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My<00:00:00.780><c> pleasure</c><00:00:01.080><c> at</c><00:00:01.240><c> this</c><00:00:01.379><c> time</c><00:00:01.639><c> to</c><00:00:01.860><c> call</c><00:00:02.040><c> upon</c><00:00:02.339><c> our</c><00:00:02.520><c> brother</c><00:00:02.879><c> Lane</c><00:00:03.160><c> Ritmire</c><00:00:04.099><c> from</c><00:00:04.440><c> the</c>

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UK<00:00:04.900><c> to</c><00:00:05.400><c> speak</c><00:00:05.599><c> to</c><00:00:05.759><c> us.</c>

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Dear<00:00:10.839><c> brothers</c><00:00:11.199><c> and</c><00:00:11.259><c> sisters</c><00:00:11.599><c> in</c><00:00:11.960><c> the</c><00:00:12.099><c> Lord</c><00:00:12.259><c> Jesus</c><00:00:12.599><c> Christ,</c><00:00:13.140><c> it's</c><00:00:13.539><c> a</c>

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great<00:00:14.140><c> pleasure</c><00:00:14.660><c> to</c><00:00:14.939><c> be</c><00:00:15.039><c> with</c><00:00:15.279><c> you,</c><00:00:15.640><c> especially</c><00:00:16.059><c> on</c><00:00:16.820><c> this</c><00:00:17.059><c> day,</c>

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to<00:00:18.260><c> come</c><00:00:18.460><c> apart</c><00:00:18.839><c> from</c><00:00:19.079><c> the</c><00:00:19.339><c> world</c><00:00:19.579><c> with</c><00:00:20.039><c> all</c><00:00:20.260><c> its</c><00:00:20.480><c> distractions</c><00:00:21.120><c> and</c><00:00:22.100><c> to</c><00:00:22.280><c> be</c><00:00:22.539><c> gathered</c><00:00:22.739><c> together</c><00:00:23.339><c> as</c><00:00:23.679><c> a</c>

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family<00:00:24.280><c> in</c><00:00:24.559><c> the</c><00:00:24.699><c> Lord</c><00:00:24.859><c> Jesus</c><00:00:25.320><c> Christ</c>

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around<00:00:26.600><c> the</c><00:00:27.120><c> world,</c><00:00:27.539><c> especially</c><00:00:27.839><c> around</c><00:00:28.640><c> the</c><00:00:28.859><c> seven</c><00:00:29.239><c> letters</c>

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which<00:00:30.039><c> he</c><00:00:30.420><c> wrote</c><00:00:30.800><c> to</c><00:00:31.079><c> the</c><00:00:31.280><c> seven</c><00:00:31.899><c> ecclesiastes</c><00:00:32.840><c> in</c><00:00:33.340><c> Turkey,</c>

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in<00:00:34.579><c> Asia.</c>

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We're<00:00:38.000><c> going</c><00:00:38.020><c> on</c><00:00:38.280><c> a</c><00:00:38.399><c> journey,</c><00:00:39.100><c> God</c><00:00:39.420><c> willing,</c><00:00:39.920><c> visiting</c><00:00:40.280><c> the</c>

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seven<00:00:41.280><c> ecclesiastes</c><00:00:42.179><c> of</c><00:00:42.659><c> Revelation.</c>

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We<00:00:44.460><c> all</c><00:00:44.619><c> know</c><00:00:44.799><c> the</c><00:00:45.000><c> words,</c><00:00:45.259><c> he</c><00:00:45.479><c> that</c><00:00:45.659><c> has</c><00:00:45.859><c> an</c><00:00:46.159><c> ear,</c><00:00:46.920><c> let</c><00:00:47.020><c> him</c><00:00:47.259><c> hear</c><00:00:47.579><c> what</c><00:00:47.820><c> the</c><00:00:48.119><c> Spirit</c><00:00:48.399><c> says</c><00:00:48.799><c> to</c>

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the<00:00:49.280><c> ecclesiastes.</c>

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And<00:00:51.439><c> my</c><00:00:51.619><c> wife</c><00:00:51.820><c> Kathleen</c><00:00:52.179><c> and</c><00:00:52.460><c> I</c><00:00:52.640><c> had</c><00:00:52.920><c> recently</c><00:00:53.200><c> the</c><00:00:53.359><c> opportunity</c><00:00:53.979><c> to</c><00:00:54.820><c> walk</c>

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literally<00:00:56.320><c> among</c><00:00:56.840><c> the</c><00:00:57.119><c> seven</c><00:00:57.359><c> lampstands</c>

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and<00:00:59.420><c> walking</c><00:00:59.740><c> among</c><00:01:00.119><c> those</c><00:01:01.079><c> remains</c><00:01:01.799><c> of</c><00:01:02.539><c> those</c><00:01:02.880><c> ecclesiast</c>

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revelations<00:01:04.159><c> just</c><00:01:04.620><c> blew</c><00:01:04.859><c> us</c><00:01:05.120><c> away.</c>

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The<00:01:06.519><c> links</c><00:01:07.159><c> between</c><00:01:07.719><c> the</c><00:01:08.000><c> local</c><00:01:08.439><c> setting</c><00:01:09.000><c> of</c><00:01:09.640><c> each</c><00:01:09.939><c> ecclesia</c>

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and<00:01:11.260><c> the</c><00:01:11.540><c> letter</c><00:01:12.019><c> they</c><00:01:13.159><c> received</c><00:01:13.900><c> from</c><00:01:14.140><c> the</c><00:01:14.260><c> Lord</c><00:01:14.439><c> Jesus</c><00:01:14.840><c> Christ</c>

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made<00:01:16.109><c> us</c><00:01:16.329><c> realize</c><00:01:16.709><c> that</c><00:01:17.090><c> each</c><00:01:17.409><c> letter</c><00:01:17.790><c> was</c><00:01:18.829><c> especially</c><00:01:19.269><c> tailored</c><00:01:19.750><c> to</c><00:01:20.269><c> each</c><00:01:20.629><c> group</c><00:01:20.829><c> of</c>

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Christians<00:01:21.689><c> that</c><00:01:23.250><c> lived</c><00:01:23.469><c> there.</c>

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And<00:01:24.090><c> it</c><00:01:24.170><c> just</c><00:01:24.489><c> filled</c><00:01:24.730><c> us</c><00:01:24.989><c> with</c><00:01:25.230><c> wonder.</c>

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So<00:01:26.569><c> we</c><00:01:26.750><c> thought</c><00:01:26.909><c> to</c><00:01:27.489><c> take</c><00:01:27.790><c> you</c><00:01:27.969><c> on</c><00:01:28.129><c> a</c><00:01:28.290><c> virtual</c><00:01:28.590><c> tour</c><00:01:28.930><c> of</c><00:01:29.150><c> these</c>

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beautiful<00:01:29.890><c> sites</c><00:01:30.349><c> and</c><00:01:31.290><c> concentrate</c><00:01:31.950><c> especially</c><00:01:32.629><c> on</c><00:01:33.489><c> the</c><00:01:33.930><c> links</c>

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which<00:01:35.650><c> you</c><00:01:35.829><c> can</c><00:01:36.069><c> see</c><00:01:36.349><c> between</c><00:01:36.909><c> the</c><00:01:37.450><c> site</c><00:01:37.750><c> and</c><00:01:38.370><c> the</c><00:01:38.590><c> letter</c><00:01:38.909><c> itself.</c>

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And<00:01:40.489><c> it</c><00:01:40.769><c> showed</c><00:01:40.969><c> to</c><00:01:41.129><c> us</c><00:01:41.250><c> that</c><00:01:42.489><c> God</c><00:01:42.989><c> and</c><00:01:43.750><c> his</c><00:01:43.950><c> son</c><00:01:44.189><c> Jesus</c><00:01:44.569><c> Christ</c>

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understands<00:01:45.790><c> us.</c>

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He<00:01:46.849><c> loves</c><00:01:47.129><c> us,</c><00:01:48.109><c> he</c><00:01:48.290><c> holds</c><00:01:48.670><c> out</c><00:01:48.969><c> the</c><00:01:49.209><c> message</c><00:01:49.390><c> of</c><00:01:49.709><c> salvation</c><00:01:50.209><c> to</c>

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us<00:01:50.790><c> and</c><00:01:51.370><c> he</c><00:01:51.730><c> knows</c><00:01:52.150><c> our</c><00:01:52.650><c> circumstances.</c>

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He<00:01:54.269><c> knows</c><00:01:54.829><c> where</c><00:01:55.290><c> we</c><00:01:55.689><c> live.</c>

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So<00:01:57.390><c> we</c><00:01:57.549><c> can</c><00:01:58.049><c> recognize</c><00:01:59.030><c> the</c><00:01:59.609><c> gospel</c><00:02:00.129><c> in</c><00:02:01.150><c> the</c><00:02:01.430><c> seven</c><00:02:01.689><c> letters</c>

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to<00:02:02.650><c> the</c><00:02:02.849><c> ecclesiastes</c><00:02:03.709><c> and</c><00:02:04.109><c> that's</c><00:02:04.310><c> what</c><00:02:04.450><c> he</c><00:02:04.849><c> wants</c><00:02:05.030><c> to</c><00:02:05.329><c> bring</c>

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out<00:02:06.010><c> this</c><00:02:06.310><c> afternoon.</c>

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So<00:02:07.750><c> together</c><00:02:08.430><c> I</c><00:02:09.009><c> invite</c><00:02:09.250><c> you</c><00:02:09.530><c> to</c><00:02:10.129><c> walk</c><00:02:10.349><c> with</c><00:02:10.650><c> me</c><00:02:11.430><c> among</c><00:02:11.930><c> the</c><00:02:12.169><c> lampstands.</c>

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And<00:02:15.229><c> we're</c><00:02:15.509><c> first</c><00:02:15.590><c> going</c><00:02:15.830><c> to</c><00:02:16.069><c> see</c><00:02:16.810><c> how</c><00:02:17.930><c> those</c><00:02:18.469><c> letters</c><00:02:18.830><c> were</c><00:02:19.530><c> delivered.</c>

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See<00:02:22.189><c> the</c><00:02:22.349><c> letters</c><00:02:22.889><c> started,</c><00:02:24.689><c> they</c><00:02:24.949><c> were</c><00:02:25.110><c> written</c><00:02:25.530><c> in</c><00:02:26.349><c> Patmos</c>

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and<00:02:27.449><c> here</c><00:02:27.710><c> you</c><00:02:27.770><c> can</c><00:02:27.949><c> see</c><00:02:28.129><c> a</c><00:02:28.289><c> beautiful</c><00:02:28.569><c> picture</c><00:02:29.030><c> of</c><00:02:29.469><c> the</c><00:02:30.129><c> island</c><00:02:30.569><c> of</c><00:02:31.189><c> Patmos.</c>

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Because<00:02:32.729><c> in</c><00:02:33.490><c> this</c><00:02:33.810><c> chapter</c><00:02:34.090><c> we</c><00:02:34.349><c> just</c><00:02:34.610><c> read</c><00:02:34.810><c> in</c><00:02:35.129><c> verse</c><00:02:35.430><c> 9</c><00:02:36.389><c> we</c>

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read<00:02:36.849><c> that</c>

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I<00:02:38.969><c> John</c><00:02:39.430><c> who</c><00:02:39.909><c> also</c><00:02:40.270><c> am</c><00:02:40.430><c> your</c><00:02:40.710><c> brother</c><00:02:41.030><c> and</c><00:02:41.370><c> companion</c><00:02:41.810><c> in</c><00:02:42.050><c> tribulation</c><00:02:42.689><c> and</c>

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in<00:02:43.110><c> the</c><00:02:43.330><c> kingdom</c><00:02:43.590><c> and</c><00:02:43.930><c> patience</c><00:02:44.310><c> of</c><00:02:44.849><c> Jesus</c><00:02:45.270><c> Christ</c>

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was<00:02:45.770><c> in</c><00:02:45.990><c> the</c><00:02:46.289><c> isle</c><00:02:46.909><c> that</c><00:02:47.090><c> is</c><00:02:47.289><c> called</c><00:02:47.509><c> Patmos</c><00:02:48.169><c> for</c><00:02:48.810><c> the</c><00:02:49.069><c> word</c><00:02:49.210><c> of</c>

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God<00:02:49.870><c> and</c><00:02:50.229><c> for</c><00:02:50.409><c> the</c><00:02:50.629><c> testimony</c><00:02:51.189><c> of</c><00:02:51.870><c> Jesus</c><00:02:52.330><c> Christ.</c>

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So<00:02:53.889><c> that's</c><00:02:54.189><c> why</c><00:02:54.389><c> he</c><00:02:54.550><c> was</c><00:02:54.830><c> there.</c>

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It<00:02:57.849><c> doesn't</c><00:02:58.469><c> necessarily</c><00:02:59.210><c> mean</c><00:02:59.990><c> that</c><00:03:00.189><c> he</c><00:03:00.289><c> was</c><00:03:00.490><c> there</c><00:03:00.729><c> because</c>

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a<00:03:02.289><c> penal</c><00:03:02.530><c> sentence</c><00:03:03.050><c> has</c><00:03:03.289><c> been</c><00:03:03.610><c> pronounced</c><00:03:04.030><c> on</c><00:03:04.229><c> him.</c>

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We<00:03:05.250><c> just</c><00:03:05.430><c> don't</c><00:03:05.770><c> know.</c>

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Later<00:03:08.949><c> Christian</c><00:03:09.629><c> tradition</c><00:03:10.110><c> tells</c><00:03:10.469><c> us</c><00:03:10.689><c> that</c><00:03:10.830><c> he</c><00:03:10.930><c> was</c><00:03:11.110><c> exiled</c>

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there<00:03:11.909><c> as</c><00:03:12.469><c> part</c><00:03:12.689><c> of</c><00:03:12.870><c> the</c><00:03:13.129><c> persecution</c>

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which<00:03:13.909><c> the</c><00:03:14.129><c> Christians</c><00:03:14.330><c> experienced</c><00:03:15.150><c> after</c><00:03:15.849><c> the</c><00:03:16.110><c> destruction</c><00:03:16.490><c> of</c><00:03:16.789><c> Jerusalem</c><00:03:17.189><c> in</c><00:03:17.849><c> 70</c><00:03:18.349><c> AD.</c>

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But<00:03:19.250><c> whatever</c><00:03:19.810><c> the</c><00:03:20.150><c> cause</c><00:03:20.370><c> of</c><00:03:20.849><c> exile,</c><00:03:21.789><c> the</c><00:03:21.889><c> Lord</c><00:03:22.069><c> Jesus</c><00:03:22.530><c> Christ</c><00:03:23.189><c> had</c>

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chosen<00:03:24.689><c> this</c><00:03:25.669><c> remote</c><00:03:26.270><c> island</c>

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for<00:03:27.870><c> John</c><00:03:28.270><c> to</c><00:03:29.169><c> write</c><00:03:29.409><c> in</c><00:03:29.729><c> a</c><00:03:30.009><c> scroll</c><00:03:30.710><c> the</c><00:03:31.229><c> visions</c><00:03:31.449><c> that</c><00:03:31.729><c> he</c><00:03:31.990><c> saw</c>

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and<00:03:32.789><c> then</c><00:03:33.009><c> to</c><00:03:33.389><c> send</c><00:03:33.629><c> it</c><00:03:34.289><c> to</c><00:03:34.650><c> the</c><00:03:35.030><c> seven</c><00:03:35.310><c> ecclesiastes</c>

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that<00:03:36.710><c> were</c><00:03:36.969><c> in</c><00:03:37.289><c> Ephesus,</c><00:03:38.389><c> in</c><00:03:38.590><c> Smyrna,</c><00:03:39.689><c> Pergamum,</c><00:03:40.669><c> Thyatira,</c>

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Sardis,<00:03:42.810><c> Philadelphia</c><00:03:43.409><c> and</c><00:03:44.090><c> Laodicea.</c>

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And<00:03:45.590><c> we</c><00:03:45.870><c> visited</c><00:03:46.189><c> those</c><00:03:46.629><c> ecclesiastes</c><00:03:47.189><c> in</c><00:03:47.469><c> that</c><00:03:47.750><c> exact</c><00:03:48.229><c> order.</c>

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Now<00:03:51.550><c> on</c><00:03:52.030><c> Patmos</c><00:03:52.330><c> you</c><00:03:52.469><c> can</c><00:03:52.889><c> see</c><00:03:53.789><c> a</c><00:03:54.150><c> little</c><00:03:54.349><c> building</c><00:03:54.710><c> called</c><00:03:55.050><c> the</c><00:03:55.289><c> cave</c><00:03:55.449><c> of</c>

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the<00:03:55.949><c> apocalypse</c>

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where<00:03:57.229><c> John</c><00:03:57.469><c> was</c><00:03:57.710><c> supposedly</c><00:03:58.389><c> to</c><00:03:58.689><c> have</c><00:03:58.889><c> written</c><00:03:59.449><c> the</c><00:03:59.930><c> revelation.</c>

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Why<00:04:01.129><c> people</c><00:04:01.509><c> always</c><00:04:01.810><c> think</c><00:04:01.930><c> that</c><00:04:02.110><c> that</c><00:04:02.270><c> must</c><00:04:02.409><c> happen</c><00:04:02.610><c> in</c><00:04:02.849><c> a</c><00:04:03.009><c> cave,</c><00:04:03.270><c> I</c>

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don't<00:04:03.889><c> know.</c>

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But<00:04:04.789><c> it</c><00:04:04.930><c> is</c><00:04:05.129><c> interesting</c><00:04:05.610><c> to</c><00:04:06.110><c> see</c><00:04:06.250><c> the</c><00:04:06.370><c> little</c><00:04:06.530><c> mosaic</c><00:04:07.050><c> above</c>

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the<00:04:07.789><c> doorway</c>

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where<00:04:08.330><c> you</c><00:04:08.409><c> can</c><00:04:08.629><c> see</c><00:04:08.750><c> the</c><00:04:08.949><c> Lord</c><00:04:09.110><c> Jesus</c><00:04:09.449><c> Christ</c><00:04:10.009><c> standing</c><00:04:10.729><c> there</c>

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and<00:04:11.909><c> John</c><00:04:12.229><c> is</c><00:04:12.590><c> sitting</c><00:04:12.930><c> down</c><00:04:13.830><c> writing</c><00:04:14.550><c> in</c><00:04:15.389><c> a</c><00:04:15.650><c> book</c><00:04:15.990><c> all</c><00:04:17.149><c> the</c><00:04:17.350><c> things</c><00:04:17.730><c> that</c><00:04:18.009><c> he</c>

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was<00:04:18.470><c> told</c><00:04:18.730><c> to</c><00:04:19.170><c> write</c><00:04:19.509><c> down.</c>

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It<00:04:21.509><c> says</c><00:04:21.709><c> there</c><00:04:22.569><c> Jesus</c><00:04:23.110><c> above,</c><00:04:25.290><c> let</c><00:04:25.509><c> me</c><00:04:25.689><c> get</c><00:04:25.850><c> my</c><00:04:26.029><c> pen</c><00:04:26.230><c> out</c><00:04:26.470><c> here,</c><00:04:28.769><c> this</c>

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way<00:04:29.250><c> here,</c><00:04:30.990><c> this</c><00:04:31.170><c> is</c><00:04:31.529><c> John</c><00:04:32.029><c> the</c><00:04:33.110><c> theologian.</c>

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So<00:04:33.910><c> here</c><00:04:34.129><c> Jesus</c><00:04:34.410><c> is</c><00:04:34.730><c> standing</c><00:04:34.930><c> there</c><00:04:35.389><c> and</c><00:04:35.649><c> here</c><00:04:35.910><c> is</c><00:04:35.990><c> John</c><00:04:36.350><c> writing</c><00:04:36.870><c> down</c>

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in<00:04:37.790><c> a</c><00:04:37.930><c> book</c><00:04:38.029><c> which</c><00:04:38.230><c> was</c><00:04:38.569><c> probably</c><00:04:38.910><c> a</c><00:04:39.350><c> scroll</c>

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the<00:04:40.449><c> thing</c><00:04:40.829><c> which</c><00:04:41.430><c> he</c><00:04:41.689><c> was</c><00:04:42.029><c> told</c><00:04:42.189><c> to</c><00:04:42.410><c> write</c><00:04:42.629><c> down.</c>

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And<00:04:43.889><c> then</c><00:04:44.089><c> the</c><00:04:44.189><c> letter</c><00:04:44.269><c> had</c><00:04:44.470><c> to</c><00:04:44.569><c> be</c><00:04:44.889><c> delivered</c><00:04:45.230><c> to</c><00:04:45.470><c> those</c>

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seven<00:04:45.930><c> ecclesiastes.</c>

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We<00:04:47.670><c> are</c><00:04:48.050><c> not</c><00:04:48.230><c> told</c><00:04:48.610><c> who</c><00:04:49.089><c> delivered</c><00:04:49.750><c> the</c><00:04:50.310><c> letter</c><00:04:50.569><c> but</c><00:04:51.069><c> it</c><00:04:51.089><c> was</c>

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most<00:04:51.649><c> likely</c><00:04:52.069><c> John</c><00:04:52.629><c> himself</c>

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who<00:04:54.529><c> otherwise</c><00:04:55.290><c> would</c><00:04:55.629><c> have</c><00:04:55.810><c> had</c><00:04:55.990><c> the</c><00:04:56.410><c> courage</c><00:04:56.829><c> and</c><00:04:57.670><c> the</c><00:04:57.970><c> authority</c><00:04:58.529><c> to</c>

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do<00:04:59.569><c> so.</c>

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It<00:05:01.170><c> wasn't</c><00:05:01.370><c> an</c><00:05:01.569><c> easy</c><00:05:01.910><c> task</c><00:05:02.449><c> to</c><00:05:03.189><c> deliver</c><00:05:03.470><c> those</c><00:05:03.769><c> letters</c><00:05:04.110><c> of</c><00:05:04.350><c> Jesus</c><00:05:04.750><c> to</c>

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the<00:05:05.230><c> ecclesiastes.</c>

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And<00:05:08.009><c> I'm</c><00:05:08.250><c> sure</c><00:05:08.329><c> you</c><00:05:08.569><c> know</c><00:05:08.730><c> the</c><00:05:08.970><c> letters</c><00:05:09.209><c> and</c><00:05:09.490><c> they</c><00:05:09.730><c> always</c><00:05:10.149><c> first</c><00:05:10.670><c> start</c><00:05:11.029><c> with</c><00:05:11.250><c> a</c>

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description<00:05:12.170><c> of</c><00:05:12.949><c> the</c><00:05:13.110><c> Lord</c><00:05:13.290><c> Jesus</c><00:05:13.730><c> Christ</c>

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which<00:05:14.750><c> is</c><00:05:15.009><c> taken</c><00:05:15.209><c> from</c><00:05:15.470><c> the</c><00:05:15.730><c> chapter</c><00:05:16.430><c> which</c><00:05:16.910><c> we've</c><00:05:17.069><c> just</c><00:05:17.269><c> been</c><00:05:17.629><c> reading</c>

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because<00:05:19.569><c> we</c><00:05:19.829><c> are</c><00:05:20.129><c> told</c><00:05:20.370><c> there</c><00:05:21.129><c> ten</c><00:05:21.970><c> different</c><00:05:22.970><c> characteristics</c><00:05:23.850><c> of</c><00:05:24.529><c> the</c><00:05:24.709><c> Lord</c>

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Jesus<00:05:25.310><c> Christ</c><00:05:25.649><c> in</c><00:05:25.910><c> chapter</c><00:05:26.269><c> one.</c>

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He<00:05:27.610><c> doesn't</c><00:05:27.889><c> use</c><00:05:28.149><c> all</c><00:05:28.490><c> of</c><00:05:28.670><c> them</c><00:05:29.009><c> but</c><00:05:29.569><c> for</c><00:05:29.829><c> example</c><00:05:30.089><c> when</c><00:05:30.310><c> it</c><00:05:30.589><c> says</c><00:05:30.889><c> his</c><00:05:31.490><c> eyes</c><00:05:32.009><c> were</c><00:05:32.310><c> like</c><00:05:32.709><c> a</c>

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blazing<00:05:33.290><c> fire</c>

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and<00:05:34.370><c> his</c><00:05:34.810><c> feet</c><00:05:35.170><c> like</c><00:05:35.850><c> brass</c><00:05:36.550><c> burned</c><00:05:37.230><c> in</c><00:05:37.569><c> the</c><00:05:37.689><c> furnace</c>

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that<00:05:38.769><c> was</c><00:05:38.949><c> the</c><00:05:39.290><c> description</c><00:05:39.709><c> used</c><00:05:40.269><c> to</c><00:05:40.670><c> the</c><00:05:40.949><c> ecclesiast</c><00:05:41.430><c> in</c><00:05:41.529><c> Thyatira.</c>

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And<00:05:43.569><c> we</c><00:05:43.670><c> are</c><00:05:43.750><c> going</c><00:05:43.769><c> to</c><00:05:43.910><c> see</c><00:05:44.089><c> why</c><00:05:44.329><c> that</c><00:05:44.589><c> was</c><00:05:44.850><c> so.</c>

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When<00:05:46.810><c> he</c><00:05:46.949><c> is</c><00:05:47.209><c> described</c><00:05:47.550><c> in</c><00:05:48.149><c> verse</c><00:05:48.350><c> 16</c><00:05:48.790><c> that</c><00:05:49.009><c> he</c><00:05:49.149><c> had</c><00:05:49.290><c> in</c><00:05:49.470><c> his</c>

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hand<00:05:50.269><c> the</c><00:05:50.670><c> seven</c><00:05:50.990><c> stars</c>

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Jesus<00:05:53.050><c> picked</c><00:05:53.329><c> that</c><00:05:53.629><c> out</c><00:05:54.250><c> when</c><00:05:54.910><c> he</c><00:05:55.149><c> wrote</c><00:05:55.329><c> the</c><00:05:55.529><c> letter</c><00:05:55.930><c> to</c><00:05:56.430><c> Ephesus</c><00:05:56.910><c> and</c>

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to<00:05:57.449><c> Sardis.</c>

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When<00:05:59.449><c> we</c><00:05:59.649><c> read</c><00:05:59.790><c> that</c><00:06:00.290><c> out</c><00:06:00.490><c> of</c><00:06:00.629><c> his</c><00:06:00.810><c> mouth</c><00:06:01.009><c> came</c><00:06:01.290><c> a</c><00:06:01.750><c> sharp</c><00:06:02.089><c> two</c>

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-edged<00:06:02.810><c> sword</c>

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he<00:06:04.550><c> used</c><00:06:04.829><c> that</c><00:06:05.110><c> description</c><00:06:05.629><c> for</c><00:06:06.269><c> a</c><00:06:06.589><c> very</c><00:06:06.850><c> particular</c><00:06:07.490><c> reason</c>

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in<00:06:09.050><c> his</c><00:06:09.329><c> letter</c><00:06:09.750><c> to</c><00:06:10.529><c> Pergamos.</c>

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When<00:06:12.470><c> he</c><00:06:12.529><c> says</c><00:06:12.629><c> I'm</c><00:06:12.870><c> the</c><00:06:13.129><c> first</c><00:06:13.329><c> and</c><00:06:13.529><c> the</c><00:06:13.750><c> last,</c><00:06:14.310><c> the</c><00:06:14.569><c> living</c><00:06:14.790><c> one,</c><00:06:15.449><c> I</c>

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was<00:06:15.829><c> dead</c><00:06:16.029><c> and</c><00:06:16.170><c> beyond,</c><00:06:16.430><c> I'm</c><00:06:16.509><c> alive</c><00:06:16.769><c> forevermore</c>

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that's<00:06:18.269><c> what</c><00:06:18.370><c> he</c><00:06:18.649><c> used</c><00:06:18.850><c> in</c><00:06:18.990><c> his</c><00:06:19.209><c> letter</c><00:06:19.370><c> to</c><00:06:19.709><c> Smyrna.</c>

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I<00:06:22.069><c> hold</c><00:06:22.389><c> the</c><00:06:22.689><c> keys</c><00:06:23.129><c> of</c><00:06:23.990><c> death</c><00:06:24.230><c> and</c><00:06:24.410><c> of</c><00:06:24.610><c> Hades</c><00:06:24.790><c> or</c><00:06:25.050><c> the</c><00:06:25.230><c> keys</c><00:06:25.350><c> of</c><00:06:25.610><c> David</c>

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that<00:06:26.550><c> was</c><00:06:26.829><c> used</c><00:06:27.069><c> for</c><00:06:27.370><c> a</c><00:06:27.550><c> very</c><00:06:27.769><c> particular</c><00:06:28.230><c> reason</c><00:06:28.829><c> in</c><00:06:29.870><c> his</c><00:06:30.129><c> letter</c><00:06:30.529><c> to</c><00:06:31.970><c> Philadelphia.</c>

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So<00:06:33.689><c> each</c><00:06:34.029><c> description</c><00:06:34.569><c> has</c><00:06:34.790><c> its</c><00:06:35.029><c> own</c><00:06:35.250><c> meaning</c><00:06:35.670><c> and</c><00:06:36.350><c> Jesus</c><00:06:36.610><c> picks</c><00:06:36.889><c> out</c>

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one<00:06:37.430><c> or</c><00:06:37.649><c> two</c><00:06:37.889><c> of</c><00:06:37.970><c> those</c><00:06:38.189><c> descriptions</c>

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that<00:06:38.750><c> were</c><00:06:39.089><c> relevant</c><00:06:39.709><c> to</c><00:06:40.410><c> the</c><00:06:40.689><c> ecclesia</c><00:06:41.629><c> to</c><00:06:42.410><c> whom</c><00:06:42.689><c> the</c><00:06:43.009><c> letter</c>

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was<00:06:43.490><c> written.</c>

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And<00:06:44.990><c> it's</c><00:06:45.269><c> wonderful</c><00:06:45.709><c> to</c><00:06:46.029><c> think</c><00:06:46.589><c> that</c><00:06:47.149><c> Jesus</c><00:06:48.029><c> knew</c><00:06:49.189><c> every</c><00:06:50.290><c> ecclesia</c><00:06:51.029><c> and</c>

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the<00:06:51.990><c> individual</c><00:06:52.589><c> members</c><00:06:53.170><c> as</c><00:06:53.529><c> well.</c>

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And<00:06:54.170><c> if</c><00:06:54.250><c> you</c><00:06:54.329><c> did</c><00:06:54.430><c> that</c><00:06:54.610><c> 2000</c><00:06:54.949><c> years</c><00:06:55.290><c> ago,</c><00:06:55.990><c> he</c><00:06:56.069><c> knows</c><00:06:56.329><c> our</c><00:06:56.730><c> ecclesias</c><00:06:57.290><c> as</c><00:06:57.529><c> well.</c>

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He<00:06:58.649><c> knows</c><00:06:59.009><c> each</c><00:06:59.709><c> individual</c><00:07:00.290><c> member</c><00:07:00.870><c> of</c><00:07:01.709><c> each</c><00:07:02.009><c> ecclesia</c><00:07:02.569><c> and</c>

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the<00:07:03.529><c> circumstances</c><00:07:04.230><c> in</c><00:07:05.050><c> which</c><00:07:05.230><c> we</c><00:07:05.529><c> live.</c>

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When<00:07:07.290><c> the</c><00:07:07.430><c> Jerusalem</c><00:07:07.670><c> conference</c><00:07:08.189><c> took</c><00:07:08.470><c> place</c><00:07:08.790><c> described</c><00:07:09.430><c> in</c>

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Acts<00:07:10.050><c> 15</c>

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Peter<00:07:11.050><c> spoke</c><00:07:11.370><c> up</c><00:07:11.490><c> for</c><00:07:11.709><c> the</c><00:07:11.870><c> Gentiles,</c><00:07:12.370><c> he</c><00:07:12.370><c> said</c><00:07:12.509><c> God</c><00:07:13.069><c> which</c>

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knows<00:07:13.670><c> the</c><00:07:14.370><c> hearts</c><00:07:15.009><c> bear</c><00:07:15.829><c> them</c><00:07:16.009><c> witness</c>

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giving<00:07:16.649><c> them</c><00:07:16.850><c> the</c><00:07:17.009><c> Holy</c><00:07:17.209><c> Spirit</c><00:07:17.529><c> even</c><00:07:17.810><c> as</c><00:07:18.089><c> he</c><00:07:18.569><c> did</c><00:07:18.810><c> unto</c><00:07:19.050><c> us.</c>

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God<00:07:20.149><c> knows</c><00:07:20.730><c> our</c><00:07:21.209><c> hearts</c><00:07:21.629><c> and</c><00:07:22.089><c> so</c><00:07:22.310><c> does</c><00:07:22.430><c> the</c><00:07:22.629><c> Lord</c><00:07:22.810><c> Jesus</c><00:07:23.189><c> Christ.</c>

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And<00:07:25.589><c> we</c><00:07:25.769><c> wonder</c><00:07:25.970><c> what</c><00:07:26.290><c> kind</c><00:07:26.589><c> of</c><00:07:27.529><c> letter</c><00:07:27.689><c> we</c><00:07:27.949><c> would</c><00:07:28.149><c> get</c><00:07:28.509><c> if</c><00:07:29.329><c> we</c>

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were<00:07:29.629><c> to</c><00:07:29.870><c> receive</c><00:07:30.189><c> a</c><00:07:30.350><c> letter</c><00:07:30.689><c> from</c><00:07:31.129><c> the</c><00:07:31.269><c> Lord</c><00:07:31.430><c> Jesus</c><00:07:31.810><c> Christ.</c>

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It's<00:07:34.490><c> known</c><00:07:34.610><c> of</c><00:07:34.769><c> course</c><00:07:34.889><c> that</c><00:07:35.089><c> there</c><00:07:35.189><c> were</c><00:07:35.350><c> more</c><00:07:35.970><c> than</c><00:07:36.629><c> seven</c>

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ecclesias<00:07:38.009><c> in</c><00:07:38.769><c> the</c><00:07:39.170><c> Roman</c><00:07:39.430><c> province</c><00:07:39.769><c> of</c><00:07:40.009><c> Asia</c><00:07:40.290><c> at</c><00:07:40.550><c> the</c><00:07:40.629><c> time.</c>

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Then<00:07:41.329><c> at</c><00:07:41.649><c> the</c><00:07:41.730><c> end</c><00:07:41.790><c> we</c><00:07:41.970><c> look</c><00:07:42.189><c> at</c><00:07:42.529><c> Laodicea</c><00:07:43.110><c> for</c><00:07:43.389><c> example.</c>

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But<00:07:44.470><c> there</c><00:07:44.629><c> were</c><00:07:44.730><c> two</c><00:07:44.850><c> ecclesias</c><00:07:45.209><c> very</c><00:07:45.589><c> close</c><00:07:45.910><c> by,</c><00:07:46.490><c> Hierapolis</c><00:07:46.970><c> and</c><00:07:47.329><c> Colossus.</c>

