WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.420 Good afternoon everyone. I repeat John's welcome this morning. It's afternoon delighted to have you here with us as we start a new series, not ploughing straight into the letters to the churches, but looking this morning at the Lord's introduction to what he has to say to the churches in Revelation chapter 1. 00:00:18.420 --> 00:00:33.100 So we're going to read together, if you have a Bible or you can get access to one, we're going to read from Revelation chapter 1 and starting from verse 9, and the words will come up on the screen. Revelation chapter 1 and starting from verse 9. 00:00:33.100 --> 00:00:40.320 And this is John, almost certainly John the disciple of the Lord Jesus, writing. He says, 00:01:03.100 --> 00:01:21.420 I turned round to see the voice that was speaking to me, and when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands. 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:31.659 And among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 00:01:31.659 --> 00:01:39.060 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 00:01:40.019 --> 00:01:45.679 His feet were like bronze blowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:52.000 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. 00:01:52.859 --> 00:01:56.599 His face was like the sun, shining in all its brilliance. 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:00.079 When I saw him, I felt his feet as though dead. 00:02:00.079 --> 00:02:02.980 Then he placed his right hand on me and said, 00:02:03.679 --> 00:02:04.579 Do not be afraid. 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:07.480 I am the first and the last. 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:09.199 I am the living one. 00:02:09.819 --> 00:02:13.639 I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. 00:02:14.300 --> 00:02:17.199 And I hold the keys of death and Hades. 00:02:18.139 --> 00:02:22.659 Right there for what you have seen, what is now, and what will take place later. 00:02:23.699 --> 00:02:26.939 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:29.740 and of the seven golden lampstands, is this. 00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:32.900 The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, 00:02:33.600 --> 00:02:36.920 and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. 00:02:37.620 --> 00:02:42.439 I'm sure God will help us as we look at this passage from his words this morning. 00:02:43.300 --> 00:02:51.439 There must be a temptation when you're planning a summer series on the seven letters to the churches in Asia in the first century, 00:02:51.439 --> 00:02:56.620 to start with Ephesus and to miss out the introductory section in chapter one. 00:02:57.400 --> 00:02:59.659 It's slightly strange in many ways. 00:02:59.900 --> 00:03:02.479 It feels slightly weird when you first read it. 00:03:02.719 --> 00:03:06.719 And perhaps you're impatient to get on and to look at the letters themselves. 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:10.680 Well, I'm glad John didn't do that when he put our series together, 00:03:10.680 --> 00:03:18.240 because chapter one of Revelation is a very important introduction to what follows in chapters two and three. 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:27.860 It is the Lord Jesus presenting himself to the churches before he gives the message that he has for each of them. 00:03:27.860 --> 00:03:32.200 I was reminded reading of it of something like a job interview. 00:03:32.320 --> 00:03:35.920 Not the Lord needs to justify anything he says to the church, 00:03:35.980 --> 00:03:38.440 but there are some similarities to a job interview. 00:03:39.020 --> 00:03:42.840 If you go for a job interview, there are two things that are vitally important. 00:03:43.580 --> 00:03:47.640 The first is what you look like, and the second is what you see. 00:03:47.639 --> 00:03:51.439 Your appearance is vitally important. 00:03:51.619 --> 00:03:54.459 That is what creates the first impression. 00:03:55.299 --> 00:03:58.239 So you dress to impress, you make sure you look reasonably smart, 00:03:58.359 --> 00:04:01.519 you polish your shoes or whatever, so that when you go into the room, 00:04:01.859 --> 00:04:06.859 people look at you and think, yes, this is someone who could be suitable for this job. 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:10.079 You probably can't get a job purely through your appearance, 00:04:10.079 --> 00:04:16.620 but you certainly can lose one in the first few seconds when you arrive in the room. 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:21.459 And so a lot of what we're reading this morning is about the Lord's appearance 00:04:21.459 --> 00:04:24.660 and what that tells us about him. 00:04:25.280 --> 00:04:27.040 And then the second thing with the job interview, obviously, 00:04:27.180 --> 00:04:28.600 is you've got to present your credentials. 00:04:29.399 --> 00:04:34.660 You've got to explain to people why you are the right person for the job. 00:04:34.780 --> 00:04:38.399 And you do it hopefully concisely and convincingly. 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:42.079 And the second part of what we've read this morning 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:45.139 is the Lord Jesus talking about his credentials, 00:04:45.139 --> 00:04:48.979 why he is the one who is in charge over the churches, 00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:54.099 why he is the one whom we can rely and depend on. 00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:58.539 And we're going to look in a little bit of detail at the vision of what John saw 00:04:58.539 --> 00:05:01.939 and also of what John heard in a minute or two, 00:05:02.139 --> 00:05:04.360 and also, thirdly, of what John did. 00:05:04.439 --> 00:05:06.899 And we'll learn some lessons, hopefully, for ourselves. 00:05:07.259 --> 00:05:09.120 A bit of introduction, though, before we do that. 00:05:09.120 --> 00:05:13.600 And we're looking at John, as said, probably John the Apostle of the Lord Jesus. 00:05:14.100 --> 00:05:15.579 John we read about in the Gospels. 00:05:15.980 --> 00:05:18.120 And he has been exiled on the Isle of Patmos. 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:20.160 Now, you see the map. 00:05:20.280 --> 00:05:22.300 Patmos is down towards the bottom left there. 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:24.420 It's an island in the Aegean Sea, 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:27.040 but not too far away from the seven churches 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:29.920 that the Lord is going to be writing to. 00:05:30.780 --> 00:05:33.579 John says he was on Patmos because of the Word of God 00:05:33.579 --> 00:05:34.920 and the testimony of Jesus. 00:05:34.920 --> 00:05:37.340 That probably means he was exiled. 00:05:37.480 --> 00:05:38.620 He had been imprisoned there 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:43.920 as someone who was being persecuted for his faith in the Lord Jesus. 00:05:44.920 --> 00:05:48.000 And equally, he was writing to people who were being persecuted, 00:05:48.620 --> 00:05:50.860 as he makes clear in verse 9, 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:55.100 as he talks about being a companion in suffering and patient endurance. 