Twenty three
percent of Americans agreed
00:00:18.50\00:00:21.19
with same sex
marriage in February.
00:00:21.22\00:00:24.61
As August was drifting
away, it was 83 percent.
00:00:24.64\00:00:30.12
And now the remainder
I embarrassed to stand.
00:00:30.15\00:00:35.96
We got to be very wise
00:00:35.99\00:00:37.18
I heard the chief say this once,
00:00:37.21\00:00:39.04
we got to be very wise
about it but it is not right.
00:00:39.07\00:00:43.43
Jesus say, that's it
was in the days of Noah,
00:00:43.46\00:00:46.02
so shall it be
all so in the days
00:00:46.05\00:00:47.62
of the coming of Son of Man.
00:00:47.65\00:00:49.06
And then he said, likewise
as it was in the days of Lot.
00:00:49.09\00:00:54.50
Lot lived in Sodom
00:00:54.53\00:00:55.85
and Sodom has given a
name to upper version, Sodomy.
00:00:55.88\00:01:00.20
We all are clear what it means
00:01:00.23\00:01:01.69
and everybody in
Sodom was not a sodomite.
00:01:01.72\00:01:05.80
Yet they burned in the same fire
00:01:05.83\00:01:08.95
because they supported the pools
00:01:08.98\00:01:11.77
that agreed with the filth.
00:01:11.80\00:01:16.95
I want to just
bring up several questions
00:01:16.98\00:01:19.16
and thank you for that.
00:01:19.19\00:01:21.03
And then we want to move
to signs within the church.
00:01:21.06\00:01:25.14
Several statements were written
00:01:25.17\00:01:26.87
in about
various world religions,
00:01:26.90\00:01:28.68
major world regions
other than Christianity.
00:01:28.71\00:01:31.65
And the idea was do these
factor big in end time events?
00:01:31.68\00:01:38.36
World religions
that lead people away,
00:01:38.39\00:01:43.17
you know, from the message.
00:01:43.20\00:01:45.40
What is the role of
these world religions
00:01:45.43\00:01:49.01
and their almost increased
activity and magnetism?
00:01:49.04\00:01:53.19
Is that have anything to do?
00:01:53.22\00:01:55.34
A number of people
have written questions
00:01:55.37\00:01:56.89
similar that with the end time.
00:01:56.92\00:02:02.54
Okay.
00:02:02.57\00:02:04.18
Fifteen seconds
or more. Seventeen.
00:02:04.21\00:02:08.15
It seems very clear
from Revelation 13 and 17,
00:02:08.18\00:02:11.85
if there is a globalism
that occurs at the end of time
00:02:11.88\00:02:14.96
and it has a religious overtone.
00:02:14.99\00:02:17.63
So therefore
something is going to happen
00:02:17.66\00:02:20.22
whereby religion
or a form of religion
00:02:20.25\00:02:23.82
seems to become a global goal.
00:02:23.85\00:02:27.18
I'm not smart
enough to figure out
00:02:27.21\00:02:28.64
how this will happen
00:02:28.67\00:02:29.87
but it's predicted
in the Word of God,
00:02:29.90\00:02:31.84
I can take that
at pretty good value.
00:02:31.87\00:02:35.61
And we're gonna see some
kind of unification globalism
00:02:35.64\00:02:38.54
at the end of time
around a form of religion
00:02:38.57\00:02:41.75
is the ultimate threat
sector for God's true people.
00:02:41.78\00:02:45.64
Elder Wilson.
00:02:45.67\00:02:46.78
Definitely these world religions
00:02:46.81\00:02:48.99
are playing a major
role in shaping culture
00:02:49.02\00:02:52.70
and in eventually
forming some kind of alliance
00:02:52.73\00:02:58.75
which will be
against the main theme
00:02:58.78\00:03:02.34
of the Three Angels
Messages are Revelation 14
00:03:02.37\00:03:05.11
and that is turning people
back to the true worship of God.
00:03:05.14\00:03:09.89
Righteousness by
faith, Christ righteousness
00:03:09.92\00:03:13.18
which is the core really
of the Three Angels Messages
00:03:13.21\00:03:16.68
is in total contrast to every
other religious belief system.
00:03:16.71\00:03:23.76
Because there is a
self initiated approach
00:03:23.79\00:03:29.05
to working away
through salvation
00:03:29.08\00:03:31.62
where as a complete
reliance upon Christ
00:03:31.65\00:03:34.81
is the message of the
Three Angels Messages.
00:03:34.84\00:03:37.80
And really I think we're seeing
00:03:37.83\00:03:40.68
a tremendous effort on the
part of many world religions
00:03:40.71\00:03:45.99
to somehow place their influence
00:03:46.02\00:03:49.11
on the world's perspective.
00:03:49.14\00:03:52.35
And that's going
to affect all of us
00:03:52.38\00:03:54.75
and we have to
redouble our efforts
00:03:54.78\00:03:58.84
to present the
complete full message.
00:03:58.87\00:04:01.82
That is the reason
Seventh-day Adventists
00:04:01.85\00:04:05.26
have been called at this time.
00:04:05.29\00:04:07.28
Amen.
00:04:07.31\00:04:10.03
I just want to just mention,
00:04:10.06\00:04:11.49
I don't want to
start like a broken record
00:04:11.52\00:04:13.86
but in Matthew 24 talks
about love external signs.
00:04:13.89\00:04:18.90
And the verses that are
often ignored of verses 12 to 14
00:04:18.93\00:04:24.40
where Matthew says, "
00:04:24.43\00:04:28.55
And because
lawlessness will abound,
00:04:28.58\00:04:30.86
the love of many will grow cold.
00:04:30.89\00:04:33.34
But he who endures to
the end shall be saved.
00:04:33.37\00:04:37.23
And this gospel of the kingdom
00:04:37.26\00:04:39.21
will be preached
in all the world."
00:04:39.24\00:04:41.02
And that verse that
00:04:41.05\00:04:42.08
but he who endures to the
end is in contradistinction
00:04:42.11\00:04:45.64
to what is
mentioned the lawlessness
00:04:45.67\00:04:49.35
and the love of
many growing cold.
00:04:49.38\00:04:51.79
So that enduring to the end
00:04:51.82\00:04:53.56
when we look at Hebrews
12:2 which Mark read for us
00:04:53.59\00:04:57.29
that he endured the
cross despising the shame.
00:04:57.32\00:05:01.43
1 Corinthians 13:7, 8 says,
00:05:01.46\00:05:04.54
that love endures all
things, love never fails.
00:05:04.57\00:05:09.51
So in the end times
one of the signs of the end
00:05:09.54\00:05:12.38
in God's people will
be the God pay of Christ.
00:05:12.41\00:05:16.16
And, you know, it's
easy to look outside
00:05:16.19\00:05:17.87
and see all these things
00:05:17.90\00:05:18.93
that are
happening and get ready.
00:05:18.96\00:05:20.98
But I hate to see
to think that the thing
00:05:21.01\00:05:23.70
that's gonna
precipitate the second coming
00:05:23.73\00:05:26.21
is going to be just
all these external things.
00:05:26.24\00:05:29.26
I think we as a
people need to recognize,
00:05:29.29\00:05:32.09
look inside of own hearts
00:05:32.12\00:05:33.88
because that's what gonna
precipitate the second coming.
00:05:33.91\00:05:36.27
I don't think it's
going to be other things.
00:05:36.30\00:05:38.93
Thank you for
that and that segue us
00:05:38.96\00:05:40.94
to then focus more on
the signs of the church
00:05:40.97\00:05:43.77
and one of the
signs you are suggesting
00:05:43.80\00:05:45.31
is that they'll be this
endurant love for Christ
00:05:45.34\00:05:48.71
in the midst of conflict.
00:05:48.74\00:05:50.22
I might just say
one thing you didn't say
00:05:50.25\00:05:51.77
on the panel even
though I'm the moderate
00:05:51.80\00:05:53.98
which must be I'm a little more
moderate than the rest of you.
00:05:54.01\00:05:58.20
You know I've read a
number of books recently
00:05:58.23\00:06:00.40
one from Harvard
and one from Stanford
00:06:00.43\00:06:02.30
where the number one course
at Stanford for the public
00:06:02.33\00:06:05.86
that is yarn for as a
desire to have self control.
00:06:05.89\00:06:11.68
And that's the number one
course people are attending.
00:06:11.71\00:06:14.41
As I read the book
of those class notes
00:06:14.44\00:06:17.36
and then another
one that was related
00:06:17.39\00:06:20.05
from another Ivy League school,
00:06:20.08\00:06:22.49
it almost was the summary
of the Adventist message.
00:06:22.52\00:06:26.53
They went through and they said,
00:06:26.56\00:06:28.18
if you want to have
control in your life,
00:06:28.21\00:06:30.50
for instance one
section was on bright-lines
00:06:30.53\00:06:33.74
and bright-lines
were the Ten Commandments.
00:06:33.77\00:06:35.91
And they said
the Ten Commandments
00:06:35.94\00:06:37.35
if you have something
that sets you from God
00:06:37.38\00:06:40.19
and you just hang
the Ten Commandments
00:06:40.22\00:06:42.29
up in your
office studies now show
00:06:42.32\00:06:44.80
that you'll have less
cheating, less dishonesty,
00:06:44.83\00:06:48.43
more compliance then if
you handout a policy book
00:06:48.46\00:06:52.35
or if you look at this or that.
