The Suspense is Killing Me!!!
Revelation • Sermon • Submitted
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· 17 viewsThe supense in sanctification, sovereignty, sickness, sowing.
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Transcript
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Intro: (Me)
Intro: (Me)
Suspense is the eager or anxious anticipation of a result
Promotion board results
“Wait til you Dad gets home!”
Pregnancy and birth
Sick in hospital last year
You
You
Promotions
Discipline
Births
Life threatening illness
All of us can identify with an air of suspense recognizing the fear and dread or the joy and excitement that comes with it.
God
God
The entirety of our passage displays suspense…Suspense in certain areas plain and hard to reveal.
One particular question will be answered tonight that has been asked about a month ago...
Tonight I want to look at this passage like one of those “staring” pictures. We are going to intently gaze on this chapter to see some nuances that may have been hidden to you in times past. Remember those pictures…stare at this for 30 seconds, then look at a white wall…
We may have cruised over this passage throughout the years, but I home staring at these 11 verses will bring the silhouette of truth because of the light of Christ.
So what does God say in this chapter.
Read Chapter.
Pray
I. Paraphrase the chapter
Suspense and Sanctification
Suspense and Sanctification
Presence of God
Presence of God
Promotion board results
Some think this is Christ
Why?
Similar description to
Holding the Scroll
Why not?
Similar description to , but it is not the same.
This hides Christ, not reveals Christ.
Christ is to be revealed or uncovered - The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Christ is not confused with angels in revelation.
Here’s the difference:
I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.
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.
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.
Likely another angel
another: Gk. Allon - another of same type or kind, so that it is identical. Gk. Heteron, another, but different somehow.
Swears by God Creator
Raising hand echoes Daniel’s vision of an Angel in
Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
The Angel’s description reflects God’s holiness or presence.
Purpose
Purpose of God
Purpose of God
“Wait til you Dad gets home!”
Angels in the Old Testament - Shining, people fell as dead at their presence
Moses - Coming down the mountain, his face shone, people requested a veil to hide the glory
Jesus - the mount of transfiguration - shining, white garments
What does that have to do with us? What does that have to do with suspense?
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Definition
A comprehensive definition of santification by the New Hampshire Baptist Confession (1833) states: “We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means—especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer” (Article X)
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Definition
A comprehensive definition of santification by the New Hampshire Baptist Confession (1833) states: “We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means—especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer” (Article X)
Purpose of God
Purpose of God
Pregnancy and birth
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. Purpose of God
14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. Purpose of God
Purpose of God
Purpose of God
Moses - get the 10 commandments
Stephen - The Gospel
The New King James Version Chapter 6
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Suspense and Sanctification
Suspense and Sanctification
What does this have to do with me...
When will I stop sinning?
present your self a s a living sacrifice
present your instruments as instruments of righteousness
Spiritual disicplines - be transforme
What is God’s will for my life?
Love him with all you got, nose to your toes, mind soul and body
Love others as yourself
Suspense and the Sovereignty of God
Suspense and the Sovereignty of God
We see the angel displaying the sovereignty of God by
Displays the presence of God
Stands on the sea and land
Cries with a loud authoritative voice
Raises hand to heaven and swears by the creator
Message that the delay is ended
Means and Timing: when the seventh Angel sounds
then… the Mystery to be revealed
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
Side note: What are the seven thunders? No one knows! There is no scripture that says “the seven thunders are...”
Closest conjectures are:
The same loud voices in 11:15, but the message wasn’t to be revealed yet
- Seven fold voice of God
over the waters
is powerful
full of majesty
breaks the cedars
divides the flames of fire
shakes the wilderness
commands birth
Who knows? This is where we trust the sovereignty of God in not revealing all.
What is the Sovereignty of God?
The easies explanation is the Lord’s prayer:
The New King James Version Chapter 6
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
God’s will being accomplished because of who he is.
Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary Sovereignty of God
a theological term that refers to the unlimited power of God, who has sovereign control over the affairs of nature and history
What is the suspense of God’s sovereignty?
Will this happen, will that happen? When? What? Why? How?
We need to recognize his sovereignty in three aspects
God is in control and does not violate his character
God’s word is sovereign in our lives
God’s mystery will be revealed in his timing.
Footprints in the Sand
The suspense is not knowing the answers, but recognizing God is sovereign. We live this out through faith.
Listen to these verses:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Walking by faith is trusting in the Sovereignty of God being responsible for our obedience.
The suspense of Sovereignty…you won’t get all the answers to keep walking...
Suspense in Sickness...
Suspense in Sickness...
The little book, little scroll in the angel’s hand…What is it?
The same scroll of abominations that Ezekiel had to eat in Ezekiel 3
Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.
And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.
Others say it was the same scroll opened in Chapter 5 of Revelation.
Mean
Meaning that the Angel could be the same angel - the Angel of the Scroll
3. Meaning that the Angel could be the same angel - the Angel of the Scroll
This scroll is unsealed
Thought the Ezekiel and John’s experience are similar, it is not the same.
Ezekiel was sent to Israel
John to the whole world
The message is the same
it is sweet to eat
but sour to digest
What is the sickness?
God’s Word
God’s Word
It is sweet to believers
Read through and see all the explanation of reading God’s word.
Honey, bread, mIlk, and meat are used to describe God’s Word
It is the sour we don’t digest well, and sickens us
God’s Judgment is the sickness. What God foretells will happen to rebellious mankind is sickness to express...
God will judge you one day
Your going to hell
God’s love is today, but his wrath tomorrow
Repent! For the kingdom of God is at hand!
We like telling the good things of God but resist telling the finality of HIs word for unbelievers.
That is the suspense…we look forward to with anxiety to share the truth of God’s judgment with others
Suspense and Sowing
Suspense and Sowing
In the close of this chapter we see that John is commanded to prophesy about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.
John is to foretell the truth to all mankind.
There is a parable that illustrates sowing as spreading the word of God. TheParable of the Sower -
As sowers we are only to sow...
We to are to go and tell...
We to are to go and tell...
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
The suspense in sowing the word is...
not knowing the condition of the heart
not knowing the response of the individual
We are not to worry about the result of sowing, but are to just sow...
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
What about you...
What about you...
Are you embracing the suspense?
The suspense of sanctification - oh lord change me
The suspense of Sovereignty - Oh Lord I trust you
The suspense of Sickness - Oh Lord save one more
The Suspense of Sowing - Oh Lord give me boldness
Are you embracing the suspense in obedience?
Are you walking by faith?
What about us?
What about us?
Imagine if we all walked by faith…what would happen
Would we gaze upon God’s holiness and be changed
Would we grasp God’s goodness in any situation
Would we embrace the sick(God’s judgment) and spread the Gospel with boldness?
Will you let suspense propel you in faith or bind you in fear?