00:05:55.960 --> 00:06:00.040 So the book of Revelation is very much a pastoral letter 00:06:00.040 --> 00:06:02.139 or a book that John is writing, 00:06:02.139 --> 00:06:05.579 giving the visions that he saw of the Lord Jesus 00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:07.939 and trying to encourage God's people 00:06:07.939 --> 00:06:12.259 to live for the Lord Jesus in difficult times. 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:13.919 And they're very relevant to us, 00:06:13.959 --> 00:06:15.779 not that we have the same level of persecution, 00:06:16.279 --> 00:06:18.740 but certainly difficult times to make a stand 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:23.279 as being God's people and standing for God's truth. 00:06:23.979 --> 00:06:25.199 And John is on the Lord's Day, 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:26.319 probably that means Sunday. 00:06:26.659 --> 00:06:27.680 He is in the spirit. 00:06:27.839 --> 00:06:30.919 He is in the right attitude for coming before God. 00:06:30.920 --> 00:06:35.100 And he sees this great vision of the Lord Jesus. 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:36.980 Here's the voice first, turns around, 00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:38.920 and he sees the vision. 00:06:39.400 --> 00:06:40.680 And the vision, if you look at it, 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:41.819 if you think of it in the round, 00:06:42.080 --> 00:06:43.360 it's quite strange. 00:06:43.900 --> 00:06:45.480 Now, fortunately, we've just finished Daniel, 00:06:45.580 --> 00:06:47.139 so we're quite used to strange visions. 00:06:47.720 --> 00:06:50.580 And this one shouldn't hopefully cause us too many problems. 00:06:50.680 --> 00:06:53.580 Indeed, it's quite a lot of references to Daniel in it. 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:57.219 But what did John see? 00:06:58.019 --> 00:06:59.699 Well, he saw lots of different things, 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:01.659 and we'll focus on them individually. 00:07:01.759 --> 00:07:03.879 I think it's quite important that we understand individually 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:04.899 what they mean, 00:07:04.959 --> 00:07:08.159 and that will give us a feel for what they mean collectively. 00:07:09.799 --> 00:07:14.019 So the first thing he saw was seven golden lampstands 00:07:14.019 --> 00:07:16.360 and someone walking around in them. 00:07:16.419 --> 00:07:17.799 And hopefully at the end of the chapter, 00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:20.579 the Lord Jesus explains what the seven lampstands are. 00:07:20.579 --> 00:07:22.659 They are the seven churches. 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:25.599 Really good picture of a church as a lampstand. 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:27.819 Lord Jesus used the picture of a light on a hill. 00:07:27.899 --> 00:07:28.859 It is very much similar. 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:32.079 Us as light in the world-ish, 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:35.899 giving light in the darkness that is round about us. 00:07:36.659 --> 00:07:38.199 And we have these seven lampstands there. 00:07:38.759 --> 00:07:40.560 The traditional Jewish lampstand, 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:41.680 the kind you find in the temple, 00:07:41.799 --> 00:07:44.680 is one stand with seven branches to it. 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:46.879 Probably here, as in the picture, 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:50.279 we're looking at seven different single-strand lamps. 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:52.240 That John saw. 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:55.599 And among those lamps was walking someone 00:07:55.599 --> 00:07:58.399 who would look like the Son of Man. 00:07:58.759 --> 00:08:00.500 Now again, Daniel will help us with this. 00:08:00.579 --> 00:08:01.579 Daniel chapter seven. 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:03.939 We get the introduction to the Son of Man, 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:05.680 the one who has given power and authority 00:08:05.680 --> 00:08:09.419 eternally over all the kingdoms of the world. 00:08:10.019 --> 00:08:12.439 When we come to the New Testament and the Gospels, 00:08:12.799 --> 00:08:13.719 again and again, 00:08:13.719 --> 00:08:17.860 Jesus identifies himself as the Son of Man. 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:19.620 And there's no doubt at all 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:21.400 that what John is seeing here 00:08:21.400 --> 00:08:22.819 is a vision of Jesus 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:26.180 appearing as the fulfillment of the prophecy in Daniel, 00:08:26.520 --> 00:08:27.939 but appearing also as himself, 00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:30.660 as the one who came and lived in our world 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:33.300 as the Son of Man. 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:37.220 And he's walking among the lampstands. 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:41.019 In other words, he's walking among the churches. 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:44.639 He is in the midst of his people. 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:46.879 One of the books I referred to, 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:48.840 what I was preparing for this morning said this, 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:51.919 Jesus, the risen, glorified Lord, 00:08:52.299 --> 00:08:53.559 walks among his churches. 00:08:54.620 --> 00:08:57.159 Jesus protects them, cares for them, 00:08:57.639 --> 00:08:59.699 watches over them, corrects them. 00:09:00.460 --> 00:09:02.960 He walks past and through and around the church 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:04.139 you are part of. 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:08.639 He examines the leaders and the hearts of every person. 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:11.439 His eyes see every secret. 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:16.819 He speaks with the sharp sound of his word. 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:19.600 So Jesus walking among the churches, 00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:22.080 Jesus present with us in our church here, 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:25.720 on one hand, it is a comfort and a strength to us 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:28.340 because we know he is here to protect us 00:09:28.340 --> 00:09:29.799 and to help us. 00:09:30.279 --> 00:09:31.240 On the other hand, 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:32.799 though it is a real challenge 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:34.620 because as he walks around, 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:36.120 as he is present with us, 00:09:36.419 --> 00:09:37.840 he sees into our hearts, 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:40.320 he sees into the essence of every one of us, 00:09:40.700 --> 00:09:43.100 he also sees into the essence of our church. 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:45.379 And that is very much what the letters are about 00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:48.280 that we're going to be looking at in subsequent weeks. 