WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.400 All right. Friends, today we continue our sermon series on the letters that we find written in the 00:00:07.400 --> 00:00:13.099 book of Revelation. And thus far in this series, we have encountered several letters dictated by 00:00:13.099 --> 00:00:20.080 Jesus to different churches, and most of these churches have been rebuked by Jesus. Most of 00:00:20.080 --> 00:00:25.320 these churches have struggled with sins like sexual immorality, moral complacency, lukewarm 00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:33.880 faith, false teaching, idolatry, and so on. And all of these sins have spoken warnings and rebukes to us 00:00:33.880 --> 00:00:41.879 and to our church here and now. But with the letter we are reading today, we have a different church. 00:00:42.500 --> 00:00:50.120 We have a church that Jesus does not rebuke. This church, it turns out, labored under oppression 00:00:50.119 --> 00:00:57.839 and under slander and gossip and rejection and weakness and loss of worldly identity and loss 00:00:57.839 --> 00:01:05.879 of family connections. Yet in all this, they remained faithful to Christ. What does Jesus 00:01:05.879 --> 00:01:13.340 have to say to this kind of church and this kind of Christian? As we will see, friends, 00:01:13.340 --> 00:01:20.060 he speaks much words of assurance and comfort, and he encourages them to embrace their identity 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:27.040 in Christ and not their identity in this world. And he offers them many promises. Throughout the 00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:33.520 sermon series, we have read the letters in Revelation as if they were written to us. So this morning, 00:01:34.439 --> 00:01:42.500 let us hear the words in this letter as if Jesus spoke them to us. And what Jesus' letter says to you 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:49.500 is to not be conformed to this world, but to embrace your identity in Christ, your citizenship 00:01:49.500 --> 00:01:55.760 in heaven, your membership in the body of Christ. And this is especially true for those of you who've 00:01:55.760 --> 00:02:01.939 been rejected by others because you follow Jesus. The letter to the church that we're going to read can 00:02:01.939 --> 00:02:08.780 be found in the book of Revelation. It's to the church in ancient Philadelphia. It's on page 966 in 00:02:08.780 --> 00:02:16.319 your pew Bible. This is Revelation chapter 3, verses 7 through 13. And that's again page 966. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:19.860 And this letter reads like this. 00:02:21.780 --> 00:02:27.639 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write the words of the Holy One, the true one, 00:02:28.120 --> 00:02:33.420 who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens. 00:02:33.419 --> 00:02:41.259 I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door which no one is able to shut. 00:02:41.879 --> 00:02:49.119 I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 00:02:49.879 --> 00:02:57.139 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not but lie. 00:02:57.139 --> 00:03:04.339 Behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:11.119 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial 00:03:11.119 --> 00:03:15.500 that is coming on the whole world to try those who dwell on the earth. 00:03:16.579 --> 00:03:17.799 I am coming soon. 00:03:18.519 --> 00:03:22.459 Hold fast what you have so that no one may seize your crown. 00:03:22.460 --> 00:03:49.300 Friends, let's pray together. 00:03:49.300 --> 00:03:49.340 Let's pray together. 00:03:52.460 --> 00:03:54.840 Oh, Father, we submit ourselves to your word. 00:03:55.360 --> 00:03:59.040 We pray that we would be like this ancient church in Philadelphia, 00:03:59.040 --> 00:04:01.319 that we would stand fast in times of trial. 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:05.240 Lord, I pray that you would help us to understand your word, 00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:09.360 your figures of speech, which sometimes are hard to understand. 00:04:10.020 --> 00:04:12.360 I pray that you would open our hearts to listen, 00:04:12.460 --> 00:04:15.620 that you would give us ears to what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:21.259 Father, we submit to you in your will, and we pray all this in the mighty name of Jesus. 00:04:22.040 --> 00:04:22.259 Amen. 00:04:22.459 --> 00:04:22.899 Amen. 00:04:23.899 --> 00:04:26.639 The structure of the sermon this morning will go like this. 00:04:27.060 --> 00:04:32.599 First, we're going to look at how Jesus introduces himself in this letter to the Philadelphians. 00:04:32.939 --> 00:04:38.839 And then secondly, we'll examine a little bit about what kind of things the church in Philadelphia was suffering. 00:04:38.839 --> 00:04:47.239 And then most of our time will be spent meditating upon the promises and exhortations that Jesus gives to the church in ancient Philadelphia. 00:04:47.239 --> 00:04:55.519 And therefore, what promises and what exhortations that he gives to you regarding your identity in Christ? 00:04:55.519 --> 00:04:57.759 We begin in verse 7. 00:04:57.759 --> 00:04:59.199 There Jesus says, 00:04:59.199 --> 00:05:02.159 There Jesus says to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:11.320 Right, the words of the Holy One, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:15.279 Jesus starts by declaring certain things about himself. 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:17.719 He says that he is the holy one. 00:05:17.719 --> 00:05:18.779 He's the true one. 00:05:18.779 --> 00:05:19.879 He's sanctified. 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:20.799 He's set apart. 00:05:20.799 --> 00:05:23.659 From Jesus, we derive our holiness. 00:05:24.019 --> 00:05:25.899 From him, we derive the truth. 00:05:26.039 --> 00:05:28.459 There is no lie found in Jesus. 00:05:28.459 --> 00:05:35.159 And this true one, this true one, this Jesus, he is the one writing to the church in Philadelphia. 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:43.379 Now, all that is clear to most people in this verse, but the other things Jesus says about himself are a bit more confusing. 00:05:43.379 --> 00:05:50.259 What I wonder is the key of David that Jesus says he possesses. 00:05:50.359 --> 00:05:55.259 And what does opening and shutting have to do with Jesus and the Christian life? 00:05:55.259 --> 00:06:02.800 Revelation in this passage borrows from Isaiah the prophet, chapter 22, verse 22, where God says, 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:05.860 And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:08.019 He shall open and no one shall shut. 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:10.920 He shall shut and no one shall open. 00:06:11.459 --> 00:06:17.199 The context of this passage in Isaiah shows that several hundred years before Revelation was written, 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:23.539 God spoke through Isaiah about a new steward who would be appointed over the house of David in Isaiah's time 00:06:23.540 --> 00:06:28.180 and who would be given David's key so that he might manage all the affairs of the kingdom 00:06:28.180 --> 00:06:36.460 and have authority to permit and to prevent, to allow and to forbid all manner of activities and all manner of people. 00:06:37.740 --> 00:06:43.660 In the scriptures, the kingdom of David, of course, is the very kingdom of the Messiah. 00:06:44.860 --> 00:06:47.700 It's the kingdom that the Messiah would inherit and rule forever. 00:06:47.699 --> 00:06:54.899 It was that kingdom which the Messiah would elevate from just an earthly kingdom into a heavenly one. 00:06:55.459 --> 00:07:04.939 And if we put all these things together, we see that the key of David in Revelation symbolizes the power to manage the affairs of the Davidic kingdom. 00:07:05.480 --> 00:07:07.620 The Messiah's heavenly kingdom. 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:11.459 And Revelation says that it is Jesus who possesses it. 00:07:11.459 --> 00:07:18.019 He is the one who has the authority to open and close privileges in this kingdom to others. 00:07:19.180 --> 00:07:21.939 So in the first verse, Jesus declares that he is holy. 00:07:22.299 --> 00:07:22.899 He is true. 00:07:23.239 --> 00:07:25.180 He is the steward over the messianic kingdom. 00:07:25.359 --> 00:07:28.659 And whomever he chooses, the privileges of this kingdom will be granted. 00:07:30.159 --> 00:07:34.120 Now, as we know what Jesus says to the church in Philadelphia, 00:07:34.359 --> 00:07:37.759 he in many ways says to us here at Trinity. 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:43.120 What he says to the church in Philadelphia, he says to you specifically. 00:07:43.839 --> 00:07:45.639 So do not be mistaken then. 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:47.939 When Jesus says that he has the key of David, 00:07:48.019 --> 00:07:50.240 and when he says that what he shuts no one may open, 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:52.459 and what he opens no one may shut, 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:54.120 do not be mistaken. 00:07:54.719 --> 00:07:59.180 For when he says these things, he's speaking not just to the ancient church, but to you. 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:05.719 And there is one privilege in particular that Jesus has opened for you, O Christian. 00:08:05.720 --> 00:08:09.760 In the next verse, in verse 8, Jesus says this, 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:11.820 I know your works. 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:15.780 Behold, I have set before you an open door, 00:08:16.180 --> 00:08:18.200 which no one is able to shut. 00:08:19.840 --> 00:08:23.160 This verse tells us that Jesus knows your works. 00:08:23.520 --> 00:08:25.280 He knows your deeds. 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:30.820 And behold, he uses his authority over the messianic heavenly kingdom 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:35.580 to set before you an open door, 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:38.299 which no one is able to shut. 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:44.759 This door is nothing less than the entryway into this heavenly and eternal kingdom. 00:08:45.340 --> 00:08:47.939 Now, the translation we use here at Trinity 00:08:47.939 --> 00:08:51.480 says that Jesus sets before you an open door. 00:08:51.899 --> 00:08:55.659 But a translation that is perhaps a bit more faithful to the Greek, 00:08:55.659 --> 00:08:58.000 instead of reading an open door, 00:08:58.539 --> 00:09:01.579 it would read an opened door. 