1 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:03,680 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 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 2: please visit us at Bible Studyheadquarters dot com. But today 4 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:16,120 Speaker 2: we're continuing our look at the Book of Revelation and 5 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:18,439 Speaker 2: we're going to be in chapter eight again this week. 6 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:21,360 Speaker 2: Last week we started chapter eight, we looked at the 7 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:23,439 Speaker 2: first five verses, and today we're going to be looking 8 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:27,320 Speaker 2: at verses six through thirteen of Revelation Chapter eight. And 9 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:30,479 Speaker 2: what we'll see in this portion of scripture are the 10 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:34,520 Speaker 2: first four trumpet judgments. Now, if you're familiar with these, 11 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:36,959 Speaker 2: you'll see them again. If you're not familiar with these, 12 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:40,000 Speaker 2: we're going to explain what these are. But basically, as 13 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:42,879 Speaker 2: you work your way through the Book of Revelation, you 14 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 2: start to notice that there are a series of things 15 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:48,559 Speaker 2: done in an organized way, a series of judgments that 16 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:51,840 Speaker 2: come upon the earth that the Lord reveals ahead of time. 17 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:53,479 Speaker 2: He tells us ahead of time that he's going to 18 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 2: be doing these things, and so we'll be looking at 19 00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 2: these things. And in the midst of looking at a 20 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:02,120 Speaker 2: portion of scripture that again primarily deals with judgment, one 21 00:01:02,160 --> 00:01:04,600 Speaker 2: of the things that I hope that we'll also notice 22 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 2: is that the Lord is telling us this ahead of time. 23 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:11,160 Speaker 2: He's revealing these things ahead of time, which also demonstrates 24 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 2: his merciful heart. So if you would take your bibles 25 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:16,600 Speaker 2: and turn with me to Revelation chapter eight. I'm going 26 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:19,320 Speaker 2: to pick up at verse six and I'll read right 27 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:22,360 Speaker 2: down to verse thirteen. This is what it says in 28 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:25,760 Speaker 2: the passage, says, now the seven angels who had the 29 00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:29,679 Speaker 2: seven trumpets, prepared to blow them. The first angel blew 30 00:01:29,680 --> 00:01:33,760 Speaker 2: his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire mixed with blood, 31 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 2: and these were thrown upon the earth, and a third 32 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:38,800 Speaker 2: of the earth was burned up, and a third of 33 00:01:38,840 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 2: the trees were burned up, and all green grass was 34 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:44,919 Speaker 2: burned up. The second angel blew his trumpet, and something 35 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:47,840 Speaker 2: like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into 36 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:50,600 Speaker 2: the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 37 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:52,880 Speaker 2: A third of the living creatures in the sea died, 38 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 2: and a third. 39 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 1: Of the ships were destroyed. 40 00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 2: The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star 41 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 2: fell from blazing like a torch, and it fell on 42 00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:06,120 Speaker 2: a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 43 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 2: The name of the star is wormwood. A third of 44 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 2: the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the 45 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:16,240 Speaker 2: water because it had been made bitter. The fourth angel 46 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:19,360 Speaker 2: blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, 47 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:21,000 Speaker 2: and a third of the moon and a third of 48 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:24,079 Speaker 2: the stars, so that a third of their light might 49 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 2: be darkened, and a third of the day might be 50 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:29,720 Speaker 2: kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night. 51 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:32,679 Speaker 1: And then I looked, and I heard. 52 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:35,280 Speaker 2: An eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew 53 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 2: directly overhead. 54 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:39,320 Speaker 1: Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the. 55 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 2: Earth at the blasts of the other trumpets that the 56 00:02:42,960 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 2: three angels are about to blow. 57 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 1: Let's pray, Lord. 58 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:50,760 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for your word, and thank you 59 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:52,680 Speaker 2: for the privilege to be able to look at it 60 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:54,680 Speaker 2: together today. We know, Lord, that we're looking at a 61 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 2: portion of scripture that is certainly a curiosity for many people. 62 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 2: And there are many people that at times have looked 63 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 2: at this portion of scripture scratched their heads and maybe 64 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:07,080 Speaker 2: just kind of walked away from it. 65 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:09,360 Speaker 1: But Lord, we're not going to do that. 66 00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 2: Our desire as we look at this is to see 67 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:15,520 Speaker 2: what you've revealed in this portion of scripture. We want 68 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:18,320 Speaker 2: to connect it to the other portions of scripture, that 69 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:21,720 Speaker 2: you've communicated things, things in your epistles, things and the 70 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:26,000 Speaker 2: other prophetic portions of your word. And by your grace, Father, 71 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:28,720 Speaker 2: it's our hope and desire that we would grow in 72 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 2: our walk with you. Thank you for revealing these things 73 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:33,960 Speaker 2: to us, Thank you for making your heart known to 74 00:03:34,040 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 2: us and your will known to us. And we pray Father, 75 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 2: that you would help us in the midst of whatever 76 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 2: season of history we happen to walk through. We pray 77 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 2: Lord that we would walk with you in the midst 78 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:47,840 Speaker 2: of that season, that we would trust you completely and 79 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 2: be obedient to your leading. And so Lord again, we 80 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 2: pray that you would speak to us now by the 81 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 2: power of your Holy Spirit, as we look at your 82 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:57,119 Speaker 2: word together. We pray this all in Jesus' name. 83 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: Amen. Now, when I look at a. 84 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:04,720 Speaker 2: Passage like Revelation chapter eight, certainly a fascinating portion of scripture, 85 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:06,360 Speaker 2: but I'm amazed at what the Lord lets us know 86 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:08,800 Speaker 2: about ahead of time, The fact that he reveals these 87 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 2: things ahead of time to us. That's one of the 88 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:14,960 Speaker 2: things that when I was a new believer, actually helped 89 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:17,359 Speaker 2: me to have a lot of confidence in the authority 90 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 2: of scripture. When I would look at various things that 91 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 2: the Lord had taken the time to reveal through the 92 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:27,159 Speaker 2: Biblical writers, through the prophets that had historically already been fulfilled. 93 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:29,480 Speaker 2: That gave me great confidence about the things that as. 94 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 1: Of yet had not yet been fulfilled. 