WEBVTT

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 Good morning, everyone. It's good to be here with you. I'm wearing a mask today because I'm sick.

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 And I thought I was totally fine until after the baptism class. I must have been running on adrenaline.

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 I just kind of crashed right after and was in bed all afternoon and evening.

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 So I'm sorry if I exposed some of you guys to the baptism class.

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 Hopefully you guys don't get sick. I did test negative for COVID.

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 And I think I'm far enough away from you guys that I don't have to wear a mask right now.

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 But I will wear a mask when I'm doing communion later.

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 So if you would turn with me in your Bibles to Revelation chapter 2.

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 We're in verses 12 to 17, the letter to the church, to the angel of the church in Pergamum.

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

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 Father, give me strength this morning to proclaim your word.

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 And may your word, which pierces to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow,

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 pierce our hearts.

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 Mark us.

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 Mark us.

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 Seal us indelibly with the name of Jesus Christ.

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 And help us to remember what privilege that is, the joy that is.

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 As we go through this passage together.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 If you are willing and able, please stand for the reading of God's word from Revelation 2, 12 to 17.

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 And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write,

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 the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

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 I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is.

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 Yet you hold fast my name.

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 And you did not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness,

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 who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

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 But I have a few things against you.

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 You have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam,

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 who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel,

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 so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

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 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

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 Therefore repent.

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 If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

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 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

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 To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna,

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 and I will give him a white stone with a new name written on the stone

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 that no one knows except the one who receives it.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 You may be seated.

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 The 12th century historical fiction written by Geoffrey of Monmouth

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 called History of the Kings of Britain

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 is one of the earliest to tell the legend of King Arthur.

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 And there are many works of European literature

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 that tell the story of Arthur,

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 and they vary in their details.

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 So don't hackle me if my details don't fit yours.

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 But one common motif is of a young earther

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 coming into possession of his famous sword, Excalibur.

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 And the work entitled Prose Merlin

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 claims that Excalibur was planted in an anvil,

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 planted in an iron anvil that was sitting on top of a stone,

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 and it was planted through both the anvil and the stone.

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 So obviously that's supposed to communicate

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 how powerful the sword this is,

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 sharp and durable it is.

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 And it says, the legend said that,

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 whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil

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 is rightwise king born of all England.

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 Arthur pulls out the sword with ease,

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 which no one else could pull out,

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 and thereby proves his kingship of Britain,

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 that the kingship rightly belongs to him.

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 And there are many legends that tell the story

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 of this powerful magical sword,

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 and this is historical fiction,

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 so keep that in mind.

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 The dream of Ronneby says that Arthur's sword

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 had a design of two chimeras on the golden hilt.

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 A chimera is from Greek mythology,

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 and it's a fire-breathing monster

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 that's part lion, part goat, and part dragon.

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 And the legend says that whenever Arthur unsheathed his sword,

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 that actual flames of fire emanated from the chimera's mouth.

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 Another account says that the Excalibur,

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 when drawn in combat, the blade shone so brightly,

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 like the light of 30 torches, like the blazing sun,

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 so it's to blind the eyes of the enemies.

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 It is reminiscent of the glorious risen Jesus,

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 from whose mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword,

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 whose eyes are like a flame of fire,

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 and whose face is like the sun shining in full strength,

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 as was described in the vision of Jesus in Revelation 1.

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 But imagine if a sword like Excalibur really existed,

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 that can slice through iron anvils and rocks

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 like a knife through butter.

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 A sword with which you can rout your enemies

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 and conquer the nations.

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 A sword is a symbol of authority,

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 and of power, and of judgment.

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 And we see that plainly in Romans 13, verse 4,

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 when it describes the governing authorities

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 who bear the sword in order to be, quote,

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 an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

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 And Jesus introduces himself in this letter

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 to the angel of the church in Pergamum,

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 in verse 12, as the one who has the sharp two-edged sword,

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 because he's trying to communicate his authority,

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 and his power, and his judgment,

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 because it's only when we view Christ

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 in this glorious light,

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 as the king and judge of all,

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 that we will remain faithful

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 and refuse to compromise with the sinful world.

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 That's the main point of our passage today.

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 Remembering the sword of Christ's judgment,

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 we must repent of tolerating false teaching

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 that promotes religious and moral compromise.

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 And I'm going to talk about that in three parts.

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 First, we'll talk about the two-edged sword of Christ,

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 and then secondly, about the two holes

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 of the church in Pergamum.

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 And then third, two gifts for those who conquer.

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 First, let's talk about the two-edged sword of Christ.

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 It says in verse 2,

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 the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

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 When you hear two-edged sword,

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 some of you who are steeped in fantasy literature

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 or video games or whatnot

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 might think of a two-bladed sword

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 that has like a hilt in the middle

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 and has a blade coming out of one end,

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 another blade coming out of the other end,

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 kind of like Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode I.

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 But that's not what a two-edged sword means.

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 That's the two-bladed sword.

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 That's actually,

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 there's almost no historical evidence

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 that such swords are ever used in combat

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 because it's very impractical.

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 Like you'll kill yourself using it,

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 and you also lose a lot of leverage

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 if you're doing this instead of having this.

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 So that's just fantasy.

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 The two-edged sword is sharpened on both edges of the blade.

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 So this edge and this edge.

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 So unlike some single-edge blades like a katana,

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 Japanese katana,

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 which is dull on one end and sharp on the other,

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 this is a two-edged sword that's sharp on both ends

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 like the Roman gladius,

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 which is a type of sword,

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 a double-edged sword that the Roman soldiers use

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 around the time that Revelation was written.

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 And that's actually where you get the word gladiator.

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 They literally mean swordsman.

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 They bear the gladius, which is the sword.

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 And so this two-edged sword,

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 there's some advantages and disadvantages,

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 but the main advantage of a two-edged sword

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 is that it has greater thrusting and piercing power

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 more than a single-edged sword

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 because two edges are sharp,

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 and the enemies can't grab hold of your blade

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 from the dull edge, whatnot.

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 It's a powerful weapon.

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 There's no dull section on the two edges of the sword.

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 It's described in verse 2 as sharp,

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 able to cut down God's foes with devastating force.

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 And the sharp two-edged sword here

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 is a reminder of Christ's authority

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 to judge and punish evildoers.

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 We can see this clearly in verse 16

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 where Christ says concerning the Nicolaitans,

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 therefore repent.

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 If not, I will come to you soon

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 and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

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 The sword is an instrument of war

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 with which Jesus brings down God's judgment

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 upon the false teachers

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 and those who follow their teaching.

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 Revelation 19.15 confirms this.

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 From his mouth comes a sharp sword

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 with which to strike down the nations,

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 that is the nations who are in rebellion

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 against God and his Christ.

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 So if you reject the gospel of Jesus Christ

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 and refuse to follow him,

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 then you're not just saying,

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 well, that works for you,

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 this works for me,

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 but it's not for me.

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 So you do you and I'll do me.

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 No, you're actually declaring war against Jesus

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 when you refuse to follow him.

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 If you take an agnostic stance

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 and refuse to make a commitment to Jesus,

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 saying, well, I just don't have enough data.

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 So I'm gonna refrain from forming a judgment.

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 I'm not rejecting Jesus.

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 I'm just withholding judgment.

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 I'm undecided.

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 You are actually taking a stance against Jesus

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 because Jesus says that there is no neutral ground

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 in this spiritual war.

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 You're either with him or you're against him.

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 It says in Matthew 12.30,

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 whoever is not with me is against me,

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 and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

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 And so if you have not identified with Jesus

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 and you have not gathered with him under his banner,

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 then you face the fearful judgment

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 of the one who has the sharp two-edged sword.

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 Have you gathered with the people of God?

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 Are you counted among their number?

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 If not, you must repent.

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 Repent of your sins.

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 Put your faith in Jesus.

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 At the end of the world,

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 those who reject Jesus and refuse to repent of their sins

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 will not merely cease to exist.

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 They will face the fearful judgment

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 of the one who has the sharp two-edged sword.

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 As you probably already figured by now,

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 this is not a literal sword.

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 Jesus doesn't have a physical two-edged sword

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 protruding out of his mouth.

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 But the reason why it is described

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 as the sword of his mouth in verse 16

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 and described as coming from his mouth

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 in verse 16 as well

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 is that the sword is a symbolic representation

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 of the word of God.

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 We know from Ephesians 6.17

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 that the word of God is the sword of the Spirit.

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 This is the fulfillment of the prophecy

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 in Isaiah 11.4,

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 which said that the Messiah would judge the world

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 with the rod of his mouth.

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 It's hard for us to imagine

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 were someone's word or breath

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 having such awesome power.

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 But that is the case when it comes to God.

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 Remember how God created the world

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 in Psalm 33.6,

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 By the word of the Lord,

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 the heavens were made.

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 And by the breath of his mouth,

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 all their host.

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 This is what the linguists define

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 as the performative word

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 versus the constitutive word.

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 When you say certain things,

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 you're not just giving information,

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 you're actually making something happen.

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 So on your wedding day,

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 when you say,

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 I do,

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 you're not just saying,

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 giving information,

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 saying that I give,

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 I consent to this thing.

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 No, you are actually consenting to it

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 and taking a vow

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 and committing to that.

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 You're performing an act

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 by saying something.

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 So some of the words

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 that we speak as human beings

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 are constitutive.

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 Some of the words we say

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 are performative.

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 But the key distinction is

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 that in order to speak

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 performative words,

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 you have to have the authority

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 to do that.

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 You have to have the proper authority

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 to enact such actions.

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 So if you're just a random bystander

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 and then you come to a man and a woman

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 and then you say,

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 I therefore pronounce you husband and wife,

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 like nothing happens.

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 You're not married, right?

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 It has to be someone

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 who has a rightful authority

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 to do that, right?

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 But with God,

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 because he has all authority

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 in heaven and on earth,

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 whenever God says anything,

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 it's always decretive

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 and performative.

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 It accomplishes what it set out to do.

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 So when God says,

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 let there be light,

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 light is created out of nothing.

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 It says in Psalm 10720,

00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:57.440
 he sent out his word

00:12:57.440 --> 00:12:58.320
 and he healed them

00:12:58.320 --> 00:12:59.019
 and delivered them

00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:00.080
 from their destruction.

