1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,920 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and immediately I saw in the spirit, 2 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:09,360 Speaker 1: and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one 3 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:15,640 Speaker 1: sat on the throne Revelation four. Two Jesus, As I 4 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:18,880 Speaker 1: press into the deeper things of God, I thank you 5 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:23,159 Speaker 1: that your familiar spirit of comfort and love surrounds me 6 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: as I bask in your glory. I thank you that 7 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 1: through the reading of Revelation, I can be taken up 8 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 1: into the beauty and splendor of your throne Room. In 9 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:39,480 Speaker 1: the same way that John heard and saw the angels 10 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:43,879 Speaker 1: flying around your throne. Lord, show me and let me 11 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:47,920 Speaker 1: hear the praises of your greatness in everything that I do. 12 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:53,960 Speaker 1: When I look around. Let the evidence of your glory 13 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:58,080 Speaker 1: and splendor fill my sight as the beauty of your 14 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:02,320 Speaker 1: throne room is revealed to me in spirit and in truth. 15 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:09,200 Speaker 1: May your continued faithfulness be felt in my life. May 16 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:12,480 Speaker 1: my praises echo loud in the throne Room of Grace 17 00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:18,000 Speaker 1: like the angels above. For no matter how glorious I 18 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:21,760 Speaker 1: think you are, I know that, like your throne room, 19 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:27,199 Speaker 1: there are different levels of your greatness, and I can't 20 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:37,120 Speaker 1: wait to explore them all. In Jesus' name, Amen, thank 21 00:01:37,160 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 1: you for praying with us today. Continue your time with 22 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 1: God by listening to today's Bible story, brought to you 23 00:01:44,520 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 1: by Bible in a Year dot com. 24 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:59,720 Speaker 2: The Throne Room of God. In this story, John has 25 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 2: been exiled after being dipped in a vat of boiling oil. 26 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 2: As he sits on the shores of Patmos, God comes 27 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:10,040 Speaker 2: to him in a vision. John writes in poetry and 28 00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:13,680 Speaker 2: metaphor to describe his vision of God's Throne Room. We 29 00:02:13,760 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 2: are taken up with John beholding God's majesty and glory 30 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:20,760 Speaker 2: inspired by the Book of Revelations. 31 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:26,080 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible 32 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 3: in a Year podcast. But before we begin, I want 33 00:02:29,200 --> 00:02:32,600 Speaker 3: to let you know about a unique ebook that's yours 34 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:37,680 Speaker 3: to download absolutely free today. Is called Breaking Free from Stress, 35 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 3: and my prayer is that it will help you conquer 36 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 3: the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress 37 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:47,680 Speaker 3: in your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free 38 00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:52,600 Speaker 3: from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham dot org slash stress. 39 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 3: That's Jack Graham dot org slash stress. In our previous episode, 40 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,240 Speaker 3: we heard the conclude of the Book of Acts as 41 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,400 Speaker 3: Paul arrived in Rome and was able to openly share 42 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 3: the Gospel there for two years. Though his life eventually 43 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:11,400 Speaker 3: ended at the hands of a cruel Roman despot, an 44 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:14,959 Speaker 3: evil emperor by the name of Nero, his work and 45 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:19,960 Speaker 3: witness continues bearing fruit even to this very day. Today 46 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:22,360 Speaker 3: we'll begin to see through the eyes of the apostle 47 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 3: John and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, a vision 48 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 3: for the future and an opportunity to look at the 49 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 3: very throne room of God and the hope that we 50 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:35,680 Speaker 3: have in heaven. So let's listen now to reading from 51 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 3: the Revelation, the last book of the Bible. 