WEBVTT 00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:02.899 Well, good morning. It's good to see you all here. 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:06.580 You know, when I moved to Connecticut back in 2003, 00:00:07.080 --> 00:00:10.540 one of the selling points of moving to Connecticut was, 00:00:11.019 --> 00:00:14.300 I thought, there are no natural disasters here. 00:00:14.480 --> 00:00:16.800 I moved from Ithaca, New York, where we had blizzards, 00:00:17.179 --> 00:00:19.940 and I thought, we're moving to Connecticut, it's going to be great. 00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:24.600 And then, since then, there's been a tornado, a blizzard, a couple hurricanes, 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:28.580 and anyway, so I was sold a bill of goods. 00:00:28.579 --> 00:00:36.000 But having said that, I do remember distinctly when we had, 00:00:36.159 --> 00:00:42.200 in the early 2011, 12, 13, we had a series of hurricanes that came close. 00:00:42.579 --> 00:00:44.359 We didn't really get the full brunt of it, 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:50.539 but we certainly had days where the wind blew and the rain fell 00:00:50.539 --> 00:00:54.879 and the power went out, and when you face a storm, what do you do? 00:00:55.519 --> 00:00:56.719 You hunker down, right? 00:00:57.439 --> 00:00:59.519 You put away your porch furniture. 00:01:00.019 --> 00:01:01.799 You make sure the windows are all locked. 00:01:01.879 --> 00:01:02.859 You clean your gutters. 00:01:03.799 --> 00:01:08.920 You hunker down and try to get through the storm. 00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:12.620 And when I moved to Connecticut, I thought, well, maybe I don't have to do that. 00:01:12.659 --> 00:01:13.659 But I found out I did. 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:16.460 And so here we are. 00:01:16.459 --> 00:01:22.659 As we continue in our series in the book of Revelation this morning, 00:01:23.539 --> 00:01:30.979 I wonder if the church has a similar impulse to what we have when a storm comes. 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:33.659 In Revelation, we've been looking at stories, 00:01:33.759 --> 00:01:37.439 and last week, Pastor Nick preached on Revelation 8 and 9 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:42.899 about the coming storm of God's judgment against evil in the world, 00:01:43.019 --> 00:01:45.819 warning the world that this was coming. 00:01:47.659 --> 00:01:52.179 And what is the church going to do in this storm? 00:01:52.180 --> 00:01:58.820 Maybe some of you think, well, if I become a Christian, 00:01:58.980 --> 00:02:01.080 if I become a part of God's church, 00:02:01.580 --> 00:02:04.060 then God's going to protect me through the storm, 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:05.620 and I don't have to go through it. 00:02:05.620 --> 00:02:10.420 Maybe I want to be like Noah, 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:12.539 and I want to just get locked up in the ark 00:02:12.539 --> 00:02:15.420 and float through the storm and come out the other side 00:02:15.420 --> 00:02:19.360 and to somehow just hunker down in my holy huddle 00:02:19.360 --> 00:02:21.099 and get through it. 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:26.700 But as we come to chapters 10 and 11 of Revelation this morning, 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:29.340 I think we see a different picture, 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:32.240 a different picture, a different path 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:36.060 for God's people and God's church in the world. 00:02:36.879 --> 00:02:39.240 And so that's what we're going to be looking at this morning. 00:02:39.740 --> 00:02:43.580 If you want to turn to our text in the Pew Bibles, 00:02:43.700 --> 00:02:46.240 it's page 970, Revelation. 00:02:46.240 --> 00:02:47.960 We'll be reading it in sections 00:02:47.960 --> 00:02:51.540 because we're looking at a big chunk of Scripture this morning. 00:02:51.920 --> 00:02:54.540 But the big idea that I want you to see 00:02:54.540 --> 00:02:56.840 is that God has called His church 00:02:56.840 --> 00:03:01.900 to costly witness to the risen Christ. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:04.860 This is what we're supposed to be doing 00:03:04.860 --> 00:03:09.620 in the middle of the storm, so to speak, 00:03:09.659 --> 00:03:10.680 of God's judgment. 00:03:11.340 --> 00:03:13.640 This is our calling in this age. 00:03:14.020 --> 00:03:16.100 And we're going to see how this all fits together 00:03:16.100 --> 00:03:18.860 in these chapters. 00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:20.700 We're going to look at three. 00:03:21.200 --> 00:03:22.480 For those of you who are taking notes, 00:03:22.580 --> 00:03:23.879 here's our outline for today. 00:03:24.040 --> 00:03:26.160 God's going to call the witnessing church 00:03:26.160 --> 00:03:27.540 to a prophetic role. 00:03:27.820 --> 00:03:28.820 That's chapter 10. 00:03:28.819 --> 00:03:31.019 God calls the witnessing church 00:03:31.019 --> 00:03:33.199 to follow Christ's pattern. 00:03:33.519 --> 00:03:36.379 That's going to be chapters 11, 1 through 14. 00:03:36.799 --> 00:03:39.039 And then God calls the witnessing church 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:42.079 into reigning with the risen Christ. 00:03:42.659 --> 00:03:46.780 And that's chapter 11, verses 15 through 19. 00:03:47.740 --> 00:03:50.039 So that's what we're doing this morning. 00:03:50.539 --> 00:03:52.539 And just so you can remember a little bit, 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:54.879 because Revelation is an apocalyptic book. 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:56.419 The structure is challenging. 00:03:56.579 --> 00:03:57.439 It's a little hard. 00:03:57.900 --> 00:03:59.639 So remember, what we're seeing 00:03:59.639 --> 00:04:01.560 is this series of visions 00:04:01.560 --> 00:04:03.979 about what God is doing now, 00:04:04.199 --> 00:04:06.259 leading into the future, right? 00:04:06.819 --> 00:04:10.060 And so we had in chapters 6 and 7, 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:12.819 we had seven seals that were broken, 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:15.680 that were symbolic of God's judging action, 00:04:15.800 --> 00:04:17.779 leading towards His final judgment. 00:04:17.779 --> 00:04:19.599 And in chapters 8 and 9, 00:04:19.679 --> 00:04:23.099 we saw seven trumpets being blown. 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:25.219 But in fact, we only saw six of them, right? 00:04:25.479 --> 00:04:28.159 And what we have in chapters 10 and 11 00:04:28.159 --> 00:04:29.179 is an interlude, 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:32.479 kind of like chapter 7 was an interlude 00:04:32.479 --> 00:04:35.899 between the six seals and then the last seal. 00:04:36.239 --> 00:04:38.439 So we also have a second interlude 00:04:38.439 --> 00:04:42.000 where John gets a different vision, right? 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:43.879 If chapters 8 and 9 is a vision 00:04:43.879 --> 00:04:45.979 of the judgment of God on the earth, 00:04:45.980 --> 00:04:48.960 that's happening now, 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:50.360 that's ongoing and building 00:04:50.360 --> 00:04:51.900 towards a final judgment. 00:04:52.319 --> 00:04:54.900 So then this interlude gives us a picture 00:04:54.900 --> 00:04:56.800 of what is the church meant to do 00:04:56.800 --> 00:04:58.280 during this time. 00:04:59.020 --> 00:05:00.259 So that's where we're going. 00:05:00.540 --> 00:05:02.020 That's where we are. 00:05:02.960 --> 00:05:05.080 We're gonna begin by looking at chapter 10 00:05:05.080 --> 00:05:07.500 and seeing that God calls the witnessing church 00:05:07.500 --> 00:05:09.000 to a prophetic role. 00:05:09.660 --> 00:05:11.180 So with that, 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:13.620 let me pray for God's help 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:15.199 because this is a big passage 00:05:15.199 --> 00:05:16.319 and there's lots going on. 00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:18.180 And then we're gonna dive in together. 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:20.000 Lord, thank you for this morning 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:21.480 and a chance to look at your word. 00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:22.920 And Lord, we thank you 00:05:22.920 --> 00:05:24.540 for the richness of your word 00:05:24.540 --> 00:05:26.819 and how you express yourself 00:05:26.819 --> 00:05:27.780 and your truth 00:05:27.780 --> 00:05:28.899 and reveal yourself 00:05:28.899 --> 00:05:31.060 through many different ways. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:34.019 Thank you for the book of Revelation 00:05:34.019 --> 00:05:35.399 and its visions 00:05:35.399 --> 00:05:37.319 that help us to understand you 00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:38.040 and your purposes 00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:40.660 in this world more clearly. 00:05:40.660 --> 00:05:43.540 Help us, Lord, to understand with our head, 00:05:43.939 --> 00:05:45.660 to receive with our heart, 00:05:46.600 --> 00:05:48.460 Lord, the truth of your word this morning. 00:05:48.780 --> 00:05:49.840 And I pray for your help 00:05:49.840 --> 00:05:51.680 that you would help me to speak as I ought. 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:53.620 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:05:54.200 --> 00:05:54.460 Amen. 00:05:55.400 --> 00:05:57.360 All right, Revelation chapter 10. 00:05:57.520 --> 00:05:58.100 Here we go. 00:05:58.100 --> 00:06:01.020 Then I saw another mighty angel 00:06:01.020 --> 00:06:02.500 coming down from heaven 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:03.620 wrapped in a cloud 00:06:03.620 --> 00:06:05.520 with a rainbow over his head 00:06:05.520 --> 00:06:07.500 and his face was like the sun 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:09.660 and his legs like pillars of fire. 00:06:09.660 --> 00:06:12.760 He had a little scroll open in his hand 00:06:12.760 --> 00:06:14.980 and he set his right foot on the sea 00:06:14.980 --> 00:06:16.220 and his left foot on the land 00:06:16.220 --> 00:06:17.840 and called out with a loud voice 00:06:17.840 --> 00:06:19.160 like a lion roaring. 00:06:19.900 --> 00:06:20.860 When he called out, 00:06:20.960 --> 00:06:22.660 the seven thunders sounded. 00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:25.100 And when the seven thunders had sounded, 00:06:25.260 --> 00:06:26.460 I was about to write. 00:06:26.940 --> 00:06:28.940 But I heard a voice from heaven saying, 00:06:29.160 --> 00:06:32.220 seal up what the seven thunders have said 00:06:32.220 --> 00:06:33.660 and do not write them down. 00:06:34.040 --> 00:06:35.500 And the angel whom I saw 00:06:35.500 --> 00:06:37.220 standing on the sea and on the land 00:06:37.220 --> 00:06:39.260 raised his right hand to heaven 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:42.899 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, 00:06:43.459 --> 00:06:45.180 who created heaven and earth, 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:49.240 who created heaven and what is in it, 00:06:49.539 --> 00:06:50.980 the earth and what is in it, 00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:52.599 and the sea and what is in it, 00:06:52.980 --> 00:06:55.699 that there should, would be no more delay, 00:06:56.279 --> 00:06:59.039 but that in the days of the trumpet call 00:06:59.039 --> 00:07:01.139 to be sounded by the seventh angel, 00:07:01.539 --> 00:07:04.099 the mystery of God would be fulfilled 00:07:04.100 --> 00:07:07.980 just as he announced to his servants the prophets. 00:07:09.939 --> 00:07:12.360 Then the voice that I heard from heaven 00:07:12.360 --> 00:07:13.780 spoke to me again saying, 00:07:13.900 --> 00:07:16.600 go, take the scroll that is open 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:17.760 in the hand of the angel 00:07:17.760 --> 00:07:20.060 who is standing on the sea and on the land. 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:22.420 So I went to the angel 00:07:22.420 --> 00:07:24.939 and told him to give me the little scroll. 00:07:25.340 --> 00:07:27.140 And he said to me, take and eat it. 00:07:27.580 --> 00:07:29.520 It will make your stomach bitter, 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:32.759 but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey. 00:07:34.299 --> 00:07:36.259 And I took the little scroll 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:38.060 from the hand of the angel and ate it. 00:07:38.339 --> 00:07:40.579 It was sweet as honey in my mouth, 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:42.199 but when I had eaten it, 00:07:42.500 --> 00:07:44.439 my stomach was made bitter. 