WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.919 a loud voice from the throne saying, Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live 00:00:05.919 --> 00:00:11.939 with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:18.500 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying 00:00:18.500 --> 00:00:25.580 or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, 00:00:25.579 --> 00:00:32.820 I am making everything new. Then he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy 00:00:32.820 --> 00:00:42.459 and true. And if you just flick over to chapter 22, starting at verse 1, down to 6. 00:00:43.859 --> 00:00:50.119 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life as clear as crystal, flowing from the 00:00:50.119 --> 00:00:55.519 throne of God and of the Lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city. On each 00:00:55.520 --> 00:01:01.140 side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit 00:01:01.140 --> 00:01:06.740 every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer 00:01:06.740 --> 00:01:12.600 will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his 00:01:12.600 --> 00:01:17.640 servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 00:01:18.140 --> 00:01:22.140 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the 00:01:22.140 --> 00:01:28.159 sun, for the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever. The 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:34.140 angel said to me, These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of 00:01:34.140 --> 00:01:39.700 the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place. 00:01:39.700 --> 00:02:00.460 Thanks. And there is a pen or a piece of paper with headings and questions, if that helps 00:02:00.459 --> 00:02:12.519 you. As we look at these great passages, really chapter 21 and chapter 22 cover all one theme, 00:02:13.019 --> 00:02:17.099 but we're just going to be looking at a section of each. 00:02:30.460 --> 00:02:44.800 Okay, well, let's pray. 00:02:48.520 --> 00:02:56.580 Father, we thank you for your many gifts to us, gifts that we have already enjoyed today, 00:02:56.580 --> 00:03:03.320 the gift of friendship, gift of family, being able to talk and share with one another, 00:03:04.600 --> 00:03:14.439 the gift of the Lord Jesus, and the power of your Holy Spirit at work within us. 00:03:15.480 --> 00:03:17.100 We thank you so much. 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:47.079 Lord, we thank you for your time. 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:55.419 that we would live lives full of meaning, of hope and purpose, that we would be the 00:03:55.419 --> 00:04:05.439 answer, not ourselves, but the message we bring to so many who are lost and without hope. 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:12.359 So encourage us all this morning, we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:04:12.360 --> 00:04:12.500 Amen. 00:04:15.180 --> 00:04:21.180 Well, over the last week, we had our annual What Do You Want for Christmas conversation. 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:24.439 I don't know if you have that in your house. We do. 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:27.580 Requests came flooding in. 00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:39.660 PS4, iPhone, 42-inch smart TV, sports gear, food, and that's just Kirsty's wish list. 00:04:39.660 --> 00:04:47.900 By the time we'd finished our conversation, it had turned into a lot of shouting, threats of not getting anything, 00:04:48.700 --> 00:04:54.820 a long explanation from Dad about household budgets and recession, and on and on it went. 00:04:54.819 --> 00:04:58.819 So what do you want for Christmas? 00:04:59.920 --> 00:05:02.099 What's on your wish list? 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:11.319 And I don't mean what gadget do you want, or what new fashion accessory that you're after. 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:16.300 I mean, what do you really long for? 00:05:18.939 --> 00:05:22.300 What's your deepest heart's desire? 00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:32.079 Because I think the things that we desperately want is what everybody wants. 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:37.099 Deep, caring, loving friendships. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:40.240 People who are loyal and faithful. 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:50.219 Relationships that have been broken, but now made new and put right. 00:05:52.599 --> 00:05:58.579 Homes where there is joy and happiness, where there isn't any fighting or arguing. 00:05:58.579 --> 00:06:06.959 Where sickness is healed and all suffering has been removed. 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:15.379 Equality, so that homeless people don't die in the cold. 00:06:16.659 --> 00:06:23.240 Justice, so that guilty people are punished, whatever their political position. 00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:31.180 We want an end to things like wars and famine and natural disasters. 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:40.819 You see, what we really long for, what we really want, is for everything that is broken to be fixed. 00:06:41.780 --> 00:06:43.960 We want a new world. 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:47.620 A world where people are happy and never sad. 00:06:47.860 --> 00:06:50.879 A world where there is peace and not violence. 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:54.879 A world where everyone is satisfied and fulfilled. 00:06:57.399 --> 00:07:00.240 Is that too much of a thing to ask for? 00:07:00.779 --> 00:07:02.759 Is that too much of a wish? 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:07.560 Well, what we all want for Christmas, 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:12.680 these big longings and big desires of our hearts, 00:07:13.040 --> 00:07:17.319 have all been promised by the risen Lord Jesus. 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:22.180 And that's what we have in Revelation chapter 21 and 22. 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:31.399 We're given this spectacular vision to help us see and visualize what has been promised. 00:07:32.459 --> 00:07:39.319 This vision is like a collage of colorful pictures that all flow and mingle together 00:07:39.319 --> 00:07:40.319 to show us. 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:47.199 To show us the beauty and the wonder of a new world under God and what it's going to be like. 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:52.399 So let's have a look at this vision. 00:07:53.240 --> 00:07:55.500 First, a gift is promised. 00:07:56.339 --> 00:07:57.139 A new world. 00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:59.279 Look at verse 1 of chapter 21. 00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:02.500 John, who sees the vision, writes, 00:08:02.619 --> 00:08:08.099 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:14.419 for the first earth and the first heaven had passed away. 00:08:15.939 --> 00:08:18.179 Everything, he says, is going to be changed. 00:08:19.699 --> 00:08:25.519 There's going to be a complete transformation in the world that we know. 00:08:25.519 --> 00:08:31.519 There's a program on television called At Your Service. 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:38.059 It's about two brothers, Francis and John Brennan, who own hotels down in Kerry. 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:43.299 And they offer their services to help small hotels who are struggling, 00:08:44.179 --> 00:08:47.899 near bankruptcy, and need an urgent makeover. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:50.559 And they come into these small hotels. 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:54.480 They change the menus and the catering arrangements. 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:57.279 They change the decor in the lobby. 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:02.960 They refurbish the bedrooms, put on new wallpaper, put in new furniture. 00:09:03.580 --> 00:09:06.340 They change the whole business plan of the hotel. 00:09:06.740 --> 00:09:10.920 They even remove unhealthy and lazy staff. 00:09:12.180 --> 00:09:16.519 The end result is a complete transformation. 00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:20.320 A new order has been put in place. 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:25.120 Well, what these brothers do for a small hotel, 00:09:25.540 --> 00:09:32.560 God is going to do on a cosmic scale for this universe in which we live. 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:33.900 Look at the end of verse 4. 00:09:34.300 --> 00:09:34.780 He says, 00:09:34.920 --> 00:09:39.540 The old order of things has passed away. 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:45.019 He who is seated on the throne, that is, the risen Lord Jesus, said, 00:09:45.659 --> 00:09:49.839 I am making everything new. 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:55.200 It's hard to get our minds around it. 00:09:56.200 --> 00:10:00.000 This world that we live in, made new. 00:10:01.340 --> 00:10:04.160 So what's this new world going to look like? 00:10:04.780 --> 00:10:09.379 Well, in these couple of texts, we have seven pictures, 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:11.600 or I've broken it into seven pictures, 00:10:11.600 --> 00:10:15.120 to help us see what this new world is like. 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:17.560 First, there's the removal of fear. 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:22.340 I wonder what it is that you do fear in life. 00:10:23.019 --> 00:10:24.139 Do you fear people? 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:27.860 Are you afraid of the future? 00:10:29.419 --> 00:10:30.820 Maybe of dying? 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:35.759 Well, in this new world, there is nothing to fear 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:38.759 because all fear has been removed. 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:43.539 Look at the little phrase at the end of verse 1 of chapter 21. 00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:45.819 There's that little phrase that says, 00:10:45.939 --> 00:10:48.240 There was no longer any sea. 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:53.519 Now, when John wrote this in the first century, 00:10:54.179 --> 00:10:57.799 the sea was a sign of threat. 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:03.379 We tend to think of the sea as a place of pleasure and recreation. 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:06.699 But in John's day, there were no yachts, 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:09.219 there were no jet skis flying about the place. 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:13.219 For them, the sea was not a safe place to go out to. 00:11:13.220 --> 00:11:14.300 It was dangerous. 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:17.300 People lost their lives when they went out to sea. 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:22.100 But here the picture is of no more sea. 00:11:22.660 --> 00:11:23.519 Not literally. 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:25.920 It's not that this new world, you're not going to have any sea. 00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:27.000 There will be a sea. 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:29.820 But it's symbolically, he's meaning, 00:11:30.180 --> 00:11:32.560 there is no longer any fear. 00:11:33.660 --> 00:11:35.820 All the fear has been removed. 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:40.139 There is not fear from anyone or anything. 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:43.059 All fear gone. 00:11:43.199 --> 00:11:44.840 That's the kind of world we want. 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:48.080 Second, there's the provision of security. 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:49.360 Verse 2. 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:53.600 I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, 00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:57.819 coming down out of heaven from God. 00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:00.860 Jerusalem, we know, was the capital city, 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:03.559 the centre of power and authority. 