Revelation 6:9-11; 12:10-17
Purpose: To describe how and why martyrs die.
Aim: I want the listener to accept persecution as a privilege.
INTRODUCTION: The early church suffered much persecution. But from the death of Severus in 211 until the reign of Decius in 240, about 30 years, the church enjoyed peace and the freedom to worship. Two prominent pastors during this time wrote about what the church was like.
Cyprian who was born in 200 was a pastor in North Africa. In 257 he was arrested for being a Christian and was put to death for refusing to deny that Christ was his savior. When this persecution first began Cyprian wrote, "It must be owned and confessed that the outrageous and heavy calamity which bath almost devoured the flock and continues to devour it to this day, bath happened to us because of our sins... Our principle study is to get money and estates; we follow after pride; we are at leisure for nothing but emulation [the desire to get ahead) and quarreling and have neglected the simplicity of faith. We have renounced the world in words only, and not in deed. Everyone studies to please himself and to displease others." Eusebius, another early pastor who lived during the same time, wrote, "Through too much liberty they grew negligent and slothful, envying and reproaching one another; waging, as it were, civil wars among themselves, bishops quarrelling with bishops, and people divided into parties. Hypocrisy and deceit were grown to the highest pitch of wickedness.... The bishops themselves had thrown off all concern about religion; were perpetually contending with one another; and did nothing but quarrel with, and threaten, and envy, and hate one another; they were full of ambition and tyrannically used power."[Quoted from "Christianity Yesterday" Vol. 2 No. 5 Sept-Oct 1995 p.151]
The American church has been mostly exempt from persecution for more than 200 years. Could it be that we too have become lazy along the way?
The fifth seal talks about those who have died for the Lord rather than live for the world. If you were given that choice, which would you choose?
REVIEW:
1:1-20 I. John’s Vision of the Past "the things which you have seen"
2:1-5:14 II. Christ’s Vision of the Present "the things which are"
2:1-3:22 A. The testimony of the church on earth
4:1-5:14 B. The throne of God in heaven
Ch.6-22 III. John’s Vision of the Future "things which will take places"
6-7; 12-14 A. Satan’s war against God’s creation
1. The first seal
6:1-2 a. Heaven’s view: a white horse "a bow and a crown"
12:1-2,6a b. Earth’s view: Israel deceived "the woman fled"
2. The second seal
6:3-4 a. Heaven’s view: a red horse "slay one another"
12:3-4a b. Earth’s view: a red dragon "third of the stars"
3. The third seal
6:5-6 a. Heaven’s view: a black horse- world famine
12:4b-6 b. Earth’s view: a dragon-Israel’s oppression
4. The fourth seal:
6:7-8 a. Heaven’s view: a pale horse-a bloodbath 12:7-9 b. Earth’s view: a dragon-Satan’s demotion
LESSON:
➽5. The fifth sea
In the first four seals we saw four horses called forth by the four living creatures in heaven. They show us Satan’s attempts to rule this earth. It began with a promise of peace and it ended in a blood bath.
As we look at the last three seals, we now see God personally intervening in the affairs of the world. I believe that the first six seals are the Great Tribulation that Jesus talked about in Matthew 24:21-22 21 "For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 "Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (NAU)
Jesus went on the describe what follows the Great Tribulation and this has been called the Wrath of God: Matthew 24:29-31 29 "But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 31 "And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet [the seven trumpets that begin in Revelation chapter 8] and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (NAU)
In the first four seals, God lets Satan dig his own grave. In the last three seals God comes and finishes Satan off. Just as God created this world in stages, He will also purify this world in stages.
➽ 6:9-11 a. Heaven’s view: martyrs
We don’t know if the martyrs here are only from the tribulation period, or if they are all the martyrs from all of the ages. Either way, we can learn a lot about those who are willing to die for Jesus Christ.
➽What Do We Know About Christian Martyrs?
