WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.520 There's been a fair bit of horror news lately. 00:00:03.359 --> 00:00:10.419 I think for me the tragedy of the Malaysian Airlines flights, 00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:13.259 or both flights, but certainly the one in recent times 00:00:13.259 --> 00:00:16.620 on the Flight 17, 17th of July, 00:00:17.559 --> 00:00:21.320 missile shot it out of the sky apparently. 00:00:21.900 --> 00:00:23.140 Still working that one out. 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:25.280 298 people dead. 00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:26.760 A number of those are Australians. 00:00:26.760 --> 00:00:33.020 That sort of thing puts a sort of a shudder up your spine. 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:36.520 Having flown a number of times in the past, 00:00:36.880 --> 00:00:39.260 I couldn't think of a worse way to die really 00:00:39.260 --> 00:00:42.240 than to be up there in the sky 00:00:42.240 --> 00:00:44.780 and all of a sudden for your life to be gone 00:00:44.780 --> 00:00:47.219 or knowing that your life's about to end. 00:00:48.100 --> 00:00:52.740 I actually witnessed a plane accident when I was 18. 00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:54.520 A plane crashed. A person was killed. 00:00:54.520 --> 00:00:58.680 And awful, awful experience to see that. 00:00:58.800 --> 00:01:00.620 And it's planted clearly on my mind. 00:01:00.680 --> 00:01:02.220 I'll never forget the image of it. 00:01:02.600 --> 00:01:05.780 But to be part of something like this 00:01:05.780 --> 00:01:09.540 and to see the number of people that were impacted by this, 00:01:11.159 --> 00:01:12.500 no one would have seen it coming. 00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:15.100 But imagine you could. 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:17.359 Imagine you did, in fact. 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:21.519 Imagine that on the 16th of July, 00:01:22.239 --> 00:01:25.680 you got some information on the afternoon on the 16th of July 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:29.039 about what was going to happen the next day. 00:01:30.400 --> 00:01:33.039 And what if your wife or your son or your mother 00:01:33.039 --> 00:01:35.299 or your brother-in-law or your neighbour or your friend 00:01:35.299 --> 00:01:40.319 or some random person that you knew was going to be on that plane? 00:01:40.319 --> 00:01:42.939 Or, in fact, not even on that plane, 00:01:43.019 --> 00:01:46.279 but on any plane in the vicinity of Eastern Europe? 00:01:47.079 --> 00:01:51.179 You knew that someone was flying back from Europe to Australia on a plane 00:01:51.179 --> 00:01:55.280 and you got this information that something terrible was going to happen. 00:01:55.819 --> 00:01:58.479 Would you not do everything within your power 00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:02.280 to use the information that you've received 00:02:02.280 --> 00:02:06.079 to help people avoid the destruction that was about to come? 00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:07.820 It's pretty obvious. 00:02:08.580 --> 00:02:11.080 I would do everything in my power to make sure 00:02:11.080 --> 00:02:13.800 that people would avoid that destruction. 00:02:15.080 --> 00:02:17.219 And what the Bible tells us 00:02:17.219 --> 00:02:22.860 is that something is coming that's infinitely worse 00:02:22.860 --> 00:02:26.040 than Malaysian Airlines 17 00:02:26.040 --> 00:02:29.400 and every other disaster you can think of. 00:02:29.500 --> 00:02:30.780 It's eternally worse. 00:02:31.440 --> 00:02:33.980 It will impact every human being. 00:02:34.660 --> 00:02:37.040 The Bible describes it as the judgment of God. 00:02:37.200 --> 00:02:40.860 It's a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 00:02:41.380 --> 00:02:42.040 It's judgment. 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:42.920 It's decisive. 00:02:43.080 --> 00:02:43.580 It's final. 00:02:43.700 --> 00:02:44.280 It's eternal. 00:02:45.340 --> 00:02:48.660 And what that information is meant to do for us 00:02:48.660 --> 00:02:50.980 is meant to shape the course of our lives now. 00:02:50.979 --> 00:02:55.439 And the question I want us to have in the back of our minds 00:02:55.439 --> 00:02:56.899 or in fact in the forefront of our minds 00:02:56.899 --> 00:02:59.959 as we look into Revelation chapter 1 right now 00:02:59.959 --> 00:03:02.539 is what would it look like for God 00:03:02.539 --> 00:03:05.659 to become the dominant reality of your life? 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:10.659 What would it be like for him, ultimate reality, 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:13.739 to be the dominant reality in your life? 00:03:15.259 --> 00:03:17.919 What would it look like for the things in the Bible, 00:03:18.519 --> 00:03:20.000 God's revelation of himself, 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:21.659 to be more real to us 00:03:21.659 --> 00:03:23.699 than the things on television or on the internet? 00:03:26.379 --> 00:03:28.780 You see, God has revealed himself 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:31.939 to accomplish that very purpose, 00:03:32.060 --> 00:03:34.400 that he would become the dominant reality of our life. 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:35.439 God reveals himself 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:38.039 so that we would know ultimate reality. 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:40.079 I fear, however, 00:03:40.280 --> 00:03:41.780 that because of what we, 00:03:42.060 --> 00:03:43.500 even what we read just now, 00:03:43.699 --> 00:03:46.599 was written so long ago 00:03:46.599 --> 00:03:48.620 that we've been lulled to sleep 00:03:48.620 --> 00:03:52.539 by just the ordinariness of our lives. 00:03:53.019 --> 00:03:54.079 We've been lulled to sleep 00:03:54.079 --> 00:03:56.060 because one day ticks over to another day, 00:03:56.159 --> 00:03:57.099 ticks over to another day, 00:03:57.180 --> 00:03:58.239 ticks over to another day. 00:03:59.379 --> 00:04:01.819 Our senses have been dulled by the hundredth 00:04:01.819 --> 00:04:04.819 of day after day after day. 00:04:04.819 --> 00:04:07.439 And so what we need as Christians 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:09.139 is to consistently be coming back, 00:04:09.459 --> 00:04:10.539 looking at the scriptures, 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:13.000 reminding ourselves of God 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:15.180 and how he sees things, 00:04:15.479 --> 00:04:18.339 how he sees reality played out, 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:19.959 not how we see things. 00:04:20.540 --> 00:04:23.379 We need to be convinced as Christians day by day 00:04:23.379 --> 00:04:24.719 in the humdrum of life 00:04:24.719 --> 00:04:27.219 that Jesus is reigning, 00:04:27.220 --> 00:04:30.000 that he is the risen king. 00:04:30.780 --> 00:04:32.520 We need to have him speak 00:04:32.520 --> 00:04:34.400 to the situations in our church. 00:04:34.900 --> 00:04:37.580 We need to know that God is right now, 00:04:37.700 --> 00:04:40.100 he is right now in this very moment 00:04:40.100 --> 00:04:42.940 on his throne. 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:45.480 He's in control in heaven. 00:04:45.660 --> 00:04:47.600 He is worshipped by myriads 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:49.800 upon myriads of heavenly hosts. 00:04:50.460 --> 00:04:52.900 We need to see the way that God 00:04:52.899 --> 00:04:56.859 is going to ultimately pulverize wickedness. 00:04:57.339 --> 00:04:59.719 He will obliterate those who oppose him 00:04:59.719 --> 00:05:01.179 and he is setting up his kingdom. 00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:05.560 What we need is this book of revelation. 00:05:06.859 --> 00:05:08.639 It's exactly what we need. 00:05:09.979 --> 00:05:12.120 You see, God has given us this book of revelation 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:13.620 so that we can see him 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:16.899 in all his glorious mercy and justice, 00:05:16.899 --> 00:05:20.439 so that we can see that if you've got Jesus, 00:05:20.799 --> 00:05:23.919 you are so, so fundamentally blessed 00:05:23.919 --> 00:05:27.399 and so that we would live our lives 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:28.859 in worship of him 00:05:28.859 --> 00:05:31.479 above everything else. 00:05:32.859 --> 00:05:34.659 That's what we've got here in front of us 00:05:34.659 --> 00:05:35.239 in this book. 00:05:36.279 --> 00:05:37.879 You see, the message of revelation 00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:41.179 was essential for these very first recipients 00:05:41.179 --> 00:05:43.620 of this letter. 00:05:44.579 --> 00:05:46.159 It's written first and foremost 00:05:46.160 --> 00:05:48.580 to Christians almost 2,000 years ago 00:05:48.580 --> 00:05:50.180 is living in the Roman Empire 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:52.840 and they're facing the biggest nightmare 00:05:52.840 --> 00:05:53.960 that you can imagine. 00:05:54.980 --> 00:05:58.580 Revelation 1 verse 9 tells us 00:05:58.580 --> 00:06:01.300 that John was exiled on the island of Patmos 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:03.160 because of the word of God 00:06:03.160 --> 00:06:04.240 and the testimony of Jesus. 00:06:04.440 --> 00:06:06.640 So John, the guy who's written this, 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:07.700 is representing Jesus 00:06:07.700 --> 00:06:09.340 and has got him into a whole heap of trouble. 00:06:10.300 --> 00:06:13.020 John's writing to the church, 00:06:13.460 --> 00:06:15.680 to the churches from exile. 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:17.800 He's writing from the island of Patmos. 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:19.439 Now you can go to Patmos nowadays, 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:21.000 it's only a fairly small island, 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:23.860 but it's got about 3,000 inhabitants 00:06:23.860 --> 00:06:26.060 and it's full of five-star resorts 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:27.079 and luxury villas. 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:29.939 In John's day, it was a prison island, 00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:32.079 so he's there smashing stones 00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:33.079 without sledgehammers. 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:36.939 And he's there as an old man 00:06:36.939 --> 00:06:39.199 sentenced to work in the quarries 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:41.419 because of the word of God 00:06:41.419 --> 00:06:42.939 and the testimony of Jesus. 00:06:43.539 --> 00:06:45.099 That is, what it's saying here 00:06:45.099 --> 00:06:47.039 is that Jesus was so real, 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:49.419 so precious to John, 00:06:49.919 --> 00:06:51.799 that he would rather be exiled 00:06:51.799 --> 00:06:53.599 to a barren prison island 00:06:53.599 --> 00:06:55.560 than not represent Jesus. 00:06:55.560 --> 00:06:59.500 John is typical, I think, 00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:00.660 and what he's experienced here 00:07:00.660 --> 00:07:01.879 is typical of the hardship 00:07:01.879 --> 00:07:05.540 of many Christians were facing in his time. 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:08.340 They were feeling the full force 00:07:08.340 --> 00:07:09.939 of the Roman Empire. 00:07:10.620 --> 00:07:13.779 According to the Roman writer Suetonius, 00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:16.000 the Roman emperor Domitian, 00:07:16.220 --> 00:07:17.879 who was the kingpin in the world 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:18.680 at John's day, 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:21.900 was both physically unimpressive 00:07:21.900 --> 00:07:24.420 and a moral catastrophe of a man. 00:07:25.379 --> 00:07:27.600 He had many affairs with married women 00:07:27.600 --> 00:07:29.800 and eventually stole someone else's wife 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:30.620 to be his own. 00:07:30.920 --> 00:07:32.500 When his own brother Titus 00:07:32.500 --> 00:07:34.740 was hit with a serious illness, 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:36.639 he ordered that he'd be left for dead. 00:07:37.280 --> 00:07:38.220 Another bloke, 00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:41.879 I think this guy was probably an actor 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:43.600 or some kind of stand-up comedian 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:44.600 or something like that, 00:07:45.040 --> 00:07:46.300 made some fairly harmless 00:07:46.300 --> 00:07:48.660 but humorous remarks about Domitian. 