonians 4:17

What a promise.

The Christian does not believe that death permanently destroys the relationships God has given us. We look forward to the resurrection and the gathering together of God’s people in the presence of Christ.

Can we imagine embracing a loved one again—without sickness, without separation, without the fear that another goodbye is coming?

The reunion will not be marked by hospitals, funerals, tears, or graves.

It will be life.

And it will be eternal.

No More Death, Sorrow, or Pain

Perhaps one of the most beautiful promises concerning eternity is found in Revelation:

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.”
—Revelation 21:4

Think about everything that causes us grief in this present world.

There will be no more death.

No more funeral services.

No more cancer wards.

No more broken hearts.

No more loneliness.

No more betrayal.

No more fear.

No more sin.

No more crying ourselves to sleep.

God Himself will wipe away the tears.

The hands that created the universe will personally comfort His children.

The New Heaven and the New Earth

Scripture points beyond simply going to Heaven. God’s ultimate plan is the renewal of creation.

John saw:

“a new heaven and a new earth.”
—Revelation 21:1

The Christian hope is not ultimately an escape from God’s creation but the redemption and renewal of creation.

Peter likewise speaks of looking for:

“new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
—2 Peter 3:13

Imagine a world where righteousness dwells completely.

No corruption.

No injustice.

No violence.

No exploitation.

No pollution.

No decay.

No sin.

Everything will finally exist as God intended it to exist.

The curse will be gone, and creation itself will be brought into glorious freedom.

The New Jerusalem

And then Scripture gives us one of the most breathtaking visions in all of the Bible—the New Jerusalem.

John saw the holy city descending from Heaven:

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
—Revelation 21:2

The description is magnificent: gates of pearl, foundations adorned with precious stones, streets of pure gold, and the glory of God illuminating the city.

But even these incredible descriptions point toward something greater.

God Himself will dwell with His people.

Revelation says:

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them.”
—Revelation 21:3

The greatest beauty of the New Jerusalem will not be its gold.

It will not be its gates.

It will not be its walls.

It will be the presence of God.

And there will be no temple in the city, because:

“the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”
—Revelation 21:22

The Lamb is Jesus Christ.

The One who died for us will be at the center of eternity.

We Will Finally Understand

There are things we cannot understand now.

There are prayers we do not understand.

There are disappointments whose purpose remains hidden.

There are losses that still hurt.

There are seasons when we wonder why God allowed something to happen.

But Heaven will bring clarity.

Paul wrote:

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face.”
—1 Corinthians 13:12

One day we will see clearly.

We will understand that God never abandoned His children.

We will understand the meaning of grace.

We will understand the purpose of perseverance.

And perhaps many things that caused us to weep on earth will appear completely different when viewed from eternity.

Heaven Will Make This Journey Worth It

Paul, who suffered imprisonment, persecution, beatings, rejection, hunger, danger, and hardship, wrote:

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
—Romans 8:18

That is an extraordinary statement.

Paul was not saying that suffering is insignificant.

He was saying that future glory is infinitely greater.

Whatever you are facing today, it will not last forever.

The sickness will not last forever.

The grief will not last forever.

The struggle against sin will not last forever.

The tears will not last forever.

This present age is not the end of the story.

There is a resurrection coming.

There is a Kingdom coming.

There is a New Jerusalem coming.

There is a new heaven and a new earth coming.

And, most importantly, Jesus is coming.

Keep Going

Sometimes the Christian life feels long.

Sometimes the road is difficult.

Sometimes faith feels like walking through darkness while holding onto a promise.

But keep going.

Keep trusting Christ.

Keep praying.

Keep believing.

Keep your eyes on eternity.

The writer of Hebrews tells us to run the race with endurance, “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2).

The finish line is closer than it has ever been.

And when we finally cross it, we will discover that every sacrifice made for Christ was worth it.

Every prayer was worth it.

Every act of obedience was worth it.

Every tear was worth it.

Every moment when we chose Christ over the world was worth it.

Because on the other side of this life is not emptiness.

There is glory.

There is resurrection.

There is reunion.

There is righteousness.

There is the New Jerusalem.

There is the new heaven and the new earth.

And there is Jesus.

The Best Is Yet to Come

Christian, do not let the temporary darkness of this world make you forget the eternal light that is coming.

Jesus promised to prepare a place for His people.

He promised to return.

He promised resurrection.

God promised to make all things new.

