Scattered Nations, United Praise

The languages of the world The languages of the world are judgment are judgment are judgment upon arrogant, presumptuous, upon arrogant, presumptuous, upon arrogant, presumptuous, god-belitting unifiers god-belitting unifiers god-belitting unifiers of global rebellion. And they are vastly more, And they are vastly more, vastly more. vastly more. vastly more. So we ask again, how does this So we ask again, how does this So we ask again, how does this spectacular sin and the consequences of spectacular sin and the consequences of spectacular sin and the consequences of divided peoples, divided languages divided peoples, divided languages divided peoples, divided languages glorify Christ? glorify Christ? glorify Christ? Babel is one of those stories where the Babel is one of those stories where the Babel is one of those stories where the judgment of God is obvious. You have judgment of God is obvious. You have judgment of God is obvious. You have proud people who are trying to make a proud people who are trying to make a proud people who are trying to make a name for themselves and then God name for themselves and then God name for themselves and then God scatters them. But scripture does not scatters them. But scripture does not scatters them. But scripture does not leave the story there. I'm your host Dan leave the story there. I'm your host Dan leave the story there. I'm your host Dan Kruever. In this episode of Light and Kruever. In this episode of Light and Kruever. In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper opens Genesis 11:es Truth, John Piper opens Genesis 11:es Truth, John Piper opens Genesis 11:es 1:9 to show how God's judgment on human 1:9 to show how God's judgment on human 1:9 to show how God's judgment on human pride becomes part of his larger purpose pride becomes part of his larger purpose pride becomes part of his larger purpose to gather praise for Christ from every to gather praise for Christ from every to gather praise for Christ from every people and language. This message was people and language. This message was people and language. This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem originally delivered at Bethlehem originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on September 2nd, 2007.

Let's read verses 1 to4. Now the whole Let's read verses 1 to4. Now the whole earth had one language and the same earth had one language and the same earth had one language and the same words. words. words. And as people migrated from the east, And as people migrated from the east, And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain land of Shinar and they found a plain land of Shinar and they found a plain land of Shinar and settled there. settled there. settled there. And they said to one another, "Come, let And they said to one another, "Come, let And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and burn them us make bricks and burn them us make bricks and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for thoroughly." And they had brick for thoroughly." And they had brick for stone and bummen for mortar. stone and bummen for mortar. stone and bummen for mortar. Then they said, "Come, Then they said, "Come, Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city let us build ourselves a city let us build ourselves a city and a tower with his top in the heavens, and a tower with his top in the heavens, and a tower with his top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, and let us make a name for ourselves, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of lest we be dispersed over the face of lest we be dispersed over the face of the earth the earth the earth in blatant disobedience of Genesis 9:1." Now the key verse, the key statements Now the key verse, the key statements are all in verse four. are all in verse four. are all in verse four. Number one, they aim to build a city. Number one, they aim to build a city. Number one, they aim to build a city. Number two, they aim to build a tower in Number two, they aim to build a tower in Number two, they aim to build a tower in the city that reaches up into the the city that reaches up into the the city that reaches up into the heavens. Three, they aim to make a name heavens. Three, they aim to make a name heavens. Three, they aim to make a name for themselves. Four, they aim not to be for themselves. Four, they aim not to be for themselves. Four, they aim not to be dispersed over the whole earth.

dispersed over the whole earth. dispersed over the whole earth. The first two of those correspond to the The first two of those correspond to the The first two of those correspond to the second two. Building a city corresponds to avoiding Building a city corresponds to avoiding being dispersed. We're going to build a being dispersed. We're going to build a being dispersed. We're going to build a city, but walls around us is safe, city, but walls around us is safe, city, but walls around us is safe, secure here, and not going to spread. And building a tower that might reach And building a tower that might reach into the heavens, of course, corresponds into the heavens, of course, corresponds into the heavens, of course, corresponds to that would make a name for us. If we to that would make a name for us. If we to that would make a name for us. If we could build such a tower, you could see could build such a tower, you could see could build such a tower, you could see it from so far away. we would be the it from so far away. we would be the it from so far away. we would be the center. center. center. So the city and the tower are the So the city and the tower are the So the city and the tower are the outward expressions of the sins in here. outward expressions of the sins in here. outward expressions of the sins in here. And what are the sins? Let's make these And what are the sins? Let's make these And what are the sins? Let's make these plain because they're yours. Mine Mine sin number one, the love of human sin number one, the love of human sin number one, the love of human praise. There's not a person in this praise. There's not a person in this praise. There's not a person in this room who doesn't struggle with that. Not room who doesn't struggle with that. Not room who doesn't struggle with that. Not one. one. one. You want it to come in different forms You want it to come in different forms You want it to come in different forms depending on your personality, but you depending on your personality, but you depending on your personality, but you don't like to be disapproved of. Nobody don't like to be disapproved of. Nobody don't like to be disapproved of. Nobody glories when they're ripped to shreds, glories when they're ripped to shreds, glories when they're ripped to shreds, even with illegitimate criticism, let even with illegitimate criticism, let even with illegitimate criticism, let alone legitimate.

