WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.940 Well, good morning. 00:00:04.099 --> 00:00:10.460 It is good to see you all here after our little snow hiccup last week. 00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:14.560 I know for some of us who live in New Haven, we thought this isn't anything at all. 00:00:14.980 --> 00:00:19.800 But then I talked to someone from the outlying areas and they said, yeah, we probably wouldn't 00:00:19.800 --> 00:00:20.080 have come. 00:00:20.559 --> 00:00:28.060 So anyway, we are always glad to be able to gather together and thankful for the opportunities 00:00:28.059 --> 00:00:31.419 to do virtual worship when we are unable to. 00:00:31.660 --> 00:00:35.060 So it is good to be back together again. 00:00:36.019 --> 00:00:40.359 You know, I found myself in these last couple of weeks having a bit of longing. 00:00:41.079 --> 00:00:44.000 My first longing is that the sun would shine more. 00:00:44.500 --> 00:00:49.340 I don't know if you felt that way, but it's been a pretty dreary, pretty gray kind of winter. 00:00:50.119 --> 00:00:54.320 And I've been longing for summer and warmth and sunshine. 00:00:54.320 --> 00:01:00.619 There are lots of other longings that are part of our life as well. 00:01:01.060 --> 00:01:05.760 In relationships, we long for love, for companionship, for belonging. 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:12.840 In our societal and political life, we long for a better world, for more just and right 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:13.480 society. 00:01:14.500 --> 00:01:19.000 In our life investments, in our careers, are the things we throw our lives into. 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:24.260 We long for significance and meaning to feel like what we're doing matters. 00:01:25.459 --> 00:01:32.840 Even in our religious life, we long for a vision and experience of God to capture our 00:01:32.840 --> 00:01:33.280 souls. 00:01:34.780 --> 00:01:41.180 Human beings live lives of longing, and it's something that God has put in us to point us 00:01:41.180 --> 00:01:41.780 to something. 00:01:41.780 --> 00:01:48.480 But if you're like me, maybe you have found that there are many longings of your heart 00:01:48.480 --> 00:01:53.920 that have not been fulfilled, that are not met in this life. 00:01:54.820 --> 00:02:01.960 C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity famously writes that we have hunger not because we were meant 00:02:01.960 --> 00:02:07.879 to be full all the time, but because there is something called food. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:14.419 That a longing points us to something that is there, that is right and good, that we ought 00:02:14.419 --> 00:02:21.599 to have, or that we were meant to or designed to have, but don't have. 00:02:24.939 --> 00:02:29.979 So we struggle with longing because we don't have the things we long for. 00:02:31.039 --> 00:02:33.379 Sometimes, of course, our longings go astray. 00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:35.180 We long for the wrong things. 00:02:35.180 --> 00:02:44.340 Jeremiah rebukes the nation of Israel in Jeremiah 2 for leaving the fountain of living water and 00:02:44.340 --> 00:02:47.599 building for themselves cisterns, cisterns that cannot hold. 00:02:47.980 --> 00:02:50.140 And how often do we do that in our longings? 00:02:50.219 --> 00:02:54.879 We long for things of this world to give us more than they're capable of doing. 00:02:54.879 --> 00:03:03.400 Isaiah talks about the muteness and inability of idols, the things that we bowed down before, 00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:08.259 and yet they're not able to give us what we actually want. 00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:11.800 You can fill in the blank. 00:03:11.919 --> 00:03:13.479 We'll explore that a little more later. 00:03:14.019 --> 00:03:19.659 Or maybe what are those things that we long for in this life that maybe we are asking more 00:03:19.659 --> 00:03:22.659 of than possible for them to give us? 00:03:23.539 --> 00:03:29.240 And some of us, of course, have lived life long enough or short enough to be disappointed 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:30.780 enough that we give up. 00:03:31.419 --> 00:03:33.460 We think longing is too hard. 00:03:34.039 --> 00:03:34.780 It hurts. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:35.879 It's disappointing. 00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:38.139 I don't want to live like that anymore. 00:03:38.599 --> 00:03:41.939 So we kill our soul, and we kill our sense of longing. 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:49.460 We decide to live as cynics or living in despair or living for the pleasure of the day with 00:03:49.460 --> 00:03:50.599 nothing better than that. 00:03:52.240 --> 00:04:00.000 But what if, what if there were something that could meet us, that could be the fulfillment 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:04.340 of the things that our soul most longs for, something beyond ourselves? 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:08.180 This brings us to our passage this morning. 00:04:08.180 --> 00:04:11.560 If you're new here, we've been preaching through the book of Revelation. 00:04:11.760 --> 00:04:16.220 In the fall, we did the first couple of chapters, and we've just picked up last week, and we're 00:04:16.220 --> 00:04:20.519 going to continue through, through the winter and into the spring, to preach through the 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:21.199 rest of the book. 00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:25.740 And so we are in this morning, Revelation chapter 5. 00:04:26.180 --> 00:04:30.100 I forgot to find the page number for you, but here's the thing. 00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:31.780 Revelation is the last book in the Bible. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:34.560 Go to the back and then flip forward a couple of pages. 00:04:34.720 --> 00:04:35.639 It'll be easy to find. 00:04:35.639 --> 00:04:39.939 Revelation chapter 5 is where we're going to be this morning. 00:04:40.419 --> 00:04:44.459 And as you look there, just a reminder, if you're new or if you've forgotten because 00:04:44.459 --> 00:04:47.139 you've been away over break, Revelation is a vision. 00:04:47.500 --> 00:04:54.379 It's a vision that has apocalyptic imagery to communicate truth in a different way about 00:04:54.379 --> 00:04:58.279 God's work and His plan in the world, right? 00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:05.059 If you want to learn more about that, if you haven't, if you weren't here attending online 00:05:05.059 --> 00:05:09.519 last week, go back and listen to the sermon last week because I spent a lot of time just 00:05:09.519 --> 00:05:14.099 preparing us for thinking through this next section, both in terms of the structure of 00:05:14.099 --> 00:05:18.399 the book, but also the way that the book communicates through imagery. 00:05:18.619 --> 00:05:21.079 So I'm just going to say that and then keep going. 