WEBVTT

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 I'd like you to open your Bibles, please, at that Old Testament reading, Daniel 7, that's page 863.

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 Over these past weeks, we've been looking at the life of Daniel.

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 And now, in this chapter, there is a fundamental change in the whole character of the book.

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 And as Mari read to us that first half of chapter 7, it's to do with this vision which Daniel had.

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 It all made sense, didn't it?

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 Let's pray.

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 Father, we do ask for your grace to be able to just understand what you are saying to us in this passage.

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 And we ask it in Christ's name.

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 Amen.

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 From this point onwards, and by the way, that vision belongs chronologically between chapters 4 and 5.

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 So it's inserted here as a separate thing from what we've been looking at in these past weeks.

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 What this vision does is it broadens our perspective, or certainly broadens Daniel's perspective beyond his own time.

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 In fact, it broadens it beyond our time.

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 Right up to the judgment day.

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 And it gives us an insight into what's going on behind the scenes in our human history.

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 And there are two things we're going to see.

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 We're going to see the world manipulated by evil powers, but a world under the control of our sovereign and omnipotent God.

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 No wonder Steve has entitled this sermon, Life in a Hostile World, the Real Picture.

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 So it begins with Daniel describing this vision dream.

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 Remember, he is in exile in Babylon.

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 So verse 1.

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 In the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream.

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 And visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed.

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 And he wrote down the substance of his dream.

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 I'm very glad he wrote it down.

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 You ever had a dream and it's been really quite bizarre?

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 But try writing it down.

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 Well, the vision tells us a great deal about the end chapter of history.

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 And so the question that the Jews would have been asking in exile, where is God in all this?

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 What's he doing?

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 What about all those great covenant promises that he made to Abraham?

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 It all just seems to have fallen flat.

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 What is happening?

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 And as puzzling as the vision may have been, I don't doubt it was an encouragement to Daniel, even if he wasn't quite sure what it meant.

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 But the message is no less relevant to us as it was to him.

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 Because we too can lose hope if we're not careful.

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 Things can go out of focus just in the events of our own personal lives, let alone in world events.

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 And if we're not careful, our perspective can just become distorted.

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 Now the thing I want to just make very clear so that we understand where we're heading is that Daniel's descriptions here in this chapter are in symbolic language.

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 And it's the same sort of language that's used in the book of Revelation.

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 In fact, many of the things which Daniel says here are virtually repeated in the book of Revelation by John.

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 So just look at verses 2 and 3.

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 Daniel said,

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 Remember, it's apocalyptic language.

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 It's symbolic of reality.

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 There's a difference between apocalyptic language and literal language.

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 And these descriptions are intended to convey a picture of reality, but are not literally describing that reality.

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 Do you follow what I'm saying?

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 It's exactly the same in Revelation.

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 Let me just give you a simple illustration.

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 In Revelation, John talks about a bottomless pit.

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 Now I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure there's no such thing as a bottomless pit.

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 But have you ever felt like you were in a bottomless pit?

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 Yeah.

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 So that's the point.

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 It's language which is symbolic.

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 It's describing something which in itself is not the reality, but it's telling us the reality.

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 Pictorial language.

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 All right, four beasts.

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 And we read of them there in verses 6 to 8.

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 Horrible beasts rising from the sea.

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 Now in both Daniel and Revelation, the sea is a metaphor for the nations.

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 It's the sea of restless humanity.

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 The sea of the nations as they rise and fall.

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 And we read in Revelation, the waters, the sea that you saw, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.

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 Are you with me?

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 It's out of these nations that these four beasts arise.

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 What are they?

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 What do they represent?

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 Well, Daniel was so distressed by what he saw that he prayed for understanding.

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 Now we've only read the first half of the chapter.

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 You turn over and look at the second half of the chapter and look at verses 15 through to 16.

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 Because this is the interpretation.

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 Verse 15.

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 I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.

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 I approached one of those who was standing there and asked him the true meaning of all this.

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 So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things.

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 The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will arise from the earth.

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 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever.

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 Yes, forever and forever.

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 Four beasts, four kingdoms.

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 Now it was the fourth of these beasts that so disturbed Daniel.

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 Remember we read in verse 7, he was terrifying and frightening and very powerful.

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 And Daniel's description is repeated in Revelation.

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 John said, and I saw a beast coming out of the sea, rising out of the nations.

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 He had ten horns, seven heads, ten crowns in his horns and on each head a blasphemous name.

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 Same in principle is what Daniel saw.