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:05.799 That is a door that has been opened. 00:09:06.079 --> 00:09:08.259 A door that had once been shut, 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:10.259 but now is open. 00:09:11.399 --> 00:09:12.659 You see, in this verse, 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:14.419 Jesus communicates that that entry 00:09:14.419 --> 00:09:17.439 into the kingdom of God is impossible for us. 00:09:17.719 --> 00:09:18.939 That door was shut. 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:20.419 We could not open it. 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:23.639 But thanks be to God, we have a Savior, 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:26.199 Christ the Lord, who's gone into the heavens 00:09:26.199 --> 00:09:27.819 and opened this door for you, 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:29.179 his beloved. 00:09:30.079 --> 00:09:32.659 And no one can shut it. 00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:34.479 And so Jesus says, 00:09:34.579 --> 00:09:36.919 I've set before you an opened door, 00:09:37.819 --> 00:09:39.539 which no one is able to shut. 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:44.360 Christians, this is a profound gospel truth. 00:09:44.360 --> 00:09:48.599 Those whom Christ has appointed to live in his heavenly kingdom 00:09:48.600 --> 00:09:50.500 cannot be cast out. 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:52.040 The door has been opened. 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:53.580 No one can shut it. 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:57.460 Jesus proclaims this specifically in the Gospel of John. 00:09:57.800 --> 00:09:58.139 He says, 00:09:58.259 --> 00:10:00.620 I give them eternal life and they will never perish, 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:03.920 and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:06.960 So do not fear, Christian, 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:10.960 when you are rejected in this world for Christ. 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:14.279 The devil cannot touch you when you are with Jesus. 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:15.860 Your enemies cannot harm you. 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:18.360 Death and sin cannot reach you. 00:10:18.820 --> 00:10:19.620 They may roar. 00:10:19.779 --> 00:10:20.899 They may gnash their teeth. 00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:22.019 They may bear their claws. 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:24.200 But you are safe with Jesus. 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:27.379 The door to eternal life has been opened by Christ, 00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:29.279 and no one is able to shut it. 00:10:29.800 --> 00:10:32.659 And be especially assured of this truth. 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:34.399 If you are weak today, 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:37.300 or if you are lonely in this moment, 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:39.300 if you are slandered at this time, 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:41.899 or gossiped about because you follow Christ, 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:46.100 if you have in any way lost your worldly identity, 00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:48.180 if you are struggling with who you are, 00:10:48.180 --> 00:10:51.019 if you are oppressed because of your love for Jesus, 00:10:51.580 --> 00:10:52.700 then as you will see, 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:57.920 Jesus has you specifically in mind in this letter we are reading. 00:10:58.519 --> 00:11:00.759 Because if you are struggling with these things, 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:03.920 if you're weak or slandered or rejected by others, 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:07.100 if you have lost your identity on this earth because of Jesus, 00:11:07.100 --> 00:11:10.800 then you are much like the church in Philadelphia, 00:11:10.800 --> 00:11:14.720 because they too were suffering the same things. 00:11:15.379 --> 00:11:18.800 And Jesus goes on to comfort them and exhort them. 00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:22.139 So let us now turn to look a little bit 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:26.839 at the kinds of things that the church in Philadelphia was suffering. 00:11:27.439 --> 00:11:29.979 We can glean these things by jumping around a little bit 00:11:29.979 --> 00:11:32.339 in verses 8, 9, and 10. 00:11:32.819 --> 00:11:34.120 We start in verse 8. 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:35.679 Jesus says, 00:11:35.839 --> 00:11:37.319 I know that you have but little power, 00:11:38.079 --> 00:11:41.500 and yet you've kept my word and have not denied my name. 00:11:43.059 --> 00:11:44.120 In verse 8, 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:49.600 Jesus says that he knows that the Christians of Philadelphia have little power. 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:52.919 Therefore, it seems that the Christians in Philadelphia 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:55.259 were weak by worldly standards. 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:59.419 And verse 8 also goes on to say that even though they were weak, 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:04.659 the Christians kept his word and did not deny his name. 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:10.379 This implies to us that not only were the Philadelphian Christians weak, 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:12.000 they also faced opposition. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:14.399 Yet in this they remained faithful, 00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:16.980 and they did not deny the name of Jesus. 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:19.000 And jumping to verse 10, 00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:20.419 Jesus says something similar. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:20.919 He says, 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:24.279 You have kept my word of patient endurance. 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:29.940 So not only are the Christians in Philadelphia weak, 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:32.200 not only have they faced oppression, 00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:36.220 this oppression seems to have gone on for some time 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:39.720 because Jesus says they were patiently enduring. 00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:45.000 We do not know the specifics of what the church in Philadelphia was suffering, 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:47.860 but we get a hint of it in verse 9. 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:50.180 There Jesus says, 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:53.420 He speaks of a synagogue of Satan 00:12:53.420 --> 00:12:56.000 who say that they are Jews but are not, 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:57.060 and lie. 00:12:59.139 --> 00:13:00.379 This kind of oppression 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:02.840 that the church in Philadelphia was experiencing 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:05.920 seems to have at least in part involved 00:13:05.920 --> 00:13:09.860 being slandered by contemporary Jews who lived in their city. 00:13:10.180 --> 00:13:11.960 We saw this a few weeks ago 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:14.620 in Jesus' letter to the church in Smyrna. 00:13:15.540 --> 00:13:17.080 To reconstruct what was going on, 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:19.220 we have to read between the lines a little bit here 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:21.700 and also draw from the historical context. 00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:23.960 But the best historical estimate 00:13:23.960 --> 00:13:25.140 is that in Philadelphia, 00:13:25.140 --> 00:13:28.259 there was a community of Jewish Christians, 00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:31.220 and they seem to have worshipped in the local synagogue. 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:33.520 As mentioned in the sermon a few weeks ago, 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:35.620 it was common for Christians in the early church 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:37.420 to do this, to worship in the synagogues. 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:39.420 We see Christians, even the apostles, 00:13:39.660 --> 00:13:40.980 doing this in the book of Acts. 00:13:41.400 --> 00:13:44.800 But evidently, the Jews in the synagogue of Philadelphia 00:13:44.800 --> 00:13:47.020 were criticizing Jewish Christians 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:49.939 and saying that they could only be Jewish 00:13:49.939 --> 00:13:52.960 if they did not confess Jesus as the Messiah. 00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:57.319 Christians in Philadelphia 00:13:57.319 --> 00:14:00.500 were therefore suffering under slander, 00:14:00.819 --> 00:14:03.620 and they had probably been excommunicated 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.360 from the synagogue. 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:06.819 They were likely cut off from friends and family. 00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:09.299 This would have meant that they would have lost 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:11.720 their ethnic, their religious, their cultural, 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:13.340 even their national identity. 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:15.659 And if we put all these things together, 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:16.639 we learn a little bit, 00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:19.240 about what the church in Philadelphia was suffering. 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:20.439 They were weak. 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:21.779 They were oppressed. 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:22.679 They were slandered. 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:23.500 They were vulnerable. 