The Beginning of the End
The Beginning of the End
Text: Revelation 6
Big Idea: God will go to drastic means to secure your future.
Purpose: To comfort and explain the reality of evil.
Introduction:
I only have memories of two major battles in my life
-both in Iraq – and one still going
What struck me
-was the inevitability
-how long it took for each of them to happen
No one should have been surprised when the first bombs were fired
-there had been warning
-troops had been built up
-diplomacy had been tried
The element of surprise was completely lost
-as it often seemed as though we told them when the bombs would fall
Battles take time to plan and execute
Even when surprise is the key element – takes planning
We say this in the past week
-as government officials were able to thwart the plans of terrorists
-to blow up airplanes flying from UK to USA
-the terrorist – had to make plans
-which were thankfully thwarted
In our text today
-Jesus is opening the seals to read God’s will
-the deed to His universe
And as those seals are broken
-it becomes painfully obvious that Christ is getting ready
-to claim what is rightfully His
-and to use force
-because force will be necessary
Today
-We see evil around us
-we grow impatient
-but despite our desire for immediate peace from Satan’s grip
-and even though we may grow frustrated
-we get a glimpse – in this picture
That while evil appears to be winning
It is just a matter of time
-because Christ is setting up His warriors
-and He will take what is rightfully His
Sermon Body:
*Evil is not easily dismissed.
-despite the easy solutions of people
-if it were my kids - I'd handle it
-why don't you just fix it
Some people don’t even believe that evil is real – everyone is good
Some will deny that Satan is real – has no ability to hurt
-but Satan has done serious damage
-has attempted to stake a claim to God’s creation
-and refuses to go peacefully
-even though Christ holds the deed
For churches who first read this
-comfort – the Roman rule, was an enemy occupation
For us today
-similar comfort – whenever we think the world has gone crazy
-and see signs that make us think there is no fear of God
*Jesus is preparing to make His claim.
-and it will not be made without force
-He came to divide, bring a sword
-this is His creation.
Look at His deployment
-don’t get too caught up in colors, reading too much into it
-try to get a feel for what is going on – horses, warriors, justice, death
-all point to a violent reclamation of Christ’s own
*Responses differ to Christ's battle.
-some fear/are ignorant the battle is happening
-the entire book of Revelation can be frightening
-often, it is frightening, because people do not see the battle
-have a life at peace – have not felt the hand of the enemy
-and the talk of war, seems almost harsh, at least strikes fear
-this battle is needed – even when we do not see the war
-we can be lulled to sleep – in Western world
-where the Gospel of Christ has been central to advancement of history
-But though Christ is known – Satan and forces still at work – bringing evil
-tempting us to sin, persuading God’s people of lies
-some want justice - but easy justice
-some are longing for justice
-like the saints after the fifth seal
-they wanted Jesus to act
-they wanted to see Christ on His throne
-they wanted the enemy to be served justice
-and a battle for them was reason to cheer
-Illustration - April 9, 2003 - Saddam's statue comes down
-Iraqi's - truly happy
-Americans - appalled by war
*God's people are crying for justice.
-example of Psalms
-noted in verse 9
-Christians in China
*Comforting thoughts:
*God is willing to go to drastic measures to secure your future.
-He will go to battle for you
-Even give His life for you
-Justice will be served
-If you have struggled with evil
-as a victim, guilt, succumbed to the lie
-for you, this is a comfort
-Evil, the bad side, your corrupt nature
-will not always have a claim
-Christ is ready to battle
*God's wrath is about to be unleashed on evil.
-not just save – but proclaim judgment
-and His wrath will purify creation
-ridding Satan of all His power
How do I know? - must confess I’ve read the end of the book
-and we can be assured – Satan will be put away
-because Christ is willing to go to war
*God promises His protection to His children.
-although we struggle with fear
-uneasy at the thought of war
-will be subject to damage
-Christ has marked His children – not to be harmed
Conclusion:
The sound of gunfire would frighten most
-make you duck, run for cover
But to the hostage – subject to torture from the evil ones
-gunfire is the sound of liberation
Christ – bringing His warriors
-might be a frightening
-but it is the sound of eternal liberation from the influence of evil