WEBVTT

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 Now, if you turn back in your Bibles to Revelation 19, which is on page 1247, what we're going

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 to think about this morning is a tale of two suppers.

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 But we're going to begin with what I think, anyway, is the greatest opening sentence in

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 fiction.

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 It comes from Charles Dickens' Tale of Two Cities.

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 It was the best of times.

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 It was the worst of times.

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 It was the age of wisdom.

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 It was the age of foolishness.

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 It was the season of light.

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 It was the season of darkness.

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 It was the spring of hope.

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 It was the winter of despair.

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 And so it goes.

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 And Dickens' point as he begins that novel is that the same event, the event in question

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 is the French Revolution.

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 For some people, it was a wonderful moment.

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 For others, it was a terrible moment.

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 And central to the drama of the French Revolution and the Tale of Two Cities is the King of France.

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 And in particular, that cry, down with the king, pulling down the monarchy, the victory of the

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 republic.

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 That was a tale of two cities.

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 Well, we're thinking about a tale of two suppers.

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 And we use that title because we're coming to Revelation 19.

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 And the facts here in Revelation 19 tell us of the greatest remaining event in history.

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 The one great event that is still to come.

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 The return of King Jesus.

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 And the timing of this event will be experienced very differently by different groups of people.

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 We're going to hear that for some, this is a moment of great joy.

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 But for others, it will be a time of sorrow.

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 For some, it brings eternal salvation.

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 For others, it brings eternal judgment.

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 And central to this drama is King Jesus.

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 And central to the hope of the Bible, and we find it here in Revelation 19, is the promise

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 that in the end, goodness wins.

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 That evil falls and fails.

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 That the revolution against the true king does not work.

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 And that Jesus sets up his eternal kingdom.

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 It's Revelation 19 and the tale of two suppers.

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 Vital to this chapter as well is for us to recognize that again, while there's symbolic

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 language, this is a tale of true history.

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 It's one of the things, incidentally, that makes Christianity different from all the other

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 religions.

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 It's been well noted of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism.

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 That they're not rooted in historical facts.

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 You could take away any historical traces and their books and their religion would stand.

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 But Christianity is quite different.

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 It is entirely dependent on the facts of history recorded in God's Word being absolutely true.

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 Our hope and our faith is rooted in a real historical Jesus, who did come at a particular

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 point in history, the Son of God becoming one of us.

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 He did engage in a public ministry where he taught great things and he performed great miracles.

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 That there was a point in history where he really did die and then three days later he rose again.

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 And there are sources from those who are friendly to Christianity, sources who are opposed to

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 Christianity, that document that Jesus was a real historical figure and these events really happen.

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 And that's important as we understand how significant history is to Christianity to recognize what

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 Revelation 19 is telling us.

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 That the real Jesus will really return one day in glory.

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 That history is not in an endless repeat.

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 That we're not all trapped on a hamster wheel where history is going nowhere.

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 Jesus will come back.

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 We're being told here is the goal, here is the destination of history.

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 It's the eternal kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 And that takes us to our details, to the tale of two suppers and also the royal portrait of

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 Jesus that we get in this chapter.

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 And I hope as well that as we think about these details we get a sense of the urgency,

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 the call that there is within this chapter to seriously consider, to respond, to live in

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 light of the fact that Jesus is coming back.

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 Okay, so I said there was two suppers.

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 The first supper in the verse 10 verses is called the wedding supper of the Lamb.

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 When we listen to Revelation 19 being read, how did we hear it when we heard all those

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 hallelujahs?

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 And maybe we thought of Handel's hallelujah chorus.

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 Maybe it created that sense of here is a football stadium full of supporters celebrating some great

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 victory.

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 There's that sense of here is a group who are celebrating something wonderful.

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 Did you notice who is included in this shout and song of hallelujah?

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 Look at verse 1.

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 We hear it first as the roar of a great multitude in heaven.

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 So the voices in heaven are singing praise to God.

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 And then in verse 4, the attention shifts to those who are immediately around the throne

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 worshiping God.

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 And they too are singing hallelujah.

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 And then it shifts again to verse 6.

