1 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:03,640 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:07,720 Speaker 2: For more resources to help you in your walk with Christ, 3 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:12,800 Speaker 2: please visit us at Bible Studyheadquarters dot com. We are 4 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 2: continuing our study of the Book of Revelation. We took 5 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:18,840 Speaker 2: a little pause for a few weeks, but this week 6 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:21,919 Speaker 2: we're back in it, and today specifically, we're going to 7 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:25,239 Speaker 2: be in Revelation chapter eight. We're going to be talking 8 00:00:25,239 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 2: about the fact that the Lamb opens the seventh Seal. 9 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 2: So if you take your Bibles in turn with me, 10 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 2: we're going to be in Revelation eight looking at verses 11 00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:36,839 Speaker 2: one through five, and I'll read this for us in 12 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 2: just a moment. Again, if you're new to the Book 13 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 2: of Revelation, this is a fascinating book. It's a book 14 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 2: that I think many people want to know more about, 15 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:50,040 Speaker 2: but for a variety of reasons, just because of maybe 16 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:52,040 Speaker 2: the way it's written, or because they have thoughts that 17 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:54,680 Speaker 2: maybe they would not be able to understand it. Some 18 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 2: people just kind of stay away from it. They skip it. 19 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:00,959 Speaker 2: And there's so many cool things in Book of Revelation 20 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:02,639 Speaker 2: that are helpful for us to look at. So we've 21 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:05,199 Speaker 2: been enjoying our study of it together. One of the 22 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:08,640 Speaker 2: things that I really appreciate about the book is that 23 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:11,720 Speaker 2: it connects all the different things that you've been seeing 24 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 2: all throughout the scriptures, and then you get to the 25 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:17,120 Speaker 2: Book of Revelation and you see the resolution of these things, 26 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:19,840 Speaker 2: and particularly as we get toward the end of the book. 27 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:22,040 Speaker 2: Still a while away before we get to the end 28 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 2: of the book, but you're going to see just how 29 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 2: the Lord resolves all the different things that we would 30 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 2: say they feel like loose ends in our day to 31 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 2: day life, or loose ends because of the rebellion of 32 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 2: humanity against God. We watch as the Lord fixes what's 33 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 2: been a mess, and we'll even see that process. This 34 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:44,319 Speaker 2: is one of those process chapters here in Revelation chapter eight, 35 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:47,920 Speaker 2: and so we'll look at that as well. But Revelation eight, 36 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 2: starting with verse one, this is what it says, says 37 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 2: when the Lamb opened the seventh Seal, there was silence 38 00:01:56,520 --> 00:02:00,720 Speaker 2: in heaven for about half an hour. All the seven 39 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 2: angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given 40 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 2: to them, and another angel came and stood at the 41 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 2: altar with a golden censer, and he was given much 42 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 2: incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints 43 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 2: on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke 44 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:19,480 Speaker 2: of the incense with the prayers of the saints, rose 45 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:22,800 Speaker 2: before God from the hand of the Angel. Then the 46 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 2: angel took the censer and filled it with fire from 47 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:28,400 Speaker 2: the altar and threw it on the earth. And there 48 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 2: were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning. 49 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 1: And an earthquake. 50 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 2: Let's pray together, Lord, thank you so much for your word, 51 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:41,240 Speaker 2: thank you for granting us access to it. Thank you 52 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:42,720 Speaker 2: for the privilege that it is to be able to 53 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 2: look at a portion of scripture like this today. We're grateful, 54 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 2: Lord that you have allowed us to be able to 55 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:52,919 Speaker 2: see things that are yet future, but yet you reveal 56 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:55,560 Speaker 2: them to us right now in the present. And Lord, 57 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:57,960 Speaker 2: I know that there's a variety of reasons that you 58 00:02:58,040 --> 00:02:59,960 Speaker 2: have chosen to do that, but I certainly believe that 59 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:02,400 Speaker 2: one of these reasons is that you allow us, in 60 00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:04,400 Speaker 2: the midst of all that we experience right now, to 61 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 2: have great hope. And when we think of the future, 62 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 2: we're thinking of something that you have in the palm 63 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:14,200 Speaker 2: of your hand, something you have completely under your control. 64 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:17,680 Speaker 2: And Lord, you demonstrate that by revealing to us the 65 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 2: things that are yet to come. So Lord, we pray 66 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 2: that as we look at those things that you prepare 67 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,359 Speaker 2: our minds in our hearts to think forward toward that, 68 00:03:25,160 --> 00:03:29,600 Speaker 2: toward that season and to those things. But that also, Lord, 69 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:32,959 Speaker 2: we would see direct application in our day to day 70 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:34,600 Speaker 2: walk with you right now as we look at this 71 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:36,840 Speaker 2: portion of your word. So we commit this time to 72 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:39,400 Speaker 2: you now, and we pray this all in Jesus' name. 73 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 1: Amen. 74 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:46,040 Speaker 2: So recently I was thinking a lot about the births 75 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:51,160 Speaker 2: of my children, and if some of you have only 76 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 2: known my children as adults, but our children were born 77 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 2: close together. We had four kids in five and a 78 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 2: half years, so that's close. I reference that recently to 79 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 2: a set of quadruplets, and I realized I thought it 80 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 2: was I thought it was fast to have four kids 81 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 2: in five and a half years. 82 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 1: And I said, wait a second, you guys. 83 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 2: You guys were four kids born in five and a 84 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:14,360 Speaker 2: half minutes. So I guess, I guess my story doesn't 85 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:16,479 Speaker 2: sound like that big of a deal to you. But 86 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:18,920 Speaker 2: my wife and I, by God's grace, we were blessed 87 00:04:18,920 --> 00:04:22,480 Speaker 2: to have the kiddos close together. And if I'm completely 88 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:25,120 Speaker 2: honest about that season of life, as I think back 89 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:28,039 Speaker 2: on it, some of it feels like a whirlwind because 90 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 2: they were born so close together, and some of the 91 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 2: memories I've started to notice get a little swirled together 92 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:38,120 Speaker 2: in my mind where I start realizing, oh, wait a second, 93 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:41,360 Speaker 2: I associate this with I'm associating this with the wrong child, 94 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 2: and the thoughts are getting all mixed up. But as 95 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 2: each of the kids were born, I noticed something about myself. 