Why and When Does God Protect His People? | Revelation 11; Mark 1:15; Matt 5-7; Luke 4:18-19; Rom 8:28
Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come
Title: “Why and When Does God Protect His People?”
Scripture: Revelation 11; Mark 1:15; Matt 5-7; Luke 4:18-19; Rom 8:28
(Main commentary helps listed at the end)
Two weeks ago: “Around the corner and around the world”
This week: “Why and When Does God Protect His People?”
Opening story about John Paton
Lottie Moon said, “I have a firm conviction that I am immortal ‘til my work is done.”
Jim Elliott wrote, “Remember you are immortal until your work is done. But don’t let the sands of time get into the eyes of your vision to reach those who still set in darkness. They simply must hear.”
My Bottom line:
God will protect his people against all satanic opposition, and
They will proclaim the good news until the kingdom comes.
Outline:
I. Intro -
A. John Paton story
B. Bottom line
II. Measuring the Temple (Identity)—body of Christ —Measuring is taking stock of who your people are and where they are. (11:1-2)
III. 2 Witnesses (Power and protection to proclaim) (11:3-14)
A. Power - In the face of persecution, what empowers us to move forward?
Empowered by the Holy Spirit + Faith to walk in his presence and power.
The proclaiming of the good news
“Power comes through the preaching of the gospel, when the Spirit gives life to someone dead in trespasses and sins. The Church’s power is in the proclamation of the gospel.” -J Hamilton, p. 239
The Church then is
Empowered by the Spirit,
Protected by the Father, and
Equipped by the Son to proclaim His good news
B. Protection - Protected from satanic opposition but not from all people. We still may die (be defeated for a short time) but we’ll only graduate when that happens. We’ll be...
Vindicated
Raised from the dead
Invited to join God in heaven
And then the kingdom will come
C. Proclaim
Protected to proclaim. This is why we remain behind.
Protected by his power for his purpose (mission).
IV. Until - Until his kingdom comes in full. (11:15-19)
A. See how heaven rejoices.
B. See how this is at the center of Revelation (11:15)
C. The question is: Do we really believe that the kingdom being near is good news? As the enemy turns the screws as we continue to share the good news, will we give up in fear?
D. What is the good news?
“That the kingdom of God has come near.” Mark 1:15
Jesus Manifesto/Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7 (sermon series from last year)
Luke 4:18-19
Freedom—Freedom for oppressed and prisoners (addiction, unhealthy habits, sin, death, etc.)
Vision—Sight for the blind (physically and spiritually)
Capital—favor/blessing/provision of financial, intellectual, physical, relational, and spiritual capital.
V. Close - “If you do know Christ, this is who you are. You are measured by the Father, indwelt and empowered by the Spirit, protected to proclaim the good news so that slaves might be freed.” -J Hamilton, p. 239
A. Stories—
Lottie Moon said, “I have a firm conviction that I am immortal ‘til my work is done.”
Jim Elliott wrote, “Remember you are immortal until your work is done. But don’t let the sands of time get into the eyes of your vision to reach those who still set in darkness. They simply must hear.”
B. Application + Bottom line =
God knows his people and protects them. (Measuring)
God’s people are protected to proclaim the gospel by the Spirit. (Protected to proclaim in power)
C. The question is: Do we really believe that the kingdom being near is good news?
As the enemy turns the screws will we continue to share the good news?
Pray
Other notes:
10:1 - 14:20 is a huge parenthesis before the “bowls” of judgment.
Summary of lessons by Duvall:
Although God’s people are protected spiritually, they are still vulnerable to persecution. (Physically)
God’s people are called to speak prophetically.
The world will often react with hostility to the church’s prophetic witness.
God’s promises to raise his people from the dead, reversing their temporary defeat at the hands of evil powers.
The witnessing church possesses tremendous power and authority to carry out her mission.
Main commentary help:
Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin
Revelation by Jim Hamilton
Revelation by Paige Patterson, New American Commentary series
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
The Book of Revelation, NICNT, Robert Mounce
Other illustrations:
Lottie Moon said, “I have a firm conviction that I am immortal ‘til my work is done.”
Jim Elliott wrote, “Remember you are immortal until your work is done. But don’t let the sands of time get into the eyes of your vision to reach those who still set in darkness. They simply must hear.”
Jim Elliott also said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
Sodomy = ultimate moral corruption
“The fear or reverence cited here (v. 18) is the fear of a child for his father, while knowing the great love and concern of his father, yet nevertheless knowing to fear him when his father’s will has been transgressed. Fear sends the child running to the father rather than running from the father.” -Patterson, p. 255
“Now the ark of the covenant, symbolizing both the promises of God and the atonement available in his divine providences, is seen in heaven.” Patterson, p. 257
Temple in Rev 11 is original divine plan for tabernacle/temple.
Temple in Rev 21 is seen in heaven. Patterson, p. 258
John Patton illustration in Hamilton