WEBVTT 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:04.080 Thank you so much for lowering the pulpit. 00:00:04.080 --> 00:00:22.320 I was actually just being gracious and and and patient with you, Doug, because I figured you were just in the midway point of establishing a pulpit that you walk up and into like to have in Europe. 00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:23.760 Need from the UK. 00:00:23.760 --> 00:00:28.160 So I'm just glad I can see you all now. 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:31.920 I felt like I was driving a car looking through the wheel, you know. 00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:34.719 You never know. 00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:35.759 You never know. 00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:39.280 Well, good morning, and it's just a joy to be with you. 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:43.200 I consider it us a privilege to be in this pulpit. 00:00:43.200 --> 00:00:46.320 And um, I thank you for the opportunity, Doug. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:57.920 Why missions and why should churches link arms and become co-workers with those heralds of the truth in other nations? 00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:07.840 Well, I'm a churchman and I've dedicated my adult life to the propagation of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:07.840 --> 00:01:36.879 Theologian Rollin McCune stresses the importance of the local church's role in making disciples in this way when he says, Scriptures teach us that the local church is the pillar in support of the truth, 1 Timothy 3.15, and is the only God-appointed institution authorized to carry out his program of witness and service on the earth during this present age. 00:01:36.879 --> 00:01:39.280 The church is big stuff. 00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:48.239 In this in-between time that Doug talked about, where we are waiting his return, and forgive me for just using Doug. 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:51.200 We have a relationship. 00:01:51.200 --> 00:01:55.200 But the truth of the matter is we're waiting. 00:01:55.200 --> 00:01:58.319 But while we're waiting, we need to be busy. 00:01:58.319 --> 00:02:10.080 Taking McCune's quote to heart means every church needs to be enthusiastically involved in the ongoing work of seeing new churches planted and growing both here and abroad. 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:13.360 That's the mandate of 3 John 8. 00:02:13.360 --> 00:02:25.599 Therefore, we ought to support such men so that we may be fellow workers or co-laborers together with them with the truth. 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:34.159 But in addition to John's admonition, there's something more scriptures present to motivate us to that end. 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:36.719 And I'd like you to consider these following verses. 00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:40.000 You don't have to turn there, just let me recite them to you. 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:50.960 From 2 Timothy 4, 6 through 8, we read, For I am already being poured out, Paul said, as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:56.639 I fought the good fight, and I finished the course, and I have kept the faith. 00:02:56.639 --> 00:03:12.560 In the future there is a laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing. 00:03:12.560 --> 00:03:14.879 It's a motivation to service. 00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:17.520 First Peter 1, 3 and 4. 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:42.879 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and not uh will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, for a salvation to be revealed in the last time. 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:45.120 Motivation. 00:03:45.120 --> 00:03:51.039 And then we have James 1, 12, saying similar things. 00:03:51.039 --> 00:04:03.199 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him. 00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:06.159 All of these point to a future time. 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:13.360 Each one talks about a reward that's in heaven for present labor, suffering, and perseverance. 00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:19.040 And after it's all said and done, there will be rejoicing in heaven. 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:24.240 If you've been a believer for any length of time, you have experienced suffering. 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:37.920 Whatever you believed when you first believed, the gospel of Jesus Christ, about your life coming forth from that wondrous time of finally having your eyes open to the truth of God's love for you and mercy. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:44.480 Most of us were not anticipating the suffering that we would experience. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:50.319 But I'm here today to tell you when it's all said and done, there's going to be great rejoicing. 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:52.959 And I want to encourage us with that this morning. 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:54.079 Let's pray. 00:04:54.079 --> 00:05:08.959 Our gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for this opportunity to once again break open your word, uh, the truths of your word, and in what a book, the consummation of all things, the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:19.279 We pray that you, by your Holy Spirit, would first and all anoint me for the preaching of your word, that my words would reflect your glory. 00:05:19.279 --> 00:05:27.360 And secondly, Lord, that you would open up the hearts of these dear people to receive that which you've prepared for them to hear today. 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:29.279 For we pray it in Jesus' name. 00:05:29.279 --> 00:05:30.160 Amen. 00:05:30.160 --> 00:05:33.519 Well, you can turn with me to the book of Revelation. 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:41.439 I'm just going to kind of go over uh some things to kind of set the plate, if you will, for Revelation chapter 5. 00:05:41.439 --> 00:05:52.160 But Revelation chapter 1, if we look casually at 9 through 20, especially verses 12 through 16, we see that John was on the island of Patmos. 00:05:52.160 --> 00:05:59.120 It was a prison island just off the coast of modern-day Turkey, and he had a vision of Jesus Christ. 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:11.279 And it was the Lord's day, and he was in the spirit, and when behind him he heard a voice that most likely startled him because it was a loud voice, like a trumpet blast. 