WEBVTT

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 Your Bibles, Revelation, Chapter 1.

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 So, Revelation, if you need a Bible, there's ones there.

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 And there should be some sheets for taking notes, especially those who are in secondary school.

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 Make sure you have one. If you haven't got one, make a fuss, make some noise, and make sure an older person gives you one, if they've taken it.

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 So, we're going to read this morning from Revelation, Chapter 1, verses 9 to 20.

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 Let us hear God's Word to us.

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 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus,

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 was on the island of Patmos because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

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 On the Lord's day, I was in the Spirit.

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 And I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet which said,

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 Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.

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

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 And when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands.

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 And among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,

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 dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.

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 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow.

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 And his eyes were like blazing fire.

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 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace.

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 And his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.

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 In his right hand, he held seven stars.

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 And coming out of his mouth was a sharp double-edged sword.

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 His face was like the sun, shining in all its brilliance.

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 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.

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 Then he placed his right hand on me and said,

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 Do not be afraid.

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 I am the first and the last.

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 I am the living one.

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 I was dead and now look.

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 I am alive forever and ever.

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 And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

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 Write therefore what you have seen,

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 what is now,

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 and what will take place later.

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 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw on my right hand

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 and of the seven golden lampstands is this.

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 The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches

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 and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

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 Well, I don't know if any of you have ever read Revelation before,

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 but I think we all know that it can be kind of a weird

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 and both wonderful book at the same time.

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 Well, it's a series of visions given by God to John

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 written down for us.

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 So if you have a look very quickly there at verse 11,

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 he says,

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 Write on a scroll what you see

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 and send it to the seven churches.

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 That implies it's for all churches of all ages,

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 including us today.

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 And the visions are stunning and spectacular.

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 Look at verse 19.

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 He's told,

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 John is told to write, therefore,

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 what you have seen,

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 what is now,

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 and what will take place later.

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 It encompasses a huge breadth of time,

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 what was past,

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 what is present,

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 and what is future.

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 It's the time frame

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 between the resurrection of Jesus

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 and the return of Jesus.

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 And all these visions that we're going to look at,

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 and we're going to look at one in just a moment,

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 help us to see the world and history

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 from God's perspective.

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 And despite opposition to Christ and his church,

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 God rules,

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 and the church is on the winning side.

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 So,

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 before we get into this vision

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 that we have before us this morning,

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 we're going to pray

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 and ask,

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 as we thought about this morning,

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 that the light of God's word

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 would shine in our hearts

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 that we might see Jesus.

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 Let's pray for that.

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 Father, thank you for your word,

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 spoken all those years ago

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 to your prophet John,

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 who wrote it down

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 so that we could read it

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 and hear it today.

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 and we ask,

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 Father,

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 that you would make these words

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 come alive in our hearts

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 so that we see

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 Jesus clearly.

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 May we come to know him

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 and love him

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 and be blessed.

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 We ask this for our good.

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 In Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Well, three things

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 we're going to see

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 from our text.

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 We're going to look at three things.

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 We're going to look first

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 at the reality we face,

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 the vision we need,

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 and the confidence we have.

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 So first,

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 the reality

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 we face.

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 John's opening words

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 are like a bucket

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 of cold water

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 which is thrown

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 in our face.

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 It wakens us up

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 to reality.

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 Look at verse 9.

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 I, John,

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 your brother and companion

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 in the suffering

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 and kingdom

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 and patient endurance

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 that are ours

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 in Jesus,

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 was on the island

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 of Patmos

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 because of the word

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 of God

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 and the testimony

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 of Jesus.

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 Patmos Island,

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 which is still there today,

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 you can look it up

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 on Google Earth

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 or Google Maps,

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 and it's beautifully

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 situated between Greece

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 and Turkey

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 in the Mediterranean Sea.

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 But John's not there

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 on holiday

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 at his private villa

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 chilling out.

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 It was a Roman prison island

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 where convicts

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 and Christians

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 were put.

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 They were probably

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 mining and cutting

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 and carving out marble.

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 He's not sunbathing,

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 he's suffering

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 because,

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 look at the end

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 of verse 9,

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 because of the word

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 of God

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 and the testimony

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 of Jesus.

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 Look,

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 he's saying,

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 if you're a Christian,

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 expect

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 to suffer.

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 Verse 9,

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 I, John,

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 your brother

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 and companion

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 in the suffering.

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 We're partners,

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 he's saying,

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 and just as I'm suffering

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 for the testimony

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 of Jesus,

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 so you will.

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 If you today

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 stand up

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 for biblical Christianity,

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 if you speak out

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 for Jesus,

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 you are going to face

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 pushback

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 and criticism.

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 Why do you say,

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 well,

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 that's not what I signed up

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 for as a Christian.

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 I thought being a Christian

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 would be

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 a little bit easier

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 than that.

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 It would be comfortable

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 and worry-free.

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 And of course,

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 one way to avoid

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 any struggles

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 and to maintain

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 a comfortable life

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 is just keep

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 your mouth shut.

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 Don't say anything.

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 Say nothing.

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 and you can sunbathe

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 your Christian life away.

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 But that's not

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 real Christianity.

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 Look closely

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 at what the text

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 is saying to us.

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 He says,

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 I, John,

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 your brother

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 and companion

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 in the suffering

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 and kingdom

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 and patient endurance

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 that are ours

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 in Jesus.

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 You see,

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 one of the ways

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 to describe a Christian

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 is to say

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 they are

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 in Jesus.

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 His life

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 becomes

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 your life.

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 And we receive

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 many blessings

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 because we are

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 in Jesus.

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 Grace

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 and peace

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 and joy

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 and forgiveness

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 and hope.

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 But that's not all,

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 is it?

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 John wants

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 to underline

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 the fact

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 that if we are

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 in Jesus

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 we will suffer.

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 In other words,

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 we walk

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 the same path

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 that Jesus walked.

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 It's the way

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 of the cross.

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 But not only

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 will we suffer,

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 he says,

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 verse 9,

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 that the kingdom

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 is also ours

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 in Jesus.

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 To be

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 in Jesus

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 is not just

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 to go through

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 hard times

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 but it's to be

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 in his kingdom.

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 kingdom.

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 We were reminded

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 of that

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 if you have a look

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 back at verse 5,

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 the end of verse 5,

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 to him who loves us

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 and has freed us

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 from our sins

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 by his blood

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 and has made us

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 to be

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 a kingdom

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 and priests

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 to serve

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 his God

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 and Father.

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 If we are

00:10:53.639 --> 00:10:54.700
 in Jesus,

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 we are now

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 his kingdom,

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 the special

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 privileged

00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:01.099
 people of God.

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 We are,

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 you are,

00:11:03.219 --> 00:11:04.699
 Carigoline Baptist Church

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 are his representatives

00:11:06.579 --> 00:11:07.559
 here on earth

00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:08.979
 in this town.

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 And God

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 is extending

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 and building

00:11:12.079 --> 00:11:12.759
 his kingdom

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 through us

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 as we testify

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 to Jesus.

00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:20.679
 But his point is

00:11:20.679 --> 00:11:21.519
 it's not easy.

00:11:22.459 --> 00:11:23.119
 The world

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 and the devil

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 are actively

00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:25.359
 opposed to

00:11:25.359 --> 00:11:26.019
 God's kingdom.

00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:27.100
 And if you are

00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:27.740
 a Christian,

00:11:28.279 --> 00:11:29.240
 it's going to be

00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:30.620
 fighting against you.

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 So just as Jesus

00:11:33.439 --> 00:11:34.600
 suffered for the kingdom,

00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:36.259
 so you're going

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 to suffer for the kingdom.

00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:40.759
 But there's a third

00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:41.600
 element as well

00:11:41.600 --> 00:11:42.620
 that we share in

00:11:42.620 --> 00:11:43.579
 if we're in Jesus.

00:11:43.699 --> 00:11:44.500
 Not just suffering

00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:45.139
 in the kingdom,

00:11:45.860 --> 00:11:46.799
 but you see it there

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 in verse 9?

00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:50.259
 The patient endurance

00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:51.439
 that are ours

00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:52.699
 in Jesus.

00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:55.379
 Just as Jesus

00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:57.379
 patiently endured

00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:58.200
 the hardship,

00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:00.220
 and just as John

00:12:00.220 --> 00:12:01.400
 on the island

00:12:01.400 --> 00:12:02.259
 in his suffering

00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:03.220
 was patiently

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 enduring,

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 so he's encouraging

00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:06.100
 us to

00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:07.879
 patiently endure

00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:08.640
 through these

00:12:08.640 --> 00:12:09.600
 hard times.

00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:11.640
 Well,

00:12:11.680 --> 00:12:12.100
 come on,

00:12:12.160 --> 00:12:12.440
 John,

00:12:12.520 --> 00:12:13.420
 it's easier said

00:12:13.420 --> 00:12:14.080
 than done,

00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:14.879
 isn't it?

