Unavoidable Eternity

[0:00] But we're going to turn now to our reading, and we're going to read together once again in Psalm 48, that we've been studying for these Sunday mornings through August, page 472 if you have one of the visitor's Bibles.

[0:14] And once again, we're going to read the whole of the psalm, although really our focus today is just on the very last verse. A song, a psalm of the sons of Korah.

[0:31] Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth.

[0:44] Mount Zion in the far north, the city of the great king. Within her citadels, God has made himself known as a fortress. For behold, the kings assembled.

[0:56] They came on together. As soon as they saw it, they were astounded. They were in panic. They took to flight. Trembling took hold of them. They are anguish as of a woman in labor. By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish.

[1:13] As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.

[1:29] As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness. Let Mount Zion be glad.

[1:40] Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments. Walk about Zion. Go around her. Number her towers. Consider well her ramparts.

[1:52] Go through her citadels. That you may tell the next generation that this is God. Our God. Forever and ever. He will guide us forever.

[2:04] And just listen as I read some words from the very last portion of the Bible. It speaks of that forever. And the last word of the psalm.

[2:16] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city and new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.

[2:29] prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.

[2:40] He will dwell with them. And they will be his people. And God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

[2:52] And death shall be no more. Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore. For the former things have passed away.

[3:06] And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun. For the Lord God will be their light. And they will reign forever and ever.

[3:22] Amen. And may God bless to us this his word. Perhaps you turn with me to the Bible passage that we read together.

[3:37] Psalm 48. Which if you have one of the church Bibles. I think it's page 472. And if you've been here for the last few weeks. Ought to now. By now be becoming.

[3:49] I hope pretty familiar to us. This is our fourth Sunday. Studying just this one Psalm. It's not what we usually do. But we are taking the time during August. To read.

[3:59] To mark. To learn. To inwardly digest. All the truth. In this portion of scripture. In this great psalm. To meditate on it. And to eke out.

[4:11] All the riches that it has. To give to us. And I think we've discovered. That there's rather a lot in it. And of course there's always more in God's word. Than we think there is.

[4:22] At first sight. Isn't there? And that's why we need to. Meditate. On this word. As verse 9 of the psalm suggests. We have thought. We have meditated. Is the word.

[4:32] On your steadfast love. O God. In the midst of your temple. And we've been doing that. For these last few weeks. Together. And I think we've seen. I hope we have.

[4:43] That this message. Is very clear. It's a psalm that speaks. Doesn't it? Of the unashamed confidence. That we've been singing about. In these hymns. About the city of God.

[4:55] The unashamed confidence. Of the true. Christian believer. Of the one who knows. That they've found. Ultimate safety. Ultimate security. Security in life.

[5:06] And in death. Because. They know that they have citizenship. Of the city of God. Because they find that one place. Where the true and living God.

[5:19] Makes himself known. And dwells. Among human beings. Verse 3 of the psalm. Within the citadels. Of the city of God. That is in.

[5:30] God's. Chosen place. Of a revelation of himself. And God's chosen place. To give unique salvation. To those who are his people.

[5:43] And for the psalmist here. It was Zion city. It was. The city of the great king. It was the place. Of. The temple of God. The dwelling place. Of God. On earth.

[5:54] But of course. For every. Christian believer. Since. The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. And since the. Fulfilling. Of all God's promises. In the Lord Jesus himself.

[6:05] He is. As he told us. He is. The eternal. Everlasting. Temple. Where God dwells. In bodily form. And his church. And his kingdom.

[6:15] Is the. The place. Where eternally. He will dwell. And has promised to dwell. With his people. Because he is. Emmanuel. Remember as the prophets promised.

[6:27] He is the one. Who at last came. To be God. With us. In the midst. Forever. Forever. And so. Every true Christian believer. Can have this same. Unashamed.

[6:38] Confidence. Of the psalmist. Not in himself. Of course. As a strong tower. Of salvation. But in God. As that tower. He is the one. Who has placed. His walls.