96 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 2: I remember as each of them were born, I remember 97 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:56,400 Speaker 2: feeling like I needed to say something, like as the 98 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:59,200 Speaker 2: kids were born, I felt like I needed to say something, 99 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:01,960 Speaker 2: but then also being filled with emotions so much so 100 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:04,919 Speaker 2: that I struggle to find the words to say. And 101 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:06,160 Speaker 2: those of you that have known me for a good 102 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:08,719 Speaker 2: long time, you're probably thinking, I can't imagine you ever 103 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:12,120 Speaker 2: have trouble figuring out something to say. But I remember 104 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 2: in those moments feeling like something needed to be said, 105 00:05:15,760 --> 00:05:18,600 Speaker 2: but then struggling to understand what am I supposed to say, 106 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 2: struggling to find the words. And I think just generally 107 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:24,240 Speaker 2: in life, some moments carry so much weight that you 108 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:26,440 Speaker 2: feel like words can't quite. 109 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:27,560 Speaker 1: Do them justice. 110 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,040 Speaker 2: I think we've all experienced moments like that. So sometimes 111 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 2: it could be a birth of a child, just a 112 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:35,280 Speaker 2: momentous occasion like that where you're just so struck with wow, 113 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:38,919 Speaker 2: life just changed because of this, and so you struggle 114 00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:42,760 Speaker 2: to find the words. Sometimes you get a medical diagnosis. 115 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:44,920 Speaker 1: That leaves you speechless. Sometimes you get a phone. 116 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:47,080 Speaker 2: Call with some news or information about a family member 117 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:48,400 Speaker 2: and it leaves you speechless. 118 00:05:50,040 --> 00:05:50,240 Speaker 1: You know. 119 00:05:50,400 --> 00:05:57,599 Speaker 2: Sometimes they'll just be moments where conversation fades and silence prevails. 120 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 2: Silence just kind of takes over. And it's not because 121 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:04,159 Speaker 2: because nothing matters. It's because everything matters a little bit extra. 122 00:06:04,279 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 2: And when you look at Revelation chapter eight, how it opens, essentially, that's. 123 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:09,359 Speaker 1: How it's opening. 124 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 2: It opens with one of those moments where there's silence. 125 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:15,680 Speaker 1: In fact, look at verse one again. Revelation eight. 126 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:19,480 Speaker 2: Verse one says this, when the Lamb opened the seventh Seal, 127 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:25,040 Speaker 2: there was silence in Heaven for about half an hour. 128 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:28,840 Speaker 2: Silence in Heaven for about half an hour. Now, when 129 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 2: I see that that emphasis on silence here right there 130 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:36,280 Speaker 2: in verse one, it gets my attention because it's right 131 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:40,440 Speaker 2: there at the start of the chapter. Especially, it seems 132 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:43,960 Speaker 2: especially poignant because when you look at the chapters preceding it, 133 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:48,160 Speaker 2: Heaven at this point has been filled with worship and 134 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:53,000 Speaker 2: singing and thunder and praise, and so you have all 135 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 2: these loud things that are referenced in the previous versus 136 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 2: previous chapters. 137 00:06:57,800 --> 00:06:58,919 Speaker 1: Is taking place in heaven. 138 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:00,839 Speaker 2: But then you get to this spot right here, and 139 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 2: suddenly it goes still. And we're told that there was 140 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:06,320 Speaker 2: silence in heaven for about half an hour. And it's 141 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 2: not awkward silence. It's not confusion. It's something that's meant 142 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:17,680 Speaker 2: to communicate reverence or anticipation. Something decisive is about to happen. 143 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 2: And so you can see there's an intentional pause of 144 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 2: sound for thirty minutes in anticipation of what's about to 145 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 2: take place. And what happens is we continue reading this 146 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:31,920 Speaker 2: chapter as we start to notice that this silence marks 147 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:35,600 Speaker 2: a turning point during that future tribulation period, the tribulation 148 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 2: being a seven year period of judgment yet to come 149 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:42,360 Speaker 2: upon the Earth, and the seal judgments at this point 150 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 2: now have unfolded. So we saw a series of you know, 151 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:49,000 Speaker 2: as each seal's opened up, a series of judgments that 152 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 2: comes upon the earth. And now you have the seventh 153 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:54,840 Speaker 2: seal that's opened here, and the seventh seal is now 154 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 2: going to introduce what we refer. 155 00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:57,880 Speaker 1: To as the trumpet judgments. 156 00:07:58,560 --> 00:08:01,040 Speaker 2: So it's a seal that opens up, introducing a new 157 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 2: set of judgments, basically what we're going to see. And 158 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:06,960 Speaker 2: I know that this isn't always pleasant to think about, 159 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 2: but it is helpful to think about. God's righteous judgment 160 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 2: on a rebellious world is about to intensify. But he's 161 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 2: telling us all about it ahead of time. He's doing 162 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:22,119 Speaker 2: that in a very generous and gracious way. And even 163 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:23,920 Speaker 2: here in the midst of all of this, one of 164 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:26,480 Speaker 2: the things that I also appreciate is that the focus 165 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 2: doesn't drift from Jesus. 166 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:30,760 Speaker 1: The focus is still on Christ. 167 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:34,480 Speaker 2: The silence come, it tells the silence comes when the 168 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:38,320 Speaker 2: Lamb opens the seal. Do you notice that in verse 169 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 2: one it says, when the Lamb opened the seventh seal, 170 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,080 Speaker 2: there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 171 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:48,200 Speaker 2: So the silence comes when the Lamb opens the seal. 172 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:50,600 Speaker 2: And I love this because it shows us that history 173 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:54,800 Speaker 2: doesn't unfold randomly and judgment doesn't erupt without a purpose. 174 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 2: Jesus remains fully in control, and we see that here 175 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 2: in Revelation chapter eight, verse one. Now in scripture, silence 176 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:07,400 Speaker 2: often signals God's holy presence right before decisive action. There's 177 00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:11,079 Speaker 2: other places in prophetic literature where silence gets emphasized. 178 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:12,720 Speaker 1: Want to show you a couple of them. 179 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:16,800 Speaker 2: In the Book of Havoca, Chapter two, verse twenty, it 180 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 2: says the Lord is in his holy temple. Let all 181 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:24,720 Speaker 2: the earth keep silence before him. And then when you 182 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:28,680 Speaker 2: look at Zephaniah one seven, it says, be silent before 183 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 2: the Lord God, for the day of the Lord is near. 184 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 2: So this is a pattern we see in scripture. Silence 185 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:40,319 Speaker 2: prepares the heart for reality something's about to take place. 