WEBVTT

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 Father, we confess before you that we don't really like hearing warnings from you.

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 We confess before you, Father, that there's a big part of us who would like you to be more like a care bearer than the living God.

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 And so, Father, we confess before you that we do not like hearing warnings.

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 And, Father, we also confess before you that our yearnings and longings for your promises are also very weak.

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 So we ask, Father, that your Holy Spirit would come and fall upon us gently and deeply as we think upon your word.

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 We ask, Father, that you fan into flame within us a deep remembrance of your warnings

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 and that you would fan into flame within us a deep longing and yearning for you.

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 For you yourself and for the promises that you make to your people.

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 Jesus' name. Amen.

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 Please be seated.

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 I'm going to talk about hell next week.

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 Now that I've got your attention, I'm going to talk about hell next week.

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 And the reason I am is because, and you might have noticed in the text that Ken just read to us a few moments ago from the book of Revelation,

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 that it ends, or close to the end of it, you have two characters thrown into the lake of fire.

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 And this image of the lake of fire is in the text this week, so I could talk about hell this week.

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 But the image of the lake of fire is in next week's reading, which is Revelation chapter 20,

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 in an even more powerful sense, because this week, if you were listening very closely,

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 you'll know that God puts, and I'll talk about this a bit more in a moment,

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 the beast and the false prophet in the lake of fire.

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 And next week, the text will have the dragon, who's the devil,

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 and death, and all of us who are not in Jesus thrown into the lake of fire.

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 So I thought that what I would do is that rather than talking about the lake of fire both weeks,

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 I'll talk about it next week.

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 So if at the end of the sermon you think, oh, George is dodging,

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 I'm going to talk about some gruesome things today.

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 But if you're thinking I'm dodging that, then I just want to let you know that I'm not dodging it at all.

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 We're going to talk about it next Sunday.

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 And I mention this specifically so that you could pray for me, that I do it well.

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 You might not know this.

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 I can't remember if I've said it before,

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 but I've developed this simple thing that I try to pray for myself every day

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 as I'm working on the sermon,

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 and the sermon every day leading up to the Sunday, at least a little bit.

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 And part of the things I pray for is I use the acronym FACES as I pray.

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 And I really like it because I do two things when I use it.

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 First of all, I think I have God call up to my mind different faces in the congregation

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 or different faces of people that I've been talking to about Jesus who don't come to any church.

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 And I pray for you.

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 Not every one of you every time, but I'll think, you know, Father, you know, when this, you know,

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 and I don't want to start naming your names, but, you know, as I open the word, as we gather,

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 you know, please help the word to really touch this person.

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 I mention you by name.

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 And FACES is also an acronym, and it's, I'll tell you sort of the order,

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 and then you can see how it fits into a word.

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 I pray that as I open the Bible and as I teach that my teaching will be simple,

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 that it will be clear, that it will be apt, that it will be faithful to the Bible,

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 and that it will exalt Jesus and exalt God.

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 And if you put that in an acronym, I pray that I'll, what I say will be faithful to what the Bible says,

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 that it will be apt, that it will be clear, that it will exalt God,

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 and that it will be simple.

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 So every week, I pray for FACES.

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 I pray other things as well for my sermon as well.

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 So please pray for me over this coming week, and pray FACES.

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 Pray for me for FACES, and pray for FACES in the congregation as well,

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 so that when we talk about this very difficult text about the Lake of Fire,

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 that I will be, that FACES will characterize what I have to say.

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 So next week, I'll talk about the Lake of Fire.

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 But this week, we still have, at the end, the second half of the text is pretty gruesome.

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 But before we get to the gruesome part, we have to see what leads up to the gruesome part.

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 So if you have your Bibles with you, and hopefully you do,

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 if you could open your Bibles up to Revelation chapter 19.

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 And if you've forgotten your Bibles, at the front of the church here, there's three Bibles,

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 and you can feel free to take one of them if you want.

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 Just get up out of your seats, come and take them.

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 You can keep it as a gift, or you can return it afterwards.

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 And if you're not that familiar with the Bible, the book of Revelation is very easy to find.

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 It's the last book in the Bible.

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 And Revelation 19 is right towards the end.

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 And so those of you who are tracking how we're going through it next week,

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 it's Revelation 20, then 21, then 22.

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 And let's start reading.

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 Because the first part is very glorious.

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 It's a very, very interesting text, Revelation 19.

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 It has both two of the most profoundly beautiful images of salvation

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 and the future for us to long for, which defy our imagination,

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 and it also has something gruesome, all in the same text.

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 And it begins like this, Revelation chapter 19, beginning at the first verse.

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 After this, I, that's John, heard what seemed to be the loud voice

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 of a great multitude in heaven crying out,

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 Hallelujah!

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 Where are the kids to help us, eh?

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 Okay.

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 Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

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 for his judgments are true and just,

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 for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality

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 and has avenged on her the blood of his servants, his slaves, his doulos.

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 And just sort of pause there for a second.

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 I didn't actually believe this at first when I was preparing my sermon,

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 and I actually checked on it.

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 But it's very, very funny.

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 Actually, hallelujah is a great Christian word.

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 And we said it quite a few times earlier on in the service.

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 We're going to say it a few times before the service is over.

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 But did you know, I didn't know this.

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 Maybe you did know this because you're a better Bible scholar than me.

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 But the word hallelujah only occurs four times in the New Testament.

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 And all four times that hallelujah occurs are in the first six verses of Revelation 19.

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 In fact, when I came across that, I actually checked on a computer concordance to see if it was true.

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 Like, I actually doubted it.

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 And it's true.

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 It's a very, very common Old Testament word.

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 But in the New Testament, it only occurs four times.

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 And those four times are in the first six verses of the book of Revelation.

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 And it means praise God.

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 Praise God.

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 It's a call of acclamation.

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 It's a call of encouragement for others.

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 It's a personal call.

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 I'm praising you, God.

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 Others, come on, join me in praising God.

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 Hallelujah.

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 And it's as part of this great song that's sung by the great multitudes of heaven.

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 Hallelujah.

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 Salvation and glory and power.

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 Salvation doesn't belong to me.

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 Salvation doesn't belong to a church.

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 Salvation doesn't belong to an institution.

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 Salvation doesn't belong to a political philosophy.

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 It doesn't belong to an ideology.

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 It doesn't belong to a social class.

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 It doesn't belong to an economic class.

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 Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.

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 And that's the great cry.

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 And not only are they praising God and shouting hallelujah,

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 because salvation and glory and power belong to God,

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 but the specific focus of the praising of God and the singing of hallelujah

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 is because he is true and just,

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 and now he has acted with truth and justice in judging evil.

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 God is praised because he is true and just,

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 and now he has acted with truth and justice in judging evil.

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 That's why he's praised.

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 That's sort of the heart of it.

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 That's what the for is for.

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 If you know salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

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 for his judgments are true and just,

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 for he has judged the great prostitute.

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 And in terms of who this great prostitute is,

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 if you're guests here, it's a bit of a confusing image.

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 But we've been going through the book of Revelation.

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 We started at chapter 1, verse 1,

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 and we're going to go right through to the end.

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 We're basically preaching through a chapter week, most weeks.

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 And there's sort of four primary actors in the book of Revelation

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 who are, in a sense, the organizers, the cheerleaders,

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 the tempters, the enforcers, the source of longing and yearning

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 that all are in rebellion against God.

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 Four, in a sense, primary actors or images of actors

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 that, in a sense, work with us as human beings

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 in rebellion against God.

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 And in chapters 17, 18, and 19,

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 it's been talked about the judgment of Babylon,

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 or of the great prostitute.

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 And it's an image of the city organized in rebellion against God.

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 Babylon, or the great prostitute,

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 sometimes in the book of Revelation,

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 it's referred to as Jerusalem,

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 sometimes as Rome, sometimes as Egypt,

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 uses a variety of different things.

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 But it's a consistent image of the city.

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 In a sense, that's politics, of culture, of entertainment,

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 of everything that the city represents.

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 And we understand cities as a powerful type of image.

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 And it's the city organized in rebellion against God.

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 And that's what's being judged here.

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 And as I've said in the weeks that have gone before this,

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 in some ways, there's both a future and a present aspect of this image

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 of a city organized in rebellion against God.

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 That, unfortunately, in every city, so to speak, in the planet,

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 even in the best, we can get the whiff of Babylon.

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 And in some cities, there is the stench of Babylon.

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 And that's the present day.

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 And those of us who are called to positions of leadership in government,

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 or in the economy, or in law, or culture,

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 are, in a sense, reminded by the book of Revelation

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 to be sensitive to the smell of Babylon

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 that develops in your city, in our city,

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 and to act against it.

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 Because this text isn't teaching anarchism,

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 that no city should exist.

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 At the end of the book of Revelation,

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 it pictures kings and leaders of the world coming to Jesus.

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 So it's not condemning politics per se,

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 but it's warning us that in every city

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 there is at least the tiniest whiff of Babylon,

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 and we should resist it.

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 We should not be enticed by it.

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 We should flee it,

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 and we should pursue that which honors and glorifies God,

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 and which is for the true good of the city.

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 But there will come some day

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 when there will be that great city,

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 which only is of,

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 which is, in a sense, is Babylon.

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 And here we see in the book of Revelation

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 that even though there can be some cities

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 that just seem unbeatable

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 and unbelievably influential,

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 and it's impossible for us to imagine

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 a time or a day

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 when their influence will wane

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 or will go away,

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 that salvation and glory and power

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 belong to our God

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 and that Jesus is King of kings

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 and Lord of lords.

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 And those parts of a city

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 whereby there is the stench of Babylon,

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 where there is, in fact,

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 profound injustice,

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 the murder of the innocent,

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 where there is, in fact,

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 profound oppression and injustice,

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 where there is, in fact,

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 the exaltation of evil,

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 and there is, in fact,

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 the bold, self-confident,

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 blaspheming of God

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 and denouncing God

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 and turning it back on God

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 and exalting of self

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 and all of the terrible evil

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 and the evil that befalls human beings

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 as a result of such evil

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 and the great evil

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 that even as that

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 has a great terrible consequence

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 on ordinary human beings,

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 yet so many ordinary human beings

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 yet still have a great love

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 and a yearning for Babylon.

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 And even though Babylon

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 seems to be so completely

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 and utterly undefeatable

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 and will not be turned back,

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 there is, in fact,

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 a God who does exist

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 and Jesus is King of kings

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 and Lord of lords

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 and he will judge Babylon.

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 And we will see his judgment.

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 And when we see his judgment,

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 we will realize that he is just,

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 he is judged with complete fairness

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 and even with mercy

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 and goodness and truth

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 and that there is no excuse

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 and there can be no complaint

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 because of the perfect justice

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 of his judgment.

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 And we will see that perfect judgment

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 and praise God

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 and say,

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 Hallelujah.

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 Hallelujah.

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 The living God is just

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 and at the end

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 he will be known as just

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 and no one will have

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 a valid complaint against him.

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 The living God is just

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 and at the end

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 he will be known as just

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 and no one will have

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 a valid complaint against him.

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 As I've been a Christian longer,

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 I know that there's lots

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 of terrible evil.

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 Lately, for a variety of reasons,

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 I've come across

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 quite a few documentaries

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 all around the Holocaust.

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 And actually,

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 so there's been several weeks

00:15:28.819 --> 00:15:30.179
 in a row that my wife and I

00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:31.600
 and the kids at home,

00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:32.740
 we've watched on a Friday

00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:33.600
 or a Saturday night,

00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:35.080
 I think maybe once on a Sunday,

00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:38.840
 documentaries connected

00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:40.080
 to the Holocaust.

00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:42.940
 And I in my own life

00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:43.539
 have seen evil.

00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:45.580
 I've done evil myself.

