[The following is a manuscript of my sermon delivered on Sunday morning, the 7th of August, 2016. Look for the video on our Vimeo channel, http://vimeo.com/pilgrimreformedchurch.]
Five Sundays ago we admitted that without God, we are nothing. Once we truly accepted that fact, we realized we needed to spend more time in prayer with God, to make more of an effort to grow closer to Jesus. That led us to a better understanding of the role Jesus has for us as a church, the commission He gave us to go out into the world making disciples. So we can see where we need to keep moving forward, and to keep moving the church forward, not allowing ourselves to be distracted or sidetracked from that mission, because the end of this age is rapidly approaching.
Today we’ll take a closer look at just what happens when that end comes – the Day of God’s Wrath! Listen and follow along as I read what Jesus revealed to the Apostle John about that time, from the Book of Revelation, chapter 6, verses 9 through 17, from the New Living Translation…
Today we’ll take a closer look at just what happens when that end comes – the Day of God’s Wrath! Listen and follow along as I read what Jesus revealed to the Apostle John about that time, from the Book of Revelation, chapter 6, verses 9 through 17, from the New Living Translation…
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. 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?” 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.
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?”
--Revelation 6:9-17 (NLT)
Let us pray… Father God, You love us. Of that we have no doubt. Because of Your love, You give us every chance possible to follow Your word. Father, help us to better understand Your word, and Your will for our lives. Speak to us this morning through Your Holy Spirit and give us the message You need us to hear and to heed. In the holy name of Your Son Jesus we pray. Amen.
One day as a young mother and her kindergarten-aged son were driving down the street, the inquisitive and very observant little boy asked, "Mommy? Why do the idiots only come out when Daddy drives?"
A man's car stalled in heavy traffic as the light turned green. All his efforts to restart the engine failed, and a growing chorus of blaring horns to his rear made matters worse. He finally got out of his car, walked back to the first driver in line behind him, and said, "I'm sorry, but I can't seem to get my car started. If you'll go up there and give it a try, I'll stay here and blow your horn for you."
In the first of those little stories, it sounds like Daddy probably had trouble controlling his temper, and too often got angry while driving. In the second, the man displayed great self-control and found a clever way to confront another person's anger and maybe avoid their wrath.
As funny as those tales are, there will come a day when God will no longer control His anger, when His wrath will pour out over all the earth. That is one event we definitely want to avoid!
For a lot of people, the Book of Revelation is, at best, confusing, or at worst, downright scary. And really, it’s a good bit of both. Our reading today speaks of that scary time, as Jesus opens the seven seals of the Tribulation the earth and its inhabitants will face. Those who have died through this period because of their belief in Jesus cry out for vengeance, but are told to wait just a bit longer. Which tells us vengeance will indeed come.
Then it gets really scary as the sun darkens, the moon turns red as blood, the stars fall from the sky, itself transforming into something that John can’t even adequately describe. Mountains and islands shift; the whole earth trembles. Those still alive cry out for death!!…
But death does not yet come. They will find no release from their punishment. For the full wrath of God and the wrath of the Lamb is upon them, and there are none who can stand against it, there is nowhere to run or hide!
And it gets worse. Later on in Revelation, in chapter 14, verses 9 through 11 we read…
One day as a young mother and her kindergarten-aged son were driving down the street, the inquisitive and very observant little boy asked, "Mommy? Why do the idiots only come out when Daddy drives?"
A man's car stalled in heavy traffic as the light turned green. All his efforts to restart the engine failed, and a growing chorus of blaring horns to his rear made matters worse. He finally got out of his car, walked back to the first driver in line behind him, and said, "I'm sorry, but I can't seem to get my car started. If you'll go up there and give it a try, I'll stay here and blow your horn for you."
In the first of those little stories, it sounds like Daddy probably had trouble controlling his temper, and too often got angry while driving. In the second, the man displayed great self-control and found a clever way to confront another person's anger and maybe avoid their wrath.
As funny as those tales are, there will come a day when God will no longer control His anger, when His wrath will pour out over all the earth. That is one event we definitely want to avoid!
For a lot of people, the Book of Revelation is, at best, confusing, or at worst, downright scary. And really, it’s a good bit of both. Our reading today speaks of that scary time, as Jesus opens the seven seals of the Tribulation the earth and its inhabitants will face. Those who have died through this period because of their belief in Jesus cry out for vengeance, but are told to wait just a bit longer. Which tells us vengeance will indeed come.
Then it gets really scary as the sun darkens, the moon turns red as blood, the stars fall from the sky, itself transforming into something that John can’t even adequately describe. Mountains and islands shift; the whole earth trembles. Those still alive cry out for death!!…
But death does not yet come. They will find no release from their punishment. For the full wrath of God and the wrath of the Lamb is upon them, and there are none who can stand against it, there is nowhere to run or hide!