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:50.340 Everyone thought it was funny, 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:51.199 except Domitian, 00:07:51.300 --> 00:07:52.340 so he had him executed. 00:07:53.100 --> 00:07:55.019 He seduced his married niece, 00:07:55.100 --> 00:07:55.900 got her pregnant. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:57.620 She then died from the abortion 00:07:57.620 --> 00:07:58.939 that he forced her to have. 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:02.019 This moral catastrophe of a man, 00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:02.939 that's just some of the things, 00:08:03.019 --> 00:08:04.100 I mean, it just goes on from there. 00:08:05.100 --> 00:08:07.220 He was sensitive about his baldness. 00:08:07.660 --> 00:08:09.819 He had a pot belly, spindly legs, 00:08:10.740 --> 00:08:13.519 and he demanded that the whole empire 00:08:13.519 --> 00:08:14.780 called him Lord God. 00:08:14.779 --> 00:08:20.479 And John is writing to a bunch of Christians 00:08:20.479 --> 00:08:23.619 who are suffering extreme hardship 00:08:23.619 --> 00:08:28.279 because they refuse to have this man 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:30.579 say, 00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:32.120 I am your God. 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:37.000 They refuse to allow Domitian 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:39.839 to be the dominant reality in their life. 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:43.019 Now, many of you would be aware 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:45.399 that Christians in northern Iraq right now 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:48.660 are being severely persecuted 00:08:48.660 --> 00:08:51.500 by the militant group called 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:53.560 the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:54.899 the ISIS group. 00:08:54.899 --> 00:08:57.419 They've issued a decree 00:08:57.419 --> 00:09:00.500 offering Christians three options, 00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:02.779 either convert to Islam, 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:04.100 pay a special tax, 00:09:04.220 --> 00:09:05.419 or be killed. 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:07.759 And you've probably seen it on Facebook. 00:09:07.939 --> 00:09:10.379 They've painted a symbol 00:09:10.379 --> 00:09:12.959 on the houses of Christians 00:09:12.959 --> 00:09:14.259 so that they are identified. 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:17.620 They've painted other symbols 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:19.480 on the houses of other religious groups 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:20.360 they don't agree with either. 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:23.419 And the ultimatum that was given 00:09:23.419 --> 00:09:24.980 to Christians was 00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:26.980 deadline for it was midday 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:29.060 on the 19th of July. 00:09:29.560 --> 00:09:30.460 So choose that. 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:32.379 That's your choice. 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:34.800 Either convert to Islam, 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:37.220 special tax, 00:09:38.659 --> 00:09:40.879 which is confiscation of goods in the end, 00:09:41.320 --> 00:09:42.060 or die. 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:44.420 That's our brothers and sisters 00:09:44.420 --> 00:09:45.360 right now. 00:09:46.180 --> 00:09:47.399 That's what they're facing. 00:09:47.399 --> 00:09:50.379 And thousands upon thousands 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:54.100 have fled and left everything. 00:09:54.959 --> 00:09:55.419 Everything. 00:09:57.340 --> 00:09:59.139 And it must be a question 00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:00.000 that's in their mind. 00:10:00.100 --> 00:10:01.340 Would you not imagine 00:10:01.340 --> 00:10:04.679 of where is Jesus right now 00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:06.299 in amongst that 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:08.559 if he is the ruler of the world? 00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:11.120 And I can only say 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:12.519 that what we've read tonight 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:13.939 would be a word of comfort 00:10:13.939 --> 00:10:15.279 and perspective for them 00:10:15.279 --> 00:10:16.439 as it should be for us 00:10:16.440 --> 00:10:18.020 as it was for these Christians 00:10:18.020 --> 00:10:20.780 in the first century in Rome. 00:10:21.820 --> 00:10:22.700 The first thing 00:10:22.700 --> 00:10:23.960 that this revelation says 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:25.440 that in spite of the terrible 00:10:25.440 --> 00:10:27.440 hardship that you're facing, 00:10:28.580 --> 00:10:30.280 you are truly blessed. 00:10:31.520 --> 00:10:33.020 Your life is one of blessing. 00:10:34.140 --> 00:10:35.480 That's the first bit of perspective 00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:36.240 they need to see. 00:10:36.580 --> 00:10:37.200 They were blessed 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:38.440 because God has given 00:10:38.440 --> 00:10:40.120 this revelation of Jesus Christ 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:41.780 about what will soon take place. 00:10:41.880 --> 00:10:42.360 They're blessed 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:43.520 because they can see 00:10:43.520 --> 00:10:44.940 ultimate reality. 00:10:44.940 --> 00:10:45.940 They can see 00:10:45.940 --> 00:10:48.060 what truly is. 00:10:48.160 --> 00:10:48.560 They were blessed 00:10:48.560 --> 00:10:49.860 because God was giving them 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:51.180 perspective and clarity 00:10:51.180 --> 00:10:52.540 not just on their present 00:10:52.540 --> 00:10:54.100 but in their future as well. 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:55.840 They were also blessed 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:56.820 because of what Jesus 00:10:56.820 --> 00:10:57.500 has done for them. 00:10:57.580 --> 00:10:58.340 See verse 5. 00:10:58.660 --> 00:10:58.980 He says, 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:01.420 To him who loves us. 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:04.420 What a great word to say 00:11:04.420 --> 00:11:06.380 in these very first verses. 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:08.180 Jesus loves them. 00:11:08.520 --> 00:11:09.800 This is in the present tense. 00:11:09.880 --> 00:11:10.320 It's not that just 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:11.240 he loved them in the past 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:12.899 but he loves them right now. 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:14.100 Right now. 00:11:15.060 --> 00:11:16.580 And Jesus' love for his people 00:11:16.580 --> 00:11:18.080 led Jesus ultimately 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:20.039 to lay down his life for them. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:21.259 They are blessed 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:22.279 because in laying down 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:22.860 his life for them, 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:23.580 verse 5, 00:11:23.820 --> 00:11:25.200 he has freed them 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:26.620 from our sins 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:27.620 by his blood. 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:30.200 You see, 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:31.259 those who sin, 00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:32.860 according to the Bible, 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:34.060 deserve to die. 00:11:34.419 --> 00:11:35.180 And death 00:11:35.180 --> 00:11:36.899 is separation from God. 00:11:36.899 --> 00:11:38.480 And Jesus' death 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:40.399 cancels our obligation 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:42.179 to pay the penalty 00:11:42.179 --> 00:11:43.799 for our sins to God 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:45.480 so that we might in fact 00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:46.840 be reconciled to God 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:48.500 and live forever. 00:11:49.659 --> 00:11:51.319 And when you've got that, 00:11:51.559 --> 00:11:52.459 you've got everything. 00:11:56.360 --> 00:11:57.799 The blood of Jesus 00:11:57.799 --> 00:11:58.939 frees people 00:11:58.939 --> 00:12:01.960 from enslaving sin, 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:03.019 lust and greed 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:04.000 and pride and anger 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:05.120 and everything else. 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:08.080 The blood of Jesus 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:09.679 breaks the power 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:10.940 of cancelled sin. 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:12.480 We are blessed 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:13.879 because of what we have 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:14.340 in Jesus 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:15.899 regardless of the circumstances. 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:19.320 Verse 6 says, 00:12:19.460 --> 00:12:20.940 He has made us 00:12:20.940 --> 00:12:22.360 a kingdom and priest 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:24.120 to his God and Father. 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:24.480 That is, 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:25.519 we belong to Jesus, 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:26.480 we are his people 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:27.759 and our allegiance is to him. 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:29.060 We are blessed 00:12:29.060 --> 00:12:31.039 because the kingdom 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:31.820 of Jesus 00:12:31.820 --> 00:12:33.680 cannot be overcome. 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:37.120 This blessing of love 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:38.360 and forgiveness of sins 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:39.820 that comes from Jesus 00:12:39.820 --> 00:12:41.500 is a secure blessing. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:42.980 No one can take it from you. 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:43.899 Notice who gives it to us. 00:12:43.940 --> 00:12:44.460 Verse 4, 00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:45.860 From him who was 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:46.620 and who is to come. 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:47.320 Verse 5, 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:48.519 From Jesus Christ, 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:49.620 the firstborn from the dead 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:50.480 and the ruler of the kings 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:51.460 of the earth. 00:12:51.820 --> 00:12:52.440 Verse 6, 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:54.060 The one to whom power 00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:55.299 and glory belong forever. 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:55.879 Verse 8, 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:56.720 The one who is 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:57.320 and who was 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:58.220 and who is to come. 00:12:58.220 --> 00:12:59.220 the almighty. 00:13:02.420 --> 00:13:03.139 How good 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:05.300 must John's experience 00:13:05.300 --> 00:13:06.660 of Christ be 00:13:06.660 --> 00:13:07.620 for him to declare 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:08.300 this blessing. 