Segment VII cont'd

Who Has Greater Guilt?

The fifth seal is a problem for people who believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. Advocates of a pre-tribulation rapture believe that they are worthy of escaping the suffering of the Great Tribulation, because they “believed in Christ” before the Great Tribulation began. This is foolish. James wrote, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shutter.” (James 2:19) Believing in God is one thing; obeying God at any cost is another. Currently, a large majority of the world rejects the authority of Christ, as well as His teachings, and Earth’s population is exploding faster than the gospel can travel. Billions of people on Earth have not had a chance to thoughtfully consider the gospel of Christ. They cannot consider it because they are immersed in barriers of culture, language, religious arrogance, and ignorance. Should these people be punished for 42 months with suffering and martyrdom while the ruptured saints are playing harps in Heaven? How can Jesus torment the heathen (meaning all of the “unsaved”) with a Great Tribulation, when proclaiming and demonstrating the gospel to the heathen is the responsibility of Christians? (Matthew 28:19,20) Who has the greater guilt: The pagans who did not or could not hear the gospel because Christians did not come to their village, or Christians who chose a fine paying job instead of traveling to remote villages to share the gospel? The “great escape” (as some call the pre-tribulation rapture) is plausible when presumption has displaced faith in Christ. If Jesus, our Lord and Master, came to Earth to suffer and die for us, should His servants do less for Him? Jesus said, “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” (John 15:20,21)

Saints as Sacrifices

John was shown the souls of martyrs under the Altar of Burnt Offering in Heaven because they are sacrificial martyrs. Before I can address what this statement means, I have to explain a few items. First, the doctrine of soul sleep becomes highly important once again in our study on Revelation. The souls of all the dead people are dead – awaiting either the first resurrection or the second. (John 6:39, 40; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Revelation 20:5) The souls of Abel, Stephen, Paul, and millions of other martyrs are not located under the Altar of Burnt Offering in Heaven now. Dead souls are not in Hell, either. Furthermore, the souls of those martyred during the fifth seal are not to be confused with people who have been martyred for the cause of Christ through the ages. The souls under the Altar represent people who will die for Jesus after the fifth seal is broken.

From time to time in Revelation, Jesus uses figurative language, and Rule Three of apocalyptic prophecy addresses the use of figurative language saying. “Apocalyptic language can be literal, symbolic or analogous. To reach the intended meaning of apocalyptic prophecy, the student must consider: (a) the context, (b) the use of parallel language elsewhere in the Bible, and (c) relevant statements in the Bible which define the symbol if an element is thought to be symbolic.” Since Rule Three says we have to consider the use of parallel language, please consider the following text: “Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let’s go out to the field.’ And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ ‘I do not know,’ he replied. ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ The Lord said, ‘What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.’” (Genesis 4:8-10) Of course, the blood of Abel was not talking to God, but the presence of Abel’s innocent blood spoke volumes to God! God saw the blood on the ground and its presence cried out to God for justice. Therefore, the Lord punished Cain for the murder of his brother. (Genesis 4:11-16) This is the point of the fifth seal. First, the souls are under the alter. This means they were used as sacrifices for the cause of Christ. Second, the innocent blood of these martyrs cried out in a loud voice for relief and revenge saying, “’How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the Earth and avenge our blood?’ [Then, the martyrs were told,] … to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.” (Revelation 6: 10,11) Jesus assures the martyrs that He is following a plan – the Plan of Salvation. He is deeply aware of each martyr’s situation, and He is counting the number of martyrs because there are a predetermined number of saints He will sacrifice before ending martyrdom. Jesus sacrifices a specific, large number of saints to demonstrate the great gulf between faith and presumption. The problem is that presumption looks like an identical twin to faith. At three feet, you cannot tell them apart, but the distinction becomes clear when life itself is threatened. Remember, salvation comes through faith, not through presumption.

