Onward Christian Soldiers
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Do you know who are the most challenging opponents to face and beat in a sports competition? Those that you have beat but they never see themselves as losers!
They keep doing the basics, doing what they know, doing the right thing. And if you’re not careful and let your guard down, those champions will rally, comeback, and beat you.
When we left chapter 13 it looked like Satan was winning. He was waging war against the saints and winning for a season. Revelation 13:7
7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
What Satan didn’t know was he was waging a war against champions! This morning as we look at Revelation 14, I want you to experience the thrill of victory and witness the agony of defeat for Satan and his followers!
The Sure Victory of the Saints.
The Sure Victory of the Saints.
Look at the picture in Revelation 14:1-5
1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
I have to admit when I read that something swells up in me. I mean Satan, the Antichrist, and the false prophet is giving the saints all they have and it seems like they’re winning, but they look up to hills from whence comes my help and there stands Jesus and the 144,000 representative of all the saints at this point. It reminds me of the aha moment in a movie like Rocky, when the hero rallies, finds the strength that we knew he had the whole time, and comes back for the victory.
These saints are singing; “I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided…” I really don’t know what they were singing because we have never heard it, but it is a victor’s song! It will strike fear in the heart of Satan and his followers.
Notice some of the indicators of the saint’s victory.
They are standing.
They are sealed.
They are sanctified — uncorrupted Colossians 1:21-22
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—
They are symbols of what Christ will do for us now in the present age.
Why all of this about the 144,000? Because we need to be filled with confidence to live like champions for Christ in all circumstances. When forces look insurmountable we must be undeterred!
Why all of this about the 144,000? Because we need to be filled with confidence to live like champions for Christ in all circumstances. When forces look insurmountable we must be undeterred!
The Certain Defeat of Satan and his Followers.
The Certain Defeat of Satan and his Followers.
Listen to me this morning, those whose heart is in this world and live for this world, regardless of how well they seem to be doing now, are on the losing team.
Christian you be careful not to think that because someone is prosperous they don’t need the Gospel.
The Gospel is about life not prosperity!
The Gospel is about transformation not transactions.
Satan is deceiving people into mining for Fool’s Gold. Fighting for diminishing riches! Don’t be deceived by it, and don’t withhold from your prosperous associates the life-giving message of the Gospel.
In Revelation 14:6-13 we see three angels with four messages that solidify Satan’s defeat.
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.”
Notice first that the message of Satan’s defeat is bookended by Saint’s victory. Verse 7 & 13, that’s two messages by the angels.
Then there are two messages of the complete dissolution of Satan and his followers. Revelation 14:8-11
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.”
Nations will fall.
Economic systems will fail.
Those who have followed riches, worldly religions, and gave their heart to this world will be swept away in God’s wrath.
I would be unfaithful if I skipped over the picture of God’s wrath here.
They will drink of the wrath of God which is the full strength of His indignation.
Tormented day and night with fire and brimstone.
The smoke of this torment ascends day and night and they receive no rest.
This warning is not placed in scripture just to scare us into serving God. It is here to let us know the end of Satan and his puffed up kingdom, and to warn us not to get wrapped up in his destruction.
Be sure of this however, those who do not turn from sin, self, and Satan will face the fiery indignation of God’s wrath. Therefore our duty is to warn!
The destruction of Satan and his world system is detailed in chapters 15-19 of Revelation.
Let me end the message this morning with the unquestionable steps of Champions, because the point of chapter 14 is this: We may get down and out but we will not be defeated. We may lose some battles but we will win the war! Satan may take us out of this world, but he can’t snatch us from God’s gripe.
The Unquestionable Steps of Champions.
The Unquestionable Steps of Champions.
What do champions do when it looks like the other side is winning?
Notice a few things here with me:
We don’t quit! We stand with Jesus and continue to share the Gospel.
We sing! We praise God in the midst of the battle. We rally ourselves.
We determine ourselves to serve him regardless of the sacrifice.
We seek to share Him with others.
We submit to obey Him. Have you ever noticed a winning team? The keep doing what they know is right.
The key to understanding chapter 14 is verse 13. Listen to Revelation 14:13
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.”
I can’t even begin to unwrap all this today but let me just say this world is hard and it will only get worse. But, there is a blessing in know Jesus, even if it cost you your life. What is that?
Rest! Not sleep but satisfaction, security, peace. The lack of anxiety.
Reward — our works will follow us. I think of the ongoing reward in eternity of the unrealized work here on earth. The idea is those who invest in the world lose everything and those who turn to God lose nothing!
Let’s pray as our worship team comes to lead us in a time of response.
Response Time:
Response Time:
I think we spend much of our time on earth switching sides. Not that we loose our salvation, but the line blurs between the two kingdoms. We need God’s help to see clearly.
I think we spend much of our time on earth switching sides. Not that we loose our salvation, but the line blurs between the two kingdoms. We need God’s help to see clearly.
It is not uncommon for someone to get religion and miss Christ! You see Christ changes our outlook on life. It is impossible to truly surrender to Christ and not be effected by that.
It is not uncommon for someone to get religion and miss Christ! You see Christ changes our outlook on life. It is impossible to truly surrender to Christ and not be effected by that.
Sometimes we get battle fatigue and we need refreshed by a fellow soldier.
Sometimes we get battle fatigue and we need refreshed by a fellow soldier.