WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.540 Chaos is all around us. 00:00:04.540 --> 00:00:09.519 The earth has just had its hottest September in recorded memory. 00:00:10.419 --> 00:00:16.300 And we're moving back into bushfire territory this summer, even after the horrors of last summer. 00:00:16.980 --> 00:00:26.539 The US is heading in the next couple of days to what could be the most divisive and important election in their history. 00:00:26.539 --> 00:00:35.519 There is potential for so much chaos that shops have started taking guns and ammunition off the shelves for sale. 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:43.500 I only heard this morning that there's a hurricane in the Philippines and a million people have had to be evacuated. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:48.519 The icebergs are melting. There are floods and fires and droughts that are increasing. 00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:51.379 People are starving. The rich are getting richer. 00:00:51.600 --> 00:00:56.519 The politicians who have been elected don't seem to lead for the good of the people that they represent. 00:00:56.539 --> 00:00:59.039 But just to lead to get elected again. 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:03.259 And the ones who do seem good, well maybe they're actually just corrupt as well. 00:01:03.799 --> 00:01:06.819 The spread of disinformation is at an all-time high. 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:14.120 The spread of the COVID pandemic continues because countries can't agree whether it's real or on how to stop the thing. 00:01:15.239 --> 00:01:23.859 It is very scary to spend a very brief moment reflecting on the reality of the chaos of the world around us. 00:01:23.859 --> 00:01:27.219 These are all big, systematic problems. 00:01:27.340 --> 00:01:28.219 What do we do? 00:01:29.439 --> 00:01:32.099 All of this chaos is hard to look at. 00:01:32.780 --> 00:01:38.239 A couple of days ago, a listener, my wife and I, we watched a documentary on Netflix called The Social Dilemma, 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:44.200 which is all about the impact that social media is having on us as people and on the world. 00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:46.760 And it turns out it's terrible for you. 00:01:46.760 --> 00:01:52.280 The social media is rotting our brains and it's shaping governments and how people think. 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:56.020 I've painted a pretty bleak picture. 00:01:57.080 --> 00:02:02.359 I'm usually a glass half full, she'll be right, everything will be okay type of person. 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:07.039 But sometimes it's just easier to pretend that everything's fine. 00:02:07.760 --> 00:02:11.020 Yeah, the result of the election in the next couple of days will be fine. 00:02:11.800 --> 00:02:13.979 Bushfires this year won't be that bad. 00:02:14.520 --> 00:02:18.000 The leaders that we elect will do better this time around. 00:02:18.539 --> 00:02:19.939 We've learnt from our mistakes. 00:02:21.259 --> 00:02:24.360 But where does this vague hope come from? 00:02:25.259 --> 00:02:28.780 Do we just ignore the chaos around us, put our head in the sand? 00:02:28.780 --> 00:02:31.800 Do we just pretend that everything is fine? 00:02:33.620 --> 00:02:37.479 We're in the book of Revelation and John, the author, 00:02:37.699 --> 00:02:43.560 well, things weren't better for him in the world when he wrote this letter, when he had this vision. 00:02:44.580 --> 00:02:49.139 The emperor was Domitian and people were being urged, don't make trouble. 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:55.259 Christians were being persecuted on all sides because they were Christians 00:02:55.259 --> 00:02:58.280 and they were being pressured to join the imperial cult. 00:02:58.280 --> 00:03:02.740 The cult that worshipped the emperor, that he was the son of God. 00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:06.539 You can understand how that would be a little bit difficult for a Christian to do that. 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:11.319 But John didn't worship Domitian as the son of God. 00:03:11.420 --> 00:03:15.300 He preached the gospel and was sent to the isle of Patmos. 00:03:15.300 --> 00:03:24.300 And into that world of chaos, a world where the ruler was ruining Christians' lives, 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:30.260 he had a vision of Jesus that we've just read in Revelation 5. 00:03:30.660 --> 00:03:36.160 And the challenge for John and for us today is a question of who is in charge. 00:03:36.159 --> 00:03:40.500 Is there someone who can bring an end to all of this chaos? 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:44.120 And today, as we delve deeper into the book of Revelation, 00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:48.879 we'll look at what this book is most famous for, for its visions. 00:03:49.800 --> 00:03:53.879 And today, as we study this wonderful picture of Jesus, 00:03:53.879 --> 00:03:58.419 we will see a hidden reality of what we need to see. 00:03:58.840 --> 00:04:01.780 That Jesus is in control of all things, 00:04:01.939 --> 00:04:05.019 even when it seems like the world is in chaos. 00:04:05.939 --> 00:04:08.719 It would be great if you had your Bible out. 00:04:08.799 --> 00:04:10.359 We are in Revelation chapter 5. 00:04:10.360 --> 00:04:14.040 There are Bibles on the side when you came in. 00:04:14.300 --> 00:04:16.620 Now, we're not handing out Bibles like we used to be able to do 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:18.759 because we want to keep those. 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:21.620 We don't have to be handing out and cleaning those at the moment. 00:04:21.780 --> 00:04:23.680 But there are Bibles over on the side there. 00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:25.160 If you don't have a Bible, 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:29.319 I would love for you to get up and grab one of those and keep that. 00:04:29.520 --> 00:04:31.259 That is our gift for you. 