WEBVTT

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 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, where we are encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ.

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! I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and each week I seek to balance the truth of God's Word with the love of Jesus Christ.

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 Today, we opened Revelation by reading the bookends, the beginning and the end of Revelation.

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 This is found in Revelation chapter 1, verses 1 to 3, and Revelation chapter 22, verses 14 to 21.

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 Revelation calls us to read, hear, and keep God's Word, and invites us to place our hope in Jesus Christ.

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 Jesus Christ says, Surely I am coming soon.

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 And as we journey, we will look at the context of Revelation and its connections across Scripture,

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 so our faith is strengthened and our lives are shaped by Christ.

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 Well, good morning, everyone.

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 It's been a long time coming. I've been talking about doing this sermon series on the book of Revelation for several weeks.

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 Some of you have known since the beginning of the parables, some of you through the middle, and some of you towards the end.

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 We began, many, many weeks ago, a 38-sermon series through the parables of Christ.

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 And going through these parables, there were certain language that really began to kind of attract,

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 to pull my own heart and my spirit to go into Revelation.

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 You will find, before we even begin here, I want to go over this booklet.

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 Now, this is the culmination of many weeks, many hours of preparation,

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 searching through the Word of God, searching the Scriptures.

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 At Ontario Community Church, we look at the context of the Word,

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 but we also look at the connections that's found within the Word of God.

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 Some of you have seen, how many of you have seen it by raise of hand?

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 You've seen a picture of a rainbow.

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 And the rainbow is showing a picture of Scripture,

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 and it's showing all of the cross connections within each other.

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 It might have been a circle, it might have been a rainbow,

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 showing all the color coding with it.

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 And there's some 42,000 connections within Scripture,

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 which is very, not only inspiring, but something that is overwhelming.

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 And we're not going to go over those 42,000 connections, that's for sure.

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 But it goes to show you the beauty within Scripture.

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 There are some references that are blatant,

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 some that are inferred, some that are direct, and some that are indirect.

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 And so, I want you to open this little booklet real quick,

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 and I just want to go over what was written on here and what you're seeing here.

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 Because as we begin through this sermon series through the book of Revelation,

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 let us all approach God's Word with a sense of humility,

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 unity among each other, and a willingness to follow where God leads us.

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 As I've mentioned before and I'll mention again,

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 our goal is to observe the text.

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 What is going on immediately within God's Word, right?

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 It's to observe, to read, to observe, and to hear.

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 It is to understand.

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 It is to learn and to grow and to keep, to apply and to live out the Word,

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 what God has revealed to us.

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 And how blessed we are to have the Word of God,

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 and also so many books, so much technology and resources

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 that we can use to be able to help us to search the Scriptures.

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 But most importantly, it's not just technology and tools.

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 It is the guidance of the Holy Spirit as well.

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 Can I get an amen?

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 Because God reveals truth.

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 There is so much truth that's found within it.

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 And I also wrote in here,

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 it is in times such as these,

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 the rise of political division,

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 hatred among Christians,

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 technological advances and cultural changes and other things.

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 I mean, that's just not,

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 it's just a few things that are going on in this world.

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 I know we can go on and on for hours and even days

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 about so much evil, hatred, division, disunity, disrespect.

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 We can think of all of these things and they discourage us,

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 they derail us.

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 And I pray that we may come together,

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 united as the body of Christ,

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 in such times as this.

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 I don't even need to begin to talk about the recent,

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 this last week, this last two weeks.

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 We think about these things

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 and how important it is for us to seek God and His Word.

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 And I've written in here,

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 may you search the Scriptures,

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 find the context and the connections.

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 And my prayer for all of you

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 is that you will grow in your faith.

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 If you don't know Jesus Christ,

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 may you come to believe

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 in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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 May you come to believe in Him.

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 Metanoia, repentance,

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 the changing of mind for who Christ is.

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 May you find the connections

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 and grow in your faith

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 and be moved to do good in His name.

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 It's not just about head knowledge.

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 It's also about the changing of our heart as well

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 and also our hands,

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 how we act,

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 how we speak.

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 Because God is the God of transformation.

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 And I want to put on here real quick,

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 no matter where it is,

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 many of us come from different denominational backgrounds.

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 Some of us may be raised a conservative Baptist.

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 Some of us may have come from a Catholic background.

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 Some of us may have,

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 may be one of those theological nerd, right?

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 Or someone who knows the Word of God very well.

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 No matter what approach you're going to take

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 in the timing of Revelation,

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 it is important for us to remain united.

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 Now, I don't know about you,

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 but I cannot tell you how many times

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 I have met people

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 who are divided over Revelation.

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 How many of you,

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 you don't have to raise your hand,

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 but I can speak for myself.

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 Revelation can be a very divisive book.

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 People talking about the timing of things

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 and rapture versus non-rapture,

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 all-millennial versus pre-millennial

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 versus post-millennial

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 versus preterist,

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 and all these different things.

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 But what's important for all of us

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 is to search the Scriptures,

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 find the meanings

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 and the connections within God's Word.

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 You may hold to rapture theology.

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 You may not.

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 You may be a pre-millennialist

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 and that's what you're sticking with.

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 Then by the grace of God,

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 may you remain firm in your faith.

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 But the approach that we are taking

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 is searching the Scriptures

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 and its connections in here.

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 And so no matter who you are,

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 where you are,

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 when you are watching,

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 whether you're watching online

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 or here in person,

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 all are welcome into this study.

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 I can't tell you

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 how many pastors and people

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 I've talked to

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 from different denominations

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 who are interested in going into this.

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 Let us grow together

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 and look towards the victory in Jesus,

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 the hope in Him,

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 as we await the new heaven

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 and the new earth

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 to reign with Him forever.

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 And I also want to point,

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 it's important for us to know

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 the Word of God says

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 that no one knows the day or the hour

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 when Christ will return.

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 But how many of you

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 have read a book

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 or a magazine

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 and it says that

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 Christ will return on this day?

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 My favorite one is Y2K.

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 I was trying to find a picture

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 of Time Magazine.

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 They had a picture of

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 the Y2K bug

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 and like a ticking time bomb

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 kind of thing.

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 That imagery,

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 which was showing fear

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 towards the masses.

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 And to be very honest,

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 we think of the year 2000,

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 that was a very scary time for sure.

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 The unknown of technology

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 and what was going to happen

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 around that time.

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 Or many of you may know

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 the Mayan calendar, 2012.

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 People thought the world

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 was going to end in that.

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 But it's important for us to know

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 as we're even just beginning

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 in this prelude of Revelation

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 is that no one

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 knows the date or the time.

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 How many people have tried?

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 And I don't know the answer,

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 but there have been many people

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 who have tried to find

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 the timing of it.

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 Or they'll say that,

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 you know,

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 what is the beast

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 or the mark of the beast?

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 It's important for us to know

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 that not only is there

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 the mark of the beast,

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 but there's also the mark of God

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 that we find within Scripture.

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 It's also important for us to know

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 when we look at the seven churches,

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 may we,

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 when we think of oil and lamps,

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 may we be filled

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 with the Holy Spirit.

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 Much like how Scripture talks about,

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 let your light shine.

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 this little light of mine.

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 You know the song.

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 We know the parable.

