The Beginning of The End - Part Two

October 25, 2015 Preacher: Randy Smith Series: Revelation

Scripture: Revelation 6:1–17

Transcript

The Beginning of The End-Part Two

Revelation 6:1-17
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Pastor Randy Smith



As we dive deeper into the book of Revelation, Christians commonly walk away with two wrong responses. First is they hear about God's awful wrath and the persecution on the church and they become scared, very scared. Second is they contemplate the heavy symbolism and make it their life's goal to interpret the events down to the smallest detail. Then they often dogmatically defend their position, even to the expense of dividing the church. If the first individual has his head in the sand, the second has his head in the clouds!

Allow me to say from the onset that neither of these, though they are oftentimes the two primary responses, should be the end result of our study. So that begs the question, how should we be motivated in our study of Revelation or for that matter, the study of what theologians call, "Eschatology"? Let me give you seven quick thoughts.

First, we should realize that God has a wise plan for the world that He has set from eternity past that He will fulfill His plan according to His will. Nothing is catching Him by surprise. Second, we know that God will be the victor. Despite what we see, evil and Satan will not win in the end. This gives us incredible hope. Third, we are reminded that this world is not our home. Our time here on earth is but a vapor (Jas. 4:14). We should live with abandon for the glory of God and look forward to the greater joy that awaits us. Fourth, we learn to assess our values. We learn that all that really matters is what lasts for eternity. All in this world will be burned up. Only God's Word and human souls will live forever. Fifth, we know that God is holy. Heaven is about holy living. Our true identity in Christ is holiness. That's why Peter concludes after discussing the end times: "What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness" (2 Pet. 3:11). Sixth, knowing the terrible fate of those without Christ, how can we who claim to believe the Scriptures and truly love people refrain from sharing Jesus with them? And seventh, we have been given a glimpse in chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation into the glorious throne-room of God in heaven. May we worship God on earth as all of creation worships Him in heaven.

So last week we turned the page to chapter 6. In chapter 6 we were reminded of the scroll that was held in the hand of God the Father. The scroll was sealed with seven seals and contained within the eternal fate of all humans - the judgment on unbelievers and the blessings on believers. No one in all of creation was found worthy to take the scroll, break the seals and fulfill its contents. Then One came forward. John said, "And I saw between the throne…a Lamb standing, as if slain… And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne" (Rev. 5:6-7). Now with the scroll in His hand, Jesus Christ begins to break its seven seals to show us how the world will come to an end - the events that will precede the final outcome of all human beings.

As I mentioned last week, it's best to think of the seven seals as to what will happen during the final seven years of world tribulation. The first four seals (or the four horsemen) will bring turmoil to the world (false teaching, bloodshed, famine and death). These will set the immediate stage for the antichrist, the charismatic, evil world leader able to perform (2 Thes. 2:9) in accordance "with the activity of Satan with all power" "signs and false wonders." The world will be primed for him. The world will fall in love with this false savior. He will bring a false peace at the midpoint of these seven years.

That takes us into the remainder of chapter 6 with seals five and six.

1. The Fifth Seal

Look with me at verse 9. "When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained."

The consensus of opinion is that during this final seven year tribulation the world at large will experience turmoil during the first half of that time. However, when antichrist is revealed at the midpoint, he will as promised bring peace to the world. As I said, it will be a false peace, a peace not found in God, but a superficial peace found through man. He will, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, "Exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God."

He will demand that all identify with him. He will demand that all follow him. He will demand that all worship him. Most will joyfully comply. Jews and Christians will refuse. And according to the Scriptures, many will pay for it with their lives - martyrdom.

When Revelation 6:9 speaks about the martyrs, it is primarily talking about those who literally laid their lives down for Christ. But it is also interesting to note the placement of this fifth seal - right after the worldly turmoil (seals 1-4) and right before the Day of the Lord that will initiate His glorious return (seals 6-7). There is where we find the fifth seal. This is the time it will be especially difficult for the church.

