WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.839 A Brazilian writer by the name of Fernando Sabino penned this somewhat famous phrase, 00:00:07.560 --> 00:00:14.339 everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, then it's not the end. 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:20.280 It's a phrase that's been used in a movie or two, a book or two, a TV show or two. 00:00:20.980 --> 00:00:26.560 It's also a quote that would not be completely out of place in trying to summarize the book of 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:32.060 Revelation. That's how it's felt up to this point. Even in the sections that we've skipped over, 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:36.899 we've just jumped from chapter 12 to chapter 19, but all the bits that we've looked at and the bits 00:00:36.899 --> 00:00:42.119 we haven't looked at have made it really clear life is tough, but it won't always be that way. 00:00:42.780 --> 00:00:48.519 The church is under persecution. Christians are struggling. In fact, the whole of the scriptures 00:00:48.519 --> 00:00:55.299 up to this point resound with this cry of God's people, how long, O Lord? When will justice come? 00:00:55.299 --> 00:01:00.459 When will you fix this? And then here in Revelation, over and over, there is the promise 00:01:00.459 --> 00:01:08.280 that justice is coming, that very soon God will make it right. And today, finally, in the second 00:01:08.280 --> 00:01:17.200 last scene of the book of Revelation, we reach that moment. But this scene doesn't open with the vision 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:24.299 of an event. There is an event or two in there, but this vision that John sees here in chapter 19 00:01:24.299 --> 00:01:33.420 is actually a vision of identity rather than a vision of an event. As we get to this final act 00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:40.420 in history, we need to almost go back to the beginning. We need to look at Jesus again as he is, 00:01:40.679 --> 00:01:46.259 as he has shown himself to be, and as he will always remain. And so look with me at verse 11, 00:01:46.260 --> 00:01:51.219 at this vision of Jesus, this timeless vision of Jesus. 00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:57.920 I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse whose rider is called Faithful 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:04.980 and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are 00:02:04.980 --> 00:02:11.340 many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe 00:02:11.340 --> 00:02:17.159 dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white 00:02:17.159 --> 00:02:23.219 horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to 00:02:23.219 --> 00:02:28.939 strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury 00:02:28.939 --> 00:02:36.960 of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written, King of Kings 00:02:36.960 --> 00:02:44.879 and Lord of Lords. This is a description of who Jesus is. It's true that he does things that qualify 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:52.819 him and justify these titles, but this picture is Jesus in his glory and splendor. He is the victorious 00:02:52.819 --> 00:02:59.500 king. He is the victorious one who rides in on the horse. The one who has already won the battle against 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:04.759 Satan on the cross. The one who has already done what needs to be done, and the one who already now 00:03:04.759 --> 00:03:11.780 sits on the throne in heaven and will forever sit on the throne in heaven. Before we get to the end, 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:20.099 we must remember who Jesus is. He is the king who reigns with all power and authority and majesty. 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:28.900 For the church of the first century suffering fierce persecution, and for our church suffering the daily 00:03:28.900 --> 00:03:38.340 temptation towards apathy or laziness or compromise, for all of us we must be reminded that the struggles we 00:03:38.340 --> 00:03:46.620 face, the battles we engage in daily, are just the fading evidence of an already beaten resistance, 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:53.620 because the victorious king is on the throne now. Before we worry about what comes next, 00:03:54.039 --> 00:04:02.319 John begins, God begins, by revealing Jesus to us again. Jesus will not make some late arrival that 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:08.319 will suddenly turn the tide of the church's battle in history. He is not the warrior waiting for 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:16.480 just the right moment for the final showdown. He is on the throne now. He has sufficient authority 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:23.199 and power now. He is the king of kings and the lord of lords. He is the one who judges. He is the one 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:30.519 who will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God almighty. He is king now. 00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:39.039 And having seen Jesus, now we get to the event. Now we get to the finish line. Now we get to the 00:04:39.039 --> 00:04:45.439 final battle. But it's not much of a battle. I don't know if you noticed this, but the battle is 00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:51.240 actually over before it even begins. Listen to what the angel says in verse 17. John sees the angel 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:55.959 standing in the sun and the angel cries out in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, 00:04:56.160 --> 00:05:01.300 come gather together for the great supper of God so that you may eat the flesh of kings, 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:06.920 generals and mighty men of horses and their riders and the flesh of all people free and slave, 00:05:07.300 --> 00:05:13.180 small and great. Come gather together for supper. There is about to be a whole army laid waste, 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:17.660 a feast for the birds. But the armies haven't even gathered for battle yet. 00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:23.360 So far all we have is the angel predicting what's going to happen when the army does gather for 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:28.160 battle. In a second the armies will gather in opposition to God. The kings of the earth and 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:33.180 those who have opposed God will gather together for battle. But this angel is already confident 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:38.199 that this is not a battle. The outcome is already decided. Before the battle takes place, 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:45.939 he invites the birds to feet on the spoils. Because listen to how it plays out. Verse 19, 00:05:46.039 --> 00:05:50.860 I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against 00:05:50.860 --> 00:05:59.980 the rider on the horse and his army. But, so the scene is set for an epic showdown between good and evil. 00:05:59.980 --> 00:06:08.660 But verse 20 kind of, it's an anticlimax. The beast was captured. With him the false prophet who had 00:06:08.660 --> 00:06:13.740 performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he deluded those who had received the 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:18.300 mark of the beast and worshipped his image. The two of them are thrown alive into the fiery lake of 00:06:18.300 --> 00:06:23.640 burning sulfur. The leadership of these armies that would oppose God are beaten before the battle can 00:06:23.640 --> 00:06:29.900 happen. And the armies that remain in verse 21 are killed with the sword that came out of the mouth 00:06:29.899 --> 00:06:36.919 of the rider on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. No sooner has this 00:06:36.919 --> 00:06:44.639 apparent opposition to God and to Jesus' kingship gathered as an army to face off with Jesus as they 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:49.979 are defeated. The beast is thrown into the lake of fire. The false prophet, their representative of 00:06:49.979 --> 00:06:55.899 Satan, they are thrown into the lake of fire. There is no power for Satan when he stands in the 00:06:55.899 --> 00:07:03.199 presence of a victorious king, Jesus. And everyone else in this battle is cut down by the word of God. 