Hello and welcome to
the 3ABN Worship Center -
00:00:37.32\00:00:40.31
the Camp Meeting experience
- as we take a closer look,
00:00:40.51\00:00:43.52
an in-depth look, at the
second coming of our Lord
00:00:43.72\00:00:47.28
and Savior Jesus Christ.
00:00:47.38\00:00:48.72
You will be getting
over the next several days
00:00:49.02\00:00:51.02
what we used to get in
school called eschatology:
00:00:51.22\00:00:54.16
the study of the end things.
Things dealing with the end.
00:00:54.36\00:00:58.47
We were a church
born and birthed in the
00:00:58.70\00:01:01.77
matrix of eschatology. It
was eschatology that drove us.
00:01:01.87\00:01:05.79
It was part of
our name, our fabric.
00:01:05.99\00:01:07.96
We looked towards the
end and tried to be prepared
00:01:08.16\00:01:11.57
for the end. And so
during these next several days
00:01:11.77\00:01:14.96
we will do what some have
accused the church of neglecting
00:01:15.16\00:01:18.68
to do, and that's
concentrating on those things
00:01:18.78\00:01:21.46
dealing with the second
coming of our Lord and Savior
00:01:21.66\00:01:24.01
Jesus Christ. We are so
thankful for our first speaker.
00:01:24.11\00:01:27.21
John Bradshaw did a
marvelous job, did he not?
00:01:27.41\00:01:29.97
Were you blessed
by that presentation?
00:01:30.17\00:01:31.85
Surely we were.
00:01:32.05\00:01:33.68
And each speaker... You know
00:01:33.99\00:01:36.44
we say if you should
have missed any speaker
00:01:37.14\00:01:39.58
it should have
been the last one.
00:01:39.78\00:01:41.22
You don't want to miss
this one. Our speaker now is
00:01:41.42\00:01:44.43
Pastor Kameron DeVasher.
We met him some time ago
00:01:44.63\00:01:47.99
when he was an
associate pastor in Florida.
00:01:48.19\00:01:50.43
He is now the pastor of the
Muskegon and Fremont churches
00:01:50.73\00:01:56.01
in the Michigan Conference
and doing a very, very fine job.
00:01:56.21\00:02:00.52
He's a GYC guy... a
young person with energy
00:02:00.76\00:02:03.52
and much stamina.
You may not recognize him
00:02:03.72\00:02:07.25
when he comes out. He's
added a little something
00:02:07.35\00:02:09.18
to his lower face that he didn't
have when last we met him.
00:02:09.38\00:02:12.27
He looks very professorial
and very distinguished.
00:02:12.57\00:02:15.74
A little gray
hair in there also.
00:02:15.98\00:02:17.62
So he's doing a very,
very fine job for the Lord.
00:02:17.82\00:02:21.14
He is married to Emilie.
00:02:21.47\00:02:22.82
He has two sons:
Henry and Edward.
00:02:23.02\00:02:25.26
And, of course, many of you
know that Edward has had some
00:02:25.47\00:02:28.48
health challenges. We have
prayed much for the DeVasher
00:02:28.68\00:02:31.22
family over the last several
months. And he may want to
00:02:31.32\00:02:33.91
give you a
little update on that.
00:02:34.01\00:02:35.42
I will allow him to
do that if he wishes.
00:02:35.73\00:02:37.94
But Kameron is going to
be speaking on The Great
00:02:38.14\00:02:40.65
Controversy Second Coming.
00:02:40.75\00:02:42.77
And that, of course, is
a very powerful subject...
00:02:42.87\00:02:45.28
one that we want
to know more about.
00:02:45.49\00:02:48.90
We invite you to open
your Bibles; open your pads and
00:02:49.20\00:02:51.84
pencils; fire up your iPads.
00:02:51.94\00:02:53.48
We don't mind if you take notes.
00:02:53.51\00:02:55.18
In fact, we strongly
encourage you to do so.
00:02:55.38\00:02:58.32
We are thankful that
these messages will be available
00:02:59.47\00:03:02.01
after this
weekend shall have ended.
00:03:02.21\00:03:03.85
But you may want to
take some notes even while
00:03:03.95\00:03:05.41
the pastors are speaking for
your own study and edification.
00:03:05.51\00:03:08.56
We'd be certainly
happy if you would do that.
00:03:08.76\00:03:11.06
Just before Pastor DeVasher
speaks, our music is coming from
00:03:11.56\00:03:15.72
our pastor and
friend Pastor John Lomacang.
00:03:15.82\00:03:18.24
And he's going to be singing a
song which is in the trajectory
00:03:18.34\00:03:21.03
of what we've been talking
about. It's from our Pillars II
00:03:21.23\00:03:24.55
album: Don't You
Hear My Jesus Coming?
00:03:24.65\00:03:27.98
But before Pastor Lomacang
comes and Pastor DeVasher speaks
00:03:28.18\00:03:32.48
would you now bow your heads
with me in a word of prayer.
00:03:32.68\00:03:35.05
Gracious Father, again
we thank you and praise you
00:03:36.32\00:03:38.50
so very much for Your Word
00:03:38.70\00:03:40.75
which is a lamp unto our
feet and a light unto our path.
00:03:40.96\00:03:45.07
We are thankful, Lord Jesus,
for the power of Your Word
00:03:45.47\00:03:48.71
and for the surety that we
have that Jesus is coming soon.
00:03:49.01\00:03:52.95
Help us, Lord, as we
learn more about that day
00:03:53.15\00:03:56.16
to prepare our
hearts, our minds for that day
00:03:56.36\00:03:59.43
so that we can
see You face to face.
00:03:59.73\00:04:02.09
And now, Father, we
ask a very special blessing
00:04:02.39\00:04:05.07
on Pastor
DeVasher as he speaks to us
00:04:05.27\00:04:07.27
and open our hearts that we
may be receptive to the word.
00:04:07.67\00:04:11.35
Bless the music
that shall be sung,
00:04:11.58\00:04:13.44
the sermon that
shall be preached.
00:04:13.74\00:04:15.24
And we thank you,
Father, in Jesus' name. Amen.
00:04:15.44\00:04:18.52
Pastor John Lomacang and
then Pastor Kameron DeVasher.
00:04:18.82\00:04:22.00
Don't you see my Jesus coming?
00:04:40.19\00:04:45.91
Don't you see
Him in yonder cloud?
00:04:46.21\00:04:52.12
With 10,000 angels 'round Him,
00:04:53.28\00:04:58.64
see how they my Jesus crowd!
00:04:58.94\00:05:04.88
I am bound for the kingdom,
00:05:05.32\00:05:10.77
Will you go
00:05:11.07\00:05:13.11
to glory with me?
00:05:13.21\00:05:17.13
Hallelujah!
00:05:17.40\00:05:19.99
O praise ye the Lord!
00:05:20.19\00:05:24.51
Don't you see
the saints ascending?
00:05:27.43\00:05:32.21
Hear them
shouting thro' the air.
00:05:32.51\00:05:38.34
Jesus smiling,
trumpets sounding,
00:05:38.65\00:05:43.90
Now His glory they will share.
00:05:44.20\00:05:49.23
For I am bound for the kingdom,
00:05:49.53\00:05:54.49
will you go to glory with me?
00:05:54.89\00:06:00.39
Hallelujah!
00:06:00.69\00:06:03.13
O praise ye the Lord!
00:06:03.23\00:06:07.13
Hallelujah!
00:06:07.43\00:06:09.50
Hallelujah!
00:06:10.00\00:06:12.10
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
00:06:12.40\00:06:14.62
Hallelujah!
00:06:14.92\00:06:20.14
Don't you see the heavens open
00:06:20.44\00:06:26.13
and the saints
00:06:26.43\00:06:28.56
in glory there?
00:06:28.67\00:06:33.10
Shouts of triumph
bursting 'round them
00:06:33.40\00:06:38.54
glory glory
00:06:38.84\00:06:41.59
everywhere!
00:06:41.79\00:06:47.69
I am bound for the kingdom,
00:06:49.31\00:06:53.57
will you go to glory with me?
00:06:53.87\00:06:59.16
Hallelujah!
00:06:59.56\00:07:01.83
O praise ye the Lord!
00:07:02.03\00:07:04.85
Hallelujah!
00:07:05.98\00:07:08.30
O praise ye
00:07:08.50\00:07:10.77
the Lord!
00:07:11.28\00:07:17.20
And all the people said? Amen!
00:07:29.79\00:07:32.45
Has it been a blessing
already this 3ABN Camp Meeting?
00:07:32.96\00:07:36.05
I hope so... in fact, I KNOW so.
00:07:36.25\00:07:37.60
I've been blessed
just listening to it
00:07:37.70\00:07:39.55
and now being a part of it
myself. I'm glad to be here.
00:07:39.65\00:07:41.78
I want to thank 3ABN for
the opportunity to be here
00:07:41.88\00:07:43.75
and I would thank all of you
for showing up and making this
00:07:44.06\00:07:46.60
one of the tremendous blessings
that we get to experience
00:07:46.80\00:07:49.01
together as a church family.
00:07:49.11\00:07:50.62
The burden of my
message this evening
00:07:50.92\00:07:53.38
is, of course,
related to the second coming.
00:07:53.58\00:07:55.73
Everything this weekend is
related to the second coming.
00:07:55.83\00:07:58.10
But I'm going to be addressing
this particular topic from a
00:07:58.20\00:08:02.24
very specific perspective, OK?
00:08:02.34\00:08:06.03
My task - which I'm so
excited about - is to present
00:08:06.23\00:08:10.61
the significance of the
second coming in the context
00:08:10.81\00:08:15.94
of the great controversy.
