WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.600 We're going to begin our service today singing in Psalm 21, Psalm 21 in the Scottish Psalter, 00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:11.000 page 225, verses 1 to 6. 00:00:13.339 --> 00:00:17.059 The King in thy great strength, O Lord, shall very joyful be. 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:20.820 In thy salvation rejoice, how vehemently shall he. 00:00:21.500 --> 00:00:24.359 Thou hast bestowed upon him all that his heart would have, 00:00:24.940 --> 00:00:29.080 and thou from him didst not withhold whate'er his lips did crave. 00:00:29.079 --> 00:00:34.219 Kingship in the Old Testament was really a representation, imperfectly of course, 00:00:34.299 --> 00:00:39.700 but a representation nevertheless of the Lord Jesus Christ himself and his kingship. 00:00:40.219 --> 00:00:47.719 And so we relate these verses to Jesus the King, and especially Jesus the King crowned in his exaltation, 00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:51.840 now following his work of atonement on earth. 00:00:52.359 --> 00:00:57.259 So these verses 1 to 6, the King in thy great strength, O Lord, and the tune is Arnold. 00:00:59.079 --> 00:01:18.219 The King in thy great strength, O Lord, shall many joyful be. 00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:36.219 In thy salvation rejoice, how vehemently shall he. 00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:54.599 Thou hast bestowed upon him all that his heart would have, 00:01:54.599 --> 00:02:12.599 and thou from him didst not withhold whate'er his lips did crave. 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:22.599 For thou with blessings him bevend, 00:02:22.599 --> 00:02:23.199 For thou with blessings him bevend, 00:02:23.199 --> 00:02:29.599 Of goodness manifold, 00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:40.599 And thou hast said upon his head, 00:02:40.599 --> 00:02:48.599 A crown of purest gold, 00:02:48.599 --> 00:02:59.599 When he desired life of thee, 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:07.599 Thou light to him didst care, 00:03:07.599 --> 00:03:25.599 In such a length of days that he For evermore should live. 00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:36.599 In that salvation brought by thee, 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:44.599 His glory is made great. 00:03:44.599 --> 00:03:54.599 Honour and comely majesty, 00:03:54.599 --> 00:04:02.599 Thou hast upon him said, 00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:21.600 Because that thou forevermore Most blessed hast in me, 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:31.600 And thou hast with thy countenance, 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:39.600 Made him exceeding glad. 00:04:39.600 --> 00:04:45.600 Let's now join together in prayer, 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:47.600 Refleer prayer at this point, 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:49.600 And the service is mostly focused on the Sunday school, 00:04:49.600 --> 00:04:51.600 And the young folks, 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:55.600 So let's pray. 00:04:55.600 --> 00:04:56.600 Lord our gracious God, 00:04:56.600 --> 00:04:58.600 We thank you that on this day, 00:04:58.600 --> 00:05:00.600 We are able to gather together as we do now, 00:05:00.600 --> 00:05:04.600 And we thank you that we have young ones and children with us, 00:05:04.600 --> 00:05:06.600 To be part of the service, 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:07.600 And we thank you for them, 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:11.600 For the way that you have brought them to be interested, 00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:13.600 And along with their parents to come, 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:15.600 To attend upon the worship of God. 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:17.600 We thank you, Lord, 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:19.600 Today that they participate in worship, 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:24.600 And that they are taught thereby how important it is for us to worship you, 00:05:24.600 --> 00:05:26.600 And to be a worshipping people, 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:28.600 Not only when we come to church, 00:05:28.600 --> 00:05:33.600 But also as we live out our days each day in all that we do. 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:35.600 We thank you today, Lord, for the children, 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:36.600 Once again. 00:05:36.600 --> 00:05:40.600 We pray for them and ask that you would bless them here, 00:05:40.600 --> 00:05:41.600 And bless them elsewhere. 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:43.600 We know that there are many of them, Lord, 00:05:43.600 --> 00:05:44.600 Away at this time. 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:46.600 We give thanks for them, 00:05:46.600 --> 00:05:50.600 And we pray that they may have a time of refreshment with their families. 00:05:50.600 --> 00:05:52.600 We ask that your blessing, Lord, 00:05:52.600 --> 00:05:56.600 Will come to rest upon them day by day, 00:05:56.600 --> 00:05:59.600 And they may come to know your word living in their hearts, 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:02.600 And guiding them in their steps through life. 00:06:02.600 --> 00:06:04.600 Remember the young ones at Scalladale, 00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:06.600 We pray as well today at the youth camp. 00:06:06.600 --> 00:06:09.600 We ask that your blessing will be with them. 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:13.600 You bless your word to them as it is explained to them. 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:17.600 And we pray that you would keep them safe and watch over them in all their activities. 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:22.600 We pray now that you would go with us into the service and into the rest of this day. 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:28.600 And we pray that in all of these things you would give great glory to your own great name. 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:34.600 And help us to be thankful that we have so many special things to enjoy that you have given us in this life. 00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:39.600 Receive us now we pray in Jesus name. Amen. 00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:45.600 Okay, the twinnies are getting a bit older by the look of it. 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:48.600 I know there are other children elsewhere in today. 00:06:48.600 --> 00:06:50.600 So I'm going to say a word to the children at this point. 00:06:50.600 --> 00:06:52.600 One word I want you to remember, 00:06:52.600 --> 00:06:55.600 It's easy enough to remember because you're very familiar with it. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:57.600 It's the word rain. 00:06:57.600 --> 00:07:00.600 I can hear the old ones groaning. 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:04.600 Don't tell me he's going to talk about rain in church as well. 00:07:04.600 --> 00:07:06.600 Well, rain is very important, of course. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:10.600 And we're all very familiar with rain on the island, aren't we? 00:07:10.600 --> 00:07:12.600 Sometimes we complain about the rain. 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:15.600 Sometimes we look out if it's raining in the morning and say, 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:17.600 Oh, not another day of rain. 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:20.600 But you know, rain is so important. 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:24.600 Sometimes when you have too much rain, of course, you get floods. 00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:26.600 And floods bring huge problems to people. 00:07:26.600 --> 00:07:29.600 And we find places in the world, even in our own country, 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:34.600 where severe flooding at times follows if there's a lot of rain. 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:37.600 And that, of course, destroys people's possessions and homes 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:39.600 and puts people in danger as well. 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:44.600 And even some people sadly lose their lives when there are great floods 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:48.600 in different parts of the world and even in our own country as well. 00:07:48.600 --> 00:07:51.600 On the other hand, the opposite of that is when you don't get enough rain. 00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:54.600 And when you don't get enough rain, of course, you get drought, 00:07:54.600 --> 00:07:57.600 which means the ground dries up and things don't grow properly. 00:07:57.600 --> 00:08:02.600 And then sadly, in parts of the world, certainly, because of drought, you get famine, 00:08:02.600 --> 00:08:08.600 lack of food and people facing starvation and all the problems that have to do with drought. 00:08:08.600 --> 00:08:16.600 So, we should be thankful that God has placed us in an island where we don't get severe weather. 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:18.600 Sometimes we get severe gales. 00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:22.600 But apart from that, the weather is generally fairly balanced. 