WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.020 Those please to Revelation chapter 13. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:42.980 Revelation 13. 00:00:47.620 --> 00:00:53.379 So let's hear God's word together, starting at verse 1. 00:00:53.380 --> 00:01:06.079 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea, and I saw a beast coming out of the sea. 00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:15.719 It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 00:01:15.719 --> 00:01:24.159 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. 00:01:25.739 --> 00:01:30.560 The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 00:01:32.120 --> 00:01:39.180 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. 00:01:39.180 --> 00:01:44.400 The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:50.200 People worshipped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast. 00:01:51.060 --> 00:01:53.720 And they also worshipped the beast and asked, 00:01:54.260 --> 00:01:56.420 Who is like the beast? 00:01:57.520 --> 00:02:00.040 Who can wage war against it? 00:02:00.040 --> 00:02:10.819 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for 42 months. 00:02:11.620 --> 00:02:19.219 It opened its mouth to blaspheme God and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:26.219 It was given power to wage war against God's holy people and to conquer them. 00:02:26.219 --> 00:02:33.099 And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 00:02:34.280 --> 00:02:37.780 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast. 00:02:38.219 --> 00:02:42.439 All whose names have not been written in the Lamb's book of life. 00:02:43.340 --> 00:02:46.680 The Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. 00:02:48.759 --> 00:02:52.500 Whoever has ears, let them hear. 00:02:52.500 --> 00:02:58.580 If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. 00:02:59.520 --> 00:03:04.879 If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed. 00:03:06.300 --> 00:03:12.479 This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness in the part of God's people. 00:03:14.759 --> 00:03:18.860 Then I saw a second beast coming out of the earth. 00:03:18.860 --> 00:03:23.600 It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 00:03:24.380 --> 00:03:28.840 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf. 00:03:29.900 --> 00:03:36.960 And made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:46.180 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 00:03:47.319 --> 00:03:55.400 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. 00:03:56.540 --> 00:04:02.760 It ordered them to set up an image in honour of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:09.599 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:15.620 so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 00:04:15.620 --> 00:04:25.939 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, 00:04:26.180 --> 00:04:30.620 to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 00:04:31.139 --> 00:04:35.519 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, 00:04:36.060 --> 00:04:39.819 which is the name of the first beast and the number of its name. 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:43.639 This calls for wisdom. 00:04:44.659 --> 00:04:49.360 Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:51.939 for it is the number of a man. 00:04:52.719 --> 00:04:54.980 That number is 666. 00:04:58.259 --> 00:05:00.779 Well, again, we need the Lord's help, 00:05:00.779 --> 00:05:06.100 so let's pray and ask for his goodness to us now. 00:05:09.819 --> 00:05:17.300 Our Father God, we thank you for your blessings to us throughout this week. 00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:24.019 We thank you for the blessing it is to gather like this as your people, 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:27.319 to hear your word, 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:30.199 to hear your voice, 00:05:30.199 --> 00:05:32.399 speaking to us, 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:40.240 speaking to us about your world and what is going on and how we should live in it. 00:05:41.860 --> 00:05:46.459 And so we pray that we would be attentive to you this morning, 00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:51.219 that these words that we hear and look at together 00:05:51.219 --> 00:05:54.959 would penetrate deep into our life 00:05:54.959 --> 00:06:00.399 and cause us to be the kind of people, 00:06:00.539 --> 00:06:04.199 the kind of church you have called us to be. 00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:08.620 So pour out your spirit upon us, 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:11.060 generously we ask, 00:06:11.539 --> 00:06:12.639 in Jesus' name. 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:13.799 Amen. 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:19.639 Well, in 1914, 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:22.439 at the start of the First World War, 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:25.400 Allied troops in northern France 00:06:25.400 --> 00:06:30.340 dug in to defend themselves against the advancing German army. 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:34.780 It became known as the Western Front. 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:38.040 It was trench warfare. 00:06:39.139 --> 00:06:40.100 It was bloody 00:06:40.100 --> 00:06:41.819 and it was fierce. 00:06:41.819 --> 00:06:44.939 And for four long years, 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:46.939 they faced each other and fought. 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:49.040 Eventually, 00:06:49.300 --> 00:06:50.500 victory was achieved. 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:51.819 The Allies had won. 00:06:52.980 --> 00:06:56.120 But not without loss of life. 00:06:57.899 --> 00:07:00.480 In that area of war, 00:07:01.379 --> 00:07:05.500 13 million soldiers died in those four years. 00:07:06.459 --> 00:07:07.740 It was costly. 00:07:07.740 --> 00:07:13.199 Well, the church is also at war. 00:07:13.900 --> 00:07:17.660 Not the war of guns and tanks against flesh and blood, 00:07:18.019 --> 00:07:21.300 but a war against the powers of this dark world 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:22.720 and the forces of evil. 00:07:23.840 --> 00:07:26.220 It's a war with Satan. 00:07:27.220 --> 00:07:30.319 And that battle has been pictured for us here 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:32.420 in Revelation 13. 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:34.740 Have a look at verse 1. 00:07:35.900 --> 00:07:36.620 The dragon, 00:07:37.460 --> 00:07:39.819 who we know is Satan, 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:43.540 stood on the shore of the sea. 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:48.840 Well, the sea in the Bible represents chaos 00:07:48.840 --> 00:07:50.480 and evil. 00:07:51.319 --> 00:07:54.360 And that is what the dragon has come to bring. 00:07:54.460 --> 00:07:56.560 This is what Satan has come to do. 00:07:56.560 --> 00:08:01.879 And he unleashes two terrifying beasts. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:05.560 The first one we read in verse 1. 00:08:06.459 --> 00:08:09.899 I saw a beast coming out of the sea. 00:08:11.540 --> 00:08:12.819 Verse 7. 00:08:14.079 --> 00:08:17.939 And this beast was given power to wage war 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:20.439 against God's holy people 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:22.500 and to conquer them. 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:25.139 Verse 11. 00:08:25.279 --> 00:08:27.560 Then I saw a second beast 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:29.560 coming out of the earth. 00:08:31.420 --> 00:08:33.299 And we're told what he will do. 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:34.240 Verse 15. 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:37.519 The second beast was given power 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:39.419 to give breath to the image 00:08:39.419 --> 00:08:40.679 of the first beast 00:08:40.679 --> 00:08:43.600 so that the image could speak 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:45.480 and cause all who refused 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:46.759 to worship the image 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:48.539 to be killed. 00:08:48.539 --> 00:08:53.500 You see, this war is fierce and bloody. 00:08:54.539 --> 00:08:57.779 And Satan's purpose is to oppose Christ 00:08:57.779 --> 00:08:59.839 and destroy the church. 00:09:00.679 --> 00:09:02.500 It's trench warfare. 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:05.219 And we as God's people 00:09:05.219 --> 00:09:08.500 are on the front line of this war. 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:12.759 So how are we to face into this battle? 00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:16.579 How are we to fight our enemy? 00:09:16.580 --> 00:09:20.060 Well, three things we're going to see 00:09:20.060 --> 00:09:21.100 from the text. 00:09:21.480 --> 00:09:24.560 The first is we've got to know our enemy. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:27.940 Second, we need to prepare for war. 00:09:28.780 --> 00:09:32.680 And third, we need to stand with confidence. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:35.080 We need to know our enemy. 00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:38.000 We need to prepare for war. 00:09:38.660 --> 00:09:42.140 And we need to stand with confidence. 00:09:42.139 --> 00:09:46.580 So first, we need to know our enemy. 