Tag: god

Follow Me to Thanksgiving

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Here we go again with me trying to get caught up. Now that the holidays and all their busy-ness have passed, I’m going to try to do just that. Pastor Jed finished his series called “Follow Me” before Thanksgiving. The last two messages are below. He followed that with a message about Thanksgiving. And I’ll be posting his wonderful Advent series as soon as I can. Thank you for your longsuffering with my delays in posting.

Follow Me, pt. 4

Review:

  • Three aspects of Following the Lord are:
    • (1) Know Him
    • (2) Learn from Him
    • (3) Behave and become like Him.  
  • John 17:3 –Eternal Life is knowing the Father and Jesus. He wants to be known and wants to know us!  and allowing Him to know us.   
  • John 1:18 – Jesus came to make the Father known  
  • Philippians 3:7-10 –Paul’s core motivation was to know Jesus   
  • John 14:15-17 – we know the Holy Spirit because He lives with us and in us 
  • TODAY: As we get to know Him, we LEARN FROM HIM. 
  • Matthew 11:28-30   “Take my ‘yoke’ upon you and learn from Me.” The Holy Spirit is the “Yoke.”  He is the main subject in the accounts in John 3 and John 4.  
  • Consider these two examples: Nicodemus in John 3 and the Samaritan woman in John 4.  
  • John 3:1-10; 14-18 – “You are Israel’s teacher.” V. 10. In 21 verses, the entire plan of God for man’s redemption is revealed.  
  • John 4:4-26, 28, 39-42 – The Samaritan Woman at the Well   
    • Differences between the two: 
      • Nicodemus
      • Woman at the Well  
    • Who had the more profound encounter with Jesus? 

Follow Me, pt. 5

Review of this series to date:

  • Three aspects of Following the Lord:
    • (1) Knowing Him
    • (2) Learning from Him
    • (3) Becoming and acting like Him.  
  • John 17:3 –Eternal Life is knowing the Father and Jesus Christ.  
  • Teaching – John 3 (Nicodemus – “You are Israel’s teacher“) and John 4 (Samaritan Woman at the well had a more direct, personal and transformative interaction with Jesus). 
  • Matthew 11:28-30 – the Yoke is the Holy Spirit 
  • He teaches us through His Holy Spirit  
    • Differences between John 3 and 4.
      • One similarity is the Spirit – John 3 (“Born again of water and the Spirit”) and John 4 Woman at the Well – (“God is Spirit” and we must “worship Him in Spirit and in truth”).   
    • The Holy Spirit (HS) is a Person, one of the Trinity, and He and His role is throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. HS is at work in the Old Testament, the Gospels (the ministry of Jesus), the Book of Acts, and the Epistles (Paul and John). He is also the active agent in the life of a Christian believer.  
      • John 14:15-18 – we know the HS because He lives with us and in us. 
      • John 14:25-26 – The Father sent the HS in Jesus’ Name and He will teach us. 
      • John 15:26-27 – The HS is the Spirit of truth, and He will testify of Jesus.  
      • John 16:13-15 – The HS receives from Jesus and makes it known to us. 
      • 1 John 2:27 – the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit

Thanksgiving As Worship

  • To “Give Thanks” means to express gratitude or appreciation towards someone or for something. This expression can be done verbally, through actions, or even symbolically like through prayer or writing (like thank you cards or texts). Giving thanks often implies a sense of humility and acknowledgement of the efforts or help received from others.  
  • Ephesians 5:18-20 and Colossians 3:15-17  
  • When we give thanks to God, it is more than a polite exercise. Giving thanks to God acknowledges Him as our Source for everything and that HE is the Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).  
  • In essence, giving thanks is an ________________________________. 
  • The Bible often talks about “I will thank you.” “I give thanks.” “I come with thanksgiving.” “I offer thanksgiving.”  Giving thanks is an act __________________ to worship Him.  It is something that we must ______!  (See Psalm 17:7, 28:7, 30:12, 35:18, 95:2, 100:4, 118:28, 132:1-3) 
  • 1 Cor. 10:31 – “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Of course, this does not include the things of sin, the flesh, the world, or temptations of the devil.  
  • 1 Thess. 5:16-18 – “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

Palm Sunday

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Alan spoke last Sunday on Palm Sunday and two important questions we must ask ourselves. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included some notes and links to Scripture he references.