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:10.839 Cut down by the sword that comes out of Jesus' mouth. There is no battle here. All there is, 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:19.719 is the exertion of authority and power that Jesus already has. The battle was fought when Jesus came to 00:07:19.720 --> 00:07:25.660 earth the first time. The battle was fought at the cross. And so Jesus uses the authority and power 00:07:25.660 --> 00:07:30.120 that he was given when he rose from the dead. We looked at this last week in chapter 12. He was 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:35.240 snatched up to heaven. He sits on the throne now with the name above every name, with authority to rule 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:44.300 and to judge. And so he exercises that authority which he already has. The end of time will not be a battle 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:50.439 between Jesus and Satan. It will be the final destruction of an already defeated enemy in the 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:57.620 devil. It's there again in chapter 20. John's kind of tells this story in two sequences, if you like. 00:07:57.960 --> 00:08:03.660 In chapter 20 and verse 7, we get the same thing using different words. When the thousand years are 00:08:03.660 --> 00:08:08.100 over, we're going to come back to that. But when the thousand years are over, Satan will be released 00:08:08.100 --> 00:08:12.220 from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth, 00:08:12.220 --> 00:08:17.700 Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle. Gog and Magog are just cities out of the old. It's a person 00:08:17.700 --> 00:08:21.520 and a city out of the Old Testament that fought against God's people, Israel. So it's just 00:08:21.520 --> 00:08:26.460 representative. Satan's going to go out and gather anybody who doesn't call Jesus their Lord and 00:08:26.460 --> 00:08:32.160 gather them for an apparent battle with the king. It says, in number, they're like the sand on the 00:08:32.160 --> 00:08:36.639 seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:42.000 the city he loves. So the tension is building. This numerous army that is too numerous to 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:49.519 count is gathered in opposition to Jesus as king. They are led by Satan himself. But again, 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:58.039 anti-climax. Have a look at it. Verse 9. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 00:08:59.320 --> 00:09:08.500 There is no battle. Those who oppose God will be destroyed. Verse 10. The devil who deceived 00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:12.899 them was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur where the beast and the false prophet had been 00:09:12.899 --> 00:09:22.039 thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever. The nations are gathered, same as they 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:27.399 were in chapter 19. They're deluded by Satan into thinking that there is some possibility that they 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:34.320 can rule themselves, that they can oppose Jesus. But there is no battle. There is no victory for those 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:41.379 who would work to undermine the rule and reign of Jesus. Even as they surround the people of God, 00:09:42.220 --> 00:09:49.600 they are destroyed. It's the same scene described twice. It's the final showdown between Jesus and 00:09:49.600 --> 00:09:56.000 his enemy, but it's not really a showdown. It is the inevitable conclusion to the victory that 00:09:56.000 --> 00:10:03.200 Jesus won on the cross. Satan has been defeated. The battle has already been won. 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:10.440 I don't know that that many of us take a whole lot of interest in the rugby league state of origin. 00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:15.139 I personally don't, and I'm thankful that my Bible study group doesn't because it meant we could still 00:10:15.139 --> 00:10:19.740 have Bible study on Wednesday nights for a few weeks earlier in the year. But I remember this year's 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:23.340 state of origin, it struck me as strange that they needed to play a third game. 00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:28.580 You know, given it was the first time New South Wales had won in nine years, and maybe they wanted 00:10:28.580 --> 00:10:34.440 to savour the moment. But it's a best of three series. So once you've won two games, the third 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:41.620 one seems a little bit redundant. But they did play a third game, and something strange happened, 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:47.379 because in that third game, Queensland won quite convincingly. But at the end of the game, 00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:55.120 New South Wales was awarded a trophy. And Queensland was looking somewhat dejected and forlorn, having 00:10:55.120 --> 00:11:02.340 ended a nine-year winning streak. And approaching that final game, there may have been a sense of 00:11:02.340 --> 00:11:07.639 hope. There may have been a sense that there is a chance for victory, but actually the outcome 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:13.240 was already decided. It didn't matter what happened in that last 80 minutes of football, 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:17.600 the trophy would be awarded to the team that had already won the victory, that had already done 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:23.560 what needed to be done to win the trophy. And in the same way, we may look at life and feel like 00:11:23.560 --> 00:11:28.120 God is on the losing side at the moment. We may feel like we are on the losing side at the moment. 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:32.940 We may feel like Satan is taking all this ground in our lives and in our cities and in our world, 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:39.440 but we need to understand that the victory has already been won. When we get to the end of time, 00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:43.840 it doesn't matter what happens between now and then, you can be assured that the victor will 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:50.700 receive the crown and the victor is Jesus. When he died on the cross and rose again, Satan was emptied 00:11:50.700 --> 00:12:00.940 of his power. His greatest weapon, death, was defeated. And so Jesus is already exalted. 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:08.320 His rule and his reign aren't open to challenge. They are established and they will be established 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:17.760 forever and ever. Let me tell you why this is incredibly good news. Because the victory that 00:12:17.760 --> 00:12:25.720 we long for in life, the freedom from sin and temptation, the freedom from sickness, the freedom 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:34.040 from death, the freedom from Satan is inevitable. Because the battle has already been won. 00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:42.579 No matter how much you struggle, no matter how many times you stumble, our hope is certain. 