WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.779 All right, throughout the week, I try to make it a point to watch the evening news from time to time, the 5.30 broadcast of the world news. 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:13.380 And I've noticed a pattern. 00:00:15.060 --> 00:00:20.620 For the first 28 minutes or so, there's a lot of sobering news. 00:00:20.620 --> 00:00:29.179 People dying, natural disasters, political divisions, different levels of despair. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:39.439 And about halfway through, the anchor starts pointing you to a little segment that's going to come to the end of the service, broadcast. 00:00:42.439 --> 00:00:51.359 And that little segment at the end of the broadcast is typically the feel-good close of the broadcast. 00:00:52.579 --> 00:00:54.939 Do you know what the producers of the evening news have realized? 00:00:54.939 --> 00:01:04.599 That if their viewers are watching a broadcast full of despair and disaster, death and division, 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:10.480 chances are that their viewership is going to walk away depressed and their radio isn't going to drop. 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:12.879 So they figured out, let's put some good news in. 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:20.159 Two-minute good news at the end of every broadcast. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:31.199 A couple weeks ago, I was watching and learned that the late President Bush's service dog has been redeployed into children's hospitals 00:01:31.199 --> 00:01:36.919 to bring a smile to the face of children with leukemia, which is sweet. 00:01:36.920 --> 00:01:43.579 But I also watched that there are a thousand people had been killed in a cyclone. 00:01:44.359 --> 00:01:53.859 I'd also seen just minutes before that there were people with all sorts of money who were able to buy their children into prestigious colleges 00:01:53.859 --> 00:01:55.980 through some kind of backdoor means. 00:01:57.740 --> 00:02:05.500 I also saw the deep political divisions in our country, and we've got a president with a serious lack of self-control. 00:02:05.500 --> 00:02:06.640 I saw it. 00:02:08.479 --> 00:02:10.599 Is a service dog going to help with that? 00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:16.400 How about some real good news? 00:02:18.780 --> 00:02:24.300 The 5.30 broadcast of the news isn't going to tell you what you need to hear. 00:02:27.360 --> 00:02:31.800 Now, the book of Revelation isn't all smiles, is it? 00:02:31.800 --> 00:02:35.960 It can be very dark in places. 00:02:37.180 --> 00:02:38.660 There can be death and devastation. 00:02:40.219 --> 00:02:44.420 Seven cycles of these judgments that keep falling. 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:46.719 Seals and trumpets and bowls. 00:02:48.580 --> 00:02:56.600 Devastating different amounts of the earth that will finally and fully result in God's wrath being poured out through the bowl judgments. 00:02:56.599 --> 00:02:59.019 It's in chapter 16 on all the earth. 00:03:01.019 --> 00:03:02.219 It can be dark. 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:05.079 Devastating. 00:03:05.879 --> 00:03:13.199 But in the midst of the book of Revelation, you have these good news deposits. 00:03:13.979 --> 00:03:15.620 It's real good news. 00:03:15.620 --> 00:03:21.140 It's pictures of Jesus in his might and glory. 00:03:22.580 --> 00:03:26.159 It sets our hopes on what is true. 00:03:27.780 --> 00:03:33.599 And so, brothers and sisters, we're in the midst of a spiritual war zone over worship. 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:37.340 There's a battle being fought for the hearts of men and women. 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:39.159 Who will be worshipped? 00:03:39.240 --> 00:03:41.920 It's either the beast or the lamb. 00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:46.219 In the world's version of good news, you know what? 00:03:46.959 --> 00:03:48.099 It just doesn't cut it. 00:03:48.179 --> 00:03:54.659 Because the book of Revelation echoes the rest of the scriptures as to what is the real problem of humanity. 00:03:55.359 --> 00:04:00.919 It's internal, our indwelling sin that metastasizes in idolatry. 00:04:01.939 --> 00:04:04.560 We have this tendency of worshipping anything but God. 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:12.719 And we learn from the book of Revelation that the spiritual forces of darkness seek to capitalize on that. 00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:16.199 By suppressing the truth of God. 00:04:17.160 --> 00:04:20.139 And garnering worshippers for the beast. 00:04:21.720 --> 00:04:23.439 We're in a spiritual war zone. 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:30.660 And there's all sorts of false gospels flying around to call you to something other than the lamb. 00:04:32.699 --> 00:04:36.680 But there's only one true gospel that comes down from heaven. 00:04:36.839 --> 00:04:42.879 That's God's message of salvation to a fallen world fixed on rebellion. 00:04:43.339 --> 00:04:49.060 And that message is the message of a lamb who was slain but is now standing. 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:51.040 Jesus. 00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:51.240 Jesus. 00:04:53.439 --> 00:05:06.300 The good news that you need to hear right now, every day, is the good news that Jesus has been slain for you but is now alive. 00:05:09.439 --> 00:05:14.319 And so this morning I come not declaring service dogs. 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:22.319 I come pronouncing good news of the lamb who was slain. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:29.680 And this comes at a good time because we're in the midst of a battle. 00:05:30.199 --> 00:05:35.100 In chapters 12 and 13 we learn that Jesus was crucified. 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:36.779 He was slain. 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:42.000 And because of that the dragon of old was thrown down to the earth. 00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:44.800 No access to the heavenly court. 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:46.819 And he was thrown down. 00:05:46.819 --> 00:05:49.639 And he's furious because he knows his time is short. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:52.060 It's the beginning of the end for him. 00:05:53.379 --> 00:05:56.180 And so he has deployed two of his spiritual henchmen. 00:05:57.540 --> 00:05:58.699 Beast 1 and Beast 2. 00:05:59.500 --> 00:06:02.000 To wage war against us, God's saints. 00:06:02.840 --> 00:06:06.840 Beast 1 is the power of the state untethered from God to oppose God. 00:06:06.839 --> 00:06:17.839 And Beast 2 is the propagandist who is trying to use his subtle craft to tether people to the beast. 00:06:20.039 --> 00:06:23.779 It's an effective strategy that has been going on for millennia. 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:27.219 It just takes different forms. 00:06:27.220 --> 00:06:36.380 The anti-trinity is very adept at using what he's got to distract people away from the lamb. 00:06:38.520 --> 00:06:43.720 And so in chapter 13 verse 4 we hear this question from the followers of the beast. 00:06:44.020 --> 00:06:46.820 Who is like the beast and who can fight against it? 00:06:48.080 --> 00:06:49.920 They don't think that there's an answer. 00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:53.120 Chapter 14 gives an answer. 00:06:53.120 --> 00:06:58.800 The lamb is greater than the beast. 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:03.740 And the lamb has won the victory over the beast. 00:07:04.699 --> 00:07:08.019 I'm so glad the book of Revelation doesn't end with chapter 13. 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:11.899 There's more good news to be mined. 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:15.319 And so here's how we're going to proceed this morning. 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:20.079 I want you to see that the gospel, the lamb who was slain, 00:07:20.079 --> 00:07:23.680 is God's power for you to endure. 