Temple Baptist Church - 7-18-2021
Revelation 14:12-13
Introduction:
As we get to these verses tonight, we need to interpret them within the context in which they were written. Then, we will get the real meaning instead of the usual application.
Most apply these verses to the saints of God who have gone on before us and that is a good application but not the biblical interpretation. In Matthew, chapter 23, we find 8 times that our Lord said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”
Matthew chapter 23 precedes chapter 24 in which our Lord gives the prophecy of the last days before and during the Tribulation Period. It was these religious zealots who continued in the ungodly tradition of their predecessors. They persecuted God’s prophets and His people.
A. Here, in our text, we find more martyrs who were to die during the Tribulation Period. God’s people have always paid a horrific price for faith. Such payment began with the first family unit and continues through the prophecy of the end-time.
Matthew 23:34-35 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: (35) That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
B. Throughout the bible, we find obedience to God and death by man tied together.
Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
C. From Abel (the second born son of Adam and Eve) and the prophets of the Old Testament to John the Baptist, Stephen, James, the apostles, along with saints by the millions during times of religious persecution in the Dark and Middle Ages. There are still people around the world paying for their willingness to stand for Christ.
D. Tonight, I want to look at verses 12-13 within the context of chapter 14. Chapter 14 gives a prophetic view of what will transpire in the second half of the Tribulation Period or Jacob’s Trouble. In the middle of Daniel’s Seventh Week, we find this chapter. At the beginning of the second half, we find that several things transpire.
1. The abomination that maketh desolate has taken place in the holy temple on Mount Sion. Here we find prophecy fulfilled.
a) The Prophecy - Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
b) The Fulfillment - Revelation 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
2. Israel flees to the wilderness. Here, we find prophecy fulfilled.
a) The Prophecy - Matthew 24:15-16 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) (16) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
b) The Fulfillment - Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
3. There is war in heaven and Satan is cast down to the earth having great wrath because he knows that his time is short. Here, we find prophecy fulfilled.
a) The Prophecy - Ezekiel 28:16-17 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. (17) Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
b) The Fulfillment - Revelation 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, (8) And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. (9) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
4. The political and religious systems are now in place and the mark of the beast is essential for survival by individuals.
E. We have set the context so now we will look at verses 12-13 of chapter 14. The Patience of the saints is found in a two-fold manner.
1. These believers in verse 12 keep the commandments of God.
a) During these past two years, we have heard much about submission to human government. Submission if the right thing to do if it does not violate scripture.
1 Peter 2:13-14 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; (14) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
b) We are to submit to every ordinance of man if that ordinance does not violate a clear command of God from the bible. When the bible gives the believer a mandate, it ALWAYS supersedes man’s mandate. Let us look at a biblical comparison between our day and our prophetic context in chapter 14.
Acts 5:28-29 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. (29) Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
c) The command - Revelation 13:16-17 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
d) The Submission - Revelation 14:12a Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God …
1) The Physical Consequence – Verse 13 – “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth”
2) The Spiritual Consequence – “Blessed are the dead…”
F. Their patience and faith brought about a martyr’s death. These precious Tribulation saints will choose death over life that they may have life over death! They will “die in the Lord from henceforth!” Our Lord spoke of this day:
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
1. There is a spiritual salvation found in the bible and it is all “by grace through faith.” This salvation is an act of God and, therefore eternal.
2. There is a physical salvation found in the bible and it is a deliverance from this life to the next. Matthew 24:13 speaks of a physical deliverance, not a spiritual one. These martyrs die because of their faith in God’s deliverance.
Philippians 1:20-21 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. (21) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
G. Their martyr’s death brought about a blessed reward.
1. They will Rest – “They may rest from their labours.”
2. They will be Rewarded – “Their works do follow them.”
Hebrews 6:9-10 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. (10) For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
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