Revelation Sermon - 15

Revelation: What is Going on Here?

Revelation 6:1-8

1. Introduction – We come today to the part of Revelation where most people stop reading and most preachers stop preaching.

a. The journey has been pretty great so far. Chapter 1 – an awesome vision of Jesus standing in the middle of his church.

i. Chapters 2-3 – wonderfully practical letters written to seven historical churches. Letters that are still applicable to us today.

1. Chapters 4-5 wow! Just wow! Does it get any better than what we read in those 2 chapters? An epic vision of the throne room of God and of the Lamb – Jesus.

b. And its here that most people either stop reading or skip to the end of the book and read chapters 21-22 and call it day.

i. But this huge section in between – chapters 6-20 are of utmost important. Because in those chapters we see God’s plan for history.

1. In the vivid and visionary language of Revelation we are told how God is going to bring history to its divinely intended end.

c. As we make our way forward, we have to keep in mind what we’ve just read and studied.

i. In order to make logical sense of chapters 6-20, we have to read them in light of what we saw in chapters 4&5.

1. Even with chapters 4&5, the middle section of Revelation is difficult to understand and interpret, but without those 2 chapters, it would be downright impossible.

ii. As we move forward, remember that Jesus didn’t give his Revelation to John, the churches and us in order to scare us.

1. If after reading this book you’re scared then we’ve read and interpreted the book incorrectly.

a. This book should fill us with hope and joy and confidence.

i. Knowing that the Lamb has already won the victory. And knowing that it is the Lamb who alone is worthy to bring history to its divinely intended end.

2. The Setting – But before we look at chapter 6 and the breaking of the first 4 seals, allow me to remind you of the setting. If we keep this in mind we will not go astray in our interpretation.

a. John, through a vision, has been granted access to God’s throne room – the control room of the universe.

i. There he saw a throne and the throne was occupied. What great news!

1. God is on the throne. It is not empty and evil does not reign from it…God does.

ii. Around the throne there is non-stop worship – by all of God’s redeemed represented by 24 elders, and all of creation – represented by 4 living creatures.

1. And John noticed a scroll in God’s right hand. The scroll that we will see opened over the next few weeks.

a. The scroll had writing on the inside and outside and it was sealed with 7 seals.

iii. And remember our glorious Easter Sunday celebration where we looked and saw that the Lion of Judah, who was really a slain Lamb – is the only one worthy to break the seals and reveal the content of the scroll.

b. And what is written on this scroll? Well, the rest of the book of Revelation reveals its content.

i. The scroll is God’s plan for history.

1. The scroll is God’s plan to save the righteous and judge the wicked. It contains God’s plan to fully and finally rid the world of evil and fully and finally establish his kingdom on earth.

c. But what we see in the next couple of chapters, and what we know from our own history, is that God’s kingdom is not establish quickly.

i. In fact, ever since Jesus’ death and resurrection, God’s kingdom has been slowly coming to earth.

a. More on that later.

3. How to Read – Because we have to dive into something else before we can look at chapter 6:1-8.

a. We first have to understand how to properly read and interpret visions. Over the rest of our study in Revelation we will dive deep into visions – the rest of the book is full of visions.

i. So, at this point we must take time to learn how to properly read visions.

b. First, we don’t read visions literally – as if we are reading the newspaper. We aren’t reading a newspaper – we are reading a drama, and the visions are the special effects used to show the main points of the drama.

i. This is the drama of how God is going to bring his kingdom to earth. We are actually reading John’s re-telling of that great drama – not the actual reality being symbolized.

c. Think about some of the imagery we’ve seen in visions so far. In chapter 5, Jesus presented himself as a slain Lamb with 7 horns and 7 eyes…does this mean that when we see Jesus face to face this is what he’ll look like?

i. I hope not!

1. The symbols that Jesus used point beyond themselves to the reality being portrayed.

ii. In presenting himself this way – Jesus showed John that the way to victory was not through roaring like a lion, but through sacrifice – by acting like a Lamb.

1. And through this vision we learn that sacrifice isn’t foolish and weak – it is powerful and wise as presented by the horns and eyes.

a. So, when we see Jesus, we will not see a slain Lamb with seven eyes and horns.

i. No, we will see a human, still bearing the marks of his death – and he will see that he is a human who is infinitely wise and absolutely powerful.

d. And in the visions of Revelation, John isn’t telling us that one day we will witness particular and identifiable phenomena. We won’t one day see 4 giant horses galloping in our cities.

i. The symbols point beyond themselves to realities that are already happening.

