WEBVTT

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 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

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! Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us.

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!

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 The Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

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 Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

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 Just a few minutes before that, new deacon Stephen had been preaching the good news of Jesus.

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 Now he was being stoned to death.

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 What was it that enabled Stephen to stand firm?

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 To speak up?

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 To suffer boldly and faithfully?

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 It was seeing Jesus.

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 Not everyone in the early church was facing martyrdom like that.

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 But whether it was their Jewish neighbors who were upset with these new Christians,

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 whether it was their Roman rulers who were wanting to keep them in line and loyal to the Caesar alone,

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 all of the Christians were facing tough challenges.

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 John was no exception.

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 Once among Jesus' 12 disciples, now he is probably in his 80s and God is not through with him.

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 I hope that's a great encouragement to many of us.

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 In his 80s, in fact, he needs to see Jesus afresh too.

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 That's what he needs because he is in exile on an island that is like Alcatraz but with even more water surrounding it

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 for political prisoners of Rome.

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 And Jesus appears to him.

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 Jesus gives him the revelation of himself that is for John and for all of his people.

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 Listen to how this happens in Revelation 1 at verse 9.

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 He writes,

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 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus,

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 was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

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 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day and I heard behind me a voice like a trumpet

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 saying, write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches,

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 to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.

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 John writes what he sees to these representative churches,

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 to all of God's people, including us.

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 And what does he say?

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 He says, look, I'm with you.

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 Brother, partner, tribulation.

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 It's hard.

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 Suffering for the sake of the kingdom.

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 Needing patient endurance because it's tough.

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 And Jesus' voice calls to John and says, look and see and then write it down.

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 Share it with my people.

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 What is it?

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 Share what?

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 What is it that Jesus wants them, wants us to see?

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 Remember when we started the book of Revelation just last week,

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 we said it's going to show and tell us God wins.

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 Grace prevails.

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 Jesus reigns.

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 It's a revelation and unveiling of Jesus by Jesus.

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 Now, why is that so important?

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 See, the early church every day, over and over, was surrounded by reminders of Roman power,

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 Roman prestige, Roman prestige, Roman success everywhere, the buildings and the roads, the neighbors and the officials,

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 the money and the temples.

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 They shouted that Caesar was the Lord and that the good life was lived with Rome, right?

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 Like no one else in the world had Rome, had it.

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 In other words, Christians were facing constant pressure either to give in or to give up.

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 To give in and compromise their loyalty to Jesus, to live for Roman values, to blend in and get along, you know,

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 without Jesus or just to give up any hope.

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 Just be small, insignificant, persecuted people who would be marginalized for sure.

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 Martyred, maybe.

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 And then was there anything after that?

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 Was there any other hope?

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 So, give in or give up.

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 Maybe you know some of that pressure in our world.

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 It's a little bit different, but maybe your heart this morning is heavy for loved ones in Nigeria or India or somewhere else

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 who may suffer real physical harm any day now simply for their commitment to Jesus.

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 Maybe you have a really smart professor whose arguments you just can't keep up with and he hates Jesus.

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 Maybe you have a boss who keeps belittling you and reminding you who really has the power around here.

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 Maybe you just, you really want to be with a different group of friends and you want to get in with them,

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 but you know that to get in with them, you're going to have to change some things about yourself.

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 Like how you talk or how you dress or how you act.

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 Maybe you're one of so many in our church family facing health crises this week.

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 It's been remarkable.

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 Many very unexpected.

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 And maybe this, on top of everything else you're dealing with already,

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 just, you're just overwhelmed.

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 You're just feeling alone and hopeless and how can I handle another thing?

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 And we're tempted in those moments to give up or to give in, right?

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 Where's Jesus getting me anyway?

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 How's this working out?

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 I mean, it's the people who lie and focus on their bodies and make lots of money.

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 They're the ones having all the fun.

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 They're the ones with all the power.

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 They seem to have life figured out.

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 Give in.

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 Give up.

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 Or, what does Jesus want us to see

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 that might totally change our perspective on all of that?

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 That might completely change our lives?

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 Let's read the second section.

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 What's Jesus going to show John in this moment?

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 What's he going to show his church then?

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 What's he going to show us right now?

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 Verse 12.

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 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me.

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 And on turning, I saw seven golden lampstands.

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 We're going to find out in a little bit.

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 Those lampstands represent those seven churches that John is writing to.

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 All of the churches.

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 And in the midst of the lampstands, right there in the midst of the churches,

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 one like a son of man,

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 clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.

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 The hairs of his head were white like wool,

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 as white as snow.

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 His eyes were like a flame of fire.

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 His feet were like burnished bronze refined in a furnace.

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 And his voice was like the roar of many waters.

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 In his right hand, he held seven stars.

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 From his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword.

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 And his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

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 Jesus says,

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 John, I want my people to see me as I really am

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 in all of my glorious greatness.

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 I want them to see me.

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 Now in case you're confused as we read through the vision,

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 it's not trying to help us have a detailed physical description of Jesus.

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 That's not what he's after.

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 That's not what's most important.

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 That's why there's so many likes in there, right?

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 John is just trying to describe it, right?

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 He wants us to understand his character,

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 his power, his unique glory

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 that can hardly be captured in words.

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 Just think about the vision as a whole, right?

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 That's what is going to hit John

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 and is going to hit you maybe as you read through it.

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 It's overwhelming, right?

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 You can't even piece all of these things together

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 into an image in your mind probably.

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 It's just like nothing you've ever seen.

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 You can't take it all in.

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 But John tells us up front,

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 before he gets into some of those details,

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 that this one he's looking at

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 is one like a son of man.

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 That phrase immediately takes us back to Daniel chapter 7,

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 where one like a son of man,

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 in other words,

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 appearing to be human,

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 but then there in Daniel,

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 seated with the ancient of days,

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 with God himself.

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 This is more than a mere man.

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 That's what they're telling you.

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 Listen to who this figure is.

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 It's a remarkable description.

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 To him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, right?

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 That can only be talking about God himself.

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 That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.

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 His dominion is an everlasting dominion.

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 His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

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 This is who you're looking at.

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 That's who we're talking about and seeing here in Revelation 1.

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 Let's just look for a minute at the vision,

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 but don't get lost in the details, okay?

