How Christians can have Peace in Times of War

Introduction

13 years ago, at least in another three and a half weeks, our nation was shocked to hear the news that two commercial airliners had been hijacked and crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, making those crumble to the ground ultimately, murdering over 3,000 people. We also learned that there was a third plane that flew into the Pentagon, and a fourth had been hijacked, turned around, headed back to apparently either the White House or the Congressional Building. And only because of some brave souls on board who learned through telephone, and they in turn commandeered that plane and causing it to crash in Pennsylvania. Indeed, we were shocked that such could occur in our country. And then when we were taught, or at least informed, that these were simply terrorists.

And indeed, who are terrorists. Since that point in time, we knew overseas that there were those who were known as Al-Qaeda, led by a man, Osama bin Laden. But what we probably were not informed, and many people I wonder, even to this day, may not realize, is that they were not simply seeking power, like maybe Hitler during World War II would have sought, but they were religious zealots. And religion we know and have come to learn, Islam, and though they have various sects within the religion of Islam, they’re those who, even to this day, would want to cause our country to fall. Out of religious zeal? We are regarded as infidels. Christians, in fact, are regarded as people who really do not know the one true God.

We are as heathens. And therefore, from a religious zeal, out of righteous indignation, they would seek to cause us to fall.

Understanding that we’ve already been attacked, and understanding that even to this day, if you’ve listened to the news at all, there are others, maybe even called ISIS that are attacking Iran, who would like to see and would in fact have as their ultimate goal the destruction of our country, the overthrow of our country. Now we may sit back with folded arms thinking it could never happen, but we may be fooling ourselves. So I want to ask you, what if? What if, in fact, this religious zealot sect of Islam did finally overcome some countries that in turn gave them power to enter into our country, and in turn our nation was overthrown? What if it became against the law for us to assemble as we are this very hour?

What if, in fact, by your coming this morning it might mean that you would be arrested and thrown in jail? Would you still have come? Or what if it meant certainly that you’re going to lose your job? How will you support your family? Or maybe even more than that, what if, in fact, that you would say you believe Jesus Christ to be the divine Son of Almighty God, you might be beheaded. For we know they’ve done that to some people who claim faith in God. And what if that became the law here? Well, maybe we would think, hey, that’s hard to even imagine that could happen. But I want to tell you this morning that if you can think of that in a serious way, then perhaps you would understand even better why the book of Revelation was written in the style that was written.

1. A Battle Going On: Satan Versus God

And really what the Christians of that period of time were feeling. Because at the time of Revelation, there was a battle going on. It was really Satan versus God, but it was a battle, in fact, that was affecting the church of the Lord. In fact, at that point in time, it seemed as though the whole world was against God’s people on earth. And indeed, can the church be crushed or abolished? I really call this lessons why Christians have peace, even in times of war. For you see, that was the most significant war of all.

War with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of Lords and King of kings, and they that are with him are the called and the chosen and the faithful. To understand really what was going on at that time helps us to understand maybe how to read and apply the book of Revelation. I know there are some today even say, well, you know, that’s written in a different style. It’s written in figurative language, and some have hesitated even to read it or to understand its message. But knowing that it was written at a time when the church was under this severe persecution, it was at a time when the Caesar of the Roman Empire, I believe named Domitian at that time, probably about 95 to 96 A.D., this letter was written.

Domitian wanted to be worshipped as Lord God Caesar. He’s not the first Caesar who claimed deity, even Augustus earlier, and those who followed him also claimed to possess deity. And yet Domitian was the first to enforce it. Almost once every year, Christians needed to burn some kind of maybe pinch of incense, or in some way verify that they supported the empire. Now I tell you, if you were a Christian back then, you could understand this is a spiritual matter. How can we bow ourselves or worship to a man who calls himself God? And if Domitian thinks himself God and wants to be worshipped, we cannot do that. On the other hand, to the Romans, it was more a political matter. The Roman Empire, you see, was always on guard against any form of insurrection or any form of treason in order to keep that empire intact.