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:48.919 Our enemy is Satan. 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:51.319 And he hates 00:09:51.319 --> 00:09:53.759 Carigalline Baptist Church. 00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:57.340 He's out to turn you at this very moment 00:09:57.340 --> 00:10:00.399 from your love of Christ. 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:04.100 He wants you to stop listening right now 00:10:04.100 --> 00:10:07.340 to think and focus on other things. 00:10:07.340 --> 00:10:11.019 But as fierce as the dragon might look, 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:14.540 we mustn't be fooled by his threats. 00:10:14.660 --> 00:10:16.560 There's two things we need to know 00:10:16.560 --> 00:10:18.800 about our enemy. 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:21.600 First, Satan is defeated, 00:10:22.300 --> 00:10:24.160 but not yet surrendered. 00:10:24.420 --> 00:10:27.879 Defeated, but not surrendered. 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:32.500 Chapter 12, that we saw a couple of weeks ago, 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:35.299 is all about the defeat of Satan 00:10:35.299 --> 00:10:38.419 through the death and resurrection of Jesus. 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:41.240 Our enemy was defeated. 00:10:41.439 --> 00:10:43.879 He was disarmed and overpowered. 00:10:44.019 --> 00:10:46.879 At the moment, as Jesus died and rose, 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:48.939 chapter 12, verse 9, 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:53.820 The great dragon was hurled down. 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:57.100 That ancient snake called the devil or Satan 00:10:57.100 --> 00:10:59.620 who leads the whole world astray. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:01.760 He was hurled to the earth 00:11:01.760 --> 00:11:05.060 and his angels with him. 00:11:07.280 --> 00:11:09.120 Now he is powerless 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:11.980 to accuse God's people. 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:15.420 But he hasn't yet surrendered. 00:11:15.419 --> 00:11:19.439 Look at chapter 12, the end of verse 12. 00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:25.839 He's not yet surrendered. 00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:28.419 He is filled with fury 00:11:28.419 --> 00:11:32.759 because he knows that his time is short. 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:36.519 And so he's on a mission, verse 17. 00:11:37.719 --> 00:11:40.519 The dragon was enraged at the woman. 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:43.579 The woman here is a symbol of God's church, 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:44.439 God's people. 00:11:44.440 --> 00:11:46.820 And he went off to wage war 00:11:46.820 --> 00:11:48.600 against the rest of her offspring. 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:50.000 Who are they? 00:11:50.900 --> 00:11:53.200 Those who keep God's commands 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:58.000 and hold fast their testimony about Jesus. 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:01.040 Is that you today? 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:03.520 Those who want to keep God's command 00:12:03.520 --> 00:12:06.320 and hold fast to the testimony about Jesus? 00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:08.520 You're in a war. 00:12:10.260 --> 00:12:12.320 But yet, Satan has been crushed. 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:14.440 The dragon has been slayed. 00:12:14.760 --> 00:12:16.300 The devil has been defeated. 00:12:16.680 --> 00:12:19.400 Our enemy has been stripped of his powers. 00:12:19.720 --> 00:12:22.480 But he is not giving up without a fight. 00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:25.660 He knows his end is short. 00:12:26.660 --> 00:12:29.040 But he's not going to submit quietly. 00:12:30.040 --> 00:12:33.379 He is still opposed to the church. 00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:38.899 So defeated, but not yet surrendered. 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:45.000 Second, he's wounded, but not yet destroyed. 00:12:45.539 --> 00:12:47.159 Wounded, but not destroyed. 00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:51.799 Satan unleashes a beast, two of them, 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:56.799 who is ultimately a reflection or an image of Satan himself. 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:59.319 We're told a little bit about him. 00:12:59.319 --> 00:13:00.399 Look at verse 3. 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:03.379 This is chapter 13, verse 3. 00:13:05.599 --> 00:13:07.779 One of the heads of the beast 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:11.079 seemed to have a fatal wound. 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:15.919 But the fatal wound had been healed. 00:13:17.599 --> 00:13:22.639 The beast is described in similar terms in verse 14. 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:26.080 If you look at the second part of verse 14. 00:13:28.199 --> 00:13:31.980 It ordered them to set up an image in honour of the beast 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:37.659 who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:43.080 So wounded, but restored. 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:47.639 So has Satan somehow recovered? 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:51.939 Did God really defeat Satan at the cross? 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:56.039 Has he kind of managed to get back all his strength again? 00:13:57.240 --> 00:14:00.399 Well, yes, Satan was fatally wounded 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:02.740 by the death and resurrection of Jesus. 00:14:03.319 --> 00:14:07.699 He was delivered a crushing blow that signalled his end. 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:10.500 But he is not yet destroyed. 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:14.139 The fact that he continues with the fight 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:18.539 gives the appearance that his wound has been healed. 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:20.279 Look back at verse 3. 00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:22.439 One of the heads of the beast 00:14:22.439 --> 00:14:25.860 seemed to have a fatal wound. 00:14:26.299 --> 00:14:28.500 A fatal wound that had been healed. 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:32.419 Make no mistake, the wound is fatal. 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:34.939 His end is coming. 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:38.220 He may present himself as having overcome, 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:40.580 but it's all lies. 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:43.700 The crushing blow has already landed. 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:46.340 The sword has already fallen. 00:14:46.780 --> 00:14:49.580 The dragon is breathing his very last 00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:50.820 and he is desperate 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:54.240 to inflict as much damage as possible. 00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:58.540 So as God's people, 00:14:59.540 --> 00:15:03.340 we must not be overwhelmed by our enemy. 00:15:04.400 --> 00:15:07.400 It's not like God is in a fight that he cannot win 00:15:07.400 --> 00:15:09.800 or a battle that he cannot end. 00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:12.740 No, Satan is defeated and wounded. 00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:14.879 His days are short. 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:17.319 He might not surrender, 00:15:18.079 --> 00:15:21.019 but his destruction is coming. 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:24.079 So we mustn't be overwhelmed. 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:26.120 But at the same time, 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:31.019 we must not underestimate our enemy. 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:34.019 He's defeated and wounded 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:36.219 and he's angry 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:39.879 and he remains fully opposed to Christ 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:43.899 and he seeks to destroy the church. 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:46.779 Which means 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:50.540 we must be prepared 00:15:50.540 --> 00:15:52.879 for war. 00:15:54.040 --> 00:15:56.519 We need to be prepared for this war. 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:59.559 Satan's war with the church 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:02.019 is on two fronts, 00:16:02.179 --> 00:16:03.819 which is represented here 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:05.899 by these two beasts. 00:16:06.079 --> 00:16:07.939 We're going to look at them each in turn. 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:11.759 First beast 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:14.340 is persecution. 00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:17.559 Look at verse 1. 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:21.859 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea 00:16:21.859 --> 00:16:26.059 and I saw a beast coming out of the sea. 