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 Who is Jesus for his church who needs him?

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 He's got clothes on,

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 a long robe and golden sash.

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 He's a royal high priest

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 who most effectively brings us in to the presence of God.

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 So you're not alone.

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 You're not too small for God to notice, right?

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 He has white hair,

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 like the great ancient of days in Daniel.

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 This is an unparalleled divine ruler

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 who is full of wisdom.

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 He's been around longer than any Caesar

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 or any other ruler.

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 This guy has been there.

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 And maybe we've lost a sense of this in our culture.

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 But age is meant to be full of dignity,

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 meant to be full of wisdom,

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 to be honored.

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 See, your difficult situation

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 will not leave him confused.

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 He's been there, seen that, done that.

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 The two most helpful things I've heard this week

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 came from people with white hair.

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 What a gift that is.

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 Eyes like a flame of fire.

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 He can see everything, right?

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 Even judging the depths of hearts,

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 even the secret struggles in your life

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 that you think nobody knows,

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 he sees them.

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 Even the places that you haven't invited him in.

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 He can go there,

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 and he can meet you there,

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 and he can transform you.

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 So don't limit this guy's power

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 to see and to work anywhere.

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 Feet like bronze,

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 standing firm,

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 absolutely purified in the fire.

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 In his judgments, they're pure.

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 But he is utterly immovable.

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 No one is knocking him down.

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 That's why it's an everlasting kingdom,

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 an everlasting dominion.

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 He is not going to get weary.

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 He's not going to need a rest.

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 He's not going to fail to be there for you,

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 exactly where you need him.

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 And then something you hear,

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 his voice.

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 It's like a roar of many waters.

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 Have you ever stood under a waterfall?

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 Like a big waterfall?

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 Maybe you saw one of Pastor Derek's videos

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 from Iceland a few weeks ago online.

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 Pastor Derek says lots of wonderful things in the video.

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 You know how many of them you can hear?

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 None of them.

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 Because you hear the roar of the waterfall

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 just drowning out every other noise, right?

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 He drowns out even the yelling and shouting

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 of all of the voices around you.

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 There's power, there's priority

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 in what he says that must be heard.

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 And he holds seven stars in his right hand.

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 This may be my favorite part of the image,

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 this vision.

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 Some of you know much better than I do

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 the size of a star.

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 So I'm going to just leave it at that.

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 A star in his hand.

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 What superhuman strength it would take

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 to hold even one star

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 with the nuclear fusion that's going on,

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 creating this extraordinary energy

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 in your hand.

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 No one can hold it.

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 And he holds seven

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 in one hand.

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 We found Roman coins

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 from this time in history

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 that show the emperor's son

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 who had died

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 playing with seven stars.

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 It was a way of trying to picture

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 that he lived on

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 controlling the heavens.

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 You know, this

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 is the omnipotent,

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 true son

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 of the true God

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 holding the stars.

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 Greater is he who is in you

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 than he who is in the world.

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 Right?

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 A two-edged sword

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 coming out of his mouth.

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 It's a strange one,

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 but that's the word of God.

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 Right?

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 Powerful both to judge

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 and to save.

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 Every time he speaks,

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 we must listen.

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 And finally, his face,

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 like the sun

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 at full strength.

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 Just imagine,

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 you know what happens

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 when you're looking at something

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 and it's like the sun

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 at full strength.

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 What this is saying, really,

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 is that there's this

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 shining, radiating glow

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 going out from him.

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 There's purity

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 and power,

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 but I think what John's

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 trying to communicate is

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 Jesus is too much

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 to take in.

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 As he gets to the end

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 of the vision,

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 it's certainly too much

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 to approach.

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 Right?

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 He dwells in unapproachable light.

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 You can't even look him

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 in the eye

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 without wincing.

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 Right?

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 You've tried that before.

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 This is the glory,

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 the weight of Jesus

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 coming through.

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 That when you see Jesus,

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 you realize that he is

00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:16.680
 the big rock

00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:18.039
 that when placed

00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.440
 in the middle of the stream,

00:17:19.600 --> 00:17:20.539
 all of the water

00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.960
 has to flow around him.

00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:22.519
 Right?

00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.819
 He's the big one.

00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:25.860
 His glory,

00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:27.380
 his weight.

00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.799
 Are you seeing Jesus?

00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:32.319
 He's so great.

00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:34.000
 He's central.

00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.039
 Right?

00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:37.059
 Everything works around him.

00:17:37.419 --> 00:17:39.599
 His overwhelming power

00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.119
 and might

00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:41.079
 would intimidate

00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:42.579
 even the strongest person.

00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.399
 In fact,

00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.399
 what happens to John?

00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.859
 When I saw him,

00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:54.980
 I fell at his feet

00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:57.059
 as though dead.

00:17:57.059 --> 00:18:02.139
 When you get a clear vision

00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:02.940
 of Jesus,

00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:03.859
 okay,

00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:06.579
 it overwhelms you

00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:07.440
 to the point

00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:09.819
 of trembling worship,

00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:14.240
 of speechless awe,

00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:17.519
 of humble reverence.

00:18:17.679 --> 00:18:17.759
 Right?

00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:19.179
 Maybe you can remember

00:18:19.179 --> 00:18:20.319
 a moment like that

00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:21.279
 when Jesus just

00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:23.019
 overwhelmed you.

00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:24.779
 If you think

00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.639
 you're seeing Jesus

00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:26.940
 and your response

00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.960
 is short of that,

00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:29.100
 you're not seeing

00:18:29.100 --> 00:18:29.740
 the true,

00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:30.900
 powerful,

00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:32.020
 awesome,

00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.900
 pure Jesus.

00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:34.380
 Okay?

00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:35.800
 Don't get confused

00:18:35.800 --> 00:18:36.680
 and think that Jesus

00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:38.060
 is some teddy bear.

00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:41.140
 Some grandfather figure.

00:18:41.340 --> 00:18:43.360
 Some genie in the sky.

00:18:45.780 --> 00:18:46.600
 When Daniel got

00:18:46.600 --> 00:18:47.500
 a similar vision

00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:49.320
 in chapter 10,

00:18:50.020 --> 00:18:50.920
 he tells us

00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:51.600
 what happened to him.

