WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.900 And friends, in just a few minutes, we're going to have a baptism. 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:10.160 But before that, we're going to turn to God's Word. 00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:13.339 So would you turn with me to Revelation chapter 1. 00:00:14.460 --> 00:00:17.740 That's page 965 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:18.559 --> 00:00:21.800 We began our Revelation series last week with an introduction, 00:00:22.019 --> 00:00:23.640 looking at verses 1 through 8. 00:00:24.620 --> 00:00:29.980 And there we saw that this book is for the servants of God, 00:00:30.060 --> 00:00:31.280 that is, all followers of Jesus. 00:00:31.580 --> 00:00:35.880 And we saw that this book is from the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:00:36.859 --> 00:00:41.219 And lastly, we saw that the book is ultimately about Jesus Christ and God's kingdom. 00:00:42.100 --> 00:00:46.560 So we're going to pick up where we left off last week at verse 9 of chapter 1 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:48.200 and go through the rest of the chapter. 00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:51.040 So let me pray as we turn to God's Word together. 00:00:53.640 --> 00:01:01.240 God, indeed, you have no rival and you have no equal. 00:01:02.299 --> 00:01:06.780 You are the first and the last, the beginning and the end, 00:01:07.760 --> 00:01:10.539 the one who is and who was and who is to come. 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:12.420 And we praise you this morning. 00:01:12.420 --> 00:01:18.840 We thank you for the deep privilege that it is to open up your Word 00:01:18.840 --> 00:01:21.579 and to hear what you are saying to us, 00:01:22.140 --> 00:01:25.159 that we might behold you in your glory and worship you 00:01:25.159 --> 00:01:28.060 and live lives for you and for your kingdom and the power of your Spirit. 00:01:29.820 --> 00:01:32.000 Jesus, all of this is possible because of you, 00:01:32.320 --> 00:01:35.420 because of your incarnation, for your perfect life, 00:01:35.500 --> 00:01:37.120 for your death, for your resurrection, 00:01:37.420 --> 00:01:40.040 for the fact that you're ascended and seated at the Father's right hand 00:01:40.040 --> 00:01:41.700 and coming in glory and we give you praise. 00:01:42.280 --> 00:01:45.660 Help us now as we understand this Word that you've given to us, 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:46.160 your church. 00:01:46.900 --> 00:01:48.040 In your mighty name we pray. 00:01:48.240 --> 00:01:48.500 Amen. 00:01:49.960 --> 00:01:50.480 All right. 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:52.800 Revelation chapter 1, verses 9 through 20. 00:01:52.860 --> 00:01:53.940 Let me read this for us. 00:01:53.939 --> 00:01:58.560 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:01.099 and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, 00:02:02.140 --> 00:02:05.420 was on the island called Patmos on account of the Word of God 00:02:05.420 --> 00:02:06.980 and the testimony of Jesus. 00:02:07.759 --> 00:02:10.000 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:13.379 and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, 00:02:14.099 --> 00:02:18.099 write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, 00:02:18.099 --> 00:02:22.900 to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:26.519 and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea. 00:02:28.199 --> 00:02:31.539 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me 00:02:31.539 --> 00:02:34.939 and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands 00:02:34.939 --> 00:02:38.400 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man 00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:42.719 clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 00:02:43.819 --> 00:02:47.900 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. 00:02:48.799 --> 00:02:50.840 His eyes were like a flame of fire. 00:02:51.639 --> 00:02:55.019 His feet were like burnished bronze refined in a furnace 00:02:55.019 --> 00:02:58.900 and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 00:02:59.979 --> 00:03:03.379 In his right hand he held seven stars. 00:03:04.139 --> 00:03:06.560 From his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:11.819 and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 00:03:13.939 --> 00:03:17.340 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. 00:03:18.099 --> 00:03:20.340 But he laid his right hand on me saying, 00:03:21.060 --> 00:03:21.639 Fear not. 00:03:22.479 --> 00:03:25.539 I am the first and the last and the living one. 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:29.659 I died and behold, I am alive forevermore. 00:03:30.139 --> 00:03:32.400 And I have the keys of death and Hades. 00:03:33.139 --> 00:03:35.319 Write therefore the things that you have seen, 00:03:35.780 --> 00:03:36.539 those that are, 00:03:37.099 --> 00:03:39.099 and those that are to take place after this. 00:03:39.099 --> 00:03:43.099 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand 00:03:43.099 --> 00:03:44.780 and the seven golden lampstands, 00:03:45.400 --> 00:03:48.219 the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches 00:03:48.219 --> 00:03:52.299 and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. 00:03:53.099 --> 00:03:54.219 This is God's Word. 00:03:54.219 --> 00:03:59.740 So, when you're facing a problem 00:03:59.740 --> 00:04:02.020 or when you're facing a trial 00:04:02.020 --> 00:04:05.099 or even suffering of some kind, 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:08.639 what's the one thing that you need? 00:04:10.860 --> 00:04:12.060 Well, perhaps you'd say, 00:04:12.180 --> 00:04:14.979 The one thing I really want is for the problem to go away, right? 00:04:15.300 --> 00:04:16.860 I want the suffering to stop. 00:04:17.860 --> 00:04:20.800 But if that doesn't happen in the midst of pain, suffering, and trial, 00:04:20.860 --> 00:04:22.720 what's the most important thing you can have? 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:27.199 And that's really what our text is pointing us toward. 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:29.740 But before we look there, 00:04:29.819 --> 00:04:32.400 what are some of the things you might say you need? 00:04:33.620 --> 00:04:36.300 Perhaps the presence of caring and supportive friends, 00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:37.420 people to walk with you. 00:04:37.420 --> 00:04:38.439 That's a good thing. 00:04:39.080 --> 00:04:42.360 Or maybe a strategy for overcoming the trial, 00:04:42.520 --> 00:04:44.759 a plan to eliminate the source of pain. 00:04:45.120 --> 00:04:46.080 Nothing wrong with that. 00:04:47.180 --> 00:04:48.160 If you're jobless, 00:04:48.220 --> 00:04:49.780 you need a good resume workshop maybe 00:04:49.780 --> 00:04:50.900 and a few practice interviews. 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:52.720 If your marriage is in trouble, 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:53.860 a good marriage counselor 00:04:53.860 --> 00:04:56.819 and some communication exercises to work on. 00:04:57.780 --> 00:04:59.720 Some sort of strategy in the midst of trial. 00:05:01.280 --> 00:05:02.120 Or, you know, on the other hand, 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:04.500 maybe the one thing you really want or really need 00:05:04.500 --> 00:05:06.699 is answers, right? 00:05:06.699 --> 00:05:08.000 Some sort of reason 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:10.300 why you're going through what you're going through 00:05:10.300 --> 00:05:11.819 or at least some potential reasons 00:05:11.819 --> 00:05:14.240 to help you understand why 00:05:14.240 --> 00:05:16.080 or what's really going on. 00:05:16.860 --> 00:05:20.319 And of course, all these are good things, right? 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:21.439 They're not bad in themselves. 00:05:22.220 --> 00:05:24.840 But our text today points us to something even greater. 00:05:26.400 --> 00:05:28.800 It points us to the most important thing 00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:29.939 for us to have 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:31.819 when we're in the midst of trial 00:05:31.819 --> 00:05:34.660 or about to undergo some sort of trial. 00:05:34.660 --> 00:05:37.640 And if I were to put it simply, 00:05:37.840 --> 00:05:41.120 what Revelation 1, 9 through 20 is telling us is this. 00:05:42.480 --> 00:05:43.800 What a suffering Christian, 00:05:43.939 --> 00:05:45.860 what a suffering church needs most 00:05:45.860 --> 00:05:49.940 is a renewed vision of the glory of Christ. 00:05:51.379 --> 00:05:52.820 When we're facing trials 00:05:52.820 --> 00:05:54.740 or when we're about to face trials, 00:05:55.300 --> 00:05:57.620 what we need more than anything else 00:05:57.620 --> 00:06:00.939 is a renewed vision of the glory of Christ. 00:06:02.220 --> 00:06:04.319 So let's take some time to unpack that. 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:07.300 The first thing we see in our passage 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:08.600 in verses 9 through 11 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:12.600 is we see the fact that Christians indeed suffer. 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:15.959 They face trials or problems or persecutions. 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:18.079 They experience distress and loss. 00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:19.639 Look again at verse 9. 00:06:20.300 --> 00:06:22.259 I, John, that is the Apostle John, 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:23.000 he says, 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:24.420 your brother and partner, 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:26.000 that is someone who shares deeply 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:27.240 in something together with you, 00:06:27.300 --> 00:06:27.899 your partner. 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:28.759 In what? 00:06:28.839 --> 00:06:30.920 In the tribulation and the kingdom 00:06:30.920 --> 00:06:32.819 and the patient endurance 00:06:32.819 --> 00:06:33.959 that are in Jesus. 