00:12:15.280 --> 00:12:16.280
 We can all talk

00:12:16.280 --> 00:12:17.040
 about patient

00:12:17.040 --> 00:12:18.060
 endurance today.

00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:19.200
 How am I

00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:20.140
 to endure

00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:22.120
 when family

00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:23.379
 resists the gospel

00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:24.600
 and their responses

00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:25.259
 are slow?

00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:27.740
 How am I

00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:28.740
 to be patient

00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:31.539
 when keeping

00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:32.740
 quiet just seems

00:12:32.740 --> 00:12:33.639
 to be so much

00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:34.360
 more appealing?

00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:36.980
 It's hard.

00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:39.519
 How am I

00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.039
 going to

00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:41.539
 patiently endure

00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:43.600
 as I suffer

00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:44.860
 for the kingdom?

00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:46.879
 Well,

00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:47.840
 we need something,

00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:48.299
 don't we?

00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:49.539
 We need someone

00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:51.079
 who is greater

00:12:51.079 --> 00:12:52.360
 and bigger

00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:53.199
 than ourselves.

00:12:54.819 --> 00:12:55.299
 Second,

00:12:56.579 --> 00:12:57.299
 the vision

00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:58.759
 we have.

00:12:58.959 --> 00:12:59.719
 So the reality

00:12:59.719 --> 00:13:00.500
 we face

00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:01.819
 is that we're

00:13:01.819 --> 00:13:02.519
 going to suffer

00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:03.299
 for the kingdom

00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:05.139
 and the vision

00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:06.299
 we need.

00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:07.259
 Look at verse 10.

00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:08.599
 On the Lord's

00:13:08.599 --> 00:13:08.959
 day,

00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.579
 I was in the

00:13:11.579 --> 00:13:11.939
 spirit.

00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:12.199
 Now,

00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:12.620
 isn't that

00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:13.240
 significant?

00:13:13.419 --> 00:13:14.039
 There he is

00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:15.019
 on this island

00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:16.059
 suffering away,

00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:17.879
 but he hasn't

00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:18.559
 lost count

00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:19.319
 of the days.

00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:21.360
 it's the

00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:22.059
 Lord's day,

00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:23.639
 the day of

00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:24.319
 resurrection,

00:13:24.819 --> 00:13:26.120
 and he

00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:26.659
 remembers.

00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:28.599
 I was in the

00:13:28.599 --> 00:13:29.399
 spirit and I

00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:30.419
 heard behind

00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:32.079
 me a loud

00:13:32.079 --> 00:13:33.179
 voice like a

00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:33.500
 trumpet.

00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.019
 Well,

00:13:34.079 --> 00:13:34.599
 that would get

00:13:34.599 --> 00:13:35.259
 your attention,

00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:35.860
 a trumpet

00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:37.039
 blasting behind

00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:37.299
 you,

00:13:37.339 --> 00:13:37.839
 wouldn't it?

00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:41.899
 verse 12.

00:13:43.060 --> 00:13:43.820
 I turned

00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:44.700
 round to see

00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:45.300
 the voice

00:13:45.300 --> 00:13:45.740
 that was

00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:46.480
 speaking to

00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:46.780
 me.

00:13:47.660 --> 00:13:48.280
 But when I

00:13:48.280 --> 00:13:48.899
 turned round,

00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:49.500
 I saw

00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:51.060
 seven golden

00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:52.160
 lampstands,

00:13:52.160 --> 00:13:53.440
 and among

00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:54.360
 the lampstands

00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:55.080
 was someone

00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:56.580
 like a

00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:57.019
 son of

00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:57.399
 man.

00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:01.600
 John sees

00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:02.139
 something,

00:14:02.280 --> 00:14:02.879
 he sees

00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:04.160
 lampstands.

00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:05.000
 Now,

00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:05.219
 we're going

00:14:05.219 --> 00:14:05.500
 to come

00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:05.879
 back to

00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.219
 them in

00:14:06.219 --> 00:14:06.539
 a minute,

00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:07.360
 but he

00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.299
 also sees

00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:09.159
 someone.

00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.259
 Do you

00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:10.519
 see it

00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:10.799
 there in

00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:11.059
 the middle

00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:11.399
 of verse

00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:11.939
 13?

00:14:12.819 --> 00:14:14.019
 Someone like

00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:15.639
 a son of

00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:16.079
 man.

00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.319
 The son of

00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:19.199
 man is like

00:14:19.199 --> 00:14:19.579
 a man,

00:14:19.699 --> 00:14:20.939
 like a human

00:14:20.939 --> 00:14:21.339
 being,

00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.139
 just like you

00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:22.480
 and I,

00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.139
 with flesh

00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:23.719
 and blood,

00:14:24.839 --> 00:14:25.480
 but at the

00:14:25.480 --> 00:14:26.279
 same time,

00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:28.039
 they're

00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:28.600
 different.

00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:29.980
 And a

00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:30.840
 description is

00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:31.460
 given of

00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:32.820
 what the

00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:33.240
 son of

00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:33.680
 man is

00:14:33.680 --> 00:14:34.100
 like.

00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:34.560
 We can

00:14:34.560 --> 00:14:34.980
 read it

00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:35.480
 in verse

00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.060
 13.

00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:38.680
 He's

00:14:38.680 --> 00:14:39.300
 dressed in

00:14:39.300 --> 00:14:39.940
 a robe,

00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:41.700
 reaching down

00:14:41.700 --> 00:14:42.080
 to his

00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:42.360
 feet.

00:14:42.460 --> 00:14:42.820
 So this

00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:43.500
 is someone

00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:45.259
 with immense

00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:46.420
 power and

00:14:46.420 --> 00:14:47.300
 royalty.

00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.040
 This is a

00:14:48.040 --> 00:14:48.420
 king.

00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:51.200
 He has a

00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:51.860
 sash, a

00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:52.740
 golden sash

00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.399
 around his

00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:53.899
 chest.

00:14:54.660 --> 00:14:55.080
 Well, that

00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:55.779
 was for the

00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:57.040
 priests who

00:14:57.040 --> 00:14:58.060
 served God.

00:14:58.600 --> 00:15:00.040
 So this

00:15:00.040 --> 00:15:00.600
 is a

00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.279
 priestly

00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:01.820
 king.

00:15:03.540 --> 00:15:04.639
 His hair

00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:05.019
 on his

00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:05.300
 head,

00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:06.139
 verse 14,

00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:07.700
 was white

00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:08.420
 like wool,

00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.040
 as white

00:15:09.040 --> 00:15:09.659
 as snow.

00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.500
 Someone with

00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.519
 great wisdom

00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:13.580
 and all

00:15:13.580 --> 00:15:14.240
 knowledge.

00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:15.960
 The grey

00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:16.440
 haireds,

00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:17.080
 never laugh

00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:17.560
 at the grey

00:15:17.560 --> 00:15:17.960
 haireds,

00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:18.399
 they're very

00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.019
 wise, you

00:15:19.019 --> 00:15:19.200
 know.

00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:22.159
 Their

00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:22.840
 eyes,

00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:23.379
 or his

00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:24.019
 eyes,

00:15:25.700 --> 00:15:26.220
 were like

00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:26.960
 blazing

00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:27.600
 fire,

00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:29.100
 piercing,

00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:30.279
 seeing right

00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:31.200
 into people's

00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:31.560
 hearts,

00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:33.120
 exposing all

00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:33.820
 their motives

00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:34.279
 and all

00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:34.840
 that's going

00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.620
 on inside

00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:35.920
 them.

00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:38.200
 Their

00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:38.740
 feet

00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:43.740
 were like

00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.899
 bronze glowing

00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:45.340
 in a

00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:45.860
 furnace,

00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:47.820
 reminding us

00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:48.120
 of his

00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:48.980
 strength and

00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:49.879
 unshakable

00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:50.580
 durability.

00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:50.780
 ability.

00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:53.100
 His voice

00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:54.440
 was like

00:15:54.440 --> 00:15:55.100
 the sound

00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:55.780
 of rushing

00:15:55.780 --> 00:15:56.360
 waters,

00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:57.320
 like a

00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:58.020
 thunderous

00:15:58.020 --> 00:15:58.759
 waterfall,

00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.220
 it was

00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:00.020
 deafening.

00:16:02.580 --> 00:16:03.879
 Verse 16,

00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:04.280
 in his

00:16:04.280 --> 00:16:04.940
 right hand

00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:05.379
 he held

00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:06.379
 seven stars,

00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:07.759
 and coming

00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.300
 out of his

00:16:08.300 --> 00:16:09.220
 mouth was a

00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:09.759
 sharp,

00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:11.280
 double-edged

00:16:11.280 --> 00:16:11.879
 sword,

00:16:12.680 --> 00:16:13.480
 a warrior

00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.020
 bringing

00:16:14.020 --> 00:16:14.759
 judgment

00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:16.240
 and justice,

00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:17.059
 the two

00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:17.819
 sides of

00:16:17.819 --> 00:16:18.240
 the double

00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:18.759
 sword.

