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? "
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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\00:11:09.30
And yet seen in that stark
contrast the character of Satan
00:11:09.90\00:11:13.34
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
00:11:41.73\00:11:43.67
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.
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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
00:12:06.59\00:12:10.69
of God's universe
had had to this point
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and they'd
endured all along God now
00:12:13.23\00:12:17.13
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.
00:12:39.79\00:12:41.12
"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... "
00:12:48.56\00:12:52.60
Again that's by Christ.
00:12:52.80\00:12:54.20
"to reconcile
all things to Himself
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by Him, whether things
on earth or things in heaven
00:12:58.14\00:13:02.71
having made peace through
the blood of His cross. "
00:13:03.71\00:13:06.31
So it was God's plan... think
about what this is saying...
00:13:06.72\00:13:10.25
We say "Amen" and we should
say "Amen, " but think about
00:13:10.25\00:13:12.32
the ramifications. God's
plan is that through the blood
00:13:12.32\00:13:15.59
of Jesus - His sacrifice
on the cross - all things
00:13:15.59\00:13:18.69
in heaven and on the
earth will be reconciled.
00:13:18.69\00:13:21.06
Which means to
be brought together.
00:13:21.26\00:13:23.10
God wants to
unify heaven and earth.
00:13:24.37\00:13:26.50
Go to the book of Ephesians.
00:13:27.87\00:13:29.37
Just go to the left
just a few books there.
00:13:29.57\00:13:31.17
Ephesians chapter 1 again, now
this time starting with verse 7.
00:13:33.88\00:13:37.08
Notice verses 7
through 10 Ephesians chapter 1.
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Notice the similarities
to Paul's argument...
00:13:43.92\00:13:47.09
his line of reasoning.
00:13:47.09\00:13:48.26
Ephesians 1
starting with verse 7:
00:13:48.46\00:13:50.49
"In Him... " that is Christ
00:13:51.46\00:13:53.23
"we have
redemption through His blood
00:13:53.43\00:13:56.00
the forgiveness of sins
according to the riches of
00:13:56.20\00:13:58.90
His grace which He
made to abound towards us
00:13:58.90\00:14:01.20
in all wisdom
and truth. " Verse 9:
00:14:01.40\00:14:03.44
"Having made known to us
the mystery of His will... "
00:14:03.64\00:14:06.88
It's interesting that God's will
apparently is still a mystery.
00:14:07.18\00:14:11.28
"the mystery of His will
according to His good pleasure"
00:14:11.78\00:14:17.82
So that's what pleased God.
00:14:17.82\00:14:19.35
"according to His good
pleasure which He proposed
00:14:19.55\00:14:25.46
in Himself. " And here's
what that is... that mystery
00:14:25.66\00:14:28.83
hidden in God... Verse 10:
00:14:28.83\00:14:30.10
"that in the dispensation
of the fullness of the time
00:14:30.30\00:14:32.70
He might gather together in
one all things in Christ... "
00:14:33.00\00:14:39.01
And He defines what all means.
00:14:39.21\00:14:40.74
"both which are in heaven and
which are on the earth in Him. "
00:14:41.94\00:14:46.78
OK. So God wants to
reconcile or bring together
00:14:47.18\00:14:50.62
or unify all things in Christ.
00:14:50.82\00:14:54.39
Which not just includes
all redeemed sinners but also
00:14:54.59\00:14:57.39
those who never
fell in the first place.
00:14:57.59\00:14:59.79
Those in heaven
and those on the earth.
00:15:00.06\00:15:02.26
Which you know from our
perspective that's wonderful!
00:15:02.56\00:15:05.30
Praise the Lord!
You know, sounds great.
00:15:05.50\00:15:08.07
The blood of Jesus
gets us into heaven
00:15:08.27\00:15:10.01
but... think about it
from their perspective.
00:15:10.01\00:15:14.84
"You're going to
let them in here? "
00:15:16.48\00:15:21.58
Hmmm.
00:15:24.99\00:15:26.72
Which brings me to a significant
thought that I want to
00:15:28.49\00:15:30.99
hone in on tonight.
00:15:30.99\00:15:32.09
To the same extent
that the heavenly universe
00:15:34.20\00:15:38.13
needed to see sufficient
evidence that it was right
00:15:38.33\00:15:41.04
for God to cast out and
ultimately destroy Satan
00:15:41.24\00:15:44.07
to that same extent they now
need to see sufficient evidence
00:15:45.31\00:15:49.08
that it would be right for God
to allow Satan's former subjects
00:15:49.28\00:15:52.18
into heaven and give
them - give us - eternal life.
00:15:52.38\00:15:56.08
Do you see that? It's like
if they needed to see evidence
00:15:57.49\00:15:59.92
that Satan shouldn't be there
00:15:59.92\00:16:01.56
don't you think it's only
reasonable that they should see
00:16:01.76\00:16:03.89
evidence that we should be.
00:16:03.89\00:16:05.66
No wonder there were
still things about the great
00:16:08.73\00:16:11.20
controversy that even the
angels and unfallen beings
00:16:11.20\00:16:13.37
didn't quite understand yet.
00:16:13.57\00:16:14.94
The destruction of
Satan? We're good with that.
00:16:15.14\00:16:17.77
The redeeming of
fallen humanity? Slow down...
00:16:17.97\00:16:22.61
By the way, those heavenly
beings are still watching.
00:16:23.95\00:16:26.25
I Corinthians chapter 4 verse 9.
00:16:27.68\00:16:31.15
Paul was convinced of
this reality of an on looking
00:16:31.35\00:16:33.99
universe. He wrote
in I Corinthians 4:9:
00:16:33.99\00:16:36.93
"For I think that
God has displayed us
00:16:37.23\00:16:40.16
the apostles last as
men condemned to death
00:16:40.36\00:16:44.00
for we have been made a
spectacle to the worlds. "
00:16:44.20\00:16:48.27
And then he defines how broad
this world that he's thinking of
00:16:48.47\00:16:51.04
is: "We have been made
a spectacle to the worlds
00:16:51.04\00:16:53.48
both to angels and to men. "
00:16:53.68\00:16:56.48
It's not like he was
just vulnerable and on display
00:16:56.88\00:17:00.05
for everyone on earth to
see. He's like: "No, no, no, no.
00:17:00.25\00:17:02.05
But that extends to the
heavenly realms as well...
00:17:02.05\00:17:03.89
both to angels and to men. "
00:17:03.89\00:17:05.25
Turn with me again to the
book of Ephesians chapter 3.
00:17:06.35\00:17:09.49
He clarifies this. He
brings out the scene even more.
00:17:11.26\00:17:14.36
Ephesians chapter 3 and verse 8.
00:17:14.56\00:17:16.80
In these verses starting with
verse 8 of Ephesians chapter 3
00:17:18.40\00:17:22.07
Paul describes his ministry.
00:17:22.27\00:17:24.61
He gives his job description.
00:17:24.81\00:17:26.34
"To me... " he says...
00:17:27.81\00:17:29.61
"who am less than the
least of all the saints
00:17:29.81\00:17:31.75
this grace was given. That I
should preach among the Gentiles
00:17:31.95\00:17:36.22
the unsearchable
riches of Christ... "
00:17:36.22\00:17:37.99
And we would
typically put a period there.
00:17:38.19\00:17:40.19
Say that's what his
job description was:
00:17:40.39\00:17:42.29
Paul was the
apostle to the Gentiles.
00:17:42.49\00:17:44.29
But in his mind there
was something else he was
00:17:44.59\00:17:47.03
supposed to do.
Continue on... verse 9:
00:17:47.03\00:17:49.53
"and to make all see
what is the fellowship... "
00:17:49.73\00:17:55.67
And here is our word
again: "of the mystery
00:17:55.67\00:17:58.37
which from the beginning
of ages has been hidden in God
00:17:58.97\00:18:03.68
who created all things
through Jesus Christ. "
00:18:03.68\00:18:05.85
He said: "I'm not only supposed
to preach the unsearchable
00:18:06.25\00:18:09.62
riches of Christ to the Gentiles
but I'm supposed to give
00:18:09.62\00:18:11.65
the broader theme to
my message to make all see
00:18:11.65\00:18:14.29
the mystery which
has been hidden in God. "
00:18:14.49\00:18:16.86
Let's continue on.
