WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.299 I read the story recently of a butler who served for a number of years in the grand 17th century 00:00:07.299 --> 00:00:14.839 Belton House in Lincolnshire in England. As part of his duties, he regularly dusted, in fact I think 00:00:14.839 --> 00:00:21.420 he dusted daily and he polished pretty regularly, a World War II bomb that had been dropped on the 00:00:21.420 --> 00:00:27.900 grounds of Belton House by German bombers. One day, while polishing this thing, he actually 00:00:27.899 --> 00:00:33.199 managed to even knock it over and it fell on his foot while he was cleaning, so it caused him a 00:00:33.199 --> 00:00:40.280 great deal of damage. Anyway, one Easter weekend, something like 24 years after it was put on display 00:00:40.280 --> 00:00:49.700 at the house, an army officer was visiting Belton House and this officer noticed to his horror that 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:59.300 this bomb was in fact still life and was capable of levelling the entire estate. The place was 00:00:59.300 --> 00:01:05.299 evacuated, as you can imagine, and the Royal Air Force, the bomb disposal unit was called in and 00:01:05.299 --> 00:01:13.620 the bomb was disposed of. But imagine discovering that you've been cleaning this thing with chemicals 00:01:13.620 --> 00:01:22.380 for 24 years, polishing a live bomb that, and you've even dropped this thing on your foot, and at any 00:01:22.380 --> 00:01:31.719 point this thing could have exploded. It's possible to live with danger and to be totally unaware of it. 00:01:32.740 --> 00:01:40.080 In fact, we can even convince ourselves that we are indestructible, that things will go on as they are 00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:47.379 forever. The number of people that I've dealt with as a pastor over the years, who even in their senior 00:01:47.379 --> 00:02:00.299 years, still assume that they are indestructible. And it takes an expert analysis, a medical specialist, 00:02:01.579 --> 00:02:09.659 or an apocalypse to persuade us of an alternative view. Apocalypse is a Greek word, 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:19.720 which means revelation. It means unveiling of things that were not previously known and which cannot be 00:02:19.720 --> 00:02:30.700 known unless they are unveiled to us. And that's what the book of Revelation is. This book is not given 00:02:30.700 --> 00:02:40.060 to us to satisfy our curiosity about events in the future. It is given to open our eyes. 00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:50.740 to prod us to come awake to reality and to stimulate reforming actions in our lives. 00:02:51.720 --> 00:02:58.200 What the book of Revelation does for us and what it's been doing for us in these past weeks is opening 00:02:58.200 --> 00:03:06.560 our eyes to the Christian worldview. And that worldview, very simply, is that the crucified, 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:16.580 resurrected Jesus of Nazareth, who was in history, died in history, rose in history, is the one who now 00:03:16.580 --> 00:03:28.039 has ascended and reigns over all history and time in eternity. His people suffer on earth with joy while 00:03:28.039 --> 00:03:35.080 being threatened and seduced by the powers and the cultures of their day, whatever it is and wherever 00:03:35.080 --> 00:03:43.939 they are in the world. And yet what we also discover is that this God is in control at every point 00:03:43.939 --> 00:03:49.939 throughout the chaos of history. And he has declared that he will come again and he will judge all 00:03:49.939 --> 00:03:57.540 humanity and wind up history as we know it. And the call of Revelation is for Christians to remain faithful to 00:03:57.539 --> 00:04:04.500 the good news. And the good news about Jesus and the good news about him as we wait for his return to wind up history 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:13.979 and bring us into his perfect presence forever. And so the challenge of Revelation all the way through, 00:04:13.979 --> 00:04:29.399 on every occasion, as it is again today, live for the lamb, not for the beast. That's the challenge. 00:04:31.500 --> 00:04:39.740 Live for the bride, groom, not the prostitute. Eternal things, not temporal, to please God rather than 00:04:39.740 --> 00:04:47.240 anger him for his eternal city rather than the lake of fire. That's the call right through Revelation 00:04:47.240 --> 00:04:53.040 as we have had right from the beginning. And so now as we come to the end, we get to the final 00:04:53.040 --> 00:05:01.259 destination. That's where we're up to, the final destination. So I've got an outline for today's talk 00:05:01.259 --> 00:05:06.079 on the St. Paul's app. It'd be good if you could go there. Also get your Bibles open. We're looking 00:05:06.079 --> 00:05:13.180 sort of across Revelation 17 to 19. You'll notice three points in the app. The prostitute and our 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:20.800 problem, the lamb and our solution, and the bride and living for future hope. So first of all, and most 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:28.139 of the time is on the prostitute and our problem. Chapters 17 and 18, we're introduced to a new figure 00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:39.159 in the storyline. It's a woman. She's mysterious, but her title captures for us who she is. 17 verse 5, 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:47.839 Babylon the Great, the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. 00:05:47.839 --> 00:06:02.279 Now, it is possible for us to plunge into the extravagant imagery of these chapters to try and 00:06:02.279 --> 00:06:11.199 come up with an impressive display of convincing explanation of exactly who in history this woman 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:20.379 is astride and who the scarlet beast is, as well as the seven heads, the seven hills, the seven kings, 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:25.579 Babylon, and all the rest. What we need to do with the book of Revelation, I said right from the 00:06:25.579 --> 00:06:34.199 beginning, is to step back. Just step back and have a look. Notice, as you read through the text, 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:41.199 the seven of the book of Revelation, the seven kings, the seven kings, the seven kings, and the seven kings, 00:06:41.199 --> 00:06:46.180 the seven kings, and the seven kings, and the seven kings. The seven kings, the seven kings, and the seven kings. 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:56.519 This woman represents the problem with the world. Twice in chapter 17, verse 8, we're told that the beast 00:06:56.519 --> 00:07:08.799 once was, now is, and yet will come. In other words, this beast manifests itself in one form, 00:07:09.039 --> 00:07:17.959 then it passes away, and then it will come back in other forms. That is, this is just simply another 00:07:17.959 --> 00:07:24.479 one of the parodies of God that we've had right through, as we read in chapters 1, 4, and 11. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:34.020 In chapter 17, verses 10 and 12, the angel speaks of coming kings and transfers of power. 00:07:34.740 --> 00:07:42.780 In Daniel 7, in the Old Testament, the same language is used to describe successive kingdoms and empires. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:52.319 The symbolic numbers 7 and 10 in Revelation 17 don't refer to specific kings. 00:07:52.319 --> 00:08:04.339 Instead, John is highlighting the way that the beast manifests itself in power in reoccurring 00:08:04.339 --> 00:08:09.500 political empires and systems and societies throughout history. 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:23.100 Even though the woman, even though the woman rides on the beast and rules over the kings in 17, verse 7, 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:33.519 and then again in verse 18, we see in verse 16 of chapter 17, that they turn on her and they destroy her. 