00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:47.759
 I've been at the receiving end

00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.500
 of evil.

00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:51.560
 But you know what?

00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:54.019
 And I've had to hear

00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:55.240
 and deal with questions

00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.060
 about what happens

00:15:56.060 --> 00:15:57.019
 to people who don't know

00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:57.600
 about Jesus

00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:59.019
 and all of that.

00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:00.440
 And all I can tell you is,

00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:01.799
 especially as I've read

00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:02.679
 the book of Revelation

00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:04.099
 and as I study

00:16:04.099 --> 00:16:04.939
 the book of Romans

00:16:04.939 --> 00:16:06.459
 and the longer that I'm a Christian,

00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.639
 all I can tell you,

00:16:08.579 --> 00:16:09.599
 and as I start,

00:16:09.819 --> 00:16:10.259
 as I have,

00:16:11.059 --> 00:16:11.879
 as increasingly,

00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.620
 but not as fast

00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:14.719
 as I wish it was,

00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:16.319
 as I'm gripped by the gospel,

00:16:17.359 --> 00:16:18.639
 I have just had

00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:20.479
 an ever deeper confidence

00:16:20.479 --> 00:16:21.299
 and sense

00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:23.519
 that while I can't explain

00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:24.719
 why things happen

00:16:24.719 --> 00:16:27.559
 and what the meaning

00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:28.500
 of events are,

00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.840
 and that's because

00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.779
 I'm not God,

00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:33.000
 I just have had

00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.539
 an increasing sense

00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:36.840
 that the Bible is true,

00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:39.580
 that the gospel is the true way

00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.779
 to understand the Bible,

00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:43.679
 and at the end of all things,

00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:46.179
 whatever ends up happening

00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:47.360
 and however things

00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:48.480
 will all work out,

00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.240
 that at the end of the day,

00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:51.840
 the true God

00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:53.019
 that truly does exist,

00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:53.860
 the living God

00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:54.799
 who does exist,

00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:56.679
 I will see

00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:57.740
 and you will see

00:16:57.740 --> 00:17:00.399
 that he has always acted

00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.740
 with justice and truth

00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:03.259
 and mercy and goodness,

00:17:03.819 --> 00:17:04.940
 that I will have

00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:05.720
 no complaint

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.539
 nor will you,

00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.460
 and that no human being

00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:09.720
 will have a valid complaint

00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:10.500
 against God

00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.759
 or any excuse,

00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:14.019
 and I am not God

00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:14.619
 and I don't know

00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:15.339
 what's going on

00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:16.839
 behind the scenes of things,

00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:17.879
 but I've just had

00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:19.240
 an increasing sense,

00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.079
 an increasing confidence

00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:22.599
 that this is true.

00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:23.839
 Let me just give you

00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:25.000
 a little tiny, tiny, tiny

00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.899
 illustration of what that's like.

00:17:26.939 --> 00:17:27.439
 I should have done it

00:17:27.439 --> 00:17:28.519
 before I said those things.

00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:29.139
 It's the problem

00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:30.019
 of not always reading

00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:31.199
 from a text when you preach.

00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:33.859
 This past Wednesday night,

00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:35.039
 a group of about

00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:36.159
 nine or ten of us

00:17:36.159 --> 00:17:37.359
 fed the poor,

00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:40.699
 and we now,

00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:42.119
 every second month,

00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:43.980
 we'll be partnering

00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:45.139
 with Jericho Road,

00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:46.539
 and on Wednesday nights,

00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.500
 a group of us

00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:48.539
 will have the opportunity

00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:49.879
 to go to their

00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:51.079
 Wednesday evening thing

00:17:51.079 --> 00:17:52.659
 where approximately

00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:55.040
 100 to 150 poor

00:17:55.040 --> 00:17:56.100
 will come,

00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:57.660
 and we get to feed them

00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:59.160
 and spend time with them

00:17:59.160 --> 00:17:59.980
 and to serve them,

00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.920
 and that's going to be

00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.140
 a regular part of our ministry.

00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:02.580
 It's going to be

00:18:02.580 --> 00:18:03.500
 every second month,

00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:05.259
 and we just did it

00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.279
 for the second time

00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:07.380
 this past Wednesday night,

00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:10.880
 and when I arrived there,

00:18:11.320 --> 00:18:12.580
 the guy asked me,

00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:12.840
 he said,

00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:14.019
 the guy who organized this,

00:18:14.100 --> 00:18:14.660
 you're a pastor,

00:18:14.800 --> 00:18:15.720
 how about would you like

00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.279
 to talk,

00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:16.540
 you know,

00:18:16.600 --> 00:18:18.000
 they always do a 10-minute

00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:19.000
 or 15-minute little

00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:20.559
 Bible presentation

00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:22.119
 in the middle of the evening,

00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:22.539
 and they said,

00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:23.160
 you're a pastor,

00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.160
 would you like to do this

00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:25.240
 in 45 minutes,

00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:27.720
 and the guy's at Pentecostal,

00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.140
 like, you know,

00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:28.779
 Anglicans,

00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:29.900
 we think we have to

00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:31.039
 pray a long time

00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:31.859
 before we preach,

00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:32.299
 but you know,

00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:33.099
 Pentecostals,

00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:33.920
 God love me,

00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:34.900
 he says,

00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:35.380
 you're a pastor,

00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:35.779
 you should be able

00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.339
 to get up and preach,

00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:36.660
 and I said,

00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.279
 sure, I'll do that,

00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:37.720
 I'll do that,

00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.240
 so I went back

00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.059
 to get my Bible,

00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:40.240
 which was in the van,

00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.700
 and as I'm walking back,

00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.640
 a street person

00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.700
 whom I've talked to

00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.799
 several times before,

00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:46.680
 just at the corner up here,

00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.840
 if I'm pointing the right way,

00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.580
 at Daly,

00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.460
 and King Edward,

00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:51.460
 and he says,

00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:52.400
 he stops me,

00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:52.720
 he says,

00:18:52.820 --> 00:18:53.500
 oh, you know,

00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:54.480
 friend,

00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:57.060
 I'm just trying to get

00:18:57.060 --> 00:18:57.759
 an extra dollar

00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.299
 or two together,

00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:59.140
 I want to go to Subway

00:18:59.140 --> 00:18:59.820
 to get a sandwich

00:18:59.820 --> 00:19:00.580
 because I'm hungry,

00:19:01.620 --> 00:19:03.140
 and I stop,

00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.820
 and I look at him,

00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:04.299
 and I say,

00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:04.980
 friend,

00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:06.900
 this is your lucky day,

00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:11.039
 I'm just one block away

00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:12.940
 from where my church

00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:14.299
 has brought loaves

00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:15.460
 and loaves of sandwiches

00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.400
 and soup

00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:17.559
 and cookies,

00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:19.539
 you can come with me,

00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:20.759
 and you can have

00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.420
 as much to eat

00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:22.059
 as you want,

00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:26.180
 and he mumbled

00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.559
 and said,

00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.840
 well,

00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:27.240
 you know,

00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:28.319
 maybe after I've gotten

00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.960
 a few dollars

00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:31.220
 because I need something

00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:31.660
 to drink

00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:32.720
 and get some cigarettes,

00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:34.380
 maybe I'll come over

00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:35.819
 to get some sandwiches,

00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.440
 and I'm just saying

00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:37.840
 all that

00:19:37.840 --> 00:19:38.460
 because you see,

00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:39.700
 if somebody from the outside

00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.519
 was just looking

00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.740
 at me

00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:43.360
 and this guy,

00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:44.679
 and he has his hand out

00:19:44.679 --> 00:19:46.579
 and the person

00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.139
 maybe knows

00:19:47.139 --> 00:19:47.899
 that I'm a Christian,

00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:49.000
 a follower of Jesus,

00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:50.299
 and this guy

00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.319
 has his hand out

00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:52.139
 and he doesn't hear

00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:52.899
 the conversation,

00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:54.019
 all he does is see us

00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:56.039
 and he sees me smiling

00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.919
 and maybe he thinks

00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:57.799
 I'm smiling at him,

00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:58.500
 mocking him,

00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.799
 and then he sees me

00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:00.479
 walking away

00:20:00.479 --> 00:20:01.500
 without putting any money

00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:02.019
 in his pocket,

00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:03.119
 maybe they'd say to them,

00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:04.139
 look at those Christians,

00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.379
 they don't care about the poor,

00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:06.459
 they're all just full

00:20:06.459 --> 00:20:07.679
 of pious talk,

00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.279
 you know,

00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:08.719
 blah, blah,

00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.399
 woof, woof,

00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.339
 yada, yada,

00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:11.859
 but you know what,

00:20:11.919 --> 00:20:12.899
 they didn't actually

00:20:12.899 --> 00:20:14.459
 hear the conversation

00:20:14.459 --> 00:20:15.500
 and see what went on,

00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:16.480
 they didn't hear me say

00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.459
 this is your lucky day,

00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.519
 you can come over here

00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:20.079
 and you can have sandwiches

00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:21.500
 as much as you want,

00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.199
 you can have soup

00:20:22.199 --> 00:20:22.799
 and you can have

00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:24.439
 homemade chocolate chip cookies,

00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:28.579
 all they would have seen

00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.659
 from a distance is that

00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.299
 and I guess

00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.379
 as I've been a Christian

00:20:31.379 --> 00:20:32.319
 longer and longer

00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:34.299
 and as I've come

00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:34.919
 to know Jesus

00:20:34.919 --> 00:20:35.599
 more and more

00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.480
 and trust the word

00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.000
 more and more,

00:20:37.379 --> 00:20:38.839
 I just have this deep sense

00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:40.199
 that there's a lot

00:20:40.199 --> 00:20:41.419
 of really terrible things

00:20:41.419 --> 00:20:42.339
 that go on in the world

00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:44.259
 and there's some

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.379
 really terrible things

00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:46.319
 that have befallen you

00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:47.419
 who are here in this room

00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:49.139
 and there is some

00:20:49.139 --> 00:20:49.759
 terrible things

00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.779
 that you have maybe done

00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.839
 who are here in this room

00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:54.919
 and maybe some of us

00:20:54.919 --> 00:20:56.980
 have an unrecognized anger

00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.879
 against God

00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:59.259
 and complaints against God

00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:01.539
 and all I'm saying is

00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.740
 that this text

00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.399
 is telling us

00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:04.000
 that at the end

00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:04.439
 of the end

00:21:04.439 --> 00:21:04.859
 of the end

00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:05.359
 of the end

00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:07.000
 in the last days

00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:09.559
 the Bible is teaching

00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:11.479
 that when God

00:21:11.479 --> 00:21:12.639
 reveals all

00:21:12.639 --> 00:21:15.399
 all that has gone on

00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:16.939
 and all that he's done

00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:20.000
 and when even after death

00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.599
 he continues to act

00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:22.099
 and work

00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:25.059
 that we will have

00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:26.379
 this sure and certain

00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:27.579
 knowledge

00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:29.699
 that God is just

00:21:29.699 --> 00:21:30.379
 and true

00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:31.159
 and merciful

00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:31.799
 and good

00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:33.219
 that he has acted

00:21:33.219 --> 00:21:33.939
 with justice

00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.600
 and truth

00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:35.240
 and mercy

00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.039
 and goodness

00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:38.460
 and not a single

00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:39.140
 person

00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:40.320
 who's ever lived

00:21:40.320 --> 00:21:41.299
 will have

00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.519
 a valid complaint

00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.820
 or valid excuse

00:21:43.820 --> 00:21:45.460
 and the saints

00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.160
 will sing

00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:48.220
 with all the angels

00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.519
 hallelujah

00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.640
 salvation

00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:51.240
 and glory

00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:51.860
 and power

00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:53.039
 belong to our God

00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:54.220
 for his judgments

00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:55.740
 are true and just

