WEBVTT 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:02.140 I'm going to invite you to Revelation chapter six. 00:00:02.600 --> 00:00:05.920 This is where we're at together today, Revelation chapter six. 00:00:06.220 --> 00:00:10.240 And this is where things get wild in Revelation, right? 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:12.720 It goes it's really from here on through the rest of the book. 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:15.190 There's just some interesting things that take place. 00:00:15.680 --> 00:00:23.140 And, in reading Revelation chapter six, one of the things that has always stood out to me, I've thought, if Halloween has 00:00:23.140 --> 00:00:29.780 a verse and I'm not pro Halloween, okay, but I'm just saying, if Halloween has a verse, it's definitely in Revelation. 00:00:29.840 --> 00:00:32.140 It's Revelation chapter six, verse eight. 00:00:32.200 --> 00:00:39.200 In fact, I had this, this friend in Bible college that, in Bible college, they kids are constantly asking, what's your favorite Bible 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:39.760 verse? 00:00:39.780 --> 00:00:42.900 You know, it's like it's like, you should have a favorite Bible verse, right? 00:00:42.900 --> 00:00:45.160 So definitely, definitely memorize God's Word. 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:52.220 But because that question got asked so much, I had a friend that he made his favorite verse, Revelation chapter six, verse eight, 00:00:52.220 --> 00:00:53.600 which I think is the Halloween verse. 00:00:53.760 --> 00:00:57.640 He would go around and he was just locked and loaded anytime anybody asked that question. 00:00:57.720 --> 00:01:02.900 And he would always quote the verse in a deeper voice, and it was from a different translation than ESV. 00:01:02.900 --> 00:01:10.140 But he would always, he'd always go, behold a man on a pale horse, and he who rode upon it was death, and all 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:11.520 hell followed him. 00:01:11.640 --> 00:01:14.080 That's what we're getting into today. 00:01:14.100 --> 00:01:16.640 Give you a little precursor to Revelation chapter six. 00:01:17.020 --> 00:01:18.940 That's what we're going to find ourselves in. 00:01:19.080 --> 00:01:23.100 This is a this is a very sobering passage of Scripture, right. 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:26.190 Even from that verse, you kind of get the hint to that. 00:01:26.660 --> 00:01:33.860 And when you come to this passage, it's important for us to remember really what's taking place in Revelation to help us understand 00:01:33.860 --> 00:01:36.780 where this section of Scripture is going. 00:01:36.960 --> 00:01:43.660 If you remember how Revelation begins for us is this introduction for John writing a letter to us exiled on the island of Patmos. 00:01:44.240 --> 00:01:51.280 And in verse nine of Revelation chapter one, he describes himself as a partner in 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:53.800 the tribulation and the kingdom of God. 00:01:54.020 --> 00:01:54.120 Right. 00:01:54.140 --> 00:01:56.780 So he's helping us understand a couple of things about the state of the church. 00:01:56.940 --> 00:01:59.320 There is tribulation as God's people. 00:01:59.320 --> 00:02:02.500 That's a part of being a being in this fallen Babylon world. 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:06.270 In fact, when you read a book of Revelation, that's what it's presenting to us, is it not? 00:02:06.460 --> 00:02:13.480 It's this idea of there's two kingdoms of which we have the opportunity to belong to, and one is the kingdom of 00:02:13.480 --> 00:02:14.070 this earth. 00:02:14.160 --> 00:02:19.470 It's the fallen Babylon, where Satan is referred to as the ruler of this world, the prince of the power of the air. 00:02:19.820 --> 00:02:24.800 And then there's the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God, of which God has created for us to belong to. 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:24.920 Right. 00:02:24.980 --> 00:02:31.800 And so John is saying that he's representing that kingdom, the kingdom of God, in the midst of a fallen, broken, and Babylon. 00:02:31.800 --> 00:02:33.060 Babylon world. 00:02:33.180 --> 00:02:39.480 And so John is describing for us his partnership in that, and then he's encouraging us as God's people. 00:02:39.480 --> 00:02:45.080 And so the rest of chapter one of Revelation goes on and paints a picture for us of this glorious God that we follow. 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:52.940 And then when you get to chapter two and three, it talks about the adversity that God's people experience as they desire to live for 00:02:52.940 --> 00:02:55.610 his kingdom in the midst of a fallen and broken kingdom. 00:02:56.500 --> 00:03:03.720 And in Revelation chapter two and three talks about the seven churches, which is a picture of all of God's church throughout time and the struggles 00:03:03.720 --> 00:03:04.900 that we faced. 00:03:05.020 --> 00:03:06.180 We as God's people, we can be. 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:09.530 We can be oppressed, we can be tested, we can be tried. 00:03:10.040 --> 00:03:12.620 And so there's this struggle of learning. 00:03:12.620 --> 00:03:16.200 What does it look like to honor God in the midst of a fallen and broken world? 00:03:16.920 --> 00:03:24.020 And this kingdom, this earth, rather than live for it, which is going to pass away, how can we live for him and His glory? 00:03:24.720 --> 00:03:31.800 And so Revelation chapter two and three is writing to each of those churches, describing for them how to honor the God in the midst 00:03:31.800 --> 00:03:37.990 of where they find themselves, for the purpose of encouraging us today as God's people, to discover what that looks like. 00:03:38.360 --> 00:03:45.480 And in the midst of talking about the battle within this world, the spiritual battle that's taking place that we find it in, confronted 00:03:45.480 --> 00:03:47.000 in our physical world. 00:03:47.760 --> 00:03:50.880 John then goes in chapter four and he pulls back the curtain of heaven. 00:03:51.580 --> 00:03:58.800 And I reminded us, when John, as John is doing this, that for each of us, it's helping us learn the type of posture that we should take 00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:05.880 as we go into this world, as we examine how God is presented to us, saying, look, if God is in panic, if 00:04:05.880 --> 00:04:13.040 God is surprised about the circumstances of this world, then that should give you pause to consider your own fate in how you 00:04:13.040 --> 00:04:15.070 should respond in light of who God is. 00:04:15.480 --> 00:04:20.839 But what you discover in Revelation four is that God is on his throne, ruling and reigning in his sovereignty. 00:04:21.260 --> 00:04:24.200 And in chapter four specifically, it talks about God as creator. 00:04:25.340 --> 00:04:32.400 And then in chapter five, it explains to us God as creator, that God knows the world is fallen and 00:04:32.400 --> 00:04:35.400 his desire is to recreate it in his perfection. 00:04:36.640 --> 00:04:36.700 Right? 00:04:36.740 --> 00:04:39.390 And so we saw that in the picture of this lamb. 00:04:40.400 --> 00:04:40.660 Right? 00:04:40.700 --> 00:04:45.550 This lamb that was slain and it had survived the slain, or it was resurrected from the slain. 00:04:46.380 --> 00:04:47.900 And it's this image of Jesus. 00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:52.180 And we see that in Jesus that all of heaven is looking to him. 00:04:52.500 --> 00:04:59.780 So you have this sovereign, powerful God who is not only created but recreated his kingdom 00:04:59.780 --> 00:05:01.960 for his glory. 00:05:02.060 --> 00:05:09.180 And yet, despite that statement of Revelation, chapter five, and those wonderful truths in 00:05:09.180 --> 00:05:16.300 that, we still wrestle with the questions like God, if Jesus is victorious, then why is the world 00:05:16.300 --> 00:05:17.210 still broken? 00:05:18.580 --> 00:05:24.930 If Jesus is reigning on the throne, if he created and recreated it, why do we still face so much suffering? 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:28.910 And where is his kingdom in all of this? 00:05:29.660 --> 00:05:33.840 And in Revelation chapter six starts to explain that story to us. 00:05:33.940 --> 00:05:39.800 God, help me understand what's happening in light of who you are and what you've accomplished. 