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:39.360 Such as the city of Rome itself. 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:47.759 The all-powerful Rome, which is in the background here as John receives this revelation. 00:08:49.199 --> 00:08:56.559 Rome itself will be destroyed by the very empire it built in AD 410. 00:08:56.559 --> 00:09:02.179 What we see here is Babylon. 00:09:02.939 --> 00:09:09.779 In chapters 17 and 18, it represents human society without God. 00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:17.059 Human society with all its violence and oppression and corruption and injustice and rejection of God. 00:09:17.059 --> 00:09:19.539 And it's saying here, societies come and go. 00:09:21.339 --> 00:09:23.479 Kingdoms rise and they fall. 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:28.159 And it will go on and on and on. 00:09:28.239 --> 00:09:33.039 And each one in its various forms will do exactly the same. 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:36.379 Stand against God as rule of all. 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:47.259 See, what happens here with the book of Revelation is that the major themes that are set up at the beginning of the Bible 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:53.259 sort of all get intertwined and come to their conclusion at the end of the Bible. 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:57.299 The threads all come together. 00:09:57.299 --> 00:10:11.259 The theme of Babylon and society against God is drawn to a close here as well as they celebrate in chapter 19, the end of Babylon. 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:18.939 Babylon features in the Bible as early as Genesis chapter 10, verse 10. 00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:24.780 And it is likely linked to the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. 00:10:25.660 --> 00:10:40.020 The symbol of the godless society, proud society in its attempt to storm the heavens, dethrone God and take glory for themselves and make a name for themselves. 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:43.740 Babel and Babylon are interchangeable. 00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:54.779 Throughout the Bible, Babylon came to stand for all that oppose God, all the empires and societies and peoples that oppose God. 00:10:55.560 --> 00:11:03.860 Daniel chapter 4, verse 30 is a great example where we have the egotistical Nebuchadnezzar declaring, 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:09.620 Is not this the great Babylon that I have built as my royal residence? 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:16.320 By my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty. 00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:32.240 All this sin of human society, all of its rejection of God the creator is in chapter 19, verse 2, described as adultery. 00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:34.440 Prostitution. 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:34.520 Prostitution. 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:39.720 All human sin is described as adultery. 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:41.520 Prostitution against God. 00:11:41.820 --> 00:11:46.160 And this too is one of the great themes of the Bible from beginning to end. 00:11:46.800 --> 00:11:58.460 What we see in the Bible is that God doesn't relate to people primarily as a king to subjects or even as a shepherd to his sheep, but as a husband to a wife. 00:11:58.460 --> 00:12:13.500 God's plan from the beginning of creation was to have a solemn and a binding relationship with his people as binding and as comprehensive and as intimate as marriage. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:17.540 It's the kind of relationship with God that we were created for. 00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:30.439 No other religion dares talk about a relationship with God like biblical Christianity. 00:12:33.099 --> 00:12:38.839 Human sin, therefore, is depicted as adultery. 00:12:40.699 --> 00:12:42.819 Sin is loving anything more than God. 00:12:42.820 --> 00:12:47.700 Sin is giving the title of our hearts to anything more than God. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:54.379 Sin is giving the center of our emotions and our imagination to anything apart from God. 00:12:55.300 --> 00:12:58.340 God doesn't just want us to rely upon him like a shepherd. 00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:01.260 He wants us to love him like a spouse. 00:13:03.540 --> 00:13:07.640 And sin is where we love anything more than God. 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:37.620 Sin is where we love anything more than God. 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:40.759 Holidays, he takes long trips around the world with her. 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:46.759 And finally, his wife confronts him about this other relationship. 00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:48.820 And he says, 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:54.460 I really don't understand why you're getting so upset, frankly. 00:13:55.799 --> 00:13:59.960 You know, you've got my name, got my surname. 00:14:01.659 --> 00:14:02.980 You've got my money. 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:05.240 I pay the bills. 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.340 I cut the grass. 00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:11.240 I seriously do not understand what the problem is and why you're getting so worked up. 00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:16.420 The wife says, but I don't have your heart. 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:20.560 Something else has your deepest affections of your heart. 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:30.219 Now, most of us are sitting there and going, what sort of an idiot would say that? 00:14:32.219 --> 00:14:37.000 Well, who would ever say, what's the problem here? 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:40.279 So here we go. 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:44.480 Do you say you believe? 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:47.120 Are you baptised? 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:48.639 You go to church. 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.659 You pray the Lord's Prayer. 00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:52.000 You work at obeying the Ten Commandments. 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:56.419 And yet something else actually has the affections of your heart. 00:14:56.419 --> 00:15:04.799 There is something else that you are actually truly living for and has captured your imagination. 00:15:05.839 --> 00:15:06.740 Could be a career. 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.500 Could be family. 00:15:07.719 --> 00:15:08.679 Could, in fact, be religion. 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:11.979 It could be children, relationships. 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.419 It could be a political cause. 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:15.159 It could be your bank accounts. 00:15:15.219 --> 00:15:16.439 It could be a social cause. 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:21.700 It is possible to give money to God our money. 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:26.460 It's possible to give God our money and to take his name for ourselves. 00:15:27.380 --> 00:15:29.780 And yet something else has the title over our hearts. 00:15:32.260 --> 00:15:41.480 For those who use social media, what do your posts and your likes reveal about what has captured your heart? 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:50.500 Now, surely, as mere creatures, we don't expect our creator to overlook this. 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:56.560 Sin is spiritual adultery, which means it's more than just breaking the rules. 