Who Will be Able to Stand?

REVELATION 6:14-17

SUBJECT: TRIBULATION SEAL JUDGMENTS

THEME:  The Lamb breaks the sixth seal, sending God's judgments upon the earth.

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Rev. 6:14–17, King James Version).

INTRODUCTION:

Why doesn’t God do something about all the suffering, wickedness, pain, oppression, and injustice in the world? If He loves us so much…wouldn’t He do something to help and protect us? Surely if He is so powerful, He can simply force everything…fix it all immediately. Right? Why wait to some day in the distant future? Why not change the world for good now? The worldwide hunger is senseless, poverty is also widespread, and the powerful are only concerned about themselves…. Why doesn’t God intervene to introduce some balance in the world?

These questions have been asked by many bewildered souls, and these same thoughts have occurred to many others who would not even dare to mouth them. The shocking truth is God is not primarily concerned with what often misguided people demand of Him. What He values about human beings is quite different than what we value in people and for ourselves. His timing is far more informed then we give Him credit, and His patience is beyond comparison. He exercises patience to give us more opportunities to see things His way. Eventually, He will deal with the big problems of the world and this life more aggressively. Though He will execute perfect justice by doing so, it may surprise you how He will go about it.

The SIXTH SEAL has been broken which introduces significant world chaos— the great day of God’s wrath begins— and catastrophic judgments upon the universe and the natural world occurs in rapid succession with incredible intensity (Rev. 6:12-17). In this paragraph we find that the universe is traumatized, that continents quake insanely, the sun and stars whirl through space unpredictably, and sinners will hide in utter terror. Both the heavens and earth feel the judgment of natural catastrophes while people lose all sense of normalcy and security.

The terrifying results of opening the sixth seal will cause all unsaved people, small and great, to hide in caves, calling for the rocks to crush them rather than face God’s wrath. Who will be able to stand when God finally deals with all that is wrong in the world?

LESSON:

John Hears the Impact of The Lamb’s Wrath on those Who Reject God (Rev. 6:15-17).

Even though John wrote using some symbolic language, these verses describe events that should be taken literally, and these developments should frighten even the most courageous person.  Note that men are so terrified that they cry for the mountains and rocks to crush them alive to escape the multiplied horrors of the Lamb’s wrath.

  1.  The Persons of that Great Day. (Rev. 6:15 a)

Rank and wealth will not deliver anyone in that terrible day. John's list includes kings, captains, warriors, slaves and free men, the rich and the poor. "Who shall be able to stand?"

      A.  Great Fear Will Grip Unbelievers all over the World.

Note the list of those who fear:

          — The kings and rulers of the earth will fear.

          — The great and powerful of the earth will fear.

          — The rich and wealthy of the earth will fear.

          — The military chiefs of the earth will fear.

          — The mighty and the strong of the earth will fear.

          — The slave and insignificant of the earth will fear.

          — The free and independent of the earth will fear.

Every unbeliever upon earth will be stricken with dreadful alarm…a maddening terror. They will be so frightened that panic and pandemonium will sweep the civilizations of the earth.

Isaiah 13:6, Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Isaiah 13:8, And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.

Fear drives people to extreme and entirely irrational behaviors in the interest of self-preservation. Everywhere people will perceive multiplied threat to themselves and their loved ones…such painful horrors cannot be escaped. Some will literally wither to the point of incapacitation due to the gravity of their situation and associated anxieties. Constant fears stimulate angst, acute stress, fright, and deep sadness. Though many of the individuals described in this passage are powerful people, they will surely be gripped with the realizations they are not in control and their doom is unavoidable. Is there any hope of escape?

      B.  No One Is Going to Escape the Judgment of God, and They All Know It.

          — And there is no partiality with God; God has no favorites.

          — The world of unbelievers will quake in terror and fright before the unusual events happening in outer space and upon earth.

          — There will be a keen sense, a sharp awareness, an aching consciousness that the judgment of God is looming right over the horizon. The very atmosphere of the earth will be heavy with the feeling that the end is at hand.

Zeph. l:14, The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

Joel 2:1, Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand.

There is no means of escape for those who have rejected Jesus Christ after hearing the Gospel message. The future is expressly marked by horrific judgment from the Almighty for them. If you are among those who believe you will get away with your sin…I invite you to please think again.

  2. The Places of that Great Day. (Rev. 6:15b-16a)

The sound of the cries comes from the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. Pandemonium and panic have driven people to the wilderness regions for hiding and protection from others. Distrust is escalating in all sectors of society…no one can be trusted. Some are driven from their once luxurious homes and pampered lifestyles to the dangers and inconveniences of the wilderness.

     A.  People Will Seek Refuge in the Mountains and Rural Areas.

This makes sense in light of the massive destruction that has transpired in the average cities of the earth. Cities, especially coastal cities, will be in intolerable chaos and devastation. The industrialized world will collapse, and national and international economies will utterly fail, while people begin to leave the cities of the world and seek refuge in the hills, mountains, and rural areas. Generally, these less developed areas will have less devastation by these judgments; people will retreat to these regions perceiving them as safer and more conducive to hiding.

