WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.960 We dealt mostly with verses 1-13 last week. 00:00:05.419 --> 00:00:09.359 I'm going to address it in brief a little bit this morning as well. 00:00:09.620 --> 00:00:13.900 ! We're going to read together all of chapter 13 just to lay out some context 00:00:13.900 --> 00:00:13.900 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.579 and deal in definitive answers and absolutes, loves, resolution, completely right understanding, 00:00:40.740 --> 00:00:42.859 then you just may not like the sermon this morning. 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:47.159 Because there are some challenges in this text. 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:51.640 Now, we of course believe that Scripture can mean only one thing, 00:00:51.659 --> 00:00:58.100 but there's quite a divergent number of understandings about what Jesus means in all of chapter 13. 00:00:58.100 --> 00:01:01.920 And there are certainly some exegetical challenges. 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:03.939 We avoid eisegesis. 00:01:04.099 --> 00:01:08.480 Eisegesis altogether is a problem, reading into the text what we want it to say. 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:11.400 But there are certainly here some exegetical challenges. 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:14.260 We try to understand what does this text mean? 00:01:14.460 --> 00:01:15.980 What did Jesus mean when he said it then? 00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:19.460 What did Mark intend for us to understand by it when he recorded it? 00:01:19.480 --> 00:01:22.319 And how does it apply to our living today? 00:01:22.859 --> 00:01:25.260 So, we're going to jump into the midst of it all. 00:01:25.260 --> 00:01:31.300 And I hope, by God's grace, we'll come out the other end of it changed from one degree of glory to another. 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:35.400 So, follow along with me as I read all of chapter 13 to you. 00:01:36.939 --> 00:01:40.260 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:45.180 Look, teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings. 00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:48.640 And Jesus said to him, Do you see these great buildings? 00:01:49.080 --> 00:01:53.000 There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:56.299 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, 00:01:56.459 --> 00:01:59.879 Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:02.519 Tell us, when will these things be? 00:02:02.680 --> 00:02:06.540 And what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished? 00:02:07.540 --> 00:02:09.420 And Jesus began to say to them, 00:02:09.939 --> 00:02:11.639 See that no one leads you astray. 00:02:12.219 --> 00:02:14.939 Many will come in my name saying, I am he. 00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:17.379 And they will lead many astray. 00:02:17.379 --> 00:02:21.519 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. 00:02:21.639 --> 00:02:23.180 This must take place. 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:25.340 But the end is not yet. 00:02:26.139 --> 00:02:28.699 For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. 00:02:29.039 --> 00:02:30.840 There will be earthquakes in various places. 00:02:30.979 --> 00:02:31.759 There will be famines. 00:02:31.919 --> 00:02:34.919 These are but the beginnings of the birth pains. 00:02:35.759 --> 00:02:38.280 But be on your guard, for they will deliver you over to councils, 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:40.000 and you will be beaten in synagogues, 00:02:40.099 --> 00:02:44.599 and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake to bear witness before them. 00:02:44.599 --> 00:02:48.099 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 00:02:48.859 --> 00:02:51.019 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:53.419 do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, 00:02:53.719 --> 00:02:55.699 but say whatever is given you in that hour, 00:02:55.799 --> 00:02:58.280 for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:01.439 And brother will deliver brother over to death, 00:03:01.639 --> 00:03:03.000 and the father his child, 00:03:03.139 --> 00:03:05.900 and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:08.519 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake, 00:03:08.579 --> 00:03:11.799 but the one who endures to the end will be saved. 00:03:11.800 --> 00:03:16.439 But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be, 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:18.260 let the reader understand. 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:21.520 And let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 00:03:21.860 --> 00:03:27.060 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down nor enter his house to take anything out. 00:03:27.360 --> 00:03:30.640 And let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 00:03:31.080 --> 00:03:35.720 And the last for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days. 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:38.520 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 00:03:38.520 --> 00:03:43.120 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation 00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:45.900 that God created until now, and never will be. 00:03:46.460 --> 00:03:49.900 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:53.219 But for the sake of the elect whom he chose, he shortened the days. 00:03:53.560 --> 00:03:54.980 And then if anyone says to you, 00:03:54.980 --> 00:03:56.400 Look, here is the Christ. 00:03:56.540 --> 00:03:58.120 Or look, there he is. 00:03:58.460 --> 00:03:59.439 Do not believe it. 00:03:59.840 --> 00:04:03.740 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders 00:04:03.740 --> 00:04:06.740 to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:08.120 But be on guard. 00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:10.560 I have told you all things beforehand. 00:04:11.379 --> 00:04:15.900 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, 00:04:16.019 --> 00:04:17.819 and the moon will not give its light, 00:04:17.860 --> 00:04:19.560 and the stars will be falling from heaven, 00:04:19.699 --> 00:04:21.939 and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:27.220 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 00:04:27.579 --> 00:04:31.220 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:33.939 from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 00:04:33.939 --> 00:04:36.500 From the fig tree learn its lesson. 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:39.339 As soon as its branch becomes tender and put out its leaves, 00:04:39.420 --> 00:04:40.920 you know that summer is near. 00:04:41.500 --> 00:04:44.079 So also, when you see these things taking place, 00:04:44.259 --> 00:04:47.199 you know that he is near at the very gates. 00:04:47.740 --> 00:04:48.560 Truly I say to you, 00:04:48.660 --> 00:04:52.779 this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 00:04:53.180 --> 00:04:54.360 Heaven and earth will pass away, 00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:56.819 but my words will not pass away. 00:04:56.819 --> 00:04:59.699 But concerning that day or that hour, 00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:00.399 no one knows, 00:05:00.500 --> 00:05:01.519 not even the angels in heaven, 00:05:01.579 --> 00:05:02.159 nor the Son, 00:05:02.219 --> 00:05:03.180 but only the Father. 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:04.459 Be on guard. 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:05.439 Keep awake. 00:05:05.779 --> 00:05:07.800 For you do not know when the time will come. 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:09.860 It is like a man going on a journey 00:05:09.860 --> 00:05:12.000 when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.980 each with his work, 00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:15.300 and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:16.980 Therefore stay awake. 00:05:17.180 --> 00:05:19.779 For you do not know when the master of the house will come, 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:20.779 in the evening, 00:05:21.039 --> 00:05:21.860 or at midnight, 00:05:22.180 --> 00:05:23.680 or when the rooster crows, 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:24.680 or in the morning, 00:05:25.180 --> 00:05:27.519 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:29.060 And what I say to you, 00:05:29.579 --> 00:05:30.519 I say to all, 00:05:31.100 --> 00:05:32.079 stay awake. 00:05:33.840 --> 00:05:34.819 What a text. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:36.180 A couple weeks before Christmas. 00:05:36.439 --> 00:05:37.139 Let's pray together. 00:05:43.139 --> 00:05:43.819 Father God, 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:46.800 we do praise you this morning for your written word. 00:05:47.220 --> 00:05:51.000 We thank you that it has meaning and bearing for us today, 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:52.500 and we pray that by your Spirit, 00:05:52.500 --> 00:05:57.240 you will help us to wrap our minds and our hearts around that meaning, 00:05:57.339 --> 00:05:59.100 that we might understand it 00:05:59.100 --> 00:06:01.079 and give it application in our lives 00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:03.079 to the glory of your name. 00:06:04.019 --> 00:06:08.319 We also thank you this morning for the word who is Christ, 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:10.939 the embodiment of all that you are, 00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:14.500 the physical representation of you here on earth, 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:17.560 and we thank you that we can behold him in the scriptures. 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:19.120 And I pray, 00:06:19.339 --> 00:06:19.420 Father, 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:22.280 that as this endeavor is before us, 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:25.800 and as we labor to know and to understand, 00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:27.220 I pray that in all of it, 00:06:27.280 --> 00:06:29.699 the great end will be the exaltation of Jesus. 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:32.399 And it's in his name that we pray. 00:06:33.340 --> 00:06:33.699 Amen. 00:06:33.699 --> 00:06:36.099 Now, 00:06:36.219 --> 00:06:38.740 I hope that you picked up a little bit 00:06:38.740 --> 00:06:42.539 as you were following along on the complexity of chapter 13, 00:06:42.539 --> 00:06:44.979 that maybe even your mind went in one direction, 00:06:44.979 --> 00:06:48.680 but then something else Jesus said caused your mind to go in the other. 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:50.459 It's certainly a prophecy. 00:06:50.459 --> 00:06:53.860 He's talking about things that are going to happen. 00:06:54.840 --> 00:06:57.920 He begins with an interpretation, 00:06:58.400 --> 00:07:00.439 a prophecy that the temple will be destroyed. 00:07:00.540 --> 00:07:05.020 So something that did in fact happen in 70 AD in the Jewish-Roman War. 00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:06.660 It's an event that really happened. 00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:10.020 But then he also seems to talk about the end of all things, 00:07:10.080 --> 00:07:10.879 the end of the age, 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:13.240 the end of history itself. 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:19.199 And there's three ways in which general categories that we can understand this text. 00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:24.639 Firstly, that the entirety of the text is referring to the end of this age, 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:26.819 that it is an eschatological text. 00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:28.759 It's all about the end, 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:31.839 and quite a few people hold this to be true. 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:37.939 Secondly, we can believe that the entirety of the text is referring to this Jewish-Roman War 00:07:37.939 --> 00:07:40.139 and the things that would happen in that time. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:44.419 This is the year 70 AD, if this takes place. 00:07:44.819 --> 00:07:47.699 And many people hold that view as well. 00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:54.219 So the third option is to understand the text is referring to both things. 00:07:55.199 --> 00:07:58.399 And that's the position I'll attempt to argue for today, 00:07:58.519 --> 00:08:00.659 although I don't know how well I'm going to do that for you. 00:08:00.699 --> 00:08:04.699 And let me again reiterate to you that I may be totally wrong. 00:08:05.099 --> 00:08:07.620 I'm going to do my very best to give you the evidence 00:08:07.620 --> 00:08:09.060 as of why I think this is the case, 00:08:09.079 --> 00:08:11.019 and then give us an application for this. 00:08:11.279 --> 00:08:13.759 But I'm certainly willing to talk about this afterwards. 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:16.560 Some of you may already know all the answers to this 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:18.560 and can inform me on the matter. 00:08:19.160 --> 00:08:23.280 I will tell you, I started way too late in this week doing my studying on this. 00:08:25.100 --> 00:08:27.139 The reason that I think it refers to both, 00:08:27.220 --> 00:08:28.139 there are some evidences, 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:30.180 and I just want to kind of give you through the chapter, 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:34.120 some evidences that it's talking about the end of this age. 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:38.500 Like in verse 7, there will be wars and rumors of wars. 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:40.779 Jesus tells the apostles, 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:41.700 do not be alarmed. 00:08:41.820 --> 00:08:45.700 This must take place, but the end is not yet. 00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:50.019 Seems to be talking about something further out and beyond 00:08:50.019 --> 00:08:52.039 what will happen in 70 AD. 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:53.779 In verse 8, he says, 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:56.860 these are but the beginning of birth pains. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:09:01.100 The wars themselves are just the beginning of the birth pains. 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:02.560 And then in verse 10, he says, 00:09:02.700 --> 00:09:06.279 and the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations, 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:09.159 which is not something that had happened by 70 AD. 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:12.200 In fact, it's still not a thing that has occurred. 00:09:12.420 --> 00:09:15.600 And so I think we can rightly understand that this chapter, 00:09:15.779 --> 00:09:18.259 at least in part, is about the end of all things, 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:19.680 the end of ages. 00:09:20.800 --> 00:09:22.940 I also see some evidence that it is, in fact, 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:24.700 about the Jewish-Roman war. 00:09:24.800 --> 00:09:27.360 The apostles ask a very specific question 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:30.040 about when they'll know that the temple is about to be destroyed. 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:34.000 And it seems to me that he doesn't just leave them without an answer. 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:34.799 He doesn't say, 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:37.759 well, let me talk about something else altogether. 00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:39.120 You're looking for a sign. 00:09:39.199 --> 00:09:41.500 Let me give you a sign of something that's beyond 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:44.199 what I've already predicted would happen. 00:09:44.299 --> 00:09:47.240 So we see that prediction in the beginning of the chapter. 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:50.719 And then in verse 29 and 30, he says, 00:09:50.819 --> 00:09:54.819 so also when you see these things taking place, 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:58.039 you know that he is near at the very gates. 00:09:58.039 --> 00:10:01.620 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:04.679 until all these things take place. 00:10:05.699 --> 00:10:10.699 Now upon some study, the phrase translated here in ESV 00:10:10.699 --> 00:10:14.579 and probably in most of your translations as he is near 00:10:14.579 --> 00:10:17.159 is a single Greek word, 00:10:17.579 --> 00:10:19.919 and it is a gender-neutral adverb. 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:23.159 It's not a masculine adjective. 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:27.000 It's a gender-neutral adverb which forces the pronoun 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:29.500 to be drawn from the context. 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:34.819 So a translator who rightly thinks that this is about the end of all things 00:10:34.819 --> 00:10:38.719 thinks that this is referring to Jesus' return 00:10:38.719 --> 00:10:40.659 when in fact I believe, 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:44.240 and many other commentators do believe, 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:46.620 that it's referring to the destruction of the temple. 00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:47.579 It could be rendered, 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:49.799 it is near. 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:52.039 And I think verse 30 is the evidence of that. 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:52.899 Truly I say to you, 00:10:53.199 --> 00:10:55.279 this generation will not pass away 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:57.459 until all these things take place. 00:10:58.219 --> 00:11:00.079 Those who believe that the entire chapter 00:11:00.079 --> 00:11:02.240 is about the end of all things 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:05.659 believe that this generation is the generation 00:11:05.659 --> 00:11:07.599 that sees this begin to happen, 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:10.919 sees the abomination of desolation come onto the scene, 00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:12.659 and then all of this will complete it 00:11:12.659 --> 00:11:14.839 in that generation's time frame. 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:16.500 I believe a much simpler reading of it 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:19.299 is that he's referring to those he's speaking to. 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:23.959 This generation will see this come to pass in 70 AD. 00:11:24.199 --> 00:11:25.899 So I think it's talking about both. 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:29.319 And then the task before us then is to figure out 00:11:29.319 --> 00:11:31.179 which is talking about what 00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:33.039 and how this could be the case. 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:35.579 I think that the way he presents this 00:11:35.579 --> 00:11:37.879 is from a very broad sense at the beginning. 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:39.639 They ask a specific question. 00:11:39.799 --> 00:11:43.259 He broadens his answer to speak about the end of all things 00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:45.179 and the experiences that are going to happen 00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:47.179 in the process of getting to that end. 00:11:47.179 --> 00:11:49.019 So the suffering that will take place, 00:11:49.179 --> 00:11:51.639 certainly the destruction of the temple is part of that. 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:53.139 So he broadens it out. 00:11:53.239 --> 00:11:54.739 And then our text before us today, 00:11:54.839 --> 00:11:56.539 verses 14 through 27, 00:11:56.699 --> 00:11:58.919 he narrows it down to talk specifically 00:11:58.919 --> 00:12:00.939 about the Jewish-Roman War 00:12:00.939 --> 00:12:02.819 and what will happen in that time 00:12:02.819 --> 00:12:06.179 before once again broadening back out 00:12:06.179 --> 00:12:11.359 to talk about long-term end of all things. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:13.139 Everybody with me? 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:14.659 All right. 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:16.120 I'm sure you are. 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:19.960 So let's start looking in verse 14. 00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:24.379 We see a very interesting character presented to us 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:28.460 when you see the abomination of desolation 00:12:28.460 --> 00:12:31.519 standing where he, 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:34.159 and the pronoun is in the original, 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:37.800 where he ought not to be, 00:12:37.799 --> 00:12:40.500 and then Mark's parenthetical statement, 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:41.879 which is in the original text, 00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:44.219 let the reader understand. 00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:45.740 So Jesus didn't say this. 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:47.279 When Mark's writing it down, 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:48.179 he adds, 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:50.199 let the reader understand. 00:12:50.319 --> 00:12:52.079 So this is something that people beyond 00:12:52.079 --> 00:12:54.799 just the apostles were meant to understand. 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:56.319 Now I'll tell you, 00:12:56.359 --> 00:12:58.599 I quickly scrambled to remember 00:12:58.599 --> 00:13:01.319 when it was that Mark's gospel was recorded 00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:03.879 because if it had been recorded after 70 AD, 00:13:04.199 --> 00:13:06.019 that would be very interesting, would it not? 00:13:06.019 --> 00:13:08.779 It seems that he would be giving us some future information 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:11.179 out beyond the Jewish-Roman war, 00:13:11.319 --> 00:13:12.500 but that's not the case. 00:13:12.579 --> 00:13:15.759 It was pinned somewhere in the mid-50s to 60s, 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:18.159 depending on the opinion out there. 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:21.159 Likely the mid-50s is when it was pinned. 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:23.620 So those beyond the apostles were meant to see 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:27.399 and understand this very thing he's about to tell us. 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:29.079 So the abomination of desolation 00:13:29.079 --> 00:13:31.519 is an individual, 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:35.740 a person that's being drawn from the book of Daniel. 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:40.179 9.27, 11.31, and 12.11. 00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:41.240 These are the mentions of them. 00:13:41.439 --> 00:13:43.059 Let me just read to you the first two. 00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:44.919 Daniel 9.27, 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:51.799 And then Daniel 11.31, 00:13:51.799 --> 00:14:01.759 And then Daniel 11.31, 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:03.759 And then Daniel 11.31, 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:18.519 Now those who think that the entire text 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.779 is about the end of all things, 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:21.659 suggests that the abomination of desolation 00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:25.199 is what we know as the Antichrist. 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:27.439 I don't think so. 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:30.679 I can't tell you exactly who he is, 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:33.600 but here are some suggestions for you. 