95 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 2: But it overall strengthened my confidence in the authority of 96 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 2: scripture and the fact that what I was reading was true. 97 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 2: And so I'm amazed when we look at this that 98 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:41,880 Speaker 2: the Lord allows us to see these things, that he 99 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 2: reveals these details ahead of time. There are people that 100 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 2: will be able to look at this portion of scripture 101 00:04:47,680 --> 00:04:50,960 Speaker 2: and realize as they're going through these things that the 102 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:54,120 Speaker 2: Lord already decreed what would take place, that the Lord 103 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:56,600 Speaker 2: said ahead of time what would take place. And there 104 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 2: are people that can look at this and take warning 105 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 2: from it, caution from it. 106 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:01,680 Speaker 1: One of the things that. 107 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:06,600 Speaker 2: I actually really appreciate about the fact that the Lord 108 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:10,720 Speaker 2: reveals these things is because he's merciful. He desires to 109 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:13,599 Speaker 2: warn people about the judgments listed in this chapter and 110 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 2: the judgments in the coming chapters. He desires to warn 111 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 2: us about these things ahead of time. Now, last week 112 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:23,680 Speaker 2: we looked at Revelation chapter eight, verses one through five, 113 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 2: and you'll notice a noticeable shift as we move from 114 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 2: that first section of this chapter into the second section, 115 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 2: because what's happened now is the silence that's referenced is 116 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 2: taking place in heaven. It's now passed, and the prayers 117 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:38,560 Speaker 2: of the saints have risen before God, which are referenced 118 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:41,520 Speaker 2: in the earlier part of this chapter. We're told there's 119 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:44,560 Speaker 2: a censor that's hurled toward the earth, and now the 120 00:05:44,600 --> 00:05:48,160 Speaker 2: angels prepare to sound their trumpets, and John writes in 121 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 2: verse six he says, now the seven angels who have 122 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 2: the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. 123 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:55,040 Speaker 1: And I think that's interesting. 124 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:58,600 Speaker 2: I think John's choice of the word prepared tells us 125 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:02,520 Speaker 2: something important. What he's saying is the events that follow 126 00:06:03,320 --> 00:06:04,880 Speaker 2: aren't random chaos. 127 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:06,840 Speaker 1: This isn't random chaos. 128 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 2: These aren't uncontrolled events that are about to follow or 129 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:15,880 Speaker 2: uncontrolled destruction. These are measured events. These are purposeful events. 130 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:20,560 Speaker 2: These are intentional events. It's intentional judgment from a holy God, 131 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:25,680 Speaker 2: a holy God who's already shown humanity incredible patience. But 132 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:28,560 Speaker 2: now these things are about to unfold. John is saying 133 00:06:28,600 --> 00:06:31,919 Speaker 2: as he's revealing these things, and I believe these trumpet judgments, 134 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:33,880 Speaker 2: these things that are outlined here in this passage of 135 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:36,520 Speaker 2: scripture and in the coming chapter as well, that they 136 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 2: occur during a future time that we refer to as 137 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:43,800 Speaker 2: the Tribulation. I come from the theological perspective that says 138 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 2: that the Church has already been removed from the scene 139 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:51,160 Speaker 2: through an event called the Rapture, and that God's now 140 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:55,200 Speaker 2: dealing with a rebellious world and He's ultimately going to 141 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 2: restore Israel during this time as well. This passage, as 142 00:06:59,880 --> 00:07:02,080 Speaker 2: I look at it, I think, you know, all sorts 143 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:04,600 Speaker 2: of people have all sorts of interpretations when they come 144 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:07,680 Speaker 2: through the Book of Revelation. But one of the things 145 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:09,800 Speaker 2: that I believe to be true is that this passage 146 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:15,000 Speaker 2: isn't describing symbolic struggles inside the human heart or vague 147 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:18,480 Speaker 2: cycles of history. Sometimes I hear some interpretations that seem 148 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:20,720 Speaker 2: to treat these things as if these are cycles of 149 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 2: change taking place within humanity, or just kind of vague 150 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 2: references to things happening over broad cycles of human history. 151 00:07:30,520 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 2: I actually think what's being said here are We're being 152 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 2: told about real judgments that will one day fall on 153 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:40,120 Speaker 2: a real world, a real world that has persistently rejected 154 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 2: God's truth. And yet even in the midst of it, 155 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 2: and some of these things I think can be hard 156 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:47,200 Speaker 2: to contemplate, because again I do believe that these are 157 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:49,440 Speaker 2: things that are really going to happen. One of the 158 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 2: things that I'm grateful for is that even in the 159 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:55,160 Speaker 2: midst of all of this, the Gospel message still shines. 160 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:57,840 Speaker 2: And so I want to show that. Now, when we 161 00:07:57,920 --> 00:08:01,040 Speaker 2: get to verse seven, we notice the trumpet. So let 162 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:03,560 Speaker 2: me reread verse seven four US. Verse seven says the 163 00:08:03,560 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 2: first angel blue is trumpet. And there followed hail and 164 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:10,600 Speaker 2: fire mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth, 165 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:13,040 Speaker 2: and a third of the of the earth was burned up, 166 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:16,040 Speaker 2: and a third of the trees were burned up, and 167 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 2: all green grass was burned up. Now, two summers ago, locally, 168 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:26,880 Speaker 2: we didn't receive very much rain. I don't know if 169 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 2: you recall that justin you recall that. I know you do, 170 00:08:30,040 --> 00:08:33,280 Speaker 2: because we're of one heart when it comes to long care, right. 171 00:08:34,760 --> 00:08:38,440 Speaker 2: But as a result, two summers ago, the ground was 172 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 2: very dry, and many of us who care with an 173 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:47,320 Speaker 2: irrational care for our lawns were grieved for months at 174 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:49,439 Speaker 2: a time looking at the sky and wondering when's it 175 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 2: going to rain? And I feel like it went from 176 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:54,040 Speaker 2: June to October with no rain, and then on October 177 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 2: we got one day of rain and then no more rain. 178 00:08:57,040 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 2: So everything got brown, everything got crispy. Remember looking at 179 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:02,800 Speaker 2: that and thinking this is going to take a lot 180 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 2: of work to repair. And so the following summer, the 181 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:07,720 Speaker 2: summer that just passed, I spent a lot of time 182 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 2: repairing that damage. I know that many of you did 183 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:12,680 Speaker 2: as well, and many of you are like, why would 184 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:15,720 Speaker 2: I waste my life doing something like that? Those are 185 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 2: the smart people I understand. I just like to keep 186 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:21,840 Speaker 2: Lows and Home Depot in business, and so anytime there's 187 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:24,240 Speaker 2: any sort of a weather event that damages my precious, 188 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:25,600 Speaker 2: precious lawn, I. 189 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 1: Have to do something to fix it. 190 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:30,040 Speaker 2: And then you look at a passage like this and 191 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:32,200 Speaker 2: you're like, gee, I wonder what gets pastor John's attention 192 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,360 Speaker 2: as you look at this passage. And here's what I notice. 193 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:37,960 Speaker 2: I notice burnt grass. That's one of the things that 194 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:38,880 Speaker 2: I noticed is I look. 195 00:09:38,720 --> 00:09:39,679 Speaker 1: At this burnt grass. 196 00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 2: It's talking about burnt grass, and I'm like, oh, burnt grass, 197 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:46,080 Speaker 2: but it's talking about a much broader issue than just 198 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:50,120 Speaker 2: a local issue or our region not getting the amount 199 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 2: of rain that we like to have. It's talking about 200 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:56,720 Speaker 2: something on a global scale. The imagery we see here 201 00:09:56,760 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 2: in Revelation eighty seven. By the way, it should sound 202 00:09:59,280 --> 00:10:01,480 Speaker 2: a little bit famili if you've been reading at any 203 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:03,440 Speaker 2: point through the Book of Exodus, because when you go 204 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 2: through the Book of Exodus, you have a series of 205 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 2: plagues in the first half of the Book of Exodus 206 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:12,440 Speaker 2: that come upon Egypt. And when you get to chapter 207 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:15,480 Speaker 2: nine of the Book of Exodus, there's a statement there 208 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:17,960 Speaker 2: it says then it says, the Lord sent thunder and 209 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:21,840 Speaker 2: hail and fire down to the earth. So you see 210 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:24,360 Speaker 2: a similarity here in Revelation to what we see in 211 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:27,960 Speaker 2: Exodus chapter nine. So just as God judged Egypt for 212 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:31,679 Speaker 2: enslaving his people, just as God judged Egypt for defying 213 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 2: his authority, the scriptures revealing that that was a preview 214 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:38,719 Speaker 2: of something bigger that's going to come. He's one day 215 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 2: going to judge a world that's hardened itself against him. 216 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:44,479 Speaker 1: On a big scale. 