00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:44.400 And so that's what we're going to talk about together today is God help me understand. 00:05:44.400 --> 00:05:47.620 And we're going to do that through answering three questions together. 00:05:47.700 --> 00:05:49.240 What is God's plan? 00:05:49.700 --> 00:05:52.960 How do I know God's God cares about me. 00:05:53.200 --> 00:05:55.550 And finally, what's God going to do about injustice? 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:57.520 So what is God's plan? 00:05:58.100 --> 00:05:59.680 How do I know God cares about me? 00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:02.240 And what is God going to do about injustice? 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:06.940 And I'm going to tell you with each one of these questions, I'm going to give you just one Bible verse. 00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:07.660 Okay. 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:11.380 And these Bible verses are a very concise place to find the answer. 00:06:11.660 --> 00:06:16.080 But you're going to see this answer told throughout all of Revelation chapter six. 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:18.240 So the first question there, what is God's plan? 00:06:18.280 --> 00:06:19.340 Let me give you the answer now. 00:06:19.400 --> 00:06:19.640 And then. 00:06:19.640 --> 00:06:20.700 We'll look at this verse later. 00:06:21.160 --> 00:06:24.920 But the answer is second Peter chapter three, verse nine. 00:06:24.960 --> 00:06:28.140 Second Peter chapter three, verse nine. 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:35.440 You ever understand that the gospel Jesus has been victorious, overcome the grave, and we have incredible hope in him because 00:06:35.440 --> 00:06:36.020 of that. 00:06:36.100 --> 00:06:38.950 And then you look at the world around you and you think, what is going on? 00:06:39.160 --> 00:06:42.680 Second Peter chapter three, verse nine is very concise verse that explains that to us. 00:06:42.900 --> 00:06:45.200 As for God's people. 00:06:45.220 --> 00:06:49.250 But in Revelation chapter six, if we start to unfold this story here, this is how it begins. 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:57.100 John says, now I watched when the lamb opened up the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures 00:06:57.100 --> 00:07:00.500 say with a voice like, thunder, come. 00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:05.260 If you remember the way that we concluded chapter five, John comes before the throne. 00:07:05.260 --> 00:07:09.370 He sees the lamb that was slain, and the lamb is has overcome death. 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:17.220 And as John is seeing this picture unfold in heaven, he sees this scroll with seven seals on it, and John 00:07:17.220 --> 00:07:20.740 discovers that the scroll can't be opened, and John starts to weep. 00:07:20.760 --> 00:07:27.910 And the reason John weeps is because John knows that on this scroll is contained how God is going to end his story, 00:07:28.520 --> 00:07:30.490 how everything is going to be fulfilled. 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:38.420 But because this scroll can't be opened, John starts to weep because he recognizes God's promises won't be fulfilled unless 00:07:38.420 --> 00:07:40.400 the end of the story is told. 00:07:41.260 --> 00:07:46.880 And finally, one who is worthy opens the seals, and that is the Lord. 00:07:47.260 --> 00:07:53.360 And this is important for us to recognize because you're about to read some some destruction on the earth. 00:07:54.260 --> 00:08:01.720 But what's important over and above all of that is to see who has the authority and control over it all. 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:04.840 And it's Jesus, right? 00:08:04.840 --> 00:08:10.560 While the world may still suffer in sin, God is still sovereignly in control. 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:13.950 And he's working all things out according to his purpose. 00:08:14.440 --> 00:08:21.880 And so the fact that he's opening these seals is recognizing that circumstances don't dictate for him, but rather he is in control, control 00:08:21.880 --> 00:08:22.950 of all things. 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:24.720 And so he opens the scroll. 00:08:25.260 --> 00:08:27.840 And then as he opens it, we start to read what happens here. 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:34.990 And it says, and I looked, and behold, a white horse and its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him. 00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:37.400 And he came out conquering and to conquer. 00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:42.700 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, come. 00:08:42.700 --> 00:08:45.820 And out came another horse, bright red. 00:08:45.820 --> 00:08:50.860 Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth so that people should slay one another. 00:08:50.940 --> 00:08:52.980 And he was given a great sword. 00:08:53.140 --> 00:08:57.080 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, come. 00:08:57.100 --> 00:09:01.960 And I looked, and behold, a black horse and its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. 00:09:02.020 --> 00:09:09.280 And I heard him what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts 00:09:09.280 --> 00:09:11.420 of barley for a denarius. 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:15.140 And do not harm the oil and wine in verse seven. 00:09:15.140 --> 00:09:19.260 And when he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, come. 00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:21.340 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse. 00:09:21.760 --> 00:09:23.760 And its rider's name was death. 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:31.520 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 00:09:31.520 --> 00:09:33.840 by wild beasts of the earth. 00:09:34.100 --> 00:09:35.540 Amen. 00:09:35.540 --> 00:09:38.180 So what do you do with that? 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:38.900 Right. 00:09:39.220 --> 00:09:44.980 This is where we hope to pull out eschatology charts and make all of these predictions of the future, isn't it? 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:46.120 Like this. 00:09:46.300 --> 00:09:48.310 This is interesting, but it's going to happen. 00:09:48.540 --> 00:09:49.140 Not now. 00:09:49.180 --> 00:09:49.320 Right. 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:51.580 That's kind of what we what we want to do with this. 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:52.840 But let me just answer the question. 00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:56.340 Big question we could ask is, when is this happening? 00:09:56.340 --> 00:09:56.720 Right. 00:09:56.720 --> 00:09:58.810 Like, when does this take place in Revelation. 00:09:59.280 --> 00:10:00.210 And let me just give you the answer. 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:01.780 It's now. 00:10:02.880 --> 00:10:04.780 In fact, let me give you the answer. 00:10:04.860 --> 00:10:07.350 That's been the case from the beginning. 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:15.050 These four horses have always been roaming the earth, bringing this destruction from the from the days of Genesis. 00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:19.580 This has been what we have experienced in a fallen Babylonian world. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:24.140 In fact, Jesus, I think, in Matthew 24, refers to this as the beginning of the birth pangs. 00:10:25.140 --> 00:10:27.740 what's being described here, if you remember? 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:34.780 And when we looked at Revelation chapter four and chapter five together, we talked about the four angels around God's throne, and we talked about the 00:10:34.780 --> 00:10:41.590 significance of four in Revelation and the fact that the Jews would refer to the earth as having four corners. 00:10:42.260 --> 00:10:49.310 And the idea of four is this picture of fullness that these four angels represented the ends of the earth described in Revelation, 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:51.320 in chapter four and chapter five. 00:10:51.680 --> 00:10:57.220 And now in chapter six, we're seeing the same thing these horses that are running amok upon the earth. 