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:34.699 I would love if you had a Bible so that you could be reading it, 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:38.860 so that you could be following God and growing to know Him more and more. 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:40.199 You can get up right now. 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:41.199 I'm about to pray in a second. 00:04:41.300 --> 00:04:44.019 You can sneak over there while I'm praying and grab a Bible. 00:04:44.719 --> 00:04:47.399 We would love for you to have a Bible to grow in godliness. 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:49.959 So as we have a look at Revelation 5, let's pray. 00:04:51.279 --> 00:04:55.399 Heavenly Father, help us to be people who love your word, 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:57.379 love to read it and share it with others, 00:04:58.339 --> 00:05:03.039 and help us today to see the true reality of this world. 00:05:03.480 --> 00:05:06.180 Not to pretend that everything is fine 00:05:06.180 --> 00:05:09.459 or just ignore the chaos around us, Lord. 00:05:09.839 --> 00:05:10.139 Amen. 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:15.659 Three points for us today that you can follow along in the St. Paul's app. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:18.139 Firstly, a vision of history. 00:05:18.899 --> 00:05:21.379 Secondly, a vision of the lion lamb. 00:05:21.939 --> 00:05:26.339 And then third, we'll see a vision of reality of this world around us. 00:05:26.339 --> 00:05:32.119 John has a vision of heaven. 00:05:32.199 --> 00:05:35.479 And we see this vision language here in chapter 5, 00:05:35.719 --> 00:05:37.659 and there are these wonderful metaphors. 00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:41.120 And whilst these metaphors, these visions can seem intimidating, 00:05:41.519 --> 00:05:45.479 I'm going to seek to make them clear for us today and to make them obvious. 00:05:45.480 --> 00:05:48.939 Please have a look at chapter 5, verse 1 with me. 00:05:48.939 --> 00:05:59.199 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 00:05:59.199 --> 00:06:04.659 And we get this picture of God sitting on the throne in heaven. 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:06.160 And he has a scroll. 00:06:07.340 --> 00:06:13.980 Scrolls were official communications sent to a specific authorized person. 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:21.259 They had wax seals that were pressed with the sender's ring so that you could know if it had been tampered with. 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:26.600 This is the very early version of package tracking and signature on delivery, 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:28.200 which we don't really have anymore. 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:30.420 Packages just get delivered and just left at the front door. 00:06:30.420 --> 00:06:32.960 But this scroll is significant. 00:06:33.520 --> 00:06:35.600 It has writing on both sides. 00:06:36.080 --> 00:06:39.180 There is so much to say that it is just full, front and back. 00:06:40.199 --> 00:06:41.920 And it has seven seals. 00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:46.220 This is the first of our metaphorical language here. 00:06:46.860 --> 00:06:53.500 It's like, you know, the three's a charm or four is unlucky in Chinese culture. 00:06:53.500 --> 00:07:01.139 This number seven here in the Bible means perfect, fulfilled, complete. 00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:09.439 And so this scroll has the perfect amount of seals indicating the person who could open it, 00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:12.759 that they would themselves have to be perfect. 00:07:13.720 --> 00:07:18.199 Now, we're not told exactly what is written in this scroll or what it's about. 00:07:18.620 --> 00:07:22.819 But the next chapters, we're going to see this scroll get opened. 00:07:23.500 --> 00:07:30.100 And it indicates that this scroll is about God's plan for human history. 00:07:30.500 --> 00:07:33.420 This is a scroll that we want to know about. 00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:38.339 This is a scroll that John wants to know about because it is telling us what God is planning 00:07:38.339 --> 00:07:41.319 for human history and for the future. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:43.199 But there's a problem. 00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:45.540 No one could open it. 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:46.160 Verse two, 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:49.579 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, 00:07:49.579 --> 00:08:08.819 John, he wept and wept. 00:08:08.819 --> 00:08:11.579 He has seen the glory of heaven. 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:16.139 And he sees God holding out a scroll with the purposes of humanity, 00:08:16.420 --> 00:08:19.079 how to make sense of the chaos around it, 00:08:19.579 --> 00:08:22.339 how the promises of what God has for us tomorrow. 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:24.540 But no one can open it. 00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:27.639 No one, regardless of their political claims, 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:30.920 their promises to have a better future for us tomorrow, 00:08:30.920 --> 00:08:33.519 no one can know what tomorrow holds. 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:38.199 John sees the mess of the world in chaos around him, 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:40.980 and he weeps because there is no one who can sort it out. 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:45.000 But he's not left in this depression for long. 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:48.699 An elder speaks, and we see the identity of the person. 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:50.000 It's our second point this morning. 00:08:50.419 --> 00:08:53.919 We see a vision of the lion and the lamb. 00:08:54.360 --> 00:08:55.600 The elder says, 00:08:55.600 --> 00:09:00.580 Verse five, have a look with me. 00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:01.879 Do not weep. 00:09:03.040 --> 00:09:05.440 See the lion of the tribe of Judah, 00:09:06.040 --> 00:09:07.159 the root of David. 