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:19.360 And John heard the voice command him to write a book about what he sees and send it to the seven churches listed in verse 11. 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:29.600 I believe there are real churches, historic churches, that were known to John as they were in the very area that he had ministered before being exiled to Potmos. 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:38.720 And hearing such a voice with the intensity of a trumpet blast, he naturally turned around to see where it was coming from. 00:06:38.720 --> 00:06:42.079 Verses 12 and 13 read like this. 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:47.600 And to the angel of the church in Pergamo, excuse me. 00:06:47.600 --> 00:07:01.920 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me, and having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man. 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:06.560 One like the Son of Man, Christ in his humanity. 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:12.720 Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man often and in relation to his second coming. 00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:22.399 In Matthew 8, Jesus speaks of the need for the Son of Man to suffer, die, and rise from the dead on the third day. 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:25.439 That wonderful day that we just celebrated. 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:32.319 Then he links the title the Son of Man with his return in glory, accompanied by his holy angels. 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:38.560 In John chapter 5, he links two titles together: the Son of God and the Son of Man. 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:44.800 And when he refers to himself as the Son of Man, it is the relation to his second coming. 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:57.839 Never ceases to amaze me to think of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, right now, seated at the right hand of the Father in his physical body that has been glorified. 00:07:57.839 --> 00:08:02.079 He left in that body and ascended to heaven. 00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:06.160 And the angels said, What are you standing gazing up there for? 00:08:06.160 --> 00:08:08.480 He's going to return in the same way. 00:08:08.480 --> 00:08:10.720 That is a blessed hope. 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:13.360 Our glorified bodies. 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:16.639 But he's present with the church, isn't he? 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:26.319 In verse 12, standing in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, he's wearing a robe like a priest would wear a robe. 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:29.920 He's interceding for the church. 00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:34.000 His head and hair are white like wool, like snow. 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:35.759 He's pure. 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:41.360 His eyes are like a flame of fire, all discerning, nothing hidden. 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:44.799 His feet are like burnished bronze. 00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:47.120 Shows his lordship. 00:08:47.120 --> 00:09:00.720 The kings in the Middle East sometimes sat on raised thrones, and when those who were to be judged came before the king, they would fall at his feet and therefore place themselves under his authority. 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:05.759 The voice was like the sound of many waters. 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:10.159 I love this because God communicates. 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:14.799 Do you understand what this is? 00:09:14.799 --> 00:09:18.639 This is his self-revelation to us. 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:25.600 So much in here we would not have a clue about if he did not reveal it to us. 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:27.840 The story of creation. 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:29.279 Who was there? 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:30.240 God. 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:32.639 And he opens it up to us. 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:43.360 How marvelous is that! But this sound, and he said, and behold, the glory of God of Israel came from the way of the east in Ezekiel chapter 43. 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:46.799 And his voice was like the sound of noise of many waters. 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:48.240 Um, you're in New York. 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:50.720 Have you been to Niagara Falls? 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:54.480 First time I went there, I went on made of the mist, right? 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:58.720 And it was so amazing. 00:09:58.720 --> 00:10:04.240 And they gave you these little ponchos, you know, because you get by the falls and it's just coming at you. 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:07.039 I just burst out in song. 00:10:07.039 --> 00:10:09.120 Well, nobody could hear me. 00:10:09.120 --> 00:10:13.440 But how great is our God. 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:15.679 Behold our God, you know. 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:19.679 I just was so praising God underneath those falls. 00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:22.320 What must this voice have sounded like? 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:23.600 That's what I thought of. 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:25.519 The voice of the Lord. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:26.480 Wow. 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:32.720 In 116, it tells us that out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword. 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:39.360 And if the sheer sound of many waters doesn't stir up a pitcher of authority, the sharp two-edged sword should. 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:41.600 Should suffice to do that. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:46.720 On the Mount of Transfiguration, his father spoke and said, This is my beloved son. 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:48.480 Listen to him. 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:50.240 Listen to him. 00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:54.960 When our glorious Lord and Savior, the King of the earth, speaks. 00:10:54.960 --> 00:10:58.000 We need to listen and obey. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:02.559 And then his face was like the sun shining in its strength. 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:05.759 Glory, Shekinah. 