Revelation 6:9-17 “The balance of God’s character ”
”train up a child…” (Prov. 22:6)
What makes a good parent, or dog owner? Someone who has a good balance of love and discipline. No one likes an untrained child or dog…
When we think of God, it’s more comfortable to imagine his love, grace and mercy than his judgment and wrath.
Today we’ll see both important sides of God.
Text: Revelation 6:9-17
Big Pic: A good sign of growth and maturity for a Christian is a healthy understanding of God’s love and mercy as well as his wrath.
Previously we have studied the scroll which contains the future of mankind…
It can only be opened by Jesus…
It has seven seals and the first four seals were opened in last weeks study… the four horsemen of the apocalypse…God’s judgment on the earth.
Today we look at seals 5, and 6.
One of the primary doctrines of the Reformation, taught by Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox and others, is:
The Sovereignty of God. “All things are under God's rule and control, and nothing happens without His direction or permission.”
This helps especially when studying Revelation, end times, God’s judgment, wrath etc. (For some, uncomfortable subjects)
This week’s passage in Revelation is about the Sovereignty of God, especially with regard to God's children who suffer for their Faith, God's power over natural disasters, and God's power over all mankind, rich or poor.
When we study Revelation, God’s judgment and wrath, it’s important to remember that God is fully in control of all these events.
Nothing is spinning out of control at the end of this earth.
v. 9-11 The fifth seal. “The glory of the martyrs.”
“Under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they bore. “
This scene is occurring in the temple of heaven.
The altar depicts their sacrificial suffering because of their faith and their witness.
They were crying out with a loud voice, asking for God’s judgment and vengeance. “How long, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true…”
The key to understanding revenge and vengeance is that God must be in charge. This is his thing, not ours.
It’s so tempting to want to take revenge into our own hands…
And the surprising answer is that God will restrain his wrath until the last martyr has been slain.
To me, this hints at the necessity of people dying for their faith…
Their reward for dying for their faith?
A white robe and rest, until the number was complete of those being killed for their faith. (readers 3:4-5, 7:9 & 14).
This white robe is a “garment of honor in everlasting light.”
This robe represents victory because of their purity and faithfulness.
What a great group to be a part of!
Who are these martyrs? (readers 13:15, 18:24, 20:4)
Not long after (6:15-17) God answers their request with the very ones who had put them to death.
“Every Christian should be prepared for martyrdom. Christians cannot express their communion with the Lord more perfectly than when they accept the suffering and the glory of martyrdom.”
So, whether that’s actual death or getting picked on…
v. 12-14 The sixth seal. “The judgment of the wicked.”
Great earthquake, black sun, full moon like blood, stars falling out of the sky to earth (a massive meteor shower?)
The sky vanished like a scroll rolled up (window shade)…every mountain and island removed.
Now we get to use a fancy word…
These are eschatological signs. From eschatology a system of doctrines concerning last or final matters such as death, judgment, the future, end times.
These eschatological signs point to the imminent final day of the Lord.
Isa. 2:10, 19, 21, Matt. 24:29, Luke 21:11
It can be difficult to know how literal the whole description should be taken.
V. 13-14 “as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit,” “like a scroll being rolled up.”
Regardless, it is a scene of catastrophe and distress for the whole earth.
This is the “terrible visitation of God’s final judgment on the earth.”
No matter how literal this passage ends up being…
“All hell broke loose.”
The luminaries that have marked earth’s times since creation (Gen. 1:14) will be removed.
This is a preview of the coming destruction of the first heaven and earth, but not necessarily the end of the world.
Similar imagery is used in Ezekiel, Joel and Isaiah.
These are big signs that the end has arrived…obviously if we witness something this drastic.
v. 15-17 You can run, but you can’t hide.
The entire population of rebellious humanity (rich and pour, great and small, slave and free) ran and hid themselves in caves because they were afraid.
These people would rather be buried under mountains and rocks than face the pain and terror of God’s judgment.
Since all kinds of people are included, we cannot say that God’s wrath is only directed at the powerful or rich or “wicked.”
God’s judgment will fall on all who refuse to repent and instead worship demons or idols and persecute Christians.
What are these people afraid of? The wrath of the Lamb.
An interesting metaphor because Lambs are usually gentle.
Jesus may be the Lamb of God, but he’s also God and God can be gentle and wrathful.
Lamb of God the band...
We always want to have a healthy respect for both sides of God. (today’s theme)
And that’s why in Revelation the wrath of God and of the Lamb is a continuing theme.
Let’s also not forget that God’s wrath is a present reality as well as an eschatological judgment.
God is God of the OT, NT and Revelation.
Conclusion:
UT sports headlines, “Saints Sinners”
One of the most severe fines in NFL history…they deserve it.
When that great day of wrath comes, who can stand?
Wow, all this doom and gloom, where is the hope?
Those who have given their hearts and life to Christ have nothing to fear.
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