1 00:00:12,640 --> 00:00:18,520 I hope you will agree with me when I say that Scripture is a wonderful 2 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:18,880 thing. 3 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:21,280 You might expect me to say that. 4 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:25,680 I read it to you often, and I hope you read it as well at home 5 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:27,520 or listen to it read to you. 6 00:00:28,380 --> 00:00:32,300 And as I was praying through what has been prepared for tonight 7 00:00:32,300 --> 00:00:36,140 and the service for this evening, I was struck. 8 00:00:36,300 --> 00:00:39,580 I was overcome by Scripture. 9 00:00:40,060 --> 00:00:43,020 Now you might be sitting there thinking, well, that's what we expect, 10 00:00:44,620 --> 00:00:49,060 but maybe your situation is the same as mine, that it just doesn't 11 00:00:49,060 --> 00:00:51,580 always come like that in the busyness of the day. 12 00:00:53,270 --> 00:00:58,790 But yet there is a great sense this evening of Scripture, complete 13 00:01:00,310 --> 00:01:04,830 as we are looking at the last book of the Bible, it brings with 14 00:01:04,830 --> 00:01:09,830 it the echoes, the strong echoes of everything that God has 15 00:01:09,830 --> 00:01:14,390 presented to his people and to us from Genesis right through to 16 00:01:14,390 --> 00:01:17,750 Jude and now presented to us in Revelation. 17 00:01:18,960 --> 00:01:23,760 And so we will be weighing heavy on this morning and last Sunday 18 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:29,000 in Exodus, chapter 14 because it echoes what we're looking at in 19 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:30,320 Revelation 15. 20 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:34,320 And there's just something about Scripture. 21 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:37,360 And again, you'll expect me to say that, and it's the best words 22 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:43,560 I can describe, that Scripture is simply fantastic because of how 23 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:48,960 God has put it together for us, that nothing is left unknown 24 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:51,720 to us of what he has revealed. 25 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:58,520 Everything is contained within it so that we may know his glorious 26 00:01:58,760 --> 00:01:59,320 truth. 27 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:03,960 And there is much in the truth of Scripture that I think we love. 28 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:07,480 I hope we would affirm we love the gospel. 29 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:12,800 We love its message that brings lost souls onto repentance 30 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:14,960 for salvation in Jesus Christ. 31 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:18,370 For Christ is the only one who can save save us. 32 00:02:19,010 --> 00:02:24,450 I hope we love the story of salvation, of God rescuing His people 33 00:02:24,530 --> 00:02:30,850 and remaining faithful, even though they were faithless at times 34 00:02:30,850 --> 00:02:33,010 and completely abandoned Him. 35 00:02:33,010 --> 00:02:37,250 Yet he was true to the promises, to the covenants that he 36 00:02:37,250 --> 00:02:38,290 made with his people. 37 00:02:40,290 --> 00:02:42,130 I hope we love the poetry. 38 00:02:43,420 --> 00:02:47,700 I hope we love the bits we don't understand and let's say the 39 00:02:47,700 --> 00:02:53,420 bits that make us blush in Song of Solomon or the sadder moments 40 00:02:53,420 --> 00:02:56,940 that we read in the psalms and lamentations and in the prophets. 41 00:02:58,460 --> 00:03:07,060 God's word is truth to us and must be enjoyed as it is read, no 42 00:03:07,060 --> 00:03:11,390 matter how difficult or hard it is, because God is good and God 43 00:03:11,390 --> 00:03:13,230 is gracious to us. 44 00:03:14,590 --> 00:03:18,350 And one of the ways that I think we see this goodness of God 45 00:03:18,350 --> 00:03:22,430 to us in Scripture are the moments that were given in the biblical 46 00:03:22,430 --> 00:03:27,670 text where we find rest and peace in the midst of the difficulties 47 00:03:27,670 --> 00:03:31,150 of life before sin came into the world. 48 00:03:31,230 --> 00:03:35,670 We're told that the Garden of Eden was perfect and so it was a 49 00:03:35,670 --> 00:03:37,630 place of rest for Adam and Eve. 50 00:03:38,340 --> 00:03:42,380 We get into the Psalms, and particularly Psalm 23 speaks to us 51 00:03:42,380 --> 00:03:46,740 of the Lord leading his flock as their good shepherd, where in 52 00:03:46,740 --> 00:03:52,540 green pastures and by still waters, at the time of David, after 53 00:03:52,540 --> 00:03:56,460 he had fought battles against the enemies of God and the enemies 54 00:03:56,460 --> 00:03:59,740 of his people, the kingdom knew peace and it knew rest. 55 00:03:59,740 --> 00:04:01,220 Scripture tells us that. 56 00:04:02,660 --> 00:04:07,090 And then in the exile, people would find rest and peace and peace 57 00:04:07,090 --> 00:04:10,290 in God, even though they didn't want to be where they were 58 00:04:10,290 --> 00:04:15,690 by the rivers, as they remembered the land of promise, as 59 00:04:15,690 --> 00:04:19,370 they were honest about God's punishment towards them, but as they 60 00:04:19,370 --> 00:04:22,930 also held his promise of restoration in their hearts. 