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:51.839 Because it's already won. Because the fight has already taken place. Because Jesus is already 00:12:51.839 --> 00:13:02.599 on the throne. Because of the cross, what we hope for is inevitable. One day Jesus will return 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:05.580 and bring the justice that we so desperately desire. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:12.940 This week, when I was working on this sermon, I, for a break, went for a wander down the road 00:13:12.940 --> 00:13:17.680 and ended up in a shop buying a pair of jeans. It's amazing what you do to procrastinate when 00:13:17.680 --> 00:13:22.920 you're struggling. While I was in there buying a pair of jeans, I was just chatting with the girl who 00:13:22.920 --> 00:13:28.899 was selling them and taking my money from me. And she asked me innocently enough, 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:33.740 have you got much planned for the weekend? Now, as an Anglican minister, that's an open goal. 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:39.959 So I just casually said, oh, weekends are pretty busy for me with work. And she kind of let it go 00:13:39.959 --> 00:13:45.439 for a sec and then said, oh, what do you do? After I told her I was an Anglican minister, she didn't 00:13:45.439 --> 00:13:51.299 believe me at first. But eventually said, okay, fair enough. Doesn't seem to be joking. 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:56.039 And we ended up having a conversation for quite a while. She asked me a question, what's the 00:13:56.039 --> 00:14:01.500 difference between Catholic and Christian? Do you actually believe Jesus is real? You know, 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:05.240 are you allowed to get married? Is your wife a Christian? Does it affect the way you raise your 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:10.919 kids? All these questions over and over and over. But the main question that stuck with me was, 00:14:11.699 --> 00:14:16.719 does believing that there is more than this life give you hope now? 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:24.840 I had some fantastic answers about five minutes later. But in the moment, I fumbled out something 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:32.100 like absolutely. I struggled to elaborate, but I knew I wanted to say yes, and I wanted to say it 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:39.980 strongly. So I said, absolutely. It is really tempting for us, even as we wade through a book like 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:45.660 Revelation, to get excited about the finish line that God is painting for us. And it is exciting. 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:52.440 But we've got to understand that the hope that he gives us is not just about the future. It's a hope 00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:59.360 that transforms now as well. As we get to this end point of Revelation, and as we see what is the 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:05.060 final scene, we know this is the final scene because Satan is being defeated and cast into the lake of 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:10.220 fire forever. He will not come back from there. This is the light in the sand where Jesus is making 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:19.259 things right. As we have our eyes lifted to that glorious destination, there is still the need for 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:26.040 a pastoral word. There is still the need for us to wrestle with the reality of pain and suffering 00:15:26.040 --> 00:15:35.220 and doubt because we're not there yet. As exciting as this picture is, we've got to admit that sometimes 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:40.639 we're not that excited. As much as we want to get there one day, we are easily distracted. 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:47.840 And so we come to chapter 20, which I believe is a pastoral word for the first century church, 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:52.460 but for us as well. Now, before we go into this section, I want to acknowledge that chapter 20 00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:56.759 verses 1 to 6 are some of the most confusing verses that I've come across in scripture. 00:15:58.200 --> 00:16:02.779 Lots of people who love Jesus have different opinions about what is really going on here. 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:07.919 I read a lot of commentaries and had a lot of people tell me different things. 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:12.139 Throughout generations, people have argued about this and people have used this passage 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:16.319 in some really unhelpful ways, but I want us to focus on what's the key here. 00:16:17.579 --> 00:16:23.779 A quick reminder, when we read prophecy, which is what Revelation is, we need to remember that 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:29.939 it's highly symbolic. What that means is these are pictures which point to realities, 00:16:29.940 --> 00:16:36.420 not pictures of reality. It's a subtle difference, but it's important. So when we look at chapter 9 00:16:36.420 --> 00:16:42.940 and verse 11 and we see Jesus depicted as a rider on a white horse, that seems normal enough. So we go, 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:49.820 he must be riding a horse. But that's not the point. The symbol is that he is victorious. That's why he's 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:56.300 riding a horse. The symbol is he's pure and holy. That's why he's dressed in white. They're symbols that 00:16:56.299 --> 00:17:02.000 point to truth. The blood on him is pointing us to the blood that he shed, which was the means by which 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:08.460 he won the victory over Satan. It is symbolic. And so when we look at this passage in front of us, 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:15.359 we need to try and wade past the getting stuck on details and understand what is Jesus trying to say 00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:21.399 to us? What is this vision trying to point us to? And I think there is a clear emphasis. 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:27.800 We see Satan bound at the beginning of chapter 20. And I think that's pointing us back to what 00:17:27.800 --> 00:17:33.580 Jesus achieved on the cross. Last week, we saw him cast out of heaven and being effectively bound 00:17:33.580 --> 00:17:37.780 and limited. I believe that's what's going on there. But then it shifts in verse 4. And this is 00:17:37.780 --> 00:17:44.720 where the pastoral word comes in, I believe. Verse 4 says, I saw thrones on which were seated those who 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:50.660 had been given authority to judge. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their 00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:56.240 testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image 00:17:56.240 --> 00:18:01.940 and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:07.940 Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. 00:18:08.320 --> 00:18:14.080 This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:20.400 The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:26.900 with him for a thousand years. Now, we've got to remember that this letter, this book of Revelation 00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:36.160 was first written to a first century church, to a martyr church, to a church that was very familiar 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:43.200 with its members being killed simply for trusting in Jesus. We have a much more comfortable version of 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:48.320 what it is to be God's church. But even today, our experience of being a Christian is the exception 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:54.519 rather than the rule. God's church faces opposition in the world and this church, when it was receiving 00:18:54.519 --> 00:19:01.599 these words, knew what it was to have their brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers and husbands and 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:07.139 wives and children killed for refusing to bow down and worship the Roman Emperor. 