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:29.799 It had ten horns and seven heads 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:33.099 with ten crowns on its horns 00:16:33.099 --> 00:16:36.179 and on each head a blasphemous name. 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:40.439 Pretty scary creature, isn't it? 00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:42.440 But who or what 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:43.940 is this beast? 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:46.020 Well, as we've seen 00:16:46.020 --> 00:16:48.400 as we've been reading through Revelation, 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:51.360 the images that John sees in his visions 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:53.360 all have their root 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:56.280 and they're all found in the Old Testament. 00:16:57.300 --> 00:16:59.500 So with this description of the beast 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:01.140 coming out of the sea, 00:17:02.040 --> 00:17:03.440 turn with me, please, 00:17:03.540 --> 00:17:05.740 to Daniel chapter 7. 00:17:06.340 --> 00:17:07.880 Daniel chapter 7. 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:12.860 I'm sorry, I haven't got a page number. 00:17:13.060 --> 00:17:16.840 If you're using a red church Bible, 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.620 if somebody could call it out, 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:19.600 that would be helpful. 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:23.420 8, 9, 3. 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.760 8, 9, 3. 00:17:25.860 --> 00:17:27.740 Daniel chapter 7. 00:17:28.800 --> 00:17:30.760 So the context here is that 00:17:30.760 --> 00:17:33.240 Daniel along with thousands of God's people 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.820 had been taken into captivity 00:17:34.820 --> 00:17:37.140 by the Babylonians. 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:39.100 They were a mighty kingdom, 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.360 a great empire 00:17:40.360 --> 00:17:42.259 that oppressed God's people 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:45.280 and forced them to abandon God 00:17:45.280 --> 00:17:46.360 and to worship idols. 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:47.140 You may recall 00:17:47.860 --> 00:17:50.600 some of the accounts in Daniel 00:17:50.600 --> 00:17:51.600 where they were forced 00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:53.220 to bow down to an idol 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:55.060 and if they didn't bow down, 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:57.220 they would be thrown into 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:58.780 a blazing furnace. 00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:01.360 And it's in this context 00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:03.120 that Daniel has a vision 00:18:03.120 --> 00:18:05.800 of powerful kingdoms. 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:08.460 four of them 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:10.220 and the last one 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:11.440 is more terrifying 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.619 than the rest. 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:15.460 So let's look at chapter 7, 00:18:15.879 --> 00:18:16.899 verse 2. 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.700 Daniel said, 00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:22.580 in my vision at night, 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:22.840 it says, 00:18:22.840 --> 00:18:23.000 It says, 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:23.600 In my vision at night, 00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:24.360 in my vision at night, 00:18:24.360 --> 00:18:24.400 it says, 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:24.600 but there before me were 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:26.259 the four winds of heaven 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:28.580 churning up the great sea. 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:31.539 Four great beasts, 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:33.460 each different from the others, 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:36.100 came up out of the sea. 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:38.580 Verse 15. 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.680 I, Daniel, 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:43.360 was troubled in spirit 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:48.039 and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. 00:18:49.479 --> 00:18:53.740 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all of this. 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:58.259 So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things. 00:18:59.399 --> 00:19:04.939 The four great beasts are four kings or four kingdoms 00:19:04.939 --> 00:19:07.619 that will rise from the earth. 00:19:08.979 --> 00:19:12.740 But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:15.920 and will possess it forever. 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:17.700 Yes, forever and ever. 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:23.240 Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:26.140 which was different from all the others 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:31.359 and most terrifying with its iron teeth and bronze claws. 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:35.120 The beast that crushed and devoured its victims 00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:38.579 and trampled underfoot whatever was left. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:41.779 Verse 23. 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:45.740 He gave me this explanation. 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:52.819 The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. 00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:56.460 It will be different from all the other kingdoms 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:59.539 and will devour the whole earth, 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:03.380 trampling it down and crushing it. 00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:11.420 So the four beasts of Daniel's vision that he sees 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:16.400 are successive kingdoms that appear and come and disappear 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:18.880 and another kingdom replaces it. 00:20:19.540 --> 00:20:22.460 But the point is that with each successive kingdom 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:25.020 they become more oppressive. 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:31.200 And the fourth one, this fourth kingdom is the worst. 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:36.700 Now let's go back to Revelation chapter 13. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:49.220 John says, 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:51.140 John says, 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:53.759 The beast I saw resembled a leopard 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:56.960 but had feet like those of a bear 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:59.980 and a mouth like that of a lion. 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:03.579 And the dragon gave the beast his power 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:06.240 and his throne and great authority. 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:13.599 So it seems that the beast John saw represents 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:18.240 or is a continuation of these kingdoms and empires that appear. 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:24.599 So I think it's best to understand this first beast in Revelation 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:28.599 as representing governing powers 00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:32.639 who oppose and persecute the church today. 00:21:33.639 --> 00:21:35.439 I want us to be clear on that. 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:39.299 This first beast is an image or a reflection 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:45.039 of the representing governing powers in the world today 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:49.399 who oppose and persecute the church. 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:54.419 The attack is experienced in two ways. 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:58.139 It can come by verbal persecution 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:59.960 verse 5. 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:04.780 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words 00:22:04.780 --> 00:22:06.300 and blasphemies 00:22:06.300 --> 00:22:09.259 and to exercise its authority for 42 months. 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:11.080 It opened its mouth. 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:14.360 So these are all words to blaspheme God 00:22:14.360 --> 00:22:17.880 and to slander his name and his dwelling place 00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:19.600 and all those who live in heaven. 00:22:20.620 --> 00:22:23.140 But it's not just a verbal attack. 00:22:23.820 --> 00:22:26.160 There will also be physical attack. 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:27.660 Look at verse 7. 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:32.100 It was given power to wage war against God's holy people 00:22:32.100 --> 00:22:34.400 and to conquer them. 