The Time is at Hand The Return of the King Revelation 1:1-3 Why Study book of Revelation? 1. Hope 2. Identity – your place in history 3. Urgency 4. Humility 5. Jesus Christ 6. Blessing 7. Instruction SEVEN BEATITUDES IN REVELATION “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near” (1:3). “‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” (14:13). “‘Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men see his shame’” (16:15). “‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb’” (19:9). “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years” (20:6). “‘And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book’” (22:7). “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city” (22:14). 9 Signs of the End Times – James White Matthew 24:5-12, 14 1. False Prophets and False Christs 2. Wars and Threats of Wars 3. Increase Natural Disasters 4. Christians Persecuted for Faith 5. Departing from the Faith 6. Internal Division and Discord among Christians 7. Rampant Immorality and Insensitivity towards morality. 8. Worldwide Evangelism 9. Cultural/Technological Climate allow for rise of Anti-Christ and his deception.