WEBVTT 00:00:00.500 --> 00:00:03.760 Hopefully you do, or at least some type of Bible. 00:00:04.219 --> 00:00:06.240 Maybe it's on your phone or whatever you do. 00:00:06.820 --> 00:00:08.400 Please open them up to Revelation. 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:11.240 Revelation, chapter 7. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.039 In the late 90s, there was a television show called Early Edition. 00:00:35.480 --> 00:00:37.079 I wonder if any of you have seen it. 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:42.380 I just remember glimpses of it when I was a kid on TV. 00:00:42.539 --> 00:00:44.060 I don't know if my dad was watching it. 00:00:44.100 --> 00:00:47.100 I don't even remember anything that happened in the show, to be honest, 00:00:47.179 --> 00:00:48.240 except for one thing. 00:00:50.060 --> 00:00:54.079 The basic story of every episode was that this guy would wake up, 00:00:54.620 --> 00:00:58.500 and he would open his door, and there on his doorstep was the newspaper, 00:00:58.500 --> 00:01:05.620 except that the newspaper was actually tomorrow's newspaper instead of today's. 00:01:05.739 --> 00:01:08.180 And so as he would open this up and read it, 00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:11.420 he would be able to read all the headlines of what happened in the day 00:01:11.420 --> 00:01:12.760 that he was about to live. 00:01:14.040 --> 00:01:16.599 It was a really cool idea for a show. 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:21.359 And best I can remember, there was some tension over, 00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:23.680 well, can I change the bad things? 00:01:23.780 --> 00:01:26.099 Can I save the people that were in an accident? 00:01:26.099 --> 00:01:32.939 And he's running to and fro trying to stop all these bad things from happening. 00:01:33.219 --> 00:01:37.280 And the question is whether he will be able to do that 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:42.799 and change the future or the present or whether it's fate. 00:01:42.939 --> 00:01:44.719 It was a really cool show. 00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:53.200 And I remember thinking, wouldn't that be awesome if we had, you know, 00:01:53.280 --> 00:02:04.739 maybe if God just gave us a news article or a Snapchat or an Instagram from the future 00:02:04.739 --> 00:02:10.219 where we could just kind of look at that and know that that was coming in our lives, 00:02:10.219 --> 00:02:16.020 that moment, even if we didn't understand what was in the picture or who the person was? 00:02:17.400 --> 00:02:19.439 How would it affect how we live? 00:02:19.500 --> 00:02:22.780 I mean, if it was a bad thing, but how would that affect how we live? 00:02:22.780 --> 00:02:25.780 If it was a good thing, you know, how would that affect it? 00:02:25.780 --> 00:02:35.020 Well, this morning, we're looking at a place where God does this very thing. 00:02:35.659 --> 00:02:41.520 He actually gives us a picture of what's coming in the future. 00:02:42.539 --> 00:02:46.780 And the question that we're going to be considering as we look at that is, 00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:50.500 how will that affect how we live? 00:02:50.500 --> 00:02:54.539 And in this series that we're doing on prayer, how will that affect how we pray? 00:02:55.759 --> 00:02:58.259 This is the last message in this series. 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:03.180 As a bit of a reminder of where we've come from, 00:03:03.180 --> 00:03:06.960 we began this series with Paul urging Timothy. 00:03:07.139 --> 00:03:17.780 I urge then, first of all, that prayers, petitions, intercession, thanksgiving be made for all people. 00:03:17.780 --> 00:03:24.159 And over the last number of weeks, we've been looking at various groups of all people. 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:25.560 Who does that include? 00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:27.580 We've talked about our families. 00:03:28.020 --> 00:03:30.560 We've talked about our church, one another. 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:32.659 We've talked about praying for our community. 00:03:33.740 --> 00:03:37.979 We've talked about praying for those in our lives that don't believe in Jesus. 00:03:37.979 --> 00:03:50.780 And one of the anchoring principles that we've kind of held through this whole thing is this truth that we can have confidence in prayer 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:57.519 when we ask God to do things that He wills, that He desires to do. 00:03:57.520 --> 00:04:03.760 And so we've been looking at each of these groups of people in our lives over the past number of weeks and asking that question. 00:04:03.860 --> 00:04:05.700 What does God will in my family? 00:04:06.480 --> 00:04:08.439 What does He will in our church? 00:04:08.540 --> 00:04:11.820 And, of course, in one sermon on each of these things, 00:04:11.820 --> 00:04:19.819 we can't really unpack all that He desires for these various relationships that we have. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:27.459 But hopefully that's helped to get us thinking in that direction so that we're praying more than just, 00:04:28.159 --> 00:04:31.500 please bless and be with and bless and be with and bless and be with. 00:04:32.100 --> 00:04:37.819 Well, this morning, we come to the final relationship. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:41.759 We're praying about the world. 00:04:42.219 --> 00:04:45.159 We're talking about praying about the world, about the nations. 00:04:45.160 --> 00:04:50.180 And even as I say that, I'm aware that some of us are thinking, 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:52.640 oh, the nations, the world. 00:04:53.900 --> 00:05:00.740 We tend to be more concerned with stuff that goes on right here around us, 00:05:01.240 --> 00:05:06.379 stuff that's not far away but stuff that's close, the people that are close to us. 00:05:06.580 --> 00:05:10.840 And, well, the people, the nations, you know, the world, the world is so big. 00:05:10.940 --> 00:05:12.580 Those people are so far away. 00:05:12.579 --> 00:05:18.800 I have a hard time praying for just my family and my church as it is. 00:05:19.779 --> 00:05:22.979 I've got to pray for the world, for the nations. 00:05:26.539 --> 00:05:30.680 And so this morning, I want to look at, we want to look together at a snapshot 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:36.419 that God gives us of the end of the story, the end of our story, 00:05:36.420 --> 00:05:43.480 that I think will really stir our hearts to see just how important it is that we pray for all people 00:05:43.480 --> 00:05:49.000 and that that goes to its widest sense to the world and to the nations. 00:05:50.520 --> 00:05:54.960 So, Revelation chapter 7. 00:05:55.720 --> 00:05:57.600 We're going to be starting in verse 9. 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:04.040 But maybe before we do, I should probably just give us a little bit of up to speed on what's going on here. 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:08.240 Revelation is a very unique writing in the Bible. 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:15.680 Essentially, the apostle John is on an island where he receives a vision from Jesus Christ, 00:06:15.760 --> 00:06:17.620 a revelation from Jesus Christ. 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:24.379 And he describes what he sees through this whole revelation. 00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:26.379 Jesus appears to him. 00:06:26.959 --> 00:06:27.840 He turns. 00:06:28.379 --> 00:06:28.819 He looks. 00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:29.759 And there's the Lord. 00:06:29.840 --> 00:06:34.680 But it's not your ordinary kind of meeting with another person. 00:06:34.840 --> 00:06:38.939 Jesus looks very, you know, there's a sharp two-edged sword coming out of his mouth. 00:06:39.019 --> 00:06:40.340 There's all kinds of things. 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:42.959 It's a very dreamlike kind of vision. 00:06:43.039 --> 00:06:43.739 Very strange. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:49.719 Kind of like the visions of the prophets of old or of Joseph back in the Old Testament. 00:06:50.679 --> 00:06:52.139 Jesus appears to him. 00:06:52.560 --> 00:07:00.699 And Jesus tells him to write down word for word what Jesus wants communicated to seven churches. 00:07:01.519 --> 00:07:03.219 And so he goes through this. 00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:06.719 He writes down the words that Jesus wants to give to these churches. 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:16.160 And then in chapter 4, he says that after this, he sees a door open in heaven. 00:07:16.460 --> 00:07:21.280 And he's invited by the Lord to come up into heaven. 00:07:22.660 --> 00:07:30.140 And John describes how in this vision, he sees this great throne in heaven. 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:34.140 And there's one seated on the throne. 00:07:34.139 --> 00:07:42.199 And around this throne, there are 24 other thrones and elders seated on these thrones. 00:07:42.759 --> 00:07:47.419 And there's four living creatures such as we've never seen the likes of on our planet. 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:54.680 And these elders and these creatures, they're all worshiping the one seated on the throne. 00:07:54.680 --> 00:08:02.939 And then John notices that in the right hand of the one who's sitting on the throne, there's a scroll. 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:07.980 And there's kind of this moment of great lament. 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:16.900 There's nobody who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it and read it. 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:23.599 And then all of a sudden, John describes how a lamb comes forward. 00:08:23.799 --> 00:08:31.359 And the elders and the angels, they all recognize the lamb is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:34.819 There's seven seals on this scroll. 