00:07:44.659 --> 00:07:45.799 And I was told, 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:48.039 you must again prophesy 00:07:48.039 --> 00:07:50.740 about many peoples and nations 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:53.699 and languages and kings. 00:07:53.699 --> 00:07:54.420 Okay. 00:07:58.180 --> 00:08:00.060 So in the midst of all these visions 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:01.139 about God's judgment 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:02.560 and what God is doing on the earth, 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:04.399 suddenly it gets personal again. 00:08:04.879 --> 00:08:06.199 John is the center. 00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:08.759 He sees a vision of an angel 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:10.300 with a scroll 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:12.259 and he's speaking with a loud voice. 00:08:12.339 --> 00:08:13.980 And all of the imagery around it, 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:16.839 the rainbow and the loud voice like thunder, 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:19.819 is reminiscent actually of what we've seen 00:08:19.819 --> 00:08:22.419 in other places of images that refer to God. 00:08:22.420 --> 00:08:24.060 And some have suggested 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:26.420 that this might be a manifestation of God, 00:08:26.500 --> 00:08:27.980 but I think it's actually more 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:31.379 that this angel is speaking for God. 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:33.700 And so the imagery connected to him 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:36.180 gives him a kind of authority 00:08:36.180 --> 00:08:38.980 that he's speaking on behalf of God 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:40.600 as he speaks these things. 00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:42.420 He straddles the sea. 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:46.180 He is speaking with a worldwide authority. 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:49.460 And he speaks about the seven thunders. 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:51.060 And friends, I'm just going to tell you, 00:08:51.060 --> 00:08:52.120 I'm punting on these. 00:08:52.419 --> 00:08:55.120 Verses three through seven are not very clear. 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:57.220 And the commentators are all over the place 00:08:57.220 --> 00:08:58.860 in terms of what does it mean 00:08:58.860 --> 00:08:59.899 that he spoke something 00:08:59.899 --> 00:09:00.840 and then he told John, 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:02.080 don't write it down 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:03.620 and don't let anyone know what it said. 00:09:04.840 --> 00:09:06.539 I don't know why that is in there. 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:08.200 So you can come talk to me afterwards 00:09:08.200 --> 00:09:09.419 if you have a better idea. 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:12.580 But what we do see near the end 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:14.419 is a little bit of clarity, right? 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:17.060 Because whatever those seven thunders were, 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:18.340 whatever they were speaking, 00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:20.440 at the end, the angel says, 00:09:20.920 --> 00:09:22.240 here's what I'm going to swear. 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:24.019 To heaven and to earth, 00:09:25.300 --> 00:09:27.879 the mystery of God will be completed 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:30.040 and you must prophesy. 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:33.200 What God, the mystery, 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:35.040 not something that nobody could know 00:09:35.040 --> 00:09:36.160 that you're trying to figure out, 00:09:36.399 --> 00:09:38.899 but what had been unknown in the past, 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:40.379 but now is being revealed, 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:42.639 it is going to be fulfilled 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:44.240 on the last day. 00:09:44.460 --> 00:09:46.519 God's plans for the world 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:47.980 will be accomplished. 00:09:48.939 --> 00:09:50.860 And we know that that's the arc 00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:51.879 or that's the end 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:56.179 of what this first section is about, right? 00:09:56.960 --> 00:09:58.819 God told the prophets 00:09:58.819 --> 00:09:59.860 what was going to happen. 00:10:00.259 --> 00:10:02.179 It will come about. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:03.720 And this is where we see 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:05.179 then the prophetic role 00:10:05.179 --> 00:10:06.539 become really clear 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:09.080 because what the angel is announcing 00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:10.799 is what the prophets have announced 00:10:10.799 --> 00:10:12.439 and now what John is supposed 00:10:12.439 --> 00:10:14.299 to then pick up. 00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:16.519 Because in verses 8 through 11, 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:18.359 there's this scroll, 00:10:18.899 --> 00:10:20.759 and again, there's lots of conversation. 00:10:20.959 --> 00:10:22.919 Is this the same scroll as chapter 5? 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:24.399 I don't actually think so, 00:10:24.500 --> 00:10:26.620 but lots of wise people do. 00:10:27.179 --> 00:10:28.859 But it seems like it's still 00:10:28.859 --> 00:10:30.879 about God's revealing 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:32.799 his plan for the world. 00:10:35.599 --> 00:10:37.419 And John receives his scroll 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:38.559 and he's meant to eat it. 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:40.919 Now, if you're a Bible student, 00:10:41.079 --> 00:10:42.459 if you've been reading the Bible 00:10:42.459 --> 00:10:43.379 for a long time, 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:45.619 then you know that this is reminiscent 00:10:45.619 --> 00:10:47.639 of Ezekiel 2 and 3. 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:49.119 For the rest of us 00:10:49.119 --> 00:10:51.279 who haven't read Ezekiel recently, 00:10:51.699 --> 00:10:53.639 let me remind you and commend to you. 00:10:53.779 --> 00:10:55.079 Ezekiel 2 and 3 00:10:55.079 --> 00:10:56.299 is about the calling 00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:58.000 of the prophet Ezekiel 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:01.000 to proclaim God's word 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:03.199 to unrepentant 00:11:03.199 --> 00:11:05.779 and hardened people of God 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:07.279 during his time. 00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:10.539 He preached at the end of, 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:12.740 right before and during the exile, 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:14.839 and he knew, 00:11:14.939 --> 00:11:15.720 and God told him, 00:11:15.819 --> 00:11:17.159 you're going to preach my word 00:11:17.159 --> 00:11:18.919 and people are not going to listen to you 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:20.419 and they're going to reject you 00:11:20.419 --> 00:11:21.860 because they're rejecting me. 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:25.740 But Ezekiel similarly was told, 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:26.679 eat the scroll 00:11:26.679 --> 00:11:29.019 and it will be sweet in your mouth 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:30.799 but bitter in your stomach 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:33.860 because the message is from God. 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:35.240 that's a good God 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:37.320 that has a redemptive purpose 00:11:37.320 --> 00:11:39.279 and yet it will make you sick 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:39.899 to your stomach 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:41.700 because you will also know 00:11:41.700 --> 00:11:43.759 that the people will reject it 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:44.659 and refuse it. 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:47.060 And John is, 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:49.480 in this image, 00:11:49.580 --> 00:11:50.460 being brought into 00:11:50.460 --> 00:11:51.639 a similar role 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:53.000 of being the prophet 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:53.500 prophet, 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:55.379 to speak God's words 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:56.779 to the nations, 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:59.139 right? 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:02.139 And it's important 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:03.139 to recognize too, 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.200 some of you may think 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:05.519 when we're talking about prophets, 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:06.580 what do prophets do? 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:07.419 Well, they say, 00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:08.100 what's going to happen 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:08.700 in the future? 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:10.899 Okay, that's sort of true 00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:11.899 to a certain extent 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:12.779 in some ways, 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:13.899 but what a prophet 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:14.620 actually does 00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:16.179 is rather than foretell, 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:17.899 they foretell. 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:18.639 That is, 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:20.139 they speak clearly 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:21.839 and make known 00:12:21.839 --> 00:12:22.899 God's words 00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:23.919 and God's ideas. 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:25.639 And so this is what 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:26.740 John's role is. 00:12:27.059 --> 00:12:27.759 He's continuing, 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:28.779 he is called, 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:30.899 like the prophets of old, 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:33.439 to be one who speaks forth 00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:34.500 God's word 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.839 to the world. 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:40.120 So this is what we see 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:41.079 in chapter 10 00:12:41.080 --> 00:12:42.879 is that John's role 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:44.080 is being reinforced. 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:45.680 We saw this in chapter 1, 00:12:46.040 --> 00:12:47.060 he's coming back to it 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:47.920 in chapter 10 00:12:47.920 --> 00:12:49.000 and this reminds us 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:51.080 that the book of Revelation 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:51.840 is cyclical, 00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:52.600 not linear. 