And it gets worse. Later on in Revelation, in chapter 14, verses 9 through 11 we read…
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.”
--Revelation 14:9-11 (NKJV)
I wonder if they’ll recall the words of the psalmist Asaph in Psalm 79, verses 5 through 7…
5 O Lord, how long will You be angry with us? Forever?
How long will Your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge You —
on kingdoms that do not call upon Your name.
7 For they have devoured Your people Israel,
making the land a desolate wilderness.
--Psalm 79:5-7 (NLT)
Brothers and sisters, God is trying to warn us there. If we refuse to acknowledge Him and do not call upon His name, it will not go very well for us.
A big part of acknowledging God is obeying His word, His commands, His Son. We must stick to and stand by His word as given to us in our Holy Bible. It hasn’t changed – God hasn’t changed nor has His word to us. Yet there are some who will tell you that God didn’t mean everything exactly like He said it, or that the true meaning has changed over time – He did, it hasn’t.
And we know there is sin in this world - there is wickedness all around us and there are people who have simply given in to Satan and serve as his tools. God, through His Chronicler, cautions us not to be swayed. Hear His warning from 2nd Chronicles, chapter 19, the first two verses…
There is our hope! There is our escape plan. That is how we avoid the Day of God’s Wrath. Jesus calls us to His side before he pours out that great and terrible cup upon the earth.
Do you feel relieved now? You should, if you truly believe in Jesus, if you have fully accepted Him as your Lord and Master, if you strive to follow His voice and do what you know He wants you to do. There is no reason to fear the Day of God’s Wrath, for we will not be here on earth when it happens! That is Jesus’ promise!
But if you are still scared, you need to ask yourself if you have given yourself fully over to Jesus. Have you surrendered yourself and all that you are to Him?
If you have any doubt, then it is time to humble yourself before our Lord and admit your weakness, admit your failings, and accept His strength. Come to His altar, to the foot of His cross, before you leave this building today, and we’ll pray together for His forgiveness. Come and fully accept Him as Lord, or rededicate your life to Him.
Or maybe your fear is not for yourself, but for a loved one that you aren’t sure if they are saved. If so, then come and we’ll pray together that God’s Holy Spirit might touch them and soften their hearts, that they might allow Jesus in and fully accept Him as Lord, that they might be saved this very day.
Family, the Day of God’s Wrath is coming fast! Don’t put off until it is too late what you can take care of right now! For when Jesus calls His church home, it will be too late for all those left behind, all those who just didn’t believe and fully commit.
If there’s any fear, if there’s any doubt, then come now, or during the prayer, or during the last hymn - come and we’ll pray together. God will forgive. Jesus will save.
Amen.
Let us pray… Father God, You love us so much that You sent Your only Son into the world to offer us the gift of Your grace: salvation. You sent Jesus, and He willingly came, knowing full well that He would be despised, rejected, tortured, and killed at the very hands of those He came to help. And by His resurrection, those who fully believe in Him trust that You will resurrect us as well, and allow us to live with You and our Lord forever in heaven’s glorious land. Thank You, Father God!
Hear us now, Father, as we lift our personal prayers to You in the silence, our pleas for Your forgiveness, our thanks for Your great and wonderful grace, our recommitment to Your Son Jesus, all coming straight from our hearts…
Lord Jesus, You promise that if we only believe in You, repent of our sinful way, accept You as our only Master, and follow Your commands and Your example, that You will spare us from God’s terrible punishment. You promise that You will call us to the safety of Your side before You pour out the cup of God’s fearsome wrath over those who deny You. Precious Jesus, help us be true and faithful believers. Forgive us our doubts, our fears, our times of unfaithfulness. Please send God’s Holy Spirit to touch all those who hearts may be receptive to Your offer of salvation, that they may fully accept You and be saved.
This we pray in Your glorious name, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, the Son of Man, the one true Son of God, our only hope. Amen.
A big part of acknowledging God is obeying His word, His commands, His Son. We must stick to and stand by His word as given to us in our Holy Bible. It hasn’t changed – God hasn’t changed nor has His word to us. Yet there are some who will tell you that God didn’t mean everything exactly like He said it, or that the true meaning has changed over time – He did, it hasn’t.
And we know there is sin in this world - there is wickedness all around us and there are people who have simply given in to Satan and serve as his tools. God, through His Chronicler, cautions us not to be swayed. Hear His warning from 2nd Chronicles, chapter 19, the first two verses…
1 As King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned home, uninjured, 2 the prophet Jehu (son of Hanani) went out to meet him.
