1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,800 Again, welcome everybody. We're just excited and blessed to be able to be gathered here to worship with you guys today 2 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:14,120 I am pastor Nathan and today we're gonna be looking at the second half of Revelation chapter 9 as well as taking communion together 3 00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:18,880 And so if you're in the room, hopefully you've gotten your communion emblems as you came in the room today 4 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:23,120 If you're watching online, I encourage you to get your communion emblems ready 5 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:25,620 So we're gonna be doing that at the tail end of service today 6 00:00:25,620 --> 00:00:32,520 But this morning we are looking at what is known as the second woe of Revelation 7 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:36,260 the sixth trumpet judgment of Revelation 8 00:00:36,980 --> 00:00:41,400 Chapter 9 now by the time we've gotten to Revelation chapter 9 9 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:47,640 Whether you see the judgments the trumpets or the seals of trumpets and the bulls as a chronological 10 00:00:48,480 --> 00:00:52,600 Set of judgments or whether you see them as overlapping 11 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:58,440 Retelling of the same tribulation period. Those are a couple of the possible interpretations 12 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:05,120 Either way all agree that by Revelation 9 we are looking at events that are taking place during what is known as the great 13 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:13,120 Tribulation the second three and a half years of the seven-year tribulation period and this is a period of time where God's 14 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:21,040 Judgment on sin the sin of mankind the sin of those who reject him is still falling upon the earth and it's falling on 15 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:25,380 the earth and its inhabitants in increasingly devastating ways 16 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:29,000 By this time the church has been taken out of the earth 17 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:36,000 And so that that event that rapture as we called of the church was followed by these cataclysmic judgments 18 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:39,040 landing in rapid succession upon the earth 19 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:41,880 This time is so bad 20 00:01:42,280 --> 00:01:49,280 This time is so difficult that Jesus said unless those days were shortened. No flesh would be saved 21 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:56,800 And so the first half of Revelation 9 we looked at last time the first woe or the fifth trumpet judgment 22 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,960 Which was a demonic attack aimed at people 23 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:05,740 It was a judgment of torment a judgment of pain a judgment of suffering a time 24 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:10,560 So bad that it tells us in Scripture that people would want to die 25 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:14,800 They would seek death they would try to end their lives 26 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:19,160 But God would remove the ability to they would not be able to find death 27 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:27,680 That's all then followed by the second half of Revelation 9, which is another demonic attack ding ding demons round two, right? 28 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:28,960 and 29 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:30,280 so 30 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:32,080 you know 31 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:37,080 It's a difficult time but but this time in Revelation this time in Revelation 32 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:41,160 instead of people being tormented and people being 33 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:49,520 Just persecuted with intense suffering God allows this judgment the second demonic attack to actually kill people 34 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:54,400 Primarily here what we're gonna see this morning are four major demons 35 00:02:54,920 --> 00:03:02,120 Demons or angels of destruction as I'm calling them leading an army of two hundred million people 36 00:03:02,920 --> 00:03:06,120 Now this is all part of the reclaiming of the earth by its rightful owner 37 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:08,920 Jesus Christ as we've been studying through Revelation 38 00:03:08,920 --> 00:03:11,960 We saw there in heaven as the Lamb of God who was slain 39 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:19,800 Stepped forward and claimed the seven sealed scroll which I believe is the title deed to the earth there and as he reclaimed that scroll 40 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:27,720 Reclaiming that ownership that rightful ownership of the earth that was given over when sin came into the world. He began to open those seals 41 00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:33,480 unleashing terrible judgments upon the earth and the inhabitants of his 42 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:39,800 Earth because it belongs to him and as he began to open up those seals those judgments were falling on 43 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:43,880 What are essentially at this point squatters in his property? 44 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:51,400 Squatters in property that belongs to him people who are not of his family due to their willful continued rejection of him 45 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:58,760 Then as those seals opened each one was another phase of this judgment pouring out upon the earth until we got to the seventh seal 46 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:03,800 Which then ushered in the seven trumpet judgments and the first four trumpet judgments 47 00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:10,680 We saw were judgments against the earth itself against the natural order against the land and the sea and the sky 48 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:16,280 And and these were judgments that were against that which mankind had raised up as their own god 49 00:04:16,840 --> 00:04:22,920 Earth itself to to worship creation to worship mother earth gaia all the different words people use 50 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:25,240 in their worship of the creation 51 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:30,200 But then the last three trumpet judgments are introduced as woes as the angel would say whoa 52 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:31,640 whoa 53 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:35,000 Whoa to the inhabitants of the earth as the remaining trumpets 54 00:04:35,720 --> 00:04:43,080 Are about to sound and that word whoa means destruction and despair and devastation to come and again just a picture of the further 55 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:46,200 Escalating judgments of god upon the earth 56 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:50,040 And so as we saw in that first, whoa is five months of uniquely 57 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:52,600 Terrible suffering 58 00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:57,960 Caused by demons who were released from the abyss to inflict pain and suffering upon mankind 59 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:02,200 The second whoa the sixth rudiment trumpet judgment that we're looking at this morning 60 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:06,600 Will begin in verse 13 of revelation chapter 9 and what we're going to see here today 61 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:11,640 The four main descriptors of what we're looking at today and what we're going to study is an altar 62 00:05:12,280 --> 00:05:15,880 Some angels an army and a world audience 63 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:19,720 But before we get into the details of all that we are going to spend some time 64 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:23,480 In worship because as god's people we are saved 65 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:26,120 We are saved from our sin 66 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:28,440 We are saved from the power of sin and death 67 00:05:28,840 --> 00:05:32,520 We are saved from the wrath to come and we are so grateful for that 68 00:05:32,840 --> 00:05:38,520 So grateful for that opportunity to be saved but never to forget that while we are here 69 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:41,400 There are still people who aren't 70 00:05:41,480 --> 00:05:46,680 And we have a great call to go out and share the gospel of jesus christ with them that they too are 71 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,720 Saved amen let's pray father god 72 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:53,080 We love you 73 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:59,320 We love you lord we're so grateful god for what you've done in our lives in saving us god 74 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:05,720 Lord we're gathered here today as your people most of us are gathered here as your people lord 75 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:08,680 To hear from you to hear your word 76 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:14,680 God we gather as a group like this to to hear the the teaching and the preaching of the gospel 77 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:19,640 To hear the the teaching and the preaching of your word that we would study and learn it together to know what it is 78 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:23,160 What it means how it applies that then we would live 79 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:25,880 according to the truth of your word 80 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,160 And lord as we've been studying revelation god 81 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:32,760 We've seen some very terrible judgments 82 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:35,880 Falling upon the earth 83 00:06:36,280 --> 00:06:40,780 Lord as we've been studying this prophecy of the future of the time of tribulation 84 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:44,120 God it's a warning 85 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:46,120 It's a picture of 86 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:48,120 How you really feel about sin god 87 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:51,640 That lord you were in no way cavalier about sin 88 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:55,160 You were in no way 89 00:06:55,380 --> 00:07:00,440 Justifying with sin lord sin is destructive and you hate it 90 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:05,160 And lord you've spent centuries by this point 91 