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:54.000 This doesn't happen, 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.580 I don't believe this vision 00:12:55.580 --> 00:12:56.639 necessarily happened 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:59.259 after other things, 00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:02.080 but could be contemporaneous 00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:02.920 with the very beginning 00:13:02.920 --> 00:13:03.500 of the book 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.700 in the sense that 00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:05.920 this is another vision 00:13:05.920 --> 00:13:06.540 affirming, 00:13:07.020 --> 00:13:08.560 John, this is your role 00:13:08.560 --> 00:13:10.020 in the world, 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:10.980 to prophesy, 00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:12.280 to speak God's word 00:13:12.280 --> 00:13:13.480 to the world. 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:15.759 So what does this mean 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:16.360 for us? 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:17.540 Before we go on 00:13:17.540 --> 00:13:18.420 to chapter 11, 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:19.120 what does this mean 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:21.040 for us as God's people? 00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:23.080 First thing I want to say 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:25.400 is we serve a God 00:13:25.400 --> 00:13:27.980 who is revealing himself, 00:13:28.660 --> 00:13:29.660 who is committed 00:13:29.660 --> 00:13:31.700 to making himself known 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:33.720 in the world, right? 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:37.920 He spoke through the prophets 00:13:37.920 --> 00:13:39.600 to the people 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:40.480 and to the world 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.480 throughout all of 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.540 the Old Testament history. 00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:46.620 He spoke through Jesus 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:48.120 as Jesus came. 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.960 He spoke in Jesus 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:51.379 in a particular way 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.540 when he came to earth 00:13:52.540 --> 00:13:54.600 to make himself known. 00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:58.000 What an incredible joy it is 00:13:58.000 --> 00:13:58.980 that we have a God 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:01.200 who wants us to know him 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:03.100 and that our knowledge 00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:05.000 of him is not numinous. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.420 It's not like the force 00:14:06.420 --> 00:14:07.300 in Star Wars, 00:14:07.420 --> 00:14:08.660 but it's particular. 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:09.800 It has content. 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:11.680 It actually has words. 00:14:12.640 --> 00:14:13.700 You can just stop for a minute 00:14:13.700 --> 00:14:13.980 and think, 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:14.940 why do we have language 00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:15.460 and words? 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:16.879 Because God wanted 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:17.379 to be able 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.759 to communicate to us. 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:20.379 It's how he made us 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:22.040 so that we can know him. 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:24.800 And these words 00:14:24.800 --> 00:14:26.200 of revelation, right, 00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:27.820 through Moses and the law, 00:14:27.900 --> 00:14:29.080 through the great prophets 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:30.400 from Elijah and Elisha 00:14:30.400 --> 00:14:32.020 to Nathan to Isaiah, 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:33.080 Jeremiah, etc. 00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:35.500 Our God is a speaking God. 00:14:37.160 --> 00:14:38.080 And secondly, 00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:39.440 we need to recognize 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:41.200 that the final revelation, 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:42.400 we see this in Hebrews 00:14:42.400 --> 00:14:43.660 chapter 1, verse 1. 00:14:44.040 --> 00:14:44.980 In the times past, 00:14:45.040 --> 00:14:46.360 he spoke through various prophets, 00:14:46.680 --> 00:14:47.840 but in the last days, 00:14:47.900 --> 00:14:49.700 he spoke through his son, 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:50.200 Jesus, 00:14:50.800 --> 00:14:51.780 who John called 00:14:51.780 --> 00:14:53.080 the Word of God, 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.340 made flesh, 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:56.879 and we have beheld his glory 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:58.519 so that we might know God. 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:02.539 This is the pinnacle of God 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:03.860 wanting us to know him 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.799 is sending his son, 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:05.220 Jesus, 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.820 so that we could see 00:15:06.820 --> 00:15:07.980 who he is. 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:11.879 And finally, friends, 00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:14.159 we now have this 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:16.220 because the translation 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:17.799 of this speaking God 00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:19.039 and revealing God 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:20.039 through the person of Jesus 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:21.600 is now this book, 00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:23.940 which is God's words 00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:25.180 to us recorded, 00:15:25.400 --> 00:15:26.120 written down, 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:28.000 the account of the final 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:28.920 Word of God 00:15:28.920 --> 00:15:29.980 in his life 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.800 and the implications 00:15:30.800 --> 00:15:31.780 of it in the church 00:15:31.780 --> 00:15:32.440 throughout the rest 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:33.200 of the New Testament. 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:38.260 So as we think about this, 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:39.480 let us recognize 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:41.340 that God is still speaking 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:44.740 through his Word, 00:15:44.880 --> 00:15:45.800 in his Word, 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:47.540 to his people, 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.620 and through his people 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:50.460 to one another. 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:53.480 So friends, 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:54.160 let's treasure 00:15:54.160 --> 00:15:55.160 the Word of God. 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:56.800 Let us rejoice 00:15:56.800 --> 00:15:57.780 in the God 00:15:57.780 --> 00:15:59.180 who has made himself known, 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:00.960 and let us be those 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:02.300 who not only receive 00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:02.980 God's Word, 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.379 but then who turn 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.759 and share it with others 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:07.080 so that this would be 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:08.840 part of our understanding 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:09.639 of what God 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:11.560 wants us to do. 00:16:12.540 --> 00:16:13.620 This then brings us 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:14.700 to chapter 11, 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.740 the first 13 verses 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:17.660 where we see 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:19.240 that God calls us 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:21.039 to be a witnessing church 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:22.459 in the pattern of Christ. 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.779 Let's look at 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:24.799 Revelation 11, 00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:25.879 verses 1 through, 00:16:26.199 --> 00:16:26.959 actually we'll read 00:16:26.959 --> 00:16:27.959 through 1 through 14, 00:16:28.219 --> 00:16:30.759 so let's read this together. 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.360 Then I was given 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:34.240 a measuring rod 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:35.000 like a staff, 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:35.600 and I was told, 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.439 rise and measure 00:16:36.439 --> 00:16:37.399 the temple of God 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:37.939 and the altar 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:39.419 and those who worship there. 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.419 But do not measure 00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:42.139 the court outside the temple, 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.259 leave that out, 00:16:43.339 --> 00:16:44.259 for it was given 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.360 over to the nations, 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.919 and they will trample 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:47.980 the holy city 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:49.240 for 42 months, 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.800 and I will grant authority 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:51.800 to my witnesses, 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:53.220 and they will prophesy 00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:55.879 for 1,260 days 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:57.700 clothed in sackcloth. 00:16:58.539 --> 00:17:00.300 These are the two olive trees 00:17:00.300 --> 00:17:01.480 and the two lampstands 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.500 that stand before 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:03.840 the Lord of the earth, 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.860 and if anyone would harm them, 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:08.339 fire pours from their mouth 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:10.059 and consumes their foes. 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:12.079 If anyone would harm them, 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.539 this is how he is doomed 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.279 to be killed. 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:16.160 They have the power 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:17.420 to shut up the skies 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:19.279 so that no rain may fall 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.099 during the days 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:21.220 of their prophesying, 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.720 and they have power 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.720 over the waters 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:25.460 to turn them into blood 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.779 and to strike the earth 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:28.279 with every kind of plague 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:30.180 as often as they desire. 