WEBVTT 00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:09.620 Isaiah receives a revelation of the glory of the Lord's, and he is then commissioned 00:00:09.620 --> 00:00:11.060 to serve him as a prophet. 00:00:12.359 --> 00:00:19.280 And as we read Isaiah 6 and the commissioning of Isaiah and the vision of God's glory, we'll 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:24.379 see connections with what we'll then read in Revelation chapter 4. 00:00:24.379 --> 00:00:31.379 So first of all, in Isaiah chapter 6, let's hear God's word together. 00:00:54.380 --> 00:01:24.359 Amen. 00:01:24.379 --> 00:01:26.780 We thank God for his word. 00:01:27.519 --> 00:01:31.060 An region of Asia in 95 AD. 00:01:31.599 --> 00:01:36.459 One of the letters to the seven churches is addressed to this city of Ephesus. 00:01:37.099 --> 00:01:44.280 So at the time, 95 AD, the emperor is a man named Domitian, and it's a time when the cult 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:47.399 of the emperor is on the rise. 00:01:47.400 --> 00:01:54.800 And in particular, this region of Asia where Ephesus is, they're really excited about the 00:01:54.800 --> 00:01:55.660 emperor cult. 00:01:55.780 --> 00:02:02.680 So if you were to walk around the city of Ephesus, you would find great new public buildings devoted 00:02:02.680 --> 00:02:04.080 to the god Caesar. 00:02:04.080 --> 00:02:11.860 You would find that there were festival times through the year that were devoted to the god 00:02:11.860 --> 00:02:15.620 Caesar and to the Roman pantheon of gods. 00:02:15.960 --> 00:02:22.580 Even as you went to the marketplace to buy your meat, you would find that meat would have been 00:02:22.580 --> 00:02:25.240 sacrificed to a variety of gods. 00:02:25.240 --> 00:02:33.939 So as a new Christian in Ephesus in 95 AD, you would absolutely be feeling the squeeze. 00:02:33.939 --> 00:02:46.280 Perhaps you may have already lost your job facing slander from a wider community who doesn't 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:50.900 understand this new religion and who Jesus is. 00:02:51.379 --> 00:02:54.680 Maybe some of your friends are already in prison. 00:02:54.680 --> 00:03:04.659 How is the book of Revelation going to be good news to a group of Christians in Ephesus who are worn down, 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:10.159 who are under pressure, who are losing their first love? 00:03:10.420 --> 00:03:12.900 And that's not just external pressure. 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:19.580 Internally, you can read about this in chapter 2, there are false teachers coming to Ephesus, 00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:24.200 and they're encouraging the church to also worship idols. 00:03:24.680 --> 00:03:30.819 To kind of blend their Christianity with the prevailing culture. 00:03:31.740 --> 00:03:34.020 How is Revelation good news to that church? 00:03:35.040 --> 00:03:38.439 Come back now to Edinburgh in Europe in 2019. 00:03:39.379 --> 00:03:41.020 How do we find ourselves today? 00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:43.500 Our church, the church, is small. 00:03:44.520 --> 00:03:45.560 It's marginalized. 00:03:46.600 --> 00:03:50.159 In some places, openly mocked. 00:03:50.159 --> 00:03:53.060 And again, Christianity is feeling the squeeze. 00:03:53.879 --> 00:03:59.300 That it's fine for faith to be private, but it's very difficult to live your faith in public. 00:04:00.340 --> 00:04:06.379 Perhaps you've had the experience of trying to live faithfully, trying to share your faith, 00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:14.840 and you're met with perhaps apathy, or met with very resistant atheism, 00:04:15.340 --> 00:04:22.480 or there's simply misunderstanding and a lack of care about what you hold precious. 00:04:22.480 --> 00:04:28.120 How is Revelation good news for you and me today? 00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:43.459 Revelation 1 is really significant opening. 00:04:44.540 --> 00:04:45.819 Let's read together. 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:47.759 Verse 1. 00:04:47.759 --> 00:05:03.019 That one verse answers a lot of the who and the why. 00:05:03.099 --> 00:05:06.659 It tells us where did this revelation come from. 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:12.600 And we've got this wonderful process where it comes from the Father to the Son, 00:05:12.860 --> 00:05:16.980 and from the Son to the angels, and it's delivered to the Apostle John, 00:05:17.180 --> 00:05:21.480 who is a prisoner in the island of Patmos, persecuted because of his faith. 00:05:23.460 --> 00:05:30.120 And it's given to prepare the people of God for what must soon take place. 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:33.540 And notice verse 2. 00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:36.160 John testifies to everything he saw. 00:05:36.300 --> 00:05:39.800 That is the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:46.959 What we read in Revelation is the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ that's come through John. 00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:47.939 And verse 3. 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:52.100 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, 00:05:52.840 --> 00:05:57.180 and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what's written in it, 00:05:57.199 --> 00:05:58.780 because the time is near. 00:05:58.779 --> 00:06:05.479 There is blessing from God for us as the people of God in the book of Revelation. 00:06:07.659 --> 00:06:10.879 But perhaps, if you're anything like me, 00:06:12.339 --> 00:06:15.039 your first response to Revelation is not, 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:16.639 this is a place to find blessing. 00:06:17.299 --> 00:06:19.639 It's more, it's a place to find confusion. 