Vision of Cosmic Reality
Series: Vision of all Things
Speaker: James Barnett
Date: 14th November 2020
Passage: Revelation 11:1-19
00:00:00 --> 00:00:07 This Wednesday, just gone, we celebrated and remembered Remembrance Day.
00:00:07 --> 00:00:17 We spent time remembering that there was thousands of young men who saw the evil carried out in the name of conquest and signed up.
00:00:17 --> 00:00:25 Signed up to go to war and to give their bodies and lives to see people and nations saved.
00:00:25 --> 00:00:38 In 2017, a young man by the name of Emmanuel Mensah repeatedly ran into a burning building to save people's lives before ultimately losing his own life.
00:00:39 --> 00:00:49 In 1665, when the bubonic plague was spreading across the world, one town chose suffering to see lives saved.
00:00:49 --> 00:00:57 The town is called Iam, I think that's how you pronounce it, E-Y-A-M in England, a town of about 800 people.
00:00:57 --> 00:01:04 They chose to quarantine themselves off from the important trade routes around them when the plague came.
00:01:05 --> 00:01:11 And so over 14 months, they lost 260 of 800 of their residents.
00:01:12 --> 00:01:15 But their self-sacrifice resulted in victory.
00:01:16 --> 00:01:18 Nobody outside the village contracted the disease.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:25 They doomed themselves to pestilential death to save the surrounding country.
00:01:26 --> 00:01:28 Victory came through suffering.
00:01:30 --> 00:01:34 And there is a pattern here that extends throughout life and life beyond death.
00:01:35 --> 00:01:40 Victory comes when I put to death my own pride and arrogance.
00:01:40 --> 00:01:43 When I choose to love other people.
00:01:43 --> 00:01:47 I win as a friend when I'm really busy.
00:01:47 --> 00:01:50 But I choose to give up my time to help someone else.
00:01:51 --> 00:01:55 I win as a dad when I put to death my annoyance with my kids.
00:01:55 --> 00:01:58 And choose to sit and engage with them.
00:01:59 --> 00:02:02 Today, as we continue to look through the book of Revelation,
00:02:02 --> 00:02:06 John sees a vision of the future of the church.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:09 A future of victory through suffering.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:16 The same victory that Jesus won in his sacrificial death and resurrection,
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 the church would also be part of.
00:02:19 --> 00:02:23 And a challenge for us today would be to see that that is the ultimate victory.
00:02:24 --> 00:02:25 Victory through suffering.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:31 And then continue to put to death the things that hold us back.
00:02:31 --> 00:02:34 Our personal preferences, our pride and our sin.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:36 And to have life in Christ.
00:02:37 --> 00:02:41 Because that is the victorious Christian life.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:47 We're looking at a really strange and detailed part of Revelation.
00:02:47 --> 00:02:51 All of it's fairly detailed and, you know, it's got some strange things going on.
00:02:51 --> 00:02:54 But today we're going to work our way slowly through Revelation 11,
00:02:54 --> 00:02:59 looking at the various images to understand what this meant in its context
00:02:59 --> 00:03:02 and what it means for us as well.
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 We're going to see three things as we go through this this morning.
00:03:06 --> 00:03:10 We're going to see that God has protected his church.
00:03:11 --> 00:03:14 He's protected his church because the church is also persecuted.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:16 But God will ultimately vindicate them.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:18 I couldn't think of a third P.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:21 So it's God protects his church because it's persecuted.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:24 And then finally the church is vindicated.
00:03:25 --> 00:03:28 So let me pray for us as we get into Revelation 11.
00:03:28 --> 00:03:32 Heavenly Father, I thank you for your word to us today.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:36 I thank you that we can read your word without fear of persecution in this country.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:40 But Lord, as we look through the detail, help it not bog us down,
00:03:41 --> 00:03:47 but to see the amazing victory that you have for us through the suffering of Christ
00:03:47 --> 00:03:51 and how we too can have life because of Jesus.
00:03:52 --> 00:03:52 Amen.
00:03:53 --> 00:03:54 Please have your Bibles open.
00:03:54 --> 00:03:57 It's wonderful to see some people with their Bibles open on their laps,
00:03:58 --> 00:03:59 on your phone.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:00 Make sure it's the app and the Bible.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:04 If you get distracted, you know, turn your notifications off.
