WEBVTT

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 Good morning, everyone.

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 It's my favorite day of the week

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 because I get to do my favorite thing in the world,

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 which is to worship God,

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 and I get to do it with my favorite people on earth,

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 and that's the church, that's you guys.

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 And it's really good to see some of you guys coming back.

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 We've missed you all.

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 And if you would please turn with me in your Bibles

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 to Revelation chapter eight.

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 If you don't have a Bible, please raise your hand.

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 We'd love to bring one to you.

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 For those of you who are new, my name is Sean,

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 and I'm one of the pastors of Trinity Cambridge Church,

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 and I have the privilege of preaching God's word

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 to you this morning.

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 Let me pray.

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 Revelation is the last book in the Bible,

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 so you can flip to the back and then find it.

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 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word.

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 Heavenly Father,

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 we ask again as we do each week

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 that you would address us from your word,

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 that you would humble us

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 as your people

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 and impress upon us deeply in our hearts

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 your glory,

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 your holiness,

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 your love,

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 your grace,

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 so that our entire lives,

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 all that we think

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 and say and do

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 will be affected and transformed

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 by who you are

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 and what you have done.

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 Meet us now.

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 Open up your word to us

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 so that we might understand,

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 so that it might pierce our hearts.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 If you are able,

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 please stand

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 for the reading of God's word

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 from Revelation 8,

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 chapter 8,

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 verses 1 through 5.

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 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal,

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 there was silence in heaven

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 for about half an hour.

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 Then I saw the seven angels

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 who stand before God

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 and seven trumpets were given to them.

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 And another angel came

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 and stood at the altar

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 with a golden censer.

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 And he was given much incense

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 to offer with the prayers

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 of all the saints

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 on the golden altar

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 before the throne.

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 And the smoke of the incense

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 with the prayers of the saints

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 rose before God

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 from the hand of the angel.

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 Then the angel took the censer

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 and filled it with fire

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 from the altar

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 and threw it on the earth.

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 And there were peals of thunder,

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 rumblings,

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 flashes of lightning,

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 and an earthquake.

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 This is God's holy

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 and authoritative word.

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 You may be seated.

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 If you've been with us

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 through our series in Revelation,

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 we saw earlier in Revelation 6

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 when the fifth seal was opened,

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 we saw under the altar

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 before the throne of God

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 the souls of those

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 who had been slain

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 for the word of God

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 and for the witness

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 they had borne.

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 And they cried out to God

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 with a loud voice,

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 O sovereign Lord,

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 holy and true,

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 how long before you will judge

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 and avenge our blood

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 on those who dwell on the earth?

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 So it was a prayer

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 of the saints

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 who had been martyred

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 and other saints with them

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 who had borne

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 faithful witness to Christ,

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 crying out for vindication

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 and for justice.

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 These ideas of,

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 you know,

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 divine vengeance

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 and martyrdom

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 might seem foreign to us

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 because we enjoy

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 so many freedoms

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 and so many comforts

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 here in the United States.

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 But as I've been saying

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 throughout our series

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 in the book of Revelation,

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 persecution is the norm

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 and not the exception

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 for Christians.

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 And martyrdom

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 has been the reality

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 for many Christians

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 throughout history

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 all over the world.

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 We see already

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 the beginnings of that

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 in the New Testament.

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 Tens of thousands

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 of Christians

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 were killed

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 under the Roman Empire.

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 Genghis Khan

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 massacred 4 million Christians

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 in 1214 AD.

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 Tamerlane,

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 who styled himself

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 the sword of Islam,

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 also killed

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 4 million Christians

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 in 1358.

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 In the late 1800s

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 and early 1900s,

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 1.2 Armenians,

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 most of whom

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 identify as Christians,

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 were killed

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 in the Ottoman Empire.

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 scholars estimate

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 that about 12 million Christians

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 were killed

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 under the Soviet Union,

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 which included

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 106,300 Christian ministers

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 in Russia alone.

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 In addition to killing

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 6 million Jews,

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 the Nazis killed

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 1 million Christians

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 in death camps.

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 Scholars estimate

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 that Christians

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 who died from secular

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 anti-religious violence

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 in the 20th century

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 number over 25 million

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 worldwide,

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 which is more than

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 all previous centuries

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 of Christian martyrs combined.

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 According to Open Door USA,

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 360 million Christians

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 throughout the world

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 today face

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 high levels

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 of persecution

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 and discrimination

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 for their faith.

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 360 million.

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 Last year alone,

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 5,621 Christians

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 were killed

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 for their faith

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 in Jesus Christ.

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 And you've all seen

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 in the news

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 how groups,

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 militant groups

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 like Boko Haram

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 in Nigeria,

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 the Houthis

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 in Yemen,

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 ISIS in Iraq,

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 Syria in Pakistan,

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 and al-Shabaab

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 in Somalia,

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 and the Taliban

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 in Afghanistan

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 have targeted

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 and killed Christians.

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 We don't experience

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 persecution that much

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 here in the U.S.

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 to the same degree,

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 obviously not.

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 But Christians

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 do sometimes

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 get negative publicity

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 because of our religious

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 and ethical convictions.

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 Sometimes churches

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 get protested against

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 and Christian groups

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 get kicked off

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 of college campuses.

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 Not only that,

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 as Christians,

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 we are witnesses

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 daily

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 of how God's

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 holy name

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 instead of being

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 hallowed

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 is blasphemed

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 on the streets

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 and in the workplaces

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 and on TV

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 and all over the internet

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 and of how God's

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 precious gift

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 of body and sex

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 are misused

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 and abused

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 by so many

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 in the world

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 and of how people

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 who are created

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 in the image of God

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 are mistreated

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 and enslaved

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 sometimes even.

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 we see the idolatry

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 of money,

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 of prestige,

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 power,

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 wreak havoc

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 all over the globe.

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 It's no wonder

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 that God's people

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 for thousands of years

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 have been crying out,

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 how long?

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 How long, God?

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 Psalm 7410,

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 how long,

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 oh God,

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 is the foe

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 to scoff?

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 Is the enemy

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 to revile

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 your name forever?

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 Remember?

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 Psalm 119,

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 1984,

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 how long

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 must your servant endure?

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 When will you judge

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 those who persecute me?

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 If you have felt

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 this desperate

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 indignation before,

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 if you have pleaded

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 with God

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 at any point

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 in your life,

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 how long

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 then you have joined

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 the cry of the saints

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 under the altar

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 in Romans,

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 and in Revelation 6,

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 9 to 11,

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 crying out,

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 how long

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 before you will judge

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 and avenge

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 our blood

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 on those

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 who dwell

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 on the earth?

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 But we have not yet

00:07:55.580 --> 00:07:56.120
 in this book

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 seen God's answer

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 to that plea yet.

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 God told them

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 in chapter 6,

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 verse 11,

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 to rest a little longer

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 until the number

00:08:05.220 --> 00:08:06.500
 of their fellow Christians,

00:08:06.900 --> 00:08:07.560
 fellow servants,

00:08:07.700 --> 00:08:08.360
 and their brothers

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 should be complete

00:08:09.280 --> 00:08:10.040
 who are also

00:08:10.040 --> 00:08:10.720
 to be killed

00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:11.819
 as they themselves

00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:12.360
 have been

00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:13.120
 in bearing witness

00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:13.540
 to Jesus.

00:08:14.360 --> 00:08:15.200
 So there's this

00:08:15.200 --> 00:08:16.500
 build up,

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 this crescendo

00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:18.379
 and anticipation

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 of God's

00:08:19.860 --> 00:08:20.920
 great justice

00:08:20.920 --> 00:08:21.580
 right after

00:08:21.580 --> 00:08:22.259
 the fifth seal,

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 and that builds

00:08:23.280 --> 00:08:23.879
 even more

00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:25.259
 with the sixth seal

00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:26.000
 where we see

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 this,

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 the pan-ultimate seal

00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:27.860
 where we see

00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:28.620
 the cosmic

00:08:28.620 --> 00:08:30.640
 just tremblings

00:08:30.640 --> 00:08:31.300
 of the sun

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 and the moon

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 and the stars

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 losing their light

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 and falling

00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:35.879
 from their places,

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 and then

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 that's the moment

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 we ended,

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 chapter 6,

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 and right at that moment

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 that at the top

00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:42.779
 of the crescendo,

00:08:42.899 --> 00:08:43.519
 instead of getting

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 the climax

00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:45.060
 of the seventh seal,

00:08:45.059 --> 00:08:46.500
 we got a cliffhanger.

00:08:48.019 --> 00:08:48.699
 There was a break

00:08:48.699 --> 00:08:49.299
 in the scene,

00:08:49.699 --> 00:08:50.639
 and then we saw

00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:51.279
 the sealing

00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:52.239
 of the saints

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 of God,

00:08:52.619 --> 00:08:53.719
 the 144,000

00:08:53.719 --> 00:08:55.159
 in chapter 7.

00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:57.939
 So that cliffhanger

00:08:57.939 --> 00:08:59.379
 builds suspense

00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:00.519
 and conveys

00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:01.299
 that period

00:09:01.299 --> 00:09:02.000
 of waiting

00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:03.279
 a little longer,

00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:03.919
 God had told

00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:04.719
 his servants,

00:09:05.099 --> 00:09:05.759
 a little longer

00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:06.399
 until I come,

00:09:06.599 --> 00:09:07.159
 then I'll come

00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:08.039
 to vindicate you

00:09:08.039 --> 00:09:08.659
 and to judge

00:09:08.659 --> 00:09:10.679
 the wicked earth.

00:09:11.619 --> 00:09:12.739
 Today in chapter 8,

00:09:12.819 --> 00:09:13.459
 John resumes

00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:14.040
 that scene,

00:09:14.400 --> 00:09:15.280
 he resumes

00:09:15.280 --> 00:09:16.060
 the seven seals

00:09:16.060 --> 00:09:16.560
 of judgments,

00:09:16.780 --> 00:09:17.379
 and we return

00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:18.259
 to the climactic

00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:19.519
 seventh seal.

00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:21.160
 The saints

00:09:21.160 --> 00:09:21.920
 who were resting

00:09:21.920 --> 00:09:22.639
 a little longer

00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:24.000
 need not rest

00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:24.680
 any longer.

00:09:25.280 --> 00:09:25.860
 The wait

00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:26.840
 is finally over,

00:09:27.400 --> 00:09:28.379
 and God has said,

00:09:28.860 --> 00:09:31.200
 enough is enough.

00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:34.300
 All the prayers

00:09:34.300 --> 00:09:34.860
 of the saints

00:09:34.860 --> 00:09:36.180
 throughout the ages

00:09:36.180 --> 00:09:37.259
 for God's name

00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:38.019
 to be hallowed

00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:39.160
 and for people of God

00:09:39.160 --> 00:09:40.060
 to be vindicated,

00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:41.340
 for God's justice

00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:42.340
 to fill the earth,

00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:43.300
 his glory

00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:44.099
 to fill the earth

00:09:44.099 --> 00:09:44.699
 as the waters

00:09:44.699 --> 00:09:45.479
 cover the sea.

00:09:45.719 --> 00:09:46.379
 It's finally

00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:47.299
 being answered

00:09:47.299 --> 00:09:48.859
 in this passage.

00:09:50.059 --> 00:09:50.819
 And we learn

00:09:50.819 --> 00:09:51.559
 from this

00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:52.240
 that the prayers

00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:52.959
 of the saints

00:09:52.959 --> 00:09:54.919
 rouse the Lord God

00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:56.059
 to bring his

00:09:56.059 --> 00:09:56.879
 final judgment

00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:57.659
 upon the earth.

00:09:57.759 --> 00:09:58.500
 That's the main point

00:09:58.500 --> 00:09:59.059
 of this sermon.

00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:00.379
 And I'm going to talk

00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:01.259
 about that in two parts.

00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:01.879
 First, we'll talk

00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:02.639
 about the silence

00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:03.019
 in heaven,

00:10:03.539 --> 00:10:04.199
 and then we'll talk

00:10:04.199 --> 00:10:04.919
 about the prayers

00:10:04.919 --> 00:10:06.059
 of the saints.

00:10:07.719 --> 00:10:08.419
 First, let's look

00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:09.039
 at the silence

00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:09.459
 in heaven,

00:10:10.199 --> 00:10:13.259
 and how that's

00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:14.039
 actually God's

00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:15.039
 satisfying answer

00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:15.819
 to the prayers

00:10:15.819 --> 00:10:16.339
 of his people.

