WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.380 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:19.460 A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here and we're glad that you're here. 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:25.240 Not because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:25.239 --> 00:00:30.739 And as we follow Jesus together, we've become convinced there's no one so good. 00:00:31.140 --> 00:00:40.339 They don't need God's grace and no one so bad that they can't have it, which is why we come back week after week to see what God has for us in his word. 00:00:41.179 --> 00:00:44.519 We're continuing our series in the Gospel of Mark. 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:50.079 You'll remember the Gospels tell the story of Jesus in his life and his death and his resurrection. 00:00:50.079 --> 00:00:58.979 And I recognize that as we're in the middle of this study, many of you are here this morning for the event that already happened, Charlie's baptism. 00:00:59.439 --> 00:01:05.819 And as I was discussing the date of the baptism with Andy and Jenny, Andy said, you know, I'm not really concerned about what day it is. 00:01:05.819 --> 00:01:10.719 I just want to make sure it's when you're preaching the hardest section in the Gospel of Mark. 00:01:11.980 --> 00:01:14.819 Because I want to make sure all my friends can watch you squirm. 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:18.500 So there's two shows, the baptism and the pastor. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:20.920 I kid. 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:28.319 But we are, in fact, coming up against the most difficult passage in the entire Gospel. 00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:31.400 Countless words have been written about Mark 13. 00:01:31.640 --> 00:01:36.980 And so my goal this morning, as I tell you from time to time, is to say something, not everything. 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:40.000 And so I'm just going to disappoint you right now at the very beginning. 00:01:40.740 --> 00:01:45.960 You are not going to leave with every question answered about Mark 13. 00:01:45.959 --> 00:01:53.339 And part of the reason for that is if I answered every question, you would not leave because we'd be here into the evening. 00:01:54.599 --> 00:02:02.479 Instead, we're going to try to keep the main thing, the main thing, and focus on the highlights for God's people in his word. 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:05.060 You'll remember we're going through Holy Week. 00:02:05.179 --> 00:02:08.019 We're on Tuesday of Holy Week, and this is in the evening. 00:02:08.020 --> 00:02:14.160 Jesus has finished a long day of teaching, and he's sitting on the Mount of Olives looking out at the temple. 00:02:14.600 --> 00:02:20.100 And his disciples have asked him this question at the beginning of the chapter as they're leaving the temple. 00:02:20.260 --> 00:02:24.620 And Jesus has spent his time condemning the religious leaders and the religious system. 00:02:24.740 --> 00:02:28.480 One of them points out to him, hey, look, isn't this temple so wonderful? 00:02:28.620 --> 00:02:31.060 Look at its wonderful stones and buildings. 00:02:31.060 --> 00:02:42.319 And it's at that point they're called off a little off guard, and they ask in verse 4, 00:02:42.740 --> 00:02:45.439 when will these things be what will be the sign? 00:02:46.300 --> 00:02:50.099 Because Jesus is bringing the temple and the religious system to an end. 00:02:50.319 --> 00:02:53.140 We ended last week with verse 13, which says, 00:02:53.460 --> 00:02:56.640 the one who endures to the end will be saved. 00:02:56.639 --> 00:02:59.839 And so we ask this question, how do we endure to the end? 00:02:59.879 --> 00:03:03.399 And we looked at three challenges for God's people as they endure. 00:03:03.899 --> 00:03:07.659 False teachers, general suffering, and persecution for Christ. 00:03:08.079 --> 00:03:13.479 As we come back to this difficult chapter, we're essentially asking the same question this week. 00:03:13.819 --> 00:03:16.259 How do we endure to the end? 00:03:16.659 --> 00:03:22.259 And it's an even more urgent question because the picture gets bleaker as we go on in this chapter. 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:26.579 What do these instructions about the fall of the temple have to do with us? 00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:28.000 In 2023. 00:03:29.519 --> 00:03:32.279 How do we endure in suffering and persecution? 00:03:32.699 --> 00:03:36.239 How do we maintain hope in a dark world? 00:03:37.459 --> 00:03:41.059 Now, it's important as we come against a difficult and challenging passage 00:03:41.059 --> 00:03:44.219 to not lose our way and get lost in the details. 00:03:44.339 --> 00:03:46.699 It's critical to keep due north in front of us. 00:03:47.039 --> 00:03:50.099 And so here's due north as we're heading into Mark 13. 00:03:50.419 --> 00:03:54.819 How do we make it between Jesus' first coming and his second coming? 00:03:55.780 --> 00:04:00.500 Mark 13 is answering the question, how do Christians, those who follow Jesus, 00:04:00.680 --> 00:04:04.519 make it between Jesus' first coming and his second coming? 00:04:05.299 --> 00:04:09.539 How is it that we keep going and endure to the end? 00:04:09.539 --> 00:04:12.659 With that, we're going to talk about two things. 00:04:12.799 --> 00:04:14.039 First, the fall of Jerusalem. 00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:16.459 And second, the end of the world. 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:21.099 The fall of Jerusalem and the end of the world. 00:04:21.420 --> 00:04:24.439 And with that, I'm going to invite you to turn with me to God's word. 00:04:24.539 --> 00:04:25.860 We're in Mark chapter 13. 00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:32.780 Starting at verse 14, you can turn with me in your Bible or in your worship guide or in your phone. 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:36.160 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:04:36.240 --> 00:04:40.439 And God tells us that his word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, 00:04:40.900 --> 00:04:45.259 which means that God has not left us to stumble alone in the dark, 00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:49.439 but instead he's given us his word to show us the way to go. 00:04:50.019 --> 00:04:53.339 And so that's why we read now, starting at verse 14. 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:59.639 But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be, 00:05:00.180 --> 00:05:01.459 let the reader understand. 00:05:02.220 --> 00:05:05.439 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 00:05:06.079 --> 00:05:11.540 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house to take anything out. 00:05:11.879 --> 00:05:16.019 And let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 00:05:17.019 --> 00:05:17.899 Verse 17. 