00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:23.919 There are lots of images, and there are battles, and there are judgments, 00:06:24.159 --> 00:06:26.839 and it can feel so difficult to access. 00:06:26.839 --> 00:06:33.759 Sometimes it reads more like a graphic novel than it does anything else in the New Testament. 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:40.379 And so we can be tempted to leave it to one side as something that's not for us, 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:42.859 maybe for another time and another place. 00:06:42.860 --> 00:06:49.100 So our goal in these weeks to come is not a small goal, but it's a significant goal. 00:06:49.540 --> 00:06:53.620 It's that we would see the gospel in the book of Revelation. 00:06:54.300 --> 00:07:00.620 That we would be, as the people of God, encouraged and find hope from what we read in this. 00:07:00.660 --> 00:07:03.620 Because when we pay it all back, we think, 00:07:03.620 --> 00:07:06.319 what is the key message that we find in Revelation? 00:07:07.340 --> 00:07:11.600 We discover that in Christ, the future is certain. 00:07:12.540 --> 00:07:18.340 We discover that Christ will return, and that there will be an end to evil. 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:24.519 That for the people of God, for the church of God, we will share in the victory of the Lord Jesus. 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:31.139 That he offers to us a guarantee for our future and for our eternity. 00:07:31.899 --> 00:07:39.599 That we are being invited to know the Lord who stands over history and over his world. 00:07:39.959 --> 00:07:43.079 And so there is good news for us in this book. 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:48.479 If you've read it, or if you've even dipped into it, 00:07:48.519 --> 00:07:51.699 you will know that there is a lot of action that takes place. 00:07:52.359 --> 00:07:54.079 But it's helpful again for us to think, 00:07:54.259 --> 00:07:59.699 what are the key events that dominate the book of Revelation? 00:08:00.839 --> 00:08:05.199 One we maybe expect, but let me begin by saying, 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:12.079 the cross of Jesus is the central event in this book. 00:08:13.079 --> 00:08:14.759 That's maybe not what we expect. 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:23.419 But we are presented time and time and time again with the Lamb who was slain. 00:08:24.339 --> 00:08:28.959 And we're being invited to think about Jesus and his sacrifice 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:33.699 and his victory over sin and death at the cross, 00:08:33.699 --> 00:08:39.779 so that we would understand as readers that his victory is secure. 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:44.899 All the judgment scenes that come, all the battle scenes that we read of, 00:08:45.199 --> 00:08:49.659 they never put the victory of Jesus in doubt for a moment. 00:08:50.419 --> 00:08:55.279 Because there at the cross, the devil and the forces of evil and darkness 00:08:55.279 --> 00:08:57.659 have been decisively defeated. 00:08:57.799 --> 00:09:02.259 So the cross of Jesus is central to the book of Revelation. 00:09:02.259 --> 00:09:05.899 It's a helpful key to unlock what's going on. 00:09:06.179 --> 00:09:12.539 The other key event, perhaps more obvious, is the return of Jesus. 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:18.360 They're being told to get ready for the return of Jesus, 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:23.819 that point at which his victory is forever secured. 00:09:23.820 --> 00:09:30.379 When that last resistance against his will is finally ended. 00:09:31.040 --> 00:09:37.260 When the end of evil comes and there is the renewal of all things. 00:09:39.760 --> 00:09:46.820 Theologians from previous times have drawn a helpful image from World War II. 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:51.000 If you know that the timeline of World War II, 00:09:51.140 --> 00:09:57.900 the D-Day landings were the decisive moment in the war, 00:09:58.040 --> 00:10:02.240 the decisive turning point where victory for the allies 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:05.780 from that point onwards was never in doubt. 00:10:06.060 --> 00:10:09.980 D-Day is crucial to World War II. 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:16.259 But we also know that the axis of evil continued to fight, 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:20.580 continued to rage until victory in Europe Day. 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:27.920 Revelation says the church lives between the time of the cross, 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:32.340 D-Day, decisive victory, and the second coming, V-E-Day, 00:10:32.420 --> 00:10:34.259 when victory is finally secured. 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:41.200 And in between those times, there is suffering and there is opposition, 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:47.139 but there is the security of that final victory. 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:53.139 So the vision of John stands as comfort for a suffering church, 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:55.840 for the church of his day, for a church in Ephesus, 00:10:56.279 --> 00:10:58.559 for the church in all times, for the church in Edinburgh. 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:03.179 It is saying to us, keep going in your faith because your God reigns. 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:10.059 Persevere in following him because your future and your eternity are secure through Jesus. 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:14.539 There is one Lord and his name is Jesus, not Caesar. 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:18.779 So there is encouragement and there is hope and there is comfort. 00:11:20.459 --> 00:11:22.439 But Revelation is also a prophecy. 