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 And we hear this great roar that comes from the earth.

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 Now it's all the people of God, all the Christians on the earth, singing with joy, praise to God.

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 There's a great song that leads to a great supper.

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 So to just think about the theme of these songs, there's three songs in these verses.

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 There's two different themes, but they're really two sides of the same coin.

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 One theme that leads to joy for God's people is that God saves His people from their enemies.

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 See how the song begins in verse 1?

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 Hallelujah.

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 Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.

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 When God steps in decisively, when God acts to save, when God shows His power and glory

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 to save a people for Himself, there's joy.

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 Verse 2, there's joy because the judgments of God are true and they are just.

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 It is good news that our God loves justice even more than we do.

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 That the judge of all the earth will and must do what is right.

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 There is joy in knowing that there is a decisive judgment.

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 He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth.

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 He has avenged on her the blood of His servants.

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 There is decisive judgment on those forces that look to deceive people to turn them away from Jesus the King.

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 There is a decisive judgment on corruption, immorality, rejection of the rule of God.

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 And there is a judgment on those who persecute God's people.

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 Verse 3, reminding us about the fall of Babylon in chapter 18.

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 The song goes, hallelujah.

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 The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.

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 There is that somber reminder of eternal punishment in this picture of eternal smoke.

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 So the question becomes, why does this theme lead to the hallelujah chorus?

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 Why does this theme provoke a sense of joy in the hearts of God's people and in heaven?

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 Well, God's people are invited to praise.

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 Because when Jesus returns in final judgment,

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 that's when heaven and earth, the people of God can say,

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 it is now over.

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 The evil empire that set up its rule against God

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 has been replaced by an eternal kingdom of love that lasts forever.

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 That those who attack and destroy and look to defeat the people of God,

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 they are now decisively dealt with.

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 So peace can be established.

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 Do we see why that's good news for the people of God?

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 I think it can be a tendency for us as modern people to imagine that judgment is unworthy of God.

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 We could probably, if we're honest, live quite happily with a God who would overlook sin

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 and sweep sin under the carpet and accept everybody.

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 But it's not the character of God who's given this revelation and it's not the character of Jesus.

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 The message of this vision is that if there is a God who fails to judge,

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 if there is a God who fails to act with righteousness,

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 then He's unworthy to be the true God.

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 That for God to be holy, He must act against everything that is unholy.

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 And so Revelation reminds us that the righteous rule of God is shown in salvation,

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 but it's also shown in judgment.

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 And that reality has always meant good news for a suffering, persecuted people of God.

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 So that's one theme of the song, that God saves His people from their enemies.

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 The second theme, and this takes us to the wedding supper theme,

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 is that God saves His people for relationship.

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 And it's there in verses 6 to 10.

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 And this is where we pick up this wedding supper theme.

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 The greatest hallelujah of all is there in verse 6 and 7.

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 And so within these verses, there is this great sense of joy because

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 there is the prospect that one day Jesus will reign forever,

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 that the glory of God will fill the earth.

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 And for the people of God, there is joy because we get to be with Him forever one day

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 in that world made new.

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 We are invited to that feast of joy that never ends.

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 And so it's fitting that it's pictured as wedding joy.

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 The wedding of the Lamb has come.

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 Because weddings are a picture of shared celebration.

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 Weddings are a picture of a uniting of a bride and a groom.

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 And here we are being reminded this is God's goal,

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 for redemption history.

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 God made people so that we might live with Him and He with us.

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 And God has so worked salvation that in the end,

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 God will be with His people forever.

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 And that's a joyful thing.

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 In the Old Testament, there was joy.

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 Isaiah 26, there's that imagery of God setting up a feast on His holy mountain.

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 And the people of God invited, and tears are wiped away.

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 And in place, there's joy.

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 Think about all the parables of Jesus.

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 About feasting.

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 About feasting.

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 And about banquets.

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 It's an invitation to joy.

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 And then we have it picked up again here.

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 And we are being reminded that Jesus,

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 Jesus Himself, is the joy of His people's heart.

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 And there is a joy coming when our faith will become sight.

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 There's wedding joy.

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 He also speaks in verse 8 about the wedding clothes.

