WEBVTT 00:00:00.040 --> 00:00:03.879 Well, good morning, church. It's good to be back with you all. 00:00:05.139 --> 00:00:10.359 Thank you for your prayers for me and for Beth and our family while we were away on sabbatical. 00:00:11.120 --> 00:00:16.359 Our time was full of good rest and refreshment and good times of connection with one another and with God. 00:00:16.500 --> 00:00:20.260 So we're very grateful for your prayers and for your support of us. 00:00:21.140 --> 00:00:26.359 And we've been excited to hear, now that we're back, all that God has been up to over the past three months. 00:00:26.359 --> 00:00:32.859 As we've heard stories of new members joining and new services being pioneered, 00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:38.939 like the testimony service around Thanksgiving and new ministry opportunities being developed by the care team and others, 00:00:39.640 --> 00:00:44.060 it's just been a great reminder that the work of God's kingdom is His work. 00:00:44.840 --> 00:00:51.340 And that God has blessed this church with a great group of faithful elders and deacons and staff and ministry leaders and members. 00:00:51.340 --> 00:00:54.920 What a good reminder that the work of ministry is our work, right? 00:00:54.920 --> 00:00:57.620 Together, as members, every one of us. 00:00:58.380 --> 00:01:03.960 So it's been a real joy to hear all the stories of how God's been at work through you while we've been away. 00:01:04.240 --> 00:01:07.019 And I'm sure we'll hear more of them in the coming weeks. 00:01:07.219 --> 00:01:08.079 We look forward to that. 00:01:09.200 --> 00:01:12.240 Well, let me invite you to turn with me to the book of Revelation. 00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:16.680 We will be looking at page 968 in the Pew Bible. 00:01:17.439 --> 00:01:19.240 Go ahead and turn there with me. 00:01:19.240 --> 00:01:21.920 Revelation chapter 6. 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:25.200 We're going to walk through Revelation chapter 6 today. 00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:34.320 But before we walk through Revelation chapter 6, let me invite you to go on an imaginary walk with me. 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:38.420 Walk with me in your mind through an art gallery. 00:01:38.420 --> 00:01:47.820 And this wing of the art gallery, in this wing, the curators have gathered all their depictions of the crucifixion. 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:54.439 If you've walked through, say, the Yale Art Gallery on Chapel Street, you'll know that most art museums have multiple works on the cross. 00:01:55.400 --> 00:01:58.420 But now, take a look at those pieces with me. 00:01:59.960 --> 00:02:03.140 Imagine a piece by an unnamed medieval artist. 00:02:03.140 --> 00:02:07.500 It's very two-dimensional, and the faces are blank, almost forlorn. 00:02:09.419 --> 00:02:14.580 Now, take a look at a modern piece by Salvador Dali, the great surrealist. 00:02:14.659 --> 00:02:19.780 And you see Christ on a perfectly geometrical cross, almost soaring over the earth. 00:02:19.780 --> 00:02:25.840 Last, take a look at the 16th century piece by Grunewald. 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:34.479 And beside the wounded Christ, you can't help but see John the Baptist with his finger just pointing, pointing. 00:02:35.340 --> 00:02:38.159 Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:44.599 Now, each of these pieces is about the same thing, right? 00:02:44.639 --> 00:02:47.520 The same event in history, the death of Christ. 00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:52.340 But each one shows it from a unique perspective. 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:57.280 Each painting draws out something important and meaningful that the others don't. 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:07.180 And what I want to suggest this morning is that the book of Revelation functions very similarly. 00:03:07.180 --> 00:03:17.780 Starting in chapter 6, John is going to relay to us, his audience, a series of visions that God gives him. 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:22.640 Most of these visions are structured around the number 7. 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:27.480 Seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls, and so on. 00:03:27.479 --> 00:03:34.719 But each of these visions is giving us a portrait of the same thing. 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:44.239 They're telling the same story over and over again from a fresh angle, drawing out something new and important each time. 00:03:44.240 --> 00:03:55.620 And I'd like to suggest that the event or the story that each of these visions is telling in its own way is the story of the church age, 00:03:55.920 --> 00:03:59.540 up to and including the return of Christ. 00:03:59.539 --> 00:04:05.759 As we saw way back in chapter 1, this book of Revelation is about what's to come. 00:04:06.400 --> 00:04:13.419 What was to come from the first century when John was writing all the way to the return of Christ at the end of history? 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:18.300 What can the church expect as it lives through this age? 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:20.719 What will life be like as followers of Jesus? 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:24.039 And what will his glorious return mean for us in the world? 00:04:24.040 --> 00:04:29.939 Now, one clue that this is what's going on in the book of Revelation, 00:04:30.220 --> 00:04:33.939 that is that we have multiple visions, multiple perspectives of the same thing, 00:04:34.140 --> 00:04:39.820 is that as you read through Revelation, you start to realize that the return of Christ in glory to save and to judge 00:04:39.820 --> 00:04:42.080 is described multiple times. 00:04:42.980 --> 00:04:45.780 If you have a Bible open, you can kind of flip with me. 00:04:45.780 --> 00:04:49.820 In the vision of the seven seals in chapters 6 through 7, 00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:53.540 we see the return of Christ depicted and described. 00:04:54.040 --> 00:04:55.939 In chapter 6, verses 12 through 17. 00:04:57.319 --> 00:05:03.120 And then as we go into the vision of the seven trumpets in chapters 8 through 11, 00:05:04.020 --> 00:05:09.939 we see the return of Christ and his return in judgment described in chapter 11, verses 15 through 19. 00:05:12.520 --> 00:05:18.000 And then in the vision of the sort of seven symbolic figures that we have in chapters 12 through 14, 00:05:18.540 --> 00:05:23.100 we see the return of Christ described yet again in chapter 14, verses 14 through 20. 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:25.140 And so on and so on. 00:05:25.139 --> 00:05:29.519 So as we read these visions, we're asking, 00:05:30.519 --> 00:05:36.959 what does God want us to know about living faithfully in this age, 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:43.180 this last great age of redemptive history that we live in between Christ's first and second coming, 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:46.699 these last days, as the New Testament calls it? 00:05:46.699 --> 00:05:54.779 How do we live faithfully and in hope in this age as we look forward to the return of the Lord Jesus in glory? 00:05:54.779 --> 00:05:59.539 Now, perhaps you've heard different approaches to the book of Revelation. 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:05.359 As Matt mentioned, we're going to have a Sunday school class coming up where we kind of talk about different approaches 00:06:05.359 --> 00:06:08.719 and where, you know, we've kind of come up with this one. 00:06:08.819 --> 00:06:14.079 You know, this approach that will take a trinity over the next few months is one that many faithful Christians have taken throughout church history. 00:06:14.079 --> 00:06:16.800 So it's not just something we've kind of like made up because it seems nice. 00:06:18.039 --> 00:06:24.079 But if you're interested in learning more, you can come to Sunday school and we'll take a look at that starting on February 4th. 00:06:25.539 --> 00:06:30.180 But I hope that you'll see that as we walk through the rest of the book of Revelation, 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:33.360 no matter which interpretive approach you take, 00:06:34.299 --> 00:06:36.899 many of the spiritual lessons for us are the same today. 00:06:36.899 --> 00:06:42.060 God wants us to know what to expect as we follow him faithfully in this world. 00:06:43.139 --> 00:06:48.599 God wants us to know what spiritual dynamics are at work as we make this heavenly pilgrimage as his church. 00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:54.179 And God wants us to know what future he has in store for us and for all of creation. 00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:59.659 So let's pick up then in chapter 6 as the first of these visions begins. 00:06:59.659 --> 00:07:03.359 Now remember, John has just been swept up to see the heavenly throne room 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:09.920 and the scroll of God's plan to deliver and to judge and to bring about his kingdom once and for all was brought forth, 00:07:10.220 --> 00:07:12.080 but it was sealed with seven seals. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:19.080 And the only one worthy to open that scroll was the Lamb who was slain, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:20.780 He alone is worthy. 00:07:21.900 --> 00:07:27.139 And the Lord Jesus took the scroll in chapter 5 and all of heaven rejoiced. 00:07:28.280 --> 00:07:31.699 And then John shows us this in chapter 6, verse 1. 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:38.699 Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals. 00:07:39.620 --> 00:07:42.819 And I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, 00:07:43.180 --> 00:07:43.460 Come. 00:07:44.280 --> 00:07:46.639 And I looked and behold a white horse. 00:07:47.220 --> 00:07:50.520 And its rider had a bow and a crown was given to it. 00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:53.540 And he came out conquering and to conquer. 00:07:55.240 --> 00:07:58.540 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, 00:07:58.660 --> 00:07:58.939 Come. 00:07:59.699 --> 00:08:01.639 And out came another horse, bright red. 00:08:01.639 --> 00:08:07.060 And it said, its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth so that people would slay one another. 00:08:07.819 --> 00:08:09.459 And he was given a great sword. 00:08:09.459 --> 00:08:14.859 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, Come. 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:17.180 And I looked and behold a black horse. 00:08:17.919 --> 00:08:20.159 And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. 00:08:20.799 --> 00:08:24.519 And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures say, 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:26.679 A quart of wheat for a denarius. 00:08:27.219 --> 00:08:29.319 And three quarts of barley for a denarius. 00:08:29.719 --> 00:08:31.539 And do not harm the oil and wine. 00:08:31.540 --> 00:08:36.899 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, Come. 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:40.259 And I looked and behold a pale horse. 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:42.560 And its rider's name was Death. 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:44.420 And Hades followed him. 00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:51.680 And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence. 00:08:51.679 --> 00:08:53.819 And by wild beasts of the earth. 00:08:55.519 --> 00:09:03.699 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 00:09:04.299 --> 00:09:09.099 They cried out with a loud voice, O sovereign Lord, holy and true. 00:09:10.019 --> 00:09:16.759 How long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell in the earth? 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:25.939 And they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:29.399 who were to be killed as they themselves had been. 00:09:31.039 --> 00:09:34.860 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked and behold, there was a great earthquake. 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:38.299 And the sun became black as sackcloth. 