Palm Sunday / Triumphal Entry Sunday / The Beginning of Holy Week

  • There are two important questions we should ask ourselves:
    • Who is Jesus?
    • What kind of Jesus do we really want in life?
      • the crowd in Jerusalem began the week shouting, “Hosanna!” and ended it shouting, “Crucify Him!” – Jesus wasn’t the Messiah they were expecting.
  • Matthew 21:1-17
    • The people were expecting a Messiah who would save them from Roman oppression – a conquering king on a white horse, rather than a prophet from Nazareth on a donkey (the suffering servant)
      • He brought a kingdom, not of military might, but a kingdom of:
        • peace
        • forgiveness
        • love
        • justice
        • righteousness
    • They shouted “Hosanna!”
      • a mix of two words
        • yasha (defend, deliver, help, preserve, rescue)
        • na (I beseech, I pray)
      • “Deliver us” – from Roman oppression
      • Jesus came for a bigger issue – sin
        • deliverance from the penalty of sin
        • by the cross & the resurrection
      • Jesus gives us so much more!
        • do you ever feel oppressed, tangled up?
        • YHWH – breath
          • the idea in the OT was that salvation was the loosening of things that bind you so that you can breathe more easily.
      • They wanted a kingdom of earthly power.
        • Jesus brought a kingdom of heavenly power
        • the Beatitudes teach us how to live a kingdom life
      • Jesus showed the ultimate humility
  • The God we, as Christians, worship:
    • He is a God of love.
    • He is also a God of wrath.
    • He is a triune God:
      • Father
      • Son (subject to the Father)
      • Holy Spirit (subject to the Son)
    • Jesus is a keeper of His Father’s temple (Matthew 21:13)
      • He and the Father are one.
      • John 17 – to know what Jesus wants for you in this life
  • Hebrews 1:1-9
    • Jesus is a deliverer, a king of a heavenly kingdom
      • Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
        • Why do you sometimes feel oppressed/depressed?
          • You’re looking at the world more than at Jesus.
    • v. 1 – God (the triune God)
      • 1 in essence; 3 in personality
      • We tend to make God in our image, rather than realizing He made us in His image.
      • God spoke the Word – Jesus is God the Father speaking to us.
        • the final Word
        • Jesus represented God the Father exactly as God the Father was
        • Romans 3:23
          • in our thoughts and actions, we all miss the mark
          • Jesus never missed the mark!
    • v. 2 – Appointed heir & creator of all things
      • In Greek, this is in the aorist tense, meaning once and for all time.
        • heir of ALL things
        • we are heirs & co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17)
          • must be a son or daughter to be an heir
          • those who believe in Him have the right to become children of God (John 1:12)
          • we are born children of Adam, but through Christ we are adopted by God
      • Jesus is the blueprint of all that has ever happened
        • “worlds” in vs. 2 is better translated as “ages”
    • v. 3 – Sustainer
      • everything is sustained by the Word
      • John 1:14 – we beheld His glory
        • we only reflect His glory
        • Jesus IS the glory of God
      • Upholds
        • Jesus is the one who keeps everything going
        • Colossians 1:17
        • If He holds the universe together, can you trust Him to hold your life together?
      • Redeemer
        • He purged our sins
    • v. 4 – Ascended
      • at the right hand of the Father in majesty
      • intercedes on our behalf
      • He is our High Priest (Hebrews 8:1-2)
  • He is Alive!
    • Who is He? He is…
      • Creator
      • Revealer
      • Sustainer
      • Redeemer
      • Intercessor
      • King
      • the Prince of Peace
      • the Humble Servant
      • Everything

True Christianity, pt. 16-20

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Terry wrapped up his six-month series with a few messages on Matthew chapter 7. Each of the messages is included below, although one is missing notes (Sorry!). To listen to a message, simply click play on the audio player of the message you’d like to hear. All links will take you to the Scriptures referenced at BibleGateway.

True Christianity, pt. 16

Matthew 7:1-6

Intro: Matthew 6:33 tells us how to live in God’s peace and rest. When He is our priority, everything else falls into place. It’s not an idle life; we must be disciplined and diligent. All we need to know can be found in the Word and we need to walk that out in our lives. Psalm 139 reminds us that we are continually on the mind of God; He wants you to have Him on your mind continually. To love God is to know His Word.

