WEBVTT 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:02.160 Thank you very much, Paul. 00:00:03.060 --> 00:00:05.160 As it has already been said, my name is Alistair. 00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:09.099 I have the privilege of being on staff here and it is great to see you all this morning. 00:00:09.900 --> 00:00:12.700 Now, as Paul read that passage, you were probably thinking, 00:00:13.060 --> 00:00:16.580 wow, that's a lovely topic to think about this morning. 00:00:16.660 --> 00:00:21.559 But I would encourage you and say that it is a lovely topic for us to think about this morning. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:24.740 But before we do that, let's pray together. Let's pray. 00:00:24.739 --> 00:00:24.839 Amen. 00:00:28.019 --> 00:00:33.239 Loving God and Heavenly Father, we come before you this morning acknowledging that we are weak human beings. 00:00:34.500 --> 00:00:37.899 But we come before you the glorious, magnificent God. 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:40.980 And we ask that you teach us from your word. 00:00:41.799 --> 00:00:44.579 Holy Spirit, we ask that you would transform our hearts. 00:00:45.379 --> 00:00:50.200 And Jesus, we pray that we would leave here glorifying you in all we do and say. 00:00:50.780 --> 00:00:52.239 In Jesus' name, Amen. 00:00:54.740 --> 00:00:57.560 We all love a good, happy ending, don't we? 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:02.520 When you come to the end of a good book or a movie, 00:01:03.060 --> 00:01:05.780 and you just love it when you know that everything turned out okay. 00:01:07.460 --> 00:01:13.320 We know how much we like happy endings because if a book or a movie doesn't end the way we want it to, 00:01:13.379 --> 00:01:16.939 or if it ends on a cliffhanger, we feel disappointed. 00:01:17.820 --> 00:01:19.500 Maybe feel a bit short-changed. 00:01:19.579 --> 00:01:21.680 We might even be looking for the return policy. 00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:24.660 We love a good, happy ending. 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:32.880 But how would it change the way we read a book or watch a movie if we already knew the end? 00:01:34.380 --> 00:01:40.080 What if you opened the first page or watched the first movie of, for example, Lord of the Rings? 00:01:40.760 --> 00:01:43.200 Now, spoiler alert if you haven't watched Lord of the Rings. 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:51.900 If you opened that first page or watched that first movie and you knew that in the end, after three books and three movies, 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:56.740 Frodo was going to drop the ring into a volcano and end all destruction, 00:01:57.379 --> 00:02:00.120 you'd probably read it a bit differently, wouldn't you? 00:02:00.120 --> 00:02:08.180 So if Frodo got into a battle or in a dangerous situation and he was fearing for his life, 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:12.020 you'd have the thought in the back of your mind, well, he's going to be all right in the end. 00:02:12.080 --> 00:02:12.620 It doesn't matter. 00:02:13.640 --> 00:02:15.159 I don't have to worry too much. 00:02:16.340 --> 00:02:17.819 It wouldn't have the same effect. 00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:22.740 Knowing the end changes the way you read the book. 00:02:22.740 --> 00:02:31.400 If we were to know the end of every story or scenario in this world today, would it change the way we live? 00:02:33.340 --> 00:02:37.939 If you were to know the end of your own story, would it change the way you live? 00:02:39.680 --> 00:02:42.500 As we've been traveling through the book of Joel on Sunday mornings, 00:02:42.500 --> 00:02:45.620 we've been seeing the story of the Old Testament people of God. 00:02:46.180 --> 00:02:48.620 They'd rebelled against God and lived in sin. 00:02:48.620 --> 00:02:54.319 And God sent a locust plague in Joel chapter 1 to bring them back to himself. 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:58.659 And the big message that God is speaking out to his people is, 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:00.539 return to me. 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:06.120 God is saying, come back into a faithful covenant relationship with me 00:03:06.120 --> 00:03:08.259 and I will bless you and I will protect you. 00:03:09.740 --> 00:03:13.659 Do not continue in your sin, but return to me and repent. 00:03:13.879 --> 00:03:14.939 That is what God is saying. 00:03:14.939 --> 00:03:20.740 And this morning in Joel chapter 3, we get an insight into the end of the story. 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:24.639 And the question that I want us to think about this morning is, 00:03:24.879 --> 00:03:27.139 are you living in light of the end? 00:03:28.699 --> 00:03:34.439 This morning we get to flick to the very last page of the book that we call Life on Earth 00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:38.199 and see what that will be like. 00:03:38.199 --> 00:03:43.299 Now remember how Joel has been pointing through this whole little book 00:03:43.299 --> 00:03:45.280 to the future day of the Lord. 00:03:45.739 --> 00:03:48.199 The day when God will right all wrongs. 00:03:48.519 --> 00:03:50.719 When God will sit and judge the world. 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:55.379 And in Joel chapter 3, we're told what the end of this world will look like. 00:03:55.799 --> 00:03:57.879 And it's all in the context of a valley. 00:03:58.939 --> 00:04:00.199 In verse 14, 00:04:00.199 --> 00:04:02.539 the end is described, 00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:06.479 the final day of the Lord is described as a valley of decision. 00:04:08.099 --> 00:04:11.199 And the decision on that final day is made by God. 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:14.939 And it will determine whether God is your refuge 00:04:14.939 --> 00:04:17.279 or whether God is your judge. 00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:21.740 The language that this passage uses points 00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:25.279 to the idea that God is a judge who sits on a throne 00:04:25.279 --> 00:04:28.859 and the whole world is in the dock on trial. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:32.599 And the verdict will come from this judge. 00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:36.119 God decides the fate of this world based on their actions 00:04:36.119 --> 00:04:38.219 and on their response to him. 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:43.059 He is the one who presides over this valley of decision. 00:04:44.279 --> 00:04:47.719 And this morning we see what God says to the nations 00:04:47.719 --> 00:04:51.359 and what God says to his people on that final day. 00:04:52.059 --> 00:04:52.859 So the first thing, 00:04:52.860 --> 00:04:54.720 what God says to the nations, 00:04:54.860 --> 00:04:56.939 verses 1 to 16a, 00:04:57.020 --> 00:04:58.699 what God says to the nations. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:01.000 In verse 1, 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:03.840 you can see that God is speaking about a future day 00:05:03.840 --> 00:05:06.319 when Judah and Jerusalem will be restored. 00:05:07.080 --> 00:05:10.199 This is the future event known in the book of Joel 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:11.379 as the day of the Lord. 00:05:12.040 --> 00:05:13.800 This event has not yet happened. 00:05:13.900 --> 00:05:14.920 It is still to come. 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:17.620 And on that day, 00:05:17.740 --> 00:05:19.439 God will gather all the nations 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:21.400 in the valley of Jehoshaphat, 00:05:21.399 --> 00:05:24.299 which means the valley of God's judgment. 00:05:26.039 --> 00:05:29.899 All the nations will stand before God 00:05:29.899 --> 00:05:32.120 as he sits on his throne and he will judge. 00:05:32.579 --> 00:05:35.539 God will deliver his verdict on the nations. 00:05:37.739 --> 00:05:40.599 And the announcement of a trial where God will judge 00:05:40.599 --> 00:05:43.459 leads to a list of charges that have been committed. 00:05:44.459 --> 00:05:45.659 Verses 2 and 3, 00:05:45.919 --> 00:05:48.259 we see what the nations are being judged for. 00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:53.120 They're being judged for how they treated God's people. 00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:56.620 The evidence is brought before the judge. 00:05:57.639 --> 00:05:59.800 These nations scattered God's people. 00:06:00.680 --> 00:06:03.300 They divided up God's promised land 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:06.360 and traded them as if they were household ornaments. 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:11.620 The crimes that the nations are on trial for 00:06:11.620 --> 00:06:13.639 have been committed against God's people 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:16.780 and therefore they have been committed against God himself. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:20.420 And in the end of verse 3, 00:06:20.900 --> 00:06:23.379 do you see how God draws attention 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:25.259 to how the nations have treated children? 00:06:26.699 --> 00:06:29.780 These little ones who are a picture of innocence, 00:06:29.779 --> 00:06:33.019 the weakest of God's people, 00:06:33.099 --> 00:06:35.939 the most defenseless of this nation, 00:06:36.739 --> 00:06:40.879 are being traded for cheap pleasures. 00:06:42.619 --> 00:06:45.639 Little boys are traded for the price of a prostitute. 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:50.139 Little girls are being traded for the price of a glass of wine. 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:55.019 The nations are putting their own pleasure 00:06:55.019 --> 00:06:56.879 above the care and needs of children. 00:06:57.599 --> 00:07:01.259 And God uses this as an example of their sin. 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:04.199 Their complete apathy against God. 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:07.240 But why does this matter? 00:07:08.719 --> 00:07:11.000 Why does it matter that the nations have done this? 00:07:11.039 --> 00:07:14.099 This was common practice in that day 00:07:14.099 --> 00:07:16.019 amongst enemy nations. 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:19.819 So why should the people of God be treated any differently? 00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:23.399 Well the key is in verses 2 and 3, 00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:26.060 God says the word my five times. 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:30.120 These are not just any people God says, 00:07:30.299 --> 00:07:32.199 but they are my inheritance, 00:07:32.659 --> 00:07:33.599 my people Israel, 00:07:33.799 --> 00:07:34.379 my people, 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:35.139 my land, 00:07:35.359 --> 00:07:36.459 my people. 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:41.180 What the nations have done against Israel, 00:07:41.279 --> 00:07:42.699 they have done against God himself. 