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:37.560 Look at those last three concepts, 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:42.139 tribulation, kingdom, endurance in Jesus. 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:46.459 This is how John is summarizing the Christian life. 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:48.759 First, tribulation. 00:06:48.920 --> 00:06:51.740 That word means suffering, distress, intense hardship. 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:53.100 As a follower of Jesus, 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:54.680 there will be trial and hardship 00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:57.420 and often on account of being a follower of Jesus. 00:06:57.519 --> 00:06:58.480 Look at the rest of verse 9. 00:06:58.560 --> 00:06:58.780 He says, 00:06:58.860 --> 00:07:00.600 I was on the island called Patmos 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:01.740 on account of the word of God 00:07:01.740 --> 00:07:02.840 and the testimony of Jesus. 00:07:03.660 --> 00:07:06.199 Because John had been faithfully following Jesus, 00:07:06.420 --> 00:07:07.939 bearing witness to God's word, 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:11.240 bearing witness to all that was true about Jesus, 00:07:11.379 --> 00:07:13.220 the testimony about Jesus, 00:07:13.340 --> 00:07:14.960 he was exiled and in prison 00:07:14.960 --> 00:07:17.199 on the island called Patmos. 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:19.180 Now, Patmos is a tiny little island 00:07:19.180 --> 00:07:21.240 off the western coast of modern-day Turkey. 00:07:21.740 --> 00:07:24.000 And at the time, in John's day, 00:07:24.060 --> 00:07:26.900 it was used as a Roman penal settlement. 00:07:27.220 --> 00:07:29.819 It was a place where they put people 00:07:29.819 --> 00:07:32.259 who were dangerous to the good order of the empire. 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:33.660 They shipped them off 00:07:33.660 --> 00:07:36.280 to spend the rest of their days in exile on Patmos. 00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:37.319 It was a prison colony. 00:07:40.420 --> 00:07:43.060 Now, we today may not experience exactly the same thing, 00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:45.300 but notice that John says, 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:50.439 I'm your brother and partner in this tribulation in Jesus. 00:07:51.879 --> 00:07:53.759 He writes to these churches saying, 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:55.340 this trial, this hardship, 00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:56.780 it's expected, 00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:59.259 and we share in it together. 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:02.939 After all, do you remember what Jesus himself said 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:04.639 in the Gospel of John? 00:08:05.259 --> 00:08:06.439 He says, in this world, 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:08.639 you will have tribulation. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:11.459 It's the same word that John uses again here in Revelation. 00:08:14.219 --> 00:08:16.120 But John doesn't summarize the Christian life 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:17.979 as only suffering, right? 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:19.139 As only tribulation. 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:20.259 He says in Jesus, 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:22.240 we also share in the kingdom 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:24.800 that is the reign of God, 00:08:24.899 --> 00:08:27.719 the in-breaking, liberating rule 00:08:27.719 --> 00:08:30.539 of the triune creator and redeemer. 00:08:31.539 --> 00:08:35.439 The tribulation and the kingdom in Jesus. 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:39.020 Now, there's a balance here, isn't there? 00:08:40.560 --> 00:08:43.280 Christianity isn't just tribulation. 00:08:43.700 --> 00:08:45.280 You know, if that was the only thing we thought 00:08:45.280 --> 00:08:46.540 about following Christ, 00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:48.400 that would be pretty defeatist 00:08:48.400 --> 00:08:50.080 or pessimistic or despairing. 00:08:51.020 --> 00:08:53.380 But it isn't just the kingdom, right? 00:08:53.420 --> 00:08:54.980 That would be pretty triumphalistic. 00:08:55.640 --> 00:08:56.700 No, it's both. 00:08:57.360 --> 00:08:58.620 It's about God's kingdom 00:08:58.620 --> 00:09:00.720 that progresses even through tribulation. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:02.920 And it's about tribulation 00:09:02.920 --> 00:09:04.560 that will one day be swallowed up 00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:05.979 and healed by God's kingdom. 00:09:06.299 --> 00:09:06.779 It's both. 00:09:09.939 --> 00:09:12.019 So what we see in this first paragraph of our text 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:13.759 is that all Christians will experience 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:16.799 both the kingdom and trial. 00:09:17.659 --> 00:09:19.579 At some point in our walk with Jesus, 00:09:19.579 --> 00:09:21.599 we will face trial and suffering and hardship. 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:25.179 That doesn't overthrow all the joys and blessings 00:09:25.179 --> 00:09:26.759 of knowing God in Christ, the kingdom, 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:28.159 but we can expect it. 00:09:30.219 --> 00:09:32.599 Now, some of us don't need to be reminded of this fact. 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:35.940 Maybe you've experienced all sorts of hardships 00:09:35.940 --> 00:09:38.740 in this life, physical, emotional, relational, spiritual. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:42.360 Maybe you've been ridiculed for your faith in Christ. 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:43.580 Some Christians in the world today 00:09:43.580 --> 00:09:45.659 are being physically harmed and put to death 00:09:45.659 --> 00:09:47.740 for their testimony to Christ, 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:48.899 as John puts it here. 00:09:51.420 --> 00:09:54.100 But even so, I do think many of us are surprised 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:55.259 when hardships come. 00:09:56.100 --> 00:09:57.779 We may think for one reason or another 00:09:57.779 --> 00:09:59.840 that we're entitled to a pain-free life 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:01.780 or that being a follower of Jesus 00:10:01.780 --> 00:10:03.840 should somehow get us out of it. 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:07.080 Now, don't get me wrong. 00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:09.740 Following Jesus will save you 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:11.519 a whole lot of heartache. 00:10:12.280 --> 00:10:14.860 To listen to Him, to know Him, to follow Him, 00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:16.759 that sort of life is full of joy. 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:18.720 It is full of what John calls the kingdom. 00:10:19.920 --> 00:10:21.879 But it also means suffering at times, 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:23.680 and we must not be surprised. 00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:27.000 Peter wrote in his first letter, 00:10:27.079 --> 00:10:30.179 the Apostle Peter in the book of 1 Peter says, 00:10:30.279 --> 00:10:32.919 Beloved, don't be surprised at the fiery trial 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:34.899 when it comes upon you to test you, 00:10:35.239 --> 00:10:37.799 as though something strange were happening to you. 00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:41.719 So friend, I wonder, 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:43.779 are you experiencing a fiery trial today? 00:10:44.859 --> 00:10:47.399 And are you uncertain how you will stand 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:48.579 in the face of it? 00:10:48.580 --> 00:10:52.200 Jesus told John to send this book off 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:54.060 to seven churches in Asia Minor. 00:10:54.520 --> 00:10:55.780 That's Western Turkey, 00:10:56.080 --> 00:10:58.160 and they're listed there in verse 11. 00:10:58.280 --> 00:10:59.720 In fact, they're listed in the order 00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:02.220 that the kind of main road would take you 00:11:02.220 --> 00:11:04.060 if you were delivering a letter like that. 00:11:04.139 --> 00:11:06.400 First, you would land at Ephesus on the coast, 00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:07.860 and then you would go up to Smyrna, 00:11:07.920 --> 00:11:09.740 and then you would start to kind of circle around 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:11.440 to the rest of those cities. 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:14.700 And those churches, as we know, 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:15.660 and as you'll find out 00:11:15.660 --> 00:11:17.500 when you read chapters 2 and 3, 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:20.580 were about to undergo persecution and suffering. 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:23.159 Some of them had already started to experience it. 00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:26.740 Rome was about to become more aggressive 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:28.279 in the years to come. 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:30.919 The emperor was beginning to demand 00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:32.559 not just respect, but worship. 00:11:34.460 --> 00:11:36.379 And following Jesus was about to be 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:37.700 more costly than ever. 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:41.320 And as you read through the seven letters 00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:42.580 in chapters 2 and 3, 00:11:42.740 --> 00:11:43.980 you see what they're up against. 