Read Revelation 7:1-14
INTRO
As far as I can remember I’ve been hearing people say that a great revival is coming. Whether or not there is a great revival in our lifetime is unknown, but certainly something we should pray for. The bible does however reveal that during the Tribulation period there will be a “great harvest”.
Here’s how we know this…
Revelation is the record of John’s end time visions he received while in exile on the island of Patmos.
The Great Harvest
SLIDE 1
The Great Multitude from the Tribulation
After this (after what? After seeing 144k Jews sealed for protection from God’s wrath Rev. 7:5-8) I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands (well this could be anyone)
…“Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him (elder), “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev. 7:9, 13b-14)
Thus, this great multitude that John sees in Rev. 7 are Christians who’ve come out of the Tribulation period. How will they be hearing the gospel in the Trib period?
We are in the church age and the church is plan A for implementing the Great Commission. That’s our purpose-to make Jesus and His message known. To make disciples of Jesus. It’s easy to be side-tracked and distracted with many other things but this is our prime directive and calling. Currently, it’s batter up church.
With the Rapture and mass genocide of Christians the world will at first glance seem to be without a witness.
However, even in the Tribulation, God will have His dedicated and set apart witnesses for sharing the good news of God’s love.
Let’s take a look at who they are.
SLIDE 2
1-The 144k Sealed Jewish Evangelists
And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel (Rev. 7:4).
A-144k Messianic Jews.
Whereas in the great awakenings, revivals have been lead by men like Martin Luther, John Wesley, Billy Sunday, Billy Graham, the Jesus Freaks, this one is going to be predominantly led by Messianic Jews. There will also be what’s known as the two witnesses and even an angel who will declare the gospel during the End Times.
Anti-Semitism
This, btw, is yet another reason why the devil and the beast system of the world are so antisemitic. The devil knows that God’s plan is to have 144k Jewish evangelists thus his plan is to prevent their message from spreading by wiping them off the face of the earth before they ever get started.
B- Unmarried. Single. Celibate, some versions will say they are virgins.
These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are celibate (Rev. 14:4 NASB) “These are those who have kept themselves pure.” Celibate, virgins.
In 1 Cor. 7 the apostle Paul advised that whereas its "better to marry than to burn", due to the circumstances, specifically state sanctioned persecution by the Roman govt, that it would be better to stay single. Why? Sometimes persecutors would use your family against you. Odds were high that you’d be arrested and thus no income. Often your assets were seized, this included your family being sold into slavery. There were no ancient life insurance policies if something happened to you. If you were killed your family was left to fend for themselves.
Thus, if you were a Christian, it wouldn’t be the best time to be a spouse or parent under Nero. Same goes for the Tribulation period.
-Being single also means that you can be completely devoted to Jesus.
-They’re completely devoted to Jesus.
Have you ever met anyone like that? Have you ever met someone who’s completely devoted to the Lord?
These 144k are not caught up in pursuing the American dream.
They’re not preoccupied with the cares of the world.
They don’t need to be concerned with providing for a family.
Being that they’re not married or dating, they’re living lives completely devoted to God. Similar to the apostle Paul, but there’s 144k of them, and they’re Jewish.
Imagine 144k Pauls, Jewish Billy Grahams, who are completely sold out to God.
They’re Jewish and so they’re not going to take no for an answer.
C-SEALED
However, in order that they may complete their mission, they have a “seal of God” upon them which is a way of identifying and protecting them from God’s wrath during the Tribulation.
Rev. 6 is the 4 Horsemen chapter. After the 4 horsemen we’re also told that the sun will be darkened and that there will be cosmic disturbances, “I saw stars falling to the earth like figs been shaken from a tree.” This chapter concludes by asking “Who can stand?” (Rev. 6:17). A: Those who have God’s seal upon them.
This is why the four angels (Rev. 7:1) are holding back the wind. Don’t allow wrath to begin until we’ve sealed the 144k. It doesn’t mean that other Christians are less loved and valued but simply that these 144k have a task to complete-to declare the gospel. They’re sealed and protected from these judgments.
