WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.580 There's a sense in which the Bible is a book about kings and kingdoms. 00:00:07.440 --> 00:00:11.580 In fact, you could turn to most places in the scriptures and you find that kind of imagery, 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:17.480 sometimes set forth as some type of metaphor or symbolism as it is here in Psalm number two. 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:19.539 Other times it's physical kingdoms. 00:00:19.940 --> 00:00:21.780 We find Israel in the Old Testament. 00:00:22.100 --> 00:00:24.699 We find Rome very often in the New Testament. 00:00:24.699 --> 00:00:32.780 And of course, there is one overarching spiritual kingdom, the kingdom of God, over which Christ rules. 00:00:33.179 --> 00:00:39.140 So wherever you turn in the Bible, there's a good chance you're going to find some type of imagery related to kings and kingdoms. 00:00:39.640 --> 00:00:45.039 In the beginning, God creates an entire kingdom of sorts. 00:00:45.039 --> 00:00:55.759 And he fills it with creatures and he places them within the borders of the physical world that he also created. 00:00:56.159 --> 00:00:57.200 He creates a kingdom. 00:00:57.719 --> 00:00:59.219 And what does he do with this kingdom? 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:07.180 On the final day before he rests, he crowns this kingdom with a single creature. 00:01:07.879 --> 00:01:09.140 And he names him Adam. 00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:13.599 And Adam's job was to image God. 00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:28.039 He was to reflect the glory of God, the character of God, by exercising kingly dominion over all the other creatures, over the rest of the kingdom. 00:01:29.399 --> 00:01:36.939 And unfortunately, as you know your Bibles well, Adam chose to do as was opposite of the blessed man in Psalm 1. 00:01:36.939 --> 00:01:40.739 He chose to walk in the counsel of the ungodly. 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:43.219 And he rebelled against his creator. 00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:51.459 And now, this rebellious nature has continued in all of Adam's descendants. 00:01:51.619 --> 00:01:52.259 That's you and me. 00:01:54.299 --> 00:02:01.500 We now live in a fallen kingdom, which necessitates the prayers that we just prayed. 00:02:02.099 --> 00:02:07.719 It necessitates prayers for those who are dealing with terminal illnesses. 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:21.879 It necessitates prayer for wickedness that unfolds in the faultless murder of police officers or of rioting and protesting in ways that are unhelpful on college campuses or whatever it may be. 00:02:21.879 --> 00:02:28.039 We recognize we need only to look ourselves in the mirror to see that we live in a fallen kingdom now. 00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:33.599 And we see the consequences of this fallen kingdom, the consequences of this sin all around us. 00:02:33.599 --> 00:02:44.799 But the silver lining in the story, of course, is that even in the midst of this fallenness, God is full of mercy. 00:02:44.800 --> 00:02:48.560 He's full of steadfast love. 00:02:48.560 --> 00:03:13.819 And he promises through the scriptures to provide another king, a new Adam, Paul calls him in Romans chapter 5, who would live and rule in perfect righteousness, who would reconcile the creature to his creator, abolishing the wicked and the wicked way. 00:03:13.819 --> 00:03:20.840 And then establishing, of course, an eternal kingdom for everyone who will take refuge in him. 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:22.620 That's the big story of the Bible, isn't it? 00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:25.400 It's a king and his kingdom. 00:03:26.519 --> 00:03:30.280 Psalm 2 also uses this language of kings and kingdoms. 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:43.639 On the one hand, we have the kingdom of God and we have his anointed son and king who rules with a rod of iron and then blesses all who love and serve him. 00:03:43.639 --> 00:03:45.819 That's one king and kingdom in the psalm. 00:03:45.819 --> 00:03:47.519 But there's another one as well. 00:03:48.539 --> 00:04:03.219 There are the kingdoms of this world who in the psalm, these kings of these kingdoms, they conspire together in a vain attempt to free themselves from the righteous rule of God. 00:04:04.199 --> 00:04:08.099 The plotting of the nations is symbolic here. 00:04:08.239 --> 00:04:11.579 It's symbolic of the rebellious nature of our own hearts. 00:04:11.580 --> 00:04:20.319 And the psalm, it issues for us both a warning against those who would persist in the rebellion of these worldly kingdoms. 00:04:20.900 --> 00:04:23.400 And it also issues an invitation. 00:04:23.900 --> 00:04:34.240 And an invitation for all to find safety and security and blessing by taking refuge in God's Messiah. 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:36.360 That's the big picture of the psalm. 00:04:36.360 --> 00:04:38.860 There's God and his king and his kingdom. 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:43.020 There's this world and its rulers and its kingdom. 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:45.520 They're at war against one another. 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:49.660 And God issues a warning about it and then an invitation as well. 00:04:49.720 --> 00:04:52.439 And we want to explore both the warning and the invitation this morning. 00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:59.259 Now, we discovered in our study of Psalm 1 that the first two psalms are meant to be understood together. 00:04:59.459 --> 00:05:06.220 They are standing as an introduction to the entire collection of poems that is the book of Psalms. 00:05:06.220 --> 00:05:14.400 In the second psalm, the author elaborates on what he introduces to us in the first psalm. 00:05:14.740 --> 00:05:26.860 So that the way of sinners is more specific, more severe, illustrated as a violent insurrection against the Lord. 00:05:26.860 --> 00:05:32.860 But then also, the blessed man is also more specific and clear. 00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:43.500 He is, we're told, the son of God who inherits a throne and exercises complete authority over the nations. 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:52.740 He's the righteous king and judge who saves the righteous and destroys the rebels. 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:54.360 Okay, so we need to keep that in mind. 00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:55.879 These two are working together. 00:05:55.879 --> 00:05:59.219 We have the blessed man and we have his way in Psalm 1. 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:03.920 And all of that is being elaborated on here in Psalm 2. 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:12.259 And as I said, the purpose of Psalm 2 is to send a clear message of judgment and salvation. 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:23.939 It warns the world that rebellion against Yahweh and his word and his king is foolish and futile. 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:33.319 But it's also a message of hope to believers that God will not allow this rebellion to continue indefinitely. 