00:04:04 --> 00:04:08 We're in Revelation chapter 11 and we'll start in verse 1
00:04:08 --> 00:04:11 where we see John is shown a vision of the temple.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:12 Have a look with me.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:16 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told,
00:04:16 --> 00:04:20 go and measure the temple of God and the altar with its worshippers.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:22 But exclude the outer court.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:26 Do not measure it because it is being given to the Gentiles.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:29 They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.
00:04:30 --> 00:04:35 In the Old Testament, the temple is the place where God met with his people.
00:04:36 --> 00:04:38 It was where sacrifices were made.
00:04:38 --> 00:04:42 It was where the high priest went once a year to make sacrifice
00:04:42 --> 00:04:47 and it was built to the exact measurements that God said.
00:04:48 --> 00:04:51 But the image here is not of the Old Testament temple.
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 Rather, it is of the church.
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 1 Corinthians chapter 3 tells us that now,
00:04:58 --> 00:05:00 after Jesus' death and resurrection,
00:05:00 --> 00:05:03 the church is the temple.
00:05:03 --> 00:05:04 It is not the building.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 We are the people of God.
00:05:07 --> 00:05:11 This building is wonderful that it allows us to meet,
00:05:11 --> 00:05:14 but God has made us his temple.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 We are the place where God meets.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:20 He sends his spirit and he dwells in us.
00:05:21 --> 00:05:25 The outer court is left to be trampled by the Gentiles.
00:05:26 --> 00:05:30 Now, again, with this language of Gentiles,
00:05:30 --> 00:05:33 we know that God has broken down the wall of hostility
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 between God's people, the Jews,
00:05:36 --> 00:05:37 and has now brought the Gentiles in.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:41 We are united together as a church.
00:05:41 --> 00:05:43 That is the amazing news of the gospel,
00:05:43 --> 00:05:44 that those, the Gentiles, me,
00:05:45 --> 00:05:47 those who are far away from God, his enemy,
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 have now been brought into his family.
00:05:49 --> 00:05:54 But the outer court here is a picture of those who are God's enemies now.
00:05:55 --> 00:05:59 Those kingdoms, those armies arrayed against God,
00:05:59 --> 00:06:00 those who are against God.
00:06:01 --> 00:06:05 And they will attack God's people for 42 months.
00:06:05 --> 00:06:10 This points back to a prophecy from Daniel.
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 Without getting too much into the specifics,
00:06:14 --> 00:06:17 42 months is three and a half years.
00:06:18 --> 00:06:19 And in the book of Daniel,
00:06:19 --> 00:06:23 there's a prophecy that at the end of a time,
00:06:24 --> 00:06:27 times, and half a time, the end would come.
00:06:27 --> 00:06:29 So a time is a reference to a year.
00:06:29 --> 00:06:35 And so a year and two years and another half a year is 42 months.
00:06:36 --> 00:06:41 Now, this is pointing to the fact that there will be persecution
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 come against the church from those who are against God,
00:06:44 --> 00:06:45 but it is for a season.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 It doesn't go on forever.
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 This season is controlled by God.
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 And whatever people do against God's people,
00:06:53 --> 00:06:54 God will protect them.
00:06:55 --> 00:06:56 Even though there is persecution,
00:06:57 --> 00:06:58 God will protect his people.
00:06:58 --> 00:07:03 And John sees God appoint two particular people to be witnesses.
00:07:03 --> 00:07:06 They're referred to also as lampstands.
00:07:06 --> 00:07:11 So John is describing the church who are going to be persecuted,
00:07:12 --> 00:07:16 and they have a job to witness to the world what God has done.
00:07:17 --> 00:07:22 He's described as two witnesses because in Deuteronomy,
00:07:22 --> 00:07:23 we see that in court,
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 you need to have two witnesses to be reliable.
00:07:26 --> 00:07:31 So these two witnesses are a reliable witness to what God has done,
00:07:31 --> 00:07:36 and the church are lampstands to shine God's light into a chaotic and dark world.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:40 We are to witness to what God has done in history,
00:07:40 --> 00:07:41 through Jesus,
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 and in our lives.
00:07:43 --> 00:07:48 And we've been seeing over the last five weeks what God has been doing in people's lives.
00:07:48 --> 00:07:50 It's been wonderful to see, even today,
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 what God has been doing in people's lives,
00:07:53 --> 00:07:56 and to witness to what God has done.
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 The church is to witness,
00:07:58 --> 00:07:59 to preach,
00:07:59 --> 00:08:04 to share what God has been doing for 1 days.
