Hello friends, and welcome once
again to 3ABN's Worship Center
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here in Thompsonville, Illinois.
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I know that 3ABN is
located in West Frankfort
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but that's a stone's throw away
just a few feet down the road.
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But I'm glad that you've tuned
in tonight for the continuation
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of our Anchors of Truth series
with Pastor Kameron DeVasher.
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Now if you tuned in last
night, you know that it was
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a tremendous blessing.
"The Last Link of Sympathy"
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was the message.
Tonight's message is entitled
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"The Greater... or
"The Great Object of Life. "
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So invite your
friends and family members
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to tune in with you. If
you will pick the phone up
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and call them. They can't
miss this message tonight.
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And we encourage you
if you're busy right now
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sit down with your
family. Relax for the next hour
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because the Lord does have
a blessing in store for you
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tonight. We want to thank
you for your prayers and your
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continued support of
3ABN and also remind you
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that on tomorrow
morning 11 o'clock Central Time
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and 3 PM Central
Time tomorrow afternoon
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are parts four and
five of this series entitled
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"The Greater Controversy. "
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Now Pastor Kameron DeVasher
is the pastor of the Muskegon
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as well as Fremont
church... the Fremont churches
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in the state of Michigan.
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And he's come to visit
us to bless our hearts,
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and truly we have been blessed.
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We'll have some music tonight,
and I know that God is going to
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pour into us His Holy Spirit as
He pours through Pastor Kameron.
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But before we do anything else
we invite the presence of God
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here through prayer. So
I invite you to bow your
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heads with me. Father in heaven,
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thank you so much for
this wonderful opportunity
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to come before You tonight.
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Before the word goes forth
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we invite Your Holy Spirit
to come and to fill this place.
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And even more than the sanctuary
we pray that You will fill
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the preacher tonight.
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Bless Pastor Kameron DeVasher.
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We know that he has penned
a message, but we pray that
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You will anoint it. We also
pray that You will open our ears
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to hear what the Spirit
has to say to each one of us.
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And Father, when
this message is over
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may we be that
much closer to Jesus.
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In Your precious
name we pray, Amen.
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Now we always begin our meetings
not only with prayer but with
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wonderful music. One
of my favorite singers -
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not just because of her ability
to sing but because of our
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personal connection -
Danny Shelton's sister
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Tammy Chance. Now
she's not singing by chance
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she's singing by the
power of the Holy Spirit.
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Let's welcome her
right now as she sings a song
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"Heavenly Music. "
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What heavenly music
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steals over the sea!
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Entrancing the senses
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like sweet melody!
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'Tis the voice of the angels
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born soft on the air;
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For me they are singing;
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their welcome I hear.
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On the banks of old Jordan
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here gazing I stand,
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And earnestly longing
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I stretch forth my hand;
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Send a convoy of angels,
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dear Jesus, I pray!
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Let me join that sweet music;
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come, take me away!
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Though dark are the waters
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and rough is the wave,
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if Jesus permit
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the wild surges I'll brave;
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For that heavenly music
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hath ravished me so,
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I must join in that chorus!
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I will go!
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Oh let me
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go!
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Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh.
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Amen!
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Good evening everyone!
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Good evening.
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That was a beautiful
message in song, Amen?
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Amen.
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I cannot wait to someday...
hopefully, someday soon...
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hear that heavenly music
when we enter into the courts
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of our King. Just to review...
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In our previous messages
we've studied how angels
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of heaven and unfallen
beings from other worlds
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have been witnessing the
development of Lucifer's charges
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against the government of God.
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First of all in the
courts of heaven itself and then
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after his expulsion
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as his evil principles
were more fully developed
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here on the earth.
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When they witnessed
the murder of Christ -
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that sinless Son of God -
the entire heavenly universe
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could see the
outward manifestation
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of the evil character that God
had seen from the very beginning
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in the heart of
that covering cherub.
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And as we closed
last night's message
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we concluded with this
description of the universal
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ramifications of
Christ's crucifixion
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as recorded and described
in Desire of Ages page 761.
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"Satan saw that his
disguise was torn away.
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His administration was laid
open before the unfallen angels
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and before the
heavenly universe.
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He had revealed
himself as a murderer.
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By the shedding of the
blood of the Son of God
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he had uprooted
himself from the sympathies
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of the heavenly beings.
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Henceforth his
work was restricted.
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Whatever
attitude he might assume
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he could no longer await
the angels as they came from the
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heavenly courts and before
them accuse Christ's brethren
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of being clothed with
the garments of blackness
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and the defileness of sin.
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The last link of sympathy
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between Satan and the
heavenly world was broken. "
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Now it's of crucial importance
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to note that the
restriction of Satan's work
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was not a unilateral physical
limitation imposed by God.
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Instead, it was a voluntary
rejection of Satan's influence
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by those witnesses in heaven.
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They just weren't
listening any more.
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And tonight I want to pick
up right where that statement
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left off and open this evening's
study by reading the very next
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paragraph. So after the sentence
"the last link of sympathy
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between Satan and the
heavenly world was broken"
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we read these words:
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"Yet Satan was
not then destroyed.
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The angels did not even then
understand all that was involved
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in the great controversy.
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The principles at stake
were to be more full revealed.
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And for the sake of man... "
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listen to this carefully...
"And for the sake of man,
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Satan's existence
must be continued.
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Man as well as angels
must see the contrast between
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the Prince of light
and the prince of darkness.
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He must choose
whom he will serve. "
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We're going to study
this in depth a bit tonight.
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But before we do any study
of God's Word we need to begin
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with a word of prayer.
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Let's bow our heads.
Dear heavenly Father,
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Lord I thank you again for
the opportunity of fellowship
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especially as the
Sabbath hours are upon us.
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And Lord, now I ask not only
for Your presence in this room
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but Your presence in our hearts.
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And to soften our
hearts and by Your grace
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and by Your power
to sharpen our minds
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and to see clearly not
only the character of Satan
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but more lovely the
character of Christ.
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And through Your
power, Lord, please change us
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into that image. We
pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
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We're going to be going
to Colossians chapter 1.
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That's going to be our
first text this evening:
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Colossians chapter 1.
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So if you want to get ready,
get there: Colossians chapter 1.
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But I'll review just a bit more.
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So even after... let's make
sure we have the same picture
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in our heads... So even after
Satan was cast out of heaven -
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not once, but twice, mind you...
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You remember the first time the
Lord kicked him out physically?
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That was some 6,000 years ago.
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But then 4,000 years
later he was cast out of the
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sympathies of the
heavenly beings when Christ was
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crucified on the cross.
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This statement
that we've just read
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says that there were still
things... even after all of that
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there were still things
these heavenly witnesses
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did not understand
about the great controversy.
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And I'm thinking: "What
else is there to learn? "
00:11:02.39\00:11:04.69
They've seen the
character of Christ...
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that He is selfless, He
would give even His own life.
00:11:07.00\00:11:09.35
And yet seen in that stark
contrast the character of Satan
00:11:09.95\00:11:13.28
who would take everything
including the very life of God
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if it were possible. So
what else is there to reveal?
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Well... yes, there is
still some more to reveal
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and let's study it out.
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Basically it comes down to this:
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God's plan to handle the
sin problem is not called
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the plan of destruction.
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It's called the plan
of redemption or the plan
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of salvation. And
that's a big difference.
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That's a difference we're
going to focus on and hone in on
00:11:41.79\00:11:43.61
tonight: not just destruction
but redemption, salvation.
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In order for it to be
fully accomplished therefore
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it must do more than
merely destroy Satan and sin.
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It must also
redeem or save sinners.
00:11:53.81\00:11:58.02
More than destruction
it encompasses redemption.
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And think about why that's such
a hugely important, significant
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detail. After all the mess
that the unfallen inhabitants
00:12:06.62\00:12:10.70
of God's universe
had had to this point
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and they'd
endured all along God now
00:12:13.24\00:12:17.18
wants to bring some of those who
have been Satan's loyal subjects
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back to heaven.
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We have to look at the universe
from other people's eyes
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sometimes. Colossians
chapter 1 verses 19 and 20.
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Scripture reads: "For
it pleased the Father... "
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This is what the Father wants...
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whatever we're
about to read here.
00:12:39.82\00:12:41.16
"For it pleased the
Father that in Him... "
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That is speaking of Christ.
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"that in Him all the
fullness should dwell. "
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Now verse 20: "And by Him... "
00:12:48.63\00:12:52.65
Again that's by Christ.
00:12:52.85\00:12:54.24
"to reconcile
all things to Himself
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by Him, whether things
on earth or things in heaven
00:12:58.18\00:13:02.74
having made peace through
the blood of His cross. "
00:13:03.75\00:13:06.36
So it was God's plan... think
about what this is saying...
00:13:06.76\00:13:10.17
We say "Amen" and we should
say "Amen, " but think about
00:13:10.27\00:13:12.25
the ramifications. God's
plan is that through the blood
00:13:12.35\00:13:15.50
of Jesus - His sacrifice
on the cross - all things
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in heaven and on the
earth will be reconciled.
00:13:18.72\00:13:21.10
Which means to
be brought together.
00:13:21.30\00:13:23.16
God wants to
unify heaven and earth.
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Go to the book of Ephesians.
00:13:27.90\00:13:29.41
Just go to the left
just a few books there.