     B.  People Will Try to Hide from the Face of God and from the Face of the Lamb!

Imagine wanting to hide from a lamb! Dr. Vance Havner said that the day would come when the most expensive piece of real estate would be a hole in the ground, and he was right. They know who they are accountable to…God and The Lamb. They understand exactly who is responsible for these judgments upon humanity and the natural world. Finally, they get it! Yet, it is too late for them. Oh, that people will heed God’s warning today and trust the Savior!

     C.  We Will See More of “The Wrath of God” as We Progress Through Revelation (Rev 11:18; 14:10; 16:19; 19:15).

     D.  We Will Also Encounter the Wrath of Satan (Rev 12:17) and the Wrath of the Nations as They Oppose God (Rev 11:18).

If men and women will not yield to the love of God, and be changed by the grace of God, then there is no way for them to escape the wrath of God... Why not place your trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for the forgiveness of sins today?

  3.  The Prayers of that Great Day.  (Rev. 6:16-17)

Despair and hopelessness have now settled upon these refugees. What? Surely with all this trouble they will now turn to God! Right? Well, these displaced souls do not pray to the God on the Throne nor to the Lamb…they cry out to the mountains and hills and beg for death.

     A.  They All will Cry Out to Be Hidden from the Wrath of the Lamb.

They have endured as much as they can handle…they want no more of this dreadful existence…. “Wrath” refers to God’s displeasure with humanity and our actions of unbelief and rebellion. This divine anger is righteous and holy; it is an expression of God’s love for justice and holiness! W.A. Elwell stated the wrath of God is fully consistent with Old Testament and New Testament portrayals of the Almighty. In the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible he says,

Unfortunately, ignorance of the OT and a misunderstanding of the NT have resulted in a heretical view of the biblical canon (Marcionism), in which the OT reveals the God of wrath and the NT reveals the God of love. Contrary to popular misconception the NT, like the OT, also teaches the wrath of God in connection with his love. The biblical teaching on God’s love cannot be appreciated unless it is seen in contrast with the biblical teaching on his wrath. The word “wrath” is a concept represented by many different words and idioms in the original languages of the Bible. The references to God’s wrath are the most frequent—nearly three times as many as any other subject. --(Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Wrath of God. In Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, pp. 2166–2167)).

           1.  The phrase "wrath of the Lamb" seems a paradox, "Wrath of the lion" would be more consistent. We are so accustomed to emphasizing the meekness and gentleness of Christ (Matt 11:28-30) that we forget His holiness and justice. The same Christ who welcomed the children also drove the merchants from the temple.

           2.  God’s wrath is not like a child’s temper tantrum or punishment meted out by an impatient parent. Nor is it like the knee jerk reactions of a poor manager or supervisor who drives his or her people with harshness, cruelty, manipulation and sarcasm.

           3.  God's wrath is the evidence of His holy love for all that is right and His holy hatred for all that is evil. Only a soft and sentimental person would want a God who did not deal justly with evil in the world. The truth is all of us want justice for ourselves and our loved ones, but few are concern with justice for God. The God who made the universe… the Giver of every loving and just law…the Lord of all humanity and peoples whether saved or not. All of us would want justice if our mother was captured, repeatedly raped, senselessly brutalized and finally killed and dumped naked in the streets like worthless trash. Without exception we all would demand for justice to be visited upon the perpetrator of such heinous crimes. Each of us would be correctly offended, horrified, and pursuant of retribution to the extent of the law. There would be rioting in the streets if such vicious crimes go unpunished. So, if a person treated so inhumanely should receive fair recompense under the law then why not the perfect God of glory? God has been offended by our sinful feelings, thoughts, motives, and actions every day since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden until this very moment. He will see to the proper administration of impartial justice. God deals in the realm of pure righteousness, and He will determine what is right and equitable without a single exception.

           4.  Furthermore, the people mentioned in Revelation chapter six are impenitent. They refuse to accept God’s salvation and submit to God’s will. They would rather hide from God in fear (remember Adam and Eve?) than run to Him in faith. They are proof that judgment by itself does not change the human heart. Not only will men seek to hide from God, but they will blaspheme Him as well! (Rev. 16:9, 11, 21).

Is.2:19, And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

     B.  They Will Cry for Death Instead of Facing God.

The terror and fright will be so exasperating that massive populations the world around will degrade into panic. People will be insanely scampering about to hide in the clandestine dens and rocks of the wilderness regions. They will literally beg for death as the only perceived means of escape from their terrors. Their only hope now is to be annihilated in order to keep from having to face God’s eternal judgment. This is how the unregenerate mind thinks! It is not guided by faith, but fears. The Scriptures give this warning many times over with the hope of people heeding God’s counsel.