00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:02.500
 When God pronounces healing,

00:13:02.660 --> 00:13:03.160
 there's healing.

00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:05.080
 When God pronounces salvation,

00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:06.700
 there's salvation.

00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:10.120
 And like us with that same powerful word,

00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:12.420
 when God judges

00:13:12.420 --> 00:13:14.200
 and pronounces death,

00:13:15.040 --> 00:13:16.280
 pronounces destruction,

00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:18.960
 that happens.

00:13:19.660 --> 00:13:20.980
 That's the awesome power

00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:22.580
 of the sword of his mouth

00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:24.740
 and there's no evading that sword.

00:13:26.660 --> 00:13:28.900
 Isaiah 55, 10 to 11 says,

00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:30.179
 for as the rain and the snow

00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:31.279
 come down from heaven

00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:32.259
 and do not return there,

00:13:32.319 --> 00:13:33.199
 but water the earth,

00:13:33.659 --> 00:13:35.139
 making it bring forth and sprout,

00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:36.399
 giving seed to the sower

00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:37.419
 and bread to the eater,

00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:39.899
 so shall my word be

00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:41.379
 that goes out from my mouth.

00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:43.699
 It shall not return to me empty,

00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:45.179
 but it shall accomplish

00:13:45.179 --> 00:13:46.919
 that which I purpose

00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:48.439
 and shall succeed

00:13:48.439 --> 00:13:49.179
 in the thing

00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:50.679
 for which I sent it.

00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.600
 That is God's word.

00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:53.860
 Hebrews 4, 12 says,

00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:55.139
 living and active,

00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:57.340
 sharper than any two-edged sword,

00:13:57.340 --> 00:13:58.879
 piercing to the division

00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:00.220
 of soul and of spirit

00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:01.840
 and of joints and of marrow

00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:03.440
 and discerning the thoughts

00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:04.759
 and the intentions of the heart.

00:14:05.040 --> 00:14:06.500
 That's the awesome power

00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:08.580
 of the sword of the mouth

00:14:08.580 --> 00:14:09.379
 of Jesus Christ.

00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:12.840
 When I was a kid,

00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:14.060
 my dream always

00:14:14.060 --> 00:14:15.060
 was to grow up

00:14:15.060 --> 00:14:15.920
 and become a soldier.

00:14:16.940 --> 00:14:19.160
 And whenever my kindergarten

00:14:19.160 --> 00:14:20.120
 or elementary school teachers

00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:20.519
 would ask,

00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.759
 hey, what was your dream job

00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.519
 as you get older?

00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:23.060
 It was always,

00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:23.840
 I want to be a soldier.

00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:25.759
 It was an odd dream to have

00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:27.160
 because in Korea,

00:14:27.280 --> 00:14:27.899
 there is mandatory

00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:29.100
 military service for men

00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:31.040
 and it's something

00:14:31.040 --> 00:14:31.639
 that most people

00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.660
 try to avoid, right?

00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:33.980
 They find excuses to avoid.

00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:35.740
 And I think,

00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:36.940
 I mean,

00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:38.860
 that didn't come true

00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:40.340
 in a literal sense.

00:14:40.420 --> 00:14:42.480
 I don't fight physical battles,

00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:44.180
 but I think it's come true

00:14:44.180 --> 00:14:45.360
 in a spiritual sense

00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:49.480
 because whenever I stand here

00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:50.740
 on the pulpit

00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:52.560
 with God's word in my hand,

00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:53.359
 I do believe

00:14:53.359 --> 00:14:54.319
 that I am not just

00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:55.359
 saying words.

00:14:55.979 --> 00:14:57.879
 I'm wielding the sword

00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:59.500
 of God himself,

00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:01.419
 the sword of the spirit

00:15:01.419 --> 00:15:02.239
 that cuts through

00:15:02.239 --> 00:15:03.459
 the division of spirit

00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:04.719
 and soul.

00:15:11.059 --> 00:15:13.259
 So when you also

00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:15.739
 are ministering God's word

00:15:15.739 --> 00:15:16.539
 to other people

00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:18.199
 in relationships,

00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:20.059
 in your conversations,

00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:22.939
 you're not merely talking.

00:15:25.479 --> 00:15:26.739
 When you faithfully

00:15:26.739 --> 00:15:27.859
 proclaim God's word

00:15:27.859 --> 00:15:28.439
 and apply it

00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:29.339
 to people's lives,

00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:31.279
 you are a swordsman

00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:32.639
 and a swordswoman

00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:34.719
 of the Lord God himself.

00:15:35.979 --> 00:15:37.299
 You're not merely

00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:38.779
 spitting out words.

00:15:39.599 --> 00:15:42.459
 You are wielding powerfully

00:15:42.459 --> 00:15:44.659
 the heart piercing

00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:47.199
 and the thoughts discerning,

00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:48.480
 the wicked crushing,

00:15:49.339 --> 00:15:50.719
 the devil slaying,

00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:52.199
 and sinners saving,

00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:53.959
 and dead resurrecting

00:15:53.959 --> 00:15:56.179
 word of the living God.

00:15:56.179 --> 00:16:03.019
 So don't be a soldier

00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:03.659
 who's caught

00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:05.379
 without his sword

00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:06.000
 by his side.

00:16:08.059 --> 00:16:08.859
 Meditate on it

00:16:08.859 --> 00:16:09.699
 day and night.

00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:12.599
 Store up God's word

00:16:12.599 --> 00:16:13.279
 in your heart

00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:13.979
 so that you might not

00:16:13.979 --> 00:16:14.819
 sin against him.

00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:17.079
 That's your sword.

00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:20.679
 And following the pattern

00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.259
 that we've noticed

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.059
 so far in the letters

00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:22.899
 to the seven churches

00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:23.779
 in Revelation,

00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:25.379
 chapters two and three,

00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:26.299
 the way Jesus

00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:27.620
 identifies himself

00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:29.080
 and introduces himself

00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:30.299
 is deeply connected

00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:31.759
 to the condition

00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.399
 of the church.

00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.639
 The church in Pergamum

00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.539
 are tolerating

00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:37.080
 false permissive teaching

00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:38.899
 that condones idolatry

00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:39.919
 and sexual immorality.

00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:42.039
 So Jesus identifies himself

00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:43.139
 with the fearsome

00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:44.000
 sword of his mouth.

00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:46.320
 But before Jesus

00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:47.559
 critiques the church

00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:48.159
 in Pergamum,

00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.620
 he first commends them

00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:50.500
 in verse 13.

00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.000
 I know where you dwell,

00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:55.059
 where Satan's throne is,

00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.740
 yet you hold fast

00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.399
 my name

00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:58.480
 and you did not

00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:59.439
 deny my faith

00:16:59.439 --> 00:17:00.340
 even in the days

00:17:00.340 --> 00:17:01.100
 of Antipas,

00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:02.259
 my faithful witness,

00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.299
 who was killed

00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:03.960
 among you

00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:05.460
 where Satan dwells.

00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:08.019
 Jesus notes twice

00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:09.160
 the fact that

00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:10.559
 the believers dwell,

00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.160
 these believers,

00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:12.920
 where Satan dwells,

00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:14.420
 where Satan's throne is.

00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.579
 Satan has the throne

00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:18.279
 which suggests

00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.539
 that he is ruling

00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:20.359
 over something.

00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:23.079
 His rule is subordinate

00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:24.419
 to God's ultimate

00:17:24.419 --> 00:17:25.359
 sovereignty and rule

00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:26.779
 and Satan can only

00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:28.000
 act within the boundaries

00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.480
 that God places around him

00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.019
 as you can see

00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:31.379
 in Job chapters 1 and 2.

00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.119
 Nevertheless,

00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:33.500
 Satan does exercise

00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:35.159
 influence and power

00:17:35.159 --> 00:17:36.399
 over the unbelieving world,

00:17:36.919 --> 00:17:37.399
 which is why

00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:38.139
 in Ephesians 2,

00:17:38.199 --> 00:17:39.259
 it describes the devil

00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.399
 as the prince

00:17:40.399 --> 00:17:41.720
 of the power of the air

00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:43.359
 who is at work,

00:17:43.399 --> 00:17:44.439
 now at work,

00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:46.379
 in the sons of disobedience.

00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:47.980
 The gospel of John

00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.879
 often refers to Satan

00:17:48.879 --> 00:17:49.500
 as the ruler

00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:50.619
 of this world,

00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:52.199
 meaning the sinful world.

00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:53.839
 And the church

00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:54.699
 in Pergamum

00:17:54.699 --> 00:17:58.299
 dwelled at the epicenter,

00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.179
 the ground zero

00:18:00.179 --> 00:18:02.960
 of Satan's destructive rule.

00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:05.399
 This could be an allusion

00:18:05.399 --> 00:18:07.199
 to several historical realities.

00:18:07.419 --> 00:18:08.460
 Remember how Smyrna

00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.439
 had boasted about

00:18:09.439 --> 00:18:10.199
 having built

00:18:10.199 --> 00:18:11.419
 the first temple

00:18:11.419 --> 00:18:12.759
 dedicated to Rome?

00:18:13.439 --> 00:18:14.759
 Now, Pergamum

00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.819
 had a similar claim.

00:18:15.939 --> 00:18:16.960
 They were the first city

00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:17.799
 in Asia Minor

00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.799
 to build a temple

00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.960
 to a Roman ruler,

00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:20.960
 a temple dedicated

00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:22.259
 to the Augustus.

00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.680
 So it served

00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.559
 as a capital

00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:25.940
 for the emperor cult,

00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:28.440
 the worship of Caesar.

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:29.660
 And the city

00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:31.119
 proudly designated itself

00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:32.339
 the temple warden,

00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.859
 the keeper of the temple

00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:35.180
 for Caesar worship.

00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:37.319
 In addition

00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:38.279
 to the emperor cult,

00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:39.400
 Pergamum was also

00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:41.019
 center of thriving,

00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:43.859
 other thriving pagan cults,

00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.500
 like the cult

00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.359
 of Asclepius.

00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:47.400
 He is the serpent god

00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:47.940
 of healing.

