HOLY, HOLY, HOLY - Priscilla Shirer

Well, good morning, family. Well, good morning, family. It's a pleasure to be here with you on It's a pleasure to be here with you on It's a pleasure to be here with you on this morning and to celebrate Jesus with this morning and to celebrate Jesus with this morning and to celebrate Jesus with you. you. you. And to be amongst the body of Christ. I And to be amongst the body of Christ. I And to be amongst the body of Christ. I know not just in this room, but globally know not just in this room, but globally know not just in this room, but globally as was mentioned. What a treat to know as was mentioned. What a treat to know as was mentioned. What a treat to know that we are all different and distinct, that we are all different and distinct, that we are all different and distinct, different time zones, different different time zones, different different time zones, different cultures, different languages, different cultures, different languages, different cultures, different languages, different ways of life, and yet what we have in ways of life, and yet what we have in ways of life, and yet what we have in common is Jesus. common is Jesus. common is Jesus. Amen. So, I think for a few moments this So, I think for a few moments this morning, morning, morning, I'll just talk about Jesus, if that's I'll just talk about Jesus, if that's I'll just talk about Jesus, if that's all right. all right. all right. I know you've been standing for a moment I know you've been standing for a moment I know you've been standing for a moment in this room, but before you sit down, in this room, but before you sit down, in this room, but before you sit down, can I just read a couple verses of can I just read a couple verses of can I just read a couple verses of scripture to you? scripture to you? scripture to you? I go to the church where every now and I go to the church where every now and I go to the church where every now and then when the scripture is read, folks then when the scripture is read, folks then when the scripture is read, folks just stand up for the hearing of God's just stand up for the hearing of God's just stand up for the hearing of God's word. It reminds you that you are word. It reminds you that you are word. It reminds you that you are hearing from the King of kings. hearing from the King of kings. hearing from the King of kings. That this is not just a book. That this is not just a book. That this is not just a book. It is God's speaking. It is God's speaking. It is God's speaking. I want to read Revelation chapter 4.

I want to read Revelation chapter 4. I want to read Revelation chapter 4. "After these things I looked," John "After these things I looked," John "After these things I looked," John says, says, says, "A DOOR WAS STANDING OPEN IN THE "A DOOR WAS STANDING OPEN IN THE "A DOOR WAS STANDING OPEN IN THE HEAVENS. THE FIRST VERSE WHICH I HEARD HEAVENS. THE FIRST VERSE WHICH I HEARD HEAVENS. THE FIRST VERSE WHICH I HEARD WAS LIKE THE SOUND OF A TRUMPET speaking WAS LIKE THE SOUND OF A TRUMPET speaking WAS LIKE THE SOUND OF A TRUMPET speaking with me, and the voice said, 'Come up with me, and the voice said, 'Come up with me, and the voice said, 'Come up here.' here.' here.' Immediately, verse 2, I was in the Immediately, verse 2, I was in the Immediately, verse 2, I was in the spirit and behold, THERE WAS A THRONE spirit and behold, THERE WAS A THRONE spirit and behold, THERE WAS A THRONE STANDING IN THE HEAVENS and someone was STANDING IN THE HEAVENS and someone was STANDING IN THE HEAVENS and someone was sitting down on the throne. sitting down on the throne. sitting down on the throne. He who was sitting down on THE THRONE He who was sitting down on THE THRONE He who was sitting down on THE THRONE WAS LIKE A JASPER STONE, A SARDIUS in WAS LIKE A JASPER STONE, A SARDIUS in WAS LIKE A JASPER STONE, A SARDIUS in appearance. There was a rainbow around appearance. There was a rainbow around appearance. There was a rainbow around the throne like an emerald in the throne like an emerald in the throne like an emerald in appearance, and around the throne there appearance, and around the throne there appearance, and around the throne there were 24 thrones. And upon THOSE THRONES were 24 thrones. And upon THOSE THRONES were 24 thrones. And upon THOSE THRONES I SAW 24 ELDERS SITTING CLOTHED IN WHITE I SAW 24 ELDERS SITTING CLOTHED IN WHITE I SAW 24 ELDERS SITTING CLOTHED IN WHITE GARMENTS, GOLDEN CROWNS ON their head, GARMENTS, GOLDEN CROWNS ON their head, GARMENTS, GOLDEN CROWNS ON their head, verse 8. There were four living verse 8. There were four living verse 8. There were four living creatures, each one of them having six creatures, each one of them having six creatures, each one of them having six wings, all full of eyes around and wings, all full of eyes around and wings, all full of eyes around and within. within. within. AND DAY AND NIGHT THEY DID NOT CEASE TO AND DAY AND NIGHT THEY DID NOT CEASE TO AND DAY AND NIGHT THEY DID NOT CEASE TO SAY, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY SAY, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY SAY, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS and is IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS and is IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS and is and is to come." Verse 9.

and is to come." Verse 9. and is to come." Verse 9. The living creatures gave glory and The living creatures gave glory and The living creatures gave glory and honor AND THANKS TO THE ONE WHO WAS honor AND THANKS TO THE ONE WHO WAS honor AND THANKS TO THE ONE WHO WAS SITTING DOWN ON THE THRONE, TO THE ONE SITTING DOWN ON THE THRONE, TO THE ONE SITTING DOWN ON THE THRONE, TO THE ONE who lives forever and ever. who lives forever and ever. who lives forever and ever. AND THE 24 ELDERS, THEY FELL DOWN BEFORE AND THE 24 ELDERS, THEY FELL DOWN BEFORE AND THE 24 ELDERS, THEY FELL DOWN BEFORE him who sits on the throne. They worship him who sits on the throne. They worship him who sits on the throne. They worship the one who lives forever AND EVER. THEY the one who lives forever AND EVER. THEY the one who lives forever AND EVER. THEY CAST THEIR CROWNS DOWN BEFORE THE THRONE CAST THEIR CROWNS DOWN BEFORE THE THRONE CAST THEIR CROWNS DOWN BEFORE THE THRONE SAYING, "Worthy are you, our God, to SAYING, "Worthy are you, our God, to SAYING, "Worthy are you, our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for receive glory and honor and power, for receive glory and honor and power, for you have created all things, AND BECAUSE you have created all things, AND BECAUSE you have created all things, AND BECAUSE OF YOUR WILL THEY exist and they were OF YOUR WILL THEY exist and they were OF YOUR WILL THEY exist and they were created." created." created." Father, we say IN ADVANCE, "HOLY ARE Father, we say IN ADVANCE, "HOLY ARE Father, we say IN ADVANCE, "HOLY ARE YOU, GOD, TO RECEIVE GLORY and honor and YOU, GOD, TO RECEIVE GLORY and honor and YOU, GOD, TO RECEIVE GLORY and honor and power and authority. We worship you, power and authority. We worship you, power and authority. We worship you, Father, Father, Father, and it is in the name of Jesus, and it is in the name of Jesus, and it is in the name of Jesus, the name at which every knee bows, THE the name at which every knee bows, THE the name at which every knee bows, THE NAME AT WHICH EVERY TONGUE will confess, NAME AT WHICH EVERY TONGUE will confess, NAME AT WHICH EVERY TONGUE will confess, THE NAME AT WHICH DEMONS TREMBLE. At the THE NAME AT WHICH DEMONS TREMBLE. At the THE NAME AT WHICH DEMONS TREMBLE. At the name of Jesus, [music] we say, "Amen and name of Jesus, [music] we say, "Amen and name of Jesus, [music] we say, "Amen and amen."

amen." amen." You may take your seats. It was nearly three decades ago now It was nearly three decades ago now that I can remember being at a little that I can remember being at a little that I can remember being at a little small retreat that was happening for a small retreat that was happening for a small retreat that was happening for a group of women that were gathering group of women that were gathering group of women that were gathering together just to have a little together just to have a little together just to have a little conference, but more like a retreat. conference, but more like a retreat. conference, but more like a retreat. There were just 40 of us in the room. There were just 40 of us in the room. There were just 40 of us in the room. Yesterday here for your women's Yesterday here for your women's Yesterday here for your women's conference, this entire room was filled conference, this entire room was filled conference, this entire room was filled with women hungry for the word of God with women hungry for the word of God with women hungry for the word of God including myself and to worship including myself and to worship including myself and to worship together. together. together. And I recall this one three decades ago, And I recall this one three decades ago, And I recall this one three decades ago, much smaller little room at a hotel, 40 much smaller little room at a hotel, 40 much smaller little room at a hotel, 40 of us sitting there. I was in my of us sitting there. I was in my of us sitting there. I was in my my late teens, early 20s and my late teens, early 20s and my late teens, early 20s and there was a WOMAN THAT WAS SHARING her there was a WOMAN THAT WAS SHARING her there was a WOMAN THAT WAS SHARING her testimony, her name was Dory. testimony, her name was Dory. testimony, her name was Dory. I was in my early 20s, she had to be in I was in my early 20s, she had to be in I was in my early 20s, she had to be in her 60s as she was sharing this her 60s as she was sharing this her 60s as she was sharing this testimony. And everybody was riveted by testimony. And everybody was riveted by testimony. And everybody was riveted by her testimony. We were all sitting on her testimony. We were all sitting on her testimony. We were all sitting on the edge of our seat in full the edge of our seat in full the edge of our seat in full anticipation to see what it was that anticipation to see what it was that anticipation to see what it was that Dory was going to say to us, Miss Dory I Dory was going to say to us, Miss Dory I Dory was going to say to us, Miss Dory I called her.

called her. called her. Because she was sharing a riveting story Because she was sharing a riveting story Because she was sharing a riveting story about the way she grew up. about the way she grew up. about the way she grew up. She grew up in a contrary situation that She grew up in a contrary situation that She grew up in a contrary situation that was difficult for her and her entire was difficult for her and her entire was difficult for her and her entire family to navigate. family to navigate. family to navigate. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] [gasps] [gasps] [gasps] >> She was devastated by the treatment that >> She was devastated by the treatment that >> She was devastated by the treatment that she and her younger sister received at she and her younger sister received at she and her younger sister received at the hands of her mother who treated them the hands of her mother who treated them the hands of her mother who treated them with basically neglect. with basically neglect. with basically neglect. She was disregarded. She was in fact not She was disregarded. She was in fact not She was disregarded. She was in fact not only neglected but in many cases abused. only neglected but in many cases abused. only neglected but in many cases abused. She shared shared the reality that her She shared shared the reality that her She shared shared the reality that her mother really didn't love the two of mother really didn't love the two of mother really didn't love the two of them, didn't want to have the two of them, didn't want to have the two of them, didn't want to have the two of them, her and her little sister and them, her and her little sister and them, her and her little sister and treated them as such. So for long hours treated them as such. So for long hours treated them as such. So for long hours during the day this mother would lock during the day this mother would lock during the day this mother would lock the two children into a closet so she the two children into a closet so she the two children into a closet so she wouldn't have to be bothered by them. wouldn't have to be bothered by them. wouldn't have to be bothered by them. Dory remembers being a very very little Dory remembers being a very very little Dory remembers being a very very little girl and sitting there with her girl and sitting there with her girl and sitting there with her two-year-old sister for hour after hour. two-year-old sister for hour after hour. two-year-old sister for hour after hour. She said on some occasion those hours She said on some occasion those hours She said on some occasion those hours she would realize through the crack in she would realize through the crack in she would realize through the crack in the wall that she could tell that night the wall that she could tell that night the wall that she could tell that night had come, the sun had gone down and then had come, the sun had gone down and then had come, the sun had gone down and then the sun would come back up. That was her the sun would come back up. That was her the sun would come back up. That was her only way of knowing they had actually only way of knowing they had actually only way of knowing they had actually been left all night long by this mother.

been left all night long by this mother. been left all night long by this mother. She remembers trying to figure out how She remembers trying to figure out how She remembers trying to figure out how she was going to eat, how she was going she was going to eat, how she was going she was going to eat, how she was going to feed her little sister. to feed her little sister. to feed her little sister. Then she SAYS SHE RECALLS ONE DAY AFTER Then she SAYS SHE RECALLS ONE DAY AFTER Then she SAYS SHE RECALLS ONE DAY AFTER many years of living that way many years of living that way many years of living that way that her mother came home on one Sunday that her mother came home on one Sunday that her mother came home on one Sunday and said, "I'm going to take you girls and said, "I'm going to take you girls and said, "I'm going to take you girls on a drive." on a drive." on a drive." She said she remembered the warmth in She said she remembered the warmth in She said she remembered the warmth in her heart because she thought finally her heart because she thought finally her heart because she thought finally her mother was expressing a little bit her mother was expressing a little bit her mother was expressing a little bit of love to the two of them. They were of love to the two of them. They were of love to the two of them. They were going on a Sunday afternoon drive. going on a Sunday afternoon drive. going on a Sunday afternoon drive. They got in the car. They went on a very They got in the car. They went on a very They got in the car. They went on a very long drive that took them down a long long drive that took them down a long long drive that took them down a long winding driveway when they ended up at winding driveway when they ended up at winding driveway when they ended up at their destination at a big building. She their destination at a big building. She their destination at a big building. She didn't know what it was. They walked up didn't know what it was. They walked up didn't know what it was. They walked up the stairs. Mom rang the doorbell of the stairs. Mom rang the doorbell of the stairs. Mom rang the doorbell of this big building and she said she this big building and she said she this big building and she said she didn't know until she actually turned didn't know until she actually turned didn't know until she actually turned around and saw that her mother had around and saw that her mother had around and saw that her mother had actually already gotten into the car, actually already gotten into the car, actually already gotten into the car, was ready to drive off before anybody was ready to drive off before anybody was ready to drive off before anybody had even answered the door. And when the had even answered the door. And when the had even answered the door. And when the door did open, someone introduced door did open, someone introduced door did open, someone introduced themselves to the little girls and told themselves to the little girls and told themselves to the little girls and told them that they were at an orphanage. them that they were at an orphanage. them that they were at an orphanage. That was the last day they saw their That was the last day they saw their That was the last day they saw their mother.

mother. mother. They had been dropped off at an They had been dropped off at an They had been dropped off at an orphanage where there were 65 other orphanage where there were 65 other orphanage where there were 65 other girls and Miss Dory described at the girls and Miss Dory described at the girls and Miss Dory described at the retreat to us that day that really the retreat to us that day that really the retreat to us that day that really the neglect and abuse they suffered over neglect and abuse they suffered over neglect and abuse they suffered over those years at the orphanage was worse those years at the orphanage was worse those years at the orphanage was worse than what they had experienced at home. than what they had experienced at home. than what they had experienced at home. One thing led to another year after One thing led to another year after One thing led to another year after year. They were never adopted from that year. They were never adopted from that year. They were never adopted from that orphanage and so they ended up aging OUT orphanage and so they ended up aging OUT orphanage and so they ended up aging OUT GOING INTO FOSTER CARE. More trouble and GOING INTO FOSTER CARE. More trouble and GOING INTO FOSTER CARE. More trouble and more trouble and more trouble one more trouble and more trouble one more trouble and more trouble one situation after another and as Miss Dory situation after another and as Miss Dory situation after another and as Miss Dory was giving this testimony, all of us was giving this testimony, all of us was giving this testimony, all of us were riveted at the realities OF WHAT were riveted at the realities OF WHAT were riveted at the realities OF WHAT SHE HAD FACED AND SHE SHARED HOW SOME SHE HAD FACED AND SHE SHARED HOW SOME SHE HAD FACED AND SHE SHARED HOW SOME COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM A NEIGHBORING COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM A NEIGHBORING COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM A NEIGHBORING university had come to share Christ with university had come to share Christ with university had come to share Christ with the orphans AND THAT IS HOW SHE CAME TO the orphans AND THAT IS HOW SHE CAME TO the orphans AND THAT IS HOW SHE CAME TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND JUST THE KNOW JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND JUST THE KNOW JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND JUST THE STORY AND TESTIMONY OF HER LIFE. IT WAS STORY AND TESTIMONY OF HER LIFE. IT WAS STORY AND TESTIMONY OF HER LIFE. IT WAS GRIPPING, endearing in its devastation. GRIPPING, endearing in its devastation. GRIPPING, endearing in its devastation. When we had a lunch break that day, When we had a lunch break that day, When we had a lunch break that day, there was a little book table outside. I there was a little book table outside. I there was a little book table outside. I remember going and grabbing Miss Dory's remember going and grabbing Miss Dory's remember going and grabbing Miss Dory's book. I don't even know if it's still in book. I don't even know if it's still in book. I don't even know if it's still in print. It's called The Girl Nobody print. It's called The Girl Nobody print. It's called The Girl Nobody Loved.