[6:50] Of salvation. All around. His people. Through the death. That Jesus died. Bringing forgiveness. Of sins. Forever. And ever. Protecting.

[7:00] His people. From every accusation. From every persecution. From every enemy. From everything. Preserved. In his presence. Forever. And ever.

[7:12] But we have seen. I think also. Very clearly. In the psalm. That that is. Alas. Not so. For those. Who are unbelievers. Who are. Enemies.

[7:22] Still outside. The city of God. Refusing. The protection. That comes only. From his presence. In the midst. And from his offer. Of peace. There is an undeniable.

[7:33] Contrast. Isn't there. At the heart. Of this psalm. As we have seen. Between the safety. And the security. That is inside. The city of God. And the shock.

[7:43] And the shattering. That is outside. Those walls. Verse 6. Trembling. Anguish. People shattered. By the winds of God. Because that contrast.

[7:55] Can't ever. Ever be. A cause of. Self. Congratulation. For those. Who are inside. God's city. Of course not. Rather. What it does. As we saw last time.

[8:06] Is give the people of God. Undeniable. Priorities. Unmistakable. Priority. Tasks. To know. And to tell. This gospel.

[8:17] To the world. So that the world. So that the ends of the earth. As the psalm speaks of. Here may truly find. Their joy. In the city of God. And the next generation. Will hear the truth.

[8:29] That the last two verses. Of the psalm speak of. That this is our God. And that they will come. And rejoice. Inside that city of salvation. Finding. That eternal safety. So we saw last time.

[8:41] Didn't we? That. God's people are called. To teach ourselves. The gospel. That's verse 9. Meditating. On the steadfast. Covenant love. Meditating. On God's. Gospel promises.

[8:52] And training ourselves. To communicate that gospel. That's verse 12. Walking about. Going around. Getting clear. On the dimensions. All the varied wonders. Of the citadels.

[9:03] Of our salvation. So that. Notice verse 13. So that. You might do something. What? Tell. Tell the next generation. Tell the whole world.

[9:14] Indeed the psalm is speaking about. So that God's praise. Reaches to the ends of the earth. Tell them that this is God. Forever.

[9:25] That brings us to this very last little verse of the psalm. Verse 14. That this is God. Forever and ever. And that he will guide us. Forever.

[9:37] Or as the footnote says down at the bottom. Beyond death. See the psalm. Ends by reminding us. That the most compelling reason of all.

[9:47] For everything. It's urged us so far. Lies in that last word. Of the psalm. Because what he's telling us. Is that there is. For every single human being.

[9:59] There is an unavoidable. Eternity. This is God. Forever and ever. He says. And the psalmist is clearly talking. All through the psalm then.

[10:09] Isn't he? About something far more extensive. Than merely our earthly lifetime. That language of forever and ever in the Bible. It conveys the most distant time imaginable.

[10:23] Stretching out right into the future. Going on and on and on. Something that truly is everlasting. Never ending. And he's talking about the duration.

[10:33] Not of our earthly lifetimes. But of God's everlasting lifetime. God is forever and ever. He says. And therefore he will guide us. Notice. Forever.

[10:45] Or as some versions put it. He will lead us. Forever. It's the language of shepherding. It's the language of shepherding the flock. That's so familiar in the Bible. Especially in the psalm. Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd.

[10:57] I will not want. He leads me. By still waters. He leads me. He guides me. In paths of righteousness. That's the language. Or in Psalm 80. Give ear.

[11:07] O shepherd of Israel. You who lead Joseph. Like a flock. Or Psalm 78. He led out his people like sheep. He guided them in the wilderness.

[11:18] Like a flock. You see it. God the shepherd. Leading and guiding his people. You read the prophets of the Old Testament. They used exactly the same language.