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:10.480 This describes the incredible glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:13.360 He's in the presence of the Father. 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:23.200 This final description is a fitting cullimation of John's vision of Jesus Christ, and it clearly signifies his glory in the church. 00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:25.120 What a vision. 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:26.879 And what a savior. 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:29.679 He's purifying, discerning. 00:11:29.679 --> 00:11:31.600 He's a reigning Lord. 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:37.679 He's commanding with authority and shining brightly in all of his magnificent glory. 00:11:37.679 --> 00:11:42.240 And he stands in the midst of the redeemed church. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:47.120 And he walks among his church, loving, protecting, sanctifying her. 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:51.200 His glory is our deep, deep joy. 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:54.399 This is Jesus. 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:57.679 This is who we worship and serve, beloved. 00:11:57.679 --> 00:12:04.799 But that is merely the first glimpse of Jesus that John saw in his vision on Patmos. 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:07.039 There's more, much more. 00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:12.320 Over in chapter 4, we learn a little bit more. 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:14.080 Verses 1 through 4. 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:18.799 After these things I looked up and behold, a door standing open in heaven. 00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:31.440 And the first voice, which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, Come up here, and I'll show you what must take place after these things. 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:38.879 Immediately I was in the spirit, and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and one sitting on the throne. 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:44.879 And he who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance. 00:12:44.879 --> 00:13:00.320 And there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance, and around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting clothed in white garments and golden crowns on their heads. 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:01.120 Wow. 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:04.320 This begins a whole new section in Revelation. 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:10.879 And Revelation 1 through 3, God presented historical churches, as I mentioned. 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:21.120 They're all churches that had actual geographical locations and to which John sent letters, and he may have even been part of their establishment. 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:22.159 We don't know. 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:33.360 Beginning in chapter 4, we're swept away into heaven with John, and the most of the rest of the book of Revelation is from the viewpoint of heaven looking upon the earth. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:43.039 It imparts important things that we need to grasp in our concept of God and his involvement with the church. 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:49.360 In fact, one commentator names this chapter exactly that the church in heaven. 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:52.000 It's a heavenly scene. 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:56.240 There's a door in heaven and a command to come up here. 00:13:56.240 --> 00:14:07.679 When John says he saw a door standing open in heaven, it's simply a device to transition our thinking away from earth and up into heaven. 00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:16.159 In the previous chapters, the focus was on the seven churches on earth, and now we're in heaven in the very throne room of God. 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:23.600 Once again, no way to know about this, but the revealed will and word of God. 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:42.080 And in verse three, there are incredible word pictures that John used to try to describe the wonder of it all, but don't get caught up in all of the incredible elements in John's vision and miss the practical theology behind it all. 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:44.320 God is on the throne. 00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:47.120 He's on the throne. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:50.879 And John says he saw one sitting on a throne. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:53.679 This has to be God the Father. 00:14:53.679 --> 00:15:02.480 Because he's distinguished from the Lamb in verses five and seven of chapter five. 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:04.080 They're together. 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:10.720 And he's distinguished from the Spirit in chapter four, verse five. 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:12.639 So this is God the Father. 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:19.200 And what John is doing here is portraying the glory of God, not trying to paint a detailed picture of his person. 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:21.600 He's just lifting him up as glorious. 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:27.759 And he saw something very similar to what Daniel saw in Daniel 7, verse 9. 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:35.039 I kept looking, Daniel said, until thrones were set up, and the ancient of days took his seat. 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:47.759 His vesture was like white snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool, and his throne was ablaze with flames, and its wheels were like a burning fire. 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:57.120 And even here, Daniel 7, further on we read of one like the Son of Man who came up to the ancient of days and was presented before him. 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:59.759 So again, talking about God the Father. 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:10.159 And in 713 it says, and there too, there was a parallel to what John saw and witnessed on Potmos. 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:25.360 Because into the hands of the Son of Man, the ancient of days, will be dominion and glory and kingdom, that all the peoples and nations and men of every language might serve him. 