ILLUS: Preserves. My grandparents came out of the great depression and even long after that period was over, they had gardens, grew much of their own food, and would make preserves because well, you just never know, they reasoned, when something like that could happen again.
They would take food that they’d grown in a garden, and do some stuff to it that I don’t quite understand, put it in a jar and then they’d seal it. This was done by pouring wax over the top of the preserves until it was at the brim of the jar. You’d then carefully wipe some wax around the rim itself, and place the rubber lined lid on tight. The wax and the vacuum caused by the cooling would seal that jar so tight that it could have sat on a basement shelf for years, and the jam would have been good when finally opened. They’d then often write a note on it with the date.
It was signed, sealed, preserved, protected for an event you’d hope you wouldn’t need.
But the world is going to need these 144k.
-To fill the void of the raptured church and the mass execution of Christians, God will have faithful messengers who will continue to communicate the Good News of God’s love even in the Tribulation. Evangelists. One set of messengers will be the 144k.
The 144k are sealed, designated for a specific purpose of sharing the gospel during the Tribulation period.
Once that purpose is completed, they will be called home to heaven.
Same for you and I.
EPH 1:13-14. In Him you also (turn to the person beside you), when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:13-14).
Whereas the 144k been preserved and sealed for their role in the future.
We have a role right here in the here and now.
May this inspire you to run a good race and to be faithful to the very end.
Our conditions, even meeting in this 100 degree heat will pale in comparison to the conditions of the Tribulation period. So, let’s determine to run a good race to the very end.
Take Away-you too are sealed for a purpose. We’re collectively sealed for a purpose as a church.
144k Messianic Jewish Evangelists. Secondly,
2-The Two Witnesses (Rev. 11:3-14) of Jerusalem.
And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days 3 ½ years), clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees (Holy Spirit anointed) and the two lampstands (light in a dark world that’s never to go out) that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed.” (Rev. 11:3-5)
Who are the 2 Witnesses? We don’t know for certain. Some popular theories are:
-Enoch and Elijah: Neither experienced physical death.
-Moses and Elijah: They were present at the transfiguration and the nature of their “powers”, i.e., fire and plagues do seem to resemble Elijah and Moses. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying (Elijah), and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague (Moses), as often as they desire (11:6)
-Two New Witnesses: John doesn’t reveal their identity. At the Transfiguration John had seen Moses and Elijah but here he doesn’t reveal who they are, just two witnesses.
What we do know, and more importantly, is their role in that they’re identified as:
2 Olive Trees and 2 Lampstands Rev. 11
The Tribulation will be a very dark time spiritually, much darker than it is now.
However, in addition to the 144k evangelists presumably taking the gospel to anyone who will listen (Mt. 24:14), we’re told there will also be two set apart witnesses based in Jerusalem who are described as two olive trees and two lampstands.
Lampstands-Feast of Tabernacles-John 8:12/The menorah in the temple was to always be lit and to never go out. It was meant to symbolize that His chosen people were to be a light to the world.
Jesus has somewhat repurposed this by telling His disciples on the sermon on the mount they are the light of the world (Mt. 5:14). In the Revelation given to John, Jesus will describe the church as lampstands (Rev. 1:20). Menorahs.
These lampstands are fueled by olive oil. The Olive trees, symbolizing the anointing and empowerment of the Holy Spirit upon these two witnesses who are based in Jerusalem.
It is from olive trees that the oil was collected to provide fuel for the lampstand. You need both, oil and the lamp.
Even in the Tribulation period the light of the gospel will continue to shine out of Jerusalem and into the world through these two witnesses.
-God’s Protection for 3 ½ Years. (Like the 144k) They have God’s Protection for their Mission: “if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed.” (Rev. 11:5)
-After their mission is completed in 3 ½ yrs., the two witnesses are killed by the a/c.
“And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them” (Rev. 11:7)
-People will celebrate their deaths by exchanging gifts (like Christmas-a new holiday).
-They’ll be two of the most hated men in the world. You know you’re hated when people celebrate the day you die. Why are they so hated? Truth.
-Progressives (Degenerates) can never stop progressing. Insatiable appetite. They're seeking an affirmation of their sinful lifestyle; something the two witnesses, nor we, can affirm.