00:09:48.680 --> 00:09:50.700 Is the Lord examining his church, 00:09:51.160 --> 00:09:52.879 finding some things he can commend, 00:09:53.540 --> 00:09:56.620 finding some things that need to be corrected? 00:09:57.440 --> 00:09:58.820 Very important in the coming weeks 00:09:58.820 --> 00:10:00.080 as we look at these churches 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:01.259 that we think, 00:10:01.420 --> 00:10:04.700 what is the Lord saying to us about our church? 00:10:04.700 --> 00:10:06.620 What can we learn as a church? 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:08.220 What can we learn as individuals? 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:11.420 What perhaps do we need to change? 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:15.160 So we have the Son of Man walking among the lambs. 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:18.120 So then we get a description of this person. 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:21.780 And the first thing that John notices is his robe. 00:10:22.420 --> 00:10:24.660 It's a long white robe with a gold band, 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:27.780 gold sash around his chest. 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:31.340 Now maybe that the robe speaks of the high priest. 00:10:31.340 --> 00:10:34.240 The high priest would be a similar kind of robe to that. 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:36.580 It also could speak of a king, 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:37.620 of someone with royalty. 00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:39.899 It probably in this case is speaking as much 00:10:39.899 --> 00:10:41.280 as anything else about the Lord Jesus 00:10:41.280 --> 00:10:42.840 as being the judge. 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:44.920 But it's someone who has the authority 00:10:44.920 --> 00:10:46.300 to walk among the churches 00:10:46.300 --> 00:10:49.660 and to give his judgment on them. 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:51.820 Having seen the robe, 00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:54.899 what John observes next is his hair. 00:10:55.960 --> 00:10:56.440 It says, 00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:58.360 the hair on his head was white like wool, 00:10:58.360 --> 00:11:00.560 as white as snow. 00:11:01.340 --> 00:11:02.000 Now again, 00:11:02.060 --> 00:11:04.139 there's probably a reference back to Daniel here. 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:06.300 Again to Daniel chapter 7. 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:08.940 And there's someone in Daniel chapter 7 00:11:08.940 --> 00:11:10.879 who's called the Ancient of Days. 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:13.620 And his hair is described as being like wool. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:14.840 Probably John, 00:11:15.060 --> 00:11:15.660 or the Lord Jesus, 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:17.700 in presenting this version, 00:11:17.780 --> 00:11:19.780 is consciously looking back to Daniel. 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:20.899 Although the Ancient of Days 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:22.220 is different from the Son of Man, 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:23.379 both are relevant 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:25.019 when we think about the Lord Jesus. 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:26.759 What does white hair speak of? 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:27.720 Well, it speaks of age. 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:29.320 It speaks of someone 00:11:29.320 --> 00:11:31.460 who's been around for a very long time. 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:33.620 Jesus, when he was on this earth, 00:11:33.680 --> 00:11:34.660 wouldn't have had white hair 00:11:34.660 --> 00:11:35.980 because he was only a young man 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:37.120 when he was crucified, 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:38.920 rose and ascended. 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:41.120 But the picture here is of the one 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:43.820 who has been around for eternity. 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:46.340 White hair speaks too of wisdom. 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:48.100 The wisdom of age, 00:11:48.160 --> 00:11:49.500 and I'm sure that that is part 00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:50.500 of the picture here. 00:11:51.180 --> 00:11:52.620 It may also speak of purity. 00:11:52.620 --> 00:11:55.539 The purity of white, white as snow, 00:11:55.980 --> 00:11:57.519 could speak of the purity 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:59.340 of the Lord Jesus. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:02.440 What do we see next? 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:03.700 We see his eyes. 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:08.120 His eyes were like blazing fire. 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:09.960 And that, I think, 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:12.399 speaks of the Lord's penetrating gaze. 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:14.980 That he is able to see through 00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:17.060 everything that there is. 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:18.980 There is nothing that is hidden from him. 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:21.399 His eyes are able to burn away 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:22.980 all the veneer that we might want 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:24.059 to put around our lives. 00:12:24.319 --> 00:12:28.139 He can see things exactly as they are. 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:31.559 Next thing is his feet. 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:33.079 Feet feature in Daniel as well. 00:12:33.079 --> 00:12:36.600 The bronze feet that are described here. 00:12:37.199 --> 00:12:38.980 Feet like bronze glowing in a furnace. 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:41.500 They speak, I believe, of judgment. 00:12:42.319 --> 00:12:44.559 Of the one who is able to put everything 00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:45.639 under his feet, 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:48.399 who is able to judge all things. 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:53.679 And then there's his voice. 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:56.179 Like the sound of rushing waters. 00:12:56.220 --> 00:12:57.480 I picture it like a waterfall. 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:58.799 Quite a few people do that. 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:01.579 If you go to Niagara or to Victoria Falls, 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:04.439 as well as the majesty of what you see, 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:06.379 you are really struck by the sound 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:08.919 of the waters as it cascades down. 