00:10:16.439 --> 00:10:17.279
 It says in verse 1,

00:10:17.939 --> 00:10:18.360
 when the Lamb

00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:19.539
 opened the seventh seal,

00:10:19.699 --> 00:10:20.559
 there was silence

00:10:20.559 --> 00:10:20.899
 in heaven

00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:22.559
 for about half an hour.

00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:24.439
 We know that this

00:10:24.439 --> 00:10:25.000
 is resuming

00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:25.959
 what we saw

00:10:25.959 --> 00:10:26.620
 in chapter 6

00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:27.559
 because it mentions

00:10:27.559 --> 00:10:28.319
 the seal,

00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:29.599
 the seventh seal.

00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:32.500
 And we also know

00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:33.500
 that this continues

00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:34.000
 a theme

00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:35.219
 of the fifth seal

00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:36.160
 because there,

00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:37.340
 the souls of the martyrs

00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:38.240
 under the altar

00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:39.300
 were crying out

00:10:39.300 --> 00:10:39.680
 to God

00:10:39.680 --> 00:10:40.680
 for vengeance,

00:10:40.800 --> 00:10:41.180
 to vengeance

00:10:41.180 --> 00:10:42.960
 of their bloodshed

00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:43.700
 on the earth.

00:10:44.460 --> 00:10:46.500
 So this verse 3, 4

00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:47.120
 also mentioned

00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:48.060
 the same altar.

00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:49.139
 It says,

00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:49.899
 and another angel

00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:50.639
 came and stood

00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:51.620
 at the altar

00:10:51.620 --> 00:10:53.399
 with a golden censer,

00:10:53.460 --> 00:10:53.980
 and he was given

00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:54.620
 much incense

00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:55.040
 to offer

00:10:55.040 --> 00:10:55.680
 with the prayers

00:10:55.680 --> 00:10:56.379
 of all the saints

00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:57.320
 on the golden altar

00:10:57.320 --> 00:10:58.139
 before the throne,

00:10:58.460 --> 00:10:59.120
 and the smoke

00:10:59.120 --> 00:10:59.759
 of the incense

00:10:59.759 --> 00:11:00.440
 with the prayers

00:11:00.440 --> 00:11:00.980
 of the saints

00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:02.000
 rose before God

00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:02.940
 from the hand

00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:03.620
 of the angel.

00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:05.000
 So again,

00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:06.240
 they're connected

00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:07.620
 by the same key words

00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:08.460
 and same themes,

00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:09.960
 and the only altar

00:11:09.960 --> 00:11:10.639
 that has been mentioned

00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:11.279
 up to this point

00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:12.019
 in the book of Revelation

00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.620
 has been that same altar

00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:14.620
 from chapter 6

00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:16.080
 before the throne of God.

00:11:16.820 --> 00:11:17.620
 And so this is not

00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:18.500
 another altar

00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.740
 or the other altar,

00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:20.899
 it is the altar

00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:22.039
 because it's referring

00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:23.179
 to that same one.

00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:24.299
 So we're resuming

00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:24.860
 that scene

00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:25.500
 where the saints

00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:26.440
 were crying out to God

00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:27.159
 and now God

00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:27.960
 is answering

00:11:27.960 --> 00:11:29.120
 that prayer

00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:29.860
 because their prayers

00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:30.940
 have come up to God

00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:31.799
 as a pleasing aroma

00:11:31.799 --> 00:11:32.960
 and incense.

00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:34.740
 But what kind

00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:35.460
 of answer

00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.300
 is this?

00:11:37.560 --> 00:11:38.500
 Silence in heaven.

00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:41.280
 Is that anticlimactic?

00:11:42.700 --> 00:11:43.220
 Isn't that

00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:44.259
 kind of a non-answer?

00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:47.200
 Some people argue

00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:48.280
 that the seventh seal

00:11:48.280 --> 00:11:49.720
 is an empty seal,

00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:51.240
 that it has no content,

00:11:51.820 --> 00:11:52.660
 indicating that God

00:11:52.660 --> 00:11:53.300
 is resting

00:11:53.300 --> 00:11:54.220
 or pausing

00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:54.759
 his judgments.

00:11:55.700 --> 00:11:56.560
 Still others argue

00:11:56.560 --> 00:11:57.400
 that the seventh seal

00:11:57.400 --> 00:11:58.879
 is simply the seven trumpets

00:11:58.879 --> 00:11:59.360
 of judgments

00:11:59.360 --> 00:11:59.879
 that follow,

00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:00.840
 since seven angels

00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:01.899
 receive seven trumpets

00:12:01.899 --> 00:12:02.559
 in verse 2

00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:03.480
 which are then blown

00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:04.679
 in the subsequent chapters

00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:05.939
 and bring further judgment

00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:06.419
 from God.

00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:07.360
 However,

00:12:07.419 --> 00:12:07.820
 I don't think

00:12:07.820 --> 00:12:08.799
 either of those options

00:12:08.799 --> 00:12:10.039
 is quite right.

00:12:10.700 --> 00:12:11.039
 First,

00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:11.519
 I don't think

00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:12.220
 the seventh seal

00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:13.379
 is an empty seal

00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:14.279
 because something

00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:15.200
 does happen

00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:17.080
 in verses 3 to 5.

00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:18.279
 In particular,

00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:19.439
 the smoke of the incense

00:12:19.439 --> 00:12:20.100
 with the prayers

00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:20.559
 of the saints

00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:21.659
 rise up before God

00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:23.179
 and then the angel

00:12:23.179 --> 00:12:24.080
 takes the fire

00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:24.879
 from the altar

00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:26.179
 and then throws it

00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:26.799
 upon the earth

00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:27.620
 which is

00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:28.860
 God's final judgment.

00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:30.840
 I mentioned to you

00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:31.379
 last week

00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:32.060
 that the sealing

00:12:32.060 --> 00:12:32.820
 of God's people

00:12:32.820 --> 00:12:33.720
 on their foreheads

00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:34.460
 in chapter 7

00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:35.100
 is an allusion

00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:36.139
 to Ezekiel 9

00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:37.419
 and when you follow

00:12:37.419 --> 00:12:38.240
 that passage

00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:39.060
 in Ezekiel 9

00:12:39.060 --> 00:12:39.919
 and chapter 10,

00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:41.220
 right after the sealing

00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:41.899
 of God's people,

00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:43.000
 God putting the mark

00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:43.980
 on their foreheads

00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:44.620
 to indicate

00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.519
 that they're protected

00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:47.399
 from his incoming judgments,

00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:49.000
 then again,

00:12:49.300 --> 00:12:50.899
 the angel in Ezekiel 10

00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:52.120
 takes burning coals

00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:53.960
 from the altar

00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:54.820
 that's between

00:12:54.820 --> 00:12:56.240
 the two cherubims

00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.879
 and then throws it

00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.940
 upon the earth,

00:12:59.139 --> 00:12:59.600
 scatters them

00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:00.159
 over the earth.

00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:01.080
 So it's following

00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:01.980
 that same sequence.

00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.419
 So that fire

00:13:03.419 --> 00:13:04.000
 from the altar

00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:05.899
 represents God's judgment.

00:13:06.060 --> 00:13:06.539
 It's the judgment

00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:07.680
 of the seventh seal.

00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:09.139
 Furthermore,

00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:09.779
 when the fire

00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:10.279
 from the altar

00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:11.100
 is thrown on the earth,

00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:12.019
 he says in verse 5

00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:12.519
 that there were

00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:13.639
 peals of thunder,

00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:14.659
 rumblings,

00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:15.860
 and flashes of lightning,

00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:16.860
 and an earthquake.

00:13:17.820 --> 00:13:18.740
 If you're familiar

00:13:18.740 --> 00:13:19.720
 with Old Testament

00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.860
 theophanies,

00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:22.120
 when God appears

00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:22.820
 in power,

00:13:22.820 --> 00:13:23.860
 then you know

00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:24.600
 exactly what

00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:25.020
 the thunder,

00:13:25.160 --> 00:13:25.420
 lightning,

00:13:25.520 --> 00:13:27.260
 and earthquake signify.

00:13:27.940 --> 00:13:28.500
 The heavens

00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:29.580
 and the earth

00:13:29.580 --> 00:13:31.740
 tremble like this

00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:32.960
 when the Lord

00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:34.140
 God Almighty appears.

00:13:34.820 --> 00:13:35.780
 That's what a theophany

00:13:35.780 --> 00:13:36.020
 means,

00:13:36.060 --> 00:13:37.060
 the appearance of God.

00:13:37.320 --> 00:13:38.000
 We saw this

00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:38.420
 when we were

00:13:38.420 --> 00:13:39.300
 in the book of Exodus.

00:13:39.820 --> 00:13:40.940
 In Exodus chapter 19

00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:41.420
 when the Lord

00:13:41.420 --> 00:13:43.080
 descended on Mount Sinai

00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:43.600
 in fire,

00:13:43.680 --> 00:13:44.360
 it says that the whole

00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:45.640
 mountain trembled

00:13:45.640 --> 00:13:46.400
 greatly

00:13:46.400 --> 00:13:47.540
 and that there were

00:13:47.540 --> 00:13:48.220
 thunders

00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:49.400
 and lightnings

00:13:49.400 --> 00:13:50.240
 and a thick cloud

00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:50.700
 on the mountain

00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:51.520
 and a very loud

00:13:51.520 --> 00:13:52.380
 trumpet blast

00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:53.240
 so that all the people

00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.679
 in the camp trembled.

00:13:55.439 --> 00:13:56.360
 When the creator

00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:56.899
 of the heavens

00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:57.480
 and the earth

00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:59.159
 manifests himself

00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:00.480
 in creation,

00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:02.220
 when the author

00:14:02.220 --> 00:14:03.279
 of history

00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.639
 breaks through

00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:05.259
 and enters

00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:05.820
 the pages

00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:06.960
 of history,

00:14:08.439 --> 00:14:08.960
 the heavens

00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:11.059
 tremble,

00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:12.860
 the earth splits,

00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:14.000
 that's what happens.

00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:15.720
 And that's precisely

00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:16.620
 what we see here

00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:18.080
 with the climactic

00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:19.600
 seventh seal.

00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:21.019
 God is here

00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:22.019
 consummating

00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:22.519
 his kingdom.

00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:23.899
 Do you remember

00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:24.659
 what we saw

00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:25.379
 in the very throne

00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:25.860
 of God

00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:26.679
 in chapter 4?

00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:27.939
 What emanated

00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:28.840
 from the throne

00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:29.319
 of God?

00:14:29.659 --> 00:14:30.559
 Revelation 4, 5,

00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.240
 from the throne

00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:32.419
 came flashes

00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:32.980
 of lightning

00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:33.960
 and rumblings

00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:34.639
 and peals

00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.299
 of thunder.

00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:37.340
 Revelation goes

00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:38.240
 through cycles

00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:38.779
 of judgments.

00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:40.480
 There's three series

00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:41.500
 of seven judgments

00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:43.399
 and when each series

00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:43.960
 concludes,

00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:45.019
 in the seventh judgment

00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:46.199
 we always see

00:14:46.199 --> 00:14:47.319
 flashes of lightning,

00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:48.179
 rumblings,

00:14:48.439 --> 00:14:48.939
 and peals

00:14:48.939 --> 00:14:49.480
 of thunder.

00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:50.960
 with the seventh seal

00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:52.120
 and then the seventh trumpet

00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:53.220
 and the seventh bowl.

00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:55.159
 So these are all indicators

00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:55.899
 that tell us

00:14:55.899 --> 00:14:57.360
 that God himself

00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:58.480
 is on the move.

00:14:58.980 --> 00:15:00.120
 That the Lord Almighty

00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.080
 has been roused

00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:02.960
 from his heavenly throne

00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:04.800
 to consummate his kingdom

00:15:04.800 --> 00:15:06.200
 and bring final judgment

00:15:06.200 --> 00:15:07.220
 upon the earth.

00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:08.220
 So it's cycling

00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:10.000
 through these repetitions.

00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:15.220
 There's slightly more detail

00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:15.919
 with each one

00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:16.940
 with the seventh,

00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.080
 from the seventh seal

00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:18.779
 to the seventh trumpet

00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.820
 to the seventh bowl

00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:20.779
 and that shows

00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:21.399
 a progression

00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.759
 and the escalation

00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:23.399
 of God's judgment

00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:24.360
 but they're actually

00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:25.840
 all same pictures,

00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:26.720
 different angles

00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:27.419
 and viewpoints

00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:29.259
 of the final judgment.

