1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,760 I'm right the book of Revelation as we continue now 2 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:10,000 We are going to be in chapter 6 7 and 8 where we're looking at the seven seals 3 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:16,940 And as I say that out loud I can only picture some of you thinking of seven actual seals like animals 4 00:00:16,940 --> 00:00:21,840 I can't shake that from my head right now, so I've it may ruin the entire sermon 5 00:00:22,080 --> 00:00:26,500 But understand we are talking about seals as in like a wax seal 6 00:00:26,500 --> 00:00:32,460 Actually my little brother Kenny he actually still uses one of those because I think in another life 7 00:00:32,460 --> 00:00:38,700 Which we don't really believe in he was in medieval times, but understand that these seals are on the scrolls 8 00:00:39,140 --> 00:00:45,460 That is one of the things that rabbis had to do in the temple the Sadducees the Pharisees you had to break the seal 9 00:00:45,500 --> 00:00:48,940 To open the scroll and here we are setting the scene 10 00:00:49,580 --> 00:00:54,260 For the opening of these seals. This is a triumphant moment 11 00:00:54,260 --> 00:00:56,260 Culturally this is how they began 12 00:00:57,260 --> 00:01:02,820 Let's just kind of say we were back in first century Jerusalem say this was the temple. I was the rabbi 13 00:01:03,380 --> 00:01:09,180 That the center point of a service would be the opening of the seal 14 00:01:10,180 --> 00:01:12,580 To read the scrolls of the Old Testament 15 00:01:12,580 --> 00:01:18,180 We see that even in Jesus's ministry that he was tasked to do that Luke chapter 4 16 00:01:18,180 --> 00:01:20,420 It was the first kind of hit put on Jesus 17 00:01:20,420 --> 00:01:26,220 He read the prophet Isaiah and said today this prophecy is being fulfilled basically because of me 18 00:01:26,220 --> 00:01:33,540 And so this was a center point of the beginning kind of to midsection of the book of Revelation that each seal 19 00:01:33,540 --> 00:01:39,060 Means something John's vision to the opening of the seven seals is revealing 20 00:01:40,100 --> 00:01:45,300 Again, it's uncomfortable, but it's God's divine judgment and his control 21 00:01:45,300 --> 00:01:49,780 Over history the lamb is the one worthy to open the seals 22 00:01:49,780 --> 00:01:55,460 Demonstrating his ultimate authority over the unfolding of the history that will take place 23 00:01:55,460 --> 00:01:59,540 Both that was that is that now is to come in the book of Revelation 24 00:02:00,500 --> 00:02:06,580 This scroll can be misunderstood by a lot of people and a basic kind of good foundation 25 00:02:06,580 --> 00:02:11,940 Understanding for us this morning is the scroll represents God's redemptive plan 26 00:02:11,940 --> 00:02:19,780 And the culminating judgment upon the earth judgment redemption all is what's being taken place here 27 00:02:19,780 --> 00:02:22,660 verse 1 and 2 of Revelation 6 28 00:02:26,020 --> 00:02:30,420 Now I watched when the lamb lamb opened one of the seven seals 29 00:02:30,420 --> 00:02:35,860 And I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder come 30 00:02:37,060 --> 00:02:39,060 And I looked and behold a white horse 31 00:02:39,060 --> 00:02:45,460 And I looked and behold a white horse and its rider had a bow and a crown was given to him 32 00:02:45,460 --> 00:02:50,180 And he came out conquering and to conquer leave that up 33 00:02:51,380 --> 00:02:57,940 That's an interesting that last section and he came out conquering and to conquer 34 00:02:57,940 --> 00:03:00,820 So we're going to see four different horsemen 35 00:03:00,820 --> 00:03:04,580 Horsemen would have meant something to the readers in the day 36 00:03:04,580 --> 00:03:10,660 That horsemen came to deliver a message the color horse the color that they're wearing 37 00:03:10,660 --> 00:03:14,980 And you know not like they had purple horses but the drapery over the horses 38 00:03:14,980 --> 00:03:18,980 What the rider was wearing made sent a message 39 00:03:19,940 --> 00:03:25,060 And I want us as we read this to go back to Palm Sunday in the gates of Jerusalem 40 00:03:25,700 --> 00:03:30,740 What does Jesus come in to the gates of Jerusalem on big powerful burly horse? 41 00:03:30,740 --> 00:03:35,540 No what did he come in on a foal of a donkey right? 