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:23.879 Did you see that in verse 3? 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:26.959 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy. 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:29.879 So Jesus is going to come back. 00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:34.320 That certain Jesus will return as judge. 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:39.879 And so we need to be ready for that day. 00:11:41.179 --> 00:11:46.480 The return of Jesus will mean condemnation for some and salvation for others, 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:50.519 depending on how we have responded to Jesus in this life. 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:56.519 Is our faith in him to forgive our sins and to bring us to God. 00:11:56.519 --> 00:12:01.939 So Revelation reminds us with urgency, be ready for the return of the king. 00:12:04.319 --> 00:12:08.960 There was a lecturer in the theology college up in the Highlands, 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:15.500 Noel Jew, who talked about history as the battle for worship. 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:23.759 And when you read the imagery of Revelation, you see there is Jesus, the lamb, and he deserves all worship. 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:28.419 But then there is this beast who wants to claim our worship. 00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:32.639 And so we are being called to think really carefully, 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:40.340 who or what do I worship in my life really and truly? 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:44.500 The function of the hymns. 00:12:44.540 --> 00:12:48.620 So we're going to focus on the hymns, the songs of Revelation. 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:50.600 Why are they there? 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:52.399 What function do they have? 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:56.980 Two main ideas that will be helpful for us as we work our way in coming weeks. 00:12:57.420 --> 00:13:02.519 First, the hymns serve as a gospel commentary on the events. 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:06.360 Lots of action, judgment scenes. 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:13.340 The lens that the hymns give to us is that we see all the events happening, 00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:16.379 knowing that our sovereign God is in control. 00:13:17.699 --> 00:13:21.220 And the hymns keep reminding us of the victory and the reign of Jesus Christ. 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:25.759 That's how we are invited to view the whole of Revelation. 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:34.539 But the hymns also encourage us here on earth to pattern our worship on the worship of heaven. 00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:46.000 We are invited to see what are these new songs that we get to sing as the people of God joining in the worship of heaven. 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:47.879 The church sings. 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:51.519 Not just the church that sings, armies sing. 00:13:51.519 --> 00:14:02.639 Again, this week I found myself looking at a collection, a compilation of some of the most popular songs that our British troops sang in World War II. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:07.759 It's really interesting to see the kind of themes of those songs. 00:14:08.220 --> 00:14:09.579 They sang for different reasons. 00:14:09.699 --> 00:14:13.659 They sang for a sense of camaraderie and morale. 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:18.199 They sang in foreign countries as reminders of home. 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:21.920 Think about the White Cliffs of Dover as a popular example. 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:25.259 And they sang songs to give them confidence. 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:30.860 They were singing, anticipating victory in battles about to begin. 00:14:31.800 --> 00:14:40.480 I want to suggest as we come to the hymns of Revelation, here are the songs for our spiritual battle. 00:14:41.400 --> 00:14:46.800 Here are songs to keep us united in persevering faith. 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:53.259 Here are songs that change our perspective to remind us where our true home is. 00:14:53.579 --> 00:14:55.919 We are currently exiles. 00:14:56.419 --> 00:15:00.240 Our true home is with God and with Jesus our Savior. 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:06.240 And these songs celebrate the certain victory of the Lamb who was slain, 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:10.740 who is also the Lion who rules in majesty. 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:15.059 Now we're getting towards our text. 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:17.919 Turn with me now to chapter 4. 00:15:18.479 --> 00:15:26.939 Worship in God's throne room is what we are drawn to in chapter 4 and chapter 5. 00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:30.039 This is a crucial vision. 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.919 So it falls in between. 00:15:32.059 --> 00:15:41.239 So it comes after these seven letters from Jesus through John to persecuted, suffering churches. 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:47.120 And so you get these letters and then this vision of the glory of God to say to them, 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:53.159 keep following this Lord, keep following this King, not the pretender Caesar. 00:15:54.159 --> 00:16:02.240 But then chapters 4 and 5, they come before 6 to 18, which is a really lengthy series of judgment cycles. 