[11:29] So great prophet Isaiah. Looks back to the great exodus. The great redemption out of Egypt. And he uses these words. Like livestock going down into the valley. The spirit of the Lord gave them rest.

[11:41] So you led. You guided your people. Led them like a shepherd. To make for yourself a glorious name. And then he looks forward. Isaiah. To the great redemption still to come.

[11:53] Through the Redeemer. Through God's servant. The Messiah. Who was to come. Who was going to bring salvation. Right to the very ends of the earth. Like this psalm speaks of. And he says. In that day. They shall not hunger nor thirst.

[12:07] Neither scorching wind. Shall strike them. For he who has pity on them. Shall lead them. And by springs of water. He'll guide them. And all flesh shall know.

[12:18] That I am the Lord. Your Savior. He's speaking of the shepherd. Who'll lead his people to ultimate rest. Ultimate. Safety. And security.

[12:29] Forever. Beyond. And merely. Our earthly lives. If you look down at the footnote. In verse 14. You'll see it gives an alternative.

[12:40] Our version translates. The Greek Old Testament. And here's the. The Hebrew. He will guide us. Beyond death. Or you could render it literally. He will lead us.

[12:51] Or he will shepherd us. Even over. Death. And beyond. Clearly. The inference here. Is that the issue.

[13:02] Is eternity. It's forever. As I've said already. There are people. Who confidently. Proclaim. That in the Old Testament. You don't find any.

[13:13] Sense. Or expectation. Of resurrection. No sense. Of life everlasting. Well friends. All you have to do. Is read the Old Testament. To see how plainly. Absurd. That is. And we saw it last time.

[13:25] Didn't we. In Hebrews chapter 11. We're told. Absolutely. Plainly. That Abraham. All the patriarchs. Moses. Were from the very beginning. Seeking a homeland. Beyond.

[13:36] Their own deaths. And that's what their faith expressed. It was. It was obeying. In response. To a promise of God. For a heavenly city. For an enduring city.

[13:47] But it's everywhere. In the Old Testament. And you especially find it. In the Psalms. Which so often express. That understanding. Of living life. With God. In his presence.

[13:57] That is never ending. In fact. If you just look. To the very next Psalm. Psalm 49 here. And you'll see. That verses 7 to 9. Tell us so plainly. About this. Don't they? They say that no man.

[14:08] Can make himself a mortal. Or live forever. He's finite. Verse 7. Truly no man. Can ransom another. Or give God. The price of his life. For the ransom of his life. Is costing.

[14:19] Can never suffice. That he should live on forever. And never see the pit. Man can't do that. Verse 10. Because he sees. That even the wise die. The fool and the stupid alike. Must perish.

[14:29] And leave their wealth to others. Their graves. Are their homes. Forever. Notice. Their dwelling place. To all generations.

[14:40] Though they called lands. By their old names. Man in his pomp. His pride. His self-sufficiency. Will not remain. He is like the beasts. That perish.

[14:52] Verse 14. Like sheep. They are appointed for shale. Death. Will be their shepherd. Notice the language. But look at verse 15.

[15:05] But. God. Will ransom. My soul. From the power of shale. For he. Will receive me. Striking contrast.

[15:15] Isn't it? If God is your shepherd. To lead you forever. Beyond death. He will ransom. Your soul. From the power of shale. From the place of the dead. Look at the last verse.

[15:26] Of Psalm 49. Man in his pomp. Yet without understanding. is like the beasts. That perish. But not so.

[15:37] He's telling us. For the one who does have understanding. For the one who has. Bowed his knee. To the God. Who alone. Will shepherd. His people. Forever.

[15:48] And ever. Beyond death. He will guide us. Forever. That's a cry of triumph. Isn't it? At the end of this psalm. That's the translation.

[16:00] Of the Greek Old Testament. You could put it. Just as well. This way. He will shepherd us. Into the ages. The same language. In the Greek text.