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:07.939 This is where the king lived and where the king ruled. 00:12:09.339 --> 00:12:13.239 So it was a place of provision, a place of protection. 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:18.079 People came into the city to escape trouble and hardship. 00:12:18.439 --> 00:12:20.739 They came to the city to find rest. 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:24.139 Well, here we're given a picture that this new world 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:26.779 is going to be like a fortified city. 00:12:27.320 --> 00:12:29.080 Safe and secure. 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:32.340 No threat or danger or harm. 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:35.019 A city of freedom and joy. 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:38.120 A place without worry or concern. 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:43.600 This is the kind of world we all long for. 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:48.700 The third picture that we get is of the presence of God 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:50.340 in this place. 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:51.120 Verse 3. 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:54.920 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 00:12:55.800 --> 00:12:59.220 Now the dwelling of God is with men 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:01.300 and he will live with them. 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:03.240 They will be his people 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:06.480 and God himself will be with them 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:08.160 and be their God. 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:12.600 Now we all enjoy friendships and relationships. 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:17.580 But this is the ultimate relationship that we were made for. 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:19.980 This is why God created us. 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:22.720 That we would be made for him 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:24.440 and to be with him. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:28.259 This is where we are finally satisfied and fulfilled. 00:13:28.700 --> 00:13:31.740 The God who made the universe in all his power. 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:33.460 Who is rich in mercy, 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:34.779 full of justice, 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:36.220 faithful in love, 00:13:36.680 --> 00:13:37.860 gentle and compassionate. 00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:40.740 It tells us that we will be with him. 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:42.040 We will live with him. 00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:44.379 And he will be with us. 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:46.019 We will see him. 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:52.759 It will be like the coming together of a husband and wife 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:55.319 in all its beauty and intimacy. 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:57.120 Look at the end of verse 2 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:59.419 where it talks about the new Jerusalem, 00:13:59.959 --> 00:14:03.219 the city coming down prepared as a bride, 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:06.099 beautifully dressed for her husband. 00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:07.879 This coming together, 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:10.540 this unity with God 00:14:10.540 --> 00:14:11.879 that we will never be separated. 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:15.019 This permanent relationship. 00:14:16.060 --> 00:14:17.500 In this new world, 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:19.519 we will be with God. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:21.639 Get our minds around it 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:23.080 that we will see him 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:24.840 and we will live with him 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:26.000 and talk to him 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:29.159 in ways that we have never known before. 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:31.720 The presence of God. 00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:35.060 And in this place, 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:37.879 there will be the absence 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:39.720 of suffering. 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:40.460 Verse 4. 00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:43.440 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:45.220 There will be no more death 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:46.279 or mourning 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:47.600 or crying 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:48.759 or pain. 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:52.100 Every one of us here 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:53.639 has experienced 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:55.980 some kind of pain and suffering. 00:14:56.580 --> 00:14:58.779 Sometimes it's through our own illness. 00:14:58.779 --> 00:15:00.899 Sometimes it's through the sickness 00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:02.299 of someone we love. 00:15:03.199 --> 00:15:04.259 And it's painful 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:06.000 when somebody suffers 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:07.799 because most of the time 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:09.839 we just can't do anything about it. 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:11.220 We can't fix it. 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:13.019 And sadly, 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:14.699 all suffering 00:15:14.699 --> 00:15:15.879 results 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:17.959 in death. 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:21.019 And none of us like death 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:23.319 because it ends 00:15:23.319 --> 00:15:24.779 everything that is good. 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:26.439 It steals away 00:15:26.439 --> 00:15:27.339 our friends 00:15:27.339 --> 00:15:28.240 and our family. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:29.500 It spoils 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:30.419 and robs us 00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:31.220 of our joy 00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:32.159 and our happiness. 00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:35.580 And when those we love 00:15:35.580 --> 00:15:37.379 closest to us 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:39.460 we grieve 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.639 the heartache 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:41.680 the loneliness 00:15:41.680 --> 00:15:43.340 and it never ever 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:44.960 seems to go away. 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:47.019 But look at the picture here 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:48.019 in verse 4. 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:49.600 In this new world 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:51.279 there is no more suffering. 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:53.299 There is no more death. 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.360 No more hospitals 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:56.019 to visit. 00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:58.799 No more funerals 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:00.019 to attend. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.220 Look at the next picture. 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:07.240 Not only is there 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:08.480 the absence of suffering 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:09.679 but there is 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:11.079 the abundance of life. 00:16:11.199 --> 00:16:12.439 Look at chapter 22 00:16:12.439 --> 00:16:13.279 verse 1. 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:16.779 The angel showed me 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:17.819 the river 00:16:17.819 --> 00:16:19.019 of the water 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:19.699 of life 00:16:19.699 --> 00:16:21.679 as clear as crystal 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:23.360 flowing from the throne 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:23.959 of God 00:16:23.959 --> 00:16:25.059 and of the Lamb 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:26.339 down the middle 00:16:26.339 --> 00:16:27.959 of the great street 00:16:27.959 --> 00:16:29.220 of the city. 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:31.939 Here we have this river 00:16:31.939 --> 00:16:33.980 this water of life. 00:16:34.339 --> 00:16:34.959 It pictures 00:16:34.959 --> 00:16:36.059 the abundance 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:36.819 of life 00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:37.740 that there will be. 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.240 Life itself 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.500 will be flowing 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.980 flowing from the very source 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:43.279 from God's throne 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:44.440 right down 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:45.279 through the city 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:47.000 to the people of God. 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:48.919 A continuous stream 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:50.120 that nourishes 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:50.960 and provides 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:52.059 and sustains 00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:53.340 all things. 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:55.419 We live in a world 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.820 where death 00:16:56.820 --> 00:16:57.519 is at work 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:58.360 where death 00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:59.200 destroys 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:00.519 and disease 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.419 corrupts 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:02.519 but in this 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.379 new world 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.359 there will be 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:04.940 life 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:06.079 and it will change 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:06.980 and transform 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:08.099 everything. 00:17:10.199 --> 00:17:11.699 On each side 00:17:11.699 --> 00:17:13.220 the rest of verse 2 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:14.039 of the river 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:14.559 stood 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:16.359 the tree of life 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:18.699 bearing 12 crops 00:17:18.699 --> 00:17:19.279 of fruit 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.699 yielding its fruit 00:17:20.699 --> 00:17:21.859 every month. 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:25.199 This river of life 00:17:25.199 --> 00:17:26.159 in all its 00:17:26.159 --> 00:17:27.839 bountifulness 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.519 produces 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.960 a tree of life 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:31.259 which is there 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:32.399 for all the people 00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:33.439 to feed from 00:17:33.439 --> 00:17:34.619 and to enjoy 00:17:34.619 --> 00:17:35.179 and notice 00:17:35.179 --> 00:17:35.599 the way 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:36.539 this tree is. 