186 00:09:40,400 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 2: We're supposed to be looking and noticing something that the 187 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:44,760 Speaker 2: Lord is about to do. And I think that this 188 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:47,760 Speaker 2: silence fits with the broader biblical theme that we see 189 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 2: throughout scripture of this idea of the day of the 190 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:53,400 Speaker 2: Lord again, a future period when God openly intervenes in 191 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:57,800 Speaker 2: human history to judge sin and establish his kingdom. So 192 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:01,120 Speaker 2: this isn't symbolic language when we see this year in scripture, 193 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:04,720 Speaker 2: you know about like general hardship or something like that. 194 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:08,200 Speaker 2: It's literal judgment during a defined prophetic time frame, and 195 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:11,839 Speaker 2: the scriptures preparing us to understand these things. And when 196 00:10:11,880 --> 00:10:13,880 Speaker 2: you look at this silence here, it's not telling us 197 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:16,720 Speaker 2: that God has stepped away. There's silence, but He hasn't 198 00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:20,080 Speaker 2: stepped away. It actually means it's another way of God 199 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:23,240 Speaker 2: illustrating he is fully present, and he's actually trying to 200 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:27,080 Speaker 2: get our attention. Sometimes silence gets your attention. Those of 201 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:31,080 Speaker 2: you that have young children know that if there's noise 202 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 2: in the house, your guard is down. But it's when 203 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:37,760 Speaker 2: everything goes silent that you're like, something's up. 204 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:39,000 Speaker 1: Something. 205 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:42,920 Speaker 2: Apparently Heaven works the same way, because it tells us 206 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 2: that there's silence here and God hasn't stepped away. He's 207 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:49,040 Speaker 2: fully present, He's trying to get our attention. And by 208 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:51,280 Speaker 2: the way, if you've ever wondered, and I think probably 209 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:53,120 Speaker 2: all of us have thought about this from time to time, 210 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:55,440 Speaker 2: but if you've ever wondered whether God notices what's happening 211 00:10:55,520 --> 00:10:59,079 Speaker 2: in this world, or specifically, whether God notices what's taking 212 00:10:59,120 --> 00:11:02,200 Speaker 2: place in your life, Revelation eight is actually one of 213 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:06,720 Speaker 2: those chapters that reminds us that He absolutely notices. But 214 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:11,880 Speaker 2: also notice this about him. He isn't rushed, he isn't distracted, 215 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:17,720 Speaker 2: he isn't unsure when he pauses like this. It's because 216 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 2: what follows is consequential, and he's about to do some 217 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:25,320 Speaker 2: very intentional things, revealing some very intentional things along the way. 218 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:28,000 Speaker 2: And I think John is very careful with his words here. 219 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:30,920 Speaker 2: Obviously the Holy Spirit is inspiring John to write these 220 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:33,800 Speaker 2: things down and revealing these things to him along the way, 221 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:36,320 Speaker 2: But he's very careful with his words because here he 222 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 2: doesn't use a phrase of judge, even though this is 223 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:43,040 Speaker 2: a time of judgment. He doesn't say the judge opened 224 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:45,880 Speaker 2: the seal the seventh seal. He doesn't say the judge 225 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 2: opens the seventh Seal, even though Jesus revealed during the 226 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:51,079 Speaker 2: course of his earthly ministry that it's through him that 227 00:11:51,160 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 2: people will be judged, that Jesus will be judging. But 228 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:57,960 Speaker 2: that's not the terminology used here. In fact, John says 229 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 2: the Lamb opened it. The Lamb opened it. And I 230 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:04,840 Speaker 2: suspect that that probably matters more than we initially realized, 231 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:08,600 Speaker 2: because there's nothing unintentional in scripture. But it says the 232 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:11,920 Speaker 2: Lamb opened that seal. Well, who is this lamb? Well, 233 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:14,200 Speaker 2: the lamb is the one who has been slain. We 234 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 2: see that referenced earlier in the book. The lamb is 235 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:21,040 Speaker 2: the one whose blood redeemed sinners. The lamb is who 236 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 2: Jesus Christ. The Lamb opened the seal. So judgment here, 237 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:29,000 Speaker 2: this is a time of judgment that's being introduced. But 238 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:34,079 Speaker 2: judgment proceeds from the very same Savior who once, with 239 00:12:34,320 --> 00:12:37,880 Speaker 2: grace and mercy and love, stretched his arms out on 240 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 2: the cross to pay for the sin of humanity, to 241 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:45,760 Speaker 2: come and suffer for our sin. First judgment proceeds from 242 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 2: the very one who stretched out his hands on a cross. Now, 243 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 2: Isaiah foretold that the Messiah was going to do that 244 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:56,920 Speaker 2: in Isaiah fifty three, very consequential chapter one that's worth 245 00:12:57,200 --> 00:12:59,880 Speaker 2: becoming familiar with just in general. But in Isaiah fifty 246 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:03,360 Speaker 2: three it prophetically hundreds of years before Jesus did this. 247 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:06,240 Speaker 2: It prophesied that the Messiah was going to do something. 248 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:09,760 Speaker 2: It says he was pierced for our transgressions. He was 249 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:13,360 Speaker 2: crushed for our iniquities. It was pierced for our transgressions. 250 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:16,560 Speaker 2: He was crushed for our iniquities. Jesus came to this 251 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:20,760 Speaker 2: earth an absorbed judgment so sinners could receive mercy. It's 252 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:23,600 Speaker 2: his desire to show you mercy. It's his desire to 253 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:27,040 Speaker 2: show me mercy. It's his desire to show your difficult 254 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 2: family member mercy, or your challenging neighbor, or your coworker 255 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:35,439 Speaker 2: that sometimes you just try to avoid. It's his desire 256 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:38,720 Speaker 2: to show them mercy. Now, many people reject that opportunity 257 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:41,840 Speaker 2: to be shown mercy. Many people scorn the idea of 258 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:45,600 Speaker 2: Jesus even existing. But Jesus came to this earth to 259 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:49,080 Speaker 2: absorb judgments so that sinners could receive mercy. But mercy 260 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:53,520 Speaker 2: that's rejected doesn't erase justice. You can be offered mercy 261 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 2: and you can reject mercy. You know, I can think 262 00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:59,559 Speaker 2: of times again in my childhood where I rejected mercy 263 00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:04,280 Speaker 2: and I got justice. And you look at what humanity does. 264 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:07,440 Speaker 2: We have a habit of rejecting mercy. Well, if you 265 00:14:07,520 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 2: reject mercy, what do you receive the only other alternative justice? 266 00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:16,720 Speaker 2: And I believe that the events recorded here in Revelation eight, 267 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 2: that these are events occurring after the rapture of the Church. 268 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:23,000 Speaker 2: I believe that God's now dealing with Israel and the 269 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 2: nations in fulfillment of long standing promises He said this 270 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:30,440 Speaker 2: time was going to come. In fact, look at where 271 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:32,360 Speaker 2: we are right now, right now, we're talking about this. 272 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:35,120 Speaker 2: This hasn't happened yet, but we're well aware of it. 273 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 2: The Lord has made us well aware that this time 274 00:14:37,760 --> 00:14:40,120 Speaker 2: is going to come. And here you see the Lord 275 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:43,720 Speaker 2: finally doing exactly what he said he was going to do, 276 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:49,400 Speaker 2: long standing promises, finally being fulfilled. Judgment unfolds, and it's 277 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:54,120 Speaker 2: not because God failed to save. It's judgment unfolding because 278 00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:59,040 Speaker 2: humanity fails to repent. And yet still Jesus remains the 279 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:01,920 Speaker 2: central figure in the midst of all of this, So 280 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 2: even judgment flows through his authority. 