alone legitimate. alone legitimate. So, we're like this So, we're like this So, we're like this love of praise. So, going to make a name love of praise. So, going to make a name love of praise. So, going to make a name for ourselves so people will think well for ourselves so people will think well for ourselves so people will think well of us. Those folks in Shinar are of us. Those folks in Shinar are of us. Those folks in Shinar are powerful, smart, powerful, smart, powerful, smart, organized. organized. organized. They know how to make the brick that They know how to make the brick that They know how to make the brick that really lasts. really lasts. really lasts. And the other sin is the love of And the other sin is the love of And the other sin is the love of security. security. security. Build a city. Build a city. Build a city. Cities represent security. Build a wall, Cities represent security. Build a wall, Cities represent security. Build a wall, run to the city, can farm out there, but run to the city, can farm out there, but run to the city, can farm out there, but go in here at night. go in here at night. go in here at night. And we all struggle with the love of And we all struggle with the love of And we all struggle with the love of making our lives secure and making making our lives secure and making making our lives secure and making ourselves look good to other people. ourselves look good to other people. ourselves look good to other people. When those are the dominating controls When those are the dominating controls When those are the dominating controls in our lives, we're this way. in our lives, we're this way. in our lives, we're this way. Now, God's will for human beings is not Now, God's will for human beings is not Now, God's will for human beings is not that we find our joy in the praise of that we find our joy in the praise of that we find our joy in the praise of men, men, men, but that we find our joy in knowing and but that we find our joy in knowing and but that we find our joy in knowing and praising him.

praising him. praising him. And God's will is not that we find our And God's will is not that we find our And God's will is not that we find our security in the things we can build, security in the things we can build, security in the things we can build, places we can go, locks we can put on places we can go, locks we can put on places we can go, locks we can put on our door, our door, our door, alarms we can put on our car. That's not alarms we can put on our car. That's not alarms we can put on our car. That's not where to find our security. We're to where to find our security. We're to where to find our security. We're to find our security in him and in glad find our security in him and in glad find our security in him and in glad obedience obedience obedience to him. to him. to him. So So So here's this spectacular here's this spectacular here's this spectacular sin of man even after the flood sin of man even after the flood sin of man even after the flood thunderclap of warning. Don't sin like thunderclap of warning. Don't sin like thunderclap of warning. Don't sin like the world was sinning. Wipe out the the world was sinning. Wipe out the the world was sinning. Wipe out the world. Leave eight behind. world. Leave eight behind. world. Leave eight behind. And a few years later, we're no better And a few years later, we're no better And a few years later, we're no better than when we started. That's the point than when we started. That's the point than when we started. That's the point of the Old Testament. That's the point of the Old Testament. That's the point of the Old Testament. That's the point of these stories. Judgment, mercy, of these stories. Judgment, mercy, of these stories. Judgment, mercy, judgment, mercy, judgment, mercy. And we judgment, mercy, judgment, mercy. And we judgment, mercy, judgment, mercy. And we never improve. Never do we improve apart never improve. Never do we improve apart never improve. Never do we improve apart from redeeming grace. from redeeming grace. from redeeming grace. That's the point of of the Bible and That's the point of of the Bible and That's the point of of the Bible and especially the Old Testament.

especially the Old Testament. especially the Old Testament. We know better. We're still Adam's We know better. We're still Adam's We know better. We're still Adam's children. children. children. The human condition is just like it was The human condition is just like it was The human condition is just like it was with Adam and Eve. We're going to decide with Adam and Eve. We're going to decide with Adam and Eve. We're going to decide for ourselves. You're going to spread. for ourselves. You're going to spread. for ourselves. You're going to spread. That's risky. Spread. You might thin That's risky. Spread. You might thin That's risky. Spread. You might thin out. out. out. Go to Afghanistan for goodness sakes. Going to build our own tower, make a Going to build our own tower, make a name for ourselves. God's not going to name for ourselves. God's not going to name for ourselves. God's not going to make a name for us like he did for make a name for us like he did for make a name for us like he did for Abraham. We're going to make the name. Abraham. We're going to make the name. Abraham. We're going to make the name. Now, two things in verse five signal Now, two things in verse five signal Now, two things in verse five signal that man is about to be put in his that man is about to be put in his that man is about to be put in his place. Let's read verse five. place. Let's read verse five. place. Let's read verse five. And the Lord came down to see the city And the Lord came down to see the city And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the children of man and the tower which the children of man and the tower which the children of man had built. Now, notice two things. had built. Now, notice two things. had built. Now, notice two things. First, this little phrase, children of First, this little phrase, children of First, this little phrase, children of man, literally or another transl man, literally or another transl man, literally or another transl translation, sons of Adam. translation, sons of Adam. translation, sons of Adam. I think that's intentional. These folks I think that's intentional. These folks I think that's intentional. These folks are doing what Adam did.

