WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.199 Well, keep your Bibles open. 00:00:01.840 --> 00:00:04.440 And how many people have heard my sermon already? 00:00:06.020 --> 00:00:06.459 Right. 00:00:07.140 --> 00:00:10.900 Well, you'll be able to see whether it's the same now as it was earlier in the day. 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:14.980 And you should have all the answers to all the questions I'll ask as we go through. 00:00:16.859 --> 00:00:17.800 Let me pray. 00:00:19.039 --> 00:00:20.920 Heavenly Father, we do thank you for your word. 00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:27.800 But boy, this bit, it starts what is a very complicated series of passages and chapters 00:00:27.800 --> 00:00:32.480 with images that we can't quite get in our head, 00:00:33.160 --> 00:00:37.200 with ideas that we find difficult to resolve. 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:40.700 So I pray you'll help us with these two chapters 00:00:40.700 --> 00:00:45.079 that we might see and hear you speaking to us. 00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:48.460 That in our imagination and in our minds, 00:00:48.760 --> 00:00:52.200 we might be able to draw together the things that you're showing us 00:00:52.200 --> 00:00:56.359 so that despite what this world is like and what this world does, 00:00:56.359 --> 00:01:00.420 we might find our hope and our rest in you. 00:01:01.179 --> 00:01:01.700 Amen. 00:01:04.079 --> 00:01:09.700 Well, chapter 4 and 5 in Revelation is really the beginning of a vision. 00:01:10.239 --> 00:01:15.319 Chapters 1, 2 and 3, although they are the beginning of the Revelation, 00:01:15.319 --> 00:01:19.460 that is, the vision that John is given begins at the beginning. 00:01:19.459 --> 00:01:26.079 But what happens in those early chapters is there are a series of letters written and delivered 00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:32.579 to the churches in a place called Asia Minor, which is basically Turkey, modern-day Turkey. 00:01:33.239 --> 00:01:37.939 And the cities, the seven towns that are named and identified and that get letters, 00:01:38.459 --> 00:01:40.839 the seven of those, you can still go there today. 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:48.540 But what's really interesting is of the six churches, sorry, of the seven churches that got the letters, 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:50.600 six are gone. 00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:51.939 They're not there anymore. 00:01:52.680 --> 00:01:56.240 What's really interesting is as you read through the seven letters, 00:01:56.680 --> 00:02:01.600 you'll find each of them is warned that if they don't repent and change their ways, 00:02:01.800 --> 00:02:04.620 then the candle, the lamp will be taken from them. 00:02:04.620 --> 00:02:09.099 Only one is sort of commended by Jesus. 00:02:09.240 --> 00:02:09.740 And guess what? 00:02:10.480 --> 00:02:18.860 That one is the one that's still a church today, surrounded by mosques in a highly Islamic part of Turkey 00:02:18.860 --> 00:02:24.159 where it's encircled completely. 00:02:25.040 --> 00:02:29.180 But the church still meets and Christians still gather today, 2,000 years later. 00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:30.379 Isn't that something? 00:02:31.060 --> 00:02:32.520 It's a point that's often missed. 00:02:32.520 --> 00:02:36.020 I don't know whether you've talked about it in your sermon series so far, 00:02:36.800 --> 00:02:39.660 but six of those seven churches don't exist anymore. 00:02:39.760 --> 00:02:42.480 They're just tourist sites and archaeological digs. 00:02:43.340 --> 00:02:46.280 They lived, they existed in a world which was tough. 00:02:46.379 --> 00:02:49.400 They existed in a world which was dominated by Rome. 00:02:49.520 --> 00:02:53.020 They existed in a world where if you were Christian, you were persecuted. 00:02:53.600 --> 00:02:58.300 If you tried to do business as a Christian, you would find it very, very difficult. 00:02:58.500 --> 00:03:00.800 You would have to pay additional taxes. 00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:05.439 The Jews and the Christians both had to pay an additional tax to Caesar. 00:03:05.640 --> 00:03:09.860 But Christians started, by the time these letters were being received, 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:14.700 started to gain a little bit more of the persecution than even the Jews. 00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:21.680 And so the Christian church was being attacked, not only in Rome, but right across the empire. 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:24.060 And certainly in Turkey. 00:03:24.060 --> 00:03:30.159 And so the people that first received this letter, I imagine would have been thinking, 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:31.979 is it worth it? 00:03:32.140 --> 00:03:32.900 Is it true? 00:03:33.400 --> 00:03:34.580 When is he coming back? 00:03:34.659 --> 00:03:35.460 Is he coming back? 00:03:35.520 --> 00:03:40.219 We've been told that Jesus who rose from the dead and is alive again, 00:03:40.420 --> 00:03:42.300 will come back and wrap it all up. 00:03:42.740 --> 00:03:43.659 So where is he? 00:03:44.259 --> 00:03:45.120 Is he coming? 00:03:45.460 --> 00:03:46.319 When will he come? 00:03:46.319 --> 00:03:51.060 And so this letter, this message, this revelation is given to them 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:54.639 as a kind of an encouragement to keep going. 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:55.319 Don't give in. 00:03:55.680 --> 00:03:56.379 He is coming. 00:03:56.699 --> 00:04:01.699 And what's really interesting about chapters 4 and 5 is they start at a high point. 00:04:02.340 --> 00:04:04.180 There's real hope in these chapters. 00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:10.180 The God of all history, the God of all creation, the God who did everything, all of this stuff, 00:04:10.680 --> 00:04:12.359 he is in charge. 00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:13.780 He has authority and power. 00:04:13.780 --> 00:04:15.879 And all dominion belongs to him. 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:24.879 Because hang on to your hats in chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:27.360 Because it's going to get hairy. 