61 00:04:23,410 --> 00:04:27,010 And in Nehemiah, the people are able to rest after the wall is 62 00:04:27,010 --> 00:04:30,370 completed and the attacks of Tobiah and Sanballat cease. 63 00:04:31,410 --> 00:04:36,820 And of course, in the creation account, as told in the fourth commandment, 64 00:04:37,220 --> 00:04:43,700 six days are given for work, and the seventh, this day, the Sabbath 65 00:04:44,260 --> 00:04:50,500 Sunday, is a day of rest, because on it God demonstrated to 66 00:04:50,500 --> 00:04:57,460 us why we must rest, because he rested from all his labors. 67 00:04:59,390 --> 00:05:04,510 Well, however, it seems to us today that finding a day to rest 68 00:05:04,590 --> 00:05:09,110 is harder than ever before, as we're confronted with so much to 69 00:05:09,110 --> 00:05:13,150 pull us away from simply resting in the Lord. 70 00:05:13,150 --> 00:05:15,790 And by the way, we are going to look at the Ten Commandments. 71 00:05:15,790 --> 00:05:19,190 We'll not look at it in this moment of the series in Exodus, but 72 00:05:19,190 --> 00:05:22,110 we'll get to it, and we will look at each commandment and see 73 00:05:22,110 --> 00:05:23,510 what it teaches us for today. 74 00:05:23,510 --> 00:05:23,870 And. 75 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:28,080 And one of the most lovely ones is Sabbath, of what it means 76 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:32,960 to do no work and to depend completely on the Lord. 77 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:37,120 So whenever we come to that spare moment for pastors and preachers, 78 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:41,800 because it's our busiest day of the week, well, we're now over 79 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:46,400 halfway through revelation, and we come to the final moment, 80 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:51,400 the final vision of what John sees, of what must take place in 81 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:55,760 these last days before Christ returns in his complete consummat 82 00:05:56,380 --> 00:05:59,500 to take his people home and bring in his kingdom. 83 00:06:00,300 --> 00:06:05,580 And this telling that John now sees shows us the peace and the rest 84 00:06:05,740 --> 00:06:08,380 of heaven for the redeemed. 85 00:06:09,500 --> 00:06:12,580 But it begins with John seeing a sign in heaven. 86 00:06:12,580 --> 00:06:16,700 And we're told in verse one, John says, then I saw another sign 87 00:06:16,700 --> 00:06:18,260 in heaven, great and amazing. 88 00:06:18,260 --> 00:06:21,180 And by the way, did you pick up great and amazing in verse one? 89 00:06:21,180 --> 00:06:24,310 And then what was the sign song of the redeemed, of how great 90 00:06:24,310 --> 00:06:25,710 and amazing God is? 91 00:06:25,710 --> 00:06:26,710 What does this tell us? 92 00:06:26,870 --> 00:06:30,190 That as the people are singing of how great and amazing God's presence 93 00:06:30,190 --> 00:06:31,990 is, that is who he is. 94 00:06:32,310 --> 00:06:34,030 He is truly great and amazing. 95 00:06:34,030 --> 00:06:38,790 So this is what John seven angels with seven plagues, which 96 00:06:38,790 --> 00:06:45,430 are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. 97 00:06:46,390 --> 00:06:50,710 Well, John tells us that what he sees now is the final vision of 98 00:06:50,710 --> 00:06:55,580 God's judgment on the earth and, and salvation of the people. 99 00:06:56,380 --> 00:07:01,180 The sign he's given is of seven angels with seven plagues. 100 00:07:01,180 --> 00:07:04,300 And the mention of plagues here should automatically bring you, 101 00:07:04,540 --> 00:07:07,460 as it brought the people originally, reading this, back to 102 00:07:07,460 --> 00:07:10,500 the plagues of Egypt, which we've looked at earlier in this year, 103 00:07:10,500 --> 00:07:11,500 just a few months ago. 104 00:07:11,500 --> 00:07:14,820 And you will recall that the plagues sent to the Egyptians were 105 00:07:14,820 --> 00:07:16,620 punishment against them. 106 00:07:16,940 --> 00:07:17,340 Why? 107 00:07:17,340 --> 00:07:21,660 Because of their rebellion against God and their hard heartedness. 108 00:07:22,650 --> 00:07:25,850 And now we see seven and not 10 plagues. 109 00:07:25,850 --> 00:07:28,610 And seven, of course, is a number that repeats itself throughout 110 00:07:28,610 --> 00:07:29,170 Revelation. 111 00:07:29,170 --> 00:07:32,090 And so it should be no surprise that this is seen here again. 112 00:07:33,930 --> 00:07:38,570 But these plagues, this judgment that now is coming from 113 00:07:38,570 --> 00:07:42,090 God is that judgment was terrible and awful for the people 114 00:07:42,170 --> 00:07:46,330 will be terrible and awful for those who are not found in Christ. 115 00:07:46,330 --> 00:07:48,410 Because these plagues here are the last ones. 116 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:53,200 These are the ones in which God's wrath reaches its consummation. 