00:06:52.38\00:06:53.75
This was a secular
thing and they were saying
00:06:53.78\00:06:56.17
what you really need
is the Ten Commandments
00:06:56.20\00:06:58.69
displayed
prominently in your building.
00:06:58.72\00:07:01.36
And I thought the
early advent churches
00:07:01.39\00:07:03.17
that had the Ten Commandments
on the front and they say
00:07:03.20\00:07:06.49
then not as the law
that you had to keep
00:07:06.52\00:07:09.19
but as the promise
God would keep in you.
00:07:09.22\00:07:11.83
And that somehow just brought,
you know, focus to them.
00:07:11.86\00:07:14.73
So thank you panel,
00:07:14.76\00:07:16.30
for allowing me to
use my position to make.
00:07:16.33\00:07:22.59
Just one small
point in the midst
00:07:22.62\00:07:24.22
of your many points
which are excellent.
00:07:24.25\00:07:27.68
Let's move on now to
this idea of the church.
00:07:27.71\00:07:32.50
What are signs in the
church that God needs to come,
00:07:32.53\00:07:40.03
maybe good, maybe bad?
00:07:40.06\00:07:41.20
Our last section
we're gonna talk about
00:07:41.23\00:07:42.68
what we can do to
hasten His coming,
00:07:42.71\00:07:45.42
so don't take all those
00:07:45.45\00:07:46.82
and I'm talking
about signs in the church
00:07:46.85\00:07:48.69
and I have a
number of questions here
00:07:48.72\00:07:52.15
if you need help, yes.
00:07:52.18\00:07:53.85
One of them is signs in
the church, the Bible says,
00:07:53.88\00:07:57.04
"My people will be willing
in the day of His power."
00:07:57.07\00:08:00.26
And it's incredible when
Jesus last words recorded
00:08:00.29\00:08:03.43
in the first chapter of Acts,
00:08:03.46\00:08:05.21
you'll be witnesses to me
and Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria,
00:08:05.24\00:08:07.76
the outer most
part of the earth.
00:08:07.79\00:08:09.20
And if you look at the
projects were supported by ASI,
00:08:09.23\00:08:13.65
some are local,
some are in conference,
00:08:13.68\00:08:15.20
some are worldwide.
00:08:15.23\00:08:16.72
And I can tell you
when people are thinking
00:08:16.75\00:08:18.78
about their estate
plans now they're thinking
00:08:18.81\00:08:20.93
what can we do
for our local church,
00:08:20.96\00:08:22.36
what can we help the
evangelism, our conference.
00:08:22.39\00:08:24.99
What are the world fields?
00:08:25.02\00:08:26.28
So these are positive
things that I see and we're told
00:08:26.31\00:08:29.58
that near the end of
people will give hundreds
00:08:29.61\00:08:31.67
as cheerfully as
dollars are given today.
00:08:31.70\00:08:34.04
That is a good sign
within our church, I believe.
00:08:34.07\00:08:37.43
Okay, let me just
throw a question in here
00:08:37.46\00:08:41.80
that someone called in
00:08:41.83\00:08:44.02
and I'm gonna
direct this to Elder Finley
00:08:44.05\00:08:45.99
since he was wanting to speak.
00:08:46.02\00:08:49.44
My question is, are we
holding up the return of Jesus
00:08:49.47\00:08:52.93
by our current
lifestyles within the church?
00:08:52.96\00:08:56.25
There seems to be
relaxing of standards
00:08:56.28\00:08:58.42
and the churches
looking a lot like
00:08:58.45\00:08:59.98
other churches in the world.
00:09:00.01\00:09:01.83
I've heard members say
when I talk about these things,
00:09:01.86\00:09:05.22
this is not a salvation issue.
00:09:05.25\00:09:07.95
And what I'm talking
about is modest dress
00:09:07.98\00:09:10.00
and jewelry and makeup and diet
and Hollywood entertainment.
00:09:10.03\00:09:14.88
Is this a sign of
the end in the church?
00:09:14.91\00:09:20.42
The solution to
the standards problem
00:09:20.45\00:09:24.98
is not a judging others
00:09:25.01\00:09:27.90
whose standards may
not be the same as my own.
00:09:27.93\00:09:31.51
Neither is that solution
focusing on those standards.
00:09:31.54\00:09:37.43
The more I get to know Jesus,
00:09:37.46\00:09:39.73
the more my heart
yearns to be like Him,
00:09:39.76\00:09:43.37
and the more
selfishness and greed
00:09:43.40\00:09:46.29
and lust are no
longer part of my lifestyle.
00:09:46.32\00:09:50.63
And so the solution,
you know, Jesus says,
00:09:50.66\00:09:53.44
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:20,
00:09:53.47\00:09:56.52
"We are ambassadors for Christ."
00:09:56.55\00:09:59.46
When I come to Jesus
and I really know Him,
00:09:59.49\00:10:03.42
I wouldn't want to do one
thing that displeases Him.
00:10:03.45\00:10:07.09
And if there is
an article of dress,
00:10:07.12\00:10:09.20
if there is something
I'm watching on television
00:10:09.23\00:10:11.94
that displeases Jesus,
00:10:11.97\00:10:13.61
I wouldn't want that in my life.
00:10:13.64\00:10:16.48
When I talk to young
people and they say to me,
00:10:16.51\00:10:20.32
is it wrong to
watch this on television
00:10:20.35\00:10:23.20
or what's wrong with movies,
00:10:23.23\00:10:25.58
my approach to
them is simply this.
00:10:25.61\00:10:29.42
I would say to them
in Philippians Chapter 4,
00:10:29.45\00:10:34.34
God gives us a
screen for our minds.
00:10:34.37\00:10:38.78
When you put a
screen on the window
00:10:38.81\00:10:40.51
in the summer time
00:10:40.54\00:10:41.91
it keeps out the mosquitoes
and keeps out the bugs.
00:10:41.94\00:10:46.61
And God gives us a
screen for our minds
00:10:46.64\00:10:49.11
in Philippians 4 God says,
00:10:49.14\00:10:51.12
"And the peace of God," verse 7,
00:10:51.15\00:10:53.52
"which passes all understanding,
00:10:53.55\00:10:55.42
will guard your hearts and minds
00:10:55.45\00:10:57.47
through Christ Jesus."
00:10:57.50\00:10:59.07
The devil wants
to steal our minds,
00:10:59.10\00:11:02.58
Jesus wants us
to keep our minds.
00:11:02.61\00:11:05.14
Then Paul says, "
Finally, brethren,
00:11:05.17\00:11:06.98
whatever things are true,"
00:11:07.01\00:11:09.49
or is whatsoever watching true,
00:11:09.52\00:11:11.82
"whatever things are noble,
00:11:11.85\00:11:13.37
it uplifts you
builds your character.
00:11:13.40\00:11:15.74
Whatever things are
just, whatever things are pure,
00:11:15.77\00:11:18.77
whatever things are
lovely if its good report
00:11:18.80\00:11:21.20
if there is any virtue
of this any praise think
00:11:21.23\00:11:24.20
on these things are
meditate upon these things."
00:11:24.23\00:11:28.40
The Bible gives
us eternal principles
00:11:28.43\00:11:31.95
and the question you ask is
what is your motive in dress?
00:11:31.98\00:11:36.75
Is it to be an
ambassador for Christ
00:11:36.78\00:11:39.76
or to draw
attention to yourself?
00:11:39.79\00:11:42.33
What is your
motive in what you watch
00:11:42.36\00:11:45.19
in what you watch on
television and others?
00:11:45.22\00:11:48.34
Is that going to prepare
you for the kingdom of Jesus
00:11:48.37\00:11:51.48
or is that gonna fill
your mind with something
00:11:51.51\00:11:54.48
that deteriorates
from that kingdom?
00:11:54.51\00:11:57.00
So to me focusing upon Jesus,
00:11:57.03\00:12:00.61
allowing the eternal
principles of His word
00:12:00.64\00:12:03.31
to shape my mind
solves the standards problem.
00:12:03.34\00:12:08.15
Elder Wilson.
00:12:08.18\00:12:09.47
I wanted to say something
about a very positive sign
00:12:09.50\00:12:11.88
that I see within the church
00:12:11.91\00:12:13.46
as to the
nearness of Christ coming.
00:12:13.49\00:12:17.59
We have humbly shared the
idea of revival in reformation.
00:12:17.62\00:12:24.94
You would not believe
00:12:24.97\00:12:26.84
the incredible
grass roots response
00:12:26.87\00:12:29.90
that we are receiving
from around the world.
00:12:29.93\00:12:32.88
And as Nancy and I
travel as others travel,
00:12:32.91\00:12:36.03
we visit local churches,
areas, all over this globe.
00:12:36.06\00:12:41.33
And there is a resurgent
of a humility before the Lord
00:12:41.36\00:12:47.80
that I think is
absolutely a clear sign
00:12:47.83\00:12:51.32
that the Holy Spirit is
doing something extraordinary.
