Today’s message summary of August 23, 2015 from Pastor Gus Brown:
We will be looking at Revelation, Chapters 5 and 6, this week and next week. They involve the opening of the scrolls and the sounding of the trumpets. This will reveal what mankind will do to one another–some of the worst things imaginable–when the Holy Spirit is not present to restrain evil.
The Holy Spirit has to be at work to allow a person to withstand the enemy.
When we look at the seals being opened, note that it is not so much as Christ doing it Himself, but rather Christ allowing it to take place. Christ is allowing people to see mankind at its worst. He is allowing Satan to outpour his rage against mankind.
Jesus is the only One who can open the seven seals (Revelation 5-6). He is the only One who has the authority to judge, and no one else.
The beginning of the tribulation starts with the seals being opened. This is God allowing Satan to do whatever he desires with the people without the restraint of the Holy Spirit.
Job 1:9-12
Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven’t You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” “Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.
2 Thessalonians 2:7
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way.
In Revelation 5, the question is asked, “Who can open the scroll? Who is worthy?”
Jesus is not a secret, of course. Heaven had to recognize who He was! It is not so much a question for those in heaven as it was for those who are on earth.
Revelation 5:1-4
Then I saw in the right hand of the One seated on the throne a scroll with writing on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. And I cried and cried because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it.
No man or angel has the authority. No one can control the antichrist except the One.
John is a “visitor” in this vision of heaven. He learns that only One can open the scroll and start the process of judgment on humanity.
Revelation 5:5-7
Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has been victorious so that He may open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw One like a slaughtered lamb standing between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of the One seated on the throne.
Jesus has the ability to judge. He who is the Creator has the right to be able to judge.
Colossians 1:16
For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Acts 17:30-31
“Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”
There is a day when there will be a day of reckoning. (Whether one chooses to believe it or not.) No man or woman will miss it.
1 Corinthians 4:3-4
It is of little importance to me that I should be evaluated by you or by any human court. In fact, I don’t even evaluate myself. For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. The One who evaluates me is the Lord.
Romans 14:4
Who are you to criticize another’s household slave? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand. For the Lord is able to make him stand.
God has the authority to judge.
John 5:26-27
For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted to the Son to have life in Himself. And he has granted Him the right to pass judgment, because He is the Son of Man.
God is still the Judge of those who reject Him.
John 12:48
The one who rejects Me and doesn’t accept My sayings has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
Everyone will give an account of his life.
Romans 14:7-12
For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and came to life for this: that He might rule over both the dead and the living. But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the tribunal of God. For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
There is only One Lawgiver–One Judge.
James 4:12
There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
The Lamb is worthy to open the scroll (Revelation 5:6).
He looked weak when He was slain, but He is indeed strong.
Seven horns refer to complete authority (one who rules).
Seven eyes refer to complete knowledge of all life. Nothing is hidden from Him.
John 4:24-25
God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”
Revelation 6:1-2
Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” I looked, and there was a white horse. The horseman on it had a bow; a crown was given to him, and he went out as a victor to conquer.
The word “come” can also be interpreted as the word, “go.” In other words, the antichrist was given permission to go forth over the world.
There are three different horses mentioned. Of the riders, Christ is not one of them. One of the riders is the antichrist.
The rider had a bow–a weapon of war.
He was given a crown to rule as a person with authority.
He rode out as a conqueror who was determined to conquer what was not his to subdue.
There is no timeframe mentioned here as to how long this would take place, but it involves the time when the restraint of the Holy Spirit was removed.
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