00:08:05 --> 00:08:08 That's the same reference as the 42 months.
00:08:09 --> 00:08:10 Clothed in sackcloth,
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 as a sign of grieving,
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 to call people to repent.
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 This time will be over.
00:08:17 --> 00:08:18 Your time for repentance will be over.
00:08:19 --> 00:08:20 Repent now.
00:08:20 --> 00:08:21 Follow the Lord now.
00:08:21 --> 00:08:27 But this church also has been given great power to protect itself.
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 There's this wonderful imagery.
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 Verse 5.
00:08:29 --> 00:08:29 Have a look with me.
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 If anyone tries to harm them,
00:08:32 --> 00:08:34 fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies.
00:08:35 --> 00:08:38 This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die.
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 They have power to shut up the heavens,
00:08:40 --> 00:08:43 so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying.
00:08:44 --> 00:08:46 And they have power to turn the waters into blood,
00:08:46 --> 00:08:51 to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 Power to cause plagues.
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 Power to shut up the sky.
00:08:56 --> 00:08:59 These are pictures of Moses and Elijah,
00:08:59 --> 00:09:02 the two great heroes of the Old Testament.
00:09:04 --> 00:09:08 We are now engaged in a very different kind of ministry.
00:09:09 --> 00:09:13 I've never seen anybody have fire come from their mouth.
00:09:13 --> 00:09:17 But what this point is,
00:09:17 --> 00:09:20 it's saying that the work we are now involved in,
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 being part of God's mission,
00:09:22 --> 00:09:27 is every part as powerful as the great heroes of old.
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 They brought plagues.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 They brought locusts.
00:09:31 --> 00:09:31 They brought fire.
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 They stopped rain.
00:09:33 --> 00:09:35 They turned rivers into blood.
00:09:36 --> 00:09:39 But with the preaching of the good news of Jesus,
00:09:39 --> 00:09:43 we bring either eternal life or eternal death.
00:09:44 --> 00:09:47 That's what I'm doing standing right here now,
00:09:47 --> 00:09:47 proclaiming the gospel,
00:09:48 --> 00:09:50 preaching the good news.
00:09:50 --> 00:09:53 That's what you do when you read the Bible with a friend.
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 When you read it with your children,
00:09:56 --> 00:09:59 you are preaching and witnessing to what God has done
00:09:59 --> 00:10:01 to bring eternal life or eternal death.
00:10:01 --> 00:10:05 Seeing God's mighty power work through his word.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:09 God has sent us to be on about his mission
00:10:09 --> 00:10:11 with the very words of life.
00:10:12 --> 00:10:14 God is working to protect us now
00:10:14 --> 00:10:17 so that we can continue to be his witnesses.
00:10:18 --> 00:10:23 The vision given to John summarizes the glory of following God,
00:10:24 --> 00:10:26 that mighty and wonderful things happen,
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 that people's lives are saved,
00:10:28 --> 00:10:33 but it also paints a picture of the pain of existence
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 in this present evil world.
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 For we are in this 42 months.
00:10:38 --> 00:10:41 We are still in this time between Jesus' resurrection and his return,
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 the time that we have to witness,
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 to continue to proclaim the good news.
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 And this time we are protected by God
00:10:49 --> 00:10:53 because nothing can separate us from his love in Christ Jesus.
00:10:53 --> 00:10:57 And yet those who are in the family of God
00:10:57 --> 00:10:59 are protected because we need protected.
00:10:59 --> 00:11:04 Very much like a soldier goes into war wearing armor
00:11:04 --> 00:11:07 because of the need to be defended from attack,
00:11:08 --> 00:11:11 we need to be protected from attack too.
00:11:13 --> 00:11:15 Life in this tension is not easy,
00:11:15 --> 00:11:17 and yet God is with us,
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 guarding us, guiding us,
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 nourishing and strengthening us
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 until the very end.
00:11:24 --> 00:11:27 We need protection because John is going to paint a picture
00:11:27 --> 00:11:29 of persecution coming for the church.
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 Second point today, persecution.
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 Have a look with me in verse 7.
00:11:34 --> 00:11:36 Now, when they had finished their testimony,
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 the beast that comes up from the abyss
00:11:39 --> 00:11:43 will attack them and overpower and kill them.
00:11:43 --> 00:11:47 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city,
00:11:47 --> 00:11:50 which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt,
00:11:50 --> 00:11:52 where also their Lord was crucified.