They had to be on guard lest there be some uprising from within. In fact, you have at a time when the church was growing. And as congregations began to increase throughout Asia, and Asia Minor particularly, and the Romans who might speak to them, why aren’t you burning that pinch of incense to Caesar? And the Christian might reply, Well, I serve another king. And I’m really citizen of another kingdom. Now, the Roman soldier, if that comes to his ear, he’s thinking in terms of a physical way. How could it be that these people who call themselves Christians are serving a different king and citizens of another kingdom? Of course, they understood the spiritual implication. Jesus is the is the Lord and King that they served. And in the church of the Lord, they were in the kingdom, a spiritual kingdom.

But to the Roman ear, that’s maybe a group that have treason in mind, insurrection. And there were many Christians who were being put to death at that point in history. In fact, as the book of Revelation unfolds and it gives us some understanding, indeed, it was really Satan who was backing this political power. In fact, the Roman Empire later we are identified as the beast and the false prophet. Understanding, though, what’s going on gives us some understanding why it’s written in figurative language. For the book of Revelation, indeed, as I’ve already said from chapter 7 and 14, chapter 17, verse 14, says, here’s who the winner is going to be. But while it declares who the winner is, yet, in the reading of the book of Revelation, you find that it says, Babylon is fallen, has fallen.

Revelation 14 and verse 8. And if the Roman soldier picks this role, the scroll up and he opens up and he says, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, he’s more likely to say, a fool’s message in the hand of a fool. Everybody knows Babylon has fallen. It fell over 600 years ago. But what he doesn’t understand is that was a figure to represent. Babylon was a world empire, and it’s representing the Roman Empire. And as you go throughout the letter of Revelation, the signs or the symbols, the figurative language that is included in that style is in order to hide it from the enemy, as to reveal it to the Christian. There’s a reason why it’s written in that style because of the persecution that was going on.

2. Things That Must Shortly Come to Pass

But as you go through the letter, what we do understand is that it was something to encourage the Christian of that time. The message was shortly to come to pass as you open the letter, chapter 1 and verse 1. Also in that last chapter of the book, chapter 22 and verse 6, you find the expression, it’s about things shortly to come to pass. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants, things that must shortly come to pass. In fact, in chapter 1 and verse 3, it even talks about the time is at hand. And again, in the last chapter, 22 and verse 10, that same expression. I say his book ends, it opens and it closes by saying it’s about things that will soon happen.

And if you’re reading it there in the first century, you’re wanting to know, what about us, Lord? What’s soon to occur, Lord? And therefore the revelation is about things that had some meaning to them. I know there are people who like to take revelation and they they have guessed at least and talked about as though it’s talking about current events. They misapply the whole letter while it has an application to today, and I hope you’ll get it as we proceed in the lesson. But but really its original meaning had to do with things they were facing. How would it give them comfort? How would it encourage them to keep on keeping on? And even to have some answers to, Lord, is it worth dying for? Our brethren, our parents, or whoever has already been put to death, or even John who is exiled on the Isle of Patmos, is it worth all of this?

Is Caesar really in control or is Jesus Christ in control? Who’s really in charge? And what Revelation reveals is that it is God who is in charge. And in fact, if you choose to serve Him, then you really have victory, first victories in Christ. I say to you, when you look at the book, you understand they had to make the choice, live for all this world offers, or prepare for eternity. And I make this point that we too must make that same choice. Had you lived in the latter part of the first century and even into the second century, you may have literally faced, are you willing to die? I asked you a moment ago, would you be willing to go to jail for coming here today?

Would you still come? If it meant your life itself, would you still say, I believe Jesus to be the Son of God? Well, back then they had to face that question. Would they still serve the Lord? Why? Revelation explained the why. Because really they look for eternity, not just this world. Well, today, you say, how does that fit us? We don’t fear being thrown in jail for coming. And we certainly don’t fear that we’ll be beheaded because we call ourselves the children of God and believe Jesus to be the Son of God. But you know, we make a choice. What is most important in our lives? Is serving the Lord, putting him first, more important than having the things the hand can hold and the eye can see?

We’re so busy about material things and the gaining of things here and now and the things that we think really make life happy and life worth living. We talk in terms of material things. But when we really consider the message of the book of Revelation, we have a choice also to make. Live for today or live for eternity? What’s most important? And actually, as we go through the books, I would say Christians have peace. Those of the first century who received this letter had peace. Because though you and I do not know what tomorrow holds, we do know who holds tomorrow. And that’s the main message of Revelation. God is in charge. And indeed, though the Satan may be attacking the church on earth, yet the kingdom of God has stood through the ages.