00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:48.980
 His symbol

00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:49.660
 is the serpent.

00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:52.320
 And it was,

00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:54.300
 that serpent emblem

00:18:54.300 --> 00:18:55.460
 might be why

00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:56.120
 John's referencing

00:18:56.120 --> 00:18:57.500
 Satan's throne.

00:18:57.580 --> 00:18:58.160
 But either way,

00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:58.680
 we can't know

00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.400
 what the exact

00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:01.160
 historical referent is

00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:03.960
 for the throne of Satan.

00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:05.340
 We know that

00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:05.960
 Satan's influence

00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.960
 and authority

00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.700
 were powerful

00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:10.420
 in the city of Pergamum

00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.340
 because that's where

00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:11.960
 Satan dwells.

00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:14.460
 And they would have faced,

00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.300
 the believers in Pergamum

00:19:15.300 --> 00:19:15.740
 would have faced

00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:17.420
 tremendous political pressure

00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:19.220
 and religious persecution

00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:21.060
 because most Greek cities

00:19:21.060 --> 00:19:22.019
 require citizens

00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:23.460
 to make sacrifices

00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.400
 to the Roman gods

00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:26.039
 and to pay homage

00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.620
 and worship

00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:27.680
 to the Roman emperor.

00:19:28.840 --> 00:19:29.860
 Now this background

00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:31.480
 makes Jesus' commendation

00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.080
 of the church

00:19:32.080 --> 00:19:33.320
 in Pergamum

00:19:33.320 --> 00:19:34.400
 all the more amazing.

00:19:35.360 --> 00:19:35.820
 Jesus says,

00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:37.420
 I know where you dwell,

00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.820
 where Satan's throne is.

00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:40.159
 And yet,

00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:43.359
 you hold fast my name

00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:46.619
 and you did not deny my faith

00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:48.720
 even in the days of Antipas,

00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:50.039
 my faithful witness,

00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:51.839
 who was killed among you

00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:53.439
 where Satan dwells.

00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:56.220
 So one of their own church members

00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:57.639
 named Antipas

00:19:57.639 --> 00:20:00.079
 was killed in Pergamum

00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:02.039
 for his faithful allegiance

00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:02.899
 to Jesus Christ.

00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:07.420
 Imagine one of our own church members

00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:09.120
 being killed

00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:11.680
 by the governing authorities

00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:13.880
 for their faith in Jesus.

00:20:17.320 --> 00:20:19.180
 Would we scatter in fear?

00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:21.080
 Then?

00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:25.160
 Would only a few return

00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:25.820
 for the service

00:20:25.820 --> 00:20:26.580
 the following week?

00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:31.519
 Will we deny our faith?

00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:34.080
 It says,

00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.040
 the church in Pergamum

00:20:35.040 --> 00:20:36.340
 held fast

00:20:36.340 --> 00:20:37.940
 to the name of Jesus

00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:39.980
 and did not deny the faith.

00:20:41.560 --> 00:20:43.040
 They locked arms together

00:20:43.040 --> 00:20:44.320
 and endured

00:20:44.320 --> 00:20:46.259
 the blowback of persecution.

00:20:47.780 --> 00:20:49.280
 And they had done

00:20:49.280 --> 00:20:50.500
 what Jesus commanded

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.259
 the church in Samaritan

00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:53.060
 to do in the previous passage,

00:20:54.080 --> 00:20:55.700
 be faithful unto death.

00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:58.960
 And they did this

00:20:58.960 --> 00:20:59.800
 despite the fact

00:20:59.800 --> 00:21:00.840
 that they dwell

00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:02.700
 where Satan dwells.

00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:04.080
 Notice the repetition

00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:05.040
 of that idea

00:21:05.040 --> 00:21:05.759
 in verse 13.

00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:06.140
 First,

00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:06.540
 Jesus says,

00:21:06.620 --> 00:21:07.780
 I know where you dwell.

00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:08.940
 And then he ends

00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:09.440
 by saying,

00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:11.220
 where Satan dwells.

00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:12.540
 This contrast

00:21:12.540 --> 00:21:13.580
 between the two clauses

00:21:13.580 --> 00:21:14.580
 conveys a sense

00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:15.400
 of conflict

00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:16.660
 and opposition

00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.500
 between those

00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.700
 who serve Christ's throne

00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.280
 and those

00:21:19.280 --> 00:21:20.820
 who serve Satan's throne.

00:21:21.540 --> 00:21:22.360
 They are not

00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:23.060
 to compromise

00:21:23.060 --> 00:21:24.040
 or commingle.

00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.099
 people.

00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.500
 I want to read

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.359
 an extended passage

00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:28.539
 from 2 Corinthians 6,

00:21:28.639 --> 00:21:29.359
 14 to 18.

00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:30.059
 I think we have that

00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.700
 to show you.

00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:31.720
 It says,

00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:33.359
 do not be unequally yoked

00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.779
 with unbelievers.

00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.259
 For what partnership

00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.059
 has righteousness

00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:38.000
 with lawlessness?

00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.359
 Or what fellowship

00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:40.379
 has light

00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:41.339
 with darkness?

00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.720
 What accord

00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.420
 has Christ

00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:44.159
 with Belial?

00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.519
 Or what portion

00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.159
 does a believer

00:21:46.159 --> 00:21:47.500
 share with an unbeliever?

00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.579
 What agreement

00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.379
 has the temple

00:21:49.379 --> 00:21:49.779
 of God

00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.359
 with idols?

00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:51.859
 For we are the temple

00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.879
 of the living God.

00:21:52.959 --> 00:21:53.439
 As God said,

00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.699
 I will make my dwelling

00:21:54.699 --> 00:21:55.339
 among them

00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:56.659
 and walk among them

00:21:56.659 --> 00:21:58.419
 and I will be their God

00:21:58.419 --> 00:21:59.740
 and they shall be my people.

00:22:00.479 --> 00:22:00.679
 Therefore,

00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:02.599
 go out from their midst

00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:04.500
 and be separate from them,

00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.159
 says the Lord,

00:22:05.459 --> 00:22:07.279
 and touch no unclean thing,

00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:08.319
 then I will welcome you

00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:09.959
 and I will be a father to you

00:22:09.959 --> 00:22:11.099
 and you shall be sons

00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:12.000
 and daughters to me,

00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:13.279
 says the Lord Almighty.

00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:16.179
 Christians often use

00:22:16.179 --> 00:22:16.979
 this passage

00:22:16.979 --> 00:22:18.000
 to teach that Christians

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.839
 should not marry

00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:19.619
 non-Christians,

00:22:20.199 --> 00:22:21.779
 which is a fine

00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.339
 application,

00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:24.099
 but in its original context,

00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.680
 this passage has more general,

00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:27.139
 far-reaching applications.

00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:29.680
 I think 1 Corinthians 6.39

00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:31.180
 is an even better verse

00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:31.680
 for that

00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.879
 because it speaks

00:22:32.879 --> 00:22:33.339
 of marrying

00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:34.259
 only in the Lord.

00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.720
 This passage

00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.639
 is more general

00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.200
 in that

00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:39.059
 we dwell

00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:40.519
 where Satan dwells,

00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:42.119
 but light cannot

00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:42.819
 have fellowship

00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.559
 with darkness.

00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.379
 Righteousness cannot

00:22:46.379 --> 00:22:47.180
 have partnership

00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:48.000
 with lawlessness.

00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:50.240
 In what ways

00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.839
 have we,

00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:52.460
 as professing believers,

00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.859
 failed to separate

00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:55.740
 ourselves from the sinful world?

00:22:57.640 --> 00:22:58.839
 In what ways

00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.759
 have we commingled

00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:01.180
 and compromised

00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:02.700
 with the world,

00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:04.259
 uncritically accepting

00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:05.359
 the world's values

00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:06.059
 and priorities

00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.819
 as our own?

00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:08.440
 Have we forgotten

00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.620
 that God himself,

00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.420
 the Holy One,

00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.779
 dwells among us?

00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:14.120
 He walks among us

00:23:14.120 --> 00:23:14.960
 as our God.

00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:15.900
 Have we,

00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:17.560
 by our unholy activities

00:23:17.560 --> 00:23:18.380
 and associations,

00:23:18.800 --> 00:23:19.140
 solid,

00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:20.800
 the name of Christ

00:23:20.800 --> 00:23:21.540
 and brought him

00:23:21.540 --> 00:23:22.340
 into contact

00:23:22.340 --> 00:23:23.600
 with the contaminating

00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:25.200
 worship of Belial

00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:26.259
 and with the idols?

00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.360
 I'm not saying

00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:29.840
 that Christians

00:23:29.840 --> 00:23:30.580
 should have nothing

00:23:30.580 --> 00:23:31.560
 to do with the world

00:23:31.560 --> 00:23:32.500
 or with unbelievers.

00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:33.040
 If we did,

00:23:33.100 --> 00:23:33.860
 then we wouldn't be able

00:23:33.860 --> 00:23:34.820
 to love our neighbors

00:23:34.820 --> 00:23:36.019
 as we love ourselves

00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:37.080
 like Jesus commanded us

00:23:37.080 --> 00:23:37.440
 to do,

00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.800
 but Christians

00:23:38.800 --> 00:23:40.580
 are to be distinct,

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.640
 set apart.

00:23:43.640 --> 00:23:44.280
 It's what it means

00:23:44.280 --> 00:23:44.759
 to be holy.

00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:47.259
 Christians and non-Christians

00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.300
 in some ways

00:23:48.300 --> 00:23:49.560
 should be like oil

00:23:49.560 --> 00:23:50.200
 and water

00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.759
 that don't mix.

00:23:52.800 --> 00:23:54.180
 They're in the same container.

00:23:54.340 --> 00:23:55.980
 They dwell in the same place,

00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:57.400
 but because water is,

00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:59.460
 you guys are some chemists

00:23:59.460 --> 00:23:59.759
 out here,

00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.720
 polar molecule,

00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.100
 right?

00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:01.720
 Yeah, that's right.

00:24:01.800 --> 00:24:02.700
 Bailey gives me a thumbs up.

00:24:03.340 --> 00:24:05.040
 And while oil is non-polar,

00:24:05.080 --> 00:24:05.780
 they cannot mix.