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 The witnesses who were protected
00:11:55 --> 00:11:58 are now killed by a satanic power.
00:11:59 --> 00:12:01 It takes place in Sodom and Egypt
00:12:01 --> 00:12:04 and also where the Lord was crucified.
00:12:05 --> 00:12:07 And it says it's figuratively.
00:12:07 --> 00:12:10 So we get this picture that the church is suffering
00:12:10 --> 00:12:14 against those who have arrayed themselves against God.
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 Historically, Sodom was against God.
00:12:16 --> 00:12:18 Egypt was against God's people
00:12:18 --> 00:12:22 and the place where Jesus was crucified
00:12:22 --> 00:12:25 was against God and his people.
00:12:26 --> 00:12:28 The world who is opposed to God
00:12:28 --> 00:12:31 wants to shame Christians.
00:12:32 --> 00:12:35 It was a picture of these two witnesses killed
00:12:35 --> 00:12:38 and then their bodies are left in the public square.
00:12:38 --> 00:12:41 They are left for days
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 and they're not buried,
00:12:44 --> 00:12:47 which in the ancient world would have brought great shame
00:12:47 --> 00:12:49 to their families and those associated with them.
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 The church is attacked,
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 maligned,
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 scorned,
00:12:54 --> 00:12:57 dishonored by those who oppose God.
00:12:58 --> 00:13:01 The very ones that we are called to witness to.
00:13:01 --> 00:13:01 Verse 9.
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 For three and a half days,
00:13:04 --> 00:13:07 some from every people, tribe, language and nation
00:13:07 --> 00:13:09 will gaze on their bodies
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 and refuse them burial.
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 That phrase,
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 every people, tribe, language and nation,
00:13:15 --> 00:13:17 we saw that in Revelation 7 last week
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 when we saw that
00:13:18 --> 00:13:21 there would be a multitude of people
00:13:21 --> 00:13:22 from every tribe, nation and tongue
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 praising God
00:13:23 --> 00:13:25 and now those people
00:13:25 --> 00:13:27 that Christians are called to witness to,
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 to the whole world,
00:13:28 --> 00:13:31 some of those people
00:13:31 --> 00:13:35 are gazing on the bodies of those two who have died
00:13:35 --> 00:13:37 and refusing burial.
00:13:37 --> 00:13:39 They're giving themselves presents.
00:13:39 --> 00:13:42 They are just so ecstatic
00:13:42 --> 00:13:45 that these Christians have been killed.
00:13:46 --> 00:13:48 The church had been tormented
00:13:48 --> 00:13:54 because they had been tormenting others.
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 This is what happens when you preach the good news
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 to those who don't want to hear it.
00:14:01 --> 00:14:04 People don't find it easy to just say,
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 oh, I'm not interested.
00:14:06 --> 00:14:09 The Christian gospel can actually also torment people.
00:14:09 --> 00:14:11 John the Baptist called Herod
00:14:11 --> 00:14:13 to not marry his brother's wife
00:14:13 --> 00:14:15 and he was beheaded.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:17 Jesus himself called the Jews
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 not to have a legalistic,
00:14:18 --> 00:14:20 half-hearted devotion to God
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 and they crucified him.
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 He had the words of life.
00:14:23 --> 00:14:23 He was God
00:14:23 --> 00:14:26 and they did not like to hear those things.
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 It tormented them
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 and so they killed him.
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 The world cannot bear
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 to have its evil condemned.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:36 Have you ever seen a loved one
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 making bad choices
00:14:37 --> 00:14:39 that won't end well?
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 Do you risk criticizing
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 what they're doing
00:14:42 --> 00:14:44 out of care and love?
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 Even when that person
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 doesn't want to hear it,
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 it's much more comfortable
00:14:48 --> 00:14:50 not to say anything.
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 But it is not comfortable
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 losing that person's life.
00:14:53 --> 00:14:56 It is very comfortable
00:14:56 --> 00:14:59 to not share the gospel.
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 To not share the gospel
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 on the front lines
00:15:02 --> 00:15:02 with our friends,
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 with our family.
00:15:03 --> 00:15:05 I see you making these choices
00:15:05 --> 00:15:07 and chasing after these things.
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 You think these things
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 will satisfy you
00:15:09 --> 00:15:11 but they won't.
00:15:11 --> 00:15:15 but I don't want to say anything.