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:10.819 Perhaps also John was thinking 00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:11.860 of the island where he was 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:13.139 in the middle of the Aegean Sea 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:15.620 and the waters rushing past that. 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:17.779 But what I think it speaks of 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:20.100 is something that can't be ignored. 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:23.440 If you're standing under Niagara Falls, 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:24.720 you don't have much chance 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:25.680 to say much to others 00:13:25.680 --> 00:13:28.120 because the sound of the rushing waters 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:28.899 is so great. 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:31.019 Here is someone who can't be ignored, 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:34.480 whose voice demands to be heard. 00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:39.019 And then there's his hand. 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:41.840 His right hand, he has seven stars. 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:43.360 Now again, helpfully in the passage, 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:45.300 we're told that the seven stars 00:13:45.300 --> 00:13:48.180 are the seven angels of the churches. 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:51.439 A lot of debate about what that really means. 00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:53.819 Are the angels, angels in the sense 00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:54.959 we might want to think of them, 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:56.199 are they heavenly beings, 00:13:56.459 --> 00:13:58.319 sort of guardian angels of the churches? 00:13:58.979 --> 00:14:02.439 Or is John here just using the word angel, 00:14:02.599 --> 00:14:04.339 which also can be translated messenger 00:14:04.339 --> 00:14:06.599 in the Greek, word means both things. 00:14:06.859 --> 00:14:08.139 Is he talking about the leaders 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:09.599 or the pastors of the churches 00:14:09.599 --> 00:14:10.979 or messengers to the churches? 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:13.259 Probably doesn't matter that much. 00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:15.319 What is important is that he holds 00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:17.140 those whom he gives the messages to, 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:18.700 the Lord holds them in his hand. 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:20.140 He is protecting them. 00:14:20.420 --> 00:14:22.440 He is also directing them. 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:28.060 And then there's this rather strange picture 00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:31.180 of the sword coming out of the mouth. 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:34.620 Coming out of his mouth 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:36.680 with a sharp double-edged sword. 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:39.540 The word for sword isn't quite the same, 00:14:39.640 --> 00:14:41.260 but I think we naturally look back 00:14:41.260 --> 00:14:42.880 to the book of Hebrews chapter four, 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:45.039 where it talks about the word of God 00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:48.080 being like a sharp double-edged sword. 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:50.919 It is something that can pierce through 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:52.639 the exterior of us, 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:54.379 get right to the heart of things 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:57.960 and really make a difference to us. 00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:59.539 So I think that's the picture there. 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:01.620 And then the final thing is, 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:03.039 face is shining like the sun, 00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:05.759 there is a real brilliance to him. 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:08.360 As I say, if you think of the whole picture together, 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:10.679 you get a sort of kind of almost grotesque image 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:11.979 in your mind. 00:15:12.239 --> 00:15:14.099 But if you think of the things individually, 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:15.179 what do you get? 00:15:15.239 --> 00:15:16.919 You get a picture of someone who is holy, 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:18.819 of someone who is powerful, 00:15:19.319 --> 00:15:21.399 of someone who is able to judge others, 00:15:21.859 --> 00:15:25.339 or of someone who has this world in his command. 00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:29.500 And that is the picture that John sees, 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:32.620 the vision John sees of the Lord Jesus. 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:34.940 And I wonder, 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:38.919 what vision do we have of Jesus? 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.860 I suspect the vision that we, 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:41.779 most of us have of Jesus, 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:43.220 doesn't look very much like 00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:45.200 what was in this chapter. 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.200 Now some people would say 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:48.379 they have literally seen a vision of the Lord Jesus, 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:50.600 and that would have changed their life. 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:52.320 That's not what I'm thinking about here. 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.919 When you picture Jesus, 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:56.120 what do you have in your mind? 00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:58.519 Sometimes perhaps we have the picture, 00:15:58.680 --> 00:15:59.340 particularly at Christmas, 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:00.659 of the baby in Bethlehem, 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:03.059 of God incarnate, 00:16:03.339 --> 00:16:04.079 come to earth, 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:06.379 and living in the form of a young, 00:16:06.699 --> 00:16:07.899 helpless baby. 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:09.879 Perhaps sometimes we have the picture 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.659 of the Lord Jesus, 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:12.179 and he's up on the mountain, 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.319 beside the sea, 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:15.039 and he's pre-teaching God's word. 