Verse 10... the key:
00:18:17.36\00:18:21.66
"To the intent that now
00:18:21.66\00:18:24.10
the manifold wisdom of God
00:18:24.40\00:18:27.30
might be made
known by the church
00:18:27.60\00:18:30.54
to the principalities and
powers in the heavenly places
00:18:30.74\00:18:36.28
according to the eternal
purpose which He accomplished
00:18:36.48\00:18:39.75
in Christ Jesus our Lord
00:18:39.95\00:18:41.55
in whom we have boldness
and access with confidence
00:18:41.75\00:18:44.45
through faith in Him. "
00:18:44.65\00:18:46.76
Understand what that's
saying... the depth of this.
00:18:47.06\00:18:49.32
Apparently there
is some hidden wisdom
00:18:49.32\00:18:52.49
that God wants to make known
to the principalities and powers
00:18:53.09\00:18:58.13
in the heavenly places.
00:18:58.33\00:18:59.40
So there is God in heaven
00:18:59.60\00:19:02.24
with the principalities
and powers in heavenly places
00:19:02.44\00:19:05.21
and He wants to teach them
something about His plan...
00:19:05.44\00:19:08.51
His wisdom. So wouldn't it
make only sense that He would
00:19:08.51\00:19:12.21
just turn to them
and say whatever it is?
00:19:12.21\00:19:14.22
"Hey, here's this plan. I
want to explain it to you. "
00:19:14.52\00:19:18.49
But how does He wish
to teach this lesson?
00:19:18.89\00:19:21.79
Notice again... how
does God intend to reveal His
00:19:21.99\00:19:24.56
mysterious
hidden wisdom to them?
00:19:24.56\00:19:26.16
By the church.
00:19:26.56\00:19:28.80
God's people on earth.
00:19:29.00\00:19:31.70
That's as if to say there
were still some things that were
00:19:31.90\00:19:33.87
a mystery to them.
They did not understand;
00:19:33.87\00:19:35.34
they were hidden in God.
And instead of Him just saying
00:19:35.34\00:19:37.54
them to them He
said: "Let me show you
00:19:37.74\00:19:39.31
what My manifold wisdom
is. Watch My people on earth. "
00:19:39.51\00:19:44.55
That's significant. God intends
to use His people on earth
00:19:46.25\00:19:49.55
to explain His
wisdom to heavenly beings.
00:19:49.75\00:19:51.69
Now this is fascinating to me.
00:19:53.39\00:19:54.62
You may not find it fascinating
but I find it enthralling
00:19:54.82\00:19:57.19
and since I'm the one presenting
the message, you get to hear it.
00:19:57.39\00:19:59.59
Deuteronomy chapter
4... Moses instructs
00:19:59.79\00:20:03.70
the children of Israel
about the impact their obedience
00:20:03.90\00:20:07.04
to God's principles would
have on the surrounding nations
00:20:07.24\00:20:10.31
who were constantly
watching this peculiar people.
00:20:10.51\00:20:12.94
You know Israel was
not just another nation.
00:20:13.14\00:20:15.48
It was supposed to be a
witness; ambassador for Christ
00:20:15.68\00:20:18.45
on earth if you will.
00:20:18.65\00:20:19.68
Deuteronomy
chapter 4 and verse 6
00:20:21.15\00:20:23.95
we read these words:
00:20:23.95\00:20:25.09
"Therefore be
careful to observe them. "
00:20:26.35\00:20:29.02
Speaking of the
principles of God's government.
00:20:29.22\00:20:31.16
The law that He had given them.
00:20:31.36\00:20:32.79
"Be careful to observe
them for... " Here's the reason:
00:20:32.99\00:20:35.56
"this is your wisdom
00:20:35.76\00:20:38.30
and your understanding
in the sight of the people
00:20:38.50\00:20:42.77
who will hear
all these statutes. "
00:20:42.97\00:20:45.81
So there are going to be people
who hear the statutes of God
00:20:46.11\00:20:48.88
and they're going to
see the statutes of God
00:20:48.88\00:20:50.71
lived out in the people.
00:20:50.91\00:20:52.45
And they're going to
say: "This is Your wisdom.
00:20:52.65\00:20:55.22
You're never going to be
the biggest, the strongest.
00:20:55.42\00:20:57.42
You're supposed to be a repre-
sentative of Christ on earth. "
00:20:57.62\00:21:02.39
Notice this now: "And
say 'Surely this great nation
00:21:02.59\00:21:05.83
is a wise and
understanding people. ' "
00:21:06.03\00:21:07.73
Now, in a fascinating exposition
of this particular passage
00:21:07.93\00:21:12.97
Ellen White in a little pamphlet
called the Crest Collection
00:21:13.27\00:21:16.77
makes this remarkable
statement. Listen closely.
00:21:17.07\00:21:20.51
Speaking... And now she's
referring to the words here
00:21:21.61\00:21:24.11
in Deuteronomy
chapter 4. She says:
00:21:24.11\00:21:26.98
"Even these words fail
of reaching the greatness
00:21:27.22\00:21:32.69
and the glory of God's
purpose to be accomplished
00:21:32.89\00:21:35.86
through His people. "
00:21:35.86\00:21:37.19
She explains what she means.
00:21:38.99\00:21:40.66
"Not to this world
only but to the universe
00:21:40.96\00:21:44.73
are we to make manifest the
principles of His kingdom. "
00:21:44.93\00:21:49.20
Amen.
00:21:49.20\00:21:50.24
So Israel was supposed to
make known to the other nations
00:21:51.17\00:21:53.38
but she said: "No, no, no,
no. If you just think of earthly
00:21:53.58\00:21:55.64
nations you're thinking
too small. There's a universe
00:21:55.84\00:21:57.98
out there who's watching.
00:21:57.98\00:21:59.35
And they're supposed to
learn something about God
00:21:59.65\00:22:01.95
through us. "
00:22:02.25\00:22:03.95
"The heavenly universe...
" And by the way, the text
00:22:05.12\00:22:07.72
that she... after that statement
that she supports this with...
00:22:07.92\00:22:10.36
is Ephesians chapter 3
highlighting verse 10 there.
00:22:10.56\00:22:13.43
"Now the manifold wisdom of God
may be made known by the church
00:22:13.63\00:22:17.27
to the principalities and
powers in the heavenly places. "
00:22:17.50\00:22:19.50
That's what she's talking about.
00:22:19.80\00:22:21.54
"The heavenly universe is
watching to see if Christ's
00:22:22.80\00:22:26.57
sacrifice on the cross
can actually transform sinners
00:22:26.57\00:22:31.01
into responsible
citizens of heaven. "
00:22:31.21\00:22:34.72
Let's go to the book
of Hebrews chapter 11.
00:22:34.92\00:22:38.39
Hebrews chapter 11.
00:22:38.79\00:22:40.46
This is one of those
famous chapters in scripture.
00:22:41.06\00:22:43.69
This is the hall of faith.
00:22:45.56\00:22:47.76
The great heroes of faith.
00:22:47.96\00:22:50.67
Going down through time
itemizing, listing out these
00:22:51.00\00:22:53.30
heroes of faith who have
by faith done great things
00:22:53.50\00:22:56.30
for the Lord. But in
the midst of the description
00:22:56.50\00:22:59.07
of these heroes of faith
we find starting with verse 13
00:22:59.27\00:23:03.08
and going through
verse 16 these words:
00:23:03.28\00:23:06.31
"These all died in faith not
having received the promises.
00:23:07.78\00:23:13.25
But having seen them
afar off were assured of them,
00:23:13.46\00:23:16.86
embraced them and confessed
that they were strangers
00:23:17.06\00:23:21.86
and pilgrims on the earth. "
00:23:21.86\00:23:23.43
All right. So talking about the
faithful heroes of Hebrews 11
00:23:23.63\00:23:26.37
they make a parenthetical
pause in the middle to say
00:23:26.57\00:23:29.67
"Now these all died not
having received the promises. "
00:23:29.87\00:23:33.44
All right. They just
lived a lifetime in this earth
00:23:33.68\00:23:36.28
and that was it.
00:23:36.28\00:23:37.61
But they did see them afar
off. They were assured of them
00:23:37.61\00:23:41.52
and because of that they con-
fessed that they were strangers
00:23:41.72\00:23:44.69
and pilgrims here. This world
was not their home if you will.