00:15:16 --> 00:15:18 I see you chasing these things
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 but only Jesus will satisfy
00:15:19 --> 00:15:21 and if I bring that up
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 it will make for an awkward
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 family dinner at Christmas.
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 It is much more comfortable
00:15:26 --> 00:15:28 to not face the shame
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 from sharing the gospel
00:15:29 --> 00:15:31 and being persecuted.
00:15:31 --> 00:15:33 Can you imagine
00:15:33 --> 00:15:33 being a Christian
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 and seeing people
00:15:34 --> 00:15:36 do what happens in verse 10?
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 The inhabitants of the earth
00:15:37 --> 00:15:39 will gloat over them
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 and celebrate
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 by sending gifts
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 to each other
00:15:42 --> 00:15:44 because these two prophets
00:15:44 --> 00:15:44 had tormented
00:15:44 --> 00:15:46 those who live on the earth.
00:15:47 --> 00:15:49 It looks like a painful future
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 to be a Christian.
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 But God doesn't leave
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 his people on the ground
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 beaten and defeated.
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 He vindicates them.
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 Our third point today,
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 vindication.
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 Verse 11
00:16:01 --> 00:16:04 But after the three and a half days
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 but after three and a half days
00:16:05 --> 00:16:07 the breath of life
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 from God entered them
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 and they stood up
00:16:09 --> 00:16:09 on their feet
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 and terror
00:16:10 --> 00:16:12 struck those who saw them.
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 Then they heard
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 a loud voice from heaven
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 saying to them
00:16:16 --> 00:16:16 come up here
00:16:16 --> 00:16:18 and they went up to heaven
00:16:18 --> 00:16:18 in a cloud
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 while their enemies
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 looked on.
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 Those who had been
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 struck down
00:16:23 --> 00:16:25 beaten,
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 mocked,
00:16:26 --> 00:16:26 killed,
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 shamed in front of everybody
00:16:28 --> 00:16:30 are brought to life
00:16:30 --> 00:16:32 and lifted up
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 in front of everybody.
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 God's spirit
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 has brought them
00:16:38 --> 00:16:38 back to life.
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 They have been vindicated
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 in the public square
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 shown
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 to have been
00:16:43 --> 00:16:43 in the right
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 to follow God
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 and to proclaim
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 his good news.
00:16:47 --> 00:16:47 Now,
00:16:47 --> 00:16:49 this is one of the passages
00:16:49 --> 00:16:49 in Revelation
00:16:49 --> 00:16:51 that has a lot of detail
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 including specific
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 time references
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 that people can often
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 see this
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 as a literal
00:16:56 --> 00:16:58 linear timeline.
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 There are going to be
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 two witnesses who come
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 and then it's going to go
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 for 42 months
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 and then people are going
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 to be lifted up
00:17:04 --> 00:17:04 to heaven.
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 Now,
00:17:06 --> 00:17:06 I don't believe
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 that this is
00:17:07 --> 00:17:09 a literal timeline.
00:17:10 --> 00:17:12 It's a symbolic way
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 for John to show
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 that God has vindicated
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 his people.
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 God protects those
00:17:17 --> 00:17:17 who are persecuted
00:17:17 --> 00:17:19 and vindicates.
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 He will vindicate.
00:17:20 --> 00:17:22 God has shown
00:17:22 --> 00:17:22 his people
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 to be innocent.
00:17:25 --> 00:17:25 His people
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 in public
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 in plain view
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 of those who rejoiced
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 over his deaths.
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 And the amazing thing
00:17:31 --> 00:17:33 is that in verse 13
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 it says that the people
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 who saw this
00:17:35 --> 00:17:37 gave glory
00:17:37 --> 00:17:37 to God.
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 God sent
00:17:39 --> 00:17:39 an earthquake
00:17:39 --> 00:17:41 a sign of judgment.
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 People died
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 but people also
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 gave glory
00:17:45 --> 00:17:45 to God.
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 He saves people too.
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 I believe that this
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 is more of a pattern
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 of history
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 rather than
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 an exact timeline
00:17:53 --> 00:17:55 for what will happen.
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 The church
00:17:56 --> 00:17:56 is called
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 to witness
00:17:57 --> 00:17:57 to the gospel.
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 The church
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 is persecuted,
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 martyred,
00:18:02 --> 00:18:02 scorned,
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 mocked
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 and at times
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 it seems like
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 the church
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 is done.
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 The cause of Christ
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 is defeated.
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 God is dead
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 they cry.
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 Those who follow him,
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 those Christians,
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 well they're dying out.