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:42.019 In fact, this will be experienced by every church all over the world. 00:22:43.060 --> 00:22:46.140 Satan is at work through the governing powers 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:50.380 and nations that arise to persecute the church. 00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:52.200 Look at the rest of verse 7. 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:54.800 It was given authority. 00:22:55.640 --> 00:23:02.740 This is the beast was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:10.519 You see, John's vision is not just tied to one empire or one kingdom in a particular time and place. 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:15.180 No, he's showing us that the rulers and the regimes of today, 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:19.740 no matter what their language or nation or people or tribe, 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:23.599 they are out to destroy the church, 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:27.099 whether it's a dictatorship or a democracy. 00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:32.740 You see, there is no such thing as a Christian state. 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:39.379 There is no Christian utopia where the church and the state somehow merge into one. 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:46.559 No, the governing bodies of today are used by Satan to oppose the church. 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:53.359 I spoke with my friend Raj from India this week. 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.859 Some of you have met him. 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:56.039 He was here. 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:58.379 He preached in this church some years ago. 00:23:59.679 --> 00:24:00.879 He had messaged me. 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:03.039 He was very down and very discouraged. 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:05.639 And so we had a conversation. 00:24:06.659 --> 00:24:08.940 He told me that in recent weeks, 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:11.319 World Vision, you've maybe heard of that. 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:16.399 They do a lot of work with people with vision problems. 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:20.299 A Christian organisation and it's been banned. 00:24:21.419 --> 00:24:24.740 1,200 workers removed just like that. 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:29.200 Right now, his own ministry where they work, 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:33.919 the government has decided to take an audit out on their organisation, 00:24:34.919 --> 00:24:37.980 which means their assets and buildings can be seized, 00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:39.799 their accounts closed. 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:43.839 On top of that, he told me of one colleague 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:48.200 who's in jail because of anti-Christian laws. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:25:01.100 While in prison, his wife has been attacked 00:25:01.100 --> 00:25:03.860 and received death threats, 00:25:04.860 --> 00:25:06.880 telling that her children have to leave. 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:12.940 It helps us to understand what the church 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:15.560 and what our brothers and sisters are going through. 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.880 Look at verse 9. 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:23.220 Whoever has ears, let them hear. 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:26.820 If anyone is to go into captivity, 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:30.760 into captivity or prison, they will go. 00:25:32.040 --> 00:25:35.000 If anyone is to be killed with the sword, 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:38.560 with the sword they will be killed. 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:45.839 These stories can be repeated thousands of times all over the world. 00:25:46.919 --> 00:25:49.059 For your homework, I could suggest this, 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:54.279 to check out Open Doors UK or Church in Chains. 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:57.519 Read about your brothers and sisters. 00:25:58.799 --> 00:26:00.079 Know what is happening. 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:02.559 Switch off Facebook. 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:06.679 Switch off looking at all the wonderful gifts 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:11.019 you can buy and order and see what's going on. 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:19.019 The nations, the ruling governing powers 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:22.240 stand against the church today. 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:28.000 We might face verbal and physical persecution 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:30.000 like our friends in India. 00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:35.640 But there's a subtle oppression against the church today. 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:40.340 In recent years, our government has basically 00:26:40.340 --> 00:26:43.900 torn out and ripped up Genesis 1 and 2 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:50.019 through various legislation and all kinds of promotion. 00:26:51.340 --> 00:26:54.100 People don't know who they are anymore. 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:57.980 Their image, their gender, 00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:01.320 their sexuality, marriage. 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:04.019 It's all been redefined. 00:27:04.439 --> 00:27:06.899 The very foundations of life 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:09.639 are thrown out. 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:13.659 It's a reminder to us that the church's voice 00:27:13.659 --> 00:27:15.480 is no longer welcomed. 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:17.099 It's to be silenced. 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:18.259 It's to be crushed. 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:22.279 You see, Satan is at work 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:24.579 through the beast of governing powers 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:28.059 to oppose and persecute the church. 00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:32.099 We're in a war. 00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:34.980 And it's bloody. 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:37.579 And it's serious. 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:44.079 But it's not just persecution. 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:47.379 There is subtle seduction. 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:50.079 Let's look at the second beast. 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:51.200 Verse 11. 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:54.960 Then I saw a second beast 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:56.400 coming out of the earth. 00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:59.799 It had two horns like a lamb, 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:02.980 but it spoke like a dragon. 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:08.460 So what or who does this second beast represent? 00:28:10.340 --> 00:28:12.980 It looks like a lamb, we're told, 00:28:13.580 --> 00:28:16.799 but it speaks like a dragon. 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:21.799 Well, these images are already familiar to us 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.919 throughout Revelation. 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:25.460 The lamb is identified as Jesus. 00:28:26.419 --> 00:28:28.720 We even see that back in verse 8 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:30.859 as all inhabitants of the earth 00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.859 will worship the beast, 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:34.059 all whose names have not been written 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:35.940 in the lamb's book of life, 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:38.399 the lamb who was slain 00:28:38.399 --> 00:28:39.879 before the creation of the world. 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:42.079 This is speaking about Jesus. 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:45.199 And the dragon we have seen 00:28:45.199 --> 00:28:46.799 is identified as Satan. 00:28:47.439 --> 00:28:50.199 So it's as if this second beast 00:28:50.199 --> 00:28:52.359 comes along and presents himself 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:53.679 as Jesus. 00:28:54.659 --> 00:28:58.059 Or speaks as if he represents Jesus. 00:28:58.899 --> 00:29:01.500 But listen very carefully to his words 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.839 and it will become very clear 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:04.359 that they are nothing less 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:07.379 than the seductive words of Satan. 00:29:08.899 --> 00:29:10.740 You remember Jesus talked about 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:12.900 the wolves in sheep's clothing. 