We are truly creatures of habit.  We were intentionally created by God to live life in rhythms.  However, why is it that it is so hard to develop good and healthy habits, but so easy to develop bad ones?  Not only is it easy to develop bad habits, but they are incredibly challenging to break! 

Consider some of our almost humorous expectations in all of this, too!

We eat unhealthily for years, then we decide that it’s time to get healthy.  We go one day eating salads and then jump on the scale the next morning.  Why?  Do we really think that eating healthy for a day, or even a month, is going to instantly undo the unhealthy years beforehand?

We aren’t very quick to trust processes and aren’t very patient when it comes to the results that we desire.  We’re always looking for shortcuts in the name of efficiency and for hacks in the name of effectiveness.

This rings true too often not only in our natural life, but also in our spiritual lives.

We pray for God to work a miracle for us, based on one of His promises, and then figure, “Well, that didn’t work.” when we don’t see the breakthrough.  We accept it as God’s will, or even His discipline, despite what He actually says about it.  We radically change our theology of who God is based on our experience and circumstances instead of His word.

Not only is it challenging to stick with good habits and to kick bad ones, commitment is a struggle for us in general.

We have a bad experience at a store with an employee having a bad day and we vow to never shop there again and spread the news to our friends about that encounter.  We expect to receive freely and abundantly grace and forgiveness, but administer to others judgment and wrath when they fall short of our standards.

Perhaps the greatest test of commitment for many reasons is none other than the beautiful chaos that God created and called marriage where two lives become one.

There is a common statistic quoted that 50% of marriages today end in divorce.  Perhaps more alarming is that according to ourworldindata.org, marriage itself in the US is at its absolute lowest point in all of our history, dropping 50% since just the 1970’s and continuing to drop even after the legalization of same-sex marriage. 

The point?  We are very hesitant to commit, especially for life!

We live in a throw-away culture that values the new and shiny and is quick to simply throw out or trade in the old.  When something isn’t going the way that we want, when something is hindering our happiness, when something might let us down, we simply walk away from it. 

We don’t value long-term commitment and working through challenges and struggles.  When something is broke, we don’t invest the resources required to fix it, we use our resources instead to find a replacement.

Unfortunately, this mindset and attitude in life also hinders us from reaching our own full potential personally.  Our maturity and character is shaped and formed most often when we work through adversity and change to overcome our obstacles.  The path of least resistance is also the path of least growth and  transformation.

You may have heard the old adage that “the grass is greener on the other side.”  Well, this isn’t necessarily true. 

God created everything from the very beginning in such a way that the grass is always greener where the effort is put into taking care of it.  This was even the case before sin entered the picture and corrupted everything quite literally.

Genesis 2:5;7;15

5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, because the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, … 7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

From the very beginning of creation, God chose to

Memorial Day

While most will be enjoying a day off of work tomorrow gathering with friends and family for cookouts, we want to take time to remember the true reason for this holiday.  At this time, we’re going to take a moment of silence to remember those who gave their all for our great nation followed by a time of prayer for those they left behind.

Of course, we’re incredibly thankful for the civil freedoms that those who gave all earned us, but we’re also going to take time this morning to remember another who gave their all for our total freedom, Jesus Christ.

Communion

Acts 1:3-5

3 After his suffering, Jesus presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

About this baptism, John said:

Matthew 3:11

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

We learned about the fulfillment of this promise last week at Pentecost Sunday.  There is no experience that can compare to being baptized in the Holy Spirit, being refined by His fire, being filled to overflowing with His very Presence!

Reading through the Old and New Testaments, there is sometimes confusion when it comes to us encountering the Presence of God. 

In the Old Testament, it was something to be done once a year at a specific place by only one person and they had to wear bells so that it was known when they would enter and exit it.  Approaching the Presence of God was done in fear and trembling and with great preparation and caution.  Most people wanted nothing to do with it and even asked God to go away when they were near Him.

In the New Testament, people are getting personally filled with the Presence of God and everyone wants more of it!