281 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 1: And I think that truth. 282 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 2: Keeps us from misunderstanding God's character. I don't know what 283 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:12,920 Speaker 2: you think about God. I hope you think good things 284 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:16,040 Speaker 2: about him. But here's what I'll tell you about the Lord. 285 00:15:16,600 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 2: And He's confirmed this time and time and time again. 286 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 2: Over the course of my life, there are times that 287 00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:25,480 Speaker 2: I struggle to wrap my mind around certain things related 288 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 2: to the Lord. And I guess that makes sense, because 289 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 2: he's unique, he's above us. All we spend our lives 290 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:33,640 Speaker 2: trying to understand him. But this is what I know 291 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:40,280 Speaker 2: about his character. God isn't cruel, He's not cruel, He's 292 00:15:40,280 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 2: not unstable. He doesn't delight in destruction. When you look 293 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:48,080 Speaker 2: at what scripture reveals over and over and over again, 294 00:15:48,120 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 2: you watch him showing mercy to people that would rather 295 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:54,760 Speaker 2: just do their own thing. I've been just in my 296 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 2: own personal study. I've been going through the Book of 297 00:15:57,320 --> 00:16:00,840 Speaker 2: Exodus over the course of the past few weeks, and 298 00:16:00,880 --> 00:16:03,400 Speaker 2: I just watched time and time again the Lord's patience 299 00:16:03,560 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 2: with the people of Israel, and the Lord's patience with 300 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:09,040 Speaker 2: Moses himself, and you see the Lord helping them out, 301 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:11,840 Speaker 2: guiding them and doing that. And I look at that, 302 00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:13,480 Speaker 2: and I see patterns in my own life where I 303 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:15,800 Speaker 2: could say, you know what, Lord, I attempted to do 304 00:16:15,920 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 2: my own thing during this season, and you pulled me back. 305 00:16:18,760 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 2: You gave me another shot, you gave me another try. 306 00:16:21,400 --> 00:16:25,520 Speaker 2: God doesn't delight in destruction. He's not cruel, he's not unstable. 307 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:31,080 Speaker 2: But when it comes to judgment, judgment is the necessary 308 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:35,840 Speaker 2: response of a holy God to the persistent rebellion of humanity. 309 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:38,320 Speaker 1: It is the. 310 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:42,000 Speaker 2: Necessary response of a holy God to our persistent rebellion. 311 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:45,560 Speaker 2: And so here we see the Lord doing what he 312 00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:48,120 Speaker 2: told us ahead of time he would do. But all 313 00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:51,000 Speaker 2: along the way, look at what he's done. He came 314 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:53,120 Speaker 2: to us, he took on flesh, he walked among us. 315 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:57,920 Speaker 2: He sought to absorb the judgment that we deserved so 316 00:16:57,960 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 2: that we could be, so that we could go from 317 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 2: being objects of wrath, as were described in scripture, to 318 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:05,960 Speaker 2: becoming objects of his mercy, not just an object of 319 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:09,639 Speaker 2: his mercy, an adopted member of his family. And he 320 00:17:09,680 --> 00:17:12,720 Speaker 2: makes that offer to us. He offers us the opportunity 321 00:17:12,760 --> 00:17:15,359 Speaker 2: to do that. But obviously there are many people throughout 322 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:18,879 Speaker 2: the course of history who persist in their rebellion against God. 323 00:17:19,359 --> 00:17:22,000 Speaker 2: And so you get to verse two, and in verse 324 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:24,880 Speaker 2: two of Revelation, chapter eight, it says, then I saw 325 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:29,199 Speaker 2: the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets 326 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:30,440 Speaker 2: were given to them. 327 00:17:30,680 --> 00:17:31,520 Speaker 1: We're going to start. 328 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:34,879 Speaker 2: Watching announcements come out here. Now, most people don't know 329 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:37,959 Speaker 2: this about me. But when I was in elementary school 330 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:42,080 Speaker 2: and part of junior high, I played the trumpet. Did 331 00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:45,080 Speaker 2: you know that most people did not? All right, even 332 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:46,080 Speaker 2: some of you that know me well, you. 333 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 1: Didn't know that. 334 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:50,000 Speaker 2: Now it's been so long since I have played the 335 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:51,880 Speaker 2: trumpet that I actually think it would take a lot 336 00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:54,119 Speaker 2: of practice for me to be able to play well again. 337 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:56,639 Speaker 2: And in fact, a few years ago I attempted to 338 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:59,880 Speaker 2: just like pick one up and do that, but your muscles, 339 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:03,480 Speaker 2: he goes away right, your lips fatigue, And I thought 340 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 2: I tried it, and it was it sounded terrible. I 341 00:18:06,280 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 2: still remembered most of the notes, and it sounded terrible. 342 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:11,240 Speaker 2: But I'll tell you I'll never forget a practice session. 343 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:13,720 Speaker 2: I think it was in sixth grade and it was 344 00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:20,879 Speaker 2: with our band teacher, mister Morkham, and mister Morkham said 345 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:23,800 Speaker 2: to me, he said, all right, I've got some new 346 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:25,919 Speaker 2: music for you, and I'd like you to try to 347 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:27,760 Speaker 2: play this. And I said all right, And I looked 348 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:29,959 Speaker 2: at it and it was mostly notes that were like 349 00:18:30,520 --> 00:18:33,920 Speaker 2: really high, and I thought, I got this, I think, 350 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:38,600 Speaker 2: and sixth grade me tried his hardest to play those notes, 351 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:43,399 Speaker 2: so hard that my face kind of contorted and I 352 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 2: legit almost passed out. I almost passed out. And I 353 00:18:48,119 --> 00:18:52,199 Speaker 2: remember looking at his face as I'm now dizzy and 354 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:55,320 Speaker 2: I'm trying to brace myself on a music stand and 355 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:58,200 Speaker 2: just trying to get his attention, and. 356 00:18:58,040 --> 00:19:00,320 Speaker 1: He was so shaken after that. 357 00:19:00,760 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 2: I remember him confirming, you know, for like ten minutes, 358 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:06,040 Speaker 2: are you okay? Are you okay? Do I need to 359 00:19:06,040 --> 00:19:07,760 Speaker 2: send you to the nurse? Are you sure you're okay? 360 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:09,720 Speaker 2: Maybe we just end this right now. You don't need 361 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:12,440 Speaker 2: to practice anymore. Great way to get out of band practice, 362 00:19:12,600 --> 00:19:15,000 Speaker 2: right just look like you're going to pass out. But 363 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:17,160 Speaker 2: I remember trying to blow that trumpet as loud as 364 00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:20,239 Speaker 2: I could and then thinking after it, I was like, 365 00:19:20,280 --> 00:19:23,200 Speaker 2: I have a headache, I feel very dizzy. I wasn't 366 00:19:23,480 --> 00:19:28,240 Speaker 2: prepared to hit those notes. Trumpets come up a lot 367 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:30,879 Speaker 2: of times in scripture. You probably noticed that the reference 368 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:34,360 Speaker 2: multiple times in scripture, and when they're referenced or utilized, 369 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:39,880 Speaker 2: it's actually typically for something significant. Trumpets usually announce something 370 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:43,639 Speaker 2: or they warned. They're used in warning, so like announcing 371 00:19:43,680 --> 00:19:48,200 Speaker 2: things warning or just in general summoning attention. So you 372 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:51,920 Speaker 2: see announcing, warning, summoning attention. That's a pattern that you 373 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:55,320 Speaker 2: see when trumpets are used throughout scripture. In fact, the 374 00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:57,760 Speaker 2: prophet Joel actually had something to say about it in 375 00:19:57,840 --> 00:20:00,000 Speaker 2: Joel Chapter two, verse one, he said, blow a trump 376 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:03,920 Speaker 2: but in Zion, sound an alarm on my holy mountain, 377 00:20:04,280 --> 00:20:08,480 Speaker 2: speaking on behalf of the Lord. In Israel's history, when 378 00:20:08,480 --> 00:20:11,040 Speaker 2: you look throughout the history of Israel, trumpets called the 379 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:15,439 Speaker 2: people to assemble, called the people to prepare. Trumpets are 380 00:20:15,480 --> 00:20:18,400 Speaker 2: also used to call the people to repent, and here 381 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 2: in Revelation, the trumpet judgments effectively served that same function, 382 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 2: just on a global scale. This idea of assemble, prepare, repent. 