00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.779
 How do we know that?

00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.379
 To give you an example,

00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:34.200
 already when the sixth seal

00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:35.039
 was open

00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:36.700
 in Revelation 6, 12 to 14,

00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:38.139
 we saw that the sun

00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:38.879
 became black,

00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:40.360
 the moon became like blood

00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.559
 and the stars of the sky

00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:42.340
 fell to the earth

00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:44.299
 and every mountain

00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:45.320
 and island, it says,

00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.960
 was removed from its place.

00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.240
 But then,

00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:49.240
 that was in chapter 6,

00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:49.860
 but then later

00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:51.179
 in Revelation 8, 12,

00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:52.779
 when the fourth trumpet

00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:53.299
 is blown,

00:15:53.820 --> 00:15:54.559
 it says a third

00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:55.700
 of the sun was struck

00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:57.059
 and a third of the moon

00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:58.399
 and a third of the stars

00:15:58.399 --> 00:15:59.059
 so that a third

00:15:59.059 --> 00:15:59.659
 of their light

00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:00.519
 might be darkened.

00:16:01.559 --> 00:16:02.419
 So if the sun

00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:03.620
 has already turned black

00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.000
 and the moon

00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:05.120
 has already turned into blood

00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:05.899
 and if all the stars

00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:06.480
 have already fallen

00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.100
 from the sky,

00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:08.920
 then how do we darken

00:16:08.920 --> 00:16:09.560
 a third of them?

00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:11.159
 There's no stars left

00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:11.800
 to darken.

00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:13.420
 These events

00:16:13.420 --> 00:16:15.000
 do not occur

00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:15.680
 in linear

00:16:15.680 --> 00:16:17.240
 chronological fashion.

00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:18.300
 Furthermore,

00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.740
 Revelation 16, 32,

00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:20.840
 when the seventh bowl

00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:21.639
 is poured out,

00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.840
 it says that

00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.720
 every island

00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:24.519
 fled away

00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:25.340
 and no mountains

00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:26.120
 were to be moved.

00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:27.460
 But as we saw already

00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:31.100
 in Revelation 6, 12, 14,

00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:33.200
 every mountain and island

00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:33.759
 was removed

00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:34.480
 from its place.

00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.560
 So if there are

00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:36.300
 no more mountains

00:16:36.300 --> 00:16:37.399
 and no more islands,

00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.779
 then how do the islands

00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.720
 fly away

00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:40.519
 and the mountains

00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.480
 fly away again

00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.879
 in Revelation 16, 32?

00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:45.740
 So these were already removed.

00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.220
 So these three sets

00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.580
 of the judgments,

00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:50.779
 the seven seals

00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:51.920
 and the seven trumpets

00:16:51.920 --> 00:16:52.639
 and the seven bowls

00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:54.500
 are not chronological

00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:55.320
 or linear.

00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:56.840
 They repeat a pattern

00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:58.000
 in a cyclical way.

00:16:58.600 --> 00:16:59.940
 They are different viewpoints

00:16:59.940 --> 00:17:01.379
 of the same series

00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:02.120
 of divine judgments

00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:03.120
 throughout the course

00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.579
 of church history.

00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:06.799
 And the seventh

00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.480
 of each of those

00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.819
 is the climactic judgment

00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.339
 of God.

00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.160
 That's why there's

00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:11.079
 the theophany,

00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.000
 the peals of thunder

00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.480
 and the lightning

00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.200
 and the rumblings.

00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:15.039
 So it's like a Russian doll.

00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:15.839
 I mentioned to you this

00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:16.740
 before in our introduction.

00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:17.779
 When you open

00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:18.359
 a Russian doll,

00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.480
 there's another Russian doll

00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:20.759
 that looks exactly like it.

00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:21.400
 You open that one

00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.240
 and there's another one.

00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:23.359
 It's that cycle

00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:24.619
 except the analogy

00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:25.220
 would be perfect

00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.119
 if every time you open

00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:26.779
 the Russian doll,

00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:27.299
 the Russian doll

00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.480
 would actually get bigger

00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.940
 instead of getting smaller

00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.799
 because that's what happens

00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:31.700
 in the book of Revelation.

00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:34.039
 The judgments get more intense.

00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:35.159
 It escalates.

00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:38.839
 And so this is cyclical

00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:40.379
 but there is a progression.

00:17:40.700 --> 00:17:42.079
 It's not an endless cycle

00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:42.759
 like a circle

00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:44.639
 but rather it's like a spiral

00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:45.940
 that does eventually

00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:47.079
 come to an end point.

00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:48.500
 It circles wider

00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.399
 and widen.

00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.859
 It's wide in the beginning

00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:51.819
 but then it circles

00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:53.319
 narrower and narrower

00:17:53.319 --> 00:17:54.379
 as it gets closer

00:17:54.379 --> 00:17:54.919
 to the end

00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:56.000
 and then it reaches

00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.480
 the convergence point

00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:58.779
 when everything comes

00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.720
 to a climax.

00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:01.100
 So it's a spiral.

00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:03.539
 So then Revelation 8,

00:18:03.600 --> 00:18:05.960
 1 to 5 serves narratively

00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:06.799
 as the conclusion

00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.960
 to the seven seals

00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.860
 of judgment

00:18:08.860 --> 00:18:10.120
 but also serves

00:18:10.120 --> 00:18:10.940
 as an introduction

00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:12.440
 to the seven trumpets

00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.360
 of judgment.

00:18:13.860 --> 00:18:15.579
 But the seven seal

00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.500
 is not something

00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.440
 that happens before

00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:18.620
 the seven trumpets

00:18:18.620 --> 00:18:19.259
 and the seven bowls

00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.420
 but rather it represents

00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:21.620
 the last judgment,

00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:22.960
 the great judgment

00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:24.140
 that God promises

00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:24.980
 throughout the scriptures.

00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:27.519
 And that's precisely why

00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:29.680
 there is this ponderous

00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:31.200
 silence in heaven

00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:32.339
 in verse 1.

00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.639
 If you've been following

00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:36.240
 the course of Revelation,

00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:37.960
 the silence is actually shocking

00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:40.200
 because over the last

00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:41.119
 several chapters,

00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:43.379
 we've seen the angelic hosts

00:18:43.379 --> 00:18:44.900
 and the numberless throng

00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:45.740
 of God's people

00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:48.440
 singing endless praises to God.

00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:50.339
 The four living creatures

00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:51.440
 before the throne of God

00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.859
 never cease to say

00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:53.879
 day and night,

00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:55.559
 holy, holy, holy

00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.879
 is the Lord God Almighty

00:18:56.879 --> 00:18:58.279
 who was and is

00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:59.119
 and is to come.

00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.940
 The numberless multitude

00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.879
 from every nation,

00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:03.200
 tribe, people, and tongue,

00:19:03.419 --> 00:19:04.179
 they're crying out,

00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:06.319
 salvation belongs to our God

00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:07.240
 and to the Lamb

00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:09.579
 who sits on the throne.

00:19:09.879 --> 00:19:11.559
 And all the angelic hosts

00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:13.440
 and the 24 elders

00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:14.259
 around the throne

00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.079
 are exclaiming,

00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:17.159
 amen, blessing and glory

00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:18.579
 and wisdom and thanksgiving

00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.960
 and honor and power

00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:21.299
 and might be to our God

00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.000
 forever and ever.

00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:24.799
 So all these praises,

00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.900
 all these singing,

00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:27.079
 endless praises

00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:28.140
 over the last few chapters

00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:29.579
 but then when the seventh seal

00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:30.180
 is opened,

00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:32.160
 there's this dramatic silence.

00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:35.220
 Imagine how unnerving

00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:36.099
 that would have been

00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:37.460
 from John's perspective

00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:39.700
 seeing this prophetic vision.

00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:43.400
 He says it lasts

00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:44.359
 about half an hour.

00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:45.920
 We know that that's not

00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:47.819
 like a precise symbolic number

00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.359
 like the numbers

00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:49.180
 we've seen so far,

00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:51.980
 seven, twelve, 144,000.

00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.640
 This is an approximate number,

00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:54.579
 about half an hour.

00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:57.240
 Most people in our culture,

00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:59.200
 here in the US at least,

00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:00.039
 are uncomfortable

00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:01.339
 with silence, right?

00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:03.039
 You're talking to somebody

00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:03.880
 and if there's silence

00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:05.299
 for like 10 seconds,

00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:06.759
 people start to get

00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:08.180
 a little queasy, right?

00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:12.859
 This is about half an hour.

00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.119
 So imagine,

00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:17.920
 climactic building,

00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.180
 fifth seal,

00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:20.579
 sixth seal,

00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:23.139
 and then God stands up

00:20:23.139 --> 00:20:23.599
 from his throne.

00:20:23.699 --> 00:20:24.659
 It's almost like he's

00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:25.939
 motioning for silence.

00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:30.240
 30 minutes.

00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.519
 What is going on?

00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:39.639
 A survey of scripture passages

00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.740
 that speak of silence

00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.619
 is revealing.

00:20:42.899 --> 00:20:44.059
 Habakkuk 2.20 says,

00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:55.339
 Zephaniah 1.7 is especially relevant

00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:56.799
 because it speaks of silence

00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:58.059
 that precedes the day

00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:59.279
 of the Lord's great judgment.

00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.220
 It says,

00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:02.279
 Be silent before the Lord God,

00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:04.599
 for the day of the Lord is near.

00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.099
 Similarly,

00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:07.359
 Zechariah 2.13 says,

00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:08.639
 Be silent,

00:21:08.639 --> 00:21:10.579
 all flesh before the Lord,

00:21:10.659 --> 00:21:12.839
 for he has roused himself

00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:14.339
 from his holy dwelling.

00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:16.819
 When the king stands,

00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:18.939
 everybody falls silent

00:21:18.939 --> 00:21:20.779
 and looks on in anticipation.

00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.919
 When the living God

00:21:22.919 --> 00:21:24.819
 rouses himself from his throne

00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:26.539
 to execute his final judgment

00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.219
 upon the earth,

00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:30.299
 all of heaven falls silent.

00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:34.579
 I don't recommend

00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:36.659
 that you watch this whole movie

00:21:36.659 --> 00:21:38.680
 because it's really long

00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:41.619
 and it has some unnecessarily

00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:42.879
 explicit scenes in it.

00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:45.119
 But if you look up on YouTube

00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:46.440
 this particular scene

00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:48.799
 when the first atomic bomb

00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.619
 is detonated

00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:52.159
 in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer,

00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:54.519
 it helpfully illustrates

00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:56.220
 the effect of this silence.

00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:59.720
 First, there's this tense countdown,

00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:04.480
 five, four, three, two, one.

00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.360
 And all the while,

00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:07.700
 there's this frenetic buildup

00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:09.039
 of orchestral instruments

00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:10.799
 playing and building tension

00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.380
 and drama.

00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.940
 And then it counts down,

00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:15.220
 finally, to detonation time.

00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:17.059
 And then everybody's waiting

00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:18.420
 with bated breath.

00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:21.059
 But when the bomb finally explodes,

00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:23.160
 instead of a deafening boom,

00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:25.360
 there's an unnerving silence.

00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.779
 You don't hear anything

00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:29.700
 except for maybe the characters

00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.779
 breathing slowly

00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:34.200
 for like a full minute and a half

00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:36.059
 until the shock waves

00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:36.880
 from the explosion

00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:38.840
 come and reach the characters

00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:39.500
 in the movie.

00:22:40.319 --> 00:22:41.940
 It's such a powerful scene

00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:44.380
 because the silence conveys

00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:46.480
 what a large, loud explosion

00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.480
 can never convey.

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:50.759
 Since you can't possibly convey

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:52.660
 the blast of an atomic bomb

00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:54.240
 through the speakers,

00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.259
 no matter how amazing

00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.299
 your subwoofers are,

00:22:57.080 --> 00:22:58.559
 this scene leaves that

00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:59.519
 to your imagination.

00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:02.079
 And instead of conveying

00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:03.059
 the deafening sound,

00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:05.700
 it conveys in that silence

00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:08.000
 the breathtaking awe

00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.480
 of the experience.

00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:12.079
 There's no chattering,

00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.240
 there's no cheering,

00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:15.179
 there's just silent awe

00:23:15.179 --> 00:23:16.200
 as they behold

00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:17.940
 the awesome power

00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:19.279
 of the atomic bomb.

