>>Announcer: It has
stood the test of time.
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God's book, The Bible
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Still relevant in
today's complex world
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It Is Written
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Sharing messages of
hope around the world!
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>>Chris: I would like to begin
today by asking a question. Have
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you ever fried something before?
Now, I am not talking about
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shallow pan frying or a little
saute oil in a pan. I am talking
about deep frying. In my younger
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years, I worked a many
restuarants and even worked at
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McDonald's and have done my fair
share of deep-frying . Once,
while working at another
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restaurant that I was managing
I was walking to the front, from
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the back room and unbeknownst to
me a worker was cleaning the
fryer. He had placed the
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hot oil in a #400 pan - you see
you have to clean the oil while
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it is hot - and that #400 pan
was sitting on top of a 5 gallon
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bucket. As I came around the
corner, I did not see this
fixture and knocked the pan off
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of the bucket and onto my feet.
I began to feel the heat of the
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oil penetrating my shoe. The
worker began throwing scoops of
ice onto my feet, while I
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hurriedly tried to get them off
of my feet Thankfully, I did not
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burn myself and only began to
feel the power of the heat. 335
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degrees - 123 degrees hotter
than boiling water. However, did
you know that oil will
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boil? It's true. Olive - 375
F (191 C) Sesame - 420 F (216 C)
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Peanut - 440 F (227 C) Corn -
475 F (246 C) Soybean - 495 F
(257 C) Safflower - 510 F (266
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C) In fact when heating an oil
to these temperatures they reach
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their flash point before
boiling, this is when the oil
begins to vaporize into the air
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and becomes combustible and can
be made to ignite momentarily in
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air. Even more interesting is
the fact that as oil reaches its
boiling point, in many
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cases it will reach its "fire
point." This is the point where
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the oil will ignite and the fire
and flame are sustained. And
although this is all a
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little hard to grasp . what
it means to have temperatures of
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this magnitude.
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The apostle John found himself
facing conditions which at their
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outset looked to be very grave.
In the first century A.D. the
practice of Emperor
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worship was very common
for Roman emperors to demand. A
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study of history reveals that
this was the case with the
emperor of Rome at the time of
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the writing of the book of
Revelation. His name was
Domitian and he demanded
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worship. Many Christians died in
their defiance of the emperor's
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command to worship him - and
those deaths were often executed
in very gruesome and
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heinous ways. There is not an
eyewitness account of the event
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I am about to describe, just
simply a written record in
Tertullian's book of
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history.
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Let's go back in time to the
first century AD. All the other
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apostles of Jesus had died
except for the apostle John. I
imagine in my own mind
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that the apostle John was
leading people to Christ,
assisting the church to
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grow by leaps and bounds, when a
knock came on the door and then
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the door was thrown open by the
Roman soldiers. I can picture as
they dragged John from his
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Ephesus home to prison where
he was condemned as a heretic
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unless he submitted to
sprinkling some salt on the
altar in honor of emperor
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Domitian. Of course he refused
to blaspheme his Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. As
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he waited in that lonely cell, I
can only imagine the things that
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ran through his mind. He was
alone, all of the original
apostles had been martyred
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or died. Any feelings of
loneliness I'm sure were
short-lived as his faith
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was strong. Then the guard came.
The emperor may have been there
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in the crowds, I don't know, but
I imagine he came to see his
kingdom finally rid itself
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of the remnant of Christ's
original 12. The crowds are
cheering as John is
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led to his fate - a huge black
caldron. The wood was all around
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it, the fire had been stoked as
hot as it could. Inside the
caldron was oil and it
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was boiling. We don't know for
sure, but I imagine that there
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was fire spitting across the
surface of the oil as its
temperatures exceeded 400
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degrees farenheit. He was led up
onto some platform and given a
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last opportunity to change his
mind - but it would not be. Then
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in one fail swoop he was cast
into the pot of boiling oil and
as the crowds cheered something
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happened. The cheering began
to quiet to a still silence as
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everyone gasped in amazement.
John just stood in the oil with
it not affecting him. I don't
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know, but I can imagine that
it was just like the scene with
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Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego
in the book of Daniel. One like
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the Son of Man standing in his
midst. Unscathed, not burnt -
nothing. I can only
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imagine that the fury of the
emperor waxed hot. Who knows how
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they got John out - he probably
had to get himself out - he
would have been to hot to touch.