00:07:46.019 --> 00:07:48.719 The sins of the nations are how they treated 00:07:48.719 --> 00:07:50.599 and dealt with God's people 00:07:50.599 --> 00:07:52.979 because they bear his name. 00:07:54.479 --> 00:07:57.359 They are his representatives on earth. 00:07:58.500 --> 00:08:00.599 And what the nations have done against them, 00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:02.279 they've done against God. 00:08:04.139 --> 00:08:05.299 Now we get this idea, 00:08:05.399 --> 00:08:05.740 don't we? 00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:07.259 Historically, 00:08:07.419 --> 00:08:09.519 this has been true for years and years, 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:10.799 even in medieval Britain. 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:13.299 If you were to attack a soldier 00:08:13.299 --> 00:08:14.620 or a god of the king, 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:16.519 it would be seen as a direct attack 00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:17.540 on the king himself. 00:08:19.040 --> 00:08:20.759 And we see this in the New Testament. 00:08:21.579 --> 00:08:23.439 As Saul on the road to Damascus, 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:25.780 Jesus appears to him in Acts chapter 9. 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:26.899 You can look that up later. 00:08:27.840 --> 00:08:29.199 Jesus appears to Saul 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:30.399 and what does he say? 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:31.600 Saul, Saul, 00:08:31.680 --> 00:08:33.259 why are you persecuting my church? 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:34.100 No. 00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:35.340 He says, 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:36.100 Saul, Saul, 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:37.620 why are you persecuting me? 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:42.779 That's the same idea here. 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:44.579 The identity of the church 00:08:44.579 --> 00:08:46.819 is bound up with its head, 00:08:46.919 --> 00:08:47.720 Jesus Christ. 00:08:49.439 --> 00:08:50.740 And Israel's identity 00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:52.079 is bound up with God. 00:08:53.679 --> 00:08:55.019 The people of Israel 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:56.339 bear the name of God 00:08:56.339 --> 00:08:57.679 and the attacks on them 00:08:57.679 --> 00:09:00.959 are a result of the nation's hatred of God. 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:02.980 Their actions reveal 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:04.339 their sinful hearts. 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:07.399 It is all an outward example 00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:09.399 of their attitude towards God. 00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:12.559 And in verse 4, 00:09:12.939 --> 00:09:14.480 God says that he will repay them 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:15.699 according to their deeds. 00:09:17.579 --> 00:09:18.699 Now some have said 00:09:18.699 --> 00:09:19.799 that God's judgment 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:21.600 and justice is harsh 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:23.439 or unjustified. 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:26.399 But looking at the charges 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:27.959 that he brings against the nations, 00:09:28.919 --> 00:09:30.319 looking at their actions 00:09:30.319 --> 00:09:31.299 and the punishment 00:09:31.299 --> 00:09:32.360 that God deems fit, 00:09:32.439 --> 00:09:33.360 I don't think that anyone 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:34.980 can say God's judgment is harsh. 00:09:34.980 --> 00:09:37.659 Because God's judgment 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:38.519 is simply him 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:40.120 returning on their own heads 00:09:40.120 --> 00:09:42.100 what they have done to him. 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:45.480 He is giving them over 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:46.300 to their sin. 00:09:48.220 --> 00:09:49.639 The nations that are mentioned 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:50.519 in this passage, 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:50.980 I think, 00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:51.899 are representatives 00:09:51.899 --> 00:09:54.720 of all the enemies of God. 00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:56.840 And they will be brought 00:09:56.840 --> 00:09:57.600 before the Lord 00:09:57.600 --> 00:09:58.519 on that final day 00:09:58.519 --> 00:09:59.460 and they will be judged. 00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:02.320 The nations 00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:03.659 are called to war, 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:04.500 called to gather 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:05.500 their armies, 00:10:05.659 --> 00:10:06.179 called to turn 00:10:06.179 --> 00:10:07.219 their farming tools 00:10:07.219 --> 00:10:08.179 into weapons 00:10:08.179 --> 00:10:09.579 and fight. 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:11.500 Now the nations, 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:12.659 as they hear this message, 00:10:12.759 --> 00:10:13.719 they're probably thinking 00:10:13.719 --> 00:10:14.879 that they're going to go 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:15.980 and fight against 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:16.879 the Lord himself. 00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:19.459 Have a good old army 00:10:19.459 --> 00:10:20.879 against army. 00:10:22.959 --> 00:10:24.120 But they're being called 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:25.719 to come to this valley 00:10:25.719 --> 00:10:26.480 and to listen. 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:29.039 Listen to the verdict 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:29.799 that will be delivered 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:30.600 from the throne 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:31.700 as God sits 00:10:31.700 --> 00:10:33.240 and delivers 00:10:33.240 --> 00:10:33.920 his verdict 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:35.399 on the valley 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:36.879 of Jehoshaphat, 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:37.480 the valley 00:10:37.480 --> 00:10:38.340 of God's judgment. 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:40.960 And verse 14, 00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:42.420 multitudes, 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:44.639 multitudes have gathered 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.519 in the valley 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:46.379 of decision, 00:10:46.899 --> 00:10:47.840 but the decision 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:48.519 in question 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:49.159 is not theirs 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:49.639 to make. 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:52.279 It is God 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:52.740 who will make 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:53.259 the decision 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:54.540 concerning their future. 00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:56.759 These multitudes 00:10:56.759 --> 00:10:57.440 have not gathered 00:10:57.440 --> 00:10:58.480 to make a decision, 00:10:58.820 --> 00:10:59.420 but they've gathered 00:10:59.419 --> 00:11:00.139 to hear one. 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:03.899 And in verse 15 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:04.539 to 16, 00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:05.079 you can see 00:11:05.079 --> 00:11:06.059 the universality 00:11:06.059 --> 00:11:07.479 of this judgment. 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:08.419 It will not go 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:09.199 unnoticed. 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:10.959 Everybody will know 00:11:10.959 --> 00:11:11.719 what is happening. 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:13.899 The sun and moon 00:11:13.899 --> 00:11:14.779 will be darkened 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:15.939 as God's verdict 00:11:15.939 --> 00:11:17.599 rings out across 00:11:17.599 --> 00:11:18.179 the valley 00:11:18.179 --> 00:11:18.860 of decision. 00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:20.879 The Lord will roar 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:21.679 from Zion 00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:22.459 and thunder 00:11:22.459 --> 00:11:23.459 from Jerusalem. 00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:25.319 The earth 00:11:25.319 --> 00:11:26.559 will tremble 00:11:26.559 --> 00:11:27.339 as the voice 00:11:27.339 --> 00:11:27.839 of the Lord 00:11:27.839 --> 00:11:28.439 declares 00:11:28.440 --> 00:11:29.340 his destruction 00:11:29.340 --> 00:11:30.820 on the nations 00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:32.520 for their deeds 00:11:32.520 --> 00:11:33.320 against his people. 00:11:35.880 --> 00:11:36.360 Sabina, 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:36.860 my wife, 00:11:36.900 --> 00:11:37.120 and I 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:37.540 just spent 00:11:37.540 --> 00:11:38.080 four days 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:38.660 in the mountains 00:11:38.660 --> 00:11:39.700 hiking in Austria. 00:11:40.280 --> 00:11:41.080 And every day 00:11:41.080 --> 00:11:41.960 there was a thunderstorm 00:11:41.960 --> 00:11:43.680 and we were unlucky 00:11:43.680 --> 00:11:44.340 and one day 00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:44.980 we got caught 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:45.920 on the mountainside 00:11:45.920 --> 00:11:47.520 in this huge thunderstorm. 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:47.679 storm. 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:49.299 And as we walked 00:11:49.299 --> 00:11:49.860 in the rain 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:50.600 you could hear 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:52.279 every single 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:53.539 footstep you made. 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:54.799 You could hear 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:55.720 all the birds 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:56.720 in the trees 00:11:56.720 --> 00:11:57.519 trying to find 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:58.659 that one dry spot 00:11:58.659 --> 00:11:59.399 that was left. 00:11:59.799 --> 00:12:00.980 Every living thing 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:02.220 on the mountainside 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:03.399 was looking 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:04.379 for refuge 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:05.299 from this storm. 