42 00:03:35,540 --> 00:03:41,620 So nothing that showed power and authority people did not tremble people did not flee 43 00:03:41,620 --> 00:03:44,740 You saw certain colors that's exactly what you would have done 44 00:03:45,380 --> 00:03:50,420 That if you were in a neighboring city and you saw one of these horsemen depending on its color 45 00:03:51,060 --> 00:03:54,180 That was either a really good day or a really bad day 46 00:03:54,180 --> 00:03:59,700 What we're going to see for now we're going to see that the four horsemen represent four things 47 00:03:59,700 --> 00:04:09,220 The white horse is conquest the conquering victory the red horse war the black horse famine 48 00:04:09,220 --> 00:04:17,700 And the pale horse death so if you think about that victory war famine death 49 00:04:19,380 --> 00:04:22,740 So this is these things mean something 50 00:04:22,740 --> 00:04:28,900 Showing how God has allowed these parts or these events as a part of his righteous judgment 51 00:04:28,900 --> 00:04:36,260 To demonstrate his power over human history if you were in the first century these four colors 52 00:04:36,260 --> 00:04:42,260 Would have made sense this would have been normal kind of vernacular that people would have used 53 00:04:42,260 --> 00:04:47,060 Especially when you went to war old testament same thing this people would have known this 54 00:04:47,060 --> 00:04:51,140 We don't really have anything like that today I thought about it 55 00:04:51,140 --> 00:04:55,700 Like well what if we drove certain color cars and all that no it would not mean the same thing 56 00:04:55,700 --> 00:05:02,100 How many of you have a red car? Yes and you're just full of war aren't you Gail? 57 00:05:02,100 --> 00:05:07,940 No you know how many of you now a bunch of you are probably going to want to go white car right 58 00:05:07,940 --> 00:05:12,100 Because you think you're conquering something but how many of you have a black car? 59 00:05:13,060 --> 00:05:18,500 Death Jim Wiltshire you drive a car of death I've driven with you before 60 00:05:18,500 --> 00:05:26,100 I've driven with you before and understand that you know so this is signifying certain things to who? 61 00:05:26,980 --> 00:05:35,460 To the world where are these horsemen coming from not some barn these are coming out of heaven 62 00:05:36,180 --> 00:05:40,100 I mean just kind of wrap that in your mind I don't think these are miniature 63 00:05:40,100 --> 00:05:44,660 It's not little Sebastian right coming out of if you're not a parks and rec fan you didn't get the 64 00:05:44,660 --> 00:05:51,060 reference and that's okay but this is a these are these are big things right this means something 65 00:05:51,060 --> 00:05:53,620 This isn't little get that out of your mind 66 00:05:56,180 --> 00:05:59,860 Let's jump before I get to the even though this point is for one and two I want to go three through 67 00:05:59,860 --> 00:06:04,260 Eight because it conquers or it kind of now I got that word it covers all of it let's go to three through 68 00:06:04,260 --> 00:06:10,260 Eight when he opened the second seal I heard the the second living creature say remember there's four 69 00:06:10,260 --> 00:06:16,660 Come and out came another horse bright red its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth 70 00:06:17,220 --> 00:06:22,900 So that people should should slay one another and he was given a great sword when he opened the third 71 00:06:22,900 --> 00:06:29,140 Seal I heard the third living creature say come and I looked and behold a black horse and its rider had 72 00:06:29,140 --> 00:06:35,300 A pair of scales in his hand and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the fourth creature 73 00:06:35,300 --> 00:06:43,300 Saying a quart of wheat for a denarii and three quarts of barley for a denarii and do not harm the oil 74 00:06:43,300 --> 00:06:48,580 And wine and so understand that when he opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the living 75 00:06:48,580 --> 00:06:56,420 Creature say come and look and behold a pale horse and its rider's name was death and hades followed 76 00:06:56,420 --> 00:07:02,340 Him and they were given authority over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword and with famine 77 00:07:02,340 --> 00:07:09,780 And with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth what I find interesting here though graphic 78 00:07:10,580 --> 00:07:17,220 And awkward and weird is the fact that each rider was given authority did you catch that 79 00:07:18,660 --> 00:07:25,780 These horses these horsemen did not come out out of their own will remember that from the very beginning 80 00:07:25,780 --> 00:07:33,700 That this has all been the redemptive plan by God himself his sovereignty when we think of God's 81 