00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:12.000 You know, 00:13:12.800 --> 00:13:14.379 don't let this point 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:15.000 miss you. 00:13:15.660 --> 00:13:16.740 John is sitting 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:18.080 in a prison cell 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:19.639 as an old man 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:21.180 breaking stones 00:13:21.180 --> 00:13:21.800 for a living 00:13:21.800 --> 00:13:22.920 and he says, 00:13:23.139 --> 00:13:23.360 Man, 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:24.279 how great it is 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:25.240 to be in Christ. 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:29.700 In spite of the way 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:30.340 that Christianity 00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:31.580 will not advance 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:33.879 you in the Roman Empire, 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:35.519 in spite of the fact 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:36.560 that knowing Jesus 00:13:36.560 --> 00:13:37.180 could cost you 00:13:37.180 --> 00:13:37.860 your possessions, 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:39.580 land you in prison 00:13:39.580 --> 00:13:40.740 or cost you your life, 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:41.379 you're blessed 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:42.379 if you know Jesus. 00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:43.940 John must think 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:45.039 it is better 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:47.120 to stand right before God 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:49.320 by faith in Christ, 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:50.759 forgiven and free 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:52.259 of all of your sin 00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:54.120 than it is 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:55.220 to have all of the 00:13:55.220 --> 00:13:56.000 Roman Empire 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:56.840 bow to you. 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:00.240 John must think 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:01.240 that there is life 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:02.320 after this life 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:03.399 in which the rewards 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:04.000 for those 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.620 who belong to Jesus 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:07.100 will be superior 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:08.500 to all the pleasures 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.100 of sin 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:10.200 in this present world. 00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:14.000 This must have been 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:15.600 an enormous comfort 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:17.500 to John 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:19.560 sitting in the island 00:14:19.560 --> 00:14:20.160 of Patmos. 00:14:20.920 --> 00:14:21.960 But it's also 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:22.540 a comfort 00:14:22.540 --> 00:14:24.100 for the Christians 00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:25.019 in the Roman Empire. 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:26.639 and ultimately 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:27.639 for us as well. 00:14:28.800 --> 00:14:29.740 The voice that he heard 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.440 in verse 10 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.460 says in verse 11, 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.360 write on a scroll 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:33.240 what you see 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:34.320 and send it 00:14:34.320 --> 00:14:35.320 to the seven churches. 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:37.320 And so this vision 00:14:37.320 --> 00:14:38.639 John is about to get 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.680 in the next number 00:14:39.680 --> 00:14:40.139 of chapters 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.500 is meant not just 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:42.040 for him 00:14:42.040 --> 00:14:42.779 sitting in the island 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:43.240 of Patmos 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:44.920 but for us too. 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:46.480 The point of writing 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.240 it down 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:48.759 is to transmit 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:49.840 to us 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:51.300 the same kind 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:52.219 experience 00:14:52.219 --> 00:14:52.959 that John 00:14:52.959 --> 00:14:54.139 has in seeing 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:54.899 Christ. 00:14:58.459 --> 00:14:59.139 John 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:01.059 God has 00:15:01.059 --> 00:15:01.679 graciously 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:02.719 given John 00:15:02.719 --> 00:15:03.659 this vision 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:06.000 of the supremacy 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.859 of Christ 00:15:06.859 --> 00:15:07.959 and all of history 00:15:07.959 --> 00:15:09.179 being in his hands. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:13.759 And he writes it down 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:16.019 so that we might 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:17.039 see it too 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:19.219 and so that we 00:15:19.219 --> 00:15:20.039 would be comforted 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:20.480 as well. 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:23.199 He appears 00:15:23.199 --> 00:15:23.839 to John 00:15:23.839 --> 00:15:25.360 and says 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:26.120 write in a book 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:26.759 what you see 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.319 and send it 00:15:27.319 --> 00:15:28.319 to the seven churches. 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:30.079 John gets the vision 00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:31.279 we get the book 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:32.279 about the vision. 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:34.259 That is 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:36.240 God wants to come 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:37.099 to us as well 00:15:37.099 --> 00:15:38.019 through his word. 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:39.340 He wants us 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:39.899 to seek him 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:40.600 in his word 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.439 and know him 00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:42.139 by his word 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:43.240 and gaze upon him 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.079 steadily through 00:15:44.079 --> 00:15:44.679 his word 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:45.759 so that we 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:46.419 would know 00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:47.179 how blessed 00:15:47.179 --> 00:15:48.120 we are. 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:49.600 This is a revelation 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:50.419 for imprisoned 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:50.860 John 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:51.960 for persecuted 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:52.679 Christians in the 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:53.480 Roman Empire 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:54.360 and for our 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:54.799 brothers and 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:55.620 sisters right now 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.639 in northern Iraq 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.939 and for us 00:15:57.939 --> 00:15:59.879 sitting right here 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:02.240 with our 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:04.059 senses dulled. 00:16:04.059 --> 00:16:07.739 for us 00:16:07.739 --> 00:16:08.599 sitting right here 00:16:08.599 --> 00:16:09.839 who are suffering 00:16:09.839 --> 00:16:10.519 for those who 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:11.079 are tired 00:16:11.079 --> 00:16:11.579 and weary 00:16:11.579 --> 00:16:12.059 and running 00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:12.739 out of steam 00:16:12.739 --> 00:16:13.500 and confused 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:14.519 and disheartened 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.500 and disenfranchised 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.399 and insecure 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:18.839 despite the 00:16:18.839 --> 00:16:19.519 circumstances 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.339 you need to know 00:16:20.339 --> 00:16:21.359 how blessed you are 00:16:21.359 --> 00:16:22.259 if you are in 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.179 Christ 00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:24.319 knowing how 00:16:24.319 --> 00:16:25.299 blessed you are 00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:29.059 we are called 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:29.479 here 00:16:29.479 --> 00:16:31.679 to treasure 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.199 Jesus 00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:34.040 to make him 00:16:34.040 --> 00:16:34.440 the dominant 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:35.280 reality in our 00:16:35.280 --> 00:16:35.700 life. 00:16:36.560 --> 00:16:37.080 Let's have a look 00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:37.480 at what John 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.440 saw in verse 12. 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.160 John turns 00:16:41.160 --> 00:16:42.060 to see the voice 00:16:42.060 --> 00:16:43.020 that was like a 00:16:43.020 --> 00:16:43.920 trumpet in verse 10 00:16:43.920 --> 00:16:45.000 and what he saw 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:46.200 was seven golden 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.000 lampstands and 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.600 Christ in the 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.020 midst of them. 00:16:48.400 --> 00:16:49.379 Notice down to 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.120 verse 20 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:50.820 at the end of 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:51.420 the chapter 00:16:51.420 --> 00:16:52.860 for an interpretation 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:53.259 of what the 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:54.120 lampstands are. 00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:54.879 It says the 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.379 mystery of the 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:55.940 seven stars 00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:56.480 that you saw 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:57.140 in my right hand 00:16:57.140 --> 00:16:57.620 of the seven 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.460 golden lampstands 00:16:58.460 --> 00:16:58.940 is this 00:16:58.940 --> 00:17:00.379 the seven stars 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.080 are the angels 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:01.600 of the seven 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.060 churches 00:17:02.059 --> 00:17:03.039 and the 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:04.339 seven lampstands 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.200 are the seven 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.659 churches. 