Well hello, everybody.
Welcome to another day.
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I hope you had a
good night's rest
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and are ready for
a long day of study.
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But I'm sure a
very productive study.
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I hope you did your homework
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and you read as
many pages as possible
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that we recommended yesterday.
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It's going to be
helpful in our study today.
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We want to begin
with a word of prayer,
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and then we're going to
dedicate all four sessions today
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to the 24 elders.
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And we will not be
able to finish the 24 elders
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probably today, so
we'll overlap into tomorrow.
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So let's begin
with a word of prayer,
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and we'll get
right into our study.
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Father in heaven, we
thank You for raising us up
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this day and giving us life.
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What a joy it is to be alive.
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Thank You for the
fresh air that we breathe,
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and for the good
food that we eat,
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and for the fresh
water that we drink.
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Thank You, Lord, for all of
the things that we just kind of
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take for granted.
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We thank You
especially for Your Holy Word,
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which is a sure guide in
a world that is so confused.
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We ask that as we study today,
that Your Holy Spirit will be
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with us to instruct
us, give us clear minds
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and willing hearts.
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We pray in the
precious name of Jesus, amen.
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We are going to begin
on page 43 of the syllabus.
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The question is,
who are the 24 elders?
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And we're going to follow
the syllabus quite closely
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because everything that we
need to study is found there.
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Now, first of all, we need to
understand that the traditional
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view of the 24 elders is
that this group are those
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who resurrected with Jesus
and went to heaven with Jesus
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when He ascended to
heaven after His earthly work.
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That is the traditional view.
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That's what you'll find
in most Seventh-day Adventist
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books on Revelation,
the Seventh-day Adventist
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Bible Commentary, et cetera.
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We need to study to find
out if that idea is correct;
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whether the 24 elders
are actually those who
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resurrected with
Christ, and Jesus took to heaven
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40 days after His resurrection.
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So let's go to Job
38:4-7 as we begin our study.
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This is on page
43 of your syllabus.
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Job 38:4-7, here God is going to
ask Job a series of questions.
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And the questions
are relating to creation.
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It says there,
God speaking to Job,
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"Where were you when I laid
the foundations of the earth?
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Tell Me, if you
have understanding.
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Who determined its measurements?
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Surely, you know."
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Speaking somewhat sarcastically.
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"Or who
stretched the line upon it?
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To what were its
foundations fastened?
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Or who laid its cornerstone..."
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Clearly referring
to creation, correct?
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And now notice the question.
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"Or who laid its cornerstone,
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when the morning
stars sang together,
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and all the sons of
God shouted for joy?"
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So at creation, we're told
here that the morning stars
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sang together and the
sons of God shouted for joy.
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Now what are the
conclusions that we can reach
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from these verses?
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First of all, Job 38:1-7
is describing events that
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transpired during creation week.
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Secondly, the morning stars,
the sons of God were present
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as witnesses of creation.
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Very clearly these
verses indicate that.
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Now the third bullet point,
there are two possibilities.
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And that is that the sons
of God and the morning stars
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represent the same group.
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In other words, the
expression, "morning stars"
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and "sons of God" is
simply a synonymous parallelism.
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There's also the possibility
that the stars are the angels
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and the sons of
God are the angels that
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represent the worlds.
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I personally believe
that the morning stars and the
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sons of God is a parallelism
and refers to the same group.
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Clearly, the sons of
God and the morning stars
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existed already when
God created this world.
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Is that point clear?
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In other words, the morning
stars and the sons of God
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existed before
human beings existed.
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They existed at creation.
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Now the question is, who are
the morning stars/sons of God?
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Well, the Bible explains itself.
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We can know
clearly who the stars are.
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In Revelation 12:3 and 9, we
find clearly who the stars are.
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And we've read these
verses many times before.
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"And another sign
appeared in heaven:
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behold, a great fiery red
dragon having seven heads and
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ten horns, and seven
diadems on his heads.
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His tail drew a third
of the stars of heaven
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and threw them to the earth."
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So this is
Satan, and his tail...
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By the way, the tail
refers to the lies that he told.
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We won't get
into that right now.
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But with his tail he
stole a third of the angels.
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It says here, a
third of the stars.
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Now we know they're
angels because verse 9 says,
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"So the great dragon was
cast out, that serpent of old,
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called the Devil and Satan,
who deceives the whole world;
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he was cast to the
earth, and his angels were
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cast out with him."
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So the very context
explains that the stars
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of heaven represent what?
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They represent the angels.
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Now Ellen White confirms this,
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that the sons of God that
are mentioned in the book of Job
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were angels.
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Notice this statement from,
Great Controversy, page 519.
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She's reminiscing
on the story of Job.
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"The Scriptures
declare that upon one occasion,
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when the angels of God
came to present themselves
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before the Lord,
Satan came also among them,
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not to bow before the Eternal
King, but to further his own
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malicious designs
against the righteous.
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With the same object he is
in attendance when men assemble
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for the worship of God."
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So very clearly the sons of
God in the book of Job are what?
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Angels.
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Revelation 12 confirms it,
and Ellen White also confirms it
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when she says that
the angels of God came.
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The book of Job says
the sons of God came.