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:46.379 Not just physical harm from unjust rulers, 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:48.659 but in the midst of that pressure, 00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:50.759 internal theological confusion, 00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:53.279 moral breakdown, 00:11:53.779 --> 00:11:55.639 even spiritual complacency. 00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:59.559 All things that threaten us 00:11:59.559 --> 00:12:00.799 as the church today. 00:12:03.179 --> 00:12:05.720 And John wants to call them and us 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:07.539 here to this third thing he lists. 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:10.919 He wants to call us to patient endurance. 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:15.219 That's what he lists and mentions in verse 9. 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:18.399 And notice how all three of these words 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:19.120 are strung together. 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:20.740 We participate in the kingdom 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:22.939 by virtue of our union with Christ, right? 00:12:23.599 --> 00:12:26.120 We participate and we undergo tribulation 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.539 by virtue of our union with Christ. 00:12:27.599 --> 00:12:29.319 These things are in Christ. 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:33.919 But then we also have patient endurance. 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:34.679 Endurance. 00:12:35.419 --> 00:12:38.240 The patient endurance to remain faithful 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:42.899 comes also by virtue of our union with Christ. 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:48.479 Again, he says the tribulation and the kingdom 00:12:48.479 --> 00:12:49.979 and the patient endurance 00:12:49.979 --> 00:12:52.439 that are in Jesus. 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:55.339 And the rest of the chapter 00:12:55.339 --> 00:12:58.059 starts to give that to us. 00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:01.019 Where do we go to get this endurance 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:02.379 in the midst of trial? 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.860 Well, we see in the rest of the chapter 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:07.139 we get it from a vision 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:08.779 of the glory of Christ. 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:11.439 In verses 12 through 16 00:13:11.439 --> 00:13:13.759 we see the glory of the person of Christ. 00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:15.720 And then in verses 17 through 20 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:17.740 we see the glory of the work of Christ. 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:21.240 Now, if the word glory is a confusing one 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:22.500 or not very clear in your mind, 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:24.259 look at the description of Jesus 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:25.519 in verses 12 through 16. 00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:28.439 I admit it's a little strange at first, 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:28.860 isn't it? 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:29.379 You know? 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:31.500 White hair, 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:32.700 swords coming out of your mouth, 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:33.480 all that sort of stuff. 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:37.779 But John's trying to use finite human language 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:40.480 to capture something that exceeds our language. 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:43.340 As you look over this, 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:44.460 what are some of the themes 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:45.360 that you might catch? 00:13:45.439 --> 00:13:47.740 First, Jesus is radiant, right? 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:50.720 His face is shining like the sun. 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:52.360 His feet are like burnished bronze, 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:53.360 refined in a furnace. 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:55.120 His hair is gleaming white. 00:13:55.179 --> 00:13:56.200 His eyes are on fire. 00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:57.720 Even his clothes are resplendent. 00:13:57.720 --> 00:14:00.200 He's got a golden sash around his chest. 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:01.899 From head to toe, 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:03.600 Jesus is blazing and bright. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.040 This is the one who said, 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:06.840 I am the light of the world. 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:11.279 So first, the glory of Jesus here is his brilliance. 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:12.480 It's his beauty. 00:14:12.660 --> 00:14:13.580 It's his radiance. 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:17.639 But second, it's his power. 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:21.600 His voice is like the roar of many waters. 00:14:21.820 --> 00:14:24.680 His right hand is holding seven stars, 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:26.100 and we'll get to what that means in a minute. 00:14:26.940 --> 00:14:29.080 Out of his mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword. 00:14:29.160 --> 00:14:30.580 That's a striking image, isn't it? 00:14:31.040 --> 00:14:31.800 It's as if to say, 00:14:32.020 --> 00:14:33.520 here is one so powerful 00:14:33.520 --> 00:14:37.180 that his mere word is penetrating and effectual. 00:14:37.280 --> 00:14:38.960 What he says happens. 00:14:39.060 --> 00:14:40.580 What he says goes. 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:44.280 The judgment that he renders is always true. 00:14:45.400 --> 00:14:47.580 He doesn't just declare verdicts, 00:14:48.300 --> 00:14:50.580 but his voice creates and recreates. 00:14:53.040 --> 00:14:54.860 It's roaring like waters 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:56.700 and cutting the air like a trumpet, 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:58.700 as John said in verse 10. 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:02.160 So the vision of Jesus here, 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:02.980 his glory, 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:05.840 is one of intense beauty 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:08.560 and one of perfect power. 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:13.139 When do we ever catch a glimpse 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:16.719 of beauty and power combined? 00:15:17.819 --> 00:15:18.959 You know, in this life, 00:15:19.019 --> 00:15:21.159 we often only behold one or the other. 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:22.919 In this life, 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:25.439 beautiful things are often fragile, aren't they? 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:27.019 You know, flowers wither, 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:29.059 sunsets quickly disappear, 00:15:29.839 --> 00:15:32.259 and powerful things are often, 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:35.759 well, not very beautiful, right? 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:37.460 I remember years ago watching 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:40.600 the world's strongest man contest. 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.259 Do you remember those? 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:41.740 You know, 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.120 they were pretty awesome. 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:43.439 You know, 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:45.740 these dudes with names like Lars and Dietrich 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:48.000 would like pull cars and throw logs 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:51.399 and do all sorts of crazy feats of brute strength. 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:53.519 But you know, 00:15:53.559 --> 00:15:54.759 I wouldn't necessarily say 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:56.439 that those guys were the picture of beauty, 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:58.200 you know, right? 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:01.519 But here in Jesus Christ, 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:02.939 we see both. 00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:05.279 Ravishing beauty 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:07.279 and unparalleled strength. 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:11.460 As John reaches for metaphors 00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:13.360 to capture what the risen, 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.980 ascended Jesus is like, 00:16:15.059 --> 00:16:16.699 he often turns to nature, 00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:17.980 its hair like wool, 00:16:18.079 --> 00:16:18.919 like snow, 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:21.579 like a snowstorm covering the earth 00:16:21.579 --> 00:16:22.500 in layers of white. 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:23.879 There's power and beauty. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:27.259 His voice like the roar of many waters. 00:16:28.199 --> 00:16:30.240 The ocean is vast and limitless. 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:32.220 As the waves pound the shore, 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:34.279 there's power and beauty. 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:38.740 His face like the sun shining in full strength. 