52 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:44,160 Speaker 2: Exiled on the island of Patmos, I was sitting on 53 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:48,040 Speaker 2: the bluffs, watching the darkened waves crash against the jagged 54 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:51,920 Speaker 2: rocks below. The clouds were dark and heavy, soon to 55 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 2: burst forth with rain. The wind howled against my bruised 56 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:59,840 Speaker 2: and scarred skin. Persecution for the Gospel had left me 57 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:03,920 Speaker 2: scarred and alone, destined to die on an island away 58 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:07,760 Speaker 2: from my loved ones. I closed my eyes and sought God, 59 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 2: and what I heard behind me was like a bellowing thunder. 60 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 2: The trumpet like voice shook my bones, saying everything you 61 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:19,159 Speaker 2: are about to see right down, for these will be 62 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:26,239 Speaker 2: spread among the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thiaterra, Sardis, Philadelphia, 63 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:30,200 Speaker 2: and laoud Aseea. Discerning that it was the voice of God, 64 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 2: I got my parchment in quill and began to write. 65 00:04:33,960 --> 00:04:36,120 Speaker 2: I turned away from the waves to see behind me 66 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:39,760 Speaker 2: a vision of the Lord. I saw seven golden lamp stands, 67 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:43,279 Speaker 2: glistening with flames and wonder. Among the lamps was one 68 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:46,240 Speaker 2: like the son of Man, clothed with a long robe 69 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 2: in golden sash around his chest. The hair on his 70 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:52,920 Speaker 2: head was pure white, not from age, but from sheer glory. 71 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 2: His feet were like steady bronze, and his voice was 72 00:04:56,640 --> 00:04:59,880 Speaker 2: like the roar of many waters. I looked to see 73 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:03,039 Speaker 2: stars held in his right hand, and from his mouth 74 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:06,880 Speaker 2: was a sharp, two edged sword. His face shone like 75 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:12,680 Speaker 2: a thousand galaxies. His presence was indescribable. When I saw him, 76 00:05:12,720 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 2: I fell on to my face, as though dead. I 77 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 2: could not comprehend what my eyes were seeing, and I 78 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 2: became afraid. A gentle hand reached out to me and 79 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 2: touched my shoulder. His presence was as warm as I 80 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:29,000 Speaker 2: remembered it was Jesus. His voice was like rushing waves 81 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:32,279 Speaker 2: in a gentle stream all at once. Fear not, he 82 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:35,040 Speaker 2: told me, for I am the first and the last. 83 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:39,120 Speaker 2: I died, and now I live for evermore, I alone 84 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 2: hold the keys of death and hades. My mind was 85 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 2: fixed on his greatness, so he reminded me to write 86 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:47,919 Speaker 2: what he was saying down so that it might be 87 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 2: known to the churches. He then uttered encouragements, rebukes, and 88 00:05:52,760 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 2: calls to all seven churches Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamom, Thiateryra, Sardis, Philadelphia, 89 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 2: and layout a Sea. His voice was gentle, but his 90 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 2: tone was resolute. After this, I looked up. There was 91 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:11,920 Speaker 2: a door standing by itself, opened up to heaven. From 92 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:16,360 Speaker 2: the door, I heard a resounding voice shouting, come and see. 93 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:18,720 Speaker 2: As the voice commanded, I was taken off of my 94 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 2: feet and lifted to heaven. Rushed through the gates of 95 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:25,360 Speaker 2: time and space. I was in the spirit and standing 96 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:28,120 Speaker 2: before the throne of God. He who sat on the 97 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:31,800 Speaker 2: throne had the appearance of Jasper and Carnelian. The depth 98 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:35,800 Speaker 2: of red, almost like blood, around the throne was a rainbow. 99 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 2: Its color was a deep emerald. I looked around the 100 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:43,840 Speaker 2: throne and behold there were twenty four smaller thrones surrounding it. 101 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:47,919 Speaker 2: Seated on the thrones were twenty four elders, clothed in 102 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 2: pure white with gold crowns. Lightning flashed violently, and I 103 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:56,360 Speaker 2: fixed my gaze on the throne. Above all thunder rolled. 104 00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 2: Emerging from the floor were seven torches of pure fire. 105 00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:03,120 Speaker 2: It forced me to look below where I was standing. 