There to the Father's blood and blood,
Lord, what do you do?
There to the Father's blood and blood,
Lord, what do you do?
I am still on my knees with my son,
Jesus, who saved me, abides with me,
There at the cross, what do you do?
Lord, what do you do?
There to the Father's blood and blood,
Lord, what do you do?
There to the Father's blood and blood,
Lord, what do you do?
I am still on my knees with my son,
Jesus, who saved me,
Lord, what do you do?
I am still on my knees with my son,
Jesus, who saved me,
Glory to the Lord, glory to the Lord, glory to the Lord, glory to the Lord, glory to the Lord, glory to the Lord, glory to the Lord, glory to the Lord, glory to the Lord, glory to the Lord, glory to the Lord.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
And yeah, that's gonna be it for announcements. Let's go ahead and sing our next song
And yeah, that's gonna be it for announcements. Let's sing our next song
And yeah, that's gonna be it for announcements. Let's go ahead and sing our next song
And yeah, that's gonna be it for announcements
And yeah, that's gonna be it for announcements. Let's go ahead and sing our next song
And yeah, that's gonna be it for announcements
And yeah, that's gonna be it for announcements. Let's go ahead and sing our next song
Amen, so we'll be back there in Matthew chapter number 16 in a little bit
But if you want to actually go back to, I'm sorry, Matthew 14 is where we were
But if you want to go back to Mark 6, I'm going to continue on in Mark 6 and wrap up the chapter tonight
And there's obviously, you probably noticed there in reading through Matthew 14
That there's a lot of the events that were covered in Matthew 6
So it's a parallel passage, you have that also over in John 6
It's also a parallel passage. I really want to focus in on just the events
And when they're actually crossing the scene tonight
So if you want to keep something there in Matthew and maybe get something in John 6
We'll be there in a little bit. In Mark 6, of course, we're gonna be kind of looking at a couple things
In the beginning here and I'll do my best to present this in an orderly fashion
As best I can and hopefully you can do your best to follow along
And we'll see something I think that's truly amazing or profound
I remember the first time I heard this preached, the first time this was pointed out to me in the scripture
This is something that really I thought was very cool, very interesting
That you can see here in the story about them crossing the sea
It gives a lot of details here in these three passages about this crossing
And you kind of wonder why, what's the point of why are we learning about all these details
About where they were headed, where they ended up, how long they were when Jesus showed up
And all the things that took place
And when you start to kind of pick it apart and break it down and compare it to other scripts
You'll actually see that this crossing on the Sea of Galilee and Jesus coming unto them
I believe is a picture of the rapture
So we're gonna look at these few verses here, verses 47 through 56
And hopefully you'll see what was shown to me, the rapture on the sea
So look at Mark 6, verse 47
And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land
Remember this morning they fed the five thousand, Jesus constrained them to get in the ship
And to cross over, he went up into a mountain to pray
So he's separated from his disciples and his disciples have gone out into the midst of the sea
Jesus is the one that's alone on the land
And he saw them toiling and rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them
And about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea
And would have passed by them, but when they saw him walking upon the sea
They supposed it had been a spirit and cried out
For they all saw him and were troubled
And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them
Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid
And when he went up unto them into the ship, and the wind ceased
And they were sore amazed in themselves, beyond measure, and wondered
For they considered not the miracle of the loaves, for their heart was hardened
And when they had passed over, they came over to the land of Gennesaret
And drew to the shore, and when they had come out of the ship
Straightway they knew him, and ran through that whole region
Round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick
And where they heard he was
And whithersoever he entered, he was sick in the streets
And besought him that he might touch, if it were, but the board over his garment
And as many as touched him were made whole
So again we're going to look at this crossing here with the Sea of Galilee
Now you don't get a lot of the details that's actually taking place in the story
But when you look at the parallel passage, you're going to see that this is actually when Jesus walks on the water
Or excuse me, well Jesus is walking on the water, but when Peter goes out unto him out of the ship
But the first thing I want to point out here is that the distance that they cross there
The points, from what point they went to, from and what point they went to
If you would, go to John chapter 6 and verse 1
John chapter 6 and verse 1, it says there, after these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee
Which is the Sea of Tiberias and a great multitude followed because they saw his miracles
Which he did on them that were diseased
So that's just established that the sea we're talking about is in fact the Sea of Galilee
It was the sea that he went over and fed the 5,000 and the sea that they are now crossing back