3. The Throne Scene: The Characteristics of God

The Roman Empire fell long, long ago. But I hope you have a Bible, and I’d like to encourage you to please open with me to the book of Revelation, particularly chapter 4. And today I want us to look at the throne scene. For as the message of encouragement to the Christian really is from the Revelation, it starts by saying, Why believe this? Why do you really believe that God is in charge? Chapters 4 and 5 tell us the throne scene of God. And as we start off, we have to say, well, imagine in your own mind what is the throne of God look like. If you had been able to visualize this, read with me in chapter 4, where John says, After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven.

And the first voice which I heard was was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, Come up here, and I’ll show you things which must take place after this. Verse 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And I saw him, I saw he who sat there was like a jasper and a Sardius stone in appearance. Now you might stop and say, How can I visualize this? What did God look like? If you go in a picture or draw a picture of God, what would you draw? You surely know the scripture that says no man has seen God at any time and lived. So who can draw a picture of God? Might be like the little girl in kindergarten.

You know, sometimes the teachers let children draw and do, and came up to this little girl and said, What are you drawing, dear? She said, I’m drawing a picture of God. Teacher said, Well, darling, nobody knows what God looks like. She said they will when I finish this picture. You know. Maybe, maybe out of your imagination you might think, well, here’s what God looked like, but we don’t really know, do we? What we do know, though, are the characteristics of God. What is God like? Well, this scripture said he was to look upon like a jasper and a sardia stone, or carnelian stone, if you have a different translation. Well, what does that mean? In Revelation chapter 21 and verse 11, we’re told that the Jasper stone was clear as crystal, like the diamond.

It is without flaw, it is perfect. And if you’re going to talk about the character of God, would you not describe him as clear, as pure, as holy? The Sardis stone or carnelian stone was red in color. And how could that picture God at all? Perhaps in passages like Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 26, God is a consuming fire. God is just, and those who have refused his love and his mercy shall reap eternal condemnation, even described as in a lake of fire and brimstone. On the one hand, while God holds out life and he holds out for all of us by his grace, life eternal, yet on the other hand, there is justice on God’s part that those who have refused his love shall suffer indeed his wrath.

And so the picture, here’s God in his character. He is like the Jasper Stone. He is like the Sardis stone. But also around the throne, it’s descriptive in this verse, there was a rainbow. There was a rainbow in appearance like an emerald. Now you begin to understand something about this apocalyptic literature of signs and symbols. What does a rainbow represent to us? I’m sure you could ask children even in our classes, probably even the first grade, you say, Well, when did God put the rainbow in the sky? And they would all say, Well, it was after the flood, wasn’t it? You go back in Genesis chapter 6 through 9, and there you read about the flood and how God made a promise to Noah, and he put the rainbow in the sky as a promise, a hope that he would never again destroy the world by water.

4. Around the Throne: Elders and Living Creatures

So around God’s throne you would say should be a message of hope. But also the scripture speaks about 24 elders, verse 4. Around the throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones I saw 24 elders sitting, clothed in white robes, and they had crowns of gold on their heads. Elders, white robes. Why the number 24? And as you go through this style of writing, apocalyptic is called, and not only Revelation, but Ezekiel and Daniel, and even non inspired books that were written at that time, where that used figure uh numbers were used as a message. They had a had a meaning to them. We use numbers that way. I want to ask you, what’s the lucky number? Probably everybody here say, oh, seven. In fact, uh recently stayed in a hotel that did not have a thirteenth floor.

Wonder why. Oh, that’s the unlucky number, right? You’ve been on a plane, you may look. I have started looking. Sometimes I find a 13th row, but some planes don’t have a 13th row. Why? Because some people just say that’s the unlucky number. We have numbers having a meaning to them. Throughout Revelation, the number seven refers to God’s perfect divine number. It’s addressed to the seven churches of Asia. And in fact, we will have or see around the throne the seven spirits of God, referring to the Holy Spirit. In fact, in the right hand of God, there’s a book sealed with seven seals. And later we find there are seven trumpets. And there are seven bowls of wrath, as though representative of God and his work. God’s perfect number.