00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:58.600 Very important for us to grapple with that. 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:01.980 It is so much more than just breaking the rules. 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:07.279 It's walking all over the heart of our creator. 00:16:07.820 --> 00:16:09.220 Sin breaks his heart. 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:11.519 It destroys his relationship with him. 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:23.680 And unless we see human sin as spiritual adultery, we will never grapple with the seriousness of it or the emotional devastation it actually is. 00:16:26.160 --> 00:16:28.960 It is so much more than breaking a rule. 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:34.000 It is crushing a heart, the heart of the God who made us for himself. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:42.740 When we see this prostitute here, we see the fatal attraction of the human race. 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:46.799 You see, it's one thing to be friends with someone. 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.820 It's another thing to go to bed with them. 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.860 That changes everything. 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:56.320 And as James pointed out to us last week, Satan consistently parodies God. 00:16:56.700 --> 00:17:00.000 Evil consistently parodies good. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:10.579 The power and the affluence of society is seductive simply because it offers us what God offers us. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:17.559 We love money because it offers us what God offers us. 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:19.359 You've got a guilty conscience. 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:22.420 You've got enough money to buy the right lawyers. 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:24.000 You can get yourself clean. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:27.539 It offers us what God offers us. 00:17:27.859 --> 00:17:29.079 Get really sick. 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:30.599 Get the right amount of money. 00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:32.819 You can get the best doctors to heal you. 00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:47.879 Even John, the apostle, the one who from the very beginning received the vivid vision of the glorified Lord Jesus standing amongst his church. 00:17:47.879 --> 00:17:53.980 The one who is said in John's gospel, the disciple who Jesus specifically loved. 00:17:54.279 --> 00:18:01.679 We are told here when he gets a vision of this prostitute riding the beast, he is mesmerized. 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:04.480 Verse 6, chapter 17. 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:08.039 When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:10.419 Attracted. 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:15.559 And then the angel said to me, why are you astonished? 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:20.939 The power and the glory of the human society is seductive. 00:18:20.939 --> 00:18:25.399 Even John needed the angel to grab him and slap him out of it. 00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:35.680 And so that's why it's crucial that we see in chapters 18 and 19 the end of Babylon. 00:18:37.560 --> 00:18:43.940 With all that it promises, it merely seduces you into destruction. 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:48.240 Reading from verse 21 of chapter 18. 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:54.279 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone, threw it into the sea, and said, 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:59.680 With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:03.200 Now this is not rising and falling. 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:06.740 This is never to be found again. 00:19:06.820 --> 00:19:07.600 This is the end. 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:11.059 Of all the rises and fallings, this is the end. 00:19:12.679 --> 00:19:17.359 The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters will never be heard in you again. 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:21.559 No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again. 00:19:22.219 --> 00:19:24.919 The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:27.439 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. 00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:31.379 The voice of a bridegroom and a bride will never be heard in you again. 00:19:31.439 --> 00:19:35.980 In other words, no continuing on in society, no joy, no celebration. 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:38.900 Your merchants were the world's important people. 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:41.000 The rich people were the important people. 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:46.460 But by your magic spell, all the nations were led astray. 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:50.339 The point is, it will come to naught. 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:55.880 It promises so much, and it delivers death and destruction. 00:19:56.880 --> 00:20:02.420 Revelation, this book, wakes us up to the fact that we are living with danger every single day, 00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:06.300 and we cannot see it, and the point of revelation is to help us see it. 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:11.500 We are polishing the bomb every day of our life. 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:21.880 And what this book tells us is the author of time itself had to be written into the very drama 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:23.480 to help us to see it. 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:26.900 And he's calling us to evacuate. 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:29.279 Evacuate, evacuate Babylon. 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.960 Do you see the seduction? 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:37.480 For instance, take... 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:38.920 Here's an exercise. 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:40.059 Just this next week. 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.559 In this coming week, 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:48.099 look at the advertising across various media platforms 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:50.339 and engage with the message. 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.119 Not just the pictures. 00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:53.819 Engage with the message. 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.859 And notice the seduction. 00:20:57.019 --> 00:21:00.919 They offer power, peace, status, paradise, performance, freedom, 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:05.019 spirituality, comfort, enlightenment, friendship, life, reconciliation, 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:07.299 identity, escape, balance, and future. 00:21:07.659 --> 00:21:08.799 That's just one week. 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:14.339 And that's advertisements for coffee, cars, phones, holidays, cosmetics, and shoes. 00:21:16.139 --> 00:21:17.819 It's appalling. 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:26.779 $10 billion a year is spent on advertising in this country alone 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:33.220 with quasi-religious promises of meaning and fulfillment and hope 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:36.680 in items that are created and can never produce it. 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:42.220 It's all about what we worship. 