are doing what Adam did. are doing what Adam did. We haven't gotten any better. Rebelled We haven't gotten any better. Rebelled We haven't gotten any better. Rebelled against God. Ate the tree. These folks against God. Ate the tree. These folks against God. Ate the tree. These folks are rebelling against God. Building a are rebelling against God. Building a are rebelling against God. Building a city, building a tower, making a name city, building a tower, making a name city, building a tower, making a name for themselves. So, they are considered for themselves. So, they are considered for themselves. So, they are considered human. Just human. They're not really human. Just human. They're not really human. Just human. They're not really bad. bad. bad. Just everybody's bad. Sons of man have Just everybody's bad. Sons of man have Just everybody's bad. Sons of man have done this. done this. done this. Second, Second, Second, I love this. The Lord came down I love this. The Lord came down I love this. The Lord came down to see the city and the tower. Now, I to see the city and the tower. Now, I to see the city and the tower. Now, I call this holy scorn. call this holy scorn. call this holy scorn. You see that? You see that? You see that? He had to come down to see the tower He had to come down to see the tower He had to come down to see the tower that was to reach into heaven. This that was to reach into heaven. This that was to reach into heaven. This tower fell so far short of heaven. God tower fell so far short of heaven. God tower fell so far short of heaven. God couldn't see it from heaven. Don't get bent out of shape. God sees Don't get bent out of shape. God sees everything, everything, everything, knows everything. But when you want to knows everything. But when you want to knows everything. But when you want to deal with something ludicrous, deal with something ludicrous, deal with something ludicrous, sometimes you use irony sometimes you use irony sometimes you use irony and you say, "God couldn't even see it and you say, "God couldn't even see it and you say, "God couldn't even see it from heaven. He had to get on a cloud from heaven. He had to get on a cloud from heaven. He had to get on a cloud and come down. Oh, there it is. Look at and come down. Oh, there it is. Look at and come down. Oh, there it is. Look at that. Isn't that funny?

I really do believe this is is an I really do believe this is is an inspired holy scorn of human pride inspired holy scorn of human pride inspired holy scorn of human pride going to build a tower that reaches into going to build a tower that reaches into going to build a tower that reaches into heaven. heaven. heaven. So, we have a signal in verse five. So, we have a signal in verse five. So, we have a signal in verse five. God's going to put them in their place. God's going to put them in their place. God's going to put them in their place. So, now let's see what he does and uh So, now let's see what he does and uh So, now let's see what he does and uh how he responds to the refusal how he responds to the refusal how he responds to the refusal to glorify God but seek the praise of to glorify God but seek the praise of to glorify God but seek the praise of man and securing their life in a city, man and securing their life in a city, man and securing their life in a city, failure to spread. Let's read verses 6 failure to spread. Let's read verses 6 failure to spread. Let's read verses 6 to8. to8. to8. The Lord said, "Behold, they are one The Lord said, "Behold, they are one The Lord said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, people, and they have all one language, people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what and this is only the beginning of what and this is only the beginning of what they will do. Nothing that they propose they will do. Nothing that they propose they will do. Nothing that they propose to do will be impossible for them. to do will be impossible for them. to do will be impossible for them. Come, Come, Come, let us go down," and there confuse their let us go down," and there confuse their let us go down," and there confuse their language, so that they may not language, so that they may not language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.

understand one another's speech. understand one another's speech. So God So God So God dispersed them from there over the face dispersed them from there over the face dispersed them from there over the face of the whole earth just like we read in of the whole earth just like we read in of the whole earth just like we read in chapter 10. And they left off building chapter 10. And they left off building chapter 10. And they left off building the city. Now notice verse six. Behold, they are Now notice verse six. Behold, they are one people one people one people and have all one language. and have all one language. and have all one language. So the signal there is So the signal there is So the signal there is God's work is going to multiply not only God's work is going to multiply not only God's work is going to multiply not only languages but peoples. The stress falls languages but peoples. The stress falls languages but peoples. The stress falls on their one people and their one on their one people and their one on their one people and their one language. And when they cluster together language. And when they cluster together language. And when they cluster together with no hindrances to their god denying with no hindrances to their god denying with no hindrances to their god denying unity, the world is in trouble. unity, the world is in trouble. unity, the world is in trouble. And God doesn't want the world to be in And God doesn't want the world to be in And God doesn't want the world to be in that kind of trouble.