Loved. Loved. I grabbed that book, grabbed my box I grabbed that book, grabbed my box I grabbed that book, grabbed my box lunch for the day. I sat in the corner lunch for the day. I sat in the corner lunch for the day. I sat in the corner of the room of that little retreat, and of the room of that little retreat, and of the room of that little retreat, and I opened up that book and I started I opened up that book and I started I opened up that book and I started reading Miss Dory's story right then and reading Miss Dory's story right then and reading Miss Dory's story right then and there. The details in the book were even there. The details in the book were even there. The details in the book were even more devastating THAN WHAT MISS DORY had more devastating THAN WHAT MISS DORY had more devastating THAN WHAT MISS DORY had shared when she was giving her shared when she was giving her shared when she was giving her testimony. I couldn't believe it. I testimony. I couldn't believe it. I testimony. I couldn't believe it. I remember my body kind of quivering in remember my body kind of quivering in remember my body kind of quivering in sadness. I remember tears welling up in sadness. I remember tears welling up in sadness. I remember tears welling up in my eyes and spilling over onto my my eyes and spilling over onto my my eyes and spilling over onto my cheeks. cheeks. cheeks. And then I recall seeing a shadow coming And then I recall seeing a shadow coming And then I recall seeing a shadow coming over me and looking up and realizing over me and looking up and realizing over me and looking up and realizing that Miss Dory had walked over to me. that Miss Dory had walked over to me. that Miss Dory had walked over to me. She must have seen that I was reading She must have seen that I was reading She must have seen that I was reading her book. There she was standing in her book. There she was standing in her book. There she was standing in front of me, front of me, front of me, and she leaned over to me, a young girl and she leaned over to me, a young girl and she leaned over to me, a young girl 21 years old maybe. SHE PUT HER HANDS ON 21 years old maybe. SHE PUT HER HANDS ON 21 years old maybe. SHE PUT HER HANDS ON MY SHOULDER, and she said, "Sweet girl." MY SHOULDER, and she said, "Sweet girl." MY SHOULDER, and she said, "Sweet girl." As she wiped a tear from my eye, she As she wiped a tear from my eye, she As she wiped a tear from my eye, she said, "Don't you cry for me said, "Don't you cry for me said, "Don't you cry for me because God was with me the whole time." She said, "I can't describe OR I DON'T She said, "I can't describe OR I DON'T KNOW WHY in his sovereignty he allowed KNOW WHY in his sovereignty he allowed KNOW WHY in his sovereignty he allowed me to be in that situation for that me to be in that situation for that me to be in that situation for that long, but I do know as I look back on it long, but I do know as I look back on it long, but I do know as I look back on it that he was there.

that he was there. that he was there. That he WOVE TOGETHER A WEB of events That he WOVE TOGETHER A WEB of events That he WOVE TOGETHER A WEB of events that led me even to this day." that led me even to this day." that led me even to this day." And she said, "I want TO TELL YOU And she said, "I want TO TELL YOU And she said, "I want TO TELL YOU SOMETHING. I'll never forget it." SHE SOMETHING. I'll never forget it." SHE SOMETHING. I'll never forget it." SHE SAID, "I REMEMBER sitting in that SAID, "I REMEMBER sitting in that SAID, "I REMEMBER sitting in that closet, and I wouldn't have BEEN ABLE TO closet, and I wouldn't have BEEN ABLE TO closet, and I wouldn't have BEEN ABLE TO DESCRIBE WHAT WAS HAPPENING THEN. I WAS DESCRIBE WHAT WAS HAPPENING THEN. I WAS DESCRIBE WHAT WAS HAPPENING THEN. I WAS SO YOUNG. BUT SHE SAID, 'NOW IN SO YOUNG. BUT SHE SAID, 'NOW IN SO YOUNG. BUT SHE SAID, 'NOW IN HINDSIGHT, I have a little picture of HINDSIGHT, I have a little picture of HINDSIGHT, I have a little picture of what it was God was doing BECAUSE SHE what it was God was doing BECAUSE SHE what it was God was doing BECAUSE SHE SAID, 'I'D BE SITTING there in the dark, SAID, 'I'D BE SITTING there in the dark, SAID, 'I'D BE SITTING there in the dark, and somehow I just remember looking and somehow I just remember looking and somehow I just remember looking upward in the darkness of that CLOSET upward in the darkness of that CLOSET upward in the darkness of that CLOSET AND SEEING SOMETHING LIKE A WINDOW that AND SEEING SOMETHING LIKE A WINDOW that AND SEEING SOMETHING LIKE A WINDOW that seemed to open up WHERE I JUST HAD AN seemed to open up WHERE I JUST HAD AN seemed to open up WHERE I JUST HAD AN AWARENESS of God's presence, God's AWARENESS of God's presence, God's AWARENESS of God's presence, God's nearness. I wouldn't have been able to nearness. I wouldn't have been able to nearness. I wouldn't have been able to put a fingerprint ON WHAT IT WAS. I JUST put a fingerprint ON WHAT IT WAS. I JUST put a fingerprint ON WHAT IT WAS. I JUST KNEW THAT HIS PRESENCE was there, THAT KNEW THAT HIS PRESENCE was there, THAT KNEW THAT HIS PRESENCE was there, THAT HE WOULD never leave me nor forsake me. HE WOULD never leave me nor forsake me. HE WOULD never leave me nor forsake me. I knew that EVEN THOUGH I FELT unloved I knew that EVEN THOUGH I FELT unloved I knew that EVEN THOUGH I FELT unloved and unseen, that there was somebody who and unseen, that there was somebody who and unseen, that there was somebody who had their eyes on me, who knew my story, had their eyes on me, who knew my story, had their eyes on me, who knew my story, who wouldn't let it end this way. I knew who wouldn't let it end this way. I knew who wouldn't let it end this way. I knew that God was near, and knowing that he that God was near, and knowing that he that God was near, and knowing that he was near is what made all the was near is what made all the was near is what made all the difference.

John in the book of Revelation John in the book of Revelation has something of a door that has been has something of a door that has been has something of a door that has been opened up to him. opened up to him. opened up to him. He has been MADE AWARE THAT GOD IS NEAR. He has been MADE AWARE THAT GOD IS NEAR. He has been MADE AWARE THAT GOD IS NEAR. AND JOHN NEEDS TO KNOW this because when AND JOHN NEEDS TO KNOW this because when AND JOHN NEEDS TO KNOW this because when we meet him in Revelation chapter 4, the we meet him in Revelation chapter 4, the we meet him in Revelation chapter 4, the entire book of Revelation, John is like entire book of Revelation, John is like entire book of Revelation, John is like DORY IN A SITUATION THAT HE WOULD NOT DORY IN A SITUATION THAT HE WOULD NOT DORY IN A SITUATION THAT HE WOULD NOT HAVE PREFERRED TO BE IN. When we meet HAVE PREFERRED TO BE IN. When we meet HAVE PREFERRED TO BE IN. When we meet him IN REVELATION, Y'ALL, JOHN IS NOW 80 him IN REVELATION, Y'ALL, JOHN IS NOW 80 him IN REVELATION, Y'ALL, JOHN IS NOW 80 YEARS OLD. THIS IS THE SAME JOHN THAT YEARS OLD. THIS IS THE SAME JOHN THAT YEARS OLD. THIS IS THE SAME JOHN THAT WOULD HAVE WALKED WITH JESUS, THAT GAVE WOULD HAVE WALKED WITH JESUS, THAT GAVE WOULD HAVE WALKED WITH JESUS, THAT GAVE US THE GOSPEL where he CHRONICLED THE US THE GOSPEL where he CHRONICLED THE US THE GOSPEL where he CHRONICLED THE EXPERIENCES THAT HE'D HAD with Jesus EXPERIENCES THAT HE'D HAD with Jesus EXPERIENCES THAT HE'D HAD with Jesus WALKING WITH HIM AND TALKING WITH HIM, A WALKING WITH HIM AND TALKING WITH HIM, A WALKING WITH HIM AND TALKING WITH HIM, A MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCE, SO TO SPEAK, MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCE, SO TO SPEAK, MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCE, SO TO SPEAK, WHERE HE HAD BEEN WITH JESUS WHEN JESUS WHERE HE HAD BEEN WITH JESUS WHEN JESUS WHERE HE HAD BEEN WITH JESUS WHEN JESUS HAD CAUSED DEAF EARS TO HEAR AND BLIND HAD CAUSED DEAF EARS TO HEAR AND BLIND HAD CAUSED DEAF EARS TO HEAR AND BLIND FOLKS TO SEE AND THE LAME TO WALK. HE FOLKS TO SEE AND THE LAME TO WALK. HE FOLKS TO SEE AND THE LAME TO WALK. HE WAS THERE WHEN THE DEAD WAS RAISED. HE WAS THERE WHEN THE DEAD WAS RAISED. HE WAS THERE WHEN THE DEAD WAS RAISED. HE GOT to experience Jesus teaching and GOT to experience Jesus teaching and GOT to experience Jesus teaching and preaching with an authority and a preaching with an authority and a preaching with an authority and a SUPERNATURAL WEIGHT THAT THE LIKES OF SUPERNATURAL WEIGHT THAT THE LIKES OF SUPERNATURAL WEIGHT THAT THE LIKES OF WHICH WOULD DRAW multitudes of people to WHICH WOULD DRAW multitudes of people to WHICH WOULD DRAW multitudes of people to hang ON EVERY WORD THAT JESUS SAID.

hang ON EVERY WORD THAT JESUS SAID. hang ON EVERY WORD THAT JESUS SAID. There was such an awe in every word that There was such an awe in every word that There was such an awe in every word that JESUS SPOKE. I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT JESUS SPOKE. I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT JESUS SPOKE. I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT HOW YOU WOULD FEEL IF JESUS were your HOW YOU WOULD FEEL IF JESUS were your HOW YOU WOULD FEEL IF JESUS were your Bible study teacher. Bible study teacher. Bible study teacher. John says, "I was there. I experienced John says, "I was there. I experienced John says, "I was there. I experienced IT FOR MYSELF. I SAW THE WOMAN who IT FOR MYSELF. I SAW THE WOMAN who IT FOR MYSELF. I SAW THE WOMAN who pressed through the crowd TO BE ABLE TO pressed through the crowd TO BE ABLE TO pressed through the crowd TO BE ABLE TO REACH OUT AND TOUCH JESUS at the hem OF REACH OUT AND TOUCH JESUS at the hem OF REACH OUT AND TOUCH JESUS at the hem OF HIS GARMENT. I WATCHED POWER LEAVE Jesus HIS GARMENT. I WATCHED POWER LEAVE Jesus HIS GARMENT. I WATCHED POWER LEAVE Jesus and COME INTO HER LIFE AND CHANGE THE and COME INTO HER LIFE AND CHANGE THE and COME INTO HER LIFE AND CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF HER ENTIRE EXPERIENCE. TRAJECTORY OF HER ENTIRE EXPERIENCE. TRAJECTORY OF HER ENTIRE EXPERIENCE. JOHN HAD SEEN IT WITH HIS OWN EYES. He'd JOHN HAD SEEN IT WITH HIS OWN EYES. He'd JOHN HAD SEEN IT WITH HIS OWN EYES. He'd heard it with his own ears. He had heard it with his own ears. He had heard it with his own ears. He had experienced walking with Jesus, but when experienced walking with Jesus, but when experienced walking with Jesus, but when we meet him in Revelation, his we meet him in Revelation, his we meet him in Revelation, his experience has completely been changed. experience has completely been changed. experience has completely been changed. He has been exiled now to an island He has been exiled now to an island He has been exiled now to an island called Patmos, WHICH IS LIKE A PENAL called Patmos, WHICH IS LIKE A PENAL called Patmos, WHICH IS LIKE A PENAL colony that was reserved for criminals colony that was reserved for criminals colony that was reserved for criminals or enemies OF THE STATE, THOSE THAT ROME or enemies OF THE STATE, THOSE THAT ROME or enemies OF THE STATE, THOSE THAT ROME HAD DECIDED to send away. 10 mi off of HAD DECIDED to send away. 10 mi off of HAD DECIDED to send away. 10 mi off of the coast of Asia Minor in the Aegean the coast of Asia Minor in the Aegean the coast of Asia Minor in the Aegean SEA WAS PATMOS, AND PATMOS WAS LIKE A SEA WAS PATMOS, AND PATMOS WAS LIKE A SEA WAS PATMOS, AND PATMOS WAS LIKE A ROCK QUARRY, HARD THINGS ALL AROUND HIM.