00:23:44.89\00:23:49.82
Goes on... verse 14:
00:23:50.03\00:23:51.79
"For those who say such
things declare plainly... "
00:23:51.79\00:23:55.13
My question is... just pause:
00:23:55.33\00:23:57.83
who were they declaring it to?
00:23:58.13\00:23:59.90
Anyway, back to the text.
00:24:02.27\00:24:03.54
"For those who say
such things declare plainly
00:24:03.84\00:24:06.78
that they seek a homeland.
00:24:06.98\00:24:09.88
And truly if they had
called to mind that country
00:24:10.08\00:24:13.35
from which they had come out
00:24:13.55\00:24:15.48
they would have had
opportunity to return. "
00:24:15.68\00:24:17.42
So they weren't just
calling themselves heavenly
00:24:17.62\00:24:20.59
claiming to be citizens of
heaven but actually thinking
00:24:20.79\00:24:23.39
about the world. Their minds
were fixed on another place.
00:24:23.39\00:24:27.56
Is that clear? OK.
00:24:27.76\00:24:29.66
"But... " verse 16:
00:24:30.97\00:24:32.47
"But now they
desire a better and that is
00:24:32.77\00:24:36.30
a heavenly
country. " And I love this:
00:24:36.50\00:24:40.21
"Therefore... " So
because they don't just claim
00:24:40.41\00:24:44.48
to be going to heaven but are
trying to live through the power
00:24:44.68\00:24:47.45
of Christ a heavenly citizenship
00:24:47.45\00:24:49.55
"Therefore God is
not... " What's the word?
00:24:49.85\00:24:54.72
"ashamed to be called their God
00:24:55.12\00:24:59.43
for He has
prepared a city for them. "
00:24:59.73\00:25:04.93
God is not
ashamed of being their God
00:25:05.23\00:25:09.47
for they seek to live in
a better place, according to
00:25:09.67\00:25:14.18
better principles, even
while they're in this place.
00:25:14.18\00:25:16.91
Think about that.
00:25:17.31\00:25:18.68
And by the way, isn't
that a wonderful promise?
00:25:18.88\00:25:20.65
God has a place prepared for us.
00:25:20.85\00:25:23.25
This is the same promise
that Jesus Himself gave in
00:25:23.55\00:25:26.19
John chapter 14. We
know it probably by heart.
00:25:26.19\00:25:28.19
John chapter 14 verses 2 and 3.
00:25:28.39\00:25:30.09
"In My Father's house
are... " What? "many mansions.
00:25:30.39\00:25:32.96
If it were not so,
I would have told you.
00:25:33.26\00:25:35.20
I go... " For what purpose?
"to prepare a place for you.
00:25:35.50\00:25:40.47
And if I go and prepare a
place for you I WILL COME AGAIN
00:25:40.67\00:25:43.47
and receive you to Myself
00:25:43.47\00:25:44.74
that where I am,
there you may be also. "
00:25:44.94\00:25:47.34
Hmmm.
00:25:49.31\00:25:51.05
Sometimes, however, when I read
these promises... I hear them
00:25:52.25\00:25:55.45
recited over and over
that there's a place for you.
00:25:55.65\00:25:57.55
God is preparing a place for
you. Gone to prepare a place...
00:25:57.55\00:25:59.85
Sometimes I fear that
while we focus on Christ's
00:26:00.06\00:26:05.06
promise to
prepare a place for us
00:26:05.26\00:26:07.30
we ignore His promise to
prepare us for that place.
00:26:08.63\00:26:12.47
Do you see the difference?
00:26:13.80\00:26:15.60
The redemption
provided by the blood of Jesus
00:26:20.18\00:26:23.04
entails more than a promise
to physically transport us
00:26:23.04\00:26:26.01
to heaven.
00:26:26.21\00:26:27.35
It includes the
far greater promise
00:26:29.32\00:26:31.62
to spiritually
transform us for heaven.
00:26:31.82\00:26:35.26
Amen.
00:26:35.52\00:26:36.66
Salvation, my friends,
is not merely a transaction
00:26:36.96\00:26:39.86
it's a transformation.
00:26:40.06\00:26:42.96
Let's boil it down this way.
00:26:46.00\00:26:47.50
God not merely
wants to "get us in"
00:26:48.77\00:26:50.91
He wants to "fit us in"
to the courts of heaven.
00:26:50.91\00:26:54.01
Does that make sense?
00:26:54.31\00:26:55.74
Now, some will say:
"That's a great high standard
00:26:56.04\00:26:58.65
but doesn't the Bible
says that we will be changed?
00:26:58.85\00:27:01.32
But it will be
at the last trumpet.
00:27:01.52\00:27:02.88
That's when we'll be changed:
"In the twinkling of an eye...
00:27:02.88\00:27:04.75
in a moment. " That's
when the change will occur.
00:27:04.75\00:27:07.26
Well, yes it does.
00:27:07.46\00:27:09.02
It does say
something about that.
00:27:09.22\00:27:10.83
In fact, in I Corinthians
chapter 15 the apostle Paul
00:27:11.03\00:27:13.23
declares unambiguously
- without reservation -
00:27:13.23\00:27:16.23
that we shall "not all
sleep but we shall all be...
00:27:16.43\00:27:20.67
changed. In a moment.
In the twinkling of an eye.
00:27:20.90\00:27:23.77
At the last trumpet. "
And that's a wonderful promise
00:27:23.97\00:27:26.78
but have you ever stopped to
think: "What get's changed? "
00:27:26.98\00:27:30.01
What about us actually
changes when Jesus comes?
00:27:30.31\00:27:33.48
Well, let's see if
Paul explains himself.
00:27:36.05\00:27:38.55
Philippians chapter 3.
00:27:39.72\00:27:41.49
We're going to
start with verse 18.
00:27:41.79\00:27:43.36
Philippians chapter 3
starting with verse 18.
00:27:43.66\00:27:45.79
Look what the
same Paul says here.
00:27:47.76\00:27:52.37
3:18.
00:27:53.70\00:27:55.07
He says: "For many walk
of whom I have told you often
00:27:56.37\00:28:00.68
and now tell even weeping
that they are the enemies
00:28:00.68\00:28:02.98
of the cross of Christ.
00:28:03.18\00:28:04.45
Whose end is destruction.
00:28:04.65\00:28:06.88
Whose God is their belly
00:28:07.18\00:28:09.28
and whose glory
is in their shame.
00:28:09.48\00:28:11.79
Who set their mind... " Where?
00:28:11.99\00:28:14.09
"on earthly things. "
00:28:14.29\00:28:15.96
Does that not sound
like the book of Hebrews?
00:28:16.16\00:28:17.93
You know? They did not set
their mind on earthly things
00:28:18.13\00:28:20.96
but had their mindset -
their citizenship - in heaven.
00:28:21.13\00:28:23.43
Same Paul now.
00:28:24.53\00:28:25.83
Now verse 20: "For
our citizenship... " -
00:28:26.23\00:28:29.04
here it is again - "is in heaven
00:28:29.24\00:28:32.07
from which... " -
speaking of heaven -
00:28:32.27\00:28:35.21
"from which we also
eagerly wait for the Savior...
00:28:35.41\00:28:38.25
the Lord Jesus
Christ. " Verse 21:
00:28:38.55\00:28:42.28
"who will transform our
lowly... " What's the next word?
00:28:42.48\00:28:45.62
"bodies according to the
working by which He is able
00:28:45.92\00:28:50.16
even to subdue all
things to Himself. "
00:28:50.36\00:28:53.09
So the same God who wants
to subdue all things to Himself
00:28:53.29\00:28:55.90
will send again Jesus
Christ. He will return
00:28:56.10\00:28:57.97
and in the moment, in
the twinkling of an eye,
00:28:59.33\00:29:01.34
we shall be changed and we
will each receive a new body.
00:29:01.34\00:29:04.97
Which praise the
Lord... As I, you know,
00:29:06.37\00:29:09.28
I may not look it
but I'm getting older.
00:29:09.58\00:29:11.35
You know, I'd
like some new knees.
00:29:11.65\00:29:13.72
A nice new back
would be good, you know?
00:29:13.92\00:29:15.85
I can appreciate that.
00:29:15.85\00:29:17.02
But that's what we
get at the second coming
00:29:17.02\00:29:18.92
is a new body...
not a new character.