Lk.23:30, Then shall they begin to say to the mountains. Fall on us; and to the hills. Cover us.

Joel 2:11, And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it.

Hos. l0:8, The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains. Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

The sad truth is death is not a means of escape for the unsaved. It flings them violently into far more severe judgment of an eternal nature. Annihilation is a false hope…it is not fixed in truth and reality. We are everlasting beings who will exist forever somewhere. With God or without God are the options…in heaven or in hell. My friend, it is not all over once we die…after physical death comes judgment from God for the unsaved person. Suffering in the Lake of Fire forever is the clearest teaching of the Bible and the Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone who refuses God’s gracious gift of salvation through Jesus Christ must face the God they have sinned against and receive their final sentence to hell.    

   4.  The Point of that Great Day. (Rev. 6:17)

The Judgment Day of the Lord: there is the reason for the catastrophes throughout the universe and for the panic of men-the great day of God's wrath is at hand. This “day” refers to the entire period while these judgments endure and not a mere 24-hour time frame.

     A.  What Is the Great Day of God's Wrath? 

        — It is the day when all unbelievers must stand before the face of God who sits upon the throne of the universe.

        — It is the day when all unbelievers must face the wrath of the Lamb; the day when they must face the Son of God Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ whom they have rejected, denied, cursed, disobeyed, disbelieved, ignored, and neglected.

        — It is the great day of His wrath, the very day that His wrath is to fall, the very day that every unbeliever must face Him.

        — It is the day when no unbeliever shall stand, the day when all unbelievers shall crumble and be subjected to the humiliation of eternal guilt, condemnation, and punishment.

Jn. l2:48, He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Ro. 2:5, But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.

Rev. 6:17, For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Is. 2:11-12, The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low.

So, the great day of God’s wrath encompasses a season and series of judgments upon the world and lost humanity. It is not capricious or thoughtless nor is it unreasonable. No, it is God giving people what they want. A life and world without His goodness, blessings, grace, interventions, and provisions—life without Him. It is a time of holding people and nations accountable for decisions and actions.

     B.  John Walvoord Puts it in Simple and Striking Words saying:

The Day of the Lord is a period of time in which God will deal with wicked men directly and dramatically in fearful judgment. Today a man may be a blasphemer of God, an atheist, can denounce God and teach bad doctrine. Seemingly God does nothing about it. But the day designated in Scripture as 'the day of the Lord' is coming when God will punish human sin, and He will deal in wrath and in judgment with a Christ-rejecting world. One thing we are sure of, that God in His own way will bring every soul into judgment. — (The Thessalonian Epistles. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1967, p.76).

At this point I must implore you to remember: this passage reveals what will happen in the early portion of the Day of the Lord. These events-the catastrophe in the heavens and on earth and the fright and panic that strikes people with maddening terror-all this transpires before the Great Tribulation Period. This is merely the breaking of the seals of God’s book and the events within the pages of the book-the worst judgments-are yet to come. Beloved, who will be able to stand?

Without any element of exaggeration, the message to all people everywhere is twofold:

1) All unbelievers will stand face to face with God on the great day of His wrath, and that day is right over the horizon.

     — The wrath of God is coming upon the rich and the powerful who thought they were self-sufficient and in command of their lives.

     — The wrath of God is coming upon the religious who thought they could be good enough and do enough good to be acceptable to God.

     — The wrath of God is coming upon the poor who thought they were too insignificant or even thought their oppression would cause God to look upon them with mercy.

     — The wrath of God is coming upon the intelligent who thought they were too knowledgeable to believe in Christ.

     — The wrath of God is coming upon the scientist and technician because they thought they had progressed so far, they could disprove God.

2) We must trust Jesus Christ now to escape the great day of God’s wrath.

Zeph. l:14-16, The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.

Mal.4: l, For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

Beloved, only Jesus can save us from the wrath that will come upon the entire world. Trust Him today for the forgiveness of sins.

CONCLUSION:

In contrast, the Apostle Paul outlines in Romans 10:9-10, writing, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. We cannot simply believe anything about Jesus, we must believe that the Son of God, died for our sins, was buried, and God raise Him up again the third day for our justification before The Father. That is correct…the Lord Jesus is fully and literally alive forevermore. He has finally triumphed over death, hell, the grave, and sin! It is crucial that we understand that it is faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel that is the power of God that saves us (Rom. 1:14-17).

Christ’s sufferings at Calvary were God providing payment for our sins. This is what Christ’s crucifixion was about—justice was served, and sin was paid for in full. God accepts Christ’s sacrifice completely! Now, sinners like you and me can be saved—born again to enter a relationship with God. It is the Spirit who regenerates us and gives us new life when we trust Christ. We cannot save ourselves no matter how good, sincere, or diligent we are. Being born again means we become a part of a new family, God becomes our Father who shares with us His very own divine nature. All of this is realized the moment we humble ourselves in repentance before God acknowledging our sins while trusting Christ and His payment for them. We must accept sin’s payment personally in an attitude of godly sorrow and a willingness to turn from our former sinful lifestyles. We do not need to make ourselves better and then come to God. We come to God recognizing our sinfulness trusting Him to change us deep within which will result in a changed life. Beloved, we must exercise faith in the Person and Work of Christ to experience a spiritual new birth. What about you? You, like me, cannot stand before a holy God with the guilt of all your sins. Why not accept Jesus’ payment for those sins and ask God to forgive you and change you deep within?