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:35.120 His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which will not pass away, and his kingdom is one which will not be destroyed. 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:40.240 And all this was given into the hands of the Son of Man, Daniel 7, 13 and 14. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:44.879 Now back to the throne room of God and John's vision. 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:55.600 All around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting clothed in white garments and golden crowns on their heads. 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:57.440 Who are they? 00:16:57.440 --> 00:17:01.360 Well, there's been a lot written about these twenty-four. 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:08.960 And when it comes to identifying these elders, there's been long-standing debate with the interpretation falling into one of four areas. 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:21.279 There are angels, they could be Israel representing Israel, or the church, the third or the fourth, all the redeemed, Israel and the church altogether, 12 tribes and 12 elders. 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:22.640 Who knows, right? 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:24.240 Who are they? 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:28.880 Well, I understand them to be 24 elders to represent the church. 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:30.720 That's what I've fallen on. 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:39.440 Raptured, glorified, coronated, and ready to sing the song of redemption found in Revelation 5, 8 through 10. 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:41.920 And here's why I interpret that. 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:45.039 They are seated on thrones. 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:48.880 Angels are never found sitting on thrones. 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:50.960 Never see an angel on throne. 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:52.880 And they're called elders. 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:57.119 Again, this is a term never used in the Bible to refer to angels. 00:17:57.119 --> 00:18:00.240 So I'm knocking out the angel interpretation. 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:13.119 They're wearing white garments, and although angels are identified in white garments, Jesus distinctly promised the saints at Sardis: He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments. 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:17.039 That's in verse 5 of chapter 3. 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:35.440 And it's indicative of the church, the bride of the Lamb, at the marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19:8, and it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:38.400 And they also have golden crowns. 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:49.599 Angels are never promised crowns, nor are they ever said to be wearing them in the Bible, but the crown of victory is promised to the believers at Smyrna. 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:53.599 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:59.119 Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:04.720 Saints are also promised an imperishable crown in 1 Corinthians chapter 9. 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:09.119 And a crown of righteousness in 2 Timothy 4.8. 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:13.279 And a crown of life in James 1.12. 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:17.599 And the unfolding crown of glory, 1 Peter 5.4. 00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:30.000 You don't hear a lot about the Old Testament and crowns, except for kings, but that's in the New Testament we hear a lot about the saints and crowns in the future. 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:37.279 It's an acceptable, it's acceptable to see the 24 elders as representatives of the Redeemed Church. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:45.359 And it's only church age believers who honestly sing the song of the redeemed, which they participate in. 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:55.599 It's just, it would make sense to think of Israel or angels singing for their redemption out from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:57.039 It doesn't work. 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:59.519 This is a redeemed church. 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:10.160 Redeemed, raptured to be with their Lord, judged, rewarded, seated, for work complete, and finally with the Lord and Savior. 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:14.960 When it's all said and done, there's great rejoicing in heaven. 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:18.960 Now turn to chapter 5 for our text. 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:28.480 I saw on the right hand of him who sat on the throne a book written inside and out in the back, sealed up with seven seals. 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:35.359 I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who's worthy to open the book and to break its seals? 00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:41.680 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book, to look into it. 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:49.519 And then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it. 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:52.880 And one of the elders said to me, Stop weeping. 00:20:52.880 --> 00:21:03.359 Behold, the lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seals. 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:07.359 We're still in the throne room of God. 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:10.160 It's in heaven. 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:13.839 And the one seated on the throne begins to act. 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:17.440 And I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:20.319 Remember, God the Father. 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:25.440 And written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:28.319 The scroll is a deed. 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:31.119 It's a deed to the earth. 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:36.480 It's not like a book that we think about today, but rather a scroll, a parchment. 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:38.480 And it was rolled up. 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:47.599 They were made of papyrus and animal skins and a sc had to be unrolled, but it had seals on it. 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.880 Seven of them. 