00:29:19.12\00:29:23.93
The character that will be
ours for eternity will not be
00:29:26.19\00:29:29.06
given at the second coming.
00:29:29.26\00:29:30.97
It will be developed
right here, right now,
00:29:32.63\00:29:36.71
in the life that
you're currently living today.
00:29:36.91\00:29:39.14
Think this through a
little bit. Romans chapter 8.
00:29:41.64\00:29:43.68
Romans chapter 8,
starting with verse 18.
00:29:46.48\00:29:49.65
Going to take our time and go
through Romans 8 just a bit here
00:29:55.29\00:29:57.89
'cause this is Paul's clearest
exposition of these thoughts.
00:29:58.99\00:30:03.26
Most methodical rationalization.
00:30:04.47\00:30:06.84
Romans chapter 8
starting with verse 18:
00:30:07.14\00:30:09.40
"For I consider... "
00:30:11.01\00:30:12.84
I love that
about the apostle Paul.
00:30:13.04\00:30:15.01
He never shoots from the hip.
00:30:15.21\00:30:17.18
Even though... Have you noticed
his sentences are pages long
00:30:17.38\00:30:20.32
sometimes? And
even Peter says: "Look,
00:30:20.52\00:30:22.32
I know Paul wrote some things
that are hard to understand. "
00:30:22.52\00:30:24.59
Paul's a thinker. He hasn't
come across this in the night
00:30:24.89\00:30:28.29
in a dream. He's
thought about it.
00:30:28.49\00:30:30.03
"For I consider... " verse 18...
00:30:30.23\00:30:32.06
"that the
sufferings of this present time
00:30:32.26\00:30:35.26
are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall be
00:30:35.46\00:30:39.10
revealed... "
Now stop right there.
00:30:39.10\00:30:40.80
You might think
"on the eastern sky. "
00:30:41.00\00:30:43.81
"Someday a cloud
the size of a man's... "
00:30:45.17\00:30:47.84
That's the glory
we're waiting for - Right? -
00:30:48.04\00:30:50.18
to be revealed.
00:30:50.48\00:30:51.55
That's not what the text says.
00:30:51.75\00:30:53.21
"For I consider that the
sufferings of this present time
00:30:53.62\00:30:57.12
are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall be
00:30:57.32\00:30:59.32
revealed in us.
00:30:59.52\00:31:02.09
For... " verse 19,
he builds on this...
00:31:04.56\00:31:06.49
"For the earnest
expectation of the creation
00:31:06.70\00:31:10.63
eagerly waits for the
revealing... " And again,
00:31:10.83\00:31:13.27
you would expect it
to be of the Son of God.
00:31:13.27\00:31:15.97
Capital S... singular.
00:31:16.97\00:31:19.37
But that's not
what the text says.
00:31:19.77\00:31:21.54
"the creation is eagerly
awaiting for the revealing
00:31:21.74\00:31:24.55
of the sons of God. "
00:31:24.75\00:31:27.28
Small s... plural.
00:31:27.58\00:31:29.92
"So the creation was subjected
to futility. Not willingly,
00:31:32.32\00:31:36.19
but because of him who
subjected it, in hope... "
00:31:36.39\00:31:39.33
You know, we talked about how
the Lord has gone through this
00:31:39.66\00:31:41.96
due process. And it
takes time and it's painful.
00:31:42.16\00:31:44.40
But it's not to an end of
despair and discouragement.
00:31:44.70\00:31:49.37
There's hope at the end.
00:31:49.57\00:31:50.77
So he bound this
earth, not in futility
00:31:50.97\00:31:55.91
but in hope.
"Because of him who subjected
00:31:56.11\00:31:59.55
it in hope... " Verse 21:
00:31:59.75\00:32:00.75
"because the creation
itself also will be delivered
00:32:00.95\00:32:03.49
from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty
00:32:03.69\00:32:06.65
of the children of
God. For... " Verse 22...
00:32:06.86\00:32:10.63
"we know that the whole
creation groans and labors
00:32:10.63\00:32:13.19
with birth pangs
together until now.
00:32:13.40\00:32:15.36
Not only that but we also
00:32:15.66\00:32:18.10
who have the
firstfruits of the Spirit
00:32:18.33\00:32:20.30
even we ourselves
groan within ourselves
00:32:20.50\00:32:22.67
eagerly awaiting for
the adoption, the redemption
00:32:22.87\00:32:25.31
of our... " What's
the word? "bodies. "
00:32:25.51\00:32:28.34
That's what we're
waiting for is a body.
00:32:28.58\00:32:30.48
Not a character but a body.
00:32:30.78\00:32:33.45
That's a big, big difference.
00:32:33.85\00:32:35.88
The glory of God that will be
revealed will be revealed in us.
00:32:37.12\00:32:40.12
And the creation is eagerly
awaiting for the revealing of
00:32:41.42\00:32:44.23
us... the sons of God.
00:32:44.43\00:32:46.03
And the thing that we're waiting
for is not a new character,
00:32:46.33\00:32:49.26
a new us... just a
new body to go on the old.
00:32:49.46\00:32:52.27
Well hopefully,
a transformed us.
00:32:52.57\00:32:55.00
Hmmm.
00:32:56.87\00:32:58.21
Taking these ideas and
making them succinct and clear
00:32:58.51\00:33:01.38
Mrs. White writes in
Christ Object Lessons 331:
00:33:01.68\00:33:04.68
"A character formed
according to the divine likeness
00:33:04.88\00:33:08.02
is the only treasure that
we can take from this world
00:33:08.22\00:33:11.65
to the next. "
Amen. Even more clearly:
00:33:11.65\00:33:16.76
page 278 of the
book Our High Calling.
00:33:17.99\00:33:20.46
If words mean anything
and clarity is important,
00:33:22.80\00:33:26.27
listen to this just laser-
precision with which she writes.
00:33:26.47\00:33:29.94
"When Christ shall come
00:33:30.24\00:33:32.47
our vile bodies are to
be changed and made like His
00:33:32.77\00:33:36.85
glorious body. "
00:33:36.85\00:33:37.88
Praise the Lord, right? Amen!
00:33:38.08\00:33:39.55
"But the vile character
will not then be made holy.
00:33:40.08\00:33:45.95
The transformation of
character must take place
00:33:46.25\00:33:49.96
before His coming. " Amen.
00:33:50.16\00:33:53.86
And the simple reason is this:
00:33:55.56\00:33:57.03
character is not
something that can be given.
00:33:57.33\00:34:00.50
It's something you
choose and you develop
00:34:00.80\00:34:03.54
through relationships over time.
00:34:03.74\00:34:06.37
It can't be a gift.
00:34:06.78\00:34:08.54
It must be
worked through the life.
00:34:08.84\00:34:10.98
That's why sanctification
is "the work of a lifetime. "
00:34:11.18\00:34:13.55
It's a process. Now
that may sound intimidating
00:34:13.85\00:34:17.75
but it's actually built
on such a simple premise.
00:34:19.32\00:34:22.19
Let me just ask you
this simple question:
00:34:22.59\00:34:25.59
if Christ were to
actually let you into heaven,
00:34:25.89\00:34:28.60
would you even want to go?
00:34:29.00\00:34:31.63
Ever consider that?
Everybody talks about heaven
00:34:33.13\00:34:35.40
and I've worked with
young people so long.
00:34:35.60\00:34:37.04
"Oh, heaven's going to be
this and heaven, heaven, heaven,
00:34:37.24\00:34:38.54
heaven... " But... I mean...
00:34:38.54\00:34:43.35
do we like heavenly things now?
00:34:44.35\00:34:46.21
And if not, why would we
want to go to a place that's
00:34:48.12\00:34:51.32
nothing but heavenly things?
00:34:51.52\00:34:53.69
There's a certain just
bold-faced logic to it.
00:34:54.92\00:34:58.09
Again in the book In
Heavenly Places page 142:
00:35:00.30\00:35:03.37
"We are individually
now testifying to the world
00:35:03.57\00:35:06.47
of the power of the grace
of Christ in the transformation
00:35:06.67\00:35:09.77
of human character
from glory to glory,
00:35:09.97\00:35:12.44
from character to
character. " Amen.
00:35:12.64\00:35:15.11
Throughout the writings of
Mrs. White you'll always see
00:35:15.31\00:35:17.28
an equivalence
between glory and character.