The truth is that there is no difference between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament nor is there any difference with His Presence.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Jesus even said that to see Him was to see the Father, however, many people in the Old Testament said that to see the face of God meant certain death.

What changed is simply our relationship with Him when Jesus spoke those last words, “It is finished.”  The law had been fulfilled and the punishment for sin paid in full.  It was that sin that separated God’s Presence from His people.  That is why when Jesus died, the veil that separated mankind from the Presence of God in the temple was torn! 

There is now a new covenant between God and mankind.  Paul reminds us of this and explains this reality a bit more to us recalling God’s interactions with His people in the Old Testament.  Although our relationship has changed, our view of God should still be in reverence and awe always in mind that there is only one reason that we can boldly come before His throne, the blood shed by Jesus to cover our sin!

It’s kind of like walking into a blazing furnace that would turn you to ash in a second if it weren’t for the protective clothing that you are wearing.  Or perhaps the difference between gathering wood and making a fire in the middle of your living room on the floor versus making a fire in the middle of your living room in the fireplace.

Though we eagerly and joyfully enjoy the Presence of God, it is only because of Jesus that it is possible and that is something that we should always be mindful of and so incredibly thankful for.

Hebrews 12:18-29

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a

[The below text has been machine translated and may contain errors. Please listen to audio for original and integral translation]

Lord, we thank you so much for Bill and Bethany the entire family for what you are doing Lord we pray that you would go ahead of the Holy Spirit the us are preparing Lord this people to hear your words or respond your word Lord use or plowing up the hard ground of their pioneering Lord that you had just a just start doing a work already or that one bill doesn’t show up lord their jobs can be explained that this is God and this is him and this is who he is and what he is doing Lord that you just are doing a mighty work ahead of them even now we just think you for equipping them empowering them giving them the strength and the courage and the boldness that they need to fulfill your work in their lives in your name and. For you thank you I have once apparently clipped a work. I hear myself again morning everybody it is awesome to be here we absolutely love the drive coming in the mountains the country it’s my heart it’s just the people over there were to go. Did it I did it is enough bucket. Look over yet but my name is that any This is my husband bell and we have 4 missionary kids with us our children we have Meg and. There are a lot mellower when we took that picture oh yeah they are. That’s Ok. Meghan is 12 she’s going to be 13 in 3 weeks old boy. Will is alive and he’s going to be 12 same time Joshua is 10. And Zack is 7. So those are our kiddos they travel with us and this is not just the one I missions trip or missions life this is a family so we’re going to be training our kids to be working with us to doing different things some of our kids have already felt called to do different jobs with us so we’re really excited for that but we have been called to the country of Curacao to start off with but our heart is actually the entire eastern Caribbean and we’re going to be sharing with you about that but we have a huge map outside we can show you exactly where God has called us to do and what our lives are going to look like for the future but for today we just kind of wanna give you a sample of what God has asked us to do before we start we have a friend that has. Your i Pod in mind he wasn’t in the van you know if anybody receives underneath their seat a blue furry friend Betty but if any kids see any blue furry friend not under They’re Ok thank you well while Bill is looking behind here if everyone else would turn with me in their Bibles in your i Phones in your i Pad whatever you look in the Bible or read. Sorry if you go to Matthew 28 with me we’re going to be reading and talking about the Great Commission today it’s near and dear to our family but I’m going to show you how it’s not just for missionaries sent over the over seas it’s for every single person sitting in this room who is a child of God So the great commission math Oh no there you are right but if it was found all drawable wrong. That was a good song wasn’t it I don’t have any boat though what a lot so that’s true. You under left out mess. Well probably thought of a fellow. Well yeah there’s that I mean there is a hand in there with bones but I asked her a technical yours. Well how about you introduce yourself Ok My name is who is. Doing here and I don’t know them but I was going now. Oh boy I am. Ok Well you’re handler is an ordained pastor that we’re gonna go yet that means I am. At least a hand pot already then while Ok well you say duty was long How about your nickname it’s a little bit easier All right you know man. Oh don’t say it’s not bad it’s. I think I ought to know yeah you have to keep you I’m really on holiday yes you are I forgot more far off and while going to get hurt anything on knowing exactly so you know we were getting ready to read your favorite verses are you writing. Hurry and we’re going to be reading verses 18 to 20 then Jesus came to them and said All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Here at New Hope, we have been blessed with so many amazing mothers of all kinds; biological, adoptive, and spiritual!  Today, we honor you! 