00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:07.319 It was loud 00:12:07.319 --> 00:12:09.159 but there was 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:09.919 only one 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:11.360 thing that could 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:12.220 cover all of that 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:12.539 noise 00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:13.100 and that was 00:12:13.100 --> 00:12:13.620 the thunder. 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:16.700 As soon as you 00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:17.299 heard the thunder 00:12:17.299 --> 00:12:18.100 everything else 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:18.980 was drowned out. 00:12:19.399 --> 00:12:20.080 And as we 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:20.960 walked together 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:21.860 we were saying 00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:22.620 how this thunder 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:23.379 makes us think 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:24.120 about the greatness 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:24.700 of God 00:12:24.700 --> 00:12:25.519 and his might. 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:28.379 Hearing that 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:29.259 made us praise 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:30.019 God. 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:30.560 And that's just 00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:31.360 normal thunder. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:33.340 But I think 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:34.460 the poetic language 00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:35.560 that Joel 00:12:35.560 --> 00:12:37.159 is using here 00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:37.919 is pointing us 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:38.700 to see that thunder 00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:39.620 gets your attention. 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:41.500 And it's 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.259 God's thunder 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:42.759 so it's not 00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:43.120 just going to 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:43.519 be a little 00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:44.580 crackling in the sky. 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:46.799 This is a thunder 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:47.659 which will shake 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:48.759 the very foundation 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.899 of the earth. 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:52.100 And hearing 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:52.819 such a thunder 00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:53.319 will either 00:12:53.319 --> 00:12:54.299 make you fear 00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:54.879 God 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:56.580 or it will 00:12:56.580 --> 00:12:57.200 comfort you 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:57.879 because you know 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.399 that he is 00:12:58.399 --> 00:12:59.259 your heavenly father. 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:03.840 The day of the 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:04.539 Lord has not 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:05.179 happened yet. 00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:06.019 It is a future 00:13:06.019 --> 00:13:06.799 event for us 00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:07.200 today. 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:08.720 And so think 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:09.840 back to that 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:10.480 question we 00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:11.240 started with. 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.240 Are you living 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:12.899 in light 00:13:12.899 --> 00:13:13.659 of the end? 00:13:15.419 --> 00:13:16.120 The end 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:16.720 of the story 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:17.620 for the nations 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:18.460 for the enemies 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:18.940 of God 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:19.500 is that they 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.299 will be judged. 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:21.779 God will 00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:22.539 sit on his 00:13:22.539 --> 00:13:23.019 throne 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:24.379 and deliver 00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:25.120 his verdict 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:26.299 of guilty. 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:28.779 And he will 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:29.379 punish them 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:30.320 in a just 00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:31.240 and right way. 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:34.360 This has a 00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:35.159 significant meaning 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:35.860 for you this 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:36.379 morning if you 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:36.799 are here and 00:13:36.799 --> 00:13:37.139 you are not 00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:37.600 a Christian. 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:40.560 God will 00:13:40.560 --> 00:13:41.279 gather the whole 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:41.899 world before 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:42.459 his throne 00:13:42.459 --> 00:13:42.939 and his 00:13:42.939 --> 00:13:43.720 verdict will 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:44.279 be given 00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:45.360 and punishment 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:46.019 will come on 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:46.379 those who 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:46.939 have rejected 00:13:46.939 --> 00:13:47.360 God. 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:49.459 Are you 00:13:49.459 --> 00:13:50.819 living in 00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:51.399 light of that 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:51.779 end? 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:56.699 Take time 00:13:56.699 --> 00:13:58.339 today to 00:13:58.339 --> 00:13:59.319 think about 00:13:59.319 --> 00:14:00.259 what God's 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:00.860 verdict will 00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:01.559 be over your 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:02.259 life as you 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.039 stand today. 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:07.000 Will you take 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.100 time to consider 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:09.320 how you 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:09.920 stand before 00:14:09.920 --> 00:14:10.220 God? 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:11.360 How if you 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:11.820 are not 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:12.220 you are 00:14:12.220 --> 00:14:12.759 rejecting 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.300 God? 00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:15.440 Think about 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:15.680 it. 00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:17.420 Every person 00:14:17.420 --> 00:14:18.120 naturally 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.680 stands guilty 00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:20.560 before God. 00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:21.779 Each of us 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:22.320 naturally 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:23.779 rejects God. 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:24.379 We want to 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:24.800 live lives 00:14:24.800 --> 00:14:25.500 our own way 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:26.620 according to 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:27.220 what we see 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:27.639 fit. 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:29.639 But that life 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:30.320 will lead us 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:32.279 to rejecting 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.560 God and 00:14:33.560 --> 00:14:34.040 being given 00:14:34.040 --> 00:14:34.759 the verdict of 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.360 guilty on 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:35.860 that final 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.200 day. 00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:39.200 And for 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:39.960 Christians this 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:40.279 morning, 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:41.899 God through 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:42.399 the prophet 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:43.000 Joel is 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:43.799 calling Israel 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:44.620 to proclaim 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:45.059 to the 00:14:45.059 --> 00:14:46.240 nations that 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:46.740 this is the 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.200 future that 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:47.819 awaits them. 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.580 Do we do 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:50.860 that? 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:54.620 Do we 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.319 proclaim to 00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:55.720 the world 00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:56.439 that this is 00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:56.879 the end 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.179 that is 00:14:57.179 --> 00:14:57.519 coming? 