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:32.119 And when they have finished 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:33.139 their testimony, 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.899 the beast that rises 00:17:34.899 --> 00:17:36.299 from the bottomless pit 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.879 will make war on them 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.940 and conquer them 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:39.920 and kill them, 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:40.879 and their dead bodies 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:42.379 will lie in the street 00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.460 of the great city 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:44.799 that symbolically 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:46.539 is called Sodom and Egypt 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:48.340 where their Lord 00:17:48.340 --> 00:17:49.120 was crucified. 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:51.160 For three and a half days, 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.259 some from the people 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:52.779 and tribes 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.940 and languages and nations 00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:55.720 will gaze at their dead bodies 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:57.559 and refuse to let them 00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.740 be placed in a tomb. 00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:01.180 And those who dwell 00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:01.819 on the earth 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:03.340 will rejoice over them 00:18:03.340 --> 00:18:04.460 and make merry 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.460 and exchange presents 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:07.680 because these two prophets 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:08.920 had been a torment 00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:11.060 to those who dwell 00:18:11.060 --> 00:18:12.080 on the earth. 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:14.480 But after three and a half days, 00:18:14.580 --> 00:18:15.460 a breath of life 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:15.800 entered, 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:17.080 a breath of life 00:18:17.080 --> 00:18:17.740 from God 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:18.460 entered them, 00:18:18.840 --> 00:18:19.820 and they stood up 00:18:19.820 --> 00:18:20.440 on their feet, 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:21.279 and great fear 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.080 fell on those 00:18:22.080 --> 00:18:22.800 who saw them. 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.740 Then they heard 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.600 a loud voice 00:18:25.600 --> 00:18:26.200 from heaven 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.779 saying, 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:27.880 come up here. 00:18:28.340 --> 00:18:29.180 And they went up 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:29.640 to heaven 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:30.940 in a cloud, 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:31.900 and their enemies 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:32.600 watched them. 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.440 And at that hour, 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:36.000 there was a great earthquake, 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.200 and a tenth of the city 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.640 fell, 00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:39.240 seven thousand people 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:39.799 were killed 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:40.500 in the earthquake, 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.819 and the rest 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.559 were terrified 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.580 and gave glory 00:18:43.580 --> 00:18:45.400 to the God of heaven. 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:46.640 And the second woe 00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:47.259 had passed. 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:47.819 Behold, 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.180 the third woe 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:50.539 is soon to come. 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.000 Okay. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:56.000 We just dove 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:56.940 into the deep end 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:58.799 of the apocalyptic pool. 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:00.480 This is a vision, 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:01.319 right? 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:02.220 And at the center 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.059 of the vision 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:04.779 is two witnesses. 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:07.080 And the main idea 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:08.079 of this passage 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:10.339 is that the church 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:12.599 represented by the two witnesses 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.639 is called 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:14.779 to bear witness 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.500 to Christ 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.500 in the pattern 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:17.859 of Christ, 00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:19.179 which will include 00:19:19.179 --> 00:19:19.759 suffering, 00:19:20.439 --> 00:19:20.740 death, 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.740 and resurrection. 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:23.740 Okay? 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.899 That's the big picture 00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:28.319 of this vision 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.559 and of this section. 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:30.859 And what we see 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.759 is there's a continuity 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.720 with the idea 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:33.500 of prophesy 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.319 because you see 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:36.519 in verse 3, 4 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:38.620 that they will prophesy. 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.240 Where is it? 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:40.920 I can't find it. 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:41.740 You can look for it 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.339 and read it again. 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:45.779 They will prophesy again 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:47.420 and recognize 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.920 that there are echoes 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:50.600 of these Old Testament prophets. 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.200 Again, 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:52.799 if you've read 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:54.000 your whole Old Testament 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:54.539 recently, 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.440 you might pick up 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:55.900 some of these. 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:56.440 Do you remember 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:57.059 the prophet 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:58.700 who called fire down 00:19:58.700 --> 00:19:59.299 from heaven 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:00.399 and who spoke 00:20:00.399 --> 00:20:01.240 and the sky 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.940 was shut up 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.539 with rain? 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:03.859 Elijah 00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:05.659 in Kings. 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.500 So go read 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.659 the stories of Elijah 00:20:08.659 --> 00:20:10.119 to be reminded of this. 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.119 And then remember 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:12.000 the plagues? 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:12.899 Do you remember 00:20:12.899 --> 00:20:14.099 who the prophet was 00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:14.759 during the plagues? 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:15.779 It was Moses. 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.659 Moses who led 00:20:17.659 --> 00:20:18.480 the people of God, 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.779 who was God's representative 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:21.079 speaking God's words 00:20:21.079 --> 00:20:21.700 to the world, 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.720 who through, 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.559 God brought 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.519 these plagues 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.379 on Egypt. 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:29.139 And God is saying, 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:30.839 these two witnesses 00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.919 are going to continue 00:20:31.919 --> 00:20:32.819 in the line 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.799 of these prophets 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:35.599 in the same role 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.539 that the Old Testament 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.399 prophets had 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:38.619 of speaking 00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:40.000 God's words 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:41.559 to the world. 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:43.000 Right? 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:44.279 And God's words 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.899 are always going to be 00:20:45.899 --> 00:20:47.119 a message of redemption, 00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:48.639 that there is redemption 00:20:48.639 --> 00:20:49.319 in Christ 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.720 and a calling to Him 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:52.579 and an exalting 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:53.839 of the character of God 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:55.099 which will always have 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:56.399 also the message 00:20:56.399 --> 00:20:57.000 of judgment 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.759 because those 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.839 who reject Him 00:20:58.839 --> 00:21:00.579 those who stand 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.599 against Him 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:02.759 in all of His goodness 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:05.039 will find themselves 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:05.919 under judgment 00:21:05.919 --> 00:21:06.699 eventually. 00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.859 So this is 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:09.720 the two witnesses. 