Light on the Hill

Guest (Male): Pastor James Kaddis says God specializes in new beginnings and we can be thankful for that.

James Kaddis: I love the book of Revelation. I love it because the book of Revelation is a catalog of events that will take place where God will destroy not only the things that man has perverted, but he will destroy the very things that he created that he intended to be good because of the fact that it is so tainted and so messed up.

And he will destroy everybody including Satan who chose to pervert all the wonderful things that God had intended to create for us as good. And then God will start over again. It's a new beginning.

Guest (Male): The book of Revelation speaks of a time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth. It will come after the destruction of the old. We might refer to it as God's great reset. Hear all about it as you join us for an exciting study of Revelation chapter 21. It's one of the most thrilling passages you'll ever read. So if you're ready to hear about your heavenly home, let's join Pastor James Kaddis.

James Kaddis: Revelation chapter 21, we start at verse 18 today. I have to talk to you a little bit about a conundrum that I have in going through the remainder of this chapter and that's this. I have a very limited amount of time to go through some very significant and open concepts that are critical in order for you to be able to grasp so that you will better understand what's being communicated here in this chapter.

It's important that you understand the bigger picture that drives this portion of what we're studying in the book of Revelation, which is why I have chosen to take up this massive chunk, verses 18 all the way into verse 27. If I could have it my way, what I would do is I would probably break this up into two or maybe three sections.

But the problem with doing that is, and this is a calculated decision that I've made, outside of a college environment where I have everybody organizing their thoughts, writing a bunch of notes, having a time for review at the beginning and a time for questions at the end, I don't know of a way to be able to effectively demonstrate the principles that I'm wanting to demonstrate to you without doing it the way that I have to do it.

All of that to say, I'm in advance going to ask for a little bit of forgiveness for talking a little bit faster than I normally do. There's a method to the madness in doing it. And I'm also going to ask for forgiveness in advance if some of the things that I'm talking about appear to be redundant, but the redundancy that you might feel exists right now in my initial presentation is super critical and super important in you understanding what I'm trying to do.

Let's start from the beginning before we get into verse 18 because this is really important. As I've said before, you're never going to understand the book of Revelation if you do not understand two very important areas. The first thing you have to understand is the Old Testament. If you don't know the Old Testament, you're going to struggle immensely with the book of Revelation.

The other thing that you need to know is you need to understand what I would call the key to the book of Revelation, which is in the very beginning in chapter one, where John is told to write the things which were, to write the things that currently are, and the things which are to come. If you don't understand that and how it applies to the whole book, then you're going to struggle with how it is all being broken up.

The things which he has seen, which is the first portion of that verse in verse 19 of Revelation chapter one, refers to chapter one. The things which are refer to chapters two through three, and the things which are to come would refer to chapters four through 22. So you have to understand these two things. If you don't understand those two things, then we can't even get to first base. We can't even leave home plate.

Leave it to me to leave a sports illustration, but there you go. It's from my sandlot days. The point behind it is this, that if you know that and you understand that and you have a good foundation, then I can take you to the next section of this, which speaks of how things happened at the beginning, what took place to destroy what happened at the beginning, and what God plans to do in the end to reconcile everything that was destroyed in the beginning, understanding what God's intent was when all of that was created.

Once we know that, then we're better able to appreciate and understand what we're going to read in verses 18 all the way in through the very last portion of this chapter. Let me just start off by simply saying that when God created the heavens and the earth, understand that God's intent in creating the heavens and the earth was to give to mankind a paradise to live in.

God's whole goal when he created the heavens and the earth and he created man for the heavens and the earth was to give man opulence. It was his goal to give man blessing, unlimited resources, to give man a luxurious life that they would be able to live, a life filled with nothing other than just blessings and glory, a life filled with all kinds of resources.

The funny thing about this is when God took that intent and expressed it in his formal communication which resulted in the creation of mankind, then Satan immediately came in and sought to destroy that. He has been successful in destroying that on many levels. Perhaps the most fundamental of levels that he was successful in destroying it was by convincing mankind that there was something else that they needed that was outside of what God had provided.

They realized that there was nothing else outside of what God had provided that even existed, and their pursuit of what did not exist is the very thing that destroyed them when they fell in the garden. In other words, God gave them everything. Literally what God gave them was priceless. They were living the lives of what we would call trillionaires. There was nothing in the world that they could not have. They owned the whole world.