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:08.620 And we are being reminded, this is the God who is in control of history. 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:13.899 This is the one who is working out His purposes in time and history. 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:17.740 This is the God who will judge evil to save His people, 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:20.279 to establish the new heaven and the earth, 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:25.600 to give us that world that we all want by the time we get to Revelation 21. 00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:30.539 A world without pain and suffering and tears. 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:32.500 A world without death. 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:35.799 A world of perfect joy and love and peace. 00:16:36.199 --> 00:16:39.019 A world where heaven and earth are united, 00:16:39.199 --> 00:16:43.039 where we get to worship our great God and King. 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:49.980 So 4 and 5, they occupy a really vital place in the book. 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:53.339 Again, if we continue with the battle imagery, 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:55.519 and Revelation is full of battle imagery, 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:59.819 spiritual battle, battle between good and evil is all there in Revelation. 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.899 To continue that theme, 00:17:03.199 --> 00:17:07.559 God's throne room is, as it were, the command center. 00:17:08.139 --> 00:17:10.899 It's the control room of supreme headquarters. 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:15.120 This is where the victory of Christ is planned out. 00:17:16.080 --> 00:17:21.560 This is where the victory of Christ is also celebrated 00:17:21.560 --> 00:17:24.180 by those who are around the throne. 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:27.660 And so we are being reminded that this victory, 00:17:27.840 --> 00:17:30.360 we can be brought into this great victory 00:17:30.360 --> 00:17:34.660 if we are joining in the worship of heaven. 00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:39.700 If our great desire is for Jesus our Savior, 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:41.880 if God is our Lord and King, 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:44.640 then this victory and this worship is ours 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:46.779 as the people of God. 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:51.700 There's a wonderful picture of worship here in chapter 4. 00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:56.299 We are presented in visual ways with the glory of God. 00:17:56.759 --> 00:18:00.200 So in verse 3, we see His shining, sparkling glory. 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:03.240 We see His powerful glory. 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:08.519 In verse 5, thundering lightning like on Mount Sinai, 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:11.460 where God met with His people in the book of the Exodus. 00:18:12.120 --> 00:18:16.859 And we're also being presented with figures around the throne 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:19.680 and worship around the throne. 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:21.779 And this worship that builds up, 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:27.620 it begins in verses 6 and 8 with these four living creatures. 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:32.539 These images are drawn from the Old Testament, 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:37.379 a way to represent every sort of living thing. 00:18:38.739 --> 00:18:41.199 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:43.579 So the creatures around the throne, 00:18:43.719 --> 00:18:44.879 they begin to worship. 00:18:45.179 --> 00:18:46.419 But then as they worship, 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:51.759 they're joined by the 24 elders in verse 10. 00:18:52.719 --> 00:18:54.939 Who are these 24 elders? 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:56.240 Who do they represent? 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:59.620 Well, most likely, drawing from Revelation 21, 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:02.000 that represents the 12 tribes of Israel, 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.640 the 12 apostles. 00:19:03.820 --> 00:19:07.500 In other words, here is a way to represent the people of God 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:09.940 in the Old Testament and the New Testament age, 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:12.120 united together around the throne, 00:19:12.580 --> 00:19:15.259 worshiping God and Jesus, the Lamb, 00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:16.940 who is the Savior. 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:24.299 Earth and heaven combining in worship and praise. 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:27.720 A few weeks ago, we were in Romans chapter 8. 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:29.940 We were thinking about the earth 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:31.799 and the people of God together, 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.360 groaning in anticipation. 00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:36.940 When will the renewal of all things come? 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:38.400 Well, here, the picture is different. 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:40.120 Here is the earth and the people of God, 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:43.759 worshiping with joy in the certainty of what's to come. 