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:08.560 He has triumphed. 00:09:08.940 --> 00:09:11.899 He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. 00:09:12.440 --> 00:09:14.379 And there was great rejoicing. 00:09:14.560 --> 00:09:16.700 Imagine being John in that vision. 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:20.000 God's holding out the only hope amid chaos. 00:09:20.300 --> 00:09:21.220 There's no one. 00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:23.500 There's tears streaming down your face. 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:26.059 But suddenly there is hope again. 00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:29.379 One steps forward, the lion of Judah. 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:30.840 Do not weep. 00:09:30.899 --> 00:09:32.200 You are worried about the future, 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:34.220 that no one seemed in control. 00:09:35.059 --> 00:09:36.980 The lion can open the scroll. 00:09:37.519 --> 00:09:39.220 He is in control. 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:43.899 And we get this great picture of the long-expected Jesus, 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:47.220 the Christ, the chosen one of God, 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:49.080 the descendant of King David. 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:52.580 And the elder says that this lion has triumphed. 00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:54.759 He, it's not that he will triumph. 00:09:55.040 --> 00:09:57.540 He has triumphed. 00:09:58.320 --> 00:09:59.759 He has power. 00:09:59.900 --> 00:10:00.740 He has victory. 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:03.879 He is the strong lion of Judah. 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:09.080 It fits with other national animals' displays of strength. 00:10:09.520 --> 00:10:12.040 You know, in the UK, they have the lion as well. 00:10:12.560 --> 00:10:13.900 Russia has the bear. 00:10:14.660 --> 00:10:16.340 The US has the eagle. 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:18.400 China has a dragon. 00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:21.860 Do you know what Australia's national animals are? 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:23.879 Anyone? 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:26.139 A kangaroo? 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:26.980 There's another one. 00:10:27.199 --> 00:10:28.439 An emu. 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:30.079 Might seem strange. 00:10:30.459 --> 00:10:32.959 These animals don't go backwards easily. 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:37.559 And so it's a picture of a country always moving forward. 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:40.740 That's what our national animals are anyway. 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:44.919 But John sees a lion. 00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:47.220 Israel has a lion. 00:10:47.539 --> 00:10:49.820 A strong and dangerous animal. 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:51.240 That's an animal I could follow. 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:53.000 That's an animal of a sports team. 00:10:53.060 --> 00:10:54.279 I'd like that to be my mascot. 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:58.259 And the elder calls John to see this animal. 00:10:58.759 --> 00:10:59.299 Verse 6. 00:10:59.299 --> 00:11:07.120 Then I saw a lamb looking as if it had been slain. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:10.939 It's not the strongest of animals. 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:16.559 No country has a young sheep as its picture of national strength. 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:22.779 A lamb is what bears and lions and eagles and dragons eat. 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:25.240 And this lamb looks as if it's already dead. 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:26.419 It looks like it's ready for the barbecue. 00:11:26.419 --> 00:11:29.559 And yet verse 6 continues. 00:11:30.839 --> 00:11:34.500 The lamb had seven horns and seven eyes. 00:11:34.599 --> 00:11:35.639 We get this number again. 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:36.059 Seven. 00:11:36.479 --> 00:11:40.379 That picture of completeness, of fullness, of being perfect. 00:11:41.939 --> 00:11:45.099 And he has seven horns, seven eyes. 00:11:45.299 --> 00:11:48.439 A horn is a metaphor for strength. 00:11:48.959 --> 00:11:56.159 So this lamb, this slain lamb, has complete power and complete strength. 00:11:56.419 --> 00:11:58.659 And he has seven eyes. 00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:00.759 It's a picture of knowledge and sight. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:02.159 Complete sight. 00:12:02.719 --> 00:12:03.620 Complete knowledge. 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:08.879 This lamb has power over everything and sees everything. 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:16.100 And this lamb who seems insignificant, weak. 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:19.759 He is the one who sees everything, who knows everything. 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:23.200 And he is the one who can go and pick up that scroll. 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:29.379 You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain. 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:33.460 And with your blood you purchased people for God. 00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:38.379 Persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:41.340 He is worthy because he was slain. 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:45.820 Because he has purchased from heaven with his blood a people. 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:48.960 He is not worthy because he was powerful. 00:12:49.320 --> 00:12:53.340 He has not gotten the most votes in an election or won a popularity contest. 00:12:53.560 --> 00:12:56.100 He has not waged a war and won a military contest. 