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.200 Do we 00:14:58.200 --> 00:14:58.919 warn them 00:14:58.919 --> 00:15:00.240 that one 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:00.720 day God 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:01.080 will make 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:01.679 a decision 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:02.960 about their 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:03.460 lives? 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:06.399 this is 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:06.819 part of 00:15:06.819 --> 00:15:07.340 the message 00:15:07.340 --> 00:15:07.799 that we've 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:08.179 been given 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:08.879 to proclaim 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:09.259 to the 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:09.679 world. 00:15:10.939 --> 00:15:11.539 This is 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:12.259 the message 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:13.159 that they 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:13.600 need to 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:15.080 hear because 00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:15.559 God will 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:16.120 decide and 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:16.659 he can either 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:17.659 deliver punishment 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:19.720 or he can 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:20.580 be a refuge. 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:23.220 In this 00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:23.840 short book of 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:24.279 Joel the 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:24.899 message that 00:15:24.899 --> 00:15:25.279 God has 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:26.200 been crying 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:26.860 out to his 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:27.360 people is 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.000 return to 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:28.500 me, repent 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:28.899 and I'll 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:29.279 take you 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:29.700 back. 00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:32.279 The message 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:32.799 that Jesus 00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:34.000 preached in 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.600 the New 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:35.220 Testament is 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:35.860 repent and 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:36.440 believe because 00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:36.860 the kingdom 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:37.399 of God is 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:37.919 at hand. 00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:38.840 That is the 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:39.299 message we 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:39.700 have to 00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:40.399 proclaim to 00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:40.980 the world. 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:43.559 Are we 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:44.159 living in 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:44.500 light of 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:45.000 the end? 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:47.440 Are we 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:48.259 proclaiming that 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.779 there is an 00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:49.440 end and it 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:49.940 is coming? 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:50.460 We don't 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:50.860 know when 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:51.200 but it 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:51.679 is coming. 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.460 But there 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:55.120 is still time 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:55.580 to repent 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:56.259 and turn to 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:56.759 God even 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.379 now. 00:15:57.379 --> 00:16:01.639 the second 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.139 thing that 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:02.840 this passage 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:05.240 says is 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.120 what God 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:06.679 says to 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:07.340 his people 00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:08.679 verses 16b 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:09.679 to verse 21 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:10.399 what God 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.019 says to 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:11.679 his people. 00:16:13.559 --> 00:16:13.779 Now the 00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:14.220 Lord will be 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:15.679 a refuge for 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:16.259 his people, 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:18.039 a stronghold 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:18.799 for his people 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.299 Israel. 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:20.220 That is an 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:21.159 amazing truth. 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.919 In their day 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:24.759 of calamity, 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:25.539 in their times 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:26.299 of suffering, 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:26.859 in their 00:16:26.859 --> 00:16:27.379 needs, 00:16:27.699 --> 00:16:28.120 when the 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:28.559 world is 00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:29.259 shaking and 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:29.740 the enemies 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.399 seem to be 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:30.879 prevailing 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:31.659 against them, 00:16:32.579 --> 00:16:34.019 God calls 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.359 them to 00:16:34.359 --> 00:16:35.279 look to 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:35.779 the end 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:37.179 and see 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:37.599 that he 00:16:37.599 --> 00:16:38.039 will be 00:16:38.039 --> 00:16:38.699 their ultimate 00:16:38.699 --> 00:16:39.439 refuge. 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.259 He will be 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:40.819 their shelter. 00:16:40.979 --> 00:16:41.319 He will 00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:41.879 guard them 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.399 and protect 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:42.879 them from 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.279 judgment. 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.199 On that 00:16:45.199 --> 00:16:45.939 final day 00:16:45.939 --> 00:16:47.399 there will 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:47.939 be only one 00:16:47.939 --> 00:16:48.379 place to 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:48.699 hide. 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.139 There will 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:51.059 be only one 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:52.000 place of 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:52.659 refuge and 00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:53.179 that is in 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:53.519 the Lord 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.279 God himself. 00:16:56.299 --> 00:16:57.500 And the 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:59.839 promise that 00:16:59.839 --> 00:17:00.539 once God's 00:17:00.539 --> 00:17:01.259 decision is 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:01.879 made and 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.419 the nations 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:02.959 are being 00:17:02.959 --> 00:17:03.299 judged, 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:03.959 the promise 00:17:03.959 --> 00:17:04.539 to the 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.039 people of 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.579 God is 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:05.960 that they 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.460 will know 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:08.079 him and 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.359 that they 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:08.899 will dwell 00:17:08.899 --> 00:17:09.460 with him 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.079 in Zion. 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:10.720 You see 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.079 that in 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:11.519 the end 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.359 of verse 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:12.940 17. 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:14.879 Now the 00:17:14.879 --> 00:17:15.359 language of 00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:15.899 Zion is 00:17:15.899 --> 00:17:16.440 referring to 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:16.819 what we 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:17.200 call the 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:17.859 new creation, 00:17:18.659 --> 00:17:19.240 the time 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:19.659 where God 00:17:19.659 --> 00:17:20.159 will dwell 00:17:20.159 --> 00:17:20.579 with his 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.359 people forever. 