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:47.319 It's about what has captured our hearts. 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:53.399 American Pastor David Platt observes that North American Christians 00:21:53.399 --> 00:21:58.680 give 2.5% of their income to the local church 00:21:58.680 --> 00:22:03.980 and that local churches give 2% of their income to world mission. 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:07.279 Now, we've got to bear in mind here that Revelation chapter 5, 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:10.440 as we've already seen, is that mission to the nations 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:14.620 is part of what it means to grapple with the cross. 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:19.400 It's part of what it means to come to Christ. 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:24.700 And yet, every $100 that American Christians earn, 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:30.600 they give 5 cents to global mission. 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.799 5 cents. 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:40.980 Surely, that's got to be a good measure to the extent 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:43.299 by which we are seduced by Babylon 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:47.100 rather than being captured by a biblical worldview 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:50.059 of the end of Babylon. 00:22:51.919 --> 00:22:54.699 Now, as you're aware, we've been heard about it this morning. 00:22:55.619 --> 00:23:00.019 We're seeking to raise $10,000 to support the Klintos family, 00:23:00.159 --> 00:23:01.679 our global mission partners in Africa, 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:03.740 doing a very strategic ministry. 00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:06.919 And as of 7 a.m. this morning, 00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:10.219 I note that we've raised $5,584. 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:13.000 Project finishes tomorrow. 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:17.880 I think we've got some work to do this afternoon. 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:24.700 Secondly, the lamb and our solution. 00:23:25.120 --> 00:23:27.339 Now, this prostitute in chapter 17 00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:28.740 represents our biggest problem, 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:30.640 that is, spiritual adultery. 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:34.920 We are given the solution to our biggest problem in the lamb. 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:37.079 The only thing that can turn us 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:39.600 from spiritual adulterers, prostitutes, 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:41.000 into a pure bride, 00:23:41.199 --> 00:23:42.480 is the blood of Christ. 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:46.500 The one whom Revelation has already declared earlier on 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.719 as the lamb of God. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:50.639 The lamb is the only one 00:23:50.639 --> 00:23:56.039 who can cure us from our fatal attraction to Babylon. 00:23:58.399 --> 00:24:00.399 Now, the John who wrote this vision, 00:24:00.939 --> 00:24:01.980 this vision was given to, 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:04.779 also is the John who wrote the Gospel of John. 00:24:05.199 --> 00:24:07.119 And so, as we come to chapter 19, 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:11.439 what is sitting in the background of Revelation 19 00:24:11.439 --> 00:24:13.979 is John chapter 2 00:24:13.979 --> 00:24:17.179 and the wedding at Cana in Galilee. 00:24:17.719 --> 00:24:18.779 Now, this is the wedding 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:22.059 where they run out of wine 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:26.219 and Mary comes to Jesus and says, 00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:28.039 you might want to do something about that. 00:24:28.919 --> 00:24:30.139 Now, this is crucial. 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:33.200 You know, these are wedding feasts 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:34.200 that go on for days 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:35.540 and wine was essential, 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.780 part of that celebration, 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:38.000 the joy of the celebration. 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.700 And all of a sudden, 00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:40.759 they've run out of wine. 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:42.900 It's a social crisis in the first century. 00:24:44.780 --> 00:24:46.740 And Mary comes to Jesus and says, 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:49.620 verse 3, chapter 2, 00:24:51.300 --> 00:24:52.320 they have no more wine. 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:56.279 Woman, Jesus says, 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:58.619 why do you involve me? 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:02.759 My hour has not yet come. 00:25:04.179 --> 00:25:05.519 So, crisis time, 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.559 no wine at the wedding. 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:11.379 And Mary comes and says, 00:25:11.619 --> 00:25:13.099 Jesus, no wine. 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:15.740 And Jesus' reply is, 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:19.700 I'm not ready to die. 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:22.259 That's what he says. 00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:25.759 Because every time he refers 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:29.299 to this hour or his hour 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:31.240 in John's gospel 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:33.180 is a reference to the cross. 00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:35.680 His death on the cross. 00:25:36.580 --> 00:25:38.080 And so he says to Mary, 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:40.420 I'm not yet ready to die. 00:25:41.340 --> 00:25:41.920 And Mary's like, 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:44.240 you know, what's that got to do with it? 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:45.600 You know, like, we just need wine. 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:48.120 You know, Jesus, go to your room. 00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:51.119 I mean, 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:53.699 what is going on here 00:25:53.699 --> 00:25:54.659 at the wedding of Cana? 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.719 Well, throughout the Old Testament, 00:25:58.699 --> 00:26:00.039 especially in places like 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:02.659 Isaiah 62, Ezekiel 16, Jeremiah 2, 00:26:02.979 --> 00:26:04.959 God reveals himself to be 00:26:04.959 --> 00:26:08.159 the bridegroom of his people. 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:12.060 And then, 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:14.400 in Matthew chapter 9, 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:16.340 the Pharisees come along to Jesus 00:26:16.340 --> 00:26:18.320 and they complain to him 00:26:18.320 --> 00:26:20.220 about his disciples 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:21.660 because they're so loose 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:24.220 with the Jewish rituals and practices. 