Text Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “Have you got your heart in order?”

Scripture: Revelation 9:1-21

Last week: “Why We Pray”

This week: “Have you got your heart in order?”

My Bottom line: God‘s judgment is horrific and only those who God seals (who repent and believe) will be protected from it.

Intro

Moving: Right after you move in, your house is NOT in order. House vs Spiritual house (aka heart) Seals It would be really helpful to me as a pastor to be able to see whether or not you had the seal of God on your forehead. Like Shadrach, Mishshach and Abednego, you will find yourself in the fiery furnace, but you will come out unsinged.

Evil: As we see the evil in the world around us, it’s understandable that you will want to put things in better order than they are. Some do this through politics, others through non-profits, others through writing or the arts, and even through ministry. Making a difference? If this is you, my question for you is, is your “house” in order? In other words, Are you trying to clean up the mess in the world before you’ve cleaned up your own “room”. I mean that literally—not just metaphorically. A better question than, “Is your house in order?” might be, “Is your heart in order?” (Title of today’s message)

Better questions: Before you ask yourself, is my house in order ask yourself is my heart in order? (Optional)

A picture of evil (LOTR) Read some of Lord of the Rings (LOTR) story that describes the Nazgul. “The Nazgul came again, and as their Dark Lord now grew and put forth his strength, so their voices, which uttered only his will and his malice, were filled with evil and horror. Ever they circled the City, like vultures that expect their fill of doomed men’s flesh. Out of sight and shot they flew, and yet were ever present, and their deadly voices rent the air. More unbearable they became, not less, at each new cry. At length even the stout- hearted would fling themselves to the ground as the hidden menace passed over them, or they would stand, letting their weapons fall from nerveless hands while into their minds a blackness came, and they thought no more of war, but only of hiding and of crawling, and of death.” Return of the King, p. 97

My outline:

Intro

I. 5th Trumpet: Spiritual warfare is as real as physical warfare. (9:1-12)

II. 6th Trumpet: When God removes his sovereign restraint on evil, all hell breaks lose. (9:13-19)

III. Unrepentant sinners show how depraved an unsealed heart really is. (9:20-21)

IV. Applications—God is sovereign over evil. That’s how he can use evil to judge evil. “The devil is still God’s devil.” -Martin Luther

A. See and feel the evil around us better by gazing at God

B. If sealed by God, rest in that no matter what.

C. If not sealed by God yet, repent and believe; trust and follow Jesus Christ.

1. Humble yourself before holy, almighty God

2. Repent of your sins against him and believe that he’s made a way out for you.

3. Evidence your faith by leading others to follow you as you follow Him.

Closing

My Bottom line: God‘s judgment is horrific and only those who God seals (who repent and believe) will be protected from it.

Applications

I. God is sovereign over evil. That’s how he can use evil to judge evil. “The devil is still God’s devil.” -Martin Luther

II. See and feel the evil around us—recognize the good God graciously pours out.

III. If sealed by God, rest in that no matter what.

IV. If not sealed by God yet, repent and believe; trust and follow Jesus Christ.

A. Humble yourself before holy, almighty God

B. Repent of your sins against him and believe that he’s made a way out for you.

C. Evidence your faith by leading others to follow you as you follow Him.

Closing My Bottom line: God‘s judgment is horrific and only those who God seals (who repent and believe) will be protected from it.

Read closing story of heroism in LOTR final books Return of the King. Narrated by Jim Hamilton: “King Theoden has been crushed beneath his fallen horse, and the Nazgul descends to defile the dead. Only one warrior has remained to defend the fallen king. This warrior was named Dernhelm, but it was really the maiden Eowyn in disguise. The presence of the Nazgul startled the horse that Eowyn and the hobbit Merry rode, and they were thrown from their crazed mount. ‘Merry crawled on all fours like a dazed beast, and such a horror was on him that he was blind and sick. ‘“King’s man! King’s man” his heart cried within him, “You must stay by him...” But his will made no answer, and his body shook. He dared not open his eyes or look up.’ “Eowyn disguised as Dernhelm then commanded the Nazgul, ‘Leave the dead in peace!’ “A cold voice answered: ‘Come not between the Nazgul and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shriveled mind be left naked to the Lidless Eye.” ‘A sword rang as it was drawn. “Do what you will; but I will hinder it, if I may.” “Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!” “Then Merry heard of all sounds in that hour the strangest. It seemed that Dernhelm laughed, and the clear voice was like the ring of steel. “But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Eowyn I am, Eomund’s daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.” The black rider rises to kill Eowyn: “But suddenly he too stumbled forward with a cry of bitter pain, and his stroke went wide, driving into the ground. Merry’s sword had stabbed him from behind... “Eowyn! Eowyn!” Cried Merry. Then tottering, struggling up, with her last strength she drove her sword between the crown and mantle, as the great shoulders bowed before her. The sword broke sparkling into many shards. The crown rolled away with a clang...and a cry went up into the shuddering air, and faded to a shrill wailing, passing with the wind, a voice bodiless and thin that died, and was swallowed up, and was never heard again in that age of this world.” Return of the King, p. 97

Stand, brothers and sisters, against the onslaught of evil. Stand and fight against temptation...stand and fight for your life.” -Hamilton

Yes, stand and fight temptation, injustice, sin and evil. But start first in your own heart. Get your heart and home in order first. Then wade into the battle for the hearts and souls of mankind. Let’s pray

Other notes: This is the story of history & lore Lucifer chose to become the one worshiped and feared over worshiping his very own creator. His hubris led him to pursue conquering others to this end. Ever since he attempted Adam and Eve to follow him in this he’s been tempting others down the same path.

- The emperor and Vader in Star Wars

- Scar in the lion king

- Sauron in lord of the rings

- Thanos in Avengers

When we reject Jesus Christ as Lord, we walk down this who, naïve and dangerous path of anti-Christ as one of his followers. This is wicked. And there will be hell to pay. Literally. This is what the Lord is judging in the future as displayed in the Revelation.

Hamilton’s need: “We have a great need to see evil for what it is.”

Hamilton’s main point: “God’s judgment is painful and terrifying, and only those who God seals will be protected from his judgment.”

Akin’s main point: “In carrying out judgment on unrepentant humanity, the sovereign Lord will use Satan and his forces, but he will always remain in control over them.”

Outlines:

Hamilton Akin

I. 5th Trump (9:1-12) I. Spiritual warfare is real and intense (9:1-12)

II. 6th Trump (9:13-19) II. When God’s restraining grace is removed, Hell comes to earth (9:13-19)

III. Unrepentant sinners (9:20-21) III. God’s judgments reveal utter depravity of human heart (9:20-21)

Main commentary help:

- Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

- Revelation by Jim Hamilton

- Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

- Seven Seals by Matt Chandler, 2021 sermon

- ESV Global Study Bible

- Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

- Bible Knowledge Commentary