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 We don't want to hide our lamp

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 under a bushel.

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 We start seeing these connections

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 that are very clear.

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 And so in this,

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 I've also put that,

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 that I'm honored

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 to journey through Revelation with you.

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 What you'll find in this book

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 is your reading guide.

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 Some of you may not.

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 Some of you will read ahead

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 and do it.

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 Some of you may

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 just read Revelation.

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 Some of you may want to find

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 the connected readings in here.

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 And I've put also the gospel

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 and the parable connections with it.

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 In searching and doing

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 much research on this,

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 I wanted to ensure

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 that everything was

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 as blatantly clear as possible.

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 Some of it,

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 you might get a little confused

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 with the symbolism for sure.

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 But when we read Revelation,

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 there are things

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 that are just confusing.

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 Amen?

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 But the reality is,

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 despite the mystery,

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 we still seek the God of clarity.

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 And so in here,

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 you see your,

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 the connected readings.

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 We're not going to go

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 through all of these.

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 This is for you.

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 If you want to read ahead,

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 just read in Revelation at least.

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 If you want to go into

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 the connected readings,

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 by all means do it.

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 I can tell you,

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 when you start going

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 into the middle of Revelation,

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 that's some heavy stuff

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 right there.

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 One of the things

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 that I found as

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 not only a one

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 who studies scripture,

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 but as a pastor,

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 is the connection

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 we find with

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 the tribulation

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 and the judgment

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 and what we find

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 with the story

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 of Moses

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 and the Israelites.

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 That a lot of the,

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 remember how the water

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 turns into blood?

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 Or the plague

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 that was of locusts

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 that's found?

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 That's also found

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 in Revelation.

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 Revelation.

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 And I'm like,

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 how many times

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 have I read this

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 and I know it's there,

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 but how blatant

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 it is there.

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 So the next time

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 you watch

00:11:37.939 --> 00:11:39.019
 the Prince of Egypt

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 and you see

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 all of those judgments

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 happening,

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 a lot of that

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 is connected

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 in Revelation.

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 How amazing is that?

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 To see that

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 what was found

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 in the Old Testament

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 is now showing

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 towards the end.

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 And then towards

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 the end of this booklet,

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 I have also put

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 these symbols

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 and the parables

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 and symbols

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 of the parables

00:11:59.220 --> 00:11:59.839
 in Revelation

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 where you have

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 things like

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 the virgins

00:12:05.339 --> 00:12:06.019
 in the banquet

00:12:06.019 --> 00:12:07.019
 where we talked

00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:08.139
 about the ten virgins

00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.059
 that were awaiting

00:12:09.059 --> 00:12:10.240
 the wedding feast,

00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:11.199
 the parable

00:12:11.199 --> 00:12:12.000
 of the banquet

00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:13.000
 where they are

00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:13.799
 anticipating

00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:15.759
 the marriage supper

00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:17.299
 and the white garments.

00:12:18.319 --> 00:12:18.819
 There's a verse

00:12:18.819 --> 00:12:19.279
 in Revelation

00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:19.899
 that says,

00:12:20.199 --> 00:12:20.839
 blessed is the man

00:12:20.839 --> 00:12:22.360
 who washes his robes.

00:12:23.059 --> 00:12:23.879
 Whenever I read that,

00:12:23.939 --> 00:12:24.600
 I think we'll just go

00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:25.500
 do a load of laundry,

00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:25.839
 right?

00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:28.439
 Put some bleach in there.

00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.139
 Some of you get the joke,

00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:29.480
 right?

00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:31.459
 But it's much more than that.

00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.860
 Like how we find connected

00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:35.459
 going from filthy rags

00:12:35.459 --> 00:12:37.779
 into white garments,

00:12:37.959 --> 00:12:38.860
 how it's connected

00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:39.439
 with that.

00:12:40.339 --> 00:12:40.919
 And so I know

00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:41.559
 this is a lot,

00:12:41.659 --> 00:12:42.799
 but let this be your guide.

00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:44.759
 Keep it at home.

00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.579
 Bring it with you.

00:12:46.079 --> 00:12:46.860
 And you'll find

00:12:46.860 --> 00:12:47.459
 a lot in there.

00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:48.459
 And I'm just very excited.

00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:49.159
 I want to give that

00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:50.179
 kind of as the prelude.

00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:51.879
 With that in mind,

00:12:52.439 --> 00:12:53.220
 I want us to open

00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:53.720
 to Revelation.

00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:54.779
 Let's open the word together.

00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:56.819
 We're going to go into

00:12:56.819 --> 00:12:57.919
 the,

00:12:57.980 --> 00:13:00.519
 it's going to be on page

00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:05.360
 1218 in your ESVP Bible.

00:13:06.019 --> 00:13:07.279
 Or you can turn to

00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:08.860
 Revelation chapter 1,

00:13:08.939 --> 00:13:10.159
 verses 1 through 3.

00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:16.959
 What I want to do

00:13:16.959 --> 00:13:18.480
 as we're starting off here,

00:13:19.219 --> 00:13:20.639
 I want us to look

00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:21.480
 at the beginning

00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:23.600
 and also the end.

00:13:24.319 --> 00:13:25.259
 Because you'll see

00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:25.980
 that there's some

00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:26.980
 connections here.

00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:28.279
 Okay?

00:13:28.439 --> 00:13:29.199
 Are we all there

00:13:29.199 --> 00:13:29.620
 in Revelation?

00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:29.799
 Revelation?

00:13:30.799 --> 00:13:32.060
 Alright, so Revelation

00:13:32.060 --> 00:13:33.080
 chapter 1,

00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.539
 verses 1 through 3.

00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:36.159
 The revelation

00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:37.279
 of Jesus Christ,

00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:38.440
 which God gave him

00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:40.179
 to show to his servants

00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:40.840
 the things

00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:41.679
 that must soon

00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:42.440
 take place.

00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:44.100
 He made it known

00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:45.679
 by sending his angel

00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:47.940
 to his servant John

00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:48.860
 who bore witness

00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:49.899
 to the word of God

00:13:49.899 --> 00:13:51.060
 and to the testimony

00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:52.060
 of Jesus Christ.

00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:53.360
 Even to all

00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:54.139
 that he saw,

00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:55.919
 blessed is the one

00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:57.000
 who reads aloud

00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:58.379
 the words of this prophecy.

00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:59.379
 How about we read

00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:00.080
 that together, yeah?

00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:02.320
 Blessed is the one

00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:03.580
 who reads aloud

00:14:03.580 --> 00:14:04.879
 the words of this prophecy

00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:06.679
 and blessed are those

00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:08.340
 who hear and keep

00:14:08.340 --> 00:14:09.500
 what is written in it

00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:11.179
 for the time is near.

00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:12.840
 There's a lot of depth

00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:13.299
 in that

00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:14.740
 and I want us to go

00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:16.080
 into the end

00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:17.980
 of Revelation.

00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:18.919
 Let's turn there.

00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:27.820
 We're going to go ahead

00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:28.800
 and turn towards

00:14:28.800 --> 00:14:30.320
 that ending piece here.

00:14:34.200 --> 00:14:35.340
 Make sure that we're good.

00:14:35.760 --> 00:14:36.220
 Hold on there.

00:14:38.680 --> 00:14:39.340
 Very good.