00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:22.420
 That's what we see here

00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:23.519
 in the silence of heaven.

00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:26.639
 Compared to the awesome

00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.779
 power of God

00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:29.819
 when he rouses himself

00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:33.039
 and appears

00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.339
 in his final judgment

00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:36.019
 over his creation,

00:23:37.399 --> 00:23:38.579
 the atomic bomb

00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:40.759
 is like backyard fireworks.

00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:46.200
 So all of heaven

00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:50.519
 waits and beholds God

00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:52.500
 in awestruck silence.

00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.519
 The seventh seal

00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.180
 of God's judgment

00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.160
 is so staggering

00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.980
 that it makes all of heaven

00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.980
 cover their mouths

00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:02.220
 in silence.

00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:05.240
 And that silent awe

00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:07.680
 is actually a defining mark

00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:08.240
 of the Christian.

00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:12.860
 Commenting on Romans 3.19,

00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:13.720
 which speaks of

00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:15.259
 how God's righteous law

00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:16.400
 makes such demands

00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.880
 so that every mouth

00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:18.720
 may be stopped.

00:24:19.340 --> 00:24:20.960
 20th century Welsh pastor

00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:22.240
 D.E. Martin Lloyd-Jones

00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.039
 writes this.

00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:25.840
 Paul now points out

00:24:25.840 --> 00:24:27.220
 that when you realize

00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:27.720
 what the law

00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.759
 is truly saying to you,

00:24:28.820 --> 00:24:29.640
 the result is that

00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.440
 every mouth

00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:31.320
 shall be stopped.

00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:33.380
 You are rendered speechless.

00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:36.040
 You are not a Christian

00:24:36.040 --> 00:24:37.440
 unless you have been

00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.660
 made speechless.

00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.640
 How do you know

00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.180
 whether you are

00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.900
 a Christian or not?

00:24:42.260 --> 00:24:43.280
 It is that you

00:24:43.280 --> 00:24:44.260
 stop talking.

00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:46.660
 The trouble

00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.560
 with the non-Christian

00:24:47.560 --> 00:24:48.480
 is that he goes

00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.220
 on talking.

00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:51.180
 How do you know

00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:51.740
 whether a man

00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.320
 is a Christian?

00:24:52.800 --> 00:24:53.680
 The answer is

00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.500
 that his mouth

00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:55.200
 is shut.

00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.900
 You do not begin

00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.600
 to be a Christian

00:24:57.600 --> 00:24:58.700
 until your mouth

00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.200
 is shut.

00:24:59.300 --> 00:25:00.060
 It's stopped

00:25:00.060 --> 00:25:01.360
 and you are speechless

00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:02.939
 and have nothing

00:25:02.939 --> 00:25:03.559
 to say.

00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.419
 The parable

00:25:08.419 --> 00:25:09.379
 of the Pharisee

00:25:09.379 --> 00:25:10.179
 and the tax collector

00:25:10.179 --> 00:25:10.939
 in Luke 18

00:25:10.939 --> 00:25:12.539
 illustrates the same principle.

00:25:13.639 --> 00:25:14.359
 A Pharisee

00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:15.179
 and a tax collector

00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:16.159
 they together go up.

00:25:16.419 --> 00:25:17.359
 They don't together go up.

00:25:17.419 --> 00:25:18.500
 They independently

00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.619
 go up to the temple

00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.139
 to pray

00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:21.899
 and the Pharisee's

00:25:21.899 --> 00:25:22.839
 words are many.

00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.459
 He says,

00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:24.819
 God,

00:25:24.939 --> 00:25:25.899
 I thank you

00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:26.740
 that I am not like

00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.339
 other men,

00:25:27.459 --> 00:25:28.319
 extortioners

00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:29.139
 and unjust,

00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.019
 adulterers

00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:30.740
 or even like

00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.940
 this tax collector.

00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.819
 I fast twice a week.

00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.059
 I give tithes

00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:37.059
 of all that I get.

00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:39.180
 His words are many.

00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:41.500
 But the tax collector

00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.480
 doesn't even dare

00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.359
 to draw near.

00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:45.299
 He's standing far off

00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:46.500
 and he doesn't even dare

00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.660
 to lift up his eyes

00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.059
 to heaven.

00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.640
 He's looking down

00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.980
 and he's just

00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:52.240
 beating his breast

00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.700
 saying,

00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.220
 God,

00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:55.240
 be merciful to me,

00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.079
 a sinner.

00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.440
 That's all he can

00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.500
 manage to say.

00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:02.720
 His words are few

00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:04.599
 because his heart

00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:05.519
 is not lifted up.

00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:07.740
 And Jesus says

00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:09.059
 that it's the tax collector

00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:10.579
 who humbled himself

00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.980
 and not the Pharisee

00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:13.160
 who exalted himself

00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:15.119
 that goes home

00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:16.420
 justified before God.

00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:20.660
 When we truly understand

00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:22.039
 the gospel of Jesus Christ,

00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.519
 when we really see

00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.619
 the glory of God

00:26:24.619 --> 00:26:25.380
 in the face

00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:26.380
 of Jesus Christ,

00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.880
 it stops our mouths.

00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:29.960
 It stops

00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:31.240
 our blabbering boasts

00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:32.600
 of self-righteousness

00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:33.980
 and self-justification.

00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.380
 It stops

00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.620
 our gabbing bluster

00:26:36.620 --> 00:26:37.780
 of self-importance

00:26:37.780 --> 00:26:39.020
 and self-sufficiency.

00:26:39.600 --> 00:26:40.140
 It stops

00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:40.880
 all the look

00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.900
 at how great I am

00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.320
 and look at

00:26:42.320 --> 00:26:43.320
 all the good things

00:26:43.320 --> 00:26:44.120
 that I've done

00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:44.540
 and look at

00:26:44.540 --> 00:26:45.660
 all my experience

00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:46.180
 and knowledge

00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:46.620
 and look at

00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.360
 all the great things

00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:48.100
 that I will do.

00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:53.179
 The gospel abases us

00:26:53.179 --> 00:26:54.500
 and it humbles us

00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.240
 into silence

00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.740
 that says

00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:57.179
 you must increase,

00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.199
 I must decrease.

00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.659
 You are God

00:27:01.659 --> 00:27:03.519
 and I am not.

00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.559
 Just like Job

00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:10.339
 complaining

00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:11.359
 and groaning to God

00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:12.379
 all throughout the book

00:27:12.379 --> 00:27:13.480
 because of

00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.480
 the calamities

00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.259
 and the disasters

00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.079
 and the diseases

00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:18.019
 that he's been inflicted with

00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:19.679
 but after seeing

00:27:19.679 --> 00:27:20.299
 the glory

00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:21.639
 and the awesome

00:27:21.639 --> 00:27:23.439
 power of God revealed,

00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:26.159
 this is what Job says.

00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.279
 Job 40,

00:27:27.379 --> 00:27:27.779
 verse 4,

00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:28.259
 Behold,

00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.519
 I am

00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.919
 of small account.

00:27:31.659 --> 00:27:33.720
 What shall I answer you?

00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:36.620
 I lay my hand

00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.500
 on my mouth.

00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:46.100
 Research by neuroscientists

00:27:46.100 --> 00:27:47.579
 Tomohiro Ishizu

00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.460
 and Samir Zeki

00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.039
 found that

00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:50.019
 when a person

00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:51.660
 experiences the sublime,

00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.559
 something awesome

00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.299
 and beautiful,

00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:56.400
 that the self-referential

00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:57.339
 regions of the brain,

00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.640
 the regions associated

00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.960
 with self-awareness

00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:01.539
 get deactivated.

00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:07.140
 The more we behold God

00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:08.380
 in his awesome glory,

00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.960
 in his power

00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:11.120
 and beauty,

00:28:11.360 --> 00:28:12.799
 the less we are enamored

00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:13.740
 with ourselves,

00:28:13.839 --> 00:28:15.380
 the less we are preoccupied

00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:16.579
 with ourselves

00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:18.039
 have you experienced

00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:18.860
 that bliss

00:28:18.860 --> 00:28:20.660
 of self-forgetfulness.

00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.480
 Beholding God

00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.000
 in his glory

00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:27.200
 is the only way

00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:28.360
 that we can escape

00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:30.000
 our self-righteousness,

00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:31.440
 self-absorption,

00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:33.500
 and self-centeredness.

00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.720
 When we believe

00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.640
 that God is

00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:38.299
 as big as he really is,

00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:39.440
 then we become small.

00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.620
 How other people

00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:42.440
 perceive us

00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:44.079
 or think about us

00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.860
 or talk about us

00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:45.799
 become insignificant.

00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.860
 The overwhelming

00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:48.640
 circumstances

00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:49.420
 of our lives

00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:50.759
 seem less daunting

00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:52.319
 and the glories

00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:53.059
 and the pleasures

00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:53.779
 of sin

00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:54.960
 that this world offers

00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:56.120
 lose their allure.

00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:59.360
 When is the last time

00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:00.380
 you fell silent

00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:01.220
 before God

00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:02.400
 in awestruck wonder?

00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:07.060
 So the silence,

00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:07.380
 heaven,

00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:08.600
 I think indicates

00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:09.380
 this awe

00:29:09.380 --> 00:29:09.980
 and wonder

00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.759
 before the glory

00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.180
 of God

00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:12.540
 and his awesome judgment

00:29:12.540 --> 00:29:13.400
 of the seventh seal.

00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:14.780
 And the rest

00:29:14.780 --> 00:29:15.200
 of the passage

00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:15.660
 shows us

00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:16.519
 that the last judgment

00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.480
 is God's answer

00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.500
 to the prayers

00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.640
 of the saints.

00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.740
 That's my second point.

00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:22.540
 Verses three to four

00:29:22.540 --> 00:29:23.300
 make the connection

00:29:23.300 --> 00:29:24.480
 between the incense

00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.320
 that's being offered

00:29:25.320 --> 00:29:26.220
 from the altar

00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:27.019
 before the throne of God

00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:27.680
 and the prayers

00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.360
 of the saints.

00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.819
 Follow along with me

00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.159
 as I read.

00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.519
 And another angel

00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.299
 came and stood

00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:32.779
 at the altar

00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:34.019
 with a golden censer

00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.539
 and he was given

00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.299
 much incense

00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:35.919
 to offer

00:29:35.919 --> 00:29:36.899
 with the prayers

00:29:36.899 --> 00:29:37.679
 of all the saints

00:29:37.679 --> 00:29:38.939
 on the golden altar

00:29:38.939 --> 00:29:39.759
 before the throne

00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.779
 and the smoke

00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.500
 of the incense

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.179
 with the prayers

00:29:42.179 --> 00:29:42.719
 of the saints

00:29:42.719 --> 00:29:44.000
 rose before God

00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.679
 from the hand

00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:45.459
 of the angel.

00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.639
 That connection,

00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:49.159
 the incense being offered

00:29:49.159 --> 00:29:50.119
 with the prayers

00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:50.479
 of the saints

00:29:50.479 --> 00:29:51.979
 is made even more explicit

00:29:51.979 --> 00:29:53.500
 in Revelation 5 verse 8.

00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:54.500
 It says that

00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.319
 the 24 elders

00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:56.299
 before God's throne

00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:57.759
 are holding golden bowls

00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.980
 full of incense

00:29:58.980 --> 00:30:01.099
 which are the prayers

00:30:01.099 --> 00:30:01.740
 of the saints.

00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:02.940
 So it equates

00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.660
 the prayers of the saints

00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.519
 with the incense

00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.160
 that's being offered.

00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.720
 And this association

00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.660
 between incense

00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.480
 and prayer

00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.619
 is something that's made

00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.160
 in other parts

00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:10.879
 of scripture as well.

00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:12.779
 Psalm 141 verse 2

00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.819
 says let my prayer

00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:15.140
 be counted as incense

00:30:15.140 --> 00:30:16.059
 before you.

00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.799
 And when Zechariah,

00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:19.000
 John the Baptist's father

00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:20.440
 is doing his priestly duty

00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:21.700
 and offering incense

00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.440
 at the temple

00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:23.599
 at the appointed hour

00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:25.279
 he says in Luke 1,

00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:25.799
 8 to 11

00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.799
 that the whole multitude

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.680
 of the people

00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:28.759
 were praying

00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:30.000
 outside of the hour

00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.680
 of incense.

