WEBVTT

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 Good morning, everyone.

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 My name is Sean, for those of you who don't know me,

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 and it's my joy to preach God's word to you this morning.

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 Please turn with me in your Bibles to Revelation chapter 18.

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 If you don't have a Bible, if you raise your hand,

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 we'll give you a copy that you can use.

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 And you can keep that, actually.

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 Revelation chapter 18.

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 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word.

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 Father, we are poor,

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 so we come to you who are rich.

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 Father, grace us

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 with your heavenly generosity,

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 your mercy.

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 We are naked,

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 so we come to you for raiment,

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 to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ.

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 Impress upon us our desperate need for you

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 and expose

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 the ways in which we have

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 consorted with

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 Babylon,

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 the sinful city of man.

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 And consecrate us,

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 sanctify us this morning

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 to yourself

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 and to your son,

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 our bridegroom,

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 Jesus Christ,

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 the lamb

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 who takes away the sin of the world.

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 Address us now

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 from your word,

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 we ask in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 We stand to honor God

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 and his words,

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 if you please,

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 if you're able,

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 stand,

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 and I will read

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 from Revelation chapter 18.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 After this,

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 I saw another angel coming down from heaven,

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 having great authority,

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 and the earth was made bright with his glory.

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 And he called out with a mighty voice,

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 Fallen,

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 fallen is Babylon the great.

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 She has become a dwelling place for demons,

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 a haunt for every unclean spirit,

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 a haunt for every unclean bird,

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 a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.

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 For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion

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 of her sexual immorality,

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 and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her,

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 and the merchants of the earth have grown rich

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 from the power of her luxurious living.

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 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,

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 Come out of her, my people,

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 lest you take part in her sins.

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 Lest you share in her plagues,

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 for her sins are heaped high as heaven,

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 and God has remembered her iniquities.

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 Pay her back as she herself has paid back others,

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 and repay her double for her deeds.

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 Mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed,

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 as she glorified herself and lived in luxury.

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 So give her a like measure of torment and mourning,

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 since in her heart she says,

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 I sit as a queen,

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 I am the widow,

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 and mourning I shall never see.

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 For this reason,

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 her plagues will come in a single day,

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 death and mourning and famine,

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 and she will be burned up with fire,

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 for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.

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 And the kings of the earth,

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 who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her,

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 will weep and wail over her

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 when they see the smoke of her burning.

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 They will stand far off in fear of her torment and say,

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 Alas, alas,

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 you great city,

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 you mighty city,

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 Babylon,

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 for in a single hour your judgment has come.

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 And the merchants of the earth

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 weep and mourn for her,

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 since no one buys their cargo anymore.

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 Cargo of gold,

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 silver,

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 jewels,

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 pearls,

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 fine linen,

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 purple cloth,

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 silk,

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 scarlet cloth,

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 all kinds of scented wood,

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 all kinds of articles of ivory,

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 all kinds of articles of costly wood,

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 bronze,

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 iron,

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 and marble,

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 cinnamon,

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 spice,

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 incense,

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 myrrh,

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 frankincense,

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 wine,

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 oil,

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 fine flour,

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 wheat,

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 cattle and sheep,

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 horses and chariots,

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 and slaves,

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 that is human souls.

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 The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you,

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 and all your delicacies and your splendors are lost to you,

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 never to be found again.

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 The merchants of these wares who gained wealth from her will stand far off in fear of her torment,

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 weeping and mourning aloud.

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 Alas,

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 alas,

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 for the great city that was clothed in fine linen,

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 in purple and scarlet,

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 adorned with gold,

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 with jewels and with pearls,

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 for in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.

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 And all shipmasters and seafaring men,

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 sailors and all whose trade is on the sea,

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 stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke were burning,

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 what city was like the great city?

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 And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned,

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 crying out,

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 alas,

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 alas,

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 for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth,

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 for in a single hour she has been laid waste.

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 Rejoice over her,

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 O heaven,

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 and you saints and apostles and prophets,

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 for God has given judgment for you against her.

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 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea,

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 saying,

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 so will Babylon,

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 the great city be thrown down with violence and will be found no more.

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 And the sound of harpists and musicians of flute players and trumpeters will be heard in you no more.

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 And a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more.

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 And the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more.

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 And the light of a lamp will shine in you no more.

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 And the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more.

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 For your merchants were the great ones of the earth,

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 and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.

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 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints,

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 and of all who have been slain on earth.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 You may be seated.

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 Many of you have heard this parable before.

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 I heard it,

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 I think,

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 from David Foster Wallace first.

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 Two fish are swimming in the ocean,

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 and then two young fish are swimming in the ocean.

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 And then an old,

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 more seasoned fish swims right by them,

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 and then asks them,

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 morning boys,

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 how's the water?

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 And the two young fish swim on for a bit,

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 and then eventually one of them looks over to the other and says,

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 what in the world is water?

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 It's a parable that teaches us

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 that sometimes the most obvious

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 and pervasive and important realities

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 are the hardest for us to see and talk about.

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 When you're so immersed in something

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 every single day of your life,

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 it becomes hardly noticeable.

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 Such is the case with money.

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 In seminary,

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 pastors in training are warned

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 about various heresies

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 and erroneous theological trends,

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 but rarely are they warned

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 against the dangers of wealth

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 because we're all entangled in it.

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 In discipleship groups,

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 in churches,

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 and in accountability groups,

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 sins like lust are often confessed,

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 but finding one's identity

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 and security in money

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 and what it could buy

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 is rarely confessed.

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 Every day,

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 we're clicking the buy button,

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 swiping the credit card

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 and depositing our checks

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 and Venmoing money,

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 but so many of us

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 spend very little time

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 reflecting critically about money

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 and the way we view it

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 and the way we relate to it.

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 The word of God, thankfully,

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 does not share our blind spot.

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 Jesus taught

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 that it's easier for a camel

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 with its enormous hump

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 to go through the eye of a needle

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 than for a rich person

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 to enter the kingdom of God.

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 And the fall of Babylon

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 that we see here

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 in Revelation 18

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 bears out that reality.

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 All those people

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 who committed sexual morality

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 with Babylon,

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 the kings of the earth,

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 the merchants of the earth,

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 the shipmen,

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 the seafarers of the earth,

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 fall along with Babylon,

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 come to judgment.

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 Babylon,

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 the great prostitute,

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 as I mentioned last week,

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 represents the city of man,

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 the center of the sinful world's

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 cultural influence

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 and economic power.

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 And in this chapter,

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 John uses the Old Testament language

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 of divine judgment

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 on wicked cities

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 like Sodom and Gomorrah

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 and Nineveh

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 and Edom

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 and Jerusalem

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 and most pertinently,

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 Babylon and Tyre

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 to describe,

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 it uses the language

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 of the judgments

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 of those cities

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 in the Old Testament

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 to describe

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 the end-time destruction

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 of Babylon.

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 And God's main exhortation

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 for us in this chapter

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 is found in verses 4 and 5.

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 Come out of her,

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 my people,

00:10:10.540 --> 00:10:12.139
 lest you take part

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 in her sins,

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 lest you share

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 in her plagues,

00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:17.180
 for her sins are heaped

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 high as heaven

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 and God has remembered

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 her iniquities.

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 The angel's warning

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 gives us two reasons

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 why we should come out.

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 Actually,

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 that voice,

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 saying that in verse 4 and 5

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 may be the voice of Christ,

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 it's not identified directly

00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:33.200
 and when he's not identified

00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:34.019
 usually in Revelation

00:10:34.019 --> 00:10:34.940
 it's the voice of Christ.

00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:35.899
 It says,

00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:37.700
 come out of the self-glorying

00:10:37.700 --> 00:10:38.620
 luxury of Babylon.

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 The first reason

00:10:40.420 --> 00:10:41.120
 why we should come out

00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:41.519
 of Babylon

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 is lest we take part

00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:43.519
 in her sins

00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:45.100
 and the second reason

00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:45.800
 why we should come out

00:10:45.800 --> 00:10:47.100
 is lest we share

00:10:47.100 --> 00:10:48.440
 in her plagues.

00:10:49.220 --> 00:10:50.139
 The first reason

00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:50.700
 is so that we might

00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:52.600
 avoid the defilement of sin

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 and the second is

00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:55.139
 so that we might avoid

00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:55.899
 the destruction

00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:57.060
 on account of that sin.

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 So I'm going to talk

00:10:59.339 --> 00:11:00.099
 about those two things

00:11:00.099 --> 00:11:00.479
 in turn.

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 It says in verses 1 and 2,

00:11:02.739 --> 00:11:04.159
 an angel from heaven

00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:05.559
 having great authority

00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:06.879
 whose glory illuminates

00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:07.199
 the earth

00:11:07.199 --> 00:11:08.859
 calls out with a mighty voice

00:11:08.859 --> 00:11:10.239
 and whenever an angel

00:11:10.239 --> 00:11:11.639
 cries out with a loud voice

00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:12.459
 in the book of Revelation

00:11:12.459 --> 00:11:14.059
 or a mighty voice like this,

00:11:14.339 --> 00:11:15.619
 there's an authoritative

00:11:15.619 --> 00:11:17.399
 pronouncement that follows.

00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:20.719
 This angel does not speak

00:11:20.719 --> 00:11:22.699
 timidly or quietly

00:11:22.699 --> 00:11:23.979
 or uncertainly rather

00:11:23.979 --> 00:11:25.099
 with great authority

00:11:25.099 --> 00:11:25.979
 and a mighty voice

00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:27.420
 because he has the authority

00:11:27.420 --> 00:11:28.420
 of the king of kings

00:11:28.420 --> 00:11:29.500
 behind him.

00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:31.080
 And that means

00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:31.700
 the judgment

00:11:31.700 --> 00:11:32.800
 that's announced here

00:11:32.800 --> 00:11:34.200
 about Babylon

00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:35.600
 is inevitable.

00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:37.740
 It's certain to come.

00:11:38.420 --> 00:11:39.360
 And that certainty

00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:40.100
 is expressed

00:11:40.100 --> 00:11:42.000
 in the past tense

00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:42.940
 of the announcements

00:11:42.940 --> 00:11:44.019
 that it uses.

00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:44.420
 It says,

00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:45.300
 fallen,

00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:47.560
 fallen is Babylon the great.

00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:49.460
 She has become

00:11:49.460 --> 00:11:50.899
 a dwelling place

00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:51.399
 for demons.

00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:53.519
 This is interesting

00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:54.740
 because we know later

00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:55.620
 from verse 21

00:11:55.620 --> 00:11:56.259
 that Babylon

00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:57.340
 has not yet fallen.

00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:58.779
 It doesn't fall

00:11:58.779 --> 00:11:59.759
 until the end.

00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:02.299
 And yet here,

00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:03.159
 so there it says,

00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:04.419
 so will Babylon

00:12:04.419 --> 00:12:05.000
 the great city

00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:05.740
 be thrown down

00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:06.279
 with violence.

00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:07.500
 That hasn't happened yet.

00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:08.139
 And yet,

00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:09.600
 when the angel

00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:10.180
 pronounces

00:12:10.180 --> 00:12:11.259
 the judgment of Babylon,

00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:13.259
 uses the perfect tense,

00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:13.799
 the past tense,

00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:15.159
 as if it has already happened,

00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:17.480
 to indicate the fact

00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:18.360
 that its fulfillment

00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:19.200
 is certain,

00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:20.159
 as good as done.

00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:23.000
 That's what the Hebrew grammarians

00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:24.299
 call the prophetic perfect.

00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:27.759
 Just as ancient Babylon

00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:28.899
 and ancient Tyre

00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:29.799
 and Sodom and Gomorrah

00:12:29.799 --> 00:12:30.379
 fell,

00:12:31.059 --> 00:12:31.719
 this chapter

00:12:31.719 --> 00:12:33.439
 uses that same language

00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:33.959
 to say that

00:12:33.959 --> 00:12:35.120
 this city of man

00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:36.740
 is doomed to fall.

00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.620
 And verse 2 continues,

00:12:38.719 --> 00:12:39.659
 she has become

00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:40.819
 a dwelling place

00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:41.539
 for demons,

00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:42.500
 a haunt

00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:44.059
 for every unclean spirit,

00:12:44.179 --> 00:12:44.439
 a haunt

00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:45.679
 for every unclean bird,

00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.000
 a haunt

00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:47.360
 for every unclean

00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:48.819
 and detestable beast.

00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:50.220
 This judgment

00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:51.940
 continues the contrast

00:12:51.940 --> 00:12:53.620
 between Babylon the harlot

00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:55.100
 and New Jerusalem,

00:12:55.300 --> 00:12:56.500
 which is the bride of the lamb,

00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:57.740
 as I began to talk about

00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:58.360
 last week.

00:12:58.920 --> 00:12:59.820
 In chapter 21,

00:12:59.900 --> 00:13:00.480
 verse 3,

00:13:00.640 --> 00:13:01.800
 the bride of the lamb,

00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:02.860
 which is the people of God,

00:13:02.940 --> 00:13:03.820
 the church of Christ,

00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:06.140
 become the dwelling place

00:13:06.140 --> 00:13:06.980
 of God himself.

00:13:08.180 --> 00:13:09.480
 But here in chapter 18,

00:13:09.540 --> 00:13:09.960
 verse 2,

00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:11.140
 Babylon the harlot

00:13:11.140 --> 00:13:13.020
 becomes a dwelling place

00:13:13.020 --> 00:13:13.880
 for demons.

00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:16.980
 That's the ultimate destiny

00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:18.860
 of the city of man

00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:20.000
 in its hubris

00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:20.940
 and luxury.

00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:23.379
 Those who feel at home

00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:25.200
 in this sinful world

00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:26.500
 will soon become

00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.440
 a dwelling place

00:13:27.440 --> 00:13:27.940
 for demons.

00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:30.440
 But Christians

00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:31.940
 who live as exiles

00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:32.960
 and aliens

00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:34.100
 in this sinful world

00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:35.200
 will soon become

00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:36.180
 the dwelling place

00:13:36.180 --> 00:13:36.720
 of God.

00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:39.560
 And when it is judged,

00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:41.399
 Babylon will be a haunt

00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:42.940
 for every unclean spirit,

00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:45.080
 a haunt for every unclean bird,

00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:47.100
 a haunt for every unclean

00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:48.220
 and detestable beast.

00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:49.580
 This judgment echoes

00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:51.160
 the judgment of ancient Babylon

00:13:51.160 --> 00:13:53.480
 prophesied of in Jeremiah 51, 37,

00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:54.420
 which says,

00:13:54.800 --> 00:13:55.360
 Babylon shall become

00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.200
 a heap of Romans,

00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:57.960
 the haunt of jackals,

00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:59.379
 a horror and a hissing

00:13:59.379 --> 00:13:59.720
 without inhabitant.

00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:01.940
 The fact that Babylon

00:14:01.940 --> 00:14:02.620
 in this picture

00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.399
 is overrun

00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:04.519
 by these wild beasts

00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:05.320
 and demons

00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:06.620
 is a sign

00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.100
 that Babylon

00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:08.040
 will be desolate

00:14:08.040 --> 00:14:08.740
 and abandoned.

00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:10.580
 It will have no inhabitants.

00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:14.100
 The repetition

00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:15.500
 of the word unclean

00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:17.600
 exposes the skeleton

00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:19.139
 that's in Babylon's closet.

