The Tribulation Martyrs

Revelation 6:12-17

Revelation 6:12–17 NLT

12 I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood. 13 Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places. 15 Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”

Introduction:

A- —Appealing or Appalling?

(MKTI p. 301)

B—How long has it been since you Appealed to a lost person to receive Christ?'

1—When the rapture separates the saved from the lost, the lost wi11 be left behind to endure the four horsemen and the other Judgements of God. (Matthew 24:36-44)

Matthew 24:36–44 NLT

36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. 40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. 42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

2—During this time some will be saved but the price will be high.

(Matthew 24:15-22)

Matthew 24:15–22 NLT

15 “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!) 16 “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. 17 A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. 18 A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. 19 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. 20 And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. 22 In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.

Notice from these verses:

I- The Results of the Horsemen (Revelation 6:9)

Revelation 6:9 NLT

9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony.

A—The Saints

1- The Altar of -Sacrifice 2—The already Slain Saints 3—These are the saints of the tribulation.

B—Their Sacrifice

1—They met with a violent death.

a—Word for slain

1)describes violent execution

2—Saints of old met with violent deaths

a. Burnt alive at the stake

· Such as Polycarp of Smyrna

b. Placed in Ring w/ hungry, wild beasts c. Slain with the sword d. Beheaded with the Guillotine e. Dragged to death behind chariots f. Torn apart with horses g. Drowned in Mock Baptism

3—These Tribulation saints will pay for their faith with their lives.

C—Their Stand

1- Their Stand for Christ "The Word of God"

a—The stand for which the martyrs of all ages have died.

2—Their Stand Against the World for their testimony which they held.

a—Proc1aiming that the catastrophic events of that day are God 's Judgement for sin.

1)This has been the stand of God 's true prophets throughout the ages—This has always brought persecution.

II— The Ruler Petitioned for Vindication (Revelation 6:10)

Revelation 6:10 NLT

10 They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?”

A—The Sovereign Ruler

"0 Lord” (word which refers to a Sovereign Monarch)

1 —Sovereign by Right of Creation

2—Sovereign by Right of Redemption

B —The Sure Judge (Revelation 20:11-15)

Revelation 20:11–15 NLT

11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

1- His judgement is righteous

a—judgement without perversion

b- Justice is sure

2- His judgement is true

a—He is truth

b—He has the record of the truth about all things

C—The Sudden Avenger

1—The Lord avenges the persecution of His Children. (Romans 12: 19)

Romans 12:19 NLT

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

2 —The sixth seal… the Judgement of God begins.

a—God will avenge His Saints

1) As He did for Israel in Egypt .

III- The Ruling from the Throne (Revelation 6:11)

Revelation 6:11 NLT

11 Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters—their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.

A—Robes of White (Revelation 20:4-6)

Revelation 20:4–6 NLT

4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.

1- symbolizing their safety in Christ through His righteousness.

2- symbolizing their position in Christ sharing in the Millennial Reign .

B- Rest for the Weary

1- God’s time not ours. (II Peter 3:8)

2 Peter 3:8 NLT

8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.

2-His answer is to rest in Him… “trusting Jesus that is all"

C- Respite until the last Martyr .

1- The waiting period until the last martyr is slain.

2-All Tribulation saints will pay for their profession of faith with their lives.

Conclusion

A- “unhappy. .” (p. 301 MKTI)

B- How unhappy are you that your friends and loved ones are going to be left behind to endure the tribulation?

Are you unhappy enough to warn them - to share Christ with them? —to pray for- them?

- Altar Call -