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So<00:07:48.550><c> there</c><00:07:48.670><c> were</c><00:07:48.769><c> more</c><00:07:49.069><c> than</c><00:07:49.269><c> seven</c><00:07:49.589><c> ecclesias</c><00:07:50.050><c> and</c><00:07:50.329><c> therefore</c>

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those<00:07:51.189><c> messages</c><00:07:51.670><c> must</c><00:07:51.970><c> have</c><00:07:52.170><c> been</c><00:07:52.730><c> representative</c><00:07:53.769><c> letters</c>

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for<00:07:55.269><c> all</c><00:07:55.689><c> the</c><00:07:56.009><c> ecclesias,</c><00:07:56.550><c> not</c><00:07:56.769><c> only</c><00:07:57.029><c> at</c><00:07:57.370><c> that</c><00:07:57.610><c> time</c><00:07:58.089><c> but</c><00:07:58.649><c> also</c>

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in<00:07:59.209><c> the</c><00:07:59.370><c> time</c><00:07:59.610><c> in</c><00:07:59.850><c> which</c><00:08:00.050><c> we</c><00:08:00.370><c> live.</c>

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There's<00:08:04.189><c> some</c><00:08:04.350><c> bread</c><00:08:04.569><c> and</c><00:08:05.089><c> sister</c><00:08:05.389><c> thing</c><00:08:05.769><c> that</c><00:08:06.529><c> the</c><00:08:06.730><c> letter</c>

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to<00:08:07.250><c> Ephesus</c><00:08:07.709><c> was</c><00:08:08.529><c> only</c><00:08:08.810><c> written</c><00:08:09.170><c> for</c><00:08:10.269><c> the</c><00:08:10.470><c> ecclesian</c><00:08:10.790><c> Ephesus</c>

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and<00:08:11.750><c> they</c><00:08:11.889><c> were</c><00:08:11.990><c> the</c><00:08:12.149><c> only</c><00:08:12.389><c> ones</c><00:08:12.629><c> that</c><00:08:13.129><c> read</c><00:08:13.269><c> it.</c>

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But<00:08:14.509><c> I</c><00:08:14.709><c> don't</c><00:08:15.009><c> think</c><00:08:15.189><c> that</c><00:08:15.430><c> is</c><00:08:15.689><c> right.</c>

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What<00:08:16.709><c> did</c><00:08:16.990><c> John</c><00:08:17.350><c> have</c><00:08:17.990><c> to</c><00:08:18.389><c> write</c><00:08:18.689><c> down</c><00:08:19.009><c> when</c><00:08:19.209><c> he</c><00:08:19.310><c> was</c><00:08:19.430><c> in</c><00:08:19.709><c> Patmos?</c>

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Let's<00:08:20.329><c> go</c><00:08:20.490><c> back</c><00:08:20.670><c> to</c><00:08:20.810><c> that</c><00:08:21.029><c> chapter</c><00:08:21.410><c> one.</c>

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We<00:08:22.410><c> are</c><00:08:22.629><c> told</c><00:08:22.810><c> in</c><00:08:23.050><c> verse</c><00:08:23.329><c> 19</c><00:08:24.449><c> he</c><00:08:25.889><c> had</c><00:08:26.009><c> to</c><00:08:26.329><c> write</c><00:08:26.629><c> down</c><00:08:26.949><c> the</c><00:08:27.189><c> things</c><00:08:27.550><c> which</c><00:08:28.930><c> he</c>

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has<00:08:29.490><c> seen.</c>

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What<00:08:31.389><c> had</c><00:08:31.649><c> he</c><00:08:31.790><c> seen?</c>

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He<00:08:32.370><c> had</c><00:08:32.490><c> seen</c><00:08:33.029><c> the</c><00:08:33.250><c> Lord</c><00:08:33.389><c> Jesus</c><00:08:33.710><c> Christ</c><00:08:34.090><c> in</c><00:08:34.470><c> glory,</c><00:08:35.070><c> which</c><00:08:35.210><c> is</c>

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just<00:08:35.409><c> in</c><00:08:35.690><c> the</c><00:08:35.830><c> previous</c><00:08:36.190><c> verses.</c>

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The<00:08:37.570><c> things</c><00:08:37.809><c> which</c><00:08:38.309><c> are,</c><00:08:39.529><c> which</c><00:08:39.730><c> were</c><00:08:39.889><c> the</c><00:08:40.149><c> seven</c><00:08:40.450><c> ecclesias</c>

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in<00:08:41.669><c> chapters</c><00:08:42.049><c> two</c><00:08:42.529><c> and</c><00:08:42.830><c> three,</c>

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and<00:08:44.070><c> then</c><00:08:44.230><c> the</c><00:08:44.370><c> things</c><00:08:44.529><c> that</c><00:08:44.809><c> shall</c><00:08:44.950><c> be</c><00:08:45.289><c> hereafter.</c>

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But<00:08:48.289><c> were</c><00:08:48.429><c> they</c><00:08:48.610><c> all</c><00:08:49.049><c> separate</c><00:08:49.350><c> pieces</c><00:08:49.629><c> of</c><00:08:49.970><c> paper?</c>

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In<00:08:51.710><c> verse</c><00:08:52.070><c> 11</c><00:08:53.029><c> we</c><00:08:53.529><c> read,</c><00:08:55.090><c> when</c><00:08:55.269><c> Jesus</c><00:08:55.409><c> said,</c><00:08:55.830><c> I</c><00:08:55.830><c> am</c><00:08:56.009><c> Alpha</c><00:08:56.490><c> and</c>

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Omega,<00:08:57.850><c> the</c><00:08:58.029><c> first</c><00:08:58.350><c> and</c><00:08:58.629><c> the</c><00:08:58.870><c> last,</c>

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what<00:08:59.950><c> thou</c><00:09:00.309><c> seest</c><00:09:00.690><c> right</c><00:09:01.169><c> in</c><00:09:01.929><c> a</c><00:09:02.269><c> book,</c><00:09:02.490><c> in</c><00:09:02.870><c> one</c><00:09:03.210><c> book.</c>

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There<00:09:05.289><c> was</c><00:09:05.649><c> one</c><00:09:06.149><c> book</c><00:09:06.870><c> which</c><00:09:07.590><c> had</c><00:09:07.769><c> chapter</c><00:09:08.049><c> one</c><00:09:08.309><c> in</c><00:09:08.490><c> it,</c><00:09:09.269><c> which</c>

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had<00:09:09.789><c> the</c><00:09:10.070><c> seven</c><00:09:10.549><c> letters</c><00:09:10.809><c> to</c><00:09:11.029><c> the</c><00:09:11.190><c> seven</c><00:09:11.389><c> ecclesias</c><00:09:11.870><c> in</c><00:09:11.970><c> it</c>

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and<00:09:12.590><c> all</c><00:09:12.909><c> the</c><00:09:13.129><c> visions</c><00:09:13.269><c> that</c><00:09:13.509><c> came</c><00:09:13.750><c> after</c><00:09:14.149><c> it</c><00:09:14.309><c> was</c><00:09:14.409><c> just</c><00:09:14.570><c> one</c><00:09:14.830><c> book.</c>

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But<00:09:16.190><c> maybe</c><00:09:16.470><c> that</c><00:09:16.669><c> John</c><00:09:16.789><c> had</c><00:09:16.929><c> to</c><00:09:17.090><c> make</c><00:09:17.250><c> seven</c><00:09:17.549><c> copies</c><00:09:17.830><c> of</c><00:09:18.049><c> it</c><00:09:18.190><c> or</c>

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that<00:09:18.870><c> once</c><00:09:19.009><c> he</c><00:09:19.269><c> arrived</c><00:09:19.529><c> to</c><00:09:19.850><c> the</c><00:09:19.850><c> ecclesias</c>

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they<00:09:20.110><c> made</c><00:09:20.389><c> a</c><00:09:20.549><c> copy,</c><00:09:20.830><c> but</c><00:09:20.990><c> it</c><00:09:21.129><c> was</c><00:09:21.610><c> one</c><00:09:22.409><c> book.</c>

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And<00:09:24.230><c> the</c><00:09:24.429><c> letters</c><00:09:24.769><c> to</c><00:09:24.990><c> the</c><00:09:25.190><c> seven</c><00:09:25.429><c> ecclesias</c><00:09:26.470><c> were</c><00:09:26.990><c> for</c><00:09:27.450><c> all</c>

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the<00:09:28.169><c> other</c><00:09:28.470><c> ecclesias</c><00:09:28.970><c> to</c><00:09:29.330><c> read</c><00:09:29.529><c> as</c><00:09:29.830><c> well.</c>

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So<00:09:32.590><c> it</c><00:09:33.250><c> really</c><00:09:33.529><c> brought</c><00:09:33.950><c> home</c><00:09:34.610><c> to</c><00:09:35.169><c> us</c><00:09:35.889><c> that</c><00:09:36.610><c> it</c><00:09:36.809><c> is</c><00:09:36.870><c> very</c><00:09:37.330><c> sobering</c><00:09:38.269><c> that</c>

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God<00:09:39.009><c> knows</c><00:09:39.549><c> what</c><00:09:39.850><c> is</c><00:09:40.129><c> in</c><00:09:40.250><c> our</c><00:09:40.649><c> hearts</c>

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and<00:09:41.750><c> all</c><00:09:42.269><c> things</c><00:09:42.610><c> are</c><00:09:43.029><c> open</c><00:09:43.769><c> and</c><00:09:44.590><c> revealed</c><00:09:44.889><c> unto</c><00:09:45.149><c> him.</c>

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Jesus<00:09:46.129><c> will</c><00:09:46.490><c> come</c><00:09:46.769><c> to</c><00:09:47.409><c> bring</c><00:09:47.769><c> to</c><00:09:48.029><c> light</c><00:09:48.269><c> the</c><00:09:48.590><c> hidden</c><00:09:48.870><c> things</c>

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of<00:09:49.370><c> darkness.</c>

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He<00:09:50.429><c> will</c><00:09:50.549><c> manifest</c><00:09:51.210><c> the</c><00:09:51.610><c> counsels</c><00:09:52.690><c> of</c><00:09:52.929><c> the</c><00:09:53.250><c> heart</c><00:09:53.509><c> when</c><00:09:53.649><c> he</c>

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comes<00:09:54.129><c> back.</c>

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Therefore<00:09:55.409><c> we</c><00:09:55.590><c> should</c><00:09:55.769><c> judge</c><00:09:56.009><c> ourselves</c><00:09:56.610><c> now</c><00:09:57.169><c> so</c><00:09:57.549><c> that</c><00:09:57.669><c> we</c><00:09:57.789><c> should</c><00:09:57.950><c> not</c><00:09:58.129><c> be</c>

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condemned<00:09:58.929><c> at</c><00:09:59.250><c> the</c><00:09:59.450><c> judgment</c><00:09:59.710><c> seat</c><00:09:59.909><c> of</c><00:10:00.169><c> Christ.</c>

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So<00:10:01.470><c> we</c><00:10:01.549><c> do</c><00:10:01.850><c> well</c><00:10:02.210><c> to</c><00:10:02.730><c> read</c><00:10:03.110><c> these</c><00:10:03.429><c> letters,</c><00:10:04.509><c> even</c><00:10:04.789><c> the</c><00:10:04.929><c> letters</c>

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that<00:10:05.289><c> are</c><00:10:05.370><c> written</c><00:10:05.509><c> to</c><00:10:05.789><c> other</c><00:10:06.210><c> ecclesias</c>

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because<00:10:07.009><c> we</c><00:10:07.370><c> all</c><00:10:07.710><c> belong</c><00:10:08.009><c> to</c><00:10:08.250><c> one</c><00:10:08.490><c> family.</c>

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Our<00:10:11.049><c> ecclesias</c><00:10:11.389><c> are</c><00:10:11.929><c> sometimes</c><00:10:12.450><c> proud</c><00:10:12.850><c> to</c><00:10:13.049><c> be</c><00:10:13.169><c> saved,</c><00:10:13.370><c> but</c><00:10:13.509><c> we</c>

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are<00:10:14.090><c> autonomous,</c><00:10:14.850><c> not</c><00:10:15.110><c> in</c><00:10:15.370><c> the</c><00:10:15.549><c> eyes</c><00:10:15.710><c> of</c><00:10:15.990><c> Christ.</c>

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We<00:10:16.789><c> are</c><00:10:16.929><c> all</c><00:10:17.269><c> seven</c><00:10:17.590><c> ecclesias</c><00:10:18.090><c> in</c><00:10:18.610><c> one</c><00:10:19.070><c> hand.</c>

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The<00:10:22.950><c> letters</c><00:10:23.149><c> to</c><00:10:23.269><c> the</c><00:10:23.470><c> ecclesias</c><00:10:23.669><c> were</c><00:10:23.809><c> written</c><00:10:23.909><c> in</c><00:10:24.289><c> one</c><00:10:24.629><c> letter,</c><00:10:25.649><c> so</c>

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they<00:10:26.129><c> knew</c><00:10:26.509><c> everything</c><00:10:27.029><c> about</c><00:10:27.889><c> each</c><00:10:28.149><c> other.</c>

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Now<00:10:29.330><c> to</c><00:10:29.629><c> reach</c><00:10:30.529><c> Ephesus,</c><00:10:31.690><c> the</c><00:10:31.889><c> first</c><00:10:32.049><c> ecclesias</c><00:10:32.450><c> from</c><00:10:32.830><c> Patmos,</c><00:10:33.710><c> as</c><00:10:33.850><c> you</c>

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can<00:10:34.330><c> see</c><00:10:34.549><c> here,</c>

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here<00:10:35.250><c> is</c><00:10:35.870><c> the</c><00:10:36.549><c> icon</c><00:10:37.070><c> made</c><00:10:37.389><c> in</c><00:10:37.649><c> Turkey</c><00:10:38.210><c> of</c><00:10:39.470><c> the</c><00:10:39.629><c> vision</c><00:10:39.889><c> of</c><00:10:40.210><c> chapter</c><00:10:40.529><c> one,</c>

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where<00:10:41.429><c> he</c><00:10:41.509><c> was</c><00:10:41.769><c> dressed</c><00:10:42.070><c> in</c><00:10:42.350><c> a</c><00:10:42.409><c> robe</c><00:10:42.529><c> down</c><00:10:42.830><c> to</c><00:10:43.009><c> his</c><00:10:43.269><c> feet.</c>

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You<00:10:44.289><c> can</c><00:10:44.490><c> see</c><00:10:44.649><c> a</c><00:10:44.809><c> long</c><00:10:44.929><c> white</c><00:10:45.230><c> dress.</c><00:10:46.049><c> His</c><00:10:46.370><c> head</c><00:10:46.610><c> and</c><00:10:46.830><c> hair</c><00:10:46.990><c> were</c><00:10:47.210><c> white</c><00:10:47.710><c> like</c><00:10:48.110><c> wool.</c><00:10:49.009><c> His</c>

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eyes<00:10:49.549><c> were</c><00:10:49.870><c> blazing</c><00:10:50.409><c> fire.</c>

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His<00:10:51.669><c> feet</c><00:10:51.789><c> were</c><00:10:52.049><c> like</c><00:10:52.370><c> bronze</c><00:10:52.769><c> glowing.</c><00:10:53.710><c> His</c><00:10:53.870><c> voice</c><00:10:54.009><c> was</c><00:10:54.230><c> like</c>

00:10:54.370 --> 00:10:55.330
a<00:10:54.509><c> sound</c><00:10:54.730><c> of</c><00:10:54.990><c> waters.</c>

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In<00:10:55.990><c> his</c><00:10:56.169><c> right</c><00:10:56.549><c> hand</c><00:10:56.830><c> there</c><00:10:57.090><c> were</c><00:10:57.090><c> seven</c><00:10:57.470><c> stars.</c><00:10:58.730><c> Out</c><00:10:58.970><c> of</c><00:10:59.090><c> his</c>

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mouth<00:10:59.450><c> came</c><00:10:59.710><c> a</c><00:11:00.149><c> sharp</c><00:11:00.549><c> sword.</c>

00:11:01.049 --> 00:11:05.230
His<00:11:01.769><c> face</c><00:11:02.029><c> was</c><00:11:02.250><c> like</c><00:11:02.450><c> the</c><00:11:02.809><c> sunshine,</c><00:11:03.649><c> all</c><00:11:03.830><c> those</c><00:11:04.049><c> beams</c><00:11:04.350><c> coming</c><00:11:04.669><c> out.</c>

00:11:05.629 --> 00:11:07.309
He<00:11:05.690><c> said,</c><00:11:05.990><c> I</c><00:11:06.009><c> am</c><00:11:06.149><c> the</c><00:11:06.350><c> first</c><00:11:06.610><c> and</c><00:11:06.870><c> the</c><00:11:07.049><c> last.</c>

00:11:07.470 --> 00:11:09.970
I<00:11:07.730><c> am</c><00:11:07.769><c> the</c><00:11:07.950><c> living</c><00:11:08.169><c> one.</c><00:11:08.429><c> I</c><00:11:08.590><c> was</c><00:11:08.830><c> dead</c><00:11:08.990><c> and</c><00:11:09.250><c> behold</c><00:11:09.389><c> I</c><00:11:09.549><c> am</c><00:11:09.669><c> alive</c>

00:11:09.970 --> 00:11:11.289
forever<00:11:10.690><c> and</c><00:11:10.929><c> ever.</c>

00:11:11.649 --> 00:11:16.330
And<00:11:11.870><c> I</c><00:11:12.090><c> hold</c><00:11:12.269><c> the</c><00:11:12.610><c> keys</c><00:11:13.330><c> of</c><00:11:13.870><c> Hades</c><00:11:14.490><c> and</c><00:11:15.149><c> of</c><00:11:15.490><c> death.</c>

00:11:17.230 --> 00:11:21.129
But<00:11:17.549><c> then</c><00:11:17.769><c> after</c><00:11:18.210><c> that</c><00:11:18.490><c> vision</c><00:11:18.669><c> took</c><00:11:19.049><c> place,</c><00:11:20.330><c> from</c><00:11:20.669><c> Patmos,</c>

00:11:21.250 --> 00:11:23.690
here<00:11:21.429><c> is</c><00:11:21.509><c> the</c><00:11:21.710><c> island</c><00:11:21.929><c> of</c><00:11:22.250><c> Patmos,</c>

00:11:23.970 --> 00:11:29.129
the<00:11:24.669><c> messenger,</c><00:11:25.789><c> I</c><00:11:26.049><c> believe</c><00:11:26.230><c> it</c><00:11:26.409><c> was</c><00:11:26.590><c> John,</c><00:11:27.370><c> had</c><00:11:27.509><c> to</c><00:11:27.809><c> sail</c><00:11:28.289><c> at</c>

00:11:29.129 --> 00:11:33.110
least<00:11:29.490><c> one</c><00:11:29.649><c> if</c><00:11:29.850><c> not</c><00:11:30.090><c> two</c><00:11:30.370><c> days</c><00:11:30.889><c> between</c><00:11:31.450><c> the</c><00:11:31.730><c> mainland</c><00:11:32.070><c> and</c><00:11:32.490><c> the</c><00:11:32.690><c> Isle</c><00:11:32.909><c> of</c>

00:11:33.110 --> 00:11:35.870
Samos<00:11:33.590><c> before</c><00:11:34.289><c> he</c><00:11:34.529><c> reached</c><00:11:34.789><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:11:36.370 --> 00:11:40.169
And<00:11:36.590><c> what's</c><00:11:36.789><c> also</c><00:11:37.110><c> interesting</c><00:11:37.590><c> to</c><00:11:38.009><c> note</c><00:11:38.289><c> on</c><00:11:38.909><c> this</c><00:11:39.169><c> map</c><00:11:39.529><c> is</c>

00:11:40.169 --> 00:11:42.549
where<00:11:40.490><c> those</c><00:11:40.909><c> ecclesias</c><00:11:41.610><c> were</c><00:11:41.889><c> located.</c>

00:11:42.549 --> 00:11:47.629
So<00:11:43.389><c> here</c><00:11:43.690><c> is</c><00:11:43.990><c> Ephesus,</c><00:11:45.409><c> and</c><00:11:45.509><c> here</c><00:11:45.750><c> is</c><00:11:45.950><c> Smyrna,</c><00:11:47.169><c> and</c><00:11:47.309><c> there's</c>

00:11:47.629 --> 00:11:50.350
Pergamum,<00:11:48.929><c> there's</c><00:11:49.190><c> Thyatira,</c>

00:11:50.429 --> 00:11:54.049
here's<00:11:50.909><c> Sardis,</c><00:11:51.889><c> here's</c><00:11:52.169><c> Philadelphia,</c><00:11:53.230><c> and</c><00:11:53.350><c> here's</c><00:11:53.590><c> Laodicea.</c>

00:11:54.110 --> 00:11:56.929
You<00:11:54.210><c> can</c><00:11:54.350><c> see</c><00:11:54.429><c> how</c><00:11:54.690><c> close</c><00:11:54.909><c> by</c><00:11:55.190><c> Colossus</c><00:11:55.549><c> and</c><00:11:55.649><c> Hierapolis</c><00:11:56.090><c> were.</c>

00:11:56.990 --> 00:12:03.350
It<00:11:57.190><c> was</c><00:11:57.350><c> actually</c><00:11:57.610><c> an</c><00:11:57.870><c> ancient</c><00:11:58.669><c> postal</c><00:11:59.509><c> route.</c><00:12:00.629><c> When</c><00:12:00.769><c> they</c><00:12:00.990><c> delivered</c><00:12:01.309><c> letters,</c><00:12:02.190><c> they</c><00:12:02.690><c> used</c><00:12:02.950><c> to</c>

00:12:03.350 --> 00:12:04.289
follow<00:12:03.649><c> this</c><00:12:04.029><c> route.</c>

00:12:04.690 --> 00:12:07.929
And<00:12:04.870><c> that</c><00:12:04.970><c> is</c><00:12:05.090><c> the</c><00:12:05.190><c> route</c><00:12:05.269><c> we</c><00:12:05.549><c> traveled</c><00:12:05.830><c> as</c><00:12:06.110><c> well.</c><00:12:07.090><c> We</c><00:12:07.309><c> were</c><00:12:07.470><c> not</c><00:12:07.649><c> in</c>

00:12:07.929 --> 00:12:10.289
Patmos,<00:12:08.169><c> but</c><00:12:08.409><c> we</c><00:12:08.710><c> started</c><00:12:08.929><c> here</c><00:12:09.470><c> in</c><00:12:09.789><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:12:10.289 --> 00:12:15.789
And<00:12:10.769><c> then</c><00:12:10.889><c> we</c><00:12:11.070><c> visited</c><00:12:11.409><c> Smyrna</c><00:12:12.070><c> and</c><00:12:12.509><c> so</c><00:12:12.809><c> on.</c><00:12:13.429><c> It's</c><00:12:13.889><c> an</c><00:12:14.149><c> amazing</c><00:12:14.629><c> journey.</c>

00:12:17.029 --> 00:12:22.350
Because<00:12:17.669><c> whenever</c><00:12:18.309><c> we</c><00:12:18.929><c> were</c><00:12:19.470><c> at</c><00:12:19.889><c> a</c><00:12:19.990><c> site,</c><00:12:21.070><c> we</c><00:12:21.169><c> would</c><00:12:21.549><c> read</c><00:12:21.789><c> in</c>

00:12:22.350 --> 00:12:27.409
the<00:12:22.610><c> ruins</c><00:12:23.149><c> the</c><00:12:24.129><c> letter</c><00:12:24.529><c> which</c><00:12:25.009><c> Jesus</c><00:12:25.250><c> had</c><00:12:25.529><c> written</c><00:12:25.870><c> to</c><00:12:26.110><c> that</c><00:12:26.330><c> ecclesian.</c>

00:12:27.850 --> 00:12:30.470
Now<00:12:27.970><c> as</c><00:12:28.049><c> most</c><00:12:28.190><c> of</c><00:12:28.330><c> you</c><00:12:28.409><c> know,</c><00:12:28.830><c> my</c><00:12:28.870><c> wife</c><00:12:29.049><c> Kathleen</c><00:12:29.549><c> and</c><00:12:30.049><c> I</c><00:12:30.289><c> are</c>

00:12:30.470 --> 00:12:33.769
archaeologists<00:12:31.009><c> and</c><00:12:31.230><c> our</c><00:12:31.389><c> life</c><00:12:31.529><c> has</c><00:12:31.730><c> been</c><00:12:31.889><c> in</c><00:12:32.090><c> ruins</c><00:12:32.309><c> ever</c><00:12:32.629><c> since</c><00:12:32.870><c> we</c><00:12:33.070><c> met.</c>

00:12:34.110 --> 00:12:37.570
So<00:12:34.429><c> we</c><00:12:35.230><c> felt</c><00:12:35.470><c> very</c><00:12:35.789><c> much</c><00:12:36.129><c> at</c><00:12:36.429><c> home</c><00:12:36.750><c> there.</c>

00:12:38.230 --> 00:12:43.370
But<00:12:38.710><c> the</c><00:12:38.909><c> first</c><00:12:39.110><c> thing</c><00:12:39.470><c> we</c><00:12:39.789><c> did</c><00:12:40.210><c> is</c><00:12:41.190><c> when</c><00:12:41.470><c> we</c><00:12:41.669><c> got</c><00:12:41.830><c> to</c><00:12:42.309><c> Ephesus,</c>

00:12:43.450 --> 00:12:46.850
we<00:12:43.570><c> were</c><00:12:43.850><c> going</c><00:12:44.090><c> to</c><00:12:44.470><c> read,</c><00:12:45.070><c> and</c><00:12:45.350><c> we</c><00:12:45.470><c> did,</c><00:12:45.870><c> we</c><00:12:46.009><c> read</c><00:12:46.429><c> the</c><00:12:46.690><c> letter</c>

00:12:46.850 --> 00:12:47.649
to<00:12:47.110><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:12:48.070 --> 00:12:50.549
So<00:12:48.450><c> let</c><00:12:48.750><c> us</c><00:12:48.850><c> do</c><00:12:49.009><c> the</c><00:12:49.250><c> same.</c><00:12:49.570><c> There's</c><00:12:49.710><c> one</c><00:12:49.909><c> brother</c><00:12:50.110><c> here</c><00:12:50.350><c> who's</c>

00:12:50.549 --> 00:12:51.350
got<00:12:50.690><c> a</c><00:12:50.750><c> little</c><00:12:50.970><c> note,</c>

00:12:51.750 --> 00:12:54.129
and<00:12:51.909><c> he's</c><00:12:52.169><c> going</c><00:12:52.330><c> to</c><00:12:52.509><c> read</c><00:12:52.789><c> for</c><00:12:52.909><c> us</c><00:12:53.070><c> the</c><00:12:53.309><c> letter</c><00:12:53.529><c> which</c><00:12:53.809><c> Jesus</c>

00:12:54.129 --> 00:12:57.730
wrote<00:12:54.669><c> to</c><00:12:55.230><c> the</c><00:12:55.429><c> ecclesia</c><00:12:55.929><c> in</c><00:12:56.309><c> Ephesus,</c><00:12:56.730><c> please.</c>

00:13:09.830 --> 00:13:13.250
Revelation<00:13:10.429><c> chapter</c><00:13:10.850><c> two</c><00:13:11.269><c> verses</c><00:13:11.750><c> one</c><00:13:12.070><c> to</c><00:13:12.289><c> seven.</c>

00:13:15.129 --> 00:13:18.250
Unto<00:13:15.370><c> the</c><00:13:15.610><c> angel</c><00:13:15.990><c> of</c><00:13:16.210><c> the</c><00:13:16.389><c> ecclesia</c><00:13:16.730><c> of</c><00:13:16.950><c> Ephesus</c><00:13:17.330><c> write,</c>

00:13:18.309 --> 00:13:21.830
These<00:13:18.710><c> things</c><00:13:19.429><c> set</c><00:13:19.990><c> he</c><00:13:20.210><c> that</c><00:13:20.429><c> holeth</c><00:13:20.730><c> the</c><00:13:20.950><c> seven</c><00:13:21.250><c> stars</c><00:13:21.669><c> in</c>

00:13:21.830 --> 00:13:23.309
his<00:13:22.049><c> right</c><00:13:22.309><c> hand,</c>

00:13:23.490 --> 00:13:26.750
Who<00:13:23.629><c> walks</c><00:13:23.909><c> in</c><00:13:24.169><c> the</c><00:13:24.250><c> midst</c><00:13:24.429><c> of</c><00:13:24.629><c> the</c><00:13:24.830><c> seven</c><00:13:25.070><c> golden</c><00:13:25.470><c> candlesticks.</c>

00:13:27.009 --> 00:13:30.350
I<00:13:27.330><c> know</c><00:13:27.470><c> thy</c><00:13:27.710><c> works,</c><00:13:28.269><c> and</c><00:13:28.370><c> thy</c><00:13:28.549><c> labor,</c><00:13:28.970><c> and</c><00:13:29.070><c> thy</c><00:13:29.289><c> patience,</c>

00:13:30.509 --> 00:13:33.190
And<00:13:30.629><c> how</c><00:13:31.070><c> thou</c><00:13:31.289><c> cannot</c><00:13:31.710><c> bear</c><00:13:32.049><c> them</c><00:13:32.350><c> which</c><00:13:32.570><c> are</c><00:13:32.789><c> evil.</c>

00:13:33.190 --> 00:13:36.830
And<00:13:34.169><c> thou</c><00:13:34.350><c> hast</c><00:13:34.710><c> tried</c><00:13:35.070><c> them</c><00:13:35.330><c> which</c><00:13:35.610><c> say</c><00:13:35.870><c> they</c><00:13:36.070><c> are</c><00:13:36.289><c> apostles</c>

00:13:36.830 --> 00:13:38.230
and<00:13:37.110><c> are</c><00:13:37.289><c> not,</c>

00:13:38.470 --> 00:13:40.450
And<00:13:38.690><c> hast</c><00:13:38.909><c> found</c><00:13:39.090><c> them</c><00:13:39.309><c> liars,</c>

00:13:40.830 --> 00:13:43.669
And<00:13:41.210><c> hast</c><00:13:41.470><c> borne,</c><00:13:42.009><c> and</c><00:13:42.090><c> hast</c><00:13:42.490><c> patience,</c>

00:13:44.009 --> 00:13:47.870
And<00:13:44.230><c> for</c><00:13:44.450><c> my</c><00:13:44.710><c> name's</c><00:13:45.110><c> sake</c><00:13:45.230><c> hast</c><00:13:45.669><c> labored,</c><00:13:46.389><c> and</c><00:13:46.509><c> hast</c><00:13:46.769><c> not</c><00:13:47.049><c> fainted.</c>

00:13:49.009 --> 00:13:51.450
Nevertheless<00:13:49.470><c> I</c><00:13:49.769><c> have</c><00:13:50.350><c> somewhat</c><00:13:50.669><c> against</c><00:13:51.129><c> thee,</c>

00:13:51.509 --> 00:13:54.370
Because<00:13:51.909><c> thou</c><00:13:52.149><c> hast</c><00:13:52.509><c> left</c><00:13:52.830><c> thy</c><00:13:53.149><c> first</c><00:13:53.509><c> love.</c>

00:13:55.129 --> 00:13:57.370
Remember<00:13:55.389><c> therefore</c><00:13:55.909><c> from</c><00:13:56.210><c> whence</c><00:13:56.549><c> thou</c><00:13:56.690><c> art</c><00:13:56.970><c> fallen,</c>

00:13:57.570 --> 00:14:00.090
And<00:13:57.690><c> repent,</c><00:13:58.870><c> and</c><00:13:58.909><c> do</c><00:13:59.070><c> the</c><00:13:59.269><c> first</c><00:13:59.570><c> works,</c>

00:14:00.090 --> 00:14:03.129
Or<00:14:00.789><c> else</c><00:14:01.149><c> I</c><00:14:01.769><c> will</c><00:14:01.970><c> come</c><00:14:02.210><c> unto</c><00:14:02.450><c> thee</c><00:14:02.669><c> quickly,</c>

00:14:03.149 --> 00:14:06.289
And<00:14:03.289><c> I</c><00:14:03.370><c> will</c><00:14:03.570><c> remove</c><00:14:03.889><c> thy</c><00:14:04.169><c> candlestick</c><00:14:04.730><c> out</c><00:14:04.950><c> of</c><00:14:05.429><c> his</c><00:14:05.750><c> place,</c>

00:14:06.490 --> 00:14:08.110
Except<00:14:06.850><c> thou</c><00:14:07.129><c> repent.</c>

00:14:08.809 --> 00:14:13.230
But<00:14:09.029><c> this</c><00:14:09.230><c> thou</c><00:14:09.490><c> hast,</c><00:14:10.289><c> thou</c><00:14:10.570><c> hast</c><00:14:10.809><c> hatest</c><00:14:11.149><c> the</c><00:14:11.389><c> deeds</c><00:14:11.690><c> of</c><00:14:11.889><c> the</c><00:14:12.029><c> Nicolaitans,</c>

00:14:13.490 --> 00:14:15.090
Which<00:14:13.690><c> I</c><00:14:13.889><c> also</c><00:14:14.230><c> hate.</c>

00:14:15.990 --> 00:14:20.110
He<00:14:16.169><c> that</c><00:14:16.309><c> hath</c><00:14:16.490><c> an</c><00:14:16.649><c> ear,</c><00:14:16.950><c> let</c><00:14:16.970><c> him</c><00:14:17.190><c> hear</c><00:14:17.470><c> what</c><00:14:17.690><c> the</c><00:14:18.009><c> Spirit</c><00:14:18.350><c> saith</c><00:14:18.889><c> unto</c><00:14:19.230><c> the</c><00:14:19.490><c> ecclesias.</c>

00:14:20.570 --> 00:14:23.309
To<00:14:20.830><c> him</c><00:14:20.990><c> that</c><00:14:21.250><c> overcometh</c><00:14:21.789><c> will</c><00:14:21.970><c> I</c><00:14:22.190><c> give</c><00:14:22.409><c> to</c><00:14:22.649><c> eat</c><00:14:22.789><c> of</c><00:14:22.950><c> the</c><00:14:23.110><c> tree</c>

00:14:23.309 --> 00:14:24.190
of<00:14:23.490><c> life,</c>

00:14:24.389 --> 00:14:27.610
Which<00:14:24.710><c> is</c><00:14:24.909><c> in</c><00:14:25.049><c> the</c><00:14:25.149><c> midst</c><00:14:25.470><c> of</c><00:14:25.690><c> the</c><00:14:25.870><c> paradise</c><00:14:26.330><c> of</c><00:14:26.610><c> God.</c>