The Setting

To better appreciate the campaign of the fifth seal, consider the setting on Earth when martyrdom begins. Jesus will release the devil from the abyss (spirit world) during the fifth trumpet. After the majority of people on Earth have heard the gospel (the terms and conditions of salvation), but refuse to love the truth and be saved, the devil will be released. The devil will be released out of the spirit world, and he will physically appear on Earth because the world rejected Christ’s authority. “… They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12) If people refuse to worship Jesus or submit to His authority after the clearest evidences of His will has been presented, and when the urging of the Holy Spirit has been silenced by deliberate rebellion against God’s Word, Jesus can do little to save people. Therefore, Jesus releases the Antichrist – Lucifer, “the destroyer” from the abyss. (Revelation 9:1) The physically presence of the devil changes everything for the wicked. Human beings will now choose to obey Jesus or they will be forced to obey Lucifer. No other options exist. Jesus allows the devil to physically appear on Earth to force undecided people into a decision. When the devil commands worship, the conflict between Christ and the Antichrist will narrow down to the same question that Elijah asked Israel on Mt. Carmel: “… How long will you waiver between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21)

During the fifth trumpet, the devil and his angels will torment the wicked people, but they cannot kill a single person. “They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.” (Revelation 9:5,6) For five months, the devil will intimidate and torture the wicked that refuse to submit to his sovereign authority, but he is not allowed to kill anyone. So, when the sixth trumpet sounds in Heaven’s court, most of the people on Earth will have made their decision as to whom they will worship, but few people will remain on the fence.

After the five months of torment are over, the fifth seal is broken and the martyrdom of the saints begins. When the sixth trumpet sounds, four powerful demons will be released on the earth. The devil’s angels will begin a search and destroy mission, killing people who oppose Lucifer’s claims. They will kill the non-religious wicked and the righteous alike because booth groups of people have refused to worship the devil who is masquerading as Almighty God. (Remember the discussion about the three classes of people – the non-religious wicked, the religious wicked and the righteous in our study on Daniel 10-12.) “And the four angels who were kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number. (Revelation 9:15,16) Because the Great Tribulation affects every family, this horrible slaughter will have destructive and redemptive value at the same time. When loved one, separated by differences of opinion during the Great Tribulation, see the murderous slaughter of friends and family members who have lived godly lives, some will repent of their rebellion at the last minute and take their stand for Christ. The blood of martyrs will purchase many precious converts for Christ. This is why Jesus sacrifices one-third of His saints. He is willing to sacrifice millions of saints to save one soul. Jesus Himself was a sacrifice for us and He will use His faithful followers as sacrifices to save as many people as possible!

There are several profound points here. First, Jesus has predetermined the number of martyrs that will die. He knows when the last person will make his decision. Once the last decision is made, the martyrdom stops and the seventh trumpet sound. “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise [from His throne of intercession]. There will be a time of distress [wrath, as in seven bowls] such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people – everyone whose name is found written in the Book [of Life] – will be delivered [from martyrdom]. .” (Daniel 12:1, insertion mine) Jesus will declare: “Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.” (Revelation 22:11)

The second point is even more profound. It is hard to comprehend the martyrdom of millions of saints for the benefit of a few people who will choose salvation at the last minute. In other words, if the sacrifice of 500,000,000 saints produces just a few converts to Christ during the last moments of grace, then the sacrifice is worth it to Jesus. This shows the value He places on each human being.  When God’s children begin to understand that 500,000,000 martyrs are worth as few as ten converts to Jesus, then we faintly begin to realize what the Father gave the world when He gave us Jesus. The sacrifice of Jesus is of greater value than the sum total of the human race! But, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:16,17)

The third profound point concerns the destructive/redemptive outcome of the sixth trumpet. By killing one-third of the human race, the devil gains what he has wanted from the day that Adam and Eve sinned, namely, dominion over mankind. Jesus allows the devil to kill the non-religious opposition as well as many saints. The end result is that Earth will be divided into two distinct camps of people: people worshiping the Lamb and people worshiping the lamb-like beast. Even though it appears on Earth that “Almighty God” (Lucifer) is in control, Jesus controls and limits Lucifer’s operations because Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus is in control of this drama and He has a few more lessons to demonstrate before bringing the drama to a close. The sacrifice of martyrs ends a 6,000-year-old offer. When the last human being makes his choice, like the door on Noah’s ark, the offer of salvation from the penalty of sin closes.

