The Second, Third, and Fourth Seals

Temple Baptist Church - 10-25-2020

Revelation 6:3-8

 

Introduction:

 

A.  The past 3 weeks, we have looked at the revelation and revealing of the Antichrist.  The “god of this world” is a God hater from the beginning and has conditioned this present evil world for his revealing and acceptance.

 

Galatians 1:4  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:  (This present evil world has columnated in our day.  There has never been a day like ours and the Lord will soon deliver us from it.)

 

2 Timothy 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (Peril has always been since Cain slew Abel, but never has there been a day like this one where danger surrounds us.)

 

2 Thessalonians 2:7-10  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.  (8)  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:  (9)  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  (10)  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  (God set a time when He will judge this world because of their rejection and rebellion.)

 

John 15:18-19  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  (19)  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  (From the beginning, Satan has hated the Lord and has produced an atmosphere of hatred in the world for the things of God.)

 

B.  We that are saved are not safely in heaven (in chapters 4-5) with our Lord and loved ones who have gone on before.  The 70th Week of Daniel (also called Jacob’s Trouble or the Tribulation Period) is now in full swing.  The reason for its fulness is the 2,000-year Age of the Church has allowed all the preparations for it to be in place for Antichrist’s revealing.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  (2)  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  (3)  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  (4)  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  (5)  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  (6)  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  (7)  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.  (8)  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.  (9)  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  (10)  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.  (11)  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.  (We who are saved and Bible believers know well what time it is spiritually so be comforted in God’s promises.)

 

C.  Our verses for tonight dispel the theory of many that the 7 year Tribulation Period will be broken up into 2 distinct parts: 3 ½ years of light tribulation and then 3 ½ years of great tribulation which are divided by the Abomination of Desolation.  The division is a Biblical one, but this view of both light and great tribulation is flawed.

 

D.  Chapters 6-8 will dispel that theory.  The tribulation will be great from start to finish. 

 

E.  Jacob’s Trouble, the Tribulation Period, is a story of God’s love for the Nation of Israel.  It is God’s promise of restoration of the Nation of Israel.  (God is not through with the Nation of Israel, His covenant people: Israel, My Glory—The Apple of God’s Eye)

 

Daniel 9:24-27  Seventy weeks (70x7=490 years) are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.  (25)  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem (Cyrus the Persian in Ezra, chapter 1) unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks (49 years or 7 weeks [7x7]to build the Temple) , and threescore and two weeks (62x7=434 years): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  (26)  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off (7x7=49 plus 62x7=434.  49+434=483 years or 69 weeks), but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  (27)  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (7 years or Daniel’s 70th week – The Week of Jacob’s Trouble or the Tribulation Period) : and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

 

1.  Israel’s Election as a Nation.  Deuteronomy 29:12-13  That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day:  (13)  That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

 

2.  Israel’s Rejection as a Nation.  John 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

 

Isaiah 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

 

Romans 10:1-4  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.  (2)  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  (3)  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  (4)  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

 

3.  Israel’s Restoration as a Nation.  Romans 11:25-29  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.  (26)  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:  (27)  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.  (28)  As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.  (29)  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

 

Zechariah 12:8-10  In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.  (9)  And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.  (10)  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

 

Zechariah 13:6  And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

 

Revelation 6:3-8  And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.  (4)  And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.  (5)  And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.  (6)  And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.  (7)  And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.  (8)  And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

 

F.  God’s love for Israel has never and never will diminish.

 

Isaiah 61:1-3  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;  (2)  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;  (3)  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

 

Jeremiah 31:3-6  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.  (4)  Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.  (5)  Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.  (6)  For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.

 

Jacob’s Trouble is so much more than punishment for rejection and sinfulness, like church discipline, it is meant for reconciliation and restoration.

 

Hebrews 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

The Fruit of The Spirit: Temperance

Temple Baptist Church - 10-25-2020

Galatians 5:22

 

Introduction:  One fruit manifesting itself in 9 different aspects: three inward, three outward, and three upward.

 

A.  The word “temperate” is found only 3x in the New Testament and none in the Old Testament.  Though mentioned only 3x, the principle of temperance is found in many places.