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As he exited that caldron, there
is no doubt that all people knew
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that they weren't dealing with
just any man here. And so,
knowing that they probably
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wouldn't be able to kill him,
he was banished, banished to the
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rock mining island of Patmos. He
would be condemned to die there
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as a physical laborer, mining
rock. Condemned as a criminal to
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die. It is on that lonely island
of Patmos that we will journey
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for the coming weeks. Because it
was while on that island, the
apostle John was given
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a vision and as the
Bible says in Revelation 1:1-2,
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Did you hear those words? The
revelation of Jesus Christ. The
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word Revelation is the Greek
word, apokalupsis, which means
the unveiling. When
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you veil something it means that
you are concealing something or
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disguising it. To unveil means
to disclose or reveal, to draw
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back the curtain. To all my
friends in the Christian world,
who claim that Revelation
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is a sealed book which cannot
be understood, even the title
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disagrees with that claim. This
book is to be understood, it is
an unveiling. But it is not
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just any unveiling. It is
the revelation of Jesus Christ,
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given by God the Father, passed
on to Jesus, then given to an
angel and then given to
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John.
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It serves then to ask, what is
it that has been revealed? Right
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here in verse one - what must
shortly take place. Many of us
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already know this, but the book
of Revelation is a revealing, it
reveals what soon must take
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place. And so often we get
so lost in all the talk of the
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churches, beasts, trumpets, the
seals, the thunders, and the
plagues that we lose the whole
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point of the book of Revelation
and that is the revealing of
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what must take place soon in the
second coming of Christ
Throughout the whole book
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of Revelation the immenence
of Christ's return is the theme.
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The dominant theme of the book
is that Jesus Christ wins and
Satan loses. We must
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never lose our focus when
studying or reading about such
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matters. This book clarifies the
imminence of Christ's return and
calls for people to prepare to
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meet Him - we must never lose
sight of this. And if there be
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any question, John wants to
further clarify the matter by
stating in verse two,
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Let us remember as we study this
book that it is the word of God
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and the testimony of Jesus. That
is to say, these are God's words
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we are reading and these words
which we read and study are the
testimony of Jesus as well
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as about Jesus.
00:11:30.62\00:11:34.22
And then as we turn to continue
to verse three, we get to heart
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of the message today and
preparation for our series the
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next six weeks, There you heard
it, Blessed. The word blessed is
a word that literally
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means joyful or happy. It is
the same word used over and over
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again by Jesus in the sermon on
the mount.the beatitudes In fact
Revelation 1:3 is the
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first of seven blessings
pronounced in the book of
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Revelation. These blessings,
which I will call the
beatittudes of Revelation. The
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first of seven beatitudes. In
the book of Matthew in the
sermon on the mount, Jesus
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pronounced eight blessings or
beatitudes and now here in the
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book of Revelation he pronounces
seven - fitting isn't it? Fits
with the theme of seven
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throughout Revelation, seven
candlesticks, seven spirits,
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seven stars, seven churches,
seven seals, seven trumpets,
seven thunders, seven
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plagues. Seven blessings, or
beatitudes. That number seven
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signifying perfection or
completeness. It leads me to
conclude that if we are
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to heed the counsel of these
seven beatitudes of Revelation,
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then we might find ourselves
perfectly blessed. Again,
Revelation 1:3, the first of the
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seven beatitudes of Revelation
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Three blessings are addressed in
this passage, let's look at each
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of them: First blessed is he who
reads. We need to understand the
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historical context here. John
wrote the book of revelation as
a letter. This letter
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would have been sent to the
churches. All those churches
00:14:09.28\00:14:13.62
listed in chapters two and
three.: Ephesus, Smyrna,
Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis,
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Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
When the letter arrived someone
00:14:19.52\00:14:24.86
appointed by the church would
then read that letter publicly
Undoubtedly this person
00:14:24.96\00:14:31.17
would be blessed personally by
their public reading of the book
00:14:31.27\00:14:34.97
of Revelation. However, beyond
that, Jesus would also
anticipate a time for
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believers to read this book.