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:39.340 The sun, 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:40.039 the stars, 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:40.519 again, 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.860 beauty and power. 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:47.240 But in describing the risen and ascended Jesus, 00:16:47.460 --> 00:16:49.220 John isn't just finding pictures from nature. 00:16:50.060 --> 00:16:50.299 You know, 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:50.860 he's also, 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:51.779 and more importantly, 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:54.100 pulling images from the Old Testament. 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:55.500 You know, 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:57.580 these various images describing 00:16:57.580 --> 00:17:00.000 the glorious Christ 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:02.080 come from places like Daniel 7 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:03.639 and Daniel 10 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.700 and Isaiah 60 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.759 and Ezekiel 1. 00:17:07.100 --> 00:17:07.460 In fact, 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:10.319 Jesus appearing like a son of man 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.759 is a direct allusion 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:13.039 to Daniel chapter 7. 00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:15.019 And listen to that passage. 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.140 Daniel 7, 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:17.240 13 and 14. 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:18.880 Prophet Daniel says, 00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:46.660 That's Daniel 7. 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:50.220 And what John is saying here 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.180 in Revelation, 00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:54.160 what Jesus is revealing himself, 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:56.980 as Jesus is revealing himself to John, 00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:58.720 is to say, 00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:00.440 I am that son of man. 00:18:02.600 --> 00:18:04.120 Jesus ascended to the Father, 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.060 the Ancient of Days, 00:18:05.560 --> 00:18:07.019 and the Father has given him 00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:07.980 an everlasting kingdom 00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:09.220 that will never pass away. 00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:10.740 And it will be a kingdom 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:11.460 for all peoples, 00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:11.880 nations, 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:12.440 and languages, 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:14.340 and it will never be destroyed. 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:16.339 Now, 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.059 how, 00:18:19.159 --> 00:18:19.939 how then, 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:21.859 does this vision 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:22.659 of the glory 00:18:22.659 --> 00:18:24.079 of Christ's person 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:26.599 help us endure in trials? 00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:29.299 Well, 00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:30.500 it's because this Jesus, 00:18:30.699 --> 00:18:32.139 this one who is the sum 00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:32.679 and source 00:18:32.679 --> 00:18:33.659 of beauty and strength, 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.459 this one who fulfills 00:18:35.459 --> 00:18:36.659 the Old Testament longing 00:18:36.659 --> 00:18:37.480 for God himself 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.179 to come as king, 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:38.959 this one, 00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:40.359 friend, 00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:41.679 his kingdom will never end, 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:43.279 and it will never be destroyed. 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:46.460 No matter what is shaking you 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.240 right now, 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.079 it will not, 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.440 and it cannot, 00:18:51.639 --> 00:18:53.700 take the best away from you. 00:18:55.379 --> 00:18:57.039 If you belong to Christ, 00:18:57.139 --> 00:18:58.200 then you belong to the one 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.220 whose beauty and power 00:18:59.220 --> 00:18:59.899 cannot fade. 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.359 What you have in him, 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.720 no amount of suffering 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.399 can steal. 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.579 What you have in him, 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:07.139 no hardship can diminish. 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:10.019 The vision of Jesus here, 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:11.819 this is Jesus right now, 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:13.379 at the Father's right hand, 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:14.799 living, 00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:15.379 ruling, 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:15.899 reigning, 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:16.639 coming again, 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.659 this is the one through faith 00:19:17.659 --> 00:19:19.200 that you are united to, 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:19.619 Christian. 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:23.200 So even if your health fails, 00:19:24.179 --> 00:19:25.659 even if your earthly dreams 00:19:25.659 --> 00:19:26.259 are shattered, 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.460 you have him. 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.240 Imagine a house 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:35.000 full of artwork, 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:38.039 but every single piece 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:39.220 of artwork in that house 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:40.160 is just a print. 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.299 It's a reproduction. 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.359 It's a poster, 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:43.900 except for one. 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:47.539 Upstairs in the spare bedroom, 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:50.119 there hangs a genuine Monet 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:52.160 worth millions, 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.579 beautiful to behold. 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:57.039 Now imagine that same house 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:58.000 one night is robbed. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.579 Every single piece 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.539 ripped from the walls 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.579 while the owner is away. 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.420 You know, 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.240 you can imagine the owner 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.740 coming home, 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.380 seeing the front door 00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:05.360 sort of swinging open, 00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:07.160 and in he goes, 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:09.520 seeing all of his pictures gone, 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:10.980 and his heart starts to beat, 00:20:11.020 --> 00:20:12.220 and he hurries through the rooms, 00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:13.580 and where is he going, right? 00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:14.520 He's going to the stairs. 00:20:14.600 --> 00:20:15.640 He's going up to the bedroom, 00:20:15.780 --> 00:20:16.940 and there he sees it 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.500 on the wall, 00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:18.500 in its place. 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:19.980 The Monet, 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:20.860 it's still there. 00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:22.360 They'd taken everything else, 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:24.460 but not the one of real worth, 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:26.460 not the one that had 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.660 real lasting value. 00:20:28.040 --> 00:20:28.680 That one, 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:29.820 he still had. 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:32.779 Friends, 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:34.000 it's the same with Christ. 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.439 It's the same with you 00:20:35.439 --> 00:20:36.200 and Christ. 00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:37.460 Every pleasure, 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:38.279 every good, 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:40.059 every joy we experience 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:40.659 in this life, 00:20:40.899 --> 00:20:41.519 the real, 00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:42.939 earthly created goods, 00:20:43.139 --> 00:20:44.240 at the same time, 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:45.599 they're just prints 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:46.559 and reproductions 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:47.439 pointing us to him, 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.619 the source of all good, 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:50.519 whose face shines like the sun. 