00:07:25.039 --> 00:07:27.699 In the spiritual war zone we find ourselves in. 00:07:28.759 --> 00:07:33.279 The gospel is God's power for his saints to endure. 00:07:34.219 --> 00:07:36.659 And so in chapter 14, in order to help you see this, 00:07:36.759 --> 00:07:40.699 we've got two pictures of good news. 00:07:41.159 --> 00:07:42.500 Chapter 14, 1 through 5. 00:07:42.659 --> 00:07:43.360 Scene 1. 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:49.740 A vision of the redeemed of God singing praises to the lamb. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:51.879 They're singing good news. 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:57.160 And then the second scene in chapter 14, 6 through 11, scene 2, 00:07:57.400 --> 00:07:59.220 is a vision of three angels. 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:02.199 And they are proclaiming good news. 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:04.139 And when we get there and walk through it, 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:06.360 you're going to be like, well, that doesn't sound like good news to me. 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:08.040 Oh, it's good news. 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:09.259 I'll help you see why. 00:08:09.259 --> 00:08:15.360 And what we have in verses 12 and 13 of verse 14 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:23.060 is how we are to respond to all this good news 00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:25.899 as saints of God under siege. 00:08:27.659 --> 00:08:28.839 We are to endure. 00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:34.600 The gospel is God's power for his people to endure. 00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:39.040 So let's look at how this plays out in scene 1, 00:08:39.100 --> 00:08:40.060 a vision of the redeemed. 00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:42.120 Verses 1 through 5. 00:08:43.180 --> 00:08:45.500 Then I looked and behold, on Mount Zion stood the lamb. 00:08:46.779 --> 00:08:48.639 Here's what I want you to see in this little section. 00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:50.759 Notice what John sees. 00:08:51.580 --> 00:08:53.820 Then I want you to notice what John hears. 00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:59.700 And then I want you to see how John describes the redeemed. 00:08:59.700 --> 00:09:04.360 So see what John sees. 00:09:05.740 --> 00:09:07.740 Instantly, immediately, you've got to realize 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:10.960 he's no longer looking at the earth. 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:14.600 He's no longer looking at the dragon on the seashore. 00:09:14.860 --> 00:09:17.160 He's no longer looking at the beast coming up. 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:20.060 He's no longer looking at the beast 2 coming up on earth. 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:22.300 He is looking into heaven. 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:23.220 It's a contrast. 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:27.259 And what he beholds is Mount Zion. 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:30.279 The heavenly Mount Zion. 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:33.939 And that's another way of talking about a city. 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:36.299 The city of God. 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:40.439 The new Jerusalem on Mount Zion. 00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:46.279 What John sees is the new Jerusalem. 00:09:46.439 --> 00:09:47.720 The city of God. 00:09:48.200 --> 00:09:50.019 And I just want to let you know right now. 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:54.039 The new Jerusalem, that's the bride of the lamb. 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:57.299 But what you need to know up front here is Babylon. 00:09:58.419 --> 00:10:00.719 That's the beast's barmaid. 00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:02.919 That's what you've got to understand about Babylon. 00:10:03.399 --> 00:10:05.839 You're going to see this contrast develop in just a little bit. 00:10:08.599 --> 00:10:11.039 What John sees in heaven, Mount Zion. 00:10:11.459 --> 00:10:17.099 And in the midst of Mount Zion stood the lamb. 00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:22.360 If you look back at 1217, you see someone else standing. 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:24.279 The dragon. 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:30.879 But here John is setting our gaze on the lamb. 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:33.100 The lamb who was slain. 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:35.940 The lamb who's standing in victory. 00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:41.340 The lamb standing in victory in his place. 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:43.180 The new Jerusalem. 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:46.759 And notice those who are around him are 144,000. 00:10:48.299 --> 00:10:57.099 When I preached on Revelation 7, I made the case that that 144,000 is actually a description of all of God's people for all time. 00:10:58.099 --> 00:11:02.359 It's a way of talking about the church as a full and complete number of the redeemed. 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:06.359 And they are surrounding him. 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:11.659 144,000 is a symbolic number that captures the fullness of God's people. 00:11:12.680 --> 00:11:16.500 Surrounding the lamb in heaven, Mount Zion. 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:28.600 And what John then draws our attention to is he draws us into what's written on the foreheads of each of these 144,000. 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:30.420 Two names. 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:33.460 The name of the lamb and the name of the father. 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:36.960 Is anybody aware that the new Toy Story is coming out? 00:11:39.280 --> 00:11:48.360 One of the previous Toy Stories, there's this scene where Sheriff Woody, his foot has been pulled up. 00:11:48.920 --> 00:11:50.139 It's about to be painted over. 00:11:51.040 --> 00:11:52.759 And there's a name on the bottom of his foot. 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:54.519 Remember what that name is? 00:11:55.620 --> 00:11:56.019 Andy. 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:56.100 Andy. 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:59.139 Why is the name Andy on Woody? 00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:03.100 He belongs. 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:05.899 He belongs to Andy. 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:13.460 When you have the name of something, someone written on you, it means you belong to them in the book of Revelation. 00:12:15.079 --> 00:12:20.179 And so if the name of the lamb is written on you, you belong to him. 00:12:20.179 --> 00:12:25.719 It's in contrast to the number of the beast. 00:12:27.079 --> 00:12:28.679 Completely incomplete. 00:12:30.359 --> 00:12:30.679 666. 00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:34.939 Written on the name of his followers. 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:39.859 We belong to the lamb. 00:12:39.939 --> 00:12:45.379 If you've put your faith in Jesus, if you've decided to follow Jesus in light of what he has done for you, 00:12:46.359 --> 00:12:48.139 his name is written on you. 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:50.039 You haven't written it on your own forehead. 00:12:50.439 --> 00:12:53.559 He, in his grace, has claimed you as his own. 00:12:57.199 --> 00:12:59.319 So what we have going on here is this. 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:08.480 We have a picture of God's people with his name on their foreheads in his place. 