[16:11] Of the Old Testament. There. That's used. In the New Testament. To speak about eternity. To speak about. The eternal kingdom. The eternal glory. The eternal life. That is promised. Through Jesus Christ.

[16:22] Our great shepherd. Into the ages. Is the life. Of God's people. See the point. God. Is the eternal God. He's the everlasting God.

[16:34] He is the God. Forever. And therefore. The message about this God. The gospel about this God. Is an eternal gospel. It's a word.

[16:47] That's proclaimed to everyone. Who dwells on the earth. And must be proclaimed to them. To every nation. And tribe. And language. And people. That's how the angel. Puts it to the apostle John. In his great vision.

[16:57] In Revelation chapter 14. And he says. This is the eternal gospel. It's this. Fear God. And give him glory. Because. The hour of his judgment. Has come. And worship him.

[17:08] Who made the earth. And the heaven. The sea. And the springs of water. Why? Because it concerns. Not just the present. Not just this life. But eternity.

[17:19] Forever. And ever. Beyond. Beyond our mere mortal lives. Because our mere mortal lives. Are just a puff of wind. Just like a blade of grass.

[17:31] Mid the eons of eternity. This God. Who alone. Is eternal. Will be the sovereign guide. The shepherd.

[17:42] The leader. Of the eternal destiny. Of every single human being. In this world. Either one way.

[17:52] Or the other. That's what this psalm. Is teaching us. That's what the whole bible. Teaches us friends. He will shepherd. Every single human being. Unto death. And over death.

[18:03] And beyond death. Death. But the question you see is. What kind of shepherd guide. Will he be. Over death.

[18:15] For every one of us. This God is the. The only God. If he's the creator of all. If he's the judge of all. Then. The Lord Jesus says. So is there only two ways.

[18:26] Only two ways. In which we can relate. To his guiding leadership. Forever. And in Jesus' own words. We will relate to the shepherd.

[18:36] Either as the sheep. Or as the goats. Either as. The beloved friends of God. Whom he welcomes. Into his eternal city. Or as the cursed enemies of God.

[18:47] Who choose themselves. To remain outside. Or in the words of this psalm. Those who are. Who are rejoicing. Inside his city. Proclaiming his love. As verse nine says.

[18:57] Or. As verses four to eight show us. Being outside the city. Raging. And therefore. Provoking his wrath. And what's been true.

[19:08] You see. Through time and history. For every single human being. Will be true. Ever after. And ever onwards. Eternally.

[19:19] Forever. That's what this verse is telling us. See. The psalm. Pictures the truth. As it's seen in history. As it's seen in our own experience.

[19:29] It's picturing this undeniable contrast. That there is. This divide. That there is. Between those who are with God. And those who are against God. But it therefore also.

[19:40] You see. Is picturing for us. That ultimate. Eternal truth. What the consequences are. Forever. For those who are the friends.

[19:51] Of God in Christ. And those who insist on remaining enemies. On the one hand. It's showing us a picture of security. Forever. In his love. In the city.

[20:01] Verse 8. Which he is establishing. Forever. In the midst of his dwelling place. Filled with his knowledge. Filled with his love. Or.

[20:12] It's showing us. Verses 5 and 6. Projected. For eternity. Tremor. Terror. Trembling. Pain. Anguish. Forever and ever.

[20:22] Forever. And that's why we've got to take this seriously. Because. What this psalm is depicting. Is just what the whole New Testament. Is making crystal clear.

[20:35] That where the whole story of the Bible ends. The whole story of this world ends. Is in the terminus. The end. Of the city of man. Which is against God. It will be destroyed forever.

[20:48] On the other hand. It shows us as we read. The triumph of the city of God. Which is gloriously vindicated forever. At the coming of Jesus. And we've looked already at.

[21:00] Revelation. John's vision. Where it's portrayed so graphically. But I want you to turn there with me. Because. I want you to see. The undeniable contrast there. As it becomes. Eternal.