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:52.159 And if we have him, 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.299 then we can lose nothing. 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:57.559 You know, 00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:58.539 some of those prints 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.079 in the house 00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:00.440 might have had some good 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.819 associations for the owner, 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:03.980 but he had the thing 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:06.279 that was of real worth. 00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:10.519 Now, 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.460 John doesn't just show us 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.899 the glory of Christ's person here. 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.720 He also shows us 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:15.079 the glory of Christ's work. 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:16.899 In verse 17, 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:18.539 John falls to the ground 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.819 as though dead, 00:21:20.919 --> 00:21:22.159 but Jesus reaches out 00:21:22.159 --> 00:21:22.879 his right hand 00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:24.280 puts it on John 00:21:24.280 --> 00:21:24.880 and says, 00:21:25.820 --> 00:21:26.460 fear not. 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.420 I am the first 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:30.100 and the last 00:21:30.100 --> 00:21:31.580 and the living one. 00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:33.300 I died 00:21:33.300 --> 00:21:34.420 and behold, 00:21:34.560 --> 00:21:35.540 I am alive 00:21:35.540 --> 00:21:36.680 forevermore 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:38.720 and I have the keys 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.420 of death 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.140 and Hades. 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.440 When Jesus, 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:44.360 the ever living one, 00:21:44.560 --> 00:21:45.140 died 00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:46.120 and rose again, 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.620 he conquered 00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:48.580 sin and death 00:21:48.580 --> 00:21:49.920 for all who believe. 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:51.600 And now 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:52.840 he holds the keys 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:53.939 of death and hell. 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.240 You see, 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:56.459 friends, 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.740 because Jesus died 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.559 and rose again, 00:21:58.659 --> 00:21:59.919 there's no suffering, 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:00.859 no death 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:01.539 that a Christian 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:02.659 will undergo in this life 00:22:02.659 --> 00:22:04.099 that will not be overcome 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:05.339 and turned for their good, 00:22:05.419 --> 00:22:06.279 either in this age 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.259 or in the age to come. 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:10.000 Jesus died on the cross 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.939 taking our worst, 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.959 taking our sin, 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.139 taking the punishment 00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:15.099 our sins deserve, 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.339 taking the hell 00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:17.079 and wrath 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:18.319 that was ours. 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:22.139 but in his resurrection, 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:24.220 what were we given 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.079 in exchange? 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.859 His righteousness, 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:27.879 his life, 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.939 his reward. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:31.259 Jesus takes our worst 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.279 down into death. 00:22:32.579 --> 00:22:33.200 He is the one 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:33.919 who died 00:22:33.919 --> 00:22:35.119 but he is the one 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:36.299 who lives again. 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:40.339 So whatever trial 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:41.179 we face here, 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:44.179 we know that with a Lord 00:22:44.179 --> 00:22:45.119 like this, 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:47.239 whatever trial we face, 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:49.119 it's not some mistake 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:50.019 in the plan. 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:51.619 No, 00:22:51.719 --> 00:22:52.599 God will ultimately 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:54.139 use all of our trials 00:22:54.139 --> 00:22:54.839 for our good 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:57.699 and he will make us 00:22:57.699 --> 00:22:58.379 more like Jesus 00:22:58.379 --> 00:22:58.979 through them. 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.679 Fear not, 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.339 Jesus says, 00:23:01.899 --> 00:23:03.059 I hold the keys 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:03.839 of death and Hades. 00:23:03.979 --> 00:23:04.659 I died 00:23:04.659 --> 00:23:05.059 and behold, 00:23:05.179 --> 00:23:06.579 I am alive forevermore. 00:23:07.699 --> 00:23:08.599 And notice that Jesus 00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:09.519 is here standing 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:11.119 among the lampstands 00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:12.859 and holding the stars 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.519 in his hands. 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.440 Now the lampstands, 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:15.079 John tells us, 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:16.319 Jesus tells John 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:16.900 in verse 20, 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:17.839 are what? 00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:18.539 They're the churches. 00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:20.759 Jesus is in the midst 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.660 of the church 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:25.059 and it says that the stars 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:25.920 are the angels 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.619 of the churches. 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.539 Now perhaps angels 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.259 there are just that, 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:29.220 angelic beings, 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:30.779 a representative part 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:31.740 of the heavenly host 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:33.059 with a special ministry 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.740 to the churches. 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:36.200 Or perhaps angels there 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:36.720 could mean 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.680 just messengers. 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:39.099 Angel literally 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:39.879 means a messenger. 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:41.539 Maybe it's the human messengers 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.859 of the churches themselves 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:43.699 but either way, 00:23:43.919 --> 00:23:45.079 isn't the picture the same? 00:23:45.899 --> 00:23:47.099 That Jesus is dwelling 00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:48.419 in the midst of his church. 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.319 He's present among them. 00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:52.000 He's active among them. 00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:53.699 He's here right now 00:23:53.699 --> 00:23:54.939 even if we don't see him. 00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.639 The living one 00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:57.899 dwells among his people. 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:01.679 He dwells amidst his people, 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.619 the ones he purchased 00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:03.459 with his own death 00:24:03.459 --> 00:24:04.359 and he's ever present 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:04.939 to lead, 00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:05.839 to guide, 00:24:05.939 --> 00:24:06.359 to teach, 00:24:06.479 --> 00:24:06.859 to warn, 00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:07.459 to protect. 