00:21:10.199 --> 00:21:10.740 And I believe 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.299 it's the church 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:12.639 partly because we see 00:21:12.639 --> 00:21:13.779 in verse 4 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:15.139 that it's the two lamps, 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:16.740 it's two lampstands. 00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:17.619 Remember back 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:18.459 in chapter 1, 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.459 the lampstands, 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.619 there were seven of them 00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:22.639 that represented 00:21:22.639 --> 00:21:24.099 the churches of God 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:25.379 or the church of God 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:26.199 as a whole. 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:27.840 Why two instead 00:21:27.840 --> 00:21:28.819 of seven here? 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.120 Well, because 00:21:30.120 --> 00:21:31.000 in the Old Testament 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.759 and Deuteronomy 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.380 and the law, 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:34.000 if you had to establish 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:35.319 something to be true, 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.680 you had to do so 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:37.779 with two witnesses 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.580 in a courtroom. 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.880 And so God calls 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:41.420 His church 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:42.720 as the two witnesses. 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.920 So our communal witness 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.960 to the person 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:47.100 and work of Christ 00:21:47.100 --> 00:21:48.220 and the purposes 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.460 of God in the world 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:51.160 as the church 00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:52.200 are establishing 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.860 the truth of it 00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:55.319 for all who have ears 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:55.879 to hear. 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:59.220 So this is the big picture 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:01.419 of what God is doing. 00:22:02.899 --> 00:22:04.259 Now what does this testimony 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.980 look like? 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:06.779 Well, for one thing, 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:08.220 it has a limited time. 00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:09.679 You might have noticed 00:22:09.679 --> 00:22:11.059 we got some funky numbers 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:12.200 in this passage, right? 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.359 Suddenly there were 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.500 42 months 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:16.819 and, oh no, 42, 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:18.139 yeah, 42 months 00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:18.960 and then we had 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:22.220 1,260 days, 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.940 which is actually 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:24.440 the same length of time 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:25.380 if you're doing math. 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.860 42 times 30 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:28.140 is 1,260. 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:30.019 And then you had, 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:31.759 and then we'll see 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.740 as we keep going 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:33.799 that this is a number 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.299 that comes up 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:35.100 in the next couple 00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:35.700 of chapters. 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.279 What does this mean? 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:37.700 Well, 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.279 the summary of it is 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:42.579 this number represents 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:44.000 three and a half years. 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.360 We see it here 00:22:45.360 --> 00:22:46.380 in verse 2 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.100 and verse 3. 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:48.440 In chapter 12, 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.059 it will also, 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:50.119 verse 6, 00:22:50.179 --> 00:22:51.220 it'll also talk about 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:52.899 1260 days. 00:22:53.179 --> 00:22:54.019 In chapter 12, 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:54.759 verse 14, 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:55.799 it will use a phrase 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:57.759 time, times, 00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:58.740 and half a time. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.159 And you just think, 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.519 really? 00:23:00.899 --> 00:23:01.379 But yeah, 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:03.419 time plus two times, 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.099 that's three 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:04.940 and then a half, 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:06.039 three and a half years. 00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:07.159 It's the same 00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:08.700 symbolic number 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.379 that we see. 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.679 And this is drawing 00:23:10.679 --> 00:23:11.440 on Daniel 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:12.539 and I'm just gonna say 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:14.159 if you wanna go read 00:23:14.159 --> 00:23:15.859 Daniel 7, 9, 12 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:17.579 and put it together, 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.639 you'll see there's some 00:23:18.639 --> 00:23:20.439 resonances from there. 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:22.579 But the overall picture 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:24.279 in all of the ways 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.859 this is used 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:25.799 is that there will be 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.939 time of tribulation, 00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:27.720 there will be times 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.559 of trial, 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:29.559 there will be times 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.480 where the church 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:31.939 is undergoing 00:23:31.939 --> 00:23:33.259 persecution, 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:33.879 hardship, 00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:34.500 suffering, 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:35.639 and at times 00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:36.879 experiencing as well 00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:37.819 God's provision 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.960 through this, 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:40.079 but not ultimate 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.819 vindication 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:42.039 or freedom from it. 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:44.039 And the reason 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.879 why I think God 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.720 uses the word 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:48.120 the three and a half 00:23:48.120 --> 00:23:48.820 is because 00:23:48.820 --> 00:23:50.000 three and a half 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:51.000 is half of seven. 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.620 And seven is the picture 00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:53.440 of completeness 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:54.200 that we've seen. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.080 The fullness, 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:57.160 the ultimate fulfillment 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:57.960 are always done 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.740 in sevens. 00:23:59.040 --> 00:23:59.900 So three and a half 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:01.160 means this is truncated, 00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:02.040 it's cut short, 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.960 it's limited 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:04.680 rather than expansive. 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.360 So, 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:09.240 that's how we read 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:09.880 these numbers. 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:12.380 We get this sense 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:13.680 as well in verse 7 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.700 of chapter 11. 00:24:14.820 --> 00:24:15.460 You can look with me 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.200 there where it says 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:17.360 when the testimony 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:18.240 is finished. 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.860 Because here's the thing, 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.299 friends, 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:21.420 the testimony 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.380 of the church 00:24:22.380 --> 00:24:23.960 to a world 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:25.600 that is in rebellion 00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:26.320 against Him 00:24:26.320 --> 00:24:28.500 and God calling people 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.019 to Himself, 00:24:29.360 --> 00:24:30.160 that's not going 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:31.080 to last forever. 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:33.039 One day, 00:24:33.400 --> 00:24:33.980 the witness 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.900 that the church 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:36.060 will have 00:24:36.060 --> 00:24:37.600 will be transformed 00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:39.160 from witnessing 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:39.720 to people 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:40.860 that don't know God 00:24:40.859 --> 00:24:42.419 to simply 00:24:42.419 --> 00:24:43.879 worshiping with God 00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:45.379 with those 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.339 who do forever. 00:24:47.399 --> 00:24:47.719 Right? 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:49.859 So we know 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.779 that there's a time 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.699 that it will come, 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:53.379 a time will come 00:24:53.379 --> 00:24:54.079 when our witness 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.859 will end. 