00:18:15 --> 00:18:18 but God's spirit
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 breathes life
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 into them.
00:18:20 --> 00:18:20 Picking up imagery
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 from Ezekiel 37
00:18:21 --> 00:18:23 where dry bones
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 are revived
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 and God makes
00:18:25 --> 00:18:25 an army.
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 God is reviving
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 his church
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 to make us
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 his victorious army.
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 It happened
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 to Jesus himself.
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 He was persecuted,
00:18:35 --> 00:18:35 killed
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 and yet raised
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 from the dead.
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 Stephen in Acts 7
00:18:38 --> 00:18:40 he is persecuted
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 and killed
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 but God also
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 uses that moment
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 to send
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 his missionaries
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 out into the world
00:18:46 --> 00:18:46 to witness
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 to what God
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 is doing.
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 Soviet communism
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 set out
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 to crush
00:18:52 --> 00:18:52 the church
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 but the church
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 outlived it.
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 In Ethiopia
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 between 1975
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 and 78
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 President Mengistu
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 implemented
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 the Red Terror
00:19:02 --> 00:19:04 where 1.5
00:19:04 --> 00:19:04 million
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 died
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 and churches
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 were closed.
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 When Mengistu
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 fell
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 no one was sure
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 what had happened
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 to the Christians.
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 Were they still there?
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 They didn't know.
00:19:15 --> 00:19:15 But Christians
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 had been meeting
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 in homes
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 and not only survived
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 but had grown.
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 In 1900
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 the Boxer Rebellion
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 in China
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 saw over 200
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 missionaries killed
00:19:26 --> 00:19:28 and over 30
00:19:28 --> 00:19:30 Chinese people killed
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 and yet
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 God breathed life
00:19:32 --> 00:19:34 to what seemed dead.
00:19:35 --> 00:19:35 The same thing
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 happened again
00:19:36 --> 00:19:36 in China
00:19:36 --> 00:19:38 after the Cultural Revolution.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 In the face
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 of hostile powers
00:19:40 --> 00:19:42 the story
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 of Jesus
00:19:43 --> 00:19:45 repeats itself
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 in the church.
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 The church
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 witnesses to God.
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 There is persecution
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 death
00:19:51 --> 00:19:53 and what looks like
00:19:53 --> 00:19:53 defeat
00:19:53 --> 00:19:55 but God
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 breathes life
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 and the church
00:19:57 --> 00:19:57 grows.
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 Victory
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 comes
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 through suffering.
00:20:02 --> 00:20:02 Victory
00:20:02 --> 00:20:04 comes through suffering.
00:20:04 --> 00:20:04 It is
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 God's chosen
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 weapon
00:20:06 --> 00:20:08 against the forces
00:20:08 --> 00:20:08 of evil.
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 Faithful people
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 are sustained
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 by the power
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 of the Spirit
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 of God.
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 Victory
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 came through suffering.
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 Life
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 comes
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 through death.
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 Last week
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 my family
00:20:23 --> 00:20:23 watched the
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 1999
00:20:24 --> 00:20:27 classic Disney
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 movie
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 Hercules
00:20:27 --> 00:20:30 and I think
00:20:30 --> 00:20:30 the church
00:20:30 --> 00:20:30 is like
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 a mythical beast
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 that I saw
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 in that movie.
00:20:32 --> 00:20:35 not the phoenix
00:20:35 --> 00:20:35 that rises
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 from the ashes
00:20:36 --> 00:20:36 although that might
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 be apt
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 but I think
00:20:38 --> 00:20:38 the church
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 is really
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 like the
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 ancient
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 hydra.
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 The hydra
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 is a dragon
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 like beast
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 and what
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 would happen
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 is a head
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 would be cut
00:20:47 --> 00:20:47 off
00:20:47 --> 00:20:49 and two more
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 heads
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 would grow
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 back.
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 You should
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 go and watch
00:20:52 --> 00:20:52 this scene
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 in the movie
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 Hercules
00:20:54 --> 00:20:54 but I think
00:20:54 --> 00:20:56 this is an apt
00:20:56 --> 00:20:56 picture of the
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 church.
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 There is suffering
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 and persecution
00:21:00 --> 00:21:02 but victory
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 comes through
00:21:03 --> 00:21:03 suffering.
00:21:03 --> 00:21:03 The church
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 grows
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 because suffering
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 and persecution
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 is God's
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 weapon against
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 the world
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 his tool
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 to see
00:21:11 --> 00:21:11 the church
00:21:11 --> 00:21:11 grow.