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:37.019 Judgment is indeed coming. 00:06:37.220 --> 00:06:40.199 Christ will reign in perfect righteousness. 00:06:40.420 --> 00:06:45.860 And all who take refuge in him will be blessed forever. 00:06:45.860 --> 00:06:55.280 So if you can imagine yourself, as we did last Sunday, two millennium ago, gathering with faithful Jews. 00:06:55.699 --> 00:07:02.400 And Psalm 2 happens to be the psalm that you sing in worship that day or that is taught in worship on that day. 00:07:02.399 --> 00:07:06.439 What is it that you are declaring as you sing this as God's people? 00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:18.279 You are declaring by faith Christ's ultimate victory and the salvation of all who belong to him. 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:20.699 So on one hand, it's a tragic psalm. 00:07:21.699 --> 00:07:31.899 On the other hand, it is a glorious, worshipful declaration of triumph is what it is, at least for the people of God. 00:07:32.359 --> 00:07:34.239 There's four stanzas to the psalm. 00:07:34.539 --> 00:07:36.719 Each one has a unique contribution to the whole. 00:07:36.979 --> 00:07:39.079 That's how I want to break them up as we study today, all right? 00:07:39.359 --> 00:07:40.639 The first stanza is this. 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:43.759 I want you to see the rebels rage. 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:46.439 The rebels rage. 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:51.540 Verse 1, why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 00:07:52.300 --> 00:07:54.240 The kings of the earth set themselves. 00:07:54.420 --> 00:07:59.540 The rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying this, 00:07:59.939 --> 00:08:05.100 let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us. 00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:10.920 This opening stanza, we're presented with this global coalition of people groups. 00:08:11.659 --> 00:08:12.819 And what is it that they're doing? 00:08:13.220 --> 00:08:16.339 They are preparing themselves for war. 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:25.779 And surprisingly, this rally of nations has not developed in order that they might fight against one another. 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:28.839 That's not the purpose of their union. 00:08:29.639 --> 00:08:37.679 They've actually united together here in order that they might fight against God and his anointed one. 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:39.319 You see it right there in the verse. 00:08:39.939 --> 00:08:44.639 They have gathered against the Lord, Yahweh, and his anointed one. 00:08:45.500 --> 00:08:52.399 Anointed here, the Hebrew, it's transliterated for us in Greek and then further into English, 00:08:52.719 --> 00:08:58.259 which comes out to be this word, Messiah, that we're so used to, or Christ. 00:08:58.259 --> 00:09:07.460 So the author has an intention here as he's writing this, as Israel, as the Jews in ancient Israel gather together and they worship the Lord with this psalm. 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:11.080 They have in view here, not just any king. 00:09:11.080 --> 00:09:19.139 They have a special king, the anointed king in view here, who they knew as Messiah. 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:25.940 The author intends for us to have Israel's future Davidic king in view. 00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:30.100 And it gets clearer and clearer as the psalm unfolds. 00:09:30.100 --> 00:09:32.259 Now I want to point your attention to another word. 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:35.080 It's this word, plot, or plotting. 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:44.460 The plotting in verse 1 translates the same word that is translated as meditate in Psalm 1 and verse 2. 00:09:44.540 --> 00:09:45.860 Just set your eyes on that real quickly. 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:47.320 We read it last week. 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:54.860 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 00:09:55.160 --> 00:09:59.580 Same exact word in Psalm 2 that's translated here as plotting. 00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:02.080 It conveys this sense of muttering. 00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:04.940 You ever mutter to yourself? 00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:10.580 Maybe as you're going around and doing some housework inside the house or outside of the house. 00:10:10.680 --> 00:10:11.639 Maybe no one else is around. 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:14.220 Maybe plenty of people are around and it just doesn't bother you. 00:10:14.300 --> 00:10:16.340 But you're muttering to yourself as you go. 00:10:16.780 --> 00:10:19.240 Convincing yourself of what the plan is for that moment. 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:23.080 Describing, thinking out loud, we might say. 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:25.660 That's the idea that's being conveyed here. 00:10:25.659 --> 00:10:30.159 The blessed man in Psalm 1, he mutters aloud to himself. 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:31.019 He meditates. 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:33.120 But what is the nature of his meditation? 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:37.659 It is on the delight of God's law. 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:48.079 As he goes about his days, night and day, he meditates on, he thinks on, he plots about his delight in God's word. 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:54.400 Well, what is it that the nations are plotting or muttering about here in Psalm 2? 00:10:55.400 --> 00:11:04.860 They plot a conspiracy against the same law and lawgiver that the blessed man in Psalm 1 delights in. 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:08.300 And what is the cry of their conspiracy? 00:11:10.060 --> 00:11:10.620 Freedom! 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:12.759 Freedom! 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:12.900 Freedom! 00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:13.139 Freedom! 00:11:14.459 --> 00:11:16.939 Notice what they say in verse 3. 00:11:17.319 --> 00:11:19.279 Let us burst their bonds apart. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:23.439 Let us cast away their cords from us. 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:24.620 Whose cords? 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:26.519 Whose bonds? 00:11:27.579 --> 00:11:30.419 The Lord's and his anointed one. 00:11:31.699 --> 00:11:36.079 They seek to be made free from accountability to their creator. 00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:42.259 From the restraint of God's law in which the blessed man makes his delight. 00:11:43.040 --> 00:11:47.660 And to be free from the rule of God's king. 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:52.220 They set themselves against God. 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:59.280 Striving for personal autonomy and self-determination. 