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.240 That might give us 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.219 a sense of urgency, 00:24:58.699 --> 00:24:59.679 but it also gives us 00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:00.539 a sense of hope 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.879 because we know 00:25:01.879 --> 00:25:02.740 that this witness 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:04.379 will not merely happen 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:07.219 in easy times, 00:25:07.219 --> 00:25:07.819 but in fact, 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.480 it will happen 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.460 through persecution, 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.879 through trial, 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:13.279 through opposition. 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.859 And in fact, 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.399 the word witness, 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:18.419 many of you 00:25:18.419 --> 00:25:19.079 probably know this, 00:25:19.159 --> 00:25:20.059 but in Greek, 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.039 the original language 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.700 that this was written, 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.339 it's the word martyr. 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:24.639 Right? 00:25:24.859 --> 00:25:25.399 And martyr 00:25:25.399 --> 00:25:27.059 originally meant witnesses, 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:28.319 but it's taken up 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:28.879 this role 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:29.779 because of the 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.419 biblical witness, 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:32.299 this meaning of 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:34.059 someone who dies 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:35.619 for their profession 00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:36.359 of faith. 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.799 And this is exactly 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.699 what we see, 00:25:39.219 --> 00:25:40.259 that God has called 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:40.719 his church 00:25:40.719 --> 00:25:41.699 to bear witness 00:25:41.699 --> 00:25:43.619 even unto death 00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:44.899 to the work 00:25:44.899 --> 00:25:45.979 of Jesus. 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.179 Right? 00:25:49.479 --> 00:25:50.879 A beast will rise. 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:52.139 We'll get to the beast 00:25:52.139 --> 00:25:52.740 next week. 00:25:53.719 --> 00:25:55.439 But a beast will rise 00:25:55.439 --> 00:25:56.740 from the depths of hell 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.699 and attack 00:25:57.699 --> 00:25:58.339 and seemingly 00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:59.599 to kill the church. 00:26:00.219 --> 00:26:01.099 And it will happen 00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:02.359 in a city of darkness 00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:03.339 like Sodom 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:04.279 or like Egypt 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.479 or like Jerusalem 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.900 that's rejected Jesus 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.660 and was the place 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:08.500 where he was killed. 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.480 And they will have 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.079 a party. 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:11.799 Friends, 00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:12.920 it's Super Bowl Sunday. 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:13.960 Somebody, 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:15.360 either in San Francisco 00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:16.319 or in Kansas City, 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.180 is going to throw 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:18.839 a huge party next week 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:20.480 to celebrate a victory. 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:22.480 This is what the world 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.160 will do 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:24.680 when they see 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:25.599 the defeat of, 00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:26.860 what the seeming 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:27.860 defeat of the church. 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.480 When they see 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.680 it eradicated, 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:32.000 when it feels like 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:33.200 it's completely 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:33.859 overcome 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:35.579 and disappears, 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.579 there will be 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:37.539 a rejoicing 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.220 in the church 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:38.740 because 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:41.019 the church's witness, 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:41.759 as it says 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.940 in 2 Corinthians 2, 00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:44.160 is an aroma 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:45.400 to the whole world. 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.539 It is a scent. 00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:47.539 But to some, 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:48.259 it is the aroma 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:48.960 of life 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:50.519 to those who receive it 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.640 and respond to it 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:52.900 and take it in 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:54.319 and become followers 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:55.059 of Christ 00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:57.720 and know the life 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.480 that's in him. 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.960 But to some, 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:00.680 it is the aroma 00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.320 of death 00:27:01.320 --> 00:27:03.120 because in our 00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:04.700 stubborn human hearts 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:06.420 when we reject Jesus 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:07.940 and when we refuse 00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:09.120 to submit to God, 00:27:09.560 --> 00:27:11.700 we find ourselves 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:13.960 facing his judgment 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:14.980 on our sin 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:16.360 on our own. 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:19.299 And so we recognize 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:20.600 that the world 00:27:20.600 --> 00:27:21.140 will hate, 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.320 this is why it says 00:27:22.320 --> 00:27:23.740 that they were tormented 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.960 by the preaching 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.680 of the gospel 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.560 because it pricked 00:27:26.560 --> 00:27:27.220 their conscience 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.180 and they hated it. 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.580 And this is the world 00:27:31.580 --> 00:27:32.580 that we live in. 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.600 And friends, 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.560 we need to be careful 00:27:36.560 --> 00:27:37.180 that the things 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:37.920 that people hate 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:38.779 about the church 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:40.060 is the gospel 00:27:40.060 --> 00:27:41.279 and not other things. 00:27:42.620 --> 00:27:44.240 But let us recognize 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.380 that we will never 00:27:45.380 --> 00:27:46.180 be accepted 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:47.960 in the world at large. 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:49.759 We will never be praised 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:51.620 as the great things 00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:52.940 that we want to be 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:54.120 in the world. 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.600 We will be hated 00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:56.519 and persecuted 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:58.599 because this is 00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.559 what happened to Jesus. 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.940 If they persecuted me, 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:04.819 they will persecute you also. 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:08.259 And this is the pattern 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.480 of our witness then, 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:10.819 that we witness 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:12.619 in the face of a world 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:14.639 that ultimately 00:28:14.639 --> 00:28:15.940 will want to kill us. 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:18.319 And not all of us 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:19.019 are going to die 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:20.619 for our faith, 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.119 though some are 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:23.980 today in this world. 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:27.620 So what do you think 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.400 about this, friends? 00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:30.000 Church, 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.319 are you ready 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:32.180 to live your life 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:32.740 as a martyr? 00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:36.039 Are you ready 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:39.059 to see how great 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:40.000 the redeeming work 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.960 of Christ is 00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:42.480 and to identify yourself 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.360 with it publicly, 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:45.500 even if it costs you? 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:50.299 It might cost you 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:52.000 the acceptance 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.859 of your friends 00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:53.539 in high school 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:54.819 who want you 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:56.079 to live a life 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:57.420 that's contrary 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:58.579 to God's plans. 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.180 And you say, 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.400 no, I want to live 00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:02.119 for Christ. 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.640 That means I'm going 00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:04.400 to do it differently. 