Series: Last Words
Message: End Times Evangelists
Text: Rev. 7:9-14; 11:3-14, and 14:6-7
Big Idea: Whether or not there is a great revival in our lifetime is certainly something we should pray for. The bible does however reveal that during the Tribulation period there will be a “great harvest” that’s predominantly led by Messianic Jews. There will also be what’s known as the two witnesses and even an angel who will declare the gospel.
JOKE: At a healing revival service, the preacher said, "Anyone who needs healing, anyone with a special prayer request, anyone with a special need, please come forward to the front by the altar." With that, Leroy got in line, and when it was his turn, the preacher asked, "Leroy, what do you want me to pray for you about?"
Leroy replied, "I need you to pray for help with my hearing."
The preacher put one finger of one hand on Leroy's ear, placed his other hand on top of Leroy's head, and then prayed and prayed. The whole congregation joined with enthusiastic shouts of “Amen Brother!”
After a few minutes the preacher removed his hands, stood back and asked, “Leroy, how is your hearing now?” “I don’t know,” Leroy answered. “It isn’t until next Thursday.”
INTRO: As far as I can remember I’ve been hearing people say that a great revival is coming. Whether or not there is a great revival in our lifetime is unknown, but certainly its something we should pray for. The bible does however reveal that during the Tribulation period there will be a “great harvest” that’s predominantly led by Messianic Jews. There will also be what’s known as the two witnesses and even an angel who will declare the gospel during the End Times.
Here’s how we know this…
Revelation is the record of John’s end time visions he received while in exile on the island of Patmos.
The Great Harvest
SLIDE 1
The Great Multitude from the Tribulation
After this (after what? After seeing 144k Jews sealed for protection from God’s wrath Rev. 7:5-8) I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands (well this could be anyone)
…“Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev. 7:9, 13b-14)
Thus, this great multitude that John sees in Rev. 7 are Christians who’ve come out of the Tribulation period.
We are in the church age and the church is plan A for implementing the Great Commission. That’s our purpose-to make Jesus and His message known. It’s easy to be side-tracked and distracted with many other things but this is our prime directive and calling. Currently, it’s batter up church. However, even in the Tribulation, God will have His dedicated and set apart witnesses for sharing the good news of God’s love.
Let’s take a look at who they are.
SLIDE 2
1-The 144k Sealed Jewish Evangelists
And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel (Rev. 7:4)
SEALED
Preceding Rev. 7, is Rev. 6, in which we’re introduced to the Four Horsemen.
White Horse (seal 1)-Generally understood to be symbolic of False Religion.
Red Horse (seal 2)-War,
Black Horse (seal 3)-food shortage and hyper-inflation,
Pale Horse/seal 4 (6:8)-famine, pestilence.
SLIDE 3
And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth. (Rev. 6:8b)
The attack by wild beasts is quite possibly fighting over food and water. Everyone and everything is going to be hungry.
-in fact when the 5th seal is opened (6:9) John says he saw...
SLIDE 4
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne (Rev. 6:9)
Thus in addition to the loss of life from the 4 horsemen there's a Christian holocaust.
-To fill the void of the raptured church and the mass execution of Christians, God will have faithful messengers who will continue to communicate the Good News of God’s love even in the Tribulation. Evangelists. One set of messengers will be the 144k.
SLIDE 5
“Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” (Rev 7:3).
To be “sealed” means that in addition to being set apart for the task of evangelism, they will also be protected from God’s wrath that’s being poured out on the world during the Tribulation.
Isn’t that amazing? It’s almost as if God is a hopeless romantic who refuses to give up on love. Even when people are killing his children left and right, even though most refuse to repent, God keeps sending His faithful messengers and even seals 144k to ensure that the Good News is delivered.
-They’re Jewish and identified as 12,000 from the 12 Tribes of Israel (Rev. 7:5-8). The Jews have a long track record of being the underdog. They know how to deal with cancel culture.
SLIDE 6
Celibate, some versions will say they are virgins.
These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are celibate (Rev. 14:4 NASB)
In 1 Cor. 7 the apostle Paul advised that whereas its better to marry than to burn, due to the circumstances, specifically state sanctioned persecution by the Roman govt, that it would be better to stay single. Why? Sometimes persecutors would use your family against you. Odds were high that you’d be arrested and thus no income. Often your assets were seized, this included your family being sold into slavery. There were no ancient life insurance policies if something happened to you. If you were killed your family was left to fend for themselves. Thus, if you were a Christian, it wouldn’t be the best time to be a spouse or parent under Nero, Caligula, etc. Same goes for the Tribulation period. Being single also means that you can be completely devoted to Jesus.
-They’re completely devoted to Jesus.
Have you ever met anyone like that? Have you ever met someone who’s completely devoted to the Lord?