00:13:29.61\00:13:31.21
Ephesians chapter 1 again, now
this time starting with verse 7.
00:13:33.93\00:13:37.11
Notice verses 7
through 10 Ephesians chapter 1.
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Notice the similarities
to Paul's argument...
00:13:43.94\00:13:47.02
his line of reasoning.
00:13:47.12\00:13:48.28
Ephesians 1
starting with verse 7:
00:13:48.48\00:13:50.51
"In Him... " that is Christ
00:13:51.49\00:13:53.26
"we have
redemption through His blood
00:13:53.46\00:13:56.05
the forgiveness of sins
according to the riches of
00:13:56.26\00:13:58.84
His grace which He
made to abound towards us
00:13:58.94\00:14:01.26
in all wisdom
and truth. " Verse 9:
00:14:01.46\00:14:03.47
"Having made known to us
the mystery of His will... "
00:14:03.67\00:14:06.90
It's interesting that God's will
apparently is still a mystery.
00:14:07.20\00:14:11.32
"the mystery of His will
according to His good pleasure"
00:14:11.82\00:14:17.76
So that's what pleased God.
00:14:17.86\00:14:19.37
"according to His good
pleasure which He proposed
00:14:19.57\00:14:25.48
in Himself. " And here's
what that is... that mystery
00:14:25.68\00:14:28.77
hidden in God... Verse 10:
00:14:28.87\00:14:30.16
"that in the dispensation
of the fullness of the time
00:14:30.36\00:14:32.76
He might gather together in
one all things in Christ... "
00:14:33.06\00:14:39.04
And He defines what all means.
00:14:39.24\00:14:40.77
"both which are in heaven and
which are on the earth in Him. "
00:14:41.99\00:14:46.83
OK. So God wants to
reconcile or bring together
00:14:47.23\00:14:50.65
or unify all things in Christ.
00:14:50.85\00:14:54.41
Which not just includes
all redeemed sinners but also
00:14:54.61\00:14:57.41
those who never
fell in the first place.
00:14:57.61\00:14:59.80
Those in heaven
and those on the earth.
00:15:00.00\00:15:02.33
Which you know from our
perspective that's wonderful!
00:15:02.63\00:15:05.36
Praise the Lord!
You know, sounds great.
00:15:05.56\00:15:08.11
The blood of Jesus
gets us into heaven
00:15:08.31\00:15:09.96
but... think about it
from their perspective.
00:15:10.06\00:15:14.88
"You're going to
let them in here? "
00:15:16.52\00:15:21.63
Hmmm.
00:15:25.03\00:15:26.75
Which brings me to a significant
thought that I want to
00:15:28.51\00:15:30.92
hone in on tonight.
00:15:31.02\00:15:32.13
To the same extent
that the heavenly universe
00:15:34.24\00:15:38.18
needed to see sufficient
evidence that it was right
00:15:38.38\00:15:41.09
for God to cast out and
ultimately destroy Satan
00:15:41.29\00:15:44.11
to that same extent they now
need to see sufficient evidence
00:15:45.42\00:15:49.12
that it would be right for God
to allow Satan's former subjects
00:15:49.32\00:15:52.23
into heaven and give
them - give us - eternal life.
00:15:52.43\00:15:56.12
Do you see that? It's like
if they needed to see evidence
00:15:57.50\00:15:59.85
that Satan shouldn't be there
00:15:59.95\00:16:01.59
don't you think it's only
reasonable that they should see
00:16:01.79\00:16:03.80
evidence that we should be.
00:16:03.90\00:16:05.68
No wonder there were
still things about the great
00:16:08.79\00:16:11.14
controversy that even the
angels and unfallen beings
00:16:11.24\00:16:13.41
didn't quite understand yet.
00:16:13.61\00:16:14.98
The destruction of
Satan? We're good with that.
00:16:15.18\00:16:17.81
The redeeming of
fallen humanity? Slow down...
00:16:18.01\00:16:22.66
By the way, those heavenly
beings are still watching.
00:16:23.99\00:16:26.29
I Corinthians chapter 4 verse 9.
00:16:27.70\00:16:31.17
Paul was convinced of
this reality of an on looking
00:16:31.37\00:16:33.92
universe. He wrote
in I Corinthians 4:9:
00:16:34.02\00:16:36.96
"For I think that
God has displayed us
00:16:37.26\00:16:40.17
the apostles last as
men condemned to death
00:16:40.37\00:16:44.04
for we have been made a
spectacle to the worlds. "
00:16:44.25\00:16:48.30
And then he defines how broad
this world that he's thinking of
00:16:48.50\00:16:50.98
is: "We have been made
a spectacle to the worlds
00:16:51.08\00:16:53.50
both to angels and to men. "
00:16:53.70\00:16:56.52
It's not like he was
just vulnerable and on display
00:16:56.92\00:17:00.08
for everyone on earth to
see. He's like: "No, no, no, no.
00:17:00.28\00:17:01.97
But that extends to the
heavenly realms as well...
00:17:02.08\00:17:03.81
both to angels and to men. "
00:17:03.91\00:17:05.28
Turn with me again to the
book of Ephesians chapter 3.
00:17:06.46\00:17:09.53
He clarifies this. He
brings out the scene even more.
00:17:11.28\00:17:14.41
Ephesians chapter 3 and verse 8.
00:17:14.61\00:17:16.84
In these verses starting with
verse 8 of Ephesians chapter 3
00:17:18.44\00:17:22.11
Paul describes his ministry.
00:17:22.32\00:17:24.64
He gives his job description.
00:17:24.84\00:17:26.39
"To me... " he says...
00:17:27.84\00:17:29.65
"who am less than the
least of all the saints
00:17:29.85\00:17:31.78
this grace was given. That I
should preach among the Gentiles
00:17:31.98\00:17:36.14
the unsearchable
riches of Christ... "
00:17:36.24\00:17:38.00
And we would
typically put a period there.
00:17:38.20\00:17:40.23
Say that's what his
job description was:
00:17:40.43\00:17:42.33
Paul was the
apostle to the Gentiles.
00:17:42.53\00:17:44.30
But in his mind there
was something else he was
00:17:44.60\00:17:46.97
supposed to do.
Continue on... verse 9:
00:17:47.07\00:17:49.59
"and to make all see
what is the fellowship... "
00:17:49.79\00:17:55.62
And here is our word
again: "of the mystery
00:17:55.72\00:17:58.41
which from the beginning
of ages has been hidden in God
00:17:59.01\00:18:03.59
who created all things
through Jesus Christ. "
00:18:03.72\00:18:05.89
He said: "I'm not only supposed
to preach the unsearchable
00:18:06.29\00:18:09.54
riches of Christ to the Gentiles
but I'm supposed to give
00:18:09.64\00:18:11.57
the broader theme to
my message to make all see
00:18:11.67\00:18:14.32
the mystery which
has been hidden in God. "
00:18:14.52\00:18:16.87
Let's continue on.
Verse 10... the key:
00:18:17.37\00:18:21.60
"To the intent that now
00:18:21.73\00:18:24.14
the manifold wisdom of God
00:18:24.45\00:18:27.36
might be made
known by the church
00:18:27.66\00:18:30.59
to the principalities and
powers in the heavenly places
00:18:30.79\00:18:36.31
according to the eternal
purpose which He accomplished
00:18:36.51\00:18:39.78
in Christ Jesus our Lord
00:18:39.98\00:18:41.57
in whom we have boldness
and access with confidence
00:18:41.77\00:18:44.49
through faith in Him. "
00:18:44.69\00:18:46.77
Understand what that's
saying... the depth of this.
00:18:47.07\00:18:49.25
Apparently there
is some hidden wisdom
00:18:49.35\00:18:52.53
that God wants to make known
to the principalities and powers
00:18:53.13\00:18:58.19
in the heavenly places.
00:18:58.39\00:18:59.45
So there is God in heaven
00:18:59.65\00:19:02.29
with the principalities
and powers in heavenly places
00:19:02.49\00:19:05.26
and He wants to teach them
something about His plan...
00:19:05.47\00:19:08.45
His wisdom. So wouldn't it
make only sense that He would
00:19:08.56\00:19:12.15
just turn to them
and say whatever it is?
00:19:12.25\00:19:14.24
"Hey, here's this plan. I
want to explain it to you. "
00:19:14.54\00:19:18.52
But how does He wish
to teach this lesson?
00:19:18.92\00:19:21.81
Notice again... how
does God intend to reveal His
00:19:22.01\00:19:24.49
mysterious
hidden wisdom to them?
00:19:24.59\00:19:26.18
By the church.
00:19:26.58\00:19:28.84
God's people on earth.
00:19:29.04\00:19:31.75
That's as if to say there
were still some things that were
00:19:31.95\00:19:33.82
a mystery to them.
They did not understand;
00:19:33.93\00:19:35.26
they were hidden in God.
And instead of Him just saying
00:19:35.37\00:19:37.57
them to them He
said: "Let me show you
00:19:37.77\00:19:39.36
what My manifold wisdom
is. Watch My people on earth. "
00:19:39.56\00:19:44.59
That's significant. God intends
to use His people on earth
00:19:46.27\00:19:49.57
to explain His
wisdom to heavenly beings.
00:19:49.77\00:19:51.70
Now this is fascinating to me.