00:08:34.820 --> 00:08:42.540 And in chapter 6, John is describing what happens as each of these seals are broken. 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:44.540 It's a very interesting vision. 00:08:45.200 --> 00:08:50.200 It seems as though as the lamb breaks each seal, something is triggered. 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:52.360 An event happens. 00:08:53.060 --> 00:08:56.660 And so the lamb breaks them one by one, the first six seals. 00:08:56.659 --> 00:09:04.179 And as he does, things seem to be unleashed or happen on the earth. 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:11.159 And the first number of things that are described are tragic. 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:17.980 They're calamities, war, conquest, plague, killing. 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:29.840 He talks about how there are many who are killed because of the word of God and the testimony that they had maintained. 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:38.519 There's cosmic signs that happen. 00:09:38.740 --> 00:09:40.360 There's seismic activity. 00:09:40.360 --> 00:09:56.300 And as it comes to this sixth seal, verse 15 and 16 of chapter 6, we're kind of left with this picture of the people of the world running and hiding, looking for cover. 00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:57.919 They recognize it. 00:09:57.960 --> 00:10:01.759 They anticipate that the wrath of the lamb is about to fall. 00:10:01.940 --> 00:10:03.779 Judgment is coming on the earth. 00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:07.920 And they're in deep trouble. 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:14.960 After this sixth seal is broken, there's a pause. 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:30.680 And John tells us about how an angel goes out and he puts the seal of God on God's people, on the servants of God, to protect them from the outpouring of God's wrath. 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:35.460 And then we come to our passage, which is in verse 9. 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:37.279 So let's read together. 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:41.620 In verse 9, John says this. 00:10:42.319 --> 00:10:49.059 After this, I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count. 00:10:49.539 --> 00:10:54.480 From every nation, tribe, people, and language. 00:10:55.179 --> 00:10:58.879 Standing before the throne and before the lamb. 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:06.759 They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:10.439 And they cried out in a loud voice. 00:11:11.439 --> 00:11:18.480 Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the lamb. 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:26.080 You can imagine John in this moment just like, what is going on here? 00:11:26.800 --> 00:11:28.340 This is strange. 00:11:29.300 --> 00:11:30.519 What's happening here? 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:32.539 We're kind of all wondering the same thing. 00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:36.259 I mean, this is a very strange vision. 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:45.519 The first thing that we notice that John notices is the size of this multitude. 00:11:46.059 --> 00:11:52.059 He uses three different ways to kind of emphasize how big this group of people is. 00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:53.399 First, there's the word multitude. 00:11:53.659 --> 00:11:55.519 That's a big crowd. 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:57.220 But that's not enough. 00:11:57.399 --> 00:12:00.879 It's a multitude of many or a great multitude. 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:03.939 But even that doesn't quite do it justice. 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:08.720 It's a great multitude that no one could count. 00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:14.399 Literally, that to number them, no one was able. 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:27.279 We're talking a vast sea of people that John sees standing before the throne. 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:36.919 The next thing that John notices is not the size, but the diversity of this multitude of people. 00:12:37.299 --> 00:12:47.879 He notices that there's people represented there from every nation, every tribe, every people, every language. 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:55.519 From there, he begins to describe some of the other details that he notices. 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:59.759 They're standing before the throne and before the Lamb. 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:03.319 And what do they look like? 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:05.919 He says they're wearing white robes. 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:11.460 And they're holding palm branches in their hands. 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:22.899 But verse 10 is where John really begins to draw our attention. 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:26.079 He switches to the present tense, which you won't see this in our English. 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:30.559 But he kind of wants to invite us into this moment. 00:13:30.819 --> 00:13:34.199 And they are crying out, he says, in a loud voice. 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:42.600 Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:53.720 Can you imagine what it would have been like to just hear this sea of people calling out, crying out in a loud voice? 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:57.540 Can you hear the sound of their voices? 00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:01.639 And what are they saying? 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:11.679 Salvation is of our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:20.319 They're giving the credit for their deliverance, their rescue to the one who sits on the throne. 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:23.039 You are the one who has saved us. 00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:28.399 You are the one who sits on heaven's throne and rules. 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:33.259 It's a cry of praise. 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:36.439 Of worship. 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:42.240 John goes on to tell us in verse 11. 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:49.319 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:58.240 And they fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying, Amen. 00:14:59.680 --> 00:15:08.740 Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength. 00:15:09.300 --> 00:15:13.800 Be to our God forever and ever. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:15.420 Amen. 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:27.279 So here we have the elders and the creatures and the angels responding to the cry of the multitude. 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:36.519 The multitude before the throne says, Salvation is from you, God, and from the Lamb. 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:39.039 And then all the rest of them there. 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:41.799 I would have loved to have just seen what John saw there. 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:47.599 They fall down on their faces like imagine your mouth talking right into the ground. 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:50.579 And they say, Amen. 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:53.899 Yes, we agree. 00:15:54.819 --> 00:15:57.059 Salvation is indeed. 00:15:58.539 --> 00:16:02.559 From the one who sits on the throne and from the Lamb. 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:08.879 Indeed, he is worthy of praise. 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:17.159 I like to call this expression here the ten times better version of long live the king. 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:25.059 You can kind of think back to the old days of when, you know, a good king would do some worthy thing 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:27.939 and the people would shout, long live the king. 00:16:28.619 --> 00:16:31.059 May you continue to rule and be our leader. 00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:34.479 This is like the ten times better version of that. 00:16:35.419 --> 00:16:44.199 Yes, we recognize that you are worthy of praise and glory and honor and thanks. 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:54.939 May you continue to rule with your great wisdom and power and strength forever and forever. 00:16:54.940 --> 00:17:06.259 Sometimes we hear those words forever and ever and it's just like, literally in Greek, it's unto the ages of eternity. 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:16.240 May there never come a day when you do not rule with your great power and strength and wisdom over us. 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:32.759 May there never come a day when we stop giving you credit and glory and thanks and praise for rescuing us, for saving us. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:42.759 When people do good deeds, the media gives an appropriate amount of coverage. 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:47.740 This is worthy of two weeks, this SNC-Lavalin thing, well, that's stretching out. 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:49.640 But some people are saying, well, we're sick of that. 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.700 That's had enough time. 