I'm right the book of Revelation as we continue now
We are going to be in chapter 6 7 and 8 where we're looking at the seven seals
And as I say that out loud I can only picture some of you thinking of seven actual seals like animals
I can't shake that from my head right now, so I've it may ruin the entire sermon
But understand we are talking about seals as in like a wax seal
Actually my little brother Kenny he actually still uses one of those because I think in another life
Which we don't really believe in he was in medieval times, but understand that these seals are on the scrolls
That is one of the things that rabbis had to do in the temple the Sadducees the Pharisees you had to break the seal
To open the scroll and here we are setting the scene
For the opening of these seals. This is a triumphant moment
Culturally this is how they began
Let's just kind of say we were back in first century Jerusalem say this was the temple. I was the rabbi
That the center point of a service would be the opening of the seal
To read the scrolls of the Old Testament
We see that even in Jesus's ministry that he was tasked to do that Luke chapter 4
It was the first kind of hit put on Jesus
He read the prophet Isaiah and said today this prophecy is being fulfilled basically because of me
And so this was a center point of the beginning kind of to midsection of the book of Revelation that each seal
Means something John's vision to the opening of the seven seals is revealing
Again, it's uncomfortable, but it's God's divine judgment and his control
Over history the lamb is the one worthy to open the seals
Demonstrating his ultimate authority over the unfolding of the history that will take place
Both that was that is that now is to come in the book of Revelation
This scroll can be misunderstood by a lot of people and a basic kind of good foundation
Understanding for us this morning is the scroll represents God's redemptive plan
And the culminating judgment upon the earth judgment redemption all is what's being taken place here
verse 1 and 2 of Revelation 6
Now I watched when the lamb lamb opened one of the seven seals
And I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder come
And I looked and behold a white horse
And I looked and behold a white horse and its rider had a bow and a crown was given to him
And he came out conquering and to conquer leave that up
That's an interesting that last section and he came out conquering and to conquer
So we're going to see four different horsemen
Horsemen would have meant something to the readers in the day
That horsemen came to deliver a message the color horse the color that they're wearing
And you know not like they had purple horses but the drapery over the horses
What the rider was wearing made sent a message
And I want us as we read this to go back to Palm Sunday in the gates of Jerusalem
What does Jesus come in to the gates of Jerusalem on big powerful burly horse?
No what did he come in on a foal of a donkey right?
So nothing that showed power and authority people did not tremble people did not flee
You saw certain colors that's exactly what you would have done
That if you were in a neighboring city and you saw one of these horsemen depending on its color
That was either a really good day or a really bad day
What we're going to see for now we're going to see that the four horsemen represent four things
The white horse is conquest the conquering victory the red horse war the black horse famine
And the pale horse death so if you think about that victory war famine death
So this is these things mean something
Showing how God has allowed these parts or these events as a part of his righteous judgment
To demonstrate his power over human history if you were in the first century these four colors
Would have made sense this would have been normal kind of vernacular that people would have used
Especially when you went to war old testament same thing this people would have known this
We don't really have anything like that today I thought about it
Like well what if we drove certain color cars and all that no it would not mean the same thing
How many of you have a red car? Yes and you're just full of war aren't you Gail?
No you know how many of you now a bunch of you are probably going to want to go white car right
Because you think you're conquering something but how many of you have a black car?
Death Jim Wiltshire you drive a car of death I've driven with you before
I've driven with you before and understand that you know so this is signifying certain things to who?
To the world where are these horsemen coming from not some barn these are coming out of heaven
I mean just kind of wrap that in your mind I don't think these are miniature
It's not little Sebastian right coming out of if you're not a parks and rec fan you didn't get the
reference and that's okay but this is a these are these are big things right this means something
This isn't little get that out of your mind
Let's jump before I get to the even though this point is for one and two I want to go three through
Eight because it conquers or it kind of now I got that word it covers all of it let's go to three through
Eight when he opened the second seal I heard the the second living creature say remember there's four
Come and out came another horse bright red its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth
So that people should should slay one another and he was given a great sword when he opened the third
Seal I heard the third living creature say come and I looked and behold a black horse and its rider had
A pair of scales in his hand and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the fourth creature
Saying a quart of wheat for a denarii and three quarts of barley for a denarii and do not harm the oil
And wine and so understand that when he opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the living
Creature say come and look and behold a pale horse and its rider's name was death and hades followed
Him and they were given authority over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword and with famine
And with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth what I find interesting here though graphic
And awkward and weird is the fact that each rider was given authority did you catch that
These horses these horsemen did not come out out of their own will remember that from the very beginning
That this has all been the redemptive plan by God himself his sovereignty when we think of God's
Sovereignty nowadays right we will we will offer thanks to God's sovereignty for really dumb things
Right when all of a sudden you know you did not stop at that stop sign and you see that police officer
In the little mart parking lot no this didn't happen to me and understand that you don't get pulled over
Sometimes we could be like oh thank you God you are sovereign
Yeah I think that's a little cheap given this right even though in Indiana you've heard me say before
Stop signs are stopional understand that we don't necessarily throw that to God's sovereignty
Now we can use that in our lives for other things sickness all of a sudden what was a cancer
Diagnosis isn't anymore we can give thanks to God's sovereignty because even in the midst of death
And pain God's sovereignty can be our greatest comfort so understanding that I think it's amazing
That each rider is given authority because that indicates they didn't create it themselves
It was given to them by God's hand as he guides grim judgments
These judgments are scary these judgments would make for a movie that a barge of our kids should never see
That these judgments mean something and despite their destructive nature
Because we could just stop and go I don't want to go anymore I don't want to read anymore
Let's go to the book of John right because it's it's it's just easier let's go to something else
They are still even though it's destructive God's authority is all over it and serves his greater
Purpose as we said in judgment and redemption the imagery of the four horsemen show us that even war
Famine and death are not outside of God's sovereign plan sit with that for a minute
When I when I came upon that this week I just sat there because we know that there are places in the
World that are worn torn that death is just eminent and there's famine those are not outside of
God's plan yet we want to go on the offensive and say God are you really in control
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
Because all we hear is the death tolls is God really in control time out