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:13,000 Allowing the truth of salvation to be preached upon the earth, but lord we know there's a time coming when that'll be over 92 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:20,280 And god it breaks our heart to see that there are still those who will reject you even in the face of judgment lord 93 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:22,600 And we pray god 94 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:29,080 That those we know today that don't know you yet would know you before this terrible time of judgment lord that they would come to salvation 95 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:31,400 before this terrible time of judgment 96 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:36,600 But lord we're also gathered here today god to celebrate in communion lord and god 97 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:43,560 We know the very basis the very foundation of our evangelistic zeal the very foundation of why we go out to tell people about you 98 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:45,560 And to share the gospel 99 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:48,760 Lord is because we remember what you did for us 100 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:53,640 And we're so grateful god that you shed your blood for us that you died on that cross for us lord 101 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:59,800 God speak to us today bless us today encourage us today challenge us today lord 102 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:03,800 Motivate us today through the power of the holy spirit to be people of god 103 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:07,080 People of jesus christ 104 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:13,400 People who live for him and people who share him with everybody they run into lord 105 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:18,280 God we worship you now we praise your name because you are worthy 106 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:21,160 It's in jesus name we pray amen 107 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:25,640 We are in revelation chapter 9 verse 13 108 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:33,240 Verse 13 and let's start reading there. It says the sixth angel blew his trumpet 109 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:39,640 And from the four horns of the golden altar that is before god I heard a voice 110 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:43,720 So here in revelation 9 111 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:45,240 john is 112 00:08:45,240 --> 00:08:51,160 Watching these judgments unfold these trumpets being blasted and now as he hears this six trump trumpet 113 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:56,200 It he hears a voice and it specifically tells us that this voice is coming from the four horns 114 00:08:56,840 --> 00:08:58,920 of the golden altar 115 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:00,440 now this is a 116 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:05,240 scene that's somewhat reminiscent of moses in the wilderness 117 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:11,560 And if you guys remember the story he was walking through the wilderness one day and a bush started talking to him 118 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:13,560 It was on fire 119 00:09:13,560 --> 00:09:17,400 There was a voice that came out of it and it says in exodus chapter 3 verse 4 120 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:21,240 It says when the lord saw that he had gone over to look at the burning bush 121 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:28,120 God called out to him from the bush and said moses moses and here I am he answered 122 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:34,280 now that experience must have been very strange for moses because you know bushes are 123 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:42,140 Alive but considered inanimate objects right they don't typically speak to us wave at us try to get our attention 124 00:09:42,140 --> 00:09:49,420 And they're just plants, you know, and even though this bush was burning and not consumed strange enough moses then heard this voice 125 00:09:49,500 --> 00:09:53,820 Well here in revelation 9 much like this burning bush this voice 126 00:09:53,900 --> 00:09:58,860 I believe coming from the four horns of the altar is the voice of god speaking 127 00:09:59,340 --> 00:10:05,420 Through this inanimate object this golden altar and you'll notice that that is a very specific detail there 128 00:10:05,420 --> 00:10:09,660 It's not just any altar. It says it is the golden altar 129 00:10:09,660 --> 00:10:12,140 Now if you remember back in the book of hebrews 130 00:10:12,140 --> 00:10:20,300 We were taught that the tabernacle and the temple that was here on earth was a model a representation of the throne room of heaven 131 00:10:20,300 --> 00:10:24,140 The throne room of god and so in the tabernacle we had on earth 132 00:10:24,140 --> 00:10:32,300 There was actually two altars that were a part of that whole setup there one you had the brass altar or the bronze or brazen 133 00:10:32,300 --> 00:10:34,300 altar as it was called that 134 00:10:34,300 --> 00:10:40,140 Set in the outer court of the temple and it was a place where the animal sacrifices were killed 135 00:10:40,460 --> 00:10:45,820 They were slaughtered there their blood was shed as that offering to cover their sin 136 00:10:45,820 --> 00:10:51,180 And that happened in the outer court and then in the inner court or inside the holy place 137 00:10:51,580 --> 00:10:58,220 Sitting just before the big veil that separated the holy of holies which is where god's presence was 138 00:10:58,220 --> 00:11:03,660 You had this thing called the golden altar or also referred to as the golden altar 139 00:11:03,660 --> 00:11:10,940 referred to as the altar of incense and that altar is where the incense from outside was brought in it was placed on that altar 140 00:11:10,940 --> 00:11:14,620 The smoke went up from that altar of incense and that whole picture there 141 00:11:15,820 --> 00:11:24,060 Was a picture of god receiving the prayers of his people as that smoke went up from that incense just before the throne room of god 142 00:11:24,380 --> 00:11:28,380 It was this picture of the prayers of god's people rising up to him 143 00:11:28,380 --> 00:11:34,060 And it was a picture that the prayers of god's people are a sweet smelling aroma to him that god is not 144 00:11:34,380 --> 00:11:36,380 You know irritated when we talk to him, right? 145 00:11:36,380 --> 00:11:40,860 He he loves it. He loves us to reach out and to pray and to talk to him that way and so 146 00:11:41,420 --> 00:11:47,180 Um, but the golden altar we have seen this altar twice so far in the book of revelation 147 00:11:47,820 --> 00:11:54,380 The first time we saw it was in chapter six where we saw a group of believers who had been killed for their testimony 148 00:11:54,380 --> 00:11:58,220 Their testimony of jesus christ that they had given during tribulation 149 00:11:58,220 --> 00:12:05,180 We refer to these people as tribulation saints that people who had come to believe in jesus christ as lord and savior during tribulation 150 00:12:05,580 --> 00:12:10,140 They had then been killed they had been slaughtered murdered for their testimony 151 00:12:10,140 --> 00:12:13,580 And so in chapter six we saw them underneath this altar 152 00:12:14,140 --> 00:12:16,940 That was right in front of the throne of god there in heaven 153 00:12:17,260 --> 00:12:22,380 And they were there crying out to god or in a sense offering up prayers to god from that altar 154 00:12:22,380 --> 00:12:26,380 But their prayer at that time was when god will you avenge our blood? 155 00:12:27,820 --> 00:12:32,380 When will you make those who killed us pay the price for their crimes? 156 00:12:33,420 --> 00:12:39,980 And then in chapter eight at the opening of the seventh seal when the seven trumpets were handed out to the seven angels 157 00:12:40,300 --> 00:12:43,180 We read there that we saw an angel that had an incense burner 158 00:12:43,500 --> 00:12:49,340 Right that that thing that would dangle off at a chain is kind of bowl like thing that the incense was inside and it would burn incense 159 00:12:49,340 --> 00:12:52,300 Incense we saw this angel that had that incense burner 160 00:12:52,300 --> 00:12:59,740 It says he was given a large amount of incense that he then mixed with the prayers of the saints and offered that on the golden 161 00:12:59,820 --> 00:13:00,780 altar 162 00:13:00,780 --> 00:13:02,940 Again the picture of the altar of incense in heaven 163 00:13:03,420 --> 00:13:06,460 Um the being what we saw in the tabernacle on earth 164 00:13:06,940 --> 00:13:14,220 But in revelation eight instead of those prayers then going up to god going up to the throne from that golden altar 165 00:13:14,220 --> 00:13:19,580 It tells us that the angel took that sensor that was filled with the incense and mixed with the prayers of the saints 166 00:13:20,380 --> 00:13:23,660 Filled with fire from the altar and he hurled it down to earth 167 00:13:24,860 --> 00:13:27,740 Hurled it down to earth, which was a picture of god's judgment 168 00:13:28,140 --> 00:13:32,620 Falling down to the earth and now here in revelation nine. We see this golden altar mentioned again 169 00:13:33,820 --> 00:13:39,980 But this time there's an additional detail added to it. It specifically mentions the four horns of the altar 170 00:13:40,780 --> 00:13:42,540 now it's specifically 171 00:13:42,540 --> 00:13:48,700 Interestingly enough from the four horns of the altar that the voice of god comes from so what's the significance of that? 172 00:13:48,700 --> 00:13:51,740 What's the what's the idea the picture that's being painted here? 173 00:13:52,220 --> 00:13:55,580 Well, if you go back to exodus chapter 30, you don't need to turn there 174 00:13:55,660 --> 00:13:57,340 I'm just going to tell you what takes place there 175 00:13:57,340 --> 00:13:59,420 But if you're a note taker in exodus 30 176 00:13:59,820 --> 00:14:05,020 We actually have the detailed instructions for the construction of this golden altar in the tabernacle 177 00:14:05,420 --> 00:14:10,300 And in those detailed instructions, we find that a part of this altar was that there were four horns 178 00:14:10,300 --> 00:14:12,780 Um on the altar as a part of its construction 179 00:14:13,420 --> 00:14:19,500 And then in exodus 30 we also read that the people were instructed that once a year during yom kippur 180 00:14:19,900 --> 00:14:25,180 They would take blood from the animal sacrifice on the outside altar and they would bring it into the golden altar 181 00:14:25,180 --> 00:14:27,980 And they would smear that blood on the horns of the altar 182 00:14:28,540 --> 00:14:35,820 Again, this being the altar of incense which represented the place where people um god the prayers of god's people went up to him 183 00:14:35,820 --> 00:14:41,260 And so in those instructions in exodus 30 they would smear the blood of the sacrifice on the horns of this altar 184 00:14:41,260 --> 00:14:47,580 And then they would take the incense from that altar place it in the burner and then enter into the holy of holies 185 00:14:48,140 --> 00:14:53,740 So it was this whole process of access into god's