00:24:10.459 --> 00:24:11.779 So this is what we need 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:12.799 in times of trial. 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:14.779 A fresh vision 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.899 of the glory of Christ. 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:19.199 When we see his person, 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:20.179 when we see his beauty 00:24:20.179 --> 00:24:21.099 and his strength, 00:24:21.459 --> 00:24:23.259 we realize that he 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.259 is our greatest good 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:26.479 and nothing can take him 00:24:26.479 --> 00:24:27.719 or his kingdom away from us. 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:30.099 And when we see his work, 00:24:30.199 --> 00:24:30.699 his death, 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.339 his resurrection, 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.539 his reign for us, 00:24:32.679 --> 00:24:34.259 we realize that every bad 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.679 will be turned for our good 00:24:35.679 --> 00:24:37.299 and we need not fear. 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:41.559 Now let me conclude then 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.680 with two applications. 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.079 One for those 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:45.419 who are not Christians 00:24:45.419 --> 00:24:46.519 and one for those who are. 00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:48.019 First, 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:49.460 we've been saying this morning 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:51.059 that those who believe in Jesus 00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:52.399 can face trial and suffering 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:53.599 with the utmost endurance 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:55.000 because of who Jesus is 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.879 and because of what he's done. 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:58.240 But friend, 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:58.740 don't you see, 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.740 if you're here today 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:01.839 and you've not placed 00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:02.799 your trust in Jesus, 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:04.200 then these things 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.659 are not true of you. 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:09.200 Without a saving relationship 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:10.119 with Christ, 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:11.119 the one who died 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:11.940 and rose again, 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.359 suffering actually 00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:15.819 will steal 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:17.220 your best in this life. 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.259 Your friends, 00:25:19.399 --> 00:25:19.940 your possession, 00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:21.059 your worldly status, 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.700 your health, 00:25:22.139 --> 00:25:23.019 none of these things 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:23.899 are immune from death 00:25:23.899 --> 00:25:24.399 and decay. 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:27.099 And the bad things 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:27.940 that happen to you, 00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:30.339 they will never ultimately 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:31.299 turn for your good. 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:35.259 apart from Christ, 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:36.039 your best days 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:39.119 will be forever behind you, 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:40.399 slipping further 00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:41.539 and further away. 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:44.539 And as you head forward, 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.299 you are destined 00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:46.319 for more loss 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:48.339 and more fear. 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:51.919 But the risen Lord Jesus 00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:54.659 says to you right now, 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:57.180 fear not and come to me. 00:25:58.759 --> 00:26:00.220 He's standing at the door 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:01.139 and he's knocking. 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:03.060 open to him 00:26:03.060 --> 00:26:04.240 and put your heart's trust 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.720 in him 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:07.220 and the one who holds 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.220 the keys of death 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.759 and Hades 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:10.620 will be your Lord 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:11.759 and your protector 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:13.300 from this point forward 00:26:13.300 --> 00:26:14.259 forevermore. 00:26:14.800 --> 00:26:15.440 And he will come 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:16.320 into your life 00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:18.120 and a little later 00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:18.600 in Revelation, 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:18.960 he'll say, 00:26:19.040 --> 00:26:20.140 I'll sit down with you 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:21.640 and I'll dine with you 00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:23.160 and I'll make you my own. 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:25.400 And then you can live 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:26.060 without fear. 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:30.519 And if you have done that, 00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:31.839 if you are a Christian, 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:34.440 then I want to encourage you 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:35.639 by way of application 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:38.480 to seek the means 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:40.980 of renewing this vision 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:42.419 of Jesus in glory. 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.579 Seek the means of renewing 00:26:44.579 --> 00:26:46.480 the sense of the glorious Christ 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.639 in your own mind and heart. 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:48.579 You know, 00:26:48.639 --> 00:26:49.659 you probably won't have 00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:50.759 an actual vision 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.940 like John had here, right? 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.480 That's okay. 00:26:53.360 --> 00:26:54.460 But what are the means 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.339 that God has given us 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:56.579 to make the truth about Jesus 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.900 more real to our hearts? 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.440 Well, first, 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:01.440 notice that John, 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:03.500 even in exile, 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.140 is worshiping 00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:05.860 on the Lord's Day. 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:09.079 Now, when John says 00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:10.000 the Lord's Day, 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:11.079 he's referring to Sunday. 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:12.259 This is one of the earliest 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.360 references to Sunday 00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:14.559 as a special day 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.160 for Christians, 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.480 as a day for worship. 00:27:16.620 --> 00:27:17.319 This is the day, 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:18.360 the Lord's Day, 00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:18.799 Sunday, 00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:20.740 when Jesus rose from the dead. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.539 This is the new day 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.400 of Christian worship, 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:26.160 no longer the seventh day 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.019 under the Old Covenant, 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.519 but now the first day 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.839 under the New Covenant, 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:32.180 the day when the God of Israel 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:34.039 inaugurated his worldwide reign 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:35.640 in the resurrection of Jesus, 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.819 the Messiah, the Christ. 