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So the sons of God are angels.
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Now let's do a little
parenthesis here on page 45.
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You know, some people say,
"Well, you know, if the sons of
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God in the book of Job are
angels, then the sons of God
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in Genesis chapter 6
that had sexual relations
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with the daughters of
men must also be angels."
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And you'll find that a
good number of commentators,
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Protestant commentators
today, believe that in Genesis 6
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the angels actually
saw these beautiful women,
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they came down and
they had sex with them
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and produced the giants that are
mentioned in Genesis chapter 6.
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You know, the problem with that
view is that we always have to
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look at terms
within their context.
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We have to look at what
comes before the expression,
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"sons of God," in Genesis 6:1-2.
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In Scripture, terms do not
always mean the same thing.
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Symbols don't
always mean the same thing.
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A lion can represent different
things in different contexts.
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For example, it
can represent Christ.
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He's the lion of
the tribe of Judah.
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A lion can represent the devil.
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He goes about as a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour.
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The lion can represent
Babylon, as in Daniel chapter 7.
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And the lion can also represent
Judah, the son of Jacob.
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So just because you find the
lion doesn't mean that the lion
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means the same
thing in every context.
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The same with leaven.
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Leaven, we say, represents sin.
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But in the
parable of the leaven,
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the leaven
represents the Holy Spirit.
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When the Holy Spirit is present
in the church, the church grows.
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So leaven can
represent the Holy Spirit
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as well as represent sin.
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Depending on the context.
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In the Bible, the
sword represents the Bible.
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But the sword can also
represent the power of the state
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to execute those
who violate civil law.
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So we have to take
into account the context.
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And what is the
context of Genesis chapter 6?
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The immediately preceding
context has two genealogies.
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In Genesis chapter 4 you
have the genealogy of Cain.
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Three wicked women are mentioned
in the genealogy of Cain.
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These would be
the daughters of men.
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Then you have in chapter
5 the descendants of Seth.
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That's the
descendants of the righteous.
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And then in Genesis
6:1-2 you have the sons of God
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and the daughters of men.
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The context indicates
that these are not angels.
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Incidentally, Luke 3:38 states
that Adam was a son of God.
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And Adam
certainly was not an angel.
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He was a human being.
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So human beings can be
called sons of God as well.
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And you'll notice
this text, Romans 8:14-15.
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The apostle Paul says,
"For as many as are led by the
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Spirit of God, these
are the sons of God."
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How many of those who are
present consider themselves
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sons and daughters of God?
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You don't look
like angels to me.
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You look very human to me.
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Are you understanding the point?
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So in other words,
don't conflate Genesis 6
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with the book of Job.
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They're different contexts.
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And the expression, "sons of
God," can mean different things
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in different contexts.
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So let's go now to
the bottom of page 45,
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The first meeting of
the heavenly council.
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This is in Job 1:6-7.
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"Now there was a day
when the sons of God..."
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Who are the sons of God?
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Angels. Very well.
00:11:01.32\00:11:03.12
"...came to present
themselves before the Lord,
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and Satan also came among them.
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And the Lord said to
Satan, 'From where do you come?'
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So Satan answered the Lord
and said, 'From going to and fro
00:11:16.87\00:11:21.98
on the earth, and from
walking back and forth on it.'"
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Now why did I underline
certain words that we have here?
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Well, let's notice the
details of the conclusion.
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The sons of God do not always
dwell in the presence of God.
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At least these sons of God
that came to present themselves
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before the Lord.
00:11:41.66\00:11:43.00
Because we are told
that they came a certain day.
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Which means that they
are not there all the time.
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By the way, this
contrast with Job 1:7
00:11:50.44\00:11:54.31
where it says that Job
offered sacrifices always.
00:11:54.64\00:11:59.21
There's a
contrast, in other words.
00:11:59.25\00:12:00.85
The sons of God come
on certain occasions,
00:12:00.88\00:12:03.89
whereas Job
offered sacrifices always.
00:12:04.09\00:12:07.32
Another important
point is that Satan
00:12:08.26\00:12:10.59
did not come
with the sons of God.
00:12:11.13\00:12:14.10
He considered himself one of
the members of the sons of God.
00:12:14.13\00:12:17.20
It says he came
among the sons of God.
00:12:17.23\00:12:20.87
So he's claiming a right to
belong to this select group,
00:12:20.90\00:12:24.61
the sons of God.
00:12:24.64\00:12:25.97
He doesn't come with
them, he comes among them.
00:12:26.01\00:12:29.68
So he's claiming to have a
right to belong to this group.
00:12:29.71\00:12:33.18
And then the record also tells
us that Satan came from where?
00:12:33.88\00:12:37.65
He came from a planet.
00:12:38.75\00:12:40.89
From planet earth.
00:12:40.92\00:12:42.72
So if Satan came to this
heavenly meeting representing
00:12:43.09\00:12:46.29
planet earth, who must
the other representatives be
00:12:46.33\00:12:50.87
that came to
this heavenly meeting?
00:12:50.90\00:12:52.80
It's not too much of a stretch
to believe that the other
00:12:53.50\00:12:57.77
sons of God also
came from other planets.
