Who Can Stand?

Jitterbug is with you today truth. If you would Revelation chapter 7 going to look at verses one, 312.

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth that nobody in my bladder on both were silly or against any tree that also another angel ascending from the rising of the sand with the seal of the living God because of the loud voice of the angels who been given power to harm both and so he saying do not harm the earth or save the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God on their periods of the number of the sealed hundred 44,007 from every tribe of the sons of Israel, 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali tribe from the 20,000 from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed after this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, white robes, with palm branches in their hands and crying out the liabilities. Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the William and all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell on their faces before the throne and worship God say in a million blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, and honor and power and light be to our God forever and ever. Amen. Let's pray heavenly father we come before your throne today to praise you to thank you in a while as we look at this passage that we are dealing with today we see the great promises of God receive the rejoicing in the worship in heaven all week and please just jealous jealous of what's going on. Better jealous that that we are not experiencing that in escrow the power is one that we will but limit also very very thankful that we have the ability to come here today to worship as those in heaven are worshiping.

We asked father that you help us, that we might pull back the veil that we might get a glimpse of your holiness in your goodness and your glory, that we might be set around about later that our lives would be change that are the lives that we live might be transformed that Christ might be glorified in all that we do heavenly father. We love you today. We thank you Lord for the fact that salvation is of the father and of the William and that all we can do is meekly step back and give you all the honor and all the glory for the Lord is not what we have done for you. It's what you've done for us. The cross of Christ, got indirectness through this passage. May Jesus be uplifted and glorified through it in this congregation, beatified by, and it's in Jesus name we pray. Amen. You may be seated back to chapter 6 test set the stage for chapter 7 chapter 6 of some and have been released. They've gone out on the leader and they are pulling out their loans. Things like conquest and violence in and famine, and death and suffering is going on in this world and that during this time there are people who are Christians and they will not compromise and they will not back off from the faith, and many of them have been martyred. John says that they were killed, and they been taken up into heaven, and then they are with Jesus there said anything to secure their are in a place where there's no more CNN. There's no more suffering and there's no more sorrow and there's no more frustration and there is no more DF and yet there's a question in their hearts that plagued them. We see that in verse 10 of chapter 6 it it says this, they cried out as Osama bin Laden would only intrude, you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth.

Jesus tells them to write a little longer to wait until the number of monitors is complete, brothers and sisters. There is a set fixed complete absolute number of people to die for their faith in God. Only in that number is absolutely fixed. Jesus Christ said that he will not return that justice will not be so that the evening will not come until that last monitor is safely in heaven and that we are told that the death of the Lamb is to be pulled out the wrath of the Lamb who was he going to be pulled out on it is good to be put on unbelievers and even give me the list. They are the types of people. The categories of unbelievers is the Kings and the great ones in the generals and the rich and the powerful and that the common people.

The societies in the 40 those who mock the cross of Jesus Christ is with them their nose in the faces in the face of the son of God cried out for the rots in the mountains and William and is not that they don't fear death. I'm sure that they do that even fearing death, a theater, having to experience going into the presence of a holy and powerful God. Verse 17 of chapter 6 is this the great day of wrath is come, and who can stand that question is answered in chapter 7 soldier turn with me here to chapter 7 again and share with you three points today that answer that question who can stand on safe and secure versus 1133 after this I saw thoroughly distended of the four corners of the earth leaned back into the earth that knew me and my brother so you against any tree that I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun with the seal of the living God because it allowed the angels who had been given power to harm both and see say and do not hold both of the sale of the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God and therefore hands in the in the six chapter saw the horseman unleashing their lives upon this earth but in the seventh chapter we see angels and what are the angels doing their holding back the million that are holding back judgment. These goodness weekend judgment is coming like this great powerfully and suggestively upon this earth and yet, by the mercy of God is being held back. Now during this time of judgment would God see fit to show such mercy quickly.

Verse three again.