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.920 And here is John 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:40.599 worshiping in the Spirit 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:42.400 on the Lord's Day. 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:46.339 Friends, by way of simple application, 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.880 that is an example for us. 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.839 What we do on Sundays 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:52.240 isn't some rote ritual. 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.639 It's not checking off 00:27:53.639 --> 00:27:54.959 a list of spiritual to-dos. 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:55.839 It's gathering 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:57.579 in the Spirit of God 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:59.379 to set our minds and hearts 00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.419 upon the One who died 00:28:00.419 --> 00:28:01.419 and rose again for us 00:28:01.419 --> 00:28:02.259 to bring us to God. 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.959 Regular rhythms 00:28:04.959 --> 00:28:05.899 of gathered worship 00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:06.699 are essential 00:28:06.699 --> 00:28:08.699 to keeping and renewing 00:28:08.699 --> 00:28:10.480 our vision of Jesus' glory. 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.079 You know, it's easy 00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:12.019 to drop off 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.639 coming to church on Sunday 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.679 when things get hard, 00:28:15.679 --> 00:28:18.240 but that's precisely the time 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:18.980 when we need it 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:20.360 more than ever. 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:23.279 Because in gathered worship, 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.660 Jesus is present 00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:25.839 in a special way, 00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:28.279 helping us to recapture 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.519 a vision of His glory. 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:33.539 But also consider 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.940 your times of private prayer. 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:36.940 And in your times 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:38.120 of private prayer, 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:38.720 brother, sister, 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.640 do you take time 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:40.799 not just to pray 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.799 all of your needs to God, 00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:42.620 though that is important 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:43.180 and good, 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:45.460 but you also take time 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.600 to actually set your heart 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:47.539 on God 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:49.100 and enjoy Him. 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:51.279 You know, 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:51.940 this practice 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:53.039 in our own private times 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:53.320 of prayer 00:28:53.320 --> 00:28:54.039 is another means 00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:55.220 of keeping our vision 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:56.759 of Jesus' glory 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.920 fresh and real 00:28:57.920 --> 00:28:58.480 to our hearts. 00:28:58.600 --> 00:28:59.920 Find a truth about God 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.440 or Christ 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:02.200 in your regular Scripture reading 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:03.799 and pause over it 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:05.840 and think over it 00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:07.799 and slow down 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:09.340 and worship God for it 00:29:09.340 --> 00:29:10.759 and enjoy God 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.640 for who He is. 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.460 By way of example, 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:16.019 think about Psalm 21. 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.559 Verse 1 of Psalm 21 reads, 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.420 O Lord, 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.259 in Your strength 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:20.460 the King rejoices. 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:21.900 Maybe you read 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:22.799 a passage like that 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.700 in your morning reading 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:25.039 or your evening reading. 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:26.700 And if you encounter 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.599 a line like that, 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.319 pause 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:30.400 to rejoice 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.759 in God's strength. 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:33.859 Think about the way 00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:35.160 He parted the Red Sea, 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.759 the way He stilled 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:38.700 the storm of Galilee, 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.980 the way He rose 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:41.339 and power from the dead, 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.599 and the way that He's worked 00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:43.960 mightily in your own life. 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.720 That's what it means 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.839 to meditate 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:49.039 on God's Word. 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.819 And the Holy Spirit 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.740 will use that 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.519 to refresh 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.599 and to renew 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:54.200 your vision 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:55.319 of Jesus' glory 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:56.799 and to give you 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.779 more of that endurance 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.839 that we have in Him. 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:01.920 Let me mention 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.819 just one more way 00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:03.860 that we can do this. 00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.279 What are the means 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:06.400 that God has given us 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:08.339 to renew our sense 00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:09.200 of Jesus' glory? 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:11.299 Well, one other mean 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:11.740 I'll mention, 00:30:11.860 --> 00:30:12.580 but there are more. 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.240 One other mean 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.180 is through the ordinances 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:15.240 or through the sacraments. 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:17.279 In the New Testament, 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.519 we see that Jesus gave us 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.759 two symbolic actions 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:21.059 to fuel our faith in Him, 00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:22.620 baptism and the Lord's Supper. 00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:24.140 And Jesus gave us 00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:24.819 these practices 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.620 in order to keep 00:30:25.620 --> 00:30:26.500 our minds and hearts 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:27.319 renewed 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.640 in the glory 00:30:28.640 --> 00:30:29.660 of what He's done for us. 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:31.000 Now, we know 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:31.660 that the Lord's Supper 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:33.180 is this ongoing act 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.920 for Christians, right? 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:34.580 Jesus told us 00:30:34.580 --> 00:30:36.000 to take two simple things, 00:30:36.100 --> 00:30:37.059 bread and a cup, 00:30:37.100 --> 00:30:37.559 and through those 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.659 simple elements 00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:40.059 we're taken into 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:40.919 the infinite depths 00:30:40.919 --> 00:30:41.480 of what He's done 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:42.399 for us on the cross. 