00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:23.600 Okay? 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:25.600 We might get a bit more rain at times than we would like, 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:30.600 but we hardly ever get drought and we don't really get severe flooding 00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:33.600 except a few low-lying places perhaps. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:39.600 Like a little boy once said to his teacher to say something about the rain in Lewis. 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:40.600 And he said, 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:45.600 Well, we do get a lot of rain, but it flows back out over the edges. 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:47.600 And that's so true, isn't it? 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:51.600 God has placed us in very favorable conditions even weather-wise. 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:54.600 And we should be very thankful for that. 00:08:54.600 --> 00:09:01.600 But in the Bible, rain is used as a symbol or a picture of God's blessing, 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:04.600 especially the blessing of God when He blesses His Word. 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:10.600 I'm going to read one verse to you or two verses from Isaiah chapter 55. 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:19.600 And Isaiah chapter 55 is a chapter that speaks about various things including the rain. 00:09:19.600 --> 00:09:21.600 He says here in verse 10, 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:23.600 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:26.600 and do not return there but water the earth, 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:29.600 making it bring forth and sprout, 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:32.600 giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:36.600 so shall my word be that goes out of my mouth. 00:09:36.600 --> 00:09:38.600 It shall not return to me empty, 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:41.600 but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, 00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:45.600 and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:52.600 And God is saying there that just like the rain comes down and the earth needs the rain for things to grow, 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:58.600 so His Word is like the rain as it comes down upon our lives, 00:09:58.600 --> 00:10:06.600 it causes things to grow in our lives if we receive the Word of God as we should into our hearts and to our souls. 00:10:06.600 --> 00:10:12.600 And as by God's blessing and as we receive God's Word and apply it to our lives, 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:18.600 well, God is reminding us here that it makes things grow in our lives that otherwise wouldn't be there. 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:22.600 Love for God, love for one another, 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:25.600 faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:28.600 repentance of our sins and confession of our sins. 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:33.600 All of these things grow when God comes to bless His Word, 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:37.600 when His Word comes upon us like the rain on the earth. 00:10:37.600 --> 00:10:40.600 So, when His Word comes into our hearts and lives, 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:44.600 it produces all of these wonderful things for us. 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:48.600 And just like the earth needs the rain continuously, 00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:50.600 not just once now and again, 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:54.600 but in order for things to grow, the rain needs to keep coming. 00:10:54.600 --> 00:11:00.600 And so, we in our lives today need the rain of God's Word to come into our souls. 00:11:00.600 --> 00:11:02.600 That's why we're here today. 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:04.600 We're here to worship God. 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:07.600 And you young ones are getting part of that as well. 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:11.600 It's important that you're here to worship God with us as adults. 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:14.600 You're a special part of the congregation. 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:17.600 And as you receive the Word of God, 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:20.600 I hope today that you'll listen to the Word of God, 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:23.600 take it into your hearts, think about what it's saying, 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:28.600 because the more you do that, the more these things will grow in your life as well. 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:34.600 Your love for God, your respect for God, your love for other people. 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:40.600 All the things that we need to have as Christians that make us marked out as Christians, 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:45.600 so that in our lives too we will bear that fruit, as the Bible puts it elsewhere, 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:48.600 to grow to the glory of God. 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:55.600 So, we shouldn't really complain about the rain really, because it does such an important work. 00:11:55.600 --> 00:12:06.600 Ordinarily the rain, of course, is important, but spiritually the rain of God's Word is also very important for us to have in our lives. 00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:11.600 So, let's now say the Lord's Prayer together. 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:15.600 Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:17.600 Thy kingdom come. 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:20.600 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:23.600 Give us this day our daily bread. 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:26.600 And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:31.600 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:35.600 For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:36.600 Amen. 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:42.600 We're going to sing again now to God's praise again from Psalm 45a. 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:48.600 And all our singings for the rest of the service will be from 45a in Sing Psalms. 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:50.600 That's on page 56. 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:53.600 First of all, singing verses 1 to 5. 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:57.600 And the tune is Warwick. 00:12:57.600 --> 00:13:03.600 A noble theme inspires my heart with verses for the king. 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:08.600 My tongue's a skillful writer's pen composing lines to sing. 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:11.600 Psalm 45a, verses 1 to 5. 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:14.600 If you're able to stand, we'll stand again to sing. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:33.600 A noble theme inspires my heart with words is Lord the king. 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:48.600 My tongue's a skillful writer's pen composing lines to sing. 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:56.600 You, God, excel the best of men. 00:13:56.600 --> 00:14:03.600 Your lips are full of praise. 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:11.600 For God has blessed you evermore. 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:18.600 His light shines on your face. 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:27.600 O mighty one, take up your sword, 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:34.600 And bind it on your thigh. 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:40.600 With glorious splendor, 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:43.600 O pure self, 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:49.600 And with pure majesty. 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:59.600 Right forth and state victoriously, 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:06.600 For meekest truth and right. 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:15.600 Let your right hand display your deeds 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:22.600 Of wisdom, power, and might. 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:33.600 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:40.600 Of those who hate the king, 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:54.120 And all the nations of the earth in due subjection bring. 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:58.659 We're going to read God's Word now. 00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.840 There are two passages today. 00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:08.420 We're going to read firstly from Paul's letter to the Ephesians, chapter 5, from verse 22. 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:19.219 And then we're reading some verses in the last book of the Bible, the book of the Revelation, chapter 19, and the first nine verses. 