Revelation 1:4-8 DF

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from Him gwho is and hwho was and who is to come, iand from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, jthe faithful kwitness, the lfirstborn from the dead, and mthe ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him nwho 2loved us oand washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has pmade us 3kings and priests to His God and Father, qto Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, He is coming with rclouds, and every eye will see Him, even sthey who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

8 t“I am the Alpha and the Omega, 4the Beginning and the End,” says the 5Lord, u“who is and who was and who is to come, the vAlmighty.”

Vision of the Son of Man

Introduction: In starting the study on The Revelation of Jesus Christ, last week we had the first 3 verses. In these verses we saw that this revelation was from God, given to Jesus to show His servants, and Jesus gave it to His angel to give to John. John was witness to the Word, to the testimony of Jesus, and to all thing that he saw himself. V3 also tells us that “Blessed is the person that reads and the person that hears”. God blesses the people that reads and studies His Word, and seeks Him daily, moment by moment. This world has nothing for us, our treasure is in heaven.

Jesus is worthy of all praise because of who he is and what he has done, and his Second coming will be glorious and public, because the Lord God Almighty will make it happen.

Introduction: In starting the study on The Revelation of Jesus Christ, last week we had the first 3 verses. In these verses we saw that this revelation was from God, given to Jesus to show His servants, and Jesus gave it to His angel to give to John. John was witness to the Word, to the testimony of Jesus, and to all thing that he saw himself.

*****Our Verses for today are.....

Revelation 1:4-8

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

*****Pray over the Word!!!!!!! Beginning in these verses, we see.....

I. John’s Greetings to the Seven Churches from the Holy Trinity. Verse 4 tells us John is only relaying the greetings. The Holy Trinity sends them.

g

h In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

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i [];2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,

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The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

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; ; ;

The Spirit of counsel and might,

The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

; For behold, the stone

That I have laid before Joshua:

Upon the stone are seven eyes.

Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’

; ;

Says the Lord of hosts,

‘And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

; ;

j ; Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going.

5 A faithful witness does not lie,

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But a false witness will utter lies.

I. John’s Greetings to the Seven Churches from the Holy Trinity.

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from...

Show the map of the churches.

The Bible doesn’t tell us why He chose these particular churches, we can only speculate.

Grace to you and peace

Grace is the Christian version of a common Greek greeting and peace is a common Hebrew greeting. Both words suggest the kind of well-being that is derived from a deep relationship with God.

II. Greetings From The Holy Trinity. v4-5a

In verse 11, Jesus will identify these seven churches by name—they are the churches located in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. They are located in , what is today south-western Turkey.

In verse 11, Jesus will identify these seven churches by name and give us each letter that addresses them —they are the churches located in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. They are located in , what is today south-western Turkey.

“John, to the seven assemblies (ekklesia—churches) that are in Asia” (v. 4a). In verse 11, Jesus will identify these seven churches by name—they are the churches located in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

*****The Grace and Peace John is passing on here has three sources. The greetings here are.....

Peace (eirene) is also a significant word, occurring nearly a hundred times in the New Testament. It has its roots in the Hebrew word shalom, which is used frequently in the Old Testament. Both words suggest the kind of well-being that is derived from a deep relationship with God

Both eirene and shalom, as used in the Bible, mean more than the absence of violence—although they can mean that. Both words suggest the kind of well-being that is derived from a deep relationship with God—the kind of wholeness that comes from having the image of God, once shattered by sin, restored in the believer.

*****The Grace and Peace John is passing on here has three sources. The greetings here are.....

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***The Grace and Peace John is passing on here has three sources. The greetings here are.....

II. Greetings From The Holy Trinity. v4-5a

v4-5a Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ,

A leader and commander for the people.

v4-5a Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ,

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A. God, The Father

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“Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come”

God the Father is Eternal. Not affected by time. He is Beyond time. God the Father is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent (everywhere).God has always existed. His very name, Yahweh, means "I AM," indicating that he always has been and always will be.

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

B. God, The Holy Spirit ;

14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, y‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.

He is the God of the present, the past, and the future.

2 NU loves us and freed; M loves us and washed

B. God, The Holy Spirit ;

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”B. God, The Holy Spirit ;

B. God, The Holy Spirit ;

He is the God of the present, the past, and the future.

from the seven Spirits who are before His throne

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.B. God, The Holy Spirit ;

B. God, The Holy Spirit ;

“from the seven Spirits who are before His throne”

Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,

Isiah 11:2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,

The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

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The Spirit of counsel and might,

C. God, The Son

The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

But some commentators regard the “seven Spirits” as ministering angels before the throne, or as seven “archangels,” or as the seven which minister to the seven local churches (3:1, etc.). This view seems, inappropriately, to place angels on a par with God the Father and Jesus the Son.