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.419 They were lonely. 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:26.860 They were rudderless in a sea 00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:30.659 without a worldly home or worldly identity. 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:33.439 But despite all of this, 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:35.679 they kept the word of Jesus, 00:14:36.059 --> 00:14:37.639 and they did not deny his name, 00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:40.179 and they patiently persevered. 00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:43.720 So I ask you, friend, 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:46.639 are you suffering these things? 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:48.579 Are you weak? 00:14:48.819 --> 00:14:50.019 Are you downtrodden? 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:52.559 Are you meek or weak or hurting 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:54.279 or buffeted back and forth? 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:57.500 Are you slandered or oppressed 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:59.100 or weary or lonely? 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:02.799 Have you been cut off from friends or family? 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:06.279 Are there those in your workplace 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:07.460 or in your school 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:09.759 who gossip about you behind your back 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:11.159 because you follow Jesus? 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:15.199 Have you lost your identity in this world? 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:18.460 And in all these things, 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:21.120 are you keeping Jesus' word? 00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:23.300 Are you refusing to deny his name? 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:26.980 The church in Philadelphia suffered like you. 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:28.080 They had no strength. 00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:28.940 They were oppressed, 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:31.960 it seems, by both Jews and Gentiles. 00:15:32.420 --> 00:15:33.420 They were slandered. 00:15:33.540 --> 00:15:34.340 In all probability, 00:15:34.340 --> 00:15:36.180 they were rejected by friends and family. 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:39.200 Yet unlike some of the churches in Revelation, 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:40.980 most of the churches in Revelation, 00:15:41.420 --> 00:15:43.280 they kept Jesus' word 00:15:43.280 --> 00:15:46.660 and they patiently persevered. 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:50.360 Friends, it is no wonder 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:52.800 that Jesus goes on in his letter 00:15:52.800 --> 00:15:55.280 to assure these Christians of their salvation 00:15:55.280 --> 00:15:56.540 and to comfort them 00:15:56.540 --> 00:15:58.700 and to promise them many things 00:15:58.700 --> 00:16:00.200 regarding that heavenly kingdom 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:01.800 Jesus is preparing for them 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:02.960 and for you 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:06.320 and also to assure them 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:07.639 about their new identity 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:09.460 he is giving to them 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:11.060 and to you as a Christian. 00:16:11.780 --> 00:16:13.600 So let's turn to these promises now. 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:17.040 And before I start, 00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:18.379 I must say that these promises 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:20.420 can be a little difficult to interpret, 00:16:20.420 --> 00:16:22.960 so we'll go through them one by one. 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:25.540 First, in verse 9 00:16:25.540 --> 00:16:27.680 of his letter to the Philadelphians, 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.879 Jesus refers to those 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:31.560 who slandered and opposed 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:32.979 the Christians of Philadelphia. 00:16:34.099 --> 00:16:34.519 He says, 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.179 Behold, 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:37.199 I will make them come 00:16:37.199 --> 00:16:38.779 and bow down before your feet 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.979 and they will learn 00:16:39.979 --> 00:16:41.519 that I have loved you. 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:45.239 What could this mean? 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:46.899 It might sound 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:48.839 as if these persecutors 00:16:48.839 --> 00:16:51.039 will be forced to worship Christians. 00:16:52.239 --> 00:16:53.959 It might sound that way in English, 00:16:54.099 --> 00:16:55.500 but in the original Greek, 00:16:55.839 --> 00:16:57.659 I think it's a bit more clear. 00:16:58.099 --> 00:16:59.179 These enemies are not 00:16:59.179 --> 00:17:00.239 worshiping Christians. 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:00.859 Instead, 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:02.819 they are worshiping God 00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:04.579 in front of the Christians 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:06.240 that they persecuted. 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:09.759 This touches upon Judgment Day 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:12.440 when every tongue will confess 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:14.659 and every knee will bow, 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:16.339 when the nations 00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:18.059 will be gathered before Jesus, 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.759 when all people will come 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:21.819 and they'll come from the east 00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:22.579 and from the west 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.240 and from the north 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:23.940 and from the south 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:25.200 and they'll cast their crowns 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:25.759 before him. 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:27.099 And we will all be together 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:27.839 on that day, 00:17:27.919 --> 00:17:28.740 every one of us. 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:30.079 And Scripture says 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:31.819 that not only will every Christian 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:32.400 be there, 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.519 but every non-Christian, 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:35.799 and not just every human being, 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:37.259 but every being 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:38.859 on heaven and on earth 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:39.980 and under the earth. 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:40.859 All creation, 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:42.559 all the angels will be there, 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:44.599 the demons will be there too, 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:46.720 and we will all fall 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:48.420 before the throne of Jesus. 00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:50.300 And Jesus gives 00:17:50.300 --> 00:17:52.180 specific comfort 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:53.360 to those of you 00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:55.080 who have suffered under lies 00:17:55.080 --> 00:17:56.120 or been slandered 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:56.779 or rejected 00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:58.000 for the sake of Christ. 00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.400 Jesus says 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:01.220 that whoever has lied 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:02.420 about you, 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:04.360 whoever has done so 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:05.240 on account of me, 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:07.140 whoever has slandered you, 00:18:07.300 --> 00:18:08.539 whoever has rejected you 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:09.340 because of me, 00:18:09.580 --> 00:18:10.600 on that day 00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:12.200 they will be made to learn 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:13.480 that I have loved you. 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:15.480 Friends, 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.360 make no mistake, 00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.299 we are called 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.579 to love our enemies. 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.680 Scripture commands us 00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:22.240 to pray 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:24.099 for those who persecute you. 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:25.880 Bless those who curse you. 00:18:26.059 --> 00:18:27.740 Turn and offer your left cheek 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.839 when struck on the right. 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:29.819 Do good 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:31.259 to those who do evil. 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:31.779 Forgive 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:33.599 those who have wronged you 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:35.460 because vengeance is mine, 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.339 says the Lord. 