  • Matthew 7:1 – Don’t Judge
    • to judge is defined as criticizing or condemning others
  • Matthew 7:2 – Standard of Measure
    • checks & balances
    • the way you judge others is the standard by which you will be judged
    • James 2:13
      • if you’re not merciful to those around you, God won’t be merciful to you
      • God is willing to forgive, but He’s watching everything you do
  • Matthew 7:5 – Hypocrite Pharisee
    • thought he was better than everyone
    • couldn’t see his own faults
  • Matthew 7:3-4
    • oftentimes, we’re the last to know about the things that are wrong in our lives
    • Christians need to help each other
    • look closely at the Scripture:
      • Does it say, “Don’t judge”?
      • It says, “Don’t judge lest you be judged.”
      • If you are doing the same thing, you will be judged in the same way
  • Judge Righteous Judgment
    • John 7:24
    • 1 Corinthians 5 – sin within the Church
      • v. 3 – Paul judged the situation
      • v. 9-11 – don’t associate with those who are immoral
        • the Word tells us to judge those within the Church that they might repent and be restored (v. 5)
      • v. 12-13 – God will judge those outside the Church
    • 1 Corinthians 6 – Right Judging
      • v. 1 – don’t take your business to the worldly courts
      • v. 2 – the believers shall judge the world
      • v. 3 – you shall judge angels
      • v. 4 – you have to make righteous judgments now
        • even the least among you in the Church should be able to judge righteously by the power of the Spirit
      • v. 5 – Paul rebukes the Church for not being able to judge wisely among themselves
    • Judge the world with righteous judgment
  • Matthew 7:6 – Don’t Cast Your Pearls Before Swine
    • Be careful and discerning when handling the Word in dealing with unbelievers steeped in sin.
      • don’t use the Word flippantly
      • the Word stands forever
      • the Word is the most powerful and priceless thing we have
        • let the Spirit work through you so you can know how to share/use the Word wisely
        • Jesus spoke in parables (starting in Matthew 13)
          • so those who were receptive would receive it
          • so those who were opposed would have it hidden from them
          • Matthew 15:14

True Christianity, pt. 17

Matthew 7:7-12

Review: Judges have the power to set free or condemn. We are able to judge those in the Church; God judges those who are unbelievers. The point of judging is to bring people to repentance.

  • Matthew 7:7 – Ask, Seek, Knock
    • this is a command
    • followed by a promise – it shall be given, you shall find…
      • our portion triggers God’s response
      • present perfect tense – continually, ongoing
      • prayer, prayer, prayer
        • it’s a privilege to come directly to God Almighty
        • “Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Take it to the Lord in prayer.”
        • cast all your cares (1 Peter 5:7)
    • God is under no obligation to hear the prayer of an unbeliever
    • The example of prayer is Jesus Christ
      • constant communication with the Father
      • only spoke the Father’s words (John 12:49)
  • Matthew 7:8 – Response
    • ask, seek, and knock are action words
      • He’s waiting on us
    • Everyone!
      • that’s the love God has for us
      • All things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26)
      • don’t limit your prayers
        • ask for big things – He can do anything
        • don’t walk by sight
        • pray by faith
          • pray the Word
            • “God, you said…”
  • Matthew 7:9-10 – Man
    • Fallen man cares about his children
  • Matthew 7:11 – Man vs God
    • if an unrepentant, sinful, evil man cares about his children
    • Your Father
      • we have a relationship with the Lord to benefit from these promises
      • intimate relationship
        • praying continually
        • meditating on Him, His Word
      • we are all created by God, but not everyone is a child of God
        • when you are saved, you are adopted into His family
        • closer relationship with Almighty God allows the cares of the world to fade
        • when we come together, we grow/encourage
  • Matthew 7:12 – The Golden Rule
    • Do unto others (my part)
    • What you would have them do unto you
      • treat others the way you want to be treated
    • This is a summary of the law and the prophets
    • the Golden Rule is a barrier-breaker between us and the unredeemed
      • when we love our enemies, treat them with respect, it changes us & them
  • Hebrews 4:14-16 – Come to the Lord’s Throne
    • we have a Great High Priest
      • He is our advocate
    • because of v. 14-15
      • let us come boldly to the throne of Grace
      • direct access to God through the blood of the Lamb
        • Jesus tore the veil separating us from God
        • you will obtain mercy and grace
        • Matthew 7:7 – Ask, Seek, Knock

True Christianity, pt. 18

Matthew 7:13-14

I apologize for not having notes available for this.