00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:41.560
 We're going to turn

00:14:41.560 --> 00:14:42.920
 to Revelation 22

00:14:42.920 --> 00:14:44.760
 and we're going to start

00:14:44.760 --> 00:14:46.580
 on verse...

00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:49.680
 Let's go to verse 14.

00:14:50.560 --> 00:14:51.600
 I put in my notes

00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:52.300
 verse 16,

00:14:52.380 --> 00:14:53.240
 but I want to show you

00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:54.760
 right at the end.

00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:56.680
 Are we all there?

00:14:56.679 --> 00:14:57.699
 Revelation 22

00:14:57.699 --> 00:14:58.479
 verse 14?

00:15:00.339 --> 00:15:01.259
 There's that verse.

00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:03.839
 Blessed are those

00:15:03.839 --> 00:15:04.359
 who what?

00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:06.579
 Who wash their robes,

00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:06.819
 right?

00:15:07.079 --> 00:15:07.639
 So we're not talking

00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.739
 about a load of laundry here.

00:15:09.319 --> 00:15:10.179
 We're talking about

00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:10.979
 the cleanliness,

00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:12.399
 the purification

00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:13.719
 that comes from the Lord

00:15:13.719 --> 00:15:16.359
 so that they may have

00:15:16.359 --> 00:15:17.939
 the right to the tree of life

00:15:17.939 --> 00:15:19.539
 and that they may enter

00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.740
 the city by the gates.

00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:23.219
 Outside are the dogs

00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:24.100
 and sorcerers

00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:25.560
 and the sexually immoral

00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:26.420
 and murderers

00:15:26.420 --> 00:15:27.519
 and idolaters

00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:28.860
 and everyone who loves

00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:30.860
 and practices falsehood.

00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:32.840
 I, Jesus,

00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:33.980
 have sent my angel

00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:35.200
 to testify to you

00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:36.620
 about these things

00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.779
 for who?

00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:39.600
 For the churches.

00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:41.440
 I am the root

00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:42.379
 and the descendant

00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:42.920
 of David,

00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:44.519
 the bright morning star.

00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:46.439
 The spirit and the bride

00:15:46.439 --> 00:15:46.740
 say,

00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:47.100
 come.

00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:48.460
 And let the one

00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:49.579
 who hears say,

00:15:50.319 --> 00:15:51.000
 come.

00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:52.360
 And let the one

00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:53.139
 who is thirsty,

00:15:53.579 --> 00:15:53.840
 come.

00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:55.259
 Let the one

00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.620
 who desires

00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:57.679
 take the water

00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:59.139
 of life without price.

00:15:59.199 --> 00:15:59.779
 Do you see even

00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:01.000
 the connections right there?

00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.439
 Like when Christ

00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:03.299
 is talking about

00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:04.460
 the water that you drink,

00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.480
 you will never thirst

00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.079
 when he's talking

00:16:06.079 --> 00:16:07.120
 to the woman

00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:07.639
 at the well.

00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:10.360
 I warn everyone

00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:11.659
 who hears the words

00:16:11.659 --> 00:16:13.419
 of the prophecy

00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:14.179
 of this book.

00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:16.000
 If anyone adds to them,

00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:17.100
 God will add him

00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:17.840
 the plagues

00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:18.960
 described in this book.

00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:20.699
 Let's not add to this book,

00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:20.879
 yeah?

00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:23.000
 And if anyone

00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:23.699
 takes away

00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:24.699
 the words of the book

00:16:24.699 --> 00:16:25.720
 of this prophecy,

00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:26.779
 God will take away

00:16:26.779 --> 00:16:27.319
 his share

00:16:27.319 --> 00:16:28.179
 in the tree of life

00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:29.539
 and in the holy city

00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:30.419
 which are described

00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:31.000
 in this book.

00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.659
 He who testifies

00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.939
 to these things

00:16:33.939 --> 00:16:34.340
 say,

00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:35.220
 surely,

00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.600
 let's read that together,

00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.759
 surely,

00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:39.159
 I am coming soon.

00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:40.200
 Amen.

00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:41.540
 Come,

00:16:41.800 --> 00:16:42.379
 Lord Jesus.

00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:44.340
 The grace of the Lord Jesus

00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:46.060
 be with all of you.

00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:46.440
 Amen.

00:16:47.060 --> 00:16:47.600
 And so,

00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.220
 when we're looking

00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:48.820
 at this,

00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:51.080
 Scripture calls

00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:51.860
 for us to

00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.240
 not only read

00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:54.060
 the Word of God

00:16:54.060 --> 00:16:55.340
 but to hear it

00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.340
 and to keep it.

00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:58.460
 We follow Jesus

00:16:58.460 --> 00:17:00.320
 through revelation

00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:01.420
 much like we find

00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:02.279
 in the Gospels

00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:03.440
 or in the Old Testament.

00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:05.779
 And

00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:07.720
 we can see

00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:09.220
 these wonderful

00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:09.839
 connections

00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:11.039
 that help us

00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.059
 understand

00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:13.160
 revelation.

00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.200
 Now,

00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:16.539
 for many of us,

00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.500
 if you feel

00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:19.339
 compelled to raise

00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:19.899
 your hand,

00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.000
 by all means do it,

00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:22.539
 how many of you

00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.299
 have been afraid

00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:23.940
 of this book?

00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.799
 I know growing up

00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.319
 I was.

00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.440
 I know growing up

00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:28.639
 I,

00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:29.639
 quite frankly,

00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.220
 had wanted

00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.039
 nothing to do

00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:31.779
 with revelation

00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:33.259
 because of how scary

00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:34.900
 and confusing

00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:36.059
 this book is.

00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:38.400
 But when we think

00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:38.980
 about it,

00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:42.259
 just because

00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:43.400
 it is hard

00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:44.240
 to digest

00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:46.039
 or even difficult

00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.099
 for us to comprehend

00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:47.680
 doesn't mean

00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:48.619
 we should ignore it.

00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.180
 Much like how

00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:50.640
 there are,

00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.440
 are there not

00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.519
 difficult concepts

00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.779
 in the Word of God

00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:55.039
 that sometimes

00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:56.019
 we don't want to hear

00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:57.240
 but yet we need

00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:57.740
 to hear it?

00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:59.640
 when we go

00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:00.460
 through revelation,

00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.279
 this will challenge

00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:03.120
 us for sure

00:18:03.120 --> 00:18:04.500
 and that's okay.

00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:06.240
 I pray that all

00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.180
 of you will grow

00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:07.900
 in Christ,

00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.319
 that you will

00:18:09.319 --> 00:18:10.180
 become stronger

00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:10.799
 in faith

00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:12.140
 and let it be known

00:18:12.140 --> 00:18:12.599
 then

00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:14.339
 that you will

00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:15.440
 receive a blessing.

00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.620
 Isn't that interesting

00:18:17.620 --> 00:18:18.960
 that in this book

00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:20.920
 of revelation

00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:21.980
 it talks about

00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.579
 the blessing

00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:23.539
 of reading it?

00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:26.879
 And when I think

00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:27.579
 about how

00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.960
 we're going over

00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:30.079
 revelation now,

00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:32.180
 it is by

00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:33.319
 the hand of God

00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:34.920
 that we are

00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:36.299
 in times

00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:37.639
 such as this.

