Sermon Central
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The Lamb Of God And The Mission Of The 144,000 Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 23, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: God always gives us an unswerving and reliable path to follow: fear and worship Him. Even during the Great Tribulation, He is still calling humanity to revere and praise Him in everything we do.
Alpha and Omega, Part 40, Revelation Part 17
The Lamb of God and the Mission of the 144,000
Introduction
- Been studying Revelation together, to understand God’s plan for creation
-- REM: Redemption of sin is granted through Jesus; and yes, we have a choice
- Last time, we concluded our exploration of the False Prophet (religious ldr.)
-- Before that, we examined his partner, the Antichrist – Satan’s political leader
- See this: From his resurrecting in Rev 13:3, to now, he imitates God
-- He is so desperate to be accepted that he does the things of God to fool us
-- REM: His desire is to hurt God, to get back at God, so he attacks humanity
-- Why? For being cast out of Heaven – and the False Prophet is his spokesman
- Today, we again get the privilege of looking at the glory of Heaven
-- It is important that we see this – as an encouragement to what is coming
- Something to remember here: The world in these days will be horrifying
-- The terrors that afflict humanity will be truly without measure or compare
-- It’ll be the most devastating scary movie that has ever been written or seen
- And even still, we see a terrible man rise to power to make it even worse
-- See: The tribulation is NOT all about the Antichrist – but actually about God
-- It is about God’s wrath on humanity for our sin and wickedness through time
- Yet, while this happening – or being revealed to John – something is shown
-- God, in His great mercy, knows the mind of man can only take so much
-- Truly, if you were seeing this for yourself you may not be able to handle it
- It’s probably why (lightbulb moment) we often tune biblical truth out
-- We choose to stop seeing application because of the effect it has (call to change)
-- REM: To evangelize and tell about Jesus IS our #1 priority and job
- So, what God does is take this chapter to bring encouragement to believers
-- His desire is for us to see that comfort is coming – His grace brings His reward
-- Faithfulness to Him ought to be our goal – our motivation – our desire!
- Read Revelation 14:1-7 / Pray for wisdom
-- TR: Let’s start with this incredible vision we see in Heaven …
Point 1 – God’s Evangelists during the Great Tribulation
- When it comes to knowing the truth, we must see this (tie to Ch. 4 and 7)
-- FACT: The Lamb is Jesus, the Lord of Hosts – the Redeemer we are given
-- The redeemed will be seen with Jesus, in Heaven: picture of security (v1)
- He is seen standing on Mount Zion – another name for Heaven
-- More specifically refers to the heavenly city of God, the new Jerusalem
-- In no other place in scripture does this refer to anything but God’s city
-- APP: Those who have found their trust in Him are seen with Him
- But, specifically, look who is seen: the 144,000 (redeemed Jews from Trib.)
-- These are those who’ve taken a vow to be faithful to Christ (without blemish)
-- They are Christians who will not deny Christ even in the face of the Antichrist
- They are sealed with God’s name, the name of the Lamb’s Father
-- This is why they are there – they are joined with Him forever
-- They refused the seal of the Antichrist, and vowed to only serve God
- Now, don’t miss this … these redeemed will hear the voice of God (v2)
-- Imagine having the privilege of hearing God speak directly to them!
- Notice how John hears God’s powerful voice – he is very descriptive
• His voice is the sound of rushing waters (forceful and majestic)
o GR: hudór; water
• His voice is like the sound of thunder (rumbling and mighty)
o GR: bronté; thunder
• His voice is also like the sound of many harps (restful, comforting)
o GR: kithara; a harp
- So, not only are they identified with Jesus, but they will hear from God
-- They also have the privilege of bearing God’s mark of salvation
-- Their ministry will be one of salvation – and God alone directs them
- The point: the 144,000 will receive commission from God – His own words
-- BIG: God is the source of their “want to” – He speaks, they respond!
- Notice how they respond: They respond in worship! In obedience! In glory!
-- They sing a new song, a song of praise and worship that is unknow today
