WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.500 Over the past couple weeks, we've been reflecting on the truth from God's Word that He is worthy of praise, worthy of our worship. 00:00:09.400 --> 00:00:17.160 And that's really the reason why we've started services up again, even with the restrictions that we have. 00:00:17.240 --> 00:00:22.400 Because our God is worthy. He deserves our praise and our worship. 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:26.140 And we've looked at a number of different reasons over the past couple weeks. 00:00:26.140 --> 00:00:31.039 And this morning, we're going to bring this series to a close and look at one final reason. 00:00:31.580 --> 00:00:42.380 And we're going back to Revelation. We're going to see it through the eyes of John in his spectacular vision that the Lord Jesus gave him when he was on the island of Patmos. 00:00:43.060 --> 00:00:48.920 So if you have your Bible, we're going to just kind of work through it bit by bit. 00:00:49.060 --> 00:00:55.939 And so you can follow along there. And I'll try to...we've got some technical difficulties here, but we'll try to manage. 00:00:55.939 --> 00:00:57.559 We've got some stuff on the screen too. 00:01:00.420 --> 00:01:00.939 And... 00:01:00.939 --> 00:01:16.239 This is where we are in this moment. And this is, of course, an artist's rendition of what John saw in his vision. 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:23.099 We talked about this two weeks. He was called up into heaven in the Spirit, in this vision. 00:01:23.099 --> 00:01:26.959 And there he saw something like this. 00:01:27.199 --> 00:01:32.079 He saw one seated on the throne who was radiant and beautiful. 00:01:32.560 --> 00:01:37.099 Four living creatures and 24 elders, kings with crowns. 00:01:37.699 --> 00:01:40.519 And there was worship going on in heaven. 00:01:41.319 --> 00:01:49.719 And we're going to continue on a little bit with this vision and just see what John saw in his vision next. 00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:52.659 In chapter 5, verse 1. 00:01:54.379 --> 00:02:05.780 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 00:02:06.620 --> 00:02:11.439 So all of a sudden, this worship moment, something happens. 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:18.000 John notices that there's a scroll in the hand of the one who is seated on the throne. 00:02:18.900 --> 00:02:22.139 And not just any scroll, but a scroll with writing on both sides. 00:02:22.219 --> 00:02:23.840 A scroll with seven seals. 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:29.840 This is another artist's depiction of maybe something like what he saw. 00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:37.400 And of course, John is probably wondering, just as we are, well, what is the scroll? 00:02:38.060 --> 00:02:38.960 What's written on it? 00:02:39.020 --> 00:02:40.199 What's the meaning of this? 00:02:40.300 --> 00:02:43.080 Why are there these seals on it? 00:02:43.960 --> 00:02:45.480 Well, we're going to get to that in a moment. 00:02:45.560 --> 00:02:50.099 But let's keep going and hear what John saw. 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:51.480 Verse 2. 00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:57.000 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:01.919 Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll? 00:03:03.219 --> 00:03:10.000 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 00:03:10.899 --> 00:03:19.359 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:27.300 So as John is watching, a mighty angel comes in a loud voice, not just once, 00:03:27.420 --> 00:03:30.600 but the sense here is that continuously he is proclaiming, 00:03:30.860 --> 00:03:35.140 Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll? 00:03:35.300 --> 00:03:36.960 It's time to open the scroll. 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:42.000 And the sense we get is that this call, this invitation to open the scroll, 00:03:42.460 --> 00:03:48.340 goes out not just in heaven, but to the whole universe, to the ends of the universe. 00:03:48.340 --> 00:03:54.900 No one in heaven or on earth or under the earth, in all of creation, 00:03:55.400 --> 00:04:02.280 was found who is able to open the scroll, to read its contents. 00:04:03.420 --> 00:04:07.980 And so this moment of worship and praise all of a sudden takes a turn of sadness. 00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:10.439 And John, he says, I wept. 00:04:10.640 --> 00:04:11.520 I was weeping. 00:04:11.520 --> 00:04:22.340 Not just crying, but weeping because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll. 00:04:22.339 --> 00:04:33.639 But his sadness is interrupted in verse 5 as one of the elders turns to him and speaks to him and says this, 00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:35.159 Do not weep. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:44.299 See or behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed. 00:04:44.300 --> 00:04:50.139 He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. 00:04:51.259 --> 00:04:52.540 Don't weep, John. 00:04:53.280 --> 00:04:57.660 There is someone who is worthy to open the scroll. 00:04:57.660 --> 00:05:06.480 And he gives two titles of the one who is worthy, the one who is able to do it. 00:05:07.260 --> 00:05:15.180 One of them harkens back to a prophecy given long ago by Jacob to his son Judah. 00:05:15.180 --> 00:05:15.240 Judah. 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:28.639 Jacob said this, Judah, your brothers will praise you. 00:05:29.220 --> 00:05:31.300 Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:34.040 Your father's son will bow down to you. 00:05:34.180 --> 00:05:36.420 You are a lion's cub, Judah. 00:05:36.939 --> 00:05:38.840 You return from the prey, my son. 00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:41.620 Like a lion, he crouches and lies down. 00:05:42.019 --> 00:05:44.240 Like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:47.840 And then these words, wonderful words. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:52.620 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, 00:05:52.879 --> 00:06:01.100 until he to whom it belongs shall come, and the obedience of the nations shall be his. 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:07.740 This promise of a great king made long ago, a lion descended from Judah. 00:06:08.960 --> 00:06:13.400 He also refers to the root of David. 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:16.939 David, these words harken back to the prophecy of Isaiah. 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:19.219 In Isaiah chapter 11. 00:06:21.500 --> 00:06:24.979 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse. 00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:28.179 From his roots, a branch will bear fruit. 00:06:28.539 --> 00:06:31.939 And it goes on to describe how the spirit of the Lord will be upon him, 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:37.219 and how he will judge and bring righteousness and peace to the earth. 00:06:37.980 --> 00:06:39.319 Another wonderful promise. 00:06:39.459 --> 00:06:40.540 This is the one. 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:44.079 And of course, we know who he is talking about. 00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:45.660 He's talking about Jesus. 00:06:46.459 --> 00:06:52.959 This is the one that the angel proclaimed would be born to Mary. 00:06:52.959 --> 00:06:59.719 Well, the vision goes on. 00:07:02.339 --> 00:07:04.579 In Revelation chapter 5. 00:07:04.579 --> 00:07:09.120 The elder says, 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:13.759 Behold the lion, or see the lion, the root of David. 00:07:13.919 --> 00:07:14.800 He has triumphed. 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:16.479 He's able to open the scroll. 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:18.019 And it's seven seals. 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:21.240 And you almost get the sense that he's gesturing. 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:22.379 Behold, look. 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:26.079 In that moment, John looks. 00:07:26.459 --> 00:07:27.740 And this is what he sees. 00:07:28.539 --> 00:07:29.079 Verse 6. 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:34.159 Then I saw a lamb looking as if it had been slain, 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:36.759 standing at the center of the throne, 00:07:37.939 --> 00:07:40.120 encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:42.639 The lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:46.959 which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:50.740 This is one artist's rendition of it. 