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:44.019 We eat the bread 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:45.039 to remember His body 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:45.740 broken for us. 00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:46.879 We drink the cup 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:47.839 to remember His blood 00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:48.759 poured out for us. 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.240 And Jesus offers us 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:50.960 those things saying, 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:51.960 remember me, 00:30:52.139 --> 00:30:52.720 eat with me, 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.579 take what I've done 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.759 down into the depths of you 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.599 and let me comfort you 00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:56.279 and strengthen you 00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:57.039 and change you. 00:30:58.940 --> 00:30:59.559 The Lord's Supper 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.659 is that ongoing act 00:31:00.659 --> 00:31:01.339 for those who place 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.259 their faith in Christ. 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:04.680 baptism, on the other hand, 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.960 is a one-time act 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.799 for those who have 00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:08.460 placed their faith 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:08.960 in Christ. 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:11.160 We see in the New Testament 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:11.859 that after someone 00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:12.819 hears the gospel, 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:14.119 places their faith 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:14.619 in Christ, 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:16.019 they're then baptized, 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:18.279 they're immersed in water, 00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:19.180 they go down 00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:20.220 and back up again. 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.599 And this going down 00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:23.920 and coming back up again 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:26.200 symbolizes our union 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:27.619 with Christ by faith. 00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:29.980 After all, 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:30.740 it was Christ 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.440 on the cross 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.240 who went down 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:32.859 into the waters 00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:33.339 of judgment, 00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.859 down into the grave 00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:35.339 for us, 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:36.440 and on the third day 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:37.200 He rose again. 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:39.279 And when we are baptized 00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:40.440 in Jesus' name, 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:42.059 it's as if we are saying, 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.700 what Jesus did 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:45.839 is now the most true 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.960 and important thing 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:47.740 about me 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:49.200 and who I am. 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:52.019 As Paul says in Galatians, 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:53.660 I've been crucified 00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:54.259 with Christ. 00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:55.700 It's no longer I who live, 00:31:56.160 --> 00:31:57.480 but Christ who lives in me. 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:59.160 And the life I now live 00:31:59.160 --> 00:31:59.620 in the flesh, 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.460 I live by faith 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.200 in the Son of God 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:01.940 who loved me 00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:03.740 and gave Himself for me. 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:06.220 Baptism is that act 00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:08.279 of publicly proclaiming 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.680 this great truth 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.779 of our union with Christ 00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.380 by faith. 00:32:13.180 --> 00:32:13.900 So Christian, 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:15.079 today as you face trials, 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:16.660 as you face hardship, 00:32:18.579 --> 00:32:19.279 what this chapter 00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:19.720 of Revelation 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.519 is telling us 00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:21.559 is to look to the glory 00:32:21.559 --> 00:32:22.140 of Christ, 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:24.039 take hold of the means 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:24.860 to see Christ 00:32:24.860 --> 00:32:25.779 in all His glory. 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:25.839 glory. 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:28.799 There's an old hymn 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.639 that goes like this. 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:29.960 It says, 00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:30.579 O soul, 00:32:30.660 --> 00:32:31.299 are you weary 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:31.879 and troubled? 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:33.559 No light 00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:34.139 in the darkness 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.759 you see? 00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:36.899 There's a light 00:32:36.899 --> 00:32:37.500 for a look 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.099 at the Savior 00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:39.359 and life 00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:39.960 more abundant 00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:40.559 and free. 00:32:41.420 --> 00:32:42.559 Turn your eyes 00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:43.460 upon Jesus. 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.460 Look full 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:46.720 in His wonderful face 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:48.620 and the things 00:32:48.620 --> 00:32:49.079 of earth 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.900 will grow strangely dim 00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:52.440 in the light 00:32:52.440 --> 00:32:53.019 of His glory 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.579 and grace. 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.880 Let's pray. 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.279 Lord Jesus, 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:02.460 we confess 00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:03.000 that oftentimes 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.900 our thoughts of You 00:33:03.900 --> 00:33:04.940 are so small 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:07.160 and so diminished. 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.120 Jesus, 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:11.680 give us a fresh sense 00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:12.539 of who You've revealed 00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:13.240 Yourself to be 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.019 in this passage, 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:15.879 the One Mighty, 00:33:17.160 --> 00:33:18.559 the One Beautiful. 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:21.039 All Your judgments 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:21.879 are just. 00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:23.779 All Your ways 00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:24.519 are good. 00:33:25.379 --> 00:33:26.519 You are the prize 00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:27.599 above any. 00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:30.039 Oh, Lord, 00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:31.160 pull our hearts 00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:32.539 out from earthly things 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:33.700 and the small 00:33:33.700 --> 00:33:34.379 little cares 00:33:34.379 --> 00:33:35.000 and concerns 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:35.519 that we become 00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:36.799 so occupied with 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:38.000 and lift our gaze 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.720 to You again 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.460 so that we might 00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:40.240 worship You 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:42.559 and so that we 00:33:42.559 --> 00:33:43.460 might be strengthened 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:45.319 to run this race 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:45.860 with endurance. 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.220 We pray this 00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:48.700 in Your name. 00:33:48.840 --> 00:33:49.000 Amen.