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:15.079 Well, in a similar way, 00:29:15.140 --> 00:29:15.880 John is saying, 00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:17.720 watch out for dragons 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:19.940 in lamb's clothing. 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.720 In other words, 00:29:22.819 --> 00:29:24.640 the second beast represents 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:27.380 the false teachers who come along, 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:30.180 who twist the truth of God's word. 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:32.180 Rather than tell you clearly 00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:33.880 what God's word has said, 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:37.500 they tell you what your itchy ears 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.359 want to hear. 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:42.059 The aim is to lead you astray, 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.399 to deceive you. 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:46.859 Look how the second beast 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:48.939 does his work. 00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:51.740 Let's look at verse 16. 00:29:53.959 --> 00:29:56.359 It also forced all people, 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:58.179 great and small, 00:29:58.919 --> 00:29:59.779 rich and poor, 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:01.319 free and slave. 00:30:01.419 --> 00:30:02.139 So it doesn't matter 00:30:02.139 --> 00:30:03.240 who they are, 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.379 where they come from. 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:07.840 It forced all people 00:30:07.840 --> 00:30:09.180 to receive a mark 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:10.580 on their right hands 00:30:10.580 --> 00:30:12.380 or on their foreheads 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.940 so that they could not buy 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:16.720 or sell unless they had 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.460 the mark, 00:30:18.260 --> 00:30:19.740 which is the name of the beast 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:21.820 or the number of its name. 00:30:23.020 --> 00:30:24.380 Now people get very excited 00:30:25.040 --> 00:30:26.840 about the mark of the beast. 00:30:27.800 --> 00:30:28.800 I mean, who is it? 00:30:28.860 --> 00:30:29.880 We're even given number, 00:30:30.080 --> 00:30:30.540 aren't we, 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:31.900 in verse 18? 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.700 666? 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.680 Well, some claim 00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:40.140 that the COVID vaccine 00:30:40.140 --> 00:30:41.000 was the mark. 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.860 If you've had the vaccine, 00:30:43.040 --> 00:30:43.940 you've got the mark. 00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:45.040 My goodness me. 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.780 No, that's not helpful. 00:30:47.580 --> 00:30:48.920 That's more deception. 00:30:50.120 --> 00:30:50.940 The mark 00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:53.240 is symbolic of who 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:55.280 or what you belong to. 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:58.200 Who is your loyalty to? 00:30:58.200 --> 00:31:01.160 Is it to the true word of God 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:03.059 or the deceptive word of Satan? 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:05.799 Where is your allegiance? 00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:07.880 Is it to the lamb 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.880 or to the dragon? 00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:11.900 What's your priority? 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:14.140 Is it to the church 00:31:14.140 --> 00:31:15.900 or to the world? 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.779 Now how we answer that 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:20.180 will mark out, 00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:22.360 it will identify 00:31:22.360 --> 00:31:25.559 who or what you belong to. 00:31:25.559 --> 00:31:27.879 But more than that, 00:31:27.919 --> 00:31:28.859 it will determine 00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:30.779 how you get on in life. 00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:31.740 Because, 00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:32.940 look at verse 17, 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.720 those with, 00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:35.220 those, 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.779 if you didn't have the mark, 00:31:36.879 --> 00:31:38.039 they couldn't buy 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:39.299 or sell. 00:31:40.139 --> 00:31:41.819 They couldn't go about 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.319 business. 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.819 They couldn't go about 00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:44.759 buying and selling 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.619 and make a living 00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:46.339 for themselves. 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:48.799 You see, 00:31:48.879 --> 00:31:50.000 align yourselves 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:51.559 with the deceptive word 00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:52.200 of Satan 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:54.779 and you will have access 00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:56.660 to all that the world offers. 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:59.880 Why would you align yourself 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:01.160 with Christ and the church? 00:32:01.319 --> 00:32:02.799 Because all that's going to mean 00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:03.519 is opposition 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.519 and persecution. 00:32:06.660 --> 00:32:07.559 Don't you want 00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:08.779 an easier life? 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:14.759 This is what's going on here. 00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:17.400 if your loyalty 00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:18.359 is with Christ, 00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:19.240 if your allegiance 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:20.400 is to the church, 00:32:21.359 --> 00:32:22.500 life is going to get 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.680 very hard for you. 00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:25.779 It's going to be difficult. 00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:27.779 But you know what? 00:32:27.859 --> 00:32:29.299 If you're just willing 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:30.940 to compromise a little, 00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:32.619 just, 00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.000 just 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:34.799 twist 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.779 a little bit, 00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:37.460 then, 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:38.379 then you'll get on 00:32:38.379 --> 00:32:39.220 well in life. 00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:40.299 You'll be able to 00:32:40.299 --> 00:32:41.740 buy and sell. 00:32:41.879 --> 00:32:42.879 You'll be able to get 00:32:42.879 --> 00:32:43.779 your good job 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.859 and earn promotion 00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:46.539 and get a salary increase 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:48.399 and you'll be able 00:32:48.399 --> 00:32:49.319 to get all your 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:50.720 home comforts 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.359 and you'll be 00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:52.720 financially secure. 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:55.180 It's very simple. 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:58.359 All you need to do is 00:32:58.359 --> 00:33:00.099 don't talk about 00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:00.759 your faith. 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:03.139 Why would you cause 00:33:03.139 --> 00:33:03.639 an upset 00:33:03.639 --> 00:33:05.879 by talking about 00:33:05.879 --> 00:33:06.259 Jesus? 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:09.420 All you need to do 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:10.539 is wear the rainbow 00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.160 badge. 00:33:12.619 --> 00:33:12.859 Why, 00:33:12.859 --> 00:33:13.319 why, 00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:13.379 why, 00:33:13.699 --> 00:33:14.500 why start 00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:15.759 isolating yourself 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.539 from people? 