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.819 And I think that as Mark says, 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:36.000 let the reader understand, 00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:38.079 I think the implication he's making, 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:39.879 again, I think my opinion, 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.379 is that he's making the implication 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:43.860 that these people already knew 00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:46.620 who the abomination of desolation was. 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:48.220 He adds that parenthetical to go, 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:49.720 uh-huh, pay attention reader, 00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:51.379 we already know who this is. 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:53.120 I think, more than likely, 00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:56.320 it's Antiochus Epiphanes, 00:14:57.100 --> 00:15:00.200 right, who is the ruler of the Seleucid Empire. 00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:02.480 This man, his name, 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:03.340 he changed his name, 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:05.500 actually means God manifest. 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:08.379 And he, in 168 BC, 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:10.799 erected an altar to the pagan god Zeus 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:13.200 over the altar of burnt offering. 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:15.539 And then to add insult to injury, 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:17.279 he sacrificed pigs on it, 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:19.179 which was a horrible desecration 00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:21.220 of what was meant to happen there. 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:23.399 You remember back in Daniel 11, 31, 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:25.740 forces from him shall appear 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:28.980 and profane the temple and the fortress 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:33.019 and shall take away the regular burnt offering. 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:35.240 There are some other suggestions, too. 00:15:35.439 --> 00:15:36.220 It could have been, 00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:38.559 the Roman emperor Caligula 00:15:38.559 --> 00:15:40.960 had planned to build a statue of himself 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:42.319 on the same altar. 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:43.519 It never came to pass, 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:46.279 but it was a project in the works 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:49.079 before the Jewish-Roman war took place. 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:51.960 And two years before the temple was destroyed, 00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:53.439 Jewish zealots, 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:55.159 who was the kind of political group 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:56.519 that started the war, 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:58.759 committed various atrocities in the temple 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:01.659 and actually put in power 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:03.259 as the high priest, 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:05.980 kind of a joke of a man named Fanny. 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:09.620 The pun is certainly intended in this case. 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:14.439 So these things seem to be things 00:16:14.439 --> 00:16:17.080 that are leading up to the Jewish-Roman war 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:19.039 and likely, it's my suggestion, 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:20.720 that that's what he's referring to. 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:23.460 He goes on in the rest of verse 14 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:25.460 to give some very real, 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:26.879 like very modern, 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:28.040 for their day, 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:29.000 things to do. 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:31.240 Then let those who are in Judea 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:32.560 flee to the mountains. 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:36.580 He's predicting this war that's about to come, 00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:38.440 this tribulation that's about to happen, 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:41.480 a judgment on apostate Israel, 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.879 and he's saying to them, 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:43.460 flee. 00:16:44.160 --> 00:16:45.040 Those who are in Judea, 00:16:45.080 --> 00:16:45.680 in this region, 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:46.840 flee to the mountains. 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:48.200 Let the one who's on the housetop 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:49.560 not go down or enter his house. 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.080 He's saying, 00:16:50.400 --> 00:16:52.420 don't take any time to pack stuff up. 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:53.719 Let the one who's in the field 00:16:53.719 --> 00:16:54.860 not turn back his cloak. 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:56.059 Alas for women. 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:57.000 It's going to be a horrible, 00:16:57.199 --> 00:16:57.819 horrible thing 00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:59.000 for women who are pregnant 00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.860 or nursing infants 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:03.000 who are slowed down by that process. 00:17:03.479 --> 00:17:05.500 Pray that it doesn't happen in the winter. 00:17:05.659 --> 00:17:08.079 It's going to be this atrocious judgment 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:09.519 that's going to come. 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.019 Verse 19, 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:12.039 For in those days, 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:14.279 there will be such tribulation 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:16.019 has not been from the beginning of creation 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:18.180 that God created until now 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:19.879 and will never be. 00:17:20.659 --> 00:17:21.599 Now I believe, 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:22.399 as I said, 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.500 that this tribulation 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.439 he's referring to 00:17:24.439 --> 00:17:25.679 is not what many would call 00:17:25.679 --> 00:17:26.699 the tribulation 00:17:26.699 --> 00:17:27.639 at the end of all things, 00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:30.240 but rather a tribulation. 00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:32.259 Such a horrible tribulation. 00:17:32.459 --> 00:17:33.699 And I believe this is brought on 00:17:33.699 --> 00:17:35.619 at the Jewish-Roman war. 00:17:35.699 --> 00:17:36.480 The Roman army, 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:39.139 under command of the future emperor Titus, 00:17:39.439 --> 00:17:40.500 killed approximately 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:42.919 one million Jews. 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.399 They besieged the city 00:17:44.399 --> 00:17:45.359 for five months. 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:47.740 There were hundreds of thousands 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.980 of crucifixions, 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:50.500 spearing, 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.880 all kinds of killing. 00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:53.880 Many people died 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:55.480 of starvation 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:56.799 in the process of this. 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:58.779 It was a difficult, 00:17:59.200 --> 00:18:00.380 difficult time 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.120 for the Jews. 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:02.299 And Jesus is warning them, 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:02.680 flee. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.980 Get out of the city. 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:05.099 Go to the mountains. 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:06.480 Get away from 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.380 this judgment 00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:08.880 that is coming. 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:10.380 But there's an interesting 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:11.220 little phrase there 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:12.579 in verse 19, 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.259 is there not? 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:14.420 Even as I'm speaking, 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.940 if you're an astute listener, 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:20.140 the level of tribulation 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:21.240 seems to be heightened 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:21.960 at first, 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:24.059 as Jesus says, 00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:25.000 and has not been 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.819 from the beginning 00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:26.559 of the creation 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.379 that God created 00:18:27.379 --> 00:18:28.059 until now. 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:28.720 That means that there's 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:29.319 nothing worse 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.140 that's ever happened, 00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:32.059 this tribulation is, 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:34.019 and never will be. 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:34.619 This seems to be 00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:35.559 the great height 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.839 of trouble 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:38.000 for the world. 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:39.640 And so most of us, 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:40.640 for our upbringing 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:41.160 in church, 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:41.980 would run quickly 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.160 to what we call 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:44.259 the tribulation 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:45.160 at the end 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:46.319 of all things. 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:46.839 However, 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:49.720 a little bit of study, 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.019 you can find 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:52.200 that this phrase 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:53.140 found at the very end 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:55.500 and never will be 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:57.740 is an Old Testament 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:59.700 stock expression 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:01.099 of great suffering. 