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:16.159 He's speaking to the multitude 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.299 in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:16:17.620 --> 00:16:20.600 or one of his other great teaching discourses. 00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:22.639 Or maybe we see him in his power, 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:24.259 perhaps in front of the 5,000, 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.339 feeding them, 00:16:25.839 --> 00:16:27.480 perhaps at the grave of Lazarus, 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:30.000 and reckoning Lazarus forced from the grave. 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:31.779 Perhaps we see him, 00:16:31.839 --> 00:16:33.240 and maybe more regularly in other things, 00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:34.559 we see him on the cross. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:37.019 We picture him there suffering for our sins, 00:16:37.299 --> 00:16:38.319 taking our penalty, 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:41.539 and through his crucifixion and death for us. 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:44.139 Perhaps we see him as the risen Lord Jesus, 00:16:44.579 --> 00:16:45.579 coming out of the grave. 00:16:45.699 --> 00:16:47.219 Perhaps we see him as the saviour of the world, 00:16:47.319 --> 00:16:50.100 that great statue in Rio of the Lord Jesus, 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:51.339 a saviour of the world. 00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:52.699 Perhaps we see him, 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:54.079 as some of us did earlier this morning, 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:55.500 as the lamb on the throne, 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:57.039 in Revelation chapter 5. 00:16:57.039 --> 00:16:58.740 Lots of different images, 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.959 and all of them are valid, 00:17:00.219 --> 00:17:02.579 all of them are good ones for us to picture, 00:17:02.959 --> 00:17:04.859 of the Lord Jesus. 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.399 But all of them, I think, 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.220 if we're not careful, 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:10.000 can become quite comfortable for us. 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:11.059 Even the crucifixion, 00:17:11.159 --> 00:17:12.299 through familiarity, 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:13.440 if we're not careful, 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:16.619 can become rather too comfortable for us. 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:19.019 I think it's good to have an image like this, 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:20.500 that is really quite disturbing, 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:21.740 that we've seen this morning. 00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:22.960 Something that shakes us up, 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:26.440 and that reminds us of the greatness of Jesus, 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:29.579 that yes, Jesus is the man who walked among us. 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:32.299 He is the one who had many friends on this earth. 00:17:32.620 --> 00:17:34.860 And yet also he is the great king of heaven. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:35.960 He is the judge. 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:38.220 He is the all-powerful one. 00:17:39.120 --> 00:17:41.039 And I think it'd be good if we take away, 00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:42.920 in some measure with us this morning, 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.079 that vision of Jesus, 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:45.059 of his greatness, 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:50.100 of the difference that there is between Jesus and us. 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:53.299 Our vision of Jesus. 00:17:55.699 --> 00:17:57.519 The second thing I want to look at very briefly 00:17:57.519 --> 00:18:00.019 is what John did. 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:03.599 So as John sees this vision, 00:18:04.139 --> 00:18:05.619 and he sees the Lord Jesus, 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:06.879 what happens? 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:10.699 He falls at his feet as though dead. 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:12.179 Now remember who this is. 00:18:12.699 --> 00:18:16.599 This is John who was perhaps the closest of all disciples 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.980 to the Lord Jesus. 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:20.900 The one who describes himself in the gospel 00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:24.059 as the one whom Jesus loved. 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.860 He was one of the three 00:18:25.860 --> 00:18:29.559 who were the inner circle among the 12 disciples, 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:31.400 who went up in the Mount of Transfiguration, 00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:34.039 and who were seen very much 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:37.519 as being the leaders of that group of disciples. 00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:39.900 And he sees Jesus, 00:18:40.360 --> 00:18:43.039 the one who he has known for many years on this earth. 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.559 And what does he do? 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:46.819 He must recognize who he is, 00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:48.980 but rather than go up and hug him 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:50.819 or to greet him in some kind of way, 00:18:51.159 --> 00:18:54.220 as John sees the glory of Jesus, 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:58.439 he falls at his feet as though dead. 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:01.079 John realizes this one, 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:03.019 this man who he had been around with 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:05.480 for a number of years during his life on earth. 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:08.519 He was someone still who was awesome 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:11.139 and great and majestic, 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:16.380 and before whom John and all of us was unworthy. 00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:19.900 I think it's good again to think about 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:22.440 what is my reaction to Jesus? 00:19:22.580 --> 00:19:23.840 What is my vision of Jesus? 00:19:24.040 --> 00:19:25.780 How do I react to Jesus? 00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:28.100 How do I relate to Jesus? 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:32.360 Very often when we're talking as a church 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:33.780 or discussing among one another, 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:36.600 we'd like to think of our relationship with Jesus. 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:39.299 Jesus is our friend. 