So in verse 9 we are back to a picture of heaven. God is obviously everywhere, but He has chosen to manifest His glory in heaven. Heaven is often likened to a temple (Psm. 18:6; Hab. 2:20) as we see that right here in verse 9 with the mention of God's "altar." And what we see right there in God's direct vicinity (under the altar) are the souls of those "who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained." These are men and women who trusted God's word and persevered in devout loyalty to Jesus right up until the very end. They demonstrated that death was preferable to denying the Savior who loves them. They kept God near to them on earth, and here we see them in heaven under the altar symbolically secure and cherished in a place nearest to God.

An interesting connection is seen here with the teaching in the Old Testament. When you consider the altar that was in the Jewish Temple (a copy of the things in heaven - Heb. 8:5; 9:24), it is often mentioned as the place where the blood of the sacrificial animals was poured out. Many to choose from, but for example Leviticus 4:30 says, "The priest shall take some of its blood with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering; and all the rest of its blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar." And where are these martyred souls according to Revelation 6:9? They are at the base of the altar. They poured out their blood in sacrifice as well. When Paul spoke of his impending death for the faith, he said he was "being poured out as a…offering" (2 Tim. 4:6).

Leviticus 4:7 says the "fragrant incense" was burned on the altar. These sacrifices of atonement were a pleasant aroma to the Lord. And when we make sacrifices of service to the Lord, they too are a pleasant aroma. When the Philippians worked hard to meet the needs of the apostle Paul he said, "But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God" (Phil. 4:18; cf. 2:17). Ephesians 5:2 says Jesus "gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

Here we see the same sentiments expressed toward the martyrs. They, Revelation 12:11, "Did not love their life even when faced with death." They followed our Lord's command in Revelation 2:11 to "be faithful until death." These martyrs demonstrated the superior worth and glory of our Lord. They are kept close to His side. Their sacrifice is a pleasant aroma to Him.

Yet in verse 10 we hear these dear souls speaking. "And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

To kill someone made in the image of God is murder. God spoke against that in the first book of the Bible (Gen. 9:6). But to kill someone made in the image of God simply because of the fact that they love God, makes their crime especially heinous. How can we not recall the recent images of those Egyptian Christians lined up on the beach in orange jumpsuits just before the Islamic terrorists slit their throats? They did nothing wrong. They simply refused to denounce Christ.

Are we to assume that crimes of this magnitude as a result of one's highest possible devotion to Christ go unnoticed by the Lord? Is it fair to say that our Lord's greatest vindication will be upon these horrific acts against His children that are ultimately an attack on Him? Is it fair to say that those in heaven are all aware of His upcoming vindication?

2 Thessalonians 1:6-8, "For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus."

Those in heaven know this and from there we see them crying, "How long?"

God's people are commanded not to act in vengeance (Rom. 12:20). Because the Lord says, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" (Rom. 12:19). Yet the Lord's people see the necessity for justice. So is their cry one of personal vindication or is their cry for God's purposes for justice to be fulfilled for His glory. I believe the latter. In other words, "How long will you allow 'those who dwell on the earth' to make a mockery of You and those who hold fast to Your name? To the world it seems as if Your cause is losing." They wonder how a God who is "holy and true" can simply allow this to continue. It is a concern for God's reputation and not theirs.

The plea is very similar to the Psalmist, "How long, O LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out Your wrath upon the nations which do not know You, and upon the kingdoms which do not call upon Your name" (Psm. 79:5-6).

God's answer to these martyred souls in verse 11 is interesting.

First they are given a "white robe." Obviously this scene takes place before the return of Jesus and the resurrection of our bodies, so these souls in heaven, like all the souls presently in heaven are disembodied spirits (1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thes. 4:16-17). So we can't be talking about a literal robe.