00:14:30.929 --> 00:14:32.309
Thank<00:14:31.370><c> you.</c>

00:14:33.029 --> 00:14:36.090
So<00:14:33.230><c> here</c><00:14:33.389><c> then</c><00:14:33.549><c> was</c><00:14:33.769><c> the</c><00:14:34.250><c> Latin,</c><00:14:34.629><c> which</c><00:14:34.850><c> we</c><00:14:35.070><c> just</c><00:14:35.289><c> read.</c>

00:14:36.250 --> 00:14:40.389
And<00:14:36.350><c> what</c><00:14:36.429><c> I</c><00:14:36.549><c> want</c><00:14:36.629><c> to</c><00:14:36.789><c> do</c><00:14:36.870><c> is</c><00:14:37.110><c> to</c><00:14:37.750><c> pick</c><00:14:37.950><c> out</c><00:14:38.649><c> a</c><00:14:39.149><c> few</c><00:14:39.570><c> of</c><00:14:39.850><c> the</c><00:14:40.049><c> elements.</c>

00:14:40.889 --> 00:14:44.830
I<00:14:40.889><c> know</c><00:14:41.070><c> thy</c><00:14:41.309><c> works,</c><00:14:42.769><c> and</c><00:14:42.889><c> thou</c><00:14:43.009><c> hast</c><00:14:43.190><c> left</c><00:14:43.350><c> thy</c><00:14:43.570><c> first</c><00:14:43.909><c> love.</c>

00:14:45.250 --> 00:14:49.070
I<00:14:45.470><c> remove</c><00:14:45.830><c> thy</c><00:14:46.090><c> candlestick</c><00:14:46.629><c> or</c><00:14:46.769><c> thy</c><00:14:47.009><c> lampstand</c><00:14:47.450><c> out</c><00:14:47.710><c> of</c><00:14:47.850><c> this</c><00:14:48.110><c> place.</c>

00:14:49.370 --> 00:14:51.350
And<00:14:49.509><c> to</c><00:14:49.590><c> him</c><00:14:49.649><c> that</c><00:14:49.809><c> overcometh</c><00:14:50.330><c> will</c><00:14:50.450><c> I</c><00:14:50.629><c> give</c><00:14:50.750><c> to</c><00:14:50.909><c> eat</c><00:14:51.070><c> of</c><00:14:51.169><c> the</c>

00:14:51.350 --> 00:14:51.909
tree<00:14:51.509><c> of</c><00:14:51.750><c> life,</c>

00:14:51.970 --> 00:14:54.370
Which<00:14:52.090><c> is</c><00:14:52.289><c> in</c><00:14:52.490><c> the</c><00:14:52.549><c> midst</c><00:14:52.830><c> of</c><00:14:53.289><c> the</c><00:14:53.509><c> paradise</c><00:14:53.850><c> of</c><00:14:54.169><c> God.</c>

00:14:54.370 --> 00:14:59.789
Those<00:14:55.230><c> were</c><00:14:55.750><c> elements</c><00:14:55.970><c> that</c><00:14:56.210><c> were</c><00:14:57.909><c> interesting</c><00:14:58.509><c> and</c><00:14:59.190><c> understood</c>

00:14:59.789 --> 00:15:02.529
by<00:15:00.090><c> the</c><00:15:00.330><c> people</c><00:15:00.490><c> that</c><00:15:00.789><c> lived</c><00:15:00.929><c> there</c><00:15:01.289><c> in</c><00:15:01.529><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:15:03.509 --> 00:15:07.230
When<00:15:03.690><c> you</c><00:15:03.929><c> arrive</c><00:15:04.230><c> from</c><00:15:04.590><c> Patmos,</c><00:15:05.330><c> you</c><00:15:05.549><c> come</c><00:15:05.850><c> into</c><00:15:06.230><c> the</c><00:15:06.509><c> harbor.</c>

00:15:07.269 --> 00:15:09.690
Now<00:15:07.450><c> the</c><00:15:07.529><c> harbor</c><00:15:07.710><c> has</c><00:15:07.950><c> been</c><00:15:08.149><c> silted</c><00:15:08.509><c> up,</c><00:15:09.090><c> but</c><00:15:09.129><c> we</c><00:15:09.370><c> were</c><00:15:09.509><c> there</c>

00:15:09.690 --> 00:15:11.190
in<00:15:09.929><c> April</c><00:15:10.330><c> this</c><00:15:10.669><c> year</c>

00:15:11.190 --> 00:15:14.070
after<00:15:11.789><c> a</c><00:15:11.830><c> lot</c><00:15:12.029><c> of</c><00:15:12.269><c> rainfall,</c><00:15:12.570><c> so</c><00:15:12.710><c> you</c><00:15:12.850><c> can</c><00:15:13.169><c> still</c><00:15:13.429><c> see</c><00:15:13.850><c> where</c>

00:15:14.070 --> 00:15:14.789
the<00:15:14.289><c> water</c><00:15:14.529><c> is.</c>

00:15:14.809 --> 00:15:17.409
That<00:15:15.029><c> was</c><00:15:15.269><c> the</c><00:15:15.570><c> ancient</c><00:15:16.190><c> harbor</c><00:15:16.690><c> of</c><00:15:16.990><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:15:17.850 --> 00:15:20.149
The<00:15:18.110><c> sea</c><00:15:18.330><c> is</c><00:15:18.710><c> now</c><00:15:19.049><c> here.</c>

00:15:20.289 --> 00:15:26.909
But<00:15:20.669><c> this</c><00:15:20.889><c> was</c><00:15:21.110><c> all</c><00:15:21.370><c> an</c><00:15:21.730><c> open</c><00:15:22.049><c> waterway</c><00:15:22.789><c> in</c><00:15:23.389><c> the</c><00:15:23.629><c> time</c><00:15:24.090><c> when</c><00:15:24.750><c> John</c><00:15:25.029><c> came</c><00:15:25.450><c> to</c><00:15:25.929><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:15:27.210 --> 00:15:31.269
And<00:15:27.409><c> then</c><00:15:27.809><c> he</c><00:15:27.889><c> would</c><00:15:28.070><c> have</c><00:15:28.330><c> walked</c><00:15:28.590><c> over</c><00:15:29.070><c> the</c><00:15:29.870><c> harbor</c><00:15:30.269><c> road,</c>

00:15:32.250 --> 00:15:34.570
the<00:15:32.429><c> road</c><00:15:32.590><c> also</c><00:15:32.929><c> called</c><00:15:33.210><c> the</c><00:15:33.610><c> Arcadian</c><00:15:34.129><c> Way,</c>

00:15:35.029 --> 00:15:39.090
a<00:15:35.190><c> beautifully</c><00:15:35.649><c> paved</c><00:15:36.269><c> street</c><00:15:36.970><c> with</c><00:15:37.590><c> columns</c><00:15:37.889><c> on</c><00:15:38.210><c> either</c><00:15:38.429><c> side,</c>

00:15:39.450 --> 00:15:41.190
to<00:15:39.590><c> go</c><00:15:39.870><c> to</c><00:15:40.230><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:15:42.129 --> 00:15:45.769
Now<00:15:42.350><c> the</c><00:15:42.450><c> port</c><00:15:42.649><c> of</c><00:15:42.850><c> Ephesus</c><00:15:43.169><c> was</c><00:15:43.750><c> a</c><00:15:44.110><c> very</c><00:15:44.490><c> large</c><00:15:44.870><c> and</c><00:15:45.389><c> wealthy</c>

00:15:45.769 --> 00:15:49.049
and<00:15:46.309><c> busy</c><00:15:46.610><c> seaport</c><00:15:47.490><c> in</c><00:15:48.350><c> Asia</c><00:15:48.730><c> there.</c>

00:15:49.049 --> 00:15:53.789
Many<00:15:49.730><c> Christians</c><00:15:50.470><c> from</c><00:15:51.230><c> Asia</c><00:15:51.769><c> were</c><00:15:52.169><c> only</c><00:15:52.409><c> a</c><00:15:52.610><c> few</c><00:15:52.750><c> years</c><00:15:53.049><c> later</c>

00:15:53.789 --> 00:15:57.509
shipped<00:15:54.250><c> through</c><00:15:54.629><c> this</c><00:15:54.990><c> harbor</c><00:15:55.509><c> to</c><00:15:56.330><c> Rome.</c>

00:15:57.789 --> 00:16:01.190
Ignatius<00:15:58.049><c> called</c><00:15:58.970><c> Ephesus</c><00:15:59.389><c> the</c><00:15:59.649><c> highway</c><00:16:00.090><c> of</c><00:16:00.350><c> the</c><00:16:00.549><c> martyrs.</c>

00:16:01.210 --> 00:16:05.309
But<00:16:01.389><c> as</c><00:16:01.590><c> soon</c><00:16:01.789><c> as</c><00:16:02.009><c> he</c><00:16:02.190><c> landed</c><00:16:02.789><c> and</c><00:16:03.529><c> walked</c><00:16:03.730><c> over</c><00:16:04.070><c> that</c><00:16:04.470><c> street,</c>

00:16:05.490 --> 00:16:10.149
he<00:16:05.629><c> would</c><00:16:05.809><c> have</c><00:16:05.929><c> been</c><00:16:06.149><c> confronted</c><00:16:06.549><c> by</c><00:16:06.850><c> this</c><00:16:07.250><c> huge</c><00:16:08.149><c> theater</c><00:16:08.850><c> of</c><00:16:09.169><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:16:10.289 --> 00:16:12.889
It<00:16:10.389><c> was</c><00:16:10.570><c> the</c><00:16:10.889><c> largest</c><00:16:11.429><c> in</c><00:16:11.889><c> this</c><00:16:12.129><c> part</c><00:16:12.289><c> of</c><00:16:12.490><c> the</c><00:16:12.649><c> world.</c>

00:16:12.990 --> 00:16:16.769
It<00:16:13.190><c> could</c><00:16:13.409><c> seat</c><00:16:13.830><c> 25</c><00:16:14.730><c>,000</c><00:16:15.830><c> spectators.</c>

00:16:17.250 --> 00:16:20.950
And<00:16:17.730><c> it</c><00:16:17.769><c> was</c><00:16:17.929><c> during</c><00:16:18.090><c> the</c><00:16:18.289><c> time</c><00:16:18.490><c> of</c><00:16:18.850><c> Paul</c><00:16:19.070><c> that</c><00:16:19.330><c> for</c><00:16:19.789><c> two</c><00:16:20.269><c> hours</c>

00:16:20.950 --> 00:16:24.990
people<00:16:21.690><c> were</c><00:16:22.009><c> shouting</c><00:16:22.230><c> their</c><00:16:22.610><c> greatest</c><00:16:23.110><c> Artemis</c><00:16:23.710><c> of</c><00:16:23.990><c> the</c><00:16:24.190><c> Ephesians.</c>

00:16:25.450 --> 00:16:28.029
And<00:16:25.529><c> it</c><00:16:25.629><c> must</c><00:16:25.730><c> have</c><00:16:25.870><c> resounded</c><00:16:26.210><c> throughout</c><00:16:26.610><c> the</c><00:16:27.009><c> whole</c><00:16:27.549><c> area.</c>

00:16:28.470 --> 00:16:30.090
Of<00:16:28.669><c> course,</c><00:16:29.049><c> John</c><00:16:29.149><c> knew</c><00:16:29.450><c> about</c><00:16:29.769><c> it.</c>

00:16:30.450 --> 00:16:33.269
And<00:16:30.610><c> you</c><00:16:30.690><c> wonder,</c><00:16:30.970><c> you</c><00:16:31.110><c> arrive</c><00:16:31.269><c> at</c><00:16:31.429><c> a</c><00:16:31.610><c> place,</c><00:16:32.509><c> you</c><00:16:32.809><c> walk</c><00:16:33.049><c> on</c>

00:16:33.269 --> 00:16:33.590
the<00:16:33.429><c> street,</c>

00:16:33.669 --> 00:16:36.210
and<00:16:33.970><c> there's</c><00:16:34.169><c> that</c><00:16:34.389><c> big</c><00:16:34.629><c> theater</c><00:16:35.070><c> right</c><00:16:35.450><c> in</c><00:16:35.629><c> front</c><00:16:35.789><c> of</c><00:16:35.950><c> you</c>

00:16:36.210 --> 00:16:40.789
with<00:16:36.730><c> all</c><00:16:37.250><c> the</c><00:16:37.649><c> associations</c><00:16:38.570><c> attached</c><00:16:39.570><c> to</c><00:16:39.809><c> this</c><00:16:39.970><c> particular</c><00:16:40.470><c> place.</c>

00:16:40.889 --> 00:16:43.269
It<00:16:41.049><c> was</c><00:16:41.210><c> used</c><00:16:41.330><c> for</c><00:16:41.669><c> plays</c><00:16:42.029><c> and</c><00:16:42.549><c> for</c><00:16:42.769><c> concerts,</c>

00:16:43.269 --> 00:16:46.470
but<00:16:43.590><c> also</c><00:16:43.929><c> for</c><00:16:44.230><c> religious</c><00:16:44.490><c> and</c><00:16:44.769><c> for</c><00:16:45.070><c> political</c><00:16:45.470><c> gatherings.</c>

00:16:47.129 --> 00:16:50.570
Right<00:16:47.389><c> nearby</c><00:16:47.769><c> you</c><00:16:48.049><c> find</c><00:16:48.490><c> many</c><00:16:48.990><c> carvings</c><00:16:49.509><c> of</c><00:16:49.750><c> gladiators.</c>

00:16:51.009 --> 00:16:53.149
And<00:16:51.149><c> you</c><00:16:51.190><c> can</c><00:16:51.309><c> see</c><00:16:51.470><c> there</c><00:16:51.649><c> are</c><00:16:51.649><c> two</c><00:16:51.929><c> of</c><00:16:52.029><c> these</c><00:16:52.230><c> gladiators</c>

00:16:53.149 --> 00:16:55.110
ready<00:16:53.629><c> to</c><00:16:53.970><c> fight</c><00:16:54.190><c> there.</c>

00:16:56.830 --> 00:17:00.549
And<00:16:57.169><c> some</c><00:16:57.389><c> Christians</c><00:16:58.009><c> lost</c><00:16:58.490><c> their</c><00:16:58.850><c> lives</c><00:16:59.350><c> in</c><00:16:59.950><c> this</c><00:17:00.289><c> theater</c>

00:17:00.549 --> 00:17:01.289
as<00:17:00.870><c> well</c>

00:17:01.289 --> 00:17:04.409
during<00:17:02.149><c> the</c><00:17:02.570><c> fights</c><00:17:02.710><c> that</c><00:17:02.889><c> they</c><00:17:03.070><c> used</c><00:17:03.269><c> to</c><00:17:03.529><c> put</c><00:17:03.669><c> on.</c>

00:17:04.450 --> 00:17:07.609
And<00:17:04.670><c> looking</c><00:17:04.869><c> at</c><00:17:05.390><c> the</c><00:17:05.769><c> armor,</c><00:17:06.369><c> they've</c><00:17:06.549><c> had</c><00:17:06.650><c> those</c><00:17:06.910><c> big</c><00:17:07.170><c> tridents,</c>

00:17:07.789 --> 00:17:10.490
they<00:17:07.890><c> had</c><00:17:07.930><c> a</c><00:17:08.190><c> helmet,</c><00:17:08.789><c> a</c><00:17:09.130><c> sword,</c><00:17:09.690><c> and</c><00:17:09.890><c> a</c><00:17:10.150><c> shield.</c>

00:17:10.490 --> 00:17:13.910
You<00:17:10.970><c> can</c><00:17:11.190><c> understand</c><00:17:11.589><c> the</c><00:17:11.789><c> Apostle</c><00:17:12.109><c> Paul,</c><00:17:12.589><c> who's</c><00:17:12.910><c> been</c><00:17:13.170><c> there</c>

00:17:13.910 --> 00:17:17.670
in<00:17:14.609><c> Ephesians</c><00:17:14.930><c> 6,</c><00:17:15.269><c> verse</c><00:17:15.390><c> 12,</c><00:17:15.769><c> told</c><00:17:15.950><c> us</c><00:17:16.089><c> to</c><00:17:16.289><c> put</c><00:17:16.490><c> on</c><00:17:16.670><c> the</c><00:17:17.170><c> full</c>

00:17:17.670 --> 00:17:18.630
armor<00:17:18.029><c> of</c><00:17:18.430><c> God.</c>

00:17:18.930 --> 00:17:21.289
It<00:17:19.009><c> was</c><00:17:19.490><c> something</c><00:17:19.910><c> he</c><00:17:20.150><c> saw</c><00:17:20.329><c> every</c><00:17:20.670><c> day</c><00:17:20.930><c> almost</c>

00:17:21.289 --> 00:17:23.569
when<00:17:21.509><c> those</c><00:17:21.789><c> gladiators</c><00:17:22.309><c> were</c><00:17:22.569><c> fighting.</c>

00:17:23.970 --> 00:17:25.470
He<00:17:24.150><c> mentioned</c><00:17:24.490><c> in</c><00:17:24.829><c> the</c><00:17:24.829><c> letter</c><00:17:24.990><c> to</c><00:17:25.269><c> Corinthians</c>

00:17:25.470 --> 00:17:28.069
that<00:17:25.670><c> he</c><00:17:26.009><c> fought</c><00:17:26.150><c> his</c><00:17:26.410><c> wild</c><00:17:26.670><c> beast</c><00:17:26.930><c> in</c><00:17:27.150><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:17:28.210 --> 00:17:30.269
They<00:17:28.329><c> may</c><00:17:28.430><c> not</c><00:17:28.589><c> have</c><00:17:28.730><c> been</c><00:17:29.230><c> real</c><00:17:29.630><c> animals,</c>

00:17:30.369 --> 00:17:33.329
but<00:17:30.769><c> some</c><00:17:31.029><c> people</c><00:17:31.410><c> behave</c><00:17:31.829><c> like</c><00:17:32.049><c> that</c><00:17:32.230><c> as</c><00:17:32.450><c> well.</c>

00:17:33.690 --> 00:17:36.549
And<00:17:33.829><c> then</c><00:17:34.029><c> as</c><00:17:34.109><c> soon</c><00:17:34.329><c> as</c><00:17:34.549><c> you</c><00:17:34.730><c> come</c><00:17:35.230><c> over</c><00:17:35.630><c> that</c><00:17:35.930><c> harbor</c><00:17:36.329><c> road,</c>

00:17:36.589 --> 00:17:38.170
you<00:17:36.809><c> pass</c><00:17:37.150><c> by</c><00:17:37.470><c> the</c><00:17:37.730><c> theater,</c>

00:17:38.170 --> 00:17:43.109
and<00:17:38.250><c> then</c><00:17:38.630><c> you</c><00:17:38.730><c> go</c><00:17:38.910><c> to</c><00:17:39.109><c> the</c><00:17:39.470><c> large</c><00:17:39.970><c> commercial</c><00:17:40.970><c> agra,</c><00:17:41.710><c> the</c><00:17:41.990><c> marketplace.</c>

00:17:43.250 --> 00:17:46.970
There's<00:17:43.390><c> a</c><00:17:43.509><c> big</c><00:17:43.910><c> open</c><00:17:44.630><c> area,</c><00:17:45.869><c> and</c><00:17:45.950><c> then</c><00:17:46.089><c> a</c><00:17:46.410><c> colonnade,</c>

00:17:47.130 --> 00:17:50.170
and<00:17:47.289><c> a</c><00:17:47.509><c> walkway,</c><00:17:48.309><c> and</c><00:17:48.470><c> many,</c><00:17:48.710><c> many</c><00:17:48.950><c> shops</c><00:17:49.329><c> all</c><00:17:49.809><c> around</c><00:17:50.069><c> it.</c>

00:17:50.269 --> 00:17:52.210
There's<00:17:50.349><c> the</c><00:17:50.490><c> big</c><00:17:50.970><c> marketplace.</c>

00:17:52.809 --> 00:17:54.349
Now,<00:17:52.930><c> you</c><00:17:53.009><c> can</c><00:17:53.089><c> say</c><00:17:53.150><c> it</c><00:17:53.269><c> was</c><00:17:53.390><c> all</c><00:17:53.549><c> very</c><00:17:53.710><c> interesting,</c>

00:17:54.410 --> 00:17:59.009
but<00:17:54.950><c> just</c><00:17:55.369><c> remember</c><00:17:56.009><c> that</c><00:17:56.809><c> the</c><00:17:56.930><c> Apostle</c><00:17:57.349><c> Paul</c><00:17:57.569><c> was</c><00:17:57.789><c> a</c><00:17:57.950><c> tent</c><00:17:58.170><c> maker.</c>

00:17:59.769 --> 00:18:01.910
Where<00:17:59.990><c> would</c><00:18:00.170><c> he</c><00:18:00.329><c> be</c><00:18:00.470><c> making</c><00:18:00.809><c> his</c><00:18:01.130><c> tents?</c>

00:18:01.930 --> 00:18:04.190
It<00:18:02.170><c> would</c><00:18:02.289><c> be</c><00:18:02.390><c> done</c><00:18:02.670><c> here</c><00:18:03.109><c> in</c><00:18:03.369><c> the</c><00:18:03.630><c> marketplace.</c>

00:18:04.190 --> 00:18:06.690
So<00:18:05.069><c> in</c><00:18:05.309><c> his</c><00:18:05.609><c> work</c><00:18:05.869><c> situation,</c>

00:18:07.190 --> 00:18:11.490
he<00:18:07.190><c> would</c><00:18:07.490><c> undoubtedly</c><00:18:08.349><c> have</c><00:18:08.890><c> been</c><00:18:09.150><c> debating</c><00:18:09.869><c> with</c><00:18:10.829><c> some</c><00:18:11.049><c> people</c>

00:18:11.490 --> 00:18:14.769
some<00:18:12.230><c> points</c><00:18:12.430><c> of</c><00:18:12.630><c> the</c><00:18:12.769><c> Gospels,</c><00:18:13.849><c> with</c><00:18:13.869><c> his</c><00:18:14.210><c> customers</c>

00:18:14.769 --> 00:18:16.529
and<00:18:15.049><c> other</c><00:18:15.309><c> trade</c><00:18:15.529><c> people</c><00:18:15.829><c> that</c><00:18:16.029><c> were</c><00:18:16.230><c> around.</c>

00:18:16.970 --> 00:18:20.869
I'm<00:18:17.250><c> sure</c><00:18:17.309><c> he</c><00:18:17.509><c> used</c><00:18:17.650><c> every</c><00:18:18.049><c> opportunity</c><00:18:18.710><c> in</c><00:18:19.430><c> his</c><00:18:19.769><c> work</c><00:18:20.069><c> situation</c>

00:18:20.950 --> 00:18:23.970
to<00:18:21.509><c> speak</c><00:18:21.849><c> about</c><00:18:22.349><c> what</c><00:18:22.670><c> he</c><00:18:23.049><c> believed.</c>

00:18:24.950 --> 00:18:28.029
Most<00:18:25.190><c> Christians</c><00:18:25.589><c> were</c><00:18:26.029><c> poor</c><00:18:26.529><c> at</c><00:18:27.009><c> that</c><00:18:27.250><c> time,</c><00:18:27.569><c> as</c><00:18:27.589><c> they</c><00:18:27.769><c> still</c>

00:18:28.029 --> 00:18:29.109
are<00:18:28.150><c> today,</c>

00:18:29.410 --> 00:18:31.410
but<00:18:30.009><c> some</c><00:18:30.250><c> of</c><00:18:30.349><c> them</c><00:18:30.470><c> were</c><00:18:30.650><c> quite</c><00:18:30.950><c> wealthy.</c>

00:18:31.410 --> 00:18:35.309
It's<00:18:32.170><c> interesting,</c><00:18:32.529><c> if</c><00:18:32.690><c> you</c><00:18:32.829><c> go</c><00:18:33.049><c> to</c><00:18:33.329><c> Acts</c><00:18:33.509><c> chapter</c><00:18:33.869><c> 19,</c>

00:18:36.049 --> 00:18:38.549
when<00:18:36.430><c> the</c><00:18:36.589><c> Apostle</c><00:18:36.950><c> Paul</c><00:18:37.190><c> was</c><00:18:37.470><c> in</c><00:18:37.750><c> Ephesus,</c>

00:18:38.869 --> 00:18:43.329
you<00:18:38.990><c> read</c><00:18:39.150><c> in</c><00:18:39.509><c> Acts</c><00:18:39.930><c> 19</c><00:18:41.089><c> and</c><00:18:41.529><c> verse</c><00:18:41.769><c> 31.</c>

00:18:45.809 --> 00:18:48.450
There<00:18:45.930><c> was</c><00:18:46.109><c> a</c><00:18:46.309><c> time</c><00:18:46.450><c> when</c><00:18:46.750><c> the</c><00:18:46.869><c> whole</c><00:18:47.089><c> city</c><00:18:47.289><c> was</c><00:18:47.549><c> in</c><00:18:48.009><c> confusion,</c>

00:18:48.690 --> 00:18:51.250
and<00:18:48.730><c> they</c><00:18:48.869><c> were</c><00:18:49.109><c> shouting</c><00:18:49.349><c> their</c><00:18:50.009><c> greatest...</c>

00:18:51.250 --> 00:18:55.049
not<00:18:51.670><c> Diana,</c><00:18:52.210><c> it's</c><00:18:52.410><c> Artemis,</c><00:18:53.109><c> actually,</c><00:18:53.309><c> of</c><00:18:53.529><c> the</c><00:18:53.690><c> Ephesians.</c>

00:18:56.589 --> 00:19:00.049
In<00:18:56.769><c> verse</c><00:18:56.990><c> 30,</c><00:18:57.329><c> when</c><00:18:57.490><c> Paul</c><00:18:57.730><c> would</c><00:18:57.950><c> have</c><00:18:58.150><c> entered</c><00:18:58.490><c> into</c><00:18:59.509><c> the</c><00:18:59.650><c> people,</c>

00:19:00.049 --> 00:19:01.890
the<00:19:00.509><c> disciples</c><00:19:00.849><c> suffered</c><00:19:01.410><c> him</c><00:19:01.670><c> not.</c>

00:19:02.309 --> 00:19:04.869
And<00:19:02.509><c> certain</c><00:19:02.650><c> of</c><00:19:02.789><c> the</c><00:19:02.990><c> chief</c><00:19:03.150><c> of</c><00:19:03.450><c> Asia,</c><00:19:03.769><c> which</c><00:19:03.890><c> were</c><00:19:04.089><c> his</c><00:19:04.410><c> friends,</c>

00:19:05.369 --> 00:19:08.210
sent<00:19:05.450><c> to</c><00:19:05.609><c> him,</c><00:19:06.009><c> desiring</c><00:19:06.230><c> him</c><00:19:06.450><c> that</c><00:19:06.569><c> he</c><00:19:06.690><c> would</c><00:19:06.930><c> not</c><00:19:07.289><c> venture</c><00:19:07.690><c> himself</c>

00:19:08.210 --> 00:19:09.029
into<00:19:08.490><c> the</c><00:19:08.730><c> theater.</c>

00:19:09.490 --> 00:19:14.170
The<00:19:09.730><c> word</c><00:19:10.009><c> chief</c><00:19:10.829><c> of</c><00:19:12.049><c> Asia,</c><00:19:13.049><c> Asiarchs,</c>

00:19:14.190 --> 00:19:17.410
they<00:19:14.710><c> were</c><00:19:15.150><c> wealthy</c><00:19:15.670><c> rulers</c><00:19:16.390><c> of</c><00:19:16.970><c> Ephesus,</c>

00:19:17.650 --> 00:19:20.450
and<00:19:17.910><c> they</c><00:19:18.190><c> lived</c><00:19:18.430><c> in</c><00:19:18.910><c> these</c><00:19:19.109><c> magnificent</c><00:19:19.809><c> palaces</c>

00:19:20.450 --> 00:19:23.950
that<00:19:20.950><c> were</c><00:19:21.430><c> excavated</c><00:19:22.029><c> on</c><00:19:22.289><c> the</c><00:19:22.670><c> slopes</c><00:19:23.009><c> of</c><00:19:23.670><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:19:24.049 --> 00:19:25.690
Beautiful<00:19:24.369><c> mosaic</c><00:19:24.910><c> floors</c><00:19:25.329><c> there,</c>

00:19:26.069 --> 00:19:29.009
the<00:19:26.230><c> walls</c><00:19:26.569><c> all</c><00:19:27.789><c> painted</c><00:19:28.210><c> with</c><00:19:28.509><c> fresco,</c>

00:19:29.009 --> 00:19:31.329
very<00:19:29.450><c> wealthy</c><00:19:30.150><c> houses</c><00:19:30.730><c> indeed.</c>

00:19:31.650 --> 00:19:35.069
And<00:19:31.750><c> Paul</c><00:19:31.829><c> had</c><00:19:32.170><c> friends,</c><00:19:33.470><c> people</c><00:19:33.750><c> who</c><00:19:34.049><c> lived</c><00:19:34.049><c> in</c><00:19:34.309><c> these</c><00:19:34.589><c> houses,</c>

00:19:35.509 --> 00:19:38.750
as<00:19:35.769><c> well</c><00:19:36.309><c> as</c><00:19:36.549><c> with</c><00:19:36.690><c> the</c><00:19:36.890><c> simple</c><00:19:37.190><c> people</c><00:19:37.690><c> also.</c>

00:19:39.309 --> 00:19:44.470
So<00:19:39.690><c> it</c><00:19:39.930><c> just</c><00:19:40.130><c> gives</c><00:19:40.210><c> you</c><00:19:40.490><c> an</c><00:19:40.690><c> insight</c><00:19:41.190><c> into</c><00:19:41.630><c> the</c><00:19:42.210><c> life</c><00:19:42.630><c> of</c><00:19:43.789><c> the</c><00:19:44.069><c> people</c>

00:19:44.470 --> 00:19:48.450
Paul<00:19:44.890><c> was</c><00:19:45.210><c> in</c><00:19:45.549><c> contact</c><00:19:45.930><c> with</c><00:19:46.410><c> while</c><00:19:46.710><c> he</c><00:19:46.829><c> was</c><00:19:47.190><c> in</c><00:19:47.509><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:19:48.730 --> 00:19:51.329
And<00:19:48.950><c> then</c><00:19:49.069><c> you've</c><00:19:49.190><c> got</c><00:19:49.390><c> the</c><00:19:49.930><c> street</c><00:19:50.190><c> of</c><00:19:50.509><c> the</c><00:19:50.730><c> curators</c>

00:19:51.329 --> 00:19:55.910
going<00:19:51.970><c> up</c><00:19:52.289><c> from</c><00:19:52.549><c> that</c><00:19:52.869><c> marketplace</c><00:19:53.369><c> to</c><00:19:54.170><c> the</c><00:19:54.789><c> higher</c><00:19:55.170><c> part</c><00:19:55.690><c> of</c>

00:19:55.910 --> 00:19:56.529
the<00:19:56.150><c> town.</c>

00:19:56.529 --> 00:19:59.829
And<00:19:57.450><c> walking</c><00:19:57.690><c> on</c><00:19:57.930><c> the</c><00:19:58.150><c> street,</c><00:19:58.470><c> you</c><00:19:58.529><c> come</c><00:19:58.849><c> across</c><00:19:59.309><c> the</c><00:19:59.549><c> temple</c>

00:19:59.829 --> 00:20:01.829
of<00:20:00.089><c> Domitian.</c>

00:20:02.089 --> 00:20:06.589
Domitian<00:20:02.650><c> was</c><00:20:02.950><c> one</c><00:20:03.230><c> who</c><00:20:03.789><c> persecuted</c><00:20:04.450><c> Christians</c><00:20:05.150><c> relentlessly.</c>

00:20:06.609 --> 00:20:09.869
And<00:20:06.769><c> there's</c><00:20:06.930><c> a</c><00:20:07.170><c> statue</c><00:20:07.369><c> here</c><00:20:08.029><c> of</c><00:20:09.190><c> Domitian,</c>

00:20:10.210 --> 00:20:13.369
but<00:20:10.430><c> scholars</c><00:20:10.710><c> now</c><00:20:11.089><c> think</c><00:20:11.410><c> that</c><00:20:11.630><c> it</c><00:20:11.769><c> is</c><00:20:11.950><c> more</c><00:20:12.769><c> likely</c>

00:20:13.369 --> 00:20:17.710
the<00:20:14.029><c> statue</c><00:20:14.450><c> of</c><00:20:14.849><c> Titus,</c><00:20:15.190><c> the</c><00:20:15.329><c> one</c><00:20:15.430><c> that</c><00:20:15.769><c> destroyed</c><00:20:16.369><c> 70</c><00:20:16.890><c> AD.</c>

00:20:18.309 --> 00:20:21.329
Well,<00:20:19.049><c> John</c><00:20:19.150><c> was</c><00:20:19.450><c> in</c><00:20:19.690><c> Asia.</c><00:20:19.890><c> Why</c><00:20:20.089><c> was</c><00:20:20.309><c> he</c><00:20:20.450><c> in</c><00:20:20.589><c> Asia?</c>

00:20:21.410 --> 00:20:23.910
Because<00:20:21.970><c> of</c><00:20:22.329><c> the</c><00:20:22.529><c> persecution</c><00:20:23.069><c> of</c><00:20:23.269><c> the</c><00:20:23.450><c> Christians</c>

00:20:23.910 --> 00:20:26.289
after<00:20:24.410><c> Jerusalem</c><00:20:24.809><c> was</c><00:20:25.130><c> destroyed.</c>

00:20:26.609 --> 00:20:28.930
And<00:20:26.789><c> then</c><00:20:26.910><c> you</c><00:20:27.029><c> go</c><00:20:27.509><c> higher</c><00:20:27.809><c> up</c><00:20:28.089><c> into</c><00:20:28.309><c> the</c><00:20:28.609><c> street</c>

00:20:28.930 --> 00:20:32.410
and<00:20:29.430><c> you</c><00:20:29.549><c> come</c><00:20:29.609><c> to</c><00:20:29.769><c> the</c><00:20:29.990><c> city</c><00:20:30.289><c> hall,</c><00:20:31.069><c> the</c><00:20:31.230><c> Britannian.</c>

00:20:32.630 --> 00:20:34.690
When<00:20:32.809><c> they</c><00:20:32.970><c> were</c><00:20:33.210><c> excavating</c><00:20:33.890><c> this</c><00:20:34.230><c> building,</c>

00:20:35.170 --> 00:20:38.509
they<00:20:35.509><c> found</c><00:20:36.009><c> two</c><00:20:36.670><c> statues</c><00:20:37.049><c> of</c><00:20:37.509><c> Artemis.</c>

00:20:38.730 --> 00:20:41.109
This<00:20:38.910><c> was</c><00:20:39.069><c> the</c><00:20:39.369><c> office</c><00:20:39.549><c> of</c><00:20:39.809><c> the</c><00:20:40.190><c> town</c><00:20:40.589><c> clerk,</c>

