Listen to Sermon
The Seven Seals: Suffering & Salvation (Revelation 6 & 7)
Alex Banks
https://hopecn.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/The-Seven-Seals-Suffering-Salvation-Revelation-6-7.m4a
https://youtu.be/cEf0M_WvvOc
Revelation reminders
Less about predicting, more about preparation
Three types of book:
1) Letter – written to specific Churches in history
2) Prophetic – message directly from God calling to act
3) Apocalyptic – revealing divine mysteries through imagery
Revelation is honest about suffering
Revelation doesn’t sugar-coat anything
– It’s a dream, so everything dialled up to 11
– Bible & Jesus always honest, better to tackle difficulties with eyes open
If we are worried, maybe that should challenge us to lift our eyes and turn to Jesus
Revelation is closer to reality than you think
First four seals (horsemen)
Every culture in history has seen war and its effects
Fifth seal
Cry for justice echoes persecuted Church (then & now)
Sixth seal
Everyone, no matter their status, has to face death & what comes after
Revelation is full of hope
144,000 represents complete fulfilment of the Old Testament
Why the sudden change? So sad to so happy!
– Reminded of end of Job, 180-degree turn “happy ending”
– Purposeful, should be no doubt it’s worth being faithful to God and His faithfulness to us
– Know in the end, the Lamb will win!
What next?
SERVE Him – 1 Samuel 12: 24SHELTER in Him – Psalm 91: 1Drink from His SPRING of Living Water – John 4: 14Revelation is the fulfilment of these thingsYou can experience (in part) now!