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6th Seal 5 - They Came Through Great Tribulation

6th Seal 5 - They Came Through Great Tribulation

(Rev 7:9-17 KJV) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; {10} And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. {11} And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, {12} Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. {13} And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? {14} And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. {15} Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. {16} They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. {17} For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

From verse 14 comes our message for today, They Came Through Great _Tribulation___ or as John put it, they came out of great tribulation. The word tribulation is translated from a Greek word meaning: pressure, afflicted, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble. As humans we do not desire for affliction, anguish, burdens, persecution or trouble to be added to our lives. So, if living for Jesus means tribulation, then why should we live for Him? And the answer is, because it is the best life. Jesus taught us in:

(Mat 11:28-30 KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. {29} Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. {30} For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

His yoke is _easy_____ and His burden is _light_____, but there is a yoke and there is a burden. But, compared to sin His yoke is easy, instead of hard and His burden is light instead of heavy. You will choose which yoke you will bear and which burden you will carry. The yoke of sin is harsh and hard; the burden of sin is guilt and death.

(Prov 13:15 KJV) Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

(Rom 6:23 KJV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

And so it is your choice to follow the Lord bearing the easy yoke and the light burden or to follow Satan bearing the harsh yoke and the heavy load of sin. In extending His invitation, Jesus is being fair. He offers you the rest that you desire and He lets you know what you will be required to do. He offers you an easy yoke and a light burden. Tribulation is part of that yoke and burden. To try and accept Jesus without accepting His yoke and burden is to try and grow a plant in shallow, stony soil. You may get it started but it will not survive the heat of the summer sun.

(Mat 13:1-6 KJV) The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. {2} And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. {3} And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; {4} And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: {5} Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: {6} And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

(Mat 13:18-21 KJV) Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. {19} When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. {20} But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; {21} Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

(Luke 8:11 KJV) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

In these passages, Jesus is telling us that the Word of God is sown as a _seed___ is cast by a sower. When the Gospel is preached, The Word of God falls upon your ears as a seed. If you with an honest and open heart receive the Word of God and act on it, it will prosper in your life. But, if you receive it in a stony heart, it will not endure. If you are going to receive the Word so that it will profit you, you need to receive it with all your heart. You cannot reserve any selfish traits in your heart and expect God’s Word to bless you.

Many people attempt to accept Jesus as Savior without accepting Him as Lord of their lives. It does not work. I believe that many times we preachers are not fair in presenting the Gospel. For if we preach only the benefits and blessings to be received from accepting Jesus, we are not being fair. While it is true that the benefits and blessings of being a Christian far outweigh the requirements, we still must know that there are requirements to being a Christian. Jesus said that the stony heart does not withstand the heat of the day. The shallow rooted Christian withers and becomes offended when tribulation comes and it will come. You cannot have Jesus as Savior alone, you must accept Him as Lord and master also!

I spent a number of years as An Air Force recruiter. In recruiting young men and women for the United States Air Force, it was easy to talk of the many benefits such as good pay, educational assistance, travel opportunities, job training, etc. However, if I only talked of the benefits and not of the requirements, I would be misrepresenting my employer. If I did that the people that I recruited would have a hard time serving in the military. They would be angry and bitter and spread negative accounts of the service to their families and neighbors. My job would become even more difficult than ever.

So, I made sure that I informed every recruit of their military duty. I told that that their short six weeks of basic training in sunny San Antonio would begin in the middle of the night with the meanest sergeant that we could find and that it would seem like six years instead of six weeks. I made sure that they understood that even though they would receive many benefits for their service, it was their service that was required. They would be trained to fight a war and would be called upon to obey the orders of their commanders and lay their lives on the line at any time.

And so it is in a similar fashion that I present the Gospel to you. I want to be fair. You need to know that Jesus offers the best life but He also requires service of you. You will be called upon to suffer tribulation but you will have the assistance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to bring you through the tribulation. You will be able to wash your robes in the blood of the lamb and they will be made white as snow.