[21:11] Turn to. To Revelation. Chapter 7. You'll find it on page 1032. I think in our. In our church Bibles. Helps us to see.

[21:22] This undeniable contrast. As it becomes. Forever set. In. Unavoidable. Eternity. The eternity. That awaits. Every single person. Every part.

[21:33] Of this whole world. First of all. Look at. Look at Revelation 7. And verse 9 onwards. What a glorious vision this is. After I looked. And behold.

[21:43] A great multitude. That no one could number. From every nation. From tribes. And peoples. And languages. Standing before the throne. And before the Lamb. Clothed in white robes. With palm branches in their hands.

[21:55] Crying out with a loud voice. Salvation belongs to our God. Who sits on the throne. And to the Lamb. All the angels. Were standing around the throne. And around the elders.

[22:05] And the four living creatures. And they fell on their faces. Before the throne. And worshipped God. Saying. Amen. Blessing. And glory. And wisdom. And thanksgiving. And honor. And power. And might. Be to our God.

[22:16] Forever and ever. Amen. Then one of the elders. Addressed me. Saying. Who are these? Clothed in white robes. And from where have they come? I said to him.

[22:26] Sir. You know. And he said to me. These are the ones. Coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes. And made them white. In the blood of the Lamb. Therefore.

[22:37] They are before. The throne of God. And serve him. Day and night. In his temple. And he who sits on the throne. Will shelter them. With his presence. They shall hunger no more.

[22:48] Neither thirst anymore. The sun shall not strike them. Nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb. In the midst of the throne. Will be their shepherd. Notice.

[22:59] And he will guide them. To springs. Of living water. And God will wipe away. Every tear. From their eyes.

[23:10] He will be their shepherd. He will guide them forever. The springs of living water. Beyond death. In a wonderful.

[23:20] Glorious shepherding. That will be in the place. Of life everlasting. Living waters. Wiping away. Every tear. The curse. Will be ended. Death is defeated. Forever.

[23:30] Ever. And ever. That's the gospel. Of this son. That's the gospel. Of the whole Bible. That is the hope. In which we're saved. Says the apostle Paul. That's our full salvation.

[23:41] When at last. Freed. From the wrath of God. And for the glory of God. We will be raised. In glorious resurrection bodies. Like Jesus Christ.

[23:52] To live. Forever. With him. That's what the psalmist. Looking forward to. Right back here. In Psalm 48. When he talks about. Being guarded by God.

[24:02] Guided by God. Led by God. Shepherded by God. Even over death. Forever. That's the faith. Of the whole Bible. That was Abraham's faith.

[24:14] As we saw last time. In Hebrews 11. He considered. God was able. To raise him. From the dead. And so he lived. In this world. For the heavenly city.

[24:24] For the eternal dwelling. Of God. Isaiah the prophet. Promised. And looked forward. To that great day. And told the people of Israel. About it. He says. On that day. God will swallow up. Death forever. For the Lord.

[24:35] Your God. Will wipe away. Tears from all faces. And it will be said. On that day. Behold. This is our God. We have waited for him. That he might save us. Let us be glad.

[24:46] And rejoice. In his salvation. And here it is. At last. What they're all speaking about. Fulfilled. Accomplished forever. Through the death. And resurrection.

[24:56] Of Jesus Christ. And coming soon. Says Jesus. At the end of Revelation. When at last. As the last two chapters. Of that vision picture. So wonderfully.

[25:06] That eternal city. The heavenly. New Jerusalem. Descends from God. And the dwelling place of God. Will be with men. Forever. And he'll wipe away.

[25:17] Every tear. From our eyes. And death. Shall be no more. Now there shall be mourning. Or crying. Or any pain.

[25:28] Because he says. Those former things. Have passed away. And they shall see his face. He says. And his name. Shall be on our foreheads. And night shall be no more.

[25:39] And we won't need. The light of the sun. Or lamps. Because the Lord. Our God. In the midst. Will be the lamp. And we will reign with him. Beyond death. Forever.