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:54.459 It's not really in the throne scene, 00:07:54.659 --> 00:07:56.419 but you kind of get the idea. 00:07:56.420 --> 00:07:58.939 Seven horns and seven eyes. 00:07:59.020 --> 00:08:00.860 A very strange vision, 00:08:01.240 --> 00:08:03.400 looking as if it had been slain. 00:08:04.640 --> 00:08:06.580 There's another artist's rendition of it. 00:08:06.920 --> 00:08:08.600 In this one, the lamb is standing, 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:10.920 wearing the crown of thorns there. 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:16.259 So, even as we hear John say this, 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:17.240 I mean, we should be thinking, 00:08:17.400 --> 00:08:22.220 this is not an ordinary lamb. 00:08:22.660 --> 00:08:24.340 This is a vision. 00:08:24.339 --> 00:08:26.579 This is almost like a dream, 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:30.739 like some of the visions that were given long ago to Daniel and Ezekiel, 00:08:31.079 --> 00:08:32.339 to Pharaoh, 00:08:32.659 --> 00:08:35.240 that Joseph interpreted for him. 00:08:36.439 --> 00:08:38.199 So, there's this lamb, 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:39.679 and there's details about it 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:41.459 that he highlights, 00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:44.019 looking as if it had been slain. 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:46.120 It's not dead anymore, though, 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:47.179 because it's standing. 00:08:47.179 --> 00:08:51.639 And it's got seven horns and seven eyes. 00:08:52.239 --> 00:08:54.419 And he explains a little bit about that. 00:08:55.719 --> 00:08:58.500 From there, the vision goes on. 00:08:58.639 --> 00:08:59.339 John says, 00:08:59.340 --> 00:09:09.740 And when he had taken it, 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:14.460 the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the lamb. 00:09:15.420 --> 00:09:16.840 Each one had a harp, 00:09:17.240 --> 00:09:19.620 and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, 00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:21.800 which are the prayers of God's people. 00:09:21.799 --> 00:09:23.579 And they sang a new song, 00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:24.120 saying, 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:27.240 You are worthy to take the scroll 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:29.000 and to open its seals, 00:09:29.339 --> 00:09:30.439 because you were slain. 00:09:31.039 --> 00:09:32.159 And with your blood, 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:33.279 you purchased for God 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:34.979 persons from every tribe 00:09:34.979 --> 00:09:35.839 and language 00:09:35.839 --> 00:09:36.620 and people 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:37.339 and nation. 00:09:37.859 --> 00:09:39.679 You have made them to be a kingdom 00:09:39.679 --> 00:09:40.939 and priests 00:09:40.939 --> 00:09:42.259 to serve our God, 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:44.159 and they will reign on the earth. 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:49.559 So, even at the taking of this scroll 00:09:49.559 --> 00:09:51.319 by this lamb, 00:09:52.179 --> 00:09:54.579 heaven bursts into worship. 00:09:55.379 --> 00:09:56.759 The 24 elders, 00:09:56.939 --> 00:09:57.879 the four living creatures, 00:09:58.019 --> 00:10:01.600 they begin to sing this song of praise 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:03.279 to the lamb. 00:10:06.439 --> 00:10:09.559 From there, the worship service seems to grow 00:10:09.559 --> 00:10:11.319 in size. 00:10:11.699 --> 00:10:12.240 Verse 11, 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:15.500 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:18.000 numbering thousands upon thousands 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:20.399 and ten thousand times ten thousand. 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:22.580 They encircled the throne 00:10:22.580 --> 00:10:24.120 and the living creatures and the elders. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:25.500 In a loud voice, 00:10:25.620 --> 00:10:26.419 they were saying, 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:28.240 Worthy is the lamb 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:29.440 who was slain 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:30.560 to receive power 00:10:30.560 --> 00:10:31.379 and wealth 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:32.440 and wisdom 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:33.480 and strength 00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:34.460 and honor 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:35.519 and glory 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:36.680 and praise. 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:39.080 You can just imagine 00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:41.240 what this might have 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:43.139 seemed like to John. 00:10:44.540 --> 00:10:46.120 What this would have looked like. 00:10:46.180 --> 00:10:47.259 I imagine it's something like 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:49.180 maybe stepping out 00:10:49.180 --> 00:10:50.780 into a stadium 00:10:50.780 --> 00:10:52.639 full of a hundred thousand people, 00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:53.940 except more. 00:10:54.680 --> 00:10:56.300 There were myriads 00:10:56.300 --> 00:10:57.840 of myriads of angels 00:10:57.840 --> 00:10:59.960 all over the place. 00:11:00.600 --> 00:11:02.240 Can you imagine the sound of them 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:04.180 singing these words? 00:11:04.179 --> 00:11:07.379 What a moment that must have been. 00:11:08.359 --> 00:11:09.819 But it doesn't stop there. 00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:12.199 The worship service gets even bigger. 00:11:13.179 --> 00:11:13.979 Verse 13, 00:11:14.859 --> 00:11:16.179 Then I heard every creature 00:11:16.719 --> 00:11:18.359 in heaven and on earth 00:11:18.359 --> 00:11:19.919 and under the earth 00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:20.699 and on the sea 00:11:20.699 --> 00:11:21.979 and all that is in them 00:11:21.979 --> 00:11:22.719 saying, 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:24.319 To him who sits on the throne 00:11:24.319 --> 00:11:25.419 and to the lamb 00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:26.299 be praise 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:27.339 and honor 00:11:27.339 --> 00:11:28.500 and glory 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.599 and power 00:11:29.599 --> 00:11:31.019 forever and ever. 00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:34.120 The four living creatures said, 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:34.919 Amen. 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:36.539 And the elders 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:37.759 fell down 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:39.000 and worshipped. 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:41.519 What a moment. 00:11:42.439 --> 00:11:43.039 What a sight. 00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:44.059 What a sound. 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:46.360 I wish that I could have seen 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:47.759 with my own eyes 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:48.740 what John saw 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:50.179 in this vision. 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:52.259 A spectacular 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:53.740 worship service 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:54.699 in heaven. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:58.879 Now what does this vision 00:11:58.879 --> 00:11:59.980 mean? 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:03.139 Here's the big question. 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:04.139 And of course, 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:05.460 this is the book of Revelation. 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:06.899 This is one of the most debated, 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:07.579 discussed 00:12:07.579 --> 00:12:10.220 pieces of the Bible 00:12:10.220 --> 00:12:10.980 that there is. 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:12.759 And there's all kinds 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:13.600 of different ideas 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:14.159 and opinions 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:15.079 and interpretations. 