00:12:51.35\00:12:55.32
The whole understanding
of a return to scripture
00:12:55.35\00:12:59.12
to reading the Bible
00:12:59.15\00:13:00.69
and understanding it as it reads
00:13:00.72\00:13:03.30
and understanding of
the Spirit of Prophecy,
00:13:03.33\00:13:05.92
a passionate prayer life
and then a witnessing activity.
00:13:05.95\00:13:10.16
And this is most remarkably
seen in our young people.
00:13:10.19\00:13:15.14
And I want to
tell you even though
00:13:15.17\00:13:16.51
you can find challenges
in the area of youth ministry
00:13:16.54\00:13:21.42
and challenges to try to
draw our young people back in,
00:13:21.45\00:13:25.11
we're seeing an
incredibly large interest
00:13:25.14\00:13:28.75
on the part of young
people to get back to the basics
00:13:28.78\00:13:31.81
and to work for
the Lord's soon coming.
00:13:31.84\00:13:33.77
Amen. Amen.
00:13:33.80\00:13:36.09
Okay, we have one minute left
00:13:36.12\00:13:38.00
and other signs in the
church you want to bring out
00:13:38.03\00:13:40.63
I was not-- I was gonna
ask your previous question
00:13:40.66\00:13:42.62
about the jury et
cetera, et cetera.
00:13:42.65\00:13:44.52
I'm gonna answer that from
the standpoint of a physician.
00:13:44.55\00:13:47.34
If someone comes to
your office as a physician
00:13:47.37\00:13:49.73
with complaints of chest pain,
00:13:49.76\00:13:51.66
maybe some leg pain,
00:13:51.69\00:13:52.83
maybe some sweating diaphoreses.
00:13:52.86\00:13:55.06
You don't treat eat symptom,
00:13:55.09\00:13:56.50
there's a
reason for the symptom.
00:13:56.53\00:13:58.50
And I think if we try
to pick apart those things,
00:13:58.53\00:14:00.93
you see what is
actually going on.
00:14:00.96\00:14:03.16
I just want to read one quote
00:14:03.19\00:14:04.70
that Ellen
White wrote, she says,
00:14:04.73\00:14:06.99
"There is one
great central truth
00:14:07.02\00:14:08.91
to be kept ever before the mind
00:14:08.94\00:14:10.52
in the searching
of the scriptures,
00:14:10.55\00:14:12.30
Christ and Him crucified."
00:14:12.33\00:14:14.67
And I think if our young
people came to church every week
00:14:14.70\00:14:18.28
and they saw an uplifted
Savior every week powerfully
00:14:18.31\00:14:22.28
and convincingly
presented from the pulpit,
00:14:22.31\00:14:25.36
we would not be
having a problem with jury
00:14:25.39\00:14:27.80
and et cetera as
you can name them,
00:14:27.83\00:14:30.44
you know, letting for an item.
00:14:30.47\00:14:32.08
So spoken as a
radiological cardiologist word
00:14:32.11\00:14:37.75
get to the heart of the matter.
00:14:37.78\00:14:39.51
We're gonna have
another special medley now,
00:14:39.54\00:14:42.85
Second Coming medley
with Jennifer LeMountain
00:14:42.88\00:14:45.87
and I know that
you're gonna be blessed
00:14:45.90\00:14:48.60
as we listen to
these wonderful numbers.
00:14:48.63\00:14:51.07
That glorious day is coming
00:15:12.66\00:15:19.10
The hour is hastening on
00:15:19.13\00:15:25.01
Its radiant light is shining
00:15:25.04\00:15:31.56
Brighter than the sun
00:15:31.59\00:15:38.81
In yonder clouds of heaven
00:15:38.84\00:15:44.68
The Savior will appear
00:15:44.71\00:15:50.95
And gather all His chosen
00:15:50.98\00:15:57.08
To meet Him in the air
00:15:57.11\00:16:03.90
O Christian, hear the warning
00:16:03.93\00:16:10.09
To Jesus quickly fly!
00:16:10.12\00:16:15.57
Be prayerful, watchful, faithful
00:16:15.60\00:16:21.37
The trumpet soon will sound!
00:16:21.40\00:16:27.66
O Sinner, hear the warning
00:16:27.69\00:16:33.38
To Jesus quickly fly!
00:16:33.41\00:16:39.50
Then you, in that blest morning
00:16:39.53\00:16:45.39
May meet Him in the sky!
00:16:45.42\00:16:53.18
Lift up the
trumpet, and loud let it ring
00:16:53.21\00:16:57.87
Jesus is coming again!
00:16:57.90\00:17:02.73
Cheer up, ye
pilgrims, be joyful and sing
00:17:02.76\00:17:08.34
Jesus is coming again!
00:17:08.37\00:17:13.70
Coming again, coming again
00:17:13.73\00:17:18.74
Jesus is coming again!
00:17:18.77\00:17:25.74
I can hear the chariots rumble
00:17:30.90\00:17:35.21
I can see the marching throng
00:17:35.24\00:17:39.64
And the flurry of God's trumpets
00:17:39.67\00:17:43.20
Spells the end of sin and wrong
00:17:43.23\00:17:48.35
Regal robes are now unfolding
00:17:48.38\00:17:52.89
Heaven's
grandstand's all in place
00:17:52.92\00:17:57.52
Heaven's choir now assembled
00:17:57.55\00:18:01.30
Start to sing Amazing Grace
00:18:01.33\00:18:08.44
O the King is coming
00:18:08.47\00:18:14.84
The King is coming
00:18:14.87\00:18:18.81
I just heard the
trumpets sounding
00:18:18.84\00:18:22.69
And now His face I see
00:18:22.72\00:18:26.59
O the King is coming
00:18:26.62\00:18:32.02
The King is coming
00:18:32.05\00:18:36.01
Praise God
00:18:36.04\00:18:38.16
He's coming for me
00:18:38.19\00:18:44.65
Praise God
00:18:44.68\00:18:47.16
He's coming for me
00:18:47.19\00:18:53.16
For me
00:18:57.81\00:18:59.59
For me
00:18:59.62\00:19:05.52
Amen. Amen.
00:19:05.55\00:19:10.65
Well, welcome back those of
you that maybe just joined us
00:19:10.68\00:19:15.10
we're in the midst
of the panel discussion
00:19:15.13\00:19:17.00
on the second coming.
00:19:17.03\00:19:19.20
And we have
considered several questions,
00:19:19.23\00:19:21.72
why are we still
talking about the second coming.
00:19:21.75\00:19:23.95
And why has
Christ not yet returned
00:19:23.98\00:19:26.73
and we had some
vigorous answers to that
00:19:26.76\00:19:28.71
if you just joined us
you may want to get the tape
00:19:28.74\00:19:31.45
or listen to it
again as its aired
00:19:31.48\00:19:33.99
to see what the panel has said.
00:19:34.02\00:19:35.29
Then secondly what are
some signs of the coming
00:19:35.32\00:19:37.78
both in the world
and then in the church
00:19:37.81\00:19:40.21
and we heard
some exciting things
00:19:40.24\00:19:42.67
about what Lord is
doing in the church.
00:19:42.70\00:19:45.52
I want to just-- I
know that section is done
00:19:45.55\00:19:47.84
but there was one other question
00:19:47.87\00:19:49.11
I want to add there
that we did not get to.
00:19:49.14\00:19:51.31
And then we'll go
to our final section
00:19:51.34\00:19:54.38
which hopefully is
really the take home methods
00:19:54.41\00:19:57.48
what can we do as church members
00:19:57.51\00:20:00.07
to hasten the coming?
00:20:00.10\00:20:01.31
Can we in fact
hasten it what can we do?
00:20:01.34\00:20:03.46
But before we
get to that section
00:20:03.49\00:20:06.22
a number of people wrote in
00:20:06.25\00:20:07.46
so I felt like we
needed to address this
00:20:07.49\00:20:11.55
and all the
questions were similar
00:20:11.58\00:20:14.50
and I think they were grappling
00:20:14.53\00:20:16.69
and most of these
questions with the delay.
00:20:16.72\00:20:20.25
And they were saying,
00:20:20.28\00:20:22.38
you know, well, maybe
those prophecies made sense,
00:20:22.41\00:20:25.87
you know, back then.
00:20:25.90\00:20:27.78
But maybe they need
to be reapplied again
00:20:27.81\00:20:30.41
taking some
portions of scripture
00:20:30.44\00:20:32.56
and then reapplying
those various prophecies
00:20:32.59\00:20:35.97
and what not.
00:20:36.00\00:20:37.03
So, I want to ask
you what would you say
00:20:37.06\00:20:40.17
about these duel
applications of prophecies
00:20:40.20\00:20:43.49
that we're seeing
within the church?
00:20:43.52\00:20:47.36
I think when
let Mark answer that
00:20:52.66\00:20:54.33
when he had a
good answer backstage
00:20:54.36\00:20:55.97
but I want to talk
to you about the delay.
00:20:56.00\00:20:58.69
And that we've
discussed this briefly also
00:20:58.72\00:21:01.02
and Ellen White
says, the apparent delay
00:21:01.05\00:21:04.73
or tearing time
is not so in reality,
00:21:04.76\00:21:07.47
at the appointed
time He will come.