True Christianity, pt. 19

Matthew 7:15-20

  • Intro: If there is true Christianity, then there is also a false Christianity. We need to be aware of false Christianity in order to not fall into it.
  • Matthew 7:15 – False Teachers
    • In the OT, false prophets spoke words that were not from the Lord (though they claimed they were).
    • In the NT, Paul speaks of teachers rather than prophets.
    • They look like they are harmless.
      • Sheep’s clothing – to get in amongst the sheep and scatter them
    • They are ravenous wolves.
      • Trying to destroy the people of God
      • Like tares among the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30)
      • They twist the Word, etc., to fit their worldview
      • Paul said the wolves are going to come (Acts 20:29-30)
  • Matthew 7:16 – Fruit
    • You can tell whether a person is true or not by what their lives produce.
  • Matthew 7:17-18 – Trees
  • Matthew 7:19 – Bad Trees Cut Down
    • Teachers who deceive will be destroyed by the Lord.
      • Maybe not in this life, but certainly in eternity.
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:21 – prove and test
    • 1 John 4:1 – test the spirits
    • Acts 16:16-19 – what the spirit was saying was true, but the spirit was not of God – only discernment can tell the difference
    • Right judgment
      • Discernment is judging, but it is righteous judgment
        • judge the fruit of people’s lives
          • not by worldly “success” standards
          • by spiritual standards
        • listen VERY carefully to what they are saying
      • Jude – how false teachers are deceiving the Church
      • Matthew 24:24 – even the elect can be deceived, especially in the last days.
  • Matthew 7:20 – You Will Know
    • It doesn’t say, “You will know them by their words.”
    • Their fruit = their lifestyle
      • Jesus’ life matched His message
    • Mark the false teachers and depart from them.
  • Galatians 5:16-25
    • If we abide in the Vine (John 15), we will produce good fruit.
      • the Holy Spirit will cause us to live a holy life and produce the fruit of the Spirit
    • If we are attached to a rotten vine, we will produce bad/fleshly fruit.
    • v. 16 – The power of the indwelling Spirit breaks the power of sin
    • v. 17 – tug-of-war of the spirit
      • the Christian life isn’t easy
    • v. 19-21 – the works of the flesh
      • who we are apart from the Lord
      • God takes these away by the power of the Spirit, as we ask Him to (He won’t take what we don’t give)
    • v. 22-23 – godly fruit – who our God is
      • what the Spirit brings
      • Joy
      • Peace
        • John 14:27
        • completely at rest, no striving
        • doesn’t come and go
        • is always there if we keep our eyes fixed on Him
      • Patience/Long-suffering
        • put up with a bad situation or difficult person
        • rubs the hard edges off of me
      • Gentleness & Kindness
      • Faithfulness
      • Goodness
      • Self-control
    • You can tell who has the Spirit by these fruits
      • all the fruit will increase as we grow closer to the Lord
      • the worries of the world fall away & our focus turns heavenward
  • Fruit is important to God!

True Christianity, pt. 20

Matthew 7:21-29

  • Intro: The truth of God can pierce the heart, deeply, through all the deception of the world. The truth is found in the Word of God.
  • Matthew 7:21-23 – “I never knew you.”
    • Many people think they are on their way to heaven, but they aren’t.
      • only those who do the will of the Father
        • hear what God says AND
        • do what God says
      • we are not saved by our works
        • we are saved by faith in Jesus
        • our works demonstrate what we believe
        • our lives need to match what we profess
      • Matthew 7:13, 18, 21-22, 24-25
        • Two ways:
          • 2 gates
          • 2 trees
          • 2 types of people
          • 2 foundations
      • hypocrisy – from the Greek for actor/putting on a mask
    • v. 21 – not everyone who cries out Lord
      • Lord = Master
    • v. 22 – many will call Him “Master,” but haven’t let Him be the Master of their lives
      • you must yield – turn your life over to Him
      • Matthew 16
        • deny yourself
        • take up your cross
        • follow Jesus
        • fall in love with God & He will transform you into the image of Christ
      • 2 Corinthians 13:5
        • take inventory of your life
        • religion is just adding God to your life
        • holding onto you rlife will not take you down the narrow way
      • God never knew them
        • they knew who God was, but God never knew them
        • they prophesied – knew the Scriptures
        • they cast out demons “in Your name” & performed miracles
          • were terribly deceived
          • were trusting in their works, not in Jesus
  • Matthew 7:23 – Depart from Me
    • Do you know the President of the US?
      • You may know who he is, may have heard him speak, but does he have any idea who you are?
  • Matthew 7:24-27 – The Two Foundations
    • Everyone who HEARS the Word & does it
      • nothing can destroy them
      • Jesus is the solid rock of our salvation
      • walk out salvation moment by moment
    • Your responsibility
      • What will you do with what the Lord has given you?
    • 1 Peter 1:6-7 – out faith will be refined by fire
    • Everyone who HEARS the word & doesn’t do it
      • will crumble when problems arise
      • have nothing solid to stand on
    • Exact same trials/difficulties in v. 25 & 27, but faith makes the difference in the outcome.
  • Matthew 7:28-29
    • The people were amazed.
      • overwhelmed