00:08:16.14\00:08:18.08
The great controversy
is the - as some call it -
00:08:18.58\00:08:21.65
the metanarrative
00:08:21.68\00:08:22.71
that underlies everything
else in our understanding of God
00:08:22.78\00:08:25.59
and His work on our behalf.
00:08:25.79\00:08:27.08
And the second coming is
a wonderful, awesome event
00:08:27.48\00:08:29.88
in and of itself, but it
is an event in a much larger
00:08:29.98\00:08:33.05
spectrum of events
or stream of events,
00:08:33.25\00:08:35.28
a process that God is
doing to rid the universe
00:08:35.38\00:08:38.71
once and for all
of sin and rebellion.
00:08:38.91\00:08:41.87
And so I praise the Lord
that we are living so close
00:08:42.17\00:08:44.91
to the second coming where
our study is not necessarily
00:08:45.01\00:08:47.93
theory but I have
faith that in my lifetime
00:08:48.14\00:08:51.81
we're going to see
Jesus come soon and very soon.
00:08:52.01\00:08:54.60
But before we dive
into a study of God's Word
00:08:54.90\00:08:57.80
let's begin with
a word of prayer.
00:08:58.11\00:08:59.95
Heavenly Father, I want to
thank you for so many things
00:09:00.93\00:09:03.53
this evening.
Thank you for life at all
00:09:03.63\00:09:06.39
but much more importantly,
Lord, thank you for the eternal
00:09:07.54\00:09:10.36
life that is
provided through Jesus Christ.
00:09:10.46\00:09:12.33
And as we look forward
to and as scripture says
00:09:13.13\00:09:15.73
not only look for but
hasten the coming of Christ,
00:09:15.93\00:09:18.87
Lord, help us to be Your people.
00:09:19.17\00:09:21.51
Not just on paper
but in person, Lord,
00:09:21.71\00:09:24.45
make us like Jesus
so that when we see Him
00:09:24.65\00:09:27.07
we go from this world
to the next seamlessly.
00:09:27.27\00:09:30.37
Lord, bless us to that end.
00:09:30.67\00:09:32.00
Bless our minds now. Send
Your Holy Spirit to teach us
00:09:32.20\00:09:34.61
as You have promised to do.
00:09:34.81\00:09:36.15
For we pray it all
in Jesus' name, Amen.
00:09:36.35\00:09:39.37
The purpose of
the great controversy
00:09:41.32\00:09:44.89
is to allow every
sentient being in the universe
00:09:45.88\00:09:51.34
opportunity to see in
Satan and his principles
00:09:51.74\00:09:57.19
what God has seen all along.
00:09:57.69\00:10:00.85
I'm going to say all
that statement again because
00:10:01.66\00:10:03.50
that's going to be the
foundation of what we build upon
00:10:03.70\00:10:06.51
in the rest of
our time together.
00:10:06.72\00:10:08.09
The purpose of
the great controversy
00:10:08.39\00:10:11.00
is to allow every sentient being
00:10:11.30\00:10:14.68
opportunity to see in
Satan and his principles
00:10:14.88\00:10:19.53
what God has seen all along.
00:10:19.73\00:10:22.49
Let me demonstrate
this to you in scripture.
00:10:22.99\00:10:26.85
Go to the book of
Ezekiel... Ezekiel chapter 28.
00:10:27.15\00:10:30.48
There are a couple
of passages that show us
00:10:33.56\00:10:35.98
the background to what
we see in our world now.
00:10:37.10\00:10:41.21
We see Satan, we see
evil, we see all the wake of his
00:10:41.41\00:10:46.20
rebellion in our experience.
But before there was all that
00:10:46.50\00:10:50.56
there are a few passages
of scripture that pull back
00:10:50.66\00:10:52.70
the veil and show us what
we going on before the fall
00:10:52.80\00:10:56.69
and at the time of
the fall in heaven.
00:10:56.89\00:10:58.82
Ezekiel chapter 28;
we'll start with verse 14
00:10:59.02\00:11:01.18
and I want to bring something
specific to your attention
00:11:01.28\00:11:03.76
tonight. When it describes
Lucifer it says in verse 14:
00:11:03.96\00:11:08.82
"You were the anointed cherub
who covers. " And of course,
00:11:09.02\00:11:12.24
as good Seventh-day Adventists
our minds go back to that
00:11:12.44\00:11:14.77
Most Holy Place and
the ark of the covenant
00:11:14.87\00:11:17.35
with the covering cherubs.
That is a representation of
00:11:17.45\00:11:20.33
the position Lucifer once held.
00:11:20.53\00:11:22.48
"You were the
anointed cherub who covers.
00:11:23.58\00:11:25.92
I established you. "
Some versions even say
00:11:26.12\00:11:28.39
"I ordained you. "
00:11:28.59\00:11:29.97
You ever think about
that? At one point Satan was an
00:11:30.38\00:11:32.67
ordained minister in
the courts of heaven.
00:11:32.77\00:11:35.89
But it goes on: "You were
on the holy mountain of God.
00:11:36.19\00:11:38.32
You walked back and forth
in the midst of fiery stones.
00:11:38.53\00:11:40.69
You were perfect in your ways
from the day you were created
00:11:40.89\00:11:43.95
till iniquity
was found in you. "
00:11:44.15\00:11:47.14
Now we'll pause right
here for just a moment.
00:11:47.34\00:11:49.13
Iniquity - that is,
sin - was found where?
00:11:50.19\00:11:52.79
"In you. " In him.
00:11:53.09\00:11:55.33
Let me ask you a very
simple, logical question:
00:11:55.63\00:11:58.13
who is the only being in the
universe who can see anything
00:11:58.43\00:12:01.81
in you? That's God.
00:12:02.01\00:12:04.65
Notice this is an internal...
We're going to see this in
00:12:05.81\00:12:08.15
Isaiah. We're going to see
it in Ezekiel where we are now
00:12:08.35\00:12:10.44
that this is an
internal thing that's going on,
00:12:10.64\00:12:12.60
that we're just seeing
the outward manifestation
00:12:12.90\00:12:15.29
in our lifetime
and our experience.
00:12:15.39\00:12:17.39
But it continues: "Till
iniquity was found in you. "
00:12:17.49\00:12:21.48
Verse 16: "By the abundance
of your trading you became
00:12:21.68\00:12:24.18
filled with violence...
" And here it is again:
00:12:24.28\00:12:26.18
"within... " The
violence was within.
00:12:26.38\00:12:28.64
"Therefore I cast you
as a profane thing out of
00:12:29.14\00:12:32.02
the mountain of God
and I destroyed you,
00:12:32.12\00:12:33.56
O covering cherub, from the
midst of the fiery stones. "
00:12:33.67\00:12:36.56
Notice He did not
destroy him from existence...
00:12:36.76\00:12:39.53
just he got fired from his job.
00:12:39.73\00:12:42.12
He got removed
from that location.
00:12:42.32\00:12:44.35
Geographically he was
displaced, but he was not
00:12:44.65\00:12:47.76
discontinued all together.
00:12:48.06\00:12:50.35
He was cast out instead of
being blotted out of existence.
00:12:51.25\00:12:55.33
And I tell you, one of
the issues that people have
00:12:55.54\00:12:57.29
with Christianity as a whole:
if God knew, why didn't He
00:12:57.50\00:13:01.68
fix it the moment
sin came into existence?
00:13:01.88\00:13:05.66
But we have an answer
to this question right here
00:13:07.81\00:13:09.88
in scripture. Notice
as the passage continues.
00:13:09.98\00:13:11.94
Verse 17: "Your heart was lifted
up because of your beauty.
00:13:12.14\00:13:16.06
You corrupted your wisdom
for the sake of your splendor. "
00:13:16.26\00:13:18.52
And I believe the
key is found here:
00:13:18.62\00:13:20.49
"I cast you to the ground.
I laid you before kings... "
00:13:20.79\00:13:25.11
For what purpose? "that
they might gaze at you. "
00:13:25.31\00:13:30.63
Now, iniquity was
already found within,
00:13:31.61\00:13:34.01
but apparently these
other people can't see within.
00:13:35.34\00:13:38.85
Let me ask you a question:
is it possible that you can have
00:13:39.54\00:13:41.91
something going on within that
you don't necessarily express
00:13:42.01\00:13:45.04
without? Perhaps it's
even happening right now as we
00:13:45.14\00:13:49.07
speak tonight. A lot of
smiles... "Good to see you"
00:13:49.17\00:13:50.56
but inside "I don't
know what you're thinking...
00:13:50.66\00:13:52.68
and I'd rather not know. "
00:13:52.88\00:13:54.18
When I see you, I just see what
you decide to put out there.
00:13:55.48\00:13:58.21
Right? But Christ sees through.
00:13:58.31\00:14:01.57
He doesn't just see to
you... He sees through you.
00:14:01.87\00:14:04.72
And notice the reason he
was cast out instead of being
00:14:06.90\00:14:09.48
blotted out is so
"they might gaze at you. "
00:14:09.58\00:14:13.56
Fascinating
passage... fascinating concept.
00:14:14.65\00:14:16.53
Let's go to the book of Isaiah.
00:14:16.73\00:14:17.82
The parallel passage
to what we find in Ezekiel
00:14:18.32\00:14:20.90
is Isaiah chapter
14 and again verse 12.
00:14:21.00\00:14:26.04
This time looking from the
perspective after the 2nd coming
00:14:26.27\00:14:31.04
during that
millennium of destruction
00:14:31.34\00:14:34.23
where Satan has lost all
influence - almost all influence
00:14:34.53\00:14:38.30
in the universe.