00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:16.559 And if you 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:19.159 come to a different one 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:19.600 than me 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:20.360 in your reading 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:21.860 or your study of it, 00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:23.319 I bless you. 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:24.879 I would rather 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:26.120 that you read this book 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:26.899 and love it 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:28.399 and treasure these words of God 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:29.819 and interpret it 00:12:29.820 --> 00:12:30.500 a different way 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:32.280 than not read them at all 00:12:32.280 --> 00:12:33.840 and just agree 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:34.900 with whatever I say. 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:38.320 But what does this vision mean? 00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:40.480 What's going on here? 00:12:40.940 --> 00:12:43.480 What are we to take from this? 00:12:45.100 --> 00:12:45.300 Well, 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:46.980 let's look at the first element 00:12:46.980 --> 00:12:48.300 of this vision, 00:12:48.440 --> 00:12:48.879 the scroll. 00:12:49.760 --> 00:12:50.980 What does the scroll 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:51.940 represent? 00:12:51.940 --> 00:12:59.400 I thought I had a picture 00:12:59.400 --> 00:12:59.800 of it there. 00:12:59.880 --> 00:13:00.400 Maybe not. 00:13:05.560 --> 00:13:06.260 Thanks, David. 00:13:07.260 --> 00:13:08.440 So there's this scroll. 00:13:09.520 --> 00:13:10.320 We want to know 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:11.160 what is this scroll 00:13:11.160 --> 00:13:12.080 all about? 00:13:12.180 --> 00:13:12.940 What does it mean? 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:15.160 And 00:13:15.160 --> 00:13:17.860 even at the outset here, 00:13:17.940 --> 00:13:19.220 I think we can cross off 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:19.980 a few things. 00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:22.340 In Revelation 4, 00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:22.940 verse 1, 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:24.200 we read 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:25.560 about how 00:13:25.560 --> 00:13:27.000 John was first invited 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:28.379 to come up to heaven 00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:29.200 to witness 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.500 this vision. 00:13:32.420 --> 00:13:33.279 Come up here 00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:34.120 and I will show you 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:35.320 what must take place 00:13:35.320 --> 00:13:36.740 after this. 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:38.820 So the sense we get 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:39.560 is that this is not 00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:40.639 a vision of what's happening 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.840 in heaven right now. 00:13:42.139 --> 00:13:43.300 This is not the present. 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:44.700 This is what's going 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:45.759 to come later 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:46.500 or after 00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:48.240 that John sees. 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:53.139 And from there, 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:54.299 we can also probably 00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:54.820 rule out 00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:56.919 this is not really 00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:58.120 a depiction 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:00.539 of what things 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:01.000 in heaven 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.980 actually look like. 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:04.759 And we kind of get 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:05.399 that sense 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:06.620 all throughout this book, 00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.259 but especially here 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:08.879 in this passage, 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:09.919 we see some elements 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:10.460 of it that, 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:11.240 okay, 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:12.919 this is strange. 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:17.219 John kind of gives us 00:14:17.219 --> 00:14:17.639 the clue 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:19.139 that this is a vision. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:21.719 This is almost 00:14:21.719 --> 00:14:22.439 like a dream 00:14:22.439 --> 00:14:23.360 and there are various 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:25.620 elements to this dream 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.259 and details 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.479 that have meaning. 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.899 They represent something. 00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:30.839 And he actually 00:14:30.839 --> 00:14:31.939 interprets some of those 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:32.379 for us. 00:14:32.459 --> 00:14:33.240 He kind of gives us 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:33.759 the meaning. 00:14:33.959 --> 00:14:35.199 Like in verse 6, 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:36.640 the Lamb had 00:14:36.640 --> 00:14:37.220 seven horns 00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:37.980 and seven eyes 00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:39.100 and those seven eyes, 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:40.000 he tells us, 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:40.879 represent 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:42.560 the seven spirits 00:14:42.560 --> 00:14:43.040 of God 00:14:43.040 --> 00:14:43.759 sent out 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:45.000 into all the earth. 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:47.320 And we kind of know 00:14:47.320 --> 00:14:48.120 that this vision 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:49.020 is full of 00:14:49.020 --> 00:14:50.720 representative things 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:52.180 and not necessarily 00:14:52.180 --> 00:14:53.740 actual depictions. 00:14:55.040 --> 00:14:55.860 We know 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.660 that the Lamb 00:14:56.660 --> 00:14:58.200 is Jesus, 00:14:58.780 --> 00:15:00.160 the Son of God, 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:01.600 the God-man. 00:15:02.160 --> 00:15:03.100 And he doesn't 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:03.920 look like this. 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.780 It's in the vision. 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:06.659 that he looks like this. 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:07.579 And those details 00:15:07.579 --> 00:15:08.779 of how he appears 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:09.319 to John 00:15:09.319 --> 00:15:10.159 are significant. 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:10.839 They correspond 00:15:10.839 --> 00:15:11.779 to reality, 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:13.059 but they're not 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:14.240 the actual depictions. 00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:14.659 Again, 00:15:14.839 --> 00:15:15.579 we see this 00:15:15.579 --> 00:15:16.519 in verse 8 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:18.720 where the kings, 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:19.860 the 24 elders, 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:21.039 are holding golden bowls 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:21.799 full of incense. 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:22.720 And John tells us 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:23.959 that those bowls, 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:25.139 they represent 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:26.819 the prayers 00:15:26.819 --> 00:15:27.860 of God's people. 