Verse three says do not harm the earth or the Savior of the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God. That's the point here is this the final judgment is being delayed in order that the whole number of God's people will be gathered together, so we have a fixed number of martyrs a set absolute number of people are good Dr. Christ.

There is also a fixed number of Christians. There is a fixed, absolute, steadfast certain number of people to come to know Christ as Savior. Jesus said all of the father gives to me will come to me and I will not lose one of those who God the father has given me in Ephesians chapter 1 verse three through six parts of this Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ asked us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the rule that we should be holy and blameless before him in love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace with which he has blessed us in the beloved bench. That number so that no human being can manipulate that number nor change it.

Satan has no power over that number. God has so you just people for all of eternity brothers and sisters that'll make a Presbyterian shout.

I mean I don't miss your backbone in years it all up with power in your testimony.

What is it mean to be sealed in the ancient world. The ancient world of Seo is used to identify an object as belonging to its owner. Back during the time when that those times were Jesus live if the king was leading to send a message to another team when he would do is this. He would take us probably right that message out. He rolled up and then he takes hot wax and seal it.

Then he would take his signet ring and involving the rocks was still living he would reach down and pressed it into that wax would leave that insignia right there on the wax so we met then that the king that he was sending the message to drop the message you would look at that he would know yes the tea sent this to me and this signifies the fact that it was him who sent it to the seal speaks first of all ownership patient seven we are told that the angel placed the seal of God where all the affiliates that come from you go back to Ezekiel chapter 9.

You'll see it when Ezekiel chapter 9. We are told that God made a distinction between the non-idolaters and idolaters in the non-idolaters, the true people of God. He put his seal to see them out. These are the true children of God. In Revelation 13 one. We are told what that Seo is who told his father and of the Lamb. Teambuilding used to be the youth director here several years ago and Tim had adopted a and Hispanic son named Seth and adopted a black son whose name was Daniel, but whoever the part play in one day Tim told me all about this and he said they were playing in the city is that Hispanic son saith call the black son Daniel his brother out for the whole bunch of people and so there was a small medical care that came over and said to saith he's not your brother, you Hispanic.

He's black.

The guy who lived with his right and he said Seth got hot and city reach up and grab that will bring about the shirt. Should you come with me and he took a ride over to the team and he said my son.

He said yes. If you're my son is you are selling. He said yes. Seth Daniels, my son sure nine. He said Tim Weldon. He said what's my name, he said. Seth Weldon Daniels nine present Daniel Weldon. He looked over that will bring said he said to say that he's not my brother again really understand it. You think this was a single it was an unity. Unity was not in the color of their skin. Unity was in the name of the family. Would to God that Christians would understand that truth identity is in Christ and brothers and sisters, we don't need a label is not black Christians and white Christians and Jewish Christians and Arab Christians. This just Christians.

You think that's identity. Identity is not in the city of the color of our skin is that that doesn't matter.

It shouldn't matter, we belong to Jesus. And we're sealed what by the name of the father and of the laying on 40 Richard Phillips said it will. He's of the plan of the singing is in the face of people of God will not be harmed by the calamity of the three riders of the blowing of the fertile lands that this does not mean that Christians are not safe and earthly worries since the fifth seal shows that many suffered death for God's word. Christians in this life stuff all manner of grief, sickness and poverty, oppression, slander, NDF yet through the sufferings. Christians inner salvation. James Bryce writes the ceiling accomplishes is the perseverance and faith God's work in them to assure that they will stand firm to the Indian Parliament God's firm foundation stands there exists a legal delivered those those who are heroes. Everyone who calls on Jesus and true faith is immediately marked by God to be saved out of this world. Jesus assured us truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word believes him who sent me has eternal life is not coming to judgment but is passed from death unto life. God seals his people for what purpose to guarantee our salvation. Ephesians 113 through 14. Paul said in him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit was a guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it to the praise of his glory.