00:20:41.609 --> 00:20:43.869
which<00:20:41.690><c> we</c><00:20:41.869><c> just</c><00:20:42.049><c> read</c><00:20:42.329><c> in</c><00:20:42.589><c> Acts</c><00:20:42.829><c> chapter</c><00:20:43.109><c> 19,</c>

00:20:44.250 --> 00:20:47.609
who<00:20:44.950><c> collided</c><00:20:45.450><c> the</c><00:20:45.769><c> people</c><00:20:46.009><c> after</c><00:20:46.369><c> their</c><00:20:46.650><c> two</c><00:20:46.990><c>-hour</c><00:20:47.230><c> shouting.</c>

00:20:47.750 --> 00:20:50.289
It's<00:20:48.230><c> the</c><00:20:48.450><c> greatest</c><00:20:48.450><c> Artemis</c><00:20:48.990><c> of</c><00:20:49.829><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:20:50.289 --> 00:20:54.670
A<00:20:51.069><c> sacred</c><00:20:51.329><c> flame</c><00:20:51.750><c> was</c><00:20:52.210><c> all</c><00:20:52.549><c> the</c><00:20:52.789><c> time</c><00:20:53.130><c> burning</c><00:20:53.609><c> here.</c>

00:20:54.769 --> 00:20:56.970
And<00:20:54.910><c> then</c><00:20:55.430><c> during</c><00:20:56.130><c> the</c><00:20:56.450><c> excavation,</c>

00:20:57.029 --> 00:21:00.109
they<00:20:57.230><c> found</c><00:20:57.430><c> two</c><00:20:57.890><c> of</c><00:20:58.089><c> these</c><00:20:58.390><c> statues</c><00:20:58.890><c> of</c><00:20:59.650><c> Artemis,</c>

00:21:00.190 --> 00:21:03.690
the<00:21:00.390><c> main</c><00:21:00.690><c> goddess</c><00:21:01.069><c> that</c><00:21:01.349><c> was</c><00:21:01.690><c> worshipped</c><00:21:02.529><c> in</c><00:21:03.009><c> Ephesus</c><00:21:03.309><c> there.</c>

00:21:04.130 --> 00:21:06.349
It's<00:21:04.710><c> a</c><00:21:04.829><c> fertility</c><00:21:05.289><c> goddess.</c>

00:21:07.150 --> 00:21:08.509
She<00:21:07.289><c> was</c><00:21:07.410><c> also</c><00:21:07.650><c> the</c><00:21:07.809><c> goddess</c><00:21:07.950><c> of</c><00:21:08.269><c> Hunter,</c>

00:21:08.809 --> 00:21:10.170
two<00:21:08.869><c> antelopes</c><00:21:09.369><c> on</c><00:21:09.650><c> either</c><00:21:09.930><c> side,</c>

00:21:10.529 --> 00:21:13.950
but<00:21:10.690><c> her</c><00:21:11.329><c> skirts</c><00:21:11.730><c> are</c><00:21:12.549><c> full</c><00:21:12.750><c> and</c><00:21:12.930><c> her</c><00:21:13.069><c> head</c><00:21:13.250><c> was</c><00:21:13.390><c> full</c><00:21:13.650><c> with</c>

00:21:13.950 --> 00:21:14.789
bull<00:21:14.349><c> statues.</c>

00:21:14.910 --> 00:21:16.869
They<00:21:14.990><c> used</c><00:21:15.150><c> to</c><00:21:15.369><c> sacrifice</c><00:21:15.809><c> bulls</c>

00:21:16.869 --> 00:21:20.390
and<00:21:17.009><c> then</c><00:21:17.210><c> hang</c><00:21:17.410><c> the</c><00:21:18.009><c> testes</c><00:21:18.369><c> of</c><00:21:18.529><c> the</c><00:21:18.750><c> animals</c><00:21:19.029><c> around</c><00:21:19.569><c> her</c><00:21:20.009><c> chest.</c>

00:21:20.750 --> 00:21:25.289
That<00:21:20.910><c> was</c><00:21:21.190><c> a</c><00:21:21.470><c> major</c><00:21:21.730><c> part</c><00:21:22.230><c> of</c><00:21:22.630><c> the</c><00:21:22.829><c> worship</c><00:21:23.349><c> there</c><00:21:23.930><c> in</c><00:21:24.289><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:21:26.390 --> 00:21:30.369
A<00:21:26.750><c> synagogue</c><00:21:27.069><c> must</c><00:21:27.309><c> have</c><00:21:27.529><c> existed</c><00:21:28.049><c> in</c><00:21:28.970><c> Ephesus</c><00:21:29.369><c> during</c><00:21:29.670><c> that</c><00:21:29.950><c> time</c>

00:21:30.369 --> 00:21:33.170
because<00:21:30.869><c> Paul</c><00:21:31.190><c> preached</c><00:21:31.490><c> there</c><00:21:31.630><c> for</c><00:21:31.829><c> three</c><00:21:32.089><c> months</c><00:21:32.430><c> in</c><00:21:32.630><c> that</c><00:21:32.869><c> city</c>

00:21:33.170 --> 00:21:36.069
and<00:21:33.789><c> in</c><00:21:33.990><c> the</c><00:21:34.109><c> synagogue,</c><00:21:34.690><c> but</c><00:21:34.890><c> no</c><00:21:35.109><c> remains</c><00:21:35.410><c> have</c><00:21:35.609><c> been</c><00:21:35.829><c> found</c>

00:21:36.069 --> 00:21:37.289
so<00:21:36.529><c> far.</c>

00:21:37.349 --> 00:21:38.910
But<00:21:37.509><c> now</c><00:21:37.769><c> let's</c><00:21:37.990><c> look</c><00:21:38.230><c> at</c><00:21:38.410><c> the</c><00:21:38.569><c> letter,</c>

00:21:39.369 --> 00:21:43.269
the<00:21:39.589><c> letter</c><00:21:39.829><c> which</c><00:21:40.690><c> the</c><00:21:41.609><c> ecclesiast</c><00:21:41.970><c> in</c><00:21:42.130><c> Ephesus</c><00:21:42.690><c> received.</c>

00:21:43.589 --> 00:21:44.730
How<00:21:43.869><c> does</c><00:21:44.029><c> the</c><00:21:44.190><c> letter</c><00:21:44.390><c> start?</c>

00:21:44.730 --> 00:21:47.369
Let's<00:21:44.910><c> go</c><00:21:45.130><c> to</c><00:21:45.289><c> chapter</c><00:21:45.569><c> two.</c>

00:21:47.470 --> 00:21:49.730
Unto<00:21:47.609><c> the</c><00:21:47.890><c> angel</c><00:21:48.210><c> of</c><00:21:48.430><c> the</c><00:21:48.529><c> ecclesiast</c><00:21:48.930><c> of</c><00:21:49.029><c> Ephesus</c><00:21:49.470><c> write,</c>

00:21:49.950 --> 00:21:53.769
these<00:21:50.109><c> things</c><00:21:50.369><c> says</c><00:21:50.690><c> he</c><00:21:51.410><c> that</c><00:21:51.849><c> holdeth</c><00:21:52.410><c> the</c><00:21:52.690><c> seven</c><00:21:53.049><c> stars</c><00:21:53.490><c> in</c>

00:21:53.769 --> 00:21:55.609
his<00:21:54.329><c> right</c><00:21:54.930><c> hand</c>

00:21:55.609 --> 00:22:02.650
and<00:21:56.369><c> who</c><00:21:56.690><c> walketh</c><00:21:57.269><c> in</c><00:21:57.630><c> the</c><00:21:57.849><c> midst</c><00:21:58.170><c> of</c><00:21:58.470><c> the</c><00:21:58.769><c> seven</c><00:21:59.170><c> golden</c><00:21:59.950><c> lampstands.</c>

00:22:03.789 --> 00:22:07.410
The<00:22:04.430><c> stars</c><00:22:04.890><c> represent</c><00:22:05.509><c> the</c><00:22:06.150><c> angels,</c>

00:22:07.450 --> 00:22:10.269
like<00:22:07.589><c> it</c><00:22:07.809><c> says</c><00:22:07.930><c> in</c><00:22:08.509><c> chapter</c><00:22:08.869><c> one</c><00:22:09.190><c> and</c><00:22:09.529><c> verse</c><00:22:09.769><c> 20,</c>

00:22:10.410 --> 00:22:13.289
the<00:22:10.589><c> mystery</c><00:22:10.829><c> of</c><00:22:11.009><c> the</c><00:22:11.190><c> seven</c><00:22:11.450><c> stars</c><00:22:11.990><c> which</c><00:22:12.190><c> thou</c><00:22:12.450><c> sawest</c><00:22:13.109><c> in</c>

00:22:13.289 --> 00:22:14.109
my<00:22:13.470><c> right</c><00:22:13.829><c> hand</c>

00:22:14.109 --> 00:22:15.789
and<00:22:14.470><c> the</c><00:22:14.630><c> seven</c><00:22:14.809><c> golden</c><00:22:15.170><c> lampstands.</c>

00:22:15.789 --> 00:22:20.450
The<00:22:15.890><c> seven</c><00:22:16.170><c> stars</c><00:22:16.670><c> are</c><00:22:17.230><c> the</c><00:22:17.930><c> angels</c><00:22:18.670><c> or</c><00:22:18.970><c> the</c><00:22:19.250><c> messengers</c><00:22:19.829><c> of</c>

00:22:20.450 --> 00:22:22.910
the<00:22:20.710><c> lampstands.</c>

00:22:23.130 --> 00:22:26.710
If<00:22:23.509><c> Christ</c><00:22:23.769><c> has</c><00:22:24.029><c> those</c><00:22:24.990><c> seven</c><00:22:25.269><c> stars</c><00:22:25.509><c> in</c><00:22:25.710><c> his</c><00:22:25.990><c> right</c><00:22:26.329><c> hand,</c>

00:22:26.829 --> 00:22:31.809
the<00:22:27.029><c> right</c><00:22:27.390><c> hand</c><00:22:27.609><c> is</c><00:22:27.890><c> a</c><00:22:28.049><c> symbol</c><00:22:28.549><c> of</c><00:22:29.329><c> power</c><00:22:29.710><c> and</c><00:22:30.190><c> of</c><00:22:30.730><c> protection.</c>

00:22:31.869 --> 00:22:34.029
The<00:22:32.130><c> right</c><00:22:32.490><c> hand</c><00:22:32.690><c> of</c><00:22:32.890><c> Yahweh</c><00:22:33.170><c> doeth</c><00:22:33.509><c> valiantly.</c>

00:22:34.309 --> 00:22:36.250
The<00:22:34.609><c> right</c><00:22:34.990><c> hand</c><00:22:35.210><c> of</c><00:22:35.430><c> Yahweh</c><00:22:35.630><c> is</c><00:22:35.869><c> exalted.</c>

00:22:36.450 --> 00:22:39.549
We<00:22:36.450><c> can</c><00:22:36.650><c> read</c><00:22:36.990><c> in</c><00:22:37.549><c> Exodus</c><00:22:37.950><c> in</c><00:22:38.349><c> Psalm</c><00:22:38.549><c> 119,</c>

00:22:39.549 --> 00:22:43.230
stars<00:22:40.329><c> are</c><00:22:40.589><c> supposed</c><00:22:40.910><c> to</c><00:22:41.089><c> give</c><00:22:41.269><c> light</c><00:22:41.789><c> in</c><00:22:42.430><c> the</c><00:22:42.650><c> darkness</c>

00:22:43.230 --> 00:22:48.049
and<00:22:44.170><c> they</c><00:22:44.490><c> signify</c><00:22:45.069><c> the</c><00:22:45.670><c> enlightened</c><00:22:46.690><c> eldership,</c>

00:22:48.450 --> 00:22:50.950
the<00:22:48.670><c> ABs</c><00:22:49.309><c> as</c><00:22:49.450><c> we</c><00:22:49.670><c> would</c><00:22:49.930><c> call</c><00:22:50.109><c> them</c><00:22:50.410><c> today,</c>

00:22:51.430 --> 00:22:55.230
who<00:22:51.529><c> are</c><00:22:51.730><c> responsible</c><00:22:52.630><c> for</c><00:22:53.349><c> the</c><00:22:53.630><c> affairs</c><00:22:53.910><c> of</c><00:22:54.170><c> the</c><00:22:54.430><c> ecclesiast.</c>

00:22:55.289 --> 00:22:57.990
They<00:22:55.569><c> are</c><00:22:55.670><c> called</c><00:22:55.869><c> the</c><00:22:56.210><c> body</c><00:22:56.490><c> of</c><00:22:57.009><c> elders.</c>

00:22:59.670 --> 00:23:02.049
Those<00:22:59.950><c> are</c><00:23:00.109><c> the</c><00:23:00.210><c> people</c><00:23:00.349><c> that</c><00:23:00.549><c> received</c><00:23:00.910><c> the</c><00:23:01.089><c> letter</c><00:23:01.470><c> first</c>

00:23:02.049 --> 00:23:03.829
of<00:23:02.269><c> all.</c>

00:23:04.450 --> 00:23:09.809
It's<00:23:05.250><c> important</c><00:23:05.710><c> to</c><00:23:06.089><c> think</c><00:23:06.630><c> about</c><00:23:07.289><c> the</c><00:23:07.630><c> position</c><00:23:08.130><c> of</c><00:23:09.029><c> those</c><00:23:09.390><c> brethren</c>

00:23:09.809 --> 00:23:13.950
that<00:23:10.710><c> serve</c><00:23:10.910><c> in</c><00:23:11.089><c> the</c><00:23:11.289><c> ecclesiast</c><00:23:11.990><c> as</c><00:23:12.390><c> recording</c><00:23:12.990><c> brothers,</c>

00:23:14.190 --> 00:23:18.089
as<00:23:14.450><c> arranging</c><00:23:14.910><c> brethren</c><00:23:15.369><c> who</c><00:23:16.589><c> look</c><00:23:17.089><c> after</c><00:23:17.470><c> the</c><00:23:17.789><c> affairs,</c>

00:23:18.250 --> 00:23:20.470
the<00:23:18.509><c> spiritual</c><00:23:18.910><c> welfare</c><00:23:19.569><c> of</c><00:23:19.890><c> the</c><00:23:20.130><c> ecclesiast</c>

00:23:20.470 --> 00:23:23.470
because<00:23:20.650><c> they</c><00:23:20.890><c> are</c><00:23:21.130><c> first</c><00:23:21.569><c> and</c><00:23:22.150><c> primarily</c><00:23:22.589><c> responsible</c>

00:23:23.470 --> 00:23:26.730
for<00:23:24.549><c> looking</c><00:23:25.190><c> after</c><00:23:25.589><c> the</c><00:23:25.869><c> ecclesiast.</c>

00:23:27.049 --> 00:23:28.890
They<00:23:27.289><c> are</c><00:23:27.349><c> called</c><00:23:27.609><c> stars.</c>

00:23:29.329 --> 00:23:32.190
Think<00:23:29.630><c> of</c><00:23:29.789><c> your</c><00:23:30.049><c> ecclesiast,</c><00:23:30.809><c> I</c><00:23:30.990><c> think</c><00:23:31.130><c> of</c><00:23:31.269><c> my</c><00:23:31.690><c> ecclesiast.</c>

00:23:32.190 --> 00:23:34.970
Are<00:23:33.089><c> the</c><00:23:33.349><c> stars</c><00:23:33.690><c> of</c><00:23:33.869><c> our</c><00:23:34.170><c> ecclesiast?</c>

00:23:34.970 --> 00:23:37.029
Are<00:23:35.269><c> they</c><00:23:35.470><c> still</c><00:23:35.750><c> shining</c><00:23:36.089><c> lights?</c>

00:23:37.309 --> 00:23:39.150
Do<00:23:37.470><c> they</c><00:23:37.549><c> let</c><00:23:37.750><c> their</c><00:23:37.950><c> lights</c><00:23:38.170><c> shine?</c>

00:23:39.589 --> 00:23:42.509
Do<00:23:39.750><c> they</c><00:23:39.970><c> encourage</c><00:23:40.369><c> us</c><00:23:40.910><c> to</c><00:23:41.109><c> let</c><00:23:41.470><c> our</c><00:23:41.769><c> lights</c><00:23:42.029><c> shine?</c>

00:23:43.009 --> 00:23:44.490
Are<00:23:43.250><c> we</c><00:23:43.470><c> stars?</c>

00:23:46.009 --> 00:23:48.869
So<00:23:46.529><c> when</c><00:23:46.970><c> Paul</c><00:23:47.170><c> went</c><00:23:47.369><c> on</c><00:23:47.529><c> his</c><00:23:47.650><c> last</c><00:23:47.930><c> journey</c><00:23:48.210><c> to</c><00:23:48.430><c> Jerusalem</c>

00:23:48.869 --> 00:23:50.009
and<00:23:49.150><c> landed</c><00:23:49.289><c> in</c><00:23:49.569><c> Miletus,</c>

00:23:50.069 --> 00:23:52.750
he<00:23:50.250><c> sent</c><00:23:50.450><c> for</c><00:23:50.670><c> the</c><00:23:50.930><c> elders</c><00:23:51.170><c> of</c><00:23:51.490><c> the</c><00:23:51.710><c> ecclesiast</c><00:23:52.049><c> in</c><00:23:52.309><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:23:52.869 --> 00:23:55.509
Remember<00:23:53.089><c> he</c><00:23:53.230><c> had</c><00:23:53.410><c> been</c><00:23:53.569><c> preaching</c><00:23:53.849><c> there</c><00:23:54.369><c> for</c><00:23:54.890><c> almost</c><00:23:55.210><c> three</c>

00:23:55.509 --> 00:23:56.710
years<00:23:55.630><c> at</c><00:23:55.829><c> a</c><00:23:56.029><c> time</c>

00:23:56.710 --> 00:23:58.250
and<00:23:57.089><c> later</c><00:23:57.349><c> on</c><00:23:57.509><c> he</c><00:23:57.609><c> came</c><00:23:57.910><c> back.</c>

00:23:58.630 --> 00:24:00.009
What<00:23:58.869><c> did</c><00:23:59.049><c> he</c><00:23:59.210><c> have</c><00:23:59.349><c> to</c><00:23:59.529><c> say</c><00:23:59.730><c> to</c><00:23:59.930><c> them?</c>

00:24:00.009 --> 00:24:03.210
Let's<00:24:00.150><c> go</c><00:24:00.349><c> to</c><00:24:00.589><c> Acts</c><00:24:00.890><c> chapter</c><00:24:01.210><c> 20.</c>

00:24:03.930 --> 00:24:07.549
In<00:24:04.089><c> Acts</c><00:24:04.349><c> chapter</c><00:24:04.670><c> 20</c><00:24:05.109><c> we</c><00:24:05.430><c> see</c><00:24:05.670><c> the</c><00:24:05.869><c> words</c><00:24:06.170><c> of</c><00:24:06.410><c> the</c><00:24:06.529><c> Apostle</c><00:24:06.950><c> Paul</c>

00:24:07.549 --> 00:24:15.269
to<00:24:08.230><c> the</c><00:24:08.589><c> elders,</c><00:24:10.390><c> the</c><00:24:10.650><c> angels</c><00:24:11.410><c> of</c><00:24:12.309><c> the</c><00:24:12.509><c> ecclesiast</c><00:24:13.450><c> in</c><00:24:13.650><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:24:16.750 --> 00:24:19.789
And<00:24:16.930><c> what</c><00:24:17.130><c> did</c><00:24:17.250><c> he</c><00:24:17.410><c> have</c><00:24:17.549><c> to</c><00:24:17.970><c> say</c><00:24:18.269><c> to</c><00:24:18.509><c> them?</c>

00:24:21.809 --> 00:24:26.349
Verse<00:24:22.089><c> 27,</c><00:24:23.069><c> I</c><00:24:23.470><c> have</c><00:24:23.589><c> not</c><00:24:24.029><c> shunned</c><00:24:24.369><c> to</c><00:24:24.609><c> declare</c><00:24:25.109><c> unto</c><00:24:25.450><c> you</c><00:24:25.869><c> all</c>

00:24:26.349 --> 00:24:28.470
the<00:24:26.670><c> counsel</c><00:24:27.190><c> of</c><00:24:27.490><c> God.</c>

00:24:29.109 --> 00:24:31.890
And<00:24:29.710><c> that's</c><00:24:29.910><c> what</c><00:24:30.049><c> you</c><00:24:30.190><c> need</c><00:24:30.369><c> to</c><00:24:30.569><c> do</c><00:24:30.730><c> as</c><00:24:31.049><c> ecclesiast</c><00:24:31.650><c> brothers</c>

00:24:31.890 --> 00:24:32.309
and<00:24:32.190><c> sisters,</c>

00:24:32.349 --> 00:24:36.650
to<00:24:32.529><c> know</c><00:24:32.710><c> all</c><00:24:33.230><c> the</c><00:24:33.450><c> counsel,</c><00:24:34.450><c> to</c><00:24:34.589><c> know</c><00:24:34.869><c> all</c><00:24:35.289><c> the</c><00:24:35.690><c> sound</c><00:24:36.109><c> doctrine</c>

00:24:36.650 --> 00:24:40.269
as<00:24:37.089><c> has</c><00:24:37.230><c> been</c><00:24:37.549><c> expounded</c><00:24:38.250><c> in</c><00:24:38.789><c> the</c><00:24:38.970><c> letters</c><00:24:39.190><c> in</c><00:24:39.390><c> the</c><00:24:39.450><c> New</c><00:24:39.650><c> Testament.</c>

00:24:40.710 --> 00:24:44.569
And<00:24:40.849><c> then</c><00:24:40.970><c> he</c><00:24:41.190><c> says</c><00:24:41.410><c> to</c><00:24:41.730><c> them,</c><00:24:42.190><c> to</c><00:24:42.369><c> the</c><00:24:42.609><c> leadership</c><00:24:43.210><c> of</c><00:24:43.630><c> the</c><00:24:43.769><c> ecclesiast</c><00:24:44.210><c> in</c><00:24:44.329><c> Ephesus,</c>

00:24:44.730 --> 00:24:48.630
take<00:24:45.049><c> heed</c><00:24:45.450><c> to</c><00:24:45.789><c> yourselves</c><00:24:46.569><c> and</c><00:24:47.410><c> to</c><00:24:47.730><c> all</c><00:24:48.029><c> the</c><00:24:48.349><c> flock</c>

00:24:48.630 --> 00:24:51.609
of<00:24:49.269><c> which</c><00:24:49.430><c> the</c><00:24:49.650><c> Holy</c><00:24:49.910><c> Spirit</c><00:24:50.269><c> has</c><00:24:50.490><c> made</c><00:24:50.690><c> you</c><00:24:51.089><c> overseas</c>

00:24:51.609 --> 00:24:55.609
to<00:24:52.410><c> feed</c><00:24:53.289><c> the</c><00:24:54.230><c> ecclesiast</c><00:24:54.809><c> of</c><00:24:55.170><c> God</c>

00:24:55.609 --> 00:24:59.869
which<00:24:56.230><c> he</c><00:24:56.410><c> has</c><00:24:56.730><c> purchased</c><00:24:57.509><c> with</c><00:24:58.210><c> his</c><00:24:58.430><c> own</c><00:24:58.869><c> blood.</c>

00:25:00.230 --> 00:25:02.410
For<00:25:00.410><c> I</c><00:25:00.630><c> know</c><00:25:00.869><c> this</c><00:25:00.990><c> that</c><00:25:01.289><c> after</c><00:25:01.630><c> my</c><00:25:01.869><c> departing</c>

00:25:02.410 --> 00:25:05.410
shall<00:25:02.690><c> grievous</c><00:25:03.190><c> wolves</c><00:25:03.609><c> entering</c><00:25:04.210><c> among</c><00:25:04.910><c> you,</c>

00:25:05.529 --> 00:25:07.910
not<00:25:05.849><c> sparing</c><00:25:06.529><c> the</c><00:25:07.130><c> flock.</c>

00:25:08.849 --> 00:25:10.890
If<00:25:09.130><c> you</c><00:25:09.309><c> always</c><00:25:09.750><c> think,</c><00:25:10.309><c> brothers</c><00:25:10.470><c> and</c><00:25:10.690><c> sisters,</c>

00:25:11.049 --> 00:25:15.769
that<00:25:11.210><c> all</c><00:25:12.029><c> of</c><00:25:12.230><c> us</c><00:25:12.470><c> here</c><00:25:12.970><c> have</c><00:25:13.490><c> been</c><00:25:13.950><c> purchased</c><00:25:14.650><c> by</c><00:25:15.490><c> the</c><00:25:15.670><c> blood</c>

00:25:15.769 --> 00:25:17.130
of<00:25:16.049><c> Christ,</c>

00:25:17.910 --> 00:25:19.650
that<00:25:18.049><c> we</c><00:25:18.170><c> need</c><00:25:18.329><c> to</c><00:25:18.890><c> help</c><00:25:19.130><c> one</c><00:25:19.369><c> another,</c>

00:25:20.089 --> 00:25:22.289
we<00:25:20.210><c> need</c><00:25:20.369><c> to</c><00:25:20.490><c> encourage</c><00:25:21.170><c> one</c><00:25:21.470><c> another,</c>

00:25:22.349 --> 00:25:23.730
we<00:25:22.450><c> need</c><00:25:22.569><c> to</c><00:25:22.849><c> support</c><00:25:23.170><c> one</c><00:25:23.470><c> another,</c>

00:25:23.730 --> 00:25:27.269
we<00:25:24.029><c> need</c><00:25:24.210><c> to</c><00:25:24.390><c> build</c><00:25:24.730><c> up</c><00:25:25.210><c> and</c><00:25:25.769><c> not</c><00:25:26.069><c> break</c><00:25:26.450><c> down.</c>

00:25:27.750 --> 00:25:31.349
We<00:25:27.930><c> must</c><00:25:28.289><c> treasure</c><00:25:28.670><c> the</c><00:25:28.849><c> word</c><00:25:28.970><c> of</c><00:25:29.250><c> God</c><00:25:29.430><c> and</c><00:25:29.710><c> try</c><00:25:30.009><c> to</c><00:25:30.289><c> understand</c><00:25:30.750><c> it</c>

00:25:31.349 --> 00:25:33.170
and<00:25:31.970><c> feed</c><00:25:32.529><c> the</c><00:25:32.930><c> flock.</c>

00:25:33.670 --> 00:25:35.890
It's<00:25:34.049><c> such</c><00:25:34.150><c> an</c><00:25:34.450><c> important</c><00:25:34.849><c> task.</c>

00:25:36.089 --> 00:25:41.009
Those<00:25:36.309><c> lampstands,</c><00:25:37.470><c> the</c><00:25:37.710><c> seven</c><00:25:37.910><c> of</c><00:25:38.190><c> them</c><00:25:38.369><c> in</c><00:25:39.029><c> the</c><00:25:39.930><c> book</c><00:25:40.210><c> of</c><00:25:40.470><c> Revelation,</c>

00:25:41.490 --> 00:25:43.569
were<00:25:41.569><c> symbols</c><00:25:41.869><c> of</c><00:25:42.150><c> the</c><00:25:42.349><c> ecclesiast.</c>

00:25:43.589 --> 00:25:48.450
And<00:25:43.930><c> if</c><00:25:44.509><c> we</c><00:25:44.670><c> just</c><00:25:44.869><c> read</c><00:25:45.069><c> that</c><00:25:45.269><c> Jesus</c><00:25:45.630><c> walks</c><00:25:46.650><c> among</c><00:25:47.809><c> the</c><00:25:48.150><c> seven</c>

00:25:48.450 --> 00:25:51.049
golden<00:25:49.029><c> lampstands,</c>

00:25:51.049 --> 00:25:54.289
he<00:25:51.289><c> would</c><00:25:51.549><c> have</c><00:25:51.809><c> visited</c><00:25:52.269><c> all</c><00:25:52.809><c> those</c><00:25:53.109><c> ecclesiasts</c><00:25:53.890><c> maybe</c>

00:25:54.289 --> 00:25:55.890
every<00:25:54.750><c> day.</c>

00:25:55.970 --> 00:25:57.970
He<00:25:56.170><c> still</c><00:25:56.470><c> does</c><00:25:56.670><c> that</c><00:25:56.849><c> today.</c>

00:25:58.049 --> 00:26:00.670
He<00:25:58.309><c> visits</c><00:25:58.809><c> our</c><00:25:59.390><c> ecclesiasts.</c>

00:26:00.890 --> 00:26:03.390
He's<00:26:00.970><c> there</c><00:26:01.150><c> on</c><00:26:01.390><c> a</c><00:26:01.430><c> Sunday</c><00:26:01.869><c> morning</c><00:26:02.589><c> and</c><00:26:02.829><c> afternoon.</c>

00:26:03.750 --> 00:26:05.490
He's<00:26:03.930><c> there</c><00:26:04.069><c> during</c><00:26:04.210><c> the</c><00:26:04.410><c> Bible</c><00:26:04.630><c> class.</c>

00:26:05.809 --> 00:26:09.230
He's<00:26:05.950><c> there</c><00:26:06.349><c> when</c><00:26:06.930><c> other</c><00:26:07.289><c> meetings</c><00:26:07.670><c> take</c><00:26:08.069><c> place.</c>

00:26:09.349 --> 00:26:15.450
Christ<00:26:09.910><c> walks</c><00:26:10.750><c> among</c><00:26:11.650><c> the</c><00:26:11.990><c> lampstands.</c>

00:26:15.650 --> 00:26:17.970
Jesus<00:26:15.890><c> said,</c><00:26:16.289><c> where</c><00:26:16.309><c> two</c><00:26:16.529><c> or</c><00:26:16.630><c> three</c><00:26:16.950><c> are</c><00:26:17.230><c> gathered</c><00:26:17.410><c> together</c>

00:26:17.970 --> 00:26:19.569
in<00:26:18.309><c> my</c><00:26:19.089><c> name,</c>

00:26:19.569 --> 00:26:22.410
there<00:26:20.190><c> am</c><00:26:20.809><c> I</c><00:26:21.029><c> in</c><00:26:21.329><c> the</c><00:26:21.549><c> midst.</c>

00:26:22.829 --> 00:26:25.390
And<00:26:23.190><c> the</c><00:26:23.410><c> more</c><00:26:23.650><c> we</c><00:26:24.009><c> realize</c><00:26:24.509><c> that,</c><00:26:25.029><c> brightness</c><00:26:25.029><c> sisters,</c>

00:26:25.450 --> 00:26:28.869
the<00:26:25.609><c> more</c><00:26:25.990><c> careful</c><00:26:26.329><c> we</c><00:26:26.670><c> are</c><00:26:27.170><c> how</c><00:26:27.650><c> we</c><00:26:27.890><c> deal</c><00:26:28.109><c> with</c><00:26:28.349><c> one</c><00:26:28.509><c> another</c>

00:26:28.869 --> 00:26:31.390
and<00:26:29.349><c> how</c><00:26:29.630><c> we</c><00:26:29.869><c> deal</c><00:26:30.190><c> with</c><00:26:30.549><c> the</c><00:26:30.769><c> word</c><00:26:30.930><c> of</c><00:26:31.230><c> God.</c>

00:26:31.490 --> 00:26:33.890
Because<00:26:31.829><c> lampstands,</c><00:26:32.730><c> if</c><00:26:32.910><c> we</c><00:26:33.130><c> are</c><00:26:33.369><c> a</c><00:26:33.569><c> lampstand,</c>

00:26:33.990 --> 00:26:36.910
should<00:26:34.130><c> give</c><00:26:34.390><c> light</c><00:26:34.970><c> and</c><00:26:35.650><c> not</c><00:26:35.829><c> darkness.</c>

00:26:37.210 --> 00:26:39.569
We<00:26:37.390><c> must</c><00:26:37.509><c> not</c><00:26:37.650><c> let</c><00:26:37.849><c> that</c><00:26:38.049><c> light</c><00:26:38.269><c> grow</c><00:26:38.569><c> dim.</c>

00:26:39.930 --> 00:26:42.329
Because<00:26:40.190><c> the</c><00:26:40.569><c> day</c><00:26:40.690><c>-to</c><00:26:40.849><c>-day</c><00:26:40.950><c> running</c><00:26:41.250><c> of</c><00:26:41.529><c> ecclesial</c><00:26:42.029><c> affairs,</c>

00:26:42.609 --> 00:26:44.450
especially<00:26:42.730><c> in</c><00:26:43.250><c> the</c><00:26:43.470><c> difficult</c><00:26:43.869><c> circumstances,</c>

00:26:44.529 --> 00:26:47.089
can<00:26:44.710><c> become</c><00:26:44.890><c> very</c><00:26:45.309><c> burdensome</c><00:26:45.769><c> if</c><00:26:45.930><c> you</c><00:26:46.130><c> focus</c><00:26:46.329><c> on</c><00:26:46.529><c> the</c><00:26:46.670><c> natural,</c>

00:26:47.089 --> 00:26:52.589
on<00:26:47.750><c> words</c><00:26:48.470><c> instead</c><00:26:49.150><c> of</c><00:26:49.490><c> the</c><00:26:49.910><c> spirit</c><00:26:50.329><c> of</c><00:26:51.210><c> looking</c><00:26:51.809><c> after</c><00:26:52.289><c> the</c>

00:26:52.589 --> 00:26:53.509
flock<00:26:52.710><c> of</c><00:26:53.009><c> Christ.</c>

00:26:54.009 --> 00:26:56.049
It's<00:26:54.170><c> so</c><00:26:54.289><c> easy</c><00:26:54.390><c> to</c><00:26:54.589><c> focus</c><00:26:54.769><c> on</c><00:26:54.990><c> negative</c><00:26:55.369><c> aspects,</c>

00:26:56.210 --> 00:26:58.829
which<00:26:56.609><c> are</c><00:26:57.329><c> there</c><00:26:57.490><c> in</c><00:26:57.730><c> every</c><00:26:58.009><c> ecclesiast.</c>

00:26:59.009 --> 00:27:02.089
We<00:26:59.390><c> should</c><00:26:59.710><c> be</c><00:27:00.089><c> looking</c><00:27:00.390><c> at</c><00:27:00.609><c> the</c><00:27:00.750><c> things</c><00:27:00.849><c> that</c><00:27:01.109><c> unite</c>

00:27:02.369 --> 00:27:06.130
on<00:27:02.930><c> the</c><00:27:03.109><c> basis</c><00:27:03.309><c> of</c><00:27:03.529><c> the</c><00:27:03.690><c> word</c><00:27:03.789><c> of</c><00:27:04.069><c> God</c><00:27:04.349><c> rather</c><00:27:04.789><c> than</c><00:27:05.170><c> divide.</c>

