Revelation 5:1-10 (KJV)
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
I want to preach to you on the subjectVoices From Beyond the Grave.
I know we live in a world filled
with doubt and skepticism
about:
• The existence of God• Heaven and hell and about
• Life after death
Almost everybody solaces themselves at the time of a death with the thought, “At least they aren’t suffering any more.”
Even that sentiment is rooted in agnostic thinking.
If the Word of God is correct, if
God exists as He is described in the Bible, then a great number of those who have died are suffering now much worse than they could have possibly suffered in this life.
There is life beyond the grave and God gives us glimpses into those things they say.
Come with me.
Let us hear the voices from beyond the grave.
There is life beyond the grave and God gives us glimpses into those things they say.
Come with me.
Let us hear the voices from beyond the grave.
First, there are
I. VOICES CRYING FOR VENGEANCE
As early as the book of Genesis we find Genesis 4:10 (KJV)
And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
I don’t know how many children Adam and Eve had before Seth was born but I do know that two of them were Cain and Abel, presumably their first and second born sons.
• We know that Cain was a tiller of the ground and
• We know that Abel tended sheepWe also know that, when the
time came,
• We know that Abel tended sheepWe also know that, when the
time came,
- Abel offered an appropriate sacrifice of sheep to the Lord but
- Cain offered God of the fruit of the land – that which he had produced of his own hand.
God approved of Abel’s offering and did not approve of Cain’s and Cain – in jealousy, killed his own brother.
Of course Cain tried to hide it but God said, “the voice of thy
brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.”
The Bible does not tell us exactly what his blood cried, but we have a good hint in, Revelation 6:9-10 (KJV)
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.”
The Bible does not tell us exactly what his blood cried, but we have a good hint in, Revelation 6:9-10 (KJV)
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
We get this idea that everything is joyful and peaceful in heaven.
I think that is true after the Great White Throne and God wipes away all tears from our eyes.
But there is evidence that, right now, heaven hears the voices from beyond the grave crying out for vengeance.
By the way, their prayer is
answered in 2 Thessalonians
1:6-10 (KJV)
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony
among you was believed) in that day.
I promise you that heaven is a place of peace and love and rest and rejoicing.
But before all of that, there is going to be a time of judgment and recompense when God executes vengeance on those who:
• Rejected Jesus Christ as Saviour and
• Troubled those who had trusted Him
Voices from beyond the grave
I promise you that heaven is a place of peace and love and rest and rejoicing.
But before all of that, there is going to be a time of judgment and recompense when God executes vengeance on those who:
• Rejected Jesus Christ as Saviour and
• Troubled those who had trusted Him
Voices from beyond the grave
crying for vengeance.
Secondly there are
II. VOICES CRYING
OUT FOR
COMFORT
Luke 16:19-31 (KJV)
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his
Secondly there are
II. VOICES CRYING
OUT FOR
COMFORT
Luke 16:19-31 (KJV)
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his
sores.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they
which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
It is so important to remember
•That these are the words of Jesus Christ and
• That this is not a parable
Jesus speaks these words as a
historical narrative.
• There really was a rich man•There really was a beggar named
Lazarus
And they both really did die.
The truths that are to be found in this passage are multiplied but I only want us to consider this morning the words of the rich man in hell.
A. Have mercy on me
Luke 16:24 (KJV)
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
He is tormented in the flame. All he asked for is one drop of water.
And that was denied. Luke 16:25-26 (KJV)
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good
Luke 16:24 (KJV)
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
He is tormented in the flame. All he asked for is one drop of water.
And that was denied. Luke 16:25-26 (KJV)
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good
things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
B. Send Lazarus to my
father’s house
Luke 16:27-28 (KJV)
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
B. Send Lazarus to my
father’s house
Luke 16:27-28 (KJV)
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
But that was denied. Luke 16:29 (KJV)
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
C. Send one from the grave
Luke 16:30 (KJV)
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
There are voices beyond the
grave – but if you want to hear them, you’ll have to read your Bible.
God doesn’t let them speak to us any other way.
Luke 16:31 (KJV)
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Voices from beyond the grave Crying for vengeance.
Crying out for comfort
And finally voices beyond the
God doesn’t let them speak to us any other way.
Luke 16:31 (KJV)
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Voices from beyond the grave Crying for vengeance.
Crying out for comfort
And finally voices beyond the
grave
III. CRY “THOU ART WORTHY”
Revelation 4:10-11 (KJV)
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Among Bible believers there is little debate who these elders are; they are Christians from all
III. CRY “THOU ART WORTHY”
Revelation 4:10-11 (KJV)
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Among Bible believers there is little debate who these elders are; they are Christians from all
ages no living in the presence of God.
We find them speaking in Revelation chapters
• Four• Five• Seven• Eleven and
• Nineteen
They
• Sit at the throne• Are clothed in white raiment
• Worship the Lord and• Fall down before Him
We find them speaking in Revelation chapters
• Four• Five• Seven• Eleven and
• Nineteen
They
• Sit at the throne• Are clothed in white raiment
• Worship the Lord and• Fall down before Him
Let’s talk about some of the things they say
A. Thou art worthy
Revelation 4:11 (KJV)
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
This is an act of worship.
Those who are in heaven give all the credit for their own salvation to the Lamb of God.
• It’s not their works• It’s not their baptism
• It’s not their church membership• It’s not their mom and dad
They are in heaven and they know they are there because of Jesus.
B. Thou hast redeemed us
Revelation 5:9 (KJV)
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
They are in heaven and they know they are there because of Jesus.
B. Thou hast redeemed us
Revelation 5:9 (KJV)
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
I guarantee there is singing in heaven.
C. What are these?
Revelation 7:13-14 (KJV)
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
They were providing for John inspirational Christian lives.
Revelation 7:13-14 (KJV)
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
They were providing for John inspirational Christian lives.
We don’t worship other Christians, but we surely can be encouraged by them.
By the way – I would rather be the kind of Christ that inspires others to live for God than be the kind that leads others to turn from God, wouldn’t you?
D. We give thanks
Revelation 11:17 (KJV)
Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
I’m guessing that if Christians in heaven give thanks, it would be a good practice for us too, wouldn’t it?
Finally they say
E. Amen, Alleluia
Revelation 19:4 (KJV)
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
• Worship God.
• Fall on your face before Jesus today.
oCall on Christ to save you if you have not done so
oGive your life to serve Him if you are saved
oCall on Christ to save you if you have not done so
oGive your life to serve Him if you are saved
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