A Promise in the Midst of Judgment

NEW

By Ed Traverse, September 10, 2023



The Series: “New": Revelation is more about a present hope than a future calendar



The world is going to feel like everything is out of control


> Rev 6:1-8 – Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!”  2  And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, > and to conquer. 3  When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!”  4  And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword. 5  When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand.  6  And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!” 7  When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!”  8  And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.


Matt 24:21-22 – For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.  22  And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved.



God’s judgment is the final wake-up call


> Rev 6:15-17 – Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,  16  calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,  17  for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”




God makes an incredible promise to those who have suffered


> Rev 7:13-17 –   Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?”  14  I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17  For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”