00:19:53.41\00:19:54.65
You may not find it fascinating
but I find it enthralling
00:19:54.85\00:19:57.20
and since I'm the one presenting
the message, you get to hear it.
00:19:57.40\00:19:59.61
Deuteronomy chapter
4... Moses instructs
00:19:59.81\00:20:03.76
the children of Israel
about the impact their obedience
00:20:03.96\00:20:07.09
to God's principles would
have on the surrounding nations
00:20:07.29\00:20:10.36
who were constantly
watching this peculiar people.
00:20:10.56\00:20:12.97
You know Israel was
not just another nation.
00:20:13.17\00:20:15.52
It was supposed to be a
witness; ambassador for Christ
00:20:15.72\00:20:18.48
on earth if you will.
00:20:18.68\00:20:19.71
Deuteronomy
chapter 4 and verse 6
00:20:21.18\00:20:23.89
we read these words:
00:20:23.99\00:20:25.11
"Therefore be
careful to observe them. "
00:20:26.37\00:20:29.05
Speaking of the
principles of God's government.
00:20:29.25\00:20:31.19
The law that He had given them.
00:20:31.39\00:20:32.81
"Be careful to observe
them for... " Here's the reason:
00:20:33.01\00:20:35.62
"this is your wisdom
00:20:35.82\00:20:38.35
and your understanding
in the sight of the people
00:20:38.55\00:20:42.83
who will hear
all these statutes. "
00:20:43.03\00:20:45.85
So there are going to be people
who hear the statutes of God
00:20:46.15\00:20:48.83
and they're going to
see the statutes of God
00:20:48.93\00:20:50.74
lived out in the people.
00:20:50.94\00:20:52.49
And they're going to
say: "This is Your wisdom.
00:20:52.69\00:20:55.25
You're never going to be
the biggest, the strongest.
00:20:55.45\00:20:57.45
You're supposed to be a repre-
sentative of Christ on earth. "
00:20:57.66\00:21:02.40
Notice this now: "And
say 'Surely this great nation
00:21:02.60\00:21:05.84
is a wise and
understanding people. ' "
00:21:06.04\00:21:07.76
Now, in a fascinating exposition
of this particular passage
00:21:07.96\00:21:13.02
Ellen White in a little pamphlet
called the Crest Collection
00:21:13.32\00:21:16.81
makes this remarkable
statement. Listen closely.
00:21:17.11\00:21:20.56
Speaking... And now she's
referring to the words here
00:21:21.69\00:21:24.05
in Deuteronomy
chapter 4. She says:
00:21:24.15\00:21:27.00
"Even these words fail
of reaching the greatness
00:21:27.24\00:21:32.73
and the glory of God's
purpose to be accomplished
00:21:32.93\00:21:35.77
through His people. "
00:21:35.87\00:21:37.20
She explains what she means.
00:21:39.01\00:21:40.67
"Not to this world
only but to the universe
00:21:40.97\00:21:44.79
are we to make manifest the
principles of His kingdom. "
00:21:44.99\00:21:49.15
Amen.
00:21:49.25\00:21:50.28
So Israel was supposed to
make known to the other nations
00:21:51.23\00:21:53.42
but she said: "No, no, no,
no. If you just think of earthly
00:21:53.62\00:21:55.69
nations you're thinking
too small. There's a universe
00:21:55.89\00:21:57.92
out there who's watching.
00:21:58.02\00:21:59.37
And they're supposed to
learn something about God
00:21:59.68\00:22:01.97
through us. "
00:22:02.27\00:22:03.99
"The heavenly universe...
" And by the way, the text
00:22:05.14\00:22:07.76
that she... after that statement
that she supports this with...
00:22:07.96\00:22:10.37
is Ephesians chapter 3
highlighting verse 10 there.
00:22:10.57\00:22:13.45
"Now the manifold wisdom of God
may be made known by the church
00:22:13.65\00:22:17.33
to the principalities and
powers in the heavenly places. "
00:22:17.56\00:22:19.54
That's what she's talking about.
00:22:19.84\00:22:21.59
"The heavenly universe is
watching to see if Christ's
00:22:22.86\00:22:26.50
sacrifice on the cross
can actually transform sinners
00:22:26.60\00:22:31.06
into responsible
citizens of heaven. "
00:22:31.26\00:22:34.74
Let's go to the book
of Hebrews chapter 11.
00:22:34.94\00:22:38.41
Hebrews chapter 11.
00:22:38.81\00:22:40.48
This is one of those
famous chapters in scripture.
00:22:41.09\00:22:43.70
This is the hall of faith.
00:22:45.57\00:22:47.79
The great heroes of faith.
00:22:47.99\00:22:50.73
Going down through time
itemizing, listing out these
00:22:51.04\00:22:53.36
heroes of faith who have
by faith done great things
00:22:53.56\00:22:56.36
for the Lord. But in
the midst of the description
00:22:56.56\00:22:59.10
of these heroes of faith
we find starting with verse 13
00:22:59.30\00:23:03.12
and going through
verse 16 these words:
00:23:03.32\00:23:06.36
"These all died in faith not
having received the promises.
00:23:07.82\00:23:13.27
But having seen them
afar off were assured of them,
00:23:13.47\00:23:16.87
embraced them and confessed
that they were strangers
00:23:17.07\00:23:21.83
and pilgrims on the earth. "
00:23:21.93\00:23:23.47
All right. So talking about the
faithful heroes of Hebrews 11
00:23:23.67\00:23:26.43
they make a parenthetical
pause in the middle to say
00:23:26.63\00:23:29.70
"Now these all died not
having received the promises. "
00:23:29.90\00:23:33.47
All right. They just
lived a lifetime in this earth
00:23:33.70\00:23:36.23
and that was it.
00:23:36.33\00:23:37.53
But they did see them afar
off. They were assured of them
00:23:37.66\00:23:41.55
and because of that they con-
fessed that they were strangers
00:23:41.75\00:23:44.71
and pilgrims here. This world
was not their home if you will.
00:23:44.92\00:23:49.84
Goes on... verse 14:
00:23:50.04\00:23:51.72
"For those who say such
things declare plainly... "
00:23:51.82\00:23:55.18
My question is... just pause:
00:23:55.38\00:23:57.88
who were they declaring it to?
00:23:58.18\00:23:59.95
Anyway, back to the text.
00:24:02.33\00:24:03.58
"For those who say
such things declare plainly
00:24:03.88\00:24:06.83
that they seek a homeland.
00:24:07.03\00:24:09.90
And truly if they had
called to mind that country
00:24:10.10\00:24:13.38
from which they had come out
00:24:13.58\00:24:15.50
they would have had
opportunity to return. "
00:24:15.70\00:24:17.44
So they weren't just
calling themselves heavenly
00:24:17.64\00:24:20.60
claiming to be citizens of
heaven but actually thinking
00:24:20.80\00:24:23.33
about the world. Their minds
were fixed on another place.
00:24:23.43\00:24:27.59
Is that clear? OK.
00:24:27.79\00:24:29.70
"But... " verse 16:
00:24:31.03\00:24:32.50
"But now they
desire a better and that is
00:24:32.80\00:24:36.36
a heavenly
country. " And I love this:
00:24:36.56\00:24:40.26
"Therefore... " So
because they don't just claim
00:24:40.46\00:24:44.53
to be going to heaven but are
trying to live through the power
00:24:44.73\00:24:47.38
of Christ a heavenly citizenship
00:24:47.48\00:24:49.58
"Therefore God is
not... " What's the word?
00:24:49.88\00:24:54.75
"ashamed to be called their God
00:24:55.15\00:24:59.45
for He has
prepared a city for them. "
00:24:59.75\00:25:04.97
God is not
ashamed of being their God
00:25:05.27\00:25:09.52
for they seek to live in
a better place, according to
00:25:09.72\00:25:14.07
better principles, even
while they're in this place.
00:25:14.20\00:25:16.94
Think about that.
00:25:17.34\00:25:18.73
And by the way, isn't
that a wonderful promise?
00:25:18.93\00:25:20.68
God has a place prepared for us.
00:25:20.88\00:25:23.27
This is the same promise
that Jesus Himself gave in
00:25:23.57\00:25:26.11
John chapter 14. We
know it probably by heart.
00:25:26.21\00:25:28.22
John chapter 14 verses 2 and 3.
00:25:28.42\00:25:30.13
"In My Father's house
are... " What? "many mansions.
00:25:30.43\00:25:32.97
If it were not so,
I would have told you.
00:25:33.27\00:25:35.25
I go... " For what purpose?
"to prepare a place for you.
00:25:35.55\00:25:40.53
And if I go and prepare a
place for you I WILL COME AGAIN
00:25:40.73\00:25:43.41
and receive you to Myself
00:25:43.51\00:25:44.78
that where I am,
there you may be also. "
00:25:44.98\00:25:47.38
Hmmm.
00:25:49.36\00:25:51.07
Sometimes, however, when I read
these promises... I hear them
00:25:52.29\00:25:55.49
recited over and over
that there's a place for you.
00:25:55.69\00:25:57.49
God is preparing a place for
you. Gone to prepare a place...
00:25:57.59\00:25:59.89
Sometimes I fear that
while we focus on Christ's
00:26:00.09\00:26:05.07
promise to
prepare a place for us
00:26:05.27\00:26:07.33
we ignore His promise to
prepare us for that place.