00:14:19.920 --> 00:14:21.460
 In Revelation 17, 4,

00:14:21.540 --> 00:14:22.180
 when the Babylon,

00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:22.899
 the prostitute,

00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:23.639
 was described

00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:25.160
 as this beautiful,

00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.180
 seductive woman

00:14:26.180 --> 00:14:27.540
 arrayed in purple

00:14:27.540 --> 00:14:28.120
 and scarlet

00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:29.160
 and adorned with gold

00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:30.139
 and jewels and pearls.

00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:31.620
 However,

00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:32.579
 she was holding

00:14:32.579 --> 00:14:33.959
 in her golden chalice

00:14:33.959 --> 00:14:34.860
 inside it

00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:36.679
 abominations

00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:37.799
 and the impurities

00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:39.079
 of her sexual immorality.

00:14:39.199 --> 00:14:40.199
 And that word impurity

00:14:40.199 --> 00:14:41.379
 is the exact same word

00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.079
 as a noun form

00:14:42.079 --> 00:14:43.419
 of the word unclean

00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:44.100
 that's used here

00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:44.879
 in chapter 18.

00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:47.299
 So in her beautiful

00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:49.120
 and luxurious golden chalice,

00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:50.259
 Babylon hid

00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:51.299
 the uncleanness

00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:52.579
 of her sins,

00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.600
 of her sexual immorality

00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:55.419
 and idolatry.

00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:57.480
 And now that uncleanness

00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.159
 is exposed

00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:59.219
 once and for all

00:14:59.219 --> 00:15:00.319
 in God's judgment

00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:01.059
 of Babylon,

00:15:01.719 --> 00:15:03.000
 her punishment

00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:03.819
 fits the crime.

00:15:04.339 --> 00:15:05.419
 She filled the world

00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:06.559
 with her uncleanness

00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:08.139
 and now she will be filled

00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:09.500
 with all kinds

00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.480
 of unclean spirits

00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.019
 and beasts.

00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:13.799
 Verse 3 confirms this,

00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:28.179
 this last clause explicitly

00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:31.199
 hones in on the economic power

00:15:31.199 --> 00:15:32.859
 by which Babylon seduces

00:15:32.859 --> 00:15:33.799
 kings and merchants

00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:34.599
 and seafarers.

00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:37.719
 Babylon's sexual immorality

00:15:37.719 --> 00:15:38.599
 is a metaphor

00:15:38.599 --> 00:15:40.339
 for her idolatrous

00:15:40.339 --> 00:15:41.339
 economic activity.

00:15:42.239 --> 00:15:43.199
 Similar to how

00:15:43.199 --> 00:15:44.179
 the city of Tyre

00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:45.120
 is described

00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:46.399
 in Isaiah 23, 17

00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:47.819
 as prostituting herself

00:15:47.819 --> 00:15:48.500
 with kingdoms.

00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:51.379
 Chapter 18

00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.159
 is structured

00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:53.099
 like a sandwich.

00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:55.079
 The two pieces of bread

00:15:55.079 --> 00:15:55.819
 at the beginning

00:15:55.820 --> 00:15:56.440
 and the end

00:15:56.440 --> 00:15:58.020
 are the angelic pronouncements

00:15:58.020 --> 00:15:59.220
 of Babylon's judgment

00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:00.500
 verses 1 to 8

00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.700
 and verses 21 to 24.

00:16:02.160 --> 00:16:02.860
 And in between

00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:03.700
 those two sections

00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:04.220
 at the heart

00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:04.720
 in the middle

00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.920
 where the meat would be

00:16:05.920 --> 00:16:07.480
 are three dirges

00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.720
 or elegies,

00:16:09.400 --> 00:16:10.180
 funeral songs

00:16:10.180 --> 00:16:11.240
 sung by three different

00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:12.020
 classes of people,

00:16:12.140 --> 00:16:12.900
 the kings of the earth,

00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:13.400
 the merchants,

00:16:13.800 --> 00:16:14.860
 and the seafarers,

00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:16.340
 all mourning

00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:17.260
 the loss of Babylon

00:16:17.260 --> 00:16:18.400
 because they had grown rich

00:16:18.400 --> 00:16:19.580
 by their immorality

00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:20.200
 and idolatry

00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:20.780
 with Babylon.

00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:23.299
 And this structure

00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:24.319
 makes the heart

00:16:24.319 --> 00:16:25.519
 very center of the passage

00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:26.720
 the funeral song

00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.419
 of the merchants

00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:28.860
 in verses 11 to 17.

00:16:30.079 --> 00:16:31.459
 In verse 16,

00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.079
 the merchants

00:16:32.079 --> 00:16:33.019
 who had been enriched

00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.899
 by their dealings

00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:34.559
 with Babylon

00:16:34.559 --> 00:16:35.579
 mourn her fall

00:16:35.579 --> 00:16:35.980
 saying,

00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.279
 Alas,

00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.079
 alas,

00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:39.240
 for the great city

00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:39.980
 that was clothed

00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:40.740
 in fine linen,

00:16:41.199 --> 00:16:42.779
 in purple and scarlet,

00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:43.860
 adorned with gold,

00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:44.539
 with jewels,

00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.459
 and with pearls.

00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:47.279
 This is largely

00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:47.799
 a repetition

00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:48.480
 of the description

00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:49.500
 of the Babylon

00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:50.559
 prostitut we saw

00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:51.559
 in chapter 17,

00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.419
 verse 4 last week.

00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.359
 And interestingly,

00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:55.000
 these exact items,

00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:55.859
 fine linen,

00:16:56.339 --> 00:16:57.459
 purple and scarlet cloth,

00:16:57.739 --> 00:16:58.099
 gold,

00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:58.899
 jewels,

00:16:59.079 --> 00:16:59.599
 and pearls

00:16:59.599 --> 00:17:01.000
 are all listed

00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.979
 in verse 12

00:17:01.979 --> 00:17:02.779
 where it lists

00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:03.759
 the cargo

00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:05.139
 that Babylon

00:17:05.139 --> 00:17:06.099
 trafficked in

00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:06.740
 and traded

00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:08.119
 in order to enrich itself.

00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.019
 As I mentioned

00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.960
 before,

00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:13.240
 in the first century

00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:13.899
 during John's

00:17:13.899 --> 00:17:14.539
 time of writing,

00:17:14.879 --> 00:17:16.019
 Babylon was Rome.

00:17:16.159 --> 00:17:17.099
 Rome was the primary

00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:18.119
 expression of this

00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:19.019
 city of man,

00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:19.379
 Babylon.

00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:19.500
 Babylon.

00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:21.680
 And all the items

00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.840
 listed in 12 and 13

00:17:22.840 --> 00:17:23.940
 are items that Rome

00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.900
 trafficked in.

00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:25.960
 He traded those things.

00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:26.780
 You can see that

00:17:26.780 --> 00:17:27.600
 in the historical

00:17:27.600 --> 00:17:28.540
 writings from the time.

00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:31.160
 And these trade items

00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:31.540
 of Rome

00:17:31.540 --> 00:17:32.860
 that made the city rich

00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:34.140
 are like the fine

00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:35.540
 clothes and jewelry

00:17:35.540 --> 00:17:36.720
 that a prostitute

00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.900
 accumulates

00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:38.680
 as payment

00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.740
 from her clients,

00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:41.020
 from her sexual

00:17:41.020 --> 00:17:41.440
 morality.

00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:44.059
 I wrote out

00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:44.980
 kind of detailed

00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:45.680
 descriptions

00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:46.779
 of what all these

00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.180
 are like

00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:47.720
 in comparison

00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.620
 to what it's like

00:17:48.620 --> 00:17:49.259
 in our modern day,

00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:49.860
 but unfortunately

00:17:49.860 --> 00:17:50.480
 I don't have time

00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:51.600
 to go into that

00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:53.620
 because of time

00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.120
 constraints.

00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.519
 I will just mention

00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.559
 one maybe

00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:58.640
 representative example

00:17:58.640 --> 00:17:59.980
 of just the luxury

00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:01.039
 that Babylon

00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.360
 indulged themselves in,

00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:05.019
 and that's of pearls.

00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:06.819
 Cleopatra

00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:08.619
 was queen

00:18:08.619 --> 00:18:09.819
 of Egypt,

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.579
 which was under

00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:12.359
 Roman rule

00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:13.879
 at the time,

00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:14.940
 and then she hosted

00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.960
 the Sumptuous Party,

00:18:16.660 --> 00:18:18.779
 and she at one point

00:18:18.779 --> 00:18:19.539
 boasted

00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:21.119
 to her guest

00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:23.700
 that she was going

00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.480
 to consume

00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:26.259
 what would be

00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:26.819
 worth of

00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:30.399
 $527,000

00:18:30.399 --> 00:18:34.279
 worth of food

00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:36.019
 and drink.

00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:37.740
 And the guest

00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.339
 asked her,

00:18:38.439 --> 00:18:38.539
 well,

00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:39.299
 how in the world

00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:39.559
 are you going

00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.339
 to consume

00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:41.399
 that much?

00:18:42.439 --> 00:18:43.579
 And then she promptly

00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:45.919
 asked her servant

00:18:45.919 --> 00:18:46.480
 to bring

00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:47.859
 a cup of vinegar in,

00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:49.460
 and then she removes

00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:51.319
 one of the most

00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:53.000
 expensive pearls

00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.159
 known to man

00:18:54.159 --> 00:18:54.779
 at the time

00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.939
 from her ears,

00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:57.100
 and puts it

00:18:57.100 --> 00:18:57.519
 in the vinegar

00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.500
 so that it dissolves.

00:18:59.140 --> 00:18:59.720
 Apparently pearls

00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.380
 dissolve in vinegar,

00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.000
 I didn't know that,

00:19:01.080 --> 00:19:02.299
 and then she drinks it

00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:04.320
 just to show,

00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.519
 to flaunt her wealth

00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:07.400
 and show what kind

00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:07.880
 of luxury

00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:09.279
 she lived in.

00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:11.860
 It's not

00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:13.340
 dissimilar from

00:19:13.340 --> 00:19:15.600
 musical artist

00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:16.779
 Post Malone,

00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.740
 who

00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:20.740
 I read

00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:21.759
 in the New York Times

00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:23.860
 has,

00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:24.519
 how much?

00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:27.279
 $1.6 million

00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:28.980
 worth of teeth done.

00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:30.619
 How many teeth

00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:32.039
 does he have?

00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:34.180
 And the reason

00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:35.359
 why it's $1.6 million

00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:36.339
 is because he has

00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:38.240
 18 porcelain veneers,

00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:40.220
 8 platinum crowns,

00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:42.059
 and 2 6-carat diamonds

00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:42.680
 to replace

00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.660
 his upper canines.

00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:48.299
 It's the kind of luxury

00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:48.799
 some people

00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:49.619
 in Babylon live in.

00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:50.559
 Now,

00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.379
 you may have already

00:19:51.379 --> 00:19:52.160
 noticed that these

00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:53.440
 categories of trade items

00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:55.519
 that I read

00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.240
 are each

00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:56.860
 in descending

00:19:56.860 --> 00:19:57.779
 order of value.

00:19:59.120 --> 00:19:59.940
 It first

00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.380
 lists

00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:01.200
 all the precious

00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.660
 metals

00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:02.460
 and stones

00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.559
 and jewels

00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.460
 in descending

00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:05.140
 order of value,

00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:05.900
 starting with gold.

00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.200
 And then it lists

00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.279
 clothing items

00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:08.900
 in descending

00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:09.680
 order of value.

00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.440
 And then it lists

00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.140
 construction

00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:13.880
 and craft materials in descending order of value.

00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:16.220
 And then he lists incense and perfumes

00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.420
 in descending order of value.

00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:20.700
 And then he lists food items in descending order of value.

00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:24.420
 And then finally, it lists livestock, labor

00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:27.360
 in descending order of value.

00:20:28.540 --> 00:20:32.380
 And the fact that slaves, that is human souls,

00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:34.320
 are mentioned at the very end,

00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:38.300
 after cattle and sheep, horses and chariots

00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:42.299
 is an indictment of Rome and Babylon's value system.

00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:46.619
 It's a culture that values animals more than humans,

00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:49.960
 where humans are treated like animals.

00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:53.579
 And the fact that slaves are described expressly

00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:56.059
 as human souls is a scathing critique

00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:58.339
 of Babylon's contempt for human life.

00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:03.720
 How do you deal in the trade of humans for your merchandise?

00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:09.579
 But all this busy trading will come crashing down

00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.960
 when God judges Babylon.

00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.299
 Verse 14 says,

00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:15.299
 The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you,

00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:17.720
 and all your delicacies and your splendors

00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:20.600
 are lost to you, never to be found again.

00:21:21.160 --> 00:21:25.579
 The word delicacies conveys Babylon's indulgence in luxury.

00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:27.960
 The word splendors conveys Babylon's

00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:29.799
 extravagant display of wealth.

00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:32.500
 And in what ways, I want to ask,

00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:37.500
 are we complicit in this self-glowing luxury of Babylon?

00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:42.399
 Just this past week, I saw in the news,

00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:42.940
 in the headlines,

00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:45.720
 the vice president and head of communications at Baidu,

00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:48.299
 which is the Chinese equivalent of Google,

00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:52.139
 came under fire because of her unapologetic promotion

00:21:52.139 --> 00:21:54.200
 of her work-till-you-drop mindset

00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:56.700
 and her cutthroat management style

00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.899
 on her social media accounts.

00:21:57.900 --> 00:22:00.060
 I don't know if some of you guys saw that.

00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:02.720
 She posted a series of short videos

00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:04.860
 where she excoriates an employee

00:22:04.860 --> 00:22:07.920
 for refusing to go on a 50-day business trip

00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:09.180
 during the COVID pandemic.

00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.960
 And then she says,

00:22:11.100 --> 00:22:11.259
 quote,

00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:14.000
 Why should I take my employees' family into consideration?

00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.640
 I'm not her mother-in-law.

00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:17.900
 I'm 10 years, 20 years older than you.

00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:19.940
 I didn't feel bitter about it or tired,

00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.160
 even though I have two children.

00:22:21.540 --> 00:22:23.940
 Who are you to tell me that your husband can't stand it?

00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:26.420
 In another clip,

00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:29.680
 she talks almost both about how she worked so hard

00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:31.940
 that one time she forgot her older son's birthday

00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:34.100
 and what grade her younger son is in.

00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:37.440
 And then she insists that she has no regrets

00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.600
 because she, quote,

00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.980
 chose to become a career woman.

00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:43.259
 In another video, she says,

00:22:43.360 --> 00:22:44.920
 If you work in public relations,

00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:46.340
 don't expect weekends off.

00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:48.500
 Keep your phone on 24 hours a day,

00:22:48.580 --> 00:22:49.660
 always ready to respond.

00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:55.140
 This is what many executives think throughout the world.

00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:58.840
 She just has the gall to be in your face about it.

00:22:59.300 --> 00:23:01.820
 And she was foolish enough to post it on social media,

00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:03.440
 so I think she got fired eventually

00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:05.340
 because it was a public relations disaster.

00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:08.220
 Similarly, in 2019,

00:23:08.560 --> 00:23:11.660
 Alibaba co-founder of Jack Ma

00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:14.240
 endorsed the 996 trend,

00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:17.540
 meaning working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

00:23:17.540 --> 00:23:18.380
 six days a week.

00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:22.560
 That's a 72-hour work week,

00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:25.800
 which is actually not uncommon here in Cambridge.

00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:29.900
 Don't think that this happens only in China.

00:23:30.040 --> 00:23:30.740
 In 2021,

00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.940
 a presentation entitled

00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:34.540
 Working Conditions Survey

00:23:34.540 --> 00:23:37.420
 by first-year analysts at Goldman Sachs

00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.160
 became public.