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 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.

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 This bright, clean, white, pure clothing.

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 It speaks of purity.

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 But it also speaks, if you remember the idea of the Roman triumph,

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 white also speaks of victory.

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 So when an emperor or a great general won a decisive battle,

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 they would get a Roman triumph.

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 They could parade through the streets and everybody would wear white.

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 Notice that these wedding clothes are clothes that are given to the bride to wear.

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 And this reminds us something really important about the gospel.

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 That it is Jesus' blood that washes us clean.

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 God doesn't say to us by ourselves,

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 you must be pure.

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 Because we cannot be pure enough for God.

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 Rather, He sends Jesus to live a pure life

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 and then to die and for His blood to cover and to cleanse and to make us pure.

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 And likewise, the victory that we celebrate

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 is the victory that Jesus won at the cross

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 and that He shares with His people.

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 And so the joy comes because of the work of Jesus.

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 And then there's the wedding invitation.

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 The angel said to me, write this,

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 blessed are those who are invited

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 to the wedding supper of the Lamb.

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 And Jesus often told stories this way, didn't He?

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 Story of a wealthy man or a king

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 preparing a feast.

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 There's a moment of celebration.

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 The preparations are made.

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 The wedding is about to happen.

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 And the invitation goes out.

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 Come in.

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 Come and enjoy.

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 It's a time for feasting and celebration.

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 And here as we get towards the end of the Bible,

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 that invitation is still there.

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 There is still this note of opportunity.

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 The invitation to believe the good news.

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 That God has loved us so much

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 that He sent His Son Jesus into this world

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 to die in our place for our sins.

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 To believe that what Jesus did in the cross

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 is sufficient to free us from sin and from death.

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 And we have this good news delivered by an angel

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 that to accept the invitation to believe in Jesus

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 is to enjoy what the Bible calls blessing.

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 Life in right relationship with God.

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 Life from God and with God.

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 And so here I think is a reminder for us

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 that we cannot and we will never understand Christianity properly

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 without understanding that it is all about Jesus.

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 That we have, by God's grace, been saved by Him

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 and we are saved for life with Him.

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 That at the center of the story of redemption

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 is the Lord Jesus.

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 And the implication then

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 is that your heart and mine

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 must be captured by

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 His beauty, His goodness,

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 His love and His truth.

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 To understand that when Jesus invites us to Himself,

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 it's not a call to dull duty.

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 It's a call to the delight of our hearts.

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 This isn't an invitation

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 to a weekend overtime

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 and a life of drudgery

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 of following Jesus.

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 It's an invitation to a wedding.

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 It's an invitation to joy.

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 So that's the first supper,

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 the wedding supper of the Lamb.

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 And it speaks to us of joy.

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 But there's a second supper

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 called the Great Supper of God

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 that we meet towards the end of the chapter.

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 If chapter 19 of Revelation were an art gallery,

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 so you had hanging up on this side of the wall

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 the wedding supper of the Lamb,

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 if we pan over to this side,

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 there's another portrait of another feast.

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 But the mood is very much different,

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 much darker,

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 the color much darker,

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 creating a very different impression on us

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 as we look at it.

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 Gone is the joy of the wedding supper.

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 Now there is a sense of horror and despair

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 of the Great Supper of God.

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 And Jesus places that here in His Word

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 so that you and I would pay attention.

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 Again, so that we wouldn't be unprepared.

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 We wouldn't be taken by surprise.

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 And also that we wouldn't miss out on

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 the lasting joy that Jesus stores up

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 for His people.

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 So let's look for a moment

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 at the Great Supper of God.

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 There in verse 17,

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 I saw an angel standing in the sun

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 who cried in a loud voice

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 to all the birds flying in midair.

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 It's the birds that are invited.

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 Come, gather together for the Great Supper of God

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 so that you may eat the flesh of kings,

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 generals and the mighty,

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 of horses and their riders,

00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.740
 and the flesh of all people,

00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:43.279
 free and slave, great and small.

00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:45.599
 It's a very different scene.