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:21.619 There will 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.319 be no more 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:22.680 sin, 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.700 no more 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:24.019 pain, 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:24.480 no more 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:24.879 suffering, 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:25.359 no more 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:25.939 enemies of 00:17:25.939 --> 00:17:26.259 God. 00:17:27.439 --> 00:17:28.099 God and 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:28.599 his people 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:29.019 will dwell 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:30.000 in perfect 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:30.919 harmony. 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.240 For all 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:34.619 those who 00:17:34.619 --> 00:17:35.059 put their 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:36.819 trust in 00:17:36.819 --> 00:17:37.240 God, 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.399 he will be 00:17:38.399 --> 00:17:38.919 your final 00:17:38.919 --> 00:17:39.519 refuge. 00:17:40.179 --> 00:17:40.740 Doesn't that 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.119 give you 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:42.259 courage as 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:42.799 you suffer 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.259 in this 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:43.740 world which 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.299 hates God? 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.479 Imagine the 00:17:48.479 --> 00:17:49.519 relief that 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.079 the people of 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:50.639 Israel must 00:17:50.639 --> 00:17:51.019 feel. 00:17:52.159 --> 00:17:52.619 Maybe they 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:53.219 still remember 00:17:53.219 --> 00:17:53.659 the hunger 00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:55.059 pains from 00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:55.899 the locust 00:17:55.899 --> 00:17:56.440 plague in 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:56.940 Joel chapter 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.240 1. 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:57.779 They still 00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:58.579 remember the 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.579 destruction so 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:00.319 vividly. 00:18:01.599 --> 00:18:02.559 But now 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:04.079 the God 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:04.559 who loves 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:04.839 them, 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:05.960 who called 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:06.339 them out, 00:18:06.399 --> 00:18:07.079 has promised 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:09.019 them complete 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:10.259 restoration and 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:10.720 peace. 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:13.599 God dwells 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:13.980 with his 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:15.079 people and 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:15.519 what does the 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:15.980 end of verse 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.819 17 say? 00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:18.359 Jerusalem will 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:19.519 be holy. 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:21.519 God 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:21.960 will be 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:24.039 made holy. 00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:25.039 God 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.200 recreates 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:27.180 this broken 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:27.879 and corrupt 00:18:27.879 --> 00:18:28.379 world and 00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:28.740 makes it 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:29.680 completely new. 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.279 God's 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:31.859 people will 00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:32.379 also be 00:18:32.379 --> 00:18:33.440 transformed and 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:33.839 we will be 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:34.480 made holy. 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.720 God isn't 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.639 just saying I'm 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:39.000 going to give 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.480 you a nice 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.359 place for my 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:41.039 people to hang 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.660 out for the 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:42.180 rest of their 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.619 lives. 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.359 I'm not just 00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:44.859 going to set 00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:45.400 them up for 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:46.579 life but God 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.180 is saying that 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:48.400 humanity's ultimate 00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:49.460 problem of sin 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.340 and separation 00:18:50.340 --> 00:18:51.200 from God will 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:52.540 be eradicated. 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:55.980 God's people 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.720 will be holy 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.920 and perfect. 00:18:59.200 --> 00:18:59.800 This holiness 00:18:59.800 --> 00:19:00.620 will never be 00:19:00.620 --> 00:19:01.380 achieved on this 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:02.060 side of Jesus' 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.160 return. 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.600 But once he 00:19:04.600 --> 00:19:05.220 returns and 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:05.759 gathers his 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.380 people to 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:07.600 himself, they 00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:08.420 will dwell with 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:08.800 God. 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.400 It's an amazing 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:10.920 truth. 00:19:12.340 --> 00:19:13.259 The language 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.000 points us to 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.920 Revelation chapter 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:16.019 21 where I'll 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.480 read a few 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:16.820 verses. 00:19:17.040 --> 00:19:17.680 You can look it 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.380 up later on. 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:21.100 Revelation 21 00:19:21.100 --> 00:19:21.780 says this, 00:19:21.780 --> 00:19:23.040 Then I saw a 00:19:23.040 --> 00:19:23.780 new heaven and 00:19:23.780 --> 00:19:24.660 a new earth. 00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:26.019 For the first 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:27.180 heaven and the 00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:27.920 first earth had 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.640 passed away. 00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:29.620 There was no 00:19:29.620 --> 00:19:30.540 longer any sea. 00:19:31.580 --> 00:19:32.460 I saw a holy 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.400 city, a new 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:34.680 Jerusalem, coming 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.440 down out of 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:36.560 heaven from God, 00:19:37.340 --> 00:19:38.140 prepared as a 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:39.080 bride beautifully 00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:39.940 dressed for her 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.259 husband. 00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:41.580 And I heard a 00:19:41.580 --> 00:19:42.480 loud voice from 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.280 the throne saying, 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:44.400 Look, God's 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:45.880 dwelling place is 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:46.940 now among the 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:47.860 people and he 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:48.679 will dwell with 00:19:48.679 --> 00:19:48.919 them. 00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:50.519 They will be his 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.339 people and God 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:52.759 himself will be 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.599 with them and be 00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:54.240 their God. 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.419 He will wipe away 00:19:56.419 --> 00:19:57.919 every tear from 00:19:57.919 --> 00:19:58.539 their eyes. 00:19:59.419 --> 00:19:59.919 There will be no 00:19:59.919 --> 00:20:01.599 more death or 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:02.979 mourning or crying 00:20:02.979 --> 00:20:04.479 or pain for the 00:20:04.479 --> 00:20:05.299 old order of 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:06.199 things had passed 00:20:06.199 --> 00:20:06.639 away. 00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:10.199 Breathtaking. 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:14.440 God is the one who 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.740 will make this new 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.440 place holy. 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:17.100 How? 00:20:17.360 --> 00:20:18.779 Because he himself 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:20.420 will dwell there. 