ROCK QUARRY, HARD THINGS ALL AROUND HIM. ROCK QUARRY, HARD THINGS ALL AROUND HIM. THE MEDITERRANEAN SUN BEATING down on THE MEDITERRANEAN SUN BEATING down on THE MEDITERRANEAN SUN BEATING down on him. Everywhere he looked, THERE WERE him. Everywhere he looked, THERE WERE him. Everywhere he looked, THERE WERE JUST HARD THINGS, ROCKS, STONES, JUST HARD THINGS, ROCKS, STONES, JUST HARD THINGS, ROCKS, STONES, boulders everywhere. No respite, NO boulders everywhere. No respite, NO boulders everywhere. No respite, NO REPRIEVE FROM THE HEAT OF THE DAY. HIS REPRIEVE FROM THE HEAT OF THE DAY. HIS REPRIEVE FROM THE HEAT OF THE DAY. HIS LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING AND LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING AND LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING AND MISERABLE, DISAPPOINTING. HE WOULD HAVE MISERABLE, DISAPPOINTING. HE WOULD HAVE MISERABLE, DISAPPOINTING. HE WOULD HAVE WONDERED, "HOW AFTER WALKING WITH JESUS WONDERED, "HOW AFTER WALKING WITH JESUS WONDERED, "HOW AFTER WALKING WITH JESUS ALL THAT TIME, how after EXPERIENCING ALL THAT TIME, how after EXPERIENCING ALL THAT TIME, how after EXPERIENCING THOSE MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCES THAT I'D THOSE MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCES THAT I'D THOSE MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCES THAT I'D HAD WITH JESUS, SEEING THE HAD WITH JESUS, SEEING THE HAD WITH JESUS, SEEING THE TRANSFIGURATION, TRANSFIGURATION, TRANSFIGURATION, THE GLORY OF GOD FALL ON JESUS, AND THE GLORY OF GOD FALL ON JESUS, AND THE GLORY OF GOD FALL ON JESUS, AND HEARING THE FATHER SAY, 'THIS IS MY SON HEARING THE FATHER SAY, 'THIS IS MY SON HEARING THE FATHER SAY, 'THIS IS MY SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.' HOW DID I GO IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.' HOW DID I GO IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.' HOW DID I GO FROM THIS to that?" FROM THIS to that?" FROM THIS to that?" John is in the middle of hard things, John is in the middle of hard things, John is in the middle of hard things, and I would assume that in a group this and I would assume that in a group this and I would assume that in a group this size in this room and on the other side size in this room and on the other side size in this room and on the other side of the screen, WHEREVER YOU ARE ON THE of the screen, WHEREVER YOU ARE ON THE of the screen, WHEREVER YOU ARE ON THE GLOBE, YOU KNOW EXACTLY HOW JOHN FEELS GLOBE, YOU KNOW EXACTLY HOW JOHN FEELS GLOBE, YOU KNOW EXACTLY HOW JOHN FEELS TO GO FROM THIS to that. WHERE YOU'RE TO GO FROM THIS to that. WHERE YOU'RE TO GO FROM THIS to that. WHERE YOU'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, "HOW DID MY LIFE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, "HOW DID MY LIFE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, "HOW DID MY LIFE end up like this?" WHERE I FEEL LIKE I'M end up like this?" WHERE I FEEL LIKE I'M end up like this?" WHERE I FEEL LIKE I'M ON A ROCK QUARRY. BASICALLY, EVERYWHERE ON A ROCK QUARRY. BASICALLY, EVERYWHERE ON A ROCK QUARRY. BASICALLY, EVERYWHERE I LOOK, THERE ARE HARD THINGS OF I LOOK, THERE ARE HARD THINGS OF I LOOK, THERE ARE HARD THINGS OF DIFFERENT SIZES AND DIFFERENT TEXTURES DIFFERENT SIZES AND DIFFERENT TEXTURES DIFFERENT SIZES AND DIFFERENT TEXTURES AND DIFFERENT REALITIES THAT I GO IN ONE AND DIFFERENT REALITIES THAT I GO IN ONE AND DIFFERENT REALITIES THAT I GO IN ONE PLACE IN MY LIFE AND THERE'S A HARD PLACE IN MY LIFE AND THERE'S A HARD PLACE IN MY LIFE AND THERE'S A HARD THING THERE, AND AS SOON AS I DEAL WITH THING THERE, AND AS SOON AS I DEAL WITH THING THERE, AND AS SOON AS I DEAL WITH THAT ONE, I TURN AROUND AND IN THE OTHER THAT ONE, I TURN AROUND AND IN THE OTHER THAT ONE, I TURN AROUND AND IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, THERE'S A HARD THING THERE.

DIRECTION, THERE'S A HARD THING THERE. DIRECTION, THERE'S A HARD THING THERE. AND AS SOON AS I DEAL WITH THAT ONE, I AND AS SOON AS I DEAL WITH THAT ONE, I AND AS SOON AS I DEAL WITH THAT ONE, I TURN AROUND and there's another one that TURN AROUND and there's another one that TURN AROUND and there's another one that I'm facing in my family or in my I'm facing in my family or in my I'm facing in my family or in my FINANCES OR ON MY JOB OR IN MY MINISTRY FINANCES OR ON MY JOB OR IN MY MINISTRY FINANCES OR ON MY JOB OR IN MY MINISTRY OR IN MY own health, in the raising OF OR IN MY own health, in the raising OF OR IN MY own health, in the raising OF MY CHILDREN, RELATIONAL DYNAMICS, HARD MY CHILDREN, RELATIONAL DYNAMICS, HARD MY CHILDREN, RELATIONAL DYNAMICS, HARD THINGS ALL AROUND. JOHN KNOWS exactly THINGS ALL AROUND. JOHN KNOWS exactly THINGS ALL AROUND. JOHN KNOWS exactly how you feel. And in the midst of that how you feel. And in the midst of that how you feel. And in the midst of that closet, IN THE MIDST OF THAT DARKNESS, closet, IN THE MIDST OF THAT DARKNESS, closet, IN THE MIDST OF THAT DARKNESS, IN THE MIDST OF THAT HARDSHIP, IN THE IN THE MIDST OF THAT HARDSHIP, IN THE IN THE MIDST OF THAT HARDSHIP, IN THE MIDST OF THAT DIFFICULTY, JOHN SAYS IN MIDST OF THAT DIFFICULTY, JOHN SAYS IN MIDST OF THAT DIFFICULTY, JOHN SAYS IN REVELATION CHAPTER 4 VERSE 2, "I LOOKED REVELATION CHAPTER 4 VERSE 2, "I LOOKED REVELATION CHAPTER 4 VERSE 2, "I LOOKED UP AND SAW THERE WAS A DOOR." UP AND SAW THERE WAS A DOOR." UP AND SAW THERE WAS A DOOR." And the door seemed to be open to me, And the door seemed to be open to me, And the door seemed to be open to me, LETTING ME KNOW THAT I HAD ACCESS TO LETTING ME KNOW THAT I HAD ACCESS TO LETTING ME KNOW THAT I HAD ACCESS TO HEAVENLY PLACES, LETTING ME KNOW THAT HEAVENLY PLACES, LETTING ME KNOW THAT HEAVENLY PLACES, LETTING ME KNOW THAT THE PRESENCE OF GOD, THE POWER OF GOD, THE PRESENCE OF GOD, THE POWER OF GOD, THE PRESENCE OF GOD, THE POWER OF GOD, THE PEACE OF GOD WAS WITH ME EVEN WHILE THE PEACE OF GOD WAS WITH ME EVEN WHILE THE PEACE OF GOD WAS WITH ME EVEN WHILE I SAT IN THE MIDST OF HARD THINGS. CUZ I SAT IN THE MIDST OF HARD THINGS. CUZ I SAT IN THE MIDST OF HARD THINGS. CUZ SOMETIMES, Y'ALL, HE DOESN'T TAKE YOU SOMETIMES, Y'ALL, HE DOESN'T TAKE YOU SOMETIMES, Y'ALL, HE DOESN'T TAKE YOU OUT OF THE HARD STUFF, HE JUST MEETS YOU OUT OF THE HARD STUFF, HE JUST MEETS YOU OUT OF THE HARD STUFF, HE JUST MEETS YOU WHILE YOU'RE in it. WHILE YOU'RE in it. WHILE YOU'RE in it. John says, John says, John says, "I looked up and there was a door." "I looked up and there was a door." "I looked up and there was a door." MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS WE'RE NOT looking MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS WE'RE NOT looking MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS WE'RE NOT looking up.

up. up. MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS THAT we're looking, MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS THAT we're looking, MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS THAT we're looking, giving so much attention to what it is giving so much attention to what it is giving so much attention to what it is that we're facing, the hard stuff that that we're facing, the hard stuff that that we're facing, the hard stuff that is around us, that is real AND is around us, that is real AND is around us, that is real AND HEARTBREAKING AND HARD TO WALK THROUGH. HEARTBREAKING AND HARD TO WALK THROUGH. HEARTBREAKING AND HARD TO WALK THROUGH. BUT IF WE WOULD just pause, NOT JUST ON BUT IF WE WOULD just pause, NOT JUST ON BUT IF WE WOULD just pause, NOT JUST ON SUNDAY MORNING, BUT IF WE WOULD JUST SUNDAY MORNING, BUT IF WE WOULD JUST SUNDAY MORNING, BUT IF WE WOULD JUST PAUSE IN THE REGULAR RHYTHMS OF OUR PAUSE IN THE REGULAR RHYTHMS OF OUR PAUSE IN THE REGULAR RHYTHMS OF OUR Mondays and our Tuesdays AND OUR Mondays and our Tuesdays AND OUR Mondays and our Tuesdays AND OUR RELATIONAL DYNAMICS ON WEDNESDAYS AND RELATIONAL DYNAMICS ON WEDNESDAYS AND RELATIONAL DYNAMICS ON WEDNESDAYS AND OUR FINANCIAL STRUGGLES ON THURSDAYS AND OUR FINANCIAL STRUGGLES ON THURSDAYS AND OUR FINANCIAL STRUGGLES ON THURSDAYS AND THE DIAGNOSIS WE RECEIVE ON FRIDAYS and THE DIAGNOSIS WE RECEIVE ON FRIDAYS and THE DIAGNOSIS WE RECEIVE ON FRIDAYS and the realities THAT WE'RE FACING ON A the realities THAT WE'RE FACING ON A the realities THAT WE'RE FACING ON A REGULAR OLD SATURDAY, MAYBE if we as REGULAR OLD SATURDAY, MAYBE if we as REGULAR OLD SATURDAY, MAYBE if we as believers IN JESUS CHRIST WOULD PAUSE believers IN JESUS CHRIST WOULD PAUSE believers IN JESUS CHRIST WOULD PAUSE LONG ENOUGH TO LOOK UP, we would see LONG ENOUGH TO LOOK UP, we would see LONG ENOUGH TO LOOK UP, we would see there is a door THAT REMAINS OPEN IN THE there is a door THAT REMAINS OPEN IN THE there is a door THAT REMAINS OPEN IN THE HEAVENS, giving us access and awareness HEAVENS, giving us access and awareness HEAVENS, giving us access and awareness to the nearness of the presence of God. to the nearness of the presence of God. to the nearness of the presence of God. JOHN SAYS, "I LOOKED UP AND WHEN I DID JOHN SAYS, "I LOOKED UP AND WHEN I DID JOHN SAYS, "I LOOKED UP AND WHEN I DID it changed everything. I saw there was a it changed everything. I saw there was a it changed everything. I saw there was a door door door and the door was open. The reason why it and the door was open. The reason why it and the door was open. The reason why it matters to us y'all and it's so matters to us y'all and it's so matters to us y'all and it's so significant that John writes that the significant that John writes that the significant that John writes that the door is open is because just several door is open is because just several door is open is because just several verses earlier at the bottom of verses earlier at the bottom of verses earlier at the bottom of Revelation chapter 3 there is a letter Revelation chapter 3 there is a letter Revelation chapter 3 there is a letter that is being written about the church that is being written about the church that is being written about the church of Laodicea. Here's what it says in of Laodicea. Here's what it says in of Laodicea. Here's what it says in Revelation chapter 3 verse 20. Jesus Revelation chapter 3 verse 20. Jesus Revelation chapter 3 verse 20. Jesus says, says, says, I stand at the door and knock. I WISH I stand at the door and knock. I WISH I stand at the door and knock. I WISH SOMEBODY WOULD COME AND OPEN UP THIS SOMEBODY WOULD COME AND OPEN UP THIS SOMEBODY WOULD COME AND OPEN UP THIS DOOR.

DOOR. DOOR. HE IS WRITING about the church AND HE HE IS WRITING about the church AND HE HE IS WRITING about the church AND HE SAYS I'M STANDING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE SAYS I'M STANDING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE SAYS I'M STANDING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH AND I'M KNOCKING ON THE DOOR THAT CHURCH AND I'M KNOCKING ON THE DOOR THAT CHURCH AND I'M KNOCKING ON THE DOOR THAT THEY HAVE CLOSED. THEY HAVE CLOSED. THEY HAVE CLOSED. WHICH MEANS IT'S POSSIBLE FOR US TO BE WHICH MEANS IT'S POSSIBLE FOR US TO BE WHICH MEANS IT'S POSSIBLE FOR US TO BE in here and him to be out there. in here and him to be out there. in here and him to be out there. It's possible as the church OF JESUS It's possible as the church OF JESUS It's possible as the church OF JESUS CHRIST FOR US TO BE IN HERE CELEBRATING CHRIST FOR US TO BE IN HERE CELEBRATING CHRIST FOR US TO BE IN HERE CELEBRATING PERSONALITIES or platitudes OR PROGRAMS PERSONALITIES or platitudes OR PROGRAMS PERSONALITIES or platitudes OR PROGRAMS AND BE WITHOUT HIS PRESENCE. AND BE WITHOUT HIS PRESENCE. AND BE WITHOUT HIS PRESENCE. >> [applause] >> [applause] >> [applause] >> Lord help us if we are in here but Jesus >> Lord help us if we are in here but Jesus >> Lord help us if we are in here but Jesus is out there. is out there. is out there. Jesus says I'm standing outside the door Jesus says I'm standing outside the door Jesus says I'm standing outside the door of my own church and I'm knocking on the of my own church and I'm knocking on the of my own church and I'm knocking on the door. Which means they closed the door door. Which means they closed the door door. Which means they closed the door through their indifference, through through their indifference, through through their indifference, through their rebellion, through their their rebellion, through their their rebellion, through their hard-heartedness, through their hard-heartedness, through their hard-heartedness, through their stubbornness, through their apathy. They stubbornness, through their apathy. They stubbornness, through their apathy. They closed the door but even when we close closed the door but even when we close closed the door but even when we close the door to him the door to him the door to him aren't we glad that HE IS SO FAITHFUL aren't we glad that HE IS SO FAITHFUL aren't we glad that HE IS SO FAITHFUL THAT THE DOOR OF HEAVEN REMAINS OPEN TO THAT THE DOOR OF HEAVEN REMAINS OPEN TO THAT THE DOOR OF HEAVEN REMAINS OPEN TO US?

