The Lamb As Lord Part I Series

Revelation 8:1-6; 15:1-8

Purpose: To display God’s wrath against sin.

Aim: I want the listener to gain a greater sense of God’s awesome holiness.

INTRODUCTION: The Lord is about to unmask the full fury of His wrath against sin. All of man’s vain attempts to excuse or ignore sin will be stripped away and laid bare for everyone to see. The book of Revelation is a loud warning that judgment is coming.

There are a number of ways to get people’s attention. Being loud is one way. In the book of Revelation the word “great” is used 71 times; “great voice” or “great cry” is used 18 times; “loud voice” is used 12 times. This makes the statement in verse one of chapter eight even more startling.

REVIEW:

1:1-20 I. John’s Vision of the Past “the things which you have seen”

2:1-5:14 II. Christ’s Vision of the Present “the things which are”

Ch.6-22 III. John’s Vision of the Future “things which will take places”

6-7; 12-14 A. Satan’s war against God’s creation

LESSON:

➽8-11; 15-18 B. The wrath of God: the seventh seal

After the breaking of the first six seals there will be several events that will serve as a dramatic pause before the seventh seal is opened. It all begins with complete silence for thirty minutes.

➽1. The preparation for God’s wrath

I believe that the lesson for us, in our text today, is the supreme importance of the exaltation of Jesus Christ. I fear that American Christians, and yes I am in that number, have largely lost their focus on holiness. We have allowed the things of this world and our own personal desires to distract us from loving and serving Jesus Christ as we should. The world sees little difference between Christians and non-Christians. Both groups appear to be looking for pleasure and wealth. Both groups enjoy the same worldly entertainment. Both groups divorce at almost the same rate. What has gone wrong?

I fear that American Christians, and yes I am in that number, have largely lost their focus on holiness. We have allowed the things of this world and our own personal desires to distract us from loving and serving Jesus Christ as we should. Christ is best displayed to the world when Christians are willing to suffer and still display a love for Jesus. Sadly, many who claim to know Christ are constantly looking for the easiest way to follow Christ, instead of desiring to glorify Christ no matter what it may cost.

Let’s look at our text and see what we can learn about our God. As we approach the greatest judgments this world has ever seen we would think that it would start with something dramatic. It does, but in a way we might expect.

➽8:1-2 a. A dramatic pause in heaven “silence in heaven”

Imagine complete silence for thirty minutes. I am going to pause for 15 seconds. That seems like a long time because we are so used to filling our lives with constant noise. It is probably rare for most of us to turn off the TV and the radio and the IPod and sit quietly in God’s presence and just think about Him.

“It is not the silence of emptiness, of the yawn of boredom, but it is the silence of mystery and intense waiting. But most important of all, it is the silence of sovereignty.” [1]

What we need to do is shut off the world’s noise and listen to God. Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near… (NAU) Habakkuk 2:20 “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him.” (NAU)

“A man told Joseph Parker that he had cursed God for thirty minutes and dared Him to strike him dead. He said, ‘I am living proof that God does not exist.’ Parker told him, ‘What makes you think you can exhaust the patience and mercy of Almighty God in thirty minutes? Sir, you are a fool. But God loves you and wants you to repent. And that, Sir, is the ONLY reason you are alive.’” [2]

God’s silence points to His complete confidence. God does not have to rush into anything, He is in complete control.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (KJV)

Exodus 14:13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by [or “be still”] and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today… (NAU)

When God is silent that is the time for us to listen even more closely. What should we do when God is silent? Watch and pray!

➽8:3-5 b. The prayers from believers “prayers of all the saints”