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:26.199 First of all, Ephesians, chapter 5, and beginning at verse 22. 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:56.180 Verse 22. 00:16:56.200 --> 00:17:26.180 Verse 22. 00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:32.340 shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:37.960 This mystery is profound, and I'm saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:45.580 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects 00:17:45.580 --> 00:17:50.279 her husband. And if we turn to Revelation chapter 19, 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:55.819 we'll read from the beginning down to verse 9. 00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:06.200 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, 00:18:07.059 --> 00:18:14.379 crying out, Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are 00:18:14.379 --> 00:18:19.299 true and just. For he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:26.259 immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants. Once more they cried out, 00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:33.079 Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever. And the twenty-four elders and the four living 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:39.940 creatures fell down and worshipped God, who was seated on the throne, saying, Amen, Hallelujah! 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:47.019 And from the throne came a voice saying, Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:54.279 small and great. Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many 00:18:54.279 --> 00:19:03.200 waters and the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:11.000 the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:18.000 and his bride has made herself ready. It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:24.700 bright and pure. For the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, 00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:31.740 Write this. Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:42.140 These are the true words of God. Amen. May God follow with this blessing our reading again of his word. 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:45.079 Let's again join together in prayer. 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:56.000 Lord our God, we thank you for the reminder that you have given us and the teaching of your word that you are the 00:19:56.000 --> 00:20:04.000 Almighty One, that you are the one who has complete control and charge over our destinies and over the 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:10.599 events of history through to the end of the world. And we thank you today that this is part of what makes 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:17.519 you worthy of our praise, that you are God and there is none besides you. There is none worthy to be 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:23.839 worshipped but you. And we give thanks, O Lord, today that we are called and take delight in your worship. 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:31.459 We pray that you would help us, O Lord, to fall down in your presence too. And as we come with bowed 00:20:31.459 --> 00:20:37.759 heads in prayer to you, and as we praise your name in singing your praises, and as we come to read and 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:44.119 hear your word, so we give thanks, Lord, today that this is our great privilege, that you have been so 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:50.939 favorable toward us as to place us in these favorable conditions. We can say with the psalmist, indeed, 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:58.720 the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places. We bless the Lord for his kindness and goodness 00:20:58.720 --> 00:21:06.120 today. We thank you, O Lord, for all that it means to us to join together in this way, and for all that 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:12.019 it means to us to belong to your church in this world, to belong to that number of your people who 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:18.000 worship you, who call upon you, and who seek to make you known in the world. And we thank you, 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:24.220 Lord, in anticipation for all that is prepared for your people even throughout eternity. You've 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:31.099 reminded us in your word of that great event that is coming at your return, the marriage banquet, 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:37.660 the marriage supper of the Lamb, when your people will enter into an eternal, everlasting celebration 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:44.400 of your salvation. Lord, we thank you that as we anticipate that, that we can come and prepare 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:51.160 towards it even during our time in this world. We pray that your word will be blessed to us once 00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:57.540 again. And we pray that as we gather together, your word might more and more flourish in our lives 00:21:57.540 --> 00:22:04.160 to give evidence of that fruit of righteousness and holiness by which we will be known as your people. 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:09.680 We thank you that your word is so relevant, O Lord, for our own personal needs, 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:17.860 for the context in which our lives are set in this world, and for the needs even of nations as well as 00:22:17.860 --> 00:22:25.100 individuals. We pray, Lord, today that your word will go forth as we have been reminded from that 00:22:25.100 --> 00:22:32.500 great prophecy of Isaiah, when your servant Isaiah was used by you as an instrument to declare your word 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:38.359 to the people of his day, and when you assured him that your word would not return to you empty, 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:46.119 that it would accomplish the very purpose for which you sent it out. We pray that in our own experience, 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:52.519 O Lord, it might be that your word today will produce in us that fruit of righteousness. 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:59.220 We pray that it may be so wherever your word today is sown in the hearts of human beings, 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:05.039 wherever your word is heard. May we be like that good ground, O Lord, of which you taught your 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:12.019 disciples in that great parable of the soils and the sower. May we never be like those who are close 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:21.440 to your word, or those for whom your word is only just a formal recognition, and then overtaken by the 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:28.480 cares and the deceitfulness of riches. O Lord, our God, we ask that your word may be constantly 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:36.059 productive in our lives, that it may indeed be day by day for us a light which guides us through life. 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:41.980 May we be like the psalmist who could say of your word that it was a light to his feet and a lamp to 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:48.160 his path. And we thank you, Lord, for the guidance and the instruction that your word brings to us. 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:55.380 We ask today that the gospel will be blessed wherever it is proclaimed. Lord, we pray that your gospel 00:23:55.380 --> 00:24:02.800 will indeed bring many to know you, many to close in with the offer of salvation and the invitation 00:24:02.800 --> 00:24:09.460 that you extend in the gospel through your Holy Spirit. O Lord, may it come to us as well to be that 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:15.180 your Spirit today is active in our midst. We pray that we may know that for ourselves, that we have 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:22.680 met with God, that we have come to be guided into his truth by your Holy Spirit, and so that we ourselves 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:30.759 may more and more grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray today for those 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:36.080 of particular needs as they are known to us. Remember those of our number who are away at this time. 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:42.740 Keep them safe, we pray, protect them. Remember the young ones in Scaladale as they meet in the 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:48.980 Presbytery Youth Camp. Be with them, be with their leaders. Remember also, Lord, those who have 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:54.180 difficulties in their lives through afflictions and trials that have come upon them in your providence. 