00:21:55.740 --> 00:22:00.860
 now some of us

00:22:00.860 --> 00:22:01.480
 might say

00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.080
 when we're listening

00:22:02.080 --> 00:22:02.360
 to this

00:22:02.360 --> 00:22:03.320
 you're going to get

00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:04.139
 to the gruesome part

00:22:04.139 --> 00:22:04.399
 I know

00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:04.720
 and I know

00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.039
 you're going to

00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:05.399
 talk about

00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:06.079
 the lake of fire

00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.799
 next week

00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.460
 I'm going to

00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:08.240
 give you a pass

00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:08.759
 on that

00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:10.599
 so you can talk

00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:11.039
 about that

00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.720
 next week

00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:13.179
 but it does

00:22:13.179 --> 00:22:14.059
 sound a little bit

00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:14.379
 George

00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:14.839
 as if

00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:15.339
 you know

00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:16.240
 worship God

00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:17.000
 or he's going

00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.939
 to punish you

00:22:17.939 --> 00:22:19.939
 and that's actually

00:22:19.939 --> 00:22:20.639
 a very very

00:22:20.639 --> 00:22:21.379
 common

00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:22.279
 actually there's

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.099
 many Christians

00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:23.899
 at different times

00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.359
 in history

00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:24.839
 who've had

00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:25.339
 that type

00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:25.899
 of a sense

00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:27.240
 that as long

00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:27.599
 as I live

00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.139
 a good life

00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:29.079
 God won't punish me

00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:29.779
 that Christianity

00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:31.000
 is a type of religion

00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:31.700
 about doing

00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.680
 particular types

00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.500
 of good works

00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:35.360
 and if you don't

00:22:35.360 --> 00:22:36.019
 do good works

00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:37.059
 God will zap you

00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:37.779
 and it's really

00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.720
 as if it's a type

00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:41.480
 of behavior modification

00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:43.200
 policy of avoiding

00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:43.880
 being zapped

00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.559
 by God

00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:46.700
 but Revelation 19

00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:48.160
 not only is a celebration

00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:49.299
 of who God is

00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.539
 is true and just

00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:51.059
 and good

00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.740
 and merciful

00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:53.220
 and that there will

00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.059
 come a time

00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:55.380
 when every person

00:22:55.380 --> 00:22:56.420
 will see and understand

00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.220
 that he is good

00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:57.620
 and true

00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:58.100
 and just

00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:58.660
 and merciful

00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:59.240
 and there will

00:22:59.240 --> 00:23:00.000
 be no excuse

00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.820
 and no complaint

00:23:00.820 --> 00:23:02.960
 but the Christian

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.019
 faith is so much

00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:04.860
 more than that

00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:07.259
 and now we come

00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:07.980
 to two of the

00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:09.100
 greatest images

00:23:09.100 --> 00:23:10.040
 of salvation

00:23:10.040 --> 00:23:10.880
 in the Bible

00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:12.900
 and it starts

00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:14.040
 at verse 3

00:23:14.040 --> 00:23:15.480
 once more

00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.180
 they cried out

00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:17.140
 Revelation 19

00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:17.759
 verse 3

00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.820
 Hallelujah

00:23:18.820 --> 00:23:20.200
 the smoke

00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:20.560
 from her

00:23:20.560 --> 00:23:21.019
 goes up

00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:21.700
 forever and ever

00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:23.140
 and the 24 elders

00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:23.960
 and the four living

00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.420
 creatures

00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.620
 fell down

00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:26.360
 and worshipped

00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:26.740
 God

00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.200
 who was seated

00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:27.740
 on the throne

00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.100
 saying

00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:28.959
 Amen

00:23:28.959 --> 00:23:30.059
 Hallelujah

00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.819
 and from the throne

00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.480
 came a voice

00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:32.859
 saying

00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:34.539
 Praise our God

00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:36.059
 all you his servants

00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:37.199
 you who fear him

00:23:37.199 --> 00:23:38.240
 small and great

00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.199
 then I heard

00:23:39.199 --> 00:23:39.959
 what seemed to be

00:23:39.959 --> 00:23:41.339
 the voice of a great multitude

00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:42.299
 like the roar

00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.279
 of many waters

00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.559
 and like the sound

00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.439
 of mighty peals

00:23:45.439 --> 00:23:45.919
 of thunder

00:23:45.919 --> 00:23:46.619
 crying out

00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.500
 Hallelujah

00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.899
 for the Lord

00:23:48.899 --> 00:23:49.679
 our God

00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:51.199
 the Almighty reigns

00:23:51.199 --> 00:23:52.379
 let us rejoice

00:23:52.379 --> 00:23:53.099
 and exult

00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:54.240
 and give him the glory

00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.599
 for the marriage

00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.319
 of the Lamb

00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:56.980
 has come

00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:58.120
 and his bride

00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:59.120
 has made herself

00:23:59.120 --> 00:23:59.519
 ready

00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.700
 it was granted

00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.700
 her to clothe

00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.200
 herself

00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:03.120
 with fine linen

00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:04.099
 bright and pure

00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:05.579
 for the fine linen

00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.579
 is the righteous

00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.200
 deeds

00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:08.400
 of the saints

00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:11.099
 the redeemed

00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:12.599
 are the bride

00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.140
 of Christ

00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:15.460
 the redeemed

00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.759
 are the bride

00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.299
 of Christ

00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:18.720
 it's this powerful

00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.660
 corporate

00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.680
 image

00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:23.460
 at a worldly level

00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.660
 some of us

00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.240
 in this room

00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:26.120
 are well off

00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:26.920
 and some of us

00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:27.360
 are poor

00:24:27.360 --> 00:24:28.440
 some of us

00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:28.960
 are smart

00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:30.000
 some of us

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.440
 are dumb

00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:32.940
 some are old

00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:33.640
 some are young

00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:34.560
 some are white

00:24:34.560 --> 00:24:35.759
 some are other colors

00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.740
 black

00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.740
 Chinese

00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.160
 Asian

00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:39.019
 all over the world

00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:42.019
 some of us

00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.400
 are married

00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:42.900
 some of us

00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.320
 are single

00:24:43.320 --> 00:24:43.880
 some of us

00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.560
 vote conservative

00:24:44.560 --> 00:24:45.120
 some of us

00:24:45.120 --> 00:24:45.640
 vote liberal

00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:46.140
 some of us

00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:46.820
 vote NDP

00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:49.119
 some of us

00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:49.700
 have university

00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.299
 education

00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:50.960
 some of us

00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:51.339
 are maybe

00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:51.939
 high school

00:24:51.939 --> 00:24:52.659
 dropouts

00:24:52.659 --> 00:24:54.039
 whole range

00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:54.700
 of things

00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:57.059
 that define us

00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:58.639
 in terms of

00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:59.439
 Canadian culture

00:24:59.439 --> 00:25:00.159
 and society

00:25:00.159 --> 00:25:02.619
 but all of those

00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:03.079
 things are

00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.939
 completely and

00:25:03.939 --> 00:25:05.339
 utterly relativized

00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:07.379
 when we put

00:25:07.379 --> 00:25:07.779
 our faith

00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.240
 and trust

00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.779
 in Jesus

00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:10.200
 and there's

00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:10.980
 this corporate

00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.740
 image

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:13.339
 that the church

00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.659
 and here

00:25:14.659 --> 00:25:15.319
 when it's talking

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.019
 about the church

00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.500
 it's also

00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.119
 talking about

00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:17.700
 the Christians

00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.180
 who've gone

00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:18.920
 before us

00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:20.240
 it's talking

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.839
 about Augustine

00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.980
 and Luther

00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.000
 and Calvin

00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:25.259
 it's talking

00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.880
 about John

00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:26.619
 of the cross

00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.680
 it's talking

00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.420
 about Eric

00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:28.940
 Liddell

00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:30.359
 it's talking

00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.059
 about Hudson

00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.559
 Taylor

00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.859
 it's talking

00:25:32.859 --> 00:25:33.359
 about you

00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:33.740
 and me

00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:35.960
 and the image

00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.980
 is that

00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:38.200
 at the end

00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:38.700
 of the end

00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.200
 of the end

00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:39.819
 of the end

00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:41.160
 those of us

00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.759
 who are in

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.160
 Jesus

00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.079
 we are described

00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.940
 as the bride

00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.680
 of Christ

00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:46.480
 who in a sense

00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.400
 marries

00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:48.980
 Jesus

00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:51.700
 and the image

00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.400
 it's a great

00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.339
 corporate image

00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:54.000
 of the church

00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:54.700
 and it's this

00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.779
 image of great

00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.559
 intimacy

00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:58.019
 and affection

00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:59.180
 and compassion

00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:01.380
 with no exit

00:26:01.380 --> 00:26:02.279
 strategy

00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:04.960
 see that's what

00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.640
 a great marriage

00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:06.039
 is

00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:08.360
 in a great marriage

00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:09.220
 there's

00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:11.240
 great intimacy

00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:12.880
 and affection

00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:14.380
 and companionship

00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:15.680
 and love

00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:17.160
 and revealing

00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:18.079
 of self

00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:19.839
 and there's

00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:21.519
 no exit

00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.559
 strategy

00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:26.400
 and this image

00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.640
 of revealing

00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:29.680
 and being revealed

00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:31.019
 of intimacy

00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:33.120
 of companionship

00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:34.400
 that will go on

00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:35.579
 for all eternity

00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.819
 is described

00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.519
 as happening

00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.579
 to those

00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.500
 who are in

00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.039
 Jesus

00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:41.319
 corporately

00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:42.839
 as a body

00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:44.059
 together

00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:45.680
 not alone

00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:48.779
 the redeemed

00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.920
 are the bride

00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:50.539
 of Christ

00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:55.619
 to tell you

00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:56.000
 the truth

00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:57.359
 I sometimes

00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:58.079
 when I think

00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:58.879
 about this image

00:26:58.879 --> 00:27:00.799
 I get frightened

00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:05.559
 I get

00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:06.680
 it's a type

00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.379
 of intimacy

00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:08.200
 which is

00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:09.379
 too much

00:27:09.379 --> 00:27:13.059
 and I'm not

00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:13.519
 saying I get

00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:13.879
 frightened

00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:14.960
 it's not a sign

00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.879
 of my holiness

00:27:15.879 --> 00:27:16.659
 it's a sign

00:27:16.659 --> 00:27:17.659
 of my fleshliness

00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:20.680
 all of us

00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:21.579
 on one hand

00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.319
 long and yearn

00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:22.899
 for intimacy

00:27:22.899 --> 00:27:23.779
 and on the other

00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.500
 hand we have

00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.599
 fears of intimacy

00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:29.139
 and this Bible

00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:29.619
 passage

00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:30.979
 is providing

00:27:30.979 --> 00:27:32.019
 this spectacular

00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.799
 image

00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:34.539
 of what our

00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.519
 end is

00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.299
 in Christ

00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:37.339
 our destiny

00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:38.579
 is in Christ

00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:39.859
 some of us

00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:40.619
 here this morning