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:51.559 There are two things that are real for us in the present 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:53.660 as we think about Revelation, 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.700 and they're both in the book. 00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:58.660 We are a people who will both suffer 00:19:58.660 --> 00:20:02.220 and we are a people who should sing. 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:06.180 Yes, there will be opposition. 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:08.960 Yes, there is the normal suffering of life. 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:13.319 Yes, there are trials and we are pushed to the margin, 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:16.960 but we sing and we sing with joy 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:19.799 when we see the King in His glory, 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:23.299 when He fills our gaze. 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:26.000 And one of the wonderful things about the book of Revelation 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:30.319 is it helps us to persevere in our worship. 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:35.440 I read just this morning from Tim Kesey. 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.900 I've spoken about him a few times. 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:40.500 He's a Christian who's also a travel journalist 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:42.860 who goes to places where it's hard to be a Christian. 00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:47.940 He was talking about a visit he made to Pakistan in 2016. 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:53.440 He was in a community where 300 Christians had been attacked, 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:56.440 where churches had been burned, 00:20:57.019 --> 00:21:00.700 where houses had been looted or destroyed. 00:21:01.380 --> 00:21:04.100 And he spoke of one brother in Christ 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:10.439 coming with his Bible to the very ashes of the church 00:21:10.439 --> 00:21:13.899 and telling this man, Tim Kesey, 00:21:13.959 --> 00:21:18.359 of words of promise that kept him going as the church suffered. 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.079 This is what he read. 00:21:20.179 --> 00:21:20.579 He read, 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:23.719 Be faithful unto death, 00:21:24.179 --> 00:21:26.639 and I will give you a crown of life. 00:21:27.939 --> 00:21:29.079 Where's that from? 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.899 It's from Revelation. 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:34.960 The book of Revelation gives solid hope 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:37.759 to suffering Christians. 00:21:38.540 --> 00:21:41.019 It tells us to keep going. 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:47.580 It encourages us to join in the day and night singing of heaven 00:21:47.580 --> 00:21:52.660 to the eternal God who deserves eternal praise. 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:59.040 So today is a good day for us to stop and reflect. 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:02.360 Is this the God who I worship? 00:22:03.300 --> 00:22:06.100 Is this the one who I am trusting in, 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:10.560 both in my life and with my death? 00:22:11.300 --> 00:22:15.900 Do I join my heart and my voice to worship God, 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:20.540 to worship Jesus, his son, as Lord over all? 00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:23.399 Very, very briefly, 00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:28.299 let's identify some of the notes of praise 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:30.960 that these hymns give 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:33.339 as we sing to our glorious God. 00:22:33.639 --> 00:22:35.940 Verse 8 and verse 11. 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:38.019 First thing to see, 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:41.019 our God is holy. 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:43.019 See there in verse 8, 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:44.159 day and night, 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:46.799 the four living creatures never stop saying, 00:22:47.399 --> 00:22:49.700 holy, holy, holy. 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:52.840 Just like Isaiah's vision of God 00:22:52.840 --> 00:22:54.080 and the angel singing, 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:57.039 holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty. 00:22:57.380 --> 00:23:00.600 That repetition there is for emphasis. 00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:04.680 Our God represents ultimate holiness. 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:07.519 He is the one who is set apart. 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:10.319 He is the one who is wholly other. 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:14.059 He is the only one who is sinless and perfect. 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:16.519 He stands in a moral category, 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:18.139 all of his own. 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.379 And as such, 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:23.700 he stands over and is able and qualified 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:26.399 to judge and to save. 