Just in reading it, there would
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be a joy, happiness, a blessing
that would be received. But more
than reading, there
00:14:45.38\00:14:52.19
is a second blessing.Blessed are
those who hear This word, hear,
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in the Greek, is the the
word akuow - literally it means
00:15:00.10\00:15:09.10
intent listening. This is not a
mere casual backround type of
noise, but rather an intent
00:15:09.20\00:15:14.81
opening of the mind. It means to
listen with comprehension. The
00:15:14.91\00:15:20.72
message given John, by Jesus is
that there will be joy and
happiness for those that
00:15:20.82\00:15:26.65
read and listen with
comprehension, the book of
Revelation. But there is
00:15:26.76\00:15:34.63
one more blessing to keep
in mind. And that is the third
00:15:34.73\00:15:39.20
blessing of this first beatitude
of Revelation. Blessed are those
00:15:39.30\00:15:46.34
who keep those things which are
written in it. What does it mean
00:15:46.44\00:15:52.48
"to keep" The Greek-English
Lexicon of the New Testament and
other Early Christian
00:15:52.58\00:15:56.42
Literature helps us understand
the depth of this word. It is
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defined as guarding, to retain
custody of, the preserve, to
observe, to obey and to
00:16:01.26\00:16:08.76
pay close attention to.
00:16:08.86\00:16:13.44
Not only is there a reading,
not only a listening with
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comprehension and understanding,
but then a doing. Observing,
00:16:18.94\00:16:26.48
obeying, guarding and
preserving. Friends it is not
enough to read or hear, but we
00:16:26.58\00:16:33.19
need to act upon what we
learn The verb, in the original,
00:16:33.29\00:16:38.73
implies that this obedience or
observing is continual or
habitual. James had these
00:16:38.83\00:16:45.27
words to say. In James 1:23-24,
00:16:45.37\00:16:53.27
There needs to be action in
the Christian life. If we read,
00:17:08.36\00:17:15.13
listen and say one thing, but do
another, we are hypocritical. As
the text says it is like
00:17:15.23\00:17:23.10
looking in a mirror and then
forgetting what you look like.
00:17:23.20\00:17:27.84
The book of Revelation is a call
to God's people to be people of
integrity. People who
00:17:27.94\00:17:34.05
speak and act the same way. That
is a blessing. A blessing to the
00:17:34.15\00:17:43.06
individual and a blessing to the
community around them. Why is it
a blessing? The text
00:17:43.16\00:17:50.07
ends, .For the time is near The
coming of Jesus Christ is near,
00:17:50.17\00:17:59.81
and blessing of someone who
reads, hears and does is that
00:17:59.91\00:18:10.12
they will be ready for the
return of Jesus. Friends, we
don't have time to play games
00:18:10.22\00:18:16.59
with God. We must read, we must
listen, but studying and
understanding it. Then
00:18:16.69\00:18:28.14
most importantly,
we must do and it.
00:18:28.24\00:18:37.31
The book of Revelation is the
unveiling of the beautiful plan
00:18:38.85\00:18:43.08
of salvation of Jesus. The book
of Revelation unveils the
beautiful character of
00:18:43.18\00:18:49.39
Jesus. The book of Revelation
unveils the end of the story,
00:18:49.49\00:18:55.03
that God wins and Satan loses.
We need to read, listen and obey
00:18:55.13\00:19:03.91
the Words of this book. My
favorite Christian author writes
these words in the book
00:19:04.01\00:19:11.68
Education.
00:19:11.78\00:19:13.75
Friends, the first beatitude of
Revelation, the first blessing
00:20:02.73\00:20:06.27
of Revelation is to be someone
who reads, listens and practices
00:20:06.37\00:20:12.61
what this book says. Will you be
such a person? Will you make a
commitment to Jesus
00:20:12.71\00:20:20.12
today to be someone who reads,
listens and obeys? If you're
00:20:20.22\00:20:26.22
willing, He promises you will be
blessed. Friends, it is only by
00:20:26.32\00:20:31.33
His grace, only by His grace
that we can do it. So let us by
his grace be a people who read,
00:20:31.43\00:20:41.24
listen and do.