And the lamentation
00:14:38.40\00:14:42.05
of the prophet Isaiah
here in chapter 14 verse 12 is:
00:14:42.15\00:14:44.84
"How you are fallen from
heaven, O Lucifer, son of the
00:14:45.04\00:14:47.54
morning! How you are
cut down to the ground
00:14:47.64\00:14:50.63
you who weaken the nations! "
00:14:50.73\00:14:52.22
And he goes on to say what
he was saying in his heart:
00:14:52.62\00:14:54.91
"For you have said in your heart
00:14:55.12\00:14:57.85
'I will ascend into heaven.
00:14:58.25\00:15:00.76
I will exalt my throne
above the stars of God. "
00:15:00.96\00:15:02.91
And he goes on to
say: "I... I... I... "
00:15:03.01\00:15:04.67
But it concludes
that "I" list in verse 15:
00:15:05.07\00:15:07.89
"Yet you shall be brought down
to Sheol, to the lowest depths
00:15:07.92\00:15:12.00
of the pit. "
Notice: "You shall be. "
00:15:12.10\00:15:14.61
He hasn't been destroyed
yet but you're on your way.
00:15:14.92\00:15:19.18
Why is it a process
instead of an event...
00:15:21.79\00:15:24.32
this destruction of Satan
and the quashing of rebellion?
00:15:25.52\00:15:28.53
Verse 16... notice the
striking similar language...
00:15:30.68\00:15:34.16
strikingly similar:
00:15:34.46\00:15:35.70
"Those who see you will...
" What? "gaze at you... "
00:15:35.90\00:15:40.34
And what's that next
word? "and consider you. "
00:15:40.44\00:15:44.13
What are some
other words for consider?
00:15:45.11\00:15:47.00
To think about; to
ponder; to mull over;
00:15:47.60\00:15:50.89
to debate; to
wrestle with; to struggle;
00:15:50.99\00:15:52.89
to think about something.
They're going to look at you
00:15:52.99\00:15:55.67
and think about you.
00:15:55.87\00:15:58.03
They need to look and think
about you and your principles.
00:15:58.43\00:16:04.39
What you have
done. "Is this the man
00:16:04.62\00:16:08.15
who made the earth
tremble? Who shook kingdoms?
00:16:08.35\00:16:10.65
Who made the world as a
wilderness and destroyed
00:16:10.85\00:16:12.48
its cities and who did not open
the house of his prisoners? "
00:16:12.58\00:16:15.31
They're dumbfounded at the
thought that is it possible
00:16:16.60\00:16:19.89
that this is what happened.
00:16:20.19\00:16:21.39
Now, I believe it's significant
that both Isaiah and Ezekiel
00:16:21.59\00:16:26.37
tell us the reason
why Satan was cast out
00:16:26.58\00:16:29.24
instead of being blotted out.
00:16:29.34\00:16:30.57
It's because God can
see what man doesn't.
00:16:30.77\00:16:33.25
Imagine in your mind
the throne room of heaven
00:16:33.45\00:16:35.94
before the fall or during
the time this internal struggle
00:16:36.34\00:16:40.43
is happening with
Lucifer, the covering cherub.
00:16:40.53\00:16:43.32
God the Father...
you can imagine everyone
00:16:45.18\00:16:46.67
is coming together for a
great Camp Meeting in heaven.
00:16:46.77\00:16:49.02
And they're
singing the doxology.
00:16:50.08\00:16:51.52
Oh, there's the angel host;
there's the unfallen beings;
00:16:51.62\00:16:54.18
there's the different orders...
cherubim and seraphim...
00:16:54.38\00:16:56.52
there's the covering
cherubs. Everyone is there.
00:16:56.62\00:16:58.31
There's all the members of
the Godhead; everyone is around
00:16:58.51\00:17:00.80
and they're
singing praises to God.
00:17:00.90\00:17:02.40
And the eye of God
sweeps across that great
00:17:02.80\00:17:07.90
assembly, and the outside
of everyone there harmonizes
00:17:08.10\00:17:13.35
perfectly with the
inside of everyone there.
00:17:13.45\00:17:16.34
Purity; holiness; righteousness.
00:17:16.64\00:17:19.94
All one harmonious
chord in praise to the Father.
00:17:20.34\00:17:25.59
You can imagine:
"Praise God, from whom... "
00:17:26.91\00:17:29.32
Just really lifting it up.
00:17:29.52\00:17:30.78
Until He gets to
the covering cherub.
00:17:32.04\00:17:37.92
And I'm guessing
that on the outside
00:17:39.44\00:17:42.28
he was also
"Praise God, from whom... "
00:17:42.48\00:17:45.50
But on the inside: "I
will ascend... I will exalt. "
00:17:45.90\00:17:51.81
You can imagine
God the Father saying:
00:17:53.18\00:17:55.95
"Everybody, hang on just a
second. Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh.
00:17:56.15\00:17:59.11
Umm, Lucifer, can you
step forward please? "
00:18:00.84\00:18:03.48
And again on the
outside: "Oh yes, what can I do?
00:18:05.52\00:18:07.99
How can I help? "
00:18:08.09\00:18:09.88
He's like: "You
can stop that now.
00:18:10.08\00:18:13.01
Don't even play games any more.
00:18:14.63\00:18:17.17
I see the iniquity within. "
00:18:19.85\00:18:22.22
And he goes: "What are
you? Honest... what... ah? Me? "
00:18:23.78\00:18:28.52
"Yes, and the
wages of sin is death. "
00:18:28.95\00:18:33.59
And the lifeless form
of the covering cherub...
00:18:39.65\00:18:42.28
before the onlooking universe.
00:18:45.04\00:18:47.64
And then God would say:
00:18:49.56\00:18:51.54
"All right... where were we? "
"Praise God, from whom all... "
00:18:51.84\00:18:54.62
Now they're not against God
00:18:58.98\00:19:01.33
but is it legitimate to
assume that they might have some
00:19:01.73\00:19:05.90
questions for God?
00:19:06.00\00:19:08.20
Absolutely.
Absolutely they would.
00:19:08.60\00:19:13.02
Let me illustrate
this... from scripture, again.
00:19:13.42\00:19:16.03
Job chapter 1. Job
chapter 1 is a fascinating piece
00:19:16.23\00:19:20.27
of scripture. Just before
the book of Psalms we have Job.
00:19:20.37\00:19:24.09
In outlines oftentimes people
think it's the struggles of Job
00:19:24.49\00:19:28.05
and the issues of Job,
but let me tell you something.
00:19:28.15\00:19:30.68
The person on trial in
the book of Job is not Job.
00:19:31.08\00:19:34.29
It's God. Let me
demonstrate this to you.
00:19:35.25\00:19:37.52
Of course the first five verses
of chapter 1 of the book of Job
00:19:37.72\00:19:40.13
describes the goodness of
this man Job. He's blameless,
00:19:40.33\00:19:44.09
he's upright... one who
fears God and shuns evil.
00:19:44.29\00:19:47.67
And then after verse 5 it jerks
us to verse 6 where it says
00:19:48.99\00:19:53.69
"Now there was a day when
the sons of God came to present
00:19:53.79\00:19:56.70
themselves before the Lord, and
Satan also came among them. "
00:19:56.80\00:20:00.85
Which by the way, apparently
there are schedules to keep
00:20:02.44\00:20:05.07
in heaven even. And there
are perhaps - dare I say it? -
00:20:05.27\00:20:09.11
committee meetings in heaven.
00:20:09.31\00:20:11.34
Somebody somewhere just thought:
"Now do I even want to go? "
00:20:12.75\00:20:16.68
Let me tell you:
order is not against God.
00:20:17.96\00:20:21.28
Spiritual things are
organized for service, OK?
00:20:21.48\00:20:24.10
But here we go: "There
was a day when the sons of God
00:20:24.50\00:20:27.84
came to present themselves
before the Lord, and Satan also
00:20:27.94\00:20:30.15
came among them. And
the Lord said to Satan:
00:20:30.25\00:20:31.99
'From where do you come? '
00:20:32.19\00:20:33.36
So Satan answered the Lord
and said: 'From going to and fro
00:20:34.57\00:20:37.64
on the earth and from walking
back and forth on it. ' "
00:20:37.84\00:20:40.67
Basically, "I was cast out of
Your kingdom but I've taken over
00:20:40.87\00:20:44.16
that other kingdom
You made in Your image. "
00:20:44.36\00:20:46.99
You can imagine... he's
starting his ascendency again.
00:20:49.37\00:20:52.83
"I'm here... I
represent the earth. "
00:20:54.06\00:20:55.61
And, of course, who should
have been at that meeting?
00:20:55.71\00:20:57.41
Adam as the representative.
00:20:57.81\00:20:59.67
But Adam handed the
keys over. And by the way,
00:21:00.07\00:21:04.61
Lucifer admits as much.
00:21:05.01\00:21:07.26
Leave your finger right there in
Job. Let me show you something
00:21:07.46\00:21:09.23
in Luke chapter
4. Luke chapter 4.
00:21:09.33\00:21:13.23
When he wrestles with Jesus
in the wilderness of temptation
00:21:14.55\00:21:18.34
which, of course, Jesus is
victorious. Praise the Lord!
00:21:18.54\00:21:20.88
But you notice what state-
ment comes out of Satan's mouth.
00:21:21.28\00:21:25.20
Luke chapter 4 and verse 5.
00:21:25.60\00:21:29.24
"Then the devil, taking
Him up on a high mountain,
00:21:29.54\00:21:32.01
showed Him all the kingdoms of
the world in a moment of time.
00:21:32.21\00:21:34.64
And the devil said to
Him: 'All this authority
00:21:35.87\00:21:38.75
I will give You and
their glory. ' " Now pause
00:21:38.95\00:21:41.68
right there. Is this a
legitimate claim to authority
00:21:41.78\00:21:45.54
over the earth? Yes.
Jesus Himself in the gospel of
00:21:45.74\00:21:49.78
John would several times
refer to Satan as the ruler
00:21:49.88\00:21:53.38
of this world.