God Is Coming, pt. 9

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Last Sunday, Terry continued his flyover of the Book of Revelation by taking us through chapter 8 and into chapter 9. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included some notes and links to verses referenced.

If you’ve missed any of the messages and would like to catch up or hear them from the beginning, check out the archives to the right of this post. Terry began this series in October 2023.

God Is Coming, pt. 9

Introduction: God’s wrath during the Tribulation is because there will be people who will refuse to receive Jesus, and God will have done all He possibly can to soften their hearts. He will always (up until the final moment) give the opportunity to be saved. Many will come to salvation during the Tribulation. God’s people are not appointed to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Matthew 24 & 25 are a snapshot of the Book of Revelation in Jesus’ own words.

Revelation 8

  • v. 1 – the Lamb opens the 7th seal
    • silence in heaven for 1/2 hour
      • the rejoicing and praising ceases
      • in recognition of the devastation to come
    • the 7th seal contains the 7 trumpet judgments
  • v. 2 – 7 angels before God
    • God’s messengers
      • do His work on earth
      • serve Him in many ways
    • given 7 trumpets
  • v. 3 – another angel comes
    • stands before the altar of God
    • holds a golden censer (incense burner)
      • given incense to add to the prayers of the saints on the altar
      • as the priests would do in the Tabernacle in the wilderness & the Temple in Jerusalem
        • what they did was a shadow of what was being done in heaven
        • Ezekiel 40-46 – the future Temple
  • v. 4 – the smoke of the incense is mixed with the prayers
    • the mixture rises up to God
  • v. 5 – the angel fills the censer with fire from the altar
    • throws the fire at the earth, which unleashes:
      • thunder
      • lightning
      • earthquake
  • v. 6 – 7 angels prepare to blow the trumpets
  • v. 7 – 1st trumpet
    • 1st three trumpets affect the earth
    • hail & fire mixed with blood falls on the earth
      • 1/3 of the earth is burned
      • 1/3 of the trees are burned
      • All of the green grass is burned
  • v. 8 – 2nd trumpet
    • Like the plague in Egypt (Exodus 7:14-24)
    • what looks like a mountain on fire is thrown into the sea
    • 1/3 of the sea turns to blood
  • v. 9 – Results of the 2nd trumpet
    • 1/3 of the sea creatures die
    • 1/3 of the ships are destroyed
  • v. 10 – 3rd trumpet
    • a “great star” falls on:
      • 1/3 of the rivers
      • the springs of water
  • v. 11 – the “star”
    • called Wormwood
      • maybe a meteor or asteroid, we don’t know
    • 1/3 of all water becomes bitter (wormwood is a bitter substance)
    • many people die as a result
  • v. 12 – 4th trumpet
    • affects the heavenlies
      • 1/3 of the sun is darkened
      • 1/3 of the moon is darkened
      • 1/3 of the stars are darkened
        • Imagine the day and night darkened by 33%
        • Talk about climate change!
        • Will affect EVERYTHING on earth
  • v. 13 – An angel (or an eagle, depending on your translation) flies by
    • cries out “Woe, woe, woe!”
    • the next trumpets will affect people directly

Revelation 9

  • v. 1 – 5th trumpet
    • a “star” falls from heaven
  • v. 2 – Fallen angel opens the abyss
    • smoke comes out of the abyss
    • smoke is so thick, it covers/darkens the sun

Praise God, He is still in control!