Rather white is a symbol of holiness. It's the same symbolism of a bride remaining pure and wearing white on her wedding day. Yet these souls are already in heaven so they are already pure and holy in that sense. So I believe the white robe is rather a heavenly declaration rewarding these martyred saints for their purity on earth to Christ when faced with the ultimate decision. Will you choose your life or will you choose Jesus? They were undefiled for Christ right up until the very end.

Second, in response to their cry for immediate justice, Jesus says, "They should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also."

Here it is clear that God has ordained a certain number of martyrs. The end won't come until all those lives have been taken. Yet in the meantime, these souls are simply told to "rest." They are told to control their impatience and rest in their enjoyment of the blessedness of heaven.

2. The Sixth Seal

That takes us to the sixth of seven seals and the remaining verses from Revelation 6.

It helps me to think of the final seven years broken down into three phases. The first half that deals with the four horsemen and the world turmoil is the wrath of man. The second half when the church is persecuted is the wrath of Satan. And then the final end of the seven years is the wrath of God. Seals six and seven depict the direct and unmistakable wrath of God

Beginning in verse 12, "I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places" (Rev. 6:12-14).

Since the arrival of Christ we can say this is the closest God comes to humanity. He came first as the Lamb of God. Now we see Him coming as the Lion of Judah. Hebrews 9:27-28, "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him." We'll see that unless we are ready to meet this God it will be a terrifying time.

Most people will be caught by surprise. Satan will have their hearts. Many Christians will be eliminated. Many will be in hiding and the rest will no longer have a dominate voice in society. Tough for the church, yet for the unbeliever they will have enjoyed a very pleasant time - peace and safety.

Yet as we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:3, "While they are saying, 'Peace and safety!' then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape." The sixth seal will introduce the Day of the Lord - the time of His unparalleled wrath and arrival. It's when, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, "The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire." Once in 1 Thessalonians 4 and once in 2 Peter 3 we read that this day will overtake the unbeliever "like a thief in the night" (1 Thes. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10).

When these great cosmic disturbances, many of which were prophesied in the Old Testament (cf. Joel 2:31), herald the arrival of our Lord, we read in verse 15 and following, "Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand'" (Rev. 6:15-17)?

From the Old Testament - Malachi 3:2, "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?"

Isaiah 2:19, "Men will go into caves of the rocks and into holes of the ground before the terror of the LORD and the splendor of His majesty, when He arises to make the earth tremble."

Isaiah 13:7-8, "Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man's heart will melt. They will be terrified, pains and anguish will take hold of them; they will writhe like a woman in labor, they will look at one another in astonishment, their faces aflame."

Job 13:11, "Will not His majesty terrify you, and the dread of Him fall on you?"

So these verses that close out Revelation 6 were clearly predicted in the Old Testament. And what can we conclude from them? Verse 15, the Day of the Lord will be a time of terror. Verse 15, one's status on earth will make no difference. Verse 15, the things people take security in will be of no value. Verse 16, every futile attempt will be made to hide from God's wrath. Verse 16, it is clear where the wrath is coming from both the Father and the Lamb. Verse 16, despite their fear and knowledge, people still refuse to repent. Verse 17 they cry, "For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

We see into the heart of the unbeliever. What they fear the most is not death, but the living God Himself. Yet in refusing to turn, their only request is to be buried in the mountains. Reading ahead in chapter 9, verse 6, they will seek death and will not find it and verses 20-21, despite the horrific wrath, people "did not repent of the works of their hands" and their worship of "idols."

My friend, the reality is that God must pour out His wrath on all sinners who violate His holiness. That's all humans. Yet He has provided a way to be shielded from His wrath. He sent the Lamb, Jesus Christ, to receive the wrath we deserve. That's why we read in the Bible that Christians are "not destined…for wrath" (1 Thes. 5:9). And that we are "to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come" (1 Thes. 1:10).

Have you given your life to Jesus Christ? Have believed upon Him to take away your sins? Have you turned from your sins whereby He is receiving first-place in your life?

If so, you have no need to fear. You can have hope and endurance in the days ahead. You can know, 1 Thessalonians 4:4-5, that you "are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day."


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