00:24:55.059 --> 00:25:01.700 Remember those again today who mourn the passing of loved ones, for whom anniversaries and for whom 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:09.220 this approach of the end of a year is a very poignant time. Lord, strengthen them, we pray, as they reflect 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:16.980 upon times gone by and loved ones no longer with them. Lord, be pleased, we pray, to give to them in 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:23.059 their hearts the consolation of your comfort and your presence with them. And we pray that you would 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:30.259 bless all of us who remain to make the best use of our time, knowing that the years are fast passing us 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:37.860 by, and that we ourselves, O Lord, more than we are possibly willing to admit, are finding that our 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:44.599 lives are hastening past, and that we are nearer, many of us nearer, the end of our journey than the 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:51.799 beginning of it. Make us wise, Lord, we pray, and to salvation. Teach us to number our days, 00:25:52.439 --> 00:25:59.179 to apply our hearts to wisdom, to receive the things of salvation, of the things of God and Christ, 00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:06.500 so that we may know that reconciliation with God that makes all things to work together for our good. 00:26:07.179 --> 00:26:13.859 And we pray today for those who are ill at this time in hospital or at home. We pray that you'd bless 00:26:13.859 --> 00:26:19.859 them, those who are suffering issues of mental health. We pray for them too. We pray for those, 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:28.740 Lord, whose faculties have begun to fail or have lost their memory and even unable to recognize loved 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:34.740 ones as before. We pray for these families. We pray for those who care for them. We ask, Lord, 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:41.979 that there may be an increase in compassion and concern throughout our land to provide for those who 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:47.759 are in need. We pray for those who are in poverty, those who have difficulty during these times, 00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:55.460 O Lord, and struggle to provide for their families. Those who have lost jobs, who have come to be 00:26:55.460 --> 00:27:02.180 unemployed, those who need the services of the food bank, and those who give up their time to staff it, 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:10.620 we thank you, Lord, for it. And we pray that as we hear from time to time of special needs like this 00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:18.100 in our society and in our community, Lord, help us, we pray, to do whatever we can to help those who 00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:24.120 are in distress, even if it means only to come alongside them and say that we're there for them 00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:31.439 and to assure them of our friendship and of our help whenever we can. Help us as a congregation 00:27:31.439 --> 00:27:38.599 to do so likewise. And Lord, we give thanks for the privilege of being able to serve you in our 00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:46.479 own community. And we ask that you would enable us to take every opportunity we have to present the 00:27:46.479 --> 00:27:53.379 love of God to those around us. So receive our thanks, we pray now. Continue with us here and 00:27:53.380 --> 00:28:01.180 pardon our many sins. For Jesus' sake. Amen. We'll sing once more just before we come to 00:28:01.820 --> 00:28:09.240 our study of this chapter or the passage today in Revelation 19. We'll sing in Psalm 45 again, 00:28:09.800 --> 00:28:15.660 this time verses 6 to 11. And the tune is Tiverton. 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:24.580 Your royal throne, O God, will last throughout eternity. Your kingdom's scepter will be one of 00:28:24.580 --> 00:28:31.840 truth and equity. Beginning at verse 6 down to verse 11 in Psalm 45a. 00:28:31.839 --> 00:29:01.819 your royal throne, O God, will last throughout eternity. Your kingdom's scepter will be one of 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:27.819 of truth and equity. Anointing you with oil of joy. Your God has made you great. Because you care for 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:55.819 your righteousness and wickedness you hate. With a lozmer and cassia in fragrant groves you're glad. From 00:29:55.819 --> 00:30:14.000 Hoglo Club and the Lord's Scepter will be one of your quarte, 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:26.720 The women of your court, king's daughters take their stand. 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:43.400 The royal bride in finest gold appears at your right hand. 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:59.299 O daughter, listen and give ear, consider what I say. 00:30:59.299 --> 00:31:14.299 You must forget your father's house, your people far away. 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:44.299 00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:56.799 And especially verses 11, verses 9 following. 00:31:56.799 --> 00:32:08.659 The angel said to me, write this, blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper 00:32:08.659 --> 00:32:09.299 of the Lamb. 00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:15.039 And he said to me, these are the true words of God. 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:22.299 We'll take account of the previous verses as well, from verse 6 especially. 00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:30.319 Well, this is our eighth study of Scripture portraits of the church, and today we're going 00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:38.799 to a marriage because it brings us to the final state of God's people in heaven after the resurrection, 00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:45.680 after the judgment, when we'll find it described as gathered together, the church gathered together 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:49.700 to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb. 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:55.680 As you know, the Bible uses the imagery of marriage fairly frequently to describe the relationship 00:32:55.680 --> 00:33:01.420 between God and His people, particularly so between Jesus and His church. 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:08.240 For example, the book of Hosea in the Old Testament is really built about around that theme of marriage, 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:15.579 the marriage between God and Israel, spiritually, that marriage which from Israel's side had broken down 00:33:15.579 --> 00:33:24.079 because they had gone after other gods, as it were, idols that they had imported into their practices 00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:26.039 from the pagan nations around them. 00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:36.639 And, of course, that's why God described their behavior and their departure from Him and their faithfulness to Him 00:33:36.639 --> 00:33:39.000 as spiritual adultery. 00:33:39.139 --> 00:33:43.039 They had gone after these other lovers, these other idols in place of God. 00:33:43.659 --> 00:33:49.799 They had broken the marriage that they had with God because they had set their hearts on idolatry. 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:52.379 And the book of Hosea is built around that. 00:33:52.859 --> 00:34:00.139 And, of course, you've got Hosea's own marriage as a means by which God illustrated that for the people as well. 00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:04.379 It's a wonderful book in the Old Testament around that theme. 00:34:05.639 --> 00:34:10.139 And it's that really that defines for us, just in passing, it's that that defines, 00:34:10.239 --> 00:34:16.920 it's this relationship of God and His people that defines for us what human marriage is about or should be about. 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:23.440 We read in Ephesians chapter 5 where Paul spoke there about marriage, the marriage of a man and his wife, 00:34:24.220 --> 00:34:27.659 and where that is based upon the relationship of Christ and His church. 00:34:27.720 --> 00:34:35.340 It's not as if somehow at some point human beings or the church decided that it would be a good idea to take human marriage 00:34:35.340 --> 00:34:39.559 and make that an illustration of the relationship between God and His people. 00:34:40.360 --> 00:34:41.480 It's the other way about. 00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:48.820 What God knows as the relationship between Himself and His people, the relationship between Jesus and His redeemed people, 00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:53.800 between Jesus and the church, that's the illustration for human marriage. 00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:59.480 That's why Ephesians 5 says such things, such challenging things as, 00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:07.099 Husbands, husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:08.719 That's the challenge. 00:35:08.860 --> 00:35:11.320 That's the demand made upon husbands. 00:35:12.099 --> 00:35:20.579 It's not just the wife that's seeking to imitate or mirror the relationship by being obedient, 00:35:20.860 --> 00:35:23.440 by having the headship of the husband acknowledged. 00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:36.720 That is the case, but the husband has an equally, if not more challenging role to be as Christ is and was to the church. 