Zechariah’s description of the Holy Spirit as “the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth” (, ) supports the view that the “seven spirits” are a reference to the one Holy Spirit with something to say to each church

C. God, The Son

Zechariah’s description of the Holy Spirit as “the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth” (, ) supports the view that the “seven spirits” are a reference to the one Holy Spirit with something to say to each church

But some commentators regard the “seven Spirits” as ministering angels before the throne, or as seven “archangels,” or as the seven which minister to the seven local churches (3:1, etc.). This view seems, inappropriately, to place angels on a par with God the Father and Jesus the Son.

, So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.

6 So he answered and said to me:

“This is the word of the Lord to fZerubbabel:

g‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’

Says the Lord of hosts.

10 For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the Lord, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!

And he shall bring forth ithe capstone

jWith shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”

8 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

9 “The hands of Zerubbabel

His hands lshall also finish it.

Then myou will know

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.C. God, The Son

That the nLord of hosts has sent Me to you.

10 For who has despised the day of osmall things?

For these seven rejoice to see

The 2plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.

C. God, The Son

pThey are the eyes of the Lord,

Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

C. God, The Son “from Jesus Christ”

g ; ; ,

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1 Lit. house

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2 Lit. plummet stone

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The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.C. God, The Son

“from Jesus Christ”

*****Here in v4-5a, we have the Holy Trinity extending grace and peace to the servants of God thru John. Also in v5b....

“from Jesus Christ”

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5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.“from Jesus Christ”

1. Here, Jesus is described in three ways.

3 NU, M a kingdom

The New King James Version Chapter 1

jthe faithful kwitness

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

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1. Jesus is described in three ways.

the faithful witness “The faithful witness” (v. 5) summarizes Jesus’ entire earthly ministry: He was faithful to God in every way. The greatest demonstration of His faithful witness was the crucifixion. He was faithful unto death. "He was the faithful witness, because all things that He heard of the Father He faithfully made known to His disciples. Also, because He taught the way of God in truth, and cared not for man, nor regarded the persons of men.

35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

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“The faithful witness” (v. 5) summarizes Jesus’ entire earthly ministry: He was faithful to God in every way

the greatest demonstration of His faithful witness was the crucifixion

the firstborn from the dead,

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jthe faithful kwitness

the firstborn from the dead,

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the firstborn from the dead,

s ;

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.the firstborn from the dead,

Jesus is the firstborn from the dead, implying that many others will be resurrected as a result. Of all the people raised from the dead, He is the only one that will never die again. By this, we who are saved will follow Him in resurrection.

the lfirstborn from the dead,

the ruler over the kings of the earth

But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

the ruler over the kings of the earth

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(KJV) 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

the ruler over the kings of the earth; This is a reference to his sovereign role as King, in contrast to the Roman emperors who thought they were in control.

the ruler over the kings of the earth; This is a reference to his sovereign role as King, in contrast to the Roman emperors who thought they were in control. God is All-Knowing, All-Powerful, Everywhere

Jesus is the firstborn from the dead, implying that many others will be resurrected as a result

God is All-Knowing, All-Powerful, Everywhere

And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be “The Lord is one,” And His name one.

w ; ;

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the ruler over the kings of the earth

In that day it shall be

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. the ruler over the kings of the earth

an obvious reference to his sovereign role as King, in contrast to the Roman emperors who thought they were in control.

4 Died

the ruler over the kings of the earth

“The Lord is one,” And His name one.

4 NU, M omit the Beginning and the End

And His name one.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.the ruler over the kings of the earth

*****We have looked at the greetings from the Holy Trinity and also what John was told about each one. Beginning in v5b and v6 we want to go a little deeper into Jesus Christ.....

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. [So be it]

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

III. Jesus is King and Worthy of Worship.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. [So be it]

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. [So be it]

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To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. [So be it]

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. [So be it]

5 NU, M Lord God

2. Jesus deserves “dominion and glory forever”; Why?

A. Jesus deserves “dominion and glory forever”; Why?

He loved us enough to shed His blood on the Cross to pay our judgement for our sins.

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Made us servants to God, the Father. We are brought into His kingdom by His salvation and we are given access to God thru His salvation also. We are made priests. In the Old Testament, the priest was the only one that could enter the Holiest of Holies, into the presence of God, we have that privilege as born again Believers.

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1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

B.Believers are both kings and priests, consistent with the earliest Jewish understanding of;

understanding of;

6 And you shall be to Me a lkingdom of priests and a mholy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

believers are both kings and priests, consistent with the earliest Jewish understanding of

*****Unlike the Rapture, everyone will see Him return this time.....

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

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IV. ALL will Know the Truth

Pugh, G. (2010). Commentary on the Book of Revelation. In R. E. Picirilli (Ed.), 1, 2, 3 John & Revelation (First Edition, p. 154). Nashville, TN: Randall House.7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

A. No one will miss this event.

This is not the Rapture, only Saved will see Him at Rapture. This, I believe is Jesus coming back to begin His 1000 year reign.