1. Don’t read these visions like newspaper articles. We have to do the hard work of figuring out what these visions mean and what realities they are pointing to.

e. Secondly, allow visions to awaken your imagination. Visions aren’t to be analyzed as much as they are to be experienced.

i. Instead of trying to figure out the probable significance of each horse, place yourself back in one of the 7 1st century churches, and try to experience what they did.

1. Visions at best are to be experienced rather than analyzed.

a. Visions were given to awaken the imaginations of sleepy Christians.

i. There is more to life than meets the unaided eye, and the vivid word pictures of Revelation open up that more to us.

1. The visions of Revelation reveal to us the unseen realities of our world.

a. They awaken us to the coming of God’s kingdom and his decisive victory over evil.

4. Structure – So how do we read this section of Revelation? Well, looking at how it is structured can help us understand it a little bit better.

a. Over the next few weeks, we are going to see 3 series of 7 – 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls. All follow the same pattern.

i. This morning, 4 seals were broken. And those 4 seals all represent the same reality. Not 4 separate events or 4 separate realities – 4 facets of the same reality.

1. Next week, 2 more seals are going to be broken – showing a different side of the same reality.

a. Then there’s an interlude – followed by the breaking of the 7th seal.

i. Out of the 7th seal come the 7 trumpets and the 7 trumpets follow the same patter.

1. 4 trumpets blown, 2 trumpets blown, interlude, 1 trumpet – and out of the 7th trumpet come the 7 bowls…and the 7 bowls follow the same pattern.

a. Until we reach the end of the book and we reach God’s intended end for history.

b. And in order to really understand what happening here specifically in chapter 6, we have to understand two very important words – was given.

i. Notice the riders on the horses were given authority.

1. They didn’t have any power or authority on their own – only what was given to them.

c. And secondly notice that the Lamb is in complete control. The Lamb dictates the action.

i. No horse and rider are revealed without the Lamb first breaking a seal, the living creature summoning them, and the Lamb giving them authority to do what they do.

5. Horsemen – So finally what does chapter 6:1-8 mean? What do the infamous 4 horsemen of the Apocalypse represent?

a. Well, like I said, the first 4 seals, in this case, the 4 horsemen, all represent the same reality – different facets of the same reality.

i. So we don’t need to figure out what each horse and rider combo means. We don’t have to look for them in our modern times or throughout history.

1. We have to figure out what reality they represent as a whole. We could spend weeks discussing the significance of each horse – but I don’t believe that’s the intent of these verses. John is presenting a singular reality in these verses…so what is it?

b. And chapter 6 presents the same reality as chapter 5…the Lamb is on his throne.

i. And I can hear your reactions. What? How does it do that?

1. Michael, look at the chapter, look at world…There’s conquest, and war and injustice and death. How can the Lamb be reigning from his throne?

ii. So, we have to figure out if the 4 horses and horsemen of chapter 6 tell us that no one is on the throne and no on is control, of that God is bringing history to its intended end. I’ll argue the latter.

c. Here is what Revelation reveals to us…Ever since Easter, the first one – not the one we just had…Ever since Jesus defeated sin through his death on the cross.

i. Ever since his victory over death through his resurrection…

1. Ever since he took his place of authority at God’s right at his ascension…

a. Ever since those events, Jesus has been establishing his kingdom on earth.

d. Remember, God’s kingdom coming on earth isn’t a fast process. We know that since its been 2000 years since Calvary.

i. But Jesus’ kingdom has been coming on earth as it is in heaven.

1. And ever since Easter, the first one, not the one we just had – Ever since Jesus’ victory, ever since his kingdom has started coming on earth…it has been resisted.

e. So, conquest, war, injustice and death COULD mean that evil reigns and chaos rules the universe…but when we read Revelation 6 in light of Revelation 4&5, we see the exact opposite.

i. Revelation 6 and following, show us what happens when God’s coming kingdom is resisted on earth.