00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:41.319
 are living with

00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:41.899
 regrets

00:27:41.899 --> 00:27:42.979
 some of us

00:27:42.979 --> 00:27:43.719
 here this morning

00:27:43.719 --> 00:27:44.419
 in terms of the

00:27:44.419 --> 00:27:45.159
 eyes of the world

00:27:45.159 --> 00:27:46.039
 have been failures

00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:47.799
 some of us

00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.679
 here this morning

00:27:48.679 --> 00:27:49.279
 are struggling

00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.500
 with great problems

00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:52.259
 the Bible here

00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:52.959
 is not trying

00:27:52.959 --> 00:27:54.159
 to deny

00:27:54.159 --> 00:27:55.179
 or deride

00:27:55.179 --> 00:27:55.879
 any of those

00:27:55.879 --> 00:27:56.319
 things

00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:57.859
 but the Bible

00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:58.959
 here is trying

00:27:58.960 --> 00:27:59.620
 to say

00:27:59.620 --> 00:28:01.059
 that we can

00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:02.200
 ask God

00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:02.819
 to fan

00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:03.500
 and to flame

00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:04.279
 within us

00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.680
 a deeper

00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.259
 longing

00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:07.140
 and yearning

00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:08.680
 for this

00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.360
 our true

00:28:09.360 --> 00:28:09.900
 destiny

00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:11.360
 it's not

00:28:11.360 --> 00:28:11.880
 trying to

00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:12.480
 call us

00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.299
 to long

00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:13.860
 and yearn

00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:14.840
 for something

00:28:14.840 --> 00:28:15.620
 that's purely

00:28:15.620 --> 00:28:16.440
 self-centered

00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:17.160
 or just

00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:17.680
 completely

00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.140
 and utterly

00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:18.799
 imaginary

00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.779
 the Bible

00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.460
 here is telling

00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:20.980
 us that this

00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.640
 is the real

00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:22.980
 end and destiny

00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.519
 of even the

00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.299
 least human

00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:25.779
 being

00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.619
 who puts

00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.139
 their faith

00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:27.599
 and trust

00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:28.139
 in Jesus

00:28:28.139 --> 00:28:30.220
 even the image

00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:30.859
 of the Lamb

00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:32.160
 those of you

00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:32.500
 who are a bit

00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.019
 familiar with

00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.440
 the Bible

00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:33.819
 the way

00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.359
 that John

00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:36.399
 when he writes

00:28:36.399 --> 00:28:37.079
 his gospel

00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:38.940
 introduces

00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.660
 Jesus

00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:41.079
 he introduces

00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:42.000
 John the Baptist

00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.599
 as the greatest

00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:43.259
 of the prophets

00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.960
 and why is

00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.599
 John the Baptist

00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.059
 the greatest

00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.720
 of the prophets

00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.259
 well one of the

00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:47.139
 fundamental reasons

00:28:47.139 --> 00:28:48.339
 is that if you

00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:48.660
 read

00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:50.379
 the books

00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:50.960
 of Moses

00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.480
 and if you

00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:52.359
 read Isaiah

00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:52.980
 and you read

00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:53.539
 Jeremiah

00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:54.799
 and you listen

00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.460
 to David

00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.379
 and there's

00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:56.839
 in the midst

00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:57.519
 of all of this

00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.399
 passage of scripture

00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:59.019
 there's these

00:28:59.019 --> 00:29:00.440
 shards of light

00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:01.139
 and shards

00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:02.079
 and bits and pieces

00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:02.819
 of images

00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:04.480
 that point to Jesus

00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.659
 and you read

00:29:05.659 --> 00:29:06.759
 let's say a psalm

00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.500
 and you pick out

00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.559
 a word or a shard

00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.139
 and you realize

00:29:09.139 --> 00:29:09.680
 in the flow

00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.720
 of all of this psalm

00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:11.220
 that's just talking

00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:11.920
 about all sorts

00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.559
 of other things

00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:13.420
 there's a tiny

00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:14.480
 little bit of a window

00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:15.779
 into a tiny little

00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:16.799
 bit of an image

00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:18.099
 of who Jesus is

00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:18.720
 and what makes

00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.379
 John the Baptist

00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:19.839
 the greatest

00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:20.819
 of the prophets

00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.920
 is that one day

00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:22.899
 he's walking along

00:29:22.900 --> 00:29:24.280
 and he sees this man

00:29:24.280 --> 00:29:24.980
 walking along

00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.480
 over there

00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.860
 and he sees the wind

00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:28.140
 blowing in that man's hair

00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:29.320
 and maybe there's some

00:29:29.320 --> 00:29:30.940
 of the leftover lunch

00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:31.660
 that that man

00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:32.320
 has just eaten

00:29:32.320 --> 00:29:32.900
 and you can see

00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:34.040
 little bits of parsley

00:29:34.040 --> 00:29:35.400
 and little bits

00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:36.420
 of pita bread

00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:37.220
 in his beard

00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:38.660
 and he's walking along

00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:39.640
 and John the Baptist

00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:40.780
 turns to his disciples

00:29:40.780 --> 00:29:41.300
 and said

00:29:41.300 --> 00:29:42.840
 behold the Lamb of God

00:29:42.840 --> 00:29:44.019
 that takes away

00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:45.000
 the sin of the world

00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:46.220
 right there

00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:47.160
 standing

00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:48.180
 right there

00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:49.700
 that's him walking

00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:51.040
 all the prophets

00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:53.519
 for 1400 years

00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:54.559
 which have given

00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.460
 bits and pieces

00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.680
 of images of Jesus

00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:58.119
 and what God

00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:59.019
 is going to do

00:29:59.019 --> 00:30:00.420
 and John the Baptist

00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:00.960
 is the one

00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.440
 who can say

00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.240
 that guy

00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.039
 right there

00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:04.259
 walking right in front

00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.099
 of you right now

00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:05.799
 behold

00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:07.420
 the Lamb of God

00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.779
 who takes away

00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:10.079
 the sin of the world

00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:11.920
 that's him right there

00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:14.779
 you can't get greater

00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.339
 than that

00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:15.879
 can you

00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:21.460
 we'll see

00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:22.140
 in a moment

00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:23.100
 that the Bible

00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:23.800
 says that

00:30:23.800 --> 00:30:24.460
 in a sense

00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.640
 testifying to Jesus

00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:26.640
 and pointing to Jesus

00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:27.440
 that's the essence

00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.360
 of all prophecy

00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:30.340
 it means that

00:30:30.340 --> 00:30:30.760
 you and I

00:30:30.760 --> 00:30:31.680
 can be prophets

00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:34.060
 like John the Baptist

00:30:34.060 --> 00:30:36.640
 behold Jesus

00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:38.260
 and so the same

00:30:38.260 --> 00:30:38.980
 Lamb of God

00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.860
 who takes away

00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:40.880
 the sin of the world

00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:42.180
 the Bible

00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:42.900
 points this

00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:43.820
 picture of

00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.619
 intimacy

00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:46.419
 that he who has

00:30:46.419 --> 00:30:47.079
 taken away

00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:47.779
 our sin

00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.720
 calls us

00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.339
 to be

00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:50.740
 his bride

00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:52.079
 and it's a

00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:53.559
 corporate image

00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:54.879
 not alone

00:30:54.879 --> 00:30:56.179
 but together

00:30:56.179 --> 00:30:57.899
 not just in our day

00:30:57.899 --> 00:30:59.119
 or our denomination

00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:00.759
 but in

00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:02.480
 all churches

00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:03.500
 that are

00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.659
 where there are

00:31:04.659 --> 00:31:05.500
 true Christians

00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.960
 for all time

00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.740
 together

00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:09.039
 the bride of Christ

00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:10.379
 it's a powerful

00:31:10.379 --> 00:31:12.039
 and a beautiful image

00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:14.339
 and we can see

00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:14.879
 now here

00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:16.019
 the last few chapters

00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.960
 of the book of Revelation

00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:17.539
 one of the things

00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:18.139
 that it's doing

00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:19.359
 it's posing before us

00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:19.960
 the question

00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:21.899
 what do you long for

00:31:21.899 --> 00:31:23.960
 and what do you fear

00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:26.559
 this week

00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:28.000
 I was at a

00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.539
 sort of a gathering

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.359
 of a group of people

00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:30.980
 and there were a wide

00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:32.019
 range of ages at it

00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:32.779
 and there was this one

00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:33.680
 fellow who was talking

00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.180
 about how

00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:35.099
 he hadn't seen

00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:36.200
 his financial advisor

00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:37.019
 in a couple of years

00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:38.680
 and he's not a guy

00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:39.440
 that has a government

00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:39.920
 pension

00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:40.640
 he's a guy

00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:42.340
 like maybe some of us

00:31:42.340 --> 00:31:43.740
 that you know

00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.440
 you have to save up

00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.580
 enough money to retire

00:31:45.580 --> 00:31:46.840
 and so

00:31:46.840 --> 00:31:47.920
 for those of us

00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:48.680
 who have to save up

00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:49.620
 enough money to retire

00:31:49.620 --> 00:31:50.620
 the question always is

00:31:50.620 --> 00:31:51.860
 how much money

00:31:51.860 --> 00:31:52.320
 do you need

00:31:52.320 --> 00:31:53.460
 before you can retire

00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:55.560
 and so this fellow said

00:31:55.560 --> 00:31:55.720
 you know

00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.060
 I hadn't seen

00:31:56.060 --> 00:31:57.100
 his financial advisor

00:31:57.100 --> 00:31:57.759
 in a little while

00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:59.160
 and I saw him

00:31:59.160 --> 00:31:59.920
 and it was sort of

00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:00.500
 good news

00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.960
 but he told me

00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:03.800
 that I have enough

00:32:03.800 --> 00:32:04.860
 because I haven't spent

00:32:04.860 --> 00:32:06.360
 a year and a half ago

00:32:06.360 --> 00:32:07.420
 I was going to run out

00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.300
 of money at 89

00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:11.259
 and now he said

00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:12.319
 because I haven't spent

00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:12.940
 as much money

00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:13.659
 and my investments

00:32:13.659 --> 00:32:14.500
 have done really good

00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:16.059
 I can live to 91

00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:17.799
 but he said

00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:19.240
 the day after I turn 91

00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:20.159
 I'm broke

00:32:20.159 --> 00:32:22.180
 I will have no money

00:32:22.180 --> 00:32:23.599
 and he said

00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:24.319
 I'm 78

00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:25.500
 that's only 13 years

00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:25.799
 from now

00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:26.319
 and I'm feeling

00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:27.099
 pretty healthy

00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:28.539
 so he asked us

00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:29.599
 what he should do

00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:30.839
 I told him

00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:31.480
 he should take up

00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:32.000
 smoking

00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:36.519
 that would help

00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.460
 shorten his life

00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:38.640
 so he wouldn't have

00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.279
 to worry about

00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:40.460
 living past 91

00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:44.619
 but the Bible text

00:32:44.619 --> 00:32:45.579
 is putting before us

00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:46.619
 what do we fear

00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:49.019
 do we fear God

00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:49.380
 do we

00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:49.900
 do we

00:32:49.900 --> 00:32:51.599
 are we aware

00:32:51.599 --> 00:32:52.960
 of his justice

00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:55.140
 what do we fear

00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:55.599
 do we fear

00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:56.240
 do we fear

00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:57.160
 not having money

00:32:57.160 --> 00:32:58.319
 do we long for money

00:32:58.319 --> 00:32:59.519
 do we fear

00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.740
 getting old

00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:01.620
 do we fear

00:33:01.620 --> 00:33:03.519
 not being beautiful

00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.799
 or not being young

00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:06.099
 or not being smart

00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:07.460
 or not being successful

00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:08.819
 do we long and yearn

00:33:08.819 --> 00:33:10.019
 for success

00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:11.240
 and money

00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:12.099
 and youth

00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:12.980
 and what is it

00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:13.720
 we long for

00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.339
 and what is it

00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:14.900
 that we fear

00:33:14.900 --> 00:33:15.440
 and the Bible

00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:16.680
 is setting before us

00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:18.019
 the most profound

00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:19.480
 and practical questions

00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:20.920
 about the deepest part

00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:21.500
 of what it means

00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.220
 to be human

00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:23.980
 and to set before us

00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:25.019
 what actually

00:33:25.019 --> 00:33:26.400
 should we be longing for

00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:27.359
 and what actually

00:33:27.359 --> 00:33:28.460
 should we be fearing

00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:31.160
 and the text

00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:31.620
 which we're going

00:33:31.620 --> 00:33:32.100
 to look at

00:33:32.100 --> 00:33:33.720
 in a couple of moments

00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:35.700
 is what we should