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 Now what we're not told in Daniel, but which John tells us in Revelation,

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 is that behind this fourth beast is the dragon.

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 Satan himself giving his authority to the beast.

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 No wonder he's incredibly powerful.

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 Behind this beast is Satan himself, who more than anything else wants to be seen as supreme and in authority.

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 He wants to be God.

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 What is this beast?

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 What's its mission?

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 What's it represent?

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 Now many over the centuries have tried to work out what this beast was and what these various things represent.

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 And so some have said, oh it's this, it was Rome or it was Greece or it was the Medes and the Persians or it was this happening or it was Hitler.

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 And I think if we try to link it just to one particular individual or a period of time in history,

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 then we may well just miss the whole point of what this is intended to convey.

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 Having said that, there are many examples of this beast operating in our world history.

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 And we can take Hitler as an example, if you like.

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 He was an evil man.

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 He epitomised the beastliness of fallen humanity, if you like.

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 But behind all that he did and others like him is the dragon, Satan.

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 And so it is out of man's beastliness that these tyrants are supported and given power by Satan.

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 And my friend Jeffrey Bingham once wrote about this beast.

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 He said, nothing beastly arises which has not come from that which is already beastly.

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 Beastliness we understand.

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 It's being animal-like in the worst forms when in fact we've been created human.

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 No one can criticise a beast for being beastly.

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 But humans are not essentially beasts.

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 The truth of history is that beasts have always arisen from the human beastliness of pride and ambition and selfishness and anger and hatred and wrath.

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 And the principle of history found here in Daniel burgeons out into terrible ways in the dragon and his beast.

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 And we will miss the whole point of this prophecy if we do not recognise the elements working in the world today.

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 Understanding the principle of beastliness, of seeming defeat of the people of God, of the ultimate triumph of God and his kingdom.

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 We would be wrong if we linked the beast with some past kingdom, say Rome or some present kingdom, say Hitler's Germany or put it all into the future when we will not be here to see it.

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 Now the important thing is to step back and take the big picture.

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 On one of my business trips in Europe I visited the Louvre.

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 And it was very crowded and I remember being sort of, you know, pushed along with the crowd and into one of these very big rooms.

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 And as I turned here was this big picture and all I could see was just this section right here in front of me with very rough paintwork.

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 And I just kept walking.

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 And it wasn't until I got to the end that I turned back and suddenly saw this vast canvas of this magnificent picture.

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 And we can look at the details and miss the big picture.

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 Romans 13 tells us that all ruling powers are ordained by God.

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 But Satan is forever perverting those powers.

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 So he just takes what God has given and instituted for our welfare and he turns it, he twists it into an instrument of oppression.

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 That's what he's been doing right down through history.

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 And that's when we see beastliness in action.

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 Well, Daniel saw something further in his vision.

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 He saw the eternal kingdom of God, the ancient of days.

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 Look at verses 9 and 10.

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 As I looked, thrones were set in place and the ancient of days took his seat.

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 That's just a way of describing God, the Father.

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 His clothing was as white as snow and the hair of his head was white as wool.

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 His throne was flaming with fire and his wheels were all ablaze.

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 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him.

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 Thousands upon thousands attended him.

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 Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.

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 The court was seated and the books were opened.

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 Now the Bible clearly speaks about the kingdom of God.

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 And we are told unambiguously that God is in control of all things.

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 But history and our own experience often gives us a contrary message, doesn't it?

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 It seems as if everything's out of control at times.

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 And we go, well, where's God in all this?

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 Is he really in charge?

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 And what we forget is that there is a duplicate kingdom.

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 A counterfeit kingdom headed up by Satan.

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 Jesus spoke of it.

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 Paul spoke of it.

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 John speaks of it many times in Revelation.

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 Satan has a kingdom and he has a throne.

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 Read of that in Revelation.

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 It talks about Satan's throne and the throne of the beast.

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 So the purpose of these visions, both here in Daniel and in Revelation,

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 is to show us in symbolic language that all things, including Satan and his pretend throne,

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 are governed by our Lord, who is on the throne.

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 And like John, Daniel saw the Lord God take his place on this throne,

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 the seat of all authority and judgment.

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 As I read, thrones were set in place and the Ancient of Days took his seat.

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 But Daniel saw around this throne this vast throng.

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 Thousands upon thousands attending him.

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 Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.

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 Remember John in Revelation said exactly the same thing.

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 I looked and there was a great multitude that no one can count from every nation,

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 from all tribes and peoples and languages,

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 standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

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 And then Daniel saw something even more amazing.