B. There will be Great Mourning, because People will see Him for who He is.

(KJV) 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

B. There will be Great Mourning, because People will see Him for who He is.

(KJV) 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

No one can deny His deity now. All will mourn over Christ and regret their unbelief.

will mourn over Christ and regret their unbelief.

The Jews will be reminded of His crucifixion, of their rejection.

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

*****As we look at this last verse, we are told again of our Almighty God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.....

V. Jesus Is Lord.

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k ;

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

A. He is the First and the Last and everything in between.

6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel,

And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.

a‘I am the First and I am the Last;

Besides Me there is no God.

12 “Listen to Me, O Jacob, And Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last. 13 Indeed pMy hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together.

12 “Listen to Me, O Jacob,

And Israel, My called:

I am He, nI am the oFirst,

I am also the Last. 13 Indeed pMy hand has laid the foundation of the earth,

13 Indeed pMy hand has laid the foundation of the earth,

And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together.

When qI call to them,

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson."This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. () "Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last. (13) My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together. God is the God of all of history. He is involved and at work in all of history. That's what this title tell us.

They stand up together.

Through Isaiah, God is saying that He is the Creator of all things and the sovereign Lord of history. Unlike the idol gods of the heathen, this God is the utterly incomparable One, to whom all nations are subject, whose purposes no one can alter.

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The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.That's what this title tell us.

Through Isaiah, God is saying that He is the Creator of all things and the sovereign Lord of history. Unlike the idol gods of the heathen, this God is the utterly incomparable One, to whom all nations are subject, whose purposes no one can frustrate (cf ). Unlike the idol gods of the heathen, this God has always existed and will always exist. The idols that tempted Israel were recent novelties, not the ancient Creator. The idols were not there at the beginning, nor will they last to the end. They did not give the universe its existence, nor can they control its destiny. They cannot be trusted and need not be feared. The Lord is God from start to finish.

Through Isaiah, God is saying that He is the Creator of all things and the sovereign Lord of history. Unlike the idol gods of the heathen, this God is the utterly incomparable One, to whom all nations are subject, whose purposes no one can alter.

He is the first of everything that is and the last of everything that will be. The Lord is God from start to finish. Jesus Christ is Lord.

John 10:30 I and My Father are one.”

B. God is Superior to ALL things. “the Almighty”. The title speaks to God’s ultimate

power over all. He has all might and power. God is Sovereign.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

There is absolutely nothing that happens in the universe that is outside of God’s influence and authority. As King of kings and Lord of lords, God has no limitations. Consider just a few of the claims the Bible makes about God:

limitations. Consider just a few of the claims the Bible makes about God:

God is above all things and before all things. He is immortal, and He is present everywhere so that everyone can know Him (). God knows all things past, present, and future. There is no limit to His knowledge, for God knows everything completely before it even happens .

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

God can do all things and accomplish all things. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Whatever He wants to do in the universe, He does, for nothing is impossible with Him ().God is in control of all things and rules over all things. He has power and authority over nature, earthly kings, history, angels, and demons. Even Satan himself has to ask God’s permission before he can act ().

God can do all things and accomplish all things. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Whatever He wants to do in the universe, He does, for nothing is impossible with Him

17 ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.

God is in control of all things and rules over all things. He has power and authority over nature, earthly kings, history, angels, and demons. Even Satan himself has to ask God’s permission before he can act

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God is in control of all things and rules over all things. He has power and authority over nature, earthly kings, history, angels, and demons. Even Satan himself has to ask God’s permission before he can act ().

3 difficult

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.God is in control of all things and rules over all things. He has power and authority over nature, earthly kings, history, angels, and demons. Even Satan himself has to ask God’s permission before he can act ().

That’s what being sovereign means. It means being the ultimate source of all power, authority, and everything that exists. Only God can make those claims; therefore, it’s God’s sovereignty that makes Him superior to all other gods and makes Him, and Him alone, worthy of worship.

19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven,

The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.

And pHis kingdom rules over all.

That’s what being a sovereign means God. It means being the ultimate source of all power, authority, and everything that exists. Only God can make those claims; therefore, it’s God’s sovereignty that makes Him superior to all other gods and makes Him, and Him alone, worthy of worship.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.That’s what being sovereign means. It means being the ultimate source of all power, authority, and everything that exists. Only God can make those claims; therefore, it’s God’s sovereignty that makes Him superior to all other gods and makes Him, and Him alone, worthy of worship.

Conclusion: We either serve a Sovereign God, or we serve Satan. You might say, Dennis, that is strong words. It is the truth, we cannot serve two masters.

Do you want to be on the winning side?