00:27:06.450 --> 00:27:10.589
So<00:27:06.670><c> if</c><00:27:06.750><c> you</c><00:27:06.950><c> always</c><00:27:07.329><c> remember</c><00:27:07.869><c> that</c><00:27:08.089><c> Jesus</c><00:27:08.349><c> walks</c><00:27:08.829><c> among</c><00:27:09.089><c> the</c><00:27:09.349><c> lampstands,</c>

00:27:10.670 --> 00:27:14.130
it<00:27:10.769><c> should</c><00:27:10.910><c> make</c><00:27:11.069><c> us</c><00:27:11.349><c> aware</c><00:27:11.849><c> of</c><00:27:12.829><c> the</c><00:27:13.109><c> needs</c><00:27:13.349><c> of</c><00:27:13.609><c> our</c><00:27:13.869><c> brethren</c>

00:27:14.130 --> 00:27:16.089
and<00:27:14.410><c> sisters</c><00:27:14.910><c> in</c><00:27:15.470><c> the</c><00:27:15.710><c> faith.</c>

00:27:16.089 --> 00:27:19.549
We<00:27:16.509><c> should</c><00:27:16.750><c> be</c><00:27:17.049><c> looking</c><00:27:17.309><c> after</c><00:27:18.109><c> them</c><00:27:18.190><c> as</c><00:27:18.430><c> a</c><00:27:18.710><c> flock.</c>

00:27:20.089 --> 00:27:22.109
A<00:27:20.210><c> shepherd</c><00:27:20.369><c> needs</c><00:27:20.650><c> to</c><00:27:21.150><c> guide</c><00:27:21.549><c> a</c><00:27:21.789><c> flock,</c>

00:27:22.589 --> 00:27:25.289
feed<00:27:22.990><c> a</c><00:27:23.250><c> flock,</c><00:27:24.150><c> and</c><00:27:24.390><c> care</c><00:27:24.730><c> for</c><00:27:24.910><c> the</c><00:27:25.170><c> flock.</c>

00:27:25.329 --> 00:27:27.170
That's<00:27:25.529><c> what</c><00:27:25.690><c> Jesus</c><00:27:26.069><c> did.</c>

00:27:27.470 --> 00:27:30.450
So<00:27:27.930><c> an</c><00:27:28.109><c> ecclesiast</c><00:27:28.430><c> that</c><00:27:28.630><c> looks</c><00:27:29.250><c> after</c><00:27:29.750><c> its</c><00:27:30.069><c> members</c>

00:27:30.450 --> 00:27:33.329
and<00:27:30.750><c> that</c><00:27:31.069><c> loves</c><00:27:31.309><c> the</c><00:27:31.549><c> members</c><00:27:31.750><c> is</c><00:27:31.990><c> a</c><00:27:32.190><c> bright</c><00:27:32.609><c> lampstand</c>

00:27:33.329 --> 00:27:37.450
in<00:27:33.710><c> this</c><00:27:33.910><c> dark</c><00:27:34.349><c> world</c><00:27:34.670><c> of</c><00:27:35.190><c> ambition</c><00:27:35.670><c> and</c><00:27:36.009><c> selfishness.</c>

00:27:38.230 --> 00:27:40.589
But<00:27:38.369><c> imagine</c><00:27:38.730><c> now,</c><00:27:38.910><c> you're</c><00:27:39.089><c> in</c><00:27:39.230><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:27:41.289 --> 00:27:43.410
There's<00:27:41.430><c> the</c><00:27:41.609><c> A</c><00:27:41.869><c>-B's</c><00:27:42.170><c> gathered</c><00:27:42.289><c> together.</c>

00:27:43.609 --> 00:27:46.609
John<00:27:44.009><c> comes</c><00:27:44.250><c> in</c><00:27:44.509><c> with</c><00:27:44.690><c> this</c><00:27:44.890><c> letter,</c><00:27:45.930><c> and</c><00:27:46.069><c> he</c><00:27:46.150><c> reads</c><00:27:46.309><c> it</c><00:27:46.490><c> out</c>

00:27:46.609 --> 00:27:47.970
to<00:27:46.710><c> you.</c>

00:27:48.190 --> 00:27:49.109
What<00:27:48.329><c> does</c><00:27:48.329><c> he</c><00:27:48.349><c> say?</c>

00:27:49.329 --> 00:27:51.509
In<00:27:49.410><c> verse</c><00:27:49.609><c> two</c><00:27:49.829><c> and</c><00:27:49.950><c> three</c><00:27:50.329><c> of</c><00:27:50.710><c> the</c><00:27:50.869><c> second</c><00:27:51.069><c> chapter,</c><00:27:51.329><c> he</c><00:27:51.329><c> reads,</c>

00:27:51.690 --> 00:27:56.009
I<00:27:51.690><c> know</c><00:27:51.910><c> thy</c><00:27:52.170><c> works,</c><00:27:52.970><c> says</c><00:27:53.069><c> Jesus,</c><00:27:54.029><c> and</c><00:27:54.230><c> thy</c><00:27:54.390><c> labor,</c><00:27:55.069><c> and</c><00:27:55.170><c> thy</c><00:27:55.349><c> patience,</c>

00:27:56.490 --> 00:27:58.609
how<00:27:56.630><c> thou</c><00:27:56.809><c> canst</c><00:27:57.150><c> not</c><00:27:57.349><c> bear</c><00:27:57.490><c> them</c><00:27:57.730><c> which</c><00:27:57.950><c> are</c><00:27:58.130><c> evil,</c>

00:27:58.970 --> 00:28:01.490
thou<00:27:59.109><c> astride</c><00:27:59.589><c> them</c><00:27:59.769><c> which</c><00:28:00.049><c> say</c><00:28:00.230><c> they</c><00:28:00.470><c> are</c><00:28:00.630><c> apostles</c><00:28:00.930><c> and</c><00:28:01.109><c> are</c><00:28:01.329><c> not,</c>

00:28:01.630 --> 00:28:04.269
and<00:28:01.650><c> have</c><00:28:01.769><c> found</c><00:28:01.930><c> them</c><00:28:02.170><c> liars,</c><00:28:02.910><c> and</c><00:28:03.009><c> has</c><00:28:03.190><c> borne,</c><00:28:03.549><c> and</c><00:28:03.609><c> has</c><00:28:03.849><c> patience,</c>

00:28:04.369 --> 00:28:07.089
and<00:28:04.450><c> for</c><00:28:04.609><c> my</c><00:28:04.930><c> name's</c><00:28:05.269><c> sake</c><00:28:05.349><c> has</c><00:28:05.650><c> labored,</c><00:28:05.990><c> has</c><00:28:06.089><c> not</c><00:28:06.369><c> fainted.</c>

00:28:07.470 --> 00:28:09.849
You'll<00:28:07.869><c> be</c><00:28:07.950><c> very</c><00:28:08.109><c> pleased</c><00:28:08.470><c> to</c><00:28:08.630><c> hear</c><00:28:08.750><c> that,</c><00:28:08.970><c> don't</c><00:28:09.210><c> you?</c>

00:28:10.130 --> 00:28:13.029
Because<00:28:10.690><c> you</c><00:28:10.910><c> know,</c><00:28:11.430><c> Jesus</c><00:28:11.609><c> knows</c><00:28:11.930><c> all</c><00:28:12.369><c> the</c><00:28:12.589><c> hard</c><00:28:12.769><c> labor</c>

00:28:13.029 --> 00:28:15.349
you've<00:28:13.309><c> been</c><00:28:13.769><c> doing</c><00:28:14.029><c> in</c><00:28:14.289><c> the</c><00:28:14.490><c> Ecclesiast.</c>

00:28:15.349 --> 00:28:19.109
You've<00:28:15.769><c> been</c><00:28:16.170><c> dealing</c><00:28:16.430><c> with</c><00:28:16.789><c> false</c><00:28:17.569><c> teachings</c>

00:28:19.109 --> 00:28:21.869
and<00:28:19.910><c> certain</c><00:28:20.049><c> people</c><00:28:20.410><c> that</c><00:28:20.690><c> were</c><00:28:20.970><c> saying</c><00:28:21.210><c> the</c><00:28:21.410><c> wrong</c><00:28:21.589><c> things</c>

00:28:21.869 --> 00:28:23.250
about<00:28:22.170><c> the</c><00:28:22.450><c> truth.</c>

00:28:23.990 --> 00:28:27.329
And<00:28:24.410><c> Jesus</c><00:28:24.650><c> knew</c><00:28:25.089><c> all</c><00:28:25.410><c> that,</c><00:28:26.190><c> and</c><00:28:26.369><c> he</c><00:28:26.730><c> praised</c><00:28:27.049><c> them</c>

00:28:27.329 --> 00:28:29.750
for<00:28:27.569><c> the</c><00:28:27.890><c> good</c><00:28:28.130><c> work</c><00:28:28.369><c> which</c><00:28:28.529><c> they</c><00:28:28.750><c> had</c><00:28:28.930><c> done.</c>

00:28:29.890 --> 00:28:31.869
And<00:28:30.009><c> it's</c><00:28:30.089><c> a</c><00:28:30.210><c> good</c><00:28:30.349><c> guideline</c><00:28:30.710><c> for</c><00:28:30.910><c> us</c><00:28:31.069><c> as</c><00:28:31.250><c> well,</c><00:28:31.529><c> my</c><00:28:31.529><c> sisters.</c>

00:28:32.049 --> 00:28:35.089
We<00:28:32.230><c> should</c><00:28:32.690><c> praise</c><00:28:33.269><c> one</c><00:28:33.509><c> another</c><00:28:33.849><c> when</c><00:28:34.150><c> they</c><00:28:34.329><c> do</c><00:28:34.529><c> well</c>

00:28:35.089 --> 00:28:39.690
and<00:28:35.750><c> thank</c><00:28:36.250><c> one</c><00:28:36.549><c> another</c><00:28:36.890><c> when</c><00:28:37.710><c> we</c><00:28:38.349><c> help</c><00:28:38.589><c> each</c><00:28:38.849><c> other.</c>

00:28:39.910 --> 00:28:42.390
We<00:28:39.990><c> should</c><00:28:40.589><c> focus</c><00:28:40.990><c> on</c><00:28:41.329><c> positive</c><00:28:41.789><c> things</c>

00:28:42.390 --> 00:28:45.089
and<00:28:42.730><c> encourage</c><00:28:43.210><c> one</c><00:28:43.490><c> another</c><00:28:43.849><c> rather</c><00:28:44.190><c> than</c><00:28:44.410><c> breaking</c><00:28:44.750><c> down</c>

00:28:45.089 --> 00:28:46.470
and<00:28:45.390><c> criticizing.</c>

00:28:47.049 --> 00:28:49.450
But<00:28:47.210><c> then,</c><00:28:48.529><c> to</c><00:28:48.670><c> be</c><00:28:48.930><c> realistic,</c>

00:28:49.730 --> 00:28:52.470
they<00:28:49.910><c> also</c><00:28:50.089><c> had</c><00:28:50.230><c> to</c><00:28:50.369><c> listen</c><00:28:50.549><c> to</c><00:28:50.789><c> the</c><00:28:50.890><c> next</c><00:28:51.150><c> verse,</c><00:28:51.650><c> verse</c><00:28:51.970><c> four</c>

00:28:52.470 --> 00:28:53.690
in<00:28:52.910><c> chapter</c><00:28:53.170><c> two.</c>

00:28:54.130 --> 00:28:55.990
Nevertheless,<00:28:54.789><c> I</c><00:28:54.869><c> have</c><00:28:55.150><c> somewhat</c><00:28:55.309><c> against</c><00:28:55.829><c> thee,</c>

00:28:56.069 --> 00:29:00.970
because<00:28:56.390><c> thou</c><00:28:56.650><c> hast</c><00:28:57.589><c> left</c><00:28:58.509><c> thy</c><00:28:59.069><c> first</c><00:28:59.750><c> love.</c>

00:29:04.009 --> 00:29:08.049
Paul<00:29:04.609><c> wrote</c><00:29:05.210><c> from</c><00:29:05.890><c> Rome</c><00:29:06.250><c> that</c><00:29:06.549><c> first</c><00:29:06.789><c> letter</c><00:29:07.109><c> to</c><00:29:07.549><c> the</c><00:29:07.789><c> saints</c>

00:29:08.049 --> 00:29:09.190
in<00:29:08.390><c> Ephesus,</c>

00:29:09.269 --> 00:29:11.250
the<00:29:09.509><c> faithful</c><00:29:09.950><c> in</c><00:29:10.349><c> Christ</c><00:29:10.630><c> Jesus,</c>

00:29:11.589 --> 00:29:15.569
as<00:29:11.849><c> he</c><00:29:12.109><c> opened</c><00:29:12.470><c> his</c><00:29:13.250><c> letter</c><00:29:13.450><c> to</c><00:29:14.190><c> the</c><00:29:14.430><c> Ephesians.</c>

00:29:16.009 --> 00:29:19.549
He<00:29:16.230><c> also</c><00:29:16.509><c> found</c><00:29:16.730><c> it</c><00:29:16.990><c> necessary</c><00:29:17.569><c> to</c><00:29:18.750><c> be</c><00:29:19.049><c> patient.</c>

00:29:19.650 --> 00:29:22.769
Let's<00:29:19.829><c> go</c><00:29:20.089><c> to</c><00:29:20.269><c> the</c><00:29:20.390><c> letter</c><00:29:20.589><c> to</c><00:29:20.890><c> the</c><00:29:21.109><c> Ephesians.</c>

00:29:27.190 --> 00:29:29.190
And<00:29:27.349><c> what</c><00:29:27.529><c> did</c><00:29:27.589><c> he</c><00:29:27.849><c> say</c><00:29:28.109><c> already</c><00:29:28.670><c> then?</c>

00:29:29.190 --> 00:29:32.450
Because<00:29:30.210><c> Paul</c><00:29:30.589><c> knew</c><00:29:30.930><c> his</c><00:29:31.289><c> flock.</c>

00:29:33.930 --> 00:29:37.289
So<00:29:34.009><c> in</c><00:29:34.190><c> verse</c><00:29:34.490><c> one,</c><00:29:35.890><c> he</c><00:29:36.069><c> calls</c><00:29:36.349><c> them</c>

00:29:37.289 --> 00:29:41.029
saints<00:29:38.269><c> and</c><00:29:39.289><c> faithful</c><00:29:39.650><c> in</c><00:29:39.910><c> Christ</c><00:29:40.210><c> Jesus.</c>

00:29:41.349 --> 00:29:43.690
But<00:29:41.529><c> in</c><00:29:41.730><c> chapter</c><00:29:42.069><c> four,</c>

00:29:45.730 --> 00:29:47.549
he<00:29:45.809><c> says,</c><00:29:46.029><c> I,</c><00:29:46.250><c> therefore,</c><00:29:46.490><c> the</c><00:29:46.750><c> prisoner</c><00:29:46.970><c> of</c><00:29:47.210><c> the</c><00:29:47.369><c> Lord,</c>

00:29:47.630 --> 00:29:51.549
beseech<00:29:47.990><c> you</c><00:29:48.089><c> that</c><00:29:48.250><c> ye</c><00:29:48.609><c> walk</c><00:29:49.250><c> worthy</c><00:29:50.029><c> of</c><00:29:50.289><c> the</c><00:29:50.450><c> vocation</c><00:29:50.930><c> wherewith</c><00:29:51.369><c> ye</c>

00:29:51.549 --> 00:29:52.109
are<00:29:51.789><c> called,</c>

00:29:52.490 --> 00:29:57.049
with<00:29:52.710><c> all</c><00:29:53.009><c> lowliness</c><00:29:53.589><c> and</c><00:29:54.250><c> meekness,</c><00:29:54.990><c> with</c><00:29:55.210><c> longsuffering,</c>

00:29:57.210 --> 00:30:00.390
forbearing<00:29:57.789><c> one</c><00:29:58.109><c> another</c><00:29:58.569><c> in</c><00:29:59.210><c> love.</c>

00:30:01.309 --> 00:30:04.049
He<00:30:01.470><c> felt</c><00:30:01.589><c> it</c><00:30:01.910><c> necessary</c><00:30:02.470><c> to</c><00:30:03.289><c> point</c><00:30:03.509><c> it</c><00:30:03.750><c> out</c>

00:30:04.049 --> 00:30:07.609
to<00:30:04.329><c> the</c><00:30:04.509><c> brethren</c><00:30:04.750><c> and</c><00:30:05.029><c> sisters</c><00:30:05.630><c> in</c><00:30:06.490><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:30:08.170 --> 00:30:12.029
So<00:30:08.289><c> they</c><00:30:08.410><c> were</c><00:30:08.609><c> highly</c><00:30:09.009><c> regarded</c><00:30:09.569><c> for</c><00:30:09.869><c> standing</c><00:30:10.109><c> up</c><00:30:10.369><c> for</c><00:30:10.529><c> the</c><00:30:10.809><c> truth,</c>

00:30:12.329 --> 00:30:14.009
but<00:30:12.430><c> had</c><00:30:12.630><c> lost</c><00:30:12.789><c> their</c><00:30:13.049><c> love.</c>

00:30:14.630 --> 00:30:16.269
And<00:30:14.829><c> where</c><00:30:14.890><c> does</c><00:30:15.009><c> that</c><00:30:15.190><c> start?</c>

00:30:16.329 --> 00:30:17.809
If<00:30:16.430><c> you</c><00:30:16.470><c> go</c><00:30:16.630><c> to</c><00:30:16.789><c> chapter</c><00:30:17.049><c> five,</c>

00:30:18.109 --> 00:30:22.390
he<00:30:18.369><c> speaks</c><00:30:18.630><c> there</c><00:30:19.049><c> about</c><00:30:19.430><c> love</c><00:30:19.750><c> in</c><00:30:20.029><c> verse</c><00:30:20.829><c> 25.</c>

00:30:22.549 --> 00:30:26.950
He<00:30:23.069><c> says,</c><00:30:24.029><c> husbands,</c><00:30:25.190><c> love</c><00:30:25.430><c> your</c><00:30:25.970><c> wives.</c>

00:30:27.670 --> 00:30:30.750
Even<00:30:27.789><c> as</c><00:30:27.930><c> Christ</c><00:30:28.190><c> also</c><00:30:28.589><c> loved</c><00:30:28.789><c> the</c><00:30:29.029><c> Ecclesia</c><00:30:29.289><c> and</c><00:30:29.470><c> gave</c><00:30:29.690><c> himself</c><00:30:30.150><c> for</c><00:30:30.410><c> it.</c>

00:30:31.049 --> 00:30:33.369
And<00:30:31.170><c> that's</c><00:30:31.410><c> where</c><00:30:31.470><c> it</c><00:30:31.710><c> started</c><00:30:31.950><c> by</c><00:30:32.170><c> my</c><00:30:32.369><c> sisters.</c>

00:30:33.650 --> 00:30:35.710
God<00:30:33.849><c> has</c><00:30:34.089><c> created</c><00:30:34.329><c> the</c><00:30:34.730><c> family</c><00:30:35.049><c> unit</c>

00:30:35.710 --> 00:30:41.210
as<00:30:36.569><c> the</c><00:30:36.829><c> basis</c><00:30:37.329><c> for</c><00:30:38.250><c> any</c><00:30:38.809><c> society,</c><00:30:39.430><c> for</c><00:30:39.710><c> any</c><00:30:40.130><c> community.</c>

00:30:41.549 --> 00:30:43.089
You<00:30:41.630><c> don't</c><00:30:41.710><c> say,</c><00:30:42.369><c> wives</c><00:30:42.430><c> love</c><00:30:42.589><c> your</c><00:30:42.750><c> husband.</c>

00:30:43.250 --> 00:30:45.670
I<00:30:43.250><c> said,</c><00:30:43.829><c> husband,</c><00:30:44.269><c> love</c><00:30:44.490><c> your</c><00:30:44.730><c> wives.</c>

00:30:46.490 --> 00:30:48.430
Once<00:30:46.609><c> I</c><00:30:46.750><c> gave</c><00:30:46.789><c> the</c><00:30:46.970><c> talk</c><00:30:47.150><c> on</c><00:30:47.470><c> Father's</c><00:30:48.009><c> Day,</c>

00:30:48.430 --> 00:30:52.009
and<00:30:49.289><c> I</c><00:30:50.150><c> was</c><00:30:50.269><c> very</c><00:30:50.470><c> touched</c><00:30:50.650><c> by</c><00:30:50.910><c> reading</c><00:30:51.309><c> somewhere</c><00:30:51.589><c> that</c>

00:30:52.009 --> 00:30:56.930
the<00:30:52.589><c> best</c><00:30:52.970><c> thing</c><00:30:53.849><c> a</c><00:30:54.690><c> father</c><00:30:54.950><c> can</c><00:30:55.329><c> give</c><00:30:55.730><c> to</c><00:30:56.130><c> his</c><00:30:56.349><c> children</c>

00:30:56.930 --> 00:30:59.230
is<00:30:57.829><c> to</c><00:30:58.049><c> love</c><00:30:58.190><c> their</c><00:30:58.369><c> mother.</c>

00:30:59.789 --> 00:31:02.029
Because<00:30:59.970><c> if</c><00:31:00.170><c> the</c><00:31:00.309><c> children</c><00:31:00.569><c> see</c><00:31:00.869><c> that,</c>

00:31:02.130 --> 00:31:05.029
that<00:31:02.130><c> the</c><00:31:02.269><c> husband</c><00:31:02.450><c> really</c><00:31:02.930><c> loves</c><00:31:03.710><c> their</c><00:31:04.130><c> mother,</c>

00:31:05.349 --> 00:31:07.509
then<00:31:05.470><c> you</c><00:31:05.569><c> get</c><00:31:05.690><c> a</c><00:31:05.970><c> sound</c><00:31:06.349><c> family</c><00:31:06.849><c> basis</c>

00:31:07.509 --> 00:31:10.730
on<00:31:08.250><c> which</c><00:31:08.430><c> the</c><00:31:08.750><c> truth</c><00:31:09.069><c> can</c><00:31:09.690><c> flourish.</c>

00:31:11.190 --> 00:31:15.329
So<00:31:11.369><c> he</c><00:31:11.509><c> felt</c><00:31:11.650><c> it</c><00:31:11.930><c> necessary</c><00:31:12.369><c> to</c><00:31:12.829><c> point</c><00:31:13.069><c> out</c><00:31:13.369><c> to</c><00:31:13.869><c> husbands,</c><00:31:14.450><c> first</c><00:31:14.690><c> of</c><00:31:14.930><c> all,</c>

00:31:15.730 --> 00:31:17.109
love<00:31:16.230><c> your</c><00:31:16.630><c> wives.</c>

00:31:17.109 --> 00:31:20.349
Because<00:31:17.890><c> then</c><00:31:18.390><c> it</c><00:31:18.609><c> will</c><00:31:18.750><c> go</c><00:31:18.950><c> well</c><00:31:19.109><c> with</c><00:31:19.269><c> the</c><00:31:19.490><c> family.</c>

00:31:20.509 --> 00:31:22.849
And<00:31:20.670><c> if</c><00:31:20.829><c> the</c><00:31:20.970><c> Ecclesia,</c><00:31:21.710><c> all</c><00:31:21.970><c> the</c><00:31:22.130><c> families</c><00:31:22.269><c> in</c><00:31:22.450><c> the</c><00:31:22.569><c> Ecclesia</c>

00:31:22.849 --> 00:31:23.829
do<00:31:23.089><c> that,</c>

00:31:23.910 --> 00:31:26.569
then<00:31:24.069><c> the</c><00:31:24.490><c> whole</c><00:31:24.710><c> Ecclesia</c><00:31:24.990><c> will</c><00:31:25.170><c> be</c><00:31:25.329><c> motivated</c><00:31:25.710><c> by</c><00:31:26.069><c> love,</c>

00:31:26.990 --> 00:31:30.990
and<00:31:27.089><c> not</c><00:31:27.269><c> by</c><00:31:27.609><c> strife</c><00:31:28.069><c> and</c><00:31:28.829><c> sedition</c><00:31:29.490><c> and</c><00:31:30.029><c> division.</c>

00:31:31.769 --> 00:31:33.289
Look<00:31:31.970><c> what</c><00:31:32.109><c> he</c><00:31:32.250><c> says</c><00:31:32.369><c> in</c><00:31:32.529><c> verse</c><00:31:32.750><c> 28.</c>

00:31:33.470 --> 00:31:37.369
So<00:31:33.769><c> ought</c><00:31:34.329><c> men</c><00:31:34.609><c> to</c><00:31:34.950><c> love</c><00:31:35.230><c> their</c><00:31:35.549><c> wives</c><00:31:35.890><c> as</c><00:31:36.150><c> their</c><00:31:36.470><c> own</c><00:31:36.970><c> bodies.</c>

00:31:37.829 --> 00:31:39.730
He<00:31:37.990><c> that</c><00:31:38.190><c> loveth</c><00:31:38.490><c> his</c><00:31:38.690><c> wife</c><00:31:38.930><c> loveth</c><00:31:39.210><c> himself,</c>

00:31:39.849 --> 00:31:41.470
for<00:31:39.990><c> no</c><00:31:40.109><c> man</c><00:31:40.230><c> yet</c><00:31:40.529><c> hath</c><00:31:40.670><c> had</c><00:31:40.789><c> his</c><00:31:40.970><c> own</c><00:31:41.269><c> flesh,</c>

00:31:41.609 --> 00:31:45.549
but<00:31:41.890><c> nourishes</c><00:31:42.369><c> and</c><00:31:43.089><c> cherishes</c><00:31:43.490><c> it</c><00:31:43.849><c> even</c><00:31:44.170><c> as</c><00:31:44.430><c> the</c><00:31:44.630><c> Lord</c><00:31:44.829><c> the</c><00:31:45.009><c> Ecclesia.</c>

00:31:45.549 --> 00:31:48.509
For<00:31:45.970><c> we</c><00:31:46.170><c> are</c><00:31:46.349><c> members</c><00:31:46.710><c> of</c><00:31:46.849><c> his</c><00:31:47.089><c> body,</c><00:31:47.529><c> of</c><00:31:47.650><c> his</c><00:31:47.910><c> flesh,</c><00:31:48.250><c> and</c><00:31:48.369><c> of</c>

00:31:48.509 --> 00:31:49.269
his<00:31:48.829><c> bones.</c>

00:31:49.589 --> 00:31:51.990
And<00:31:49.750><c> for</c><00:31:49.950><c> this</c><00:31:50.230><c> cause</c><00:31:50.430><c> shall</c><00:31:50.609><c> a</c><00:31:50.710><c> man</c><00:31:50.829><c> leave</c><00:31:51.130><c> his</c><00:31:51.390><c> father</c><00:31:51.589><c> and</c><00:31:51.769><c> mother,</c>

00:31:52.289 --> 00:31:54.210
and<00:31:52.390><c> shall</c><00:31:52.549><c> be</c><00:31:52.890><c> joined</c><00:31:53.210><c> unto</c><00:31:53.549><c> his</c><00:31:53.930><c> wife,</c>

00:31:54.269 --> 00:31:55.910
and<00:31:54.509><c> they</c><00:31:54.829><c> too</c><00:31:54.970><c> shall</c><00:31:55.190><c> be</c><00:31:55.329><c> one</c><00:31:55.569><c> flesh.</c>

00:31:56.190 --> 00:31:57.930
But<00:31:56.369><c> it</c><00:31:56.450><c> is</c><00:31:56.569><c> a</c><00:31:56.650><c> great</c><00:31:56.829><c> mystery,</c>

00:31:58.109 --> 00:32:01.950
because<00:31:58.670><c> I</c><00:31:59.049><c> speak</c><00:31:59.289><c> concerning</c><00:31:59.589><c> Christ</c><00:31:59.990><c> in</c><00:32:00.170><c> the</c><00:32:00.450><c> Ecclesia.</c>

00:32:02.309 --> 00:32:04.150
Because<00:32:02.450><c> Christ</c><00:32:02.930><c> loved</c><00:32:03.410><c> the</c><00:32:03.690><c> Ecclesia,</c>

00:32:04.609 --> 00:32:07.730
and<00:32:04.730><c> gave</c><00:32:04.970><c> his</c><00:32:05.250><c> life</c><00:32:05.710><c> for</c><00:32:06.470><c> the</c><00:32:06.750><c> Ecclesia,</c>

00:32:08.029 --> 00:32:10.970
that's<00:32:08.450><c> what</c><00:32:08.609><c> husbands,</c><00:32:09.809><c> as</c><00:32:09.990><c> leaders</c><00:32:10.170><c> of</c><00:32:10.390><c> the</c><00:32:10.569><c> family,</c>

00:32:11.430 --> 00:32:13.549
should<00:32:11.609><c> show</c><00:32:12.049><c> in</c><00:32:12.549><c> their</c><00:32:12.730><c> family</c><00:32:13.049><c> life.</c>

00:32:13.549 --> 00:32:16.910
And<00:32:14.109><c> make</c><00:32:14.789><c> the</c><00:32:15.049><c> children</c><00:32:15.349><c> feel</c><00:32:15.769><c> secure,</c>

00:32:16.990 --> 00:32:21.410
and<00:32:17.170><c> it's</c><00:32:17.390><c> a</c><00:32:17.509><c> good</c><00:32:17.710><c> preparation</c><00:32:18.529><c> to</c><00:32:19.369><c> learn</c><00:32:19.809><c> to</c><00:32:20.130><c> love</c><00:32:20.329><c> God.</c>

00:32:22.170 --> 00:32:25.150
But<00:32:22.349><c> the</c><00:32:22.609><c> believers</c><00:32:22.809><c> in</c><00:32:23.049><c> Ephesus</c><00:32:23.609><c> had</c><00:32:23.930><c> not</c><00:32:24.089><c> taken</c><00:32:24.269><c> much</c><00:32:24.569><c> notice</c>

00:32:25.150 --> 00:32:27.289
of<00:32:25.690><c> the</c><00:32:25.869><c> admonition</c><00:32:26.450><c> of</c><00:32:26.970><c> Paul,</c>

00:32:27.670 --> 00:32:30.250
and<00:32:27.869><c> therefore</c><00:32:28.069><c> Jesus</c><00:32:28.289><c> had</c><00:32:28.490><c> to</c><00:32:28.750><c> point</c><00:32:29.049><c> out</c><00:32:29.289><c> to</c><00:32:29.390><c> them,</c>

00:32:30.390 --> 00:32:32.450
you've<00:32:30.769><c> lost</c><00:32:30.950><c> your</c><00:32:31.190><c> first</c><00:32:31.430><c> love.</c>

00:32:34.089 --> 00:32:35.549
Now<00:32:34.190><c> just</c><00:32:34.289><c> go</c><00:32:34.549><c> back,</c><00:32:34.930><c> brothers</c><00:32:35.029><c> and</c><00:32:35.289><c> sisters,</c>

00:32:35.750 --> 00:32:37.210
to<00:32:35.890><c> the</c><00:32:36.089><c> time</c><00:32:36.269><c> when</c><00:32:36.450><c> you</c><00:32:36.549><c> were</c><00:32:36.690><c> baptized,</c>

00:32:37.529 --> 00:32:39.750
how<00:32:37.869><c> eager</c><00:32:38.150><c> we</c><00:32:38.450><c> were</c><00:32:38.809><c> for</c><00:32:39.250><c> the</c><00:32:39.529><c> truth.</c>

00:32:39.809 --> 00:32:40.990
We<00:32:39.990><c> were</c><00:32:40.289><c> full</c><00:32:40.470><c> of</c><00:32:40.650><c> it.</c>

00:32:40.990 --> 00:32:43.269
We<00:32:41.609><c> are</c><00:32:41.990><c> full</c><00:32:42.170><c> of</c><00:32:42.329><c> the</c><00:32:42.450><c> truth</c><00:32:42.549><c> when</c><00:32:42.710><c> we</c><00:32:42.809><c> come</c><00:32:42.950><c> together</c>

00:32:43.269 --> 00:32:45.950
in<00:32:43.410><c> a</c><00:32:43.529><c> meeting</c><00:32:43.730><c> like</c><00:32:44.069><c> this,</c><00:32:44.289><c> when</c><00:32:44.430><c> we</c><00:32:44.569><c> go</c><00:32:44.690><c> to</c><00:32:45.089><c> a</c><00:32:45.150><c> Bible</c><00:32:45.509><c> school.</c>

00:32:46.410 --> 00:32:49.549
But<00:32:46.630><c> do</c><00:32:46.849><c> we</c><00:32:47.089><c> sustain</c><00:32:47.809><c> that</c><00:32:48.190><c> love</c><00:32:48.470><c> when</c><00:32:48.710><c> we</c><00:32:48.950><c> are</c><00:32:49.069><c> on</c><00:32:49.230><c> our</c><00:32:49.390><c> own,</c>

00:32:49.630 --> 00:32:51.730
or<00:32:49.769><c> just</c><00:32:50.009><c> at</c><00:32:50.190><c> home</c><00:32:50.309><c> with</c><00:32:50.529><c> our</c><00:32:50.730><c> families?</c>

00:32:53.009 --> 00:32:55.069
In<00:32:53.250><c> Ephesus</c><00:32:53.529><c> they</c><00:32:53.769><c> had</c><00:32:53.950><c> lost</c><00:32:54.230><c> their</c><00:32:54.509><c> first</c><00:32:54.769><c> love,</c>

00:32:55.329 --> 00:32:58.170
and<00:32:55.789><c> have</c><00:32:55.950><c> we?</c><00:32:57.089><c> Have</c><00:32:57.230><c> I?</c>

00:32:58.970 --> 00:33:00.829
Does<00:32:59.190><c> it</c><00:32:59.250><c> need</c><00:32:59.390><c> to</c><00:32:59.490><c> be</c><00:32:59.710><c> pointed</c><00:32:59.890><c> out?</c>

00:33:01.009 --> 00:33:03.109
Because<00:33:01.230><c> only</c><00:33:01.630><c> if</c><00:33:01.869><c> we</c><00:33:02.150><c> remedy</c><00:33:02.430><c> that,</c>

00:33:03.549 --> 00:33:05.630
then<00:33:03.690><c> the</c><00:33:03.869><c> Ecclesia</c><00:33:04.150><c> will</c><00:33:04.470><c> flourish.</c>

00:33:07.630 --> 00:33:09.769
But<00:33:08.109><c> you</c><00:33:08.589><c> would</c><00:33:08.730><c> like</c><00:33:08.829><c> to</c><00:33:08.970><c> be</c><00:33:09.109><c> told</c><00:33:09.170><c> by</c><00:33:09.410><c> Jesus</c>

00:33:09.769 --> 00:33:12.809
that<00:33:10.029><c> you</c><00:33:10.470><c> have</c><00:33:10.849><c> lost</c><00:33:11.410><c> your</c><00:33:11.690><c> first</c><00:33:11.930><c> love?</c>