00:26:08.67\00:26:12.51
Do you see the difference?
00:26:13.85\00:26:15.65
The redemption
provided by the blood of Jesus
00:26:20.20\00:26:22.97
entails more than a promise
to physically transport us
00:26:23.07\00:26:26.05
to heaven.
00:26:26.25\00:26:27.39
It includes the
far greater promise
00:26:29.35\00:26:31.64
to spiritually
transform us for heaven.
00:26:31.84\00:26:35.27
Amen.
00:26:35.57\00:26:36.67
Salvation, my friends,
is not merely a transaction
00:26:36.97\00:26:39.89
it's a transformation.
00:26:40.09\00:26:43.01
Let's boil it down this way.
00:26:46.05\00:26:47.55
God not merely
wants to "get us in"
00:26:48.81\00:26:50.84
He wants to "fit us in"
to the courts of heaven.
00:26:50.94\00:26:54.05
Does that make sense?
00:26:54.36\00:26:55.77
Now, some will say:
"That's a great high standard
00:26:56.08\00:26:58.69
but doesn't the Bible
says that we will be changed?
00:26:58.89\00:27:01.34
But it will be
at the last trumpet.
00:27:01.54\00:27:02.82
That's when we'll be changed:
"In the twinkling of an eye...
00:27:02.92\00:27:04.68
in a moment. " That's
when the change will occur.
00:27:04.78\00:27:07.29
Well, yes it does.
00:27:07.47\00:27:09.06
It does say
something about that.
00:27:09.26\00:27:10.86
In fact, in I Corinthians
chapter 15 the apostle Paul
00:27:11.06\00:27:13.14
declares unambiguously
- without reservation -
00:27:13.24\00:27:16.28
that we shall "not all
sleep but we shall all be...
00:27:16.48\00:27:20.73
changed. In a moment.
In the twinkling of an eye.
00:27:20.94\00:27:23.83
At the last trumpet. "
And that's a wonderful promise
00:27:24.03\00:27:26.82
but have you ever stopped to
think: "What get's changed? "
00:27:27.02\00:27:30.05
What about us actually
changes when Jesus comes?
00:27:30.35\00:27:33.53
Well, let's see if
Paul explains himself.
00:27:36.09\00:27:38.58
Philippians chapter 3.
00:27:39.75\00:27:41.50
We're going to
start with verse 18.
00:27:41.80\00:27:43.37
Philippians chapter 3
starting with verse 18.
00:27:43.68\00:27:45.81
Look what the
same Paul says here.
00:27:47.81\00:27:52.42
3:18.
00:27:53.76\00:27:55.10
He says: "For many walk
of whom I have told you often
00:27:56.42\00:28:00.62
and now tell even weeping
that they are the enemies
00:28:00.72\00:28:03.00
of the cross of Christ.
00:28:03.20\00:28:04.47
Whose end is destruction.
00:28:04.67\00:28:06.92
Whose God is their belly
00:28:07.22\00:28:09.33
and whose glory
is in their shame.
00:28:09.53\00:28:11.81
Who set their mind... " Where?
00:28:12.02\00:28:14.11
"on earthly things. "
00:28:14.31\00:28:15.99
Does that not sound
like the book of Hebrews?
00:28:16.19\00:28:17.95
You know? They did not set
their mind on earthly things
00:28:18.16\00:28:20.99
but had their mindset -
their citizenship - in heaven.
00:28:21.19\00:28:23.48
Same Paul now.
00:28:24.57\00:28:25.87
Now verse 20: "For
our citizenship... " -
00:28:26.27\00:28:29.07
here it is again - "is in heaven
00:28:29.27\00:28:32.12
from which... " -
speaking of heaven -
00:28:32.32\00:28:35.25
"from which we also
eagerly wait for the Savior...
00:28:35.45\00:28:38.27
the Lord Jesus
Christ. " Verse 21:
00:28:38.58\00:28:42.31
"who will transform our
lowly... " What's the next word?
00:28:42.52\00:28:45.66
"bodies according to the
working by which He is able
00:28:45.96\00:28:50.17
even to subdue all
things to Himself. "
00:28:50.37\00:28:53.12
So the same God who wants
to subdue all things to Himself
00:28:53.32\00:28:55.96
will send again Jesus
Christ. He will return
00:28:56.16\00:28:58.03
and in the moment, in
the twinkling of an eye,
00:28:59.39\00:29:01.28
we shall be changed and we
will each receive a new body.
00:29:01.38\00:29:05.00
Which praise the
Lord... As I, you know,
00:29:06.41\00:29:09.33
I may not look it
but I'm getting older.
00:29:09.63\00:29:11.39
You know, I'd
like some new knees.
00:29:11.69\00:29:13.75
A nice new back
would be good, you know?
00:29:13.95\00:29:15.76
I can appreciate that.
00:29:15.87\00:29:16.95
But that's what we
get at the second coming
00:29:17.05\00:29:18.94
is a new body...
not a new character.
00:29:19.15\00:29:23.95
The character that will be
ours for eternity will not be
00:29:26.22\00:29:29.12
given at the second coming.
00:29:29.32\00:29:31.00
It will be developed
right here, right now,
00:29:32.67\00:29:36.74
in the life that
you're currently living today.
00:29:36.94\00:29:39.17
Think this through a
little bit. Romans chapter 8.
00:29:41.67\00:29:43.72
Romans chapter 8,
starting with verse 18.
00:29:46.51\00:29:49.68
Going to take our time and go
through Romans 8 just a bit here
00:29:55.30\00:29:57.91
'cause this is Paul's clearest
exposition of these thoughts.
00:29:59.00\00:30:03.33
Most methodical rationalization.
00:30:04.52\00:30:06.89
Romans chapter 8
starting with verse 18:
00:30:07.19\00:30:09.44
"For I consider... "
00:30:11.06\00:30:12.87
I love that
about the apostle Paul.
00:30:13.07\00:30:15.05
He never shoots from the hip.
00:30:15.25\00:30:17.21
Even though... Have you noticed
his sentences are pages long
00:30:17.41\00:30:20.34
sometimes? And
even Peter says: "Look,
00:30:20.54\00:30:22.34
I know Paul wrote some things
that are hard to understand. "
00:30:22.54\00:30:24.61
Paul's a thinker. He hasn't
come across this in the night
00:30:24.92\00:30:28.31
in a dream. He's
thought about it.
00:30:28.51\00:30:30.06
"For I consider... " verse 18...
00:30:30.26\00:30:32.09
"that the
sufferings of this present time
00:30:32.29\00:30:35.30
are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall be
00:30:35.50\00:30:39.04
revealed... "
Now stop right there.
00:30:39.14\00:30:40.84
You might think
"on the eastern sky. "
00:30:41.04\00:30:43.85
"Someday a cloud
the size of a man's... "
00:30:45.21\00:30:47.87
That's the glory
we're waiting for - Right? -
00:30:48.08\00:30:50.22
to be revealed.
00:30:50.52\00:30:51.59
That's not what the text says.
00:30:51.79\00:30:53.26
"For I consider that the
sufferings of this present time
00:30:53.66\00:30:57.14
are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall be
00:30:57.34\00:30:59.35
revealed in us.
00:30:59.55\00:31:02.12
For... " verse 19,
he builds on this...
00:31:04.57\00:31:06.51
"For the earnest
expectation of the creation
00:31:06.71\00:31:10.68
eagerly waits for the
revealing... " And again,
00:31:10.88\00:31:13.29
you would expect it
to be of the Son of God.
00:31:13.33\00:31:16.01
Capital S... singular.
00:31:17.02\00:31:19.41
But that's not
what the text says.
00:31:19.82\00:31:21.58
"the creation is eagerly
awaiting for the revealing
00:31:21.78\00:31:24.59
of the sons of God. "
00:31:24.79\00:31:27.30
Small s... plural.
00:31:27.60\00:31:29.95
"So the creation was subjected
to futility. Not willingly,
00:31:32.36\00:31:36.22
but because of him who
subjected it, in hope... "
00:31:36.42\00:31:39.36
You know, we talked about how
the Lord has gone through this
00:31:39.67\00:31:42.03
due process. And it
takes time and it's painful.
00:31:42.23\00:31:44.44
But it's not to an end of
despair and discouragement.
00:31:44.74\00:31:49.41
There's hope at the end.
00:31:49.61\00:31:50.82
So he bound this
earth, not in futility
00:31:51.02\00:31:55.94
but in hope.
"Because of him who subjected
00:31:56.14\00:31:59.57
it in hope... " Verse 21:
00:31:59.77\00:32:00.81
"because the creation
itself also will be delivered
00:32:01.01\00:32:03.51
from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty
00:32:03.71\00:32:06.68
of the children of
God. For... " Verse 22...
00:32:06.88\00:32:10.52
"we know that the whole
creation groans and labors
00:32:10.65\00:32:13.20
with birth pangs
together until now.
00:32:13.40\00:32:15.41
Not only that but we also
00:32:15.71\00:32:18.16
who have the
firstfruits of the Spirit
00:32:18.37\00:32:20.34
even we ourselves
groan within ourselves
00:32:20.54\00:32:22.70
eagerly awaiting for
the adoption, the redemption
00:32:22.90\00:32:25.35
of our... " What's
the word? "bodies. "
00:32:25.55\00:32:28.38
That's what we're
waiting for is a body.