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:55.279 what these elders, these angels, 00:17:55.420 --> 00:17:56.580 these creatures are acknowledging 00:17:56.580 --> 00:17:59.120 is that there is no end 00:17:59.120 --> 00:18:01.400 to the amount of coverage, 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:03.000 to the amount of praise, 00:18:03.100 --> 00:18:05.360 to the amount of credit that you deserve, God, 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:08.779 for what you have done for your people, 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:10.720 for this multitude. 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:13.100 It's a beautiful picture. 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:16.299 Can you feel the passion? 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:20.899 Can you feel the delight and the longing 00:18:20.899 --> 00:18:24.299 of these expressions to God? 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:28.799 John's just kind of taking this all in 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:30.519 and we kind of get the sense that he's like 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:32.819 just staring at all this, 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:34.839 watching it going on, speechless. 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:37.119 What is happening here? 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:41.099 And then one of the elders, verse 13, 00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:43.019 one of the elders asked me, 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:46.299 these in white robes, 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:48.460 who are they? 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:51.299 And where do they come from? 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:55.180 I answered, 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:57.759 sir, you know. 00:18:59.180 --> 00:19:00.019 And he said, 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:02.079 these are they 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:05.379 who have come out of the great tribulation. 00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:08.619 They have washed their robes 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:10.259 and made them white 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:12.359 in the blood of the lamb. 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:14.180 Therefore, 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:16.779 they are before the throne of God 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:18.759 and worship him day and night 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.700 in his temple. 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:22.160 And he who sits on the throne 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:24.960 will shelter them with his presence. 00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:27.460 Never again will they hunger. 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:30.599 Never again will they thirst. 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:33.639 The sun will not beat down on them 00:19:33.639 --> 00:19:35.599 nor any scorching heat. 00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:38.960 For the lamb at the center of the throne 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:41.359 will be their shepherd. 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:45.939 He will lead them to springs of living water 00:19:45.939 --> 00:19:49.079 and God will wipe away 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:50.479 every tear 00:19:50.479 --> 00:19:52.159 from their eyes. 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:56.899 So, 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:59.119 John gets asked the question 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:00.559 that we're kind of all wondering. 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:02.039 What's going on here? 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:05.000 Who is this great multitude? 00:20:05.419 --> 00:20:06.819 What am I seeing here? 00:20:06.879 --> 00:20:07.919 What's the meaning of this? 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:09.140 The elder asked John. 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.360 John says, 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:10.620 well, 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:13.200 the only thing that really makes sense 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:13.400 is, 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:16.460 you know better than I do. 00:20:16.800 --> 00:20:17.960 You could tell me. 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:20.880 And then the elder does. 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:24.340 He explains a little bit of who they are. 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:27.419 Now, 00:20:27.459 --> 00:20:28.399 what I'm about to say, 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:30.799 I want you to know, 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:34.000 is a bit of an interpretive guess. 00:20:34.659 --> 00:20:35.299 And sometimes, 00:20:35.459 --> 00:20:35.659 you know, 00:20:35.679 --> 00:20:38.139 in this kind of writing in the Bible, 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:39.299 when we're looking at visions, 00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:41.240 we have to guess 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:43.159 that the symbolism is here, 00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:46.220 but there's not the same level of confidence 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:47.559 as there is in other places 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:49.339 if we're getting the symbols right. 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:53.259 But what I can't help but notice 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:55.399 are some of the details 00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:56.839 John includes in this vision. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.359 This all takes place 00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:00.919 around this great throne. 00:21:02.199 --> 00:21:03.059 A throne. 00:21:05.919 --> 00:21:09.079 What do the people have 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:11.099 in their hands? 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.740 The multitude, 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:13.319 what are they holding in their hands? 00:21:14.659 --> 00:21:15.619 Palm branches. 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:17.439 Hmm. 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:21.199 That kind of takes me back 00:21:21.199 --> 00:21:23.220 to the triumphal entry. 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.119 In fact, 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.199 John is the only one 00:21:26.199 --> 00:21:26.779 in his gospel 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.619 who specifies 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.619 what kind of branch 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:29.579 that they were holding. 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.799 It's palm branches. 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.740 And then you've got this 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:35.720 ten times better version 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:37.599 of long live the king. 00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:39.899 I'm not going to say 00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:41.799 this is what this means, 00:21:41.959 --> 00:21:42.779 but could it be 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:43.919 that this is kind of 00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:45.159 that snapshot 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:46.779 that we were talking about earlier, 00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:48.599 that picture of the future 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:51.059 when God's people 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:53.119 will get a redo 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:55.259 of the triumphal entry. 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:58.179 When we will acknowledge 00:21:58.179 --> 00:22:00.259 with passion 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:02.839 and declare our loyalty, 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.179 yes, 00:22:04.439 --> 00:22:07.480 you are the worthy king. 00:22:09.379 --> 00:22:11.419 May you reign over us 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:13.719 with all your amazing qualities 00:22:13.719 --> 00:22:14.699 forever. 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:14.840 forever. 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:21.799 The question on the table is 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:25.080 who are these people? 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.980 Who is this multitude? 00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:31.160 Now, 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:31.759 I'm going to, 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:33.400 I've been around long enough 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:34.220 to know that 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.140 many of us 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:35.900 get excited 00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:36.700 when it comes to 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:37.960 future events 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:39.340 and prophecy. 