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:54.319 Such important documents were often witnessed by at least three witnesses. 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:59.440 And their signature was added protection of being sealed with at least three. 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:04.480 Seals, more if the document was of greater importance. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:06.799 This had seven seals. 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:17.200 And a scroll, as I mentioned, three times in the Gospel of John, he refers to the devil as the ruler of this world. 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:18.799 Three times. 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:23.680 Paul calls the devil the God of this age. 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:39.359 But the most significant designation of the devil in this respect is written in John's first epistle, 1 John 5 19, where he says, The whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:41.279 He's a usurp. 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:44.240 He usurped that position. 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:47.519 He stole it from Adam. 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:53.440 Originally, God gave dominion of the earth to Adam. 00:22:53.440 --> 00:23:00.319 But through our first parents' sin and rebellion, they abdicated that dominion to the devil. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:07.680 And ever since the fall of man, the devil has usurped the rule over this planet and all who are on it. 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:15.759 It's not his by right or by privilege, but by deceit and theft. 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:26.400 But God, in his wisdom and plan, is determined that Jesus Christ is the only rightful ruler of this earth. 00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:39.359 And when Jesus died on the cross, he atoned for the sin and crushed Satan by redeeming fallen race of people and destroying the usurper's claim to world dominion. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:42.480 I love Jesus' words on the cross. 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:45.039 It is finished. 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:48.240 That is so packed. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:51.039 You could preach for a month on that easily. 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:52.480 It is finished. 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.839 What's finished? 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:56.799 Well, it is finished. 00:23:56.799 --> 00:24:02.319 And what's beautiful about that term is it's still coming to pass what is finished. 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:08.160 He's still redeeming people by virtue of his death on the cross. 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:18.799 And there's still going to be rewards meted out to the glorified church in heaven as part of it, it is finished. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:20.559 Love those words. 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:22.079 Love those words. 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:44.400 So when we take into consideration what's inside the scroll, as each of the seven seals are broken open in Revelation 6 through 19, and the cullimation being the second coming of Christ to the earth to set up his millennial kingdom, it seems a given that the scroll represents the title deed to the earth. 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:48.960 Now no one was found to open the scroll. 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:54.720 The questions asked, who is worthy to open the scroll? 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:57.839 And all of heaven is waiting in anticipation. 00:24:57.839 --> 00:25:02.400 Is there anyone who is worthy to open the title? 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:05.279 Some of you are playing a song in your head right now. 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.559 He is worthy. 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:09.440 Oh, we did that for Easter Sunday. 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:14.160 Resurrection Sunday for those of you that don't have a Catholic background. 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:18.960 I've been so hammered over that. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:25.599 But the truth of the matter is to me, it's Easter Sunday and Resurrection Sunday both. 00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:29.279 But honestly, we sang that as our closing hymn. 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:32.160 And like your you people sing. 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:34.079 God bless you. 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:35.359 You sing out. 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:39.119 And it just it I'm always a little bit leery. 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:42.079 I I've been in a lot of churches over the years, right? 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:48.000 And you know, when a church doesn't really sing very much, you just wonder what's wrong here. 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.519 What's wrong? 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:59.119 So it's funny when you're up here preaching, Pastor Doug, isn't it funny the thoughts that come into your mind? 00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:10.160 I'm thinking Steve Fernandez singing at the top of his lungs, couldn't hold a tune for nothing. 00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:15.279 And every song was like heaven breaking out. 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:19.200 And he's he was shorter than I am, which is short. 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:22.480 And and he just bounced on his toes and just singing. 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:30.160 I sang next to him, and I couldn't sing because he was just blowing the harmony or you know, the song apart. 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:32.640 But there's gonna be singing. 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:34.400 There's gonna be singing, isn't there? 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:36.559 And this title deeds opened. 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:38.240 Who's worthy? 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:40.000 Absolutely no one. 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:44.880 Absolutely no one found anywhere who's worthy. 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:51.440 And the staggering thought here is that there was not one in existence found to be worthy. 