Revelation 14 presents us with four different visions, but each vision has the same theme running through it. The message of the four visions could be summarized as the statement that there are only two kinds of people on earth – the saved or redeemed and the unsaved or the wicked. The first of the four visions gives describes the blessedness of the redeemed; the second is a warning to the wicked, whilst the last two visions show the reward of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked.
The Blessedness of the Redeemed
14:1 Then I looked, and here was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand, who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
The Lamb (The Lord Jesus Christ) is seen standing on Mt. Zion, a reference to heaven itself. This word standing conveys the idea of His eternal abiding in God’s immediate presence. The reason we stand in God’s presence is that he abides there for us. In this way He is the surety of all God’s covenant promises.
For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; (Hebrews 9:24)
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
Whether the 144,000 redeemed standing on Mt. Zion symbolically represent the whole church or is an actual group of the redeemed (the as those sealed in chapter 7), the description given of them applies equally to every believer in Christ. And what a blessed description it is.
They have their Father’s name written on their foreheads. This means they are sons of God. It is not “their God’s name” but “their Father’s name” God’s redeemed Christ’s people are not adopted, but born of God, by his Spirit. Only those who have a second birth, a spiritual birth, are part of God’s redeemed people.
Jesus said…”Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
It is this new or spiritual birth that makes us children of God. It takes place when we receive the Lord Jesus into our hearts by faith.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:12) (See also James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 5.1)
The Father’s “name” means his character or nature, whilst the forehead (or face) shows the character of a man. These saints have been fully conformed to share their Father’s nature. The saying goes, “Like Father like son” You’ve heard someone say “Isn’t he like his dad!” But to be like God – this is godliness and glory. Just as Christ is the image of God, so we shall share his image, for when we see him we shall be like him. (1 John 3.2) This has been the purpose of God for the redeemed since the days of eternity.
For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, Romans 8:29 It is certain that as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Cor. 15:49)
This process is continuing now. We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor. 3:18
14:2-3 I also heard a sound coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. Now the sound I heard was like that made by harpists playing their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one was able to learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth.
The voice of the redeemed is heard coming from heaven; it is the whole church singing. The 144,000 Jews saved during the tribulation now join in the song of the redeemed and the body is complete. Only the redeemed can learn this song, for it is born out of experience and cannot be feigned. Like a torrent these millions of redeemed sing praises to God in thanksgiving for what he had done for them. It was like a new song, says John, for it will ever be fresh, even though they will sing it for eternity. The song is an eternal song of praise to the one who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood (Rev. 1.5). It is accompanied by the soothing sound of harps, a picture to my mind of their eternal peace.
Notice how the voice of the church is described in a similar way to the voice of Christ. Their speech has been purified – like Christ it is full of grace and truth and is seasoned by Christ’s own purity.
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, Colossians 4:6 We are also told in Col 3.8 But now you must put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
14:4-5 These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from humanity as first fruits to God and to the Lamb, and no lie was found on their lips; they are blameless.
In their mouth is found no guile; no pretense, deceit or subtlety. The redeemed are the first fruits to God. The first fruits were to be given as an offering to God, as our whole lives are to be given up as a living sacrifice to the Lord. Like a virgin bride has eyes only for her husband, the church of Jesus Christ has eyes only for Christ. (see 2 Cor. 11.2) They remain undefiled for they are presented perfect through the offering of Jesus Christ (Heb. 10.14). They are without blemish. Christ died that He might “present the church to Himself as a glorious church, without spot, wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27). That is why we are able to stand before God’s throne, with heaven as our dwelling place forever.
The redeemed follow the Lord wherever he goes. To follow means to be in the same way with. Are you walking in the same way with Jesus? If you are, and you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, then you are going to be among that group of people singing eternal praises before the Lord.
The tragedy is, however, that there is a group of people who will never sing the praises of the Lord. Whilst Christ died for all, not all are saved. Though Jesus paid the price for the sin of every man, only those who accept God’s gift of salvation are saved.
A Warning to the Wicked
14:6-7 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, and he had an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth — to every nation, tribe, language, and people. He declared in a loud voice: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has arrived, and worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water!”