00:35:17.48\00:35:19.98
The glory of God is His
character. It's who He is! Amen!
00:35:20.18\00:35:23.99
"In beholding Christ our
pattern who is pure and holy
00:35:24.22\00:35:28.39
and undefiled we are
being prepared for the society
00:35:28.59\00:35:31.89
of the heavenly angels. "
00:35:32.09\00:35:33.60
And then she asks
this most sublime question.
00:35:33.80\00:35:36.87
It's just a rhetorical, simple,
straight-forward question:
00:35:36.87\00:35:40.27
"If Christ is to be our Head and
Prince in the heavenly courts,
00:35:40.57\00:35:45.21
it becomes us to inquire... "
00:35:45.51\00:35:48.31
This is a
beautiful way of just saying
00:35:48.51\00:35:50.28
we really should
ask this question:
00:35:50.48\00:35:52.78
"What is Christ
to us now? " Amen.
00:35:53.18\00:35:57.69
Just leave it at that.
00:35:57.69\00:35:59.19
If we expect to
live with Him forever,
00:35:59.49\00:36:02.19
do we even like
being with Him now?
00:36:02.49\00:36:05.06
Later on, on page 370
of that same book we read:
00:36:06.80\00:36:09.26
"Those who take no pleasure
00:36:09.46\00:36:11.53
in thinking and
talking of God in this life
00:36:11.73\00:36:14.44
will not enjoy the
life that is to come
00:36:14.74\00:36:17.74
where God is ever present,
dwelling among His people. "
00:36:17.94\00:36:21.44
You've heard that
saying: "What would Jesus do? "
00:36:21.64\00:36:23.45
Or you've had that question
perhaps when you were a child
00:36:23.75\00:36:26.45
and maybe you've
asked it to a child:
00:36:26.45\00:36:27.48
"Would Jesus appreciate it? "
00:36:27.68\00:36:29.02
"Would Jesus enjoy
what you're doing? "
00:36:29.02\00:36:30.59
"Could you do what you're doing
now with Jesus by your side? "
00:36:30.79\00:36:32.75
And you know we hate
that question because it's
00:36:33.05\00:36:35.02
guilt giving
and... "Ah... I know... "
00:36:35.02\00:36:37.59
But there is a
certain amount of logic to it.
00:36:37.79\00:36:39.69
If all the stuff
that you enjoy doing here
00:36:40.00\00:36:43.16
is none of the stuff
that's going to be there,
00:36:43.37\00:36:45.83
do you even want to go?
00:36:46.03\00:36:48.10
But those who love to think
of God will be in their element
00:36:51.11\00:36:54.41
breathing in the
atmosphere of heaven.
00:36:54.71\00:36:57.81
Amen. Those who on earth
love the thought of heaven
00:36:57.81\00:37:00.38
will be happy in its holy
association and pleasures.
00:37:00.58\00:37:03.62
It's as though God will come
again and give us that new body
00:37:03.62\00:37:06.19
so we can feel refreshed
and physically be transformed.
00:37:06.39\00:37:08.99
And we'll step
into heaven. It'll...
00:37:09.19\00:37:11.69
ah... like going home. Amen.
00:37:11.99\00:37:15.96
'Cause we seek NOW a
better country. Our citizenship
00:37:16.26\00:37:18.87
IS in heaven. Amen!
00:37:19.07\00:37:21.30
It'll be like going home.
00:37:21.50\00:37:23.17
The universe is looking for
evidence that if God were to
00:37:23.47\00:37:26.61
by the blood of Jesus
Christ and by His grace
00:37:26.81\00:37:29.34
to actually get us into heaven
00:37:29.54\00:37:31.98
would we actually
fit in once we got there.
00:37:32.28\00:37:35.45
Let's think
about this logically.
00:37:37.62\00:37:39.05
Why is the development
of a Christ-like character
00:37:39.05\00:37:42.46
a necessity
before the second coming?
00:37:42.76\00:37:44.96
Why can't He just give it to us?
00:37:45.16\00:37:46.33
Well, let's see why
character is such a big deal.
00:37:46.63\00:37:49.83
First of all,
there's two reasons.
00:37:50.97\00:37:53.47
Number one: is
resolves what in my simple mind
00:37:53.67\00:37:56.50
I dub the 33/22 paradox.
00:37:56.50\00:38:01.81
OK. I made that term up.
It has no meaning right now.
00:38:02.11\00:38:04.51
whatsoever but it's a
way to help me to remember.
00:38:04.51\00:38:07.15
The 33/22
paradox... let me explain.
00:38:07.35\00:38:09.58
In Exodus chapter 33
00:38:09.78\00:38:12.05
God warns Moses in verse 20
00:38:13.69\00:38:15.82
"You cannot see
My face for no man
00:38:16.02\00:38:19.86
shall see Me and...
" What? "and live. "
00:38:20.06\00:38:22.96
"You can't see My face, for
no man can see Me and live. "
00:38:23.16\00:38:28.74
Which implies: "If you were to
see My face you would... die. "
00:38:29.04\00:38:33.71
OK. Exodus 33.
00:38:33.91\00:38:36.08
However it's the same God who
at the other end of the Bible
00:38:36.38\00:38:39.31
in Revelation chapter 22
promises that the redeemed
00:38:39.51\00:38:42.95
"shall see His face. "
00:38:43.15\00:38:45.29
Well I don't know
whether to say "Amen" or not!
00:38:45.59\00:38:49.02
Right. You see what I'm saying?
00:38:50.73\00:38:52.03
The same God who says:
"If you see Me you'll die"
00:38:52.03\00:38:54.36
and then gives us the "promise"
that we're going to see Him.
00:38:54.56\00:38:58.60
Is that good news or not?
00:38:58.90\00:39:00.74
I mean, how can the same God
say those two different things?
00:39:01.04\00:39:04.14
And have you ever considered
that the second coming
00:39:04.44\00:39:06.54
is not necessarily
good news for everyone?
00:39:06.54\00:39:08.41
That this same event
to some will be great.
00:39:09.78\00:39:11.85
That they'll say: "Lo, this is
our God; we have waited for Him
00:39:11.85\00:39:14.12
and He will save us. "
00:39:14.32\00:39:15.45
Yet at the same moment accord-
ing to Revelation chapter 6
00:39:15.65\00:39:19.12
it describes people terror-
stricken at the return of Christ
00:39:21.52\00:39:24.19
crying out: "Fall on us
and hide us from... " What?
00:39:24.39\00:39:27.40
"the face of Him who
sits on the throne and from
00:39:27.60\00:39:32.93
the wrath of the Lamb.
For the great day of His wrath
00:39:33.13\00:39:35.14
has come and who
is able to stand? "
00:39:35.34\00:39:38.97
And notice what
they're terrified of.
00:39:40.28\00:39:42.01
What's the thing that they
just can't stand to be around?
00:39:42.01\00:39:44.18
It's not the sword; it's
not fire; it's not plagues.
00:39:44.48\00:39:47.15
It's not these
things, it's... it's His face.
00:39:47.35\00:39:50.52
They can't look
at His face and live.
00:39:53.32\00:39:57.96
You know, there's a tremendous
difference between living to
00:40:00.80\00:40:03.47
the second coming and living
through the second coming.
00:40:03.47\00:40:07.07
Now I believe right now in
the world God is raising up
00:40:09.77\00:40:12.84
an army of young
people especially
00:40:13.04\00:40:15.01
who are determined to live
faithfully, to finish the work,
00:40:15.21\00:40:19.08
and to see Jesus come
in their lifetime. Amen.
00:40:19.28\00:40:22.22
I propose to be
part of that generation.
00:40:22.22\00:40:25.12
That's what I want and
that's what I'm convinced of
00:40:25.45\00:40:28.46
will happen if the Holy
Spirit is unleashed in the lives
00:40:28.66\00:40:31.23
of people. But being
part of a generation that
00:40:31.23\00:40:37.17
lives to the second coming...
00:40:37.37\00:40:38.97
living to the second
coming has no inherent value.
00:40:39.17\00:40:43.17
There will be plenty of people
who will make it to the second
00:40:44.41\00:40:48.11
coming but won't live
through the second coming.
00:40:48.11\00:40:51.31
And just because you're part
of the generation that happens
00:40:53.48\00:40:55.88
to be alive at the
time when Jesus returns...