00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:36.400
 in fact

00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:39.860
 that's what we should fear

00:33:39.860 --> 00:33:41.860
 but before we get there

00:33:41.860 --> 00:33:42.740
 before we get to the

00:33:42.740 --> 00:33:43.480
 gruesome part

00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:45.279
 the Bible sets before us

00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:46.440
 what we should long for

00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:48.680
 and the Bible

00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:49.860
 sets before us

00:33:49.860 --> 00:33:51.100
 that no one is born

00:33:51.100 --> 00:33:52.579
 as part of the bride

00:33:52.579 --> 00:33:53.120
 of Christ

00:33:53.120 --> 00:33:55.799
 we need to be redeemed

00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:58.279
 you see that's why

00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.019
 it's so important

00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.740
 for us to point

00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:00.559
 to Jesus

00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:02.039
 the Lamb of God

00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:03.019
 who takes away

00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:04.000
 the sin of the world

00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:06.279
 because no one

00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:06.839
 is born

00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:07.859
 as part of the bride

00:34:07.859 --> 00:34:08.420
 of Christ

00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:10.840
 we are all born

00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:11.460
 needing

00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.940
 the Lamb of God

00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:13.920
 who takes away

00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.820
 the sin of the world

00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:17.279
 and as we put

00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:18.179
 our faith and trust

00:34:18.179 --> 00:34:18.639
 in Him

00:34:18.639 --> 00:34:19.940
 we become

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.840
 the bride of Christ

00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:23.259
 the other image

00:34:23.259 --> 00:34:24.599
 is also a very

00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:25.799
 very wonderful image

00:34:25.799 --> 00:34:26.579
 and it's in verses

00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:27.440
 9 and 10

00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:29.199
 and the angel said to me

00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:30.079
 write this

00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:31.019
 blessed are those

00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:31.500
 who are invited

00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:32.400
 to the marriage supper

00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:32.960
 of the Lamb

00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:34.299
 and he said to me

00:34:34.299 --> 00:34:35.500
 these are the true

00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:36.940
 words of God

00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:38.159
 then I fell down

00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:38.619
 at his feet

00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:39.339
 to worship him

00:34:39.339 --> 00:34:40.139
 but he said to me

00:34:40.139 --> 00:34:41.259
 you must not do that

00:34:41.259 --> 00:34:42.400
 I am a fellow servant

00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:43.039
 with you and your

00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:43.880
 brothers and sisters

00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:45.019
 who hold the testimony

00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:45.599
 of Jesus

00:34:45.599 --> 00:34:46.839
 worship God

00:34:46.839 --> 00:34:48.079
 for the testimony

00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:48.799
 of Jesus

00:34:48.799 --> 00:34:49.659
 is the spirit

00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:50.380
 of prophecy

00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:51.500
 one of the reasons

00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:51.860
 why I said

00:34:51.860 --> 00:34:52.279
 what's the book

00:34:52.279 --> 00:34:53.159
 of Revelation all about

00:34:53.159 --> 00:34:54.359
 the book of Revelation

00:34:54.359 --> 00:34:55.239
 is about Jesus

00:34:55.239 --> 00:34:57.059
 it's not about

00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:58.319
 becoming a genius

00:34:58.319 --> 00:34:59.179
 figuring out

00:34:59.179 --> 00:34:59.920
 all the things

00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:00.599
 that are going to happen

00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:01.559
 in the last days

00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:02.159
 it's not about

00:35:02.159 --> 00:35:02.759
 figuring out

00:35:02.759 --> 00:35:04.299
 what OPEC is

00:35:04.299 --> 00:35:06.420
 or whether

00:35:06.420 --> 00:35:08.699
 Russia is Gog

00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:09.359
 and Magog

00:35:09.359 --> 00:35:11.099
 it's not all about that

00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:11.639
 although it might

00:35:11.639 --> 00:35:12.639
 touch on those things

00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:13.879
 that the book of Revelation

00:35:13.879 --> 00:35:14.980
 is a book about Jesus

00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:15.920
 what he's done

00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:16.519
 what he's doing

00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:17.279
 what he will do

00:35:17.279 --> 00:35:17.980
 why?

00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:19.639
 because the testimony

00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:20.159
 of Jesus

00:35:20.159 --> 00:35:20.799
 is the spirit

00:35:20.799 --> 00:35:21.379
 of prophecy

00:35:21.380 --> 00:35:22.539
 and the book of Revelation

00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:23.460
 is a book of prophecy

00:35:23.460 --> 00:35:24.400
 it's all about Jesus

00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:25.700
 but you notice

00:35:25.700 --> 00:35:26.079
 at the beginning

00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:27.519
 that wonderful second image

00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:29.019
 verse 9

00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:29.940
 and the angel said to me

00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:30.400
 write this

00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:31.099
 blessed are those

00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:31.539
 who are invited

00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:32.519
 to the marriage supper

00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:33.039
 of the Lamb

00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:34.500
 and he said to me

00:35:34.500 --> 00:35:35.640
 these are the true words

00:35:35.640 --> 00:35:36.119
 of God

00:35:36.119 --> 00:35:36.860
 second image

00:35:36.860 --> 00:35:37.579
 to long for

00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:39.240
 that what is heaven?

00:35:40.119 --> 00:35:41.320
 heaven is an

00:35:41.320 --> 00:35:43.039
 unending feast

00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:45.400
 with Jesus

00:35:45.400 --> 00:35:46.800
 and with God

00:35:46.800 --> 00:35:49.119
 and with all the saints

00:35:49.119 --> 00:35:52.380
 heaven is an

00:35:52.380 --> 00:35:53.579
 unending feast

00:35:53.579 --> 00:35:54.139
 with God

00:35:54.139 --> 00:35:56.019
 and in this feast

00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:56.480
 of God

00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:58.199
 we cannot drink

00:35:58.199 --> 00:35:59.139
 so much alcohol

00:35:59.139 --> 00:36:00.299
 that we will get drunk

00:36:00.299 --> 00:36:01.519
 or get liver poisoning

00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:04.000
 and we cannot eat

00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:04.519
 so much

00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:05.299
 that our cholesterol

00:36:05.299 --> 00:36:06.539
 level will kill us

00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:08.219
 and we cannot

00:36:08.219 --> 00:36:09.059
 eat so much

00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:09.679
 that we still

00:36:09.679 --> 00:36:10.440
 cannot run

00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:10.819
 and run

00:36:10.819 --> 00:36:11.199
 and run

00:36:11.199 --> 00:36:11.559
 and run

00:36:11.559 --> 00:36:11.900
 and run

00:36:11.900 --> 00:36:12.219
 and run

00:36:12.219 --> 00:36:12.539
 and run

00:36:12.539 --> 00:36:12.940
 and run

00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:17.179
 and every bite

00:36:17.179 --> 00:36:18.159
 of this feast

00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:19.059
 will be both

00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:20.300
 the most satisfying

00:36:20.300 --> 00:36:20.720
 bite

00:36:20.720 --> 00:36:21.360
 and the most

00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:22.420
 satisfying sip

00:36:22.420 --> 00:36:23.320
 that you have ever

00:36:23.320 --> 00:36:25.019
 had in your entire life

00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:26.639
 and at the same time

00:36:26.639 --> 00:36:27.320
 it will create

00:36:27.320 --> 00:36:27.920
 within you

00:36:27.920 --> 00:36:29.619
 a desire for more

00:36:29.619 --> 00:36:31.539
 of an even

00:36:31.539 --> 00:36:32.659
 greater filling

00:36:32.659 --> 00:36:34.780
 and that next bite

00:36:34.780 --> 00:36:35.960
 will be even greater

00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:36.559
 than the one

00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:37.460
 that you had before

00:36:37.460 --> 00:36:38.340
 that next sip

00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:39.240
 will be even greater

00:36:39.240 --> 00:36:39.740
 than the one

00:36:39.740 --> 00:36:40.639
 you had before

00:36:40.639 --> 00:36:42.039
 and at the same time

00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:42.759
 that it is greater

00:36:42.759 --> 00:36:43.300
 than the one

00:36:43.300 --> 00:36:44.340
 that you had just had

00:36:44.340 --> 00:36:45.139
 it will create

00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:45.759
 within you

00:36:45.759 --> 00:36:47.360
 yet a deeper longing

00:36:47.360 --> 00:36:47.960
 and yearning

00:36:47.960 --> 00:36:49.039
 for the next bite

00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:50.480
 and the next sip

00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:52.079
 and you will have

00:36:52.079 --> 00:36:52.500
 that bite

00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:53.000
 and you will have

00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:53.539
 that sip

00:36:53.539 --> 00:36:54.139
 and you will say

00:36:54.139 --> 00:36:55.259
 that is an even

00:36:55.259 --> 00:36:56.920
 greater pleasure

00:36:56.920 --> 00:36:58.699
 than what I had before

00:36:58.699 --> 00:36:59.840
 and there will be

00:36:59.840 --> 00:37:00.380
 a longing

00:37:00.380 --> 00:37:01.779
 for an even greater one

00:37:01.779 --> 00:37:03.579
 and the image

00:37:03.579 --> 00:37:04.619
 of the feast

00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:05.800
 is an image

00:37:05.800 --> 00:37:07.119
 of an infinite

00:37:07.119 --> 00:37:07.699
 longing

00:37:07.699 --> 00:37:08.480
 and yearning

00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:09.420
 that will just

00:37:09.420 --> 00:37:10.420
 grow and grow

00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:10.920
 and grow

00:37:10.920 --> 00:37:11.659
 within us

00:37:11.659 --> 00:37:13.079
 and that our future

00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:14.639
 is to be so fed

00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:15.879
 and so nurtured

00:37:15.879 --> 00:37:17.500
 and so filled

00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:18.119
 and being able

00:37:18.119 --> 00:37:19.480
 to drink of God

00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:20.379
 and of his pleasure

00:37:20.379 --> 00:37:21.339
 and of his goodness

00:37:21.339 --> 00:37:23.559
 that every sip

00:37:23.559 --> 00:37:24.759
 is a greater sip

00:37:24.759 --> 00:37:25.839
 than the one before

00:37:25.839 --> 00:37:27.000
 and creates a greater

00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:28.000
 longing and yearning

00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:29.239
 which God himself

00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:29.920
 fulfills

00:37:29.920 --> 00:37:31.359
 and even the longing

00:37:31.359 --> 00:37:32.099
 and the yearning

00:37:32.099 --> 00:37:32.739
 itself

00:37:32.739 --> 00:37:33.839
 is a pleasure

00:37:33.839 --> 00:37:37.299
 and that is what

00:37:37.299 --> 00:37:38.619
 ordinary people

00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:39.659
 like you and me

00:37:39.659 --> 00:37:41.139
 are invited to

00:37:41.139 --> 00:37:43.460
 by Jesus

00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:45.519
 go back

00:37:45.519 --> 00:37:46.379
 and read the accounts

00:37:46.379 --> 00:37:46.879
 of Jesus

00:37:46.879 --> 00:37:47.940
 in the Lord's Supper

00:37:47.940 --> 00:37:49.159
 and Jesus

00:37:49.159 --> 00:37:49.980
 is providing

00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:51.719
 a 20,000 feet

00:37:51.719 --> 00:37:52.699
 in the sky view

00:37:52.699 --> 00:37:53.839
 all of his disciples

00:37:53.839 --> 00:37:54.539
 are

00:37:54.539 --> 00:37:55.460
 they're puzzled

00:37:55.460 --> 00:37:56.239
 about how he said

00:37:56.239 --> 00:37:56.759
 he's going to be

00:37:56.759 --> 00:37:57.219
 betrayed

00:37:57.219 --> 00:37:59.119
 and Jesus knows

00:37:59.119 --> 00:38:00.319
 that over the next few days

00:38:00.319 --> 00:38:01.059
 they are not going to

00:38:01.059 --> 00:38:02.319
 show up very well

00:38:02.319 --> 00:38:03.219
 that they are going

00:38:03.219 --> 00:38:04.019
 to leave him

00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:04.539
 they are going to

