1 Pastor Kenneth Mars St. John s & Immanuel Lutheran Churches Kimball, NE & Burns, WY The Feast of All Saints November 4, 2018 Text: Matthew 5:1 12 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. Two things are to be noted in the sentence from Revelation 7:14. First, there is a particular group who draws the attention of the heavenly host gathered around God s majestic throne. We ll consider who these ones are in just a few moments, but for now, I want you to remember that there is a most important group that has the attention of God s heavenly host. These ones are most important in God s sight. Let s not forget about them. Second, this most important group is defined as the ones coming out of the great tribulation. The great tribulation to what does it refer and when does it refer? There are many, many Christians who say that the great tribulation is yet to come. And that these will be the last 7 years of human history just before the 2 nd Coming of Jesus. Such conclusion are based upon a wrong reading of various chapters in the book of Daniel and Revelation. A correct reading of those passages and of Christ Himself in the gospels is that this time in history between Christ s Ascension and His return on the Last Day is the great tribulation. In other words, we are in the great tribulation now. Listen to our Lord s teaching on the great tribulation. First, Matthew 24:21 25: 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There he is! do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. Second, in John 16:33, Jesus says, I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. Other passages from God s holy Word about the great tribulation taking place in the here and now could also be cited from Romans, I
2 Thessalonians, I Peter, the first chapters of Revelation, not to mention the many, many OT prophecies. Christians have always lived in the great tribulation. For Christians have always had to face the hatred, ridicule, and opposition of the Satan and the world. The peace promised at the birth of Jesus is not realized in a worldly, political peace but in the reconciliation the Lord Jesus works through His perfect life, death, and resurrection. The eternal gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ preached in all ages to all people around the world gives peace and blessedness that transcends and surpasses human understanding and experience. This in part, dear saints of God, is why we must hold before us the eternal truth of God s Word. The things of this fallen world, its power, wisdom, prestige, ideologies, pomp and circumstance, are constantly fading away. The powers of spiritual darkness of this and every age boast many and great things. And they sound so true and convincing. And when we are forced to compare the boastful claims of the world with the truth of Holy Scripture and when we must make decisions of how we Christians will live, either according to the works and ways of the world or the works and ways of God, we face an intense tribulation of mind, body, and soul. Our tribulation here in America comes in the form of an increasing political, cultural, economic, and ideological hostility. Living according to Christian orthodoxy, that is, believing and living in ways that Christians have always lived and believed, has resulted in men and women being fired from jobs at which they had years of exemplary service. Businesses owned by Christians are being sued for refusing to capitulate to the errors of our times. Adoption agencies have been forced to close their doors, meaning children who need homes and families who desire to open their doors to more children, will not receive those blessings. Why? Those adoption agencies, by and large private and Christian organizations, sought to place children exclusively in homes with a man committed in marriage to his wife. Professors have been harassed, shamed, vilified at so-called Christian colleges and universities for actually teaching what the Bible says is true. Their persecution has come in various forms: termination, being passed over for promotion, and so forth. Christians, who live, work, and play in their communities are increasingly facing vitriolic comments via social media, print, and smear tactics for simply confessing that Jesus is Lord, that the Bible is God s Word, and that they wish to live their public and private lives according to those confessions of faith.
3 Our persecution may not come in the form of being arrested or executed that s the real situation in many other parts of the world but it is real and increasing here in America nonetheless. Consider this admonition from the apostle Peter in I Peter 4:12 16: 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. The Bible teaches us Christians that we shouldn t be surprised when we have to face persecution for confessing faith in Jesus. And the Bible teaches that persecution against Christians began almost immediately after our Lord s Ascension and it will continue until His glorious return. This is the great tribulation being referred to in Revelation 7. I hope you haven t forgotten about the question as to who are these one coming out of the great tribulation. This is how the heavenly elder answers that question, These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (vs. 14). This group that has the attention of heaven itself is none other than the holy Christian Church, Christians from all ages, times, places, and cultures. This group was represented by the 144,000 who have the seal of God on their foreheads. These are baptized Christians, the Church militant here on earth remaining faithful during this age of persecution and tribulation. You dear saints of God, are part of this great and glorious that sings, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! (vs. 10). In the remainder of our time, I want us to consider more carefully who these ones are according to the Beatitudes of Matthew 5. These statements of blessedness describe Jesus and all Christians, for all believers in Christ are sealed by the Holy Spirit through baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus. These ones coming out of the great tribulation are rejected by the world but are loved and cherished by God the Father in heaven. For the next few moments, consider who you are in Christ as compared to the values and ideologies of this fallen world.
4 The world says, Blessed are the rich in spirit. They have their own self-determined spirituality. Jesus says, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (vs. 3). Christians know that in themselves there is nothing good and there is no room for boasting before God and man. But God promises them the riches of His kingdom. The world says, Blessed are the happy ones who deal with their own problems successfully. Jesus says, Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (vs. 4). Christians know sin, their own and the worlds. And they mourn because of the real devastation sin creates in peoples lives. But the comfort of sins forgiven now in Christ and the hope of eternal life in God s kingdom gives real comfort. The world says, Blessed are the strong who rise to the top. Jesus says, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (vs. 5). Christians know that real strength doesn t come from themselves but from God alone. We don t look to this earth for the fulfillment of their deepest hopes and desires but to a new heavens and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells. The world says, Blessed are those who are filled with self-esteem and are satisfied with themselves. Jesus says, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (vs. 6). Christians yearn for a greater righteousness that can only be found in Christ; and Jesus offers it freely to all but exclusively through the means of His Word and Sacraments. The world says, Blessed are those who take care of themselves and don t take anything off anyone. Jesus says, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy (vs. 7). Christians know they have received an infinite amount of mercy, undeserved divine kindness; we Christians didn t earn it so we seek give it freely. The world says, Blessed are the strong and vital in body. Jesus says, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (vs. 8). Christians know that in their flesh sin and evil remains. Yet our hearts are purified from all sin because the blood of Jesus washes our every thought, word, and deed. On this side of eternity, we see God by faith. On the great resurrection of the Last Day, we will see God face to face. The world says, Blessed are those who stay out of other peoples business, who live and let live. Jesus says, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (vs. 9). Christians seek to bring real peace to a world torn apart by violence,
5 grief, and every form of degradation. In Christ, we pray for the peace of the world so that more sons of God may be born again through the love and grace of Christ. The world says, Blessed are those who don t stir up trouble, who don t force their beliefs on other people. Jesus says, Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (vs. 10). In this 9 th and final beatitude, we find a direct connection between Revelation 7, Matthew 5, and the Lord Himself. Christians know that as long as they live righteous lives of faith they will be persecuted on account of Jesus (vs. 11). But the Lord speaks of joy and rejoicing for great is our reward in heaven. Being poor in spirit, mourning over sin, being meek, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, being merciful and pure in heart, and working for peace all in Jesus name will bring persecution and slander for the world says that such things are foolish. But we have the certain victory of Jesus. We Christians these ones of Revelation 7 will come out of the tribulation in glorious splendor. Take heart dear saints of God, and do not be dismayed. You are under the care and attention of heaven and all the heavenly hosts. The joy and peace of Christ Jesus be with you always. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Now the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.