00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:20.600
 And his

00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:22.080
 face was

00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:22.580
 like the

00:16:22.580 --> 00:16:22.919
 sun,

00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:23.740
 shining in

00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:24.159
 all its

00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:24.779
 brilliance,

00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:26.200
 captivating,

00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:28.220
 yet blinding.

00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:30.679
 This is

00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:31.319
 what John

00:16:31.319 --> 00:16:32.019
 saw.

00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:33.639
 Of course,

00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:34.519
 it's not a

00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:35.659
 literal picture,

00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:37.019
 it's imagery

00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:37.879
 that's meant to

00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:38.779
 capture our

00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.899
 imagination and

00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:41.059
 to stir our

00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:41.500
 emotion.

00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:42.720
 This person,

00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:43.740
 like a

00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.120
 son of

00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:44.399
 man,

00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:45.180
 is full

00:16:45.180 --> 00:16:45.899
 of beauty

00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:46.720
 and glory

00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:48.379
 and magnificence

00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:49.100
 and greatness

00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:50.340
 and power

00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:51.240
 and authority.

00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:52.980
 Here is a

00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:53.680
 king who

00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:54.899
 comes ruling

00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:55.639
 for God,

00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.840
 a priest who

00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:57.560
 is serving

00:16:57.560 --> 00:16:57.960
 God,

00:16:58.040 --> 00:16:58.720
 and he's

00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.600
 all-wise,

00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.360
 and he sees

00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:01.120
 all things,

00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:01.899
 and he knows

00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:02.560
 all things,

00:17:02.680 --> 00:17:03.200
 and he's

00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:04.240
 strong and

00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.259
 immovable and

00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.140
 unbreakable,

00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:07.100
 and when he

00:17:07.100 --> 00:17:07.700
 speaks,

00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:08.940
 his voice

00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:09.660
 alone is

00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:09.980
 heard,

00:17:10.100 --> 00:17:10.819
 and when he

00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:11.579
 opens his

00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:11.940
 mouth,

00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.940
 judgment

00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:14.140
 and justice

00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:14.860
 is done.

00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:19.900
 Can you

00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:20.640
 see it?

00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.460
 Can you

00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:23.180
 see this

00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:23.779
 person?

00:17:25.620 --> 00:17:26.460
 But there

00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:26.940
 is something

00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.480
 more.

00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:29.840
 Turn with

00:17:29.840 --> 00:17:30.059
 me,

00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:30.580
 please,

00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.460
 to Daniel,

00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:33.820
 back in the

00:17:33.820 --> 00:17:34.519
 Old Testament

00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.240
 in chapter

00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:35.779
 7.

00:17:38.580 --> 00:17:39.180
 Daniel

00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:40.200
 chapter 7.

00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:48.039
 The context

00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:48.819
 is important

00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.360
 for us

00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:49.640
 here.

00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:51.460
 Daniel,

00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:52.340
 this is

00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:53.240
 about 600

00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:54.580
 years before

00:17:54.580 --> 00:17:55.680
 John is

00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:56.100
 writing

00:17:56.100 --> 00:17:56.819
 Revelation,

00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:58.000
 and he

00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.519
 lived at a

00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.080
 time when

00:17:59.080 --> 00:17:59.960
 God's people

00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:00.400
 had been

00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.100
 taken into

00:18:01.100 --> 00:18:01.779
 captivity

00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:03.100
 by the

00:18:03.100 --> 00:18:03.900
 Babylonians,

00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:04.160
 and it

00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:04.460
 was a

00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:04.940
 time of

00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:05.440
 awful

00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.019
 suffering

00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.720
 for God's

00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:07.059
 people.

00:18:07.059 --> 00:18:07.119
 people.

00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.500
 You know

00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:11.859
 some of

00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:12.500
 the stories

00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.659
 how a

00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:14.299
 great big

00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:15.659
 figure was

00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:16.279
 set up and

00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:16.659
 they all

00:18:16.659 --> 00:18:17.099
 had to

00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:17.720
 bow down

00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.319
 and worship

00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:20.319
 this idol,

00:18:21.179 --> 00:18:21.799
 a time of

00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:22.539
 suffering for

00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.240
 God's people.

00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:24.740
 And like

00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.279
 John,

00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:26.480
 God spoke to

00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.119
 Daniel at

00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:27.720
 that time

00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.419
 through visions.

00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:30.099
 God spoke

00:18:30.099 --> 00:18:30.539
 not of

00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:31.099
 comfort,

00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:32.220
 but of

00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:32.899
 greater

00:18:32.899 --> 00:18:33.659
 empires

00:18:33.659 --> 00:18:34.079
 that were

00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:34.599
 to come.

00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:35.559
 He told

00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.179
 Daniel through

00:18:36.179 --> 00:18:36.659
 the visions

00:18:36.659 --> 00:18:37.519
 that not

00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.000
 only were

00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.359
 there the

00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:39.099
 Babylonians,

00:18:39.199 --> 00:18:39.659
 but coming

00:18:39.659 --> 00:18:40.259
 after them

00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:40.619
 were the

00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.399
 Persians and

00:18:41.399 --> 00:18:41.919
 the Greek

00:18:41.919 --> 00:18:42.319
 and the

00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:42.939
 Romans over

00:18:42.939 --> 00:18:43.359
 the next

00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:44.439
 600 years,

00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:45.759
 each of

00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.139
 which,

00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:46.740
 like the

00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.480
 Babylonians,

00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.279
 would oppose

00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:48.779
 God's

00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.199
 people.

00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:53.019
 But in

00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:53.419
 the midst

00:18:53.419 --> 00:18:53.819
 of these

00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:54.240
 visions,

00:18:55.879 --> 00:18:56.740
 Daniel has

00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.799
 another vision,

00:18:58.759 --> 00:19:00.000
 and it's

00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:00.699
 very like

00:19:00.699 --> 00:19:01.299
 the vision

00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:01.899
 of John.

00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.139
 Let's pick

00:19:03.139 --> 00:19:03.639
 it up in

00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:04.440
 chapter 7,

00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:06.240
 verse 13.

00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:07.180
 Look out

00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:07.560
 for the

00:19:07.560 --> 00:19:08.140
 similarities

00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:08.660
 as we

00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.040
 read.

00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:11.280
 In my

00:19:11.280 --> 00:19:11.960
 vision at

00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.360
 night,

00:19:12.600 --> 00:19:13.360
 I looked,

00:19:14.420 --> 00:19:14.900
 and there

00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:15.520
 before me

00:19:15.520 --> 00:19:16.220
 was one

00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:18.140
 like a

00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:18.720
 son of

00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.120
 man.

00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:20.960
 Coming

00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.440
 with the

00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:22.040
 clouds of

00:19:22.040 --> 00:19:22.360
 heaven,

00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:24.160
 he approached

00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:24.960
 the ancient

00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:25.520
 of days,

00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:26.040
 that is,

00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.520
 God,

00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:26.960
 and was

00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:27.700
 led into

00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.620
 God's

00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.100
 presence.

00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.100
 He was

00:19:30.100 --> 00:19:30.380
 given

00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:31.120
 authority,

00:19:31.820 --> 00:19:32.280
 glory,

00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.160
 and

00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:33.819
 sovereign

00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.359
 power.

00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.319
 All that

00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.079
 belonged to

00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:36.759
 God was

00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.339
 given to

00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:37.920
 this one

00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:38.500
 like a

00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:38.819
 son of

00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.160
 man.

00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.720
 All the

00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.500
 nations and

00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.160
 peoples of

00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:43.160
 every language

00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:44.299
 bowed and

00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.119
 worshipped him.

00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.759
 His dominion is

00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.399
 an everlasting

00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:48.259
 dominion that

00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.240
 will not pass

00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:49.599
 away,

00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:50.680
 and his

00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.259
 kingdom is

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:51.720
 one that

00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.420
 will never

00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:53.379
 be

00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:54.339
 destroyed.

00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.000
 Go to

00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:58.220
 Daniel chapter

00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:58.759
 10,

00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:00.019
 where the

00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.339
 vision

00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.279
 continues.

00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:03.839
 Verse 5,

00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:05.480
 Daniel 10,

00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:06.319
 verse 5.

00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:10.859
 I looked

00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.240
 up,

00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:12.299
 and there

00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:12.900
 before me

00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:13.319
 was a

00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:14.079
 man dressed

00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:14.619
 in linen

00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:15.079
 with a

00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:15.680
 belt of

00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:17.200
 fine gold

00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:17.559
 from

00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.279
 euphaz

00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:19.039
 around his

00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.559
 waist.

00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:20.619
 His

00:20:20.619 --> 00:20:21.200
 body was

00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:21.500
 like

00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.160
 topaz,

00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.019
 his face

00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.940
 like

00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.460
 lightning,

00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.099
 his eyes

00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:26.980
 like

00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.480
 flaming

00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.180
 torches,

00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.420
 his arms

00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.120
 and legs

00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.960
 like the

00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.460
 gleam

00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:31.640
 of

00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:32.180
 burnished

00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:32.640
 bronze,

00:20:33.320 --> 00:20:34.100
 and his

00:20:34.100 --> 00:20:34.620
 voice

00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.220
 like the

00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:35.720
 sound

00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.100
 of a

00:20:36.100 --> 00:20:36.560
 multitude.

