WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.099 Well, good morning, everyone. Great to be with you again in church. If you haven't got your Bibles open there, we are up to Revelation chapter 6 and 7. 00:00:10.919 --> 00:00:16.140 And we're going to be scooting through that today and landing where the bishop has just read for us. 00:00:16.800 --> 00:00:19.780 Let me pray and we will launch straight in. 00:00:20.039 --> 00:00:22.059 Gracious God, we thank you for your word. 00:00:22.059 --> 00:00:40.579 And as I stand here this morning, I am very mindful that anything good and eternal that has worked in the last 11 years is because you, God, have been gracious to us in that you have allowed us to see the glory of the Lord Jesus through your word and by your spirit. 00:00:40.700 --> 00:00:47.960 And so we'd ask that you do it for us again. Continue to do your work in us, we pray for Jesus' glory. Amen. 00:00:47.960 --> 00:00:52.359 Revelation 6 verses 7 and 8. 00:00:53.079 --> 00:00:56.980 I looked and there before me was a pale horse. 00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:03.160 Its rider was named Death and Hades was following close behind him. 00:01:03.159 --> 00:01:18.819 Now, the learned and the educated and artistically astute amongst us this morning will undoubtedly know where those words are most famously quoted in artistic culture. 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:32.239 No, I know that most of you, your mind is going right now to Victor Vasimtov's 1887 painting, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. 00:01:32.979 --> 00:01:34.979 That's not what I was thinking of. 00:01:35.979 --> 00:01:42.179 It is, of course, the 1985 Western Pale Rider starring Clint Eastwood. 00:01:42.180 --> 00:01:52.300 In the movie, Clint Eastwood rides a pale horse, wears a dog collar and plays a character called the preacher. 00:01:53.260 --> 00:02:03.660 He is introduced with these verses and then proceeds throughout the movie to give a whole new meaning to the terms pastoral care and church discipline. 00:02:03.659 --> 00:02:15.079 One of the things of the movie, and in fact of the book of Revelation, is you ignore the horsemen at your peril. 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:28.340 At the start of the movie, as is often the case in life, people are trying to live contented lives, building wealth and security and comfort and hope here on earth. 00:02:28.340 --> 00:02:40.480 And the movie begins with this group of miners and their families who have set up a peaceful life amongst the beautiful scenery of the Midwest frontier. 00:02:41.539 --> 00:02:50.539 Their naivety in life is exposed as a group of horsemen bent on their destruction rides over the top of them. 00:02:51.900 --> 00:02:56.759 And that scenario is at the heart of the book of Revelation. 00:02:56.759 --> 00:03:09.739 Revelation is a vision that God gives the Apostle John, one of his key followers, as he is suffering in the prison island of Patmos because of his faith in Jesus. 00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:15.539 It's first century and the formidable Roman Empire is ruling. 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:21.979 Christianity is spreading throughout the empire and gathering momentum. 00:03:22.899 --> 00:03:25.139 And so the empire strikes back. 00:03:25.139 --> 00:03:30.299 Two movie references in the first minute and a half. 00:03:32.299 --> 00:03:43.000 And the purpose of this letter is to help the Christian overcome the pressure of following Jesus. 00:03:43.639 --> 00:03:44.139 To triumph. 00:03:45.279 --> 00:03:50.319 To be victorious in the end as Jesus himself is victorious. 00:03:50.319 --> 00:04:05.459 So Revelation tells us where we are going, who is in control, so that we can live lives of hope and purpose, even when it's tough being a disciple of Jesus. 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:26.240 Now this is valuable because in our secular world, the culture around us doesn't have an answer, a solution to suffering and death and tyranny and chaos or how to even grow through it or bear under the weight of it. 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:44.879 The French philosopher and atheist Jean-Paul Sartre wrote that everything that exists is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness and dies by chance. 00:04:44.879 --> 00:05:14.860 That's the secular mind. 00:05:14.860 --> 00:05:17.620 Realistic plan and a purpose for history. 00:05:18.920 --> 00:05:23.439 So there's an outline for today's message in the St. Paul's app. 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:26.639 If you want to grab that, try to make it real simple for us. 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:27.220 Three points. 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:31.000 Two opposing forces, two kinds of people and two final destinies. 00:05:31.400 --> 00:05:34.620 So just think in double vision really is all you need for today. 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:36.240 Two opposing forces. 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:41.319 Last week, we were taken into the throne room of the creator God in Revelation 4 and 5. 00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:48.439 We also saw there that there is a scroll in that throne room that no one is able to open. 00:05:49.139 --> 00:05:57.079 And there is great distress because this particular scroll was written on both sides, extensively on both sides. 00:05:57.079 --> 00:05:59.079 It is the plan of history. 00:05:59.079 --> 00:06:07.019 And so the conclusion in the throne room is life, is history a mystery? 00:06:07.899 --> 00:06:09.240 Who will know? 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:12.439 What is the plan of God for destiny? 