00:07:33,700 --> 00:07:39,300 Sovereignty nowadays right we will we will offer thanks to God's sovereignty for really dumb things 82 00:07:39,780 --> 00:07:46,260 Right when all of a sudden you know you did not stop at that stop sign and you see that police officer 83 00:07:46,260 --> 00:07:52,980 In the little mart parking lot no this didn't happen to me and understand that you don't get pulled over 84 00:07:52,980 --> 00:07:56,100 Sometimes we could be like oh thank you God you are sovereign 85 00:07:58,500 --> 00:08:04,260 Yeah I think that's a little cheap given this right even though in Indiana you've heard me say before 86 00:08:04,260 --> 00:08:10,580 Stop signs are stopional understand that we don't necessarily throw that to God's sovereignty 87 00:08:11,460 --> 00:08:16,580 Now we can use that in our lives for other things sickness all of a sudden what was a cancer 88 00:08:16,580 --> 00:08:23,140 Diagnosis isn't anymore we can give thanks to God's sovereignty because even in the midst of death 89 00:08:23,140 --> 00:08:31,300 And pain God's sovereignty can be our greatest comfort so understanding that I think it's amazing 90 00:08:31,300 --> 00:08:37,540 That each rider is given authority because that indicates they didn't create it themselves 91 00:08:37,540 --> 00:08:44,900 It was given to them by God's hand as he guides grim judgments 92 00:08:44,900 --> 00:08:50,420 These judgments are scary these judgments would make for a movie that a barge of our kids should never see 93 00:08:50,420 --> 00:08:56,420 That these judgments mean something and despite their destructive nature 94 00:08:56,420 --> 00:08:59,940 Because we could just stop and go I don't want to go anymore I don't want to read anymore 95 00:08:59,940 --> 00:09:05,220 Let's go to the book of John right because it's it's it's just easier let's go to something else 96 00:09:07,220 --> 00:09:12,820 They are still even though it's destructive God's authority is all over it and serves his greater 97 00:09:12,820 --> 00:09:20,740 Purpose as we said in judgment and redemption the imagery of the four horsemen show us that even war 98 00:09:20,740 --> 00:09:27,860 Famine and death are not outside of God's sovereign plan sit with that for a minute 99 00:09:28,580 --> 00:09:34,180 When I when I came upon that this week I just sat there because we know that there are places in the 100 00:09:34,180 --> 00:09:41,140 World that are worn torn that death is just eminent and there's famine those are not outside of 101 00:09:41,140 --> 00:09:46,420 God's plan yet we want to go on the offensive and say God are you really in control 102 00:09:46,420 --> 00:09:53,620 Are you really in control in Israel are you really in control in Ukraine are you really in control in the south side of Chicago 103 00:09:53,620 --> 00:10:00,180 Because all we hear is the death tolls is God really in control time out 104 00:10:01,460 --> 00:10:09,300 Go back to what we just read pretty sure he is that he is in control and isn't it weird to think 105 00:10:09,300 --> 00:10:17,940 Though we need to have you know a Christian response to those things that this is the judgment of the world 106 00:10:18,900 --> 00:10:26,820 All encompassing these divine judgments actually show us and should give us comfort that God is in control 107 00:10:28,020 --> 00:10:32,820 But we have to work there this understanding helps believers trust that no matter what chaos 108 00:10:32,820 --> 00:10:41,140 That no matter what chaos and I use that term specifically unfolds in the world whether it's chaos in a country 109 00:10:41,540 --> 00:10:47,140 Chaos in a school in your house in your mind in your heart in a relationship whatever it is 110 00:10:48,420 --> 00:10:59,780 God is still on the throne and history is moving forward and moving toward his appointed time 111 00:10:59,780 --> 00:11:07,300 Now if you're like me I struggle with that because there are days there are weeks that I sit in my office 112 00:11:07,300 --> 00:11:12,580 And I go Lord you can come now it would be fine burn it up 113 00:11:13,380 --> 00:11:18,100 But then there are days there are seasons that life's going well I'm going we still got jobs to do this is great 114 00:11:18,100 --> 00:11:23,220 Let's just keep going God just wait we still have more to do and everywhere in between 115 00:11:23,220 --> 00:11:25,620 And I know you find yourself in that place as well 116 00:11:25,620 --> 00:11:36,020 But remembering those two truths God is still on the throne and history is moving toward forward and toward his appointed end helps me with this application 117 