“Should you be helping the wicked, and loving those who hate the Lord?” he asked him. “Because of what you have done, God’s wrath is upon you."
--2 Chronicles 19:1-2 (TLB)
At the end of the age we do not want God’s wrath to fall upon us because of what we have done! It will not be pretty, not even a little bit.
And the One who came to earth to offer salvation to all of mankind will return to pour out the cup of God’s wrath over the face of the earth. Listen to chapter 19 verses 11 through 16 of the Book of Revelation, to what John is shown as the seven years of Tribulation reach a grand finale and draw to a dramatic close…
And the One who came to earth to offer salvation to all of mankind will return to pour out the cup of God’s wrath over the face of the earth. Listen to chapter 19 verses 11 through 16 of the Book of Revelation, to what John is shown as the seven years of Tribulation reach a grand finale and draw to a dramatic close…
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for He judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on His head were many crowns. A name was written on Him that no one understood except Himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and His title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On His robe at His thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
--Revelation 19:11-16 (NLT)
Scary – very scary, and hopeless for all on earth.
Ah, but there is hope. And that hope begins with God’s great mercy and the offer Jesus made so long ago. John repeated that promise Jesus spoke, in his Gospel account, chapter 3, verse 16. You know the words – say them with me…
Ah, but there is hope. And that hope begins with God’s great mercy and the offer Jesus made so long ago. John repeated that promise Jesus spoke, in his Gospel account, chapter 3, verse 16. You know the words – say them with me…
16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
--John 3:16 (NKJV)
Not only that, but Jesus also shows us what will happen to those who accept His offer, who do believe in Him and obey His commands and follow the path He laid. The Apostle Matthew saved those words for us, in his Gospel account, chapter 24, verses 30 through 31…
30 "And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send out His angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather His chosen ones from all over the world — from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven."
--Matthew 24:30-31 (NLT)
And the Apostle Paul, in his 1st letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 4 verses 16 through 18, makes sure we understand just what this means to us, as believers in Jesus - just what awaits us when our Lord returns…
16 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a mighty shout and with the soul-stirring cry of the archangel and the great trumpet-call of God. And the believers who are dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord. 17 Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever. 18 So comfort and encourage each other with this news.
--1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (TLB)
Do you feel relieved now? You should, if you truly believe in Jesus, if you have fully accepted Him as your Lord and Master, if you strive to follow His voice and do what you know He wants you to do. There is no reason to fear the Day of God’s Wrath, for we will not be here on earth when it happens! That is Jesus’ promise!
But if you are still scared, you need to ask yourself if you have given yourself fully over to Jesus. Have you surrendered yourself and all that you are to Him?
If you have any doubt, then it is time to humble yourself before our Lord and admit your weakness, admit your failings, and accept His strength. Come to His altar, to the foot of His cross, before you leave this building today, and we’ll pray together for His forgiveness. Come and fully accept Him as Lord, or rededicate your life to Him.
Or maybe your fear is not for yourself, but for a loved one that you aren’t sure if they are saved. If so, then come and we’ll pray together that God’s Holy Spirit might touch them and soften their hearts, that they might allow Jesus in and fully accept Him as Lord, that they might be saved this very day.
Family, the Day of God’s Wrath is coming fast! Don’t put off until it is too late what you can take care of right now! For when Jesus calls His church home, it will be too late for all those left behind, all those who just didn’t believe and fully commit.
If there’s any fear, if there’s any doubt, then come now, or during the prayer, or during the last hymn - come and we’ll pray together. God will forgive. Jesus will save.
Amen.
Let us pray… Father God, You love us so much that You sent Your only Son into the world to offer us the gift of Your grace: salvation. You sent Jesus, and He willingly came, knowing full well that He would be despised, rejected, tortured, and killed at the very hands of those He came to help. And by His resurrection, those who fully believe in Him trust that You will resurrect us as well, and allow us to live with You and our Lord forever in heaven’s glorious land. Thank You, Father God!
Hear us now, Father, as we lift our personal prayers to You in the silence, our pleas for Your forgiveness, our thanks for Your great and wonderful grace, our recommitment to Your Son Jesus, all coming straight from our hearts…
Lord Jesus, You promise that if we only believe in You, repent of our sinful way, accept You as our only Master, and follow Your commands and Your example, that You will spare us from God’s terrible punishment. You promise that You will call us to the safety of Your side before You pour out the cup of God’s fearsome wrath over those who deny You. Precious Jesus, help us be true and faithful believers. Forgive us our doubts, our fears, our times of unfaithfulness. Please send God’s Holy Spirit to touch all those who hearts may be receptive to Your offer of salvation, that they may fully accept You and be saved.
This we pray in Your glorious name, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, the Son of Man, the one true Son of God, our only hope. Amen.
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