presence now the point of that whole picture there 186 00:14:54,300 --> 00:14:56,300 Is god was saying to his people 187 00:14:57,260 --> 00:14:59,260 I will hear your prayers 188 00:14:59,580 --> 00:15:03,740 I will receive your prayers, but only on the basis 189 00:15:03,740 --> 00:15:05,740 of the blood sacrifice 190 00:15:06,300 --> 00:15:09,260 That is a principle that has never changed 191 00:15:10,700 --> 00:15:18,300 God hears our prayers. He hears the prayers of his people but only on the basis of the blood sacrifice 192 00:15:19,660 --> 00:15:21,660 So when we cry out to god in prayer 193 00:15:22,540 --> 00:15:26,860 When we're pleading our cause pleading our case to god in prayer 194 00:15:27,580 --> 00:15:29,580 It's only on the basis 195 00:15:29,580 --> 00:15:35,500 Of the blood atonement the blood sacrifice and that atonement being the shed blood of jesus christ on the cross 196 00:15:37,420 --> 00:15:44,620 It is only on the basis of the shed blood of jesus that sacrifice on our behalf that the way to god is open 197 00:15:44,620 --> 00:15:50,380 That was the whole picture of what was taking place in the tabernacle. That is the whole reality of god coming to this earth 198 00:15:50,940 --> 00:15:57,020 As as clothing himself in flesh jesus christ the the son of god dying on the cross that whole picture 199 00:15:57,020 --> 00:15:59,500 That whole process is is what we see in this 200 00:16:00,300 --> 00:16:05,420 That access to god almighty who is perfect and pure and holy and without sin and without blemish 201 00:16:05,900 --> 00:16:07,900 Access into his presence 202 00:16:08,060 --> 00:16:12,700 Is only possible through the blood atonement. That's what we see in the altar 203 00:16:13,660 --> 00:16:14,540 And so 204 00:16:14,540 --> 00:16:19,420 A person might say you might say perhaps. I don't know but well 205 00:16:19,420 --> 00:16:24,460 I pray all the time and and oftentimes as you're sharing your faith with people and talking to people 206 00:16:24,460 --> 00:16:28,860 About jesus christ and talking to people about the gospel and and they don't know the lord 207 00:16:29,340 --> 00:16:36,380 They'll often come back with well, I pray because when people are confronted with the fact that they don't know god 208 00:16:37,580 --> 00:16:39,980 They want to respond with well, i'm spiritual 209 00:16:40,620 --> 00:16:46,140 That's the natural response. And so one of the things you'll hear is well, I pray i'm a praying person 210 00:16:46,620 --> 00:16:51,980 But if that prayer is not brought or based on what jesus has done 211 00:16:51,980 --> 00:16:57,740 If it's not based on his atonement and his relationship with you through that atonement 212 00:16:58,860 --> 00:17:01,260 Effectively, it's a useless prayer 213 00:17:02,460 --> 00:17:04,460 It's going nowhere and bouncing off the ceiling 214 00:17:06,380 --> 00:17:11,020 God hears and answers prayer based on the atonement 215 00:17:12,060 --> 00:17:17,820 That incidentally is why we pray in jesus name. You'll notice that you know every time we pray 216 00:17:17,820 --> 00:17:25,740 We end that prayer in jesus name or in the name of christ, right? We pray that way not not because it's some ritualistic formula 217 00:17:26,460 --> 00:17:31,340 Or not because you know, that's just the way to to make sure the prayer is formatted, right? 218 00:17:31,900 --> 00:17:33,020 You know 219 00:17:33,020 --> 00:17:38,060 10-4 over and out buddy. I mean, it's not like there's this you have to end it that way or god doesn't hear it 220 00:17:38,140 --> 00:17:42,060 The idea is that we're praying on the basis of 221 00:17:42,860 --> 00:17:45,340 We're saying god is praying on the basis of 222 00:17:45,340 --> 00:17:47,340 on the basis of 223 00:17:47,660 --> 00:17:51,900 We're saying god hear what i'm saying on the basis of what jesus did 224 00:17:53,020 --> 00:17:58,620 We don't pray to um, or we don't come to god on the basis of of our own actions 225 00:17:59,420 --> 00:18:05,660 What we've done we don't come to god with the list of our accomplishments and our credentials and then demand that he hear us 226 00:18:05,660 --> 00:18:11,580 That's not how prayer works. We come based upon what jesus did because that is the only reason 227 00:18:12,380 --> 00:18:14,380 We have access to god almighty 228 00:18:14,380 --> 00:18:16,380 And so here in revelation 9 229 00:18:17,100 --> 00:18:18,940 What we see 230 00:18:18,940 --> 00:18:20,300 is god 231 00:18:20,300 --> 00:18:22,300 responding to prayer 232 00:18:23,100 --> 00:18:29,340 Speaking from the place of the atonement the four horns that are on the altar of incense 233 00:18:30,380 --> 00:18:37,600 It's likely him speaking here in revelation 9 in response to the prayers of all the saints that have been suffering during the time of tribulation 234 00:18:38,300 --> 00:18:40,300 It's very possible that this 235 00:18:40,300 --> 00:18:45,120 Response is directly in response to the prayer of those under the altar, right? 236 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:51,680 They killed us god for our testimony. They murdered us because we believed in you. When will you avenge us? 237 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:53,760 When will they pay for their crimes? 238 00:18:55,360 --> 00:18:57,280 Well, the bill has come due 239 00:18:57,280 --> 00:19:00,800 That is what we're seeing here in revelation 9 and they're about to pay 240 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:06,480 But before we move on to that, I just want to encourage you again, you know christian don't ever doubt 241 00:19:07,120 --> 00:19:08,960 If you're a believer 242 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:10,960 Don't ever doubt that your prayers 243 00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:13,280 count 244 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:17,520 Don't ever wonder if if is god hearing my prayers do they matter to him? 245 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:23,440 Are they important enough in his economy? Don't ever think that you know, because god hears your prayers 246 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:29,120 And you could be confident of that. Why because jesus died so that you would have that privilege 247 00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:32,560 Jesus died so that you would have that access 248 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:38,480 That through his shed blood his atonement and our faith in that saying I plead that I depend on that 249 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:41,680 I I believe you died for me. I put my faith in you 250 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:47,600 We then are able to walk into the holy of holies right into the very presence of god himself 251 00:19:49,120 --> 00:19:54,880 And say dad I got issues. I need help with something. It's a beautiful picture 252 00:19:56,640 --> 00:20:04,000 But interesting in the old testament times there would be occasions where someone would charge through the outer court and charge into the holy of 253 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:06,560 holies and grab the horns of the altar 254 00:20:06,560 --> 00:20:12,000 And there was this thought that that if I hold on to these this altar if I hang on to these horns 255 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:14,800 God will grant me mercy and grace 256 00:20:17,040 --> 00:20:18,400 Now that is true 257 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:20,400 Up until this time 258 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:22,960 Because here in revelation chapter 9 259 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:30,720 That time has passed that age of grace the church age that we now live in prior to this time of tribulation 260 00:20:31,040 --> 00:20:33,280 in revelation 9 that time has passed 261 00:20:33,280 --> 00:20:38,160 And effectively there is no more long suffering for those who reject christ 262 00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:42,560 Now is salvation possible yes 263 00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:49,040 But it's in the midst of judgment drastic judgment being poured out and so verse 14 264 00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:52,960 This is what the voice said say to the six angel who had the trumpet 265 00:20:53,600 --> 00:20:56,720 Release the four angels bound at the great river euphrates 266 00:20:57,760 --> 00:21:01,280 So the four angels who were prepared for the hour day morning 267 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:07,200 And who were prepared for the hour day month and year were released to kill a third of the human race 268 00:21:08,960 --> 00:21:10,960 Now you read here you go it's four angels 269 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:13,520 Aren't angels good 270 00:21:13,520 --> 00:21:14,800 Right 271 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:18,800 I mean we use the terms angels and demons to refer to the good guys and the bad guys 272 00:21:19,440 --> 00:21:22,720 Right aren't angels good. Well, we have to remember the word angel 273 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:28,720 Is is is a neutral term the word angel simply means messenger 274 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:35,120 In the original language and so in the original language that word messenger can refer to someone who is a good messenger 275 00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:40,560 It can refer to someone who is an evil messenger it can refer to someone who's a supernatural messenger 276 00:21:40,640 --> 00:21:43,440 It can refer to someone who's a human messenger 277 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:48,000 So the word itself simply means messenger and these four angels are not 278 00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:50,720 Good angels for a couple reasons 279 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:55,120 It says release the four angels bound at the great river euphrates 280 00:21:55,120 --> 00:22:01,200 Not one single time in all of scripture. Do you ever find a good angel bound? 