Revelation Sermon Series– Week 6 Preview

As the seven seals are opened, each one reveals from God’s perspective what is happening in the world and what is ultimately coming: persecution, tribulation, and judgment.

• The first four seals reveal the coming of the four horsemen – who go forth over the earth bringing tribulation, terror, and suffering. These horsemen bring God’s judgment and through the natural consequences of sin on the world: conquest, bloodshed, inflation and famine, death.
• The fifth seal brings the Church into view as it shows the souls of the martyrs underneath the incense altar (prayers before the throne) crying out, “how long before you will judge and avenge our blood?” (Rev. 6:10). The answer is startling. They are given a white robe and told to “rest… until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete” (Rev. 6:11).
• The sixth seal shows the cosmic disturbances at the end of all things and the sheer hopelessness and terror that will be upon the people. This is final judgment and wrath; there is no escape.

This is the first take on the end of this world and is focused on the natural disasters that will proceed the end. While it may seem that sin and evil are prevailing, God is patient and continues to delay final judgment so that the Gospel may continue to go forth and sinners can hear the Good News, repent, and be spared final judgment (1 Tim. 2:1-4; 2 Pet. 3:3-10).

In the golf metaphor, this would be looking down the fairway from the tee box and seeing all the natural hazards (roughs, water, sand traps, etc.) that are going to be encountered on the way to the hole.

This Week’s Verses: Ezekiel 14:21-23, Psalm 29, Revelation 6, Matthew 8:23-27