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:22.600 A holy people will 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:23.700 live holy lives, 00:20:24.080 --> 00:20:25.019 living in a holy 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:26.120 place because it is 00:20:26.120 --> 00:20:27.039 the very dwelling 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:28.360 place of the most 00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:29.740 holy God. 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:34.100 Nothing unclean 00:20:34.100 --> 00:20:35.380 will enter this new 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.640 Jerusalem or Zion. 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:36.759 Jerusalem. 00:20:37.560 --> 00:20:38.560 This place is not 00:20:38.560 --> 00:20:39.440 for anything or 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.400 anyone who has not 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:41.980 been made holy by 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:44.220 God, but only for 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:44.920 those who have been 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.680 made holy by 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.759 believing in him. 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:47.880 Only those who have 00:20:47.880 --> 00:20:49.460 accepted Jesus Christ 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.720 and been forgiven 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.940 through his sacrificial 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:53.220 death on the cross 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:54.620 will be able to dwell 00:20:54.620 --> 00:20:55.140 with God. 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:58.960 The only way to 00:20:58.960 --> 00:20:59.860 heaven is through 00:20:59.860 --> 00:21:01.460 Jesus, the Son of 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.180 God who died, 00:21:02.300 --> 00:21:03.780 meaning that undeserving 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:05.079 sinners like you and 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:07.299 like me, can be made 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.139 right with God. 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:12.259 And this holiness 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:13.839 leads to satisfaction 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:15.420 in verse 18. 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:19.119 This new place in the 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:20.359 presence of God is a 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:21.720 picture of abundance. 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:24.839 Nobody is lacking, 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.839 but God will provide 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:28.220 and you see that in the 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.339 poetic language that's 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:29.759 used. 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:32.879 The mountains will drip 00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:33.759 new wine, the hills 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:35.299 will flow with milk, 00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:36.539 the ravines will run 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.539 with water. 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:39.619 This is such a 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:41.680 contrast to the 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:42.720 devastation that was 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.779 caused by the locust 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.779 plague in Joel chapter 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.099 1. 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:48.900 God will restore all 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.720 things and his 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:51.220 blessings will be 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:51.640 abundant. 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:54.579 Now this isn't the 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:55.640 kind of false 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:56.680 satisfaction that our 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.759 world offers and 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.500 loves today. 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:01.160 Today people find 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:02.660 fleeting satisfaction 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:03.660 in jobs, in 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:04.279 houses, in 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:05.200 relationships, in 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:05.740 money, and the 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.519 list goes on and 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.200 on and on. 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.220 But the minute those 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:10.840 things are taken 00:22:10.840 --> 00:22:13.220 away, people feel 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:13.700 empty. 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.800 People feel lacking. 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:19.019 But on that final 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.480 day, God, people will 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.380 be made right with 00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:21.740 God. 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.620 There is no greater 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:26.480 satisfaction than for 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:28.440 your creator, the God 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:30.160 who knows you, the God 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:31.120 who loves you, the God 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:32.899 who saves you, and who 00:22:32.899 --> 00:22:33.959 truly knows what you 00:22:33.959 --> 00:22:34.159 need. 00:22:34.239 --> 00:22:35.439 He will satisfy your 00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:36.539 very soul. 00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:42.259 That longing you feel 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:43.699 when a loved one dies. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.959 That feeling of 00:22:46.959 --> 00:22:47.979 disappointment when 00:22:47.979 --> 00:22:49.199 someone lets you down. 00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:53.719 That anger as you 00:22:53.719 --> 00:22:55.219 work and work and work 00:22:55.219 --> 00:22:56.099 but your boss doesn't 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:57.059 notice and doesn't 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:57.519 reward. 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.920 God will be 00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.440 gone. 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:03.220 The satisfaction that 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.400 this covenant-keeping 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:06.139 God promises his 00:23:06.139 --> 00:23:07.639 people is completely 00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:08.539 out of this world. 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:10.339 We can't even begin to 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:11.480 imagine what it is like. 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:13.819 But it will be 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.240 glorious. 00:23:15.639 --> 00:23:16.279 And that is what the 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:17.400 end looks like for God's 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:17.720 people. 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:20.079 And all of this 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:21.440 abundance finds its 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:23.000 root in God himself. 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:25.200 All of this blessing, all 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:26.519 of this holiness and 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.759 satisfaction, all of this 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:29.119 perfection and purity 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:32.000 is rooted in 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.420 God. 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:33.740 The faithful, 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.099 covenant-keeping God 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:36.940 who is a refuge for 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.519 his people. 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:40.680 God will dwell with his 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.000 people. 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:43.599 They will be holy and 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.539 they will be satisfied 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.819 and they will be 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.259 different. 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:48.000 Verses 19 to 21. 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.619 They describe the 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:51.880 contrast between those 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:52.760 who are the people of 00:23:52.760 --> 00:23:54.180 God and those who 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:54.660 aren't. 00:23:56.260 --> 00:23:57.580 Egypt will be 00:23:57.580 --> 00:23:58.040 desolate. 00:23:59.100 --> 00:24:00.060 Edom, a desert 00:24:00.060 --> 00:24:00.620 place. 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:01.480 There will be no 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:01.980 life. 00:24:02.320 --> 00:24:02.660 They will be 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.100 destroyed. 00:24:05.060 --> 00:24:06.000 These cities are 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.600 mentioned as 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:07.840 representatives of all 00:24:07.840 --> 00:24:08.920 the enemies of God 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:10.660 and that is the end 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.560 that awaits those who 00:24:11.560 --> 00:24:12.280 reject God. 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:15.740 The enemies of 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:17.660 God are contrasted 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.800 with this picture of 00:24:18.800 --> 00:24:19.740 perfection that the 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.500 people of God will 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:20.960 enjoy. 