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:30.099 Think about that message 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:32.039 for the people in Ephesus, 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:33.240 the Christians in Ephesus 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:34.659 in all their uncertainty, 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:36.460 with the rise of Caesar, 00:23:37.139 --> 00:23:38.799 with the rise of hostility. 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:41.940 Think about our own situation. 00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:43.919 Politically, 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:46.299 who knows what the future holds? 00:23:47.379 --> 00:23:48.359 In society, 00:23:48.659 --> 00:23:50.220 who knows where we're heading? 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:53.319 God does. 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:57.720 In the face of our personal suffering, 00:23:58.059 --> 00:24:00.359 what is this hymn saying to us? 00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.859 This is our God 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:02.779 and he is trustworthy. 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:06.059 This is the God who is on the throne. 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:07.799 He is greater than any Caesar. 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:09.859 He's greater than any force. 00:24:10.159 --> 00:24:11.859 He is truly good 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:14.639 and he is our God. 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:17.180 Our God is holy 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:19.779 and we praise him as such. 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:22.619 Our God is all-powerful. 00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:24.259 Again, verse 8, 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:27.460 he is the Lord God Almighty. 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:30.879 Similar to Isaiah 6. 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:34.180 Then he was the Lord of hosts, 00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:36.960 the commander-in-chief of heaven's armies. 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:39.720 And here he is the Lord God Almighty, 00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:41.640 the one who has no rival, 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:45.740 the one whose rule and power is absolute. 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:49.720 It's significant to think that 00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:51.840 praise towards God 00:24:51.840 --> 00:24:55.700 is also a word against God's rivals. 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:58.960 To recognize God is all-powerful 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:01.779 is to begin to realize 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:03.259 that those Caesars, 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.920 those things that claim a hold on us, 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:07.240 they lack true power 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:09.839 compared to our God. 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:12.960 Those idols in our lives 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:15.220 that claim that they can give us happiness 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:17.039 and security and identity, 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:18.859 that job, 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.740 that relationship, 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:20.920 that money in the bank, 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:23.180 we need to see that 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:24.640 though they are good, 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.740 they are not God. 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:28.000 They are created. 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.599 They are not our creator. 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:31.279 They are small 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:32.379 and they are finite. 00:25:32.899 --> 00:25:33.480 Our God, 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:35.519 the one who we are to worship, 00:25:35.659 --> 00:25:36.319 is powerful 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:37.559 and he is loving 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:40.559 and he is the Lord God Almighty. 00:25:42.219 --> 00:25:45.539 And our God is also eternal. 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:48.219 Again, the end of verse 8, 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:48.740 that hymn, 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:50.559 he is the one who was 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:52.059 and is 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:54.139 and is to come. 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:59.100 When God revealed his name to Moses 00:25:59.100 --> 00:26:00.740 in Exodus chapter 3, 00:26:01.120 --> 00:26:01.500 he said, 00:26:01.780 --> 00:26:04.540 I am who I am. 00:26:04.800 --> 00:26:05.860 He is eternal. 00:26:06.280 --> 00:26:07.600 He is unchangeable. 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:09.860 Here, the emphasis is on this God 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:11.700 who knows and controls 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:13.960 past and present and future. 00:26:15.040 --> 00:26:17.759 In the middle of what looks like chaos to us, 00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:19.520 what might have looked like chaos 00:26:19.520 --> 00:26:20.680 to the church in Ephesus 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.980 and other suffering churches, 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:24.519 history is running to God's timetable. 