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:19.839 All you need to do 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:21.439 is accept that, 00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:22.019 you know what, 00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:23.819 there's no absolute truth. 00:33:23.939 --> 00:33:24.959 It's whatever's true 00:33:24.959 --> 00:33:25.500 for you. 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:27.819 Why be such a fusspot? 00:33:31.619 --> 00:33:32.939 All you need to do 00:33:32.939 --> 00:33:33.439 is just 00:33:33.439 --> 00:33:34.479 compromise 00:33:34.479 --> 00:33:35.859 every now and then. 00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:37.000 When things get 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:37.619 a little bit 00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:38.219 sticky, 00:33:39.439 --> 00:33:40.419 just kind of 00:33:40.419 --> 00:33:40.979 rein it in 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:41.660 a little bit 00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:43.579 and you'll be 00:33:43.579 --> 00:33:44.039 comfortable 00:33:44.039 --> 00:33:44.880 and you'll be 00:33:44.880 --> 00:33:45.420 secure. 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:47.400 Align yourselves 00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:48.759 to the right side 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:51.480 and you'll get 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.059 on alright. 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.700 You see, 00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:55.440 this is us, 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:56.000 isn't it? 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:57.960 We can be so 00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:59.039 desperate for a 00:33:59.039 --> 00:33:59.660 better life, 00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:01.079 a comfortable life, 00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:02.440 an easy life, 00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:04.400 without opposition, 00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:05.680 without persecution. 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:07.060 We just want 00:34:07.060 --> 00:34:07.900 to take it 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.880 easy. 00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:13.059 Watch out 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:14.159 for the deceptive 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:15.019 words of 00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:15.940 false teachers. 00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:18.059 Listen very 00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:19.039 carefully and you 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.900 will see that they 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.519 are the words 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.180 of Satan. 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:24.340 So this is the 00:34:24.340 --> 00:34:25.860 war we've got 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.760 to be prepared 00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:27.139 for. 00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.720 This twin 00:34:28.720 --> 00:34:29.659 attack of 00:34:29.659 --> 00:34:30.780 persecution 00:34:30.780 --> 00:34:32.340 and seduction 00:34:32.340 --> 00:34:34.780 and it's 00:34:34.780 --> 00:34:35.280 fierce 00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:36.740 and it 00:34:36.740 --> 00:34:37.560 rages on 00:34:37.560 --> 00:34:38.560 every single 00:34:38.560 --> 00:34:39.040 day. 00:34:41.240 --> 00:34:42.260 So how are we 00:34:42.260 --> 00:34:43.100 going to stand 00:34:43.100 --> 00:34:44.000 against these 00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:44.480 beasts? 00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:45.460 How are we 00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:46.220 going to fight 00:34:46.220 --> 00:34:46.900 the threats 00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:48.300 of the dragon? 00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:50.360 Well, 00:34:51.220 --> 00:34:53.480 we need to 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.400 stand with 00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.580 confidence. 00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:57.800 As we face 00:34:57.800 --> 00:34:58.600 this war, 00:34:58.599 --> 00:35:00.219 the way we 00:35:00.219 --> 00:35:01.799 fight is to 00:35:01.799 --> 00:35:02.920 stand our 00:35:02.920 --> 00:35:03.819 ground on the 00:35:03.819 --> 00:35:04.639 truth of God's 00:35:04.639 --> 00:35:05.000 word. 00:35:06.739 --> 00:35:07.880 Three truths 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:08.480 that are going 00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:09.099 to keep us 00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:10.739 strong in 00:35:10.739 --> 00:35:11.360 this battle. 00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:13.360 First truth, 00:35:14.779 --> 00:35:15.759 let's remind 00:35:15.759 --> 00:35:16.739 ourselves often 00:35:16.739 --> 00:35:17.539 that God is 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:17.960 sovereign. 00:35:19.759 --> 00:35:20.500 The beasts 00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:21.699 appear to be 00:35:21.699 --> 00:35:22.860 unrivaled 00:35:22.860 --> 00:35:24.039 and dominant. 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:24.799 Look at 00:35:24.799 --> 00:35:25.420 verse 4. 00:35:26.279 --> 00:35:27.500 People worshipped 00:35:27.500 --> 00:35:28.539 the dragon because 00:35:28.539 --> 00:35:29.139 he had given 00:35:29.139 --> 00:35:30.159 authority to 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:30.679 the beast 00:35:30.679 --> 00:35:32.139 and they 00:35:32.139 --> 00:35:33.380 also worshipped 00:35:33.380 --> 00:35:33.900 the beast 00:35:33.900 --> 00:35:34.519 and asked, 00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:36.199 who is 00:35:36.199 --> 00:35:36.900 like the 00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:37.340 beast? 00:35:38.219 --> 00:35:39.000 Who can 00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:39.880 wage war 00:35:39.880 --> 00:35:40.539 against it? 00:35:40.880 --> 00:35:41.900 Who can 00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:42.900 fight against 00:35:42.900 --> 00:35:43.059 him? 00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:43.659 He's too 00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:44.059 big, 00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:44.840 too fierce. 00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:48.340 Well, 00:35:48.380 --> 00:35:48.739 let's be 00:35:48.739 --> 00:35:49.279 absolutely 00:35:49.279 --> 00:35:49.860 clear. 00:35:50.940 --> 00:35:51.539 Satan's 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.079 authority 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:52.860 does not 00:35:52.860 --> 00:35:54.000 rival God's 00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:54.539 authority. 00:35:56.360 --> 00:35:56.800 It's not 00:35:56.800 --> 00:35:58.420 a 50-50 00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:58.820 war. 00:35:59.019 --> 00:35:59.460 It's not 00:35:59.460 --> 00:36:01.420 even 75% 00:36:01.420 --> 00:36:02.039 God, 00:36:02.200 --> 00:36:03.660 25% 00:36:03.660 --> 00:36:04.220 Satan. 00:36:05.640 --> 00:36:05.980 No, 00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:06.880 Satan 00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:07.820 cannot do 00:36:07.820 --> 00:36:08.620 anything 00:36:08.620 --> 00:36:10.400 without God's 00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:10.820 decree. 00:36:11.660 --> 00:36:12.200 He cannot. 00:36:12.200 --> 00:36:14.000 Look at 00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:14.800 verse 5. 00:36:17.320 --> 00:36:17.900 The beast 00:36:17.900 --> 00:36:18.480 was 00:36:18.480 --> 00:36:20.080 given 00:36:20.080 --> 00:36:21.440 a mouth 00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:22.019 to utter 00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:23.039 proud words. 00:36:23.039 --> 00:36:25.199 verse 7. 00:36:26.279 --> 00:36:26.759 It was 00:36:26.759 --> 00:36:27.300 given 00:36:27.300 --> 00:36:28.139 power 00:36:28.139 --> 00:36:29.400 to wage 00:36:29.400 --> 00:36:29.820 war. 00:36:32.019 --> 00:36:32.940 The end 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:33.679 of verse 7, 00:36:33.800 --> 00:36:34.179 and it 00:36:34.179 --> 00:36:35.059 was given 00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:36.019 authority. 00:36:38.019 --> 00:36:38.599 It's the 00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:39.000 same with 00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:39.539 the second 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:40.000 beast. 00:36:40.139 --> 00:36:41.360 Verse 15, 00:36:41.920 --> 00:36:42.519 the second 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:43.219 beast was 00:36:43.219 --> 00:36:44.259 given 00:36:44.259 --> 00:36:45.079 power 00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:46.179 to give 00:36:46.179 --> 00:36:46.579 breath 00:36:46.579 --> 00:36:47.000 to the 00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:47.460 image. 00:36:47.460 --> 00:36:49.240 You see, 00:36:49.380 --> 00:36:49.720 Satan 00:36:49.720 --> 00:36:50.280 doesn't 00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:50.780 have 00:36:50.780 --> 00:36:51.920 ultimate 00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:52.820 authority. 