00:19:07.140 --> 00:19:17.259 The victorious vision of Jesus in chapter 19 rubs with that experience. The idea that he is riding in to 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:25.160 restore all things rubs against the experience of burying a loved one. Maybe it even rubs against your 00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:33.600 experience of following Jesus now. It rubs against the times where you fail in temptation again and again. 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:40.619 It rubs against the times where you doubt God's faithfulness, where you wonder whether or not he could 00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:50.539 really love you. And so again, God wants to remind us, as we look at the end and it may seem distant, 00:19:52.799 --> 00:20:02.779 remember, God will vindicate his people. Although they are dying, although they're being tossed aside 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:09.579 and treated like they are nothing and worthless, they will reign with Christ in victory and authority. 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:18.819 God will not forget those who trust in him, who remain faithful to him. He is taking the hope of 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:26.500 future and transforming the present with it. Those who have lost loved ones, those who may face death 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:31.019 themselves, are being reminded that your hope means death is no longer to be feared. 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:36.640 Don't fear the first death, Jesus encourages us in Luke's gospel. 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:42.000 Fear the one who can throw body and soul into hell. 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:49.339 When we trust in Jesus and our eternity is secure, there is nothing to fear in this life. 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:55.439 Because our end remains secure. 00:20:56.399 --> 00:21:01.339 The victory of the cross and its future benefits give us hope now. 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:08.279 Not just an idea, not just something to look forward to, but it redefines our experience now. 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:10.159 It redefines our reality now. 00:21:10.399 --> 00:21:14.099 So that even as we suffer, even as we find difficulty in life, 00:21:14.099 --> 00:21:18.059 we have a hope that is stronger than anything life can throw at us. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.719 Stronger even than death. 00:21:21.179 --> 00:21:24.399 Christian hope allows us to see the right finish line. 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.459 And it's not our death. 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:28.480 Because that will come for everyone. 00:21:29.919 --> 00:21:33.139 It is what is talked about in these last few verses here. 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:39.660 One of the things that I like to do, although I'm liking it less and less the older I get, 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.200 is running. 00:21:41.060 --> 00:21:43.500 It tricks me into thinking that I'm sort of healthy 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:46.460 and that maybe I'll get even healthier. 00:21:47.540 --> 00:21:51.420 And occasionally, when I run, because I'm in so much pain 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:53.960 and just thinking this is ridiculous, why did I do this? 00:21:54.120 --> 00:21:55.560 I play mind games with myself. 00:21:56.300 --> 00:21:58.960 And so I create finish lines that I have to get to 00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:01.380 and then I give myself permission to walk or to have a break. 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:03.780 One day I got particularly ambitious 00:22:03.780 --> 00:22:06.020 and I decided that I would run to Gordon and back. 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:09.100 For those playing at home, it's about 10k. 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:11.460 I was feeling extra ambitious, 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:13.980 so I thought I would do it on the other side of the train line, 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:16.700 which basically goes like this, from here to Gordon. 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:19.600 The problem with this is, 00:22:19.780 --> 00:22:22.200 you can only see as far as the top of the next hill. 00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:26.960 And so in agony, I would start my way up a hill thinking, 00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:28.240 this must be the last one. 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:30.920 If I just get to the top of here, I'll be at Gordon 00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:33.200 and then I can have a break and turn around and come back. 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:35.480 And it must have been seven or eight times 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:37.380 that I was absolutely devastated to discover 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.320 that there was another hill. 00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:41.019 The downhill didn't soften the blow 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:43.220 of knowing that there was more work to come. 00:22:45.320 --> 00:22:48.340 When we have the wrong finish line in view, 00:22:49.320 --> 00:22:50.980 we will only be disappointed. 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:54.019 Because as I got to the top of each hill, 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:55.440 I'd achieved what was my goal, 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.660 but it wasn't actually my goal 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:58.340 because the real finish line was getting to Gordon 00:22:58.340 --> 00:22:59.340 and then getting back. 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:03.600 A danger for us as Christians 00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:06.240 is we get distracted by right now. 00:23:07.800 --> 00:23:10.560 We get distracted by the reality of death 00:23:10.560 --> 00:23:12.640 and think that it's the finish line. 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:15.140 And so we think that everything 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:16.360 that's going to satisfy us 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:17.180 and make us happy 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:19.500 has to be achieved between now and that line. 00:23:20.780 --> 00:23:22.320 And so we try things, 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:25.180 we grab things that we think will make us happy, 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.780 and the reality is we're disappointed 00:23:27.780 --> 00:23:29.280 because it's not where we're going. 00:23:30.020 --> 00:23:31.620 It's not what we were designed for. 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.780 It's not the end point. 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:34.000 It's not the finish line. 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:38.579 Our hope for eternity gives us the ability 00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:40.859 to see that the true finish line comes 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:41.859 when we face God. 00:23:42.839 --> 00:23:45.359 Physical death will be a reality for all. 