00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:39.879
 There's so much

00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:41.019
 division

00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:42.799
 and darkness

00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:44.680
 and distractions.

00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.440
 For many of us

00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:48.159
 we may know that.

00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.200
 How many of you

00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.240
 have been discouraged

00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:52.619
 recently by turning

00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.480
 on the news

00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:53.980
 and seeing

00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.920
 the ugliness

00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:56.519
 of people?

00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:59.519
 We can see

00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.740
 controversy happen,

00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.360
 tragic events

00:19:03.360 --> 00:19:03.880
 happen.

00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:05.579
 It's important

00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.200
 for us.

00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.720
 Let us seek

00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.500
 God who is

00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.519
 our firm foundation

00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.279
 in times

00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:11.500
 such as this.

00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:13.299
 Political division,

00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:15.000
 hostility among

00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.640
 Christians,

00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:17.380
 cultural and

00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:18.440
 technological shifts

00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:18.900
 as I was

00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:19.960
 mentioning.

00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:21.700
 This is why

00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:23.019
 we turn to

00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.539
 God and

00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.059
 his word.

00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.140
 And I just

00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:25.640
 have felt

00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:27.559
 so moved

00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:28.279
 by the fact

00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:30.759
 that all

00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.340
 these things

00:19:31.340 --> 00:19:32.000
 are happening

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.299
 and now we're

00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:33.799
 going through

00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:34.360
 revelation

00:19:34.360 --> 00:19:35.960
 because this

00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.480
 book should

00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:36.920
 give us

00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:38.200
 comfort and

00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:38.700
 the hope

00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.519
 that is in

00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.180
 Christ.

00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:42.039
 Revelation

00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.819
 can feel

00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.600
 scary but

00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:45.539
 it is the

00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:46.420
 unveiling of

00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.259
 Jesus Christ

00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:47.960
 given to

00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:48.720
 his servants

00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.900
 as the text

00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:50.420
 mentions.

00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.380
 And we know

00:19:52.380 --> 00:19:53.600
 that this

00:19:53.600 --> 00:19:54.700
 book is for

00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.380
 churches.

00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:57.059
 The tone of

00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:57.740
 this is

00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.600
 pastoral.

00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.720
 It is

00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:01.259
 prophetic and

00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:01.759
 it is

00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.519
 apocalyptic.

00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.100
 Now for many

00:20:04.100 --> 00:20:04.559
 of us we

00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.259
 think of the

00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:06.120
 apocalypse,

00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:06.620
 right?

00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.920
 I know for me

00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.640
 personally I

00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:10.299
 think of how

00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:11.400
 oh we got the

00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:11.600
 door?

00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:12.299
 Looked like

00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:13.579
 okay yeah

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.539
 looks like

00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:14.940
 someone wanted

00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:15.319
 to come in.

00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:17.259
 I think of

00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:19.119
 how the

00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:20.179
 zombie apocalypse

00:20:20.179 --> 00:20:21.119
 not that I

00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:21.679
 watch these

00:20:21.679 --> 00:20:22.759
 things, maybe

00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.419
 I have once

00:20:23.419 --> 00:20:23.859
 or twice,

00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.599
 maybe a few

00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:24.980
 times.

00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:25.700
 We think of

00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.639
 apocalypse like

00:20:26.639 --> 00:20:27.839
 the cities are

00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:29.119
 completely destroyed,

00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:29.480
 right?

00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:30.079
 There's no

00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:30.700
 running water

00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.339
 and electricity,

00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:31.779
 right?

00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:35.460
 The apocalyptic

00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.579
 language is very

00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:38.059
 similar to what

00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.619
 we've actually

00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:39.500
 found in

00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:41.259
 the parables.

00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:42.899
 There's symbolic

00:20:42.899 --> 00:20:43.559
 language,

00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:44.919
 there is some

00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.680
 mystery in it

00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.160
 as well.

00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.600
 It's nothing

00:20:48.600 --> 00:20:49.160
 we should be

00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:49.820
 afraid of.

00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.820
 And that is

00:20:50.820 --> 00:20:51.519
 why not only

00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:51.980
 are we going

00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.519
 to read the

00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.100
 word of God

00:20:53.100 --> 00:20:54.120
 in its context

00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:54.900
 but also its

00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:55.660
 connections in

00:20:55.660 --> 00:20:55.880
 here.

00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.140
 I want to

00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:58.000
 turn to

00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:59.920
 the next slide

00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:00.279
 here, right?

00:21:00.340 --> 00:21:00.800
 So that's our

00:21:00.800 --> 00:21:01.740
 observation, right?

00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.440
 We've gone over

00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.480
 the bookends of

00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:05.800
 Revelation and

00:21:05.800 --> 00:21:06.440
 I want to make

00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:07.000
 it clear.

00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.240
 The intention

00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.340
 in going through

00:21:11.340 --> 00:21:12.220
 this we need

00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:13.039
 to have guard

00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:13.360
 rails.

00:21:13.580 --> 00:21:13.880
 Why?

00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:15.260
 Because there

00:21:15.260 --> 00:21:17.280
 is really

00:21:17.280 --> 00:21:17.760
 no other

00:21:17.760 --> 00:21:18.180
 book that

00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:18.720
 has caused

00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:19.440
 so much

00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.100
 more division

00:21:20.100 --> 00:21:20.900
 than

00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:21.500
 Revelation.

00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.280
 So as I've

00:21:23.280 --> 00:21:23.760
 been mentioning

00:21:23.760 --> 00:21:24.620
 we will focus

00:21:24.620 --> 00:21:25.480
 on the context

00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.020
 and the

00:21:26.020 --> 00:21:26.940
 connections of

00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.360
 the word.

00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.000
 We want to

00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:29.340
 know where

00:21:29.340 --> 00:21:30.140
 does the

00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:31.780
 sea show up

00:21:31.780 --> 00:21:32.500
 in Revelation

00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:34.380
 and why

00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.260
 does Revelation

00:21:35.260 --> 00:21:36.160
 say there

00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:37.020
 will be no

00:21:37.020 --> 00:21:37.540
 more sea?

00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:38.080
 I used to

00:21:38.080 --> 00:21:38.740
 read that and

00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.220
 get so

00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:39.900
 confused.

00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.200
 When it's

00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:41.740
 talking about

00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.120
 in the new

00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:42.720
 heavens and the

00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.319
 new earth the

00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:43.779
 sea will be

00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.200
 no more.

00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:44.400
 What?

00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:45.900
 That sounds

00:21:45.900 --> 00:21:46.559
 terrible when

00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.539
 you read that.

00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:48.259
 But there's

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.100
 much more than

00:21:49.100 --> 00:21:49.440
 what it's

00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:50.180
 talking about

00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:51.420
 when we talk

00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:51.839
 about the

00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.059
 sea.

00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:53.000
 So looking at

00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:53.600
 the context

00:21:53.600 --> 00:21:53.900
 and the

00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.319
 connections.

00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.819
 The second

00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.440
 thing is that

00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.019
 we will not

00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:58.279
 divide on the

00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:58.980
 timelines and

00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.559
 this is where

00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.360
 my heart is

00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:00.579
 at.