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:05.480 Wanting to escape the moral restraints of God's law. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:08.399 They seek to wage war against God. 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:14.899 They realize, even as they realize now today, you can't actually destroy God. 00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:16.399 So what do you do? 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:21.000 You do your best to destroy the idea of God. 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:21.100 God. 00:12:23.179 --> 00:12:29.500 Insisting that it's actually impossible to know whether or not a divine being even exists. 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:38.519 When their attempts to destroy the word of God and his law and his Torah continue to fail. 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:40.519 What is it that they resort to? 00:12:40.679 --> 00:12:45.639 Well, they resort to claims that there's actually no such thing as true scripture. 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:50.860 That what we have now is not what they had then and we can't be sure of anything. 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:54.100 And they go further. 00:12:55.600 --> 00:13:03.299 Since they can no longer, even with a secular frame of mind, deny the true historical Jesus, 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:04.840 what is it that they do? 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:10.720 They preach that Jesus of Nazareth was just a good teacher. 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:13.379 A moral example. 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:19.220 Whose legend grew in the figment of the imagination of his followers. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:25.879 And why is so much effort put into this war against God? 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:33.019 Because people have been deceived into thinking that a world without God and his law 00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:39.299 is the only world where personal freedom and autonomy can exist. 00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:42.819 Like the Israel of judges. 00:13:43.319 --> 00:13:45.799 They want to do what's right in their own eyes. 00:13:46.079 --> 00:13:53.819 And so long as there is some higher being, some creator, someone to which we must ultimately stand 00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:59.199 accountable to, someone who imposes his own will and his own desires on us. 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:07.780 So long as that person or being or whatever it may be is out there, that puts a restraint on us so that we cannot do what we want to do. 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:11.780 Or at least we should not do what it is that we want to do. 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:23.039 The truth is that this rebellious rage, as David reminds us in that Psalm 51 passage, 00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:26.759 it is the natural disposition of our hearts. 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:38.019 Meaning that our desire to be free from God is the result of our true slavery to sin. 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:53.659 As we've seen even this week, not to just keep bringing it up, but as we've seen with the decisions made formalized and codified even among the United Methodist Church. 00:14:54.299 --> 00:15:07.519 Even many who profess to follow Christ have joined this global coalition of nations of wickedness that continues to wage its war against God. 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:11.000 Let us cast off the bonds of his law. 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:19.759 Let us cast off the cords of his word so that we may do what it is that we desire to do ourselves. 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:28.199 And what we call freedom, Jesus then tells us is actually bondage. 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:33.079 John chapter 8, verse 34, Jesus answered them, 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:41.379 Truly, truly, truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:45.060 The slave does not remain in the house forever. 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.500 The son remains forever. 00:15:46.820 --> 00:15:53.900 So if the son sets you free, you will be truly free. 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:58.759 Jesus takes the wisdom of this world and he turns it on its head. 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:14.600 He says, no, what you say and think is true freedom is actually just an indication of your bondage, of your slavery to sin, to the sinful nature that is in you. 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:18.919 But if you want true freedom, you must come to the son for freedom. 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:22.100 He alone can make you truly free. 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:24.639 Christopher Ashe helps us with this. 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:30.259 He says, we define freedom as the absence of restraint, as if it's freedom from God's law. 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:36.759 But such so-called freedom sets us on a terrible path of destruction. 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:44.740 True freedom is not about being free from God or his restraint. 00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:53.680 It's about being set free for living rightly in obedience to God's law. 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:57.039 You can read deeper about that in Romans chapter 6. 00:16:58.419 --> 00:17:02.480 So the rebels believe that victory over God is actually achievable, 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:09.240 which is why the psalmist paints this picture of them gathering together for battle against the Lord. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:12.680 But their plotting is vain, he says. 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:14.099 They plot in vain. 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:14.720 This is empty. 00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:15.339 It's worthless. 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.059 It's foolish. 00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:21.920 It is an utterly foolish notion that elicits God's laughter in the next stanza, 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:23.420 which brings us to the next point. 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.880 The Lord laughs. 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.440 The rebels rage. 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:31.599 And then in response to that rage, the Lord, Yahweh, laughs. 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:32.980 Verse 4. 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:34.980 He who sits in the heavens laughs. 00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:38.000 The Lord holds them in derision. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:43.500 Then he will speak to them in his wrath and terrify them in his fury, 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:49.859 saying, as for me, I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:54.519 Consider the contrast that's taking place in these two stanzas. 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:59.500 On the one hand, you have on earth this coalition of soldiers, of nations, 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:03.339 that have gathered together preparing themselves for war against God. 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:10.639 And as God sits enthroned in the heavens, he looks on this coalition of wickedness. 00:18:11.179 --> 00:18:12.240 And what is it that he does? 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:16.220 He does not tremor before them. 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:22.679 He does not increase in anxiety thinking, oh, I have lost control of my creation. 00:18:23.139 --> 00:18:24.179 What is it that he does? 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.000 He laughs. 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:26.619 He laughs. 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:29.559 He mocks them. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:35.960 It's meant to demonstrate the futility of this war. 00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:39.759 Want to know why it makes God laugh? 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:48.140 The psalmist says it's when rebels foolishly think that they'll actually be able to get by with their rebellion, 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:52.080 somehow escaping the reach of God's judgment. 00:18:54.120 --> 00:18:56.640 What does the psalmist intend for us to understand here? 00:18:56.640 --> 00:19:04.220 It intends for us to understand that the creature's attempt to throw off the reign of his creator is laughable. 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:06.160 Foolish. 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:12.780 But though he laughs, this is no joke to God. 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.440 So what does he do? 00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:17.220 He speaks to them in his wrath. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:21.580 He terrifies them in his fury. 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:25.019 Which is another interesting word here. 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:27.559 The word that is translated as terrify here. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:29.960 It's the same word according to Jim Hamilton. 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:38.940 That describes what Joseph's brothers felt in Genesis chapter 45 when he finally reveals himself to them in Egypt. 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:40.180 Do you remember this story? 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:42.420 Remember what they had done to him? 00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:44.860 They had pretended that he was dead. 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:48.180 They had cast him in a pit and then one of them sold him into slavery. 00:19:48.360 --> 00:19:50.380 And he makes his way up the ranks as he's in Egypt. 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:53.440 Years and years and years and years go by. 00:19:54.820 --> 00:19:55.980 Suddenly there's a famine. 00:19:56.980 --> 00:20:01.340 Jacob sends his remaining sons to Egypt because they're the only ones that have food. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:04.180 And they get there and they find Joseph. 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.420 But they don't know that it's Joseph. 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:12.720 And as the story unfolds for us in the book of Genesis, eventually after playing some games with them, Joseph finally reveals himself. 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:15.160 And what is it that they feel in that moment? 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:16.900 Genesis 45.3. 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:19.660 Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph. 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:21.960 Is my father still alive? 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:24.539 But his brother could not answer him. 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:26.420 For they were dismayed. 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:29.200 That's that word terrify in Psalm 2. 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:32.420 They were dismayed at his presence. 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.080 Presence. 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:44.500 There's a marked difference between the fear that Joseph's brothers felt when they only knew him as the ruler in Egypt. 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:54.700 And then the fear that they felt when they discovered that he was the one all those years ago that we so grievously sinned against. 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:57.660 There's fear in both situations. 00:20:57.660 --> 00:21:03.340 They're terrified to appear before him in the beginning before they know who he is. 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:07.660 But once they know who he is, their fear is exacerbated. 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:11.600 It's heightened by the nature of their sins against him. 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:23.259 That's the idea that the psalmist wishes to convey for us here in Psalm 2 for what these sinners will feel when they inevitably face the judgment of God and his king. 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:29.420 It will not simply be the fear that comes from standing in the presence of someone greater than you. 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:38.460 But it will actually be the trembling, the terrifying dismay that comes from standing before the one against whom you have rebelled. 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:42.259 And now you stand in judgment. 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:51.279 The Lord mocks the foolishness of this world because he knows how all of this will end. 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:55.460 Not everyone will be saved. 00:21:56.759 --> 00:22:02.200 But we're told time and again in the scriptures, everyone will bow. 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:05.259 What is it that Joseph's brothers do? 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.700 They bow. 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:08.500 Why? 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:12.920 Because they're before, essentially, the king. 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:15.339 They have no other option. 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:19.460 Romans chapter 14 tells us about this. 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:23.579 For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:30.180 For it is written, as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me. 