July 21, 2018 - Suggested Reading Revelation 6 for July 22’s message on Matthew 5:1-12 in our summer worship service at 10am

“They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”

Revelation 6:10 (NIV)

Sovereign Lord, holy and true

Sovereign – meaning they meant it for harm but God meant it for good (Ge 50:20)

Sovereign - meaning everything comes from God (Isa 45:7)

Lord - meaning the Owner of my flesh, my life, my family, my all

Holy- meaning not like us, but different than us in a beautiful scary way

True - meaning true to us, loving us, on our side

This scary vision of Revelation 6 reveals our Lord as the Lamb of God who died for the sins of the world, opening seals in heaven (causing events on earth to occur), truly He is Sovereign. The first 5 seals seem to describe normal human history since Adam sinned in the garden, the world thinks “Nothing to see here.” and continues in its cycles, believing that someday humans will figure it out and stop all the fighting. Surely we progress- surely things are better now than they used to be
– ya think?

The 6th seal gets everyone’s attention, and focuses them on the Lamb, and God Himself, and for the first time there is worldwide acknowledgement of the truth that God has held wrath back, that he has restrained Himself, and is now pouring out His wrath - no one can withstand it.

For Christians everywhere especially those being persecuted and killed, this vision reveals our God as 100% in charge, unrolling His plan, blessing his people, glorifying His Son.

Sovereign Lord, holy and true