There is a real sense in which the three series of judgments give us patterns of divine judgment and spiritual conflict that have occurred throughout history. Yet there has been something of a spiraling nature to these judgments as they move us toward the “omega point” of history. Eventually, these judgments come in their final and climactic fullness just before the return of King Jesus (Rev 19:11–21) to establish His earthly kingdom of a thousand years
Akin, D. L. (2016). Exalting jesus in revelation (D. L. Akin, D. Platt, & T. Merida, Eds.; Re 6:1–8). Holman Reference.
The 3 cycles reveal…
* The rhythm & rhyme of History
* Judgement alone does not bring repentance
* Those who remain faithful to the end are saved
* Jesus is the exclamation point to history
Two answered questions in the cycles...
* How and when will Jesus bring about true Justice?
* How can anyone be saved from His wrath?
2. JESUS IS THE PERFECT ANSWER TO THE CRY OF THOSE DEMANDING JUSTICE
The fifth seal tells us…
a) Suffering does not go UNNOTICED
(Re 6:10) They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Jesus said, Luke 18:7–8 (ESV). 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Jesus reminds us
* Forgiving Our Enemy’s and Being found Faithful is our responsibility
* Vengeance and Justice is God’s
b) Suffering will not go UNANSWERED
Revelation 6:11 (ESV)
11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
The martyrs are given two things
* The robe - The white robe symbolizes blessedness, dignity, honor, purity, victory, and most of all the imputed righteousness of Christ
* Their Rest - God’s delay does not mean He does not know. It does not mean He does not care. He knows and He cares. So rest. Justice has been determined and justice will be done.
3. JESUS IS THE PERFECT END TO THE CYCLE OF SIN
15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Re 6:15–17)
Rather than crying for mercy the lost cry for death
The Cry Of The Lost Reveals
* Judgement alone will not lead us to repentance
* Fear is not a foundation for relationship
* It’s the goodness and grace of God that frees us
Compare with
Romans 2:1–11 (ESV)
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.
So who then can be saved and escape the judgement and wrath of God?
Revelation 7:1–17 (ESV)
…13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.