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:10.659 That's what's going on here. 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:15.559 And we're given this picture in the midst of a spiritual street fight. 00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:20.860 And so what's going on here is that our God wants to remind us of who we belong to. 00:13:21.819 --> 00:13:23.179 We have an address. 00:13:23.839 --> 00:13:24.899 It's not here. 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.459 It's in Mount Zion. 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:28.600 That's our homeland. 00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:32.879 You belong to the lamb. 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:38.399 And you have a place waiting for you in the new Jerusalem. 00:13:40.560 --> 00:13:45.120 Notice what now John hears in 14, 2 through 3. 00:13:45.940 --> 00:13:47.980 It's remarkably loud. 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:50.720 We read, 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:55.980 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters, the sound of loud thunder. 00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:59.560 The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:02.399 That's all loud stuff. 00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:03.820 It's a racket. 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:06.100 Roaring. 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:07.340 Think of Niagara. 00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:10.019 You can't have a conversation with somebody around Niagara Falls. 00:14:11.060 --> 00:14:11.500 Thunders. 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.480 They get really loud. 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:13.399 Harpists. 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:15.019 We got a harpist in our church. 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:15.779 Mary Jo. 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:16.799 Mary Jo, where are you? 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:18.019 There she is. 00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:20.259 When Mary Jo plays her harp, it's loud. 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:25.319 Mary Jo, what happens if there is 100 harpists playing in this room? 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.419 Do you know what would happen? 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:28.379 Blow out the windows. 00:14:29.559 --> 00:14:29.939 Loud. 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:30.100 Loud. 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:39.819 So what we're being shown here, what we're supposed to hear, it's really loud in Mount Zion. 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:47.060 There is loud voices, sounds going on. 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:50.760 And now we've got to ask, who's the source of it? 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:53.460 And if you look at 14.3, you see the source. 00:14:54.640 --> 00:14:55.760 And they were singing. 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:59.200 All this sound. 00:14:59.640 --> 00:15:01.260 All this noise. 00:15:01.540 --> 00:15:04.020 It's coming from the 144,000. 00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:07.020 It's coming from those who are surrounding the Lamb. 00:15:07.280 --> 00:15:08.880 It's coming from those who have been redeemed. 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:12.200 And notice, they're singing a new song. 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:15.899 What is this new song business about? 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:19.620 I'm going to bring you through a little tour of the book of Psalms. 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:21.620 We're going to work from the back to the front. 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:26.399 So if you would open up your Bibles to Psalm 144, 9 and 10. 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:28.700 Let me see if you can pick up on the pattern. 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:32.240 Psalm 144, 9 and 10. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.259 We read, 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:35.840 I will sing a new song to you, O God. 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:46.039 Upon a ten-stringed harp, I will play to you who gives victory to kings, who rescues David, his servant, from the cruel sword. 00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:49.320 Now flip to Psalm 98, verses 1 and 2. 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:54.260 O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. 00:15:54.600 --> 00:16:00.160 His right hand and his holy harm have worked salvation for him. 00:16:00.540 --> 00:16:02.600 Now turn to Psalm 96, 1 and 2. 00:16:02.780 --> 00:16:04.860 O sing to the Lord a new song. 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.620 Sing to the Lord all the earth. 00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:07.640 Sing to the Lord. 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.420 Bless his name. 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:10.500 Tell of his salvation from day to day. 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.200 Picking up on a pattern? 00:16:12.200 --> 00:16:17.400 Now look at Psalm 40, 2 and 3. 00:16:18.160 --> 00:16:18.940 Speaking of God, 00:16:19.280 --> 00:16:26.280 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:31.080 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:33.680 Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:35.620 The new song business is this. 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:42.980 When God demonstrates his power in a mighty act of deliverance for his people, they sing a new song. 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:47.080 They sing a new song of their deliverer. 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:50.080 They sing a new song of his salvation. 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:59.799 And these 144,000 are singing a new song of the greatest act of deliverance God has ever done through the Lamb who was slain. 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:04.940 The song that they're singing is a redemption song. 00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:06.799 Don't think Bob Marley. 00:17:07.959 --> 00:17:09.000 Think the Lamb. 00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:10.779 His song. 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:14.219 There's a new song that's been put on our lips. 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:17.319 Because we've been delivered from the miry bog. 00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:20.239 A new song. 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:27.819 Being sung by his people in his place with his name on their foreheads. 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:31.599 Now I want you to see this. 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:39.699 Note how in verses 4 and 5, these 144,000 are described. 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:41.379 Here's how I want you to see it. 00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:45.980 I want you to dial into the word these in verse 4. 00:17:46.219 --> 00:17:46.959 There's three of them. 00:17:47.639 --> 00:17:48.419 First one is this. 00:17:48.939 --> 00:17:53.039 These who have not defiled themselves with women for they are virgins. 00:17:53.039 --> 00:18:01.500 Now you can take the 144,000 literally and so you have 144,000 virgin men. 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:04.200 But I don't think that's what that's talking about. 00:18:04.879 --> 00:18:07.259 I think that this is symbolic of the church. 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:12.039 And so if you're not a virgin male, don't feel excluded. 