Communion Message
God Is the Author of Liberty
September 21, 2003
Pastor Leighton Sheley

And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth."
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!"
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb." All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
"Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"
Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?"
I answered, "Sir, you know."
And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore,
"they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

A scene of heaven from the great day. Often this time together around the Lord's table is called the Eucharist and that means thanksgiving, and we give thanksgiving that we can talk about heaven, and think about heaven, and I hope for heaven in Christ. This passage references the great tribulation. And it's interesting that some theologians from American and Western countries wonder if that is some future eventuality. But to some Christians who are living in Communist and Muslim lands they have good reason to believe that they are enduring the great tribulation today. The way they are treated is barbarous and violent.

God is the author of liberty. He was the one who gave mankind the opportunity to make a decision, a choice, in the garden. Mankind did not make the best choice in spite of the warnings that God had given. And because of mankind's rebellion and sin against God, mankind was destined for destruction. But God provided salvation for those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In the garden God gave liberty to decide for or against Him. God gives liberty for those who choose His salvation. God is the author of liberty, and perhaps that is why Communists and Muslims are not treated in Christian nations as Christians are treated in Communist and Muslim nations. If you have chosen and received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, God's promises are written for you. The Scriptures say at times like this we should examine our self, and I would like to invite you, if you're physically able, to join with me now as we kneel in the presence of our Lord and Savior.

Lord we thank you for being the author of liberty; the liberty to choose You; the liberty we enjoy us a nation. And Lord the greatest liberty we have is liberty from sin and from sin's consequences. Your word says if we confess our sin You are faithful and just and will forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The elements we hold remind us that You keep Your promises. The elements we hold remind us of the price that has been paid for our redemption; the Lamb that was slain, Jesus Christ the Lamb of God slain on Calvary's Cross. Lord as we now partake of these elements we do so in remembrance of You, and we ask You to forgive us and cleanse us as we partake in Jesus' name. Let's partake of the bread and also the cup. Thank you Lord, thank you Lord, thank you Lord. In Jesus' name we pray, and all God's people said, amen. Well let's stand and let's greet those who come to worship with us today.