Our Promise Keeping God pt 2
What in the World is Going on? • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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God promised Abraham that He would make of him a great nation. My friends, God is going to keep that promise!
Just last week I had the privilege of attending the Holocaust Museum in DC. One word can summarize my experience: Sobering.
There was a man named Hitler that thought he could destroy every Jew from the face of the planet. But we know what he didn’t, that there is a God in heaven who has promised His people they will last forever.
Many have tried, some are still trying to rid the world of the Jew, but God is a promise-keeping God.
The Tribulation period is specifically a time of trial for the nation of Israel because of their rejection of Jesus, their Messiah. Chapter 7 stands as proof that God is not done with His people! Read these words with me beginning in verse 4...
Today I want to draw our focus on the people God has Sealed.
There is something to be said about these remarkable people. We notice first...
The Seal v.2-4
The Seal v.2-4
Some have rightly asked “What is this seal?” Some have wondered if it will be a visible mark since the Antichrist's mark will be visible.
The meaning of the word is a signet or a stamp. In John’s day a seal was a signet, usually a ring belonging to a government official. When this official would write a letter they would fo:ld the letter and place hot wax on the folds. While the wax was still wet they would then apply pressure with their ring embossing their seal on it and thus securing the letter.
The same is implied here in Revelation 7. The 144,000 will be sealed with the seal of the Lord. Here is what we know about the seal:
It signifies they belong to God
We’re told that these will be sealed in their foreheads
Now we must acknowledge that this sounds as if the seal will be visible, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be.
The forehead is symbolic in Scripture of knowledge.
It could mean that these witnesses are recognized by the world due to their knowledge of God
This knowledge can only come from a personal relationship with Him.
If you know Jesus as your Savior then you too are sealed today, just like they will be sealed in the coming tribulation.
Just as God has promised to deliver these 144,000 in the future, He has also promised to deliver you from the tribulation!
Aren’t you glad God is a promise-keeping God?
Not only does the seal signify they belong to God, but...
It signifies they have a purpose
The seal means more than just protection...
Rev. 9:4 “4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.”
Rev. 14:1-5 “1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”
It is clear that these who are sealed in their foreheads are protected from the judgments of God at this time, but for what purpose?
Becasue they are the chosen evangelists to take the gospel to furthermost reaches of the earth!
I want to show you a controversial passage, one that is often misquoted because it is misunderstood, look at Matthew 24:14 “14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
On the surface it sounds as if Jesus cannot return to this earth until the gospel is preached everywhere
Here is a problem: Where does the rapture play into this?
It doesn’t.
Matthew 24-25 are dealing with the tribulation
How do I know this?
Because Jesus is explaining this to His disciples, who were Jews, and this prophecy deals specifically with Israel and Jerusalem
In fact, here is an outline to help you understand Matthew 24: .
Verses 1-14 deal with the entire tribulation period, all seven years.
Verses 1-8 concern just the first half (3.5 years) which would include the seals and the trumpets.
Verses 9-14 deal withe second half (3.5 years) and cover everything up to end of the tribulation period
Notice verses 13 speaks of “He that shall endure to the end shall be saved”
That is not speaking of spiritual salvation, but physical!
When will this be? When Jesus returns
When will Jesus return to the earth to set up His throne? At the end of the tribulation period.
Verses 15-26 deal with the second half of the tribulation, known as the “Great tribulation” only in greater detail.
These 144,000 Jewish evangelists will accomplish in seven years what the church has failed to do in 2000. That is their purpose. That is why they are sealed.
We’ve seen the seal, next we see...
The Selection v. 5-8
The Selection v. 5-8
God in His infinite wisdom and in His perfect plan has called 12,000 men from the 12 tribes of Israel. These 144,000 are going to be witnesses to the far reaches of the earth. But if you are a student of Scripture you notice something odd...
Dan and Ephraim are missing. Joseph is mentioned in Dan’s place. Why is this?
No one has a satisfactory answer, the best answer I can come up with is that if you study the history of Israel, you find that Dan and Ephraim were the first tribes to abandon God and enter into idolatry.
God promised that if any of the tribes abandoned Him, He would separate them from the rest of the nation. Because of the sins of their past these two tribes will not be allowed the blessing of participating in the greatest soul-harvest in history. What a shame.
Church do you know what this tells us? It reminds us that God is keeping a record. It reminds us that God will hold us accountable. I don’t know about you, but if there is a blessing to be had, I want to receive it! I’m convinced that is why John concluded his first epistle in this way, 1 John 5:21
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Verses 5-8 show us that God chooses people He can trust. Not perfect people, there are none, but people He can trust.
Are you trustworthy? Are you faithful in the small things? Would God select you for a special assignment such as this one?
Now before we conclude this message on such a sad note, I want to make one final point, that is...
The Success Ezekiel 48
The Success Ezekiel 48
This passage records events even further in the future after the tribulation, during the millennial reign of Chris in 48th chapter of Ezekiel, God is dividing the land among His people Israel, I want you to take notice as to who He names first Ezekiel 48:1-6
1 Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazar-enan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan. 2 And by the border of Dan, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Asher. 3 And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Naphtali. 4 And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Manasseh. 5 And by the border of Manasseh, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Ephraim. 6 And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Reuben.
What a blessing!
Church God is a promise-keeping God! The fact that He will keep His promise made to Abraham, the fact that He will forgive Dan and Ephraim is enough to prove that He can, and will forgive you!
Conclusion:
I must admit, I am glad that there will be such a great number saved in the coming tribulation period, I am even more amazed that today you can be saved from the tribulation period.
Today God wants to seal you with His Holy Spirit.
God wants to select you for a ministry that only you can accomplish - isn’t that exciting? God has something for you to do that no one else can?!
God wants you to succeed. The trouble is, we do not know what success is. We measure success by how much money we have, by how many people attend our services, but the truth is, God measures success by how faithful we remain to Him.
How faithful are you to God? If we’re honest, none of us are as faithful as we should be. Just remember when you fail, call out to God to forgive you and He will. Let’s bow for prayer...
Today if you know beyond doubt you are a child of God bound for heaven, would you raise your hand?
It is not my desire to embarrass anyone, but there were some who couldn’t raise their hand. I’m not sure of the reason, but I am sure of this: God loves you, and Jesus died for you. Today, right where you are sitting, if you will admit to God you are a sinner and cannot save yourself, if you believe from your heart that Jesus died in your place and call on Him to forgive you, He will. If that is you, would raise your hand?