00:21:53.48\00:21:54.82
Notice how Satan at
least honestly admits
00:21:55.02\00:21:57.29
how he came by it. Does he
say: "I created this world? "
00:21:57.39\00:21:59.43
No, no, no, no, no.
He's talking to the Creator.
00:21:59.56\00:22:01.52
That's not going to
work. But what does he explain?
00:22:01.92\00:22:03.93
Again, verse 6: "And the devil
said to Him: 'All this authority
00:22:04.87\00:22:07.11
I will give You and their glory
for this has been delivered
00:22:07.21\00:22:11.34
to me, and I give it
to whomever I wish. ' "
00:22:11.54\00:22:15.86
So we go back
to the book of Job.
00:22:16.85\00:22:18.60
He comes to this meeting as
the representative from earth
00:22:19.00\00:22:22.95
saying: "I'm walking back
and forth on it to and fro. "
00:22:23.15\00:22:25.88
The implication is
"I run that place. "
00:22:26.19\00:22:29.91
And then the Lord
says to Satan in verse 8:
00:22:30.11\00:22:32.36
"Have you considered...
" Thought about, pondered,
00:22:32.66\00:22:37.27
realized, looked
at, considered...
00:22:37.47\00:22:39.63
"My servant Job
00:22:39.93\00:22:42.77
that there is none
like him on the earth? "
00:22:42.97\00:22:46.97
Said: "You may claim to
run back and forth and run the
00:22:48.58\00:22:51.39
entirety of the earth, but you
have a defector in your camp.
00:22:51.59\00:22:55.82
He's on my side.
Have you considered that?
00:22:57.77\00:23:00.70
When you make your
claim to run the whole world
00:23:02.15\00:23:03.97
I think you forgot
about Brother Job. "
00:23:04.17\00:23:06.78
"A blameless and upright man
who fears God and shuns evil. "
00:23:09.04\00:23:13.30
"So Satan answered the
Lord and said... " And notice
00:23:13.51\00:23:15.84
the implication: "Does
Job fear God for... " What?
00:23:15.94\00:23:18.83
"for nothing? "
00:23:19.23\00:23:20.39
Satan's answer to
Christ's bringing up Job
00:23:21.37\00:23:24.72
as a representative of those
who fear God and shun evil...
00:23:24.83\00:23:28.01
Satan says: "Yeah, of course
he fears God and shuns evil.
00:23:28.31\00:23:31.04
You don't think
he's doing it for free? "
00:23:31.34\00:23:33.86
"Of course, look at him.
Did you read the first 5 verses
00:23:36.42\00:23:39.70
of the book? You blessed
him with children and houses
00:23:39.80\00:23:42.20
and property and all these
animals and all this affluence
00:23:42.30\00:23:45.22
and wealth and influence. Sure!
Who wouldn't for that price? "
00:23:45.32\00:23:50.29
"Have You not made a hedge
around him and his household
00:23:52.98\00:23:55.49
and around all that
he has on every side?
00:23:55.59\00:23:57.00
You have blessed
the work of his hands
00:23:57.20\00:23:58.93
and his possessions
have increased in the land,
00:23:59.13\00:24:00.87
but now stretch out Your
hand and touch all that he has
00:24:01.08\00:24:03.48
and he will surely
curse You to Your face. "
00:24:03.68\00:24:05.90
And what's amazing
about this - this is verse 12-
00:24:08.02\00:24:10.81
"And the Lord said to
Satan: 'Behold, all that he has
00:24:11.01\00:24:13.14
is in your power only do
not lay a hand on his person. '
00:24:13.24\00:24:17.68
So Satan went out from
the presence of the Lord. "
00:24:17.91\00:24:19.57
My question about this incident
is, though there are many:
00:24:21.96\00:24:25.59
it's fascinating what Christ
says and it's fascinating even
00:24:28.71\00:24:31.42
what Satan says and to
watch this, but what do
00:24:31.52\00:24:34.63
the sons of God who are
assembled at that meeting say?
00:24:34.73\00:24:38.47
Not one word.
00:24:40.20\00:24:42.20
Not one word.
00:24:43.44\00:24:45.02
Now these are loyal to God, yes?
00:24:45.88\00:24:47.97
They're at the
meeting in heaven.
00:24:48.07\00:24:49.63
But when Satan comes in with
his arguments and his sophistry
00:24:50.59\00:24:53.65
and his accusations they
don't raise a remonstrance.
00:24:53.76\00:24:59.33
They don't say: "Hey, get
out of here. We're not... "
00:24:59.53\00:25:01.15
It's as if they're saying:
"Look, we're loyal to God
00:25:02.29\00:25:04.54
but we need to understand
what's all at stake here.
00:25:04.64\00:25:09.53
We need to see
this thing play out.
00:25:09.86\00:25:11.61
Let's let him say his
piece so we can understand. "
00:25:11.81\00:25:14.66
And that was the purpose
of Christ kicking him out.
00:25:14.96\00:25:17.76
So that: "they might gaze
at you and consider you. "
00:25:18.16\00:25:22.68
So the Lord allowed this
what we read about in the
00:25:23.32\00:25:26.90
rest of the book of Job
to unfold not because God
00:25:27.00\00:25:29.70
doesn't know His heart. But
the other people need to see
00:25:29.74\00:25:34.45
the contrast between
the two competing principles
00:25:34.55\00:25:38.69
for the
government of the universe.
00:25:38.89\00:25:40.51
They need to see.
00:25:41.38\00:25:43.03
And when Jesus... Let's go
to the other side of the Bible
00:25:43.33\00:25:45.95
in the New Testament
in the book of John -
00:25:46.16\00:25:48.12
John chapter 8- Jesus has
00:25:48.32\00:25:53.14
an all-too-familiar encounter
with the religious leaders
00:25:54.10\00:25:57.85
of His time. And in
John chapter 8 and verse 44
00:25:57.95\00:26:00.21
He makes a stark claim to them.
00:26:00.41\00:26:02.91
And He says in John
chapter 8 and verse 44
00:26:05.69\00:26:08.14
to these religious
leaders: "You are of your father
00:26:08.25\00:26:11.73
the devil. " By the way,
I don't know what kind of
00:26:11.93\00:26:15.44
sharp-pointed
preaching you've ever heard
00:26:15.54\00:26:17.63
but I'm doubting you've
heard a sermon that pointed
00:26:18.03\00:26:21.68
in a long time. But
Jesus had no problem
00:26:21.88\00:26:24.91
calling things out as they were.
00:26:25.11\00:26:27.73
And He said: "You are
of your father the devil
00:26:28.13\00:26:30.58
and the desires of your
father you want to do. "
00:26:33.17\00:26:36.99
Now what was in
the father the devil?
00:26:37.39\00:26:39.44
Self-exaltation.
00:26:39.84\00:26:41.90
Jealousy... envy...
00:26:42.30\00:26:44.52
and murderous intent.
00:26:45.03\00:26:47.41
Remember he was
filled with violence within.
00:26:47.61\00:26:49.89
Now let me ask you a question:
00:26:50.09\00:26:51.48
This war in heaven...
was it an openly violent,
00:26:51.88\00:26:55.60
there were bodies of
angels strewn across the streets
00:26:55.80\00:26:58.00
of gold, kind of conflict?
00:26:58.10\00:26:59.91
No. Remember the iniquity was
with... the violence was within.
00:27:00.31\00:27:03.27
The thing that got him
cast out you can see is his
00:27:03.47\00:27:06.89
trafficking, his trading,
his gossiping, his tale bearing.
00:27:07.09\00:27:11.87
It was a war of words! Right?
00:27:12.07\00:27:14.26
He never openly had an armed
conflict with the Son of God
00:27:14.67\00:27:18.32
in heaven... but he wanted to.
00:27:18.42\00:27:21.06
Which by the way, isn't that
what Christ defined as murder?
00:27:21.36\00:27:24.57
And He said: "The desires
of your father you want to do.
00:27:27.93\00:27:30.75
You are going to accomplish
what he wanted to accomplish
00:27:30.95\00:27:34.03
even back then. "
We continue reading:
00:27:34.23\00:27:37.39
"He was a murderer from
the beginning and does not
00:27:37.69\00:27:43.17
stand in the truth because
there is no truth in him.
00:27:43.37\00:27:45.64
When he speaks a lie he
speaks from his own resources
00:27:45.77\00:27:49.34
for he is a liar
and the father of it. "
00:27:49.54\00:27:52.29
So you have this
tension in the great controversy
00:27:52.69\00:27:58.10
where God claims to be love
- not just loving and lovely
00:27:58.41\00:28:03.59
but love itself.
00:28:03.99\00:28:05.94
Which... you search all of
scripture, love manifest in the
00:28:06.14\00:28:08.73
giving of ones' self for
others. It's selflessness.
00:28:08.83\00:28:12.19
And He claims to be love.
00:28:12.59\00:28:14.60
Yet Satan comes along
and says: "You're not love.
00:28:14.90\00:28:17.95
You bribe people. Have You ever
noticed that all of the songs
00:28:18.15\00:28:20.15
are about You?
00:28:20.25\00:28:21.74
Everything's about
You, You, You, You, You.
00:28:21.94\00:28:23.49
You're selfish. "
00:28:23.69\00:28:25.50
And of course God would
say: "No, no, no, no, no.
00:28:25.80\00:28:27.33
I'm selfless...
you're selfish. "
00:28:27.53\00:28:29.49
"No, no, no, no, no.
I'm selfless, You're... "
00:28:29.79\00:28:32.56
"Have You noticed that
He's? " "Yes, but he...
00:28:34.23\00:28:37.18
Well... go ahead.
