things which must shortly come to pass

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FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND A 52-Week Study of the Book of Revelation

DR. RON BAITY Sunday, October 6, 2013

Week 22

THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY COME TO PASS A STUDY OF REVELATION—PART 22 We have been discussing the storm of the book of Revelation called the Tribulation. In most instances, after the blackness of the storm comes the loveliest sunlight. Basically, this is what happens in Revelation 14. Beginning in Chapter 6 of Revelation, we have discussed the first and portions of the second half of the Tribulation. According to Jesus, there never has never been nor will there ever be a time equal to the Tribulation.

I.

THE SUN BREAKS THROUGH THE STORMCLOUDS OF CHAPTERS 13 & 14 A. Some contrasts are seen in chapters 13& 14. 1. Chapter 13—Beast on the earth; Chapter 14—Lamb upon the throne 2. Chapter 13—Those who receive the mark of the beast; Chapter 14—Those who have the name of their father in their forehead. 3. Chapter 13—Those who dwell upon the earth; Chapter 14— Those who dwell in Heaven. B. The True Christ—Jesus Christ—is seen. (14:1) 1. Even in the midst of tribulation, we are reminded not to lose sight of the Lamb of God. 2. When you see the Lamb of God even in the midst of tribulation, you have the assurance everything will turn out all right!

II.

THE SECURITY OF THOSE IN THE LAMB IS SEEN (REVELATION 14:1) A. In Chapter 6 of Revelation, 144,000 Jews are sealed. B. The 144,000 are ministering during the world’s greatest turmoil. 1. One-third of the earth and trees will burn up. 2. One-third of the sea will turn to blood. 3. One-third of all the ships will be destroyed. 4. One-third of all fresh water will be polluted. 5. One-third of the light of the sun and moon will be diminished. 6. The Antichrist will kill multitudes of people. C. Through this holocaust, the 144,000 will be: 1. Preserved. 2. Protected. D. The 144,000 now stand triumphant in the presence of Jesus. 1. Please note the number: a. At the beginning of the Tribulation, 144,000 were sealed. b. Now standing in the Presence of God after much of the Tribulation on earth has elapsed, not even one Jew has been lost. c. Every single individual sealed by God made it in safely!

FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND A 52-Week Study of the Book of Revelation

DR. RON BAITY Sunday, October 6, 2013

Week 22

2. Today, every believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit the moment they accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour. (Ephesians 1:13) a. The seal means believers belong to God b. The seal is a guarantee that the believer will be protected into eternity c. “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

III.

THE REVELATION OF THE LAMB IN CHAPTER 14 IS SEEN A. The Lamb is the leader. (Revelation 14:1) 1. He led the 144,000 through the Tribulation. 2. He led them safely into His Presence. B. The Lamb is the Redeemer. (14:4) 1. The Lamb redeemed the 144,000 from among men. (14:4b) 2. Those redeemed desire to follow the Lamb. (14:4) C. The Lamb is the Judge. (14:10) 1. The lost will experience the wrath of God. (14:10) 2. The Lamb will have the final say with no appeal. (14:10)

IV.

HEAVEN IS A PRAISING PLACE (REVELATION 14:2, 3) A. Singing is found in Heaven. (Revelation 14:3: “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne”) 1. It sounded like “The voice of many waters”. (14:2) 2. It sounded like “The voice of a great thunder”. (14:2) B. Musical instruments are found in Heaven. (Revelation 14:2: “Harpers harping with their harps.”)

V.

WHY HEAVEN IS A PRAISING PLACE (REVELATION 14:3-5) A. The redeemed have a song to sing. (Revelation 14:3: “Which were redeemed from the earth.”) 1. They have been purchased by the blood of the Lamb. (14:4) 2. They have been set free from the penalty of their sins. B. The redeemed follow the Lamb. (Revelation 14:4: “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.”) 1. This means that they are in His Presence. 2. Psalm 16:11: “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” 3. Theirs is a no-strings-attached commitment. C. The redeemed are pure. (14:4) 1. They “Were not defiled with women; for they are virgins” 14:4 2. John is using symbolism to mean that these people are spiritually undefiled. 3. They have refused to become a part of the ungodly world the Antichrist is heading up: “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4) D. The redeemed are the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. 14:4

FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND

DR. RON BAITY

A 52-Week Study of the Book of Revelation

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Week 22

1. In Israel, the first fruits was the first grain presented to God as a thanks offering for God’s blessings upon their crops. 2. The first fruits testified that more of the same was to come. 3. These 144,000 are testimonies that more saved are on their way.

