The Revelation of Palm Sunday
Revelation, Part 22, Revelation 14:6-16
Introduction
- Last time we saw Jesus offering the 144,000 to God as the first-fruit
- Would you be willing to be honored and be offered as a first-fruit?
-- Imagine for a moment, that Jesus is so proud of your life and the way you have lived, that He offers you as a living sacrifice to His Father.
-- Can your life be offered to the Father as a first-fruit by His Son?
-- Would Jesus be proud to give you as an offering?
- As we remember today as Palm Sunday, let’s see how God speaks to us
-- Often we like the same old stories, often we like to tune out familiarity
-- Today I’d like to challenge you to hang with me as we study this
- Read Revelation 14:6-16
Ω Point 1 – Ministering angels (v6-7)
- In the 14th Chapter of Revelation there are 6 angels who are sent by God
-- They are sent to warn creation about the impending doom on the planet
-- These angels constantly work as the servants of the Lord
-- Often they are used to convey messages physically to this world
- These three angels that are appearing to men are for one purpose:
-- To show mankind that they are being terribly deceived by Satan
- This first angel was proclaiming the everlasting gospel
-- IMP: Before God’s judgment, He allows humanity to repent (grace)
- We've seen this over and over
-- How many times do we need to hear it?
-- Many think they will just get right at the end ... but what if your not alive?
- The message is that we need to repent from our sins and turn to the Lord
-- It is the same message that Noah gave for 120 years;
-- that the angels proclaimed to Sodom and Gomorrah;
-- that Jonah preached to warn Nineveh;
-- that Jeremiah preached to Jerusalem;
-- that Moses declared to Egypt;
-- that Daniel read before the fall of Babylon’s wall, and;
-- that Jesus preached regarding the destruction of Jerusalem
-- APP: This message is universal, and without end … it is what we NEED!
Ω Point 2 – Declaring the Falling of Babylon (v8)
- This second angel preaches so that the whole Earth can hear at once
-- Babylon is thought of to be several different locations:
--- Rome, the future capital of the anti-Christ, or refers to man’s sinful age
--- This future city will be the economic capital of the world (ref Rev 18)
- Satan is often referred to as the King of Babylon
-- God’s angels are declaring that the one trusted in will FALL
- This angel is warning of the destruction of this future world capital
-- It is where Satan deceives and forces the earth to worship his Image
-- This angel comes to bring a strong warning for all mankind to hear
-- They will be destroyed for following what is not of God (adulteries)
- APP: Want to partake? FINE … but there are consequences …
Ω Point 3 – An encouragement given (v9-11)
- What I want to stress here is this ought to be an encouragement to us!
-- But, sometimes you just have to be honest and put the truth out there
- This third angel is crying out in a loud, audible voice as a warning:
-- “This “man” you have chosen as elect is to be avoided at all cost!”
-- This angel’s warning ought to not only be clear to them; but to us!
-- The reality is … we are a people who can be very easily deceived
-- APP: We need to be sure that we are on solid ground following Jesus!
- This angel is declaring that those who worship the beast, or take his mark, are guilty of breaking the first three commandments
-- Last week we discussed Exodus 20:3-6; Satan breaks these happily!
- God is specific to mankind when He tells us how we should be living
-- He is a jealous God and worthy of our love, service, and respect
-- These are boldly walking on what God has said is sacred (dangerous)
- Those who are guilty of this will share in the same punishment as the beast
-- Take a look at how God speaks this to us so that we might know:
1. He shall be tormented…(Gr. basanizoô … to torture The individual who chooses Satan will be in pain and toil. They will not cease to exist, but will live to suffer eternally.
2. fire and brimstone…The method of their torment will involve fire (Gr. Pur) and brimstone (Gr. Theion) in the presence of the angels and Christ. The cost is vividly demonstrated for those weighing their choice.
3. The smoke of their torment…Smoke is visible consequence of their torment. Burning in the lake of fire, yet not consumed, for the rest of eternity is what those who choose Satan will have to look forward too. The Greek word means “Ages and ages”.