00:05:17.899 --> 00:05:23.419 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days. 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:26.219 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 00:05:26.959 --> 00:05:30.819 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been 00:05:30.819 --> 00:05:36.839 from the beginning of the creation that God created until now and never will be. 00:05:37.599 --> 00:05:38.279 Verse 20. 00:05:39.019 --> 00:05:43.699 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. 00:05:43.699 --> 00:05:49.420 But for the sake of the elect whom he chose, he shortened the days. 00:05:50.420 --> 00:05:56.379 And then if anyone says to you, look, here is the Christ, or look, there he is, do not believe it. 00:05:57.099 --> 00:06:06.219 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 00:06:06.220 --> 00:06:08.300 But be on guard. 00:06:08.780 --> 00:06:11.840 I have told you all things beforehand. 00:06:12.380 --> 00:06:13.700 Verse 24. 00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:43.680 Verse 24. 00:06:43.699 --> 00:07:08.419 柔 00:07:14.379 --> 00:07:18.259 I invite you to pray as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:07:19.879 --> 00:07:26.800 Our Father in heaven, we thank you that you are a good and loving Father. 00:07:26.920 --> 00:07:29.539 We thank you for the example of Jesus in this passage, 00:07:29.539 --> 00:07:34.480 that he tells his disciples what they need to know to endure to the end. 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:38.180 We ask that you would do that very same thing this morning, 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:43.840 that you would clearly reveal to us what we need to do to endure to the end. 00:07:44.280 --> 00:07:46.300 That you'd show us our need for Jesus, 00:07:46.459 --> 00:07:50.780 and you'd show us Jesus' grace as he meets us in that need. 00:07:50.780 --> 00:07:56.220 That you'd help us by your spirit to understand and believe and live your word. 00:07:57.139 --> 00:08:00.899 We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 00:08:00.899 --> 00:08:01.099 Amen. 00:08:04.239 --> 00:08:08.179 You'll remember from last week at the very beginning of the chapter, 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:12.039 Jesus drops this bomb, so to speak, on the disciples telling them, 00:08:12.139 --> 00:08:15.799 look, this temple that you consider to be so beautiful and wonderful, 00:08:16.039 --> 00:08:19.439 it will not be long before it's completely destroyed. 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:23.579 And so in verse 4, they have these two questions they really want Jesus to answer. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:27.079 When will these things be? And what will be the sign? 00:08:27.079 --> 00:08:31.219 And you'll remember from last week, Jesus goes on a bit of a tangent. 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:33.740 He actually doesn't tell them when those things will be, 00:08:33.819 --> 00:08:35.379 and he doesn't tell them the sign. 00:08:35.720 --> 00:08:38.579 Instead, he tells them things that they need to know 00:08:38.579 --> 00:08:41.879 to make it during the intervening period. 00:08:42.419 --> 00:08:45.139 So that's when we talked about false teachers, 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:47.220 general suffering, and persecution for Christ. 00:08:47.860 --> 00:08:51.899 Now Jesus is going to return to their question and answer it directly. 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:55.159 When will these things be? What will the sign be? 00:08:55.159 --> 00:08:56.879 Well, it's very clear, disciples. 00:08:57.419 --> 00:09:02.899 Verse 14, it's going to be when you see the abomination of desolation 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:04.719 standing where he ought not to be. 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:09.480 What does Jesus mean here? 00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:12.179 These are not clear words or instructions. 00:09:12.419 --> 00:09:15.980 In fact, that's part of what let the reader understand implies. 00:09:16.319 --> 00:09:17.579 Let the reader understand. 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:20.059 In other words, you need to think about these things. 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:23.259 There's a certain type of riddle to what Jesus is saying, 00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:27.259 but it's not a riddle for those who are familiar with the Old Testament 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:32.179 because Jesus is using a phrase that is a direct quote from the book of Daniel. 00:09:32.319 --> 00:09:35.340 It appears in the book of Daniel not once, not twice, 00:09:35.819 --> 00:09:40.179 but three different times we're told about this abomination of desolation 00:09:40.179 --> 00:09:43.279 in chapters 9, 11, and 12. 00:09:44.059 --> 00:09:47.340 Now, if you were with us at Cheyenne Mountain back in 2021, 00:09:47.340 --> 00:09:51.800 we talked about the abomination of desolation in the book of Daniel. 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:54.780 Here's the problem that Jesus is going to come up against 00:09:54.780 --> 00:09:56.259 as he uses this phrase, though. 00:09:57.040 --> 00:10:00.600 Daniel's prophecy has already been fulfilled. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:07.100 The abomination of desolation from the book of Daniel has already happened. 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:10.040 And this is what I read to you back in 2021. 00:10:10.039 --> 00:10:15.199 Antiochus IV of Seleucia, who styled himself Epiphanes, 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:16.719 which is what we're told about in Daniel, 00:10:17.159 --> 00:10:19.599 invaded Jerusalem, despoiled the temple, 00:10:20.039 --> 00:10:21.539 commanded the burning of the scriptures, 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:23.879 forbade the covenant right of circumcision, 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:26.259 put to death many faithful Jews, 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:31.480 and ultimately instituted pagan sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple 00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:34.860 back in 167 BC. 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:41.320 That's a quote from a scholar describing what happened to fulfill Daniel's prophecy. 00:10:41.680 --> 00:10:46.560 So why is Jesus referring to something that has already happened? 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:52.139 He's doing it because what Jesus is saying here, 00:10:52.220 --> 00:10:54.700 this is what the reader is meant to understand, 00:10:55.039 --> 00:11:00.980 that that event in 167 was the first fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy. 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:06.180 What Daniel told about has not been completed yet. 