So in response to their presumption and So in response to their presumption and their arrogance, he confuses their their arrogance, he confuses their their arrogance, he confuses their language so that they may not understand language so that they may not understand language so that they may not understand one another's speech. Verse seven, he makes he makes it hard it hard it hard for pockets of humanity to unite in God for pockets of humanity to unite in God for pockets of humanity to unite in God belittling global plans. God has taken steps to make it difficult God has taken steps to make it difficult for peoples to unite in God belittling for peoples to unite in God belittling for peoples to unite in God belittling global plans. He has set this up almost global plans. He has set this up almost global plans. He has set this up almost from the beginning to restrain the from the beginning to restrain the from the beginning to restrain the unifying of evil forces in the world. God knows the immense potential of his God knows the immense potential of his creatures created in his image. Immense creatures created in his image. Immense creatures created in his image. Immense potential.

potential. potential. What humans can do What humans can do What humans can do is really quite remarkable till God is really quite remarkable till God is really quite remarkable till God starts to look for it from heaven. Has starts to look for it from heaven. Has starts to look for it from heaven. Has to come down and find where's that moon to come down and find where's that moon to come down and find where's that moon you landed on? you landed on? you landed on? Where's that high tower in Dubai? Oh, Where's that high tower in Dubai? Oh, Where's that high tower in Dubai? Oh, there it is. Little teeny specks, there it is. Little teeny specks, there it is. Little teeny specks, but it's impressive to us. but it's impressive to us. but it's impressive to us. And God said was impressive. Amazing liberty has been given to the Amazing liberty has been given to the human race to exalt themselves and human race to exalt themselves and human race to exalt themselves and design their own security systems design their own security systems design their own security systems without trusting God. without trusting God. without trusting God. But But But there are limits. there are limits. there are limits. There are limits. Thousands of There are limits. Thousands of There are limits. Thousands of languages, languages, languages, 6,500 roughly, thousands of languages 6,500 roughly, thousands of languages 6,500 roughly, thousands of languages around the world, thousands of different around the world, thousands of different around the world, thousands of different people groups limit the global people groups limit the global people groups limit the global aspirations of arrogant mankind, do they aspirations of arrogant mankind, do they aspirations of arrogant mankind, do they not?

So now we turn to the question, what's So now we turn to the question, what's up? What's going on here? What does this up? What's going on here? What does this up? What's going on here? What does this have to do with the big purposes where have to do with the big purposes where have to do with the big purposes where God is going? God is going? God is going? the coming of his son, the glorifying of the coming of his son, the glorifying of the coming of his son, the glorifying of Jesus Christ, the global praise of the Jesus Christ, the global praise of the Jesus Christ, the global praise of the son son son of God. Now reestablish our foundations of God. Now reestablish our foundations of God. Now reestablish our foundations again. again. again. When God permits a thing, he permits it When God permits a thing, he permits it When God permits a thing, he permits it for a reason. I've said it, I think, for a reason. I've said it, I think, for a reason. I've said it, I think, every sermon every sermon every sermon in this series. When God permits a in this series. When God permits a in this series. When God permits a thing, he permits it for a reason, which thing, he permits it for a reason, which thing, he permits it for a reason, which means it's part of a plan. He's not doing anything willy-nilly, He's not doing anything willy-nilly, haphazard. Everything is by design. Both what he Everything is by design. Both what he calls uses directly and what he permits calls uses directly and what he permits calls uses directly and what he permits indirectly, it's all designed. indirectly, it's all designed. indirectly, it's all designed. God's not foolish.

God's not foolish. God's not foolish. He's not constantly playing catchup. He's not constantly playing catchup. He's not constantly playing catchup. The languages of the world are not an The languages of the world are not an The languages of the world are not an afterthought to an unforeseen sin. So if not, we got questions to answer. So if not, we got questions to answer. Why did he permit this kind of Why did he permit this kind of Why did he permit this kind of rebellion? And why did he respond to it rebellion? And why did he respond to it rebellion? And why did he respond to it the way he did in view of his the way he did in view of his the way he did in view of his everlasting purpose everlasting purpose everlasting purpose to glorify Christ crucified whom he had to glorify Christ crucified whom he had to glorify Christ crucified whom he had in his mind before the foundation of the in his mind before the foundation of the in his mind before the foundation of the world according to Revelation 13:8. As world according to Revelation 13:8. As world according to Revelation 13:8. As we saw last time, the languages of the world the languages of the world are judgment are judgment are judgment upon arrogant, presumptuous, upon arrogant, presumptuous, upon arrogant, presumptuous, god-belitting unifiers god-belitting unifiers god-belitting unifiers of global rebellion.