117 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:58,200 And it seems then that the bowl judgments, although they overlap 118 00:07:58,200 --> 00:08:01,800 in part with the seals of Revelation 6 and 8 and the trumpet 119 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:06,520 judgments of Revelation 8 and 9 and 11, they focus on the end of 120 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:10,880 history, on the final and climatic judgments God pours out 121 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:12,160 on humans. 122 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:18,160 And it may be that all seven of these bowls of judgment described 123 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:21,440 from various angles the nature of the last judgment. 124 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:25,040 But rather than these judgments being poured out immediately, 125 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:30,800 John sees what appears to be a sea made of glass, and in it there 126 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:32,640 are flames of fire. 127 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:35,920 Now think about that for a moment. 128 00:08:37,440 --> 00:08:40,640 What does a glass sea look like? 129 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:43,120 Is it like a frozen lake? 130 00:08:45,110 --> 00:08:46,630 Is it still and calm? 131 00:08:46,630 --> 00:08:49,710 And we have to try and understand what a glassy sea might 132 00:08:49,710 --> 00:08:50,030 look like. 133 00:08:50,030 --> 00:08:53,270 But then we fire mingled in with it. 134 00:08:54,470 --> 00:08:57,710 And so this is the best John can do to help us understand what 135 00:08:57,710 --> 00:09:00,550 he's seeing and rather the importance of being. 136 00:09:00,550 --> 00:09:02,350 How to describe what he sees? 137 00:09:02,350 --> 00:09:03,750 It's the meaning behind it. 138 00:09:04,870 --> 00:09:09,670 And so the image is telling us of the gulf between human beings 139 00:09:10,190 --> 00:09:10,830 and God. 140 00:09:11,150 --> 00:09:15,670 Because the sea represents chaos and destruction in the Hebrew 141 00:09:15,670 --> 00:09:15,910 mind. 142 00:09:15,910 --> 00:09:17,870 And we've known this throughout Scripture. 143 00:09:18,670 --> 00:09:20,110 We saw it in creation. 144 00:09:20,350 --> 00:09:23,710 God told the seas to come this far and no further. 145 00:09:23,950 --> 00:09:26,990 And the people always returned to that, knowing that it was God 146 00:09:26,990 --> 00:09:28,030 who controlled the tide. 147 00:09:28,190 --> 00:09:31,670 And as much as God controlled what could be seen on the land, he 148 00:09:31,670 --> 00:09:35,190 controlled the perceived danger that was unseen in the sea. 149 00:09:35,190 --> 00:09:39,650 So approaching God from the Hebrew mind is like walking on a 150 00:09:39,650 --> 00:09:45,410 beautiful sea of glass, where there's no fear, there's no chaos, 151 00:09:45,730 --> 00:09:46,690 it's calm. 152 00:09:47,570 --> 00:09:50,130 But the sea does burn with fire. 153 00:09:51,090 --> 00:09:55,650 So nevertheless, the saints are standing on this glassy sea without 154 00:09:55,810 --> 00:09:56,370 harm. 155 00:09:56,690 --> 00:10:01,730 And they are not consumed by God's holy and his awesome presence. 156 00:10:02,780 --> 00:10:06,940 Instead, they're jubilant because what are they carrying? 157 00:10:06,940 --> 00:10:10,780 Are we told they're carrying harps? 158 00:10:12,300 --> 00:10:16,460 And this, of course, is where we see all of the animators and cartoons 159 00:10:16,460 --> 00:10:19,900 having angels sitting on clouds with harps. 160 00:10:20,940 --> 00:10:23,140 Well, it's not the angels that have the hearts. 161 00:10:23,140 --> 00:10:24,620 It's the redeemed of the Lord. 162 00:10:25,100 --> 00:10:29,820 Harps to praise God, to bring him praise for his deliverance and 163 00:10:29,820 --> 00:10:35,650 his salvation, to know, finally, rest from this relentless 164 00:10:35,810 --> 00:10:36,210 world. 165 00:10:37,010 --> 00:10:39,010 And where is that rest find? 166 00:10:39,490 --> 00:10:42,850 It's found in the praise of God. 167 00:10:45,570 --> 00:10:48,770 And as we think back of what we've already seen in Revelation, 168 00:10:49,490 --> 00:10:53,050 isn't this the prayer of the martyrs from chapter six and the 169 00:10:53,050 --> 00:10:55,410 opening of the fifth seal now being answered? 170 00:10:55,650 --> 00:10:59,580 Because remember what they cried out in prayer in Revelation 171 00:10:59,660 --> 00:11:01,540 6 and verses 9 to 10? 172 00:11:01,540 --> 00:11:05,340 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altars the souls 173 00:11:05,340 --> 00:11:08,660 of those who had been slain for the word of God and for their 174 00:11:08,660 --> 00:11:09,980 witness they had borne. 175 00:11:10,220 --> 00:11:14,819 They cried out in a loud voice, o sovereign Lord, holy and 176 00:11:14,819 --> 00:11:19,420 true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those 177 00:11:19,420 --> 00:11:21,420 who dwell on the earth? 