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:54.319 Scour every corner of the earth, no one. 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:57.200 Look into the secret places of heaven, no one. 00:26:57.200 --> 00:27:08.880 And John used a threefold division which followed the Old Testament past pattern of identifying the entire realm of existence in heaven and on earth and under the earth. 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:21.920 The idea clearly is that there was no one in the created universe that is able or is worthy or who can do the job to open the scroll, and it just breaks John down. 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:28.640 It breaks him down because he knows what's in the scroll. 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:30.720 He goes into despair. 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:33.599 And would we not also despair? 00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:44.079 And have we not felt such despair when we had no one who we could come to for aid? 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:47.200 Do you remember when you were saved? 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:51.599 Man, I was a mess. 00:27:51.599 --> 00:28:06.160 I was just filled with stress and anxiety, and I read about the gospel in a book, and I trusted Christ, and the peace of God just filled my heart. 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:09.359 I still remember that like yesterday. 00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:19.119 Well, he he was feeling despair here, and we've done that when we were at the end of ourselves and no one was near. 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:22.880 When we so needed someone and there was no one. 00:28:22.880 --> 00:28:27.359 Jesus came to all of us who are weary and heavy laden. 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:30.799 Jesus is here right now, he's available to you. 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:35.759 Maybe you're there at the end of yourself. 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:41.920 You know, Ephesians Paul talks about being in the world without God and without hope. 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:44.559 That's where you are without Christ. 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:46.880 Without hope, hopeless. 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:49.599 Boy, there's a lot of people around us. 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:50.799 A lot of people. 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:55.440 Well, there is no one left and nothing left for John. 00:28:55.440 --> 00:29:09.039 He knew it was the inside of the scroll because the summary on the back, he knew that none of the details, for it must have been open to be reading the details of it, but he knew it was a deed to the earth. 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:13.039 But there is no one to open the scroll but Jesus. 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:14.480 But Jesus. 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:20.960 The overwhelming waves of peace and assurance when Jesus is found, right? 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:24.640 He's the only one, he's able. 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:27.039 Remember this when you're in need. 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:30.960 Remember this when nothing else is left to be done. 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:35.759 And why is it we just try so hard to solve our own problems? 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:37.680 I'm talking to you, believer. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:45.759 We still have that sin that dwells within us and it is strong, especially when we're suffering. 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:50.559 And we have to be brought to the end of ourselves all over again, don't we? 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:53.680 And we finally go, why am I so thick? 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:57.599 Forgive me, Lord. 00:29:57.599 --> 00:30:04.960 And he meets us right where we are, and he takes us by the hand, and he leads us in the way that we should go. 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:07.119 Amen. 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:08.160 Amen. 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:14.720 Well, John was wondering, where is someone? 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:18.799 And he wept, and Jesus appeared. 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:23.440 He's ready, he's able, he's willing, and he's there. 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:27.279 The lion and the lamb. 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:31.759 The one of the elders, then one of the elders said to me, Stop your weeping. 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:41.200 Behold the lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has overcome, has to open the book in seven seals. 00:30:41.200 --> 00:31:02.799 And I saw between the throne with the four living creatures and the elders, a lamb standing as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent out into all the earth, and he came and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:07.920 He's the lion from the tribe of Judah, the root of David. 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:18.640 He is the root of David, but a majestic, as majestic as he is, he is also meek, because he is the Lamb as if slain. 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:29.359 He's the one worthy to take the scroll, open its seals, and the only one who is found in heaven and on earth to take the scroll is Jesus Christ. 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:39.200 And he does just that, the Lamb, verse 7, came and he took the scroll out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:44.799 And this is a crescendo in time, and it is a climax of all existence. 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:46.960 Right here. 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:51.519 Now let's look at verses eight through ten. 00:31:51.519 --> 00:32:05.200 And when he had taken the book, and the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:30.400 And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are you to take the book and to break its seals, for you were slain and purchased for God with your blood, men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and you have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth. 00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:32.960 So Lord help us. 