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:08.019 In fact, this is the nature of prophecy, 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:10.840 that often it has multiple fulfillments that come. 00:11:11.220 --> 00:11:13.820 And so the reader understanding is meant to say this, 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:20.200 when you see something happening like what happened back in 167, 00:11:20.420 --> 00:11:22.960 that's when you know it's time to flee. 00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:27.180 When that event repeats again, 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:31.199 when the temple is profaned and desecrated again, 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:33.959 just like it was to fulfill Daniel's prophecy, 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:38.139 that's when you know it is time to run to the hills. 00:11:39.779 --> 00:11:42.879 And in fact, that's what he tells them in these continuing verses. 00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:46.679 Verses 14 through 20 are basically saying, 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:47.739 flee. 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:51.059 Don't just flee, really flee. 00:11:51.559 --> 00:11:52.819 Verses 15 and 16, 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:54.979 don't stop over small things. 00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:56.879 Don't go back to get a cloak. 00:11:57.720 --> 00:12:00.899 Don't go into your house to take anything out. 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:03.019 Act as if the house is on fire. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:06.120 That's how urgent it is for you to get out of town. 00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:07.899 Why is it so urgent? 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:10.920 Well, verses 17 and 20 continue to explain 00:12:10.920 --> 00:12:13.779 how bad it's actually going to be. 00:12:15.800 --> 00:12:19.420 And so Jesus' disciples here are meant to take these things 00:12:19.420 --> 00:12:21.620 into consideration, to remember them, 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:27.360 to watch for this sign so they know when to flee Jerusalem. 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:31.179 And in fact, history bears this out. 00:12:31.940 --> 00:12:34.399 Beginning in 66 AD, 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:38.740 there were the struggles that are now known as the Jewish War 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:41.620 when there was a revolt of the Jews against the Roman government. 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:45.279 And this struggle continued for a number of years, 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:49.820 and it culminated in one point in the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:52.620 Remember, I told you the first part of this passage 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:55.000 is going to be the destruction of the temple. 00:12:55.879 --> 00:13:00.140 Jesus' words here are fulfilled in part in 70 AD. 00:13:00.820 --> 00:13:02.840 Now, I'm not going to go into all the weeds here. 00:13:02.940 --> 00:13:05.760 If you're a history buff, you can look up the Jewish War. 00:13:06.520 --> 00:13:07.780 Suffice to say this, 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:12.139 in late 67 AD, early 68 AD, 00:13:12.899 --> 00:13:15.839 Jewish zealots occupied the temple. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:20.079 And they did similar things to the temple 00:13:20.079 --> 00:13:24.220 that Antiochus did back in 167 BC. 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:27.139 And so here's another scholar describing what happened. 00:13:27.659 --> 00:13:28.659 During this period, 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:31.779 the zealots moved into and occupied the temple area, 00:13:32.299 --> 00:13:33.779 allowed persons who had committed crimes 00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:36.519 to roam about freely in the Holy of Holies 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:39.319 and perpetrated murder within the temple itself. 00:13:39.959 --> 00:13:42.500 These acts of sacrilege were climaxed 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:44.779 in the winter of 67 to 68 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:48.100 by the investiture of the clown, Fanny, 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:49.579 as a high priest. 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:55.519 The temple desecrated again, 67, 68 AD. 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:57.500 The worst they did at the end 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:59.179 was make a clown the high priest 00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:03.039 and set him up in the Holy of Holies. 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:08.179 What happened that Daniel prophesied repeats again. 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:10.139 History bears out for us 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:13.259 that God's people listened to Jesus' warning here. 00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:15.620 It was not until later in 68 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:18.319 that it became difficult to flee the temple. 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:20.539 And the church historian Eusebius tells us 00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:21.659 that in the fourth century, 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:23.559 Christians in fact took this 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:25.620 as the fulfillment of an oracle 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:27.319 and fled from Jerusalem. 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:30.140 They did what Jesus told them to do. 00:14:30.260 --> 00:14:31.760 They headed to the hills. 00:14:33.660 --> 00:14:36.560 And so the two phases here of Jesus' prediction 00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:37.840 is prophecy come true. 00:14:38.140 --> 00:14:40.000 First, there's going to be the sacrilege. 00:14:40.160 --> 00:14:42.220 Then there's going to be the destruction of the temple. 00:14:42.440 --> 00:14:44.140 What happened in Roman history? 00:14:44.420 --> 00:14:47.320 First, there was the sacrilege, 67, 68 AD. 00:14:47.640 --> 00:14:50.780 Then there's destruction of the temple, 70 AD. 00:14:54.280 --> 00:14:57.220 Verses 28 through 31 basically say, 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:59.740 know the signs, watch for the signs. 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:04.100 That is what the first century church did. 00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:07.400 Know the signs, watch for the signs. 00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:09.840 That's what the first century church did. 