00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.339
 Where you

00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:01.860
 may feel

00:22:01.860 --> 00:22:02.720
 convicted to

00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.299
 look at

00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:03.799
 Revelation

00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.779
 literally then

00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.420
 by all means

00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:05.779
 do it.

00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.720
 You may be

00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.480
 a post

00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.100
 millennialist.

00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:09.619
 Your conviction

00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.319
 may be that

00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:10.719
 of the

00:22:10.719 --> 00:22:11.179
 rapture.

00:22:11.939 --> 00:22:12.659
 What matters

00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:13.799
 is that we're

00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:14.559
 still going to

00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.559
 seek God's

00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.279
 word and

00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:16.819
 find these

00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.259
 connections.

00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:18.480
 And quite

00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.359
 frankly this

00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:20.099
 may actually

00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:21.419
 strengthen your

00:22:21.419 --> 00:22:22.179
 own view,

00:22:22.959 --> 00:22:23.419
 your own

00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:24.480
 how you view

00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.059
 Revelation.

00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.240
 Because a lot

00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:26.899
 of times when

00:22:26.899 --> 00:22:28.039
 churches go over

00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:29.099
 Revelation they're

00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:29.779
 going to say

00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:31.399
 we're premillennial

00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.459
 or we're

00:22:32.459 --> 00:22:33.459
 preterist or

00:22:33.459 --> 00:22:34.159
 we're post

00:22:34.159 --> 00:22:34.839
 millennial or

00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.679
 we're amillennial.

00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:37.660
 Those are just

00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.480
 ways to divide

00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:38.820
 us.

00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:40.600
 Because when we

00:22:40.600 --> 00:22:41.140
 think about it

00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:41.720
 how we view

00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.920
 Revelation should

00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:43.820
 not divide us.

00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.019
 We should be

00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:46.880
 united on the

00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:47.480
 things of

00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:47.960
 Christ.

00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.940
 Bringing people

00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:50.820
 to Christ to

00:22:50.820 --> 00:22:51.680
 believe in

00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.660
 Jesus Christ the

00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.320
 way the truth

00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:53.980
 and the life.

00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.860
 And so I'm

00:22:55.860 --> 00:22:56.920
 looking at some

00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.600
 of you guys and

00:22:57.600 --> 00:22:58.519
 I know exactly

00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.220
 where you stand

00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.580
 on that and

00:22:59.580 --> 00:23:00.120
 that's okay.

00:23:01.080 --> 00:23:02.019
 We may agree

00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:02.960
 to disagree but

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.220
 may that not be

00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.920
 a dividing

00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:07.420
 wedge especially

00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.380
 in times such

00:23:08.380 --> 00:23:08.840
 as this.

00:23:09.820 --> 00:23:10.660
 And so I hope

00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:11.700
 that you'll take

00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:13.019
 to heart these

00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.620
 guardrails,

00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:13.920
 right?

00:23:14.340 --> 00:23:15.539
 We will focus

00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.519
 on the victory,

00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:17.480
 hope, and

00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.460
 preparation of

00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:18.940
 Christ.

00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:20.440
 So many people

00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.380
 are so focused

00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:22.480
 on the fear

00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:24.340
 and the beasts

00:23:24.340 --> 00:23:26.220
 and the four

00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:27.019
 horsemen and

00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.519
 all of this

00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.320
 language that we

00:23:28.320 --> 00:23:29.060
 have to be

00:23:29.060 --> 00:23:30.039
 afraid of this

00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.440
 imagery.

00:23:31.060 --> 00:23:32.080
 But the reality

00:23:32.080 --> 00:23:33.460
 is when we

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.259
 know God there's

00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:34.859
 nothing to be

00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:35.460
 afraid of.

00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:37.160
 We trust in

00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:37.960
 the living God

00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:39.619
 regardless of

00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.400
 what's going to

00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.660
 happen to us.

00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:42.660
 We can think

00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.460
 immediately in

00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.160
 times such as

00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.640
 this in the

00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.400
 culture that we

00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:46.460
 live in but we

00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.400
 can also think

00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:49.980
 well doesn't

00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:51.619
 scripture tell us

00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:52.339
 so much?

00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:54.119
 Do not be

00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:54.640
 afraid.

00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.779
 Or if you're a

00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.480
 KJV-er,

00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.819
 fear not.

00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:01.160
 Let us not be

00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:02.759
 afraid of God

00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.559
 in his word.

00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:05.180
 Let us focus

00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:06.059
 on the hope

00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:06.740
 that is found

00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.619
 in Jesus Christ

00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:08.700
 and how we

00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:10.039
 together can be

00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:11.140
 united in

00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:12.440
 Christ regardless

00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:13.940
 of how we view

00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.740
 revelation.

00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:18.039
 Because the

00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:19.180
 victory is in

00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:19.500
 Jesus.

00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:21.480
 And if there's

00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:22.259
 anything we take

00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:22.680
 away from

00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:24.339
 revelation is

00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.019
 that we are to

00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:26.099
 live our lives in

00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:27.440
 preparation for the

00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.299
 return of Christ.

00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:30.000
 That is what is

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.460
 important.

00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:32.420
 And as I

00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.000
 mentioned here,

00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:33.840
 we will respect

00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:34.559
 each other's

00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.160
 theological

00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.900
 convictions,

00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.720
 journey in

00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.600
 Christ, and

00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:38.279
 keep the main

00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.960
 thing the main

00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.220
 thing.

00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:39.840
 What's the main

00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:40.519
 thing, church?

00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:42.380
 It's on Jesus.

00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.519
 Let's try that

00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:43.740
 again.

00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:44.420
 What is the main

00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:44.759
 thing?

00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.460
 It's focusing on

00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.220
 Jesus, right?

00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:50.799
 And so I expect

00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:52.140
 that as we go

00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:53.579
 through this, we

00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.519
 will be challenged

00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.980
 and that's okay.

00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.680
 Let us respect

00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.680
 one another because

00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.720
 where you are at

00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.960
 in your spiritual

00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:02.600
 journey is different

00:25:02.600 --> 00:25:03.200
 than the person

00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:03.840
 next to you.

00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.460
 I can't tell you

00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.900
 how many times I've

00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.539
 met a young

00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.200
 Christian and I

00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.779
 want him to learn

00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.519
 like all the deeper

00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.140
 things that I

00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:10.720
 already know.

00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.660
 They may not be

00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:11.920
 ready.

00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.440
 You've got to give

00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.299
 them time, right?

00:25:15.080 --> 00:25:16.360
 And what conclusions

00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:17.680
 you have come to in

00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.940
 viewing revelation may

00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:19.640
 be different than the

00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:20.519
 person next to you.

00:25:20.840 --> 00:25:21.720
 I don't want to raise

00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.380
 hands and be like,

00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.180
 who's a premillennial

00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:23.560
 here?

00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:24.299
 Who's a rapture

00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:24.500
 person?

00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.080
 I don't want to do

00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:25.360
 that.

00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:26.979
 Let us come

00:25:26.979 --> 00:25:28.919
 humbly before our

00:25:28.919 --> 00:25:30.039
 Lord and our God.

00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:31.599
 Let's turn to the

00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:31.799
 word.

00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.000
 Let's open it.