00:32:28.61\00:32:30.53
Not a character but a body.
00:32:30.83\00:32:33.47
That's a big, big difference.
00:32:33.87\00:32:35.93
The glory of God that will be
revealed will be revealed in us.
00:32:37.18\00:32:40.16
And the creation is eagerly
awaiting for the revealing of
00:32:41.44\00:32:44.25
us... the sons of God.
00:32:44.45\00:32:46.05
And the thing that we're waiting
for is not a new character,
00:32:46.35\00:32:49.33
a new us... just a
new body to go on the old.
00:32:49.53\00:32:52.32
Well hopefully,
a transformed us.
00:32:52.62\00:32:55.05
Hmmm.
00:32:56.91\00:32:58.25
Taking these ideas and
making them succinct and clear
00:32:58.55\00:33:01.43
Mrs. White writes in
Christ Object Lessons 331:
00:33:01.73\00:33:04.70
"A character formed
according to the divine likeness
00:33:04.90\00:33:08.05
is the only treasure that
we can take from this world
00:33:08.25\00:33:11.57
to the next. "
Amen. Even more clearly:
00:33:11.67\00:33:16.79
page 278 of the
book Our High Calling.
00:33:18.01\00:33:20.48
If words mean anything
and clarity is important,
00:33:22.84\00:33:26.31
listen to this just laser-
precision with which she writes.
00:33:26.51\00:33:29.98
"When Christ shall come
00:33:30.28\00:33:32.50
our vile bodies are to
be changed and made like His
00:33:32.80\00:33:36.78
glorious body. "
00:33:36.88\00:33:37.90
Praise the Lord, right? Amen!
00:33:38.10\00:33:39.58
"But the vile character
will not then be made holy.
00:33:40.11\00:33:45.97
The transformation of
character must take place
00:33:46.27\00:33:49.98
before His coming. " Amen.
00:33:50.18\00:33:53.88
And the simple reason is this:
00:33:55.61\00:33:57.08
character is not
something that can be given.
00:33:57.38\00:34:00.56
It's something you
choose and you develop
00:34:00.86\00:34:03.57
through relationships over time.
00:34:03.77\00:34:06.40
It can't be a gift.
00:34:06.81\00:34:08.58
It must be
worked through the life.
00:34:08.88\00:34:11.01
That's why sanctification
is "the work of a lifetime. "
00:34:11.21\00:34:13.57
It's a process. Now
that may sound intimidating
00:34:13.87\00:34:17.79
but it's actually built
on such a simple premise.
00:34:19.34\00:34:22.20
Let me just ask you
this simple question:
00:34:22.60\00:34:25.61
if Christ were to
actually let you into heaven,
00:34:25.91\00:34:28.66
would you even want to go?
00:34:29.06\00:34:31.68
Ever consider that?
Everybody talks about heaven
00:34:33.17\00:34:35.46
and I've worked with
young people so long.
00:34:35.66\00:34:37.08
"Oh, heaven's going to be
this and heaven, heaven, heaven,
00:34:37.28\00:34:38.48
heaven... " But... I mean...
00:34:38.58\00:34:43.38
do we like heavenly things now?
00:34:44.38\00:34:46.25
And if not, why would we
want to go to a place that's
00:34:48.14\00:34:51.34
nothing but heavenly things?
00:34:51.54\00:34:53.73
There's a certain just
bold-faced logic to it.
00:34:54.96\00:34:58.10
Again in the book In
Heavenly Places page 142:
00:35:00.33\00:35:03.43
"We are individually
now testifying to the world
00:35:03.63\00:35:06.50
of the power of the grace
of Christ in the transformation
00:35:06.70\00:35:09.83
of human character
from glory to glory,
00:35:10.03\00:35:12.49
from character to
character. " Amen.
00:35:12.69\00:35:15.16
Throughout the writings of
Mrs. White you'll always see
00:35:15.36\00:35:17.31
an equivalence
between glory and character.
00:35:17.51\00:35:20.01
The glory of God is His
character. It's who He is! Amen!
00:35:20.21\00:35:24.02
"In beholding Christ our
pattern who is pure and holy
00:35:24.25\00:35:28.41
and undefiled we are
being prepared for the society
00:35:28.61\00:35:31.91
of the heavenly angels. "
00:35:32.11\00:35:33.60
And then she asks
this most sublime question.
00:35:33.80\00:35:36.89
It's just a rhetorical, simple,
straight-forward question:
00:35:36.92\00:35:40.30
"If Christ is to be our Head and
Prince in the heavenly courts,
00:35:40.60\00:35:45.26
it becomes us to inquire... "
00:35:45.56\00:35:48.34
This is a
beautiful way of just saying
00:35:48.54\00:35:50.30
we really should
ask this question:
00:35:50.50\00:35:52.81
"What is Christ
to us now? " Amen.
00:35:53.21\00:35:57.56
Just leave it at that.
00:35:57.70\00:35:59.22
If we expect to
live with Him forever,
00:35:59.52\00:36:02.22
do we even like
being with Him now?
00:36:02.53\00:36:05.09
Later on, on page 370
of that same book we read:
00:36:06.82\00:36:09.30
"Those who take no pleasure
00:36:09.50\00:36:11.58
in thinking and
talking of God in this life
00:36:11.78\00:36:14.49
will not enjoy the
life that is to come
00:36:14.79\00:36:17.78
where God is ever present,
dwelling among His people. "
00:36:17.98\00:36:21.47
You've heard that
saying: "What would Jesus do? "
00:36:21.67\00:36:23.48
Or you've had that question
perhaps when you were a child
00:36:23.78\00:36:26.36
and maybe you've
asked it to a child:
00:36:26.47\00:36:27.52
"Would Jesus appreciate it? "
00:36:27.72\00:36:28.94
"Would Jesus enjoy
what you're doing? "
00:36:29.04\00:36:30.63
"Could you do what you're doing
now with Jesus by your side? "
00:36:30.83\00:36:32.77
And you know we hate
that question because it's
00:36:33.08\00:36:34.95
guilt giving
and... "Ah... I know... "
00:36:35.06\00:36:37.60
But there is a
certain amount of logic to it.
00:36:37.80\00:36:39.70
If all the stuff
that you enjoy doing here
00:36:40.00\00:36:43.20
is none of the stuff
that's going to be there,
00:36:43.40\00:36:45.87
do you even want to go?
00:36:46.07\00:36:48.14
But those who love to think
of God will be in their element
00:36:51.16\00:36:54.45
breathing in the
atmosphere of heaven.
00:36:54.75\00:36:57.76
Amen. Those who on earth
love the thought of heaven
00:36:57.86\00:37:00.41
will be happy in its holy
association and pleasures.
00:37:00.61\00:37:03.56
It's as though God will come
again and give us that new body
00:37:03.66\00:37:06.22
so we can feel refreshed
and physically be transformed.
00:37:06.43\00:37:09.02
And we'll step
into heaven. It'll...
00:37:09.22\00:37:11.72
ah... like going home. Amen.
00:37:12.02\00:37:16.01
'Cause we seek NOW a
better country. Our citizenship
00:37:16.31\00:37:18.93
IS in heaven. Amen!
00:37:19.13\00:37:21.34
It'll be like going home.
00:37:21.54\00:37:23.21
The universe is looking for
evidence that if God were to
00:37:23.52\00:37:26.65
by the blood of Jesus
Christ and by His grace
00:37:26.85\00:37:29.38
to actually get us into heaven
00:37:29.58\00:37:32.02
would we actually
fit in once we got there.
00:37:32.33\00:37:35.49
Let's think
about this logically.
00:37:37.65\00:37:38.97
Why is the development
of a Christ-like character
00:37:39.07\00:37:42.47
a necessity
before the second coming?
00:37:42.78\00:37:44.97
Why can't He just give it to us?
00:37:45.17\00:37:46.34
Well, let's see why
character is such a big deal.
00:37:46.64\00:37:49.89
First of all,
there's two reasons.
00:37:51.00\00:37:53.51
Number one: is
resolves what in my simple mind
00:37:53.71\00:37:56.45
I dub the 33/22 paradox.
00:37:56.55\00:38:01.84
OK. I made that term up.
It has no meaning right now.
00:38:02.14\00:38:04.46
whatsoever but it's a
way to help me to remember.
00:38:04.56\00:38:07.19
The 33/22
paradox... let me explain.
00:38:07.39\00:38:09.61
In Exodus chapter 33
00:38:09.81\00:38:12.09
God warns Moses in verse 20
00:38:13.70\00:38:15.86
"You cannot see
My face for no man
00:38:16.06\00:38:19.87
shall see Me and...
" What? "and live. "
00:38:20.07\00:38:23.03
"You can't see My face, for
no man can see Me and live. "
00:38:23.23\00:38:28.79
Which implies: "If you were to
see My face you would... die. "
00:38:29.09\00:38:33.74
OK. Exodus 33.
00:38:33.94\00:38:36.10
However it's the same God who
at the other end of the Bible
00:38:36.40\00:38:39.34
in Revelation chapter 22
promises that the redeemed
00:38:39.54\00:38:42.98
"shall see His face. "
00:38:43.18\00:38:45.32
Well I don't know
whether to say "Amen" or not!