00:12:56.560 --> 00:13:00.420 That slogan, might is right, does not apply here. 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:07.979 Jesus, the slain lamb, has a right to rule because he was slain. 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:11.179 He has been given the name above all names. 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:16.860 He sits on the throne above all thrones because he's taken us from deserving death 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:20.000 and giving us life through a blood transplant. 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:22.139 His life for ours. 00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:27.299 And in his resurrection and ascension, he is not just the lion of Judah. 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:32.500 He is the victorious and slain lamb of the world. 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:39.199 And as the elders sang, he has taken people from every tribe, nation and language and group. 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:42.439 And that is who we as a church seek to be. 00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:45.679 A people who are diverse. 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:48.539 United by this Jesus. 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:50.460 Verse 10. 00:13:52.139 --> 00:14:06.120 This is a really wonderful picture of Jesus. 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:14.980 He is the slain lamb who is also strong and powerful and sees all. 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:20.460 He has triumphed and yet his triumph looks like weakness to everyone else. 00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:27.700 He is a slain lamb who willingly died to share his reign with people who did not deserve it. 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:32.240 It is a wonderful picture of God's love and scandalous grace. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:39.480 That Jesus would show such strength in his willingness to be weak. 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:43.560 I think there's two implications for us today. 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:48.459 The first is that this is what real strength is. 00:14:49.359 --> 00:14:52.299 And so we should not trust our own strength. 00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:58.519 Jesus completely trusted in God to raise him from the dead. 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:04.179 The slain lamb triumphs in obedience and trusting in God. 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:06.819 It is not a personal individual might. 00:15:07.979 --> 00:15:11.799 But Jesus' strength is God's because he trusts in God. 00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:16.120 Steve recently mentioned a quote from Charles Spurgeon. 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:18.419 Health is a gift from God. 00:15:19.199 --> 00:15:22.079 But sickness is a gift greater still. 00:15:22.919 --> 00:15:32.519 In this last year, I haven't been hit with sickness so much as lots of little individual physical issues. 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:35.159 I've had muscles break. 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:38.100 You know, trying to stay healthy and strong. 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:40.579 And my body has been failing me. 00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:43.779 In July, I tore a muscle. 00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:45.639 And it is still sore. 00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:52.679 And it has been painful and frustrating to lie down and sleep or stand or walk or do anything. 00:15:52.679 --> 00:16:00.000 And yet, I'm reminded that my strength does not come from my body. 00:16:00.959 --> 00:16:06.099 My strength does not come from my will or my desire to succeed or my intelligence. 00:16:06.579 --> 00:16:15.120 The radical gospel of the slain lamb is that I am not only weak, but I am dead and useless. 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:19.519 I have nothing to offer. 00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:25.639 But the mighty lion became the slain lamb for me. 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:27.860 We are not strong. 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:29.740 We are weak. 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:34.799 And the sooner we recognize that, the sooner we see what real strength is. 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:39.819 As the elder called John, behold, see, look at this lamb. 00:16:40.459 --> 00:16:42.379 Look at the slain lamb. 00:16:43.199 --> 00:16:45.919 Trusting in God is what true strength is. 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:51.500 The second implication, the second call for us here is to trust in this Jesus. 00:16:53.479 --> 00:16:56.979 John is called to weep no more, but to see. 00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:59.099 See who this Jesus is. 00:16:59.359 --> 00:17:02.639 He is the lion, and yet he is the slain lamb. 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:05.359 And he is the one who is in control of all things. 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:06.920 He has the scroll. 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:09.559 He knows what is going on in this world. 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:18.019 Can you imagine seeing, being John, seeing this picture of awesomeness, of Jesus, the slain lamb, 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:26.819 in control of all things, all powerful, all knowledge, and then going from there and choosing to worship anything else. 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:31.079 As if anything else could satisfy or bring joy. 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:35.220 Weep no more because nothing else will satisfy. 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:37.220 No one will love you more. 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:38.659 Nothing will bring joy. 