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.799 It was a common way 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:04.500 people referred to 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:06.079 great suffering. 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.259 Two examples 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.039 from one book 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:08.640 in the Old Testament. 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:10.059 You can also find it 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:11.940 in Joel 2.2, 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:12.480 I believe, 00:19:12.659 --> 00:19:13.119 if I'm remembering 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:13.659 that correctly. 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:15.359 Exodus 10.14, 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.619 the locusts came up 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:18.259 over all the land 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:18.599 of Egypt 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:19.059 and settled 00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:19.839 on the whole country 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.319 of Egypt. 00:19:20.899 --> 00:19:21.839 Such a dense swarm 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:22.419 of locusts 00:19:22.419 --> 00:19:23.279 as had never been 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:24.419 before nor ever 00:19:24.419 --> 00:19:25.740 will be again. 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.700 Exodus 11.6, 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:28.720 there shall be 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.419 a great cry 00:19:29.419 --> 00:19:30.299 throughout all the land 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:30.679 of Egypt, 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.700 such as there has 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.759 never been 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:35.000 nor ever will be 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.000 again. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.960 So it seems to be 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.700 just this stock 00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:38.299 expression 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.480 to really heighten 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:40.440 the suffering. 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.039 Suffer, 00:19:41.100 --> 00:19:41.600 they're going to suffer, 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:42.039 they're really, 00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:42.900 really going to suffer 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:44.500 is what he seems 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.200 to be expressing 00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:47.539 as he says this. 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:49.759 In verse 20, 00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.779 he goes on to say, 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:53.019 And if the Lord, 00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:54.460 speaking of God the Father, 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.380 had not cut short 00:19:56.380 --> 00:19:56.980 the days, 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.980 no human being 00:19:58.980 --> 00:20:00.299 would be saved. 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:01.640 And upon some word study, 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:03.140 this saving is not 00:20:03.140 --> 00:20:04.200 speaking of the 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:05.220 spiritual saving 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:06.079 that we're so familiar 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:07.640 with as a term 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.779 in our church today, 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:11.400 but of physical salvation. 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.960 He's referring in verse 20 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.519 directly back to verse 19, 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:16.180 this great tribulation 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:17.660 that would take place 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:19.059 that's cut short 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:20.940 so that people are saved, 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:23.640 so that people live on. 00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:26.500 But in the rest of the verse, 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:26.819 he says, 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:28.579 But for the sake 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.900 of the elect, 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:32.299 those who God has chosen, 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:33.319 whom he chose, 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.299 he shortened. 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:35.980 The days. 00:20:36.600 --> 00:20:37.380 The Jewish-Roman War 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:38.759 lasted about five months, 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:39.720 as I previously mentioned, 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.420 and it would seem 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.700 that God cut short 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.500 the days of this 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:44.740 so that all of Israel 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.779 wasn't destroyed, 00:20:46.380 --> 00:20:47.860 so that the gospel itself 00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:48.940 could be carried 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:50.360 outside of 00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:52.500 this smaller circle, 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:54.000 this smaller people group, 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:55.259 to all nations. 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.920 You remember what verse 10 said, 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.460 that the gospel 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:59.420 must be preached first 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:00.920 to all nations. 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.299 And so, 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:03.319 God stayed his judgment 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:04.220 over Israel 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:05.500 so that not everyone 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.319 would be destroyed, 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:07.400 and so that the gospel 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.680 could be preached 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:10.019 out and beyond. 00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:12.319 Are you tracking with me? 00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:13.860 Let's keep moving. 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.960 Verse 21 through 23, 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.759 he gives once again 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.740 some warning 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.799 that people are going to come 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:21.480 and claim to be him. 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.279 And this has happened 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.519 all throughout history. 00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:24.860 This is not just a thing 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:25.420 that will happen 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:27.140 at the end of all things, 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:27.860 but this is something 00:21:27.860 --> 00:21:29.339 that has been happening. 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.839 people claiming 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:32.419 to be Christ. 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:33.659 Antichrist, 00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:35.019 lowercase a. 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:36.339 It's the repeated warning 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:37.339 of chapter 13, 00:21:37.419 --> 00:21:39.039 verse 5 and 6. 00:21:39.159 --> 00:21:39.559 He says, 00:21:39.639 --> 00:21:40.359 see that no one 00:21:40.359 --> 00:21:41.079 leads you astray. 00:21:41.679 --> 00:21:42.839 Many will come 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.699 in my name saying, 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:44.500 I am he, 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.439 and they will lead 00:21:45.439 --> 00:21:48.019 many astray. 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.000 All right, 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:52.859 we get to verse 24 through 27. 00:21:53.159 --> 00:21:53.899 Are we ready for it? 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.480 And all this has 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.099 real application, 00:21:57.179 --> 00:21:58.139 I promise I'm getting there. 00:21:58.140 --> 00:22:00.940 But in those days 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.720 after the tribulation, 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.600 the sun will be darkened 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.120 and the moon will not 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:03.620 give its light 00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:04.240 and the stars will be 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:04.940 falling from heaven 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:06.460 and the powers in the heaven 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.620 will be shaken, 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:10.040 which has such imagery 00:22:10.040 --> 00:22:11.400 of the world 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:12.680 coming to an end, 00:22:12.780 --> 00:22:13.680 does it not? 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.540 And so, 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:16.480 on our first reading of this, 00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:17.820 that's where my mind 00:22:17.820 --> 00:22:19.160 immediately goes, 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.200 but we have to recognize 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.560 that Jesus was speaking 00:22:21.560 --> 00:22:23.700 to a Jewish audience. 00:22:23.800 --> 00:22:24.520 A Jewish audience 00:22:24.520 --> 00:22:25.259 that would have had 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:27.060 a good understanding 00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:28.940 of the Old Testament Scriptures. 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.259 Sadly, 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:32.039 we really don't 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:34.139 as American Christians, 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.700 and so, 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.940 we have to study 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:36.639 and we have to go 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.139 and look 00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:38.859 and figure out 00:22:38.859 --> 00:22:40.159 what is he saying here. 