And they are vastly more, And they are vastly more, vastly more vastly more vastly more So we ask again, how does this So we ask again, how does this So we ask again, how does this spectacular sin and the consequences of spectacular sin and the consequences of spectacular sin and the consequences of divided peoples, divided languages divided peoples, divided languages divided peoples, divided languages glorify Christ? And I wrote down five glorify Christ? And I wrote down five glorify Christ? And I wrote down five ways. Number one, ways. Number one, ways. Number one, God's division of the world into God's division of the world into God's division of the world into different languages hinders the rise of different languages hinders the rise of different languages hinders the rise of global monolithic anti-Christian global monolithic anti-Christian global monolithic anti-Christian states. that would have the power to simply that would have the power to simply crush all Christians crush all Christians crush all Christians with one dictatorial edict. with one dictatorial edict. with one dictatorial edict. You know, we often think of You know, we often think of You know, we often think of the multiplicity of languages and their the multiplicity of languages and their the multiplicity of languages and their accumulating cultures as a hindrance of accumulating cultures as a hindrance of accumulating cultures as a hindrance of the spread of the gospel of the glory of the spread of the gospel of the glory of the spread of the gospel of the glory of Christ. That's not the way God thinks Christ. That's not the way God thinks Christ. That's not the way God thinks about it.

about it. about it. God is way more concerned God is way more concerned God is way more concerned with unity with unity with unity than diversity than diversity than diversity in the world. in the world. in the world. Way Way Way more concerned. God knows something you may not know God knows something you may not know about. If in fact there were no about. If in fact there were no about. If in fact there were no restraints on global anti-God unifying restraints on global anti-God unifying restraints on global anti-God unifying efforts, those efforts could crush his people in those efforts could crush his people in a moment. a moment. a moment. And God uses means. You can push back And God uses means. You can push back And God uses means. You can push back against God if you want and say, "I against God if you want and say, "I against God if you want and say, "I wouldn't have done it that way. Just wouldn't have done it that way. Just wouldn't have done it that way. Just snap your finger and wipe out the snap your finger and wipe out the snap your finger and wipe out the enemy." Why are you putting in place enemy." Why are you putting in place enemy." Why are you putting in place these human restraints? Well, he's God, these human restraints? Well, he's God, these human restraints? Well, he's God, not you and not me. So, I bow, I learn, not you and not me. So, I bow, I learn, not you and not me. So, I bow, I learn, I listen. He's got a drama to play and I listen. He's got a drama to play and I listen. He's got a drama to play and he's writing it.

So the first way that this punishment on So the first way that this punishment on this sin glorifies Christ is that it this sin glorifies Christ is that it this sin glorifies Christ is that it puts restraints on Christ destroying puts restraints on Christ destroying puts restraints on Christ destroying anti-God anti-God anti-God unity in the world. It makes it unity in the world. It makes it unity in the world. It makes it impossible. impossible. impossible. So in one of my questions I asked at the So in one of my questions I asked at the So in one of my questions I asked at the beginning beginning beginning is it a good thing that there are is it a good thing that there are is it a good thing that there are hundreds of nation states in the world hundreds of nation states in the world hundreds of nation states in the world that spend most of their times being that spend most of their times being that spend most of their times being nervous about each other? My answer is nervous about each other? My answer is nervous about each other? My answer is you better believe it's a good thing. is a second way that the story of the is a second way that the story of the Tower of Babel glorifies Christ. Suppose Tower of Babel glorifies Christ. Suppose Tower of Babel glorifies Christ. Suppose someone asks someone asks someone asks now in view of what you just said, now in view of what you just said, now in view of what you just said, isn't there going to be at the end of isn't there going to be at the end of isn't there going to be at the end of the age one of those big monolithic the age one of those big monolithic the age one of those big monolithic worldwide worldwide worldwide states?