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.559 And 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:42.299 I'm willing to bet 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.039 there are some people 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.759 who think that 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.619 one of the most 00:22:44.619 --> 00:22:45.859 significant details 00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:47.399 of this passage 00:22:47.399 --> 00:22:48.339 is the first part 00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:49.319 of verse 14. 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:51.440 These are they 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.139 who have come out 00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:53.299 of the great tribulation. 00:22:54.879 --> 00:22:55.339 And 00:22:55.339 --> 00:22:56.500 as we hear that, 00:22:57.139 --> 00:22:58.619 perhaps we're already 00:22:58.619 --> 00:23:00.359 racing in our minds. 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.879 The great tribulation. 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:02.799 Yes, 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.740 let's talk about that. 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.000 What, 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:05.180 what is that? 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.480 What does it mean 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.359 that these are they 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.299 who have come out 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:09.480 of the great tribulation? 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:11.539 And how does all of this 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.700 fit with the timeline 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.920 that I have in my head 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:14.880 about the rapture 00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:16.360 and the second coming? 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.019 But as a shepherd 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:22.000 and 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:23.120 an elder, 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:24.980 I want to humbly 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.920 suggest that 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:29.839 the answer to these 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.279 questions 00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:30.819 is 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:32.059 the least 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:33.500 important detail 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:35.279 in this whole section. 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:37.420 please don't 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.220 misunderstand me. 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:38.740 I'm not saying 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:40.299 it's not important. 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:42.079 I'm saying 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.700 it's 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.619 the least 00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:44.440 important. 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.460 What is 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.639 this section 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:49.680 about? 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:52.740 This section 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.200 is about 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.099 the relationship 00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:55.160 between God 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:56.480 and his people. 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:59.299 In fact, 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.200 the elder 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.899 goes on 00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:02.460 verse 14 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:03.519 down 15, 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.000 16, 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:04.519 17 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:06.160 he doesn't 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:06.740 say anything 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.119 about 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:09.019 the fact 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:09.379 that 00:24:09.379 --> 00:24:10.200 they 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:11.559 came out 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:11.960 of the great 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.619 tribulation 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:13.639 after that. 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.460 Everything 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.000 after that 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.639 is describing 00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:16.480 the relationship 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.279 between God 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:18.039 and his people 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.900 from that day 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:19.799 on and forever 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:21.279 about how 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:21.720 they will 00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:23.000 never hunger. 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:24.220 They will 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:25.319 never thirst 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:25.920 again. 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:26.960 All their 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.700 longings 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.440 will be 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.240 satisfied 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.039 once and 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.460 for all 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:30.980 forever. 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.279 He talks 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:33.900 about how 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:35.140 the Lamb 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:35.980 will be 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.759 their shepherd, 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:37.500 that he 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.019 will lead 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.420 them to 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:39.040 springs of 00:24:39.040 --> 00:24:39.860 living water, 00:24:40.040 --> 00:24:40.860 how God 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.320 will wipe 00:24:41.320 --> 00:24:42.120 every tear 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:42.600 from their 00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:42.980 eyes. 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.940 What is 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.560 this section 00:24:45.560 --> 00:24:46.180 about? 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:47.400 Look at 00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:47.920 all the 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:48.420 characters 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.480 in this 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.040 vision. 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:53.080 The elders, 00:24:54.080 --> 00:24:54.940 the four living 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.440 creatures, 00:24:56.320 --> 00:24:57.120 the angels, 00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.640 the multitude. 00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:00.100 What is their 00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:00.900 attention on? 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:03.500 all of their 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.519 attention is in 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:04.980 the same 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.480 place, 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.220 the throne, 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:09.060 the one 00:25:09.060 --> 00:25:10.060 who sits 00:25:10.060 --> 00:25:10.700 on the 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.140 throne, 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:13.120 the Lamb. 00:25:14.540 --> 00:25:16.000 He is 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:18.480 the glory 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.380 and beauty 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:20.840 of this 00:25:20.840 --> 00:25:21.820 whole passage. 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:23.939 what he 00:25:23.939 --> 00:25:24.720 has done 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.939 for his 00:25:25.939 --> 00:25:26.439 people 00:25:26.439 --> 00:25:28.139 is the 00:25:28.139 --> 00:25:29.099 crown jewel 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:30.639 of this 00:25:30.639 --> 00:25:31.200 passage. 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:40.439 In 00:25:40.439 --> 00:25:41.299 verse 15, 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:44.740 the elder 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.319 makes this 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:45.740 statement. 