00:19:39.939 --> 00:19:42.740 He is someone who is close to us, 00:19:42.959 --> 00:19:44.279 who is there for us, 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:47.659 and who is always around to help us. 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:50.799 And I think that's a good way to think of him. 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:52.759 We were on holiday last week, 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.679 and while we were on holiday, 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.500 I read Bear Grylls' book 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:57.919 about his climbing of Everest. 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:00.279 There's a great description by his grandfather 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.079 of what he achieved. 00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:02.980 He said it was guts and godliness. 00:20:03.139 --> 00:20:05.259 That's a great phrase, guts and godliness. 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:07.779 Bear Grylls, of course, is a Christian. 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:09.700 And as he was climbing Everest, 00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:11.420 he took with him a shell 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:14.599 that had described on it the words of Matthew 28, 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:17.819 be sure of this, that I am with you always, 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:20.379 even unto the end of the world. 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:22.140 The words of Jesus. 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:24.039 Very popular, incidentally, 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:25.879 because I think that Bear Grylls' climbing Everest 00:20:25.879 --> 00:20:28.859 was a great witness to those around him as he did it, 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:32.079 and I think his book also is a great witness to his faith. 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:34.439 So the making disciples, which precedes that, 00:20:34.699 --> 00:20:35.879 is also relevant. 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.879 And Bear Grylls, when he was at Camp 2 in Everest, 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:41.559 which is kind of halfway up the difficult bit, 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.659 if you like, of Everest, 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:44.699 well beyond base camp, not quite at the top, 00:20:45.179 --> 00:20:46.379 he wrote this. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.419 He said, 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:49.139 The more time I spend here, 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:52.539 the more I believe the only way to survive 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:54.839 is to stay close to Jesus. 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.039 The more time I spend here, 00:20:56.099 --> 00:20:58.220 the more I believe the only way to survive 00:20:58.220 --> 00:21:00.620 is to stay close to Jesus. 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:03.880 And that for us, hopefully for many of us, 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:05.660 is something we can identify with. 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:07.539 We may never be climbing Everest, 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:09.980 but when we come through the difficult times of life, 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:12.120 we know that we have Jesus there 00:21:12.120 --> 00:21:13.360 to be our friend, 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.559 to help us, 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:15.680 to guide us, 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:18.360 to see us through the difficult periods 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:20.079 of our lives. 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.180 And that's good. 00:21:21.660 --> 00:21:24.220 And we should absolutely cling on to that. 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:27.220 And yet there is something here 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:29.100 that is different in this passage. 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:33.059 Because we also need a time to react to the fact 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:36.000 that we are very different from Jesus. 00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:38.180 That he is holy, 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:40.279 that he is all-powerful, 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:42.920 that he is so much greater than us 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:45.400 that we don't deserve by ourselves 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:48.200 to even be in his presence. 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:51.240 If Jesus were to appear before us this morning, 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:54.299 I suspect our reaction would be the same as John's, 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:56.259 that we would fall on our faces 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:58.880 as though we were dead. 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:02.019 Because we are utterly unworthy 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:04.279 to have a relationship with Jesus. 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:06.519 And only by the grace of God can we do that. 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:08.180 And it's wonderful that we're able to 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:09.359 have that relationship 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:11.859 and to know him as our friend 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:13.240 and our companion. 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:15.980 And yet we also need to recognize 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:19.359 our utter unworthiness before him, 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:21.899 that he is so much greater than us, 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.159 that we are sinners, 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:25.379 that he is pure and holy. 00:22:25.939 --> 00:22:28.179 And so we react, I think, rightly at times 00:22:28.179 --> 00:22:30.240 in the same way as John did 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:33.539 in recognizing how unworthy we are 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:35.019 before Jesus. 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:41.579 And then finally, there's what John heard. 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.859 So John falls at his, 00:22:42.939 --> 00:22:44.359 the Lord's feet as though dead. 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:46.579 The Lord places his right hand on 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:48.519 the same right hand that has held the stars 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:51.339 in the vision that John just has. 00:22:51.919 --> 00:22:55.699 And Jesus says some really comforting words to John. 