00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:50.500
 This is the portrait of a battlefield

00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:52.259
 the day after the battle,

00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:56.899
 of bodies, of corpses lying on the battlefield,

00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:59.379
 of the vultures, of the eagles

00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:04.220
 swooping down to feast on those bodies.

00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:09.799
 It's a very graphic lesson,

00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:15.460
 a great reminder that unlike the French revolution

00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.279
 against the king,

00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:17.519
 which was successful,

00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:18.680
 at least for a while,

00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:22.079
 rebellion against God's king,

00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.539
 Jesus, the true king,

00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.639
 will fail,

00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:27.059
 will be punished.

00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:30.440
 And it speaks to us of the horror

00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:33.240
 of the final judgment that is real.

00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:36.059
 The imagery,

00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:38.400
 the end of verse 20,

00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.000
 of the beast,

00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:42.680
 and the prophet who spoke for the beast

00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:45.039
 being thrown alive into the fiery lake

00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:46.180
 of burning sulfur,

00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.980
 reminds us of real,

00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:48.940
 conscious,

00:18:49.120 --> 00:18:50.460
 eternal punishment

00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:53.160
 for those who say no

00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:56.460
 to the rule of Jesus.

00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:59.940
 The great supper of God

00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:02.400
 is there to warn us

00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:04.920
 that Jesus delivers final judgment

00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:06.980
 on his enemies.

00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:12.539
 The picture of armies coming together

00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:14.340
 and of the absolute destruction

00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:15.740
 of the forces of evil

00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:17.440
 reminds us,

00:19:17.860 --> 00:19:19.220
 as we've said so often,

00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:21.100
 that the battle between good and evil

00:19:21.100 --> 00:19:23.600
 is not a battle between equals.

00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:26.519
 The goodness will always prevail,

00:19:26.639 --> 00:19:29.699
 that God is on the throne,

00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:32.139
 that that victory that began

00:19:32.139 --> 00:19:35.419
 at the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ

00:19:35.419 --> 00:19:37.339
 and through his resurrection

00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:41.399
 will be completed at his return.

00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:44.379
 When Jesus returns,

00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.539
 that is the point

00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:46.759
 where there will be final

00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:48.319
 and eternal judgment

00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:52.159
 and final and eternal salvation.

00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:56.119
 So that Revelation 19

00:19:56.119 --> 00:19:57.359
 becomes an invitation

00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:59.899
 to serious reflection.

00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:03.039
 Perhaps there is no more serious question

00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:04.159
 to reflect on.

00:20:04.959 --> 00:20:05.179
 You know,

00:20:05.219 --> 00:20:07.399
 before we choose to write Jesus off

00:20:07.399 --> 00:20:08.279
 as insignificant,

00:20:09.199 --> 00:20:11.279
 before we make him incidental

00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.619
 to our lives,

00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.519
 to recognize

00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:16.699
 through these two suppers

00:20:16.699 --> 00:20:17.459
 that in the end

00:20:17.459 --> 00:20:19.319
 there are only two kinds of people.

00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:21.740
 There are those who bow the knee

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:23.380
 to worship Jesus

00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:25.099
 and there are those

00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:27.319
 who reject Jesus.

00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:30.480
 And that our response

00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.200
 determines

00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:33.480
 which supper

00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:35.059
 we go to.

00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:37.660
 Is it one that will be

00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.920
 for us eternal joy?

00:20:40.180 --> 00:20:41.480
 Or is it one that will be

00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.819
 for us eternal judgment?

00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.859
 And to recognize

00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:49.839
 that the figure

00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:50.740
 who's at the center

00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:52.979
 is the king,

00:20:53.679 --> 00:20:54.579
 King Jesus.

00:20:56.959 --> 00:20:58.719
 And that we must trust him

00:20:58.719 --> 00:21:00.779
 if we are to receive joy

00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:02.740
 and if we reject him

00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:05.139
 we will certainly receive judgment.

00:21:07.939 --> 00:21:10.039
 And so let's look together

00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:12.159
 to see

00:21:12.159 --> 00:21:13.039
 something

00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:14.240
 of our king.

00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:15.099
 Let's look at

00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:16.319
 the royal portrait

00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:17.639
 that we're given

00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:19.460
 in verses 11 to 16.