281 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:04,080 in any way shape or form 282 00:22:04,720 --> 00:22:12,880 And the reason is because they don't need to be right that word bound there. It's implying restraining something against its will 283 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:20,080 It's like being arrested. It's like being in prison. It's like being handcuffed is the idea. It's like 284 00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:26,240 The a captured enemy soldier who has their hands and feet tied up or a criminal that is bound up 285 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:31,280 So they can't do bad any longer that is what the word bound means here and nowhere in scripture 286 00:22:31,280 --> 00:22:36,240 Do we ever read of an angel that we know for sure is good being bound in this way? 287 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:40,260 These angels are bound restrained 288 00:22:40,800 --> 00:22:42,560 fallen angels 289 00:22:42,560 --> 00:22:46,080 Or we might use the word demons to refer to them 290 00:22:46,080 --> 00:22:50,400 But they're simply another part of satan's fallen army 291 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:54,320 Now it says that they are bound at the great river euphrates 292 00:22:55,200 --> 00:23:00,000 Very specific details here the euphrates river still exists today. It's a great river 293 00:23:01,120 --> 00:23:05,040 Sometimes not so great river, but it's a famous river. It's a historical river 294 00:23:05,760 --> 00:23:12,960 The euphrates river was the original eastern border of the promised land that god gave to israel now 295 00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:17,680 Israel never actually took all of that land, but it was the original eastern border 296 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:24,960 Of the promised land it was also the eastern most border of the roman empire interestingly enough because 297 00:23:25,580 --> 00:23:26,880 prophetically 298 00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:32,320 During the time of tribulation according to daniel we see that the world power the one world power that 299 00:23:32,640 --> 00:23:37,680 Comes upon the globe at that time is referred to as the revived roman empire 300 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:40,880 Is referred to as the revived roman empire 301 00:23:43,040 --> 00:23:45,520 This river's region of the world is also 302 00:23:46,400 --> 00:23:52,480 Has also been a source of all kinds of strange wickedness and weird spirituality all the way back from the very beginning 303 00:23:53,200 --> 00:23:55,200 Because somewhere in this area 304 00:23:55,600 --> 00:24:00,160 In in a delta region that is formed by both the euphrates and the tigris river 305 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:06,480 We read in genesis is where the garden of eden existed. It was in this area of the world 306 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:08,480 now back in the garden 307 00:24:08,480 --> 00:24:14,240 We read that it was there in the garden where evil infiltrated satan himself 308 00:24:14,800 --> 00:24:17,680 Infiltrated this garden and then lied and tricked 309 00:24:18,320 --> 00:24:21,920 Eve who then gave to adam who ate and sin entered the world 310 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:26,480 It was this garden area where the first sin in the world was committed 311 00:24:26,480 --> 00:24:31,120 Where the first lie was told where the first murder was committed where the first grave was dug 312 00:24:31,120 --> 00:24:34,960 It's a significant problem area for all of mankind 313 00:24:34,960 --> 00:24:36,960 This was the area where 314 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:40,240 Nimrod we read in genesis defied god 315 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:45,520 He was an early world ruler some look at him as a pre-type of the antichrist 316 00:24:45,840 --> 00:24:49,200 Someone who rebelled against god and formed a huge 317 00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:53,600 Worldwide movement some look at it and say it was a worldwide religion 318 00:24:54,160 --> 00:25:01,200 Against god and formed everybody together to say we'll get to god and we'll be the gods and it was called the tower of babel 319 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:06,960 The euphrates region was historically the location of some of israel's most oppressive enemies 320 00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:11,680 From this region of the great euphrates river. We had the ninavites 321 00:25:12,240 --> 00:25:16,240 The Babylonians the assyrians the medo persians 322 00:25:17,440 --> 00:25:19,440 By the euphrates river 323 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:25,120 Where babalon was it was in that area where israel was held captive for 70 years 324 00:25:25,120 --> 00:25:32,960 From this area all kinds of idolatry and weird spirituality and pantheism and polytheism and naturalistic religions came out of 325 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:37,040 Most of it coming out of babalon, which is in this area 326 00:25:38,160 --> 00:25:44,160 Babylon incidentally plays an important role in revelation when we get to revelation chapter 17 and 18 we see babalon 327 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:46,400 referred to as babalon the great 328 00:25:47,920 --> 00:25:49,920 Home for demons 329 00:25:49,920 --> 00:25:55,680 It says the haunt of every unclean spirit unclean bird unclean despicable beast 330 00:25:56,880 --> 00:26:03,200 We know that this area and babalon itself is a place of sexual immorality and sensuality and excess 331 00:26:04,160 --> 00:26:11,200 It ends up becoming the center during this time of the world's economy and the center of the world's false religious system 332 00:26:13,360 --> 00:26:17,120 So this this is the center of the world's false religious system 333 00:26:17,120 --> 00:26:20,320 So this great euphrates river area 334 00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:23,920 Is essentially where world history began 335 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:27,680 And it's where world history will have its ultimate end 336 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:35,120 It's why bible students and scholars and theologians get all excited when stuff happens in this part of the world 337 00:26:35,920 --> 00:26:42,640 Because it's so connected to um end times teaching and prophecy. It's the people get all excited 338 00:26:42,640 --> 00:26:46,640 I don't know if you remember some of you weren't even alive yet, but 339 00:26:46,960 --> 00:26:54,000 Back when saddam hussein was on the scene and he was rebuilding babalon everybody got really excited about that 340 00:26:54,560 --> 00:26:56,880 Whoa, what does that mean for end times teaching? 341 00:26:58,080 --> 00:27:00,080 But it's this region 342 00:27:00,320 --> 00:27:04,160 Where these four great angelic leaders of evil are chained 343 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:06,880 bound and restrained 344 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:10,520 And then it says that they were prepared to 345 00:27:10,520 --> 00:27:15,720 And then it says that they were prepared for the hour the day the month and the year 346 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:21,960 Now again when you're studying the bible, it's it's good to ask questions about why things are said the way they're said, right? 347 00:27:23,320 --> 00:27:25,720 He could have just said they were prepared for this moment 348 00:27:27,400 --> 00:27:29,980 But god decided to be very specific 349 00:27:30,920 --> 00:27:33,640 this hour day month and year 350 00:27:34,760 --> 00:27:37,880 And the idea there is it just gives us a picture of how precise 351 00:27:37,880 --> 00:27:43,640 How in control how perfectly on time god is with everything? 352 00:27:44,200 --> 00:27:46,200 including judgment 353 00:27:47,400 --> 00:27:50,200 That he is perfectly on time god is never late 354 00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:57,880 God is never early. He never procrastinates. He never jumps the gun. No, he is not gandalf 355 00:27:58,520 --> 00:27:59,960 Okay 356 00:27:59,960 --> 00:28:01,960 But he's god almighty 357 00:28:02,360 --> 00:28:05,400 creator of space and time and in everything 358 00:28:05,400 --> 00:28:13,000 In everything everything from the beginning to the end is exactly how and when god determines it to be 359 00:28:13,960 --> 00:28:15,960 including the tribulation period 360 00:28:17,560 --> 00:28:21,240 Now if you know, jesus is your lord and savior, that's a truth you can take heart in 361 00:28:21,880 --> 00:28:23,800 I could trust god 362 00:28:23,800 --> 00:28:28,600 If you don't know jesus christ is your lord and savior be warned 363 00:28:29,640 --> 00:28:32,680 Because second peter chapter 3 verses 9 and 10 says this 364 00:28:32,680 --> 00:28:38,040 The lord does not delay his promise as some understand delay but is patient with you 365 00:28:38,680 --> 00:28:43,160 Not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance 366 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:51,480 That's the grace of god, that's the mercy of god that is the age of grace we live in today 367 00:28:53,480 --> 00:28:56,600 When we look across the world and we see things like like 368 00:28:57,800 --> 00:28:59,960 Sex trafficking going on and we go 369 00:28:59,960 --> 00:29:02,280 Sex trafficking going on and we go 370 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:07,400 God how can you allow this to happen? 371 00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:15,880 In murders and and and and sometimes we see things even myself and they're just like god, I trust you but I don't understand 372 00:29:18,200 --> 00:29:21,880 And we're in this age where where where we think god is delaying 373 00:29:23,800 --> 00:29:25,960 But he's long suffering the bible tells us 374 00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:29,480 Because he wants everybody to have the opportunity to come to salvation 375 00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:33,560 Because he loves them that much he created them 376 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:43,160 Even us in our own worst worst sin before we came to christ god was like I created you I love you and I want to save you 377 00:29:45,400 --> 00:29:48,920 But what does it say in verse 10 but the day of the lord will come 378 00:29:50,040 --> 00:29:52,040 Like a thief there in second peter 3 379 00:29:52,040 --> 00:29:54,840 The day of the lord will come like a thief 380 00:29:55,560 --> 00:30:01,800 And on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise and the elements will burn and be dissolved in the earth and all the works on it will 381 00:30:02,120 --> 00:30:04,120 be disclosed 382 00:30:07,720 --> 00:30:11,560 God is long suffering today, but the day will come 383 00:30:13,080 --> 00:30:15,080 When he's done 384 00:30:15,880 --> 00:30:18,440 But the big picture of this is god is in control 385 00:30:18,440 --> 00:30:22,200 God is in control now god is in control then 386 00:30:23,000 --> 00:30:25,080 God is in control during tribulation 387 00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:28,520 God is the one that is in control always 388 00:30:30,200 --> 00:30:32,760 And we see this picture here that that he is in control 389 00:30:33,320 --> 00:30:40,280 Even including of these apparently powerful angels who we're going to see are responsible for the death of one third of the human population 390 00:30:40,600 --> 00:30:42,600 They're restrained by god 391 00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:45,880 Until 392 00:30:45,880 --> 00:30:47,880 the hour 393 00:30:47,880 --> 00:30:54,440 The day the month the year precisely according to god's calendar when he says let him loose 394 00:30:54,760 --> 00:30:56,760 In here, that's indeed what he does 395 00:30:57,640 --> 00:30:59,640 Let him loose 396 00:31:00,680 --> 00:31:03,640 And yes, they go on to kill one third of the human race 397 00:31:04,920 --> 00:31:11,320 If you look at the seals and the trumpets the the judgments if you look at them as chronological, which that's how i lean 398 00:31:11,320 --> 00:31:16,040 Um, you might remember back in revelation 6 that it says when the pale horse pale horse of death 399 00:31:16,440 --> 00:31:19,320 Was released on the earth that was one of the seal judgments 400 00:31:19,320 --> 00:31:25,080 It says there that one fourth of the earth was killed with sword and famine and plague and wild animals 401 00:31:25,080 --> 00:31:30,360 And and of course, there's there's reason that you could look at these things and