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:40.500 And the full moon became like blood. 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:43.519 And the stars of the sky fell to the earth. 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:47.639 As the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 00:09:48.439 --> 00:09:51.659 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up. 00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:55.279 And every mountain and island was removed from its place. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:10:02.980 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful and everyone, 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:09.039 slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:11.919 calling to the mountains and rocks, 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:19.719 fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:23.360 For the great day of their wrath has come. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:26.099 And who can stand? 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:33.379 So as the Lord Jesus opens the seals, 00:10:34.199 --> 00:10:35.819 what do we see? 00:10:35.820 --> 00:10:40.180 Well, it's unsettling, isn't it? 00:10:41.580 --> 00:10:46.020 For what we see is the unfolding of God's wrath. 00:10:47.420 --> 00:10:54.580 That is, God's just anger against sin and evil and idolatry. 00:10:56.580 --> 00:11:02.980 Now for most of us, I'm guessing, the idea of a wrathful God makes us uncomfortable. 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:07.120 Isn't God a God of love, we say? 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:11.399 And yes, God is a God of love. 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:15.960 There is no part of God, no attribute of God, 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:20.800 that isn't saturated with his eternal, triune love. 00:11:22.940 --> 00:11:28.980 But imagine for a moment with me a God that wasn't also a God of wrath. 00:11:28.980 --> 00:11:39.000 What if God wasn't a God who stood firmly opposed to sin, to evil, to injustice, to idolatry? 00:11:39.779 --> 00:11:44.600 What sort of God would it be who didn't hate sin? 00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:54.240 What if God saw murder and racism and exploitation and was simply indifferent? 00:11:54.240 --> 00:12:00.700 That wouldn't be a God worthy of trust, would it? 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:02.220 Let alone worship. 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:07.620 In fact, that God wouldn't even be worthy of the name of love. 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:11.419 If you see your child being harmed or your friend being harmed, 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:13.919 you feel rightly angry and opposed to that, right? 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:14.840 You feel wrath. 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:15.779 You want it to end. 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:16.200 Why? 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:17.980 Because you love them. 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:23.539 No one would question in that moment if you were a loving parent or not, 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:25.220 if you were a loving friend or not. 00:12:25.300 --> 00:12:28.519 No, they would see your opposition to sin and evil. 00:12:28.800 --> 00:12:33.259 They would see it as the proper response of your love, right? 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:40.700 So it is, friends, with God, but to an infinite degree. 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:45.580 For God to be worthy of the name God, 00:12:46.040 --> 00:12:49.759 He must be a God who's rightly opposed to sin and to evil. 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:53.400 He must be a God, yes, of wrath. 00:12:55.800 --> 00:12:58.680 So it is unsettling, this picture. 00:12:59.660 --> 00:13:04.200 But it is God as God truly is and must be. 00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:11.400 Well, let's see then what this vision tells us about God's wrath. 00:13:12.280 --> 00:13:18.980 First, in verses 1 through 8, we're told that God's wrath is underway now. 00:13:20.060 --> 00:13:24.740 The first four seals pick up two threads of Old Testament imagery. 00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:29.379 The first is from Zechariah, chapters 1 and 6. 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:32.779 In chapter 1 of the prophet Zechariah, 00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:36.559 he sees a vision of four groups of horses of different color 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:39.620 commissioned by God to patrol the earth. 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.700 And in that Old Testament vision, 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:43.659 these patrols that go out, 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:47.600 these four different colored horses find that the world is at rest. 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:49.799 The world is comfortable, 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:54.240 even though these nations have trampled on God's people 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:56.639 and have despised God's name. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:59.720 Then in chapter 6 of Zechariah, 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:02.199 four chariots are sent forth, 00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:05.720 pulled by four teams, again, of horses of different color. 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:08.439 And presumably, those horses are sent forth 00:14:08.439 --> 00:14:10.159 as symbols of God's judgment. 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:13.840 So that's the first Old Testament thread 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:15.559 that we see here in the first four seals. 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:17.879 That's where John's picking up this theme 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:20.379 of different colored horses going forth. 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:23.279 And it tells us that these four seals, 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:28.039 these first four seals are expressions of God's judgment against the world. 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:32.000 Now, the second Old Testament thread we see 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:35.319 is at the end of verse 8 in Revelation 6. 00:14:36.079 --> 00:14:39.939 And there, John summarizes these first four seals. 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:42.240 He summarizes all first four of them like this. 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:42.579 He says, 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:55.180 Now, that list of terrible judgments, 00:14:55.800 --> 00:15:00.020 sword, famine, pestilence, wild beasts, 00:15:00.020 --> 00:15:05.300 that was the common way that the Old Testament would summarize 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:10.759 the terrible penalty for breaking God's covenant. 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:13.899 We see that in a number of places, 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:17.159 like Leviticus 26 or Ezekiel 14. 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:19.379 It's throughout the Old Testament. 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:22.319 Whenever it would speak of the consequences 00:15:22.319 --> 00:15:24.079 of breaking God's covenant, 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:26.500 these were the terrible things 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:28.979 that would come crashing down on God's people. 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:34.039 And what ultimately was it in the Old Testament 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:36.060 that broke the covenant with God? 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:37.879 What was the great thing 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:40.560 that broke the people's faith and allegiance with Him? 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:43.399 It was idolatry. 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:48.259 Worshiping a God other than the true God. 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:49.820 Turning away from God 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:52.000 to worship and serve a created thing. 00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:56.340 That was the ultimate breaking of the covenant with God. 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:59.879 So these two Old Testament threads suggest 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:02.500 that what these four horsemen represent 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:08.840 are the unfolding of worldwide judgment upon idolatry. 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:14.300 And friends, you don't have to be a scholar of history 00:16:14.300 --> 00:16:16.820 or a current events buff 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:20.300 to realize that these terrible consequences 00:16:20.300 --> 00:16:23.220 have been happening throughout the church age. 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:28.320 The second horse represents war and civil strife. 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:31.180 You know, just as Jesus said in Matthew 24, 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:35.320 there would be wars and rumors of wars the world over 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:36.920 as we awaited His return. 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:41.620 The third horse represents famine and inequity. 00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:44.480 Verse 6 mentions a denarius, 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:46.200 which was a typical day's wage 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:48.879 for a typical day laborer. 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:51.179 And a quart of wheat was just enough 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:52.779 for one person for one day. 00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:56.759 So a denarius for a quart of wheat 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:58.840 was basically just enough to get by 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:00.439 for one person for one day. 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:03.779 Three quarts of barley were sort of a cheaper grain, 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:06.900 but that was enough for kind of one family for one day. 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:09.200 So what's being described here 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:13.339 as this horseman symbolically holds scales in its hand 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:18.839 is that because of famine or exorbitant inflation or both, 00:17:19.159 --> 00:17:21.559 these verses are speaking of people being forced 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:25.059 to live at a level that's barely subsisting. 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:26.459 It's barely sustainable. 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:33.519 Sadly, this verse also mentions oil and wine. 00:17:34.179 --> 00:17:36.139 Now, oil and wine, unlike wheat or barley, 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:39.199 would have been products that only the rich could afford. 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:42.940 Most people didn't do oil and wine. 00:17:43.080 --> 00:17:44.160 They did wheat and barley. 00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:46.700 Only the rich could afford those things. 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:48.900 But notice, the rich aren't affected. 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:52.160 In other words, this is a description 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:55.000 of deep economic inequity. 