1 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:06,720 Speaker 1: Life Audio. For more resources to help you in your 2 00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:12,760 Speaker 1: walk with Christ, please visit us at Bible Studyheadquarters dot com. Well, 3 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:15,960 Speaker 1: this morning, we are continuing our look at the Book 4 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:18,919 Speaker 1: of Revelation. And it's kind of interesting because I noticed 5 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,239 Speaker 1: that some of you who are here with us today 6 00:00:21,400 --> 00:00:25,480 Speaker 1: are brand new guests. Some of you are here visiting 7 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:28,639 Speaker 1: because of the child dedication. And probably when you visit 8 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:31,120 Speaker 1: a church, you wonder, oh, I wonder what it'll be like. 9 00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:34,000 Speaker 1: I wonder if it'll be like, you know, something that 10 00:00:34,040 --> 00:00:37,160 Speaker 1: I'm used to or or something like that. Well, you 11 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: just chose to visit a church that's doing a sermon 12 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 1: series through the Book of Revelation. And if you've ever 13 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:44,839 Speaker 1: taken the time to read through the Book of Revelation, 14 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:48,280 Speaker 1: you'll notice that Revelation has a lot of interesting things. 15 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:52,440 Speaker 1: It's an apocalyptic portion of scripture, and so an apocalyptic 16 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:56,120 Speaker 1: portion of scripture, prophetic portion of scripture revealing all sorts 17 00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 1: of things related to future days. And so we've been 18 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 1: studying it. We're a little bit past the midpoint of 19 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:05,759 Speaker 1: the book and today we're in chapter thirteen. But notice 20 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:08,199 Speaker 1: the title. Notice what we're going to be looking at today. 21 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:10,959 Speaker 1: I was thinking to myself, Boy, that would be a 22 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:14,640 Speaker 1: strange first visit message. But then I also thought, I 23 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 1: think like every chapter in Revelation, if you're hearing it 24 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:20,480 Speaker 1: for the very first time, kind of hits you in 25 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:24,240 Speaker 1: a unique way. But when you look at Revelation chapter thirteen, 26 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 1: it talks about the global deception of this individual we 27 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,400 Speaker 1: call the Antichrist. And so I'm going to read this 28 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:33,640 Speaker 1: chapter for us. It's eighteen verses. I'm going to read 29 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:35,679 Speaker 1: the whole thing, and then we're going to look at 30 00:01:35,680 --> 00:01:38,880 Speaker 1: it together. So Revelation chapter thirteen, let's take a look 31 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: together at what this portion of God's word actually says. 32 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:48,160 Speaker 1: In Revelation thirteen, one John says this, He said, and 33 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:50,840 Speaker 1: I saw a beast rising out of the sea with 34 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 1: ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns, 35 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 1: and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that 36 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:01,000 Speaker 1: I saw was like a leopard. Its feet were like 37 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 1: a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. 38 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:07,160 Speaker 1: And to it the dragon gave his power and his 39 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:10,239 Speaker 1: throne in great authority. One of the heads seemed to 40 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 1: have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, 41 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,120 Speaker 1: and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast, 42 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:18,520 Speaker 1: and they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his 43 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:21,440 Speaker 1: authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast, saying, 44 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:23,720 Speaker 1: who is like the beast, and who can fight against it? 45 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:27,000 Speaker 1: And the beast was given a mouth, uttering haughty and 46 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 1: blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for 47 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:34,360 Speaker 1: forty two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies 48 00:02:34,360 --> 00:02:37,840 Speaker 1: against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, 49 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 1: those who dwell in heaven. And it was also allowed 50 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:44,080 Speaker 1: to bake war on the saints and to conquer them. 51 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:47,040 Speaker 1: An authority was given it over every tribe in people 52 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:50,640 Speaker 1: and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth 53 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:53,760 Speaker 1: will worship it everyone whose name has not been written 54 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 1: from the foundation of the world. In the Book of 55 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:58,160 Speaker 1: Life of the Lamb who was slain, if anyone has 56 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:00,440 Speaker 1: an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to be 57 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:03,840 Speaker 1: taken captive to captivity, he goes if anyone is to 58 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 1: be slain with the sword, with the sword, must he 59 00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:09,920 Speaker 1: be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and 60 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:13,040 Speaker 1: faith of the saints. Then John goes on to say 61 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:15,959 Speaker 1: this in verse eleven. Then I saw another beast rising 62 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 1: out of the earth that had two horns like a lamb, 63 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:21,440 Speaker 1: and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the 64 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 1: authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes 65 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:27,640 Speaker 1: the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose 66 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 1: mortal wound was healed. It performed great signs, even making 67 00:03:31,480 --> 00:03:34,160 Speaker 1: fire come down from heaven to earth in front of 68 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 1: the people. And by the signs that it is allowed 69 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,480 Speaker 1: to work in the presence of the beast, it deceives 70 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 1: those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an 71 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 1: image for the beast that was wounded by the sword 72 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:48,080 Speaker 1: and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath 73 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 1: to the image of the beast, so that the image 74 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 1: of the beast might even speak, might cause those who 75 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:55,840 Speaker 1: who would not worship the image of the beast to 76 00:03:55,880 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 1: be slain. Also causes all both small and grein, both 77 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 1: rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked 78 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 1: on the right hand or the forehead, so that no 79 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 1: one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, 80 00:04:09,280 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 1: that is the name of the beast or the number 81 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 1: of its name. This calls for wisdom. Let the one 82 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 1: who has understanding, calculate the number of the beast, for 83 