217 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:48,319 Speaker 2: But also in the midst of that, and again, these 218 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:50,640 Speaker 2: are heavy things to think about when you're convinced that 219 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:54,679 Speaker 2: these are actual, real events that are being prophesied. Please 220 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:57,680 Speaker 2: also notice something about God, what he's revealing as he 221 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:03,040 Speaker 2: shares these details. Please also notice his restraint. Well, what 222 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:05,440 Speaker 2: do I mean by that? Is I point out his restraint. 223 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 2: Only a third is destroyed. So it's saying, right, only 224 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:11,920 Speaker 2: a third. 225 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 1: A third of the earth was burned up, a third. 226 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 2: Of the trees, a third of the green grass, a third. 227 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:21,439 Speaker 2: Only a third is destroyed. God could wipe everything out 228 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:24,800 Speaker 2: in a moment if he chose to, but he's choosing 229 00:11:24,840 --> 00:11:26,720 Speaker 2: not to, which means there must be a reason he's 230 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:30,840 Speaker 2: choosing not to do that. What we see here is 231 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:35,440 Speaker 2: judgment coming in these measured waves. It's coming in these waves. 232 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 2: So what does that mean? If judgment is coming in 233 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 2: measured waves instead of all happening in one instant, which 234 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:44,880 Speaker 2: he would be perfectly justified in doing. What does that 235 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:48,200 Speaker 2: mean to us? What should we take from something like that? 236 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 2: What is the very obvious implication from that? If it's 237 00:11:50,920 --> 00:11:55,800 Speaker 2: being measured out intentionally, gradually in waves, Well, it means 238 00:11:55,800 --> 00:12:02,000 Speaker 2: that he's leaving room for repentance. He's leaving room for repentance. 239 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:03,920 Speaker 2: The fact that he's not doing it all at once 240 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:07,240 Speaker 2: he's leaving room for repentance. I think there's something consequential 241 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 2: that we should be thinking about when when we read 242 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 2: a passage like this, because I think we often assume 243 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:16,080 Speaker 2: the stability. So if there's a historical season of stability, 244 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:18,720 Speaker 2: or if there's a lack of turmoil in this world 245 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 2: for a season of time, then that must mean approval, right, 246 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:25,720 Speaker 2: that God must just approve of everything that's going on. 247 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:28,120 Speaker 2: I think in our present days. I think a lot 248 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 2: of people in our present day would look at, you know, 249 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:32,560 Speaker 2: circumstances and say, all right, if things are going smooth, 250 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 2: if there's a lack of turmoil, judgment hasn't fallen yet, 251 00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 2: and maybe it never will. But Scripture warns us against 252 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:46,480 Speaker 2: having that assumption. Ecclesiastes eight to eleven even makes this statement. 253 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 2: It says, because the sentence against an evil deed is 254 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:52,800 Speaker 2: not executed speedily, the heart of the of the children 255 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:57,360 Speaker 2: of man is fully set to do evil. What we're 256 00:12:57,400 --> 00:13:03,559 Speaker 2: actually seeing is this God's patience isn't permission, It's mercy. 257 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:07,680 Speaker 2: This is mercy. This whole third of things being done 258 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 2: in measured waves, measured waves of judgment. God's giving people 259 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:17,199 Speaker 2: the opportunity to repent. God's patience isn't permission, it's mercy. 260 00:13:17,600 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 2: But we see that taking place in the first trumpet. 261 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:23,199 Speaker 2: We see a third of the trees, a third of 262 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:25,800 Speaker 2: the green grass, a third of the earth burned up. 263 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 2: But then we're told about a second trumpet, and the 264 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:32,760 Speaker 2: second trumpet reference is what takes place in the sea. 265 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:34,760 Speaker 2: Look at what it says in verses eight and nine 266 00:13:34,760 --> 00:13:37,800 Speaker 2: of Revelation eight. It says, the second angel blew his trumpet, 267 00:13:38,600 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 2: and something like a great mountain. I try and picture this. 268 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:43,160 Speaker 1: In my mind. What does that look like? 269 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:45,880 Speaker 2: Just like I mean, I guess it is what it is, right, 270 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:48,480 Speaker 2: it says John looks at it. He's like something like 271 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:52,680 Speaker 2: a great mountain burning with fire. Was thrown into the sea, 272 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:57,680 Speaker 2: and a third of the sea became blood. A third 273 00:13:57,760 --> 00:14:00,719 Speaker 2: of the living creatures in the sea died, and a 274 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:05,079 Speaker 2: third of the ships were destroyed. Now again, when you 275 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:06,920 Speaker 2: look at those portions of scripture, when you look at 276 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:09,360 Speaker 2: those verses here that we just read from Revelation eight, 277 00:14:09,679 --> 00:14:11,640 Speaker 2: don't they also remind you of something from the Book 278 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:13,920 Speaker 2: of Exodus. When you look back at the plagues, when 279 00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:17,160 Speaker 2: you look back at the judgments that the Lord demonstrated 280 00:14:17,679 --> 00:14:21,640 Speaker 2: to the people of Egypt in the Book of Exodus, 281 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:25,040 Speaker 2: when Moses struck the Nile. We see this in Exodus 282 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:28,480 Speaker 2: chapter seven. It tells us when Moses struck the Nile 283 00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:30,680 Speaker 2: in Exodus seven to twenty, all the water of the 284 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 2: Nile turned into blood. It was a preview of something 285 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:38,800 Speaker 2: we see in the Book of Revelation. Scripture isn't disconnected 286 00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:41,800 Speaker 2: from itself. The events taking place in Exodus very much 287 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 2: connect to what the Lord shows us in the Book 288 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:45,080 Speaker 2: of Revelation. 289 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 1: Now Here we see that. 290 00:14:51,040 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 2: You know, this second angel blows his trumpet, something like 291 00:14:53,440 --> 00:14:55,760 Speaker 2: a great mountain burning with fire thrown. 292 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:56,520 Speaker 1: Into the sea. 293 00:14:56,720 --> 00:15:01,080 Speaker 2: The sea is often associated with commerce, it's often associated 294 00:15:01,120 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 2: with travel, It's often associated with human power, and here 295 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:10,520 Speaker 2: it becomes a place of death. You know, I'm amazed, 296 00:15:10,560 --> 00:15:12,120 Speaker 2: you know when we think about the sea being a 297 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:14,000 Speaker 2: place of travel. I don't know if you've done any 298 00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:17,120 Speaker 2: travel in recent days, but most of the time, if 299 00:15:17,120 --> 00:15:19,280 Speaker 2: you have, you probably haven't done it over the sea. 300 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 1: Probably did it in the air. 301 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 2: My sister in law just actually she was in Italy 302 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:28,160 Speaker 2: and she got stuck over there. There was an issue 303 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:32,960 Speaker 2: with the flight that she was scheduled to take and 304 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:35,480 Speaker 2: so she had to actually spend an extra day, but 305 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:36,680 Speaker 2: she got back the next day. 306 00:15:36,680 --> 00:15:38,040 Speaker 1: And my comment to my wife. 307 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 2: As she was telling me about this and asking that 308 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 2: we pray about it, was isn't it amazing that we 309 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:46,560 Speaker 2: live in an era where you can travel from Italy 310 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:49,520 Speaker 2: to the United States. 