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:33.059 Every tongue shall confess to God. 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:38.500 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:42.259 And God looks on the coalition of the wicked. 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:47.639 And when he brings this to their mind, it terrifies them. 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:50.279 Terrifies them. 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:55.399 And what declaration does God make that strikes fear into the rebels? 00:22:56.740 --> 00:23:03.440 Now the attention turns to God's anointed king who will execute God's judgment on these nations. 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.680 That's stanza number three. 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:06.299 So we've got the rebels' rage. 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:08.440 Then we see the Lord laughs. 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:11.740 Now we see the sun reigns. 00:23:12.399 --> 00:23:13.879 The sun reigns. 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:15.099 Look at verse seven. 00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:17.179 I will tell of the decree. 00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:20.519 The Lord said to me, you are my son. 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:22.759 Today I have begotten you. 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:28.419 Ask of me and I will make the nations your heritage and the ends of the earth your possession. 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:34.879 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:39.779 In the first stanza, the plotting people speak. 00:23:41.139 --> 00:23:42.339 Remember what they say. 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:44.339 Let us cast off their bonds. 00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:46.759 Let us throw away their cords from us. 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:51.000 In the second stanza, Yahweh speaks. 00:23:51.919 --> 00:23:52.740 He laughs. 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:58.259 He says, I have my king and I have set him on Zion's heel. 00:23:59.119 --> 00:24:06.759 In the third stanza, the psalmist speaks now from the perspective of this promised Messiah. 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:12.000 This true king that God has set on Zion. 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:16.059 And the statement gives us insight into three things. 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:26.400 It gives us insight into who this king is, what this king will be given from God, and what the nature of his reign will be. 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:29.559 So let's just work through those three things just quickly. 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:32.099 The first thing is the king's identity. 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.640 That's in verse seven. 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:45.320 This language of sonship is the focus of the king's identity. 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:49.000 Adam was called a son of God. 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:52.440 Genesis 5 and in Luke chapter 3. 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:59.299 The nation of Israel collectively was called the firstborn son of God in the book of Exodus in chapter 4. 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:07.380 But this is focused primarily on the covenant that God made with King David in 2 Samuel chapter 7. 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:09.440 It's on the screen for you to see it. 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:14.259 When your days are fulfilled, this is God speaking to David, making covenant with King David. 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:19.900 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, that is David dies, 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:26.799 I will raise up your offspring after you who shall come from your body. 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:29.059 You will be from David's line descendants. 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:31.799 And I will establish his kingdom. 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:43.200 David's house came to an end. 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:45.139 Solomon's house came to an end. 00:25:45.919 --> 00:25:47.299 Particularly in the exile. 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:49.680 This will be a king whose reign will never end. 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.460 And then God says, 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:53.319 I will be to him a father. 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:57.019 And he shall be to me a son. 00:25:58.200 --> 00:26:01.599 So God promises that there would come a king from David's line. 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:04.240 Who would be a son to him. 00:26:05.099 --> 00:26:09.399 And this king would establish an eternal kingdom over which he would rule. 00:26:09.399 --> 00:26:14.460 And throughout the Old Testament, the prophets, they speak of this Davidic king. 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:17.180 They call him Messiah or Christ. 00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:25.419 And then the New Testament comes along and identifies this Davidic king as Jesus of Nazareth. 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:28.680 Matthew chapter 1 and verse 1. 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:31.200 Jesus is called the son of David. 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:32.580 The son of Abraham. 00:26:32.580 --> 00:26:34.019 The son of Adam. 00:26:36.580 --> 00:26:40.000 John writes that he's the only begotten son of God. 00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:49.100 For God so loved the world that he gave, as it said in the King James Version, his only begotten son. 00:26:49.099 --> 00:27:06.559 In fact, there's at least four different occasions in the New Testament where this verse from Psalm 2 is explicitly quoted to associate Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfillment of this son. 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.559 Who is he? 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.440 Who is he? 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:08.480 Who is he? 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.099 He is Jesus. 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:12.839 He's the son of God. 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:15.220 He's God's anointed king. 00:27:15.919 --> 00:27:17.399 Well, then there's the king's inheritance. 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.220 That's his identity. 00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:20.399 Now we see his inheritance. 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:21.940 Verse 8. 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:24.920 God says, ask of me. 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:26.320 He's speaking to his anointed. 