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.399 He says, 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:47.079 therefore, 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.359 or on 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.019 account of 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.359 this, 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:50.379 they are 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:50.940 before the 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.440 throne of 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:51.900 God and 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:52.680 worship him 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.820 day and 00:25:53.820 --> 00:25:54.540 night in 00:25:54.540 --> 00:25:55.100 his temple. 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.660 On account 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.260 of what? 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.460 Why are 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.200 they there 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.860 worshiping so 00:26:00.860 --> 00:26:01.980 intensely? 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:02.680 In verse 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:03.300 10, why are 00:26:03.300 --> 00:26:03.700 they crying 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.260 out with a 00:26:04.260 --> 00:26:05.240 loud voice? 00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:05.940 Why are 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.640 they worshiping 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.180 him so 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.020 constantly, 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.620 day and 00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:10.020 night? 00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:13.100 It's not 00:26:13.100 --> 00:26:13.740 just because 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.160 they came 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:14.500 out of the 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:14.740 great 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.400 tribulation. 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:20.460 God has 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.300 saved them. 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.420 It's 00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:23.320 because in 00:26:23.320 --> 00:26:24.400 the last 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:24.759 half of 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.620 verse 14, 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:28.080 Jesus is 00:26:28.080 --> 00:26:28.780 the lamb 00:26:28.780 --> 00:26:31.120 whose blood 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:31.800 was shed 00:26:31.800 --> 00:26:32.600 so that 00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:33.880 their robes 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:34.280 could be 00:26:34.280 --> 00:26:34.640 washed 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.019 white. 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:40.040 Take a 00:26:40.040 --> 00:26:40.440 look back 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:40.780 for a 00:26:40.780 --> 00:26:41.240 second to 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:41.940 verse 16 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.420 of chapter 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:42.940 6. 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:45.019 Where is 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.559 the rest 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:45.900 of the 00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.720 world at 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.660 this moment 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:48.400 in John's 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:48.720 vision? 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:52.580 They're 00:26:52.580 --> 00:26:52.980 hiding. 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.200 They're 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:55.519 seeking 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:56.059 cover. 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:58.480 They have 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.660 this sense 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:00.380 of dread 00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:00.799 and 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.420 anticipation. 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:03.740 They say 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.680 this, 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.779 fall on us 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.220 and hide 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:06.759 us to the 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.380 mountains and 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:07.820 rocks. 00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:08.799 Hide us 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.220 from the 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.779 face of 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.220 him who 00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:10.900 sits on 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.559 the throne 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.420 and from 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:13.019 the wrath 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:13.420 of the 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:13.800 lamb. 00:27:14.800 --> 00:27:15.620 For the 00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:16.480 great day 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.259 of their 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:18.220 wrath has 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:18.759 come. 00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:20.460 And who 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:21.220 can stand? 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:24.980 This 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.480 multitude 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:28.160 can stand 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:30.000 before the 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.300 throne. 00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:32.360 That's why 00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:32.660 they're 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.300 worshiping. 00:27:33.820 --> 00:27:34.580 That's why 00:27:34.580 --> 00:27:34.840 they're 00:27:34.840 --> 00:27:35.259 praising 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:35.860 God. 00:27:37.300 --> 00:27:38.259 The rest 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:38.560 of the 00:27:38.560 --> 00:27:39.500 world is 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.019 about to 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.660 face the 00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.600 final judgment 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:41.799 God. 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:44.359 But this 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:44.899 multitude 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:45.959 stands 00:27:45.959 --> 00:27:47.099 wearing 00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:48.379 white and 00:27:48.379 --> 00:27:49.240 worshiping, 00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:50.459 praising God 00:27:50.459 --> 00:27:51.359 because he 00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:52.839 has saved 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:54.119 them from 00:27:54.119 --> 00:27:54.519 that. 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:57.179 That's why 00:27:57.179 --> 00:27:57.859 they worship. 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.279 It's a 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.059 beautiful picture 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.719 of the 00:28:03.719 --> 00:28:04.619 relationship of 00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:05.259 God and 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:05.899 his people, 00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:06.839 a future 00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:07.359 picture. 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:08.359 God 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:08.599 will 00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:12.159 take a 00:28:12.159 --> 00:28:12.779 step back 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.199 from all 00:28:13.199 --> 00:28:13.559 of that 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:13.879 now, 00:28:13.979 --> 00:28:14.319 from the 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:14.979 glory of 00:28:14.979 --> 00:28:15.199 that 00:28:15.199 --> 00:28:15.639 heavenly 00:28:15.639 --> 00:28:16.159 scene, 00:28:17.159 --> 00:28:18.819 and consider 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:19.799 for a 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.119 moment, 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.539 what does 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:21.919 this have 00:28:21.919 --> 00:28:22.219 to do 00:28:22.219 --> 00:28:22.559 with our 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.039 world? 