00:10:57.840 --> 00:11:01.940 And these horses represent to the ends of the earth, everywhere. 00:11:01.940 --> 00:11:08.710 Everyone is finding themselves in the midst of this fallen Babylonian world, suffering because of the curse of sin. 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:13.850 And these horses are the representation of the struggle that we experience. 00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:21.620 And each one of these horses are this explanation to us of how we continue to find ourselves again and again in 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:28.970 the midst of this struggle, despite God's warning to us to continue to stop putting our trust in a fallen Babylonian world, 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:31.000 and rather put our trust in him. 00:11:32.080 --> 00:11:36.720 And the way that you see it is through each of the images of these horses that have been painted. 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:39.400 Notice when he's describing these horses to us. 00:11:39.400 --> 00:11:46.280 He's he doesn't put it on a timeline for us because the Lord knows this is a representation of the battle. 00:11:46.280 --> 00:11:51.180 All of us face because of the world that we live in and the brokenness in our own hearts. 00:11:52.380 --> 00:11:55.120 The first horse is the white horse. 00:11:55.160 --> 00:11:55.320 Who? 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:57.500 It's a horse who's given a crown. 00:11:57.580 --> 00:12:00.820 And he doesn't tell us how he's given this crown or where he's given this crown from. 00:12:00.820 --> 00:12:07.640 But I think the reason for that is because we hand this crown over to this particular horse over and over again in our lives. 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:15.700 We're looking for something to make life more pleasurable and easy, something to give us worth and value, something to worship. 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:19.220 And as human beings, this horse becomes that representation to us. 00:12:19.960 --> 00:12:23.570 In fact, this horse notice it has a bow, but it has no arrow. 00:12:23.880 --> 00:12:24.440 Which is this? 00:12:25.020 --> 00:12:29.070 This picture of saying this horse can over promise to you, but it will never deliver. 00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:37.800 And we as human beings, over and over again give our lives over to it, hoping that it will fulfill what it 00:12:37.800 --> 00:12:39.500 says, only to find out in the end. 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:40.500 It never delivers. 00:12:41.260 --> 00:12:44.540 In fact, the only result of this horse that conquers is death. 00:12:46.020 --> 00:12:53.300 That as we pursue these false idols for our lives and we put our hope in the wrong thing in the process, we end up destroying 00:12:53.300 --> 00:12:56.360 and warring one another in order to attain. 00:12:57.180 --> 00:13:04.520 We think by having more stuff, or getting more praise, or reaching higher position, or receiving more, more 00:13:04.520 --> 00:13:09.740 monetary gain, that eventually enough will be received and then I'll be happy. 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:17.080 And so we sell ourselves to those idols, those things that ultimately dominate us, and in the end, we destroy one another to get it. 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:25.800 And the result of that is that we all pay the cost, and that black horse is that representative of that horse helps 00:13:25.800 --> 00:13:32.900 us recognize that as we pursue these false idols, these false claims, these broken things of this Babylonian world 00:13:32.900 --> 00:13:40.080 that the Red horse causes the war and the black horse, we pay the consequence, 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:43.940 and in the end it produces death. 00:13:45.160 --> 00:13:50.200 And not just physical death of our lives, but spiritual death of our souls. 00:13:51.300 --> 00:13:58.300 Again and again, this happens from the very beginning, on an individual basis and even collectively 00:13:58.300 --> 00:14:00.220 as God's as people. 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:01.740 Not just God's people, but people. 00:14:02.700 --> 00:14:05.600 And we pursue these false idols that lead to destruction. 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:09.980 We live in a fallen Babylon thinking Babylon can deliver us. 00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:12.300 And we were never made for that. 00:14:13.520 --> 00:14:14.720 And the Garden of Eden. 00:14:15.680 --> 00:14:17.800 You remember Adam and Eve bought into the lie. 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:21.260 They believed that God was withholding his best from them. 00:14:21.780 --> 00:14:23.640 They thought they knew better than God. 00:14:24.340 --> 00:14:31.700 And they gave their lives over to this false white horse that ultimately brought war between them. 00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:39.480 And in that battle there was consequence to pay and ultimately death, even to the point when you get early into 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:46.820 Genesis, you see the Tower of Babel and the whole purpose of the Tower of Babel, mankind says, is to make a name for ourselves because 00:14:46.820 --> 00:14:50.580 it's about their glory, their recognition, what they could receive. 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:56.420 And again and again it brings destruction over and over. 00:14:57.040 --> 00:15:04.100 Men have put their hope in a fallen Babylon, only to find out that the result of that is the death 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:05.460 of their own soul. 00:15:06.400 --> 00:15:14.720 And this will continue to happen over and over again until the that final Babylon is defeated, 00:15:14.800 --> 00:15:19.160 and the Lord reigns victoriously over it all. 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:21.690 And this happens on a on a personal basis. 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:23.380 This happens on a collective basis. 00:15:23.380 --> 00:15:27.200 And these four horses are pictured repeatedly in Scripture. 00:15:28.040 --> 00:15:29.380 Zechariah chapter one. 00:15:29.380 --> 00:15:30.480 You read about the four horses. 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:32.360 Matthew chapter 24. 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:35.810 You read about the four horses again here in Revelation. 00:15:35.900 --> 00:15:43.080 You read about these four horses, but their warnings and reminders to us of ultimately what fallen 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:46.860 Babylon produces and the destruction it brings to the soul. 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:49.960 It's a warning cry to the heart. 00:15:51.260 --> 00:15:56.720 And it's a it's a place to examine our own lives where we're putting our hope. 00:15:57.960 --> 00:16:04.960 And, sometimes in the midst of this adversity, we might ask ourselves the question, well, Lord, if you are in control and 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:10.020 you have been victorious, God, why are we still in this state? 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:12.280 Why not come now? 00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:14.900 Why not return today? 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.800 And second Peter, chapter three. 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:19.540 The Bible reminds us of this. 00:16:19.540 --> 00:16:26.720 It says the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promises as some count slowness, but is patient 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:33.140 toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:42.290 The reason for God's delay is because in Jesus's first coming, when God owed us nothing but justice, 00:16:43.420 --> 00:16:46.240 when God's wrath is all that needed to be poured out. 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:49.900 Rather than bring his wrath, what he brought us was grace. 00:16:50.780 --> 00:16:55.500 And the reason he brought us grace was it provided us an opportunity to escape his wrath. 00:16:55.800 --> 00:17:00.700 Now, God cannot be a good God and not bring his justice against sin, right? 