Final warnings Part 3
Notes
Transcript
9 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, 10 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. 11 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.” 12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 13 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.”
The Judgment of the Wicked and the Reward of the Righteous.
The Judgment of the Wicked and the Reward of the Righteous.
The tribulation time will be unprecedented in its harshness and torment toward the saints of God that are converted during that time.
It also depicts the unified position of the world in its allegiance to the beast and the dragon.
But no-one will ever be able to say, that they did not know or that God tricked them and didn’t warn them.
Also the presence of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists render the earth without excuse during the time of the tribulation.
I. Those that worship the Beast will be Condemned.
I. Those that worship the Beast will be Condemned.
A. This tribulation period is different than all previous times.
A. This tribulation period is different than all previous times.
I do not believe that the church will be present during this time. This period also known as Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:27), and Jacob’s trouble (Jer.30:7), fulfills specific prophecies regarding God’s people Israel.
I do not believe that the church is spiritual Israel.
I do not prescribe to a Post millennial view of Eschatology.
I am not a preterist, nor subscribe to semi-preterism.
I am not an a-millennialist.
I am however a pre-millenialist, and subscribe to a pre-tribulational view.
In other words, the church is taken out before the tribulation period.
Now, if you do a lot of reading from theologians of differing eschatological views, you will be confused, because you will not have one understanding of the end times, but many.
But, if you are of a different persuasion than a pre-millennial viewpoint, that’s perfectly OK. You have the right to be wrong :)
no! It will not change anything regarding your faith, our fellowship, or your standing in Christ.
But, I say this so you will know where I’m coming from when I say that the Tribulation period is different than all other times throughout history.
It is clearly what jesus said in -
21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
The estimates for Jewish deaths during the time of the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD is around 1.1 Million.
The estimate of Jews killed under Nazism during World War II, is 6 Million.
And Jesus says that the Tribulation Period will be the worse time ever!
B. No one will take the mark by trickery.
B. No one will take the mark by trickery.
C. Everyone will take it willingly.
C. Everyone will take it willingly.
D. It is the way that leads to death.
D. It is the way that leads to death.
Jesus said in -
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
It doesn’t matter if you believe it.
It doesn’t matter what you do.
It is coming!
II. Those that Worship God will be Rewarded.
II. Those that Worship God will be Rewarded.
A. These tribulation saints will deny the Beast and his image.
A. These tribulation saints will deny the Beast and his image.
Their courage will be admiral, and will be seen by all.
Knowing that these saints of God will put it all on the line for their faith, the church today should be encouraged and emboldened to take this kind of stand.
Let me pause here for a moment:
The church in its desire to not offend does not shine very brightly.
Tenderly loving sinners and being an example of Christ’s love, must also include separation from the world and its entanglements.
We must live righteous lives that look different than the rest of the world!
We must tactfully point out unrighteousness without condemning!
But, make no mistake about it, No-one will be saved unless they know what they are being saved from!
There is a great error in the church presently. Christians believe that if they just show the world how wonderful Jesus is, that people will come to Him.
But as I said last week, they will only attempt to add Jesus to their life as a religious relic.
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
The labor and burden He speaks of is their struggle under the debt of sin.
24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
B. They will not take the mark.
B. They will not take the mark.
We also know that without the mark, they will not be able to purchase food, fuel, or anything needed for basic survival.
They know that taking it is giving allegiance to the Beast.
C. They will suffer greatly.
C. They will suffer greatly.
They will be hated by all!
They will be a marginalized by the world and persecuted by it!
But, they will find comfort in the Lord, and in each other.
D. They will be exalted.
D. They will be exalted.
Verse 13 - “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.”
My friends, we are not in that time of the great tribulation. But the world is running toward at lightning speed.
As time goes on, we will look more and more like the enemy.
How you stand and shine during these times is of utmost importance to the honor of God.