00:26:24.580 --> 00:26:27.620 And in verse 15 of Matthew 9, 00:26:28.080 --> 00:26:29.220 Jesus says this to them, 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:48.620 See what he's saying there? 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:49.920 He said, 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:51.880 I am the bridegroom. 00:26:53.080 --> 00:26:54.759 I am the bridegroom. 00:26:55.300 --> 00:26:56.279 I am God. 00:26:56.360 --> 00:26:57.320 I'm the Lord of my people. 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:59.200 So in John chapter 2, 00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:00.680 he's saying, 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.700 at the wedding of Canaan, 00:27:01.800 --> 00:27:02.500 he's saying, 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:04.500 Mother, you are right. 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:08.320 There is no joy at a wedding 00:27:08.320 --> 00:27:09.800 without the wine. 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:12.340 It's part of the celebration. 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:13.799 And if my people, 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:17.119 if my bride is going to fall 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:19.599 into my arms with joy, 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:23.199 then I'm going to have to die. 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:26.079 The bridegroom is going to have to die 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.899 for the bride. 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:30.939 And so on the night that he was betrayed, 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:33.199 he took the cup of wine 00:27:33.199 --> 00:27:34.059 and he says, 00:27:34.159 --> 00:27:35.459 this represents my blood. 00:27:36.939 --> 00:27:38.399 This represents my blood. 00:27:39.919 --> 00:27:41.379 We have no joy. 00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:42.380 We have no hope 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:44.220 of a marriage feast with God 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:45.200 forever 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:47.820 unless his blood is shed 00:27:47.820 --> 00:27:49.440 for the punishment of our sin. 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:51.400 He drinks the cup 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:53.200 of God's righteous anger 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:54.640 and justice 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:56.380 because we deserve 00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:58.320 for our adultery. 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:01.580 That's the cup he had to drink for us. 00:28:02.560 --> 00:28:03.760 And the only way 00:28:03.760 --> 00:28:05.380 that we will ever participate 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:07.160 in a wedding feast of joy 00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:08.800 forever with Jesus Christ, 00:28:09.760 --> 00:28:10.880 the Lamb of God, 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:13.880 is that he has to go to the cross 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:14.600 in history 00:28:14.600 --> 00:28:16.200 and to take up 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:17.380 the cup of justice 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:18.460 and anger from God. 00:28:21.060 --> 00:28:22.480 He had to drink the cup 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:24.920 of God's wrath in history 00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:26.680 so that we could drink 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:28.160 the cup of joy 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:30.720 for all eternity. 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:34.240 And that's why we have 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:35.019 the victory cry. 00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:36.059 That's why we have 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:37.500 this roar of triumph 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.079 from heaven 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:39.980 in chapter 19, 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:40.579 verse 6. 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.059 Hallelujah! 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.799 For our Lord God, 00:28:42.860 --> 00:28:43.220 Almighty, 00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:44.079 reigns. 00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:45.079 Let us rejoice 00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:45.819 and be glad 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.920 and give him glory. 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:48.200 For the wedding 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:49.360 of the Lamb 00:28:49.360 --> 00:28:50.420 has come 00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:51.960 and his bride 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:53.380 has made herself ready. 00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:54.559 Fine linen, 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.759 bright and clean, 00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:56.680 was given 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:58.600 her to wear. 00:28:58.599 --> 00:29:01.899 His blood 00:29:01.899 --> 00:29:02.439 is shed 00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:04.240 and our sins 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:05.139 are wiped clean, 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.639 pure, 00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:07.740 as white as snow. 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.039 And his offer 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:09.500 of forgiveness 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.019 of sins 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.799 is simply that, 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:11.639 it is free. 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:14.980 we didn't achieve it. 00:29:16.060 --> 00:29:17.140 We didn't launder 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:18.040 our own sins. 00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:18.900 He did it all. 00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:20.040 Our filthy rags 00:29:20.040 --> 00:29:20.980 of sin and righteousness 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:22.300 have been swapped 00:29:22.300 --> 00:29:23.500 by bright, 00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:25.200 clean clothes 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:25.680 of linen 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.800 made clean 00:29:26.800 --> 00:29:27.580 by Jesus. 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:30.120 The Lamb, 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:32.080 the Lamb 00:29:32.080 --> 00:29:34.120 is our only solution. 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:37.660 And this brings me 00:29:37.660 --> 00:29:38.500 to the final image 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.240 that we have here. 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:41.059 for all who put 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:41.579 their trust 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.259 in the Lamb 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.759 are the bride. 00:29:47.120 --> 00:29:47.960 Now there might be 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:48.759 a few blokes here 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.339 who are struggling 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.480 with the idea 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.220 of being a bride 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:51.900 of Christ. 