So, is there any hope for believers during this terrible time of judgment? And what about God’s special people, Israel, who will make a covenant with the Antichrist? Certainly, people will trust the Lord even after believers from this age are taken to heaven, but how will they manage? We will turn to Revelation chapter Seven for some of these answers.

The Lamb: The Original Avenger

REVELATION 6:12-17

SUBJECT: TRIBULATION SEAL JUDGMENTS

THEME:  The Lamb breaks the sixth seal, sending God's judgments upon the earth.

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Rev. 6:12–17, King James Version).

INTRODUCTION:

The term “Avengers” has been associated with Marvel Comics since the Fall of 1963 featuring superhero characters like Hulk, Thor, Ant-man, Captain America, Iron Man and Wasp. Many others would join “Earths Mightiest Heroes” periodically to fight the onslaught of evil and to avenge the earth. In recent years some of these characters became household names upon being brought to the silver screen through Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. Movies featuring Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Black Panther, and the Avengers have become so popular that they routinely shatter box office records with each iteration. 

While these comic books and movies are firmly situated in fantasy and action/adventure, there is a real Avenger that predates them all. In fact, He is absolutely anchored in reality and transcends all else and all others bearing the title Avenger. This is the real Original Avenger: The Lamb a.k.a. the Lord Jesus Christ! While He is the original Avenger, His work as an Avenger is yet future. It will unfold during the judgments of the Tribulation Period of the book of The Revelation apocalypse. Yes, He is being opposed by the forces of evil and sin today, but eventually His patience will expire. It is then that He will deal decisively with sin and vindicate His servants who have suffered for righteousness sake.  

The worship described in The Revelation chapters 4-5 is preparation for the wrath described in Revelation chapters 6-19. It seems strange to us that worship and judgment should go together, but this is because we do not fully understand either the holiness of God or the sinfulness of man. Nor do we grasp the total picture of what God wants to accomplish and how the forces of evil have opposed Him. God is long-suffering, but eventually He must judge sin and vindicate His servants. Look now as the Original Avenger breaks the sixth seal on the scroll....

LESSON:

The Sixth Seal: The Seal of the Wrath of the Lamb (Rev. 6:12-17).

The martyrs in Heaven cried, "Avenge us!" but the unbelievers on earth will cry, "Hide us!"

 

   — The SIXTH SEAL is now broken which introduces World Chaos— the great day of God's wrath begins— and catastrophic judgments upon the universe and the natural world are unleashed (Rev. 6:12-17). 

   — In this paragraph we find that the universe is shattered, that continents shake, the sun is darkened, stars and meteors fall and whirl through space, and sinners will hide in fear.  Both heaven and earth feel the judgment of natural catastrophes.

   — The terrifying results of opening of the sixth seal will cause all unsaved people, small and great, to hide in caves, calling for the rocks to crush them rather than face God's wrath. 

   — Thus far the troubles upon the earth have been the result of man’s actions under God, but here we witness the beginning of the anger and wrath of Almighty God and the Lamb.

Isaiah 13:9-13, Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. [10] For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. [11] And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. [12] I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. [13] Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

But remember, this is still only the beginning and not the final judgments. The seals of the Book are being broken and then the other judgments can be read. Therefore, the seal judgments are events that are to happen at the outset of the Tribulation period. Here is the beginning of God's wrath against the violence, hatred, and rebellion of a corrupt and evil world.  Let’s take a moment to note what John felt, saw, and heard.

A.  JOHN FEELS THE IMPACT OF THE LAMB’S WRATH ON THE EARTH (Rev. 6:12 a).

Once again, the Lord Jesus brakes yet another seal form the scroll which is the title deed to the earth. Through these series of judgments, He will punish sinful mankind and prepare the earth for His future kingdom. The first development is the news that a great earthquake strikes. The opening of the sixth seal will produce worldwide convulsions and catastrophes, including the first of three great earthquakes (Rev 6:12; 11:13; 16:18-19).

   1.   There Will Be a “Great Earthquake.” Vs. 12

Rev.6:12, And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.

      — Note the word “great;” this will not be an ordinary earthquake. The shaking will be beyond anything ever known to man.

      — Imagine the destruction of property, the loss of life, the fear gripping the hearts of people, and the further damage caused by the aftershocks of the earthquake. 

      --- Massive tsunamis will reach deep inland the world around; these seismic sea wave will destroy all forms of life, property, sea industries, and even entire coastal civilizations.   