00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:40.520
 And the answer to the question,

00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:42.500
 How many hours have you worked this week?

00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:44.740
 was 105 hours.

00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:47.559
 And then the question,

00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:49.680
 How many hours have you worked per week on average?

00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:51.180
 was 98 hours.

00:23:54.120 --> 00:23:55.440
 In New York Times article,

00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:56.579
 David Brooks comments,

00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.099
 quote,

00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:59.980
 I've heard countless presidential candidates say

00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:02.220
 they are running on behalf of their families

00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.960
 for their future,

00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:04.940
 to care for them,

00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:08.079
 even though their entire lives

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:09.819
 have been spent on the campaign trail

00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:11.160
 away from their families.

00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:16.120
 In what ways

00:24:16.120 --> 00:24:17.240
 are we

00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:18.540
 complicit

00:24:18.540 --> 00:24:21.160
 with the self-glorying luxury of Babylon?

00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.680
 In what ways

00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.380
 do we perform

00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:26.100
 a kind of

00:24:26.100 --> 00:24:27.800
 child sacrifice

00:24:27.800 --> 00:24:29.860
 at the altar of success

00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:31.180
 and prestige

00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:32.080
 and wealth?

00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.240
 Jonathan Weber

00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.180
 writes in The Atlantic

00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:40.440
 in an article entitled

00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:42.600
 Greed, Bankruptcy, and the Super Rich

00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:43.799
 that exorbitant

00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:45.039
 executive salaries,

00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:47.200
 emphasis on luxury goods,

00:24:47.560 --> 00:24:48.560
 a cavalier attitude

00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:50.759
 toward enormous amounts of debt,

00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:52.720
 and risky, greedy deals

00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:54.060
 that enrich the dealmakers

00:24:54.060 --> 00:24:55.640
 at the expense of the common worker

00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:56.600
 are the

00:24:56.600 --> 00:24:58.720
 economic zeitgeist

00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.420
 of our age.

00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:01.100
 The spirit of the times.

00:25:03.580 --> 00:25:04.680
 In what ways

00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.220
 are we

00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:06.279
 in our work,

00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.299
 in the way

00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:08.240
 we manage our employees,

00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.519
 in the way we do our work,

00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:11.660
 complicit with the self-glorying luxury

00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:12.099
 of Babylon?

00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:14.940
 Sure,

00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.680
 we might not make

00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.279
 as much money

00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.079
 as Jeff Bezos

00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:18.240
 or Elon Musk,

00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:20.759
 but haven't we also

00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.259
 profited

00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:21.880
 from the wealth

00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:22.259
 of Babylon?

00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.660
 What do you think

00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:26.700
 the global median income is?

00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.220
 Americans were asked

00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.640
 that question

00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:31.140
 in a survey

00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.740
 in 2018,

00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:33.099
 and the average guess

00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:34.099
 was $20,000,

00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.559
 which is not that high

00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:37.220
 by our standards,

00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:39.379
 but the actual number

00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:40.059
 then was

00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:41.940
 $2,100 a year.

00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.039
 Some of you make

00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.779
 more than that

00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.379
 in one week.

00:25:49.639 --> 00:25:51.039
 The global median income

00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:52.240
 is now a little higher.

00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:52.919
 It's still

00:25:52.919 --> 00:25:54.720
 shockingly low

00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.279
 compared to

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.119
 what we make here.

00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.799
 The Washington Post

00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.639
 article entitled,

00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:00.520
 Most Americans

00:26:00.520 --> 00:26:01.840
 Vastly Underestimate

00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:02.840
 How Rich They Are

00:26:02.840 --> 00:26:03.700
 Compared With The Rest

00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.160
 of the World

00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:05.420
 claims that,

00:26:05.780 --> 00:26:07.180
 even the developed world's

00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.340
 poor and middle classes

00:26:08.340 --> 00:26:08.720
 are,

00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:10.080
 by global standards,

00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.860
 extraordinarily rich.

00:26:13.080 --> 00:26:14.400
 After adjusting

00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.500
 for cost of living

00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:15.980
 differences,

00:26:17.020 --> 00:26:17.960
 a typical American

00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.940
 still earns an income

00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:19.860
 that is 10 times

00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:20.600
 the income received

00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.440
 by the typical person

00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:21.900
 in the world.

00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:24.020
 After adjusting

00:26:24.020 --> 00:26:25.280
 for cost of living

00:26:25.280 --> 00:26:25.720
 differences.

00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:28.980
 most of us live

00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.680
 in an embarrassment

00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.240
 of riches.

00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:34.160
 And greed is a very

00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:34.940
 insidious thing

00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.700
 if you think about it.

00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.600
 It can creep in

00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.480
 and take us captive

00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.920
 without our noticing

00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:40.860
 because we don't

00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:42.019
 usually compare ourselves

00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.000
 with the rest of the world,

00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:43.319
 do we?

00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:45.259
 We compare ourselves

00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.500
 to the people around us.

00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:48.819
 And we're in

00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:50.240
 the city of Cambridge,

00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.240
 a very wealthy city.

00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.200
 There's already

00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:54.339
 a self-selected group

00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:55.319
 of people who can afford

00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:55.839
 to live here

00:26:55.839 --> 00:26:56.759
 living around us.

00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:57.960
 And so when we compare

00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:59.000
 ourselves to them,

00:27:00.139 --> 00:27:01.779
 oh, I don't live

00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.899
 lavishly like that person.

00:27:03.439 --> 00:27:04.480
 Oh, I don't take

00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.839
 vacations like that person.

00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.159
 So we think,

00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.419
 oh yeah,

00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.619
 I live pretty modestly.

00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.460
 That's what we think.

00:27:13.159 --> 00:27:14.259
 I think that's why,

00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:15.279
 according to a survey

00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.859
 from Gallup,

00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.379
 73% of people

00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:17.980
 in the U.S.

00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:18.799
 consider themselves

00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.359
 to be part of

00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.519
 the middle working class

00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:22.240
 while only 2%

00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:22.939
 think of themselves

00:27:22.939 --> 00:27:23.339
 as belonging

00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:24.240
 to the upper class.

00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.759
 because they're all

00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:27.160
 doing this peer comparison.

00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:28.920
 Oh, I must be

00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:29.680
 in the middle class.

00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.819
 I will venture to guess

00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.680
 that many of us

00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.759
 have standards of living

00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:39.120
 that are way higher

00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:40.519
 than they need to be

00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:42.420
 and or used to be.

00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:47.220
 When I was a college student,

00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:48.140
 I was challenged

00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:49.019
 by a pastor

00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:50.400
 to not let my standard

00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.579
 of living increase

00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.559
 with my income

00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:55.460
 but to maintain

00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:57.259
 a modest lifestyle

00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.259
 so that I can be

00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.399
 more generous with people.

00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.699
 I have not been

00:28:01.699 --> 00:28:02.879
 entirely successful

00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:04.240
 in that endeavor.

00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:08.259
 What kind of difference

00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:08.879
 would we make

00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:09.359
 in the world

00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:10.659
 if we all strive

00:28:10.659 --> 00:28:11.460
 to live like that?

00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:14.960
 In what ways

00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.579
 are we complicit

00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:17.919
 with the self-lowering

00:28:17.919 --> 00:28:19.480
 luxury of Babylon?

00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.339
 Do you know

00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:21.740
 that the gambling industry

00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:23.120
 in the U.S.,

00:28:23.120 --> 00:28:24.299
 including brick-and-mortar

00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:24.900
 casinos

00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:25.940
 and online casinos

00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.740
 and sports betting

00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:29.440
 generates $175.4 billion

00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.500
 a year in revenue?

00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.259
 That's more than

00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.140
 the revenue generated

00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:36.200
 by the entire

00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:37.720
 recorded music industry

00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.819
 and the entire

00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:40.360
 domestic box office

00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:41.140
 put together,

00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:43.640
 which is only $26 billion

00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:47.180
 compared to $175.4 billion.

00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:51.420
 One time

00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:52.100
 at a regional

00:28:52.100 --> 00:28:53.060
 pastor's retreat,

00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:53.860
 this is a little bit

00:28:53.860 --> 00:28:54.400
 embarrassing

00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:56.120
 to tell you this story,

00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:58.259
 we were doing a retreat

00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.799
 at an Airbnb

00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.400
 in New Jersey

00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:00.140
 and they decided

00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:00.779
 that we should go

00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.180
 have dinner

00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:02.200
 at Hard Rock Cafe.

00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.240
 I don't know

00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:03.580
 if you've been

00:29:03.580 --> 00:29:04.400
 to Atlantic City.

00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.100
 And so we're trying

00:29:06.100 --> 00:29:07.080
 to go to Hard Rock Cafe

00:29:07.080 --> 00:29:07.660
 and none of us

00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.640
 had ever been there

00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:10.019
 and so none of us

00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.799
 knew that in order

00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.920
 to get to Hard Rock Cafe,

00:29:12.080 --> 00:29:12.680
 you have to walk

00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:13.539
 through the entire

00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:14.600
 Hard Rock Casino.

00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:16.959
 And so that's the first time

00:29:16.959 --> 00:29:17.559
 I've ever walked

00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.119
 through a casino

00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:20.639
 and so for a pastor's retreat,

00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.139
 I know.

00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:22.959
 And so I'm walking through

00:29:22.959 --> 00:29:24.939
 and it was shocking.

00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:27.079
 I mean,

00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.959
 all the lights,

00:29:29.679 --> 00:29:31.099
 all these slot machines

00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:32.859
 and the card tables,

00:29:33.199 --> 00:29:33.459
 honestly,

00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:35.259
 it looked like a temple.

00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:38.099
 It looked like a temple

00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:39.879
 to the God of mammon, money.

00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:42.779
 These slot machines

00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.740
 are these totems

00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.680
 that people pray

00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:45.779
 and these card tables

00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.639
 are these altars

00:29:46.639 --> 00:29:47.980
 where they sacrifice

00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:49.119
 what they have.

00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:51.660
 And you know what?

00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.399
 What they have

00:29:52.399 --> 00:29:53.019
 for decorations,

00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:53.859
 I don't even know

00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:55.559
 who thought of this,

00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.500
 red dragons.

00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.899
 Like what you see

00:29:59.899 --> 00:30:00.799
 in Revelation 12.

00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:11.160
 The appeal of gambling

00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:12.200
 primarily, isn't it?

00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:13.400
 Isn't the appeal of gambling

00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:14.620
 primarily the thrill

00:30:14.620 --> 00:30:16.340
 of winning free,

00:30:16.580 --> 00:30:17.220
 unearned money?

00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:20.580
 Or the thrill

00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:21.840
 of gaining vast sums

00:30:21.840 --> 00:30:22.640
 of money quickly?

00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:24.019
 Isn't that the appeal

00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.380
 of gambling?

00:30:28.100 --> 00:30:29.200
 Proverbs 13, 11

00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:29.840
 teaches us,

00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:31.160
 wealth gained hastily

00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:31.880
 will dwindle,

00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:33.640
 but whoever gathers

00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:34.320
 little by little

00:30:34.320 --> 00:30:35.320
 will increase it.

00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:38.120
 The wisdom of Proverbs

00:30:38.120 --> 00:30:38.700
 is borne out

00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.360
 by the experience

00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:40.100
 of lottery winners

00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:41.019
 all over the country.

00:30:42.439 --> 00:30:43.599
 Certified financial planner

00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:44.439
 Board of Standards

00:30:44.439 --> 00:30:45.719
 estimates that nearly

00:30:45.719 --> 00:30:47.039
 one-third of lottery winners

00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.659
 go bankrupt

00:30:47.659 --> 00:30:48.819
 within three to five years.

00:30:51.179 --> 00:30:52.619
 Wealth gained hastily

00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.259
 dwindles.

00:30:55.159 --> 00:30:56.779
 1 Timothy 6, 6-10

00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.059
 says,

00:30:57.139 --> 00:30:57.719
 But godliness

00:30:57.719 --> 00:30:58.619
 with contentment

00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.579
 is great gain,

00:30:59.919 --> 00:31:00.639
 for we brought

00:31:00.639 --> 00:31:01.740
 nothing into the world

00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.679
 and we cannot take

00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:03.839
 anything out of the world,

00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.219
 but if we have food

00:31:05.219 --> 00:31:06.279
 and clothing with these,

00:31:06.339 --> 00:31:07.139
 we will be content.

00:31:07.140 --> 00:31:08.980
 But those who desire

00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.640
 to be rich

00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.800
 fall into temptation,

00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:12.200
 into a snare,

00:31:12.320 --> 00:31:13.259
 into many senseless

00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:14.240
 and harmful desires

00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:15.120
 that plunge people

00:31:15.120 --> 00:31:16.620
 into ruin and destruction.

00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:18.280
 For the love of money

00:31:18.280 --> 00:31:18.740
 is the root

00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:20.160
 of all kinds of evils.

00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:21.920
 It is through this craving

00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.880
 that some have wandered

00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:23.780
 away from the faith

00:31:23.780 --> 00:31:24.560
 and pierced themselves

00:31:24.560 --> 00:31:25.520
 with many pains.

00:31:26.520 --> 00:31:27.640
 If we really believe

00:31:27.640 --> 00:31:28.560
 what the Bible teaches

00:31:28.560 --> 00:31:29.200
 about money,

00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:31.360
 that the love of money

00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:32.200
 and the desire

00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:33.020
 to be rich

00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:35.440
 is the root

00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:36.139
 of all kinds

00:31:36.139 --> 00:31:36.720
 of evils,

00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:38.940
 then we have no business

00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.599
 as Christians

00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.720
 wanting to be rich.

00:31:45.400 --> 00:31:46.259
 Why do you want

00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.779
 to be rich?

00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:48.299
 So that the destruction

00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:49.500
 of the deceitfulness

00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.079
 of riches

00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:51.359
 and the desires

00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:52.079
 for other things

00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:53.339
 can choke the word

00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:53.920
 of God,

00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:55.079
 the gospel in our lives,

00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.139
 so that it doesn't

00:31:56.139 --> 00:31:56.819
 bear any fruit?

00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:57.920
 That's what Jesus warned

00:31:57.920 --> 00:31:58.819
 about in Mark 4,

00:31:58.879 --> 00:31:59.539
 18-19.

00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:03.440
 Come out of her,

00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.299
 my people,

00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.839
 lest you take part

00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:07.799
 in her sins.

00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:11.000
 That's the exhortation

00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:11.579
 of this passage

00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:12.200
 in verse 4.

00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:13.759
 This exhortation,

00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:14.819
 come out of her,

00:32:15.139 --> 00:32:16.579
 is picked up by Paul

00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:17.720
 in 2 Corinthians 6,

00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.599
 14-18,

00:32:19.159 --> 00:32:19.799
 where he writes,

00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:21.779
 Do not be unequally yoked

00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.700
 with unbelievers.

00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:24.500
 For what partnership

00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.319
 has righteousness

00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:26.240
 with lawlessness?

00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:27.619
 Or what fellowship

00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:28.980
 has light with darkness?

00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:30.120
 What accord

00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:30.759
 has Christ

00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.460
 with Belial?

00:32:31.940 --> 00:32:32.720
 Or what portion

00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.319
 does a believer

00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:34.539
 share with an unbeliever?

00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:35.559
 What agreement

00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.299
 has the temple

00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:37.140
 of God with idols?

00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:38.720
 For we are the temple

00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.660
 of the living God.

00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:40.720
 As God said,

00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.900
 I will make my dwelling

00:32:41.900 --> 00:32:42.400
 among them

00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:43.380
 and walk among them

00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:44.380
 and I will be their God

00:32:44.380 --> 00:32:45.559
 and they shall be my people.