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:19,719 Speaker 1: it is the number of a man, and his number 84 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:26,040 Speaker 1: is six six six. Let's pray together, Father, thank you 85 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 1: so much for your word, and thank you for giving 86 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 1: us the privilege to be able to look at this 87 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:33,839 Speaker 1: portion of your word together Today, Father, we recognize that 88 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 1: when we're looking at these things, we're looking at things 89 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 1: that have a bit of mystery to them, as certainly 90 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:44,480 Speaker 1: from our perspective, we know, Lord that there are people 91 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:48,039 Speaker 1: that will see these things taking place in real time, 92 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 1: and we'll have discernment to be able to discern exactly 93 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:55,200 Speaker 1: what's being spoken of here. But in each era of history, 94 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:58,080 Speaker 1: you give us what you desire that we have. You 95 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:00,599 Speaker 1: reveal to us the things that you desire that we know. 96 00:05:00,760 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 1: And so some of these things we see a foretaste of. 97 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 1: Some of these things we see as shadows. Some of 98 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:11,520 Speaker 1: these things are symbolic in nature. Some of these things 99 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 1: are things that it will just be painfully obvious when 100 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 1: these portions of your word are being fulfilled. So Lord, 101 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:20,280 Speaker 1: we pray that in the era of history that we 102 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:22,359 Speaker 1: live in, as we look at these future events that 103 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 1: are being spoken of again in this apocalyptic manner. We 104 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 1: pray that you give us wisdom and discernment, that you'd 105 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:31,599 Speaker 1: help us to see value. Lord, it's obvious that you 106 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:34,000 Speaker 1: wanted us to know about this stuff during this era 107 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:36,240 Speaker 1: of history. It's not just for those that live in 108 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:39,480 Speaker 1: another era of history. There's something about this we're supposed 109 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:42,000 Speaker 1: to know even now. And so Lord, I pray that 110 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:44,599 Speaker 1: you give us your wisdom and your discernment. We pray 111 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:46,600 Speaker 1: that we would understand these things to the best of 112 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 1: our ability, but even more than that, Lord, to the 113 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:52,680 Speaker 1: best of the ability that your spirit can empower within us. 114 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:54,880 Speaker 1: And so we commit this time to you now, and 115 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:59,080 Speaker 1: we thank you for all these things in Jesus's name. Amen. 116 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:03,919 Speaker 1: So Revelation thirteen, we just I decided, you know, at 117 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:06,040 Speaker 1: first I thought to myself, you know, maybe we look 118 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:07,840 Speaker 1: at this in parts. But then I decided, let's look 119 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:10,160 Speaker 1: at this as a whole, because the concepts in it 120 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:13,520 Speaker 1: are very much all tied together. But it's one of 121 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 1: the most intense and it's actually one of the most 122 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:19,680 Speaker 1: talked about portions of Scripture. It shows us what the 123 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:21,960 Speaker 1: world is going to look like during that future period 124 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:25,599 Speaker 1: of time that is referred to as the tribulation, and 125 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 1: it gives us this picture here of what the world 126 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 1: will look like when it's under the rule of this 127 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 1: man called the Antichrist, and then the associate that associates 128 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:38,680 Speaker 1: with him, the false prophet. Looking at these events all 129 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:41,240 Speaker 1: there's all sorts of different ways people try to interpret 130 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:43,360 Speaker 1: the Book of Revelation. But I'll tell you the interpretation 131 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 1: that I hold to. I believe this chapter describes real 132 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:50,920 Speaker 1: events that will unfold during a literal future period of 133 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:53,000 Speaker 1: judgment on this earth. I do believe it's going to 134 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:56,280 Speaker 1: be a seven year period of judgment, and I do 135 00:06:56,320 --> 00:06:59,720 Speaker 1: believe that it's yet future. But even as this chapter 136 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:02,040 Speaker 1: reveals things that we would say a right, that's examples 137 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:05,200 Speaker 1: of darkness, that's an example of darkness, it ultimately points 138 00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:07,680 Speaker 1: us to something greater because it doesn't end with that. 139 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 1: It ultimately is used of God to remind us that 140 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:14,880 Speaker 1: Jesus is still king, that the authority of Christ is 141 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 1: never threatened, and that Christ's people are never forgotten. So 142 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:22,240 Speaker 1: look with me, will walk through what we just read together. 143 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 1: But in verse one it says this, It says, and 144 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:27,000 Speaker 1: I saw a beast rising out of the sea with 145 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:29,800 Speaker 1: ten horns and seven heads with ten diadems on its 146 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 1: horns and blasphemous names on its heads. Now, the beast 147 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:36,760 Speaker 1: that's being spoken of here is the one that's called 148 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 1: the Antichrist. He's a future world leader who's going to 149 00:07:40,280 --> 00:07:42,880 Speaker 1: rise to power during this period of time that we 150 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:46,000 Speaker 1: call the Tribulation. This imagery here if you want to 151 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 1: look at more details about this, this imagery connects right 152 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 1: back to Daniel chapter seven. You go back to the 153 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 1: Old Testament, you could look through Daniel chapter seven. You'll 154 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:59,000 Speaker 1: see a lot of similar imagery. Daniel saw four beasts 155 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:04,760 Speaker 1: represent different kingdoms, and in Daniel's vision, those kingdoms culminate 156 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:10,120 Speaker 1: with a final global power that opposes God. You see 157 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:13,880 Speaker 1: that in Daniel chapter seven, verses seven and eight. And 158 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:16,680 Speaker 1: so here in Revelation that prophecy is being built upon, 159 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 1: and it's we're being shown that the ultimate expression of 160 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:26,120 Speaker 1: rebellious human government is empowered by Satan himself. And when 161 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:27,760 Speaker 1: you look at verse two, it says this, and the 162 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 1: beast that I saw was like a leopard. Its feet 163 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 1: were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a 164 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 1: lion's mouth. And to the dragon, and to it, the 165 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:39,880 Speaker 1: dragon gave his power and his throne in great authority. 