How gracious God is that the events depicted in the book of Revelation have not come yet! God is giving all people everywhere time and chance to repent. But the end will surely come in the way described. God’s mercy cannot be rejected forever without consequence. So here follows a vision of three angelic messengers, bringing warning to the inhabitants of earth. The first angel warns that men should fear God and give Him glory, for the time had come to judge the wicked of the world. This is the everlasting gospel: repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, thus glorifying God. It is essential to act on this warning now; for the time is coming when it will be too late to repent and give God glory.
14:8 A second angel followed the first, declaring: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great city! She made all the nations drink of the wine of her immoral passion.”
The judgment of the wicked is announced in the fall of Babylon. This is the first time that this spiritual city, an anti-type of the Heavenly Jerusalem, is mentioned in Revelation. The term “Babylon” represents all that opposes God. This spiritual reality is embodied in all of humankind’s behaviour, even their commercial, international and religious behaviour. After the flood in the days of Nimrod (Gen. 10.8 – 10), God told people to spread out over the face of the earth and repopulate it. Instead, in a spirit of rebellion, they banded together to build a tower reaching to heaven, making themselves (they thought) secure from God’s interference. That tower was built in a place called Babel, later Babylon. So Babylon represents rebellion against God in the heart of every unregenerate person. It is the spirit of lawlessness, manifesting itself in lawless deeds, and through the systems humankind creates to facilitate their rebellion. Zechariah 5.8 depicts wickedness (moral filth) as a woman in a basket, who is taken to her own place in the land of Shinar (Babylon). In this verse we see that all nations are intoxicated—taken over spiritually, like someone possessed—by her harlotry, her moral filth and unfaithfulness to God.
Many commentators speak of two Babylons in Revelation – a commercial or financial and a religious one. In fact, let us be clear that they are both parts of the same system of lawlessness against God.
The second angel’s message is timely yet simple: the Christ-rejecting world system will be brought to an abrupt end very soon.
14:9-11 A third angel followed the first two, declaring in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and takes the mark on his forehead or his hand, that person will also drink of the wine of God’s anger that has been mixed undiluted in the cup of his wrath, and he will be tortured with fire and sulphur in front of the holy angels and in front of the Lamb. And the smoke from their torture will go up forever and ever, and those who worship the beast and his image will have no rest day or night, along with anyone who receives the mark of his name.”
The third angel brought a warning to those who will see the culmination of this spirit of lawlessness as the antichristian spirit is embodied in a man – the antichrist. Those who participate in this ultimate rebellion by giving their allegiance to Satan (by receiving the mark of the beast) can be sure of suffering God’s eternal vengeance. This reveals that just as there are only two groups of people on earth, so there are only two destinations at the end of life too.
Jesus said: “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (From Matt 25:31-46)
14:12-13 This requires the steadfast endurance of the saints — those who obey God’s commandments and hold to their faith in Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: ‘Blessed are the dead, those who die in the Lord from this moment on!’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they can rest from their hard work, because their deeds will follow them.”
Throughout the ages the faith and patience of the saints has revealed that it is better to die than to lose one’s own soul. Many have given up their lives rather than give up their faith. It is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep in order to gain that which he cannot lose.
The interjection “blessed are those who die in the Lord” – is forever true and has been given the sanction of the eternal Holy Spirit. Those who sleep in Jesus are at rest – no longer troubled or vexed by pain, persecution, trouble or toil. Their work on earth is done, wrought in them by God according to his eternal purpose and the due reward of their labors – and much more – is laid up for them in heaven.
“EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NOR HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” 1 Cor. 2:9
Ever since our Lord Jesus Christ arose victorious over death, those who die believing in him are blessed. Their entrance is immediate into the presence of God; to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:8 and To be with Christ.. is far better. (Phil 1:23)
Two Great Harvests of the Earth
The final two visions differ in content but convey a similar message to the first two. The picture is of the final salvation of the righteous and the final judgment of wicked.
14:14-16 Then I looked, and a white cloud appeared, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man! He had a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Then another angel came out of the temple, shouting in a loud voice to the one seated on the cloud, “Use your sickle and start to reap, because the time to reap has come, since the earth’s harvest is ripe!” So the one seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.
First we see Christ reaping the harvest of the earth – gathering his own to himself. We who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thess. 4:17
Clearly this first harvest happens before the harvest for judgment and is a reference to the ‘rapture’. But remember this is a vision. The Lord, I think, will not need an angel to tell him when to call his people home; for that time is appointed by the Father and known only to him (Mark 13:32).