00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:10.080
 Unfortunately,

00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.400
 the church in Pergamum

00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:12.800
 had begun to descend

00:24:12.800 --> 00:24:13.480
 down the steps

00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.160
 of compromise

00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:15.240
 with idolatrous

00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:16.180
 and immoral world,

00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:17.460
 and we can see that

00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.279
 in Jesus' critique

00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:19.740
 in verses 14 to 15.

00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:22.019
 But I have a few things

00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.759
 against you.

00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:23.940
 You have some there

00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.960
 who hold the teaching

00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.559
 of Balaam,

00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:26.539
 who taught Balak

00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:28.019
 to put some stumbling block

00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:29.200
 before the sons of Israel

00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.799
 so that they might eat food,

00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.920
 sacrifice the idols,

00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:33.380
 and practice sexual immorality.

00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:35.440
 So also you have some

00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.559
 who hold the teaching

00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.539
 of the Nicolaitans.

00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.940
 This brings me

00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.880
 to my second point,

00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.480
 the two holds

00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:42.099
 of the church

00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.980
 in Pergamum.

00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.360
 The church in Pergamum

00:24:44.360 --> 00:24:45.360
 did hold

00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:46.720
 to the name of Jesus,

00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.360
 but they also

00:24:48.360 --> 00:24:49.880
 were holding on,

00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:50.360
 sadly,

00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.360
 to the teachings

00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:52.140
 of Balaam

00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:52.740
 and the teachings

00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.940
 of the Nicolaitans.

00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:55.180
 They were holding on

00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.980
 to two things

00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.680
 at the same time.

00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:57.319
 Those are two exact

00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.279
 same words in the Greek.

00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:00.240
 Limping between two opinions

00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.500
 like Israelites of old.

00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.640
 They had some

00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.500
 within their congregation

00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.079
 who were holding

00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:07.160
 the teaching of Balaam,

00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:08.420
 which is parallel

00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.360
 to holding the teaching

00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:10.000
 of Nicolaitans.

00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.660
 I think they're referring

00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.859
 to one and the same thing.

00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.519
 I think John

00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.539
 is trying to explain

00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.319
 what the teaching

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.819
 of Nicolaitans is like

00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.880
 by comparing it

00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:19.279
 to the Old Testament equivalent,

00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:20.099
 which was the teaching

00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:20.920
 of Balaam.

00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:24.640
 Balaam was a seer,

00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:26.480
 kind of like a prophet,

00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:30.660
 but he was not God's prophet.

00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:31.720
 He was a seer,

00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:34.480
 but he did hear

00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.019
 from the Lord

00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.740
 and God did speak

00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.660
 to him in some ways.

00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:38.039
 He was a seer

00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:39.019
 that was hired

00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:40.100
 by Balak,

00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:40.680
 Balak,

00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:41.799
 king of Moab,

00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.579
 and he was hired

00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.740
 to curse the nation

00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.259
 of Israel

00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.539
 in Numbers

00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.720
 chapters 22 to 24.

00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:49.299
 Israel had been journeying

00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:50.059
 through the wilderness

00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:51.700
 and they demanded

00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:53.019
 passage from the Amorites

00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.600
 so that they could get

00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:54.200
 to the land

00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:54.940
 that God had promised

00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.240
 to them,

00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.039
 but the Amorites

00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:57.339
 refused to grant them passage

00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:59.039
 and instead came out

00:25:59.039 --> 00:26:00.160
 to war against the Israelites

00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:01.259
 and God helped

00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:02.259
 and assisted the Israelites

00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:02.980
 so they defeated

00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.600
 the Amorites

00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:05.140
 and now they're on the edge

00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:06.340
 of Moabite territory

00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:07.720
 and here are the Moabites

00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.300
 and Balak,

00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:08.860
 king of Moab,

00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.640
 looking out upon

00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:11.140
 the vast population

00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:12.040
 of Israel

00:26:12.040 --> 00:26:13.560
 right on their door,

00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:14.600
 right at their door

00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:15.500
 and they're scared.

00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:16.380
 He says that they had,

00:26:16.580 --> 00:26:17.540
 were filled with dread

00:26:17.540 --> 00:26:18.800
 and great dread of Israel

00:26:18.800 --> 00:26:19.460
 and overcome

00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:20.380
 with fear of them

00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.540
 and so Balak

00:26:21.540 --> 00:26:22.800
 is a sly king

00:26:22.800 --> 00:26:23.460
 and he says,

00:26:23.560 --> 00:26:23.980
 well, you know,

00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:25.519
 I don't think it's smart

00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:27.620
 to fight them in war.

00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:29.560
 I'm gonna hire this seer

00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.579
 to curse them

00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:33.539
 and so he hires Balaam

00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.519
 to curse them

00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:36.519
 three times

00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:40.200
 but Balaam protests,

00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.460
 I cannot go beyond

00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.220
 the word of the Lord

00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:43.099
 to do either good

00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:44.259
 or bad of my own will.

00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.480
 What the Lord speaks,

00:26:45.619 --> 00:26:46.740
 that I will speak.

00:26:47.919 --> 00:26:48.700
 So Balaam is here

00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:50.119
 recognizing that he actually

00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:50.859
 has no power

00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.759
 in and of himself

00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:53.460
 to bless or curse anybody.

00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.359
 It only happens

00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.419
 if God does it

00:26:56.419 --> 00:26:57.659
 and so he's saying

00:26:57.659 --> 00:26:58.919
 that I can't curse them

00:26:58.920 --> 00:27:00.400
 if God's saying

00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:01.019
 bless them

00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.960
 and so instead

00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.620
 of cursing them

00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:03.400
 three times,

00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.340
 Balaam ends up

00:27:04.340 --> 00:27:05.100
 blessing them

00:27:05.100 --> 00:27:06.420
 which is amazing.

00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:07.779
 So this is something

00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.640
 that I think you should

00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.740
 have great confidence

00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:11.680
 about as God's people

00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.400
 because nowadays

00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:13.019
 a lot of people

00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:14.680
 are into witchcraft

00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.440
 and sorcery

00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:16.060
 and other things

00:27:16.060 --> 00:27:17.560
 and it doesn't matter

00:27:17.560 --> 00:27:18.900
 how many times

00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.480
 or how,

00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:21.220
 what powerful witches

00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:22.480
 try to put hexes

00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:22.900
 on you

00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:24.360
 or curse you,

00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:25.059
 it will have

00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:26.299
 zero effect

00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.500
 upon the people

00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:27.979
 of God

00:27:27.979 --> 00:27:29.199
 because only

00:27:29.199 --> 00:27:30.240
 when God blesses

00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:30.839
 are you blessed

00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.699
 and only when God

00:27:31.699 --> 00:27:32.259
 curses

00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.459
 are you cursed.

00:27:34.919 --> 00:27:36.199
 As God told Abraham

00:27:36.199 --> 00:27:37.179
 in Genesis 12, 3,

00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.759
 I will bless

00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.619
 those who bless you

00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:39.839
 and him who dishonors you

00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.619
 I will curse

00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:41.579
 and in you

00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.279
 all the families

00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:42.699
 of the earth

00:27:42.699 --> 00:27:43.439
 shall be blessed.

00:27:44.959 --> 00:27:45.199
 So,

00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.299
 then what's wrong

00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:47.019
 with what Balaam did?

00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.939
 He blessed God's people

00:27:47.939 --> 00:27:48.439
 three times.

00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:48.659
 See,

00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.359
 that wasn't the end

00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:49.879
 of the story.

00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.419
 Balaam was a sly one.

00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:54.140
 He realized

00:27:54.140 --> 00:27:54.920
 that he was powerless

00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.960
 to curse the Israelites

00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:58.600
 but he really still

00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:59.940
 wanted the riches

00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:00.960
 that King Balaam

00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.680
 was offering him.

00:28:02.300 --> 00:28:03.140
 I really want

00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:03.840
 my payday

00:28:03.840 --> 00:28:05.920
 but I can't curse them.

00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.160
 And so,

00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:07.680
 he came up

00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.800
 with a crafty plan

00:28:08.800 --> 00:28:11.220
 because he was,

00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:12.640
 as 2 Peter 2.15

00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.720
 calls him,

00:28:13.820 --> 00:28:14.300
 he was a man

00:28:14.300 --> 00:28:15.200
 who loved gain

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.100
 from wrongdoing.

00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:16.900
 So,

00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:17.420
 he decided

00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:17.980
 that he'd try

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.740
 a different tact

00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:20.820
 and in Numbers 31.16

00:28:20.820 --> 00:28:21.519
 Moses mentions

00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.400
 that on Balaam,

00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:23.500
 Balaam's advice,

00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.820
 some Moabite woman

00:28:25.820 --> 00:28:27.080
 caused the people

00:28:27.080 --> 00:28:27.580
 of Israel

00:28:27.580 --> 00:28:29.380
 to act treacherously

00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:30.300
 against the Lord

00:28:30.300 --> 00:28:31.180
 in the incident

00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.840
 of Peor.

00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:32.779
 And so,

00:28:32.820 --> 00:28:33.620
 the plague came

00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:34.440
 among the congregation

00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.220
 of the Lord.

00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:36.800
 The incident

00:28:36.800 --> 00:28:37.519
 of Peor

00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.100
 is told

00:28:38.100 --> 00:28:39.039
 in Numbers 25

00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:39.880
 where it says

00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:40.400
 that when Israel

00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:41.420
 was living in Shittim,

00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:42.640
 the people began

00:28:42.640 --> 00:28:43.980
 to whore

00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:44.840
 with the daughters

00:28:44.840 --> 00:28:45.539
 of Moab

00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:47.019
 and these invited

00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.480
 the people

00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.600
 to the sacrifices

00:28:48.600 --> 00:28:49.600
 of their gods

00:28:49.600 --> 00:28:50.539
 and the people

00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.380
 ate and bowed

00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:52.380
 down to their gods

00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:53.360
 so Israel

00:28:53.360 --> 00:28:54.020
 yoked

00:28:54.020 --> 00:28:54.960
 himself

00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:56.020
 to Baal of Peor

00:28:56.020 --> 00:28:57.200
 and the anger

00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:58.180
 of the Lord

00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:58.740
 was kindled

00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.620
 against Israel.