So I'm telling you that even if you have So I'm telling you that even if you have been faithless, even if you have CLOSED been faithless, even if you have CLOSED been faithless, even if you have CLOSED THE DOOR THROUGH YOUR REBELLION or THE DOOR THROUGH YOUR REBELLION or THE DOOR THROUGH YOUR REBELLION or indifference, EVEN IF YOU HAVE A CHILD indifference, EVEN IF YOU HAVE A CHILD indifference, EVEN IF YOU HAVE A CHILD THAT IS BREAKING YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW THAT IS BREAKING YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW THAT IS BREAKING YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY SEEM TO BE ON THE RUN FROM BECAUSE THEY SEEM TO BE ON THE RUN FROM BECAUSE THEY SEEM TO BE ON THE RUN FROM GOD, DISINTERESTED IN THE FACT that he's GOD, DISINTERESTED IN THE FACT that he's GOD, DISINTERESTED IN THE FACT that he's standing AT THE DOOR, WOULD YOU BE standing AT THE DOOR, WOULD YOU BE standing AT THE DOOR, WOULD YOU BE heartened today in knowing THAT EVEN heartened today in knowing THAT EVEN heartened today in knowing THAT EVEN WHEN WE AS HUMANITY CLOSE THE DOOR, THAT WHEN WE AS HUMANITY CLOSE THE DOOR, THAT WHEN WE AS HUMANITY CLOSE THE DOOR, THAT HE IS FAITHFUL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE HE IS FAITHFUL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE HE IS FAITHFUL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DOOR OF HEAVEN REMAINS OPEN. THE HOUND DOOR OF HEAVEN REMAINS OPEN. THE HOUND DOOR OF HEAVEN REMAINS OPEN. THE HOUND OF HEAVEN COMES LOOKING FOR US EVEN WHEN OF HEAVEN COMES LOOKING FOR US EVEN WHEN OF HEAVEN COMES LOOKING FOR US EVEN WHEN WE'RE NOT LOOKING for him. WE'RE NOT LOOKING for him. WE'RE NOT LOOKING for him. John says the door is open. I looked up John says the door is open. I looked up John says the door is open. I looked up and I realized I had access to heaven, and I realized I had access to heaven, and I realized I had access to heaven, that the presence of God was still with that the presence of God was still with that the presence of God was still with me. And then I heard a voice and the me. And then I heard a voice and the me. And then I heard a voice and the voice said, "Come up here." THAT IT'S THE INVITATION OF A LIFETIME. THAT IT'S THE INVITATION OF A LIFETIME. WOULD YOU BROTHERS AND SISTERS HEAR THE WOULD YOU BROTHERS AND SISTERS HEAR THE WOULD YOU BROTHERS AND SISTERS HEAR THE HOLY SPIRIT saying even now, "Come up HOLY SPIRIT saying even now, "Come up HOLY SPIRIT saying even now, "Come up here." here." here." That even while your feet are firmly That even while your feet are firmly That even while your feet are firmly planted in the realities OF EARTH, THE planted in the realities OF EARTH, THE planted in the realities OF EARTH, THE HARD STUFF OF EARTH, THAT EVEN IN THOSE HARD STUFF OF EARTH, THAT EVEN IN THOSE HARD STUFF OF EARTH, THAT EVEN IN THOSE MOMENTS WE CAN ALWAYS HEAR A WHISPER of MOMENTS WE CAN ALWAYS HEAR A WHISPER of MOMENTS WE CAN ALWAYS HEAR A WHISPER of the Holy Spirit giving us the invitation the Holy Spirit giving us the invitation the Holy Spirit giving us the invitation of a lifetime to come up here.

of a lifetime to come up here. of a lifetime to come up here. Which means AS WE TALKED ABOUT THE WOMEN Which means AS WE TALKED ABOUT THE WOMEN Which means AS WE TALKED ABOUT THE WOMEN AT THE CONFERENCE YESTERDAY, WE TALKED AT THE CONFERENCE YESTERDAY, WE TALKED AT THE CONFERENCE YESTERDAY, WE TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT AS BELIEVERS in ABOUT THE FACT THAT AS BELIEVERS in ABOUT THE FACT THAT AS BELIEVERS in Jesus Christ, we should always all BE Jesus Christ, we should always all BE Jesus Christ, we should always all BE LIVING IN TWO PLACES AT THE exact same LIVING IN TWO PLACES AT THE exact same LIVING IN TWO PLACES AT THE exact same time. Our feet firmly planted in the time. Our feet firmly planted in the time. Our feet firmly planted in the realities OF EARTH, BUT OUR MIND fixed realities OF EARTH, BUT OUR MIND fixed realities OF EARTH, BUT OUR MIND fixed on things eternal. That we're in two places at the exact That we're in two places at the exact SAME TIME. IT'S LIKE THE APOSTLE PAUL SAME TIME. IT'S LIKE THE APOSTLE PAUL SAME TIME. IT'S LIKE THE APOSTLE PAUL SAYING IN COLOSSIANS chapter 3, "If then SAYING IN COLOSSIANS chapter 3, "If then SAYING IN COLOSSIANS chapter 3, "If then you've been raised up, keep seeking the you've been raised up, keep seeking the you've been raised up, keep seeking the things above where Christ is seated at things above where Christ is seated at things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father. Set your the right hand of the Father. Set your the right hand of the Father. Set your mind on things above, not on things that mind on things above, not on things that mind on things above, not on things that are on the earth, for you have died and are on the earth, for you have died and are on the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden in Christ with God." your life is hidden in Christ with God." your life is hidden in Christ with God." So as a daughter, AS A SON OF THE MOST So as a daughter, AS A SON OF THE MOST So as a daughter, AS A SON OF THE MOST HIGH GOD, YEAH, YOU'RE ON EARTH, but HIGH GOD, YEAH, YOU'RE ON EARTH, but HIGH GOD, YEAH, YOU'RE ON EARTH, but your mind, your eyes are fixed on Jesus. John, John, he sees the open door. He's still on he sees the open door. He's still on he sees the open door. He's still on Patmos. Life is not what he would Patmos. Life is not what he would Patmos. Life is not what he would prefer.

prefer. prefer. But he recognizes he has access to But he recognizes he has access to But he recognizes he has access to heaven. heaven. heaven. The nearness of God, the presence of God The nearness of God, the presence of God The nearness of God, the presence of God makes all the difference. He wants to know, wants us to know this He wants to know, wants us to know this morning morning morning that just in case Patmos has been so that just in case Patmos has been so that just in case Patmos has been so hard for you, for me. hard for you, for me. hard for you, for me. Just in case this Sunday morning meets Just in case this Sunday morning meets Just in case this Sunday morning meets you at a time in your life where you at a time in your life where you at a time in your life where your heart is broken actually because of your heart is broken actually because of your heart is broken actually because of grief, grief, grief, loss, loss, loss, betrayal, betrayal, betrayal, hardship. hardship. hardship. If you've faced so many difficult things If you've faced so many difficult things If you've faced so many difficult things lately that honestly it's kind of dulled lately that honestly it's kind of dulled lately that honestly it's kind of dulled you. you. you. It's made you a little bit uh maybe It's made you a little bit uh maybe It's made you a little bit uh maybe hard-hearted or you feel like you're hard-hearted or you feel like you're hard-hearted or you feel like you're unable to actually get a glimpse of this unable to actually get a glimpse of this unable to actually get a glimpse of this door because sometimes y'all life is so door because sometimes y'all life is so door because sometimes y'all life is so difficult, Patmos is so hard that difficult, Patmos is so hard that difficult, Patmos is so hard that sometimes you don't even know how to sometimes you don't even know how to sometimes you don't even know how to pray. You you'd like to pray, but you pray. You you'd like to pray, but you pray. You you'd like to pray, but you can't even find the words. Does anybody can't even find the words. Does anybody can't even find the words. Does anybody know what I'm talking about? know what I'm talking about? know what I'm talking about? Where you just feel a little dull in Where you just feel a little dull in Where you just feel a little dull in your relationship with God and you're your relationship with God and you're your relationship with God and you're having a hard time detecting the having a hard time detecting the having a hard time detecting the nearness of God, the fingerprints of nearness of God, the fingerprints of nearness of God, the fingerprints of God.

God. God. You can't quite trace his hand and you You can't quite trace his hand and you You can't quite trace his hand and you can't quite hear his voice and you maybe can't quite hear his voice and you maybe can't quite hear his voice and you maybe feel discouraged on this Sunday morning. feel discouraged on this Sunday morning. feel discouraged on this Sunday morning. JOHN SAYS TO US TODAY, I want you to JOHN SAYS TO US TODAY, I want you to JOHN SAYS TO US TODAY, I want you to just ALLOW ME TO HOLD YOUR HAND FOR JUST just ALLOW ME TO HOLD YOUR HAND FOR JUST just ALLOW ME TO HOLD YOUR HAND FOR JUST A FEW MORE MOMENTS BECAUSE IF YOU CAN'T A FEW MORE MOMENTS BECAUSE IF YOU CAN'T A FEW MORE MOMENTS BECAUSE IF YOU CAN'T MAKE OUT THE DOOR TO HEAVEN, HOLD MY MAKE OUT THE DOOR TO HEAVEN, HOLD MY MAKE OUT THE DOOR TO HEAVEN, HOLD MY HAND FOR JUST A FEW MOMENTS BECAUSE I'M HAND FOR JUST A FEW MOMENTS BECAUSE I'M HAND FOR JUST A FEW MOMENTS BECAUSE I'M GOING to take you to the door. GOING to take you to the door. GOING to take you to the door. Because if you will let me take YOUR Because if you will let me take YOUR Because if you will let me take YOUR HAND FOR JUST A FEW MOMENTS AND TAKE you HAND FOR JUST A FEW MOMENTS AND TAKE you HAND FOR JUST A FEW MOMENTS AND TAKE you to THIS DOOR, TO SHOW YOU WHAT'S ON THE to THIS DOOR, TO SHOW YOU WHAT'S ON THE to THIS DOOR, TO SHOW YOU WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR. IF YOU'LL LET ME OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR. IF YOU'LL LET ME OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR. IF YOU'LL LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SHOW YOU WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SHOW YOU WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR, IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE course of DOOR, IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE course of DOOR, IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE course of your life. your life. your life. John says, "Come with me for just a few John says, "Come with me for just a few John says, "Come with me for just a few moments." moments." moments." Verse two. Verse two. Verse two. HE SAYS, "I LOOKED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HE SAYS, "I LOOKED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HE SAYS, "I LOOKED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR AND THE VERY FIRST THING I SAW THE DOOR AND THE VERY FIRST THING I SAW THE DOOR AND THE VERY FIRST THING I SAW WAS a throne." WAS a throne." WAS a throne." HE SAYS, "BEHOLD, THERE IS A THRONE and HE SAYS, "BEHOLD, THERE IS A THRONE and HE SAYS, "BEHOLD, THERE IS A THRONE and the throne was set in the heavens." the throne was set in the heavens." the throne was set in the heavens." DESPITE THE DEVASTATING REALITIES AROUND DESPITE THE DEVASTATING REALITIES AROUND DESPITE THE DEVASTATING REALITIES AROUND HIM, DESPITE THE DIFFICULTY THAT HE'S HIM, DESPITE THE DIFFICULTY THAT HE'S HIM, DESPITE THE DIFFICULTY THAT HE'S FACING, DESPITE THE OVERWHELM THAT YOU FACING, DESPITE THE OVERWHELM THAT YOU FACING, DESPITE THE OVERWHELM THAT YOU MAY FEEL, DESPITE THE INSURMOUNTABLE MAY FEEL, DESPITE THE INSURMOUNTABLE MAY FEEL, DESPITE THE INSURMOUNTABLE realities of life that seem TO BE realities of life that seem TO BE realities of life that seem TO BE OVERWHELMING, JOHN SAYS, "PAUSE FOR A OVERWHELMING, JOHN SAYS, "PAUSE FOR A OVERWHELMING, JOHN SAYS, "PAUSE FOR A MOMENT AND COME with me and look on the MOMENT AND COME with me and look on the MOMENT AND COME with me and look on the other side of this door because when you other side of this door because when you other side of this door because when you do you're going TO SEE THE REALITY THAT do you're going TO SEE THE REALITY THAT do you're going TO SEE THE REALITY THAT THERE IS A THRONE AND THE THRONE is set.