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:17.319 This is talking about all of God's people who are spiritually pure to God. 00:18:18.159 --> 00:18:20.960 Who are remaining chaste to him. 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:23.899 Not going after other gods. 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:29.420 It's talking about a purity of devotion. 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:35.099 His people are purely devoted to the Lamb alone. 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:35.960 Him alone. 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:44.000 And the next thing, next these that we see is these follow the Lamb wherever he goes. 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:47.140 This 144,000, these are the redeemed. 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:50.180 They're living their lives to him alone. 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:54.140 And they're living their lives to him always. 00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:57.240 Following him wherever they go. 00:18:57.860 --> 00:18:59.059 It's a picture of discipleship. 00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:01.400 We saw it in the followers of the beast as well. 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:02.920 Obedience. 00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:10.620 And the last thing that we see is these have been redeemed from mankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb. 00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:14.279 And in their mouth no lie was found for they are blameless. 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:19.320 So not only to live for him alone and for him always. 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.700 He's our aim. 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:26.259 The first fruits language, that's harvest language. 00:19:26.580 --> 00:19:28.560 And we're going to see a harvest next week. 00:19:28.840 --> 00:19:31.900 The great harvest at the end of the age. 00:19:31.900 --> 00:19:34.360 When Jesus comes back with sickle in his hand. 00:19:34.800 --> 00:19:37.780 And he harvests himself a people for himself. 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.460 First fruits. 00:19:40.120 --> 00:19:42.280 It's not just the beginning of the harvest. 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:46.680 It's that part of the harvest that is offered to God. 00:19:48.860 --> 00:19:49.820 As worship. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.440 Sacrifice. 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:54.720 Offering. 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:58.839 So when you see the word blameless at the end of verse 5. 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:01.900 Blameless. 00:20:02.620 --> 00:20:03.019 Offering. 00:20:04.339 --> 00:20:05.620 No lie in our mouths. 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:10.579 We are not bearing false testimony to a false savior. 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:16.240 We're offering our praises to the real savior, the Lamb. 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:27.620 His people gathered in his place with his name on their foreheads singing his song. 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:30.000 That's what we're seeing in this vision. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:37.180 And this is all taking place in the context of a spiritual war zone. 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:42.200 It's all designed, Christian, for you to gather strength. 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:46.079 It reminds you of where is your final place. 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:50.440 Who is your ultimate owner and master. 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:54.980 It's designed to remind you of the kind of life you are to live. 00:20:58.740 --> 00:21:00.279 You belong to the Lamb. 00:21:01.580 --> 00:21:05.519 This is all gospel news for you. 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:12.140 This all comes to you as a result of God's mercy and his grace. 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:15.299 It's all true of you because the Lamb was slain. 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:19.279 It's his song that you sing. 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:36.200 When we work through Revelation 12 and 13, it's easy to get dragon phobic, beast phobic, false prophet phobic. 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:43.460 You become more aware of your enemy than your real Lord and Savior. 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:53.360 And what God is doing for us today is just aiming our hearts on the Lamb who was slain. 00:21:54.360 --> 00:21:59.860 The gospel is God's power for us to endure. 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:03.100 Let's quickly look at this second scene. 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:06.559 It's a vision of three angels. 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:16.179 And this vision, starting in verse 6, begins with this first angel flying directly overhead, literally mid-heaven, 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:24.319 with an eternal gospel to proclaim, literally eternal gospel gospelizing to those who dwell on the earth. 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:30.619 So this first angel is going to be announcing gospel to those who dwell on the earth. 00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:36.919 And remember, that's a technical phrase in the book of Revelation for all those who have yet to follow Jesus, 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:39.479 for all those who are following after the beast. 00:22:40.239 --> 00:22:45.379 This gospel is being proclaimed by an angel to those who dwell on the earth. 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:47.239 They need to hear it. 00:22:48.699 --> 00:22:52.519 But it's also going to be true for the second angel and the third angel. 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:57.680 They're all going to be proclaiming good news to the dwellers of the earth. 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:02.379 Look what this first angel says. 00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:06.039 He says to those dwelling on the earth, 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.519 Fear God. 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.660 Give glory. 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:10.259 Worship the Creator. 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:14.180 Three commands to those dwelling on the earth. 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:16.379 And maybe for your ears, you're kind of like, 00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:21.019 Well, that doesn't sound like that good news to me. 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:26.359 Well, you've got to realize what he's calling them from. 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:32.379 Remember, dwellers on the earth, they're not in a neutral spiritual state. 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:37.160 They're following the false prophet and the beast and the dragon. 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:45.000 And so this call to fear God is to stop fearing the beast. 00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:47.279 Fear the one true God. 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:52.839 And to fear something means that that becomes the controlling center of your life. 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:55.180 It's more about reverence. 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:59.099 The determinative motive of why you do what you do. 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.779 Fear God. 00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:04.799 Give Him glory. 