00:04:28.100 --> 00:04:32.839 And you go to chapter 6, you'll see the saints under the altar who've been slain, 00:04:33.160 --> 00:04:34.480 crying out, how long? 00:04:34.620 --> 00:04:35.360 How long? 00:04:35.500 --> 00:04:36.100 How long? 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:37.220 When is it going to end? 00:04:37.620 --> 00:04:40.560 And the answer comes, soon, but not yet. 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:41.120 Just wait. 00:04:41.500 --> 00:04:42.300 Just wait. 00:04:43.540 --> 00:04:47.839 Because not all of those who will die like you did have died yet. 00:04:48.740 --> 00:04:51.399 It's like, if I was hearing that, you'd be thinking, what? 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:54.000 You mean more of us are going to die and be martyred? 00:04:54.439 --> 00:04:56.019 And the answer comes, yes. 00:04:56.879 --> 00:04:58.540 And there's going to be terrible persecution. 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:01.079 There's going to be awful things happen in the world. 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:03.840 The world is going to get dislocated. 00:05:04.259 --> 00:05:05.220 There'll be earthquakes. 00:05:05.699 --> 00:05:06.540 People will suffer. 00:05:06.540 --> 00:05:11.319 But not only that, there are going to be spiritual explosions that will wipe out many. 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:12.340 Really? 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:13.500 Yes, really. 00:05:13.939 --> 00:05:20.800 And so you can see, when John reveals this, how good is God to say, listen, this is the 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:21.439 starting point. 00:05:22.320 --> 00:05:25.360 The starting point is that I am in control of all of that. 00:05:26.400 --> 00:05:30.140 Nothing is going to happen that is not in my will. 00:05:31.280 --> 00:05:35.200 And nothing will take place for which I don't have a purpose. 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:37.360 It will be a rough ride. 00:05:37.779 --> 00:05:38.779 But guess what? 00:05:39.279 --> 00:05:42.319 That is sin and the impact of sin in this world. 00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:49.740 Do not for one moment think that it's only a benign kind of naughtiness that you have. 00:05:50.539 --> 00:05:53.159 It is cataclysmic. 00:05:53.819 --> 00:05:55.000 It's broken us. 00:05:56.279 --> 00:05:59.959 And what I have to do to bring us back together, just watch. 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:02.079 Just watch this space. 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:07.159 For the Jesus you believe in is the Jesus who will save you from your sin. 00:06:07.259 --> 00:06:08.120 And that's the only way. 00:06:08.579 --> 00:06:11.779 That is the only way to be saved from what's coming. 00:06:12.259 --> 00:06:15.879 So you look in chapter 4 and it says there in the first couple of verses, 00:06:16.300 --> 00:06:17.339 after this, I looked. 00:06:18.039 --> 00:06:18.639 And John says, 00:06:18.699 --> 00:06:21.659 Before me was a door standing open in heaven. 00:06:21.819 --> 00:06:27.360 It's as if the heavens get ripped apart and God's hands are holding it there and says, 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:29.860 Okay, John, pop up and have a look through here. 00:06:30.160 --> 00:06:32.920 And so he lifts his head up and he looks around. 00:06:33.340 --> 00:06:37.220 And there he is, not just on the outskirts of the suburbs of heaven, 00:06:37.460 --> 00:06:39.680 but in the throne room of God. 00:06:40.220 --> 00:06:41.080 There he is. 00:06:41.480 --> 00:06:43.520 This voice calls out like a trumpet. 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:47.759 Come up here and I'll show you what must take place after this. 00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:49.400 At once I was in the Spirit. 00:06:49.399 --> 00:07:00.139 So you know from what he's saying that what you're about to see is not something that we normally see. 00:07:00.739 --> 00:07:05.399 That is, it's not like watching a bird fly past or watching a car drive past. 00:07:05.599 --> 00:07:06.919 It's not that kind of seeing. 00:07:07.279 --> 00:07:08.039 You're seeing me. 00:07:08.099 --> 00:07:08.699 I'm seeing you. 00:07:08.899 --> 00:07:09.899 It's not like that. 00:07:10.479 --> 00:07:12.739 It's a vision that he's given. 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:15.739 But it's not like our visions either. 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:16.799 It's not like our dreams. 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:18.259 My dreams, they're crazy. 00:07:18.259 --> 00:07:19.259 What are your dreams like? 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:20.599 Do they ever make sense? 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:24.639 Do you ever get frustrated when you get up having had a very real dream? 00:07:25.039 --> 00:07:26.759 It felt like it was so real. 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:30.339 And then as you explain it to someone, you realize this is crazy. 00:07:30.819 --> 00:07:31.899 This makes no sense. 00:07:32.259 --> 00:07:33.680 There is no logical connection. 00:07:33.779 --> 00:07:37.639 I can see people smiling because you know your dream, right? 00:07:37.899 --> 00:07:38.139 Yeah. 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:41.379 Well, that's not what this is either because John is awake. 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:45.839 He's having the dream, the vision, but he's awake. 00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:49.179 And so he's invited up. 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:50.560 What did he see? 00:07:50.699 --> 00:07:51.579 What did John see? 00:07:52.299 --> 00:07:59.179 Well, John looks in to this throne room and he has what he calls his apocalypse. 00:07:59.859 --> 00:08:02.539 It really is the word for reveal, a revelation. 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:07.840 It all gets peeled back so that he gets to understand and see what's happening. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:15.879 And so in this vision, what he sees is God sitting on the throne. 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:19.259 In chapter four, there he is. 00:08:19.340 --> 00:08:21.000 There is one on the throne. 00:08:21.420 --> 00:08:22.800 One on the throne. 00:08:23.280 --> 00:08:23.540 One. 00:08:24.360 --> 00:08:26.660 God has won on the throne. 00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:31.240 And yet, as he goes on, you'll discover there's someone in the middle of the throne. 