But also numbers sometimes multiple or uh derivative of the number ten. If you got ten fingers, you’ve got a full set. And sometimes ten times ten times ten, which is a thousand, as though simply to say to the fullness, to the third power. Indeed, ten or a thousand. Later we’re going to see how the number twelve comes important. And in that type of literature, the number twelve began to indicate God’s people number. You see, there were twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament. There were twelve apostles, the ambassadors of Christ in the New Testament. And so numbers sometimes are multiplied. In chapter seven, we’re going to read about a hundred and forty-four, thousand. How’d you get the hundred and forty four thousand? Well, twelve times twelve is a hundred and forty-four, times a thousand, ten times ten times ten.

It’s as though to say to the nth degree, God knows every single one who is his. 144,000. At this point in time, though, the number 12, I think, is simply representative of God’s covenant people. Both Old and New Testament. Wouldn’t you expect around the throne of God, those who are in a covenant relationship with God to be to be somewhere represented? Twenty-four elders, white robes, crowns of glory, of gold, victory, significant. And so around the throne of God are these who are in relationship, covenant relationship with God. But you see in verse 5, from the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices. There were seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. Before the throne there was a sea of glass like crystal, and in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.

The first living creature was like a lion. The second living creature like a calf. The third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. These four living, or the four living creatures each, having six wings were full of eyes around and within, and they do not rest day or night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. Now certainly we would pause and say, Well, what could these living creatures be? Why would there be around the throne of God four different living creatures? If you’re familiar with the book of Ezekiel, you’re probably aware that chapter one of Ezekiel is also a description of a throne seen of God. Interestingly, like in Revelation, Ezekiel also pictures four living creatures around the throne of God.

And they each had four faces like a lion, like a calf, like a man, and like an eagle. So we see a similarity between Ezekiel’s throne and John’s throne in Revelation. But while we still are wondering with Revelation, what were the living creatures, Ezekiel helps us out. But when we get to Ezekiel chapter 10 and in verse 20, the scripture there says, these living creatures were cherubim. Now what are cherubim? Again, we may have to do a little thinking and biblical research. Do you remember when God drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden because of their sin? What was placed at the gate? There were two cherubim with flaming swords, lest they should re-enter the Garden of Eden and eat of the tree of life and live forever.

They were the highest order of angels, you might say. And there they were protecting the gate or the door, lest anyone eats of the tree of life. They were driven from it. But also later, when Moses, in fact, is instructed about the building of the of the tabernacle, which is later the temple, and also telling him about the building of the covenant, Ark of the Covenant. On top of the Ark of the Covenant would be the mercy seat. It was to be placed in the Holy of Holies. And in fact, in Exodus chapter 25, and I believe it’s verse 22, God really through Moses said, I will meet you there. Once every year, the high priest would enter into the holy of holies, and there meet God at the mercy seat.

But also the instruction in Exodus 25 to Moses was that on either end of the ark of the covenant would be wings of the cherubim. They would overshadow the mercy seat. Again, you find cherubim as significant and a significant role of God’s work. And so would it not also follow that the highest order of angels around the throne of God would be cherubim with eyes before and behind, looking in every direction, ready to serve whatever direction. Perhaps even descriptive maybe of the king of the beasts, strength with a lion, or one of service like a calf or an oxen, like man with intelligence, and even like the eagle with swiftness and strength, the prince of the air. God’s highest order around his throne to carry out his will.

Indeed, it’s quite a throne scene. But I want you to notice. In verse 8, the scripture said they were continually singing holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. You know, those closest to you know what you’re really like. Sometimes hypocrites can fool other people. But there’s one thing, you’ll never fool those closest to you. You won’t fool your children for very long. You won’t fool your wife or your husband. They come to know what you really are like. And those closest to God would know what he really is like. And what they say of him is he is holy, holy, holy. Take your hymn book. There’s one in the pew in front of you. And turn to the song number one. Holy, holy, holy. Lord God Almighty.

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy. Merciful and mighty God over all and blessed eternally. Number two says, All the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea, cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, who were and art, and evermore shall be. You see how even the words of that song familiar to us all really has its basis from this very scene in Revelation. Let’s sing these two verses only. Jim’s going to lead us, please.