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 Verse 13.

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 I looked and there before me was one like a son of man,

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 coming with the clouds of heaven.

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 He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

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 And he was given authority, glory and sovereign power.

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 And all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him.

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 His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away.

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 And his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

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 And that's what Jesus was alluding to in that second passage that was read to us from Mark.

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 This is a wonderful description of the Lord Jesus Christ because he's the son of God,

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 the son of man.

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 And to him God has given all authority and power.

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 We read in both Corinthians, 1 Corinthians and Ephesians,

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 that he's put all things under his feet.

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 John saw the same thing in Revelation.

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 Do you remember that he saw that this scroll was brought

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 and the question was asked,

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 who is worthy to open up this scroll,

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 to take up this unroll of seals and open the scroll?

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 And no one could be found who was worthy.

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 Remember, and John was very distressed.

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 And then it was said,

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 ah, yes, no, but here is one who is worthy.

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 The lamb that was slain.

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 And so we read in Revelation

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 that he went and he took the scroll from the right hand

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 of the one who was seated on the throne.

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 And he was able to open the seals.

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 And it was as if the father was saying to him,

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 here you are, son.

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 Here is the scroll with the seven seals.

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 You are to open those seals.

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 And every seal you open

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 will be something that happens in history

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 that will be of enormous significance.

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 And it can never happen unless you control history.

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 And then the seventh angel blew his trumpet

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 and there was loud voices in heaven saying,

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 the kingdom of the world has become

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 the kingdom of our Lord and his Messiah

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 and he will reign forever and ever.

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 And so it is through Christ

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 that God is at work in our human history

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 to control it,

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 to sustain it

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 and to bring salvation to his people

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 and the final defeat of all evil.

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 He's the Lord of history.

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 He's the king of the kingdom.

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 And he alone has the right

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 as sovereign to rule the nations.

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 He alone has the full authority of the father

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 and is competent to take the whole world

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 to its final destiny.

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 Gentle Jesus, meek and mild.

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 This is the sovereign Lord,

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 the son of man.

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 That's what Daniel saw in this astounding vision.

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 Now whether we realise it or not,

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 we're engaged in a spiritual battle every day

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 and we're faced with a powerful enemy

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 who was out to destroy God's people.

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 Paul tells that to us in Ephesians,

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 you remember?

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 He says our struggle

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 is not against flesh and blood

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 but against the rulers,

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 against the authorities,

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 against the powers of this dark world

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 and against the spiritual forces of evil

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 and the heavenly places.

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 That's the battle we're in

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 every day,

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 whether we realise it or not.

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 I think most Christians don't.

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 And we're told this many times in scripture.

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 But none more clearly than here in Daniel 7.

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 Look at verse 19.

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 Then I wanted to know the true meaning

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 of the fourth beast,

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 which was different from all the others

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 and most terrifying.

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 Just go down to verse 20.

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 I also wanted to know about the ten horns

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 and its head

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 and about the other horn that came up.

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 Verse 21.

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 As I watched,

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 this horn was waging war

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 against the saints

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 and defeating them.

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 Until,

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 verse 22,

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 until the Ancient of Days came

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 and pronounced judgment

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 in favour of the saints

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 of the Most High

00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:25.559
 and the time came

00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:25.580
 and the time came

00:18:25.580 --> 00:18:26.820
 when they possessed the kingdom.

00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:29.980
 Verse 23.

00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:31.500
 He gave me this explanation.

00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:33.039
 The fourth beast

00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:34.039
 is a fourth kingdom

00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:35.100
 will appear on earth.

00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:35.740
 It will be different

00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.960
 from all the other kingdoms

00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:38.440
 and will devour the whole earth,

00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:39.860
 trampling it down

00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:41.500
 and crushing it.

00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:44.320
 And just skipping to verse 25.

00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:46.480
 He,

00:18:46.580 --> 00:18:47.600
 that's this beast,

00:18:48.100 --> 00:18:50.279
 will speak against the Most High

00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:52.519
 and oppress his saints

00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.639
 and try to change

00:18:53.639 --> 00:18:55.399
 the set times and laws.

00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:58.740
 Just think a moment

00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.799
 about that verse.

00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.960
 What's behind the beast?

00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:05.240
 Who's behind the beast?

00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:07.460
 Satan himself.

00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:09.879
 What is Satan trying to do

00:19:09.879 --> 00:19:10.899
 all the time?

00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:13.900
 He is constantly speaking

00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:16.900
 blasphemies against God.