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:34.379 Well, on his lap. 00:08:34.800 --> 00:08:35.820 How does that work? 00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:44.360 What John has revealed to him is that the God who is on the throne is the God who is Father, 00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:45.800 Son, and Spirit in one. 00:08:45.799 --> 00:08:50.699 And so just as he begins to describe that, how do you describe? 00:08:50.919 --> 00:08:52.059 Here it is, boys and girls. 00:08:52.139 --> 00:08:53.659 We're going to find out what God looks like. 00:08:54.339 --> 00:08:55.659 He goes into these colors. 00:08:56.919 --> 00:09:00.079 He describes a rainbow that's emerald that's around the throne. 00:09:00.719 --> 00:09:05.459 And then he describes this one on the throne who's like Jasper. 00:09:06.219 --> 00:09:09.759 Well, Jasper, did anybody Google it during the day just to test me? 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:11.679 I invited you this morning. 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:11.919 No? 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:18.019 You can safely go Google, then images, Jasper, and you'll see it ranges from orange to green. 00:09:18.439 --> 00:09:23.679 And it's kind of like a diamond in that it gets all this sort of clarity and stuff. 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:25.799 It's an amazing stone. 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:29.979 That's the stone that he, like, that's what God's like. 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:39.079 Not like a rock, but that he's just a range of colors and incredible in luster. 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:41.879 But also deep red. 00:09:42.520 --> 00:09:44.860 Deep red, like a ruby. 00:09:46.020 --> 00:09:55.860 See, John chooses things that we will understand to describe the incredible majesty of a God we can never imagine. 00:09:56.580 --> 00:09:57.480 I'm okay with that. 00:09:57.780 --> 00:09:58.480 Are you okay with that? 00:09:58.480 --> 00:10:07.620 I figure that if this God could make a universe with more stars, planets, and universes, then we can count. 00:10:08.180 --> 00:10:10.100 He can put them there and name them. 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:12.180 He can put them there and sustain them. 00:10:12.340 --> 00:10:14.120 He can put them there and use them. 00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:17.860 Then I figure he's probably a little bit cleverer than me. 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:24.060 Yesterday, I put up some sun-tuff roofing stuff just in a deck at the back of our house. 00:10:24.059 --> 00:10:26.319 And it rained last night. 00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:31.639 And although I thought I'd secured it so that it would be waterproof, it's not. 00:10:32.099 --> 00:10:32.819 I've discovered. 00:10:33.479 --> 00:10:35.439 I can't even put up sun-tuff. 00:10:35.879 --> 00:10:40.979 How could I ever imagine a God who could suspend a galaxy? 00:10:42.299 --> 00:10:43.959 Do you really think you can work him out? 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:56.240 Do you really think the guys who write the books, like Richard Dawkins, who was so arrogant as to say God is a fairy tale, could ever work him out through their human philosophy? 00:10:57.259 --> 00:10:57.720 Never. 00:10:58.720 --> 00:10:59.160 Never. 00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:01.580 This vision shows us. 00:11:02.280 --> 00:11:03.400 Well, listen to the words. 00:11:03.800 --> 00:11:06.180 Before me is a throne with someone sitting on it. 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:21.079 The throne is a symbol of rule, jasper, a symbol of value, of beauty, carnelian, deep red. 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:24.399 But there's so many Old Testament images here as well. 00:11:24.819 --> 00:11:28.299 The rainbow is a reminder of God's faithfulness. 00:11:28.739 --> 00:11:32.299 He promised he would never flood the world again after the ark. 00:11:33.179 --> 00:11:34.319 He never has. 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:37.480 His word holds. 00:11:37.920 --> 00:11:40.180 If he says it, he will do it. 00:11:40.400 --> 00:11:41.140 He will keep it. 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:43.040 He is entirely faithful. 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:44.620 Entirely faithful. 00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:48.360 And so as John looks, he's reminded of that. 00:11:48.580 --> 00:11:55.520 But not only that, around this throne, there's also these flashes of lightning and peals of thunder, which is just like Exodus 19. 00:11:55.960 --> 00:12:02.680 When the Ten Commandments were about to be given and God came down to speak to the people, to talk to Moses. 00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:05.939 What was it like if you're looking up at the top of the mountain? 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:07.339 Thunder and lightning. 00:12:07.439 --> 00:12:09.079 Go back and have a look at Exodus 19. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:11.679 That's what John sees in the throne room. 00:12:12.459 --> 00:12:13.159 Can you imagine it? 00:12:13.239 --> 00:12:16.219 A rainbow and thunder and lightning on this throne. 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:17.779 There's so much happening. 00:12:18.099 --> 00:12:21.399 But then around the throne are seven blazing torches. 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:25.340 Now seven, the number seven is going to come up again as you keep going through Revelation. 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:28.699 Number seven is the number for completion. 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:29.919 It's done. 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:32.059 And it harks back to Genesis 2. 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.600 How many days in the week? 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:38.959 Yeah, six to make it and one for rest. 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:40.079 You know why? 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:48.939 Because God had completed creation on the, oh, seventh day was the day when he rested. 