Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

Revelation 14:6-13
 
Three angels are sent from God to man to announce (1) a warning of the wrath to come, (2) an example of the wrath already displayed, and (3) an ultimatum and urge to decide for or against God. The choice is between the eternal gospel and eternal judgment. It’s a matter of wrath or rest. The choice belongs to each and every one of us. We will pick back up with the vision of Christ next week.

Revelation 14:1-5
 
These martyred 144,000 witnesses are a great example of how to live faithfully to God and value God’s priorities over our own. This celebration in heaven will be spectacular to behold some day, where these Jewish evangelists with the seal of God in their foreheads sing a song of praise to God that is uniquely theirs. May we also determine to live for God by learning Him better, aligning our desires with His, and committing our actions to Him.

Revelation 13:11-18
 
This is an ominous time in world history, the antichrist is at the helm of the anti-God world government, this ultimate false prophet is leading the world in false worship, believers are being killed for their faith, and society at-large is following right along in their rejection of God placing their identity and solidarity with this hideous and vile filth. But it is often darkest before the light, and I’m excited to move along into chapter 14 next week. Hope you can join us then!

Revelation 13:7-10
 
In between the dreadful description of these two beasts is a silver lining about the saints that is easy to miss. This offers us much encouragement as we witness one disturbing phenomena after another in this present age. Here, at the heart of it all, is the issue—whether or not we are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation 13:1-7
 
We read here of the description of a vile beast that rises out of the sea. This beast is the governmental system which will be led by the Antichrist. It will contain elements of all the empires before it and will exalt itself in the place of God. Even now we may feel like the world is against what is true and right, but we can be encouraged that the Lord who reigns during the tribulation on earth is the same Lord we trust and follow today.

Psalm 42-43
 
In these two Psalms, we read admonitions to put our hope in God. The scene portrays an author who is parched for God’s presence, sorrowful unto tears in distress, swallowed up in grief, who feels forsaken by God and oppressed by his enemies, and he longs to put his hope in God. He cries out to God, reminds himself of God’s glory, and instructs himself to hope in God. One of the most beautiful aspects of the transparent struggle of this author is that the cycle happens three times; he oscillates between crying out, remembering, and admonishing himself repeatedly. But ultimately he lands on the fact that God is his God and he will yet praise Him. Let us do the same.

Revelation 12:12-17
 
In spite of the persistent persecution of the devil to destroy the people of God, God will always preserve His people. Just as when Israel was freed from captivity in Egypt, in the events we read about in Revelation 12, they will once again be saved from destruction and led into the wilderness for their protection. In much the same way, we can trust God to be our refuge when things are falling apart all around us. Christ is our city of refuge.

Revelation 12:7-12
 
We have a fierce enemy in the devil, and this adversary is not to be taken lightly. At the same time, we can be comforted that he will soon be cast down by the angels of God and overcome by the blood of Christ. May we both stand fast and rejoice in the victory provided by Jesus from this vicious opponent.