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.359 He says three things. 00:22:58.039 --> 00:23:01.000 He says, first, I am the first and the last. 00:23:01.679 --> 00:23:02.980 What does that speak to us of? 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:04.220 That speaks to us of the fact 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.319 that Jesus is God, 00:23:05.399 --> 00:23:07.240 that he has been there from eternity past. 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:10.359 He will be there through eternity future. 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.599 Earlier it was talked about 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.879 as the Alpha and Omega. 00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:15.119 In first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.979 the thought is the same. 00:23:17.659 --> 00:23:19.299 So the one who is before God 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:21.139 is the one who has always been 00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:22.819 and who always will be. 00:23:23.199 --> 00:23:26.000 He is the eternal God of heaven. 00:23:27.219 --> 00:23:28.819 Second thing the Lord Jesus says, 00:23:28.959 --> 00:23:30.079 I am the living one. 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:32.199 I was dead and now, Luke, 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:34.959 I am alive forever and ever. 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.399 I was dead, probably better translated, 00:23:36.479 --> 00:23:37.199 I became dead. 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:39.159 It was a voluntary action by the Lord Jesus 00:23:39.159 --> 00:23:40.459 to take our place 00:23:40.459 --> 00:23:43.619 and to die on the cross at Calvary. 00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:46.959 But he's pointing to his time in this world. 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:49.159 That he took on the form of a man. 00:23:49.699 --> 00:23:51.219 He lived a perfect life 00:23:51.219 --> 00:23:56.119 and he died our death on the cross at Calvary. 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:57.739 But that wasn't the end 00:23:57.739 --> 00:23:58.699 because he says, 00:23:58.919 --> 00:24:01.819 I am alive forever and ever. 00:24:01.919 --> 00:24:03.339 The one who was crucified, 00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:04.559 who took our death, 00:24:04.679 --> 00:24:05.459 took our place. 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:07.059 He has risen from the dead. 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:08.259 He's alive forever. 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.900 And he says, 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:09.420 Thirdly, 00:24:09.879 --> 00:24:13.759 I hold the keys of death and Hades. 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:16.299 Keys of death and Hades. 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:16.819 Death is, 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:18.319 we understand what death is. 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:19.500 It is when we die physically. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:22.539 Hades probably is the place 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:24.220 where those who are dead 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:26.000 and don't know the Lord Jesus 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:29.400 go until they are finally judged by him 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:31.859 and condemned for their sin. 00:24:31.859 --> 00:24:33.079 And Jesus is saying, 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.799 I hold the key of death and Hades. 00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:35.879 In other words, 00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:39.199 I can free people from the fear of death 00:24:39.199 --> 00:24:40.379 and the power of death. 00:24:40.659 --> 00:24:42.219 I can also free them 00:24:42.219 --> 00:24:44.779 from the just penalty for sins 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:46.139 which comes to those 00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:49.079 who have rejected the Lord Jesus. 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:51.479 The New Living Translation 00:24:51.479 --> 00:24:52.839 Life Application Study Bible 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:53.379 says this, 00:24:53.399 --> 00:24:54.439 I find it really helpful. 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:57.779 Our sins have convicted and sentenced us, 00:24:58.240 --> 00:25:00.139 but Jesus holds the keys 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:01.719 of death and the grave. 00:25:02.439 --> 00:25:03.740 He alone can free us 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:05.519 from eternal bondage to Satan. 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:08.339 He alone has the power and authority 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:10.399 to set us free from sin's control. 00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:14.259 Believers don't have to fear death or the grave 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:17.399 because Christ holds the keys to both. 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:21.179 All we must do is turn from sin 00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:23.699 and turn to him in faith. 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:26.339 When we attempt to control our lives 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:27.619 and disregard God, 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:30.399 we set a course that leads directly to hell. 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:33.480 When we place our lives in Christ's hands, 00:25:34.120 --> 00:25:35.420 he restores us now 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:37.700 and resurrects us later 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:42.259 to an eternal, peaceful relationship with him. 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:44.480 In other words, 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:48.400 we should have a total dependence on Jesus. 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:52.539 We should recognize there is nothing in us 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:56.119 that would justify God accepting us 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:57.299 in any kind of way 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:58.779 because we have rejected him. 00:25:58.859 --> 00:25:59.859 Only through Jesus, 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:01.500 only through trusting in him, 00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.920 can we have confidence 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:04.200 that our sins are forgiven, 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:07.059 that we have eternal life. 