Revelation 7:1-17; 14:1-5
Purpose: To highlight God’s grace toward His faithful followers.
Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in the advantages of persecution.
INTRODUCTION: Last time, we finished looking at the first six seals (or chapters) from the sacred book that only the Lamb of God could open. The seventh seal will begin a flurry of judgments each announced by a trumpet.
But, before the unexplainable horror of the trumpet judgments begin, God pauses to demonstrate His grace one more time. Habakkuk 3:2 Lord, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy. (NAU)
This world has rejected its Creator. God has every right to punish evil, and He will exercise that right, but He would rather see His creatures repent. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (NAU)
In the midst of all of the judgments during the last days, there will be some who will turn to the Lord, but who are they? Who can withstand God’s judgments? Chapters seven and fourteen answer the question we find at the end of chapter six: Revelation 6:17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (NAU)
REVIEW:
1:1-20 I. John’s Vision of the Past "the things which you have seen"
2:1-5:14II. 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
1. The first seal 6:1-2; 12:1-2 4. The fourth seal 6:7-8; 12:7-9
2. The second seal6:3-4; 12:3-4a 5. The fifth seal 6:9-11; 12:10-17
3. The third seal6:5-6; 12:4b-6 6. The sixth seal 6:12-17; 13:1-10
LESSON:
➽7. Grace for God’s persecuted people
Both of our texts today describe persecuted believers. Is persecution something that we should avoid or embrace? In a minute I will attempt to answer that question, but before I do let’s see what we can learn about persecution.
In chapter seven we have:
➽7:1-17 a. Heaven’s view of God’s grace
➽Vs.1-8 (1) Believers on earth are protected "sealed the bond-servants of our God"
Vs.1 WIND is often a symbol for judgment in the Bible. For example: Exodus 15:10 "You blew with Your wind, the sea covered them; They sank like lead in the mighty waters. (NAU)
Vs. 2 "As blood was put upon the door of the houses of Israel in Egypt so that the angel of death would pass over these houses and strike only those which were not marked, so the seal of God is put upon the forehead of His own so that the angels of judgment, passing through the world, will know those who are God’s." [1]
Vs.3 The earth, trees, and sea will be harmed in God’s upcoming judgments.
Vs.4-8 There is no question that these are Jews who are sealed and that the number should be taken literally. John goes to great length to emphasize that this number is literal.
➽What does the SEAL stand for?
➽#1 Ownership
Jesus owns His followers. 1 Peter 1:18-19 18 ...you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. (NAU)
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." (NAU)
➽#2 Security
➽Many different people may own the same home at different times. When God seals His own it is declaring that no more transactions are coming. Once God owns us He will not transfer that ownership to anyone or anything else.
➽#3 A promise
The SEAL is also a sign that reminds us that we are secure. Ephesians 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, (NAU) The Holy Spirit’s work in our everyday lives is a constant reminder that we belong to God.
What a joy to KNOW that not one of God’s followers will be swept away in the midst of God’s wrath against sin.
➽Vs.9-17 (2) Believers in heaven are rewarded
Vs.9 "During the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth), the children of Israel were to "take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days" (Lev. 23:40). The boughs were used in the construction of makeshift dwellings (booths, tabernacles ) reminiscent of the time of wilderness wandering (Lev. 23:43). In the Millennial Kingdom, all the nations will go up to Jerusalem each year to keep this feast (Zec. 14:16) which will commemorate not only the wilderness wandering under Moses, but the wilderness of Israel’s dispersion among the nations after having rejected her Messiah."[2]
The waving of palm branches became a symbol of national liberation and blessing and attended the First Coming of the King to Jerusalem (John 12:13).
"Here, they wave palm branches in anticipation of his return to Jerusalem in the events ahead." [3]
Vs.10 The first words of praise are for the Gospel. How often do we praise God for our forgiveness? "Because salvation belongs to the Father and the Son it cannot be obtained anywhere else, especially not by our own works. Salvation is by grace through faith." [4]
Notice that the Father and the Son are worshipped on an equal basis. John 5:23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. (NAU) Isaiah 43:11 "I, even I, am the Lord, And there is no savior besides Me. (NAU)
Vs.11 "Some (Barclay, Hendricksen) see here a series of concentric circles. On the outer ring stand all the angels, too numerous to count (Heb 12:22). Nearer the throne are the elders, all the people of God up until the great tribulation. Still nearer are the four creatures, representing creation. And right down in front are the white-robed martyrs. Oh, what a scene! Despised on earth, they are honored in heaven. Of no value on earth, they are heaven’s prize." [5]
Vs.12 This is a seven fold blessing indicating completeness. God is eternally perfect. God is everything we need. Do we believe this?
Vs.13-14 Many have wondered if those who have not accepted Christ as their Lord and savior before the rapture will still have an opportunity to be saved. Contrary to what we read in the Left Behind series, it doesn’t appear possible according to 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. (NAU)
Vs.15 Eternity will be an endless opportunity to serve the Lord. Does that sound like heaven to you?
Some people only want a heaven where they can have all the pleasure they want. "That kind of heaven reminds me of the little boy who didn’t raise his hand when the preacher asked who wanted to go to heaven. He said, ’Son, don’t you want to go to heaven?’ ’I’d rather go to K-Mart’ he said.
"We will work and do and achieve and serve, but it will be work without weariness, and without competition. Henry Ward Beecher told a friend, ’After I’m dead, if people ask where I am, tell them I AM SOMEWHERE DOING BUSINESS FOR GOD.[6]
The entire theme of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation is the restoration of man to full intimacy with God. God doesn’t just allow us into heaven--He brings us into His very throne room of His glory. Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, (NAU)
Vs. 16 Evidently the 144,000 were hungry, thirsty, and homeless because they refused to follow the Antichrist.
