Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro: (Me)

Suspense is the eager or anxious anticipation of a result

Promotion board results

“Wait til you Dad gets home!”

Pregnancy and birth

Sick in hospital last year

You

Promotions

Discipline

Births

Life threatening illness

All of us can identify with an air of suspense recognizing the fear and dread or the joy and excitement that comes with it.

God

The entirety of our passage displays suspense…Suspense in certain areas plain and hard to reveal.

One particular question will be answered tonight that has been asked about a month ago...

Tonight I want to look at this passage like one of those “staring” pictures.

We are going to intently gaze on this chapter to see some nuances that may have been hidden to you in times past.

Remember those pictures…stare at this for 30 seconds, then look at a white wall…

We may have cruised over this passage throughout the years, but I home staring at these 11 verses will bring the silhouette of truth because of the light of Christ.

So what does God say in this chapter.

Read Chapter.

Pray

I. Paraphrase the chapter

Suspense and Sanctification

Presence of God

Promotion board results

Some think this is Christ

Why?

Similar description to

Holding the Scroll

Why not?

Similar description to , but it is not the same.

This hides Christ, not reveals Christ.

Christ is to be revealed or uncovered - The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Christ is not confused with angels in revelation.

Here’s the difference:

Likely another angel

another: Gk.

Allon - another of same type or kind, so that it is identical.

Gk.

Heteron, another, but different somehow.

Swears by God Creator

Raising hand echoes Daniel’s vision of an Angel in

7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.

The Angel’s description reflects God’s holiness or presence.

Purpose

Purpose of God

“Wait til you Dad gets home!”

Angels in the Old Testament - Shining, people fell as dead at their presence

Moses - Coming down the mountain, his face shone, people requested a veil to hide the glory

Jesus - the mount of transfiguration - shining, white garments

What does that have to do with us?

What does that have to do with suspense?

A comprehensive definition of santification by the New Hampshire Baptist Confession (1833) states: “We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means—especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer” (Article X)

A comprehensive definition of santification by the New Hampshire Baptist Confession (1833) states: “We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means—especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer” (Article X)

Purpose of God

Pregnancy and birth

7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.

Purpose of God

14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

Purpose of God

Purpose of God

Moses - get the 10 commandments

Stephen - The Gospel

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.

13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

Suspense and Sanctification

What does this have to do with me...

When will I stop sinning?

present your self a s a living sacrifice

present your instruments as instruments of righteousness

Spiritual disicplines - be transforme

What is God’s will for my life?

Love him with all you got, nose to your toes, mind soul and body

Love others as yourself

Suspense and the Sovereignty of God

We see the angel displaying the sovereignty of God by

Displays the presence of God

Stands on the sea and land

Cries with a loud authoritative voice

Raises hand to heaven and swears by the creator

Message that the delay is ended

Means and Timing: when the seventh Angel sounds

then… the Mystery to be revealed

Side note: What are the seven thunders?

No one knows!

There is no scripture that says “the seven thunders are...”

Closest conjectures are:

The same loud voices in 11:15, but the message wasn’t to be revealed yet

- Seven fold voice of God

over the waters

is powerful

full of majesty

breaks the cedars

divides the flames of fire

shakes the wilderness

commands birth

Who knows?