00:38:04.539 --> 00:38:05.239
 flee him

00:38:05.239 --> 00:38:05.759
 they are going to

00:38:05.759 --> 00:38:06.239
 hide

00:38:06.239 --> 00:38:07.039
 they aren't going

00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:07.599
 to believe

00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:08.460
 any of the things

00:38:08.460 --> 00:38:09.179
 he said to them

00:38:09.179 --> 00:38:09.539
 they are going to

00:38:09.539 --> 00:38:10.039
 believe that he

00:38:10.039 --> 00:38:10.940
 completely and utterly

00:38:10.940 --> 00:38:11.359
 died

00:38:11.359 --> 00:38:11.759
 they are going to

00:38:11.759 --> 00:38:12.219
 believe that he is

00:38:12.219 --> 00:38:13.019
 a complete and utter

00:38:13.019 --> 00:38:13.559
 failure

00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:14.799
 they are going to

00:38:14.799 --> 00:38:15.619
 abandon him

00:38:15.619 --> 00:38:15.980
 they are going to

00:38:15.980 --> 00:38:16.899
 deny him

00:38:16.899 --> 00:38:18.039
 and that even when

00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:18.819
 women tell him

00:38:18.819 --> 00:38:19.299
 that he is risen

00:38:19.299 --> 00:38:19.819
 from the dead

00:38:19.819 --> 00:38:20.399
 they are not going

00:38:20.399 --> 00:38:21.699
 to believe the women

00:38:21.699 --> 00:38:24.679
 and Jesus gives them

00:38:24.679 --> 00:38:26.379
 a 20,000 foot in the sky

00:38:26.379 --> 00:38:27.339
 thing before it all

00:38:27.339 --> 00:38:27.839
 happens

00:38:27.839 --> 00:38:29.399
 and he says

00:38:29.399 --> 00:38:30.079
 what has he said

00:38:30.079 --> 00:38:31.000
 this is my body

00:38:31.000 --> 00:38:31.639
 which is broken

00:38:31.639 --> 00:38:32.179
 for you

00:38:32.179 --> 00:38:34.359
 and he said

00:38:34.359 --> 00:38:35.719
 this cup

00:38:35.719 --> 00:38:36.359
 is the cup

00:38:36.359 --> 00:38:37.000
 of my blood

00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:37.639
 which is shed

00:38:37.639 --> 00:38:38.039
 for you

00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:39.099
 and then he says

00:38:39.099 --> 00:38:39.739
 what does he say

00:38:39.739 --> 00:38:40.940
 I will not drink

00:38:40.940 --> 00:38:41.539
 of this blood

00:38:41.539 --> 00:38:41.940
 again

00:38:41.940 --> 00:38:42.940
 this cup

00:38:42.940 --> 00:38:43.199
 again

00:38:43.199 --> 00:38:44.419
 until I drink

00:38:44.419 --> 00:38:44.899
 it with you

00:38:44.899 --> 00:38:45.659
 in my kingdom

00:38:45.659 --> 00:38:49.799
 it is a pointing

00:38:49.799 --> 00:38:50.440
 and a picture

00:38:50.440 --> 00:38:51.019
 towards the

00:38:51.019 --> 00:38:52.119
 messianic feast

00:38:52.119 --> 00:38:53.679
 what is one of the

00:38:53.679 --> 00:38:54.299
 things that you can

00:38:54.299 --> 00:38:55.000
 do as you come

00:38:55.000 --> 00:38:55.859
 to communion

00:38:55.859 --> 00:38:56.539
 what is one of the

00:38:56.539 --> 00:38:56.940
 things that you

00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:57.599
 can pray for

00:38:57.599 --> 00:38:58.059
 as you come

00:38:58.059 --> 00:38:58.619
 to communion

00:38:58.619 --> 00:38:59.460
 one of the

00:38:59.460 --> 00:38:59.879
 things that you

00:38:59.879 --> 00:39:00.319
 can pray

00:39:00.319 --> 00:39:00.819
 as you come

00:39:00.819 --> 00:39:01.399
 forward to

00:39:01.400 --> 00:39:02.019
 communion is

00:39:02.019 --> 00:39:02.780
 dear God

00:39:02.780 --> 00:39:03.960
 please grow in me

00:39:03.960 --> 00:39:04.960
 fan into flame

00:39:04.960 --> 00:39:05.619
 within me

00:39:05.619 --> 00:39:06.660
 a longing

00:39:06.660 --> 00:39:07.639
 and yearning

00:39:07.639 --> 00:39:08.860
 to be with you

00:39:08.860 --> 00:39:10.980
 and to partake

00:39:10.980 --> 00:39:12.079
 of that feast

00:39:12.079 --> 00:39:13.200
 with you

00:39:13.200 --> 00:39:14.500
 that will

00:39:14.500 --> 00:39:15.019
 characterize

00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:15.960
 my relationship

00:39:15.960 --> 00:39:16.400
 with you

00:39:16.400 --> 00:39:17.240
 for all eternity

00:39:17.240 --> 00:39:18.680
 thank you for

00:39:18.680 --> 00:39:19.380
 Jesus and his

00:39:19.380 --> 00:39:20.079
 death upon the

00:39:20.079 --> 00:39:20.360
 cross

00:39:20.360 --> 00:39:21.079
 thank you that

00:39:21.079 --> 00:39:21.860
 that is the

00:39:21.860 --> 00:39:22.960
 means by which

00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:24.280
 I when I

00:39:24.280 --> 00:39:25.139
 receive what he

00:39:25.139 --> 00:39:26.000
 has done for me

00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:26.700
 and trust him

00:39:26.700 --> 00:39:27.460
 as my savior

00:39:27.460 --> 00:39:29.760
 that my destiny

00:39:29.760 --> 00:39:31.780
 every lord's

00:39:31.780 --> 00:39:32.460
 supper is an

00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:33.580
 invitation for us

