1. Strength in Trying Times: Lessons from the Book of Revelation Part 4: Know Your Assignment: Living With a Spirit of Martyrdom Revelation 6:9-11 and 7:9-10

2. Recap Rev 1: Know Your Lord Rev 1: Know Your Lord Rev 2-3: Know the Shepherd’s Rev 2-3: Know the Shepherd’s Voice Voice Rev 4-5:Know Your True Home Rev 4-5:Know Your True Home Rev 6-7:Know Your Assignment Rev 6-7:Know Your Assignment

3. I Was Almost on the Glenn Beck Show

4. Rev 6: The Seal Judgments 1 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

5. Rev 6: The Seal Judgments 3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.

6. Rev 6: The Seal Judgments 5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine !”

7. Rev 6: The Seal Judgments 7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

8. Rev 6: The Seal Judgments 9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

9. Rev 6: The Seal Judgments 12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

10. Rev 6: The Seal Judgments 15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

11. A Very Popular View

12. Don’t Be “Left Behind”

13. I told the Glenn Beck Show...

14. The “Left Behind” Passage The “Left Behind” Passage 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

15. Also, the Popular View Tends to Focus On Events Outside the Book of Revelation, Not on the Theological Meanings Within the Book of Revelation

16. For example, how should we interpret the death of ¼ of the earth (fourth seal)?

17. Three Sets of Judgments Seals (Rev 6): Preliminary Judgments in Human History Trumpets (Rev 8-9): Used in OT Calls for Repentance (Shofar) Bowls (Rev 16): Outpouring of the OT “Cup of God’s Wrath” 1. Conquest1. Fire on 1/3 Earth1. Sores 2. War2.Water to Blood, for 1/3 of the Sea 2. Entire Sea to Blood, Everything Dies 3. Famine3.Bitter Waters, for 1/3 of the Rivers & Springs 3. Entire Rivers & Springs to Blood 4. Death to ¼ Earth4.Sun, Moon, Stars, 1/3 Struck 4. Sun Scorches with Fire 5. Martyrs5. Locust Armies attack5. Darkness 6. Black Sun, Red Moon6.Armies kill 1/3 of humankind 6. Three Demons Gather Armies for Armageddon 7. “The great day of wrath has come” 7. “Kingdom of World = Kingdom of Christ” 7. “It is done!”

18. The Goal: Not to View Modern Calamities as Fulfillments of Revelation, But to Use Revelation to View Modern Calamities Biblically

19. Again, the Popular View Tends to Focus On Events Outside the Book of Revelation, Not on the Theological Meanings Within the Book of Revelation

20. For example, who are the martyrs who cry out, “How long, Sovereign Lord?” (fifth seal) A small set of future Christians who will physically die for their faith?

21. Remember, visions are not photographic, but impressionistic

22. Martyrdom in Revelation is a prophetic symbol for ALL Christians

23. Through its Use of This Symbol, Revelation Calls Upon All Christians to Take on a “Spirit of Martyrdom” Definition: A “spirit of martyrdom” is the commitment to maintain a faithful witness to Jesus Christ despite the suffering it brings, to the point of relinquishing all claim to the comfortable life you wish you could live.

24. Let’s think for a moment... How does Jesus appear in Rev?

26. How Does Satan Appear?

28. How is the New Heaven and New Earth Pictured?

30. And Christians?

31. And Christians? As Martyrs

32. There is an appropriateness to this prophetic image 1) Jesus is called the “faithful witness” (Rev 1:5), who was faithful right up to his death. All the martyrs in Revelation never renounce Jesus and remain “faithful witnesses” right up to their deaths (Antipas, the two witnesses, those who refuse to worship the beast, those who reign with Christ). 1) Jesus “overcame” the devil by laying down his life. Martyrs in Revelation are said to “overcome” the devil by laying down theirs (Rev 12:11).

33. Will you “receive” this?

34. First Floor, Second Floor Rev 6:9-11 “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord... until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood? Then each of them was given a white robe, and told to wait a little longer...

35. First Floor, Second Floor Rev 7:9-10 “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’ Rev 6:9-11 “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord... until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood? Then each of them was given a white robe, and told to wait a little longer...

36. Anyone here undergoing “suffering for righteousness’ sake” (1 Pet 3:14)? Physical pain, as a persecuted Christian?

37. Anyone here undergoing “suffering for righteousness’ sake” (1 Pet 3:14)? Physical pain, as a persecuted Christian? Financial pain, helping someone else?

38. Anyone here undergoing “suffering for righteousness’ sake” (1 Pet 3:14)? Physical pain, as a persecuted Christian? Financial pain, helping someone else? Relationship pain, forebearing someone else’s immature demands?

39. Anyone here undergoing “suffering for righteousness’ sake” (1 Pet 3:14)? Physical pain, as a persecuted Christian? Financial pain, helping someone else? Relationship pain, forebearing someone else’s immature demands? Emotional pain, devoting long, draining hours to some ministry... Or caregiving for someone who cannot care for himself?

40. Know Your Assignment If you are saying in your heart... How long, O Lord? Judge and avenge, O Lord? (Rev 6:10) It may be time for you to take up “a spirit of martyrdom.”

41. Conclusion Reckon yourself a “martyr,” who lays down all claim to his or her life, so that there is no “self” left to remain With each “blow” you receive to your body or spirit, know that you are taking a step toward imitating Jesus and defeating the devil.