 

Definition:  In control on one’s passions.  Moderation in action, thought, of feeling.

 

B.  Intemperance Is A Sign Of Our Times.  3 Timothy 3:1-5 – incontinent – without self-control.  (**Galatians 5:19-21 are all signs of intemperance!)

 

C.  Temperance is an aspect of the Fruit Of The Spirit – Galatians 5:22 – and should be manifested in the life of every Christian.  (We all have areas that need to be worked on)

 

D.  Temperance is something that must be added - 2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

 

E.  Temperance is essential to doing God’s will - 1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

 

Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  (Testimony before the lost)

 

F.  The Bible Speaks Of The Importance of Temperance In Both Our Spiritual Life And Our Physical Life.  These two are intrinsically tied together.  

 

1.  Spiritual Temperance.  Ecclesiastes 7:16  Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

 

a.  What does this mean?  First, let explain what it does not mean. 

 

1a.  It does not mean that God accepts sinfulness.  God expects holiness from His children.

 

1 Peter 1:15-16  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  (16)  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

 

1b.  It does not mean that the outward appearance does not matter.  Our outward is often a reflection of our inward.

 

Romans 12:1-3  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  

 

Now, most quote verses 1 and 2 while ignoring verse 3.

 

(3)  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

b.  “Be not righteous over much” means not to be “holier than thou.”  To look down on others through vain comparison.

 

Proverbs 26:5  Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. (Vanity-excessively proud of oneself.)

 

Proverbs 26:12  Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

 

1 Samuel 16:7  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

 

2 Corinthians 5:12  For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

 

c.  Spiritual Temperance quells Phariseeism.  Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

2.  Physical Temperance.  1 Corinthians 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

a.  We must control our Passions - 1 John 2:15-16  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  (16)  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

 

b.  We must control our passion for Possessions - 1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

 

1a.  The Danger of Possessions - 1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

 

1b.  The Destruction of Possessions - 1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  

 

1c.  The Deception of Possessions – 1 timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

 

c.  We must control our passion for Pleasure.

 

1a.  Worldly Pleasure is a sign of the times - 2 Timothy 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

 

1b.  Worldly Pleasure can become your master - Titus 3:3  For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

 

1c.  Worldly Pleasure is short lived - Hebrews 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

 

Ecclesiastes 12:1  Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

 

d.  We must control our passion for Power or Position.

 

1a.  Self-Exaltation is a common problem - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

1b.  Self-Exaltation eventually leads to abasement - Matthew 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

 

The Keys To Temperance

 

1.  There Must Be Crucifixion - Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

 

1 Corinthians 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

2.  There Must Be Contentment - 1 Timothy 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.

 

Philippians 4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

 

1 Timothy 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

 

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Entertaining Strangers

Temple Baptist Church - 10-21-2020

Hebrews 13:2

 

Introduction:

 

A.  As Paul ends the Book of Hebrew, he gives admonitions in different scenarios.  Last week, it was “Let brotherly love continue.”

 

B.  Tonight, we will look at verse 2 within its context.  Chapter 13 of Hebrews deals specifically with the interaction of people within the local church.  In the Old Testament (Old Covenant), everything about the Tabernacle and Temple were individual.  Though they gathered to worship to some degree, especially in the Feast Days, it was not like the local church, the “called out assembly” of saints to worship together. 

 

C.  I did a little research on our verse for tonight and did not find any specific messages preached on verse 2.  It is one of those verses that has been basically passed over.

 

D.  I will basically break down the verse word by word and it will by self-explanatory.

 

1.  The word “Be” is a command, not a prerogative.  “Be” ye fill with the Holy Ghost and “b” not conformed to this world are such verses.  Therefore, verse 2 is a strong verse as we are commanded in this area.

 

2.  “Not” is an absolute negative.  It means no, never, or not for any reason or not at any time.  Thus, we have no “wiggle room” to set this verse aside or not to conform to its command. 

 

3.  “Forgetful.”  Forgetful is to be neglectful: that is to know to do something but not to do it.  Forgetful is to lose out of mind.  Not to just forget for a while but forgetful is to continue in forgetfulness.  We forget to do what the Bible says to do when we meet strangers. 