166 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:44,960 Speaker 1: Now that dragon was identified earlier. You remember in chapter twelve, 167 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 1: it reveals to us that that dragon, that that's a 168 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 1: reference for Satan himself. He is the source behind this 169 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:54,000 Speaker 1: particular ruler's power here that we see in Revelation chapter thirteen. 170 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:57,960 Speaker 1: But notice Satan doesn't create authority. What he does is 171 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:02,839 Speaker 1: he borrows it or he correy. So whatever influence the 172 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 1: Antichrist has here that we see in Revelation thirteen, it's 173 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:10,840 Speaker 1: something that is temporarily allowed under God's sovereign plan. God 174 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:13,439 Speaker 1: is temporarily allowing it just for a period of time. 175 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:15,680 Speaker 1: It's all part of his sovereign plan. It's one of 176 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 1: those things that you look at and you'd say it's 177 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:23,280 Speaker 1: a evil looks powerful, but then you realize it isn't ultimate, 178 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:26,760 Speaker 1: It isn't going to last forever. John tells us that 179 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:29,760 Speaker 1: one of the beast's heads appears to have a mortal 180 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:33,120 Speaker 1: wound that was healed. It's a bit mysterious. When you 181 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:34,880 Speaker 1: look at verse three, you see that he says that, 182 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 1: and that whole healing of this mortal wound seems to 183 00:09:38,840 --> 00:09:41,680 Speaker 1: lead the world into amazement. It seems to lead the 184 00:09:41,679 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 1: world into this desire to worship this beast, and so 185 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:51,440 Speaker 1: effectively it's like a counter resurrection or a counterfeit resurrection, 186 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:55,800 Speaker 1: an imitation that's meant to draw attention away from Jesus 187 00:09:55,800 --> 00:09:58,240 Speaker 1: and to this beast. And it's it's kind of interesting, 188 00:09:58,280 --> 00:09:59,800 Speaker 1: And I point that out because one of the things 189 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:02,640 Speaker 1: that you notice as a pattern that Satan often tries 190 00:10:02,679 --> 00:10:05,040 Speaker 1: to do is he tries to mimic what God does. 191 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:08,760 Speaker 1: Whatever God does, Satan tries to mimic it, but his 192 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:11,920 Speaker 1: versions are hollow, his versions are deceptive. But you see 193 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:15,800 Speaker 1: him using that same tactic here, and the world responds 194 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:18,200 Speaker 1: by saying this. When you look at verse four, they 195 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:20,840 Speaker 1: say who is like the beast? And who can fight 196 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 1: against it? Now, that question is kind of interesting because 197 00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:28,040 Speaker 1: it sounds a bit similar to something that we've seen 198 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:30,840 Speaker 1: elsewhere in Scripture. Lately, I've been reading through the books 199 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:34,440 Speaker 1: of Genesis and Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers and soon to 200 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:37,240 Speaker 1: be Deuteronomy doing a study that I've been sharing online, 201 00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:42,120 Speaker 1: and it's interesting to notice how many times there are 202 00:10:42,160 --> 00:10:45,440 Speaker 1: things in Revelation that allude to the first five books 203 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 1: of Scripture. Now Here they're saying, who is like the beast? 204 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:50,720 Speaker 1: And who can fight against it? And when you go 205 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 1: back to Exodus chapter fifteen. Now you go back to 206 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 1: Exodus fifteen eleven in particular, there you have Moses saying this, 207 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:02,320 Speaker 1: who is like you? Lord? Who is like you? Oh Lord? 208 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:05,880 Speaker 1: And now in Revelation thirteen four you have the populace. 209 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:08,800 Speaker 1: You have the people looking at the beast and saying, 210 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:10,839 Speaker 1: who is like the beast? Who can fight against this? 211 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:15,480 Speaker 1: So again you see the antichrist, this counterfeit, hijacking worship 212 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:18,280 Speaker 1: that belongs to God alone. But the beast is also 213 00:11:18,360 --> 00:11:23,960 Speaker 1: described here as speaking haughty and blasphemous words. Says like 214 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:26,640 Speaker 1: haughty and blasphemous words. Now they aren't detailed. We do 215 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:29,200 Speaker 1: see that in verse five. But that also connects back 216 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:31,800 Speaker 1: to Daniel chapter seven, where we're told that the Little 217 00:11:31,840 --> 00:11:35,319 Speaker 1: Horn speaks against the Most High and persecutes the saints. 218 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:38,400 Speaker 1: And during this time we're told that believers will face 219 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:41,360 Speaker 1: intense opposition. When you get to verse seven, it says 220 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: also it was allowed to make war on the saints 221 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:47,600 Speaker 1: and to conquer them. Now that's a lot to take in, 222 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 1: but these are the initial things that Revelation thirteen reveals 223 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 1: to us, and I think it can feel unsettling to read, 224 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 1: because when you look at that, you think, all right, 225 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:57,760 Speaker 1: that seems like a total mess. That seems like an 226 00:11:57,880 --> 00:12:00,960 Speaker 1: undesirable time to be alive on the face of this earth. 227 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:02,920 Speaker 1: And I would say, for sure it is. But also 228 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:09,160 Speaker 1: notice the phrase it was allowed. Let that stand out 229 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:11,840 Speaker 1: to you for just a second. It was allowed. You 230 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:14,440 Speaker 1: know what my mind does when I see that. I 231 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 1: think to the fact that you know, even in the 232 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:19,080 Speaker 1: midst of persecution, and this is a season that believers 233 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:22,400 Speaker 1: are certainly going to be persecuted. This is a reminder 234 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:24,640 Speaker 1: when it says it was allowed. This is a reminder 235 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:28,120 Speaker 1: that God is still in control. The suffering of his 236 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:33,000 Speaker 1: people isn't unnoticed. The suffering of his people isn't meaningless. 