311 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:50,560 Speaker 1: In a day. 312 00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:53,840 Speaker 2: When you think about historically what people have had to 313 00:15:53,880 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 2: do as they travel through the sea, Well, there's a 314 00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 2: lot of stuff that still takes place on the sea. 315 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:00,920 Speaker 2: And typically when the sea is reference here in this 316 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:04,280 Speaker 2: portion of scripture and other portions of scripture, there's an 317 00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:08,120 Speaker 2: association with commerce, travel, human power, stuff like that. But 318 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:10,480 Speaker 2: in this context we're told that the sea becomes a 319 00:16:10,520 --> 00:16:11,200 Speaker 2: place of death. 320 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 1: We're told literally ships. 321 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:18,680 Speaker 2: Are destroyed, marine life perishes, and effectively economic systems collapse. Now, 322 00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:21,560 Speaker 2: if you've been watching the news recently, there have been 323 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:24,040 Speaker 2: a lot of references. Even just over the course of 324 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 2: this past week. I thought this was interesting to observe. 325 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:28,120 Speaker 2: Over the course of this past week, there have been 326 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:31,760 Speaker 2: a lot of things referencing sea roots or commerce that 327 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:35,520 Speaker 2: takes place over the oceans, or things that the military 328 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 2: uses to protect borders that reference the oceans. Seen several 329 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:43,240 Speaker 2: news reports again just over the past week, directly related 330 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:46,239 Speaker 2: to shipping routes and directly related to the global economy. 331 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:48,760 Speaker 2: And then you look at what this portion of scripture 332 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 2: brings up. It brings up those very things, you know. 333 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:55,640 Speaker 2: I think it's being highlighted here in a very real way. 334 00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 2: I think this judgment highlights humanity's false sense of security. 335 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:02,160 Speaker 2: We tend to find security in things that we should 336 00:17:02,160 --> 00:17:05,479 Speaker 2: not be finding security in the world. Tends to trust 337 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:10,960 Speaker 2: things like trade, roots, or technology or infrastructure more so 338 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:14,000 Speaker 2: than they trust the Lord. And for us, as believers 339 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 2: in Jesus Christ, don't fall into that pattern. Don't trust 340 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:21,639 Speaker 2: trade roots, technology, travel, infrastructure, things like that more than 341 00:17:21,680 --> 00:17:24,400 Speaker 2: you're trusting the Lord himself. In fact, in Psalm twenty 342 00:17:24,440 --> 00:17:27,000 Speaker 2: four to one, it says, what the earth is the Lord's, 343 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:31,119 Speaker 2: and the fullness thereof the earth is the Lord's, And 344 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:35,680 Speaker 2: the fullness thereof trust him, not the things of this earth. 345 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:39,800 Speaker 2: The truth is, if God withdraws his sustaining hand, even partially, 346 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:43,920 Speaker 2: everything that most human beings are depending on could unravel 347 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:47,840 Speaker 2: very very quickly. If our trust is in temporary things 348 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:49,720 Speaker 2: that could unravel very very quickly. 349 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:51,640 Speaker 1: But yet even in this trumpet. 350 00:17:51,640 --> 00:17:54,800 Speaker 2: Here this second trumpet, I think God's mercy continues to 351 00:17:54,840 --> 00:17:58,520 Speaker 2: be displayed. Only a third of the sea is affected. 352 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:01,760 Speaker 2: Still calling the world to wake up. One of the 353 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:03,400 Speaker 2: things that we talked about last week is the fact 354 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:04,480 Speaker 2: that these are referred. 355 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:05,400 Speaker 1: To as trumpet judgments. 356 00:18:05,680 --> 00:18:07,560 Speaker 2: Well, if you've ever been anywhere near a trumpet, you 357 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:11,240 Speaker 2: know it's not a quiet instrument. It's not a quiet instrument. 358 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:13,199 Speaker 2: The idea is that people would hear and that they 359 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:15,560 Speaker 2: would notice. The idea is that they would wake up 360 00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:17,960 Speaker 2: while there's still time. And again you see the Lord 361 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:21,879 Speaker 2: definitely executing judgment on this earth. But we see a 362 00:18:21,920 --> 00:18:26,520 Speaker 2: third We see these things keeping they keep happening in thirds. Again, 363 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:29,440 Speaker 2: God is still calling the world to wake up. And 364 00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:31,480 Speaker 2: here we are reading these things ahead of time before 365 00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:34,720 Speaker 2: they even happen. Why because God's calling us to wake 366 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:37,679 Speaker 2: up to notice this. Just because we live in the 367 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:39,919 Speaker 2: time of God's patience doesn't mean that we should look 368 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:41,639 Speaker 2: at that as saying, you know what, He's never going 369 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:44,080 Speaker 2: to deal with this stuff. He is going to deal 370 00:18:44,119 --> 00:18:46,960 Speaker 2: with it, but he's calling us to wake up. And 371 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:48,600 Speaker 2: then it comes to the third judgment. 372 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:49,400 Speaker 1: Look at what it. 373 00:18:49,320 --> 00:18:52,240 Speaker 2: Says when we get to verses ten and eleven of Revelation. 374 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:55,840 Speaker 2: Eight says the third Angel blew his trumpet, and a 375 00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:59,480 Speaker 2: great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and 376 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:01,399 Speaker 2: it fell on a third of the rivers and on 377 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 2: the springs of water. The name of the star is wormwood. 378 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:09,119 Speaker 2: A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people 379 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:13,040 Speaker 2: died from the water because it had been made bitter. 380 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:16,639 Speaker 2: Because it had been made bitter. So this third angel 381 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:19,679 Speaker 2: sounds his trumpet. We're told here that a star called 382 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:23,679 Speaker 2: wormwood falls from the heavens. It poisons a third of 383 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:26,680 Speaker 2: the rivers in the springs, and many people die from 384 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:30,040 Speaker 2: the bitter water. Now, going back to the Old Testament, 385 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:32,840 Speaker 2: and I'm trying to make intentional connections between the Book 386 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:35,560 Speaker 2: of Revelation and the things that the Lord's revealed ahead 387 00:19:35,560 --> 00:19:37,640 Speaker 2: of time, because it all connects if you go back 388 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:40,920 Speaker 2: into the Old Testament. Wormwood is a symbol of judgment 389 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:45,480 Speaker 2: and sorrow. Jeremiah, and I'm going to reference a couple 390 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:47,040 Speaker 2: things from him in just a moment, but let me 391 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:50,160 Speaker 2: reference the first and Jeremiah nine point fifteen, he made 392 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:53,160 Speaker 2: this statement. He references this speaking on behalf of the Lord. 393 00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 2: He says, I will feed this people with bitter food 394 00:19:55,880 --> 00:20:00,680 Speaker 2: and give them poisoned water to drink. The message clear then, 395 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:02,760 Speaker 2: and it's also clear here in the Book of Revelation. 396 00:20:03,359 --> 00:20:08,040 Speaker 2: Sin poisons what was meant to give life? Sin poisons 397 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:09,920 Speaker 2: what was meant to give life? The people were living 398 00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:14,000 Speaker 2: in direct rebellion against the Lord and inviting judgment, almost 399 00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:17,520 Speaker 2: like taunting God to judge them. And then you look 400 00:20:17,520 --> 00:20:20,439 Speaker 2: at this trumpet here in Revelation chapter eight, and we 401 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:25,960 Speaker 2: realized that this trumpet strikes at humanity's basic need clean water. 402 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:29,240 Speaker 2: It's our most basic need. I remember when we first 403 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:32,280 Speaker 2: moved here to Langhorn. One of the first things I remember, 404 00:20:32,280 --> 00:20:33,879 Speaker 2: one of the first people that actually came to our 405 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:36,800 Speaker 2: door was somebody that was doing a survey related to 406 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:41,480 Speaker 2: water and sharing different details about you know, water purity 407 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:43,679 Speaker 2: and all of that, and making sure the neighbors in 408 00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:46,080 Speaker 2: the area knew whether or not we were drinking clean water. 409 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:50,080 Speaker 2: And he very much wanted to know does this interest you? 410 00:20:50,440 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 2: And he wasn't a salesman. He was actually just somebody 411 00:20:52,520 --> 00:20:55,680 Speaker 2: trying to do like a civic duty because he's saying, look, 412 00:20:56,359 --> 00:20:58,639 Speaker 2: we care about clean water. It's one of our most 413 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:02,440 Speaker 2: basic needs. Some of the mission efforts that our church 414 00:21:02,480 --> 00:21:05,600 Speaker 2: and other churches have partnered in for people in places 415 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:07,479 Speaker 2: of this world that we would say are very much 416 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:10,240 Speaker 2: underdeveloped is trying to figure out how to help people 417 00:21:10,280 --> 00:21:13,840 Speaker 2: have clean water, you know, supporting the drilling of wells, 418 00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:16,280 Speaker 2: supporting the transport of clean water. You know, when you 419 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:18,200 Speaker 2: look at people living in different places in this world 420 00:21:18,240 --> 00:21:22,719 Speaker 2: that don't easily access clean water, you feel compassionate because 421 00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:24,960 Speaker 2: it's truly, I mean, there are a lot of things 422 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:26,680 Speaker 2: that you and I can go without in this world, 423 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:30,679 Speaker 2: but one thing we can't go without is clean water. 