00:21:07.50\00:21:09.62
I believe that
Jesus wanted to come early
00:21:09.65\00:21:11.80
but He will not come late.
00:21:11.83\00:21:15.26
Amen. Thank you.
00:21:15.29\00:21:17.23
And now to the other section
of the question, Elder Finley.
00:21:17.26\00:21:23.98
What about the reapplication
of time prophecies?
00:21:24.01\00:21:27.59
You have to distinguish between
application and fulfillment.
00:21:27.62\00:21:32.68
If you look for example
and I'll give you an example,
00:21:32.71\00:21:34.82
if you look at
the seven churches,
00:21:34.85\00:21:36.96
the seven churches apply in
a historical period of time.
00:21:36.99\00:21:40.77
Ephesus, Smyrna,
Pergamos, Thyatira et cetera.
00:21:40.80\00:21:44.50
But they were principles
from those seven churches
00:21:44.53\00:21:46.97
that you can apply
in every generation.
00:21:47.00\00:21:50.11
So when it comes
to the application
00:21:50.14\00:21:52.47
of the principles of prophecy,
00:21:52.50\00:21:54.70
you can have more
than one application.
00:21:54.73\00:21:57.41
The Bible is always
relevant, it's always true.
00:21:57.44\00:22:01.28
But fulfillment
is a different thing.
00:22:01.31\00:22:04.45
Every time prophecy of the Bible
00:22:04.48\00:22:07.18
that is routed historically
in time has one fulfillment.
00:22:07.21\00:22:12.20
There is no exception
00:22:12.23\00:22:14.74
when you look at the
fulfillment of prophecy.
00:22:14.77\00:22:17.08
Let me give you some
examples the 1,260 years,
00:22:17.11\00:22:20.55
538, 1798, you
have a fulfillment.
00:22:20.58\00:22:24.42
So Seventh-day Adventists
look at historical continuum.
00:22:24.45\00:22:28.14
We look at-- we look
at Daniel 2, Daniel 7,
00:22:28.17\00:22:31.51
Daniel 8, Daniel 11 as
a historical continuum.
00:22:31.54\00:22:34.90
Babylon Medo-Persia, Greece,
Rome, the rise of the papacy,
00:22:34.93\00:22:38.43
the break-- the
breakup of the Roman Empire
00:22:38.46\00:22:40.77
and eventually
the coming of Christ.
00:22:40.80\00:22:43.18
So we look down that continuum.
00:22:43.21\00:22:45.38
Now what about taking prophecies
00:22:45.41\00:22:47.84
like in Daniel
12, the 1,290 days
00:22:47.87\00:22:50.82
and reapplying it saying that,
00:22:50.85\00:22:52.96
you know, that may
not apply to 508 to 1798.
00:22:52.99\00:22:58.28
There are those and here
is what at least I believe
00:22:58.31\00:23:00.57
and I'll give you my
own personal opinion.
00:23:00.60\00:23:03.26
I think it's a
fundamental Pharisee
00:23:03.29\00:23:06.86
to try to retime said today
00:23:06.89\00:23:09.33
and they were
two reasons for that.
00:23:09.36\00:23:11.62
And one of them is
found in Revelation 10,
00:23:11.65\00:23:16.72
where an angel swears
where you have this angel
00:23:16.75\00:23:21.46
Revelation 10:7 and
it says, Revelation says,
00:23:21.49\00:23:26.70
he swear by him who
lives for ever an ever
00:23:26.73\00:23:29.27
that created heaven
00:23:29.30\00:23:30.77
and the things
that are there in.
00:23:30.80\00:23:32.53
And earth the
things that are there in
00:23:32.56\00:23:34.67
that there should
be time no longer.
00:23:34.70\00:23:37.27
So here you have an angel
lifting his hand to heaven
00:23:37.30\00:23:41.40
saying that
after the fulfillment
00:23:41.43\00:23:43.64
of the 2,300 years in
1844 that prosthetic time
00:23:43.67\00:23:47.95
the word for time
in Greek is chronos,
00:23:47.98\00:23:49.87
the chronos
prosthetic time runs out.
00:23:49.90\00:23:52.02
So after 1844,
00:23:52.05\00:23:54.06
there is no longer a
message based on time.
00:23:54.09\00:23:57.59
What is God looking for? He
is looking for three things.
00:23:57.62\00:24:02.14
The development of a people
00:24:02.17\00:24:03.34
that reflect his
lovely character.
00:24:03.37\00:24:05.09
That love him so
much that they go out
00:24:05.12\00:24:06.75
and preach the
gospel to the world.
00:24:06.78\00:24:08.41
He's looking for a people
that are unselfishly served
00:24:08.44\00:24:11.46
that of a passion to
serve the world for Christ.
00:24:11.49\00:24:15.17
So the issue is not
figuring out on a time short.
00:24:15.20\00:24:22.25
The issue is no longer
figuring out some time chart
00:24:22.28\00:24:27.25
that one person understands
that nobody else understands
00:24:27.28\00:24:30.83
and if they only
would understand it
00:24:30.86\00:24:32.16
Jesus would come.
00:24:32.19\00:24:33.63
The issue was now
00:24:33.66\00:24:35.25
the development of a
character like Christ,
00:24:35.28\00:24:36.80
the passion to preach
His love to the world.
00:24:36.83\00:24:39.47
And the
reflection of His character
00:24:39.50\00:24:43.41
and the desire to
see every human being,
00:24:43.44\00:24:46.98
no Christ and
His love in a planet.
00:24:47.01\00:24:48.88
So looking at time
is no longer an issue.
00:24:48.91\00:24:52.90
Here is a statement
that really has helped me
00:24:52.93\00:24:54.75
on this the seventh
volume of the Testimonies 971
00:24:54.78\00:24:58.28
which Ellen White says,
00:24:58.31\00:24:59.68
"The people of
God will never again
00:24:59.71\00:25:01.83
have a message based on time."
00:25:01.86\00:25:04.12
So it's no longer time
that we're looking for.
00:25:04.15\00:25:07.04
It's a people
that are so committed
00:25:07.07\00:25:08.95
to taking the
gospel to every nation,
00:25:08.98\00:25:10.86
kindred, tongue,
and people in the world.
00:25:10.89\00:25:14.44
Thank you for that.
00:25:14.47\00:25:16.02
Going now forward
to our next question,
00:25:16.05\00:25:19.34
our final question
actually for the section
00:25:19.37\00:25:21.31
we have about 23
minutes to develop it.
00:25:21.34\00:25:24.05
And that is how
can Church members,
00:25:24.08\00:25:27.29
members of the remnant church
00:25:27.32\00:25:30.02
be involved in
working to finish the work?
00:25:30.05\00:25:35.88
How can we involve in that?
00:25:35.91\00:25:37.15
And I guess
before we get into that
00:25:37.18\00:25:40.15
I have a specific question
that I want to put before you
00:25:40.18\00:25:43.26
because a number
of people wrote in.
00:25:43.29\00:25:45.67
And they were
concerned with this emphasis
00:25:45.70\00:25:49.50
which I think
also was a Bible text,
00:25:49.53\00:25:51.69
it's actually I don't
know if they know it or not
00:25:51.72\00:25:53.48
but this is actual
text from the Bible
00:25:53.51\00:25:55.05
that talks about hastening
the coming of the Lord.
00:25:55.08\00:25:59.59
And so I probably got 15
or 20 questions that asked.
00:25:59.62\00:26:04.61
Can we really
even hasten His coming?
00:26:04.64\00:26:08.57
And that seems one said
00:26:08.60\00:26:10.13
that seems like a
real burden put on me.
00:26:10.16\00:26:13.45
If He hasn't coming this long
and now I'm supposed to do it.
00:26:13.48\00:26:16.38
How can we even say we're
supposed to hasten His coming?
00:26:16.41\00:26:21.93
And some of you're
wanting to answer that.
00:26:21.96\00:26:24.69
Yes, let's go ahead.
00:26:24.72\00:26:26.11
I'd like to propose an answer
00:26:26.14\00:26:27.92
out of old time
classic Adventism.
00:26:27.95\00:26:31.36
And that is to remember
00:26:31.39\00:26:32.72
when we're living the
period in which we're living.
00:26:32.75\00:26:35.02
We are living if anything
00:26:35.05\00:26:37.49
we ever preached
and believed is true
00:26:37.52\00:26:41.18
we are living in
the Day of Atonement.
00:26:41.21\00:26:44.74
This is it we
have been for 169 years
00:26:44.77\00:26:49.58
as I said the other
day if that is not true
00:26:49.61\00:26:52.81
and we have no
reason to be here.
00:26:52.84\00:26:55.80
If we are living in
the Day of Atonement
00:26:55.83\00:26:58.02
then how should we live?
00:26:58.05\00:26:59.90
What did Israel do?
They cleaned everything up.
00:26:59.93\00:27:02.87
They cleaned their hearts,
00:27:02.90\00:27:04.07
they stood in the
door of their tents
00:27:04.10\00:27:06.36
which symbolize
they didn't intend
00:27:06.39\00:27:08.06
to be in the desert very long,
00:27:08.09\00:27:09.57
they were headed
home and so should we be.