We acknowledge that the role of a mother doesn’t end at the age of 18; it’s a life-long commitment.  Our heart also goes out to you moms for whom this day is difficult for; those who have lost children or whose relationships with their children are broken.  We pray God’s comfort for those who mourn and for God our reconciler to restore those relationships broken.

The title of this morning’s message is “Forged in Fire” based on the History channel TV series.  Yeah, I know…  At first glance, this seems more fitting for a Father’s Day message, but hang in there with me!

For those unfamiliar with the show, it is a competition among bladesmiths to forge the best blade-based weapon.  They start out with some type of steel material, are given a few parameters as a criteria for their blade, then are given time to design and build their weapon.

The weapons are put through tests along the way to filter down to the champion.  Common tests used in the show are the strength test, the sharpness test, and the often-memed, kill test. These tests are designed to destroy the blade and all of the work of the bladesmith.  It is violent, aggressive, and horrifying to watch for those who labored so hard to make those blades!

Again, you’re probably still wondering what any of this would have to do with Mother’s Day…  After all, there aren’t too many sword-yielding moms out there, right?  Or are there? 

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth here, which may sound awful familiar to many moms out there initially:

1 Corinthians 3

1 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?

Are there any moms out there who often tell their children to just grow up and stop bickering?  And your children are in their thirties or are your husband?

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

As a mother, you have a tremendously valuable task.  You may feel inadequate at times when you compare your weaknesses to other women’s strengths, but rest assured, you are exactly who your children need and you have exactly what you need to do your part in their lives!

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Sure, there is coming a day when we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  There, our work will be put to the test a

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This morning, we continue our new message series entitled, “Seek.”  Over and over and over and over again, we’re called in God’s word to seek Him.  We know that if God calls us to do something, it’s not something that we’re going to do naturally on our own.

We were challenged so far to intentionally seek after God the way that He seeks after us.  Fervently, but patiently.  Urgently, but patiently.  Passionately, but patiently.  Like Jesus, deciding that not my will, but the Heavenly Father’s will be done.

We learned from the example of the M&M sisters, Martha and Mary, to maintain a healthy balance in our lives of seeking after God and building a healthy relationship with Him before doing the work of ministry.  Who we are is more important than what we do because who we are is the source of all that we do.

This week, we’re going to learn that fact that God reveals secret things to us as we seek Him.  You may have heard it said that the best place to hide something is right out there in the open.  In the Kingdom of God, this is often the case!

As an example, we have recorded this encounter between Jesus, the crowds, and His disciples.  Jesus chose to publicly declare God’s hidden things.  He plainly taught Kingdom secrets to all people. 

To those seeking after God who had eyes to see and ears to hear, they received the revelation of His secrets with joy.  They got it, they understood it, their lives were transformed as a result.  To those who doubted Jesus, He just spoke some good stories.  They didn’t get it, they were confused about what the big deal was, and they remain unchanged as a result.

The best place to hide things at times is right out in the open!  Jesus used parables as a tool of doing exactly this.

Matthew 13:10-17

10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

This Biblical principle is often used about finances.  However, the actual context used when Jesus gave us this principle is the revelation of God.  Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance.  Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken away from them. 

The bigger context here is the parable of the sower taught in parable form just before these verses and explained to His disciples just after these verses.  Don’t let the worries of this world or the enemy come and steal the revelation which God has given you!  Bury them deep into the rich soil of your Spirit-transformed heart as they take root and bear good fruit!

Jesus went on to say:

13 This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;

    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;

    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;

    they hardly hear with their ears,

    and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

    hear with their ears,

    understand with their hearts

and turn, and I would heal them.’