SLIDE 7
“Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn”
This is a quote that some attribute to John Wesley. Whether or not that's the case we can certainly say that he's an example of someone who was completely sold out to and on fire for Jesus. Even today, we still see some of the ripple effects of his life and ministry.
These 144k are not caught up in pursuing the American dream. They’re not preoccupied with the cares of the world. Being that they’re not married or dating, they’re living lives completely devoted to God. Similar to the apostle Paul, but there’s 144k of them, and they’re Jewish.
Imagine 144k Pauls, Jewish Billy Grahams, who are completely sold out to God.
They’re not going to take no for an answer.
-They have God’s seal upon them.
We’re told that the 4 Horsemen are just the beginning. Earthquakes, cosmic disturbances, and other ecological disasters come upon the heels, hoofs, of the 4 Horsemen. and we’re told that in Rev. 6:9 that even generals are asking “who can stand?” and the answer is those who are sealed.
Most Christians will probably experience some collateral damage from the Tribulation period. Collateral damage is defined as damage that’s incidental to an activity.
ILLUS: If there’s an accident on the 101 it’s going to create traffic delays for Christians and pagans alike. If the world’s potable water becomes contaminated its affects us as well. If there’s an earthquake, Christians can also expect some damage.
However, in order that they may complete their mission, this “seal of God” is a way of identifying and protecting them from God’s wrath during the Tribulation. This is why the four angels (Rev. 7:1) are holding back the wind. Don’t allow wrath to begin until we’ve sealed the 144k. It doesn’t mean that other Christians are less loved and valued but simply that these 144k have a task to complete.
ILLUS: my grandparents came out of the great depression and even long after that period was over, they had gardens, grew much of their own food, and would make preserves because well, you just never know, they reasoned, when something like that could happen again.
SLIDE 8
Image of Preserves
They would take food that they’d grown in a garden, and do some stuff to it that I don’t quite understand, put it in a jar and then they’d seal it. This was done by pouring wax over the top of the preserves until it was at the brim of the jar. You’d then place a rubber lined lid on as tight as possible. T They’d then often write a note on it with the date. It was signed, sealed, preserved, protected for an event you’d hope you wouldn’t need. The 144k are sealed and will be used when the time is right.
The 144k are sealed, designated for a specific purpose of sharing the gospel during the Tribulation period. Once that purpose is completed, they will be called home to heaven. Same for you and I.
Anti-Semitism
This, btw, is yet another reason why the devil and the beast system of the world are so antisemitic. The devil knows that God’s plan is to have 144k Jewish evangelists thus his plan is to prevent their message from spreading by wiping them off the face of the earth before they ever get started.
The Ben & Jerry’s boycott of Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria, and East Jerusalem has nothing to do with ice cream. Rather, anti-Semitism and hatred of the Jewish state is a reflection of the beast system's hatred of anything associated with the one true God.
It's amazing that hardly a week goes by that we don’t hear something about Israel. There are 247 nations in the world but every week we hear about Israel. Why? They have a role to play in God’s redemptive plan.
Even during the Tribulation, when the devil is setting up his kingdom, many throughout the earth will not only hear the good news of God’s love through these 144k Jewish evangelists, but also through the two witnesses...
SLIDE 9
2-The Two Witnesses (Rev. 11:3-14)
And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days 3 ½ years), clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees (Holy Spirit anointed) and the two lampstands (light in a dark world that’s never to go out) that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed.” (11:3-5)
Who are the 2 Witnesses? We don’t know for certain. Some popular theories are:
-Enoch and Elijah: Neither experienced physical death. They were raptured, if you will, before rapturing was cool.
-Moses and Elijah: They were present at the transfiguration and the nature of their “powers”, i.e., fire and plagues do seem to resemble Elijah and Moses. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying (Elijah), and they have power to turn water into blood as well as other plagues.
-Two New Witnesses: John doesn’t reveal their identity. At the Transfiguration John had seen Moses and Elijah but here he doesn’t reveal who they are, just two witnesses.
What we do know, and more importantly, is their role in that they’re identified as:
2 Olive Trees and 2 Lampstands
-You and I are referred to as a temple of God. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. The church is described by Jesus as a lampstand in Rev. 1:12. That’s what we are. We’re to give light but our fuel is the Holy Spirit.
Flashlights need batteries and lamp stands need fuel. The fuel of choice was from the olive tree.
With the restrainer removed , i.e., the Holy Spirit in my opinion (2 Thess. 2:6) wickedness will increase. The Tribulation will be a very dark time spiritually, much darker than it is now.
However, these two witnesses are descried as two olive trees, symbolizing the anointing and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It is from olive trees that the oil was collected to provide fuel for the lampstand. You need both, oil and the lamp.
SLIDE 10
Image of golden lampstand
The golden lampstand was the only source of light in the holy place. Its primary purpose was to give light in front of it. It was to shine on the table of showbread, symbolic of God’s covenant relationship with Israel, and never to be put out. It was never to stop shining.