[25:51] Into the ages. He will guide us. Beyond death. Forever. And that marvelous vision friends. In all its.

[26:02] Its beauty. In all its wonder. That's where the last line of our psalm here. Finds that glorious reality. Among those from all the earth.

[26:12] From the ends of the earth. From every tribe. And people. And nation. Who have found. In Jesus Christ. The joy. Of the whole earth. And have taken shelter. In his saving presence.

[26:24] And found that great safety. And found that home. Forever and ever. A glorious eternity. Beyond death. Forever and ever. But alas.

[26:36] What a contrast. For those. Who are unbelievers. Those who have. Scorned. And rejected. And refused. The grace and mercy.

[26:48] Of his heavenly city. Turn back a page. To Revelation chapter 6. We can't avoid. Seeing this. Awful. Terrible. Eternal. Contrast. Chapter 6.

[27:01] Verse 12. When he opened the sixth seal. I looked. And behold. It was a great earthquake. And the sun became black. As sackcloth. The moon became like blood. And the stars of the sky.

[27:12] Fell to the earth. As a fig tree. Sheds its winter fruit. And shaken by a gale. The sky vanished. Like a scroll. That's being rolled up. And every mountain and island. Was removed from its place.

[27:23] And then. The kings of the earth. The great ones. And the generals. And the rich. And the powerful. And everyone. Slave and free. Hid themselves in the caves.

[27:34] And among the rocks. Of the mountains. Calling on the mountains. And the rocks. Fall on us. And hide us. From the face of him. Who is seated on the throne. And from the wrath.

[27:45] Of the lamb. For the great day. Of their wrath. Has come. And who can stand. What a terrible contrast.

[27:56] That is. Isn't it? Hiding from the wrath. Of the lamb. Of the Lord Jesus Christ himself. Listen to these words. From later on. In the same vision.

[28:07] He. That is Jesus. Will rule them. Will shepherd them. Same words. With a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress.

[28:20] Of the fury. Of the wrath. Of God almighty. You see that friends. Is the. The undeniable contrast. Of this psalm.

[28:30] Extended into the unavoidable. Eternity. That surely awaits. Every single creature. Under heaven. There is an unavoidable.

[28:42] Eternity. The Bible tells us. God has put. Eternity. Into the hearts. Of men and women. That is where we belong. That is what we are made for.

[28:55] And this God. You see. The only God. The true and living God. This God. Made known in Jesus Christ. Will shepherd. Will lead. Will rule. Every single human being.

[29:06] Unto death. Death. And over death. Into. The eternal ages. And he will do that. In only one of these two ways.

[29:17] Either as a shepherd. Leading to streams. Of living water. To eternal joy. And delight. Where tears. And all. That is evil. Are left behind. Forever and ever.

[29:29] Or as we. Have seen. Right here. He will be a shepherd. Who leads. To face the fury. Of the wrath. Of God almighty.

[29:41] And his lamb. Revelation chapter 22. The very last chapter. Of the Bible. Sums it up in this way. You might like to turn. Page 1042. Revelation 22.

[29:55] In verse 14. Blessed are those. Who have washed their robes. By believing and trusting. In the gospel of Christ. So that they might have. The right.

[30:06] To the tree of life. And that they may. Enter the city. By the gates. But. Verse 15. Outside. Outside are those.

[30:19] Who have. Persisted in rejecting God. And his ways. Everyone. Everyone. Who loves. And practices. Falsehood.

[30:30] And that's the message. Look at verse 16. That I. Jesus. Have sent my angel. To testify. To you. That's the message.

[30:41] Jesus Christ. Has called. To be proclaimed. To this whole. Wide. World. Outside. Forever.

[30:53] Or inside. Forever. Forever. The words of the ancient saying. Of the church. Are true. Extra.

[31:03] Ecclesia. Nola. Solis. Outside the church. There is no salvation. That's what our psalm is saying.