00:30:32.120 --> 00:30:33.039
 Offering up of incense

00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.680
 time for that

00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.360
 is an off time

00:30:34.360 --> 00:30:35.519
 for offering a prayer.

00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:37.200
 And when Zechariah

00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:38.360
 encounters an angel

00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:39.000
 that appears

00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:40.120
 beside to the right

00:30:40.120 --> 00:30:41.580
 of the altar

00:30:41.580 --> 00:30:43.060
 inside the temple

00:30:43.060 --> 00:30:45.120
 the angel says to him

00:30:45.120 --> 00:30:46.160
 your prayer

00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:47.100
 has been heard.

00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.799
 So Zechariah

00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:49.000
 apparently is also praying

00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:50.180
 as he's offering up

00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:50.840
 incense.

00:30:52.360 --> 00:30:53.759
 The burning of incense

00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.980
 on the golden altar

00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.740
 before the throne

00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:56.680
 is an allusion

00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:58.180
 to the golden altar

00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:58.720
 of incense

00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.920
 in the tabernacle

00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:00.880
 in the tent of God

00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:01.620
 in the Old Testament.

00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:03.319
 The golden altar

00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:04.200
 stood immediately

00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:05.660
 before the tent.

00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.460
 Imagine that tent

00:31:06.460 --> 00:31:08.039
 being the veil

00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.180
 to the holy of holies

00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:10.160
 the most holy place.

00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.599
 It would be

00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:12.400
 the incense

00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:13.120
 the golden altar

00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:13.660
 would be right

00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.440
 in front of it.

00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.779
 It would be gold

00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:17.099
 be square on the top

00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:17.539
 rectangular

00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:18.200
 going down

00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:18.740
 to the bottom

00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.819
 had four horns

00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:21.439
 on each of its corners

00:31:21.439 --> 00:31:23.619
 and that's where

00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:24.899
 a priest had to come

00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:26.399
 and offer up incense

00:31:26.399 --> 00:31:29.299
 two times a day.

00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:32.720
 There would be a censer

00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:34.240
 which is just a vessel

00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:35.740
 for holding the incense

00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.700
 the various spices

00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:38.139
 and then there would be

00:31:38.139 --> 00:31:39.480
 it would be on the altar

00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:40.099
 and then underneath

00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:41.539
 would be some kind of fire

00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.659
 maybe burning coals

00:31:42.659 --> 00:31:43.960
 so that slowly

00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:46.839
 as the spices cook

00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:49.119
 the aroma just wafts

00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:49.919
 into all

00:31:49.919 --> 00:31:51.079
 and fills the entire

00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:52.119
 tabernacle of God.

00:31:52.859 --> 00:31:54.179
 It was a sweet incense

00:31:54.179 --> 00:31:55.939
 it's described as

00:31:55.939 --> 00:31:57.179
 sweet spices

00:31:57.179 --> 00:31:58.720
 stackedi and annika

00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.599
 and galbanum

00:31:59.599 --> 00:32:00.579
 sweet spices

00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:02.119
 with pure frankincense

00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:04.199
 there to make that

00:32:04.199 --> 00:32:05.059
 blend that

00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:05.939
 as by the perfumer

00:32:05.939 --> 00:32:06.919
 seasoned with salt.

00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:08.480
 These are spices

00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.720
 that we're not familiar with

00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:11.299
 but maybe the closest thing

00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:12.059
 that we're familiar with

00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:12.659
 we can imagine

00:32:12.659 --> 00:32:14.339
 is the resinous scent

00:32:14.339 --> 00:32:15.559
 of the pine trees

00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:17.759
 and the cinnamony aroma

00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.720
 of mauled wine

00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:20.200
 and gingerbreads.

00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.879
 Delicious smells

00:32:21.879 --> 00:32:23.599
 amazing smells.

00:32:25.179 --> 00:32:27.220
 And that's what our prayers

00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:29.079
 are like before God.

00:32:31.159 --> 00:32:33.659
 God is not a tired

00:32:33.659 --> 00:32:35.940
 and an exasperated parent

00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:37.759
 that gets annoyed

00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:39.879
 by yet another request

00:32:39.879 --> 00:32:41.399
 for help from his or her child.

00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:45.379
 God never gets tired.

00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:50.940
 He loves to be entreated.

00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:54.879
 Our prayers are sweet

00:32:54.879 --> 00:32:56.059
 incense to God.

00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:58.119
 He delights in them.

00:32:58.619 --> 00:33:00.159
 He welcomes them.

00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:02.559
 He rejoices to answer them

00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:03.379
 and our prayers

00:33:03.379 --> 00:33:04.639
 are never far from God.

00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.259
 They're literally

00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:06.879
 figuratively rather

00:33:06.879 --> 00:33:08.379
 right under God's nose.

00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:09.880
 God's love to be entreated.

00:33:09.880 --> 00:33:10.220
 He is a blessing.

00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:14.340
 This is the privilege

00:33:14.340 --> 00:33:15.880
 that Jesus has won for us.

00:33:16.560 --> 00:33:17.320
 All our prayers

00:33:17.320 --> 00:33:18.120
 go up directly

00:33:18.120 --> 00:33:19.180
 to our heavenly father

00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:21.200
 because we have been united

00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:22.060
 with Jesus Christ

00:33:22.060 --> 00:33:22.640
 through faith.

00:33:23.060 --> 00:33:24.080
 In Old Testament times

00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:24.980
 it's the high priest

00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:25.880
 who had to make atonement

00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:28.600
 on the horns of the altar

00:33:28.600 --> 00:33:32.140
 in the altar of incense

00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:32.900
 once a year.

00:33:33.520 --> 00:33:34.160
 They had to make

00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:34.780
 a sacrifice

00:33:34.780 --> 00:33:35.420
 and they had to take

00:33:35.420 --> 00:33:36.740
 the blood from the sacrifice,

00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.880
 the atoning sacrifice

00:33:37.880 --> 00:33:38.700
 and then daub it

00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:39.480
 on the four corners

00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.720
 of the altar of incense

00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:42.120
 to consecrate it for use.

00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:45.940
 This was a symbolic foreshadowing

00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:47.140
 of the atoning work

00:33:47.140 --> 00:33:47.980
 of Jesus Christ.

00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:50.640
 Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God

00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:51.460
 who takes away

00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:52.420
 the sin of the world

00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:54.880
 and he died on the cross

00:33:54.880 --> 00:33:56.079
 for our sins

00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:57.380
 once and for all

00:33:57.380 --> 00:33:58.640
 and was raised from the dead

00:33:58.640 --> 00:34:00.740
 so that all of us now

00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:02.400
 because of his atonement

00:34:02.400 --> 00:34:03.819
 can have direct access

00:34:03.819 --> 00:34:04.579
 to God the Father

00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:07.019
 and we can pray

00:34:07.019 --> 00:34:08.860
 as much as we want

00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:10.840
 as a pleasing aroma

00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:12.440
 and incense before God.

00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:17.960
 And not only are our prayers

00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:19.059
 pleasing before God,

00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:20.500
 our prayers are powerful

00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:21.960
 because of God.

00:34:22.719 --> 00:34:23.679
 Look at verse five.

00:34:23.799 --> 00:34:25.299
 Then the angel took the censer

00:34:25.299 --> 00:34:26.539
 and filled it with fire

00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:27.420
 from the altar

00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:28.480
 and threw it on the earth

00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:29.840
 and there were peals

00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:30.299
 of thunder,

00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:30.819
 rumblings,

00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:31.699
 flashes of lightning

00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:32.339
 and an earthquake.

00:34:33.239 --> 00:34:34.339
 The prayers of the saints

00:34:34.339 --> 00:34:34.939
 were lifted up

00:34:34.939 --> 00:34:36.759
 on this censer to God

00:34:36.759 --> 00:34:39.500
 and then the same censer

00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:41.259
 takes the fire

00:34:41.259 --> 00:34:42.179
 from the altar

00:34:42.179 --> 00:34:43.639
 and scatters it

00:34:43.639 --> 00:34:44.379
 upon the earth

00:34:44.379 --> 00:34:45.739
 as God's judgment.

00:34:45.899 --> 00:34:47.899
 That's a clear connection

00:34:47.899 --> 00:34:49.079
 between the prayers

00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:49.659
 of the saints

00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:51.000
 and God's final judgment

00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:52.500
 upon the sinful world.

00:34:55.279 --> 00:34:56.359
 I mentioned to you

00:34:56.359 --> 00:34:56.879
 that the peals

00:34:56.879 --> 00:34:57.219
 of thunder,

00:34:57.319 --> 00:34:57.639
 rumblings,

00:34:57.819 --> 00:34:59.019
 that's theophany,

00:34:59.139 --> 00:35:00.539
 God himself appearing.

00:35:00.539 --> 00:35:02.480
 So quite literally,

00:35:02.659 --> 00:35:04.019
 the almighty God

00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:05.440
 rises to action

00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:06.440
 in response

00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:08.239
 to our prayers.

00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:12.719
 This is why

00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:14.420
 19th century English

00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:15.659
 pastor Charles Spurgeon

00:35:15.659 --> 00:35:16.679
 was not wrong

00:35:16.679 --> 00:35:17.480
 when he said,

00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:18.300
 quote,

00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:20.840
 prayer is the slender nerve

00:35:20.840 --> 00:35:21.800
 that moves

00:35:21.800 --> 00:35:23.679
 the muscle of omnipotence.

00:35:26.279 --> 00:35:27.840
 When we pray,

00:35:27.840 --> 00:35:29.840
 you move

00:35:29.840 --> 00:35:31.920
 the muscle

00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:33.200
 of omnipotence.

00:35:34.900 --> 00:35:36.000
 The seventh seal

00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:36.920
 is God's answer

00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:38.220
 to the prayers

00:35:38.220 --> 00:35:38.720
 of the saints

00:35:38.720 --> 00:35:40.120
 crying out for vengeance

00:35:40.120 --> 00:35:41.559
 and vindication.

00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:44.120
 We see this also

00:35:44.120 --> 00:35:45.400
 because in verse 2,

00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:46.519
 the seven angels,

00:35:46.600 --> 00:35:46.860
 it says,

00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:47.820
 the seven angels

00:35:47.820 --> 00:35:48.720
 who stand before God

00:35:48.720 --> 00:35:49.920
 receive the seven trumpets

00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:50.320
 of judgment

00:35:50.320 --> 00:35:51.220
 that will ensue.

00:35:52.160 --> 00:35:53.500
 Who are these seven angels

00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:53.880
 who are before

00:35:53.880 --> 00:35:54.620
 the presence of God?

00:35:54.680 --> 00:35:55.600
 We've seen them before.

00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:57.159
 In chapter 1,

00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:58.559
 chapters 2 and 3,

00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:00.319
 the seven angels

00:36:00.319 --> 00:36:00.960
 who represent

00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:02.000
 the seven churches

00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.599
 of God,

00:36:02.699 --> 00:36:03.679
 who represent them

00:36:03.679 --> 00:36:04.319
 before God

00:36:04.319 --> 00:36:05.119
 at his throne,

00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:06.380
 by his throne.

00:36:07.639 --> 00:36:08.860
 So these seven angels

00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:09.900
 then carrying out

00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:10.619
 the seven judgment

00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:11.380
 of the trumpets,

00:36:11.539 --> 00:36:11.719
 there,

00:36:12.219 --> 00:36:13.559
 it's all happening

00:36:13.559 --> 00:36:14.579
 in response

00:36:14.579 --> 00:36:15.500
 to the prayers

00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:16.279
 of his people.

00:36:16.280 --> 00:36:20.480
 The seven trumpet judgments

00:36:20.480 --> 00:36:21.220
 that will ensue

00:36:21.220 --> 00:36:22.019
 are all modeled

00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:23.320
 after the plagues,

00:36:23.400 --> 00:36:23.960
 the plagues

00:36:23.960 --> 00:36:24.980
 that happened

00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:25.620
 in the Exodus,

00:36:26.160 --> 00:36:26.640
 God's judgment

00:36:26.640 --> 00:36:27.240
 upon Egypt

00:36:27.240 --> 00:36:27.720
 in Exodus,

00:36:28.180 --> 00:36:29.320
 and that also makes

00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:29.760
 the connection

00:36:29.760 --> 00:36:30.540
 between prayer

00:36:30.540 --> 00:36:31.360
 and God's judgment

00:36:31.360 --> 00:36:32.760
 because why did God

00:36:32.760 --> 00:36:34.000
 decide to intervene

00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:35.700
 and deliver his people

00:36:35.700 --> 00:36:36.500
 from their slavery

00:36:36.500 --> 00:36:36.960
 in Egypt?

