Statistics Statistics

163,000 Christians die every year for 163,000 Christians die every year for their faiththeir faith

½ of all the Christians who have ever ½ of all the Christians who have ever died for their faith did so in the 20died for their faith did so in the 20thth century alone, some 35 millioncentury alone, some 35 million

Some 15 million died under the Some 15 million died under the Soviet regime between 1917 and Soviet regime between 1917 and 1980.1980.

Historically worst timesHistorically worst times Roman persecution of early ChristiansRoman persecution of early Christians 1212thth-14-14thth centuries when Genghis Khan and centuries when Genghis Khan and

Tamerlane massacred millions of Tamerlane massacred millions of Christians Christians

1630: some 300,000 Christians in Japan 1630: some 300,000 Christians in Japan (mostly Catholic) were executed often by (mostly Catholic) were executed often by crucifixion. Seventy of them were crucified crucifixion. Seventy of them were crucified upside down on the beach at low tide so upside down on the beach at low tide so that they would drown when the tide came that they would drown when the tide came in.in.

1920-1930: 200,000 Russian 1920-1930: 200,000 Russian Orthodox priests, monks and nuns Orthodox priests, monks and nuns were slaughtered. Many crucified by were slaughtered. Many crucified by nailing them to the door of their nailing them to the door of their churches or stripped naked, doused churches or stripped naked, doused with water and left to freeze in the with water and left to freeze in the winter air.winter air.

1960-1970's: During the cultural 1960-1970's: During the cultural revolution in China, some 400,000 revolution in China, some 400,000 died.died.

1970's: Under Idi Amin, 100,000 of 1970's: Under Idi Amin, 100,000 of the 300,000 killed were Christians.the 300,000 killed were Christians.

1994: As many as 500,000 of the 1994: As many as 500,000 of the 700,000 Rwandans killed were 700,000 Rwandans killed were believers.believers.

Since 1970: as many as 1,000,000 Since 1970: as many as 1,000,000 Christian and Animists have been Christian and Animists have been killed in Sudan by the Muslims of the killed in Sudan by the Muslims of the north.north.

Some Myths about PersecutionSome Myths about Persecution

1. It helps the faith grow1. It helps the faith grow While this can be true and God will While this can be true and God will

prevail, Turkey is a good example of prevail, Turkey is a good example of how it does not always work that how it does not always work that way. From 32% to 0.2%way. From 32% to 0.2%

In Syria from 40% to 10%In Syria from 40% to 10% In Iran from 15% to 2%In Iran from 15% to 2% In Iraq from 35% to 5%In Iraq from 35% to 5%

Some Myths about PersecutionSome Myths about Persecution

2. Most Martyrs Are Church Leaders2. Most Martyrs Are Church Leaders 3. Most Martyrs dies glorious and 3. Most Martyrs dies glorious and

victorious deaths, rejoicing to suffer victorious deaths, rejoicing to suffer for Jesus. for Jesus.

Most are poor and frightened. They Most are poor and frightened. They are mothers, children, workers, and are mothers, children, workers, and students, just trying to fight for their students, just trying to fight for their lives.lives.

Reasons for PersecutionReasons for Persecution

Religious Religious Financial Financial Anti-Western biasAnti-Western bias Political Political RacismRacism

What can we do?What can we do?

66thth seal – God’s Final Judgment seal – God’s Final Judgment

Natural disasters – Isa. 13:6-11; Natural disasters – Isa. 13:6-11; 24:23; 34:4; 50:3; 64:1-324:23; 34:4; 50:3; 64:1-3

This is the language of a theophany – This is the language of a theophany – when God says He will bring down a when God says He will bring down a nation this is the language He usesnation this is the language He uses

The moon and stars refuse to look or The moon and stars refuse to look or the earth trembles the earth trembles

Matthew 24:29-31; Nahum 1:3, 5, 6; Matthew 24:29-31; Nahum 1:3, 5, 6; Hosea 10:8 also see Luke 21:20-24Hosea 10:8 also see Luke 21:20-24

Revelation 6:15-17Revelation 6:15-17 Then the kings of the earth and the great Then the kings of the earth and the great

men and the generals and the rich and the men and the generals and the rich and the strong, and every one, slave and free, hid in strong, and every one, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can day of their wrath has come, and who can stand before it?"stand before it?"