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.379 So the vision 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:07.859 of Jesus 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:08.779 that John 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.940 gets is 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.619 Jesus 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:12.319 among his 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:12.740 churches 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.639 among his 00:17:13.639 --> 00:17:14.159 people. 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:15.059 Christ is 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:15.639 standing 00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:17.179 amongst his 00:17:17.179 --> 00:17:17.720 churches. 00:17:18.659 --> 00:17:19.139 He's not 00:17:19.139 --> 00:17:20.440 merely over 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.039 the churches. 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:21.859 He's not 00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:22.659 distant from 00:17:22.659 --> 00:17:23.200 the churches. 00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:24.700 He's in the 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.779 middle of the 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.339 churches. 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:27.859 And John 00:17:27.859 --> 00:17:28.460 saw according 00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:29.539 to verse 13 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.460 one like a 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.139 son of man. 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.140 In Daniel 00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:32.860 chapter 7 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:33.480 verses 13 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:33.960 and 14 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:34.460 the term 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.040 son of man 00:17:35.040 --> 00:17:35.540 or one 00:17:35.540 --> 00:17:35.880 like the 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:36.440 son of man 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:38.460 refers to 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.500 a great 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:39.900 ruler. 00:17:40.060 --> 00:17:40.440 This is what 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:40.840 it says in 00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:41.280 Daniel chapter 00:17:41.280 --> 00:17:41.660 7. 00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:42.840 In my vision 00:17:42.840 --> 00:17:43.180 at night 00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:43.780 I looked 00:17:43.780 --> 00:17:45.100 and there 00:17:45.100 --> 00:17:45.860 before me 00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:46.480 was one 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:46.860 like a 00:17:46.860 --> 00:17:47.440 son of man 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.480 coming with 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:49.000 the clouds 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.400 of heaven. 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.320 He approached 00:17:50.320 --> 00:17:50.820 the ancient 00:17:50.820 --> 00:17:51.280 of days 00:17:51.280 --> 00:17:51.920 and was led 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:52.380 into his 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:52.840 presence. 00:17:53.580 --> 00:17:53.940 He was 00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:54.240 given 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:54.920 authority, 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.280 glory and 00:17:56.280 --> 00:17:57.320 sovereign power. 00:17:57.840 --> 00:17:58.540 All peoples, 00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.340 nations and 00:17:59.340 --> 00:18:00.100 men of every 00:18:00.099 --> 00:18:01.299 language worshipped 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:01.679 him. 00:18:02.219 --> 00:18:03.000 His dominion 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.439 is an 00:18:03.439 --> 00:18:03.919 everlasting 00:18:03.919 --> 00:18:05.039 dominion that 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:05.579 will not 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:06.839 pass away and 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:07.319 his kingdom 00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:08.039 is one that 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.919 will never be 00:18:08.919 --> 00:18:09.480 destroyed. 00:18:11.179 --> 00:18:11.599 And so what 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:12.679 John saw 00:18:12.679 --> 00:18:14.279 when he saw 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.079 this one like a 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:15.519 son of man 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.079 standing in the 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:16.740 middle of the 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.439 lampstands, 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.319 he means that 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.539 he saw someone 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.559 who stands 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.279 over the top 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.159 of his kingdom 00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:22.899 with all 00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:23.379 dominion, 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:23.980 glory and 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.799 kingdom power. 00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:25.659 It will be 00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:26.439 an eternal 00:18:26.439 --> 00:18:27.199 kingdom. 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:27.279 kingdom, 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:29.059 someone with 00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:29.860 authority over 00:18:29.860 --> 00:18:30.660 all nations, 00:18:30.860 --> 00:18:31.559 all peoples, 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.539 who would 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.720 rule forever 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.500 and ever 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.240 and ever 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:36.180 and nothing 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:36.640 can touch 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:37.100 his kingdom. 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:42.860 The one who 00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:43.420 stands among 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:43.900 the churches 00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:44.460 is the one 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.180 who received 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:45.519 from the 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:45.900 ancient of 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:46.059 days, 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:46.600 God himself 00:18:46.600 --> 00:18:47.299 dominion and 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:48.200 glory and 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:48.559 kingdom, 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:49.600 rule and 00:18:49.600 --> 00:18:50.000 power and 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.660 authority in 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.039 heaven and 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.519 on earth. 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:53.319 That pretty 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:53.940 much matches 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:54.440 this figure 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:54.860 that John 00:18:54.860 --> 00:18:55.460 saw in 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:56.840 verse 13. 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.400 The son of 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:57.819 man was 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.299 dressed in 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:58.680 a robe 00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.299 reaching down 00:18:59.299 --> 00:18:59.900 to his feet 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:00.440 with a gold 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:01.539 sash around 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.340 his chest. 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.220 The robe 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.799 here is similar 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.400 to the picture 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:04.880 of the Old 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:06.779 Testament robe 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.279 where the 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:08.960 priest wore. 00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:10.000 The gold 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.680 sash around 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.299 his chest 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:11.900 shows two 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.400 things. 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:13.400 It's up here 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:13.799 around his 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.059 chest, 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:14.440 it's not 00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:14.940 around his 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.480 waist and 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:16.220 it's gold. 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.360 The fact 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:17.700 that it's 00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:18.779 gold shows 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.079 that his 00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:20.660 priesthood is 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.680 a highly 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.940 valued priesthood 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:24.019 and it is a 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:25.000 great priesthood. 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.400 Jesus is not 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.100 only the son 00:19:27.100 --> 00:19:27.660 of man from 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.240 Daniel chapter 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:28.819 7 who 00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:29.259 receives 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:29.940 everlasting 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:31.220 dominion over 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:31.900 all nations 00:19:31.900 --> 00:19:32.420 and people, 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:33.240 he is also 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:33.860 the final 00:19:33.860 --> 00:19:34.600 high priest 00:19:34.600 --> 00:19:35.640 who brings 00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:36.240 all the 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.920 priestly work 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.200 of the 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:37.660 temple to 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:38.000 the end. 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:38.420 There's no 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:39.140 more need 00:19:39.140 --> 00:19:40.539 to sacrifice 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.620 any animals 00:19:41.620 --> 00:19:43.039 to get right 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:43.740 with God. 