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 Our victory
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 comes through
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 Jesus' suffering
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 his death
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 and his
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 resurrection
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 and I think
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 it also works
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 in the church
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 broadly
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 as we've seen
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 the church
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 grows
00:21:23 --> 00:21:25 but
00:21:25 --> 00:21:27 also in our
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 death
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 and resurrection
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 with Christ
00:21:29 --> 00:21:29 each day.
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 For us as a
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 church
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 and individuals
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 preaching Christ
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 in Chatswood
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 and on our
00:21:35 --> 00:21:35 front lines
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 with our
00:21:36 --> 00:21:36 family and
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 friends
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 we are not
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 yet at the
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 point of
00:21:40 --> 00:21:40 shedding blood
00:21:40 --> 00:21:42 not yet at the
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 point of shedding
00:21:43 --> 00:21:43 blood here
00:21:43 --> 00:21:46 but death
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 and resurrection
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 is the way
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 that we are
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 saved
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 and it is
00:21:50 --> 00:21:50 also the
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 pattern of
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 our lives
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 and the
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 weapon to
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 see our
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 lives
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 shaped for
00:21:57 --> 00:21:57 Christ
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 and to see
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 people
00:21:59 --> 00:21:59 saved
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 Jesus
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 said that
00:22:01 --> 00:22:01 whoever wishes
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 to save
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 his life
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 will lose
00:22:03 --> 00:22:03 it
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 but whoever
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 loses
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 his life
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 for my
00:22:06 --> 00:22:06 sake
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 will find
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 it
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 the pattern
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 of a
00:22:09 --> 00:22:09 Christian
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 follows this
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 same pattern
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 of victory
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 through suffering
00:22:13 --> 00:22:15 we die
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 we die to
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 ourself
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 and we
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 live
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 to Christ
00:22:18 --> 00:22:20 Paul says
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 in 2
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 Corinthians 4
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 that he's
00:22:23 --> 00:22:23 hard pressed
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 his body
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 is being
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 given over
00:22:26 --> 00:22:26 to death
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 so that
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 life might
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 be revealed
00:22:29 --> 00:22:31 the call
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 of Jesus
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 to us
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 to his
00:22:34 --> 00:22:34 disciples
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 is to
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 die
00:22:36 --> 00:22:38 die
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 to yourself
00:22:38 --> 00:22:40 surrender
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 your career
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 and future
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 prospects
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 surrender
00:22:43 --> 00:22:43 your status
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 and reputation
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 surrender
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 your desires
00:22:46 --> 00:22:46 to have
00:22:46 --> 00:22:46 everything
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 that society
00:22:47 --> 00:22:47 tells you
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 you must
00:22:48 --> 00:22:48 have
00:22:48 --> 00:22:48 the newest
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 and the best
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 you see
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 those sins
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 of pride
00:22:51 --> 00:22:51 and lust
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 and arrogance
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 put them
00:22:53 --> 00:22:53 to death
00:22:53 --> 00:22:55 so that
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 Jesus
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 is the
00:22:57 --> 00:22:57 priority
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 and he
00:22:58 --> 00:22:58 sets the
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 direction
00:22:59 --> 00:22:59 for your
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 life
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 he gives
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 life
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 because the
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 idols we
00:23:03 --> 00:23:03 chase
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 won't
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 embrace
00:23:05 --> 00:23:05 the death
00:23:05 --> 00:23:07 of chasing
00:23:07 --> 00:23:07 career
00:23:07 --> 00:23:09 put to
00:23:09 --> 00:23:09 death
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 the chasing
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 after self
00:23:11 --> 00:23:11 worth
00:23:11 --> 00:23:11 on your
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 own
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 live to
00:23:13 --> 00:23:13 the worth
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 of Christ
00:23:14 --> 00:23:14 who died
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 for you
00:23:15 --> 00:23:18 and valued
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 you above
00:23:19 --> 00:23:19 his own
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 life
00:23:20 --> 00:23:22 whenever
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 we
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 we give
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 money
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 to the
00:23:25 --> 00:23:25 church
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 for the
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 sake of
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 the gospel
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 whenever we
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 give of our
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 time
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 our talents
00:23:29 --> 00:23:29 our treasures
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 you are