““the Great Day of Wrath”the Great Day of Wrath”

Some say it is the 2Some say it is the 2ndnd or so year of or so year of wrathwrath

More likely the final day, the Day of More likely the final day, the Day of the Lordthe Lord

““wrath of the Lamb” – a scary wrath of the Lamb” – a scary lamb???lamb???

Parallel with Matthew 24Parallel with Matthew 24

22ndnd seal – war vs. 6-7 seal – war vs. 6-7 33rdrd seal – famine vs. 7 seal – famine vs. 7 55thth seal – persecution vs. 9-10 seal – persecution vs. 9-10 66thth seal – end vs. 13 seal – end vs. 13 11stst seal – Gospel vs. 14 seal – Gospel vs. 14 Remember it is a double prophesy of Remember it is a double prophesy of

a.d. 70 and the end of time a.d. 70 and the end of time

Revelation 7Revelation 7

The Status of God’s peopleThe Status of God’s people

3. The Vision of the Seven Seals (Rev. 4-7)3. The Vision of the Seven Seals (Rev. 4-7)a. The Throne-Rome in Heaven (Rev. 4:1-11)a. The Throne-Rome in Heaven (Rev. 4:1-11)b. The Scroll and the Lamb (Rev. 5:1-14)b. The Scroll and the Lamb (Rev. 5:1-14)c. The Opening of Six Seals (Rev. 6:1-17)c. The Opening of Six Seals (Rev. 6:1-17)

i. The first seal (Rev. 6:1-2) i. The first seal (Rev. 6:1-2)ii. The second seal (Rev. 6:3-4)ii. The second seal (Rev. 6:3-4)iii. The third seal (Rev. 6:5-6)iii. The third seal (Rev. 6:5-6)iv. The fourth seal (Rev. 6:7-8)iv. The fourth seal (Rev. 6:7-8) v. The fifth seal (Rev. 6:9-11) v. The fifth seal (Rev. 6:9-11)vi. The sixth seal (Rev. 6:12-17)vi. The sixth seal (Rev. 6:12-17)

d. The Status of God’s people (Rev. 7:1-17)d. The Status of God’s people (Rev. 7:1-17)i. The 144,000 (Rev. 7:1-8)i. The 144,000 (Rev. 7:1-8)ii. The great multitude (Rev. 7:9-17)ii. The great multitude (Rev. 7:9-17)

Revelation 7:1Revelation 7:1

And after these things I saw four And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.tree.

Number 4Number 4

Heaven is contrasted with earth (4)Heaven is contrasted with earth (4) The angels hold back the four windsThe angels hold back the four winds These are the tribulations of the These are the tribulations of the

preceding chapterspreceding chapters Before He comes He has something Before He comes He has something

He wants them to doHe wants them to do

Revelation 7:2-3Revelation 7:2-3

And I saw another angel ascending And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.in their foreheads.

Mark or sealMark or seal

A mark or a seal is like a brand for A mark or a seal is like a brand for identification. It was very common identification. It was very common to do this in a slave market.to do this in a slave market.

The idea is before the tribulation I The idea is before the tribulation I will mark youwill mark you

Ezekiel 9:4-6Ezekiel 9:4-6 2 Timothy 2:192 Timothy 2:19

Mark or sealMark or seal

Revelation 6:17 asked, “and who can Revelation 6:17 asked, “and who can stand?” this answers the questionstand?” this answers the question

Paul says the Holy Spirit is our seal Paul says the Holy Spirit is our seal Ephesians 1:13; 4:30Ephesians 1:13; 4:30

And I heard the number of those who were And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand sealed: of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Simeon thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Zebulun twelve sealed; of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed. Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed. (Revelation 7:4-8)(Revelation 7:4-8)