Here in Mark 6 where we started out
So what is the starting point? Now the starting point as far as I can understand is not exactly clear
Where it is that they're shoving off from and going out to sea
We know that it's a desert place, that it's unpopulated
Meaning it's not one of these regions around the sea that has any kind of a town or a city
It's a deserted place, that was the purpose of them going there
And this is why it's important to let the Bible be your instructor, the Bible to teach you
Because if you were to go over to the Sea of Galilee today there would be people that would tell you that
Oh it's this city, they'll say that it was this town and that's a town that existed even back then
That doesn't make any sense because the place that they started from is deserted
Now I believe personally that this was on the east side of the Sea of Galilee
On the northern half of it, it's not a place that's even named in scripture
It's just this deserted place and that they're crossing over, tending to go to Capernaum
But end up in Gennesaret instead
So they go into a desert place, we know that from Mark 6 verse 31
And obviously this desert place is opposite, it had to be opposite of where they ended up
In order to cross the sea, they have to go across from wherever they are, they went over there
Matthew 14 verse 22
And straight away Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship and to go before him
Unto the other side while he sent the multitudes away
Now that's important detail because again people will tell you
Oh it's this certain town and if you look at it on a map it's like they just kind of went along the shore
The Bible is real clear that they crossed over the sea, they went over to the other side
That's an important detail
So we can kind of get an idea of where they started because we know that they ended up
Intending to go to Capernaum and they ended up in Gennesaret instead
So it's somewhere opposite that side which would be the east side of the Sea of Galilee
Okay everyone following that?
Cause if you just go listen, just go read something online or go take some historical tour over there
In the Sea of Galilee they're going to tell you this is where he shoved off from
And it's like they practically could have walked
I don't remember what the name of the town was today
But when you look out on a map it's like they just kind of went along that northwestern shore
Not very far at all
And it makes you wonder how they lined that up with verse 19 in John 6
Where it says they went five and twenty or thirty furlongs
Which as we'll see in a minute is three and a quarter to three and three quarters of a mile
So how did they go this little distance you know when they're about halfway through the lake
So hopefully you're keeping up here with me tonight and that's all making sense okay
The point I'm trying to make here is that they started on the east side of the Sea of Galilee
And crossed from a desert place that is not named meaning it's not a city it's not a town
It's deserted right and then they're crossing over across the Sea of Galilee
It says in John 6 verse 17 they entered into a ship and went over the sea toward Capernaum
Which is on the northern side of the Sea of Galilee
And it was now dark and Jesus was not come to them
So they're intending to go to Capernaum which is more towards the north
But the storm comes and it blows them off course
It says in Mark 6 look at verse 45
And straightway before unto Bethsaida while he sent the people away
So that's Bethsaida that's why they're going toward Capernaum
Because they're heading in that general direction from the east side up to the north
But what they end up doing is they end up I believe crossing from the east side to the west side to Gennesaret
Which is opposite of this desert place and end up crossing really I believe you know from what I can tell
The widest part of that lake at least on the northern half
You know it's kind of an oblong shape like that
But it's one of the widest points of the Sea of Galilee is what they end up doing
So they're in this uninhabited area on the eastern side opposite Gennesaret
And that's where they're starting and they're ending up other than where they intended
They intended to go into Bethsaida which is in the direction of Capernaum
But they end up in Gennesaret and that's Matthew 14 verse 34 makes that very clear
And when they were gone over meaning after all this had transpired
They came into the land of Gennesaret so that's where they ended up
They were trying to get to Bethsaida near Capernaum but end up on the actually a little bit further south
And directly west of where they started I believe
Now the distance between and this is the cool thing about the time that we're living in
You can just get on Google My Maps and go and look at a satellite image
And figure out where you know Gennesaret was which is a town today it's called
It's like a four-letter word like Gino or something I don't even know what it is anymore
But you can look at a biblical map where it was and then you can look at the desert place where they were approximately
And you can actually just put your cursor on there and you can measure the distance
You know and Google will tell you the exact distance that it is
And it's approximately seven miles it's well within that you know
And if you kind of worked you know exactly where they were I believe it probably came out to almost exactly seven miles
Now already you know that should be ringing some bells for us right because we know that there's going to be the seven years
