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.
- TheTrumpets sound
- The fifth trumpet brought demonic hoards that sting people with the mark of the beast for five months
- The sixth trumpet brings a demonic hoard of 200 million that will kill 1/3 of the world.
- We then switched to flashbacks.
- John was told the end is now upon us
- He is given a scroll to eat and told to prophecy
- Two witnesses come out and tell the world to repent
- They share for 3 1/2 years
- Their message is rejected and they are killed
- They rise from the dead are taken up to heaven.
- John was told the end is now upon us
- The seventh angel sounds his trumpet and the end is now here.
- The kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of God
- Two more flashbacks
- Israel brings forth Jesus
- Dragon tries to kill him
- Unable to do that, there is war in heaven.
- Satan is cast down and turns on the believers.
- Antichrist is called forth from the earth
- Rises to power because he is killed and comes back to life.
- False prophet comes out and praises the antichrist.
- They set an idol of the antichrist up in the temple
- They attack everyone economically so that you cannot buy or sell without the mark of the beast.
- 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
- Wars and rumor of wars (See Matthew 24: 5)
- Call evil good (See Isaiah 5: 20)
- Earthquakes in various places (See Matthew 24: 7)
- Difficult (Demon possessed) Times (See 2 Timothy 3: 1)
As I said earlier, I want to get somethings in perspective.
- We are not in the time of wrath yet.
- Jesus poured took care of our wrath on the cross.
- Jesus rescued us from the coming wrath (See 1 Thessalonians 1: 10)
- For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his wrath on us. (See 1 Thessalonians 5: 9)
- We were deserving of Wrath, but God who is rich in mercy paid the price for us. (See Ephesians 2: 3 – 5)
- Isn’t there wrath in the Bible?
- Wrath of Hell and the Lake of Fire
- Wrath against sin (See Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah)
- Wrath of Revelation as a final war against sin.
- Remember when this wrath starts, there is such an awe in heaven that there is silence for 1/2 an hour.
- Doesn’t the bible talk about God’s wrath being poured out?
- Romans 1: 18 God shows his wrath from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
- Romans 1: 24 So God gave them over to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired.
- Greek work Paradidomi = hand a criminal over to their judgment. An uninterrupted course.
- This is the wrath of sowing and reaping. (See Galatians 6: 7)
- This is what we are living in today. The natural consequences of choices that we have turned our backs on God.
- In the Middle of the worst chaos ever, we have a refuge in Jesus Christ. (See Revelation 14)
- The 144,000 are standing on Mount Zion with the Lamb.
- Jesus is still the Lamb at this time.
- He will come as a conquering hero on a white horse (Revelation 19: 11 – 18)
- Here he is still the lamb that was shown in Revelation 5: 6. One who is worthy to open the seals and destroy evil.
- He is standing on Mount Zion.
- This is a place of refuge (See Psalm 132: 13, 14; Isaiah 2: 2- 4; Isaiah 24: 23)
- Instead of the beasts mark they have the Father’s mark (See Revelation 3: 12; 22: 4)
- This mark protects them. (See Revelation 9: 4)
- This is not the mark of Baptist or Assembly of God, but the mark of Jesus name on us.
- A sound from heaven comes. Vs 2
- The voice of God is portrayed as a sound of thunder. (See Ezekiel 1: 24; Ezekiel 43: 2; Revelation 19: 6
- These are not angels singing, but the redeemed people of Israel. Vs 3
- Redeemed = withdrawn from earth.
- Not dead because what is the sense of having the mark of God if you are going to die anyway.
- Earth has no hold on them. Kept themselves from Harlot Babylon (See chapter 17)
- Antichrist was not able to defeat them.
- They follow the lamb wherever he goes. Vs 4
- Virgins referred to those who have total devotion to Jesus. (See Jeremiah 18: 13; Lamentations 2: 13)
- Don’t buy into the lies of the antichrist Vs 5
- Lesson for us
- Not in time of wrath yet
- Security in Jesus in these days
- Follow him as the disciples did when Jesus called them.
- Overcome Evil with Good Romans 12: 21
- Allow God to enact revenge Romans 12: 19
- Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12: 2