00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.220
 We get that from both

00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.320
 Daniel and Revelation.

00:19:21.800 --> 00:19:22.740
 Never lets up.

00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:24.400
 What else is he trying to do?

00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:26.240
 He's trying to oppress the saints.

00:19:27.280 --> 00:19:28.320
 Never lets up.

00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.560
 What's the third thing

00:19:29.560 --> 00:19:30.380
 he's trying to do?

00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:34.500
 He's trying to change history

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:38.580
 to his favour.

00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:40.240
 There it is,

00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.339
 there in verse 25.

00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.000
 He will speak against

00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.599
 the Most High,

00:19:43.679 --> 00:19:44.299
 oppress his saints

00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.079
 and try to change

00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.379
 the set times and the laws.

00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:48.699
 And the saints

00:19:48.699 --> 00:19:50.019
 will be handed over

00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.799
 to him for a time,

00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:53.339
 times and half a time.

00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:55.319
 Now that's exactly

00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:56.579
 what John saw

00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:57.960
 in his revelation

00:19:57.960 --> 00:20:00.000
 in that vision he had.

00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:03.039
 Let me read one verse.

00:20:04.419 --> 00:20:06.259
 The dragon was allowed,

00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:07.039
 allowed,

00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.220
 allowed,

00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:10.960
 to make war on the saints

00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:12.119
 and to conquer them.

00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:14.279
 It was given

00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:16.359
 authority over the tribe

00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:17.119
 and people

00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:18.319
 and every tribe

00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:18.759
 and people

00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.259
 and language

00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:19.980
 and nation.

00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:23.399
 Job's a good illustration,

00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.099
 isn't it?

00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:24.939
 Yes,

00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:25.939
 here was Satan

00:20:25.939 --> 00:20:26.919
 and he was allowed

00:20:26.919 --> 00:20:27.960
 to afflict Job

00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:29.319
 but only up to a certain point.

00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:33.000
 We're in a monster battle.

00:20:34.679 --> 00:20:35.639
 The New Testament

00:20:35.639 --> 00:20:36.259
 tells us

00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.599
 that defeated forces of evil

00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.759
 and not yet destroyed.

00:20:38.939 --> 00:20:40.299
 They still have tremendous power

00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:40.980
 to work havoc

00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:42.500
 and so we must be realistic.

00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:44.299
 Yes,

00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:45.019
 of course,

00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.959
 the great victory

00:20:45.959 --> 00:20:47.399
 has been won on that cross.

00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:50.439
 And we must never forget that,

00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.759
 never lose sight of that.

00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.859
 But meantime,

00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:56.480
 Satan is out to destroy us

00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.500
 and he sometimes

00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:57.660
 and he sometimes

00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:58.960
 is permitted to succeed

00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:00.640
 as these passages

00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.700
 tell us so clearly.

00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:02.559
 Do you know

00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:04.079
 that in the 20th century

00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:05.500
 it's estimated

00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.680
 that some

00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:09.480
 210 million Christians

00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:10.500
 were martyred?

00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:13.799
 Yes,

00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:14.559
 Satan is allowed

00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.339
 to have authority.

00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:17.039
 We must never forget it.

00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.960
 But above him

00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.559
 and over him

00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.880
 is our sovereign God.

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.900
 Notice that

00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:24.740
 Satan's power

00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.220
 is limited.

00:21:25.820 --> 00:21:26.420
 He's not allowed

00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.540
 to continue his war

00:21:27.540 --> 00:21:28.660
 on God's people forever.

00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:30.160
 Daniel is specifically

00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:30.800
 told

00:21:30.800 --> 00:21:32.040
 that they would suffer

00:21:32.040 --> 00:21:33.140
 under Satan's hands

00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.200
 for a time,

00:21:34.580 --> 00:21:35.180
 times

00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.640
 and half a time.

00:21:37.780 --> 00:21:38.560
 Don't worry about

00:21:38.560 --> 00:21:39.320
 what that means.

00:21:39.600 --> 00:21:40.340
 What it says,

00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:41.480
 it is for a set period

00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.360
 set by God.

00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.720
 God is sovereign.

00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:47.500
 John was told

00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.400
 exactly the same

00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.160
 in Revelation.

00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:50.460
 So Satan's days

00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:50.900
 are numbered

00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:52.340
 and so too

00:21:52.340 --> 00:21:52.840
 are those

00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.500
 who refuse

00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:53.860
 to come

00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:55.019
 under Christ's lordship.