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:44.759 Verse 5 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.420 says that 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.299 Christ freed 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:47.059 us from 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:47.640 our sins 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:48.160 by his 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:48.500 blood. 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:49.559 You see 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.220 this priest 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:50.799 is so 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:52.880 great that 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:53.220 he gave 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:53.680 his own 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.220 blood once 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:54.600 and for 00:19:54.600 --> 00:19:54.920 all. 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:57.200 For the 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:57.559 sin of 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:57.799 all 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:58.460 humanity 00:19:58.460 --> 00:20:00.180 so that 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:00.519 we might 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.240 be reconciled 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.640 to God. 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:03.759 He stands 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.240 among the 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:04.940 lampstands, 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:05.460 he stands 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:05.900 here by 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:06.440 us today 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:07.240 as one 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.860 with authority 00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:08.460 and everlasting 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.120 dominion, 00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:10.519 the one 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.200 with final 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:11.840 decisive 00:20:11.840 --> 00:20:12.340 forgiveness 00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:12.880 for our 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.319 sins. 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:14.880 Then John 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:15.319 sees in 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:15.900 verse 14 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:16.200 that his 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:16.460 head and 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:16.960 his hair 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.640 were white 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.120 like wool 00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:18.480 as white 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:18.980 as snow. 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:19.519 And this 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.019 is remarkable 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.620 because Daniel 00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:21.440 chapter 7, 00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:22.519 you know, 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.059 when John 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:23.779 gets his 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.180 picture of the 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.680 one like a 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.100 son of man 00:20:25.100 --> 00:20:25.420 in verses 00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:25.860 13 and 00:20:25.860 --> 00:20:26.340 14, 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:27.140 a few 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:27.460 verses 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:27.960 further, 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:29.000 earlier than 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.200 that, 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:29.660 God the 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:30.320 father is 00:20:30.320 --> 00:20:31.539 described in 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.259 verse 9, 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.120 as I looked, 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:33.840 thrones were 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:34.560 set in place 00:20:34.560 --> 00:20:35.200 and the 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:35.600 ancient of 00:20:35.600 --> 00:20:36.160 days took 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:36.620 his seat. 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.400 His clothing 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:39.120 was as 00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:39.560 white as 00:20:39.560 --> 00:20:40.620 snow and 00:20:40.620 --> 00:20:41.039 the hair of 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:41.400 his head 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:41.920 was white 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:42.519 like wool. 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:42.660 people. 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.660 In other 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.099 words, 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.539 John is 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.920 describing the 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:48.220 son of 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:48.900 man in 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.579 terms used 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.279 by God 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:50.779 himself. 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:52.779 And so 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.119 you put 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:53.960 this picture 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.619 together with 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:55.019 the next 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.359 thing that 00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:55.819 John sees 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.139 in verse 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:56.539 14, 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:56.879 that his 00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:57.579 eyes were 00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:58.539 like blazing 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.180 fire. 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:00.180 You see, 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:00.700 the eyes of 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.180 this son of 00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:01.680 man were 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:02.119 not the 00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:03.000 clouded eye 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.660 of fading 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.299 glory. 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:05.839 These 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:07.139 eyes have 00:21:07.139 --> 00:21:07.700 eyes of 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.440 sharpest 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.299 clarity and 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:09.779 purity. 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:11.019 they miss 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.980 nothing that 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.539 happens in 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.039 the universe 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:14.000 and they 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:15.119 are exploding 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:16.500 with energy. 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:17.680 You see, 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.519 we all know 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.660 the drooping 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:20.319 eye that's 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:20.839 about to go 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.299 to sleep. 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:21.559 You know, 00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:22.359 you're trying 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:22.740 to stay 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.579 awake to 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.619 finally get 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:24.960 the end of 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.299 the movie 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:25.539 and the 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.139 plot line. 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.200 Or the 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.240 resentful eye. 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:30.799 Or the 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.559 grumpy eye. 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:32.680 Or the 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.359 half-shut eye 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.359 with a scowl 00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:34.779 and a bad 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.299 mood. 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:37.599 We know 00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:38.119 the eye that 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:38.839 is alive with 00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:39.299 wonder and 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:39.720 excitement. 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.200 hope and 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:41.019 expectancy and 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.420 energy. 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:43.980 Jesus' eyes 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.379 here are 00:21:44.379 --> 00:21:45.279 described as 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:46.899 flaming fire. 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.059 What we 00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:49.879 see then is 00:21:49.879 --> 00:21:50.299 hair as 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:50.720 white as 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:51.960 snow and 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.680 eyes like 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:53.099 fire. 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:54.240 You've 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:54.420 got to 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:54.940 know today 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:55.899 2,000 years 00:21:55.899 --> 00:21:56.759 after John 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.319 saw this 00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:59.059 vision that 00:21:59.059 --> 00:22:00.379 Jesus is 00:22:00.379 --> 00:22:01.180 not tired, 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.099 he's not 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:02.720 burnt out, 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.539 he's not 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.279 fatigued. 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.359 His eyes 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:07.059 are aflame 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.420 with a 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.279 flashing fire 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.319 of inexhaustible 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:09.939 energy and 00:22:09.939 --> 00:22:10.319 hope. 00:22:10.879 --> 00:22:11.399 He sees 00:22:11.399 --> 00:22:12.179 everything that 00:22:12.179 --> 00:22:12.720 has been 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.220 and everything 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:13.819 that will 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.200 be. 