237 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:34,840 Speaker 1: And then you get to verse eight and look at 238 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:37,640 Speaker 1: what John says there. He gives a critical distinction. In 239 00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:39,959 Speaker 1: verse eight. He says, all who dwell on earth will 240 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 1: worship it everyone whose name has not been written before 241 00:12:43,520 --> 00:12:45,880 Speaker 1: the foundation of the world in the book of Life 242 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:48,839 Speaker 1: of the lamb who was slain. Now again that phrase here, 243 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:51,920 Speaker 1: the lamb who was slain, pulls us right back to 244 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:57,719 Speaker 1: whom Jesus Christ. We've seen other references of this very 245 00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:03,520 Speaker 1: thing in the Book of Revelation. Before the Antichrist ever rises, 246 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:11,360 Speaker 1: before deception spreads, before persecution intensifies, Jesus has already secured 247 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:15,000 Speaker 1: redemption for his people. He's already done that. Their names 248 00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 1: are written in his book. Their future is settled. And 249 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:21,679 Speaker 1: so John exhorts people as they look at this, as 250 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:24,080 Speaker 1: they experience this. He says, here's a call for the 251 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:26,960 Speaker 1: endurance and faith of the saints. Here's a call for 252 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,440 Speaker 1: the endurance and faith of the saints. In other words, 253 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:31,199 Speaker 1: if you're in the midst of this, don't give up, 254 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: stay faithful. God hasn't lost control. And next John sees 255 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:39,280 Speaker 1: another beast rising, and this one he says, is rising 256 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:43,319 Speaker 1: from the earth. And this particular figure here he shows 257 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 1: up in Revelation sixteen. He also shows up in Revelation 258 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:49,440 Speaker 1: nineteen as well, and he's often referred to as the 259 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:53,600 Speaker 1: false Prophet. He looks like a lamb, but we're told 260 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 1: here that he speaks like a dragon. And I think 261 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:58,720 Speaker 1: that description is rather telling, because he appears gentle. Some 262 00:13:58,840 --> 00:14:00,560 Speaker 1: might even look at him and say, well, he appears 263 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:02,640 Speaker 1: kind of christ like. He seems so kind, he seems 264 00:14:02,679 --> 00:14:07,400 Speaker 1: so nice. But his message is satanic. This is deception 265 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:11,320 Speaker 1: at its finest. Jesus warned about this very kind of figure. 266 00:14:11,360 --> 00:14:14,520 Speaker 1: When you look at Matthew Chapter seven, verse fifteen. Jesus 267 00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:17,400 Speaker 1: made this statement. He said, beware of false prophets who 268 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:21,960 Speaker 1: come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 269 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:24,520 Speaker 1: Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, 270 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:27,000 Speaker 1: but inwardly are ravenous wolves. I have to tell you, 271 00:14:27,040 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 1: in this day and age, one of the coolest things 272 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:31,600 Speaker 1: about living when we live right now is the fact 273 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:34,600 Speaker 1: that information spread so easily. I was talking to somebody 274 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: right before the worship service who wasn't able to be 275 00:14:37,640 --> 00:14:39,200 Speaker 1: with us for a series of time, but they said, 276 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:41,440 Speaker 1: the nice thing is we were able to still follow 277 00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:45,080 Speaker 1: the worship service and the teaching series online. I was 278 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:47,440 Speaker 1: grateful to hear that, and then I talked to other people. 279 00:14:47,440 --> 00:14:49,680 Speaker 1: I received an email from someone earlier this week that 280 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:52,160 Speaker 1: thanked us for sharing different things that we share online. 281 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 1: And then I look at my own consumption habits and 282 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:57,360 Speaker 1: I think, boy, I'm always consuming information. Do you find 283 00:14:57,400 --> 00:14:59,800 Speaker 1: yourself in a spot just by virtue of having a 284 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:02,720 Speaker 1: phone that exists in your pocket at all times that 285 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:07,520 Speaker 1: you don't really sit in silence too often anymore. You know, 286 00:15:07,560 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 1: I find myself if I'm sitting in silence, oftentimes what 287 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 1: I'll end up doing is find something to listen to, 288 00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:16,840 Speaker 1: to interrupt that silence. That is a blessing, that's certainly 289 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 1: something that's useful, that's certainly something. I'm grateful for the 290 00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:22,640 Speaker 1: spread of information. But we also live in a day 291 00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:25,440 Speaker 1: and age where falsehood spreads just as easily as truth. 292 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:29,680 Speaker 1: And you have people encouraging people to follow things that 293 00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 1: are unhealthy and unwise. You have people using deceptive practices 294 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 1: to ultimately gain a following. You have people that will 295 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:38,600 Speaker 1: even attempt to use the name of Jesus Christ to 296 00:15:39,040 --> 00:15:43,320 Speaker 1: either swindle people or lead people astray in a variety 297 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:47,640 Speaker 1: of ways. And Jesus told us ahead of time, basically saying, look, 298 00:15:48,120 --> 00:15:51,560 Speaker 1: don't be surprised by this. Understand that this is indeed 299 00:15:51,640 --> 00:15:55,040 Speaker 1: going to happen. He says, beware of false prophets who 300 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:57,120 Speaker 1: come to you in chep's clothing. They look so kind, 301 00:15:57,520 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 1: they look so tender, they look so gentle, But he says, 302 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:03,800 Speaker 1: but inwardly they're ravenous wolves. And here, when you look 303 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:06,520 Speaker 1: at the Apostle John writing about what's taking place during 304 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:09,760 Speaker 1: the tribulation period. He describes this guy who almost seems 305 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:13,600 Speaker 1: like christ like and tender and kind, but his message 306 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:18,320 Speaker 1: is Satanic. This individual that's referred elsewhere as the false Prophet. 307 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:21,400 Speaker 1: Now the false Prophet has a role. There's something specific 308 00:16:21,400 --> 00:16:24,440 Speaker 1: that he aims to do. He aims to direct worship 309 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:28,680 Speaker 1: toward the Antichrist, so he performs great signs. We're told 310 00:16:28,680 --> 00:16:31,160 Speaker 1: that even calls fire down from heaven. We see that 311 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:34,120 Speaker 1: in verse thirteen, that, by the way, kind of mirrors 312 00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:36,840 Speaker 1: what took place in One Kings chapter eighteen, when Elijah 313 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 1: calls fire down. But again you have Satan imitating what 314 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:46,800 Speaker 1: God has done, but he's imitating it for deceptive purposes. 