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:37.559 It produces 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.139 fruit 00:17:38.139 --> 00:17:39.379 every month. 00:17:39.739 --> 00:17:40.799 It's never ending 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.679 in its supply 00:17:41.679 --> 00:17:42.299 of goodness. 00:17:42.739 --> 00:17:43.319 It pictures 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:44.179 this abundance 00:17:44.179 --> 00:17:45.019 and plenty 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:45.819 that there will be. 00:17:46.219 --> 00:17:46.919 People in this 00:17:46.919 --> 00:17:47.479 new world 00:17:47.479 --> 00:17:48.799 will never be thirsty. 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:49.959 They will never 00:17:49.959 --> 00:17:50.619 be hungry. 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:52.079 Everything they need 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:53.319 for is provided. 00:17:55.659 --> 00:17:57.359 But more than that 00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:58.259 look at the rest 00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:59.000 of verse 2. 00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:00.859 And the leaves 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:01.599 of the tree 00:18:01.599 --> 00:18:03.619 are for the healing 00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:05.599 of the nations. 00:18:07.679 --> 00:18:08.839 I'm sure you've all 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:10.319 had a nettle sting 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:11.319 at some stage 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:13.819 and you're all told 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:14.459 to get a little 00:18:14.459 --> 00:18:15.199 dock leaf 00:18:15.199 --> 00:18:17.139 rub it on your arm 00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:18.099 until the sting 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:18.839 goes away. 00:18:19.659 --> 00:18:20.219 I don't know 00:18:20.219 --> 00:18:20.939 if it ever did 00:18:20.939 --> 00:18:23.500 but that's what 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:24.459 we were told to do. 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:26.579 Well here we're told 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:28.119 something that is true. 00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:29.839 the leaves 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:30.739 of this tree 00:18:30.739 --> 00:18:32.199 will bring 00:18:32.199 --> 00:18:33.399 full and complete 00:18:33.399 --> 00:18:34.179 healing. 00:18:35.239 --> 00:18:36.239 It's giving us 00:18:36.239 --> 00:18:36.899 a picture 00:18:36.899 --> 00:18:38.339 of what God 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:39.319 is going to do. 00:18:40.199 --> 00:18:41.779 All the emotional 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.599 scars 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:43.779 that people carry. 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:45.459 All the physical 00:18:45.459 --> 00:18:46.079 hurts 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:47.519 from our lives. 00:18:47.899 --> 00:18:48.639 The mental 00:18:48.639 --> 00:18:49.219 wounds. 00:18:49.479 --> 00:18:50.339 The spiritual 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:51.019 pain. 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:52.279 It's all 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:53.199 healed. 00:18:54.419 --> 00:18:55.299 It's all 00:18:55.299 --> 00:18:56.579 rubbed away. 00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:58.339 never to break 00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:58.679 us 00:18:58.679 --> 00:18:59.740 or crush 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:00.119 us 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:00.720 again. 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.079 This is 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:02.720 abundant 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.319 life 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:04.220 renewed 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:05.659 and restored 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:06.740 to what it 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:07.439 should be. 00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:14.059 And I guess 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:15.119 picturing all of 00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:15.720 these things 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.240 together 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:17.720 we're told 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.500 in verse 3 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.379 that the curse 00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:20.439 is lifted. 00:19:21.899 --> 00:19:22.939 No longer 00:19:22.939 --> 00:19:23.980 will there be 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:25.059 any 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:26.079 curse. 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.960 because the 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.740 world that we 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.179 live in 00:19:29.179 --> 00:19:29.599 and that we 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.480 experience 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.159 right now 00:19:31.159 --> 00:19:31.799 is under 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.439 a curse. 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:33.720 That's why 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.619 things break. 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.139 That's why 00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:35.819 relationships 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:37.079 go wrong. 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.139 Because of our 00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:39.079 rebellion against 00:19:39.079 --> 00:19:39.500 God. 00:19:39.619 --> 00:19:40.240 Because of our 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:41.399 sinful actions 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:42.179 and our 00:19:42.179 --> 00:19:43.220 hard hearts. 00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:44.539 Life doesn't 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.299 function the 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:45.899 way it's 00:19:45.899 --> 00:19:46.599 meant to. 00:19:47.439 --> 00:19:47.859 There's a 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:48.559 frustration 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:49.439 about life. 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:50.379 It's damaged 00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:50.980 and broken. 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:51.480 We don't 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.359 enjoy work 00:19:52.359 --> 00:19:52.960 as we should. 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:53.619 We don't 00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:54.299 enjoy the 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:54.879 things around 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:55.420 us as we 00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:56.240 should because 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:56.820 things have 00:19:56.820 --> 00:19:57.620 gone wrong. 00:19:58.260 --> 00:19:58.860 But in this 00:19:58.860 --> 00:19:59.460 new world 00:19:59.460 --> 00:20:00.020 the curse 00:20:00.020 --> 00:20:00.400 has been 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:00.860 lifted. 00:20:01.300 --> 00:20:01.640 It's been 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:02.520 taken away. 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.440 Life is 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.100 given its 00:20:04.100 --> 00:20:05.060 freedom to 00:20:05.060 --> 00:20:05.720 be able to 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.460 flourish. 00:20:07.340 --> 00:20:07.980 Instead of 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.600 death and 00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:09.660 disease there 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:10.040 will be 00:20:10.040 --> 00:20:11.240 beauty and 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:11.840 harmony. 00:20:12.760 --> 00:20:13.260 And in 00:20:13.260 --> 00:20:14.120 this world 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:16.020 we will 00:20:16.020 --> 00:20:17.280 also flourish. 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.360 We will be 00:20:18.360 --> 00:20:19.340 everything that 00:20:19.340 --> 00:20:20.220 God intends 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:20.800 us to be. 00:20:21.040 --> 00:20:21.420 Look at the 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.020 rest of verse 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:22.339 three. 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.400 The throne 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.019 of God 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.379 and of 00:20:24.379 --> 00:20:24.839 the Lamb 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:25.259 will be 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:25.579 in the 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:26.980 city and 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:28.180 his servants 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.339 that's his 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:30.460 people will 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.319 serve him. 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:31.740 They will 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.480 be working. 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:33.440 They will 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.359 see his 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:35.059 face. 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:37.039 Picture that 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.660 looking at 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:39.639 God and 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.539 seeing him 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.440 and his 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.480 name will 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.200 be on their 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.879 foreheads. 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.299 It's like 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.220 your passport, 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.740 your entrance 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:48.160 into the 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:49.180 new world. 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:52.019 God's 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:52.519 residents, 00:20:52.840 --> 00:20:53.700 his people 00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.860 in his 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:55.380 city, 00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:56.160 in his 00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:56.700 kingdom, 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.060 serving their 00:20:58.060 --> 00:20:58.720 good and 00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.720 kind master, 00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:01.080 creating and 00:21:01.080 --> 00:21:01.820 building and 00:21:01.820 --> 00:21:02.460 playing and 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:03.100 doing all 00:21:03.100 --> 00:21:03.440 that we 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.019 ought to be 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.320 doing. 