A Glimpse of God’s Wrath

Revelation 6:12–17 NASB 95

12 I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. 14 The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

A Glimpse of God’s Wrath

Introduction

Review seals opened

White horse of deception-Antichrist

Red horse of war

Black horse of famine and disease.

Pale horse of death and hades

Souls of the Martyrs under the altar

Now this, the worst judgement yet.

Up to this point I have focused on getting our own relationship right with God and that relationship of family and friends right with God.

But now as we get further into the judgments we would not even want our worst enemy to have to suffer such terrible judgement.

I say this realizing that it goes against everything we have ever been taught by this old world.

This world teaches us to take care of self at all costs.

When someone hurts us, we get even.

Most of us realize that there is a point to which we can go to get even then no farther.

But it seems that fewer and fewer know where this point is.

I admit it certainly helps to tell someone off who has just fabricated a lie that would ruin your reputation.

I agree something must be done when wronged for no reason.

But Jesus teaches that getting even is not the way, turning the other cheek is.

What I am going to teach today is contrary to your way of thinking.

Listen carefully for what God says in his word, we would not want even our worst enemy to experience.

Pray

The Catastrophe

The Devastation vv.12-14

Revelation 6:12–14 NASB 95

12 I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. 14 The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

A great earthquake

Jesus predicted there would be more earthquakes in latter days than ever before

Matthew 24:7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.”

The O T predicted earthquakes in the end times.

Ezekiel 38:19 “In My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.”

Haggai 2:6 “For thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.” (NASB)

Three times earthquakes are mentioned in Revelation, here, 11:13 and 16:17-19.

The sun will be blackened, the moon becomes red, the stars fall from the sky and the sky will roll up like a scroll.

Possibly caused by the great earthquake as dust rises to cover the sun, moon and stars.

No one really knows but obviously something will happen in the sky.

Even the mountains and Islands will be moved from their places.

Truly severe times are coming.

These times mark the approach of a very dreadful day.

A day that we would not wish on our worst enemy and certainly not on a family member or friend.

Remember you and I have been equipped to take the love of Jesus to our world. Are you doing it?

The Result

Revelation 6:15–16 NASB 95

15 Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;

Notice who John singles out, Kings, commanders, rich, and strong.

Those accustomed to self-reliance will cower before the wrath of God.

Those men turn to in times of trouble are no longer a source of strength.

But not only will the rich and powerful cower but so will the slave and free man cower before the wrath of God.

They hide in caves and between the rocks hoping they will fall on them and kill them for they do not want to be there for what happens next.

The Reason

Revelation 6:16–17 NASB 95

16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

During the time of tribulation God’s wrath will be plain to see.

As of now when we defy God generally there is no immediate response by God.

Those consequences come over a period of time.

But in the tribulation that response will be immediate.

Those who defied God and rejected him will not want to be in his presence especially when they see how terrible his presence is.

They will realize no one can stand before such as this and they will fear but many will still reject God.

The great tribulation will be a terrible time beyond imagination.

That is proven by just these 1st 6 judgments yet one more seals remains to be opened and the 7 trumpets and vial judgments.

So What? What does that have to do with me?

This you would not wish on your worst enemy.

I believe God wrote this book to show us just how terrible this time will be.

I believe he wanted you and I to have compassion on those around us.

To be willing to suffer and do whatever we must to prevent this judgement from falling on those we come into contact with.

If that is true, you and I must understand God’s call on the life of a Christian.

What is that Call?

It begins with the admission of sinfulness

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (NASB)

All men are sinners because sin entered the world through Adam.

Sin continues today separating us from God.

That sin caused Adam to be cast from the Garden and an Angel kept Guard so no man could return to God on his own.

Sin then separates us from God and brings death

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NASB)

The answer is repentance and asking forgiveness

Acts 3:19 “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;” (NASB)

This you cannot do on your own.

Ephesians 2:8–10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (NASB)

God provided the way to himself

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (NASB)

Have you realized this truth in your life?

If so God has called us to be his messengers to all those we come into contact with.

That is why we must not wish this great tribulation on our worst enemy.

Danger is often hidden from us.

If you were traveling down the road and danger lurked ahead of you would you like for someone to tell you?

Perhaps a bridge is out

Maybe the road washed away because of a flood.

If you continue unaware this washout becomes very dangerous.

Now a days the GDOT have vehicles that help stranded motorists on the interstate hwys.

They have lights, and signs to warn those of us who do not realize the trouble that lies ahead.

They keep us from harm.

How thankful I was for someone willing to tell me to slow down and be aware of a hazard ahead

Don’t you think that those who are going to face this terrible wrath would like to know what is ahead of them?

Conclusion:

The sixth seal judgement tells us terrible wrath awaits those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are among those who have rejected him to this point do not leave this place having rejected Christ.

If on the other hand you are a Christian then today commit to taking the love of God to every soul you know.

Even to those you don’t know.

Tell them how to become a Christian and avoid this terrible time of tribulation.

A Glimpse of God’s Wrath