Finding Our Voice Revelation 11

The Picture Latter part of the Tribulation Latter part of the Tribulation 1,260 days, 42 months 1,260 days, 42 months Rooted in Daniel Rooted in Daniel Time of “great distress” Time of “great distress”

The Picture Church is trampled partially, yet protected ultimately Church is trampled partially, yet protected ultimately Measuring a sign of protection (Zech. 2) Measuring a sign of protection (Zech. 2) In the midst of this, God sends forth His prophets In the midst of this, God sends forth His prophets

The Picture The emergence of the Anti-Christ (v.7) The emergence of the Anti-Christ (v.7) Prophets: Prophets: – Clothing—sackcloth (Elijah and John) – Office—priest (Joshua); kingly role (Zerubbabel) Zechariah 4:14

The Picture Prophets Prophets – Power and Protection – Elijah calling down fire on Ahaziah’s soldiers (2 Kings 1). They are protected by God for a time – Power like Moses and Elijah

We Must Never Lose Our Prophetic Voice The North American evangelical church has forgotten that The North American evangelical church has forgotten that – Positive Thinking – Robert Schuller – Corruption of church growth principles in some parts of the mega church movement

We Must Maintain Balance We must We must – Speak the truth in love – Know how to answer with grace, seasoned with salt – Give reason for hope with gentleness and respect

We Must Maintain Balance Yet we must remember actions of those writers Yet we must remember actions of those writers – Acts 2: 23, 36, – Acts 17:29-31 – Jesus – “white-washed tombs” “You have had five husbands, and the man you are with is not your husband” (John 4)

We Must Maintain Balance John the Baptist – “It is not lawful” John the Baptist – “It is not lawful” Our reticence has placed us in a bad position and we must overcome it Our reticence has placed us in a bad position and we must overcome it We must remember missionaries of the past and present We must remember missionaries of the past and present

We Must Preach To Ourselves 1 Cor. 9:27 1 Cor. 9:27 1 Cor.. 5 – expel the immoral brother 1 Cor.. 5 – expel the immoral brother We must regain our own discipline We must regain our own discipline We must seek to build toward holiness in our homes We must seek to build toward holiness in our homes

We Must Be Prepared To Suffer The landscape has changed in our culture The landscape has changed in our culture Those who seek to be prophetic will suffer more directly Those who seek to be prophetic will suffer more directly The Lord will work through our faithful witness and OUR FAITHTUL SUFFERING The Lord will work through our faithful witness and OUR FAITHTUL SUFFERING