00:33:13.390 --> 00:33:15.349
So<00:33:13.569><c> we</c><00:33:13.809><c> must</c><00:33:14.009><c> learn</c><00:33:14.390><c> to</c><00:33:14.650><c> love</c><00:33:14.869><c> God,</c>

00:33:15.829 --> 00:33:16.970
and<00:33:15.930><c> to</c><00:33:16.049><c> love</c><00:33:16.170><c> our</c><00:33:16.369><c> brothers</c><00:33:16.549><c> and</c><00:33:16.809><c> sisters</c>

00:33:16.970 --> 00:33:20.890
by<00:33:17.490><c> first</c><00:33:18.069><c> loving</c><00:33:18.549><c> husbands,</c><00:33:19.710><c> your</c><00:33:19.890><c> wives.</c>

00:33:20.950 --> 00:33:22.309
And<00:33:21.130><c> the</c><00:33:21.309><c> wives</c><00:33:21.470><c> will</c><00:33:21.690><c> respond,</c>

00:33:22.589 --> 00:33:25.009
and<00:33:22.769><c> the</c><00:33:22.990><c> children</c><00:33:23.450><c> will</c><00:33:23.950><c> respond.</c>

00:33:26.170 --> 00:33:28.109
Let's<00:33:26.529><c> go</c><00:33:26.730><c> on</c><00:33:26.910><c> in</c><00:33:27.089><c> this</c><00:33:27.269><c> letter</c><00:33:27.490><c> to</c><00:33:27.750><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:33:28.269 --> 00:33:30.470
In<00:33:28.349><c> verse</c><00:33:28.630><c> 5,</c><00:33:29.369><c> in</c><00:33:29.529><c> chapter</c><00:33:29.769><c> 2,</c><00:33:30.130><c> we</c><00:33:30.250><c> read,</c>

00:33:30.910 --> 00:33:33.049
Remember<00:33:31.410><c> therefore</c><00:33:31.809><c> from</c><00:33:32.170><c> whence</c><00:33:32.430><c> thou</c><00:33:32.549><c> art</c><00:33:32.789><c> fallen,</c>

00:33:33.250 --> 00:33:35.769
and<00:33:33.309><c> repent,</c><00:33:34.410><c> and</c><00:33:34.509><c> do</c><00:33:34.670><c> the</c><00:33:34.930><c> first</c><00:33:35.210><c> work,</c>

00:33:36.150 --> 00:33:38.190
or<00:33:36.529><c> else</c><00:33:36.890><c> I</c><00:33:37.170><c> will</c><00:33:37.369><c> come</c><00:33:37.549><c> to</c><00:33:37.670><c> thee</c><00:33:37.789><c> quickly,</c>

00:33:38.190 --> 00:33:41.690
and<00:33:38.450><c> remove</c><00:33:39.029><c> thy</c><00:33:39.349><c> lambstand</c><00:33:39.750><c> out</c><00:33:40.250><c> of</c><00:33:40.470><c> its</c><00:33:40.730><c> place,</c>

00:33:41.710 --> 00:33:43.990
except<00:33:42.009><c> thou</c><00:33:42.849><c> repent.</c>

00:33:44.269 --> 00:33:45.930
So<00:33:44.509><c> Jesus</c><00:33:44.670><c> advised</c><00:33:45.109><c> them</c><00:33:45.289><c> to</c><00:33:45.490><c> repent,</c>

00:33:46.069 --> 00:33:48.750
and<00:33:46.210><c> to</c><00:33:46.349><c> return</c><00:33:46.769><c> to</c><00:33:46.990><c> that</c><00:33:47.230><c> first</c><00:33:47.589><c> love</c><00:33:47.809><c> which</c><00:33:48.029><c> they</c><00:33:48.109><c> had</c><00:33:48.309><c> shown</c>

00:33:48.750 --> 00:33:51.970
when<00:33:49.309><c> they</c><00:33:49.430><c> were</c><00:33:49.509><c> first</c><00:33:49.670><c> married,</c><00:33:50.210><c> when</c><00:33:50.349><c> they</c><00:33:50.509><c> were</c><00:33:50.670><c> baptized.</c>

00:33:52.150 --> 00:33:54.970
Otherwise<00:33:52.470><c> he</c><00:33:52.650><c> would</c><00:33:52.829><c> remove</c><00:33:53.369><c> their</c><00:33:53.630><c> lambstand</c><00:33:54.490><c> out</c><00:33:54.829><c> of</c>

00:33:54.970 --> 00:33:55.950
their<00:33:55.089><c> place.</c>

00:33:56.029 --> 00:33:58.130
Now,<00:33:56.750><c> the</c><00:33:56.890><c> people</c><00:33:57.029><c> in</c><00:33:57.269><c> Ephesus</c><00:33:57.390><c> would</c><00:33:57.589><c> have</c><00:33:57.750><c> taken</c><00:33:57.930><c> that</c>

00:33:58.130 --> 00:34:00.470
as<00:33:58.450><c> a</c><00:33:58.589><c> very,</c><00:33:59.170><c> very</c><00:33:59.670><c> serious</c><00:34:00.009><c> warning.</c>

00:34:00.890 --> 00:34:03.769
They<00:34:01.049><c> knew</c><00:34:01.309><c> all</c><00:34:01.670><c> about</c><00:34:01.970><c> the</c><00:34:02.250><c> lambstand</c><00:34:02.750><c> being</c><00:34:03.130><c> removed.</c>

00:34:04.069 --> 00:34:06.390
Let's<00:34:04.269><c> go</c><00:34:04.450><c> back</c><00:34:04.750><c> to</c><00:34:05.349><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:34:09.789 --> 00:34:15.289
Because<00:34:10.570><c> near</c><00:34:11.349><c> Ephesus</c><00:34:11.949><c> is</c><00:34:12.849><c> the</c><00:34:13.090><c> sanctuary</c><00:34:13.570><c> of</c><00:34:14.090><c> Artemis.</c>

00:34:15.590 --> 00:34:18.710
There's<00:34:15.690><c> only</c><00:34:15.849><c> one</c><00:34:16.130><c> column</c><00:34:16.329><c> left</c><00:34:16.630><c> standing</c><00:34:16.909><c> of</c><00:34:17.510><c> the</c><00:34:17.730><c> 120</c><00:34:18.250><c> or</c><00:34:18.550><c> so</c>

00:34:18.710 --> 00:34:21.329
that<00:34:18.969><c> that</c><00:34:19.389><c> magnificent</c><00:34:19.949><c> temple</c><00:34:20.389><c> had.</c>

00:34:21.469 --> 00:34:25.590
And<00:34:21.849><c> that</c><00:34:21.969><c> is</c><00:34:22.309><c> where</c><00:34:22.469><c> the</c><00:34:22.809><c> first</c><00:34:23.230><c> settlement</c><00:34:23.829><c> of</c><00:34:24.409><c> Ephesus</c><00:34:24.730><c> started.</c>

00:34:25.670 --> 00:34:27.909
It<00:34:25.670><c> was</c><00:34:25.849><c> centered</c><00:34:26.130><c> around</c><00:34:26.469><c> a</c><00:34:27.010><c> tree</c><00:34:27.369><c> sanctuary</c>

00:34:27.909 --> 00:34:33.090
with<00:34:28.110><c> a</c><00:34:28.329><c> primitive</c><00:34:28.710><c> idol</c><00:34:29.090><c> of</c><00:34:29.369><c> a</c><00:34:29.530><c> goddess</c><00:34:29.969><c> in</c><00:34:30.969><c> about</c><00:34:31.369><c> 1100</c><00:34:32.170><c> B</c><00:34:32.630><c>.C.</c>

00:34:33.349 --> 00:34:37.369
Because<00:34:33.949><c> the</c><00:34:34.449><c> sea</c><00:34:34.630><c> came</c><00:34:35.030><c> in</c><00:34:35.449><c> as</c><00:34:35.889><c> far</c><00:34:36.130><c> as</c><00:34:36.570><c> here.</c>

00:34:38.210 --> 00:34:42.349
But<00:34:38.769><c> the</c><00:34:39.329><c> harbor</c><00:34:39.869><c> of</c><00:34:40.750><c> ancient</c><00:34:41.170><c> Ephesus,</c>

00:34:42.530 --> 00:34:45.949
which<00:34:42.530><c> is</c><00:34:43.789><c> kind</c><00:34:43.969><c> of</c><00:34:44.190><c> an</c><00:34:44.429><c> image</c><00:34:44.570><c> of</c><00:34:44.829><c> the</c><00:34:45.110><c> sanctuary</c><00:34:45.369><c> of</c><00:34:45.650><c> Artemis</c>

00:34:45.949 --> 00:34:49.489
that<00:34:46.130><c> stood</c><00:34:46.309><c> there</c><00:34:46.530><c> with</c><00:34:46.710><c> that</c><00:34:47.170><c> big</c><00:34:47.489><c> image</c><00:34:47.849><c> of</c><00:34:49.090><c> Artemis,</c>

00:34:49.530 --> 00:34:51.550
Diana<00:34:49.909><c> itself</c><00:34:50.309><c> standing</c><00:34:50.610><c> at</c><00:34:50.809><c> the</c><00:34:50.929><c> end</c><00:34:51.030><c> of</c><00:34:51.190><c> the</c><00:34:51.309><c> temple,</c>

00:34:51.849 --> 00:34:54.909
a<00:34:52.050><c> big</c><00:34:52.329><c> altar</c><00:34:52.670><c> in</c><00:34:52.889><c> front</c><00:34:53.010><c> where</c><00:34:53.210><c> people</c><00:34:53.389><c> had</c><00:34:53.550><c> to</c><00:34:53.769><c> come</c><00:34:53.849><c> and</c><00:34:54.050><c> worship,</c>

00:34:54.989 --> 00:34:57.769
but<00:34:55.170><c> it</c><00:34:55.250><c> was</c><00:34:55.449><c> located</c><00:34:56.170><c> right</c><00:34:56.750><c> here.</c>

00:34:57.909 --> 00:35:01.670
And<00:34:58.170><c> the</c><00:34:58.389><c> sea</c><00:34:58.510><c> came</c><00:34:58.869><c> in</c><00:34:59.449><c> as</c><00:34:59.889><c> far</c><00:35:00.269><c> as</c><00:35:00.670><c> here.</c>

00:35:01.809 --> 00:35:03.670
But<00:35:01.989><c> not</c><00:35:02.230><c> anymore</c><00:35:02.610><c> today.</c>

00:35:03.949 --> 00:35:05.690
Because<00:35:04.090><c> this</c><00:35:04.369><c> harbor</c><00:35:04.530><c> started</c><00:35:04.949><c> to</c><00:35:05.230><c> fill</c><00:35:05.369><c> up,</c>

00:35:05.690 --> 00:35:08.530
and<00:35:06.010><c> in</c><00:35:06.170><c> the</c><00:35:06.369><c> third</c><00:35:06.570><c> century</c><00:35:06.909><c> B</c><00:35:07.210><c>.C.</c><00:35:07.849><c> all</c><00:35:08.230><c> this,</c>

00:35:08.610 --> 00:35:11.530
here<00:35:08.710><c> was</c><00:35:08.849><c> the</c><00:35:09.050><c> early</c><00:35:09.309><c> temple,</c><00:35:09.789><c> was</c><00:35:09.969><c> all</c><00:35:10.510><c> silted</c><00:35:10.809><c> up,</c>

00:35:11.630 --> 00:35:14.190
and<00:35:11.750><c> they</c><00:35:11.889><c> had</c><00:35:11.989><c> to</c><00:35:12.309><c> leave</c><00:35:12.530><c> that</c><00:35:12.909><c> old</c><00:35:13.269><c> sanctuary</c><00:35:13.670><c> behind,</c>

00:35:14.250 --> 00:35:20.530
that<00:35:14.489><c> old</c><00:35:15.230><c> tree</c><00:35:15.570><c> sanctuary</c><00:35:16.070><c> around</c><00:35:16.369><c> that</c><00:35:17.269><c> primitive</c><00:35:17.969><c> idol</c><00:35:19.010><c> statue</c><00:35:19.769><c> of</c><00:35:20.110><c> Artemis.</c>

00:35:20.909 --> 00:35:23.730
And<00:35:21.050><c> then</c><00:35:21.429><c> in</c><00:35:21.869><c> 279</c><00:35:22.969><c> Lysimachus,</c>

00:35:23.909 --> 00:35:25.429
one<00:35:23.969><c> of</c><00:35:24.090><c> the</c><00:35:24.170><c> successors</c><00:35:24.710><c> of</c><00:35:24.829><c> Alexander</c><00:35:25.170><c> the</c><00:35:25.369><c> Great,</c>

00:35:25.650 --> 00:35:28.429
built<00:35:25.750><c> a</c><00:35:25.929><c> new</c><00:35:26.070><c> city,</c><00:35:26.769><c> which</c><00:35:26.889><c> we</c><00:35:27.130><c> know</c><00:35:27.349><c> today.</c>

00:35:28.969 --> 00:35:31.650
But<00:35:29.210><c> then</c><00:35:29.849><c> it</c><00:35:30.289><c> continued,</c>

00:35:31.849 --> 00:35:34.590
silted<00:35:32.369><c> up</c><00:35:32.429><c> this</c><00:35:32.650><c> whole</c><00:35:33.269><c> gulf</c><00:35:33.590><c> here.</c>

00:35:34.769 --> 00:35:36.909
And<00:35:34.869><c> in</c><00:35:35.030><c> the</c><00:35:35.210><c> first</c><00:35:35.489><c> century</c><00:35:35.889><c> when</c><00:35:36.329><c> John</c><00:35:36.550><c> visited</c>

00:35:36.909 --> 00:35:38.590
and<00:35:37.230><c> the</c><00:35:37.349><c> Apostle</c><00:35:37.710><c> Paul</c><00:35:38.289><c> visited,</c>

00:35:38.650 --> 00:35:42.070
it<00:35:38.730><c> was</c><00:35:38.889><c> already</c><00:35:39.269><c> clear</c><00:35:39.730><c> that</c><00:35:40.170><c> this</c><00:35:40.429><c> was</c><00:35:40.690><c> all</c><00:35:41.150><c> going</c><00:35:41.369><c> to</c><00:35:41.690><c> silt</c><00:35:41.909><c> up</c>

00:35:42.070 --> 00:35:44.469
and<00:35:42.269><c> the</c><00:35:42.570><c> harbor</c><00:35:42.690><c> would</c><00:35:42.969><c> be</c><00:35:43.210><c> unapproachable.</c>

00:35:44.690 --> 00:35:45.710
They<00:35:44.789><c> wouldn't</c><00:35:44.909><c> be</c><00:35:45.070><c> able</c><00:35:45.190><c> to</c><00:35:45.329><c> get</c><00:35:45.469><c> there.</c>

00:35:45.949 --> 00:35:47.829
And<00:35:46.170><c> today</c><00:35:46.550><c> that</c><00:35:46.889><c> is</c><00:35:47.050><c> where</c><00:35:47.210><c> the</c><00:35:47.449><c> sea</c><00:35:47.530><c> is.</c>

00:35:48.070 --> 00:35:51.090
And<00:35:48.230><c> what</c><00:35:48.469><c> happened</c><00:35:48.869><c> in</c><00:35:49.269><c> the</c><00:35:49.409><c> third</c><00:35:49.570><c> century</c><00:35:49.889><c> B</c><00:35:50.190><c>.C.?</c>

00:35:51.090 --> 00:35:54.449
The<00:35:51.369><c> lamp</c><00:35:51.630><c> stand</c><00:35:51.849><c> that</c><00:35:52.050><c> was</c><00:35:52.309><c> here</c><00:35:52.909><c> was</c><00:35:53.309><c> removed</c><00:35:53.869><c> back</c>

00:35:54.449 --> 00:35:56.809
to<00:35:54.710><c> the</c><00:35:55.030><c> old</c><00:35:55.409><c> place</c><00:35:55.769><c> of</c><00:35:56.190><c> idol</c><00:35:56.409><c> worship.</c>

00:35:57.050 --> 00:35:59.710
The<00:35:57.309><c> light</c><00:35:57.489><c> was</c><00:35:57.849><c> gone,</c><00:35:58.710><c> darkness</c><00:35:58.889><c> had</c><00:35:59.269><c> set</c><00:35:59.449><c> in,</c>

00:35:59.710 --> 00:36:05.230
and<00:36:00.050><c> now</c><00:36:00.289><c> they</c><00:36:00.449><c> were</c><00:36:00.710><c> back</c><00:36:00.929><c> again</c><00:36:01.429><c> in</c><00:36:02.170><c> the</c><00:36:02.570><c> old</c><00:36:03.269><c> days</c><00:36:03.789><c> of</c><00:36:04.389><c> idol</c><00:36:04.710><c> worship.</c>

00:36:05.469 --> 00:36:08.309
It<00:36:05.570><c> was</c><00:36:05.769><c> the</c><00:36:06.030><c> end</c><00:36:06.369><c> of</c><00:36:06.590><c> the</c><00:36:06.750><c> Ecclesia.</c><00:36:07.409><c> Why?</c>

00:36:08.710 --> 00:36:11.989
They<00:36:09.050><c> did</c><00:36:09.349><c> not</c><00:36:09.769><c> keep</c><00:36:10.230><c> the</c><00:36:10.610><c> first</c><00:36:10.989><c> love.</c>

00:36:12.409 --> 00:36:14.130
And<00:36:12.590><c> the</c><00:36:12.650><c> same</c><00:36:12.750><c> thing</c><00:36:12.889><c> happened</c><00:36:13.170><c> to</c><00:36:13.329><c> us,</c><00:36:13.670><c> brothers</c><00:36:13.670><c> and</c><00:36:13.849><c> sisters.</c>

00:36:14.449 --> 00:36:17.630
If<00:36:14.570><c> you</c><00:36:14.730><c> don't</c><00:36:15.010><c> keep</c><00:36:15.190><c> that</c><00:36:15.590><c> love</c><00:36:15.889><c> alive</c><00:36:16.449><c> and</c><00:36:16.909><c> nourish</c><00:36:17.329><c> it,</c>

00:36:17.909 --> 00:36:20.309
our<00:36:18.150><c> lamp</c><00:36:18.429><c> stand</c><00:36:18.650><c> will</c><00:36:18.949><c> be</c><00:36:19.329><c> removed.</c>

00:36:20.710 --> 00:36:22.190
So<00:36:21.130><c> be</c><00:36:21.489><c> a</c><00:36:21.630><c> lamp</c><00:36:21.849><c> stand.</c>

00:36:22.610 --> 00:36:25.530
Let<00:36:22.750><c> your</c><00:36:22.969><c> light</c><00:36:23.250><c> shine</c><00:36:23.989><c> in</c><00:36:24.489><c> the</c><00:36:24.650><c> way</c><00:36:24.750><c> we</c><00:36:24.989><c> behave,</c>

00:36:25.849 --> 00:36:28.329
in<00:36:25.909><c> the</c><00:36:26.030><c> way</c><00:36:26.090><c> we</c><00:36:26.329><c> speak,</c><00:36:27.030><c> in</c><00:36:27.150><c> the</c><00:36:27.210><c> way</c><00:36:27.329><c> we</c><00:36:27.510><c> treat</c><00:36:27.769><c> one</c><00:36:28.010><c> another,</c>

00:36:28.329 --> 00:36:31.710
especially<00:36:28.989><c> how</c><00:36:29.230><c> we</c><00:36:29.409><c> deal</c><00:36:29.750><c> with</c><00:36:30.110><c> the</c><00:36:30.309><c> word</c><00:36:30.429><c> of</c><00:36:30.769><c> God.</c>

00:36:32.469 --> 00:36:34.230
And<00:36:32.530><c> then</c><00:36:32.710><c> walking</c><00:36:32.949><c> through</c><00:36:33.869><c> Ephesus,</c>

00:36:34.269 --> 00:36:36.590
we<00:36:34.409><c> saw</c><00:36:34.670><c> a</c><00:36:34.889><c> statue</c><00:36:35.150><c> of</c><00:36:35.550><c> Nike.</c>

00:36:36.849 --> 00:36:38.710
Now<00:36:36.989><c> the</c><00:36:37.170><c> shoes</c><00:36:37.289><c> with</c><00:36:37.510><c> the</c><00:36:37.630><c> little</c><00:36:37.849><c> tick</c><00:36:38.010><c> there,</c>

00:36:38.769 --> 00:36:40.469
there's<00:36:39.190><c> the</c><00:36:39.409><c> swoosh</c><00:36:39.650><c> here</c><00:36:39.869><c> in</c><00:36:40.070><c> her</c><00:36:40.289><c> hand,</c>

00:36:40.550 --> 00:36:41.429
that's<00:36:40.650><c> where</c><00:36:40.750><c> it</c><00:36:40.929><c> comes</c><00:36:41.130><c> from.</c>

00:36:41.489 --> 00:36:43.670
Jesus,<00:36:42.150><c> to</c><00:36:42.309><c> him</c><00:36:42.449><c> that</c><00:36:42.730><c> overcometh,</c>

00:36:43.769 --> 00:36:45.489
will<00:36:43.849><c> I</c><00:36:43.989><c> give</c><00:36:44.110><c> to</c><00:36:44.329><c> eat</c><00:36:44.530><c> of</c><00:36:44.710><c> the</c><00:36:44.889><c> tree</c><00:36:45.050><c> of</c><00:36:45.309><c> life,</c>

00:36:45.570 --> 00:36:48.389
which<00:36:45.710><c> is</c><00:36:45.889><c> in</c><00:36:46.070><c> the</c><00:36:46.110><c> midst</c><00:36:46.329><c> of</c><00:36:46.809><c> the</c><00:36:47.070><c> paradise</c><00:36:47.389><c> of</c><00:36:47.670><c> God.</c>

00:36:48.809 --> 00:36:53.210
Now<00:36:49.230><c> for</c><00:36:49.449><c> us,</c><00:36:49.829><c> the</c><00:36:49.989><c> symbol</c><00:36:50.170><c> of</c><00:36:50.329><c> the</c><00:36:50.510><c> tree</c><00:36:50.590><c> of</c><00:36:50.889><c> life</c><00:36:51.269><c> in</c><00:36:51.989><c> a</c><00:36:52.170><c> paradise</c>

00:36:53.429 --> 00:36:54.869
comes<00:36:53.849><c> straight</c><00:36:54.030><c> from</c><00:36:54.230><c> Genesis.</c>

00:36:54.869 --> 00:37:01.150
But<00:36:55.670><c> not</c><00:36:56.949><c> directly</c><00:36:57.789><c> to</c><00:36:58.610><c> the</c><00:36:58.809><c> minds</c><00:36:59.050><c> of</c><00:36:59.369><c> the</c><00:36:59.909><c> believers</c><00:37:00.150><c> in</c><00:37:00.449><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:37:01.469 --> 00:37:04.889
Because<00:37:01.570><c> the</c><00:37:01.809><c> original</c><00:37:03.469><c> sanctuary</c><00:37:03.909><c> of</c><00:37:04.289><c> Artemis,</c>

00:37:05.050 --> 00:37:07.670
as<00:37:05.230><c> I</c><00:37:05.449><c> told</c><00:37:05.610><c> you</c><00:37:05.789><c> earlier</c><00:37:05.909><c> before,</c><00:37:06.289><c> was</c><00:37:06.489><c> a</c><00:37:06.630><c> primitive</c><00:37:06.989><c> shrine</c>

00:37:07.670 --> 00:37:10.849
around<00:37:08.389><c> a</c><00:37:08.590><c> goddess</c><00:37:08.909><c> sitting</c><00:37:09.349><c> beneath</c><00:37:09.750><c> a</c><00:37:10.050><c> tree.</c>

00:37:12.050 --> 00:37:15.570
And<00:37:12.349><c> later</c><00:37:12.650><c> it</c><00:37:12.909><c> developed</c><00:37:13.030><c> into</c><00:37:13.309><c> this</c><00:37:13.710><c> massive</c><00:37:14.469><c> sanctuary.</c>

00:37:15.590 --> 00:37:18.409
Now<00:37:15.710><c> the</c><00:37:15.849><c> sanctuary</c><00:37:16.130><c> of</c><00:37:16.409><c> Artemis</c><00:37:16.789><c> served</c><00:37:17.130><c> as</c><00:37:17.449><c> a</c><00:37:17.530><c> place</c><00:37:17.690><c> of</c><00:37:17.949><c> refuge</c>

00:37:18.409 --> 00:37:21.389
for<00:37:19.170><c> people</c><00:37:19.630><c> who</c><00:37:19.829><c> were</c><00:37:20.070><c> innocent</c><00:37:20.369><c> of</c><00:37:20.610><c> committed</c><00:37:20.929><c> crime,</c>

00:37:21.429 --> 00:37:23.510
like<00:37:21.670><c> a</c><00:37:21.849><c> city</c><00:37:22.010><c> of</c><00:37:22.269><c> refuge</c><00:37:22.570><c> in</c><00:37:23.030><c> the</c><00:37:23.190><c> Bible.</c>

00:37:23.510 --> 00:37:27.510
Innocent<00:37:24.610><c> people</c><00:37:25.210><c> could</c><00:37:25.650><c> find</c><00:37:26.309><c> salvation</c>

00:37:27.510 --> 00:37:32.269
within<00:37:28.170><c> the</c><00:37:28.449><c> boundaries</c><00:37:28.989><c> of</c><00:37:29.510><c> the</c><00:37:29.730><c> sanctuary</c><00:37:30.429><c> of</c><00:37:31.030><c> Artemis.</c>

00:37:32.889 --> 00:37:34.969
It's<00:37:32.989><c> not</c><00:37:33.130><c> difficult</c><00:37:33.409><c> to</c><00:37:33.650><c> see</c><00:37:33.769><c> then</c><00:37:33.969><c> the</c><00:37:34.750><c> parallels</c>

00:37:34.969 --> 00:37:38.829
between<00:37:35.329><c> the</c><00:37:35.670><c> tree</c><00:37:35.869><c> sanctuary</c><00:37:36.530><c> with</c><00:37:36.909><c> its</c><00:37:37.190><c> surrounding</c><00:37:37.630><c> gardens</c>

00:37:39.309 --> 00:37:41.989
and<00:37:39.869><c> the</c><00:37:40.250><c> promise</c><00:37:40.369><c> of</c><00:37:40.670><c> eating</c><00:37:40.889><c> of</c><00:37:41.130><c> the</c><00:37:41.349><c> tree</c><00:37:41.550><c> of</c><00:37:41.829><c> life,</c>

00:37:42.150 --> 00:37:43.630
which<00:37:42.170><c> is</c><00:37:42.329><c> in</c><00:37:42.449><c> the</c><00:37:42.469><c> midst</c><00:37:42.590><c> of</c><00:37:42.849><c> the</c><00:37:42.889><c> paradise</c><00:37:43.150><c> of</c><00:37:43.409><c> God.</c>

00:37:43.909 --> 00:37:45.989
For<00:37:44.050><c> them</c><00:37:44.210><c> this</c><00:37:44.449><c> was</c><00:37:45.030><c> called</c><00:37:45.389><c> paradise,</c>

00:37:46.250 --> 00:37:47.849
and<00:37:46.429><c> there</c><00:37:46.570><c> was</c><00:37:46.730><c> a</c><00:37:46.909><c> tree</c><00:37:47.010><c> of</c><00:37:47.309><c> life</c><00:37:47.469><c> there,</c>

00:37:48.170 --> 00:37:51.530
but<00:37:48.409><c> Christ</c><00:37:48.690><c> was</c><00:37:49.010><c> speaking</c><00:37:49.530><c> about</c><00:37:50.010><c> a</c><00:37:50.329><c> much</c><00:37:50.570><c> more</c><00:37:51.010><c> important</c>

00:37:51.530 --> 00:37:52.349
tree<00:37:51.909><c> of</c><00:37:52.170><c> life,</c>

00:37:52.349 --> 00:37:54.570
as<00:37:52.349><c> mentioned</c><00:37:52.590><c> in</c><00:37:52.869><c> Genesis</c><00:37:53.130><c> chapter</c><00:37:53.530><c> 2.</c>

00:37:54.869 --> 00:37:56.329
We<00:37:55.150><c> read</c><00:37:55.349><c> about</c><00:37:55.570><c> a</c><00:37:55.750><c> tree</c><00:37:55.849><c> of</c><00:37:56.130><c> life</c>

00:37:56.329 --> 00:37:59.730
which<00:37:56.610><c> stands</c><00:37:56.750><c> in</c><00:37:56.989><c> the</c><00:37:57.050><c> midst</c><00:37:57.150><c> of</c><00:37:57.329><c> the</c><00:37:57.550><c> garden</c><00:37:57.989><c> called</c><00:37:58.550><c> paradise.</c>

00:38:00.010 --> 00:38:02.969
So<00:38:00.190><c> the</c><00:38:00.429><c> analogy</c><00:38:00.809><c> with</c><00:38:01.130><c> the</c><00:38:01.409><c> Artemisium,</c><00:38:02.070><c> as</c><00:38:02.150><c> this</c><00:38:02.329><c> is</c><00:38:02.570><c> called,</c>

00:38:03.469 --> 00:38:07.030
and<00:38:03.809><c> the</c><00:38:04.070><c> paradise</c><00:38:04.570><c> would</c><00:38:04.969><c> be</c><00:38:05.289><c> very</c><00:38:05.570><c> clear</c><00:38:06.110><c> to</c><00:38:06.550><c> the</c><00:38:06.789><c> believers</c>

00:38:07.030 --> 00:38:08.530
in<00:38:07.389><c> Ephesus.</c>

00:38:08.889 --> 00:38:14.090
Criminals<00:38:09.190><c> actually</c><00:38:09.570><c> continued</c><00:38:09.989><c> to</c><00:38:10.369><c> use</c><00:38:10.610><c> the</c><00:38:10.909><c> sanctuary</c><00:38:11.329><c> of</c>

00:38:14.090 --> 00:38:16.230
this<00:38:15.489><c> temple</c><00:38:15.929><c> here</c>

00:38:16.230 --> 00:38:18.349
to<00:38:16.449><c> continue</c><00:38:16.989><c> their</c><00:38:17.250><c> crimes.</c>

00:38:18.730 --> 00:38:20.769
But<00:38:18.869><c> only</c><00:38:19.030><c> those</c><00:38:19.329><c> Christians</c><00:38:19.610><c> who</c><00:38:19.909><c> truly</c><00:38:20.190><c> repent,</c>

00:38:20.769 --> 00:38:24.570
they<00:38:21.269><c> would</c><00:38:21.449><c> have</c><00:38:21.530><c> the</c><00:38:21.969><c> right</c><00:38:22.409><c> to</c><00:38:22.769><c> flee</c><00:38:23.170><c> to</c><00:38:23.590><c> a</c><00:38:23.730><c> true</c><00:38:23.889><c> refuge</c>

00:38:24.570 --> 00:38:26.889
and<00:38:25.550><c> enter</c><00:38:25.769><c> into</c><00:38:26.010><c> the</c><00:38:26.230><c> inner</c><00:38:26.429><c> sanctuary</c>

00:38:26.889 --> 00:38:29.670
behind<00:38:27.269><c> the</c><00:38:27.510><c> curtain</c><00:38:27.730><c> where</c><00:38:27.909><c> Jesus,</c><00:38:28.769><c> who</c><00:38:28.969><c> went</c><00:38:29.090><c> before</c><00:38:29.469><c> us,</c>

00:38:29.829 --> 00:38:31.670
has<00:38:29.969><c> entered</c><00:38:30.349><c> on</c><00:38:30.829><c> our</c><00:38:31.130><c> behalf.</c>

00:38:32.090 --> 00:38:33.789
So<00:38:32.230><c> the</c><00:38:32.369><c> message</c><00:38:32.610><c> to</c><00:38:32.849><c> the</c><00:38:33.010><c> believers</c><00:38:33.210><c> in</c><00:38:33.489><c> Ephesus</c>

00:38:33.789 --> 00:38:36.690
showed<00:38:34.070><c> that</c><00:38:34.590><c> as</c><00:38:34.849><c> Jesus</c><00:38:35.110><c> knew</c><00:38:35.489><c> their</c><00:38:35.789><c> spiritual</c><00:38:36.289><c> life</c>

00:38:36.690 --> 00:38:38.909
and<00:38:37.369><c> their</c><00:38:37.889><c> living</c><00:38:38.150><c> conditions,</c>

00:38:39.369 --> 00:38:42.369
so<00:38:39.829><c> we</c><00:38:40.090><c> can</c><00:38:40.269><c> draw</c><00:38:40.369><c> the</c><00:38:40.530><c> conclusion</c><00:38:40.989><c> that</c><00:38:41.150><c> he</c><00:38:41.250><c> knows</c><00:38:41.489><c> everything</c><00:38:41.789><c> about</c><00:38:42.110><c> us</c>

00:38:42.369 --> 00:38:42.929
as<00:38:42.570><c> well.</c>

00:38:43.429 --> 00:38:48.110
He<00:38:43.750><c> overcame,</c><00:38:44.909><c> and</c><00:38:45.070><c> he</c><00:38:45.170><c> will</c><00:38:45.329><c> help</c><00:38:45.610><c> us</c><00:38:46.309><c> to</c><00:38:46.650><c> overcome</c><00:38:46.969><c> also.</c>

00:38:49.510 --> 00:38:52.210
And<00:38:49.969><c> then</c><00:38:50.070><c> we</c><00:38:50.210><c> go</c><00:38:50.389><c> to</c><00:38:50.789><c> Smyrna.</c>

00:38:52.469 --> 00:38:55.909
It<00:38:52.510><c> was</c><00:38:52.610><c> a</c><00:38:52.769><c> journey</c><00:38:53.230><c> from</c><00:38:53.829><c> Ephesus</c><00:38:54.190><c> here</c><00:38:54.530><c> to</c><00:38:54.730><c> Smyrna.</c>

00:38:57.269 --> 00:38:58.730
From<00:38:57.469><c> leaving</c><00:38:57.670><c> Ephesus</c><00:38:58.130><c> for</c><00:38:58.329><c> Smyrna,</c>

00:38:58.809 --> 00:39:00.769
the<00:38:58.969><c> message</c><00:38:59.130><c> would</c><00:38:59.309><c> have</c><00:38:59.570><c> traveled</c><00:38:59.789><c> over</c><00:39:00.030><c> the</c><00:39:00.309><c> marble</c><00:39:00.550><c> road,</c>

00:39:00.969 --> 00:39:02.570
which<00:39:00.969><c> you</c><00:39:01.170><c> saw</c><00:39:01.329><c> before,</c>

00:39:02.590 --> 00:39:05.829
gone<00:39:02.690><c> then</c><00:39:03.130><c> past</c><00:39:03.389><c> by</c><00:39:03.829><c> the</c><00:39:04.550><c> sanctuary</c><00:39:04.769><c> of</c><00:39:05.010><c> Ephesus,</c><00:39:05.329><c> which</c><00:39:05.449><c> is</c><00:39:05.630><c> here,</c>