(John 16:33 KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Here Jesus is telling us that we will have _tribulation____. But, He reminds us that He has overcome the world and that we should be of good cheer even though we suffer tribulation. You will have tribulation. You will be required to put forth effort to life a righteous life. You will be required to risk your life in your service to your master. But, be of good cheer, your master demonstrated the way and has overcome. You too can come through the tribulation by following your Lord’s commandments.

(Acts 14:21-22 KJV) And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, {22} Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

We must through much _tribulation_______ enter into the kingdom of God. Jesus told us to press our way in; Paul told us to lay hold of eternal life and here the writer tells us that we must go through much tribulation to enter the kingdom of God. Remember that the kingdom of God is a kingdom of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. If you want to enjoy the benefits of living in such a kingdom, then you must put forth the effort required to obtain it.

(Rom 5:1-5 KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: {2} By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. {3} And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; {4} And patience, experience; and experience, hope: {5} And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Well, so tribulation has its’ _benefits_____. Paul says that tribulation works or creates _patience_____ and therefore, we glory in tribulation. I don’t know if you feel like shouting because tribulation comes your way, but you should feel good knowing that it is going to make you a better person. Tribulation worketh patience and we all need patience. Remember that your Lord has your best interests in mind when He puts you through some test or trial. He is not trying to discourage you, but rather He is trying to strengthen you. He is putting you through training so that you will be strong enough to win the fight of faith.

(1 Th 3:1-4 KJV) Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; {2} And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: {3} That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. {4} For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass

Paul is reminding us not to be moved by the realization that Christians will _suffer________. Rather you should expect tribulation and be prepared to suffer through it. It will increase your faith and work to establish you.

John told us that he was our companion in tribulation. Tribulation is one thing that all Christians have in common. When one suffers tribulation, we can pray earnestly for them because we all have been partakers of such.

(Rev 1:9 KJV) I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

(Deu 4:30-31 KJV) When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; {31} (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

This has been God’s promise to His people down through the ages of time. When you find yourself in tribulation turn to the Lord. He will not forsake you nor will He destroy you. He will remember His agreement with you.

In our text John said that this great number came out of great tribulation. And so we understand that he was referring to a great number of Christians that have withstood the tribulations and have come through with victory. John said that they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night.

The serving part is the key to being a successful Christian. They are not serving Him only on Sunday or even just through the day, but they are serving Him day and night. The constant service of the master is the only way to come through the tribulation. Too often those that attempt to serve on a part time basis wither and die when tribulation arises. Praise God! It is worth the effort to suffer a little for our Lord. The benefits are far greater that the cost. Consider the account of the Apostles in:

(Acts 5:17-42 KJV) Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, {18} And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. {19} But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, {20} Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. {21} And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. {22} But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, {23} Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. {24} Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. {25} Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. {26} Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. {27} And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, {28} Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. {29} Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. {30} The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. {31} Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. {32} And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. {33} When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. {34} Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; {35} And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. {36} For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. {37} After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. {38} And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: {39} But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. {40} And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. {41} And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. {42} And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

They suffered yet they rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. This is a fulfillment of what Jesus taught us in:

(Mat 5:10-12 KJV) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. {12} Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

By the accounts recorded in the Bible we can see that even the most severe kinds of persecution can be endured with joy by staying in the will of the Lord.

(Acts 16:19-33 KJV) And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, {20} And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, {21} And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. {22} And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. {23} And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: {24} Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. {25} And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. {26} And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. {27} And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. {28} But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. {29} Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, {30} And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? {31} And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. {32} And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. {33} And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

In this account we see how Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned and yet they were able to pray and sing praises to God. God heard them and sent an earthquake to open up the prison doors. The jailer got saved that night and Paul and Silas came through the tribulation.

And so today the offer is made to you. Take Jesus as your Lord and Savior. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. You will be called upon to serve your master and part of that service will include tribulation. But be of good cheer your Lord has overcome and so can you. The benefits of serving the Lord are more than can be numbered and far outweigh the wages of sin. Ask anyone that is serving the Lord. They all, without exception, will testify that it is the best life.