00:17:00.800 --> 00:17:04.900 It requires an order in order for God to be good that he executes justice. 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:08.230 Often times we'll compare it to a judge in a courtroom. 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:16.140 And if a judge is in a courtroom and someone's done something against you and injustice against you, and they're brought to trial, and the judge looks at 00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:19.720 him and says, I think he's guilty, but I'm not going to do anything about it. 00:17:19.800 --> 00:17:26.880 You would look at that judge and say, you are, you cannot be a good judge, because in order to be good, you must execute justice. 00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:30.320 And justice is a requirement of goodness. 00:17:30.340 --> 00:17:31.620 Is that justice would be meted. 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:34.680 And so when it comes to our own sinfulness and rebellion against God. 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:36.680 The only thing God owes us is justice. 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:39.520 But rather than that, what he brought us was grace. 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:45.960 And so in his Second coming, when Jesus returns, what he will bring is his justice on the earth. 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:49.120 He will bring his judgment against all sin. 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:57.220 But his delay in his second coming is an opportunity for us to recognize how much we need him. 00:17:57.580 --> 00:18:00.880 And so God is saying, look, it's not because I'm delaying on my promises. 00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:08.580 It's not because I'm not going to be faithful to my promises, but rather it's to understand, in the midst of a fallen and broken Babylonian world that 00:18:08.580 --> 00:18:15.860 I am calling people to find their escape in him, that they would find this place of grace 00:18:15.860 --> 00:18:18.620 in what God has done for us. 00:18:18.780 --> 00:18:26.720 And so Peter, Peter reminds us as all of Revelation is unfolding, as the patience of God is intentional. 00:18:27.860 --> 00:18:32.450 Just because we see evil in this world doesn't mean that God is absent or Are indifferent. 00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:39.110 In fact, the opening of these scrolls in the very beginning of Revelation chapter six shows us a God who is in control. 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:44.640 But at the same time, the brokenness of this world reminds us how much we need him. 00:18:45.320 --> 00:18:52.540 And so God's delay between his first and second coming is to bring us to this place of hopeful repentance and seeing our need for Jesus 00:18:52.540 --> 00:18:56.220 in our lives, and to abandon this Babylonian world. 00:18:56.260 --> 00:18:59.680 And rather than live for it, we would live for Him and His glory. 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.650 This brings me to the second question. 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:04.720 In the midst of this broken world, then how? 00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:07.940 How do I know God cares about me, right? 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:09.640 How do I know God cares about me? 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:09.820 And when? 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:17.320 When John does starts to talk about this answer, he removes himself from the earth again and he goes back to this heavenly picture. 00:19:17.520 --> 00:19:20.360 Right now he's talking about the destruction from these horses on the earth. 00:19:20.360 --> 00:19:26.940 But now he's about to come back to this heavenly picture to help us understand how much God cares for us as he's going to describe the saints. 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:29.020 But let me give you an answer for this. 00:19:29.020 --> 00:19:33.020 A more concise verse is Revelation 21, verse four. 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:36.260 Revelation 21, verse four is the answer to your question. 00:19:36.300 --> 00:19:42.060 We'll look at this verse in just a minute, but God starts to help us understand how he cares for us. 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:48.200 In verse nine of this of chapter six, and when we answer this question, Why God? 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.380 Why does God care for me? 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:50.850 How do I know God cares for me? 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:58.450 I hope all of us have in mind a Bible verse in our life that we're going through adversity. 00:19:58.840 --> 00:20:02.880 We can remind ourselves of the truths of who God is, right? 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:09.960 Hopefully in your life you've got a few verses locked and loaded that remind you of the nature of God, the character of God, 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:15.210 and how much he cares for you when you go through difficulty in life if you don't have one, let me just give you Romans eight. 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:15.780 Okay? 00:20:15.800 --> 00:20:16.980 Just all of Romans eight. 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:17.860 Take that. 00:20:18.320 --> 00:20:20.000 it's from beginning to end. 00:20:20.020 --> 00:20:22.320 It's a great chapter of the Bible, but. 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:26.640 But we need reminded over and over again of God's care for us. 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:30.800 And it's shocking sometimes just how many times God tells us this in the Bible. 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:35.600 But it's a reminder of just how fragile we can be as people. 00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:38.980 Because we go, we can go through a lot of adversity in life, right? 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:46.140 And every time we face a difficult moment, we're like, God, I believed you in that last difficult moment that you love me and cared about 00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:46.380 me. 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:48.040 But how about this one, right? 00:20:48.040 --> 00:20:48.800 And then we go to the next one. 00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:50.220 Okay, but what about this one? 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:57.260 God, we just we find our hope waning or our expectations 00:20:57.260 --> 00:20:59.660 maybe not met. 00:20:59.820 --> 00:21:07.400 we just we need a reminder that reorients us to the greatness of who he is and how concerned he is for our lives over 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.300 and over again. 00:21:08.840 --> 00:21:16.540 It's like in a, in a relationship, maybe as a husband or a wife like you could have you could have, I guess, got married and been like, 00:21:16.800 --> 00:21:19.650 I'm going to tell you this once, it's going to be on our wedding day. 00:21:20.100 --> 00:21:22.660 And I don't want to have to repeat myself, but I love you, right? 00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:26.460 Like, that's probably not going to be the best of relationships, right? 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:29.850 I mean, you could have said it and meant it, and you could have mint it for the rest of your life. 00:21:30.760 --> 00:21:36.840 But there's something about nurturing the intimacy of that relationship, reminding one another that's helpful to that. 00:21:37.580 --> 00:21:40.880 And the same thing is true with the Lord and the obstacles we face in life. 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:42.030 God, how do I know that you care? 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:49.880 In Revelation chapter six, verse nine, it says, when he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:55.100 those who had been slain for the word of God, and for the witness they had borne. 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:57.790 Now here's God in heaven. 00:21:57.980 --> 00:22:05.200 Now in the midst of this broken, fallen Babylon world, his people are being persecuted to the point that they've even been martyred. 