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

God, give us eyes to see and ears to hear what You are doing!  Give us a hunger and thirst for Your revelation!  Help us to understand what You are doing in us and around us!  Help us not to be stubborn and hard-hearted as we, Your people, so often are!

On the night that Jesus was betrayed by Judas and was put on trial:

John 18:19-23

19 …the high priest quest

This morning, we continue our new message series entitled, “Seek.”  Over and over and over and over again, we’re called in God’s word to seek Him.  We know that if God calls us to do something, it’s not something that we’re going to do naturally on our own.

We were challenged last week to seek after God the way that He seeks after us.  Fervently, but patiently.  Urgently, but patiently.  Passionately, but patiently.  Like Jesus, deciding that not my will, but the Heavenly Father’s will be done.

Today, we’re learning more about the value of seeking God from the example that He gave us in the lives of the M&M sisters; Martha and Mary.

I’m not sure how many of you here have a sister, or are a sister yourself.  It seems to me that quite often, sisters are very different from one another.  One loves dresses, the other jeans.  One is sporty, the other is a book worm.  One eats salads, the other downs pizza.

Although they would die for each other, it may look at times like they are about to kill each other.  These differences are a breeding ground for drama and conflict.

Whether or not that is the case for you, it certainly does seem to be the case for Martha and Mary.  We first are introduced to them here:

Luke 10:38-42 (NLT)

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village (Bethany as revealed in John 11) where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Martha and Mary represent two unique aspects of our lives in Christ.  Although these two aspects are very different from one another and often conflict with one another, they are intended to complement one another.  There is the Martha, doing the work of ministry for Jesus and Mary, receiving the ministry of Jesus.

If you form a committee of doers and seekers, you can just sit back and wait for the drama to begin. 

The Martha doers just want to get things done.  The room needs flooring, so let’s go buy it so that we can get to work laying it!  They measure the area of the room and head down to the hardware store to buy what they need and have it finished by the end of the day.

The Martha seekers want to research what type of activities are going to be taking place in that room.  They want to be sure that they choose the right type of flooring.  Then, they want to be sure that the style and color are a good fit, too.  They’ll plan meetings to share ideas and opinions back and forth to be sure that as many as possible are in agreement.  Then, once the type and style and color of flooring is selected, they’ll get estimates from professional and amateur installers weighing out the pros and cons of each estimate.  A year following the meeting, the flooring installation begins.

Both Martha doers and Mary seekers are needed in the body of Christ.  In fact, in our own lives, there needs to be a healthy balance of times and seasons for both doing ministry and receiving ministry.

Myself, I’m a doer.  When I read about Martha’s plea to Jesus that it just isn’t fair for her to be doing all of the work, my heart leaps and I can quickly say, “AMEN!” 

However, Jesus said that all of her worrying and getting upset over all of the details of the meal didn’t matter.  He said that there is only one thing worth being concerned about.  Mary had discovered that better thing and He refused to take it away from her.

Mary chose to seek Jesus.  She chose to sit at His feet; to learn from Him, to build a relat

This morning, we’re beginning a new message series entitled, “Seek.”  Over and over and over and over again, we’re called in God’s word to seek Him.  We know that if God calls us to do something, it’s not something that we’re going to do naturally on our own.

What does it look like to seek after God, though?  Is it to read a devotional, pray before meals, listen to Christian music most of the time, go to church Sundays?  Is seeking after God a casual thing that we do in our spare time if nothing more important comes up?

Or is seeking after God supposed to look more like seeking our keys when we’re already running late?  A fervent, passionate, focused pursuit that stirs up the same concern and desire within all of those around us to join in that search.  Together, we seek until we find and nothing distracts us from that pursuit of finding those keys.

There’s nothing wrong with spiritual disciplines.  They are critically necessary to our faith.  However, if they just become tasks to check off of our list that we do religiously, then we’re missing it entirely!