William Hendrickson said that the ceiling is the most precious thing under heaven, and it is the Holy Spirit work. That was the Holy Spirit do. First of all, the Holy Spirit changes identity. I share this with you a while back but Trevor Lawrence is the quarterback for Crimson's football team, and right before the the championship game this year.

The reporters came to him and wanted to talk with the and said your freshman and said this is the biggest game of the year in college football set out you little bit nervous and Trevor said yes I'm a lot nervous and he said I really want to win this football game, but he said you know in the end is just a football game and identities, not in football.

My identity is in Christ was in sisters, we as Christians need to understand that that that truth already resonating down in our hearts that I'm a sinner saved by grace.

Jesus washed my seal away and made me free and being declared righteous justification that I've been adopted into the family of God, of God in a joint heir with the Lord Jesus Christ that Holy Spirit, abides in the constantly telling me Jesus is yours and you belong to him and this is not your home.

Your citizenship is in heaven.

Number two, the Holy Spirit authenticates our testimony by transforming how we live.

If you have been generally say sealed by the Holy Spirit of God you going to be different when you're not to be sinless, but you will see unless if you are a believer then policies your new creation. Things are passed away goal all things are become new.

Jonathan Edwards wrote a great little book called the distinguishing marks of the work of the Spirit of God and that he tells how you can ask yourself the question, am I Christian and you can answer it by looking at these distinguishing marks. Are you a true Christian, and these are the five marks that he is number one. Christina Jesus Christ is the son of God and Savior will be highly elevated. Number two. The Holy Spirit is a spirit of holiness, and he will lead you in a fight against the world the flesh and the devil number three. The truly converted have an increased interest in the word of God number four movie desire in your heart to hold tight to right doctrine and to fight against arrow number five you love you deeply increase for God for his fellow believers and for the lost point number two is the new member of the sealed regular seven through eight. The sealed hundred 44,000 seal from every tribe of the sons of Israel, 12,000 thousand from the tribe of Judah were sealed 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Jared 12,000 for the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000 tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000 tribe of Issachar 12,000 tribe of Zebulun 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed so the big question is who are these hundred 44,000 son would take it literally. The Jehovah's Witnesses take it literally.

The Jehovah's Witness say these hundred 44,000 are in heaven and they're the only ones that will ever go to heaven and that they Savior who are they Savior the first hundred 44,000. Jehovah's Witnesses that came into their possession. They are the ones that are in heaven and that number was complete in 1935 and they believe that all the Jehovah's Witnesses. Since that time have been relegated to live here on this earth accept horrible theology that's just horrible theology, and in fact hundred 43,000 that are listed here are not even in heaven where the ones they hit on women these as seal judgments. It's the vast unnumbered multitude, and in verses nine through 12 that are in heaven, so Jehovah's Witnesses are really off-base here but there's another little approach that is taken by dispensationalism. They separate the church and that is in Israel into two bodies. They believe that the church will be taken off this earth in the rapture and then there will be a seven year period of tribulation during that period of time. God is going to raise up hundred and 34,000 ethnic Jews and he's gonna save them and how Lindsay says they'll be like 134,000 Jewish milligrams that are let out into the earth to evangelize the earth.