4. They have no rest day or night…24 hours a day, there will be no break, no rest from torment to those who choose Satan. The three-fold description of their satanic choice is; they: Worship the beast; Worship the image; Receives the mark of his name
- The “Lake of fire” will be the final place of the enemy (Rev 20:10-15)
-- Today, we need to see the urgency of telling others about Jesus
-- God allows us to see this today I believe to remind us of His grace
Ω Point 4 – Assurance of the Saints (v12-14)
- Those that are going through this time in history need to have patience
-- We need to have the same kind of patience today to endure and witness
- Why? B/C God is faithful to provide for those who serve Him!
-- Without this knowledge it is futile to attempt to do this on our own
- Those who say they are followers of Jesus are being hunted and killed
-- These killings will be glorified on CNN and rejoiced at by Satan
-- In this world of depravity the followers of Satan will rejoice
-- IMP: But note here, that God’s word says the dead are blessed! (v13)
- Even to this very moment, God and His angels are encouraging us
-- Encouraging us to be faithful; to focus on Jesus Christ for all eternity
- Challenge: Where is your focus today? Is it 100% on Jesus?
-- Maybe it is a respectable 80%? Perhaps as low as 50%?
-- APP: God knows where your focus is, so don’t lie to Him and tell Him that it is what it isn’t – be honest and if you need to tune in more, then be obedient to that leading of the Spirit.
- Those going through these trials will be rewarded
-- They are being encouraged from the balconies of heaven
- BIG APP: Encouragement however, doesn’t mean relaxation!
-- Christian Retirement Home doesn’t exist …
- TRANS: How does this prophecy reflect back on Palm Sunday for us?
Ω Big Ideas
- Do you remember the story of the triumphant entry into Jerusalem?
-- Read Matthew 21:1-11
- The praise lavished on Jesus was not because they saw Him as Messiah
-- They welcomed Him out of their desire for a deliverer
-- They wanted someone who would lead them in a revolt against Rome
-- There were many who didn’t believe in Jesus Christ as Messiah
-- But they had hope he would do “something” to change their circumstance
-- Prosperity Gospel preaches same nonsense: DO SOMETHING JESUS
- IMP: There was something WAY MORE eternal about Jesus’ entry
-- Read Revelation 14:14-16
- On His head is golden crown: signifying royalty and authority
- In His hand: a Sickle which has only one use: to harvest
-- Think of Jesus stepping to the edge of Heaven to reap what is His!
- An angel comes out of the temple and tells Him ………. to harvest!
-- This angel, I believe, is the one providing instruction to Jesus from Father
- All this time, 33AD to now – Jesus has waited to Harvest those who:
1. Have followed Him faithfully
2. Have worshipped Him unconditionally
3. Have given Him all the glory that he deserves
- Jesus is waiting to reap the souls of those who would choose the Father!
-- He is waiting to reap of those who call Him Lord and live like it
-- In contrast, Satan is waiting on us to choose him so we will die
- APP: Even as Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the praise of the crowd
-- He knew that in His heart many of these would turn away from Him
-- Looking ahead He knew that many would pretend to serve Him
- Knowing what was before Him (the cross) and the command to reap …
-- He still knowing, willingly, lovingly offered Himself for your sin
-- No one needs Jesus more today than you and I; and those we see outside
-- Will you be among those? Will you be reaped for Christ or Satan?
- One thing is certain, is that nothing can escape the eyes of our Lord
-- We will be harvested either by the Lord of all creation (Jesus)
-- Or, by the Lord of this Earth (Satan)
-- The choice of who you will be reaped by is yours completely
- Quote: When I realize that God accepts me through Christ, I am no longer living FOR His approval … but FROM His approval!
- Say this again: Society is NOT the enemy!
-- If we aren't willing to show people who Jesus truly is, then Palm Sunday might as well be "ordinary day of the week"
-- What will YOU do with Jesus?
- Pray
-- Salvation
-- Repentance