00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:07.259 Don't give glory to the beast. 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:09.139 Who is like the beast? 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:10.240 Don't do that. 00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:13.139 Give glory to God. 00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:15.920 Make much of Him. 00:24:17.280 --> 00:24:18.800 And it culminates in worship. 00:24:19.020 --> 00:24:20.220 Worship the Creator. 00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:21.880 The one who made all. 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:24.340 Heaven, earth, sea, and springs of water. 00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:29.180 We're going to see God pour out His wrath on those very things in just a couple weeks. 00:24:30.780 --> 00:24:32.080 Don't worship the beast. 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:34.240 Do you know what the good news is? 00:24:37.340 --> 00:24:38.440 There's a better God. 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:38.519 God. 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:42.480 Don't worship that. 00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:44.500 There's a better God. 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:46.380 The one true God. 00:24:46.580 --> 00:24:47.519 That's the good news. 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:50.539 This angel is proclaiming to the dwellers of the earth. 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.460 That's the good news. 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:54.100 And there's a little other good news here. 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:59.960 This is taking place when judgment is coming. 00:25:00.080 --> 00:25:00.860 Did you see that? 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:06.000 Give Him glory because the hour of His judgment has come. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:09.099 We're talking about the last hour. 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:11.380 This is a last call. 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:13.380 You know how in bars, bartenders will say, 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:14.539 Last call. 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:16.039 Because, you know, order your drinks now. 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:16.779 We're closing up. 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:19.359 This is the last call by God. 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:23.759 Before He pours out His full and final wrath through the bowls. 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:26.140 Repent. 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.059 Good news. 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:30.019 There's a better God. 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:34.039 Angel 2, verse 8. 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:37.879 Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, is what this angel says. 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:42.180 What he's saying is, don't bother with Babylon. 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.519 Stop it. 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:52.420 Remember, Babylon is the counter city to the New Jerusalem. 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:54.859 To Mount Zion. 00:25:54.859 --> 00:26:01.119 John is not speaking of the literal Babylon of Iraq at that time. 00:26:01.199 --> 00:26:09.699 What he's talking about is, he's using Babylon as a representative for all of humanity organized in opposition to God. 00:26:10.399 --> 00:26:11.279 That's Babylon. 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:15.799 What 1 John 2 describes as the world. 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:20.200 Organized humanity in rebellion against God. 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:29.960 And what we'll see in chapter 17 and 18 of Babylon is her downfall. 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:31.559 Close up and personal. 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:34.340 We're going to see Babylon fall. 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:40.360 But what you need to know is that Babylon is the barmaid of the beast. 00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:42.480 And she wants you to drink something. 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:45.980 Do you see that in verse 8? 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:52.319 She who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality. 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:57.279 Her sexual immorality is idolatry. 00:26:58.559 --> 00:27:05.500 She wants you to drink deep of anything that will cause you to worship in drunken, confused state. 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:06.759 Anything but the lamb. 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:17.740 Babylon is all humanity, state, institutions, organizations, opposed to God. 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:23.379 And she makes the nations drunk with idolatry. 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:30.160 All throughout the scriptures, God talks about his people as being faithful to him as a bride. 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:34.619 And he talks about when his people turn against him, he calls them a whore. 00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:37.419 Because they're unfaithful to him. 00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:41.979 And here we have the prostitute of all, Babylon. 00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:44.519 Don't buy her stuff. 00:27:44.919 --> 00:27:46.739 Don't drink the wine she offers. 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:51.959 We are citizens of the new Jerusalem. 00:27:52.419 --> 00:27:54.299 We've got an address on Mount Zion. 00:27:54.459 --> 00:27:56.839 We've got the lamb's name on his forehead. 00:27:56.839 --> 00:28:01.699 So don't drink what Babylon pours out. 00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:10.859 If Babylon is the beast's barmaid, the new Jerusalem is the lamb's bride. 00:28:11.459 --> 00:28:13.959 And in chapter 21, verse 2, do you know what happens? 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:17.679 John sees the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven. 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.479 Do you know what he says? 00:28:18.659 --> 00:28:20.500 Behold, the bride of the lamb. 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:25.479 How is this good news? 00:28:25.479 --> 00:28:25.500 How is this good news? 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:31.480 How is this good news for the dwellers of the earth? 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.859 Because there's a better city. 00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:38.220 There's a better city. 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:41.720 The angel is, hey, this is last call, gang. 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:44.140 Stop living for Babylon. 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:47.039 Aim your hearts at the new Jerusalem. 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:53.480 But did you notice there's no mention of Jesus by these angels? 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.440 What's up? 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:58.059 Let's go to angel number three. 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:03.359 The last angel. 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.740 Declaring good news. 00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:08.480 This might be a little hard to swallow. 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:14.539 In verses 9 and 11, the second half, we read this. 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:20.559 If anyone worships the beast in its mark and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:22.380 verse 10, then this will happen. 