00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:08.240 And here's God collecting them, right? 00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:09.860 God, they're there with the Lord. 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:13.290 God hasn't lost them, but the fact that they suffered. 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:16.420 Sometimes we look at that as people and think, well, how can God care? 00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:17.320 Right. 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:19.260 Because, well, they went through hard stuff. 00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:27.520 But you know, when you follow Jesus, we should learn very quickly in our Christian life that the message 00:22:27.520 --> 00:22:29.390 of Jesus has never been. 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:36.880 God cares about you despite the suffering, but rather we truly discover the care of God in our life through 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:37.580 the suffering. 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:43.700 And the cross is the ultimate indicator of that Jesus through his suffering, right? 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:49.740 He pursues us with his life, and that his suffering is the evidence of his care for us. 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:55.460 And when we go through adversity, that's it's our opportunity to show how much we care for him in response. 00:22:55.520 --> 00:23:02.660 And so we shouldn't be shocked that God's people are martyred and killed when this was the fate of the very person 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.500 that we follow. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:07.530 And Jesus was martyred, his early followers were killed. 00:23:08.520 --> 00:23:15.700 And so when we know that's the fate of the one that we pursue, then it shouldn't shock us that we would face 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.620 adversity too. 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:18.810 In fact, the Bible promises suffering. 00:23:20.340 --> 00:23:24.540 The Bible even says to us as God's people, there is a cross before the crown. 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:28.500 And there's hardship that we will endure. 00:23:28.520 --> 00:23:32.020 But there's also in that crown the idea of a of a greater hope. 00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:37.620 And so when we follow Jesus as God's people, we don't follow him because he makes life easy. 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:44.240 In fact, the Bible says to us that following Jesus, it may add difficulty to your life. 00:23:45.260 --> 00:23:47.000 We don't follow him because it's easy. 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:55.420 We follow him because it's true, and he offers us a greater hope that will pass away or excuse me, 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:58.500 a greater hope that will not pass away when the things of this world will fallen. 00:24:00.760 --> 00:24:07.950 Babylon is on a clock that is ticking, but the kingdom of God endures forever. 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:14.940 And here's the Lord now, collecting his saints who are laying down their life as an offering. 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:21.960 And that's what's described in chapter six, verse nine, that in the Old Testament the priests would bring an 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:29.060 offering to the to the temple, and they would sacrifice it on the altar, and they would collect the blood of the 00:24:29.060 --> 00:24:31.200 sacrifice at the base of the altar. 00:24:31.320 --> 00:24:33.550 And it was recognized that there was life in the blood. 00:24:34.760 --> 00:24:41.820 And here you see that the martyrs are being sacrificed, their life is being poured out, and it's being collected 00:24:41.820 --> 00:24:46.760 at the base of this altar is giving themselves fully for the sake of the Lord. 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:50.500 The question we should ask is, how are they able to do that? 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:56.980 How are they able to prepare themselves for a road like this? 00:24:58.560 --> 00:25:05.640 I think Psalm 63 and verse three gives us a powerful thought that reminds us how God's people are 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.460 able to endure. 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:12.480 It says this the steadfast love of the Lord is better than life. 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:18.880 The steadfast love of the Lord is better than life. 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:24.380 Meaning your life one day will come to an end here on Earth. 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:27.490 But there's one thing that will endure forever. 00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:35.820 And it's the steadfast love of the Lord that's going to be demonstrated to you through his promises that when everything else 00:25:35.820 --> 00:25:42.900 fades away, the one thing that you will have that will endure forever is Jesus and what Jesus 00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:44.660 has promised you in him. 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:52.640 And so the disciples learned the world can threaten things against you, but nothing in Christ can truly be 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:54.140 taken away from you. 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:58.840 And so this is why in verse nine, it tells us why they were martyred. 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:03.300 It was the word of God and the testimony, the witness that they had in him. 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:09.560 That witness that they had seen in Christ is what they clung to. 00:26:09.560 --> 00:26:14.800 They knew if one thing that was going to last, it was what God had proclaimed to them. 00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:19.880 And so that's what they held to no matter, no matter what this world would bring to them. 00:26:20.060 --> 00:26:27.260 And the early church learned that there was something worse than death to them, and 00:26:27.260 --> 00:26:33.990 that was abandoning their Lord, abandoning the hope that they had in him being unfaithful. 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:42.600 In Revelation chapter two, verse ten to the church of Smyrna, we studied that church together, and they were a church that faced tremendous persecution 00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:45.090 in the first couple of centuries. 00:26:45.520 --> 00:26:52.800 And that the church of Smyrna, when they endured that adversity, God said to them in verse ten, 00:26:52.840 --> 00:26:58.920 he said, be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:07.920 Faithfulness is what the early believers longed to cling to because of who 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:11.480 God is, and his care for them in their lives. 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:19.040 Death was not the worst obstacle they had to face, but rather unfaithfulness or abandoning 00:27:19.040 --> 00:27:20.120 the truthfulness of the Lord. 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:21.080 And he goes on and says this. 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.220 Verse ten. 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:29.600 They cried out with a loud voice, O sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you 00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:33.680 will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? 00:27:35.060 --> 00:27:36.280 Now they want to know God. 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:39.170 If you're in control, how is this going to work out? 00:27:40.080 --> 00:27:44.540 And in reading this passage, you can kind of feel the tension of their concern. 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:52.520 Like God, here we are being martyred for you, believing in you, trusting in you and 00:27:52.520 --> 00:27:52.760 God. 00:27:52.760 --> 00:27:53.680 We just want to know. 00:27:54.540 --> 00:27:55.600 Remind us Lord. 00:27:55.660 --> 00:28:02.740 And they've already been told before, but we want reminded again that this decision is the best decision. 