00:39:33.580 --> 00:39:34.460
 to remember our

00:39:34.460 --> 00:39:35.340
 destiny in

00:39:35.340 --> 00:39:35.740
 Jesus

00:39:35.740 --> 00:39:37.740
 that we

00:39:37.740 --> 00:39:39.020
 will one

00:39:39.020 --> 00:39:39.480
 day

00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:40.720
 pillars

00:39:40.720 --> 00:39:42.020
 of dust

00:39:42.020 --> 00:39:45.180
 who yet

00:39:45.180 --> 00:39:45.680
 bear the

00:39:45.680 --> 00:39:46.620
 divine image

00:39:46.620 --> 00:39:47.380
 who have been

00:39:47.380 --> 00:39:48.100
 redeemed by

00:39:48.100 --> 00:39:48.940
 Jesus and the

00:39:48.940 --> 00:39:49.700
 holy spirit

00:39:49.700 --> 00:39:50.860
 lives in us

00:39:50.860 --> 00:39:52.180
 a pillar of

00:39:52.180 --> 00:39:52.580
 dust

00:39:52.580 --> 00:39:53.520
 who can be

00:39:53.520 --> 00:39:54.320
 felled by the

00:39:54.320 --> 00:39:54.800
 smallest

00:39:54.800 --> 00:39:55.700
 microbe

00:39:55.699 --> 00:39:56.980
 but our

00:39:56.980 --> 00:39:57.960
 eternal destiny

00:39:57.960 --> 00:39:59.339
 is to be

00:39:59.339 --> 00:39:59.779
 filled

00:39:59.779 --> 00:40:00.659
 with a

00:40:00.659 --> 00:40:01.980
 with such

00:40:01.980 --> 00:40:02.539
 pleasure

00:40:02.539 --> 00:40:04.579
 and such

00:40:04.579 --> 00:40:05.319
 longings and

00:40:05.319 --> 00:40:05.899
 yearnings which

00:40:05.899 --> 00:40:06.379
 are pleasure

00:40:06.379 --> 00:40:06.779
 themselves

00:40:06.779 --> 00:40:08.599
 all because

00:40:08.599 --> 00:40:09.059
 of Jesus

00:40:09.059 --> 00:40:13.480
 it's in this

00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:14.000
 comment

00:40:14.000 --> 00:40:14.819
 it's in this

00:40:14.819 --> 00:40:16.679
 context that we

00:40:16.679 --> 00:40:17.259
 can hear

00:40:17.259 --> 00:40:18.539
 of the

00:40:18.539 --> 00:40:18.939
 judgment

00:40:18.939 --> 00:40:21.259
 it's the

00:40:21.259 --> 00:40:22.799
 the great

00:40:22.799 --> 00:40:23.559
 Babylon has

00:40:23.559 --> 00:40:24.159
 been judged

00:40:24.159 --> 00:40:25.719
 we'll talk

00:40:25.719 --> 00:40:26.159
 more fully

00:40:26.159 --> 00:40:26.659
 about this

00:40:26.659 --> 00:40:27.219
 next week

00:40:27.219 --> 00:40:27.500
 I'm just

00:40:27.500 --> 00:40:27.719
 going to

00:40:27.719 --> 00:40:28.179
 really read

00:40:28.179 --> 00:40:28.659
 the text

00:40:28.659 --> 00:40:29.359
 to you

00:40:29.359 --> 00:40:31.579
 the text

00:40:31.579 --> 00:40:32.460
 is providing

00:40:32.460 --> 00:40:33.119
 before us

00:40:33.119 --> 00:40:33.899
 a question

00:40:33.899 --> 00:40:35.079
 what is it

00:40:35.079 --> 00:40:35.500
 you fear

00:40:35.500 --> 00:40:35.920
 and what is

00:40:35.920 --> 00:40:36.159
 it you

00:40:36.159 --> 00:40:36.519
 dread

00:40:36.519 --> 00:40:37.639
 what is it

00:40:37.639 --> 00:40:38.079
 you long

00:40:38.079 --> 00:40:38.559
 for and

00:40:38.559 --> 00:40:39.079
 yearn for

00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:40.679
 are you

00:40:40.679 --> 00:40:41.239
 really being

00:40:41.239 --> 00:40:41.659
 wise

00:40:41.659 --> 00:40:42.139
 are you

00:40:42.139 --> 00:40:42.859
 being honest

00:40:42.859 --> 00:40:43.379
 am I

00:40:43.379 --> 00:40:44.039
 being honest

00:40:44.039 --> 00:40:44.500
 about what

00:40:44.500 --> 00:40:44.859
 I really

00:40:44.859 --> 00:40:45.480
 long for

00:40:45.480 --> 00:40:45.839
 and yearn

00:40:45.839 --> 00:40:46.259
 for and

00:40:46.259 --> 00:40:46.579
 what I

00:40:46.579 --> 00:40:46.940
 fear and

00:40:46.940 --> 00:40:47.159
 what I

00:40:47.159 --> 00:40:47.299
 dread

00:40:47.299 --> 00:40:47.819
 am I

00:40:47.819 --> 00:40:48.119
 being

00:40:48.119 --> 00:40:48.679
 honest

00:40:48.679 --> 00:40:50.279
 do I

00:40:50.279 --> 00:40:50.839
 realize

00:40:50.839 --> 00:40:51.339
 the depth

00:40:51.339 --> 00:40:51.679
 of my

00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:52.299
 idolatry

00:40:52.299 --> 00:40:52.759
 do I

00:40:52.759 --> 00:40:53.259
 realize

00:40:53.259 --> 00:40:53.699
 the depth

00:40:53.699 --> 00:40:54.019
 of my

00:40:54.019 --> 00:40:54.399
 anger

00:40:54.399 --> 00:40:55.579
 just this

00:40:55.579 --> 00:40:55.879
 week in

00:40:55.879 --> 00:40:56.279
 a coffee

00:40:56.279 --> 00:40:56.619
 shop

00:40:56.619 --> 00:40:57.460
 over the

00:40:57.460 --> 00:40:58.000
 last couple

00:40:58.000 --> 00:40:58.339
 of months

00:40:58.339 --> 00:40:58.759
 I've started

00:40:58.759 --> 00:40:59.059
 to become

00:40:59.059 --> 00:40:59.460
 a little bit

00:40:59.460 --> 00:41:00.019
 friendly with

00:41:00.019 --> 00:41:00.579
 a guy who's

00:41:00.579 --> 00:41:01.079
 a very

00:41:01.079 --> 00:41:01.579
 very

00:41:01.579 --> 00:41:02.179
 very

00:41:02.179 --> 00:41:03.419
 devout

00:41:03.419 --> 00:41:03.859
 atheist

00:41:03.859 --> 00:41:06.759
 and he

00:41:06.759 --> 00:41:07.239
 showed me

00:41:07.239 --> 00:41:07.719
 something that

00:41:07.719 --> 00:41:08.079
 he'd just

00:41:08.079 --> 00:41:08.399
 read

00:41:08.399 --> 00:41:09.319
 he'd just

00:41:09.319 --> 00:41:09.539
 written

00:41:09.539 --> 00:41:10.839
 and I

00:41:10.839 --> 00:41:11.319
 read it

00:41:11.319 --> 00:41:13.139
 and you

00:41:13.139 --> 00:41:13.319
 know he

00:41:13.319 --> 00:41:13.819
 walked away

00:41:13.819 --> 00:41:14.239
 and then later

00:41:14.239 --> 00:41:14.719
 on he came

00:41:14.719 --> 00:41:15.079
 up to me

00:41:15.079 --> 00:41:15.319
 and asked

00:41:15.319 --> 00:41:15.659
 me what I

00:41:15.659 --> 00:41:16.119
 thought about

00:41:16.119 --> 00:41:16.299
 it

00:41:16.299 --> 00:41:17.259
 and I

00:41:17.259 --> 00:41:17.859
 read it

00:41:17.859 --> 00:41:19.000
 and it's

00:41:19.000 --> 00:41:20.939
 gosh is

00:41:20.939 --> 00:41:21.419
 this man

00:41:21.419 --> 00:41:21.980
 angry at

00:41:21.980 --> 00:41:22.339
 God

00:41:22.340 --> 00:41:25.820
 like he

00:41:25.820 --> 00:41:26.480
 he says

00:41:26.480 --> 00:41:27.320
 these things

00:41:27.320 --> 00:41:28.460
 and all I

00:41:28.460 --> 00:41:29.039
 can see is

00:41:29.039 --> 00:41:29.539
 this guy

00:41:29.539 --> 00:41:30.180
 is so

00:41:30.180 --> 00:41:30.940
 angry

00:41:30.940 --> 00:41:32.120
 and so

00:41:32.120 --> 00:41:32.860
 angry at

00:41:32.860 --> 00:41:33.260
 God

00:41:33.260 --> 00:41:33.720
 I don't

00:41:33.720 --> 00:41:34.100
 know how

00:41:34.100 --> 00:41:34.440
 I could

00:41:34.440 --> 00:41:35.000
 talk to

00:41:35.000 --> 00:41:35.340
 him about

00:41:35.340 --> 00:41:35.600
 it

00:41:35.600 --> 00:41:39.420
 and so he

00:41:39.420 --> 00:41:39.860
 asked me what

00:41:39.860 --> 00:41:40.260
 I thought

00:41:40.260 --> 00:41:40.840
 and I said

00:41:40.840 --> 00:41:41.180
 well you

00:41:41.180 --> 00:41:41.539
 wrote your

00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:41.820
 heart

00:41:41.820 --> 00:41:43.660
 and that

00:41:43.660 --> 00:41:44.160
 actually seemed

00:41:44.160 --> 00:41:44.680
 to really make

00:41:44.680 --> 00:41:45.200
 him happy

00:41:45.200 --> 00:41:46.320
 but that's my

00:41:46.320 --> 00:41:47.300
 response actually

00:41:47.300 --> 00:41:47.940
 that's the

00:41:47.940 --> 00:41:48.539
 Holy Spirit

00:41:48.539 --> 00:41:49.039
 doing that

00:41:49.039 --> 00:41:49.559
 that's not

00:41:49.559 --> 00:41:50.140
 George being

00:41:50.139 --> 00:41:50.819
 smart enough

00:41:50.819 --> 00:41:51.679
 the fact of

00:41:51.679 --> 00:41:51.819
 the matter

00:41:51.819 --> 00:41:52.319
 George is

00:41:52.319 --> 00:41:53.279
 thinking this

00:41:53.279 --> 00:41:53.779
 guy's so

00:41:53.779 --> 00:41:54.179
 angry I

00:41:54.179 --> 00:41:54.379
 don't know

00:41:54.379 --> 00:41:54.679
 what on earth

00:41:54.679 --> 00:41:55.179
 to say to

00:41:55.179 --> 00:41:55.379
 him

00:41:55.379 --> 00:41:58.599
 I mean that's

00:41:58.599 --> 00:41:58.859
 one of the

00:41:58.859 --> 00:41:59.719
 reasons why at

00:41:59.719 --> 00:42:00.139
 the heart of

00:42:00.139 --> 00:42:01.000
 evangelism is

00:42:01.000 --> 00:42:01.519
 prayer

00:42:01.519 --> 00:42:03.920
 because the

00:42:03.920 --> 00:42:04.420
 fact of the

00:42:04.420 --> 00:42:05.019
 matter is is

00:42:05.019 --> 00:42:05.500
 that all of

00:42:05.500 --> 00:42:05.980
 us struggle

00:42:05.980 --> 00:42:06.519
 with a certain

00:42:06.519 --> 00:42:06.960
 degree of

00:42:06.960 --> 00:42:07.679
 anger against

00:42:07.679 --> 00:42:08.359
 God or

00:42:08.359 --> 00:42:09.119
 indifference to

00:42:09.119 --> 00:42:10.859
 God or

00:42:10.859 --> 00:42:11.599
 contempt of

00:42:11.599 --> 00:42:12.460
 God and

00:42:12.460 --> 00:42:13.099
 for some of

00:42:13.099 --> 00:42:13.679
 us it's not

00:42:13.679 --> 00:42:14.759
 just something

00:42:14.759 --> 00:42:15.639
 that's part of

00:42:15.639 --> 00:42:16.319
 our lives in

00:42:16.319 --> 00:42:17.179
 some small way

00:42:17.179 --> 00:42:17.799
 some of us

00:42:17.799 --> 00:42:19.759
 it consumes us

00:42:19.760 --> 00:42:22.640
 and only the

00:42:22.640 --> 00:42:23.540
 Holy Spirit can

00:42:23.540 --> 00:42:24.140
 break something

00:42:24.140 --> 00:42:24.720
 like that

00:42:24.720 --> 00:42:25.840
 only our

00:42:25.840 --> 00:42:26.520
 patience and

00:42:26.520 --> 00:42:27.020
 our love and

00:42:27.020 --> 00:42:27.880
 companionship and

00:42:27.880 --> 00:42:28.980
 friendship but

00:42:28.980 --> 00:42:30.000
 it's primarily the

00:42:30.000 --> 00:42:31.080
 Holy Spirit doing

00:42:31.080 --> 00:42:33.380
 that to pray for

00:42:33.380 --> 00:42:34.540
 such people consumed

00:42:34.540 --> 00:42:35.140
 with an anger

00:42:35.140 --> 00:42:35.920
 against God

00:42:35.920 --> 00:42:39.400
 in this text

00:42:39.400 --> 00:42:40.360
 we've just been

00:42:40.360 --> 00:42:41.460
 told that we

00:42:41.460 --> 00:42:42.140
 are how blessed

00:42:42.140 --> 00:42:42.680
 it is if you

00:42:42.680 --> 00:42:43.520
 were invited to

00:42:43.520 --> 00:42:43.920
 the marriage

00:42:43.920 --> 00:42:44.520
 supper of the

00:42:44.520 --> 00:42:47.520
 Lamb and

00:42:47.520 --> 00:42:48.100
 that's the true

00:42:48.100 --> 00:42:48.740
 word of God

00:42:48.739 --> 00:42:49.559
 and now you

00:42:49.559 --> 00:42:50.239
 see a different

00:42:50.239 --> 00:42:51.299
 invitation that

00:42:51.299 --> 00:42:52.579
 comes and

00:42:52.579 --> 00:42:53.139
 God doesn't

00:42:53.139 --> 00:42:53.899
 invite people to

00:42:53.899 --> 00:42:54.739
 be angry at

00:42:54.739 --> 00:42:55.879
 him he doesn't

00:42:55.879 --> 00:42:56.699
 invite people to

00:42:56.699 --> 00:42:57.539
 come and try to

00:42:57.539 --> 00:42:58.419
 wage war against

00:42:58.419 --> 00:42:59.679
 him he only

00:42:59.679 --> 00:43:00.959
 invites us to

00:43:00.959 --> 00:43:01.379
 the marriage

00:43:01.379 --> 00:43:02.099
 supper of the

