Revelation 6-7
Session #5 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 6-7, as the intensity of the last days unfolds for both unbelievers who are damned and believers who are saved. Broadly speaking, Platt indicates that we must approach this book with proper humility; there are a variety of interpretations and disagreements over Revelation, but this should never drive us towards division or despair. We can all agree, regardless of our interpretation, that God always wins!
Key Reminders:
“Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”....‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ Revelation 7:3...16-17
Session #5 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 6-7, as the intensity of the last days unfolds for both unbelievers who are damned and believers who are saved. Broadly speaking, Platt indicates that we must approach this book with proper humility; there are a variety of interpretations and disagreements over Revelation, but this should never drive us towards division or despair. We can all agree, regardless of our interpretation, that God always wins!
Key Reminders:
- Concerning the church...in essentials, we must have unity (we believe these central truths...)
- In non-essentials, such as with practical views on alcohol, schooling, interpretations of other aspects of Bible that remain mystery such as Revelation, we can have freedoms - avoid division
- The arrangement of the book seems cyclical, not chronological (not meant to be read as day-to-day sequence of events); think cycles and spirals
- Visions gradually build towards climactic consummation
- Timing involves the last days - only point where something definitive is available - beginning of last days started when Jesus rose from the grave as His kingdom has come and continues to unfold (in between first and second coming)
- Theme is gospel of Jesus Christ; all visions given to us to primarily to encourage, exhort and compel us to believe and hold fast; rise up and be faithful and to patiently endure
Four Gospel Truths
- God is ultimately sovereign over evil; all permissions and power given (or allowed) under authority of God; Satan can do nothing apart from divine permission; suffering is always used to fulfill divine purposes
- Men and women are morally responsible for evil; men and women are decidedly sinful and dangerously self-destructive; sinfulness of man comes full circle; men and women deserve death
- God will judge men and women who turn from Him and live for this world; scope of His judgement will be cosmic; breadth of His judgement will be universal (and terrifying!) (6:12-17); duration of His judgement will be eternal
- God will save men and women who trust in Him and live for another world (chapter 7); Christians are secure on earth in the midst of tribulation; God plans the persecution of His people; God promises protection for His people; God has you sealed for eternity! God empowers perseverance for His people; Christians will stand in Heaven at the end of tribulation; They will shout God's victory; They will soak in God's glory; they will be satisfied by God's goodness and soothed by God's mercy (7:14-17)
- Non Christians should repent of sin with urgency and believe; Christians should stop toying with sin today!
- Proclaim the gospel with urgency!
- Humbly cry out for God's justice amidst persecution!
- Confidently cry out for God's mercy amidst suffering!
- Build your life and family on that which lasts forever!
- Spend and sacrifice your resources on that which brings eternal reward!
- Remember that this world is not our home!