" And you can imagine
00:28:37.38\00:28:40.00
from the heavenly
unfallen beings' perspective
00:28:40.20\00:28:43.36
"We're loyal to God, but we
don't understand all of these
00:28:43.66\00:28:48.32
arguments here. "
00:28:48.42\00:28:50.04
And at some point
words just aren't enough.
00:28:51.71\00:28:57.64
For instance, if
someone - not when someone
00:28:58.34\00:29:01.80
but if someone -
were to ever tell you
00:29:02.00\00:29:05.63
or accuse you of being a liar
00:29:05.83\00:29:08.17
you know what you can't say?
00:29:08.47\00:29:11.11
"No I'm not. "
00:29:12.47\00:29:14.68
You know why? 'Cause
that's what a liar would say.
00:29:14.98\00:29:19.19
They're gonna say: "Oh,
there you go doin' it again. "
00:29:20.45\00:29:23.34
And you're going to say:
"No, no, no. I really promise
00:29:23.54\00:29:26.79
I'm not. " You're just going to
intensify the verbiage, right?
00:29:26.90\00:29:30.67
Intensify the... "I
really, really, really.
00:29:30.97\00:29:33.33
I promise... I super
promise. I'm not a liar. "
00:29:33.53\00:29:36.22
And they're just going to say:
"Ah, man, you're just digging
00:29:36.42\00:29:38.33
a deeper hole. "
00:29:38.43\00:29:39.73
At some point when there is a...
00:29:40.84\00:29:44.36
a railing allegation
against your character,
00:29:45.71\00:29:48.45
against your word,
against your honesty
00:29:48.55\00:29:52.62
words just aren't enough.
00:29:54.25\00:29:56.17
And that, my friends, is
why Jesus Christ came here:
00:29:57.26\00:30:01.91
to demonstrate in His person
00:30:03.06\00:30:07.29
the maligned character of God
that Satan had been trafficking
00:30:07.49\00:30:12.12
around heaven and
now in this earth.
00:30:12.32\00:30:14.58
Let me demonstrate
this again from scripture.
00:30:15.99\00:30:17.90
Go to I John chapter 3.
00:30:18.10\00:30:19.98
Not the gospel of John this
time but the epistle of I John
00:30:20.28\00:30:23.88
chapter 3 and verse 8.
00:30:24.08\00:30:26.49
"He who sins is of the devil
00:30:29.49\00:30:32.56
for the devil has
sinned from the beginning. "
00:30:32.77\00:30:35.16
And notice this sentence:
00:30:35.36\00:30:37.24
"For this purpose the
Son of God was manifested
00:30:37.44\00:30:42.78
that He might destroy
the works of the devil. "
00:30:42.98\00:30:46.90
The whole purpose
according to scripture
00:30:47.91\00:30:50.51
of Christ coming
here was to end the things
00:30:50.71\00:30:53.47
that Satan had started there.
00:30:53.57\00:30:55.89
Does that make sense?
00:30:56.09\00:30:57.19
"For this purpose the
Son of God was manifested
00:30:57.49\00:30:59.67
that He might destroy
the works of the devil. "
00:30:59.77\00:31:02.45
And of course even
in His life and ministry
00:31:03.17\00:31:05.74
He demonstrated
the character of God.
00:31:05.84\00:31:07.27
He healed people,
He taught people, but
00:31:07.47\00:31:09.35
the ultimate manifestation
of the character of God
00:31:09.46\00:31:12.61
didn't come until Calvary.
00:31:12.81\00:31:16.00
And then all of that violence
that had been within Satan
00:31:17.96\00:31:23.68
was unleashed through his agents
00:31:23.88\00:31:26.41
on the sinless Son of God.
00:31:27.24\00:31:29.13
And in one act
00:31:32.39\00:31:35.27
the entire unfallen universe
00:31:36.55\00:31:39.72
saw two things for
the very first time.
00:31:40.02\00:31:42.70
First of all, they saw the
character of the enemy of God...
00:31:46.40\00:31:49.59
that he truly was
a liar and a murderer
00:31:49.79\00:31:52.85
from the very beginning.
00:31:53.45\00:31:55.27
That all of the things
that God had said about him
00:31:55.57\00:31:58.48
were shown to be true.
00:31:58.69\00:32:00.96
And conversely, that all
the things that God had claimed
00:32:02.73\00:32:07.72
about Himself - that He
is love, that He is selfless,
00:32:07.82\00:32:11.85
that He would give Himself -
was shown to be true as well.
00:32:12.05\00:32:17.37
In one act the entire unfallen
universe saw for the very first
00:32:17.67\00:32:22.34
time the character of Christ
and the character of His enemy.
00:32:22.44\00:32:27.95
What God had seen
from the very beginning
00:32:28.25\00:32:31.07
they now saw
with their own eyes.
00:32:31.27\00:32:33.66
Desire of Ages page 758.
00:32:34.95\00:32:37.50
"To the angels and the
unfallen worlds the cry
00:32:37.80\00:32:40.33
"It is finished! "
had deep significance.
00:32:40.43\00:32:42.98
It was for them as well
as for us that the great work
00:32:43.38\00:32:47.71
of redemption had
been accomplished. "
00:32:47.81\00:32:49.83
Think about the
power of that statement.
00:32:50.23\00:32:51.89
We think the reason Christ came
to this earth was to save us
00:32:52.09\00:32:54.55
from sin. And yes - praise
the Lord - that's part of the
00:32:54.65\00:32:57.49
process... but
it's not the entirety.
00:32:57.59\00:32:59.95
Friends, God governs
more than this world.
00:33:01.53\00:33:03.42
He governs a universe.
00:33:03.62\00:33:05.26
And He's not going to rest
until the universe is pure.
00:33:06.38\00:33:10.19
"They with us share the
fruits of Christ's victory.
00:33:11.49\00:33:15.57
Not until the death of Christ
was the character of Satan
00:33:15.97\00:33:18.46
clearly revealed to the angels
or to the unfallen worlds.
00:33:18.66\00:33:21.33
The archapostate had so
clothed himself with deception
00:33:21.63\00:33:24.43
that even holy beings had
not understood his principles.
00:33:24.63\00:33:27.63
They had not clearly seen
the nature of his rebellion. "
00:33:28.03\00:33:31.85
Continuing on we read:
"It was God's purpose to place
00:33:33.20\00:33:36.14
things on an eternal basis
of security. And in the councils
00:33:36.24\00:33:39.60
of heaven it was decided
that time must be given... "
00:33:39.70\00:33:43.30
Now hang onto that
phrase: "time must be given. "
00:33:43.60\00:33:46.92
"for Satan to develop the prin-
ciples which were the foundation
00:33:47.12\00:33:51.21
of his system of government.
00:33:51.31\00:33:52.74
He had claimed that these were
superior to God's principles.
00:33:52.94\00:33:56.04
Time was given for the
working of Satan's principles
00:33:56.54\00:33:59.59
that they may be seen
by the heavenly universe. "
00:33:59.62\00:34:03.20
And finally Desire of Ages 761
00:34:03.60\00:34:05.81
speaking of the moment Jesus
died victorious on the cross...
00:34:06.21\00:34:09.65
though from all human
perspective it was a defeat
00:34:09.85\00:34:12.39
from eternity's perspective
Jesus was victorious...
00:34:12.59\00:34:15.80
and we read: "Satan
saw that his disguise
00:34:17.31\00:34:20.09
was torn away. His
administration was laid open
00:34:20.40\00:34:24.57
before the unfallen angels and
before the heavenly universe.
00:34:24.77\00:34:27.34
He had revealed
himself as a murderer.
00:34:28.12\00:34:31.25
By shedding the blood of
the Son of God he had uprooted
00:34:31.65\00:34:34.54
himself... "
Catch this language...
00:34:34.64\00:34:36.32
"from the sympathies
of the heavenly beings. "
00:34:36.62\00:34:40.52
Four thousand years at least
after the beginning of this
00:34:41.53\00:34:44.36
whole process to some
degree there was some level
00:34:44.47\00:34:47.81
of sympathy for Satan
amongst the unfallen beings.
00:34:48.21\00:34:53.27
But when they saw Calvary
00:34:53.67\00:34:55.84
no... "We're done. "
00:34:56.04\00:34:59.51
Watch this now: "Henceforth
his work was restricted. "
00:35:00.46\00:35:04.89
Now I don't believe that God put
a hedge of protection and walls
00:35:05.49\00:35:08.44
so that Satan
couldn't get in. No, no, no.
00:35:08.54\00:35:10.52
They're just not
listening any more.
00:35:10.62\00:35:12.52
By the way, I'll cut to
the end. Christ is looking for
00:35:13.02\00:35:15.20
a generation of people on
the earth who aren't listening
00:35:15.30\00:35:17.08
to Satan any more.
00:35:17.18\00:35:18.47
He wants to put things on
an eternal security basis.
00:35:19.50\00:35:22.62
He wants all heaven
and earth to be reconciled.
00:35:22.82\00:35:25.53
Heaven at Calvary
saw the difference
00:35:25.93\00:35:28.53
and they recognized and
rejected the rebellion of Satan.
00:35:28.73\00:35:32.37
Again we read:
"Whatever attitude he might
00:35:32.57\00:35:34.82
assume, he could no longer
await the angels as they came
00:35:34.93\00:35:37.54
from the heavenly courts
and before them accuse Christ's
00:35:37.64\00:35:40.11
brethren of being clothed
with the garments of blackness
00:35:40.31\00:35:42.97
and the defilement of sin.
00:35:43.07\00:35:45.04
The last link of sympathy
between Satan and the heavenly
00:35:45.24\00:35:48.89
world was broken. " So then the
question comes up in my mind:
00:35:48.99\00:35:54.20
If at that point all
of those who knew Satan
00:35:55.10\00:35:59.06
when he was still Lucifer -
00:36:01.66\00:36:03.93
the light bearer,
the covering cherub -
00:36:04.13\00:36:06.20
now understand what God
saw in his rebellion all along
00:36:06.40\00:36:11.19
and they understand the
justice of ending his existence,
00:36:11.43\00:36:15.80
the question remains:
00:36:16.93\00:36:18.36
"Why didn't Satan
die at Calvary too? "
00:36:18.56\00:36:22.12
Pretty legitimate question, eh?