00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:46.400
 Therefore,

00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:48.819
 go out from their midst

00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:51.480
 and be separate from them,

00:32:51.640 --> 00:32:52.180
 says the Lord,

00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:54.319
 and touch no unclean thing.

00:32:54.680 --> 00:32:55.700
 Then I will welcome you

00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.779
 and I will be a father to you

00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:57.579
 and you shall be sons

00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:58.480
 and daughters to me,

00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:59.439
 says the Lord Almighty.

00:33:00.619 --> 00:33:02.339
 This passage is often used

00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:03.299
 to counsel Christians

00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:04.799
 not to marry non-Christians,

00:33:05.399 --> 00:33:06.839
 which is a good application

00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:07.799
 of this principle.

00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:09.199
 But this passage

00:33:09.199 --> 00:33:10.139
 is articulating

00:33:10.139 --> 00:33:11.639
 a more general principle

00:33:11.639 --> 00:33:13.299
 that applies across the board.

00:33:14.359 --> 00:33:15.819
 If we are yoked

00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:17.720
 or hitched

00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:20.079
 to an unbeliever

00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:21.720
 or to an unbelieving world,

00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:25.680
 imagine two oxen

00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.660
 being yoked together.

00:33:27.140 --> 00:33:28.440
 No matter how much

00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:30.160
 you strain and strive,

00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:32.059
 you will never be able

00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:33.160
 to go where

00:33:33.160 --> 00:33:34.140
 that other ox

00:33:34.140 --> 00:33:34.799
 doesn't want to go.

00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:38.339
 You're yoked.

00:33:38.860 --> 00:33:39.740
 You have to go

00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:41.019
 where that other ox goes.

00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:47.740
 That's why this is so important.

00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:48.839
 Come out of her.

00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:48.880
 Come out of her.

00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:55.120
 But how do we do that exactly?

00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:57.339
 I don't think it means

00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:58.819
 literally remove ourselves

00:33:58.819 --> 00:33:59.720
 from the world's

00:33:59.720 --> 00:34:00.440
 economic system

00:34:00.440 --> 00:34:01.000
 and then go live

00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:01.539
 in a monastery.

00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:04.839
 Why do I not think that?

00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:06.920
 Because none of the seven churches

00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:07.500
 that are addressed

00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:08.480
 in chapters 2 and 3

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.199
 by John

00:34:09.199 --> 00:34:10.579
 were in Rome.

00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:11.940
 So they never had

00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:13.099
 to actually leave Rome

00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:13.940
 because they were already

00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:14.539
 not in Rome.

00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:20.300
 I don't think this means

00:34:20.300 --> 00:34:21.219
 we need to go live

00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:22.079
 off-grid somewhere.

00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:25.099
 If we retreat

00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:25.960
 to a monastery,

00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:27.519
 then we forsake

00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:28.880
 our Christ-given mission

00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:30.119
 to bear witness to him

00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:31.039
 and to make disciples

00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:31.659
 of all nations.

00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:32.739
 You can't do that

00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:34.039
 as a recluse.

00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:37.000
 So what does it look like

00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:38.380
 to come out of Babylon then?

00:34:40.820 --> 00:34:41.840
 I'm going to share

00:34:41.840 --> 00:34:42.440
 a quote with you.

00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:43.820
 It might seem irrelevant

00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:44.280
 at first,

00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:46.059
 but I think it will be relevant.

00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:46.880
 In the book,

00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:48.099
 The Tech-Wise Family,

00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:49.700
 which is about

00:34:49.700 --> 00:34:51.000
 putting technology

00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:52.240
 in its proper place

00:34:52.240 --> 00:34:53.079
 so that it doesn't

00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:54.099
 dominate the lives

00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:55.280
 of our family members

00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:55.780
 and children,

00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:56.940
 the author,

00:34:57.220 --> 00:34:57.700
 Christian author

00:34:57.700 --> 00:34:58.340
 Andy Crouch,

00:34:58.440 --> 00:34:59.599
 writes that while

00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:00.159
 his approach,

00:35:00.260 --> 00:35:00.480
 quote,

00:35:00.539 --> 00:35:01.280
 doesn't require us

00:35:01.280 --> 00:35:02.360
 to become Amish,

00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:04.519
 entirely separating ourselves

00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:05.200
 from the modern

00:35:05.200 --> 00:35:06.179
 technological world,

00:35:06.539 --> 00:35:08.019
 it requires making choices

00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:08.980
 that most of our neighbors

00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:10.079
 aren't making.

00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:12.360
 He summarizes

00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:13.299
 his point this way,

00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:13.639
 quote,

00:35:13.739 --> 00:35:15.599
 you don't have to become Amish,

00:35:16.319 --> 00:35:17.519
 but you probably

00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:18.299
 have to become

00:35:18.299 --> 00:35:19.559
 closer to Amish

00:35:19.559 --> 00:35:20.259
 than you think.

00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:24.319
 I agree with him

00:35:24.319 --> 00:35:25.360
 when it comes to technology,

00:35:25.799 --> 00:35:26.739
 and I believe

00:35:26.739 --> 00:35:27.299
 that sentiment

00:35:27.299 --> 00:35:27.960
 is also true

00:35:27.960 --> 00:35:28.360
 when it comes

00:35:28.360 --> 00:35:29.079
 to our engagement

00:35:29.079 --> 00:35:30.519
 with the consumeristic

00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:32.059
 and materialistic world.

00:35:32.900 --> 00:35:33.819
 You don't have to

00:35:33.819 --> 00:35:34.579
 become Amish,

00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:35.480
 but you'll probably

00:35:35.480 --> 00:35:35.980
 have to become

00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:36.840
 closer to Amish

00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:37.579
 than you think.

00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:41.380
 we need to flee

00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:42.360
 its influence.

00:35:43.360 --> 00:35:44.179
 I think coming out

00:35:44.179 --> 00:35:44.639
 of Babylon

00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.779
 looks like finding

00:35:45.779 --> 00:35:47.400
 contentment in Christ.

00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:50.779
 Hebrews 13, 5 says,

00:35:50.920 --> 00:35:51.759
 keep your life

00:35:51.759 --> 00:35:53.079
 from the love of money

00:35:53.079 --> 00:35:54.420
 and be content

00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:55.799
 with what you have.

00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:57.920
 For he has said,

00:35:58.099 --> 00:35:59.799
 I will never forsake you

00:35:59.799 --> 00:36:00.659
 or leave you.

00:36:02.259 --> 00:36:03.779
 Are you discontent?

00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:05.219
 Are you always looking

00:36:05.219 --> 00:36:06.159
 for something else

00:36:06.159 --> 00:36:06.900
 to satisfy you,

00:36:06.900 --> 00:36:08.000
 something you don't have?

00:36:09.340 --> 00:36:10.059
 Are you envious

00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:10.599
 of others

00:36:10.599 --> 00:36:11.260
 who have something

00:36:11.260 --> 00:36:11.780
 that you don't have,

00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:12.680
 or are you content

00:36:12.680 --> 00:36:13.639
 in Christ

00:36:13.639 --> 00:36:14.559
 who said to you,

00:36:14.619 --> 00:36:15.820
 I will never leave you

00:36:15.820 --> 00:36:16.740
 nor forsake you?

00:36:19.660 --> 00:36:20.880
 I think coming out

00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:21.400
 of Babylon

00:36:21.400 --> 00:36:22.780
 looks like trusting

00:36:22.780 --> 00:36:23.900
 in God's provision

00:36:23.900 --> 00:36:25.980
 instead of our own

00:36:25.980 --> 00:36:26.820
 provision for ourselves

00:36:26.820 --> 00:36:27.840
 or the world's provision.

00:36:28.340 --> 00:36:29.240
 He says in Luke 12,

00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:30.039
 29 to 32,

00:36:30.160 --> 00:36:30.780
 do not seek

00:36:30.780 --> 00:36:31.599
 what you are to eat

00:36:31.599 --> 00:36:32.500
 and what you are to drink,

00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:33.760
 nor be worried.

00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:35.380
 For all the nations

00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:35.840
 of the world

00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:36.820
 seek after these things,

00:36:36.820 --> 00:36:37.680
 and your father knows

00:36:37.680 --> 00:36:38.940
 that you need them.

00:36:39.340 --> 00:36:39.660
 Instead,

00:36:39.860 --> 00:36:40.620
 seek his kingdom

00:36:40.620 --> 00:36:41.580
 and these things

00:36:41.580 --> 00:36:42.640
 will be added to you.

00:36:44.180 --> 00:36:45.440
 1 Timothy 6, 17

00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:46.400
 commands the rich

00:36:46.400 --> 00:36:47.220
 in this present age

00:36:47.220 --> 00:36:48.640
 not to be haughty,

00:36:48.820 --> 00:36:50.039
 nor to set their hopes

00:36:50.039 --> 00:36:50.980
 on the uncertainty

00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:51.620
 of riches,

00:36:51.980 --> 00:36:52.519
 but instead

00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:53.400
 to put their hope

00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:54.360
 in the certainty

00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:54.900
 of the God

00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:56.000
 who richly provides

00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:57.200
 everything we need.

00:36:57.199 --> 00:36:59.759
 I think people

00:36:59.759 --> 00:37:00.439
 who are content

00:37:00.439 --> 00:37:01.199
 in Christ

00:37:01.199 --> 00:37:03.539
 will be appropriately frugal,

00:37:04.159 --> 00:37:06.759
 but frugality

00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:07.339
 in and of itself

00:37:07.339 --> 00:37:08.099
 is not the goal

00:37:08.099 --> 00:37:10.179
 because people

00:37:10.179 --> 00:37:11.079
 can be frugal

00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:12.980
 because they trust

00:37:12.980 --> 00:37:13.659
 in money

00:37:13.659 --> 00:37:14.419
 as their sense

00:37:14.419 --> 00:37:15.099
 of security.

00:37:17.399 --> 00:37:18.379
 I need to have

00:37:18.379 --> 00:37:18.939
 more money

00:37:18.939 --> 00:37:19.659
 in the bank account.

00:37:19.759 --> 00:37:20.839
 I need to spend less

00:37:20.839 --> 00:37:21.859
 because if I don't,

00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:23.480
 something might happen.

00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:25.019
 that's still idolatry

00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:25.480
 of money.

00:37:27.800 --> 00:37:28.780
 Every bit as much

00:37:28.780 --> 00:37:30.039
 as spendthrift spending.

00:37:34.179 --> 00:37:35.280
 Job said in 31,

00:37:35.480 --> 00:37:36.360
 Job 31, 24,

00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:37.300
 to make gold

00:37:37.300 --> 00:37:38.119
 our trust

00:37:38.119 --> 00:37:38.760
 or confidence

00:37:38.760 --> 00:37:39.679
 is to be false

00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:40.179
 to God.

00:37:42.539 --> 00:37:43.699
 Riches are uncertain,

00:37:44.340 --> 00:37:44.980
 but God

00:37:44.980 --> 00:37:46.059
 who provides for us

00:37:46.059 --> 00:37:47.039
 is certain,

00:37:47.659 --> 00:37:48.460
 and that's

00:37:48.460 --> 00:37:49.840
 our anchor

00:37:49.840 --> 00:37:51.360
 and foundation

00:37:51.360 --> 00:37:52.240
 for us as believers.

00:37:52.239 --> 00:37:53.759
 I think coming

00:37:53.759 --> 00:37:54.579
 out of Babylon

00:37:54.579 --> 00:37:55.599
 looks like

00:37:55.599 --> 00:37:56.819
 radical generosity.

00:37:58.679 --> 00:37:59.500
 Jesus says

00:37:59.500 --> 00:38:00.079
 in Luke 12,

00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:01.079
 33, 34,

00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:02.539
 Sell your possessions

00:38:02.539 --> 00:38:04.459
 and give to the needy.

00:38:04.859 --> 00:38:05.719
 Provide yourselves

00:38:05.719 --> 00:38:06.519
 with money bags

00:38:06.519 --> 00:38:07.739
 that do not grow old,

00:38:07.959 --> 00:38:08.659
 with a treasure

00:38:08.659 --> 00:38:09.319
 in the heavens

00:38:09.319 --> 00:38:10.399
 that does not fail,

00:38:10.699 --> 00:38:11.879
 where no thief approaches

00:38:11.879 --> 00:38:13.159
 and no moth destroys.

00:38:13.479 --> 00:38:14.919
 For where your treasure is,

00:38:14.979 --> 00:38:15.519
 there your heart

00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:16.139
 will be also.

00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:18.059
 Similarly,

00:38:18.179 --> 00:38:18.859
 continuing the reading

00:38:18.859 --> 00:38:19.859
 from 1 Timothy 6,

00:38:19.959 --> 00:38:20.599
 18 and 19

00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:21.339
 I read earlier,

00:38:21.340 --> 00:38:22.820
 Do good,

00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:24.440
 be rich in good works.

00:38:24.559 --> 00:38:25.440
 This is what he commands

00:38:25.440 --> 00:38:26.360
 the rich people to do.

00:38:27.360 --> 00:38:27.880
 Do good,

00:38:28.019 --> 00:38:29.860
 be rich in good works.

00:38:30.280 --> 00:38:30.920
 Be generous

00:38:30.920 --> 00:38:31.920
 and ready to share

00:38:31.920 --> 00:38:33.539
 the storing up treasure

00:38:33.539 --> 00:38:34.059
 for yourselves

00:38:34.059 --> 00:38:34.840
 as a good foundation

00:38:34.840 --> 00:38:35.480
 for the future

00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:36.980
 so that you may take hold

00:38:36.980 --> 00:38:38.920
 of that which is truly life.

00:38:43.260 --> 00:38:44.539
 Are you storing up

00:38:44.539 --> 00:38:45.260
 treasures in heaven

00:38:45.260 --> 00:38:46.940
 or are you storing up

00:38:46.940 --> 00:38:47.700
 treasures on earth?

00:38:50.220 --> 00:38:51.080
 Adam Smith,

00:38:51.240 --> 00:38:52.760
 the father of modern capitalism

00:38:52.760 --> 00:38:53.340
 and the author

00:38:53.340 --> 00:38:54.200
 of Wealth of Nations

00:38:54.200 --> 00:38:55.460
 understood

00:38:55.460 --> 00:38:58.680
 that the foundation,

00:38:59.040 --> 00:38:59.980
 the basis

00:38:59.980 --> 00:39:01.680
 for our capitalistic economy

00:39:01.680 --> 00:39:03.580
 is self-interest.

00:39:07.640 --> 00:39:08.660
 It works.

00:39:09.060 --> 00:39:10.200
 It works as a system

00:39:10.200 --> 00:39:11.620
 because humans are sinful

00:39:11.620 --> 00:39:12.260
 and selfish.

00:39:12.260 --> 00:39:14.920
 That's why socialism

00:39:14.920 --> 00:39:15.580
 doesn't work.

00:39:18.220 --> 00:39:18.860
 But,

00:39:19.220 --> 00:39:20.400
 as Christians,

00:39:20.520 --> 00:39:21.680
 we ought to do more

00:39:21.680 --> 00:39:23.580
 than generate capital

00:39:23.580 --> 00:39:24.800
 by enriching ourselves.

00:39:28.800 --> 00:39:30.220
 What purchases

00:39:30.220 --> 00:39:31.560
 can we forego?

00:39:32.260 --> 00:39:33.440
 What possessions

00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:35.060
 can we sell?