00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.320
 So,

00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.200
 Balaam could not

00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.880
 curse the Israelites

00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:02.400
 directly

00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:03.140
 but he came up

00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:03.760
 with a plan

00:29:03.760 --> 00:29:04.920
 to make them

00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.500
 bring upon

00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.160
 the curse of God

00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:07.120
 upon themselves

00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:08.660
 through their idolatry

00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:09.960
 and sexual immorality.

00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:11.080
 He advised

00:29:11.080 --> 00:29:11.920
 these Moabite women

00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.800
 to go and seduce

00:29:12.800 --> 00:29:13.440
 the Israelites

00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:14.300
 and lead them

00:29:14.300 --> 00:29:14.700
 astray

00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.720
 into idolatrous

00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.240
 worship.

00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:19.420
 that's what

00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:20.279
 the Nicolaitans

00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:20.720
 were doing

00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:21.440
 to the church

00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:22.039
 in Pergamum.

00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.200
 They weren't

00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:24.700
 trying to convert

00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.640
 Christians

00:29:25.640 --> 00:29:26.700
 back to paganism.

00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:27.980
 Remember,

00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:28.980
 these are Christians

00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.660
 in Pergamum

00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.599
 like Antipas

00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.579
 who were faithful

00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.480
 unto death.

00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.559
 They're willing

00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.259
 to die

00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:35.079
 to hold fast

00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.720
 the name of Jesus.

00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.339
 They're not going

00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:37.620
 to be

00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:39.539
 just reject Jesus

00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:39.940
 and go

00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:40.759
 and follow the idols.

00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:41.420
 No,

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.180
 but instead

00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:42.859
 of that

00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.519
 they tried

00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.579
 a different tack

00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:46.920
 more subtle

00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:48.059
 form of compromise

00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:49.279
 with idolatry

00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:50.339
 and sexual immorality.

00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:51.420
 They were teaching

00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:51.859
 the church

00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:52.379
 in Pergamum

00:29:52.379 --> 00:29:52.799
 that they can

00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.500
 eat food

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.680
 sacrificed to idols

00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.599
 and practice

00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.519
 sexual immorality.

00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:57.680
 Now,

00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.559
 this is not speaking

00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:59.619
 of eating food

00:29:59.619 --> 00:30:01.079
 that was once

00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:01.960
 sacrificed to an idol

00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.980
 but is now being sold

00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:03.720
 in the marketplace.

00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.940
 Paul tells us

00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:06.619
 that we can eat that

00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:07.680
 with a clear conscience

00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.799
 in 1 Corinthians 8

00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:10.700
 but in 1 Corinthians 10

00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.940
 Paul himself warns

00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.640
 about actually

00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:13.740
 partaking in

00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.500
 the sacrifices

00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.180
 themselves

00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:16.259
 and then eating

00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.200
 food sacrificed

00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:17.880
 to idols there

00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:18.440
 because he says

00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:19.160
 to do so

00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:20.380
 is to partake

00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:21.120
 in the table

00:30:21.120 --> 00:30:21.660
 of demons

00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.960
 because demons

00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.559
 are beyond

00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.400
 these idolatrous

00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:25.059
 sacrifices.

00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:28.220
 A typical

00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:29.299
 Roman trade guild

00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.259
 festival involved

00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:30.759
 worshipping

00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.740
 the patron deities

00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.680
 through the sacrifices

00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:34.380
 and historical evidence

00:30:34.380 --> 00:30:35.299
 suggests that

00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:36.240
 many of these feasts

00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:37.000
 devolved into

00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:38.000
 sexual orgies

00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:39.360
 characterized by

00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:40.299
 excessive drinking

00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:41.279
 and with the

00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:42.379
 decrease in inhibition

00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:43.220
 and self-control

00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.740
 sexual promiscuity.

00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:47.779
 The Nicolaitans

00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.419
 were preaching

00:30:48.419 --> 00:30:49.220
 the message

00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.879
 of compromise

00:30:49.879 --> 00:30:50.819
 like this.

00:30:52.419 --> 00:30:53.159
 Oh no,

00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:53.700
 you don't have

00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:54.720
 to reject Jesus.

00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:56.079
 It's okay

00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:57.019
 if we participate

00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:58.180
 in these sacrifices

00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:58.740
 and feasts.

00:30:58.839 --> 00:30:59.440
 We can do so

00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.220
 as Christians.

00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.619
 Don't we all know

00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:03.159
 that these idols

00:31:03.159 --> 00:31:04.000
 are nothing at all?

00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:04.899
 This is just

00:31:04.899 --> 00:31:05.899
 Roman tradition.

00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:08.259
 They're more cultural

00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:09.220
 than religious.

00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:11.180
 It's what all Romans

00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:11.480
 do.

00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:12.920
 And don't we

00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:14.420
 benefit from

00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:15.740
 the patronage

00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.700
 of Caesar,

00:31:16.859 --> 00:31:17.220
 our king?

00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:19.220
 What's the harm

00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.720
 in paying him

00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.279
 some homage

00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:21.400
 and bowing before him?

00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.259
 We know that

00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:24.039
 he's only human.

00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:24.960
 Just remember that

00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.799
 in your heart

00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:26.680
 when you are

00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.319
 participating

00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:28.000
 in that worship.

00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:29.819
 Please,

00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:30.779
 we don't need

00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.900
 to be so legalistic

00:31:31.900 --> 00:31:33.740
 about abstaining

00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.140
 from these.

00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:35.460
 Just be faithful

00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:36.140
 to the Lord Jesus

00:31:36.140 --> 00:31:36.920
 in your heart.

00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.620
 What's the big deal

00:31:38.620 --> 00:31:39.440
 about bowing down

00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:40.600
 before these pagan gods

00:31:40.600 --> 00:31:41.140
 whom we know

00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:42.160
 are nothing but statues?

00:31:44.600 --> 00:31:45.440
 Empty gesture.

00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:47.060
 Don't lose sleep

00:31:47.060 --> 00:31:47.540
 over it.

00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:51.240
 But what about

00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:52.120
 the sexual immorality?

00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:54.000
 They would say,

00:31:54.520 --> 00:31:54.700
 oh,

00:31:54.800 --> 00:31:55.600
 don't worry about it.

00:31:55.620 --> 00:31:56.000
 That's just

00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:57.320
 what Romans do.

00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:59.080
 When in Rome,

00:31:59.180 --> 00:32:00.120
 do as the Romans do.

00:32:01.580 --> 00:32:02.200
 You know what

00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:03.160
 famous orator

00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:03.780
 Demosthenes

00:32:03.780 --> 00:32:04.360
 once said

00:32:04.360 --> 00:32:05.340
 a few centuries ago?

00:32:05.339 --> 00:32:06.459
 We keep prostitutes

00:32:06.459 --> 00:32:06.980
 for pleasure.

00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:08.099
 We keep mistresses

00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:08.879
 for the day-to-day

00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:09.519
 needs of the body.

00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:10.299
 We keep wives

00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:10.859
 for the beginning

00:32:10.859 --> 00:32:11.359
 of children

00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:12.119
 and for the faithful

00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:12.699
 guardianship

00:32:12.699 --> 00:32:13.299
 of our homes.

00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:16.079
 You're not being

00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:17.559
 unfaithful to your wife

00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:18.199
 as long as you don't

00:32:18.199 --> 00:32:19.199
 leave her for those

00:32:19.199 --> 00:32:19.799
 other women.

00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:21.519
 It's just to satisfy

00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.740
 our bodily desires,

00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:23.939
 our fleshly desires.

00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.759
 What we do

00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:26.459
 with our bodies

00:32:26.459 --> 00:32:27.799
 don't affect our souls.

00:32:29.899 --> 00:32:30.819
 Sexual immorality

00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.359
 doesn't affect

00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:32.519
 your union with Christ,

00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:33.039
 does it?

00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:34.920
 Hey,

00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:35.980
 but if you really

00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:36.659
 want to be a prude

00:32:36.659 --> 00:32:37.180
 about it,

00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:38.599
 forget it.

00:32:39.319 --> 00:32:39.980
 You don't have to

00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:40.759
 actually participate

00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.460
 in the sexual immorality.

00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.399
 Just watch it.

00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:43.539
 Just go to the feast.

00:32:43.639 --> 00:32:44.319
 Just watch it.

00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.039
 You don't have to

00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:45.539
 do it yourself.

00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:50.779
 Can you hear

00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:52.319
 the voices,

00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.480
 the echoes

00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:55.099
 of these seductive

00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:55.740
 voices of the

00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.319
 Nicolaitans

00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:56.819
 in our day?

00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:56.859
 Are they?

00:32:56.859 --> 00:32:56.879
 Are they?

00:32:56.879 --> 00:32:56.920
 Are they?

00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:56.960
 Are they?

00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:56.980
 Are they?

00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:57.000
 Are they?

00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:57.460
 Are they?

00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:57.480
 Are they?

00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.920
 Are they?

00:32:58.920 --> 00:33:03.019
 Are they?

00:33:03.039 --> 00:33:03.899
 If you are a Christian

00:33:03.899 --> 00:33:04.799
 convert from a

00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:05.639
 thoroughly religious

00:33:05.639 --> 00:33:06.259
 culture,

00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.619
 whether it's Islamic,

00:33:07.819 --> 00:33:08.200
 Buddhist,

00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.000
 or Hindu,

00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:10.799
 there's tremendous

00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:12.879
 pressure to participate

00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:14.139
 in traditional family

00:33:14.139 --> 00:33:15.200
 sacrifices that are

00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:15.839
 idolatrous.

00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:19.639
 I still remember

00:33:19.639 --> 00:33:20.519
 from my childhood

00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:22.079
 watching my parents

00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:23.319
 get snubbed

00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:24.079
 by their own

00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:24.839
 blood brothers

00:33:24.839 --> 00:33:25.460
 and sisters

00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.639
 for refusing

00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:27.359
 to bow down

00:33:27.359 --> 00:33:28.480
 to ancestor worship.

00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:30.460
 They would say,

00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:30.639
 hey,

00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:31.480
 we're Christians too.