00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:19.960
 But again,

00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:21.099
 just to stop

00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:21.680
 for a moment,

00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.559
 maybe you've seen

00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.299
 this portrait

00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:25.159
 last year.

00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.619
 The art world

00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:27.960
 raised its eyebrows

00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:28.740
 because King Charles,

00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.159
 our king,

00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.920
 had his first

00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:32.460
 royal portrait

00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.079
 commissioned.

00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:35.119
 It was unveiled

00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:35.700
 in May

00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.759
 last year.

00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:37.319
 There was this guy

00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:37.960
 Jonathan Yeoh.

00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.859
 You can see the artist

00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:39.500
 up there.

00:21:40.699 --> 00:21:41.699
 Painted in incredibly

00:21:41.699 --> 00:21:42.500
 vibrant colors.

00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:43.279
 That's his style.

00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:44.099
 He used red

00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:45.419
 because Charles often

00:21:45.419 --> 00:21:46.119
 likes to dress

00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:47.079
 like the Welsh guards.

00:21:47.679 --> 00:21:48.579
 You can maybe see

00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.119
 a butterfly

00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:50.359
 on his shoulder

00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:51.559
 to speak to us

00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:51.939
 a little bit

00:21:51.939 --> 00:21:52.799
 about his environmental

00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:54.659
 ecological concerns.

00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.240
 The art world,

00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:58.539
 I'm not an art person

00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:58.919
 at all,

00:21:58.959 --> 00:21:59.619
 but the art world

00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:00.439
 I read about it

00:22:00.439 --> 00:22:01.419
 was very divided

00:22:01.419 --> 00:22:03.079
 in its reaction

00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:05.579
 to this portrait.

00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.859
 But here's the thing.

00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:08.439
 Like,

00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.279
 whatever we think

00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.840
 of the portrait

00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:11.299
 and whatever the art

00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:11.860
 critics think

00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:12.440
 of the portrait,

00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.440
 it's important

00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.019
 to know what

00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.539
 King Charles

00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.299
 thought about it

00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.600
 because he had

00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:17.180
 it commissioned

00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:18.880
 and he was pleased

00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.259
 with it

00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.480
 and he wanted it

00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.279
 to be shown

00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.120
 to the world.

00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.200
 He felt that

00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:25.680
 this was an image

00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.720
 that he wanted

00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.779
 to convey.

00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.420
 Now take that idea

00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:31.059
 and apply it

00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:32.240
 to Revelation 19.

00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:33.519
 So we've used

00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.880
 the art gallery image.

00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.299
 So we've got

00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:36.380
 these two suppers.

00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:37.500
 Well,

00:22:37.540 --> 00:22:38.160
 hanging between

00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:38.960
 the two suppers

00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.140
 in Revelation 19,

00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.820
 connecting them together,

00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:44.600
 is another royal portrait.

00:22:45.360 --> 00:22:46.420
 And it's important

00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:47.740
 for us to recognize

00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.720
 that Jesus

00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:50.260
 has commissioned

00:22:50.260 --> 00:22:51.800
 this portrait.

00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.360
 That what we have

00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:56.020
 in verses 11 to 16

00:22:56.020 --> 00:22:57.940
 are truths about Jesus

00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:59.520
 that he wants us to see.

00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:01.819
 And I expect

00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.799
 as we reflect again

00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.680
 on the values

00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:05.539
 that we find there,

00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:06.639
 that there will be

00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:07.619
 something of a mixed

00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:08.500
 response to them,

00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.980
 perhaps in our own hearts.

00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:12.599
 We might find aspects

00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:13.940
 that surprise us,

00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:16.119
 aspects that shock us,

00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:17.879
 because it's the portrait

00:23:17.879 --> 00:23:20.539
 of conquering King Jesus

00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:23.319
 who comes to destroy

00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.139
 his enemies

00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:26.100
 and to establish

00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:28.100
 his eternal kingdom.

00:23:29.320 --> 00:23:30.020
 Let's look at

00:23:30.020 --> 00:23:31.100
 the details together

00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:32.320
 to appreciate

00:23:32.320 --> 00:23:33.120
 this portrait.