00:21:55.800 --> 00:21:56.560
 God's judgment

00:21:56.560 --> 00:21:58.300
 will fall.

00:21:59.060 --> 00:21:59.480
 And that's what

00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.200
 Daniel saw

00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:01.480
 this day of reckoning.

00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.040
 Verse 10.

00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.960
 The court was seated

00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:07.380
 and the books

00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:07.920
 were opened.

00:22:10.280 --> 00:22:10.980
 And John wrote,

00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:13.259
 I saw the dead

00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.019
 great and small

00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:15.259
 standing before the throne

00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.040
 and books

00:22:16.040 --> 00:22:16.660
 were opened.

00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:19.259
 Also another book

00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:19.640
 was opened,

00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:20.380
 the book of life

00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:20.860
 and the dead

00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:21.340
 were judged

00:22:21.340 --> 00:22:22.340
 according to their works

00:22:22.340 --> 00:22:23.680
 as recorded in the books.

00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:25.560
 So as the pages

00:22:25.560 --> 00:22:26.160
 of the books

00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:26.700
 are opened,

00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:27.460
 so the judgment

00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.280
 of God

00:22:28.280 --> 00:22:29.480
 is issued.

00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:32.480
 And the arrogance

00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.580
 and the pride

00:22:33.580 --> 00:22:34.900
 and the power

00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.660
 of the beast

00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:37.660
 are now assigned

00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.420
 to destruction.

00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.320
 Look at verse 11,

00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:41.440
 Daniel 7,

00:22:41.580 --> 00:22:42.340
 verse 11.

00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.380
 Then I continued

00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:44.860
 to watch

00:22:44.860 --> 00:22:45.820
 because of the boastful

00:22:45.820 --> 00:22:46.540
 words the horn

00:22:46.540 --> 00:22:47.040
 was speaking.

00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:47.700
 I kept looking

00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.380
 until the beast

00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.140
 was slain.

00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.300
 And his body

00:22:50.300 --> 00:22:50.880
 destroyed

00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:51.280
 and thrown

00:22:51.280 --> 00:22:52.580
 into the blazing fire.

00:22:53.360 --> 00:22:53.880
 And then just

00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.320
 turn over

00:22:54.320 --> 00:22:55.380
 to verse 26.

00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.540
 But the court

00:22:59.540 --> 00:23:00.000
 will sit

00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:01.360
 and his,

00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:01.759
 that is,

00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:02.960
 the beast's power

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.440
 will be taken away

00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.340
 and completely

00:23:05.340 --> 00:23:06.380
 destroyed forever.

00:23:07.840 --> 00:23:08.580
 John says

00:23:08.580 --> 00:23:09.700
 exactly the same

00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.040
 thing

00:23:10.040 --> 00:23:11.880
 in Revelation 19.

00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:13.740
 Well,

00:23:13.780 --> 00:23:14.180
 how has this

00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.740
 great victory

00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.580
 been accomplished?

00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:17.579
 Daniel's not told.

00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:21.000
 But John knows

00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:23.339
 and so do we.

00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:24.759
 Do you remember

00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.619
 Jesus said

00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:26.659
 in John 12,

00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:28.460
 now is the judgment

00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.379
 of this world,

00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.879
 now shall the ruler

00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:32.179
 of this world

00:23:32.179 --> 00:23:33.179
 be cast out

00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:33.619
 and I,

00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:35.039
 when I am lifted up

00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.659
 from the earth,

00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.779
 will draw all men

00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.619
 to myself.

00:23:37.679 --> 00:23:38.319
 He's talking about

00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:38.960
 the cross

00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:40.539
 and the great

00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.600
 victory of the cross.

00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.500
 And so John wrote,

00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.920
 worthy is the lamb

00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.960
 that was slaughtered.

00:23:48.120 --> 00:23:49.019
 What for?

00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.400
 Well,

00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:51.519
 in order to receive

00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.779
 power and wealth

00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.380
 and wisdom

00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:54.039
 and might

00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:54.640
 and honour

00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:55.420
 and glory

00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:56.180
 and blessing.

00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.400
 And then he said,

00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:58.540
 I heard every creature

00:23:58.540 --> 00:23:58.920
 in heaven

00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.460
 and on earth

00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.220
 and under the earth

00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:00.840
 and in the sea

00:24:00.840 --> 00:24:01.620
 and all that's in them

00:24:01.620 --> 00:24:02.980
 singing to the one

00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:04.000
 seated on the throne

00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:04.600
 and to the lamb

00:24:04.600 --> 00:24:05.280
 be blessing

00:24:05.280 --> 00:24:05.740
 and honour

00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.300
 and glory

00:24:06.300 --> 00:24:07.100
 and might forever.