00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:17.920 Now, the good news is revelation literally means the unveiling. 00:06:18.459 --> 00:06:29.519 And so there is a great joy when Jesus Christ, who was slain for the sins of all people, he is the one who holds the scroll now. 00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:35.639 Great rejoicing that the scroll can finally be opened. 00:06:37.019 --> 00:06:39.019 He is the only one who can open it. 00:06:39.159 --> 00:06:43.139 And therefore, he is the key to destiny. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:45.680 He is the interpreter of history. 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:50.500 Chapter 6 and 7, the scroll gradually gets unraveled. 00:06:50.539 --> 00:06:51.459 That's what we're up to today. 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:53.519 Scroll gradually gets unraveled. 00:06:53.519 --> 00:07:04.819 Unraveled as the seven seals are opened up, reveals the scroll in its context, and the plan of history is laid out before us. 00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:14.019 Now, what we're doing here in 6 and 7 is looking at the grand scope of history between Jesus' first coming and his second coming. 00:07:15.219 --> 00:07:16.240 So what do we see? 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:27.639 The first five seals reveal a cosmic battle between good and evil being played out behind the scenes of the pages of history, throughout history as well. 00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:31.060 And the sixth seal takes us to the end of history. 00:07:32.460 --> 00:07:36.780 What we first of all see in the first seal is broken is a loving conquest. 00:07:36.779 --> 00:07:39.219 Chapter 6, verse 1, 00:07:39.279 --> 00:08:06.759 Now, over time, there's been a whole heap of discussion amongst scholars as to the identity. 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:08.699 of this first horseman. 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:17.279 It appears to be Jesus because in chapter 19 of Revelation, Jesus appears on a white horse wearing crown. 00:08:17.899 --> 00:08:28.139 Others say it can't be Jesus because the other three horsemen are so dastardly, images of destruction. 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:35.379 So you can't have Jesus as one of those four horsemen of the apocalypse. 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:46.179 This must be, therefore, a bad horseman, a false Jesus who is bent on conquering all. 00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:48.639 Now, I've got to be honest with you. 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:57.019 Either way you go here, you still end up at the end of Revelation with Jesus sitting on a white horse conquering. 00:08:57.019 --> 00:09:03.340 And I, in the past week, have even wavered, as scholars have wavered on this one. 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:09.480 But here's why I've gone with the interpretation that Jesus is, in fact, this first horseman. 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:12.500 It's the first message. 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:18.580 The first thing in terms of the plan of history that these disciples hear. 00:09:19.019 --> 00:09:25.399 Firstly, and mainly because it's the parallel here to chapter 19, who is clearly Jesus. 00:09:25.639 --> 00:09:34.200 Secondly, because in Revelation, the reason I've gone with Jesus is, secondly, is because in Revelation, the color white always represents purity. 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:41.320 Number three, this is the only rider who's crowned as Jesus himself is crowned. 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:47.759 And number four, because except in chapters 11 and 13, conquest. 00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:55.259 Conquest is seen as the work of Jesus Christ and his followers in Revelation. 00:09:55.259 --> 00:10:05.639 So this first horseman galloping through the pages of history is the conquering Jesus Christ who reigns over all time and eternity. 00:10:05.639 --> 00:10:18.159 The one who is seated on the throne in chapters 4 and 5, the crucified lamb, Jesus Christ, is seen here in the first opening of the Revelation of history, 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:22.319 is the one who wins the nations to his allegiance. 00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:33.299 The first thing to be unveiled in history is that Jesus Christ has conquered and is conquering. 00:10:33.639 --> 00:10:34.639 He wins. 00:10:35.299 --> 00:10:40.899 And so the implication is that if we link our life with him, we too win. 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:45.220 The great English pastor John Stott wrote, 00:10:45.220 --> 00:11:09.340 Here is the Christian's testimony worked out through history. 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:11.779 This is my testimony. 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:17.480 This is your testimony if you are someone who is in Jesus. 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:23.659 Before the creation of the world, Jesus Christ thought about me. 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:25.720 He thought about you. 00:11:27.339 --> 00:11:36.860 We are told in Isaiah that when he thinks of me, when he thinks of you, he has carved his name in his hand. 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:38.159 Your name in his hand. 00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:45.339 He made the world and he made it habitable for me, for you. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:48.459 He created things that I love. 