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:52.519 You know, 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.640 it's like it's 00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:54.380 messing with your 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:54.920 masculinity 00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:55.980 or something like that. 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.720 Then again, 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:59.160 Galatians chapter 4 00:29:59.160 --> 00:30:00.640 says that all of us 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:01.880 are sons of God 00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:02.339 and so, 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:02.700 you know, 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.500 in the end 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:03.859 we've all got 00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:04.859 some adjustments to make. 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.539 So let's just bear 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.240 with it on this one. 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:11.019 It changes a lot 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:12.220 when you realise 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.420 that you're in a 00:30:13.420 --> 00:30:14.220 marital union 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:15.000 with God 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:16.240 and not just simply 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:17.480 a king subject 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.579 or shepherd sheep 00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.299 relationship. 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.220 Firstly, 00:30:21.359 --> 00:30:22.000 it means that you 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:23.299 have a legal relationship. 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:25.220 In every culture 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.940 around the globe, 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.920 if you are poor 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:28.500 but you marry 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.400 someone rich, 00:30:29.900 --> 00:30:31.380 you become rich. 00:30:31.380 --> 00:30:33.980 although we are 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:34.880 all spiritual 00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:35.860 adulterers, 00:30:36.360 --> 00:30:37.300 when we come 00:30:37.300 --> 00:30:37.840 to Jesus 00:30:37.840 --> 00:30:39.000 by faith 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.560 and accept 00:30:39.560 --> 00:30:40.220 his death 00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:41.480 on our behalf, 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.920 his perfect 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:45.360 righteousness 00:30:45.360 --> 00:30:47.660 becomes ours. 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.300 He doesn't just 00:30:49.300 --> 00:30:50.980 cancel our debt 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.960 against God 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:52.460 and bring us 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:53.340 back up to square 00:30:53.340 --> 00:30:53.780 zero. 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:56.920 His pure record 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.700 of righteousness 00:30:57.700 --> 00:30:59.080 becomes ours. 00:30:59.260 --> 00:30:59.780 All of it 00:30:59.780 --> 00:31:00.680 is ours. 00:31:01.380 --> 00:31:03.860 And if you 00:31:03.860 --> 00:31:04.500 are a Christian, 00:31:04.620 --> 00:31:05.380 that is you now. 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:06.320 That is your status 00:31:06.320 --> 00:31:07.500 before God now. 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:09.420 Secondly, 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:11.180 being Jesus' bride 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:11.860 means that we're 00:31:11.860 --> 00:31:12.840 in a comprehensive 00:31:12.840 --> 00:31:13.580 relationship. 00:31:14.100 --> 00:31:15.200 Marriage impacts 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:16.620 every area 00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:17.980 of your life. 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:18.660 Everything. 00:31:20.320 --> 00:31:21.520 There is no such 00:31:21.520 --> 00:31:22.080 thing as his 00:31:22.080 --> 00:31:22.680 and hers. 00:31:24.840 --> 00:31:25.880 You cannot 00:31:25.880 --> 00:31:28.080 compartmentalise it 00:31:28.080 --> 00:31:29.280 in just a couple 00:31:29.280 --> 00:31:29.920 of parts. 00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:31.900 The marriage 00:31:31.900 --> 00:31:32.500 refers just to 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:32.800 the bed, 00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:33.920 but, you know, 00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:34.519 not to my 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:34.860 hobbies, 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.380 for instance. 00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:39.880 The vows 00:31:39.880 --> 00:31:41.160 are very clear 00:31:41.160 --> 00:31:41.880 in the marriage 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:42.300 ceremony. 00:31:43.300 --> 00:31:44.060 With all 00:31:44.060 --> 00:31:45.539 that I am 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.460 and all 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:47.460 that I 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.240 have, 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.320 I honour 00:31:49.320 --> 00:31:50.340 you. 00:31:51.340 --> 00:31:51.940 The word 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.440 all, 00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:52.920 all, 00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:53.800 is comprehensive 00:31:53.800 --> 00:31:54.860 as it always 00:31:54.860 --> 00:31:55.420 is. 00:31:55.420 --> 00:31:56.720 So, 00:31:56.800 --> 00:31:57.279 relationship 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:57.860 with Jesus 00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:58.980 touches every 00:31:58.980 --> 00:32:00.000 aspect of 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.720 your life. 00:32:01.320 --> 00:32:01.700 Thirdly, 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:02.259 it's an intimate 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:02.880 relationship. 00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:03.580 Relationship 00:32:03.580 --> 00:32:04.240 with Jesus 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:06.039 requires contact. 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.519 It's the love 00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:08.100 of Christ 00:32:08.100 --> 00:32:08.580 poured into 00:32:08.580 --> 00:32:09.140 our hearts 00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:09.820 and our hearts 00:32:09.820 --> 00:32:10.380 being poured 00:32:10.380 --> 00:32:11.100 out to him. 00:32:11.620 --> 00:32:11.820 And so, 00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:12.240 I want to keep 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:13.100 asking you this 00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:13.539 as we've done 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:14.160 several times. 00:32:14.320 --> 00:32:14.840 What is your 00:32:14.840 --> 00:32:15.700 devotional life 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:16.519 like right now? 00:32:16.800 --> 00:32:17.680 Does it exist? 