424 00:21:31,240 --> 00:21:33,600 Speaker 2: And from a literal future perspective, when we look at 425 00:21:33,600 --> 00:21:36,439 Speaker 2: this portion of scripture, this must this is going to 426 00:21:36,480 --> 00:21:42,600 Speaker 2: be devastating, ecologically, humanitarianly, all of it. It's just it 427 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:44,920 Speaker 2: looks like it's all going to collapse. It's going to 428 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:48,040 Speaker 2: be a catastrophe. But again, there's also a spiritual picture 429 00:21:48,080 --> 00:21:49,960 Speaker 2: I think that's worth noting as we look at this 430 00:21:50,720 --> 00:21:54,560 Speaker 2: idea of the water, the clean water being struck. When 431 00:21:54,640 --> 00:21:58,800 Speaker 2: people reject the living water that God offers, their left 432 00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:02,800 Speaker 2: with bitterness even in the spiritual realm. Now I reference 433 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:05,000 Speaker 2: Jeremiah a moment ago, let me reference something else from 434 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:08,320 Speaker 2: the Book of Jeremiah and Jeremiah Chapter two, verse thirteen, 435 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:11,639 Speaker 2: he actually describes the heart of rebellion this way. He 436 00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:14,920 Speaker 2: says this, they have forsaken me. Speaking on behalf of God, 437 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:19,360 Speaker 2: he says, they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters. 438 00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:21,080 Speaker 1: That's how the Lord describes himself. 439 00:22:21,119 --> 00:22:24,719 Speaker 2: They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and 440 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:28,600 Speaker 2: hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold 441 00:22:28,640 --> 00:22:31,360 Speaker 2: no water. He's saying, these people that should be following 442 00:22:31,359 --> 00:22:34,119 Speaker 2: the Lord ultimately, what are they doing. They're trying to 443 00:22:34,119 --> 00:22:38,320 Speaker 2: find deep satisfaction or refreshment for their soul from things 444 00:22:38,320 --> 00:22:42,280 Speaker 2: that can't deeply satisfy them and have no eternal value. 445 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:44,760 Speaker 2: He's saying, that's what they're doing. They're rejecting living water 446 00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:48,919 Speaker 2: for leaky vessels. They can't even hold water. Now, I 447 00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:50,640 Speaker 2: have to tell you there are many times in my life, 448 00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:52,840 Speaker 2: without even fully realizing it in the moment, that I've 449 00:22:52,920 --> 00:22:56,000 Speaker 2: done that very thing, and every one of us has 450 00:22:56,040 --> 00:22:58,800 Speaker 2: done that same thing as well, where there are times 451 00:22:58,800 --> 00:23:00,320 Speaker 2: that we've looked at the things of this world and 452 00:23:00,320 --> 00:23:01,960 Speaker 2: we thought, yeah, that seems like it would be good 453 00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:03,840 Speaker 2: maybe if I had more of that, and then my 454 00:23:03,920 --> 00:23:05,920 Speaker 2: life would be better in this way, or I would 455 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:08,080 Speaker 2: feel happier in this way. And we hear what the 456 00:23:08,080 --> 00:23:10,560 Speaker 2: Lord is saying. No, the deepest longing of your soul 457 00:23:10,680 --> 00:23:13,640 Speaker 2: is not going to be satisfied through any created thing. 458 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:16,919 Speaker 2: If your greatest ambitions in this world are for the 459 00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:20,960 Speaker 2: creation instead of the creator, your heart's going to be 460 00:23:21,040 --> 00:23:24,919 Speaker 2: let down. And here the Lord warned through the prophet 461 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:28,800 Speaker 2: Jeremiah warned his people. He says, look, they've forsaken me. 462 00:23:28,920 --> 00:23:32,479 Speaker 2: They have forsaken the fountain of living waters. They've traded 463 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:36,399 Speaker 2: that for vessels that leak water, and we're cautioned not 464 00:23:36,480 --> 00:23:39,280 Speaker 2: to do that. But it's also interesting because Jesus, during 465 00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:41,720 Speaker 2: the course of his earthly ministry when he was in Jerusalem, 466 00:23:41,760 --> 00:23:45,120 Speaker 2: he later cried out in John chapter seven, verse thirty seven, 467 00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:45,960 Speaker 2: he said it this way. 468 00:23:46,760 --> 00:23:47,520 Speaker 1: Notice the pattern. 469 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:51,080 Speaker 2: He says, if anyone thirsts, let him come to me 470 00:23:51,880 --> 00:23:55,480 Speaker 2: and drink. If anyone thirsts, let him come to me 471 00:23:55,720 --> 00:23:59,320 Speaker 2: and drink. Now, again, was Jesus talking about physical water 472 00:23:59,359 --> 00:24:02,600 Speaker 2: in that context? Was he talking about something deeper? Physical 473 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:07,840 Speaker 2: water signifies something that's deeper in this context, what Jesus 474 00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:10,320 Speaker 2: is saying, is the thirst of your soul is going 475 00:24:10,359 --> 00:24:13,879 Speaker 2: to be satisfied through him. Who's the first person that 476 00:24:13,960 --> 00:24:17,040 Speaker 2: Jesus revealed that he was the messiah to the woman 477 00:24:17,080 --> 00:24:19,760 Speaker 2: at the well, the Samaritan woman at the well in 478 00:24:19,840 --> 00:24:23,120 Speaker 2: John chapter four. And he said, you said, you're here 479 00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:26,359 Speaker 2: thirsty getting water. I know that's hard work because you've 480 00:24:26,359 --> 00:24:27,639 Speaker 2: got to carry it back into town. 481 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:28,639 Speaker 1: It's heavy. 482 00:24:29,040 --> 00:24:31,080 Speaker 2: He says, I'll give you water that when you drink it, 483 00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:33,439 Speaker 2: you'll never be thirsty again. And she says basically what 484 00:24:33,560 --> 00:24:37,240 Speaker 2: I'm paraphrasing, but she says that sounds great. My shoulders 485 00:24:37,320 --> 00:24:39,240 Speaker 2: hurt when I carry this water. My arm's hurt when 486 00:24:39,240 --> 00:24:41,399 Speaker 2: I carry this water. I get all sweaty from the 487 00:24:41,440 --> 00:24:43,240 Speaker 2: sun when I carry this water. You got water that 488 00:24:43,240 --> 00:24:45,840 Speaker 2: I could drink and never have to walk the track 489 00:24:45,920 --> 00:24:48,280 Speaker 2: up to this well and then walk back into town 490 00:24:48,359 --> 00:24:50,479 Speaker 2: carrying water for my whole house. Imagine if you had 491 00:24:50,520 --> 00:24:52,520 Speaker 2: to carry the water to your house that your household 492 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:55,280 Speaker 2: uses on a daily basis. Do you think that'd be 493 00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:58,239 Speaker 2: a bit tiring? Do you think you'd want to do it? 494 00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:02,480 Speaker 2: We'd be buffer though, we would be so strong. You 495 00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:05,080 Speaker 2: guys are strong already. I'm just telling you, you know, 496 00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:07,440 Speaker 2: that would be a great workout. Just think about how 497 00:25:07,480 --> 00:25:10,520 Speaker 2: healthy we would be in some respects, although we wouldn't 498 00:25:10,520 --> 00:25:13,960 Speaker 2: have great, clean water in our house readily available, so 499 00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:16,000 Speaker 2: maybe there's a trade off. So well, let's just be 500 00:25:16,080 --> 00:25:18,160 Speaker 2: weak and have good plumbing. Is that what we're saying. 501 00:25:19,480 --> 00:25:21,720 Speaker 2: But again, that woman, what does she say to Jesus, 502 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:23,760 Speaker 2: If you've got water that can make me so I 503 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:26,960 Speaker 2: don't thirst any longer, give it to me because I 504 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:29,840 Speaker 2: would love that. And what does he reveal, I'm that water, 505 00:25:30,920 --> 00:25:34,159 Speaker 2: that's me. If you're trying to satisfy the deepest longing 506 00:25:34,200 --> 00:25:36,000 Speaker 2: of your soul with anything else, if you're trying to 507 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:38,840 Speaker 2: be nourished and satisfied the thirst of your heart, if 508 00:25:38,840 --> 00:25:40,719 Speaker 2: you're trying to meet that with something else, it's going 509 00:25:40,800 --> 00:25:43,399 Speaker 2: to break your heart. And you'd already told her. He's like, 510 00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:45,280 Speaker 2: I already know your whole life story, and I know 511 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:47,880 Speaker 2: how it's broken heart after broken heart after broken heart, 512 00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:50,080 Speaker 2: and I'm telling you I won't break your heart. That's 513 00:25:50,119 --> 00:25:52,640 Speaker 2: what he's saying to her. I will satisfy what you've 514 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:55,960 Speaker 2: been searching for your whole life. And again, Jesus says 515 00:25:55,960 --> 00:25:58,280 Speaker 2: to John seven thirty seven. If anyone thirsts let them 516 00:25:58,280 --> 00:26:01,600 Speaker 2: come to me and drink. It's fascinating. I think the 517 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:05,800 Speaker 2: contrast couldn't actually be any clearer. One day, bitter waters 518 00:26:05,840 --> 00:26:07,840 Speaker 2: will kill. That's going to be a judgment that comes 519 00:26:07,880 --> 00:26:10,600 Speaker 2: upon this earth. But right now, living water is being 520 00:26:10,640 --> 00:26:13,840 Speaker 2: freely offered, and you can accept it or you could 521 00:26:13,880 --> 00:26:16,760 Speaker 2: reject it. But it's genuinely being offered to you right 522 00:26:16,800 --> 00:26:20,119 Speaker 2: now the deepest thirst of your soul. Jesus says, I 523 00:26:20,160 --> 00:26:23,520 Speaker 2: will meet that thirst. I will satisfy that thirst. It's 524 00:26:23,560 --> 00:26:26,800 Speaker 2: being offered to you right now. And we're also being 525 00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:30,000 Speaker 2: told that there's a day when the world's going to 526 00:26:30,040 --> 00:26:33,840 Speaker 2: experience something different. But right now we live in the 527 00:26:33,840 --> 00:26:35,400 Speaker 2: time when living water is being. 