00:27:26.320 --> 00:27:34.460 And I will make the nations your heritage, your inheritance, and the ends of the earth your possession. 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:41.279 The inheritance of the nations, which really just means supreme rule over all the earth. 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:51.220 It indicates that this king will succeed where Adam and then Israel failed. 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:58.799 The other sons of God, Adam and the nation of Israel, what were they to do? 00:27:58.860 --> 00:28:01.819 They were to reflect God's image to the world. 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.460 But they sinned. 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:06.319 Adam was expelled from Eden. 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:11.160 Israel was expelled from Canaan in the exile. 00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:18.920 Jesus, however, he perfectly fulfilled God's law as the image bearer par excellence. 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:28.500 God the Father has made him the heir of all things, revealing Christ's authority over all the earth. 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:31.640 We see it in Hebrews chapter 1. 00:28:32.060 --> 00:28:39.279 In these last days, God has spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed the heir of all things. 00:28:39.900 --> 00:28:42.440 And listen to the language that the writer of Hebrews uses. 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:45.340 Through whom also he created the world. 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:48.300 He is the radiance of the glory of God. 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:50.859 He's the exact imprint of his nature. 00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:53.059 That's what Adam was supposed to be. 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:55.819 That's what Israel was supposed to be. 00:28:56.440 --> 00:29:00.519 In Jesus, he is that imperfection. 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:04.139 The exact imprint of the image of God. 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:07.599 And he upholds the universe by the word of his power. 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:15.659 After making purifications for sins, he sat down at the right hand of majesty on high. 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:17.279 At the right hand of God. 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:23.380 Sounds a lot like, I will give to you as an inheritance all of the nations, doesn't it? 00:29:25.040 --> 00:29:27.580 Thirdly, there's the king's reign. 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:29.960 We see his identity and his inheritance. 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:32.920 Now we see his reign. 00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:35.019 Look with me at verse 9. 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:39.259 You shall break them with a rod of iron. 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:39.840 Break who? 00:29:41.060 --> 00:29:42.820 These people that have gathered. 00:29:43.580 --> 00:29:46.000 They're fighting this war against God. 00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:51.279 You will dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:55.319 Jesus shall reign. 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:59.299 Jesus shall reign in perfect righteousness. 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:04.980 Destroying all who conspire against the Lord and his anointing. 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:08.359 Writes Jim Hamilton. 00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:08.439 Listen. 00:30:09.979 --> 00:30:16.579 They stand the same chance against Yahweh that a clay pot stands against an iron rod. 00:30:17.959 --> 00:30:25.539 A creature will no more overthrow the creator than a potter's vessel will break an iron rod. 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:32.579 The iron rod in the hand of the mighty king will shatter the clay pot. 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:40.599 Maybe you have found your place in the midst of this coalition of the wicked. 00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:43.899 You are fighting against God and his law. 00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:51.899 You are doing everything you can to cast away the bonds of your creator and of his desires. 00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:59.500 And the psalmist reminds us here that as futile you cannot win, 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:04.220 God's king will come and judge. 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:08.619 Here's what Revelation 19 says about this. 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:12.279 From his mouth, that is the mouth of Jesus, 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:18.859 comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:19.980 What nations? 00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:21.900 The nations of Psalm 2. 00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:24.299 The nations of Revelation 19. 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.220 They're one and the same. 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:28.480 And he will rule them with a rod of iron. 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:35.680 He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:40.539 And on his robe and on his thigh, he has a name written. 00:31:41.380 --> 00:31:42.880 King of kings. 00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:45.579 Lord of lords. 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:55.259 What exactly is it about this declaration in verse 6 that terrifies the nations? 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:59.779 It is not the fact that God has a king. 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:07.240 It is what God has determined to do to them through this king in judgment. 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:11.120 So God laughs at their rebellion. 00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:14.980 He mocks their foolish attempts to escape his rule. 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:20.299 And he authorizes his king to destroy them in their rebellion. 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:22.980 Which brings us to the final stanza. 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:25.120 We see the rebels rage. 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:27.259 We see the Lord laughs. 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:30.259 We see the sun reigns. 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.259 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:35.400 Finally, we see the Holy Spirit pleads. 00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:38.640 The Holy Spirit pleads. 00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:40.180 Verse 10. 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:44.000 Now, therefore, the psalmist writes, 00:32:44.100 --> 00:32:47.640 Because of this, O kings, be wise. 00:32:49.180 --> 00:32:51.740 Be warned, he says, O rulers of the earth. 