God's Sovereignty and Salvation in Revelation

 

Summary

In my sermon, I began by addressing the congregation at Hope City, reminding them that we were resuming our "Kingdom Come" series in the book of Revelation after a two-week hiatus for Easter and our church's 10-year anniversary. I emphasized the importance of understanding Revelation in the context of the original audience—the seven churches in Asia Minor—and how this understanding can be bridged to our lives today. I reassured everyone that despite the foretold tribulations, God ultimately triumphs over evil.

I then led the congregation in the Lord's Communion, reflecting on the significance of Jesus as the perfect Lamb of God, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. This act of communion served as a reminder of God's great love and sacrifice, paralleling the Passover in Egypt when the blood of a lamb spared the Israelites from the angel of death. I highlighted that Jesus' blood now covers us, ensuring that we will not face the second death but will be welcomed into God's kingdom.

As we partook in communion, I encouraged the congregation to offer their lives as a living sacrifice to God, expressing gratitude for His sacrifice and asking for the Holy Spirit to continue to work within us. I also announced the provision of Spanish translation services during our first service to accommodate more members of our community.

I then prayed over the offerings, emphasizing that giving is an extension of our worship and expressing our gratitude to God for His provision. I prayed for wisdom and biblical stewardship for our church leadership as we steward the resources for the kingdom of God.

Returning to the sermon, I delved into Revelation chapter 6, describing the opening of the first four seals by the Lamb, which unleashed the four horsemen of the apocalypse, symbolizing conquest, war, famine, and death. I explained that these events are not necessarily chronological but represent the types of judgments that will befall the earth. I reassured the congregation that none of these events would occur until God permits them, affirming His sovereignty and control.

I also touched on the fifth seal, revealing the souls of martyrs under the altar, crying out for justice. This passage reassured us that the blood of the martyrs is precious to God and that they are given white robes as a symbol of their faithfulness. I shared my personal struggle with understanding why there must be a specific number of faithful to die before justice prevails but found comfort in God's sovereignty and control over this number.

I then addressed the current events, drawing parallels with the signs of the end times mentioned in the Bible, such as wars and rumors of wars. I urged the congregation to remain faithful, just as the seven churches were called to do, and to trust in God's control over all things.

As I concluded the sermon, I presented the good news that the great day of God's wrath has not yet occurred and the bad news that it is inevitable. I cited 2 Peter 3:9 to remind everyone that God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance. I extended an invitation for salvation, leading those who decided to follow Christ in a prayer of repentance and commitment.

Key Takeaways:

1. The act of communion is not merely a ritual; it is a profound reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for us, paralleling the Passover and providing us with salvation from the second death. As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are called to remember and reflect on the depth of God's love and the significance of Jesus as the Lamb of God. [38:27]

2. Our offerings and tithes are more than financial transactions; they are an integral part of our worship, reflecting our gratitude and trust in God's provision. As we give, we acknowledge God as the source of all we have and commit to using our resources to further His kingdom on earth. [45:18]

3. The opening of the seals in Revelation chapter 6 serves as a sobering reminder that God's judgment is both just and inevitable. However, it also reassures us of God's sovereignty, as nothing will unfold without His command. This should comfort us, knowing that God is in control even in the midst of chaos. [55:01]

4. The souls of the martyrs under the altar in Revelation chapter 6 are a testament to the value God places on the faithfulness of His people. Their cries for justice and the white robes they receive signify the honor and recognition they are given in the kingdom of heaven. [01:08:43]

5. God's patience in delaying the day of judgment is an expression of His desire for all to come to repentance. This patience is an opportunity for salvation, and it is a call for us to share the gospel with urgency, knowing that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly. [01:18:16]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 6:1-8 (The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse)
2. Revelation 6:9-11 (The Fifth Seal and the Martyrs)
3. 2 Peter 3:9 (God's Patience and Desire for Repentance)

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the four horsemen of the apocalypse, and what do they symbolize? (Revelation 6:1-8)
2. How does the sermon describe the significance of the blood of the martyrs under the altar? [01:07:35]
3. What is the significance of the white robes given to the martyrs in Revelation 6:11?
4. According to 2 Peter 3:9, why has the day of God's wrath not yet occurred?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the imagery of the four horsemen in Revelation 6:1-8 help us understand the types of judgments that will befall the earth? [53:56]
2. What comfort can believers find in knowing that none of the events described in Revelation 6 will occur without God's permission? [55:01]
3. How does the sermon explain the importance of God's patience as described in 2 Peter 3:9? [01:18:16]
4. Why might there be a specific number of martyrs that must be reached before justice prevails, and how does this reflect God's sovereignty? [01:09:39]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the act of communion as described in the sermon. How can you make this practice more meaningful in your personal spiritual life? [38:27]
2. The sermon emphasizes that our offerings and tithes are an extension of our worship. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust in God's provision through your giving? [45:18]
3. Considering the judgments described in Revelation 6, how can you find comfort in God's sovereignty and control over all events? [55:01]
4. The sermon mentions the value God places on the faithfulness of His people, as seen in the martyrs' white robes. How can you remain faithful in your daily walk with God, even in the face of challenges? [01:08:43]
5. God's patience in delaying the day of judgment is an opportunity for salvation. How can you share the gospel with urgency, knowing that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly? [01:18:16]
6. Reflect on the current events mentioned in the sermon. How can you remain faithful and trust in God's control over all things, just as the seven churches were called to do? [01:24:16]
7. The sermon concludes with an invitation for salvation. If you have not yet made a commitment to follow Christ, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you help others make this important decision? [01:19:54]

Devotional

Day 1: Communion: Remembering the Ultimate Sacrifice
Communion is a profound act that goes beyond ritual, serving as a powerful reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity. As believers partake in the Lord's Supper, they are called to remember and reflect on the depth of God's love and the significance of Jesus as the Lamb of God. This sacred tradition parallels the Passover, where the blood of a lamb spared the Israelites, and now, Jesus' blood ensures salvation from the second death for believers. It is a time to offer one's life as a living sacrifice, expressing gratitude for His sacrifice and inviting the Holy Spirit to work within. [38:27]

"For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Corinthians 5:7-8 ESV)

Reflection: How does participating in communion challenge and inspire you to live out your faith more fully in your daily life?