00:35:37.880 --> 00:35:45.179 And so we're looking at this scene, a preview, really, of Jesus and the redeemed people of God in glory. 00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:46.460 We're going to look at the occasion. 00:35:46.460 --> 00:35:50.420 Then we'll look, secondly, more fully at the parties to the marriage. 00:35:51.240 --> 00:35:53.480 And then, finally, the marriage banquet. 00:35:54.699 --> 00:36:03.139 The occasion, He puts it here, is the marriage supper, the marriage banquet, the marriage reception of the Lamb. 00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:15.280 It's a culmination of salvation where the Lord and His redeemed people now have this eternity with one another in heaven 00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:22.260 to enjoy that unbroken fellowship in terms of a spiritual marriage that began here in this world, 00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:27.420 but that reaches its zenith, its peak in heaven in the state of glory. 00:36:27.700 --> 00:36:29.300 That's really what's before us here. 00:36:30.040 --> 00:36:37.180 And, of course, in the Old Testament arrangement of marriage, you had certain stages, four stages, really, you might say, 00:36:37.740 --> 00:36:41.720 although the fourth one is really pretty much too brought together. 00:36:41.719 --> 00:36:48.559 You've got the arrangement of the marriage, first of all, where the parents were involved in the arrangement of the marriage. 00:36:48.659 --> 00:36:53.939 You've then got the betrothal, which we might say is equivalent roughly to an engagement. 00:36:54.299 --> 00:36:55.799 That went on for a period. 00:36:56.500 --> 00:37:04.079 And then you have the marriage itself, where the bride made her way from her own home to where she was going to be married 00:37:04.079 --> 00:37:06.119 and eventually live with the husband. 00:37:06.119 --> 00:37:09.960 And then it's celebrated in the marriage supper, the marriage banquet. 00:37:10.359 --> 00:37:16.639 So you've got these stages, which took some time in the Old Testament until finally the marriage took place 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:19.460 and the marriage celebration was then entered into. 00:37:19.859 --> 00:37:24.179 And that imagery is behind what you find in terms of descriptions of marriage, 00:37:24.299 --> 00:37:27.279 especially where you find this kind of imagery here. 00:37:27.779 --> 00:37:30.219 You also find elsewhere in the Bible, of course, 00:37:30.219 --> 00:37:37.159 Jesus spoke about marriage as an illustration, too, of the relationship between Himself and His people. 00:37:38.359 --> 00:37:44.839 And you can see here the introduction is a great hallelujah chorus, you might say. 00:37:45.459 --> 00:37:47.239 I heard, He says in verse 6, 00:37:47.239 --> 00:38:10.359 Well, you know, when you hear that, whether it's a piper or whoever outside, 00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:15.599 just at the beginning of a marriage service, we're all familiar with that, 00:38:15.680 --> 00:38:20.019 and we hear that, the piping or whatever it is, and you think, well, that's it. 00:38:20.519 --> 00:38:22.160 The bride's about to come in. 00:38:22.620 --> 00:38:24.880 This is the introduction to the marriage service. 00:38:25.400 --> 00:38:29.579 And so we're all then just ready to receive the bride coming in. 00:38:29.840 --> 00:38:32.380 And then the marriage service gets underway. 00:38:32.380 --> 00:38:37.280 And then, of course, you anticipate the following reception as well. 00:38:37.280 --> 00:38:42.260 And really, when you see that happening, you realize this is about to take place. 00:38:42.600 --> 00:38:49.960 And what Revelation is saying here is that John here, as he had this preview, if you like, 00:38:50.100 --> 00:38:54.960 of the final state for God and His people, this is what it was introduced by. 00:38:55.380 --> 00:38:59.620 Before the bride herself appeared and the description of the bride is given, 00:39:00.100 --> 00:39:01.660 there's this hallelujah chorus. 00:39:01.840 --> 00:39:06.560 There is this wonderful introduction. 00:39:06.559 --> 00:39:14.980 There's this great entrance music, if you like, for the bride to enter and for the marriage to take place 00:39:14.980 --> 00:39:19.320 or to be finally reaching its zenith, its culmination. 00:39:21.840 --> 00:39:28.500 And that brings us to the parties to the marriage, because that's really what's mostly in the passage before us. 00:39:28.559 --> 00:39:32.799 The parties to the marriage are the lamb, the husband, called the lamb. 00:39:32.800 --> 00:39:33.920 That, of course, that, of course, is Jesus. 00:39:34.840 --> 00:39:42.980 And the lamb's bride, the church, his glorified, redeemed church, set out here as his wife or as his bride. 00:39:44.200 --> 00:39:50.820 Now, the lamb is mentioned in 28 verses of the book of Revelation. 00:39:51.580 --> 00:39:54.440 Jesus is described as the lamb. 00:39:54.440 --> 00:39:57.119 Why is he described as the lamb? 00:39:57.200 --> 00:40:00.820 You'll find it here, of course, as well in the passage before us. 00:40:02.039 --> 00:40:09.500 And all the way back to chapter 5 and verse 6, where you find the description there of Christ as the lamb, 00:40:09.659 --> 00:40:11.980 as praised in heaven as the lamb. 00:40:11.980 --> 00:40:21.079 Where you find the praise of God by his people focused on the lamb, the lamb who's taken the scroll, 00:40:21.079 --> 00:40:26.139 the book of history, of the destiny of the world, of the universe. 00:40:26.659 --> 00:40:29.880 And he took that and he began to open the seals of it. 00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:36.740 In other words, reminding us that Jesus is in complete charge of all that's going to happen between now and the end of the world. 00:40:36.739 --> 00:40:46.319 And the song that was sung there, of course, is all the believers between the throne and those standing in heaven. 00:40:46.479 --> 00:40:50.119 They saw a lamb standing as though it had been slain. 00:40:50.819 --> 00:40:53.079 You see, that's a wonderful description there. 00:40:53.359 --> 00:40:56.119 A lamb as though it had been slain, newly slain. 00:40:56.179 --> 00:41:02.000 In other words, heaven is really about praising the lamb, praising God, praising the Savior. 00:41:02.000 --> 00:41:07.559 But it's the same Jesus who lived on earth, the same Jesus who died the death of the cross, 00:41:07.880 --> 00:41:12.960 the same Jesus who suffered, the same Jesus who shed his blood for the salvation of his people. 00:41:13.280 --> 00:41:14.780 That's the lamb. 00:41:15.039 --> 00:41:16.679 That's why he's described as the lamb. 00:41:17.000 --> 00:41:19.800 The lamb being the sacrifice that redeemed them. 00:41:20.119 --> 00:41:25.139 The lamb being God's offering of his Son in order to be the basis of our redemption. 00:41:25.820 --> 00:41:27.539 And that's what's praised in heaven. 00:41:27.539 --> 00:41:33.800 It's not just Jesus, it is kingliness as if there was no reflection back upon the work of the cross. 00:41:34.800 --> 00:41:37.139 It's Christ the Lamb. 00:41:38.159 --> 00:41:41.059 The lamb and his bride. 00:41:42.400 --> 00:41:48.159 The lamb as the Savior, the redeeming Savior of his people. 00:41:48.159 --> 00:41:55.039 Now, the marriage focus is on the lamb and on his bride as well. 00:41:55.940 --> 00:42:00.699 But the marriage in terms of revelation and the picture revelation gives us of heaven, 00:42:01.239 --> 00:42:07.940 the focus is more so on the lamb than it is on his wife, the bride, the church. 00:42:07.940 --> 00:42:16.240 And I'm sorry to say this, gentlemen, but when you come to a marriage ceremony here in this world, 00:42:17.099 --> 00:42:19.780 the focus is not on the groom. 00:42:20.480 --> 00:42:22.300 The focus is on the bride, isn't it? 00:42:22.760 --> 00:42:28.720 And when you come to attend a marriage service and you're sitting there waiting for the bride to arrive 00:42:28.719 --> 00:42:33.619 and the groom is up here at the front with his best man, well, with the best will in the world, 00:42:33.739 --> 00:42:38.919 however spectacular the groom looks, it's not going to be anything matching 00:42:38.919 --> 00:42:43.879 when she comes through that door with her wedding dress on and her hair all made up 00:42:43.879 --> 00:42:48.000 and everybody standing, especially the ladies waiting to see the bride coming in. 00:42:48.059 --> 00:42:50.500 And when she comes in, there's usually a gasp and they're saying, 00:42:50.839 --> 00:42:52.439 oh, that dress is fantastic. 00:42:52.599 --> 00:42:54.019 Look at her hair, it's beautiful. 00:42:54.019 --> 00:42:54.139 Beautiful. 00:42:54.940 --> 00:42:55.940 And here's the groom up there. 00:42:56.019 --> 00:42:58.159 Well, he's maybe well-dressed. 00:42:58.280 --> 00:43:01.480 It's usually a higher suit, isn't it, compared to the bride. 00:43:01.619 --> 00:43:05.880 She's made a special choice of this wonderful dress and she walks in with a dress 00:43:05.880 --> 00:43:07.960 and the groom himself welcomes her. 00:43:08.739 --> 00:43:12.519 And, well, he's not supposed to have seen it before, but sometimes maybe it is. 00:43:12.559 --> 00:43:15.179 He's never seen his bride dressed like this before. 00:43:15.739 --> 00:43:19.880 And to him as well, she is utterly beautiful. 00:43:19.880 --> 00:43:29.800 But in heaven, it's the beauty of Jesus that fills the bride's mind, that fills heaven's mind, 00:43:30.200 --> 00:43:36.480 that fills all the occupants of heaven are really more so focused on the Lamb than they are on the bride. 