The tribulation right that that's going to be what takes place in the end times we have that
That seven year period right of tribulation and wrath that's going to come upon the earth right
Now the distance between these coasts is seven miles or as the Bible would put it 56 furlongs
Because that's the measurement that we find in John six so go to John chapter number six
And this is where Jesus meets them is at the midpoint because a furlong is one eighth of a mile
Okay and that's what and most people know that like especially if you live it like for example up in
You know Tempe Phoenix area streets are laid out about one eighth of a mile you find that most streets
You know you have one eighth of a mile between streets okay
So they're about a furlong apart that's not a difficult measurement to come up with that's pretty common knowledge
John chapter 16 verse 17 it says they entered into a ship and went over the sea toward Capernaum
And it was now dark and Jesus would not come to them and the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew
So they had rode about five and twenty or thirty furlongs so you know the Bible is giving us a very specific measurement here
Right obviously it's an estimation you know it's between five and twenty or thirty furlongs
And I'm not gonna try to go to that deep tonight because you know I honestly I'm not that well versed
But this I believe ties even deeper into that period called the Great Tribulation
Which is kind of we kind of aren't exactly sure about when that exact midpoint you know after
Well we know the midpoint with the abomination of defilation but that time between the Great Tribulation
And God's wrath being poured out you know we say it's 75 days
You know some people would have exception with that but you know you can kind of see that reflected here
Right because even in the midpoint they're saying well it was about halfway
It was somewhere you know after that midpoint it was between five and twenty twenty five or thirty furlongs
Right it was somewhere from three and a quarter to three and three quarters of a mile across the sea
That Jesus came unto them and the distance that they're traveling is seven miles approximately
So what's half of seven three and a half all right we're with me tonight
Okay is the coffee still on all right we're gonna little interaction tonight little math quiz for you pop quiz
Right three and a half so you can see how this is already a picture of the rapture on the sea
You have Jesus or you have the disciples starting out on one side going through tribulation right
Because it's not easy sailing right they're not it's not a nice Sunday cruise around the lake
They're the wind is boisterous the wind is is is blowing it's they're fearing for their lives
They think they're gonna die and they're been sent into a storm
You know and that's the same thing that you know those that are here
Leading up to the return of Christ they're going to experience they're gonna experience tribulation right
They're gonna go through that
So again you can see this is a great picture of the rapture here in Mark six John six Matthew 14
They're going five and twenty or thirty furlongs that's when they see Jesus walking on the sea
And drawing nigh to the ship like you know halfway through we're gonna look up
And we're gonna see that our redemption draweth nigh that Jesus is coming near unto us
Right as lightning that shineth out of the east even unto the west every eye shall behold him
And they were afraid you know it's gonna be a fearful moment when Christ returns
As glad as we might be to see him it's probably gonna be pretty intense if we were here to see it
But he saith unto them it is I be not afraid
Then with they willingly received him into the ship and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went
And that's an interesting detail that you only get out of John six the other ones just kind of say when they made
And when they came over it doesn't really tell you the fact that they just were there
Which again is a great picture of the tribulation you know they didn't go through the rest of the storm
They you know we're not going to be here through God's wrath
We're just immediately gonna be on the peaceful shore of heaven
You know the storm was we get to skip that worst part of the storm right
We're just immediately we're on the other stand other side just like they were immediately at land whither they went
So they're going this distance right so if a furlong right is an eighth of a mile
Right there it means that they're going 56 furlongs across the sea
Because it's seven miles from that point where I believe they started
The desert place on the east side of Sea of Galilee over to Gennesaret
It's about seven miles or 56 furlongs so when it says they went five and 20 or 30 furlongs
You can see that's about halfway right because half of 56 is 28
Come on guys man sharpen up a little bit
All right I had to get a calculator you know half of 50 is 25 and half of 8 you know here we go
Okay all right so they went excuse me half of 16 is 8 so you add that up you have 28 right
56 divided by 2 is 28 anyone want to check me on that anyone want to make sure
Okay good I already knew I was right but you know that shows us that that's halfway
Right that's the distance that they're going so you know and look maybe you already understood this
Maybe you already convinced probably everyone here is already convinced of the pre you know the pre-wrath post-trib rapture
As we believe here right but you know this is great evidence and at the very least you know
It should show you that the details that are in the scripture are there for a reason