315 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:49,640 Speaker 1: And we're also told that the false Prophet tells people 316 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:51,720 Speaker 1: to make an image of the beast, and he somehow 317 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 1: gives it the appearance of life. I have no idea 318 00:16:54,360 --> 00:16:55,920 Speaker 1: how that's going to happen. You know, you know where 319 00:16:55,920 --> 00:16:58,160 Speaker 1: my mind goes with stuff like this, because you always 320 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:00,760 Speaker 1: think about it through the era that you're in. And 321 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:04,720 Speaker 1: I've noticed that every five seconds there's a new development 322 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:07,200 Speaker 1: in technology. So I'm like, all right, is this. Does 323 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:09,560 Speaker 1: AI have something to do with this? Is this like 324 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:13,639 Speaker 1: something totally different? Do you wonder stuff like that? And 325 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:15,480 Speaker 1: then I think to myself, thirty years ago, what did 326 00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:17,520 Speaker 1: I think before I knew that there was something like AI? 327 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:19,080 Speaker 1: What did I think then? And what did people think 328 00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:21,119 Speaker 1: one hundred years ago? And what did people think two 329 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:23,879 Speaker 1: hundred years ago? We don't actually know. But you look 330 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:26,040 Speaker 1: at this sort of thing, and it reminds us of 331 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:30,840 Speaker 1: of Daniel chapter three, where Nebucanezer sets up a golden 332 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:35,719 Speaker 1: image and he demands worship of that golden image. And 333 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:38,399 Speaker 1: back then during Nebucanezer's day, you have faithful men like 334 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:41,760 Speaker 1: Shadrack and me Shack and abed Nego, and they refuse 335 00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:45,240 Speaker 1: to bow to the image that Nebecanezer sets up, even 336 00:17:45,320 --> 00:17:48,280 Speaker 1: under the threat of death, they refuse to bow. Well, 337 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:51,560 Speaker 1: that same kind of pressure is going to exist during 338 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:54,720 Speaker 1: the tribulation period, except it's not going to be local. 339 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:59,280 Speaker 1: It's going to be on a global scale. The false 340 00:17:59,320 --> 00:18:02,359 Speaker 1: profit in four versus a system where everyone must receive 341 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:05,080 Speaker 1: a mark on their right hand or on their forehead 342 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 1: in order to buy or sell. We see that in 343 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:12,800 Speaker 1: verses sixteen and seventeen that mark represents allegiance. It's not 344 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:16,600 Speaker 1: something that's just economic in nature, it's something spiritual in nature. 345 00:18:16,880 --> 00:18:19,879 Speaker 1: To receive this mark, whatever this mark is, is to 346 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:25,400 Speaker 1: identify with the Antichrist and to reject God. That idea 347 00:18:26,119 --> 00:18:30,680 Speaker 1: contrasts sharply with what I read earlier from Deuteronomy six, 348 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:35,560 Speaker 1: during Salah's dedication in Deuteronomy chapter six, and I purposely 349 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:37,920 Speaker 1: read that. I want to connect that with what we're 350 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 1: looking at today. You heard me read from Deuteronomy six, 351 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:44,840 Speaker 1: verse eight. There God's people were instructed to bind his 352 00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:50,159 Speaker 1: commandments on their hands and where else, on their foreheads. 353 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:54,320 Speaker 1: So in other words, they're basically being told live lives 354 00:18:54,320 --> 00:18:56,840 Speaker 1: that are marked by devotion to the Lord. Live a 355 00:18:56,880 --> 00:18:58,960 Speaker 1: life that is fully marked by devotion to the Lord. 356 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: You see that in Deuteronomy Chad after six, verse eight, 357 00:19:01,600 --> 00:19:05,800 Speaker 1: scripture that we read earlier. But here there's this reference 358 00:19:05,840 --> 00:19:08,640 Speaker 1: to this mark of the beast. It is a counterfeit 359 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:12,040 Speaker 1: version of that. It is a visible expression of loyalty, 360 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:16,400 Speaker 1: but it's directed toward a false ruler. Verse eighteen says 361 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:20,520 Speaker 1: it this way. This calls for wisdom. So John saying 362 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:22,359 Speaker 1: you're gonna have to figure this out. You're gonna have 363 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:24,560 Speaker 1: to discern when this happens, it's gonna call for wisdom. 364 00:19:24,600 --> 00:19:26,720 Speaker 1: He says, this calls for wisdom. Let the one who 365 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:30,080 Speaker 1: has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it 366 00:19:30,119 --> 00:19:32,359 Speaker 1: is the number of a man, and his number is 367 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:40,000 Speaker 1: six six six. Now you've probably heard that in all 368 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:44,240 Speaker 1: sorts of aspects of media and things like that. I mean, 369 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:46,960 Speaker 1: this whole idea of the mark of the beast isn't 370 00:19:46,960 --> 00:19:51,080 Speaker 1: something that only Christians are from familiar with. It's something 371 00:19:51,119 --> 00:19:53,920 Speaker 1: that people hear and talk about, and I've heard about 372 00:19:53,920 --> 00:19:55,920 Speaker 1: it my whole life. And I look at stuff like 373 00:19:55,960 --> 00:19:57,600 Speaker 1: this and I think, all right, how likely do you 374 00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:01,399 Speaker 1: think you would be to take this? How likely do 375 00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:03,240 Speaker 1: you think you would be to take the mark of 376 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:05,520 Speaker 1: the beast. I'm of the opinion that it's not going 377 00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:07,760 Speaker 1: to be too terribly difficult for the false prophet to 378 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:10,960 Speaker 1: persuade people to take the mark. I actually think he's 379 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 1: going to have a rather easy time persuading people to 380 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:15,320 Speaker 1: do it. I think most people will do it. I 381 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:19,960 Speaker 1: think most people, anytime they're pushed to do something, anytime 382 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:22,280 Speaker 1: they're told to do something, will probably just do it, 383 00:20:22,640 --> 00:20:25,360 Speaker 1: especially if governments are the ones pressuring them to do it. 384 00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:27,280 Speaker 1: I think that's something that you can see as you 385 00:20:27,320 --> 00:20:29,879 Speaker 1: just study history. People just basically do what they're told, 386 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:32,320 Speaker 1: their governments tell them to do it. It's very rare 387 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:35,400 Speaker 1: that they choose to do something other than that. They 388 00:20:35,520 --> 00:20:38,640 Speaker 1: usually just do what they're told, even if it violates 389 00:20:38,680 --> 00:20:42,680 Speaker 1: their conscience, They'll just do it. Ironically, just a few 390 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:45,800 Speaker 1: months ago, I took my daughter to you'll be able 391 00:20:45,800 --> 00:20:49,120 Speaker 1: to figure out where this is? A local nineteen fifties 392 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:52,440 Speaker 1: themed restaurant. Okay, so can you can you guess where 393 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:56,399 Speaker 1: that is? I like their food. I love their milkshakes delicious. 394 00:20:56,480 --> 00:20:59,399 Speaker 1: By the way, I have a recommendation, recommendation as you 395 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:03,560 Speaker 1: get the peanut banana one delicious. It is worth whatever 396 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:05,920 Speaker 1: they charge you, even if they charge you double on accident, 397 00:21:06,160 --> 00:21:09,560 Speaker 1: just pay it. It's that good. And as we went there, 398 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:12,280 Speaker 1: our server was perfectly pleasant. They had just opened up 399 00:21:12,280 --> 00:21:14,440 Speaker 1: a new location. We were sitting there, We were enjoying 400 00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:18,560 Speaker 1: our time there. Server was perfectly pleasant. But I couldn't 401 00:21:18,560 --> 00:21:21,080 Speaker 1: help but notice the large tattoo that she had on 402 00:21:21,119 --> 00:21:24,800 Speaker 1: her right forearm. As I looked at her right forearm, 403 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:29,000 Speaker 1: it was a big tattoo of the number six six 404 00:21:29,320 --> 00:21:31,639 Speaker 1: six right on it's back dad, right on her right 405 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:34,480 Speaker 1: fore arm. Each Each number was probably like two and 406 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:38,520 Speaker 1: a half inches tall, going across her forearm, her forearm 407 00:21:38,600 --> 00:21:41,639 Speaker 1: in bold print for everybody to see. I am still 408 00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:43,919 Speaker 1: and I didn't ask her about it. Maybe I should have. 409 00:21:43,960 --> 00:21:46,200 Speaker 1: I don't know. I didn't. I was focused on the milkshake. 