00:40:56.08\00:40:58.12
Which we are living in a
very exciting time. Amen.
00:40:58.32\00:41:00.79
All the time
prophecies have expired.
00:41:00.79\00:41:02.49
All the signs are all around us.
00:41:02.69\00:41:04.09
Jesus is in fact coming soon!
00:41:04.29\00:41:05.86
But what difference does it make
00:41:06.06\00:41:07.96
if we're just not planning
on living through the second...
00:41:08.13\00:41:11.00
all we're going to do is
live to the second coming?
00:41:11.00\00:41:12.97
There's got to
be a higher ideal.
00:41:13.17\00:41:15.10
Hmmm.
00:41:16.47\00:41:18.17
So here's the
resolution of the 33/22 paradox.
00:41:18.37\00:41:21.51
How there could be a God
who says "You can't see My face
00:41:21.51\00:41:23.61
and live yet I'm
going to show you My face. "
00:41:23.81\00:41:25.48
I John chapter 2 and
verse 28 we read these words:
00:41:25.98\00:41:31.32
"And now little
children abide in Him... "
00:41:31.32\00:41:34.79
And notice why:
"that when He appears
00:41:34.99\00:41:38.29
we may have
confidence and not be ashamed
00:41:38.49\00:41:42.10
before Him at
His coming. " Amen.
00:41:42.10\00:41:44.50
How do we not be
ashamed before Him?
00:41:44.50\00:41:46.47
We dwell in Him
now. Abide in Him
00:41:46.67\00:41:49.57
so that when He
appears we may not be ashamed.
00:41:49.77\00:41:52.57
I John chapter 3-
one chapter over -
00:41:52.87\00:41:55.08
starting with verse 1.
00:41:55.28\00:41:56.31
We know this text:
"Beloved, behold what manner
00:41:56.51\00:42:01.62
of love the Father
has bestowed upon us
00:42:01.85\00:42:03.99
that we should be
called the sons of God. "
00:42:03.99\00:42:05.12
We know that text.
But look at verse 2
00:42:05.12\00:42:06.62
and notice the process language:
00:42:08.09\00:42:09.49
"Beloved, now we
are children of God. "
00:42:09.49\00:42:12.89
Present
tense... right now. Amen!
00:42:13.19\00:42:15.93
"And... " But in addition
to that... "And it has not yet
00:42:15.93\00:42:19.67
been revealed
what we shall be... "
00:42:19.67\00:42:22.04
So apparently you
can be a child of God now
00:42:22.24\00:42:25.14
and yet you shall be
something else later.
00:42:25.34\00:42:27.64
Not less of a child of God
but you see what I'm saying.
00:42:27.94\00:42:30.28
There's a
process; there's progress;
00:42:30.51\00:42:33.98
there's transformation.
00:42:33.98\00:42:35.05
"And it has not yet been
revealed what we shall be
00:42:35.25\00:42:37.19
but we know... " And
even the writer says here
00:42:37.39\00:42:40.32
"I don't even know what
that's going to look like
00:42:40.52\00:42:42.22
but we do know this... "
00:42:42.42\00:42:44.16
"But we know that
when He is revealed... " -
00:42:44.36\00:42:48.20
which is a reference
to the second coming -
00:42:48.50\00:42:50.27
"when He is revealed
we shall be... " What?
00:42:50.47\00:42:53.67
"like Him. " And how do we know?
00:42:53.87\00:42:55.74
This is so simple the logic.
00:42:55.74\00:42:57.17
How do we know we shall
be like Him when He arrives?
00:42:57.37\00:43:00.41
"For we shall
see Him as He is. "
00:43:00.64\00:43:05.85
Isn't that beautiful?
00:43:06.98\00:43:08.32
The Lord's going to
return. He's saying: "Schwaa!
00:43:08.62\00:43:10.92
Here I am! "
00:43:10.92\00:43:12.89
This is something that's
going to be the most terrifying
00:43:13.19\00:43:16.66
awful thing. But to
others they'll say: "Ah...
00:43:16.86\00:43:20.66
there He is. " And
He's like: "Come on home. "
00:43:20.86\00:43:24.33
And you go from this
world to the next seamlessly.
00:43:24.63\00:43:30.11
Amen.
00:43:30.11\00:43:31.61
And notice what it
then says: "And everyone
00:43:31.91\00:43:34.34
who has this hope
in him... " Does what?
00:43:34.54\00:43:37.01
"purifies himself. " How?
00:43:37.25\00:43:39.25
"as He is pure. "
00:43:39.45\00:43:40.75
The goal is to
be like Jesus. Amen.
00:43:41.05\00:43:44.65
Of course Jesus said it the
mostly simply and most sublime
00:43:44.65\00:43:47.52
way of all in Matthew
chapter 5 and verse 8.
00:43:47.52\00:43:49.62
"Blessed are the
pure in heart... " Why?
00:43:50.23\00:43:53.63
"for they shall see God. "
00:43:53.83\00:43:56.23
And that's a beautiful
promise; it's not a threat.
00:43:56.43\00:43:58.13
That's good news, right?
00:43:58.43\00:44:00.07
The implication is
they shall see God and live!
00:44:00.37\00:44:03.17
Amen.
00:44:03.37\00:44:04.94
Hmmm... that's what I want.
00:44:04.94\00:44:06.64
I don't want to just
live to the second coming.
00:44:06.64\00:44:08.11
I want to live through
it by abiding in Christ now.
00:44:08.41\00:44:11.61
So reason number one why
the development of a Christ-like
00:44:11.95\00:44:14.52
character is important
is because it's the only way
00:44:14.52\00:44:16.89
that we can look upon a glorious
God and not be destroyed.
00:44:16.89\00:44:19.29
It's the only way to
survive the second coming.
00:44:19.59\00:44:21.96
And to you that's a big deal.
00:44:22.16\00:44:23.76
To me that's a big
deal. I mean, think about it
00:44:23.96\00:44:25.43
from your perspective.
00:44:25.43\00:44:26.53
You are the only you you've got,
00:44:26.73\00:44:30.07
and saving you is big
to you. And by the way...
00:44:32.63\00:44:36.20
you're also the
only you God's got.
00:44:36.44\00:44:39.41
Amen.
00:44:39.61\00:44:40.88
Anyone who is not there
is an eternal loss for Him.
00:44:42.54\00:44:47.88
God wants you to be there
and I know you want to be there.
00:44:49.38\00:44:53.56
So that's why
character is so important.
00:44:54.96\00:44:56.59
But did you know there's a
reason even better than that?
00:44:56.59\00:44:58.86
Because our working premise
through this whole series
00:44:59.96\00:45:02.70
has been that there's something
bigger than just saving sinners
00:45:02.70\00:45:06.37
involved in the
great controversy.
00:45:06.37\00:45:07.90
Getting you
into heaven is great.
00:45:08.30\00:45:10.47
Fitting you
into heaven is great.
00:45:10.71\00:45:12.67
But there's a reason
why it's better than just
00:45:12.87\00:45:15.54
self-preservation.
00:45:15.74\00:45:17.38
There's a broader - a
greater - controversy.
00:45:17.58\00:45:21.48
In Nahum chapter 1...
00:45:25.72\00:45:27.26
Now this is a rare
text, but in Nahum chapter 1
00:45:27.46\00:45:29.89
and verse 9 I believe we find
there God's greatest promise.
00:45:29.89\00:45:34.23
I mean, the promise to come
again is a wonderful promise.
00:45:35.43\00:45:38.43
And the Bible is full
of wonderful promises, but
00:45:38.43\00:45:41.30
in Nahum chapter 1
and verse 9 very simply
00:45:41.50\00:45:43.91
the scripture
reads: "What do you imagine
00:45:44.11\00:45:46.27
against the Lord? He
will make an utter end.
00:45:46.47\00:45:50.11
Affliction will not
rise up the second time. "
00:45:50.11\00:45:53.62
Amen.
00:45:53.82\00:45:55.28
That's a promise!
That's a guarantee.
00:45:55.58\00:45:57.75
When the great controversy
is done there's not going to be
00:45:57.75\00:45:59.49
another controversy. That's it.
00:45:59.49\00:46:01.39
Amen! Amen!