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.920 But Jesus says, 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:51.859 do not fear those who can only harm the body. 00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:56.940 Fear the torment of eternal judgment 00:23:56.940 --> 00:24:00.160 because that is the finish line for everyone. 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:03.759 Have a look with me at verse 11. 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:07.160 These are some scary and difficult verses to read. 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:10.920 Having seen the final victory, 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:13.920 having seen Satan cast into the lake of fire, 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:16.019 John sees this. 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:19.700 I saw a great white throne 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:21.299 and him who was seated on it. 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:24.339 Earth and sky fled from his presence 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.779 and there was no place for them. 00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:28.279 And I saw the dead, great and small, 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:29.619 standing before the throne 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:30.740 and books were opened. 00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:32.379 Another book was opened, 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:33.640 which is the book of life. 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:35.099 The dead were judged 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:36.720 according to what they had done 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:38.059 as recorded in the books. 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:40.640 The sea gave up the dead that were in it 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:42.420 and death and Hades gave up the dead 00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:43.099 that were in them 00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:44.720 and each person was judged 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:46.099 according to what he had done. 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:48.259 Then death and Hades were thrown 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.440 into the lake of fire. 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:52.160 The lake of fire is the second death. 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:57.120 Everyone will face God's judgment. 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:57.700 The good and the bad. 00:25:00.040 --> 00:25:03.820 King, slave, small, great, man, woman, 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:06.680 all will stand before God 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:08.560 and give account for the lives they have lived, 00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:10.820 the good and the bad. 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.420 Did you catch there? 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.880 Earth and sky disappear. 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:17.200 There will be nowhere to hide. 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:20.080 Those who have died are brought back 00:25:20.080 --> 00:25:21.660 from the sea and death and Hades 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:23.160 and then those places are destroyed. 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.900 Remember, this is symbolic. 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.640 The point is, 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:27.740 there is nowhere else except for 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:29.720 in front of the judgment seat of God. 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:31.740 Everything that exists 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:33.700 and everything that has ever existed 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:35.819 will stand and be held accountable 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:37.420 for the lives that they have lived. 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:42.860 This is a scary thing to talk about. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:46.620 Judgment is a word that we try and avoid as Christians. 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:48.600 We avoid it in a room like this 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:50.380 even when we're among friends. 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:51.940 We especially avoid it 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:53.880 when that helpful non-Christian friend 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:55.680 asks whether or not we think they'll be judged. 00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:58.440 We like to water down that possibility. 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.840 We like to step around it. 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:04.200 And there's a rightness to that 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:06.700 because there is a gravity of this 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:08.259 that we must understand. 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:12.340 This judgment is final. 00:26:13.820 --> 00:26:16.580 This judgment is an eternal fork in the road. 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.720 It's the difference between 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:20.140 eternal delight in heaven with our maker 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:23.320 or eternal torment. 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:31.519 This is the finish line 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:33.400 which should dictate how we run. 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.799 This is the finish line 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:37.160 that should dictate how we live. 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:39.000 This is the great equaliser. 00:26:39.080 --> 00:26:40.680 It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor. 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:44.860 all will stand and face their creator. 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:50.380 It's good and right 00:26:50.380 --> 00:26:51.920 that we feel the weight of that. 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:54.700 Especially for those of us 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.680 who have loved ones 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:57.080 who we know right now 00:26:57.080 --> 00:26:58.519 are on the wrong side of that ledger. 00:26:58.519 --> 00:27:02.799 It's good and right 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:04.440 that there is something to be feared. 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:07.639 Judgment is scary. 00:27:10.599 --> 00:27:11.079 Unless 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:13.900 verse 15 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:17.099 if anyone's name was not found 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:18.420 written in the book of life 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:20.839 he was thrown into the lake of fire. 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:26.259 If your name is in the book of life 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:29.379 judgment is not to be feared. 00:27:30.419 --> 00:27:31.799 It might be embarrassing 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:34.599 as your life and your deeds 00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:36.559 are made public and laid bare 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:39.639 but if you have placed your trust 00:27:39.639 --> 00:27:41.759 in the death and resurrection of Jesus 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:43.939 then your name is in the book of life. 00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:48.000 And this will not be your finish line. 00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:50.519 This will be your entry 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:52.019 into heaven. 