528 00:26:35,240 --> 00:26:37,280 Speaker 1: Offered to us through Jesus Christ. 529 00:26:38,480 --> 00:26:41,640 Speaker 2: Now there's also a fourth trumpet that's referenced in this passage. 530 00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:42,639 Speaker 1: I want to look at it. 531 00:26:42,640 --> 00:26:45,320 Speaker 2: In verse twelve of Revelation eight, it says this the 532 00:26:45,400 --> 00:26:48,560 Speaker 2: fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the 533 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:51,520 Speaker 2: sun was struck, and a third of the moon and 534 00:26:51,560 --> 00:26:53,879 Speaker 2: a third of the stars, so that a third of 535 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:57,439 Speaker 2: their light might be darkened, and a third of the 536 00:26:57,520 --> 00:27:01,359 Speaker 2: day might be kept from shining. And likewise third of 537 00:27:01,400 --> 00:27:05,280 Speaker 2: the night. So again, just to reiterate Revelation eight twelve, 538 00:27:05,359 --> 00:27:07,360 Speaker 2: telling us third of the sun, third of the moon, 539 00:27:07,760 --> 00:27:10,720 Speaker 2: third of the stars, all struck and it results in 540 00:27:10,800 --> 00:27:16,959 Speaker 2: diminished light. Daylight and nighttime both impacted, both affected. And 541 00:27:17,000 --> 00:27:19,600 Speaker 2: again you go back to the book of Exodus, you 542 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:22,119 Speaker 2: go back to the judgments on Egypt. And what do 543 00:27:22,160 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 2: we see in Exodus chapter ten. When you get to 544 00:27:25,520 --> 00:27:28,520 Speaker 2: verse twenty two of Exodus chapter ten, it says there 545 00:27:28,560 --> 00:27:30,880 Speaker 2: was pitch darkness in all the land of. 546 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:31,879 Speaker 1: Egypt three days. 547 00:27:31,920 --> 00:27:35,080 Speaker 2: What was it a preview of what was coming yet 548 00:27:35,119 --> 00:27:38,440 Speaker 2: in the future? Darkness in scripture, what does it symbolize? 549 00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:44,399 Speaker 2: It often symbolizes judgment and confusion and separation from God. 550 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:48,119 Speaker 2: We see that kind of judgment coming upon the earth. 551 00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:52,920 Speaker 2: Isaiah and Joel, two Old Testament prophets, also warned about 552 00:27:52,920 --> 00:27:55,720 Speaker 2: this day that's being referenced here by the apostle John. 553 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:58,440 Speaker 2: Isaiah said it this way in chapter thirteen of his book. 554 00:27:58,680 --> 00:28:01,320 Speaker 2: He says the sun will be the arc at its rising, 555 00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:06,440 Speaker 2: and the moon will not shed its light. And then 556 00:28:06,560 --> 00:28:10,680 Speaker 2: Joel described that same exact reality in Joel Chapter two, 557 00:28:10,960 --> 00:28:14,320 Speaker 2: verse ten. And now revelation is showing us those judgments 558 00:28:14,359 --> 00:28:15,119 Speaker 2: coming to pass. 559 00:28:15,800 --> 00:28:16,520 Speaker 1: Now when you think. 560 00:28:16,359 --> 00:28:18,280 Speaker 2: About day to day light, when I think or life, 561 00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:20,520 Speaker 2: and when I think about day to day life, we 562 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:24,800 Speaker 2: understand that light is essential for order, just for life 563 00:28:24,840 --> 00:28:27,879 Speaker 2: in general, for direction. How many of you, during the 564 00:28:27,880 --> 00:28:31,200 Speaker 2: course of this week or right now in the midst 565 00:28:31,240 --> 00:28:35,080 Speaker 2: of the heart of winter, some of you people like winter. 566 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:38,880 Speaker 1: I don't understand you, but I accept you. 567 00:28:40,360 --> 00:28:42,800 Speaker 2: But I noticed over the course of this week there 568 00:28:42,800 --> 00:28:45,400 Speaker 2: were a couple of days where we got some sunshine 569 00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:45,840 Speaker 2: and I. 570 00:28:45,800 --> 00:28:48,920 Speaker 1: Was like, I remember how this felt. It's been so long. 571 00:28:49,600 --> 00:28:52,560 Speaker 2: And I remember I pulled up to my house and 572 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:54,800 Speaker 2: I don't remember where I was offhand, but I was 573 00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:56,800 Speaker 2: still in my car and the sun was shining in 574 00:28:56,840 --> 00:29:00,240 Speaker 2: the car and I just sat in the car. I 575 00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:02,320 Speaker 2: come on, body, soak up the vitamin D. 576 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:05,280 Speaker 1: Soak it up. This has to last you till March, 577 00:29:05,360 --> 00:29:07,480 Speaker 1: maybe April. Soak it up. 578 00:29:07,520 --> 00:29:09,360 Speaker 2: You don't know if you're getting another day like this. 579 00:29:10,600 --> 00:29:13,600 Speaker 2: We appreciate light. We like it. 580 00:29:13,600 --> 00:29:15,239 Speaker 1: It has an emotional boost to it. 581 00:29:15,560 --> 00:29:18,080 Speaker 2: There are probably some of you living in this northern 582 00:29:18,120 --> 00:29:20,400 Speaker 2: climate that we live in. It wouldn't surprise me if 583 00:29:20,440 --> 00:29:23,280 Speaker 2: some of you have anyone have a UV light in 584 00:29:23,320 --> 00:29:23,800 Speaker 2: your house? 585 00:29:24,240 --> 00:29:25,240 Speaker 1: Anyone have one of those. 586 00:29:25,440 --> 00:29:29,400 Speaker 2: Some people use that to try and simulate sunlight during 587 00:29:29,440 --> 00:29:32,880 Speaker 2: the winter months, and it's supposed to elevate mood and 588 00:29:32,920 --> 00:29:34,800 Speaker 2: stuff like that. I don't have one, but I've thought 589 00:29:34,800 --> 00:29:38,920 Speaker 2: of buying one or ten of them. But here, you 590 00:29:38,920 --> 00:29:41,800 Speaker 2: look at this and you realize when God partially removes light, 591 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:45,960 Speaker 2: what happens in the world. Well, it experiences physical darkness. 592 00:29:46,680 --> 00:29:51,040 Speaker 2: It also seems to have a spiritual disorientation that's taking place. 593 00:29:51,040 --> 00:29:53,600 Speaker 2: But again, God's decision is to only strike a third 594 00:29:53,640 --> 00:29:57,080 Speaker 2: of the sun, third of the moon, third of the stars. 595 00:29:57,080 --> 00:29:58,560 Speaker 2: I don't know how that's all gonna work. I know 596 00:29:58,600 --> 00:30:00,200 Speaker 2: that the scripture says it. I don't know how it 597 00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:02,640 Speaker 2: all works. But again, when I look at this, I 598 00:30:02,640 --> 00:30:04,760 Speaker 2: see a glimpse of his merciful heart in the midst 599 00:30:04,760 --> 00:30:09,640 Speaker 2: of a season of judgment. God hasn't abandoned humanity, but 600 00:30:09,680 --> 00:30:14,239 Speaker 2: he is confronting humanity. He is an abandoning humanity. He 601 00:30:14,320 --> 00:30:19,200 Speaker 2: is confronting it. And then Revelation eight ends with verse thirteen. 602 00:30:19,760 --> 00:30:21,760 Speaker 2: Verse thirteen says, then I looked and I heard an 603 00:30:21,800 --> 00:30:25,120 Speaker 2: eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, 604 00:30:25,400 --> 00:30:27,480 Speaker 2: Woa wo wo to those who dwell on the earth 605 00:30:27,520 --> 00:30:29,680 Speaker 2: at the blasts of the other trumpets, that the three 606 00:30:29,760 --> 00:30:33,520 Speaker 2: angels are about to blow. So the final verse of 607 00:30:33,520 --> 00:30:36,000 Speaker 2: this passage, it gives us a dramatic pause, and we 608 00:30:36,040 --> 00:30:39,440 Speaker 2: see like multiple dramatic pauses taking place in Revelation chapter eight. 609 00:30:39,520 --> 00:30:41,880 Speaker 2: We see another one here, dramatic pause. Here you have 610 00:30:41,960 --> 00:30:44,480 Speaker 2: John hearing this angel crying out woa wo wo to 611 00:30:44,520 --> 00:30:47,000 Speaker 2: those who dwell on the earth. So he's saying, the 612 00:30:47,040 --> 00:30:49,920 Speaker 2: first four trumpets have been severe. These are severe things 613 00:30:49,960 --> 00:30:53,080 Speaker 2: that have taken place, but there's still three more to go, 614 00:30:54,680 --> 00:30:57,280 Speaker 2: and the three more to go are going to be 615 00:30:57,280 --> 00:31:02,280 Speaker 2: even worse. And so there's this pause before they begin. Now, 616 00:31:02,280 --> 00:31:04,280 Speaker 2: the phrase here those who dwell on the earth, I 617 00:31:04,280 --> 00:31:07,240 Speaker 2: think that's significant. Here in the Book of Revelation, it's 618 00:31:07,360 --> 00:31:12,640 Speaker 2: consistently referring to unbelievers who are settled in this world 619 00:31:12,680 --> 00:31:13,800 Speaker 2: but hostile to God. 620 00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:16,360 Speaker 1: Say, look at the world as all there is. 621 00:31:17,000 --> 00:31:19,000 Speaker 2: There's a musician I won't use his name, but a 622 00:31:19,040 --> 00:31:22,280 Speaker 2: musician that some of you are probably familiar with, who 623 00:31:22,320 --> 00:31:24,280 Speaker 2: passed away just yesterday. And as I looked at that, 624 00:31:24,320 --> 00:31:26,520 Speaker 2: I thought, you know, what you had, everything this world 625 00:31:26,600 --> 00:31:29,040 Speaker 2: can offer, everything this world. 626 00:31:28,920 --> 00:31:31,560 Speaker 1: Can offer, and you didn't have Christ. 627 00:31:32,360 --> 00:31:36,240 Speaker 2: It's like all that fame, all that notoriety, all those albums, 628 00:31:36,280 --> 00:31:41,200 Speaker 2: all that money, it's instantly worth nothing to you. It's 629 00:31:41,240 --> 00:31:44,520 Speaker 2: worth nothing to you. And hear this phrase, those who 630 00:31:44,640 --> 00:31:46,880 Speaker 2: dwell on the earth. It's talking about people who settle 631 00:31:46,920 --> 00:31:50,280 Speaker 2: into this world and just consistently remain hostile to God. 632 00:31:50,320 --> 00:31:52,480 Speaker 2: They don't care about God, they don't care about as well. 633 00:31:53,240 --> 00:31:55,280 Speaker 2: This is a warning that again I don't believe this 634 00:31:55,320 --> 00:31:57,480 Speaker 2: warning is for those that have been redeemed through faith 635 00:31:57,520 --> 00:31:59,920 Speaker 2: in Jesus Christ. I think that this is a warning 636 00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:05,040 Speaker 2: for those who consist in persistent unrepentance, rebellion against the Lord. 637 00:32:05,400 --> 00:32:08,400 Speaker 2: And again, even here I still see this warning as 638 00:32:08,440 --> 00:32:13,160 Speaker 2: an act of mercy from God. God announces what's coming 639 00:32:13,240 --> 00:32:14,400 Speaker 2: before it arrives. 640 00:32:14,600 --> 00:32:15,400 Speaker 1: I don't know if you've. 641 00:32:15,280 --> 00:32:17,200 Speaker 2: Noticed this, but if you work your way through scripture, 642 00:32:17,240 --> 00:32:20,280 Speaker 2: you'll notice that that's a pattern. That's what he always does. 643 00:32:21,160 --> 00:32:24,320 Speaker 2: He tells people ahead of time, He warns ahead of time. 644 00:32:24,360 --> 00:32:26,479 Speaker 2: He gives people an opportunity ahead of time to do 645 00:32:26,520 --> 00:32:31,240 Speaker 2: something about it. Remember before the flood, what happened Noah 646 00:32:31,320 --> 00:32:34,320 Speaker 2: in his words and with his life preached what it 647 00:32:34,360 --> 00:32:38,440 Speaker 2: meant to follow the Lord before the flood. The Lord 648 00:32:38,520 --> 00:32:42,960 Speaker 2: preached through Noah to that generation. How about you know, 649 00:32:43,000 --> 00:32:45,120 Speaker 2: I've referenced Exodus a whole bunch of times today. 650 00:32:46,120 --> 00:32:49,280 Speaker 1: You look at Moses. What did Moses do repeatedly? 