00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:24.160 nations will be 00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:26.260 judged based on 00:24:26.260 --> 00:24:27.020 their dealings with 00:24:27.020 --> 00:24:27.920 the people of God 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:28.500 and they will be 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.340 destroyed and left 00:24:29.340 --> 00:24:30.460 empty but Judah, 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.600 on the other hand, 00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:33.080 will be inhabited 00:24:33.080 --> 00:24:33.660 forever. 00:24:34.820 --> 00:24:35.380 Jerusalem, 00:24:36.540 --> 00:24:37.660 through all 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.300 generations. 00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:39.400 Again, this is 00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:40.740 prophetic and poetic 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.780 language for the new 00:24:41.780 --> 00:24:42.600 creation where God 00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:43.460 will dwell with his 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:43.800 people. 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.640 This is not speaking 00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:46.780 about the actual city 00:24:46.780 --> 00:24:47.820 of Jerusalem but it 00:24:47.820 --> 00:24:49.300 refers to the new 00:24:49.300 --> 00:24:50.800 Jerusalem that we see 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.879 in Revelation chapter 00:24:51.879 --> 00:24:52.460 21. 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.740 God's message to his 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:57.019 people is that he 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.359 will be their refuge. 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.480 An old hymn speaks 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.619 about God as a refuge 00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:03.559 with these words. 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:06.460 Rock of ages cleft for 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:08.480 me, let me hide myself 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:08.899 in thee. 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:10.240 Let the water and the 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:11.519 blood from thy wounded 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:13.440 side which flowed be of 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.599 sin the double cure. 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:17.000 Save from wrath and make 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.539 me pure. 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.740 And the promise that 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.880 ends this book of 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:24.400 Joel is marvelous. 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:28.460 God dwells in Zion. 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:31.019 That is what the end 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.920 looks like for the 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:32.680 people of God. 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:35.700 And as we draw to a 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.599 close this morning, 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:37.740 let me ask again, 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:39.339 are you living in light 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:39.900 of the end? 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:42.759 Maybe you've never 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.540 heard this before. 00:25:44.820 --> 00:25:45.980 But this is the end 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.860 that the Bible says 00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:47.380 is coming. 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.660 This is the end that 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:51.759 Jesus said was coming 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.840 and this is the end 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.920 that deep down we all 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.540 long for. 00:25:56.060 --> 00:25:57.600 We want justice to be 00:25:57.600 --> 00:25:57.840 given. 00:25:58.560 --> 00:25:59.460 We want the wrong 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.440 things of this world 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.440 to be made right. 00:26:02.820 --> 00:26:04.160 But in that cry for 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:04.759 justice, 00:26:05.040 --> 00:26:06.580 we cannot forget 00:26:06.580 --> 00:26:07.480 where we stand. 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:13.779 The end that Joel 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.860 foretells is the end 00:26:14.860 --> 00:26:15.839 that is still to come. 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:16.920 God will either be 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:18.299 your judge or your 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:18.960 refuge. 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.740 Who will he be for 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.440 you on that day? 00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:25.759 Allow me to be direct 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.360 this morning. 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.860 Where do you stand 00:26:27.860 --> 00:26:28.360 with God? 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.799 Where do you stand 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.279 with God? 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:34.700 There is always a 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.500 response to the 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.299 message of God. 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.400 There is either a 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:39.920 hunger to know more 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:41.860 or there is a 00:26:41.860 --> 00:26:44.220 hatred and a 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.220 rejection of that 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:45.700 message. 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.160 And as we are 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:48.039 gathered here this 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.880 morning, are you 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:50.019 rejecting God or is 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.779 he your refuge? 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.660 This is not a 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:55.299 decision you should 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:55.920 take lightly. 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.799 Nor is it a matter 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:58.519 that you should put 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.700 off for the future 00:26:59.700 --> 00:26:59.980 me. 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:03.059 There is no time to 00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:03.240 lose. 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.180 We do not know when 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.360 Jesus will come back. 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:06.659 But when he does, 00:27:07.399 --> 00:27:08.399 God will sit and 00:27:08.399 --> 00:27:08.979 judge the world. 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.459 There will be no 00:27:09.459 --> 00:27:10.099 more time to 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:10.819 reconsider your 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.759 stance before God. 00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:14.179 This morning, will 00:27:14.179 --> 00:27:15.579 you look to God for 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.240 your refuge? 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.859 Or will you continue 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:19.519 to reject? 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.419 Or maybe you are 00:27:22.419 --> 00:27:23.219 here and you are a 00:27:23.219 --> 00:27:23.539 Christian. 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:25.179 Are you looking 00:27:25.179 --> 00:27:26.839 forward and living in 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.819 light of that final 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.159 day? 00:27:29.679 --> 00:27:30.479 See, these are not 00:27:30.479 --> 00:27:31.639 just some pleasant 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:33.019 ideas that God spoke 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:34.279 to his people to keep 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.139 them going, to spur 00:27:35.139 --> 00:27:35.599 them on. 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:39.259 This is the reality 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:40.859 that awaits you as a 00:27:40.859 --> 00:27:42.059 child of God. 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.879 This is the end that 00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:45.660 is awaiting you. 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.619 The God who knows 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:47.720 you, who created you, 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.639 who loves you, who 00:27:48.639 --> 00:27:50.379 saves you, will dwell 00:27:50.379 --> 00:27:51.399 with you. 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.599 Isn't that glorious 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.079 news? 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.759 Isn't that news that 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.940 we can all get excited 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:58.299 about? 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:01.819 Isn't that the reality 00:28:01.819 --> 00:28:03.019 reality that we want 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.980 other people to join 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:05.000 in with and be a part 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.279 of? 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:08.740 Joel 3 sets out the 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.879 end of the story of 00:28:09.879 --> 00:28:11.339 this world, but the 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:12.539 beginning of the story 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.200 of eternity. 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:17.039 For Christians, that is 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:18.159 an eternity spent with 00:28:18.159 --> 00:28:18.539 God. 00:28:18.919 --> 00:28:20.039 For those who reject 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:21.159 God, it is an eternity 00:28:21.159 --> 00:28:21.839 of judgment. 