12,000 from each tribe12,000 from each tribe

It is fatalistic or Calvinistic to think It is fatalistic or Calvinistic to think that there a literal 144,000 already that there a literal 144,000 already sealed in heaven that will be savedsealed in heaven that will be saved

This does not match the listing of the This does not match the listing of the 12 sons of Jacob 12 sons of Jacob

Does not match the 12 tribes list Does not match the 12 tribes list either either

12,000 from each tribe12,000 from each tribe

Ezekiel 48:31ff – 12 gates list does Ezekiel 48:31ff – 12 gates list does not match this list eithernot match this list either

Therefore, I don’t think this list can Therefore, I don’t think this list can be taken literally, it just doesn’t workbe taken literally, it just doesn’t work

12 is symbolic of God’s people12 is symbolic of God’s people 10 is a number of completeness 10 is a number of completeness 12x12x10x10x10 = 144,00012x12x10x10x10 = 144,000

12,000 from each tribe12,000 from each tribe

The idea is all of God’s people will be The idea is all of God’s people will be sealed before the tribulationsealed before the tribulation

The focus here is not the physical The focus here is not the physical Jews, but on spiritual IsraelJews, but on spiritual Israel

Matthew 19:28Matthew 19:28 John 11:51-52John 11:51-52 James 1:1James 1:1

Revelation 7:9-10Revelation 7:9-10

After these things I looked, and behold, a After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

The focus here is clearly in heaven, The focus here is clearly in heaven, the 144,000 were on earththe 144,000 were on earth

This is all the saints in heaven after This is all the saints in heaven after the tribulation the tribulation

White robes in 2:10; 3:4-5, 18; 6:11White robes in 2:10; 3:4-5, 18; 6:11 Palm branches – praise and worship Palm branches – praise and worship

Matthew 21:8Matthew 21:8

Revelation 7:11-14aRevelation 7:11-14a

All the angels stood around the throne All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: the throne and worshiped God, saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen." Then one of the elders answered, Amen." Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come white robes, and where did they come from?" And I said to him, "Sir, you know." from?" And I said to him, "Sir, you know."

Just as in Zechariah 1 the angel Just as in Zechariah 1 the angel asked the man to explain. asked the man to explain.

The point is you don’t know The point is you don’t know everything.everything.

Revelation 7:14b-15Revelation 7:14b-15

So he said to me, "These are the So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell who sits on the throne will dwell among them.”among them.”

These are the ones that made it These are the ones that made it through the tribulationthrough the tribulation

Washed their robes Washed their robes in the blood of the Lambin the blood of the Lamb

If you want to be part of the If you want to be part of the multitude what must you do?multitude what must you do?

Persevere Persevere Be washed in the blood of the LambBe washed in the blood of the Lamb Acts 22:16Acts 22:16

They “serve Him day They “serve Him day and night in His temple”and night in His temple”

Priestly service is the word used Priestly service is the word used here. We will be His attendants here. We will be His attendants

Will we have jobs in heaven?Will we have jobs in heaven? Yes, much like in the Garden of EdenYes, much like in the Garden of Eden

““And He who sits on the throne And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.”will dwell among them.”

Literally He will “spread His tent over Literally He will “spread His tent over them”. them”.

The point here is not our living The point here is not our living quartersquarters

It has to do with intimacy with GodIt has to do with intimacy with God

Revelation 7:16-17Revelation 7:16-17

"They shall neither hunger anymore "They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."from their eyes."

Parallels with Isaiah 49:10Parallels with Isaiah 49:10

They shall neither hunger nor thirst, They shall neither hunger nor thirst, Neither heat nor sun shall strike Neither heat nor sun shall strike them; For He who has mercy on them; For He who has mercy on them will lead them, Even by the them will lead them, Even by the springs of water He will guide them.springs of water He will guide them.

““God will wipe away every tear”God will wipe away every tear”

This is a very powerful picture of This is a very powerful picture of comfort and carecomfort and care

What emotions will we have in What emotions will we have in heaven?heaven?

It may be like in the beginningIt may be like in the beginning