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.380 Is it just a matter 00:32:18.380 --> 00:32:18.980 of read the Bible, 00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:19.740 keep the devil away 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.240 kind of thing? 00:32:20.300 --> 00:32:20.759 A chapter a day 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.480 keeps the devil away? 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.180 Or is it, 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:22.620 you know, 00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:23.079 what is it? 00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:23.360 Is it, 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:24.180 you're pursuing 00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:25.360 actual intimacy 00:32:25.360 --> 00:32:26.140 with your lover? 00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:29.240 Could your 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:29.839 devotional life 00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.420 be described 00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:30.920 as intimate 00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:31.519 right now? 00:32:34.360 --> 00:32:34.880 Fourthly, 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.400 our relationship 00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:35.860 with Jesus 00:32:35.860 --> 00:32:36.720 is to be fruitful. 00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:37.980 When we put 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.740 our lives 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.259 in Jesus' 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:39.740 hands, 00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:41.019 we bear fruit. 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:42.120 It's one of the 00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:42.680 absolute 00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:43.720 certainties. 00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:44.620 When we put 00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:45.079 our lives 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:45.779 in his hands, 00:32:45.860 --> 00:32:46.519 we bear fruit. 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.440 And fruit 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.839 is the outward 00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.819 working of an 00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.539 inner life. 00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:51.120 That is, 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:51.839 when Jesus' 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.899 love pours 00:32:52.899 --> 00:32:53.399 into my 00:32:53.399 --> 00:32:53.839 heart, 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:55.179 it transforms 00:32:55.179 --> 00:32:56.219 who I am. 00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:57.799 It transforms 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:59.000 my priorities, 00:32:59.239 --> 00:32:59.759 my life, 00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:00.479 my attitudes 00:33:00.479 --> 00:33:01.119 from the 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:02.139 inside out. 00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:03.199 So in such 00:33:03.199 --> 00:33:03.679 a way 00:33:03.679 --> 00:33:04.699 that I pursue 00:33:04.699 --> 00:33:05.159 Jesus' 00:33:05.339 --> 00:33:05.759 priorities 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.819 and I pursue 00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:07.539 his character. 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:08.839 Lastly, 00:33:08.959 --> 00:33:09.519 this relationship 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:10.019 with Jesus 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:10.899 is comforting. 00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:14.039 At the 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:14.519 wedding feast 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.059 in Cana, 00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:16.039 which is 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:17.000 obvious now 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:17.899 to us 00:33:17.899 --> 00:33:19.659 in John 00:33:19.659 --> 00:33:20.539 chapter 2, 00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:22.239 Jesus sat 00:33:22.239 --> 00:33:23.119 amongst the 00:33:23.119 --> 00:33:23.879 joy of 00:33:23.879 --> 00:33:24.359 this wedding 00:33:24.359 --> 00:33:24.899 feast 00:33:24.899 --> 00:33:25.979 and it was 00:33:25.979 --> 00:33:26.739 pretty obvious 00:33:26.739 --> 00:33:27.479 that he was 00:33:27.479 --> 00:33:28.079 pondering 00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:29.059 his coming 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:29.799 sorrow on 00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:30.279 the cross. 00:33:31.899 --> 00:33:32.599 That's 00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:33.039 obvious. 00:33:35.379 --> 00:33:36.399 But because 00:33:36.399 --> 00:33:36.979 he went to 00:33:36.979 --> 00:33:37.599 the cross, 00:33:38.639 --> 00:33:40.039 we can now 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:40.839 sit amongst 00:33:40.839 --> 00:33:41.879 all the sorrow 00:33:41.879 --> 00:33:44.059 of this world 00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:45.179 with all the 00:33:45.179 --> 00:33:45.839 chaos and the 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:46.539 carnage and the 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:47.000 sin and the 00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.819 injustice of this 00:33:47.819 --> 00:33:49.339 world and we 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:50.019 can ponder 00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:51.039 the coming 00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:52.480 joy of the 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.139 wedding banquet 00:33:53.139 --> 00:33:53.679 in his 00:33:53.679 --> 00:33:54.240 presence. 00:33:56.659 --> 00:33:57.259 It's 00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:57.619 comforting. 00:33:59.339 --> 00:33:59.859 So friends, 00:33:59.939 --> 00:34:00.339 whether you've 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:00.799 got a good 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:01.339 marriage, 00:34:01.639 --> 00:34:02.099 a bad 00:34:02.099 --> 00:34:02.599 marriage, 00:34:03.119 --> 00:34:03.899 you've got no 00:34:03.899 --> 00:34:04.599 marriage but want 00:34:04.599 --> 00:34:05.139 a marriage, 00:34:06.099 --> 00:34:06.980 or you've had a 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:07.559 marriage but not 00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:07.980 anymore, 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.840 whatever your 00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:11.519 status, that 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:12.139 covers everyone 00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:12.840 here basically, 00:34:13.259 --> 00:34:14.019 whatever your 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.460 status, 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:17.559 there is only 00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:18.440 one spouse 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:20.139 that can give 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:20.880 you the joy 00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:21.280 and the 00:34:21.280 --> 00:34:21.900 fulfillment that 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:22.500 you need. 00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:24.920 Babylon cannot 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:25.699 provide it for 00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:26.019 you, 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:28.780 only Jesus 00:34:28.780 --> 00:34:29.240 Christ. 