Chapter 6 of the Book of Revelation

Jul 11, 2024

Chapter 6 of the Book of Revelation

Introduction

  • Halfway Point: We have covered Revelation chapters 1 through 5. Today, we move into the topic that most people associate with Revelation: the end times and what’s next for planet Earth.
  • Focus: Examining current trends in light of prophecy.
  • Key Texts: Matthew 24 and Revelation 6.

Key Prophetic Events

  1. The Church on Earth: Jesus visiting the church.
  2. The Church in Heaven: Worship scenes in heaven.
  3. Tribulation: Known as Great Tribulation, Day of the Lord, or Time of Jacob's Trouble.
  4. Second Coming of Christ: Chapter 19.
  5. Millennium: Peaceful reign of Christ for 1,000 years.
  6. Great White Throne Judgement: Final judgment of all humans.
  7. New Heaven and New Earth: Eternal state.

Hebrews 10:24-25 Context

  • Purpose of Prophecy: Not just curiosity but sanctification and to stir up love and good works as we see the Day of the Lord approaching.
  • Prayer Focus: That the study of prophecy will make us more useful to God.

Importance of Basics in Christian Life

  • Eating: Daily devotional time in the word.
  • Chewing: Memorizing and meditating on Scripture.
  • Breathing: Prayer and petition to God.
  • Sharing: Evangelizing and witnessing to others about Christ.

Matthew 24: Signs of the End Times

  • Setting: Jesus' prophecy on the Mount of Olives regarding the destruction of the temple and signs of the end times.
  • Trends: Jesus outlines events and ten trends that will precede his coming.
    • Travel, Knowledge, Weather, Communication, Evangelism, Pandemics, Digital Tracking, WMDs, Peace and Prosperity, and Hatred of Israel.

Birth Pains

  • Characteristics: Increasing frequency, intensity, and visibility.
  • Examples: COVID-19 pandemic interpreted as a birth pain but not the tribulation itself.

Detailed Trends

1. Travel

  • Daniel 12:4: Many shall run to and fro.
  • Historical Context: Evolution from wind-powered ships to modern airplanes facilitating unprecedented global travel.
  • Recent Past: 4.59 billion people flew on airplanes in 2019.

2. Knowledge

  • Daniel 12:4: Knowledge shall increase.
  • Modern Era: Exploding data storage from kilobytes to zettabytes. Example: Nanometer architecture allowing vast data storage.
  • Everyday Technology: Smartphones providing global knowledge access.

3. Weather

  • Luke 21:25-26: Signs in the sun, moon, and stars, distress of nations, seas and waves roaring.
  • Global Events: Heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires causing global distress and observable by all.
  • Impact on Hearts: People experiencing fear and heart failure from climate change events.

4. Communication

  • Revelation 11: Global visibility of the two witnesses' death and resurrection.
  • Modern Day: Facebook Live and global broadcasting demonstrate the capability of instant worldwide communication.

5. Evangelism

  • Matthew 24:14: Gospel will be preached to all nations.
  • Modern Missions: Bible translated into 2,300 languages, reaching 95% of the world's population.
  • Global Outreach: Internet and radio waves penetrating all regions.

6. Pandemics

  • Matthew 24:7: Pestilences and pandemics alongside wars, famines, and earthquakes.
  • COVID-19: An example of a global pandemic visible to everyone.
  • Future Dread: Unstoppable pandemics will characterize the tribulation.

7. Digital Tracking and Money

  • Revelation 13:16-17: Mark of the beast controlling buying and selling.
  • Current Technology: Digitalized money and COVID-19 contact tracing by Apple and Google exemplify the move toward global tracking.
  • Future Control: Antichrist's future regime could exploit these technologies for absolute control.

8. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)

  • Matthew 24:21-22: Great tribulation such that no human life would be saved without intervention.
  • Modern Armaments: Nuclear arsenals and other WMDs with the potential to wipe out humanity.
  • Current Situation: Growing threat levels and international tensions.

9. Peace and Prosperity

  • Current Scenario: Unprecedented global shutdowns to preserve health and economy, signaling a strong desire for peace and prosperity.
  • Future Deception: Antichrist will promise ultimate peace and prosperity, deceiving many.

10. Hatred for Israel

  • Biblical Prophecy: Nations gathering against Israel in the last days.
  • Current Events: Rising hostility towards Israel from nations like Iran and coalitions forming against it.
  • Trigger for Tribulation: Intensifying global antagonism towards Israel.

Conclusion

Living in Expectation

  • Martin Luther: Live with only two days in mind - today and the day of Christ’s return.
  • Judgment Seat of Christ: Believers will be rewarded for their faithful service and preparedness for Christ’s return.
  • Final Generation Signs: Global trends point to the nearing fulfillment of these prophecies.

Call to Action

  • Basics: Continue in devotion, prayer, Scripture meditation, and evangelism.
  • Anticipation: Daily readiness for Christ’s return.

Prayer: A call for transformation and readiness for Christ’s coming, based on the sanctifying study of prophecy.