00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:05.279 The chains 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:05.640 of the 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:06.120 curse have 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:07.000 been untied 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:07.759 and the 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.460 freedom of 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.440 life is 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.039 enjoyed. 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:13.799 And look 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.360 at the last 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:15.000 little picture 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:15.620 that we get 00:21:15.620 --> 00:21:16.060 in verse 00:21:16.060 --> 00:21:17.160 five. 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:18.820 there is 00:21:18.820 --> 00:21:19.600 the end 00:21:19.600 --> 00:21:20.840 of all 00:21:20.840 --> 00:21:21.680 evil. 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:24.200 There will 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:25.380 be no 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:25.860 more 00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:26.860 night. 00:21:28.300 --> 00:21:29.000 When it 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.480 says no 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.000 more night 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:30.600 it's like 00:21:30.600 --> 00:21:30.920 what it 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.380 said in 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:32.279 chapter 21 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:33.279 no more 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.040 sea. 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.140 Night 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:35.840 is a 00:21:35.840 --> 00:21:36.279 symbol 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:37.400 of the 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:37.860 evil 00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:38.560 darkness 00:21:38.560 --> 00:21:39.519 that rules 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.400 our world. 00:21:40.800 --> 00:21:41.360 The dark 00:21:41.360 --> 00:21:42.320 forces that 00:21:42.320 --> 00:21:42.980 cause so 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.759 much havoc 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.560 and harm. 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.000 But look 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.320 at verse 00:21:46.320 --> 00:21:46.759 five. 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.460 they will 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.180 not need 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:48.819 the light 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.279 of a 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:49.720 lamp or 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:50.200 the light 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:50.559 of the 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.299 sun for 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:51.900 the Lord 00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:52.700 God will 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.160 give them 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.599 light and 00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:54.940 they will 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:56.079 reign forever 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:57.400 and forever. 00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:58.220 In this 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:58.859 new world 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.319 the light 00:21:59.319 --> 00:21:59.759 of God 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.700 will banish 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.400 the darkness 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.180 of evil. 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:03.839 The work 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:04.180 and the 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:04.720 ways of 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.379 Satan will 00:22:05.379 --> 00:22:06.279 be removed 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.500 never ever 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.480 to influence 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.099 again, 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:09.920 never to 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:11.140 harm again. 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:12.160 Instead of 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:12.640 a world 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:13.059 that is 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:13.920 broken with 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.660 evil and 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.200 all the 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:15.819 violence and 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:16.159 all the 00:22:16.159 --> 00:22:16.679 crime that 00:22:16.679 --> 00:22:17.179 we see 00:22:17.179 --> 00:22:17.599 and read 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.039 about on 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:18.579 our news 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.740 every single 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.119 day, 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:20.700 it will 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.419 be gone. 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.200 No more 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:22.619 sin, 00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:23.439 no more 00:22:23.439 --> 00:22:24.139 temptation, 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.319 no more 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:26.179 bad things. 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:27.939 This new 00:22:27.939 --> 00:22:28.480 world will 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.000 see the 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:30.079 end of 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:31.460 all evil. 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.500 And so 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.220 through these 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:34.980 chapters and 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.519 through these 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:35.919 verses, 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:36.819 we've got 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.939 this amazing 00:22:37.939 --> 00:22:38.939 colourful 00:22:38.939 --> 00:22:40.059 picture of 00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:40.859 the world 00:22:40.859 --> 00:22:41.619 that is 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:42.359 to come. 00:22:43.639 --> 00:22:44.079 Can you 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.779 see what 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.240 is being 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:45.859 promised? 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:47.779 Can you 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.399 see this 00:22:48.399 --> 00:22:49.639 amazing gift 00:22:49.639 --> 00:22:50.339 that is 00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:51.279 being offered? 00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:52.659 The kind 00:22:52.659 --> 00:22:53.259 of world 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:53.679 that we 00:22:53.679 --> 00:22:55.019 all long 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.479 for. 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:57.619 There's not 00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:58.519 one person 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.000 that you 00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.459 know that 00:22:59.459 --> 00:23:00.039 you work 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.699 with or 00:23:00.699 --> 00:23:01.519 live beside 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.879 or socialise 00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:03.519 with who 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.259 wouldn't say, 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:05.759 I don't 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.559 want this. 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:10.059 Everything 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.859 broken 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:12.700 is fixed. 00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:14.240 All that 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.900 is old 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.859 and disordered 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:16.539 will be 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.440 replaced by 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.519 something new 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:19.759 and beautiful. 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:22.000 Verse 6, 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:22.559 the angel 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.359 said to me, 00:23:23.879 --> 00:23:24.900 these words 00:23:24.900 --> 00:23:25.839 are trustworthy 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:27.799 and true. 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:29.019 This is not 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:30.019 make-believe. 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.500 This is not 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.599 Santa Claus. 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:34.039 This is all 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.940 promised by 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:35.720 the true 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.879 and risen 00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:38.579 Lord Jesus. 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.799 So the 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.139 gift 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:44.799 has been 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.399 promised 00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:48.220 and the 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.879 gift is 00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:49.339 offered 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:50.879 a way 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:51.200 in. 00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:53.299 You see, 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:53.899 like every 00:23:53.899 --> 00:23:54.180 gift, 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:54.839 we want to 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:55.279 know how 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:55.659 we can 00:23:55.659 --> 00:23:56.159 have it. 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.920 So let's 00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:58.379 see how 00:23:58.379 --> 00:23:58.899 we can 00:23:58.899 --> 00:23:59.940 get this 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.500 promise. 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:01.680 Have a 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:01.940 look at 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:02.839 chapter 22 00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:03.899 verse 14. 