00:15:28.839 --> 00:15:29.360 So, 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:29.919 I think 00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:30.639 those are kind of 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:32.339 the guiding things 00:15:32.339 --> 00:15:33.079 that can kind of 00:15:33.079 --> 00:15:33.879 lead us towards 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:34.740 how we're to 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.340 read this. 00:15:35.680 --> 00:15:36.379 It's not as though 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:36.799 we're seeing 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:37.759 a video clip 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:39.299 of what will happen 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:40.680 actually in the future. 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:43.240 It's more of a vision 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.120 or a dream 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:45.840 that God has given 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:47.399 in which all of the details 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:49.379 correspond to realities 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:51.820 that we will see 00:15:51.820 --> 00:15:52.419 come about 00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:53.200 in the future. 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:55.080 And so, 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:56.019 let's look at, 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:57.799 let's consider 00:15:57.799 --> 00:15:58.360 the scroll. 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:00.460 Back to the scroll. 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:02.460 what does the scroll 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:03.040 represent? 00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:03.440 Well, 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:04.120 if we continue 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:05.320 reading in 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:07.040 this vision, 00:16:07.180 --> 00:16:08.180 we see that the scroll 00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:09.540 represents, 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:11.519 in a moment, 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:11.960 the Lamb, 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:12.560 in verse, 00:16:12.680 --> 00:16:13.620 chapter 6 and 7, 00:16:13.680 --> 00:16:14.480 we're not going to read it, 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.180 but He will come 00:16:15.180 --> 00:16:16.000 and actually open 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:16.560 the seals 00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:17.960 and open the scroll 00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:18.700 and we assume 00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:19.620 read it. 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:21.019 And as He opens 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:21.820 each seal, 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:23.900 some kind of event 00:16:23.900 --> 00:16:24.740 is triggered 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:25.620 or something 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.519 is unleashed 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:28.480 either on earth 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.159 or in heaven 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:30.560 or something 00:16:30.560 --> 00:16:31.419 that relates 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:32.019 to both. 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:34.600 And so, 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:35.279 we might, 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:36.960 it seems like 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.460 the scroll 00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:38.860 represents God's 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:39.340 decree, 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:42.060 God's written 00:16:42.060 --> 00:16:43.720 kind of 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:45.639 ahead of time 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.779 account of the 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:47.600 final chapter 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.940 of human history, 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:50.340 of how things 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:50.980 are going to 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:51.639 unfold, 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.560 especially as it 00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:54.399 pertains to the 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:55.539 final judgment 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:57.879 and to the 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.759 final salvation 00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:59.959 of God's people. 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:00.559 And we kind of 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.299 get this sense 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:02.439 as we come to 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:03.100 the opening of 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:03.879 the sixth seal 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:04.460 at the end 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.420 of chapter 6. 00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:08.139 The people there 00:17:08.139 --> 00:17:08.799 are calling out 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.440 to the mountains, 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.879 fall on us 00:17:10.879 --> 00:17:11.779 and hide us 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.279 from the face 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.980 of Him who sits 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:13.500 on the throne 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.259 and from the wrath 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:14.819 of the Lamb 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:16.119 for the great day 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:16.700 of their wrath 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:17.319 has come 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:18.379 and who can 00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:19.099 withstand it? 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.259 So the opening 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:21.980 of these seals 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.779 seems to be 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.839 the triggering 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.939 of events, 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:25.439 the setting 00:17:25.439 --> 00:17:26.059 in motion 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:27.659 of what God 00:17:27.659 --> 00:17:28.480 has ordained 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.500 from long ago 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:33.939 to bring forth 00:17:33.939 --> 00:17:35.740 the final judgment, 00:17:36.399 --> 00:17:37.519 the wrath 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.359 of God. 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.720 These seals 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.659 seem to trigger 00:17:42.659 --> 00:17:43.159 the events 00:17:43.159 --> 00:17:43.659 that either 00:17:43.659 --> 00:17:44.740 themselves are 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:45.819 part of the 00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:47.220 day of the Lord 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:48.819 or lead up 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.240 to the day 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:49.699 of the Lord 00:17:49.699 --> 00:17:50.259 depending on 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:50.759 how you want 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.259 to see it. 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.180 But it's not 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:52.920 all judgment 00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:54.400 and punishment. 