383 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:32,159 Speaker 2: It's like that same function that they serve for Israel, 384 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:35,800 Speaker 2: but now on a global scale. These trumpet judgments that 385 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:38,920 Speaker 2: are that are now about to unfold. They're literal events 386 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:43,040 Speaker 2: that unfold during the tribulation, and they intensify God's warnings 387 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:48,280 Speaker 2: and demonstrate that the world cannot continue in defiance without consequence. 388 00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:54,679 Speaker 2: But before the first trumpets sound, John's attention shifts just 389 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:56,959 Speaker 2: for a moment. And maybe you notice this when we 390 00:20:56,960 --> 00:20:59,720 Speaker 2: were first reading this together, but I'll reread it because 391 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:01,679 Speaker 2: when you get to verse three, this is what he says. 392 00:21:02,280 --> 00:21:05,080 Speaker 2: He says, another angel came and stood at the altar 393 00:21:05,119 --> 00:21:08,440 Speaker 2: with a golden censer, and he was given much incense 394 00:21:08,520 --> 00:21:10,679 Speaker 2: to offer with the prayers of all the saints on 395 00:21:10,720 --> 00:21:13,080 Speaker 2: the golden altar before the throne. 396 00:21:13,240 --> 00:21:15,120 Speaker 1: That's what John references there in verse three. 397 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:18,280 Speaker 2: Now, this scene reaches right back into the Old Testament 398 00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:23,439 Speaker 2: and into the Old Testament sacrificial system, specifically in Exodus thirty. 399 00:21:23,520 --> 00:21:26,959 Speaker 2: If you look back in Exodus thirty, incense was burned 400 00:21:27,320 --> 00:21:30,520 Speaker 2: as a daily symbol of prayers being offered to God. 401 00:21:30,560 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 2: It was a visible symbol to the people of Israel. 402 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:35,719 Speaker 2: We see this back in the book of Exodus. David himself, 403 00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:38,720 Speaker 2: by the way, hundreds of years later, David referenced this 404 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:41,880 Speaker 2: when he prayed in and Psalm one forty one, verse two. 405 00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:45,680 Speaker 2: He said, let my prayer be incense before you. It's 406 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:49,880 Speaker 2: this idea of something rising up before the throne of God. 407 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:51,879 Speaker 2: And here in the Book of Revelation you have this 408 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:55,119 Speaker 2: imagery again. You have the prayers of the saints that 409 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:59,000 Speaker 2: are gathered, and they're honored. By the way, when it's 410 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:01,840 Speaker 2: referencing saints here and speaking of a select group of 411 00:22:01,960 --> 00:22:05,240 Speaker 2: special Christians, when the Bible uses the term saints, it's 412 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:08,440 Speaker 2: speaking of those who trust in Jesus Christ. All believers 413 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:11,760 Speaker 2: are saints. Every believer in Jesus Christ is a saint, 414 00:22:11,960 --> 00:22:13,119 Speaker 2: not just some people. 415 00:22:13,520 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 1: And as this. 416 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:18,360 Speaker 2: Passage illustrates, they aren't ignored, they aren't forgotten, and they 417 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:22,920 Speaker 2: aren't dismissed as insignificant. These prayers that are being referenced 418 00:22:22,920 --> 00:22:25,760 Speaker 2: here as like an incense before the Lord. 419 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:27,280 Speaker 1: They likely include the. 420 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:29,840 Speaker 2: Cries of tribulation saints, so people that come to faith 421 00:22:29,840 --> 00:22:33,359 Speaker 2: in Christ during the tribulation. This would also include the 422 00:22:33,359 --> 00:22:35,919 Speaker 2: prayers of the martyrs, people who've been martyred. 423 00:22:35,560 --> 00:22:36,200 Speaker 1: For their faith. 424 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:39,879 Speaker 2: It also includes the long standing please of God's people, 425 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:43,760 Speaker 2: and you know our prayers as well, you know, please 426 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:46,760 Speaker 2: before the Lord, to bring justice, to fulfill his promises, 427 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:50,040 Speaker 2: to establish his kingdom, to redeem souls, to make things 428 00:22:50,040 --> 00:22:53,600 Speaker 2: that are wrong right. And I think a passage like 429 00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:57,159 Speaker 2: this is very useful, and I think a passage like 430 00:22:57,200 --> 00:22:59,680 Speaker 2: this in particular is one of those reasons why you 431 00:22:59,720 --> 00:23:02,639 Speaker 2: should never skip any portion of the Bible. Even if 432 00:23:02,680 --> 00:23:05,240 Speaker 2: you find the Book of Revelation a little bit challenging 433 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:08,520 Speaker 2: to understand, don't skip it. Because when you get to 434 00:23:08,560 --> 00:23:10,840 Speaker 2: something like this, sometimes we tend to look at this 435 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:12,600 Speaker 2: or we're saying, all right, well, this is about people 436 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:14,800 Speaker 2: that live in a generation that I'm not even part of, 437 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:18,520 Speaker 2: we assume, And then you come to something like this 438 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:21,000 Speaker 2: and you realize that a passage like this actually has 439 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:24,919 Speaker 2: the potential to reshape how we might commonly think about prayer. 440 00:23:25,320 --> 00:23:27,800 Speaker 2: We actually reference this a little bit earlier in our 441 00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:31,480 Speaker 2: study of revelation. Some people have this mistaken notion that 442 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:35,120 Speaker 2: our prayers basically just disappear into the ceiling. 443 00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:36,920 Speaker 1: The moment that they're spoken, we. 444 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:38,720 Speaker 2: Say to them, they just go up and kind of 445 00:23:38,760 --> 00:23:42,120 Speaker 2: disappear into the ceiling. It's like, what even happens after that? 446 00:23:42,800 --> 00:23:44,440 Speaker 2: And maybe you felt that way from time to time. 447 00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:45,879 Speaker 2: I think there are plenty of people that do that. 448 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:47,800 Speaker 2: Sometimes I hear people pray and I think they're just 449 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 2: doing it as a formality. By the way, if you 450 00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:54,639 Speaker 2: ever get invited to pray, don't rush through prayer. You 451 00:23:54,680 --> 00:23:57,280 Speaker 2: don't have to pray a long time, but recognize that 452 00:23:57,320 --> 00:24:00,400 Speaker 2: you're actually talking to God. You get asked to pray 453 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:03,840 Speaker 2: before a meal, pray before the meal. Don't just say words. 454 00:24:03,880 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 2: Don't just go through a formality. So it could be 455 00:24:06,320 --> 00:24:08,600 Speaker 2: really quick. Because you're nervous about praying out loud in 456 00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:11,040 Speaker 2: front of people, put your nervous aside. 457 00:24:11,119 --> 00:24:12,080 Speaker 1: Just talk to God. 458 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:15,680 Speaker 2: I was praying with somebody recently who had never prayed 459 00:24:15,680 --> 00:24:18,720 Speaker 2: out loud before, and I had made the comment to him. 460 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:21,240 Speaker 2: I said, you know, scripture is actually clear that when 461 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:24,239 Speaker 2: you pray that he said, I'm not even sure that 462 00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:26,520 Speaker 2: I know exactly how to pray. I said, well, God 463 00:24:26,560 --> 00:24:29,400 Speaker 2: fixes that for us. The Bible tells us that God 464 00:24:29,440 --> 00:24:31,320 Speaker 2: fixes that. He knows that sometimes we don't know what 465 00:24:31,359 --> 00:24:33,399 Speaker 2: to pray or how to pray, so he fixes it. 466 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:34,879 Speaker 2: He's like, all right, well, if you're assuring me that 467 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:36,960 Speaker 2: God will fix this, then I'm going to pray out loud. 468 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:38,840 Speaker 1: I was like, do it. He's like, I knew you 469 00:24:38,840 --> 00:24:40,560 Speaker 1: were going to ask me, and I said, do it. 470 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:42,960 Speaker 2: He prayed out loud, and it was beautiful because it 471 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:45,480 Speaker 2: was genuine and it was heartfelt. So when you pray, 472 00:24:45,600 --> 00:24:48,399 Speaker 2: pray with sincerity. Don't just rush through prayer. Remember when 473 