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.240 I will repay. 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.620 Scripture is also clear 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:40.640 that the love of God 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:41.599 has been poured out 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:42.419 in your heart, 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.559 not because of anything worthy 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.819 that you have done, 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:47.959 not because of your works, 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:49.859 not because you've earned it 00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:50.859 as a wage 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.980 that is due to you, 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:52.559 but only 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.759 and simply 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:54.899 because God 00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:55.639 in His glory 00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:57.000 set His love upon you 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:58.019 and rescued you 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:59.339 from the domain of darkness. 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.819 On account of this, 00:19:02.879 --> 00:19:04.139 you should not take passages 00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:06.500 as the one we have before us 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:09.000 to lord it over those 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.139 who made you suffer. 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:11.300 Instead, 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:12.940 take these passages 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:14.840 to walk with humility. 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:16.720 Take them as a comfort 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:18.920 that when you suffer for Christ, 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:20.600 when you are rejected by others, 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:22.060 God will vindicate you. 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.820 You don't need to worry 00:19:23.820 --> 00:19:24.800 about vengeance. 00:19:25.040 --> 00:19:26.840 You don't need to justify yourself 00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:28.400 before those who gossip 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:29.860 or slander about you. 00:19:31.080 --> 00:19:32.759 You don't need to be anxious 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:35.180 over whether you'll be found innocent. 00:19:36.380 --> 00:19:37.500 And do not believe 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.860 any of those things they say. 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:40.379 Christ is for you. 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:42.019 Who can be against you? 00:19:42.679 --> 00:19:44.539 For Jesus has promised 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.559 that all those 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:46.979 who have rejected 00:19:46.979 --> 00:19:47.879 or mocked you 00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:49.159 will be made to know 00:19:49.159 --> 00:19:50.039 on that day 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:52.099 that God has loved you 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:52.819 when He comes 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:53.919 to judge the earth. 00:19:56.459 --> 00:19:57.399 Well, friends, 00:19:57.679 --> 00:19:58.599 let us move on 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.719 to a second promise 00:19:59.719 --> 00:20:00.500 I want to highlight. 00:20:00.899 --> 00:20:01.899 This is in verse 10 00:20:01.899 --> 00:20:03.199 where Jesus says, 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.319 because you have kept 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.700 the word of my patient endurance, 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:06.920 I will keep you 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:08.259 from the hour of trial 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:08.920 that is coming 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:10.019 on the whole world 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.819 to try those 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.840 who dwell on the earth. 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:14.860 This verse has occasioned 00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:15.700 much controversy 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.920 in theological circles. 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.660 Many faithful Christians 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.620 have taken this verse 00:20:19.620 --> 00:20:20.460 to mean that Jesus 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:21.539 will spare Christians 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.500 from the trials 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.660 mentioned in the book 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.420 of Revelation 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:26.299 because this verse 00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:27.740 promises to rescue Christians 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.680 from the great trial 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.299 that is coming 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:30.299 on the whole earth. 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:33.000 Other faithful Christians 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:35.000 disagree and point out 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.619 that Revelation 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:37.180 does seem to include 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:38.859 Christians as suffering 00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:40.200 the trials that are to come. 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:41.279 For instance, 00:20:41.419 --> 00:20:42.639 in Revelation 6.11 00:20:42.639 --> 00:20:44.059 seems to reference 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:45.220 Christians being killed 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:45.899 and you can see 00:20:45.899 --> 00:20:46.680 similar things 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:48.500 in chapter 7.14 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:50.299 or 12.11, 12.17 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.279 and verses like that. 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:52.759 Now, in this 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.799 alternative perspective, 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.480 what Jesus promises 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.839 to spare the Philadelphians 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.559 from is either 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.799 the terrible woe 00:20:58.799 --> 00:21:00.399 in Revelation 9 00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:01.759 where only those 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.359 who are sealed 00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:03.259 with God's name 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.819 are spared. 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:04.980 Or perhaps 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.879 what he's talking about 00:21:05.879 --> 00:21:07.539 is the great trial 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.839 of the lake of fire 00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:09.960 that is prepared 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.599 for all those 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.619 who reject Christ. 00:21:13.159 --> 00:21:14.099 We may touch 00:21:14.099 --> 00:21:14.700 on these things 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.940 in a later sermon 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:17.220 but whatever the case, 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:18.079 remember friends 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.539 that we must read 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:21.299 Revelation with humility. 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.559 There are mysteries 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.740 in it that will not 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.599 be made clear 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.879 until they are fulfilled. 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:27.139 Remember also 00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:28.759 that the finer points 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:30.259 about the end times, 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.759 these friends 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.560 are secondary 00:21:32.560 --> 00:21:34.100 or even tertiary issues 00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:34.800 and we don't want 00:21:34.800 --> 00:21:36.500 to be divisive about them 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.980 or focus on them 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.640 over much. 00:21:39.100 --> 00:21:39.700 So regardless 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.420 of your view 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.300 on the end times, 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:43.259 what we know 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:44.380 is this. 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:47.460 In this present life, 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:48.660 Christ calls us 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:49.480 to bear our crosses 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:51.240 and he tells us 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:51.880 that suffering 00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:53.500 will come to us 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.400 whether or not 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:55.500 it comes in the end times 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:55.920 or not. 