00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:38.299
 Can you

00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:38.700
 see the

00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.299
 similarities?

00:20:41.120 --> 00:20:42.240
 Verse 18,

00:20:43.060 --> 00:20:45.580
 again,

00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.060
 the one

00:20:46.060 --> 00:20:46.680
 who looked

00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.180
 like a

00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:47.519
 man

00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:49.019
 touched

00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.539
 me

00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:51.400
 and gave

00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:51.620
 me

00:20:51.620 --> 00:20:52.299
 strength.

00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.519
 Do not

00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.680
 be afraid,

00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:57.279
 you who

00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:57.880
 are highly

00:20:57.880 --> 00:20:58.480
 esteemed,

00:20:58.620 --> 00:20:59.140
 he said.

00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:00.700
 Peace,

00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:02.299
 be strong

00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:02.720
 now,

00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:04.640
 be strong.

00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:07.140
 You see,

00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:07.740
 Daniel,

00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.120
 in the midst

00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:09.820
 of all the

00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:10.700
 turmoil as he

00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.500
 looks ahead of

00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:11.920
 all these

00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.600
 empires to

00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:12.880
 come,

00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:13.640
 is given

00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:14.460
 another vision

00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:14.900
 and he's

00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:15.539
 promised that

00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.640
 a man who

00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:17.259
 is like

00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.080
 God is

00:21:18.080 --> 00:21:18.560
 going to

00:21:18.560 --> 00:21:18.840
 come.

00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:19.460
 He would

00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.100
 be greater

00:21:20.100 --> 00:21:20.700
 than any

00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.220
 kings of

00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:21.759
 the past

00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.240
 or any

00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:22.880
 rulers to

00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:23.160
 come.

00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:23.700
 His

00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.140
 kingdom

00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:25.019
 would outlast

00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:26.119
 every other

00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:26.559
 kingdom.

00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:27.779
 His rule

00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.139
 will be

00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:28.619
 won with

00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:29.160
 absolute

00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:29.960
 power and

00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.460
 supreme

00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:31.079
 authority.

00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.339
 What

00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:33.379
 encouragement

00:21:33.379 --> 00:21:34.720
 for Daniel

00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.900
 and God's

00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:37.259
 people as

00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.639
 they went

00:21:37.639 --> 00:21:38.099
 through their

00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:38.740
 times of

00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.160
 suffering.

00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:40.460
 It would

00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:40.900
 give them

00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:43.000
 strength to

00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.639
 patiently

00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:44.299
 endure.

00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.440
 Peace,

00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.119
 be strong

00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:48.519
 now,

00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.299
 be strong.

00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:53.379
 Now let's

00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.180
 go back to

00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:54.799
 Revelation.

00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:57.420
 with all

00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:57.839
 that in

00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:58.319
 mind.

00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.420
 You see,

00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.099
 what Daniel

00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:04.000
 longed for,

00:22:04.639 --> 00:22:05.180
 what he

00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:06.079
 looked to,

00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:07.799
 has become

00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.440
 a reality

00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.240
 for John

00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.660
 and for

00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.339
 us through

00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:10.980
 his vision.

00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.379
 This

00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:13.000
 promised

00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:14.019
 God-man

00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.740
 has come.

00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.039
 For the

00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:16.539
 only one

00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.339
 who fulfills

00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:17.940
 that is

00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.980
 the God-man,

00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.420
 Jesus Christ,

00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.379
 whose kingdom

00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:22.160
 is eternal,

00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.319
 whose authority

00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.439
 is supreme.

00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:26.019
 No wonder

00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.519
 John,

00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.960
 Revelation 1,

00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:28.879
 verse 17,

00:22:28.879 --> 00:22:30.139
 when I saw

00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:30.559
 him,

00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:32.240
 I fell at

00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.879
 his feet,

00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:34.419
 though dead.

00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:36.159
 God is on

00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:37.200
 display before

00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:37.460
 him,

00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.200
 and it

00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:38.679
 literally

00:22:38.679 --> 00:22:39.679
 knocks him

00:22:39.679 --> 00:22:40.059
 off his

00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:40.419
 feet.

00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:43.000
 John's knees

00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:44.059
 buckle at the

00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:45.439
 captivating beauty

00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.220
 and the

00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:47.580
 terrifying glory.

00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.279
 You see,

00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:50.240
 what we need

00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.920
 today is a

00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:53.259
 vision of

00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.240
 the almighty

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:55.039
 God,

00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.140
 a vision that

00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:57.200
 puts everything

00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:58.480
 and everyone

00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.500
 in perspective

00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.240
 and in their

00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.799
 place.

00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:04.740
 we've heard

00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.399
 lots of

00:23:05.399 --> 00:23:06.159
 kings and

00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:06.960
 queens this

00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.279
 week,

00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:07.859
 haven't we?

00:23:08.879 --> 00:23:09.319
 Long

00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:10.079
 reigns,

00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.619
 70 years,

00:23:12.159 --> 00:23:12.680
 over a

00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:12.980
 great

00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.779
 commonwealth,

00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.779
 many nations.

00:23:17.899 --> 00:23:18.859
 Nothing to

00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:19.180
 this,

00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.720
 is it?

00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:22.379
 A vision

00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:23.119
 of the

00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:23.839
 God-man,

00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.960
 Jesus Christ,

00:23:25.659 --> 00:23:26.639
 will strengthen

00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.680
 your faith

00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:29.500
 and fortify

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.500
 this church.

00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.100
 Look what

00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:32.980
 Jesus says

00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:33.980
 in verse

00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:34.620
 17.

00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:38.720
 Then he

00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:39.539
 placed his

00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.340
 right hand

00:23:40.340 --> 00:23:40.820
 on me

00:23:40.820 --> 00:23:42.500
 and said,

00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:43.900
 do not

00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:44.620
 be afraid,

00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.180
 I am the

00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:47.100
 first and

00:23:47.100 --> 00:23:47.700
 the last.

00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.840
 I am the

00:23:48.840 --> 00:23:49.480
 beginning of

00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.580
 history and

00:23:50.580 --> 00:23:51.080
 I am the

00:23:51.080 --> 00:23:51.539
 end of

00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:51.900
 history.

00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:52.920
 I have the

00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.820
 very first

00:23:53.820 --> 00:23:54.759
 word and

00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.279
 I will have

00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:55.779
 the very

00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:57.200
 last word.

00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:58.580
 Verse

00:23:58.580 --> 00:23:59.000
 18,

00:23:59.100 --> 00:23:59.560
 I am the

00:23:59.560 --> 00:24:00.080
 living one,

00:24:00.120 --> 00:24:00.440
 I was

00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:01.380
 dead and

00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:01.880
 now look,

00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.700
 I am alive

00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:03.740
 forever and

00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:04.000
 ever.

00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:04.880
 I am the

00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.840
 eternal king,

00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:07.019
 I rule over

00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:08.120
 every event

00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:09.380
 in history and

00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:10.400
 over every

00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:11.560
 circumstance in

00:24:11.560 --> 00:24:12.080
 your life.

00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:13.299
 So you do

00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:14.279
 not need

00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.660
 to fear.

00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:19.080
 In fact,

00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:19.680
 he is even

00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.200
 over your

00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:20.759
 death,

00:24:21.320 --> 00:24:21.900
 not just

00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:22.640
 your life.

00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:23.880
 Look at the

00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:24.400
 end of verse

00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:24.840
 18,

00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:25.700
 he says,

00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.440
 I hold the

00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.380
 keys of

00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.759
 death and

00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.259
 Hades.

00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.740
 Hades was

00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.279
 the realm,

00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.100
 the place

00:24:32.100 --> 00:24:33.059
 of the

00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.480
 dead.

00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.340
 And Jesus

00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:35.779
 is saying,

00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:36.220
 look, I

00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.860
 rule that

00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:37.220
 too.

00:24:40.600 --> 00:24:41.160
 Remember,

00:24:41.320 --> 00:24:41.720
 as John

00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.160
 wrote,

00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:43.740
 the churches

00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.380
 were facing

00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:45.000
 not just

00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.559
 opposition,

00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:46.440
 but death

00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:46.940
 itself.

00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.120
 The Roman

00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:50.000
 emperors and

00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:51.140
 rulers wielded

00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:52.019
 their sword as

00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:53.559
 they pleased.

00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.900
 Christians were

00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:55.380
 dying,

00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:56.200
 some of them

00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:56.620
 were being

00:24:56.620 --> 00:24:57.580
 slaughtered

00:24:57.580 --> 00:24:58.800
 just because

00:24:58.800 --> 00:24:59.540
 they stood

00:24:59.540 --> 00:25:00.380
 for Christ.