178 00:11:22,380 --> 00:11:26,740 The redeemed of the Lord now stand before God because they have 179 00:11:26,740 --> 00:11:30,450 conquered the beast, the image and the number of his name, all in 180 00:11:30,680 --> 00:11:32,520 Christ the Lamb who was slain. 181 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:35,520 And so their cries, these cries of the martyrs, have been heard. 182 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:39,040 And the wicked of the world are punished and the redeemed are 183 00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:40,760 saved for all eternity. 184 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:44,560 Conquering is a word that comes up again and again in Revelation, 185 00:11:44,560 --> 00:11:45,320 as we've seen. 186 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:48,560 It's one of these major themes of the book and has been picked up 187 00:11:48,560 --> 00:11:52,360 in the letters to the churches and in the conquering of Satan in 188 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:53,240 chapter 12. 189 00:11:53,800 --> 00:11:58,760 Only those who conquer can stand on the glassy sea before God's 190 00:11:58,760 --> 00:11:59,160 throne. 191 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:03,320 And ultimately, the saints triumph on the basis of the blood 192 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:04,000 of the Lamb. 193 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:05,520 There is no other way. 194 00:12:06,560 --> 00:12:07,920 The blood of Jesus. 195 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:11,200 And trust in his sacrifice. 196 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:17,200 That sacrifice which washes the redeemed clean from their sins, 197 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:22,920 is the only way by which they can cross and come into the presence 198 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:24,960 of God to sing praise of him. 199 00:12:25,930 --> 00:12:29,930 And now in their eternal dwelling, they sing the song of Moses 200 00:12:30,170 --> 00:12:32,010 and the song of the Lamb. 201 00:12:32,650 --> 00:12:38,090 They are at rest and peace in the presence of God and can sing 202 00:12:38,090 --> 00:12:43,850 their victory song when Israel was delivered from Pharaoh and Egypt, 203 00:12:44,090 --> 00:12:48,250 as we will see next week, she sang with triumph and joy because 204 00:12:48,250 --> 00:12:52,330 of her salvation and the judgment poured out on the Egyptians. 205 00:12:53,540 --> 00:12:57,620 And we will say, read that, and we will think about it next Sunday 206 00:12:57,620 --> 00:12:58,020 morning. 207 00:12:58,420 --> 00:13:03,100 But as we already know, the sea designates evil and chaos for 208 00:13:03,100 --> 00:13:07,580 the Hebrews, but Jesus has conquered the forces that oppose 209 00:13:07,580 --> 00:13:08,020 God. 210 00:13:08,499 --> 00:13:12,260 The deliverance under Moses anticipated and pointed forward, 211 00:13:12,260 --> 00:13:17,140 as we saw this morning, to the greater redemption accomplished by 212 00:13:17,140 --> 00:13:17,700 the lamb. 213 00:13:18,430 --> 00:13:23,870 And so the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb are genetically 214 00:13:24,030 --> 00:13:28,550 related, since the promises made to Moses are finally and ultimately 215 00:13:28,550 --> 00:13:33,110 fulfilled in the salvation accomplished by the Lamb. 216 00:13:33,110 --> 00:13:35,710 That salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross. 217 00:13:36,510 --> 00:13:40,670 Likewise, the exodus from Egypt points forward to the redemption, 218 00:13:40,990 --> 00:13:44,670 the exodus from sin accomplished by Jesus Christ. 219 00:13:45,930 --> 00:13:49,290 Now I would like to say that the passages of today were carefully 220 00:13:49,290 --> 00:13:54,890 planned to fall on the same day, but I'm not that good because 221 00:13:54,890 --> 00:13:55,690 they were not. 222 00:13:56,650 --> 00:14:00,410 And as I started by saying about how great the word of God is 223 00:14:00,730 --> 00:14:06,210 in his wonderful grace, God has presented us this day with these 224 00:14:06,210 --> 00:14:11,540 two portions of Scripture to show us the message of Scripture, 225 00:14:12,020 --> 00:14:17,700 the salvation of the redeemed, all for the glory of God. 226 00:14:18,020 --> 00:14:23,500 And here is what they Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord 227 00:14:23,500 --> 00:14:24,740 God the Almighty. 228 00:14:25,060 --> 00:14:28,340 Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations. 229 00:14:28,660 --> 00:14:32,180 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name. 230 00:14:32,660 --> 00:14:35,060 For you alone are holy. 231 00:14:35,300 --> 00:14:39,520 All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts 232 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:40,960 have been revealed. 233 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:46,400 The entire history of God's people was summed up by the experience 234 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:51,120 of Moses and Israel when their backs were in the Red Sea with the 235 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:53,440 army of Pharaoh bearing down on them. 236 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:58,160 Moses cried aloud, remember what he said from last week in Exodus 237 00:14:58,160 --> 00:14:59,120 14:13? 