that in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. that in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. And the answer is yes. And the answer is yes. And the answer is yes. In the last day, God will loosen the In the last day, God will loosen the In the last day, God will loosen the restraints. Something is holding restraints. Something is holding restraints. Something is holding back the man of sin. back the man of sin. back the man of sin. God will loosen the restraints of God will loosen the restraints of God will loosen the restraints of Antichrist. Paul calls him man of Antichrist. Paul calls him man of Antichrist. Paul calls him man of lawlessness. lawlessness. lawlessness. John calls him the beast. John calls him the beast. John calls him the beast. loosen their strengths loosen their strengths loosen their strengths and there will rise a great global and there will rise a great global and there will rise a great global attraction. attraction. attraction. There will be horrific persecution of There will be horrific persecution of There will be horrific persecution of believers. So much so that had he not believers. So much so that had he not believers. So much so that had he not shortened those days, even the elect shortened those days, even the elect shortened those days, even the elect gone. gone. gone. He says, "But there's a link "But there's a link between that coming event between that coming event between that coming event and the Tower of Babel." It makes me see that not as a It makes me see that not as a contradiction to God's design. I already contradiction to God's design. I already contradiction to God's design. I already expressed expressed expressed the word babel the word babel the word babel 236 236 236 times or so in the Old Testament, times or so in the Old Testament, times or so in the Old Testament, translated translated translated virtually every time except virtually every time except virtually every time except a handful.

a handful. a handful. Babylon, Babylon, Babylon, not Babel. This is Babylon. This is scorn on Babylon, This is scorn on Babylon, not some little dinky city. not some little dinky city. not some little dinky city. This is comment about the origin of the This is comment about the origin of the This is comment about the origin of the great the great harlot who gets drunk in the the great harlot who gets drunk in the last day on the blood of saints. last day on the blood of saints. last day on the blood of saints. That's what's going on here. Now what becomes of her? Now what becomes of her? The book of Revelation describes this The book of Revelation describes this The book of Revelation describes this Babylon which represents the great Babylon which represents the great Babylon which represents the great city city city merkantile merkantile merkantile professional professional professional powers of the world exalting themselves powers of the world exalting themselves powers of the world exalting themselves against God and against his anointed against God and against his anointed against God and against his anointed raging. raging. raging. what becomes of her.

what becomes of her. what becomes of her. Let me read you just a few verses and Let me read you just a few verses and Let me read you just a few verses and you listen to the words from Revelation you listen to the words from Revelation you listen to the words from Revelation for echoes of Genesis 11. for echoes of Genesis 11. for echoes of Genesis 11. Her sins are heaped high as the heaven. Her sins are heaped high as the heaven. Her sins are heaped high as the heaven. as she glorified herself as she glorified herself as she glorified herself and lived in luxury. and lived in luxury. and lived in luxury. So give her a like measure of torment So give her a like measure of torment So give her a like measure of torment and mourning. Since in her heart she and mourning. Since in her heart she and mourning. Since in her heart she says, "I sit as queen. I am no widow. says, "I sit as queen. I am no widow. says, "I sit as queen. I am no widow. Mourning I shall never see. Alas, alas, Mourning I shall never see. Alas, alas, Mourning I shall never see. Alas, alas, you great city. you great city. you great city. You mighty city Babylon, for in a single You mighty city Babylon, for in a single You mighty city Babylon, for in a single hour your judgment has come. Yes, Yes, in the last day, God will loosen the in the last day, God will loosen the in the last day, God will loosen the reigns. There will be a man of sin, a man of There will be a man of sin, a man of lawlessness, an antirist, a beast, and lawlessness, an antirist, a beast, and lawlessness, an antirist, a beast, and there will be an uncanny attraction to there will be an uncanny attraction to there will be an uncanny attraction to him across cultures and languages.

him across cultures and languages. him across cultures and languages. Christians will endure horrific Christians will endure horrific Christians will endure horrific persecution. And then persecution. And then persecution. And then on the clouds of heaven, on the clouds of heaven, on the clouds of heaven, the Lord God Almighty Jesus Christ will the Lord God Almighty Jesus Christ will the Lord God Almighty Jesus Christ will slay him with the breath of his mouth. slay him with the breath of his mouth. slay him with the breath of his mouth. Second Thessalonians chapter 2 Second Thessalonians chapter 2 Second Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 8. And Babylon will be no more. verse 8. And Babylon will be no more. verse 8. And Babylon will be no more. All the towers will have come down and All the towers will have come down and All the towers will have come down and in that day the Lord alone will be in that day the Lord alone will be in that day the Lord alone will be exalted. exalted. exalted. That's where this text is pointing. That's where this text is pointing. That's where this text is pointing. Number three, the sin of Babel, Babylon, the sin of Babel, Babylon, God's judgment on it leads to the global God's judgment on it leads to the global God's judgment on it leads to the global glor glory of Christ. glor glory of Christ. glor glory of Christ. this way. It puts in place a situation this way. It puts in place a situation this way. It puts in place a situation of languages, peoples, of languages, peoples, of languages, peoples, such that when Christ undertakes to lay such that when Christ undertakes to lay such that when Christ undertakes to lay claim on the world, he lays claim on claim on the world, he lays claim on claim on the world, he lays claim on every language and every people. And in every language and every people. And in every language and every people. And in being able to lay claim with authority being able to lay claim with authority being able to lay claim with authority and effectiveness through missions on and effectiveness through missions on and effectiveness through missions on every language, his glory shines the every language, his glory shines the every language, his glory shines the more brightly than if we all spoke the more brightly than if we all spoke the more brightly than if we all spoke the same language and he just took us that same language and he just took us that same language and he just took us that way.