00:36:24.16\00:36:25.80
If the whole purpose was to
destroy the works of the devil,
00:36:26.81\00:36:29.19
and he clearly revealed
him as a murderer and a liar
00:36:29.50\00:36:32.84
and deserving of death,
00:36:33.04\00:36:34.75
why 2,000 years later
is Satan still apparently
00:36:35.99\00:36:39.78
ruling this world?
00:36:39.98\00:36:41.40
Because, friends,
the short answer is this:
00:36:44.75\00:36:48.11
it's not called the
plan of destruction.
00:36:48.21\00:36:51.82
It's called the
plan of redemption.
00:36:52.02\00:36:54.59
And in order for it to be
complete, something has to be
00:36:55.44\00:36:59.05
redeemed. If the only objective
00:36:59.15\00:37:04.20
in the great controversy
was ending Satan and any who
00:37:04.40\00:37:08.04
followed him, it could
have legitimately been done
00:37:08.14\00:37:11.15
at Calvary.
00:37:11.25\00:37:12.82
But you can imagine
from heaven's perspective.
00:37:14.15\00:37:16.07
Gabriel who knew him,
who was working beside him,
00:37:16.42\00:37:19.31
who had looked up to
Lucifer and seen the whole fall,
00:37:19.41\00:37:21.92
he was one of those who
gazed and considered him
00:37:22.02\00:37:24.07
now comes to the Father:
"Father, I understand why
00:37:24.97\00:37:27.91
he needs to be ended. "
00:37:29.33\00:37:31.45
And you could almost
imagine the Father saying:
00:37:31.85\00:37:34.82
"Good... now
let's go to phase two:
00:37:35.22\00:37:39.31
I want to bring some of
them - his followers on earth -
00:37:40.74\00:37:45.07
back here. "
00:37:45.27\00:37:47.82
And I would imagine
that Gabriel was kind of like
00:37:50.68\00:37:54.54
"Slow down.
00:37:55.90\00:37:58.16
It took us 4,000 years
to figure out that this guy
00:37:59.65\00:38:02.93
should die, and now You want
to bring some of them here? "
00:38:03.03\00:38:06.58
He's like: "Yes! And I'm
going to give Kameron DeVasher
00:38:06.98\00:38:09.30
the apartment
right next to you. "
00:38:09.40\00:38:10.99
He's like: "Now I'm
still with You, God,
00:38:14.95\00:38:18.46
but I need to see some evidence
of the wisdom of Your plan. "
00:38:20.13\00:38:24.82
Friends, when we talk about
the second coming oftentimes
00:38:27.73\00:38:29.93
we talk about the beautiful
passage. Please go to it
00:38:30.03\00:38:32.87
in the book of
John. John chapter 14.
00:38:32.97\00:38:35.07
You likely know it by
heart. John chapter 14 verse 1:
00:38:35.27\00:38:38.34
"Let not your heart be troubled.
00:38:39.27\00:38:40.78
You believe in
God... believe also in Me. "
00:38:40.88\00:38:43.27
Speaking to humanity -
fallen, sinful humanity -
00:38:43.47\00:38:46.59
He gives a beautiful
promise: "In My Father's house
00:38:46.69\00:38:49.32
are many mansions. "
00:38:49.52\00:38:51.10
By the way, you notice
that when He was speaking that
00:38:51.50\00:38:53.82
the mansions already existed
and were in present tense.
00:38:53.92\00:38:56.96
Apparently part of God's plan
is that humanity would fulfill
00:38:58.13\00:39:02.32
the vacancies left by the fall.
00:39:02.42\00:39:04.48
"In My Father's
house are many mansions.
00:39:06.07\00:39:07.94
If it were not so,
I would have told you.
00:39:08.04\00:39:09.84
I go to prepare a place for you
00:39:10.24\00:39:12.90
and if I go and
prepare a place for you
00:39:13.10\00:39:14.91
I will... " What are
those next two words?
00:39:15.11\00:39:16.91
"come again and receive
you to Myself that where I am
00:39:17.21\00:39:20.99
there you may be also. "
00:39:21.16\00:39:22.88
We love those
words... I love those words!
00:39:23.28\00:39:25.12
It has brought more comfort
and joy than perhaps any other
00:39:25.32\00:39:27.36
scripture save John 3:16:
00:39:27.46\00:39:29.25
that Jesus is coming
again and He's going to take us
00:39:29.45\00:39:31.42
all home to heaven.
00:39:31.52\00:39:32.73
But think about it from
the angels' perspective.
00:39:32.93\00:39:35.95
"Slow down. You're going to
bring all of 3ABN Camp Meeting
00:39:37.88\00:39:42.96
here? "
00:39:43.06\00:39:44.56
"I mean I trust You,
yeah... but I need... "
00:39:51.30\00:39:54.35
"How does it work, Lord? "
00:39:54.85\00:39:57.35
Ephesians chapter
3. Ephesians chapter 3.
00:39:58.58\00:40:01.71
The apostle Paul
writes these powerful words.
00:40:03.88\00:40:06.15
One of these sentences
that's incredibly long.
00:40:07.49\00:40:13.17
I think the apostle
Paul can probably go through
00:40:13.37\00:40:15.45
an entire book of scripture
00:40:15.65\00:40:17.10
and maybe have 2-3
sentences. Three periods maybe.
00:40:17.20\00:40:20.50
Lots of commas
and all the things.
00:40:21.84\00:40:24.07
But look at
chapter 3 and verse 8.
00:40:24.17\00:40:26.27
And we're going to break this
down for you. I want you to see
00:40:26.47\00:40:27.73
something critical here.
00:40:27.83\00:40:29.19
He's giving his job description
as a missionary, as a minister
00:40:29.39\00:40:32.72
of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And notice what Paul says.
00:40:32.82\00:40:35.13
Ephesians chapter 3 verse 8:
00:40:35.43\00:40:37.20
"To me, who am less than
the least of all the saints,
00:40:37.40\00:40:40.44
this grace was given
00:40:40.64\00:40:42.20
that I should preach among
the Gentiles the unsearchable
00:40:43.37\00:40:47.80
riches of Christ. "
00:40:47.90\00:40:49.73
And we might think: "What
was Paul's job description? "
00:40:50.03\00:40:53.13
And we say: "Oh, he was
to preach the gospel to the
00:40:53.53\00:40:55.09
Gentiles. " Period.
That's not what he stops with.
00:40:55.19\00:40:58.06
Comma... watch this now:
00:40:58.36\00:41:00.47
"and... " verse
9... "to make all see
00:41:00.67\00:41:05.55
what is the
fellowship of the mystery
00:41:05.85\00:41:09.29
which from the beginning
of the ages has been hidden
00:41:11.46\00:41:14.07
in God who created all
things through Jesus Christ. "
00:41:14.17\00:41:16.67
Apparently there's some mystery
that has been hidden in God
00:41:16.78\00:41:19.57
that has not been understood,
has not been revealed,
00:41:19.77\00:41:21.56
has not been seen,
but now, Paul says,
00:41:21.76\00:41:23.94
it's time to show it.
00:41:24.14\00:41:25.47
Interesting. Keep
going... verse 10:
00:41:26.50\00:41:28.45
"to the intent that
now the manifold wisdom
00:41:28.65\00:41:33.74
of God might be made
known by the church to the
00:41:33.94\00:41:38.05
principalities and
powers in the heavenly places. "
00:41:38.15\00:41:41.31
Especially let's
break down verse 10.
00:41:41.72\00:41:43.81
"To the intent that now
the manifold wisdom of God
00:41:44.69\00:41:47.52
might be made known. "
Now, might be made known
00:41:47.72\00:41:50.33
to whom in this
scripture? Who does it say?
00:41:50.53\00:41:53.75
It does not say to the church.
00:41:54.25\00:41:56.13
It says to the principalities
and powers in the heavenly
00:41:56.53\00:41:59.69
places. Now...
common sense question:
00:41:59.79\00:42:04.08
where does God live?
00:42:04.28\00:42:05.61
In heaven, right?
00:42:06.71\00:42:08.31
And He's trying to teach this
great mystery, this deep wisdom
00:42:08.51\00:42:11.84
of His, to people
who also live in heaven.
00:42:11.94\00:42:15.72
Wouldn't the easiest
way to communicate or teach
00:42:16.44\00:42:19.60
to those people to
simply turn to them
00:42:20.00\00:42:23.25
and explain it?
00:42:23.55\00:42:25.00
"Here is My wisdom. You're not
lacking for intellect at all.
00:42:26.21\00:42:29.97
Let Me explain it to you. "
00:42:31.01\00:42:32.96
But He doesn't do it that way.
00:42:34.37\00:42:36.44
How does God show His wisdom
00:42:36.84\00:42:41.42
to these heavenly beings?
00:42:41.62\00:42:44.22
By the church.
00:42:44.52\00:42:47.96
Is it possible, friends, that
those angel hosts are no longer
00:42:50.27\00:42:54.02
looking for a reason
why Satan should die?
00:42:54.12\00:42:55.94
They're looking for a reason
00:42:55.97\00:42:57.00
why any of his
followers should live.