00:36:38.240 --> 00:36:39.460
 In Exodus 2,

00:36:39.519 --> 00:36:40.040
 it tells us,

00:36:40.080 --> 00:36:41.080
 23 to 25,

00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:43.040
 during those many days,

00:36:43.120 --> 00:36:44.160
 the king of Egypt died

00:36:44.160 --> 00:36:45.019
 and the people of Israel

00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:46.920
 groaned because of their slavery

00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:48.840
 and cried out for help.

00:36:49.280 --> 00:36:50.599
 Their cry for rescue

00:36:50.599 --> 00:36:51.139
 from slavery

00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:52.400
 came up to God

00:36:52.400 --> 00:36:54.039
 and God heard their groaning

00:36:54.039 --> 00:36:55.239
 and God remembered

00:36:55.239 --> 00:36:55.759
 his covenant

00:36:55.759 --> 00:36:56.380
 with Abraham,

00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:57.039
 with Isaac,

00:36:57.139 --> 00:36:57.719
 and with Jacob.

00:36:58.079 --> 00:36:59.460
 God saw the people of Israel

00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:00.599
 and God knew

00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:03.199
 what roused almighty Lord

00:37:03.199 --> 00:37:04.420
 to rouse himself

00:37:04.420 --> 00:37:05.380
 from the throne

00:37:05.380 --> 00:37:07.460
 to rescue his people Israel.

00:37:07.579 --> 00:37:08.619
 It was the prayers

00:37:08.619 --> 00:37:09.400
 of the saints,

00:37:10.099 --> 00:37:11.380
 their cry for help.

00:37:11.719 --> 00:37:13.179
 That's how powerful

00:37:13.179 --> 00:37:14.400
 our prayers are.

00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:17.920
 Do you seek

00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:18.519
 the repentance

00:37:18.519 --> 00:37:19.119
 of sinners?

00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:20.539
 Do you seek

00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:21.239
 the vindication

00:37:21.239 --> 00:37:21.840
 of the righteous?

00:37:22.079 --> 00:37:23.259
 Then we must pray

00:37:23.259 --> 00:37:27.480
 because God has ordained

00:37:27.480 --> 00:37:28.780
 that he will accomplish

00:37:28.780 --> 00:37:30.179
 his sovereign purposes

00:37:30.179 --> 00:37:31.619
 through the prayers

00:37:31.619 --> 00:37:32.719
 of his people.

00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:37.599
 19th century English

00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:38.599
 pastor J.C. Ryle

00:37:38.599 --> 00:37:39.320
 puts it this way,

00:37:40.679 --> 00:37:41.980
 depend upon it,

00:37:42.780 --> 00:37:44.219
 prayer is power.

00:37:44.219 --> 00:37:46.819
 prayer obtains fresh

00:37:46.819 --> 00:37:47.539
 and continued

00:37:47.539 --> 00:37:49.179
 outpourings of the spirit.

00:37:49.179 --> 00:37:50.699
 He alone begins

00:37:50.699 --> 00:37:51.819
 the work of grace

00:37:51.819 --> 00:37:52.719
 in a man's heart.

00:37:53.059 --> 00:37:54.599
 He alone can carry it forward

00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:55.719
 and make it prosper.

00:37:55.959 --> 00:37:57.199
 But the good spirit

00:37:57.199 --> 00:37:58.599
 loves to be entreated.

00:37:59.399 --> 00:38:01.019
 And those who ask most

00:38:01.019 --> 00:38:02.039
 will have most

00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:03.119
 of his influence.

00:38:04.099 --> 00:38:05.639
 Prayer is the surest remedy

00:38:05.639 --> 00:38:06.500
 against the devil

00:38:06.500 --> 00:38:07.759
 and besetting sins.

00:38:08.099 --> 00:38:09.679
 That sin will never stand firm,

00:38:09.779 --> 00:38:11.179
 which is heartily prayed against.

00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:12.859
 That devil will never long

00:38:12.860 --> 00:38:13.940
 keep dominion over us,

00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:15.079
 which we beseech the Lord

00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:16.099
 to cast forth.

00:38:16.460 --> 00:38:18.140
 Do you wish to grow in grace

00:38:18.140 --> 00:38:19.380
 and be a devoted Christian?

00:38:20.180 --> 00:38:22.059
 Be very sure if you wish it.

00:38:22.340 --> 00:38:23.079
 You could not have

00:38:23.079 --> 00:38:24.220
 a more important question

00:38:24.220 --> 00:38:24.780
 than this.

00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:26.280
 Do you pray?

00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:32.320
 In Ephesians 6,

00:38:32.539 --> 00:38:33.579
 Paul commands us

00:38:33.579 --> 00:38:35.280
 to stand firm in the faith

00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:35.840
 and he tells us

00:38:35.840 --> 00:38:36.640
 to stand firm

00:38:36.640 --> 00:38:37.160
 by putting on

00:38:37.160 --> 00:38:38.599
 the whole armor of God.

00:38:38.640 --> 00:38:39.240
 And then he tells us

00:38:39.240 --> 00:38:40.660
 exactly how we're supposed

00:38:40.659 --> 00:38:42.839
 to don this whole armor of God.

00:38:43.359 --> 00:38:44.399
 He says in verse 18,

00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:45.219
 Ephesians 6,

00:38:45.420 --> 00:38:47.279
 praying at all times

00:38:47.279 --> 00:38:47.960
 in the spirit

00:38:47.960 --> 00:38:49.239
 with all prayer

00:38:49.239 --> 00:38:50.000
 and supplication.

00:38:50.139 --> 00:38:51.420
 That's how you stand firm

00:38:51.420 --> 00:38:51.960
 as a believer.

00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:53.559
 That's how you put on

00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:54.239
 the armor of God

00:38:54.239 --> 00:38:54.899
 in prayer.

00:38:58.079 --> 00:38:59.059
 Sometimes I think

00:38:59.059 --> 00:38:59.659
 as Christians,

00:38:59.759 --> 00:39:00.460
 we can act like,

00:39:00.539 --> 00:39:01.319
 you know,

00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:03.000
 lost soldiers

00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:04.639
 stranded in enemy territory

00:39:04.639 --> 00:39:06.019
 and we're besieged

00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:06.739
 by enemies

00:39:06.739 --> 00:39:08.379
 and enemy shots

00:39:08.379 --> 00:39:09.059
 are being fired

00:39:09.059 --> 00:39:10.239
 from all over the place

00:39:10.239 --> 00:39:11.699
 and you look helpless

00:39:11.699 --> 00:39:13.440
 or maybe you don't even realize

00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:14.539
 how bad the situation is

00:39:14.539 --> 00:39:15.059
 and we think

00:39:15.059 --> 00:39:15.679
 that the situation

00:39:15.679 --> 00:39:16.199
 is manageable.

00:39:16.320 --> 00:39:17.299
 We're trying to handle it

00:39:17.299 --> 00:39:17.739
 on our own

00:39:17.739 --> 00:39:18.799
 when all this time

00:39:18.799 --> 00:39:19.639
 we have the radio

00:39:19.639 --> 00:39:20.239
 in the pocket.

00:39:21.719 --> 00:39:23.199
 You could just radio in

00:39:23.199 --> 00:39:24.360
 the headquarters,

00:39:24.799 --> 00:39:25.480
 call the general,

00:39:26.360 --> 00:39:27.279
 send in air support.

00:39:28.000 --> 00:39:28.340
 Boom.

00:39:28.340 --> 00:39:28.400
 Boom.

00:39:28.400 --> 00:39:28.460
 Boom.

00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:28.480
 Boom.

00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:28.500
 Boom.

00:39:28.500 --> 00:39:28.519
 Boom.

00:39:28.519 --> 00:39:28.559
 Boom.

00:39:28.559 --> 00:39:30.500
 Boom.

00:39:30.500 --> 00:39:30.519
 Boom.

00:39:30.519 --> 00:39:32.519
 Boom.

00:39:32.519 --> 00:39:32.539
 Boom.

00:39:32.539 --> 00:39:33.000
 Boom.

00:39:33.000 --> 00:39:33.519
 Boom.

00:39:33.519 --> 00:39:34.519
 Boom.

00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:34.559
 Boom.

00:39:34.559 --> 00:39:35.500
 Boom.

00:39:35.500 --> 00:39:36.519
 Boom.

00:39:36.519 --> 00:39:36.539
 Boom.

00:39:36.539 --> 00:39:37.039
 Boom.

00:39:37.039 --> 00:39:37.539
 Boom.

00:39:37.539 --> 00:39:37.559
 Boom.

00:39:37.559 --> 00:39:38.519
 Boom.

00:39:39.059 --> 00:39:40.059
 Boom.

00:39:40.059 --> 00:39:41.059
 Boom.

00:39:41.059 --> 00:39:41.699
 Boom.

00:39:41.699 --> 00:39:42.099
 When you pray

00:39:42.099 --> 00:39:43.599
 in accordance with God's will,

00:39:43.599 --> 00:39:44.279
 when you pray

00:39:44.279 --> 00:39:45.519
 the things he asks,

00:39:45.739 --> 00:39:46.719
 he commands us to pray,

00:39:48.000 --> 00:39:49.059
 God never says no

00:39:49.059 --> 00:39:49.659
 to your prayers.

00:39:53.980 --> 00:39:55.239
 He might say wait,

00:39:56.039 --> 00:39:57.299
 but he never says no

00:39:57.299 --> 00:39:59.000
 if you pray

00:39:59.000 --> 00:40:00.079
 in accordance with God's will.

00:40:00.079 --> 00:40:09.380
 There are many great things

00:40:09.380 --> 00:40:10.860
 that all of you guys

00:40:10.860 --> 00:40:11.500
 as church members

00:40:11.500 --> 00:40:12.199
 can do

00:40:12.199 --> 00:40:13.659
 to serve God

00:40:13.659 --> 00:40:14.840
 and to build up our church,

00:40:15.360 --> 00:40:16.519
 but none of them

00:40:16.519 --> 00:40:17.319
 is more important

00:40:17.319 --> 00:40:18.119
 than prayer

00:40:18.119 --> 00:40:19.159
 and the ministry

00:40:19.159 --> 00:40:19.659
 of the word.

00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:23.000
 As John Piper

00:40:23.000 --> 00:40:23.799
 writes in his book

00:40:23.799 --> 00:40:24.400
 for pastors,

00:40:24.599 --> 00:40:24.799
 brothers,

00:40:24.940 --> 00:40:25.739
 we are not professionals.

00:40:26.079 --> 00:40:26.139
 Quote,

00:40:26.199 --> 00:40:27.119
 most interruptions

00:40:27.119 --> 00:40:28.319
 and most of our busyness

00:40:28.320 --> 00:40:29.900
 are ministry related,

00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:30.780
 not worldly.

00:40:31.500 --> 00:40:32.460
 The great threat

00:40:32.460 --> 00:40:33.200
 to our prayer

00:40:33.200 --> 00:40:33.920
 and our meditation

00:40:33.920 --> 00:40:34.840
 on the word of God

00:40:34.840 --> 00:40:37.120
 is good ministry activity.

00:40:38.280 --> 00:40:39.280
 This is so true.

00:40:41.620 --> 00:40:42.580
 Most of the weeks

00:40:42.580 --> 00:40:43.320
 when my prayers

00:40:43.320 --> 00:40:43.880
 are shortened

00:40:43.880 --> 00:40:44.760
 or interrupted,

00:40:45.160 --> 00:40:45.860
 it's not because

00:40:45.860 --> 00:40:47.720
 of some grave sin.

00:40:47.840 --> 00:40:48.559
 It's just because

00:40:48.559 --> 00:40:49.920
 of good ministry activity.

00:40:49.920 --> 00:40:54.639
 The same can be true

00:40:54.639 --> 00:40:55.059
 for you.

