The Seven-Fold Blessing in the Book of Revelation, Part 2
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Introduction
Introduction
Text
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
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.”
Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.
“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
Revelation 16.15
Review
The word "blessed” was pronounced 7 times in this Book.
- blessed are those who hear, read and keep the prophecies written in this book for the time is near
this is a general blessing pronounced to all who will hear, read and keep...
what follows is blessedness pronounced to specific group of people in a specific time in the future
Background
contain visions and prophecies towards the end of the Great Tribulation; the 2nd blessedness is pronounced
are Great Tribulation events
speaks of the two beasts, one from the sea and one from the earth, and the image of the beast that will be worshiped in the Great Tribulation
- contain the seven bowls of the wrath of God
- the 7 bowls of wrath; in the sixth bowl the 3rd blessedness is pronounced
Main Points
Main Points
Blessedness #2 - blessed are the dead who die on the Lord from now on
Blessedness #2 - blessed are the dead who die on the Lord from now on
Where is the blessedness
Where is the blessedness
In “dying in the Lord”
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.”
How do you die “in the Lord”?
how do you die “in the Lord”?
contain important messages for the “saints” left behind to endure the Great Tribulation
The Everlasting gospel will be proclaimed all over the world
Revelation 14.6-7
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—
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.”
This gospel is a final herald for people to recognize and give glory to God
This gospel is a message of warning and encouragement for those “left behind”
The fall of Babylon is pronounced
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.”
The final warning against the beast and his image is delivered
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,
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.
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.”
Revelation 14.9-11
The saints are called and encouraged to endure
Revelation 14.12-
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Revelation 13.10
Blessed are the “saints” who will die in the Lord in the during the Great Tribulation
their blessedness is in their “dying in the Lord”
Revelation 14.6-
they have no recourse but to give give up their lives in the hands of the Antichrist army
He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,
and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Revelation 13.
The saints who will die in the Lord have these qualities
Patience
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24.13-14
Mark 10
Obedience to God’s commandments
Faith in Jesus
Why they are blessed
Why they are blessed
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.”
Revelation 14.13
They will rest from their labors
grk anapauo - to be refreshed, to give intermission from labor
the same word is used in
their labors - their struggles during the time of tribulation
Their works will follow them
their works will be accounted for and rewarded!
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”
And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7.9-
they have come out of the great tribulation
Blessedness #3 - blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments
Blessedness #3 - blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments
Where is the blessedness
Where is the blessedness
in watching and keep the garment
the warning is given to those who will find themselves in the Great Tribulation
two more qualities necessary for those who are blessed in the time of tribulation
they are watchful - to be vigilant against the works of the Antichrist
they keep their garments - to hold on to one’s integrity
the blessedness is pronounced after three unclean spirits are exposed
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Revelation 16.13-
Why they are blessed
Why they are blessed
they will not walk naked
to walk naked is to be shamed after your you have testified of your faith in Christ
to walk naked is to be found liar
to walk naked is to be found wanting in the Day of the LORD
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
Revelation 3.3
Conclusion
Conclusion
Although the Great Tribulation will come as promised - unlike any other time - God is watching over the saints “left behind” after the Rapture.
These prophecies and warnings give us all the more reason to be ready for the coming of the Lord in the Rapture!
Don’t be left behind!