00:12:57.97\00:13:01.11
Are you following me or not?
00:13:01.14\00:13:02.61
Because they came to present
themselves among the sons of God
00:13:02.98\00:13:09.58
in this heavenly council.
00:13:09.62\00:13:11.85
Now the second meeting
confirms this perspective.
00:13:12.25\00:13:15.79
Let's read Job 2:1-2.
00:13:15.82\00:13:18.79
The same remarks that we made
concerning the first meeting
00:13:44.65\00:13:48.82
apply to the second meeting.
00:13:48.86\00:13:50.49
Only, there's
another important detail.
00:13:50.69\00:13:53.16
And that is the word, "again."
00:13:53.50\00:13:55.73
In other words,
this is a second meeting.
00:13:56.67\00:13:58.60
So must the sons of God
have left the presence of God
00:13:59.33\00:14:03.04
after the first meeting?
00:14:03.07\00:14:04.44
Of course.
00:14:04.77\00:14:06.11
Because it says they came again.
00:14:06.21\00:14:09.14
Which means that after
the first meeting, they left.
00:14:09.18\00:14:12.21
They went somewhere.
00:14:12.25\00:14:13.65
They went to the
planets that they represented,
00:14:13.68\00:14:17.32
in other words.
00:14:17.35\00:14:18.69
Now there's another
story in the Old Testament
00:14:19.15\00:14:21.49
that illustrates the fact
that God has a heavenly council.
00:14:21.86\00:14:26.13
In other words, God has
kind of like representatives
00:14:26.83\00:14:30.50
from all over the universe that
gather together to deliberate
00:14:30.53\00:14:33.90
about the
running of the universe.
00:14:33.94\00:14:35.80
You say, "Well, God can
do that all by Himself."
00:14:36.10\00:14:38.51
Yeah, but God is a delegator.
00:14:38.54\00:14:40.18
In other words,
God runs a government
00:14:40.78\00:14:42.58
where it is representative.
00:14:42.61\00:14:45.11
He has different
functions for different angels
00:14:45.15\00:14:48.98
and beings in the universe.
00:14:49.02\00:14:51.19
Now notice this
example from the period of
00:14:51.55\00:14:53.89
Ahab and King Jehoshaphat.
00:14:53.92\00:14:55.96
Ahab was the king of
the northern kingdom,
00:14:57.63\00:15:00.06
the ten tribes of Israel,
00:15:00.10\00:15:01.90
whereas, Jehoshaphat was
the king of the two tribes
00:15:02.13\00:15:07.34
of the southern kingdom.
00:15:07.37\00:15:08.77
And one day Ahab
says to Jehoshaphat,
00:15:09.07\00:15:12.37
"You know, I think we
ought to join forces and
00:15:12.41\00:15:14.34
go fight against
the Syrians, our enemy."
00:15:14.38\00:15:17.25
And so Jehoshaphat said,
"Well, you know, that might
00:15:17.68\00:15:21.38
be a good idea, but shouldn't
we get prophetic approval?
00:15:21.42\00:15:25.02
Shouldn't we get a prophet
to tell us whether that's
00:15:25.32\00:15:27.52
a wise thing to do or not?"
00:15:27.56\00:15:29.26
Don't you have
any prophets around?"
00:15:29.49\00:15:31.49
And Ahab says, "Prophets galore.
00:15:31.96\00:15:35.06
I've got lots of prophets.
00:15:35.16\00:15:36.70
I've got 400 of them."
00:15:36.73\00:15:38.67
And so he calls the
400 prophets and he says,
00:15:38.93\00:15:42.00
"You know,
Jehoshaphat and I want to go and
00:15:42.20\00:15:45.24
fight against the Syrians.
00:15:45.27\00:15:46.81
Is that a good idea or not?"
00:15:46.84\00:15:48.81
And of course, the
false prophets said,
00:15:49.61\00:15:51.71
"Oh, you go to that
battle, you're going to
00:15:51.75\00:15:54.75
gain a signal victory."
00:15:54.78\00:15:56.35
But Jehoshaphat
wasn't convinced.
00:15:57.12\00:15:59.19
So he looks at Ahab and he says,
00:15:59.59\00:16:00.99
"Isn't there a
prophet of the Lord around?"
00:16:01.19\00:16:03.89
And King Ahab says, "Yeah,
there's a prophet of the Lord,
00:16:06.49\00:16:10.40
He's in the dungeon.
00:16:10.43\00:16:11.87
His name is Micaiah.
00:16:12.50\00:16:13.84
Because every time
I ask him to prophesy,
00:16:13.87\00:16:16.37
he prophesies evil."
00:16:16.40\00:16:18.17
Now Micaiah was brought because
Jehoshaphat requested it.
00:16:19.87\00:16:25.31
So he's brought
from the dungeon.
00:16:25.51\00:16:27.28
Now Micaiah is going to
say something very interesting
00:16:27.65\00:16:31.85
about what was
happening in heaven.
00:16:32.45\00:16:34.32
Let's read 2
Chronicles 18:18-22.
00:16:34.36\00:16:38.59
In other words, who can
convince Ahab to go to battle
00:17:00.38\00:17:02.48
so that he gets killed?