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:53.619 He can't 00:36:53.619 --> 00:36:54.300 decide to 00:36:54.300 --> 00:36:54.780 do whatever 00:36:54.780 --> 00:36:55.400 he wants 00:36:55.400 --> 00:36:56.039 whenever he 00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:56.619 likes. 00:36:57.260 --> 00:36:57.720 He can 00:36:57.720 --> 00:36:58.800 only do 00:36:58.800 --> 00:37:00.099 what God 00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:00.800 allows him 00:37:00.800 --> 00:37:01.139 to do 00:37:01.139 --> 00:37:01.559 or what 00:37:01.559 --> 00:37:02.740 God gives 00:37:02.740 --> 00:37:03.679 him 00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:04.179 permission 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:05.240 to do. 00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:07.599 Satan 00:37:07.599 --> 00:37:08.240 does not 00:37:08.240 --> 00:37:08.960 have free 00:37:08.960 --> 00:37:09.440 reign. 00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:10.260 He is 00:37:10.260 --> 00:37:10.639 on a 00:37:10.639 --> 00:37:11.059 leash. 00:37:12.840 --> 00:37:13.159 Now, 00:37:13.199 --> 00:37:13.699 this shouldn't 00:37:13.699 --> 00:37:14.240 cause us 00:37:14.240 --> 00:37:14.760 to doubt 00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:15.619 God's care 00:37:15.619 --> 00:37:16.119 and love 00:37:16.119 --> 00:37:16.460 for us. 00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:17.059 Rather, 00:37:17.199 --> 00:37:17.519 it should 00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:18.340 fortify 00:37:18.340 --> 00:37:19.300 and strengthen 00:37:19.300 --> 00:37:19.900 us as a 00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:20.800 church because 00:37:20.800 --> 00:37:21.519 it means 00:37:21.519 --> 00:37:22.599 that nothing 00:37:22.599 --> 00:37:23.460 happens by 00:37:23.460 --> 00:37:24.119 chance. 00:37:25.559 --> 00:37:26.340 God makes 00:37:26.340 --> 00:37:27.300 no mistake 00:37:27.300 --> 00:37:27.820 with your 00:37:27.820 --> 00:37:28.800 life or 00:37:28.800 --> 00:37:29.340 with this 00:37:29.340 --> 00:37:29.860 church. 00:37:31.300 --> 00:37:32.199 Whatever may 00:37:32.199 --> 00:37:33.260 come to us 00:37:33.260 --> 00:37:33.820 in this 00:37:33.820 --> 00:37:34.220 battle, 00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:35.059 we are 00:37:35.059 --> 00:37:35.840 ultimately 00:37:35.840 --> 00:37:37.139 in God's 00:37:37.139 --> 00:37:37.940 hands and 00:37:37.940 --> 00:37:38.300 he is 00:37:38.300 --> 00:37:38.920 ultimately 00:37:38.920 --> 00:37:39.980 in control. 00:37:40.420 --> 00:37:40.960 He is the 00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:41.579 commanding 00:37:41.579 --> 00:37:42.800 officer over 00:37:42.800 --> 00:37:43.400 everything. 00:37:45.240 --> 00:37:45.519 Nothing 00:37:45.519 --> 00:37:46.260 can overcome 00:37:46.260 --> 00:37:46.820 us. 00:37:47.540 --> 00:37:47.960 And what 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:48.800 Satan uses 00:37:48.800 --> 00:37:49.460 to harm 00:37:49.460 --> 00:37:49.800 us, 00:37:50.280 --> 00:37:50.900 God will 00:37:50.900 --> 00:37:51.620 use it 00:37:51.620 --> 00:37:52.320 for our 00:37:52.320 --> 00:37:53.000 good and 00:37:53.000 --> 00:37:53.600 for his 00:37:53.600 --> 00:37:54.040 glory. 00:37:56.180 --> 00:37:57.040 So let 00:37:57.040 --> 00:37:57.920 us stand 00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:59.020 confident 00:37:59.020 --> 00:38:00.740 that God 00:38:00.740 --> 00:38:01.400 is sovereign 00:38:01.400 --> 00:38:02.360 over your 00:38:02.360 --> 00:38:04.480 life and 00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:05.060 over this 00:38:05.060 --> 00:38:05.560 church. 00:38:08.560 --> 00:38:09.200 Second 00:38:09.200 --> 00:38:09.880 truth that 00:38:09.880 --> 00:38:10.400 we need to 00:38:10.400 --> 00:38:10.900 hold on 00:38:10.900 --> 00:38:13.400 to is 00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:13.820 victory 00:38:13.820 --> 00:38:14.539 is assured. 00:38:16.240 --> 00:38:16.740 Satan 00:38:16.740 --> 00:38:17.200 is not 00:38:17.200 --> 00:38:17.480 only 00:38:17.480 --> 00:38:18.240 restrained, 00:38:18.340 --> 00:38:18.539 he is 00:38:18.539 --> 00:38:19.039 not only 00:38:19.039 --> 00:38:19.820 on a 00:38:19.820 --> 00:38:20.220 leash, 00:38:20.720 --> 00:38:21.320 but his 00:38:21.320 --> 00:38:22.200 time is 00:38:22.200 --> 00:38:22.780 limited. 00:38:23.720 --> 00:38:24.139 Look at 00:38:24.139 --> 00:38:24.920 verse 5. 00:38:26.680 --> 00:38:27.639 The beast 00:38:27.639 --> 00:38:28.099 was given 00:38:28.099 --> 00:38:28.599 a mouth 00:38:28.599 --> 00:38:29.079 to utter 00:38:29.079 --> 00:38:30.099 proud words 00:38:30.099 --> 00:38:31.059 and blasphemies 00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:31.440 and to 00:38:31.440 --> 00:38:32.480 exercise its 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.579 authority for 00:38:33.579 --> 00:38:35.180 42 months. 00:38:35.179 --> 00:38:36.899 Now here's 00:38:36.899 --> 00:38:37.179 one of 00:38:37.179 --> 00:38:38.019 those strange 00:38:38.019 --> 00:38:38.679 numbers that 00:38:38.679 --> 00:38:39.079 we keep 00:38:39.079 --> 00:38:39.639 coming up 00:38:39.639 --> 00:38:40.339 against and 00:38:40.339 --> 00:38:41.239 we've been 00:38:41.239 --> 00:38:41.739 reminding 00:38:41.739 --> 00:38:43.000 ourselves that 00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:43.799 they're symbolic, 00:38:43.960 --> 00:38:44.759 they remind us 00:38:44.759 --> 00:38:45.319 of things, 00:38:45.899 --> 00:38:46.480 and this is 00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:47.199 part of a 00:38:47.199 --> 00:38:48.440 series of 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:48.899 numbers. 00:38:50.179 --> 00:38:50.879 Back in 00:38:50.879 --> 00:38:51.779 chapter 12 00:38:51.779 --> 00:38:52.779 verse 6 we 00:38:52.779 --> 00:38:53.460 read about 00:38:53.460 --> 00:38:56.579 1260 days. 00:38:56.579 --> 00:38:58.799 In chapter 00:38:58.799 --> 00:39:00.000 12 verse 14 00:39:00.000 --> 00:39:00.759 we read about 00:39:00.759 --> 00:39:01.619 a time's 00:39:01.619 --> 00:39:02.639 time and 00:39:02.639 --> 00:39:03.440 half a time. 00:39:04.639 --> 00:39:05.259 And if we 00:39:05.259 --> 00:39:06.219 understand time 00:39:06.219 --> 00:39:06.739 to be a 00:39:06.739 --> 00:39:07.219 year then 00:39:07.219 --> 00:39:08.000 that's three 00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:08.539 and a half 00:39:08.539 --> 00:39:09.059 years. 00:39:10.119 --> 00:39:11.000 And now here 00:39:11.000 --> 00:39:12.019 in chapter 13 00:39:12.019 --> 00:39:12.940 verse 5 we 00:39:12.940 --> 00:39:14.159 have 42 00:39:14.159 --> 00:39:14.799 months. 00:39:17.119 --> 00:39:17.779 Well you 00:39:17.779 --> 00:39:18.319 can do the 00:39:18.319 --> 00:39:18.759 maths. 00:39:20.519 --> 00:39:22.119 1260 00:39:22.119 --> 00:39:22.900 days is 00:39:22.900 --> 00:39:23.519 equal to 00:39:23.519 --> 00:39:24.219 guess what? 00:39:25.179 --> 00:39:25.840 Three and a 00:39:25.840 --> 00:39:26.620 half years. 00:39:28.140 --> 00:39:28.760 And that's 00:39:28.760 --> 00:39:29.820 also equal to 00:39:29.820 --> 00:39:31.559 42 months. 00:39:32.680 --> 00:39:33.340 So they're 00:39:33.340 --> 00:39:34.160 not different 00:39:34.160 --> 00:39:34.940 lengths of 00:39:34.940 --> 00:39:35.840 time but 00:39:35.840 --> 00:39:36.760 they refer to 00:39:36.760 --> 00:39:37.480 the same 00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:38.760 time period. 00:39:39.019 --> 00:39:39.840 They represent 00:39:39.840 --> 00:39:41.079 the time of 00:39:41.079 --> 00:39:42.240 war that the 00:39:42.240 --> 00:39:43.059 church is going 00:39:43.059 --> 00:39:43.960 to face between 00:39:43.960 --> 00:39:44.660 the resurrection 00:39:44.660 --> 00:39:46.160 of Christ and 00:39:46.160 --> 00:39:47.000 the return of 00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:47.440 Christ. 00:39:48.440 --> 00:39:49.260 This is not 00:39:49.260 --> 00:39:50.200 peace time. 00:39:51.519 --> 00:39:52.120 This is 00:39:52.120 --> 00:39:53.559 war time. 00:39:55.840 --> 00:39:56.860 But the 00:39:56.860 --> 00:39:57.680 important thing 00:39:57.680 --> 00:39:59.960 is this war 00:39:59.960 --> 00:40:00.539 is going to 00:40:00.539 --> 00:40:01.120 come to an 00:40:01.120 --> 00:40:03.079 end and it's 00:40:03.079 --> 00:40:03.740 only going to 00:40:03.740 --> 00:40:04.400 last for a 00:40:04.400 --> 00:40:05.079 certain time. 00:40:05.220 --> 00:40:05.820 It's limited 00:40:05.820 --> 00:40:08.220 42 months. 00:40:09.140 --> 00:40:10.019 It will 00:40:10.019 --> 00:40:10.980 come to 00:40:10.980 --> 00:40:12.039 an end. 00:40:13.760 --> 00:40:14.460 Now that 00:40:14.460 --> 00:40:15.240 should encourage 00:40:15.240 --> 00:40:15.740 us and 00:40:15.740 --> 00:40:16.700 strengthen us. 00:40:17.640 --> 00:40:18.420 Our lives in 00:40:18.420 --> 00:40:19.220 this world is 00:40:19.220 --> 00:40:20.220 not spiralling 00:40:20.220 --> 00:40:21.079 out of control. 00:40:21.420 --> 00:40:22.240 It's not like 00:40:22.240 --> 00:40:23.100 Satan is on 00:40:23.100 --> 00:40:24.000 his march to 00:40:24.000 --> 00:40:24.400 victory. 00:40:24.860 --> 00:40:25.519 No, Satan 00:40:25.519 --> 00:40:26.239 does not 00:40:26.239 --> 00:40:26.659 win. 00:40:27.940 --> 00:40:28.840 And we, the 00:40:28.840 --> 00:40:29.860 church, we 00:40:29.860 --> 00:40:31.099 do not lose. 00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:33.440 God has the 00:40:33.440 --> 00:40:33.840 victory. 00:40:34.940 --> 00:40:35.780 And we can be 00:40:35.780 --> 00:40:36.760 confident that 00:40:36.760 --> 00:40:37.599 this victory 00:40:37.599 --> 00:40:39.340 is ours too. 00:40:41.519 --> 00:40:42.480 So let's 00:40:42.480 --> 00:40:43.360 remind ourselves 00:40:43.360 --> 00:40:44.079 of the truth 00:40:44.079 --> 00:40:44.739 that God is 00:40:44.739 --> 00:40:45.159 sovereign. 