00:05:21.219 --> 00:05:24.379 But remind you, chapter 4 and 5 are kind of a package deal. 00:05:24.379 --> 00:05:31.600 Chapter 4 is a vision of the throne room of God in heaven and where we see through imagery 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:35.659 His greatness, His power, His authority, and His majesty. 00:05:36.259 --> 00:05:42.579 It's adorned with precious metals surrounded by worshiping servants and filled with a song 00:05:42.579 --> 00:05:47.879 of praise to God because He is the greatest thing in all the world. 00:05:47.879 --> 00:05:54.500 But we need to recognize that because 4 and 5 go together, chapter 4 is actually just setting. 00:05:55.240 --> 00:06:01.500 It's just the setup because in chapter 5 is the action of this section of the book of Revelation 00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:03.959 or this vision that's going on. 00:06:05.199 --> 00:06:11.600 So with that introduction, let's look at and read Revelation chapter 5 together. 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:41.580 chapter 5. 00:06:41.600 --> 00:07:11.460 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a lamb 00:07:11.459 --> 00:07:18.500 standing as though it had been slain with seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, 00:07:18.819 --> 00:07:20.579 sent out into all the earth. 00:07:21.319 --> 00:07:26.000 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 00:07:26.899 --> 00:07:33.779 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the lamb, 00:07:33.779 --> 00:07:44.879 each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:52.560 And they sang a new song saying, worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals. 00:07:53.040 --> 00:08:02.139 For you were slain and by your blood, you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:09.699 And you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. 00:08:09.699 --> 00:08:12.019 And then I looked. 00:08:12.019 --> 00:08:20.560 And I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders, the voice of many angels numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:29.740 saying with a loud voice, worthy is the lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. 00:08:29.740 --> 00:08:40.399 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them, 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:51.639 saying to him who sits on the throne and to the lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. 00:08:52.460 --> 00:08:55.220 And the four living creatures said, amen. 00:08:55.220 --> 00:08:59.279 And the elders fell down and worshiped. 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:00.700 Let's pray. 00:09:01.320 --> 00:09:12.379 Lord Jesus, we ask this morning for your help as we look into this vision, Lord, that is glorious and beyond, Lord, our ability to wrap our minds around. 00:09:13.180 --> 00:09:23.860 Lord, I pray for your help, that by your spirit we might see a little more clearly and apprehend a little more deeply and understand a little more fully. 00:09:25.259 --> 00:09:27.519 Lord, how worthy you are of our worship. 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:33.600 I pray you would be my help this morning, that I might speak your word as I ought. 00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:39.079 And I pray for our hearts, all of us, that we would sit under your word this morning. 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:41.379 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:09:42.419 --> 00:09:42.740 Amen. 00:09:42.740 --> 00:09:42.820 Amen. 00:09:48.980 --> 00:09:55.659 So if chapter 4 was the setting, chapter 5 has a narrative to it. 00:09:56.019 --> 00:09:59.200 There's a problem, there's a solution, and there's a response. 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:00.980 So this is what we're going to look through. 00:10:01.340 --> 00:10:06.620 In the courtroom of heaven, it's kind of amazing that there is a problem there at all, and yet there it is. 00:10:06.620 --> 00:10:12.700 The problem is this question that comes in verse 2, right? 00:10:12.940 --> 00:10:14.659 God is seated on the throne. 00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:16.919 He has a scroll in his hand. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:20.840 And one of the questions that comes up immediately is, what is the scroll? 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:22.500 What does it symbolize? 00:10:22.560 --> 00:10:23.299 What is it for? 00:10:23.740 --> 00:10:28.340 And there's lots of speculation in the commentaries about, was it a scroll? 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:29.220 Was it a book? 00:10:29.320 --> 00:10:30.639 How were the seals arranged? 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:39.100 There are lots of contemporary potential parallels about how scrolls, there was actually a kind of scroll that you could open one part at a time. 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:46.439 So there's lots of interesting contemporary ideas about what the scroll might have meant. 00:10:46.699 --> 00:10:59.480 But what it comes clear through this is that the scroll, in its fundamental act, what it means is it depicts or tells of God's ultimate plan for his creation. 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:05.340 And it doesn't just describe it, but by reading it, it would be the enactment of it. 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:09.840 So the question that's coming up is, who is worthy? 00:11:11.180 --> 00:11:19.100 Who is worthy to carry out God's plan of victory and vindication in the world? 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:24.639 God has said, he has promised, he will overcome all evil. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:27.180 He will come and make the world right and new. 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:34.000 And that will come through the enemies of God's kingdom being cast down, judged and destroyed. 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:37.339 God's people will be delivered and renewed and exalted. 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:42.459 But there's a problem in the throne room of heaven. 00:11:43.099 --> 00:11:45.759 Who is worthy to open the scroll? 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:50.840 Imagine this. 00:11:51.319 --> 00:11:55.259 And he says, I looked around and in all of creation, right? 00:11:55.319 --> 00:11:57.179 That's in heaven and on earth and under the earth. 00:11:57.580 --> 00:11:58.740 That's shorthand. 00:11:58.899 --> 00:12:02.559 For in all of creation, I looked and there was no one. 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:08.679 No one who could do this. 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:15.339 No one who was worthy to bring about God's promises in all of creation. 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:21.539 What a great crisis this is in the story. 00:12:22.219 --> 00:12:27.479 And if we don't feel this, the rest of it's going to feel very rote and kind of like, oh, yeah, this is like what we do in church. 