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:50.339 He created the Bible. 00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:53.039 He created my wife Natalie, my girls. 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:54.759 He created the church. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:12:04.120 He created fun, rest, scenery, running, recreation, feral pigs, bunnings. 00:12:04.120 --> 00:12:07.679 Clint Eastwood Westerns. 00:12:08.659 --> 00:12:09.759 Those kinds of things. 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:10.899 He made it all. 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:13.840 He's the source of it all. 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:21.039 And then he came into this world that he created that he loved so much that he became a human being. 00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:25.080 He identified with us in order to exchange places with us. 00:12:25.080 --> 00:12:33.480 He became my substitute because I was born into and I had linked my life with the world that had rejected his rule. 00:12:33.480 --> 00:12:41.180 And he died a horrific death so that God's judgment could be turned away from me. 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:46.360 His wrath would be turned away from me for living life as if he doesn't exist. 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:51.120 He died so that I could be forgiven and welcome back into relationship with him. 00:12:51.120 --> 00:13:01.539 And 2,000 years later, he knit me together in my mother's womb and he put people into my life who loved me and raised me. 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:12.100 He also put people into my life as I lived ignoring him who told me about the message of the cross and God's love for me in Jesus. 00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:23.019 And through these people, God graciously opened my eyes to see the wonder and the beauty and the glory of Jesus. 00:13:24.060 --> 00:13:30.279 He opened up the Bible to me and he has kept me and he has helped me. 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:41.040 Time and time again, I have failed him and he has forgiven me and restored me and filled me with hope every single time. 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:47.439 Time and in the future, at some point from this moment on, I will die. 00:13:48.079 --> 00:13:58.339 And the promise of his Easter resurrection is that I will stand with him in eternal joy and he will say something like this to me. 00:14:00.339 --> 00:14:04.419 Steve Jeffrey, how good to see you. 00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:08.379 You've been on my mind a very long time. 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:17.259 That is his conquest of me and you if you're a Christian. 00:14:19.079 --> 00:14:21.079 It's a remarkable conquest. 00:14:22.719 --> 00:14:29.019 From the beginning of time, I am deeply loved by the divine merciful conqueror. 00:14:29.099 --> 00:14:31.379 His love has conquered me. 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:35.379 That is the Christian story. 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:45.100 And he has won to himself billions of people from every tribe and language and generation and nation. 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:53.939 And will continue to do so until he finally comes to bring an end of history as we know it. 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:57.740 And nothing can stop his conquest. 00:14:57.740 --> 00:15:08.980 In 1948, just to use an example, Chinese authorities decided to stamp out Christianity and expel all foreign missionaries from the country. 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:14.539 The Western church went, oh my goodness, it's the end of Christianity. 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:17.480 So small was their vision. 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:20.980 How many Christians are there in China today? 00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:22.420 Well, it's hard to know exactly. 00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:26.879 But Operation World puts the figure at approximately 105 million. 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:30.000 Why? 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:34.100 Because Jesus Christ is the conqueror. 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:40.039 He's the conqueror of a loving, selfless conquest. 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:44.419 And nothing can stop it. 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:52.960 It is utterly essential that we link our lives with him because he wins. 00:15:52.960 --> 00:16:00.259 And so I plead with you today, have you linked your life with Jesus, the conqueror? 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:05.800 Is the story that I've just shared your story? 00:16:10.300 --> 00:16:17.879 If you're not sure, can I just say, just pause for a moment, make contact with us here at St. Balls. 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:29.600 If you're sitting in the building, see Adrian, see James in our mission team and explore the essential truth of Jesus Christ, the good news of Christianity. 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:32.200 That's the first horseman. 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:38.799 The next three are on rampant destruction. 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:45.059 The vision here, of course, in Revelation is not just one of victory for Team Jesus. 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:48.239 The other three horsemen are bent on destruction. 