00:34:31.179 --> 00:34:31.760 And this is 00:34:31.760 --> 00:34:32.220 what awaits 00:34:32.220 --> 00:34:32.840 all those who 00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:33.320 accept the 00:34:33.320 --> 00:34:34.079 invitation to 00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:34.599 the feast. 00:34:35.260 --> 00:34:35.679 And this 00:34:35.679 --> 00:34:36.440 invitation is 00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:37.179 your invitation, 00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:37.960 every single 00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:38.440 person who 00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:38.860 hears these 00:34:38.860 --> 00:34:39.220 words. 00:34:39.639 --> 00:34:40.420 Chapter 19 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:41.119 verse 9, 00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:41.699 then the 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:42.260 angel said to 00:34:42.260 --> 00:34:42.400 me, 00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:43.440 write this, 00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:45.539 blessed are 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.539 those who 00:34:46.539 --> 00:34:47.119 are invited 00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:47.500 to the 00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:48.079 wedding supper 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:48.420 of the 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:48.679 Lamb. 00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:49.420 And that 00:34:49.420 --> 00:34:49.740 is your 00:34:49.740 --> 00:34:50.659 invitation right 00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:50.900 there, 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.500 right now. 00:34:51.679 --> 00:34:52.119 It's like 00:34:52.119 --> 00:34:52.980 John getting 00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:53.900 out and he's 00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:54.559 writing the 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.400 wedding invitations 00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:56.380 and dispersing 00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:57.139 it to all of 00:34:57.139 --> 00:34:57.659 humanity. 00:34:58.159 --> 00:34:58.960 The invitation 00:34:58.960 --> 00:34:59.780 is there, 00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:00.679 come to 00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:01.119 Jesus, 00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:02.320 experience his 00:35:02.320 --> 00:35:02.860 love, his 00:35:02.860 --> 00:35:03.559 acceptance, his 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:04.940 relationship, and 00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:06.099 his eternal 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:06.599 joy. 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.820 Believe in 00:35:07.820 --> 00:35:09.200 Jesus, trust 00:35:09.200 --> 00:35:10.420 in the work of 00:35:10.420 --> 00:35:10.980 the cross that 00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:11.599 he's done for 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:11.940 you. 00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:16.200 Do it 00:35:16.200 --> 00:35:16.539 today. 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:17.860 Get 00:35:17.860 --> 00:35:18.460 connected with 00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:19.059 us online, 00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:20.159 send us an 00:35:20.159 --> 00:35:22.200 email, speak 00:35:22.200 --> 00:35:22.679 to one of the 00:35:22.679 --> 00:35:23.280 staff or a 00:35:23.280 --> 00:35:23.579 friend who's 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:23.880 brought you 00:35:23.880 --> 00:35:24.420 here today. 00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:26.539 In chapter 00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:27.300 18, John 00:35:27.300 --> 00:35:28.019 calls us to 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:28.740 leave Babylon. 00:35:30.820 --> 00:35:31.579 It's not a 00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:32.360 call to a 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:33.159 new geographical 00:35:33.159 --> 00:35:34.240 location like, 00:35:34.420 --> 00:35:35.139 hey, you 00:35:35.139 --> 00:35:35.579 know, let's 00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:36.360 leave Sydney 00:35:36.360 --> 00:35:36.880 and move to 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:37.240 Orange. 00:35:37.380 --> 00:35:37.599 He's not 00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:38.500 talking about 00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:38.820 that. 00:35:38.820 --> 00:35:42.320 It's an 00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:42.760 ideological 00:35:42.760 --> 00:35:44.220 shift is 00:35:44.220 --> 00:35:44.519 what he's 00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:44.960 calling us 00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:45.180 to. 00:35:46.140 --> 00:35:46.980 He's calling 00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:47.400 us to 00:35:47.400 --> 00:35:48.519 adopt a 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:49.180 different set 00:35:49.180 --> 00:35:49.840 of values, 00:35:50.440 --> 00:35:50.860 a different 00:35:50.860 --> 00:35:51.220 set of 00:35:51.220 --> 00:35:51.840 priorities, 00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:52.900 a different 00:35:52.900 --> 00:35:53.500 allegiance, 00:35:54.100 --> 00:35:54.680 a different 00:35:54.680 --> 00:35:55.940 object of 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:56.260 worship. 00:35:56.660 --> 00:35:57.380 He is calling 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.400 us to be 00:35:58.400 --> 00:35:59.720 citizens of 00:35:59.720 --> 00:36:00.120 the wedding 00:36:00.120 --> 00:36:01.039 feast of the 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:01.400 Lamb. 00:36:01.400 --> 00:36:04.860 the message 00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:05.639 of Revelation 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:07.760 is that 00:36:07.760 --> 00:36:08.660 that is the 00:36:08.660 --> 00:36:09.860 only alternative 00:36:09.860 --> 00:36:12.160 to the 00:36:12.160 --> 00:36:12.639 fate of 00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:12.940 Babylon, 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:15.740 the city 00:36:15.740 --> 00:36:16.300 of God. 00:36:19.700 --> 00:36:20.619 It is a 00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:21.280 call here to 00:36:21.280 --> 00:36:21.960 a new city, 00:36:22.619 --> 00:36:23.139 a different 00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:24.099 city, a 00:36:24.099 --> 00:36:24.440 city where 00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:24.860 there's no 00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:25.940 pain, no 00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:26.900 loss, where 00:36:26.900 --> 00:36:27.519 there is just 00:36:27.519 --> 00:36:28.860 gain and joy 00:36:28.860 --> 00:36:29.700 increasing 00:36:29.700 --> 00:36:30.360 forever. 00:36:31.400 --> 00:36:31.940 Which is 00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.240 what you 00:36:32.240 --> 00:36:32.579 were made 00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:32.880 for. 00:36:35.139 --> 00:36:35.639 But I'm 00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:36.019 getting ahead 00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:36.440 of myself 00:36:36.440 --> 00:36:36.840 because we're 00:36:36.840 --> 00:36:37.139 going to talk 00:36:37.139 --> 00:36:37.519 more about 00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:37.920 that city 00:36:37.920 --> 00:36:38.460 next week.