Now there's a problem here. The main problem is this dispensationalism believe that there are two peoples of God is the church because the heavenly people of God. And then there's Israel. They call the earthly people of God's covenant theologians say no that's not right. There's only one people of God, Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians, we are together with absolutely no distinction whatsoever. Take a few minutes and share a few verses with you because this is extremely important is the one people of God or the people of God will look at a few verses I would go to add to acts chapter 10 where the apostle Peter is in the home of Simon the tanner in Joppa and he is had that great vision of the sheet coming day of all animals in it where God told him to rise and kill and eat. God uses that they helping to explain there's no distinction between Jew and Gentile. Then Cornelius arrives at his house and when he arrives at his house, Peter shares the gospel with him and his people and they come to a saving knowledge of Christ is a report about that in the 11th chapter of acts and this is what he says is as if the God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ who is that I could stay in God's way. When they heard these things, they fell silent and they glorified God, saying, then to the Gentiles. Also, God is granted repentance that leads to life. Galatians chapter 6, verse 16. Paul is speaking to the church and he calls the church, the Israel of God. Romans chapter 2 verse 28 to 29 Paul said this for no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward in physical but a Jew is one inwardly and circumcision as a matter of the heart by the Spirit, not by the letter's praise is not from man but from God. Matthew chapter 21 verse 42 through 43. Jesus is telling the unbelieving people of Israel that he is going to take the kingdom of God out of their hands and he is going to give it to another people to listen to what Jesus said and then don't you listen to what Peter said is how that was for field Jesus said this. Have you never read in the Scriptures, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone that was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Therefore I tell you the kingdom of God. We take it away from you and given to a people producing its faith and listen to how Peter describes it, and who Peter says this this new people are. He says this so onerous for you to believe, but for those who do not believe the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone of Peter use the same passage from the Psalms that Jesus did and said a stone of stumbling a rock of offense, they stumble because they disobey the word as they were destined to do the listen to this, but you he's talking to the church. Jew and Gentile together, but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Peter uses that same passage, Jesus used in many said you want to know who are the people who receive the kingdom of God after it was taken away from Israel.

He said that you church your the chosen generation, you are the chosen race. You are the holy nation. You are the peculiar people of God. Jew and Gentile together with no distinction. Then in Ephesians 213, 314 pulses this but now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought nearby the blood of Christ, the ones that are far off her Gentiles, for he himself is our peace was made us both one and is broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility, Jesus broke down the wall between Jew and Gentile had to do it through the shedding of his blood and now the dispensationalism are trying to rebuild that wall again brothers and sisters. That's bad theology. I only point out a few things about the 12 tribes. The first one mentioned here is Judah. Why would that be the first one will Judah is the Tingley tribes the messianic tribe to try that Jesus came from his line of the tribe of Judah, you will notice there take tribes that are not mentioned here and those of the tribe of Dan and Ephraim.

Now why would they not be mentioned why they left out a lot of theologians believe they are left out because King Jeroboam came into their territories and he put up golden calves and the people came and they worshiped the golden calf slayer. The Scripture says that no idolatry will enter the kingdom of God and they were a picture of idolaters and they are left out. So Judah is mentioned first because Jesus is from the tribe of Judah Rubin is mentioned second that Rubin was the firstborn the next two were interesting in the next two are Gad and Asher. Now it's interesting to me that Gad and Asher are mentioned first right after Ruben and Gad and Asher were the sons of Jacob's concubines, not the sons of his real wives. Why would they be put first above the sons of his real wives.

I wondered about that Richard Phillips gave a good reason.

He said the reason that the sons of the concubines were listed before the sons of the why of the wives was to signify the inclusion of the Gentiles. I think he's right. Once again, the people of God are what we are one Jew and Gentile. No distinctions on that number hundred 44,000 on here we go. 12 tribes of Israel.

12 apostles of Christ. You multiply those together yet hundred 44,000. What is that mean in Scripture means either a long extended period of time or a huge big number. It means big whatever is here. You have 12×12 times a thousand hundred 44,000. These hundred 44,000 represent the church. Here on earth that are fighting the good fight and that are laying their lives down for Christ's sake like .3 is a plentiful harvest verses 9 to 12. After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands and crying out with a loud voice. Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb and all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell on their faces before the throne and worship God saying amen blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power in my be to our God forever and ever hear the scene is switched from down on earth and down on earth. Christians were described as the hundred 44,000 and now the scene is in a different place the scene it is in heaven where there is a number that no one could count, no were these people. This is the culmination of all the true believers who've already died and gone to be with the Lord. I think of people in this church who have died Donald to be with Jesus. Some taught Sunday school summer elders. Some were deacons. Some were people cut the grass so more people he who made food and carried other people. Some people just love to worship God love to study the word of God people he loved to witness to their neighbors love to share the gospel with the lost love to pray for folks. I started thinking back over how many funerals are done in 41 years of ministry and is somewhere between 500 and 700 I think I want to get a lot of those people affect most of those people were believers in there with Jesus now. My dad, my grandmom Charles long missionaries in Vietnam such a good friend of mine. I think of Wanda Hudson who Wanda Lily. Some of you know you are as and she talks uneasily for over 30 years. Some of your parents, your moms or dads some of you had children to die going to be with the Lord. They are with Jesus right now they are with him and there's an intimacy going on between them that you and I can't even begin to comprehend and what are they doing the Scripture says here.