106 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:06,839 Speaker 2: The floor was like a calm sea, as still as glass, 107 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 2: yet still alive and moving. I gazed upon the beings 108 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 2: standing behind the throne and fell backwards. Behind and beside 109 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 2: the throne were four living creatures. They were massive and 110 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:22,120 Speaker 2: looming above the throne room, like majestic guardians. One creature 111 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:24,680 Speaker 2: was like a lion, the second had the strength of 112 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:27,360 Speaker 2: an ox, the third had the face of a man, 113 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 2: and the fourth was like an eagle. Flying in the 114 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:33,680 Speaker 2: midst of the throne room. All beasts had six wings 115 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:37,720 Speaker 2: and eyes wrapping around their heads. They dwelled in majesty, 116 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:42,680 Speaker 2: singing with deep voices like thunder, saying Holy, Holy, Holy, 117 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:46,520 Speaker 2: is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and 118 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 2: is to come. All were in reverence to the one 119 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:53,720 Speaker 2: sitting on the throne, And as the mighty beasts flapped 120 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:56,960 Speaker 2: their wings and sang glory to God. The twenty four 121 00:07:57,000 --> 00:08:00,679 Speaker 2: elders knelt before him, laying their crowns at his feet. 122 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:05,040 Speaker 2: Their voices were as one, singing poetry to God. It 123 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:08,520 Speaker 2: resounded in my very soul as they sang worthy, are 124 00:08:08,560 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 2: you God to receive glory and power? For you are 125 00:08:11,960 --> 00:08:16,280 Speaker 2: the creator of all things, and by your will they exist. 126 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:19,840 Speaker 2: Then all became silent. The one sitting on the throne 127 00:08:19,880 --> 00:08:23,040 Speaker 2: held a scroll in his hand with seven seals. An 128 00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:26,560 Speaker 2: angel spoke behind me, saying, who is worthy to open 129 00:08:26,560 --> 00:08:29,680 Speaker 2: the seven seals? I looked and saw a vision of 130 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:33,080 Speaker 2: many men and women attempting to break the seals. Yet 131 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 2: no one could open the scroll. I knew in my 132 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 2: heart it contained life itself and wisdom beyond measure. So 133 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:43,199 Speaker 2: I began to weep, lamenting the unopened scroll. One of 134 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:46,559 Speaker 2: the elders touched my shoulder from behind and whispered, weep 135 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:49,960 Speaker 2: no more, For the lion of Judah, the root of David, 136 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 2: has conquered death. He can open the scroll. My tears 137 00:08:54,520 --> 00:08:58,480 Speaker 2: ceased when I saw him behold standing before me was 138 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:02,160 Speaker 2: him the lamb of God God. He bore the scars 139 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 2: of slaughter, still bloodied and bruised by the cruelty of man. 140 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:09,120 Speaker 2: He took the sealed scroll in his hand. All the 141 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:13,120 Speaker 2: elders and creatures erupted in praise, singing, worthy, are you 142 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 2: to open its seals? For you were slain, and by 143 00:09:16,559 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 2: your blood we are ransomed. For God. Every tribe, language, 144 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:24,120 Speaker 2: and nation will know that you are God. Even more 145 00:09:24,160 --> 00:09:29,640 Speaker 2: angels emerged, singing worthy is the Lamb who was slain? Honor, Glory, 146 00:09:29,679 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 2: and blessings. I watched as every living creature in heaven 147 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:37,480 Speaker 2: and on earth worshiped the bruised and crucified King. Its 148 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:39,040 Speaker 2: beauty was beyond words. 149 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:48,040 Speaker 3: We begin today's reading with John on the island of Patmos. 150 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:52,680 Speaker 3: He is an older man exiled because of persecution, as 151 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:55,479 Speaker 3: he said, for the word of God and the testimony 152 00:09:55,520 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 3: of Jesus. Many, if not all, of his friends had 153 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 3: faced death for the cause of the God Gospel. But 154 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 3: God had not yet called him home. He was not 155 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:06,760 Speaker 3: yet finished with the apostle John, though he was the 156 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:10,320 Speaker 3: last man standing. The Lord had a message for John 157 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:14,120 Speaker 3: to deliver, one of extreme importance about hope, the hope 158 00:10:14,120 --> 00:10:17,440 Speaker 3: of heaven, and how we can endure even under persecution. 159 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 3: As we look forward to the return of Christ and 160 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:24,240 Speaker 3: the promise of heaven. We heard how God spoke to 161 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:27,360 Speaker 3: John with a thundering voice like a loud trumpet, and 162 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 3: told him to write down what he was about to 163 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 3: say and about to show him. He was to record 164 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:35,320 Speaker 3: what he saw and send it in a book to 165 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:39,440 Speaker 3: the seven churches throughout Asia. As John turned towards the 166 00:10:39,520 --> 00:10:43,239 Speaker 3: voice that he heard, he saw something that was incredible. 