God also satisfies the spiritual hunger of those who come to Him.
Psalm 107:9 For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good. (NAU) What are you hungry for?
John 4:14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (NAU)
John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. (NAU)
Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (NAU)
Vs.17 God promised to give us eternal refreshment: "springs of the water of life." Psalm 23:1-2 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. (NAU)
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ’Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." (NAU) Revelation 21:6 Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. (NAU)
The Lord will also give eternal comfort: "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes"
Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken. (NAU) Revelation 21:4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." (NAU)
➽14:1-5 b. Earth’s view of God’s grace
➽Vs.1 (1) God publicly supports believers "Lamb was standing...voice from heaven"
Vs.1 The fact that Jesus is standing with them shows that he is Hebrews 11:16 ... not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. (NAU)
In chapter seven 144,000 were sealed by God. Here we see that every single one of them are worshiping God. Not one was lost!! As Jesus said to His Father: John 17:12 "While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished ... (NAU) John 10:28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. (NAU)
Revelation 22:4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. (NAU) Revelation 3:12 ’He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. (NAU)
2 Peter 1:17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased" (NAU)
➽Vs.2-3 (2) God sings before believers "sang a new song"
It seems to me that "they sang" refers to the Lamb and His Father. The 144,000 are on earth, but the singing initially comes from heaven. So the 144,000 saved Jews heard the song coming from heaven and they were the only ones who could learn the song.
What must it sound like to hear God sing? The Bible says that God sings. Hebrews 2:12 saying, "I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise." (NAU)
Isaiah 62:5 ...as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you. (NAU)
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing (NRSV)
This is a special song that was written only for the 144,000.
"The song is that of victory after conflict with the dragon, beast, and false prophet: never sung before, for such a conflict had never been fought before; therefore new: till now the kingdom of Christ on earth had been usurped; they sing the new song in anticipation of His blood-bought kingdom with His saints." [7]
Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the Lord will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, With everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away. (NAU)
➽Vs.4-5 (3) Believers live holy lives "blameless"
➽What does a blameless believer look like?
➽#1 Blameless believers are morally pure "not been defiled with women"
Matthew 5:28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (NAU)
➽#2 Blameless believers obey God "follow the Lamb wherever He goes"
John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; (NAU)
➽#3 Blameless believers are chosen by God "purchased from among men"
1 Corinthians 6:20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (NAU)
➽#4 Blameless believers are honest "no lie was found in their mouth"
Zephaniah 3:12-13 12 "But I will leave among you A humble and lowly people, And they will take refuge in the name of the Lord. 13 "The remnant of Israel will do no wrong And tell no lies, Nor will a deceitful tongue Be found in their mouths... (NAU)
They were honest in everything they said. Why was honesty pointed out?
"Perhaps it was honesty about their Christianity in the face of persecution and death. They honestly confessed Christ no matter what the cost. I read once how German leaders came to a high school to enlist young men in Hitler’s youth corps. Hitler was hailed as the savior (Fuhrer) of Germany and the young men stood up with arms raised, crying ’Heil, Hitler! Heil, Hitler!’ When the noise stopped, a young Lutheran boy stood up and raised his hand. The leaders recognized him and he said, ’Jesus Christ is my Fuhrer!If you follow Hitler you will go to hell.’ His name was taken and later, when young men were forced into service, he was put to death as a traitor. Perhaps this is what is meant by honesty." [8]
Now, let’s return to the question I began with:➽Is persecution something that we should avoid or embrace?
➽Why should we be willing to suffer for Christ?
➽#1 Denying Christ displays unbelief
Matthew 10:33 "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. (NAU)
➽#2 Suffering for Christ is a privilege
Suffering is a gift, just as much as faith is a gift. Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, (NAU)
Romans 8:36 Just as it is written, "For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." (NAU)
Revelation 2:10 ’Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (NAU)
➽#3 Suffering for Christ is brief
1 Peter 5:10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. (NAU)
➽#4 Suffering for Christ brings us closer to Christ
Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; (NAU)
The more we suffer for Christ, the more we understand what Jesus went through for us.
➽#5 Suffering for Christ brings joy
Acts 5:41 So they went on their way from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. (NAU)
1 Peter 4:13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. (NAU)
Luke 6:22-23 22 "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 23 "Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. (NAU)
CONCLUSION: Do you love Jesus enough to suffer for Him?
➽Sufferings are but as little chips of the cross. Joseph Church[9]
[1] Donald Grey Barnhouse, Revelation (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1971), 144.
[2]A Testimony of Jesus Christ by Tony Garland. Online at http://www.spiritandtruth.org/teaching/Book_of_Revelation/commentary/htm/030709.htm#38751
[3] Fausset, “The Revelation of St. John the Divine,” Rev. 7:9.
[4] A Testimony of Jesus Christ by Tony Garland. Online at http://www.spiritandtruth.org/teaching/Book_of_Revelation/commentary/htm/030709.htm#38945
[5]"From Suffering To Singing" by Bob Marcaurelle p.20
[6] "From Suffering To Singing" by Bob Marcaurelle p.21
[7] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A., & and Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (electronic ed.) (Re 14:3). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[8]"From Suffering To Singing" by Bob Marcaurelle p.371
[9] Thomas, I. (1996). The golden treasury of Puritan quotations. Includes index of authors. General index created by Christian Clasics Foundation. (electronic ed.). Simpsonville SC: Christian Classics Foundation.
