Revelation Chapter 6-7
Getting Back into Revelation
Today we are circling back to our series through the book of Revelation
As discussed, this is one of the most difficult and mysterious books of the Bible
Filled with what we call apocalyptic language, symbolic, grand, but very meaningful.
In fact the word for Revelation is apocalypse which actually means “revealed”
Through vivid symbols literal truth is being revealed
We began in ch. 1 with John, exiled, imprisoned, on isle of Patmos, modern-day Turkey
John was a first century follower of Jesus, likely the apostle John, but we are not certain.
As most first century followers of Jesus he was eagerly anticipating the 2nd Coming or Return of Jesus.
They longed for this. Not just their personal, individual salvation but for all who trust Jesus and for creation itself.
Jesus first coming was at his birth, to die on the cross for sin and rise from the dead
That was the ultimate battle where he secured victory over sin, death, the grave and spiritual forces of evil.
Scripture states, Jesus will return to fully establish His kingdom, heaven on earth.
But to John in this moment, persecuted, in prison, it looked bleak.
Some Guiding Thoughts
A few things that John learned and that will help us as we continue to journey in Revelation
Some day Jesus will return to completely remove evil, sin, death, from this world and to establish his fully redeemed new world that his death and resurrection won in the ultimate battle on the cross .
Immediately prior to that, scripture foretells a time of the greatest distress the world has ever seen.
This distress (Tribulation) is driven by several factors
The Devil, and evil spiritual forces, attempt to take over
Man’s evil pursuits, accumulation of sinfulness and disregard for each other and creation
God’s sovereign redemptive plan (Most Important)
4. There is a Prophetic Timeline: Rapture (Restrainer Removed, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8), Tribulation, Global Evangelism, Battle of Armageddon, Return of Jesus, Millennial Reign, Final Judgement-Hell, New Heaven and New Earth-Eternity.
So John was likely wondering when, where, how will Jesus return?
Because to John, it might have looked like the wrong side is winning.
Recap of Revelation Chapter 1-5
Jesus appears to John, and gives him messages for 7 real churches from first century, ch. 2-3
And also, we see a template in those 7 churches for how church history has gone and will go.
Now we get Into what will be in the End Times, specific 7 year period that will change human history as we know it
Bringing Jesus’ promise of redemption and salvation to the world fully.
In ch. 4-5, a scene of heaven, throne of God, there was a scroll, with 7 seals on it.
Only the Lamb who was slain is worthy to open it.
With God, heavenly angels, and creatures is the raptured and resurrected church at start of Tribulation.
They worship at God’s throne, will play a role of intercessor.
This amazing worship scene takes place and prayers are offered as the Lamb begins to open the seals on the scroll
Chapters 6-7
This is where we pick up in chapter 6.
Lets read chapter 6-7 and then will go over some things.
So as we get into these chapters we see some horrific things happening, the start of the Tribulation.
First rider: Antichrist, whether the world is in chaos after the rapture of billions of christians or just what we see and know here and now today, look at our world, there is a sense that the world needs a leader to unite people and make peace. The Bible states that only Jesus can fill that role, but predicts that before the 2nd coming of Jesus, a fake Christ, a false messiah, an ANTI-CHRIST will rise to power, unite the world, and bring a temporary false peace to the world. Scripture says many are in the world and will come into, but one will top them all. (1 John 2:18)
This is followed by the other three horsemen of the apocalypse, sword, famine and death.
Followed by what is vividly described as global catastrophes like never seen, great and unprecedented events that will take place: war, perhaps nuclear, natural disasters.
When conflict and war happen on a large scale, economic disaster and health crisis happen, famine, (injustice, don’t harm the oil and wine), food and water shortage, lack of shelter, water born disease, lack of sanitation, death.
Why would God want this?
God doesn’t want this. 2 Peter 3:9
The world left without a loving and benevolent designer and creator descends into chaos.
So is God actively sending these events, or is this was is just unfolding as God has removed his Hand?
Let’s look at how God deals with people doing evil or trending toward it:
5 Ways God Corrects or Punishes in Scripture
God sends messengers to speak truth, warn, challenge us.
God allow’s trials to correct or redirect us. (Not all trials are corrective or disciplinary. We all experience trials. Many times bad things happen to people and it has nothing to do with corrective or disciplinary action from God.)
God sends direct consequences on people to warn them to change their evil ways or to protect save others.