00:38:45.62\00:38:49.06
Right. You see what I'm saying?
00:38:50.75\00:38:51.96
The same God who says:
"If you see Me you'll die"
00:38:52.06\00:38:54.40
and then gives us the "promise"
that we're going to see Him.
00:38:54.60\00:38:58.66
Is that good news or not?
00:38:58.96\00:39:00.77
I mean, how can the same God
say those two different things?
00:39:01.07\00:39:04.17
And have you ever considered
that the second coming
00:39:04.47\00:39:06.47
is not necessarily
good news for everyone?
00:39:06.57\00:39:08.44
That this same event
to some will be great.
00:39:09.83\00:39:11.77
That they'll say: "Lo, this is
our God; we have waited for Him
00:39:11.87\00:39:14.15
and He will save us. "
00:39:14.35\00:39:15.49
Yet at the same moment accord-
ing to Revelation chapter 6
00:39:15.69\00:39:19.15
it describes people terror-
stricken at the return of Christ
00:39:21.54\00:39:24.23
crying out: "Fall on us
and hide us from... " What?
00:39:24.43\00:39:27.45
"the face of Him who
sits on the throne and from
00:39:27.65\00:39:32.99
the wrath of the Lamb.
For the great day of His wrath
00:39:33.19\00:39:35.17
has come and who
is able to stand? "
00:39:35.38\00:39:39.02
And notice what
they're terrified of.
00:39:40.30\00:39:41.95
What's the thing that they
just can't stand to be around?
00:39:42.06\00:39:44.21
It's not the sword; it's
not fire; it's not plagues.
00:39:44.51\00:39:47.19
It's not these
things, it's... it's His face.
00:39:47.39\00:39:50.54
They can't look
at His face and live.
00:39:53.34\00:39:57.97
You know, there's a tremendous
difference between living to
00:40:00.80\00:40:03.41
the second coming and living
through the second coming.
00:40:03.51\00:40:07.11
Now I believe right now in
the world God is raising up
00:40:09.80\00:40:12.87
an army of young
people especially
00:40:13.07\00:40:15.04
who are determined to live
faithfully, to finish the work,
00:40:15.24\00:40:19.12
and to see Jesus come
in their lifetime. Amen.
00:40:19.32\00:40:22.11
I propose to be
part of that generation.
00:40:22.25\00:40:25.16
That's what I want and
that's what I'm convinced of
00:40:25.47\00:40:28.48
will happen if the Holy
Spirit is unleashed in the lives
00:40:28.68\00:40:31.14
of people. But being
part of a generation that
00:40:31.24\00:40:37.20
lives to the second coming...
00:40:37.40\00:40:39.01
living to the second
coming has no inherent value.
00:40:39.21\00:40:43.21
There will be plenty of people
who will make it to the second
00:40:44.48\00:40:48.06
coming but won't live
through the second coming.
00:40:48.16\00:40:51.35
And just because you're part
of the generation that happens
00:40:53.53\00:40:55.93
to be alive at the
time when Jesus returns...
00:40:56.13\00:40:58.16
Which we are living in a
very exciting time. Amen.
00:40:58.36\00:41:00.68
All the time
prophecies have expired.
00:41:00.82\00:41:02.52
All the signs are all around us.
00:41:02.72\00:41:04.12
Jesus is in fact coming soon!
00:41:04.32\00:41:05.88
But what difference does it make
00:41:06.08\00:41:07.97
if we're just not planning
on living through the second...
00:41:08.17\00:41:10.95
all we're going to do is
live to the second coming?
00:41:11.05\00:41:13.03
There's got to
be a higher ideal.
00:41:13.23\00:41:15.15
Hmmm.
00:41:16.51\00:41:18.23
So here's the
resolution of the 33/22 paradox.
00:41:18.43\00:41:21.53
How there could be a God
who says "You can't see My face
00:41:21.56\00:41:23.64
and live yet I'm
going to show you My face. "
00:41:23.84\00:41:25.52
I John chapter 2 and
verse 28 we read these words:
00:41:26.03\00:41:31.21
"And now little
children abide in Him... "
00:41:31.34\00:41:34.81
And notice why:
"that when He appears
00:41:35.02\00:41:38.33
we may have
confidence and not be ashamed
00:41:38.53\00:41:42.06
before Him at
His coming. " Amen.
00:41:42.16\00:41:44.40
How do we not be
ashamed before Him?
00:41:44.54\00:41:46.50
We dwell in Him
now. Abide in Him
00:41:46.70\00:41:49.61
so that when He
appears we may not be ashamed.
00:41:49.81\00:41:52.62
I John chapter 3-
one chapter over -
00:41:52.92\00:41:55.11
starting with verse 1.
00:41:55.31\00:41:56.35
We know this text:
"Beloved, behold what manner
00:41:56.55\00:42:01.66
of love the Father
has bestowed upon us
00:42:01.87\00:42:03.90
that we should be
called the sons of God. "
00:42:04.00\00:42:05.05
We know that text.
But look at verse 2
00:42:05.15\00:42:06.64
and notice the process language:
00:42:08.11\00:42:09.41
"Beloved, now we
are children of God. "
00:42:09.52\00:42:12.93
Present
tense... right now. Amen!
00:42:13.23\00:42:15.83
"And... " But in addition
to that... "And it has not yet
00:42:15.97\00:42:19.62
been revealed
what we shall be... "
00:42:19.72\00:42:22.07
So apparently you
can be a child of God now
00:42:22.27\00:42:25.19
and yet you shall be
something else later.
00:42:25.39\00:42:27.68
Not less of a child of God
but you see what I'm saying.
00:42:27.98\00:42:30.33
There's a
process; there's progress;
00:42:30.54\00:42:33.92
there's transformation.
00:42:34.02\00:42:35.07
"And it has not yet been
revealed what we shall be
00:42:35.27\00:42:37.21
but we know... " And
even the writer says here
00:42:37.41\00:42:40.34
"I don't even know what
that's going to look like
00:42:40.54\00:42:42.25
but we do know this... "
00:42:42.45\00:42:44.17
"But we know that
when He is revealed... " -
00:42:44.37\00:42:48.24
which is a reference
to the second coming -
00:42:48.54\00:42:50.32
"when He is revealed
we shall be... " What?
00:42:50.52\00:42:53.70
"like Him. " And how do we know?
00:42:53.90\00:42:55.68
This is so simple the logic.
00:42:55.78\00:42:57.20
How do we know we shall
be like Him when He arrives?
00:42:57.40\00:43:00.45
"For we shall
see Him as He is. "
00:43:00.68\00:43:05.87
Isn't that beautiful?
00:43:07.01\00:43:08.36
The Lord's going to
return. He's saying: "Schwaa!
00:43:08.66\00:43:10.86
Here I am! "
00:43:10.96\00:43:12.90
This is something that's
going to be the most terrifying
00:43:13.20\00:43:16.67
awful thing. But to
others they'll say: "Ah...
00:43:16.87\00:43:20.68
there He is. " And
He's like: "Come on home. "
00:43:20.88\00:43:24.37
And you go from this
world to the next seamlessly.
00:43:24.67\00:43:30.06
Amen.
00:43:30.16\00:43:31.65
And notice what it
then says: "And everyone
00:43:31.95\00:43:34.37
who has this hope
in him... " Does what?
00:43:34.57\00:43:37.04
"purifies himself. " How?
00:43:37.28\00:43:39.28
"as He is pure. "
00:43:39.48\00:43:40.79
The goal is to
be like Jesus. Amen.
00:43:41.09\00:43:44.51
Of course Jesus said it the
mostly simply and most sublime
00:43:44.69\00:43:47.45
way of all in Matthew
chapter 5 and verse 8.
00:43:47.55\00:43:49.65
"Blessed are the
pure in heart... " Why?
00:43:50.25\00:43:53.66
"for they shall see God. "
00:43:53.86\00:43:56.27
And that's a beautiful
promise; it's not a threat.
00:43:56.47\00:43:58.19
That's good news, right?
00:43:58.49\00:44:00.11
The implication is
they shall see God and live!
00:44:00.41\00:44:03.22
Amen.
00:44:03.42\00:44:04.88
Hmmm... that's what I want.
00:44:04.98\00:44:06.59
I don't want to just
live to the second coming.
00:44:06.69\00:44:08.16
I want to live through
it by abiding in Christ now.
00:44:08.46\00:44:11.66
So reason number one why
the development of a Christ-like
00:44:11.97\00:44:14.43
character is important
is because it's the only way
00:44:14.54\00:44:16.82
that we can look upon a glorious
God and not be destroyed.
00:44:16.92\00:44:19.32
It's the only way to
survive the second coming.
00:44:19.62\00:44:21.97
And to you that's a big deal.
00:44:22.17\00:44:23.77
To me that's a big
deal. I mean, think about it
00:44:23.97\00:44:25.36
from your perspective.
00:44:25.46\00:44:26.55
You are the only you you've got,
00:44:26.75\00:44:30.13
and saving you is big
to you. And by the way...
00:44:32.68\00:44:36.24
you're also the
only you God's got.
00:44:36.48\00:44:39.45
Amen.
00:44:39.65\00:44:40.91
Anyone who is not there
is an eternal loss for Him.