00:27:09.60\00:27:13.37
Israel stood there
and the Hebrew word used
00:27:13.40\00:27:16.53
to describe what they
engaged in this or not.
00:27:16.56\00:27:19.40
It means deep self interceptions
00:27:19.43\00:27:23.34
searching of ones own life.
00:27:23.37\00:27:25.18
In what way am I still
outside the will of God?
00:27:25.21\00:27:29.40
And I just believe that people
living on the Day of Atonement
00:27:29.43\00:27:32.88
should take their relationship
00:27:32.91\00:27:34.52
with the Lord
very, very seriously.
00:27:34.55\00:27:38.13
So but did that
hasten has coming?
00:27:38.16\00:27:40.43
They knew when
that was each year.
00:27:40.46\00:27:42.57
Could you hasten
the Day of Atonement,
00:27:42.60\00:27:44.38
they came at a certain time.
00:27:44.41\00:27:45.87
The question was really
00:27:45.90\00:27:47.49
can we hasten
the coming of Christ
00:27:47.52\00:27:50.46
and what do you
think, Elder Wilson?
00:27:50.49\00:27:54.28
I definitely believe that
00:27:54.31\00:27:55.92
and if the Lord wants to
use us to hasten His coming.
00:27:55.95\00:27:58.88
And I don't think
we can do it ourselves,
00:27:58.91\00:28:01.43
as we place
ourselves in God's hands.
00:28:01.46\00:28:03.93
I think now we are
developing so many opportunities
00:28:03.96\00:28:07.59
for church
members to become involve.
00:28:07.62\00:28:11.76
Any of you who have been
involved in new beginnings
00:28:11.79\00:28:14.79
and the small group
ministry in public evangelism,
00:28:14.82\00:28:20.39
some of us have just come
out of wonderful experience
00:28:20.42\00:28:23.98
in the New York City area.
00:28:24.01\00:28:26.37
When you are involved in
preaching the biblical truths
00:28:26.40\00:28:30.23
as Seventh-day
Adventist understand them
00:28:30.26\00:28:33.16
and lifting up the
Three Angels messages
00:28:33.19\00:28:36.47
with Holy Spirit power.
00:28:36.50\00:28:38.27
I want to tell you the changes
00:28:38.30\00:28:39.83
that take place
in people's lives
00:28:39.86\00:28:42.13
and the messages
which you actually preach
00:28:42.16\00:28:45.16
and as the one who was preaching
00:28:45.19\00:28:47.62
in one of those meetings.
00:28:47.65\00:28:49.68
It absolutely
reinvigorates your belief
00:28:49.71\00:28:53.87
that Jesus is coming soon.
00:28:53.90\00:28:56.05
And it is one of
those things which all of us
00:28:56.08\00:28:58.75
you may not be able to preach
00:28:58.78\00:29:00.28
but you can do
medical missionary work.
00:29:00.31\00:29:02.55
You may not be able to
proclaim something publicly
00:29:02.58\00:29:05.43
but you can talk
to your neighbor.
00:29:05.46\00:29:08.11
You're going to see I
might add a stronger emphasis
00:29:08.14\00:29:11.31
in this area of personal
ministry of reaching out.
00:29:11.34\00:29:15.79
I mentioned
comprehensive health ministry,
00:29:15.82\00:29:17.98
we're gonna have tremendous
global conference on health
00:29:18.01\00:29:21.75
and lifestyle in
Geneva next summer
00:29:21.78\00:29:25.27
sponsored by the
General Conference
00:29:25.30\00:29:27.17
where people from
all over the world
00:29:27.20\00:29:28.99
are gonna be coming to help know
00:29:29.02\00:29:31.01
how participate in
the way that Jesus work.
00:29:31.04\00:29:35.18
So I think that
there are many ways
00:29:35.21\00:29:38.14
in which each of us
can now get involved.
00:29:38.17\00:29:40.39
If you have any questions,
00:29:40.42\00:29:41.69
just go down to the exhibit area
00:29:41.72\00:29:43.80
and you'll find all kinds
of ways in which to witness.
00:29:43.83\00:29:47.15
And that I believe
as we humble ourselves,
00:29:47.18\00:29:50.82
truly humble ourselves
00:29:50.85\00:29:52.38
and ask for the in
filling of the Holy Spirit
00:29:52.41\00:29:55.21
and the latter rain, I believe
that will hasten Jesus coming.
00:29:55.24\00:29:59.62
Okay.
00:29:59.65\00:30:01.60
Doctor, you have
something to add?
00:30:01.63\00:30:03.55
Again I want to draw
from my physician background.
00:30:03.58\00:30:07.12
You know, sometimes
when you go to the doctor,
00:30:07.15\00:30:08.88
they give you a
difficult diagnosis.
00:30:08.91\00:30:11.47
It's hard to swallow.
00:30:11.50\00:30:13.81
And I want to just
look at Revelation 3
00:30:13.84\00:30:17.66
because I think
that's how we can hasten
00:30:17.69\00:30:19.67
the soon coming of the Lord.
00:30:19.70\00:30:21.61
He gave us a
diagnosis which we do not like.
00:30:21.64\00:30:24.74
He says, "enter the angel of
the church of Laodicea write,
00:30:24.77\00:30:28.30
it says, I know your work,
00:30:28.33\00:30:29.38
that you are
neither cold nor hot.
00:30:29.41\00:30:30.64
I could wish you cold or hot.
00:30:30.67\00:30:32.85
So, then
because you are lukewarm
00:30:32.88\00:30:35.29
because you see I'm rich
00:30:35.32\00:30:36.39
but have become
wealthy have need of nothing
00:30:36.42\00:30:39.68
and do not know
that you are wretched,
00:30:39.71\00:30:41.38
miserable poor,
blind and naked."
00:30:41.41\00:30:43.37
That's a tough
diagnosis but praise the Lord.
00:30:43.40\00:30:46.23
He doesn't leave us there.
00:30:46.26\00:30:47.29
He says, "I counsel you
00:30:47.32\00:30:50.37
because you have all
these medical issues,
00:30:50.40\00:30:53.28
spiritual issues to buy from me
00:30:53.31\00:30:55.68
gold refined in the fire.
00:30:55.71\00:30:56.94
That's the
Christ or righteousness
00:30:56.97\00:30:59.68
that you have maybe
rich and white garments
00:30:59.71\00:31:03.08
that you will be clothed
00:31:03.11\00:31:04.74
and the same of your
nakedness may not be revealed."
00:31:04.77\00:31:07.68
And then in Zechariah 12:10,
00:31:07.71\00:31:10.12
"And I will pour
on the house of David
00:31:10.15\00:31:12.59
and on the
inhabitants of Jerusalem,
00:31:12.62\00:31:14.96
the spirit of
grace and supplication.
00:31:14.99\00:31:17.74
Then they will look on
me whom they have pierced,
00:31:17.77\00:31:20.40
they will mourn for him as
one mourns for his only son,
00:31:20.43\00:31:24.23
and grieve for him as
one grieves for a firstborn."
00:31:24.26\00:31:27.51
And I think that
answer to this soon
00:31:27.54\00:31:29.98
to the hasting
the coming of the Lord
00:31:30.01\00:31:32.37
is to recognize and
accept or diagnosis.
00:31:32.40\00:31:35.95
At the same time of recognizing
00:31:35.98\00:31:37.41
that He who
gave us the diagnosis
00:31:37.44\00:31:39.61
is loving and merciful
and has a remedy for us.
00:31:39.64\00:31:43.89
Amen. Okay.
00:31:43.92\00:31:45.94
I want to get a
couple questions,
00:31:45.97\00:31:47.11
I know you have other
things you'd like to say
00:31:47.14\00:31:48.75
but the people are
wanting to speak here as well.
00:31:48.78\00:31:53.08
Here's one for Elder
Reid, since he raised his hand.
00:31:53.11\00:31:57.63
"I really believe that
we're at the end of time
00:31:57.66\00:32:00.02
but I have
believed that from 30 years.
00:32:00.05\00:32:02.94
But now I really know
00:32:02.97\00:32:04.48
that it definitely
is the end of time.
00:32:04.51\00:32:07.92
But it's always
hard to know what to do.
00:32:07.95\00:32:10.54
Do we invest the 401K
00:32:10.57\00:32:13.97
that we're about to invest
to prepare for retirement.
00:32:14.00\00:32:17.02
What do we do with our funds?
00:32:17.05\00:32:19.39
I have asked the
Lord in prayer for answers
00:32:19.42\00:32:21.51
that don't seem to come.
00:32:21.54\00:32:23.71
I feel that I perhaps have
made bad choices in the past
00:32:23.74\00:32:26.98
thinking the
Lord was coming soon.
00:32:27.01\00:32:28.89
Yet I know the end is near.
The end is definitely in near.
00:32:28.92\00:32:32.92
I guess my question is
00:32:32.95\00:32:34.84
how should I
repair for retirement
00:32:34.87\00:32:37.39
before the cloud of
total financial collapse
00:32:37.42\00:32:40.99
that comes on the horizon."