00:17:02.52\00:17:04.65
Evidently,
nobody wanted to do it.
00:17:10.26\00:17:12.16
Was that a faithful angel?
00:17:29.54\00:17:31.28
Was that an unfallen angel?
00:17:31.31\00:17:33.18
Using lies to entice
Ahab to go to battle,
00:17:34.18\00:17:38.82
do you think that the
loyal and faithful angels lie
00:17:38.85\00:17:42.92
to get things accomplished?
00:17:43.22\00:17:44.73
Who was this spirit?
00:17:44.76\00:17:46.09
This spirit was Satan.
00:17:47.06\00:17:48.53
Was he there present
at the heavenly council?
00:17:49.40\00:17:52.03
Yes, he was.
00:17:52.60\00:17:53.94
This is another
example from the Old Testament
00:17:53.97\00:17:56.07
of the heavenly
council where Satan goes
00:17:56.60\00:17:58.84
representing planet earth.
00:17:58.87\00:18:00.88
And now God
gives him permission.
00:18:01.48\00:18:03.31
And this is not
God's causative will,
00:18:13.05\00:18:15.46
this is God's permissive will.
00:18:15.49\00:18:16.86
He's giving Satan permission.
00:18:16.89\00:18:18.23
It's like what
happened with Job.
00:18:18.26\00:18:20.03
God did not cause
the affliction of Job.
00:18:20.43\00:18:22.83
God allowed Satan to
cause the affliction.
00:18:23.10\00:18:25.80
So does God have
a heavenly council?
00:18:36.88\00:18:39.25
Yes, He does.
00:18:39.61\00:18:40.95
Where all of the representatives
of the universe gather together
00:18:40.98\00:18:44.09
to deliberate about
certain issues relating to the
00:18:44.35\00:18:47.29
administration of the universe.
00:18:47.32\00:18:49.06
On the next page, in,
Patriarchs and Prophets,
00:18:49.49\00:18:51.99
page 36, we have a
clear declaration that
00:18:52.03\00:18:54.76
there is a heavenly council.
00:18:54.80\00:18:56.33
This is when
Lucifer was in heaven still
00:18:57.43\00:18:59.70
and he was
spreading his lies about God.
00:18:59.83\00:19:02.47
It says, "In
heavenly council the angels
00:19:02.67\00:19:05.77
pleaded with Lucifer."
00:19:05.81\00:19:07.91
So you have the heavenly
council gathered together
00:19:08.28\00:19:10.58
and the angels in the
heavenly council are pleading
00:19:10.68\00:19:14.42
with Lucifer to give
up his idea of taking over
00:19:14.45\00:19:19.35
the throne of God.
00:19:19.39\00:19:21.16
The next example is,
after God created Adam and Eve,
00:19:22.22\00:19:25.99
Satan gathered his own
council to prepare a strategy
00:19:26.19\00:19:30.37
to deceive Adam and Eve.
00:19:30.40\00:19:32.27
In turn, God gathered
His own council to deliberate
00:19:32.90\00:19:37.27
on a strategy to frustrate the
stratagems of Satan's council.
00:19:37.31\00:19:41.81
So Satan gathers a
council and he says, "You know,
00:19:41.91\00:19:44.31
let's plan how we're
going to deceive Adam and Eve."
00:19:44.35\00:19:47.02
And God says, "Well, let's call
a council to counteract that
00:19:47.72\00:19:51.95
so that he's not successful
in deceiving Adam and Eve."
00:19:51.99\00:19:55.02
Notice, Story of
Redemption, page 29.
00:19:55.06\00:19:57.79
"God assembled the
angelic host to take measures
00:19:57.99\00:20:01.50
to avert the threatened evil.
00:20:01.53\00:20:04.03
It was decided in heaven's
council for angels to visit
00:20:04.23\00:20:08.74
Eden and warn Adam that he
was in danger from the foe.
00:20:08.77\00:20:12.77
Two angels sped on their
way to visit our first parents."
00:20:13.07\00:20:17.78
So does God have a
heavenly council where decisions
00:20:18.31\00:20:21.08
are made concerning the
operations of the universe,
00:20:21.12\00:20:23.89
the
administration of the universe?
00:20:23.92\00:20:25.45
Absolutely.
00:20:25.49\00:20:26.82
And that's what is
happening in the book of Job.
00:20:26.86\00:20:29.42
The heavenly council is
gathered together to deliberate.
00:20:29.46\00:20:32.06
And of course,
present there is Satan
00:20:32.09\00:20:36.06
representing planet earth.
00:20:36.10\00:20:37.73
And we're going to talk about
why he represented planet earth
00:20:38.03\00:20:41.00
at that point in a few moments.
00:20:41.04\00:20:43.17
Now let's notice what
Ellen White had to say
00:20:43.67\00:20:45.94
on the identity
of the 24 elders.
00:20:45.97\00:20:48.48
According to the
spirit of prophecy,
00:20:49.04\00:20:51.15
the sons of God are the
commanders of the angel hosts
00:20:51.81\00:20:57.19
and the representatives of
the worlds that never sinned.
00:20:57.62\00:21:01.42
They are the members
of the heavenly council.