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:08.839 And only in Jesus too 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:10.099 can we have real peace 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:12.139 and security in this life, 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.899 knowing that he is with us, 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.619 that he will protect us, 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:17.059 that he will help us 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:19.779 through everything that comes upon us. 00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:21.339 So there's a challenge 00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:24.599 at the beginning of our reading this morning, 00:26:24.679 --> 00:26:27.039 the challenge of what we see 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:29.399 of the greatness of Christ. 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:31.879 But there's a real encouragement at the end 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:32.799 if we know Jesus, 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:35.399 that he has control over everything, 00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:37.820 and that we needn't fear death 00:26:37.820 --> 00:26:39.900 and the grave if we know him. 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:41.340 And the challenge to all of us this evening 00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:43.519 is whether we have that relationship 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.640 with Jesus, 00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:47.640 that we know that we trust him, 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.480 that we love him, 00:26:48.600 --> 00:26:49.860 that we have that confidence 00:26:49.860 --> 00:26:51.700 that he can see us through 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:53.620 and that he can bring us forgiveness 00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:56.200 for all the wrong that we've done. 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:57.519 And if we have that forgiveness, 00:26:58.080 --> 00:26:59.780 that we depend on him utterly 00:26:59.780 --> 00:27:02.880 for everything in our lives. 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:06.120 So I think, as I said, 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:08.520 there's a challenge and an encouragement. 00:27:09.280 --> 00:27:11.100 As we go forward into the letters, 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.620 we'll see many reflections 00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:13.900 of what we've read about 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:15.600 in this passage today. 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:17.060 The Lord picks up some of the themes, 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:18.560 strictly a description of himself. 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:21.080 He gives us some encouragement as a church 00:27:21.080 --> 00:27:21.920 if we're struggling, 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:25.480 if we're fighting against heresy 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:27.580 or persecution or whatever else. 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.340 He also gives us the challenge 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:30.799 about being complacent 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:33.159 or if we've lost our love for him. 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.539 Lots of things we'll see 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.439 in the coming days. 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:37.359 But let's keep before us 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:39.839 that great vision of the Lord Jesus, 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.579 the Son of Man, 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.500 the one who is God, 00:27:43.939 --> 00:27:45.679 who is God who became man 00:27:45.679 --> 00:27:48.480 and yet who is very much still God 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:51.639 and still so much greater than us. 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.799 And let's bow down, 00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:55.319 perhaps not fall in our face, 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:56.799 but certainly bow down before him, 00:27:56.799 --> 00:28:01.059 and recognize him as the great God of heaven 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:03.279 and give our allegiance to him 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:05.519 and be willing to listen carefully 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:08.379 to what he has to say to us. 00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.599 Let's pray together. 00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:12.859 Father, we thank you for your word to us this morning. 00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:14.460 We thank you for this vision 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.659 that you gave to John 00:28:15.659 --> 00:28:18.859 for the way in which he was enabled 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:21.879 to see something of the glory of the Lord Jesus, 00:28:22.639 --> 00:28:26.519 to understand something of the greatness of Christ, 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:30.700 and to recognize before him his own inadequacy. 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:33.000 But we thank you for the great comfort 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:34.180 that the Lord gives, 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:38.220 for the fact that he has overcome death and the grave, 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:40.899 that he is the one who is alive forevermore 00:28:40.899 --> 00:28:43.279 and is alive and is able to save. 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:44.960 Pray it all of us may, 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:46.899 if we haven't already come to that point 00:28:46.899 --> 00:28:48.240 of putting our trust in him, 00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:50.379 of passing from death to life, 00:28:50.380 --> 00:28:53.740 and of knowing him as Savior and Lord. 00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:55.760 And those of us who do know him, 00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:58.140 help us to listen to his voice, 00:28:59.040 --> 00:29:01.480 to recognize that as we listen to him, 00:29:01.860 --> 00:29:03.560 that he is speaking the words 00:29:03.560 --> 00:29:06.080 that penetrate into our life, 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:08.220 that reach us in our situation, 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:11.280 that he understands everything about us, 00:29:11.780 --> 00:29:14.340 and help us to be willing to be obedient to him 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:17.019 and to fall before him in worship 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:20.299 as we commit our lives wholly to him. 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:22.220 We thank you for our time together. 00:29:22.659 --> 00:29:23.919 We pray for your blessing on us 00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:24.759 through the rest of the day 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.720 and through the coming week 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:27.939 as we give you our thanks in Jesus' name. 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:29.120 Amen.