00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:50.540 Because it was done. 00:12:51.300 --> 00:12:53.680 All that had to be done was completed. 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:58.400 Seven is the number of completion or perfection, of fulfillment. 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:04.260 It's why later in this book, and you'll come across the beast with the number 666. 00:13:04.900 --> 00:13:07.720 I remember back in the 80s when bank card was introduced. 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:12.200 So many people who want to get all the detail out of Revelation and turn it into something, 00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:15.240 said, look at the symbol, the logo for the bank card. 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:17.500 But it's three B's inside each other. 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:19.220 But really it's the number 6. 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:20.759 And then again, 6. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:21.720 6. 00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:24.879 But I'm preaching to an audience that's never even seen a bank card logo, right? 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:31.159 For those of us who remember the bank card logo, it wasn't the sign of the beast. 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:36.279 The sign of the beast is that he's not God. 00:13:38.019 --> 00:13:38.379 666. 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:38.740 666. 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:40.740 It's really close to 7. 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:42.039 But it's not. 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:45.320 He tries to be 6 once. 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:47.059 He tries to get to 7. 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:47.759 He doesn't make it. 00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:48.480 So he's 6 again. 00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:50.259 He tries to get to 7 again. 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:50.860 And he doesn't. 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:51.460 He's 6. 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:52.600 666. 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:54.379 He's not God. 00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:57.139 He tries to be, but he's not. 00:13:57.480 --> 00:14:00.100 He has the appearance of God, but he's not. 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:02.740 And around the throne are these seven lamps. 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:05.200 There's no more light needed. 00:14:06.040 --> 00:14:10.460 This is all the light you need to perceive and understand the truth. 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:13.620 This is the light of God emanating out. 00:14:13.700 --> 00:14:14.800 And it's done by the Spirit. 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:17.379 The Spirit is the one who will enlighten you. 00:14:18.340 --> 00:14:18.680 Wow. 00:14:18.980 --> 00:14:20.120 See what John's doing here? 00:14:20.920 --> 00:14:26.940 God the Father on the throne has the Spirit sending the truth out to the world, to everybody, 00:14:26.940 --> 00:14:32.720 so that they can know, and then we get a glimpse of the one who is in the middle of the throne. 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:34.500 Not sitting on God's lap. 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:36.040 He's actually in the center. 00:14:36.880 --> 00:14:37.840 On the throne. 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:39.240 With the... 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:42.200 John, this vision is crazy. 00:14:42.640 --> 00:14:43.400 What were you drinking? 00:14:44.180 --> 00:14:44.660 Nothing. 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:51.680 This is from God, so that we will understand where he is, who's in charge, and what it is. 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:54.540 So, it is an image. 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:59.719 The next thing you see are the 24 elders who are around the throne, 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:03.319 representing the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles, 00:15:03.599 --> 00:15:06.879 the redeemed of the Old Testament with the redeemed of the New Testament. 00:15:07.059 --> 00:15:08.360 We'll all be there. 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:11.379 And they've got crowns on their heads, and they're sitting on thrones, 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:15.259 which is fulfillment of the promise that God gave to people, 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:17.959 that you will be involved in my kingdom. 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:20.000 You will rule with me. 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:23.360 They've got little crowns to prove it, because a crown is a sign. 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.240 I'm in charge. 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:24.899 I'm the ruler. 00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:26.480 That's what it means. 00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:29.000 And then there are these four living creatures. 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:32.800 Watch over the next few chapters how many times four is mentioned. 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:36.800 Four is the number that says it's everything that's been made. 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:38.659 The four corners of the earth. 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:41.340 Did you know there are no corners to the earth? 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:43.379 You've heard that expression, right? 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:46.279 Yeah, well, get a photo from the moon or something. 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:47.920 You'll see the world is a ball. 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:49.379 It's round. 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:51.439 And balls don't have corners. 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:56.000 So that expression, well, it comes from this. 00:15:56.079 --> 00:16:01.000 It actually comes from the idea of the four different things that are happening constantly. 