Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! As we begin a New Year, we continue our series on the Book of Revelation. This series follows the outline and material provided by Darrell Johnson in his book, Discipleship on the Edge

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! We have looked at the key chapters of Revelation 4-5 where we are shown God on his Throne and the Lamb, worthy to open the seals of the scroll because he was slain.

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! Many people end reading Revelation at this point as it becomes increasingly difficult to interpret the wild images in the visions. Especially on a New Year’s day.

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! But as we have stepped over the threshold of 2010 we best heed what many commentators say, “‘the breaking of the seven seals’ is the part of Revelation that best explains what is going on in our world.” Discipleship, p. 166

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! Scripture Reading Revelation 6:1-17; 8:1-5

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! As we said at last night’s service, sometimes we wonder about our prayers. Does God hear my prayers? Do my prayers actually make a difference?

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! The Lamb begins to break the seals on the scroll of history. - both revealing the meaning of history as well as - Setting those events in motion

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! With the breaking of every seal there is a cry or prayer said. With the first 4 seals, the cry is “Come!”

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! As Darrell Johnson points out, “The whole book of Revelation is bracketed by the verb ‘come’: 1:7 – “Look! He is coming.” 22:7 - “Look! I am coming quickly.” 22:12 - “Look! I am coming quickly.” 22:20 – “Yes, I am coming.” Johnson, p. 170

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! Revelation 22:17: The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!"

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! Calling not the 4 horsemen but Christ. Calling the Lamb who was slain to set up his kingdom. Lord’s Prayer 2 nd Request: “Your Kingdom Come!”

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! But why then, when the 4 living creatures cry “Come!” do we see the 4 horsemen and destruction?

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! “The four horsemen represent the kinds of things that happen when Jesus and his kingdom begin to press in on the world…. But when Jesus and his kingdom – when the Lamb and his way – come, there is resistance and opposition resulting in misery and terror.” Discipleship, p. 170

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! This opposition of kingdoms came as no surprise to the first readers. They were experiencing the results of siding with the Kingdom of Jesus instead of the kingdom of Rome.

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! So when Jesus’ kingdom comes there is “push-back” from the kingdom of darkness. Let’s look at the 4 horsemen.

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! “I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!” I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.”

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! “I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.” Rider of the white horse some think is Jesus [cf. 19:11] But in light of 2 Corinthians 11:14: “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! “I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.” The first horse is the power of evil, pretending to be Jesus, seeking to conquer minds and hearts. n.b. “Given a crown” – not absolute power - Under the throne of God

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! “When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!” Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.” vv. 3-4

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! “Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.” v. 4 Red horse – colour of blood Violence follows on the heels of conquest. Wars occur. Peace is lost. Blood flows.

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” Rev. 6:5-6

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” Rev. 6:5-6 On the heels of war, comes food shortages, rationing. Daily necessities for a whole days work, but the rich are not effected.- the wine

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! “When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!” I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.” Rev.6:7-8

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! “When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!” I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.” Rev.6:7-8 Pale Horse With the rider - death

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! Do you see the progression? If we do not go the way of the Lamb, Horse 1 – White – Conquering Horse 2 – Red – Violence Horse 3 – Black – Famine & injustice Horse 4 – Pale - Death

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they 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. Rev. 6:9-11

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! 5 th seal Cry from those martyred, whose blood flowed under the altar, “How long till you come?”

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! “The [fifth] seal is revealing one of the church’s roles in the world: to declare the good news of Jesus’ reign that the Lamb is on the throne. And then to choose to absorb the suffering that comes when his reign collides with greed and pride and racism and nationalism and militarism. The mystery is that in absorbing the suffering the kingdom comes.” Discipleship, p. 176

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Rev. 6:12-14

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Rev. 6:15-17

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! With the 6 th seal it is those who reject the Lamb that cry out. They had chosen a way without God and now were reaping the exactly that, a creation, without God, imploding.

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! Then the 7 th seal is opened…. Silence in heaven. The un-ceasing praise stops. Why is heaven silent?

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. Rev. 8:3-4

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! Heaven is silent to hear the prayers of God’s people Praying “Your Kingdom Come!” “Jesus bring your kingdom with its justice, peace and life.”

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! We often think that our prayers do not make a difference. This vision paints a different picture. Our prayers come before the throne of God.

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! G. Beasley-Murray: “But we can pray to him who has almighty power, and it would seem that God has willed that the prayer of his people should be part of the process by which the kingdom comes. The interaction between the sovereignty of God and the prayers of the saints is part of the ultimate mystery of existence.” Discipleship, p. 177

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! We do not know what 2010 will bring.

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! But this we know: That Jesus is coming. That where Jesus’ kingdom comes there will be opposition from the kingdom of darkness.

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! But this we know: That our prayers are heard in the throne room of heaven. That our prayers make a difference.

Things are Not as They Seem - Come! – The Cry that Moves History! Come, Lord Jesus! Your Kingdom Come!