The Why and the What “Sealed to Serve” Revelation 7:1-8 FBC Canton, Sunday AM, January 17, 2021: to Encourage Each of Us to Engage in God’S Work!
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The Why and the What “Sealed to Serve” Revelation 7:1-8 FBC Canton, Sunday AM, January 17, 2021: To encourage each of us to engage in God’s work! Introduction: As we open Ch. 7 of Revelation: The Lord will end the time of the Church, but He never ends the work of the Church! Matthew 28:16-20 We have a specific and limited time frame to accomplish the mission. But the mission is bigger than us! It will last long after we are no longer here! Chapter 7 is a break from the opening of the 7 seals. This is a pattern throughout Revelation; here it will be a whole chapter, later, the gap is smaller. It is the same gap evidenced between Daniel’s 69th and 70th week. These gaps are times of great work, not idleness. Here we see God seal 144k of the tribes of Israel to be his evangelists during Daniel’s 70th week. They are not the church. They are not angels. They are Israelites. There are no 10 lost tribes. In these days when nothing seems certain, nothing seems secure: Here is an undeniable truth for the believer: God never misplaces His people! Let’s stand and pray and ask the Lord to remind us He will never misplace us either! I. God will Stop Judgment to Seal His Servants. v. 1-8 Sealed used 27x(NT) a. The Seal of God is the seal of life! John 10:10 b. The Seal of God means: Ephesians 1:13-14 1. Security. 2. Approval. 3. Authenticity. 4. Personal identity. 5. Authority. Eph 1:13 - In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with G4972 that holy Spirit of promise, Eph 4:30 - And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed G4972 unto the day of redemption. KJV Translation Count — Total: 27x The KJV translates Strong's G4972 in the following manner: seal (22x), set to (one's) seal (1x), stop (1x), seal up (1x), set a seal (1x), variations of 'seal' (1x). Outline of Biblical Usage 1. to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal 1. for security: from Satan 2. since things sealed up are concealed (as the contents of a letter), to hide, keep in silence, keep secret 3. in order to mark a person or a thing 1. to set a mark upon by the impress of a seal or a stamp 2. angels are said to be sealed by God 4. in order to prove, confirm, or attest a thing 1. to confirm authenticate, place beyond doubt 1. of a written document 2. to prove one's testimony to a person that he is what he professes to be Strong’s Definitions (Strong’s Definitions Legend) σφραγίζω sphragízō, sfrag-id'-zo; from G4973; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret, to attest:—(set a, set to) seal up, stop. ii. God will hold back the Rapture until all are saved. Romans 11:25 II. God’s Sealed are to Serve. Revelation 14:1-5 a. Their past is redeemed. Romans 8:1 i. Sing a new song, no one else can sing. Ephesians 5:18-20 ii. Redeemed from among men. iii. First Fruits to God and to the Lamb. b. Their present is dedicated to purity. Romans 13:11-14 i. Not defiled: no stains. ii. No Deceit. Specifically, as it relates to speech: no crafty tongue. iii. Without fault before God: without blame. c. Their purpose is defined. Mark 4:19 ‘fishers of men.’ i. Follow the Lamb. Engagement You joyfully seek ways to serve through the ministries of the church. You give generously of your resources for God’s Kingdom advancement. You spread the word about what God is doing at FBC Canton. You volunteer to help develop new ministries. You find ways to send grace forward. Conclusion: Not one of them was misplaced, neither are you! "Lost Tribe" Returns to Israel from the September 11, 2007 eNews issue An Indian tribe called the Bnei Menashe, which means "children of Manasseh," have for many years claimed to be one of the "lost tribes" of Israel. They say they are the descendants of the tribe of Manasseh, who fled Israel on trade routes to India after the destruction of the Northern Kingdom. Earlier this month a group of 230 Bnei Menashe arrived in Israel – they came with tourist visas, but plan to seek Israeli citizenship. Approximately 1,000 Bnei Menashe have moved to the Holy Land since 1994, and there are about 7,000 who still live in India, who could eventually immigrate to Israel. In March of 2005 the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that all conversions performed outside of Israel would be recognized by the authorities under the Law of Return. Two months after the Supreme Court's decision, Israeli Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar publicly recognized