00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.660
 He said he had

00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:54.380
 no strength left.

00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:56.080
 His whole appearance

00:18:56.080 --> 00:18:57.480
 was changed

00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.660
 and he retained

00:18:58.660 --> 00:18:59.580
 no strength

00:18:59.580 --> 00:19:01.420
 and he fell on his face

00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.320
 in a deep sleep

00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:03.240
 with his face

00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:03.980
 to the ground.

00:19:04.300 --> 00:19:04.980
 Sounds like

00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.420
 what's happening

00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.180
 to John, right?

00:19:08.840 --> 00:19:09.480
 Listen,

00:19:09.580 --> 00:19:10.220
 when we come

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:12.020
 to worship Jesus,

00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:15.720
 when we pause

00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:17.740
 to pray to Jesus,

00:19:18.040 --> 00:19:19.220
 even before a meal,

00:19:19.780 --> 00:19:20.700
 for a few seconds,

00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:24.000
 when we slow down

00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.660
 to contemplate Jesus

00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:27.480
 and who he is,

00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:30.779
 his greatness

00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:33.460
 ought to stop us

00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:35.100
 in our tracks.

00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:36.380
 Everything else

00:19:36.380 --> 00:19:37.220
 should stop moving.

00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:40.440
 His greatness

00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.940
 ought to grab

00:19:41.940 --> 00:19:43.200
 our complete

00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:45.019
 and undivided attention.

00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:46.980
 It has to.

00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:51.119
 And as we get

00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:51.639
 overwhelmed

00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:53.539
 by his greatness,

00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:55.480
 it ought to prompt

00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:58.079
 one burning question

00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:59.000
 from us

00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.799
 over and over.

00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:04.000
 Are you on my team?

00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:08.720
 Are you on my side,

00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:09.480
 Jesus?

00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:13.579
 I can still remember

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.380
 a cartoon

00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:15.220
 that I saw

00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.360
 as a kid.

00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.039
 I don't even know

00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.880
 what it was called,

00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:18.799
 but there's a lot of them

00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:20.120
 like it so that the details

00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:21.319
 aren't that important.

00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.220
 But there was a little boy

00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.880
 who was being attacked

00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:26.140
 by dragons.

00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:27.279
 It was a little scary.

00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:29.019
 The dragons were much

00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:30.200
 bigger and stronger

00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:30.759
 than he was,

00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:32.140
 maybe five times

00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:32.660
 his size.

00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:34.000
 They were certainly

00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:35.440
 about to catch him

00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:37.000
 and crush him.

00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:37.700
 And they were

00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.860
 just getting close

00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:40.240
 to him in the chase

00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:41.059
 and all of a sudden

00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:42.639
 the boy and the dragon

00:20:42.639 --> 00:20:44.559
 stopped where they were.

00:20:45.479 --> 00:20:46.539
 And they turned to look

00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.899
 because there was a sound.

00:20:48.179 --> 00:20:50.819
 There was a booming sound

00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:53.319
 of a huge giant

00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:56.919
 coming across the fields.

00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.699
 Ten times bigger

00:20:58.699 --> 00:21:00.839
 than the dragons, right?

00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:02.179
 This giant comes

00:21:02.179 --> 00:21:03.159
 lumbering over

00:21:03.159 --> 00:21:04.699
 smashing trees

00:21:04.699 --> 00:21:06.539
 and tossing cars

00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:08.859
 and knocking tall buildings

00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:10.700
 off of their foundations.

00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.980
 And as this giant

00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:13.940
 comes over,

00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:16.099
 the look on the boy's face

00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:17.500
 was like,

00:21:17.659 --> 00:21:20.240
 are you going to eat me

00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:22.299
 or rescue me?

00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:25.639
 Are you on my team?

00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:29.379
 And it was really clear

00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:30.879
 that the greatness

00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.940
 of the giant,

00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:33.480
 his size,

00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.819
 his power,

00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:36.559
 the way he entered

00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.740
 the scene,

00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.759
 you knew

00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.099
 that the answer

00:21:40.099 --> 00:21:41.740
 to that question

00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:44.420
 was going to determine

00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:45.279
 the end of the story.

00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:49.720
 Well, what happened

00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:51.180
 was his arms

00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:52.799
 started swooping down

00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.980
 and the first hand

00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:54.640
 that came by

00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:56.140
 grabbed the little boy

00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:57.059
 and the second hand

00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:58.779
 just swept the dragons

00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.740
 out of the way

00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:01.539
 like little toy animals

00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:02.940
 and he picks the boy

00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:04.259
 up in his hand

00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:08.119
 and he smiles

00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:10.700
 and he says,

00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.559
 you're my friend.

00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:16.039
 Moments before,

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.619
 the boy was hopeless

00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:21.059
 and ready to give up

00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:22.799
 or maybe if he had

00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.440
 anything left,

00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.379
 it was just to give in

00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:25.819
 and join Team Dragon.

00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:27.559
 Maybe if they'd let him

00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.240
 come along

00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.200
 and save his life

00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.400
 because they were clearly

00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:31.500
 the ones winning.

00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:33.180
 They must be the ones

00:22:33.180 --> 00:22:33.819
 in charge.

00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:35.059
 Maybe I'll just

00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:35.920
 be a dragon.

00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:39.200
 To rescue him

00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:40.759
 from hopelessness

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:42.960
 or from compromise,

00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.440
 the boy needed

00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.400
 that giant

00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:48.220
 to be great

00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:51.779
 and good.

00:22:54.580 --> 00:22:55.259
 Great

00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:57.400
 and good.

00:22:57.400 --> 00:22:59.820
 We're going to see this

00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:00.860
 often in Revelation

00:23:00.860 --> 00:23:03.240
 where Jesus is both lion

00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:05.400
 and lamb.

00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:08.460
 Strong and kind,

00:23:08.840 --> 00:23:10.460
 merciful and mighty,

00:23:10.800 --> 00:23:12.600
 holy and gracious

00:23:12.600 --> 00:23:14.180
 at the same time.

00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:16.340
 When we confront Jesus,

00:23:16.540 --> 00:23:17.680
 we need to realize

00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.420
 he's a lion

00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.540
 who has swallowed up

00:23:19.540 --> 00:23:21.040
 girls and boys,

00:23:21.300 --> 00:23:22.560
 women and men,

00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:24.600
 kings and emperors,

00:23:24.600 --> 00:23:26.880
 cities and realms.