➽Vs.9a #1 They have a special place in heaven "underneath the altar"
These people are pictured under the altar because this is where the blood of the OT sacrifices were poured. Leviticus 4:7 ’The priest shall also put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense which is before the Lord in the tent of meeting; and all the blood of the bull he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering which is at the doorway of the tent of meeting. (NAU)
➽Vs.9b #2 They love God’s Word "because of the word of God"
In his journal, Jim Elliot wrote: "To believe is to act as though a thing were so. Mere saying a thing is so is no proof of my believing it."
How much do we love God’s Word? Is God’s Word precious enough to die for? If it’s precious enough to die for, how do we treat God’s Word when we aren’t being persecuted for it? What are we willing to sacrifice to read God’s Word daily? What are we willing to sacrifice in order to hear God’s Word preached?
➽Vs.9c #3 They live holy lives "because of the testimony"
"The blood of the martyred saints is considered as an "offering" before God as it accumulates at the base of the altar during this time of intense persecution of all who name the name of Christ Matthew 24:99 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name (NAU). Like sacrifices, they had been slain for their testimony. Not sacrifices of atonement, but of devotion." [E. W. Bullinger, Commentary On Revelation (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1984, 1935), Rev. 6:9]
A 2008 survey of The Pew Forum on Religion and Public life found that 52% of American Christians believe that "at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life. (1/3 of those identified themselves as ’evangelicals.)’" [ Survey can be found at www.pewforum.org, posted December 18, 2008]
➽Vs.10-11 #4 They long for justice "How long...will You refrain from judging"
They did not ask IF the wicked will be punished, but WHEN. Romans 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. (NAU)
It is hard to watch the wicked prosper while the followers of Christ suffer. Jeremiah expressed this feeling: Jeremiah 12:1-4 1 Righteous are You, O Lord, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease? 2 You have planted them, they have also taken root; they grow, they have even produced fruit. You are near to their lips but far from their mind. 3 But You know me, O Lord; You see me; and You examine my heart’s attitude toward You. Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter and set them apart for a day of carnage! 4 How long is the land to mourn and the vegetation of the countryside to wither? For the wickedness of those who dwell in it, Animals and birds have been snatched away, because men have said, "He will not see our latter ending." (NAU)
Another righteous man, Asaph, struggled with this same problem. Psalm 73:3-5 3 For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 for there are no pains in their death, and their body is fat. 5 They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like mankind. (NAU)
Then Asaph found the answer. He looked at the big picture. Psalm 73:16-20 16 when I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight 17 until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end. 18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. 19 How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors! 20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused, You will despise their form. (NAU)
Every time we pray "Thy kingdom come" we are praying that the wicked will be punished.
The good news for all is that God moves slowly from grace to judgment. But, God does move from grace to judgment! It is a tragedy to mistake God’s grace for His indifference. Isaiah 29:15 Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the Lord, and whose deeds are done in a dark place, and they say, "Who sees us?" or "Who knows us?" (NAU)
➽12:10-17 b. Earth’s view: war on Christ’s followers
Persecution of Christians is the rule in human history, not the exception. Psalm 44:22 But for Your sake we are killed all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. (NAU) Romans 8:36 Just as it is written, "For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." (NAU)
➽Vs.10-12 (1) The believer’s victory
"By now, a heightened religious persecution attends the events upon the earth for these saints did not perish due to beasts, famine, pestilence, or war--but were slain for the word of God. Their testimony was seen as a dangerous and undesirable witness against the false religious system riding the beast: Revelation 17:6 And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. .... (NAU)
➽How Do Believer’s defeat Satan’s Accusations?
Satan loves to accuse believers of being hypocrites. This is what he did to Job. In essence, Satan told God that Job’s love for God was fake. God allowed Job to suffer to expose Satan as a liar.
How can we overcome Satan’s lies? We can learn how from the believers who will be persecuted in the great Tribulation.
➽Vs.10-11a #1 They must trust the Gospel "the blood of the Lamb"
"We now know that in the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, more is involved than the fulfillment of the righteousness of the Law or the expression of holy love. Both are true, but now we know of a great battle that has been waged at the Cross. Now we see that Christ is the triumphant Lamb who has won the cosmic battle over the devil at the Cross. A battle was under way at Mount Calvary of which mankind was unaware." [Palmer, E. F., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1982). Vol. 35: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 35: 1, 2 & 3 John / Revelation. Formerly The Communicator’s Commentary. The Preacher’s Commentary series (193). Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc.]