00:32:52.860 --> 00:32:55.600 Serve the Lord against whom you rebel. 00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:57.600 Serve him with fear. 00:32:58.400 --> 00:32:59.640 Rejoice with trembling. 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:04.160 Kiss the son that he has anointed and made king. 00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:08.279 Lest he be angry and you perish in the way. 00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:11.279 For his wrath is quickly kindled. 00:33:12.580 --> 00:33:15.980 Blessed are all who take refuge in him. 00:33:16.640 --> 00:33:17.740 Now, think about this. 00:33:18.160 --> 00:33:18.960 Meditate on it. 00:33:19.580 --> 00:33:21.700 What is happening in the last stanza? 00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:30.420 The attention is not on what the nations are doing or on what God is mocking or on what this king is judging. 00:33:30.420 --> 00:33:34.200 The attention is turned to the audience of the psalm. 00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:36.120 To you and to me. 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:38.360 And he makes his plea. 00:33:40.080 --> 00:33:47.300 From the psalmist's perspective, the great judgment that is expressed here is a future reality. 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:55.400 He does not have in view a physical coalition of kingdoms that have gathered around national Israel or in Jerusalem. 00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:58.100 They're fighting against David or against one of his descendants. 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.560 That is not what's in view here. 00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:02.340 What is in view here is the end. 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:08.059 What we read unfolding in the book of Revelation is that great and final judgment. 00:34:08.180 --> 00:34:09.599 The psalmist recognizes this. 00:34:09.720 --> 00:34:18.800 He understands that this is a future reality, which he also understands to mean that it's not too late for the rebels to be redeemed. 00:34:20.240 --> 00:34:22.119 So he makes his appeal to them. 00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:37.000 And in the final stanza, he pleads for the people of the earth to hear the warning, to repent of their rebellion, to be saved by the son rather than destroyed by him. 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:42.000 But it isn't merely the plea of the psalmist. 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:42.659 It's the psalmist. 00:34:43.800 --> 00:34:48.239 It's the plea of the spirit of God through the psalmist. 00:34:48.239 --> 00:34:52.099 Let me read you this from Acts chapter 4. 00:34:52.179 --> 00:34:54.439 I think this is on the screen if you'd like to follow along. 00:34:54.440 --> 00:35:02.260 The context of the story is two of Jesus' disciples and apostles, Peter and John, they've been arrested. 00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:05.760 They've been tried by a council of Jewish leaders. 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:11.460 The Jewish leaders, afraid of a mob, decide that they will not punish them at the time. 00:35:11.460 --> 00:35:15.599 But they demand that Peter and John no longer preach the gospel of Jesus. 00:35:15.760 --> 00:35:16.679 And they send them away. 00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:21.000 And so Peter and John, they go and they find the early Christians who are gathered. 00:35:21.199 --> 00:35:23.639 And they lift up a prayer of thanksgiving to God. 00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:24.880 And this is their prayer. 00:35:25.820 --> 00:35:29.400 When they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, 00:35:30.220 --> 00:35:35.519 Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:44.699 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, 00:35:45.099 --> 00:35:46.860 and then he quotes Psalm 2. 00:35:48.280 --> 00:35:52.400 Why did the Gentiles rage and the people's plot in vain? 00:35:52.860 --> 00:35:55.139 The kings of the earth set themselves. 00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:59.679 The rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed. 00:36:00.539 --> 00:36:02.300 They're praying the psalm. 00:36:02.300 --> 00:36:06.260 For truly in this city, they continued to pray, 00:36:06.600 --> 00:36:09.800 there were gathered together against your holy servant, 00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:13.160 your anointed son and king, Jesus, whom you anointed, 00:36:13.620 --> 00:36:19.760 both Herod and Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the people of Israel. 00:36:20.460 --> 00:36:24.360 Everyone, no one's excluded from the coalition of the wicked 00:36:24.360 --> 00:36:30.180 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 00:36:30.179 --> 00:36:33.259 This is an amazing prayer. 00:36:34.460 --> 00:36:40.799 So influenced are these people by the psalms that it flows from their prayers to God. 00:36:41.460 --> 00:36:43.799 And this wonderful prayer by these early Christians, 00:36:43.940 --> 00:36:51.980 it identifies King David as the human instrument through which God gave us Psalm 2. 00:36:51.980 --> 00:36:58.960 And then it recognizes Jesus as the fulfillment of the psalm. 00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:05.900 And it also reminds us of the Holy Spirit's role in the inspiration of Scripture. 00:37:07.260 --> 00:37:09.139 They quote Psalm 2 and they say, 00:37:09.639 --> 00:37:13.619 David gave us this by the Holy Spirit. 00:37:13.619 --> 00:37:16.819 These are genuinely David's words. 00:37:17.779 --> 00:37:22.659 But they are simultaneously God's words given through his servant. 00:37:24.299 --> 00:37:27.359 This final stanza, it's God's plea. 00:37:28.359 --> 00:37:31.380 It's God's plea for you to receive the warning. 00:37:32.299 --> 00:37:39.000 It's God's plea for you to repent in order to serve the Lord with fear and with joy. 00:37:39.000 --> 00:37:46.039 It is God's plea for you to embrace the Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:49.500 And God's plea comes with an eternal promise. 00:37:49.639 --> 00:37:50.760 It's the last phrase. 00:37:51.320 --> 00:37:53.920 Blessed are all who take refuge in him. 00:37:55.059 --> 00:37:58.800 Everyone who takes refuge in the king who will come to judge 00:37:58.800 --> 00:38:02.480 will inherit the reward of the blessed man. 00:38:02.480 --> 00:38:08.260 The end is still a severe warning, there's no doubt. 00:38:09.039 --> 00:38:11.579 But it's full of mercy and love. 00:38:13.300 --> 00:38:23.480 God gives us Psalm 2 to warn us and to win us back from the coalition of the wicked to himself. 00:38:23.480 --> 00:38:34.099 That's why when his king came the first time, it was to die, not to judge. 00:38:36.599 --> 00:38:44.019 That's why John 3 tells us God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, 00:38:44.480 --> 00:38:50.199 but that the world through him might be saved. 00:38:51.740 --> 00:38:53.460 He will come to judge. 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:56.440 But at this point, he waits. 