      — Bridges, sky scrapers, water tank towers, subways, and travel tunnels will collapse.  Power lines will be down, and fuel, gas, and water lines destroyed. Pandemonium will grip what was once ‘civilized’ cultures. Without any intimation of exaggeration, desperation will reach epic levels….

   2.  Christ Foretold Such Earthquakes.

Mt.24:7, For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  

      — Jesus Christ Himself predicted there would be more earthquakes in the latter days than ever before.  Down through history there have been many earthquakes as the Lord Jesus stated (Matt. 24:7), but this one in Revelation will be more than an ordinary earthquake.

      — All the earth’s faults will begin to fracture simultaneously, resulting in a cataclysmic, global earthquake.  Every section of the earth will be jolted by this killer quake.

                                                                                                                       

   3.  John Mentions Three Great Earthquakes.  (In the Revelation)

Rev.11:13, And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city [Jerusalem] fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant [rest] were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Rev. l6:17-19, And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

   4.  The Prophet Predicted Such Earthquakes.

The Old Testament predicted earthquakes in the end time.

Ezk.38:19, For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel.

Jer.4:24, I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.

Amos 8:8, Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.

Joel 2:10, The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.

Hag.2:6, For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land.

B.  JOHN SEES THE IMPACT OF THE LAMB’S WRATH ON THE UNIVERSE (Rev. 6:12 b-14).

All of nature will be affected: the sun, moon, and stars, as well as the heavens, the mountains, and the islands. Compare this scene with Joel 2:30-31 and 3:15 as well as with Isa 13:9-10 and 34:2-4.

  1.  The Sun and Moon are Affected.   Vs. 12

The sun and moon will be eclipsed and blackened, and stars or meteorites will shower the earth (6:12 b).

    — Very practically there are times when such astronomical events occur now.

    — The heavenly bodies are sometimes darkened by such catastrophes as volcanic eruptions, wind storms, and smoke from fires. Of course, whatever darkens the sun hides the light of the moon and stars from earth.

    — When the volcano Krakatau exploded on August 27, 1883 with the loudest noise ever heard in the world, an estimated cubic mile of rock entered the atmosphere.  The dust and debris circled the earth at a height of 17 miles (27km), and for two years strange red sunsets were seen.

    — This will be a period of great darkness.  Accompanying the earthquake will be numerous volcanic eruptions; and large amounts of ash and debris will be blown into the earth’s atmosphere, blackening the sun and giving the moon a blood-red hue (Zech. 14:6,7).

  2.  The Stars and Meteors are Affected.  Vs. 13

These are star-like items falling and creating stellar showers with large heavenly bodies crashing into each other and slamming into the earth’s atmosphere (Rev. 6:13).  The stellar showers are likened unto winter figs growing without the protection of leaves and are easily blown from the trees. So, will the heavens be mightily shaken with the winds of God’s wrath that even the stars themselves will fall!

     — “Stars” and/or meteorites of varying sizes fall from outer space to earth quite often. The word “stars” can refer to any celestial body, large or small, and is not limited to the normal usage. The best explanation is a massive asteroid or meteor shower.

     — This at least in part is what is meant by these passages; in addition, there will be unbelievable disorder inflicted upon some of the stars above, disorder causing massive explosions like fireworks will hurl meteorites throughout space.  A massive volcanic eruption in the heavens that affects all the universe!  This seems to be the case. We do know for certain that there is going to be a severe intensification of astronomical developments, and they will shake the heavens themselves!  

     — Scripture declares emphatically that these events will occur during the end times. (Note: the stars fall to earth only two times: here when the sixth seal is broken [Rev.6:13], and after the tribulation when Christ returns to earth (Mt 24:29-31).

Matthew 24:29-30, Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: [30] And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

  

  3.  The Heaven and Skies are Affected.

The sky rolls up like a scroll and will disappear (Rev. 6:14 a).  The earth’s atmosphere will be somehow dramatically affected and the sky as we know it disappears (Is. 34:4).  I’m unable to elaborate more on this mind-blowing statement in Scripture.  This was the most dramatic judgment thus far in this time of great distress before the Second Coming. But Scripture predicted these developments in no uncertain terms in other places also.

Is. 34:4, And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.

Ps. l02:25-26, Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.

NOTE:  Many interpreters have attempted to see a figurative fulfillment to this prophecy or have sought a more rational explanation by handling it in a non-literal sense. It is perhaps more accurate, however, to take this prediction very literally; to resist explaining away the clear emphasis on universal calamities and apocalyptic events. The trumpet and bowl judgments, to be revealed later in Revelation, also include great disturbances in the heavens and on the earth before Christ’s second coming.

  4.  The Mountains and Islands are Affected. Rev. 6:14

     — Every mountain, hill, and island will be removed from out of their places (6:14 b). What does this mean? This is a prophetic way to describe the devastation of the astronomical events and the great earthquake and meteorites falling to earth. 