00:16:01.579 --> 00:16:05.799 And that covers the whole of the created world, the one that we live on, the globe that we stand on. 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:09.399 And the four living creatures that are here represented are a lion. 00:16:09.399 --> 00:16:22.139 And this is the most noble, the royal, all the royalty of earth, all the nobility of earth, all those famous and capable ones who are noble. 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:25.759 Not many in Australia, I don't think, but there you go. 00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:27.100 Then there's the ox. 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:29.860 We still use the expression strong as an ox, right? 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:32.059 An ox represents strength. 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:34.559 The strongest people that have ever existed. 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.600 The strongest ones of the world ever. 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:47.379 And then there's man who carries the image of God made in the garden as the one who would bear the image as God's co-regent. 00:16:47.920 --> 00:16:51.680 He says, all of this I've put in submission under you. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.540 You look after it. 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.180 It's your job. 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.139 That's your responsibility. 00:16:55.320 --> 00:16:56.940 And then there's an eagle. 00:16:57.420 --> 00:17:02.500 The eagle is the creature which flies highest and fastest in all of creation. 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:04.640 Have you ever been around any Anglican churches? 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:06.579 We're doing that a lot lately. 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:13.819 And we find, you haven't got one, but in many churches, the bookshelf for the Bible is, guess what? 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.700 It's an eagle. 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:21.640 And I remember saying to Donald Robinson when he was Archbishop, he said, you could ask any question. 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:27.859 I think he was meaning for us to ask him questions about doctrine or the New Testament or some of those wise things that we were learning. 00:17:27.859 --> 00:17:29.419 And I said, yeah, I've got a question. 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:31.479 How come the eagle is in so many churches? 00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:38.659 Like, who chose the eagle and not, I don't know, a chook or some other bird of dignity and nobility? 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:40.279 He said, oh, really? 00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:41.219 Do you not understand? 00:17:41.679 --> 00:17:42.899 I said, no. 00:17:43.139 --> 00:17:44.500 And I looked around my year group. 00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:45.399 None of us understood. 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:50.039 So he said, the eagle flies higher than any other creature. 00:17:50.459 --> 00:17:52.979 In all of creation, none go higher. 00:17:53.439 --> 00:17:54.759 And what's above the eagle? 00:17:55.379 --> 00:17:56.219 The Word of God. 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:59.019 The Word of God is sovereign over everything. 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.980 So that's why we have eagles in churches. 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:04.940 A little bit of trivia that I didn't tell anybody at any of the other services today. 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.339 So glad you came tonight. 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:13.759 But he's the eagle that represents the greatest, fastest in all of creation. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:17.539 And all of these things in all of creation come together. 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:20.960 Now, does it really, is this really what happens? 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:23.000 I mean, does God really sit on a throne? 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:23.500 No. 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:28.539 Is he literally translucent and going from green to orange? 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.519 No. 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:30.839 Is he deep red? 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.319 No. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.839 Is he a ruler? 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.339 Yes. 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.859 Is he beyond description? 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:36.619 Yes. 00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:38.519 Should he be worshipped? 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.240 Absolutely. 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.559 Absolutely. 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.700 Do you worship him? 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.660 Because you know what? 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:48.539 In heaven, all these beasts worship him. 00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:52.079 It actually says, if you heard the description, that they're covered in eyes. 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:56.279 Now, how does an eagle fly if it's covered in eyes? 00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:57.819 Like, I can't work that one out. 00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:59.940 But again, this is imagery. 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:01.720 We're not being given a photograph. 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:03.119 We're being given a painting. 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:07.000 You know those paintings like Monet did and even Frederick McCubbin. 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.039 We went to Melbourne. 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:14.039 The Australian Gallery down there, the National Gallery in Melbourne, has got all these fantastic paintings. 