238 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:00,160 Fear not. 239 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:04,230 Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord which he will 240 00:15:04,230 --> 00:15:05,270 work for you today. 241 00:15:05,990 --> 00:15:07,190 And what did God do? 242 00:15:07,190 --> 00:15:10,790 He sent forth his power, as we saw this morning, parting the Red 243 00:15:10,790 --> 00:15:14,950 Sea waters for Israel to pass through and then drowning the host 244 00:15:14,950 --> 00:15:16,870 of Pharaoh in the waves. 245 00:15:17,750 --> 00:15:23,270 God glorifies himself through great and amazing deeds that show 246 00:15:23,350 --> 00:15:24,230 his power. 247 00:15:25,030 --> 00:15:29,590 And the same God who parted the Red Sea caused the walls of Jericho 248 00:15:29,590 --> 00:15:34,150 to fall down, and he converted Saul of Tarsus to become the apostle 249 00:15:34,150 --> 00:15:38,010 Paul, while he is the go who is still saving his people and making 250 00:15:38,010 --> 00:15:42,370 a pathway for his church today, and indeed a way through, 251 00:15:43,170 --> 00:15:46,530 so that the lost of this world can know salvation. 252 00:15:47,650 --> 00:15:52,050 This song of the redeemed reminds us that we should fear only 253 00:15:52,130 --> 00:15:56,850 God and not the Pharaohs of this world, because they sing who 254 00:15:56,850 --> 00:16:01,730 will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your Name, for you alone 255 00:16:01,730 --> 00:16:02,610 are holy. 256 00:16:03,420 --> 00:16:05,900 And that's where we get the line in the song that we've been 257 00:16:05,900 --> 00:16:06,220 singing. 258 00:16:06,220 --> 00:16:11,100 Christos victor on that day, who will not tremble when you stand? 259 00:16:11,660 --> 00:16:13,340 Christ the victor. 260 00:16:14,460 --> 00:16:19,740 You see, that hymn that we sing comes from the first song of 261 00:16:19,740 --> 00:16:24,940 the Bible and now into the one that we're seeing, the penultimate 262 00:16:24,940 --> 00:16:30,180 song of the Bible, telling us of what God has done for us so that 263 00:16:30,180 --> 00:16:34,220 we will know victory in Christ and in him alone. 264 00:16:35,100 --> 00:16:38,900 See, this was the effect on Israel of the destruction of Pharaoh's 265 00:16:38,900 --> 00:16:40,220 army in the Red Sea. 266 00:16:41,340 --> 00:16:45,860 Knowing God as their Savior, who cannot stand before him, to fear 267 00:16:45,860 --> 00:16:50,460 him, to know him as holy, it prompted the original song of Moses. 268 00:16:51,260 --> 00:16:55,380 And as we concluded this morning, we saw Israel, saw the great 269 00:16:55,380 --> 00:16:57,980 power that the Lord used against the Egyptians. 270 00:16:57,980 --> 00:17:02,350 So the people feared the Lord and they believed in the Lord and 271 00:17:02,350 --> 00:17:05,470 in his servant Moses, spurring them to song. 272 00:17:06,510 --> 00:17:10,630 You see only God as the words of neither hymn in Revelation of 273 00:17:10,630 --> 00:17:15,229 the Redeemed tell us only God is to be feared for his holiness 274 00:17:15,550 --> 00:17:19,470 and his power, and his name alone is to be glorified. 275 00:17:20,350 --> 00:17:24,030 God's plan for the world, including his judgment and salvation, 276 00:17:24,450 --> 00:17:27,239 and are both in one awesome. 277 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:32,399 When people see God's work in saving and judging, they should fear 278 00:17:32,399 --> 00:17:36,199 him, but they should also give glory to his great and awesome name. 279 00:17:36,519 --> 00:17:41,839 We are to recognize God alone as holy, utterly unique and distinct 280 00:17:41,839 --> 00:17:43,479 from anything in creation. 281 00:17:43,799 --> 00:17:46,999 He is in a category all of his own. 282 00:17:47,479 --> 00:17:52,359 And so, as the song says, all nations will come to worship and 283 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:54,549 bow down before the one true God. 284 00:17:54,780 --> 00:17:55,100 God. 285 00:17:55,180 --> 00:17:59,140 And John may include unbelievers here, for all will acknowledge 286 00:17:59,140 --> 00:18:02,940 God as the Lord of the world, even if they hate him and reject 287 00:18:02,940 --> 00:18:03,340 Him. 288 00:18:03,580 --> 00:18:08,460 As Paul confirms for us In Philippians chapter 2, God's deity 289 00:18:08,460 --> 00:18:12,940 will be recognized in his righteous acts, and his righteousness 290 00:18:12,940 --> 00:18:17,820 is displayed in both judgment and salvation. 291 00:18:18,540 --> 00:18:24,810 For God always does what is right, what is true and what is good. 292 00:18:26,570 --> 00:18:34,650 God always does what is right, what is true, and what is good. 293 00:18:37,690 --> 00:18:42,130 So after the peace and rest of the praise of God's people, the scene 294 00:18:42,130 --> 00:18:43,210 now shifts. 295 00:18:43,690 --> 00:18:48,130 And John sees the sanctuary of the Tent of Witness in heaven that 296 00:18:48,130 --> 00:18:50,980 is open, and out of it comes the seven angels with the Spirit, 297 00:18:51,210 --> 00:18:52,170 seven plagues. 