00:39:05.969 --> 00:39:07.289
climbed<00:39:06.250><c> over</c><00:39:06.530><c> a</c><00:39:06.630><c> few</c><00:39:06.670><c> mountains,</c>

00:39:07.710 --> 00:39:11.170
then<00:39:07.849><c> walked</c><00:39:08.070><c> over</c><00:39:08.389><c> a</c><00:39:08.550><c> long</c><00:39:08.889><c> valley</c><00:39:09.329><c> all</c><00:39:09.909><c> the</c><00:39:10.070><c> way</c><00:39:10.269><c> to</c><00:39:10.550><c> Smyrna.</c>

00:39:11.489 --> 00:39:13.110
And<00:39:11.670><c> while</c><00:39:11.769><c> we</c><00:39:11.929><c> were</c><00:39:12.110><c> traveling,</c>

00:39:13.829 --> 00:39:16.610
and<00:39:14.309><c> we</c><00:39:14.489><c> still</c><00:39:14.650><c> had</c><00:39:14.789><c> the</c><00:39:15.050><c> minds</c><00:39:15.269><c> of</c><00:39:15.670><c> the</c><00:39:15.809><c> letter</c><00:39:16.030><c> to</c><00:39:16.429><c> Ephesus</c>

00:39:16.610 --> 00:39:17.630
in<00:39:16.849><c> our</c><00:39:17.050><c> minds,</c>

00:39:17.929 --> 00:39:21.590
we're<00:39:18.070><c> trying</c><00:39:18.289><c> to</c><00:39:18.489><c> imagine,</c><00:39:19.829><c> what</c><00:39:19.969><c> would</c><00:39:20.170><c> John</c><00:39:20.289><c> have</c><00:39:20.429><c> been</c><00:39:20.650><c> thinking?</c>

00:39:22.289 --> 00:39:24.670
How<00:39:22.670><c> was</c><00:39:22.929><c> that</c><00:39:23.150><c> letter</c><00:39:23.389><c> received?</c>

00:39:24.989 --> 00:39:27.349
How<00:39:25.210><c> did</c><00:39:25.349><c> the</c><00:39:25.530><c> believers</c><00:39:25.690><c> in</c><00:39:25.849><c> Ephesus</c><00:39:26.210><c> react</c><00:39:26.650><c> to</c><00:39:26.909><c> the</c><00:39:27.110><c> words</c>

00:39:27.349 --> 00:39:29.250
of<00:39:27.550><c> the</c><00:39:27.710><c> Lord</c><00:39:27.889><c> Jesus</c><00:39:28.269><c> Christ?</c>

00:39:29.550 --> 00:39:30.869
And<00:39:29.769><c> based</c><00:39:29.929><c> on</c><00:39:30.090><c> his</c><00:39:30.269><c> experiences,</c>

00:39:31.369 --> 00:39:34.969
how<00:39:31.630><c> will</c><00:39:31.949><c> the</c><00:39:32.170><c> Ecclesiast</c><00:39:32.510><c> Smyrna</c><00:39:33.469><c> receive</c><00:39:34.130><c> the</c><00:39:34.409><c> next</c><00:39:34.710><c> letter</c>

00:39:34.969 --> 00:39:36.909
which<00:39:35.210><c> Jesus</c><00:39:35.530><c> wrote</c><00:39:35.769><c> to</c><00:39:36.030><c> the</c><00:39:36.190><c> Eccleses?</c>

00:39:37.289 --> 00:39:40.469
So<00:39:37.630><c> we</c><00:39:37.829><c> were</c><00:39:37.949><c> thinking</c><00:39:38.090><c> that</c><00:39:38.449><c> all</c><00:39:39.670><c> those</c><00:39:40.030><c> thoughts</c><00:39:40.130><c> would</c>

00:39:40.469 --> 00:39:40.929
have<00:39:40.730><c> gone</c>

00:39:40.929 --> 00:39:43.030
through<00:39:41.150><c> the</c><00:39:41.449><c> mind</c><00:39:41.889><c> of</c><00:39:42.369><c> the</c><00:39:42.570><c> messenger</c>

00:39:43.030 --> 00:39:46.769
when<00:39:43.650><c> he</c><00:39:43.809><c> travels</c><00:39:44.030><c> from</c><00:39:44.329><c> one</c><00:39:44.570><c> Ecclesia</c><00:39:45.130><c> to</c><00:39:45.730><c> another.</c>

00:39:46.849 --> 00:39:48.309
And<00:39:47.010><c> while</c><00:39:47.130><c> we</c><00:39:47.269><c> are</c><00:39:47.449><c> traveling</c><00:39:47.670><c> as</c><00:39:48.010><c> well,</c>

00:39:48.550 --> 00:39:50.010
when<00:39:48.670><c> we're</c><00:39:48.869><c> reading</c><00:39:49.190><c> the</c><00:39:49.469><c> scriptures</c>

00:39:50.010 --> 00:39:53.389
in<00:39:50.789><c> between</c><00:39:51.070><c> our</c><00:39:51.369><c> daily</c><00:39:51.630><c> readings</c><00:39:51.949><c> from</c><00:39:52.190><c> one</c><00:39:52.489><c> day</c><00:39:52.809><c> to</c><00:39:53.070><c> another,</c>

00:39:53.730 --> 00:39:55.510
what<00:39:53.909><c> do</c><00:39:54.010><c> we</c><00:39:54.190><c> think</c><00:39:54.309><c> in</c><00:39:54.590><c> between?</c>

00:39:55.849 --> 00:39:58.309
Do<00:39:56.030><c> we</c><00:39:56.329><c> still</c><00:39:56.530><c> remember</c><00:39:56.849><c> the</c><00:39:57.050><c> lessons</c><00:39:57.269><c> we've</c><00:39:58.010><c> learned</c><00:39:58.110><c> when</c>

00:39:58.309 --> 00:39:59.110
we<00:39:58.449><c> did</c><00:39:58.530><c> our</c><00:39:58.690><c> readings?</c>

00:39:59.449 --> 00:40:02.429
Do<00:39:59.570><c> they</c><00:39:59.849><c> carry</c><00:40:00.050><c> us</c><00:40:00.289><c> through</c><00:40:00.469><c> life</c><00:40:00.710><c> until</c><00:40:00.949><c> the</c><00:40:01.190><c> next</c><00:40:01.469><c> readings?</c>

00:40:02.530 --> 00:40:03.909
And<00:40:02.690><c> then</c><00:40:02.809><c> let's</c><00:40:02.969><c> go</c><00:40:03.289><c> to</c><00:40:03.710><c> Smyrna.</c>

00:40:03.929 --> 00:40:05.610
We've<00:40:04.050><c> just</c><00:40:04.190><c> got</c><00:40:04.369><c> time</c><00:40:04.570><c> to</c><00:40:04.750><c> go</c><00:40:04.889><c> to</c><00:40:05.070><c> Smyrna.</c>

00:40:05.909 --> 00:40:09.849
If<00:40:06.090><c> you</c><00:40:06.190><c> can</c><00:40:06.329><c> have</c><00:40:06.530><c> then</c><00:40:07.010><c> the</c><00:40:07.210><c> letter</c><00:40:07.449><c> to</c><00:40:07.710><c> Smyrna</c><00:40:08.210><c> being</c><00:40:08.530><c> read,</c><00:40:08.829><c> please.</c>

00:40:11.429 --> 00:40:12.489
.

00:40:27.030 --> 00:40:30.469
Done<00:40:27.590><c> to</c><00:40:27.809><c> the</c><00:40:28.010><c> angel</c><00:40:28.309><c> of</c><00:40:28.489><c> the</c><00:40:28.630><c> Ecclesiast</c><00:40:29.090><c> Smyrna</c><00:40:29.610><c> write,</c>

00:40:30.489 --> 00:40:32.769
These<00:40:30.869><c> things</c><00:40:31.250><c> say</c><00:40:31.510><c> at</c><00:40:31.630><c> the</c><00:40:31.789><c> first</c><00:40:32.070><c> and</c><00:40:32.210><c> the</c><00:40:32.349><c> last,</c>

00:40:32.989 --> 00:40:34.429
which<00:40:33.090><c> was</c><00:40:33.369><c> dead</c><00:40:33.590><c> and</c><00:40:33.829><c> is</c><00:40:34.050><c> alive.</c>

00:40:34.889 --> 00:40:38.190
I<00:40:35.389><c> know</c><00:40:35.570><c> thy</c><00:40:35.789><c> works</c><00:40:36.210><c> and</c><00:40:36.809><c> tribulation</c><00:40:37.469><c> and</c><00:40:37.670><c> poverty,</c>

00:40:38.190 --> 00:40:41.710
but<00:40:38.969><c> thou</c><00:40:39.329><c> art</c><00:40:39.610><c> rich,</c><00:40:40.230><c> and</c><00:40:40.469><c> I</c><00:40:40.630><c> know</c><00:40:40.710><c> the</c><00:40:40.909><c> blasphemy</c><00:40:41.329><c> of</c><00:40:41.489><c> them</c>

00:40:41.710 --> 00:40:43.889
which<00:40:41.949><c> say</c><00:40:42.190><c> they</c><00:40:42.369><c> are</c><00:40:42.570><c> Jews</c><00:40:42.909><c> and</c><00:40:43.369><c> are</c><00:40:43.530><c> not,</c>

00:40:44.170 --> 00:40:46.730
but<00:40:44.349><c> are</c><00:40:44.510><c> the</c><00:40:44.730><c> synagogue</c><00:40:45.150><c> of</c><00:40:45.769><c> Satan.</c>

00:40:46.949 --> 00:40:48.909
Fear<00:40:47.070><c> none</c><00:40:47.269><c> of</c><00:40:47.389><c> those</c><00:40:47.570><c> things</c><00:40:47.869><c> which</c><00:40:48.110><c> thou</c><00:40:48.309><c> shalt</c><00:40:48.530><c> suffer.</c>

00:40:49.210 --> 00:40:52.190
Behold,<00:40:49.929><c> the</c><00:40:50.070><c> devil</c><00:40:50.309><c> shall</c><00:40:50.530><c> cast</c><00:40:50.769><c> some</c><00:40:51.050><c> of</c><00:40:51.170><c> you</c><00:40:51.250><c> into</c><00:40:51.489><c> prison,</c>

00:40:52.550 --> 00:40:54.170
and<00:40:52.710><c> ye</c><00:40:52.789><c> may</c><00:40:53.010><c> be</c><00:40:53.210><c> tried.</c>

00:40:54.550 --> 00:40:57.530
And<00:40:54.710><c> ye</c><00:40:54.869><c> shall</c><00:40:55.150><c> have</c><00:40:56.010><c> tribulation</c><00:40:56.730><c> ten</c><00:40:56.949><c> days,</c>

00:40:57.929 --> 00:41:00.690
be<00:40:58.030><c> thou</c><00:40:58.210><c> faithful</c><00:40:58.570><c> unto</c><00:40:58.809><c> death,</c><00:40:59.409><c> and</c><00:40:59.690><c> I</c><00:40:59.829><c> will</c><00:40:59.969><c> give</c><00:41:00.070><c> thee</c><00:41:00.489><c> a</c>

00:41:00.690 --> 00:41:01.929
crown<00:41:00.869><c> of</c><00:41:01.090><c> life.</c>

00:41:02.150 --> 00:41:04.690
He<00:41:02.349><c> that</c><00:41:02.530><c> hath</c><00:41:02.730><c> an</c><00:41:02.889><c> ear,</c><00:41:03.230><c> let</c><00:41:03.269><c> him</c><00:41:03.469><c> hear</c><00:41:03.710><c> with</c><00:41:03.929><c> the</c><00:41:04.150><c> Spirit,</c>

00:41:04.949 --> 00:41:06.030
saith<00:41:05.050><c> unto</c><00:41:05.250><c> the</c><00:41:05.409><c> Ecclesiasts.</c>

00:41:06.030 --> 00:41:10.429
He<00:41:06.690><c> that</c><00:41:06.949><c> overcometh</c><00:41:07.510><c> shall</c><00:41:07.710><c> not</c><00:41:07.969><c> be</c><00:41:08.170><c> heard</c><00:41:08.570><c> of</c><00:41:08.929><c> the</c><00:41:09.110><c> second</c><00:41:09.349><c> death.</c>

00:41:12.969 --> 00:41:13.630
Thank<00:41:13.489><c> you.</c>

00:41:13.710 --> 00:41:16.389
While<00:41:13.730><c> we</c><00:41:13.829><c> look</c><00:41:13.989><c> at</c><00:41:14.269><c> Smyrna,</c><00:41:14.809><c> we're</c><00:41:15.050><c> going</c><00:41:15.070><c> to</c><00:41:15.269><c> look</c><00:41:15.489><c> again</c><00:41:15.750><c> at</c>

00:41:16.389 --> 00:41:16.989
what<00:41:16.550><c> Jesus</c><00:41:16.789><c> says,</c>

00:41:17.150 --> 00:41:18.409
I<00:41:17.150><c> know</c><00:41:17.429><c> thy</c><00:41:17.690><c> works.</c>

00:41:18.690 --> 00:41:21.110
Fear<00:41:18.909><c> none</c><00:41:19.090><c> of</c><00:41:19.190><c> those</c><00:41:19.369><c> things</c><00:41:19.650><c> which</c><00:41:19.869><c> thou</c><00:41:20.010><c> shalt</c><00:41:20.230><c> suffer,</c>

00:41:21.150 --> 00:41:23.250
and<00:41:21.369><c> the</c><00:41:21.610><c> crown</c><00:41:21.909><c> of</c><00:41:22.250><c> life.</c>

00:41:23.570 --> 00:41:27.070
Well,<00:41:23.929><c> arriving</c><00:41:24.429><c> in</c><00:41:25.090><c> Smyrna,</c><00:41:25.630><c> which</c><00:41:25.750><c> is</c><00:41:25.889><c> called</c><00:41:26.130><c> Izmir</c><00:41:26.650><c> today,</c>

00:41:27.469 --> 00:41:30.730
it's<00:41:27.730><c> the</c><00:41:27.989><c> second</c><00:41:28.309><c> largest</c><00:41:28.829><c> city</c><00:41:29.329><c> in</c><00:41:29.690><c> Turkey,</c>

00:41:30.769 --> 00:41:32.289
a<00:41:30.849><c> very</c><00:41:31.369><c> important</c><00:41:31.969><c> harbor,</c>

00:41:32.289 --> 00:41:36.670
one<00:41:32.409><c> of</c><00:41:32.409><c> the</c><00:41:32.449><c> second</c><00:41:32.809><c> largest</c><00:41:33.289><c> harbor</c><00:41:33.949><c> in</c><00:41:34.730><c> Turkey</c><00:41:35.269><c> today.</c>

00:41:36.889 --> 00:41:40.590
So<00:41:37.070><c> here</c><00:41:37.309><c> we</c><00:41:37.570><c> are</c><00:41:37.610><c> standing</c><00:41:37.849><c> on</c><00:41:38.150><c> top</c><00:41:38.329><c> of</c><00:41:38.510><c> Mount</c><00:41:38.809><c> Pagos,</c>

00:41:41.070 --> 00:41:43.170
Kadifale,<00:41:41.849><c> as</c><00:41:42.090><c> it's</c><00:41:42.349><c> called</c><00:41:42.610><c> today,</c>

00:41:43.329 --> 00:41:45.710
and<00:41:43.630><c> there</c><00:41:43.789><c> you</c><00:41:43.849><c> can</c><00:41:44.110><c> look</c><00:41:44.369><c> out</c><00:41:44.550><c> over</c><00:41:44.730><c> the</c><00:41:44.989><c> whole</c><00:41:45.329><c> city.</c>

00:41:46.210 --> 00:41:49.050
The<00:41:46.409><c> messenger</c><00:41:46.610><c> would</c><00:41:46.809><c> have</c><00:41:47.050><c> come</c><00:41:47.289><c> from</c><00:41:47.889><c> this</c><00:41:48.289><c> way</c><00:41:48.530><c> here,</c>

00:41:49.369 --> 00:41:53.670
walk<00:41:49.610><c> over</c><00:41:50.630><c> a</c><00:41:51.190><c> street</c><00:41:51.369><c> which</c><00:41:51.889><c> parts</c><00:41:52.349><c> has</c><00:41:52.829><c> been</c><00:41:53.150><c> preserved,</c>

00:41:54.130 --> 00:41:55.869
and<00:41:54.349><c> probably</c><00:41:54.550><c> go</c><00:41:54.789><c> here</c><00:41:54.949><c> to</c><00:41:55.190><c> the</c><00:41:55.570><c> agora,</c>

00:41:56.070 --> 00:42:00.070
which<00:41:56.210><c> is</c><00:41:56.449><c> the</c><00:41:56.769><c> only</c><00:41:57.130><c> remains</c><00:41:57.690><c> that</c><00:41:58.230><c> are</c><00:41:58.849><c> still</c><00:41:59.150><c> visible</c><00:41:59.630><c> of</c>

00:42:00.070 --> 00:42:02.010
ancient<00:42:00.929><c> Smyrna</c><00:42:01.530><c> today.</c>

00:42:02.010 --> 00:42:05.710
So<00:42:02.409><c> Izmir</c><00:42:02.889><c> today</c><00:42:03.510><c> is</c><00:42:03.969><c> called</c><00:42:04.230><c> ancient</c><00:42:04.710><c> Smyrna.</c>

00:42:05.949 --> 00:42:10.710
So<00:42:06.409><c> this</c><00:42:06.710><c> was</c><00:42:06.869><c> the</c><00:42:07.030><c> location</c><00:42:07.650><c> of</c><00:42:08.869><c> Smyrna</c><00:42:09.829><c> of</c><00:42:10.090><c> the</c><00:42:10.329><c> time</c><00:42:10.469><c> of</c><00:42:10.610><c> the</c>

00:42:10.710 --> 00:42:11.909
New<00:42:10.849><c> Testament,</c>

00:42:11.989 --> 00:42:16.369
but<00:42:12.130><c> the</c><00:42:12.590><c> old</c><00:42:13.090><c> site</c><00:42:13.710><c> was</c><00:42:14.650><c> actually</c><00:42:14.929><c> here</c><00:42:15.130><c> to</c><00:42:15.329><c> the</c><00:42:15.550><c> north.</c>

00:42:16.829 --> 00:42:20.730
Small<00:42:17.289><c> excavations</c><00:42:17.949><c> have</c><00:42:18.190><c> discovered</c><00:42:18.570><c> that</c><00:42:18.989><c> the</c><00:42:19.369><c> first</c><00:42:19.670><c> settlement</c><00:42:20.250><c> of</c>

00:42:20.730 --> 00:42:22.869
Smyrna<00:42:21.090><c> was</c><00:42:21.369><c> here,</c>

00:42:23.530 --> 00:42:25.630
settled<00:42:23.650><c> in</c><00:42:24.090><c> 1100</c><00:42:24.570><c> BC,</c>

00:42:25.849 --> 00:42:28.409
and<00:42:26.030><c> it</c><00:42:26.110><c> came</c><00:42:26.230><c> to</c><00:42:26.389><c> a</c><00:42:26.730><c> complete</c><00:42:26.949><c> end</c><00:42:27.150><c> in</c><00:42:27.349><c> the</c><00:42:27.489><c> 6th</c><00:42:27.789><c> century</c><00:42:27.969><c> BC.</c>

00:42:28.409 --> 00:42:32.570
For<00:42:29.409><c> three</c><00:42:29.889><c> centuries</c><00:42:30.349><c> there</c><00:42:30.570><c> was</c><00:42:30.909><c> no</c><00:42:31.329><c> Smyrna</c><00:42:31.690><c> at</c><00:42:31.969><c> all,</c>

00:42:33.010 --> 00:42:35.730
until<00:42:33.610><c> a</c><00:42:34.070><c> new</c><00:42:34.230><c> city</c><00:42:34.449><c> was</c><00:42:35.030><c> established</c><00:42:35.389><c> here,</c>

00:42:35.730 --> 00:42:39.590
again<00:42:35.929><c> by</c><00:42:36.510><c> Lysimachus,</c><00:42:37.309><c> one</c><00:42:37.449><c> of</c><00:42:37.889><c> the</c><00:42:38.210><c> generals</c><00:42:38.530><c> of</c><00:42:39.090><c> Alexander</c>

00:42:39.590 --> 00:42:40.610
the<00:42:39.869><c> Great.</c>

00:42:40.670 --> 00:42:44.889
And<00:42:40.849><c> the</c><00:42:40.929><c> only</c><00:42:41.010><c> thing</c><00:42:41.190><c> you</c><00:42:41.289><c> can</c><00:42:41.610><c> see</c><00:42:42.289><c> of</c><00:42:43.489><c> ancient</c><00:42:43.929><c> value</c><00:42:44.329><c> is</c>

00:42:44.889 --> 00:42:45.489
the<00:42:45.210><c> agora.</c>

00:42:45.849 --> 00:42:47.230
There's<00:42:46.090><c> a</c><00:42:46.210><c> large</c><00:42:46.449><c> basilica,</c>

00:42:47.690 --> 00:42:49.489
and<00:42:47.949><c> here's</c><00:42:48.329><c> the</c><00:42:48.469><c> western</c><00:42:48.809><c> stoa,</c>

00:42:49.590 --> 00:42:52.769
and<00:42:49.849><c> a</c><00:42:49.989><c> gateway,</c><00:42:50.349><c> so</c><00:42:50.489><c> very</c><00:42:50.889><c> few</c><00:42:51.210><c> remains</c><00:42:51.789><c> can</c><00:42:52.309><c> be</c><00:42:52.570><c> seen.</c>

00:42:53.090 --> 00:42:56.610
Here<00:42:53.489><c> is</c><00:42:53.889><c> the</c><00:42:54.530><c> gateway</c><00:42:54.889><c> leading</c><00:42:55.210><c> into</c><00:42:55.769><c> that</c><00:42:56.050><c> marketplace,</c>

00:42:56.610 --> 00:43:01.590
and<00:42:57.329><c> on</c><00:42:57.530><c> the</c><00:42:57.630><c> other</c><00:42:57.849><c> side</c><00:42:58.050><c> of</c><00:42:58.329><c> the</c><00:42:58.369><c> arch</c><00:42:58.590><c> is</c><00:42:59.670><c> the</c><00:43:00.010><c> face</c><00:43:00.150><c> of</c><00:43:00.349><c> Faustina,</c>

00:43:01.849 --> 00:43:06.409
an<00:43:02.190><c> empress</c><00:43:02.550><c> who</c><00:43:02.789><c> helped</c><00:43:02.989><c> rebuild</c><00:43:03.389><c> the</c><00:43:03.630><c> city</c><00:43:03.929><c> after</c><00:43:05.030><c> an</c><00:43:05.510><c> earthquake.</c>

00:43:06.690 --> 00:43:10.210
So<00:43:06.909><c> it</c><00:43:07.010><c> was</c><00:43:07.210><c> a</c><00:43:07.510><c> large</c><00:43:08.170><c> marketplace</c><00:43:08.769><c> with</c><00:43:09.329><c> columns</c><00:43:09.710><c> all</c><00:43:10.050><c> over.</c>

00:43:10.309 --> 00:43:13.030
Here<00:43:10.409><c> you</c><00:43:10.409><c> can</c><00:43:10.610><c> see</c><00:43:10.690><c> the</c><00:43:10.949><c> colonnade</c><00:43:11.630><c> being</c><00:43:11.949><c> restored,</c>

00:43:13.050 --> 00:43:16.829
built<00:43:13.150><c> over</c><00:43:13.590><c> an</c><00:43:14.050><c> arched</c><00:43:14.690><c> substructure</c><00:43:15.289><c> which</c><00:43:15.489><c> were</c><00:43:15.750><c> used</c><00:43:16.050><c> as</c>

00:43:16.829 --> 00:43:19.130
cellars<00:43:17.630><c> in</c><00:43:18.050><c> that</c><00:43:18.349><c> particular</c><00:43:18.730><c> time,</c>

00:43:19.190 --> 00:43:23.750
but<00:43:19.670><c> from</c><00:43:20.150><c> this</c><00:43:20.449><c> marketplace</c><00:43:20.889><c> you</c><00:43:21.070><c> can</c><00:43:21.510><c> look</c><00:43:21.789><c> back</c><00:43:22.369><c> at</c><00:43:23.409><c> Califacale</c>

00:43:23.750 --> 00:43:30.929
or<00:43:24.750><c> the</c><00:43:25.550><c> Mount</c><00:43:25.929><c> Pagos</c><00:43:26.389><c> where</c><00:43:27.769><c> most</c><00:43:28.630><c> of</c><00:43:28.789><c> the</c><00:43:28.989><c> temples</c><00:43:29.329><c> and</c><00:43:29.710><c> palaces</c><00:43:30.110><c> were</c><00:43:30.409><c> built</c>

00:43:30.929 --> 00:43:34.289
during<00:43:31.590><c> the</c><00:43:31.869><c> time</c><00:43:32.389><c> of</c><00:43:32.670><c> the</c><00:43:32.889><c> first</c><00:43:33.190><c> century.</c>

00:43:35.010 --> 00:43:37.210
And<00:43:35.150><c> so</c><00:43:35.409><c> here</c><00:43:35.650><c> is</c><00:43:35.889><c> the</c><00:43:36.070><c> top</c><00:43:36.190><c> of</c><00:43:36.369><c> Mount</c><00:43:36.710><c> Pagos,</c>

00:43:37.269 --> 00:43:39.510
it's<00:43:37.409><c> got</c><00:43:37.530><c> a</c><00:43:37.690><c> big</c><00:43:37.889><c> fortification</c><00:43:38.570><c> all</c><00:43:38.929><c> around</c><00:43:39.190><c> it,</c>

00:43:39.730 --> 00:43:44.090
that<00:43:39.869><c> was</c><00:43:40.070><c> the</c><00:43:40.309><c> top</c><00:43:40.449><c> or</c><00:43:40.690><c> the</c><00:43:40.969><c> crown</c><00:43:41.349><c> of</c><00:43:41.889><c> Smyrna</c><00:43:42.309><c> as</c><00:43:42.750><c> some</c><00:43:43.030><c> people</c><00:43:43.349><c> say</c><00:43:43.670><c> it.</c>

00:43:44.510 --> 00:43:48.889
So<00:43:44.889><c> let</c><00:43:45.070><c> them</c><00:43:45.969><c> read</c><00:43:46.469><c> first</c><00:43:46.889><c> of</c><00:43:47.030><c> all</c><00:43:47.070><c> what</c><00:43:47.889><c> Jesus</c><00:43:48.269><c> is</c><00:43:48.510><c> going</c><00:43:48.630><c> to</c>

00:43:48.889 --> 00:43:49.650
say<00:43:49.070><c> to</c><00:43:49.269><c> them.</c>

00:43:49.650 --> 00:43:54.849
In<00:43:50.590><c> verse</c><00:43:50.829><c> 8</c><00:43:51.070><c> we</c><00:43:51.269><c> read</c><00:43:51.409><c> these</c><00:43:51.710><c> things</c><00:43:51.929><c> as</c><00:43:52.250><c> the</c><00:43:52.730><c> first</c><00:43:53.170><c> and</c><00:43:53.670><c> the</c><00:43:53.889><c> last,</c>

00:43:54.889 --> 00:43:57.170
who<00:43:54.989><c> was</c><00:43:55.389><c> dead</c><00:43:55.929><c> and</c><00:43:56.369><c> is</c><00:43:56.650><c> alive,</c>

00:43:57.489 --> 00:43:59.530
and<00:43:57.630><c> that's</c><00:43:57.829><c> the</c><00:43:57.949><c> central</c><00:43:58.289><c> theme,</c>

00:44:00.030 --> 00:44:04.590
being<00:44:00.150><c> dead</c><00:44:00.610><c> and</c><00:44:00.929><c> coming</c><00:44:01.210><c> to</c><00:44:01.510><c> life</c><00:44:01.710><c> again</c><00:44:02.170><c> in</c><00:44:02.610><c> the</c><00:44:02.730><c> latter</c><00:44:02.929><c> to</c><00:44:03.230><c> Smyrna.</c>

00:44:04.929 --> 00:44:08.289
Because<00:44:05.150><c> as</c><00:44:05.289><c> they</c><00:44:05.550><c> said</c><00:44:05.710><c> the</c><00:44:06.590><c> ancient</c><00:44:06.929><c> city</c><00:44:07.230><c> was</c><00:44:07.550><c> destroyed,</c>

00:44:08.550 --> 00:44:11.010
was<00:44:09.389><c> further</c><00:44:09.630><c> to</c><00:44:09.909><c> the</c><00:44:10.150><c> north,</c>

00:44:11.030 --> 00:44:13.150
was<00:44:11.250><c> desolate</c><00:44:11.510><c> for</c><00:44:11.949><c> 300</c><00:44:12.369><c> years,</c>

00:44:13.409 --> 00:44:16.489
and<00:44:13.550><c> in</c><00:44:13.809><c> the</c><00:44:13.989><c> third</c><00:44:14.170><c> century</c><00:44:14.530><c> BC</c><00:44:14.989><c> there</c><00:44:15.469><c> was</c><00:44:15.769><c> a</c><00:44:15.969><c> new</c><00:44:16.150><c> city</c>

00:44:16.489 --> 00:44:17.289
being<00:44:16.869><c> built.</c>

00:44:17.289 --> 00:44:20.309
So<00:44:18.090><c> the</c><00:44:18.329><c> city</c><00:44:18.510><c> was</c><00:44:18.929><c> dead</c><00:44:19.269><c> for</c><00:44:19.510><c> three</c><00:44:19.909><c> years,</c>

00:44:20.329 --> 00:44:24.510
three<00:44:20.829><c> centuries</c><00:44:21.510><c> and</c><00:44:22.010><c> now</c><00:44:22.269><c> became</c><00:44:22.869><c> alive</c><00:44:23.469><c> again.</c>

00:44:24.989 --> 00:44:28.789
Jesus<00:44:25.090><c> used</c><00:44:25.329><c> the</c><00:44:25.530><c> phrase</c><00:44:25.769><c> I'm</c><00:44:26.329><c> the</c><00:44:26.650><c> first</c><00:44:26.989><c> and</c><00:44:27.570><c> the</c><00:44:27.809><c> last.</c>

00:44:29.429 --> 00:44:32.789
Jesus<00:44:29.630><c> was</c><00:44:29.809><c> the</c><00:44:30.150><c> first</c><00:44:30.469><c> born</c><00:44:30.989><c> from</c><00:44:31.730><c> the</c><00:44:31.949><c> dead,</c>

00:44:32.989 --> 00:44:35.989
and<00:44:33.070><c> because</c><00:44:33.309><c> we</c><00:44:33.570><c> are</c><00:44:33.769><c> all</c><00:44:34.050><c> in</c><00:44:34.429><c> Christ</c><00:44:34.849><c> he</c><00:44:35.050><c> is</c><00:44:35.190><c> the</c><00:44:35.369><c> last</c><00:44:35.650><c> one</c>

00:44:35.989 --> 00:44:37.309
as<00:44:36.329><c> well.</c>

00:44:37.409 --> 00:44:41.750
Only<00:44:38.010><c> in</c><00:44:38.489><c> Christ</c><00:44:38.829><c> is</c><00:44:39.170><c> there</c><00:44:39.349><c> salvation</c><00:44:39.829><c> for</c><00:44:40.250><c> all</c><00:44:40.590><c> the</c><00:44:40.829><c> believers.</c>

00:44:42.070 --> 00:44:46.710
Now<00:44:42.210><c> the</c><00:44:42.250><c> name</c><00:44:42.590><c> Smyrna</c><00:44:43.610><c> comes</c><00:44:44.469><c> from</c><00:44:45.130><c> Myrrh,</c>

00:44:46.710 --> 00:44:49.750
and<00:44:47.210><c> Myrrh</c><00:44:47.369><c> was</c><00:44:47.829><c> the</c><00:44:48.070><c> resin</c><00:44:48.250><c> of</c><00:44:48.550><c> a</c><00:44:48.670><c> tree</c><00:44:48.789><c> which</c><00:44:49.090><c> grows</c><00:44:49.250><c> in</c><00:44:49.550><c> the</c>

00:44:49.750 --> 00:44:50.690
Arabian<00:44:50.150><c> Peninsula</c>

00:44:50.690 --> 00:44:56.309
and<00:44:51.349><c> was</c><00:44:51.989><c> used</c><00:44:52.429><c> always</c><00:44:52.829><c> in</c><00:44:53.030><c> the</c><00:44:53.269><c> context</c><00:44:53.849><c> of</c><00:44:54.590><c> life</c><00:44:55.070><c> and</c><00:44:55.630><c> death.</c>

00:44:56.809 --> 00:45:00.190
Do<00:44:56.889><c> you</c><00:44:56.909><c> remember</c><00:44:57.050><c> let's</c><00:44:57.389><c> go</c><00:44:57.610><c> to</c><00:44:57.889><c> John</c><00:44:58.170><c> chapter</c><00:44:58.489><c> 19,</c>

00:45:00.269 --> 00:45:03.489
when<00:45:00.329><c> Jesus</c><00:45:01.210><c> died</c><00:45:02.010><c> and</c><00:45:02.230><c> was</c><00:45:02.469><c> buried,</c>

00:45:03.570 --> 00:45:05.289
what<00:45:03.789><c> did</c><00:45:03.909><c> they</c><00:45:04.170><c> use?</c>

00:45:06.489 --> 00:45:13.190
Just<00:45:07.010><c> the</c><00:45:07.190><c> one</c><00:45:07.409><c> verse</c><00:45:07.889><c> in</c><00:45:08.349><c> John</c><00:45:08.670><c> 19</c><00:45:09.789><c> and</c><00:45:10.849><c> verse</c><00:45:11.090><c> 39.</c>

00:45:18.469 --> 00:45:21.630
Said<00:45:18.550><c> there</c><00:45:18.730><c> came</c><00:45:18.909><c> also</c><00:45:19.150><c> Nicodemus</c><00:45:19.889><c> who</c><00:45:20.530><c> at</c><00:45:20.849><c> the</c><00:45:21.090><c> first</c><00:45:21.309><c> came</c>

00:45:21.630 --> 00:45:22.449
to<00:45:21.769><c> Jesus</c><00:45:21.909><c> by</c><00:45:22.210><c> night</c>

00:45:22.449 --> 00:45:26.150
and<00:45:22.630><c> brought</c><00:45:22.889><c> a</c><00:45:23.070><c> mixture</c><00:45:23.369><c> of</c><00:45:24.090><c> myrrh</c><00:45:25.230><c> and</c><00:45:25.469><c> aloes,</c>