00:42:57.05\00:42:59.03
Right? "To the intent
that now the manifold wisdom
00:43:00.99\00:43:06.02
of God might be made known
00:43:06.22\00:43:08.01
by the church to the
principalities and powers
00:43:08.61\00:43:11.91
in the heavenly places. "
00:43:12.21\00:43:14.19
By the way, immediately
after that beautiful statement
00:43:16.56\00:43:18.74
we saw in Desire of Ages 761
where we read: "The last link
00:43:18.84\00:43:22.21
of sympathy between
Satan and the heavenly world
00:43:22.41\00:43:26.39
was broken" the very
next sentence says this:
00:43:26.49\00:43:30.09
"Yet Satan was
not then destroyed. "
00:43:30.29\00:43:34.90
Why? It continues:
00:43:37.18\00:43:39.28
"The angels did not even then
understand all that was involved
00:43:39.48\00:43:44.30
in the great controversy.
00:43:44.50\00:43:46.44
The principles at stake
must be more fully revealed. "
00:43:46.84\00:43:51.47
Now they had some
principles at stake.
00:43:51.67\00:43:53.96
Namely, the character of
God and the character of Satan
00:43:54.16\00:43:56.19
had been fully revealed.
00:43:56.39\00:43:57.94
But there were some other
principles that still needed
00:43:58.15\00:44:00.33
to be fully revealed.
Again, why should he die?
00:44:00.43\00:44:04.13
Clearly seen. Why
should we live? Mmm, not yet.
00:44:04.33\00:44:08.53
Notice this: "The principles
at stake must be more fully
00:44:09.61\00:44:15.10
revealed, and for
the sake of man... "
00:44:15.30\00:44:20.03
Going to sound like one
of the craziest sentences
00:44:21.26\00:44:23.03
you've ever heard.
"for the sake of man
00:44:23.13\00:44:25.86
Satan's existence
must be continued. "
00:44:26.06\00:44:30.29
Is it possible that what
we see in the world around us
00:44:32.27\00:44:35.80
is actually in our best interest
that it play out like this?
00:44:35.90\00:44:39.56
"Man as well as angels
must see the contrast between
00:44:43.74\00:44:47.71
the Prince of light
and the prince of darkness.
00:44:47.81\00:44:49.63
He must choose
whom he will serve. "
00:44:49.83\00:44:51.87
And friends, that's the
phase of the great controversy
00:44:55.67\00:44:58.24
we are living in.
Basically, Satan's fall
00:44:58.34\00:44:59.97
takes place in four steps.
00:45:00.07\00:45:01.77
Step number one: God
recognizes and rejects
00:45:02.37\00:45:05.13
Satan's rebellion the
moment it sprang up in his heart
00:45:05.23\00:45:07.96
in heaven and he was cast out.
00:45:08.06\00:45:10.34
That was step number
one. Step number two:
00:45:11.51\00:45:13.57
at Calvary the angelic host
00:45:13.87\00:45:19.44
and the unfallen
sentient beings of the universe
00:45:19.54\00:45:22.44
saw in Satan and in
God what God had known
00:45:22.84\00:45:26.19
from the very beginning.
And they recognize and reject
00:45:26.39\00:45:29.58
Satan. The last link of
sympathy was severed at Calvary.
00:45:29.78\00:45:35.75
Some day after Christ returns
at the end of the 1,000 years
00:45:37.83\00:45:43.31
which we'll touch
on in just a moment
00:45:43.51\00:45:45.07
Satan will be finally destroyed.
00:45:45.27\00:45:47.43
But we're not
living in step 1, 2, or 4.
00:45:49.38\00:45:51.68
We're living in step 3.
00:45:51.78\00:45:53.45
Those people that Christ
died for... will they choose
00:45:54.48\00:45:59.99
whom they will serve?
00:46:00.19\00:46:02.03
Friends, I'm going to tell you
something: far too much of our,
00:46:05.08\00:46:08.29
our contemporary theology
focuses on simply getting into
00:46:08.49\00:46:13.17
heaven. But there's
something far greater than that
00:46:13.27\00:46:16.44
that God has in store.
00:46:16.54\00:46:18.07
Friends, salvation in
Jesus Christ is not merely
00:46:19.15\00:46:21.71
a transaction that gets you in.
00:46:21.81\00:46:23.45
It's an entire
character transformation
00:46:23.65\00:46:26.12
that fits you into
the society of heaven.
00:46:26.32\00:46:29.19
We love... everybody loves...
sinners love the idea of
00:46:31.23\00:46:33.90
gettin' into heaven,
but Gabriel's saying:
00:46:34.00\00:46:36.48
"Yes, but will they fit in
00:46:36.68\00:46:38.49
because we're not going
to go through this again. "
00:46:39.46\00:46:41.67
Am I right?
00:46:42.81\00:46:45.05
Perhaps the biggest
promise of scripture is found in
00:46:45.25\00:46:48.16
one of the
smallest books of scripture:
00:46:48.26\00:46:49.61
Nahum chapter 1 and verse 9.
00:46:49.71\00:46:51.59
"What you
conspire against the Lord
00:46:51.89\00:46:53.84
surely I will make an utter end.
00:46:54.24\00:46:56.05
Affliction will not
rise a second time. "
00:46:56.25\00:47:00.48
Friends, when this great
controversy comes to a close
00:47:01.82\00:47:04.75
it's never going to reopen.
00:47:04.95\00:47:07.56
There's a reason God's taking
His time because He's interested
00:47:08.80\00:47:12.11
in quality and
getting the job done right
00:47:12.21\00:47:14.87
so it will never
have to be redone.
00:47:15.08\00:47:17.23
So by the way, when Jesus comes
00:47:18.52\00:47:20.36
at the conclusion of
this... Christ right now is
00:47:21.69\00:47:24.92
working in the
heavenly sanctuary.
00:47:25.12\00:47:26.60
Yes? In the Most Holy Place.
00:47:26.81\00:47:31.16
Reviewing the record of
those who claim His name.
00:47:32.21\00:47:35.29
Does it actually match
with the society of heaven
00:47:35.79\00:47:39.35
where they will be living?
00:47:39.55\00:47:40.70
And when that process is done
Christ will step out of that
00:47:42.63\00:47:45.48
work and take off
His priestly robes
00:47:45.58\00:47:47.06
and put on His kingly
robes and return to this earth.
00:47:47.16\00:47:49.86
And my question for you saints
is what do we actually receive
00:47:52.16\00:47:55.67
at the second coming?
00:47:55.77\00:47:57.05
How changed will we be?
00:47:58.47\00:48:00.64
Let me tell you something:
we are going to get new bodies.
00:48:05.05\00:48:07.69
Amen? And I'm not even that old
and I'm looking forward to it
00:48:07.89\00:48:11.51
already, OK? I could
use a new set of knees.
00:48:11.62\00:48:15.34
A new back would be nice.
I could be a little taller...
00:48:15.44\00:48:17.56
I won't lie.
00:48:17.66\00:48:19.07
And I'm going to get a new body
00:48:20.39\00:48:22.20
if I keep my
faith in Jesus Christ.
00:48:22.50\00:48:24.83
And so will you.
00:48:25.03\00:48:27.58
But you know what I
won't get when Jesus returns
00:48:29.30\00:48:31.52
is a new character.
00:48:31.92\00:48:34.00
What we get when
Jesus comes back is a body
00:48:36.34\00:48:38.30
but we don't get new characters.
00:48:38.70\00:48:40.75
Our High Calling page
278: "When Christ shall come
00:48:41.05\00:48:43.63
our vile bodies are to
be changed and made like His
00:48:43.66\00:48:46.58
glorious body.
But the vile character
00:48:46.68\00:48:48.98
will not be made holy then.
00:48:49.19\00:48:50.90
The transformation of
character must take place before
00:48:51.30\00:48:54.86
His coming. Our
natures must be pure and holy.
00:48:55.06\00:48:58.63
We must have the mind of Christ
that we may behold with pleasure
00:48:58.83\00:49:01.74
His image
reflected upon our souls. "
00:49:01.84\00:49:04.37
I love how she puts it so
pithily in Signs of the Times
00:49:04.67\00:49:07.65
July 31, 1893.
00:49:07.85\00:49:09.82
"If we would see heaven,
we must have heaven below.
00:49:10.12\00:49:14.64
We... " Listen to
this: "We must have a heaven
00:49:15.48\00:49:19.27
to go to heaven in. "
00:49:19.47\00:49:21.45
You didn't catch it.
00:49:23.48\00:49:24.55
I'm sorry... there
weren't enough amens.
00:49:24.75\00:49:25.98
"We must have a
heaven to go to heaven in. "
00:49:26.48\00:49:30.97
Friends, that's
what we are living.
00:49:33.90\00:49:35.25
As we talk about preparation
for the second coming
00:49:35.45\00:49:37.38
it's not about - you
know - enough bottled water.
00:49:39.78\00:49:42.91
Or like: "Oh, we're going to see
glory. It's going to be great!
00:49:44.68\00:49:47.40
It's just
brightness and loudness. "
00:49:47.50\00:49:49.01
And we know that it's visible
and we know that it's audible.
00:49:49.04\00:49:51.03
And other speakers are
going to come this weekend
00:49:51.07\00:49:52.37
and talk about the
signs of Christ's coming.
00:49:52.47\00:49:53.99
And they're going to talk about
the nature of Christ's coming,
00:49:54.19\00:49:56.50
the timing of Christ's coming...
all of which are beautiful
00:49:56.70\00:49:58.90
but Christ's coming
is simply the culmination
00:49:59.00\00:50:01.53
of a work that had finished
at the close of probation.
00:50:01.63\00:50:04.25
The preparation for
Christ's coming is character
00:50:06.04\00:50:11.35
preparation.
00:50:11.85\00:50:13.63
And I think there's far
too many of us that expect
00:50:14.73\00:50:16.87
that "Oh, when Jesus
comes then I'll be changed. "
00:50:16.97\00:50:18.88
But friends, let me tell you
something: if you don't like Him
00:50:21.51\00:50:23.44
now, what makes you think
you're going to like Him then?