00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:51,480 Speaker 2: I was a guest speaker at a church in It 474 00:24:51,560 --> 00:24:55,280 Speaker 2: was in Houtsdale, Pennsylvania, and I was a guest speaker 475 00:24:56,240 --> 00:25:00,840 Speaker 2: and the church is part of the service, would pray 476 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:04,000 Speaker 2: the Lord's Prayer as part of the service, and it 477 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:06,199 Speaker 2: was my job to then lead them in praying the 478 00:25:06,240 --> 00:25:08,560 Speaker 2: Lord's prayer. And so I start praying the Lord's prayer 479 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:11,399 Speaker 2: and then I'm convinced that the church had a competition 480 00:25:11,480 --> 00:25:14,119 Speaker 2: going on that I didn't know about, because all of 481 00:25:14,160 --> 00:25:16,840 Speaker 2: a sudden, as soon as I said our Father, then 482 00:25:16,880 --> 00:25:19,359 Speaker 2: they were off like it was a race, and they 483 00:25:19,359 --> 00:25:21,679 Speaker 2: were just like running through that prayer as quickly as 484 00:25:21,720 --> 00:25:24,160 Speaker 2: they could. And I thought, this is the most awkward 485 00:25:24,960 --> 00:25:27,800 Speaker 2: rendition of people praying the Lord's prayer I've ever seen. 486 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:30,919 Speaker 2: And I realized, I don't think anyone's praying anything. I 487 00:25:30,920 --> 00:25:33,480 Speaker 2: think they're just saying words and trying to recite something 488 00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:35,840 Speaker 2: and get it done quickly. And I thought, what are 489 00:25:35,880 --> 00:25:37,960 Speaker 2: they like afraid of a line at the cracker barrel 490 00:25:38,040 --> 00:25:40,000 Speaker 2: or something like that. Afterward, like got to get through 491 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:45,080 Speaker 2: the service as quickly as we possibly can. When you pray, genuinely, 492 00:25:45,119 --> 00:25:50,720 Speaker 2: pray because God hears you. Prayer is a real thing. 493 00:25:51,680 --> 00:25:54,720 Speaker 2: Prayer is us communicating with our Lord. And sometimes we 494 00:25:54,760 --> 00:25:57,160 Speaker 2: wonder whether God hears us at all, and he absolutely does. 495 00:25:57,359 --> 00:26:00,920 Speaker 2: And Revelation eight says, Heaven keeps track. That's what we're 496 00:26:00,920 --> 00:26:05,639 Speaker 2: seeing here. Heaven's keeping track. God stores the prayers of 497 00:26:05,680 --> 00:26:09,199 Speaker 2: his people. He stores the prayers of his people. He 498 00:26:09,320 --> 00:26:14,200 Speaker 2: responds in his time, not necessarily our time, but always 499 00:26:14,200 --> 00:26:18,680 Speaker 2: his time. He receives our prayers, he holds on to them, 500 00:26:18,720 --> 00:26:22,480 Speaker 2: and then he answers them according to his perfect timetable. 501 00:26:22,800 --> 00:26:25,320 Speaker 2: So that means when you and I pray, we may 502 00:26:25,359 --> 00:26:31,480 Speaker 2: not see immediate answers. That's totally fine. You may even 503 00:26:31,520 --> 00:26:34,560 Speaker 2: feel tired at times in the midst of your waiting. 504 00:26:35,440 --> 00:26:36,119 Speaker 1: Well, that's fine. 505 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:39,120 Speaker 2: It'll stretch your faith, it'll teach you patience, it's good 506 00:26:39,119 --> 00:26:43,360 Speaker 2: for you, it's good medicine. But the truth is, God 507 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:45,240 Speaker 2: doesn't waste a single prayer. And I have to tell 508 00:26:45,240 --> 00:26:47,400 Speaker 2: you there are several consequential things just in my own 509 00:26:47,440 --> 00:26:54,119 Speaker 2: personal life that I am praying for regularly, circumstances, people 510 00:26:54,160 --> 00:26:56,880 Speaker 2: that I love, all sorts of details, and I am 511 00:26:56,920 --> 00:26:59,959 Speaker 2: trusting that the Lord will answer those prayers in his timing. 512 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:02,679 Speaker 2: That is a lesson that is hard to learn. But 513 00:27:02,760 --> 00:27:04,959 Speaker 2: I am trusting that the Lord will answer those prayers 514 00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:07,520 Speaker 2: in his timing. And I'm not just blindly trusting that 515 00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:09,719 Speaker 2: he will do that. I'm looking at things like what 516 00:27:09,760 --> 00:27:12,480 Speaker 2: it says in this portion of Scripture, and I'm saying, yeah, 517 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:14,560 Speaker 2: every prayer I bring up before his throne, it doesn't 518 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:19,160 Speaker 2: get wasted, it doesn't just flitter out into nowhere. It's 519 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:22,280 Speaker 2: collected before his throne, and He's going to answer it 520 00:27:22,320 --> 00:27:25,280 Speaker 2: in his timing. Now, graciously, I have to testify to 521 00:27:25,320 --> 00:27:27,480 Speaker 2: this as well, because I've been very grateful He's recently 522 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:33,240 Speaker 2: allowed me to witness the answers to several consequential requests 523 00:27:33,240 --> 00:27:36,000 Speaker 2: that I've been bringing before his throne, and in recent 524 00:27:36,080 --> 00:27:38,600 Speaker 2: day recent days in the past couple months, I have 525 00:27:38,680 --> 00:27:42,520 Speaker 2: had the opportunity to see very specific answers to very 526 00:27:42,520 --> 00:27:45,399 Speaker 2: specific prayers that I've been bringing before His throne for 527 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:48,480 Speaker 2: some time, and I'm very grateful for his willingness to 528 00:27:48,520 --> 00:27:52,040 Speaker 2: do so, because I knew the whole time he was listening, 529 00:27:52,800 --> 00:27:54,720 Speaker 2: So it was beautiful to be able to see the 530 00:27:54,720 --> 00:27:58,360 Speaker 2: answer to those things. But I also understand that there 531 00:27:58,359 --> 00:28:00,560 Speaker 2: are things that I'm praying before His throne that I 532 00:28:00,640 --> 00:28:02,600 Speaker 2: might not see the answer to those things during my 533 00:28:02,680 --> 00:28:05,720 Speaker 2: natural lifespan. Some of those things might get answered after 534 00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:07,160 Speaker 2: my time on earth is completed. 535 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:09,240 Speaker 1: That's also fine. 536 00:28:09,320 --> 00:28:11,359 Speaker 2: Many of these prayers that are gathered before the throne 537 00:28:11,359 --> 00:28:15,320 Speaker 2: of God are prayers that were prayed centuries ago, and 538 00:28:15,359 --> 00:28:18,679 Speaker 2: they get answered in God's time. So I'm grateful to 539 00:28:18,720 --> 00:28:21,440 Speaker 2: know that, even though my timetable and God's timetable might 540 00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:24,520 Speaker 2: operate differently, that I am still heard by Him when 541 00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:26,920 Speaker 2: I come before his throne. And I hope that encourages 542 00:28:26,960 --> 00:28:29,160 Speaker 2: your heart as well. When you come before his throne, 543 00:28:29,160 --> 00:28:30,960 Speaker 2: you are absolutely. 544 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:33,240 Speaker 1: Heard by him. You're heard by him. 545 00:28:33,480 --> 00:28:36,639 Speaker 2: The timetable of when he answers, he's going to answer 546 00:28:36,680 --> 00:28:40,400 Speaker 2: it perfectly when it makes the best sense, when it 547 00:28:40,440 --> 00:28:43,240 Speaker 2: makes the most sense. When you trust him to answer 548 00:28:43,320 --> 00:28:45,320 Speaker 2: the prayer, also trust that the way he does it 549 00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:47,880 Speaker 2: and the timing of when he does it also will 550 00:28:47,920 --> 00:28:52,120 Speaker 2: be perfect because he's perfect. Trust his character, trust his 551 00:28:52,280 --> 00:28:57,120 Speaker 2: all knowing omniscience. When you bring prayer, when you bring 552 00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:00,480 Speaker 2: your prayers before the throne of God. And I think 553 00:29:00,520 --> 00:29:03,440 Speaker 2: that's a modern day application we should take from what 554 00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:05,960 Speaker 2: we just read in verse three. But then you look 555 00:29:05,960 --> 00:29:08,120 Speaker 2: at verse four and verse five. Look at what it 556 00:29:08,160 --> 00:29:11,040 Speaker 2: tells us. So in verse four it says, and the 557 00:29:11,080 --> 00:29:13,760 Speaker 2: smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints 558 00:29:13,880 --> 00:29:17,239 Speaker 2: rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then 559 00:29:17,280 --> 00:29:19,640 Speaker 2: the angel took the censor and filled it with fire 560 00:29:19,680 --> 00:29:22,840 Speaker 2: from the altar and threw it on the earth. And 561 00:29:22,920 --> 00:29:27,080 Speaker 2: there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and 562 00:29:27,160 --> 00:29:30,040 Speaker 2: an earthquake. So you look at this here it says, 563 00:29:30,120 --> 00:29:33,080 Speaker 2: you know, the prayers of the saints, they rose before 564 00:29:33,160 --> 00:29:34,880 Speaker 2: God from the hand of the angel. And then you 565 00:29:34,920 --> 00:29:38,920 Speaker 2: see a turning point here. The angel takes that censors 566 00:29:38,960 --> 00:29:41,440 Speaker 2: filled with fire from the altar through it on the earth. 567 00:29:41,680 --> 00:29:45,680 Speaker 2: Judgment flows from that altar. Judgment flows from that altar. Now, 568 00:29:45,720 --> 00:29:48,479 Speaker 2: fire in scripture represents God's holy presence. 569 00:29:48,520 --> 00:29:50,000 Speaker 1: When God descended on Mount. 570 00:29:49,800 --> 00:29:52,840 Speaker 2: Sinai get in the book of Exodus, the mountain shook 571 00:29:52,880 --> 00:29:56,680 Speaker 2: with fire and thunder. It's in Exodus nineteen when Elijah 572 00:29:56,760 --> 00:30:00,800 Speaker 2: confronted false worship. Fire fell f heaven. We see that 573 00:30:00,840 --> 00:30:03,959 Speaker 2: in First King's chapter eighteen. And here fire comes from 574 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:09,480 Speaker 2: the altar that's associated with God's intercession. God's judgment isn't 575 00:30:09,480 --> 00:30:13,320 Speaker 2: detached from his holiness. God's judgment isn't detached from his faithfulness. 576 00:30:13,560 --> 00:30:19,320 Speaker 2: God's judgment isn't impulsive, but it is very deliberate. And 577 00:30:19,360 --> 00:30:21,360 Speaker 2: when you look at this here, this moment signals the 578 00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:25,520 Speaker 2: beginning of these intensified trumpet judgments which we're going to 579 00:30:25,520 --> 00:30:28,560 Speaker 2: be looking at. But where basically God is responding to 580 00:30:28,640 --> 00:30:32,440 Speaker 2: persistent rebellion and unanswered calls to repentance, He's going to 581 00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:35,040 Speaker 2: be responding to that now. And yet even this judgment 582 00:30:35,080 --> 00:30:39,440 Speaker 2: carries a helpful warning. Trumpets don't whisper they're trumpet judgments. 