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.900 And one of them I knew really well. 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.819 It's in three panels. 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:19.880 And it's a story in the panels of early settlers. 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:25.920 And in the first one, there's a photo, a painting, not photo, a painting of the couple arriving in the bush. 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:28.140 And then in the middle, he's building the house. 00:19:28.340 --> 00:19:30.980 And she's in the background sort of doing the washing or whatever. 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:34.080 And then in the last one, she's sitting beside his grave. 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:37.740 And it's kind of that sad story that, wow, that's what happened. 00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:40.240 And it's a beautiful, do you know the painting I'm talking about? 00:19:40.340 --> 00:19:40.680 You see it? 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:46.980 What's amazing, if you go up close to it and you see her sitting with her hands on her lap, there's no fingers. 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:50.539 You stand back, fair dinkum, you think that there's fingers there. 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:53.319 You go up close and there's no nose in there. 00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:56.079 All that is just sort of blobs of colour. 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:58.279 You stand back and it all comes together. 00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:00.000 That's what John's doing here. 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:04.059 He's using images to give us an idea. 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:06.879 Words so that we can understand. 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:13.960 And he's written it in a way so that people who are being discouraged, who are facing persecution, could cope. 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:21.380 They were being reminded by him in this incredibly pastoral message that God cares for them. 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:23.559 He knows the trouble that they're in. 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:25.779 He knows what they're going through. 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:28.840 And he wants them to know he is in charge. 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:29.840 He is sovereign. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.680 He is almighty. 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:37.259 And all these creatures have eyes all over them so that they will have insight and understanding. 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:40.400 And what do they do, these ones with insight and understanding? 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:45.200 They cry out, holy, holy, holy, three times. 00:20:46.320 --> 00:20:49.000 And if you're here this morning, you'll know what the three times means. 00:20:50.560 --> 00:20:54.460 I'll tell you again for those who won't, because you're hanging out to find out why, right? 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:58.780 In English, we would say big, bigger, biggest. 00:20:59.800 --> 00:21:05.480 But in Hebrew and Sanskrit and Aramaic and many other ancient languages, even some modern languages, 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:08.300 the way you give emphasis is you repeat it. 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:15.139 So you would say, for someone who is absolutely, extremely holy, holy, holy. 00:21:15.919 --> 00:21:18.180 For someone who is really rich, they're rich, rich. 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:20.720 For someone who is really strong, strong, strong. 00:21:21.919 --> 00:21:24.099 For God, he's holy, holy, holy. 00:21:24.899 --> 00:21:29.059 Now, as soon as you would say that, people who spoke that language would go, what? 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:32.240 How could you be holy, holy, holy? 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:35.940 That's holiness that's beyond. 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:37.940 That's exactly right. 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:44.380 Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:47.720 Who was in eternity past. 00:21:47.820 --> 00:21:49.720 Who is in the present day. 00:21:49.860 --> 00:21:51.080 And who is to come. 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:52.740 The future. 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:56.500 This is the God of all history, of all time. 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.259 Notice the three times? 00:21:58.779 --> 00:22:00.580 Was, is, is to come. 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:08.199 The stress that he's making here to understand that this one is the one forever. 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:13.599 And they take off their crowns and they throw them down. 00:22:14.699 --> 00:22:19.480 Because they're saying, the power and authority that I have, it's nothing compared to your power. 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:22.119 I'm no one compared to you. 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:26.819 And so they bow down and they worship to their Lord and God. 00:22:27.399 --> 00:22:31.099 Paul Barnett, who's written a book on this, says you've got to consider those words, Lord and God. 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:35.679 Because these people lived at a time when the emperor who was ruling them, Domitian, 00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:39.739 he insisted on everyone calling him Lord and God. 00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:45.879 It sort of pales compared to Team Australia, which is what Tony Abbott's come up with. 00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:51.340 And I'm glad because I don't think I could call Tony Abbott, Captain Abbott. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:53.920 You know, you, Captain Abbott. 00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:59.060 Domitian, however, said you will call me Lord and God or else you will die. 00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:00.960 You have to worship me. 