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:58.500 The poor can barely survive. 00:17:59.340 --> 00:18:01.080 The rich seem unaffected. 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:04.960 Doesn't that sound like a lot of human history? 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:09.799 And the fourth horse, representing death, 00:18:09.840 --> 00:18:11.480 is sort of a pale color. 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:16.059 Probably, that word meant something like a pale green, 00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:17.460 like a sickly color. 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:22.079 And many think that this horse represents pestilence and plague. 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:26.220 But friends, notice that there's a bit of a progression here, 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:26.559 isn't there? 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:28.640 You know, warfare in the ancient world, 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:30.980 if there was war, if there was civil strife, 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:35.000 you know, that would often destroy a lot of the local environment. 00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:36.240 The crops would be destroyed. 00:18:36.360 --> 00:18:37.039 They would be burned. 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:38.740 They would be ravaged. 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:43.059 So war would lead to famine and inequity and inflation. 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:46.259 And then in that status of war and famine, 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:50.180 often that was sort of the breeding ground for disease and for death. 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:54.019 But where does this progression start? 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:58.779 It starts with the first horseman. 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:03.680 And the first horseman at first looks kind of promising, doesn't he? 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:06.619 He's riding a white horse. 00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:08.960 He's wearing a crown. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:11.039 He's holding a bow. 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:15.379 So promising does this first rider look 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:17.839 that some commentators on Revelation have wondered 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:21.259 if this might be a picture of Christ riding forth to triumph. 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:25.000 But friends, it's not so. 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.920 That is not what we have here. 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:30.160 All four judgments are from God and the Lamb, 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.619 but this one's the most telling. 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:35.759 You know, all of us seem to recoil at the thought of famine 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:37.759 and war and disease and death. 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:41.240 But this first rider promises to conquer. 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:46.740 He promises to come and end all our earthly problems, 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:48.880 to win our battles, 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:51.420 to help our side triumph. 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:55.680 But what comes in his wake? 00:19:57.319 --> 00:20:01.720 War and famine and disease and death. 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:07.299 When the lust for power and control, 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:12.359 when the desire to conquer drives us, 00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:16.339 then we find that sooner or later, 00:20:16.479 --> 00:20:19.599 the rest of these disasters follow in its wake. 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:23.459 Strife, inequity, and death. 00:20:26.159 --> 00:20:28.740 And the terrible thing about the first seal, 00:20:28.899 --> 00:20:30.379 this first horseman, 00:20:31.379 --> 00:20:33.819 friends, is this spiritual reality. 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:38.119 Most often in this life, 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:43.220 God's just wrath against sin and idolatry 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:47.319 is expressed by God giving us over 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:50.339 to the very thing we want. 00:20:53.659 --> 00:20:55.460 We see this in Romans 1. 00:20:56.419 --> 00:20:59.000 How is God's wrath being revealed from heaven 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:00.079 at the present time? 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:02.939 The Apostle Paul says that because 00:21:02.939 --> 00:21:05.139 we've exchanged the worship of God 00:21:05.139 --> 00:21:06.279 for a created thing, 00:21:06.899 --> 00:21:08.220 God's wrath is being expressed 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:11.059 by giving us over to the very thing 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.460 we say we want. 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:17.159 He lets us go. 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:21.879 And that's exactly what we see here 00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:23.460 in Revelation 6, 1 through 8. 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:26.139 As humans, we want to conquer. 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.779 We want to end all our problems 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:30.660 through power and victory. 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:32.519 We want to see our side win. 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:35.440 So we exalt leaders or programs or policies 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:37.359 that will serve that conquering end. 00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:38.759 But what's the result? 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:42.660 War and famine and death. 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:50.059 Now why does God hand us over in this way? 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:54.039 Why does God give us what we want 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:56.420 when the consequences are so terrible? 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:01.319 Why does He allow us to experience 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.279 all these things? 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:06.000 Well, there are a number of things 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:07.420 the Bible has to say about that. 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:10.960 But one reason God in His justice 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:12.659 allows us to experience 00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:15.799 the consequences of our own idolatry at times 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:18.240 is so that we might lose 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:21.700 our confidence in those false saviors 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:24.279 and turn to Him in repentance. 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:30.500 And notice that the effects 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:32.279 of these first four seals 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:34.700 are divinely limited. 00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:37.120 They were given authority 00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:39.460 over a fourth of the earth, 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.460 verse 8 says. 00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:42.900 Only a fourth. 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:47.300 God in His kindness 00:22:47.300 --> 00:22:50.140 limits what human idolatry 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:52.019 and the lust for power and wealth 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:54.320 would wreck upon His creation. 00:22:55.100 --> 00:22:58.600 He limits it to only one-fourth the effect. 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:03.220 Imagine if it were otherwise. 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:06.319 Can you imagine a world 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:08.839 with a 75% increase 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:10.360 in famine 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:12.240 and in inequity 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.519 and in disease 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.500 and death? 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:21.940 Only God's undeserved kindness 00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:23.660 keeps this world 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:24.480 from falling 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:26.720 into utter horror. 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:31.680 And His kindness, friends, 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:34.160 is meant to lead us 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.420 to repentance. 00:23:39.120 --> 00:23:40.000 The rich, 00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:40.940 the powerful, 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:41.980 the boastful, 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:43.259 the ones who ride forth 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:44.640 conquering and to conquer, 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:45.940 they look shiny 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:46.819 and promising 00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:48.000 and full of hope. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:49.819 And a dark part of our hearts 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:51.559 might even want to be like them 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:52.339 and join them 00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:53.799 in their seeming triumph, 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:56.000 whether it's social triumph 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:57.099 or economic triumph 00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:58.359 or political triumph. 00:23:58.660 --> 00:23:59.019 But friend, 00:23:59.079 --> 00:24:00.839 there's no life 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:02.160 to be found there. 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:06.019 The only real life 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.940 to be found 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:08.759 is not in the path 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:10.640 of the conquering ones, 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:12.619 but in the path 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:13.900 of the crucified one 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:17.880 who came not to be served, 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:18.980 but to serve 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:20.400 and to give His life 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:21.720 as a ransom for many. 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.380 Jesus said, 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:24.980 it's only those 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:26.019 who lose their life 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.839 who will find it. 