00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.020
 Just look at

00:23:34.020 --> 00:23:35.080
 the names of Jesus

00:23:35.080 --> 00:23:36.780
 that we find here.

00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.700
 Verse 11,

00:23:38.780 --> 00:23:39.840
 we find the first one.

00:23:40.800 --> 00:23:42.040
 The rider is called

00:23:42.040 --> 00:23:44.500
 faithful and true.

00:23:45.780 --> 00:23:47.160
 What are we being told here?

00:23:47.580 --> 00:23:49.180
 Jesus is faithful and true

00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:51.020
 to his calling

00:23:51.020 --> 00:23:52.220
 as God's appointed king.

00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:54.019
 He is faithful and true

00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:55.819
 to God's plan of salvation.

00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.460
 He is faithful and true

00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.160
 to his word

00:23:58.160 --> 00:23:59.160
 and to his promises.

00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.880
 The second name for Jesus

00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:04.299
 we find in verse 13.

00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.920
 His name is

00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:07.920
 the word of God.

00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.140
 Maybe that makes us

00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:11.279
 think of John's gospel.

00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:13.640
 In the beginning

00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:14.259
 was the word

00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:15.319
 and the word was with God

00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:16.440
 and the word was God.

00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:18.360
 And when Jesus is described

00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:19.279
 as the word of God,

00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:20.240
 it brings us to ideas

00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.799
 of creative power,

00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:23.160
 and authority.

00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.380
 And here is the one

00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:26.299
 who reveals God's glory.

00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:27.279
 And God's word

00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.279
 is also how he judges

00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:29.140
 and saves.

00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:33.019
 And then in verse 16,

00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:36.079
 we meet the rider

00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:38.660
 with the name written

00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:39.259
 on his robe

00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:39.900
 and on his thigh,

00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:41.400
 King of kings

00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:43.380
 and Lord of lords.

00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.640
 What a wonderful statement.

00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.839
 It's no Caesar,

00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.220
 no emperor,

00:24:47.360 --> 00:24:48.140
 no president

00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:49.220
 that rules and reigns.

00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:51.240
 reigns is Jesus.

00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:52.759
 There is no king

00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.360
 like Jesus.

00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.600
 There is no lord

00:24:54.600 --> 00:24:55.160
 like Jesus.

00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:56.200
 He is the greatest

00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:57.279
 of all.

00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.559
 And that's important

00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.680
 in this portrait

00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:01.140
 because as such,

00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.720
 he does have

00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.740
 the power and authority

00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.740
 to bring history

00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:06.079
 to God's intended purpose.

00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.960
 He does have

00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:08.960
 the power and authority

00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:09.940
 to set up

00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:11.440
 God's eternal kingdom,

00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.299
 and he will.

00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:15.319
 Think about the details

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.059
 in the appearance

00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.680
 of Jesus.

00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:18.279
 Verse 12,

00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:20.759
 his eyes

00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:23.240
 are like blazing fire.

00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:27.460
 Jesus has a penetrating gaze.

00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.620
 Jesus is able

00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:31.100
 to burn through our masks

00:25:31.100 --> 00:25:32.900
 and burn through our defenses.

00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:35.060
 He is able to see

00:25:35.060 --> 00:25:37.420
 and to judge.

00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.779
 Verse 12,

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:41.440
 symbolic language again,

00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:41.980
 remember,

00:25:42.560 --> 00:25:43.820
 on his head

00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:46.819
 are many crowns.

00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.839
 Here is a picture way

00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.339
 of saying

00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:52.460
 here is the ultimate king.

00:25:53.659 --> 00:25:54.879
 There are no others

00:25:54.879 --> 00:25:55.740
 who can claim

00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:57.559
 his throne.

00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:59.759
 He is absolute authority

00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.899
 and glory.

00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.879
 And then in verse 13,

00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:06.099
 there's this detail.

00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:07.899
 He is dressed

00:26:07.899 --> 00:26:09.039
 in a robe

00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:11.279
 dipped in blood.

