Choices--Fight or Switch?

Jesus gave the outline in the Gospel accounts and now John provides more of the details. An illustration of this can be found from Matthew 24 in comparison with the first four seals. Matthew 24.5 deals with the Antichrist, which relates with the first seal. Verse six talks about war which parallels the second seal. The third seal is found in verse seven dealing with famine. Finally, also in verse seven, we see death as described in the fourth seal.

I would like to be able to clearly define the precise time of the rapture of the church with a verse from Revelation, but I cannot do so. I believe that we can safely assume that Christ has raptured the church prior to chapter 6, as we have discussed previously.

John MacArthur describes the dilemma that we face, as Christians, as judgment will be coming with absolute certainty from a holy, righteous God. He states, The realization that the Day of the Lord is coming in which God will take vengeance on the wicked is a bittersweet one for believers. On the one hand we rejoice, because God’s glory will be put on display, sin will be done away with, the world will be taken back from the usurper, Satan, and God will be vindicated. But on the other hand, that day will bring about the destruction of the ungodly and their sentencing to eternal punishment.

I would also like to offer some insight into the remainder of Revelation which might help to clarify some issues. There are those who would attempt to allegorize or find incredible symbolism in John's description of what he sees. I would like to offer a caution against this. First, we must interpret scripture literally unless the Bible gives us reason to interpret it any other way. So when John writes, "I saw…" We must assume this is to be exactly what he saw. It may not be exactly what is, but it’s what he saw. John does provide opportunity for symbolic understanding in various places in Revelation. He often describes things as "like" or "as" something else. So if John says he saw a horse we must assume he saw what appeared to him to be a horse, not a tank or helicopter or something else.

Many years ago, when cigarette commercials were the norm on television, I recall one brand which had quite the advertising gimmick. It showed an individual being challenged to change brands. He was unwilling to do so. Toward the end of the commercial, the advertiser shows him facing away from the camera, holding a cigarette in one hand. Then he turns toward the camera with a black eye. He concludes by saying, "I'd rather fight than switch."

There are those today who would use this line of logic on many issues. Rather than do what needs to be done to make things right, many would rather fight to keep things the way they are.

In fact, today's passage reveals that human nature will not have changed much from the past to the present and even to the future. Because of the hardness of men's hearts, many would fight against Christ, rather than switch their allegiance to Him. They would rather experience God's wrath than they would repent and experience reconciliation.

In light of the certainty of God's judgment, we must present the opportunity for people to switch to Jesus, rather than fight against Him.

John Sees Godly Characters.

Revelation 6:9–11 (NASB95)

When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.

In verse nine, John describes the scene when the fifth seal is opened. This seal reveals the martyrs. They were martyrs for one reason. They unashamedly proclaimed God's Word and had unashamedly lived out God's Word. In verses 10–11, we see that they are wondering when God's justice is going to prevail. God responds with providing them a white robe, showing God’s grace had been given to them, while encouraging them to be patient. There were more on earth that would have to undergo martyrdom.

Understand also, that followers of Christ are going to be martyred by ungodly people. This is not God’s judgment. God’s judgment is on the evil and the ungodly; all who reject Jesus Christ. On a side note, this is encouraging, in the fact that there will be individuals who will get saved during this very dark time.

This closely parallels what Jesus described in Matthew 24.9 ““Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.” This appears to be just before the middle of the Tribulation. Verse 15 of Matthew 24, speaks about the setting up of the abomination of desolation. Thus, the actual time of martyring multitudes of the saints appears to come into full force during the second half of the Tribulation. This is going to be experienced throughout the world. It appears that at this point, the Antichrist will not just be a powerful politician, but will assume the role of God. That sounds like what Satan attempted before he was cast out of heaven.

The Bible tells us that the martyrs were "slain because of the word of God and the testimony they have maintained." You and I have no control over the timing of events. We have no control over whether people will choose to live for Christ or not. However, we do have control about how we live our lives. We ought to ask ourselves the question, "Would I be a candidate for a martyr?" "Do I proclaim God's Word to everyone I meet?" Can I say with Paul, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes?"

Maybe some do proclaim the gospel with boldness. Maybe some are comfortable verbalizing the claims of Christ with others. Are we comfortable living out the gospel? Would you and I stand accused and guilty of living in a Christlike manner in all and any situations? For many, it is much simpler to live under the false notion of peace, since that way the waters are not stirred and no one is forced to do anything radical for Christ. Sadly, compromise has some very strange bedfellows, indeed. However, you will never find Christ or one of these martyrs occupying that sort of space. I would pray that we would not be one of those Christians who compromise.

Would we rather fight than switch? Many find it easier to fight each other rather than switch to a wholehearted following of Jesus Christ. Many are willing to fight for an earthly kingdom rather than submit and have a heavenly throne.

John Sees Great Catastrophes.

Revelation 6:12–14 (NASB95)

I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

The second section involves verses 12–14, and deals with the sixth seal. Now, we are in the second half of the Tribulation Period. This is commonly referred to as the Great Tribulation. At this point, the Antichrist is going full force, after just desecrating the temple. Sadly, the world worships him, since he supposedly brought worldwide peace. As the answer man, he goes on a tirade of persecution against the Jewish people and those who have become Christians. When the sixth seal is opened, cataclysmic events begin to take place. If you look carefully, six events are going to take place with this seal. As we look briefly at these terrible events, there is a sense that we’ve read about them from the Old Testament prophets, as well as what Jesus described in the Olivet Discourse.