410 00:21:46,280 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 1: Maybe I'm not sure, but I am still highly curious 411 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:51,720 Speaker 1: about her decision to stamp that number on her arm 412 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 1: so prominently. Now, I will tell you this. We gave 413 00:21:57,320 --> 00:22:00,080 Speaker 1: her a good tip, and I also wrote a mess 414 00:22:00,320 --> 00:22:03,000 Speaker 1: for her on the receipt. And I hope that the 415 00:22:03,040 --> 00:22:05,879 Speaker 1: Lord used that in some way to plant some level 416 00:22:05,920 --> 00:22:08,800 Speaker 1: of a seed in her life. But I was thinking 417 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:11,320 Speaker 1: about that this week as I looked at this number here, 418 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 1: I also thought of this. I don't know why. Sometimes 419 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:15,960 Speaker 1: I think when I go to Duncan, they're messing with me. 420 00:22:16,520 --> 00:22:19,919 Speaker 1: A recent order I got at Duncan. I looked at 421 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:21,479 Speaker 1: the order, I'm like, do they just like know I'm 422 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:24,240 Speaker 1: a local pastor And they're like, hey, give the pastor 423 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:27,479 Speaker 1: order number six sixty six. See what he does. You 424 00:22:27,520 --> 00:22:30,240 Speaker 1: look at it and you're like, really, okay, thank you 425 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:33,520 Speaker 1: appreciate it. This was back in twenty nineteen. They gave 426 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:36,439 Speaker 1: me this. I saved the picture and I was like, 427 00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:42,919 Speaker 1: they're just messing with me. I know. But anyway, I 428 00:22:42,960 --> 00:22:47,000 Speaker 1: think there's been endless speculation about that number. I think 429 00:22:47,040 --> 00:22:49,920 Speaker 1: people wonder what it is, you know, And I think 430 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:55,000 Speaker 1: the key is that it represents imperfection and represents incompleteness. 431 00:22:55,280 --> 00:22:56,879 Speaker 1: Now why am I saying that? Well, in scripture, the 432 00:22:56,960 --> 00:23:00,880 Speaker 1: number seven oftentimes symbolizes completeness. When you look at six, 433 00:23:00,920 --> 00:23:02,800 Speaker 1: you're like, all right, well six falls one short of that, 434 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:06,840 Speaker 1: doesn't it. And it's repeated three times. So I wonder, 435 00:23:07,200 --> 00:23:10,440 Speaker 1: is this trying to emphasize human limitation? Is just trying 436 00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:13,680 Speaker 1: to emphasize like human limitation, that's trying to masquerade his authority. 437 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:16,920 Speaker 1: I don't know. Somehow this number is going to factor in, 438 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:18,600 Speaker 1: and John says, you are going to be able to 439 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:20,520 Speaker 1: figure it out. Those that are living at that time 440 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:21,840 Speaker 1: are going to be able to figure it out. He says, 441 00:23:21,840 --> 00:23:24,560 Speaker 1: it'll call for wisdom, but you're going to be able 442 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 1: to figure out exactly what it is. It's not going 443 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:30,040 Speaker 1: to be impossible to figure out. But basically, the Antichrist 444 00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:33,439 Speaker 1: is going to present himself as ultimate, and he always 445 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:36,840 Speaker 1: falls short of God's perfection. Now, let me say this, 446 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:40,199 Speaker 1: I fully recognize that Revelation thirteen, and it's certainly an 447 00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:43,240 Speaker 1: interesting chapter, and it's certainly got some things that maybe 448 00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:45,359 Speaker 1: even just culturally, we've heard about, and it certainly has 449 00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:47,920 Speaker 1: some things that we'll be like, boy, that's like strange, 450 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:52,040 Speaker 1: and some of that maybe you're also looking at and saying, 451 00:23:52,040 --> 00:23:53,879 Speaker 1: I hope that that's in a period of history that 452 00:23:53,920 --> 00:23:57,320 Speaker 1: I don't have to live through. And I certainly understand that. 453 00:23:57,560 --> 00:23:59,159 Speaker 1: But I also look at these things, and you've heard 454 00:23:59,240 --> 00:24:02,119 Speaker 1: me say this other week. If this was only for 455 00:24:02,359 --> 00:24:04,639 Speaker 1: people that live during that era, the Lord wouldn't have 456 00:24:04,640 --> 00:24:06,720 Speaker 1: given us access to it now. So why is he 457 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:09,600 Speaker 1: giving us access to this information now, even though we 458 00:24:09,640 --> 00:24:12,520 Speaker 1: don't fully know how some of these details are going 459 00:24:12,560 --> 00:24:14,560 Speaker 1: to play out. Why I think it actually does have 460 00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:16,639 Speaker 1: real implications for us now. And I think one of 461 00:24:16,640 --> 00:24:18,959 Speaker 1: the things that I can take from this, you can 462 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:22,080 Speaker 1: take from this is this, don't be naive about deception. 463 00:24:23,320 --> 00:24:26,560 Speaker 1: What do I mean by that? Don't be naive about deception? 464 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:33,320 Speaker 1: The enemy doesn't always appear obviously evil. Sometimes he looks persuasive, 465 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:37,160 Speaker 1: Sometimes he looks appealing, sometimes even looks spiritual. That's why 466 00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:41,639 Speaker 1: we need to stay grounded in God's word. If we 467 00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 1: don't know the truth, we're more vulnerable to lives, to 468 00:24:45,359 --> 00:24:48,520 Speaker 1: being manipulated. But if we stay grounded in the Word 469 00:24:48,560 --> 00:24:52,119 Speaker 1: of God, we are less able to be manipulated. So 470 00:24:52,240 --> 00:24:56,840 Speaker 1: don't be naive about deception. Also, don't be intimidated by 471 00:24:56,880 --> 00:25:00,919 Speaker 1: worldly power. The Antichrist is going to look unstoppable for 472 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:04,440 Speaker 1: a period of time, but understand his authority is temporary 473 00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:07,000 Speaker 1: and it's only permitted for a season. And I think 474 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:10,000 Speaker 1: that's true even now, because right now you look at governments, systems, 475 00:25:10,040 --> 00:25:12,960 Speaker 1: cultural pressures, anything like that that you feel may be 476 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:15,520 Speaker 1: pressing on you in any context, and certain times it 477 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:19,480 Speaker 1: might feel actually overwhelming. But none of these things outrank Jesus, 478 00:25:20,119 --> 00:25:23,720 Speaker 1: and they certainly don't last forever. In fact, in Psalm 479 00:25:23,840 --> 00:25:26,760 Speaker 1: chapter two, it reminds us the nations may rage, but 480 00:25:26,840 --> 00:25:31,240 Speaker 1: God sits enthroned and will establish his king, Jesus Christ. 481 00:25:31,720 --> 00:25:33,200 Speaker 1: I think a third thing that we can take from 482 00:25:33,240 --> 00:25:35,440 Speaker 1: passages like this is don't lose heart in the midst 483 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:38,760 Speaker 1: of suffering. When you go through seasons of suffering and 484 00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:41,840 Speaker 1: you're going to experience that I've experienced it, You're going 485 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 1: to experience it. We all experience it. Believers during the 486 00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:47,200 Speaker 1: tribulation are certainly going to experience They're going to experience 487 00:25:47,280 --> 00:25:51,320 Speaker 1: intense persecution, and many are going to be called upon 488 00:25:51,359 --> 00:25:53,480 Speaker 1: to give their lives for their faith. And even right 489 00:25:53,520 --> 00:25:56,320 Speaker 1: now as you and I are gathered here, there are 490 00:25:56,359 --> 00:25:59,320 Speaker 1: plenty of Christians that are suffering for following Jesus. Christ 491 00:25:59,560 --> 00:26:03,120 Speaker 1: hearty worries of it all the time. But Scripture keeps 492 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:06,320 Speaker 1: reminding us that suffering isn't the end of the story. 