167 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:46,840 Speaker 3: Seven golden lamp stands, and in the center was a 168 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 3: marvelous man wearing a long robe in a golden sash. 169 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:54,440 Speaker 3: And this picture of portrait was none other than Jesus himself. 170 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 3: He looked so different from when John had last seen 171 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:02,680 Speaker 3: him on a cross, then in a resurrection and ascending 172 00:11:02,679 --> 00:11:07,600 Speaker 3: into the clouds, But it was truly Jesus. Symbolically, he 173 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:11,360 Speaker 3: held seven stars in his hands, signifying his sovereignty and 174 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:14,840 Speaker 3: ownership over all who follow him. Out of his mouth 175 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:17,959 Speaker 3: came a double edged sword, indicating that he is the 176 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:22,640 Speaker 3: judge supreme. So what did John do? Did he at 177 00:11:22,679 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 3: first run joyfully to greet his friend Jesus, whom he 178 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:28,520 Speaker 3: had not seen for decades. He was, after all, the 179 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:33,840 Speaker 3: one Jesus loved, and John loved Jesus well. In reality, 180 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:36,640 Speaker 3: John fell on his faith. It was as though he 181 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:40,600 Speaker 3: were dead. He was in awe in wonder of what 182 00:11:40,720 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 3: he was seeing. He saw the glory and majesty of Christ. 183 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:48,760 Speaker 3: John felt unworthy and even terrified. Surely he was as 184 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:51,079 Speaker 3: good as dead because he had seen the face of God. 185 00:11:51,559 --> 00:11:55,040 Speaker 3: But Jesus spoke to him tenderly and gently, telling him 186 00:11:55,120 --> 00:11:58,440 Speaker 3: do not fear, for he, Jesus, is the first and 187 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:01,319 Speaker 3: the last, the Alpha and Omega, the one who holds 188 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:05,800 Speaker 3: the keys to death and hades. Jesus again told him 189 00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:08,439 Speaker 3: to write down what he was about to see and hear. 190 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:12,200 Speaker 3: These were important messages, beginning with specific words to the 191 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 3: seven churches in Asia Minor. These were words of encouragement, rebuke, comfort, correction, warning, 192 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:23,320 Speaker 3: and witness. Words like these to the church at Laodicea 193 00:12:23,559 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 3: found in Revelation three nineteen and twenty. Those whom I 194 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:32,640 Speaker 3: love I reprove and discipline, So be zealous and repent. Behold, 195 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 3: I stand at the door and knock. If anyone here's 196 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:38,200 Speaker 3: my voice and opens the door, I will come in 197 00:12:38,240 --> 00:12:40,880 Speaker 3: to him and eat with him, and he with me. 198 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:46,239 Speaker 3: And though these were specific instructions given to specific strategic 199 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 3: churches at the time. These are words we need to 200 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:52,760 Speaker 3: hear today. As a matter of fact, there are no 201 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 3: doubt people listening to me right now and God's word 202 00:12:56,240 --> 00:12:59,360 Speaker 3: today that need to open the door of their hearts 203 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:03,439 Speaker 3: and receive Jesus as Lord and savior. He is knocking 204 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 3: at your heart's door, and if you will open the 205 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:08,760 Speaker 3: door by faith and invite him in, he will come 206 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:10,960 Speaker 3: in and live in your life, and you will know 207 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:15,280 Speaker 3: eternal life and the forgiveness of your sins. Next, John 208 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 3: looked up and saw heaven opening. When he heard a 209 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:20,760 Speaker 3: voice calling him to come up and see, he was 210 00:13:21,040 --> 00:13:24,760 Speaker 3: lifted off his feet and translated up into heaven into 211 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:27,680 Speaker 3: a place that he had never seen. It was God's 212 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:33,520 Speaker 3: throne room, and it was marvelous, majestic, magnificent. The description 213 00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 3: John gives conveys immense beauty and majesty and glory. And 214 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:41,199 Speaker 3: in this incredible room there were twenty four elders dressed 215 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:45,160 Speaker 3: in white and wearing crowns. These were very important figures. 