00:16:48.819 --> 00:16:50.759 They are seals 2, 3, and 4. 00:16:51.119 --> 00:16:56.079 They spread economic corruption, war, disease, mayhem, death. 00:16:56.719 --> 00:16:58.899 That's their goal, is destruction. 00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:05.879 That is, what we see here as the pages of history are unveiled, the interpretation of it, 00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:16.740 is that there is a cosmic war between good and evil, which you'll notice if you go back through all kinds of different mythology and the stories of every different culture. 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:19.640 It is a fight against good and evil. 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:22.780 Even Disney is about good and evil. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:25.080 And the princess generally wins. 00:17:25.780 --> 00:17:30.860 It's everywhere in the pages of history, it's about good and evil. 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:34.699 And that's what we have here. 00:17:35.419 --> 00:17:40.779 Carnage and chaos walk alongside the conquest of the gospel. 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:44.639 And therefore, at the very least, the Christian must be a realist. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:49.179 Their triumphalism has no place in the life of the Christian. 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:56.259 The unveiling of the scroll here reveals a double vision of history. 00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:59.440 A battle between good and evil, between right and wrong. 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:02.960 There will be highs, there will be lows, there will be hardships, and there will be joys. 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:18.140 And even as I reflect upon the last 11 years, 11 years of Vision 2020, we ought to conclude that any gospel progress that's been made has always been hard fought. 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.120 Always. 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:23.440 It comes at a cost. 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:26.299 There have been losses and there have been gains. 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:30.160 Our celebration should never flow over into triumphalism. 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:33.040 There should be a weight to it. 00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:40.500 We also see, therefore, there are two kinds of people here. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:52.540 The cosmic battle between good and evil means that all the people of history are lined up behind one or the other, depending on who they are being conquered by. 00:18:52.539 --> 00:19:00.299 In verse 9, we read, this is chapter 6, of those under the altar who have been slain because of their faith in Jesus. 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:12.500 They've been won over to allegiance by Christ, by his grace, and they have suffered, suffered for linking their lives with Jesus. 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:21.220 A judgment has been made against them by the inhabitants of the earth, as we are told here. 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:28.259 But a judgment for them has been made by the conquering king who sits on the throne. 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:43.579 And in verse 10 of chapter 6, they cry out from under the altar for justice because they have been slain by the other group, described here as the inhabitants of the earth. 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:49.099 They are calling God to vindicate them. 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:54.579 Now, the phrase inhabitants of the earth is a very specific reference. 00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:57.299 At first reading, you go, well, that's everyone. 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.079 Inhabitants of the earth. 00:19:58.139 --> 00:19:59.179 Well, we're inhabitants of the earth. 00:19:59.379 --> 00:20:01.019 You know, my feet are planted on the ground. 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:02.379 That must include me. 00:20:02.380 --> 00:20:05.780 But it actually is not if you're a Christian. 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:13.580 The reference here is very specific to those who are fundamentally earthbound. 00:20:16.800 --> 00:20:22.860 Fundamentally earthbound, which means that the Christian is fundamentally heavenbound. 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:32.240 The inhabitants of the earth here are those who have turned from the living God to idolatry. 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:38.760 Anything apart from their creator and their redeemer is the controlling passion of their life. 00:20:39.800 --> 00:20:48.900 Back in the first century, it was often a part of creation that became the controlling passions of people's lives as they worship the sun, the moon and the stars. 00:20:49.320 --> 00:20:53.780 Today, particularly in the Western world, it's money, power, acclaim, pleasure. 00:20:53.779 --> 00:21:08.220 Whatever it is, the inhabitants of the earth here are totally committed to building life here and now while rejecting their creator God who gives them life. 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:12.960 And finally, we have two final destinies. 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:19.100 We have two competing realities marching through the pages of history. 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:24.680 All of humanity is split into two competing groups. 