way. way. For God to break in on every language For God to break in on every language For God to break in on every language and every culture requires a greater God and every culture requires a greater God and every culture requires a greater God than to break in on a single language than to break in on a single language than to break in on a single language and a single culture. And so listen to and a single culture. And so listen to and a single culture. And so listen to these words. You know them well. All these words. You know them well. All these words. You know them well. All authority in heaven and on earth belongs authority in heaven and on earth belongs authority in heaven and on earth belongs to me says Jesus Christ. Therefore go to me says Jesus Christ. Therefore go to me says Jesus Christ. Therefore go make disciples of every nation. make disciples of every nation. make disciples of every nation. The glory of Christ The glory of Christ The glory of Christ over all the earth is more greatly over all the earth is more greatly over all the earth is more greatly magnified because there are so many magnified because there are so many magnified because there are so many different languages different languages different languages for us to master. for us to master. for us to master. and through which he masters the and through which he masters the and through which he masters the peoples. peoples. peoples. That's number three. Number four, That's number three. Number four, That's number three. Number four, the same should be said just to make it the same should be said just to make it the same should be said just to make it explicit explicit explicit about the gospel. about the gospel. about the gospel. The gospel is going to do the same The gospel is going to do the same The gospel is going to do the same thing.

thing. thing. Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to it is the power of God for salvation to it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, the Jew first, everyone who believes, the Jew first, everyone who believes, the Jew first, and also to the Greek." The Greek simply and also to the Greek." The Greek simply and also to the Greek." The Greek simply stood for that whole mass out there, stood for that whole mass out there, stood for that whole mass out there, non-Jewish. non-Jewish. non-Jewish. The glory of the gospel. What is the The glory of the gospel. What is the The glory of the gospel. What is the gospel? gospel? gospel? Christ died for our sins according to Christ died for our sins according to Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. And he was raised on the the scriptures. And he was raised on the the scriptures. And he was raised on the third day. He was buried and then raised third day. He was buried and then raised third day. He was buried and then raised on the third day according to the on the third day according to the on the third day according to the scriptures. The sacrifice that he made scriptures. The sacrifice that he made scriptures. The sacrifice that he made and the triumph that he achieved for us and the triumph that he achieved for us and the triumph that he achieved for us in his life and death is the gospel. And in his life and death is the gospel. And in his life and death is the gospel. And that gospel is not a tribal religion. that gospel is not a tribal religion. that gospel is not a tribal religion. And that is more plain And that is more plain And that is more plain because of how it amazingly because of how it amazingly because of how it amazingly finds its way incarnationally finds its way incarnationally finds its way incarnationally into thousands of language instead of into thousands of language instead of into thousands of language instead of just having one language to be spoken in just having one language to be spoken in just having one language to be spoken in and one culture to deal with that the and one culture to deal with that the and one culture to deal with that the gospel triumphs over and over in the gospel triumphs over and over in the gospel triumphs over and over in the most different from us cultures. I just most different from us cultures. I just most different from us cultures. I just love it.

