strength in trying times: lessons from the book of revelation part 4: know your assignment: living...

Strength in Trying Times:Strength in Trying Times:Lessons from the Book of Lessons from the Book of

RevelationRevelation

Part 4: Part 4: Know Your Know Your AssignmentAssignment::Living With a Spirit of Living With a Spirit of

MartyrdomMartyrdom

Revelation 6:9-11 and 7:9-10Revelation 6:9-11 and 7:9-10

RecapRecap

•Rev 1: Rev 1: Know Your LordKnow Your Lord

•Rev 2-3: Rev 2-3: Know the Shepherd’sKnow the Shepherd’s

VoiceVoice

•Rev 4-5:Rev 4-5: Know Your True HomeKnow Your True Home

•Rev 6-7:Rev 6-7: Know Your AssignmentKnow Your Assignment

I Was Almost on I Was Almost on the Glenn Beck Showthe Glenn Beck Show

Rev 6: The Seal JudgmentsRev 6: The Seal Judgments

1 I watched as the Lamb opened the 1 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!”a voice like thunder, “Come!”

2 I looked, and there before me was a 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.out as a conqueror bent on conquest.


3 When the Lamb opened the second 3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” creature say, “Come!”

4 Then another horse came out, a fiery 4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.was given a large sword.

Rev 6: The Seal JudgmentsRev 6: The Seal Judgments5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard 5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard

the third living creature say, “Come!” I the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. his hand.

6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages and six pounds of wheat for a day’s wages and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the winenot damage the oil and the wine!”!”


7 When the Lamb opened the fourth 7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” living creature say, “Come!”

8 I looked, and there before me was a 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.by the wild beasts of the earth.

Rev 6: The Seal JudgmentsRev 6: The Seal Judgments9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the 9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the

altar the souls of those who had been slain altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. they had maintained.

10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” blood?”

11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.and sisters, were killed just as they had been.


12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. 12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, hair, the whole moon turned blood red,

13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. strong wind.

14 The heavens receded like a scroll being 14 The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.was removed from its place.


15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, 15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. mountains.

16 They called to the mountains and the 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! wrath of the Lamb!

17 For the great day of their wrath has come, 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”and who can withstand it?”

A Very Popular ViewA Very Popular View

Don’t Be “Left Behind”Don’t Be “Left Behind”

I told the Glenn Beck Show . I told the Glenn Beck Show . . . . .

The “Left Behind” PassageThe “Left Behind” Passage

• 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood nothing about what would happen until the flood came and came and took them all awaytook them all away. That is how it will . That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be will be in the field; one will be takentaken and the and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be hand mill; one will be takentaken and the other left. and the other left.

Also, the Popular View Tends to Also, the Popular View Tends to Focus On Events Focus On Events OutsideOutside the Book the Book

of Revelation, Not on the of Revelation, Not on the Theological Meanings Theological Meanings WithinWithin the the

Book of RevelationBook of Revelation

Also, the Popular View Tends to Also, the Popular View Tends to Focus On Events Focus On Events OutsideOutside the Book the Book

of Revelation, Not on the of Revelation, Not on the Theological Meanings Theological Meanings WithinWithin the the

Book of RevelationBook of Revelation

For example, how should we For example, how should we interpret the death of ¼ of the interpret the death of ¼ of the earth (fourth seal)?earth (fourth seal)?

Three Sets of JudgmentsThree Sets of JudgmentsSeals (Rev 6):

Preliminary Judgments in

Human History

Trumpets (Rev 8-9):

Used in OT Calls for Repentance (Shofar)

Bowls (Rev 16):

Outpouring of the OT “Cup of God’s

Wrath”

1. Conquest 1. Fire on 1/3 Earth 1. Sores

2. War 2. Water to Blood, for 1/3 of the Sea

2. Entire Sea to Blood, Everything Dies

3. Famine 3. Bitter Waters, for 1/3 of the Rivers & Springs

3. Entire Rivers & Springs to Blood

4. Death to ¼ Earth 4. Sun, Moon, Stars, 1/3 Struck

4. Sun Scorches with Fire

5. Martyrs 5. Locust Armies attack 5. Darkness

6. Black Sun, Red Moon

6. Armies kill 1/3 of humankind

6. Three Demons Gather Armies for Armageddon

7. “The great day of wrath has come”

7. “Kingdom of World = Kingdom of Christ”

7. “It is done!”

The Goal: Not to View Modern Calamities The Goal: Not to View Modern Calamities as Fulfillments of Revelation, But to Use as Fulfillments of Revelation, But to Use Revelation to View Modern Calamities Revelation to View Modern Calamities

BiblicallyBiblically

Again, the Popular View Tends to Again, the Popular View Tends to Focus On Events Focus On Events OutsideOutside the Book of the Book of

Revelation, Not on the Theological Revelation, Not on the Theological Meanings Meanings WithinWithin the Book of the Book of


Again, the Popular View Tends to Again, the Popular View Tends to Focus On Events Focus On Events OutsideOutside the Book of the Book of

Revelation, Not on the Theological Revelation, Not on the Theological Meanings Meanings WithinWithin the Book of the Book of


For example, who are the martyrs For example, who are the martyrs who cry out, “How long, who cry out, “How long, Sovereign Lord?” (fifth seal)Sovereign Lord?” (fifth seal)

A small set of future Christians who A small set of future Christians who will physically die for their faith?will physically die for their faith?