We should not just gloss over and ignore details in the scripture
There's often great kernels of truth that are there great things that we can learn and really can be
You know impressed by right I mean I remember when I first learned this I was
You know I wasn't shocked but I was definitely in awe of the fact that the Bible is just so tightly woven
There's so many elements that just come together and and just confirm you know one another
Now also what takes place if you would go to Matthew 14 when they're halfway through what happens
Jesus comes under the ship and then Peter goes out onto the water and is rescued
Right so it's again it's just a great picture of the tribulation Matthew chapter 14 in the rapture verse 22
And straightway Jesus constrained his side cycles to get in the ship and to go before him onto the other side
And he sent the multitudes away and we had sent the multitudes away
He went up into a mountain apart to pray and when the evening come he was there alone
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea meaning in the middle of it
The ship was in the midst of the sea that tossed with the waves for the wind was contrary
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went under them walking on the sea
And when the disciples saw him on the sea they were troubled saying it is a spirit and they cried out for fear
But Jesus spake saying unto them be of good cheer it is I be not afraid
And Peter answered him and said Lord if it be thou bid me come unto thee on the water
And Jesus said come and when Peter was come down out of the ship he walked on the water to go to Jesus
Now there's just so much to preach right there right that's such a great story
We could just set aside all the prophecy about talk about the faith that Peter had
And you know Peter is a great picture of somebody you know who is a flawed character
You know and often people kind of give Peter a black eye but this is one of his you know crowning moments
This is a high point for him you know the other 11 are still sitting in the ship when he's out there walking on the sea
Right and he's going out and you could say yeah but he sank
Well you know nothing ventured nothing gained I guess you know if you got to take some risks sometimes in life
You know to have a cool story you know I doubt he got back in the ship
And they're all like where'd it go Peter you know what's the matter you know cause it's like well I got out there buddy where were you doing
You know you were sitting in the ship right you know that's why we should be careful not to criticize people
When maybe they try something and it doesn't work out at least they try you know
Sometimes people will you know criticize a pastor or criticize a ministry
Because they attempt to do something and maybe it didn't work out the way that they wanted
You know maybe it wasn't the shining success that they would anticipated you know but at least they tried
You know it's better to try and to have failed to have never tried at all okay
And Peter of course is a great example of this he goes out on the ship and he walks in the water verse 29 to go to Jesus
But when he saw the wind boisterous he was afraid and that's the problem that we run into in life
Is that when we find ourselves in the midst of storms even if we've stepped out in faith when things get tough
When things get hard if we take our eyes off the Lord you know we ourselves are going to doubt
We're going to be afraid and we may begin to you know proverbially begin to sink right
And he begins to sink here why he's taking his eyes off the Lord and he's considering the waves around him
And he says what Lord save me right so he begins to sink he's in great tribulation right
It's gone from bad to worse all of a sudden right his faith is being tested his face is being tried
As the situation has only grown worse for him but notice when he cries out Lord save me
It says in verse 31 and immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him right
Which is exactly how the rapture is described that we shall be caught up together to be forever with the Lord right
We're going to be caught up with him you know that's what rapture means to be caught up
And he said unto him O thou of little faith wherefore didst thou doubt
So that's a great lesson to those maybe that one day will experience that that tribulation
You know when things go from bad to worse when it seems like the Lord's not going to be there for you
Like it's not going to happen that's you know he's going to come in an hour when you think not
So this is a great picture of the rapture here in this story
And it says in verse 32 and when they were come into the ship the wind ceased
Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him saying of a truth thou art the son of God
And you know again we know from John that they were immediately over on the other side
So again the rapture we know is the midpoint between these seven years these three and a half years
Okay that's when the rapture is taking place you go from God's tribulation
You have a small approximately 75 days of the great tribulation and you know they have God's wrath
You have the abomination of desolation being the midpoint when the Antichrist goes in the temple and defiles it
And then you have the rapture taking place so it all kind of lines up
And you say well I don't know I'm not convinced well you're there in Matthew just go over to Matthew 24
You know because some pre-tribbers might say you know you're kind of reaching for that
You know I mean yeah he comes in the midst of the sea you know if you believe that's where he started