THERE IS A THRONE AND THE THRONE is set. THERE IS A THRONE AND THE THRONE is set. It is unmovable. IT IS UNCHANGEABLE. IT It is unmovable. IT IS UNCHANGEABLE. IT It is unmovable. IT IS UNCHANGEABLE. IT IS UNTOUCHABLE. IT IS UNBOTHERED. IT IS IS UNTOUCHABLE. IT IS UNBOTHERED. IT IS IS UNTOUCHABLE. IT IS UNBOTHERED. IT IS UNAFFECTED. UNAFFECTED. UNAFFECTED. There is no coup that is powerful enough There is no coup that is powerful enough There is no coup that is powerful enough to overthrow IT. THERE IS NO PERSON THAT to overthrow IT. THERE IS NO PERSON THAT to overthrow IT. THERE IS NO PERSON THAT IS INFLUENTIAL ENOUGH TO USURP IT. THERE IS INFLUENTIAL ENOUGH TO USURP IT. THERE IS INFLUENTIAL ENOUGH TO USURP IT. THERE IS NO DICTATOR THAT IS FORCEFUL ENOUGH IS NO DICTATOR THAT IS FORCEFUL ENOUGH IS NO DICTATOR THAT IS FORCEFUL ENOUGH TO SEIZE IT. JOHN SAYS, "LOOK, BEHOLD, TO SEIZE IT. JOHN SAYS, "LOOK, BEHOLD, TO SEIZE IT. JOHN SAYS, "LOOK, BEHOLD, THERE IS A THRONE AND THE THRONE IS NOT THERE IS A THRONE AND THE THRONE IS NOT THERE IS A THRONE AND THE THRONE IS NOT AFFECTED BY WHAT HAS AFFECTED YOU. THE AFFECTED BY WHAT HAS AFFECTED YOU. THE AFFECTED BY WHAT HAS AFFECTED YOU. THE THRONE IS UNMOVED, UNCHANGED, AND THRONE IS UNMOVED, UNCHANGED, AND THRONE IS UNMOVED, UNCHANGED, AND UNDISPUTED. THE THRONE THRONE remains on UNDISPUTED. THE THRONE THRONE remains on UNDISPUTED. THE THRONE THRONE remains on the other side of this door. the other side of this door. the other side of this door. THERE IS A CENTRAL FEATURE in the book THERE IS A CENTRAL FEATURE in the book THERE IS A CENTRAL FEATURE in the book of Revelations that he wants us to wrap of Revelations that he wants us to wrap of Revelations that he wants us to wrap our mind around and it's the throne. our mind around and it's the throne. our mind around and it's the throne. The book of Revelation can be The book of Revelation can be The book of Revelation can be overwhelming for us. There are so many overwhelming for us. There are so many overwhelming for us. There are so many nuances and symbols and things we can't nuances and symbols and things we can't nuances and symbols and things we can't quite make out and we try to understand quite make out and we try to understand quite make out and we try to understand and this might be one of the books of and this might be one of the books of and this might be one of the books of the Bible that as your pastor on the the Bible that as your pastor on the the Bible that as your pastor on the podcast that he has wonderfully created podcast that he has wonderfully created podcast that he has wonderfully created takes you through each book of the takes you through each book of the takes you through each book of the Bible, it's important that we have Bible, it's important that we have Bible, it's important that we have guidance for books of the Bible that we guidance for books of the Bible that we guidance for books of the Bible that we don't understand, names we can't don't understand, names we can't don't understand, names we can't pronounce, books like Leviticus that we pronounce, books like Leviticus that we pronounce, books like Leviticus that we can't get through.

can't get through. can't get through. And Revelation IS ONE OF THOSE WHERE And Revelation IS ONE OF THOSE WHERE And Revelation IS ONE OF THOSE WHERE THERE ARE SO many nuances that it can be THERE ARE SO many nuances that it can be THERE ARE SO many nuances that it can be intimidating to us. John says, "Even if intimidating to us. John says, "Even if intimidating to us. John says, "Even if you can't get all the nuances and you can't get all the nuances and you can't get all the nuances and details and dynamics of the book of details and dynamics of the book of details and dynamics of the book of Revelation, THERE IS ONE THING THAT I Revelation, THERE IS ONE THING THAT I Revelation, THERE IS ONE THING THAT I DON'T WANT YOU TO MISS BECAUSE IT'S DON'T WANT YOU TO MISS BECAUSE IT'S DON'T WANT YOU TO MISS BECAUSE IT'S MENTIONED dozens of times throughout the MENTIONED dozens of times throughout the MENTIONED dozens of times throughout the book of Revelation. 13 times in this one book of Revelation. 13 times in this one book of Revelation. 13 times in this one chapter alone, John keeps saying, chapter alone, John keeps saying, chapter alone, John keeps saying, "There is a throne." "There is a throne." "There is a throne." He He keeps saying, "If you can't get He He keeps saying, "If you can't get He He keeps saying, "If you can't get nothing else out of this, would you nothing else out of this, would you nothing else out of this, would you remember remember remember there's a throne? there's a throne? there's a throne? Would you remember there is a seat of Would you remember there is a seat of Would you remember there is a seat of authority? There is an ultimate seat of authority? There is an ultimate seat of authority? There is an ultimate seat of power. There is a seat OF SOVEREIGNTY power. There is a seat OF SOVEREIGNTY power. There is a seat OF SOVEREIGNTY THAT IS NOT MOVED, not shifted, DOES NOT THAT IS NOT MOVED, not shifted, DOES NOT THAT IS NOT MOVED, not shifted, DOES NOT CHANGE EVEN THOUGH YOUR reality does." CHANGE EVEN THOUGH YOUR reality does." CHANGE EVEN THOUGH YOUR reality does." And I don't know about y'all, but I'm so And I don't know about y'all, but I'm so And I don't know about y'all, but I'm so glad in the unstable, always changing glad in the unstable, always changing glad in the unstable, always changing REALITIES OF EARTH THAT THERE IS A REALITIES OF EARTH THAT THERE IS A REALITIES OF EARTH THAT THERE IS A THRONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN SHAKEN AND IT THRONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN SHAKEN AND IT THRONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN SHAKEN AND IT HAS NOT BEEN MOVED. JOHN SAYS THERE IS A HAS NOT BEEN MOVED. JOHN SAYS THERE IS A HAS NOT BEEN MOVED. JOHN SAYS THERE IS A THRONE.

And he looks up and he SEES THIS THRONE And he looks up and he SEES THIS THRONE THAT IS SEATED IN THE HEAVENS WHERE THE THAT IS SEATED IN THE HEAVENS WHERE THE THAT IS SEATED IN THE HEAVENS WHERE THE SOVEREIGN LORD REMAINS. AND SO HE SAYS SOVEREIGN LORD REMAINS. AND SO HE SAYS SOVEREIGN LORD REMAINS. AND SO HE SAYS THAT THE REASON WHY THIS MATTERS IS THAT THE REASON WHY THIS MATTERS IS THAT THE REASON WHY THIS MATTERS IS BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH THAT IS BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH THAT IS BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH THAT IS SHIFTING AND CHANGING IN LIFE, YOU NEED SHIFTING AND CHANGING IN LIFE, YOU NEED SHIFTING AND CHANGING IN LIFE, YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE IS AN ANCHOR that TO KNOW THAT THERE IS AN ANCHOR that TO KNOW THAT THERE IS AN ANCHOR that remains behind the door, that there is remains behind the door, that there is remains behind the door, that there is indeed a throne. To the first-century indeed a throne. To the first-century indeed a throne. To the first-century believers that John would have believers that John would have believers that John would have originally been writing this letter, the originally been writing this letter, the originally been writing this letter, the reason why it mattered so much is reason why it mattered so much is reason why it mattered so much is because they were in A ROMAN CULTURE because they were in A ROMAN CULTURE because they were in A ROMAN CULTURE THAT WAS COMPLETELY ANTICHRIST. THAT WAS COMPLETELY ANTICHRIST. THAT WAS COMPLETELY ANTICHRIST. And the emperor had so much power, so And the emperor had so much power, so And the emperor had so much power, so much influence, had even CONVINCED much influence, had even CONVINCED much influence, had even CONVINCED PEOPLE TO WORSHIP HIM, the emperor, as PEOPLE TO WORSHIP HIM, the emperor, as PEOPLE TO WORSHIP HIM, the emperor, as God. EVERYTHING ABOUT THE ENTIRE CULTURE God. EVERYTHING ABOUT THE ENTIRE CULTURE God. EVERYTHING ABOUT THE ENTIRE CULTURE WAS ANTITHETICAL TO living in the way WAS ANTITHETICAL TO living in the way WAS ANTITHETICAL TO living in the way that honored Christ. that honored Christ. that honored Christ. And I don't KNOW IF YOU'VE NOTICED OR And I don't KNOW IF YOU'VE NOTICED OR And I don't KNOW IF YOU'VE NOTICED OR NOT, BUT THAT CULTURE SOUNDS A LOT LIKE NOT, BUT THAT CULTURE SOUNDS A LOT LIKE NOT, BUT THAT CULTURE SOUNDS A LOT LIKE OURS. Where everything around us, no matter Where everything around us, no matter what part of the world you live in, is what part of the world you live in, is what part of the world you live in, is increasingly anti-Christ.

increasingly anti-Christ. increasingly anti-Christ. CUZ Y'ALL, BACK IN THE DAY, EVEN if CUZ Y'ALL, BACK IN THE DAY, EVEN if CUZ Y'ALL, BACK IN THE DAY, EVEN if people weren't Christians, even if people weren't Christians, even if people weren't Christians, even if people didn't attend church, even if people didn't attend church, even if people didn't attend church, even if people weren't sure they believed in people weren't sure they believed in people weren't sure they believed in Jesus being the Messiah, they at least Jesus being the Messiah, they at least Jesus being the Messiah, they at least respected if you did. respected if you did. respected if you did. THEY AT LEAST RESPECTED THAT THE MORALS, THEY AT LEAST RESPECTED THAT THE MORALS, THEY AT LEAST RESPECTED THAT THE MORALS, THE tenants of scriptures were at least THE tenants of scriptures were at least THE tenants of scriptures were at least a good way to live. So, they respected a good way to live. So, they respected a good way to live. So, they respected you if you honored the Bible, but not you if you honored the Bible, but not you if you honored the Bible, but not anymore. anymore. anymore. Now, if you're deciding to follow Jesus, Now, if you're deciding to follow Jesus, Now, if you're deciding to follow Jesus, if you're deciding to stand firmly on if you're deciding to stand firmly on if you're deciding to stand firmly on the promises of God, IF YOU'RE DECIDING, the promises of God, IF YOU'RE DECIDING, the promises of God, IF YOU'RE DECIDING, AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WHAT we going TO AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WHAT we going TO AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WHAT we going TO DO IS WE GOING to serve the Lord. If you DO IS WE GOING to serve the Lord. If you DO IS WE GOING to serve the Lord. If you decided to honor him, you will decided to honor him, you will decided to honor him, you will increasingly be antithetical to the increasingly be antithetical to the increasingly be antithetical to the entire system OF THE CULTURE IN WHICH WE entire system OF THE CULTURE IN WHICH WE entire system OF THE CULTURE IN WHICH WE LIVE. The people in the first CENTURY LIVE. The people in the first CENTURY LIVE. The people in the first CENTURY CENTURY KNEW EXACTLY HOW that felt to CENTURY KNEW EXACTLY HOW that felt to CENTURY KNEW EXACTLY HOW that felt to have a seat of power that was have a seat of power that was have a seat of power that was antithetical to to biblical to antithetical to to biblical to antithetical to to biblical to Christ-like principles. John says to Christ-like principles. John says to Christ-like principles. John says to them the same thing he says to us. them the same thing he says to us. them the same thing he says to us. They're not in charge. He is.

There is a throne. There is a throne. And it has not been moved or shaken. And it has not been moved or shaken. And it has not been moved or shaken. There is a throne AND IT IS ABOVE every There is a throne AND IT IS ABOVE every There is a throne AND IT IS ABOVE every throne. It is above all earthly thrones. throne. It is above all earthly thrones. throne. It is above all earthly thrones. It is above all powers. IT IS ABOVE ALL It is above all powers. IT IS ABOVE ALL It is above all powers. IT IS ABOVE ALL HUMAN AUTHORITIES. IT IS ABOVE ALL SEATS HUMAN AUTHORITIES. IT IS ABOVE ALL SEATS HUMAN AUTHORITIES. IT IS ABOVE ALL SEATS OF INFLUENCE. IT is above all OF INFLUENCE. IT is above all OF INFLUENCE. IT is above all presidents, above all administrations, presidents, above all administrations, presidents, above all administrations, above all monarchs, above all kings, above all monarchs, above all kings, above all monarchs, above all kings, ABOVE ALL GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS, ABOVE ABOVE ALL GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS, ABOVE ABOVE ALL GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS, ABOVE ALL INSTITUTIONS, ABOVE ALL ALL INSTITUTIONS, ABOVE ALL ALL INSTITUTIONS, ABOVE ALL ESTABLISHMENTS. THERE IS A THRONE. ESTABLISHMENTS. THERE IS A THRONE. ESTABLISHMENTS. THERE IS A THRONE. THE THRONE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. IT HAS THE THRONE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. IT HAS THE THRONE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. IT HAS NOT BEEN MOVED. IT HAS NOT BEEN NOT BEEN MOVED. IT HAS NOT BEEN NOT BEEN MOVED. IT HAS NOT BEEN DIMINISHED IN POWER, AND IT IS ALSO NOT DIMINISHED IN POWER, AND IT IS ALSO NOT DIMINISHED IN POWER, AND IT IS ALSO NOT UNOCCUPIED. John says, "I saw a throne, and there John says, "I saw a throne, and there was somebody sitting on the throne." Because what good is a throne that ain't Because what good is a throne that ain't nobody sitting on? nobody sitting on? nobody sitting on? John says, "When I looked up through the John says, "When I looked up through the John says, "When I looked up through the door, door, door, there was not just a seat of power, there was not just a seat of power, there was not just a seat of power, there was somebody sitting in the seat there was somebody sitting in the seat there was somebody sitting in the seat of power. There was somebody in the of power. There was somebody in the of power. There was somebody in the ultimate seat of sovereignty and ultimate seat of sovereignty and ultimate seat of sovereignty and authority, meaning that nothing in his authority, meaning that nothing in his authority, meaning that nothing in his oversight, nothing in his peer purview oversight, nothing in his peer purview oversight, nothing in his peer purview was happening outside of his ultimate was happening outside of his ultimate was happening outside of his ultimate control. THAT HE WAS AWARE, THAT HE control. THAT HE WAS AWARE, THAT HE control. THAT HE WAS AWARE, THAT HE SEES, THAT HE KNOWS about your Patmos.

SEES, THAT HE KNOWS about your Patmos. SEES, THAT HE KNOWS about your Patmos. That there is nothing THAT YOU'RE That there is nothing THAT YOU'RE That there is nothing THAT YOU'RE FACING, NOTHING THAT YOU'VE BEEN FACING, NOTHING THAT YOU'VE BEEN FACING, NOTHING THAT YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH, NO REALITY THAT WE'VE THROUGH, NO REALITY THAT WE'VE THROUGH, NO REALITY THAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED THAT HAS SHOCKED US, IT HAS EXPERIENCED THAT HAS SHOCKED US, IT HAS EXPERIENCED THAT HAS SHOCKED US, IT HAS NOT SHOCKED HIM. NOT SHOCKED HIM. NOT SHOCKED HIM. He is above all and over all and seated He is above all and over all and seated He is above all and over all and seated IN COMPLETE SOVEREIGN CONTROL IN ON the IN COMPLETE SOVEREIGN CONTROL IN ON the IN COMPLETE SOVEREIGN CONTROL IN ON the throne. And the REASON WHY THIS MATTERS throne. And the REASON WHY THIS MATTERS throne. And the REASON WHY THIS MATTERS IS BECAUSE IF YOU really believe it, IS BECAUSE IF YOU really believe it, IS BECAUSE IF YOU really believe it, like if we believe in THE SOVEREIGN like if we believe in THE SOVEREIGN like if we believe in THE SOVEREIGN SITTING POWER OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD, it SITTING POWER OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD, it SITTING POWER OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD, it changes the way you live. changes the way you live. changes the way you live. It allows you to do what Psalms 46:10 It allows you to do what Psalms 46:10 It allows you to do what Psalms 46:10 says, says, says, "Be still." Cease to strive. Cease to strive. Chill out. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Lord.