00:21:02.06\00:21:04.73
Notice this statement
that we read yesterday
00:21:05.59\00:21:08.00
from, Desire of Ages.
00:21:08.03\00:21:09.83
"The commanders of the
angel hosts, the sons of God,
00:21:10.37\00:21:14.67
the representatives of the
unfallen worlds are assembled.
00:21:15.30\00:21:20.81
The heavenly council
before which Lucifer had accused
00:21:21.34\00:21:24.41
God and His Son,
the representatives
00:21:24.45\00:21:27.45
of those sinless realms
over which Satan had thought
00:21:27.48\00:21:31.22
to establish his
dominion, all are there
00:21:31.25\00:21:34.49
to welcome the Redeemer."
00:21:34.52\00:21:36.93
So once again you have here that
there is a heavenly council.
00:21:37.23\00:21:41.70
And you'll notice that
the heavenly council members
00:21:42.23\00:21:45.43
are called the sons of
God, the representatives of
00:21:45.47\00:21:49.47
the worlds that never sinned,
00:21:49.50\00:21:50.84
and the commanders
of the angel hosts.
00:21:50.87\00:21:53.51
Would these be the
highest of all angels?
00:21:53.54\00:21:56.54
These would be the
highest of all angels.
00:21:56.95\00:21:59.38
Now some have
wondered whether Ellen White
00:21:59.98\00:22:01.78
is referring to three
groups when the states,
00:22:01.82\00:22:04.55
"the commanders
of the angel hosts,"
00:22:04.59\00:22:06.25
"the sons of God,"
00:22:06.29\00:22:07.62
and, "the representatives
of the unfallen worlds."
00:22:07.66\00:22:09.62
And the answer is, no.
00:22:09.66\00:22:10.99
These are just three ways
of defining the same group.
00:22:11.33\00:22:14.86
Let me give you three examples
in the writings of Ellen White.
00:22:14.90\00:22:17.77
I have others, but you know,
I didn't want to put all of them
00:22:17.80\00:22:21.04
here in the syllabus, but just
to give you an inkling of this.
00:22:21.30\00:22:25.21
Notice Ellen White is
speaking about revival,
00:22:25.31\00:22:28.84
this is on page 49,
she's speaking about revival,
00:22:28.88\00:22:32.48
and notice how she describes
revival in three different ways.
00:22:32.68\00:22:36.35
"Revival signifies a
renewal of spiritual life,
00:22:36.69\00:22:41.32
a quickening of the
powers of mind and heart,
00:22:42.02\00:22:45.63
a resurrection from
the spiritual death."
00:22:46.16\00:22:48.76
Let me ask you, are,
"renewal, "quickening,"
00:22:49.36\00:22:51.23
and, "resurrection," synonymous?
00:22:51.27\00:22:53.07
Is she referring to
three separate things?
00:22:53.70\00:22:55.77
No, she's using three
terms to define the same.
00:22:55.80\00:22:58.71
Here's another example, Selected
Messages, volume 3, page 392.
00:22:59.17\00:23:03.48
Speaking about the final
union of the world against
00:23:03.91\00:23:07.05
God's remnant, "There will
be a universal bond of union,
00:23:07.08\00:23:10.65
one great harmony, a
confederacy of Satan's forces."
00:23:11.05\00:23:16.36
Is, "bond of union,"
"harmony," and, "confederacy,"
00:23:16.83\00:23:19.83
are those all synonymous terms?
00:23:19.86\00:23:21.73
Yes they are.
00:23:22.03\00:23:23.37
And then yesterday I
mentioned another one
00:23:23.40\00:23:25.53
which is in,
Desire of Ages, page 530
00:23:25.57\00:23:29.20
where Ellen White
states, "In Christ is life,
00:23:29.24\00:23:33.34
original, unborrowed, underived.
00:23:33.38\00:23:38.01
'He that hath
the Son hath life.'
00:23:38.35\00:23:40.62
The divinity of Christ
is the believer's assurance
00:23:40.65\00:23:43.35
of eternal life."
00:23:43.39\00:23:44.75
"Original,"
unborrowed," and "underived,"
00:23:44.95\00:23:47.42
are three ways of
saying the same thing.
00:23:47.46\00:23:51.66
Are you with me or not?
00:23:51.69\00:23:53.13
So they are not
three separate groups.
00:23:53.16\00:23:56.73
It is one group.
00:23:57.37\00:23:58.73
And when you go to
Revelation 4, you see that
00:23:59.10\00:24:01.30
there are not three additional
groups in Revelation chapter 4
00:24:01.34\00:24:06.04
besides the four
living creatures.
00:24:06.07\00:24:08.34
There's only one other
group, which is the 24 elders.
00:24:08.38\00:24:11.65
Now when Jesus gained the
victory over Satan on the cross,
00:24:12.25\00:24:16.18
the heavens and all that
dwelt in the heavens rejoiced.
00:24:17.29\00:24:22.12
Are there beings
on other planets?
00:24:23.16\00:24:25.66
This is the big question.
00:24:25.69\00:24:27.20
Is this the only world in
the universe that is inhabited?