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:04.650 And then in verse 11, I want you to see what God says. 00:28:05.780 --> 00:28:13.260 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants 00:28:13.260 --> 00:28:19.160 and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:23.180 In the midst of a struggle. 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:27.380 God's answer to them is a comforting answer, right? 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:33.860 God's honest in saying, look, there's still some adversity that brothers in Christ, brothers and sisters in Christ are going to go through. 00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:36.830 But he also calms them in this adversity. 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:41.490 And the reason he the way he does this is through one word here in verse 11 I want you to see. 00:28:42.100 --> 00:28:45.160 He says this one particular word, rest. 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.660 Rest. 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:49.650 He gives them a robe and he tells them to rest. 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:58.520 Can I tell you when things in life aren't going well, when you've got stress on your shoulders and concern for tomorrow, 00:28:59.040 --> 00:29:01.790 the one thing that you cannot do is rest. 00:29:02.780 --> 00:29:05.830 When you're worried about where you're going to live and how you're going to pay your bills. 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:09.870 The one thing that you cannot do in a situation like that is rest. 00:29:10.780 --> 00:29:12.120 You go to bed thinking about it. 00:29:12.120 --> 00:29:13.600 You wake up thinking about it. 00:29:13.760 --> 00:29:14.680 You struggle. 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:17.160 You toil, trying to figure out an answer. 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:17.240 Right. 00:29:17.300 --> 00:29:18.800 It's difficult to rest. 00:29:18.800 --> 00:29:19.760 You wear those things. 00:29:19.760 --> 00:29:21.140 You put those things on your shoulder. 00:29:22.100 --> 00:29:23.160 How can I handle this? 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:24.960 How can I control the outcome of this? 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:27.300 What can I do to dictate my circumstances? 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:29.920 And the fact that God is saying rest? 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:33.240 Here is a reminder to his people, I've got it under control. 00:29:34.860 --> 00:29:37.780 This is not your burden to bear, but rather it's mine. 00:29:38.340 --> 00:29:42.520 And I'm not worried about the answer because I already know how it's going to work out. 00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:50.640 Rest, guys, can I can I just tell you don't have to wait till to martyrdom to find 00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:51.220 that answer. 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:57.740 And this is what Jesus desires to do in the inner soul of his people throughout this world, right? 00:29:57.740 --> 00:30:05.120 That we would find our rest in him, that it's not about a battle of proving ourselves in anything, but rather what we've needed, proven, 00:30:05.160 --> 00:30:12.220 has been proven at the cross through what Christ has done for us to rest in the identity that he has for me, that we 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.000 would rest. 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:13.600 He's going. 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:15.360 He's going to work all things out. 00:30:16.080 --> 00:30:16.780 Rest. 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.820 And here's how. 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:21.070 Here's how he gives them further confidence that that's going to happen. 00:30:21.380 --> 00:30:25.620 He says until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be completed. 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:27.540 Right. 00:30:27.560 --> 00:30:27.660 So. 00:30:27.760 --> 00:30:33.440 So Jesus is saying, look, he's acknowledging life is difficult and there is struggle because of the sinfulness in this world. 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:35.220 God's acknowledging that. 00:30:36.280 --> 00:30:36.340 Right. 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:43.500 But he's also acknowledging that he's not just sitting there waiting to just suddenly boil over and anger like, fine, just hold on, 00:30:43.520 --> 00:30:43.860 guys. 00:30:43.860 --> 00:30:44.200 Wait. 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:46.870 And when I get really ticked, that's what I'm going to do something right? 00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:48.500 That's not how he's responding here. 00:30:49.400 --> 00:30:54.380 Rather, he's saying, I know my plan, I know my final number. 00:30:55.120 --> 00:30:57.440 And when I have that, I'm going to respond. 00:30:58.720 --> 00:31:06.180 He's helping his people understand that God, the future that God has in mind, all of it's been determined. 00:31:07.120 --> 00:31:08.420 He knows how it's going to work out. 00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:15.500 And in so doing, he's also acknowledging that there's no suffering or no, none of his people that have ever gone through struggle that 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.760 he hasn't accounted for. 00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:17.460 Right? 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:19.410 Look what he says until the number is complete. 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:22.560 So he's saying there's no one who's struggled. 00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:26.780 There's no one who's been martyred that has escaped the awareness of God. 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:31.200 All of those things are in his hands. 00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:33.820 And so he he's aware of the need. 00:31:33.820 --> 00:31:35.120 He's aware of the struggle. 00:31:35.120 --> 00:31:36.440 He's aware of the problem. 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:38.080 He's a he's aware of the suffering. 00:31:38.080 --> 00:31:39.860 And he's going to work it all out. 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.200 Just rest. 00:31:43.300 --> 00:31:50.390 So in the midst of Revelation six, when you look at the battle that's taking place with these horses, it's important to remind ourselves, 00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:52.220 which kingdom do you belong to? 00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:57.240 Or maybe to ask yourself, which kingdom do you truly belong to? 00:31:58.420 --> 00:32:02.340 Because in the kingdom of God, for his people, there is this place of rest. 00:32:02.800 --> 00:32:05.720 In fact, to kind of paint that full picture for us. 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:10.040 Revelation 21 verse four tells us at the end of the story God's desire for us. 00:32:10.040 --> 00:32:12.330 He says he will wipe away every tear from their eyes. 00:32:12.600 --> 00:32:13.680 And death shall be no more. 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:17.320 Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore. 00:32:17.580 --> 00:32:23.360 For the former things have passed away in his presence for eternity. 00:32:23.360 --> 00:32:26.420 There is rest. 00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:26.720 So. 00:32:26.900 --> 00:32:28.100 So here's the final question. 00:32:28.300 --> 00:32:31.900 Then what is God going to do about injustice? 00:32:33.340 --> 00:32:39.080 Now, as you understand he's in control and how he's working all things out for us. 00:32:39.100 --> 00:32:46.140 And in second Peter three verse nine, he's not withholding his promises, but he is faithful and that he cares for you in the midst of 00:32:46.140 --> 00:32:46.490 the struggle. 00:32:47.760 --> 00:32:50.870 The final question is God, then when are you going to work all this out? 00:32:51.580 --> 00:32:55.540 And let me give you the passage and then we'll dive back into Revelation six. 00:32:55.580 --> 00:33:00.410 But your answer here, first Thessalonians, anyone spells that right, you should get a free prize today. 