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:12.379 That's how they escaped many of the things 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:15.700 that happened during the final destruction of the temple. 00:15:17.160 --> 00:15:20.560 Now, some of you are history buffs 00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:22.200 and you absolutely nerded out 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:23.560 on everything I just told you. 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:27.259 Some of you checked out about five minutes ago. 00:15:28.339 --> 00:15:30.939 If you checked out, here's your time to come back in. 00:15:31.239 --> 00:15:32.459 The point is this. 00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:34.579 Jesus made a prophecy. 00:15:34.959 --> 00:15:36.219 The prophecy was fulfilled. 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:39.319 Jesus made a prophecy. 00:15:39.859 --> 00:15:41.079 The prophecy was fulfilled. 00:15:41.459 --> 00:15:44.619 Those who listened to his words were protected. 00:15:45.239 --> 00:15:46.879 Those who listened to his words 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:48.879 escape the destruction of the temple. 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:52.139 Now, if you zoned out, you also might be wondering, 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:55.700 what in the world does 67, 68 AD and 70 AD 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:57.960 have to do with me in 2023? 00:15:58.620 --> 00:16:00.460 Because the temple's already been destroyed. 00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:01.860 I don't need to flee from it. 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:04.679 Well, when we come against passages like this, 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:07.279 the application is in a sense what we did last week. 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.899 It is very broad. 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:12.139 We can look at what happened in one particular instance 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:16.199 and see what's true about God and his character 00:16:16.199 --> 00:16:17.620 now in the present. 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:24.480 As we see enemies and opponents of the church 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:27.819 circling around her in any age, 00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:29.319 we know this. 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:32.860 God has preserved his people before. 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:37.600 He will preserve his people again. 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:41.379 God has preserved his people before. 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:43.720 He will preserve his people again. 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:47.860 God gave them everything they needed to persevere 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:50.299 during this great tribulation. 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:55.659 God protected and sustained them during persecution. 00:16:57.299 --> 00:17:01.600 God was faithful to his church in the first century. 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:08.400 God is faithful to his church in the 21st century. 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:11.320 God was faithful then. 00:17:11.580 --> 00:17:13.019 He'll be faithful now. 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.680 I've told you before, 00:17:14.800 --> 00:17:17.000 this is the essence of the Christian life, 00:17:17.100 --> 00:17:19.200 that we are constantly looking back 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:22.220 and seeing God's acts and his faithfulness in the past 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.759 in the history of his people 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:26.380 and using that to give us confidence and trust 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:29.060 and hope in his faithfulness in the present. 00:17:30.120 --> 00:17:32.759 Jesus who watched out for the early church 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:34.940 will watch out for us. 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:38.220 This is in fact part of the purpose of preaching 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.240 and reading the Bible, 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.940 that we're able to zoom out 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:43.500 to get a larger perspective on the world 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:46.820 than we have just by looking at what's in front of our feet, 00:17:46.860 --> 00:17:50.400 to remember the great context that we live in, 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:54.440 that God's power is no less than it was then. 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:57.860 And so as we face, 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:59.279 as we look at persecution, 00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:02.960 however it may happen in the world or in our lives, 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:05.200 as we experience the birth pains 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:07.539 that we talked about last week from verse eight, 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:11.220 we know the promise of verse 31 here is true. 00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:13.740 Heaven and earth will pass away. 00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:19.440 My words will not pass away. 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:24.640 If and when we are tempted to despair 00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:26.080 and compromise with the world, 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:27.240 the flesh and the devil, 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:29.460 tempted to give up or give in, 00:18:29.580 --> 00:18:33.580 we remember that only God's word will last. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:39.680 And so it's what we trust more than anything else. 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:45.380 What's true of the early church is true of us. 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:48.559 The hope of the early church is our hope. 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:53.259 God's faithfulness then is his same faithfulness now. 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:58.319 As enemies and opponents of the church 00:18:58.319 --> 00:19:00.480 circle her in any age, 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:03.039 God is always faithful. 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:08.339 His word always proves true. 00:19:10.919 --> 00:19:13.720 There's one other thing I want to point out to you 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:16.500 from this section on Jerusalem, verse 20. 