say not only are they chronological 402 00:31:30,360 --> 00:31:35,240 But they're also summary of a long period of time. I you know don't want to get into that right now 403 00:31:35,240 --> 00:31:39,800 But the idea is in revelation 6 we saw that one third of the human population was killed 404 00:31:39,800 --> 00:31:43,720 Now here in revelation 9 it says one third 405 00:31:45,320 --> 00:31:50,760 One third of the population is now killed in this particular judgment. Well, if you put one fourth and one third together 406 00:31:52,120 --> 00:31:55,320 For some of you that are like I don't do math. I know me too 407 00:31:56,120 --> 00:32:02,520 That's 50 percent of the entire population of the earth that had been killed by this point of tribulation 50 percent 408 00:32:02,520 --> 00:32:08,920 That's four billion people based on today's worldwide population 409 00:32:10,840 --> 00:32:12,200 It's horrific 410 00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:14,520 It's horrific 411 00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:19,000 But these four angels that are released to do this, they don't do this on their own 412 00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:22,040 They have an entourage that comes with them look in verse 16 413 00:32:22,840 --> 00:32:25,640 It says the number of mounted troops was 200,000 414 00:32:25,640 --> 00:32:29,720 And the number of people that were killed in this situation is 415 00:32:29,720 --> 00:32:34,360 It says the number of mounted troops was 200 million. I heard their number 416 00:32:35,480 --> 00:32:37,960 This is how I saw the horses and the riders in the vision 417 00:32:38,920 --> 00:32:40,840 They had breastplates that were fiery red 418 00:32:41,960 --> 00:32:43,960 Hyacinth blue and sulfur yellow 419 00:32:44,920 --> 00:32:50,040 The heads of the horses were like the heads of lions and from the their mouths came fire smoke and sulfur 420 00:32:50,680 --> 00:32:54,120 A third of the human race was killed by these three plagues 421 00:32:54,760 --> 00:32:57,160 And it's these three plagues that are mentioned in verse 17 422 00:32:57,160 --> 00:33:01,800 And then they're mentioned again by the fire the smoke and the sulfur that came from their mouths 423 00:33:02,760 --> 00:33:10,760 For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails because their tails which resemble snakes have heads that inflict injury 424 00:33:12,120 --> 00:33:13,320 So these 425 00:33:13,320 --> 00:33:15,320 four fallen angels 426 00:33:15,940 --> 00:33:19,880 Restrained having been restrained and bound and chained are released 427 00:33:20,600 --> 00:33:24,120 Are released upon the earth and they bring this army with them 428 00:33:24,120 --> 00:33:29,720 Now when you look at this you go well who or what are these horsemen, right? What are they? 429 00:33:31,080 --> 00:33:33,080 I don't know for sure 430 00:33:33,080 --> 00:33:34,280 All right 431 00:33:34,280 --> 00:33:39,400 But but there's a weird description here that that that could kind of point in a couple different directions 432 00:33:39,960 --> 00:33:42,440 There's a few ideas of who this army is 433 00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:48,280 One is people look at this and they go. Well, it's it's a human army. It's an army of humans led by these four fallen angels 434 00:33:49,080 --> 00:33:53,080 But that's that's a big army, right? Some people go. That's a huge army 435 00:33:53,080 --> 00:33:55,080 Because you know as of 2021 436 00:33:56,120 --> 00:34:01,160 All branches of the u.s. Military if you take all the branches of the u.s. Military and you count them up 437 00:34:01,160 --> 00:34:03,160 It's only 1.3 million soldiers 438 00:34:04,120 --> 00:34:06,600 So 200 million that's a big army, right? 439 00:34:07,320 --> 00:34:11,000 Some look at this and they go well because the number is so outrageously big 440 00:34:11,720 --> 00:34:15,960 And and then of course you have this really strange description of this army 441 00:34:16,520 --> 00:34:19,080 People look at it and go that it's supernatural. It's demonic 442 00:34:19,080 --> 00:34:21,400 It's just like what we saw in the fifth trinity 443 00:34:21,400 --> 00:34:26,760 It's like what we saw in the fifth trumpet where there was these demonic entities that that came upon the earth 444 00:34:28,040 --> 00:34:30,760 The challenge is there is because it just calls them mounted troops 445 00:34:30,760 --> 00:34:36,200 It says the number of the mounted troops was 200 million now that word troops there simply means soldier 446 00:34:36,920 --> 00:34:41,800 It's again, it's a word that doesn't refer to something supernatural or not supernatural 447 00:34:41,800 --> 00:34:46,680 It just means soldier a fighter that is sitting on or in something 448 00:34:46,680 --> 00:34:51,800 And so again some see this as john maybe in his vision looking into the future and seeing 449 00:34:52,360 --> 00:34:54,360 tanks and planes 450 00:34:54,760 --> 00:35:01,240 And apache attack helicopters and he's going uh, how do I describe this in language of his day? 451 00:35:03,160 --> 00:35:08,120 But if you look at it it goes on to describe them he says I saw the horses and their riders in the vision 452 00:35:09,640 --> 00:35:12,920 He doesn't say I saw something like a horse 453 00:35:12,920 --> 00:35:19,320 Which we saw in the description of the locusts right like this and like that it was john saying I see something 454 00:35:19,320 --> 00:35:25,320 I don't understand i'm trying to bring something from my world to describe it, but here. He just says I saw the horses 455 00:35:26,840 --> 00:35:30,440 The indication there is that he saw something that was a horse 456 00:35:31,000 --> 00:35:33,000 That was some type of steed 457 00:35:33,800 --> 00:35:36,040 And then he goes, but this is how I saw them 458 00:35:36,600 --> 00:35:40,360 And he goes on to describe them in this very strange way where then he goes 459 00:35:40,360 --> 00:35:42,360 He goes they had heads like 460 00:35:43,000 --> 00:35:45,000 the heads of lions 461 00:35:45,400 --> 00:35:50,120 So the idea there is something that had like the body of a horse, but then it had a lion's head on it 462 00:35:50,840 --> 00:35:55,080 And that could be he maybe had a large mane it had sharp teeth like a lion 463 00:35:56,280 --> 00:36:01,000 But then he goes it breathes fire smoke smoke and sulfur and that word sulfur 464 00:36:01,000 --> 00:36:04,280 There is the word brimstone in some of the more traditional translations 465 00:36:04,280 --> 00:36:06,840 But again, he doesn't say they breathe smoke 466 00:36:06,840 --> 00:36:13,400 fire smoke and sulfur he says no this horse with the head of a lion like a lion breathed 467 00:36:14,200 --> 00:36:18,040 fire smoke and sulfur and so again you know you might think in if you're a 468 00:36:18,600 --> 00:36:24,200 Fan of fantasy literature and stuff you've heard of fire breathing dragons and that kind of thing right you know 469 00:36:24,200 --> 00:36:28,120 It's this picture that that there's this this this this just devastating 470 00:36:28,760 --> 00:36:35,000 Breath coming out of this creature and it's like it's like it's like it's like it's like it's like it's like it's like 471 00:36:35,000 --> 00:36:43,000 Breath coming out of this creature and then it's interesting because brimstone or sulfur as the word is rendered here is often associated 472 00:36:43,480 --> 00:36:46,280 biblically specifically with judgment on the wicked so 473 00:36:47,800 --> 00:36:51,400 It says it has a tail that resembled a snake 474 00:36:52,200 --> 00:36:55,880 That word resembled there means the tail had similar characteristics, too 475 00:36:55,880 --> 00:36:57,880 So it wasn't actually a snake is a snake 476 00:36:57,880 --> 00:37:03,320 He's not indicating that but he says it resembled a snake and it had a head that inflicted injury and so again there 477 00:37:03,320 --> 00:37:08,680 That's one of those similitudes you know is it a the tail was long was it articulate was it scaled? 478 00:37:09,080 --> 00:37:13,480 Did it have fangs or some type we don't know exactly but we do know it caused injury 479 00:37:14,200 --> 00:37:19,320 And then of course earlier he said I saw the horses and their riders in the vision and then he goes on to say they had 480 00:37:19,320 --> 00:37:20,760 breastplates 481 00:37:20,760 --> 00:37:26,360 It could be just the rider or the horse or both but interestingly enough these breastplates this armor that they wore 482 00:37:26,760 --> 00:37:32,920 Kind of the colors corresponded to the breath that came out of the the mouth of this thing right the breath was fire and it's 483 00:37:32,920 --> 00:37:36,120 Said the breastplate had red on it the second part of the breath was smoke 484 00:37:36,360 --> 00:37:41,320 And it says there was blue and then the third part of the breath was sulfur and there was yellow on the breastplate 485 00:37:41,320 --> 00:37:43,720 So again, I don't know if there's any particular 486 00:37:45,960 --> 00:37:47,400 Specific 487 00:37:47,400 --> 00:37:50,840 connotation of that, but it's just a part of this weird description here, but 488 00:37:51,400 --> 00:37:57,020 The 200 million in identifying this army that's going to come during this time period of tribulation 489 00:37:57,020 --> 00:38:03,500 One of the reasons people used to say the bible can't possibly be true is because they would read something like that and go 490 00:38:04,060 --> 00:38:07,580 Nobody has an army of 200 million that couldn't possibly happen 491 00:38:08,620 --> 00:38:13,580 Right. I mean when john wrote this letter there wasn't 200 million people on the entire planet 492 00:38:14,780 --> 00:38:17,740 And so some people would go that's impossible and then I'd go, um 493 00:38:18,540 --> 00:38:20,700 He's having a vision in heaven of the future 494 00:38:21,580 --> 00:38:25,820 So I don't think it matters if there was 200 million people on earth during that time or not 495 00:38:25,820 --> 00:38:30,380 But the idea was that it's a very specific number now for people who look at this and they go 496 00:38:30,380 --> 00:38:32,380 I think it's a a human army 497 00:38:32,620 --> 00:38:35,180 Again, there was times where people said no no 498 00:38:35,820 --> 00:38:42,060 Country on earth has an army that big in world war two the entire allied army numbered 12 million at the height of their 499 00:38:42,060 --> 00:38:44,780 Conflict that was every allied army together 500 00:38:47,580 --> 00:38:53,500 But in the 70s it was widely known that china who actually bragged about this 501 00:38:53,500 --> 00:38:55,740 Could field an army of 200 million people 502 00:38:57,180 --> 00:39:00,220 Today china has a population of 1.4 billion 503 00:39:01,100 --> 00:39:06,380 So 200 million in an army is not um outrageous and then some like look in revelation 16 504 00:39:06,380 --> 00:39:11,020 We see that this great euphrates river dries up and it says the kings of the east march across it with an army 505 00:39:11,020 --> 00:39:13,020 And some go aha, that's the chinese army, right? 506 00:39:13,660 --> 00:39:14,940 I don't know 507 00:39:14,940 --> 00:39:21,260 But it's possible but regardless whether this army is human or whether this army is demonic 508 00:39:21,260 --> 00:39:24,540 It's an army led by fallen angels 509 00:39:25,420 --> 00:39:35,500 led by powerful fallen angels and the result of this judgment being released is a massive sudden and major decline of the world's population 510 00:39:36,460 --> 00:39:43,500 And you can just imagine what that what the effect of that will have on the economy and just all kinds of stuff 511 00:39:45,020 --> 00:39:48,300 But the real point of this section is not oh look at these weird horses 512 00:39:48,300 --> 00:39:53,020 They breathe fire. Is it a manticore? I mean, that's not the point of the section, right? 