00:45:26.190 --> 00:45:27.789
about<00:45:26.489><c> a</c><00:45:26.710><c> hundred</c><00:45:26.969><c> pound</c><00:45:27.369><c> weight,</c>

00:45:27.829 --> 00:45:30.869
and<00:45:28.250><c> they</c><00:45:28.550><c> took</c><00:45:28.690><c> the</c><00:45:28.869><c> body</c><00:45:29.090><c> of</c><00:45:29.269><c> Jesus</c><00:45:29.590><c> and</c><00:45:29.989><c> bound</c><00:45:30.190><c> it</c><00:45:30.389><c> in</c><00:45:30.570><c> linen</c>

00:45:30.869 --> 00:45:32.130
cloth<00:45:31.170><c> with</c><00:45:31.409><c> the</c><00:45:31.670><c> spices</c>

00:45:32.130 --> 00:45:35.010
as<00:45:32.590><c> the</c><00:45:32.869><c> manner</c><00:45:33.070><c> of</c><00:45:33.349><c> the</c><00:45:33.550><c> Jews</c><00:45:33.690><c> is</c><00:45:34.030><c> to</c><00:45:34.230><c> bury.</c>

00:45:35.349 --> 00:45:36.690
That<00:45:35.489><c> was</c><00:45:35.690><c> the</c><00:45:35.889><c> manner</c><00:45:36.050><c> of</c><00:45:36.309><c> the</c><00:45:36.510><c> Jews.</c>

00:45:36.809 --> 00:45:40.769
They<00:45:37.150><c> wrapped</c><00:45:37.309><c> the</c><00:45:37.530><c> body</c><00:45:37.989><c> in</c><00:45:38.769><c> linen</c><00:45:39.130><c> cloth</c><00:45:39.409><c> and</c><00:45:39.610><c> they</c><00:45:39.769><c> put</c><00:45:39.969><c> myrrh</c><00:45:40.469><c> and</c>

00:45:40.769 --> 00:45:42.190
aloes<00:45:41.250><c> all</c><00:45:41.570><c> around</c><00:45:41.909><c> them</c>

00:45:42.190 --> 00:45:43.989
to<00:45:42.889><c> keep</c><00:45:43.110><c> away</c><00:45:43.429><c> the</c><00:45:43.789><c> smell.</c>

00:45:44.190 --> 00:45:47.630
It<00:45:44.230><c> was</c><00:45:44.449><c> thought</c><00:45:44.750><c> it</c><00:45:44.969><c> would</c><00:45:45.269><c> slow</c><00:45:45.610><c> down</c><00:45:45.969><c> the</c><00:45:47.010><c> decomposition</c>

00:45:47.630 --> 00:45:49.250
of<00:45:48.170><c> the</c><00:45:48.389><c> body.</c>

00:45:49.650 --> 00:45:53.110
And<00:45:49.789><c> therefore</c><00:45:49.949><c> Jesus</c><00:45:50.170><c> says</c><00:45:50.570><c> I</c><00:45:51.070><c> was</c><00:45:51.449><c> dead</c><00:45:51.610><c> but</c><00:45:51.889><c> I'm</c><00:45:52.409><c> alive</c><00:45:52.789><c> again.</c>

00:45:53.130 --> 00:45:56.090
So<00:45:53.409><c> it's</c><00:45:53.789><c> a</c><00:45:53.969><c> play</c><00:45:54.210><c> on</c><00:45:54.710><c> the</c><00:45:54.889><c> name</c><00:45:55.150><c> of</c><00:45:55.550><c> Smyrna,</c>

00:45:56.510 --> 00:45:59.650
an<00:45:56.730><c> ingredient</c><00:45:57.110><c> that</c><00:45:57.289><c> was</c><00:45:57.570><c> used</c><00:45:57.929><c> in</c><00:45:58.230><c> the</c><00:45:58.429><c> context</c><00:45:58.909><c> of</c><00:45:59.369><c> life</c>

00:45:59.650 --> 00:46:00.730
and<00:45:59.989><c> death.</c>

00:46:01.130 --> 00:46:04.730
And<00:46:01.889><c> then</c><00:46:01.969><c> Jesus</c><00:46:02.130><c> says</c><00:46:02.429><c> I</c><00:46:02.889><c> know</c><00:46:03.329><c> thy</c><00:46:03.690><c> works.</c>

00:46:04.789 --> 00:46:08.409
It's<00:46:05.030><c> always</c><00:46:05.349><c> comforting</c><00:46:05.929><c> but</c><00:46:06.349><c> also</c><00:46:06.710><c> sobering</c><00:46:07.690><c> that</c><00:46:08.030><c> Jesus</c>

00:46:08.409 --> 00:46:11.429
knows<00:46:08.909><c> all</c><00:46:09.610><c> our</c><00:46:10.030><c> works</c><00:46:10.309><c> also.</c>

00:46:12.449 --> 00:46:16.750
It's<00:46:12.650><c> the</c><00:46:12.769><c> only</c><00:46:13.010><c> ecclesiast</c><00:46:13.429><c> which</c><00:46:13.829><c> receives</c><00:46:14.489><c> unqualified</c><00:46:15.550><c> praise.</c>

00:46:16.929 --> 00:46:19.349
There's<00:46:17.190><c> no</c><00:46:17.469><c> rebuke</c><00:46:18.090><c> in</c><00:46:18.309><c> this</c><00:46:18.530><c> letter.</c>

00:46:19.989 --> 00:46:22.030
The<00:46:20.170><c> believers</c><00:46:20.309><c> are</c><00:46:20.570><c> recommended</c><00:46:20.969><c> for</c><00:46:21.269><c> the</c><00:46:21.489><c> richness</c><00:46:21.750><c> of</c>

00:46:22.030 --> 00:46:23.329
their<00:46:22.309><c> faith,</c>

00:46:23.349 --> 00:46:25.869
despite<00:46:23.750><c> the</c><00:46:23.969><c> fact</c><00:46:24.050><c> that</c><00:46:24.230><c> they</c><00:46:24.369><c> were</c><00:46:24.750><c> economically</c><00:46:25.349><c> pretty</c>

00:46:25.869 --> 00:46:27.550
poor<00:46:26.329><c> and</c><00:46:26.630><c> afflicted.</c>

00:46:27.550 --> 00:46:29.889
So<00:46:28.170><c> it</c><00:46:28.389><c> makes</c><00:46:28.630><c> you</c><00:46:28.929><c> wonder</c><00:46:29.110><c> sometimes.</c>

00:46:30.369 --> 00:46:32.510
We<00:46:30.530><c> live</c><00:46:30.610><c> in</c><00:46:30.909><c> an</c><00:46:31.130><c> affluent</c><00:46:31.329><c> society.</c>

00:46:32.789 --> 00:46:35.949
We<00:46:33.130><c> are</c><00:46:33.389><c> not</c><00:46:33.690><c> short</c><00:46:34.329><c> of</c><00:46:34.889><c> anything</c><00:46:35.289><c> at</c><00:46:35.670><c> all.</c>

00:46:36.110 --> 00:46:37.829
There's<00:46:36.230><c> no</c><00:46:36.369><c> need</c><00:46:36.530><c> to</c><00:46:36.690><c> be</c><00:46:36.949><c> short.</c>

00:46:38.030 --> 00:46:40.809
But<00:46:38.150><c> the</c><00:46:38.449><c> material</c><00:46:38.650><c> possessions</c><00:46:39.130><c> which</c><00:46:39.409><c> we</c><00:46:39.789><c> have,</c>

00:46:40.829 --> 00:46:44.409
do<00:46:41.050><c> they</c><00:46:41.190><c> hinder</c><00:46:41.449><c> us</c><00:46:41.630><c> sometimes</c><00:46:42.070><c> from</c><00:46:42.389><c> becoming</c><00:46:42.929><c> good</c><00:46:43.389><c> believers?</c>

00:46:44.710 --> 00:46:47.650
Wouldn't<00:46:44.829><c> it</c><00:46:44.949><c> be</c><00:46:45.130><c> wonderful</c><00:46:45.369><c> to</c><00:46:45.550><c> be</c><00:46:45.690><c> an</c><00:46:45.869><c> ecclesia</c><00:46:46.469><c> that</c><00:46:47.429><c> got</c>

00:46:47.650 --> 00:46:50.150
no<00:46:48.130><c> rebuke</c><00:46:48.869><c> from</c><00:46:49.130><c> Christ</c><00:46:49.489><c> at</c><00:46:49.869><c> all?</c>

00:46:50.289 --> 00:46:54.050
It<00:46:50.449><c> is</c><00:46:50.670><c> possible,</c><00:46:52.030><c> as</c><00:46:52.369><c> Smyrna</c><00:46:52.989><c> shows</c><00:46:53.469><c> us.</c>

00:46:54.050 --> 00:46:55.929
But<00:46:54.809><c> it</c><00:46:54.909><c> says</c><00:46:55.050><c> then</c><00:46:55.269><c> in</c><00:46:55.429><c> verse</c><00:46:55.630><c> 10,</c>

00:46:56.010 --> 00:46:58.369
Fear<00:46:56.230><c> none</c><00:46:56.550><c> of</c><00:46:56.690><c> those</c><00:46:56.869><c> things,</c><00:46:57.570><c> without</c><00:46:57.690><c> short</c><00:46:58.010><c> suffer.</c>

00:46:58.750 --> 00:47:02.449
The<00:46:58.849><c> older</c><00:46:59.010><c> devil</c><00:46:59.230><c> shall</c><00:46:59.469><c> cast</c><00:46:59.750><c> some</c><00:47:00.010><c> of</c><00:47:00.110><c> you</c><00:47:00.230><c> into</c><00:47:00.349><c> prison</c><00:47:00.690><c> that</c><00:47:00.849><c> you</c><00:47:01.030><c> may</c><00:47:01.190><c> be</c><00:47:01.510><c> tried.</c>

00:47:02.670 --> 00:47:03.510
Think<00:47:02.869><c> of</c><00:47:03.050><c> Joseph.</c>

00:47:03.909 --> 00:47:06.849
There's<00:47:04.170><c> nothing</c><00:47:04.530><c> written</c><00:47:04.909><c> about</c><00:47:05.230><c> Joseph</c><00:47:05.570><c> that</c><00:47:05.750><c> he</c><00:47:05.989><c> ever</c><00:47:06.210><c> did</c><00:47:06.369><c> wrong.</c>

00:47:07.170 --> 00:47:10.929
But<00:47:07.369><c> still</c><00:47:07.550><c> he</c><00:47:07.789><c> was</c><00:47:08.170><c> in</c><00:47:09.050><c> jail,</c><00:47:09.630><c> spending</c><00:47:09.670><c> many</c><00:47:10.010><c> years</c><00:47:10.329><c> there,</c>

00:47:11.409 --> 00:47:13.969
so<00:47:11.489><c> that</c><00:47:11.690><c> the</c><00:47:11.949><c> word</c><00:47:12.190><c> of</c><00:47:12.469><c> God</c><00:47:12.690><c> could</c><00:47:13.010><c> refine</c><00:47:13.630><c> him.</c>

00:47:14.090 --> 00:47:16.750
We<00:47:14.309><c> need</c><00:47:14.489><c> to</c><00:47:14.650><c> be</c><00:47:14.829><c> refined</c><00:47:15.389><c> by</c><00:47:15.610><c> our</c><00:47:15.750><c> sisters</c><00:47:16.070><c> through</c>

00:47:16.750 --> 00:47:18.050
difficult<00:47:17.269><c> circumstances.</c>

00:47:18.409 --> 00:47:21.710
It's<00:47:18.630><c> impossible</c><00:47:19.210><c> to</c><00:47:19.429><c> enter</c><00:47:19.530><c> the</c><00:47:19.750><c> kingdom</c><00:47:19.929><c> of</c><00:47:20.110><c> God</c><00:47:20.329><c> without</c><00:47:20.670><c> suffering.</c>

00:47:22.010 --> 00:47:24.909
So<00:47:22.469><c> they're</c><00:47:22.650><c> going</c><00:47:22.809><c> to</c><00:47:22.929><c> go</c><00:47:23.110><c> through</c><00:47:23.349><c> a</c><00:47:23.449><c> period</c><00:47:23.610><c> of</c><00:47:23.909><c> trouble.</c>

00:47:25.269 --> 00:47:26.849
And<00:47:25.449><c> we've</c><00:47:25.610><c> all</c><00:47:25.809><c> been</c><00:47:26.030><c> through</c><00:47:26.250><c> trouble.</c>

00:47:27.269 --> 00:47:29.309
We're<00:47:27.510><c> still</c><00:47:27.610><c> going</c><00:47:27.809><c> through</c><00:47:28.030><c> troubles</c><00:47:28.349><c> now.</c>

00:47:29.329 --> 00:47:31.389
But<00:47:29.530><c> Jesus</c><00:47:29.829><c> knows</c><00:47:30.230><c> that.</c>

00:47:31.789 --> 00:47:35.170
And<00:47:31.929><c> he</c><00:47:32.110><c> tells</c><00:47:32.230><c> us</c><00:47:32.409><c> not</c><00:47:32.530><c> to</c><00:47:32.670><c> be</c><00:47:32.909><c> afraid,</c><00:47:33.590><c> but</c><00:47:33.829><c> hold</c><00:47:34.210><c> fast.</c>

00:47:35.530 --> 00:47:38.150
Continue<00:47:35.989><c> in</c><00:47:36.349><c> that</c><00:47:36.610><c> love</c><00:47:36.929><c> which</c><00:47:37.130><c> we</c><00:47:37.289><c> have</c><00:47:37.530><c> shown</c><00:47:37.750><c> when</c><00:47:37.949><c> we</c>

00:47:38.150 --> 00:47:39.110
were<00:47:38.230><c> first</c><00:47:38.469><c> baptized.</c>

00:47:39.550 --> 00:47:43.409
The<00:47:39.750><c> love</c><00:47:39.969><c> for</c><00:47:40.170><c> the</c><00:47:40.309><c> word</c><00:47:40.409><c> of</c><00:47:40.690><c> God,</c><00:47:40.929><c> the</c><00:47:41.110><c> love</c><00:47:41.570><c> for</c><00:47:41.849><c> our</c><00:47:42.010><c> brothers</c><00:47:42.210><c> and</c><00:47:42.489><c> sisters.</c>

00:47:43.469 --> 00:47:45.070
Jesus<00:47:43.769><c> knows</c><00:47:44.130><c> our</c><00:47:44.489><c> circumstances.</c>

00:47:45.070 --> 00:47:47.989
He<00:47:45.389><c> knows</c><00:47:45.849><c> that</c><00:47:46.110><c> when</c><00:47:46.269><c> we</c><00:47:46.909><c> are</c><00:47:47.050><c> suffering,</c>

00:47:48.469 --> 00:47:51.710
and<00:47:48.590><c> that</c><00:47:48.769><c> knowledge</c><00:47:49.230><c> makes</c><00:47:49.750><c> it</c><00:47:49.949><c> possible</c><00:47:50.250><c> to</c><00:47:50.530><c> bear</c><00:47:50.710><c> it.</c>

00:47:51.750 --> 00:47:53.590
The<00:47:51.889><c> reward</c><00:47:52.190><c> for</c><00:47:52.409><c> overcoming</c><00:47:52.730><c> is</c><00:47:53.010><c> so</c><00:47:53.349><c> great</c>

00:47:53.590 --> 00:47:56.989
that<00:47:53.730><c> we</c><00:47:53.929><c> should</c><00:47:54.090><c> be</c><00:47:54.289><c> willing</c><00:47:54.590><c> to</c><00:47:55.010><c> overcome</c><00:47:55.230><c> all</c><00:47:55.590><c> our</c><00:47:55.829><c> difficulties.</c>

00:47:57.489 --> 00:48:00.789
Because<00:47:57.670><c> the</c><00:47:57.909><c> promise</c><00:47:58.130><c> was,</c><00:47:58.409><c> if</c><00:47:58.550><c> you</c><00:47:58.710><c> overcome,</c><00:47:59.110><c> to</c><00:47:59.230><c> get</c><00:47:59.329><c> a</c><00:47:59.510><c> crown</c><00:47:59.710><c> of</c><00:47:59.969><c> life.</c>

00:48:01.469 --> 00:48:03.969
What<00:48:01.809><c> picture</c><00:48:02.090><c> would</c><00:48:02.269><c> have</c><00:48:02.489><c> been</c><00:48:02.889><c> conjured</c><00:48:03.130><c> up</c><00:48:03.289><c> in</c><00:48:03.449><c> the</c><00:48:03.690><c> mind</c>

00:48:03.969 --> 00:48:05.409
of<00:48:04.250><c> the</c><00:48:04.530><c> believers</c><00:48:04.750><c> in</c><00:48:05.070><c> Smyrna</c>

00:48:05.409 --> 00:48:07.969
when<00:48:05.610><c> Jesus</c><00:48:05.889><c> talked</c><00:48:06.230><c> about</c><00:48:06.449><c> the</c><00:48:06.710><c> crown</c><00:48:06.929><c> of</c><00:48:07.190><c> life?</c>

00:48:08.110 --> 00:48:10.070
People<00:48:08.309><c> had</c><00:48:08.449><c> been</c><00:48:08.630><c> puzzling</c><00:48:08.929><c> about</c><00:48:09.250><c> it.</c>

00:48:10.170 --> 00:48:12.110
They<00:48:10.429><c> said,</c><00:48:10.650><c> well,</c><00:48:10.869><c> the</c><00:48:10.989><c> beautiful</c><00:48:11.289><c> buildings</c><00:48:11.690><c> which</c><00:48:11.989><c> stood</c>

00:48:12.110 --> 00:48:13.550
on<00:48:12.369><c> the</c><00:48:12.510><c> top</c><00:48:12.650><c> of</c><00:48:12.769><c> that</c><00:48:12.889><c> mountain</c>

00:48:13.550 --> 00:48:16.989
was<00:48:13.949><c> like</c><00:48:14.210><c> a</c><00:48:14.550><c> white</c><00:48:14.909><c> crown</c><00:48:15.429><c> of</c><00:48:15.690><c> the</c><00:48:15.869><c> city.</c>

00:48:18.809 --> 00:48:23.170
There<00:48:19.369><c> may</c><00:48:19.650><c> be</c><00:48:20.269><c> a</c><00:48:20.449><c> different</c><00:48:21.889><c> explanation</c><00:48:22.710><c> to</c><00:48:22.949><c> that.</c>

00:48:23.289 --> 00:48:26.230
We<00:48:23.309><c> don't</c><00:48:23.489><c> want</c><00:48:23.670><c> to</c><00:48:23.670><c> be</c><00:48:24.190><c> marble</c><00:48:24.510><c> temples</c><00:48:25.010><c> and</c><00:48:25.230><c> all</c><00:48:25.389><c> that.</c>

00:48:26.630 --> 00:48:30.309
But<00:48:26.750><c> while</c><00:48:27.030><c> we</c><00:48:27.130><c> were</c><00:48:27.269><c> there,</c><00:48:29.170><c> although</c><00:48:29.409><c> we</c><00:48:29.530><c> didn't</c><00:48:29.769><c> know</c><00:48:29.909><c> that,</c>

00:48:30.510 --> 00:48:32.809
there<00:48:30.610><c> was</c><00:48:30.690><c> a</c><00:48:30.750><c> very</c><00:48:31.269><c> interesting</c><00:48:31.829><c> ceremony.</c>

00:48:33.469 --> 00:48:36.969
Every<00:48:34.030><c> springtime</c><00:48:34.590><c> there's</c><00:48:36.170><c> a</c><00:48:36.329><c> feast.</c>

00:48:36.989 --> 00:48:38.630
It's<00:48:37.550><c> not</c><00:48:37.550><c> dedicated</c><00:48:37.929><c> to</c><00:48:38.110><c> any</c><00:48:38.409><c> saint.</c>

00:48:38.730 --> 00:48:40.349
It's<00:48:38.789><c> not</c><00:48:38.969><c> a</c><00:48:39.030><c> particular</c><00:48:39.449><c> Christian</c><00:48:39.889><c> feast.</c>

00:48:40.349 --> 00:48:43.190
But<00:48:41.050><c> people</c><00:48:41.489><c> walk</c><00:48:41.769><c> around</c><00:48:42.010><c> and</c><00:48:42.190><c> there's</c><00:48:42.429><c> crowns</c><00:48:42.849><c> in</c><00:48:42.929><c> their</c><00:48:43.090><c> heads.</c>

00:48:43.210 --> 00:48:47.550
You<00:48:43.309><c> see</c><00:48:43.449><c> this</c><00:48:43.469><c> girl</c><00:48:43.650><c> here,</c><00:48:45.070><c> and</c><00:48:45.289><c> here,</c><00:48:46.409><c> and</c><00:48:46.630><c> there.</c>

00:48:47.849 --> 00:48:49.969
And<00:48:48.230><c> they</c><00:48:48.510><c> sell</c><00:48:48.610><c> them</c><00:48:48.730><c> in</c><00:48:48.889><c> the</c><00:48:49.050><c> market.</c>

00:48:50.230 --> 00:48:55.989
All<00:48:50.510><c> these</c><00:48:50.809><c> crowns</c><00:48:52.190><c> made</c><00:48:52.389><c> of</c><00:48:52.570><c> the</c><00:48:52.889><c> yellow</c><00:48:53.289><c> spurs</c><00:48:53.809><c> or</c><00:48:54.130><c> the</c><00:48:54.650><c> euphorbia.</c>

00:48:56.349 --> 00:49:01.869
And<00:48:57.030><c> they</c><00:48:57.650><c> wear</c><00:48:57.869><c> them</c><00:48:58.750><c> as</c><00:48:59.809><c> a</c><00:48:59.989><c> tradition</c><00:49:00.489><c> which</c><00:49:00.809><c> is</c><00:49:01.550><c> thousands</c>

00:49:01.869 --> 00:49:03.250
of<00:49:02.130><c> years</c><00:49:02.329><c> old.</c>

00:49:04.230 --> 00:49:09.730
It's<00:49:04.570><c> quite</c><00:49:04.690><c> interesting</c><00:49:05.409><c> to</c><00:49:05.789><c> know</c><00:49:06.250><c> that</c><00:49:07.030><c> when</c><00:49:07.650><c> an</c><00:49:08.670><c> important</c>

00:49:09.730 --> 00:49:15.329
individual<00:49:10.449><c> came</c><00:49:11.030><c> to</c><00:49:11.809><c> a</c><00:49:12.030><c> city,</c><00:49:12.889><c> that</c><00:49:12.989><c> coming</c><00:49:13.150><c> was</c><00:49:13.409><c> called</c><00:49:13.690><c> the</c><00:49:14.010><c> Perusia.</c>

00:49:15.349 --> 00:49:18.250
And<00:49:15.489><c> he</c><00:49:15.530><c> would</c><00:49:15.730><c> be</c><00:49:15.989><c> presented</c><00:49:16.369><c> with</c><00:49:16.630><c> a</c><00:49:16.789><c> golden</c><00:49:17.250><c> crown.</c>

00:49:18.670 --> 00:49:22.429
And<00:49:18.789><c> during</c><00:49:18.909><c> those</c><00:49:19.170><c> ceremonies,</c><00:49:20.010><c> people</c><00:49:20.269><c> used</c><00:49:20.570><c> to</c><00:49:20.750><c> wear</c><00:49:21.030><c> crowns</c><00:49:21.590><c> of</c><00:49:21.909><c> flowers</c>

00:49:22.429 --> 00:49:26.610
around<00:49:23.170><c> their</c><00:49:23.570><c> head,</c><00:49:24.190><c> as</c><00:49:24.449><c> they</c><00:49:24.909><c> still</c><00:49:25.230><c> do</c><00:49:25.530><c> today.</c>

00:49:26.869 --> 00:49:29.949
Now<00:49:26.989><c> the</c><00:49:27.190><c> flowers</c><00:49:27.429><c> they</c><00:49:28.070><c> used,</c><00:49:28.929><c> the</c><00:49:29.070><c> euphorbia,</c>

00:49:30.449 --> 00:49:33.610
was<00:49:30.809><c> thought</c><00:49:31.090><c> to</c><00:49:31.289><c> be</c><00:49:31.550><c> a</c><00:49:31.650><c> symbol</c><00:49:31.929><c> of</c><00:49:32.309><c> eternal</c><00:49:32.710><c> life.</c>

00:49:33.630 --> 00:49:36.929
Those<00:49:33.909><c> flowers</c><00:49:34.150><c> lasted</c><00:49:34.469><c> a</c><00:49:34.650><c> very</c><00:49:34.849><c> long</c><00:49:35.150><c> time</c><00:49:35.469><c> before</c><00:49:35.869><c> they</c><00:49:36.190><c> wilt.</c>

00:49:37.070 --> 00:49:40.429
And<00:49:37.590><c> therefore,</c><00:49:38.269><c> although</c><00:49:38.610><c> they</c><00:49:38.969><c> still</c><00:49:39.309><c> do</c><00:49:39.469><c> that</c><00:49:39.650><c> today,</c>

00:49:40.809 --> 00:49:43.530
for<00:49:40.869><c> us</c><00:49:40.989><c> it</c><00:49:41.070><c> was</c><00:49:41.269><c> such</c><00:49:41.530><c> a</c><00:49:41.690><c> wonderful</c><00:49:42.050><c> picture</c><00:49:42.610><c> of</c><00:49:43.150><c> the</c><00:49:43.329><c> crown</c>

00:49:43.530 --> 00:49:44.250
of<00:49:43.869><c> life</c>

00:49:44.250 --> 00:49:45.969
which<00:49:44.750><c> Christ</c><00:49:45.010><c> is</c><00:49:45.269><c> going</c><00:49:45.429><c> to</c><00:49:45.690><c> promise.</c>

00:49:46.230 --> 00:49:51.269
Because<00:49:46.449><c> he</c><00:49:46.630><c> said</c><00:49:46.909><c> in</c><00:49:47.969><c> Peter,</c><00:49:48.170><c> let's</c><00:49:48.349><c> go</c><00:49:48.550><c> to</c><00:49:48.710><c> 1</c><00:49:48.949><c> Peter</c><00:49:49.289><c> 5,</c>

00:49:52.130 --> 00:49:56.909
so<00:49:52.250><c> they</c><00:49:52.510><c> all</c><00:49:52.829><c> used</c><00:49:53.070><c> to</c><00:49:53.329><c> wear</c><00:49:53.469><c> those</c><00:49:53.989><c> crowns</c><00:49:55.590><c> of</c><00:49:55.929><c> flowers.</c>

00:49:58.690 --> 00:50:04.789
But<00:49:58.849><c> what</c><00:49:59.289><c> does</c><00:49:59.530><c> Peter</c><00:49:59.750><c> say</c><00:50:01.949><c> in</c><00:50:02.170><c> that</c><00:50:02.769><c> letter</c><00:50:03.170><c> 5?</c>

00:50:05.150 --> 00:50:08.409
It's<00:50:05.750><c> the</c><00:50:05.909><c> same</c><00:50:06.389><c> message,</c><00:50:07.969><c> verse</c><00:50:08.130><c> 2,</c>

00:50:08.409 --> 00:50:11.210
feed<00:50:08.909><c> the</c><00:50:09.190><c> flock</c><00:50:09.309><c> of</c><00:50:09.610><c> God</c><00:50:09.909><c> which</c><00:50:10.150><c> is</c><00:50:10.389><c> among</c><00:50:10.650><c> you.</c>

00:50:11.670 --> 00:50:15.050
And<00:50:11.849><c> verse</c><00:50:12.010><c> 4,</c><00:50:12.230><c> when</c><00:50:12.469><c> the</c><00:50:13.210><c> chief</c><00:50:13.489><c> shepherd</c><00:50:13.750><c> shall</c><00:50:14.010><c> appear,</c>

00:50:15.190 --> 00:50:19.710
ye<00:50:15.309><c> shall</c><00:50:15.550><c> receive</c><00:50:16.349><c> the</c><00:50:17.190><c> crown</c><00:50:17.510><c> of</c><00:50:17.869><c> glory</c><00:50:18.110><c> that</c><00:50:18.550><c> fades</c><00:50:18.909><c> not</c><00:50:19.269><c> away.</c>

00:50:20.190 --> 00:50:22.309
They've<00:50:20.570><c> chosen</c><00:50:20.769><c> this</c><00:50:21.170><c> flower</c><00:50:21.449><c> because</c><00:50:21.730><c> it's</c><00:50:21.989><c> a</c><00:50:22.110><c> long</c>

00:50:22.309 --> 00:50:23.250
lasting<00:50:22.670><c> flower.</c>

00:50:23.650 --> 00:50:25.730
But<00:50:23.829><c> it</c><00:50:23.909><c> was</c><00:50:24.110><c> fading</c><00:50:24.429><c> away</c><00:50:24.730><c> in</c><00:50:25.070><c> any</c><00:50:25.329><c> case.</c>

00:50:25.730 --> 00:50:34.050
But<00:50:26.789><c> when</c><00:50:27.829><c> Christ</c><00:50:28.130><c> comes</c><00:50:28.449><c> back,</c><00:50:29.070><c> as</c><00:50:29.289><c> it</c><00:50:29.550><c> says</c><00:50:29.829><c> actually</c><00:50:30.650><c> in</c><00:50:32.989><c> Thessalonians,</c>

00:50:34.409 --> 00:50:39.030
look<00:50:34.590><c> at</c><00:50:34.949><c> 1</c><00:50:35.530><c> Thessalonians,</c><00:50:37.409><c> it</c><00:50:37.530><c> is</c><00:50:37.789><c> an</c><00:50:38.110><c> amazing</c><00:50:38.670><c> coincidence</c>

00:50:39.409 --> 00:50:41.510
with<00:50:39.710><c> what</c><00:50:39.889><c> we</c><00:50:40.329><c> witnessed</c><00:50:40.650><c> there.</c>

00:50:41.829 --> 00:50:46.090
In<00:50:41.989><c> 1</c><00:50:42.230><c> Thessalonians</c><00:50:43.050><c> chapter</c><00:50:43.409><c> 2,</c>

00:50:46.469 --> 00:50:54.369
the<00:50:46.510><c> apostle</c><00:50:46.789><c> Paul</c><00:50:51.150><c> wanted</c><00:50:52.829><c> to</c><00:50:53.130><c> come</c><00:50:53.389><c> to</c><00:50:53.590><c> the</c><00:50:53.789><c> Thessalonians,</c>

00:50:54.369 --> 00:50:58.630
but<00:50:54.909><c> Satan</c><00:50:55.449><c> hindered</c><00:50:57.070><c> his</c><00:50:57.670><c> coming.</c>

00:50:58.769 --> 00:51:00.550
He<00:50:58.809><c> says</c><00:50:58.969><c> in</c><00:50:59.110><c> verse</c><00:50:59.289><c> 19,</c>

00:51:01.010 --> 00:51:07.610
for<00:51:01.349><c> what</c><00:51:01.650><c> is</c><00:51:02.250><c> our</c><00:51:02.690><c> hope</c><00:51:03.150><c> or</c><00:51:04.309><c> joy</c><00:51:04.849><c> or</c><00:51:05.590><c> crown</c><00:51:05.889><c> of</c><00:51:06.190><c> rejoicing?</c>

00:51:07.969 --> 00:51:11.630
Are<00:51:08.030><c> not</c><00:51:08.210><c> even</c><00:51:08.710><c> ye</c><00:51:09.010><c> in</c><00:51:10.010><c> the</c><00:51:10.309><c> presence,</c><00:51:10.650><c> in</c><00:51:10.789><c> the</c><00:51:11.070><c> perusia</c>

00:51:11.630 --> 00:51:15.250
of<00:51:12.230><c> our</c><00:51:12.429><c> Lord</c><00:51:12.710><c> Jesus</c><00:51:13.150><c> Christ</c><00:51:13.670><c> at</c><00:51:14.190><c> his</c><00:51:14.429><c> coming?</c>

00:51:15.969 --> 00:51:18.730
When<00:51:16.150><c> an</c><00:51:16.329><c> important</c><00:51:16.610><c> official</c><00:51:16.929><c> came</c><00:51:17.289><c> that</c><00:51:17.489><c> was</c><00:51:17.690><c> called</c><00:51:17.829><c> his</c><00:51:18.130><c> perusia,</c>

00:51:18.989 --> 00:51:20.610
he<00:51:19.070><c> was</c><00:51:19.170><c> given</c><00:51:19.349><c> a</c><00:51:19.630><c> golden</c><00:51:20.010><c> crown.</c>

00:51:20.610 --> 00:51:23.289
But<00:51:21.550><c> apostle</c><00:51:21.869><c> Paul</c><00:51:22.170><c> says,</c>

00:51:23.550 --> 00:51:28.349
you<00:51:23.769><c> are</c><00:51:24.610><c> my</c><00:51:25.050><c> crown</c><00:51:25.469><c> at</c><00:51:26.250><c> the</c><00:51:26.510><c> perusia</c><00:51:27.130><c> when</c><00:51:27.630><c> the</c><00:51:27.750><c> Lord</c><00:51:27.989><c> Jesus</c>

00:51:28.349 --> 00:51:30.829
Christ<00:51:28.829><c> comes</c><00:51:30.449><c> back.</c>

00:51:31.030 --> 00:51:33.409
Just<00:51:31.170><c> like</c><00:51:31.349><c> the</c><00:51:31.429><c> apostle</c><00:51:31.710><c> Paul</c><00:51:31.949><c> has</c><00:51:32.170><c> been</c><00:51:32.449><c> promised</c><00:51:32.730><c> a</c><00:51:33.130><c> crown</c>

00:51:33.409 --> 00:51:34.250
of<00:51:33.730><c> righteousness</c>

00:51:34.250 --> 00:51:38.429
when<00:51:35.210><c> the</c><00:51:35.449><c> Lord</c><00:51:35.690><c> shall</c><00:51:36.070><c> appear</c><00:51:36.670><c> at</c><00:51:36.929><c> his</c><00:51:37.170><c> perusia.</c>

00:51:38.650 --> 00:51:44.150
So<00:51:38.829><c> it's</c><00:51:39.510><c> our</c><00:51:39.570><c> prayer</c><00:51:39.909><c> and</c><00:51:40.090><c> our</c><00:51:40.250><c> desire</c><00:51:40.570><c> that</c><00:51:40.809><c> we</c><00:51:41.389><c> all</c><00:51:41.849><c> may</c><00:51:42.369><c> obtain</c><00:51:42.929><c> that</c><00:51:43.210><c> crown</c><00:51:43.489><c> of</c><00:51:43.769><c> life</c>

00:51:44.150 --> 00:51:47.329
when<00:51:44.610><c> Jesus</c><00:51:44.909><c> comes</c><00:51:45.190><c> back</c><00:51:45.590><c> to</c><00:51:45.909><c> this</c><00:51:46.110><c> troubled</c><00:51:46.409><c> world.</c>