00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:33.839
 Let's see what it

00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:34.859
 says and where it's

00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:35.259
 connected.

00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:37.039
 Maybe it will.

00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.699
 And I hope it does

00:25:38.699 --> 00:25:39.779
 strengthen your faith

00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:41.479
 and strengthen your

00:25:41.479 --> 00:25:41.939
 conviction.

00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.679
 And so let's keep

00:25:44.679 --> 00:25:45.359
 the main thing,

00:25:45.479 --> 00:25:46.119
 the main thing,

00:25:46.199 --> 00:25:46.399
 right?

00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:48.299
 Jesus Christ and the

00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:49.559
 victory and the hope

00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:50.199
 in him and the

00:25:50.199 --> 00:25:51.339
 preparation that's to

00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:51.559
 come.

00:25:52.199 --> 00:25:52.839
 And then finally,

00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:53.819
 I put here that,

00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:56.000
 do you know the day

00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.599
 or the time when

00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:57.259
 Christ will come?

00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.539
 Just say no,

00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.019
 right?

00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.259
 Right?

00:26:00.439 --> 00:26:01.079
 If you do,

00:26:01.139 --> 00:26:01.679
 we're going to talk

00:26:01.679 --> 00:26:02.019
 after,

00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:02.259
 right?

00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.619
 We think about it.

00:26:04.139 --> 00:26:05.079
 Nobody knows the

00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:06.399
 day or the hour.

00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.279
 And that's okay.

00:26:09.399 --> 00:26:11.459
 Because our trust is

00:26:11.459 --> 00:26:12.539
 in Jesus Christ.

00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:13.919
 It doesn't matter

00:26:13.919 --> 00:26:14.599
 when he's going to

00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:14.919
 return.

00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.879
 It matters is that

00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:17.139
 I'm living my life

00:26:17.139 --> 00:26:17.759
 that's going to honor

00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.740
 and glorify God.

00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:20.339
 I'm going to follow

00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.359
 in the footsteps of

00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:22.119
 Christ and I'm going to

00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:24.500
 live every day in

00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:24.979
 anticipation.

00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.500
 If he comes tomorrow,

00:26:27.639 --> 00:26:28.500
 then so be it.

00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.699
 Praise God.

00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.939
 If he comes in our

00:26:31.939 --> 00:26:34.099
 lifetime, praise God.

00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.759
 When he comes, we'll

00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:38.459
 be on God's timing.

00:26:39.399 --> 00:26:40.259
 We don't know.

00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:41.799
 And I just want to put

00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:43.259
 that in this prelude

00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:43.379
 here.

00:26:43.439 --> 00:26:44.219
 Let's go to that next

00:26:44.219 --> 00:26:46.199
 slide then in here.

00:26:47.199 --> 00:26:49.639
 And so in going

00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.300
 through this,

00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:52.720
 we are to keep,

00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:55.259
 how do we apply this

00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.920
 then, right?

00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.820
 We have these guard

00:26:56.820 --> 00:26:57.680
 rails and this stuff.

00:26:57.800 --> 00:26:58.520
 Pastor's trying to

00:26:58.520 --> 00:26:59.360
 restrict these

00:26:59.360 --> 00:26:59.960
 different things.

00:27:00.040 --> 00:27:01.520
 No, it's to ensure

00:27:01.520 --> 00:27:03.300
 we don't attack each

00:27:03.300 --> 00:27:03.560
 other.

00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:05.280
 I think,

00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:07.540
 in my humble opinion,

00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.940
 I've gotten,

00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:10.040
 I've never gotten in

00:27:10.040 --> 00:27:11.440
 more heated arguments

00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.780
 and debates with people

00:27:12.780 --> 00:27:14.040
 than in Revelation.

00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:16.480
 because they talk

00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.579
 about, you know,

00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:21.460
 is Senator so-and-so

00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.680
 the Antichrist?

00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:25.119
 Or does this country

00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:26.259
 have a Jezebel spirit?

00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:27.819
 You guys know what I

00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.359
 mean, right?

00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.779
 It goes on and on

00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.200
 with that.

00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:32.139
 But how we should

00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:33.519
 apply this is that we

00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.619
 need to keep Jesus

00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:36.500
 Christ at the center

00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:39.039
 of our lives for such

00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.759
 a time as this.

00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.819
 We are living in this

00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:44.919
 earth that is broken.

00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.919
 There are many people

00:27:46.919 --> 00:27:48.379
 who are in darkness.

00:27:49.339 --> 00:27:50.059
 So a lot of people

00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.720
 don't even know

00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.539
 they're in darkness.

00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.539
 And I've put on here

00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:55.159
 for such a time as this

00:27:55.159 --> 00:27:57.159
 in Babylon, right?

00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:59.179
 We think of the world.

00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.759
 There's some people

00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:02.559
 that are afraid

00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:04.740
 of living in Babylon

00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:06.919
 or living in the world.

00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.740
 But there's really

00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:10.279
 nothing for us to fear

00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:12.579
 because we have Jesus

00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.639
 Christ and we have

00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.399
 his salvation.

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.539
 That is why we are

00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.940
 called to share in the

00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:19.119
 good news of the gospel.

00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:21.180
 We are to share in the

00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.359
 words of our testimony.

00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:25.259
 We are to speak words,

00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:27.619
 be present with others.

00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:30.019
 We are to do these things,

00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.440
 to live and love like

00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:32.559
 Jesus Christ,

00:28:32.879 --> 00:28:35.720
 to bring one more person,

00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:37.920
 not just one person,

00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:39.620
 but to bring the next

00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:40.680
 person to Christ,

00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:42.759
 that they may know

00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.620
 the way,

00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:44.920
 the truth,

00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:46.019
 and the life.

00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:48.779
 And I've also put in here

00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:50.620
 speaking truth in love.

00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:53.180
 We speak the truth

00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:55.779
 and we deal with others

00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:56.360
 in love.

00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:57.759
 It's that balance of

00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:59.660
 grace and truth, right?

00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:01.460
 We've got to love everybody,

00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:03.500
 but we've got to speak truth

00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:04.579
 at the same time.

00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:05.920
 And how many of us,

00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:08.160
 that's difficult, right?

00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.140
 Sometimes we want to

00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:11.099
 speak truth and we get

00:29:11.099 --> 00:29:12.339
 real aggressive in the

00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:13.180
 process, right?

00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.559
 And sometimes we want to

00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.259
 be all loving.

00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:16.779
 Well, you've got to

00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.680
 speak truth as well.

00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:19.160
 It's a nice balancing

00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:20.039
 act for us.

00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:21.640
 And we are to live

00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:23.059
 that life in grace

00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:24.519
 and truth united in

00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:24.980
 Christ.

00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:27.140
 Just as it says in

00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:28.140
 scripture that a house

00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:29.779
 divided cannot stand.

00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:30.839
 Some of you may know

00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:31.960
 that as a famous quote.

00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:33.740
 It's a truth nonetheless.

00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:36.440
 When we go through

00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.759
 revelation, the last

00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.819
 thing that I want and

00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.720
 the last thing I hope

00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:41.120
 you would want is for

00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:42.840
 us to attack each other.

00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:46.340
 What matters is that we

00:29:46.340 --> 00:29:47.559
 believe in Jesus Christ

00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:48.600
 and we are a work in

00:29:48.600 --> 00:29:49.220
 progress.