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:30.900 So, church, 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.779 let me ask this. 00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:34.140 Are you tempted 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:35.779 to chase 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:37.400 after the world's power 00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:38.720 and the glitz 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.539 and the glam 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.360 and the promises 00:24:40.360 --> 00:24:41.019 of wealth 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.759 and power 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.380 of ease 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:43.140 and security? 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:46.380 I know at times I am. 00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:50.519 But what if 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:53.680 God gave you what you wanted? 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:57.680 At the end of the day, 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.519 would it be life 00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.720 or would it be death? 00:25:02.839 --> 00:25:04.500 The Christians of John's day 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.379 would have been tempted, 00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:06.119 I think, 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:07.619 to look at the Roman Empire 00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:09.660 and believe the lie 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:11.200 that the Roman Emperor 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:11.839 and Empire 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:12.619 was the one 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:13.900 who could secure 00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:15.079 lasting peace 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.759 and prosperity. 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.379 They'd be so tempted 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:18.200 to feel that allegiance 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.760 to Rome 00:25:18.760 --> 00:25:19.840 with all its apparent 00:25:19.840 --> 00:25:21.360 power and wealth 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:22.220 would lead 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.300 to an eternal day 00:25:23.300 --> 00:25:24.340 for all of humanity. 00:25:26.520 --> 00:25:27.140 But friends, 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.060 that was a lie. 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.920 And John was trying 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:32.540 to wake them up 00:25:32.540 --> 00:25:33.560 with this passage 00:25:33.560 --> 00:25:35.260 to not believe it. 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.980 There was only one 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:39.880 worthy of our affections 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.520 and our allegiance. 00:25:40.520 --> 00:25:41.900 There's only one, 00:25:42.860 --> 00:25:43.680 the Lord Jesus. 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:47.060 And these first four seals 00:25:47.060 --> 00:25:48.600 show us a vivid picture 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:50.840 of God's wrath unfolding 00:25:50.840 --> 00:25:52.080 as human idolatry 00:25:52.080 --> 00:25:53.039 leads us to ruin. 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.480 And they warn us 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.799 to turn to God 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.539 from idols 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:58.720 and serve the Lord Jesus. 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:04.320 Now, turning to the fifth seal, 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.440 John's vision takes us 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:07.200 from earth 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.360 back to heaven, 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.640 back up to the throne room. 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.279 In the midst of all this 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:12.400 political, economic, 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.539 and social strife, 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:14.180 brought about 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:15.460 by God handing us over 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.460 to our idolatry, 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:18.379 we see the kind of next step 00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:19.539 of John's vision here 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.240 and the second point 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:20.879 I want to cover. 00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:22.899 We see in verses 6 through 11 00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:23.559 that in the midst 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:24.420 of all of this, 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.359 the church 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:28.700 is not promised 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:30.279 physical protection 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.399 from evil 00:26:31.399 --> 00:26:32.759 in this age. 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:36.339 We see there 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:36.940 in those verses 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:37.519 that Christians 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.539 are not immune 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:40.299 from the devastating effects 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:41.299 of war and famine 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:41.799 and disease 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.720 that run rampant 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.639 in a fallen world. 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.259 In fact, 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:45.980 more than not, 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:46.940 Christians become 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:48.700 the explicit target 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:51.119 of the world's 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:52.559 satanic lust 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.940 for conquering 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:55.379 violence. 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.359 You know, 00:26:57.399 --> 00:26:58.700 you can visit a site 00:26:58.700 --> 00:27:00.500 like Voice of the Martyrs 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.379 and see how this 00:27:01.379 --> 00:27:02.700 wasn't just a reality 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.980 in John's day 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:05.799 as Roman persecution 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:07.319 began to rise 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:07.980 against the church. 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.759 It's been a reality 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.660 in every era 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:10.160 of the church 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:10.700 and particularly 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.539 in our own. 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:13.079 You know, 00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:13.500 in the West, 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.360 we may not feel 00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:15.220 the full brunt 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:16.220 of this violence, 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.900 but our brothers 00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:18.519 and sisters 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:20.059 in the global church 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:20.259 do. 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.740 I just got an email 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.900 from Christianity Today 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:23.579 this week 00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:26.779 citing some statistics 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.400 from a study 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:28.019 that was done 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:29.480 in the last year 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.180 saying almost 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.360 5,000 Christians 00:27:31.360 --> 00:27:31.860 were killed 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:32.480 for their faith 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:33.039 last year 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:34.660 and almost 4,000 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.440 were abducted. 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:38.180 Nearly 15,000 churches 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:38.840 were attacked 00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:39.660 or closed 00:27:39.660 --> 00:27:41.420 and more than 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:43.960 295,000 Christians 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:45.019 were forcibly 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:46.120 displaced 00:27:46.120 --> 00:27:47.620 from their homes 00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:48.759 because of their faith. 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:51.360 That article 00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:52.519 goes on to say 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:57.279 just shocking statistics 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.680 about the number 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.700 of Christians globally 00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.500 that live 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:00.960 in areas 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.940 of heavy persecution. 00:28:03.320 --> 00:28:04.380 In some places 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:05.500 it's like 1 in 5. 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.840 So brothers and sisters, 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.840 let's not pretend 00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:13.180 that following Christ 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:14.480 is a ticket 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:16.260 to our best life now. 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:18.760 Especially if by best life 00:28:18.760 --> 00:28:19.220 you mean 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.460 being wealthy 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.020 and powerful 00:28:21.020 --> 00:28:22.300 and free of earthly cares. 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:24.460 Jesus promised us 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:25.040 the opposite. 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:26.900 In this world 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:27.980 you will have trouble, 00:28:28.080 --> 00:28:28.480 he said. 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.920 You will experience 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.800 sickness and trials 00:28:30.800 --> 00:28:31.860 and hardship and death. 00:28:33.100 --> 00:28:34.160 Take up your cross. 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:36.040 and follow me. 00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:39.540 You see friends, 00:28:39.600 --> 00:28:41.220 the world wants to conquer. 00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:44.980 But ours is the path 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:46.100 of the martyr. 