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:57.380 And we also know 00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:58.660 that Christ promises 00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.680 to welcome us 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.559 into his kingdom 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:02.740 and to make all know 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.799 that he has loved you. 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.900 So take heart, friends. 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.900 Jesus promises 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.960 to spare you 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:10.480 from the coming trial, 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.839 whatever that may be. 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:13.599 Friends, 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.259 I could go on 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.140 about this passage 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:16.180 for some time 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:17.960 but let's hasten on 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:20.019 because Jesus 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.000 has more promises 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:22.279 for those of you 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.519 who are faithful 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.220 to Christ 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.019 when suffering 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.079 rejection by others. 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:27.819 Verse 12 reads this. 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:28.819 Jesus says, 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.960 To the one who conquers, 00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:31.299 I will make him 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:32.259 a pillar in the temple 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:32.980 of my God. 00:22:33.139 --> 00:22:34.940 Never shall he go out of it. 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:36.779 The phrase, 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:37.619 To the one who conquers, 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.559 this refers to those 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.799 who continue to persevere 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.339 in the faith. 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.400 To these, 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:43.039 God will make a pillar 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:44.460 in the temple of God, 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:46.099 the temple that's located 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:47.160 in the coming 00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:47.980 heavenly kingdom. 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:50.160 Never will they 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:51.119 leave his presence. 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:53.959 With this, 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.919 Jesus, of course, 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.639 doesn't mean that 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:56.539 he's actually going 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.319 to turn you 00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:59.039 into a pillar of stone. 00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:01.359 Instead, 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:02.659 he's speaking figuratively 00:23:02.659 --> 00:23:03.819 or symbolically here. 00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:04.699 And to understand 00:23:04.699 --> 00:23:05.219 this promise, 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:05.939 we must know 00:23:05.939 --> 00:23:07.719 that a pillar in Scripture 00:23:07.719 --> 00:23:09.759 signifies permanence, 00:23:10.459 --> 00:23:11.699 steadfastness, 00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:12.619 immovability, 00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:13.579 constancy. 00:23:14.239 --> 00:23:15.099 So by using 00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:16.199 symbolic language, 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:17.559 Jesus communicates 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:18.599 that you 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:20.000 who have persevered 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.519 in the faith 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.539 in times of trial 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:22.779 or in being rejected 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.440 or in losing 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.559 your worldly identity 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.460 or your community. 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.500 To you, 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.259 Jesus says, 00:23:27.619 --> 00:23:28.720 you will be spared 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:30.220 not only the coming trial, 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:32.220 but you will also be 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.299 in God's presence 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:35.240 forever in his temple. 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.380 You will no longer 00:23:36.380 --> 00:23:37.079 be rejected. 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:38.480 You will be with him 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.440 and more than that, 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:41.099 you will be a necessary, 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:42.500 a crucial aspect 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.720 of the functioning 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:45.079 of the temple of God. 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:47.259 Just as a pillar 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:49.319 crucially upholds 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.039 a building, 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.879 so you will not 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.440 be worthless. 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:54.819 You will be an integral part 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:56.240 of the kingdom of God. 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.779 Whatever your worth is now, 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:01.500 you will not be worthless then. 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:03.319 Christ will make you fit 00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:04.579 for valued service 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:05.400 in his kingdom 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:06.480 just as a pillar 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.839 upholds a temple. 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.779 And not only that, 00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:10.980 Jesus goes on to say 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:12.259 in that same verse, 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:14.039 and I will write on him 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:16.039 the name of my God. 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:18.279 Again, friends, 00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:19.119 this doesn't mean 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:20.480 that we're going 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:21.420 to literally walk around 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.240 with the letters of God 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.500 scribbled all over our face. 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.920 Instead, again, 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.740 this is an example 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:28.440 of symbolic language. 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:30.519 Inscribing God's name 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:32.119 on you means 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:33.720 that you are set apart 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.319 for God. 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.460 You belong to him. 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.379 You are part 00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:37.180 of his household. 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.480 You are cherished by him 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.759 and protected by him. 00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:40.839 This is similar 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.759 to Exodus 28, 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:44.259 verse 36 through 38, 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.660 where the phrase 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:47.559 holy to the Lord 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.559 is inscribed 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.700 on the gold plate 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:51.599 mounted on the high priest's forehead. 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:55.000 To write God's name 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:56.180 on the high priest 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:57.119 was a marker 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:59.299 claiming that the high priest 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.440 was set apart 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:02.839 specifically for God. 