In the ancient Near East, this time In the ancient Near East, this time frame of the Bible, frame of the Bible, frame of the Bible, kings didn't sit. kings didn't sit. kings didn't sit. When there was a war, when there was a When there was a war, when there was a When there was a war, when there was a battle in full motion, kings did not battle in full motion, kings did not battle in full motion, kings did not sit, they stood. They stood and they sit, they stood. They stood and they sit, they stood. They stood and they paced and they walked and they watched. paced and they walked and they watched. paced and they walked and they watched. They wanted to have oversight. They They wanted to have oversight. They They wanted to have oversight. They wanted to be conveying strategy. They wanted to be conveying strategy. They wanted to be conveying strategy. They wanted to have military strategists that wanted to have military strategists that wanted to have military strategists that were constantly coming to them. They were constantly coming to them. They were constantly coming to them. They stood up while the battle was in motion. stood up while the battle was in motion. stood up while the battle was in motion. The only time a king sat down is once The only time a king sat down is once The only time a king sat down is once the battle had already been won the battle had already been won the battle had already been won to convey to everybody around them that to convey to everybody around them that to convey to everybody around them that the victory had been secured. the victory had been secured. the victory had been secured. John says, John says, John says, "Look." "Look." "Look." Because when you look through the door, Because when you look through the door, Because when you look through the door, you will not just see that there is a you will not just see that there is a you will not just see that there is a throne. And you will not just see that throne. And you will not just see that throne. And you will not just see that there is a savior. YOU WILL SEE THAT HE there is a savior. YOU WILL SEE THAT HE there is a savior. YOU WILL SEE THAT HE IS NOT PACING or walking. HE IS SITTING IS NOT PACING or walking. HE IS SITTING IS NOT PACING or walking. HE IS SITTING DOWN ON THE throne to make sure you know DOWN ON THE throne to make sure you know DOWN ON THE throne to make sure you know that the battle HAS ALREADY BEEN WON. >> Which means you are not just fighting OR >> Which means you are not just fighting OR YOU ARE NOT AT ALL FIGHTING FOR VICTORY.

YOU ARE NOT AT ALL FIGHTING FOR VICTORY. YOU ARE NOT AT ALL FIGHTING FOR VICTORY. You are fighting from victory. You are fighting from victory. You are fighting from victory. The battle's already been secured. The battle's already been secured. The battle's already been secured. You're already on the winning side. You're already on the winning side. You're already on the winning side. John says, "Look, he's sitting on the John says, "Look, he's sitting on the John says, "Look, he's sitting on the throne. He is your sovereign ruler." But John says, But John says, "That's not all I saw." "That's not all I saw." "That's not all I saw." It didn't just change me and transform It didn't just change me and transform It didn't just change me and transform me and help me to be still and remember me and help me to be still and remember me and help me to be still and remember that he is God. It reminds us that he is that he is God. It reminds us that he is that he is God. It reminds us that he is God when our child has left home and has God when our child has left home and has God when our child has left home and has broken our heart or when our marriage broken our heart or when our marriage broken our heart or when our marriage has slowly DISSOLVED OR WHEN THE has slowly DISSOLVED OR WHEN THE has slowly DISSOLVED OR WHEN THE FINANCIAL downturn has brought our FINANCIAL downturn has brought our FINANCIAL downturn has brought our family or our business to its knees OR family or our business to its knees OR family or our business to its knees OR WHEN THE DOCTOR'S DIAGNOSIS HAS SHOCKED WHEN THE DOCTOR'S DIAGNOSIS HAS SHOCKED WHEN THE DOCTOR'S DIAGNOSIS HAS SHOCKED YOU AND SHIFTED THE COURSE OF YOUR LIFE YOU AND SHIFTED THE COURSE OF YOUR LIFE YOU AND SHIFTED THE COURSE OF YOUR LIFE OR WHEN DEATH HAS STOLEN THE PICTURE OF OR WHEN DEATH HAS STOLEN THE PICTURE OF OR WHEN DEATH HAS STOLEN THE PICTURE OF WHAT YOU THOUGHT YOUR FUTURE would be or WHAT YOU THOUGHT YOUR FUTURE would be or WHAT YOU THOUGHT YOUR FUTURE would be or WHEN YOUR UNMET DREAMS OR UNMET WHEN YOUR UNMET DREAMS OR UNMET WHEN YOUR UNMET DREAMS OR UNMET REALITIES MAKE YOU SIMMER WITH A REALITIES MAKE YOU SIMMER WITH A REALITIES MAKE YOU SIMMER WITH A LOW-GRADE DISCONTENT and sadness, he LOW-GRADE DISCONTENT and sadness, he LOW-GRADE DISCONTENT and sadness, he says, "SEE YOUR SAVIOR WHO'S SITTING on says, "SEE YOUR SAVIOR WHO'S SITTING on says, "SEE YOUR SAVIOR WHO'S SITTING on the throne orchestrating, planning, the throne orchestrating, planning, the throne orchestrating, planning, allowing, restraining, sustaining. He is allowing, restraining, sustaining. He is allowing, restraining, sustaining. He is YOUR SOVEREIGN RULER. HE'S SITTING ON YOUR SOVEREIGN RULER. HE'S SITTING ON YOUR SOVEREIGN RULER. HE'S SITTING ON THE THRONE AND JOHN SAYS IN VERSE 2 AND THE THRONE AND JOHN SAYS IN VERSE 2 AND THE THRONE AND JOHN SAYS IN VERSE 2 AND 3, "WHEN I LOOKED AND SAW THAT HE WAS 3, "WHEN I LOOKED AND SAW THAT HE WAS 3, "WHEN I LOOKED AND SAW THAT HE WAS SITTING ON THE THRONE, I ALSO NOTICED SITTING ON THE THRONE, I ALSO NOTICED SITTING ON THE THRONE, I ALSO NOTICED that there was something around the that there was something around the that there was something around the throne."

throne." throne." JOHN SAYS, "I DON'T WANT YOU TO JUST JOHN SAYS, "I DON'T WANT YOU TO JUST JOHN SAYS, "I DON'T WANT YOU TO JUST KNOW WHAT WAS ON THE THRONE. I WANT YOU KNOW WHAT WAS ON THE THRONE. I WANT YOU KNOW WHAT WAS ON THE THRONE. I WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT WAS AROUND IT." He says, TO KNOW WHAT WAS AROUND IT." He says, TO KNOW WHAT WAS AROUND IT." He says, "He was sitting on the throne like a "He was sitting on the throne like a "He was sitting on the throne like a jasper stone." That's an uncut diamond. jasper stone." That's an uncut diamond. jasper stone." That's an uncut diamond. A sardius, which is like a ruby red in A sardius, which is like a ruby red in A sardius, which is like a ruby red in appearance. And there was a rainbow appearance. And there was a rainbow appearance. And there was a rainbow around the throne." Jerry and I have been married 27 years. Jerry and I have been married 27 years. We have three boys and our three boys are big old men now. our three boys are big old men now. They're big and they all keep coming They're big and they all keep coming They're big and they all keep coming back home. Somebody come help me feed back home. Somebody come help me feed back home. Somebody come help me feed these people. 23 years old, just turned 22 year old, 23 years old, just turned 22 year old, and then our surprise baby is 17 years and then our surprise baby is 17 years and then our surprise baby is 17 years old. His name is Jude. Jackson, Jerry old. His name is Jude. Jackson, Jerry old. His name is Jude. Jackson, Jerry Jr., and Jude. I told the women Jr., and Jude. I told the women Jr., and Jude. I told the women yesterday that we named him Jude on yesterday that we named him Jude on yesterday that we named him Jude on purpose cuz we don't know how he got purpose cuz we don't know how he got purpose cuz we don't know how he got here and that's as close to revelation here and that's as close to revelation here and that's as close to revelation as I could get.

as I could get. as I could get. Cuz it is finished. That was the end of Cuz it is finished. That was the end of Cuz it is finished. That was the end of the line right there, Jude. the line right there, Jude. the line right there, Jude. And these three boys, grown men now, but And these three boys, grown men now, but And these three boys, grown men now, but when they were younger, one of their when they were younger, one of their when they were younger, one of their calling cards, all three of them with me calling cards, all three of them with me calling cards, all three of them with me and with their dad, is that they were and with their dad, is that they were and with their dad, is that they were lovey-dovey boys. They liked to hug. lovey-dovey boys. They liked to hug. lovey-dovey boys. They liked to hug. They would come to us, particularly when They would come to us, particularly when They would come to us, particularly when they were getting a little bit sleepy or they were getting a little bit sleepy or they were getting a little bit sleepy or tired, they would ram their head into my tired, they would ram their head into my tired, they would ram their head into my chest. They want me to wrap my arms chest. They want me to wrap my arms chest. They want me to wrap my arms around them. They jump in the bed with around them. They jump in the bed with around them. They jump in the bed with us. They were all cuddly. That's what us. They were all cuddly. That's what us. They were all cuddly. That's what they enjoyed doing, and I would hug they enjoyed doing, and I would hug they enjoyed doing, and I would hug them, they would hug me back, and them, they would hug me back, and them, they would hug me back, and and when I'd hug them every single time and when I'd hug them every single time and when I'd hug them every single time in their young years, every single time in their young years, every single time in their young years, every single time I'd wrap them up tight in my arms or I'd wrap them up tight in my arms or I'd wrap them up tight in my arms or their dad did, every hug was designed to their dad did, every hug was designed to their dad did, every hug was designed to communicate to them, communicate to them, communicate to them, "I love you, "I love you, "I love you, and I've got your back." and I've got your back." and I've got your back." Well, as they've gotten older, those of Well, as they've gotten older, those of Well, as they've gotten older, those of you that have teenage boys in you that have teenage boys in you that have teenage boys in particular, I'm sure girls as well, they particular, I'm sure girls as well, they particular, I'm sure girls as well, they go through these stages where they don't go through these stages where they don't go through these stages where they don't really want you to touch them. I mean, really want you to touch them. I mean, really want you to touch them. I mean, they're not really jumping in the bed they're not really jumping in the bed they're not really jumping in the bed anymore trying to cuddle. That's not the anymore trying to cuddle. That's not the anymore trying to cuddle. That's not the thing they want to do. And then, you thing they want to do. And then, you thing they want to do. And then, you know, they might give you a hug, but know, they might give you a hug, but know, they might give you a hug, but it's this little raggedy pat that they it's this little raggedy pat that they it's this little raggedy pat that they give you on your shoulder, you know.

give you on your shoulder, you know. give you on your shoulder, you know. They're not really into it like they They're not really into it like they They're not really into it like they used to be into it. I HEAR THAT THEY used to be into it. I HEAR THAT THEY used to be into it. I HEAR THAT THEY COME back around in in later years in COME back around in in later years in COME back around in in later years in life. I can see that with my sons now, life. I can see that with my sons now, life. I can see that with my sons now, they're coming back around now hugging they're coming back around now hugging they're coming back around now hugging me a little bit more securely, but there me a little bit more securely, but there me a little bit more securely, but there were those years where they were kind of were those years where they were kind of were those years where they were kind of like, "Oh, Mom, you know, don't touch me like, "Oh, Mom, you know, don't touch me like, "Oh, Mom, you know, don't touch me too long." too long." too long." And you know, even then, And you know, even then, And you know, even then, I would still gather them up in my arms, I would still gather them up in my arms, I would still gather them up in my arms, and I'd hug them real tight, cuz I'm and I'd hug them real tight, cuz I'm and I'd hug them real tight, cuz I'm still saying the same thing. still saying the same thing. still saying the same thing. "I love you, "I love you, "I love you, and I've got your back. and I've got your back. and I've got your back. Whether or not you were hugging me is Whether or not you were hugging me is Whether or not you were hugging me is not relevant. not relevant. not relevant. I'm hugging you cuz I'm saying, "I love I'm hugging you cuz I'm saying, "I love I'm hugging you cuz I'm saying, "I love you, and I got your back," regardless of you, and I got your back," regardless of you, and I got your back," regardless of what your response is. what your response is. what your response is. Millennia before Revelation chapter 4, Millennia before Revelation chapter 4, Millennia before Revelation chapter 4, millennia before, millennia before, millennia before, God gave humanity a hug. God gave humanity a hug. God gave humanity a hug. It was in Genesis chapter 9, when It was in Genesis chapter 9, when It was in Genesis chapter 9, when rebellion had so saturated the entire rebellion had so saturated the entire rebellion had so saturated the entire earth that the earth needed to be earth that the earth needed to be earth that the earth needed to be destroyed by a flood. destroyed by a flood. destroyed by a flood. And for 40 days and 40 nights the the And for 40 days and 40 nights the the And for 40 days and 40 nights the the sky opened up and the rain fell and sky opened up and the rain fell and sky opened up and the rain fell and flooded the entire earth. Everyone would flooded the entire earth. Everyone would flooded the entire earth. Everyone would have been destroyed except through one have been destroyed except through one have been destroyed except through one man's obedience named Noah and the ark man's obedience named Noah and the ark man's obedience named Noah and the ark that he built mankind was preserved. And that he built mankind was preserved. And that he built mankind was preserved. And after 40 days AND 40 NIGHTS GOD'S WRATH after 40 days AND 40 NIGHTS GOD'S WRATH after 40 days AND 40 NIGHTS GOD'S WRATH WAS ASSUAGED AND THE SKY SHUT UP AND the WAS ASSUAGED AND THE SKY SHUT UP AND the WAS ASSUAGED AND THE SKY SHUT UP AND the rain stopped falling and as the the rain stopped falling and as the the rain stopped falling and as the the water begin to descend and decrease water begin to descend and decrease water begin to descend and decrease God painted a rainbow across the sky.