00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:51.579
 That we're growing in

00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.620
 the faith and the

00:29:52.620 --> 00:29:54.340
 knowledge of the word

00:29:54.340 --> 00:29:55.480
 of God, but also the

00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:56.680
 transformation, the

00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.920
 healing that comes from

00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:58.160
 him.

00:29:58.160 --> 00:30:01.800
 The continued repentance,

00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.100
 right?

00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.519
 Metanoia, the continued

00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:06.060
 changing of mind, being

00:30:06.060 --> 00:30:07.759
 open and obedient to

00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:09.400
 God's word and God's

00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:10.759
 call for our own life.

00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:13.140
 I've always been amazed

00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:14.460
 when, and you may

00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.660
 identify, you may know

00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:17.759
 someone who, man, when

00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.460
 they were not a

00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:20.240
 Christian, they were

00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:21.160
 something else.

00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:23.820
 But God convicted them.

00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:26.000
 God stirred their heart

00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:27.680
 and they came to the

00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:29.700
 Lord and that was the

00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:31.279
 beginning and they

00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.900
 continued to be

00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:34.980
 transformed, becoming

00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:36.099
 more like Christ.

00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:39.559
 And so we are to live

00:30:39.559 --> 00:30:40.500
 in that grace and

00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:42.460
 truth, united in Christ.

00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:44.299
 Having that confidence

00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:45.660
 in the firm foundation,

00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:46.799
 it is building up that

00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:47.980
 house upon the solid

00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.420
 rock.

00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:50.619
 It is producing fruit.

00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:52.740
 It's important for us to

00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.680
 learn these lessons, but

00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.680
 it's also important for

00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:55.920
 us to bear fruit.

00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:58.880
 How will people know

00:30:58.880 --> 00:30:59.740
 that we are Christians

00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:01.019
 if we don't speak the

00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.759
 truth in love?

00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:03.480
 If we don't do the

00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.619
 works that God has

00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:05.720
 called for us to do?

00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:07.099
 And I always like to

00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:08.039
 mention to people, we're

00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.420
 not saved by what we

00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:10.940
 do, but we are saved

00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:12.279
 so that we can do

00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:13.319
 works.

00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:15.299
 So that we can do

00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:16.259
 good in the name of

00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:16.700
 Christ.

00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:18.680
 That is so critically

00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:20.480
 important for us.

00:31:21.079 --> 00:31:22.400
 I also want to make it

00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:24.440
 clear in here that we

00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.380
 are to live in

00:31:25.380 --> 00:31:26.600
 anticipation and

00:31:26.600 --> 00:31:27.620
 preparation for the

00:31:27.620 --> 00:31:27.960
 end.

00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.820
 We are to persevere,

00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:30.920
 right?

00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.680
 When we're living in

00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.460
 this world, there's

00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.020
 going to be many

00:31:33.020 --> 00:31:34.260
 battles that we face.

00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:36.200
 For some of us, it may

00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:37.820
 be of the mind.

00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.760
 Some of us, it may be

00:31:39.760 --> 00:31:42.440
 spiritual attacks, but we

00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:45.280
 continue trusting in the

00:31:45.280 --> 00:31:47.540
 living God because he is

00:31:47.540 --> 00:31:49.960
 our firm foundation and we

00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:51.060
 will not be shaken.

00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:54.000
 We persevere, we endure,

00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:55.500
 we follow Christ, we

00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:56.679
 grow, and we act

00:31:56.679 --> 00:31:57.279
 accordingly.

00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:59.220
 That is all important for

00:31:59.220 --> 00:31:59.559
 us.

00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.639
 And then finally, I put,

00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:03.839
 just as I was mentioning

00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:05.200
 earlier, we are saved by

00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:07.200
 grace, but we are saved

00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:08.720
 for good works.

00:32:08.839 --> 00:32:09.519
 You've got to be careful.

00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:10.839
 I know I'm talking

00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:13.000
 semantics here, but

00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:14.240
 imagine the implication

00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:15.960
 being saved by works.

00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:18.980
 Oh no, that is not the

00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:19.700
 Christian faith.

00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:22.099
 We are saved by grace

00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:24.440
 through faith so that we

00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:26.059
 can grow and so that we

00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:27.220
 can do good in his name.

00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:29.299
 And it's good works.

00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:30.039
 It's not evil.

00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.620
 It's not sin.

00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:33.400
 That's why I put saved

00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:34.440
 for good works.

00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:37.200
 And so Christ invites all

00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:40.460
 of us into the fold to

00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:42.799
 come and see that the

00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.440
 Lord is good.

00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:45.660
 Just like in Revelation,

00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:47.120
 it keeps saying, come and

00:32:47.120 --> 00:32:48.380
 see, come and see.

00:32:48.380 --> 00:32:49.660
 Just like what we found

00:32:49.660 --> 00:32:51.480
 in the gospel accounts.

00:32:52.820 --> 00:32:54.600
 And so if you're not a

00:32:54.600 --> 00:32:56.420
 Christian, if you're not a

00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:57.520
 believer in Christ, may

00:32:57.520 --> 00:33:00.520
 you enter into that saving

00:33:00.520 --> 00:33:02.420
 grace by believing in Jesus

00:33:02.420 --> 00:33:03.040
 Christ.

00:33:04.120 --> 00:33:05.220
 First Corinthians

00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:08.680
 mentions believing in the

00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:09.760
 death, burial, and

00:33:09.760 --> 00:33:11.500
 resurrection of Jesus

00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.000
 Christ.

00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:13.940
 And may that not be the

00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:14.280
 end.

00:33:14.860 --> 00:33:16.100
 Rather, may that be the

00:33:16.100 --> 00:33:17.460
 beginning of your spiritual

00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:19.740
 walk in the Lord, growing

00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:21.579
 in him, being transformed.

00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:23.600
 I love that imagery of the

00:33:23.600 --> 00:33:25.200
 potter and the clay.

00:33:25.799 --> 00:33:27.000
 Or like how I mentioned

00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:28.440
 last week when we celebrated

00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:30.200
 our 80th anniversary here

00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:32.440
 at Ontario Community, the

00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:34.240
 broken plate that gets put

00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:35.900
 back together and becomes

00:33:35.900 --> 00:33:37.180
 more valuable than it once

00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:37.960
 was before.

00:33:38.620 --> 00:33:40.079
 Sealed with gold, right?

00:33:40.160 --> 00:33:41.440
 That's very cultural.

00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.840
 The art of Kintsugi.

00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:44.059
 You can think of many

00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:44.819
 different ways.

00:33:45.159 --> 00:33:46.720
 Going from darkness into

00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:47.939
 light, right?

00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:49.859
 Just as vessels were being

00:33:49.859 --> 00:33:50.339
 carried.

00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:52.139
 And when we found in Ezra,

00:33:52.259 --> 00:33:53.480
 vessels being carried from

00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.959
 the place they didn't belong

00:33:54.959 --> 00:33:56.199
 into the place that they do

00:33:56.199 --> 00:33:56.599
 belong.

00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:58.500
 Or just as Christ is going to

00:33:58.500 --> 00:34:01.619
 lead his sheep into the pin.