298 00:18:52,810 --> 00:18:54,890 And there's a wonderful description here of these angels 299 00:18:54,890 --> 00:18:55,770 in verse six. 300 00:18:56,490 --> 00:19:00,130 And out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, 301 00:19:00,130 --> 00:19:05,010 clothed in pure bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. 302 00:19:05,010 --> 00:19:08,570 These angels are glorious and they're powerful, coming from God's 303 00:19:08,570 --> 00:19:09,370 very presence. 304 00:19:09,370 --> 00:19:13,090 Because who is in the tent, as we will see in just a moment, it 305 00:19:13,090 --> 00:19:13,690 is God. 306 00:19:14,170 --> 00:19:15,170 And what do they wear? 307 00:19:15,170 --> 00:19:18,330 They wear pure, bright linen of golden sashes around their chest. 308 00:19:18,330 --> 00:19:21,570 And the description has some similarities with the glorious angel 309 00:19:21,570 --> 00:19:24,150 who appeared to Daniel in Daniel, Daniel, chapter 10, verse 310 00:19:24,150 --> 00:19:27,430 5, and to the vision of the Son of Man that we've already read 311 00:19:27,510 --> 00:19:29,270 in Revelation 1:13. 312 00:19:29,270 --> 00:19:33,150 And let me remind you of that image as Christ is standing amongst 313 00:19:33,150 --> 00:19:36,590 the churches and in the midst of the lampstands, one like the Son 314 00:19:36,590 --> 00:19:41,110 of Man, clothed in a long robe with a golden sash around his chest. 315 00:19:41,510 --> 00:19:45,870 And so what these images do, they confirm the glory and the goodness 316 00:19:45,870 --> 00:19:49,970 of these angels coming out of the Tent of Witness and their connection 317 00:19:51,330 --> 00:19:56,610 with the Son of Man, the Lamb who was slain, the risen Lord Jesus 318 00:19:56,610 --> 00:19:57,010 Christ. 319 00:19:57,490 --> 00:20:01,650 And the sanctuary of the Tent of Witness is a symbolic way of designating 320 00:20:01,650 --> 00:20:03,170 God's dwelling place. 321 00:20:04,210 --> 00:20:09,010 This sanctuary, this tent, it's littered in scripture. 322 00:20:09,570 --> 00:20:13,730 The tabernacle was there for the people even up until the time 323 00:20:13,730 --> 00:20:14,290 of David. 324 00:20:14,290 --> 00:20:18,580 It was Solomon that retired the tabernacle so that they could 325 00:20:18,580 --> 00:20:20,380 worship in a temple that he had built. 326 00:20:20,940 --> 00:20:22,540 And what does John tell us? 327 00:20:23,100 --> 00:20:25,820 He tells us that Jesus came to tabernacle. 328 00:20:25,820 --> 00:20:28,860 That's what the original Greek is, to quite literally pitch his 329 00:20:28,860 --> 00:20:31,500 tent to tabernacle amongst us. 330 00:20:32,540 --> 00:20:36,620 And so now we're seeing these echoes of Old and New Testament coming 331 00:20:36,940 --> 00:20:42,300 here in this vision given to John of a tent in heaven, a dwelling 332 00:20:42,300 --> 00:20:42,890 place of God. 333 00:20:43,120 --> 00:20:45,360 God that is open. 334 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:50,480 And this open sanctuary signifies that judgment is at hand 335 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:53,600 and God's kingdom is coming. 336 00:20:54,560 --> 00:20:58,520 And John now witnesses one of the four living creatures hand out 337 00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:01,920 the bowls of the wrath of God to the seven angels. 338 00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:06,240 So they now hold the plagues and the bowls of wrath in their hands. 339 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:10,200 And the seven plagues will be poured out on unbelievers in the 340 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:13,160 way that bowls are quite literally turned upside down and 341 00:21:13,160 --> 00:21:15,260 spill out the contents on their ground. 342 00:21:15,740 --> 00:21:18,140 Well, John tells us that God lives forever. 343 00:21:18,220 --> 00:21:22,820 In order to certify to us that his purposes and his designs will 344 00:21:22,820 --> 00:21:23,500 come to pass. 345 00:21:23,580 --> 00:21:26,820 That's why we sang before this sermon this evening. 346 00:21:26,820 --> 00:21:31,820 Ancient of days, none before him, none above him, all of time 347 00:21:31,820 --> 00:21:32,620 in his hand. 348 00:21:33,260 --> 00:21:35,180 We need to know this is our God. 349 00:21:35,180 --> 00:21:39,660 And that's why John tells us here that he lives forever and ever, 350 00:21:39,660 --> 00:21:45,030 to remind us that everything that he designs will come to pass. 351 00:21:46,230 --> 00:21:48,950 Haven't we seen that of the story of his people? 352 00:21:49,670 --> 00:21:55,670 Faithless though they may be, he remains faithful, true to his 353 00:21:55,670 --> 00:21:59,670 word as the God of covenant promise. 354 00:22:00,550 --> 00:22:02,590 He is the everlasting one. 355 00:22:02,590 --> 00:22:07,590 And so he will outlive the period in which Evil seems to triumph. 356 00:22:08,290 --> 00:22:13,490 And as this chapter concludes and as John watches on, before he 357 00:22:13,490 --> 00:22:16,610 hears the loud voice from the temple at the start of chapter 16, 358 00:22:16,930 --> 00:22:19,650 he sees the sanctuary filled with smoke. 