513 00:39:54,700 --> 00:39:57,020 The point of this section comes from verse 20 514 00:39:57,820 --> 00:40:01,820 How did the people of the planet respond to billions of deaths suddenly? 515 00:40:03,340 --> 00:40:09,660 How do they respond to these weird fantastic creatures appearing on the earth killing people indiscriminately? 516 00:40:09,660 --> 00:40:13,260 What is the response of the people of the earth to this? 517 00:40:13,260 --> 00:40:18,620 Not the first time people have been killed during this period of judgment 518 00:40:18,620 --> 00:40:23,900 And back in the first seal judgments, it said that the people were trying to hide themselves in the rocks and mountains 519 00:40:23,900 --> 00:40:26,300 Why? Because they knew the judgments were from god almighty 520 00:40:27,180 --> 00:40:29,180 Well look at verse 20 the rest of the people 521 00:40:30,300 --> 00:40:34,300 Who were not killed by these plagues did not repent of the works of their hands 522 00:40:35,020 --> 00:40:41,180 To stop worshiping demons and idols of gold silver bronze stone and wood which cannot see here or watch 523 00:40:41,180 --> 00:40:47,500 And they did not repent of their murders and their sorceries and their sexual immorality or their thefts 524 00:40:48,540 --> 00:40:50,540 Now you might think with all that has happened 525 00:40:53,340 --> 00:40:58,060 Mankind would fall on its knees and say please god spare us. We'll do anything 526 00:40:58,620 --> 00:41:01,820 Please spare us. We can't take it anymore. But no 527 00:41:02,940 --> 00:41:07,020 They will not believe it says they would not repent 528 00:41:07,020 --> 00:41:10,060 It says they would not repent 529 00:41:10,940 --> 00:41:17,580 Their hearts are so hardened in resisting god that they simply will not admit god. You're right. We're wrong 530 00:41:17,900 --> 00:41:19,500 Forgive us of our sin 531 00:41:19,500 --> 00:41:20,940 They won't do it 532 00:41:20,940 --> 00:41:26,540 And this incidentally for me is is one of the big warnings for people if you're out there and you're the type of person that hears 533 00:41:26,540 --> 00:41:30,780 This and you go, you know, I I don't know if I believe in god or not and someone comes along and says look 534 00:41:30,860 --> 00:41:32,540 Judgment's gonna come and you go 535 00:41:32,540 --> 00:41:38,300 Well, you know if this stuff is real and and the church gets raptured and all of these judgments if that's real 536 00:41:38,620 --> 00:41:41,180 I'll just wait until that happens and then i'll believe 537 00:41:41,820 --> 00:41:43,820 Will you? 538 00:41:43,820 --> 00:41:45,820 Will you? 539 00:41:46,140 --> 00:41:52,060 Because god almighty looking into the future is saying look even despite the judgments people are still not repenting 540 00:41:53,980 --> 00:41:57,020 There's five things here listed that the people refuse to turn from 541 00:41:57,820 --> 00:42:01,900 Last week, I mentioned that some of these things are very contemporary. They're happening today 542 00:42:01,900 --> 00:42:03,900 we see we see 543 00:42:04,300 --> 00:42:05,740 We see it happening today 544 00:42:05,740 --> 00:42:13,180 But it's growing and it's going to continue to grow what we're reading here in revelation 9 is is the ultimate escalation the ultimate 545 00:42:13,560 --> 00:42:20,700 advanced picture of stuff we see happening in our world today and then it's also a picture of those who refuse to repent of these 546 00:42:20,700 --> 00:42:21,900 sins and 547 00:42:21,900 --> 00:42:27,180 So as we go through them, yeah, there's people today who are engaging in these sins. There's people today who are 548 00:42:27,180 --> 00:42:33,500 Refusing to repent of these particular sins. But again, it's going to escalate and be much worse by the time we get to the tribulation period 549 00:42:34,540 --> 00:42:40,940 So the first thing it says that they would not repent of worshipping demons and idols of gold silver bronze stone and wood 550 00:42:42,220 --> 00:42:43,340 I 551 00:42:43,340 --> 00:42:46,860 Mean that's just humanity's problem from the very beginning. We are driven to worship something 552 00:42:48,060 --> 00:42:50,060 something 553 00:42:50,700 --> 00:42:52,700 Here it's demons 554 00:42:52,780 --> 00:42:54,860 Specifically which we see that today, right? 555 00:42:54,860 --> 00:42:57,900 There are people today that are proudly i'm a part of the church of satan 556 00:42:59,020 --> 00:43:01,900 I'm like, you're so ignorant. You have no idea what you're doing 557 00:43:03,340 --> 00:43:09,020 The people that gladly and openly like oh no, I worship demons and it's actually on the rise in our world today 558 00:43:09,820 --> 00:43:14,860 That is becoming a more popular thing to actively openly say now. I worship the devil and I worship demons 559 00:43:17,340 --> 00:43:19,500 But humanity driven to worship something 560 00:43:19,500 --> 00:43:25,660 You know people are always looking for some type of spiritual experience that transcends ourselves and they seek it in all kinds of stuff 561 00:43:25,660 --> 00:43:30,540 And so people here we see that they're lifting up idols of gold silver bronze stone and wood 562 00:43:32,220 --> 00:43:37,740 Right because a lot of times when we go through talking about what the bible teaches about idol worship people are like we don't worship idols anymore 563 00:43:37,740 --> 00:43:42,620 Nobody's creating big statues of ball and ashtoreth and you know, that's dumb 564 00:43:42,620 --> 00:43:47,660 But yeah, we create idols of money and success and fame 565 00:43:47,660 --> 00:43:49,660 and accomplishments 566 00:43:49,660 --> 00:43:55,660 We create idols of all kinds of stuff and and when it means worship it means we we point our whole life at it 567 00:43:55,660 --> 00:44:00,220 It dictates our decisions and how we live and what we do and and and yeah 568 00:44:00,220 --> 00:44:06,220 There's idols of gold silver bronze stone and wood all over our lives. It's our money our success our possessions 569 00:44:09,420 --> 00:44:12,220 That's interesting he says which cannot see hear or walk 570 00:44:13,740 --> 00:44:15,740 Because those things 571 00:44:15,740 --> 00:44:19,260 Because those things don't do anything for you 572 00:44:21,260 --> 00:44:26,220 We worship them we pour our whole life in them and they do nothing for us because they're dead inanimate worthless 573 00:44:29,020 --> 00:44:31,660 And what's behind all of this worship is demons 574 00:44:33,500 --> 00:44:39,340 Demons are the the the entity that deceive us and drive us to worship anything but god 575 00:44:39,340 --> 00:44:45,980 Even ourselves to worship ourselves, but still as I said some are still openly worshiping demons today proud of that 576 00:44:46,540 --> 00:44:50,780 And i'm it's just gonna get worse then he goes on to say they didn't repent of their murders 577 00:44:51,340 --> 00:44:56,620 At some point in tribulation the killing of christians is going to become a national pastime for most countries on the earth 578 00:44:57,900 --> 00:45:00,460 It's going to be an exciting thing not just christians 579 00:45:00,460 --> 00:45:05,580 But jews specifically during the last three and a half years after the abomination desolation happens 580 00:45:05,580 --> 00:45:13,280 The antichrist steps into the temple stops their sacrifices says worship me. I'm god jews are going to be under intense persecution 581 00:45:14,220 --> 00:45:20,140 But the general idea of killing another person for um for any reason that that's been in man's heart since the very beginning 582 00:45:21,020 --> 00:45:25,260 All right, we go back to the very first family. What was behind the very first murder? 583 00:45:27,020 --> 00:45:33,260 Where cain killed abel because god didn't accept kane's worship, but he did accept abel's what was behind the murder 584 00:45:33,260 --> 00:45:38,060 The issue is that cain was trying to worship god on cain's own terms 585 00:45:39,580 --> 00:45:41,980 Abel worshiped god on god's terms 586 00:45:43,340 --> 00:45:48,060 And so god said cain. I don't accept your worship you worship me on my terms not your own 587 00:45:50,380 --> 00:45:55,980 And instead of cain going oh god i'm so sorry you're right you know abel did it right what did he do he killed abel 588 00:45:56,780 --> 00:45:58,780 murdered him 589 00:45:59,660 --> 00:46:01,660 What do we see today? 590 00:46:01,660 --> 00:46:07,420 Don't you tell me how I have to worship god don't you tell me how I have to worship jesus 591 00:46:07,420 --> 00:46:11,820 I'm making up my own and i'm going to bring my worship to that god in any way I choose 592 00:46:12,620 --> 00:46:19,820 And you christians are so just so uptight and so oppressive and and it's just going to get worse 593 00:46:20,700 --> 00:46:22,700 And the result of that is murders 594 00:46:23,900 --> 00:46:26,860 We see it in the world today as christians are murdered for their faith 595 00:46:26,860 --> 00:46:31,200 But it's just going to be rampant during the time of tribulation 596 00:46:31,580 --> 00:46:33,580 And instead of repenting 597 00:46:34,140 --> 00:46:37,900 They're going to keep doing it you know jesus said as it was in the days of noah 598 00:46:37,900 --> 00:46:40,220 So it will be in the days of the coming of the son of man 599 00:46:41,020 --> 00:46:45,100 You go back to genesis you read in the days of noah's it tells us violence covered the earth 600 00:46:47,180 --> 00:46:52,300 Violence proliferates today and it's going to be much worse worse during tribulation 601 00:46:52,300 --> 00:46:57,740 He goes on to say they didn't repent of their sorceries that word sorceries in the greek is pharmakia 602 00:46:59,100 --> 00:47:03,740 It's translated as witchcraft. That's why we see it translated as sorceries 603 00:47:03,740 --> 00:47:09,740 But we get our modern day word pharmacy from that right so you might read it that they wouldn't repent of their drugings 604 00:47:11,020 --> 00:47:13,260 They wouldn't repent of their drug abuse 605 00:47:13,260 --> 00:47:19,180 They wouldn't repent of their dependence and worship of drugs and not chasing the high and so the whole idea is 606 00:47:19,180 --> 00:47:26,960 Worship of drugs and not chasing the high and so the whole idea of this word is is is including illicit use of drugs and substances 607 00:47:27,340 --> 00:47:29,340 And in we don't see that today do we? 608 00:47:30,860 --> 00:47:34,140 You go to san francisco and the fentanyl epidemic is destroying the city 609 00:47:34,700 --> 00:47:40,380 It's destroying the city not just there but all over the place now in ancient times and in modern times in many cases 610 00:47:40,860 --> 00:47:46,220 Drug use is associated with the occult and that's why it's translated sorceries a lot in the bible 611 00:47:46,220 --> 00:47:52,220 The the whole idea of using drugs is to blur the lines between fantasy and reality to get into an altered state of mind 612 00:47:52,220 --> 00:47:54,220 To have an out-of-body experience 613 00:47:55,020 --> 00:48:00,220 One doctor said stupefying and hallucinatory drugs have been associated with sorcery and witchcraft for ages 614 00:48:00,780 --> 00:48:06,860 Yielding to their users strange visions and hallucinations which they then could interpret as oracles for the guidance of their clients 615 00:48:06,860 --> 