00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.740
 And then they cried

00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.660
 out in a loud voice

00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:09.980
 saying,

00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:11.220
 salvation belongs

00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.019
 to our God

00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:12.860
 who is seated

00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:13.540
 on the throne

00:24:13.540 --> 00:24:14.360
 and to the lamb.

00:24:15.320 --> 00:24:16.780
 He is our sovereign Lord.

00:24:19.280 --> 00:24:19.840
 And so God

00:24:19.840 --> 00:24:21.019
 has placed a cross

00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:22.080
 in the centre of history

00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:23.380
 where all evil

00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:24.040
 was defeated

00:24:24.040 --> 00:24:25.460
 and destroyed forever.

00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:28.920
 And so it is the shed

00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:30.759
 blood of the lamb of God,

00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:32.140
 the eternal son

00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:33.580
 by whom God

00:24:33.580 --> 00:24:34.420
 accomplishes

00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:35.740
 this staggering victory

00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.519
 over the beast

00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.780
 and his cohorts.

00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:40.140
 And as men

00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:40.840
 and women of faith

00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:41.580
 we share now

00:24:41.580 --> 00:24:42.180
 in that victory.

00:24:44.860 --> 00:24:46.019
 But Daniel sees

00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:46.640
 even more

00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.280
 in his vision.

00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:50.240
 Verse 18,

00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:51.280
 look at verse 18.

00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.140
 And the saints

00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:53.860
 of the most high

00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:55.220
 will receive the kingdom

00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:56.340
 and will possess it

00:24:56.340 --> 00:24:57.060
 forever.

00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:57.639
 Yes,

00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:59.259
 forever and ever.

00:24:59.919 --> 00:25:00.460
 And then turn

00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.579
 to verse 27.

00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.859
 Then the sovereignty,

00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:05.659
 power

00:25:05.659 --> 00:25:06.879
 and greatness

00:25:06.879 --> 00:25:07.559
 of the kingdom

00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.519
 under the whole heaven

00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.319
 will be handed over

00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:09.919
 to the saints,

00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:11.179
 the people of the most high.

00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:11.819
 His kingdom

00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:13.159
 will be an everlasting kingdom

00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:14.480
 and all rulers

00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.019
 will worship

00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.819
 and obey him.

00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.720
 Daniel saw

00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:18.859
 that the kingdom

00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:20.119
 is going to belong

00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:21.379
 to the people of God.

00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:21.420
 God,

00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:26.480
 this staggering promise

00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.800
 is in the process

00:25:27.800 --> 00:25:29.100
 of being fulfilled

00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:29.800
 right now.

00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:30.340
 Here we are

00:25:30.340 --> 00:25:31.340
 sitting in St. Paul's

00:25:31.340 --> 00:25:31.800
 Chatsford

00:25:31.800 --> 00:25:33.380
 and right now

00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:34.100
 you and I

00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:35.420
 are part of the

00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:35.880
 fulfillment

00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:37.300
 of that very promise.

00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:40.020
 We're not there yet.

00:25:41.020 --> 00:25:42.000
 You've probably noticed.

00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:44.380
 We're on our way

00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:46.119
 and the full blessing

00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:46.599
 of the kingdom

00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.440
 lies ahead

00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:48.819
 and though we have

00:25:48.819 --> 00:25:49.579
 all the promises

00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.799
 the father inheritance

00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:52.240
 is yet to be experienced

00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.299
 in all its fullness

00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:54.019
 and it's that

00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:55.559
 for which we hope.

00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:57.740
 That's the substance

00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.819
 of Daniel's message

00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.619
 and his vision

00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.900
 and indeed

00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.480
 it's the message

00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.339
 of the whole of scripture.

00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:03.240
 We're going to reign

00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.000
 with Christ

00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:04.779
 the father.

00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.380
 Is that an encouragement?

00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.380
 Are you bored?

00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:14.740
 Or does this

00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:16.599
 change your perspective

00:26:16.599 --> 00:26:18.220
 on where you are now

00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.440
 in your life

00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:21.200
 and within the context

00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:21.880
 of where we are

00:26:21.880 --> 00:26:22.700
 in the world today?