493 00:26:06,359 --> 00:26:09,159 Speaker 1: And I love what Jesus said in Matthew or excuse 494 00:26:09,160 --> 00:26:11,639 Speaker 1: me in John chapter sixteen, verse thirty three. This is 495 00:26:11,680 --> 00:26:14,760 Speaker 1: actually one of my favorite portions of Scripture. In John 496 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:17,040 Speaker 1: sixteen thirty three. This is something that I quote to 497 00:26:17,080 --> 00:26:21,480 Speaker 1: myself frequently. Jesus said, in the world you will have tribulation, 498 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:27,520 Speaker 1: but take heart, I have overcome the world. I've overcome 499 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:30,000 Speaker 1: the world. That's what Christ has done. So you look 500 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:32,720 Speaker 1: at Revelation thirteen and you realize it. Yes, it shows 501 00:26:32,800 --> 00:26:37,600 Speaker 1: us a variety of things that are rather challenging, but 502 00:26:37,680 --> 00:26:40,439 Speaker 1: it also reminds us that Christ is the one who 503 00:26:40,560 --> 00:26:43,520 Speaker 1: ultimately overcomes It's kind of interesting when you look at 504 00:26:43,560 --> 00:26:46,600 Speaker 1: Revelation thirteen. One of the things, if you maybe you 505 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:48,679 Speaker 1: were thinking of this already, it actually shows us a 506 00:26:48,720 --> 00:26:52,200 Speaker 1: bit of like a counterfeit trinity. Did that occur to anybody? 507 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:56,120 Speaker 1: You have Satan, the Antichrist, and the false Prophet all 508 00:26:56,160 --> 00:26:58,880 Speaker 1: being referenced here like a counterfeit trinity, and each one 509 00:26:58,880 --> 00:27:01,640 Speaker 1: of them is trying to imitate or counterfeit something about 510 00:27:01,680 --> 00:27:05,879 Speaker 1: God's nature. You have the Antichrist imitating Jesus but serving 511 00:27:05,920 --> 00:27:09,000 Speaker 1: as a false king. You have the false Prophet imitating 512 00:27:09,040 --> 00:27:12,920 Speaker 1: the Holy Spirit, how because he directs worship. You have 513 00:27:13,040 --> 00:27:16,640 Speaker 1: the Dragon imitating the Father. Well, how well he tries 514 00:27:16,680 --> 00:27:19,800 Speaker 1: to portray himself. Satan tries to portray himself as the 515 00:27:19,840 --> 00:27:24,560 Speaker 1: source of authority, but every imitation falls short. Jesus isn't 516 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:28,880 Speaker 1: a counterfeit king. He's the rightful king. His authority isn't borrowed. 517 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:34,440 Speaker 1: It's eternal. His resurrection wasn't staged or deceptive, it was real, 518 00:27:34,760 --> 00:27:38,480 Speaker 1: it was victorious. And so you have the Antichrist here 519 00:27:38,520 --> 00:27:42,080 Speaker 1: demanding worship through fear and basically telling people either you 520 00:27:42,119 --> 00:27:46,360 Speaker 1: worship me or die. What does Jesus do? He invites 521 00:27:46,400 --> 00:27:51,800 Speaker 1: worship through grace. You have the beast marking people for control. 522 00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:54,919 Speaker 1: But what does Christ do. He seals people with his 523 00:27:54,960 --> 00:27:59,960 Speaker 1: Holy Spirit, signifying our belonging in his family, in his kingdom. 524 00:28:00,119 --> 00:28:02,640 Speaker 1: You see that in Ephesians chapter one, verse thirteen, where 525 00:28:02,640 --> 00:28:04,640 Speaker 1: it says that through faith in Jesus Christ we are 526 00:28:04,680 --> 00:28:08,760 Speaker 1: sealed with the Holy Spirit. And while the world system 527 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:11,800 Speaker 1: here really pressures people to conform, what does Jesus do. 528 00:28:12,480 --> 00:28:15,160 Speaker 1: It's not pressure to conform. It's the fact that he's 529 00:28:15,200 --> 00:28:18,919 Speaker 1: transforming your life and my life, our mind, our hearts 530 00:28:19,800 --> 00:28:25,120 Speaker 1: from within through his spirit. I think most importantly, while 531 00:28:25,119 --> 00:28:29,879 Speaker 1: the Antichrist's kingdom will rise quickly and fall just as fast, 532 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:35,440 Speaker 1: jesus kingdom will never end. I love what Daniel chapter 533 00:28:35,480 --> 00:28:38,320 Speaker 1: seven says about this. We've quoted Daniel seven a few times, 534 00:28:38,440 --> 00:28:42,000 Speaker 1: but in Daniel seven fourteen we're told his dominion. This 535 00:28:42,080 --> 00:28:46,000 Speaker 1: is speaking of Jesus. His dominion is an everlasting dominion 536 00:28:46,440 --> 00:28:49,360 Speaker 1: which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that 537 00:28:49,440 --> 00:28:51,960 Speaker 1: shall not be destroyed. That's the king we belong to, 538 00:28:52,880 --> 00:28:55,440 Speaker 1: Jesus Christ. So let me ask you something, just in 539 00:28:55,480 --> 00:28:57,760 Speaker 1: a personal way. As we look at a portion of scripture, 540 00:28:57,800 --> 00:29:01,160 Speaker 1: like this again an apocalyptic portion of scripture that requires 541 00:29:01,160 --> 00:29:04,000 Speaker 1: some discernment as you look at it. My question for 542 00:29:04,040 --> 00:29:07,160 Speaker 1: you is this, who or what is shaping your allegiance 543 00:29:07,240 --> 00:29:10,080 Speaker 1: right now, right now when you look at your life, 544 00:29:10,080 --> 00:29:13,720 Speaker 1: who or what shapes your allegiance right now? We may 545 00:29:13,760 --> 00:29:17,560 Speaker 1: not be in a spot that where we're facing the 546 00:29:17,640 --> 00:29:23,240 Speaker 1: literal mark of the beast just yet, but we're constantly 547 00:29:23,280 --> 00:29:26,160 Speaker 1: being pressured to align our thinking and our values and 548 00:29:26,200 --> 00:29:29,480 Speaker 1: our priorities with this world. That's constant pressure that you 549 00:29:29,520 --> 00:29:32,720 Speaker 1: and I are under. This world is constantly pressuring us 550 00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:35,240 Speaker 1: to just think like we think, live like we live, 551 00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:40,440 Speaker 1: value what we value. And sometimes it happens subtly. Sometimes 552 00:29:40,440 --> 00:29:43,160 Speaker 1: it happens through media and other influences. Sometimes it happens 553 00:29:43,160 --> 00:29:46,200 Speaker 1: through culture. Sometimes it even happens just through our own desires. 554 00:29:47,480 --> 00:29:50,560 Speaker 1: But we're being subtly influenced to just conform to the 555 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:53,320 Speaker 1: pattern of this world. And then you look at a 556 00:29:53,360 --> 00:29:57,120 Speaker 1: chapter like this and it says that messes people up. 557 00:29:57,880 --> 00:29:59,920 Speaker 1: People are always tempted to do that, but it's saying 558 00:30:00,040 --> 00:30:02,840 Speaker 1: don't go in that direction. This chapter invites us to 559 00:30:02,880 --> 00:30:05,560 Speaker 1: examine our hearts and think about where our real allegiance 560 00:30:05,680 --> 00:30:08,640 Speaker 1: is are we more influenced by Christ or are we 561 00:30:08,680 --> 00:30:12,240 Speaker 1: more influenced by the culture around us? Are we willing 562 00:30:12,280 --> 00:30:14,040 Speaker 1: to stand how about this? Think about this in a 563 00:30:14,160 --> 00:30:16,680 Speaker 1: very personal way, not just other people, but us. Are 564 00:30:16,680 --> 00:30:18,800 Speaker 1: we willing to stand firm in our faith even if 565 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:21,440 Speaker 1: it costs us something? I think there are many people 566 00:30:21,440 --> 00:30:22,960 Speaker 1: that say, you know, I'll be a Christian if there's 567 00:30:23,000 --> 00:30:25,120 Speaker 1: some sort of personal benefit that I get from that. Well, 568 00:30:25,120 --> 00:30:27,000 Speaker 1: are you willing to stand firm in your faith even 569 00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:29,800 Speaker 1: if it costs you something? Because again, what does scripture 570 00:30:29,800 --> 00:30:34,240 Speaker 1: seem to reveal? Genuine faith gets tested, and genuine believers 571 00:30:34,240 --> 00:30:36,800 Speaker 1: the times experience persecution in this world? Are you willing 572 00:30:36,840 --> 00:30:39,400 Speaker 1: to stand firm in your faith even if it costs 573 00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:42,000 Speaker 1: you something? How about this? Are we building our lives 574 00:30:42,080 --> 00:30:45,600 Speaker 1: on things that are temporary or are we building our 575 00:30:45,600 --> 00:30:51,239 Speaker 1: lives on what's eternal? Following Jesus always required courage. It 576 00:30:51,280 --> 00:30:54,720 Speaker 1: also requires discernment, and it requires endurance. And you see 577 00:30:54,720 --> 00:30:58,520 Speaker 1: that all listed throughout Revelation chapter thirteen. But you know, 578 00:30:58,640 --> 00:31:01,840 Speaker 1: even though it requires courage, even though it requires discernment, 579 00:31:01,880 --> 00:31:07,440 Speaker 1: even though it requires endurance, it's worth it because at 580 00:31:07,440 --> 00:31:09,200 Speaker 1: the end of the day, at the end of the story. 581 00:31:09,720 --> 00:31:11,280 Speaker 1: One of the things we're shown is the Book of 582 00:31:11,320 --> 00:31:16,240 Speaker 1: Revelation unfolds, is that this beast, this Antichrist, he doesn't win. 583 00:31:17,040 --> 00:31:19,360 Speaker 1: He attempts to win. For a brief moment it looks 584 00:31:19,400 --> 00:31:23,760 Speaker 1: like he's got power, but he doesn't win. Christ himself does. 585 00:31:23,920 --> 00:31:29,000 Speaker 1: Jesus wins. Let me say this just finally, if you 586 00:31:29,080 --> 00:31:31,920 Speaker 1: belong to Christ, Scripture is very clear that if you 587 00:31:32,040 --> 00:31:35,280 Speaker 1: place your faith in Jesus Christ, your sin is completely forgiven. 