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:28.539 We talk about these things. 00:12:28.539 --> 00:12:33.759 But I want you to feel the tension and the passion, right? 00:12:33.819 --> 00:12:43.399 Because remember, this vision was given to the church in the first century that was suffering persecution, wondering, will God's plans prevail? 00:12:43.719 --> 00:12:47.779 Or will the church be eradicated by persecution and by hardship? 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:50.500 Will it be destroyed by false teachers? 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:57.480 Will it be seduced away from faithfulness and become nothing? 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:11.919 And in that context, if there was no one who could actually bring about what God's plan was for the world, then friends, we live a very, very despairing world. 00:13:12.179 --> 00:13:20.179 And we might as well become like the cynic and the despairing person who lives for pleasure today and death tomorrow because it's all going to be terrible anyways. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:29.700 The longing is so palpable that John, in his vision, when he saw this, he wept loudly. 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:33.179 The word there is not like he had a tear running down his face. 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:38.960 He was overcome with grief because of this. 00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:45.600 This is a great problem presented in this text. 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:55.620 Now, friends, before we move on to the solution, I want to stop and think a little bit about whether this is a question that we ask today. 00:13:56.159 --> 00:14:00.639 Is there anyone worthy to accomplish God's purposes in the world? 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:05.180 I don't actually think it's a question we ask a lot for a number of reasons. 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:18.159 One is because I think having lost a high view of God and broadly in society and in our world, we have developed, particularly in the last couple of hundred years in the West, a very strong sense that humans can do it ourselves. 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.679 We can do this. 00:14:20.439 --> 00:14:23.120 The power of the human spirit can overcome every adversity. 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:30.159 The progress of humanity will eradicate racism, will eradicate cancer, will eradicate all the evils of our world. 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:31.500 And it'll be a better place. 00:14:31.579 --> 00:14:33.179 We just need to keep working towards it. 00:14:33.219 --> 00:14:33.959 We'll get there. 00:14:35.779 --> 00:14:40.039 The grit and determination of the human soul will finally make it all right. 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:45.199 And we will bring about the world that we think God wants us to have here. 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:54.879 I think this is part of why this passage doesn't grip us because we're not even looking for that because we already know the answer. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.139 We can do this ourselves. 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:57.419 We don't need anyone else. 00:14:57.419 --> 00:15:01.019 Now, not all of us are that way. 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:03.120 Some of us know. 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:04.000 Oh, no. 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:05.599 We can't do it. 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:12.500 But we're desperately looking in other places for someone to be worthy to enact God's purposes. 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:16.599 And though we don't think about this globally, we think about it in our own lives this way. 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:25.219 If only I had that relationship that I long for, that's going to finally bring about God's goodness and purpose and fulfillment in my life. 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:34.279 If only I could, if only that mentor would give me that imprimatur of his approval, then finally my career would take off. 00:15:34.920 --> 00:15:38.759 And I would be, I would see God's plan fulfilled in my life. 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:43.559 If only that pastor would lead me and teach me well enough. 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:50.279 He can be the one who will lead me to greatness or to fulfilled spiritual lives. 00:15:50.279 --> 00:16:02.659 I'm going to take a little bit of an excursus here because I want to unpack one part, one application of this because the Iowa caucus is this week. 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:15.219 And we live in a world today where one of my greatest fears is that we've started to ask political leaders to be the one who is worthy of bringing about God's ends in our world. 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:16.919 Right? 00:16:17.339 --> 00:16:20.559 That we're looking for politics to make the world right. 00:16:21.959 --> 00:16:25.639 And I'm not saying this from any partisan position. 00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.319 Right? 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:34.779 But if we are thinking, if only we had the right person in the White House in America, the world will be made right and it'll be a better place. 00:16:35.199 --> 00:16:35.779 Then what? 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:38.779 Is God's kingdom going to come because of who sits in the White House? 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.080 No. 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:46.679 Joe Biden will not bring God's kingdom to America or to the world. 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:48.659 Donald Trump will not do it. 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:51.159 Nikki Haley or whoever else may end up on a ballot. 00:16:51.159 --> 00:17:02.120 None of them are worthy to take this place in our hopes and in our longings, let alone our faith and our worship. 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:07.460 And look, friends, I'm not saying that we shouldn't be involved in politics. 00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:08.220 We should be. 00:17:08.659 --> 00:17:12.079 We have every right and we should engage well. 00:17:12.899 --> 00:17:16.720 Engage well in the processes that we are able to be engaged in. 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:18.519 Promote your favorite candidate. 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:21.819 Argue for what you think will be a good path forward. 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:27.660 But recognize, friends, that we can't confuse politics with the kingdom of God. 