00:40:56.760 --> 00:40:57.559
 If you offer

00:40:57.559 --> 00:40:58.480
 to serve the church,

00:40:58.559 --> 00:40:59.420
 if you told me,

00:40:59.960 --> 00:41:00.079
 hey,

00:41:00.139 --> 00:41:01.019
 can I serve the church

00:41:01.019 --> 00:41:02.300
 two hours less this week

00:41:02.300 --> 00:41:03.720
 so that I can pray

00:41:03.720 --> 00:41:04.260
 for the church

00:41:04.260 --> 00:41:05.059
 two hours more,

00:41:05.440 --> 00:41:07.119
 I will take that trade

00:41:07.119 --> 00:41:08.260
 any day of the week.

00:41:14.180 --> 00:41:14.820
 Let me give you

00:41:14.820 --> 00:41:15.960
 some practical suggestions

00:41:15.960 --> 00:41:17.099
 that can help you grow

00:41:17.099 --> 00:41:17.760
 in your prayer life.

00:41:17.840 --> 00:41:18.039
 First,

00:41:18.159 --> 00:41:19.039
 today is New Year's Eve,

00:41:19.039 --> 00:41:20.119
 so I know many of you

00:41:20.119 --> 00:41:20.539
 are going to make

00:41:20.539 --> 00:41:21.400
 New Year's resolutions.

00:41:23.300 --> 00:41:24.159
 Set a time

00:41:24.159 --> 00:41:25.119
 and place for prayer.

00:41:26.840 --> 00:41:28.440
 Mark 1.35 says,

00:41:28.679 --> 00:41:29.559
 rising very early

00:41:29.559 --> 00:41:29.940
 in the morning

00:41:29.940 --> 00:41:30.840
 while it was still dark,

00:41:30.960 --> 00:41:31.619
 Jesus departed

00:41:31.619 --> 00:41:32.059
 and went out

00:41:32.059 --> 00:41:32.880
 to a desolate place

00:41:32.880 --> 00:41:33.639
 and there he prayed.

00:41:34.400 --> 00:41:35.340
 Jesus had a time

00:41:35.340 --> 00:41:36.279
 very early in the morning

00:41:36.279 --> 00:41:37.380
 and he had a place,

00:41:37.559 --> 00:41:38.340
 a desolate place.

00:41:38.980 --> 00:41:39.719
 He set a time

00:41:39.719 --> 00:41:40.159
 and place

00:41:40.159 --> 00:41:40.940
 to go and pray

00:41:40.940 --> 00:41:43.079
 and this was his habit.

00:41:43.820 --> 00:41:44.679
 There are many Christians

00:41:44.679 --> 00:41:45.860
 who know

00:41:45.860 --> 00:41:46.360
 and believe

00:41:46.360 --> 00:41:47.259
 that prayer is important

00:41:47.259 --> 00:41:48.119
 and yet do not pray

00:41:48.119 --> 00:41:48.920
 simply because they

00:41:48.920 --> 00:41:51.099
 haven't put their intentions

00:41:51.099 --> 00:41:51.799
 into practice

00:41:51.799 --> 00:41:53.139
 by choosing a place

00:41:53.139 --> 00:41:54.019
 and a time to pray.

00:41:55.299 --> 00:41:56.239
 A study published

00:41:56.239 --> 00:41:57.059
 in the British Journal

00:41:57.059 --> 00:41:58.380
 of Health Psychology,

00:41:58.460 --> 00:41:59.400
 I feel like I'm quoting

00:41:59.400 --> 00:42:00.359
 a lot of British sources,

00:42:00.519 --> 00:42:01.219
 it's not because you guys

00:42:01.219 --> 00:42:01.559
 are here,

00:42:01.920 --> 00:42:02.239
 the Jenkins,

00:42:02.400 --> 00:42:03.299
 it's just happened

00:42:03.299 --> 00:42:03.859
 that way today.

00:42:04.819 --> 00:42:05.779
 The British Journal

00:42:05.779 --> 00:42:06.519
 of Health Psychology

00:42:06.519 --> 00:42:07.859
 asked the control group

00:42:07.859 --> 00:42:09.619
 to exercise once

00:42:09.619 --> 00:42:10.380
 in the next week

00:42:10.380 --> 00:42:12.920
 and 29% of them exercised.

00:42:12.920 --> 00:42:14.599
 And then they gave

00:42:14.599 --> 00:42:16.039
 experiment group number one

00:42:16.039 --> 00:42:17.119
 detailed information

00:42:17.119 --> 00:42:18.180
 about why exercise

00:42:18.180 --> 00:42:19.360
 is important for your health

00:42:19.360 --> 00:42:20.220
 and then told them

00:42:20.220 --> 00:42:20.980
 to go exercise

00:42:20.980 --> 00:42:22.119
 and that week,

00:42:22.360 --> 00:42:23.099
 that group,

00:42:23.240 --> 00:42:24.840
 39% of them exercised,

00:42:24.920 --> 00:42:25.760
 only 10% more.

00:42:26.700 --> 00:42:28.000
 And then in the last group,

00:42:28.139 --> 00:42:29.760
 experiment group number two,

00:42:29.860 --> 00:42:30.340
 they told them

00:42:30.340 --> 00:42:31.700
 to commit to exercising

00:42:31.700 --> 00:42:32.880
 at a specific place,

00:42:33.099 --> 00:42:34.320
 on a specific day,

00:42:34.440 --> 00:42:35.400
 at a specific time

00:42:35.400 --> 00:42:36.180
 of their choosing

00:42:36.180 --> 00:42:39.320
 and 91% of them exercised.

00:42:39.320 --> 00:42:42.180
 The world,

00:42:42.380 --> 00:42:42.760
 the flesh,

00:42:42.880 --> 00:42:43.420
 and the devil

00:42:43.420 --> 00:42:45.900
 already make it hard enough

00:42:45.900 --> 00:42:46.660
 as it is

00:42:46.660 --> 00:42:47.440
 for us to pray.

00:42:48.000 --> 00:42:48.900
 It's not going

00:42:48.900 --> 00:42:49.760
 to just happen.

00:42:51.480 --> 00:42:52.940
 So make a plan.

00:42:53.580 --> 00:42:54.700
 Find a time and place

00:42:54.700 --> 00:42:55.620
 to pray regularly.

00:42:56.940 --> 00:42:57.340
 Second,

00:42:57.600 --> 00:42:58.300
 start praying

00:42:58.300 --> 00:42:59.120
 through the scriptures.

00:43:00.320 --> 00:43:01.100
 Seminary professor

00:43:01.100 --> 00:43:01.720
 Donald Whitney

00:43:01.720 --> 00:43:02.840
 describes how many Christians

00:43:02.840 --> 00:43:03.940
 feel about prayer

00:43:03.940 --> 00:43:04.420
 in his book,

00:43:04.539 --> 00:43:05.240
 Praying the Bible.

00:43:05.720 --> 00:43:06.100
 He says,

00:43:06.780 --> 00:43:07.700
 when prayer is boring,

00:43:08.000 --> 00:43:09.240
 we don't feel like praying,

00:43:09.320 --> 00:43:10.720
 and we don't feel like praying,

00:43:10.780 --> 00:43:12.200
 it's hard to make ourselves pray.

00:43:12.640 --> 00:43:13.980
 Even five or six minutes

00:43:13.980 --> 00:43:14.840
 of prayer can feel

00:43:14.840 --> 00:43:15.600
 like an eternity.

00:43:16.200 --> 00:43:17.340
 Our mind wanders

00:43:17.340 --> 00:43:18.039
 half the time.

00:43:18.140 --> 00:43:18.780
 We'll suddenly come

00:43:18.780 --> 00:43:19.600
 to ourselves and think,

00:43:19.780 --> 00:43:20.539
 now, where was I?

00:43:20.980 --> 00:43:21.840
 I haven't been thinking

00:43:21.840 --> 00:43:22.559
 of God for the last

00:43:22.559 --> 00:43:23.120
 several minutes.

00:43:23.539 --> 00:43:24.160
 And we'll return

00:43:24.160 --> 00:43:25.059
 to that mental script

00:43:25.059 --> 00:43:25.680
 we've repeated

00:43:25.680 --> 00:43:26.539
 countless times,

00:43:26.680 --> 00:43:27.680
 but almost immediately

00:43:27.680 --> 00:43:28.500
 our minds begin

00:43:28.500 --> 00:43:29.440
 to wander again

00:43:29.440 --> 00:43:30.320
 because we've said

00:43:30.320 --> 00:43:31.500
 the same old things

00:43:31.500 --> 00:43:33.059
 about the same old things

00:43:33.059 --> 00:43:35.200
 so many times.

00:43:37.640 --> 00:43:39.160
 If you can relate to this,

00:43:39.320 --> 00:43:40.059
 then praying

00:43:40.059 --> 00:43:41.000
 through the scriptures

00:43:41.000 --> 00:43:42.620
 verse by verse

00:43:42.620 --> 00:43:43.620
 can help.

00:43:44.280 --> 00:43:45.360
 Because if you don't feel,

00:43:45.740 --> 00:43:46.960
 if we don't fill our minds

00:43:46.960 --> 00:43:47.860
 with the word of God,

00:43:47.920 --> 00:43:48.880
 we're not going to have

00:43:48.880 --> 00:43:49.720
 very many words

00:43:49.720 --> 00:43:50.840
 to say back to God.

00:43:52.720 --> 00:43:54.320
 And this is one way

00:43:54.320 --> 00:43:55.080
 we can guarantee

00:43:55.080 --> 00:43:56.140
 that we are praying

00:43:56.140 --> 00:43:56.940
 in accordance

00:43:56.940 --> 00:43:57.880
 with God's will,

00:43:57.980 --> 00:43:59.360
 a prayer that God guarantees

00:43:59.360 --> 00:44:00.080
 he will answer

00:44:00.080 --> 00:44:01.840
 in 1 John 5, 14 to 15.

00:44:02.300 --> 00:44:03.360
 This is his will.

00:44:03.780 --> 00:44:04.820
 This is the revealed

00:44:04.820 --> 00:44:05.380
 will of God.

00:44:05.559 --> 00:44:06.539
 And you pray this,

00:44:06.620 --> 00:44:07.120
 then you know

00:44:07.120 --> 00:44:07.680
 that your prayer

00:44:07.679 --> 00:44:08.440
 is going to be answered.

00:44:12.079 --> 00:44:12.980
 This is what we do

00:44:12.980 --> 00:44:13.859
 during our midweek

00:44:13.859 --> 00:44:14.679
 prayer services.

00:44:14.839 --> 00:44:15.639
 We always go through

00:44:15.639 --> 00:44:17.440
 a passage of scripture

00:44:17.440 --> 00:44:18.299
 verse by verse

00:44:18.299 --> 00:44:19.359
 and let the word of God

00:44:19.359 --> 00:44:20.819
 then inform our thoughts

00:44:20.819 --> 00:44:22.419
 and our words in prayer.

00:44:23.139 --> 00:44:24.219
 If you do this,

00:44:24.319 --> 00:44:24.859
 then it keeps

00:44:24.859 --> 00:44:25.940
 your prayers fresh

00:44:25.940 --> 00:44:26.500
 because you don't have

00:44:26.500 --> 00:44:27.359
 to repeat yourself

00:44:27.359 --> 00:44:27.919
 tirelessly

00:44:27.919 --> 00:44:28.679
 because we're really

00:44:28.679 --> 00:44:29.480
 not that creative.

00:44:29.480 --> 00:44:32.719
 and you never have

00:44:32.719 --> 00:44:33.500
 a shortage of things

00:44:33.500 --> 00:44:34.119
 to pray for.

00:44:34.539 --> 00:44:35.900
 It deepens our prayers

00:44:35.900 --> 00:44:36.840
 because we can pray

00:44:36.840 --> 00:44:38.719
 more with greater knowledge

00:44:38.719 --> 00:44:39.880
 of what God's will

00:44:39.880 --> 00:44:40.800
 is for us.

00:44:41.440 --> 00:44:42.240
 It helps us,

00:44:42.400 --> 00:44:43.519
 it keeps our mind

00:44:43.519 --> 00:44:44.099
 from wondering.

00:44:44.240 --> 00:44:45.139
 It helps us to pray

00:44:45.139 --> 00:44:45.780
 longer

00:44:45.780 --> 00:44:47.480
 and more concentrated

00:44:47.480 --> 00:44:48.380
 prayers.

00:44:49.719 --> 00:44:50.960
 It also makes our prayers

00:44:50.960 --> 00:44:51.599
 more personal

00:44:51.599 --> 00:44:52.420
 because it makes

00:44:52.420 --> 00:44:53.860
 prayer conversational,

00:44:53.960 --> 00:44:54.099
 right?