And John heard the voice from the throne proclaim:

“Behold, I make all things new.”
—Revelation 21:5

One day, the journey will be over.

One day, faith will become sight.

One day, we will stand in the presence of the One who loved us enough to die for us.

One day, we will see those who have gone before us in Christ.

One day, there will be no more graves to visit because death will be gone.

One day, there will be no more tears to shed because God Himself will wipe them away.

One day, we will enter the fullness of the inheritance Christ purchased for us.

And when that day comes, we will understand something with absolute certainty:

Heaven was worth the wait.

Until then, keep your eyes upon Jesus.

The road may be difficult.

The night may be long.

But morning is coming.

Christ is coming.

And for those who belong to Him, the best is yet to come.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
—Revelation 22:20

Love is not feeling some emotional force its deliberate choice


Truth is, love is not a feeling over which we have no control, that is driven without thought by waves of emotion. (I think that might be a definition of infatuation.)

Real love is deliberate and thoughtful.
The essence of love is the deliberate choose to be love.
Our emotions are impacted by stress, whether or not we are sick, under pressure, distracted or just plain tired. Therefore, how we feel emotionally is often a very poor guide for how we should show love.
In contrast, consider how God loves us. John declares that God is love (1 John 4:8). Love is the foundation, the essence and the best descriptor of His character, as well as the motivation for everything He does.

With great care God so loved the world that He was willing to allow His Son to come to earth and die so that our sins could be forgiven (John 3:16).

IT'S A DELIBERATE CHOICE AND SACRIFICE YOU MAKE EVERYDAY...CHRIST LOVE THE BRIDE(CHURCH)
THAT HE GAVE HIMSELF TO DIE FOR HER
EVERYDAY YOU GIVEN A CHOICE TO LOVE...that CHOICE IS SACRIFICE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SELF DENIAL FOR OTHERS

What began in Eden points to Calvary.

There is a beautiful biblical connection between Adam and Christ that helps us see the story of Scripture as one unfolding story of redemption.

In Genesis 2:21–22, God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep, took one of his ribs, and made the woman from his side. Eve became Adam’s bride.

Then, at Calvary, John 19:34 tells us that a soldier pierced Jesus’ side, and blood and water came out.

Paul calls Adam a “type of the one who was to come” (Romans 5:14), and he presents Christ and the Church in the language of Bridegroom and Bride (Ephesians 5:25–32).

Adam’s side was opened, and a bride was given to him.

Christ’s side was pierced as He gave Himself for His Bride.

And Scripture tells us that Christ “loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).

From Genesis to the cross, we see the heart of God revealed: Christ came to redeem a people for Himself—a Bride He loved enough to die for.

Eden points forward.
Calvary fulfills.
And Christ is coming again for His Bride.

The story of Scripture is a story of redemption, and at the center of it stands Jesus. 🏻

Need to know.
THE GRANDEST INVITATION

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." — Revelation 19:7

In our world, wedding invitations carry weight. We check our calendars, coordinate attire, and prepare gifts to honor the couple. Yet the most magnificent celebration in human history—the Marriage Supper of the Lamb—requires a far different kind of preparation.

Revelation 19 shifts the cosmic scene from the fall of earthly empires to an outburst of unhindered praise. The long-awaited climax of history arrives not as a political conquest, but as a wedding feast. Jesus, the Lamb who was slain to purchase humanity with His blood, is revealed as the Bridegroom. The Church—every believer across time—is His bride.

This short verse carries three deep spiritual movements for your day:

Rejoice and Be Glad: True Christian joy is grounded in an unshakable future. Whatever hardship or disappointment you face today, it is not the final chapter of your story. The end of history is a feast, not a famine.

Give Him Glory: Salvation is entirely God’s initiative. We do not earn our place at this table; we are invited by grace.

Make Yourself Ready: The bride's readiness is both a gift and a pursuit. In the very next verse, Revelation notes that her fine linen is given to her, representing the righteous acts of God's holy people.

To be ready for the Bridegroom means living today in light of eternity. It means letting love, purity, and devotion shape how you treat others, manage your time, and guard your heart. You are not waiting aimlessly; you are preparing for a wedding.

Take time today to consider what temporary worry or distraction is currently competing for the joy that belongs to your eternal future, and how you can actively make yourself ready in your daily decisions and relationships.

Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting me to Your eternal feast through Jesus Christ, the Lamb. When the cares of this world feel heavy, lift my eyes to the joy that awaits me. Purify my heart today, align my desires with Your kingdom, and help me live with expectant hope. Let my life reflect the grace and righteousness You have so generously given me. Amen.

The Last Great Revival Before the Return of Christ

Theme: When God Awakens Nations Before the King Appears
Scripture Anchor: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” — Acts 2:17

Before the trumpet sounds and Christ returns in glory, Scripture declares there will be a mighty outpouring of the Spirit—a revival unlike any before. This revival is not confined to one nation or generation; it is global, sweeping across cultures, ages, and denominations. It is the final awakening, preparing the Bride for the Bridegroom.

Acts 2:17 establishes the principle: the last days are marked by a Spirit‑outpouring. Joel’s prophecy fulfilled at Pentecost points forward to a greater fulfillment before Christ’s return. Revival is heaven’s strategy to gather souls and purify the Church before the King comes.

The last great revival represents:
- Outpouring: God’s Spirit poured on all flesh.
- Harvest: Multitudes brought into the kingdom.
- Purification: The Bride made ready.
- Unity: Believers across nations joined in one Spirit.
- Testimony: Evidence of God’s power before the end.

The struggle manifests as:
- Opposition: Satanic resistance to awakening.
- Deception: False teachings to distract.
- Persecution: Pressure against the faithful.
- Complacency: Hearts asleep in comfort.
- Testing: Faith refined in fire.

- Revival is not hype—it is holy transformation.
- The last revival is not man‑made—it is Spirit‑driven.
- Opposition is not victory—it is proof of God’s movement.

From heaven’s view, the last great revival is the Bride’s final preparation. God pours His Spirit to awaken, purify, and empower His people. Heaven rejoices as nations turn, because it signals the nearness of Christ’s appearing.

What the Last Revival Produces
- Repentance: Hearts broken before God.
- Holiness: Lives set apart.
- Power: Signs, wonders, and miracles.
- Unity: Barriers broken among believers.
- Harvest: Souls gathered for eternity.

Signs the Last Revival Is Stirring
1. Global hunger: Nations crying out for truth.
2. Youth rising: Sons and daughters prophesying.
3. Supernatural manifestations: Visions, dreams, and miracles.
4. Persecution increasing: Resistance against the faithful.
5. Bride awakening: Church purified for the Bridegroom.

Assignment for Believers
- Prepare your heart: Repent and consecrate yourself.
- Seek His Spirit: Cry out for fresh outpouring.
- Reject complacency: Do not sleep in comfort.
- Stand boldly: Endure opposition with faith.
- Magnify Christ: Exalt Him as the Coming King.

Beloved, the last great revival before the return of Christ is not a distant dream—it is heaven’s promise. Do not let distraction or fear rob you of participation. His Spirit is your fire, His word is your anchor, and His coming is your hope. Awaken, for the final revival is rising, and the King is at the door.

“The Lᴏʀᴅ is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the Lᴏʀᴅ is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about … But now the Lᴏʀᴅ has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”

Judges 6:12–13 ɴᴋᴊᴠ

God chooses His instruments carefully and uses His own standards in doing so. One criterion He uses is whether a servant considers not only himself but the whole company of God’s people among whom God has placed him. Gideon is an outstanding example of this.

Gideon is told, “The Lᴏʀᴅ is with you, you mighty man of valor!” He immediately responds, “If the Lᴏʀᴅ is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” While alone in the winepress, away from his people, Gideon’s heart was occupied with them, not with himself. He had doubtless heard the Lord’s rebuke through the prophet and had been giving serious thought to it. How could the Lord be with him and not with His people? Why was the Lord not doing miracles like He had done when He brought Israel up out of Egypt? Why? Why? Surely the Lord must have forsaken His people!

The Lord appreciates a person who thinks like this. Believers today too are more than mere individuals. As Christians we are members of the body of Christ, of the bride of Christ, of the house of God. Each believer today should realize that he or she is a small part of the Church of the Living God, and is affected by the ruin that has come into it through human unfaithfulness.

Weak as he felt he was, Gideon was told, “Go in this might of yours … Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites” (vv. 14, 16). May the Lord find us of like mind, usable for Him!

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.


Sing aloud to God our strength;
He is with us where we go;Fear we not the journey’s length,
Fear we not the mighty foe.


T. Kelly


https://gbv-online.org/calendar/773/date/2026-08-17