VI.

THE REDEEMED ARE SINCERE IN THEIR PROFESSION (REVELATION 14:5) A. There were no lies because they walked in the truth. V.5--(No guile) B. They were blameless because they: 1. Knew the truth. 2. Believed the truth. 3. Told the truth. 4. Spoke the truth. 5. Lived the truth. C. They refuse to speak the slogans of the Beast during the Tribulation.

VII.

IN WRATH, GOD REMEMBERS MERCY (REVELATION 14:6, 7) A. At this point, the Church has been delivered from the wrath to come. 1. The Church has been raptured to Heaven. (Revelation 4:1) 2. The Church at this time is not on the earth to proclaim the Gospel. B. God does not leave Himself without a witness. 1. Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14) 2. God will use the 144,000 to proclaim the message. 3. God will use the two witnesses to proclaim the message. (11:3) 4. God will use an angel to proclaim the message. (14:6) C. The Gospel is everlasting. (14:6) 1. It is eternal in its significance. 2. It is timeless. 3. It does not have a “sell-by” date stamped on the outside of it. 4. It is truth unchanged for the ages. D. The Gospel message is global. (14:6) 1. “To them that dwell on the earth” (14:6) 2. “To every nation” (14:6) 3. To “kindred” (14:6) 4. To “tongue” (14:6) 5. To “people” (14:6) E. The message of the angel. (14:7) 1. It is a message of conviction. a. They are told to “Fear God”. (14:7) b. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. 2. It is a message of conversion. (14:7) a. After conversion a soul desires to “Give glory to God”. (14:7) b. The 24 elders gave glory to the Lamb. (Revelation 4:11: “Thou art worthy, O Lord to receive glory…” etc.)

FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND A 52-Week Study of the Book of Revelation

DR. RON BAITY Sunday, October 6, 2013

Week 22

3. It is a message of consecration. (14:7) a. “Worship Him”. (14:7) b. Worship is the overflow of the heart filled with the love of God. F. The message recognizes the Great Power of the only Lord God. (14:7) 1. He “Made Heaven”. (14:7) 2. He made the “Earth”. (14:7) 3. He made the “Sea”. (14:7) 4. He made “The fountains of waters.” (14:7)

VIII.

THE BAD NEWS OF THE SECOND ANGEL TO EARTH- DWELLERS (REVELATION 14:8) A. The first angel brought the good news of the everlasting Gospel. B. This verse implies that the Gospel message was largely rejected. C. The purpose of the fall of Babylon is set forth. (14:8) 1. “She made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” (14:8) 2. The world will be intoxicated by the Babylonian false religion headed by the Antichrist. 3. This verse anticipates the fall explained in Revelation 17 and 18. 4. This verse treats a future fact as if it is already a historical reality.

IX.

THE WARNING OF THE THIRD ANGEL TO EARTH- DWELLERS (REVELATION 14:9) A. They are warned to stay away from Satan’s kingdom. 1. “Don’t worship the beast”. (14:9) 2. Don’t worship “His image”. (14:9) 3. Don’t “Receive his mark”. (14:9) B. They are warned of the consequences of disobedience. (Revelation 14:10, 11) 1. Two deadly drinks are seen: a. The drink of the wine of the wrath of the fornication of Babylon. (14:8) b. The “Drink of the wine of the wrath of God” (14:10) 2. God’s wrath is pure: “Without mixture”. (14:10) 3. God’s wrath produces “Indignation”. (14:10) 4. God’s wrath produces “Torment with fire and brimstone” (14:10) 5. God’s wrath is eternal: “Their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever;” (14:11) a. There will be ceaseless infliction of unbearable pain. b. Liberals say those who go into Hell will be burned up. c. If that statement is so, why doesn’t God put out the fire? (14:11)