359 00:22:19,730 --> 00:22:21,650 And here's what he records for us. 360 00:22:22,850 --> 00:22:26,010 And the sanctuary is filled with smoke from the glory of God 361 00:22:26,010 --> 00:22:27,010 and from his power. 362 00:22:27,170 --> 00:22:30,490 And no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues 363 00:22:30,490 --> 00:22:33,170 of the seven angels were finished. 364 00:22:34,060 --> 00:22:37,820 You see, before the judgments strike, the temple is filled with 365 00:22:37,820 --> 00:22:43,060 smoke from the glory and power of God, just as in Isaiah, the temple 366 00:22:43,060 --> 00:22:45,740 filled with smoke because of the holiness of God. 367 00:22:46,060 --> 00:22:50,060 In the Old Testament, when the Lord came down to dwell in that tabernacle 368 00:22:50,060 --> 00:22:54,500 and in the temple, Moses and the priests could not stand in his 369 00:22:54,500 --> 00:22:58,540 presence because of the splendor and greatness of his glory. 370 00:22:59,270 --> 00:23:03,270 The holiness and justice of God are shown to us here in this 371 00:23:03,270 --> 00:23:08,630 image given to John, because no one can enter God's presence until 372 00:23:08,630 --> 00:23:11,430 the seven plagues are completed. 373 00:23:13,430 --> 00:23:17,150 And as we said at the beginning in verse one, these bowls 374 00:23:17,150 --> 00:23:22,510 represent the final judgment, the last one, because they are called 375 00:23:22,510 --> 00:23:23,830 the last plagues. 376 00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:27,920 And with them, we are told, God's judgments are completed. 377 00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:33,480 After these bowls are poured out, people can enter God's presence 378 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:39,440 again, for his justice is satisfied with these plagues as punishment 379 00:23:39,760 --> 00:23:41,680 on those who have rejected Him. 380 00:23:42,960 --> 00:23:47,920 But those who have known the Lamb, the redeemed, will enter into 381 00:23:47,920 --> 00:23:49,840 his glorious presence. 382 00:23:52,170 --> 00:23:57,610 And so, as we finish this evening, how easy it is for us to 383 00:23:57,610 --> 00:24:04,650 forget about God, especially about his holiness and his glory. 384 00:24:05,690 --> 00:24:11,290 We naturally think about ourselves, our concerns and our needs. 385 00:24:11,930 --> 00:24:16,770 And we're prone to lose sight of the awesome holiness of God, failing 386 00:24:16,770 --> 00:24:20,910 to see his power and his glory as displayed here in Revelation 15. 387 00:24:22,020 --> 00:24:27,460 When God judges sin, we are reminded, though, of his sovereign 388 00:24:27,460 --> 00:24:34,100 power and his blazing holiness he saves out of mercy and for his 389 00:24:34,100 --> 00:24:36,820 glory, just as he did at the Exodus. 390 00:24:37,380 --> 00:24:40,580 There is a new Exodus, a greater liberation for those who 391 00:24:40,580 --> 00:24:44,580 belong to Jesus Christ, so that we sing the song of the Lamb 392 00:24:44,580 --> 00:24:46,440 and of Moses, the song of the redeemed. 393 00:24:46,990 --> 00:24:49,990 But there's also a greater judgment for those who turn away 394 00:24:49,990 --> 00:24:50,750 from the Lord. 395 00:24:51,230 --> 00:24:54,750 They experience not the plagues of Egypt that come and go, 396 00:24:54,990 --> 00:24:56,830 but the final judgment of God. 397 00:24:57,310 --> 00:25:01,430 So in both salvation and judgment, the glory, the power, and 398 00:25:01,430 --> 00:25:05,230 the greatness of God are revealed. 399 00:25:07,310 --> 00:25:12,430 So who will you be when these final judgments are poured out of 400 00:25:12,430 --> 00:25:15,280 these bowls of wrath on the earth? 401 00:25:16,320 --> 00:25:21,080 Will you be carrying that harp amongst the redeemed, ready to go 402 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:24,800 into the presence of God after His wrath is satisfied with these 403 00:25:24,800 --> 00:25:25,360 judgments? 404 00:25:26,400 --> 00:25:30,320 Or will you be bearing the judgment that will fall. 405 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:32,560 That will be terrible. 406 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:36,000 Worse than the gnats, the flies, the boils. 407 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:38,440 Which will you be? 408 00:25:38,440 --> 00:25:39,920 Because you can only be one. 409 00:25:41,120 --> 00:25:42,720 You can't sit on the fence. 410 00:25:43,760 --> 00:25:45,760 There's no way you can sit on the fence. 411 00:25:47,280 --> 00:25:49,280 So let me return to where I began. 412 00:25:50,800 --> 00:25:56,080 Whenever we read Scripture, where do we find rest and peace? 413 00:25:57,280 --> 00:25:59,760 And it is in the presence of God. 414 00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:02,960 This world is tiresome. 415 00:26:04,080 --> 00:26:07,040 We don't even get a day of rest hardly anymore. 416 00:26:08,460 --> 00:26:12,980 We have to work at this and that, and things come up yet. 417 00:26:12,980 --> 00:26:18,140 It's only when we rest in the Lord that we can know true salvation 418 00:26:18,140 --> 00:26:18,860 from Him. 419 00:26:19,660 --> 00:26:23,900 This is the only way to be amongst the redeemed, to be able 420 00:26:23,900 --> 00:26:25,500 to know that rest. 421 00:26:25,500 --> 00:26:29,580 Not just now, but eternal rest with Him. 422 00:26:30,540 --> 00:26:33,660 Otherwise, you will face the judgment. 