The Lord Jesus Christ is already gathering in his precious harvest now. The precious seed of his travail on the cross has been sown. Millions are turning to him for salvation as the fields are ripe for this harvest. He alone is worthy to reap this harvest – hence the golden crown signifying his rightful claim and kingship over those he has redeemed – the gold denoting his own glory and God-head. But a time is coming when he will gather his wheat into the barns of his heavenly harvest home. He will gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” Luke 3:17
14:17-20 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
Such a burning of the chaff is depicted in the final vision. The angels are sent to reap the harvest of judgment. The wicked are described as the cluster of the vine, for they are to be trodden in the press. Notice they are the vine of the earth, not of Christ the True Vine. Their grapes are fully ripe for their wickedness has reached its full potential. The winepress is outside the city of Jerusalem and will be trodden by Christ himself, inflicting everlasting punishment on his enemies (2 Thess. 1.9)
The initial fulfillment of this outpouring of wrath evidently takes place on earth immediately at the coming of Christ; at a place called Armageddon, as the demon inspired armies of the world gather in a futile attempt to fight off our returning Lord. They are literally struck dead by the word that proceeds from his mouth, their blood flowing in deep rivers for miles around. A vast number of people is indicated – for this is no symbolism.
That will not be the end of the matter, for even with such a death their punishment has only just begun, for when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 2 Thess. 1:7-9
Conclusion
Since there are only two groups of people in the world, and only two final destinations for people after life is done, the question has to be, which group are you in? Whose side are you on?
Are you on the Lord’s side? The coming of the Lord will mean, for the believer, unspeakable satisfaction; but for the unsaved person and backslider it will mean unutterable shame and unending separation.
Such truth for today should lead us into holiness of life and busyness in service for our Lord. Remember that Jesus may come today. When the harvest of the redeemed is taken home to heaven and you are left behind, all that will be left for you to face will be the harvest of judgment. Don’t leave it too late! Take Jesus as your Saviour today.
A Milestone in the Ministry
Near Rome, the apostle Paul thanked God and took courage.
TEXT: “when Paul saw [the brethren], he thanked God and took courage” Acts 28:15
Introduction
Paul had reached a milestone in his ministry. After years of thinking, praying, writing, traveling and suffering he at last entered the outskirts of Rome. This was the fulfillment of his God-given dream. Despite his being a prisoner and close to exhaustion in his spirit, soul and body, he was in sight of the city, and so “he thanked God and took courage” Acts 28:15.
As a church we too have reached another milestone. One year is ended and a new one has begun. What Paul did as he entered Rome is a principle for all Christians. Every day we should thank God and take courage, but especially when He brings us to a milestone such as this. From the text we see what made Paul thank God and take courage. Firstly, there was a:
I. A Backward Look Paul thanked God as he looked back. It wasn’t simply the arrival of the Christians from Rome that filled him with joy. To him, the sight of them meant:
1) The Fulfillment of Paul’s Prayer About five years before this Paul had written to the believers at Rome to say: “God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you” (Rom 1:9-10). He concluded his letter again mentioning his desire to come to Rome. “When I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.” Rom 15:29
The events of those five intervening years takes up nearly 2/3 of Acts. Paul spent much of that time in prison, and even when he was free doing mighty works for God, He endured stonings, beatings, imprisonments and shipwreck. What a lot of trouble just to get to Rome! No wonder when he got there he thanked God. His prayer had been answered at last.
As we look back at the end of one year and the beginning of a new, we can see how God has answered prayer Yet we still have many unfulfilled spiritual desires. Let us not give up praying and desiring, for we will receive the answer in time and then we too shall thank God and take courage.
As Paul arrived in Rome, he could look back over the sufferings which led him there. We too can look back over a year of trials, suffering, and sickness. It is because God has brought us safely through to this day that we thank God and take courage. The coming year will bring its own trials and disappointments. As believers we have no idea why God should lead us this way. It must have seemed strange too, the way that Paul arrived in Rome. After all he was bound in chains on board a prison ship. I bet he didn’t think the answer to his prayer would come wrapped up in such strange packaging. Stranger still is that all this was no accident or misfortune. It was the outworking of God’s perfect will for His life. If we can only get hold of this: through our circumstances, God is working out His purpose in our lives. All things work together for good to those who love God. He has an eternal and spiritual work to do in us and he will not fail to do it! Victory will emerge from the very trials that threaten to put us out for good. If we can get hold of this truth by faith as we enter another year then we can thank God take courage.