583 00:30:39,800 --> 00:30:44,800 Speaker 2: Trumpets don't whisper, they alert, they're announcing that the time 584 00:30:45,040 --> 00:30:47,800 Speaker 2: is running out. So even when you look at this here, 585 00:30:47,840 --> 00:30:49,640 Speaker 2: you're looking at the Lord doing something in such a 586 00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:52,920 Speaker 2: way that it's meant to get people's attention and indicate 587 00:30:52,960 --> 00:30:54,600 Speaker 2: to them that time is running out. 588 00:30:54,640 --> 00:30:55,680 Speaker 1: Now, I have to tell you. 589 00:30:57,480 --> 00:30:59,600 Speaker 2: One of the challenges we already acknowledge this this morning, 590 00:30:59,640 --> 00:31:01,320 Speaker 2: that many people have when they read through the Book 591 00:31:01,320 --> 00:31:04,880 Speaker 2: of Revelation, is they wonder, Okay, I'm looking at these things. 592 00:31:04,920 --> 00:31:07,680 Speaker 2: I'm looking at things that are related to a future time. 593 00:31:08,760 --> 00:31:11,800 Speaker 2: Should I be reading this? Why should I read this? 594 00:31:11,920 --> 00:31:13,440 Speaker 2: Or is this just written for the people that will 595 00:31:13,480 --> 00:31:15,480 Speaker 2: live during that particular time. Well, as we could already 596 00:31:15,480 --> 00:31:18,840 Speaker 2: see by application of being reminded of God's holiness and 597 00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:21,600 Speaker 2: the fact that he answers prayers, I think it's. 598 00:31:21,480 --> 00:31:22,760 Speaker 1: Beneficial for us to understand. 599 00:31:22,760 --> 00:31:24,040 Speaker 2: But I think there's a few other things that we 600 00:31:24,080 --> 00:31:28,080 Speaker 2: can notice from a passage like this. Yes it speaks 601 00:31:28,080 --> 00:31:31,320 Speaker 2: of future events, Yes it speaks of judgment, but I 602 00:31:31,360 --> 00:31:33,720 Speaker 2: also believe it's meant to speak to believers right now, 603 00:31:33,720 --> 00:31:36,040 Speaker 2: in the present. And I think first of all, it 604 00:31:36,080 --> 00:31:40,880 Speaker 2: reminds us that evil will not go unanswered. Evil will 605 00:31:40,920 --> 00:31:44,640 Speaker 2: not go unanswered. I think sometimes I look at this world, 606 00:31:44,720 --> 00:31:46,520 Speaker 2: I look at the news, I look at you know, 607 00:31:46,560 --> 00:31:48,360 Speaker 2: all sorts of things that even just happen in our 608 00:31:48,360 --> 00:31:52,680 Speaker 2: local area, and it seems like injustice feels way more 609 00:31:52,760 --> 00:31:57,760 Speaker 2: common than we wish it did. But injustice won't last forever. 610 00:31:58,400 --> 00:32:01,040 Speaker 1: God sees everything. God can keep perfect records. 611 00:32:01,080 --> 00:32:04,440 Speaker 2: God's going to address all the things that seem injust 612 00:32:04,600 --> 00:32:09,480 Speaker 2: or unfair or dishonest in our world at present. He's 613 00:32:09,520 --> 00:32:11,880 Speaker 2: going to address at all. And this is a reminder 614 00:32:11,920 --> 00:32:14,400 Speaker 2: of that, helpful for my heart to latch onto that 615 00:32:14,680 --> 00:32:16,520 Speaker 2: in the midst of seeing all sorts of things that 616 00:32:16,520 --> 00:32:19,640 Speaker 2: we see taking place in our world at present. Second, 617 00:32:19,840 --> 00:32:21,360 Speaker 2: I think another thing that we can take from this 618 00:32:21,480 --> 00:32:28,080 Speaker 2: is that it measures or it it reassures us. It 619 00:32:28,120 --> 00:32:34,640 Speaker 2: reassures us that Jesus remains sovereign, that he remains in control. 620 00:32:35,320 --> 00:32:37,800 Speaker 2: If you belong to Christ, your life is not at 621 00:32:37,800 --> 00:32:41,520 Speaker 2: the mercy of chaos. The Lamb holds the history of 622 00:32:41,600 --> 00:32:45,320 Speaker 2: this earth in his hands, and a portion of scripture 623 00:32:45,360 --> 00:32:47,920 Speaker 2: like this reminds us of that. I'm actually reminded of 624 00:32:47,920 --> 00:32:50,040 Speaker 2: that frequently as I work my way through the Book 625 00:32:50,040 --> 00:32:52,440 Speaker 2: of Revelation. Maybe you think about that as well. I've 626 00:32:52,480 --> 00:32:54,360 Speaker 2: often thought, you know what, I'm not worried about what 627 00:32:54,480 --> 00:32:57,120 Speaker 2: comes next, because the Lord already knows what comes next, 628 00:32:57,280 --> 00:32:59,840 Speaker 2: and he's already got it in control. He's obviously steering 629 00:33:00,120 --> 00:33:03,400 Speaker 2: history toward these things being fulfilled. If he tells you 630 00:33:03,440 --> 00:33:05,720 Speaker 2: how it ends, then he must be in control of 631 00:33:05,720 --> 00:33:08,160 Speaker 2: how it gets to the end. And when that occurred 632 00:33:08,200 --> 00:33:10,120 Speaker 2: to me, at one point, I was like, Oh, I 633 00:33:10,280 --> 00:33:12,719 Speaker 2: really don't need to worry when it comes to the future, 634 00:33:12,920 --> 00:33:15,600 Speaker 2: because the one who knows the end is also steering. 635 00:33:15,280 --> 00:33:17,880 Speaker 1: Things to get to that end a specific way. 636 00:33:19,200 --> 00:33:20,680 Speaker 2: A third thing that I think we could take from 637 00:33:20,760 --> 00:33:23,959 Speaker 2: it right now is again, I think it challenges us 638 00:33:23,960 --> 00:33:24,880 Speaker 2: to pray faithfully. 639 00:33:26,240 --> 00:33:27,200 Speaker 1: Pray faithfully. 640 00:33:27,800 --> 00:33:32,680 Speaker 2: Heaven treats prayer as serious business, and if God values 641 00:33:32,880 --> 00:33:37,440 Speaker 2: your prayers this much, then we can't afford to treat 642 00:33:37,840 --> 00:33:41,880 Speaker 2: prayer that casually. We should not be casual about prayer. 643 00:33:42,400 --> 00:33:45,720 Speaker 2: Understand you're coming before the throne of God and that 644 00:33:45,800 --> 00:33:49,400 Speaker 2: he holds on to these prayers, and in his perfect timing, 645 00:33:49,400 --> 00:33:51,920 Speaker 2: he's going to answer these things and in accordance with 646 00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:54,000 Speaker 2: his will. I think a fourth thing that we could 647 00:33:54,000 --> 00:33:58,200 Speaker 2: take from a passage like this is that it creates urgency. Urgency, 648 00:33:58,240 --> 00:34:00,440 Speaker 2: how well, I think when you look at this, reveals 649 00:34:00,480 --> 00:34:04,160 Speaker 2: that judgment is real. There really is a time of 650 00:34:04,240 --> 00:34:06,840 Speaker 2: judgment coming upon this earth. But we know about it 651 00:34:06,880 --> 00:34:08,880 Speaker 2: ahead of time. So if you know about it ahead 652 00:34:08,880 --> 00:34:11,160 Speaker 2: of time, what does that also mean? That also means 653 00:34:11,239 --> 00:34:15,600 Speaker 2: grace is available now that you live in a time 654 00:34:15,719 --> 00:34:19,799 Speaker 2: where grace is available to us now. Scripture is very 655 00:34:19,840 --> 00:34:22,680 Speaker 2: clear that the day is coming when mercy will give 656 00:34:22,719 --> 00:34:26,000 Speaker 2: way to justice. This time of mercy that we live 657 00:34:26,040 --> 00:34:29,360 Speaker 2: in right now does come to an end and it 658 00:34:29,400 --> 00:34:32,319 Speaker 2: gives way to justice. But right now we're in this 659 00:34:32,440 --> 00:34:35,279 Speaker 2: time of mercy. We're in this time of grace. I 660 00:34:35,360 --> 00:34:38,720 Speaker 2: like Paul's warning related to this in tewod Corinthians chapter six. 661 00:34:38,960 --> 00:34:39,720 Speaker 1: Look what he said. 662 00:34:39,960 --> 00:34:44,839 Speaker 2: He said, Behold now is the favorable time. Behold now 663 00:34:44,920 --> 00:34:47,040 Speaker 2: is the day of salvation? What is he calling this 664 00:34:47,120 --> 00:34:50,520 Speaker 2: era that we live in right now? It's a favorable time. 665 00:34:51,400 --> 00:34:54,239 Speaker 2: Do you ever look at yourself and realize, hey, uh, 666 00:34:54,560 --> 00:34:57,040 Speaker 2: I'm glad to live when I live most of the time, 667 00:34:57,080 --> 00:34:59,160 Speaker 2: what do people do They look at day to day 668 00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:01,400 Speaker 2: life and they say I lived in a different decade, 669 00:35:01,800 --> 00:35:03,480 Speaker 2: although read something about history. 670 00:35:03,719 --> 00:35:05,040 Speaker 1: I tend to do this sometimes. 671 00:35:05,239 --> 00:35:07,520 Speaker 2: I think was I know that God's sovereign and I 672 00:35:07,520 --> 00:35:09,640 Speaker 2: live when I'm supposed to live, But boy, it would 673 00:35:09,640 --> 00:35:12,360 Speaker 2: have been fun to live back in this generation. I 674 00:35:12,360 --> 00:35:14,120 Speaker 2: think I really would have liked to live one hundred 675 00:35:14,160 --> 00:35:16,640 Speaker 2: years ago or two hundred years ago. And then I 676 00:35:16,640 --> 00:35:18,920 Speaker 2: think about what plumbing and sanitation was like back then. 677 00:35:18,920 --> 00:35:20,960 Speaker 1: I'm like, nah, I'm good, I'm good. 678 00:35:21,719 --> 00:35:26,040 Speaker 2: But regardless, you look at this and you realize now 679 00:35:26,920 --> 00:35:31,680 Speaker 2: is the favorable time. Now, right now, now is the 680 00:35:31,719 --> 00:35:36,600 Speaker 2: favorable time. So think about what that means if you've. 681 00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:37,280 Speaker 1: Trusted in Christ. 682 00:35:37,400 --> 00:35:40,719 Speaker 2: I think this passage should motivate faithfulness because you live 683 00:35:40,800 --> 00:35:43,279 Speaker 2: in a favorable time, So be faithful to Jesus. It's 684 00:35:43,280 --> 00:35:45,280 Speaker 2: the start of a new year. Be faithful to Jesus. 685 00:35:45,320 --> 00:35:47,120 Speaker 2: I don't know what your ambitions or goals are for 686 00:35:47,200 --> 00:35:49,600 Speaker 2: this coming year. I have a bunch of secondary ambitions, 687 00:35:49,920 --> 00:35:51,880 Speaker 2: but let's make it a top ambition to be faithful 688 00:35:51,920 --> 00:35:54,680 Speaker 2: to Jesus Christ throughout this coming year. Because you live 689 00:35:54,719 --> 00:35:57,239 Speaker 2: in a favorable time. I live in a favorable time. 690 00:35:57,320 --> 00:35:59,879 Speaker 2: This is a good time to be alive. Here's another 691 00:36:00,080 --> 00:36:02,719 Speaker 2: thing I'll say, I don't know your heart. The Lord 692 00:36:02,760 --> 00:36:05,120 Speaker 2: knows your heart. I don't know your heart. If you've 693 00:36:05,160 --> 00:36:07,520 Speaker 2: never come to a spot where you've trusted in Jesus Christ, 694 00:36:07,600 --> 00:36:09,719 Speaker 2: where you recognize that he is who he says he is, 695 00:36:10,200 --> 00:36:12,600 Speaker 2: and you've entrusted your life over to him, I have 696 00:36:12,680 --> 00:36:15,280 Speaker 2: good news for you. You live in the favorable time. 697 00:36:15,520 --> 00:36:19,400 Speaker 2: So do it today. Don't wait till tomorrow. Do it today. 