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.079 Nothing 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.639 takes him 00:22:15.639 --> 00:22:16.299 by surprise 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:16.599 that when 00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:17.460 Jesus thinks 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:18.419 about his 00:22:18.419 --> 00:22:19.059 plans for 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.759 you and 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:19.960 for 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:21.220 Paul's and 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:21.919 for Australia 00:22:21.919 --> 00:22:22.839 and for 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.460 Christians in 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.279 northern Iraq 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:24.659 and the 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.200 nations of 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:25.720 the world, 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:26.779 beyond this 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.679 day, he is 00:22:27.679 --> 00:22:28.579 not hesitant, 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.659 he is not 00:22:29.659 --> 00:22:30.539 tired, he 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.179 is not 00:22:31.179 --> 00:22:31.700 bored. 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:34.700 his eyes 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.519 are aflame 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.059 of fire 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:36.680 with utter 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:37.420 exhilaration 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:38.080 and passion 00:22:38.080 --> 00:22:39.400 and enthusiasm 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:40.400 for the 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:40.920 work that 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.500 he intends 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:42.039 to do. 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:45.380 His 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:46.380 enthusiasm 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.620 for his 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:48.240 mission 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:50.559 is as 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.460 bright today 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.299 as it was 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.080 2,000 years 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:53.500 ago when 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:53.860 John saw 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:54.160 this. 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:56.940 Notice 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.480 also the 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.019 bronze feet 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.460 in verse 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.019 15, 00:22:59.120 --> 00:22:59.500 they are the 00:22:59.500 --> 00:22:59.940 feet of a 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.500 glorious and 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.259 mighty conqueror 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:01.980 and again in 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.660 verse 15 is 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.180 the voice of 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:03.759 the sound of 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.400 many waters. 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.200 It's just a 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.319 picture of 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.660 raw power, 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.579 the thunder of 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.099 the voice of 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:10.200 authority and 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.720 then there is 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:12.200 this right hand 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:13.099 with the seven 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:13.839 stars and a 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:14.379 sharp sword 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:14.920 coming out of 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:15.480 his mouth and 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.140 his face, 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.299 shining with 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:17.879 the sun in 00:23:17.879 --> 00:23:18.200 all its 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.920 brilliance. 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:22.859 What do you 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.740 do when you're 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.460 confronted with 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.420 such power and 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.119 majesty and 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:27.400 splendor and 00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:28.539 just sheer 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.180 awe? 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:33.619 verse 16, 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.500 verse 17, 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:35.119 when I saw 00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:35.779 him I fell 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.339 at his feet 00:23:36.339 --> 00:23:37.019 as though 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:38.019 dead. 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.900 I fell at 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:40.619 his feet 00:23:40.619 --> 00:23:41.720 as though 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.640 dead. 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.400 This is the 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:44.960 resurrected, 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.379 glorified Christ 00:23:46.379 --> 00:23:47.539 and the person 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.259 who's writing 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:49.099 this, the 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:49.940 person who fell 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:50.500 at his feet 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.140 as though 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:52.859 dead is 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:53.500 John. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:53.579 John. 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:58.019 Just a 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.419 matter of 00:23:58.419 --> 00:23:58.879 decades 00:23:58.879 --> 00:23:59.399 earlier, 00:24:00.879 --> 00:24:01.480 John was 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:01.819 Jesus' 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.519 best mate. 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:05.980 John was 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.439 the guy 00:24:06.439 --> 00:24:07.439 when the 00:24:07.439 --> 00:24:07.899 moment of 00:24:07.899 --> 00:24:08.659 quietness was 00:24:08.659 --> 00:24:10.279 there, Jesus 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:10.759 would gather 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.259 John with 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:11.500 him. 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.439 John was 00:24:13.439 --> 00:24:13.899 the one who 00:24:13.899 --> 00:24:14.299 leaned on 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:14.779 Jesus and 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.439 had a nap. 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:17.919 Sam doesn't 00:24:17.919 --> 00:24:18.379 do that for 00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:18.639 me. 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:25.220 Not even 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:25.620 on a long 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:26.020 flight. 00:24:29.020 --> 00:24:29.560 That's how 00:24:29.560 --> 00:24:30.100 close John 00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:30.500 and Jesus 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.540 were and 00:24:31.540 --> 00:24:33.080 John sees 00:24:33.080 --> 00:24:33.840 Jesus here 00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:34.940 and he 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.400 falls down 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:36.080 as though 00:24:36.080 --> 00:24:36.520 dead. 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.240 I am not 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:37.660 worthy to 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.220 be in your 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.680 presence. 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:39.560 This Jesus 00:24:39.560 --> 00:24:40.120 is not to 00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:40.759 be trifled 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.120 with. 00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:41.740 He's not 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:42.020 to be 00:24:42.020 --> 00:24:42.460 treated 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.100 with 00:24:43.100 --> 00:24:43.880 disdain. 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.140 Domitian 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:45.580 might be 00:24:45.580 --> 00:24:45.920 the emperor 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.120 of the 00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:46.720 Roman Empire 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.200 but he's 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:47.819 a librarian 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:48.360 compared to 00:24:48.360 --> 00:24:48.700 Jesus. 00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.019 And to 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.380 John's 00:24:51.380 --> 00:24:51.680 immense 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:52.319 relief, 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.460 his once 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.200 best mate 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:54.880 leans over 00:24:54.880 --> 00:24:55.120 to him. 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.700 The judge, 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:56.319 the king, 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:56.940 the majestic 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.839 eternal ruler 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:58.819 places his 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.500 hand on his 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.160 right shoulders 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:00.660 and speaks 00:25:00.660 --> 00:25:01.160 words of 00:25:01.160 --> 00:25:01.600 comfort to 00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:01.839 him, 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:02.980 do not 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.620 be afraid. 00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:05.460 See, 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:05.960 this is a 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.279 word of 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:07.279 comfort for 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:07.680 Christians 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:08.920 struggling in 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:09.680 this world. 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.299 Do not 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:13.019 be afraid. 