We want to look at a couple of things to try and get perspective of what is all happening on the earth.  During the last few weeks, we have looked at a couple of things that are extremely dangerous and can be downright scary.

  1. TheTrumpets sound
    1. The fifth trumpet brought demonic hoards that sting people with the mark of the beast for five months
    2. The sixth trumpet brings a demonic hoard of 200 million that will kill 1/3 of the world.
  2. We then switched to flashbacks.
    1. John was told the end is now upon us
      1. He is given a scroll to eat and told to prophecy
    2. Two witnesses come out and tell the world to repent
      1. They share for 3 1/2 years
      2. Their message is rejected and they are killed
      3. They rise from the dead are taken up to heaven.
  3. The seventh angel sounds his trumpet and the end is now here.
    1. The kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of God
  4. Two more flashbacks
    1. Israel brings forth Jesus
    2. Dragon tries to kill him
    3. Unable to do that, there is war in heaven.
    4. Satan is cast down and turns on the believers.
    5. Antichrist is called forth from the earth
      1. Rises to power because he is killed and comes back to life.
      2. False prophet comes out and praises the antichrist.
      3. They set an idol of the antichrist up in the temple
      4. They attack everyone economically so that you cannot buy or sell without the mark of the beast.
      5. 666 is the number of Nero.  Another Nero is coming.

 

So we see a lot of bad things are coming.  Add to that some of the signs of the end times

  1. Wars and rumor of wars (See Matthew 24: 5)
  2. Call evil good (See Isaiah 5: 20)
  3. Earthquakes in various places (See Matthew 24: 7)
  4. Difficult (Demon possessed) Times (See 2 Timothy 3: 1)

 

As I said earlier, I want to get somethings in perspective.

  1. We are not in the time of wrath yet.
  2. Jesus poured took care of our wrath on the cross.
    1. Jesus rescued us from the coming wrath (See 1 Thessalonians 1: 10)
    2. For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his wrath on us. (See 1 Thessalonians 5: 9)
    3. We were deserving of Wrath, but God who is rich in mercy paid the price for us. (See Ephesians 2: 3 – 5)
  3. Isn’t there wrath in the Bible?
    1. Wrath of Hell and the Lake of Fire
    2. Wrath against sin (See Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah)
    3. Wrath of Revelation as a final war against sin.
      1. Remember when this wrath starts, there is such an awe in heaven that there is silence for 1/2 an hour.
  4. Doesn’t the bible talk about God’s wrath being poured out?
    1. Romans 1: 18 God shows his wrath from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
    2. Romans 1: 24 So God gave them over to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired.
      1. Greek work Paradidomi = hand a criminal over to their judgment.  An uninterrupted course.
      2. This is the wrath of sowing and reaping. (See Galatians 6: 7)
      3. This is what we are living in today.  The natural consequences of choices that we have turned our backs on God.
  5. In the Middle of the worst chaos ever, we have a refuge in Jesus Christ. (See Revelation 14)
    1. The 144,000 are standing on Mount Zion with the Lamb.
    2. Jesus is still the Lamb at this time.
      1. He will come as a conquering hero on a white horse (Revelation 19: 11 – 18)
      2. Here he is still the lamb that was shown in Revelation 5: 6.  One who is worthy to open the seals and destroy evil.
    3. He is standing on Mount Zion.
      1. This is a place of refuge (See Psalm 132: 13, 14; Isaiah 2: 2- 4; Isaiah 24: 23)
      2. Instead of the beasts mark they have the Father’s mark (See Revelation 3: 12; 22: 4)
      3. This mark protects them. (See Revelation 9: 4)
      4. This is not the mark of Baptist or Assembly of God, but the mark of Jesus name on us.
    4. A sound from heaven comes. Vs 2
      1. The voice of God is portrayed as a sound of thunder. (See Ezekiel 1: 24; Ezekiel 43: 2; Revelation 19: 6
    5. These are not angels singing, but the redeemed people of Israel. Vs 3
      1. Redeemed = withdrawn from earth.
      2. Not dead because what is the sense of having the mark of God if you are going to die anyway.
      3. Earth has no hold on them.  Kept themselves from Harlot Babylon (See chapter 17)
      4. Antichrist was not able to defeat them.
    6. They follow the lamb wherever he goes. Vs 4
      1. Virgins referred to those who have total devotion to Jesus. (See Jeremiah 18: 13; Lamentations 2: 13)
    7. Don’t buy into the lies of the antichrist Vs 5
  6. Lesson for us
    1. Not in time of wrath yet
    2. Security in Jesus in these days
    3. Follow him as the disciples did when Jesus called them.
    4. Overcome Evil with Good Romans 12: 21
    5. Allow God to enact revenge Romans 12: 19
    6. Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12: 2