00:28:48.340 --> 00:28:50.180 As we are united to Jesus, 00:28:50.320 --> 00:28:51.760 this is how we truly overcome. 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:53.440 We witness 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:55.120 through suffering. 00:28:56.120 --> 00:28:57.020 That's what the word 00:28:57.020 --> 00:28:58.100 martyr literally means. 00:28:58.260 --> 00:28:58.880 A witness. 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.880 One who testifies 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.640 to something 00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:03.260 so good 00:29:03.260 --> 00:29:05.780 that it's better 00:29:05.780 --> 00:29:06.700 than life itself. 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:09.880 And notice 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.560 that God says 00:29:10.560 --> 00:29:11.660 really surprisingly 00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:13.260 that this age 00:29:13.260 --> 00:29:14.100 won't end 00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:16.520 until the full number 00:29:16.520 --> 00:29:17.160 of martyrs 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:17.800 is complete. 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:20.180 God strikes us 00:29:20.180 --> 00:29:21.259 as very odd, 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:21.879 doesn't it? 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:24.319 We expect God 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:25.299 to avenge his people, 00:29:25.399 --> 00:29:26.099 to make the violence 00:29:26.099 --> 00:29:26.599 stop, 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.680 to rescue his church, 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.119 his beloved, 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.220 and bring her to safety. 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:29.919 And friends, 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:30.779 he will. 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:34.940 But until then, 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:36.220 there is a path 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:37.419 for us to walk, 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:40.220 to bear witness 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.960 through suffering, 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:43.680 to join our life 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.879 to the life of Christ, 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:45.880 and to walk the way 00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:46.460 of the cross 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.240 that he walked. 00:29:48.100 --> 00:29:49.140 To hold up 00:29:49.140 --> 00:29:49.840 to the world 00:29:49.840 --> 00:29:51.840 how worthy Jesus is 00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:52.880 by clinging to him, 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:54.220 by trusting in him, 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.780 by obeying him, 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:57.040 even if the world 00:29:57.040 --> 00:29:58.400 seeks to end our life. 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:01.940 You see, 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.360 the cross 00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:02.920 and the resurrection 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.520 of Jesus 00:30:03.520 --> 00:30:04.560 changes everything. 00:30:05.560 --> 00:30:06.840 If I am united 00:30:06.840 --> 00:30:07.640 to the crucified 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:08.680 and risen Jesus, 00:30:09.120 --> 00:30:09.740 then losing 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:11.120 this physical life 00:30:11.120 --> 00:30:12.360 doesn't steal 00:30:12.360 --> 00:30:13.220 the most important 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:14.080 and valuable thing 00:30:14.080 --> 00:30:14.840 I have. 00:30:14.880 --> 00:30:15.980 My life 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:16.680 is hid 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.360 with Christ 00:30:17.360 --> 00:30:18.140 and God. 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.140 He promises 00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:19.860 that you and I 00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:20.620 will share 00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:22.000 in his resurrection. 00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:23.860 Ultimately, 00:30:24.100 --> 00:30:24.260 friends, 00:30:24.320 --> 00:30:24.660 the world 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:25.660 doesn't hold 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.380 the power 00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:27.260 of death 00:30:27.260 --> 00:30:28.280 and the grave. 00:30:29.260 --> 00:30:30.480 Though they try 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.620 to wield it, 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.440 they don't 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.280 hold 00:30:34.280 --> 00:30:35.160 the keys 00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:35.600 to it. 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:37.100 Do you remember 00:30:37.100 --> 00:30:37.500 the vision 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.840 in Revelation chapter 1? 00:30:39.840 --> 00:30:40.460 Who is it 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:40.920 that holds 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:41.600 the keys 00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:42.680 to death 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:43.620 and the grave? 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:45.900 It's the risen 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:47.360 Lord Jesus. 00:30:48.800 --> 00:30:49.940 And if we belong 00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:50.480 to him, 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:52.720 not even death 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:54.420 can separate us 00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:55.300 from the love 00:30:55.300 --> 00:30:55.840 of God 00:30:55.840 --> 00:30:57.220 in Christ Jesus 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.800 our Lord. 00:31:00.140 --> 00:31:01.140 And look what John 00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:02.000 sees in verses 9 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.500 through 11. 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:04.019 while the martyrs 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.779 await the final 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.359 resurrection 00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:06.319 and the new heavens 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:06.880 and new earth, 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.079 where are they? 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.759 They're under the altar, 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:10.380 John says, 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.740 right there where the incense 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.740 of the heavenly temple 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.839 rises with the prayers 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.460 of the saints. 00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:14.779 Again, 00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:15.460 John's using 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:17.039 heavily symbolic language 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:17.779 to describe 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:19.019 heavenly realities. 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:21.139 In other words, 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:21.599 these saints 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:22.480 are right there 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.440 in God's presence 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:24.859 and they're given 00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:25.720 a white robe. 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.319 A white robe 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:26.920 is a symbol 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:28.420 for Christ's righteousness 00:31:28.420 --> 00:31:29.400 that they have. 00:31:30.639 --> 00:31:31.740 That though the world 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.599 condemned them, 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.139 though the world 00:31:33.139 --> 00:31:33.819 hated them 00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:34.779 and clothed them 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.559 in black, 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:39.299 God overturns 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.420 the world's full verdict 00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:41.220 and they're clothed 00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:41.740 in white, 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:43.180 pure and without spot. 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:45.480 And notice 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.139 what they pray. 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.660 They pray, 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:47.759 O sovereign Lord, 00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:48.600 holy and true, 00:31:49.060 --> 00:31:50.019 how long before 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.900 you will judge 00:31:50.900 --> 00:31:52.940 and avenge our blood 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:54.500 on those who dwell 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.040 in the earth? 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.900 They call out 00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:57.900 for God to come 00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:59.540 in perfect justice 00:31:59.540 --> 00:32:01.960 and make things right. 00:32:04.800 --> 00:32:05.279 Now, 00:32:05.380 --> 00:32:06.500 pause there 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.200 on their prayer 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.820 and consider, 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.279 friends. 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:09.860 You know, 00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:10.440 you read that prayer 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.240 for the first time 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.800 and at first 00:32:12.800 --> 00:32:13.740 it sounds harsh, 00:32:13.820 --> 00:32:14.019 right? 00:32:14.060 --> 00:32:14.600 It sounds even 00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:15.620 pretty violent. 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:16.759 It sounds like 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.459 they're thirsting 00:32:17.459 --> 00:32:18.279 for revenge. 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:21.459 But that's not 00:32:21.459 --> 00:32:22.019 actually what 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:22.779 they're saying. 00:32:23.719 --> 00:32:25.319 They aren't asking God, 00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:26.099 God, 00:32:26.179 --> 00:32:27.179 when will I get 00:32:27.179 --> 00:32:27.979 to go judge 00:32:27.979 --> 00:32:29.019 and get revenge? 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:30.799 No. 00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:32.559 They're entrusting 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:33.659 all judgment 00:32:33.659 --> 00:32:34.819 to God. 00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:35.959 God, 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.719 when will you 00:32:36.719 --> 00:32:37.279 judge 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:38.639 and avenge? 