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:55.500 Our judgment 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:57.740 is in no way based on the good or bad 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.259 that we've done 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.299 even though they're going to be there 00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.319 and they're going to be in the books 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:02.220 the difference between the lake of fire 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.500 and eternal delight in heaven 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:04.799 is one thing. 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:06.460 Those who have their name 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:08.599 written in the book of life. 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:16.000 And so if you are trusting Jesus 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:19.480 then judgment is not something to be feared. 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:22.039 It's something to be excited about. 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:24.980 It's something to be anticipated. 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:28.279 Even as we wrestle now 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:30.140 with the pain of people in our lives 00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:31.220 who don't know Jesus 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:33.980 and this is all of my family right now 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:37.039 my brothers, my sisters, my mum, my dad 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:41.559 we must understand 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:43.279 that even in these few verses 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:45.039 there is incredible hope 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:48.440 because it doesn't matter 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.639 what they have or haven't done 00:28:49.639 --> 00:28:50.299 to this point. 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.599 It doesn't matter 00:28:52.599 --> 00:28:53.839 what they will or won't do 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:54.899 from this point forward 00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:55.720 all that matters 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.899 is that they accept 00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:58.399 the offer of Jesus 00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:59.519 to forgive them 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.639 and wash them 00:29:00.639 --> 00:29:01.799 and have their names 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:03.159 written in this book of life. 00:29:04.159 --> 00:29:06.299 So long as there is breath in them 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:07.059 there is hope 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:08.299 and there is opportunity. 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:11.500 And if you're sitting in this room tonight 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:13.059 and you hear about judgment 00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:14.759 and it is something that scares you 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:17.159 I want to encourage you 00:29:17.159 --> 00:29:18.399 that Jesus invites you 00:29:18.399 --> 00:29:19.139 to trust him 00:29:19.139 --> 00:29:19.839 so that judgment 00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:21.539 is not scary but exciting 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:24.339 because judgment 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:25.559 becomes the beginning 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:26.460 of heaven 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:28.079 for those whose names 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:29.200 are in the book of life. 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.940 This is the final act. 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.319 What we see 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:34.500 as we jump into the next chapter 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:35.659 and we're going to next week 00:29:35.659 --> 00:29:37.960 is that the new heaven arrives. 00:29:39.639 --> 00:29:40.500 And so this judgment 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.539 is actually a part 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.639 of God preparing 00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:44.519 a perfect eternity for us. 00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:46.559 This is an essential part 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.379 of God removing 00:29:47.379 --> 00:29:48.559 all that is sinful 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.420 and sick 00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:51.240 and all that is opposed to him. 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:55.039 This is a necessary part 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:56.159 of God fulfilling 00:29:56.159 --> 00:29:57.920 all his promises to us. 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:01.740 This is part of God 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:03.960 giving us all that we have hoped for 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:05.579 and all that he has promised. 00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:08.139 This final judgment 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:08.980 will mean the end 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:10.119 of the old way of things 00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:10.879 and the beginning 00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:12.439 of God's perfect 00:30:12.439 --> 00:30:13.500 new creation. 00:30:14.979 --> 00:30:15.839 And so if you believe 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:16.779 that Jesus died 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.959 to forgive your sins 00:30:17.959 --> 00:30:19.559 then the idea of judgment 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.239 is not something 00:30:20.239 --> 00:30:21.139 to be shy about 00:30:21.139 --> 00:30:22.159 or nervous about. 00:30:23.439 --> 00:30:24.439 It's not even something 00:30:24.439 --> 00:30:25.359 to be afraid of. 00:30:26.099 --> 00:30:26.639 It's something 00:30:26.639 --> 00:30:27.699 to look forward to 00:30:27.699 --> 00:30:29.579 because it marks 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.159 the beginning 00:30:30.159 --> 00:30:31.459 of heaven for you. 00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:34.740 It marks the arrival 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.380 of everything 00:30:35.380 --> 00:30:36.420 that God has promised 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.000 and everything 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:38.299 that you could ever want. 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.819 This passage 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.640 in Revelation 00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:44.360 is the moment 00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:45.299 that we've been building 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:46.039 to the whole way 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:46.660 through this book. 00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:48.319 We've had little glimpses 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:49.319 of heaven on the way through. 