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:14.740 This is 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.440 astounding 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:15.880 words of 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:16.640 comfort for 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:17.220 a prisoner 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:17.640 of the 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:17.820 Lord 00:25:17.820 --> 00:25:18.220 Jesus. 00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:20.259 This 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:20.880 Jesus 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:22.620 stands with 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.120 his people 00:25:23.120 --> 00:25:23.520 suffering 00:25:23.520 --> 00:25:24.160 terribly in 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:24.800 Iraq right 00:25:24.800 --> 00:25:25.780 now and 00:25:25.780 --> 00:25:26.380 from this 00:25:26.380 --> 00:25:26.980 word you 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:27.320 can say 00:25:27.320 --> 00:25:27.700 do not 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.400 be afraid. 00:25:30.780 --> 00:25:31.300 Someone 00:25:31.300 --> 00:25:31.860 greater than 00:25:31.860 --> 00:25:32.440 ISIS is 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:32.780 here. 00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:38.100 The 00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:38.480 encouragement 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:38.900 here is 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.360 that despite 00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:39.880 how it 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.280 looks, 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:41.400 Jesus is 00:25:41.400 --> 00:25:41.780 with his 00:25:41.780 --> 00:25:42.180 church, 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.120 he's in 00:25:43.120 --> 00:25:43.560 Iraq, 00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:44.340 he's right 00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:44.680 here with 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.080 us right 00:25:45.080 --> 00:25:45.860 now as 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:46.240 the son 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.619 of man, 00:25:46.719 --> 00:25:47.039 the one 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.639 with power 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.399 over all 00:25:48.399 --> 00:25:49.159 that is, 00:25:49.659 --> 00:25:50.500 seen and 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.039 unseen, 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:51.539 the one 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.319 with everlasting 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.159 dominion and 00:25:53.159 --> 00:25:53.579 glory. 00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:54.379 He is the 00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:54.959 great high 00:25:54.959 --> 00:25:55.399 priest and 00:25:55.399 --> 00:25:55.819 he has put 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:56.319 away your 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.399 sins once 00:25:57.399 --> 00:25:57.859 and for 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:58.459 all. 00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.500 He is the 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.059 great and 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.919 wise ancient 00:26:00.919 --> 00:26:01.579 of days and 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:02.459 yet his 00:26:02.459 --> 00:26:03.240 eyes are 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.359 aflamed with 00:26:04.359 --> 00:26:05.019 the fire of 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.379 youth and 00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:06.240 energy and 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:06.719 hope and 00:26:06.719 --> 00:26:08.000 exhilaration for 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.939 his unstoppable 00:26:08.939 --> 00:26:09.899 plans for you 00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:10.379 and for his 00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:11.779 church and for 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.819 his world and 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:13.199 for his 00:26:13.199 --> 00:26:13.699 universe. 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:15.160 gaze upon 00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:15.960 Jesus and 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.299 let his 00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:16.960 royal power 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:17.340 and his 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:17.640 priestly 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.319 forgiveness and 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:18.840 his fiery 00:26:18.840 --> 00:26:19.980 hope fill 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:21.200 you with 00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:21.920 confidence 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:23.180 afresh that 00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:24.160 treasuring this 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:25.380 Jesus and 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:26.440 making him 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.819 the dominant 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:29.259 reality in 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.279 your life 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:33.120 is not a 00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:33.440 vanity. 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:33.500 vanity. 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:37.160 It is never 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:39.759 a vanity to 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.420 throw your 00:26:40.420 --> 00:26:41.960 lot or 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:43.740 everything behind 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:45.480 this Jesus and 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:45.880 with this 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:46.299 Jesus. 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.360 You see the 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:49.059 most significant 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.700 feature of this 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.460 passage is the 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:52.440 overwhelming glory 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.019 of Jesus. 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:53.779 He is risen, 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:54.960 he is indestructible, 00:26:55.120 --> 00:26:57.559 he is unconquerable, 00:26:57.640 --> 00:27:00.460 he is Lord and 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.160 as such he 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:02.220 summons forth 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.880 obedience and 00:27:03.880 --> 00:27:04.900 allegiance and 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:06.180 worship from his 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:07.559 blessed people. 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.519 Jesus is to be 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.279 worshipped, he is 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.160 to be obeyed 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:11.720 because of his 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.779 surpassing worth 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.860 and power. 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.680 And John intends 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.319 this book of 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.700 Revelation to 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:18.960 produce a radical 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.720 change in 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:21.120 perspective for 00:27:21.120 --> 00:27:21.799 us, for 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.480 everyone. 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.600 Is your gaze 00:27:26.600 --> 00:27:27.700 consistently upon 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.100 Jesus? 00:27:28.600 --> 00:27:29.559 Do you preach 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:31.200 this gospel to 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:32.180 yourself every 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:33.080 day and remind 00:27:33.080 --> 00:27:33.720 you that you 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.600 are so blessed 00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:35.519 regardless of 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.240 the circumstances 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.059 in your life? 00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:40.080 That you are so 00:27:40.080 --> 00:27:41.059 blessed because of 00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:41.420 Jesus. 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.620 Are you 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:44.259 announcing to 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.059 everyone who 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.759 will listen how 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.319 blessed it is to 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.480 know Jesus? 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:50.340 Are you calling 00:27:50.340 --> 00:27:51.240 people to taste 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.100 and see that this 00:27:52.100 --> 00:27:53.299 Lord is good? 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.980 Do people see it 00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:55.799 in your life, 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:56.680 in your values, 00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:57.480 in your priorities, 00:27:57.600 --> 00:27:57.980 in your attitude, 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:58.660 and your 00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.200 perspective, 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:01.519 that Jesus is 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.160 the dominant 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:03.079 reality of your 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:03.519 life? 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.539 Let me read to 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.299 you something that 00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:08.880 was written. 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:11.099 So, John gets 00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:12.380 this revelation, 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:13.940 sends it to the 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.920 churches in Rome. 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.519 Let me read 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.759 you, to you, 00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:19.200 how the 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.079 Christians in 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:21.400 Rome responded 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:22.000 to this 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.460 revelation. 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:24.640 This is one 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:25.900 writer reflecting 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:26.640 on the 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:28.259 Christians at 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:29.319 this time of 00:28:29.319 --> 00:28:29.840 enormous 00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:30.640 persecution. 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.620 They loved 00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:35.579 everyone, but 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:36.340 by everyone 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:36.960 they are 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.620 persecuted. 