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:40.640 And what we do as we go forward from here in this next year is we need to exhibit the character of Christ as we engage in a political process. 00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:50.540 And we need to make sure that as we look around one another, we see one another first and foremost as brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:56.220 Regardless of whether you disagree on the political application of biblical principles. 00:18:03.020 --> 00:18:08.220 Because no one is worthy in heaven and on earth or under the earth. 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:20.680 But, friends, as we know, as we've kept reading, because we know that the Bible would not leave us here in despair, there is hope. 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:22.180 Right? 00:18:22.800 --> 00:18:31.700 Because not from the heavens or the earth or under the earth, but as we see in verse 4, there is a solution to this problem. 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:33.360 Look with me again. 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.000 Verse 4. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:40.779 Nope, verse 5. 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:42.619 Let's go to verse 5. 00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:45.460 And the elder said to me, weep no more. 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:56.640 Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals. 00:18:56.640 --> 00:19:11.040 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a lamb standing as though it had been slain with seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:16.840 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:24.679 Friends, if the problem is great, the solution is even greater in the Bible. 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:30.079 The elders, probably angelic beings of some sort. 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:33.240 Again, you learn about them in the last chapter. 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:35.019 Go back and listen to the sermon from last week. 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:41.180 One of them speaks in his vision to John, and he says, look, look. 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:45.299 Though it feels like there's no one worthy, there is one. 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:47.299 And this one comes from the throne. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:51.059 He doesn't come from heaven and earth and under the earth. 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.819 He comes from the throne himself. 00:19:53.720 --> 00:20:00.920 And he is this then cascading label, a series of labels or titles that we need to understand. 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:05.039 And do not weep, because here is one who is able to take the scroll. 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:11.120 And as we've seen, John is filling his descriptions in the book of Revelation with Old Testament references. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:18.820 So we're going to spend a little time talking about these Old Testament images so that you can get the richness of what John would have understood. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:19.940 Right? 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:24.600 Because the first thing he says is, look, here is one who is the lion of Judah. 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:24.719 Judah. 00:20:25.659 --> 00:20:36.419 This is in fulfillment of what God said through the patriarch Jacob to his son Judah in Genesis chapter 49 verses 9 and 10. 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:39.240 Josh is going to help me put some up on the screen. 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:43.159 We're going to read some of these just so you can see these pictures. 00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:43.719 Right? 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:48.779 Genesis 49 verses 9 and 10. 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:51.240 This is the blessing on Judah. 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:54.299 He says, Judah is a lion's cub. 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:57.339 And from the prey, my son, you have gone up. 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.380 He stooped down. 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.680 He crouched as a lion. 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:02.299 And as a lion is, who dares rouse him? 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:10.859 The scepter, that is the kingship, shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:13.339 until tribute comes to him. 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:17.700 And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:29.640 And what we see throughout, then, the Bible is that this lion of Judah leads you to David, the king exemplar in the Old Testament. 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:33.000 And yet even he is not worthy to take the role. 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:35.180 And so the genealogy continues. 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:39.560 And if you look at the beginning of the Gospels, you see through David comes Jesus. 00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:43.660 Of the tribe of Judah. 00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:46.420 Of the line of Jesse. 00:21:46.580 --> 00:21:49.900 And this is what the root of David is referring to. 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:58.960 This is from Isaiah chapter 11, where you see Isaiah talking about this hope for one who will come and bring righteous judgment on the earth. 00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:02.380 In a time when there was much upheaval, it says, 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:09.340 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, Jesse being David's father. 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:13.100 And a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:21.799 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and might, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord. 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:34.319 And it goes on to describe this ruler who will come from David's family, who will fulfill these longings for a king who we can actually serve and worship. 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:37.720 And he is the conquering one. 00:22:39.899 --> 00:22:47.899 Jesus who died and yet rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:53.340 And the elder says to John, look, there is one who is worthy. 00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:58.380 And then he goes on and he says, for he was slain. 00:22:59.360 --> 00:23:00.540 Let's go back to Revelation. 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:02.840 Look at it again. 