00:25:02.040 --> 00:25:02.920
 Fear was

00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:03.660
 gripping the

00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.180
 church,

00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.520
 and the

00:25:05.520 --> 00:25:06.320
 comfort of the

00:25:06.320 --> 00:25:06.980
 world looked

00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.800
 so appealing,

00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:09.320
 how easy it

00:25:09.320 --> 00:25:10.000
 would be for

00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.640
 them to just

00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:11.460
 give up and

00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.040
 give in.

00:25:15.040 --> 00:25:15.740
 But the

00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.440
 voice of the

00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.140
 risen Jesus

00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:17.840
 comes,

00:25:18.840 --> 00:25:20.060
 do not be

00:25:20.060 --> 00:25:20.500
 afraid,

00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:23.000
 I hold the

00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.840
 keys of

00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.339
 death.

00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:25.759
 I have

00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.599
 defeated

00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:27.559
 death.

00:25:27.959 --> 00:25:28.379
 I have

00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:29.019
 conquered

00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:30.159
 the grave.

00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:31.379
 Look,

00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:32.179
 what's the

00:25:32.179 --> 00:25:32.779
 worst thing

00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.199
 that could

00:25:33.199 --> 00:25:33.779
 ever happen

00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.279
 to you as

00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:34.779
 a Christian?

00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.480
 Well, the

00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:37.939
 worst thing

00:25:37.939 --> 00:25:38.399
 is you'll

00:25:38.399 --> 00:25:38.740
 die.

00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.559
 But know

00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:40.859
 this,

00:25:40.939 --> 00:25:41.539
 says Jesus,

00:25:42.419 --> 00:25:43.379
 just as I

00:25:43.379 --> 00:25:44.159
 was raised

00:25:44.159 --> 00:25:45.179
 in glory and

00:25:45.179 --> 00:25:45.619
 victory,

00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.720
 so you

00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.500
 too will be

00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:49.000
 raised in

00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.699
 glory and

00:25:49.699 --> 00:25:50.079
 victory.

00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:50.179
 victory.

00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.819
 I have

00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.480
 the first

00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:53.359
 word over

00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.179
 your life,

00:25:54.419 --> 00:25:54.919
 and I

00:25:54.919 --> 00:25:55.500
 have the

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.500
 last word

00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.679
 over your

00:25:57.679 --> 00:25:58.059
 life.

00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.799
 You see,

00:26:01.899 --> 00:26:02.299
 being a

00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.059
 Christian today,

00:26:03.179 --> 00:26:03.759
 we can feel

00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.779
 so small and

00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.439
 insignificant.

00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.839
 We can

00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.519
 tremble at

00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.159
 the powers

00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:09.839
 that oppose

00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:10.259
 us.

00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.039
 We fear

00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.799
 the secular

00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.639
 culture we

00:26:13.639 --> 00:26:14.139
 live in.

00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.059
 We fear

00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:15.799
 their big

00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.599
 arguments and

00:26:16.599 --> 00:26:17.299
 their strong

00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:17.819
 words.

00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:19.379
 we fear

00:26:19.379 --> 00:26:20.159
 friends will

00:26:20.159 --> 00:26:20.779
 leave and

00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.200
 misunderstand

00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:21.839
 us.

00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.639
 We fear

00:26:22.639 --> 00:26:22.980
 that we

00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.619
 might become

00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.700
 unpopular and

00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.720
 ostracised at

00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:25.980
 work.

00:26:26.379 --> 00:26:27.200
 We feel the

00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:27.819
 pull of the

00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.379
 world and

00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:28.960
 the comfort

00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.639
 of an easy

00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:30.019
 life.

00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:31.240
 How easy

00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:32.139
 it is for

00:26:32.139 --> 00:26:32.799
 us just to

00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.659
 turn away,

00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.859
 to give up

00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:35.319
 and give

00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:35.659
 in.

00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:39.939
 Well,

00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.740
 when fears

00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.659
 overwhelm

00:26:41.659 --> 00:26:41.939
 you,

00:26:43.159 --> 00:26:44.099
 what is it

00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:44.639
 that's going

00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.299
 to enable

00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.819
 you to

00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.439
 patiently

00:26:46.439 --> 00:26:47.240
 endure?

00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:49.819
 When suffering

00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.579
 comes in

00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:51.399
 whatever form

00:26:51.399 --> 00:26:52.059
 it may be,

00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:53.019
 what's going

00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.500
 to keep

00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.019
 you going?

00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.599
 Cheer up?

00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:58.779
 Go on,

00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.419
 keep going.

00:27:00.939 --> 00:27:01.919
 We need a

00:27:01.919 --> 00:27:02.579
 vision of the

00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:03.740
 glorious Christ.

00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.579
 We need to

00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.099
 hear,

00:27:06.659 --> 00:27:07.339
 we need to

00:27:07.339 --> 00:27:08.480
 read what

00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.139
 Jesus is

00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:09.519
 saying.

00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:10.500
 We need to

00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.299
 be knocked

00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.220
 off our feet

00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.659
 at the

00:27:12.659 --> 00:27:13.879
 awesome power

00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:14.419
 of God.

00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.480
 We need to

00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:17.299
 sense his

00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:18.019
 hand on

00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.700
 our shoulder

00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:20.879
 and to

00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:21.460
 hear his

00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.399
 words spoken

00:27:22.399 --> 00:27:22.940
 to us

00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:23.379
 today.

00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.899
 Do not

00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:27.200
 be afraid,

00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:28.759
 Christian.

00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.440
 Do not

00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.039
 be afraid.

00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:33.480
 Look to

00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:35.240
 Jesus and

00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:35.899
 our fears

00:27:35.899 --> 00:27:36.740
 will crumble

00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.200
 in the

00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:37.879
 presence of

00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:38.460
 his glory.

00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:39.799
 Listen to

00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.980
 Jesus and

00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.700
 our worries

00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.480
 will melt

00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:42.919
 in the

00:27:42.919 --> 00:27:43.519
 knowledge of

00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.180
 his greatness.

00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:45.420
 he rules

00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:46.420
 with absolute

00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.600
 power and

00:27:47.600 --> 00:27:48.200
 supreme

00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.820
 authority.

00:27:49.320 --> 00:27:49.920
 I rule

00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:50.680
 life and

00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.140
 death.

00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:52.840
 My kingdom

00:27:52.840 --> 00:27:54.600
 will never

00:27:54.600 --> 00:27:55.180
 end.

00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:58.060
 Have you

00:27:58.060 --> 00:27:58.580
 got that

00:27:58.580 --> 00:27:59.180
 vision

00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.980
 before you

00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.400
 today?

00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:05.220
 So the

00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:06.000
 reality we

00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.480
 face,

00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:08.480
 it's going

00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.299
 to be hard.

00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.240
 We need to

00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:12.340
 patiently endure,

00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:12.919
 so we've

00:28:12.919 --> 00:28:13.319
 been given

00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:13.859
 a vision.

00:28:15.459 --> 00:28:16.059
 And third,

00:28:17.139 --> 00:28:17.740
 it will

00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.139
 give us

00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:18.480
 great

00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.319
 confidence

00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:20.519
 going

00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.159
 forward.

00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.919
 As John

00:28:24.919 --> 00:28:25.480
 heard the

00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:25.939
 voice,

00:28:26.939 --> 00:28:27.639
 as he saw

00:28:27.639 --> 00:28:28.539
 the God-man

00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.519
 Jesus Christ,

00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.859
 he also saw

00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.779
 something else,

00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.279
 didn't he?

00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.240
 Let's go back

00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.199
 to verse 12.

00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:37.599
 He said,

00:28:37.679 --> 00:28:38.099
 I turned

00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:38.899
 round to see

00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:39.819
 the voice that

00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.419
 was speaking

00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:41.019
 to me.

00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:43.080
 But instead

00:28:43.080 --> 00:28:43.840
 of seeing

00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:46.300
 someone straight

00:28:46.300 --> 00:28:46.740
 away,

00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.560
 he turned

00:28:47.560 --> 00:28:48.120
 and he said,

00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:48.620
 I saw

00:28:48.620 --> 00:28:50.279
 seven golden

00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.580
 lampstands.

00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:53.160
 And among

00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:54.480
 the lampstands

00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.160
 was someone

00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:56.820
 like a

00:28:56.820 --> 00:28:57.200
 son of

00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:57.560
 man.

00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.920
 Verse 16,

00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:03.560
 in his

00:29:03.560 --> 00:29:04.340
 right hand

00:29:04.340 --> 00:29:05.060
 he held

00:29:05.060 --> 00:29:07.000
 seven stars.

00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:08.819
 John

00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:09.720
 sees the

00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.500
 God-man

00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.460
 Jesus Christ

00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:13.039
 and he

00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.720
 sees him,

00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:14.619
 picture the

00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:14.980
 scene,

00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.220
 walking

00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:16.720
 amongst

00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.180
 these

00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:17.859
 golden

00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:19.220
 lampstands.