00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:25.220 Notice the last part of verse 11. 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:29.480 These worshipers of the beast in its image and whoever receives the mark of its name. 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:33.059 You notice how verse 9 and the last part of 11 is virtually the same thing? 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:36.740 That's a special way of bookending a passage. 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:39.220 What happens in the middle is really important. 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:46.759 If you worship the beast, if you bear his mark, then this is going to happen to you. 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:59.120 And what we see is two pictures of God's wrath and fury poured out on those who reject the lamb. 00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:04.759 The first is a picture of God's wrath as wine. 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:10.720 He also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured out full strength into the cup of his anger. 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:18.319 Those who drink of Babylon's wine, they're not done drinking. 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:22.460 They got one more round coming. 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:27.539 The wine of God's wrath poured out on them. 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:31.139 And it's a never-ending round of wrath. 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:34.440 God is patient. 00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:43.279 And what we learn from the scriptures is that he has been holding back his wrath for a day that is set. 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:45.819 If you want to think about it this way, think about it like this. 00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:56.919 God has been storing up his wrath and these really fine barrels of Mount Zion wood that just soaking in the wrath. 00:30:56.920 --> 00:31:10.240 And the day is coming where he will break into the barrel and pour out his wrath in one cup of anger after the other and force it upon those who have rejected the lamb. 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:12.259 Drink it down to the dregs. 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:21.539 It is a violent, harsh picture of God's retributive justice. 00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:27.740 And that's just the beginning. 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:32.839 We move from wine of God's wrath to the torment. 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:39.099 The fire of his fury in the second half of chapter of verse 10. 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:40.460 And he will be tormented. 00:31:40.920 --> 00:31:46.559 Those who worship the lamb, who don't turn from the lamb, he will be turned from the beast who worship the beast. 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:55.079 If they don't turn, he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the lamb. 00:31:55.079 --> 00:32:00.899 And their smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:04.460 And they have no rest, no rest, no rest. 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:11.279 Day or night, these worshipers of the beast. 00:32:12.839 --> 00:32:18.339 Sulfur is translated in other older versions of the Bible as brimstone. 00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:25.619 And so when you hear of fire and sulfur, your mind should be going to Genesis 19 in Sodom and Gomorrah, 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:30.240 where God poured out fire and sulfur for their rebellion against him. 00:32:31.879 --> 00:32:37.659 That word torment, we saw it in Revelation 9. 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:42.320 It's as much mental as it is physical. 00:32:43.320 --> 00:32:53.440 And what this is pointing at is a conscious suffering that God will inflict upon those who reject the lamb. 00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:56.880 Worship the beast. 00:32:56.880 --> 00:33:08.620 This is going to all happen in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the lamb. 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:10.220 Did you read that? 00:33:10.360 --> 00:33:11.620 Am I reading this right? 00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:13.500 The lamb is there. 00:33:15.300 --> 00:33:16.160 Do you know what this means? 00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:25.740 The lamb, who was the exactor of God's salvation and endured the wrath of God for those who would believe. 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:31.320 He is the exactor of God's wrath for all who don't believe in him. 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:40.939 It's a picture of being people suffering. 00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:45.359 Conscious suffering. 00:33:45.919 --> 00:33:47.960 And they're beholding the lamb. 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:57.299 Smoke of their turmoil, of their torment, their suffering goes up forever and ever. 00:33:57.299 --> 00:34:04.539 That smoking picture is what happens to cities that get conquered. 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:10.139 It's the conqueror of Babylon and everyone who's a member of that city. 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.960 And then there's no rest. 00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:19.059 And they have no rest. 00:34:19.179 --> 00:34:22.179 No rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast. 00:34:22.559 --> 00:34:23.300 You know what that means? 00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:26.340 That there is this teaching of annihilation. 00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:27.820 That's kind of around the church. 00:34:28.260 --> 00:34:32.460 That God's punishment kind of goes so far and then people are annihilated. 00:34:32.680 --> 00:34:33.980 Not according to this. 00:34:36.720 --> 00:34:39.400 Their torment is forever. 00:34:40.740 --> 00:34:41.180 Unrelenting. 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:42.500 Ceaseless. 00:34:43.240 --> 00:34:43.900 No rest. 00:34:46.600 --> 00:34:47.900 And maybe you're like, 00:34:48.800 --> 00:34:51.760 how is that good news? 00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:57.920 It's a call of repentance. 00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:00.980 Repent. 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:03.640 Turn away from this eternity. 00:35:04.360 --> 00:35:05.920 Because there's a better eternity. 00:35:07.540 --> 00:35:08.800 There's a better eternity. 00:35:09.540 --> 00:35:10.580 There's a better God. 00:35:11.600 --> 00:35:12.840 There's a better city. 00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:14.980 There's a better eternity. 00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:17.460 And we're going to see it in just a minute. 00:35:17.659 --> 00:35:20.699 Where instead of restless torment, 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:23.619 it's an eternity of rest. 00:35:25.139 --> 00:35:25.900 With the Lamb. 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:28.780 This is good news. 00:35:29.619 --> 00:35:33.039 Because God in His kindness and His patience 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:35.559 is going all the way to the end, 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:37.340 calling the dwellers of the earth 00:35:37.340 --> 00:35:39.659 to repent and come to Him. 00:35:39.659 --> 00:35:44.699 Now if you're a Christian in the room, 00:35:44.799 --> 00:35:46.059 here's what this should be doing for you. 00:35:46.119 --> 00:35:47.739 This should be doing two things in your heart. 00:35:50.159 --> 00:35:52.159 Get personal. 