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:55.379 Chapter 7 00:17:55.379 --> 00:17:55.940 goes on 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.539 as the seventh 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.299 seal is opened 00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:57.819 and we get 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:58.359 descriptions 00:17:58.359 --> 00:18:00.059 of salvation. 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:01.759 We get 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.200 descriptions 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:02.839 of how some 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.299 of God's 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:03.799 people are 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.259 sealed 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:05.059 to protect 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:05.619 them from 00:18:05.619 --> 00:18:06.519 the judgment 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.119 that is about 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:07.759 to be poured 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.099 out. 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.480 And we 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:11.019 see a snapshot 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:12.099 of a multitude 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.740 in heaven 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.339 singing 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:15.539 about the 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.440 salvation of 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:16.759 God, 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.259 the great 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:17.940 deliverance 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:18.460 of God 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:18.940 in the 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.140 midst 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:19.480 of all 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:19.940 of this. 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.180 And so 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:22.600 that's kind 00:18:22.600 --> 00:18:22.940 of how I 00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.279 would take 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:23.759 the scroll. 00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:25.240 It seems 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:25.640 as though 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:26.299 it is 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:27.340 kind of 00:18:27.340 --> 00:18:27.860 the last 00:18:27.860 --> 00:18:28.279 chapter 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:28.720 of the 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:29.120 story. 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.340 It's sealed 00:18:30.340 --> 00:18:30.700 up. 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.519 It's already 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.019 planned. 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.299 And there 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.019 is only one 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.440 who is 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.120 worthy 00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:38.880 to initiate 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:40.579 the unfolding 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.240 of that 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:41.680 chapter 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:42.180 and the 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.720 reading of 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:42.960 it 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:44.220 into human 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:44.660 history. 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:45.840 And one 00:18:45.840 --> 00:18:46.180 who is 00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:46.740 worthy to 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.640 carry forward 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.319 the events 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:49.240 that are 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:49.539 there. 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:50.299 The final 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:50.720 judgment 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.819 and the 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.659 final salvation 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:53.259 of God's 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:53.619 people. 00:18:54.679 --> 00:18:55.179 Well, 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:55.539 there's the 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:55.899 scroll, 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:56.639 and then 00:18:56.639 --> 00:18:58.259 the next 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:58.960 most, 00:18:59.220 --> 00:18:59.679 and the 00:18:59.679 --> 00:19:00.480 most important 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.099 detail of 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:01.579 this vision 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.659 is not the 00:19:02.659 --> 00:19:03.000 scroll, 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.019 but the 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.359 lamb. 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.379 The lamb, 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:07.399 when he 00:19:07.399 --> 00:19:08.559 comes into 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:09.139 this vision, 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.720 just takes 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.419 the whole 00:19:10.419 --> 00:19:10.919 spotlight, 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.939 and it's 00:19:11.939 --> 00:19:12.619 almost as if 00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:13.220 after he 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:13.700 takes the 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:13.960 scroll, 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:14.419 the scroll 00:19:14.419 --> 00:19:14.839 just kind 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.179 of fades 00:19:15.179 --> 00:19:15.579 into the 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:15.960 background. 00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:16.299 We've got 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:16.899 to put that 00:19:16.899 --> 00:19:17.460 on hold 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:17.779 for a 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:18.019 moment, 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:18.759 we've got 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:18.939 to have 00:19:18.939 --> 00:19:19.439 a worship 00:19:19.439 --> 00:19:19.919 service 00:19:19.919 --> 00:19:20.319 here, 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:22.179 because this 00:19:22.179 --> 00:19:23.539 one is 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.379 worthy. 00:19:25.879 --> 00:19:26.480 And it's 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:26.899 a worship 00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:27.319 service, 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:27.639 as we 00:19:27.639 --> 00:19:28.119 looked at, 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:28.779 that starts 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.399 in heaven, 00:19:29.399 --> 00:19:29.939 and it 00:19:29.939 --> 00:19:30.700 just grows 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.399 from there 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:32.200 until the 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:32.919 whole universe 00:19:32.919 --> 00:19:33.639 in John's 00:19:33.639 --> 00:19:34.539 vision is 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.139 praising 00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:37.339 this lamb, 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:39.579 this one. 00:19:41.919 --> 00:19:43.000 Why are they 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.700 praising him? 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:45.099 What are they 00:19:45.099 --> 00:19:45.539 saying? 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:47.839 they're saying, 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:48.920 you are 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.579 worthy. 