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. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”
Revelation 6:16-17 (NLT)
Last week we saw that Jesus is the only one worthy of opening the scroll that contains the descriptions of what is to happen during the end times. This week we take a peak inside that scroll and see what is to come during the first of the three seven-part judgments that the book of Revelation portrays.
The strange heavenly creatures that we were introduced to in chapter four herald the opening of the first four seals by calling to John to “Come!” and see what have become known as The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These horses are all different colors which signify war, famine, disease, and death. We love to look at the circumstances of today and correlate them with the terrible descriptions of these horses and riders to try and nail down when and if we are living in the end times. Jesus warns us though in Matthew chapter 24 that only the Father knows when these things will happen (v. 36). When people say that they know that December 21, 2012 (or even recently May 21, 2011) is the last day of earth we can be absolutely sure of one thing.....those will NOT be the days that Jesus comes back to earth! After all, Jesus doesn’t say that only God and the Mayans or God and some small, obscure church in Colorado know the date of His return. He says ONLY God knows and I will take Him at His word.
Now concerning Matthew chapter 24 Jesus describes how the sun and the moon will give no light and stars will fall from the sky. He describes the heavens being shaken and deep anguish among all the people on earth. He tells us that lightening will flash and angels will be called by a mighty trumpet blast to go forth and rescue His chosen people from all over the earth. This Olivet Discourse has many parallels to this chapter of Revelation. This imagery of horsemen of different colors also has many similarities to those found in Zechariah chapter 6. If you get time I highly recommend you read both Matthew 24 and Zechariah chapter 6 to get a bigger picture of God’s wrath yet His great love for those He calls His children.
As the fifth seal is opened John sees all of those that have been killed for the cause of Christ exclaiming, “How long before You judge” and avenge the deaths of those martyred for their faith. Here we see a glimpse of God’s great love and mercy as the martyrs are told to rest and wait a little longer so more could be saved from the impending devastation. You see God doesn’t want anyone to perish. God has His timetable and His plan in mind and it is His deepest desire that ALL be saved. He will not however go against the free will that He has given us all. It is our decision whether or not to believe, we just need to be made aware of the dire circumstances of unbelief. It is these end times that will in fact bring more people to the Kingdom of Christ. We should all thank God for the time He has given each of us to turn from our sin and use what time is left to help others turn to Him as well. Although the martyrs are eager for justice God has not forgotten them and He has in fact given them a special place of honor and a white robe.....they just need to be patient.
As the sixth seal is opened the scenes that Jesus described in Matthew 24 are taking place. A great earthquake, the sun and moon being darkened, and stars falling from the sky all take place before John’s eyes. He says that all the mountains and islands were moved from their place. We recently witnessed one of the greatest earthquakes to ever be recorded back on March 11 in Japan. The utter devastation and the lives lost because of the quake and resulting tsunami were terrible and almost unimaginable. Now imagine something that dwarfs even that! Imagine that all across the world mountains and islands were physically being moved and imagine the destruction and death that will cause. I believe it’s going to happen but I also believe that Jesus has my back. Whether or not I am physically present when all of this is going on here on earth or if I have already been taken to heaven due to natural death or the rapture itself, I am secure that Jesus will protect me and usher me into eternity to be with Him. I’m at peace with the end of the world, are you?
It’s obvious from the close of Revelation chapter six that not everyone will be at peace when the world is falling down around them. Our opening verse describes the leaders of the earth crying out in anguish and fear over the wrath of God that is being dealt out among them. For those that do not put their faith in Jesus but instead put their faith in worldly things, this is what you have to look forward to. All your money and all your possessions, your titles, your careers, even your friends and families will not save you from the impending doom that is to befall this earth when God is finished with it.
Nobody that rejects God can survive these end times unscathed but those that belong to Jesus will receive a great reward instead of punishment. Do you belong to Jesus? If so, you need not fear these final days.
Next week we will discuss the seal God has placed on all of His followers and the opening of the seventh seal of judgment. Until then God bless!
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