00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:28.240
 Thank you,

00:23:28.340 --> 00:23:28.860
 C.S. Lewis.

00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:32.060
 It is hard to feel safe

00:23:32.060 --> 00:23:33.360
 drawing near someone

00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:34.420
 so great.

00:23:36.280 --> 00:23:37.880
 But we must draw near

00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:38.860
 and find him

00:23:38.860 --> 00:23:40.100
 to be the fountain

00:23:40.100 --> 00:23:41.300
 of goodness

00:23:41.300 --> 00:23:42.620
 or else we will

00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:43.660
 die of thirst.

00:23:43.880 --> 00:23:44.920
 There's no other life.

00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:45.980
 We're hopeless

00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:47.080
 apart from him.

00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.400
 That's what David learns

00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:51.460
 in Psalm 62

00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:52.860
 when he's attacked

00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.880
 and he's waiting

00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:54.440
 for God

00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.780
 with no other refuge,

00:23:56.040 --> 00:23:56.759
 no other hope.

00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:58.119
 He learns two things

00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:58.759
 from God.

00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:01.920
 That power belongs

00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.519
 to God.

00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:03.940
 God, you are great.

00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.500
 And that to you,

00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:06.839
 O Lord,

00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:09.180
 belongs steadfast love.

00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:12.420
 God, you are good too.

00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:16.519
 Let me say this

00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.059
 one more way.

00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:19.379
 I don't know,

00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.379
 that's half dozen or so,

00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:21.900
 but this is an important concept.

00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:25.720
 kids, you know the song,

00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:27.640
 maybe you don't sing it anymore.

00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.960
 It was from when you were really little.

00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:31.280
 He's got the whole world

00:24:31.280 --> 00:24:32.500
 in his hands.

00:24:32.600 --> 00:24:33.180
 You know that one?

00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:34.820
 I'm embarrassed

00:24:34.820 --> 00:24:35.700
 that I sang it too.

00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:39.400
 When I sang that as a kid,

00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.280
 what I used to picture

00:24:40.280 --> 00:24:41.080
 in my mind

00:24:41.080 --> 00:24:43.240
 was Jesus' hand

00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.960
 with like the whole globe,

00:24:45.560 --> 00:24:46.600
 the whole earth

00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:47.740
 in his hand.

00:24:47.800 --> 00:24:49.160
 Do you ever picture it that way?

00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:49.200
 Right?

00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:51.360
 And that's true, right?

00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:54.380
 Because he is so big.

00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:57.640
 He holds the entire universe

00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:58.900
 in his hand.

00:24:59.259 --> 00:24:59.600
 But you know,

00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.460
 we sing some other things,

00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:01.880
 don't we,

00:25:02.320 --> 00:25:03.060
 in that song.

00:25:03.580 --> 00:25:04.220
 We sing,

00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:06.060
 he's got you and me

00:25:06.060 --> 00:25:07.680
 and the tiny little babies

00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:09.279
 in his hand.

00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:09.980
 Right?

00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.799
 In other words,

00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:14.039
 Jesus is so big

00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:15.279
 that the whole world is there,

00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:17.380
 but you are not so small

00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:19.700
 that he can't see you

00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:21.160
 and hold you

00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:23.400
 and care about you.

00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:23.960
 Right?

00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.960
 Jesus is great

00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:28.960
 and he's good.

00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.839
 He knows you.

00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.539
 He sees you.

00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:35.420
 He loves you.

00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:37.960
 He cares about you.

00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.559
 So,

00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:41.620
 he's bigger than you can imagine

00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:43.980
 and he holds you

00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:46.000
 and he smiles at you

00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:48.579
 and he calls you friend.

00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:50.880
 Amazing

00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:53.140
 that both of those are true.

00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:55.079
 I want you to keep thinking

00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:56.340
 about that powerful hand

00:25:56.340 --> 00:25:57.319
 for just a minute, okay?

00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:59.120
 The big hand

00:25:59.120 --> 00:26:01.019
 in which is the whole universe,

00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:02.759
 it holds the world.

00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:04.340
 Back here in Revelation,

00:26:05.340 --> 00:26:06.920
 his right hand holds what?

00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.620
 Seven

00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:11.019
 stars.

00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.579
 Seven

00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.480
 full,

00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:14.440
 all of them.

00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.740
 The whole universe.

00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.620
 And now,

00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.980
 flat on the ground

00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:20.980
 before the awesome power

00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.200
 of this Jesus,

00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:24.039
 John is nearly

00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:25.140
 dead.

00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.960
 He needs to know

00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.539
 one thing.

00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:29.660
 What does he need to know?

00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:33.120
 Is Jesus on his team?

00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:36.180
 Is Jesus there for him?

00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.660
 And Jesus has one more thing

00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.600
 that he wants his people

00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:39.660
 to see.

00:26:40.040 --> 00:26:40.380
 So,

00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:42.000
 that powerful right hand

00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:43.720
 does something else.

00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:48.079
 but he laid his right hand

00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:48.920
 on me

00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:51.019
 saying,

00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:51.759
 fear not.

00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.400
 I am the first

00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:53.980
 and the last

00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:54.779
 and the living one.

00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:55.799
 I died

00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.500
 and behold,

00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:58.079
 I am alive forevermore

00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:59.559
 and I have the keys

00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.140
 of death

00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:01.079
 and Hades.

00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:01.839
 Write,

00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.339
 therefore,

00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:03.920
 the things that you have seen,

00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:04.860
 those that are

00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:05.740
 and those that are

00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.480
 to take place

00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.440
 after this.

00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:09.100
 As for the mystery

00:27:09.100 --> 00:27:10.079
 of the seven stars

00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.680
 that you saw

00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.700
 in my right hand

00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:14.100
 and the seven golden lampstands,

00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:15.019
 the seven stars

00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:15.720
 are the angels

00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.860
 of the seven churches

00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:19.420
 and the seven lampstands

00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:21.700
 are the seven churches.

00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:24.340
 Jesus' same hand

00:27:24.340 --> 00:27:26.060
 that has the power

00:27:26.060 --> 00:27:28.000
 to hold the stars

00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.500
 reaches out

00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:31.440
 to touch us

00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:32.759
 tenderly.