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.519 We're 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.119 talking about 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:28.559 praying for 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.159 our world, 00:28:29.399 --> 00:28:30.519 and I want 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.019 to suggest 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.500 to you that 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.279 this moment 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:33.019 that we see 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.459 here in 00:28:33.459 --> 00:28:33.839 John's 00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:35.019 vision is 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.660 a snapshot, 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:36.319 is a 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:37.460 portrait of 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:37.799 what's 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:39.200 coming in 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.720 the future. 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.700 And it's 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.339 not just a 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.039 snapshot of 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:44.279 us as 00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:45.420 the church 00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:46.539 and God. 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.619 This is a 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:48.599 global picture. 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.619 Who is this 00:28:50.619 --> 00:28:51.059 multitude? 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:51.759 Look at what 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.460 John says. 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.079 He says that 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:53.619 this is a 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.579 great multitude 00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:55.779 beyond numbering 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:57.139 from every 00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:57.839 nation, 00:28:58.500 --> 00:29:00.879 every tribe, 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:03.480 every people, 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:06.100 every language, 00:29:06.260 --> 00:29:07.340 all represented 00:29:07.340 --> 00:29:07.800 here. 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:09.960 What is 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:11.740 God doing 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:14.060 in our 00:29:14.060 --> 00:29:14.440 world? 00:29:15.020 --> 00:29:15.900 What is he 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:16.620 working to 00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.140 bring about? 00:29:17.520 --> 00:29:18.200 This is 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:18.660 amazing. 00:29:18.820 --> 00:29:19.320 We have a 00:29:19.320 --> 00:29:20.080 snapshot of 00:29:20.080 --> 00:29:20.720 what's coming. 00:29:21.320 --> 00:29:22.520 We can know 00:29:22.520 --> 00:29:23.400 with confidence 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:24.380 what God is 00:29:24.380 --> 00:29:24.920 up to. 00:29:25.580 --> 00:29:25.860 And it's 00:29:25.860 --> 00:29:26.480 not just a 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.040 plan to 00:29:27.040 --> 00:29:28.560 save us as 00:29:28.560 --> 00:29:28.920 a church. 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.640 It's a plan 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:31.060 that's global. 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.520 Every nation. 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.180 Think about 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:34.560 that. 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.120 People from 00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:36.640 Germany. 00:29:37.080 --> 00:29:38.000 People from 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.680 Iraq. 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:40.040 People from 00:29:40.040 --> 00:29:40.940 Australia. 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:41.880 People from 00:29:41.880 --> 00:29:42.600 Saudi Arabia. 00:29:42.780 --> 00:29:43.240 People from 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:44.100 South America. 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:44.580 Brazil. 00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:46.800 Every nation. 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:47.960 Every tribe. 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:48.540 Think about 00:29:48.540 --> 00:29:48.860 that. 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:49.380 That's even 00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:50.340 more particular. 00:29:53.580 --> 00:29:54.440 You think of 00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:54.700 all the 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.480 different tribes 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:56.080 of people 00:29:56.080 --> 00:29:57.060 in Africa. 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:57.700 You think of 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.759 the tribes 00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.360 of natives 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.199 here in 00:30:00.199 --> 00:30:00.619 Canada. 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.039 The Cree. 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.039 The tribes 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.539 of South 00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.059 America. 00:30:06.399 --> 00:30:07.459 Every people. 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.459 Every people 00:30:08.459 --> 00:30:10.419 group was 00:30:10.419 --> 00:30:11.159 represented 00:30:11.159 --> 00:30:11.679 there. 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:13.459 Every 00:30:13.459 --> 00:30:14.240 language. 00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:16.119 Chinese. 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:19.959 English, 00:30:20.199 --> 00:30:20.799 of course. 00:30:21.359 --> 00:30:21.740 We all 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.359 believe that. 00:30:22.459 --> 00:30:22.699 We all 00:30:22.699 --> 00:30:23.319 know that. 00:30:24.939 --> 00:30:25.740 Sometimes we 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.079 think our 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:26.799 language is 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:28.119 the language. 00:30:28.119 --> 00:30:29.359 the good 00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:29.599 one. 00:30:29.679 --> 00:30:29.939 The one 00:30:29.939 --> 00:30:30.179 that's 00:30:30.179 --> 00:30:30.559 becoming 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:30.779 the 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.379 international 00:30:31.379 --> 00:30:31.819 one. 00:30:32.419 --> 00:30:32.899 How did 00:30:32.899 --> 00:30:33.339 John know 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:34.159 that every 00:30:34.159 --> 00:30:34.799 language was 00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:34.939 there? 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.479 He probably 00:30:35.479 --> 00:30:37.279 heard people 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:37.839 praising, 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:38.759 saying this in 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.519 other languages 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.079 that he didn't 00:30:40.079 --> 00:30:40.719 recognize. 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:41.299 Chinese. 00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:41.699 Chinese. 00:30:45.699 --> 00:30:46.759 Low German. 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:46.859 men. 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:50.819 You get the 00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:51.180 picture. 00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:56.180 There's one 00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:57.720 language that I 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.819 don't know if it 00:30:58.819 --> 00:30:59.420 will be there. 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.559 Think of my 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:02.400 grandma who's 00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:02.720 deaf. 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:04.720 Sign language. 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:04.799 language. 00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.559 This is an 00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:10.440 amazing picture. 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:13.779 God is 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.480 working to 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.360 bring about a 00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:16.000 people for 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:16.519 himself. 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:18.019 To save a 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:18.380 people. 00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:21.220 And nobody 00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:21.980 is excluded 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.880 from that 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:23.839 salvation on 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:24.559 the basis of 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:25.180 their nation. 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:27.140 Their political 00:31:27.140 --> 00:31:28.079 country that they 00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:28.559 live in. 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:29.759 Nobody is 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.600 excluded on the 00:31:30.600 --> 00:31:31.360 basis of 00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:33.079 their ethnicity. 