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The Plot Thickens

The Plot Thickens. Sermon #7 in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. A good western…. The Plot of Revelation. The good guys and bad guys are clear. The issue is clear, who you going to worship. There will be an end, a showdown. Both sides don’t win. The Plot Thickens….

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The Plot Thickens

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  1. The Plot Thickens Sermon #7 in the Revelation of Jesus Christ

  2. A good western…

  3. The Plot of Revelation • The good guys and bad guys are clear. • The issue is clear, who you going to worship. • There will be an end, a showdown. Both sides don’t win.

  4. The Plot Thickens… • Revelation 8:13 - ”As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!”

  5. The 5th Trumpet • Revelation 9 - The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss.

  6. The 5th Trumpet • 3And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

  7. The 5th Trumpet • 5They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.

  8. Interpretations… • Uriah Smith – The rise of Islam. • Stefanovic – The spiritual condition in the secular world from the 18th century to today. • Kravig – The entrance of satan and his demonic forces offering their “assistance” to a troubled planet.

  9. What is clear • Satan is the leader of this attack on humanity • “A star that had fallen from heaven…” 9:1. • Titles in 9:11 seem to fit satan.

  10. What is clear • A key to the abyss is given to satan (9:1) • The key must have come from Christ (Rev. 1:18). • God cannot be accused of being unfair. • The true colors of the enemy will be seen.

  11. What is clear • Satan opens the abyss from which locusts come. These locusts appear to be demons. • Why I think they are demons: • Luke 8;30, 31 – Demons hate the abyss… • 2 Peter 2:4 – Fallen angels are held in the abyss for judgment. They are controlled by God. • Luke 10:17-20 – Jesus’ followers are given protection and power over “serpents and scorpions”

  12. What is clear • Locust’s power… • Power like scorpions: • Scorpions are camouflaged. • Scorpions sting but rarely kill. • Scorpions are nocturnal, they do their work at night • Scorpions are photophobic, they run from light. • These locusts/scorpions attack humanity not plants

  13. What is clear • The locust/scorpion beings are limited in power: • They can’t harm those who have received the seal of God (9:4). • This is why I suspect that the 5th trumpet is in the future. Those who receive the seal are the 144,000 in 7:3. • Time frame limited to 5 months (150 days). • Noah in the ark 5 months (Genesis 8:1-3). • Elizabeth was in seclusion 5 months while pregnant with John the Baptist.

  14. Application #1 • Satan and his minions work to devastate humanity. • Their goal for five months is to create the need for a “savior.” • Satan can then come on the scene in disguise and deceive the world into thinking that he is the savior of the world.

  15. Application #1 • “In times of crisis we allow people to take over and enact unusual procedures. Crisis feeds on the illusion that control can bring the situation under control. Crises are used to excuse drastic and erratic actions on the part of managers…. Individuals have fewer responsibilities in crisis as management gathers power to ride out the problem. When crisis is the norm, management tends to assume an unhealthy amount of power on a daily basis.” Shaef and Fassel p. 160.

  16. Application #1 • SM 2:53 – “Wonderful scenes, with which Satan will be closely connected, will soon take place. God’s Word declares that Satan will work miracles. He will make people sick, and then will suddenly remove from them his satanic power. They will then be regarded as healed.”

  17. Application #2 • This battle begins spiritually and then grows into physical as we progress through the plot of Revelation. • These scorpions are disguised as locusts they are still working behind the scenes in the darkness. • We must be preparing now for this spiritual battle.

  18. Spiritual warfare • Couple who were convicted but just couldn’t do it. • People in our church that lost their jobs this week. • Down day on Thursday.

  19. Spiritual Warfare • Learn to distinguish between spirits and have spiritual eyesight. • John 10:3-5 – Recognize Jesus’ voice and run from the stranger’s voice. • Ephesian 6:10-12 – Not flesh and blood. • Revelation 3:18 – Offered eye salve to see. • John 8:44, 45 – Satan is a liar.

  20. Spiritual Warfare • Learn what the Bible teaches about the character of God. • 1 John 4:16 – God is love and that love is defined in Christ’s sacrifice (1 John 3:16). • Psalm 103 – A compassionate and gracious God.

  21. Spiritual Warfare • “It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time (the time of the 10 virgins) a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known.” COL p. 415

  22. Spiritual Warfare • “The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love.” COL p. 415

  23. Spiritual Warfare • We must receive the Holy Spirit. • John 16:7 – Jesus needed to leave because it was important for us to have the Holy Spirit. • Ephesians 1:13,14 – The Holy Spirit is a “seal” and a “deposit.”

  24. Spiritual Warfare • “Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. One may be familiar with the commands and promises of the Bible; but unless the Spirit of God sets the truth home, the character will not be transformed. Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations of Satan.” COL 411.

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