00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:13.619
 tied up to the fact

00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:14.740
 in verse 15,

00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:15.619
 he treads

00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:16.980
 the winepress

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.720
 of the fury

00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.819
 of the wrath

00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:20.420
 of God Almighty.

00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:22.039
 Here is a picture

00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.660
 of Jesus,

00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:24.099
 the warrior king,

00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.759
 fresh from battle,

00:26:27.879 --> 00:26:29.000
 fresh from victory

00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:30.299
 over his enemies.

00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:31.879
 Here is a force

00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:33.220
 such that no one

00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:35.200
 can stand against him.

00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:36.000
 No Pharaoh,

00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:37.319
 no Caesar,

00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.500
 no king.

00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:39.500
 But notice,

00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.720
 this isn't just

00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:42.779
 about the great.

00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.519
 Verse 18,

00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:46.319
 remember who's there,

00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:47.339
 the kings,

00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:47.880
 the generals,

00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.480
 the mighty,

00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.259
 all people,

00:26:50.380 --> 00:26:51.119
 free and slave,

00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:53.400
 great and small.

00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:55.859
 Judgment comes

00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:56.480
 on all

00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:57.759
 who oppose

00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.599
 Jesus,

00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.299
 the king.

00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:02.519
 And it reminds us

00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.140
 again,

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.380
 in the dramatic

00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:05.500
 appearance of Jesus,

00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:07.279
 that for God's people

00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.519
 to live with him

00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.660
 in a kingdom of peace

00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:10.819
 that lasts forever,

00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:13.279
 to enjoy friendship

00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:13.960
 and love

00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:14.599
 and fellowship

00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.920
 that will never be broken,

00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:17.160
 there must be

00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:18.519
 a decisive defeat

00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.819
 of those enemies

00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:21.299
 that oppose his rule.

00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.519
 And we have the promise

00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:23.420
 that in the end

00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:25.079
 that defeat will come.

00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:28.579
 The final aspect

00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:29.920
 of the royal portrait

00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:31.440
 are his weapons of war.

00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.220
 Look at the weapons

00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:32.819
 of Jesus.

00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:34.200
 First of all,

00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:35.119
 verse 14,

00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:36.739
 as he rides out,

00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:38.479
 the armies of heaven

00:27:38.479 --> 00:27:40.779
 were following him.

00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:43.019
 Although it's really interesting,

00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:44.219
 it's a very dramatic picture,

00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:45.359
 we get this dramatic picture

00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:47.399
 of two armies

00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:48.439
 coming into battle,

00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.379
 but actually those

00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:50.439
 armies of heaven,

00:27:50.739 --> 00:27:51.159
 in the end,

00:27:51.199 --> 00:27:51.799
 they really don't have

00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.379
 to do anything

00:27:52.379 --> 00:27:53.219
 because the battle

00:27:53.219 --> 00:27:54.219
 belongs to the Lord.

00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:55.599
 It's his word

00:27:55.599 --> 00:27:56.419
 that speaks

00:27:56.419 --> 00:27:57.319
 and brings judgment

00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:59.379
 and brings salvation.

00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.139
 That connects

00:28:00.139 --> 00:28:01.259
 to the sword

00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:03.559
 that Jesus has.

00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.559
 And again,

00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:05.940
 notice the symbolism

00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:07.480
 in verse 15,

00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:08.359
 where is the sword?

00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:10.679
 Coming out of his mouth

00:28:10.679 --> 00:28:13.159
 is a sharp sword

00:28:13.159 --> 00:28:15.480
 with which to strike down

00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.480
 the nations.

00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:16.740
 Again,

00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.240
 it takes us

00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:18.799
 to the word of Jesus

00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:20.839
 that judges

00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:22.960
 and that saves.

00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.500
 Here is that reminder

00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.819
 that eternal destiny

00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:27.539
 depends on our response

00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.500
 to the word

00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.359
 of the gospel.

00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:31.519
 How do we respond

00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.399
 to the good news

00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:34.019
 that God has sent

00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:35.000
 his son Jesus

00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:36.700
 to live a life

00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.680
 of perfect obedience

00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:38.440
 that we should have

00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:39.480
 but that we failed to?