00:39:35.500 --> 00:39:36.500
 And how can we

00:39:36.500 --> 00:39:37.780
 order our finances

00:39:37.780 --> 00:39:38.400
 so that we can

00:39:38.400 --> 00:39:39.420
 give more

00:39:39.420 --> 00:39:40.340
 to the cause

00:39:40.340 --> 00:39:40.920
 of the gospel

00:39:40.920 --> 00:39:41.940
 and to the needs

00:39:41.940 --> 00:39:42.600
 of the saints?

00:39:43.980 --> 00:39:45.059
 That's how people

00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:45.760
 who are investing

00:39:45.760 --> 00:39:46.760
 in heavenly treasure

00:39:46.760 --> 00:39:47.280
 rather than

00:39:47.280 --> 00:39:48.200
 in earthly treasure

00:39:48.200 --> 00:39:49.039
 live.

00:39:50.220 --> 00:39:51.880
 Come out of Babylon.

00:39:55.160 --> 00:39:56.160
 French philosopher

00:39:56.160 --> 00:39:57.000
 Jacques Ellul

00:39:57.000 --> 00:39:58.260
 writes in his

00:39:58.260 --> 00:39:59.300
 provocative book

00:39:59.300 --> 00:40:00.000
 Money and Power,

00:40:00.079 --> 00:40:00.780
 I think I have a quote

00:40:00.780 --> 00:40:02.000
 if you want to

00:40:02.000 --> 00:40:02.740
 follow along with me.

00:40:03.880 --> 00:40:05.220
 The ultimate expression

00:40:05.220 --> 00:40:06.240
 of this Christian attitude

00:40:06.240 --> 00:40:07.320
 toward the power of money

00:40:07.320 --> 00:40:09.019
 is what we will call

00:40:09.019 --> 00:40:10.960
 profanation,

00:40:12.000 --> 00:40:12.860
 to profane money.

00:40:14.800 --> 00:40:16.120
 Like all other powers,

00:40:16.539 --> 00:40:17.180
 to profane money

00:40:17.180 --> 00:40:17.860
 is to take away

00:40:17.860 --> 00:40:18.780
 its sacred character.

00:40:19.820 --> 00:40:20.760
 We must bring money

00:40:20.760 --> 00:40:21.820
 back to its simple role

00:40:21.820 --> 00:40:23.019
 as a material instrument.

00:40:23.600 --> 00:40:24.620
 When money is no more

00:40:24.620 --> 00:40:25.240
 than an object,

00:40:25.400 --> 00:40:26.059
 when it has lost

00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:27.059
 its seductiveness,

00:40:27.200 --> 00:40:28.300
 its supreme value,

00:40:28.780 --> 00:40:30.380
 its superhuman splendor,

00:40:30.600 --> 00:40:31.480
 then we can use it

00:40:31.480 --> 00:40:32.180
 like any other

00:40:32.180 --> 00:40:32.880
 of our belongings.

00:40:33.880 --> 00:40:35.100
 There is one act,

00:40:35.220 --> 00:40:35.840
 par excellence,

00:40:35.840 --> 00:40:37.079
 which profanes money

00:40:37.079 --> 00:40:38.360
 by going directly

00:40:38.360 --> 00:40:39.579
 against the law of money,

00:40:40.079 --> 00:40:40.940
 an act for which

00:40:40.940 --> 00:40:42.039
 money is not made.

00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:44.180
 That act is giving.

00:40:45.539 --> 00:40:47.240
 It is, as a matter of fact,

00:40:47.340 --> 00:40:49.220
 the penetration of grace

00:40:49.220 --> 00:40:50.380
 into the world

00:40:50.380 --> 00:40:51.980
 of competition and selling.

00:40:52.980 --> 00:40:54.800
 We have very clear indications

00:40:54.800 --> 00:40:56.880
 that money in the Christian life

00:40:56.880 --> 00:40:58.079
 is made in order

00:40:58.079 --> 00:40:58.980
 to be given away.

00:40:59.980 --> 00:41:00.800
 Giving to God

00:41:00.800 --> 00:41:02.519
 is the act of profanation,

00:41:02.680 --> 00:41:03.539
 par excellence.

00:41:03.539 --> 00:41:05.639
 We need to regain

00:41:05.639 --> 00:41:06.400
 an appreciation

00:41:06.400 --> 00:41:07.219
 of gifts

00:41:07.219 --> 00:41:08.820
 that are not utilitarian.

00:41:09.759 --> 00:41:10.559
 We should meditate

00:41:10.559 --> 00:41:11.239
 on the story

00:41:11.239 --> 00:41:12.320
 in the Gospel of John

00:41:12.320 --> 00:41:13.900
 where Mary wastes

00:41:13.900 --> 00:41:15.219
 precious ointment

00:41:15.219 --> 00:41:16.179
 on Jesus.

00:41:17.119 --> 00:41:18.380
 The one who protests

00:41:18.380 --> 00:41:19.500
 against this free gift

00:41:19.500 --> 00:41:20.300
 is Judas.

00:41:21.179 --> 00:41:22.000
 He would have preferred

00:41:22.000 --> 00:41:22.480
 it to be used

00:41:22.480 --> 00:41:23.199
 for good works,

00:41:23.320 --> 00:41:23.920
 for the poor.

00:41:24.460 --> 00:41:25.219
 He wanted such

00:41:25.219 --> 00:41:26.259
 an enormous sum of money

00:41:26.259 --> 00:41:27.679
 to be spent usefully.

00:41:28.820 --> 00:41:29.679
 Giving to God

00:41:29.679 --> 00:41:31.340
 introduces the useless

00:41:31.340 --> 00:41:32.700
 into the world

00:41:32.700 --> 00:41:33.559
 of efficiency.

00:41:34.440 --> 00:41:35.539
 And this is an essential

00:41:35.539 --> 00:41:36.680
 witness to faith

00:41:36.680 --> 00:41:37.660
 in today's world.

00:41:40.400 --> 00:41:41.600
 Have you ever done

00:41:41.600 --> 00:41:42.460
 something for God

00:41:42.460 --> 00:41:43.660
 that is absolutely

00:41:43.660 --> 00:41:44.720
 wasteful

00:41:44.720 --> 00:41:46.360
 and extravagant?

00:41:49.019 --> 00:41:49.980
 Not for the sake

00:41:49.980 --> 00:41:50.840
 of usefulness

00:41:50.840 --> 00:41:51.440
 or efficiency,

00:41:51.660 --> 00:41:52.780
 but out of your love.

00:41:52.780 --> 00:42:05.920
 We also must come out

00:42:05.920 --> 00:42:06.840
 of the self-glorying

00:42:06.840 --> 00:42:07.780
 luxury of Babylon

00:42:07.780 --> 00:42:09.380
 lest we partake

00:42:09.380 --> 00:42:10.660
 in Babylon's plagues.

00:42:11.380 --> 00:42:11.840
 As it says

00:42:11.840 --> 00:42:12.380
 in verse 4,

00:42:13.519 --> 00:42:14.440
 the fall of Babylon

00:42:14.440 --> 00:42:15.160
 approaches

00:42:15.160 --> 00:42:16.340
 ineluctably

00:42:16.340 --> 00:42:17.280
 and when God

00:42:17.280 --> 00:42:18.700
 finally judges

00:42:18.700 --> 00:42:19.080
 Babylon,

00:42:19.200 --> 00:42:19.680
 his judgment

00:42:19.680 --> 00:42:20.740
 will be fair

00:42:20.739 --> 00:42:22.699
 and will be swift.

00:42:26.699 --> 00:42:27.139
 First,

00:42:27.259 --> 00:42:27.699
 God's judgment

00:42:27.699 --> 00:42:28.019
 of Babylon

00:42:28.019 --> 00:42:28.879
 is going to be fair.

00:42:29.519 --> 00:42:30.000
 As we saw

00:42:30.000 --> 00:42:31.099
 in verse 2,

00:42:31.559 --> 00:42:32.319
 Babylon the prostitute

00:42:32.319 --> 00:42:33.019
 filled the world

00:42:33.019 --> 00:42:34.079
 with her uncleanness

00:42:34.079 --> 00:42:35.219
 and she is herself

00:42:35.219 --> 00:42:35.779
 going to be filled

00:42:35.779 --> 00:42:36.759
 with unclean spirits

00:42:36.759 --> 00:42:37.699
 and unclean beasts.

00:42:38.359 --> 00:42:39.099
 Punishment fits

00:42:39.099 --> 00:42:39.539
 the crime.

00:42:40.559 --> 00:42:41.439
 Verses 6 and 7

00:42:41.439 --> 00:42:41.699
 say,

00:42:41.959 --> 00:42:42.679
 Pay her back

00:42:42.679 --> 00:42:43.699
 as she herself

00:42:43.699 --> 00:42:45.419
 has paid back others

00:42:45.419 --> 00:42:47.199
 and repay her double

00:42:47.199 --> 00:42:47.919
 for her deeds.

00:42:48.299 --> 00:42:49.299
 Mix a double portion

00:42:49.299 --> 00:42:50.139
 for her in the cup

00:42:50.139 --> 00:42:50.739
 she mixed.

00:42:51.139 --> 00:42:52.379
 As she glorified herself

00:42:52.379 --> 00:42:53.259
 and lived in luxury

00:42:53.259 --> 00:42:54.339
 so give her

00:42:54.339 --> 00:42:55.500
 a like measure

00:42:55.500 --> 00:42:56.059
 of torment

00:42:56.059 --> 00:42:56.779
 and mourning.

00:42:58.799 --> 00:43:00.639
 As Babylon glorified

00:43:00.639 --> 00:43:01.239
 herself

00:43:01.239 --> 00:43:02.420
 and lived in luxury

00:43:02.420 --> 00:43:03.319
 so God will give her

00:43:03.319 --> 00:43:04.279
 a like measure

00:43:04.279 --> 00:43:04.819
 of torment

00:43:04.819 --> 00:43:05.379
 and mourning.

00:43:06.539 --> 00:43:07.699
 But that principle

00:43:07.699 --> 00:43:09.299
 of equivalent punishment

00:43:09.299 --> 00:43:10.599
 or just retribution

00:43:10.599 --> 00:43:11.920
 seems to be contradicted

00:43:11.920 --> 00:43:12.799
 by the second half

00:43:12.799 --> 00:43:13.599
 of verse 6

00:43:13.599 --> 00:43:15.400
 where it says

00:43:15.400 --> 00:43:17.839
 repay her double

00:43:17.839 --> 00:43:18.639
 for her deeds.

00:43:18.639 --> 00:43:20.900
 makes a double portion

00:43:20.900 --> 00:43:21.359
 for her

00:43:21.359 --> 00:43:22.400
 in the cup.

00:43:23.279 --> 00:43:24.159
 How is that fair

00:43:24.159 --> 00:43:25.980
 or proportionate?

00:43:27.099 --> 00:43:28.199
 The word double

00:43:28.199 --> 00:43:29.299
 in Greek

00:43:29.299 --> 00:43:30.019
 is versatile

00:43:30.019 --> 00:43:30.839
 just says it is

00:43:30.839 --> 00:43:31.359
 in English.

00:43:32.159 --> 00:43:33.039
 It can mean

00:43:33.039 --> 00:43:33.960
 in certain contexts

00:43:33.960 --> 00:43:35.219
 twice as much

00:43:35.219 --> 00:43:37.659
 but in some other

00:43:37.659 --> 00:43:38.779
 contexts like here

00:43:38.779 --> 00:43:40.079
 it means duplicate

00:43:40.079 --> 00:43:41.599
 or twin

00:43:41.599 --> 00:43:43.579
 or matching equivalent.

00:43:43.579 --> 00:43:43.699
 punishment.

00:43:44.960 --> 00:43:46.219
 So when an actor

00:43:46.219 --> 00:43:47.779
 has a body double

00:43:47.779 --> 00:43:48.500
 in the movie

00:43:48.500 --> 00:43:50.440
 that means the double

00:43:50.440 --> 00:43:51.860
 takes the place

00:43:51.860 --> 00:43:52.559
 of the actor

00:43:52.559 --> 00:43:53.699
 for certain stunts.

00:43:54.239 --> 00:43:55.279
 It doesn't mean

00:43:55.279 --> 00:43:56.019
 that the double

00:43:56.019 --> 00:43:57.500
 appears with the actor

00:43:57.500 --> 00:43:58.559
 in the same scene

00:43:58.559 --> 00:43:59.039
 so that there's

00:43:59.039 --> 00:43:59.579
 two of them.

00:43:59.900 --> 00:43:59.980
 Right?

00:44:01.019 --> 00:44:02.420
 So in a similar way here

00:44:02.420 --> 00:44:02.980
 when it speaks

00:44:02.980 --> 00:44:03.679
 of double

00:44:03.679 --> 00:44:04.360
 it's not talking

00:44:04.360 --> 00:44:05.699
 about twice as much

00:44:05.699 --> 00:44:07.099
 it's talking about

00:44:07.099 --> 00:44:08.340
 equivalent punishment

00:44:08.340 --> 00:44:10.139
 a duplicate punishment

00:44:10.139 --> 00:44:11.519
 for the exact thing

00:44:11.519 --> 00:44:12.279
 that she has done.

00:44:12.280 --> 00:44:15.240
 That's what the word

00:44:15.240 --> 00:44:15.820
 double means

00:44:15.820 --> 00:44:16.400
 when it's used

00:44:16.400 --> 00:44:17.140
 in the context

00:44:17.140 --> 00:44:18.300
 of repayment

00:44:18.300 --> 00:44:19.540
 or recompense

00:44:19.540 --> 00:44:20.200
 as you hear

00:44:20.200 --> 00:44:21.220
 in Revelation 18

00:44:21.220 --> 00:44:22.100
 verse 6.

00:44:22.680 --> 00:44:23.140
 So that means

00:44:23.140 --> 00:44:24.180
 the biblical principle

00:44:24.180 --> 00:44:24.920
 which is consistent

00:44:24.920 --> 00:44:26.000
 throughout all of Scripture

00:44:26.000 --> 00:44:27.500
 of lex talionis

00:44:27.500 --> 00:44:29.100
 which means eye for eye

00:44:29.100 --> 00:44:30.800
 the law of retaliation

00:44:30.800 --> 00:44:32.820
 is still holds here.

00:44:33.519 --> 00:44:34.360
 God punishes

00:44:34.360 --> 00:44:34.960
 in a fair

00:44:34.960 --> 00:44:35.900
 and commensurate way

00:44:35.900 --> 00:44:36.540
 that's equal

00:44:36.540 --> 00:44:37.140
 to their crime.

00:44:39.100 --> 00:44:39.860
 And this fairness

00:44:39.860 --> 00:44:40.620
 of God's judgment

00:44:40.620 --> 00:44:41.260
 is expressed

00:44:41.260 --> 00:44:41.920
 in the repetition

00:44:41.920 --> 00:44:42.820
 of key words.

00:44:42.960 --> 00:44:43.300
 For example

00:44:43.300 --> 00:44:44.340
 the word found

00:44:44.340 --> 00:44:45.700
 is repeated

00:44:45.700 --> 00:44:46.360
 four times.

00:44:46.460 --> 00:44:47.519
 It says in verse 14

00:44:47.519 --> 00:44:48.880
 all your delicacies

00:44:48.880 --> 00:44:49.579
 and your splendors

00:44:49.579 --> 00:44:50.400
 are lost to you

00:44:50.400 --> 00:44:51.940
 never to be found again.

00:44:52.579 --> 00:44:53.119
 Verse 21

00:44:53.119 --> 00:44:54.059
 says so will Babylon

00:44:54.059 --> 00:44:54.880
 the great city

00:44:54.880 --> 00:44:55.619
 be thrown down

00:44:55.619 --> 00:44:56.139
 with violence

00:44:56.139 --> 00:44:57.159
 and will be found

00:44:57.159 --> 00:44:57.960
 no more.