00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:36.720
 It is vital for us.

00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.940
 What does Jesus

00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:38.920
 want to make sure

00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:40.180
 that we see about him

00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:40.660
 so that we get

00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.600
 the full picture

00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:42.700
 of who he is?

00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.720
 He wants us to know

00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:45.220
 that he's also good,

00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:47.299
 that he is for us,

00:27:47.560 --> 00:27:49.299
 that he's on our team.

00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.740
 Fear not.

00:27:53.560 --> 00:27:53.940
 He says,

00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.980
 don't you love that?

00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:58.640
 That Jesus understands

00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.900
 that you have much

00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:01.320
 to be afraid of

00:28:01.320 --> 00:28:05.680
 until you're scooped up

00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.299
 in his hand

00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:09.380
 and then he can say stop.

00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:13.440
 He wants his people

00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:13.799
 to know

00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.640
 that he is putting

00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:17.060
 all of his powerful might,

00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:19.440
 all of his incomparable greatness

00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:21.600
 to work for them

00:28:21.600 --> 00:28:22.720
 on their behalf,

00:28:22.860 --> 00:28:23.880
 for their blessing

00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:24.860
 and rescue

00:28:24.860 --> 00:28:26.039
 and salvation.

00:28:27.080 --> 00:28:27.820
 Look, John,

00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:29.100
 I am the first

00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:30.100
 and the last.

00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:31.840
 I'm the living one.

00:28:32.060 --> 00:28:32.160
 See,

00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.539
 before Rome was,

00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.820
 I am.

00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:36.619
 After Rome falls,

00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:38.200
 I will be.

00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.960
 And right now,

00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.980
 even while Rome

00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:44.720
 seems to rule,

00:28:46.139 --> 00:28:47.859
 I live.

00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:49.899
 In fact,

00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:52.019
 Rome sought to silence me

00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:53.519
 by crucifying me,

00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.919
 but I am alive

00:28:54.919 --> 00:28:56.159
 forevermore.

00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:57.659
 And so it's not just Rome

00:28:57.659 --> 00:28:58.740
 that I'm in charge of.

00:28:58.740 --> 00:29:00.380
 I hold the keys

00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:01.319
 of death

00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:02.480
 and Hades.

00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:03.960
 The gates of hell

00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:05.099
 will not prevail

00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:05.900
 against me

00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.960
 and my church

00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.779
 because I've got the keys.

00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.900
 Think how vital

00:29:11.900 --> 00:29:12.579
 this would have been

00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:14.539
 for the early church

00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:17.099
 and then for us.

00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.859
 For those who

00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:22.640
 were every morning

00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:24.240
 facing the imminent

00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:26.660
 possibility of death,

00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:29.519
 watching loved ones,

00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.540
 their brothers

00:29:30.540 --> 00:29:31.860
 and sisters in Christ

00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:32.759
 time and again

00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:34.120
 brutally martyred.

00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:38.120
 They need to know

00:29:38.120 --> 00:29:39.300
 the one

00:29:39.300 --> 00:29:40.519
 with the keys,

00:29:40.860 --> 00:29:41.240
 don't they?

00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:42.840
 Otherwise,

00:29:43.320 --> 00:29:44.580
 there's just no hope.

00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:46.000
 Death looms

00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.060
 as an enemy

00:29:47.060 --> 00:29:49.040
 larger than we know

00:29:49.040 --> 00:29:50.019
 how to handle,

00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:50.500
 right?

00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:53.000
 But our gentle giant

00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:55.000
 knows how to handle it.

00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:56.400
 He has trampled

00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:57.980
 sin and death

00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.900
 and the grave,

00:29:59.160 --> 00:30:00.360
 knocked them aside

00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:01.640
 like little toys

00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:03.880
 and captured the keys

00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:05.000
 and he holds them.

00:30:05.340 --> 00:30:06.340
 He's in charge.

00:30:07.060 --> 00:30:07.920
 Nothing else

00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:09.320
 and no one else.

00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:11.380
 So if you're trapped

00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:12.740
 in a dark building

00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:14.460
 and the doors

00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.080
 are all locked

00:30:15.080 --> 00:30:15.920
 and you don't know

00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:16.420
 how to get through

00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:16.880
 any of them,

00:30:17.040 --> 00:30:17.540
 what do you do?

00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.300
 You stay near

00:30:19.300 --> 00:30:20.660
 the one with the keys,

00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:20.960
 right?

00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.120
 Don't be stupid.

00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:24.120
 Stay near the guy

00:30:24.120 --> 00:30:25.019
 with the keys

00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.519
 and some days

00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.680
 death still feels

00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:28.279
 like that.

00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:30.000
 Like it has us trapped

00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:31.139
 and stuck

00:30:31.139 --> 00:30:32.539
 and there's darkness

00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.279
 all around

00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.579
 and we're confused

00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:35.559
 and afraid

00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:37.039
 and Jesus says,

00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:39.079
 stay near the one

00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:40.259
 with the keys.

00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.559
 When I walk through

00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:42.180
 the valley

00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:43.539
 of the shadow of death,

00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:44.480
 the only way

00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.940
 that I won't be afraid

00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:46.660
 and won't fear

00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:47.259
 any evil

00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:48.379
 is that you

00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:50.059
 are with me,

00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.460
 my good shepherd,

00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:53.059
 the one with the keys.

00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:59.799
 I may or may not

00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.220
 be able to get

00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:00.940
 through this next part

00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:02.220
 but last Sunday

00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:05.240
 our dear Betty Murray

00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.879
 got news

00:31:06.879 --> 00:31:08.539
 that her heart

00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.419
 could not be treated

00:31:09.419 --> 00:31:10.940
 and she was being moved

00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:12.240
 to hospice care.

00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:14.759
 Later that day

00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:16.559
 I knelt by her bedside

00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:17.899
 and asked her

00:31:17.899 --> 00:31:19.039
 if I could read her

00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:19.919
 Psalm 23.