00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:33.179 ethnicity. 00:31:34.939 --> 00:31:36.079 The language 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.619 that they 00:31:36.619 --> 00:31:37.079 speak. 00:31:38.439 --> 00:31:39.119 God is 00:31:39.119 --> 00:31:40.240 weaving this 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:40.980 incredible 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.919 tapestry. 00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:44.079 This diverse, 00:31:44.639 --> 00:31:45.240 beautiful 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:46.339 people. 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:49.179 For himself. 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.819 For the 00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.500 praise of his 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.899 glorious grace. 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:58.240 And so we 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.639 come to the 00:31:58.639 --> 00:31:59.179 question of 00:31:59.179 --> 00:31:59.480 prayer. 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:03.299 do the 00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:04.099 people on the 00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:04.680 other side of 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:05.160 our world 00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:05.599 matter? 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:10.299 Think about 00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:10.680 this. 00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:12.880 Some we 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.339 would say 00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:14.500 matter less 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:15.680 because of 00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:16.900 terrible things 00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:17.299 that they 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:17.799 do. 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:18.319 You know, 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:18.900 I've heard 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:20.120 even Christians 00:32:20.120 --> 00:32:21.680 saying things 00:32:21.680 --> 00:32:23.440 like just 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:24.460 racist comments 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.180 about people 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:25.519 that are 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:25.900 Arab. 00:32:25.900 --> 00:32:28.460 you know, 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.060 people that 00:32:29.060 --> 00:32:29.940 are Palestinian, 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:30.700 people that 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:32.220 are native. 00:32:34.060 --> 00:32:34.900 All of those 00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:35.600 people groups 00:32:35.600 --> 00:32:35.920 will be 00:32:35.920 --> 00:32:36.800 represented in 00:32:36.800 --> 00:32:37.440 this multitude. 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:40.040 God wants 00:32:40.040 --> 00:32:40.920 to save some 00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:42.240 from every 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:43.200 people. 00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:45.940 And when we 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:46.580 have a picture 00:32:46.580 --> 00:32:47.060 like this, 00:32:47.100 --> 00:32:47.540 we should be 00:32:47.540 --> 00:32:48.080 the first 00:32:48.080 --> 00:32:48.660 people to 00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:49.380 move towards 00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:50.120 those people. 00:32:51.120 --> 00:32:51.880 In that 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:52.400 multitude, 00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:54.040 you may find 00:32:54.040 --> 00:32:55.000 yourself standing 00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:55.700 shoulder to 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:57.339 shoulder with 00:32:57.339 --> 00:32:57.779 an Arab 00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:59.279 brother as 00:32:59.279 --> 00:33:00.000 you praise 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:01.279 the one who 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:01.859 has saved 00:33:01.859 --> 00:33:02.619 both of 00:33:02.619 --> 00:33:02.859 you. 00:33:08.140 --> 00:33:08.779 And so 00:33:08.779 --> 00:33:09.079 when it 00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:09.460 comes to 00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:09.779 prayer, 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:11.299 I just 00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:11.539 want to 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:11.859 give a 00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:12.180 few 00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:15.700 points of 00:33:15.700 --> 00:33:16.319 application. 00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:19.819 Jesus said, 00:33:20.159 --> 00:33:20.579 the harvest 00:33:20.579 --> 00:33:21.599 is plentiful, 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:23.079 but the 00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:23.579 workers are 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:23.839 few. 00:33:23.939 --> 00:33:24.139 And so 00:33:24.139 --> 00:33:24.460 what should 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:24.759 we do 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.200 about it? 00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:26.000 Just get 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.579 started and 00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:27.259 start harvesting? 00:33:27.419 --> 00:33:27.559 No, 00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:27.879 he said, 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:28.919 pray and 00:33:28.919 --> 00:33:29.599 ask the 00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:30.399 Lord to 00:33:30.399 --> 00:33:31.419 send workers 00:33:31.419 --> 00:33:32.039 into the 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.720 harvest field. 00:33:34.439 --> 00:33:35.099 Part of 00:33:35.099 --> 00:33:35.639 our regular 00:33:35.639 --> 00:33:37.279 prayer list, 00:33:37.399 --> 00:33:37.939 our regular 00:33:37.939 --> 00:33:39.480 praying should 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.159 be that God 00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:40.859 would continue 00:33:40.859 --> 00:33:41.539 to send 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:42.500 people across 00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:43.599 cultural lines, 00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:46.759 language lines. 00:33:49.179 --> 00:33:49.919 There's not 00:33:49.919 --> 00:33:50.659 enough workers. 00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:52.319 We need 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:52.699 more. 00:33:54.319 --> 00:33:55.139 Part of our 00:33:55.139 --> 00:33:55.839 prayer should be 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:56.240 for the 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:56.919 missionaries that 00:33:56.919 --> 00:33:57.419 we know who 00:33:57.419 --> 00:33:57.899 are already 00:33:57.899 --> 00:33:58.659 serving there. 00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.399 They're doing 00:33:59.399 --> 00:33:59.859 this. 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:01.980 They're working 00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:02.799 to bring this 00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:03.719 picture about 00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:07.180 in Lesotho. 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:10.280 And so 00:34:10.280 --> 00:34:10.699 we should 00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:12.220 pray for 00:34:12.220 --> 00:34:12.960 those who 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.460 are serving 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:13.800 in those 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:14.340 places, 00:34:14.740 --> 00:34:16.760 that God 00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:17.720 would continue 00:34:17.720 --> 00:34:18.420 to do that 00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:18.960 work of 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:19.519 building his 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.639 church in 00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:21.860 those places. 00:34:25.619 --> 00:34:26.220 Lastly, 00:34:27.059 --> 00:34:28.340 we should 00:34:28.340 --> 00:34:28.960 pray for the 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:30.199 people of 00:34:30.199 --> 00:34:31.400 the nations, 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.280 the people 00:34:32.280 --> 00:34:32.860 themselves. 00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:34.019 We did a 00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:34.440 little bit of 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:34.900 that at 00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:35.300 World Day 00:34:35.300 --> 00:34:35.640 of Prayer. 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.059 We kind 00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:36.539 of focused 00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:37.120 in on one 00:34:37.120 --> 00:34:37.579 country. 