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.100 We've seen the lamb 00:30:50.100 --> 00:30:50.720 on the throne. 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:51.980 We've seen the churches 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.759 gathered around. 00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:54.140 We've had these little bits 00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:54.860 of excitement 00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:56.019 but now as we're getting 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.779 to the end 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.980 John is no longer 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.620 having to look 00:30:58.620 --> 00:30:59.640 from earth to heaven 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:00.279 because heaven 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:01.359 has come to earth. 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:02.680 Earth and sky 00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:03.879 have been destroyed. 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:05.440 Justice has come. 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.279 The finish line 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:07.000 is in view 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:08.319 and it is inevitable. 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.399 Jesus' final, 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.059 complete, 00:31:11.359 --> 00:31:11.559 full, 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.619 glorious victory 00:31:12.619 --> 00:31:13.359 is here 00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:18.119 and it's not scary. 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:22.180 Everything will be 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:23.319 okay in the end 00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:25.099 and if it's not okay 00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:26.139 then it's not the end. 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:28.039 It's not a bad 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:29.059 summary of Revelation 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:29.700 but it probably 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.220 doesn't do it 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:31.039 justice really. 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.600 Everything will not 00:31:33.600 --> 00:31:34.799 be okay in the end. 00:31:35.860 --> 00:31:36.579 Everything will be 00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:38.779 perfect in the end. 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.779 Everything will be 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:42.339 beyond our deepest 00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:43.700 desires and hopes. 00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:47.339 God's perfect creation 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:49.140 for all eternity. 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:53.279 And so maybe 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:54.500 a better summary is 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.680 that picture in 00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:56.400 chapter 21 00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:57.160 and verse 1. 00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:58.620 Then I saw 00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:59.660 a new heaven 00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:01.120 and a new earth. 00:32:02.320 --> 00:32:03.240 That's the summary. 00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:04.759 That's where we're going to. 00:32:04.840 --> 00:32:05.519 That's the point 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.320 of all of this. 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.140 Everything that we've 00:32:07.140 --> 00:32:07.519 looked at 00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:08.420 is that that is 00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:09.300 the guaranteed 00:32:09.300 --> 00:32:10.160 finish line 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.920 for those who know 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:11.300 Jesus. 00:32:11.840 --> 00:32:12.900 A new and better 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.700 heaven and earth. 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:15.080 A new and perfect 00:32:15.080 --> 00:32:16.140 heaven and earth. 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:17.040 That is our hope. 00:32:18.200 --> 00:32:18.700 So that means 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:19.240 right now 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:19.900 as you suffer 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:20.440 you know 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:21.040 that it will not 00:32:21.040 --> 00:32:21.680 last forever. 00:32:22.600 --> 00:32:23.400 That means that 00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:23.900 right now 00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:24.600 as you face 00:32:24.599 --> 00:32:25.439 difficulty 00:32:25.439 --> 00:32:26.240 and hardship 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:26.799 you know 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.319 that there is 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:27.879 nothing that 00:32:27.879 --> 00:32:28.899 anybody can do 00:32:28.899 --> 00:32:29.319 to you 00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:30.000 that will take 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.639 away what is 00:32:30.639 --> 00:32:31.099 best 00:32:31.099 --> 00:32:31.859 and that is 00:32:31.859 --> 00:32:32.559 your eternal 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:33.759 home in heaven. 00:32:35.879 --> 00:32:36.859 What a hope 00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:37.879 we have 00:32:37.879 --> 00:32:39.099 in this king 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:40.000 who rides 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:40.839 the white horse. 00:32:42.139 --> 00:32:42.939 What a hope 00:32:42.939 --> 00:32:43.939 we have to share 00:32:43.939 --> 00:32:44.459 with those 00:32:44.459 --> 00:32:45.219 who don't yet 00:32:45.219 --> 00:32:45.719 know it. 00:32:47.659 --> 00:32:48.539 You don't have 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:49.319 to do anything. 00:32:50.339 --> 00:32:50.959 You just 00:32:50.959 --> 00:32:52.059 have to trust 00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:52.859 this king. 00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:55.480 What a hope 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:55.919 we have 00:32:55.919 --> 00:32:56.519 to rest 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.519 on no matter 00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:58.000 what life 00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:58.899 throws at us. 00:33:00.899 --> 00:33:01.619 Because the 00:33:01.619 --> 00:33:02.559 victory is won 00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:03.359 and the end 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:04.539 is inevitable. 