00:44:54.099 --> 00:44:55.139
 When you're having

00:44:55.139 --> 00:44:55.639
 a conversation

00:44:55.639 --> 00:44:56.179
 with somebody,

00:44:56.280 --> 00:44:56.900
 you listen to what

00:44:56.900 --> 00:44:57.619
 they say to you

00:44:57.619 --> 00:44:58.920
 and then you process

00:44:58.920 --> 00:44:59.619
 that information

00:44:59.619 --> 00:45:00.839
 and then respond back.

00:45:01.940 --> 00:45:02.699
 When you're praying

00:45:02.699 --> 00:45:03.279
 through the scriptures,

00:45:03.440 --> 00:45:04.059
 you listen to what

00:45:04.059 --> 00:45:04.859
 God has to say

00:45:04.859 --> 00:45:06.480
 and then you process that

00:45:06.480 --> 00:45:07.519
 and then you respond

00:45:07.519 --> 00:45:08.019
 on the basis

00:45:08.019 --> 00:45:08.859
 of what he has just

00:45:08.859 --> 00:45:09.460
 said to you.

00:45:09.960 --> 00:45:11.259
 It becomes a conversation.

00:45:11.420 --> 00:45:12.420
 It becomes more personal

00:45:12.420 --> 00:45:14.279
 and when it becomes

00:45:14.279 --> 00:45:14.799
 more personal,

00:45:14.900 --> 00:45:15.719
 it feels more real.

00:45:16.940 --> 00:45:17.699
 You're not praying

00:45:17.699 --> 00:45:18.380
 in the thin air.

00:45:18.920 --> 00:45:19.900
 You're interacting

00:45:19.900 --> 00:45:20.599
 with a person.

00:45:23.940 --> 00:45:24.339
 Third,

00:45:24.460 --> 00:45:25.079
 keep a list

00:45:25.079 --> 00:45:26.039
 of prayer requests.

00:45:26.259 --> 00:45:27.299
 It's very simple to do.

00:45:27.300 --> 00:45:27.840
 You can do it

00:45:27.840 --> 00:45:28.700
 in any kind of form.

00:45:28.800 --> 00:45:29.740
 I use index cards.

00:45:29.860 --> 00:45:30.480
 You guys can use

00:45:30.480 --> 00:45:31.140
 your journals

00:45:31.140 --> 00:45:31.620
 or whatever.

00:45:32.920 --> 00:45:34.280
 This is what I do

00:45:34.280 --> 00:45:35.060
 but I also know

00:45:35.060 --> 00:45:35.620
 that some of our

00:45:35.620 --> 00:45:36.100
 church members

00:45:36.100 --> 00:45:36.539
 have done this

00:45:36.539 --> 00:45:36.880
 in the past.

00:45:36.940 --> 00:45:37.640
 You can print off

00:45:37.640 --> 00:45:38.560
 the names of our

00:45:38.560 --> 00:45:39.200
 church members

00:45:39.200 --> 00:45:40.019
 which is all

00:45:40.019 --> 00:45:40.880
 accessible online

00:45:40.880 --> 00:45:43.080
 and you could write

00:45:43.080 --> 00:45:43.960
 down next to their

00:45:43.960 --> 00:45:45.500
 names or if you're

00:45:45.500 --> 00:45:46.220
 using an index card

00:45:46.220 --> 00:45:47.300
 behind their names,

00:45:47.620 --> 00:45:48.480
 you could write down

00:45:48.480 --> 00:45:49.260
 their prayer requests,

00:45:49.440 --> 00:45:50.140
 you could write down

00:45:50.140 --> 00:45:51.000
 specific scripture

00:45:51.000 --> 00:45:51.680
 passages that you

00:45:51.680 --> 00:45:52.560
 want to pray for them

00:45:52.560 --> 00:45:53.760
 and just carry that

00:45:53.760 --> 00:45:54.400
 around with you.

00:45:54.400 --> 00:45:58.220
 And you won't run

00:45:58.220 --> 00:45:58.660
 out of things

00:45:58.660 --> 00:45:59.220
 to pray for.

00:46:01.340 --> 00:46:02.420
 You could also use

00:46:02.420 --> 00:46:03.340
 the method we use

00:46:03.340 --> 00:46:04.320
 on Sunday mornings

00:46:04.320 --> 00:46:05.039
 during our prayers

00:46:05.039 --> 00:46:05.519
 to people.

00:46:05.720 --> 00:46:06.440
 Pray in concentric

00:46:06.440 --> 00:46:06.860
 circles.

00:46:07.360 --> 00:46:08.119
 Start with the

00:46:08.119 --> 00:46:08.820
 immediate circle

00:46:08.820 --> 00:46:09.400
 which is you.

00:46:09.559 --> 00:46:10.440
 Start by praying

00:46:10.440 --> 00:46:11.000
 for yourself

00:46:11.000 --> 00:46:11.920
 and then go

00:46:11.920 --> 00:46:12.559
 to a wider

00:46:12.559 --> 00:46:13.340
 concentric circle.

00:46:13.500 --> 00:46:14.360
 Pray for your

00:46:14.360 --> 00:46:14.780
 family.

00:46:15.420 --> 00:46:16.180
 Pray for your

00:46:16.180 --> 00:46:16.639
 church,

00:46:16.900 --> 00:46:17.420
 our church

00:46:17.420 --> 00:46:18.420
 and then a

00:46:18.420 --> 00:46:19.139
 larger concentric

00:46:19.139 --> 00:46:19.280
 school.

00:46:19.360 --> 00:46:19.820
 Pray for your

00:46:19.820 --> 00:46:20.460
 neighborhood and

00:46:20.460 --> 00:46:21.320
 the city and

00:46:21.320 --> 00:46:22.000
 then finally to

00:46:22.000 --> 00:46:22.960
 the nations,

00:46:23.659 --> 00:46:24.519
 the world and

00:46:24.519 --> 00:46:24.980
 the unreached

00:46:24.980 --> 00:46:25.639
 people groups.

00:46:31.639 --> 00:46:32.480
 Fourth practical

00:46:32.480 --> 00:46:33.300
 suggestion is simply

00:46:33.300 --> 00:46:34.039
 pray with other

00:46:34.039 --> 00:46:34.420
 people.

00:46:35.460 --> 00:46:36.220
 This can keep you

00:46:36.220 --> 00:46:37.159
 accountable and help

00:46:37.159 --> 00:46:37.840
 you to pray more.

00:46:39.159 --> 00:46:39.680
 Think about it.

00:46:39.680 --> 00:46:40.320
 Even if you only

00:46:40.320 --> 00:46:41.079
 commit in the New

00:46:41.079 --> 00:46:42.940
 Year's, nothing else

00:46:42.940 --> 00:46:43.659
 but you commit to

00:46:43.659 --> 00:46:44.240
 coming to our

00:46:44.240 --> 00:46:45.820
 midweek prayer once

00:46:45.820 --> 00:46:46.139
 a week.

00:46:47.880 --> 00:46:48.539
 You're going to

00:46:48.539 --> 00:46:50.079
 pray one to two

00:46:50.079 --> 00:46:50.860
 hours more than

00:46:50.860 --> 00:46:52.220
 you do now every

00:46:52.220 --> 00:46:52.740
 single week.

00:46:57.720 --> 00:46:58.619
 That's a start.

00:47:00.139 --> 00:47:01.400
 And finally, start

00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:04.780
 by praying that the

00:47:04.780 --> 00:47:05.400
 Holy Spirit would

00:47:05.400 --> 00:47:06.599
 fill you and help

00:47:06.599 --> 00:47:07.300
 you to pray more.

00:47:09.820 --> 00:47:10.740
 That's the place to

00:47:10.740 --> 00:47:11.000
 start.

00:47:11.260 --> 00:47:11.820
 It could be a

00:47:11.820 --> 00:47:12.980
 10 second prayer.

00:47:13.079 --> 00:47:13.800
 God help me to

00:47:13.800 --> 00:47:14.159
 pray more.

00:47:15.039 --> 00:47:15.820
 God answers that

00:47:15.820 --> 00:47:16.059
 prayer.

00:47:16.340 --> 00:47:16.880
 I've seen him

00:47:16.880 --> 00:47:17.400
 answer that prayer

00:47:17.400 --> 00:47:17.980
 in my life.

00:47:24.980 --> 00:47:26.200
 Because ultimately,

00:47:26.539 --> 00:47:27.300
 it's the work of

00:47:27.300 --> 00:47:28.000
 the Holy Spirit.

00:47:28.920 --> 00:47:29.940
 It's only those who

00:47:29.940 --> 00:47:30.880
 have a big view of

00:47:30.880 --> 00:47:31.700
 God and a small view

00:47:31.700 --> 00:47:33.000
 of themselves who

00:47:33.000 --> 00:47:33.320
 pray.

00:47:34.440 --> 00:47:35.160
 Only those who

00:47:35.160 --> 00:47:36.160
 recognize how needy

00:47:36.160 --> 00:47:37.079
 they are who pray.

00:47:37.960 --> 00:47:38.820
 And that's something

00:47:38.820 --> 00:47:39.680
 that the Holy Spirit

00:47:39.680 --> 00:47:40.320
 must do in our

00:47:40.320 --> 00:47:40.639
 hearts.

00:47:40.639 --> 00:47:46.259
 It's only those whose

00:47:46.259 --> 00:47:47.079
 mouths have been

00:47:47.079 --> 00:47:50.579
 stopped who pray.

00:47:53.500 --> 00:47:54.420
 So let's pray.

00:47:54.859 --> 00:47:55.599
 Let's pray for that

00:47:55.599 --> 00:47:56.119
 out loud together.

00:47:58.960 --> 00:47:59.400
 Father,

00:47:59.400 --> 00:48:06.780
 help us to pray more.

00:48:09.840 --> 00:48:14.220
 Show us how glorious

00:48:14.220 --> 00:48:15.579
 and holy and mighty

00:48:15.579 --> 00:48:16.099
 you are.

00:48:19.099 --> 00:48:21.480
 Show us your all

00:48:21.480 --> 00:48:22.059
 insufficiency

00:48:22.059 --> 00:48:24.219
 and our deep

00:48:24.219 --> 00:48:25.240
 inadequacy.

00:48:26.840 --> 00:48:27.519
 Humble us.

00:48:27.980 --> 00:48:28.840
 Bring us lower.

00:48:30.159 --> 00:48:31.420
 Help us to see

00:48:31.420 --> 00:48:32.500
 our neediness.

00:48:33.119 --> 00:48:33.880
 Help us to see

00:48:33.880 --> 00:48:34.480
 that we can do

00:48:34.480 --> 00:48:35.320
 nothing apart

00:48:35.320 --> 00:48:36.519
 from you.

00:48:36.519 --> 00:48:42.219
 so that prayer

00:48:42.219 --> 00:48:42.880
 just becomes

00:48:42.880 --> 00:48:43.820
 the air we breathe

00:48:43.820 --> 00:48:44.460
 through the natural

00:48:44.460 --> 00:48:45.579
 language of our souls.

00:49:01.239 --> 00:49:02.119
 Lord, this year,

00:49:02.239 --> 00:49:03.340
 make us a church

00:49:03.340 --> 00:49:04.119
 that prays more

00:49:04.119 --> 00:49:05.039
 than we have ever done.

00:49:06.519 --> 00:49:09.360
 so that

00:49:09.360 --> 00:49:10.179
 when you

00:49:10.179 --> 00:49:11.039
 move

00:49:11.039 --> 00:49:11.659
 in response

00:49:11.659 --> 00:49:12.380
 to our prayers

00:49:12.380 --> 00:49:14.039
 and when you do

00:49:14.039 --> 00:49:14.860
 mighty deeds

00:49:14.860 --> 00:49:15.739
 in response

00:49:15.739 --> 00:49:16.259
 to our prayers,

00:49:16.340 --> 00:49:16.920
 when you save

00:49:16.920 --> 00:49:17.519
 the lost

00:49:17.519 --> 00:49:18.559
 in response

00:49:18.559 --> 00:49:19.300
 to our prayers,

00:49:19.420 --> 00:49:19.840
 that you

00:49:19.840 --> 00:49:22.039
 would get

00:49:22.039 --> 00:49:22.599
 all the glory.

00:49:30.940 --> 00:49:31.880
 In Jesus' name

00:49:31.880 --> 00:49:32.259
 we pray.

00:49:32.739 --> 00:49:33.039
 Amen.