00:24:27.23\00:24:31.43
The answer to
that question is no.
00:24:31.90\00:24:33.70
When Jesus resurrected,
the angelic hosts sang.
00:24:34.37\00:24:38.11
And I want you to notice
carefully what they sang.
00:24:38.14\00:24:40.58
Revelation 12:12.
00:24:40.64\00:24:43.04
Are you
catching the nuance here?
00:24:52.45\00:24:54.32
Those who dwell in them.
00:24:54.92\00:24:56.49
So it is, "heavens," plural.
00:24:57.19\00:24:59.66
Those who dwell in them.
00:25:00.16\00:25:02.16
"Woe to the
inhabitants of the earth..."
00:25:03.37\00:25:06.20
There's one little world in the
midst of the universe of God.
00:25:06.23\00:25:10.11
I put in this
quotation from Billy Graham.
00:25:20.48\00:25:22.58
Billy Graham, before he
died, believed that there are
00:25:23.28\00:25:26.35
inhabitants on other planets.
00:25:26.39\00:25:27.72
This is not unique
to the Adventist church.
00:25:27.76\00:25:29.69
And of course, Billy
Graham is known as the dean
00:25:29.72\00:25:33.73
of all evangelists
while he was alive.
00:25:33.76\00:25:35.73
I mean, he met with presidents,
every president until his death,
00:25:35.83\00:25:40.04
and so on, so he's no slouch
when it comes to theology.
00:25:40.07\00:25:43.91
This is his statement.
00:25:44.47\00:25:45.81
"I believe there is
life on other planets.
00:25:45.84\00:25:48.18
We have this galaxy, the
Milky Way and they now speculate
00:25:48.58\00:25:52.68
that there are millions
and millions of galaxies,
00:25:52.71\00:25:56.25
and in each galaxy, a trillion
stars, planets, and all that.
00:25:56.35\00:26:00.36
I cannot imagine that we
are the only one that has life.
00:26:01.02\00:26:04.79
That would be a
terribly egotistical thing
00:26:04.99\00:26:07.83
for us to say as a planet.
00:26:07.86\00:26:10.10
I believe that God
is the God of all of it,
00:26:10.20\00:26:12.87
and that's why He's so
awesome and so tremendous,
00:26:12.90\00:26:16.40
and why, when I
come into His presence,
00:26:16.44\00:26:18.77
I feel that I'm not worthy."
00:26:18.81\00:26:21.41
So there are other worlds with
inhabitants on those worlds.
00:26:21.61\00:26:27.62
And each of those
worlds has a representative
00:26:27.78\00:26:31.22
that represents those
worlds in the heavenly council.
00:26:31.25\00:26:33.92
And those are
called, the sons of God.
00:26:34.32\00:26:38.06
Now we've already
noticed that the 24 elders
00:26:38.89\00:26:42.43
are angelic beings.
00:26:42.46\00:26:44.03
You say, "Well, how do you know
that they're angelic beings?"
00:26:44.07\00:26:46.17
You have the sons of
God, we've already seen
00:26:46.20\00:26:48.37
the sons of God are angels,
according to Revelation 12
00:26:48.40\00:26:51.84
and according to Ellen White.
00:26:51.87\00:26:53.21
But how do we know that
the 24 elders are angels,
00:26:53.24\00:26:57.31
that they're the
same as the sons of God?
00:26:57.71\00:27:00.25
Well, let's pursue this.
00:27:00.72\00:27:03.85
In Revelation 5:5 we
have this interesting verse.
00:27:04.32\00:27:08.69
This is on the top of
page 51 of your syllabus.
00:27:09.12\00:27:12.83
"But one of the
elders said to me..."
00:27:13.70\00:27:15.60
Here's an elder
that's speaking to John.
00:27:15.63\00:27:17.50
"One of the
elders said to me..."
00:27:17.53\00:27:19.53
So who is it that
is speaking to John?
00:27:32.58\00:27:35.55
It clearly says one of the
elders is speaking to John.
00:27:37.35\00:27:42.56
But now notice this
comment from Ellen White.
00:27:43.22\00:27:45.76
She's speaking
about the same thing,
00:27:47.23\00:27:49.10
the book, the sealed book.
00:27:49.13\00:27:50.87
"This roll was
written within and without.
00:27:51.30\00:27:53.74
John says, 'I wept
much, because no man was found
00:27:54.17\00:27:58.31
worthy to open and to read the
book, neither to look thereon.'"
00:27:58.34\00:28:02.41
Now notice her commentary.
00:28:03.48\00:28:04.85
The vision as
presented to John made its
00:28:04.88\00:28:07.15
impression upon his mind.
00:28:07.18\00:28:08.68
The destiny of every nation
was contained in that book.
00:28:08.95\00:28:11.92
John was distressed at
the utter inability of any
00:28:12.42\00:28:15.36
human being or angelic
intelligence to read the words,
00:28:15.39\00:28:20.20
or even to look thereon.
00:28:20.40\00:28:22.53
His soul was wrought up
to such a point of agony
00:28:23.16\00:28:26.77
and suspense..."
00:28:26.87\00:28:28.80
And now notice, here's the key.