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:40.779 This language, 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.359 again, 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.619 being borrowed 00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:45.019 from the Old Testament. 00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.700 Two places, 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.339 let me show you. 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.119 Firstly, 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.599 in Isaiah 13, 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:50.440 verse 10, 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:52.000 speaking of the judgment 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:52.839 of Babylon, 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.880 for the stars 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.660 of the heavens 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:57.440 and their constellations 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.680 will not give their light. 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.039 The sun will be dark 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:01.660 as it's rising 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.500 and the moon 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.519 will not shed 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.500 its light. 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:06.160 Speaking simply 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:07.019 and specifically 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.920 about the judgment 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:09.400 of Babylon. 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.599 And then later 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:11.799 in Isaiah 34, 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:13.079 speaking of the judgment 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:14.039 of all nations 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.839 in verse 4, 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:16.640 all the hosts 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.119 of heaven, 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:17.880 the stars 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:18.480 in the heaven, 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.819 shall rot away 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.599 and the skies 00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:21.379 roll up 00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:22.359 like a scroll. 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.079 All their hosts 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:23.619 shall fall 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.720 as leaves fall 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.279 from the vine 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:25.919 like leaves 00:23:25.919 --> 00:23:27.919 falling from the fig tree. 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:28.599 So, 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:30.319 I believe that in verse 24, 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.559 what Jesus is trying 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.139 to communicate 00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:32.740 is there going to be 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.879 a great disruption 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:35.019 in world power. 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.119 We've already talked 00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:36.659 about wars 00:23:36.659 --> 00:23:37.539 and rumors of wars. 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:37.919 There's going to be 00:23:37.919 --> 00:23:39.439 a great turning over 00:23:39.439 --> 00:23:41.079 of world power, 00:23:41.159 --> 00:23:41.819 which we certainly 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.960 saw happen 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:45.460 with the Jewish-Roman war. 00:23:47.379 --> 00:23:48.299 Verse 26. 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:51.460 And here's our kicker. 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.019 And then they will see 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:53.619 the Son of Man 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.759 coming in clouds 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:56.480 with great power 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:58.039 and glory. 00:23:58.639 --> 00:24:00.079 Now, Jesus has established 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:01.240 that He is the Son of Man 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:02.500 repeatedly 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.200 all throughout 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.759 the New Testament. 00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:06.059 In Mark's Gospel account, 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.200 nine times already 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:07.839 it's been recorded. 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:10.019 Chapters 2, 8, 9, and 10. 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:11.200 He has called Himself 00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:12.259 the Son of Man. 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.079 And what He's doing 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:13.779 is He's connecting 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.139 all of His listeners' minds 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:17.119 to the book of Daniel. 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.079 So, turn with me, 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:18.359 if you will, 00:24:18.399 --> 00:24:19.399 to Daniel chapter 7. 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:32.779 Alright, Daniel chapter 7. 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.819 I'm going to set up our text, 00:24:33.899 --> 00:24:34.299 which is going to be 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:36.059 verses 13 and 14 specifically, 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.220 by reading to you 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:37.639 before that, 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.819 beginning in verse 9. 00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:40.259 This is Daniel's vision. 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.779 As I looked, 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.939 thrones were placed, 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.759 and the Ancient of Days, 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:46.259 which is God the Father, 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:47.179 took His seat. 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.819 His clothing was white as snow, 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:49.480 and the hair on His head 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.299 like pure wool. 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:52.480 His throne was fiery flames, 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.980 its wheels were burning fire. 00:24:54.439 --> 00:24:55.919 A stream of fire issued 00:24:55.919 --> 00:24:56.960 and came out before Him. 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.720 A thousand thousand served Him, 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.939 and ten thousand times 00:24:59.939 --> 00:25:01.899 ten thousand stood before Him. 00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:03.500 The court sat in judgment, 00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:05.279 and the books were opened. 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:07.079 So, this picture is God the Father, 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:09.279 seated in a heavenly place, 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.879 reigning over all things, 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:13.180 a throng serving Him. 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.819 And then verse 13, 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:16.759 I saw in the night visions, 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:17.899 and behold, 00:25:18.179 --> 00:25:19.659 with the clouds of heaven 00:25:19.659 --> 00:25:20.599 there came one 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:22.139 like a son of man. 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.000 And He came 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:24.500 to the Ancient of Days 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:26.579 and was presented before Him. 00:25:26.919 --> 00:25:27.859 And to Him was given 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:29.000 dominion and glory 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.679 and a kingdom 00:25:29.679 --> 00:25:31.299 that all peoples, 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:31.939 nations, 00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:32.559 and languages 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.339 should serve Him. 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.519 His dominion 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.759 is an everlasting dominion 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:37.220 which shall not pass away, 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.700 and His kingdom one 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:41.359 that shall not be destroyed. 00:25:41.979 --> 00:25:43.519 Now, the thing that's really important 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.699 for us to see here 00:25:44.699 --> 00:25:46.899 is that if we take this text 00:25:46.899 --> 00:25:48.579 as an eschatological text, 00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:51.039 as an end-of-all-things text, 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:52.899 then what that's referring to 00:25:52.899 --> 00:25:55.879 is Jesus coming back, 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.699 coming in clouds, 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:59.500 coming back to the earth 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.939 to judge the earth. 00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:02.859 But that's not what the text says 00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:06.119 in Daniel 7, 13, and 14, is it? 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:08.299 We see the Ancient of Days 00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:09.359 seated in heaven, 00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:10.639 and then we see 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.520 the Son of Man 00:26:11.520 --> 00:26:14.300 presented before Him, 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:16.940 brought up to Him. 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:18.480 He comes to the Father, 00:26:18.560 --> 00:26:19.860 not coming from the Father, 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:21.500 but going to the Father 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:24.800 in Daniel 7, 13, and 14. 00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:27.700 And so my suggestion to you 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:29.580 is that what Jesus is saying here 00:26:29.580 --> 00:26:31.240 is that while the world 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:31.820 is going to be going 00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:33.800 through this great tumult, 00:26:34.020 --> 00:26:35.140 like world power 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:35.840 is going to be shifting, 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.820 things are changing, 00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:38.000 don't worry 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:39.200 because my kingdom 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:42.079 is being established forever. 