00:11:37,060 --> 00:11:46,260 In times of global unrest or personal suffering trust that God's sovereignty extends over every circumstance 118 00:11:46,980 --> 00:11:52,020 And that he is working all things for his glory and for the good of his people 119 00:11:52,020 --> 00:11:59,060 So we see God's judgment we see human history now we are going to see a call to repentance 120 00:11:59,060 --> 00:12:05,540 We have to see a call to repentance right that call of repentance is massive 121 00:12:05,540 --> 00:12:15,060 That call of repentance here if you're seeing this and you're not you're not responding at all you're probably dead 122 00:12:15,060 --> 00:12:24,980 Because this evokes response we have to understand these judgments both in history and in our personal lives 123 00:12:24,980 --> 00:12:34,020 As we just said and we see now in verse 9 the cry the response is the cry of the martyrs 124 00:12:34,020 --> 00:12:40,660 And again we talked about this in the first week martyr is someone who dies for the faith 125 00:12:40,660 --> 00:12:52,180 A martyr is someone who dies for the faith get that down a martyr is not I'm having such a bad day 126 00:12:52,180 --> 00:13:01,140 When you self-martyr you die to no one and nothing martyrdom is someone dying for the faith 127 00:13:01,140 --> 00:13:07,140 Again too many examples we don't have that much time but 9 starting with verse 9 128 00:13:07,140 --> 00:13:16,420 When he opened the fifth seal four are now done fifth seal I saw under the altar the souls of those who have been slain 129 00:13:16,420 --> 00:13:22,420 For the word of God and for the witness they had borne they cried out with a loud voice 130 00:13:22,420 --> 00:13:30,660 Oh sovereign Lord holy and true how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth 131 00:13:30,660 --> 00:13:37,140 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer 132 00:13:41,140 --> 00:13:45,540 Sorry that's just hitting me very differently than it did Wednesday we'll get to that 133 00:13:45,540 --> 00:13:50,740 Until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete 134 00:13:51,620 --> 00:13:56,500 Who were to be killed as they themselves had been leave that up 135 00:13:56,500 --> 00:14:02,900 I was going to go somewhere but I'm going to I'm going to pivot on this point because just like some of you 136 00:14:04,900 --> 00:14:08,420 Kind of think it's a drag you're going to worship the entire time when you're in heaven 137 00:14:08,420 --> 00:14:12,900 Check your heart don't email me just read the Bible check your heart 138 00:14:12,900 --> 00:14:18,100 Understand that there's tension in this verse in a very similar place 139 00:14:18,100 --> 00:14:24,900 People that were martyred for the faith they now are being brought to judgment 140 00:14:24,900 --> 00:14:34,100 And they're asking for vengeance interesting never and this literally at today years old that I thought about it this way 141 00:14:34,100 --> 00:14:42,100 Vengeance is mine says the Lord yet those that are martyred for their faith 142 00:14:42,820 --> 00:14:49,460 I can't read this as they want their pound of flesh the earthly gym is reading it that way 143 00:14:49,460 --> 00:14:56,180 And I'm finding tension now because I don't think that's the response that God gives would not be this 144 00:14:56,900 --> 00:15:01,860 I came into this week going they want their pound of flesh, but the spirit's moving in me right now 145 00:15:01,860 --> 00:15:09,700 That can't be the case yet. Look at the response. They're given a white robe and told to wait 146 00:15:11,300 --> 00:15:13,300 How often in our lives 147 00:15:13,300 --> 00:15:20,660 And again, this is the level of martyrdom and this is where I think sometimes we believe in such a pg version of faith 148 00:15:20,660 --> 00:15:27,060 That we think we're martyred when someone posts something negative against us about our faith 149 00:15:27,060 --> 00:15:35,060 I mean that's laughable compared to this but understand that when we are in a season where we're being attacked for our faith 150 00:15:35,060 --> 00:15:44,020 We like to self-martyre but understand that even those who were actually martyred for the faith are given a white robe 151 00:15:44,020 --> 00:15:48,020 That means something we'll get that in a second and told to wait 152 00:15:50,020 --> 00:15:58,020 Straw poll some of you know where I'm going how many of you love waiting 153 00:15:58,020 --> 00:16:02,020 Is that Wyatt I could see that yeah, you're a farmer you have to wait 154 00:16:02,020 --> 00:16:04,020 Look at that 300 people here 155 00:16:06,020 --> 