00:48:15,500 Also, they divested their users of control of their own minds speaking of the drugs making them easily available for possession and control by evil spirits 616 00:48:16,540 --> 00:48:18,540 It's happening today. It's just going to get worse 617 00:48:19,500 --> 00:48:25,420 Sexual immorality that is the greek word pornea. We get our modern english word pornography from that 618 00:48:26,860 --> 00:48:32,700 It's also rendered fornication, but it's referring to any morally objectionable illicit sexual activity 619 00:48:32,700 --> 00:48:40,700 It's an umbrella term for for for any type of expression of sexual relation that is outside what god has ordained 620 00:48:42,220 --> 00:48:49,020 And it says they would not repent to that people refuse to turn from it and and just I mean we could see it in the world today 621 00:48:50,300 --> 00:48:53,020 You could see it in the world today and how bad things have gotten with 622 00:48:53,800 --> 00:48:56,860 pornography and the epidemic that that is adultery 623 00:48:56,860 --> 00:49:04,640 Homosexuality pedophilia sex trafficking as we've mentioned all of that is a deviation or a result of deviation 624 00:49:04,880 --> 00:49:07,200 From what god has ordained as right and proper 625 00:49:09,600 --> 00:49:11,600 And yet it's running rampant 626 00:49:13,120 --> 00:49:17,680 We just exited june which is now worldwide pride month, right 627 00:49:19,920 --> 00:49:22,240 And pride month kind of started with people going look 628 00:49:22,240 --> 00:49:26,400 Let me celebrate my own private personal sexual expression 629 00:49:28,240 --> 00:49:32,720 And a part of me would go god gave you the free will to do whatever you want and believe whatever you want 630 00:49:32,720 --> 00:49:34,720 It doesn't mean he condones it but 631 00:49:35,360 --> 00:49:37,360 express 632 00:49:37,360 --> 00:49:45,040 But it went from no no no just just this is my personal celebration of my own personal choice to becoming something completely different 633 00:49:45,040 --> 00:49:50,400 I don't know if you guys read about it, but there was a drag march in new york about a week and a half ago 634 00:49:50,400 --> 00:49:52,400 And they're on video 635 00:49:53,200 --> 00:49:58,880 Chanting this was the chant of the parade. We're here. We're queer and we're coming for your children 636 00:50:00,160 --> 00:50:03,680 That was the chant on video of this parade 637 00:50:05,120 --> 00:50:11,040 It's not about personal private expression of of individual 638 00:50:11,680 --> 00:50:13,680 sexual identity 639 00:50:13,680 --> 00:50:17,440 There's an agenda and the agenda isn't even being kept secret anymore 640 00:50:17,440 --> 00:50:20,720 That's happening today imagine what it's going to be during the tribulation period 641 00:50:22,160 --> 00:50:24,160 And then thefts is the last thing 642 00:50:25,360 --> 00:50:29,040 And thefts is simply the idea of just taking what doesn't belong to you 643 00:50:30,560 --> 00:50:33,440 We've seen this exploding in recent years, right 644 00:50:34,720 --> 00:50:35,920 Everybody 645 00:50:35,920 --> 00:50:38,480 People jumping on any excuse to loot and steal 646 00:50:39,200 --> 00:50:42,800 It's a protest. So that means I get to steal everything from the store. What? 647 00:50:42,800 --> 00:50:48,160 It's a protest so we get to burn down our thing and bust up all these windows and steal from all these businesses 648 00:50:48,960 --> 00:50:52,720 And what has been the response of our world today? Well, let's decriminalize theft 649 00:50:54,880 --> 00:50:56,880 Poor thieves 650 00:50:56,960 --> 00:51:02,800 I mean, we don't want to throw them in jail, right? And so the result has been stores just stores just getting robbed constantly 651 00:51:03,600 --> 00:51:06,480 Security employees and owners. They can't do anything about it 652 00:51:06,480 --> 00:51:10,720 And the people that are breaking into these stores just in broad daylight walking through the doors of the stores 653 00:51:10,720 --> 00:51:13,920 Why well, you know if it's under a certain amount you can't do anything 654 00:51:16,400 --> 00:51:21,920 And people who do this have no conscious no sense or care of right and wrong and what we see here in revelation 9 655 00:51:21,920 --> 00:51:23,920 Is a fully developed picture 656 00:51:24,480 --> 00:51:26,720 Of what we're already observing today in our world 657 00:51:28,960 --> 00:51:30,960 Crime without penalty 658 00:51:31,760 --> 00:51:33,760 No justice no retribution 659 00:51:34,880 --> 00:51:39,040 It's possible that during this time and tribulation that the justice system is going to be 660 00:51:39,040 --> 00:51:41,040 So broken down 661 00:51:41,040 --> 00:51:45,360 Become so completely impotent that that it just has no effect 662 00:51:46,160 --> 00:51:49,200 And again, we're seeing a great example of that today in san francisco 663 00:51:50,480 --> 00:51:57,600 One commentator said capital punishment will be fully eliminated in the great tribulation period except for one crime being a christian 664 00:51:59,840 --> 00:52:02,720 So, what is the message of revelation 9 for christians today 665 00:52:05,280 --> 00:52:07,280 I think it's a missionary call for the church 666 00:52:07,280 --> 00:52:09,280 I think it's a missionary call for the church 667 00:52:10,240 --> 00:52:15,280 It's a missionary call for the church. We're getting a peek at what's to come in the future 668 00:52:16,800 --> 00:52:23,120 As god is pouring out judgment on the earth and mankind is getting more and more resistant more and more entrenched in their sin 669 00:52:23,920 --> 00:52:27,680 Vance havner said the real test of how much we believe prophetic truth 670 00:52:28,640 --> 00:52:31,920 Is what we're doing to warn people to flee from the wrath to come 671 00:52:31,920 --> 00:52:36,640 And that's a big one right, you know, we're called to evangelize scripturally as christians every christian 672 00:52:37,600 --> 00:52:41,120 We're called to to to warn people to snatch them from the fire 673 00:52:41,120 --> 00:52:46,960 It says to plead with them to persuade them and and and some will go. Well, i'm not an extrovert 674 00:52:48,160 --> 00:52:53,200 So so I don't I don't have to share my faith and well, it's fine that you're not an extrovert 675 00:52:54,240 --> 00:52:58,640 But you don't have to be an extrovert to witness your faith in the world today 676 00:52:58,640 --> 00:53:04,000 You don't have to be an extrovert to share the gospel of jesus christ and yeah, there's different ways to do that, right? 677 00:53:04,560 --> 00:53:06,560 Some people within the church go door to door 678 00:53:07,440 --> 00:53:13,600 Some people are really comfortable and excited to spark up conversations with strangers some are are 679 00:53:14,320 --> 00:53:19,120 Pass out gospel tracks, which we make available to the church here. Some do open air preaching 680 00:53:20,880 --> 00:53:23,120 Not all are called to do the same thing 681 00:53:23,120 --> 00:53:30,880 Not all are called to do the same thing but all of us can care for people 682 00:53:31,840 --> 00:53:38,640 Can love people can serve people can actively engage in their lives as christians 683 00:53:39,680 --> 00:53:43,200 Who know the truth who live the truth and who share the truth? 684 00:53:45,360 --> 00:53:51,200 Yeah, not every believer is called to be an evangelist but the bible does say that every believer is called to do the work of one 685 00:53:51,200 --> 00:53:54,720 God who loves them a God who desires to forgive them 686 00:53:55,600 --> 00:54:00,800 A God who will one day pour out his wrath on sin, but now we live in a time 687 00:54:01,840 --> 00:54:06,160 That is a time that we live in a time where we are able to forgive and forgive 688 00:54:07,120 --> 00:54:09,520 And that's why we're called to be an evangelist 689 00:54:10,560 --> 00:54:14,560 And that's why we're called to be an evangelist because we're able to forgive 690 00:54:14,560 --> 00:54:20,480 A God who will one day pour out his wrath on sin, but now we live in a time 691 00:54:21,760 --> 00:54:24,720 Where he is waiting he is patiently waiting 692 00:54:26,080 --> 00:54:30,080 Where he died on the cross for them to save them from that wrath to come and you know 693 00:54:30,080 --> 00:54:33,600 It's not all that difficult for us to look around and see that evil is getting worse 694 00:54:34,080 --> 00:54:39,200 But if we believe what we're reading in revelation about what's to come and I believe we do it's God's word 695 00:54:39,200 --> 00:54:46,480 It's God's word then I think the challenge is we can't continue to let our Christianity be a private 696 00:54:47,200 --> 00:54:48,240 hidden 697 00:54:48,240 --> 00:54:50,240 personal thing any longer 698 00:54:50,960 --> 00:54:55,280 But rather we need to be the lights on the hill shining the light of salvation into the darkness 699 00:54:57,120 --> 00:55:03,280 Now in a few days, we're celebrating independence day july 4th. I know this wasn't really a july 4th message per se 700 00:55:03,280 --> 00:55:09,780 Um, but we're going to be celebrating independence day here in america and yeah, we're so grateful in america that we still have freedoms 701 00:55:11,920 --> 00:55:15,920 Even though there's things that look like freedoms being eroded we still have freedoms today 702 00:55:16,880 --> 00:55:18,880 We still have the the 703 00:55:20,080 --> 00:55:26,320 The the stuff our country's about here in america specifically but independence can be both a good and bad thing 704 00:55:27,740 --> 00:55:31,520 Spiritually, god has granted us a free will and that free will allows us to choose sin 705 00:55:31,520 --> 00:55:33,520 or to choose salvation 706 00:55:35,680 --> 00:55:38,880 One leads to wrath and eternal judgment the other leads to eternal life 707 00:55:40,960 --> 00:55:46,560 So don't get caught up in using the independence the the freedom the free will that god has created you with 708 00:55:47,440 --> 00:55:49,440 for sin for sinful living 709 00:55:51,360 --> 00:55:55,200 Because each day you do that it just hardens your heart a little bit more against god 710 00:55:56,400 --> 00:55:59,040 It hardens your heart a little bit more against him 711 00:55:59,040 --> 00:56:01,040 And the end of all of it will be judgment 712 00:56:02,080 --> 00:56:06,080 The end of all of it will be judgment instead use that free will that god has given you 713 00:56:07,360 --> 00:56:13,760 To choose freedom to choose salvation to be set free from the power of sin and death to be set free from the control 714 00:56:14,080 --> 00:56:19,040 Of sin to be to be alive with a freedom that is only found in jesus christ 715 00:56:19,840 --> 00:56:25,760 A freedom that is only found in him because it was bought and it was paid for by him. Amen 716 00:56:25,760 --> 00:56:27,760 Or a passion to proclaim the gospel 717 00:56:28,080 --> 00:56:34,000 As christians I think comes from a deep understanding and remembrance of the salvation that we have been given that that is 718 00:56:34,320 --> 00:56:36,960 Part of the motivation we believe in what christ has done 719 00:56:37,680 --> 00:56:43,040 We believe in what it means for us today what it means for us tomorrow. We believe in his word 720 00:56:43,600 --> 00:56:48,160 We believe in what his word tells us past present and future right and in communion 721 00:56:48,720 --> 00:56:53,440 It's where we as the body of christ take time to remember the salvation that he has given us 722 00:56:53,440 --> 00:56:55,440 to us that free 723 00:56:56,080 --> 00:56:57,580 unearned 724 00:56:57,580 --> 00:57:04,580 