Being a Faithful Witness

Sunday, 25 August 2024 by

Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 25 August 2024

Being a Faithful Witness

The next set of seven unfolds before John. The sealed scroll is now fully opened. The prayers of God’s people are heard. And now, reflecting the judgement of God on Egypt in Exodus, God now judges the idols of the world. As God does, He reveals their powerlessness in the face of His power, He reveals their damage in the face of His care, and He calls people to return to Him. God also reveals, in the interlude, the place of His people in all this. His people are to proclaim and prophecy. His people are kept safe, spiritually. His people will triumph, in exactly the same way Jesus did. As all things come to an end, we must recognise that what takes place here is both future-focused, but with wisdom and clarity for God’s mob now. We must call the world to turn from giving devotion to anything but God; and, as we do, we must know that the world will lash out but we are safe.

Scripture References: Revelation 8:1-13, Revelation 9:1-21, Revelation 10:1-11, Revelation 11:1-19

From Series: "Revelation"

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The Passover is one of the seminal moments in God’s commitment to reverse the curse of sin in this world. It is the climax of His work to save His people from Egypt – for people to know Him, for His ‘firstborn son’ to be saved, for them to dwell with Him and be His people. In this sense, the last of the signs and wonders is both a salvation and a preparation. As the LORD sweeps over Egypt, delivering His judgement of death on those who have refused Him, in each of the households of His people, a perfect lamb has died. This lamb’s death is a substitute for God’s firstborn son, taking the judgement of death. This lamb’s blood protects God’s people, preparing them to be acceptable to live with God. As God’s mob obediently do as He commanded, they are trusting in His provision – they are trusting in His kind mercy. And so, they are both saved out of Egypt, and they are made acceptable to dwell with the God who has visited this world. Can you think of any other event that is similar to this?
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