Our trials, whatever they are, will not be forever, though they sometimes seem to be. There will be an end to them all. For although Paul had his eyes fixed on the earthly goal of his journey, Rome, in his letters from prison he revealed to his friends that his eyes were fixed on a very different goal. At the end of his life he said, “I have finished the course and kept the faith, henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge will give to me in that day and not to me only but also to all them that love his appearing.” We will see his lovely face some bright golden morning. Jesus is coming again. As we look for that blessed hope, let us thank God and take courage.
2) The Fulfillment of God’s Promise Twice the Lord appeared to Paul to assure him that he would reach Rome. The first time was in a Roman castle in Jerusalem, after he’d nearly been lynched (see Acts 23:11). The second instance was on a storm-tossed ship when, humanly speaking, all hope of being saved was gone (see Acts 27:24). The apostle had not forgotten these promises; and as he approached Rome, he gave thanks for their fulfillment. Have you thanked God for the revelations, blessings and promises He has given you in your lifetime? I remember how the Lord said to me “I will fulfill my purpose concerning you.” I often thank Him for that. Recently the Lord promised us as a fellowship, “I will build you again.” With Solomon we can say “There has not failed one of the Lord’s good promises.”
3) The Fulfillment of God’s Purpose Did you know that God has a purpose for your life? No one can read through Romans without seeing the purpose of God for men and women in Jesus Christ. Paul writes of being “called according to His purpose” and being “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom 8:28-29)
God was working out his purpose in Paul’s life in seemingly strange ways. But he was an apostle, what about ordinary believers? Does God fulfill His purpose in their lives? Luke briefly describes the behavior of those believers who came out to meet Paul. If the apostle had wondered whether his teaching had any effect on their lives, we can see by their actions that they had embraced it with all their hearts. Some of them walked 43 miles to the Appii Forum; others 33 miles to the Three Inns, to welcome a despised prisoner in chains as if he was a king. For Paul, this meant that they were not afraid to be identified with a preacher under arrest! By the simple fact of their coming out to him, Paul perceived the genuine work of grace, bring done in their lives. God was working out his purpose in them, and for this Paul thanked God, and took courage.
There is nothing that brings more joy and encouragement to the preacher’s heart, than the response of spiritual growth among his hearers and converts. Writing to the Thessalonians Paul said, therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, (1Th 3:7-9)
II. A Forward Look-“When Paul saw.. he took courage” Acts 28:15. The word courage means good cheer, boldness and confidence. This Christian quality enables us to endure suffering and remain faithful to complete demanding tasks. It is the touch of God which carries us beyond selfish interests. It is a strong characteristic of godliness which never vaunts itself. And so “Paul . took courage” Acts 28:15
1) He Sensed Courage Through the Fellowship of the Saints “When Paul saw [the brethren], he took courage” Acts 28:15. We have already noted that these brothers welcomed Paul like a king. Their lives had been transformed by his ministry of pen and prayer and they wanted him to know it.
The apostle needed this encouragement. He appears to have been in a mood of discouragement at this time, verging on depression. He was still recovering from the rigors of travel and weakness. Not only that, but thee apprehension of what lay ahead caused him anxiety daily, and that can rally take it out of you. The pressure of living in Rome,the cruel suffering of imprisonment and the solemn responsibility of reaching Rome for Christ all bore down on him. Some of the churches he had founded had already turned away from him. Some of the saints he had befriended had turned their backs on him. This deep sense of betrayal and loneliness threatened to overwhelm him, but then the saints come out to meet him. And all ata once Paul was able to thank God and take courage.
How many of God’s servants have collapsed under the strain because there was no one to encourage them in the Lord. These people honoured Paul for his ministry, they were thankful for it. That encouraged him. We all need each other’s ministry and encouragement. That is why we must not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Have you received and are you fulfilling a ministry from the Lord? Are you encouraging your brothers and sisters by regular attendance, support in prayer, support financially, support lovingly and personally? Remember, without it, you could cause some servant of God to fall under the strain – to give up all hope under the load.