00:32:41.02\00:32:43.88
Well, it's very interesting
that people are concerned
00:32:43.91\00:32:46.14
about the economy,
finances or something
00:32:46.17\00:32:48.14
we all have in
common and it's amazing
00:32:48.17\00:32:49.84
that people are
beginning to think
00:32:49.87\00:32:52.09
more seriously about
that in relation to the end.
00:32:52.12\00:32:54.99
I think
everybody here recognizes
00:32:55.02\00:32:57.31
this is
important to understand now
00:32:57.34\00:32:58.97
that everyone who
leaves this earth alive
00:32:59.00\00:33:02.46
that means you
are in the save group.
00:33:02.49\00:33:05.07
Will have gone
through a period of time
00:33:05.10\00:33:06.58
when you cannot buy or sell.
00:33:06.61\00:33:09.40
How do you
prepare for that time?
00:33:09.43\00:33:10.74
The similar question is
just like what you've asked.
00:33:10.77\00:33:13.54
And I personally think
there are several things
00:33:13.57\00:33:15.38
that we've been
told and one of them
00:33:15.41\00:33:17.26
is to develop our faith in God,
00:33:17.29\00:33:18.96
so that He can see us
through these difficult times.
00:33:18.99\00:33:21.65
Put our lives in
harmony of God's will.
00:33:21.68\00:33:23.59
Ellen White was such a
strong stewardship preacher
00:33:23.62\00:33:26.09
that frequently when she spoke
00:33:26.12\00:33:27.60
people would come
down the isle spontaneously
00:33:27.63\00:33:29.64
with tears in
their eyes and say,
00:33:29.67\00:33:31.13
should we sell our house?
00:33:31.16\00:33:32.99
And she always
gave the same answer.
00:33:33.02\00:33:34.83
Put it on the altar and
if you have more than one
00:33:34.86\00:33:37.84
houses and lands
divest yourself of these
00:33:37.87\00:33:40.50
and put the money in the cause.
00:33:40.53\00:33:42.41
Someday we're
gonna have to walk off
00:33:42.44\00:33:43.84
and leave everything as
we see it being burned up.
00:33:43.87\00:33:47.78
Was this true?
00:33:47.81\00:33:48.88
And that will, you
know, reduce this value
00:33:48.91\00:33:50.56
considerable as you can imagine.
00:33:50.59\00:33:52.42
The whole idea is when we
put ourselves in God's hands,
00:33:52.45\00:33:58.23
all we have is belongs to God
00:33:58.26\00:34:00.06
and that will be
I think important.
00:34:00.09\00:34:01.60
There is a little
trying that we put in faith
00:34:01.63\00:34:03.34
and finance the
new book on stewardship
00:34:03.37\00:34:05.49
which is retirement in
the end time same thing,
00:34:05.52\00:34:08.19
make sure your needs are met
then the next level your family
00:34:08.22\00:34:12.02
and finally your
spiritual legacy.
00:34:12.05\00:34:14.19
And if you have
people like Cathy and I who,
00:34:14.22\00:34:16.53
you know, taking
care of our debts
00:34:16.56\00:34:18.25
we're taking care of and so on.
00:34:18.28\00:34:20.55
We should have a great
focus on finishing the work now.
00:34:20.58\00:34:23.98
We should all be
audited by the RS every year.
00:34:24.01\00:34:27.68
On contributions
only. Get that part.
00:34:27.71\00:34:32.59
Let me toss one in here,
00:34:32.62\00:34:33.79
I really agree
with what Ed just said
00:34:33.82\00:34:35.80
but let the Lord lead.
00:34:35.83\00:34:38.38
The important thing
is put it on the altar
00:34:38.41\00:34:40.87
and let the Lord
make the decision.
00:34:40.90\00:34:43.28
We could make the wrong
decision let the Lord lead.
00:34:43.31\00:34:47.75
Pastor Brooks question for you.
00:34:47.78\00:34:52.93
Does-- what role and
this is talking about
00:34:52.96\00:34:57.45
how members could be involved
00:34:57.48\00:34:58.87
so I put the
question in this section.
00:34:58.90\00:35:00.96
What part does
church member activation,
00:35:00.99\00:35:04.10
in another words being
inactive church members
00:35:04.13\00:35:06.50
having the process of
receiving the latter rain.
00:35:06.53\00:35:11.04
Don't we get the latter rain
00:35:11.07\00:35:12.97
to empower us to do
effective evangelism?
00:35:13.00\00:35:16.35
Why do it before then?
00:35:16.38\00:35:20.27
I was sitting here
and thinking at my age
00:35:20.30\00:35:24.24
I don't hear as well
that some of my brethren.
00:35:24.27\00:35:27.82
But I have a
concern that I think
00:35:27.85\00:35:29.99
gets to the bottom
of most of our problems.
00:35:30.02\00:35:33.10
God has a special love
for this revenant church.
00:35:33.13\00:35:38.00
Now we know that this is true.
00:35:38.03\00:35:41.55
Satan despises you
says the Spirit of Prophecy
00:35:41.58\00:35:46.67
and he hates to
workers even more.
00:35:46.70\00:35:49.40
So we've got that aspect
00:35:49.43\00:35:51.17
of the Great
Controversy before us.
00:35:51.20\00:35:54.11
And the remedy for
many of our churches
00:35:54.14\00:35:57.28
is to simply preach the
message God has given to us.
00:35:57.31\00:36:03.32
They need a hear it in church
00:36:03.35\00:36:05.41
and then share
it in the streets.
00:36:05.44\00:36:09.09
Listen to what God had said.
00:36:09.12\00:36:11.67
We will not become
discouraged, hear it
00:36:11.70\00:36:16.36
but I heard a young man say,
he was a minister just a sign.
00:36:16.39\00:36:21.91
And he said to his friends,
00:36:21.94\00:36:24.16
I'm glad we don't have to preach
00:36:24.19\00:36:26.95
that old stuff anymore.
00:36:26.98\00:36:31.33
And I thought to
myself how tragic that is.
00:36:31.36\00:36:35.96
God has given us
an in time message.
00:36:35.99\00:36:40.08
Ellen White says the Three
Angels messages are the last
00:36:40.11\00:36:45.25
and I sometimes
ask what part of last
00:36:45.28\00:36:48.24
is it we don't understand.
00:36:48.27\00:36:50.84
It is the last
warning message to the world.
00:36:50.87\00:36:54.31
We need to know it thoroughly
second coming is a part of it.
00:36:54.34\00:36:58.19
I used to have
people coming to me
00:36:58.22\00:36:59.43
and said, pastor,
how do you do this
00:36:59.46\00:37:01.81
when you are
going to repeat the same
00:37:01.84\00:37:03.57
evangelist sermons over an over?
00:37:03.60\00:37:06.24
I should know you
don't have to do that
00:37:06.27\00:37:08.22
you must repeat
the text and the proofs
00:37:08.25\00:37:12.14
but you don't have to.
00:37:12.17\00:37:13.56
You want to have 15 ways
to preach the second coming.
00:37:13.59\00:37:17.24
And it all to be enjoyed
discovering how do we do it.
00:37:17.27\00:37:20.94
And thus it is fresh
00:37:20.97\00:37:23.05
and when we
understand our message
00:37:23.08\00:37:25.74
and when we pray
and revival of strikes
00:37:25.77\00:37:30.57
and that sort of thing
and we line up with it.
00:37:30.60\00:37:34.32
Then it will be
a joy to share it
00:37:34.35\00:37:36.22
because we are
certain about something.
00:37:36.25\00:37:40.37
I'm certain that
this message is the truth.
00:37:40.40\00:37:46.04
I don't have any doubt,
00:37:46.07\00:37:47.80
I settled that
at a longtime ago,
00:37:47.83\00:37:50.61
I'm certain and I would trust
that all of us will be soon.
00:37:50.64\00:37:55.91
Elder Finley, you
know the Bible says
00:37:55.94\00:37:58.57
it's more blessed to
give then it is to receive.
00:37:58.60\00:38:02.06
One of the reasons to get
actively involved in witness
00:38:02.09\00:38:05.00
and sharing your faith
00:38:05.03\00:38:06.21
is because as you do
that you grow in Christ.
00:38:06.24\00:38:10.69
God could have
reached the world without us.
00:38:10.72\00:38:14.71
But He gives us
the glorious privilege
00:38:14.74\00:38:17.00
to participate
with Him in His mission
00:38:17.03\00:38:19.82
in soul winning
starves, selfishness to death.
00:38:19.85\00:38:24.64
Acts of the Apostles 105
says, "Strength to resist evil
00:38:24.67\00:38:28.17
is best gained
through aggressive service."
00:38:28.20\00:38:31.21
The Pharisees prayed
and they crucified Christ.
00:38:31.24\00:38:35.16
The Pharisees memorize the Bible
00:38:35.19\00:38:37.32
and they crucified Christ.
00:38:37.35\00:38:39.59
How can you pray
and memorize the Bible
00:38:39.62\00:38:42.38
and crucify Jesus?
00:38:42.41\00:38:44.03
Because it focused on them self.
00:38:44.06\00:38:47.18
Sharing your
faith, using the gifts
00:38:47.21\00:38:49.78
that God has
given you, witnessing,
00:38:49.81\00:38:52.82
starve, selfishness to death.