00:50:23.54\00:50:26.46
By the way, the reason for
the difference between body
00:50:28.15\00:50:30.86
and character:
bodies can be given, right?
00:50:30.96\00:50:33.51
I mean, dust to the earth.
00:50:33.74\00:50:35.73
He made us out of dirt
and He's going to do it again!
00:50:36.13\00:50:40.84
Praise the Lord! That's great!
00:50:41.07\00:50:42.72
A body can be given, but
a character has to be grown.
00:50:42.92\00:50:46.78
And God will not make
your decisions for you.
00:50:48.60\00:50:53.07
And He won't let Satan
make your decisions for you.
00:50:53.37\00:50:55.27
You must choose
whom you will serve.
00:50:55.57\00:50:58.10
And I've heard it said
this way and I love it:
00:51:00.02\00:51:01.69
"Character isn't formed in a day
but it is formed day by day. "
00:51:01.89\00:51:04.34
Which brings us to today.
00:51:07.44\00:51:09.51
If we're looking for
Jesus to come someday,
00:51:10.01\00:51:13.68
the preparation
must happen today
00:51:13.89\00:51:16.37
and day by day as we
look forward to that great day
00:51:16.57\00:51:20.98
of the return of our King.
00:51:21.18\00:51:23.35
That's the
preparation that we need.
00:51:23.75\00:51:26.00
And of course when Jesus returns
00:51:27.43\00:51:30.65
it simply inaugurates the final
phase of the great controversy.
00:51:30.85\00:51:34.95
The wicked who are alive at
His coming... which by the way,
00:51:36.48\00:51:39.28
many many people are going
to live TO the second coming.
00:51:39.38\00:51:41.42
And I say: "Oh, I'm going to
see Jesus come in my lifetime. "
00:51:42.78\00:51:45.62
And I genuinely believe
that but I want to do more than
00:51:45.72\00:51:47.86
simply live to the second
coming. Friends, I want to live
00:51:47.96\00:51:50.07
THROUGH the second coming.
00:51:50.17\00:51:51.75
There's a lot of people that
are coincidentally going to be
00:51:51.95\00:51:54.30
alive at that point and they
won't be alive when it's done.
00:51:54.50\00:51:57.24
The wicked will be
gathered together in the graves.
00:51:58.37\00:52:02.05
The righteous will be gathered
out of the graves and off of
00:52:03.05\00:52:06.30
this earth to be
meeting the Lord in the air.
00:52:06.40\00:52:08.95
And during that thousand years
00:52:10.18\00:52:12.64
the wicked have
their jury trial...
00:52:13.82\00:52:16.52
a trial by their peers.
00:52:18.77\00:52:21.12
Think about it by the way:
if God destroyed the wicked
00:52:21.72\00:52:24.53
but He had never
sinned, how could He sympathize?
00:52:24.83\00:52:29.57
Well Jesus Christ came, and
He understood what it was like
00:52:29.77\00:52:32.24
to be tempted in
all points as we are.
00:52:32.34\00:52:33.93
But just to make sure there
is no question that could ever
00:52:34.33\00:52:37.39
be asked of God:
"Could You have done more? "
00:52:37.49\00:52:39.60
Christ pulls up a chair
for every one of the redeemed
00:52:41.50\00:52:44.19
and says: "You're going
to do this work with Me. "
00:52:44.39\00:52:46.31
Revelation chapter 20.
00:52:46.71\00:52:49.37
Revelation chapter 20.
00:52:50.97\00:52:52.53
After Satan is bound
to this earth with a chain
00:52:54.47\00:52:56.58
of circumstances we
read in Revelation chapter 20
00:52:56.68\00:53:00.04
and verse 4: "And I saw
thrones and they sat on them
00:53:00.54\00:53:03.77
and judgment was
committed to them.
00:53:03.97\00:53:05.51
I saw the souls of those
who had been beheaded for their
00:53:05.81\00:53:07.96
witness to Jesus and for
the Word of God, who had not
00:53:08.06\00:53:10.19
worshiped the beast or his image
00:53:10.29\00:53:11.69
and had not received his
mark on their foreheads or on
00:53:11.79\00:53:13.74
their hands. And they
lived and reigned with Christ
00:53:13.84\00:53:15.92
for a thousand years. "
00:53:16.02\00:53:17.76
Great Controversy page 660
00:53:27.57\00:53:29.67
speaking of this
particular moment:
00:53:29.97\00:53:31.41
"At this time the righteous
reign as kings and priests
00:53:31.91\00:53:35.97
unto God. In union with
Christ they judge the wicked,
00:53:36.17\00:53:40.50
comparing their acts
with the statute book,
00:53:40.90\00:53:43.73
the Bible, and deciding every
case according to the deeds
00:53:43.93\00:53:47.28
done in the body.
Then the portion which the
00:53:47.39\00:53:50.46
wicked must suffer is meted
out, according to their works;
00:53:50.57\00:53:53.38
and it recorded against their
names in the book of death. "
00:53:53.68\00:53:57.48
In a very real sense
the millennium judgment -
00:53:58.28\00:54:00.64
that final phase of
the destruction of Satan -
00:54:00.84\00:54:02.95
serves as a jury
trial of the wicked.
00:54:02.98\00:54:06.13
"In assessing the
records and assigning penalties
00:54:06.53\00:54:09.73
to those who have
fallen and have stayed there
00:54:09.93\00:54:12.65
have chosen for
themselves a king other than God
00:54:12.75\00:54:15.90
God does not leave this
work to an unfallen creature
00:54:16.30\00:54:19.33
but instead to demonstrate
unimpeachable fairness
00:54:19.43\00:54:22.13
Christ entrusts this
task to a jury of their peers.
00:54:22.43\00:54:26.37
Thus when justice is
finally and fully meted out
00:54:26.88\00:54:29.77
no one can say that there was
more that God could have done. "
00:54:29.97\00:54:32.62
I'm going to close
with these words from
00:54:33.72\00:54:35.03
The Great Controversy:
00:54:35.13\00:54:36.46
"In the day of final judgment
every soul lost will understand
00:54:37.61\00:54:40.81
the nature of his
own rejection of truth.
00:54:41.02\00:54:43.16
The cross will be presented
00:54:44.90\00:54:47.01
and its real bearing
will be seen by every mind
00:54:48.46\00:54:51.33
that has been
blinded by transgression. "
00:54:51.43\00:54:53.39
Which by the way,
how phenomenal is that?
00:54:53.79\00:54:56.31
That God raises
even the wicked to life
00:54:57.45\00:55:01.48
just so they can have
their questions answered too.
00:55:01.79\00:55:05.36
Think about that, friend:
God cares what you think.
00:55:07.60\00:55:12.42
"Before the vision of Calvary
with its mysterious Victim
00:55:18.02\00:55:20.69
sinners will stand condemned.
00:55:20.89\00:55:22.44
Every lying excuse
will be swept away.
00:55:22.74\00:55:26.20
Human apostasy will
appear in its heinous character.
00:55:26.40\00:55:29.23
Men will see what
their choice has been.
00:55:29.43\00:55:32.17
Every question of truth
and error in the long-standing
00:55:32.57\00:55:35.33
controversy will
then have been made plain.
00:55:35.43\00:55:37.62
In the judgment of the universe
God will stand clear of blame
00:55:37.82\00:55:41.64
for the existence
or continuance of evil.
00:55:41.84\00:55:44.05
It will be demonstrated
that the divine decrees are not
00:55:44.35\00:55:48.74
accessory to sin. There was
no defect in God's government,
00:55:48.84\00:55:52.53
no cause for disaffection.
When the thoughts of all
00:55:52.73\00:55:55.22
hearts shall be revealed, both
the loyal and the rebellious
00:55:55.42\00:55:59.28
will unite in declaring:
'Just and true are Thy ways
00:55:59.48\00:56:04.03
Thou King of saints.
00:56:04.23\00:56:06.12
Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord,
00:56:06.32\00:56:08.69
and glorify Thy name?
00:56:08.89\00:56:10.29
for Thy judgments
are made manifest. ' "
00:56:10.50\00:56:13.98
Friends, that's the
one point in the universe
00:56:14.38\00:56:17.05
when every being who
has ever lived will be alive
00:56:17.25\00:56:21.16
at the same time.
00:56:21.26\00:56:22.46
And in that moment
the great prophecy that
00:56:23.46\00:56:27.71
"every knee shall bow
and every tongue confess"
00:56:27.81\00:56:32.58
will be fulfilled.
00:56:32.78\00:56:34.40
We're all going
to be there, friends.
00:56:34.80\00:56:37.46
My question is: which
side are we going to be on?
00:56:38.75\00:56:43.66
Don't think that when Jesus
comes: "Oh, that's when I'll
00:56:46.41\00:56:48.98
get right... "
Friends, now is the day.
00:56:49.08\00:56:52.68
"Choose you THIS day
whom you will serve. "
00:56:52.98\00:56:55.97
Preparation for the
second coming begins tonight
00:56:56.37\00:56:59.32
right this moment here today.
00:56:59.53\00:57:01.52
Has the message
tonight been clear?
00:57:01.92\00:57:04.08
Praise the Lord!
00:57:04.48\00:57:05.64
I'm looking forward
to the second coming,
00:57:05.84\00:57:07.40
but preparation for
it begins right now.
00:57:07.70\00:57:10.57
Let's bow our heads
for a word of prayer.
00:57:10.87\00:57:12.43
Heavenly Father, I
want to thank you so much
00:57:12.53\00:57:15.29
for promising to
come and bring us home
00:57:15.62\00:57:17.96
and to get us into
heaven, but even more, Lord,
00:57:18.17\00:57:20.46
for promising to
fit us into heaven!
00:57:20.66\00:57:23.64