00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:45.140 I have come as the Christ, 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:46.799 I have ushered in the kingdom of God, 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.819 and I'm going to go sit 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.819 at the right hand of the Father, 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:50.160 and I'm going to reign over 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:52.859 everything that happens. 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:55.660 I think that's what Jesus 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.480 is trying to communicate 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:58.240 to us here. 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.960 And what will He do 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:01.980 when this happens? 00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:05.019 Not that He'll judge all things, 00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:06.099 as we know He'll do 00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:06.900 when He returns, 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:07.579 but rather, 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.460 verse 27, 00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:10.980 He will send out the angels 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:13.299 and gather His elect 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:14.200 from the four winds, 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.099 from the ends of the earth 00:27:15.099 --> 00:27:17.519 to the ends of the heaven. 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:19.619 Now, interestingly, 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:21.099 the Greek word used here 00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:22.379 for angels 00:27:22.379 --> 00:27:24.099 is translated using 00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:26.019 its secondary meaning. 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:28.299 Its primary meaning in Greek 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.759 is simply messengers. 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:32.259 Simply messengers. 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:34.079 And so I would argue 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:35.480 that part of what 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.460 He's communicating here 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.720 is that when He goes 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.160 and ascends 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:38.940 and He's with the Father 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:40.319 is that He'll send out 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.379 messengers, 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:43.259 which includes the apostles, 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:45.639 and now includes us. 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.379 To do what? 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:48.620 To travel to the ends 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.140 of the earth 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:50.420 to gather the elect, 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:51.300 to build the church, 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:53.260 to advance the gospel. 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:56.200 Now, I wouldn't exclude 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:58.480 angels from that number. 00:27:58.580 --> 00:27:59.360 In fact, the Greek word 00:27:59.360 --> 00:28:00.800 is most often translated 00:28:00.800 --> 00:28:01.540 angels throughout 00:28:01.540 --> 00:28:02.100 the New Testament, 00:28:02.260 --> 00:28:04.040 and I believe rightly so. 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:05.380 I wouldn't exclude that. 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.360 In fact, I think that God 00:28:06.360 --> 00:28:07.040 in many ways, 00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:08.360 by angels, 00:28:08.520 --> 00:28:10.000 is still about the work 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.300 of advancing the kingdom. 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.960 Hebrews 1.14, 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:14.080 speaking of angels, 00:28:14.080 --> 00:28:15.560 are they not all 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.759 ministering spirits 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:18.179 sent out to serve 00:28:18.179 --> 00:28:19.259 for the sake of those 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:21.720 who are to inherit salvation. 00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:22.599 So it seems that angels 00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:24.039 have this place still 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:27.539 as the heralds of God. 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:31.000 He says that He'll send out 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.519 the angels, 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:33.579 His elect from the four winds, 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.879 the farthest reaches 00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:35.940 from the ends of the earth 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:37.779 to the ends of heaven, 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.579 which would have drawn 00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.919 the apostles' minds 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:42.800 to a text like Deuteronomy 30, 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:43.620 verse 4. 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:45.400 If your outcasts are 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.460 in the uttermost parts 00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:47.019 of heaven, 00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:48.779 from there the Lord your God 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.600 will gather you, 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:52.019 and from there He will take you. 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.180 So it doesn't matter 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:54.180 how far you go. 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.519 Imagine the furthest place 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.740 the elect of God 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:58.400 could possibly travel to. 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:59.200 It doesn't matter. 00:28:59.300 --> 00:29:01.100 Even to that place, 00:29:01.600 --> 00:29:02.980 God will gather them. 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:05.200 We're about to send, 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.759 if you don't know, 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:08.379 2030, I think they're saying, 00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:09.400 possibly, 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.779 manned mission to Mars. 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.599 There's a big test 00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:13.480 that achieved that. 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:15.460 Even there, right, 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.920 we get men on Mars 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:18.099 that are the elect of God. 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.879 God will gather them 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.680 to Himself. 00:29:22.879 --> 00:29:24.879 So, that's why 00:29:24.879 --> 00:29:25.859 all these things 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:26.640 that I've said, 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.579 I believe He's speaking 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:31.019 specifically of this time, 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.660 and then He'll get 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:33.500 here in a moment 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:35.359 as we move on in the text, 00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:36.279 next week, 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.559 He'll advance it 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.339 back out again 00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:40.399 to the end of all things. 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.919 Kyle has the job 00:29:42.919 --> 00:29:44.059 of doing that next week, 00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:45.779 and I've already told him 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.240 he has permission 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:46.819 just to get up 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:47.879 and say I'm crazy, 00:29:47.959 --> 00:29:48.439 and I don't know 00:29:48.439 --> 00:29:49.319 what I'm talking about 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:50.139 and set me straight 00:29:50.139 --> 00:29:52.000 in these regards. 00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:53.119 But I think 00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:54.899 that's the trajectory 00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:56.699 of this text. 00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:59.219 If that bothers you, 00:29:59.279 --> 00:29:59.799 I want you to know 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:00.459 it bothers me too. 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:02.740 I really, really want 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:04.740 all of the scholars 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.579 and the commentators 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:06.440 to agree on what 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:07.259 these things mean. 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:09.180 I really want to wrap 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:10.039 my mind around it 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:11.240 and get it in its completion. 00:30:11.620 --> 00:30:12.359 I believe the Word of God 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:13.940 is incredibly valuable to us. 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:15.700 Every single word in it 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:16.620 is valuable to us, 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:18.220 so it confounds me 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.559 a little bit 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.480 when I can't quite 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:21.240 understand something 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:22.380 like this. 00:30:22.380 --> 00:30:23.559 But there are some things 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.099 we can understand 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:24.680 from the text, 00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:25.880 and here's our application. 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:28.059 This is why it's important 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:29.680 that we don't just neglect 00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.620 a text like this 00:30:30.620 --> 00:30:31.380 altogether. 00:30:31.380 --> 00:30:32.760 Here's our application, 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:33.460 and I want you to 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:34.520 take special note 00:30:34.520 --> 00:30:35.460 of three things 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:36.540 from the text 00:30:36.540 --> 00:30:37.420 this morning. 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.720 First of all, 00:30:39.940 --> 00:30:42.760 note the reign of Christ. 00:30:43.600 --> 00:30:44.820 When exactly 00:30:44.820 --> 00:30:46.580 is he referring to here? 00:30:47.260 --> 00:30:48.000 We're not sure. 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:50.120 Maybe some of you are. 