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:31.880 And then as the sixth seal is opened, we have two final destinies. 00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:39.600 The opening of the sixth seal in verse 12 brings about cosmic disruption. 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:54.980 The language of the sun turning black, the moon turning blood red, the stars falling from the sky in verses 12 and 14 of chapter 6 is taken from Isaiah 34.4 and Joel 2.31. 00:21:54.980 --> 00:22:01.460 And very importantly, just as a side point, when you're interpreting the book of Revelation, Scripture interprets Scripture. 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:04.539 Scripture interprets Scripture. 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:06.319 And it's the case with the book of Revelation. 00:22:06.839 --> 00:22:12.640 Every vision and piece of information here is found in the rest of Scripture. 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:23.140 And the language here in 12 and 14 is not merely the language of an empire falling. 00:22:23.860 --> 00:22:26.440 It's the language of the end of history. 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:37.560 The sixth seal is where God, who's been working behind the scenes, steps onto the stage of the drama and he calls it over. 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:53.779 All of the inhabitants of the earth have looked to and built their lives on that which will be swept away on this final dreadful day of the Lord. 00:22:54.399 --> 00:23:03.299 The thing that they think is the most secure for them, the thing that they have lived for, the thing that they have put their hope in, 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:08.579 this world will in fact be proven insecure. 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:18.879 The foundation of their hope will literally break underneath them as the great earthquake is revealed at the sixth seal. 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:28.299 What amazing irony for the inhabitants of the earth as the sixth seal is opened and there is a great earthquake. 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:39.899 Verse 15, we see a description of the inhabitants of the earth. 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:45.879 Those who have been caught short on this great and dreadful day. 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:54.419 They are described as the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty and everyone else, both slave and free. 00:23:56.919 --> 00:23:59.259 That's everyone. 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:03.099 It's a comprehensive list. 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:09.299 Everyone is caught up in this cataclysmic disaster on the day of judgment. 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:17.180 Even on this great and dreadful day, we are told that they are still looking to their broken dreams for hope. 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:23.259 They are still looking to the earth as it crumbles around them for their hope. 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:25.940 They hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:34.420 They called out to the mountains and the rocks, fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the lamb. 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:39.279 For the great day of wrath has come and who can withstand it? 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:53.140 The entire history of humanity, all four corners of the world are finally confronted with the righteousness and the power of the sacrifice lamb whom they have ignored. 00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:56.340 There is no escape. 00:24:58.259 --> 00:25:01.040 Even death is a mercy for them in this moment. 00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:07.200 If only death meant it was the end. 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:11.460 The fourth horseman is called death and Hades. 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:18.100 The goal of this horseman is not just to take life, but in fact take life forever. 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:24.759 Hell is what the name Hades means. 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:29.240 Eternal punishment from the hand of the conquering King Jesus. 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:31.299 Now let's be clear here. 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:35.920 God's wrath here, as it's described, it's not a temper tantrum. 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:38.920 It's not a fit of rage. 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:49.940 God's wrath here is he settled, unchanging hostility towards sin, evil and injustice and it will never end. 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:54.539 And so friends, here is the scope of history. 00:25:56.019 --> 00:26:02.960 And Revelation is calling us to win, to overcome. 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:16.759 If you want to win in life and you want to win forever in life, we must link our lives with Jesus Christ, the conquering King, the crucified lamb. 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:33.579 And instead of hiding from the wrath of the lamb, as we see here of the inhabitants of the earth, we are in fact, with irony, run to the lamb who has turned God's wrath away from us. 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:39.960 And find refuge in him, the lamb who was slain for the sins of the world. 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:44.119 He might be the ruling, conquering lamb. 