00:44:58.460 --> 00:44:59.099
 Verse 22

00:44:59.099 --> 00:45:00.400
 the sound of harpists

00:45:00.400 --> 00:45:00.860
 and musicians

00:45:00.860 --> 00:45:01.519
 of flute players

00:45:01.519 --> 00:45:02.119
 and trumpeters

00:45:02.119 --> 00:45:03.059
 will be heard in you

00:45:03.059 --> 00:45:03.460
 no more

00:45:03.460 --> 00:45:04.119
 and the craftsmen

00:45:04.119 --> 00:45:04.619
 of any craft

00:45:04.619 --> 00:45:05.760
 will be found

00:45:05.760 --> 00:45:06.740
 in you no more

00:45:06.740 --> 00:45:07.599
 and the sound

00:45:07.599 --> 00:45:08.000
 of the mill

00:45:08.000 --> 00:45:08.500
 will be heard

00:45:08.500 --> 00:45:09.260
 in you no more.

00:45:09.260 --> 00:45:10.440
 And why will

00:45:10.440 --> 00:45:11.180
 none of these things

00:45:11.180 --> 00:45:12.420
 be found anymore?

00:45:13.220 --> 00:45:14.540
 Because verse 24

00:45:14.540 --> 00:45:16.020
 says in her

00:45:16.020 --> 00:45:17.680
 was found

00:45:17.680 --> 00:45:18.720
 the blood

00:45:18.720 --> 00:45:19.500
 of the prophets

00:45:19.500 --> 00:45:20.400
 and of saints

00:45:20.400 --> 00:45:22.740
 and of all

00:45:22.740 --> 00:45:23.480
 who have been slain

00:45:23.480 --> 00:45:23.940
 on earth.

00:45:26.040 --> 00:45:27.220
 Babylon enriched

00:45:27.220 --> 00:45:27.800
 herself

00:45:27.800 --> 00:45:29.180
 by impoverishing

00:45:29.180 --> 00:45:30.200
 God's people

00:45:30.200 --> 00:45:31.700
 by cutting them off

00:45:31.700 --> 00:45:32.980
 from its wealth

00:45:32.980 --> 00:45:34.560
 for their refusal

00:45:34.560 --> 00:45:35.320
 to partake

00:45:35.320 --> 00:45:36.220
 in her idolatry

00:45:36.220 --> 00:45:37.280
 and sexual immorality.

00:45:37.280 --> 00:45:38.780
 and Babylon

00:45:38.780 --> 00:45:39.780
 made Mary

00:45:39.780 --> 00:45:40.640
 at the expense

00:45:40.640 --> 00:45:41.440
 of God's people

00:45:41.440 --> 00:45:42.580
 persecuting them

00:45:42.580 --> 00:45:43.440
 while she partied

00:45:43.440 --> 00:45:43.980
 and reveled

00:45:43.980 --> 00:45:45.060
 in her sexual immorality

00:45:45.060 --> 00:45:46.320
 but in the end

00:45:46.320 --> 00:45:47.000
 the blood

00:45:47.000 --> 00:45:48.240
 of martyrs

00:45:48.240 --> 00:45:49.080
 that were found

00:45:49.080 --> 00:45:49.900
 in her

00:45:49.900 --> 00:45:51.180
 will cry out

00:45:51.180 --> 00:45:51.680
 for vengeance

00:45:51.680 --> 00:45:52.960
 and Babylon

00:45:52.960 --> 00:45:53.720
 will be found

00:45:53.720 --> 00:45:54.200
 no more.

00:45:57.440 --> 00:45:58.220
 Several times

00:45:58.220 --> 00:45:58.780
 in this passage

00:45:58.780 --> 00:45:59.600
 Babylon the prostitute

00:45:59.600 --> 00:46:00.180
 is described

00:46:00.180 --> 00:46:00.920
 as great.

00:46:01.700 --> 00:46:02.100
 She's called

00:46:02.100 --> 00:46:03.060
 Babylon the great

00:46:03.060 --> 00:46:03.680
 verse 2

00:46:03.680 --> 00:46:04.580
 the great city

00:46:04.580 --> 00:46:05.760
 in verses 10

00:46:05.760 --> 00:46:07.260
 16, 18, 19, 21.

00:46:07.280 --> 00:46:08.620
 in verse 23

00:46:08.620 --> 00:46:08.900
 it says

00:46:08.900 --> 00:46:09.900
 your merchants

00:46:09.900 --> 00:46:11.460
 were the great ones

00:46:11.460 --> 00:46:12.160
 of the earth.

00:46:13.300 --> 00:46:14.360
 Those who consort

00:46:14.360 --> 00:46:14.960
 with Babylon

00:46:14.960 --> 00:46:15.960
 in her sexual immorality

00:46:15.960 --> 00:46:16.660
 are the kings

00:46:16.660 --> 00:46:17.180
 of the earth

00:46:17.180 --> 00:46:17.800
 the merchants

00:46:17.800 --> 00:46:18.620
 the seafarers

00:46:18.620 --> 00:46:19.840
 the great ones

00:46:19.840 --> 00:46:20.320
 of the earth

00:46:20.320 --> 00:46:20.900
 and don't we all

00:46:20.900 --> 00:46:21.540
 have the tendency

00:46:21.540 --> 00:46:22.360
 to idolize

00:46:22.360 --> 00:46:22.980
 and worship

00:46:22.980 --> 00:46:24.300
 those who are great

00:46:24.300 --> 00:46:24.940
 and powerful

00:46:24.940 --> 00:46:25.440
 and rich

00:46:25.440 --> 00:46:26.019
 and famous.

00:46:28.820 --> 00:46:30.380
 But don't marvel

00:46:30.380 --> 00:46:31.860
 at the self-glorying

00:46:31.860 --> 00:46:32.820
 luxury of Babylon.

00:46:33.780 --> 00:46:34.880
 The great city

00:46:34.880 --> 00:46:35.900
 will fall

00:46:35.900 --> 00:46:37.559
 because her

00:46:37.559 --> 00:46:38.880
 corresponding punishment

00:46:38.880 --> 00:46:39.900
 will be great.

00:46:41.300 --> 00:46:41.860
 Her judgment

00:46:41.860 --> 00:46:42.300
 is announced

00:46:42.300 --> 00:46:42.860
 by an angel

00:46:42.860 --> 00:46:44.099
 having great authority

00:46:44.099 --> 00:46:44.900
 in verse 1.

00:46:45.500 --> 00:46:46.119
 Verse 21

00:46:46.119 --> 00:46:47.160
 says a mighty angel

00:46:47.160 --> 00:46:47.960
 took up a stone

00:46:47.960 --> 00:46:49.400
 like a great millstone

00:46:49.400 --> 00:46:50.360
 and threw it

00:46:50.360 --> 00:46:50.960
 into the sea

00:46:50.960 --> 00:46:52.180
 so will Babylon

00:46:52.180 --> 00:46:53.340
 the great city

00:46:53.340 --> 00:46:54.160
 be thrown down

00:46:54.160 --> 00:46:54.940
 with violence.

00:46:54.940 --> 00:46:56.179
 This verse

00:46:56.179 --> 00:46:57.400
 is an allusion

00:46:57.400 --> 00:46:59.039
 to Jeremiah 51-63

00:46:59.039 --> 00:47:00.340
 where the book

00:47:00.340 --> 00:47:01.420
 or the scroll

00:47:01.420 --> 00:47:03.659
 containing the prophecies

00:47:03.659 --> 00:47:04.320
 of judgment

00:47:04.320 --> 00:47:04.900
 God's judgment

00:47:04.900 --> 00:47:05.800
 on the ancient city

00:47:05.800 --> 00:47:06.460
 of Babylon

00:47:06.460 --> 00:47:07.260
 is contained

00:47:07.260 --> 00:47:07.800
 this scroll

00:47:07.800 --> 00:47:08.700
 and Jeremiah

00:47:08.700 --> 00:47:10.119
 instructs his servant

00:47:10.119 --> 00:47:10.960
 to take it

00:47:10.960 --> 00:47:12.139
 and tie a stone

00:47:12.139 --> 00:47:12.579
 around it

00:47:12.579 --> 00:47:13.220
 and then throw it

00:47:13.220 --> 00:47:13.880
 into the Euphrates

00:47:13.880 --> 00:47:14.700
 so that it can never

00:47:14.700 --> 00:47:15.360
 rise again.

00:47:15.880 --> 00:47:17.220
 And that symbolic act

00:47:17.220 --> 00:47:18.200
 is depicting the fact

00:47:18.200 --> 00:47:18.920
 that Babylon

00:47:18.920 --> 00:47:19.659
 will be judged

00:47:19.659 --> 00:47:21.039
 like that judgment scroll

00:47:21.039 --> 00:47:21.840
 that is sinking

00:47:21.840 --> 00:47:22.440
 to the bottom

00:47:22.440 --> 00:47:23.200
 of the waters

00:47:23.200 --> 00:47:24.179
 that will never

00:47:24.179 --> 00:47:24.900
 rise again.

00:47:25.880 --> 00:47:27.099
 There will be no

00:47:27.099 --> 00:47:27.820
 resurrection

00:47:27.820 --> 00:47:29.039
 after that final judgment

00:47:29.039 --> 00:47:30.920
 for the city

00:47:30.920 --> 00:47:31.340
 of Babylon.

00:47:36.740 --> 00:47:37.860
 It's a frightful

00:47:37.860 --> 00:47:39.179
 thing to think about.

00:47:41.079 --> 00:47:41.220
 I mean,

00:47:41.320 --> 00:47:43.179
 I think the Titanic

00:47:43.179 --> 00:47:43.800
 I think is still

00:47:43.800 --> 00:47:44.179
 at the bottom

00:47:44.179 --> 00:47:44.619
 of the ocean.

00:47:45.960 --> 00:47:47.360
 Nobody could get it out.

00:47:53.500 --> 00:47:54.800
 And to that Jeremiah

00:47:54.800 --> 00:47:55.160
 allusion,

00:47:55.440 --> 00:47:56.400
 John ties the idea

00:47:56.400 --> 00:47:57.640
 of the great millstone

00:47:57.640 --> 00:47:59.280
 which Jesus talked

00:47:59.280 --> 00:48:00.640
 about in Matthew 18.6.

00:48:01.680 --> 00:48:02.400
 Whoever causes

00:48:02.400 --> 00:48:03.400
 one of these little ones

00:48:03.400 --> 00:48:04.080
 who believe in me

00:48:04.080 --> 00:48:04.539
 to sin,

00:48:04.600 --> 00:48:05.000
 it would be better

00:48:05.000 --> 00:48:05.660
 for him to have

00:48:05.660 --> 00:48:07.360
 a great millstone

00:48:07.360 --> 00:48:08.280
 tied around his neck

00:48:08.280 --> 00:48:09.220
 and thrown into the sea.

00:48:13.680 --> 00:48:14.080
 Babylon,

00:48:14.220 --> 00:48:14.820
 the prostitute

00:48:14.820 --> 00:48:15.480
 who made

00:48:15.480 --> 00:48:16.880
 the people

00:48:16.880 --> 00:48:17.940
 who believe in Christ

00:48:17.940 --> 00:48:18.680
 to sin

00:48:18.680 --> 00:48:20.460
 will be sunk

00:48:20.460 --> 00:48:21.679
 to the depth

00:48:21.679 --> 00:48:22.280
 of the sea

00:48:22.280 --> 00:48:25.039
 with a great millstone

00:48:25.039 --> 00:48:25.920
 around her neck

00:48:25.920 --> 00:48:27.300
 never to rise again.

00:48:29.860 --> 00:48:31.059
 In verse 10,

00:48:31.500 --> 00:48:32.320
 Babylon is called

00:48:32.320 --> 00:48:33.440
 a mighty city.

00:48:34.240 --> 00:48:35.220
 So it is all the more

00:48:35.220 --> 00:48:36.800
 fitting that a mighty angel

00:48:36.800 --> 00:48:38.380
 takes that stone

00:48:38.380 --> 00:48:39.199
 like a great millstone

00:48:39.199 --> 00:48:40.400
 and throws it into the sea

00:48:40.400 --> 00:48:41.619
 in verse 21.

00:48:41.619 --> 00:48:43.719
 And it says

00:48:43.719 --> 00:48:44.460
 in verse 8,

00:48:45.159 --> 00:48:45.839
 For this reason

00:48:45.839 --> 00:48:46.559
 her plagues

00:48:46.559 --> 00:48:47.039
 will come

00:48:47.039 --> 00:48:47.980
 in a single day,

00:48:48.119 --> 00:48:48.819
 death and mourning

00:48:48.819 --> 00:48:49.299
 and famine

00:48:49.299 --> 00:48:49.839
 and she will be

00:48:49.839 --> 00:48:50.779
 burned up with fire

00:48:50.779 --> 00:48:52.179
 for mighty

00:48:52.179 --> 00:48:53.460
 is the Lord God

00:48:53.460 --> 00:48:54.380
 who has judged her.

00:48:56.079 --> 00:48:57.359
 In this day,

00:48:58.279 --> 00:48:58.679
 Babylon

00:48:58.679 --> 00:49:00.299
 appears mighty

00:49:00.299 --> 00:49:00.940
 to us.

00:49:01.819 --> 00:49:03.380
 But on that day,

00:49:04.059 --> 00:49:05.440
 we will all see

00:49:05.440 --> 00:49:06.339
 and the whole world

00:49:06.339 --> 00:49:06.739
 will see

00:49:06.739 --> 00:49:08.099
 that the Lord God

00:49:08.099 --> 00:49:08.579
 is mighty.

00:49:08.579 --> 00:49:12.719
 So will you

00:49:12.719 --> 00:49:13.519
 throw in your lot

00:49:13.519 --> 00:49:14.059
 with Babylon

00:49:14.059 --> 00:49:15.739
 or will you

00:49:15.739 --> 00:49:16.480
 throw in your lot

00:49:16.480 --> 00:49:17.539
 with the Lord God?

00:49:19.340 --> 00:49:20.799
 The wise investor

00:49:20.799 --> 00:49:21.659
 will take up

00:49:21.659 --> 00:49:21.960
 the yoke

00:49:21.960 --> 00:49:23.179
 of the Lord Jesus Christ

00:49:23.179 --> 00:49:25.139
 no matter how hard

00:49:25.139 --> 00:49:25.599
 things get

00:49:25.599 --> 00:49:26.139
 in this life.

00:49:28.699 --> 00:49:29.360
 God's judgment

00:49:29.360 --> 00:49:29.779
 of Babylon

00:49:29.779 --> 00:49:30.900
 will not only be fair,

00:49:31.159 --> 00:49:32.219
 it will also be swift.

00:49:32.960 --> 00:49:33.579
 Verse 8 said

00:49:33.579 --> 00:49:34.159
 that her plagues

00:49:34.159 --> 00:49:34.460
 will come

00:49:34.460 --> 00:49:35.699
 in a single day.

00:49:36.619 --> 00:49:37.819
 That idea is echoed

00:49:37.820 --> 00:49:38.580
 in the expression

00:49:38.580 --> 00:49:39.480
 single hour.

00:49:40.100 --> 00:49:40.660
 Verse 10,

00:49:40.800 --> 00:49:41.840
 for in a single hour

00:49:41.840 --> 00:49:42.860
 your judgment has come.