God painted a rainbow across the sky. God painted a rainbow across the sky. It was a hug to humanity. It wasn't just It was a hug to humanity. It wasn't just It was a hug to humanity. It wasn't just about water, the rainbow wasn't just about water, the rainbow wasn't just about water, the rainbow wasn't just about water. IT WAS ABOUT A new covenant about water. IT WAS ABOUT A new covenant about water. IT WAS ABOUT A new covenant being instituted with humanity. He was being instituted with humanity. He was being instituted with humanity. He was HUGGING THEM TO SAY I LOVE YOU AND I'VE HUGGING THEM TO SAY I LOVE YOU AND I'VE HUGGING THEM TO SAY I LOVE YOU AND I'VE GOT your back. FROM THIS POINT FORWARD I GOT your back. FROM THIS POINT FORWARD I GOT your back. FROM THIS POINT FORWARD I WILL DEAL WITH YOU ACCORDING to the WILL DEAL WITH YOU ACCORDING to the WILL DEAL WITH YOU ACCORDING to the covenant of grace. MERCY WILL ALWAYS covenant of grace. MERCY WILL ALWAYS covenant of grace. MERCY WILL ALWAYS TRIUMPH OVER JUDGMENT. MY MY PATIENCE, TRIUMPH OVER JUDGMENT. MY MY PATIENCE, TRIUMPH OVER JUDGMENT. MY MY PATIENCE, my loving kindness, I will BE SLOW TO my loving kindness, I will BE SLOW TO my loving kindness, I will BE SLOW TO ANGER. IS anybody grateful? ANGER. IS anybody grateful? ANGER. IS anybody grateful? And I will be great in loving kindness. And I will be great in loving kindness. And I will be great in loving kindness. My mercy will endure forever. My mercy will endure forever. My mercy will endure forever. Here we are ALL THESE YEARS LATER AND Here we are ALL THESE YEARS LATER AND Here we are ALL THESE YEARS LATER AND JOHN LOOKS UP AND HE SAYS, "BEHOLD, JOHN LOOKS UP AND HE SAYS, "BEHOLD, JOHN LOOKS UP AND HE SAYS, "BEHOLD, BEHIND THE DOOR I SAW NOT ONLY THAT BEHIND THE DOOR I SAW NOT ONLY THAT BEHIND THE DOOR I SAW NOT ONLY THAT THERE was a throne and I SAW NOT ONLY THERE was a throne and I SAW NOT ONLY THERE was a throne and I SAW NOT ONLY THAT HE WAS ON THE THRONE, BUT I SAW THAT HE WAS ON THE THRONE, BUT I SAW THAT HE WAS ON THE THRONE, BUT I SAW ABOVE THE THRONE that the rainbow ABOVE THE THRONE that the rainbow ABOVE THE THRONE that the rainbow remained a sign OF HIS MERCY AND A SIGN remained a sign OF HIS MERCY AND A SIGN remained a sign OF HIS MERCY AND A SIGN OF HIS GRACE AND A SIGN OF HIS GOODNESS. OF HIS GRACE AND A SIGN OF HIS GOODNESS. OF HIS GRACE AND A SIGN OF HIS GOODNESS. THAT HE KEEPS his covenant FROM ONE THAT HE KEEPS his covenant FROM ONE THAT HE KEEPS his covenant FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT GENERATION, WHICH GENERATION TO THE NEXT GENERATION, WHICH GENERATION TO THE NEXT GENERATION, WHICH MEANS THAT HE IS NOT JUST A SOVEREIGN MEANS THAT HE IS NOT JUST A SOVEREIGN MEANS THAT HE IS NOT JUST A SOVEREIGN RULER, Y'ALL. HE IS ALSO A PROMISE RULER, Y'ALL. HE IS ALSO A PROMISE RULER, Y'ALL. HE IS ALSO A PROMISE KEEPER. THAT HE KEEPS HIS PROMISES FROM KEEPER. THAT HE KEEPS HIS PROMISES FROM KEEPER. THAT HE KEEPS HIS PROMISES FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT GENERATION. ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT GENERATION. So here is God still giving humanity a So here is God still giving humanity a So here is God still giving humanity a hug. That whether or not you hug him hug. That whether or not you hug him hug. That whether or not you hug him back is not relevant. He's hugging you back is not relevant. He's hugging you back is not relevant. He's hugging you to let you know my grace is sufficient. to let you know my grace is sufficient. to let you know my grace is sufficient. My mercy endures. That there is nothing My mercy endures. That there is nothing My mercy endures. That there is nothing that you've done. Listen to me. that you've done. Listen to me. that you've done. Listen to me. There is nowhere that you've been. THERE There is nowhere that you've been. THERE There is nowhere that you've been. THERE IS NO PATH YOU'VE WALKED DOWN. THERE IS IS NO PATH YOU'VE WALKED DOWN. THERE IS IS NO PATH YOU'VE WALKED DOWN. THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP THAT YOU'VE CHOSEN. NO RELATIONSHIP THAT YOU'VE CHOSEN. NO RELATIONSHIP THAT YOU'VE CHOSEN. THERE IS NO INFLUENCE THAT YOU'VE THERE IS NO INFLUENCE THAT YOU'VE THERE IS NO INFLUENCE THAT YOU'VE ALLOWED. THERE IS NO ADDICTION THAT ALLOWED. THERE IS NO ADDICTION THAT ALLOWED. THERE IS NO ADDICTION THAT you've had. THERE'S NO SHACKLES THAT you've had. THERE'S NO SHACKLES THAT you've had. THERE'S NO SHACKLES THAT HAVE BEEN ON YOUR LIFE. THERE IS NOTHING HAVE BEEN ON YOUR LIFE. THERE IS NOTHING HAVE BEEN ON YOUR LIFE. THERE IS NOTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE IN YOUR PAST, YOUR THAT YOU HAVE DONE IN YOUR PAST, YOUR THAT YOU HAVE DONE IN YOUR PAST, YOUR PRESENT, OR YOUR FUTURE THAT CAN WORK PRESENT, OR YOUR FUTURE THAT CAN WORK PRESENT, OR YOUR FUTURE THAT CAN WORK YOU OUT of the never-ending GRACE AND YOU OUT of the never-ending GRACE AND YOU OUT of the never-ending GRACE AND MERCY OF OUR GREAT SOVEREIGN GOD. MERCY OF OUR GREAT SOVEREIGN GOD. MERCY OF OUR GREAT SOVEREIGN GOD. BECAUSE HE IS A PROMISE KEEPER. And the rainbow is still a sign And the rainbow is still a sign that his mercy endures. that his mercy endures. that his mercy endures. So, if the pit you're in right now So, if the pit you're in right now So, if the pit you're in right now is a pit you dug for yourself.

is a pit you dug for yourself. is a pit you dug for yourself. Because see, I don't know your Because see, I don't know your Because see, I don't know your testimony. I can just tell you mine. testimony. I can just tell you mine. testimony. I can just tell you mine. That most of the time when I end up in a That most of the time when I end up in a That most of the time when I end up in a pit, I can look back and actually see pit, I can look back and actually see pit, I can look back and actually see where I took the spade and dug the pit where I took the spade and dug the pit where I took the spade and dug the pit for myself. Like, I knew when I said the for myself. Like, I knew when I said the for myself. Like, I knew when I said the thing, it was a pit. I knew when I made thing, it was a pit. I knew when I made thing, it was a pit. I knew when I made the post, it was a pit. I knew when I the post, it was a pit. I knew when I the post, it was a pit. I knew when I communicated in that way, when I allowed communicated in that way, when I allowed communicated in that way, when I allowed that relationship, when I walked down that relationship, when I walked down that relationship, when I walked down that path, when I went on the first that path, when I went on the first that path, when I went on the first date. date. date. You already knew that you shouldn't have You already knew that you shouldn't have You already knew that you shouldn't have been there, doing that, saying that, been there, doing that, saying that, been there, doing that, saying that, experiencing that, allowing that. And experiencing that, allowing that. And experiencing that, allowing that. And before you know it, you looked up and before you know it, you looked up and before you know it, you looked up and you realize you are in a pit that is too you realize you are in a pit that is too you realize you are in a pit that is too deep for you to get yourself out of. deep for you to get yourself out of. deep for you to get yourself out of. John says, right there in the pit, look John says, right there in the pit, look John says, right there in the pit, look up. You going TO SEE THAT THERE IS A up. You going TO SEE THAT THERE IS A up. You going TO SEE THAT THERE IS A RAINBOW, WHICH MEANS HIS ARM IS NOT TOO RAINBOW, WHICH MEANS HIS ARM IS NOT TOO RAINBOW, WHICH MEANS HIS ARM IS NOT TOO SHORT THAT HE CANNOT SAVE. HE WILL REACH SHORT THAT HE CANNOT SAVE. HE WILL REACH SHORT THAT HE CANNOT SAVE. HE WILL REACH DOWN IN THAT PIT AND SNATCH YOU UP OUT DOWN IN THAT PIT AND SNATCH YOU UP OUT DOWN IN THAT PIT AND SNATCH YOU UP OUT OF IT AND CHANGE THE COURSE OF YOUR OF IT AND CHANGE THE COURSE OF YOUR OF IT AND CHANGE THE COURSE OF YOUR LIFE. LIFE. LIFE. HIS MERCY endures forever.

AND JOHN SEES HIM BEHIND THE DOOR. AND JOHN SEES HIM BEHIND THE DOOR. AND HE SEES LIVING CREATURES all around AND HE SEES LIVING CREATURES all around AND HE SEES LIVING CREATURES all around the throne. the throne. the throne. He can't even fully describe what they He can't even fully describe what they He can't even fully describe what they look like. HE'S JUST TRYING TO FIND look like. HE'S JUST TRYING TO FIND look like. HE'S JUST TRYING TO FIND WORDS AND PHRASES AND IMAGES that the WORDS AND PHRASES AND IMAGES that the WORDS AND PHRASES AND IMAGES that the first century believers would have been first century believers would have been first century believers would have been able to to utilize TO IN SOME WAY GET A able to to utilize TO IN SOME WAY GET A able to to utilize TO IN SOME WAY GET A HANDLE TO WHAT IT WAS HE WAS SEEING ON HANDLE TO WHAT IT WAS HE WAS SEEING ON HANDLE TO WHAT IT WAS HE WAS SEEING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS DOOR BECAUSE THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS DOOR BECAUSE THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS DOOR BECAUSE THERE WERE CREATURES AND COLORS AND THERE WERE CREATURES AND COLORS AND THERE WERE CREATURES AND COLORS AND EXPERIENCES AND NUANCES. YOU CAN TELL AS EXPERIENCES AND NUANCES. YOU CAN TELL AS EXPERIENCES AND NUANCES. YOU CAN TELL AS HE'S WRITING, HE CAN'T EVEN FULLY HE'S WRITING, HE CAN'T EVEN FULLY HE'S WRITING, HE CAN'T EVEN FULLY DESCRIBE WHAT HE'S SEEING. HE SAYS, "I DESCRIBE WHAT HE'S SEEING. HE SAYS, "I DESCRIBE WHAT HE'S SEEING. HE SAYS, "I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I SAW, BUT I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I SAW, BUT I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I SAW, BUT I KNOW WHAT I heard." KNOW WHAT I heard." KNOW WHAT I heard." That everything that had breath, That everything that had breath, That everything that had breath, EVERYTHING THAT WAS ABLE, EVERYTHING EVERYTHING THAT WAS ABLE, EVERYTHING EVERYTHING THAT WAS ABLE, EVERYTHING THAT HAD OPPORTUNITY to sing worship to THAT HAD OPPORTUNITY to sing worship to THAT HAD OPPORTUNITY to sing worship to the one WHO WAS SITTING ON THE THRONE the one WHO WAS SITTING ON THE THRONE the one WHO WAS SITTING ON THE THRONE SAID, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY SAID, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY SAID, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS and is IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS and is IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS and is and is to come." and is to come." and is to come." AND THOSE THAT HAD CROWNS ON THEIR HEAD, AND THOSE THAT HAD CROWNS ON THEIR HEAD, AND THOSE THAT HAD CROWNS ON THEIR HEAD, ANYTHING REPUTABLE TO SPEAK OF IN THE ANYTHING REPUTABLE TO SPEAK OF IN THE ANYTHING REPUTABLE TO SPEAK OF IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SITTING KING, THE ONE PRESENCE OF THE SITTING KING, THE ONE PRESENCE OF THE SITTING KING, THE ONE OVER WHOM THE rainbow remained, they OVER WHOM THE rainbow remained, they OVER WHOM THE rainbow remained, they took off their crowns and laid them down took off their crowns and laid them down took off their crowns and laid them down at the feet of Jesus and said, "Worthy at the feet of Jesus and said, "Worthy at the feet of Jesus and said, "Worthy are you, God, TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOR are you, God, TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOR are you, God, TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOR AND POWER AND AUTHORITY BOTH NOW and AND POWER AND AUTHORITY BOTH NOW and AND POWER AND AUTHORITY BOTH NOW and forevermore."

IF YOU HAVE EVER GOTTEN A GLIMPSE of the IF YOU HAVE EVER GOTTEN A GLIMPSE of the sitting king. I wonder today if there is anybody in I wonder today if there is anybody in this room or on the other side of the this room or on the other side of the this room or on the other side of the screen screen screen and you do NOT EVEN KNOW FOR SURE THAT and you do NOT EVEN KNOW FOR SURE THAT and you do NOT EVEN KNOW FOR SURE THAT YOU'VE HAD A relationship with this YOU'VE HAD A relationship with this YOU'VE HAD A relationship with this king. king. king. I'm telling YOU YOU CANNOT MAKE IT IN I'm telling YOU YOU CANNOT MAKE IT IN I'm telling YOU YOU CANNOT MAKE IT IN life life life without a glimpse of this throne. Life's too hard. I'm telling you unless Life's too hard. I'm telling you unless you know somebody sitting on the throne, you know somebody sitting on the throne, you know somebody sitting on the throne, unless you know there is an anchor, unless you know there is an anchor, unless you know there is an anchor, unless you know there is one who is unless you know there is one who is unless you know there is one who is unmoving and unchanging, unmoving and unchanging, unmoving and unchanging, who is faithful and able to present you who is faithful and able to present you who is faithful and able to present you faultless before the throne with faultless before the throne with faultless before the throne with exceeding great joy, exceeding great joy, exceeding great joy, you won't make it. you won't make it. you won't make it. But John says today But John says today But John says today you can get a glimpse of Jesus. you can get a glimpse of Jesus. you can get a glimpse of Jesus. It'll change your life.