00:38:52.85\00:38:55.30
The more I love
Jesus, the more I share.
00:38:55.33\00:38:57.72
And the more I share, the
more I meant to love Jesus.
00:38:57.75\00:39:00.63
Amen. Elder Wilson.
00:39:00.66\00:39:02.40
Yeah, I just want
to touch on the point
00:39:02.43\00:39:04.42
about the latter rain.
00:39:04.45\00:39:06.52
I believe that the Holy Spirit
00:39:06.55\00:39:07.73
has been working
in a powerful way
00:39:07.76\00:39:09.32
and is working right now.
00:39:09.35\00:39:10.87
But there is
going to come a time
00:39:10.90\00:39:13.31
when the latter rain will
fall in unprecedented power.
00:39:13.34\00:39:18.13
And that is something that
the Lord asks us to pray for
00:39:18.16\00:39:21.30
and to humble
ourselves for Hosea Chapter 6.
00:39:21.33\00:39:26.89
"This is call to repentance
and revival and reformation."
00:39:26.92\00:39:29.89
And I think
that's at going again
00:39:29.92\00:39:32.31
what attorney Walton was saying,
00:39:32.34\00:39:34.86
this is Day of Atonement,
00:39:34.89\00:39:36.50
the sanctuary
message is not just
00:39:36.53\00:39:38.99
some nice collection
of interesting apartments
00:39:39.02\00:39:42.53
and things that
we can talk about.
00:39:42.56\00:39:44.44
It is a description of
God's plan of salvation
00:39:44.47\00:39:47.76
and we're living in
that very description.
00:39:47.79\00:39:51.50
And Hosea 6, "Come,
let us return to the Lord,
00:39:51.53\00:39:55.08
he's torn but he will heal,
00:39:55.11\00:39:56.85
he will bind us
up, he will revive us,
00:39:56.88\00:39:59.13
we'll that we may
live in his sight,
00:39:59.16\00:40:01.52
let us peruse the
knowledge of the Lord
00:40:01.55\00:40:03.43
is going forth is
established as the morning."
00:40:03.46\00:40:06.52
And in verse--
the end of verse 3,
00:40:06.55\00:40:09.04
"He will come to
us like the rain,
00:40:09.07\00:40:11.65
like the latter and
former rain to the earth."
00:40:11.68\00:40:14.43
And I believe that
latter rain is going to come.
00:40:14.46\00:40:17.24
How else are we gonna
reach the entire world?
00:40:17.27\00:40:19.54
It doesn't mean we
should stop our mission activity
00:40:19.57\00:40:23.15
which is so beautifully
exemplified here at ASI
00:40:23.18\00:40:27.18
and how the
churches working in general.
00:40:27.21\00:40:30.28
But God has promised something
very unique at the end of time
00:40:30.31\00:40:34.70
and I think we need
to pray for it earnestly.
00:40:34.73\00:40:37.85
Okay, follow up on the
comments of Elder Wilson
00:40:37.88\00:40:40.51
because they were
number of questions
00:40:40.54\00:40:41.60
that we're right to
this idea of the latter rain
00:40:41.63\00:40:44.19
connecting it with the loud cry.
00:40:44.22\00:40:46.41
So a number of people wrote in
and said, what is the loud cry?
00:40:46.44\00:40:49.96
Didn't I read somewhere
that it already started?
00:40:49.99\00:40:54.61
So this I think
is a very big concern
00:40:54.64\00:41:00.02
as I got a number of questions.
00:41:00.05\00:41:01.44
So what is the loud cry?
00:41:01.47\00:41:03.16
Didn't it already
start, now we're talking about
00:41:03.19\00:41:05.37
it needs to come but
didn't it already start?
00:41:05.40\00:41:09.36
Well, I let one of
these two master evangelists,
00:41:09.39\00:41:13.12
answer if they wish.
00:41:13.15\00:41:15.84
But, you know, Revelation 18
00:41:15.87\00:41:19.23
which is already been Referenced
00:41:19.26\00:41:22.17
is one that
describes the incredible power
00:41:22.20\00:41:25.89
that will come down,
much of that connected
00:41:25.92\00:41:27.95
with the work of
publications and media,
00:41:27.98\00:41:31.63
activity that
will go into the hearts
00:41:31.66\00:41:34.32
and homes of people?
00:41:34.35\00:41:37.50
I truly believe that
the loud cry will come
00:41:37.53\00:41:41.78
at a particular
time in an expanded way,
00:41:41.81\00:41:45.12
when the
conditions are such that
00:41:45.15\00:41:48.51
people will have to
make an absolute decision.
00:41:48.54\00:41:51.87
And I think that is I
think I can see the convergence
00:41:51.90\00:41:54.73
of so many things
that are coming very soon
00:41:54.76\00:41:57.52
when that loud cry will be
shared in a most dynamic way.
00:41:57.55\00:42:02.95
I'll read, one interesting thing
00:42:02.98\00:42:05.20
is we're told
that the Holy Spirit
00:42:05.23\00:42:07.66
does not come
on a waiting church
00:42:07.69\00:42:09.69
but a working church
and that's what Elder Finley
00:42:09.72\00:42:11.77
is just mentioned
Elder Wilson as well.
00:42:11.80\00:42:13.97
And so if we want
to receive God's spirit
00:42:14.00\00:42:16.30
would become active and
I think that's important.
00:42:16.33\00:42:19.42
One other thing I should say
00:42:19.45\00:42:20.48
when you study about
the role of the Holy Spirit,
00:42:20.51\00:42:22.90
it seems to me that Ellen White
makes this amazing statement
00:42:22.93\00:42:26.94
we should be praying for
the early rains experience
00:42:26.97\00:42:29.50
as well when people
got their early rain
00:42:29.53\00:42:32.46
carefully listen
uneducated fishermen
00:42:32.49\00:42:36.39
were able to speak in languages
00:42:36.42\00:42:38.25
they had never
learned without an accent.
00:42:38.28\00:42:40.62
So efficiently they
won thousands of people
00:42:40.65\00:42:43.00
to the church.
00:42:43.03\00:42:44.36
In addition to that
they were able to raise
00:42:44.39\00:42:47.21
sick people
even raised the dead.
00:42:47.24\00:42:49.88
Now this is
incredible and she says
00:42:49.91\00:42:52.07
the latter rain will be
more abundant than that.
00:42:52.10\00:42:54.43
So I think our
prayer will be started me
00:42:54.46\00:42:56.95
growing with the early
rains like will be ready
00:42:56.98\00:42:58.91
to be finished off
with the latter rain.
00:42:58.94\00:43:01.92
Well, thank you.
00:43:01.95\00:43:04.34
Okay, another question
that came in under this idea
00:43:04.37\00:43:06.98
of how can ASI
members be involved
00:43:07.01\00:43:09.87
and church members
in finishing the work.
00:43:09.90\00:43:12.66
Does each church
having their own pastor
00:43:12.69\00:43:15.97
have a negative
affect on the churches
00:43:16.00\00:43:18.50
evangelistic nature.
00:43:18.53\00:43:20.77
And if so what are
the plans to change that.
00:43:20.80\00:43:24.39
I know this
person is trying to get
00:43:24.42\00:43:25.52
rid of their pastor
and that Elder Wilson,
00:43:25.55\00:43:27.30
but how would
you respond to them?
00:43:27.33\00:43:31.02
Is if each church,
you know, has their pastor
00:43:31.05\00:43:35.58
doesn't that hand for
evangelistic activity.
00:43:35.61\00:43:37.62
Oh, yeah, yeah, okay.
00:43:37.65\00:43:39.49
Well, actually--
00:43:39.52\00:43:41.05
Elder Finley said it
depends who the pastor is.
00:43:41.08\00:43:46.86
You know, when you go
back into Adventist history,
00:43:46.89\00:43:49.84
you understand that pastors
were not necessarily assigned
00:43:49.87\00:43:56.83
to individual churches.
00:43:56.86\00:43:59.40
But the church
members were supposed
00:43:59.43\00:44:01.20
to carry on local
activities within churches
00:44:01.23\00:44:04.33
and pastors or
preachers were to be proclaimers
00:44:04.36\00:44:09.01
of the word in an
evangelistic sense.
00:44:09.04\00:44:11.69
And the church members
where to tell the pastor,
00:44:11.72\00:44:14.38
you go ahead and preach
and we'll just take care
00:44:14.41\00:44:16.86
of all the needy
gritty of running the church.
00:44:16.89\00:44:20.77
And I think that probably
and in some parts of the world,
00:44:20.80\00:44:24.24
in our world church
that's exactly what happens.
00:44:24.27\00:44:27.34
Where a pastor
may have a district
00:44:27.37\00:44:29.14
with 30 churches, 40 churches
00:44:29.17\00:44:32.56
and he may only get
around to a number of them
00:44:32.59\00:44:35.86
even during an entire
year and yet local leadership
00:44:35.89\00:44:39.91
is driving the
evangelistic activity.