00:33:07.459 --> 00:33:08.199 Let's pray. 00:33:17.439 --> 00:33:18.240 Father God 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:19.000 we want to ask 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.719 that you would 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:22.839 help us 00:33:22.839 --> 00:33:24.960 help us 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:25.240 as we 00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:25.660 struggle 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:26.380 help us 00:33:26.380 --> 00:33:26.720 as we 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.039 doubt 00:33:27.039 --> 00:33:27.579 help us 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:27.860 as we 00:33:27.860 --> 00:33:28.220 feel the 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:28.559 pain 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:28.880 of those 00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:29.420 around us 00:33:29.420 --> 00:33:29.779 who don't 00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:30.180 yet know 00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:30.440 you. 00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:32.539 Help us 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:32.880 as we 00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:33.420 deal with 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:34.279 persecution 00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:34.940 in our 00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:35.480 own life 00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:35.799 as we 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.120 deal with 00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:36.680 temptation 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:37.100 as we 00:33:37.100 --> 00:33:37.259 deal 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:37.400 with 00:33:37.400 --> 00:33:37.980 failure. 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:40.900 Help us 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:41.500 to understand 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.059 that it's 00:33:42.059 --> 00:33:42.400 not a 00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:42.620 battle 00:33:42.620 --> 00:33:43.019 that can 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.200 be 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:43.600 lost. 00:33:46.160 --> 00:33:46.720 That you 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:47.240 have won 00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:47.860 the victory 00:33:47.860 --> 00:33:49.000 irreversibly 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:51.140 and all 00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:51.799 we await 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.160 is that 00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:52.700 final 00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.460 ceremony 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:54.819 that final 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:55.660 celebration 00:33:55.660 --> 00:33:58.720 our 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.160 eternal 00:33:59.160 --> 00:33:59.720 home. 00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:04.200 Father if 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:04.420 there are 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:04.880 people in 00:34:04.880 --> 00:34:05.319 this room 00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:05.799 who don't 00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:06.200 yet know 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:06.759 the hope 00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.119 that we 00:34:07.119 --> 00:34:07.420 have been 00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:08.119 talking about 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:08.539 who don't 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:08.940 know what 00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:09.440 it is to 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.019 be forgiven 00:34:10.019 --> 00:34:10.739 who don't 00:34:10.739 --> 00:34:11.039 know what 00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.519 it is to 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:12.320 feel safe 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:13.480 even in 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:14.059 that final 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:14.539 judgment 00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:17.079 I pray 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:17.579 that right 00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:17.980 now 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:20.119 you would 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:20.539 give them 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:21.139 the assurance 00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:21.740 that you 00:34:21.740 --> 00:34:22.440 have forgiven 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:22.840 them in 00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:23.139 Jesus. 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:26.260 I pray 00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:26.539 that you 00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:26.800 would give 00:34:26.800 --> 00:34:27.699 us boldness 00:34:27.699 --> 00:34:28.579 to speak 00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:29.079 about the 00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:29.639 hope that 00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:29.940 is in 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:30.179 you. 00:34:31.240 --> 00:34:31.500 Protect 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:32.059 us from 00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:32.880 being timid 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.780 or shy 00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:35.079 or apologetic. 00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:37.840 May we 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:38.679 boldly declare 00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:39.099 that there 00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:40.000 is a finish 00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:40.519 line for 00:34:40.519 --> 00:34:41.340 all creation 00:34:41.340 --> 00:34:44.119 but that in 00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:44.579 you there is 00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:45.059 the offer 00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:45.679 of life 00:34:45.679 --> 00:34:46.379 and forgiveness 00:34:46.379 --> 00:34:47.679 for more 00:34:47.679 --> 00:34:48.719 than just 00:34:48.719 --> 00:34:49.559 now. 00:34:53.239 --> 00:34:53.919 Father 00:34:53.919 --> 00:34:54.379 thank you 00:34:54.379 --> 00:34:55.039 so much 00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:55.639 for Jesus. 00:34:56.819 --> 00:34:57.440 Give us 00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:58.159 this vision 00:34:58.159 --> 00:34:58.699 of Jesus 00:34:58.699 --> 00:35:00.559 this vision 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:00.919 of our 00:35:00.919 --> 00:35:01.279 King 00:35:01.279 --> 00:35:01.940 victorious 00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:02.919 and powerful 00:35:02.919 --> 00:35:05.099 and may 00:35:05.099 --> 00:35:05.619 it release 00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:06.219 us to live 00:35:06.219 --> 00:35:06.839 lives of 00:35:06.839 --> 00:35:07.259 peace 00:35:07.259 --> 00:35:08.539 and joy 00:35:08.539 --> 00:35:09.719 and hope 00:35:09.719 --> 00:35:10.839 that bring 00:35:10.839 --> 00:35:11.440 all glory 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:11.879 to you. 00:35:12.819 --> 00:35:13.299 In Jesus 00:35:13.299 --> 00:35:13.759 name we 00:35:13.759 --> 00:35:13.980 pray. 00:35:14.719 --> 00:35:15.199 Amen. 00:35:15.679 --> 00:35:27.099 We have had 00:35:27.099 --> 00:35:27.599 a great 00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:28.719 challenge 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:30.099 placed before 00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:30.619 us in 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:31.219 the end 00:35:31.219 --> 00:35:31.339 here.