00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.799
 And in

00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.279
 his right

00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:21.900
 hand he's

00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:22.240
 got

00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:24.900
 stars.

00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:26.859
 Lampstands

00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.519
 and stars,

00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.420
 what's all

00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:29.019
 that about?

00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:30.420
 Well,

00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:30.700
 we don't

00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.059
 need to

00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:31.480
 speculate,

00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:31.980
 do we?

00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.440
 Because we're

00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.119
 told what

00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:33.680
 they mean.

00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.480
 Verse 20,

00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:37.099
 the mystery

00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:37.980
 of the

00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.799
 seven stars

00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.240
 that you

00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:40.460
 saw in

00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:41.039
 my right

00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.779
 hand and

00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:42.460
 of the

00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:43.420
 seven golden

00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:44.319
 lampstands

00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:44.819
 is this.

00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:45.799
 This is what

00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.339
 it means.

00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:47.779
 The seven

00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:48.500
 stars are

00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.099
 the angels

00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:49.559
 of the

00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:49.860
 seven

00:29:49.860 --> 00:29:50.360
 churches

00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:51.720
 and the

00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.019
 seven

00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.819
 lampstands

00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.380
 are the

00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:53.819
 seven

00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:54.799
 churches.

00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:56.920
 Simples.

00:29:58.620 --> 00:29:59.339
 Lampstands

00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:00.200
 and stars,

00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:02.079
 they're the

00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.519
 churches.

00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:04.700
 they are

00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.799
 representative of

00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:06.539
 God's church

00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.339
 in all times

00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:07.700
 and all

00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.059
 places.

00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:08.579
 So as we

00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.799
 read lampstands

00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.460
 and as we

00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:10.920
 think about

00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.440
 stars,

00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:12.420
 think about

00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:13.019
 Carigoline

00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.500
 Baptist

00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.119
 Church.

00:30:16.139 --> 00:30:17.059
 What is

00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:17.500
 John's

00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:19.220
 vision of

00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.740
 the church?

00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:20.359
 What does

00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:20.859
 he see

00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:21.660
 going on?

00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.559
 How does

00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.079
 it give us

00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:23.720
 confidence?

00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:25.559
 Well,

00:30:25.639 --> 00:30:26.139
 first,

00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:27.940
 Christ is

00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:29.660
 among the

00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.160
 church.

00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:32.119
 John sees,

00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:32.659
 we're told,

00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:33.299
 seven

00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:34.419
 golden

00:30:34.419 --> 00:30:35.799
 lampstands.

00:30:36.399 --> 00:30:37.000
 This is not

00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.599
 a random

00:30:37.599 --> 00:30:38.119
 image.

00:30:38.719 --> 00:30:39.179
 God has

00:30:39.179 --> 00:30:39.939
 chosen it

00:30:39.939 --> 00:30:40.899
 carefully and

00:30:40.899 --> 00:30:41.559
 specifically.

00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:43.099
 The lampstand

00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:45.279
 was all part

00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:45.739
 of the

00:30:45.739 --> 00:30:46.299
 temple

00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:47.000
 furniture

00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:48.419
 and it

00:30:48.419 --> 00:30:48.959
 stood

00:30:48.959 --> 00:30:49.959
 right at

00:30:49.959 --> 00:30:50.659
 the entrance

00:30:50.659 --> 00:30:52.019
 to the

00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.899
 holy place

00:30:52.899 --> 00:30:54.759
 where God

00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.519
 was to

00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:55.859
 dwell,

00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.279
 his

00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:56.979
 presence.

00:30:57.239 --> 00:30:57.519
 So it

00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:58.319
 was symbolic

00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:59.960
 of God's

00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:00.720
 presence

00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:02.200
 and power.

00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.379
 About

00:31:04.379 --> 00:31:05.700
 500 years

00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:06.220
 before,

00:31:06.399 --> 00:31:07.480
 so we

00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:07.980
 talked about

00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.519
 Daniel's

00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.399
 600 years

00:31:09.399 --> 00:31:09.759
 and his

00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.899
 captivity in

00:31:10.899 --> 00:31:11.759
 Babylon and

00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.379
 their temple

00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:12.759
 had been

00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:13.279
 destroyed.

00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:14.240
 Well,

00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:14.879
 100 years

00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:15.579
 after that,

00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.419
 Zechariah,

00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:16.980
 the prophet,

00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:18.599
 was praying

00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:19.119
 to God

00:31:19.119 --> 00:31:19.619
 about the

00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:20.240
 temple and

00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:21.559
 it had been

00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.379
 destroyed and

00:31:22.379 --> 00:31:22.980
 how was it

00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:23.480
 going to be

00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.179
 rebuilt and

00:31:24.179 --> 00:31:24.599
 how would

00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:25.159
 everything be

00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:25.720
 put right

00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.059
 again?

00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:27.440
 And in

00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:28.059
 response,

00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:28.919
 God gives

00:31:28.919 --> 00:31:29.819
 Zechariah a

00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.079
 vision.

00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:31.799
 You know

00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:32.059
 what his

00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:32.779
 vision was?

00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.440
 Here we

00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:35.799
 have it

00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:36.079
 here.

00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:40.519
 He gives

00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.379
 Zechariah a

00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:42.839
 vision and

00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.480
 God asked

00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:43.940
 him, he

00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.179
 says,

00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:44.639
 what do

00:31:44.639 --> 00:31:45.139
 you see?

00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:47.000
 Zechariah

00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:47.460
 answered,

00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:49.419
 I see a

00:31:49.419 --> 00:31:50.720
 solid gold

00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.779
 lampstand.

00:31:53.240 --> 00:31:54.000
 What is

00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.299
 it?

00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:55.440
 What's this

00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.259
 lampstand?

00:31:57.400 --> 00:31:58.200
 And God

00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:58.700
 answered,

00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:00.279
 this is the

00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:00.700
 word of

00:32:00.700 --> 00:32:01.220
 the Lord,

00:32:01.900 --> 00:32:02.799
 not by

00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:04.340
 might nor

00:32:04.340 --> 00:32:05.140
 by power,

00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:06.799
 but by

00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:07.840
 my spirit,

00:32:08.080 --> 00:32:08.559
 says the

00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:09.039
 Lord

00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:10.440
 Almighty.

00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.880
 That's his

00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.700
 encouragement

00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.740
 to Zechariah.

00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.059
 Your

00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:16.740
 might, he

00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.200
 says, and

00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:17.799
 your power

00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.200
 is not

00:32:18.200 --> 00:32:18.600
 going to

00:32:18.600 --> 00:32:19.039
 get you

00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:19.539
 anywhere,

00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:20.580
 but by

00:32:20.580 --> 00:32:21.660
 my presence

00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:22.140
 and by

00:32:22.140 --> 00:32:23.059
 my power,

00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.200
 by my

00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:24.980
 spirit,

00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.140
 I will

00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:26.620
 be with

00:32:26.620 --> 00:32:27.000
 you and

00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:27.440
 I will

00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:27.940
 go with

00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:29.600
 you and

00:32:29.600 --> 00:32:29.960
 you will

00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:31.120
 achieve what

00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:31.559
 you need

00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:31.980
 to do.

00:32:34.360 --> 00:32:35.039
 Now, we're

00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:35.640
 not building

00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:36.180
 physical

00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:37.880
 temples or

00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:38.279
 building

00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:38.860
 physical

00:32:38.860 --> 00:32:39.420
 churches,

00:32:40.120 --> 00:32:42.100
 but we

00:32:42.100 --> 00:32:42.680
 are seeking

00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:43.299
 to build

00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:43.860
 God's

00:32:43.860 --> 00:32:44.259
 church,

00:32:44.340 --> 00:32:44.759
 aren't we?

00:32:45.640 --> 00:32:46.400
 And it's

00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:46.860
 hard.

00:32:47.620 --> 00:32:47.940
 There's

00:32:47.940 --> 00:32:48.460
 opposition.

00:32:49.620 --> 00:32:50.000
 And we're

00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.360
 wondering,

00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:51.000
 how are we

00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:51.600
 going to do

00:32:51.600 --> 00:32:51.759
 it?

00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.359
 And the

00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:52.819
 answer,

00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:54.379
 the Lord

00:32:54.379 --> 00:32:54.960
 of history,

00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:55.400
 the one

00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:56.000
 who rules

00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.619
 and reigns

00:32:56.619 --> 00:32:57.140
 over all

00:32:57.140 --> 00:32:57.680
 things and

00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.359
 all peoples,

00:32:58.779 --> 00:32:59.619
 is present

00:32:59.619 --> 00:33:00.579
 among his

00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:01.799
 church by

00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:03.140
 his power.

00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.119
 If we

00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:05.720
 could picture

00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.279
 it now,

00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:07.519
 God present,

00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.559
 weaving in

00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:09.019
 and out of

00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.379
 the rows,

00:33:09.619 --> 00:33:10.379
 I am here

00:33:10.379 --> 00:33:11.359
 right now

00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:12.319
 with you

00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:13.319
 by my

00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:14.240
 Holy Spirit,

00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:16.039
 my presence

00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:16.559
 and my

00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:16.980
 power.