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:16.960 It says, 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:20.099 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:22.140 no human being would be saved. 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:25.420 But for the sake of the elect whom he chose, 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:27.559 he shortened the days. 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:32.859 What the church must remember today 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:37.680 is that God numbers the days of tribulation. 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:42.519 God numbers the days of persecution. 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:48.320 God numbers the time of suffering. 00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:53.580 They persist for a time they will not persist forever. 00:19:54.580 --> 00:19:57.440 I've mentioned to you before that the Berlin Wall stood 00:19:57.440 --> 00:20:00.180 from 1961 to 1989, 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:03.380 which is only 28 years. 00:20:04.580 --> 00:20:06.960 Less than half a lifetime. 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:10.240 And so we're reminded of what we talked about 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.000 in the book of Daniel, 00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:14.160 that the nations are a drop in the bucket. 00:20:17.320 --> 00:20:21.000 Whatever persecution or tribulation comes your way, 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:22.920 God has limited it. 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:27.279 God has numbered and limited its days. 00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:33.000 Now you may have noticed, 00:20:33.300 --> 00:20:35.180 we have some repetition in this passage, 00:20:35.300 --> 00:20:37.360 verses 21 and 22. 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:41.140 Repeat the same thing we saw in verses 5 and 6, 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:41.960 two weeks ago. 00:20:43.560 --> 00:20:47.720 Look, don't listen to false Christs or false prophets. 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:51.740 Now why is it that Jesus repeats these things here? 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:54.400 Well, it's not simply to remind them 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:55.380 of what he said before, 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:57.200 but to add something on top of it. 00:20:57.220 --> 00:21:00.180 It has the same meaning as before and a new purpose. 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:02.279 And this new purpose is in the context 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.980 of fleeing from Jerusalem. 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.279 He's telling them, 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:07.779 look, as you are fleeing the city, 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:09.880 because of my words, which I've warned you, 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:13.920 don't get confused and think it's the end of the world. 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:18.600 Part of the reason students of the Bible believe 00:21:18.600 --> 00:21:21.200 that Jesus ends up talking about both Jerusalem 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:22.720 and the end of the world, 00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:25.880 even though the disciples only asked about Jerusalem, 00:21:26.080 --> 00:21:27.860 is because in the disciples' mind, 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:29.220 those two events are the same. 00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:32.640 They're expecting the destruction of the temple 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:35.100 and the end of the world to happen at the same time. 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:37.060 And so Jesus is cluing them in here. 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:37.460 He's saying, 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:41.120 those things actually are not going to be at the same time. 00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:42.460 And so if someone comes up to you 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:44.440 while you're trying to flee from Jerusalem 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:45.700 and go to the hills, 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.519 like I've told you, 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.740 don't listen to them. 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:50.600 Because if you believe that these two events 00:21:50.600 --> 00:21:51.840 are linked, are tied, 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:53.500 you're going to be tempted to follow 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:55.640 whatever that person is telling you. 00:21:58.200 --> 00:22:02.799 But I am going to return. 00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:05.720 I am going to return. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:07.579 It's just going to be at a later time. 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:11.200 It's not going to coincide with the fall of the temple. 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:15.779 And so that takes us to verses 24 through 27. 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:18.580 The second part that I told you we're going to look at, 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.819 not the fall of Jerusalem, 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:21.860 but the end of the world. 00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:25.420 Now, part of the way in which I'm going to disappoint you 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.860 this morning is that I'm going to tell you 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:30.240 it's hard to know in verses 24 and 25 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:33.480 to what extent we're dealing with symbol and metaphor, 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:36.019 which is the nature of prophecy like this. 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:39.599 And so we're not going to know precisely 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:42.579 what's meant by the powers in heaven being shaken 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:44.720 or stars falling from heaven. 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:46.220 What I can tell you is this, 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:49.500 there is going to be a rearrangement of the world 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:51.599 and its powers when Christ returns. 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:55.879 There is going to be a fundamental shift 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:58.759 in the way the world operates and runs. 