[31:13] That's what the whole bible is saying. That's what these last words. Of the lord Jesus. To the people of this earth. Are saying. Outside. There is only. Everlasting night.

[31:24] Forever. Forever. And see friends. What the bible. Tells us. What the whole. Gospel tells us. What the lord Jesus. Tells us. Is that. It's our attitude. To god.

[31:35] And his city. Now. That will determine. The attitude of god. And his city. To us. On that last day.

[31:47] And that's why this psalm. Like the whole bible. Poses us a question. That none of us. Can avoid. About an eternity. That none of us. Can avoid. And it's this. It's very simple. Which side of those gates.

[32:00] Are you on right now. Because. Safety. And security. In time. And in the whole eternity. Forever. Can be found.

[32:11] Only inside. Only within. The city of god. Only with. The saving presence. Of god. Through jesus christ. Only in the place. That he. Dwells.

[32:22] With human beings. And covers them. With his protection. In the person. Of his son. Poses every one of us. That question. And of course. It poses. Every one of us.

[32:33] Who's a christian believer. Today. The great challenge. We believe ourselves. To be safe. Within zion city. If we've trusted. The lord jesus christ. It tells us. First of all. We must.

[32:43] And indeed. We can. Have. That unashamed confidence. In the uniqueness. Of jesus christ. As savior. And in his church. As the only refuge. For the whole world. From the wrath.

[32:55] That is to come. We need to know that. And believe that. And live as though. That were true. And we need to recognize. The undeniable contrast. Between those who are. Within the city.

[33:06] And those who are not. Between those who have. Come to christ. And those who have not. And therefore. Are still. Enemies of god. And therefore. We need. To recognize. That we have.

[33:17] As the christian church. Today. Unmistakable. Priorities. And it's to know. And to tell. This gospel. To the ends of the earth. And to every.

[33:27] Succeeding generation. Surely. That is. The greatest challenge. Facing the earth. Today. Because. There is. An unavoidable.

[33:39] Eternity. And that unavoidable. Eternity. Is a wrath. And fury. For those who remain. Implacable enemies. Of God.

[33:51] But it is one of rejoicing. It is one of gladness. It is one of wonder. It is one of life. Unimaginable. And life. Everlasting. For everyone. Who comes.

[34:02] To him. Through Jesus Christ. For every soul. Even those. Who were the greatest enemies. Because. Paul tells us. Even while we were enemies. Christ died for us. That we might be brought to him.

[34:14] And even. The greatest enemy. Who comes to him. Through Jesus Christ. He will shepherd. He will lead. To streams. Of living water.

[34:25] Forever and ever. Forever. So let's. None of us. Miss. Either that vital question.

[34:36] Which. Is for every one of us. Here today. Or for that. Vital challenge. Which is for every. Professing Christian believer. Today. To know the safety. And to proclaim.

[34:47] That safety. And security. That's fine. Only. Only within. The city of God. And only in. Our great savior. Jesus Christ.

[34:59] The son. Well let's pray together. Walk about Zion. Go around her.

[35:09] Number her towers. Consider well. Her ramparts. Go through her citadels. That you may tell. The next generation. That this is God. Our God.

[35:21] Forever and ever. Forever. He will guide us. Beyond death. Forever. Lord help us.

[35:31] Help us. We pray. To grasp hold of. And to take. With the utmost seriousness. Every moment. Of every day. Of our lives. This great. Abiding.

[35:43] Everlasting. Gospel. Of your truth. Love. And please. And please. May every one of us.

[35:54] Here this day. Know the safety. And the security. Forever. That the blood. Of your dear son. The Lord Jesus Christ.

[36:05] Won for us. And offers to us. Even. To those. Who have been. The greatest enemies. Every day.

[36:16] Of their life. Thus far. Help us. We pray. Through the grace. That is in Jesus Christ. For we ask it.

[36:26] In his name. Amen.