00:32:41.239 --> 00:32:41.959 Friends, 00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:42.839 if you believe 00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:43.819 in a God 00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:45.579 who really does 00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:46.599 oppose 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:47.839 sin and evil, 00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:49.359 if you believe 00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:49.700 in a God 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.240 of wrath 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:50.980 who will one day 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:51.679 judge with 00:32:51.679 --> 00:32:53.019 perfect judgment, 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.339 it actually 00:32:55.339 --> 00:32:56.799 releases you 00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:58.480 from the burden 00:32:58.480 --> 00:33:00.139 of having 00:33:00.139 --> 00:33:00.779 to get 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:01.720 your own 00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:02.480 revenge. 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.899 You know, 00:33:05.939 --> 00:33:06.879 sometimes we think, 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:07.379 we think, 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:07.639 man, 00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:09.119 how can you believe 00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:10.059 in a God of wrath 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.639 and live a life 00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:11.319 of peace? 00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:12.079 How can you 00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:13.099 forgive your enemies 00:33:13.099 --> 00:33:13.639 if you think 00:33:13.639 --> 00:33:14.059 that one day 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:14.799 God will judge 00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:15.240 everyone? 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.099 But friends, 00:33:18.139 --> 00:33:18.579 don't you see, 00:33:18.659 --> 00:33:19.839 that's the only way 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:21.379 that you can live 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.319 a life of real 00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:23.439 peace and forgiveness, 00:33:23.919 --> 00:33:25.339 especially if you've 00:33:25.339 --> 00:33:25.960 experienced 00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:27.159 real wrong. 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:30.519 If there's no God, 00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:31.779 if there's no 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.639 divine wrath, 00:33:32.679 --> 00:33:33.319 if there's no 00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:34.119 perfect justice 00:33:34.119 --> 00:33:34.740 to come, 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:36.279 then it's up to you 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:36.839 to judge 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.279 and to make 00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:37.939 things right. 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:40.259 you have to 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:41.160 balance the scales, 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.160 you have to 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:43.019 redress the wrong. 00:33:43.860 --> 00:33:44.440 But of course, 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:44.860 as humans, 00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:46.019 we can't possibly 00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:46.700 do that with 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.480 perfect justice. 00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:49.240 We always end up 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.120 paying back more, 00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:50.900 we always end up 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:52.299 exacting more pain, 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:53.100 thinking that that's 00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:53.620 going to finally 00:33:53.620 --> 00:33:54.440 stop the cycle 00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:55.080 of violence. 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.820 But it doesn't. 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.539 It does just 00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:58.259 the opposite. 00:33:58.460 --> 00:33:59.440 It increases it. 00:34:00.120 --> 00:34:01.160 And round and round 00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:01.700 it goes, 00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:02.840 hurting and being 00:34:02.840 --> 00:34:03.180 hurt, 00:34:03.620 --> 00:34:04.340 killing and being 00:34:04.340 --> 00:34:04.900 killed. 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:07.700 the only thing 00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:08.840 that can get 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.680 our hearts 00:34:09.680 --> 00:34:11.740 off the cycle 00:34:11.740 --> 00:34:12.680 of revenge 00:34:12.680 --> 00:34:16.220 is a full belief 00:34:16.220 --> 00:34:17.900 in the perfect 00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:18.780 justice of God 00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:19.240 to come. 00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:21.599 Friends, 00:34:21.720 --> 00:34:22.320 He will settle 00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:22.920 the scales. 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:24.619 We don't have to. 00:34:25.780 --> 00:34:26.440 He will see 00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:27.180 that every wrong 00:34:27.180 --> 00:34:27.900 is made right. 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:28.960 He will see 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:29.760 that every wound 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:30.340 is healed. 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:33.400 He will see 00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:33.940 that sins 00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:34.500 are forgiven. 00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:38.320 I know it 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:39.519 sounds counterintuitive, 00:34:40.200 --> 00:34:41.539 but it's the 00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:42.380 only real way. 00:34:43.380 --> 00:34:44.139 If you're going 00:34:44.139 --> 00:34:44.760 to live a life 00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:45.240 of peace 00:34:45.240 --> 00:34:45.940 in this world, 00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:47.539 you have to 00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:48.280 believe in a God 00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:49.280 of perfect justice. 00:34:50.220 --> 00:34:50.460 Yes, 00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.200 you have to 00:34:51.200 --> 00:34:52.480 believe in a 00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:53.320 God of wrath. 00:34:56.300 --> 00:34:56.980 And that's 00:34:56.980 --> 00:34:57.519 where our passage 00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:57.940 ends. 00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:00.220 In the first 00:35:00.220 --> 00:35:00.760 four seals, 00:35:00.860 --> 00:35:01.240 we see the 00:35:01.240 --> 00:35:01.860 outworking of 00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:02.440 God's wrath 00:35:02.440 --> 00:35:03.000 in this age 00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:03.780 as idolatry 00:35:03.780 --> 00:35:04.320 kind of takes 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:04.920 its effect. 00:35:05.700 --> 00:35:06.460 In the fifth seal, 00:35:06.540 --> 00:35:07.080 we see that the 00:35:07.080 --> 00:35:07.680 church is not 00:35:07.680 --> 00:35:08.360 protected from 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:09.300 evil in this age. 00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:10.920 And then the 00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:11.540 sixth seal, 00:35:11.660 --> 00:35:12.100 we see, 00:35:12.220 --> 00:35:12.960 third and last, 00:35:13.019 --> 00:35:13.680 that one day 00:35:13.680 --> 00:35:14.920 God's wrath 00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:15.740 will be poured 00:35:15.740 --> 00:35:17.160 out on rebellious 00:35:17.160 --> 00:35:18.000 humanity once 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:18.600 and for all. 00:35:20.180 --> 00:35:21.100 In verses 12 00:35:21.100 --> 00:35:21.700 through 14, 00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:22.620 John sees 00:35:22.620 --> 00:35:23.320 the created 00:35:23.320 --> 00:35:24.100 universe 00:35:24.100 --> 00:35:25.280 starting to 00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:26.740 come undone. 00:35:26.739 --> 00:35:27.739 earth. 00:35:27.739 --> 00:35:28.779 The earthquake 00:35:28.779 --> 00:35:29.619 is a common 00:35:29.619 --> 00:35:30.779 biblical image 00:35:30.779 --> 00:35:31.699 for the 00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:32.619 arrival of 00:35:32.619 --> 00:35:33.039 God. 00:35:34.079 --> 00:35:34.979 When God 00:35:34.979 --> 00:35:35.759 showed up 00:35:35.759 --> 00:35:36.699 on Mount Sinai, 00:35:36.799 --> 00:35:37.339 the earth 00:35:37.339 --> 00:35:38.000 shook. 00:35:39.939 --> 00:35:40.839 And when the 00:35:40.839 --> 00:35:42.179 Creator at last, 00:35:42.299 --> 00:35:42.859 once and for 00:35:42.859 --> 00:35:43.119 all, 00:35:43.339 --> 00:35:44.179 steps into 00:35:44.179 --> 00:35:45.059 His creation, 00:35:46.479 --> 00:35:47.059 it's as if 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:47.939 the seams 00:35:47.939 --> 00:35:49.139 of being 00:35:49.139 --> 00:35:50.079 begin to 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:50.619 crack. 00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:53.159 The holiness 00:35:53.159 --> 00:35:53.939 of God 00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.280 and the 00:35:54.280 --> 00:35:54.900 Lamb are 00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:56.579 so great, 00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:57.700 the weight 00:35:57.700 --> 00:35:58.280 of God's 00:35:58.280 --> 00:35:59.099 glory is 00:35:59.099 --> 00:36:00.420 so immense 00:36:00.420 --> 00:36:01.300 that the 00:36:01.300 --> 00:36:01.960 earth can 00:36:01.960 --> 00:36:02.579 no longer 00:36:02.579 --> 00:36:03.360 bear up. 00:36:05.300 --> 00:36:06.599 And everything 00:36:06.599 --> 00:36:07.179 that we've 00:36:07.179 --> 00:36:08.079 trusted in 00:36:08.079 --> 00:36:08.960 in this life, 00:36:09.639 --> 00:36:10.480 our status, 00:36:10.720 --> 00:36:11.300 our wealth, 00:36:11.420 --> 00:36:12.019 our power, 00:36:12.179 --> 00:36:12.700 our health, 00:36:12.820 --> 00:36:13.380 our jobs, 00:36:13.480 --> 00:36:14.000 our friends, 00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:15.360 everything that 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:16.039 we use to 00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:17.260 try to prop 00:36:17.260 --> 00:36:17.700 up our 00:36:17.700 --> 00:36:18.220 existence, 00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:18.980 to keep 00:36:18.980 --> 00:36:19.380 ourselves 00:36:19.380 --> 00:36:20.139 distracted, 00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:20.760 to think 00:36:20.760 --> 00:36:21.740 ourselves good, 00:36:22.200 --> 00:36:22.820 it all 00:36:22.820 --> 00:36:23.720 melts away. 00:36:23.940 --> 00:36:25.280 and the 00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:25.780 seams 00:36:25.780 --> 00:36:27.240 give way. 00:36:29.639 --> 00:36:30.420 Before the 00:36:30.420 --> 00:36:31.360 unbearable 00:36:31.360 --> 00:36:32.240 holiness of 00:36:32.240 --> 00:36:32.519 God, 00:36:32.639 --> 00:36:32.840 friends, 00:36:32.900 --> 00:36:33.539 none of that 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.099 will matter. 