698 00:36:19,719 --> 00:36:22,960 Speaker 2: Trust in Jesus Christ, because you've received a loving warning 699 00:36:23,480 --> 00:36:26,360 Speaker 2: ahead of time. He's already told you how this ends. 700 00:36:27,000 --> 00:36:29,040 Speaker 2: And he's also told you that it's not his desire 701 00:36:29,040 --> 00:36:33,080 Speaker 2: that you perish. So since it's not his desire that 702 00:36:33,120 --> 00:36:38,279 Speaker 2: you perish, why persist in unrepented rebellion against the very 703 00:36:38,320 --> 00:36:41,800 Speaker 2: one who's trying to restore creation and restore your life. 704 00:36:43,360 --> 00:36:46,319 Speaker 2: Don't waste your life. Don't waste this year. I guess 705 00:36:46,320 --> 00:36:48,840 Speaker 2: I could say that nicely, right, I could say nicely, like, 706 00:36:48,840 --> 00:36:51,880 Speaker 2: maybe you should consider following Jesus. No, I'm just going 707 00:36:51,920 --> 00:36:54,560 Speaker 2: to say it very directly. Don't waste another minute. You 708 00:36:54,600 --> 00:36:57,000 Speaker 2: live in the favorable time, and the favorable time comes. 709 00:36:56,719 --> 00:36:57,239 Speaker 1: To an end. 710 00:36:59,080 --> 00:37:00,320 Speaker 2: And when it comes to an end, and if you 711 00:37:00,320 --> 00:37:02,719 Speaker 2: didn't respond to the opportunity that the Lord gave to you, 712 00:37:02,680 --> 00:37:07,280 Speaker 2: you'll wish that you did. You're in the favorable time. 713 00:37:07,960 --> 00:37:11,040 Speaker 2: Make Christ the center of your life. Trust him and 714 00:37:11,160 --> 00:37:13,600 Speaker 2: allow him to lead you. You will not regret it. 715 00:37:14,040 --> 00:37:16,279 Speaker 2: And I'll tell you what. God is very patient with us. 716 00:37:16,320 --> 00:37:18,200 Speaker 2: I'm so grateful when I think through the course of 717 00:37:18,280 --> 00:37:21,319 Speaker 2: my life how patient with me He has been. But 718 00:37:21,400 --> 00:37:27,480 Speaker 2: his patience doesn't mean indifference. Now is the favorable time 719 00:37:27,800 --> 00:37:29,520 Speaker 2: to trust in Jesus Christ. 720 00:37:30,800 --> 00:37:33,799 Speaker 1: So think about what we've just read. Revelation eight. 721 00:37:34,040 --> 00:37:38,719 Speaker 2: It starts with silence, but it doesn't end with despair. 722 00:37:39,560 --> 00:37:42,480 Speaker 2: It tells us that history is moving towards something. Ultimately, 723 00:37:42,520 --> 00:37:46,000 Speaker 2: it's moving toward restoration, and judgment prepares the way for 724 00:37:46,080 --> 00:37:49,640 Speaker 2: Christ's return. Judgment prepares the way for Christ's ultimate kingdom, 725 00:37:49,680 --> 00:37:53,160 Speaker 2: the restoration that scripture promises us. The lamb who opens 726 00:37:53,200 --> 00:37:57,440 Speaker 2: the seals is the same savior who invites sinners to 727 00:37:57,480 --> 00:38:01,440 Speaker 2: come to him. He isn't distant, and he isn't cold. 728 00:38:02,120 --> 00:38:08,439 Speaker 2: He's gracious, he's faithful, and he's just. And one day 729 00:38:08,480 --> 00:38:10,640 Speaker 2: that silence is going to give way to victory, and 730 00:38:10,800 --> 00:38:14,040 Speaker 2: Jesus will reign and every promise will be fulfilled. And 731 00:38:14,160 --> 00:38:17,839 Speaker 2: every eye is going to see it. And until then, 732 00:38:17,880 --> 00:38:24,239 Speaker 2: what do we do. We pray, we trust, we proclaim 733 00:38:24,320 --> 00:38:27,760 Speaker 2: the Gospel, and we rest in the truth that history 734 00:38:27,800 --> 00:38:30,960 Speaker 2: isn't spinning out of control, that history is moving exactly 735 00:38:31,280 --> 00:38:32,680 Speaker 2: where Jesus. 736 00:38:32,400 --> 00:38:34,839 Speaker 1: Has declared it's going to go. 737 00:38:36,080 --> 00:38:41,440 Speaker 2: Let's pray, Lord, thank you for the fact that we 738 00:38:41,480 --> 00:38:44,200 Speaker 2: could look at this portion of Scripture today and. 739 00:38:45,640 --> 00:38:47,240 Speaker 1: Acknowledge who you are. 740 00:38:47,400 --> 00:38:50,800 Speaker 2: And what you do in our lives, and what you 741 00:38:50,920 --> 00:38:56,520 Speaker 2: plan to do on this earth and in this world 742 00:38:57,719 --> 00:38:58,640 Speaker 2: at a future date. 743 00:39:01,160 --> 00:39:01,399 Speaker 1: Father. 744 00:39:01,440 --> 00:39:03,279 Speaker 2: We're grateful that we know these things ahead of time. 745 00:39:03,280 --> 00:39:05,400 Speaker 2: We're grateful for the fact that you've revealed these things 746 00:39:05,440 --> 00:39:09,399 Speaker 2: to us now. We're grateful that they're not secrets. These 747 00:39:09,440 --> 00:39:13,319 Speaker 2: are things that are The book is called revelation. We 748 00:39:13,400 --> 00:39:16,840 Speaker 2: call the book revelation. You are revealing things that naturally speaking, 749 00:39:16,880 --> 00:39:20,520 Speaker 2: we wouldn't have known, and you're not doing that to 750 00:39:20,719 --> 00:39:24,000 Speaker 2: harm us. You're doing that to help us. So Father, 751 00:39:24,040 --> 00:39:26,040 Speaker 2: I pray that these would be truths that get firmly 752 00:39:26,080 --> 00:39:28,759 Speaker 2: planted in our minds and in our hearts, and as 753 00:39:28,800 --> 00:39:31,320 Speaker 2: we understand them, we pray that we would be bold 754 00:39:31,400 --> 00:39:33,640 Speaker 2: enough to communicate them with the people that we care 755 00:39:33,680 --> 00:39:37,759 Speaker 2: about and love that there would be many people who 756 00:39:37,760 --> 00:39:38,440 Speaker 2: come to know you. 757 00:39:38,520 --> 00:39:39,160 Speaker 1: As a result. 758 00:39:39,280 --> 00:39:41,560 Speaker 2: Lord, we know that you are very, very patient with us. 759 00:39:41,560 --> 00:39:44,360 Speaker 2: We also know that this favorable time, this time of 760 00:39:44,440 --> 00:39:46,600 Speaker 2: patience that we presently live in, we also know that 761 00:39:46,640 --> 00:39:50,200 Speaker 2: it comes to an end, and because you are perfectly 762 00:39:50,200 --> 00:39:53,040 Speaker 2: holy and perfectly just, the time of justice will come. 763 00:39:53,760 --> 00:39:55,560 Speaker 2: There will be a time of judgment on this earth 764 00:39:55,560 --> 00:39:59,279 Speaker 2: in preparation for the restoration that comes next. So we 765 00:39:59,320 --> 00:40:02,000 Speaker 2: know that you will deal with the messes we've created. 766 00:40:02,040 --> 00:40:04,239 Speaker 2: We know that you will clean up the issues. We 767 00:40:04,280 --> 00:40:07,480 Speaker 2: know that you will punish, We know that you will reward. 768 00:40:08,160 --> 00:40:11,360 Speaker 2: We know that you will address all of the things 769 00:40:11,400 --> 00:40:13,879 Speaker 2: that at times weigh our minds and our hearts down 770 00:40:13,960 --> 00:40:15,840 Speaker 2: at present when we look at our world, when we 771 00:40:15,920 --> 00:40:19,359 Speaker 2: think of the difficulties that have occurred during the course 772 00:40:19,400 --> 00:40:21,400 Speaker 2: of human history, when we think about what might be 773 00:40:21,400 --> 00:40:23,440 Speaker 2: coming next. But at the same time, Lord, we pray, 774 00:40:24,120 --> 00:40:26,480 Speaker 2: as men and women who genuinely believe in You, that 775 00:40:26,520 --> 00:40:28,040 Speaker 2: when we look at these things, that we would do 776 00:40:28,120 --> 00:40:31,759 Speaker 2: so with hearts that are filled with trust. We want 777 00:40:31,800 --> 00:40:33,879 Speaker 2: to trust you again, Lord, if you're able to tell 778 00:40:33,920 --> 00:40:36,239 Speaker 2: these things to us ahead of time, that must mean 779 00:40:36,239 --> 00:40:38,640 Speaker 2: that you're steering the things that take place ahead of time, 780 00:40:39,520 --> 00:40:43,200 Speaker 2: leading to them, so that means our lives, That means 781 00:40:43,200 --> 00:40:46,000 Speaker 2: our circumstances, that means things happening on the other side. 782 00:40:45,800 --> 00:40:46,240 Speaker 1: Of the world. 783 00:40:46,280 --> 00:40:50,279 Speaker 2: You're steering it all, You're directing it all. Even tell 784 00:40:50,360 --> 00:40:54,000 Speaker 2: us in your word that the hearts of kings are 785 00:40:54,040 --> 00:40:56,760 Speaker 2: in your hand, and you can steer their hearts wherever 786 00:40:56,800 --> 00:40:59,319 Speaker 2: you want them to go. Lord, we pray for those 787 00:40:59,360 --> 00:41:02,680 Speaker 2: in leadership in our nation, those in leadership in this world, 788 00:41:03,080 --> 00:41:04,640 Speaker 2: that you would draw them all close to you, that 789 00:41:04,640 --> 00:41:06,520 Speaker 2: you would give them wisdom, and that you would steer 790 00:41:06,560 --> 00:41:09,120 Speaker 2: their hearts in such a way that the name of 791 00:41:09,160 --> 00:41:12,600 Speaker 2: your son Jesus Christ would be glorified in their leadership. 792 00:41:13,520 --> 00:41:14,080 Speaker 1: We pray that you. 793 00:41:14,080 --> 00:41:16,960 Speaker 2: Would make them men and women who genuinely repentive sin, 794 00:41:17,080 --> 00:41:20,040 Speaker 2: men and women who genuinely trust in your son, men 795 00:41:20,080 --> 00:41:22,279 Speaker 2: and women who seek to honor and glorify You with 796 00:41:22,360 --> 00:41:27,560 Speaker 2: the stewardship of their leadership. But again, Lord, we're grateful 797 00:41:27,560 --> 00:41:29,160 Speaker 2: for the fact that we can trust you in the 798 00:41:29,200 --> 00:41:31,839 Speaker 2: midst of everything that we see in experience right now. 799 00:41:32,360 --> 00:41:34,239 Speaker 2: Thank you, Lord, that you are present with us. Thank 800 00:41:34,280 --> 00:41:37,360 Speaker 2: You that you hear this specific prayer, that this prayers 801 00:41:37,400 --> 00:41:41,319 Speaker 2: brought before your throne, that it's stored up and held 802 00:41:41,360 --> 00:41:45,120 Speaker 2: on to and responded to in accordance with your will 803 00:41:45,360 --> 00:41:48,440 Speaker 2: in your timing, and for your glory and Father, for 804 00:41:48,520 --> 00:41:50,840 Speaker 2: all the things that we've been bringing before your throne. 805 00:41:50,920 --> 00:41:56,400 Speaker 2: Prayers that we pray on behalf of loved ones, family members, children, grandchildren, neighbors, 806 00:41:56,440 --> 00:42:02,279 Speaker 2: co workers, parents. Lord, help us to trust that you 807 00:42:02,320 --> 00:42:05,719 Speaker 2: will answer these things as you see fit, and help 808 00:42:05,760 --> 00:42:07,840 Speaker 2: us to trust your timing, even if many of the 809 00:42:07,880 --> 00:42:10,799 Speaker 2: answers happen at a future date when our time on 810 00:42:10,880 --> 00:42:15,000 Speaker 2: earth is already complete. You are perfect, which means your 811 00:42:15,080 --> 00:42:18,720 Speaker 2: timing is perfect. So help us to pray in faith, 812 00:42:19,520 --> 00:42:23,200 Speaker 2: knowing that you hear us in the meantime. Thank you, 813 00:42:23,239 --> 00:42:25,239 Speaker 2: Lord for all these blessings. We pray that we would 814 00:42:25,280 --> 00:42:27,680 Speaker 2: walk with you faithfully in all respects of our lives, 815 00:42:27,760 --> 00:42:33,160 Speaker 2: and we commit ourselves to you now in Jesus' name, Amen,