00:31:20.179 --> 00:31:20.559
 I thought,

00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:22.099
 we talked about this,

00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:23.399
 she loved Psalm 23

00:31:23.399 --> 00:31:25.039
 and her face

00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:26.659
 kind of got this

00:31:26.659 --> 00:31:27.799
 uncertain look on it

00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.159
 and I thought,

00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:28.559
 oh no,

00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:30.059
 maybe I suggested

00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.559
 the wrong one.

00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:30.819
 I said,

00:31:30.939 --> 00:31:32.159
 is there one you like better?

00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:33.619
 Lots of choices,

00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:34.000
 right,

00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.659
 in Psalms.

00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.980
 Maybe Psalm 23,

00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:37.339
 not a favorite after all

00:31:37.339 --> 00:31:40.959
 and she said,

00:31:41.079 --> 00:31:41.439
 oh no

00:31:41.439 --> 00:31:44.679
 and then she paused

00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:46.660
 and a smile came over her face

00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:49.860
 and she just said,

00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:52.980
 the Lord is my shepherd.

00:31:54.080 --> 00:31:55.620
 I shall not want.

00:31:56.820 --> 00:31:58.039
 He maketh me

00:31:58.039 --> 00:32:00.160
 lie down in green pastures.

00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:01.740
 He leadeth me

00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:03.580
 beside still waters.

00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:08.199
 and 93 year old Betty

00:32:08.199 --> 00:32:09.399
 kept going

00:32:09.399 --> 00:32:11.279
 the whole way.

00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:14.240
 Betty has beautiful

00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:14.839
 white hair,

00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.399
 by the way.

00:32:16.659 --> 00:32:18.339
 We should heed her wisdom

00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:23.039
 that in the moment

00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:25.399
 where she just heard,

00:32:26.659 --> 00:32:28.179
 maybe death

00:32:28.179 --> 00:32:29.299
 has the upper hand.

00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:32.759
 she said no.

00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.599
 She remembered

00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:37.500
 and stayed near

00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.579
 the one

00:32:38.579 --> 00:32:39.839
 with the keys.

00:32:40.159 --> 00:32:41.379
 She saw

00:32:41.379 --> 00:32:42.919
 Jesus

00:32:42.919 --> 00:32:46.559
 and pointed me to him.

00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:49.799
 That was one of the deep griefs

00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:51.259
 of the season of COVID

00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:52.180
 a few years ago,

00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:52.599
 wasn't it?

00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:53.659
 That there were people

00:32:53.659 --> 00:32:54.519
 dying alone

00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:56.500
 and apart from their loved ones

00:32:56.500 --> 00:32:58.559
 and I thought a lot

00:32:58.559 --> 00:32:59.700
 about this vision

00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.339
 of Jesus,

00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.039
 of a God

00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:02.240
 near to us

00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:03.099
 and holding us

00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:04.599
 and holding the keys

00:33:04.599 --> 00:33:05.480
 of death

00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.319
 and Hades.

00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.759
 Stay near

00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.440
 the one

00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.559
 with the keys

00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:11.079
 because Jesus lives

00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:12.339
 forevermore

00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:12.940
 today

00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:14.039
 and forever.

00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.259
 He has

00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:16.440
 the keys.

00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.819
 He is great

00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:18.740
 and he is

00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.799
 for you

00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:21.000
 as you trust him

00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.819
 by faith.

00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:24.899
 No matter what

00:33:24.899 --> 00:33:25.460
 they go through,

00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:26.559
 he's holding his churches,

00:33:26.779 --> 00:33:27.119
 isn't he?

00:33:27.119 --> 00:33:29.239
 the seven stars

00:33:29.239 --> 00:33:30.299
 in his hand

00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:31.879
 are, it says,

00:33:31.959 --> 00:33:32.699
 the angels

00:33:32.699 --> 00:33:34.500
 of the seven churches.

00:33:35.479 --> 00:33:36.599
 Perhaps meaning

00:33:36.599 --> 00:33:37.579
 human leaders

00:33:37.579 --> 00:33:38.659
 of those churches.

00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:42.259
 Perhaps heavenly angels

00:33:42.259 --> 00:33:44.500
 representing each church.

00:33:44.599 --> 00:33:45.739
 Isn't that a cool thought?

00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:48.039
 Regardless,

00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:51.639
 representing his churches

00:33:51.639 --> 00:33:52.879
 in his hand

00:33:52.879 --> 00:33:54.039
 as he walks

00:33:54.039 --> 00:33:55.799
 among the lampstands,

00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:57.819
 his churches,

00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:59.139
 his people,

00:33:59.419 --> 00:34:00.180
 this is the part

00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:00.659
 of the vision

00:34:00.659 --> 00:34:02.019
 that Jesus explains

00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:03.299
 to us specifically

00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:04.379
 so that we can't

00:34:04.379 --> 00:34:04.899
 miss it.

00:34:05.579 --> 00:34:07.299
 He's with us

00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:09.679
 and he's holding us.

00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:12.719
 That will help you.

00:34:14.279 --> 00:34:15.679
 This vision of Jesus

00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:16.739
 has helped me often

00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:17.460
 as a pastor

00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:19.659
 when I feel small

00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:22.079
 or when I'm intimidated

00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:23.639
 by a leadership conflict

00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:24.319
 I don't know

00:34:24.319 --> 00:34:25.559
 how to resolve

00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:27.400
 or when I'm overwhelmed

00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:28.639
 by grief

00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:30.179
 that seems too big

00:34:30.179 --> 00:34:30.799
 for me to be

00:34:30.799 --> 00:34:32.440
 of any comfort in.

00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:35.199
 Jesus is great

00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:36.440
 and good

00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:37.679
 for his church.

00:34:37.759 --> 00:34:38.779
 He's with us

00:34:38.779 --> 00:34:40.859
 and he's holding us.

00:34:42.319 --> 00:34:42.819
 Many thought

00:34:42.819 --> 00:34:43.440
 the early church

00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.219
 wouldn't survive

00:34:44.219 --> 00:34:45.420
 the fires of Nero

00:34:45.420 --> 00:34:46.920
 or the systematic

00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:47.839
 persecution

00:34:47.839 --> 00:34:48.859
 of Domitian,

00:34:49.179 --> 00:34:50.179
 but it turned out

00:34:50.179 --> 00:34:51.019
 that the blood

00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:51.839
 of the martyrs

00:34:51.840 --> 00:34:52.700
 was the seed

00:34:52.700 --> 00:34:53.579
 of the church

00:34:53.579 --> 00:34:54.200
 that grew

00:34:54.200 --> 00:34:56.039
 as it saw its king

00:34:56.039 --> 00:34:57.940
 hold them faithfully

00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:59.160
 even through death.