00:43:02.099 --> 00:43:04.079
 Lamb that's all

00:43:04.079 --> 00:43:04.799
 he invites us

00:43:04.799 --> 00:43:06.059
 to he only

00:43:06.059 --> 00:43:06.679
 invites us to

00:43:06.679 --> 00:43:07.659
 be the bride of

00:43:07.659 --> 00:43:08.459
 the Lamb that's

00:43:08.459 --> 00:43:09.019
 what he invites

00:43:09.019 --> 00:43:12.859
 us to but for

00:43:12.859 --> 00:43:14.039
 the beast and

00:43:14.039 --> 00:43:14.559
 for the false

00:43:14.559 --> 00:43:15.879
 prophet and

00:43:15.879 --> 00:43:16.699
 earlier they

00:43:16.699 --> 00:43:17.139
 were the ones

00:43:17.139 --> 00:43:17.559
 who helped to

00:43:17.559 --> 00:43:18.239
 form Babylon

00:43:18.239 --> 00:43:19.019
 organized in

00:43:19.019 --> 00:43:19.739
 rebellion against

00:43:19.739 --> 00:43:20.299
 God who

00:43:20.299 --> 00:43:21.199
 organized people

00:43:21.199 --> 00:43:21.880
 in anger and

00:43:21.880 --> 00:43:22.639
 rebellion against

00:43:22.639 --> 00:43:23.840
 God the

00:43:23.840 --> 00:43:25.000
 invitation comes

00:43:25.000 --> 00:43:25.360
 to the

00:43:25.360 --> 00:43:26.440
 carrion birds

00:43:26.440 --> 00:43:28.420
 the vultures

00:43:28.420 --> 00:43:30.820
 to eat on the

00:43:30.820 --> 00:43:31.639
 flesh of those

00:43:31.639 --> 00:43:32.860
 who come in

00:43:32.860 --> 00:43:33.440
 anger and

00:43:33.440 --> 00:43:34.239
 rebellion against

00:43:34.239 --> 00:43:35.739
 God because

00:43:35.739 --> 00:43:36.799
 their doom is

00:43:36.799 --> 00:43:38.579
 certain all I

00:43:38.579 --> 00:43:39.179
 will do is read

00:43:39.179 --> 00:43:40.059
 the text and

00:43:40.059 --> 00:43:40.480
 then we will

00:43:40.480 --> 00:43:41.739
 stand and then

00:43:41.739 --> 00:43:42.299
 we will pray

00:43:42.300 --> 00:43:49.039
 then I saw

00:43:49.039 --> 00:43:49.780
 heaven opened

00:43:49.780 --> 00:43:51.080
 and behold a

00:43:51.080 --> 00:43:51.740
 white horse

00:43:51.740 --> 00:43:53.180
 the one sitting

00:43:53.180 --> 00:43:54.140
 on it is called

00:43:54.140 --> 00:43:55.400
 faithful and

00:43:55.400 --> 00:43:56.660
 true and in

00:43:56.660 --> 00:43:57.760
 righteousness he

00:43:57.760 --> 00:43:58.880
 judges and makes

00:43:58.880 --> 00:44:00.580
 war his eyes are

00:44:00.580 --> 00:44:01.360
 like a flame of

00:44:01.360 --> 00:44:02.539
 fire and on his

00:44:02.539 --> 00:44:03.200
 head are many

00:44:03.200 --> 00:44:04.760
 diadems and he

00:44:04.760 --> 00:44:05.500
 has a name written

00:44:05.500 --> 00:44:06.400
 that no one knows

00:44:06.400 --> 00:44:08.240
 but himself he is

00:44:08.240 --> 00:44:09.320
 clothed in a robe

00:44:09.320 --> 00:44:10.140
 dipped in blood

00:44:10.139 --> 00:44:11.480
 and the name by

00:44:11.480 --> 00:44:12.359
 which he is called

00:44:12.359 --> 00:44:13.779
 is the word of

00:44:13.779 --> 00:44:15.299
 God and the

00:44:15.299 --> 00:44:16.099
 armies of heaven

00:44:16.099 --> 00:44:16.900
 arrayed in fine

00:44:16.900 --> 00:44:17.960
 linen white and

00:44:17.960 --> 00:44:18.940
 pure were following

00:44:18.940 --> 00:44:19.839
 him on white

00:44:19.839 --> 00:44:21.879
 horses from his

00:44:21.879 --> 00:44:22.779
 mouth comes a

00:44:22.779 --> 00:44:23.719
 sharp sword with

00:44:23.719 --> 00:44:24.420
 which to strike

00:44:24.420 --> 00:44:25.199
 down the nations

00:44:25.199 --> 00:44:26.900
 and he will rule

00:44:26.900 --> 00:44:27.699
 them with a rod of

00:44:27.699 --> 00:44:29.719
 iron he will tread

00:44:29.719 --> 00:44:30.779
 the wine press of

00:44:30.779 --> 00:44:31.619
 the fury of the

00:44:31.619 --> 00:44:32.659
 wrath of God the

00:44:32.659 --> 00:44:34.779
 almighty and on

00:44:34.779 --> 00:44:35.779
 his robe and on

00:44:35.779 --> 00:44:37.039
 his thigh he has a

00:44:37.039 --> 00:44:38.440
 name written king

00:44:38.440 --> 00:44:40.019
 of kings and

00:44:40.019 --> 00:44:41.460
 lord of lords

00:44:41.460 --> 00:44:43.679
 then I saw an

00:44:43.679 --> 00:44:44.579
 angel standing in

00:44:44.579 --> 00:44:45.519
 the sun and with

00:44:45.519 --> 00:44:46.420
 a loud voice he

00:44:46.420 --> 00:44:47.400
 called to all the

00:44:47.400 --> 00:44:48.239
 birds that fly

00:44:48.239 --> 00:44:49.239
 directly overhead

00:44:49.239 --> 00:44:51.739
 come gather for

00:44:51.739 --> 00:44:52.739
 the great supper of

00:44:52.739 --> 00:44:54.599
 God to eat the

00:44:54.599 --> 00:44:55.639
 flesh of kings the

00:44:55.639 --> 00:44:56.940
 flesh of captains the

00:44:56.940 --> 00:44:57.960
 flesh of mighty men

00:44:57.960 --> 00:44:59.139
 the flesh of horses

00:44:59.139 --> 00:45:00.519
 and their riders and

00:45:00.519 --> 00:45:01.699
 the flesh of all men

00:45:01.699 --> 00:45:02.699
 both free and

00:45:02.699 --> 00:45:04.119
 slave both small and

00:45:04.119 --> 00:45:06.300
 great I saw the

00:45:06.300 --> 00:45:07.880
 beast and the

00:45:07.880 --> 00:45:08.639
 kings of the earth

00:45:08.639 --> 00:45:09.339
 with their armies

00:45:09.339 --> 00:45:10.159
 gathered to make

00:45:10.159 --> 00:45:11.819
 war against him

00:45:11.819 --> 00:45:12.519
 who was sitting on

00:45:12.519 --> 00:45:13.099
 the horse and

00:45:13.099 --> 00:45:15.059
 against his army and

00:45:15.059 --> 00:45:15.559
 the beast was

00:45:15.559 --> 00:45:17.119
 captured and with

00:45:17.119 --> 00:45:18.579
 it the false prophet

00:45:18.579 --> 00:45:20.359
 who in its presence

00:45:20.359 --> 00:45:21.579
 had done the signs

00:45:21.579 --> 00:45:23.259
 by which he deceived

00:45:23.259 --> 00:45:23.920
 those who had

00:45:23.920 --> 00:45:24.920
 received the mark of

00:45:24.920 --> 00:45:26.359
 the beast and those

00:45:26.359 --> 00:45:27.079
 who worshipped its

00:45:27.079 --> 00:45:29.279
 image these two were

00:45:29.279 --> 00:45:30.480
 thrown alive into the

00:45:30.480 --> 00:45:31.480
 lake of fire that

00:45:31.480 --> 00:45:33.400
 burns with sulfur and

00:45:33.400 --> 00:45:34.659
 the rest were slain by

00:45:34.659 --> 00:45:35.859
 the sword that came

00:45:35.859 --> 00:45:37.119
 from the mouth of him

00:45:37.119 --> 00:45:37.960
 who was sitting on the

00:45:37.960 --> 00:45:39.599
 horse and all the

00:45:39.599 --> 00:45:41.299
 birds were gorged

00:45:41.299 --> 00:45:42.539
 with their flesh

00:45:42.539 --> 00:45:44.079
 please stand

00:45:44.079 --> 00:45:49.940
 let us bow our heads

00:45:49.940 --> 00:45:50.420
 in prayer

00:45:50.420 --> 00:46:00.339
 father you know

00:46:00.339 --> 00:46:01.159
 better than we do

00:46:01.159 --> 00:46:02.279
 what we long for and

00:46:02.279 --> 00:46:03.139
 what we yearn for

00:46:03.139 --> 00:46:05.819
 you know father how

00:46:05.819 --> 00:46:07.319
 many of us are

00:46:07.319 --> 00:46:08.199
 conscious of our

00:46:08.199 --> 00:46:09.879
 struggles with

00:46:09.879 --> 00:46:10.940
 longing and yearning

00:46:10.940 --> 00:46:11.940
 for things that

00:46:11.940 --> 00:46:13.819
 have some

00:46:13.819 --> 00:46:14.839
 importance but not

00:46:14.839 --> 00:46:15.839
 the type of ultimate

00:46:15.839 --> 00:46:16.659
 importance that we

00:46:16.659 --> 00:46:18.379
 put on them and

00:46:18.379 --> 00:46:19.099
 you know how many of

00:46:19.099 --> 00:46:19.900
 us father aren't even

00:46:19.900 --> 00:46:21.259
 aware of how much we

00:46:21.259 --> 00:46:22.359
 are controlled by

00:46:22.359 --> 00:46:23.579
 longings and yearnings

00:46:23.579 --> 00:46:25.279
 for success and

00:46:25.279 --> 00:46:26.679
 success in the eyes of

00:46:26.679 --> 00:46:27.460
 people we don't even

00:46:27.460 --> 00:46:30.440
 like and how much we

00:46:30.440 --> 00:46:31.279
 are controlled by

00:46:31.280 --> 00:46:33.040
 things like money and

00:46:33.040 --> 00:46:36.600
 and and and a

00:46:36.600 --> 00:46:38.320
 sense of importance or

00:46:38.320 --> 00:46:40.200
 fame or beauty or a

00:46:40.200 --> 00:46:43.340
 or a house or just a

00:46:43.340 --> 00:46:44.540
 word from a particular

00:46:44.540 --> 00:46:45.860
 person father you know

00:46:45.860 --> 00:46:47.160
 how much we are in

00:46:47.160 --> 00:46:49.100
 fact controlled by

00:46:49.100 --> 00:46:50.640
 longings and yearnings

00:46:50.640 --> 00:46:52.740
 such as these and how

00:46:52.740 --> 00:46:54.140
 much father we fear

00:46:54.140 --> 00:46:55.580
 failure in these I

00:46:55.580 --> 00:46:57.100
 these areas of what are

00:46:57.100 --> 00:46:59.360
 really just idolatry and

00:46:59.360 --> 00:47:00.480
 yet father at the same

00:47:00.480 --> 00:47:02.599
 time you you know

00:47:02.599 --> 00:47:03.480
 that you have created

00:47:03.480 --> 00:47:05.099
 us to have a longing

00:47:05.099 --> 00:47:06.280
 and yearning for you

00:47:06.280 --> 00:47:08.760
 and we give you thanks

00:47:08.760 --> 00:47:09.920
 and praise for Jesus

00:47:09.920 --> 00:47:11.400
 that he is the lamb of

00:47:11.400 --> 00:47:12.740
 God who takes away the

00:47:12.740 --> 00:47:13.660
 sin of the world that he

00:47:13.660 --> 00:47:14.720
 is the lamb of God who

00:47:14.720 --> 00:47:16.220
 has taken away my sin and

00:47:16.220 --> 00:47:17.460
 all who put their faith

00:47:17.460 --> 00:47:19.539
 and trust in him in

00:47:19.539 --> 00:47:21.519
 Jesus and so we ask

00:47:21.519 --> 00:47:22.500
 father that your Holy

00:47:22.500 --> 00:47:23.599
 Spirit would do a mighty

00:47:23.599 --> 00:47:25.800
 work in us today that you

00:47:25.800 --> 00:47:26.660
 would help us to

00:47:26.660 --> 00:47:28.500
 recognize the things that

00:47:28.500 --> 00:47:29.699
 we long for and yearn

00:47:29.699 --> 00:47:30.800
 for that we should not

00:47:30.800 --> 00:47:32.500
 long and yearn for the

00:47:32.500 --> 00:47:33.659
 things that we fear that

00:47:33.659 --> 00:47:35.219
 we should not fear and

00:47:35.219 --> 00:47:36.320
 we ask father that you

00:47:36.320 --> 00:47:37.340
 would fan into flame

00:47:37.340 --> 00:47:38.679
 within us a longing and

00:47:38.679 --> 00:47:40.099
 yearning for you a

00:47:40.099 --> 00:47:41.300
 longing and yearning to

00:47:41.300 --> 00:47:42.260
 know ourselves as the

00:47:42.260 --> 00:47:43.300
 bride of Christ a

00:47:43.300 --> 00:47:44.500
 longing and yearning to

00:47:44.500 --> 00:47:46.860
 be with you in the

00:47:46.860 --> 00:47:49.280
 feast the unending feast

00:47:49.280 --> 00:47:50.679
 of heaven to which you

00:47:50.679 --> 00:47:52.300
 have called us in Jesus

00:47:52.300 --> 00:47:55.539
 father make us disciples

00:47:55.539 --> 00:47:57.219
 gripped by the gospel

00:47:57.219 --> 00:47:59.559
 living for your glory and

00:47:59.559 --> 00:48:01.119
 this we ask in Jesus's

00:48:01.119 --> 00:48:02.860
 name your son and our

00:48:02.860 --> 00:48:04.360
 savior amen

00:48:04.360 --> 00:48:05.360
 you

00:48:05.360 --> 00:48:06.360
 you

00:48:06.360 --> 00:48:08.360
 you