5. Worthy Is the Lamb Who Was Slain

The scripture continues by saying, whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever, cast their crowns before the throne, saying, You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and by your will they exist and were created. God is holy. But as you continue on chapter 5, John said, I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?

And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look at it. So I wept much.

You mean of all the righteous men of the past? An Abraham? A Moses? Elijah? You name great men of faith, and none were worthy. Or really, as the scripture would say, none were qualified to carry out God’s plan. Then one of the angels, one of the elders said to me, verse 5, do not weep. Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David prevailed to open the scroll and the loose its seven seals. And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne, the four living creatures in the midst of the elder stood a lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns, seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out unto all the earth. Now think about the difference.

First of all, here is John weeping because no one is able to carry out God’s plan. Is the Lord going to be defeated? Is the church going to be abolished? No one able to do it or qualified. And then the elders said, No, yes, here’s the lion of the tribe of Judah. Now that makes some sense because even in the Old Testament, when Jacob was blessing his children, and he came to Judah, and he called him even as the lion swept, and that the scepter would not depart from between his feet until Shiloh would come, until the Messiah would come, the Prince of Peace. And it certainly fits what God had promised, that there would be one like a lion who would come of the tribe of Judah, the root of David.

But when John turned to look at him, what did he see? Certainly not a lion. A lamb? Have you ever thought of a lamb being able to fight against another animal for that matter? You don’t think of a lamb as being able to conquer or even fight the cause. And besides, this is a lamb as though he had been slain. And then what we began to read from this chapter is, in verse 7, he came, took the scroll out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures, the 24 elders, fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song saying, You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals.

For you were slain and have redeemed us to God by your blood. Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, have made us kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign on the earth. Verse 11, John said, I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, Blessing and honor and glory and power be to him who sits on the throne and to the lamb forever and ever.

Then the four living creatures said, Amen. And the 24 elders fell down and worshipped him who lives forever and ever. What we know and believe about Jesus is the Christ is declared here in just a short summary. What made him qualified? Why is he worthy? How is it that he’s able to carry out God’s plan in defeating the Satan himself and the beast and the false prophet? Well, because of what he has done. He’s redeemed us to God by his blood. And he’s said, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He tasted death for every man, Hebrews 2 and verse 9. And those who obey the gospel are translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his dear son.

We’re made to be as kings and priests. We have forgiveness of sins, and through that you might say we have power over the devil. Resist the devil, and he will flee from us. Now, what are they saying? Can you imagine the chorus of a hundred million angels singing? I think our singing is pretty good here, and we have just a little over 200 probably. And yet, that’s what this says that there were thousands, ten, ten thousand and thousands of thousands. And what were they singing? Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. Take your hymn book again and turn to song number 34, I believe it is.

No, 34. Worthy art thou, I’ll get it right. The first two verses, worthy of praise is Christ our Redeemer, worthy of glory, honor, and power, worthy of all our souls’ adoration. Number two, lift up the voice in praise and devotion. Saints of all earth before him should bow. Angels in heaven worship him, saying, Worthy art thou, worthy of riches, blessings, and honor, worthy of wisdom, glory, and power, worthy of earth and heaven’s thanksgiving. Worthy art thou. Worthy art thou.

Worthy of praise is present with me. Worthy of glory. Worthy of all our grace.

Worthy are God.

Let the voice in your worthy worthy God.

Worthy are God.

Worthy of praise of glory of God. Worthy of worth thy giving. Worthy art. Worthy art.

Conclusion

And what that really says is we are inviting all in this audience who have not obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ to come unto Him. Do you really believe Jesus Christ is worthy of praise and honor and glory? I know there are those who say, Yeah, I believe that, but they’ve never obeyed the gospel. Christ shed his blood that you and I might have redemption, that you and I might have the promise of life everlasting. And that you and I may have peace even in time of war. Because we have a peace that surpasseth understanding when we are in Christ Jesus, no matter what may come, we know really who is in charge of this world and of the world yet to come. So I ask, are you prepared?

Whatever may come. If the Lord would come back this day, are you ready? And if not, why not get ready? If you believe Jesus to be the divine Son of God, then you, as Jesus would say, you need to believe and be baptized. And as the Apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 would say, as a believer, repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins. If you’re subject to that imitation, we bid you come right now while together we stand while we sing.