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:06.859 It says, 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.539 blessed are 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.379 those who 00:24:08.379 --> 00:24:09.460 wash 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.720 their robes 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:12.440 that they 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:12.920 may have 00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:13.579 the right 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.440 to the 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.399 tree of 00:24:15.399 --> 00:24:15.839 life 00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:17.180 and may 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.659 go through 00:24:17.659 --> 00:24:18.279 the gates 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:19.460 into the 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:19.819 city. 00:24:20.659 --> 00:24:21.019 You see, 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:21.579 he's telling 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.180 us clearly 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.920 there is a 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:23.920 way into 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.980 this new 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.379 world. 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:26.079 There's a 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.799 way to get 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:27.759 access to 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.299 the tree 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:28.859 of life. 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.539 There's a 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:29.980 way to 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.799 this abundant 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:32.299 fruit and 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:32.920 the leaves 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.600 of healing. 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.360 There's a 00:24:34.360 --> 00:24:35.060 way through 00:24:35.060 --> 00:24:35.660 the gates 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.380 into the 00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:37.220 city where 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:37.600 there is 00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:38.100 no more 00:24:38.100 --> 00:24:38.580 evil, 00:24:38.860 --> 00:24:39.519 suffering or 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:39.960 fear. 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.960 We can 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:41.640 get there. 00:24:42.080 --> 00:24:42.500 How? 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:43.740 Look what it 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.259 says at the 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.700 beginning of 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.360 verse 14. 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.100 Blessed are 00:24:46.100 --> 00:24:46.980 those who 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:48.140 wash their 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:48.920 robes. 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.560 It's telling 00:24:51.560 --> 00:24:52.060 us that we 00:24:52.060 --> 00:24:52.580 need to be 00:24:52.580 --> 00:24:53.600 made clean 00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:54.820 and pure 00:24:54.820 --> 00:24:55.640 so that we 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:56.320 can go into 00:24:56.320 --> 00:24:57.019 the clean 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.080 and pure 00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:58.960 and good 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.519 world. 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:01.599 Go back 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:02.059 to chapter 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:02.779 7 of 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.279 Revelation. 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:03.819 Keep your 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.879 finger there 00:25:04.879 --> 00:25:05.460 in Revelation 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.579 22 but go 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:06.960 back to 00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:07.799 chapter 7. 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:11.399 Here in 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:12.039 an earlier 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:14.619 vision we 00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:15.500 see all 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.759 this huge 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.379 crowd, 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.279 this multitude 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.740 from all 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.639 different kinds 00:25:20.639 --> 00:25:21.299 of nations 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.740 and they're 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.539 all part of 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.099 this new 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:25.799 world and 00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.819 the one who's 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.379 speaking in 00:25:27.379 --> 00:25:27.960 the vision is 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.500 wanting to 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:28.879 know where 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:29.379 they came 00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:29.799 from and 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.139 how they 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:30.799 got to be 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.159 there. 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.159 So we 00:25:32.159 --> 00:25:32.619 pick it up 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.539 in verse 13 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.079 of chapter 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:34.599 7. 00:25:36.639 --> 00:25:37.419 Then one of 00:25:37.419 --> 00:25:37.799 the elders 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.339 asked me, 00:25:38.439 --> 00:25:38.939 these in 00:25:38.939 --> 00:25:40.240 white robes, 00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:41.259 who are they 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:41.720 and where 00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:42.500 did they come 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:42.720 from? 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.519 Like how did 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.119 they get to 00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:44.740 be in here? 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.619 I answered, 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:46.299 sir, you 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:46.700 know. 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:47.740 And he said, 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.799 these are they 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.460 who have come 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.000 out of the 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:51.159 great tribulation. 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:51.980 These are the 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.619 people who've 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:53.279 gone through 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:54.200 this world and 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:54.779 all its 00:25:54.779 --> 00:25:55.319 suffering and 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.019 all the hard 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.500 things. 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:58.119 They have 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:59.279 washed their 00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:01.099 robes and 00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:01.659 made them 00:26:01.659 --> 00:26:03.399 white in 00:26:03.399 --> 00:26:03.819 the blood 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.159 of the 00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:04.480 lamb. 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:08.139 Go back 00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:09.220 to Revelation 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.039 22. 00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:11.679 You see, 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.099 he's telling 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.599 us there that 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.079 we need to 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.500 have our 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.960 robes washed. 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.439 Now it 00:26:16.439 --> 00:26:17.220 sounds messy, 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:17.740 doesn't it, 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.359 to be washing 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:19.119 your clothes 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:20.480 in lamb's 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:20.879 blood? 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.579 But I think 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.099 we know what 00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:23.599 it's saying. 00:26:24.659 --> 00:26:25.200 This is 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.659 picture language. 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.439 It's 00:26:27.439 --> 00:26:28.240 talking about 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.879 the death 00:26:28.879 --> 00:26:29.980 of the 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.659 Lord Jesus 00:26:30.659 --> 00:26:31.819 when Jesus 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.559 the lamb 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.439 died on 00:26:33.439 --> 00:26:33.980 the cross, 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.720 when his 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.539 blood was 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.179 spilt. 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:37.720 It was 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.339 God's 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:39.099 means of 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:40.220 washing away 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:40.740 sin. 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:41.919 It was a 00:26:41.919 --> 00:26:42.419 way to 00:26:42.419 --> 00:26:43.539 clean us 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:43.879 and to 00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:44.279 make us 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.720 right. 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.799 You could 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.379 imagine a 00:26:48.379 --> 00:26:48.960 young man 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:51.839 going to 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:52.220 his 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:53.039 girlfriend's 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.579 house for 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.039 the first 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.559 time, 00:26:55.199 --> 00:26:56.199 to have 00:26:56.199 --> 00:26:56.559 dinner, 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.079 to meet 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:57.839 the parents. 00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.240 Maybe you 00:26:59.240 --> 00:26:59.859 remember that 00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.240 time. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.519 And unless 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:02.899 he was a 00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:03.419 right nut 00:27:03.419 --> 00:27:03.779 job, 00:27:04.899 --> 00:27:05.579 he would 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.339 spend his 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:07.059 time getting 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:08.240 himself washed 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:08.980 and cleaned 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.639 up and 00:27:09.639 --> 00:27:10.539 scrubbed up, 00:27:11.919 --> 00:27:12.659 all the 00:27:12.659 --> 00:27:13.159 dirt and 00:27:13.159 --> 00:27:13.519 grime 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.159 removed, 00:27:15.199 --> 00:27:16.159 all so that 00:27:16.159 --> 00:27:16.699 he would be 00:27:16.699 --> 00:27:17.579 welcomed and 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:19.339 accepted into 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:19.980 the family. 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:22.599 now if we're 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:23.160 going to be 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.860 welcomed and 00:27:23.860 --> 00:27:24.720 accepted into 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.559 God's new 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.720 world, into 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.640 his family, 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.319 into his 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:29.319 kingdom, then 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:29.799 we need to 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.460 be cleaned. 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.059 Not on the 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.900 outside, but 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:34.140 deep on the 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:34.640 inside. 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.299 And this is 00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:37.140 why we come 00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:37.839 to Christ, 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.599 why we come 00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:39.819 to Jesus, to 00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:40.579 find that 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.400 forgiveness, that 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:42.259 cleaning, that 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:43.740 washing away of 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.700 all our sin, 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:45.700 past, present 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:47.019 and future, all 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.740 our guilt and 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.500 shame gone. 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:51.980 blessed, verse 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:53.839 14, are those 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:55.000 who wash their 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:56.059 robes, who've 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:57.099 come to Jesus, 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.339 that they may 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.539 have the right, 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.360 the audacity to 00:28:03.360 --> 00:28:04.440 be able to go 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:05.400 into that new 00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:06.539 world because 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.539 we've come to 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:09.779 Christ, and to 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:10.960 go to the tree 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:12.720 of life, and to 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.819 walk through the 00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.579 gates of that 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.039 city. 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:21.160 But please read 00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:22.220 this carefully. 00:28:23.360 --> 00:28:24.140 Please read 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:25.019 this carefully. 00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:27.880 Because it is 00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:29.019 only those who 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:29.860 come to Jesus, 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:32.160 it is only 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:33.200 those who have 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.180 been washed, 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:37.099 that will have 00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:37.980 access to the 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:39.920 tree and walk 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:40.640 through the city 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:41.099 gates. 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:41.779 Look at verse 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.339 15. 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.140 Outside, 00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:48.160 outside this 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.980 new world, 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:51.800 are the 00:28:51.800 --> 00:28:53.820 dogs, meaning 00:28:53.820 --> 00:28:55.420 the outsiders, 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:55.960 those who 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:57.080 practice magic 00:28:57.080 --> 00:28:58.180 arts, the 00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:59.740 sexually immoral, 00:29:00.040 --> 00:29:01.200 the murderers, 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:02.560 the idolaters, 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.759 and everyone 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:05.279 who loves and 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:05.940 practices 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:07.240 falsehood. 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:10.299 does that 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:11.019 mean that 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:12.380 those who 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:13.099 do enter 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.779 are somehow 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:15.120 better than 00:29:15.120 --> 00:29:15.940 everybody else 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:17.059 or less 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:18.400 sinful than 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:19.500 other people? 00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.299 No, the 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.000 point is we're 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:23.079 all messed up, 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:23.720 we're all 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.720 broken people. 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:27.059 We've all 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:28.339 done these 00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:29.099 things that 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:29.779 are in verse 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.819 15 in one 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.839 way or another, 00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:33.279 not necessarily 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.279 in action, 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.319 but in 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:35.960 thought. 00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:37.819 through our 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.480 minds. 00:29:40.339 --> 00:29:41.160 The only 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:42.220 difference between 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:43.059 the group in 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:44.519 verse 14 and 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.160 the group in 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:46.640 verse 15 is 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.440 that those who 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:47.960 are in verse 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:49.500 14 have seen 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.180 their sin. 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:52.779 They've accepted 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:54.279 responsibility for 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:54.759 it and they 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.579 have come to 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.720 Jesus and they 00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:57.579 have asked and 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:58.440 they have longed 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.259 for that cleaning 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.240 and for that 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:00.680 washing. 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.880 Those who are 00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:04.140 outside have 00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:05.380 refused it and 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:06.460 rejected it. 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:10.740 what a 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.380 difference. 00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:14.839 Unless we 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:15.359 come to 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:16.460 him, we 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.200 do not have 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:18.339 access to the 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:19.180 tree of life. 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.799 We will not 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.660 enter the city 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.180 gates. 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:24.559 And I know 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.420 we know that. 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.660 But many 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:29.519 people don't 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.180 know that. 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:33.279 this wonderful 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:35.600 gift, the 00:30:35.600 --> 00:30:36.360 way that we 00:30:36.360 --> 00:30:37.180 can actually 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:38.180 enter in, 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:40.940 we have 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.560 something to 00:30:41.560 --> 00:30:42.060 say to 00:30:42.060 --> 00:30:42.420 people. 00:30:45.620 --> 00:30:46.360 But not 00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:46.980 only is this 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.860 gift promised 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:49.220 and not only 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.920 is it offered, 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:50.620 it is 00:30:50.620 --> 00:30:51.820 experienced. 