00:16:12,020 We hate waiting but put yourself as an actual martyr given an audience with the Almighty 156 00:16:12,020 --> 00:16:16,020 He gives you a white robe and told to wait 157 00:16:18,020 --> 00:16:24,020 But then there's a number that needs to be complete go to the last article the belgian confession one of our kind 158 00:16:24,020 --> 00:16:34,020 Until the number of the elect is complete christ will come and all will be finalized so what does this actually mean 159 00:16:38,020 --> 00:16:44,020 Understand that the white robe is likened to that final crown 160 00:16:44,020 --> 00:16:52,020 Because where did we see white robes already we saw it on the elders those that were leading the worship leaders of the white robes 161 00:16:52,020 --> 00:17:00,020 That is what we are called to that is what we will be given when we finish this race 162 00:17:00,020 --> 00:17:12,020 We will be given that white robe of peace that white robe almost like a graduation gown if you will saying friend you've made it well done good and faithful servant 163 00:17:12,020 --> 00:17:20,020 But some of us struggle with that because we want more I have suffered for the faith to the point of shedding blood 164 00:17:20,020 --> 00:17:24,020 Well no but I have suffered for the faith 165 00:17:26,020 --> 00:17:30,020 They will get that resolve but what it's showing us 166 00:17:32,020 --> 00:17:40,020 Their cry is not one of personal vengeance but a desire for God's righteousness to be upheld 167 00:17:40,020 --> 00:17:48,020 Understand I wanted to go pound of flesh but you can't you can't given the response Jesus or that God is giving 168 00:17:48,020 --> 00:18:00,020 Is that martyrdoms die for a reason or martyrs die for a reason they die because they believe every single word of this book 169 00:18:00,020 --> 00:18:04,020 They believe the beginning and they believe the end 170 00:18:04,020 --> 00:18:12,020 Now for some of us we just like to camp in the Jesus we just yeah let's just do all the Jesus things let's just do the gospel things 171 00:18:12,020 --> 00:18:20,020 I love when he heals I love when he saves right the interactions he has with people like he's just awesome 172 00:18:20,020 --> 00:18:27,020 Maybe you are watching the chosen you see this kind of likable figure that is Jesus which I think is completely right 173 00:18:27,020 --> 00:18:38,020 But understand this is the end we can't just camp in there there needs to be a sense of urgency of what is to come 174 00:18:38,020 --> 00:18:49,020 It's a cry for justice think about that I'm sure you all have your own definition of what justice is in your life 175 00:18:49,020 --> 00:18:56,020 This is a cry for the kind of eternal justice that Christ died for 176 00:18:56,020 --> 00:19:04,020 Connect those dots that when we see injustices in the world this is that application 177 00:19:04,020 --> 00:19:12,020 When we feel frustrated by injustices in the world or in our lives remember that God is not inactive 178 00:19:12,020 --> 00:19:21,020 He is waiting for the right time to bring about justice in its fullness so pray for patience and trust God's perfect timing 179 00:19:21,020 --> 00:19:31,020 But that binds us that trust word I am hurt and I want vengeance vengeance is mine says the Lord I want them to get theirs 180 00:19:31,020 --> 00:19:44,020 They will but trust it trust my timing says God like we do that we do we just because we really would love it 181 00:19:44,020 --> 00:19:53,020 God if you could just be more like a genie in the bottle that I wish you would smite them and I want you to do it tomorrow 182 00:19:53,020 --> 00:20:04,020 No you you think you want to be the conductor of this play you think you can have the baton of life and go right or here right or there 183 00:20:04,020 --> 00:20:14,020 War famine injustice justice death none of us are meant to do that and how do we know that we're not meant to do this 184 00:20:14,020 --> 00:20:19,020 It's exactly why Adam and Eve cannot go back to the garden 185 00:20:19,020 --> 00:20:28,020 They already have the knowledge of wisdom the knowledge of good and evil they go back and eat the tree of life now they're stuck 186 00:20:28,020 --> 00:20:41,020 And by them I mean us there's so much here the cries for injustice the cry for patience and we're not done that's just the fifth seal 187 00:20:41,020 --> 00:20:55,020 So let's go to verse 12 the sixth seal and the day of wrath that's fun Revelation 6 12 when he opened the sixth seal I looked and behold 188 00:20:55,020 --> 00:21:04,020 There was a great earthquake oh my okay and the sun