00:23:07.540 --> 00:23:10.620 This is what we see, of course, in verses 6 and 7. 00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:17.819 And then, as John looks to this one before the throne and the four living creatures and among them, there's a lamb. 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.019 Wait, wait, wait. 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:21.019 The lion just became a lamb. 00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:23.859 Okay, so he wasn't transformed. 00:23:23.979 --> 00:23:25.339 He's both of these things. 00:23:25.719 --> 00:23:34.699 He's both the exalted king from the line of David who is right to reign, but he is also a lamb standing as if it were slain. 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:40.340 And so his authority and power comes through this purpose. 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:43.799 We see this repeated throughout this. 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:47.960 Because you were worthy, because you were slain. 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.799 You were a lamb slain. 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:56.819 And friends, we need to, again, pull on some Old Testament imagery to understand the significance of what this is. 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:57.660 Right? 00:23:57.660 --> 00:24:12.660 Because in Genesis 22, as Abraham, in obedience to God, took his son up Mount Moriah to sacrifice him, 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:19.000 they got to the top of the mountain, and there was the wood, and there was the oil. 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:21.620 But where was the sacrifice? 00:24:22.300 --> 00:24:26.820 And what God had told Abraham was, you need to give up your own son. 00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:37.700 And Abraham said, well, verse 13, Abraham lifted his eyes and looked and be, oh, well, what verses are we looking at here? 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.720 Seven and eight. 00:24:39.860 --> 00:24:41.019 Okay, let me read the right ones. 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:43.160 Okay, so they're going up the mountain. 00:24:43.360 --> 00:24:46.240 And Isaac said to his father, Abraham, my father. 00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:48.540 And he said, here I am, my son. 00:24:48.540 --> 00:24:53.040 And he said, behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 00:24:53.039 --> 00:25:01.759 And Abraham said, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son. 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.059 And they went up together. 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:13.659 And at the very last moment, God provides a ram in the thicket as a substitute so that Isaac wouldn't be sacrificed, 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:16.819 but that instead this lamb would be sacrificed. 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:21.480 This is then picked up in Exodus chapter 12, right? 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:25.579 In the great story of the Passover, God's people in slavery to Egypt. 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:32.880 And in the tenth plague, God comes to his people the night before and he says, this is how you will survive my judgment. 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:40.539 By sacrificing a lamb and taking the blood of that lamb and covering the doorposts of your house. 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:45.440 So in Exodus 12, verses 21 through 23. 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:55.360 Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans and kill the Passover lamb. 00:25:55.960 --> 00:26:04.900 Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:09.440 None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:24.620 For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians and when he sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your house to strike you. 00:26:27.860 --> 00:26:32.920 A lamb slain for the protection of his people. 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:40.340 We see it in Leviticus 4 as a sin offering for forgiveness for the people. 00:26:43.100 --> 00:26:47.180 We see it as we move ahead to the New Testament. 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:52.860 When John the Baptist first sees Jesus coming over, do you remember what he says? 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:58.940 Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:10.059 And friends, this precious image may be fulfilled in the passage that Laura read earlier more than anything else. 00:27:11.360 --> 00:27:17.039 That Jesus was like a lamb led to the slaughter. 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.620 She read the whole passage. 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:23.519 I'll just remind us again of verses 7. 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:25.980 Let me look. 00:27:27.100 --> 00:27:28.019 What did we put up there? 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.440 Yeah, okay. 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.000 We'll figure. 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:33.820 So, he was pierced for our transgressions. 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:38.220 Verse 5 and following. 00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:40.039 He was wounded for our transgressions. 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:41.720 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:45.640 Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace. 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:48.080 With his stripes we are healed. 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:50.360 All we like sheep have gone astray. 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:53.140 We have turned everyone to his own way. 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:57.000 The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:59.500 He was oppressed and he was afflicted. 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:04.359 Yet he opened not his mouth like a lamb that has led to the slaughter. 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:07.599 And like a sheep before it shears is silent. 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:09.920 So, he opened not his mouth. 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:17.380 And as we read this whole passage, did you hear what it was about? 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:20.440 It was because Jesus bore our sins. 00:28:20.600 --> 00:28:22.980 Because he died in our place. 00:28:23.320 --> 00:28:29.120 Because he was willing not to come with the prerogatives of kingship that he does have. 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:34.179 But he took those prerogatives and he laid them down in sacrifice for us. 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:35.599 For our redemption. 