Sermon Central
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End Of Story
Contributed by Pastor Randall Timblin on Sep 14, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: The End of what we know is certainly coming soon. We know not the time, but many of the warning signs are present. We must not only be READY, but we must ready others, less they go through the Wrath of God that is promised and must be fulfilled.
Many of remember Paul Harvey using this line years ago, “And now you know the End of the Story.”
Revelation 14:6-20 (NKJV) The Proclamations of Three Angels
6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
8 And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
Reaping the Earth's Harvest
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
Reaping the Grapes of Wrath
17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.
Do you know anyone who warns their child multiple times about something they are not supposed to be doing? My wife and daughter both have this trait. It can be a fault, but it is due to their inability to do “Tough Love.” But, there is another case. In this case (vv.6 & 7), God is about to deliver His wrath on those still living on this earth. If anyone has not received the mark of the devil, it is their last opportunity to worship our Creator, for His wrath is about to be poured out.
Those with the devil’s mark are doomed. They are promised that they will be tormented forever and ever (vv.9-11).
Those in Babylon have already felt God’s wrath for this city, which there are many guesses to which city this is, since Babylon fell hundreds of years ago. Many believe this to be the USA. I myself believe that it is Rome. One must remember, that these are all guesses although educated in nature.
Where is His church at this point in the future? Many theologians believe that they are in Heaven with the LORD and have been since Revelation chapter four, since there is no mention of the church after that.
Most of us believe in a “Rapture” which will be questioned by many, since the word does not appear anywhere in the Scripture. The Greek word “rappos” is used and it means to be “caught up” and is used in Thessalonian by Paul.
If we look at today’s scripture, verses 14 through 16, we may notice that the scene, if you will, is taking place in a white cloud. John records that the Son of Man is sitting on this white cloud.