     — Under the stress created by the global earthquake, great segments of the earth’s plates will begin to slip and shift, realigning whole continents.

Jer. 4:24, I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.

Nah. l:5, The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, ye, the world, and all that dwell therein.

Remember: this is a picture of what will be happening in the early portion of the Day of the Lord. These events-the catastrophe in the heavens and on earth and the fright and panic that strikes people with maddening terror-all this is right before the Great Tribulation. This is only the breaking of the seals of God's great scroll and the events within the pages of the book-the worst judgments-are yet to come. Who will be able to stand before The Lamb: the universe’s mightiest Avenger?

CONCLUSION:

In Romans 10:9-13, God reveals how we can be saved and escape the wrath that is coming; we are instructed to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ who died, was buried, and rose again the third day:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11, For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.12, For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Rom 10:9-13, KJV)

The Apostle Paul details the need to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord God, the supreme authority sent by God the Father to provide the solution for humanity's sin problem. By believing that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again as the all sufficient payment for our sins, we are saved. God begins for the first time ever to view us as righteous when we believe on Christ with all our heart and we naturally now confess Him as the Lord and Savior of our lives. Furthermore, we are assured of a growing confidence that such an outright confession of faith in the Lord Jesus will not in any way fall short of God's saving grace, be disappointed, proved foolish, or become the source of shame. Paul further guarantees that anyone, whether Jewish or non-Jewish, who calls upon the Lord Jesus Christ will be indeed rescued from eternal perishing and the ultimate consequences of our sins. We must call upon the Lord for mercy today and the Lord is generous to save anyone and everyone who truly calls upon Him for deliverance from the ultimate condemnation of sin.

Beloved, salvation is by God showing undeserved favor on repentant sinners who place their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. When we examine our past, we can only discover that we do not measure up to God's or our own expectations. We are guilty of significant and small failures before a perfect and holy God. When Christians look at our present situation, we understand that it is because of God's saving grace and redemptive work on our behalf. When we consider our future, it can only be summed up as the outcomes and provisions of Almighty God dealing with us most graciously. He has an incredible plan for our present and our future. We deserve hell for our failures, idolatry, and sin, but because of Jesus Christ we will enjoy forever with God. What God has done for us He is willing to do for all who will repent believing the gospel of grace.

Beloved, salvation cannot be earned, deserved, merited, bought, worked up, or worked for. It is not for sale; it is already paid for and based on the work of Jesus Christ alone. Like myself, you must come to God acknowledging your sinfulness, confessing Jesus Christ, the Son of God as Lord and Savior, and believing the Gospel—Christ died, was buried, and arose again the third day as the Scriptures said He would. This Jesus died to pay the price for my and your sins. When we trust Him, He will forgive, cleanse, and reconcile us to God forever. Beloved, today is your day to come to Jesus Christ. Trust Him today as Savior or face Him one day as The Avenger. The choice is yours.

The First Christmas Dream

Matthew 1:18-25

THEME: Mary the virgin miraculously conceives, and her fiancé, Joseph, receives a visit from an angel. Mary and Joseph are married, and the baby Jesus is born.

RELEVANCE: To assure everyone that Jesus is the legal heir to the throne of David and the promises to Abraham are fulfilled in Him. Christ is the Savior and Messiah King. The question is, is he your Savior? Have you believed on Him for the forgiveness of sin? In addition, God guides His people into the details of His grand will. The question is, can He direct and/or redirect you? Will you abandon your will to embrace His? Before Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream, Jehovah God had one and it includes you and me. 

INTRODUCTION:

Joseph did not divorce his fiancé Mary when he discovered her pregnancy because the Lord revealed the truth to him. Through an incredibly important dream, God showed Joseph the miraculous nature of Mary’s pregnancy and the fascinating divine nature of her baby. All of this is a fulfillment of a 700-year-old prophecy concerning Israel’s promised Messiah’s birth in Isaiah 7:14, which says, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.”

Jesus is the virgin-born Son of God; in Christ God dwells with humanity! Truly, the conception of Jesus Christ is a supernatural and absolutely unique event beyond human logic or reasoning. There is nothing else like it in all of human history. Because of this, God sent angels to help certain people understand the significance of what is unfolding (see Matt. 2:13, 19; Luke 1:11, 26; 2:9). In this case, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. Some dreams function in the Bible as a means to convey God’s message to people. The first Christmas dream tells us of the nature of our Messiah King and the wonder of his conception. It presents us an opportunity to ponder deeply God's grand dream for each of us....

LESSON:

Joseph's Dream Confirms Christ’s Divine Heritage and Virgin Birth (1:20-25)

While this gentle and deliberate man was mapping his strategy to protect Mary, “the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream.” As Joseph began to move forward on his decided course of action, God intervened to prevent a major mistake.