00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:20.279
 you see,

00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:20.839
 we are not

00:33:20.839 --> 00:33:21.579
 left alone

00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:23.440
 to do

00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:24.140
 this battle

00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:25.500
 by ourselves.

00:33:26.779 --> 00:33:27.420
 He is

00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:28.079
 present

00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:29.920
 among the

00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:30.420
 church.

00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.480
 But not

00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.140
 only that,

00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:35.920
 the church

00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:37.660
 is in

00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:38.120
 Christ.

00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:40.259
 John

00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:40.920
 sees

00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:41.860
 not just

00:33:41.860 --> 00:33:42.380
 the lamp

00:33:42.380 --> 00:33:42.700
 stand,

00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:43.059
 but he

00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:43.440
 sees

00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:43.920
 seven

00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.839
 stars

00:33:44.839 --> 00:33:45.900
 in the

00:33:45.900 --> 00:33:46.460
 hands of

00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:46.940
 Jesus

00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:47.539
 Christ.

00:33:48.819 --> 00:33:49.360
 Do you

00:33:49.360 --> 00:33:49.620
 see it

00:33:49.620 --> 00:33:49.840
 there,

00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:50.740
 verse 20?

00:33:52.600 --> 00:33:53.200
 The mystery

00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:53.579
 of the

00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:53.920
 seven

00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:54.460
 stars

00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:54.840
 that you

00:33:54.840 --> 00:33:55.120
 saw

00:33:55.120 --> 00:33:55.420
 in my

00:33:55.420 --> 00:33:55.740
 right

00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.100
 hand

00:33:56.100 --> 00:33:56.759
 and of

00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:56.920
 the

00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:57.200
 seven

00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:57.579
 golden

00:33:57.579 --> 00:33:57.880
 lamp

00:33:57.880 --> 00:33:58.140
 stands

00:33:58.140 --> 00:33:58.579
 is this,

00:33:58.640 --> 00:33:58.799
 the

00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.180
 seven

00:33:59.180 --> 00:33:59.680
 stars

00:33:59.680 --> 00:33:59.920
 are

00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:00.160
 the

00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:00.860
 angels

00:34:00.860 --> 00:34:01.940
 of

00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.140
 the

00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:02.480
 seven

00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.000
 churches.

00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:04.660
 Now I

00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:05.000
 understand

00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:05.539
 that the

00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:06.079
 angels

00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:06.940
 here are

00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:08.440
 representative

00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.619
 of

00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:10.220
 the

00:34:10.220 --> 00:34:10.679
 church.

00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.159
 So

00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:11.619
 one

00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.079
 church,

00:34:12.240 --> 00:34:12.460
 one

00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.179
 angel.

00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.400
 We can

00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:14.880
 see this,

00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:15.320
 just have

00:34:15.320 --> 00:34:15.659
 a look at

00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:16.079
 the beginning

00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:16.460
 of the

00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:16.759
 letters,

00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:17.159
 chapter

00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:17.639
 two,

00:34:18.299 --> 00:34:18.679
 verse

00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:19.079
 one.

00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:21.940
 John

00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:22.340
 writes,

00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:22.819
 to the

00:34:22.819 --> 00:34:23.440
 angel

00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:24.759
 of the

00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:25.099
 church

00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:25.440
 in

00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.079
 Ephesus.

00:34:27.019 --> 00:34:27.420
 And in

00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:27.659
 verse

00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:28.059
 eight,

00:34:28.799 --> 00:34:29.279
 to the

00:34:29.279 --> 00:34:29.779
 angel

00:34:29.779 --> 00:34:30.239
 in the

00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:30.539
 church

00:34:30.539 --> 00:34:30.779
 in

00:34:30.779 --> 00:34:31.179
 Smyrna,

00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:32.219
 and so

00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:32.460
 on.

00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:32.840
 In other

00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:33.239
 words,

00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:34.759
 the angel

00:34:34.759 --> 00:34:35.079
 is

00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:35.819
 representative

00:34:35.819 --> 00:34:36.400
 of the

00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:36.920
 church.

00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:38.559
 So these

00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:39.099
 stars,

00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:39.639
 these

00:34:39.639 --> 00:34:41.039
 representatives

00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:41.559
 are in

00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:42.559
 the hands

00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:43.840
 of Jesus

00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:44.279
 Christ.

00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:44.559
 The

00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.299
 church

00:34:45.299 --> 00:34:46.799
 is in

00:34:46.799 --> 00:34:47.019
 the

00:34:47.019 --> 00:34:47.639
 grip

00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:49.039
 of

00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:49.480
 Jesus.

00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:52.539
 Well,

00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:52.860
 it doesn't

00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:53.559
 always seem

00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.019
 like that.

00:34:54.079 --> 00:34:54.440
 It often

00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:55.099
 feels like

00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:55.639
 we've fallen

00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:56.099
 out of

00:34:56.099 --> 00:34:56.699
 his hand.

00:34:57.279 --> 00:34:57.779
 And we

00:34:57.779 --> 00:34:58.219
 can feel

00:34:58.219 --> 00:34:58.980
 battered and

00:34:58.980 --> 00:34:59.759
 bruised and

00:34:59.759 --> 00:35:01.019
 isolated and

00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:01.699
 insignificant.

00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:03.279
 And we're

00:35:03.279 --> 00:35:03.840
 wondering if

00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:04.279
 we're making

00:35:04.279 --> 00:35:05.039
 any impact

00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.480
 at all.

00:35:05.599 --> 00:35:06.159
 And we

00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:06.559
 go to

00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:06.860
 rock,

00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:07.440
 we go to

00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:07.739
 rooted,

00:35:07.940 --> 00:35:08.980
 we talk to

00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:09.659
 our friends and

00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:10.139
 neighbours and

00:35:10.139 --> 00:35:10.400
 we go,

00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:11.039
 what's

00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:11.400
 happening?

00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:11.800
 Nothing

00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:12.820
 seems to

00:35:12.820 --> 00:35:13.340
 be happening.

00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:16.460
 But what a

00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:16.980
 vision we

00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:17.460
 have.

00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:19.260
 The

00:35:19.260 --> 00:35:19.820
 church

00:35:19.820 --> 00:35:21.780
 is safe

00:35:21.780 --> 00:35:23.019
 in the

00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:23.480
 grip

00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:24.639
 of the

00:35:24.639 --> 00:35:24.860
 Lord

00:35:24.860 --> 00:35:25.280
 Jesus.

00:35:26.300 --> 00:35:26.960
 Nothing

00:35:26.960 --> 00:35:27.920
 and no

00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:28.500
 one can

00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.119
 stop his

00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:29.500
 church.

00:35:29.920 --> 00:35:30.460
 Opposition

00:35:30.460 --> 00:35:30.940
 will be

00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.320
 faced,

00:35:31.320 --> 00:35:32.320
 the Bible

00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:32.800
 could be

00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:33.240
 banned,

00:35:33.680 --> 00:35:34.119
 believers

00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:34.720
 may be

00:35:34.720 --> 00:35:35.200
 imprisoned,

00:35:35.720 --> 00:35:36.079
 Christians

00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:36.559
 can be

00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:37.000
 put to

00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:37.320
 death,

00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:38.019
 but the

00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:38.440
 church

00:35:38.440 --> 00:35:39.180
 across the

00:35:39.180 --> 00:35:39.500
 world

00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:40.019
 today

00:35:40.019 --> 00:35:40.539
 is

00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:40.960
 growing

00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:41.480
 and

00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:42.099
 expanding.

00:35:42.920 --> 00:35:43.480
 Come to

00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:43.639
 the

00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:44.159
 Radstock

00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:44.500
 Round

00:35:44.500 --> 00:35:44.880
 Table

00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:45.320
 and meet

00:35:45.320 --> 00:35:45.780
 people

00:35:45.780 --> 00:35:46.519
 from all

00:35:46.519 --> 00:35:47.039
 parts of

00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:47.480
 the world

00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:48.179
 where you

00:35:48.179 --> 00:35:48.900
 will see

00:35:48.900 --> 00:35:50.159
 churches

00:35:50.159 --> 00:35:51.440
 planted and

00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:52.099
 people coming

00:35:52.099 --> 00:35:52.759
 to faith.

00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:55.739
 You see,

00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:56.320
 the reality

00:35:56.320 --> 00:35:58.280
 is we

00:35:58.280 --> 00:35:58.920
 do face

00:35:58.920 --> 00:35:59.440
 hardship

00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:02.400
 and the

00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:03.099
 question is

00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:03.780
 what's going

00:36:03.780 --> 00:36:04.539
 to help us

00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:05.280
 to patiently

00:36:05.280 --> 00:36:05.860
 endure?

00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:07.579
 What's going

00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:08.259
 to keep me

00:36:08.259 --> 00:36:08.699
 going?