00:36:36.820 --> 00:36:37.700 And just as 00:36:37.700 --> 00:36:38.280 the creation 00:36:38.280 --> 00:36:39.220 will be undone, 00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:41.320 so will all 00:36:41.320 --> 00:36:41.960 of humanity. 00:36:43.519 --> 00:36:44.440 In verse 15, 00:36:44.559 --> 00:36:45.480 John lists 00:36:45.480 --> 00:36:46.659 seven types 00:36:46.659 --> 00:36:47.220 of people. 00:36:48.800 --> 00:36:49.400 Many of them 00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:50.280 are powerful 00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:50.940 and wealthy, 00:36:51.119 --> 00:36:51.619 but not all 00:36:51.619 --> 00:36:51.980 of them. 00:36:51.980 --> 00:36:52.480 seven, 00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:53.719 the judgment 00:36:53.719 --> 00:36:54.139 of God 00:36:54.139 --> 00:36:54.460 is the 00:36:54.460 --> 00:36:54.920 great 00:36:54.920 --> 00:36:56.000 leveler 00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:56.900 of humanity. 00:36:58.579 --> 00:36:59.179 Seven, 00:36:59.320 --> 00:36:59.579 of course, 00:36:59.619 --> 00:37:00.059 is a number 00:37:00.059 --> 00:37:00.740 symbolizing 00:37:00.740 --> 00:37:01.619 completeness 00:37:01.619 --> 00:37:03.679 and totality. 00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:06.139 John sees 00:37:06.139 --> 00:37:07.139 that everyone 00:37:07.139 --> 00:37:08.280 will stand 00:37:08.280 --> 00:37:08.860 before their 00:37:08.860 --> 00:37:09.320 creator 00:37:09.320 --> 00:37:10.099 on the last 00:37:10.099 --> 00:37:10.400 day, 00:37:11.400 --> 00:37:12.619 and no amount 00:37:12.619 --> 00:37:13.519 of power 00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:14.219 or prestige 00:37:14.219 --> 00:37:14.840 or wealth 00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:16.159 and no amount 00:37:16.159 --> 00:37:16.740 of religion 00:37:16.740 --> 00:37:17.699 or good works 00:37:17.699 --> 00:37:18.559 will matter. 00:37:21.639 --> 00:37:22.159 You know, 00:37:22.179 --> 00:37:22.460 it's funny, 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:23.419 sometimes in 00:37:23.419 --> 00:37:24.199 our cynicism 00:37:24.199 --> 00:37:24.879 we say, 00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:25.960 you know, 00:37:26.039 --> 00:37:26.599 if God wanted 00:37:26.599 --> 00:37:27.179 us to believe 00:37:27.179 --> 00:37:27.599 in Him, 00:37:27.699 --> 00:37:28.119 He could just 00:37:28.119 --> 00:37:28.679 show up 00:37:28.679 --> 00:37:29.219 and make it 00:37:29.219 --> 00:37:29.839 a little easier. 00:37:32.859 --> 00:37:33.579 But what if 00:37:33.579 --> 00:37:34.279 God did show 00:37:34.279 --> 00:37:34.539 up? 00:37:37.439 --> 00:37:38.259 What if the 00:37:38.259 --> 00:37:39.519 sovereign Lord, 00:37:40.019 --> 00:37:41.159 holy and true, 00:37:41.659 --> 00:37:43.419 did show up? 00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:46.579 in the presence 00:37:46.579 --> 00:37:47.119 of such 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:48.240 blinding 00:37:48.240 --> 00:37:49.300 holiness, 00:37:49.480 --> 00:37:50.200 do you know 00:37:50.200 --> 00:37:51.400 how we would 00:37:51.400 --> 00:37:52.619 experience God 00:37:52.619 --> 00:37:54.019 showing up? 00:37:55.300 --> 00:37:56.079 How would we 00:37:56.079 --> 00:37:56.559 as sinners 00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:57.180 who've lived 00:37:57.180 --> 00:37:57.700 our life, 00:37:58.340 --> 00:37:58.760 who've lived 00:37:58.760 --> 00:37:59.360 more of our 00:37:59.360 --> 00:38:00.159 life chasing 00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:01.280 idols than 00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:01.820 giving God 00:38:01.820 --> 00:38:02.240 the thanks 00:38:02.240 --> 00:38:02.619 and praise 00:38:02.619 --> 00:38:03.119 that He deserves, 00:38:03.300 --> 00:38:04.119 how would we 00:38:04.119 --> 00:38:05.500 experience just 00:38:05.500 --> 00:38:06.539 the very holiness 00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:07.579 of His presence? 00:38:09.519 --> 00:38:09.780 Friends, 00:38:09.840 --> 00:38:10.639 we would experience 00:38:10.639 --> 00:38:12.240 it as nothing 00:38:12.239 --> 00:38:13.719 but wrath. 00:38:18.159 --> 00:38:18.779 Have you ever 00:38:18.779 --> 00:38:19.579 walked outside 00:38:19.579 --> 00:38:20.500 from a dark 00:38:20.500 --> 00:38:21.059 room when the 00:38:21.059 --> 00:38:21.699 curtains are drawn, 00:38:21.799 --> 00:38:21.939 you know, 00:38:21.979 --> 00:38:22.399 you kind of 00:38:22.399 --> 00:38:23.639 step outside 00:38:23.639 --> 00:38:24.379 and come right 00:38:24.379 --> 00:38:25.059 into the sun? 00:38:26.259 --> 00:38:26.959 For a moment 00:38:26.959 --> 00:38:27.799 it's blinding, 00:38:27.839 --> 00:38:28.159 isn't it? 00:38:28.959 --> 00:38:29.839 The sun's just 00:38:29.839 --> 00:38:30.739 too bright for 00:38:30.739 --> 00:38:31.239 your eyes, 00:38:31.279 --> 00:38:31.500 right? 00:38:31.899 --> 00:38:32.759 Until they adjust. 00:38:36.699 --> 00:38:37.500 But what if 00:38:37.500 --> 00:38:38.219 not just your 00:38:38.219 --> 00:38:38.619 eyes, 00:38:38.699 --> 00:38:39.299 but your whole 00:38:39.299 --> 00:38:40.899 life was exposed 00:38:40.900 --> 00:38:42.400 to the God 00:38:42.400 --> 00:38:43.039 who made you? 00:38:44.300 --> 00:38:44.940 What if your 00:38:44.940 --> 00:38:45.740 heart was opened 00:38:45.740 --> 00:38:46.420 bare before 00:38:46.420 --> 00:38:47.059 the God 00:38:47.059 --> 00:38:48.160 who burns 00:38:48.160 --> 00:38:48.740 brighter than 00:38:48.740 --> 00:38:49.220 a thousand 00:38:49.220 --> 00:38:49.840 suns? 00:38:52.780 --> 00:38:53.480 Would we 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:54.420 all not cry 00:38:54.420 --> 00:38:55.220 out like those 00:38:55.220 --> 00:38:56.039 in verse 16 00:38:56.039 --> 00:38:56.760 and 17? 00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:58.039 Hide us. 00:38:59.340 --> 00:39:00.059 Hide us 00:39:00.059 --> 00:39:00.720 from the face 00:39:00.720 --> 00:39:01.160 of the one 00:39:01.160 --> 00:39:01.740 who sits on 00:39:01.740 --> 00:39:02.160 the throne 00:39:02.160 --> 00:39:03.480 and from the 00:39:03.480 --> 00:39:04.079 wrath of the 00:39:04.079 --> 00:39:04.340 Lamb. 00:39:05.300 --> 00:39:05.860 For the great 00:39:05.860 --> 00:39:06.360 day of the 00:39:06.360 --> 00:39:07.180 wrath has come 00:39:07.180 --> 00:39:08.460 and who can 00:39:08.460 --> 00:39:08.960 stand? 00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:11.500 Who can 00:39:11.500 --> 00:39:11.940 stand? 00:39:13.900 --> 00:39:14.460 Of course, 00:39:14.539 --> 00:39:14.800 the answer 00:39:14.800 --> 00:39:16.599 is no one 00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:17.240 can stand. 00:39:18.760 --> 00:39:19.519 Not you, 00:39:19.860 --> 00:39:20.460 not me. 00:39:21.780 --> 00:39:22.400 It doesn't 00:39:22.400 --> 00:39:22.980 matter if you've 00:39:22.980 --> 00:39:23.519 grown up in 00:39:23.519 --> 00:39:24.039 church or this 00:39:24.039 --> 00:39:24.559 is the first 00:39:24.559 --> 00:39:24.920 time you've 00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:25.740 ever been to 00:39:25.740 --> 00:39:26.139 one of these 00:39:26.139 --> 00:39:26.599 gatherings. 00:39:28.039 --> 00:39:28.780 No one 00:39:28.780 --> 00:39:29.440 can stand. 00:39:31.500 --> 00:39:32.280 There's no 00:39:32.280 --> 00:39:33.920 escape from 00:39:33.920 --> 00:39:34.519 God and the 00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:34.780 Lamb. 00:39:35.780 --> 00:39:36.159 How could 00:39:36.159 --> 00:39:36.780 there be any 00:39:36.780 --> 00:39:37.199 escape? 00:39:37.400 --> 00:39:38.199 God created 00:39:38.199 --> 00:39:38.559 you. 00:39:39.019 --> 00:39:39.839 He upholds 00:39:39.839 --> 00:39:40.299 you in 00:39:40.299 --> 00:39:41.779 being every 00:39:41.779 --> 00:39:42.419 second. 00:39:42.819 --> 00:39:43.099 You are 00:39:43.099 --> 00:39:44.019 completely and 00:39:44.019 --> 00:39:45.019 utterly dependent 00:39:45.019 --> 00:39:45.719 on Him for 00:39:45.719 --> 00:39:46.199 everything. 00:39:46.579 --> 00:39:46.960 Friends, there 00:39:46.960 --> 00:39:48.019 is no you 00:39:48.019 --> 00:39:48.919 apart from 00:39:48.919 --> 00:39:49.939 Him and 00:39:49.939 --> 00:39:50.359 apart from 00:39:50.359 --> 00:39:50.980 His choice 00:39:50.980 --> 00:39:51.619 to keep you 00:39:51.619 --> 00:39:51.879 and me 00:39:51.879 --> 00:39:52.980 existing every 00:39:52.980 --> 00:39:53.480 second. 00:39:55.139 --> 00:39:56.119 There is no 00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:56.819 escape from 00:39:56.819 --> 00:39:57.099 Him. 00:39:58.039 --> 00:39:59.079 There is no 00:39:59.079 --> 00:39:59.859 hiding from 00:39:59.859 --> 00:40:00.139 Him. 00:40:01.139 --> 00:40:01.980 There is no 00:40:01.980 --> 00:40:02.819 refuge from 00:40:02.819 --> 00:40:03.139 Him. 00:40:05.739 --> 00:40:06.759 But here's the 00:40:06.759 --> 00:40:07.339 good news. 00:40:08.199 --> 00:40:09.000 And it's the 00:40:09.000 --> 00:40:09.919 only good news 00:40:09.919 --> 00:40:10.539 that matters. 00:40:12.219 --> 00:40:13.279 There is no 00:40:13.279 --> 00:40:14.539 refuge from 00:40:14.539 --> 00:40:14.839 Him. 00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:16.980 But there is 00:40:16.980 --> 00:40:18.319 refuge in 00:40:18.319 --> 00:40:18.639 Him. 00:40:20.480 --> 00:40:21.319 The only 00:40:21.319 --> 00:40:22.299 hiding place 00:40:22.299 --> 00:40:23.419 from the wrath 00:40:23.419 --> 00:40:24.019 of the Lamb 00:40:24.019 --> 00:40:25.879 is the blood 00:40:25.879 --> 00:40:26.379 of the Lamb. 00:40:28.939 --> 00:40:29.639 There's one 00:40:29.639 --> 00:40:30.019 more Old 00:40:30.019 --> 00:40:30.619 Testament echo 00:40:30.619 --> 00:40:31.500 in Revelation 6 00:40:31.500 --> 00:40:31.899 that's worth 00:40:31.899 --> 00:40:32.559 pointing out. 00:40:33.019 --> 00:40:33.399 And it's 00:40:33.399 --> 00:40:33.839 actually right 00:40:33.839 --> 00:40:34.199 there in 00:40:34.199 --> 00:40:34.899 verse 16 00:40:34.899 --> 00:40:35.879 where all of 00:40:35.880 --> 00:40:36.480 humanity is 00:40:36.480 --> 00:40:37.019 calling out 00:40:37.019 --> 00:40:38.079 hide us. 00:40:39.519 --> 00:40:40.260 And that 00:40:40.260 --> 00:40:41.240 same cry 00:40:41.240 --> 00:40:42.360 hide us 00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:43.180 goes all 00:40:43.180 --> 00:40:43.579 the way 00:40:43.579 --> 00:40:44.160 back in 00:40:44.160 --> 00:40:44.820 human history 00:40:44.820 --> 00:40:45.400 back, 00:40:45.559 --> 00:40:45.920 back, 00:40:45.980 --> 00:40:46.480 back to 00:40:46.480 --> 00:40:47.059 the very 00:40:47.059 --> 00:40:48.280 first humans, 00:40:48.380 --> 00:40:48.599 to our 00:40:48.599 --> 00:40:49.380 very first 00:40:49.380 --> 00:40:51.180 parents in 00:40:51.180 --> 00:40:51.559 the Garden 00:40:51.559 --> 00:40:52.000 of Eden. 00:40:53.280 --> 00:40:53.900 Adam and 00:40:53.900 --> 00:40:54.360 Eve having 00:40:54.360 --> 00:40:55.200 sinned against 00:40:55.200 --> 00:40:55.640 God, 00:40:56.220 --> 00:40:56.960 torn up 00:40:56.960 --> 00:40:57.760 inside and 00:40:57.760 --> 00:40:58.280 out with 00:40:58.280 --> 00:40:59.099 guilt and 00:40:59.099 --> 00:40:59.440 shame. 00:40:59.440 --> 00:41:00.139 they hear 00:41:00.139 --> 00:41:00.780 God coming 00:41:00.780 --> 00:41:01.300 and they 00:41:01.300 --> 00:41:01.800 try to 00:41:01.800 --> 00:41:03.500 hide us. 00:41:05.820 --> 00:41:06.480 And what 00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:06.840 does God 00:41:06.840 --> 00:41:07.179 do? 00:41:10.780 --> 00:41:11.460 To their 00:41:11.460 --> 00:41:12.159 fears, 00:41:12.800 --> 00:41:13.300 He gives 00:41:13.300 --> 00:41:13.599 them a 00:41:13.599 --> 00:41:14.059 promise. 00:41:15.300 --> 00:41:15.960 And for 00:41:15.960 --> 00:41:16.920 their nakedness, 00:41:17.159 --> 00:41:17.760 He makes 00:41:17.760 --> 00:41:18.420 a sacrifice. 