00:43:36.579 --> 00:43:37.740 The bride is spectacular. 00:43:38.240 --> 00:43:39.519 The bride is pristine. 00:43:39.740 --> 00:43:40.880 She is perfectly holy. 00:43:41.280 --> 00:43:42.160 She's been redeemed. 00:43:42.280 --> 00:43:43.760 There is no sin attached to her. 00:43:43.760 --> 00:43:52.240 As the Ephesians reminded us, this is why Jesus died, so that He would wash His bride by the water of His Word, 00:43:52.480 --> 00:43:56.280 that she would be pristine, that she would be spotless, that she'd be holy, 00:43:56.480 --> 00:43:59.340 that He would present her to Himself as a perfect bride. 00:44:00.680 --> 00:44:02.140 But He has the glory. 00:44:02.820 --> 00:44:03.860 He has the praise. 00:44:03.860 --> 00:44:14.200 As the hymn writer put it, it's a hymn taken by A.R. Cousin that she put together from the letters, 00:44:14.380 --> 00:44:15.900 especially of Samuel Rutherford. 00:44:16.079 --> 00:44:17.079 And this is one of the verses. 00:44:17.079 --> 00:44:22.639 The bride eyes not her garment, but her dear bridegroom's face. 00:44:23.099 --> 00:44:26.799 I will not gaze at glory, but on my King of grace. 00:44:27.360 --> 00:44:31.279 Not at the crown He gifteth, but on His pierced hand. 00:44:31.400 --> 00:44:35.940 The Lamb is all the glory in Emmanuel's land. 00:44:36.759 --> 00:44:40.460 The Lamb is all the glory in Emmanuel's land. 00:44:40.460 --> 00:44:46.699 But you know, your privilege and my privilege today is we don't have to wait till heaven appears, 00:44:46.880 --> 00:44:51.659 till we have that dawning of heaven, till we actually are within the courts of heaven, 00:44:51.760 --> 00:44:54.559 to be able to see the beauty of Jesus. 00:44:55.139 --> 00:44:57.699 And that's what the gospel actually presents to you. 00:44:57.720 --> 00:45:03.119 Yes, it presents to you the ugliness of sin and your own ugliness and my ugliness as a sinner, 00:45:03.780 --> 00:45:07.119 devoid of righteousness and of holiness and of beauty. 00:45:07.119 --> 00:45:13.539 But it presents to us Christ and His beauty as God's answer to that, as God's antidote to that. 00:45:14.000 --> 00:45:17.159 And today, as you know yourself and the ugliness of your sin, 00:45:17.559 --> 00:45:22.199 God is inviting us today through the gospel to come to see the beauty of Jesus, 00:45:22.519 --> 00:45:29.059 the magnificence of Jesus, the wonderful, pristine, perfect glory of Jesus, 00:45:29.420 --> 00:45:31.460 His perfect righteousness and holiness, 00:45:31.900 --> 00:45:34.799 His suitability to be your Savior and my Savior, 00:45:34.800 --> 00:45:37.500 in His perfection, in His beauty. 00:45:38.580 --> 00:45:45.620 What can be more beautiful to your needy soul and to my needy soul today than the Christ in His beauty, 00:45:46.340 --> 00:45:50.519 than this Jesus in all His magnificence, in His pristine beauty? 00:45:50.940 --> 00:45:52.940 Because that's what the gospel is saying to you. 00:45:53.240 --> 00:45:54.560 God is really saying to you, 00:45:54.559 --> 00:45:56.559 Yes, I know you're ugly. 00:45:56.639 --> 00:45:59.019 I know you're ugly in terms of your sinfulness. 00:45:59.519 --> 00:46:02.299 But I have found you so important to me, 00:46:02.619 --> 00:46:04.019 you mean so much to me, 00:46:04.239 --> 00:46:06.579 that I have given you my beautiful Son 00:46:06.579 --> 00:46:09.679 to be your Redeemer. 00:46:09.679 --> 00:46:17.059 And I gave my beautiful Son to die the ugly death of the cross, 00:46:17.899 --> 00:46:20.059 to make you beautiful, 00:46:20.819 --> 00:46:22.779 to make you like Him, 00:46:24.239 --> 00:46:29.319 to make you the perfect reflection of His beauty in your own salvation. 00:46:30.799 --> 00:46:31.799 Here is the bride, 00:46:32.599 --> 00:46:33.940 and here is her bridegroom, 00:46:33.940 --> 00:46:37.659 and what a magnificent picture He is, 00:46:38.079 --> 00:46:39.099 just as she is. 00:46:40.099 --> 00:46:42.920 What a wonderful picture they are together 00:46:42.920 --> 00:46:45.740 as the Bible presents the perfect, 00:46:46.780 --> 00:46:49.460 pristine glory of heaven to us. 00:46:50.780 --> 00:46:53.480 The marriage supper of the Lamb has come, 00:46:53.940 --> 00:46:54.460 and He says, 00:46:54.700 --> 00:46:56.320 Let us rejoice and exult, 00:46:56.700 --> 00:46:58.420 and give Him the glory, 00:46:58.420 --> 00:47:00.980 for here it is, 00:47:01.659 --> 00:47:03.159 ready to be consummated, 00:47:03.980 --> 00:47:07.480 this wonderful Savior and His bride. 00:47:09.119 --> 00:47:12.019 Psalm 45 is a marriage psalm. 00:47:12.740 --> 00:47:15.019 It's a psalm of the marriage of Jesus and His people, 00:47:16.139 --> 00:47:19.099 where we say as His church, 00:47:19.619 --> 00:47:23.280 You are more beautiful than all the sons of men. 00:47:23.880 --> 00:47:25.860 Grace is poured into your lips. 00:47:25.860 --> 00:47:28.099 And all the way through that psalm, 00:47:28.180 --> 00:47:32.280 you have different ways that describe the beauty of the King, 00:47:32.380 --> 00:47:36.960 the perfumed love and exquisite beauty that He exudes. 00:47:38.480 --> 00:47:39.800 This is our Lord. 00:47:41.019 --> 00:47:42.180 This is our Savior. 00:47:42.340 --> 00:47:44.180 This is the one the world doesn't want to know. 00:47:45.440 --> 00:47:47.900 This is the one perhaps most of us in our hearts 00:47:47.900 --> 00:47:49.180 didn't want to know either 00:47:49.180 --> 00:47:51.280 until He revealed Himself to us. 00:47:51.720 --> 00:47:53.480 And when He revealed Himself to us, 00:47:53.480 --> 00:47:58.400 we then began to understand what beauty really is. 00:47:59.519 --> 00:48:01.900 Because all beauty, real beauty, 00:48:02.159 --> 00:48:04.159 is the mirror of His beauty. 00:48:05.440 --> 00:48:08.559 And wherever beauty is found in the creation or in the world, 00:48:09.219 --> 00:48:11.360 it's a reflection of the beauty of God, 00:48:12.000 --> 00:48:12.659 its Creator. 00:48:13.300 --> 00:48:14.780 And so it is in our salvation. 00:48:14.780 --> 00:48:18.460 He makes us beautiful in His salvation 00:48:18.460 --> 00:48:22.300 because He bestows His own beauty upon us, 00:48:22.560 --> 00:48:24.060 the beauty of His grace, 00:48:24.180 --> 00:48:25.480 the beauty of His salvation. 00:48:27.360 --> 00:48:29.220 That's how we are made beautiful, 00:48:29.860 --> 00:48:32.160 and made beautiful with no less a beauty 00:48:32.160 --> 00:48:34.120 than the image of Christ, 00:48:34.920 --> 00:48:37.340 the beauty of the Savior Himself. 00:48:37.340 --> 00:48:40.920 This is the bridegroom. 00:48:42.360 --> 00:48:45.980 This is the husband of the bride, the church. 00:48:46.980 --> 00:48:49.579 This is what God is saying to us. 00:48:49.620 --> 00:48:50.700 He is like Himself. 00:48:51.620 --> 00:48:53.700 What you see in Christ is what you know 00:48:53.700 --> 00:48:55.180 is true of God. 00:48:56.360 --> 00:48:58.340 And He is altogether lovely. 00:48:59.559 --> 00:49:00.900 He is the beautiful one. 00:49:00.900 --> 00:49:04.260 Let me put it to myself, 00:49:04.380 --> 00:49:05.800 and let me put it to yourself today 00:49:05.800 --> 00:49:08.740 as I seek to present the gospel to you. 00:49:10.380 --> 00:49:12.920 How beautiful is Jesus to you? 00:49:15.960 --> 00:49:17.780 How important is He to you? 00:49:19.280 --> 00:49:20.920 Is there anything in your life, 00:49:20.940 --> 00:49:22.460 is there anyone in your life 00:49:22.460 --> 00:49:25.400 that comes near to matching 00:49:25.400 --> 00:49:28.180 or replacing the beauty of Jesus? 00:49:28.179 --> 00:49:31.099 Surely not. 00:49:32.419 --> 00:49:33.539 Well, if there is, 00:49:34.219 --> 00:49:37.000 we're not in that right relationship with Him, are we? 00:49:38.539 --> 00:49:40.159 If He's not today 00:49:40.159 --> 00:49:42.460 the most beautiful person in your life, 00:49:42.940 --> 00:49:45.819 it's telling you that you need something 00:49:45.819 --> 00:49:47.159 that you still don't have. 00:49:48.239 --> 00:49:49.299 Do you need this Jesus? 00:49:50.419 --> 00:49:51.359 Do you need His love? 00:49:52.139 --> 00:49:53.059 Do you need His forgiveness? 00:49:55.159 --> 00:49:57.779 Do you need His wonderful compassion? 00:49:58.839 --> 00:50:01.460 You need the salvation that's in Himself. 00:50:02.659 --> 00:50:04.759 There is the Lamb Himself, 00:50:04.919 --> 00:50:06.259 but here is the bride, 00:50:07.059 --> 00:50:08.319 because it goes on, 00:50:09.000 --> 00:50:10.859 the marriage of the Lamb has come, 00:50:11.519 --> 00:50:14.480 and His bride has made herself ready. 00:50:15.159 --> 00:50:16.960 This is the redeemed church, 00:50:17.000 --> 00:50:17.619 as we're saying, 00:50:18.239 --> 00:50:20.419 following the resurrection, 00:50:20.779 --> 00:50:21.919 following the judgment, 00:50:22.159 --> 00:50:24.460 everything is now in its final state. 00:50:24.460 --> 00:50:27.340 This is how things will be forevermore 00:50:27.340 --> 00:50:28.599 from this point onwards, 00:50:28.780 --> 00:50:31.260 that John is being told by God. 00:50:31.820 --> 00:50:33.179 And she has made herself ready. 00:50:33.260 --> 00:50:33.960 Now, what does it mean? 00:50:34.360 --> 00:50:36.800 The bride has made herself ready. 00:50:37.579 --> 00:50:39.539 Well, it means that all the way through, 00:50:40.159 --> 00:50:42.159 her experiences in this life, 00:50:42.240 --> 00:50:43.740 this is what she's been aiming at. 00:50:44.139 --> 00:50:46.440 This is really what she's been looking forward to. 00:50:46.760 --> 00:50:49.039 This is what the church in this world looks forward to. 00:50:49.039 --> 00:50:52.340 This is what every individual Christian should look forward to 00:50:52.340 --> 00:50:54.920 as belonging to this church of God. 00:50:55.259 --> 00:50:58.840 They're looking forward to the day of the marriage supper of the Lamb, 00:50:59.099 --> 00:51:01.659 the day of their being made perfect in holiness, 00:51:01.980 --> 00:51:02.619 in heaven, 00:51:03.059 --> 00:51:03.440 together, 00:51:03.579 --> 00:51:04.659 not just individually. 