undeserved gift that that being pardoned and set free from the penalty of sin that's that's what we're remembering in communion 725 00:57:05,360 --> 00:57:09,920 That we have been saved from the wrath is to come and in all of that we remember 726 00:57:12,000 --> 00:57:15,600 We're encouraged that our passion our desire our motivation to share the gospel 727 00:57:16,560 --> 00:57:19,440 Should continue to burn bright and so that's what we're doing in communion 728 00:57:19,440 --> 00:57:23,600 So we're going to close today in communion all of you should have gotten one of these communion cups 729 00:57:24,160 --> 00:57:28,000 As you came in if you're online, you should get your communion emblems ready real quick 730 00:57:28,000 --> 00:57:34,320 There's a very thin plastic tab and a thicker plastic tab on this cup. If you would very carefully pull back the thin 731 00:57:35,120 --> 00:57:39,120 Plastic tab it will reveal the the wafer on the top here 732 00:57:40,400 --> 00:57:44,080 You know when jesus took the bread in the gospels 733 00:57:44,080 --> 00:57:49,680 It says that he took the bread he gave thanks and he broke it and then he said to all his disciples that were there 734 00:57:49,680 --> 00:57:51,680 This is my body 735 00:57:51,680 --> 00:57:58,960 This bread it's my body which is for you and he gave them each a piece and he said do this in remembrance 736 00:57:59,680 --> 00:58:01,680 of me 737 00:58:01,680 --> 00:58:07,440 And the idea of the bread in communion for the body of christ and the reason jesus handed it to them and said do this 738 00:58:07,440 --> 00:58:11,120 And remember it's me partake of this is because he wanted us to be partake of this 739 00:58:11,120 --> 00:58:15,920 And remembers me partake of this is because he wanted us to remember what the bread represented 740 00:58:17,200 --> 00:58:19,200 The bread represents his perfect 741 00:58:20,860 --> 00:58:24,400 Sinless body that was given for us 742 00:58:25,760 --> 00:58:28,720 You see all the wrath that was poured out on jesus 743 00:58:29,440 --> 00:58:35,120 All that came upon him and the scourging and the suffering and the and the being nailed to the all of it 744 00:58:35,120 --> 00:58:39,040 Right that was that was for us 745 00:58:41,760 --> 00:58:45,280 Because we're the ones that have sinned we're the ones that broke god's law 746 00:58:47,440 --> 00:58:49,440 And so what we're reading about in tribulation 747 00:58:51,040 --> 00:58:56,400 Is god pointing about on the pouring all that judgment out on the world, but there was a time 2000 years ago 748 00:58:56,400 --> 00:58:58,400 Where god poured it out on his own son 749 00:59:00,720 --> 00:59:03,520 That through faith in him we would be able to be forgiven 750 00:59:03,520 --> 00:59:05,520 Pardoned from breaking god's law 751 00:59:07,520 --> 00:59:09,520 It's all a judgment that we deserve 752 00:59:11,520 --> 00:59:16,080 It's a judgment that he's going to pour out on the world in the future, but because he loved you and me so much 753 00:59:17,920 --> 00:59:24,000 He stepped into our place he took our punishment paid our price the penalty for all of our sin 754 00:59:24,000 --> 00:59:32,400 Penalty for all the murders and the idol worship and the sexual immorality and the thefts and so on he paid it all so that we can obtain salvation now 755 00:59:32,960 --> 00:59:37,040 So that we could be forgiven now and saved from the wrath to come on sin 756 00:59:40,960 --> 00:59:49,040 And we get the benefit of what he did all through our confession of faith in him 757 00:59:49,040 --> 00:59:52,320 And that confession leads to our adoption into his family 758 00:59:53,760 --> 00:59:58,320 That when he comes back to claim the earth we're not going to be here because he took us out of it so he could wash it clean 759 01:00:00,960 --> 01:00:08,560 What a truth what a glorious truth what a truth the world needs to hear and so as we are gathered to remember that be encouraged 760 01:00:10,160 --> 01:00:12,160 God saved you 761 01:00:12,160 --> 01:00:14,160 He wants to save your friend 762 01:00:14,160 --> 01:00:16,160 Your family member 763 01:00:16,160 --> 01:00:20,160 Your co-worker your boss he wants to save them too 764 01:00:22,160 --> 01:00:26,160 And you may be the only person that's going to tell them about how much he loves them 765 01:00:27,200 --> 01:00:30,160 About the fact that they they they broke his law 766 01:00:32,160 --> 01:00:36,160 And any criminal deserves the punishment but God took it for them 767 01:00:38,160 --> 01:00:42,160 What a glorious truth we get to live in and one we get to share as well father God 768 01:00:42,160 --> 01:00:48,160 We're so grateful for what you did for us in taking the penalty of our sin onto yourself your body 769 01:00:50,160 --> 01:00:52,160 Lord was given you were the atonement 770 01:00:56,160 --> 01:01:02,160 God as as you were placed on that altar on the outside God and your and your body was was destroyed 771 01:01:02,160 --> 01:01:10,160 All of that was a picture of the price of our sin the cost and it wasn't a pretty picture lord 772 01:01:12,160 --> 01:01:16,160 But you loved us so much your word says that for the joy set before you 773 01:01:18,160 --> 01:01:24,160 You stepped into all of that lord for us and we remember god 774 01:01:26,160 --> 01:01:28,160 We remember how much you loved us 775 01:01:28,160 --> 01:01:32,160 We remember the price of our sin and we say thank you god. Thank you so much 776 01:01:33,160 --> 01:01:35,160 Let's partake together 777 01:01:43,160 --> 01:01:48,160 Now if you're in the room and you have one of the cups just very carefully now pull back the thicker plastic tab here 778 01:01:48,160 --> 01:01:50,160 So it doesn't spill 779 01:01:50,160 --> 01:01:54,160 You know in that same story in the gospel is when Jesus it says took the cup 780 01:01:54,160 --> 01:02:00,160 He said this is the new covenant in my blood and do this in remembrance of me 781 01:02:01,160 --> 01:02:06,160 You see there was this process that they had been doing where they would go to that brazen altar 782 01:02:07,160 --> 01:02:10,160 Sacrifice the animal the blood would be shed 783 01:02:11,160 --> 01:02:13,160 The priest would then take that blood and take it to the altar 784 01:02:13,160 --> 01:02:35,160 Brazen altar sacrifice the animal the blood would be shed the priest would then take that blood into the inside into the altar of incense and spread it on the horns once a year and then that allowed him to go into the very presence of god where he sprinkled blood onto the mercy seed and god would say okay people your sin is overlooked for another year and 785 01:02:35,160 --> 01:02:42,160 That had to happen year after year after year on top of all the other sacrifices they had to do for all of their many sins 786 01:02:43,160 --> 01:02:51,160 But Jesus said look I want you to remember that this is a new covenant and it's in my blood shed for you once for all 787 01:02:52,160 --> 01:03:00,160 That I'm going to shed my blood on the cross and your faith in that is going to give you a clean slate an unblemished record restored fellowship permanently and forever 788 01:03:00,160 --> 01:03:06,160 And a part of what we remember in that is we don't deserve that 789 01:03:08,160 --> 01:03:11,160 But he gave it to us because he loves us 790 01:03:13,160 --> 01:03:17,160 Oh what great love is this that we would be called children of God 791 01:03:20,160 --> 01:03:25,160 To remember that we were stained by sin and there was nothing we could do to wash it away but he atoned 792 01:03:25,160 --> 01:03:31,160 He atoned on the cross and his atonement didn't just grant us access to him that God would hear our prayers 793 01:03:31,160 --> 01:03:37,160 It granted us full access that the stain of our sin was forever washed clean that we would forever be able to be in God's presence 794 01:03:37,160 --> 01:03:39,160 Hallelujah 795 01:03:41,160 --> 01:03:47,160 There is salvation in no other now and in the future doesn't matter what idol 796 01:03:47,160 --> 01:03:54,160 One raises up doesn't matter what it's made of there is no God besides Jesus Christ 797 01:03:56,160 --> 01:04:04,160 The one who loves us and died for us God's desire as we read earlier was that all would be saved and so he is patiently waiting 798 01:04:05,160 --> 01:04:13,160 That's why he shed his blood that everybody would have the opportunity to come to know him and to be forgiven to be renewed and restored and redeemed 799 01:04:13,160 --> 01:04:19,160 And how do we express our gratitude to our Lord and Savior for what he has done for us? 800 01:04:20,160 --> 01:04:26,160 We do it by loving him first and foremost we do it by living for him first and foremost 801 01:04:27,160 --> 01:04:34,160 And we do it by telling everybody we can about who he is how much he loves them and what he wants to do for them 802 01:04:35,160 --> 01:04:38,160 To forgive them to save them as well 803 01:04:38,160 --> 01:04:42,160 God we thank you so much for dying for us 804 01:04:44,160 --> 01:04:48,160 We thank you God that that we're currently in this age Lord of your long suffering 805 01:04:50,160 --> 01:04:59,160 We thank you God that that your blood was shed to wash us clean God and we thank you Lord that through our faith in that Lord you see us spotless blameless 806 01:04:59,160 --> 01:05:11,160 Lord not that we would be puffed up and prideful and look how perfect we are but no simply that we would be able to approach you in confidence boldly coming to the throne of grace 807 01:05:12,160 --> 01:05:19,160 To sit with you to talk with you to worship you to learn from you God how glorious that privilege is 808 01:05:19,160 --> 01:05:28,160 And Lord we all know people who don't yet have that access Lord who still stand in the path of your judgment Lord and we ask that you would forgive them as you have forgiven us 809 01:05:29,160 --> 01:05:33,160 That you would use us to share with them the salvation that you've granted to us Lord 810 01:05:34,160 --> 01:05:39,160 Because we remember how powerful you are Lord and we ask that you would forgive them as you have forgiven us 811 01:05:39,160 --> 01:05:49,160 Forgive them as you have forgiven us that you would use us to share with them the salvation that you've granted to us Lord because we remember how powerful it is 812 01:05:50,160 --> 01:05:57,160 We remember Lord how precious it is and we say thank you let's partake together 813 01:05:57,160 --> 01:06:18,160 I pray that God would bless each and every one of you as you go forth you know we got another night of harvest you know but I think every night of the year is harvest crusade for a Christian 814 01:06:18,160 --> 01:06:28,160 We all get the opportunity to not just live our faith but to share our faith and that's why we're here learning more about our faith as we study the word of God together 815 01:06:29,160 --> 01:06:35,160 I pray God would continue to use you and to bless you and to equip you and to empower you to fill you with his Holy Spirit 816 01:06:36,160 --> 01:06:41,160 That you would have everything you need to be the person he's calling you to be and do the things he's calling you to do 817 01:06:41,160 --> 01:06:52,160 And when that includes stepping out in faith to tell someone how much God loves them that you would do that with love and boldness and gentleness and firmness 818 01:06:52,160 --> 01:07:14,160 Because our world is getting darker our world is hurtling headlong into judgment the time is short and so we're people called to redeem that time amen. All right God bless you guys.