00:41:21.019 --> 00:41:21.780 In the midst 00:41:21.780 --> 00:41:22.039 of their 00:41:22.039 --> 00:41:22.599 fear, He 00:41:22.599 --> 00:41:23.579 promises that 00:41:23.579 --> 00:41:24.179 one day, 00:41:24.280 --> 00:41:24.860 from Eve, 00:41:25.079 --> 00:41:25.639 a child 00:41:25.639 --> 00:41:26.000 would be 00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:27.079 born that 00:41:27.079 --> 00:41:27.460 would deal 00:41:27.460 --> 00:41:27.980 with Satan 00:41:27.980 --> 00:41:28.460 and sin 00:41:28.460 --> 00:41:28.820 and death 00:41:28.820 --> 00:41:29.220 once and 00:41:29.220 --> 00:41:29.659 for all. 00:41:31.659 --> 00:41:32.220 And to 00:41:32.220 --> 00:41:33.019 their nakedness, 00:41:33.059 --> 00:41:33.360 He gives 00:41:33.360 --> 00:41:34.059 a sacrifice. 00:41:34.199 --> 00:41:34.519 He makes 00:41:34.519 --> 00:41:35.340 a sacrifice 00:41:35.340 --> 00:41:36.460 to cover 00:41:36.460 --> 00:41:36.780 them. 00:41:37.639 --> 00:41:38.000 And He 00:41:38.000 --> 00:41:38.320 gives them 00:41:38.320 --> 00:41:38.740 a picture 00:41:38.740 --> 00:41:39.400 of how 00:41:39.400 --> 00:41:40.720 that conquest 00:41:40.720 --> 00:41:41.460 would happen. 00:41:41.860 --> 00:41:42.280 Another 00:41:42.280 --> 00:41:43.099 would die 00:41:43.099 --> 00:41:43.820 so that 00:41:43.820 --> 00:41:44.220 they could 00:41:44.220 --> 00:41:44.699 be covered, 00:41:44.820 --> 00:41:45.059 so that 00:41:45.059 --> 00:41:45.619 their sin 00:41:45.619 --> 00:41:46.119 and death 00:41:46.119 --> 00:41:46.440 could be 00:41:46.440 --> 00:41:46.860 paid. 00:41:49.440 --> 00:41:50.079 And friends, 00:41:50.119 --> 00:41:50.340 when the 00:41:50.340 --> 00:41:50.800 Lord Jesus 00:41:50.800 --> 00:41:51.460 came and 00:41:51.460 --> 00:41:51.740 when He 00:41:51.740 --> 00:41:52.559 healed the 00:41:52.559 --> 00:41:53.019 sick and 00:41:53.019 --> 00:41:53.340 when He 00:41:53.340 --> 00:41:54.659 raised the 00:41:54.659 --> 00:41:55.500 dead and 00:41:55.500 --> 00:41:55.720 when He 00:41:55.720 --> 00:41:57.039 calmed the 00:41:57.039 --> 00:41:57.440 seas, 00:41:58.460 --> 00:41:59.519 at the 00:41:59.519 --> 00:41:59.820 end of 00:41:59.820 --> 00:41:59.980 His 00:41:59.980 --> 00:42:00.360 perfect 00:42:00.360 --> 00:42:00.760 life, 00:42:00.820 --> 00:42:01.280 He went 00:42:01.280 --> 00:42:01.720 to the 00:42:01.720 --> 00:42:02.139 cross. 00:42:03.740 --> 00:42:04.380 And then 00:42:04.380 --> 00:42:05.460 that ancient 00:42:05.460 --> 00:42:06.179 promise was 00:42:06.179 --> 00:42:07.679 fulfilled and 00:42:07.679 --> 00:42:08.260 the sacrifice 00:42:08.260 --> 00:42:08.940 was made. 00:42:10.159 --> 00:42:10.480 Jesus, 00:42:10.659 --> 00:42:11.300 the Lamb of 00:42:11.300 --> 00:42:11.619 God, 00:42:11.740 --> 00:42:12.300 went into 00:42:12.300 --> 00:42:13.260 the darkness 00:42:13.260 --> 00:42:14.159 of God's 00:42:14.159 --> 00:42:15.360 wrath for 00:42:15.360 --> 00:42:15.679 you. 00:42:16.960 --> 00:42:17.720 He went 00:42:17.720 --> 00:42:18.139 into the 00:42:18.139 --> 00:42:18.940 fullness of 00:42:18.940 --> 00:42:19.559 that wrath, 00:42:20.720 --> 00:42:21.740 except He 00:42:21.740 --> 00:42:22.420 was the one 00:42:22.420 --> 00:42:23.039 human who 00:42:23.039 --> 00:42:23.699 didn't call 00:42:23.699 --> 00:42:24.000 out, 00:42:24.300 --> 00:42:24.860 hide me. 00:42:25.579 --> 00:42:26.220 For you, 00:42:26.300 --> 00:42:26.679 He said, 00:42:26.780 --> 00:42:27.380 take me. 00:42:27.380 --> 00:42:30.059 He didn't 00:42:30.059 --> 00:42:30.680 call for the 00:42:30.680 --> 00:42:31.220 rocks to 00:42:31.220 --> 00:42:31.760 cover Him. 00:42:32.740 --> 00:42:33.260 He was 00:42:33.260 --> 00:42:34.280 torn and 00:42:34.280 --> 00:42:34.579 broken. 00:42:34.700 --> 00:42:35.200 He bore 00:42:35.200 --> 00:42:35.619 it all. 00:42:35.760 --> 00:42:36.140 Why? 00:42:37.760 --> 00:42:38.380 So that 00:42:38.380 --> 00:42:39.539 His death 00:42:39.539 --> 00:42:41.019 might cover 00:42:41.019 --> 00:42:41.820 you. 00:42:42.940 --> 00:42:43.579 So that 00:42:43.579 --> 00:42:44.079 all who 00:42:44.079 --> 00:42:44.880 trust in 00:42:44.880 --> 00:42:45.260 Him in 00:42:45.260 --> 00:42:45.980 this age 00:42:45.980 --> 00:42:46.980 might be 00:42:46.980 --> 00:42:49.000 safe when 00:42:49.000 --> 00:42:49.460 the day of 00:42:49.460 --> 00:42:50.180 perfect justice 00:42:50.180 --> 00:42:50.740 comes. 00:42:54.160 --> 00:42:54.860 How about 00:42:54.860 --> 00:42:55.039 you, 00:42:55.140 --> 00:42:55.380 friend? 00:42:55.380 --> 00:42:57.680 when it 00:42:57.680 --> 00:42:58.220 all comes 00:42:58.220 --> 00:42:58.700 to light, 00:42:59.519 --> 00:43:00.160 when the 00:43:00.160 --> 00:43:00.720 trappings of 00:43:00.720 --> 00:43:01.180 this world 00:43:01.180 --> 00:43:01.980 fall away 00:43:01.980 --> 00:43:02.320 and you 00:43:02.320 --> 00:43:03.079 stand before 00:43:03.079 --> 00:43:03.700 your Creator, 00:43:03.860 --> 00:43:04.260 what will 00:43:04.260 --> 00:43:04.720 be your 00:43:04.720 --> 00:43:05.880 hiding place? 00:43:08.700 --> 00:43:09.300 Take 00:43:09.300 --> 00:43:10.059 Christ 00:43:10.059 --> 00:43:10.780 now. 00:43:12.000 --> 00:43:12.240 Bow 00:43:12.240 --> 00:43:12.900 before Him 00:43:12.900 --> 00:43:13.340 now. 00:43:14.619 --> 00:43:14.980 There's 00:43:14.980 --> 00:43:15.440 coming a 00:43:15.440 --> 00:43:16.500 day when 00:43:16.500 --> 00:43:17.160 every knee 00:43:17.160 --> 00:43:17.619 will bow, 00:43:17.720 --> 00:43:18.099 whether we 00:43:18.099 --> 00:43:18.660 like it 00:43:18.660 --> 00:43:19.680 or not. 00:43:20.920 --> 00:43:21.619 But God 00:43:21.619 --> 00:43:21.900 says, 00:43:22.559 --> 00:43:23.579 bow now, 00:43:23.740 --> 00:43:24.300 take me 00:43:24.300 --> 00:43:24.880 now. 00:43:25.280 --> 00:43:25.640 Come 00:43:25.640 --> 00:43:26.320 find 00:43:26.320 --> 00:43:26.960 shelter, 00:43:28.460 --> 00:43:28.720 Jesus 00:43:28.720 --> 00:43:29.200 says. 00:43:30.640 --> 00:43:31.000 Come 00:43:31.000 --> 00:43:31.300 find 00:43:31.300 --> 00:43:31.800 shelter in 00:43:31.800 --> 00:43:32.140 the Lamb 00:43:32.140 --> 00:43:32.440 who was 00:43:32.440 --> 00:43:32.880 slain for 00:43:32.880 --> 00:43:33.160 you. 00:43:36.160 --> 00:43:36.700 In the 00:43:36.700 --> 00:43:37.180 next chapter, 00:43:37.280 --> 00:43:37.800 chapter 7, 00:43:37.900 --> 00:43:38.220 John will 00:43:38.220 --> 00:43:38.640 talk about 00:43:38.640 --> 00:43:38.940 all the 00:43:38.940 --> 00:43:39.660 blessings that 00:43:39.660 --> 00:43:40.140 come to 00:43:40.140 --> 00:43:40.519 those who 00:43:40.519 --> 00:43:40.980 trust in 00:43:40.980 --> 00:43:41.360 Christ, 00:43:41.660 --> 00:43:41.800 their 00:43:41.800 --> 00:43:42.380 spiritual 00:43:42.380 --> 00:43:43.060 safety and 00:43:43.060 --> 00:43:43.519 security, 00:43:43.740 --> 00:43:44.260 their peace 00:43:44.260 --> 00:43:44.600 and home 00:43:44.600 --> 00:43:45.060 with God, 00:43:45.160 --> 00:43:46.060 their protection 00:43:46.060 --> 00:43:46.400 through all 00:43:46.400 --> 00:43:46.880 the trials 00:43:46.880 --> 00:43:47.180 of this 00:43:47.180 --> 00:43:47.539 life. 00:43:47.860 --> 00:43:48.060 And then 00:43:48.060 --> 00:43:48.519 after that 00:43:48.519 --> 00:43:49.180 interlude of 00:43:49.180 --> 00:43:49.900 chapter 7, 00:43:50.240 --> 00:43:50.640 the vision 00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:51.340 returns to 00:43:51.340 --> 00:43:52.200 the seventh 00:43:52.200 --> 00:43:52.900 and final 00:43:52.900 --> 00:43:53.380 seal. 00:43:53.380 --> 00:43:54.220 You can 00:43:54.220 --> 00:43:54.619 skip ahead 00:43:54.619 --> 00:43:55.240 to chapter 00:43:55.240 --> 00:43:55.460 8, 00:43:55.500 --> 00:43:55.880 verse 1 00:43:55.880 --> 00:43:56.119 if you 00:43:56.119 --> 00:43:56.320 want to 00:43:56.320 --> 00:43:56.640 see it 00:43:56.640 --> 00:43:56.860 there. 00:43:57.019 --> 00:43:57.460 And when 00:43:57.460 --> 00:43:58.019 that final 00:43:58.019 --> 00:43:58.660 seventh seal 00:43:58.660 --> 00:43:59.280 is opened 00:43:59.280 --> 00:43:59.760 in 8, 00:43:59.820 --> 00:44:00.300 verse 1, 00:44:00.640 --> 00:44:01.780 what happens? 00:44:03.079 --> 00:44:03.400 There's 00:44:03.400 --> 00:44:04.019 silence. 00:44:06.240 --> 00:44:07.079 A perfect, 00:44:07.860 --> 00:44:08.420 silent 00:44:08.420 --> 00:44:09.460 awe. 00:44:11.579 --> 00:44:12.300 Awe and 00:44:12.300 --> 00:44:12.800 reverence 00:44:12.800 --> 00:44:13.380 before a 00:44:13.380 --> 00:44:14.180 holy God, 00:44:14.860 --> 00:44:15.380 just and 00:44:15.380 --> 00:44:15.880 perfect in 00:44:15.880 --> 00:44:16.200 all His 00:44:16.200 --> 00:44:16.640 ways, 00:44:17.420 --> 00:44:17.980 perfect in 00:44:17.980 --> 00:44:18.340 love, 00:44:19.039 --> 00:44:19.640 perfect in 00:44:19.640 --> 00:44:20.000 judgment. 00:44:20.000 --> 00:44:22.880 friend, 00:44:22.960 --> 00:44:23.219 where will 00:44:23.219 --> 00:44:23.699 you be in 00:44:23.699 --> 00:44:24.440 that silence? 00:44:25.900 --> 00:44:26.179 Will you 00:44:26.179 --> 00:44:26.820 be near to 00:44:26.820 --> 00:44:27.340 God in 00:44:27.340 --> 00:44:27.840 love and 00:44:27.840 --> 00:44:28.179 peace, 00:44:28.300 --> 00:44:28.679 having found 00:44:28.679 --> 00:44:30.179 shelter in 00:44:30.179 --> 00:44:30.480 the blood 00:44:30.480 --> 00:44:30.980 of the Lamb? 00:44:31.980 --> 00:44:32.619 Or will 00:44:32.619 --> 00:44:33.159 you be cast 00:44:33.159 --> 00:44:33.579 out from 00:44:33.579 --> 00:44:33.840 God, 00:44:33.900 --> 00:44:34.400 having found 00:44:34.400 --> 00:44:35.139 no shelter 00:44:35.139 --> 00:44:36.119 from the 00:44:36.119 --> 00:44:36.500 wrath of 00:44:36.500 --> 00:44:36.820 the Lamb? 00:44:38.920 --> 00:44:39.800 There's no 00:44:39.800 --> 00:44:40.679 third option. 00:44:42.320 --> 00:44:43.000 The great 00:44:43.000 --> 00:44:43.639 day of God's 00:44:43.639 --> 00:44:44.079 wrath will 00:44:44.079 --> 00:44:44.360 come. 00:44:44.440 --> 00:44:44.860 The Creator 00:44:44.860 --> 00:44:45.559 will give 00:44:45.559 --> 00:44:46.340 His final 00:44:46.340 --> 00:44:47.780 no to 00:44:47.780 --> 00:44:48.519 rebellion and 00:44:48.519 --> 00:44:49.480 idolatry and 00:44:49.480 --> 00:44:49.760 sin. 00:44:49.840 --> 00:44:50.420 He will 00:44:50.420 --> 00:44:51.260 redeem His 00:44:51.260 --> 00:44:51.719 creation. 00:44:51.900 --> 00:44:52.460 He will 00:44:52.460 --> 00:44:53.460 rescue His 00:44:53.460 --> 00:44:53.880 people. 00:44:56.199 --> 00:44:56.860 So don't 00:44:56.860 --> 00:44:57.380 let that day 00:44:57.380 --> 00:44:57.780 find you 00:44:57.780 --> 00:44:58.599 anywhere else 00:44:58.599 --> 00:45:00.340 than in the 00:45:00.340 --> 00:45:00.699 arms of 00:45:00.699 --> 00:45:01.119 Christ, 00:45:01.599 --> 00:45:02.519 who died 00:45:02.519 --> 00:45:02.940 for you. 00:45:04.340 --> 00:45:05.000 Let's pray 00:45:05.000 --> 00:45:05.320 together. 00:45:12.440 --> 00:45:12.960 Father, 00:45:13.039 --> 00:45:13.679 we pause 00:45:13.679 --> 00:45:15.360 in silent 00:45:15.360 --> 00:45:15.860 reverence 00:45:15.860 --> 00:45:16.539 before You. 00:45:19.480 --> 00:45:21.559 Lord, 00:45:21.599 --> 00:45:22.199 we confess 00:45:22.199 --> 00:45:25.039 that we 00:45:25.039 --> 00:45:25.420 don't like 00:45:25.420 --> 00:45:25.860 to think 00:45:25.860 --> 00:45:26.940 about justice 00:45:26.940 --> 00:45:29.820 when it's 00:45:29.820 --> 00:45:30.079 aimed at 00:45:30.079 --> 00:45:30.559 ourselves. 00:45:32.240 --> 00:45:32.760 God, 00:45:32.800 --> 00:45:33.099 we want 00:45:33.099 --> 00:45:33.699 justice for 00:45:33.699 --> 00:45:34.159 the world. 00:45:34.840 --> 00:45:35.579 We want 00:45:35.579 --> 00:45:35.980 to see 00:45:35.980 --> 00:45:36.559 things made 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:37.039 right and 00:45:37.039 --> 00:45:37.400 healed. 00:45:38.900 --> 00:45:39.420 Lord, 00:45:39.460 --> 00:45:39.820 what hope 00:45:39.820 --> 00:45:40.139 is there 00:45:40.139 --> 00:45:40.519 for the 00:45:40.519 --> 00:45:41.300 world without 00:45:41.300 --> 00:45:41.719 perfect 00:45:41.719 --> 00:45:42.219 justice? 00:45:42.219 --> 00:45:46.379 hope is 00:45:46.379 --> 00:45:47.339 there for 00:45:47.339 --> 00:45:48.599 me when 00:45:48.599 --> 00:45:49.079 it comes? 00:45:50.959 --> 00:45:51.759 Thank You 00:45:51.759 --> 00:45:53.599 that in 00:45:53.599 --> 00:45:54.739 Christ You've 00:45:54.739 --> 00:45:55.000 made a 00:45:55.000 --> 00:45:55.619 provision for 00:45:55.619 --> 00:45:56.399 justice to be 00:45:56.399 --> 00:45:57.219 satisfied and 00:45:57.219 --> 00:45:57.839 for us to be 00:45:57.839 --> 00:45:58.199 forgiven. 00:45:59.759 --> 00:46:00.000 Lord, 00:46:00.079 --> 00:46:00.599 increase our 00:46:00.599 --> 00:46:01.839 love and 00:46:01.839 --> 00:46:02.639 our trust in 00:46:02.639 --> 00:46:03.419 Christ as we 00:46:03.419 --> 00:46:03.939 go forth 00:46:03.939 --> 00:46:04.519 this week. 00:46:04.519 --> 00:46:07.739 in Jesus' 00:46:07.920 --> 00:46:08.099 name, 00:46:08.219 --> 00:46:08.480 amen.