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.960 It indicated 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:05.960 that he belonged to God 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.799 and was set apart 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.759 for service to God 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.680 in a special way. 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:11.259 In the same way, Christian, 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:13.319 you who have been faithful 00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:13.859 to Christ 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:14.960 in times of trial, 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:16.240 in times of being rejected 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:16.960 or slandered, 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.019 in times of suffering 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.720 for Christ, 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:21.819 you belong to God now. 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.099 You have been purchased 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:23.759 by him. 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:26.259 You are in his household forever. 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:27.819 You are safe with him, 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.500 protected by his shield. 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.700 You are under his banner 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.640 and you have been purchased 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:33.700 by his blood eternally. 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.119 For this reason, 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.879 the Apostle Paul says, 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:38.160 you are not your own. 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:39.860 You were bought 00:25:39.860 --> 00:25:41.300 with a price. 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.640 And to indicate all of this, 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.920 Jesus in Revelation 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:46.380 symbolically promises 00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:48.800 to write the name of God 00:25:48.800 --> 00:25:49.620 upon you. 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:52.080 But Jesus 00:25:52.080 --> 00:25:54.680 has more words of promise 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.460 for you, Christian, 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.680 who are persevering 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.259 in trial 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:58.300 and worldly rejection. 00:25:58.800 --> 00:25:59.840 He says he will not just 00:25:59.840 --> 00:26:00.800 write his name on you. 00:26:01.120 --> 00:26:02.160 He says in verse 12, 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:03.440 I will also write 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.860 the name of the city 00:26:04.860 --> 00:26:05.640 of my God, 00:26:05.840 --> 00:26:06.820 the new Jerusalem, 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:08.019 which comes down 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.660 from heaven, 00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:10.580 from my God. 00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:13.000 As we just saw, 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.779 being called the name 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.340 of someone 00:26:15.340 --> 00:26:16.700 meant that you belong 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.980 to that person's household. 00:26:18.360 --> 00:26:19.440 But here you must know 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.460 that in the ancient world, 00:26:20.560 --> 00:26:21.560 being called by the name 00:26:21.560 --> 00:26:22.259 of a city 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.440 meant that you were 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:25.340 a citizen of that city. 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.820 So here when Jesus 00:26:26.820 --> 00:26:27.920 inscribes the name 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.860 of the city of God, 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.700 the new Jerusalem, 00:26:30.100 --> 00:26:30.840 which comes down 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.279 from heaven, 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:33.099 he is proclaiming 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:34.500 in no uncertain terms 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.559 that you are a citizen 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.959 of that heavenly city 00:26:36.959 --> 00:26:37.519 forever. 00:26:38.159 --> 00:26:39.240 Your old identity 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.439 has passed away. 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.480 All these earthly cities, 00:26:42.639 --> 00:26:43.559 these earthly countries, 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.399 earthly families, 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.819 these are as nothing 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:47.359 to that heavenly kingdom 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:48.579 where you, 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.599 Jesus says, 00:26:50.199 --> 00:26:50.980 have been elected 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:52.740 a citizen by God himself, 00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:54.740 a city that will never 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.759 pass away 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:57.980 like those on this earth. 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.299 Paul the Apostle 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:01.519 writes of this 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.359 to the Philippians. 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:04.039 He says in chapter 3 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.740 to his epistle, 00:27:04.919 --> 00:27:05.720 but our citizenship 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.619 is in heaven 00:27:06.619 --> 00:27:07.700 and from it 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.759 we await a Savior, 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:10.259 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:27:10.419 --> 00:27:11.460 who will transform 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.559 our lowly body 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:14.399 to be like his glorious body 00:27:14.399 --> 00:27:15.599 by the power 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.960 that enables him 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.799 even to subject 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:19.220 all things to himself. 00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:21.899 Christian, 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.500 if you are longing 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.480 for citizenship 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.980 in an earthly country, 00:27:26.419 --> 00:27:27.399 or if your identity 00:27:27.399 --> 00:27:28.819 has been taken from you, 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:30.819 if you've been abandoned 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:32.240 by family or friends 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:33.599 or your community, 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:36.480 do not be troubled 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.839 by these things. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:40.480 God has reserved for you 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.579 a better citizenship 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.839 and a better family, 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:44.159 a better community, 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.720 one which can never 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.619 be taken away, 00:27:46.939 --> 00:27:48.339 which will not be overthrown. 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:50.319 He has gotten for you 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:52.059 an irrevocable citizenship 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.980 in heaven 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:54.700 and a permanent, 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:56.740 heavenly identity. 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:58.900 And brothers and sisters, 00:27:58.900 --> 00:28:00.039 all of us here at Trinity, 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:00.720 we are just 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:02.140 a small, 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:03.240 humble foretaste 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.539 as sampling a token 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.900 of that spiritual family 00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:07.380 that you've been given 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.700 eternally and forever. 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.859 But Jesus 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:12.799 is not done yet. 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:14.200 He says he will not only 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:14.980 make you a pillar 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.680 in this temple, 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:17.200 he will not only inscribe 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:18.660 the name of God on you 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:19.920 in the name of the heavenly city, 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.759 he also says 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:22.440 that he will also inscribe 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:25.200 my own new name. 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:28.039 Again, this indicates 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:29.680 that you now belong to Jesus 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.700 just as you belong 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.559 to God the Father. 