00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:41.220
 And then to die

00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.759
 on a cross in our place,

00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:43.940
 bearing our sin,

00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:45.120
 bearing the punishment

00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:47.300
 so that we could be forgiven,

00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.700
 so that we could receive

00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.200
 the spirit,

00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.380
 so that we could enjoy

00:28:50.380 --> 00:28:51.120
 life with him

00:28:51.120 --> 00:28:52.240
 if we trust in him.

00:28:54.320 --> 00:28:55.019
 And then there's

00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:56.220
 the iron scepter

00:28:56.220 --> 00:29:00.420
 in his hands.

00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:03.140
 Verse 15,

00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:04.400
 he will rule them

00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:06.360
 with an iron scepter.

00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:07.019
 It's the club

00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:08.279
 of the shepherd king.

00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:10.819
 He fights off predators.

00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:13.940
 He keeps his people safe.

00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:14.920
 In the end,

00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:17.160
 all those who oppose his will

00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:19.380
 will be crushed.

00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:23.020
 So Revelation 19

00:29:23.020 --> 00:29:24.820
 takes us to this gallery,

00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.600
 showing us scenes

00:29:26.600 --> 00:29:28.660
 of future history.

00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.980
 And standing right

00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.500
 in the middle

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:33.360
 is this royal portrait

00:29:33.360 --> 00:29:34.480
 of King Jesus.

00:29:36.080 --> 00:29:37.440
 And he wants us

00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.720
 to know these details.

00:29:39.820 --> 00:29:40.420
 There's aspects

00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:41.180
 of Jesus' life

00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:41.700
 that I imagine

00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:42.940
 we're all familiar with.

00:29:43.040 --> 00:29:43.820
 We'll not least

00:29:43.820 --> 00:29:44.420
 something of

00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:45.880
 the mercy of Jesus

00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:47.160
 and the miracles of Jesus

00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:48.680
 and the compassion of Jesus

00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:50.660
 and the cross of Jesus.

00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.680
 But do we understand

00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.160
 that we need

00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:56.120
 this picture of Jesus too?

00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:58.720
 The warrior Jesus

00:29:58.720 --> 00:30:00.200
 who fights against

00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:00.779
 his enemies

00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:02.120
 and for his people.

00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.380
 Because again,

00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.980
 without the total defeat

00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:07.200
 of sin and evil

00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.440
 and death and darkness,

00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:10.200
 we can never be saved.

00:30:10.340 --> 00:30:10.860
 We would have

00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.720
 no eternal hope.

00:30:11.820 --> 00:30:12.580
 There would be no

00:30:12.580 --> 00:30:14.100
 hallelujah chorus,

00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:15.380
 but because he wins,

00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:17.360
 there's joy,

00:30:18.380 --> 00:30:20.420
 there is hallelujah.

00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:24.440
 We need this Jesus

00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:27.540
 conquering his enemies

00:30:27.540 --> 00:30:28.520
 and ours by way

00:30:28.520 --> 00:30:29.240
 of the cross,

00:30:29.760 --> 00:30:31.080
 who can promise

00:30:31.080 --> 00:30:32.480
 future resurrection,

00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:34.120
 life and joy and glory

00:30:34.120 --> 00:30:35.500
 because of his resurrection

00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:36.380
 and his return.

00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:37.560
 We need him

00:30:37.560 --> 00:30:39.080
 as the king of power

00:30:39.080 --> 00:30:39.760
 and glory

00:30:39.760 --> 00:30:40.940
 who invites us

00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.980
 to find our joy

00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:43.700
 with him and in him.

00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.880
 We need to receive

00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:45.740
 his invitation

00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:47.960
 to receive eternal life,

00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.860
 to be ready

00:30:48.860 --> 00:30:50.180
 for his return

00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:51.220
 so that that day

00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:53.299
 would be for us

00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.720
 the best of times,

00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:58.059
 would be the spring

00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:59.019
 of hope,

00:31:00.580 --> 00:31:01.440
 would be the dawning

00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:02.580
 of unbreakable joy.

00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:03.819
 Let's pray.

00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:07.539
 Amen.

00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:07.539


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