00:40:46.039 --> 00:40:46.659 Victory is 00:40:46.659 --> 00:40:47.119 assured. 00:40:48.619 --> 00:40:49.380 And with that 00:40:49.380 --> 00:40:50.280 let us together 00:40:50.280 --> 00:40:51.139 as one 00:40:51.139 --> 00:40:52.920 people, as 00:40:52.920 --> 00:40:53.679 Carigalline 00:40:53.679 --> 00:40:54.539 Baptist Church, 00:40:54.920 --> 00:40:56.059 stand with 00:40:56.059 --> 00:40:56.659 confidence. 00:40:57.980 --> 00:40:58.539 You see, the 00:40:58.539 --> 00:40:59.319 way we fight 00:40:59.319 --> 00:41:00.500 this battle, the 00:41:00.500 --> 00:41:02.159 way we face 00:41:02.159 --> 00:41:03.259 into it, is 00:41:03.259 --> 00:41:04.480 to stand your 00:41:04.480 --> 00:41:05.239 ground on 00:41:05.239 --> 00:41:06.319 God's word. 00:41:07.239 --> 00:41:08.159 Because God 00:41:08.159 --> 00:41:08.739 is sovereign, 00:41:09.159 --> 00:41:09.799 because his 00:41:09.799 --> 00:41:10.400 victory is 00:41:10.400 --> 00:41:11.059 assured, look 00:41:11.059 --> 00:41:11.500 at the end 00:41:11.500 --> 00:41:12.139 of verse 10, 00:41:12.900 --> 00:41:14.099 this calls for 00:41:14.099 --> 00:41:15.779 patient endurance 00:41:15.779 --> 00:41:17.960 and faithfulness 00:41:17.960 --> 00:41:18.599 of the part 00:41:18.599 --> 00:41:19.119 of God's 00:41:19.119 --> 00:41:19.460 people. 00:41:19.460 --> 00:41:20.400 It also 00:41:20.400 --> 00:41:21.320 calls, verse 00:41:21.320 --> 00:41:23.920 18, for 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:24.400 wisdom. 00:41:28.159 --> 00:41:29.000 Look, when 00:41:29.000 --> 00:41:29.579 we're in the 00:41:29.579 --> 00:41:30.119 heat of the 00:41:30.119 --> 00:41:31.740 battle, when 00:41:31.740 --> 00:41:32.619 we're bunkered 00:41:32.619 --> 00:41:33.639 down in trench 00:41:33.639 --> 00:41:34.840 warfare, when 00:41:34.840 --> 00:41:36.539 persecution comes 00:41:36.539 --> 00:41:37.659 and it will, 00:41:38.679 --> 00:41:39.699 when seduction 00:41:39.699 --> 00:41:40.720 tempts you 00:41:40.720 --> 00:41:41.980 and it 00:41:41.980 --> 00:41:44.059 does, let 00:41:44.059 --> 00:41:44.440 us be 00:41:44.440 --> 00:41:45.039 wise. 00:41:45.840 --> 00:41:46.199 Don't 00:41:46.199 --> 00:41:46.740 panic. 00:41:47.360 --> 00:41:48.199 Don't fear. 00:41:48.199 --> 00:41:49.059 Don't worry. 00:41:49.619 --> 00:41:50.819 Instead, remind 00:41:50.819 --> 00:41:51.619 yourself of 00:41:51.619 --> 00:41:52.319 God's truth. 00:41:52.719 --> 00:41:53.699 Wait patiently 00:41:53.699 --> 00:41:54.480 for the coming 00:41:54.480 --> 00:41:54.839 king. 00:41:55.219 --> 00:41:56.279 Hold faithfully 00:41:56.279 --> 00:41:56.759 to your 00:41:56.759 --> 00:41:57.399 task. 00:41:58.559 --> 00:41:59.480 Jesus is the 00:41:59.480 --> 00:41:59.939 sovereign, 00:42:00.179 --> 00:42:01.299 victorious champion. 00:42:01.899 --> 00:42:02.699 Satan does 00:42:02.699 --> 00:42:04.079 not win and 00:42:04.079 --> 00:42:04.980 we do not 00:42:04.980 --> 00:42:05.539 lose. 00:42:05.539 --> 00:42:05.659 peace. 00:42:09.159 --> 00:42:10.480 I mentioned 00:42:10.480 --> 00:42:11.239 my friend 00:42:11.239 --> 00:42:12.400 Raj earlier. 00:42:14.219 --> 00:42:15.480 He sent 00:42:15.480 --> 00:42:16.739 updates asking 00:42:16.739 --> 00:42:17.539 for prayer. 00:42:19.179 --> 00:42:20.599 What struck 00:42:20.599 --> 00:42:21.400 me was he 00:42:21.400 --> 00:42:23.139 didn't ask for 00:42:23.139 --> 00:42:24.000 the persecution 00:42:24.000 --> 00:42:25.000 to stop. 00:42:26.000 --> 00:42:27.179 He didn't 00:42:27.179 --> 00:42:28.079 ask for more 00:42:28.079 --> 00:42:29.019 comfort and 00:42:29.019 --> 00:42:29.699 security. 00:42:29.699 --> 00:42:31.879 what he 00:42:31.879 --> 00:42:32.659 asked for 00:42:32.659 --> 00:42:34.239 was that we 00:42:34.239 --> 00:42:34.960 would stand 00:42:34.960 --> 00:42:35.639 strong. 00:42:37.500 --> 00:42:38.259 Here's what 00:42:38.259 --> 00:42:38.739 he asked 00:42:38.739 --> 00:42:39.039 for. 00:42:40.139 --> 00:42:40.939 This is his 00:42:40.939 --> 00:42:42.139 prayer request 00:42:42.139 --> 00:42:44.259 and I think 00:42:44.259 --> 00:42:45.099 this is a good 00:42:45.099 --> 00:42:46.079 prayer request 00:42:46.079 --> 00:42:46.919 for us too. 00:42:48.919 --> 00:42:49.819 Let me read 00:42:49.819 --> 00:42:50.339 it to you. 00:42:50.460 --> 00:42:51.219 Let's just be 00:42:51.219 --> 00:42:52.379 quiet, reflect 00:42:52.380 --> 00:42:54.740 and pray 00:42:54.740 --> 00:42:55.440 together. 00:43:03.599 --> 00:43:04.519 This is 00:43:04.519 --> 00:43:05.680 their prayer 00:43:05.680 --> 00:43:08.380 and this is 00:43:08.380 --> 00:43:08.960 our prayer. 00:43:11.420 --> 00:43:12.420 He writes 00:43:12.420 --> 00:43:13.280 it is quite a 00:43:13.280 --> 00:43:14.400 bad situation 00:43:14.400 --> 00:43:16.500 but please 00:43:16.500 --> 00:43:17.400 pray that the 00:43:17.400 --> 00:43:18.300 Lord will use 00:43:18.300 --> 00:43:19.200 this situation 00:43:19.200 --> 00:43:19.820 for his 00:43:19.820 --> 00:43:20.240 glory. 00:43:20.239 --> 00:43:22.759 please pray 00:43:22.759 --> 00:43:23.799 for boldness 00:43:23.799 --> 00:43:24.699 and courage 00:43:24.699 --> 00:43:26.000 to proclaim 00:43:26.000 --> 00:43:26.659 the gospel 00:43:26.659 --> 00:43:27.539 news in the 00:43:27.539 --> 00:43:28.019 midst of 00:43:28.019 --> 00:43:28.579 opposition. 00:43:30.099 --> 00:43:30.759 It's 00:43:30.759 --> 00:43:31.359 overwhelming. 00:43:32.399 --> 00:43:33.000 We feel 00:43:33.000 --> 00:43:33.479 helpless. 00:43:35.179 --> 00:43:35.979 Please pray 00:43:35.979 --> 00:43:36.439 that the 00:43:36.439 --> 00:43:37.079 Lord will go 00:43:37.079 --> 00:43:37.879 before us 00:43:37.879 --> 00:43:38.459 and fight 00:43:38.459 --> 00:43:39.199 for us. 00:43:40.539 --> 00:43:41.619 Please pray 00:43:41.619 --> 00:43:42.739 that we will 00:43:42.739 --> 00:43:43.500 trust him 00:43:43.500 --> 00:43:44.719 and lie 00:43:44.719 --> 00:43:45.479 at his feet 00:43:45.479 --> 00:43:46.799 and draw 00:43:46.799 --> 00:43:47.599 closer to 00:43:47.599 --> 00:43:47.919 him. 00:43:50.239 --> 00:43:54.779 father we 00:43:54.779 --> 00:43:55.579 pray this 00:43:55.579 --> 00:43:58.379 for brothers 00:43:58.379 --> 00:43:59.099 and sisters 00:43:59.099 --> 00:43:59.719 we know 00:43:59.719 --> 00:44:00.279 around the 00:44:00.279 --> 00:44:00.699 world. 00:44:01.959 --> 00:44:02.759 Those we 00:44:02.759 --> 00:44:03.619 know personally 00:44:03.619 --> 00:44:04.459 those we do 00:44:04.459 --> 00:44:05.039 not know 00:44:05.039 --> 00:44:07.039 but your 00:44:07.039 --> 00:44:07.719 church is 00:44:07.719 --> 00:44:08.139 everywhere 00:44:08.139 --> 00:44:10.619 and we 00:44:10.619 --> 00:44:11.239 pray it for 00:44:11.239 --> 00:44:11.899 ourselves. 00:44:13.519 --> 00:44:14.399 We don't 00:44:14.399 --> 00:44:15.139 pray for an 00:44:15.139 --> 00:44:15.879 easy life. 00:44:15.880 --> 00:44:18.140 we don't 00:44:18.140 --> 00:44:18.860 pray for 00:44:18.860 --> 00:44:20.140 more comforts 00:44:20.140 --> 00:44:20.579 or more 00:44:20.579 --> 00:44:21.300 security 00:44:21.300 --> 00:44:23.640 but we 00:44:23.640 --> 00:44:24.160 pray for 00:44:24.160 --> 00:44:24.760 courage 00:44:24.760 --> 00:44:26.980 for patient 00:44:26.980 --> 00:44:27.820 endurance 00:44:27.820 --> 00:44:30.619 for faithfulness 00:44:30.619 --> 00:44:32.599 to go on 00:44:32.599 --> 00:44:33.519 teaching and 00:44:33.519 --> 00:44:34.180 sharing the 00:44:34.180 --> 00:44:34.579 gospel 00:44:34.579 --> 00:44:36.320 whether that's 00:44:36.320 --> 00:44:36.880 in Sunday 00:44:36.880 --> 00:44:37.660 school or 00:44:37.660 --> 00:44:38.380 rock or 00:44:38.380 --> 00:44:38.760 rooted 00:44:38.760 --> 00:44:40.760 or polo 00:44:40.760 --> 00:44:42.640 amongst our 00:44:42.640 --> 00:44:43.360 friends our 00:44:43.360 --> 00:44:44.180 colleagues our 00:44:44.179 --> 00:44:44.659 family. 00:44:46.239 --> 00:44:47.079 That we 00:44:47.079 --> 00:44:47.579 would hold 00:44:47.579 --> 00:44:48.339 fast to 00:44:48.339 --> 00:44:49.119 our task 00:44:49.119 --> 00:44:50.879 in the 00:44:50.879 --> 00:44:51.559 knowledge that 00:44:51.559 --> 00:44:52.419 you almighty 00:44:52.419 --> 00:44:53.079 God are 00:44:53.079 --> 00:44:54.719 sovereign over 00:44:54.719 --> 00:44:55.639 every event 00:44:55.639 --> 00:44:57.379 over every 00:44:57.379 --> 00:44:58.500 circumstance of 00:44:58.500 --> 00:44:59.079 our life. 00:45:00.419 --> 00:45:01.259 That because of 00:45:01.259 --> 00:45:02.019 Christ we 00:45:02.019 --> 00:45:03.599 stand assured 00:45:03.599 --> 00:45:04.379 of victory. 00:45:06.059 --> 00:45:06.980 Give us 00:45:06.980 --> 00:45:07.879 patience to 00:45:07.879 --> 00:45:08.599 wait for the 00:45:08.599 --> 00:45:09.259 coming king. 00:45:10.679 --> 00:45:11.599 Give us 00:45:11.599 --> 00:45:12.239 courage 00:45:12.239 --> 00:45:13.979 courage that 00:45:13.979 --> 00:45:14.639 we too 00:45:14.639 --> 00:45:15.959 would lie at 00:45:15.959 --> 00:45:16.579 your feet 00:45:16.579 --> 00:45:18.659 and draw 00:45:18.659 --> 00:45:19.439 closer to 00:45:19.439 --> 00:45:19.719 you. 00:45:22.879 --> 00:45:23.759 Help us 00:45:23.759 --> 00:45:24.339 we pray 00:45:24.339 --> 00:45:26.119 in Jesus 00:45:26.119 --> 00:45:26.639 name. 00:45:27.939 --> 00:45:28.419 Amen. 00:45:28.419 --> 00:45:28.519 Amen. 00:45:28.519 --> 00:45:42.300 We're going 00:45:42.300 --> 00:45:42.800 to sing a 00:45:42.800 --> 00:45:43.480 great song. 00:45:43.639 --> 00:45:44.119 We've sung 00:45:44.119 --> 00:45:45.219 I hope we 00:45:45.219 --> 00:45:45.800 sing great 00:45:45.800 --> 00:45:46.500 songs every 00:45:46.500 --> 00:45:46.900 Sunday. 00:45:47.019 --> 00:45:47.440 I think we 00:45:47.440 --> 00:45:47.659 do. 00:45:48.480 --> 00:45:49.000 We've sung 00:45:49.000 --> 00:45:49.500 some good 00:45:49.500 --> 00:45:49.659 ones.