God removes His presence or hand and people are left to reap what they have sown.
God directly incapacitates or removes evil forces or people from a situation to save others.
Which is it here in Revelation?
Well, I think through Revelation who see all those. Here, in chapter 6-7, I am inclined toward #4 as it seems to fit with the Rapture and Removal of the “Restrainer” theme.
Other Examples, Samson, Judges 16:20, “he did not know the Lord has left him”
Ezekiel Ch. 10-11, The Glory of Yahweh departs from the Temple and City,
The ultimate wrath of God just might be the absence of God
Remember Jesus in his most painful moment on the cross said what? Matthew 27:46, “My God, my God why have you forsaken, me?”
Jesus tasted the full wrath of God on the cross, that was the worst part, God’s absence.
God, eventually leaves people alone that reject him. He says, in essence, your will do Done.
As for me, I would rather be in the hand of a disciplinary God than the embrace of deceptive devil.
Because as Revelation shows, it is really one or the other.
God will parent you, love you, correct you, discipline you, receive it, its good, the Holy Spirit will speak to you and when you respond you will get closer to Jesus in your relationship. When you ignore that you harden your heart just that much more.
End of chapter but even in this people, though still angry at God recognize who is the ruler of the universe.
There aren’t many atheists left at this point, that is for sure.
Some might say, “Why would I want to devote myself to a God who will punish me or allow negative things to happen to me if I don’t follow Him, isn't that kind of wrong?”
Jesus describes this issue this way: The Story of the Lost Son: Luke 15
God doesn’t create the horrible worlds we find our selves in when we reject Him and do evil. We do.
Now moving along, remember I said that the raptured church isn’t just sitting in heaven eating grapes being fanned, they are intercessors, prayers for others.
And though God has to a certain extent, removed himself temporality, He has far from given up on people on earth.
Focus of chapter 7, 144,00 anointed Jewish Christian Evangelists, God chose this people to bring Jesus, and also promised their redemption as they would be a vessel to bless all nations. God doesn’t fail. During the most horrible time on earth will be one if not the greatest moves of evangelism ever seen. Many will come to salvation during the Tribulation. From every nation, tribe and tongue v 9, and out of the great tribulation, v 14.
And many will lose their earthly life for it but gain eternal life.
Note on martyrs, though I think here in chapter 7 it is referring to a future time, even now many are giving their lives and have throughout history, and this same idea applies to them and all who suffer, especially those who are innocent and helpless.
Takeaways:
People don’t want to obey God they want to make their own rules. We often don’t trust that God has our best interests at hand and so we reject God, we harden our heart when we don’t listen to his loving Godly guidance. It affects us greatly. When we reject and leave God out of our life, we will eventually descend into chaos.
God’s knows our suffering, cares, will heal us. He can/will deliver those who trust him from darkness and pain.
God wants to save as many people, even those who have rejected him time and time again up to the very end
When the presence of God won’t wake us up, sometimes the absence of God will.
Evil exists because God does not force people to do what is right, what he wants. People have free will. God does not force people to follow him or to love him. God’s foremost attribute is love, but also right there with it is justice. God does not force anyone to choose him, he woos, (to gain the love of another) he does many good things to woo people to love him back, to trust, to follow Him. He will use anything He can to reach us, because He knows that our ultimate state without him is indescribably bad. God does not do evil, but God in his mercy will even use the events of evil forces and humans to show people truth that they might be saved. God does not do this out of spite, but out of trying to do everything possible to save all those willing to trust him.
Altar Call:
1. Salvation: Trust Jesus.
2. Repentance: Keep your heart soft and your commitment solid
3. Bear witness to Christ in a fallen world?
- Intercession: While still holding solid to core biblical convictions, quit trying to just win arguments and love and lead people to Jesus. Pray, share your story, invite, advocate for those who are weak, helpless, or on the margins. Even if you don’t agree with their views or lifestyle, you can still love people, pray for them, speak kindly to them, and when the opportunity opens up you can share what the Holy Spirit would have you share with them.
Look at the Life of Daniel:
Taken as captive, every reason to be resentful
But he served for the good of the city we was taken to
He held his convictions tightly but also advocated for the people he was sent to serve
He was not contentious he was convicted, he served people but only worshipped God.
Only worship God, but serve all you can. That is how you bear witness to Christ in a fallen world.