00:35:53.679 --> 00:35:56.739 You were once under this wrath. 00:35:58.359 --> 00:36:00.059 And God, through the Lamb, 00:36:00.319 --> 00:36:01.179 delivered you from it. 00:36:02.339 --> 00:36:03.799 The Lamb who was slain 00:36:03.799 --> 00:36:06.539 bore this wrath for you. 00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:12.779 He drunk God's wine to the dregs for you. 00:36:13.619 --> 00:36:16.980 He bore the torment of the fire for you. 00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:22.019 It's good news for Christians. 00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:26.039 It's a sober reminder, 00:36:26.239 --> 00:36:28.460 but it's also sober in the sense of 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:30.880 when you realize that the people living around you, 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:32.539 the people that you interact with, 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:36.300 they've got this eternity waiting for them. 00:36:36.539 --> 00:36:40.199 this should motivate you. 00:36:42.219 --> 00:36:44.019 Motivate you to move towards them 00:36:44.019 --> 00:36:45.940 and motivate you to open your mouth 00:36:45.940 --> 00:36:48.340 and speak of the Lamb who was slain, 00:36:49.199 --> 00:36:51.139 who offers better God, 00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:52.880 better city, 00:36:54.420 --> 00:36:55.480 better eternity. 00:36:59.960 --> 00:37:01.659 Did you notice where Jesus is 00:37:01.659 --> 00:37:03.739 in these announcements? 00:37:03.980 --> 00:37:04.739 He's at the end. 00:37:04.739 --> 00:37:10.239 He's pictured as the executor of God's wrath. 00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:13.939 This Lamb, 00:37:14.419 --> 00:37:17.679 who is going to exact God's just wrath, 00:37:18.379 --> 00:37:21.939 is the Lamb who bore God's wrath 00:37:21.939 --> 00:37:24.919 for anyone who would come to Him 00:37:24.919 --> 00:37:26.299 in repentance and faith. 00:37:26.300 --> 00:37:28.920 It's good news. 00:37:31.860 --> 00:37:32.920 There's still time. 00:37:38.100 --> 00:37:39.660 But also, we've seen Jesus 00:37:39.660 --> 00:37:41.700 before and after. 00:37:41.880 --> 00:37:42.240 Remember? 00:37:42.840 --> 00:37:43.519 14.1, 00:37:43.620 --> 00:37:45.620 the Lamb standing in Mount Zion, 00:37:45.720 --> 00:37:46.860 the Savior of all. 00:37:46.860 --> 00:37:49.380 And then when you look at 14.14, 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:50.720 we're going to look at this next week. 00:37:50.980 --> 00:37:52.000 We have another picture. 00:37:52.840 --> 00:37:53.320 Then I looked, 00:37:53.380 --> 00:37:53.720 and behold, 00:37:53.780 --> 00:37:54.480 a white cloud 00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:55.599 and seated under the cloud 00:37:55.599 --> 00:37:56.559 like a son of man 00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:58.059 with a golden crown on his head 00:37:58.059 --> 00:37:59.700 and a sharp sickle in his hand. 00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:01.539 He's the judge. 00:38:02.920 --> 00:38:04.059 These announcements 00:38:04.059 --> 00:38:05.099 come in between 00:38:05.099 --> 00:38:06.260 a picture of Jesus, 00:38:06.620 --> 00:38:07.220 the Savior, 00:38:07.440 --> 00:38:07.900 the Lamb, 00:38:07.900 --> 00:38:08.780 and Jesus, 00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:09.860 the judge, 00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:11.340 coming on a throne, 00:38:11.720 --> 00:38:12.440 coming on a cloud 00:38:12.440 --> 00:38:13.119 with a sickle. 00:38:17.619 --> 00:38:19.260 He offers us, 00:38:20.760 --> 00:38:22.480 all people on the earth, 00:38:23.720 --> 00:38:25.619 the worship of the one true God, 00:38:27.840 --> 00:38:30.119 an address in the greater city, 00:38:31.119 --> 00:38:33.200 and the promise of an eternity 00:38:33.200 --> 00:38:35.019 of rest. 00:38:35.019 --> 00:38:38.960 Having looked at this, 00:38:39.079 --> 00:38:40.300 we've seen a vision 00:38:40.300 --> 00:38:41.880 of the redeemed 00:38:41.880 --> 00:38:43.420 singing gospel. 00:38:43.619 --> 00:38:44.259 We've seen a vision 00:38:44.259 --> 00:38:45.000 of angels 00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:46.480 proclaiming the gospel. 00:38:46.840 --> 00:38:47.759 How do we respond? 00:38:49.000 --> 00:38:50.059 Well, we don't have to guess 00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:50.960 because it's right here 00:38:50.960 --> 00:38:51.559 in the text. 00:38:52.079 --> 00:38:52.920 Look at verse 12. 00:38:53.599 --> 00:38:54.639 In light of all of that, 00:38:54.980 --> 00:38:55.940 here is a call 00:38:55.940 --> 00:38:57.119 for the endurance 00:38:57.119 --> 00:38:58.300 of the saints. 00:38:59.980 --> 00:39:00.659 Endurance means 00:39:00.659 --> 00:39:01.340 to hold fast 00:39:01.340 --> 00:39:02.099 and to press on. 00:39:02.280 --> 00:39:03.519 When I was a younger man, 00:39:03.579 --> 00:39:04.440 I worked for a guy 00:39:04.440 --> 00:39:05.820 who was my best friend's 00:39:05.820 --> 00:39:06.400 older brother. 00:39:06.700 --> 00:39:07.720 He was a bachelor. 00:39:07.960 --> 00:39:09.260 He had this construction business. 00:39:09.360 --> 00:39:10.079 We built decks 00:39:10.079 --> 00:39:10.720 during the day. 00:39:11.079 --> 00:39:11.639 And at night, 00:39:11.720 --> 00:39:12.440 we would literally 00:39:12.440 --> 00:39:13.539 go back to his house 00:39:13.539 --> 00:39:15.300 and we would battle each other. 00:39:15.559 --> 00:39:16.300 He would throw me 00:39:16.300 --> 00:39:17.179 over his furniture. 00:39:17.619 --> 00:39:18.360 I would push him 00:39:18.360 --> 00:39:19.159 against the walls. 00:39:19.440 --> 00:39:20.220 He would get me 00:39:20.220 --> 00:39:21.340 in these headlocks 00:39:21.340 --> 00:39:22.559 that were intended 00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:23.740 to suffocate me 00:39:23.740 --> 00:39:24.539 and bring me 00:39:24.539 --> 00:39:25.179 to a point 00:39:25.179 --> 00:39:25.980 where I faint 00:39:25.980 --> 00:39:27.960 and I have to tap out. 00:39:28.039 --> 00:39:29.179 But I wouldn't tap out 00:39:29.179 --> 00:39:31.240 because my pride 00:39:31.240 --> 00:39:31.920 was on the line. 00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:36.920 I held fast. 00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:37.440 I endured. 00:39:41.240 --> 00:39:41.720 Satan, 00:39:42.720 --> 00:39:43.760 chapters 12 and 13, 00:39:43.940 --> 00:39:44.820 is looking to get us 00:39:44.820 --> 00:39:46.320 into a spiritual headlock 00:39:46.320 --> 00:39:47.420 and he wants us 00:39:47.420 --> 00:39:48.619 to tap out, 00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:49.559 to compromise, 00:39:50.000 --> 00:39:50.760 to go the way 00:39:50.760 --> 00:39:51.340 of Babylon, 00:39:51.800 --> 00:39:52.619 to follow after 00:39:52.619 --> 00:39:53.519 the false prophet, 00:39:53.780 --> 00:39:54.980 to worship the beast, 00:39:55.700 --> 00:39:57.320 to give it up. 00:39:58.300 --> 00:39:59.240 But what we're being 00:39:59.240 --> 00:39:59.940 called here 00:39:59.940 --> 00:40:00.760 is to endure, 00:40:00.940 --> 00:40:01.720 to hold fast, 00:40:01.800 --> 00:40:02.440 to press on. 00:40:02.720 --> 00:40:03.679 Don't tap out. 00:40:05.500 --> 00:40:08.720 In light of who you are, 00:40:10.260 --> 00:40:12.260 you're in his place, 00:40:12.599 --> 00:40:13.800 you've got his name, 00:40:14.099 --> 00:40:15.099 his song, 00:40:15.380 --> 00:40:16.659 because you're his people. 00:40:18.539 --> 00:40:19.720 You yourself 00:40:19.720 --> 00:40:21.019 have been called 00:40:21.019 --> 00:40:22.639 to the better God, 00:40:22.960 --> 00:40:24.200 to the better city, 00:40:24.539 --> 00:40:25.860 to a better eternity. 00:40:25.860 --> 00:40:27.160 In light of all that, 00:40:29.720 --> 00:40:30.079 endure. 00:40:31.240 --> 00:40:32.140 Hold fast. 00:40:32.940 --> 00:40:33.519 Press on. 00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:35.079 And John gives us 00:40:35.079 --> 00:40:36.340 two ways in which we endure. 