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:08.099 Maybe it's going to mean 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.299 talking about your faith 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:09.940 in Christ 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:12.059 on the playground 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:14.480 with the other parents 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:15.900 on a Saturday morning. 00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:18.559 Maybe in your workplace. 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:21.299 Recognizing there's 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.779 appropriate wisdom 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:24.039 in how you do it, 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:24.819 but to recognize 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:26.339 people should know 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.799 in your workplace 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:29.140 that you follow Christ. 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:31.019 How can you share 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.559 that with them? 00:29:31.620 --> 00:29:32.880 How can you create, 00:29:33.120 --> 00:29:34.279 how can you pray 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:35.279 and look for God 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:37.259 to give you opportunities? 00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:38.519 And look, 00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:39.940 I understand it's hard. 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:41.579 We're in a world today 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.940 where the word Christian 00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:43.840 is confused 00:29:43.840 --> 00:29:44.620 with national 00:29:44.620 --> 00:29:45.279 and political 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.860 and social movements 00:29:46.860 --> 00:29:47.779 and ideologies 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:49.080 that don't have to do 00:29:49.080 --> 00:29:49.740 with the gospel. 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:51.120 And we need to somehow 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:52.160 clear the wood 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:53.820 and get through all that 00:29:53.820 --> 00:29:54.900 so that people can see 00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:56.259 that what we really want 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.019 people to know 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:59.220 is that Jesus loved 00:29:59.220 --> 00:30:01.019 the world such 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.820 that he came 00:30:01.820 --> 00:30:03.259 and died for their sins 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:04.400 so that whoever believes 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:04.779 in him 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:06.180 would not perish 00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:08.500 but have everlasting life. 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:10.160 This is the message 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:10.799 of the gospel. 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:12.279 Not be more like us 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.740 or do the right thing 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.480 but repent. 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:16.079 Repent and believe 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:17.139 in the good news 00:30:17.139 --> 00:30:18.779 that in Christ alone 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.619 there is forgiveness 00:30:19.619 --> 00:30:20.480 for our sin 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:22.279 and true living 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.319 spiritual life. 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:25.980 This is what God 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.919 has called us to. 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.579 And friends, 00:30:30.659 --> 00:30:31.200 if you're wondering, 00:30:31.379 --> 00:30:32.519 I don't know how to do that, 00:30:33.879 --> 00:30:35.259 go read Pastor Nick's 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.700 little blurb 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.639 in our weekly email. 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:38.759 It was really good. 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:40.160 I'm actually going to read 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:40.960 part of it to you. 00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:41.319 Ready? 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:41.900 Here we go. 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.480 What sorts of things 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.640 do we naturally share 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:45.799 with our friends and colleagues? 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:47.400 The things we love, 00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:49.180 the things that bring us joy, 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.480 whether it's a favorite 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.180 new recipe, 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:53.619 engaging in an engaging podcast, 00:30:54.200 --> 00:30:55.799 we easily talk about 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:57.339 and share the things 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:58.220 that we love. 00:30:58.900 --> 00:30:59.599 And it's the same 00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:00.319 with the gospel. 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:01.940 Evangelism, 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.900 rightly considered, 00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:04.859 is a form of praise. 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.619 Praise because we have found 00:31:06.619 --> 00:31:09.199 Christ to be so unbelievably good. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.019 When we experience 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:12.479 the gospel in our own hearts 00:31:12.479 --> 00:31:13.479 and as good news, 00:31:13.679 --> 00:31:15.239 we'll naturally want 00:31:15.239 --> 00:31:16.500 to share it with others. 00:31:17.439 --> 00:31:18.879 Friends, if you're struggling 00:31:18.879 --> 00:31:20.839 with sharing this with others, 00:31:21.379 --> 00:31:23.019 the first step may be 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:25.219 go deeper into the gospel. 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:27.819 Recognize what great things 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:29.819 God has done for you. 00:31:30.159 --> 00:31:32.159 Let that captivate your heart. 00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:34.039 And when you do that, 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:36.200 then you will see 00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:37.579 God will open doors 00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:39.839 because you will want 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:41.019 to talk about the things 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:42.559 that are changing your life. 00:31:45.139 --> 00:31:46.039 So friends, 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.819 God has called us 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:49.480 to be a witnessing church 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.940 in the pattern of Christ. 00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:53.659 It may cost us great things 00:31:53.659 --> 00:31:55.859 to be witnesses for Christ. 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.879 And yet it's exactly 00:31:56.879 --> 00:31:58.399 what He's called us to 00:31:58.399 --> 00:31:59.399 because we know 00:31:59.399 --> 00:32:01.700 that the end is not the death, 00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:03.860 the end is not the trampling, 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:05.380 the bodies lying 00:32:05.380 --> 00:32:06.860 in Sodom and Egypt, 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:09.680 but that God came 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:11.240 in this vision 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.519 and breathed new life 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.580 like a recreation, 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:15.940 like Genesis 2 all over again. 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:18.000 God breathes new life in them 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.819 and they are raised, 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:20.460 not just raised back to life, 00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:21.799 but then raised up 00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:23.140 into the throne room of God 00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:24.620 to be with heaven forever, 00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:26.660 to rule over this world. 00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:29.120 And this is what 00:32:29.120 --> 00:32:30.040 the end of this, 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:30.720 this is what 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:32.940 the seventh trumpet shows us. 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:34.200 This is the picture 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:34.820 that we see 00:32:34.820 --> 00:32:36.200 at the end of our passage 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:38.440 in Revelation 11, 00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:40.580 15 through 19, 00:32:41.100 --> 00:32:42.820 is that the witnessing church 00:32:42.820 --> 00:32:43.980 that's called to be a, 00:32:44.360 --> 00:32:45.960 have a prophetic role 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.920 in the world, 00:32:47.320 --> 00:32:48.360 the witnessing church 00:32:48.360 --> 00:32:49.380 that's meant to follow 00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:50.640 in the pattern of Christ 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:52.420 through suffering and death 00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:53.480 to resurrection 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:56.160 is the same witnessing church 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:58.860 that God calls to reign with him, 00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:01.440 Christ the risen King. 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:03.279 This is the final trumpet. 00:33:03.380 --> 00:33:05.120 Let's read this last section together 00:33:05.120 --> 00:33:05.860 as we close, 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.019 as we, 00:33:07.319 --> 00:33:07.839 we're almost done, 00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:08.339 I promise. 00:33:09.620 --> 00:33:10.900 The seventh trumpet, 00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:13.539 Revelation 15, 00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:15.299 or 11, verse 15. 00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:16.900 Then the seventh angel 00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:18.099 blew his trumpet 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:19.640 and there were loud voices 00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.539 in heaven saying, 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:22.559 the kingdom of the world 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:23.859 has become the kingdom 00:33:23.859 --> 00:33:24.720 of our Lord 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:26.299 and his Christ 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:28.740 and he shall reign 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:30.480 forever and ever. 