The Attitude of Being Ready for the Biblical End-time (2)

The Attitude of Being Ready for the Biblical End-time (2)

Revelation 9:1-6

Speaker: Reverend Philip Lee

Service: Moriah, Morning Service

Date: September 13, 2020

Do not fear the end time

Some believe that there is no end time and the end time has no relevance. However we must realize that for each person, there is surely an individualistic death and there will surely be a universal end time. On the other hand, there are others who consider the end times to be fearful and terrifying and give up everything and they follow those who have a false understanding of the end times and they fail. For those who believe in Jesus Christ there is no fear of death because death is not the end. Our God who is our father He will not leave us to be destroyed nor will He leave us in these end times. Just as humans guard their own children likewise, God who is our Father He too will surely protect us and keep us and this is what we believe. Those who are filled with the hope of heaven do not fear an individual death or a universal end time. Therefore, today what is the attitude and posture of being ready for the biblical end times for the saints?

The plague related to the seal of God is the plague of the 5th trumpet

In the end times, there are many plagues that arise and amongst them, the plague related to the “seal of God,” is the 5th trumpet (Rev 9:1). First, there is a “star” that falls from heaven and opens the “bottomless pit.” And from the midst of that pit, there is a smoke that darkens everything and from this smoke, locust comes out and those that do not have the seal of God on their “foreheads” are tormented (Rev 9:4). The locust were told not to harm the grass of the earth nor any green thing nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. The important lesson that we must learn is that those who do not have the seal are the ones who are tormented by the plague of the 5th trumpet. This demonstrates that we must be able to receive the seal of God before the 5th trumpet in order to receive protection from this (Rev 7:3).

Those without the seal of God will receive the plague of locust for 5 months

We must receive God’s seal however; those who do not receive the seal will be plagued by locust for (5) months (Rev 9:5, 10). This teaches us that the 5th trumpet however severe it is has a set time and torment which is (5) months. The Word of God proclaims that the days of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah (Matt 24:37). For 150 days, the flood waters covered the earth which is exactly (5) months if you count a month as 30 days (Gen 7:24). The plague of the 5th trumpet is such a fearful plague for in that day, men will seek death and will not find it (Rev 9:6). Although we are experiencing such difficulties with COVID19 it cannot be compared to these (5) months and we must be aware of this. During this severe affliction God will not cast away His children for He will surely perform His work and in the midst of this plague He will save us.

The Place of God’s Seal is the forehead

God places His seal on the forehead of His people and those without the seal will be afflicted (Rev 7:3; 9:4). We have many places on our bodies but why does God place the seal on our forehead? First, the forehead represents our thoughts and ideologies and is the very front of our head. In the time of Ezekiel, the people of Israel were filled with disobedience in the foreheads (Ezek 3:7). The prophet Ezekiel was filled with the Word of God and the thoughts and ideologies of God filled the prophet Ezekiel. The Bible expressed the forehead of Ezekiel as, “Like emery harder than flint” (Ezek 3:9). “Flint” is very hard and sturdy but “emery” is even harder. In Hebrew, “emery” is actually speaking of diamonds which is much harder than “flint.” Therefore, it doesn’t matter how hard the flint is, if it strikes against diamond it would be shattered. Today, this is teaching us that it doesn’t matter what human thoughts or ideologies are established, or how strong they are but it can never be victorious over God’s thoughts and ideologies. Today the Word of the History of Redemption that we have received is the Word that is like a “diamond,” and like the “emery.” And if we hold unto this Word we will be able to overcome all human thoughts and ideologies. Secondly, the forehead represents the personality or character of a person for example; those who complain and grumble their foreheads are crinkled which represents their entire heart because they hate others so much. Hatred is expressed through their wrinkled forehead, for their entire forehead is like a rock (Isa 48:4). These are those who don’t receive the Word of God.

The saints are sealed by the Word of God

When we received the Word of God, the Word of Jesus we are receiving His seal (John 3:33). However, those who do not receive His Word are not sealed. A document that does not have a seal or not notarized, cannot be recognized and is fake. We must be sealed by God to receive His acknowledgment. Jesus is the one who received God’s seal because He received the Word of the Father. When Jesus proclaims the Father’s Word and we receive that Word, we also will receive the seal (John 6:27). In these last days, as we experience these afflictions we must be those who read God’s Word, hear God’s Word and those who heed His Word (Rev 1:3). And the one who does such things they will overcome these afflictions.

The one who receives God’s seal will surely be protected

If you receive God’s seal on your forehead you will not be afflicted. We belong to our Father and the lamb because we are sealed as such and will stand with Him on Mount Zion (Rev 7:4, 14:1). In the same way, the 144,000 on their foreheads were sealed with the name of the Lamb of His Father written on their foreheads and we belong to Him (Rev 14:1). Would God cast away His own possessions? For whatever plagues come towards us in these last days, don’t be afraid for we have received the seal of God.

Conclusion:

The one who is prepared and ready for the biblical end times needs to be faithful until the end for Jesus is with us always (Matt 28:20). Some of us will be tested for ten days and will have tribulation (Rev 2:10). The number ten is a complete number or the number of completion and refers to a tribulation that is most fearful and severe but not eternal and will come to an end (Matt 24:21-22). We must believe in Jesus and become the sealed ones and no matter what tribulation comes before us we must not depart from the faith of Jesus Christ and the Word of Redemptive History and be faithful until the end.