Can I ask you if you have ever received Can I ask you if you have ever received Jesus Christ as your savior? If maybe this is the first day it's If maybe this is the first day it's occurred to you that the rainbow occurred to you that the rainbow occurred to you that the rainbow remains, like like it's still there. remains, like like it's still there. remains, like like it's still there. Mercy triumphs over judgment. You are Mercy triumphs over judgment. You are Mercy triumphs over judgment. You are not too far gone not too far gone not too far gone to come into relationship with Jesus to come into relationship with Jesus to come into relationship with Jesus Christ. He invites you into relationship Christ. He invites you into relationship Christ. He invites you into relationship with himself today. with himself today. with himself today. And wherever you are, in any part of the And wherever you are, in any part of the And wherever you are, in any part of the world, but also any part of this room, world, but also any part of this room, world, but also any part of this room, if you are not sure that you have placed if you are not sure that you have placed if you are not sure that you have placed faith in Jesus Christ faith in Jesus Christ faith in Jesus Christ and like John you need a fresh view of and like John you need a fresh view of and like John you need a fresh view of Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. While every head is bowed and eyes are While every head is bowed and eyes are While every head is bowed and eyes are closed, would you please if that's you, closed, would you please if that's you, closed, would you please if that's you, would you raise your hand and just wave would you raise your hand and just wave would you raise your hand and just wave it at me and look at me so that I know it at me and look at me so that I know it at me and look at me so that I know that's a decision you need to make that's a decision you need to make that's a decision you need to make today. Yes, brother. Anybody else? today. Yes, brother. Anybody else? today. Yes, brother. Anybody else? Yes, I see you. Anybody else? Yes. Yes, I see you. Anybody else? Yes. Yes, I see you. Anybody else? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes, I see you all in the back of the Yes, I see you all in the back of the Yes, I see you all in the back of the room. Yes, ma'am. [music] Yes, sis. room. Yes, ma'am. [music] Yes, sis. room. Yes, ma'am. [music] Yes, sis. Come on, who else? If your heart is Come on, who else? If your heart is Come on, who else? If your heart is burning on the inside of you, that's burning on the inside of you, that's burning on the inside of you, that's because God is calling you today.

because God is calling you today. because God is calling you today. Anybody else? Anybody else? Anybody else? Holy are you, God. Okay, there are hands that have gone up Okay, there are hands that have gone up all over the room and I'm sure there are all over the room and I'm sure there are all over the room and I'm sure there are many others of you in other rooms. many others of you in other rooms. many others of you in other rooms. You've raised your hand. You know that You've raised your hand. You know that You've raised your hand. You know that the Lord is calling you into the Lord is calling you into the Lord is calling you into relationship with himself. We are so relationship with himself. We are so relationship with himself. We are so grateful to stand with you in that grateful to stand with you in that grateful to stand with you in that choice today to come into the family of choice today to come into the family of choice today to come into the family of God. God. God. The Bible SAYS IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR The Bible SAYS IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR The Bible SAYS IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH and you believe in your heart that MOUTH and you believe in your heart that MOUTH and you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, you will be saved. Jesus Christ is Lord, you will be saved. Jesus Christ is Lord, you will be saved. And so I'm just going to say a prayer. And so I'm just going to say a prayer. And so I'm just going to say a prayer. Y'all, there are no magic in the words. Y'all, there are no magic in the words. Y'all, there are no magic in the words. You are just confessing with your mouth You are just confessing with your mouth You are just confessing with your mouth for the purpose of believing in your for the purpose of believing in your for the purpose of believing in your heart. And I'm going to ask that we will pray And I'm going to ask that we will pray THIS ALL TOGETHER TODAY as the body OF THIS ALL TOGETHER TODAY as the body OF THIS ALL TOGETHER TODAY as the body OF CHRIST SO THAT WE CAN BUILD AN CHRIST SO THAT WE CAN BUILD AN CHRIST SO THAT WE CAN BUILD AN ATMOSPHERE OF FAITH FOR those who may be ATMOSPHERE OF FAITH FOR those who may be ATMOSPHERE OF FAITH FOR those who may be praying it for the very first time. Is praying it for the very first time. Is praying it for the very first time. Is that all right?

that all right? that all right? Let's pray together. LORD JESUS Let's pray together. LORD JESUS Let's pray together. LORD JESUS I AM A sinner I AM A sinner I AM A sinner in need of a savior in need of a savior in need of a savior and I believe and I believe and I believe that you are that savior. that you are that savior. that you are that savior. So today So today So today I place faith alone I place faith alone I place faith alone in Christ alone in Christ alone in Christ alone To remove my sins. To remove my sins. To remove my sins. Take up residence in me. Take up residence in me. Take up residence in me. In the person of the Holy Spirit. In the person of the Holy Spirit. In the person of the Holy Spirit. Right now. Right now. Right now. In Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. Come on In Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. Come on In Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. Come on church, let's say amen. >> We're going to sing that hymn of the >> We're going to sing that hymn of the church, but in just a second. If you're church, but in just a second. If you're church, but in just a second. If you're here today, I'm going to ask this. Those here today, I'm going to ask this. Those here today, I'm going to ask this. Those that have Those that [music] have made that have Those that [music] have made that have Those that [music] have made that decision today, that door has been that decision today, that door has been that decision today, that door has been standing open.

standing open. standing open. And you've just responded. And you've just responded. And you've just responded. Um you'll see something on the screen Um you'll see something on the screen Um you'll see something on the screen that you'll see a number you can text. that you'll see a number you can text. that you'll see a number you can text. You'll see um online you can hit decided You'll see um online you can hit decided You'll see um online you can hit decided uh email decided to [email protected]. uh email decided to [email protected]. uh email decided to [email protected]. If you hit decided to 51,000, [music] If you hit decided to 51,000, [music] If you hit decided to 51,000, [music] text that. Um we will respond text that. Um we will respond text that. Um we will respond immediately and there's a number of immediately and there's a number of immediately and there's a number of [music] things that will begin to help [music] things that will begin to help [music] things that will begin to help with growth. But if you're here present, with growth. But if you're here present, with growth. But if you're here present, if you go over to exit 7 at the end of if you go over to exit 7 at the end of if you go over to exit 7 at the end of the church at the end of the service, the church at the end of the service, the church at the end of the service, >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> there are people that will walk you >> there are people that will walk you >> there are people that will walk you through, get you a Bible. That will take through, get you a Bible. That will take through, get you a Bible. That will take you to exit 7. Um don't forget email or you to exit 7. Um don't forget email or you to exit 7. Um don't forget email or text. But if you're here today, how many text. But if you're here today, how many text. But if you're here today, how many are right now, are right now, are right now, like Priscilla said, are in a hard like Priscilla said, are in a hard like Priscilla said, are in a hard situation and you need a throne on that situation and you need a throne on that situation and you need a throne on that thing right now. How many are there thing right now. How many are there thing right now. How many are there right now? right now? right now? Okay. Okay. Okay. Raise your hand. Just say, "I need a Raise your hand. Just say, "I need a Raise your hand. Just say, "I need a throne on that situation right now." throne on that situation right now." throne on that situation right now." I I I want us to sing this. I want us to I I I want us to sing this. I want us to I I I want us to sing this. I want us to sing the words of heaven of this song. I sing the words of heaven of this song. I sing the words of heaven of this song. I want you to get out of your seat. I want want you to get out of your seat. I want want you to get out of your seat. I want us to pray for you right [music] now. us to pray for you right [music] now. us to pray for you right [music] now. Quickly. Get out of your seat and I want Quickly. Get out of your seat and I want Quickly. Get out of your seat and I want you to make your way down here and we're you to make your way down here and we're you to make your way down here and we're going to begin to pray. Come on, sing going to begin to pray. Come on, sing going to begin to pray. Come on, sing this with me. Holy, holy as they begin.

this with me. Holy, holy as they begin. this with me. Holy, holy as they begin. Come on, you come. Balcony, main floor. Come on, you come. Balcony, main floor. Come on, you come. Balcony, main floor. [music] [music] [music] We're going to begin to pray that a We're going to begin to pray that a We're going to begin to pray that a throne comes over that situation. Come throne comes over that situation. Come throne comes over that situation. Come on. on. on. >> Lord >> Lord >> Lord [music] God [music] God [music] God >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> Early in the morning. Come on, sing it >> Early in the morning. Come on, sing it >> Early in the morning. Come on, sing it like a choir. >> Let's sing that second [music] verse. >> Let's sing that second [music] verse. That second verse. Come on. Let's bring That second verse. Come on. Let's bring That second verse. Come on. Let's bring it up. Come on, sing it with us. it up. Come on, sing it with us. it up. Come on, sing it with us. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Come on, sing that second verse. Come >> Come on, sing that second verse. Come >> Come on, sing that second verse. Come on, holy, holy. on, holy, holy. on, holy, holy. >> [music] [music] [music] [singing] [music]

[music] [singing] [music] [music] >> Come on, let's sing that third and first >> Come on, let's sing that third and first >> Come on, let's sing that third and first together. Come on, let's sing it strong. together. Come on, let's sing it strong. together. Come on, let's sing it strong. Holy, holy. This is the verse I like. Holy, holy. This is the verse I like. Holy, holy. This is the verse I like. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Though the darkness hide thee. Come on, >> Though the darkness hide thee. Come on, >> Though the darkness hide thee. Come on, church. church. church. Sing it with us now. Sing it with us now. Sing it with us now. >> [music] >> Come on, say these words. Though the >> Come on, say these words. Though the darkness [music] [music] >> Lift that head and say, "Only thou art >> Lift that head and say, "Only thou art >> Lift that head and say, "Only thou art holy." Tell him right now. [music] [music] [singing] >> The rocks, the rocks, the hard places.

>> The rocks, the rocks, the hard places. Let me just say this. Those [music] Let me just say this. Those [music] Let me just say this. Those [music] rocks seem to hide thee, rocks seem to hide thee, rocks seem to hide thee, to hide him in those times, to hide him. to hide him in those times, to hide him. to hide him in those times, to hide him. But here's what I love about that song. But here's what I love about that song. But here's what I love about that song. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> When finally that declaration comes in >> When finally that declaration comes in >> When finally that declaration comes in verse three, and you just go, "Though verse three, and you just go, "Though verse three, and you just go, "Though the darkness hide thee." Then you make the darkness hide thee." Then you make the darkness hide thee." Then you make the direct leap, "Only thou art holy." the direct leap, "Only thou art holy." the direct leap, "Only thou art holy." Only thou art holy. [music] Only thou art holy. [music] Only thou art holy. [music] And what I love about that Revelation 4 And what I love about that Revelation 4 And what I love about that Revelation 4 is this. [music] Is that when he gets is this. [music] Is that when he gets is this. [music] Is that when he gets called up, when he gets called to lift called up, when he gets called to lift called up, when he gets called to lift his eyes to see that door, that door. his eyes to see that door, that door. his eyes to see that door, that door. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> You know what the Bible says? He said, >> You know what the Bible says? He said, >> You know what the Bible says? He said, "I heard the voice like a trumpet." "I heard the voice like a trumpet." "I heard the voice like a trumpet." It wasn't a whisper. It wasn't a whisper. It wasn't a whisper. Do you ever hear a trumpet all by Do you ever hear a trumpet all by Do you ever hear a trumpet all by itself? It's really annoying. itself? It's really annoying. itself? It's really annoying. And it's And it's And it's >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I I have I have no doubt that that it >> I I have I have no doubt that that it >> I I have I have no doubt that that it wasn't a jazz trumpeter. That was wasn't a jazz trumpeter. That was wasn't a jazz trumpeter. That was [music] just a bugle. That was That was [music] just a bugle. That was That was [music] just a bugle. That was That was saying, "There is a door. [music] There saying, "There is a door. [music] There saying, "There is a door. [music] There is a throne. There is a king. And there is a throne. There is a king. And there is a throne. There is a king. And there are promises that are going to be kept are promises that are going to be kept are promises that are going to be kept and thank God. Thank God. Today, what we and thank God. Thank God. Today, what we and thank God. Thank God. Today, what we do today is in those rocky places, do today is in those rocky places, do today is in those rocky places, [music] in those hard places. We We not [music] in those hard places. We We not [music] in those hard places. We We not just see the door. We're going to walk just see the door. We're going to walk just see the door. We're going to walk in and just say, "God, I see a throne in and just say, "God, I see a throne in and just say, "God, I see a throne today." [music] Come on, lift those today." [music] Come on, lift those today." [music] Come on, lift those hands for just a moment. Father, we're hands for just a moment. Father, we're hands for just a moment. Father, we're here at this altar. Cindy and I stand here at this altar. Cindy and I stand here at this altar. Cindy and I stand here. Our Our elders, our staff, here. Our Our elders, our staff, here. Our Our elders, our staff, >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> we we stand with them. The choir would >> we we stand with them. The choir would >> we we stand with them. The choir would be here, the band, the singers. We lift be here, the band, the singers. We lift be here, the band, the singers. We lift our hands saying, "We need We need to our hands saying, "We need We need to our hands saying, "We need We need to see that throne in this hard place right see that throne in this hard place right see that throne in this hard place right now. [music] We need to know there's a

now. [music] We need to know there's a now. [music] We need to know there's a sovereign king on that throne right sovereign king on that throne right sovereign king on that throne right now." So, Father, we declare you are now." So, Father, we declare you are now." So, Father, we declare you are holy. That God when they walk through holy. That God when they walk through holy. That God when they walk through when when when John began to hear hear when when when John began to hear hear when when when John began to hear hear he heard those words holy holy holy. So, he heard those words holy holy holy. So, he heard those words holy holy holy. So, Father, may this hymn today be the very Father, may this hymn today be the very Father, may this hymn today be the very thing that just reminds us that there is thing that just reminds us that there is thing that just reminds us that there is a throne. There is a God. There is a a throne. There is a God. There is a a throne. There is a God. There is a promise keeping God. Every time we hear promise keeping God. Every time we hear promise keeping God. Every time we hear those words, whether it's the hymn, those words, whether it's the hymn, those words, whether it's the hymn, whether it's the holy holy that we sing whether it's the holy holy that we sing whether it's the holy holy that we sing all the time, CeCe Winans, whatever all the time, CeCe Winans, whatever all the time, CeCe Winans, whatever however whatever form it comes in, when however whatever form it comes in, when however whatever form it comes in, when we hear those words holy holy, we'll we hear those words holy holy, we'll we hear those words holy holy, we'll lift our hands and say, "There is a lift our hands and say, "There is a lift our hands and say, "There is a throne. There is a God that keeps his throne. There is a God that keeps his throne. There is a God that keeps his promises." And Lord, we thank you that promises." And Lord, we thank you that promises." And Lord, we thank you that those words will remind [music] us those words will remind [music] us those words will remind [music] us today. Those words will remind us today. today. Those words will remind us today. today. Those words will remind us today. And we thank you for it. In Jesus' name. And we thank you for it. In Jesus' name. And we thank you for it. In Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. [music] And everybody In Jesus' name. [music] And everybody In Jesus' name. [music] And everybody said amen and amen.