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:40.919 No one has planned out the future for you. 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:46.559 How can we see this picture of Jesus and chase anything except him? 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.519 Weep no more. 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:49.859 Be anxious no more. 00:17:50.179 --> 00:17:51.859 Seek value nowhere else. 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:52.980 Stress no more. 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:54.359 Chase no more idols. 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:58.199 Think that we can save our future without Jesus no more. 00:17:58.200 --> 00:18:01.960 Our Jesus knows all. 00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:03.980 He has power over all. 00:18:04.840 --> 00:18:07.160 Now, this is not saying that we don't grieve. 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:10.440 We don't have pain and loss and heartbreak. 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:16.440 But we don't weep as if the world is just chaos around us. 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:23.440 This passage calls us to weep no more because Jesus is the mighty slaughtered lamb. 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:27.200 So let's speak on the loudspeaker about his love. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:30.120 Let's marvel at his mercy. 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:33.399 Let's show gratitude for his grace. 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:42.299 Church, let's trust him and love him and praise him and adore him that he would choose us. 00:18:42.379 --> 00:18:43.539 That he would choose me. 00:18:44.679 --> 00:18:47.099 That he would choose us to be his friends. 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:52.519 This Jesus sees all that we've done. 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:57.059 Knows who we are and what we have done. 00:18:57.159 --> 00:18:58.579 He knows everything about us. 00:18:58.839 --> 00:19:02.799 And he still calls us to be in relationship with him. 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:05.500 He calls us to be his friend. 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:12.299 Jesus is in control of all things as the slain lamb. 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:17.759 The third point for us today is this shows us a vision of what reality is. 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:25.980 The praise that started with the elders and the creatures just directly around Jesus spreads out. 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:26.779 Verse 11. 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:34.680 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels numbering thousands upon thousands and 10,000 times 10,000. 00:19:35.159 --> 00:19:35.980 Verse 13. 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:41.960 I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the sea and on the sea. 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:44.039 Sorry, and on the earth and under the sea. 00:19:44.340 --> 00:19:45.340 And all that is in them. 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:47.799 All of them praising God. 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.860 Praising this Jesus. 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:51.500 The praise of Jesus started around him. 00:19:51.860 --> 00:19:52.840 Spreads out to all of heaven. 00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:55.880 Spreads out to everything that ever is. 00:19:58.140 --> 00:20:01.620 We could end the book of Revelation right here at chapter 5. 00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:05.660 It has showed us all of history and the future. 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:09.079 A people desperate for a savior to come. 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.400 He has come. 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:11.680 He has opened the scroll. 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:14.700 And only Jesus can do that because he was slain. 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:16.220 He has triumphed. 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:26.160 And all that there is will praise him and acknowledge him that he is the lamb who sits on the throne to his praise and glory forever and ever. 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:31.620 This is the reality of the past, of the present, and the future. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:34.920 Jesus is enthroned. 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:39.180 And all people, all creation will acknowledge him when he returns. 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:42.640 President Trump has gathered great rallies. 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:47.440 The AFL, the rugby league have just had finals where they've had lots of people. 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:53.960 But they are so insignificant compared to the gatherings of Jesus. 00:20:53.960 --> 00:21:01.700 All creation will gather to worship God and his lamb. 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:07.120 The whole universe will acknowledge that God is good and loving and true. 00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:12.900 And that his son has redeemed himself, a people from the powers of evil and destruction. 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:16.200 It is a picture of the day when Jesus returns. 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:19.039 When those who follow him will see him. 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:23.099 And rejoice and acknowledge that he is the lamb. 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:32.259 But it is also the day when those who don't follow him, those who don't acknowledge that he is the Lord now, 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:37.519 they will see and they will realize too late. 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:46.960 If you don't follow Jesus, if you don't see him as the slain lamb and Lord who has died for you, 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:49.039 come talk to me. 