God gave it to them. God said, "It's yours. You have everything. It's all available to you." And yet what was interesting was they chose to believe a lie that was created by and propagated through the voice of Satan that said there was something more that they could have had. And in essence, what they selected to do, what they chose to do was not believe God when God said, "I've given you all of this."

They chose to pursue something else, which was in essence direct rebellion to God, direct disobedience to God. And in choosing to do that, they literally destroyed their lives. They literally got to the point where they took everything that God had given to them, the whole world, and they took the title deed to the earth and they gave it to Satan.

From that point on, Satan has owned the earth. The title deed to the earth has belonged to him. Now, we talked about this because when we get into Revelation four and five, we talked about the title deed of the earth being given back to Christ. Christ of course being the one who could redeem it because of what he did on the cross, the victory he had over death, the perfect life that he lived.

When we talk about the redemption of the earth based on buying back the title deed or bringing it back, we know exactly what that's all about. But here's the concept that I need you to grasp because this is very, very important. Everything that God intended for us, everything was beyond anything that we could possibly imagine.

If you like the idea of owning so much that you never have a financial concern in your life because you have everything you need and so much more, and you never have to worry about the generations that are coming, you don't have to worry about your children or your children's children, then in essence, you are in the place that God had already intended for you to be in prior to the fall.

But because of the fall, because mankind thought that they wanted something that was different or more than what God had already set for them, they began to be in love with the creation and no longer in love with the creator. In other words, the obsession became with the materialism. The obsession became with the things. The obsession became with all of the stuff that was around them, the opulence and all of the things that they could have had.

The pursuit created a bloodlust within mankind to want more and more and more and more and more, and mankind has never been satisfied because the more they get, it seems as though the more that they want. You buy the latest and greatest, and in a few weeks you've got to buy more of the latest and greatest. You know how it works. There is almost like a lust that exists within mankind that always wants more.

Not recognizing that there was a point in time throughout the course of human history where God gave everything to mankind. Do you understand that? Do you understand there was a point in time where there was no such thing as upgrading for man because man got all the upgrades? God created it that way. But what did we do? We walked away from it. Why did we walk away from it? We walked away from it because we took our eyes off the Lord.

With all of that background, I need you guys to understand this because this is really important. Not only did the devil become successful in getting mankind to be dissatisfied with the perfect environment that God had set into place, and not only was he successful in getting mankind to rebel against the Lord, he was also successful in casting aspersion on the word of God so that people would look at the things that God's word says and not only question it, but would also in their minds come up with something that they thought was actually better.

It was from that point on, from the very moment that the devil told Eve, "Hath God really said?" and Eve actually quoted what God had not said, it was from that point on that mankind has walked away from the word of God to have it or utilize it for everything that pertains to life. And by the way, throughout the Scriptures we hear exhortation being given to us that the Bible was created for the purpose of being utilized for everything that we could possibly need to utilize it for or anything we would want it to be for.

As a matter of fact, the Bible actually tells us in 2 Timothy, and we've talked about this, here's one great example of this, the Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3 that in the last days perilous times will come, and he begins to name the kind of evil attributes and characteristics that will be in mankind. And he goes on for verse after verse after verse. He uses words after words, that man will be the type of people who will even be insolvent.

Think about it, they're going to be the type of people who are going to wave their fists at God, they're going to hate God, they're going to be lovers of self, they're going to be boasters, all the stuff that mankind is and we are in the last days and we're seeing it. But it's not a coincidence that near the end of that chapter, Paul says, "Hey, pay attention to the Scriptures. Don't walk away from the word of God that's been given to you."

And then when you get near the very, very end of that passage, verses 16 through 17 of 2 Timothy chapter 3, he tells us all Scripture, all of it, is profitable for all kinds of things: doctrine, rebuke, all kinds of things. Why? Because he wants us to know that in these last days, the only tool that we have available to us that's viable to be able to guide us through the difficult things that we're facing is going to be the word of God.

After the devil was successful in getting mankind to believe the lie that there was something else out there that's better than what God had for them, he was able to create within them a heart of rebellion. And after he was successful in allowing them to ensue the process that led to their destruction and led to their vulnerabilities and death and all the other things that came with it, then he was also able in casting within mankind an aspersion upon the word of God, which caused mankind to be born with the tendency to not want to follow the word of God.