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:03.340 First Thessalonians chapter one, verse ten. 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:07.360 First Thessalonians chapter one, verse ten, and we'll look at it. 00:33:07.360 --> 00:33:13.700 But in Revelation six, We think about what God is going to do about injustice. 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:21.680 It says, verse 12, when he opened the sixth seal, I looked and behold, there was a great earthquake, and 00:33:21.680 --> 00:33:28.800 the sun became black as sackcloth, and the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig 00:33:28.800 --> 00:33:32.440 tree sheds its winter fruit, when shaken by a gale. 00:33:32.560 --> 00:33:39.560 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 00:33:40.770 --> 00:33:44.520 so this is dealing now with the return of the Lord. 00:33:44.520 --> 00:33:52.020 And let me just say, people can get Uber weird, about things like this every time there's an 00:33:52.020 --> 00:33:52.960 eclipse outside. 00:33:53.080 --> 00:33:54.700 Don't hit the panic button, okay? 00:33:54.700 --> 00:34:02.300 That's, instead, let me just take a step back from that and help you understand how the Jewish people pictured 00:34:02.300 --> 00:34:09.400 eternity when they would look to the skies, the Jewish people would often describe outer space 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.780 as the heavenlies. 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:19.219 And in fact, they would they would typically characterize the sun and the moon, the stars, and an angelic way, meaning the 00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:24.949 angels were often said to be stars in the sky when Hebrews would write about heaven. 00:34:25.760 --> 00:34:29.300 And to understand that you don't even have to get out of the book of Revelation. 00:34:29.580 --> 00:34:37.060 If you go back to those references there on the screen, if you go to Revelation chapter one, verse 20, you'll see the seven angels and 00:34:37.060 --> 00:34:44.850 talked about as seven stars, or when you when you read about Satan whipping his tail and a third of the angels falling. 00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:50.380 It's Revelation chapter 12, verse four, and they're described as stars falling from the heavens. 00:34:51.600 --> 00:34:58.700 But here's what I want you to recognize in Revelation chapter six, that there's coming a day when the foundations of heaven and earth will be shaken, 00:34:58.860 --> 00:35:06.210 and this will be when God's response is made known, when he's bringing about his wrath at his second coming. 00:35:06.660 --> 00:35:09.810 When God is returning for us. 00:35:10.100 --> 00:35:14.630 And when it comes to the idea of God's return, it goes on. 00:35:14.640 --> 00:35:21.940 And it says this in verse 15, then the kings of the earth, and the great ones, and the generals, and the rich and the powerful, and the and everyone slave 00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:29.140 and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks fall on us, and hide us 00:35:29.140 --> 00:35:32.970 from the face of him who was seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the lamb. 00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:35.660 For the great day of the wrath has come. 00:35:35.960 --> 00:35:37.540 Who can stand? 00:35:38.560 --> 00:35:40.620 Now that's a scary passage, isn't it? 00:35:41.040 --> 00:35:42.800 God's wrath. 00:35:44.640 --> 00:35:45.220 God's wrath. 00:35:45.220 --> 00:35:49.900 And sometimes people like to sugarcoat, a topic on God's wrath. 00:35:49.900 --> 00:35:56.940 But can I tell you, for God's people, it's an incredible moment 00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:59.480 of God's promises being fulfilled for us. 00:36:01.380 --> 00:36:06.020 Certainly, there is a level of concern for God's wrath and that level of concern. 00:36:06.020 --> 00:36:13.180 Really, you should find based on what side of the kingdom you're on or which kingdom you represent, because 00:36:13.180 --> 00:36:14.780 God will bring his wrath. 00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:18.140 God cannot be good and not judge sin. 00:36:18.780 --> 00:36:25.380 God demands that God judge sin in order to be a just, good, and holy God. 00:36:26.000 --> 00:36:27.040 God will judge sin. 00:36:27.560 --> 00:36:35.120 But here's what's interesting about this is that when you read about God's judgment coming on the earth in these verses, the 00:36:35.120 --> 00:36:42.300 people that recognize the return of Jesus rather than give their heart to Jesus, who is Lord of lords, they choose rather to 00:36:42.300 --> 00:36:47.640 run to the mountains and beg rocks to fall on them and kill them rather than give their heart to God. 00:36:49.080 --> 00:36:56.680 Here they are recognizing the return of the Lord, and rather than bend the knee to him, they would prefer death over 00:36:56.680 --> 00:36:58.170 giving their life to Jesus. 00:36:59.000 --> 00:37:05.880 I mean, that's a reminder of just how hardened the human heart can truly get towards the things of God. 00:37:07.320 --> 00:37:14.520 God's desire and delaying his return is to give us opportunity to turn to him, because God knows he's going to judge 00:37:14.520 --> 00:37:15.020 sin. 00:37:15.680 --> 00:37:20.650 But rather than be in the path of his wrath, he prefers you to be in the joy of his presence. 00:37:21.540 --> 00:37:26.380 But yet people still choose to be in the wrath of God rather than in his presence. 00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:29.540 And the way that it refers to it in this passage is the great day. 00:37:30.560 --> 00:37:35.160 You know, when you study this phrase in Scripture, it's certainly the great day is certainly a day of judgment. 00:37:35.180 --> 00:37:38.200 But there's another component to it, and I want to talk about that in a minute. 00:37:38.240 --> 00:37:45.300 But the way that this great day is proclaimed in the Bible, it starts off in the book of Exodus as being referred to as the 00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:47.200 day in the Book of Exodus. 00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:52.620 It's the day, and the day is the day in Exodus chapter 13, verse three. 00:37:52.620 --> 00:37:59.760 If you want a specific reference, it is the day Israel is rescued from slavery from Egypt, that 00:37:59.760 --> 00:38:04.460 God liberated them by his justice, that they could be free in him and walk in his promises. 00:38:05.320 --> 00:38:06.760 They refer to that as the day. 00:38:06.780 --> 00:38:14.000 In fact, they had the Feast of Unleavened Bread that they continued to celebrate throughout their history to remind them of the day, the day that God liberated 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:20.540 them and the day became referred to later in the Old Testament as ultimately the day of the Lord. 00:38:20.560 --> 00:38:27.660 It would continue to be a picture of God's judgment against Unjustice, a warning cry that the day of the Lord would come, and 00:38:27.660 --> 00:38:30.740 the prophets proclaimed it over and over in the Old Testament. 00:38:30.940 --> 00:38:32.740 But something interesting about the day of the Lord. 00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:40.120 There were times, if you read, for example, the Book of Amos, there were times when God was proclaiming the day of the Lord, not just as a warning against judgment for 00:38:40.120 --> 00:38:44.090 those that oppose Israel, but even as a warning of judgment to Israel itself. 00:38:44.900 --> 00:38:46.640 Because Israel abandoned God. 00:38:47.240 --> 00:38:54.280 And God would remind him that the day of the judgment, which was intended to come against injustice, is going to come against them if they didn't repent and 00:38:54.280 --> 00:38:54.980 turn. 00:38:55.160 --> 00:39:00.960 And ultimately, the day of the Lord gets culminated into one final day, the great day of the Lord. 00:39:02.100 --> 00:39:08.820 And here it is happening in Scripture, and it refers to it as this day of wrath at the end of verse 15 and 16. 00:39:09.720 --> 00:39:15.140 And when you think about this picture of God's wrath, this is an important word in the book of Revelation. 00:39:15.180 --> 00:39:18.010 This is the word of God's wrath. 