00:34:02.399 --> 00:34:05.500
 The journey may not be the

00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.099
 most ideal.

00:34:06.099 --> 00:34:10.219
 If you've walked, maybe had

00:34:10.219 --> 00:34:11.599
 horses go from one place to

00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:13.099
 the next or cattle or sheep,

00:34:13.819 --> 00:34:14.920
 sheep are going to trip and

00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:16.659
 fall from time to time and

00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:17.460
 you're going to need to help

00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:17.739
 them.

00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:21.460
 But in any case, to come and

00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:23.319
 see that the Lord is good, to

00:34:23.319 --> 00:34:26.559
 become a believer in Christ and

00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:28.059
 to grow in the faith and be

00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:29.699
 moved to do good and be

00:34:29.699 --> 00:34:30.539
 encouraged here.

00:34:31.319 --> 00:34:33.639
 Let us invite others to let us

00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:35.779
 speak the words of truth,

00:34:36.359 --> 00:34:37.699
 sharing in the gospel of

00:34:37.699 --> 00:34:39.480
 Jesus Christ, sharing in your

00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:41.000
 own story and how God has

00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:42.179
 worked in and through your

00:34:42.179 --> 00:34:42.519
 life.

00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:45.179
 And let us be reminded to do

00:34:45.179 --> 00:34:47.559
 good in the name of Christ.

00:34:48.699 --> 00:34:51.659
 And so, yes, we did go over

00:34:51.659 --> 00:34:53.019
 only a few verses.

00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.719
 This next week, we're going to

00:34:55.719 --> 00:34:59.059
 go into chapter 1, verses 1

00:34:59.059 --> 00:34:59.559
 through 8.

00:35:00.239 --> 00:35:02.519
 But I wanted, as we are

00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:05.000
 beginning, to set the guard

00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:07.619
 rails and for us to prepare

00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:08.920
 for this journey through

00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:12.000
 revelation, I encourage for

00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:14.960
 all of you to invite someone

00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:17.360
 to come to know the Lord.

00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:20.460
 Invite one person to come to

00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:22.440
 church or think of someone you

00:35:22.440 --> 00:35:24.179
 can share your faith with.

00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:26.239
 Think of someone that you can

00:35:26.239 --> 00:35:28.380
 show the love of Christ through

00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:28.920
 action.

00:35:29.880 --> 00:35:31.079
 Think of these things.

00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:34.000
 Let us remember that God is at

00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:36.299
 work just as we have celebrated

00:35:36.299 --> 00:35:38.819
 80 years of faithfulness and

00:35:38.819 --> 00:35:39.840
 blessings from God.

00:35:40.279 --> 00:35:42.480
 Let us boldly move forward into

00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:47.119
 this sermon series, being

00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:49.779
 faithful to God and to his word.

00:35:50.259 --> 00:35:53.019
 May we be thankful to God and may

00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:56.759
 we approach him being ready in

00:35:56.760 --> 00:36:00.260
 anticipation, not just to grow, but in

00:36:00.260 --> 00:36:02.240
 anticipation for his return.

00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.560
 Let's pray together.

00:36:04.160 --> 00:36:06.120
 Father God, we thank you for this

00:36:06.120 --> 00:36:08.240
 time and this opportunity for us to

00:36:08.240 --> 00:36:11.400
 gather together as we have touched

00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:13.760
 the surface of revelation.

00:36:14.780 --> 00:36:17.920
 Father, we pray that there will be a

00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:20.220
 sense of unity among the body of

00:36:20.220 --> 00:36:23.920
 Christ, that we won't argue, but rather

00:36:23.920 --> 00:36:25.500
 will seek you and your word.

00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:29.159
 We pray that this church body and

00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:30.760
 those that are watching online, that

00:36:30.760 --> 00:36:32.220
 there will be a sense of protection

00:36:32.220 --> 00:36:33.639
 from any evil.

00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:36.320
 We know that there's a spiritual war

00:36:36.320 --> 00:36:37.019
 that is happening.

00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:38.159
 We pray for protection.

00:36:38.920 --> 00:36:42.119
 We also pray that if there's anyone

00:36:42.119 --> 00:36:44.000
 that is wrestling with the decision to

00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:46.539
 believe in Christ, may they be

00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:49.480
 encouraged and moved to believe in the

00:36:49.480 --> 00:36:51.420
 death, burial and resurrection of your

00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:55.119
 son. We pray that we may not only grow

00:36:55.119 --> 00:36:56.780
 individually, but we may grow

00:36:56.780 --> 00:36:58.639
 collectively as a church body.

00:36:59.960 --> 00:37:01.720
 I pray for all of those that are here

00:37:01.720 --> 00:37:04.059
 today, those that are not here, that

00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:05.220
 are traveling or sick.

00:37:05.460 --> 00:37:07.180
 And I pray for those that are watching

00:37:07.180 --> 00:37:07.680
 online.

00:37:08.639 --> 00:37:10.480
 May you come to know Jesus Christ,

00:37:11.460 --> 00:37:14.579
 grow in him and be moved to live out

00:37:14.579 --> 00:37:15.119
 the faith.

00:37:15.720 --> 00:37:17.940
 It is in the name of Jesus Christ that

00:37:17.940 --> 00:37:19.840
 we pray and we all say together,

00:37:19.840 --> 00:37:21.440
 amen church. Amen.

00:37:24.539 --> 00:37:26.519
 Thank you for joining us for today's

00:37:26.519 --> 00:37:28.500
 message from Ontario Community Church.

00:37:28.700 --> 00:37:31.200
 If this message encouraged you, I

00:37:31.200 --> 00:37:33.280
 encourage for you to share it with a

00:37:33.280 --> 00:37:34.600
 friend or family member.

00:37:35.260 --> 00:37:37.100
 Remember the blessing that comes from

00:37:37.100 --> 00:37:39.539
 reading, hearing and keeping God's

00:37:39.539 --> 00:37:39.820
 word.

00:37:40.420 --> 00:37:43.160
 Today, we set our guardrails by hearing

00:37:43.160 --> 00:37:45.220
 the beginning and the end of

00:37:45.220 --> 00:37:48.079
 revelation and focusing and fixing our

00:37:48.079 --> 00:37:49.659
 eyes on Jesus Christ.

00:37:50.299 --> 00:37:52.400
 Next week will be week two as we

00:37:52.400 --> 00:37:55.059
 continue with revelation chapter one

00:37:55.059 --> 00:37:56.639
 verses one through eight.

00:37:56.900 --> 00:37:59.420
 And we are going to focus on Christ as

00:37:59.420 --> 00:38:02.239
 the alpha and the omega, and we will

00:38:02.239 --> 00:38:04.319
 connect it with many verses throughout

00:38:04.319 --> 00:38:04.779
 scripture.

00:38:05.400 --> 00:38:07.619
 Until next time, may the grace of our

00:38:07.619 --> 00:38:10.159
 Lord Jesus Christ be with you as we

00:38:10.159 --> 00:38:13.519
 continue to encourage, equip and engage

00:38:13.519 --> 00:38:14.480
 lives for Christ.

00:38:14.880 --> 00:38:15.480
 God bless.

00:38:15.480 --> 00:38:17.139
 God bless.

00:38:17.139 --> 00:38:17.139


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