00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:21.939 judgment. 00:28:24.939 --> 00:28:25.959 Do we think about 00:28:25.959 --> 00:28:26.819 this as we sit 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.559 having dinner with 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.099 our friends? 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.720 If this is the 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.819 glorious future that 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:35.019 we look forward to, 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.339 what is holding us 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:37.399 back from declaring 00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:38.259 it to the world? 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.699 If this is the 00:28:40.699 --> 00:28:41.879 severity of judgment 00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:42.740 that we know is 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:43.539 coming, what is 00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:44.500 holding us back from 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:47.059 telling people and 00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:47.759 warning them? 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.439 Now, I ask myself 00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:52.000 these questions just 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.940 as much as I ask 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.680 you because I am 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.840 just as nervous when 00:28:54.840 --> 00:28:55.559 it comes to sharing 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.220 the gospel with 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.580 somebody. 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.500 But if we have 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.500 such good news to 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:04.480 share, we'd be 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.440 selfish to keep it 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.000 to ourselves. 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.140 And if we know 00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:09.840 that this is the 00:29:09.840 --> 00:29:10.920 severity of judgment 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.559 that is coming, 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:12.200 then we need to 00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:12.820 warn people. 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.519 Penn Jillette, a 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:17.240 famous American 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.259 magician, comedian, 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:19.720 and outspoken 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.839 atheist, says that 00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:21.779 he doesn't respect 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.740 people who do not 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.519 proselytize. 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.160 And I'll quote him. 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.559 He says this, 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.619 how much do you 00:29:28.619 --> 00:29:29.579 have to hate someone 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.759 not to proselytize? 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:32.599 How much do you 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:33.420 have to hate someone 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.200 to believe that 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:35.240 everlasting life is 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.519 possible and not 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.140 tell them that? 00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:39.900 I mean, if I believe 00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:41.000 beyond the shadow of 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:41.799 a doubt that a 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.839 truck was coming at 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:44.200 you and you didn't 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:45.680 believe it, and that 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:46.819 truck was bearing in 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:48.599 on you, there is a 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.339 certain point where 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.299 I just tackle you. 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:52.980 And this is more 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.819 important than that. 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.779 This is the future 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.339 that the Bible 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:00.759 teaches. 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:02.500 This is the future 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.319 that awaits all 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:04.639 people, and this is 00:30:04.639 --> 00:30:05.259 the future that we 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.159 have to proclaim to 00:30:06.159 --> 00:30:06.679 the world. 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:10.240 As a Christian this 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:11.500 morning, look at 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.859 that glorious promise 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:13.939 at the end of verse 00:30:13.939 --> 00:30:15.139 21 and know that 00:30:15.139 --> 00:30:16.700 that is your future. 00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:19.359 As a child of God, 00:30:19.419 --> 00:30:20.240 you will live together 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:21.220 with God in the new 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:22.319 Jerusalem, in the new 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.839 heavens and new earth. 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:25.279 All sin, gone. 00:30:25.939 --> 00:30:27.299 All impurity, gone. 00:30:27.399 --> 00:30:28.740 All pain, gone. 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:31.599 Your future is holy, 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:34.819 pure, everlasting, 00:30:35.139 --> 00:30:36.419 satisfaction and peace 00:30:36.419 --> 00:30:37.019 with God. 00:30:39.379 --> 00:30:40.579 These are the two ends 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.579 that await every single 00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:42.579 human being in this 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:42.939 world. 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.440 world. 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:46.440 A valley of decision 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:49.279 or a tower of refuge. 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:53.340 Can you stand in a few 00:30:53.340 --> 00:30:54.820 moments as we sing this 00:30:54.820 --> 00:30:56.660 song and say and sing 00:30:56.660 --> 00:30:58.720 these words knowing that 00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.700 they are true for you? 00:31:00.320 --> 00:31:02.720 It is well with my soul. 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:07.420 Can you stand and sing my sin 00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:08.880 oh the bliss of this 00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:10.339 glorious thought, my sin 00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:12.319 not in part but the whole 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:15.120 is nailed to the cross 00:31:15.120 --> 00:31:16.900 and I bear it no more. 00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:18.779 Praise the Lord. 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.640 Praise the Lord. 00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:21.960 Oh my soul. 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:25.400 If you cannot say that, 00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:28.779 take time today to think 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:30.180 about how you stand 00:31:30.180 --> 00:31:31.420 before God. 00:31:32.840 --> 00:31:34.000 Let's pray together. 00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:41.240 Just in the silence of your 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:44.039 own hearts for a minute or so 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:47.079 let's think about how we 00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:48.160 stand before God. 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:51.720 Think about how we are 00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:53.460 living in light of the end. 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:57.600 Is God your refuge this 00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:59.600 morning or will you be 00:31:59.600 --> 00:32:00.640 standing in the valley of 00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:01.019 decision? 00:32:11.380 --> 00:32:13.040 If you'd like to speak about 00:32:13.040 --> 00:32:14.279 anything that has been said 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:15.900 this morning or sung or read 00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:19.080 feel free to grab anyone 00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:19.940 who's been up front. 00:32:20.040 --> 00:32:21.060 I'll be standing at the door 00:32:21.060 --> 00:32:21.820 as you leave. 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:23.340 We'd love to pray for you 00:32:23.340 --> 00:32:24.640 and to speak with you. 00:32:27.120 --> 00:32:28.440 Heavenly Father we thank you 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:32.019 so much that you tell the 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:34.100 world who you are through 00:32:34.100 --> 00:32:34.660 your word. 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:37.900 Lord we thank you that you 00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:39.940 offer us the opportunity to 00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:42.120 find our refuge in you on 00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:43.040 that final day. 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:46.159 Lord we acknowledge the cost 00:32:46.159 --> 00:32:47.579 that that was for your son 00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:48.420 Jesus Christ. 00:32:50.119 --> 00:32:51.559 And Lord with all our hearts 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.359 we thank you. 00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:54.759 In his name. 00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:55.980 Amen.