00:49:42.960 --> 00:49:43.480
 Verse 17,

00:49:43.580 --> 00:49:44.780
 for in a single hour

00:49:44.780 --> 00:49:45.860
 all this wealth

00:49:45.860 --> 00:49:47.559
 has been laid waste.

00:49:47.660 --> 00:49:48.260
 Verse 19,

00:49:48.440 --> 00:49:49.580
 for in a single hour

00:49:49.580 --> 00:49:50.880
 she has been laid waste.

00:49:51.440 --> 00:49:53.000
 This is a shocking revelation

00:49:53.000 --> 00:49:53.940
 because Babylon,

00:49:54.200 --> 00:49:54.840
 which was Rome

00:49:54.840 --> 00:49:55.680
 in John's day,

00:49:56.140 --> 00:49:57.019
 seemed permanent

00:49:57.019 --> 00:49:58.720
 and indestructible.

00:49:59.700 --> 00:50:01.140
 You can hear that boast

00:50:01.140 --> 00:50:01.580
 of Babylon

00:50:01.580 --> 00:50:02.400
 in verse 7,

00:50:02.660 --> 00:50:03.880
 I sit as a queen.

00:50:05.059 --> 00:50:06.019
 I am no widow

00:50:06.019 --> 00:50:07.420
 and morning

00:50:07.420 --> 00:50:08.940
 I shall never see.

00:50:09.699 --> 00:50:10.759
 That's her boast.

00:50:11.860 --> 00:50:13.199
 But for all her boasting,

00:50:13.340 --> 00:50:14.079
 God's judgment

00:50:14.079 --> 00:50:15.259
 comes on her

00:50:15.259 --> 00:50:16.599
 on a single day,

00:50:16.659 --> 00:50:17.960
 in a single hour

00:50:17.960 --> 00:50:18.579
 and she becomes

00:50:18.579 --> 00:50:19.699
 a burning city

00:50:19.699 --> 00:50:20.619
 and a desolate,

00:50:20.840 --> 00:50:21.360
 abandoned

00:50:21.360 --> 00:50:23.599
 prostitute.

00:50:26.179 --> 00:50:26.739
 Poets

00:50:26.739 --> 00:50:28.119
 like Tibulus,

00:50:28.300 --> 00:50:28.639
 Virgil,

00:50:28.759 --> 00:50:29.259
 and Livy

00:50:29.259 --> 00:50:31.219
 extolled Rome

00:50:31.219 --> 00:50:33.019
 as the eternal city.

00:50:33.019 --> 00:50:35.360
 and Ovid

00:50:35.360 --> 00:50:35.759
 called it

00:50:35.759 --> 00:50:36.420
 the capital

00:50:36.420 --> 00:50:37.199
 of the world.

00:50:38.920 --> 00:50:40.579
 As the proverb goes,

00:50:41.000 --> 00:50:41.780
 popularized by

00:50:41.780 --> 00:50:42.460
 English playwright

00:50:42.460 --> 00:50:43.059
 John Haywood,

00:50:43.619 --> 00:50:44.659
 Rome was not built

00:50:44.659 --> 00:50:46.380
 in one day,

00:50:47.380 --> 00:50:50.800
 but Rome was sacked

00:50:50.800 --> 00:50:52.679
 in one day.

00:50:52.679 --> 00:50:55.919
 August.

00:51:12.139 --> 00:51:13.719
 The fact that God's judgment

00:51:13.719 --> 00:51:14.539
 is swift

00:51:14.539 --> 00:51:16.779
 doesn't mean that God

00:51:16.779 --> 00:51:17.539
 is impatient

00:51:17.539 --> 00:51:18.619
 or quick to anger.

00:51:19.339 --> 00:51:20.460
 He is slow to anger.

00:51:20.639 --> 00:51:21.319
 We see that clearly

00:51:21.319 --> 00:51:22.059
 in verse 5.

00:51:22.059 --> 00:51:23.179
 For her sins

00:51:23.179 --> 00:51:24.179
 are heaped high

00:51:24.179 --> 00:51:24.579
 as heaven

00:51:24.579 --> 00:51:25.960
 and God has remembered

00:51:25.960 --> 00:51:26.820
 her iniquities.

00:51:28.079 --> 00:51:29.320
 God has delayed

00:51:29.320 --> 00:51:30.059
 his judgment

00:51:30.059 --> 00:51:31.460
 out of his patience

00:51:31.460 --> 00:51:31.920
 and mercy

00:51:31.920 --> 00:51:33.159
 until Babylon's sins

00:51:33.159 --> 00:51:34.659
 are heaped high

00:51:34.659 --> 00:51:35.480
 as the heavens,

00:51:36.119 --> 00:51:36.980
 literally right up

00:51:36.980 --> 00:51:37.639
 in his nose.

00:51:41.759 --> 00:51:42.759
 God waits

00:51:42.759 --> 00:51:43.320
 in his patience

00:51:43.320 --> 00:51:43.940
 until then.

00:51:44.440 --> 00:51:45.059
 But when

00:51:45.059 --> 00:51:46.440
 the time to judge

00:51:46.440 --> 00:51:46.940
 comes,

00:51:47.099 --> 00:51:47.940
 God will bring

00:51:47.940 --> 00:51:48.980
 all the iniquities

00:51:48.980 --> 00:51:49.460
 of Babylon

00:51:49.460 --> 00:51:50.400
 to remembrance

00:51:50.400 --> 00:51:51.900
 and then

00:51:51.900 --> 00:51:52.559
 she will perish

00:51:52.559 --> 00:51:53.400
 in a single day.

00:51:55.820 --> 00:51:57.180
 What looks glorious

00:51:57.180 --> 00:51:58.180
 and beautiful

00:51:58.180 --> 00:51:59.260
 and luxurious

00:51:59.260 --> 00:51:59.880
 to you

00:51:59.880 --> 00:52:00.780
 in this world?

00:52:02.960 --> 00:52:03.960
 The billionaires,

00:52:04.079 --> 00:52:04.680
 the CEOs,

00:52:05.139 --> 00:52:05.480
 Amazon,

00:52:05.800 --> 00:52:06.099
 Google,

00:52:06.619 --> 00:52:06.940
 Meta,

00:52:07.480 --> 00:52:08.400
 Harvard University,

00:52:09.019 --> 00:52:09.380
 MIT,

00:52:10.300 --> 00:52:10.700
 Boston,

00:52:11.420 --> 00:52:12.000
 New York City,

00:52:12.460 --> 00:52:12.980
 Wall Street,

00:52:13.300 --> 00:52:13.720
 Hollywood,

00:52:13.719 --> 00:52:14.899
 they might all

00:52:14.899 --> 00:52:15.699
 seem eternal

00:52:15.699 --> 00:52:16.339
 and glorious

00:52:16.339 --> 00:52:16.959
 to us,

00:52:17.019 --> 00:52:17.359
 don't they?

00:52:17.439 --> 00:52:18.339
 But they are not.

00:52:21.579 --> 00:52:22.939
 If Rome can fall,

00:52:23.099 --> 00:52:23.759
 so can they.

00:52:24.899 --> 00:52:25.439
 And Babylon

00:52:25.439 --> 00:52:26.099
 will fall

00:52:26.099 --> 00:52:26.939
 in a single hour.

00:52:27.039 --> 00:52:27.719
 But the church

00:52:27.719 --> 00:52:28.339
 of Christ,

00:52:29.039 --> 00:52:30.159
 the people of God

00:52:30.159 --> 00:52:30.799
 who endured

00:52:30.799 --> 00:52:31.679
 in their faithfulness

00:52:31.679 --> 00:52:32.199
 to Christ

00:52:32.199 --> 00:52:32.759
 without committing

00:52:32.759 --> 00:52:33.459
 sexual immorality

00:52:33.459 --> 00:52:34.019
 with Babylon,

00:52:34.379 --> 00:52:34.819
 those who have

00:52:34.819 --> 00:52:36.000
 repented of their sins

00:52:36.000 --> 00:52:36.619
 and have trusted

00:52:36.619 --> 00:52:37.719
 in Jesus for salvation,

00:52:38.379 --> 00:52:39.119
 they will be

00:52:39.119 --> 00:52:39.699
 sacrificed

00:52:39.699 --> 00:52:41.099
 as his forever bride.

00:52:41.099 --> 00:52:44.000
 And that's why

00:52:44.000 --> 00:52:44.539
 this passage

00:52:44.539 --> 00:52:45.119
 exhorts us

00:52:45.119 --> 00:52:45.839
 to come out

00:52:45.839 --> 00:52:46.900
 of the self-glorying

00:52:46.900 --> 00:52:47.920
 luxury of Babylon

00:52:47.920 --> 00:52:49.539
 lest we partake

00:52:49.539 --> 00:52:51.179
 in Babylon's plagues.

00:52:52.480 --> 00:52:53.339
 This picture

00:52:53.339 --> 00:52:54.719
 of fleeing

00:52:54.719 --> 00:52:55.279
 from a city

00:52:55.279 --> 00:52:55.739
 that is about

00:52:55.739 --> 00:52:56.239
 to fall

00:52:56.239 --> 00:52:57.179
 under God's judgment

00:52:57.179 --> 00:52:58.139
 is a common motif

00:52:58.139 --> 00:52:59.079
 in the Old Testament

00:52:59.079 --> 00:53:00.079
 for prophetic books.

00:53:00.799 --> 00:53:01.500
 It says that

00:53:01.500 --> 00:53:02.360
 about Babylon

00:53:02.360 --> 00:53:03.799
 in Jeremiah 51,

00:53:04.819 --> 00:53:05.559
 but I think

00:53:05.559 --> 00:53:06.179
 probably the more

00:53:06.179 --> 00:53:06.839
 vivid images

00:53:06.839 --> 00:53:07.500
 that you're familiar

00:53:07.500 --> 00:53:08.960
 with is the story

00:53:08.960 --> 00:53:09.659
 of Korah

00:53:09.659 --> 00:53:10.519
 and Dathan

00:53:10.519 --> 00:53:11.019
 and Abiram

00:53:11.019 --> 00:53:13.280
 in Numbers 16.

00:53:14.280 --> 00:53:14.820
 They rebel

00:53:14.820 --> 00:53:15.659
 against Moses,

00:53:15.800 --> 00:53:16.800
 God's appointed prophet

00:53:16.800 --> 00:53:17.199
 and leader

00:53:17.199 --> 00:53:17.980
 of God's people,

00:53:18.280 --> 00:53:18.739
 and when they

00:53:18.739 --> 00:53:19.599
 refuse to repent,

00:53:19.739 --> 00:53:21.360
 Moses tells the Israelites,

00:53:21.780 --> 00:53:22.940
 depart, please,

00:53:23.380 --> 00:53:24.280
 from the tents

00:53:24.280 --> 00:53:25.219
 of these wicked men

00:53:25.219 --> 00:53:26.659
 and touch nothing

00:53:26.659 --> 00:53:27.119
 of theirs

00:53:27.119 --> 00:53:28.500
 lest you be swept away

00:53:28.500 --> 00:53:29.820
 with all their sins.

00:53:30.980 --> 00:53:31.780
 And when the people

00:53:31.780 --> 00:53:32.119
 of God

00:53:32.119 --> 00:53:32.940
 separate themselves

00:53:32.940 --> 00:53:33.619
 from them,

00:53:34.039 --> 00:53:35.119
 the earth opens up

00:53:35.119 --> 00:53:35.759
 and swallows

00:53:35.759 --> 00:53:36.800
 the wicked men.

00:53:38.179 --> 00:53:38.599
 Similarly,

00:53:38.739 --> 00:53:40.079
 in Genesis 19, 15,

00:53:40.079 --> 00:53:41.079
 before he unleashed

00:53:41.079 --> 00:53:43.460
 the fire and sulfur

00:53:43.460 --> 00:53:44.799
 on the cities

00:53:44.799 --> 00:53:45.679
 of Sodom and Gomorrah,

00:53:46.039 --> 00:53:47.159
 the angels of God

00:53:47.159 --> 00:53:47.960
 urged Lot,

00:53:48.059 --> 00:53:48.340
 saying,

00:53:48.559 --> 00:53:48.860
 up,

00:53:49.539 --> 00:53:50.639
 take your wife

00:53:50.639 --> 00:53:51.759
 and your two daughters

00:53:51.759 --> 00:53:52.519
 who are here

00:53:52.519 --> 00:53:54.019
 lest you be swept away

00:53:54.019 --> 00:53:54.539
 in the punishment

00:53:54.539 --> 00:53:55.099
 of the city.

00:53:55.340 --> 00:53:57.819
 As they are coming

00:53:57.819 --> 00:53:58.599
 out of Sodom,

00:53:58.659 --> 00:53:58.940
 however,

00:53:59.059 --> 00:53:59.779
 you know the story,

00:54:00.860 --> 00:54:01.500
 Lot's wife

00:54:01.500 --> 00:54:02.440
 looks back

00:54:02.440 --> 00:54:05.119
 at the sinful city

00:54:05.119 --> 00:54:05.819
 that is burning.

00:54:05.820 --> 00:54:08.840
 despite the fact

00:54:08.840 --> 00:54:09.200
 that she was

00:54:09.200 --> 00:54:10.320
 specifically committed

00:54:10.320 --> 00:54:11.600
 not to look back.

00:54:13.280 --> 00:54:14.240
 And consequently,

00:54:14.380 --> 00:54:14.840
 she becomes

00:54:14.840 --> 00:54:15.620
 a pillar of salt.

00:54:18.420 --> 00:54:19.480
 Brothers and sisters,

00:54:20.480 --> 00:54:22.740
 what is preventing you

00:54:22.740 --> 00:54:23.960
 from coming out

00:54:23.960 --> 00:54:24.380
 of Babylon?

00:54:26.580 --> 00:54:27.840
 What keeps you

00:54:27.840 --> 00:54:28.620
 looking back

00:54:28.620 --> 00:54:29.440
 with longing

00:54:29.440 --> 00:54:31.920
 and regret?

00:54:33.180 --> 00:54:34.500
 Leave it all behind.

00:54:35.820 --> 00:54:37.480
 Come out of her

00:54:37.480 --> 00:54:38.400
 lest you share

00:54:38.400 --> 00:54:39.320
 in her punishment.

00:54:41.380 --> 00:54:42.260
 Andrew Carnegie,

00:54:42.460 --> 00:54:42.960
 as you guys know,

00:54:43.019 --> 00:54:43.920
 was a 19th century

00:54:43.920 --> 00:54:44.600
 industrialist

00:54:44.600 --> 00:54:45.120
 who became

00:54:45.120 --> 00:54:45.940
 one of the richest

00:54:45.940 --> 00:54:47.260
 Americans in history

00:54:47.260 --> 00:54:48.780
 through his steel industry.

00:54:49.460 --> 00:54:50.620
 By the age of 33,

00:54:50.740 --> 00:54:51.240
 he was already

00:54:51.240 --> 00:54:51.980
 filthy rich.

00:54:52.740 --> 00:54:53.500
 And at that point,

00:54:53.559 --> 00:54:54.360
 he still had

00:54:54.360 --> 00:54:55.980
 incredible self-awareness.

00:54:56.080 --> 00:54:56.620
 He was raised

00:54:56.620 --> 00:54:57.420
 in a Christian home

00:54:57.420 --> 00:54:57.860
 and I think

00:54:57.860 --> 00:54:58.920
 he speaks of

00:54:58.920 --> 00:54:59.840
 the idolatry of money

00:54:59.840 --> 00:55:01.220
 and he wrote

00:55:01.220 --> 00:55:02.000
 a memorandum,

00:55:02.079 --> 00:55:03.160
 a note to himself

00:55:03.160 --> 00:55:05.460
 because he could

00:55:05.460 --> 00:55:06.380
 feel the creeping

00:55:06.380 --> 00:55:07.140
 effect of the

00:55:07.140 --> 00:55:08.039
 idolatry of money.