And it was that long you know but is that all you got to prove your tribulation theory
That it's halfway through that it's like maybe if you had a verse that said it was after the tribulation that the Lord shows up
Well guess what I do I got one right we got we got a few in the parallel passages
Look at Matthew chapter 24 verse 29 immediately after the tribulation of those days
Place case closed there it is it's as plain as the nose on your face
And it's amazing to me that the pre-tribulation rapture still has any momentum behind it at all
That it still has a leg to stand on I just feel like it's you know hopefully by the time
You know I die and pass off the scene this has been preached enough where it's just like we take out the last leg from underneath of it
And you know I don't know obviously everything that's going on out there in the world of independent fundamental Baptists
But to me it seems like from what I've heard and you know for me kind of trying to put my finger on the pulse of things
And me kind of gauging the temperature out there so to speak it seems to me like the old IV is back way off on this
Like they kind of some of them are even kind of probably they would never admit it from their pulpit
But they're probably like Pastor Anderson's right and it's not that he's right they'd say like well the Bible's right
You know it's like well you know we don't like them for their what they preach about this and we don't like their style
We don't like the way they do things, but we got admit. You know they are they are kind of right about that whole
You know not being before the tribulation right like you kind of got us there. They'd never admit it
But you know silence often says more than anything right silence speaks as they say right that the silence is deafening
There were a few you know flailing attempts at the beginning when this doctrine was first being torn down
You know they brought in you know their so-called experts to try and you know figure this out
But I think that they just dug their grave even deeper and I think now they're just kind of giving up
And they just kind of stay away from prophecy all together
It's too bad they wouldn't just let you know then that's fine. It's too bad
They won't let people that don't believe on this day in their church
You know it's a shame when people disagree on this and get kicked out of their church
They get kicked out of their church because they're not pre-trib what a stupid reason to kick somebody out of church
It's not even biblical to kick somebody out of church because they have a different view on end times prophecy
It's dumb you know and that to me. That's just insecurity
Well, I can't have somebody around who actually knows what the Bible says about that
You know I don't want to have to actually get up and try to defend my position in front everybody
I just want a bunch of people that believe like me
And then I'll never have to you know try and figure it out because if I know if I tried to figure it out
I'd find out I was wrong
And then I'd have to eat crow
So they just kick people out not all of them, but you know I hear that way too often
Just people you know they express that they believe this
What the Bible says immediately after the tribulation of those days
Shall the Sun be darkened and the moon shall not give her light
And the star shall fall from heaven and the powers of heaven shall be shaken
Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven
I mean it's just A, B, C right
Tribulation, the sun and moon darkened, the Son of Man appearing
And when you compare that with Revelation chapter 6
It all just falls together
As Revelation 6 you have the sixth seal being open
And the sun becoming black as sackcloth of hair and the moon becoming as blood
That's the sixth seal meaning five others have come before it
Where you have you know the tribulation being coming upon the face of the earth
Okay
So again this is just it's just so plain to see
It's plain to see in Matthew 24 but it's also interesting to see it play out
Elsewhere in the scripture
It's like it's almost as if God knew that these pre-tribbers
Were gonna deny even something that's as plain as Matthew 24 and elsewhere
That he is like okay well let me slip this in here in John 6
Let me give you another picture of the tribulation
In Jesus coming under them in the Sea of Galilee
You know let me slip the rapture in on the crossing of the sea right
It's there
And the disciples end up immediately on land
Now obviously I'm sure that's not coming as news to a lot of people tonight
So you know there's not a lot you're gonna do with that
Other than maybe you know feel confident that you're right about
In times of prophecy at least in that regard
But let me also just make some non prophetic application
Before we dismiss tonight okay
The other thing I'd like to point out about the story
Is that Jesus wasn't caught off guard by this
It wasn't like whoops my bad you know
Sorry I didn't check the weather that morning
You know like oh man I didn't realize there was a storm brewing
You know sorry about that guys
I mean Jesus in the story you know calms the sea
Like he can do that right
We see elsewhere he just says peace be still
It happens right
We know that he is the creator
He is control of the natural elements of this world right
So it's not like Jesus knew full well that there was a storm coming
So that means Jesus deliberately and intentionally sent them into the storm okay
And that's a picture of the Christian life
We if we're gonna serve the Lord we will go through storms
We will go through high points and we will go through low points as we serve God