00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:32.079
 You're not the only

00:33:32.079 --> 00:33:32.639
 Christian here.

00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:37.720
 you can bow down

00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.099
 to them,

00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:39.480
 serve them food,

00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:41.440
 just honoring them.

00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:47.720
 Don't be mistaken.

00:33:48.619 --> 00:33:49.740
 Demons are involved

00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:51.319
 in every idolatrous feast.

00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:56.059
 And you cannot partake

00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:57.059
 of the table of the Lord

00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:58.099
 and of the table

00:33:58.099 --> 00:33:58.579
 of demons.

00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:01.619
 This could happen

00:34:01.619 --> 00:34:02.099
 even in our

00:34:02.099 --> 00:34:02.839
 Western culture

00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:03.259
 as well.

00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:04.539
 I think political

00:34:04.539 --> 00:34:05.539
 idolatry is not

00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:06.299
 uncommon in the

00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:06.899
 Western world.

00:34:08.779 --> 00:34:10.219
 Are you so loyal

00:34:10.219 --> 00:34:10.980
 to your favorite

00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:11.579
 politician

00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:13.779
 or so patriotic

00:34:13.779 --> 00:34:14.679
 about your country,

00:34:14.779 --> 00:34:15.799
 whether that was

00:34:15.799 --> 00:34:16.599
 the Roman Empire

00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.259
 in the Church of

00:34:17.259 --> 00:34:17.940
 Pergamum days

00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:19.319
 or the United States

00:34:19.319 --> 00:34:19.839
 of America,

00:34:19.839 --> 00:34:20.920
 that you would make

00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:22.319
 spiritual and moral

00:34:22.319 --> 00:34:23.179
 compromises

00:34:23.179 --> 00:34:24.339
 in order to support

00:34:24.339 --> 00:34:24.659
 them?

00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:31.079
 The voices of the

00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:31.980
 Nicolaitans are even

00:34:31.980 --> 00:34:33.000
 more obvious in terms

00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.920
 of sexual immorality

00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.559
 in our culture.

00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:37.139
 No sex before marriage?

00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:38.940
 How quaint

00:34:38.940 --> 00:34:40.539
 and old-fashioned.

00:34:41.339 --> 00:34:42.179
 How will you know

00:34:42.179 --> 00:34:42.719
 that you two are

00:34:42.719 --> 00:34:43.659
 compatible if you don't

00:34:43.659 --> 00:34:44.420
 cohabit for a while

00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:45.079
 before marriage?

00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:48.799
 Homosexuality?

00:34:48.800 --> 00:34:50.380
 Well, the Bible

00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:51.260
 condemns homosexual

00:34:51.260 --> 00:34:52.840
 abuse, but when

00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:53.980
 it's consensual and

00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:54.960
 monogamous homosexual

00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:55.620
 relationship, it's

00:34:55.620 --> 00:34:56.500
 totally sanctioned by

00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:56.880
 the Bible.

00:34:58.140 --> 00:34:59.480
 I've heard Christian

00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:00.420
 teachers teach that

00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:01.500
 very thing with my

00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:01.940
 own ears.

00:35:07.680 --> 00:35:08.740
 And part of their

00:35:08.740 --> 00:35:10.019
 persuasiveness lies in

00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:10.580
 the fact that they

00:35:10.580 --> 00:35:11.440
 actually believe

00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:12.019
 themselves to be

00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:12.500
 right.

00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:14.500
 They're sincere.

00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:20.340
 And maybe they

00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:20.820
 even think they're

00:35:20.820 --> 00:35:21.500
 being compassionate.

00:35:23.619 --> 00:35:24.699
 But being convinced

00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:25.659
 that you are right is

00:35:25.659 --> 00:35:26.500
 not the same thing as

00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.039
 being right.

00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:31.139
 Just two weeks ago, I

00:35:31.139 --> 00:35:31.739
 read a Christianity

00:35:31.739 --> 00:35:32.880
 Today article about a

00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:34.380
 prominent pastor whose

00:35:34.380 --> 00:35:35.699
 network of churches

00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:37.159
 ministers to 60,000

00:35:37.159 --> 00:35:38.159
 people on a weekly

00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:38.579
 basis.

00:35:39.659 --> 00:35:40.579
 And he hosted a

00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.420
 conference that was

00:35:41.420 --> 00:35:42.380
 intended, quote, for

00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:44.119
 parents of LGBTQ plus

00:35:44.119 --> 00:35:44.799
 children and for

00:35:44.799 --> 00:35:45.480
 ministry leaders

00:35:45.480 --> 00:35:46.199
 looking to discover

00:35:46.199 --> 00:35:47.039
 ways to support

00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:48.480
 parents and LGBTQ plus

00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:49.319
 children in their

00:35:49.319 --> 00:35:49.779
 churches.

00:35:51.239 --> 00:35:52.139
 That sounds pretty

00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:53.400
 harmless on the

00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:54.819
 surface, but the

00:35:54.819 --> 00:35:55.819
 problem was the

00:35:55.819 --> 00:35:57.279
 conference featured

00:35:57.279 --> 00:35:59.119
 speakers who are

00:35:59.119 --> 00:36:00.779
 either currently in

00:36:00.779 --> 00:36:01.880
 same-sex relationship

00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:04.219
 or are supportive of

00:36:04.219 --> 00:36:04.880
 those who are.

00:36:07.659 --> 00:36:09.000
 This is all the more

00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:10.179
 confusing because this

00:36:10.179 --> 00:36:12.480
 pastor insists that he

00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:13.279
 still holds the

00:36:13.279 --> 00:36:14.059
 traditional biblical

00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:15.559
 teaching that marriage

00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:16.460
 is between a man and

00:36:16.460 --> 00:36:17.639
 a woman and that any

00:36:17.639 --> 00:36:18.940
 other sexual union is

00:36:18.940 --> 00:36:19.299
 sinful.

00:36:20.500 --> 00:36:21.920
 But then he goes on to

00:36:21.920 --> 00:36:22.619
 say, well, that

00:36:22.619 --> 00:36:23.679
 chastity for someone who

00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:24.400
 has same-sex attraction

00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:25.659
 is, quote, not

00:36:25.659 --> 00:36:26.480
 sustainable.

00:36:29.739 --> 00:36:30.779
 And that same-sex

00:36:30.779 --> 00:36:31.500
 marriage is the next

00:36:31.500 --> 00:36:32.179
 best option.

00:36:33.139 --> 00:36:34.360
 This is exactly like the

00:36:34.360 --> 00:36:34.880
 teaching of the

00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:35.519
 Nicolaitans.

00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:38.420
 We have brothers and

00:36:38.420 --> 00:36:39.599
 sisters in our church

00:36:39.599 --> 00:36:40.480
 who struggle with

00:36:40.480 --> 00:36:41.360
 same-sex attraction,

00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:41.460
 attraction.

00:36:42.360 --> 00:36:43.519
 But because they know

00:36:43.519 --> 00:36:44.620
 that such relationships

00:36:44.620 --> 00:36:46.140
 do not fulfill God's

00:36:46.140 --> 00:36:47.300
 good design for them,

00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:48.519
 they have either managed

00:36:48.519 --> 00:36:50.860
 to be in a heterosexual

00:36:50.860 --> 00:36:52.440
 or wholesome intergendered

00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:54.099
 marriages, or they have

00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:54.940
 taken a vow of

00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:55.559
 celibacy.

00:36:58.840 --> 00:37:00.360
 Sam Albury is a Christian

00:37:00.360 --> 00:37:01.519
 author who has taken such

00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:02.800
 a vow of celibacy because

00:37:02.800 --> 00:37:04.180
 he struggles with same-sex

00:37:04.180 --> 00:37:04.640
 attraction.

00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:07.259
 And this is what he had

00:37:07.259 --> 00:37:07.839
 to say about that

00:37:07.839 --> 00:37:08.199
 conference.

00:37:08.319 --> 00:37:09.059
 He says, quote, I have

00:37:09.059 --> 00:37:10.119
 always been single.

00:37:10.500 --> 00:37:12.159
 On the whole, it has been

00:37:12.159 --> 00:37:13.179
 deeply joyous.

00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:14.940
 But I am not immune from

00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:15.440
 temptation.

00:37:16.299 --> 00:37:17.699
 And when any leader

00:37:17.699 --> 00:37:18.960
 suggests to me that

00:37:18.960 --> 00:37:20.119
 chaste obedience to

00:37:20.119 --> 00:37:21.420
 Christ in singleness is

00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:23.559
 not sustainable, he is

00:37:23.559 --> 00:37:25.219
 saying the very same

00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:26.440
 thing to me that the

00:37:26.440 --> 00:37:27.179
 devil says.

00:37:27.179 --> 00:37:34.359
 If you have discerning

00:37:34.359 --> 00:37:36.179
 ears, you can hear the

00:37:36.179 --> 00:37:36.899
 voices of the

00:37:36.899 --> 00:37:38.019
 Nicolaitans everywhere.

00:37:40.980 --> 00:37:42.119
 Well, fine, if you don't

00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:43.000
 really want to participate

00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:44.059
 in any of this, more

00:37:44.059 --> 00:37:45.639
 strength to you, but it's

00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:47.079
 surely fine to just observe

00:37:47.079 --> 00:37:48.379
 sexual immorality, right?

00:37:50.139 --> 00:37:50.500
 Porn?

00:37:51.119 --> 00:37:52.259
 What harm does that do?

00:37:52.279 --> 00:37:53.019
 It doesn't hurt anybody.

00:37:53.019 --> 00:37:53.079
 It doesn't hurt anybody.

00:37:57.179 --> 00:37:58.759
 R-rated movies with

00:37:58.759 --> 00:38:00.619
 explicit scenes, it's

00:38:00.619 --> 00:38:01.000
 art.

00:38:02.119 --> 00:38:03.279
 It's just entertainment.

00:38:06.319 --> 00:38:07.399
 Brothers and sisters,

00:38:07.759 --> 00:38:08.719
 don't be deluded.

00:38:08.960 --> 00:38:10.679
 Our culture worships

00:38:10.679 --> 00:38:10.980
 sex.