00:39:18.580 --> 00:39:25.820 And what's significant for you to know as God's people is that the Bible promises you over and over again as his people, 00:39:26.080 --> 00:39:28.860 that God didn't appoint you to his wrath. 00:39:29.180 --> 00:39:36.420 Meaning, this is the place that I think in Revelation where God's people are raptured out of this world because God's wrath is about to be poured out, 00:39:36.620 --> 00:39:39.080 because God never intended to beat up on his bride. 00:39:39.880 --> 00:39:46.900 God's desire is to pull his people from the wrath that they would experience the presence of his joy, and God would bring his justice 00:39:46.900 --> 00:39:47.790 on this world. 00:39:48.900 --> 00:39:55.960 And so, depending on what side of the kingdom you want to represent, there's a decision to be made of what we're going 00:39:55.960 --> 00:40:03.060 to live for the fallen Babylon or the greatness of who God is, whose kingdom and glory 00:40:03.060 --> 00:40:05.480 is represented in our lives? 00:40:05.480 --> 00:40:07.590 Is that this world's or is it God's? 00:40:08.440 --> 00:40:15.580 And when our hearts are given over to him, the Bible tells us in and Luke chapter 21, verse 26 and 28, that we 00:40:15.580 --> 00:40:22.980 are not to run away from the Lord, but rather run to him with our heads lifted high, because we know this is the culmination of his promises 00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:25.490 fulfilled, that our King has come and he has been victorious. 00:40:27.220 --> 00:40:34.380 But in Luke chapter 23, verse 30 is a reminder that again, those that oppose him will be under his wrath. 00:40:35.860 --> 00:40:42.940 God by his grace he didn't owe us anything, but rather gave us an opportunity to find freedom in him, 00:40:43.860 --> 00:40:51.020 to receive what only he could offer us at the cross, that we would have ultimate hope for a greater kingdom, despite the brokenness of this fallen 00:40:51.020 --> 00:40:52.960 Babylon, that we would represent him. 00:40:55.060 --> 00:40:58.950 It's a choice for all of us every day. 00:41:00.260 --> 00:41:01.480 What will you live for? 00:41:02.540 --> 00:41:04.440 The four horses that bring to you. 00:41:04.600 --> 00:41:05.840 Promises that can never deliver. 00:41:05.840 --> 00:41:07.710 Which lead to the destruction of your soul. 00:41:09.320 --> 00:41:13.200 Or for a king who will be faithful to fulfill everything that he declared to you, the Lord. 00:41:14.740 --> 00:41:19.190 Every day we have an opportunity to wake up and decide what our hearts will be aligned to. 00:41:20.100 --> 00:41:21.900 Which leads me with this final story. 00:41:22.100 --> 00:41:26.160 And I'll conclude I when I when I think about heroes. 00:41:27.620 --> 00:41:28.840 Let me throw that up for you. 00:41:28.840 --> 00:41:35.880 First Thessalonians I didn't read it to you, but you see the promise at the end of first Thessalonians chapter one, verse ten, that God will deliver you from the 00:41:35.880 --> 00:41:36.970 wrath that is to come. 00:41:38.380 --> 00:41:45.830 but when I think about heroes, I like to pick dead people as my heroes, not living people, because I always feel like living people can disappoint you at some time. 00:41:46.560 --> 00:41:48.270 but every once in a while, I'll pick a living hero. 00:41:48.700 --> 00:41:55.780 And, one, one person in particular I want to highlight for you this morning is a young man that right now plays for the Utah 00:41:55.780 --> 00:41:56.400 Jazz. 00:41:56.460 --> 00:41:57.750 His name is Oscar Tshiebwe. 00:41:59.400 --> 00:42:02.610 Oscar Tshiebwe is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. 00:42:02.700 --> 00:42:06.410 And I actually found out about this young man when he was in college. 00:42:06.480 --> 00:42:10.370 He played for West Virginia University in college and then transferred to Kentucky. 00:42:10.800 --> 00:42:12.420 And then he went to the NBA. 00:42:12.420 --> 00:42:13.480 But I started following him. 00:42:13.560 --> 00:42:17.360 I'm from West Virginia, so I started following him and got to know a little bit of his story. 00:42:18.740 --> 00:42:25.760 And what's interesting about Oscar Tshiebwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo is considered one of the top 40 most dangerous places to live as a Christian, especially along the 00:42:25.760 --> 00:42:29.000 eastern side, Christians are being persecuted and killed. 00:42:29.040 --> 00:42:29.560 Even the story. 00:42:29.560 --> 00:42:36.940 I read an article of 80 Christians that were martyred for their faith this summer, and Oscar Tshiebwe, his father, was a pastor 00:42:36.940 --> 00:42:39.320 and at 12 years old. 00:42:39.420 --> 00:42:40.560 Oscar Tshiebwe his father. 00:42:40.560 --> 00:42:43.270 When Oscar was 12, his father was killed. 00:42:44.820 --> 00:42:49.840 And what's incredible about this young man is how resilient he remained. 00:42:50.480 --> 00:42:54.010 And here he is raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, now by a single mother. 00:42:55.200 --> 00:42:57.210 And you know, he I heard him remark once. 00:42:57.340 --> 00:43:01.230 He said, when I step, when most people step on a basketball court, they're just playing basketball. 00:43:02.560 --> 00:43:05.570 But when I step on a basketball court, I'm carrying an entire village. 00:43:06.680 --> 00:43:10.760 And he just reminded of how much his people have need and especially his mom. 00:43:10.800 --> 00:43:13.940 He's an incredible young man, and he's not. 00:43:13.980 --> 00:43:20.020 When you think about stars to pick or athletes that you might follow, he's not like the most amazing one. 00:43:20.020 --> 00:43:23.000 I think he averages 1.5 minutes a game this season. 00:43:23.020 --> 00:43:26.350 So he's not he doesn't get in for most games if rarely. 00:43:27.260 --> 00:43:31.220 But I just I'm very amazed by his love for the Lord. 00:43:31.260 --> 00:43:35.640 In fact he said when his father was killed, his first response was he got mad at God. 00:43:36.880 --> 00:43:39.090 He said, my father just wanted to help people. 00:43:40.220 --> 00:43:44.260 But the Lord saw fit to take him home and he struggled with that. 00:43:45.200 --> 00:43:47.440 But then in an interview, Oscar went on and he said this. 00:43:47.460 --> 00:43:50.960 He said, my father told me to never lose God right before he passed. 00:43:51.740 --> 00:43:52.680 I never forgot that. 00:43:53.660 --> 00:43:58.280 I always remember him telling me, when you give everything to the Lord, he's going to help you. 00:43:58.880 --> 00:44:01.680 But if you lose the Lord, you lose everything. 00:44:02.220 --> 00:44:04.020 My dad is my hero. 00:44:07.200 --> 00:44:09.480 You know, I think about the beauty of this story. 00:44:09.480 --> 00:44:10.500 Here's his father. 00:44:10.500 --> 00:44:17.920 In a difficult country, facing adversity ultimately loses his life and in the midst of his trial, 00:44:18.820 --> 00:44:20.460 continued to encourage his son. 00:44:20.520 --> 00:44:21.820 Son, be faithful to Jesus. 00:44:23.060 --> 00:44:30.460 And in his Father's faithfulness, his son sees that and desires to follow Jesus, and 00:44:30.460 --> 00:44:34.640 he becomes a representation of a greater kingdom in the midst of a fallen and broken world. 00:44:35.580 --> 00:44:39.040 And one of the things I love about Oscar I don't follow people on social media. 00:44:39.040 --> 00:44:40.400 I'm not a big social media fan. 00:44:40.800 --> 00:44:46.360 But the one person I like to read from time to time is this guy, because he's constantly talking about his faith in the Lord. 00:44:47.780 --> 00:44:51.740 Here he is as a young boy who grew up poor in a village with a single mom. 00:44:52.600 --> 00:44:54.640 And he passionately loves Jesus. 00:44:55.780 --> 00:45:03.320 Because I think about the same thing for us every day for us is an opportunity in the midst of a fallen and broken world to 00:45:03.360 --> 00:45:10.580 call it quits, to be unfaithful, or to see it as an opportunity for a greater light to shine in us because 00:45:10.580 --> 00:45:11.900 of who Jesus is. 00:45:13.200 --> 00:45:20.280 Jesus gives us the privilege to know him when he didn't have to, and to have a greater hope when God 00:45:20.280 --> 00:45:23.420 didn't have to do anything other than bring his justice and wrath. 00:45:24.120 --> 00:45:26.460 Yet he provided for us a way of escape. 00:45:27.180 --> 00:45:34.300 And so when you look at the story of Revelation, though in chapter six, we're seeing a difficult world before us, we see the greatness 00:45:34.300 --> 00:45:38.180 of a God who is above us, and he is still in control.