00:40:36.740 --> 00:40:38.019 Keep the commandments of God. 00:40:38.220 --> 00:40:39.620 That means obey everything 00:40:39.620 --> 00:40:41.260 written in his word. 00:40:41.440 --> 00:40:42.260 Obey it all. 00:40:42.380 --> 00:40:43.820 It's all God's word. 00:40:43.920 --> 00:40:45.079 It's all yes and amen. 00:40:45.300 --> 00:40:47.160 It's all blessing for you. 00:40:48.460 --> 00:40:49.000 And it says, 00:40:49.280 --> 00:40:50.380 keep the commandments of God 00:40:50.380 --> 00:40:52.460 and their faith in Jesus. 00:40:52.460 --> 00:40:54.000 In the original language, 00:40:54.159 --> 00:40:55.039 it literally leads 00:40:55.039 --> 00:40:58.940 and the faith of Jesus. 00:41:00.039 --> 00:41:02.420 Keep the faith of Jesus. 00:41:04.380 --> 00:41:06.199 And what's being said there 00:41:06.199 --> 00:41:06.860 is what, 00:41:07.480 --> 00:41:08.900 back in Revelation 1, 9, 00:41:09.460 --> 00:41:10.500 John says. 00:41:11.199 --> 00:41:12.500 Exiled on Patmos, 00:41:12.679 --> 00:41:13.139 he says, 00:41:13.539 --> 00:41:14.460 I'm here because of 00:41:14.460 --> 00:41:15.280 the word of God. 00:41:15.500 --> 00:41:16.820 I've been obeying the word 00:41:16.820 --> 00:41:18.460 and the testimony of Jesus 00:41:18.460 --> 00:41:19.440 because I've been 00:41:19.440 --> 00:41:20.420 proclaiming Jesus. 00:41:20.420 --> 00:41:23.400 And so we endure 00:41:23.400 --> 00:41:24.440 by being, 00:41:24.760 --> 00:41:25.380 by obeying. 00:41:25.559 --> 00:41:27.840 We're citizens of Mount Zion 00:41:27.840 --> 00:41:28.960 living in Babylon. 00:41:29.619 --> 00:41:31.300 And so we will be distinguished 00:41:31.300 --> 00:41:32.820 by how we live. 00:41:34.200 --> 00:41:36.039 But we're also told to 00:41:36.039 --> 00:41:38.159 keep the faith. 00:41:38.539 --> 00:41:39.920 We just don't obey. 00:41:40.260 --> 00:41:41.760 We obey and proclaim. 00:41:43.099 --> 00:41:44.500 We give the reason 00:41:44.500 --> 00:41:46.039 for the hope that is in us. 00:41:46.800 --> 00:41:48.099 The lamb who was slain. 00:41:48.099 --> 00:41:50.920 And when we endure, 00:41:51.779 --> 00:41:55.019 we have an assurance. 00:41:55.739 --> 00:41:56.420 Verse 13, 00:41:56.799 --> 00:41:58.039 I heard a voice from heaven 00:41:58.039 --> 00:41:58.539 saying, 00:41:59.019 --> 00:41:59.699 write this. 00:42:00.219 --> 00:42:01.199 That's God speaking. 00:42:02.480 --> 00:42:03.299 God's saying to John, 00:42:03.360 --> 00:42:03.900 write it down. 00:42:04.299 --> 00:42:04.920 John's writing it down. 00:42:06.179 --> 00:42:07.179 And what he's writing down is, 00:42:07.559 --> 00:42:08.539 blessed are the dead 00:42:08.539 --> 00:42:09.440 who die in the Lord 00:42:09.440 --> 00:42:10.259 from now on. 00:42:11.679 --> 00:42:12.980 He's talking about those 00:42:12.980 --> 00:42:15.079 who will martyr for Jesus 00:42:15.079 --> 00:42:16.860 as well as those who die 00:42:16.860 --> 00:42:17.900 of natural causes. 00:42:18.340 --> 00:42:19.380 The point is this. 00:42:20.519 --> 00:42:21.920 Endure to the end 00:42:21.920 --> 00:42:22.840 of your life 00:42:22.840 --> 00:42:23.680 for Jesus. 00:42:24.920 --> 00:42:25.519 Endure. 00:42:26.200 --> 00:42:27.260 Hold fast. 00:42:28.140 --> 00:42:28.940 Obey Him. 00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:30.320 Proclaim Him. 00:42:30.780 --> 00:42:32.240 All the days of your life. 00:42:33.340 --> 00:42:34.500 From here on out. 00:42:34.500 --> 00:42:40.360 And then we hear 00:42:40.360 --> 00:42:41.340 a second voice. 00:42:42.860 --> 00:42:43.579 Blessed indeed, 00:42:43.719 --> 00:42:44.380 says the Spirit. 00:42:44.559 --> 00:42:44.980 Yes, 00:42:45.099 --> 00:42:45.960 says the Spirit, 00:42:46.579 --> 00:42:47.920 that they may rest 00:42:47.920 --> 00:42:48.760 from their labors. 00:42:49.539 --> 00:42:50.519 The blessing 00:42:50.519 --> 00:42:53.320 is in the promise 00:42:53.320 --> 00:42:54.000 of rest. 00:42:56.780 --> 00:42:57.059 Do you remember 00:42:57.059 --> 00:42:57.800 what happens 00:42:57.800 --> 00:42:59.719 in the third angel? 00:43:00.719 --> 00:43:02.099 He says to those 00:43:02.099 --> 00:43:03.300 who worship the beast, 00:43:03.300 --> 00:43:05.220 there will be no rest 00:43:05.220 --> 00:43:05.620 for them 00:43:05.620 --> 00:43:06.400 for eternity. 00:43:07.519 --> 00:43:08.080 They may have 00:43:08.080 --> 00:43:08.860 the peace 00:43:08.860 --> 00:43:09.920 of the beast 00:43:09.920 --> 00:43:10.560 now, 00:43:10.780 --> 00:43:11.440 but they will 00:43:11.440 --> 00:43:12.640 have no rest, 00:43:12.880 --> 00:43:13.519 just torment 00:43:13.519 --> 00:43:14.620 for eternity. 00:43:16.000 --> 00:43:16.840 Followers of Jesus, 00:43:17.360 --> 00:43:18.100 we experience 00:43:18.100 --> 00:43:18.620 the torment 00:43:18.620 --> 00:43:19.280 of the beast 00:43:19.280 --> 00:43:21.080 now for a little while 00:43:21.080 --> 00:43:22.380 because we know 00:43:22.380 --> 00:43:23.519 we've got the promise 00:43:23.519 --> 00:43:24.900 of an eternal rest 00:43:24.900 --> 00:43:26.000 with the Lamb. 00:43:28.940 --> 00:43:29.820 For their deeds 00:43:29.820 --> 00:43:30.420 follow them. 00:43:30.420 --> 00:43:32.079 our works 00:43:32.079 --> 00:43:32.840 of endurance, 00:43:33.000 --> 00:43:33.740 our obedience 00:43:33.740 --> 00:43:35.099 in our proclamation, 00:43:35.720 --> 00:43:36.539 the evidence 00:43:36.539 --> 00:43:37.900 that we belong 00:43:37.900 --> 00:43:38.840 to the Lamb. 00:43:41.019 --> 00:43:42.300 And we are blessed 00:43:42.300 --> 00:43:44.099 by enduring. 00:43:48.260 --> 00:43:49.300 I don't know about you, 00:43:49.360 --> 00:43:50.180 but this is way better 00:43:50.180 --> 00:43:51.019 than a service dog. 00:43:54.139 --> 00:43:55.000 Did you hear 00:43:55.000 --> 00:43:55.740 some good news 00:43:55.740 --> 00:43:56.180 this morning? 00:43:56.179 --> 00:43:59.579 not feel-good gospel, 00:44:00.179 --> 00:44:01.960 not a greed gospel, 00:44:02.500 --> 00:44:04.379 but the true gospel 00:44:04.379 --> 00:44:05.099 from heaven, 00:44:05.239 --> 00:44:06.559 the Lamb has been slain. 00:44:08.899 --> 00:44:10.199 You have a place, 00:44:10.299 --> 00:44:11.000 His place. 00:44:11.399 --> 00:44:11.960 His name is written 00:44:11.960 --> 00:44:12.679 on your head. 00:44:14.159 --> 00:44:15.559 His song is in your mouth. 00:44:16.480 --> 00:44:17.599 You're part of His people. 00:44:18.980 --> 00:44:20.440 You have moved 00:44:20.440 --> 00:44:22.399 from worshiping 00:44:22.399 --> 00:44:23.639 the other God 00:44:23.639 --> 00:44:24.960 to the one true God. 00:44:24.960 --> 00:44:26.380 He has brought you 00:44:26.380 --> 00:44:27.820 from the city of Babylon 00:44:27.820 --> 00:44:29.400 to the city of Mount Zion. 00:44:29.820 --> 00:44:31.340 He has brought you 00:44:31.340 --> 00:44:32.860 from eternity 00:44:32.860 --> 00:44:33.780 of torment 00:44:33.780 --> 00:44:34.579 to an eternity 00:44:34.579 --> 00:44:35.199 of rest. 00:44:36.139 --> 00:44:37.099 It's good news. 00:44:39.400 --> 00:44:40.720 The good news 00:44:40.720 --> 00:44:42.800 gives us power 00:44:42.800 --> 00:44:43.400 to endure. 00:44:44.280 --> 00:44:44.840 Let's pray. 00:44:45.740 --> 00:44:46.380 God in heaven, 00:44:46.500 --> 00:44:47.400 thank you so much 00:44:47.400 --> 00:44:48.619 for a reminder 00:44:48.619 --> 00:44:50.720 of the Lamb 00:44:50.720 --> 00:44:51.480 who was slain 00:44:51.480 --> 00:44:52.820 and the call 00:44:52.820 --> 00:44:53.400 to endure. 00:44:53.400 --> 00:44:55.680 Lord Jesus, 00:44:55.860 --> 00:44:56.380 thank you 00:44:56.380 --> 00:44:58.539 for saving us 00:44:58.539 --> 00:45:01.220 and thank you 00:45:01.220 --> 00:45:03.440 for your promised presence 00:45:03.440 --> 00:45:05.039 to enable us 00:45:05.039 --> 00:45:05.740 to endure 00:45:05.740 --> 00:45:07.079 all the days 00:45:07.079 --> 00:45:07.660 of our life. 00:45:07.780 --> 00:45:08.539 In Jesus' name, 00:45:08.780 --> 00:45:09.000 Amen. 00:45:09.000 --> 00:45:09.119 Amen. 00:45:09.119 --> 00:45:09.200 Amen. 00:45:09.200 --> 00:45:09.680 Amen. 00:45:09.820 --> 00:45:11.039 Amen. 00:45:11.039 --> 00:45:11.340 Amen. 00:45:11.340 --> 00:45:13.200 Amen. 00:45:13.200 --> 00:45:13.700 Amen. 00:45:13.700 --> 00:45:15.260 Amen. 00:45:15.260 --> 00:45:17.320 Amen. 00:45:17.320 --> 00:45:19.260 Amen. 00:45:19.260 --> 00:45:21.340 Amen. 00:45:21.340 --> 00:45:21.380 Amen. 00:45:21.380 --> 00:45:23.380 Amen.