Day 2: Worship Through Giving
Offerings and tithes are an integral part of worship, reflecting gratitude and trust in God's provision. When believers give, they acknowledge God as the source of all they have and commit to using their resources to further His kingdom on earth. This act of giving is not merely a financial transaction; it is a spiritual discipline that demonstrates a heart aligned with God's purposes and a willingness to participate in His work. [45:18]

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a more generous heart towards God's work, and how might this change your approach to giving?

Day 3: God's Sovereignty Amidst Judgment
The opening of the seals in Revelation chapter 6 serves as a sobering reminder of God's just and inevitable judgment. However, it also reassures believers of God's sovereignty, as nothing will unfold without His command. This should comfort believers, knowing that God is in control even in the midst of chaos, and that His plans are ultimately for the good of those who love Him. [55:01]

"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne." (Revelation 6:9 ESV)

Reflection: How does the knowledge of God's sovereignty in times of judgment and chaos influence your trust in Him during personal trials?

Day 4: The Honor of Martyrdom
The souls of the martyrs under the altar in Revelation chapter 6 are a testament to the value God places on the faithfulness of His people. Their cries for justice and the white robes they receive signify the honor and recognition they are given in the kingdom of heaven. This passage is a poignant reminder that the sacrifices made for the faith are not forgotten by God but are held in high esteem. [01:08:43]

"Then they cried out with a loud voice, 'O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?'" (Revelation 6:10 ESV)

Reflection: How can the example of the martyrs' faithfulness and God's recognition of their sacrifice encourage you to stand firm in your own faith?

Day 5: The Urgency of Repentance
God's patience in delaying the day of judgment is an expression of His desire for all to come to repentance. This patience is an opportunity for salvation, and it is a call for believers to share the gospel with urgency, knowing that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly. The invitation to salvation is open, and it is the responsibility of believers to extend this invitation to others. [01:18:16]

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9 ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to share the message of repentance and salvation with someone who has not yet experienced the grace of God?

Quotes

"But what has comforted me is the fact that there is a number. And because there is a number, that's a specific number that needs to be completed. Again, it's a reminder that God is ultimately in control. That God is sovereign. It's the same way when we think about, man, God knows the number of hairs on each person's head. That God knows this number. Whatever number that is, man, God is good and God is gracious. And ultimately, God is control." [01:10:35]( | | )

"Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the mighty, and everyone else. That's where you and I fit in. And everyone else. Both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. When this comes to take place, it does not matter. Your title does not matter. King, president, CEO, commander, sergeant, leader. Your economic status is not going to matter. The house you live in. The car you drive. The lifestyle you live." [01:13:49]( | | )

"The famine is going to be so severe. The food shortage is going to be so severe. It's as if you worked a full day. You earned $80. And you went to Chick-fil-A. And for $80 you got the number one meal. A sandwich. A sandwich, medium fries, and a medium drink. For $80. That just feeds one person. That doesn't feed your family. Let's say you want to treat your honey to dinner. That's two number one meals. That's going to cost you $160." [01:00:57]( | | )

"So again, this vision came to the prophet Ezekiel in the Old Testament. And now it comes again to these seven churches in the province of Asia. See, what I believe is that the book of Revelation was sent to the seven churches in the province of Asia on purpose. It was supposed to be a wake-up call of what is coming. An encouragement as we read from those seven letters to the seven churches. Some encouragement to remain. To remain faithful to the very end." [01:06:26]( | | )

"There needed to be bloodshed in order for the forgiveness of sins. And so Jesus came as the perfect lamb of God. Who took away the sins of the world. And so the moment you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, it's his blood that covers your life, that covers your heart. And so that when we pass from this life, from this earth, we will not experience the second death. But the second death will pass over us as we're welcomed into the kingdom of God to spend eternity with Jesus forever." [38:27]( | | )

"Now, I want you to pay attention. That it is the lamb who is the one who is opening the seal. In other words, none of this happens unless the lamb says it's going to happen. Which means that ultimately God is in control. Everything that we're about to read, all the destruction and chaos upon the earth that we're about to read. None of that happens until the lamb says so. Which tells us that Jesus is the one who's in control. That he is the one who's in control." [56:14]( | | )

"The good news is this day hasn't happened yet. Now hear me again. The good news is. The great day of their wrath has not happened yet. The bad news. It's coming. Listen to what Peter says in 2 Peter chapter 3 verse 10. Peter says. He describes it so perfectly. Peter says. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The good news. It hasn't happened yet. The bad news. It's coming. And we don't know when." [01:17:22]( | | )

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise. As some understand. As some understand slowness. He is patient with you. Not wanting anyone to perish. But everyone to come to repentance. The reason why it hasn't happened yet. Because God has been patient. Not wanting anyone. Not wanting you." [01:18:16]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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