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:50.820 I'm not sure 00:30:50.820 --> 00:30:52.240 exactly what he's talking about 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:53.380 in this case, 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.540 but something we know 00:30:54.540 --> 00:30:55.140 to be sure, 00:30:55.320 --> 00:30:56.100 without a doubt, 00:30:56.300 --> 00:30:57.640 is that Jesus Christ 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:59.240 does in fact reign, 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:01.400 and will in fact reign supreme 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.460 forever. 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:05.240 We looked at verse 24-26 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.099 to see that. 00:31:06.180 --> 00:31:06.940 Some other texts. 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.079 Hebrews 1-3 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:09.400 says, 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.759 After making purification 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:11.680 for sins, 00:31:11.900 --> 00:31:13.180 he, being Jesus, 00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:15.460 sat down at the right hand 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.960 of the majesty on high. 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:17.900 He was given the place 00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:19.599 of honor to reign 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:20.380 and to rule 00:31:20.380 --> 00:31:21.400 at the right hand 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:22.579 of God the Father. 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.680 Colossians 1, 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.920 verse 13-14. 00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:26.620 Paul writes, 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:29.259 He has delivered us 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:31.139 from the domain of darkness 00:31:31.139 --> 00:31:33.559 or the kingdom of darkness 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:35.500 and transferred us 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.659 to the kingdom 00:31:36.659 --> 00:31:39.299 of His beloved Son 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.959 in whom we have redemption, 00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:42.639 the forgiveness of sins. 00:31:42.719 --> 00:31:44.819 It's a kingdom that exists now 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:45.839 that if you've placed 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.679 your faith in Christ, 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:48.079 you are part of. 00:31:48.219 --> 00:31:48.979 And it is a kingdom 00:31:48.979 --> 00:31:51.279 that He reigns over. 00:31:52.899 --> 00:31:54.579 Hebrews 12-28. 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:57.000 At least the very first part of it. 00:31:57.619 --> 00:31:57.759 It says, 00:31:58.079 --> 00:31:58.179 Therefore, 00:31:59.000 --> 00:32:00.199 let us be grateful 00:32:00.199 --> 00:32:02.099 for receiving a kingdom 00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:04.480 that cannot be shaken. 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:05.619 A permanent kingdom. 00:32:05.699 --> 00:32:07.839 A kingdom that has been established. 00:32:08.199 --> 00:32:09.220 The kingdoms of the world 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:09.859 are being shaken. 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.740 The kingdoms of the world 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:12.059 are being all mixed up. 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.519 There's lots of tumult. 00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:14.439 There's lots of turmoil. 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:15.419 There's lots of war. 00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:17.299 But we have received a kingdom 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:19.199 that cannot be shaken. 00:32:19.359 --> 00:32:19.559 Why? 00:32:19.679 --> 00:32:21.599 Because Christ reigns supreme. 00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:22.799 In fact, 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:24.199 the writer of Hebrews 00:32:24.199 --> 00:32:26.419 is likely referring to 00:32:26.419 --> 00:32:28.719 another text from Daniel. 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:31.199 A fulfillment of a prophecy 00:32:31.199 --> 00:32:33.599 in Daniel 2-44. 00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:36.679 And in the days of those kings, 00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:37.480 the God of heaven 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:38.500 will set up a kingdom 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:40.559 that shall never be destroyed, 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.919 nor shall the kingdom 00:32:41.919 --> 00:32:43.519 be left to another people. 00:32:43.899 --> 00:32:45.439 It shall break in pieces 00:32:45.439 --> 00:32:46.599 all these kingdoms 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:47.859 and bring them to an end, 00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:50.659 and it shall stand forever. 00:32:51.599 --> 00:32:53.199 Let's say to you, beloved, 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:54.000 that this kingdom 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:57.019 has already been established 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:58.079 and Jesus Christ 00:32:58.079 --> 00:33:00.379 reigns supreme over it. 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.779 So firstly, 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:03.079 Christ's reign. 00:33:03.719 --> 00:33:04.279 Secondly, 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:06.500 notice in our text 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:08.759 and previous to our text, 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:10.119 the love of God 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:11.539 for us. 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:13.859 Those who are part of His church, 00:33:14.199 --> 00:33:14.779 the elect, 00:33:15.099 --> 00:33:16.799 the ones whom He has chosen. 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:17.879 Right? 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.919 In spite of us, 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:21.300 not having done anything 00:33:21.300 --> 00:33:22.560 to deserve His favor, 00:33:23.380 --> 00:33:24.460 He has called us His own. 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:25.880 Look at verse 5. 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.840 The warning. 00:33:28.060 --> 00:33:30.360 See that no one leads you astray. 00:33:30.600 --> 00:33:31.640 Jesus is prepping us 00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:32.420 for the challenges 00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:33.240 that will face us. 00:33:33.300 --> 00:33:33.840 Verse 9. 00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:35.340 Be on your guard. 00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:37.000 Verse 14. 00:33:37.600 --> 00:33:38.820 Flee to the mountains. 00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:40.640 And just as an aside 00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:41.320 at this point, 00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:44.060 God has given us common sense. 00:33:44.440 --> 00:33:45.200 He has said to us 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:46.519 that there will be suffering 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:48.220 if we desire to live 00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:49.200 righteous lives, 00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:51.400 we will be persecuted. 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:53.200 But He hasn't taught us 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:54.359 that we should seek it out. 00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:56.299 We should thumb our noses 00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:57.759 at those who may persecute us. 00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.339 In fact, 00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:58.980 in this case, 00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.539 He says, 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.680 flee to the mountains. 00:34:00.839 --> 00:34:01.319 It's okay. 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:03.759 Get away from such a thing. 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.180 Verse 20. 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:07.400 For the sake of the elect, 00:34:08.259 --> 00:34:09.699 He shortened the days. 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:11.099 For our sake, 00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:12.199 for our good. 00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:12.960 Verse 23. 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.440 Again, 00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:16.159 the warning to be on guard. 00:34:16.300 --> 00:34:17.139 In verse 27, 00:34:17.300 --> 00:34:19.740 He's sending out the angels. 00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:20.780 And whether you want this 00:34:20.780 --> 00:34:22.559 just to be heavenly beings 00:34:22.559 --> 00:34:23.460 or that's us 00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:24.740 or both combined, 00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:27.380 He is sending out ones, 00:34:27.780 --> 00:34:28.240 messengers, 00:34:28.740 --> 00:34:29.260 heralds, 00:34:29.260 --> 00:34:30.659 to gather us 00:34:30.659 --> 00:34:32.320 from the farthest reaches 00:34:32.320 --> 00:34:33.599 of the earth. 00:34:34.280 --> 00:34:35.139 He loves us 00:34:35.139 --> 00:34:36.699 so incredibly. 00:34:37.340 --> 00:34:38.659 Even as He's invited us 00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:39.220 into His kingdom, 00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:40.500 which brings so much trouble 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.720 because the world 00:34:41.720 --> 00:34:42.599 has hated Jesus, 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:45.079 He pours out 00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:45.659 a great deal 00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:47.340 of compassion on us, 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:49.220 gives to us instruction 00:34:49.220 --> 00:34:50.820 for how we should live. 00:34:50.880 --> 00:34:51.980 He's going to tell us 00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:53.159 in the coming text 00:34:53.159 --> 00:34:54.740 to be on guard, 00:34:54.820 --> 00:34:55.460 to be aware, 00:34:55.559 --> 00:34:56.300 to be awake, 00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:57.019 to be waiting 00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:57.960 and watching, 00:34:58.119 --> 00:35:00.199 prepared for His return. 00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:02.139 So secondly, 00:35:02.240 --> 00:35:03.159 the love of God for us. 00:35:04.199 --> 00:35:04.639 Thirdly, 00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:07.380 notice the mission 00:35:07.380 --> 00:35:09.460 we've been given to. 00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:11.420 Notice the mission 00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:12.059 we've been given to. 00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:12.579 Now, 00:35:12.739 --> 00:35:14.139 I say that intentionally 00:35:14.139 --> 00:35:14.820 in that way 00:35:14.820 --> 00:35:17.019 because I think it's wrong 00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:19.000 for us to think 00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:20.820 that we exist 00:35:20.820 --> 00:35:21.539 as the church 00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.920 and God has granted 00:35:22.920 --> 00:35:24.360 to us a mission 00:35:24.360 --> 00:35:26.860 because it's His mission 00:35:26.860 --> 00:35:27.320 ultimately 00:35:27.320 --> 00:35:28.139 and He's really given 00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:29.500 us to the mission. 