THE MESSAGE IN THE CHRISTMAS DREAM (Matt. 1:20-23): GOD REVEALS THE MESSIAH’S COMING

Angels are spiritual beings, created by God, who help carry out his work on earth. They brought God’s messages to people (Luke 1:26), protected God’s people (Dan 6:22), offered encouragement (Gen 16:7), and gave guidance (Ex 14:19). The angel who appeared to Joseph was one of God’s messengers, sent to correct and guide Joseph in his dealings with Mary. So, what was the message in the dream about? (Wiersbe)

It Confirms the Purity of Mary (Matt. 1:20):

Joseph is reassured that Mary’s pregnancy is caused by the Holy Spirit. Notice how God conveys this reality to Joseph.

The Specific Address.

This greeting, “Joseph, thou son of David,” was clearly designed to stir up the consciousness of his royal pedigree and to prepare him for the unusual advent of Israel’s Messiah-King. (MacDonald)

This signified that Joseph had a special role in a special event. The angel explained that Joseph was to take Mary as his wife, for the child was to be in the royal line of David. Joseph, as "son of David," would establish that royal lineage. God has an incredibly significant role for each of us as we partner with him in service and life-purpose.

The Specific Counsel.  “fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife”

Joseph was not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife; no matter what the social repercussions might be. Of course, she was already his wife because they were pledged, but the angel told Joseph that instead of divorcing Mary, he should complete the marriage process and take her home as his wife. Mary had committed no sin. He should have no misgivings about marrying Mary.

The Specific Reason. (1:20) “that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost”

Any suspicions concerning her purity is groundless. Her pregnancy was a miracle of the Holy Spirit. God himself, with her consent, caused this pregnancy, and the child would be very special -- God's Son. Yes, Mary was a pregnant virgin and the baby is God the Son entering the world as the Son of Man. He would also be the fulfillment of prophecy, as described in the next verse.

When facing big decisions, some people freeze with fright. What if I decide wrong? What if I miss God's will? What if . . .? To make good decisions, first take all these worries and put them under God's promise: God cares for you, watches over you, and guides your steps. Joseph came to the best decision he could, but God had other plans and communicated them clearly. Most of our decisions will not be overruled by angels, but that's no reason for lack of confidence. To make good decisions, examine the Word on the subject, pray, evaluate all the options, talk with trusted Christian friends, then act in faith. God is with you, every step.

It Confesses the Person within Mary (Matt. 1:21):

The Angel of the Lord tells Joseph that Mary will deliver a son and his name will be Jesus. In fact, the angel proceeds to reveal the unborn Child’s sex, name, and mission. (MacDonald)

The Gender of this Unique Person.

Mary would bear a Son.  Isaiah 9:6-7, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

The Name of this Unique Person.

He was to be named JESUS, (which means “Jehovah is salvation” or “Jehovah, the Savior”). The name Jesus comes from the Hebrew name, Joshua. There were many Jewish boys with the name Joshua (or, in the Greek, Jesus); but Mary’s Boy was called “Jesus the Christ.”  The word Christ means “anointed”; it is the Greek equivalent of Messiah. He is “Jesus the Messiah.” Jesus is His human name; Christ is His official title! Beloved, there is a SAVIOR! (MacDonald)

The Mission of this Unique Person. (1:21)

True to His Name, He would “save His people from their sins.” This Child of destiny was Jehovah Himself, visiting earth to save lost humanity from the penalty of sin, from the power of sin, and eventually from the very presence of sin. From the very start, Matthew explains, to a Jewish audience, that Jesus would not save the people from Rome or from tyranny, nor would he set up an earthly kingdom immediately. Instead, Jesus would save people from sin.  How would Jesus save them from their sins? The answers to these questions will be found in the unfolding story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. (MacDonald)

  

Jesus came to earth to save us because we cannot save ourselves from sin and its devastating and eternal consequences. No matter how good we are, we cannot eliminate our alienation from God. Only Jesus, the Messiah Savior, can do that. Jesus did not come to help people save themselves; he, and he alone, came to be our Savior from the power and penalty of sin. Hell is extremely real, and God’s grace is abundant—Jesus is the only Savior. Why not trust him? This is God's grand dream for you.

This Christmas it would be good to thank the Lord Jesus for his death on the cross for your sin, and then ask him to take control of your life. Believe that he died in your place and for your sin. Trust the truth that he was buried and rose again the third day as he promised. Know that he did all of this to save you. Your new life begins at that moment. Beloved, Jesus came on a mission of mercy to rescue lost and dying sinners from hell and bring us into a righteous relationship with God.

It Concerns the Prophecy about Messiah (Matt. 1:22-23):

This Son, conceived without the aid of a human father, is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s ancient prophecy. Again, in Isaiah 7:14, the great prophet says, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

This Prophecy was Fulfilled. (1:22)

As Matthew recorded these events, he realized that a new era had dawned in the history of God’s dealings with the human race. The words of a messianic prophecy, long dormant, had now sprung to life. Isaiah’s cryptic prophecy was now fulfilled in Mary’s Child! (Luke 1:69-70) (MacDonald)

The Prophecy Was Inspired.  (1:22)

You see, all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was “spoken of the Lord by the prophet.” Matthew claims divine inspiration for the words of Isaiah—the Lord had spoken by the prophet at least 700 years before Christ. This was God’s ancient prediction coming to fruition.