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:03.760 And if you believe in another God, that's fine. 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:06.360 So long as your other God is under me. 00:23:07.040 --> 00:23:09.100 For I am Lord God Almighty. 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.720 Lord and God. 00:23:12.320 --> 00:23:14.260 It's no different to what's happening in Iraq. 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:20.480 Where Christians are being told, if you don't say Allah is the only God, 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:22.559 you'll cut your head off. 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:26.960 If you pay a tax, you can remain a Christian. 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:30.539 And you know what happened as soon as some of the Christians paid that tax? 00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:33.819 Their wives were taken and raped and their children were taken. 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:40.000 What's happening today is no different to what was happening in Rome. 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:43.940 Look how far we've come in 21 centuries. 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.680 Isn't it pathetic? 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.900 Isn't it hopeless? 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.799 This is our world. 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:52.460 It's a broken and divided world. 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.519 And we need a Savior. 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:59.599 And Revelation 4 and 5 is saying to us, there is a Savior. 00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:00.920 He is on the throne. 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.400 And this is who he is. 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.180 He is a lamb. 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:06.240 He's a lamb. 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:07.759 Well, I want a Savior. 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:09.940 I want someone with claws and a bit of punch. 00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:11.059 And what do we get? 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.440 A lamb. 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:16.180 A little later in Revelation, you're going to hear about the wrath of a lamb. 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.779 Have you ever seen a cranky lamb? 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:19.460 Really? 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:19.539 Really? 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:27.500 But the lamb is not only a lamb, which is cute and cuddly and soft and furry, of woolly. 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:29.779 This lamb has been killed. 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:33.099 Of course we know who that is, don't we? 00:24:33.959 --> 00:24:39.299 In fact, as soon as I say the lamb of God, there's an image you already know, isn't it? 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:47.480 It's an image you understand that Jesus had to be sacrificed just as a lamb was sacrificed at each Passover. 00:24:48.379 --> 00:24:48.779 Why? 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:51.759 Because our sins needed to be covered with blood. 00:24:53.219 --> 00:24:56.419 Someone's blood has to be shed for what you've done. 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:57.420 Someone's blood has to be covered with blood. 00:24:57.800 --> 00:24:58.660 Here's the choice. 00:24:58.860 --> 00:25:01.380 Yours or someone else's. 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.820 We lived for many years in Adelaide. 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:06.519 And in Adelaide, I used to ride my bike to work every day in the city. 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:08.500 So the church was in the middle of Adelaide. 00:25:08.820 --> 00:25:10.080 And our house was out in the suburbs. 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:13.000 And I used to enjoy riding in, riding out, riding in, riding out. 00:25:13.320 --> 00:25:17.360 And one day, I left my helmet in my office as I was riding home. 00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:18.560 I don't know why. 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:19.940 The helmet wasn't there. 00:25:20.340 --> 00:25:26.160 But you only have to go on a little bit of North Terrace before you get on the cycle track all the way to my home. 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:28.200 So I jumped on my bike. 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:33.920 I was going up North Terrace, about to hang a left onto the cycle track, when a policeman went behind me. 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:36.320 Yeah, that was just in case you were drifting off. 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.980 And pulled me over. 00:25:39.560 --> 00:25:40.460 Can you imagine that? 00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:44.640 I'm only about 100 yards from the church where I work, where everybody's coming in, going out. 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:46.460 Red and blue lights flashing. 00:25:47.080 --> 00:25:48.759 And there's Chris standing there with his bike. 00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:52.200 And so this young guy, why did he have to be young? 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:53.900 Got out and he came over and he said to me, 00:25:54.060 --> 00:25:55.980 I notice you've forgotten something. 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:56.980 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.440 I forgot my helmet. 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.019 Come on, hurry up. 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:58.700 I've got to go. 00:25:59.400 --> 00:26:05.600 He said, well, can you explain to me why you don't think you need to wear a helmet when everybody else in the state does? 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:07.759 I said, I know I need to wear the helmet. 00:26:07.800 --> 00:26:08.820 I'm sorry, I forgot my helmet. 