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:53.059 But he is conquering and he will continue to conquer. 00:26:54.699 --> 00:26:57.839 But he's also the one who will bear the full force. 00:26:58.899 --> 00:27:02.299 He has borne the full force of God's wrath against sin. 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:06.639 He's turned it away from us for those who find refuge for him. 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:11.300 If we continue to ignore it, he will not be there. 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:14.140 He will in fact bring the wrath of God. 00:27:16.540 --> 00:27:22.480 The God who holds us accountable for our sin is the God who turned his wrath upon himself. 00:27:23.300 --> 00:27:30.960 He takes our punishment to set us free, to make us purified, forgiven and granted life forever. 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:46.140 So instead of opening the seventh seal, we instead get a glimpse of this final destiny of all those who have found refuge in the lamb. 00:27:46.300 --> 00:27:47.120 It's like a pause. 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:49.840 Let's pause before we go into the seventh seal. 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:57.980 And let's see for those who overcome, the conqueror brings final, final victory. 00:27:57.980 --> 00:28:09.019 What we see here in chapter 7 is that throughout history, this conqueror has been gathering his people from the four corners of the earth. 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:22.059 So very quickly, chapter 7, verses 1 to 8 and verses 9 to 18 are two pictures of exactly the same thing. 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:31.500 The first eight verses where we have all of God's people assembled like soldiers in a victory parade. 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:36.839 And the message here is twofold. 00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:43.980 Number one, God's promises to his people starting at Abraham thousands of years earlier have come to fruition. 00:28:44.879 --> 00:28:46.059 They've never been lost. 00:28:46.159 --> 00:28:47.619 They've never been caused off track. 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:50.599 This conqueror is winning. 00:28:50.599 --> 00:28:52.639 And he has won. 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:57.359 Not one single promise of God has fallen to the ground. 00:28:57.439 --> 00:28:58.159 That's the first thing. 00:28:58.459 --> 00:29:08.759 The second thing is every single one of his people is known. 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:13.019 And they are sealed with the Spirit of God. 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:16.319 If you are his, you are known by him. 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:18.460 You are not just simply a number. 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.839 He has marked you. 00:29:20.159 --> 00:29:21.039 You are his. 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.579 And he knows you personally. 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:33.500 The second perspective of verses 9 to 18 is a perspective from our side of things. 00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:35.859 If you like John's vision, the human perspective. 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:41.159 It's you look at this crowd of people that have been gathered throughout history and it's innumerable. 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:43.339 It's huge. 00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:46.099 It's too great to number. 00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:50.019 It's a diverse crowd from every nation and tribe and people and language. 00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:53.579 It is a transcultural gathering. 00:29:53.579 --> 00:29:59.359 It is multi-ethnic, socially diverse from every generation. 00:29:59.619 --> 00:30:05.399 These are the ones who have survived the great tribulation, as verse 14 says. 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:08.419 These are the ones who have overcome. 00:30:10.419 --> 00:30:17.779 The great tribulation are those who have, from the first coming of Jesus to his second coming. 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:19.059 That is the reference. 00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:24.039 It calls the time that we are involved in now the great tribulation, the trial, the hardship. 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:26.019 And these ones have overcome. 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:31.220 They have been conquered by Jesus and they remain true to Jesus and be kept by Jesus. 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:36.619 They stand before the throne as victors because they sought refuge in the Lamb. 00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:40.279 And they are given white robes washed in the blood of the Lamb. 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.519 They're being purified. 00:30:41.639 --> 00:30:42.619 They've been vindicated. 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:45.079 There is no sin against them. 00:30:47.779 --> 00:31:02.119 Well, that's six and seven, the broad, realistic brushstroke of history that gives the disciple of Jesus hope, perspective and clarity as we fight the fight of faith. 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:15.079 In his book, Don't Waste Your Life, American author John Piper urges Christians to have a wartime mindset and live a wartime lifestyle as we wait for the final day. 00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:16.039 And he writes this. 