The Prophecy Was Miraculous.  (1:23)

The prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 includes the foretelling of a unique birth (“Behold, a virgin shall conceive”! In addition, think about the name assigned to God’s Son. “Emmanuel” describes who He is— “God with us.” Jesus Christ is God! We find this name “Immanuel” in Isaiah 7:14 and 8:8. The King, then, was a Jewish male who is also the divine Son of God. Immanuel might also be a designation for Christ which will be used primarily in His Second Advent. Note the thoughtfully crafted statement of this truth by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” God does the miraculous to save sinners like you and me. Hallelujah! What an excellent Savior! Amen! God is with us.

THE MARRIAGE FOLLOWING THE CHRISTMAS DREAM (Matt. 1:24-25): JOSEPH TAKES MARY TO BE HIS WIFE AND CHRIST IS BORN.

Joseph facing a difficult choice after discovering that Mary is pregnant, takes her as his wife. Though this may have been humiliating, Joseph chooses to obey the angel’s command to marry her.

Joseph Abandons His Plans. (Matt. 1:24) “did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him”

As a result of the angel’s intervention, Joseph abandons his plan to divorce Mary. He continues to recognize their betrothal until Jesus’ birth! Never fear leaving your designs for your future as you embrace God’s plan.

Joseph Adopts God’s Plans. (Matt. 1:25) “and took unto him his wife”

When Joseph awakes from this dream, he obeys the Lord’s guidance. He violates many national customs by immediately taking Mary into his home rather than waiting till the one-year time period of betrothal to pass. Thinking of what would be best for Mary in her condition, he brought her home and began to care and provide for her. (Walvoord)

We can appreciate God’s miraculous working in both Joseph and Mary. Although God’s actions were beyond their comprehension, and although they may have faced misunderstanding and questioning looks from those around them, Mary and Joseph willingly followed God’s guidance. How willing are we to do what God wants, no matter what? Can we follow God’s guidance without question?

Upon awaking, Joseph did not hesitate. The decision was no longer difficult, because he simply does what he knows God wants him to do. His actions revealed four commendable qualities: (1) righteousness (1:19), (2) discretion and sensitivity (1:19), (3) responsiveness to God (1:24), and (4) self-discipline (1:25). Does this accurately describe you and me? Are we cultivating these excellent characteristics? (Wiersbe)

 

Sometimes we avoid doing what is right because of what others might think. Like Joseph and Mary, we must choose to obey God rather than seek the approval of others.

Joseph Adjusts to God’s Plan. (Matt. 1:25) “he knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son:”

To squelch any doubts about the conception and birth of Jesus while Mary was still a virgin, Matthew explained that Joseph had no sexual relationship with Mary until after the birth of this Child, Jesus. Luke (Col. 4:14), records several details surrounding the birth (Luke 2:1-7). (Walvoord)

The statement in verse 25, also refutes the notion that Mary lived her whole life as a virgin; after Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary consummated their marriage, and Jesus had several half-brothers (Matt. 12:46). Two of Jesus’ half-brothers were prominent figured in the Jerusalem Church -- James, became the leader, and Jude, wrote the book that bears his name.

Other references which indicate that Mary had children by Joseph are Matthew 12:46; 13:55, 56; Mark 6:3; John 7:3, 5; Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5; and Galatians 1:19. Joseph was not the inflexible person that is hard to work with because they must do everything one way. He was agile, nibble, flexible and capable of growing through sound God-given guidance. Are you willingly adjusting to God’s plan for you?  

Joseph Adopts God’s Son. (Matt. 1:25) “and he [Joseph] called his name JESUS”

In taking Mary as his wife, Joseph also took her Child as his adopted Son. This is how Jesus became legal heir to the throne of David. In obedience to the angelic visitor, he called the Baby’s name Jesus. Joseph did everything that God had told him! Thus, Jesus is the indisputable King of Israel and Savior of the world. As Joseph accepted the Lord, why don’t we do the same? After all this is God's dream for you and me. 

CONCLUSION: 

Thus, the Messiah-King was born. The Eternal One entered time. The Omnipotent became a tiny Infant. The Lord of glory veiled that glory in a human body, and “in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9). GOD IS WITH US! God is still speaking to His people through the written Word of God. Read, study, meditate upon the Bible’s teachings to hear His great Voice. You do not need a dream necessarily to be certain you have heard from God, you can trust the Scriptures implicitly. As God guides respond in faith and obedience as Joseph did. Wonderful dreams, God's dreams, become reality when we live in concert with His plans.