00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:38.879 He bore our punishment for our sin. 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:41.979 So that we might not be punished but be forgiven. 00:28:42.319 --> 00:28:45.579 So that we might not die but that we might live. 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:51.139 This is what the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world does for us. 00:28:51.459 --> 00:28:53.819 And this is why he is worthy. 00:28:53.819 --> 00:29:02.319 The Lion who is the Lamb lays down his life for us. 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:07.559 He doesn't come in power the way the world comes in power. 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:10.919 To dominate and to dictate and to control. 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:15.779 But he comes and he lays down his life in love for us. 00:29:16.939 --> 00:29:19.919 His power comes through his death. 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:24.820 He paid the greatest cost for us and for our redemption. 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:28.400 He purchased us from the slavery to sin and death. 00:29:28.840 --> 00:29:30.640 And he brought us to himself. 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:32.779 Brought us into himself. 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:36.060 So that we might have forgiveness in life. 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:42.840 Can you imagine what it would be like for a first century Christian? 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:47.340 Who's seen the persecution of Nero and Domitian. 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:50.559 Where they slaughtered Christians. 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:53.959 Where they burned them as torches at his parties. 00:29:54.459 --> 00:29:56.799 Where they were thrown into the Colosseum. 00:29:57.139 --> 00:29:59.759 To be torn apart by wild animals. 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:06.500 To see Jesus. 00:30:08.879 --> 00:30:11.019 Standing in the throne room of God. 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.519 Taking the scroll. 00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:15.119 Because he was slain. 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:19.220 He is worthy to carry out God's purposes. 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:22.299 God's judgment will come. 00:30:22.379 --> 00:30:23.220 And it will be fierce. 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:24.200 And it will be frightening. 00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:27.299 And we'll explore that in the coming pages. 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:30.339 But the only one who is worthy of doing that. 00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:33.500 Is one who has laid down his life for us. 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:36.220 This is the pattern. 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:38.099 Of the gospel. 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:41.459 This is why Jesus alone is worthy. 00:30:42.099 --> 00:30:45.219 Because he alone laid down his life. 00:30:45.719 --> 00:30:46.559 For us. 00:30:46.659 --> 00:30:47.879 When he didn't have to. 00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:51.339 And friends. 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:53.279 Let us walk. 00:30:53.879 --> 00:30:55.259 In a similar way. 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:57.599 As we think about one application from this. 00:30:57.919 --> 00:30:59.639 We see Jesus is worthy. 00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:01.839 And we'll talk about the response in just a minute. 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:03.079 But friends. 00:31:03.179 --> 00:31:04.719 Let us recognize that even now. 00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:06.399 We walk in his footsteps. 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:08.140 If we are following Jesus. 00:31:08.340 --> 00:31:10.120 We are not following him. 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:12.860 On a path of worldly triumph and success. 00:31:13.040 --> 00:31:15.800 Where our enemies are defeated in this age. 00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:19.060 Oh we may see those things. 00:31:19.400 --> 00:31:21.759 God may graciously do that in some places. 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.759 And in some times. 00:31:23.040 --> 00:31:24.360 But what God has promised. 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:26.340 Is that he will preserve his people. 00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:29.320 Through the trials and tribulations of this age. 00:31:29.560 --> 00:31:32.000 Redeeming more and more of us. 00:31:32.300 --> 00:31:34.180 So that in the end. 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:36.160 We might stand with him in victory. 00:31:36.400 --> 00:31:38.380 But for now. 00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:41.740 It may involve various kinds of suffering. 00:31:42.320 --> 00:31:42.900 Trials. 00:31:43.560 --> 00:31:44.320 Persecution. 00:31:45.380 --> 00:31:46.519 For us. 00:31:46.700 --> 00:31:48.519 It is a call to love others. 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:51.600 With sacrificial love. 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.880 Not thinking of ourselves. 00:31:54.100 --> 00:31:54.900 But of others. 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:55.780 First. 00:31:56.360 --> 00:31:57.740 Walking in humility. 00:31:58.300 --> 00:31:59.259 Not in arrogance. 00:31:59.259 --> 00:32:00.560 Or in pride. 00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:00.659 God. 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:07.579 If we look at the one who is worthy. 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:10.159 How could we ever be like that? 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:14.799 May God have mercy on us. 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:16.139 And help us. 00:32:17.419 --> 00:32:18.720 Because instead of that. 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:19.819 We want to do. 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:22.099 What we see in the throne room of God. 00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:25.419 The response in verses 8 through 14. 00:32:25.420 --> 00:32:28.259 It's this cascade. 00:32:28.800 --> 00:32:30.440 This cascade of worship. 00:32:31.080 --> 00:32:32.620 This cascade of songs. 00:32:33.340 --> 00:32:34.519 And of declarations. 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:36.940 Of the worthiness and the greatness. 00:32:37.600 --> 00:32:38.800 Of this lamb. 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:39.840 Who is a lion. 00:32:40.340 --> 00:32:43.720 Who is standing as one slain. 00:32:43.820 --> 00:32:44.720 You see the cascade. 