00:38:11.899 --> 00:38:13.019
 Our culture worships

00:38:13.579 --> 00:38:14.039
 sex.

00:38:14.899 --> 00:38:16.199
 Everywhere it teaches us

00:38:16.199 --> 00:38:17.579
 without sex like that,

00:38:17.739 --> 00:38:18.919
 without sex like this,

00:38:19.039 --> 00:38:20.199
 you will never have a

00:38:20.199 --> 00:38:21.019
 fulfilling life, and

00:38:21.019 --> 00:38:21.759
 that's a lie.

00:38:24.219 --> 00:38:25.019
 And we uncritically

00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:27.079
 imbibe that message all

00:38:27.079 --> 00:38:27.719
 day long.

00:38:33.139 --> 00:38:34.219
 When we tolerate the

00:38:34.219 --> 00:38:34.840
 teachings of the

00:38:34.840 --> 00:38:35.799
 Nicolaitans, we make

00:38:35.799 --> 00:38:37.079
 subtle compromises that

00:38:37.079 --> 00:38:37.779
 threaten to turn our

00:38:37.779 --> 00:38:38.739
 hearts away from God.

00:38:42.159 --> 00:38:43.119
 And this is important.

00:38:43.199 --> 00:38:44.219
 The church in Pergamum

00:38:44.219 --> 00:38:46.860
 handled overt opposition

00:38:46.860 --> 00:38:47.639
 really well.

00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:49.259
 They died for the

00:38:49.259 --> 00:38:49.500
 faith.

00:38:50.900 --> 00:38:52.299
 They did not handle

00:38:52.299 --> 00:38:53.900
 subtle seduction

00:38:53.900 --> 00:38:55.019
 very well.

00:38:57.079 --> 00:39:02.340
 We need to be vigilant

00:39:02.340 --> 00:39:03.039
 against both.

00:39:04.159 --> 00:39:05.000
 So Jesus commands them

00:39:05.000 --> 00:39:05.699
 in verse 16,

00:39:05.799 --> 00:39:06.460
 therefore repent.

00:39:07.019 --> 00:39:08.159
 If not, I will come to

00:39:08.159 --> 00:39:09.460
 you soon and war against

00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:10.840
 them with the sword of my

00:39:10.840 --> 00:39:11.219
 mouth.

00:39:11.719 --> 00:39:12.699
 Notice the change in

00:39:12.699 --> 00:39:13.799
 personal pronouns there in

00:39:13.799 --> 00:39:14.340
 verse 16.

00:39:14.480 --> 00:39:15.840
 I will come to you, you

00:39:15.840 --> 00:39:17.319
 all, all the people in

00:39:17.319 --> 00:39:18.900
 church in Pergamum, and he

00:39:18.900 --> 00:39:20.920
 will war against them, not

00:39:20.920 --> 00:39:22.719
 the whole church, but the

00:39:22.719 --> 00:39:24.299
 Nicolaitans and those who

00:39:24.299 --> 00:39:25.219
 follow their teaching.

00:39:25.219 --> 00:39:28.899
 But the whole church

00:39:28.899 --> 00:39:31.519
 needs to repent of

00:39:31.519 --> 00:39:32.679
 tolerating the false

00:39:32.679 --> 00:39:33.379
 teachings of the

00:39:33.379 --> 00:39:34.439
 Nicolaitans among their

00:39:34.439 --> 00:39:34.779
 midst.

00:39:36.339 --> 00:39:37.239
 Notice that Jesus'

00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:38.419
 critique of the church

00:39:38.419 --> 00:39:39.539
 in Pergamum doesn't say

00:39:39.539 --> 00:39:40.199
 that they are actually

00:39:40.199 --> 00:39:41.239
 participating in these

00:39:41.239 --> 00:39:42.599
 idolatrous feasts yet,

00:39:42.980 --> 00:39:44.179
 and actually participating

00:39:44.179 --> 00:39:45.459
 in sexual immorality yet,

00:39:45.899 --> 00:39:47.539
 as we'll see in the next

00:39:47.539 --> 00:39:48.359
 passage, the church in

00:39:48.359 --> 00:39:49.839
 Thyatira is actually doing

00:39:49.839 --> 00:39:50.659
 those things actively.

00:39:51.599 --> 00:39:52.919
 Right now, the church in

00:39:52.920 --> 00:39:54.920
 Pergamum is merely holding

00:39:54.920 --> 00:39:56.099
 fast to the teaching of

00:39:56.099 --> 00:39:56.659
 the Nicolaitans.

00:39:56.740 --> 00:39:57.880
 They're tolerating false

00:39:57.880 --> 00:39:59.260
 teachers in their midst who

00:39:59.260 --> 00:40:00.460
 say that these things are

00:40:00.460 --> 00:40:00.800
 okay.

00:40:02.400 --> 00:40:03.680
 They're one step further

00:40:03.680 --> 00:40:04.639
 removed, but they're still

00:40:04.639 --> 00:40:05.440
 very close.

00:40:05.440 --> 00:40:18.179
 But Jesus doesn't merely

00:40:18.179 --> 00:40:19.460
 threaten punishment for their

00:40:19.460 --> 00:40:19.820
 sins.

00:40:20.880 --> 00:40:22.200
 He also promises two

00:40:22.200 --> 00:40:23.780
 wonderful gifts for those

00:40:23.780 --> 00:40:24.340
 who conquer.

00:40:25.619 --> 00:40:26.840
 In verse 17,

00:40:26.840 --> 00:40:41.740
 The manna recalls Israel's

00:40:41.740 --> 00:40:42.380
 journey through the

00:40:42.380 --> 00:40:43.960
 wilderness, so it fits with

00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:45.500
 that allusion to the story

00:40:45.500 --> 00:40:46.740
 of Balak and Balaam.

00:40:47.900 --> 00:40:49.019
 And during the wilderness

00:40:49.019 --> 00:40:51.240
 journey, God fed them with

00:40:51.240 --> 00:40:52.860
 bread from heaven by raining

00:40:52.860 --> 00:40:54.760
 manna to provide for them.

00:40:54.760 --> 00:40:56.420
 The Israelites should have

00:40:56.420 --> 00:40:58.480
 satisfied themselves with

00:40:58.480 --> 00:41:00.480
 God's bread from heaven with

00:41:00.480 --> 00:41:02.040
 manna, but instead, the

00:41:02.040 --> 00:41:03.580
 Israelites whored after the

00:41:03.580 --> 00:41:05.400
 Moabite woman and engaged in

00:41:05.400 --> 00:41:06.640
 sexual immorality and ate at

00:41:06.640 --> 00:41:08.940
 their pagan idolatrous feasts.

00:41:09.140 --> 00:41:10.360
 They ate food, sacrificed

00:41:10.360 --> 00:41:10.800
 to idols.

00:41:12.780 --> 00:41:14.500
 But Jesus promises here, if you

00:41:14.500 --> 00:41:17.680
 hold fast and if you maintain

00:41:17.680 --> 00:41:20.480
 yourself a distinct identity as

00:41:20.480 --> 00:41:22.220
 Christians and you do not

00:41:22.219 --> 00:41:25.119
 compromise and you endure to

00:41:25.119 --> 00:41:27.959
 the end, you will eat the

00:41:27.959 --> 00:41:28.579
 hidden manna.

00:41:29.159 --> 00:41:30.359
 It's hidden because it's not

00:41:30.359 --> 00:41:32.039
 fully revealed yet, which

00:41:32.039 --> 00:41:33.779
 will be at the wedding feast

00:41:33.779 --> 00:41:34.939
 of the lamb that we'll get to

00:41:34.939 --> 00:41:35.539
 partake in.

00:41:36.799 --> 00:41:38.759
 There's a feast awaiting you,

00:41:38.819 --> 00:41:40.259
 so don't settle for these

00:41:40.259 --> 00:41:43.419
 inferior counterfeit feasts of

00:41:43.419 --> 00:41:44.419
 idolatry.

00:41:48.599 --> 00:41:49.719
 That's the first gift.

00:41:49.719 --> 00:41:52.359
 The second gift is a white

00:41:52.359 --> 00:41:54.500
 stone with a new name written

00:41:54.500 --> 00:41:55.500
 on the stone that no one

00:41:55.500 --> 00:41:56.500
 knows except the one who

00:41:56.500 --> 00:41:57.239
 receives it.

00:41:58.119 --> 00:41:59.259
 There are several possible

00:41:59.259 --> 00:42:00.379
 historical and biblical

00:42:00.379 --> 00:42:02.099
 associations that help us make

00:42:02.099 --> 00:42:03.139
 the sense of what this white

00:42:03.139 --> 00:42:05.159
 stone is, and they are not

00:42:05.159 --> 00:42:06.299
 necessarily mutually exclusive,

00:42:06.419 --> 00:42:06.879
 these options.

00:42:07.319 --> 00:42:08.959
 The first is that the jurors in

00:42:08.959 --> 00:42:10.819
 Rome, when they were making a

00:42:10.819 --> 00:42:12.799
 judgment, indicated using a

00:42:12.799 --> 00:42:14.139
 white stone or a black stone.

00:42:14.239 --> 00:42:15.359
 They would hold up the black

00:42:15.359 --> 00:42:16.500
 stone if they wanted to say

00:42:16.500 --> 00:42:17.679
 that this person is guilty.

00:42:18.079 --> 00:42:18.899
 They would hold up the white

00:42:18.900 --> 00:42:19.720
 stone if they wanted to say

00:42:19.720 --> 00:42:20.940
 this person is innocent.

00:42:21.720 --> 00:42:23.180
 And so Jesus is assuring them,

00:42:24.099 --> 00:42:26.559
 even when your society holds up

00:42:26.559 --> 00:42:28.260
 the black stone and condemns you

00:42:28.260 --> 00:42:29.440
 to death for your faith in

00:42:29.440 --> 00:42:31.980
 Jesus, I will give you the white

00:42:31.980 --> 00:42:32.380
 stone.

00:42:33.099 --> 00:42:34.820
 Say that you are righteous,

00:42:35.380 --> 00:42:38.519
 you are justified, and that you

00:42:38.519 --> 00:42:40.519
 belong in paradise with me.