Satan often uses truth to accuse us of being unworthy of God’s grace. But, the blood of Christ has already washed away our sin and our guilt.
If it were not for the blood of Christ we would have no answer to Satan’s accusations.
Romans 4:24-5:1 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (NAU)
"SCHOTTGEN mentions the Rabbinical tradition that Satan accuses men all days of the year, except the Day of Atonement." [Jamieson, R., Fausset, A., & and Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (electronic ed.) (Re 12:11). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.]
➽Vs.11b #2 They must proclaim the Gospel "the word of their testimony"
Followers of Christ are willing to identify with Christ. Romans 10:9-10 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (NAU)
Matthew 10:33 "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. (NAU)
➽Vs.11c-12 #3 They must love the Gospel more than life "did not love their life"
"Years ago I heard a savage headhunter tell how he came to know Christ. Jim Elliot and four other missionaries went to the South American jungle to share Christ. They landed beside a river and four of the men got out while Jim secured the plane. The four walked down the beach and suddenly the natives appeared and cut them to pieces. They looked down the beach at Jim in the plane. As they started toward him, he calmly got out and walked toward them and they cut him to pieces. The young chief who led them said he never got over the man who was not afraid to die. Years later, when more missionaries came, including the wives of the murdered men, he accepted the God and the Christ of that brave man he never got over. ["From Suffering To Singing" by Bob Marcaurelle p.341]
Why do we think we should be exempt from persecution? John 15:20 "Remember the word that I said to you, ’A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. (NAU)
We must love Christ more than ourselves. Matthew 16:25 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (NAU)
When we are tempted to doubt our ability to give our lives for Christ we must remember Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (NAU)
"My life, my love, I give to Thee
Thou Lamb of God, who died for me
O may I ever faithful be
My Savior and my God
I’ll live for Him who died for me."
➽Vs. 13-17 (2) Satan’s desperation
➽Vs.13-16 (a) Satan fails to destroy Israel "earth helped the woman"
Satan has hated Israel for bringing Christ into the world for over 2,000 years now.
Vs.14 "It is interesting that the remnant’s escape from Satan is described in terms of a flying eagle, for this is a repeated image in the Old Testament with reference to Israel. God delivered Israel from Egypt ’on eagles’ wings’ (Ex.19:4), and cared for the people in the wilderness as an eagle would her young (Deut. 32:11-12). Their return from Babylonian Captivity was like ’mounting up with wings as eagles’ (Isa. 40:31)." ["The Bible Exposition Commentary" by Warren Wiersby Vol.2 p.604]
This may refer literally to airplanes. Maybe America will use its C-130 transport planes to evacuate thousands of Jews to a safe place in wilderness for the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation.
Vs.15 The River may refer to armies, or maybe a literal flood of water to force them out of underground shelters. Evidently an earthquake stops the advance against Israel.
➽Vs.17 (b) Satan seeks to destroy Christians "the testimony of Jesus Christ"
These are some Christians who were not protected in the wilderness. So, Satan is so enraged that he will seek out anyone who had accepted Jesus as their messiah.
In a short period of time huge numbers of Jews will turn to Christ as their Messiah. Zechariah 12:9-10 9 "And in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10 "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. (NAU)
CONCLUSION: "There is a spot on a wall where it is said that one day the devil became so real that (Martin) Luther threw an ink well at him. He faced the Dragon.
The Pope, in a letter, warned him that the full power of the church was about to fall on him. ’Where will you be then?’ he wrote. Luther wrote back, ’I will be then where I am now, in the hands of Almighty God.’ That’s why he wasn’t afraid. That’s why he won.
He wrote it into this battle hymn of the Reformation, "A Mighty Fortress Of our God".
"And tho this world, with devils filled
Should threaten to undo us
We will not fear, for God has willed
His truth to triumph through us
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him
His rage we can endure,
for lo his doom is sure" ["From Suffering To Singing" by Bob Marcaurelle p.321]
This is the battle of the ages! Are you in it?"