00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:25.519
 None of us

00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.339
 have got any right

00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:26.839
 you know

00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:27.980
 to God's grace

00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:30.019
 and so our pressing

00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:31.059
 need and responsibility

00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.759
 is to repent

00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.779
 of our obscene

00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.879
 rebellion and sin

00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.759
 to capitulate

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:37.480
 and to live

00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.200
 obediently

00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:38.859
 to Christ

00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:39.779
 as Lord of all.

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:41.799
 Throughout

00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.779
 human history

00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.819
 there's always been

00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:45.200
 this ebb and flow

00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:45.759
 of evil

00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:47.180
 and the activity

00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.779
 of the beast.

00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:48.799
 It's always been

00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.299
 that way

00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:51.000
 but our sovereign God

00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:52.039
 has the final word.

00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.859
 Let me conclude

00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:57.519
 just by

00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.839
 quoting to you

00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.500
 Psalm 2

00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:01.740
 the most quoted

00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.339
 psalm

00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:03.199
 in the New Testament.

00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:06.359
 He who sits

00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:07.000
 in the heavens

00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.839
 laughs

00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.980
 the Lord

00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.439
 has them

00:27:09.439 --> 00:27:10.179
 in derision.

00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.319
 In other words

00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:12.699
 the rebellious nations

00:27:12.699 --> 00:27:13.539
 and behind them

00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.379
 Satan himself

00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:15.099
 he just laughs

00:27:15.099 --> 00:27:15.559
 at them.

00:27:16.659 --> 00:27:17.159
 Then he will

00:27:17.159 --> 00:27:17.839
 speak to them

00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.399
 in his wrath

00:27:18.399 --> 00:27:19.279
 and terrify them

00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:19.879
 in his fury

00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:20.279
 saying

00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:21.119
 I have set

00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:22.039
 my king

00:27:22.039 --> 00:27:22.659
 on Zion

00:27:22.659 --> 00:27:23.679
 my holy hill

00:27:23.679 --> 00:27:24.779
 I have put

00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:26.059
 the son of man

00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:27.259
 King Jesus

00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:28.319
 in the place

00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:29.459
 of supreme authority

00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.160
 and power.

00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.620
 He says

00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.279
 I will tell

00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:33.799
 of the decree

00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.400
 of the Lord

00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:35.059
 he said to me

00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:36.000
 you are my son

00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.720
 today I have

00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.319
 begotten you

00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:38.200
 ask of me

00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.620
 and I will

00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:39.420
 make the nations

00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:40.180
 your heritage

00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:40.900
 and the ends

00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.360
 of the earth

00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:42.059
 your possession.

00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.360
 The nations

00:27:44.360 --> 00:27:44.960
 are going to be

00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.980
 given to Christ

00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:46.819
 to rule

00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.579
 as their Lord.

00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:51.379
 And the psalmist

00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:51.919
 says you shall

00:27:51.919 --> 00:27:52.379
 break them

00:27:52.379 --> 00:27:52.740
 with a rod

00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.179
 of iron

00:27:53.179 --> 00:27:53.639
 and dash

00:27:53.639 --> 00:27:54.279
 them in pieces

00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:55.139
 like a potter's

00:27:55.139 --> 00:27:55.500
 vessel.

00:27:55.599 --> 00:27:56.179
 This is God

00:27:56.179 --> 00:27:57.159
 speaking of course

00:27:57.159 --> 00:27:58.199
 though they

00:27:58.199 --> 00:27:59.379
 reject the son

00:27:59.379 --> 00:27:59.879
 he will be

00:27:59.879 --> 00:28:00.559
 their judge.

00:28:01.379 --> 00:28:02.000
 Now therefore

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.639
 O kings

00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:03.339
 be wise

00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:03.960
 be warned

00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.399
 O rulers

00:28:04.399 --> 00:28:04.879
 of the earth

00:28:04.879 --> 00:28:05.699
 serve the Lord

00:28:05.699 --> 00:28:06.240
 with fear

00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:07.079
 with trembling

00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:08.439
 kiss his feet

00:28:08.439 --> 00:28:10.539
 kiss the feet

00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.379
 of Christ

00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:14.599
 or you'll be

00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:15.019
 angry

00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.599
 and you'll

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.379
 perish in the

00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:16.759
 way

00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:18.039
 for his wrath

00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:19.119
 is quickly

00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:20.619
 kindled.

