STAY TUNED FOR TROUBLE
Revelation 1:9-18

Introduction:     We are living in dangerous times. I believe we are the rapture generation and though I do not believe the Church will go through the tribulation, I do believe we will experience troublesome times (2 Tim 3:1) "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." Someone has well said that adversity is God’s university. We run from trouble; try to say away from trouble; try to get out of trouble. But, sometimes there are lessons that God desires to teach us in the midst of trouble. Prior to the coming of the Lord (and I believe He’s is coming soon) there is going to be trouble. But, today someone has cancer; someone’s marriage is falling apart; someone’s facing unemployment etc. Today people have trouble. Notice 3 things about trouble in the Word of God:

 

I.          TROUBLE IS NOT CHOOSEY (V.9)

Trouble comes to the good and the bad; to the save and the lost.      

A.        Common Experience “companion”

(No pity party here) As all the Church was facing persecution John is saying “All God’s Children Got problems!”

            B.         Crushing Experience “in tribulation”

“Tribulation” = came to mean the pressure caused by events or circumstances in life. Life can be overwhelming and its pressure is crushing.

            C.        Companionless Experience “in the isle that is called Patmos ”

Out there on this island all alone (except for Jesus) he has to face trouble.

“Patience” = doesn’t mean resignation to difficulty, but means to rise up to meet difficulty.

 

II.         TROUBLE IS NOT OMNIPOTENT (VV.10-13)

            A.        Cannot Stop The Committed (v.10) “I was in the Spirit”

I’m not living regulated by my circumstances I’m going to have a one man revival in the midst of these difficult circumstances! (Illus: what does it mean to be in the Spirit?) The “Lord’s Day” is Sunday and here’s John exiled alone on an island and he worships the Lord on Sunday! (Illus: so many treat the Lord’s Day as optional).

            B.         Cannot Stop Personal Calling (v.11) “What thou seest, write in a book”

The place of persecution became a place of prosperous ministry. This place of difficulty became a place of dedicated Christian service. (Illus: how do you overcome trouble? Be filled with the Holy Spirit; draw on the resources of Christ; come to the house of God and when your heart is filled with pain, lift up that heart to God and say the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away but blessed be the name of the Lord. I’ll praise you when I’m up and I’ll praise you when I’m down – I’ll praise you when its good and I’ll praise you when it’s bad. I won’t be a choosey worshiper; I’ll praise you no matter what!)

            C.        Cannot Stop The Church (vv.12-13) “seven golden candlesticks”

What are these seven golden candlesticks? (Verse 20) (Illus: The devil is trying in every way to take the true gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ out of public life but, God still has some preachers…) The gates of hell shall not prevail over the Church because Jesus is in the midst of the Churches that are His!

 

III.       TROUBLE IS NOT USELESS (VV.13-18)

What positive can come out of my pain?

            A.        See Christ More Clearly (VV.13-16)

Johns sees Jesus as never before

bullet“one like unto the Son of man” – Jesus is God in human form.
bullet“clothed with a garment down to the foot” – Priestly garment because He is our High Priest. Also, royalty because He is our King.
bullet“girt about the paps with a golden girdle” – Truth because He is the way the truth and the life!
bullet“His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow” – speaks of His purity and holiness. He is without sin!
bullet“his eyes were as a flame of fire” – He sees everything. There are no secrets hidden from Him.
bullet“And his feet like unto fine brass” – Judgment
bullet“And he had in his right hand seven stars” – Who are they? (see v.20)
bullet“and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword” – God’s Word cuts both ways.

            B.         Worship More Intensely (v.17a)

No matter how holy we think we are when we stand before Jesus we’ll only think of how deserving of hell we are. The problem in the church today is too much pride (me)! (Illus: the need for brokenness in the church today…nothing in my hand I bring it’s only to thy cross I cling!)

            C.        Trust Him More Completely (vv.17b-18)

“Fear not” = stop being afraid. We need not fear anything because Jesus our Savior defeated the enemy and has authority of death and hell.

 

Conclusion:       There are many reasons why God may allow trouble to come into our lives, one of which is to perhaps keep us alert and always looking to Him for power and strength. This is not the end the best is yet to come!