As individuals and as a church
We're gonna go up and down like this
Things are where there's gonna be storms that we go through
You say well what do you do about that
Well you know it's a great time you have to always kind of see the silver lining right
You know it's a great time in the midst of the storm to exercise your faith
Often that's why God puts us through a storm
To test our mettle to see what we're made of
To see if we'll continue to trust in him
If we'll attempt to do something bold like Peter
Or if we'll begin to doubt also like Peter
You know God puts us into these storms
And gives us opportunity to exercise our faith
That's why he is the God of all comfort right
And he comforts us in all our tribulations
God comforts us in the midst of tribulation
Right often we want to be comforted if God never have to go through tribulation
But you know we we would tend to maybe take God for granted
If we never went through anything
You know if when we go through things
That's the opportunity for us to to get with God and see him show up
And do things and work at the very least
Reassure our hearts
You know maybe even if God doesn't do some great miracle in your life
Doesn't just change the situation that you're in
Maybe you could at least have the fellowship
And the peace of knowing that God is with you
In the midst of that storm whatever it might be
You could say like Peter Lord save me and immediately his hand is there
To guide you back and to get you through the storm
You know that's a great application here in the story
Jesus sends them into the storm but he also comes under them in the storm
And comforts them in the storm saves them from the storm
Gives them an opportunity to exercise their faith
You know Jesus will see us through these storms that we go through
And that's why it's always you know kind of mind-boggling
To see how people in this world how do they go through life
Because we're all going to go through storms it's not just Christians
You know life is inherently you know painful
We're all going to go through suffering
At least we have the comfort of the Holy Spirit
At least we have God to see us through those things
And you wonder sometimes how people out in the world
Can get up and face life sometimes
And sometimes they can't
That's why a lot of them despair and they just
They make their lives about vain things
They distract themselves you know
They numb themselves with drugs and alcohol
They just become materialistic
And just try to make their life about things and stuff
And they're really just trying to distract themselves
From a lot of times from the pain and suffering that comes in life
Okay
And sometimes those things are unavoidable
Right we're all going to go everyone's going to suffer
So there's just some things that it doesn't matter how numb you make yourself
Or what you distract yourself with
You are going to be confronted with suffering in this life
It's unavoidable
At least we have the God of all comfort
To comfort us in our tribulation
To see us through these storms just like Jesus in the story
You know we would rather just like not to have any suffering
Right we would rather just say you know Lord it would be better
You know why permit us to suffer at all
But the Bible says that through suffering what the heart is made better
Right that it's better to go into the house of mourning
Than into the house of myrrh and the wise shall lay it to heart
Okay and I know I'm paraphrasing there
But that's what the Bible says that it's better to mourn
It's better to go in the house of mourning
You know it's better to suffer because it would be better
You know it's better to suffer because it will make you a better person
Right it will make you more empathetic to other people
And the suffering they go through
You know it will make us able to comfort those
Also in any tribulation that they are in
Because we are able to comfort them with the same tribute
Or excuse me the same comfort that we are comforted of God
Okay
So that's the kind of the non-prophetic application there
You thought I was just gonna let you get out of here
You know with only prophecy tonight
But you know I gave the prophecy fans a little bit of prophecy tonight
I know that's not really my forte
But there you go that's what I got for you
You can't say I'd never preach on it alright
So I did and it's gonna be some prophecy and it's there
It's just there in our text and I think it's cool
You know and it's so funny because every time I read that story
I always think there was a person
Who shall remain unnamed none of you know who this person is
This is a relative back in Michigan
Who was kind of when we first my wife and I first came around
On the the tribulation you know being
You know in the midst right after it's after the tribulation
You know when we kind of came around in that doctor
And we were trying to convince this other person
And you know they weren't receiving it and then I showed them this
And and as I'm showing them they're like
They're literally like going no no
No like that they're like you're expressing this
This loathsome feeling that it's there again
You know there it is like not only do they have verses that say
After the tribulation that doesn't line up
In Matthew 5 6 and 7 or excuse me Revelation 6 7 5 6 and 7
Not as all of those verses just you know in passages just fit like a glove
But now it's showing up again in John 6
It's just right in your face over and over and over again
And they're just like literally like no
It's like what's the problem?
Do you know what it is? You know why people have a problem with it?