God Is Coming, pt. 8

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

The last Sunday in November in his overview of the Book of Revelation, Terry took us through the end of chapter 6 and all through chapter 7. If you have missed any of these messages and want to hear them from the beginning, check out the archives on the right of this post. The first message was in October 2023. All of the teachings include notes and links to BibleGateway for any Scriptures referenced in his message. Simply click on the audio player below to hear this message. Enjoy!

God Is Coming, pt. 8

Introduction: The entire Bible is the story of Jesus and of God making a way for fallen, sinful man to come back to Him. Isaiah 45:22 – salvation begins by looking (turning) to God. God’s wrath will be poured out on those who reject Jesus.

Review: Revelation 6 begins the time of God’s judgment on rebellion.

  • Revelation 6:1-11
    • The first five seals
      • 1st seal – White Horse = Antichrist
        • Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19 (who the devil is)
        • The devil is a counterfeiter of the things of God. Just as the Father sent His Son, the devil will send his son – the Antichrist, the False Messiah
      • 2nd seal – Red Horse = Worldwide War
      • 3rd seal – Black Horse = famine
        • famine/scarcity always comes on the heels of warfare
      • 4th seal – Pale Horse = Death & Hades
        • 1/4 of the world’s population will die during the first 4 seals (That’s around 2 billion people!)
      • 5th seal – the martyrs
  • Revelation 6:12-17
    • The 6th seal – judgment against creation
      • v. 12
        • super powerful earthquake
        • sun darkened
        • moon turned to blood-red
      • v. 13
        • stars fall to the earth
      • v. 14
        • sky/atmosphere rolled back like a scroll
        • mountains & islands moved
        • CATACLYSMIC event
      • v. 15 – reaction of all the remaining people on earth
        • the great men
        • commanders
        • rich
        • strong
        • slaves
        • free men
        • all categories of people
          • all hide themselves in caves and among rocks
      • v. 16 – tremendous fear
        • They are not crying out for salvation/help.
        • They are desiring death.
        • Want to hide from the face of the Lord & the wrath of the Lamb
          • They aren’t bewildered – they know exactly why these cataclysmic events are happening
          • They don’t want to repent of their sin – prefer the fires of hell to the wrath of the Lamb
      • v. 17 – the great day of God’s wrath is come
        • Who can stand?
  • Revelation 7
    • Answers the question in Revelation 6:17
      • v. 1 – John saw 4 angels
        • tasked with holding back the winds
        • the winds are a judgment to come on the land, sea, and trees
      • v. 2 – John saw another angel
        • angels carry out the will of God
        • this angel has the seal of the living God
      • v.3 – What the angel says
        • tells the 1st 4 angels to hold their judgment
          • don’t harm the earth, sea, or trees
        • until God’s people have been sealed
          • they will be supernaturally protected in the midst of His judgment
            • just like Noah’s family during the flood
            • just like the Hebrew people during the Egyptian plagues
            • just like Rahab & her family in the destruction of Jericho
        • This answers the question of Rev. 6:17
          • Who is able to stand?
          • Those sealed by God.
      • v. 4 – the remnant of Israel
        • 144,000 sealed
      • v. 5-8 – 12,000 from each tribe
      • v. 9 – John saw a great multitude
        • A number impossible to count of people who come to believe during the Tribulation & are then martyred, from all:
          • nations
          • tribe
          • peoples
          • tonuges
        • Standing before the throne – resurrected
          • clothed in white (righteousness)
          • waving palm branches (victory)
      • v. 10 – Praising God & the Lamb
      • v. 11 – Another worship service begins
        • This is what God desires: to know, love, and worship Him
        • Those who fall down in awe & begin to praise
          • the innumerable angels around the throne
          • the 24 elders
          • the 4 living creatures
      • v. 12 – Praise
        • Amen
        • blessing
        • glory
        • wisdom
        • thanksgiving
        • honor
        • power
        • might
        • all to God
        • for eternity
      • v. 13 – one of the elders speaks to John
        • Who are these in white?
      • v. 14 – John gives the best answer & the elder speaks again
        • John turns the question back to the elder:
          • “My lord, you know.”
        • The elder explains:
          • These are the martyrs
      • v. 15-17 – the continued explanation
        • their martyrdom is why they get to be before the throne
        • they serve Him
        • they will have no more:
          • hunger
          • thirst
          • heat from the sun beating on them
        • the Lamb is their shepherd
          • will guide them to living water
        • God will wipe every tear from their eyes
          • not that they won’t cry, but that they will be comforted
      • Amen!