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:02.220 Those who are the greatest men and women in the world 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:06.079 will no longer have that status, influence, and power 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:11.259 because the Son of Man is going to return. 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:16.660 In fact, that's the quote in verses 26 and 27. 00:23:16.860 --> 00:23:18.360 It's a quote from the book of Daniel, 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:20.279 which we already read this morning. 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:22.860 Brett Hopper read it for us as our Old Testament reading. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:24.079 And in the book of Daniel, 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:26.680 this is talking about the return of Christ. 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:33.640 coming to gather his people together once and for all. 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:38.060 And so again, this answers our question. 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:40.220 Remember I told you we have a due north 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.519 as we look at this passage. 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:43.539 And our due north is how do we make it 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:45.700 between Jesus' first coming and his second coming? 00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:49.880 First thing, first thing we know, how we make it, 00:23:50.320 --> 00:23:52.799 fall of Jerusalem reminds us of God's faithfulness 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.360 to his people. 00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:57.159 It reminds us that his words can be believed 00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:59.799 and trusted above everything else. 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:03.079 This section part gives us a second answer. 00:24:03.179 --> 00:24:05.379 How do we make it between the first and the second coming? 00:24:05.479 --> 00:24:07.439 And this may sound overly simple. 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:11.339 The way we make it is to remember there is a second coming. 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:15.379 Jesus is actually coming back. 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.659 And when he comes back, 00:24:16.719 --> 00:24:19.039 he's going to shake the powers of this world 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:23.460 and gather all his people from the four corners of the earth. 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:27.059 No matter what happens, 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.619 Jesus will return. 00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:33.720 That's how we make it to his second coming. 00:24:35.159 --> 00:24:37.920 Now, if you've been a Christian for some time, 00:24:38.639 --> 00:24:39.899 this might wash over you. 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:41.539 You might think, okay, yes, of course, 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:43.659 I know Jesus is coming back. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.899 That's old hat. 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:49.980 That's just what we recite when we recite the Apostles' Creed. 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:52.060 What am I supposed to make of it in this passage? 00:24:52.120 --> 00:24:55.960 How is this supposed to have grocery store theology for me? 00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:57.840 When I'm in King Soopers on Tuesday morning, 00:24:57.960 --> 00:25:00.120 why does it matter that the Son of Man 00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:01.380 is returning on the clouds? 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.820 Well, to understand why it matters, 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:06.100 I want you to do a thought experiment with me. 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:09.660 What if Jesus didn't tell us this? 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:15.540 What if Jesus told us nothing about his coming back? 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:19.620 We weren't sure if he was returning or not. 00:25:20.820 --> 00:25:22.920 We just knew that he had died for sins. 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.779 He went up into heaven. 00:25:24.080 --> 00:25:26.580 So the rest of it's for us to figure out. 00:25:29.800 --> 00:25:31.080 There is a difference. 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:33.400 In fact, there's a world of difference 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:39.120 between leaving your young child for hours 00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:42.440 and walking away without a word, 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:47.100 leaving your young child for hours 00:25:47.100 --> 00:25:49.460 and saying, I'll be back. 00:25:51.100 --> 00:25:51.360 Right? 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:53.620 One of those is a separation. 00:25:54.280 --> 00:25:56.460 The other is abandonment. 00:25:57.620 --> 00:25:58.980 One is separation. 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.920 The other is abandonment. 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:05.440 During COVID, I knew a military chaplain 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:08.200 who was working from home because of the circumstances 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:10.640 and he had to work in his basement, his home office, 00:26:10.800 --> 00:26:12.420 because of everything shutting down. 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.259 And he told me, 00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:17.080 normally my son can't handle me leaving the house. 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:18.800 It will come bother me and he'll come to my office. 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:19.900 But what I've learned is, 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:23.380 if we go through my whole going to work ritual, 00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:25.460 then he'll let me work in the basement. 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:28.820 So we do the same thing as if I was leaving the house 00:26:28.820 --> 00:26:30.740 and then I go to my basement and he understands. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.920 He's fine, it's a separation. 00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:34.299 If I don't do that, 00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:37.740 he can't stand not being with me while I work. 