It's because people don't want to suffer
People don't like the idea that they might have to go through tribulation
But Paul said that we all through must through much tribulation
Enter in the kingdom of God
Like whether you're gonna face the tribulation the end times or not
You're still gonna go through tribulation in this life
You know what's the big deal?
And I think that tribulation will at least be cool
You know it wouldn't just be like oh my finances and my health
Like the same tribulation everybody has
Right? Oh I lost somebody I love
It's like well I mean I'm not trying to downplay those things
Obviously those things suck
Right?
But it's like at least that tribulation is cool
To me that would probably be easier
You know like
Then some horrific tragedy befalling me which can happen at any moment
You know that's what we should be pulling on our face and crying
No! Don't let it happen
It's like end times prophecy, tribulation, you know pestilence, war, famine
Bring it on
You know I think at least we'll get to see it play out
You know it'll make our newsfeed a little more interesting
Right? At least it won't be you know some you know
What whoremonger of Hollywood is you know marrying who next
You know it won't be people up in arms over you know some abomination
At least we'll know that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh
You know it'll still be terrifying
It'll still be like they saw Jesus coming they were afraid and cried out
But at least they were you know we'll have peace at the end of it
I think that tribulation would actually be better than any tribulation you could face in this life
Right?
But people don't they freak out when they start thinking about that sometimes
I remember when Covid that whole thing first broke out
And like everyone's just like oh man here we go it's like well what are you gonna you know
What are you gonna do in the tribulation when it really comes
You know they tell you to stay home and wear a mask for a little while
And it's just like you think the world's over this is it
You know it's like you do realize like the Antichrist is gonna show up
And that there's gonna be a one world government like it's gonna be ten times worse than that
There's a good thought to close on
Right?
But at least that's cool
At least that's you know I think it'd be cool to see the events play out
You know it's easy for me to say that when I'm not going through it
Maybe I'll change my mind as soon as that first seal gets cracked open
I'll be like you know what I changed my mind this isn't cool right
But it's like even then it's just three and a half years
I know a lot can happen in three and a half years
It'd be a long three and a half years but it's still gonna come to an end
And it's like come on guys you know you've already gone you know the three and a half miles
Or whatever it is across the lake
There's only three and a half more it's not that big of a deal
You've only got to go so far across the lake and the Lord's gonna show up and rescue you
So anyway I'm kind of ranting at this point
But you know it's there in the text I think it's cool
I think it's a cool story
I think it's a great reminder that there's gems in the Bible
And no matter how many times you read it
And I know there's things here that even in this story tonight that I'm just missing
There's probably more deeper connections that you can make to end times prophecy
There's probably you know a lot more parallels that are there in this story
That you know we will be able to uncover in years to come
So keep reading your Bible pay attention when you're reading it
And you know when you go through tribulation in life
Which is unavoidable for all of us
You know you can rest assured that God will be there
You know we'll always be there
And you know when you go through tribulation in life
You can rest assured that God will be there
You know all you need to do is go to him
And he'll hear
Let's go ahead and close the word of prayer
Lord again thank you for this great story
Thank you that you'll never leave us nor forsake us
And Lord you don't guard us from the unavoidable storms of life Lord
But that you comfort us through those things
Thank you for that
That you haven't made life just a cakewalk Lord
That we still have suffering to endure
That we still have to walk in your footsteps
That we have to follow you as an example of somebody
Who endured great suffering in this world and in this life
And Lord I pray you'd help us as we go through these storms of life
That are inevitable Lord that we would be found
Crying out to you in those times Lord
So that we could know the peace and the comfort of the Holy Spirit
We ask these things in Christ's name Amen
Alright we'll go ahead and sing one more song before we are dismissed tonight
If you could please open up your song books to song number 389
We'll sing the song number 389, bring them in
We'll sing it out to the first heart to the shadows one more time
Alright we'll begin the next part of your dream
Lift up your voices on the first
Heart to the shadows one more time
To EX Actually
Use you strength
to shed
depth
In when you
In when
in what it feels
In what it feels
In when you
In what it feels
Jesus, Lord, you are my shepherd, Lord.
I'll give you great ones tonight.
I'll give you the last ones to come home,
where we shall come home.
Great, great, great, great, great, great, great,
Jesus.
Relax.
Wait, wait for me
Wait, yeah
Wait on me
We were great
We were very Observatory
When the water started to translation
ought to see
And when you seeing the Biarchos
you