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:46.019 I need to hear this. 00:31:46.039 --> 00:32:16.019 And he says, 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:17.740 Also, John Piper's book, Don't Waste Your Life. 00:32:18.879 --> 00:32:20.460 We have made progress. 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:23.039 There is much to celebrate. 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:29.339 And I am grateful for those who have been sharing what God has been doing, especially and has done in their lives. 00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:31.339 But let's be clear. 00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:32.980 Progress has been hard. 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:35.259 We ought to expect it to be hard. 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:38.420 Our experience ought to be mixed. 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:39.039 There has been hurt. 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:42.000 There has been hurt. 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:43.920 There has been disappointment. 00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:45.340 And there has been loss. 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:50.240 Some, at great grief, have turned their back on Christ. 00:32:50.240 --> 00:33:02.839 And there are some others still amongst us with great grief who have yet to turn to Christ, who are still refusing to be conquered by him. 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:11.639 And I say, as a pastor, with all of my heart, some of you have known me for 11 years and heard my preaching for 11 years. 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:16.440 And you still stay stubbornly where you are as inhabitants of the earth. 00:33:17.500 --> 00:33:21.640 Today, today is the day to find refuge in the Lamb. 00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.600 Today's the day. 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:31.159 Today, I have cried tears of pain and I have cried tears of joy. 00:33:32.099 --> 00:33:35.199 That should be the expectation of the Christian life. 00:33:37.219 --> 00:33:45.819 The one question that matters the most here, though, has Jesus conquered you more in the last 10 years or are you still the same? 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:49.919 That's the question. 00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:56.220 Has Jesus conquered you more or are you still the same? 00:33:59.380 --> 00:34:03.220 Is your vision just of loss? 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:07.000 Your reflection just loss? 00:34:09.180 --> 00:34:10.240 Or is it gain? 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:18.940 Well, we have not yet reached our final destiny, our final triumph. 00:34:18.940 --> 00:34:24.059 Vision 2020 is mere 11-year journey towards that final triumph and it's done. 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:30.920 And as we look to the future, our task is effectively still the same. 00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:38.639 Proclaim Jesus as the conquering King of kings and intentionally make disciples of him who overcome. 00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:46.960 And to keep surrendering, sacrificing, to see Jesus conquer more and more our lives. 00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:52.759 And lives of people from every nation, tribe, people, generation, language. 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:55.599 In all of our spheres of influence. 00:34:56.420 --> 00:34:59.259 And to do so as a diverse group of people. 00:34:59.659 --> 00:35:05.440 Treasuring Jesus together for God's glory and the joy of all. 00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:06.619 Let's pray. 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:14.340 Our gracious God. 00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:19.260 What a journey you've taken us on. 00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:21.860 And we are thankful. 00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:24.860 We thank you all that you have sustained us. 00:35:24.860 --> 00:35:31.680 We are thankful that you have helped us to see Christ with more clarity. 00:35:32.180 --> 00:35:34.079 And his glory and his majesty. 00:35:35.360 --> 00:35:44.599 We thank you that through the pain, despite the pain, you have shaped us more. 00:35:44.599 --> 00:35:49.000 You have called us to endure. 00:35:51.400 --> 00:35:57.839 And Lord, I am thankful that I, amongst others, are still here and still walking with you. 00:36:00.299 --> 00:36:03.319 We would ask as we move forward from this day, 00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:08.159 that we would align ourselves behind the conquering King of kings. 00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:14.339 And that you would save many from the inhabitants of the earth. 00:36:16.299 --> 00:36:19.759 We are thankful for the younger generation amongst us. 00:36:19.879 --> 00:36:22.179 And we pray that you would save many of those. 00:36:22.879 --> 00:36:27.299 As you have done throughout the history of this church, generation by generation. 00:36:27.300 --> 00:36:39.780 We ask, Lord, that you would instill in us and you would instill in parents a Christ-captured focus of life and history. 00:36:40.300 --> 00:36:43.680 And that they would pass that on to their children. 00:36:45.100 --> 00:36:47.019 Shape us, we pray, for our future together. 00:36:47.580 --> 00:36:52.600 And this day, we pray that you would graciously win some to yourself. 00:36:53.320 --> 00:36:53.660 Amen. 00:36:53.660 --> 00:36:53.760 Amen.