Go back to what we just read pretty sure he is that he is in control and isn't it weird to think
Though we need to have you know a Christian response to those things that this is the judgment of the world
All encompassing these divine judgments actually show us and should give us comfort that God is in control
But we have to work there this understanding helps believers trust that no matter what chaos
That no matter what chaos and I use that term specifically unfolds in the world whether it's chaos in a country
Chaos in a school in your house in your mind in your heart in a relationship whatever it is
God is still on the throne and history is moving forward and moving toward his appointed time
Now if you're like me I struggle with that because there are days there are weeks that I sit in my office
And I go Lord you can come now it would be fine burn it up
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
Let's just keep going God just wait we still have more to do and everywhere in between
And I know you find yourself in that place as well
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
In times of global unrest or personal suffering trust that God's sovereignty extends over every circumstance
And that he is working all things for his glory and for the good of his people
So we see God's judgment we see human history now we are going to see a call to repentance
We have to see a call to repentance right that call of repentance is massive
That call of repentance here if you're seeing this and you're not you're not responding at all you're probably dead
Because this evokes response we have to understand these judgments both in history and in our personal lives
As we just said and we see now in verse 9 the cry the response is the cry of the martyrs
And again we talked about this in the first week martyr is someone who dies for the faith
A martyr is someone who dies for the faith get that down a martyr is not I'm having such a bad day
When you self-martyr you die to no one and nothing martyrdom is someone dying for the faith
Again too many examples we don't have that much time but 9 starting with verse 9
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
For the word of God and for the witness they had borne they cried out with a loud voice
Oh sovereign Lord holy and true how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth
Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer
Sorry that's just hitting me very differently than it did Wednesday we'll get to that
Until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete
Who were to be killed as they themselves had been leave that up
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
Kind of think it's a drag you're going to worship the entire time when you're in heaven
Check your heart don't email me just read the Bible check your heart
Understand that there's tension in this verse in a very similar place
People that were martyred for the faith they now are being brought to judgment
And they're asking for vengeance interesting never and this literally at today years old that I thought about it this way
Vengeance is mine says the Lord yet those that are martyred for their faith
I can't read this as they want their pound of flesh the earthly gym is reading it that way
And I'm finding tension now because I don't think that's the response that God gives would not be this
I came into this week going they want their pound of flesh, but the spirit's moving in me right now
That can't be the case yet. Look at the response. They're given a white robe and told to wait
How often in our lives
And again, this is the level of martyrdom and this is where I think sometimes we believe in such a pg version of faith
That we think we're martyred when someone posts something negative against us about our faith
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
We like to self-martyre but understand that even those who were actually martyred for the faith are given a white robe
That means something we'll get that in a second and told to wait
Straw poll some of you know where I'm going how many of you love waiting
Is that Wyatt I could see that yeah, you're a farmer you have to wait
Look at that 300 people here
We hate waiting but put yourself as an actual martyr given an audience with the Almighty
He gives you a white robe and told to wait
But then there's a number that needs to be complete go to the last article the belgian confession one of our kind
Until the number of the elect is complete christ will come and all will be finalized so what does this actually mean
Understand that the white robe is likened to that final crown
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
That is what we are called to that is what we will be given when we finish this race
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
But some of us struggle with that because we want more I have suffered for the faith to the point of shedding blood
Well no but I have suffered for the faith
They will get that resolve but what it's showing us
Their cry is not one of personal vengeance but a desire for God's righteousness to be upheld
Understand I wanted to go pound of flesh but you can't you can't given the response Jesus or that God is giving
Is that martyrdoms die for a reason or martyrs die for a reason they die because they believe every single word of this book
They believe the beginning and they believe the end
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
I love when he heals I love when he saves right the interactions he has with people like he's just awesome
Maybe you are watching the chosen you see this kind of likable figure that is Jesus which I think is completely right
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
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
This is a cry for the kind of eternal justice that Christ died for
Connect those dots that when we see injustices in the world this is that application
When we feel frustrated by injustices in the world or in our lives remember that God is not inactive
He is waiting for the right time to bring about justice in its fullness so pray for patience and trust God's perfect timing
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
They will but trust it trust my timing says God like we do that we do we just because we really would love it
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
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
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
It's exactly why Adam and Eve cannot go back to the garden
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
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
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
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
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
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
And the rich and the powerful and everyone slave and free hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains
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
For the great day of the wrath has come and who can stand leave that up go back
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
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
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
They knew who it was they always knew who it was and they didn't care they weren't ready hide us
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
That every earthquake all of that the opening seals cataclysmic events earthquakes the darkening of the sun the stars falling from the sky
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
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
Earthquakes the darkening of the sun stars falling from the sky the response of the people across all everywhere screaming just like that
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
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
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
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
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
They knew and they thought they could stand anyway let that be a lesson to us as we close with the seventh seal
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
And there were pearls of thunder rumblings flashes of lightning and an earthquake
The seven seals opened and what is the result silence for about a half an hour
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
Friends I struggle with this one and I know we're going late
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Let's pray.