00:35:00.860 --> 00:35:01.900
 There have been times

00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:02.840
 that people thought

00:35:02.840 --> 00:35:03.860
 the church in China

00:35:03.860 --> 00:35:05.700
 or the Soviet Union

00:35:05.700 --> 00:35:07.920
 would be stamped out,

00:35:08.220 --> 00:35:09.000
 but instead

00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:09.820
 it has flourished

00:35:09.820 --> 00:35:11.180
 underground often

00:35:11.180 --> 00:35:12.120
 where the king

00:35:12.120 --> 00:35:13.039
 with the keys

00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:14.780
 still rules there.

00:35:16.780 --> 00:35:17.380
 Recently,

00:35:17.480 --> 00:35:18.220
 the church in Iran,

00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:19.039
 as many of you know,

00:35:19.180 --> 00:35:20.600
 has grown more rapidly

00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:22.000
 than ever before

00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:23.460
 as the threat of death

00:35:23.460 --> 00:35:24.480
 has come to them

00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:25.599
 even more fiercely

00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:26.639
 than ever before,

00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:27.500
 but many of them

00:35:27.500 --> 00:35:28.799
 keep seeing a vision

00:35:28.799 --> 00:35:29.779
 of Jesus.

00:35:33.339 --> 00:35:34.199
 And there are those

00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:35.239
 concerned that the church

00:35:35.239 --> 00:35:36.339
 in the United States

00:35:36.339 --> 00:35:37.759
 is fading,

00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:40.119
 compromising

00:35:40.119 --> 00:35:41.119
 with a culture

00:35:41.119 --> 00:35:41.980
 of worldliness.

00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:43.279
 I get it.

00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:45.739
 Or where it's not,

00:35:45.819 --> 00:35:46.860
 just being ignored

00:35:46.860 --> 00:35:47.800
 more and more.

00:35:50.340 --> 00:35:51.539
 But these churches

00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:53.579
 continue to prevail

00:35:53.579 --> 00:35:54.620
 against the gates

00:35:54.620 --> 00:35:55.200
 of hell,

00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:56.120
 not because

00:35:56.120 --> 00:35:57.099
 they've got it all

00:35:57.099 --> 00:35:57.720
 figured out

00:35:57.720 --> 00:35:58.960
 and they hold the power

00:35:58.960 --> 00:36:00.160
 and they're in charge,

00:36:00.320 --> 00:36:01.660
 but because a strong,

00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:03.460
 victorious Jesus

00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:04.840
 full of wisdom

00:36:04.840 --> 00:36:06.019
 and power

00:36:06.019 --> 00:36:07.120
 and majesty

00:36:07.120 --> 00:36:08.099
 is fighting

00:36:08.099 --> 00:36:09.740
 for them.

00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:10.900
 He's with us

00:36:10.900 --> 00:36:12.220
 and He's holding us.

00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:13.160
 Don't give in.

00:36:14.200 --> 00:36:15.240
 Don't give up.

00:36:15.239 --> 00:36:17.000
 And you say,

00:36:17.279 --> 00:36:17.619
 how?

00:36:18.719 --> 00:36:21.039
 How am I transformed

00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:22.379
 because I don't feel that?

00:36:22.579 --> 00:36:23.739
 How do I get changed

00:36:23.739 --> 00:36:25.500
 so that I stand firm

00:36:25.500 --> 00:36:27.079
 and speak up

00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:28.899
 and suffer boldly?

00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:30.819
 How does that happen, Jesus?

00:36:32.339 --> 00:36:34.059
 We see Jesus.

00:36:36.579 --> 00:36:37.839
 He's stronger

00:36:37.839 --> 00:36:39.639
 than our enemies

00:36:39.639 --> 00:36:40.479
 no matter

00:36:40.479 --> 00:36:42.439
 how they boast,

00:36:43.059 --> 00:36:44.559
 what it might look like.

00:36:45.239 --> 00:36:46.319
 He is the one,

00:36:46.439 --> 00:36:47.199
 not Rome,

00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:48.659
 not America,

00:36:49.000 --> 00:36:50.219
 not living for yourself

00:36:50.219 --> 00:36:51.299
 and your own freedoms,

00:36:51.439 --> 00:36:52.779
 having it your own way.

00:36:53.119 --> 00:36:54.059
 He's the one

00:36:54.059 --> 00:36:55.500
 who knows real life,

00:36:55.839 --> 00:36:56.639
 true life,

00:36:56.939 --> 00:36:57.819
 abundant life,

00:36:58.099 --> 00:36:59.279
 everlasting life.

00:36:59.399 --> 00:37:00.579
 He holds the keys

00:37:00.579 --> 00:37:01.279
 of death

00:37:01.279 --> 00:37:02.039
 and hell

00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:03.879
 and He is with you

00:37:03.879 --> 00:37:05.599
 and He is holding you.

00:37:05.839 --> 00:37:06.879
 Do you see that,

00:37:07.019 --> 00:37:07.319
 Jesus?

00:37:08.119 --> 00:37:09.299
 That great

00:37:09.299 --> 00:37:10.239
 and good

00:37:10.879 --> 00:37:11.639
 Jesus?

00:37:11.839 --> 00:37:12.979
 That will change you.

00:37:12.980 --> 00:37:18.639
 341 years ago,

00:37:18.840 --> 00:37:20.260
 two godly women

00:37:20.260 --> 00:37:21.559
 named Margaret

00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:23.099
 were martyred

00:37:23.099 --> 00:37:24.219
 in Wigtown,

00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:24.719
 Scotland

00:37:24.719 --> 00:37:27.340
 for their commitment

00:37:27.340 --> 00:37:28.139
 to worshipping

00:37:28.139 --> 00:37:28.719
 the Jesus

00:37:28.719 --> 00:37:29.780
 of the Bible.

00:37:30.179 --> 00:37:30.900
 I've told you

00:37:30.900 --> 00:37:31.860
 their story before

00:37:31.860 --> 00:37:33.119
 in case it sounds familiar.