What came after that was very fast and it was rapid and it was literally the destruction of mankind because what came after that was everything that follows it. What came after that has gone into a process of mankind perverting and destroying every wonderful and good thing that God has created for us. Mankind has taken every intent that God has ever given for us, every single wonderful thing, every plan, every good thing, he has taken it and he has literally perverted it in ways you cannot even imagine.

How many of us will look at something like the introduction to the Olympic Games, the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, and look at the rainbow flags that they're flying around and think how disgusting when yet even the book of Revelation confirms for us that God intended the colors of the rainbow to signal something far more significant and far more important, far more permanent and far more powerful than anything that the devil could try to create in what he's trying to create it with.

But what happens? The devil is good at hijacking symbols that God has put in front of us. The devil is good at hijacking all that God has called good, turned it into something that is not good and then shove it down the throat of mankind so that mankind can destroy themselves. So here's the history of human nature. Let me just tell you the history of mankind. Let me tell you everything that's happened in human history leading all the way up until the time that we're at.

Here it is. Ready? Here's the process. God puts something and makes something and builds something and creates something that is wonderful for mankind. Satan takes it, he casts aspersion on the commands related to how that's to be used and how it's to be held onto and regarded and believed and held fast to. Mankind buys the lies, hook, line, and sinker, and throws away every wonderful thing that God has intended for mankind.

God comes in, he redeems mankind by providing a way for mankind to be able to repent, to trust in God for salvation and bring back to mankind everything that he intended for them in the first place, but that they messed up and that they ruined. Then mankind ruins it again. They find something that they think is better, they look to something that they think is great. They say, "I've got a better way." And what are they doing? They're destroying themselves again and again and again and again.

This is how the devil works. The devil takes ugliness and he continues to make it look attractive to mankind so that when mankind buys the lies, they end up finding themselves to be not only empty, but they find themselves on a crash course to death before they realize that what they did was too late. I want to make myself very clear.

I love the book of Revelation and I love it because the book of Revelation is a catalog of events that will take place where God will destroy not only the things that man has perverted, but he will destroy the very things that he created that he intended to be good because of the fact that it is so tainted and so messed up.

And he will destroy everybody including Satan who chose to pervert all the wonderful things that God had intended to create for us as good. And then God will start over again. It's a new beginning.

When you read this section of Revelation chapter 21, I want to beg you to do something. I want to beg you to not be enthralled with the infrastructure that Revelation 21 is describing. A lot of people spend a lot of time getting excited about what the new heaven is going to look like, what the new earth is going to look like. Look at this city, it's awesome and the measurements are huge. And we spent some time doing that. As a matter of fact, we'll do a little bit of that today.

I'll bring up the little gem pictures and all that. But I'm going to beg you to not be distracted by the infrastructure that you see being depicted here because the purpose of the depiction of this infrastructure has absolutely nothing to do with what you're going to see because in reality what you're going to see one day cannot even be vividly or accurately described in human terminology.

I am going to propose to you that the reason why we have this description in front of us is to cause us to see God's methodical destruction of the very things that led to us being ripped off and his rebuilding or new building of the very things that he intended for us in the first place that will never be destroyed again. If you look at it from that perspective, I can promise you, this will be one of the most exciting passages in the Bible you will ever read and it will be encouraging.

Here's a thing that I think is really funny and I think it's really interesting. When I talk about finances with people, especially in the church, and to this day I still don't get it. It's amazing to me how much time, energy, and effort people will focus into listening about the discussions that I have regarding improving their financial condition or creating more stability for them and their family, buying one or two or three or five or ten homes, doesn't matter.

It's amazing how focused people become on that when God intended all of that to be the rubbish part of our lives. The part of our lives that's like, yeah, who cares? It doesn't even matter to me. One of the greatest compliments that was ever given to me, and I've had a few of these lately, was given to me by a man that I know who became a multi-millionaire probably seven or eight or nine or ten or 12 or 15 times over.

He came to me and he told me this because we're becoming very good friends because we're working on a project together. He's not even a believer, but the circumstances behind this he's one of the guys that's kind of, it's a long story how this is coming forth. He says, "The one thing that I think is insane about you, Pastor James, is that the stuff that you always talk about happens to be the stuff that relates to the Bible, the Christian stuff."