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.919 And the 24 elders 00:33:31.919 --> 00:33:33.559 who sit on their thrones 00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:34.539 before God 00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:36.159 fell on their faces 00:33:36.159 --> 00:33:37.259 and worshiped God 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:37.599 saying, 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:39.500 we give thanks to you, 00:33:39.679 --> 00:33:40.859 Lord God Almighty, 00:33:41.099 --> 00:33:42.200 who was and is, 00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:44.079 who is and who was, 00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:45.220 for you have taken 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:46.460 your great power 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:48.299 and begun your, 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:49.779 begun to reign. 00:33:50.159 --> 00:33:51.279 The nations raged, 00:33:51.399 --> 00:33:52.419 but your wrath came. 00:33:52.559 --> 00:33:53.679 And the time 00:33:53.679 --> 00:33:54.299 for the dead 00:33:54.299 --> 00:33:55.059 to be judged 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:56.460 and for rewarding 00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:57.379 your servants, 00:33:57.599 --> 00:33:58.899 the prophets and saints 00:33:58.899 --> 00:34:00.879 and those who fear 00:34:00.879 --> 00:34:01.399 your name, 00:34:01.579 --> 00:34:02.019 both great, 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:03.220 small and great, 00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:04.700 and for destroying 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.659 the destroyers 00:34:05.659 --> 00:34:06.319 of the earth. 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:07.779 And then God's temple 00:34:07.779 --> 00:34:08.820 in heaven was opened 00:34:08.820 --> 00:34:10.099 and the ark of his covenant 00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:11.480 was seen within his temple. 00:34:12.239 --> 00:34:12.840 There were flashes 00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:13.500 of lightning, 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.239 rumblings, 00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.519 peals of thunder 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.099 and earthquake 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:19.139 and heavy hail. 00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:21.839 friends, 00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:22.920 this is the end 00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:24.420 of the witnessing church 00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:26.900 is that Christ will come 00:34:26.900 --> 00:34:28.400 and he will judge the world 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:29.659 and he will destroy 00:34:29.659 --> 00:34:30.719 the destroyers 00:34:30.719 --> 00:34:31.799 and the nations 00:34:31.799 --> 00:34:33.199 who rise up against God 00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:34.679 will be no more 00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:35.920 and the believers, 00:34:36.259 --> 00:34:37.339 both great and small, 00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:38.900 will get their reward. 00:34:39.359 --> 00:34:39.940 The prophets 00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:40.900 and the saints 00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:42.199 will receive 00:34:42.199 --> 00:34:43.460 because they will be 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:44.639 seated with him 00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:46.940 and the kingdoms 00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:48.539 of this world 00:34:48.539 --> 00:34:49.420 will become 00:34:49.420 --> 00:34:50.159 the kingdoms 00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:51.719 of our Lord 00:34:51.719 --> 00:34:53.279 and of his Christ. 00:34:54.659 --> 00:34:55.579 And friends, 00:34:55.699 --> 00:34:56.219 the temple 00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:57.000 will be opened. 00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:58.759 The imagery here 00:34:58.759 --> 00:34:59.920 would be a whole other sermon 00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:01.819 but the temple 00:35:01.819 --> 00:35:02.379 will be opened. 00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:03.759 We'll see to the very 00:35:03.759 --> 00:35:04.819 inner place, 00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:06.059 the holy of holies 00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:07.000 where the presence 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:08.879 of God dwelt, 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:10.339 where the ark was. 00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:11.559 We can walk 00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:12.940 right into there 00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:13.900 because of Jesus 00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:15.019 and have this 00:35:15.019 --> 00:35:16.240 unfettered, 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:17.340 uncomplicated 00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:19.000 fellowship 00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:20.500 with the risen 00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:22.200 and reigning God 00:35:22.200 --> 00:35:22.840 forever 00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:24.420 and we will be 00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:26.780 a part of his kingdom. 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:29.280 The final sacrifice 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:30.280 for Christ 00:35:30.280 --> 00:35:33.000 has opened the door now 00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:34.119 to the temple 00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:36.680 and when Christ returns 00:35:36.680 --> 00:35:37.420 and defeats 00:35:37.420 --> 00:35:38.539 all of his enemies 00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:39.980 and we will see 00:35:39.980 --> 00:35:40.760 this building, 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:41.500 this vision 00:35:41.500 --> 00:35:42.400 of that victory 00:35:42.400 --> 00:35:43.599 through the rest 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.380 of Revelation, 00:35:45.320 --> 00:35:45.639 right, 00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:47.340 we will reign 00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:48.660 with him forever. 00:35:50.680 --> 00:35:51.240 Friends, 00:35:51.660 --> 00:35:52.280 can you imagine 00:35:52.280 --> 00:35:53.059 what good news 00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:53.700 this was 00:35:53.700 --> 00:35:55.059 to the church 00:35:55.059 --> 00:35:55.780 in Rome 00:35:55.780 --> 00:35:56.760 in the first century 00:35:56.760 --> 00:35:58.720 suffering persecution? 00:35:58.719 --> 00:36:03.679 that those who suffered 00:36:03.679 --> 00:36:04.980 under Diocletian 00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:06.459 and Domitian 00:36:06.459 --> 00:36:08.659 will reign 00:36:08.659 --> 00:36:09.379 with Christ. 00:36:09.719 --> 00:36:10.439 That those 00:36:10.439 --> 00:36:11.099 who suffered 00:36:11.099 --> 00:36:11.839 in France 00:36:11.839 --> 00:36:12.759 under the Huguenot 00:36:12.759 --> 00:36:13.419 persecution 00:36:13.419 --> 00:36:15.059 during the 00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:16.059 Protestant Reformation, 00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:21.059 they will be there. 00:36:21.859 --> 00:36:22.639 That believers 00:36:22.639 --> 00:36:23.879 who died 00:36:23.879 --> 00:36:24.779 at the hands 00:36:24.779 --> 00:36:26.299 of Chairman Mao's 00:36:26.299 --> 00:36:26.879 Red Guard 00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:28.579 because they claimed 00:36:28.579 --> 00:36:29.460 the name of Christ 00:36:29.460 --> 00:36:30.420 and witnessed to him. 00:36:31.220 --> 00:36:32.440 They will be there. 00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:35.000 And those today 00:36:35.000 --> 00:36:36.860 who are dying 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:38.000 for the name of Christ, 00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:38.559 whether it be 00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:39.539 in Central Asia 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:41.240 or Myanmar 00:36:41.240 --> 00:36:42.720 or Saudi Arabia 00:36:42.720 --> 00:36:44.700 or Sudan, 00:36:46.320 --> 00:36:46.740 friends, 00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:47.680 they will be reigning 00:36:47.680 --> 00:36:48.619 with Christ 00:36:48.619 --> 00:36:50.440 forever and eternity. 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:53.099 and they will have 00:36:53.099 --> 00:36:53.659 the joy. 00:36:55.400 --> 00:36:56.159 And this is why 00:36:56.159 --> 00:36:56.900 God calls us 00:36:56.900 --> 00:36:57.659 to be the witnessing 00:36:57.659 --> 00:36:59.079 church now 00:36:59.079 --> 00:36:59.960 unto death 00:36:59.960 --> 00:37:01.300 because Christ 00:37:01.300 --> 00:37:02.139 is worth it 00:37:02.139 --> 00:37:03.240 and because God 00:37:03.240 --> 00:37:04.300 is still at work 00:37:04.300 --> 00:37:05.240 calling people 00:37:05.240 --> 00:37:06.119 out of darkness 00:37:06.119 --> 00:37:07.519 into light. 00:37:08.659 --> 00:37:09.559 God is still 00:37:09.559 --> 00:37:10.420 calling us 00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:11.639 not to hunker down 00:37:11.639 --> 00:37:12.360 and just try 00:37:12.360 --> 00:37:13.019 to get through 00:37:13.019 --> 00:37:13.519 to heaven 00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:15.340 but to stand up 00:37:15.340 --> 00:37:16.559 and to go out 00:37:16.559 --> 00:37:18.480 and to proclaim 00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:19.199 that Christ 00:37:19.199 --> 00:37:19.860 has come 00:37:19.860 --> 00:37:21.599 to save the world 00:37:21.599 --> 00:37:23.539 and to testify 00:37:23.539 --> 00:37:24.480 and bear witness 00:37:24.480 --> 00:37:25.420 to his work 00:37:25.420 --> 00:37:29.320 so that we might 00:37:29.320 --> 00:37:30.279 together sing 00:37:30.279 --> 00:37:32.599 for the Lord 00:37:32.599 --> 00:37:33.079 God 00:37:33.079 --> 00:37:33.980 omnipotent 00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:35.159 reigneth. 00:37:36.340 --> 00:37:36.820 Hallelujah. 00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:38.019 Hallelujah. 00:37:40.019 --> 00:37:40.559 The kingdoms 00:37:40.559 --> 00:37:41.599 of this world 00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:42.699 is become 00:37:42.699 --> 00:37:43.299 the kingdom 00:37:43.300 --> 00:37:44.860 of our Lord 00:37:44.860 --> 00:37:48.539 and of his Christ 00:37:48.539 --> 00:37:49.140 and I'm about 00:37:49.140 --> 00:37:49.720 to break out 00:37:49.720 --> 00:37:50.280 into song 00:37:50.280 --> 00:37:51.220 because you know this 00:37:51.220 --> 00:37:52.780 shall reign 00:37:52.780 --> 00:37:53.280 forever 00:37:53.280 --> 00:37:54.400 and ever 00:37:54.400 --> 00:37:56.140 King of kings 00:37:56.140 --> 00:37:57.280 and Lord 00:37:57.280 --> 00:37:58.500 of lords 00:37:58.500 --> 00:37:59.580 forever 00:37:59.580 --> 00:38:00.380 and ever. 00:38:01.019 --> 00:38:01.480 Hallelujah. 00:38:01.780 --> 00:38:02.260 Let's pray. 00:38:05.220 --> 00:38:05.860 Lord, 00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.320 thank you 00:38:06.320 --> 00:38:07.740 for this 00:38:07.740 --> 00:38:08.519 great vision 00:38:08.519 --> 00:38:09.140 and this 00:38:09.140 --> 00:38:09.780 great call 00:38:09.780 --> 00:38:11.080 and Lord 00:38:11.080 --> 00:38:11.440 we ask 00:38:11.440 --> 00:38:12.280 for your forgiveness 00:38:12.280 --> 00:38:13.600 for we so often 00:38:13.600 --> 00:38:14.400 love comfort 00:38:14.400 --> 00:38:16.160 and the love 00:38:16.160 --> 00:38:16.880 and praise 00:38:16.880 --> 00:38:18.000 of our fellow man 00:38:18.000 --> 00:38:19.120 more than we love 00:38:19.120 --> 00:38:19.920 to bear witness 00:38:19.920 --> 00:38:21.220 to how great you are. 00:38:22.580 --> 00:38:23.260 Oh Lord, 00:38:23.400 --> 00:38:24.480 may you be our joy 00:38:24.480 --> 00:38:26.700 so that we might 00:38:26.700 --> 00:38:27.740 overflow 00:38:27.740 --> 00:38:30.620 with the good news 00:38:30.620 --> 00:38:31.260 of the gospel. 00:38:32.720 --> 00:38:33.500 Help us, Lord, 00:38:33.580 --> 00:38:34.400 to be this kind 00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:34.860 of church 00:38:34.860 --> 00:38:35.360 we pray 00:38:35.360 --> 00:38:36.420 in Jesus' name. 00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:37.280 Amen.