Revenge

The martyrs cried out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the Earth and avenge our blood?’ The martyrdom of the saints will occur over a period of about seven months. (This timing will be discussed in the study about the Seven Trumpets.) During this seven month time period, the devil will set up his one world church called the image and the harlot), and he will require everyone to convert to this new religion or be killed. “He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.” (Revelation 13:15-17)

We will discuss the image and the mark of the beast at length in our study on Revelation 13. For now, consider the point that a third of the saints will perish when the fifth seal is broken because they will refuse to worship the image or receive the mark of the beast. The blood of these martyrs will cry out for justice after the seventh trumpet sounds. “The nations were angry; and your wrath [the seven bowls] has come. The time has come for judging [avenging] the dead [martyrs], and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great – and for destroying those who destroy the Earth.” (Revelation 11:18, insertions mine) Notice how Jesus brings the wicked murderers to justice! He gives the bloodthirsty murderers blood to drink and the angels of Heaven declare the Lord righteous for extracting this horrible revenge! “The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: ‘You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged; for they have shed the blood of your saints   and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.’ And I heard the altar respond: ‘Yes, Lord God almighty, true and just are your judgments.’” (Revelation 16:4-7)

The White Robe

“Then each of them [the martyrs] was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer…” Believe it or not, and enormous amount of encouragement is in this passage. Let us consider the point in time when this occurs. When the fifth seal is broken, the saints have endured more than a thousand days of great tribulation. They will be weary, deathly ill, imprisoned for their loyalty and faith, or suffering from injuries resulting from torture and persecution. As the saints see the misery of the world and the ugly conflict between good and evil, many of them would rather die than to go forward for another year. Because Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, “ the saints do not fear death. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) At that time, many of the saints, like Job, be living on God’s grace and hanging on to life by the hour. The devil’s four angels will be allowed to murder those saints who Jesus has determined should be released from their body of suffering. “If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed.” The devil’s forces will appear to have achieved a great victory, but in reality, the death of the saints is God’s will! Jesus will accomplish two things through their sacrificial death. First, as stated already, the martyrdom of these saints will impress a few of the undecided to take their stand for Christ. Second, Jesus allows these faithful warriors to rest from their labors. The martyrs are assured of two things. First they can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7,8) Second, they will be comforted knowing that they have been sealed with the seal of God, and they will eagerly await to receive the promised white robe. The martyrs will calmly go to their death standing firm on the Word of God and holding tightly to their faith in Jesus. They truly rest in peace awaiting the glorious resurrection that “lies just ahead.” “Then I heard a voice from Heaven say, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’” (Revelation 14:13)

Summary

Our examination of the fifth seal ends with the profound affirmation of a truth. Faith in Jesus means a complete surrender to go, to be, and to do all that Jesus asks at any cost. Following Jesus and living by faith is so contrary tour fallen nature. It is humanly impossible to love our enemies, but Jesus died for us while we were His enemies. (Romans 5:10) It is so hard to stand alone for what is write, but Jesus stood alone in Pilate’s judgment hall for us. (Matthew 27) It is so hard to be completely honest and true, but Jesus came from Heaven and withstood endless scorn to demonstrate the truth about God the Father. (John 17) It is so hard to be submissive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, but Jesus was tempted in all points as we are without sinning. (Hebrews 4:15) It is so hard to be different when the pressure to “go along” with the crowd is so great. (Matthew 7:13) Following Jesus and living by faith are the most difficult experiences known to the human race. Why do you think ancient Israel failed?  Why did the Catholic Church fail? Why has Protestantism failed? When the majority of people in any religious organization displaces faith with presumption, that religious system falls from grace and it becomes a prison of darkness. (Matthew 23:27)

The gospel of Jesus is not an intellectual assent to truth. The gospel of Jesus is a declaration of our true position and condition before God. The gospel of Jesus is an explanation of the terms and conditions for salvation. The gospel is a clarion call to overcome sin through the power of Christ. Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” (Romans 1:16-17) The gospel of Jesus proclaims there is abundant grace to do the impossible if we are willing to submit to it! (2 Corinthians 12:9) In fact, there is strength enough, if and when the time comes, to go to our death for Christ if that is God’s will. (Revelation 13:10) Jesus has given us a perfect example of loving our enemies and living by faith.

By zooming forward in time to the fifth seal, we have been able to examine the difference between faith and presumption. The drama of martyrdom completes the story. The end result is that we are in an excellent position right now to understand the first seal. Now, we can see where faith in Jesus will take us. The fifth seal allows us to see “around the bend.” We can see why Jesus needs people who will put complete faith in Him so that He can use our life and death, as necessary, to accomplish the salvation of those around us! The fifth seal declares the meaning of biblical faith. The fifth seal unmasks the deception of presumption. People who live by faith are partakers of divine power! “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4,5)

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