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 dying to
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 yourself
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 and you
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 are dying
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 to building
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 your own
00:23:36 --> 00:23:36 kingdom
00:23:36 --> 00:23:38 and God
00:23:38 --> 00:23:38 gives life
00:23:38 --> 00:23:40 and he
00:23:40 --> 00:23:42 and we
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 get to be
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 satisfied in
00:23:44 --> 00:23:44 him
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 whenever we
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 choose to
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 witness to
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 a friend
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 we are
00:23:48 --> 00:23:48 dying to
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 ourself
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 and our
00:23:50 --> 00:23:50 own
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 comfort
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 to see
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 a loved
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 one
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 saved
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 and God
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 gives life
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 whenever you
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 pick up your
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 bible and
00:23:59 --> 00:23:59 read it
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 choose
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 trying to
00:24:01 --> 00:24:01 do
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 to read
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 your bible
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 four or
00:24:03 --> 00:24:03 more times
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 to see
00:24:04 --> 00:24:04 growth in
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 your life
00:24:05 --> 00:24:05 in Christ
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 whenever you
00:24:06 --> 00:24:06 pick up your
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 bible and
00:24:07 --> 00:24:07 read it
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 you are
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 putting to
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 death
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 your own
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 control
00:24:11 --> 00:24:11 of your
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 life
00:24:12 --> 00:24:12 and saying
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 God
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 you are
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 the one
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 who
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 gives me
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 life
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 you are
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 the one
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 who leads
00:24:16 --> 00:24:16 me
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 I will
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 obey you
00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 and you
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 give me
00:24:19 --> 00:24:19 life
00:24:19 --> 00:24:22 whenever you
00:24:22 --> 00:24:22 are faced
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 with sin
00:24:23 --> 00:24:23 and choose
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 to obey
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 God
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 you put
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 to death
00:24:27 --> 00:24:27 the idea
00:24:27 --> 00:24:27 that you
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 know what's
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 best
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 you worship
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 Jesus
00:24:30 --> 00:24:30 as the
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 king
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 every
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 moment
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 of dying
00:24:34 --> 00:24:34 to self
00:24:34 --> 00:24:36 and choosing
00:24:36 --> 00:24:36 God
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 is a
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 moment
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 of life
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 by the
00:24:39 --> 00:24:39 spirit
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 this is
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 God's
00:24:41 --> 00:24:41 weapon
00:24:41 --> 00:24:41 to build
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 his
00:24:42 --> 00:24:42 kingdom
00:24:42 --> 00:24:44 this is
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 God's
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 weapon
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 to build
00:24:46 --> 00:24:46 himself
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 in us
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 and across
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 the world
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 let me pray
00:24:50 --> 00:24:52 heavenly father
00:24:52 --> 00:24:54 we thank you
00:24:54 --> 00:24:54 for this
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 reminder from
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 revelation 11
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 that you
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 do protect
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 us
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 because we
00:24:59 --> 00:24:59 will be
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 persecuted
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 but we
00:25:01 --> 00:25:01 thank you
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 that you
00:25:02 --> 00:25:02 will
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 indeed
00:25:03 --> 00:25:03 vindicate
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 us
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 help us
00:25:05 --> 00:25:05 not chase
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 that in
00:25:06 --> 00:25:06 our own
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 time
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 but wait
00:25:08 --> 00:25:08 patiently
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 for your
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 son to
00:25:10 --> 00:25:10 return
00:25:10 --> 00:25:12 heavenly father
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 we ask
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 that each
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 day we
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 live we
00:25:16 --> 00:25:16 would live
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 for you
00:25:17 --> 00:25:17 and we
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 would die
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 to ourselves
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 fill us
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 with your
00:25:21 --> 00:25:21 spirit
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 help us
00:25:22 --> 00:25:22 to do
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 that
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 so that
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 we would
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 have more
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 of you
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 so that
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 we would
00:25:27 --> 00:25:27 love you
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 more
00:25:28 --> 00:25:28 that we
00:25:28 --> 00:25:28 would
00:25:28 --> 00:25:29 treasure
00:25:29 --> 00:25:29 you
00:25:29 --> 00:25:29 more
00:25:29 --> 00:25:31 and so
00:25:31 --> 00:25:31 that we
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 would see
00:25:32 --> 00:25:32 many
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 come to
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 know and
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 love you
00:25:34 --> 00:25:36 we ask
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 this in
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 your son's
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 name and
00:25:37 --> 00:25:37 all for
00:25:37 --> 00:25:37 your glory
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 amen