00:46:01.59\00:46:03.73
But think about how can the
God who allows people to have
00:46:03.96\00:46:06.73
free will make
that kind of guarantee.
00:46:06.93\00:46:09.36
The only way God can leave
intact our freedom of choice
00:46:11.80\00:46:14.87
and yet guarantee that no
one will ever again disobey
00:46:15.07\00:46:18.14
is the development of
a Christ-like character
00:46:18.44\00:46:21.41
in each citizen of heaven.
00:46:21.61\00:46:24.05
Amen.
00:46:24.25\00:46:25.51
Thus we can read statements like
00:46:26.01\00:46:28.28
Sermons and Talks,
volume 2, page 294:
00:46:28.48\00:46:30.89
"Without perfection of character
00:46:32.22\00:46:34.19
no one can enter the pearly
gates of the city of God. "
00:46:34.39\00:46:37.53
And there's an explanation.
00:46:37.93\00:46:39.83
"For... " For this reason:
00:46:40.03\00:46:41.26
"if with all our imperfections
00:46:42.60\00:46:46.97
we were permitted
to enter that city... "
00:46:47.17\00:46:49.47
So if God were to get you in
without you being fit to go in.
00:46:50.97\00:46:54.98
"If with all our imperfections
we were permitted to enter
00:46:55.38\00:46:58.48
that city there would soon be
in heaven a second rebellion. "
00:46:58.48\00:47:03.15
Think about it.
00:47:04.42\00:47:05.59
And this is what... Trust me,
00:47:05.89\00:47:08.12
Gabriel is thinking about it.
00:47:08.32\00:47:10.89
Saying: "OK, Lord, we
see why You can destroy Satan
00:47:11.19\00:47:14.13
but You're going to let
some of his loyal subjects
00:47:14.36\00:47:17.27
come here? " And
God's like: "That's right!
00:47:17.57\00:47:20.77
And they're going to live in
the palace right next to you. "
00:47:21.07\00:47:23.67
"I'm going to take
that Kameron deVa... "
00:47:25.27\00:47:26.44
"No! Not him! "
00:47:26.44\00:47:27.58
"Yes... your roommate. "
00:47:27.58\00:47:30.48
Hmmm.
00:47:34.18\00:47:35.75
It's a big promise.
00:47:36.05\00:47:37.82
She goes on. After she says
"there would soon be in heaven
00:47:39.65\00:47:44.46
a second rebellion"
the passage continues:
00:47:44.46\00:47:46.80
"We must first
be tried and chosen
00:47:47.00\00:47:49.90
and found faithful and true.
00:47:50.10\00:47:52.27
Upon the
purification of our character
00:47:52.57\00:47:55.20
rests our only
hope of eternal life. "
00:47:55.40\00:47:58.41
Whoo! Now think
about what that's saying
00:47:59.27\00:48:03.48
and please think about
what that's not saying.
00:48:03.68\00:48:05.68
That's not to say that the
development of a Christ-like
00:48:06.72\00:48:08.98
character
causes you to be saved.
00:48:09.18\00:48:11.59
That's not it at all.
00:48:11.99\00:48:13.66
Only the blood of
Jesus has power to restore
00:48:13.86\00:48:16.99
and redeem and
save fallen man. Amen.
00:48:17.19\00:48:20.26
BUT a Christ-like
character is the only guarantee
00:48:20.26\00:48:24.97
that no one will ever
choose to rebel again.
00:48:25.17\00:48:29.34
Amen.
00:48:29.54\00:48:30.91
Think about it: there's a
lot riding on your character
00:48:31.21\00:48:34.08
for more than just you.
00:48:34.28\00:48:36.18
The entire safety and security
00:48:36.48\00:48:39.51
of the heavenly
realm for eternity
00:48:39.71\00:48:42.58
is resting on every
single citizen of heaven
00:48:42.88\00:48:47.99
knowing the difference
between right and wrong
00:48:48.29\00:48:50.53
and choosing whom they
will serve each and every time.
00:48:50.73\00:48:54.30
Amen.
00:48:54.30\00:48:55.46
That's why
character is so important.
00:48:55.76\00:48:58.00
Because there's more involved
in the great controversy
00:48:58.20\00:49:01.14
than just saving you.
It's safeguarding the universe
00:49:01.34\00:49:04.57
for eternity. Hmmm.
00:49:04.77\00:49:08.08
The redemption provided by
the blood of Jesus entails more
00:49:08.38\00:49:11.38
than merely a
transaction to get you in
00:49:11.58\00:49:13.68
but a transformation
that fits you into heaven.
00:49:13.88\00:49:17.42
The title of our
message tonight is called
00:49:17.72\00:49:19.49
The Great Object of Life.
00:49:19.69\00:49:21.99
And it's hard for many
people. I believe we've painted
00:49:22.29\00:49:25.39
a picture of salvation
that's a transaction only.
00:49:25.59\00:49:27.93
You made a decision. "I
got converted back in this.
00:49:28.13\00:49:30.70
I went to a seminar
this one time. I came forward
00:49:30.70\00:49:32.83
at the altar call for
this. I got saved on this day. "
00:49:32.83\00:49:35.50
"I have a transaction; I
have my heaven ticket in hand.
00:49:35.80\00:49:39.54
I'm going to get in. " Right?
00:49:39.84\00:49:43.21
And they rest secured in
their transactional salvation
00:49:43.41\00:49:48.65
instead of their
transformational Savior.
00:49:48.65\00:49:51.12
Amen. See the difference?
00:49:51.32\00:49:53.15
"You know, I'm gettin' in
'cause I've got my ticket. "
00:49:53.36\00:49:56.79
Friends, there's more
to getting into heaven.
00:49:58.06\00:50:00.53
Christ wants to fit
you into heaven - Amen -
00:50:00.73\00:50:04.07
so you won't ruin
heaven for anybody else. Amen.
00:50:04.27\00:50:07.34
Thus we read in the
book Education page 64:
00:50:09.84\00:50:13.17
"In the beginning God
created man in His own likeness.
00:50:14.98\00:50:19.81
He endowed him
with noble qualities.
00:50:20.22\00:50:23.49
His mind was well balanced
00:50:23.99\00:50:26.69
and all the powers of
his being were harmonious.
00:50:26.89\00:50:30.13
But the fall and its effects
have perverted these gifts.
00:50:31.16\00:50:33.83
Sin has marred and well nigh
obliterated the image of God
00:50:34.20\00:50:37.93
in man. It was to restore
this that the plan of salvation
00:50:37.93\00:50:42.80
was devised and a life of
probation was granted to man.
00:50:43.00\00:50:46.68
To bring him back to the
perfection in which he was
00:50:46.88\00:50:49.71
first created is the
great object of life...
00:50:49.91\00:50:53.85
the object that
underlies every other. " Amen.
00:50:54.15\00:50:58.55
Salvation is more
than a transaction;
00:50:58.79\00:51:00.06
it's a transformation.
It's a complete restoration
00:51:00.22\00:51:02.72
of the image of
God in fallen humanity
00:51:02.92\00:51:06.06
so that when the Lord returns
00:51:06.36\00:51:10.03
and He welcomes
home those who are His
00:51:10.23\00:51:12.97
it'll be like to comin' to a
place that just feels natural.
00:51:13.17\00:51:17.57
Amen; Amen.
00:51:17.77\00:51:19.54
Gabriel'll say:
"Welcome home, brother.
00:51:19.74\00:51:21.21
Good to have you.
Won't you come on in. "
00:51:21.41\00:51:24.11
Christ will
say: "I'm not ashamed
00:51:25.11\00:51:26.98
to call them My brethren.
00:51:26.98\00:51:27.95
Un uh, proud to be
their God. Come on in. "
00:51:28.25\00:51:32.39
That's the great object
of life... not just a ticket
00:51:32.59\00:51:34.99
but a transformation!
00:51:35.19\00:51:36.73
So let's bring it back
around to where we began.
00:51:37.13\00:51:39.43
"Yet Satan was
not then destroyed. "
00:51:42.20\00:51:44.43
We're speaking of
Christ on the cross.
00:51:44.77\00:51:46.77
The reason... ever wondered
that? If "It is finished! "
00:51:46.97\00:51:50.77
happened 2,000 years
ago, why is "it" still going?
00:51:50.97\00:51:54.41
What is there left to learn?
00:51:55.94\00:51:58.48
"Yet Satan was
not then destroyed.