became black as sackcloth the full moon became like blood and the stars of the sky fell 189 00:21:04,020 --> 00:21:14,020 To the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale that's G-A-L-E not actor off the sky vanished like a scroll 190 00:21:14,020 --> 00:21:23,020 That is being rolled up and every mountain and island was removed from its place then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals 191 00:21:23,020 --> 00:21:31,020 And the rich and the powerful and everyone slave and free hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains 192 00:21:31,020 --> 00:21:40,020 Calling to the mountains and the rocks fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the lamb 193 00:21:40,020 --> 00:21:51,020 For the great day of the wrath has come and who can stand leave that up go back 194 00:21:51,020 --> 00:22:02,020 Who does God humble in the final days he humbles the great ones the generals the rich the powerful and everyone is slave and free 195 00:22:02,020 --> 00:22:14,020 He humbles all of us you want to conduct this you want to direct this play no you don't and if you do let's have a conversation 196 00:22:14,020 --> 00:22:26,020 Because there is an ego there and a pride that is actually dangerous that understand fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne 197 00:22:26,020 --> 00:22:37,020 They knew who it was they always knew who it was and they didn't care they weren't ready hide us 198 00:22:37,020 --> 00:22:45,020 Isn't it funny that if you go to the beginning of that verse there's a great earthquake what is God showing he is control over all this friends 199 00:22:45,020 --> 00:22:57,020 That every earthquake all of that the opening seals cataclysmic events earthquakes the darkening of the sun the stars falling from the sky 200 00:22:57,020 --> 00:23:06,020 What like that's more than just the eclipse we had a couple months ago we all got those cute glasses or maybe you're like me and tried to do it without him 201 00:23:06,020 --> 00:23:16,020 I'm just kidding I didn't do that but understand this is very different your kids are not coming out of the classrooms to look at this through a shoebox 202 00:23:16,020 --> 00:23:30,020 Earthquakes the darkening of the sun stars falling from the sky the response of the people across all everywhere screaming just like that 203 00:23:30,020 --> 00:23:44,020 That was great timing whoever that was that's fantastic keep it up that's the universal fear of that mom and dad but understand the universal fear of the world 204 00:23:44,020 --> 00:23:57,020 And there's one realization that should humble us to the very end and to our core it's the realization that no one can stand before the wrath of God 205 00:23:57,020 --> 00:24:09,020 The sixth seal points to a certainty and an eminence of God's final judgment it serves us today as a warning for the need of salvation 206 00:24:09,020 --> 00:24:23,020 So what is that application live in the light of the coming judgment evaluate your life and make sure you are standing firm on your faith 207 00:24:23,020 --> 00:24:36,020 Trusting in Christ's righteousness alone to stand before God's throne no one else is standing they're all hiding and here's the thing they knew 208 00:24:36,020 --> 00:24:59,020 They knew and they thought they could stand anyway let that be a lesson to us as we close with the seventh seal 209 00:24:59,020 --> 00:25:10,020 Fifteen that was 15 seconds of silence some of you can't handle that I can't I don't do well in silence ask my wife 210 00:25:10,020 --> 00:25:18,020 We have fans and sound machines all over the place it drives her crazy I think that's a love in spite of that for me 211 00:25:18,020 --> 00:25:30,020 That's 15 seconds of silence but we just had a grand orchestra of chaos grand orchestra earthquakes famine the sun's blood red the stars no more 212 00:25:30,020 --> 00:25:43,020 All the four horsemen of the apocalypse all of these things and what is the final response in Revelation 8 1 through 5 when the lamb opened the seventh seal 213 00:25:43,020 --> 00:25:56,020 There was silence in heaven for about a half an hour then I saw the seven angels who stand before God the seven trumpets were given to them 214 00:25:56,020 --> 00:26:07,020 Another angel came and stood at the altar with the golden censer and he was given much incense to offer with all the prayers of the saints on the golden altar before the throne 215 00:26:07,020 --> 00:26:22,020 And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints rose before God from the hand of the angel then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth 216 00:26:22,020 --> 00:26:30,020 And there were pearls of thunder rumblings flashes of lightning and an earthquake 217 00:26:30,020 --> 00:26:38,020 The seven seals opened and what is the result silence for about a half an hour 218 00:26:38,020 --> 00:27:04,020 This silence represents a holy pause a solemn anticipation before the Trump the trumpet judgments that follow the prayers of the saints which arise like incense before God are answered in the form of judgment on the earth 219 00:27:04,020 --> 00:27:10,020 Friends I struggle with this one and I know we're going late 220 00:27:10,020 --> 00:27:29,020 But what is the response to chaos a holy silence as someone who doesn't do that well I struggle because in chaos I want to respond usually with more chaos 221 00:27:29,020 --> 00:27:42,020 Whether it's in my mind in my heart from my mouth in relationships whatever it is but what is the entire world's response to all of this 222 00:27:42,020 --> 00:28:01,020 Silence and then what rises up the prayers of the saints they play a crucial role in God's plan they are not just heard but are acted upon signifying that God is deeply involved in the cries of his people 223 00:28:01,020 --> 00:28:16,020 Silence emphasizes the weight of what is to come and the importance of prayer in spiritual warfare friends this isn't the end this is only chapter eight there's 21 22 chapters 224 00:28:16,020 --> 00:28:32,020 In some ways the party is just getting started but understand as we continue on we need to apply a very specific thing to ourselves in our day to day life we need to pray with confidence 225 00:28:32,020 --> 00:28:53,020 Knowing that our prayers reach God because of Christ and have a direct impact on his redemptive plan real quick your prayers don't change what God's going to do so don't pray like they should but understand that he hears your prayers 226 00:28:53,020 --> 00:29:11,020 Make prayer a central part of your life seek God's guidance and intervention in all things so friends as we move from this place that was a one-two punch for some of you like let's just go back to the letters 227 00:29:11,020 --> 00:29:29,020 Nope we're going to keep going forward but as we go forward two things should be standing out God is definitely in control and God is definitely redeeming his people 228 00:29:29,020 --> 00:29:47,020 But for those that want answers now for those that are like I'm sick of the hurt and the pain understand that you have not martyred you were not martyred that is not part of your role though for some of us it might be who knows what the future holds 229 00:29:47,020 --> 00:30:06,020 But what are those even given comfort that you have your reward but you need to wait a little longer so as we go into eight then nine and ten let's talk these five things quickly so how do we do this 230 00:30:06,020 --> 00:30:24,020 Friends there's a lot of reality here that we need to share share the reality of judgment and the hope of redemption with the people in your life have direct yet compassionate conversations about the seriousness of sin and the hope found in Christ 231 00:30:24,020 --> 00:30:46,020 First of all begin with your personal testimony and remember the plank in your own eye second use God's sovereignty as a foundation for bold evangelism we have confidence that God is in control of every encounter we have whether we plant seeds whether we water them or we see and see someone come to faith God is the one who causes growth 232 00:30:46,020 --> 00:31:06,020 We must fight the urgency of the gospel message the judgments portrayed a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of final judgment emphasize that today is the day of salvation that no one knows the day or the hour fourth be a living example of hope 233 00:31:06,020 --> 00:31:21,020 Live in a way that shows peace and hope grounded in Christ instead of fear and despair. They'll know we are Christians by our love and love bears all things believes all things hopes all things endures all things. 234 00:31:21,020 --> 00:31:36,020 And finally, invite people to encounter Christ in prayer. The imagery of the prayers of the saints and revelation eight ascending before God can be used to invite others into prayer as a means of seeking God. 235 00:31:36,020 --> 00:31:51,020 Encourage non believers to see prayer as an open door to communicate with the creator of the world. And if you want to keep talking about this. Remember we do have that group going on in the community Life Center 1015 minutes after service. 236 00:31:51,020 --> 00:32:06,020 Let's pray.