00:38:57.440 --> 00:39:05.719 And he pleads for you to turn and serve him with fear and joy. 00:39:08.440 --> 00:39:12.760 In the beginning of the psalm, the psalmist asked this question. 00:39:14.000 --> 00:39:15.460 Why do the nations rage? 00:39:15.780 --> 00:39:17.440 Why do the peoples plot in vain? 00:39:18.820 --> 00:39:22.219 He recognized that their war against God was foolish and futile. 00:39:22.219 --> 00:39:25.099 But we might add another question of our own. 00:39:27.179 --> 00:39:29.679 Why does God let them live at all? 00:39:29.679 --> 00:39:31.159 Why does God let them live at all? 00:39:31.159 --> 00:39:34.639 Why does God let them live? 00:39:34.639 --> 00:39:35.480 Why does God let them live? 00:39:35.480 --> 00:39:57.839 Why does he wait to send his king to judge those who so blatantly rebel? 00:39:57.840 --> 00:40:07.280 though God is holy and must judge sinners what we find to be abundantly clear in the scriptures 00:40:07.280 --> 00:40:17.840 is that he is also full of grace and mercy allowing sinners time to repent and believe 00:40:17.840 --> 00:40:20.940 is that not why he tarries his judgment 00:40:20.940 --> 00:40:26.000 it's a severe warning in psalm 2 to be sure 00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:29.000 but couldn't it be worse 00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:36.119 couldn't God have taken Adam out immediately after he eats the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden 00:40:36.119 --> 00:40:41.019 why does he let him live is that not the grace of God 00:40:41.019 --> 00:40:48.980 we just finished studying judges you know the big question is at the end of judges why is Israel still 00:40:48.980 --> 00:40:49.380 here 00:40:49.380 --> 00:40:58.059 over and over and over God judges them to be sure but he lets them live 00:40:58.059 --> 00:41:00.180 what is that 00:41:00.180 --> 00:41:02.700 is it not grace 00:41:02.700 --> 00:41:10.780 perhaps you spent years and years and years of your life 00:41:10.780 --> 00:41:13.780 fighting against the Lord 00:41:13.780 --> 00:41:17.400 fighting against his anointed fighting against his law 00:41:17.400 --> 00:41:20.060 and you must ask yourself 00:41:20.060 --> 00:41:22.880 why has he not judged me yet 00:41:22.880 --> 00:41:27.320 does it mean that this is all a farce and there is no judgment that could actually come 00:41:27.320 --> 00:41:29.700 or could it mean that God is actually gracious 00:41:29.700 --> 00:41:34.420 and he waits in order that he may woo you 00:41:34.420 --> 00:41:35.900 in his love 00:41:35.900 --> 00:41:40.380 Ezekiel 33 11 helps us here 00:41:40.380 --> 00:41:45.059 say to them as I live declares the Lord God 00:41:45.059 --> 00:41:49.019 I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked 00:41:49.019 --> 00:41:53.039 but that the wicked turn from his way and live 00:41:53.039 --> 00:41:54.800 turn back 00:41:54.800 --> 00:41:57.360 turn back from your evil ways 00:41:57.360 --> 00:41:58.680 for why will you die 00:41:58.680 --> 00:42:00.260 O house of Israel 00:42:00.260 --> 00:42:03.900 will God judge the wicked 00:42:03.900 --> 00:42:04.420 yes 00:42:04.420 --> 00:42:06.740 does he take pleasure 00:42:06.740 --> 00:42:09.460 in simply callously 00:42:09.460 --> 00:42:11.660 destroying them 00:42:11.660 --> 00:42:12.960 no 00:42:12.960 --> 00:42:19.960 Peter deals with this from a slightly different perspective in the New Testament 00:42:19.960 --> 00:42:24.160 when people were wondering why Jesus' return was taking so long 00:42:24.160 --> 00:42:26.519 here we are 2,000 years later 00:42:26.519 --> 00:42:30.460 there within the first 40 years 00:42:30.460 --> 00:42:34.119 of Jesus having been crucified and resurrected and ascended 00:42:34.119 --> 00:42:37.139 and they are already wondering why is this taking so long 00:42:37.139 --> 00:42:39.340 wouldn't you wonder the same thing 00:42:39.340 --> 00:42:42.360 if you watched what was happening in the destruction of Jerusalem 00:42:42.360 --> 00:42:44.820 and what is it that Peter says 00:42:44.820 --> 00:42:47.619 2 Peter chapter 3 00:42:47.619 --> 00:42:50.859 do not overlook this one fact he says 00:42:50.859 --> 00:42:52.179 beloved 00:42:52.179 --> 00:42:55.739 that with the Lord one day is a thousand years 00:42:55.739 --> 00:42:57.500 and a thousand years as one day 00:42:57.500 --> 00:43:00.539 the Lord's not slow to fulfill his promise 00:43:00.539 --> 00:43:02.539 as some count slowness 00:43:02.539 --> 00:43:04.539 he's actually patient 00:43:04.539 --> 00:43:05.719 toward you 00:43:05.719 --> 00:43:08.000 not wishing that 00:43:08.000 --> 00:43:09.980 any should be perished 00:43:09.980 --> 00:43:11.239 that should any should perish 00:43:11.239 --> 00:43:13.319 but that all should reach repentance 00:43:13.320 --> 00:43:16.720 but then he continues with the warning still 00:43:16.720 --> 00:43:19.539 but the day of the Lord will come 00:43:19.539 --> 00:43:21.019 like a thief he says 00:43:21.019 --> 00:43:23.840 and what will it look like 00:43:23.840 --> 00:43:26.680 the heavens will pass away with a roar 00:43:26.680 --> 00:43:29.760 the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved 00:43:29.760 --> 00:43:32.559 and the earth and the works that are done on it 00:43:32.559 --> 00:43:33.700 will be exposed 00:43:33.700 --> 00:43:38.100 when all these passages are taken together 00:43:38.100 --> 00:43:41.280 we see God's magnificent glory on display 00:43:41.280 --> 00:43:44.060 he will judge all sinners 00:43:44.060 --> 00:43:46.560 who do not come to Christ by faith 00:43:46.560 --> 00:43:49.280 but he is not indifferent to their destruction 00:43:49.280 --> 00:43:51.880 he is not pleased 00:43:51.880 --> 00:43:53.820 that you continue in rebellion 00:43:53.820 --> 00:43:57.580 and he will not let your rebellion go on indefinitely 00:43:57.580 --> 00:43:59.580 judgment is coming 00:43:59.580 --> 00:44:02.680 but he also delays that judgment 00:44:02.680 --> 00:44:07.140 so that he might save all who will believe 00:44:07.140 --> 00:44:08.740 and repent 00:44:08.739 --> 00:44:11.319 and make no mistake 00:44:11.319 --> 00:44:13.239 the day of reckoning is coming 00:44:13.239 --> 00:44:15.419 that's why the psalmist gives such a stern warning 00:44:15.419 --> 00:44:17.459 that's why Peter reminds them 00:44:17.459 --> 00:44:18.839 yes the Lord waits 00:44:18.839 --> 00:44:20.679 but judgment is coming 00:44:20.679 --> 00:44:23.939 isn't that what revelation teaches us 00:44:23.939 --> 00:44:26.479 that God's king will return 00:44:26.479 --> 00:44:28.000 and when he returns 00:44:28.000 --> 00:44:30.679 everyone's going to be divided into two categories 00:44:30.679 --> 00:44:32.639 the judged and the saved 00:44:32.639 --> 00:44:35.459 it's coming 00:44:35.460 --> 00:44:37.780 what must we do 00:44:37.780 --> 00:44:40.139 hear God's warning 00:44:40.139 --> 00:44:44.340 respond to the spirit's plea 00:44:44.340 --> 00:44:47.360 and come to this king 00:44:47.360 --> 00:44:48.800 Jesus 00:44:48.800 --> 00:44:50.420 truly 00:44:50.420 --> 00:44:51.960 holy 00:44:51.960 --> 00:44:54.260 kiss the son 00:44:54.260 --> 00:44:58.000 give homage to him as lord and king 00:44:58.000 --> 00:45:01.179 embrace him as savior and friend 00:45:01.179 --> 00:45:05.159 and if you will take that refuge in him 00:45:05.159 --> 00:45:07.440 you will receive the blessing 00:45:07.440 --> 00:45:08.819 of someone 00:45:08.819 --> 00:45:09.839 you