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:30.039 Again, the focus of Revelation 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:32.140 is on the God 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:33.740 who is in control of history 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:35.779 and the God who will bring history 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.860 to an end 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:39.319 and establish the kingdom of Christ. 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:41.880 And when you read the book of Revelation, 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.779 the emphasis is not 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:45.559 when is that going to happen, 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:48.059 but how is that going to happen? 00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:50.220 One of the problems 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:52.180 that you'll find 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:54.420 if you sort of go on the internet 00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:56.339 and you look at what people say 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:57.079 about Revelation, 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:58.620 there's a lot of interest on 00:26:58.620 --> 00:27:01.000 when will these things happen. 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.440 So lots of people will study 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:03.140 all the numbers 00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:04.120 and will try and figure out, 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:05.720 okay, well, I think this event 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.779 has maybe happened 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.799 and this one's still to come 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.940 and Jesus is going to come back 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.460 on this date 00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:10.420 and that's never 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:12.799 how Revelation was supposed to be read. 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.880 The focus is on 00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:17.200 how will this certain reality take place? 00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:18.319 And the answer is 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.700 through the events of the gospel. 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:22.600 It's through the victory of Jesus 00:27:22.600 --> 00:27:24.180 at the cross and the resurrection. 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:27.240 It's through his victorious return. 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:30.880 That's how history will come to an end 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:32.940 and his reign will begin. 00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:34.480 And at all points, 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:36.519 the church is being called to worship, 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:40.440 recognizing the future is in God's hands. 00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:42.700 So we can trust. 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:45.940 The victory of Christ is certain. 00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:49.059 So if our faith is in him, 00:27:49.100 --> 00:27:49.840 we can rest. 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.539 And if it's not, 00:27:51.600 --> 00:27:52.940 then we're invited to repent, 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:55.279 to turn from sin and to turn to God 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:57.880 so we'd be ready for his certain return. 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:02.680 So that's the hymn of the four living creatures, 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:06.820 but then they are joined by the 24 elders 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:09.579 and they sing a different song. 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.619 They say, 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.399 you are worthy, 00:28:11.399 --> 00:28:12.779 our Lord and God, 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:15.179 to receive glory and honor and power. 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:17.119 So they declare, 00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:19.000 our Lord is worthy of praise. 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.899 And here's why. 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:22.419 For you created all things, 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:24.099 and by your will, 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.559 they were created 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:28.099 and have their being. 00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:31.859 Now one thing that's not immediately apparent to us, 00:28:31.939 --> 00:28:33.299 but would have been apparent 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:37.719 to the folks in Ephesus back in 95 AD, 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:42.219 is that this is a political hymn. 00:28:42.959 --> 00:28:43.939 By that I mean, 00:28:44.459 --> 00:28:46.000 Caesar Domitian, 00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:47.419 as he sat on his throne, 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:49.279 as he was being attended 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:52.339 by the people of the royal court, 00:28:52.439 --> 00:28:54.819 he would be hearing phrases like, 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.740 Caesar is worthy. 