 

At this point, I find it beneficial to reverse the order of the next 2 words, “entertain” and “strangers.”

 

4.  “Strangers.” Let us look at the Bible definition of the word:

 

Stranger—an alien or foreigner who lodges as a guest.  In this definition, we find that they are not strangers until they interact with someone.  Strangers in the Old Testament were generally held in high esteem.

 

A stranger is someone whom you do not know or have previously never met.  They could be one of your peers, one of lesser estate, or one of great estate.

 

A stranger is unknown to us as to where they are from, who their family is, what they do for a living, what they are doing in your area.  Though not strange to others, they are strange to you.

 

A stranger, though strange to you and I, are not strangers with God!

 

The word “stranger” or “strangers” are used 211x in your King James Bible.

 

a.  The First Mention of “stranger” speaks of Israel being a stranger in Egypt.  They were mistreated and Egypt paid a terrible price for mistreating Israel.

 

Genesis 15:13  And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

 

b.  The Second Mention of “stranger” speaks of Israel living in the land of Promise.

 

Genesis 17:8  And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

 

c.  The Last Mention of “stranger” speaks of faithfulness to such.

 

3 John 5  Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

 

5.  “Entertain.”  The words “entertain” and “entertained” are only found 2x in your King James Bible and both instances are in our text!  Therefore, we have the First Mention, the Last Mention, and the Full Mention Principles of Bible Interpretation in one sentence.  It means that there is nothing that needs to be said on the subject.

 

NOW, what are we forgetting or neglecting to do?  To entertain strangers or people who we do not know, people of unknown origin! 

 

If “stranger” in one form or the other is found 211x times and “entertain” or “entertained” is found only 2x and in out text, there is something in the Old Testament that was lost or not followed in the New Testament. 

 

We, as both Christians and members of a local New Testament Church must be careful not to forget to walk in the Old Paths of the Scriptures and our forefathers.  I fear that much has been lost over the generations through forgetfulness in this matter of maintaining.

 

Entertain—to be fond of or to be hospitable to.  To care for someone within your home or specifically here in the church.  To treat as a dear friend.  To give attention to or to be considerate.

 

6.  “Entertained angels unawares.”  The verse admonishes the New Testament believer to not be forgetful to entertain strangers because some strangers have been and will be “angels unawares.”

 

There are many things that took place during the transitional period of the Bible that were passing things.  We could name several them, but I will not take the time tonight.  Entertaining strangers and the possibility of entertaining angels is not transitional!

 

 

There were times in the Bible when these strangers were angels in human form, sent out from God on a mission.  I find no place in the Bible where this practice by God stops.  In our day, I am sure that that there is the possibility of us encountering angels.

 

I find no place in the Bible where angels stopped appearing in human form as they continued to appear for certain reasons or missions here on earth.  Unawares means that, if they appear, we ARE NOT AWARE OF WHO THEY ARE.  I add this because of the “visionary” aspect of Pentecostalism that causes them to see visions and dream dreams, etc.

 

7.  Now, let us put this in perspective.  We are to be friendly and acceptant to those we meet outside of the local church.  But chapter 13 of Hebrews, within its context, is speaking of the inner workings of the local church.

 

Matthew 25:34-40  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  (35)  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  (36)  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  (37)  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  (38)  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  (39)  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  (40)  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

 

James 2:8  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

 

8.  We are to accept and be considerate to those who choose to visit our church.  No matter what ethnic group, color, or anything else that they are.  God made all men equal; loves all men equal; accepts all men equal; and so, must the people in the local church.  We are to love them and treat all who come as we would expect to be treated. You just may have been entertaining an angel unaware! 

 

9.  We are to accept those who join in our church fellowship.  I understand that they are joining us, we are not joining them doctrinally.  But every saint of God is welcome and is to be treated with equality and love.  You just may be entertaining an angel unaware.  There are no

 

10.  We are to accept those missionaries that we both give a meeting to and those that just drop in.  These are God’s men and should be received and treated as such.

 

Conclusion:  Hebrews 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.