Remember, visions are not photographic, but

impressionistic

Martyrdom in Revelation is a Martyrdom in Revelation is a prophetic symbol for ALL prophetic symbol for ALL

ChristiansChristians

Through its Use of This Symbol, Through its Use of This Symbol, Revelation Calls Upon All Christians Revelation Calls Upon All Christians to Take on a “Spirit of Martyrdom”to Take on a “Spirit of Martyrdom”

Definition: Definition:

A “spirit of martyrdom” is the A “spirit of martyrdom” is the commitment to maintain a commitment to maintain a faithful faithful witnesswitness to Jesus Christ to Jesus Christ despite the despite the suffering it bringssuffering it brings, to the point of , to the point of relinquishing all claimrelinquishing all claim to the to the comfortable life you wish you could live.comfortable life you wish you could live.

Let’s think for a moment . . . Let’s think for a moment . . .

How does Jesus appear in How does Jesus appear in Rev?Rev?

How Does Satan Appear?How Does Satan Appear?

How is the New Heaven and How is the New Heaven and New Earth Pictured?New Earth Pictured?

And Christians? And Christians?

And Christians? As MartyrsAnd Christians? As Martyrs

There is an appropriateness to There is an appropriateness to this prophetic imagethis prophetic image

1)1) Jesus is called the “faithful witness” (Rev 1:5), who Jesus is called the “faithful witness” (Rev 1:5), who was faithful right up to his death. All the martyrs was faithful right up to his death. All the martyrs in Revelation never renounce Jesus and remain in Revelation never renounce Jesus and remain “faithful witnesses” right up to their deaths “faithful witnesses” right up to their deaths (Antipas, the two witnesses, those who refuse to (Antipas, the two witnesses, those who refuse to worship the beast, those who reign with Christ).worship the beast, those who reign with Christ).

1)1) Jesus “overcame” the devil by laying down his life. Jesus “overcame” the devil by laying down his life. Martyrs in Revelation are said to “overcome” the Martyrs in Revelation are said to “overcome” the devil by laying down theirs (Rev 12:11).devil by laying down theirs (Rev 12:11).

Will you “receive” this?Will you “receive” this?

First Floor, Second FloorFirst Floor, Second Floor

Rev 6:9-11 “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under Rev 6:9-11 “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, ‘had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, ‘How How long, Sovereign Lordlong, Sovereign Lord . . . until you judge the . . . until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and inhabitants of the earth and avenge our bloodavenge our blood? Then ? Then each of them was given each of them was given a white robea white robe, and told to , and told to wait a little longer . . .wait a little longer . . .

First Floor, Second FloorFirst Floor, Second Floor

Rev 7:9-10 “After this I looked and there before me was Rev 7:9-10 “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that a great multitude that no one could count, from every no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and languagenation, tribe, people and language, standing before , standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing wearing white robeswhite robes and were holding palm and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’ throne, and to the Lamb.’

Rev 6:9-11 “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under Rev 6:9-11 “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, ‘had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, ‘How How long, Sovereign Lordlong, Sovereign Lord . . . until you judge the . . . until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and inhabitants of the earth and avenge our bloodavenge our blood? Then ? Then each of them was given each of them was given a white robea white robe, and told to , and told to wait a little longer . . .wait a little longer . . .

Anyone here undergoing Anyone here undergoing “suffering for righteousness’ “suffering for righteousness’

sake” (1 Pet 3:14)?sake” (1 Pet 3:14)?

•Physical pain, as a persecuted Christian?


sake” (1 Pet 3:14)?sake” (1 Pet 3:14)?


•Financial pain, helping someone else?


sake” (1 Pet 3:14)?sake” (1 Pet 3:14)?



•Relationship pain, forebearing someone else’s immature demands?


sake” (1 Pet 3:14)?sake” (1 Pet 3:14)?



•Relationship pain, forebearing someone else’s immature demands?

•Emotional pain, devoting long, draining hours to some ministry . . . Or caregiving for someone who cannot care for himself?

Know Your AssignmentKnow Your Assignment

If you are saying in your heart . . .If you are saying in your heart . . .

How long, O Lord?How long, O Lord?

Judge and avenge, O Lord? (Rev 6:10)Judge and avenge, O Lord? (Rev 6:10)

It may be time for you to take up “a spirit It may be time for you to take up “a spirit of martyrdom.”of martyrdom.”

Conclusion

• Reckon yourself a “martyr,” who lays down all claim to his or her life, so that there is no “self” left to remain

• With each “blow” you receive to your body or spirit, know that you are taking a step toward imitating Jesus and defeating the devil.

strength in trying times: lessons from the book of revelation part 4: know your assignment: living...

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