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:52.819 Verse 9, 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.659 you are 00:19:53.659 --> 00:19:55.259 worthy to 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:55.720 take the 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.319 scroll and 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:56.720 to open 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.379 its seals. 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.539 Verse 12, 00:19:58.700 --> 00:19:59.700 worthy is 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.420 the lamb. 00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:02.339 Verse 13, 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:04.059 to the lamb 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:04.960 be praise 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.559 and honor 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.279 and glory 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.019 and power 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:08.180 forever and 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:08.559 ever. 00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:10.099 You deserve 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:10.399 it. 00:20:10.659 --> 00:20:11.420 It belongs 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:11.819 to you. 00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:12.240 It's only 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.279 right that we 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.059 praise you 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.619 and worship 00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:15.079 you. 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.500 Why? 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.419 We've looked 00:20:19.419 --> 00:20:19.819 at a number 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.299 of reasons 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:20.839 already in 00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:21.240 this series, 00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:21.720 but what's 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.179 the reason 00:20:22.179 --> 00:20:22.599 that they 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.740 give here 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.119 in this 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:24.480 heavenly 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.299 worship service 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:25.879 that John 00:20:25.879 --> 00:20:26.460 sees? 00:20:27.159 --> 00:20:28.019 Verse 9, 00:20:28.159 --> 00:20:28.679 you are 00:20:28.679 --> 00:20:29.379 worthy to 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:29.879 take the 00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:30.319 scroll and 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:30.700 to open 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.179 its seals. 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.579 Why? 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.539 Because you 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.720 were slain 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:36.059 and with 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.700 your blood 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.639 you purchased 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:38.379 for God 00:20:38.379 --> 00:20:39.419 persons from 00:20:39.419 --> 00:20:40.240 every tribe 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:40.940 and language 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:41.679 and people 00:20:41.679 --> 00:20:42.639 and nation. 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:44.140 you have 00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:44.500 made them 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.020 to be a 00:20:45.020 --> 00:20:45.380 kingdom 00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:46.660 and priests 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.820 to serve 00:20:47.820 --> 00:20:48.640 our God 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:50.160 and they 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.540 will reign 00:20:50.540 --> 00:20:50.860 on the 00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:51.120 earth. 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.340 So there 00:20:52.340 --> 00:20:52.640 are many 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.420 reasons that 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:53.759 he is 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.220 worthy, 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.780 but the 00:20:55.780 --> 00:20:56.220 one that 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.660 shines bright 00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:58.240 right at 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.720 the beginning 00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.320 of this 00:20:59.320 --> 00:21:00.320 is the 00:21:00.320 --> 00:21:00.700 reason 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.820 that he 00:21:01.820 --> 00:21:03.000 was 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.100 slain, 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:06.460 the reason 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.820 that he 00:21:07.820 --> 00:21:08.259 died, 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:11.240 that through 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:12.140 his death 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:12.700 and the 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.240 shedding of 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.880 his blood, 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:15.380 he purchased, 00:21:15.580 --> 00:21:16.320 he bought, 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.500 he paid 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.160 the ransom 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:21.720 to set 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.280 a people 00:21:22.280 --> 00:21:22.780 free, 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.360 a people 00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:24.960 from every 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.680 tribe and 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:26.800 nation and 00:21:26.800 --> 00:21:27.200 tongue. 00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:29.560 He paid 00:21:29.560 --> 00:21:30.140 the price 00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:30.520 that was 00:21:30.520 --> 00:21:31.460 required so 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:33.480 that a 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.220 great people 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.840 from all 00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:35.440 over the 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.259 earth could 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.100 be set free 00:21:37.100 --> 00:21:38.080 from the 00:21:38.080 --> 00:21:38.900 debt that 00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:39.440 they owed 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:39.960 God 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:41.779 from their 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.820 guilt for 00:21:42.820 --> 00:21:43.519 their sins. 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.180 Not only 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:47.519 were they 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.259 ransomed or 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.799 purchased, 00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:50.740 set free 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.220 from, 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:51.840 but they 00:21:51.840 --> 00:21:52.580 were purchased 00:21:52.580 --> 00:21:53.259 to. 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:53.799 Do you see 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:54.840 that word? 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:55.559 Some translations 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.279 say purchased 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:56.640 for. 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.120 With your 00:21:57.120 --> 00:21:57.700 blood you 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.259 purchased 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.620 for God 00:21:59.620 --> 00:22:00.940 persons from 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.680 every tribe 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.320 and language 00:22:02.320 --> 00:22:02.880 and tongue. 