00:37:33.280 --> 00:37:33.480
 Yep,

00:37:33.719 --> 00:37:34.679
 that might have been me.

00:37:34.679 --> 00:37:37.779
 but 70-year-old widow

00:37:37.779 --> 00:37:38.279
 Margaret

00:37:38.279 --> 00:37:40.500
 was tied to a stake

00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:41.839
 a bit out in the ocean

00:37:41.839 --> 00:37:44.899
 as the tides rose

00:37:44.899 --> 00:37:47.059
 and her dear friend,

00:37:47.460 --> 00:37:49.399
 18-year-old farmer's daughter,

00:37:49.539 --> 00:37:49.839
 Margaret,

00:37:50.319 --> 00:37:53.039
 was tied closer to shore

00:37:53.039 --> 00:37:56.820
 to watch her white-haired friend

00:37:56.820 --> 00:37:58.420
 die first.

00:37:59.920 --> 00:38:00.920
 Their executioners

00:38:00.920 --> 00:38:02.460
 thought that the younger Margaret

00:38:02.460 --> 00:38:03.380
 would give in

00:38:03.380 --> 00:38:05.000
 and would recant.

00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:07.079
 Certainly she will

00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:08.079
 as she watches

00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:09.860
 one of her heroes

00:38:09.860 --> 00:38:10.920
 and friends

00:38:10.920 --> 00:38:11.619
 die.

00:38:12.779 --> 00:38:14.039
 So as the waters

00:38:14.039 --> 00:38:15.960
 covered the older woman,

00:38:16.139 --> 00:38:16.759
 they turned

00:38:16.759 --> 00:38:18.599
 and asked the younger Margaret

00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:20.039
 what she saw

00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:22.099
 and what she thought now.

00:38:23.259 --> 00:38:24.340
 Can you imagine that?

00:38:28.380 --> 00:38:29.400
 Standing there

00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:32.219
 at 18 years old

00:38:32.219 --> 00:38:34.820
 trying to figure out

00:38:34.820 --> 00:38:36.400
 how can I stand?

00:38:37.559 --> 00:38:39.300
 How can I speak faithfully?

00:38:39.800 --> 00:38:42.139
 How can I suffer boldly?

00:38:43.340 --> 00:38:44.500
 What would she need?

00:38:46.860 --> 00:38:48.259
 She looked up and said,

00:38:48.820 --> 00:38:49.900
 I see Christ.

00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:50.699
 She was just

00:38:50.699 --> 00:38:52.559
 wrestling there.

00:38:54.320 --> 00:38:55.559
 She saw not a failure,

00:38:56.380 --> 00:38:58.000
 not a defeated loser,

00:38:59.259 --> 00:39:01.259
 not a friend

00:39:01.259 --> 00:39:02.139
 who was going under

00:39:02.139 --> 00:39:03.099
 and would never come up.

00:39:03.179 --> 00:39:05.099
 She saw a victorious king

00:39:05.099 --> 00:39:06.719
 with her friend,

00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:08.179
 holding her friend

00:39:08.179 --> 00:39:09.139
 who would therefore

00:39:09.139 --> 00:39:10.579
 not be overwhelmed

00:39:10.579 --> 00:39:11.779
 by the waters

00:39:11.779 --> 00:39:13.820
 but triumph over death

00:39:13.820 --> 00:39:15.460
 because she was held

00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:17.440
 by the one with the keys.

00:39:17.739 --> 00:39:18.079
 She said,

00:39:18.219 --> 00:39:19.500
 I see Christ.

00:39:20.039 --> 00:39:22.599
 whatever is overwhelming

00:39:22.599 --> 00:39:23.259
 you today,

00:39:23.719 --> 00:39:24.960
 whatever you're tempted

00:39:24.960 --> 00:39:26.219
 to give in,

00:39:26.599 --> 00:39:28.019
 to give up,

00:39:28.860 --> 00:39:30.480
 see Jesus.

00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:33.960
 maybe that sounds,

00:39:34.159 --> 00:39:35.019
 I don't know,

00:39:35.019 --> 00:39:36.480
 hard to figure out

00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:37.500
 but look,

00:39:37.539 --> 00:39:39.019
 he's not far away from you.

00:39:39.240 --> 00:39:40.240
 You don't have to wonder

00:39:40.240 --> 00:39:40.920
 where he is

00:39:40.920 --> 00:39:41.760
 or what he's like

00:39:41.760 --> 00:39:42.559
 because it says

00:39:42.559 --> 00:39:43.199
 he's walking

00:39:43.199 --> 00:39:44.699
 among the lampstands

00:39:44.699 --> 00:39:45.940
 and holding the stars

00:39:45.940 --> 00:39:47.000
 in his hand

00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:48.539
 which means that great,

00:39:48.820 --> 00:39:49.780
 gracious giant

00:39:49.780 --> 00:39:51.380
 has scooped us up

00:39:51.380 --> 00:39:53.199
 and is now smiling down

00:39:53.199 --> 00:39:53.659
 at us

00:39:53.659 --> 00:39:55.019
 just like this,

00:39:55.380 --> 00:39:56.019
 looking down

00:39:56.019 --> 00:39:57.300
 at his friends

00:39:57.300 --> 00:39:59.159
 so you can just

00:39:59.159 --> 00:40:00.099
 rest there

00:40:00.099 --> 00:40:00.679
 for a minute

00:40:00.679 --> 00:40:02.920
 and you can look

00:40:02.920 --> 00:40:03.920
 at him up close.

00:40:05.519 --> 00:40:06.800
 He's great

00:40:06.800 --> 00:40:09.519
 and he's good.

00:40:09.780 --> 00:40:11.159
 He is strong

00:40:11.159 --> 00:40:11.880
 to save

00:40:11.880 --> 00:40:13.300
 and he loves

00:40:13.300 --> 00:40:14.099
 to save.

00:40:14.480 --> 00:40:16.079
 He is with us

00:40:16.079 --> 00:40:17.940
 and he is holding you.

00:40:17.940 --> 00:40:20.260
 For more information,

00:40:20.619 --> 00:40:21.500
 visit us online

00:40:21.500 --> 00:40:22.559
 at southwood.org