00:28:32.120 --> 00:28:32.880 But notice here 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:34.160 that Jesus, 00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.279 he doesn't say 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.140 he's just going to write 00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:36.960 his name on you. 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.819 He says he will write 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:42.200 his new name on you. 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:45.279 What is this new name? 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:48.500 Jesus is called by many names 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.120 in the scriptures. 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:50.160 Of course, 00:28:50.360 --> 00:28:51.420 he's called Jesus, 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:53.580 which means the Lord saves. 00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:56.099 Jesus is also called 00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:57.079 the wisdom of God, 00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:57.919 the word of God, 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:58.839 the son of God. 00:28:58.939 --> 00:28:59.919 He's called Emmanuel, 00:29:00.179 --> 00:29:01.240 which means God with us. 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.899 But none of these 00:29:02.899 --> 00:29:04.839 are new names for Jesus. 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:05.899 They're old names. 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:08.539 So Jesus can't be talking 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:09.779 about those names. 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:12.879 What then is this new name 00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:14.899 that Jesus promises 00:29:14.899 --> 00:29:16.019 to write on you? 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:17.720 Friends, 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.899 this is one of those places 00:29:18.899 --> 00:29:21.000 where scholars and theologians 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.599 are not so sure. 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:23.839 This name, 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.079 our best guess, 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:26.759 is this name probably 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:28.420 refers to the new name 00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:29.460 of Jesus mentioned 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:31.200 in Revelation chapter 19 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:32.440 in verse 12. 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.940 There in that passage, 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.059 the apostle John 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.779 is given a vision 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:37.019 of when Jesus returns 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:38.000 in the end of days. 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:38.859 He says, 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:40.339 Then I saw heaven opened, 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.440 and behold, 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.519 a white horse, 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:44.039 the one sitting on it 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:45.900 is called Faithful and True, 00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:47.140 and in righteousness 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:49.580 he judges and makes war. 00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:52.040 His eyes are like a flame of fire 00:29:52.040 --> 00:29:52.800 and on his head 00:29:52.800 --> 00:29:53.720 are many diadems, 00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:55.400 and he has a name written 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:56.900 that no one knows 00:29:56.900 --> 00:29:57.740 but himself. 00:29:58.460 --> 00:30:00.160 He is clothed in a robe 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:00.960 dipped in blood, 00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:02.019 and the name of which 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.700 he is called 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:04.259 is the Word of God. 00:30:05.160 --> 00:30:06.340 And the armies of heaven 00:30:06.340 --> 00:30:07.400 arrayed in fine linen, 00:30:07.560 --> 00:30:08.420 white and pure, 00:30:08.600 --> 00:30:09.600 were following him 00:30:09.600 --> 00:30:10.500 on white horses. 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:14.339 Jesus, in this passage, 00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:16.180 is called the Word of God. 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.500 His robe is dipped 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.299 in his own blood 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.619 which he shed for you 00:30:19.619 --> 00:30:20.500 to redeem you 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:21.519 and to purchase you 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:22.880 and to set you free. 00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:24.759 And he rides a white horse 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.940 leading the armies of heaven 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.480 on that day 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.240 when he returns. 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:30.579 But aside from being called 00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:31.400 the Word of God, 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.839 there's also another name 00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:34.519 for Jesus in this passage, 00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:35.940 and this name 00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:37.539 is written on him, 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:39.680 and no one knows this name 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:40.820 but Jesus himself. 00:30:42.320 --> 00:30:43.519 It's plausible, 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:44.320 even likely, 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.660 that this is the new name 00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:47.380 we read about 00:30:47.380 --> 00:30:48.500 in Jesus' letter 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.259 to the church 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:50.220 in Philadelphia. 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.860 This is the new name 00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:53.340 of Jesus 00:30:53.340 --> 00:30:54.900 which Jesus will write on you. 00:30:55.060 --> 00:30:55.799 It's the name 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:58.000 by which you will be called 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:59.420 on that last day 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:00.580 when Jesus counts you 00:31:00.580 --> 00:31:01.279 as his own, 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:02.539 as a member 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:03.980 of his household forever, 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:06.380 as a true child of God 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:07.220 and as a citizen 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:07.980 of his city, 00:31:08.080 --> 00:31:09.240 as a brother and sister 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:10.819 a faithful servant 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.559 and a friend. 00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:13.640 But whereas 00:31:13.640 --> 00:31:14.460 when the name of God 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:14.839 the Father 00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:15.620 was written on you, 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:16.180 it marked you 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:16.680 as belonging 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:17.680 to the Father's household, 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:19.319 the new name of Jesus 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:20.200 marks you 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:21.940 not just as being 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:23.299 part of that household 00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:24.380 but having 00:31:24.380 --> 00:31:25.480 the privilege 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:26.720 of the inheritance 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:29.220 as a firstborn son. 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:31.140 for since Jesus 00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:32.240 is the only begotten 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:32.759 of the Father, 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:34.140 he inherits a kingdom 00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:35.420 and because he has 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:36.500 set his name on you, 00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:38.059 you also will inherit 00:31:38.059 --> 00:31:38.680 that kingdom 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:39.660 and reign with him. 00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:42.400 And more than this, 00:31:42.620 --> 00:31:43.799 just as we identify 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:45.200 someone's family name, 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.559 someone's family 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.860 based on their last name, 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:49.259 so also in heaven 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:50.360 you will be given 00:31:50.360 --> 00:31:51.180 a name of Jesus 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:53.420 as a kind of new last name. 