00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:30.000 Right? 00:35:30.239 --> 00:35:30.860 It's a thing that 00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:31.779 He'll accomplish. 00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:32.699 If you've been here 00:35:32.699 --> 00:35:33.279 long at all, 00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:34.199 you've heard me say 00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:35.980 that God doesn't need you. 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:37.759 Don't belittle God 00:35:37.759 --> 00:35:38.739 so much in your mind 00:35:38.739 --> 00:35:40.239 to think that He needs you 00:35:40.239 --> 00:35:41.219 to accomplish 00:35:41.219 --> 00:35:42.439 His will. 00:35:43.399 --> 00:35:44.859 But you're precious to Him 00:35:44.859 --> 00:35:46.779 and He loves you 00:35:46.779 --> 00:35:48.959 and because of His great love 00:35:48.959 --> 00:35:49.279 for you, 00:35:49.339 --> 00:35:50.219 He's given you 00:35:50.219 --> 00:35:51.500 to His mission. 00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:52.239 Right? 00:35:52.239 --> 00:35:53.759 The things that He cares 00:35:53.759 --> 00:35:54.579 most about, 00:35:54.939 --> 00:35:56.399 He's invited you into 00:35:56.399 --> 00:35:57.899 to work within, 00:35:58.139 --> 00:35:59.439 to pray prayers 00:35:59.439 --> 00:36:01.000 and to share your faith, 00:36:01.259 --> 00:36:01.879 to minister 00:36:01.879 --> 00:36:03.279 to the needs of people. 00:36:03.379 --> 00:36:04.199 This is the things 00:36:04.199 --> 00:36:05.699 that God cares about 00:36:05.699 --> 00:36:06.279 and He wants you 00:36:06.279 --> 00:36:07.039 to be part of that 00:36:07.039 --> 00:36:08.119 so that you'll experience 00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:09.000 Him. 00:36:10.000 --> 00:36:10.119 Right? 00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:10.239 So, 00:36:10.279 --> 00:36:11.159 He's given us 00:36:11.159 --> 00:36:12.739 to the mission. 00:36:13.219 --> 00:36:13.919 Note that mission. 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:15.619 Verse 27, 00:36:15.719 --> 00:36:16.259 as I said again, 00:36:16.319 --> 00:36:17.459 He'll send out the angels, 00:36:17.619 --> 00:36:18.239 gather His elect 00:36:18.239 --> 00:36:19.000 from the four winds, 00:36:19.319 --> 00:36:20.319 from the ends of the earth 00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:21.480 to the ends of the heavens. 00:36:21.600 --> 00:36:22.200 Verse 10, 00:36:22.580 --> 00:36:23.320 and the gospel 00:36:23.320 --> 00:36:25.160 must first be proclaimed 00:36:25.160 --> 00:36:27.220 to all nations. 00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:28.080 God has chosen 00:36:28.080 --> 00:36:29.400 to use His church 00:36:29.400 --> 00:36:30.539 as the means 00:36:30.539 --> 00:36:32.480 to that great end. 00:36:32.600 --> 00:36:33.160 Could He have done it 00:36:33.160 --> 00:36:33.760 another way? 00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:34.960 He sure could have. 00:36:35.539 --> 00:36:36.240 But He's chosen 00:36:36.240 --> 00:36:37.120 to use us 00:36:37.120 --> 00:36:37.980 to accomplish 00:36:37.980 --> 00:36:39.220 that goal. 00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:40.400 Why? 00:36:41.240 --> 00:36:41.760 Why? 00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:43.680 Do we not join Him? 00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:44.519 Why do we not 00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:46.240 make our joy complete 00:36:46.240 --> 00:36:47.700 in pursuing the things 00:36:47.700 --> 00:36:49.519 that God cares about? 00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:51.380 We pursue 00:36:51.380 --> 00:36:52.840 pithy things 00:36:52.840 --> 00:36:54.140 compared to the greatness 00:36:54.140 --> 00:36:55.059 of what we can pursue 00:36:55.059 --> 00:36:56.480 that God has for us. 00:36:56.559 --> 00:36:56.980 The mission 00:36:56.980 --> 00:36:58.300 that He's given us to. 00:36:59.080 --> 00:37:00.519 Turn to 2 Corinthians 5. 00:37:18.400 --> 00:37:19.140 I'll begin reading 00:37:19.140 --> 00:37:19.800 in verse 17. 00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:20.480 Therefore, 00:37:21.600 --> 00:37:22.519 if anyone is 00:37:22.519 --> 00:37:23.880 in Christ, 00:37:24.200 --> 00:37:24.539 that is, 00:37:24.580 --> 00:37:25.580 has placed 00:37:25.580 --> 00:37:26.600 saving faith 00:37:26.600 --> 00:37:27.039 in Him, 00:37:27.100 --> 00:37:27.500 His person 00:37:27.500 --> 00:37:28.000 and His work, 00:37:28.440 --> 00:37:29.120 He is 00:37:29.120 --> 00:37:31.019 a new creation. 00:37:31.900 --> 00:37:32.620 The old 00:37:32.620 --> 00:37:33.519 has passed away. 00:37:33.640 --> 00:37:34.100 Behold, 00:37:34.220 --> 00:37:34.840 the new 00:37:34.840 --> 00:37:35.760 has come. 00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:36.480 This is that picture 00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:36.760 of us. 00:37:36.820 --> 00:37:37.480 Our citizenship 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:38.140 has changed. 00:37:38.220 --> 00:37:38.580 We're no longer 00:37:38.580 --> 00:37:39.560 citizens of the world. 00:37:39.760 --> 00:37:40.960 We're just sojourners here. 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:41.680 Now we're citizens 00:37:41.680 --> 00:37:42.560 of the kingdom 00:37:42.560 --> 00:37:43.340 of heaven. 00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:43.980 The old, 00:37:44.140 --> 00:37:44.740 our identity 00:37:44.740 --> 00:37:45.400 has changed 00:37:45.400 --> 00:37:46.019 completely. 00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:46.860 Verse 18, 00:37:46.860 --> 00:37:48.099 All this 00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:49.800 is from God 00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:51.579 who through Christ 00:37:51.579 --> 00:37:53.140 reconciled us 00:37:53.140 --> 00:37:53.720 to Himself 00:37:53.720 --> 00:37:54.539 and gave us 00:37:54.539 --> 00:37:55.260 the ministry 00:37:55.260 --> 00:37:56.420 of reconciliation. 00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:57.559 Reconciliation 00:37:57.559 --> 00:37:59.519 is the making right 00:37:59.519 --> 00:38:01.640 of a schismed relationship. 00:38:02.099 --> 00:38:03.099 A relationship 00:38:03.099 --> 00:38:04.400 that's been torn apart 00:38:04.400 --> 00:38:05.200 and it's been torn apart 00:38:05.200 --> 00:38:05.720 in this case 00:38:05.720 --> 00:38:06.460 because of sin, 00:38:06.720 --> 00:38:07.599 because of our rebellion 00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:08.320 against God, 00:38:08.579 --> 00:38:10.039 totally separated from Him. 00:38:10.380 --> 00:38:11.180 The ministry 00:38:11.180 --> 00:38:12.260 of reconciliation 00:38:12.260 --> 00:38:13.160 has brought us 00:38:13.160 --> 00:38:14.039 back together 00:38:14.039 --> 00:38:14.940 because what of Christ 00:38:14.940 --> 00:38:16.300 has accomplished? 00:38:16.420 --> 00:38:16.940 Verse 19, 00:38:17.460 --> 00:38:18.059 That is, 00:38:18.719 --> 00:38:19.500 in Christ, 00:38:19.679 --> 00:38:21.039 God was reconciling 00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:21.579 the world 00:38:21.579 --> 00:38:22.340 to Himself, 00:38:23.179 --> 00:38:23.820 not counting 00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:24.460 the trespasses 00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:25.059 against them 00:38:25.059 --> 00:38:25.840 and entrusting 00:38:25.840 --> 00:38:26.480 to us 00:38:26.480 --> 00:38:27.840 the message 00:38:27.840 --> 00:38:29.039 of reconciliation, 00:38:29.420 --> 00:38:29.900 the gospel, 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:30.699 the good news 00:38:30.699 --> 00:38:32.000 of Jesus Christ. 00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:33.039 Verse 20, 00:38:33.139 --> 00:38:33.400 Therefore, 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:35.159 we are ambassadors 00:38:35.159 --> 00:38:35.980 for Christ, 00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:37.719 God making His appeal 00:38:37.719 --> 00:38:39.639 through us. 00:38:40.279 --> 00:38:41.179 We implore you 00:38:41.179 --> 00:38:42.259 on behalf of Christ, 00:38:42.940 --> 00:38:43.860 be reconciled 00:38:43.860 --> 00:38:45.160 to God. 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:46.780 And there, 00:38:47.099 --> 00:38:47.780 Paul gives us 00:38:47.780 --> 00:38:50.039 this great gospel message 00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:51.260 at the very end 00:38:51.260 --> 00:38:52.220 of verse 20, 00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:53.380 We implore you 00:38:53.380 --> 00:38:54.720 on behalf of Christ, 00:38:54.920 --> 00:38:56.340 be reconciled 00:38:56.340 --> 00:38:57.180 to God. 00:38:57.840 --> 00:38:58.700 If you have been 00:38:58.700 --> 00:38:59.640 reconciled to God 00:38:59.640 --> 00:39:00.360 in Christ, 00:39:00.519 --> 00:39:02.000 you should want 00:39:02.000 --> 00:39:03.260 to share 00:39:03.260 --> 00:39:04.700 that good news 00:39:04.700 --> 00:39:06.220 with others. 00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:07.920 Beloved, 00:39:07.980 --> 00:39:08.559 what's going on 00:39:08.559 --> 00:39:09.440 in our hearts 00:39:09.440 --> 00:39:10.800 that causes us 00:39:10.800 --> 00:39:11.720 to do the things 00:39:11.720 --> 00:39:12.280 we do 00:39:12.280 --> 00:39:13.500 and talk about 00:39:13.500 --> 00:39:14.100 the things 00:39:14.100 --> 00:39:15.800 we talk about? 00:39:16.600 --> 00:39:17.660 Out of the outflow 00:39:17.660 --> 00:39:19.019 of your heart, 00:39:19.460 --> 00:39:20.960 your mouth speaks. 00:39:21.580 --> 00:39:22.580 Do you love 00:39:22.580 --> 00:39:24.040 the gospel 00:39:24.040 --> 00:39:25.380 of Jesus Christ? 00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:25.860 Have you been 00:39:25.860 --> 00:39:27.240 reconciled by it? 00:39:27.300 --> 00:39:28.220 Have you understood 00:39:28.220 --> 00:39:30.160 the schism 00:39:30.160 --> 00:39:31.019 and the relationship 00:39:31.019 --> 00:39:31.860 that existed 00:39:31.860 --> 00:39:32.440 and the way 00:39:32.440 --> 00:39:33.019 in which Christ 00:39:33.019 --> 00:39:33.580 has brought that 00:39:33.580 --> 00:39:34.180 back together? 00:39:34.180 --> 00:39:35.300 That ought to well up 00:39:35.300 --> 00:39:36.400 in us a great deal 00:39:36.400 --> 00:39:37.220 of joy 00:39:37.220 --> 00:39:38.400 and we ought to share it 00:39:38.400 --> 00:39:39.960 every opportunity 00:39:39.960 --> 00:39:41.059 we get. 00:39:42.039 --> 00:39:43.260 We can't simply 00:39:43.260 --> 00:39:44.260 act it out, 00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:45.119 display it. 00:39:45.180 --> 00:39:46.220 We have to 00:39:46.220 --> 00:39:46.960 proclaim it. 00:39:47.099 --> 00:39:48.099 It's necessary. 00:39:48.480 --> 00:39:49.320 This message 00:39:49.320 --> 00:39:51.240 comes by our mouths. 00:39:51.660 --> 00:39:52.539 Not because God 00:39:52.539 --> 00:39:53.160 needs us, 00:39:53.660 --> 00:39:54.500 but because 00:39:54.500 --> 00:39:55.400 He loves us. 00:39:56.660 --> 00:39:57.240 So we've been 00:39:57.240 --> 00:39:57.840 given 00:39:57.840 --> 00:39:59.519 to a mission, 00:40:00.019 --> 00:40:01.059 a wonderful mission, 00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:02.000 the greatest 00:40:02.000 --> 00:40:02.579 of missions. 00:40:03.860 --> 00:40:04.680 Some people call it 00:40:04.680 --> 00:40:05.340 the Great 00:40:05.340 --> 00:40:06.579 Commission. 00:40:06.579 --> 00:40:08.420 In Mark 16, 00:40:08.599 --> 00:40:09.159 verse 15, 00:40:09.259 --> 00:40:10.079 we see a very short 00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:10.759 record of it. 00:40:10.860 --> 00:40:11.840 Go into all the world 00:40:11.840 --> 00:40:13.659 and proclaim the gospel 00:40:13.659 --> 00:40:15.840 to the whole creation. 00:40:16.679 --> 00:40:17.019 Beloved, 00:40:17.099 --> 00:40:18.219 this is our high calling 00:40:18.219 --> 00:40:18.980 in Christ. 00:40:19.239 --> 00:40:20.279 Christ who reigns 00:40:20.279 --> 00:40:21.759 over all things 00:40:21.759 --> 00:40:22.920 and loves us 00:40:22.920 --> 00:40:23.840 immensely, 00:40:24.519 --> 00:40:25.699 has given to us 00:40:25.699 --> 00:40:27.199 this task, 00:40:27.579 --> 00:40:28.759 made us ambassadors, 00:40:29.079 --> 00:40:30.179 given us the ministry 00:40:30.179 --> 00:40:32.019 of reconciliation. 00:40:32.860 --> 00:40:33.759 Let's pray together.