He says, "When the stuff that I dream to obtain one day is the things that you say doesn't even matter and you don't even care about it even though it's in your pocket." I look at him and I just say this one thing. That's the way God intended for it to be. God did not intend for you to say, "Look at the tool that I've given you because it's so wonderful and so expensive and so nice," and be enthralled with the tool.

God intended for you to have all of those tools and then say, "Let's get to work." He doesn't care about all of the things that we care about. And it's funny because God created the tools for us and as mankind, we've been hustled into falling in love with the tools and completely forgetting about the mission, completely forgetting about the God who gave us the tools.

Here's why I look at guys that teach health and wealth, the health and wealth preachers, and I just think in their mind, you guys are fools. You guys are not only fools, but you are people that are going to lead individuals to hell because I have no problem with telling somebody that God intends for all of us to be able to not struggle financially. I don't have a problem making that statement. I think that was God's original intent. God gave us the world to start off with.

So why would I say for any stretch of the imagination that God wants everybody to be poor? I don't think that's true. I have no problem with saying that God would be happy with us having wealth. I have no problem with that statement. The problem is this. When you're a guy that says that it's all about those things because that's what God wants, then you get to the point where you teach people to love those things and treat God as the vending machine that gives them to you and not understanding that God gave you all of those things so that you could use them for his glory and accomplish the mission, then you have it all backwards. It becomes nothing. You understand?

Guest (Male): You're listening to Pastor James Kaddis on Light on the Hill. He'll be right back with more. Pastor James, in light of the current war in Iran, some have wondered is war ever justifiable in God's sight? I'd like to hear your thoughts about the Pope's recent comments that God rejects the prayers of those who wage war.

James Kaddis: Okay, well this is really simple. The Pope is dead wrong. The Pope is not expressing any view that is correct with biblical doctrine or foundation, or is oftentimes unfortunately just a regular part of everyday life. We see it all throughout the Old Testament. We even see hints of it in the New Testament and quite frankly, under the right circumstances, it is moral. Very much like what's happening in Iran right now. I believe that what we're doing in Iran is a very moral thing and I think that a lot of people don't really see through it because they don't understand the nature of what's happening over there, but it is indeed a very important thing for us to be able to understand.

Guest (Male): Thanks, Pastor James. Light on the Hill is heard all around the world and it takes a team to bring these shows to the radio and internet. With your help, we're able to reach people with the truth of God's word at a time when they really need to hear it. You can donate today at lightonthehillradio.com. You can also give through our Light on the Hill app. As we're going through Revelation, this is a great time to mention Pastor James's new book entitled *The Last Book*. It will share what you need to know about Revelation, the Rapture, and the end times. This guide to Revelation is part one of two and you can order it today at lightonthehillradio.com or at Amazon. We hope you'll join our online communities. You'll find James Kaddis on YouTube, Rumble, and Instagram. You can also hear our weekly prophecy show, *Countdown to Eternity*, wherever you get your podcasts and at countdown2eternity.com. Now let's finish up our Bible study on God's great reset.

James Kaddis: The picture that we're about to read in the book of Revelation shows us the things that mankind values the most. We are going to name things that mankind values the most and in heaven, those are the things that don't matter. In heaven, those are the things that people walk on. Can you imagine how rich of a city we are talking about? We are talking about a city that is so rich that you might be walking around going, "I'm a baller, look how much gold I have."

And you show up to heaven and everybody's like, "Oh, you bought more tar. Great. You bought more stuff for the streets." Now all of a sudden your identity's not wrapped up in how much money you have, it's not wrapped up in your wealth, it's not wrapped up in the possessions that you have. It becomes wrapped up in one thing and one thing only and that's you're a child of God.

So when you read the book of Revelation, what the book of Revelation does for you, especially in this chapter, is it's going to document for you an infrastructure where God has taken what man has destroyed and he destroys it all only to create a new version of it that will never be destroyed again. That's why we're excited about what we read in Revelation 21.

Guest (Male): Our study of Revelation will continue next time on Light on the Hill with Pastor James Kaddis. Remember as a Christian, you are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. This program is brought to you by Calvary Chapel Signal Hill.