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:10.960 I must have left it in the office or at home. 00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:12.259 I'm not really sure. 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:17.519 He said, well, there's a fine in South Australia for not wearing it. 00:26:17.560 --> 00:26:18.300 It gets the book out. 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:20.519 I'm thinking, please just book me. 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:22.759 I don't want anyone from church to see me. 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:25.339 And so he gave me a fine. 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:28.839 I quickly put it in my pocket and then he let my tires down. 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:32.759 So I had to walk the bike home all the way. 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:34.039 I got home. 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:37.279 I was really happy and in a godly frame of mind. 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:39.059 So Christian. 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:41.579 And Belinda, my wife, said, what's wrong with you? 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:43.460 I let my tires on. 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:45.940 I forgot my helmet and got this fine. 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.680 And she said, how much is it? 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.619 I said, I don't even know. 00:26:48.659 --> 00:26:49.259 I didn't even look. 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:50.500 I pulled it out. 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:56.240 And the top of the notice took my eye more than the bottom, which is where the dollar sign was. 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:59.680 And at the top, you know what it says in South Australia when you get a ticket? 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.799 Expiation notice. 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.779 Expiation notice. 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:07.279 And I looked at that and I went, how good is this? 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:10.980 This is going to be a sermon illustration for the rest of my life. 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:12.819 It was only 25 bucks too. 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:16.400 But the expiation notice, you know what that means? 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.599 I went to church next Sunday. 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:19.220 I said, I got given an expiation notice. 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.960 And some people, they're going, here, we saw you. 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:27.799 Expiation notice means, brothers and sisters, I've got this fine that has to be paid. 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:29.960 And anyone can pay it. 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:32.299 So who wants to step forward and pay it for me? 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:33.879 No one did. 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:35.319 But here's the thing. 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:38.839 Jesus is our expiation for our sins. 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:42.940 The sins that we have committed, the things that we have done wrong, 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:48.140 Jesus says, I willingly paid for on the cross. 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.400 Everything. 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.359 Wiped out. 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.400 Forgiven. 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:55.759 Done away. 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.420 Chris Edwards. 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:02.680 Your fine has been paid. 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:04.640 Isn't that brilliant? 00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:08.019 That's why all the living creatures bow down to him. 00:28:08.360 --> 00:28:15.380 That's why the lamb is the one we need to focus on, especially as you see chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15. 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:17.279 All the way through. 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:19.980 Where things get worse and worse. 00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:20.900 Remember this. 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:23.700 The lamb is on the throne. 00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:26.160 He's taken away the sin of the world. 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.820 And you can be forgiven. 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:30.180 And you get to chapters 20 and 21. 00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:30.900 And guess what? 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:38.560 There is an incredible wedding where God brings us together forever. 00:28:39.360 --> 00:28:40.279 Don't you want to be there? 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:42.720 That's the wedding I want to go to. 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:44.340 That's the wedding I'm going to be at. 00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:47.919 And it's the first wedding I will be at where I am the bride. 00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:49.859 How cool is that? 00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:52.199 The ugliest bride ever. 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:55.019 But in God's eyes, beautiful. 00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:57.319 What an incredible gift. 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:57.980 Let's pray. 00:28:57.980 --> 00:29:04.980 Heavenly Father, we thank you that in your love and mercy, you paid the price we can't pay. 00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:08.279 You forgave us the sin that we have committed. 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:17.539 And you've given us this word to assure us that you've got it all in your hand now and forever. 00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:18.599 Amen.