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:46.300 It's echoing out. 00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:48.160 It's reverberating out from the throne. 00:32:48.300 --> 00:32:49.600 First you have the four creatures. 00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:51.700 And then you have the 24 elders. 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:54.060 And they respond first. 00:32:55.560 --> 00:32:56.019 And they say. 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:58.140 Worthy are you to take the scrolls. 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:59.180 And to open its seals. 00:32:59.340 --> 00:33:00.279 For you were slain. 00:33:00.340 --> 00:33:02.200 And by your blood you ransomed people. 00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:03.400 For God. 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:05.160 From every tribe and language. 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:06.340 And people and tongue. 00:33:06.820 --> 00:33:09.500 And you have made them a kingdom and priest to our God. 00:33:09.600 --> 00:33:12.080 And they shall reign on the earth. 00:33:13.080 --> 00:33:15.120 And then it reverberated out from there. 00:33:15.360 --> 00:33:16.000 He looked around. 00:33:16.120 --> 00:33:17.200 And outside of that. 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:18.759 There were angels. 00:33:19.620 --> 00:33:21.299 And myriads and myriads. 00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:22.740 And thousands of thousands. 00:33:22.900 --> 00:33:26.580 Which seems to pick up language from Daniel chapter 7. 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.900 And I didn't even get there. 00:33:27.960 --> 00:33:30.220 Because the references are cool. 00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:32.759 But really scattered. 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:35.059 But go and read Daniel 7 this week. 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:36.840 And then read Revelation 5. 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:39.580 To see there's a lot of connection there too. 00:33:40.360 --> 00:33:42.100 But there's this myriads and myriads. 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:44.680 And thousands and thousands of heavenly beings. 00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:45.960 Around Jesus. 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:47.779 And they're responding to him as well. 00:33:47.779 --> 00:33:51.079 And they too say worthy is a lamb who was slain. 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:54.000 Worthy are you because you have died. 00:33:55.160 --> 00:33:57.500 And they give him a sevenfold blessing. 00:33:58.160 --> 00:34:00.720 You are worthy to receive power and wealth. 00:34:00.840 --> 00:34:01.720 And wisdom and might. 00:34:01.819 --> 00:34:03.400 And honor and glory and blessing. 00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:06.220 And we know from the first century. 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:08.720 That seven is a picture of completeness. 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:11.199 He's saying you are worthy of everything. 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:16.639 Whatever we could imagine to give to another person. 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:19.059 A recognition of their greatness. 00:34:19.359 --> 00:34:20.059 Of their glory. 00:34:20.219 --> 00:34:20.799 Of their honor. 00:34:20.939 --> 00:34:21.639 Of their goodness. 00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:23.659 Of our submission. 00:34:23.939 --> 00:34:24.619 And our worship. 00:34:24.899 --> 00:34:27.719 And our exalting of who they are. 00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:31.259 Jesus is worthy of all of those things. 00:34:31.260 --> 00:34:36.140 And then verse 13 says. 00:34:37.140 --> 00:34:37.900 And then I heard. 00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:42.720 I heard from beyond what he could see. 00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:48.340 From the heavens and the earth and under the earth. 00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:50.480 Every created being. 00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:53.780 To him who sits on the throne. 00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:55.519 And to the lamb. 00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:56.900 Be blessing. 00:34:57.400 --> 00:34:58.000 And honor. 00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:58.940 And glory. 00:34:59.740 --> 00:35:00.460 And power. 00:35:00.760 --> 00:35:01.900 Forever and ever. 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.059 Friends. 00:35:05.179 --> 00:35:07.400 This is what God is doing. 00:35:08.240 --> 00:35:08.940 In the world. 00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:10.740 He has one. 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:12.380 Who is worthy. 00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:14.179 To carry out his purposes. 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:16.179 And he is carrying out those purposes. 00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:17.059 Even now. 00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:18.780 He is building his church. 00:35:18.780 --> 00:35:20.620 So that we might be a kingdom. 00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:22.380 And priest to our God. 00:35:22.860 --> 00:35:24.740 So that we might submit to him. 00:35:25.140 --> 00:35:26.420 Honor him as our ruler. 00:35:26.660 --> 00:35:27.400 Obey him. 00:35:27.640 --> 00:35:29.019 And then as priests. 00:35:29.200 --> 00:35:31.019 Both honor and worship him. 00:35:31.080 --> 00:35:33.680 But also make him known in this world. 00:35:34.600 --> 00:35:36.500 And as we make him known in this world. 00:35:37.180 --> 00:35:39.420 We know that this is going to expand more and more. 00:35:39.540 --> 00:35:41.220 So that every creature. 00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:43.940 From every tribe and tongue and nation. 00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:45.180 From every race. 00:35:45.360 --> 00:35:46.660 From every ethnic group. 00:35:47.560 --> 00:35:47.960 Friends. 00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:50.740 Martin Luther King had a great vision for our country. 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:52.480 And may it be increasingly so. 00:35:52.699 --> 00:35:55.940 But we know this is where it's going to finally be fulfilled. 00:35:56.440 --> 00:35:58.220 In the throne room of heaven. 00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:04.059 Where we will actually see people. 00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:06.260 From every tribe and tongue and nation. 00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:09.240 On their faces before God. 00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:11.300 Worshipping the lamb. 00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:13.619 Who was slain for our redemption. 00:36:13.619 --> 00:36:23.259 We see this as a great call then. 