the Bnei Menashe as part of the lost tribe of Manasseh. Since then, hundreds of members of India's Bnei Menashe community have formally converted to Orthodox Judaism. By converting, the Bnei Menashe will then be able to immigrate to Israel and obtain citizenship under the Law of Return. The Law of Return was passed five years after the end of World War II to facilitate the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Israel. There are many groups that believe the northern tribes, separated during the rift between Rehoboam and Jeroboam after the death of Solomon (and subsequently taken captive by Assyria in 722 BC), later migrated to Europe and elsewhere. The myth of the ten lost tribes is the basis for British- Israelism and other colorful legends, but these stories have no real Biblical basis. They are based upon misconceptions derived from the misreading of various Bible passages (2 Kings 17:7-23, 2 Chronicles 6:6-11). The "tribe of Judah" (2 Kings 17:18) is used idiomatically for the Southern Kingdom. When encountering the tribal designations, it is important to distinguish between the territories allocated to the tribes and the people themselves. Before the Assyrian captivity, substantial numbers from the northern tribes had identified themselves with the house of David. The rebellion of Jeroboam and subsequent crises caused many to repudiate the Northern Kingdom and unite with the Southern Kingdom in a common alliance to the house of David and a desire to worship the Lord in Jerusalem. Ezekiel 36 and 37 declares that Judah and Israel shall be joined as one in the regathering. This is true today. Ezekiel's famed vision of the Valley of the Dry Bones is unquestionably the monumental Biblical fulfillment of the 20th century. Beginning in the last half of the 19th century, the regathering, which climaxed in the establishment of the State of Israel, is one of the most irrefutable evidences that we are on threshold of God's climax for the nations. For more information on this subject read the article titled "Mystery of the Myth: The Ten Lost Tribes" on our website (link below). Also our Expositional Commentary on Joshua contains a detailed exploration of this common misconception. Related Links - Mystery of the Myth: The Ten Lost Tribes - K-House Archives - Joshua and The Twelve Tribes - MP3 Download - Koinonia House - Joshua and The Twelve Tribes - CD-ROM - Koinonia House - Over 200 Manipuris Migrate to Israel - IANS - Bnei Menashe Immigrants Visit Western Wall - INN Mystery of the Myth: The Ten Lost Tribes by Chuck Missler This month (June 1995) we celebrate the Feast of Shavout, or Pentecost. In Peter's famous speech on this day in Acts Chapter 2, he referred to both "Jews" and "Israel", which brings up an ubiquitous myth concerning the "Ten Lost Tribes" of Israel. There are many groups that believe the northern tribes, separated during the rift between Rehoboam and Jeroboam after the death of Solomon (and subsequently taken captive by Assyria in 722 b.c.), later migrated to Europe and elsewhere. The myth of the "Ten Lost Tribes" is the basis for "British- Israelism" and other colorful legends, but these stories have no real Biblical basis. They are based upon misconceptions derived from the misreading of various Bible passages.1 The Faithful Voted With Their Feet Before the Assyrian captivity, substantial numbers from the northern tribes had identified themselves with the house of David.2 The rebellion of Jeroboam and subsequent crises caused many to repudiate the Northern Kingdom and unite with the Southern Kingdom in a common alliance to the house of David and a desire to worship the Lord in Jerusalem.3 In 930 b.c., Jeroboam ruled the Northern Kingdom from his capital in Samaria.4 When Jeroboam turned the Northern Kingdom to idolatry, the Levites (and others who desired to remain faithful) migrated south to Rehoboam.5 Horrified that Jeroboam had set up a rival religion with golden calf worship at Bethel and Dan, many Northerners moved south, knowing that the only place acceptable to God was the Temple on Mt. Moriah.6 Those who favored idolatry migrated north to Jeroboam. Later, when Asa reigned as king in the south, another great company came from the north.7 Years after the deportation by Assyria, King Hezekiah of Judah issued a call to all Israel to come and worship in Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover.8 Eighty years later King Josiah of Judah also issued a call, and an offering for the Temple was received from "Manasseh and Ephraim and all the remnant of Israel...."9 Eventually, all 12 tribes were represented in the south.