How are they praising Jesus to listen to this.

This is what I say. Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and the Lamb. We argue about God's sovereignty of our salvation here on earth and heaven.

I don't argue there's no arguing about it. Then there praising God for it. Facing all father all Jesus, the Lamb of God. Salvation belongs to you.

I said we replies Lord is that this is all you're doing. We didn't deserve it. We didn't earn it. We didn't do anything to merit our salvation.

Lord we received it by grace you are the one that did the brothers and sisters, let me tell you something theology matters. It matters a lot it matters what what's going on here in heaven that they were given the Lord all the glory work bragging on what they had done. They work bragging on their good works like they weren't saying. Look how smart I was a look how wise I was a locale spiritual. I was, I had the altar to trust Christ. I'm the one who did that is not what they're saying or saying Jesus paid it all to him I see in his left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow. My brother call me on the phone this week.

He so if you hear something. He had a clip that he had taken from a sermon from a pastor. One of the largest churches, fastest growing churches in America. He said I want to listen this new angle be happy.

I said okay and so I listened this little clip and the pastor said this, there is only one thing that Jesus can't conquer. And that is your unbelief I thought my head was going to explode.

I said what nobody comes to Christ until Jesus conquers their unbelief, but do you think that you came from spiritual death to spiritual light because you live because you willed it to be so do you think you were totally spiritually blind and all of a sudden you got asked to see truth because you willed it to be so all know God the father decreed your salvation, God the son accomplished your cell based on the cross and God the Holy Spirit raised your dad's spirit from the grave he resurrected your dead spirit. He regenerated you again for what purpose that you might believe and that you might repent of your sin to God be the glory that pastor was feeling glory from God. He was puffing his people up with pride in the soulful every person who is saved and he and and headed for heaven has had her or humble her or his unbelief conquered.

Make no mistake about it.

Salvation belongs to God and the Lamb. First Corinthians 1 2631 says this for consider your calling brothers not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not bring to nothing things that are so that no human being might boast in the presence of God and because of him. You are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God. Righteousness, sanctification, and redemption so that as it is written, let the one who bows boast in the Lord Richard Phillips of the following close with this wise judgment not yet come. What are the Angels restrained in the four winds, the answer, so that the full number of God's elect.

People may come our present history exist for the saving of the great multitudes that will worship above a zealous church should be asking what more can we do to reach out with the gospel to those around us and throughout the world. What role you play in this great harvest of the gospel for salvation you pray for specific people to be saved. You warmly invite neighbors to church. Are you prepared to explain the gospel message of Jesus to others and are you willing to do so. Boy what a great great command us. Are you willing are you willing to take the gospel to the lost and dying world.

That's our responsibility were not the Savior's Christ is the Savior, but we are the servants that God uses to take his gospel to a dying and lost world is pray. Emily father, we thank you and praise you today.

Your great marvelous glorious wonderful God, we thank you for sending Jesus to die for us so that we could rejoice this morning in our salvation and praise you for the great work that Jesus did on the cross, that we might have life, that it might be abundant here and that might be everlasting for all eternity. Heavenly father to get ready now to enter entire time of of celebrating the Lord's supper may you prepare our hearts. May this be a great time of joy for us. They we experience your presence and it's Jesus precious, holy name we pray. Amen