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:25.059 For what God is doing today. 00:36:25.259 --> 00:36:27.000 And we know that this is not done. 00:36:27.319 --> 00:36:29.179 We know that this is an ongoing work. 00:36:29.400 --> 00:36:31.019 We know that in the book of Revelation. 00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:32.940 It's meant to bring us comfort now. 00:36:33.099 --> 00:36:34.539 That this is coming. 00:36:34.639 --> 00:36:36.099 And one day it will be. 00:36:36.099 --> 00:36:37.099 For sure. 00:36:37.099 --> 00:36:38.099 For sure. 00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:39.019 For sure. 00:36:40.339 --> 00:36:43.139 Because the one who was slain has risen again. 00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:45.819 And he stands at the right hand of the Father. 00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:49.019 And he's able to take the scroll. 00:36:49.019 --> 00:36:55.059 And so as 1 Peter 2 tells us as a church. 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:56.460 You are a chosen race. 00:36:56.960 --> 00:36:58.280 A royal priesthood. 00:36:58.340 --> 00:36:59.099 A holy nation. 00:36:59.199 --> 00:37:01.639 A people for his own possession. 00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:06.920 That you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness. 00:37:07.619 --> 00:37:09.340 Into his marvelous might. 00:37:10.059 --> 00:37:10.880 Marvelous light. 00:37:12.159 --> 00:37:13.320 Once you were not a people. 00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:14.579 But now you are a people. 00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:16.840 Once you would not receive mercy. 00:37:16.840 --> 00:37:19.500 But now you have received mercy. 00:37:20.400 --> 00:37:23.559 Through the Lamb who is worthy of our worship. 00:37:24.880 --> 00:37:26.920 And friends just to bring us to close. 00:37:27.059 --> 00:37:28.640 Is this not what we long for? 00:37:31.400 --> 00:37:33.079 At the core of our heart. 00:37:33.800 --> 00:37:35.340 Beyond anything else. 00:37:37.100 --> 00:37:40.780 As we live in a world that feels old and tired and broken. 00:37:41.380 --> 00:37:44.700 And certainly the older I get the more it feels that way. 00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:49.460 When we are worn out by our own sin. 00:37:49.699 --> 00:37:53.379 By the darkness that we feel both in us and around us. 00:37:53.879 --> 00:37:56.019 When we're longing for. 00:37:59.439 --> 00:38:00.699 Friends this is it. 00:38:01.719 --> 00:38:02.659 Lift up our hearts. 00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:06.399 Lift up our eyes to see Jesus who is worthy. 00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:08.779 He is worthy of our worship. 00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:09.780 He is worthy. 00:38:09.780 --> 00:38:10.400 He is worthy. 00:38:11.340 --> 00:38:14.760 To be the fulfillment of all of our longings. 00:38:17.820 --> 00:38:23.040 Let this vision of Jesus fill our hearts with a new song. 00:38:23.700 --> 00:38:26.360 The new song that was sung in this vision. 00:38:26.760 --> 00:38:29.320 A new song that we are able to sing even now. 00:38:29.740 --> 00:38:29.860 Okay. 00:38:29.900 --> 00:38:30.960 This is a cool application. 00:38:31.100 --> 00:38:33.240 Have you ever thought about why God created music? 00:38:33.660 --> 00:38:35.680 He created music so that we can sing. 00:38:35.679 --> 00:38:37.500 In worship to Jesus. 00:38:38.339 --> 00:38:39.559 There may be other reasons that are. 00:38:39.980 --> 00:38:41.179 Music is really cool. 00:38:41.599 --> 00:38:44.539 But have you ever thought about how central this is? 00:38:45.239 --> 00:38:46.919 That God gave us music. 00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:50.319 Christians sing far more than most of the people in the world. 00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:53.940 That's an aside. 00:38:54.279 --> 00:38:55.379 Let's bring it back to the end. 00:38:56.000 --> 00:38:56.539 The vision. 00:38:57.859 --> 00:38:59.899 Because we know that this one who is worthy. 00:39:00.059 --> 00:39:01.899 Will one day bring about the new creation. 00:39:02.139 --> 00:39:02.879 And the new heavens. 00:39:03.059 --> 00:39:03.719 And the new earth. 00:39:03.719 --> 00:39:05.500 That our hearts long for. 00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:08.019 And as we will see in Revelation 21. 00:39:09.639 --> 00:39:11.579 The new heavens and the new earth will descend. 00:39:11.719 --> 00:39:12.480 And a voice will say. 00:39:12.639 --> 00:39:14.959 Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. 00:39:15.259 --> 00:39:16.339 He will dwell with them. 00:39:16.399 --> 00:39:17.759 And they will be his people. 00:39:17.879 --> 00:39:20.239 And God himself will be with them as their God. 00:39:20.559 --> 00:39:23.480 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. 00:39:23.480 --> 00:39:25.299 And death shall be no more. 00:39:25.439 --> 00:39:26.699 Neither shall there be mourning. 00:39:26.839 --> 00:39:27.339 Nor crying. 00:39:27.439 --> 00:39:28.359 Nor pain anymore. 00:39:28.739 --> 00:39:30.980 For the former things have passed away. 00:39:30.980 --> 00:39:34.219 And he who is seated on the throne said. 00:39:34.440 --> 00:39:37.360 Behold I am making all things new. 00:39:39.139 --> 00:39:42.639 Let this one who will bring all those new things. 00:39:42.980 --> 00:39:45.179 Who is bringing all those new things. 00:39:45.539 --> 00:39:46.659 In breaking now. 00:39:46.820 --> 00:39:48.360 With the fullness in the future. 00:39:50.360 --> 00:39:51.960 Let him fill our hearts. 00:39:51.960 --> 00:39:53.300 And our mouths. 00:39:53.679 --> 00:39:55.719 With a new song of praise to him. 00:39:55.820 --> 00:39:56.280 Let's pray. 00:39:56.280 --> 00:40:00.400 Oh Lord Jesus. 00:40:00.600 --> 00:40:01.580 We thank you for. 00:40:03.300 --> 00:40:03.860 This. 00:40:04.380 --> 00:40:05.240 Great vision. 00:40:06.519 --> 00:40:07.840 Lord I pray this morning. 00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:09.680 That it would be a balm to our soul. 00:40:10.580 --> 00:40:12.940 Lord that it would be water on parched ground. 00:40:13.940 --> 00:40:15.180 To remind us. 00:40:15.340 --> 00:40:16.519 That above all things. 00:40:17.220 --> 00:40:18.160 Lord may we. 00:40:20.120 --> 00:40:21.200 Lord continue. 00:40:23.060 --> 00:40:24.420 To know you more. 00:40:24.420 --> 00:40:26.780 So that we might worship you. 00:40:28.700 --> 00:40:29.980 Lord help our hearts. 00:40:30.059 --> 00:40:31.200 Not to become cold. 00:40:31.380 --> 00:40:32.159 Or distracted. 00:40:32.440 --> 00:40:33.240 Or led astray. 00:40:34.680 --> 00:40:36.619 But Lord may our hearts be. 00:40:37.619 --> 00:40:38.059 Filled. 00:40:38.700 --> 00:40:39.780 And renewed. 00:40:40.320 --> 00:40:40.639 Daily. 00:40:41.760 --> 00:40:43.039 As we see you. 00:40:43.200 --> 00:40:43.920 The exalted. 00:40:44.559 --> 00:40:46.019 Lion who is the lamb. 00:40:46.740 --> 00:40:47.519 Who is worthy. 00:40:49.519 --> 00:40:51.139 We pray this in Jesus name. 00:40:51.659 --> 00:40:51.940 Amen.