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:51.639 Get in contact with us at church. 00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:54.420 Email us at officeatsandpauls.org.au 00:21:54.420 --> 00:22:03.000 We would love to read the Bible with you so you can see that Jesus is the slain lamb who died because he loves you. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:12.000 If you've come with a friend this morning, ask them to read the Bible with you so you can see the reality of this world that we live in. 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:17.759 Until that day comes, what we do right now is important. 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:24.380 We gather week by week, in pandemic and out, online if we can't gather in person, 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:30.420 to call each other to see, to behold this lamb who was slain. 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:40.360 We need this daily reminder as we do daily devotionals in the Bible to remind ourselves of the reality of what this world is 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:46.759 so that we don't get tempted to just ignore it and pretend that everything is fine. 00:22:48.300 --> 00:22:55.840 The outward appearance of Jesus as a weak slain lamb is strange. 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.600 It is weak. 00:22:56.599 --> 00:23:02.759 It is not what our culture, not what any culture would see as strong. 00:23:03.659 --> 00:23:06.740 And yet it is this lamb who has all power and all knowledge. 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.959 It is he who has been raised. 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:19.579 And that even though there is political chaos, environmental chaos, economic chaos, family, chaos and pain every day, 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:24.519 this slain lamb who has died for us is in control of all things. 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:28.019 He knows our tomorrow and we can trust him. 00:23:29.679 --> 00:23:33.740 One of my favorite types of videos on YouTube, 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:40.740 when I see colorblind people get these glasses that can correct their vision. 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:42.159 Is anybody colorblind here? 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:44.159 Nobody's colorblind? 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.880 Okay. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.220 That's fine. 00:23:46.800 --> 00:23:57.240 I love seeing these videos on YouTube because they take a person who has only ever been able to see the world in dull, muted colors 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:59.880 to see what the reality of life is around them. 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:03.440 My favorite ones of these are like 50-year-old dads. 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:10.279 I've seen these videos and the family's got this big bundle of balloons with all of the colors, 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:12.420 more than just these colors. 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:14.539 They've got blues and greens and reds. 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:16.000 And you've got these dads. 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:20.240 And I don't know, maybe it's just a Western kind of cultural thing. 00:24:20.320 --> 00:24:23.000 Or maybe there's just something stoic about dads. 00:24:23.120 --> 00:24:24.720 Dads don't show too much emotion. 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.880 Everything's fine. 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.880 We're in control of all things. 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:29.260 And these dads get these glasses. 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:34.760 And, you know, they suddenly, they can see real colors. 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:38.160 I invite you to go find these videos later. 00:24:38.320 --> 00:24:39.760 Oh, what color is this? 00:24:39.860 --> 00:24:41.340 Oh, that's orange. 00:24:41.520 --> 00:24:42.240 That's red. 00:24:42.820 --> 00:24:45.680 Oh, there's a difference between red and green. 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:47.020 And look at the sky. 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:48.140 Look at the sunset. 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:59.660 And suddenly, you see these people who are usually so stoic start crying because they've realized the reality of the world around them. 00:25:00.020 --> 00:25:04.820 I've been missing out on seeing the beauty of the world around me. 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:08.320 We are called to see. 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:10.780 See who Jesus is. 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:19.299 And when we see him as the slain lamb, we are sliding on those glasses so that we can see the reality of the world around us. 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:24.940 No longer is it just muted in color, dark and chaotic. 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:39.359 The world struggling from day to day not to descend into chaos, but the world eagerly waiting on the slain lamb who rules all now to come back so that we can be with him. 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:40.559 Let me pray. 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:51.619 Heavenly Father, we thank you that you gave this vision to John and you have shown us this beautiful picture of your grace and love for us. 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:56.259 Your son slain to purchase us for yourself. 00:25:57.599 --> 00:26:03.839 Lord, help us on chaotic days to be reminded of Jesus that he is in control of all things now. 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:13.220 And Father, remind us on days when we feel strong to know our weakness so that we would depend upon you, Lord. 00:26:13.899 --> 00:26:14.240 Amen.