00:55:08.600 --> 00:55:09.280
 And he made

00:55:09.280 --> 00:55:10.039
 a note to himself

00:55:10.039 --> 00:55:10.820
 that he would

00:55:10.820 --> 00:55:12.680
 resign business

00:55:12.680 --> 00:55:14.000
 at 35

00:55:14.000 --> 00:55:16.220
 in two years.

00:55:17.840 --> 00:55:18.519
 Because he said,

00:55:18.579 --> 00:55:19.780
 to continue much longer

00:55:19.780 --> 00:55:20.700
 overwhelmed

00:55:20.700 --> 00:55:21.760
 by business scares

00:55:21.760 --> 00:55:22.360
 and with most

00:55:22.360 --> 00:55:22.820
 of my thoughts

00:55:22.820 --> 00:55:23.660
 wholly upon the way

00:55:23.660 --> 00:55:24.400
 to make more money

00:55:24.400 --> 00:55:25.160
 in the shortest time

00:55:25.160 --> 00:55:26.460
 must degrade me

00:55:26.460 --> 00:55:27.160
 beyond hope

00:55:27.160 --> 00:55:28.160
 of permanent recovery.

00:55:28.159 --> 00:55:29.460
 I would resign

00:55:29.460 --> 00:55:30.679
 business at 35.

00:55:35.480 --> 00:55:36.199
 Carnegie,

00:55:36.679 --> 00:55:37.139
 unfortunately,

00:55:37.579 --> 00:55:39.219
 never came out

00:55:39.219 --> 00:55:39.579
 of Babylon.

00:55:41.239 --> 00:55:42.359
 He did not

00:55:42.359 --> 00:55:43.219
 resign business

00:55:43.219 --> 00:55:44.199
 at 35.

00:55:45.199 --> 00:55:46.460
 He worked

00:55:46.460 --> 00:55:47.599
 to the ripe old age

00:55:47.599 --> 00:55:50.399
 and the worship

00:55:50.399 --> 00:55:50.879
 of money

00:55:50.879 --> 00:55:52.319
 did degrade him

00:55:52.319 --> 00:55:53.399
 beyond hope

00:55:53.399 --> 00:55:54.299
 of permanent recovery.

00:55:54.960 --> 00:55:56.339
 Despite his many

00:55:56.339 --> 00:55:57.559
 philanthropic works

00:55:57.559 --> 00:55:58.259
 in his name,

00:55:58.599 --> 00:55:59.360
 his steel company

00:55:59.360 --> 00:55:59.759
 was known

00:55:59.759 --> 00:56:00.820
 for brutal hours,

00:56:01.599 --> 00:56:02.360
 crowded and filthy

00:56:02.360 --> 00:56:03.279
 working conditions

00:56:03.279 --> 00:56:04.299
 so that most

00:56:04.299 --> 00:56:05.219
 of his employees

00:56:05.219 --> 00:56:06.519
 died before the age

00:56:06.519 --> 00:56:06.980
 of 40

00:56:06.980 --> 00:56:08.920
 from accidents

00:56:08.920 --> 00:56:09.519
 or disease.

00:56:11.320 --> 00:56:12.139
 Andrew Carnegie

00:56:12.139 --> 00:56:14.440
 died having lost

00:56:14.440 --> 00:56:15.340
 his faith in God

00:56:15.340 --> 00:56:15.960
 altogether

00:56:15.960 --> 00:56:17.960
 as a man who thought

00:56:17.960 --> 00:56:19.179
 much of his own

00:56:19.179 --> 00:56:20.279
 wealth and philanthropy

00:56:20.279 --> 00:56:22.159
 but not much of God

00:56:22.159 --> 00:56:23.440
 and his philanthropy

00:56:23.440 --> 00:56:24.699
 toward us in Christ.

00:56:24.699 --> 00:56:24.739
 Christ,

00:56:25.539 --> 00:56:30.739
 we ought to come out

00:56:30.739 --> 00:56:32.259
 of the self-glorying

00:56:32.259 --> 00:56:33.579
 luxury of Babylon

00:56:33.579 --> 00:56:34.679
 lest we partake

00:56:34.679 --> 00:56:35.579
 in Babylon's sins

00:56:35.579 --> 00:56:36.099
 and plagues

00:56:36.099 --> 00:56:37.679
 but how do we find

00:56:37.679 --> 00:56:38.659
 the strength to do it?

00:56:39.119 --> 00:56:40.319
 If Andrew Carnegie

00:56:40.319 --> 00:56:40.679
 failed,

00:56:40.759 --> 00:56:41.179
 how do we know

00:56:41.179 --> 00:56:41.859
 we won't fail?

00:56:43.319 --> 00:56:44.219
 When Paul

00:56:44.219 --> 00:56:45.539
 is exhorting

00:56:45.539 --> 00:56:46.500
 the Corinthian believers

00:56:46.500 --> 00:56:47.579
 to give generously

00:56:47.579 --> 00:56:48.879
 toward the needy saints,

00:56:48.880 --> 00:56:50.680
 he reveals to us

00:56:50.680 --> 00:56:51.480
 the truth,

00:56:52.579 --> 00:56:53.320
 the gospel

00:56:53.320 --> 00:56:55.440
 that has the power

00:56:55.440 --> 00:56:56.480
 to set us free

00:56:56.480 --> 00:56:57.180
 from the love

00:56:57.180 --> 00:56:58.640
 and idolatry of money.

00:57:00.099 --> 00:57:01.960
 He says in 2 Corinthians 8, 9,

00:57:02.220 --> 00:57:03.260
 for you know

00:57:03.260 --> 00:57:04.000
 the grace

00:57:04.000 --> 00:57:05.619
 of our Lord Jesus Christ

00:57:05.619 --> 00:57:06.820
 that though

00:57:06.820 --> 00:57:08.000
 he was rich,

00:57:08.619 --> 00:57:10.260
 yet for your sake

00:57:10.260 --> 00:57:11.840
 he became poor

00:57:11.840 --> 00:57:13.360
 so that you

00:57:13.360 --> 00:57:14.940
 by his poverty

00:57:14.940 --> 00:57:17.260
 might become rich.

00:57:18.880 --> 00:57:20.200
 Jesus traded

00:57:20.200 --> 00:57:21.519
 his heavenly throne

00:57:21.519 --> 00:57:23.320
 for an earthly stable

00:57:23.320 --> 00:57:25.099
 and he was born

00:57:25.099 --> 00:57:25.680
 in the form

00:57:25.680 --> 00:57:26.360
 of a servant

00:57:26.360 --> 00:57:27.260
 in the humiliating

00:57:27.260 --> 00:57:28.220
 form of man.

00:57:29.059 --> 00:57:30.160
 Jesus gave up

00:57:30.160 --> 00:57:31.099
 the treasures

00:57:31.099 --> 00:57:31.700
 of heaven

00:57:31.700 --> 00:57:33.640
 in order to make us

00:57:33.640 --> 00:57:35.460
 sinful wretches

00:57:35.460 --> 00:57:36.140
 that we are

00:57:36.140 --> 00:57:38.079
 his treasured possession.

00:57:39.720 --> 00:57:40.500
 He gave up

00:57:40.500 --> 00:57:41.200
 his heavenly treasures

00:57:41.200 --> 00:57:42.180
 to make us

00:57:42.180 --> 00:57:43.700
 his treasured possession.

00:57:44.740 --> 00:57:45.619
 And do you remember

00:57:45.619 --> 00:57:46.559
 that glorious

00:57:46.559 --> 00:57:47.640
 throne room scene

00:57:47.640 --> 00:57:48.079
 of God

00:57:48.079 --> 00:57:49.199
 in chapter 4,

00:57:49.539 --> 00:57:50.319
 verse 6,

00:57:50.940 --> 00:57:51.599
 the beautiful

00:57:51.599 --> 00:57:52.799
 sea of glass

00:57:52.799 --> 00:57:53.460
 like crystal,

00:57:53.679 --> 00:57:54.340
 a pavement

00:57:54.340 --> 00:57:55.819
 of sapphire stone

00:57:55.819 --> 00:57:56.960
 like the very heavens

00:57:56.960 --> 00:57:57.900
 for clearness.

00:57:58.279 --> 00:57:58.920
 That's

00:57:58.920 --> 00:58:00.699
 what Jesus left

00:58:00.699 --> 00:58:01.980
 to walk

00:58:01.980 --> 00:58:03.119
 the dirty streets

00:58:03.119 --> 00:58:03.719
 of Jerusalem

00:58:03.719 --> 00:58:05.779
 so that he can die

00:58:05.779 --> 00:58:06.519
 on the cross

00:58:06.519 --> 00:58:08.159
 and pay for our sins

00:58:08.159 --> 00:58:09.000
 and redeem us

00:58:09.000 --> 00:58:09.840
 from our slavery

00:58:09.840 --> 00:58:10.719
 to sin

00:58:10.719 --> 00:58:11.639
 and death.

00:58:11.639 --> 00:58:15.319
 Jesus moved in

00:58:15.319 --> 00:58:16.480
 to the ghettos

00:58:16.480 --> 00:58:17.379
 and the slums

00:58:17.379 --> 00:58:18.400
 of sin

00:58:18.400 --> 00:58:21.019
 so that he might

00:58:21.019 --> 00:58:22.500
 remove our rags

00:58:22.500 --> 00:58:23.779
 and clothe us

00:58:23.779 --> 00:58:24.779
 with the splendid

00:58:24.779 --> 00:58:25.879
 rose of his righteousness.

00:58:27.000 --> 00:58:27.599
 And that's why

00:58:27.599 --> 00:58:29.039
 later on in Revelation 21

00:58:29.039 --> 00:58:30.239
 when it describes

00:58:30.239 --> 00:58:31.119
 the attire

00:58:31.119 --> 00:58:32.420
 of the bride

00:58:32.420 --> 00:58:32.960
 of the lamb

00:58:32.960 --> 00:58:34.659
 or the decorations

00:58:34.659 --> 00:58:36.500
 the precious stones

00:58:36.500 --> 00:58:37.079
 that are on

00:58:37.079 --> 00:58:38.000
 the new city

00:58:38.000 --> 00:58:38.699
 of Jerusalem.

00:58:39.179 --> 00:58:40.599
 It mentions all kinds

00:58:40.599 --> 00:58:41.659
 of precious jewels

00:58:41.659 --> 00:58:43.079
 and gold

00:58:43.079 --> 00:58:44.399
 and pearls

00:58:44.399 --> 00:58:47.899
 because that's what

00:58:47.899 --> 00:58:49.239
 Christ won for us.

00:58:49.239 --> 00:58:53.059
 And it's when

00:58:53.059 --> 00:58:53.939
 we behold

00:58:53.939 --> 00:58:54.619
 Christ

00:58:54.619 --> 00:58:55.979
 who forsook

00:58:55.979 --> 00:58:56.859
 his heavenly treasure

00:58:56.859 --> 00:58:57.719
 to make us

00:58:57.719 --> 00:59:00.439
 his treasure possession.

00:59:00.779 --> 00:59:01.719
 That's when

00:59:01.719 --> 00:59:02.500
 the allure

00:59:02.500 --> 00:59:03.219
 of money

00:59:03.219 --> 00:59:03.979
 the power

00:59:03.979 --> 00:59:04.819
 of money

00:59:04.819 --> 00:59:05.719
 the way you find

00:59:05.719 --> 00:59:06.459
 your security

00:59:06.459 --> 00:59:07.059
 in money

00:59:07.059 --> 00:59:08.259
 and your significance

00:59:08.259 --> 00:59:08.939
 in money

00:59:08.939 --> 00:59:10.919
 loses its power.

00:59:16.199 --> 00:59:17.119
 Oh my.

00:59:19.239 --> 00:59:20.659
 Christian brothers

00:59:20.659 --> 00:59:21.079
 and sisters

00:59:21.079 --> 00:59:21.679
 one day

00:59:21.679 --> 00:59:23.819
 we're going

00:59:23.819 --> 00:59:24.779
 to be rich

00:59:24.779 --> 00:59:26.699
 beyond measure.

00:59:30.759 --> 00:59:31.519
 We're going

00:59:31.519 --> 00:59:32.500
 to be beautiful

00:59:32.500 --> 00:59:34.399
 beyond compare.

00:59:40.959 --> 00:59:41.979
 But that day

00:59:41.979 --> 00:59:42.679
 is not yet.

00:59:45.059 --> 00:59:46.039
 So let's come

00:59:46.039 --> 00:59:46.679
 out of Babylon

00:59:46.679 --> 00:59:49.500
 and be faithful

00:59:49.500 --> 00:59:50.440
 to our bridegroom

00:59:50.440 --> 00:59:52.099
 until that day

00:59:52.099 --> 00:59:52.960
 when God dwells

00:59:52.960 --> 00:59:53.879
 with us forever.

00:59:55.000 --> 00:59:55.739
 Let's pray.

01:00:09.480 --> 01:00:10.039
 God

01:00:10.039 --> 01:00:13.819
 fill our hearts

01:00:13.819 --> 01:00:14.679
 with wonder

01:00:14.679 --> 01:00:19.759
 at your mercy.

01:00:23.039 --> 01:00:24.219
 How can it be?

01:00:25.980 --> 01:00:27.099
 How can it be

01:00:27.099 --> 01:00:29.500
 that Jesus

01:00:29.500 --> 01:00:30.239
 our Lord

01:00:30.239 --> 01:00:31.679
 died for us?

01:00:33.000 --> 01:00:33.719
 That the

01:00:33.719 --> 01:00:34.719
 Son of Heaven

01:00:34.719 --> 01:00:37.399
 came to the

01:00:37.399 --> 01:00:38.279
 ghettos of earth

01:00:38.279 --> 01:00:40.259
 the slums

01:00:40.259 --> 01:00:41.500
 of our sin

01:00:41.500 --> 01:00:43.719
 to bear

01:00:43.719 --> 01:00:44.480
 our burdens.

01:00:44.679 --> 01:00:46.039
 and lift us

01:00:46.039 --> 01:00:47.119
 up from our poverty.

01:00:48.719 --> 01:00:49.239
 God

01:00:49.239 --> 01:00:49.739
 you deserve

01:00:49.739 --> 01:00:50.759
 our eternal praise.

01:00:53.359 --> 01:00:54.019
 Help us

01:00:54.019 --> 01:00:55.059
 to treasure Christ

01:00:55.059 --> 01:00:57.799
 so that we

01:00:57.799 --> 01:00:58.279
 can come out

01:00:58.279 --> 01:00:58.699
 of Babylon.

01:01:01.559 --> 01:01:02.699
 In Jesus name

01:01:02.699 --> 01:01:03.699
 we pray.

01:01:04.319 --> 01:01:04.619
 Amen.

01:01:04.619 --> 01:01:04.719
 Amen.

01:01:04.719 --> 01:01:04.779
 Amen.

01:01:04.779 --> 01:01:04.799
 Amen.

01:01:04.799 --> 01:01:04.819
 Amen.

01:01:04.819 --> 01:01:04.839
 Amen.

01:01:04.839 --> 01:01:04.859
 Amen.

01:01:04.859 --> 01:01:06.839
 Amen.

01:01:06.839 --> 01:01:06.859
 Amen.

01:01:06.859 --> 01:01:06.899
 Amen.

01:01:06.899 --> 01:01:06.940
 Amen.

01:01:06.940 --> 01:01:06.960
 Amen.