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:52.319 The appearance of the Lamb as he moves to take the scroll causes praise to break out in heaven from everywhere, and the praise accelerates in an ascending crescendo of worship as the oratorio of redemption reaches its climax. 00:32:52.319 --> 00:33:05.759 I went to uh Messiah, presented by uh Corell in Minnesota, and Minnesota Orchestra playing behind when they sing the Alleluia chorus, man. 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:08.799 Oh, you just close your eyes, you go to heaven. 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:10.960 What is this gonna be like? 00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:12.400 Right? 00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:17.119 And I I don't know how many of you have been to big convocations. 00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:25.839 Uh I've been to the Shepherd's Conference with about 5,000, 6,000 men all singing together. 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:28.240 That carries you up. 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:34.000 I've been to a conference with 10,000 people singing Amazing Grace. 00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:37.440 What is this going to be like? 00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:41.119 I'll tell you one thing is gonna be far better than this. 00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:45.519 Far better than what you can experience on earth. 00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:56.160 And it it the spontaneous outburst of worship is the result of the realization that the long-awaited defeat of sin, death, and Satan is at hand. 00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:58.880 And they all realized it. 00:33:58.880 --> 00:34:06.400 And Jesus Christ will return to the earth in magnificent triumph and set up his glorious millennial kingdom on earth. 00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:21.119 And the devastating curse of sin will be reversed, and Israel will be saved, and the church will be honored as Jesus assumes his rightful place on the throne forevermore. 00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:36.559 This song has been closed up in the breast of the saints for millennia, and now it will burst forth in exuberance never before witnessed, as they sing a new song. 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:40.960 This is a new song, the song of the redeemed. 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:51.920 You see, there are four things which sin and the devil have dislocated in his rebellion in the universe. 00:34:51.920 --> 00:35:09.920 The church, which should be in heaven, Israel, which should be at peace in the land given her by God, Satan, who should be in the lake of fire, and Christ, who should be seated on his throne from which he reigns. 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:15.920 We don't see these things right now, but at this time we're being introduced to them. 00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:25.440 Now, all four of these sin brought about anomalies will be put to rest by Jesus. 00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:32.239 The new song, whenever it's mentioned in the Bible, is always a song of redemption. 00:35:32.239 --> 00:35:38.559 And notice who it is that has been purchased and rescued and redeemed. 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:39.519 People. 00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:43.679 People, people from every tribe. 00:35:43.679 --> 00:35:59.679 That means a group affiliated by kinship or habitation, and tongue, a group related through language, or people defining large groups of people, or a country, or a nation, ethnos. 00:35:59.679 --> 00:36:06.960 So it describes the ethne or the ethnic groupings of the world. 00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:12.719 And all are gathered in heaven around the throne of God, all of them. 00:36:12.719 --> 00:36:28.159 And we will sing like we have never sung before, and we will rejoice as we have never rejoiced before, and we will be together forevermore with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:36:28.159 --> 00:36:42.320 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. 00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:50.320 To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. 00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:54.960 And the four living creatures will keep saying, Amen. 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:55.840 Amen. 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:57.599 Thank you for that amen. 00:36:57.599 --> 00:37:00.639 It's nice to have a response sometimes. 00:37:00.639 --> 00:37:02.239 Appreciate it. 00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:04.559 And the elders. 00:37:04.559 --> 00:37:08.400 God bless you, brother. 00:37:08.400 --> 00:37:11.440 There's always one amen or, you know. 00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:19.199 And the elders will fall down, for he is worthy. 00:37:19.199 --> 00:37:31.280 Now, this is the motivation for every church to join and co-labor with those who have gone out for the sake of the name and for the truth. 00:37:31.280 --> 00:37:34.719 This is why we join together with those. 00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:37.039 That, and I appreciate it. 00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:41.039 Um, I don't know if it was in Pastor Doug's prayer or if he was saying it. 00:37:41.039 --> 00:37:45.760 I appreciated the fact we need to be discerning who we support. 00:37:45.760 --> 00:37:50.159 There's a lot of people looking for help, okay? 00:37:50.159 --> 00:38:00.320 But we need to make sure that they're going out for the sake of the name and for the truth, because we are co-workers together for truth. 00:38:00.320 --> 00:38:06.320 And I believe this church is on to that, and that's a great encouragement. 00:38:06.320 --> 00:38:16.239 Therefore, we ought to support such men so that we may be co-laborers together with them with the truth. 00:38:16.239 --> 00:38:18.159 Let's pray. 00:38:18.159 --> 00:38:24.800 Father God, we thank you so much, Lord, for this glimpse into heaven. 00:38:24.800 --> 00:38:27.440 And Father, we our words fail. 00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:29.440 We're so inadequate. 00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:35.280 Even as we read your word, it thrills our souls, but we're just on the edges of glory. 00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:37.440 Just on the very, very fringes. 00:38:37.440 --> 00:38:42.320 We only get small little glimpses of such glory. 00:38:42.320 --> 00:38:47.840 But thank you for those glimpses, and thank you for the motivation they are to our hearts. 00:38:47.840 --> 00:38:50.239 May we be faithful and obedient. 00:38:50.239 --> 00:38:52.320 For we pray it in Jesus' name. 00:38:52.320 --> 00:38:53.199 Amen.