Jesus told us that we are the light of the world, may we never stop shining for Jesus.
Even in the Tribulation period the light of the gospel will continue to shine. Even during the Tribulation period, the Holy Spirit will empower people to point to Jesus the same way He empowers you and I today.
-God’s Protection for 3 ½ Years. (Like the 144k) They have God’s Protection for their Mission: “if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed.” (11:5)
For the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation, they’re untouchable.
-The gospel as well as biblical preaching are even now politically incorrect, but in the Tribulation, under the rule of the antichrist, it will not only be politically incorrect but hated, and despised, and most likely illegal.
-There’s a number of evangelical churches who actually have policies in which you cannot preach against sin. Why not? They want the favor of the world. They don’t want to be cancelled. They want to be seen as progressive and cool. They don’t want to be banned by social media. There will probably be plenty of apostate churches during the End Times who are promoting the party line of the antichrist.
But God will have His faithful messengers.
Like the 144k, The two witnesses are completely devoted to God. They could care less about what the world thinks. May the same be said of you and I.
-Once their mission is completed, they will graduate to heaven…
SLIDE 11
the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them… and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth (11:7, 10).
-Once the two witnesses are killed people will celebrate their deaths by exchanging gifts.
-They’ll be two of the most hated men in the world. You know you’re hated when people celebrate the day you die. Why are they so hated? Truth. Look at how one sided the media is even now here in a country that’s supposed to have freedom of press and speech.
-They preach the gospel, that Jesus is the way the truth and the life. They preach that you must be saved, i.e., saved from your sin nature. They prophesy judgment-this is what’s going to happen.
-They’re killed by the antichrist and the entire world will see their bodies. Rev. 11:9 says that they will not be given a burial, but that their corpses will be left out in public for all the world to see. Only now, in the 21st century is this possible, i.e., that news can go global through our phones in less than an hour. However…
-God will resurrect them v. 11
SLIDE 12
But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” (11:11-12)
So, we have seen that in the Tribulation period the 144k and the Two Witnesses will be declaring the gospel. Additionally, there will be…
SLIDE 13
3-An Angel
Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. (Rev. 14:6-7)
This of course isn’t the first time this has happened. The arrival of Jesus was announced to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night.
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Lk. 2:10-11)
I imagine that there will not be any media platforms for sharing the gospel. However,
Shortly before Jesus returns to rule and reign, an angel will once again declare the gospel. Maybe it will be the same angel from Luke 2…
-The end times will be characterized by paranormal and supernatural events, and it makes perfect sense that God would speak to them in a way that cannot be ignored. In the midst of the darkness of the Tribulation period, when it looks like the light of the gospel is about to be extinguished, the gospel will be proclaimed throughout the earth by an angel.
It’s one last final appeal to humanity to repent.
Through the 144k, the 2 Witnesses, and the angel, we see God’s love proclaimed. We see His commitment to getting the truth of the gospel out. For now, we’re batter up. Like the 144k, and the two witnesses, we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit and commissioned to make Jesus known. May we continue to be faithful with the time and talents that have been given to us to proclaim the gospel in our church age.
For now, it's our turn.
How exactly?
1. Prayer: Don't discount the effectiveness of prayer in the preparation of people's hearts for the Good News.
2. Dare: it takes courage to witness. Whether the person is a stranger to you, and even more if the person is a close friend or relative I still get a little nervous sharing the gospel. I've had people get red in the face and yell at me, but generally, most people are glad to have a normal conversation. The vast majority of people are polite.
Here's a few examples of conversation starters that work for me:
We’ve never talked about it but… Did you ever go to church or anything like that as a child? Do you have any spiritual beliefs? Do you believe in an afterlife?
Listen and then ask for permission to share your spiritual journey.
3. At restaurants I like to tell the waiter or waitress that we're going to pray over our meal and I then ask if there's anything I can pray for them about. You'd be surprised at the things I've been asked to pray for. I then leave a good tip with a church invite card or a gospel tract.
4. Invite someone to church. Many said they would go if someone just invited them. Did you know that some people think that you actually have to be a member of a church to attend?
5. Volunteer: We’ll be doing a number of things Halloween, Angel Tree, Christmas, etc. We dont do these things because there's nothing good on Netflix but as a way to engage with our community and to make kingdom connections for sharing the gospel.
6. Share your personal testimony. What was your life like before Jesus. How did you come to know Him as Savior, what's your life been like since? No one can argue with how you encountered Jesus. You were once blind but now you see.
CONCLUSION
Like the 2 witnesses you’ve been empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Light.
Like the 144k you have also been commissioned and sealed.
SLIDE 14
“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee (1 Cor. 1:21-22)
At the moment of salvation, just like grandma’s preserves, God’s seal was placed upon you. You’re secure from God’s wrath in a place the Bible calls hell.
But, If you haven’t yet asked Jesus to save you, today is the day.
PRAYER