00:51:06.539 --> 00:51:09.099 The bride has made herself ready 00:51:09.099 --> 00:51:12.239 all the way through our life in this world. 00:51:12.340 --> 00:51:13.059 What is it about? 00:51:13.059 --> 00:51:14.820 Well, it's about, 00:51:15.759 --> 00:51:16.779 by God's grace, 00:51:16.900 --> 00:51:18.259 being sanctified. 00:51:18.840 --> 00:51:20.239 There's a whole lot of other things too, 00:51:20.360 --> 00:51:21.519 but let's focus on that 00:51:21.519 --> 00:51:23.199 because being sanctified, 00:51:23.400 --> 00:51:24.460 being made holy, 00:51:25.259 --> 00:51:26.779 being set apart by God 00:51:26.779 --> 00:51:29.199 and the work of His Spirit going on in our hearts, 00:51:29.380 --> 00:51:32.380 that is making us more and more like Christ. 00:51:32.480 --> 00:51:34.699 That's what really God is set on. 00:51:35.000 --> 00:51:37.799 It's not whether we imagine it to be so or not. 00:51:37.880 --> 00:51:39.179 That's what the Bible tells us 00:51:39.179 --> 00:51:41.360 God's work is about, 00:51:41.360 --> 00:51:45.140 to make His people ready for glory, 00:51:45.620 --> 00:51:49.300 to make them ready to be joined in marriage 00:51:49.300 --> 00:51:51.539 in its ultimate sense in heaven, 00:51:52.000 --> 00:51:53.000 to the Lamb Himself. 00:51:54.500 --> 00:51:55.200 That's why John, 00:51:55.579 --> 00:51:57.019 1 John chapter 3, 00:51:57.500 --> 00:51:58.480 I remember there how 00:51:58.480 --> 00:52:02.500 John is setting out the wonder of being loved by God. 00:52:02.820 --> 00:52:04.000 What manner of love 00:52:04.000 --> 00:52:06.360 the Father has bestowed upon us 00:52:06.360 --> 00:52:08.740 that we should be called the children of God 00:52:08.740 --> 00:52:10.559 and so we are. 00:52:12.280 --> 00:52:13.280 And then he goes on to say, 00:52:13.760 --> 00:52:16.039 it does not yet appear what we shall be, 00:52:17.120 --> 00:52:18.440 but we know that when He, 00:52:18.559 --> 00:52:19.640 or where it shall appear, 00:52:20.420 --> 00:52:22.340 we shall be like Him, 00:52:22.740 --> 00:52:24.340 for we shall see Him as He is. 00:52:24.380 --> 00:52:25.380 And then what does it say? 00:52:25.720 --> 00:52:27.960 And everyone who has this hope in Him 00:52:27.960 --> 00:52:31.260 purifies himself even as He is pure. 00:52:31.260 --> 00:52:36.280 Because it's part of the whole drive of your Christian life 00:52:36.280 --> 00:52:38.840 to become more and more like your Lord. 00:52:38.900 --> 00:52:42.220 I know that I do and you do complain so much 00:52:42.220 --> 00:52:44.900 that you find yourself so far short of that. 00:52:45.280 --> 00:52:47.720 You don't see yourself anything like that at the moment, 00:52:47.720 --> 00:52:50.240 but you still believe the Bible that says, 00:52:50.239 --> 00:52:53.000 when God has placed His Spirit in your heart, 00:52:53.559 --> 00:52:56.919 that's God's work going on to sanctify you. 00:52:58.259 --> 00:52:59.939 And He uses all sorts of ways 00:52:59.939 --> 00:53:02.500 by which to sanctify us 00:53:02.500 --> 00:53:04.439 and make us ready for heaven. 00:53:04.519 --> 00:53:05.399 Well, this is what He's saying. 00:53:05.479 --> 00:53:08.279 His bride has made herself ready. 00:53:09.559 --> 00:53:10.219 And He says, 00:53:10.219 --> 00:53:13.500 It was granted her to clothe herself 00:53:13.500 --> 00:53:17.359 with fine linen, bright and pure. 00:53:17.839 --> 00:53:18.980 That's interesting, isn't it? 00:53:20.000 --> 00:53:22.159 She didn't produce this purity, 00:53:22.399 --> 00:53:24.739 this bridal dress, this garment, 00:53:25.319 --> 00:53:27.259 this wedding dress herself. 00:53:28.059 --> 00:53:31.099 It was granted her, God granted her, 00:53:31.359 --> 00:53:33.719 to clothe herself with fine linen. 00:53:34.519 --> 00:53:38.079 She's got the most exquisite bridal dress 00:53:38.079 --> 00:53:39.199 you could ever imagine. 00:53:39.199 --> 00:53:40.599 In fact, you can't imagine it 00:53:40.599 --> 00:53:42.679 because it is the perfect holiness 00:53:42.679 --> 00:53:45.339 that God by His Spirit's work produces. 00:53:47.899 --> 00:53:50.119 That is what she is arrayed in. 00:53:50.419 --> 00:53:51.799 That is her wedding dress. 00:53:54.819 --> 00:53:56.719 And it was granted to her. 00:53:58.159 --> 00:54:01.219 The dress is not her own creation. 00:54:03.079 --> 00:54:05.599 We might say it's a designer dress, 00:54:06.239 --> 00:54:09.019 but it's got the Lord's label on it. 00:54:09.019 --> 00:54:10.119 He has created it. 00:54:11.420 --> 00:54:13.639 He died to produce it for her. 00:54:15.679 --> 00:54:18.619 It's something that He was always set upon doing, 00:54:19.320 --> 00:54:22.559 and He came into this world to accomplish it. 00:54:22.559 --> 00:54:27.400 And when the bride appears there in her pristine glory 00:54:27.400 --> 00:54:29.820 on the day of the marriage supper of the Lamb, 00:54:30.179 --> 00:54:31.920 this is what she will be wearing. 00:54:33.179 --> 00:54:35.279 She will be wearing bright linen, 00:54:36.279 --> 00:54:37.799 bright and true, 00:54:38.679 --> 00:54:42.900 perfectly pure and pristine in holiness. 00:54:42.900 --> 00:54:47.019 But it's even more specific than that 00:54:47.019 --> 00:54:49.180 because it goes on to say 00:54:49.180 --> 00:54:53.019 that the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 00:54:53.500 --> 00:54:53.920 And you might say, 00:54:54.000 --> 00:54:55.559 well, surely that's going against everything. 00:54:55.680 --> 00:54:56.260 You've said, 00:54:57.099 --> 00:55:01.480 if her fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints, 00:55:01.619 --> 00:55:02.119 that in other words, 00:55:02.320 --> 00:55:04.880 these are the good works that she engaged in, 00:55:05.260 --> 00:55:07.039 how come that's mentioned 00:55:07.039 --> 00:55:09.980 when you've just said it was granted her to clothe herself, 00:55:09.980 --> 00:55:11.679 when it is the production of God? 00:55:11.900 --> 00:55:13.039 Well, of course it is. 00:55:13.460 --> 00:55:15.460 The answer to that is fairly easy. 00:55:15.719 --> 00:55:17.240 The righteous deeds of the saints 00:55:17.240 --> 00:55:20.079 are the fruit of God's work going on in their lives. 00:55:20.360 --> 00:55:23.000 They haven't produced these works themselves. 00:55:23.820 --> 00:55:25.840 It's a product of grace, isn't it? 00:55:25.840 --> 00:55:32.039 Anything that you're able to do for the Lord 00:55:32.039 --> 00:55:34.680 and the progress of your own Christian life, 00:55:35.620 --> 00:55:38.100 it's really ultimately not your work 00:55:38.100 --> 00:55:40.100 that begins it, 00:55:40.620 --> 00:55:41.640 that ensures it, 00:55:41.720 --> 00:55:42.720 that maintains it. 00:55:43.539 --> 00:55:45.840 It's the work of God going on in your soul. 00:55:47.800 --> 00:55:48.519 He is the one 00:55:48.519 --> 00:55:51.519 who enables you by His Spirit 00:55:51.519 --> 00:55:53.820 to involve yourself 00:55:53.820 --> 00:55:55.760 and to be involved with righteous deeds. 00:55:55.840 --> 00:56:00.079 Revelation itself tells us, 00:56:00.140 --> 00:56:01.460 chapter 14, verse 13, 00:56:02.160 --> 00:56:03.460 Blessed are the dead 00:56:03.460 --> 00:56:06.380 who die in the Lord from henceforth. 00:56:07.100 --> 00:56:08.280 Yes, says the Spirit, 00:56:08.400 --> 00:56:10.200 that they may rest from their labors 00:56:10.200 --> 00:56:12.900 and their works to follow them. 00:56:14.539 --> 00:56:16.120 All the righteous deeds 00:56:16.120 --> 00:56:19.019 that they were enabled to do in this life, 00:56:19.519 --> 00:56:21.200 they follow them into glory. 00:56:21.199 --> 00:56:25.119 They don't buy themselves a place in glory 00:56:25.119 --> 00:56:27.019 because of what they have done. 00:56:27.920 --> 00:56:30.000 The Reformation destroyed that idea, 00:56:30.119 --> 00:56:31.280 I hope, once and for all, 00:56:31.599 --> 00:56:32.139 though it's still, 00:56:32.619 --> 00:56:33.239 sadly, 00:56:33.480 --> 00:56:34.900 in place in the world 00:56:34.900 --> 00:56:36.599 that you actually earn yourself 00:56:36.599 --> 00:56:37.860 a place in God's kingdom 00:56:37.860 --> 00:56:39.199 by your good works. 00:56:39.719 --> 00:56:40.480 No, your good works 00:56:40.480 --> 00:56:41.739 don't earn yourself 00:56:41.739 --> 00:56:43.559 a place in God's kingdom at all. 00:56:44.400 --> 00:56:45.739 The place in God's kingdom 00:56:45.739 --> 00:56:46.679 and God's church 00:56:46.679 --> 00:56:48.340 and God's redeemed church 00:56:48.340 --> 00:56:49.940 has been bought by Jesus. 00:56:49.940 --> 00:56:53.019 He paid the price of this dress Himself 00:56:53.019 --> 00:56:55.200 with His death on the cross. 00:56:56.340 --> 00:56:57.599 But the product of that, 00:56:57.860 --> 00:56:59.039 the outcome of that, 00:56:59.380 --> 00:57:01.360 the sanctifying work of His Spirit 00:57:01.360 --> 00:57:03.360 is a result of that. 00:57:04.440 --> 00:57:06.240 And that enables you to engage 00:57:06.240 --> 00:57:09.079 in the righteous deeds of the saints. 00:57:09.599 --> 00:57:11.800 And they follow you into glory. 00:57:12.480 --> 00:57:15.099 They're part of your appearance 00:57:15.099 --> 00:57:16.280 there before God 00:57:16.280 --> 00:57:19.360 as God's redeemed people. 00:57:19.940 --> 00:57:23.260 So there is the bridegroom 00:57:23.260 --> 00:57:25.840 and there is His bride. 00:57:27.780 --> 00:57:31.059 A marriage made in heaven. 00:57:31.940 --> 00:57:34.320 A marriage made for heaven. 