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.440 It's not just 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:04.660 to set them 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:05.340 free from the 00:22:05.340 --> 00:22:06.320 negative consequence, 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.319 but it's to 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:08.379 buy them 00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:09.279 and bring 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.879 them back 00:22:09.879 --> 00:22:10.539 into 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.980 relationship 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.980 with God 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:14.500 to be a 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.200 people for 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:15.679 him, 00:22:15.879 --> 00:22:16.759 who live 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.500 with him 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.839 and enjoy 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:19.299 him. 00:22:19.919 --> 00:22:20.460 And he is 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:21.099 their God 00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:21.919 and they are 00:22:21.919 --> 00:22:22.579 his people. 00:22:24.179 --> 00:22:25.200 And it goes 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:25.980 on from 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:26.359 there. 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.700 Not only 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.139 that, 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.799 but verse 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.179 10, 00:22:32.879 --> 00:22:33.220 you have 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.919 made them 00:22:33.919 --> 00:22:34.579 to be 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.539 a kingdom 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.919 and priests 00:22:36.919 --> 00:22:38.199 to serve 00:22:38.199 --> 00:22:39.119 our God. 00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:41.639 This is a 00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:42.259 picture of 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:43.779 John, 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.759 what John 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.399 saw at the 00:22:45.399 --> 00:22:45.879 beginning of 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.439 this vision 00:22:46.439 --> 00:22:47.619 because Jesus 00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:48.399 is not 00:22:48.399 --> 00:22:49.980 still dead. 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.679 He is 00:22:51.679 --> 00:22:52.220 alive. 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:53.759 This is not 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:55.179 a song of 00:22:55.179 --> 00:22:57.240 his sacrifice 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.099 and death 00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:58.819 and that's 00:22:58.819 --> 00:22:59.299 the end. 00:22:59.419 --> 00:22:59.879 This is a 00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:00.419 song of 00:23:00.419 --> 00:23:01.339 his triumph 00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:02.480 of what he 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.179 has accomplished 00:23:03.179 --> 00:23:03.740 through his 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.079 death. 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:06.220 and his 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:06.799 resurrection. 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.500 Verse 10, 00:23:08.639 --> 00:23:09.299 you made 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:09.980 them to be 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.619 a kingdom 00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:11.579 and priests 00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:13.679 to our 00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:14.179 God. 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.819 We often 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.179 think of 00:23:18.179 --> 00:23:18.539 that word 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.199 kingdom in 00:23:19.199 --> 00:23:19.759 terms of 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:22.319 a location, 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.079 a place 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:24.439 with boundaries. 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.440 God. 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:27.880 But as we 00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:28.680 read these 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.120 words, 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:29.940 it seems 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:31.559 that what 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:31.860 they are 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.620 saying is 00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:32.920 that the 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.519 kingdom is 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.200 primarily, 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:34.920 first and 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:35.380 foremost, 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.080 a people. 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.240 It's a 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.100 people whom 00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:40.100 Jesus, 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:40.940 the Lamb, 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:41.820 has won 00:23:41.820 --> 00:23:43.180 for God 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:44.140 and to 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:44.620 God. 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.360 We almost 00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:47.720 get the 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.200 sense here 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.279 that Jesus 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:50.380 is offering 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:51.779 a gift 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:53.119 to God. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.279 I have 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:54.980 gone out, 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:55.339 I have 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:55.839 gone into 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.279 the world 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:56.559 and I 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.039 have won 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.599 for you. 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.339 I have 00:23:58.339 --> 00:23:58.940 established, 00:23:59.119 --> 00:23:59.339 I have 00:23:59.339 --> 00:24:00.500 brought back 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.359 into order 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:02.319 your kingdom 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:04.339 in this 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:05.539 world which 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.200 has rebelled. 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:07.700 I have 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.059 made them 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:09.120 priests who 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:09.759 will worship 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.920 you appropriately. 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.440 And this 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:13.799 kingdom, 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:14.819 these people, 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:15.580 these priests 00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:16.759 are people 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.380 from every 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:18.580 tribe and 00:24:18.580 --> 00:24:19.680 language and 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.779 people and 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.180 nation. 