love it. love it. As devotions, we read every night the As devotions, we read every night the As devotions, we read every night the Global Prayer Digest. Did this with my Global Prayer Digest. Did this with my Global Prayer Digest. Did this with my boys growing up, resolved I do it with boys growing up, resolved I do it with boys growing up, resolved I do it with my little girl growing up, which means my little girl growing up, which means my little girl growing up, which means we're reading about a different we're reading about a different we're reading about a different unreached people group every day. They unreached people group every day. They unreached people group every day. They have the most strange names. And we're have the most strange names. And we're have the most strange names. And we're all in Nepal and Tibet and Northern all in Nepal and Tibet and Northern all in Nepal and Tibet and Northern India right now. And almost always they India right now. And almost always they India right now. And almost always they say there's about a hundred Christians say there's about a hundred Christians say there's about a hundred Christians in these three million people or in these three million people or in these three million people or something like that. And I say yes. something like that. And I say yes. something like that. And I say yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. a hundred people so strange from me, a hundred people so strange from me, a hundred people so strange from me, right? Language I can't even imagine how right? Language I can't even imagine how right? Language I can't even imagine how they write it, how they say it, things they write it, how they say it, things they write it, how they say it, things they do, things they eat off the planet they do, things they eat off the planet they do, things they eat off the planet as far as I'm concerned. And Christ as far as I'm concerned. And Christ as far as I'm concerned. And Christ takes them. And if there's any that takes them. And if there's any that takes them. And if there's any that don't have one or two, let's go. Let's don't have one or two, let's go. Let's don't have one or two, let's go. Let's go. That's what we're about. That's go. That's what we're about. That's go. That's what we're about. That's number four. The gospel is glorified by number four. The gospel is glorified by number four. The gospel is glorified by penetrating all these penetrating all these penetrating all these languages that God brought upon the languages that God brought upon the languages that God brought upon the world because of the sin on shinar.

world because of the sin on shinar. world because of the sin on shinar. Finally, Finally, Finally, when Jesus receives when Jesus receives when Jesus receives from all the languages from all the languages from all the languages praise, praise, praise, that praise will be more beautiful that praise will be more beautiful that praise will be more beautiful because of all the different languages because of all the different languages because of all the different languages than if he receiving praise only from than if he receiving praise only from than if he receiving praise only from one. one. one. And you know where I'm going to read in And you know where I'm going to read in And you know where I'm going to read in closing, don't you? closing, don't you? closing, don't you? And they sang a new song, And they sang a new song, And they sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the saying, "You are worthy to take the saying, "You are worthy to take the scroll, scroll, scroll, for you were slain, for you were slain, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed men for and by your blood you ransomed men for and by your blood you ransomed men for God from every tribe and language and God from every tribe and language and God from every tribe and language and people, and made them a kingdom and people, and made them a kingdom and people, and made them a kingdom and priest to our God, and they will reign priest to our God, and they will reign priest to our God, and they will reign on the earth." And I looked, I'm jumping on the earth." And I looked, I'm jumping on the earth." And I looked, I'm jumping over two chapters now. And I looked, over two chapters now. And I looked, over two chapters now. And I looked, and I saw a multitude which no man could and I saw a multitude which no man could and I saw a multitude which no man could number.

every nation and every language and every nation and every language and every tribe every tribe every tribe clothed in white robes with palm clothed in white robes with palm clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands and crying with branches in their hands and crying with branches in their hands and crying with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb." Those acclamations are not in the book Those acclamations are not in the book of Revelation to belittle the languages. of Revelation to belittle the languages. of Revelation to belittle the languages. Oh no. They are in the the book of Oh no. They are in the the book of Oh no. They are in the the book of Revelation to celebrate the triumphs of Revelation to celebrate the triumphs of Revelation to celebrate the triumphs of God in and through the sins of Babylon God in and through the sins of Babylon God in and through the sins of Babylon and all the punishments that came upon and all the punishments that came upon and all the punishments that came upon them which redounds to the glory of them which redounds to the glory of them which redounds to the glory of Jesus Christ. Because the chorus of this Jesus Christ. Because the chorus of this Jesus Christ. Because the chorus of this diversity from all the peoples and all diversity from all the peoples and all diversity from all the peoples and all the languages will be perfect the languages will be perfect the languages will be perfect forever. forever. forever. And had there not been those languages, And had there not been those languages, And had there not been those languages, he would not have received the praise he would not have received the praise he would not have received the praise that he is due. So Bethlehem, that he is due. So Bethlehem, that he is due. So Bethlehem, praise the Lord.

praise the Lord. praise the Lord. Let everything that has breath in this Let everything that has breath in this Let everything that has breath in this church church church praise the Lord Jesus. Thank you for listening to this episode Thank you for listening to this episode of Light and Truth, where we are of Light and Truth, where we are of Light and Truth, where we are committed to providing God- centered committed to providing God- centered committed to providing God- centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, Dan Kroover. On our next episode, John Dan Kroover. On our next episode, John Dan Kroover. On our next episode, John Piper continues our 13-part series, The Piper continues our 13-part series, The Piper continues our 13-part series, The God Who Orders Evil, with a message God Who Orders Evil, with a message God Who Orders Evil, with a message titled God Men It for Good. I hope titled God Men It for Good. I hope titled God Men It for Good. I hope you'll join us. For more resources, you'll join us. For more resources, you'll join us. For more resources, visit desiring God.org.