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.680 Think about this 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.460 in your mind now. 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.600 You have a first name, 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:57.519 many of you 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:58.219 have a middle name, 00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:59.579 you have a last name, 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.859 however many names 00:32:00.859 --> 00:32:01.319 you have, 00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:01.799 they were given 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.679 to you by someone 00:32:02.679 --> 00:32:03.599 and most of them 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.719 indicate your membership 00:32:04.719 --> 00:32:05.639 in a family. 00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.639 And at the end of days 00:32:07.639 --> 00:32:08.419 at the resurrection, 00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.719 Jesus will add 00:32:09.719 --> 00:32:10.480 to your names 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:12.379 a final and eternal name, 00:32:12.459 --> 00:32:13.439 his new name, 00:32:14.059 --> 00:32:15.039 and you will be called 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:16.199 by that name forever. 00:32:16.679 --> 00:32:18.219 Your family will be 00:32:18.219 --> 00:32:20.379 that of God the Father 00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:21.899 and you will partake 00:32:21.899 --> 00:32:22.539 in the inheritance 00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:23.839 of Christ your brother 00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:25.399 and your old identity 00:32:25.399 --> 00:32:26.459 will have passed away, 00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:27.519 your new will have come. 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:30.440 You belong to Jesus now. 00:32:32.340 --> 00:32:33.400 Friends, this letter 00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:37.440 has spoken many promises to us 00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:41.980 and the sum of them is this. 00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:44.600 Your identity 00:32:44.600 --> 00:32:47.140 is not in this world. 00:32:47.819 --> 00:32:49.660 It is not what people think of you. 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:51.840 It is not in your earthly connections. 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:54.140 It is not in your worldly citizenship. 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:56.019 It is not in your family ties. 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:57.139 It is not in your wealth, 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:57.759 your career, 00:32:58.119 --> 00:32:58.940 your education. 00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:01.240 Instead, your identity 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:02.519 is in Christ Jesus. 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:04.339 In him, you have 00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:05.200 an eternal home, 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.599 an eternal family, 00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:07.680 an eternal country 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:09.019 in heaven with him, 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.940 a forever citizenship. 00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:13.779 Be comforted in this, 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.059 friends. 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:17.500 Do not fear the rejection 00:33:17.500 --> 00:33:18.259 of this world 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:19.400 or the slander of others 00:33:19.400 --> 00:33:20.779 because you follow Christ. 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:20.839 Christ. 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:25.639 Well, brothers and sisters, 00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:27.519 in view of these promises, 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:30.019 what word of advice 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:31.079 does Jesus have 00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:31.940 for those of you 00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:32.859 who are faithfully 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:34.440 persevering in this world? 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:37.779 He speaks this in verse 11. 00:33:38.839 --> 00:33:39.559 He says, 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:43.139 I am coming soon. 00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:46.319 Hold fast what you have 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:47.679 so that no one 00:33:47.679 --> 00:33:48.819 may seize your crown. 00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:52.480 Amen, friends. 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:55.679 Let me conclude this sermon 00:33:55.679 --> 00:33:57.000 with the same exhortation. 00:33:57.679 --> 00:33:59.659 Hold fast, dear Christian. 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:01.379 Do not grow weary. 00:34:01.879 --> 00:34:03.440 Jesus is coming soon. 00:34:04.039 --> 00:34:05.500 Hold fast to what you have. 00:34:05.579 --> 00:34:06.440 Do not let anyone 00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:07.419 seize your crown. 00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:08.420 Pay no attention 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:10.480 when people speak ill of you 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:11.400 because of Christ. 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.659 Don't be troubled 00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:13.579 of these things. 00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:15.280 Instead, 00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.659 grow in joyfulness. 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:17.639 Grow in mercy. 00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:18.840 Grow in long-suffering 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.500 and perseverance. 00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:20.480 You're king. 00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:22.039 He knows your sufferings. 00:34:23.200 --> 00:34:23.960 And he comes 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:24.960 to judge the earth. 00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:27.079 And there lies in store 00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:28.420 for you a citizenship 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.280 in heaven, 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:31.280 a membership 00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:33.559 in the eternal family of God 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:35.340 which will never fade away. 00:34:35.340 --> 00:34:37.820 brothers and sisters, 00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:38.660 join me in prayer 00:34:38.660 --> 00:34:40.100 thanking God for these things. 00:34:46.720 --> 00:34:48.019 Oh, Father in heaven, 00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:51.700 we thank you for these promises. 00:34:53.500 --> 00:34:54.740 We thank you that you, 00:34:54.900 --> 00:34:56.100 by the blood of your son Jesus, 00:34:56.280 --> 00:34:57.039 have welcomed us 00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:57.940 as your children, 00:34:58.680 --> 00:34:59.600 adopted us 00:34:59.600 --> 00:35:01.860 as your sons and daughters, 00:35:02.760 --> 00:35:03.820 that you have helped us, 00:35:03.820 --> 00:35:05.620 you have given us that right 00:35:05.620 --> 00:35:07.100 due to nothing we have done 00:35:07.100 --> 00:35:08.380 to partake in the inheritance 00:35:08.380 --> 00:35:09.300 of Christ. 00:35:10.100 --> 00:35:11.080 Father, I pray 00:35:11.080 --> 00:35:12.940 for anyone here 00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:13.840 who is suffering 00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:15.440 under rejection, 00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:16.760 under slander, 00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:17.640 or gossip, 00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:18.180 for anyone 00:35:18.180 --> 00:35:19.780 who has been separated 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:21.820 by family or friends 00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:23.840 because they follow you. 00:35:26.100 --> 00:35:26.920 Father, I pray 00:35:26.920 --> 00:35:27.920 you would give them courage, 00:35:28.059 --> 00:35:29.059 you would give them perseverance, 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:29.860 you would help them 00:35:29.860 --> 00:35:31.539 to hold fast, 00:35:32.180 --> 00:35:33.539 to not lose their crown. 00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:35.780 Lord, for those of us 00:35:35.780 --> 00:35:38.360 who are not suffering 00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:39.079 these things, 00:35:39.340 --> 00:35:40.640 I pray you would help us 00:35:40.640 --> 00:35:42.000 to encourage and exhort 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:42.940 and bear with others 00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:43.400 who are, 00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:44.860 to build them up 00:35:44.860 --> 00:35:45.519 and lift them up. 00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:46.460 I pray we would learn 00:35:46.460 --> 00:35:47.559 from them too, Lord, 00:35:48.220 --> 00:35:49.420 and learn from their wisdom 00:35:49.420 --> 00:35:50.700 gotten by perseverance 00:35:50.700 --> 00:35:52.700 in the faithful path 00:35:52.700 --> 00:35:53.980 of obedience to Christ. 00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:54.059 Christ. 00:35:56.639 --> 00:35:57.559 Oh, Father, 00:35:58.380 --> 00:36:00.940 we also pray 00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:02.260 that Jesus would come soon 00:36:02.260 --> 00:36:03.900 and we lay ourselves 00:36:03.900 --> 00:36:04.619 before him 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:06.240 and it's in his mighty name 00:36:06.240 --> 00:36:06.820 that we pray. 00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:08.240 Amen. 00:36:08.240 --> 00:36:08.380 Amen.