00:57:35.380 --> 00:57:37.240 A marriage that will continue 00:57:37.240 --> 00:57:39.420 through eternity in heaven. 00:57:40.960 --> 00:57:43.019 A marriage, indeed, you might say, 00:57:43.760 --> 00:57:45.179 for which we were created. 00:57:46.380 --> 00:57:49.639 To live in fellowship with God. 00:57:49.940 --> 00:57:51.659 As His people. 00:57:53.260 --> 00:57:54.519 And that's what the gospel 00:57:54.519 --> 00:57:56.300 is calling us to. 00:57:58.500 --> 00:58:00.679 That broken relationship with God 00:58:00.679 --> 00:58:01.820 that needs to be mended. 00:58:02.780 --> 00:58:04.179 Jesus came into the world 00:58:04.179 --> 00:58:04.960 to fix it. 00:58:05.639 --> 00:58:06.619 To mend it. 00:58:07.440 --> 00:58:09.679 Put us in a right relationship with God. 00:58:09.679 --> 00:58:12.759 And the gospel is saying, 00:58:13.219 --> 00:58:14.460 I have done this for you. 00:58:16.059 --> 00:58:17.539 And I have done it for you 00:58:17.539 --> 00:58:19.739 so that you would have the privilege 00:58:19.739 --> 00:58:21.739 of being my bride. 00:58:22.839 --> 00:58:24.859 Of sharing eternity with me 00:58:24.859 --> 00:58:26.819 as my wife. 00:58:26.820 --> 00:58:29.800 What a thing for God to say. 00:58:30.140 --> 00:58:33.240 But as John was assured here, 00:58:33.880 --> 00:58:37.640 these are the true words of God. 00:58:38.640 --> 00:58:39.960 So there's the occasion 00:58:39.960 --> 00:58:41.519 and the parties to the marriage. 00:58:41.640 --> 00:58:43.559 Briefly, the marriage banquet. 00:58:44.140 --> 00:58:44.580 Where he says, 00:58:44.660 --> 00:58:46.420 blessed are those who are invited 00:58:46.420 --> 00:58:49.220 to the marriage supper of the Lamb. 00:58:49.280 --> 00:58:50.280 We're now at the reception. 00:58:51.360 --> 00:58:52.340 Heaven is the reception 00:58:52.340 --> 00:58:54.039 for this marriage of God 00:58:54.039 --> 00:58:54.700 and His people. 00:58:55.440 --> 00:58:56.780 We're not given the details. 00:58:57.360 --> 00:58:58.780 How could we be given the details? 00:58:58.860 --> 00:59:00.480 We wouldn't understand them fully anyway. 00:59:00.900 --> 00:59:02.340 The details of this banquet. 00:59:03.220 --> 00:59:03.940 But we can say 00:59:03.940 --> 00:59:06.680 that this spiritual nourishment 00:59:06.680 --> 00:59:08.400 that begins here in this world 00:59:08.400 --> 00:59:11.000 goes on in eternity in perfection. 00:59:11.539 --> 00:59:12.579 The spiritual nourishment, 00:59:12.740 --> 00:59:14.019 the delight we have in God, 00:59:14.280 --> 00:59:15.079 the satisfaction, 00:59:15.519 --> 00:59:18.400 the pinnacle of Psalm 34, verse 8. 00:59:18.400 --> 00:59:20.880 Oh, taste and see that God is good. 00:59:21.139 --> 00:59:22.160 Well, we're going to be tasting 00:59:22.160 --> 00:59:23.039 for all eternity 00:59:23.039 --> 00:59:25.139 at the marriage supper of the Lamb. 00:59:26.340 --> 00:59:27.760 And who are they that are called 00:59:27.760 --> 00:59:29.440 to the marriage supper of the Lamb? 00:59:29.539 --> 00:59:30.400 Well, strictly speaking, 00:59:30.860 --> 00:59:32.200 blessed are those who are invited. 00:59:32.639 --> 00:59:34.019 They are those who are in Christ. 00:59:34.480 --> 00:59:35.160 Because here, 00:59:35.500 --> 00:59:37.220 at this final stage of things, 00:59:37.460 --> 00:59:38.700 it is those who have made 00:59:38.700 --> 00:59:39.800 their peace with God, 00:59:40.119 --> 00:59:41.539 those who are now in Christ, 00:59:41.860 --> 00:59:43.320 those who have Him as their Savior, 00:59:43.480 --> 00:59:44.539 those who are united to Him. 00:59:44.980 --> 00:59:45.860 God is saying to them, 00:59:46.000 --> 00:59:46.840 right, let's come in 00:59:46.840 --> 00:59:48.019 and enjoy the banquet. 00:59:48.400 --> 00:59:49.940 The marriage has taken place. 00:59:50.500 --> 00:59:51.579 The ceremony is over. 00:59:52.420 --> 00:59:53.940 The rest of eternity is yours 00:59:53.940 --> 00:59:56.980 to enjoy at the marriage banquet. 01:00:00.460 --> 01:00:01.559 Blessed are those 01:00:01.559 --> 01:00:03.860 who are invited 01:00:03.860 --> 01:00:06.840 to the marriage supper of the Lamb. 01:00:10.440 --> 01:00:12.019 Are you on the guest list? 01:00:12.019 --> 01:00:17.340 Are you on the guest list? 01:00:17.559 --> 01:00:21.420 The gospel, in its invitation, 01:00:21.699 --> 01:00:23.000 invites us to Christ, 01:00:24.079 --> 01:00:25.719 invites us to come to Christ, 01:00:26.179 --> 01:00:28.099 invites us to receive Christ, 01:00:28.599 --> 01:00:29.739 invites us to come 01:00:29.739 --> 01:00:31.320 and willingly be joined 01:00:31.320 --> 01:00:32.759 in marriage to Christ. 01:00:33.019 --> 01:00:34.440 And when you have that in place, 01:00:34.800 --> 01:00:36.000 then you are being invited 01:00:36.000 --> 01:00:37.780 or will be invited on this day, 01:00:38.139 --> 01:00:38.820 on this occasion, 01:00:38.820 --> 01:00:40.039 invitation to the reception, 01:00:40.039 --> 01:00:42.080 to come to the marriage supper 01:00:42.080 --> 01:00:42.780 of the Lamb. 01:00:43.039 --> 01:00:43.980 You will have your ticket. 01:00:44.100 --> 01:00:46.519 You will have your entrance requirement. 01:00:47.740 --> 01:00:48.700 But meantime, 01:00:49.860 --> 01:00:51.380 we all have the gospel. 01:00:52.500 --> 01:00:53.780 We all have the invitation 01:00:53.780 --> 01:00:55.800 to come to Jesus. 01:00:57.080 --> 01:00:58.580 Here is the great question, 01:00:59.740 --> 01:01:01.240 the thing of critical importance 01:01:01.240 --> 01:01:02.580 for me and for you too. 01:01:02.579 --> 01:01:04.900 Am I today 01:01:04.900 --> 01:01:08.940 joined in marriage to Christ? 01:01:10.739 --> 01:01:12.759 Is he my husband spiritually? 01:01:14.639 --> 01:01:17.559 Have I taken God at his word 01:01:17.559 --> 01:01:19.559 and said, 01:01:19.699 --> 01:01:20.000 Lord, 01:01:20.799 --> 01:01:22.659 I don't deserve 01:01:22.659 --> 01:01:25.319 to be invited by the gospel 01:01:25.319 --> 01:01:28.000 to be joined to you in marriage. 01:01:28.000 --> 01:01:30.099 I am a poor, 01:01:30.780 --> 01:01:31.099 wretched, 01:01:31.840 --> 01:01:32.420 lost, 01:01:33.179 --> 01:01:34.360 ungodly sinner. 01:01:35.480 --> 01:01:37.340 But I thank you today 01:01:37.340 --> 01:01:40.059 that it is for my likes 01:01:40.059 --> 01:01:42.539 that you came into this world, 01:01:43.340 --> 01:01:44.199 that you suffered 01:01:44.199 --> 01:01:45.579 and died. 01:01:46.400 --> 01:01:47.820 Because that's what you tell me 01:01:47.820 --> 01:01:48.460 in the gospel. 01:01:49.320 --> 01:01:50.579 I have not come 01:01:50.579 --> 01:01:53.400 to seek righteous, 01:01:54.400 --> 01:01:56.400 but to bring sinners, 01:01:56.400 --> 01:01:58.320 to repentance. 01:01:59.880 --> 01:02:00.860 May God bless 01:02:00.860 --> 01:02:02.760 his word to us today. 01:02:02.840 --> 01:02:03.740 We're going to conclude 01:02:03.740 --> 01:02:05.500 our service now singing 01:02:05.500 --> 01:02:07.220 in Psalm 45 again, 01:02:08.480 --> 01:02:10.119 verses 13 to 17. 01:02:13.360 --> 01:02:14.880 The same version of the Psalm 01:02:14.880 --> 01:02:16.019 on page 58. 01:02:19.760 --> 01:02:21.099 Singing these verses 01:02:21.099 --> 01:02:23.639 from verse 13 to 17 01:02:23.639 --> 01:02:24.519 to the tune Evan. 01:02:24.519 --> 01:02:28.920 In glorious gold-embroidered robes, 01:02:29.000 --> 01:02:30.420 the princess waits within, 01:02:31.239 --> 01:02:32.880 in richly ornamented clothes 01:02:32.880 --> 01:02:34.800 she's brought before the king. 01:02:34.840 --> 01:02:35.039 You see, 01:02:35.099 --> 01:02:35.940 there's the image of 01:02:35.940 --> 01:02:37.659 the bride just waiting 01:02:37.659 --> 01:02:38.519 and ready to go 01:02:38.519 --> 01:02:39.320 to where she's going 01:02:39.320 --> 01:02:39.860 to be married, 01:02:40.659 --> 01:02:41.679 and then she's brought in 01:02:41.679 --> 01:02:42.380 before the king 01:02:42.380 --> 01:02:44.000 to be married to him. 01:02:44.539 --> 01:02:46.019 Attended maidens follow her, 01:02:46.840 --> 01:02:49.239 and so to you are led 01:02:49.239 --> 01:02:50.019 they enter in, 01:02:50.340 --> 01:02:51.440 and with great delight 01:02:51.440 --> 01:02:53.159 the palace courts 01:02:53.159 --> 01:02:54.339 they tread. 01:02:54.399 --> 01:02:55.019 These four verses 01:02:55.019 --> 01:02:55.719 in conclusion. 01:02:55.719 --> 01:02:55.839 Amen. 01:02:55.840 --> 01:03:11.120 In glorious gold-embroidered robes, 01:03:11.119 --> 01:03:17.859 the princess waits with him, 01:03:17.859 --> 01:03:26.480 in richly ornamented clothes 01:03:26.480 --> 01:03:33.980 she's brought before the king. 01:03:33.980 --> 01:03:40.980 attendant maidens follow her, 01:03:40.980 --> 01:03:50.260 and so to you are led. 01:03:50.260 --> 01:03:59.020 They enter on with great delight 01:03:59.020 --> 01:04:06.260 the palace courts they tread. 01:04:06.260 --> 01:04:13.260 In places where your father stood, 01:04:13.260 --> 01:04:23.680 Your sons will take their stand. 01:04:23.679 --> 01:04:32.919 You'll make them princes of the realm 01:04:32.919 --> 01:04:40.579 to rule throughout the land. 01:04:40.579 --> 01:04:49.579 I will perpetuate your fame 01:04:49.579 --> 01:04:57.779 through ever-lasting days. 01:04:57.780 --> 01:05:07.100 Therefore the nations of the world 01:05:07.100 --> 01:05:14.460 will ever sing your praise. 01:05:16.460 --> 01:05:18.040 I'll go to the door here to my left 01:05:18.040 --> 01:05:19.320 after the benediction this morning. 01:05:21.160 --> 01:05:23.460 Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 01:05:23.580 --> 01:05:24.880 the love of God the Father, 01:05:24.880 --> 01:05:26.940 and the communion of the Holy Spirit 01:05:26.940 --> 01:05:29.220 be with you now and evermore. 01:05:29.619 --> 01:05:29.980 Amen. 01:05:54.880 --> 01:05:55.880 Amen.