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:54.299 Jesus has 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.099 promised us a 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:55.960 wonderful gift 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:57.519 and through 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:59.679 Jesus we 00:30:59.679 --> 00:31:00.500 can enjoy 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.319 that gift. 00:31:02.879 --> 00:31:03.579 But does 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.119 that mean we 00:31:04.119 --> 00:31:04.759 have to wait 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.220 for it? 00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:06.539 We've sung 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.240 about it this 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.919 morning, we've 00:31:07.919 --> 00:31:08.480 thought about it, 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.039 do we have to 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:10.960 wait until we 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:12.000 get to it? 00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:13.839 Well the answer 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:15.119 to that is yes 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:16.200 and no. 00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:17.879 Yes we do 00:31:17.879 --> 00:31:18.720 have to wait, 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:19.579 we do have to 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.240 be patient, 00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.240 because the 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:21.819 new world 00:31:21.819 --> 00:31:22.399 will only 00:31:22.399 --> 00:31:22.960 come when 00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:23.359 the Lord 00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:24.399 Jesus returns 00:31:24.399 --> 00:31:25.139 and puts 00:31:25.139 --> 00:31:25.879 everything right. 00:31:26.139 --> 00:31:26.740 But no, 00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:27.399 we don't 00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:27.919 have to 00:31:27.919 --> 00:31:28.339 wait, 00:31:29.119 --> 00:31:30.039 because that 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:30.779 new life 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.879 has already 00:31:31.879 --> 00:31:33.179 begun in 00:31:33.179 --> 00:31:34.699 Christ now. 00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:36.980 It's not 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:37.539 all in the 00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:37.960 future. 00:31:38.919 --> 00:31:39.659 It begins 00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:40.460 right here, 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:41.220 right now. 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.159 Have a look 00:31:43.159 --> 00:31:44.079 with me please 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:45.399 in 2 00:31:45.399 --> 00:31:45.919 Corinthians 00:31:45.919 --> 00:31:47.059 chapter 5. 00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:49.500 2 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.019 Corinthians 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:51.059 chapter 5. 00:31:54.139 --> 00:31:54.720 In 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.099 Revelation 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:56.039 we're thinking 00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:57.399 of a new 00:31:57.399 --> 00:31:57.940 heaven and 00:31:57.940 --> 00:31:58.259 a new 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:58.579 earth, 00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.299 the old 00:31:59.299 --> 00:32:00.639 order passing 00:32:00.639 --> 00:32:01.000 away, 00:32:01.119 --> 00:32:01.539 a new 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.240 order brought 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:02.460 in, 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:02.940 a new 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.619 creation, 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.539 a new 00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:05.059 world. 00:32:06.659 --> 00:32:07.220 Well look 00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:08.139 what happens 00:32:08.139 --> 00:32:09.440 when we 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:09.919 turn to 00:32:09.919 --> 00:32:10.299 Jesus. 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:11.299 Chapter 5 00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:12.659 verse 17. 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:14.740 Read it, 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:15.659 see what it 00:32:15.659 --> 00:32:16.139 says. 00:32:16.140 --> 00:32:17.380 Therefore, 00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:19.480 if anyone 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:20.660 is in 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.259 Christ, 00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:23.860 they are 00:32:23.860 --> 00:32:24.460 a new 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.240 creation. 00:32:25.940 --> 00:32:26.840 The old 00:32:26.840 --> 00:32:27.780 has gone 00:32:27.780 --> 00:32:28.560 and the 00:32:28.560 --> 00:32:29.020 new 00:32:29.020 --> 00:32:30.180 has come. 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.020 Do you 00:32:33.020 --> 00:32:33.660 see what it's 00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:33.980 saying? 00:32:34.300 --> 00:32:34.920 What God 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.580 is going to 00:32:35.580 --> 00:32:36.340 do on a 00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:37.300 cosmic scale 00:32:37.300 --> 00:32:37.920 to the whole 00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:38.580 world and 00:32:38.580 --> 00:32:39.060 to the whole 00:32:39.060 --> 00:32:39.520 universe, 00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:40.200 what he 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:40.960 will do, 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:42.840 God has 00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:43.940 already done 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.960 and is 00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.980 doing in 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.840 our lives 00:32:46.840 --> 00:32:48.059 right now. 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:49.820 That means 00:32:49.820 --> 00:32:50.460 we don't 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:50.900 have to 00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:51.380 wait for 00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:51.700 it all 00:32:51.700 --> 00:32:52.259 to come. 00:32:52.940 --> 00:32:53.720 The old 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.539 is replaced 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.120 with the 00:32:55.120 --> 00:32:55.480 new. 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.600 We have 00:32:56.600 --> 00:32:57.640 begun a 00:32:57.640 --> 00:32:58.320 new life. 00:32:58.320 --> 00:32:59.320 The old 00:32:59.320 --> 00:33:00.120 life is 00:33:00.120 --> 00:33:00.759 over. 00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:01.580 A new 00:33:01.580 --> 00:33:02.200 life has 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:03.180 begun for 00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:03.680 those who 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:03.980 are in 00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.539 Christ who 00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:04.940 have come 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.420 to him 00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:06.000 and who 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:06.660 have accepted 00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:07.400 his washing 00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:08.300 and his 00:33:08.300 --> 00:33:08.820 cleansing. 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:12.060 We are 00:33:12.060 --> 00:33:13.240 nothing less 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.220 than a 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:14.759 new 00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.600 creation. 00:33:17.620 --> 00:33:18.480 Now that 00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:19.000 doesn't mean 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.960 we experience 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.860 everything now 00:33:20.860 --> 00:33:21.600 that has been 00:33:21.600 --> 00:33:22.080 promised, 00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:22.960 that great 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:23.740 big list of 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.340 pictures that 00:33:24.340 --> 00:33:24.800 we went 00:33:24.800 --> 00:33:25.180 through. 00:33:26.560 --> 00:33:27.740 That will 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:28.500 come to 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:28.900 us. 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:31.040 But it 00:33:31.040 --> 00:33:31.800 also means 00:33:31.800 --> 00:33:32.440 that right 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:33.080 now as 00:33:33.080 --> 00:33:33.960 believers we 00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:34.640 begin to 00:33:34.640 --> 00:33:35.940 taste something 00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:37.080 of what is 00:33:37.080 --> 00:33:37.600 to come. 00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:39.600 The other 00:33:39.600 --> 00:33:40.580 day I 00:33:40.580 --> 00:33:41.720 had literally 00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:43.299 that size 00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:43.900 a piece 00:33:43.900 --> 00:33:45.340 of Christmas 00:33:45.340 --> 00:33:45.820 cake. 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.019 A little 00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:48.019 tiny taste. 00:33:48.980 --> 00:33:49.400 And I 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:50.000 ate it and 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:50.480 I thought 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.779 Christmas is 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.180 coming. 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:53.960 Dinner is 00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:54.320 coming. 00:33:54.880 --> 00:33:55.440 All the 00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:56.000 food that 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.460 we're going 00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:57.200 to enjoy. 00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:57.820 But it 00:33:57.820 --> 00:33:58.279 was just 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:58.799 a taste. 00:33:58.920 --> 00:33:59.460 It reminded 00:33:59.460 --> 00:34:00.460 me of all 00:34:00.460 --> 00:34:01.039 that is to 00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:01.400 come. 00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:03.100 Well because 00:34:03.100 --> 00:34:03.720 we're in 00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:04.259 Christ and 00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:04.820 because we're 00:34:04.820 --> 00:34:05.140 a new 00:34:05.140 --> 00:34:05.620 creation, 00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:06.340 we have 00:34:06.340 --> 00:34:07.080 so much 00:34:07.080 --> 00:34:07.900 now to 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.500 enjoy. 00:34:09.320 --> 00:34:10.139 We can 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.860 enjoy the 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.599 presence of 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:12.000 God. 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:13.159 We do 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:13.639 have a 00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:14.220 relationship 00:34:14.220 --> 00:34:14.760 with our 00:34:14.760 --> 00:34:15.639 Father in 00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:15.960 Heaven. 00:34:16.320 --> 00:34:17.280 The intimacy 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:18.500 of talking 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:19.099 to Him. 00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:20.720 That is 00:34:20.720 --> 00:34:21.099 something 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.700 amazing. 