00:20:41.34\00:20:45.57
Time measured out my days
00:20:51.51\00:20:56.92
Life carried me along
00:20:58.12\00:21:03.36
In my soul I
yearned to follow God
00:21:05.03\00:21:11.30
But knew I'd never be so strong
00:21:11.97\00:21:17.17
I looked hard at this world
00:21:17.57\00:21:23.14
To learn how
heaven could be gained
00:21:23.45\00:21:29.38
Just to end where I began
00:21:30.19\00:21:34.29
Where human
effort is all in vain
00:21:34.66\00:21:43.06
Were it not for grace,
00:21:44.23\00:21:50.31
I can tell you where I'd be:
00:21:50.94\00:21:57.05
Wandering down some
pointless road to nowhere
00:21:57.68\00:22:04.49
With my salvation up to me
00:22:04.79\00:22:10.23
And I know how that would go,
00:22:10.59\00:22:16.03
The battles I would face
00:22:17.47\00:22:23.47
Forever running,
but losing the race
00:22:23.81\00:22:30.41
Were it not for grace
00:22:31.18\00:22:37.75
So here is all my praise
00:22:40.92\00:22:47.86
Expressed with all my heart
00:22:48.50\00:22:53.84
Offered to a
Friend who took my place
00:22:55.67\00:23:02.28
And ran a course
I could not start
00:23:02.61\00:23:08.12
And when He saw in full
00:23:08.45\00:23:12.65
Just how much
His love would cost,
00:23:13.22\00:23:20.50
He still went the final
mile between me and heaven
00:23:21.50\00:23:27.97
So I would not be lost
00:23:28.47\00:23:34.24
Were it not for grace,
00:23:35.21\00:23:41.45
I can tell you where I'd be:
00:23:42.32\00:23:48.12
Wandering down some
pointless road to nowhere
00:23:48.49\00:23:55.60
With my salvation up to me
00:23:55.93\00:24:01.44
And I know how that would go,
00:24:01.84\00:24:07.51
The battles I would face
00:24:09.11\00:24:15.15
Forever running
but losing the race
00:24:15.48\00:24:21.96
Were it not for grace
00:24:22.32\00:24:29.23
Forever running
but losing the race
00:24:29.56\00:24:36.54
Were it not for grace
00:24:36.94\00:24:49.68
>>Chris: Let's pray. Oh Heavenly
Father, we are so grateful that
00:24:54.62\00:24:58.49
there are these seven beatitudes
of revelation. This first
beatitude calls us to be a
00:24:58.59\00:25:05.30
people who reads, who listen,
and who act upon what we have
00:25:05.40\00:25:13.34
read and listened to. We know
that we can't do it on our own
power. We know we can't do
00:25:13.44\00:25:17.85
it by our own strength. And so
we ask that by your grace, you
00:25:17.95\00:25:21.92
would give us the strength. By
your mercy, you would give us
the strength to move
00:25:22.02\00:25:27.16
forward, to read, to listen, and
act upon the words of this book
00:25:27.26\00:25:33.96
of Revelation. We want to
receive the blessing you have in
00:25:34.03\00:25:37.97
store for us, and so in faith we
move forward and commit
ourselves to do it. We
00:25:38.07\00:25:41.27
thank you, Lord, that you sent
this message. In Jesus' name,
00:25:41.37\00:25:46.74
amen. The book of Revelation is
a book that many people make
very complicated. But
00:26:02.16\00:26:06.83
the overarching message is very
simple. Jesus wins, Satan loses,
00:26:06.93\00:26:14.10
and those who read, listen, and
act upon His Word will be on the
side of Jesus and will win
00:26:14.20\00:26:21.01
with Him. Today we want to offer
to you a special set of Bible
00:26:21.11\00:26:27.55
study lessons called "Focus on
Prophecy." Through the "Focus on
00:26:27.65\00:26:32.19
Prophecy lessons", you will be
able to read, study, and
understand the book of
00:26:32.29\00:26:36.76
Revelation. Here's the
information that you need to
00:26:36.86\00:26:41.93
receive those free lessons.
00:26:42.03\00:26:44.23
Friends, there is a blessing in
hearing and understanding God's
00:27:33.98\00:27:39.05
Word. There is joy and happiness
in reading His Word and acting
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upon it. Sometimes the book of
Revelation can be challenging to
understand. And at It Is
00:27:46.46\00:27:50.27
Written Canada we're committed
to helping you understand the
00:27:50.37\00:27:53.20
book of Revelation and the
entire Bible. I want to
encourage you to go to our
00:27:53.30\00:27:57.67
website, itiswrittencanada.ca,
and there you can find a number
00:27:57.77\00:28:02.51
of resources to help you in your
understanding of the Scriptures
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and to walk with Jesus. I'll
also invite you to go to our
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Youtube channel,
youtube.com/iiwcanada and there
you can find archives of our
00:28:11.35\00:28:18.16
program. I thank you so much for
watching the program. I would
ask that you join us
00:28:18.26\00:28:23.06
next week. Until then, remember,
it is written: "Man shall not
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live by bread alone, but by
every word that proceeds from
00:28:28.77\00:28:33.51
the mouth of God." $$$$
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