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:40.140 As we 00:34:40.140 --> 00:34:40.500 read the 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:40.840 news, 00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:42.220 different 00:34:42.220 --> 00:34:42.940 countries come 00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.140 up. 00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:43.640 We have 00:34:43.640 --> 00:34:44.519 opportunity to 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:45.880 pray for 00:34:45.880 --> 00:34:46.280 the people 00:34:46.280 --> 00:34:46.579 there. 00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:47.599 One really 00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:48.579 helpful resource 00:34:48.579 --> 00:34:49.519 that if you 00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:50.120 don't have, 00:34:50.200 --> 00:34:50.800 I really 00:34:50.800 --> 00:34:51.400 recommend, 00:34:51.860 --> 00:34:52.240 is this 00:34:52.240 --> 00:34:52.579 book. 00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:53.200 It's called 00:34:53.200 --> 00:34:53.760 Operation 00:34:53.760 --> 00:34:54.160 World. 00:34:54.620 --> 00:34:55.079 This is 00:34:55.079 --> 00:34:55.640 essentially 00:34:55.640 --> 00:34:57.880 the definitive 00:34:57.880 --> 00:34:58.740 prayer guide to 00:34:58.740 --> 00:34:59.440 every nation. 00:35:01.320 --> 00:35:02.099 It's got 00:35:02.099 --> 00:35:02.900 every single 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:03.759 country listed 00:35:03.759 --> 00:35:04.259 in here. 00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:05.259 It's got the 00:35:05.259 --> 00:35:06.239 demographics of 00:35:06.239 --> 00:35:06.940 it generally. 00:35:07.259 --> 00:35:07.659 It's got 00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:09.059 exactly how 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:09.659 many based 00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:10.799 on statistics 00:35:10.799 --> 00:35:11.539 are in each 00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:12.219 denomination. 00:35:12.440 --> 00:35:12.900 It's got a 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:13.860 small list of 00:35:13.860 --> 00:35:14.559 some of the 00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:15.199 answers to 00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:15.719 prayer since 00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:16.159 the last 00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:16.799 edition, 00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:17.239 which was 00:35:17.239 --> 00:35:17.699 10 years 00:35:17.699 --> 00:35:18.019 ago, 00:35:18.219 --> 00:35:21.099 and some 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.339 of the 00:35:21.339 --> 00:35:21.759 challenges 00:35:21.759 --> 00:35:22.380 for prayer. 00:35:23.239 --> 00:35:23.699 Just very 00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:24.159 simply, 00:35:24.279 --> 00:35:24.719 ways to 00:35:24.719 --> 00:35:24.940 pray. 00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:25.500 If you 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:25.960 don't have 00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:26.199 this, 00:35:26.219 --> 00:35:26.639 I encourage 00:35:26.639 --> 00:35:27.039 you to get 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:27.480 a copy 00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:27.940 of this, 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:30.460 or maybe 00:35:30.460 --> 00:35:31.139 just pick a 00:35:31.139 --> 00:35:31.740 few countries 00:35:31.740 --> 00:35:32.320 that God 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:32.760 puts on 00:35:32.760 --> 00:35:33.199 your heart, 00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:36.219 and pray 00:35:36.219 --> 00:35:37.440 regularly for 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:38.019 the people of 00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:38.659 those countries, 00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:39.500 and I would 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:40.199 encourage you 00:35:40.199 --> 00:35:40.800 as you do 00:35:40.800 --> 00:35:42.860 not to leave 00:35:42.860 --> 00:35:44.240 certain countries 00:35:44.240 --> 00:35:44.519 out. 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:45.579 There are 00:35:45.579 --> 00:35:46.300 certain countries 00:35:46.300 --> 00:35:46.860 in our world 00:35:46.860 --> 00:35:47.400 that are known 00:35:47.400 --> 00:35:47.880 for doing 00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:48.699 terrible things, 00:35:48.760 --> 00:35:49.240 and terrible 00:35:49.240 --> 00:35:49.940 things happening 00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:50.320 in them. 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:52.300 We should pray 00:35:52.300 --> 00:35:53.320 even more 00:35:53.320 --> 00:35:53.960 for those 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:54.460 countries. 00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:56.460 Love your 00:35:56.460 --> 00:35:56.900 enemies. 00:35:57.480 --> 00:35:58.000 And pray 00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:58.440 for those 00:35:58.440 --> 00:35:59.159 who persecute 00:35:59.159 --> 00:35:59.400 you. 00:36:00.920 --> 00:36:01.400 God's 00:36:01.400 --> 00:36:02.900 heart is 00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:03.500 to save 00:36:03.500 --> 00:36:03.980 a people 00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:04.500 for the 00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:05.320 praise of 00:36:05.320 --> 00:36:06.179 his glory 00:36:06.179 --> 00:36:08.619 from all 00:36:08.619 --> 00:36:09.119 around the 00:36:09.119 --> 00:36:09.460 globe. 00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:12.480 And we 00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:13.260 can participate 00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:14.079 in that, 00:36:14.360 --> 00:36:15.000 even if we 00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.679 don't go 00:36:15.679 --> 00:36:16.400 and cross 00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:16.980 a cultural 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:18.539 line of 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:19.059 some kind, 00:36:19.099 --> 00:36:19.400 or go 00:36:19.400 --> 00:36:19.780 overseas. 00:36:19.780 --> 00:36:20.280 We can 00:36:20.280 --> 00:36:20.940 participate 00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:21.539 in that 00:36:21.539 --> 00:36:22.780 simply by 00:36:22.780 --> 00:36:23.300 praying and 00:36:23.300 --> 00:36:23.840 asking God 00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:24.340 to do it. 00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:24.800 And so, 00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:26.179 let's renew 00:36:26.179 --> 00:36:26.960 those connections 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:27.340 that we 00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:28.260 have with 00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:28.940 missionaries 00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:29.280 that we 00:36:29.280 --> 00:36:29.740 know of. 00:36:30.079 --> 00:36:30.340 Those 00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:30.860 newsletters 00:36:30.860 --> 00:36:31.139 that we 00:36:31.139 --> 00:36:31.440 get in 00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:31.960 our inbox 00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:32.460 from time 00:36:32.460 --> 00:36:32.920 to time. 00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:34.199 I get a 00:36:34.199 --> 00:36:34.320 few. 00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:34.639 I'm sure 00:36:34.639 --> 00:36:35.039 you guys 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:35.340 get a 00:36:35.340 --> 00:36:35.519 few. 00:36:36.720 --> 00:36:37.119 Let's 00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:37.579 read through 00:36:37.579 --> 00:36:38.119 that again 00:36:38.119 --> 00:36:39.420 more carefully. 00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:40.300 What do 00:36:40.300 --> 00:36:40.760 they need? 00:36:40.860 --> 00:36:41.300 How can 00:36:41.300 --> 00:36:41.800 we pray 00:36:41.800 --> 00:36:42.480 specifically 00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:43.860 for them 00:36:43.860 --> 00:36:44.280 and the 00:36:44.280 --> 00:36:44.720 work that's 00:36:44.720 --> 00:36:45.179 going on 00:36:45.179 --> 00:36:45.360 there? 00:36:45.720 --> 00:36:46.240 Maybe shoot 00:36:46.240 --> 00:36:46.480 them an 00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:46.980 email if 00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:47.280 you haven't 00:36:47.280 --> 00:36:47.639 heard from 00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.000 them in a 00:36:48.000 --> 00:36:48.460 while and 00:36:48.460 --> 00:36:49.079 ask them, 00:36:49.280 --> 00:36:50.240 how can I 00:36:50.240 --> 00:36:50.599 pray for 00:36:50.599 --> 00:36:50.699 you? 00:36:50.740 --> 00:36:50.940 What are 00:36:50.940 --> 00:36:51.559 some specific 00:36:51.559 --> 00:36:52.059 needs? 00:36:52.059 --> 00:36:52.139 things? 00:36:53.739 --> 00:36:55.139 And all 00:36:55.139 --> 00:36:55.619 of this we 00:36:55.619 --> 00:36:55.960 can make 00:36:55.960 --> 00:36:56.380 part of 00:36:56.380 --> 00:36:57.599 our regular 00:36:57.599 --> 00:36:59.259 routine and 00:36:59.259 --> 00:37:00.460 habit every 00:37:00.460 --> 00:37:00.799 week. 00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:06.599 The nations 00:37:06.599 --> 00:37:09.000 may not seem 00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:09.519 important to 00:37:09.519 --> 00:37:10.840 us, but 00:37:10.840 --> 00:37:11.139 they are 00:37:11.139 --> 00:37:11.539 deeply 00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:12.279 important to 00:37:12.279 --> 00:37:12.559 God. 00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:15.360 Amen.