00:28:28.84\00:28:30.51
"...that one of the strong
angels had compassion on him..."
00:28:30.87\00:28:35.44
Hmm.
00:28:36.54\00:28:37.88
"...and laying his
hand on him said, 'Weep not.
00:28:39.35\00:28:42.62
Behold, the Lion of the tribe
of Judah, the root of David,
00:28:42.92\00:28:45.85
hath prevailed to
open the book, and to loose
00:28:46.05\00:28:48.49
the seven seals thereof.'"
00:28:48.52\00:28:49.86
Are you catching the point?
00:28:49.89\00:28:51.23
It was one of the
elders that spoke those words,
00:28:53.19\00:28:55.36
according to Revelation.
00:28:55.40\00:28:56.73
Ellen White says it was
one of the strong angels.
00:28:57.40\00:29:01.57
So are the 24 elders those
who resurrected with Jesus?
00:29:02.00\00:29:05.14
No.
00:29:05.51\00:29:06.84
And they're not part of the
regular angelic hosts either.
00:29:06.94\00:29:10.45
Because Ellen
White, in this statement,
00:29:11.18\00:29:12.98
says, "John was distressed
at the utter inability of any
00:29:13.38\00:29:16.85
human being or
angelic intelligence
00:29:16.89\00:29:19.45
to read the words..."
00:29:19.49\00:29:21.96
So not even an
angelic intelligence.
00:29:22.32\00:29:24.46
In other words, the
common ordinary angels
00:29:24.49\00:29:27.56
in the angel hosts.
00:29:27.60\00:29:28.93
It had to be one
of the strong angels.
00:29:29.43\00:29:32.00
So the elders are angels.
00:29:32.37\00:29:35.57
The conclusion is inevitable.
00:29:36.00\00:29:38.01
According to verse 5, one
of the 24 elders spoke to John.
00:29:38.41\00:29:41.64
However, Ellen White
identifies the elder as
00:29:42.04\00:29:45.08
one of the strong angels.
00:29:45.11\00:29:46.98
This clearly indicates that
the 24 elders are not human,
00:29:47.25\00:29:50.82
but rather angelic.
00:29:50.85\00:29:52.65
Now here's something
similar in Revelation chapter 7.
00:29:53.69\00:29:57.09
In the biblical context, God
showed John a great multitude
00:29:57.63\00:30:02.53
that no one could number.
00:30:02.90\00:30:04.50
And this great multitude
was from all nations, tribes,
00:30:05.27\00:30:08.54
peoples, and tongues who were
standing before the throne of
00:30:08.57\00:30:12.31
God and the Lamb.
00:30:12.34\00:30:13.68
Now one of the
elders asked John a question
00:30:14.34\00:30:18.55
about this great multitude.
00:30:18.88\00:30:20.48
That's found in Revelation 7:13.
00:30:20.95\00:30:23.42
"Then one of the elders..."
Notice the terminology.
00:30:23.75\00:30:26.72
"One of the elders
answered, saying to me,
00:30:26.76\00:30:29.19
'Who are these
arrayed in white robes,
00:30:29.62\00:30:31.86
and where did they come from?'"
00:30:31.89\00:30:33.23
In other words, "Where did
this great multitude from every
00:30:33.26\00:30:35.36
nation, tongue,
tribe, and people,
00:30:35.40\00:30:37.07
where did they come from?"
00:30:37.10\00:30:38.73
And John answers the question.
00:30:39.73\00:30:41.50
"And I said to
him, 'Sir, you know.'"
00:30:41.87\00:30:45.07
In other words, "You tell me."
00:30:46.31\00:30:47.71
Then the elder says to
John, "These are the ones who
00:30:49.28\00:30:52.81
came out of the
great tribulation,
00:30:52.85\00:30:55.75
and washed their
robes and made them white
00:30:55.78\00:30:58.22
in the blood of the Lamb."
00:30:58.25\00:30:59.59
So the conversation
is between John and whom?
00:30:59.62\00:31:02.39
And one of the elders,
right? One of the 24 elders.
00:31:03.59\00:31:06.80
Now notice Ellen
White's commentary on this.
00:31:07.23\00:31:09.63
Very interesting.
00:31:09.66\00:31:11.00
Very perceptive, I might say.
00:31:11.03\00:31:13.27
"John beholds an
innumerable company,
00:31:14.17\00:31:16.81
precious, refined,
purified, around the throne
00:31:17.37\00:31:20.24
of the Majesty of heaven.
00:31:20.28\00:31:21.78
The angel inquires of John..."
00:31:22.41\00:31:25.08
Who was it that inquired of
John, according to Revelation 7?
00:31:26.08\00:31:29.32
One of the elders.
00:31:30.35\00:31:31.69
Ellen White states,
"The angel inquires of John,
00:31:31.79\00:31:35.59
'What are these which
are arrayed in white robes?
00:31:36.06\00:31:38.89
And whence came they?'
00:31:38.93\00:31:40.26
And John answers,
'Sir, thou knowest.'
00:31:40.63\00:31:42.76
Then the angel
declares, 'These are they which
00:31:43.16\00:31:47.14
came out of the
great tribulation,
00:31:47.17\00:31:48.74
and have washed their
robes, and made them white
00:31:49.04\00:31:52.14
in the blood of the Lamb.'"
