“SALVATION COMES FROM OUR GOD” (Outline)
April 30, 2023 – Easter 4 – REVELATION 7:10-17
INTRO.: The Psalm writer asks, “Where does my help come from?” The answer: “My help comes from the LORD.” That question and confident answer has not changed over the centuries. In our text the multitude in heaven proclaims: “Salvation comes from our God.” God’s free gift of salvation is our great comfort concerning God’s power. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes—to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (ROMANS 1:16). The divine, perfect power of God is revealed in his salvation. “SALVATION COMES FROM OUR GOD.” I. The Redeemer-Lamb saves mankind. II. Our Shepherd-Lamb leads believers.
I. THE REDEEMER LAMB SAVES MANKIND.
A. Verse 10. “They called out with a loud voice…”. In verse 9 “They” are defined as the great multitude.
1. The great multitude were those from every, nation, tribe, and language. Too many to count.
2. Verse 11. Angels worshiped God. The 24 elders worshiped. 4 living creatures worshiped.
3. Before the throne this heavenly group proclaimed the truth: “Salvation comes from our God!”
B. Verse 12. Seven-fold praise: Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanks honor, power, might belong to God!
C. Verse 13. Elder asks John about those in the white robes. John knows he knows the answer.
1. Verse 14. “These are the ones who are coming out of the great tribulation.” Present tense verb.
2. The great tribulation is happening now, during the time John is living. Church is persecuted.
a. Apostles withstood hardships. b. Endured suffering, untimely deaths. c. Tribulation.
3. Robes were washed white by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemer-Lamb saved the multitudes.
D. There are various false teachings concerning the great tribulation. Important to let the Scriptures speak for themselves. We do not want to add or subtract from the Lord’s clear truth. Divine teaching. The elder spoke clearly to John about the white-robed ones coming out from the great tribulation. This is a present event. Great tribulation is happening in the here and now. The early church began with opposition. Persecution. Troubles / tribulation. Still faces them today. Will endure until the Lord’s return. Apostle Paul was stoned and left for dead. Did not give up. Retraced steps of first missionary journey to encourage churches. "…strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. They told them, ‘We must go through many troubles on our way to the kingdom of God’” (ACTS 14:22). The troubles we face are the great tribulation. Not a set time. Or certain period of time.
E. Too many twist the simple, salvation message the Lord God intended in the book of Revelation. The Lord revealed to John these visions (revelations) to share the victory of Christ over sin, death, and the devil. When we focus on that powerful salvation truth, we will avoid the confusion others inject into God’s Word. Our loving, heavenly Father is not a God of confusion. "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile all things to himself (whether things on earth or in heaven) by making peace through the blood of his cross" (COLOSSIANS 1:19, 20). “Salvation comes from our God.”
F. What a thunderous sound of worship and praise was heard in heaven coming from the multitude. Those from every tribe, nation, language. Angels. Elders. Living beasts. Unable to be counted. [Many more than 144,000 (verse 9)]. We do not have to or want to wait to be in heaven before praising the Lamb. People need to hear our praise about the Lord God of Armies. About the Lamb. Redeemer. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us constantly offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name" (HEBREWS 13:15). By faith we confess the name of Jesus. The Name of salvation.
“SALVATION COMES FROM OUR GOD.” The Redeemer-Lamb died and rose to save mankind.
II. OUR SHEPHERD-LAMB LEADS BELIEVERS.
A. The multitude in heaven had their robes washed white with the blood of the Lamb. Salvation.
1. Verse 15. This free salvation moved the multitude to be before the throne night and day.
2. The Lord God on the throne spread his tent over them. Divine protection. Provision.
B. Verse 16. No longer hungry. Or thirsty. No more scorching heat. All under the Lord’s care.
1. Children of Israel wandered in wilderness 40 years. Grumbled about food and thirst.
2. Lived in tents. Even worship of the Lord located in a tent. Now heavenly “tent” perfect.
C. Verse 17. Lamb at the throne not only Redeemer but also the Lamb.
1. The water the Lamb provides is the living water. No longer thirst. Heavenly fulfillment.
2. Perfection in heaven meant no more tears. No pain. No suffering. No grief.
D. Saints in the Lord, what a great comfort to know that the Lord God of Armies leads us through this wilderness into heaven. By grace the Lord has called us to be his sheep. By faith the Holy Spirit moves us to know and listen to our Good Shepherd’s voice. By Christ blood we are saved for time and eternity. "When he has brought out all his own sheep, he walks ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice” (JOHN 10:4). We gather in God’s house to hear his voice. In our scripture readings we hear God’s voice. In our hymns we hear God’s voice. Yes, even in “the foolishness of the preached message” God’s voice speaks to us. AND miracle of miracles we listen to God’s voice. Follow him.
E. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world IS our Good Shepherd. Christ has always been the only Good Shepherd for his flock since the beginning of time. The Lord promised his people to be with them. Lead. Guide. Protect. Provide. The Lord does not forget his promises. Jacob fled from his twin brother Esau. Esau wanted to kill him. Listen to the Lord’s promise to him and every believer.
“Now, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back again into this land. Indeed, I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised to you" (GENESIS 28:15). God is with us. God watches over us. God brings into the Promised Land. God has promised his presence until he has accomplished his purpose for us. God’s purpose for us? Proclaim the gospel. Good news of salvation for all mankind. “Salvation comes from our God.” God’s simple, powerful truth for all people.
F. Many of the people in the Bible were shepherds. They fully knew the relationship of sheep and the shepherd. Sheep could not live without a shepherd. No coincidence that the Lord God taught them and us about the Good Shepherd. “Like a shepherd he will care for his flock. With his arm he will gather the lambs. He will lift them up on his lap. He will gently lead the nursing mothers" (ISAIAH 40:11). Our loving Good Shepherd, Lamb of God, Jesus the Christ cares for us. Leads us. This is our great confidence for us in today’s world. A world in which leaders have forgotten that their authority comes from God. Rejoice and celebrate that the Creator of all things is our Good Shepherd. Perfectly protects. Provides.
CONCL.: Psalm 23 is the personification of our Good Shepherd. Leads to quiet waters. Through the valley of death. Our cup is overflowing. “Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever” (PSALM 23:6). “Salvation comes from our God.” The Redeemer-Lamb saves mankind. Our Shepherd-Lamb leads believers. Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power, and might belong to him. “SALVATION COMES FROM OUR GOD.” Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
EASTER 4 readings: ACTS 2:42-47; 1 PETER 2:19-25; JOHN 10:1-10; (PSALM 23)
SERVICES: 8:00am @ McCook (Sun) / 10:30am @ Redeemer (Sun) / NCF 1:00 Min. (Sat) & 12:00 Med. (Sun)
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