651 00:32:49,320 --> 00:32:52,080 Speaker 2: He'd come before Pharaoh and even tell him ahead of time. 652 00:32:52,560 --> 00:32:57,600 Speaker 2: Here are the options, repent or herden your heart. But 653 00:32:57,640 --> 00:33:01,360 Speaker 2: if you harden your heart, judgment come. And what did 654 00:33:01,360 --> 00:33:04,680 Speaker 2: Pharaoh do every single time? Harden his heart? And then 655 00:33:04,720 --> 00:33:06,000 Speaker 2: what came every single time? 656 00:33:06,440 --> 00:33:06,880 Speaker 1: Judgment? 657 00:33:07,600 --> 00:33:10,400 Speaker 2: But you can't say he wasn't warned, can't say he 658 00:33:10,440 --> 00:33:13,640 Speaker 2: wasn't told ahead of time, even when you look at 659 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:16,160 Speaker 2: I mean, and there's multiple prophets in the Old Testament 660 00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:17,760 Speaker 2: talking about judgment coming. 661 00:33:17,560 --> 00:33:18,200 Speaker 1: From the Lord. 662 00:33:18,360 --> 00:33:21,920 Speaker 2: The fact that Israel and Judah we're going to experience 663 00:33:21,960 --> 00:33:26,440 Speaker 2: seasons of exile, And what did the Lord do? He 664 00:33:26,560 --> 00:33:29,360 Speaker 2: warned them ahead of time, He told them ahead of time, 665 00:33:29,400 --> 00:33:33,200 Speaker 2: giving them the opportunity to repent, and yet they didn't. 666 00:33:33,240 --> 00:33:35,680 Speaker 2: But here's the thing we have to understand about God's heart. 667 00:33:35,720 --> 00:33:37,959 Speaker 2: Even when we read a passage like we're reading today 668 00:33:38,320 --> 00:33:41,160 Speaker 2: that talks genuinely about judgment, because judgment is a real thing. 669 00:33:41,200 --> 00:33:43,959 Speaker 2: But know this about God's heart. God does not delight 670 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:47,000 Speaker 2: in judgment. He will carry out judgment, but he doesn't 671 00:33:47,040 --> 00:33:49,880 Speaker 2: delight in judgment. Well, why am I saying that? Look 672 00:33:49,880 --> 00:33:51,760 Speaker 2: at what it says in the Book of Ezekiel, chapter 673 00:33:51,800 --> 00:33:54,320 Speaker 2: thirty three, verse eleven. The Lord says this, I have 674 00:33:54,400 --> 00:33:57,320 Speaker 2: no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that 675 00:33:57,400 --> 00:34:01,560 Speaker 2: the wicked turn from his way and live. I actually 676 00:34:01,600 --> 00:34:03,200 Speaker 2: wonder if some people look at God and they think 677 00:34:03,200 --> 00:34:05,280 Speaker 2: that he's vindictive and just looking to get back at 678 00:34:05,320 --> 00:34:09,600 Speaker 2: people because of you know what they've got cooking, right, 679 00:34:09,760 --> 00:34:12,959 Speaker 2: you know, the stuff that they've done toward him. He's 680 00:34:13,040 --> 00:34:16,319 Speaker 2: just vengeful. And I think we can understand if God 681 00:34:16,400 --> 00:34:17,960 Speaker 2: was vengeful. I think that we would look at that. 682 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:19,640 Speaker 2: We would say, yeah, if God just wanted to get 683 00:34:19,680 --> 00:34:22,080 Speaker 2: back at people, we would understand that. Because haven't you 684 00:34:22,080 --> 00:34:25,360 Speaker 2: felt that way at different seasons of your life? Haven't 685 00:34:25,360 --> 00:34:26,759 Speaker 2: you felt like, you know, people that have made your 686 00:34:26,760 --> 00:34:29,160 Speaker 2: life a little difficult. Haven't you fantasized in your mind 687 00:34:29,200 --> 00:34:33,239 Speaker 2: sometimes can't wait to get back at them? 688 00:34:33,480 --> 00:34:33,680 Speaker 1: Right? 689 00:34:34,280 --> 00:34:36,359 Speaker 2: And then the Holy Spirit what does he do? He says, Ah, 690 00:34:36,360 --> 00:34:38,680 Speaker 2: maybe you don't do that. Maybe you don't do that. 691 00:34:39,080 --> 00:34:39,759 Speaker 2: I have to tell you. 692 00:34:39,840 --> 00:34:42,480 Speaker 1: This is unfair. Jay and Abbey. 693 00:34:42,480 --> 00:34:44,080 Speaker 2: You're gonna have to forgive me. I didn't tell you. 694 00:34:44,480 --> 00:34:46,200 Speaker 2: This is just something that came to my mind. But 695 00:34:47,560 --> 00:34:50,560 Speaker 2: you know, my son Jay, my soon to be daughter 696 00:34:50,600 --> 00:34:52,759 Speaker 2: in law Abby, they're getting married soon next month. Isn't 697 00:34:52,760 --> 00:34:56,440 Speaker 2: that crazy? Getting married next month? So there are already 698 00:34:56,800 --> 00:34:59,280 Speaker 2: they're working on. They made an offer on a house 699 00:34:59,440 --> 00:35:01,560 Speaker 2: this past They're trying to get it lined up so 700 00:35:01,560 --> 00:35:03,000 Speaker 2: that they have a house, a place to live when 701 00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:04,759 Speaker 2: they get married. I hope it works out for you, guys, 702 00:35:04,800 --> 00:35:09,719 Speaker 2: because you know we're rooting for you. I think it'll 703 00:35:09,719 --> 00:35:11,239 Speaker 2: work out. But you know what I used to joke 704 00:35:11,280 --> 00:35:14,680 Speaker 2: about with Andrea. I used to joke about this with 705 00:35:14,719 --> 00:35:16,080 Speaker 2: my wife all the time. I was like, I can't 706 00:35:16,080 --> 00:35:17,719 Speaker 2: wait till one of the kids gets a house, because 707 00:35:17,719 --> 00:35:19,600 Speaker 2: this is what I'm gonna do. I'm coming over with 708 00:35:19,640 --> 00:35:22,560 Speaker 2: a pack of Saltine crackers and I'm just gonna like. 709 00:35:22,640 --> 00:35:23,439 Speaker 1: Hold that in my hand. 710 00:35:23,440 --> 00:35:25,520 Speaker 2: I'm just gonna eat it like this, almost like it's 711 00:35:25,560 --> 00:35:27,640 Speaker 2: corn on the cob, and I'm just gonna throw it 712 00:35:27,719 --> 00:35:29,880 Speaker 2: up in the air and like not take my shoes 713 00:35:29,920 --> 00:35:32,799 Speaker 2: off and walk around and be like wooh, and you know, 714 00:35:32,920 --> 00:35:39,200 Speaker 2: leave laundry around and all that, and that's vengeance. That's unhealthy. 715 00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:41,840 Speaker 2: I shouldn't think that way, right. 716 00:35:43,200 --> 00:35:44,120 Speaker 1: But think about it. 717 00:35:45,280 --> 00:35:52,480 Speaker 2: Next month the window opens, the opportunity comes, and I 718 00:35:52,520 --> 00:35:55,040 Speaker 2: can do this if I if I select, I'm not 719 00:35:55,080 --> 00:35:57,799 Speaker 2: gonna do that. I don't think I'm gonna do that. 720 00:35:59,280 --> 00:36:01,320 Speaker 2: I'm not a proph, so I can't really predict the future. 721 00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:03,400 Speaker 2: I'm just saying I can't. I don't think I'm going 722 00:36:03,480 --> 00:36:05,960 Speaker 2: to do that, but in a moment of weakness, you 723 00:36:06,040 --> 00:36:11,279 Speaker 2: never know. But honestly, I'm glad that God is way 724 00:36:11,320 --> 00:36:15,040 Speaker 2: more mature than I am, because when I look at 725 00:36:15,040 --> 00:36:17,000 Speaker 2: a portion of scripture like this, I think, yeah, you 726 00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:19,359 Speaker 2: know what, if the Lord took pleasure in the death 727 00:36:19,400 --> 00:36:23,440 Speaker 2: of the Wicked, I'd be dead because the wicked's not 728 00:36:23,480 --> 00:36:27,959 Speaker 2: talking about other people. That's talking about me. It's talking 729 00:36:28,040 --> 00:36:31,880 Speaker 2: about me. That's not talking about somebody else that's talking 730 00:36:31,880 --> 00:36:36,239 Speaker 2: about me, it's talking about you. If the Lord took 731 00:36:36,239 --> 00:36:39,160 Speaker 2: pleasure in the death of the Wicked, we'd be dead 732 00:36:39,719 --> 00:36:44,600 Speaker 2: because at our core, we are sinful beings who excel 733 00:36:44,800 --> 00:36:46,480 Speaker 2: at rebelling against our Lord. 734 00:36:47,040 --> 00:36:48,440 Speaker 1: We're really really good at it. 735 00:36:49,719 --> 00:36:52,719 Speaker 2: And what does the Lord take pleasure in giving us 736 00:36:52,760 --> 00:36:58,000 Speaker 2: that second shot, coming to this earth, taking on flesh, 737 00:36:58,239 --> 00:37:02,760 Speaker 2: bearing our sin and shame for us, so that we can, 738 00:37:03,400 --> 00:37:06,200 Speaker 2: through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, emerge 739 00:37:06,200 --> 00:37:10,040 Speaker 2: as a changed person, a new creation. The Lord says, 740 00:37:10,040 --> 00:37:12,120 Speaker 2: I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, 741 00:37:12,160 --> 00:37:13,440 Speaker 2: but that the wicked. 742 00:37:13,120 --> 00:37:15,399 Speaker 1: Turn from his way and live. 743 00:37:16,239 --> 00:37:17,600 Speaker 2: God looked at me, and he looked at you, and 744 00:37:17,640 --> 00:37:20,160 Speaker 2: he said, there's two paths before you. One's the path 745 00:37:20,200 --> 00:37:23,080 Speaker 2: of death, and most people follow that path. But I'm 746 00:37:23,120 --> 00:37:25,800 Speaker 2: offering you life, I'm offering you living water, I'm offering 747 00:37:25,840 --> 00:37:30,000 Speaker 2: you myself, And that's what he takes pleasure in. Well, 748 00:37:30,040 --> 00:37:31,719 Speaker 2: I'm grateful that he takes pleasure in that. 749 00:37:33,600 --> 00:37:34,640 Speaker 1: Now, looking at. 750 00:37:34,560 --> 00:37:36,960 Speaker 2: Revelation chapter eight, I think it's easy to look at 751 00:37:36,960 --> 00:37:40,040 Speaker 2: this and maybe even feel overwhelmed by the severity of 752 00:37:40,080 --> 00:37:41,399 Speaker 2: some of the things that are going to take place 753 00:37:41,440 --> 00:37:44,120 Speaker 2: on this earth. But again, we can't miss where Jesus 754 00:37:44,200 --> 00:37:46,440 Speaker 2: stands in all of this. And I just want to 755 00:37:46,440 --> 00:37:48,200 Speaker 2: say a few things, even as we finish up our 756 00:37:48,200 --> 00:37:52,360 Speaker 2: time looking at this together today, understand this about Christ himself. First, 757 00:37:52,719 --> 00:37:55,560 Speaker 2: Jesus is the lamb who the scripture tells us is 758 00:37:55,600 --> 00:37:58,560 Speaker 2: the one who opens the seals that lead to these judgments. 759 00:38:00,040 --> 00:38:03,680 Speaker 2: As we've said in our previous study of previous chapters 760 00:38:03,680 --> 00:38:06,239 Speaker 2: of the Book of Revelation, that means that history is 761 00:38:06,320 --> 00:38:10,800 Speaker 2: not spiraling out of control. These are very controlled, intentional events. 762 00:38:11,000 --> 00:38:16,080 Speaker 2: This is history is unfolding according to God's redemptive plan. Secondly, 763 00:38:16,600 --> 00:38:18,960 Speaker 2: Jesus already endured judgment. 764 00:38:18,680 --> 00:38:19,880 Speaker 1: In the place of sinners. 765 00:38:21,280 --> 00:38:24,400 Speaker 2: At the Cross, darkness covered the land. We see that 766 00:38:24,440 --> 00:38:28,600 Speaker 2: in Matthew chapter twenty seven, verse forty five. Christ's blood 767 00:38:28,719 --> 00:38:33,000 Speaker 2: was poured out. Creation itself reacted to what Christ was doing, 768 00:38:33,440 --> 00:38:37,160 Speaker 2: and the wrath that we deserved fell upon Christ in 769 00:38:37,239 --> 00:38:41,640 Speaker 2: that moment. So God is actively seeking to take the 770 00:38:41,640 --> 00:38:45,960 Speaker 2: wrath we deserve for us, and we see that in 771 00:38:45,960 --> 00:38:50,239 Speaker 2: Matthew twenty seven. Third, related to Christ, Jesus is the 772 00:38:50,280 --> 00:38:54,879 Speaker 2: only refuge from what's coming. There isn't another way out. 773 00:38:55,200 --> 00:38:57,760 Speaker 2: I mean these things in Revelation eight. These things will happen, 774 00:38:58,400 --> 00:39:01,120 Speaker 2: and Jesus is the only refuge. Jesus is the only 775 00:39:01,160 --> 00:39:04,759 Speaker 2: way out. First, Thessalonians chapter one, verse ten says this. 776 00:39:04,880 --> 00:39:08,160 Speaker 2: It describes Jesus as the one who delivers us from 777 00:39:08,200 --> 00:39:11,319 Speaker 2: the wrath to come? Well, what was Paul talking about 778 00:39:11,360 --> 00:39:13,800 Speaker 2: to the church at Thessalonica when he describes the wrath 779 00:39:13,880 --> 00:39:14,360 Speaker 2: to come? 780 00:39:15,200 --> 00:39:16,640 Speaker 1: He's talking about. 