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:23.900 We do 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:24.720 live without 00:34:24.720 --> 00:34:25.700 fear today 00:34:25.700 --> 00:34:26.820 of anyone 00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:27.860 or anything. 00:34:28.300 --> 00:34:28.579 Why? 00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.740 Because God 00:34:29.740 --> 00:34:30.619 is with us. 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.300 The maker 00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:31.900 of this 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:33.000 universe is 00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.860 in us by 00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:34.380 the power 00:34:34.380 --> 00:34:34.679 of His 00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:35.380 Holy Spirit. 00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:36.119 He has 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:36.840 our future 00:34:36.840 --> 00:34:37.680 taken care 00:34:37.680 --> 00:34:37.900 of. 00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:38.780 What is 00:34:38.780 --> 00:34:39.240 there to 00:34:39.240 --> 00:34:39.599 fear? 00:34:44.240 --> 00:34:45.039 And He's 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:45.539 given us 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.140 His Spirit 00:34:46.140 --> 00:34:46.860 to fight 00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:47.519 and overcome 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.079 sin. 00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:48.840 We don't 00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:49.340 have to 00:34:49.340 --> 00:34:49.980 say yes 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:50.559 to sin. 00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:51.360 We don't 00:34:51.360 --> 00:34:52.039 have to 00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:52.500 give in 00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:53.340 to temptation. 00:34:54.700 --> 00:34:55.559 Because He's 00:34:55.559 --> 00:34:56.079 given us 00:34:56.079 --> 00:34:56.760 His power 00:34:56.760 --> 00:34:57.740 to be able 00:34:57.740 --> 00:34:58.400 to fight 00:34:58.400 --> 00:34:58.860 it and to 00:34:58.860 --> 00:34:59.460 do battle 00:34:59.460 --> 00:35:00.260 against it. 00:35:00.260 --> 00:35:01.360 to resist 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:02.080 Satan 00:35:02.080 --> 00:35:03.080 and his 00:35:03.080 --> 00:35:03.800 temptation. 00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:05.900 And 00:35:05.900 --> 00:35:06.460 while we 00:35:06.460 --> 00:35:06.980 may go 00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:07.260 through 00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:07.780 suffering 00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:08.180 but He 00:35:08.180 --> 00:35:08.640 has given 00:35:08.640 --> 00:35:09.120 us the 00:35:09.120 --> 00:35:09.720 strength 00:35:09.720 --> 00:35:10.400 and the 00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:11.080 grace to 00:35:11.080 --> 00:35:11.660 cope with 00:35:11.660 --> 00:35:11.840 it. 00:35:12.060 --> 00:35:12.520 To see 00:35:12.520 --> 00:35:12.900 that it 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:13.520 is God's 00:35:13.520 --> 00:35:13.980 means of 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:14.520 changing 00:35:14.520 --> 00:35:14.960 us and 00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:15.420 equipping 00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.160 us and 00:35:16.160 --> 00:35:16.720 preparing 00:35:16.720 --> 00:35:17.060 us. 00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:17.780 We have 00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:18.560 so much 00:35:18.560 --> 00:35:19.160 now. 00:35:20.520 --> 00:35:21.100 And we 00:35:21.100 --> 00:35:21.840 have eternal 00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:22.760 hope in 00:35:22.760 --> 00:35:23.300 the face 00:35:23.300 --> 00:35:24.020 of death. 00:35:24.660 --> 00:35:25.360 We know 00:35:25.360 --> 00:35:26.040 that when we 00:35:26.040 --> 00:35:26.700 die and when 00:35:26.700 --> 00:35:27.400 we face the 00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:28.180 grave we 00:35:28.179 --> 00:35:28.619 have a 00:35:28.619 --> 00:35:29.980 future beyond. 00:35:31.759 --> 00:35:32.279 And we 00:35:32.279 --> 00:35:33.179 have true 00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:34.399 life, real 00:35:34.399 --> 00:35:35.460 life, meaning 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:36.259 and purpose 00:35:36.259 --> 00:35:37.719 in Jesus 00:35:37.719 --> 00:35:38.339 Christ. 00:35:38.739 --> 00:35:39.279 Yes the 00:35:39.279 --> 00:35:39.960 best is yet 00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:40.460 to come 00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:42.279 but all 00:35:42.279 --> 00:35:42.679 of that 00:35:42.679 --> 00:35:43.940 life has 00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:45.599 begun now 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:46.579 in the 00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:47.039 present. 00:35:47.419 --> 00:35:47.719 Look at 00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:48.419 chapter 5 00:35:48.419 --> 00:35:49.059 verse 17 00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:49.440 again. 00:35:49.899 --> 00:35:50.239 Therefore 00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:51.219 if anyone 00:35:51.219 --> 00:35:51.679 is in 00:35:51.679 --> 00:35:52.779 Christ they 00:35:52.779 --> 00:35:53.339 are a 00:35:53.339 --> 00:35:54.440 new creation. 00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:56.460 The old 00:35:56.460 --> 00:35:57.199 has gone 00:35:57.199 --> 00:35:59.219 and the 00:35:59.219 --> 00:35:59.639 new 00:35:59.639 --> 00:36:00.739 has 00:36:00.739 --> 00:36:01.679 come. 00:36:03.079 --> 00:36:04.159 What a 00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:04.519 gift 00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:05.859 we have 00:36:05.859 --> 00:36:06.419 been given. 00:36:07.480 --> 00:36:08.099 You will 00:36:08.099 --> 00:36:08.980 not find a 00:36:08.980 --> 00:36:09.500 better gift 00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:10.239 than this. 00:36:11.599 --> 00:36:12.539 And what a 00:36:12.539 --> 00:36:12.960 gift 00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:14.439 we can 00:36:14.439 --> 00:36:15.059 give 00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:16.879 to a 00:36:16.879 --> 00:36:17.480 world that 00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:18.299 is desperately 00:36:18.299 --> 00:36:19.059 in need. 00:36:20.219 --> 00:36:21.079 And through 00:36:21.079 --> 00:36:21.719 Jesus 00:36:21.719 --> 00:36:23.439 that gift 00:36:23.439 --> 00:36:24.000 is offered 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:25.719 and that 00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:26.539 gift can be 00:36:26.539 --> 00:36:27.619 experienced 00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:29.119 right now 00:36:29.119 --> 00:36:29.559 today. 00:36:31.320 --> 00:36:32.280 Let's pray. 00:36:32.280 --> 00:36:32.320 Let's pray. 00:36:32.320 --> 00:36:49.820 Father, would 00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:50.539 you please 00:36:50.539 --> 00:36:53.220 forgive us 00:36:53.220 --> 00:36:56.840 for thinking 00:36:56.840 --> 00:36:57.760 at times 00:36:57.760 --> 00:36:58.260 that we 00:36:58.260 --> 00:36:59.220 have nothing 00:36:59.219 --> 00:37:03.379 help us 00:37:03.379 --> 00:37:04.299 to see 00:37:04.299 --> 00:37:05.500 clearly 00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:07.159 the wonderful 00:37:07.159 --> 00:37:07.839 gift that 00:37:07.839 --> 00:37:08.199 you have 00:37:08.199 --> 00:37:08.779 given to 00:37:08.779 --> 00:37:09.299 us through 00:37:09.299 --> 00:37:09.839 your son 00:37:09.839 --> 00:37:10.239 the Lord 00:37:10.239 --> 00:37:10.619 Jesus. 00:37:13.419 --> 00:37:14.099 Thank you 00:37:14.099 --> 00:37:14.439 that we 00:37:14.439 --> 00:37:14.879 have so 00:37:14.879 --> 00:37:15.419 much to 00:37:15.419 --> 00:37:16.099 look forward 00:37:16.099 --> 00:37:16.559 to. 00:37:17.899 --> 00:37:18.619 A new 00:37:18.619 --> 00:37:19.179 heaven and 00:37:19.179 --> 00:37:19.480 a new 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:19.859 earth. 00:37:22.719 --> 00:37:23.399 But we 00:37:23.399 --> 00:37:23.819 thank you 00:37:23.819 --> 00:37:24.239 that that 00:37:24.239 --> 00:37:24.919 life has 00:37:24.919 --> 00:37:25.299 begun 00:37:25.299 --> 00:37:25.779 today. 00:37:25.780 --> 00:37:28.060 and we 00:37:28.060 --> 00:37:28.540 thank you 00:37:28.540 --> 00:37:29.000 that we 00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:29.440 are a 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:29.660 new 00:37:29.660 --> 00:37:30.240 creation. 00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:32.740 We have 00:37:32.740 --> 00:37:33.060 a new 00:37:33.060 --> 00:37:33.480 way to 00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:33.800 live. 00:37:35.240 --> 00:37:35.940 With the 00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:36.580 blessing of 00:37:36.580 --> 00:37:37.220 God upon 00:37:37.220 --> 00:37:37.660 us, the 00:37:37.660 --> 00:37:38.260 power of 00:37:38.260 --> 00:37:38.760 his Holy 00:37:38.760 --> 00:37:41.519 Spirit, a 00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:42.120 relationship 00:37:42.120 --> 00:37:42.640 with our 00:37:42.640 --> 00:37:43.420 Father in 00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:45.600 heaven, the 00:37:45.600 --> 00:37:46.220 right to be 00:37:46.220 --> 00:37:46.860 called your 00:37:46.860 --> 00:37:47.440 children. 00:37:49.740 --> 00:37:50.600 We thank 00:37:50.600 --> 00:37:51.040 you so 00:37:51.040 --> 00:37:51.500 much for 00:37:51.500 --> 00:37:52.080 all that we 00:37:52.080 --> 00:37:52.580 have and 00:37:52.580 --> 00:37:53.080 all that we 00:37:53.080 --> 00:37:54.019 enjoy because 00:37:54.019 --> 00:37:54.440 of you. 00:37:54.440 --> 00:37:56.159 we thank 00:37:56.159 --> 00:37:56.460 you for 00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:57.200 this amazing 00:37:57.200 --> 00:37:57.639 gift. 00:37:59.099 --> 00:37:59.780 And we 00:37:59.780 --> 00:38:00.460 pray, Father, 00:38:00.539 --> 00:38:01.200 as we have 00:38:01.200 --> 00:38:01.880 been praying, 00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:03.519 that you 00:38:03.519 --> 00:38:04.039 would open 00:38:04.039 --> 00:38:04.639 up an 00:38:04.639 --> 00:38:05.539 opportunity 00:38:05.539 --> 00:38:07.320 for each 00:38:07.320 --> 00:38:07.880 one of us 00:38:07.880 --> 00:38:10.420 here to 00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:11.240 be able to 00:38:11.240 --> 00:38:11.800 offer, 00:38:12.599 --> 00:38:13.019 tell, 00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:15.079 or explain 00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:15.960 to someone 00:38:15.960 --> 00:38:18.559 this amazing 00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:20.480 gift that 00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:20.900 we can 00:38:20.900 --> 00:38:21.320 have. 00:38:21.320 --> 00:38:21.380 love. 00:38:22.460 --> 00:38:23.460 We pray 00:38:23.460 --> 00:38:23.940 that we 00:38:23.940 --> 00:38:24.740 will experience 00:38:24.740 --> 00:38:25.460 it more 00:38:25.460 --> 00:38:25.880 and more 00:38:25.880 --> 00:38:26.360 in our 00:38:26.360 --> 00:38:27.120 own lives, 00:38:27.539 --> 00:38:28.100 bring it 00:38:28.100 --> 00:38:28.460 to a 00:38:28.460 --> 00:38:29.420 reality in 00:38:29.420 --> 00:38:29.840 us. 00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:31.800 But we 00:38:31.800 --> 00:38:32.559 pray also 00:38:32.559 --> 00:38:33.340 that many 00:38:33.340 --> 00:38:33.900 others, 00:38:34.920 --> 00:38:35.600 friends and 00:38:35.600 --> 00:38:36.039 family, 00:38:37.300 --> 00:38:37.559 would 00:38:37.559 --> 00:38:38.280 experience 00:38:38.280 --> 00:38:39.180 this gift 00:38:39.180 --> 00:38:39.480 too. 00:38:41.360 --> 00:38:42.220 We ask 00:38:42.220 --> 00:38:42.539 for your 00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:43.059 help in 00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:43.720 doing this. 00:38:44.580 --> 00:38:45.320 In Jesus' 00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:46.140 name we all 00:38:46.140 --> 00:38:46.460 pray. 00:38:47.660 --> 00:38:48.080 Amen.