423 00:26:34,370 --> 00:26:36,610 You will face the wrath of God. 424 00:26:38,290 --> 00:26:43,090 And when you do, there is nothing that can save you from it. 425 00:26:43,090 --> 00:26:48,450 Now is the time, as Revelation tells us, while there is yet time, 426 00:26:49,490 --> 00:26:50,130 respond. 427 00:26:50,130 --> 00:26:54,650 Because the Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast 428 00:26:54,650 --> 00:26:54,850 love. 429 00:26:54,850 --> 00:26:56,850 But his anger and wrath will come. 430 00:26:57,810 --> 00:26:58,850 Will you be ready? 431 00:26:59,820 --> 00:27:01,420 Will you be ready to find rest? 432 00:27:01,580 --> 00:27:04,420 Because let's look at what Jesus invites us to. 433 00:27:04,420 --> 00:27:08,500 And it'll be no surprise that we finish with these verses where 434 00:27:08,500 --> 00:27:11,820 Jesus issues that wonderful invitation to find rest in him. 435 00:27:11,820 --> 00:27:14,380 Because he's the only one who can save us. 436 00:27:14,380 --> 00:27:17,100 He's the only one who can guarantee us that rest. 437 00:27:17,180 --> 00:27:20,580 He's the only one who can assure us that in him we will not 438 00:27:20,580 --> 00:27:25,380 face those bowls of wrath because he has already faced it on 439 00:27:25,380 --> 00:27:27,760 our behalf on the cross. 440 00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:31,200 But he has proved his victory over death and the grave. 441 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:36,640 And so Jesus says to you and to me this night, come unto me all 442 00:27:36,640 --> 00:27:40,480 you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 443 00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:46,720 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and 444 00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:51,520 lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 445 00:27:52,330 --> 00:27:56,890 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 446 00:27:58,650 --> 00:28:04,170 The song of the redeemed is only sung because of the Savior. 447 00:28:05,210 --> 00:28:09,930 And it is this Savior tonight who invites you to know salvation 448 00:28:10,330 --> 00:28:16,850 and rest in him, so that you will not face the wrath of God poured 449 00:28:16,850 --> 00:28:21,840 out of bowls where there is no hope at that point. 450 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:25,680 And you will face eternity without Him. 451 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:31,600 I urge you tonight, be amongst the redeemed. 452 00:28:32,480 --> 00:28:36,440 Don't worry if you don't know how to play the harp, because it'll 453 00:28:36,440 --> 00:28:37,520 come automatically. 454 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:41,920 Don't worry if you can't sing a tune in your head, because the 455 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:44,640 song of the Redeemed will fill your heart and your praise. 456 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:49,010 Will be acceptable to God, for you will truly be worthy. 457 00:28:49,410 --> 00:28:52,210 All because of Jesus. 458 00:28:53,970 --> 00:28:55,090 What a savior. 459 00:28:55,730 --> 00:28:58,370 And what a savior to trust in this night. 460 00:28:59,410 --> 00:29:00,290 Let's pray. 461 00:29:01,490 --> 00:29:04,130 Our Father God, we thank you for this. 462 00:29:04,210 --> 00:29:06,610 Your Word that warns us. 463 00:29:07,410 --> 00:29:13,740 That warns us that at the end you will pour out your wrath on humanity. 464 00:29:14,220 --> 00:29:16,940 You will punish those who have rejected you. 465 00:29:17,740 --> 00:29:21,380 And Father, you will bring into your presence the redeemed who 466 00:29:21,380 --> 00:29:22,540 have trusted in Jesus. 467 00:29:22,540 --> 00:29:24,220 We can only be one or the other. 468 00:29:24,300 --> 00:29:27,420 We cannot sit in the middle, nor can we simply be neutral. 469 00:29:28,860 --> 00:29:33,060 So, Father, make us pay attention to what the revelation 470 00:29:33,060 --> 00:29:36,620 is telling us, what it's showing us, what has been shown to 471 00:29:36,620 --> 00:29:41,210 John, so that we may know why there is still yet time before Christ 472 00:29:41,210 --> 00:29:47,050 returns to respond, but also before he returns to know that rest 473 00:29:47,050 --> 00:29:51,570 in Christ now, that for all of our weary souls, be we amongst the 474 00:29:51,570 --> 00:29:53,370 lost or the redeemed this night. 475 00:29:54,410 --> 00:29:58,570 Father, you still give us rest now so that we can know it fully 476 00:29:58,730 --> 00:29:59,690 in eternity. 477 00:30:00,410 --> 00:30:04,730 So implant this word in our hearts that we may know its truth 478 00:30:05,700 --> 00:30:09,620 and that we will get ready to sing that song of Moses and the lamb, 479 00:30:09,620 --> 00:30:15,260 the song of the redeemed, as we praise you for all eternity and 480 00:30:15,260 --> 00:30:17,060 we ask these things in Jesus name. 481 00:30:17,860 --> 00:30:18,500 Amen.