781 00:39:16,920 --> 00:39:22,439 Speaker 2: Details like this, He's talking about ultimate judgment as well. Now, 782 00:39:22,480 --> 00:39:24,879 Speaker 2: from the theological perspective that I hold to, I think 783 00:39:24,880 --> 00:39:27,200 Speaker 2: that means, when we're looking at the Book of Revelation, 784 00:39:27,280 --> 00:39:30,799 Speaker 2: that the church won't experience these trumpet judgments because Christ 785 00:39:30,880 --> 00:39:33,319 Speaker 2: has already taken our judgment upon himself, and that he's 786 00:39:33,360 --> 00:39:35,960 Speaker 2: going to remove believers before this time begins. But there's 787 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:38,399 Speaker 2: also people that are going to come to faith in 788 00:39:38,480 --> 00:39:45,040 Speaker 2: Christ during these judgments, and this is a warning for them, 789 00:39:45,280 --> 00:39:48,879 Speaker 2: a warning to take refuge in Christ, the one who 790 00:39:48,880 --> 00:39:52,000 Speaker 2: could ultimately deliver them. And again, as we've said before, 791 00:39:52,120 --> 00:39:53,759 Speaker 2: I think that truth should do a couple things in 792 00:39:53,800 --> 00:39:55,759 Speaker 2: our hearts. I think it should fill us with gratitude 793 00:39:56,120 --> 00:40:00,879 Speaker 2: that the Lord is our way out. But I think 794 00:40:00,880 --> 00:40:03,080 Speaker 2: it should also ignite a sense of urgency within us, 795 00:40:03,120 --> 00:40:05,080 Speaker 2: because there's people in your life, in my life who 796 00:40:05,120 --> 00:40:08,920 Speaker 2: need to know this truth Revelation eight, verses six through thirteen. 797 00:40:09,080 --> 00:40:12,080 Speaker 2: It isn't meant to just satisfy our curiosity about the future. 798 00:40:12,280 --> 00:40:15,400 Speaker 2: It does satisfy that curiosity, but that's not its ultimate goal. 799 00:40:15,719 --> 00:40:18,120 Speaker 2: It's actually meant to shape how we live right now. 800 00:40:18,600 --> 00:40:22,200 Speaker 2: If judgment is real, then repentance should not be trivialized. 801 00:40:23,719 --> 00:40:26,520 Speaker 2: Judgment is real, repentance should not be trivialized. If Christ 802 00:40:26,600 --> 00:40:30,360 Speaker 2: is the only refuge, then the Gospel must be shared. 803 00:40:31,880 --> 00:40:35,319 Speaker 2: If God's patience has a purpose, then we shouldn't waste it, 804 00:40:35,360 --> 00:40:38,040 Speaker 2: because we're clearly living in the time of God's patience 805 00:40:38,360 --> 00:40:40,360 Speaker 2: right now. In fact, one of my favorite portions of 806 00:40:40,400 --> 00:40:43,600 Speaker 2: scripture is from Second Peter chapter three and verse nine 807 00:40:43,640 --> 00:40:46,640 Speaker 2: of Second Peter chapter three. It actually tells us that 808 00:40:46,680 --> 00:40:49,080 Speaker 2: this delay in judgment that we're currently in the midst 809 00:40:49,160 --> 00:40:51,040 Speaker 2: of is intentional. 810 00:40:51,520 --> 00:40:52,319 Speaker 1: What's God doing? 811 00:40:52,360 --> 00:40:54,399 Speaker 2: Well, look at what the scripture says and Second Peter 812 00:40:54,400 --> 00:40:56,360 Speaker 2: three nine it says, the Lord does not slow to 813 00:40:56,360 --> 00:41:01,080 Speaker 2: fulfill his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient 814 00:41:01,200 --> 00:41:06,040 Speaker 2: toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that 815 00:41:06,200 --> 00:41:12,120 Speaker 2: all should reach repentance. That's the heart of God explained 816 00:41:12,120 --> 00:41:14,680 Speaker 2: in that portion of scripture. He knows that you goof 817 00:41:14,719 --> 00:41:17,279 Speaker 2: things up, he knows that I goof things up, but 818 00:41:17,320 --> 00:41:22,000 Speaker 2: he's not wanting us to perish. He's wanting us to 819 00:41:22,080 --> 00:41:26,280 Speaker 2: reach repentance. And every day that passes without these trumpet 820 00:41:26,280 --> 00:41:30,200 Speaker 2: blasts going off, it's a gift of grace. It's the 821 00:41:30,239 --> 00:41:33,720 Speaker 2: Lord saying, look, here's your opportunity. I think this passage 822 00:41:33,719 --> 00:41:36,160 Speaker 2: should also challenge our sense of security, because I think 823 00:41:36,400 --> 00:41:38,759 Speaker 2: as human beings were often tempted to anchor our hope 824 00:41:38,760 --> 00:41:43,360 Speaker 2: in things like stability, systems, comfort, and again, Revelation reminds 825 00:41:43,400 --> 00:41:45,799 Speaker 2: us that everything in this world is temporary. 826 00:41:46,719 --> 00:41:47,960 Speaker 1: And it's all going to be upended. 827 00:41:47,960 --> 00:41:50,160 Speaker 2: In the Book of Hebrews, chapter twelve, verse twenty eight, 828 00:41:50,200 --> 00:41:52,440 Speaker 2: that calls us to be grateful for a kingdom that 829 00:41:52,520 --> 00:41:56,040 Speaker 2: cannot be shaken. This earth can be shaken. The kingdom 830 00:41:56,080 --> 00:41:58,280 Speaker 2: we're part of in Christ is a kingdom that cannot 831 00:41:58,320 --> 00:41:58,840 Speaker 2: be shaken. 832 00:41:59,200 --> 00:42:00,640 Speaker 1: Hebrews twelve tells us that. 833 00:42:01,160 --> 00:42:04,000 Speaker 2: But I think finally this passage invites us to worship 834 00:42:04,080 --> 00:42:05,640 Speaker 2: Jesus more deeply. 835 00:42:06,560 --> 00:42:11,120 Speaker 1: How so well, Jesus isn't only the coming king. 836 00:42:10,960 --> 00:42:13,200 Speaker 2: Who will judge the world. He is that, but that's 837 00:42:13,200 --> 00:42:16,920 Speaker 2: not all he is. He's also the Savior who bore 838 00:42:17,120 --> 00:42:23,239 Speaker 2: judgment for us. He's both just and merciful. He's the 839 00:42:23,320 --> 00:42:27,759 Speaker 2: lion and the lamb, the scripture tells us, and if 840 00:42:27,800 --> 00:42:31,440 Speaker 2: you belong to him, if you sincerely and genuinely belong 841 00:42:31,520 --> 00:42:35,000 Speaker 2: to Jesus Christ, you don't have to fear the trumpet judgments. 842 00:42:36,480 --> 00:42:37,680 Speaker 1: You've already been rescued. 843 00:42:40,080 --> 00:42:42,720 Speaker 2: But you are called to live with an alert mind 844 00:42:44,160 --> 00:42:48,399 Speaker 2: and a grateful heart and a bold witness in this 845 00:42:48,560 --> 00:42:52,640 Speaker 2: window of God's patience while there's still time, a bold 846 00:42:52,719 --> 00:42:55,400 Speaker 2: witness that's supposed to communicate this hope and this truth 847 00:42:55,719 --> 00:42:58,840 Speaker 2: to someone who hasn't latched onto it yet, Because one 848 00:42:58,920 --> 00:43:00,000 Speaker 2: day the trumpets will send. 849 00:43:01,440 --> 00:43:02,440 Speaker 1: That's going to happen. 850 00:43:03,680 --> 00:43:06,120 Speaker 2: And until then, what happens, Well, until then, the gospel 851 00:43:06,160 --> 00:43:10,600 Speaker 2: is proclaimed from my lips, from this pulpit, from my life, 852 00:43:11,080 --> 00:43:15,480 Speaker 2: from your lips, from your life, from the life, from 853 00:43:15,560 --> 00:43:17,960 Speaker 2: the lips of every believer in Jesus Christ. 854 00:43:17,719 --> 00:43:19,319 Speaker 1: Who's willing to tell somebody else. 855 00:43:19,760 --> 00:43:25,600 Speaker 2: Every breath we breathe, it's another opportunity to trust Christ 856 00:43:25,760 --> 00:43:31,280 Speaker 2: more deeply and to point others to Jesus, because Jesus 857 00:43:31,520 --> 00:43:40,279 Speaker 2: alone is the one who saves. Let's pray, Lord, thank 858 00:43:40,360 --> 00:43:43,480 Speaker 2: you for your word, thank you for the fact that 859 00:43:43,719 --> 00:43:45,520 Speaker 2: we could look at a portion of scripture like this 860 00:43:45,640 --> 00:43:49,239 Speaker 2: and we could see all sorts of things referencing a 861 00:43:49,480 --> 00:43:53,719 Speaker 2: future season of trial, a future season of judgment. 862 00:43:54,600 --> 00:43:56,160 Speaker 1: Lord, we see that that's the case. 863 00:43:58,719 --> 00:44:00,920 Speaker 2: But at the same time, we as so recognize that 864 00:44:00,960 --> 00:44:05,040 Speaker 2: your heart is such that you are giving humanity ample 865 00:44:05,120 --> 00:44:09,160 Speaker 2: time in this season of your patients, this merciful season 866 00:44:09,160 --> 00:44:12,360 Speaker 2: of your patients. You're giving us ample time to repent, 867 00:44:14,280 --> 00:44:15,319 Speaker 2: ample time. 868 00:44:15,040 --> 00:44:16,279 Speaker 1: To be made right with you. 869 00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:20,520 Speaker 2: So Father, I pray that we would take advantage of that. 870 00:44:20,600 --> 00:44:22,680 Speaker 2: I also pray, Father, for the people that we love. 871 00:44:23,480 --> 00:44:25,600 Speaker 2: We have friends and we have family who are quite 872 00:44:25,640 --> 00:44:29,399 Speaker 2: distant from you, and our hearts are heavy for them. Lord, 873 00:44:29,440 --> 00:44:31,040 Speaker 2: Our hearts are burden for them. We know that your 874 00:44:31,080 --> 00:44:34,839 Speaker 2: heart is even heavier for them, but our hearts are 875 00:44:34,840 --> 00:44:35,440 Speaker 2: heavy for. 876 00:44:35,320 --> 00:44:35,879 Speaker 1: Them as well. 877 00:44:36,480 --> 00:44:39,719 Speaker 2: So Lord, we pray that our lost family members, our 878 00:44:39,800 --> 00:44:44,840 Speaker 2: lost friends, our lost coworkers, our lost acquaintances, our lost neighbors, 879 00:44:45,520 --> 00:44:48,319 Speaker 2: that they would come to know you, that you would 880 00:44:48,360 --> 00:44:49,920 Speaker 2: work in their minds and work in their hearts, and 881 00:44:49,960 --> 00:44:51,719 Speaker 2: that you would draw them unto yourself, and that you 882 00:44:51,719 --> 00:44:54,360 Speaker 2: would use the testimony of our lives and the testimony 883 00:44:54,360 --> 00:44:58,320 Speaker 2: of our lips to be bold proclamations of the message 884 00:44:58,320 --> 00:45:00,839 Speaker 2: of the Gospel, the hope of the Gospel, that those 885 00:45:00,880 --> 00:45:03,600 Speaker 2: who are trying to satisfy the deepest thirsts of their 886 00:45:03,640 --> 00:45:07,880 Speaker 2: life through worldly things that crack and can be taken 887 00:45:07,920 --> 00:45:11,480 Speaker 2: away and can be shaken, that they would recognize that 888 00:45:11,480 --> 00:45:14,920 Speaker 2: they need something. They need the living water of Jesus Christ, 889 00:45:15,000 --> 00:45:18,200 Speaker 2: your Son, to satisfy the deepest thirst, the deepest longing 890 00:45:18,239 --> 00:45:20,880 Speaker 2: of their soul. So Father, I pray that you would 891 00:45:21,200 --> 00:45:23,959 Speaker 2: ultimately reveal that to those that we love and care about, 892 00:45:24,000 --> 00:45:25,920 Speaker 2: even reveal that, Lord to people that we don't know 893 00:45:26,080 --> 00:45:29,400 Speaker 2: very well at all. But Lord, thank you again for 894 00:45:29,440 --> 00:45:32,000 Speaker 2: warning us ahead of time. Thank you for revealing these things. 895 00:45:32,000 --> 00:45:35,000 Speaker 2: It does show that you're merciful. You are just, but 896 00:45:35,040 --> 00:45:38,839 Speaker 2: you are merciful. If we persist in our rejection, then 897 00:45:38,880 --> 00:45:43,399 Speaker 2: we will get what that rejection entails. But you're still 898 00:45:43,480 --> 00:45:46,000 Speaker 2: giving us time. We're still here, We're still in this 899 00:45:46,120 --> 00:45:49,960 Speaker 2: season before those trumpet blasts have gone forth. So the 900 00:45:50,000 --> 00:45:54,319 Speaker 2: time to repent is still now. And Father, we pray 901 00:45:54,320 --> 00:45:56,239 Speaker 2: that you draw many onto yourself and that we would 902 00:45:56,280 --> 00:45:59,879 Speaker 2: be used of you effectively like trumpets in our gen 903 00:46:02,120 --> 00:46:04,040 Speaker 2: Thank you, Father for making sure that the message of 904 00:46:04,080 --> 00:46:07,480 Speaker 2: your gospel hit our ears. Thank you for prepping our 905 00:46:07,520 --> 00:46:09,920 Speaker 2: eyes to see it and softening our hearts to receive 906 00:46:09,960 --> 00:46:13,440 Speaker 2: it again. Father, would we pray that we would just 907 00:46:13,480 --> 00:46:17,040 Speaker 2: live as grateful men and women who also have a 908 00:46:17,080 --> 00:46:20,480 Speaker 2: sense of urgency as we look at what's going on 909 00:46:20,520 --> 00:46:23,640 Speaker 2: in this world, knowing that the time is short. We 910 00:46:23,719 --> 00:46:25,560 Speaker 2: thank you for all of these things. We pray this 911 00:46:25,600 --> 00:46:26,920 Speaker 2: all in Jesus' name. 912 00:46:28,400 --> 00:46:28,760 Speaker 1: Amen.