216 00:13:45,559 --> 00:13:49,559 Speaker 3: This much is clear. These twenty four elders represent the 217 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:53,320 Speaker 3: Church of all ages, God's people, both Old Testament and 218 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:57,200 Speaker 3: New Testament saints. But they weren't alone. For John saw 219 00:13:57,280 --> 00:14:01,240 Speaker 3: four living creatures with wings, the creatures saying praises to God, 220 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 3: worshiping him in his throne room. These were angelic messengers 221 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:09,520 Speaker 3: and witnesses and worshipers. What an incredible sight. I can 222 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:12,640 Speaker 3: only begin to imagine how overwhelming this would have been 223 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 3: for John. As he looked around the room, the throne 224 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:21,200 Speaker 3: room of God, there was one unmistakable reality. God is Holy, Holy, Holy, 225 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:25,120 Speaker 3: and Jesus Christ is Lord. He is worthy of all 226 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:30,000 Speaker 3: of our praise. He is alone worthy, he is altogether worthy, 227 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:35,240 Speaker 3: and he is always worthy. All these beings were created beings, 228 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:38,720 Speaker 3: and it was God who created them all. Let us 229 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:41,800 Speaker 3: never lose the wonder of the greatness of God and 230 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:44,040 Speaker 3: the glory in the presence of God, not only in 231 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:47,640 Speaker 3: his spirit today, but when we are in His presence forever. 232 00:14:48,880 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 3: As we heard in the scripture today, something then amazing happens. 233 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:57,360 Speaker 3: A question is asked, who is worthy to open the seals, 234 00:14:57,440 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 3: the seals of judgment? And only one could come forward 235 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:04,560 Speaker 3: who was worthy, the one whom we just proclaimed Jesus. 236 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:07,520 Speaker 3: And John, though he was greatly saddened that no one 237 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:10,040 Speaker 3: was worthy to open the seals in heaven or in earth, 238 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 3: He then rejoiced and was told not to weep, for 239 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:17,960 Speaker 3: Jesus himself would open the seals the root of David, 240 00:15:17,960 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 3: the lion of Judah. He had conquered death, and he 241 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:25,480 Speaker 3: could open the scroll. He is commanding all of the 242 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:30,160 Speaker 3: history and the destiny of the world and eternity. John 243 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:33,200 Speaker 3: saw Jesus in all of his glory, the lamb of 244 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 3: God standing before him. Jesus took the scroll, and all 245 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 3: began to cry out, worthy, Worthy, Worthy, Why because Jesus 246 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 3: is God. God is Jesus, and he is the one 247 00:15:49,160 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 3: we worship. It was this truth that John had embraced 248 00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:55,080 Speaker 3: so many years ago when he followed Christ on earth. 249 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:58,160 Speaker 3: And though he had only a fate understanding of what 250 00:15:58,240 --> 00:16:00,760 Speaker 3: all of this meant, he was now given a vision 251 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:03,360 Speaker 3: of heaven itself and the hope that we have in Christ. 252 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:06,120 Speaker 3: We're told of things that are yet to come in 253 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:09,280 Speaker 3: the earth, of great tribulation, and of an anti Christ, 254 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:12,440 Speaker 3: and of judgment. But we're told most of all that 255 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 3: our God reigns. What a marvelous sight to behold, And 256 00:16:16,320 --> 00:16:20,400 Speaker 3: this was just the beginning. Let's pray God, We thank 257 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:23,280 Speaker 3: you for the Book of Revelation, which not only speaks 258 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:27,240 Speaker 3: to yesterday, but speaks to today and tomorrow and forever. 259 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 3: The hope that we have in Christ. What we know 260 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:33,840 Speaker 3: is that he is alive, that Jesus is Lord, and 261 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:36,240 Speaker 3: that we can put our faith and trust in him. 262 00:16:36,680 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 3: May we live every day in this hope and look 263 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:43,280 Speaker 3: forward to the day we see Jesus face to face. Amen. 264 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:47,520 Speaker 3: Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 265 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:50,240 Speaker 3: Before we go, I want to let you know about 266 00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:54,760 Speaker 3: a unique ebook that's yours to download absolutely free today. 267 00:16:55,440 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 3: Is called Breaking Free from Stress, and my prayer is 268 00:16:59,040 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 3: that it will help you anchor the daily task and 269 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:05,360 Speaker 3: pressures and burdens that bring stress into your life. Download 270 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:08,960 Speaker 3: your free copy of Breaking Free from Stress today by 271 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:14,600 Speaker 3: visiting Jaggraam dot org slash stress. That's Jagraham dot org 272 00:17:14,920 --> 00:17:16,440 Speaker 3: slash stress.