00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.859
 Gentle Jesus

00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.700
 meek and mild

00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:29.859
 well we read

00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:30.460
 in Revelation

00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.019
 of the wrath

00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.579
 of the Lamb

00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:33.519
 ultimately all

00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.299
 humans will bow

00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:35.099
 before the judgment

00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:35.980
 of the Son of God

00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.720
 and have to face

00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.599
 the wrath of the Lamb

00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:39.519
 but that psalm

00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.039
 finishes

00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:41.480
 happy are all

00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.299
 those who take

00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:43.819
 refuge in him

00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:46.700
 so you and I

00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.399
 dare not reject

00:28:47.399 --> 00:28:48.480
 Christ whom God

00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:48.980
 has appointed

00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.779
 as the redeemer

00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:50.639
 and judge of all

00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:52.000
 believe in him

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.700
 trust him

00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.799
 bow before him

00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:55.960
 take refuge

00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.720
 in Christ

00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:58.599
 that's the overall

00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:59.480
 picture of Daniel

00:28:59.480 --> 00:28:59.879
 7

00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:02.059
 our Lord God

00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.720
 is sovereign

00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:04.679
 and even though

00:29:04.679 --> 00:29:05.379
 we live in a

00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:06.200
 hostile world

00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:06.679
 headed up

00:29:06.679 --> 00:29:07.460
 with the beastliness

00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:08.059
 of Satan

00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.559
 himself

00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.679
 we must see

00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:10.720
 the big picture

00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:12.140
 the real picture

00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:14.720
 and maintain

00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:17.079
 an eternal

00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.860
 perspective

00:29:17.860 --> 00:29:20.440
 so verse 27

00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:21.360
 of Daniel 7

00:29:21.360 --> 00:29:21.740
 says

00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.360
 the greatness

00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:23.039
 of the kingdom

00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.779
 under the whole

00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:24.120
 heaven

00:29:24.120 --> 00:29:25.220
 shall be given

00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:26.200
 to the saints

00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:27.240
 of the most high

00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:29.140
 we're going to

00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:29.579
 reign

00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.519
 in triumph

00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.860
 with Christ

00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:34.539
 Paul tells us

00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.220
 in Ephesians

00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.460
 God the Father

00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.259
 has put all things

00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.079
 under his feet

00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:39.319
 and has made him

00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:40.720
 head over all

00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:41.500
 things

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:43.199
 does anyone know

00:29:43.199 --> 00:29:43.799
 how that verse

00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.179
 ends

00:29:44.179 --> 00:29:50.019
 God has made him

00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.980
 head over all

00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.500
 things

00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:53.939
 for the church

00:29:53.939 --> 00:29:56.619
 for us

00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:58.839
 that's the

00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.519
 perspective we

00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.359
 need before us

00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:01.439
 every day

00:30:01.439 --> 00:30:02.740
 let's pray

00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:04.679
 Father thank you

00:30:04.679 --> 00:30:05.399
 so much for this

00:30:05.399 --> 00:30:05.720
 word

00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.519
 thank you Lord

00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.059
 for this

00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:08.619
 incredible chapter

00:30:08.619 --> 00:30:09.740
 and how it opens

00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.599
 up to us

00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.240
 the vast

00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:11.920
 panorama

00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:12.639
 of history

00:30:12.639 --> 00:30:13.379
 where we see

00:30:13.379 --> 00:30:13.980
 that you are

00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:14.819
 Lord and

00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.460
 sovereign

00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:17.059
 even over

00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:17.700
 Satan and

00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.059
 all his

00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:18.779
 cohorts

00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:20.799
 help us to

00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.200
 recognise

00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:21.839
 that we are

00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:22.400
 in a monster

00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:22.819
 battle

00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.319
 but it's a

00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:23.779
 battle where

00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.220
 the victory

00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.720
 has already

00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:26.240
 been won

00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.819
 on that

00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.299
 cross

00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:28.700
 may we

00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.319
 live

00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:29.940
 in the

00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:30.240
 fullness

00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:30.680
 and the

00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.200
 freshness

00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:31.460
 and the

00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:31.819
 reality

00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:32.180
 of our

00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:32.619
 forgiveness

00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.519
 and the

00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:33.859
 grace

00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:34.119
 that's

00:30:34.119 --> 00:30:34.680
 come to us

00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.319
 in Christ

00:30:35.319 --> 00:30:36.759
 and know

00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.859
 that at

00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:38.480
 the end

00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.599
 we're going

00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:40.039
 to reign

00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:40.519
 with him

00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:42.399
 thank you

00:30:42.399 --> 00:30:42.939
 our father

00:30:42.939 --> 00:30:44.460
 in Christ's

00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:44.659
 name

00:30:44.659 --> 00:30:45.139
 Amen

00:30:45.140 --> 00:30:45.280
 Amen