-They preach the gospel, that Jesus is the way the truth and the life. They preach that you must be saved, i.e., saved from your sin nature. They prophesy judgment-this is what’s going to happen.
-First we overlook the evil. Then we permit the evil. Then we legalize the evil. Then we promote the evil. Then we celebrate the evil. Then we persecute those who call it evil.
These two witnesses however are murdered by the Antichrist and the entire world will see their bodies. Rev. 11:9 says that they will not be given a burial, but that their corpses will be left out in public for all the world to see.
-Only now, in the 21stcentury is this possible, i.e., that news can go global through our phones in less than an hour.
-God will resurrect them v. 11 (cf. Lazarus)
SLIDE 12
But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” (Rev. 11:11-12)
As a local church, we too are a lampstand for the here and now.. As we pool our resources, we collectively build a larger lampstand…menorah. However, the fuel is the Holy Spirit. Without Him we’re just another building among thousands. It’s the Holy Spirit who empowers us and distinguishes us from the rest. Once our task is completed we too will be called home to heaven.
Never put the Lord to a foolish test, but until then we’re somewhat immortal.
J. Vernon McGee: “We are immortal until God is through with us. And when He is through with you, He will remove you from the earth.”
So, we have seen that in the Tribulation period the 144k and the Two Witnesses will be declaring the gospel. Additionally, there will be…
3-An Angel
Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. (Rev. 14:6-7)
144k have been taken out. The 2 witnesses have been taken out. And much like it all started; it ends with an angelic proclamation.
This of course isn’t the first time this has happened. The arrival of Jesus was announced to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night.
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Lk. 2:10-11)
I like to think that it’s the same angel that announced the birth of Christ that’s doing this.
Shortly before Jesus returns to rule and reign, an angel will once again declare the gospel. I like to believe that it will be the same one from Luke 2…
Paranormal has become normal.
-The end times will be characterized by paranormal and supernatural events, and it makes perfect sense that God would speak to them in a way that cannot be ignored and in a context they'll understand. In the midst of the darkness of the Tribulation period, when it looks like the light of the gospel is about to be extinguished, the gospel will be proclaimed throughout the earth by an angel.
It’s one last final appeal to humanity to repent.
TAKE AWAY
I imagine that there will not be any media platforms for sharing the gospel during the End Times. However, God is going to still have His platforms.
Right Now: We are a platform for the Good News of Jesus.
Right Now: You are a platform “
Through the 144k, the 2 Witnesses, and the angel, we see God’s love proclaimed.
We see His commitment to getting the truth of the gospel out. May we always be committed to this message as well.
For now, we’re batter up. Like the 144k, and the two witnesses, we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit and commissioned to make Jesus known. May we continue to be faithful with the time and talents that have been given to us to proclaim the gospel in our church age.
How exactly?
1.You’re already doing it. We’re assembling to worship Jesus and pooling our resources (giftings, finances, and time) for this cause
2. Prayer: Don't discount the effectiveness of prayer in the preparation of people's hearts for the Good News.
3. Dare to share: it takes courage to witness. Whether the person is a stranger to you, and even more if the person is a close friend or relative it causes anxiety. Go ahead and cast your line. A few conversation starters:
-We’ve never talked about it but… Did you ever go to church or anything like that as a child? Do you have any spiritual beliefs? Do you believe in an afterlife? Ask someone how you can pray for them.
Listen and then ask for permission to share your spiritual journey.
-Invite someone to church. We don’t need to wait until we have a new building to invite a non-believer to church. Many said they would go if someone just invited them. Did you know that some people think that you actually have to be a member of a church to attend?
4. Volunteer: We’ll be doing a number of things Angel Tree, Christmas, etc.
CONCLUSION
Like the 144k you have also been commissioned and sealed.
Like the 2 witnesses you’ve been empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Light.
SLIDE 14
“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee (1 Cor. 1:21-22)
At the moment of salvation, just like grandma’s preserves, God’s seal was placed upon you. You’re secure.
But, If you havent yet asked Jesus to save you today is the day.
PRAYER