588 00:31:35,760 --> 00:31:38,880 Speaker 1: You are united to him for all eternity. You are 589 00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:42,600 Speaker 1: under no condemnation. You will stand before the Lord, and 590 00:31:42,640 --> 00:31:44,320 Speaker 1: you will do so as one who is not going 591 00:31:44,360 --> 00:31:47,920 Speaker 1: to be condemned, meaning that if you trust in Jesus Christ, 592 00:31:48,400 --> 00:31:52,120 Speaker 1: you will share in Christ's victory. And as we look 593 00:31:52,160 --> 00:31:54,760 Speaker 1: at Revelation chapter thirteen, as we look at the chapters 594 00:31:54,760 --> 00:31:57,640 Speaker 1: that come after us, that victory is assured, that victory 595 00:31:57,720 --> 00:32:01,120 Speaker 1: is explained, it's illustrated. But understand that that's a victory 596 00:32:01,480 --> 00:32:07,000 Speaker 1: that becomes shared with you. His victory becomes your victory 597 00:32:07,040 --> 00:32:09,440 Speaker 1: not because you secured it, but because He secured it 598 00:32:09,480 --> 00:32:12,320 Speaker 1: for you, and he offers it to you. And how 599 00:32:12,400 --> 00:32:15,560 Speaker 1: is it obtained, Well, it's obtained when we stop trusting ourselves, 600 00:32:15,560 --> 00:32:17,880 Speaker 1: we stop trusting our own wisdom, we stop trusting our 601 00:32:17,920 --> 00:32:20,520 Speaker 1: own discernment, and we say, Lord, you know what, with 602 00:32:20,640 --> 00:32:23,600 Speaker 1: humble submission, I'm just going to submit myself over to you. 603 00:32:23,640 --> 00:32:25,960 Speaker 1: I'm going to trust in you. I'm going to recognize 604 00:32:25,960 --> 00:32:28,360 Speaker 1: that you're the solution that I've been looking for. And 605 00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:30,760 Speaker 1: we trust in Jesus Christ, who lived the perfect life 606 00:32:30,760 --> 00:32:33,760 Speaker 1: we could never live, God who took on flesh and 607 00:32:33,800 --> 00:32:38,080 Speaker 1: lived among us, never sin, Jesus who atoned for our 608 00:32:38,120 --> 00:32:40,320 Speaker 1: sin on the cross, Jesus who rose from the grave 609 00:32:40,360 --> 00:32:43,320 Speaker 1: on the third day, defeating the power of sin, defeating 610 00:32:43,360 --> 00:32:46,120 Speaker 1: the power of Satan, defeating the power of death. And 611 00:32:46,200 --> 00:32:48,480 Speaker 1: again he looks at us during our brief sojourn on 612 00:32:48,520 --> 00:32:51,120 Speaker 1: this planet, and he says, look, this victory that I 613 00:32:51,200 --> 00:32:54,480 Speaker 1: suffered for this victory that I secured, is a victory 614 00:32:54,480 --> 00:32:57,480 Speaker 1: that I offer to you. And I'm even gracing you 615 00:32:57,560 --> 00:32:59,600 Speaker 1: with a picture of how it's all going to play 616 00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:02,160 Speaker 1: out on the world stage yet in the future. But 617 00:33:02,240 --> 00:33:05,560 Speaker 1: he says, it's a victory you can experience now. It's 618 00:33:05,560 --> 00:33:08,920 Speaker 1: a victory that you can experience today, and it's a 619 00:33:08,960 --> 00:33:11,120 Speaker 1: victory that he desires that we experience. You know how, 620 00:33:11,120 --> 00:33:13,800 Speaker 1: I know that he desires that you experience that victory. 621 00:33:14,520 --> 00:33:17,880 Speaker 1: You know how I know for certain because you're here. 622 00:33:18,960 --> 00:33:23,960 Speaker 1: You're here right now, and he intended in eternity past 623 00:33:24,240 --> 00:33:27,880 Speaker 1: for that message specifically to hit your ears. And if 624 00:33:27,920 --> 00:33:30,160 Speaker 1: it's hit your ears, I also hope that it hits 625 00:33:30,200 --> 00:33:33,400 Speaker 1: your heart. Because it's not my opinion, it's not even 626 00:33:33,440 --> 00:33:36,600 Speaker 1: the apostle John's opinion who wrote these things down. The 627 00:33:36,640 --> 00:33:40,720 Speaker 1: Lord inspired him to write these things down four hour benefit. 628 00:33:41,320 --> 00:33:43,959 Speaker 1: It's God's attempt to rescue me and rescue you, and 629 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:46,680 Speaker 1: rescue anyone who would dare to pay attention to what 630 00:33:46,760 --> 00:33:50,320 Speaker 1: He's revealed. The victory Christ has secured is a victory 631 00:33:50,360 --> 00:33:54,760 Speaker 1: he desires that you experience through your union with Him. 632 00:33:55,280 --> 00:33:59,280 Speaker 1: My encouragement to you today would be this trust in 633 00:33:59,400 --> 00:34:04,040 Speaker 1: Jesus Christ, experience the forgiveness that he freely offers, and 634 00:34:04,160 --> 00:34:07,400 Speaker 1: experience the joy of eternal life in his presence. That 635 00:34:07,520 --> 00:34:10,440 Speaker 1: doesn't just begin in the future. That eternal life begins 636 00:34:10,480 --> 00:34:16,600 Speaker 1: the very moment you place your trust in Him. Let's pray, Lord, 637 00:34:16,600 --> 00:34:18,480 Speaker 1: thank you so much for the privilege to be able 638 00:34:18,480 --> 00:34:21,160 Speaker 1: to look at a portion of scripture like this today. 639 00:34:21,520 --> 00:34:23,920 Speaker 1: A portion of scripture that, obviously, Lord, when we look 640 00:34:23,960 --> 00:34:25,680 Speaker 1: at it, there's so many questions that we have. We 641 00:34:25,719 --> 00:34:31,960 Speaker 1: wonder about these things. We think, what exactly is what 642 00:34:32,080 --> 00:34:36,480 Speaker 1: exactly is this? What will that look like? What will 643 00:34:36,480 --> 00:34:41,160 Speaker 1: it take to ultimately be able to discern what you're 644 00:34:41,200 --> 00:34:44,759 Speaker 1: revealing in a portion of scripture like this, Lord, we 645 00:34:44,800 --> 00:34:46,879 Speaker 1: know that there are people that are going to experience 646 00:34:48,400 --> 00:34:51,200 Speaker 1: just the full effect of the things that are spoken 647 00:34:51,239 --> 00:34:53,280 Speaker 1: of here, and we recognize that, I mean, it sounds 648 00:34:53,320 --> 00:34:55,480 Speaker 1: like that's going to be a very very difficult time 649 00:34:56,080 --> 00:34:58,440 Speaker 1: to bear the name of your son Jesus Christ on 650 00:34:58,480 --> 00:35:02,920 Speaker 1: this earth. And so Lord, we are grateful for the 651 00:35:02,960 --> 00:35:05,440 Speaker 1: fact that you will sustain and strengthen the believers who 652 00:35:05,480 --> 00:35:07,760 Speaker 1: are alive during that time. But even for us living 653 00:35:08,040 --> 00:35:11,399 Speaker 1: during our time, Lord, we pray that you would help 654 00:35:11,520 --> 00:35:15,200 Speaker 1: us to have discernment, endurance, strength, wisdom, all of these 655 00:35:15,239 --> 00:35:17,720 Speaker 1: things that we know that ultimately only you can provide. 656 00:35:18,640 --> 00:35:20,759 Speaker 1: And Father, we're grateful for the fact that you look 657 00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:24,399 Speaker 1: at us and you see you see us with compassion. 658 00:35:26,760 --> 00:35:29,440 Speaker 1: You know that we've goofed up every category of thing 659 00:35:29,480 --> 00:35:31,959 Speaker 1: in our life. You know that we've gone our own way. 660 00:35:32,040 --> 00:35:37,240 Speaker 1: You know that we've worshiped idols, we've worshiped false ideologies, 661 00:35:37,320 --> 00:35:40,320 Speaker 1: We've worshiped our own preferences. Lord, every single one of 662 00:35:40,400 --> 00:35:42,120 Speaker 1: us has done that. I've done that. All of us 663 00:35:42,120 --> 00:35:44,640 Speaker 1: have done that. And yet you reach into our lives 664 00:35:44,719 --> 00:35:48,279 Speaker 1: and you say, I'm offering you myself. I'm offering you 665 00:35:48,400 --> 00:35:52,959 Speaker 1: the best thing, something better than you've ever dared to experience. Father, 666 00:35:53,080 --> 00:35:55,239 Speaker 1: I know that there are those who right now are 667 00:35:55,239 --> 00:35:58,000 Speaker 1: going through their life on this earth trying to find 668 00:35:58,040 --> 00:36:02,719 Speaker 1: something to satisfy the longing in their Lord, I know 669 00:36:02,760 --> 00:36:04,680 Speaker 1: that that's a struggle that all of us wrestle with, 670 00:36:04,719 --> 00:36:06,799 Speaker 1: and I just pray for each of us gathered here 671 00:36:06,800 --> 00:36:09,840 Speaker 1: together today. You've allowed us to hear these things today. 672 00:36:10,239 --> 00:36:12,600 Speaker 1: And so since you've allowed us to hear these things today, Lord, 673 00:36:12,640 --> 00:36:14,839 Speaker 1: I think you're calling us to do something with this. 674 00:36:14,920 --> 00:36:18,040 Speaker 1: And so, Lord, you are kind, you are good. You 675 00:36:18,120 --> 00:36:19,920 Speaker 1: make your appeal to us, and you give us the 676 00:36:19,960 --> 00:36:23,120 Speaker 1: option to accept or reject. And so Lord, I pray 677 00:36:23,239 --> 00:36:25,640 Speaker 1: that you would draw us unto yourself, that we would 678 00:36:25,640 --> 00:36:28,399 Speaker 1: recognize that salvation is found in no other name under 679 00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:31,600 Speaker 1: heaven than the name of your son, Jesus Christ was 680 00:36:31,680 --> 00:36:35,799 Speaker 1: one with you, one with your spirit. We have the 681 00:36:35,800 --> 00:36:39,439 Speaker 1: privilege to be united to you through him, So Lord, 682 00:36:39,440 --> 00:36:41,680 Speaker 1: we pray that we would accept that gift, and we're 683 00:36:41,680 --> 00:36:43,800 Speaker 1: so grateful for the fact that you make that available 684 00:36:43,840 --> 00:36:46,759 Speaker 1: to us. Bring these things to our mind, help us 685 00:36:46,800 --> 00:36:48,239 Speaker 1: to live our lives in such a way that we 686 00:36:48,280 --> 00:36:50,480 Speaker 1: bring you glory, and we thank you for the gift 687 00:36:50,520 --> 00:36:53,360 Speaker 1: of salvation that you offer through your son. We commit 688 00:36:53,360 --> 00:36:57,960 Speaker 1: ourselves to you. Now we pray this all in Jesus' name. Amen.