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:38.960 They are 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.880 unknown, yet 00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:40.259 they are 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:40.740 condemned. 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:41.819 They are put 00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.620 to death, and 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:43.120 yet they are 00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:43.519 brought to 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:43.980 life. 00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.059 They are 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:47.160 poor, and 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:47.779 yet they make 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.720 so many rich. 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:50.180 They are in 00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:50.539 need of 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.100 everything, and 00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:51.539 yet they are 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.000 bound in 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.420 everything. 00:28:53.380 --> 00:28:53.819 They are 00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:54.740 dishonored, and 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.319 yet they are 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:56.200 glorified in 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:56.779 their dishonor. 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.180 They are 00:28:57.180 --> 00:28:57.880 slandered, and 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:58.460 yet they are 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:59.119 vindicated. 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.119 They are 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:00.859 cursed, and 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.279 yet they 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:01.759 bless. 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.660 They are 00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:03.680 insulted, yet 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.180 they offer 00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:04.819 respect. 00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:05.980 And when 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:07.119 they do 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:07.700 good, they 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:08.220 are punished 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.299 as evildoers. 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:09.700 And when 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:10.000 they are 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.579 punished, they 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.359 rejoice as 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:11.660 though they 00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:11.980 are brought 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.619 to life. 00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:13.900 And so 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.619 Christians were 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.579 punished daily. 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.460 And so 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.240 Christians, when 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:19.180 punished, daily 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:20.519 increase more 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:21.099 and more. 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:24.819 don't miss 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.279 what that 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:25.859 quotation 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:26.720 communicates. 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.119 These 00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:28.859 Christians live 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:29.480 in a way that 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:29.940 says that 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.460 knowing and 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.259 treasuring Jesus 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:33.259 is better than 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.640 everything. 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:36.440 It's better 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.140 than freedom 00:29:37.140 --> 00:29:38.039 from persecution. 00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:40.259 Knowing and 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.880 treasuring Jesus 00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.480 is better than 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:42.460 avoiding martyrdom 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:43.079 by denying 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.420 him. 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.140 Knowing and 00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:44.799 treasuring Jesus 00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:45.460 is better than 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.980 money and 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:47.460 status. 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.079 Knowing and 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.680 treasuring Jesus 00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:49.380 is better than 00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:49.960 fame. 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:50.700 Knowing and 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.360 treasuring Jesus 00:29:51.360 --> 00:29:52.039 is better than 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:53.620 doing evil to 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.860 avoid persecution 00:29:54.860 --> 00:29:55.680 from criminal 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:56.220 governments. 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:58.960 You see, when 00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:00.140 Christians joyfully 00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:01.079 embrace Jesus 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:02.400 as the dominant 00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:03.420 reality of their 00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:04.440 lives, through 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.380 difficult times 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:08.539 especially, it 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.220 causes their 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:09.779 numbers to 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.299 increase. 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.740 When Christians 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.600 treasure Jesus 00:30:13.600 --> 00:30:14.620 by joyfully 00:30:14.620 --> 00:30:15.579 showing by their 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.140 lives that 00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:18.039 knowing God 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:19.700 is so 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:21.420 immensely good, 00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:24.159 others want to 00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:24.799 know such a 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:25.059 God. 00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:28.200 Is Jesus 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:29.299 the dominant 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.559 reality in 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:31.159 your life? 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:32.480 And do 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:33.200 others see it? 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.200 Let's pray. 00:30:35.879 --> 00:30:36.839 Father God, 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:38.960 we pray that 00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:39.379 you would help 00:30:39.379 --> 00:30:39.920 us to see 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.399 Jesus. 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:42.039 Give us a 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.579 glimpse of 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.339 his majesty, 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:46.440 of his worth. 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:47.860 earth, we 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:48.460 ask that we 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:48.960 would be a 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:51.180 church that 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:52.019 lives out what 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.799 we say that we 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.759 exist for, to 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.779 know, to 00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:56.320 treasure, to 00:30:56.320 --> 00:30:57.460 represent Jesus. 00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:00.480 Help us with 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:00.799 pray. 00:31:01.360 --> 00:31:02.140 Give us such a 00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:02.680 glimpse of your 00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:04.200 glory and your 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:05.400 purposes that he 00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:06.100 might become the 00:31:06.100 --> 00:31:07.019 dominant reality of 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.559 our lives. 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:07.639 grace. 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:10.039 We pray for our 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.519 brothers and 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:11.480 sisters in Iraq, 00:31:12.119 --> 00:31:13.099 right now and 00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:14.039 in many other 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:14.759 places in the 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:17.579 world, where 00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:18.339 they are not 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:19.179 dulled to the 00:31:19.179 --> 00:31:20.359 senses of what 00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:21.299 the cost is in 00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:21.919 following you. 00:31:23.419 --> 00:31:24.480 Father, we pray 00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:25.279 that you would 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:26.399 pour out your 00:31:26.399 --> 00:31:27.539 spirit upon them 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:28.639 so that they 00:31:28.639 --> 00:31:29.500 might see Jesus 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.139 in all his 00:31:30.139 --> 00:31:31.759 splendor, that 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.720 they might feel 00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:35.539 his hand upon 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:35.819 them. 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:37.460 they might hear 00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:38.240 the words from 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.059 your word by 00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:39.919 your spirit to 00:31:39.919 --> 00:31:40.619 their hearts, 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.379 their minds. 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:42.859 Do not be 00:31:42.859 --> 00:31:43.299 afraid. 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:45.119 We ask it for 00:31:45.119 --> 00:31:45.639 your glory. 00:31:46.159 --> 00:31:46.419 Amen.