00:44:39.94\00:44:43.20
So I think
probably we need to get
00:44:43.23\00:44:46.26
back to more of
a model like that
00:44:46.29\00:44:49.64
rather than what Ellen White,
00:44:49.67\00:44:53.36
the Spirit of Prophecy indicates
00:44:53.39\00:44:55.29
we should not have
settled pastors so to speak.
00:44:55.32\00:44:59.11
And a settled situation
where everyone simply pays
00:44:59.14\00:45:03.43
the preacher to
tell them something nice
00:45:03.46\00:45:06.38
rather the church
members are to be involved
00:45:06.41\00:45:10.40
to the maximum in evangelism
00:45:10.43\00:45:12.74
and the pastor ought
to be instructing them
00:45:12.77\00:45:15.79
as to how to do that.
00:45:15.82\00:45:17.75
Okay.
00:45:17.78\00:45:21.16
If I was a
pastor listening to this
00:45:21.19\00:45:22.72
I'd be start to
do a lot of work,
00:45:22.75\00:45:24.59
you know, when I was a
pastor I told my members
00:45:24.62\00:45:26.64
I'm gonna reach out to the other
00:45:26.67\00:45:29.00
non-Adventist
ministers in the town
00:45:29.03\00:45:31.86
and you reach out to the others,
00:45:31.89\00:45:34.65
anyway but, Elder Finley.
00:45:34.68\00:45:37.16
Here is the
incredible good news,
00:45:37.19\00:45:39.43
every single one of us has been
called as a witness for Jesus.
00:45:39.46\00:45:43.60
Every single one of us
has been gifted by Jesus.
00:45:43.63\00:45:47.57
We don't need a degree,
we don't need authority,
00:45:47.60\00:45:50.94
we don't need a
letter of permission.
00:45:50.97\00:45:53.03
When you become a Christian,
you are a witness for Jesus.
00:45:53.06\00:45:57.22
And if we can go from
this ASI Convention saying
00:45:57.25\00:46:00.95
Lord, what gifts
have you given me
00:46:00.98\00:46:04.37
that I'm not currently using
00:46:04.40\00:46:06.68
that I can put into action
in my local church for Christ.
00:46:06.71\00:46:11.48
What do you want me to do?
00:46:11.51\00:46:13.42
Here is it
incredibly dangerous prayer.
00:46:13.45\00:46:16.76
To get on our knees
and say, okay, Lord,
00:46:16.79\00:46:18.93
you've been blessing my life.
00:46:18.96\00:46:20.71
Okay, Lord, I've been witnessing
00:46:20.74\00:46:22.40
to a certain extent.
00:46:22.43\00:46:24.04
Okay, Lord, I'm here at
ASI, I have desire to serve You.
00:46:24.07\00:46:29.21
But what more do you have?
What larger vision do you have?
00:46:29.24\00:46:33.93
What do you want me to
do that I'm not yet doing?
00:46:33.96\00:46:37.41
Don't wait for your pastor.
00:46:37.44\00:46:39.33
Don't wait for your conference
or your local church board.
00:46:39.36\00:46:43.31
Say, Lord, place
in my heart a desire
00:46:43.34\00:46:47.22
to witness for
You in a broader way
00:46:47.25\00:46:49.85
and follow the vision
God puts in your heart.
00:46:49.88\00:46:52.26
Amen.
00:46:52.29\00:46:54.13
We have about two minutes left
00:46:54.16\00:46:55.89
and I'm kind of toned
with just talking myself
00:46:55.92\00:46:59.26
or asking another question.
00:46:59.29\00:47:01.53
So I won't do either.
00:47:01.56\00:47:03.59
I'll just read a statement
00:47:03.62\00:47:04.74
that I thought was
a powerful statement.
00:47:04.77\00:47:07.79
And this is from
seven, seventh volume
00:47:07.82\00:47:11.55
of the Testimonies
298 written in 1902.
00:47:11.58\00:47:16.67
And I thought
this put into focus
00:47:16.70\00:47:18.41
this idea of
hastening the Lord's coming.
00:47:18.44\00:47:21.39
"Let no one overtax
his God-given powers
00:47:21.42\00:47:26.01
in an effort to advance
the Lord's work more rapidly,"
00:47:26.04\00:47:29.60
Pastor Finley.
00:47:29.63\00:47:33.05
"The power of man
cannot hasten the work,
00:47:33.08\00:47:38.19
with this must be united
00:47:38.22\00:47:40.73
the power of
heavenly intelligences.
00:47:40.76\00:47:44.70
Though all the workmen now
bearing the heaviest burdens
00:47:44.73\00:47:47.55
should be laid aside,
00:47:47.58\00:47:49.26
God's work would
be carried forward."
00:47:49.29\00:47:54.29
It's good news, isn't it.
00:47:54.32\00:47:55.70
So we need to work
00:47:55.73\00:47:57.17
but we have to
recognize it's the angels
00:47:57.20\00:48:00.59
and those intelligences
that are working with you.
00:48:00.62\00:48:03.50
Has this been a blessing to you?
00:48:03.53\00:48:05.51
Amen.
00:48:05.54\00:48:06.91
How many of you
think that we should,
00:48:06.94\00:48:08.69
you know, in the early church,
you know, what they said.
00:48:08.72\00:48:12.26
They said,
leave, get out of here.
00:48:12.29\00:48:15.70
Tell someone else
00:48:15.73\00:48:17.53
before you forget when you hurt.
00:48:17.56\00:48:20.32
And as we leave ASI,
00:48:20.35\00:48:22.37
hopefully go
back to our churches
00:48:22.40\00:48:25.64
and God can use us to
indeed reflect His character
00:48:25.67\00:48:31.72
and thus hasten His coming.
00:48:31.75\00:48:34.14
May God bless you as we
listen to this wonderful anthem.
00:48:34.17\00:48:37.02
Mine eyes have seen the glory
00:49:53.05\00:49:57.28
Of the coming of the Lord
00:49:57.31\00:50:02.99
He is trampling out the vintage
00:50:03.02\00:50:08.10
Where the grapes
of wrath are stored
00:50:08.13\00:50:13.67
He has loosed the
fateful lightening
00:50:13.70\00:50:18.90
Of His terrible swift sword
00:50:18.93\00:50:24.14
His truth is marching on
00:50:24.17\00:50:31.62
Glory
00:50:31.65\00:50:35.17
Glory
00:50:35.20\00:50:40.94
Hallelujah!
00:50:40.97\00:50:44.52
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
00:50:44.55\00:50:50.57
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
00:50:50.60\00:50:58.55
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
00:50:58.58\00:51:02.68
His truth is marching on
00:51:02.71\00:51:10.66
I have seen him
in the watch-fires
00:51:17.68\00:51:20.92
Of a hundred circling camps
00:51:20.95\00:51:25.06
They have builded him an altar
00:51:25.09\00:51:29.27
In the evening dews and damps
00:51:29.30\00:51:33.55
I can read his
righteous sentence
00:51:33.58\00:51:38.08
By the dim and flaring lamps
00:51:38.11\00:51:42.20
His truth is marching on
00:51:42.23\00:51:50.19
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
00:51:52.23\00:51:56.41
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
00:51:56.44\00:52:00.78
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
00:52:00.81\00:52:04.93
His truth is marching on
00:52:04.96\00:52:09.41
In the beauty of the lilies
00:52:37.58\00:52:44.62
Christ was born across the sea
00:52:44.65\00:52:51.85
With a glory in his bosom
00:52:51.88\00:52:57.40
That transfigures you and me
00:52:57.43\00:53:04.47
As he died
00:53:04.50\00:53:08.00
To make men holy
00:53:08.03\00:53:13.10
Let us live to make men free
00:53:13.13\00:53:17.12
While God is marching on
00:53:17.15\00:53:24.59
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
00:53:24.62\00:53:30.55
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
00:53:30.58\00:53:36.53
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
00:53:36.56\00:53:41.85
His truth is marching on
00:53:41.88\00:53:49.04
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
00:53:49.07\00:53:54.97
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
00:53:55.00\00:54:00.90
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
00:54:00.93\00:54:06.36
His truth is marching on
00:54:06.39\00:54:13.33
Amen
00:54:13.36\00:54:19.04
Amen
00:54:19.07\00:54:23.57
Hallelujah.
00:54:31.16\00:54:32.81
Please bow your
heads with me for prayer.
00:54:41.06\00:54:44.14
Lord, incredible music.
00:54:44.17\00:54:46.86
Thank You so much this afternoon
00:54:46.89\00:54:49.33
that we were able to hear
this varied peaces of music
00:54:49.36\00:54:52.03
they were powerful.
00:54:52.06\00:54:53.60
Thank You for
wonderful discussion.
00:54:53.63\00:54:56.73
All this bring
different perspectives to You
00:54:56.76\00:54:59.51
that what's gonna occur in
the months and years ahead.
00:54:59.54\00:55:02.48
Help us to set aside our
natural worries and concerns
00:55:02.51\00:55:06.88
and that we will focus on You.
00:55:06.91\00:55:09.44
Give us the desire
Lord, to study more
00:55:09.47\00:55:12.00
so that we can confidently
00:55:12.03\00:55:13.54
and comfortably
portray Your love to others.
00:55:13.57\00:55:17.10
Thank you that we're here
together this evening, amen.
00:55:17.13\00:55:20.29