00:52:01.38\00:52:03.39
The angels did not even
then understand all that was
00:52:03.69\00:52:06.76
involved in the
great controversy.
00:52:06.76\00:52:09.19
The principles at stake
were to be more fully revealed
00:52:09.59\00:52:12.29
and for the sake of man, Satan's
existence must be continued. "
00:52:12.59\00:52:17.40
Do you understand how
radical of a statement that is?
00:52:17.73\00:52:19.87
To say that it is
in your best interest
00:52:20.74\00:52:23.27
that Satan remain alive.
00:52:23.47\00:52:26.21
You'd better understand some
things if you're going to go out
00:52:28.81\00:52:31.21
and maybe say hand out
that book or talk about these
00:52:31.41\00:52:33.72
things. Say: "Yeah, I
know Satan. Oh, don't you wish
00:52:33.92\00:52:37.35
God would destroy
him? " Well not yet...
00:52:37.35\00:52:39.22
because it's a bigger plan
than just destroying Satan.
00:52:39.42\00:52:42.46
There's the
redemption of sinful humanity
00:52:43.39\00:52:45.73
and the restoration and
securing and safeguarding
00:52:45.93\00:52:48.73
of the universe
for eternity at stake.
00:52:48.93\00:52:51.27
Amen. As we saw from night #1
00:52:51.47\00:52:53.87
God is a God of due process.
00:52:53.87\00:52:56.17
The reason He didn't destroy
him is because people wouldn't
00:52:56.57\00:52:59.21
understand at his first
rebellion, so He cast him out
00:52:59.21\00:53:01.84
and extended his life.
00:53:02.04\00:53:03.45
And for 4,000 years
Satan had the opportunity to
00:53:03.85\00:53:07.52
develop these principles
and work out his administration
00:53:07.72\00:53:10.59
all before the onlooking
universe. As we saw in the
00:53:10.79\00:53:13.36
book of Job "the sons of God. "
00:53:13.36\00:53:14.86
But finally when
Jesus died on the cross
00:53:17.89\00:53:20.40
what God had seen
from the very beginning,
00:53:22.43\00:53:24.50
that murderous intent
in the heart of Lucifer,
00:53:24.70\00:53:26.77
the violence that was within,
00:53:27.07\00:53:29.37
was unleashed on the
very sinless Son of God.
00:53:29.57\00:53:33.11
And in that moment
00:53:33.51\00:53:35.58
they saw clearly contrasted
the character of their Savior
00:53:35.78\00:53:39.05
and the character of
His adversary... Satan.
00:53:39.25\00:53:41.85
And that's where the last
link of sympathy was broken.
00:53:43.15\00:53:47.66
But now, since that time,
00:53:47.96\00:53:51.16
God has allowed even more
time for Satan to more fully
00:53:51.36\00:53:54.93
develop his principles.
And here's the reason why:
00:53:54.93\00:53:57.10
"Yet Satan was not then
destroyed. The angels did not
00:53:57.30\00:53:59.33
even then understand
all that was involved
00:53:59.33\00:54:01.00
in the great controversy.
00:54:01.20\00:54:02.80
The principles at stake
were to be more fully revealed
00:54:03.10\00:54:05.54
and for the sake of man Satan's
existence must be continued. "
00:54:05.74\00:54:10.28
And here's what we're
going to pick up on tomorrow
00:54:10.48\00:54:12.55
and tomorrow afternoon.
00:54:12.75\00:54:14.88
"Man as well as
angels must see the contrast
00:54:15.08\00:54:19.39
between the Prince of light
and the prince of darkness.
00:54:19.59\00:54:22.39
He must choose
whom he will serve. "
00:54:22.69\00:54:25.56
At the cross of Christ the
angels sealed their decision
00:54:25.96\00:54:29.96
for God. Now the question is:
00:54:30.17\00:54:33.47
what will you do when
confronted with the opportunity
00:54:33.77\00:54:37.21
of following Jesus
or following Satan?
00:54:37.41\00:54:39.74
Whom will you serve?
00:54:40.14\00:54:42.01
And of course the
impetus is: "Choose you this day
00:54:43.24\00:54:45.98
whom you will
serve. " By the way,
00:54:46.18\00:54:48.28
there's a reason why
you should choose right now.
00:54:48.58\00:54:51.19
And it's not because
Jesus could come at any moment.
00:54:51.39\00:54:53.62
Even though I believe we're
living in the very toenails
00:54:53.92\00:54:56.29
of time and Jesus... we've been
promised that the last events
00:54:56.29\00:54:59.09
will be rapid ones
and Jesus is coming soon,
00:54:59.29\00:55:01.06
but even better than
that... You could say: "Well,
00:55:01.26\00:55:05.10
yeah, but if Jesus doesn't come
right soon we could still die
00:55:05.10\00:55:08.20
at any moment and our
own personal second coming
00:55:08.20\00:55:10.71
could happen at any time. "
00:55:11.01\00:55:12.71
But even better than that
00:55:13.01\00:55:14.38
the reason you should choose
whom you will serve this day
00:55:14.58\00:55:17.25
is because character is
being formed not in a day
00:55:17.55\00:55:21.65
but day by day. Amen.
00:55:21.85\00:55:24.12
The formation of
character is not instantaneous.
00:55:24.32\00:55:26.29
It's a process. And
every decision you make
00:55:26.49\00:55:28.72
turns you into the
person that you are tomorrow.
00:55:28.92\00:55:31.66
And that person will
be a different person than
00:55:32.06\00:55:34.76
the day after that. Amen.
And so "Choose you this day
00:55:34.96\00:55:38.53
whom you will
serve, " because even now
00:55:38.73\00:55:41.20
we're becoming
citizens of God's kingdom...
00:55:41.40\00:55:44.54
safe to save for eternity. Amen.
00:55:44.74\00:55:48.34
Has the presentation
made sense this evening? Amen!
00:55:48.34\00:55:50.11
Praise God for clarity.
00:55:50.31\00:55:51.78
Let's bow our heads
for a word of prayer.
00:55:51.98\00:55:53.45
Dear heavenly Father,
Lord I thank you so much
00:55:55.38\00:55:59.49
for revealing to us Your
character and the way in which
00:55:59.49\00:56:03.79
You have done it.
00:56:03.79\00:56:04.96
Lord, we understand that
You are a God of due process.
00:56:06.36\00:56:08.70
You're going to take
time to get it right.
00:56:08.90\00:56:11.03
You've made a big promise
in Nahum chapter 1 and verse 9.
00:56:11.33\00:56:14.17
You've promised that
affliction will never rise
00:56:14.17\00:56:17.64
again... not for a second time.
00:56:17.64\00:56:18.94
And when the great controversy
is done there will never be
00:56:19.14\00:56:21.18
another controversy.
00:56:21.38\00:56:23.18
And Lord, we want to
be part of that people
00:56:23.38\00:56:25.58
who You seal and say
"These are safe to save. "
00:56:25.91\00:56:28.85
So when You come again
we're not afraid of Your face
00:56:29.25\00:56:32.15
but we can look on Your
face with confidence and not be
00:56:32.35\00:56:34.59
ashamed. And say:
"Lo, this is our God.
00:56:34.59\00:56:36.69
We have waited for
Him and He will save us. "
00:56:36.89\00:56:38.53
Lord, we want to go into heaven
with a sense that we're just
00:56:39.03\00:56:42.70
going home. Lord, to
that end I ask that You
00:56:42.90\00:56:46.43
seal our decisions tonight.
00:56:46.63\00:56:48.20
And not just help us
to rest on a transaction
00:56:48.50\00:56:51.04
but Lord, continue to
work in our lives to develop
00:56:51.24\00:56:53.51
that transformation of character
00:56:53.71\00:56:55.38
that will not only
get us in but fit us in
00:56:55.58\00:56:58.25
to Your kingdom when it
comes. Let that day be soon
00:56:58.55\00:57:01.22
and when it does
let not one be missing.
00:57:01.42\00:57:03.85
We pray this in
Jesus' name, Amen.
00:57:04.15\00:57:08.06
We encourage you to
tune in tomorrow morning
00:57:25.21\00:57:27.08
for part 4 of the
continued Greater Controversy.
00:57:27.28\00:57:31.55
God bless you
till we see you again.
00:57:31.55\00:57:33.15