First, there will be a great earthquake. Throughout the Bible, an earthquake often accompanies a visitation by God. This is seen especially in the books of Exodus, Isaiah, and Haggai. The description here and other places in the Bible describe the most powerful earthquake this world has ever experienced.

Secondly, "the sun turns black like sackcloth made of gold hair." It is possible this will be a major eclipse. It might be the result of an incredible explosion that will cause great atmospheric devastation. The possibility might be, that with the phenomenal earthquake the world experienced, there will be the natural volcanic activity that will be exponentially increased in its activities from previous times. The reality is that we don't know for certain what causes this, other than it is God’s judgment. But we do know that it will certainly grab everyone's attention.

The third cataclysm will be that the whole moon became like blood. The prophet Joel gave this exact description when he described the coming of the Day of the Lord. Joel described it as a "great and dreadful" day. Peter even quotes Joel in Acts chapter 2. It is possible that the fallout from the previous events will cause this to occur. People will certainly know that this is God's judgment.

The fourth event is the stars will fall out of the sky as "a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind." Again, Jesus describes this in Mark 13 when he describes the coming of the end of the age. Most likely, this is not actually stars, since they’re described later on in chapter 8. This could be an asteroid or meteor shower. This is going to be unique and scary enough so that it will be obvious that this is far beyond that which is normal. Something dreadful will be taking place.

Next, the sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up. Again, an Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, describes this exact situation in chapter 34 when he describes the Lord’s anger against the nations.

Finally, "Every mountain and island were moved out of their places." Considering all that has happened so far to the earth, it would be no wonder that the crust of the earth moves and shifts due to its unstableness.

Even in our technological age, humanity will be unable to prevent God's judgment from coming upon the earth. Science can do many remarkable things, but it cannot delay or prevent what God is going to do to this world with His divine judgment upon it. No matter how intellectual man becomes, there must be a willingness to repent and be reconciled to him. That is the only way to avoid being on the receiving end of God’s great rod of judgment.

John Sees Grievous Cowardice.

Revelation 6:15–17 (NASB95)

Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

The final section is found in versus 15-17. This is almost like a commentary on man's hardheadedness. While all these cataclysmic events are taking place, everyone, great and small, is hiding in caves and among rocks in the mountains. Look carefully at what the Bible says they are doing. Rather than calling out to God in repentance and despair for their wickedness, they are calling to the mountains and the rocks, in their panic. They’re in essence, praying to Mother Earth. They would rather fight against Christ than switch. They would rather be crushed or buried alive by the rocks, than confess Christ. They certainly recognize that God's day of wrath has come and there is not a single person on the face of this world who can stand against it. Yet, they won’t switch their allegiance.

We see there are no distinctions based upon wealth, power, politics, or career. Judgment will come to all who refuse to repent and follow Christ. Judgment will come to all who persecute Christians and worship anything other than the one true, living God. Sadly, unbelievers will believe this is from God; they will even fear God; yet, they will still refuse to repent. In their pleas for death to overtake them, they are still blind to the fact that not even death will help them to escape from God’s final judgment. No one is able to stand against the great day of God’s wrath.

Conclusion

Even today, many would rather commit to physical and spiritual suicide than repent and accept Christ as Savior and Lord. Yet, we can still challenge them to seriously evaluate the options. We cannot afford to allow people the luxury of being content separated from Christ.

A former missionary to Angola, Donald Cole, who was the Moody Broadcasting Network radio Pastor, shared an interesting story about two people discussing Christianity. One person felt that Christianity was just a crutch for people unwilling to take responsibility for themselves. This person felt that to follow Christ, one would have to give up too much for something which may not even be true.

Donald Cole, though he was at a table close by, couldn't help overhearing this conversation. So he walked over to these two men and asked if we could join in the conversation as it sounded quite fascinating. As the conversation progressed, Donald finally asked if he might share his perspective. When they agreed, he continued.

"Let's assume that you are right," he commented to the unbeliever. "Maybe there is no heaven and maybe Christianity is just a crutch for the feeble of spirit. Even if it is untrue, what has your friend truly lost by following its principles? In fact, he and others may even be making a positive contribution to society."

The unbelieving fellow agreed that this certainly could be a possibility, but Donald didn’t stop. He continued. "Now for the sake of argument, let's say that your friend is correct about all that he says about Christ in heaven. If he is right, what have you lost?" This stopped the unbeliever cold in his thoughts. He had to agree that the options were not very good in his favor either way and most certainly were against him if the Bible were true.

Maybe this is how you and I can present the gospel to an unbelieving world. Yes, we know the Bible to be true, but we can explain the options, allowing the Holy Spirit to allow them to decide. The harsh reality is that many would rather fight than switch. That is their choice, sad as it may be. However, let's be certain that we have provided the information to force them to make a choice.

In light of the certainty of God's judgment, we must present the opportunity for people to switch to Jesus, rather than fight against Him.