00:44:42.58\00:44:47.92
God wants you to be there
and I know you want to be there.
00:44:49.41\00:44:53.59
So that's why
character is so important.
00:44:54.98\00:44:56.53
But did you know there's a
reason even better than that?
00:44:56.63\00:44:58.87
Because our working premise
through this whole series
00:45:00.04\00:45:02.66
has been that there's something
bigger than just saving sinners
00:45:02.76\00:45:06.32
involved in the
great controversy.
00:45:06.42\00:45:07.94
Getting you
into heaven is great.
00:45:08.34\00:45:10.53
Fitting you
into heaven is great.
00:45:10.74\00:45:12.71
But there's a reason
why it's better than just
00:45:12.91\00:45:15.57
self-preservation.
00:45:15.77\00:45:17.43
There's a broader - a
greater - controversy.
00:45:17.63\00:45:21.50
In Nahum chapter 1...
00:45:25.75\00:45:27.29
Now this is a rare
text, but in Nahum chapter 1
00:45:27.49\00:45:29.87
and verse 9 I believe we find
there God's greatest promise.
00:45:29.90\00:45:34.27
I mean, the promise to come
again is a wonderful promise.
00:45:35.56\00:45:38.37
And the Bible is full
of wonderful promises, but
00:45:38.47\00:45:41.35
in Nahum chapter 1
and verse 9 very simply
00:45:41.56\00:45:43.94
the scripture
reads: "What do you imagine
00:45:44.14\00:45:46.31
against the Lord? He
will make an utter end.
00:45:46.51\00:45:50.05
Affliction will not
rise up the second time. "
00:45:50.15\00:45:53.64
Amen.
00:45:53.84\00:45:55.31
That's a promise!
That's a guarantee.
00:45:55.61\00:45:57.67
When the great controversy
is done there's not going to be
00:45:57.77\00:45:59.42
another controversy. That's it.
00:45:59.52\00:46:01.42
Amen! Amen!
00:46:01.62\00:46:03.76
But think about how can the
God who allows people to have
00:46:03.99\00:46:06.75
free will make
that kind of guarantee.
00:46:06.95\00:46:09.41
The only way God can leave
intact our freedom of choice
00:46:11.84\00:46:14.90
and yet guarantee that no
one will ever again disobey
00:46:15.10\00:46:18.18
is the development of
a Christ-like character
00:46:18.48\00:46:21.46
in each citizen of heaven.
00:46:21.66\00:46:24.07
Amen.
00:46:24.27\00:46:25.54
Thus we can read statements like
00:46:26.04\00:46:28.32
Sermons and Talks,
volume 2, page 294:
00:46:28.52\00:46:30.91
"Without perfection of character
00:46:32.24\00:46:34.21
no one can enter the pearly
gates of the city of God. "
00:46:34.41\00:46:37.55
And there's an explanation.
00:46:37.95\00:46:39.84
"For... " For this reason:
00:46:40.04\00:46:41.30
"if with all our imperfections
00:46:42.64\00:46:47.00
we were permitted
to enter that city... "
00:46:47.20\00:46:49.53
So if God were to get you in
without you being fit to go in.
00:46:51.01\00:46:55.01
"If with all our imperfections
we were permitted to enter
00:46:55.41\00:46:58.42
that city there would soon be
in heaven a second rebellion. "
00:46:58.52\00:47:03.17
Think about it.
00:47:04.44\00:47:05.63
And this is what... Trust me,
00:47:05.93\00:47:08.15
Gabriel is thinking about it.
00:47:08.35\00:47:10.92
Saying: "OK, Lord, we
see why You can destroy Satan
00:47:11.22\00:47:14.19
but You're going to let
some of his loyal subjects
00:47:14.39\00:47:17.30
come here? " And
God's like: "That's right!
00:47:17.60\00:47:20.80
And they're going to live in
the palace right next to you. "
00:47:21.10\00:47:23.73
"I'm going to take
that Kameron deVa... "
00:47:25.30\00:47:26.46
"No! Not him! "
00:47:26.49\00:47:27.46
"Yes... your roommate. "
00:47:27.63\00:47:30.53
Hmmm.
00:47:34.21\00:47:35.78
It's a big promise.
00:47:36.08\00:47:37.85
She goes on. After she says
"there would soon be in heaven
00:47:39.68\00:47:44.39
a second rebellion"
the passage continues:
00:47:44.49\00:47:46.81
"We must first
be tried and chosen
00:47:47.01\00:47:49.95
and found faithful and true.
00:47:50.15\00:47:52.30
Upon the
purification of our character
00:47:52.60\00:47:55.25
rests our only
hope of eternal life. "
00:47:55.45\00:47:58.45
Whoo! Now think
about what that's saying
00:47:59.37\00:48:03.53
and please think about
what that's not saying.
00:48:03.73\00:48:05.72
That's not to say that the
development of a Christ-like
00:48:06.75\00:48:09.02
character
causes you to be saved.
00:48:09.23\00:48:11.61
That's not it at all.
00:48:12.01\00:48:13.67
Only the blood of
Jesus has power to restore
00:48:13.87\00:48:17.03
and redeem and
save fallen man. Amen.
00:48:17.23\00:48:20.14
BUT a Christ-like
character is the only guarantee
00:48:20.27\00:48:25.00
that no one will ever
choose to rebel again.
00:48:25.20\00:48:29.39
Amen.
00:48:29.59\00:48:30.94
Think about it: there's a
lot riding on your character
00:48:31.24\00:48:34.10
for more than just you.
00:48:34.30\00:48:36.21
The entire safety and security
00:48:36.51\00:48:39.54
of the heavenly
realm for eternity
00:48:39.74\00:48:42.60
is resting on every
single citizen of heaven
00:48:42.90\00:48:48.02
knowing the difference
between right and wrong
00:48:48.32\00:48:50.56
and choosing whom they
will serve each and every time.
00:48:50.76\00:48:54.29
Amen.
00:48:54.32\00:48:55.52
That's why
character is so important.
00:48:55.82\00:48:58.06
Because there's more involved
in the great controversy
00:48:58.26\00:49:01.18
than just saving you.
It's safeguarding the universe
00:49:01.38\00:49:04.62
for eternity. Hmmm.
00:49:04.82\00:49:08.10
The redemption provided by
the blood of Jesus entails more
00:49:08.40\00:49:11.42
than merely a
transaction to get you in
00:49:11.62\00:49:13.72
but a transformation
that fits you into heaven.
00:49:13.92\00:49:17.46
The title of our
message tonight is called
00:49:17.76\00:49:19.50
The Great Object of Life.
00:49:19.70\00:49:22.01
And it's hard for many
people. I believe we've painted
00:49:22.31\00:49:25.41
a picture of salvation
that's a transaction only.
00:49:25.61\00:49:27.96
You made a decision. "I
got converted back in this.
00:49:28.17\00:49:30.65
I went to a seminar
this one time. I came forward
00:49:30.75\00:49:32.77
at the altar call for
this. I got saved on this day. "
00:49:32.87\00:49:35.54
"I have a transaction; I
have my heaven ticket in hand.
00:49:35.84\00:49:39.58
I'm going to get in. " Right?
00:49:39.88\00:49:43.25
And they rest secured in
their transactional salvation
00:49:43.45\00:49:48.59
instead of their
transformational Savior.
00:49:48.69\00:49:51.14
Amen. See the difference?
00:49:51.34\00:49:53.18
"You know, I'm gettin' in
'cause I've got my ticket. "
00:49:53.38\00:49:56.81
Friends, there's more
to getting into heaven.
00:49:58.08\00:50:00.55
Christ wants to fit
you into heaven - Amen -
00:50:00.75\00:50:04.11
so you won't ruin
heaven for anybody else. Amen.
00:50:04.31\00:50:07.37
Thus we read in the
book Education page 64:
00:50:09.87\00:50:13.22
"In the beginning God
created man in His own likeness.
00:50:15.02\00:50:19.86
He endowed him
with noble qualities.
00:50:20.26\00:50:23.52
His mind was well balanced
00:50:24.02\00:50:26.71
and all the powers of
his being were harmonious.
00:50:26.91\00:50:30.14
But the fall and its effects
have perverted these gifts.
00:50:31.18\00:50:33.85
Sin has marred and well nigh
obliterated the image of God
00:50:34.25\00:50:37.88
in man. It was to restore
this that the plan of salvation
00:50:37.98\00:50:42.86
was devised and a life of
probation was granted to man.
00:50:43.06\00:50:46.73
To bring him back to the
perfection in which he was
00:50:46.93\00:50:49.74
first created is the
great object of life...
00:50:49.95\00:50:53.89
the object that
underlies every other. " Amen.
00:50:54.19\00:50:58.58
Salvation is more
than a transaction;
00:50:58.82\00:51:00.05
it's a transformation.
It's a complete restoration
00:51:00.25\00:51:02.75
of the image of
God in fallen humanity
00:51:02.95\00:51:06.07
so that when the Lord returns
00:51:06.37\00:51:10.08
and He welcomes
home those who are His
00:51:10.29\00:51:13.02
it'll be like to comin' to a
place that just feels natural.
00:51:13.22\00:51:17.60
Amen; Amen.
00:51:17.80\00:51:19.59
Gabriel'll say:
"Welcome home, brother.