1. That’s the reality these 4 horses and riders represent. What it looks like when humanity resists God’s coming kingdom.

f. So, we don’t need to look for real coloured horses in the future, because ever since God’s kingdom started coming to earth – these horses have been galloping through our world.

g. With the breaking of the seals, God’s kingdom, God’s intended plan for history, is moving closer.

i. In his teaching Jesus called this the first birth pangs. And when his kingdom breaks in to earth – there will be wars and rumours of wars, earthquakes, famine, injustice, pestilence and death.

1. What’s happening here in Revelation 6 is Jesus and his kingdom are moving closer. The scroll of history is about to be opened…but first the birth pangs.

h. Jesus’ kingdom moves closer – a seal is broken – and worldly power resist its coming.

i. Instead of submitting to the Lamb and acknowledging His rule, the lust for power increases.

1. Nations and world leaders attempt to enlarge their footprint.

i. Then, Jesus’ kingdom moves even close, and another seal is broken…and once again that moving closer is met with resistance.

i. And war and bloodshed erupt – which are natural consequences of conquest.

1. And then God’s kingdom moves even closer and again it is resisted and injustice increases.

a. A natural consequence of war is economic injustice.

i. In the ancient world a natural consequence of war was famine, as the invading army would live off the crops of the land and utterly devastate it.

ii. But, it doesn’t stop and history is moving even closer to its intended end – another seal is broken, and surprise surprise – it is once again resisted.

1. And death increases and pestilence and plague from death.

j. This is the reality presented in these 4 seals. Not four literal giant horses galloping through the earth.

i. It actually starts with good news… the Lamb is on the throne. Good news! He is currently bringing his kingdom to earth!

k. But as it comes, it exposes sinful tendencies in humanity. As it comes, it reveals to us the way of the Lamb – and even though the way of Lamb is clearly and blatantly displayed – the world reacts against it.

i. We don’t need to look to the future – we don’t need to look for 4 literal horses galloping through the streets of cities…

1. Because truthfully, they are already here. Look around. In our present, and throughout history – we’ve seen conquest, lead to war, lead to famine and injustice leading to death.

a. And all that means one of two things.

l. Either there is no God and chaos rules the world.

i. Or it means the exact opposite. It means that God is on his throne, he is coming ever closer to earth, he is exposing the sinful thoughts and intents of humanity…he is bringing history to its divinely appointed end…

1. And the world, sinful humanity and demonic powers and resisting his coming.

a. Revelation points to the latter. That because god is on his throne and coming ever closer, and because our world is resisting his coming – chaos comes to the earth.

6. Ever Wonder – Ever wonder why are world is the way it is? Ever ask yourself the deep theological question, “What in the Sam Hill is going on here?”

a. Revelation in general and Revelation 6 in particular answers that question for us.

i. Jesus and his kingdom are coming closer and the world is resisting its exposing power.

1. And as long as our world continues to resist his way…

a. As long as we continue to tolerate and even celebrate sin…

i. As long as our world glorifies war and glorifies immoral behaviour in the name of progressivism…

1. As long as our world continues on its current path – the more violence and war and injustice and death will increase.

b. The end of the book of Revelation tells us that despite its resistance, God’s kingdom is going to come.

i. He will wipe out evil, he will establish his rule and reign on earth with his people.

1. So why resist it? In your own life, God is constantly getting your attention.

a. God is showing you new facets of his character. He is pursuing you and pushing you to take your Christian faith more seriously. Maybe he’s pursuing you to make him your Lord and Saviour.

ii. Maybe God is challenging you to trust him more, to rely on him more, to love him more. Why resist? Resisting God only leads to more and more misery.

c. The lesson to learn from this chapter is to realize that the Lamb is ruling and he is coming.

i. Resisting him leads to futility and frustration in life.

1. It is better for us to embrace the way of the Lamb, walk the path that he has walked and desires us to follow.

d. The lesson to learn today is that conquest and war and injustice and death, aren’t a result of God’s absent or not caring…

i. They are a result of human sin and human resistance to God’s coming kingdom. And seeing these in our world today shouldn’t cause us to lose hope…

1. It should cause us to pray more fervently the prayer of Jesus and the prayer of Revelation.

a. Come. Your kingdom come. Bring it now. Fulfill your plan.

i. Seeing our world the way it is now should cause to want Jesus to make it right, and the only way is for him to fully and finally bring his kingdom to earth.

1. So, we should join our voice with John’s voice at the end of this wonderful book where he pleads with Jesus. Come! Come back to earth and make right your creation.