The story is told of a fireman who was trying to reach a woman who was crying for help at the window of a burning house. Someone in the crowd cried, “You can’t do it, come down.” The fireman was already badly burned and almost choked by smoke. He began to descend, leaving the woman to her fate, when a man shouted, “Give him a cheer!” The crowd made the air ring with their encouragement. The fireman stopped and again ascended toward the window, and helped by the cheers of the crowd brought the woman to safety. Are you a cheerleader or a cheer-killer?
2) He Sought Courage From the Fountainhead of the Spirit-“he took courage” (Acts 28:15). Wonderful as is the encouragement of the saints, it will never take the place of the fullness of the Spirit.
As Paul landed at Rome’s port named Puteoli he could see fleets of Roman warships. Nearby were crowded beaches and the yachts of wealthy citizens. Here was Rome with all its power, pomp and splendor, yet here was Rome with all its sin, vice and wickedness. But above all, here was Rome filled with souls needing Jesus. The cry rang in Paul’s ears one of great missionary challenge. Paul had spent months thinking about the events that awaited him. Only heaven-sent courage would enable him to be:
a) A Preacher for God in Rome Five years previously he had written: “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.” Only the Holy Spirit can give the believer boldness to witness for Christ in the face of great opposition. Paul received this boldness, for he went on to write, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” Rom. 1.15. Paul was no novice to church planting. Three long missionary journeys had taught him that only the Holy Spirit could enable him to stand for Christ when all the devil’s forces were arrayed against him.
If there was ever a time when we need the Holy Spirit it is today. Stephen F Olford says “In the most subtle and yet relentless manner, the enemy is gaining ground-not only in the world at large, but in the church of Christ. The authority of the Bible, the Deity of Christ and the efficacy of the cross, not to speak of other doctrines of our faith, are being attacked. Moral standards are being relaxed, and the authority of the ministry is being challenged. Only those with holy courage will ever survive the onslaughts of Satan” SFO is right. So we need, like Paul to take courage and we can take it in the person of the Holy Spirit.
Paul needed courage to be:
b) A Prisoner for God in Rome From this time on Paul referred to himself as “a prisoner of Christ Jesus Phil. 1:1. Yet instead of giving into his circumstances, he made them the platform for his ministry. When the church at Philippi wrote to express their concern regarding his imprisonment, he replied, “I want you to know that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, that my chains are in Christ” Phil. 1:12, 13 Soldier after soldier, chained to his side, was led to a saving knowledge of Christ, so that the whole palace of Caesar was feeling the impact of his ministry! Rome was being slowly, but surely, conquered for Jesus. What a challenge this is to us! All around us we see sin and rejection of God, yet in the midst of our own suffering and trials, in the face of insurmountable obstacles, we must continue faithfully to witness to the gospel, for it is: “the power of God for salvation”. Our obstacles are no more a hindrance than Paul’s chains. As we boldly declare the gospel, we too shall see the fruit of an ingathering for Jesus.
c) A Penman for God in Rome Historians tell us that the apostle wrote six of his epistles before his imprisonment, but no fewer than seven during his stay in Rome. Rather than mope about his confinement within doors and moan about what he could no longer do for the Lord, he made great use of his time in prison. He used the opportunity to pray, direct mission work from his cell and teach by use of his pen. When free, his preaching reached hundreds for the Lord. From prison Paul influenced millions.
What a blow this strikes at the pessimistic defeatism of modern church life! We are forever talking about what we cannot do because of lack of funds or space, or personnel. But here is a man who took courage, in the restricted confines of his prison, and through his pen reached a world! When God closes a door in one manner of service, we need not fear, for he will open up more effective ways of service. Let us then have faith to thank God, and take courage.
Conclusion
We have looked at a milestone in Paul’s ministry. The backward look should teach us how to thank God for all things. The forward look should show us how to take courage and go forward, regardless of the scorn of the world, the weakness of the flesh, or the fury of the devil. We are on the Lord’s side and He has a glorious purpose to fulfill in our lives. Let us, then, at this, another milestone in our church’s ministry and thank God, take courage, and go forward.