At the end of days, Satan empowers one man to win the world. He offers to satisfy all of mankindās desires for peace & safety. He becomes Satanās substitute for Jesus Christ, in the person of the antichrist. Today we are looking at how God describes the launch of this event. But why are we doing so? Because:
Revelation Shows Us: God is in Charge
Before we dive into God directing the ending, of human history, as we know it, you may be asking about whether or not a study of eschatology has any real, personal applicability.
Revelation lessons are great, you may think, but I just lost my job, or my kids are getting bullied at school, or my parents just got so ill we have to care for them; or my daughter is dating a fellow that isnāt even saved and she seems to be turning away from us and the Lord, or any of thousands more personal struggles we collectively face.
As you listen today you will note that God knows everything in advance.
That means not just the seals of chapter 6, but also the job you lost this week, the health of your baby about to be born, and the outcome of next weekās surgery or job interview.
A study of Revelation confirms the Doctrine of God:
Nothing misses His sight. He knows ALL of history in advance.
God is not passive. Almighty God is at work guiding every event, every disaster, every gain or loss, and does so perfectly.
A study of Revelation also reminds us of the Doctrine of Redemption:
God redeemed us with Christ’s blood. God just wants our undivided devotion. Almighty God wants us to listen to Him, follow Him, and love Him so much that we trust Him.
The lesson He gives us today is that we should trust Him because He is preparing to send a:
Global Deception
Revelation 6 has already told us that God is launching a white horseman to rapidly fill the earth with a false and deceptive peace. In a very short time, almost all of the earth will follow this emissary of Satan in human flesh called the Antichrist. The saddest commentary on the fallen heart of humanity there could ever be, is that in following the Antichrist and rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ, humanity is always making the wrong choices.
The antichrist like Satanācomes to kill, steal, and destroy. As the end of the physical world approaches, earthās darkest spiritual hour also arrives. But God has a surprise planned in this dark hour. Look down with me at the words of Rev. 7:9. Since it is already written down, and he can read, Satan knows that God has plans to save:
āa great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their handsā¦ā (Revelation 7:9).
God Plans to Save Many People During the Tribulation