00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:10.739
 for my

00:36:10.739 --> 00:36:11.599
 next reign

00:36:11.599 --> 00:36:12.420
 of 70

00:36:12.420 --> 00:36:13.019
 years,

00:36:13.300 --> 00:36:13.800
 if that's

00:36:13.800 --> 00:36:14.300
 what God

00:36:14.300 --> 00:36:15.019
 gives us.

00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:16.539
 What's

00:36:16.539 --> 00:36:16.800
 he going

00:36:16.800 --> 00:36:17.079
 to give

00:36:17.079 --> 00:36:17.320
 me?

00:36:17.860 --> 00:36:18.340
 What's

00:36:18.340 --> 00:36:18.599
 going to

00:36:18.599 --> 00:36:19.039
 keep me?

00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:20.500
 We need

00:36:20.500 --> 00:36:21.000
 a vision

00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:21.619
 of Jesus

00:36:21.619 --> 00:36:22.259
 Christ

00:36:22.259 --> 00:36:23.420
 in all

00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:23.639
 his

00:36:23.639 --> 00:36:24.059
 greatness

00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:24.759
 and glory.

00:36:25.480 --> 00:36:25.860
 Look at

00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:26.239
 the one

00:36:26.239 --> 00:36:27.019
 with absolute

00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:27.840
 power and

00:36:27.840 --> 00:36:28.300
 supreme

00:36:28.300 --> 00:36:28.860
 authority,

00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:30.280
 the one

00:36:30.280 --> 00:36:30.599
 who has

00:36:30.599 --> 00:36:31.159
 the first

00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:31.800
 word over

00:36:31.800 --> 00:36:32.420
 your life

00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:33.500
 and the

00:36:33.500 --> 00:36:34.159
 last word

00:36:34.159 --> 00:36:34.579
 over your

00:36:34.579 --> 00:36:34.900
 life.

00:36:35.460 --> 00:36:35.980
 He's the

00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:36.559
 ruler of

00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:37.460
 all history.

00:36:38.119 --> 00:36:38.559
 He's the

00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:39.920
 conqueror of

00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:40.460
 death.

00:36:41.420 --> 00:36:42.320
 He's present

00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:43.380
 amongst us

00:36:43.380 --> 00:36:44.500
 as he walks

00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:45.159
 through us

00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:45.920
 by his

00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:47.159
 power and

00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:47.840
 his presence

00:36:47.840 --> 00:36:49.159
 and he

00:36:49.159 --> 00:36:50.219
 has us

00:36:50.219 --> 00:36:51.259
 firmly

00:36:51.259 --> 00:36:52.440
 in the

00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:52.880
 grip of

00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:53.579
 his hand.

00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:56.079
 The world

00:36:56.079 --> 00:36:57.960
 says the

00:36:57.960 --> 00:36:58.559
 church is

00:36:58.559 --> 00:36:59.099
 finished.

00:37:00.360 --> 00:37:01.639
 God says

00:37:01.639 --> 00:37:03.039
 you ain't

00:37:03.039 --> 00:37:03.699
 seen nothing

00:37:03.699 --> 00:37:04.219
 yet.

00:37:05.259 --> 00:37:06.279
 The church

00:37:06.279 --> 00:37:06.739
 will be

00:37:06.739 --> 00:37:07.519
 established.

00:37:08.419 --> 00:37:08.739
 It will

00:37:08.739 --> 00:37:09.199
 reign

00:37:09.199 --> 00:37:10.339
 forever

00:37:10.339 --> 00:37:11.799
 and forever.

00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:13.579
 Be

00:37:13.579 --> 00:37:14.119
 confident.

00:37:15.460 --> 00:37:16.019
 Do not

00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:16.619
 be afraid.

00:37:17.960 --> 00:37:18.659
 Feel his

00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:19.259
 touch on

00:37:19.259 --> 00:37:20.239
 your shoulder

00:37:20.239 --> 00:37:20.719
 today.

00:37:22.079 --> 00:37:22.579
 Do not

00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:23.259
 be afraid.

00:37:24.539 --> 00:37:24.899
 Let's

00:37:24.899 --> 00:37:25.159
 pray.

00:37:33.699 --> 00:37:41.179
 Father, we

00:37:41.179 --> 00:37:42.059
 confess that

00:37:42.059 --> 00:37:43.439
 so often

00:37:43.439 --> 00:37:44.000
 and so

00:37:44.000 --> 00:37:46.480
 quickly we

00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:47.619
 are swamped

00:37:47.619 --> 00:37:48.139
 by our

00:37:48.139 --> 00:37:48.819
 fears and

00:37:48.819 --> 00:37:49.359
 our worries.

00:37:51.739 --> 00:37:52.460
 We

00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:52.939
 picture

00:37:52.939 --> 00:37:53.719
 ourselves

00:37:53.719 --> 00:37:54.960
 trying to

00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:55.559
 fight a

00:37:55.559 --> 00:37:56.319
 battle that

00:37:56.319 --> 00:37:57.339
 sweeps

00:37:57.339 --> 00:37:58.059
 over us

00:37:58.059 --> 00:37:59.319
 and waves

00:37:59.319 --> 00:38:00.279
 crash over

00:38:00.279 --> 00:38:00.859
 us and

00:38:00.859 --> 00:38:01.839
 we're

00:38:01.839 --> 00:38:02.719
 struggling to

00:38:02.719 --> 00:38:03.319
 catch our

00:38:03.320 --> 00:38:03.800
 breath.

00:38:07.140 --> 00:38:08.160
 Help us

00:38:08.160 --> 00:38:09.160
 afresh to

00:38:09.160 --> 00:38:11.260
 see Jesus

00:38:11.260 --> 00:38:11.840
 as we

00:38:11.840 --> 00:38:12.519
 hear his

00:38:12.519 --> 00:38:13.200
 words and

00:38:13.200 --> 00:38:13.840
 read his

00:38:13.840 --> 00:38:14.260
 words.

00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:16.720
 Fill us

00:38:16.720 --> 00:38:17.100
 with a

00:38:17.100 --> 00:38:17.640
 vision of

00:38:17.640 --> 00:38:18.120
 God

00:38:18.120 --> 00:38:18.740
 almighty

00:38:18.740 --> 00:38:21.740
 present

00:38:21.740 --> 00:38:22.800
 in power

00:38:22.800 --> 00:38:25.260
 putting his

00:38:25.260 --> 00:38:25.900
 hand upon

00:38:25.900 --> 00:38:26.580
 the shoulder

00:38:26.580 --> 00:38:26.980
 of the

00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:27.740
 church today

00:38:27.740 --> 00:38:28.300
 saying

00:38:28.300 --> 00:38:29.680
 do not

00:38:29.680 --> 00:38:30.420
 be afraid.

00:38:30.420 --> 00:38:33.380
 thank you

00:38:33.380 --> 00:38:34.940
 lord that

00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:35.280
 you are

00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:35.780
 over all

00:38:35.780 --> 00:38:37.500
 things that

00:38:37.500 --> 00:38:38.099
 the power

00:38:38.099 --> 00:38:38.420
 and the

00:38:38.420 --> 00:38:38.860
 victory

00:38:38.860 --> 00:38:40.280
 belong to

00:38:40.280 --> 00:38:40.579
 you.

00:38:41.579 --> 00:38:42.039
 In

00:38:42.039 --> 00:38:42.800
 Jesus name

00:38:42.800 --> 00:38:44.139
 amen.

00:38:44.139 --> 00:38:54.219
 all my

00:38:54.219 --> 00:38:54.759
 days

00:38:54.759 --> 00:38:55.799
 well I

00:38:55.799 --> 00:38:56.019
 don't know

00:38:56.019 --> 00:38:56.420
 how many

00:38:56.420 --> 00:38:56.940
 days I

00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:57.339
 have

00:38:57.339 --> 00:38:58.259
 I don't

00:38:58.259 --> 00:38:58.460
 know how

00:38:58.460 --> 00:38:58.980
 many days

00:38:58.980 --> 00:38:59.579
 you have

00:38:59.579 --> 00:39:00.960
 but I

00:39:00.960 --> 00:39:01.440
 hope we

00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:02.059
 can sing

00:39:02.059 --> 00:39:02.759
 this song

00:39:02.759 --> 00:39:03.799
 of gladness

00:39:03.800 --> 00:39:05.920
 Homeless

00:39:05.920 --> 00:39:06.560
 who

00:39:06.560 --> 00:39:08.380
 can

00:39:08.380 --> 00:39:09.240
 do not

00:39:09.260 --> 00:39:10.200
 use

00:39:10.200 --> 00:39:10.660
 to

00:39:10.660 --> 00:39:11.300
 be

00:39:11.300 --> 00:39:11.640
 or

00:39:11.640 --> 00:39:12.160
,

00:39:12.160 --> 00:39:12.640
 and

00:39:12.640 --> 00:39:12.820
 you

00:39:12.820 --> 00:39:13.800
 can

00:39:13.800 --> 00:39:14.080
 hear

00:39:14.080 --> 00:39:14.340
 you