00:42:40.519 --> 00:42:51.159
 A second possible association is

00:42:51.159 --> 00:42:52.840
 that stones of various colors were

00:42:52.840 --> 00:42:54.500
 used for admission to public

00:42:54.500 --> 00:42:56.380
 celebrations like the feasts that

00:42:56.380 --> 00:42:57.559
 we have just been talking about.

00:42:58.239 --> 00:42:59.699
 Sometimes you'd have to have the

00:42:59.699 --> 00:43:00.039
 stone.

00:43:00.199 --> 00:43:01.440
 It's basically like your ticket,

00:43:01.920 --> 00:43:04.440
 your invitation to the feast, and

00:43:04.440 --> 00:43:05.639
 you'd have to show it in order to

00:43:05.639 --> 00:43:06.000
 enter.

00:43:06.000 --> 00:43:11.019
 And Jesus is saying, you might be

00:43:11.019 --> 00:43:12.760
 excluded, you might not go to these

00:43:12.760 --> 00:43:16.119
 pagan feasts, but you will have the

00:43:16.119 --> 00:43:19.000
 white stone to enter into the eternal

00:43:19.000 --> 00:43:20.500
 feast of the Lamb of God.

00:43:22.539 --> 00:43:24.119
 So don't be disheartened.

00:43:24.119 --> 00:43:31.259
 A third possible connection is Exodus

00:43:31.259 --> 00:43:33.759
 28-21, where Israel's high priest on

00:43:33.759 --> 00:43:35.380
 the ephod, on the shoulder of the

00:43:35.380 --> 00:43:37.219
 ephod, and on his breastpiece,

00:43:37.699 --> 00:43:40.400
 wears precious stones with the names

00:43:40.400 --> 00:43:42.639
 of the tribes of Israel written on

00:43:42.639 --> 00:43:42.839
 them.

00:43:44.619 --> 00:43:50.179
 The priests representing the people of

00:43:50.179 --> 00:43:53.639
 God before the presence of God on his

00:43:53.639 --> 00:43:55.859
 heart, bearing them on his shoulders.

00:43:58.199 --> 00:44:00.500
 I think if that's the association, then

00:44:00.500 --> 00:44:02.139
 I think it's fulfilled here in Jesus

00:44:02.139 --> 00:44:03.859
 in a greater way, because I don't think

00:44:03.859 --> 00:44:06.460
 the new name written on the stone that

00:44:06.460 --> 00:44:08.139
 no one knows except the one who receives

00:44:08.139 --> 00:44:10.480
 it, I don't think that's our name

00:44:10.480 --> 00:44:11.039
 primarily.

00:44:13.259 --> 00:44:15.500
 Jesus promises in Revelation 3-12, the

00:44:15.500 --> 00:44:17.440
 one who conquers, I will make him a

00:44:17.440 --> 00:44:18.659
 pillar in the temple of my God.

00:44:18.739 --> 00:44:20.519
 Never shall he go out of it, and I will

00:44:20.519 --> 00:44:23.619
 write on him the name of my God.

00:44:24.219 --> 00:44:26.440
 In the name of the city of my God, the

00:44:26.440 --> 00:44:28.259
 new Jerusalem, which comes down from my

00:44:28.259 --> 00:44:31.339
 God out of heaven, and my own new name.

00:44:32.940 --> 00:44:35.099
 It also says in Revelation 14-1 that the

00:44:35.099 --> 00:44:37.379
 144,000, which is a symbolic number

00:44:37.379 --> 00:44:39.460
 representing all of God's chosen people,

00:44:40.199 --> 00:44:42.639
 it says that they had Jesus' name and the

00:44:42.639 --> 00:44:44.920
 Father's name written on their foreheads.

00:44:45.579 --> 00:44:48.179
 In Revelation 19-11-16, we're told that

00:44:48.179 --> 00:44:51.379
 Jesus has a name written that no one knows

00:44:51.379 --> 00:44:52.279
 but himself.

00:44:53.739 --> 00:44:55.599
 But then in the following verses, it tells

00:44:55.599 --> 00:44:57.079
 us exactly what the name is.

00:44:57.759 --> 00:44:59.639
 The name by which he is called is the

00:44:59.639 --> 00:45:00.460
 word of God.

00:45:01.739 --> 00:45:04.980
 A name written is king of kings and lord of

00:45:04.980 --> 00:45:05.480
 lords.

00:45:07.159 --> 00:45:09.500
 So I don't think it's our name primarily, I

00:45:09.500 --> 00:45:11.259
 think it's Jesus' name.

00:45:11.260 --> 00:45:16.420
 So then why is it, how is it that no one

00:45:16.420 --> 00:45:17.220
 knows but him?

00:45:17.620 --> 00:45:20.080
 Because it's this already but not yet paradox

00:45:20.080 --> 00:45:21.840
 that we see all throughout the New Testament.

00:45:22.020 --> 00:45:23.360
 We already have God's name.

00:45:23.460 --> 00:45:25.380
 We already have the name of Jesus on us,

00:45:25.380 --> 00:45:29.000
 but it's not yet fulfilled in its fullness.

00:45:30.160 --> 00:45:32.980
 We'll know him like we have never known him

00:45:32.980 --> 00:45:34.880
 before when Christ returns.

00:45:36.740 --> 00:45:39.880
 And we'll know the preciousness of his name like

00:45:39.880 --> 00:45:42.480
 we have never known before when we receive the

00:45:42.480 --> 00:45:45.240
 white stone with the name on it that no one knows

00:45:45.240 --> 00:45:45.920
 but himself.

00:45:46.180 --> 00:45:47.640
 And how intimate is that?

00:45:47.900 --> 00:45:48.900
 That's a fellowship.

00:45:49.079 --> 00:45:52.680
 So when someone knows you by name, you know them

00:45:52.680 --> 00:45:53.240
 intimately.

00:45:53.239 --> 00:45:53.479
 Right?

00:45:54.819 --> 00:45:56.039
 Someone knows you by name.

00:45:56.099 --> 00:45:57.539
 They know you personally.

00:45:58.159 --> 00:46:00.739
 When Jesus says, I give you a stone with a new name

00:46:00.739 --> 00:46:02.359
 on it that no one knows but me.

00:46:03.639 --> 00:46:06.519
 I impart to you something I give to no one else.

00:46:06.799 --> 00:46:09.939
 I reveal myself to you in a way I haven't to anyone

00:46:09.939 --> 00:46:10.459
 else.

00:46:11.059 --> 00:46:12.979
 Personally, you belong to me.

00:46:14.159 --> 00:46:15.479
 Jesus and his church.

00:46:15.479 --> 00:46:17.579
 That's the intimate promise.

00:46:19.159 --> 00:46:20.000
 My name.

00:46:23.239 --> 00:46:25.619
 Because our name wouldn't do, would it?

00:46:26.579 --> 00:46:31.559
 Our names are riddled with pride, with guilt, with shame.

00:46:32.899 --> 00:46:36.279
 Haven't we all in various ways compromised with the sinful world?

00:46:36.419 --> 00:46:38.619
 Haven't we sinned against our God?

00:46:40.000 --> 00:46:43.119
 Haven't we participated in idolatrous feasts and feasted

00:46:43.119 --> 00:46:45.039
 at our eyes on sin and immorality?

00:46:45.500 --> 00:46:47.419
 Haven't we committed sexual immorality?

00:46:47.420 --> 00:46:53.300
 What good a white stone with our name on it do to give us entry

00:46:53.300 --> 00:46:54.680
 into the wedding feast of the Lamb?

00:46:56.240 --> 00:46:59.519
 But Jesus died for our sins on the cross.

00:47:01.099 --> 00:47:01.519
 Jesus.

00:47:03.800 --> 00:47:07.220
 There's no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must

00:47:07.220 --> 00:47:07.380
 be.

00:47:07.440 --> 00:47:08.079
 That name.

00:47:08.440 --> 00:47:11.059
 That precious name of Jesus.

00:47:11.059 --> 00:47:11.380
 Yes.

00:47:14.179 --> 00:47:17.900
 And when you confessed your sins and you believed in Jesus and you

00:47:17.900 --> 00:47:22.519
 were baptized, signifying the cleansing of all your sins,

00:47:22.659 --> 00:47:26.299
 washing away all your guilt and shame, what name were you given?

00:47:26.400 --> 00:47:30.000
 You were baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of

00:47:30.000 --> 00:47:30.940
 the Holy Spirit.

00:47:31.820 --> 00:47:32.860
 That's your name.

00:47:34.599 --> 00:47:35.840
 I am a Christian.

00:47:35.840 --> 00:47:35.920
 Christian.

00:47:37.480 --> 00:47:45.900
 No, that stone will not say, Sean, Christian, Christ, King of kings,

00:47:46.420 --> 00:47:51.340
 Lord of lords, the Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin

00:47:51.340 --> 00:47:52.019
 of the world.

00:47:52.400 --> 00:47:57.760
 That precious, ineffable, eternal name will be on that stone that we

00:47:57.760 --> 00:47:59.100
 will receive if we endure.

00:48:02.420 --> 00:48:03.680
 So let's hold on.

00:48:03.679 --> 00:48:05.899
 Let's pray.

00:48:14.319 --> 00:48:15.519
 Yes, Father.

00:48:20.579 --> 00:48:25.519
 Father, my name is one that's full of shame and guilt.

00:48:26.480 --> 00:48:29.419
 But, Lord, your name is holy.

00:48:30.879 --> 00:48:32.359
 Your name is pure.

00:48:32.360 --> 00:48:34.539
 Your name is righteous.

00:48:37.539 --> 00:48:39.640
 Thank you for putting your name on us.

00:48:50.200 --> 00:48:55.480
 Help us to persevere with vigilance so that we do not tolerate false

00:48:55.480 --> 00:49:00.860
 teaching in our midst, but instead maintain our distinct set-apart

00:49:00.860 --> 00:49:09.800
 identity as Christians, help us to stand in awe of you and live with holy fear,

00:49:10.360 --> 00:49:16.039
 reverence for the one who has the two-sharp, two-edged sword in his mouth.

00:49:16.039 --> 00:49:19.539
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:49:19.539 --> 00:49:20.400
 Amen.