Wayside Bible Chapel Paul Wallace

This passage in Revelation describes the wonderful conclusion of God's work in us. He is able to make us stand, to endure to the end, and to see us safely to our promised land where we will worship and serve in His glorious presence.

The sixth seal is opened and forecasts utter devastation. Chapter six ends with the question, "Who can stand?" Chapter seven answers the question with the 144,000. But who are they? Jews? All believers? Various interpretations are addressed.

The mercy of God understands our weakness, and meets us in our frailties; The sovereign magnificence of God fulfils his own purposes without adjustment or alternation – from beginning to end. In spite of all his excuses, Moses obeyed. God used him because he obeyed. Because the Lord is truly sovereign over all things, then the only reasonable response to his call on our lives is to trust him. It is his omnipotence that matters, not our incompetence.

Seal five on the scroll is opened by the Lamb and we see the souls under the altar asking, how long before they are avenged and justice is executed? This is followed by a seal six that previews the final judgment that will come after the last soul comes into the kingdom of God.

As Jesus opens the seals horsemen are released causing war, famine, and death. There are various interpretations, some of which are covered in the message. But we know the theme is that God oversees it all to judge the wicked and purify the believers lives. What we see as disaster is often God bringing His people home while judging the wicked. We are in a spiritual war!

The resurrection revealed a mystery that was hidden in God. God's plan was always to redeem the lost, but until the disciples saw the risen Lord, the plan was not fully understood. Many Jews even thought there was no afterlife. Jesus' resurrection not only proved that there was, but that faith in His death on our behalf was the way to eternal life.