Jesus said:

Matthew 13:44-46 (NLT)

44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

Do we seek after God in this way?  Do we see this level of value in the Kingdom of Heaven?  Are we willing to leave behind everything else in passionate and joyous pursuit of it?  Do we find excitement in seeking after God?  If not, then we’re doing it wrong!

The footnote in The Passion Translation of the Bible provides this commentary:

“The most accepted interpretation of this parable is that Jesus is the treasure, but Jesus taught that the field is the world (v. 38). The allegory breaks down, for a believer doesn’t sell all he has (works) and then buy the world to find Jesus (the treasure). It is more plausible to view the hidden treasure as a symbol of you and me. Jesus is the man who sold all that he owned, leaving his exalted place of glory to come and pay for the sin of the whole world with his own blood just so he could have you, his treasure. Heaven’s kingdom realm is experienced when we realize what a great price Jesus places on our souls, for he gave his sacred blood for us. The re-hiding of the treasure is a hint of our new life, hidden in God.”

For me, this is a whole new perspective on the two parables found in these two verses.  Whichever way we consider this parable of Jesus and the analogy found within it; I think it’s right.

Consider the value that Jesus placed on redeeming you and I.  He was willing to give up absolutely everything for us.  He stepped off the throne surrounded by glory and praise and worship to Himself and chose to humble Himself to become wrapped in flesh just like you and I, but without sin.  Then, He chose to give up even His humbled humanity in a horrific death as His blood poured out for us.

He did it all to take on the wrath that we deserve, the wrath that only He alone, not even the Father or Spirit, is worthy to unleash on His creation.

Consider the mission statement that Jesus adhered to throughout His earthy ministry and how He lived it out:

Luke 19:10 (NLT)

the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.  We see how He responded to those “sinners” who the religious leaders wouldn’t even speak to.  We see how He responds to us in our sinful condition.  He didn’t just lay down His life for us, He seeks after us.  He pursues us in the same way that He sought after Adam and Eve in the garden right after the original sin was committed. 

Jesus is passionate about seeking and saving lost sinners like you and I.  Jesus went out and met those si

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This morning, we celebrate Palm Sunday also known as Passion Sunday! 

Although we haven’t been meeting for our community services this year, most churches have been moving through the season of Lent.  Lent is a period of 40 days set apart for prayer, repentance, and sacrifice to remember and to honor the sacrifice of Jesus beginning with Ash Wednesday.

Today marks the beginning of the last week in the earthly life of Jesus where we really see His passion for His purpose to seek and save the lost become clear.  It begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem where the people honor Him rightfully as their King and Savior.  He entered the city riding on a colt indicating that He was entering in peace and in victory.

Matthew 21:1-10

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,

    ‘See, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” (Zech. 9:9)

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna (Save Us!) to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Psalm 118:25,26)

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

Oh, the many identity crises surrounding who Jesus was!  One thing was certain, though.  Jesus knew who He was, what His purpose was, and what He was about to accomplish for you and I and even for the crowds now shouting “Hosanna!” whom soon would be shouting “Crucify!”

All of this was done to fulfill what God had spoken through the prophets.

Amos 3:7-8

7 Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing

    without revealing his plan

    to his servants the prophets.

8 The lion has roared—

    who will not fear?

In fact, even the laying down of palm branches was a prophetic act.  There will come a day when we lay down palm branches before Jesus not to proclaim Him as victorious King prophetically, but as the fulfillment of that prophecy!  As the archangel Gabriel told Mary regarding Jesus’ birth:

Luke 1:37

For no word from God will ever fail.

The apostle John was given a glimpse into the end times when the roaring Lion of Judah, Jesus the Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Alpha and the Omega, is found to be the only one worthy in Heaven and earth to open the scroll which unleashes the great tribulation leading to the end of all things.  He then wrote:

Revelation 7:9-17

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,

who sits on the throne,

and to the Lamb.”

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

“Amen!

Praise and glory

and wisdom and thanks and honor

and power and strength

be to our God for ever and ever.

Amen!”

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

14 I answered, “Sir, you k