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:59.640 Caesar is Lord and God. 00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:03.420 Caesar has glory and honor and power. 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:06.160 To live in the Roman Empire 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:09.519 was to have that song dominate your life. 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:11.160 But for the church, it was different. 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:14.480 Here's a new song for the church. 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:16.039 Here is a political song. 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:18.460 Caesar's not Lord, Jesus is. 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:20.559 God alone deserves loyalty 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:22.480 and obedience and worship. 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:26.620 All creation exists by God's will. 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.440 Not Caesar's. 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:31.500 All of creation is kept going 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.640 by God's kindness. 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:35.440 Not a political ruler's. 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:38.120 In this battle for worship, 00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:38.660 therefore, 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:40.440 when they were being pulled 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:41.839 and we are being pulled 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:43.059 and we are squeezed 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:44.140 into the world's mold, 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.519 we are being reminded 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:47.660 there's only one right choice. 00:29:48.620 --> 00:29:50.120 Because our God is great 00:29:50.120 --> 00:29:51.880 and he is glorious. 00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:56.640 Can I suggest this is a song 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.440 for our Sundays, 00:29:57.940 --> 00:29:59.200 but it's also a song 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:00.760 for our Monday mornings too. 00:30:01.760 --> 00:30:03.440 To the believers in Ephesus 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:05.680 as they stepped out their front door, 00:30:06.520 --> 00:30:08.340 those statues to Caesar, 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:10.940 they were not ultimate truth. 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:13.600 As they endured another day 00:30:13.600 --> 00:30:15.640 of economic and social struggle, 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:18.480 that was just temporary for them. 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:20.480 They were being reminded 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:21.880 you're on the winning side. 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.660 Jesus is Lord. 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:26.140 For us in Edinburgh, 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:29.220 your colleagues may not get 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.759 why you go to church at the weekend, 00:30:30.860 --> 00:30:32.480 why you want to give time to serve. 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.599 You may find yourself 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.860 mocked in conversation 00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:37.240 or kept out of certain conversations 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:39.539 because of your faith. 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:42.220 You may be misunderstood 00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:44.359 as you try to represent God 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.700 in the world that he has made. 00:30:46.099 --> 00:30:48.659 And life may feel like a struggle, 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:50.980 but also for us, 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:53.139 we need to remember the gospel. 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.700 To lay hold on this fact 00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.420 that the cross, 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.779 the great victory 00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:59.799 has already been won. 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.920 That eternal hope 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:03.099 for the people of God 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:05.619 has most certainly been secured. 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:07.920 Our God is on the throne 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:10.100 and he is for us 00:31:10.100 --> 00:31:11.440 and our God is holy 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:13.320 and he is powerful 00:31:13.320 --> 00:31:15.160 and he is eternal 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:17.380 and he is our creator king 00:31:17.380 --> 00:31:20.779 and he is in Jesus our savior. 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:23.880 So may those notes, 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.900 those notes of praise 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:27.400 help you sing 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:29.420 even if you suffer, 00:31:30.300 --> 00:31:31.840 even if you are opposed, 00:31:32.560 --> 00:31:34.360 even if you feel small 00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:36.560 and weak in your faith.