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.920 It's not 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:23.720 just a 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.799 kingdom up 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:25.440 in heaven, 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.080 it is the 00:24:26.080 --> 00:24:27.259 kingdom established 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.140 from heaven. 00:24:29.600 --> 00:24:30.640 But look at 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.059 the last 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:32.360 verse of 00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:33.240 the song 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:34.039 in verse 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.440 10, 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.580 they will 00:24:35.580 --> 00:24:36.140 reign, 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:36.779 on the 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.180 earth. 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:40.160 A kingdom 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:41.200 on earth. 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.880 All of 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:45.100 this reasons 00:24:45.100 --> 00:24:46.360 why the 00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:46.920 lamb is 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.600 worthy and 00:24:47.600 --> 00:24:48.600 why heaven 00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:49.519 explodes in 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.819 praise and 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:52.120 after that 00:24:52.120 --> 00:24:53.000 the angelic 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.759 host joins 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.480 in and 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:54.819 then the 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.860 universe joins 00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:56.220 in. 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.319 Look at 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.120 what he 00:24:58.120 --> 00:24:59.180 has done. 00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:02.460 And he 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.000 didn't do 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.440 it with 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:03.980 a sword. 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:05.900 Convert 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:06.540 or die. 00:25:06.540 --> 00:25:07.240 No. 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.440 No. 00:25:09.040 --> 00:25:09.860 He did 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:10.160 it by 00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:10.759 lovingly 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.340 laying down 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:11.900 his life, 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:12.580 by taking 00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:13.200 the bullet 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.140 for this 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:14.580 people, 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:16.120 by jumping 00:25:16.120 --> 00:25:16.500 on the 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.519 grenade to 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.100 save this 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:18.519 people. 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.900 He is 00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:21.480 worthy 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:24.780 because he 00:25:24.780 --> 00:25:25.300 has saved 00:25:25.300 --> 00:25:27.180 us by 00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:27.740 his blood. 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:27.779 God, 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:31.359 this is the 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:31.620 ultimate 00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:32.660 reason why 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:33.299 we worship. 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.620 This will 00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:34.920 be the 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:35.440 reason for 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.200 all eternity 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:37.380 that one 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:37.640 of the 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:38.259 big ones 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.180 at the 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:39.640 heart of 00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:40.120 our 00:25:40.120 --> 00:25:40.440 worship 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.099 forever, 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.599 this one, 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.539 our great 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:45.160 king, 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:46.940 laid down 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.480 his life 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.079 for us 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:49.819 so that 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.339 we could 00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:50.940 become a 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.319 part of 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:51.839 this great 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.240 kingdom 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.920 that we 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.480 will enjoy 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.059 forever. 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:56.440 He is 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:56.960 worthy of 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.119 our 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:57.440 worship. 00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:57.859 He is 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:58.599 worthy of 00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:58.779 our 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.279 praise. 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:02.679 Sunday 00:26:02.679 --> 00:26:03.679 after Sunday 00:26:03.679 --> 00:26:04.740 after Sunday 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:06.359 and forever, 00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:07.919 day after 00:26:07.919 --> 00:26:08.319 day, 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:10.159 not just 00:26:10.159 --> 00:26:10.659 here at 00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:11.179 church when 00:26:11.179 --> 00:26:11.599 we sing, 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.099 but in 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:13.039 each of 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:14.379 our lives 00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:14.879 as we go 00:26:14.879 --> 00:26:15.539 about the 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.460 various parts 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:16.779 of our 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.139 day, 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:18.579 he is 00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:18.980 worthy of 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.619 our praise. 00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:24.179 So I 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.359 want to 00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:24.679 invite the 00:26:24.679 --> 00:26:25.159 worship team 00:26:25.159 --> 00:26:25.519 to come 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.159 forward again 00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:26.500 and we're 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:26.739 going to 00:26:26.739 --> 00:26:27.659 sing one 00:26:27.659 --> 00:26:28.399 final song 00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:30.559 to the 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:30.839 lamb, 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:31.899 to our 00:26:31.899 --> 00:26:32.179 God. 00:26:32.179 --> 00:26:32.239 Amen. 00:26:32.239 --> 00:26:32.379 Amen.