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:42.920 That's the difference between leaving for a time 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:44.599 and abandoning someone. 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:46.700 It's something our children understand, 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:49.299 we experience as well. 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:52.759 In other words, Jesus never abandons his people. 00:26:52.759 --> 00:27:00.160 There is always an expectation of his return. 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:05.920 There's an explanation for Jesus' absence. 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:09.500 And so it is separation, not abandonment. 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:14.099 How do we make it then between Jesus' first coming 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:15.019 and his second coming? 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:18.579 We know that Jesus' words are trustworthy. 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:21.559 We know that heaven and earth will pass away, 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:23.240 but my words will not pass away. 00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:26.680 We know that Jesus was faithful to his church 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.759 in the first century. 00:27:27.879 --> 00:27:31.359 He will be faithful to his church in the 21st century. 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:35.719 We know that he has left this earth physically. 00:27:35.879 --> 00:27:37.459 He's at the right hand of God the Father. 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:41.639 And we know he's coming back. 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:45.979 That's how we're able to hold on. 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:51.980 And so in all of this, more than anything, 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:56.559 what matters more than the meanings of signs and symbols, 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:59.720 the timing of Jesus' return or the destruction of the temple 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:02.259 is that we would see Jesus. 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:06.680 And what we see in Jesus in this passage 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:10.019 is his love and care for his disciples. 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:13.599 Yes, he is leaving for a time. 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:15.420 He has not left them without instruction. 00:28:16.400 --> 00:28:18.319 Yes, he's leaving for a while. 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:20.160 He has not left them without guidance. 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:22.400 Yes, he's gone for a while. 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:24.720 He's told them what they need to know 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:27.420 to persevere and survive. 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:30.220 Same is true for us. 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:32.620 Heaven and earth may pass away. 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:34.759 My words will not pass away. 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:38.460 That same love is the love that our Lord Jesus Christ 00:28:38.460 --> 00:28:40.519 gives to the people in this room 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:42.120 and his church throughout the world. 00:28:42.120 --> 00:28:45.039 He gives us his words that will not pass away 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:46.799 so that no matter what comes, 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:48.879 we are able to persevere. 00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:51.619 We're not afraid of his statement in verse 13, 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:54.339 but you will be hated by all for my namesake, 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:59.059 but the one who endures to the end will be saved. 00:28:59.059 --> 00:29:01.759 We know no matter what, 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:04.759 he is coming on the clouds to gather his people 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:07.639 from the four corners of the earth. 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:11.359 And so we can continue and persevere and hope in faith 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:15.119 no matter what opposition or tribulation comes. 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:20.179 Now you'll notice a couple times in this passage, 00:29:20.979 --> 00:29:23.979 we've heard about the elect. 00:29:24.179 --> 00:29:25.899 Verse 20, we're told, 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:28.599 for the sake of the elect whom he chose, 00:29:28.939 --> 00:29:30.459 he shortened the days. 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.579 And then in verse 27, 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:35.939 he will send out the angels and gather his elect 00:29:35.939 --> 00:29:37.899 from the four winds. 00:29:38.959 --> 00:29:41.599 And the elect here is just a fancy theological word 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:43.259 for those God has chosen, 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:45.019 the people who belong to him, 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:47.799 the people who have faith and trust in Jesus Christ, 00:29:48.219 --> 00:29:52.279 those who follow and believe Jesus' path 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:53.379 along with his people. 00:29:54.319 --> 00:29:56.559 And so most of what I've told you this morning 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.899 has been encouragement, 00:29:58.359 --> 00:30:00.599 encouraging you of God's care 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:01.899 and provision for his people. 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:03.039 But in this passage, 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:05.359 there's also a challenge, a question. 00:30:06.359 --> 00:30:08.919 Are you part of the elect? 00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:12.479 Are you one of the ones who will be gathered 00:30:12.479 --> 00:30:14.059 from the four corners of the earth? 00:30:14.919 --> 00:30:18.299 Do you have faith and trust in Jesus Christ? 00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:21.479 If you don't know, 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:23.279 that's a great question to begin asking. 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:24.259 In fact, we have a resource 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:25.979 in the back of your worship guide 00:30:25.979 --> 00:30:27.339 called Embracing Christianity, 00:30:27.459 --> 00:30:29.000 which talks about what it means 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:32.719 to be one of the people that Jesus is returning for. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:35.299 I encourage you to look at that, 00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:35.960 to talk to me, 00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:38.079 to talk to someone who's in the seats near you. 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:40.200 If you are thinking, wondering, 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:44.100 unsure of whether you are going to be gathered 00:30:44.100 --> 00:30:46.880 when the Son of Man comes on the clouds. 00:30:49.860 --> 00:30:52.600 Because he's the one who cares intimately 00:30:52.600 --> 00:30:54.039 and carefully for his people. 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:56.940 He's the one who gives them everything they need, 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:58.980 both in his word and his power, 00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:00.740 to make it to the end. 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:06.920 I have a friend of mine who's a counselor 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:09.279 who explained to me a couple years ago 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:11.740 the concept of object permanence. 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:14.120 And that might sound sort of fancy, 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:15.440 and it's simply a way of talking 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:17.299 about the experience of young children. 00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:21.120 When a child is between four to eight months, 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:24.240 that child begins to gain object permanence, 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:25.539 which means they begin to understand 00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:28.019 that even if they can't see something, 00:31:28.120 --> 00:31:29.019 it still exists. 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:32.660 Before that time, if something disappears, 00:31:33.619 --> 00:31:35.079 in their mind, it no longer exists. 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:36.519 The only things that are there 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.859 are the things that they can see. 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:39.879 And so that's why it's so important 00:31:39.879 --> 00:31:41.839 to play games of peekaboo with kids. 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:44.980 You're teaching them about object permanence. 00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:46.500 You're saying, look, something can disappear 00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:47.500 and still exist. 00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:49.680 It can be gone and then come back. 00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:52.359 As a child develops, they begin to understand this. 00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:55.299 They know, okay, I'm separated from this toy 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:56.779 or this person right now. 00:31:57.039 --> 00:32:00.980 That person still exists somewhere in the world. 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:04.740 For the Christian, 00:32:05.859 --> 00:32:08.799 this passage is reminding us 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:10.740 to have object permanence 00:32:11.419 --> 00:32:13.339 when it comes to our Lord Jesus. 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:18.460 He is not physically with us right now. 00:32:19.139 --> 00:32:21.980 He is still coming back. 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:24.680 We cannot see him 00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:26.839 because he's seated at the right hand 00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:29.319 of God the Father in the heavenly places 00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:32.460 and his words are still true. 00:32:33.900 --> 00:32:36.519 He is not here in this room 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:40.940 and yet his power is still as great as ever. 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:45.660 And so we know him, 00:32:45.900 --> 00:32:47.079 we love him, 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.539 we obey him, 00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:51.360 even though we can't see him. 00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:53.839 That's how we make it 00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:55.640 between Jesus' first coming 00:32:55.640 --> 00:32:56.940 and his second coming. 00:32:57.599 --> 00:32:58.079 Let's pray. 00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:00.920 Our Father in heaven, 00:33:01.079 --> 00:33:03.079 we praise you and thank you 00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:05.960 for your word that teaches us 00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:07.079 and encourages us. 00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:09.880 We ask that you would use it today 00:33:09.880 --> 00:33:11.839 to be at work in our hearts, 00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:13.700 giving us strength and courage 00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:16.140 as you remind us of your faithfulness 00:33:16.140 --> 00:33:16.980 throughout the ages 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:18.740 and your faithfulness to us. 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:20.799 that you would give us joy 00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:21.579 and confidence 00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:23.180 in looking to your return, 00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:24.400 knowing that no matter 00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:26.160 what happens in this world, 00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:28.359 you have an inheritance for us 00:33:28.359 --> 00:33:30.839 that is untouchable in heaven. 00:33:32.099 --> 00:33:32.839 Now we thank you 00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:33.759 that we don't have to worry 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:35.259 about whether we've earned these things 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:36.259 or whether we deserve them 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.420 because we know that we don't. 00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:39.200 And instead we ask for them 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:40.779 in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:33:41.180 --> 00:33:41.400 Amen. 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:43.740 I invite you to stand 00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:44.640 for our closing hymn. 00:33:44.640 --> 00:33:44.700 Amen.