00:51:19.79\00:51:21.25
Good to have you.
Won't you come on in. "
00:51:21.45\00:51:24.15
Christ will
say: "I'm not ashamed
00:51:25.16\00:51:26.97
to call them My brethren.
00:51:27.00\00:51:27.97
Un uh, proud to be
their God. Come on in. "
00:51:28.27\00:51:32.40
That's the great object
of life... not just a ticket
00:51:32.60\00:51:35.02
but a transformation!
00:51:35.22\00:51:36.75
So let's bring it back
around to where we began.
00:51:37.15\00:51:39.45
"Yet Satan was
not then destroyed. "
00:51:42.24\00:51:44.49
We're speaking of
Christ on the cross.
00:51:44.80\00:51:46.82
The reason... ever wondered
that? If "It is finished! "
00:51:47.02\00:51:50.80
happened 2,000 years
ago, why is "it" still going?
00:51:51.00\00:51:54.46
What is there left to learn?
00:51:55.97\00:51:58.50
"Yet Satan was
not then destroyed.
00:52:01.42\00:52:03.40
The angels did not even
then understand all that was
00:52:03.70\00:52:06.68
involved in the
great controversy.
00:52:06.79\00:52:09.22
The principles at stake
were to be more fully revealed
00:52:09.62\00:52:12.30
and for the sake of man, Satan's
existence must be continued. "
00:52:12.60\00:52:17.46
Do you understand how
radical of a statement that is?
00:52:17.77\00:52:19.93
To say that it is
in your best interest
00:52:20.85\00:52:23.30
that Satan remain alive.
00:52:23.50\00:52:26.24
You'd better understand some
things if you're going to go out
00:52:28.85\00:52:31.25
and maybe say hand out
that book or talk about these
00:52:31.45\00:52:33.74
things. Say: "Yeah, I
know Satan. Oh, don't you wish
00:52:33.94\00:52:37.27
God would destroy
him? " Well not yet...
00:52:37.37\00:52:39.24
because it's a bigger plan
than just destroying Satan.
00:52:39.44\00:52:42.48
There's the
redemption of sinful humanity
00:52:43.45\00:52:45.74
and the restoration and
securing and safeguarding
00:52:45.94\00:52:48.79
of the universe
for eternity at stake.
00:52:48.99\00:52:51.31
Amen. As we saw from night #1
00:52:51.51\00:52:53.87
God is a God of due process.
00:52:53.90\00:52:56.21
The reason He didn't destroy
him is because people wouldn't
00:52:56.62\00:52:59.15
understand at his first
rebellion, so He cast him out
00:52:59.25\00:53:01.89
and extended his life.
00:53:02.09\00:53:03.48
And for 4,000 years
Satan had the opportunity to
00:53:03.88\00:53:07.56
develop these principles
and work out his administration
00:53:07.76\00:53:10.61
all before the onlooking
universe. As we saw in the
00:53:10.81\00:53:13.29
book of Job "the sons of God. "
00:53:13.39\00:53:14.89
But finally when
Jesus died on the cross
00:53:17.91\00:53:20.41
what God had seen
from the very beginning,
00:53:22.47\00:53:24.55
that murderous intent
in the heart of Lucifer,
00:53:24.75\00:53:26.83
the violence that was within,
00:53:27.13\00:53:29.40
was unleashed on the
very sinless Son of God.
00:53:29.60\00:53:33.14
And in that moment
00:53:33.54\00:53:35.63
they saw clearly contrasted
the character of their Savior
00:53:35.83\00:53:39.07
and the character of
His adversary... Satan.
00:53:39.27\00:53:41.88
And that's where the last
link of sympathy was broken.
00:53:43.19\00:53:47.67
But now, since that time,
00:53:47.97\00:53:51.18
God has allowed even more
time for Satan to more fully
00:53:51.39\00:53:54.87
develop his principles.
And here's the reason why:
00:53:54.97\00:53:57.14
"Yet Satan was not then
destroyed. The angels did not
00:53:57.34\00:53:59.28
even then understand
all that was involved
00:53:59.38\00:54:01.06
in the great controversy.
00:54:01.26\00:54:02.85
The principles at stake
were to be more fully revealed
00:54:03.15\00:54:05.59
and for the sake of man Satan's
existence must be continued. "
00:54:05.79\00:54:10.30
And here's what we're
going to pick up on tomorrow
00:54:10.50\00:54:12.58
and tomorrow afternoon.
00:54:12.78\00:54:14.90
"Man as well as
angels must see the contrast
00:54:15.10\00:54:19.41
between the Prince of light
and the prince of darkness.
00:54:19.61\00:54:22.40
He must choose
whom he will serve. "
00:54:22.70\00:54:25.58
At the cross of Christ the
angels sealed their decision
00:54:25.98\00:54:30.00
for God. Now the question is:
00:54:30.20\00:54:33.50
what will you do when
confronted with the opportunity
00:54:33.80\00:54:37.24
of following Jesus
or following Satan?
00:54:37.44\00:54:39.78
Whom will you serve?
00:54:40.18\00:54:42.06
And of course the
impetus is: "Choose you this day
00:54:43.29\00:54:46.00
whom you will
serve. " By the way,
00:54:46.20\00:54:48.32
there's a reason why
you should choose right now.
00:54:48.62\00:54:51.23
And it's not because
Jesus could come at any moment.
00:54:51.43\00:54:53.64
Even though I believe we're
living in the very toenails
00:54:53.94\00:54:56.22
of time and Jesus... we've been
promised that the last events
00:54:56.32\00:54:59.10
will be rapid ones
and Jesus is coming soon,
00:54:59.30\00:55:01.10
but even better than
that... You could say: "Well,
00:55:01.30\00:55:05.13
yeah, but if Jesus doesn't come
right soon we could still die
00:55:05.16\00:55:08.15
at any moment and our
own personal second coming
00:55:08.25\00:55:10.74
could happen at any time. "
00:55:11.04\00:55:12.75
But even better than that
00:55:13.05\00:55:14.43
the reason you should choose
whom you will serve this day
00:55:14.63\00:55:17.29
is because character is
being formed not in a day
00:55:17.59\00:55:21.68
but day by day. Amen.
00:55:21.88\00:55:24.14
The formation of
character is not instantaneous.
00:55:24.34\00:55:26.33
It's a process. And
every decision you make
00:55:26.53\00:55:28.75
turns you into the
person that you are tomorrow.
00:55:28.96\00:55:31.68
And that person will
be a different person than
00:55:32.08\00:55:34.82
the day after that. Amen.
And so "Choose you this day
00:55:35.02\00:55:38.59
whom you will
serve, " because even now
00:55:38.79\00:55:41.24
we're becoming
citizens of God's kingdom...
00:55:41.45\00:55:44.58
safe to save for eternity. Amen.
00:55:44.78\00:55:48.25
Has the presentation
made sense this evening? Amen!
00:55:48.38\00:55:50.15
Praise God for clarity.
00:55:50.35\00:55:51.83
Let's bow our heads
for a word of prayer.
00:55:52.03\00:55:53.47
Dear heavenly Father,
Lord I thank you so much
00:55:55.41\00:55:59.42
for revealing to us Your
character and the way in which
00:55:59.52\00:56:03.72
You have done it.
00:56:03.82\00:56:04.98
Lord, we understand that
You are a God of due process.
00:56:06.37\00:56:08.74
You're going to take
time to get it right.
00:56:08.95\00:56:11.08
You've made a big promise
in Nahum chapter 1 and verse 9.
00:56:11.38\00:56:14.11
You've promised that
affliction will never rise
00:56:14.21\00:56:17.58
again... not for a second time.
00:56:17.68\00:56:18.99
And when the great controversy
is done there will never be
00:56:19.19\00:56:21.23
another controversy.
00:56:21.43\00:56:23.21
And Lord, we want to
be part of that people
00:56:23.41\00:56:25.63
who You seal and say
"These are safe to save. "
00:56:25.94\00:56:28.89
So when You come again
we're not afraid of Your face
00:56:29.29\00:56:32.17
but we can look on Your
face with confidence and not be
00:56:32.38\00:56:34.50
ashamed. And say:
"Lo, this is our God.
00:56:34.60\00:56:36.72
We have waited for
Him and He will save us. "
00:56:36.93\00:56:38.55
Lord, we want to go into heaven
with a sense that we're just
00:56:39.05\00:56:42.75
going home. Lord, to
that end I ask that You
00:56:42.95\00:56:46.47
seal our decisions tonight.
00:56:46.67\00:56:48.25
And not just help us
to rest on a transaction
00:56:48.55\00:56:51.07
but Lord, continue to
work in our lives to develop
00:56:51.27\00:56:53.54
that transformation of character
00:56:53.74\00:56:55.40
that will not only
get us in but fit us in
00:56:55.60\00:56:58.28
to Your kingdom when it
comes. Let that day be soon
00:56:58.58\00:57:01.25
and when it does
let not one be missing.
00:57:01.45\00:57:03.87
We pray this in
Jesus' name, Amen.
00:57:04.18\00:57:08.09
We encourage you to
tune in tomorrow morning
00:57:25.26\00:57:27.10
for part 4 of the
continued Greater Controversy.
00:57:27.30\00:57:31.47
God bless you
till we see you again.
00:57:31.57\00:57:33.17