00:31:52.17\00:31:53.78
Once again, the
conclusion is inevitable.
00:31:53.81\00:31:57.01
In its original biblical
context, one of the elders
00:31:57.58\00:32:00.42
is having the conversation,
whereas Ellen White identifies
00:32:00.45\00:32:04.05
the elder as one
of the strong angels.
00:32:04.09\00:32:08.02
Now the next paragraph is
extremely important on page 52.
00:32:08.46\00:32:12.86
However, there is
another vital conclusion that
00:32:14.03\00:32:17.73
we will expand upon later.
00:32:17.77\00:32:20.00
Clearly, the elder was not a
member of the great multitude
00:32:20.90\00:32:24.84
from every nation,
tongue, and people.
00:32:24.87\00:32:27.21
Are you with me or not?
00:32:28.81\00:32:30.15
Was the elder one of
the members of the nations,
00:32:30.51\00:32:33.92
tribes, peoples, and tongues?
00:32:33.95\00:32:35.38
No, he wasn't.
00:32:35.68\00:32:37.02
So when we get to
Revelation 5:9-10,
00:32:37.05\00:32:39.65
we're going to find
that this is very valuable.
00:32:40.26\00:32:44.03
The elders are not
part of the great multitude.
00:32:44.49\00:32:47.83
Keep that in mind.
00:32:48.03\00:32:49.36
We shall find that this
is an important point because
00:32:49.63\00:32:52.40
the King James
translation of Revelation 5:9-10
00:32:52.43\00:32:55.87
gives us the impression
that the elders were redeemed
00:32:56.07\00:32:59.74
from every tribe,
tongue, people, and nation.
00:32:59.77\00:33:02.38
But they were not.
00:33:02.91\00:33:04.25
Let's take two more
quotations from Ellen White.
00:33:04.85\00:33:07.32
Sermons and
Talks, volume 1, page 20,
00:33:08.28\00:33:10.59
the top of page
53 in your syllabus.
00:33:10.62\00:33:12.72
"John saw a company standing
around the throne of God,
00:33:12.75\00:33:15.79
and the angel asked him..."
00:33:16.46\00:33:18.89
Who asked him?
00:33:20.56\00:33:21.90
Hmm.
00:33:22.93\00:33:24.40
But according to
Revelation 7 it was what?
00:33:24.87\00:33:27.74
One of the elders.
00:33:28.10\00:33:30.71
"'Who are these in white robes?'
00:33:31.61\00:33:33.34
He answered, 'Thou knowest.'
00:33:33.38\00:33:34.71
Moreover, the angel
said, 'These are they who have
00:33:34.74\00:33:38.11
washed their robes and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb.'
00:33:38.15\00:33:40.82
There is a fountain
in which we may wash from
00:33:40.98\00:33:43.25
every stain of impurity.
00:33:43.28\00:33:44.92
In addition, says the angel..."
00:33:44.95\00:33:47.16
So it's three times
she says, "the angel."
00:33:47.19\00:33:49.32
"'He shall lead them to
fountains of living waters,
00:33:49.36\00:33:52.03
and shall wipe away
all tears from their eyes.'
00:33:52.06\00:33:54.60
This will be the happy
privilege of those that have
00:33:54.63\00:33:57.33
kept the commandments
of God in the earth."
00:33:57.37\00:34:00.04
Beautiful promise.
00:34:00.14\00:34:01.50
And then one final
statement from Ellen White.
00:34:01.70\00:34:04.24
"As John saw the
multitude standing around
00:34:04.44\00:34:06.71
the throne of God,
the question was asked,
00:34:06.74\00:34:09.34
'What are these which
are arrayed in white robes?
00:34:09.38\00:34:12.05
And whence came they?'
00:34:12.08\00:34:13.62
'These are they which came
out of the great tribulation,'
00:34:14.05\00:34:17.19
the angel answered, 'and have
washed their robes and made them
00:34:17.39\00:34:21.46
white in the
blood of the Lamb.'"
00:34:21.49\00:34:24.26
Now somebody might
say, "Well, but Pastor Bohr,
00:34:25.46\00:34:27.96
it says that the 24 elders, you
know, they present the prayers
00:34:28.66\00:34:34.40
of God's people in heaven.
00:34:34.44\00:34:37.11
How can they be angels?
00:34:37.64\00:34:39.01
Isn't it Jesus who
presents our prayers?"
00:34:39.04\00:34:41.91
Well, let's notice
this interesting statement
00:34:42.51\00:34:44.58
from Ellen White.
00:34:44.61\00:34:45.95
Actually, Revelation 5:8 says
that the 24 elders play harps
00:34:46.21\00:34:51.65
and present the prayers
of the saints before God.
00:34:51.95\00:34:55.26
Let's notice who
are these that present
00:34:55.46\00:34:57.83
the prayers of God's people.
00:34:57.86\00:34:59.39
Yesterday I mentioned the
ladder that Jacob saw, right.
00:34:59.43\00:35:03.20
Are the angels involved
in taking our prayers to God
00:35:03.33\00:35:06.07
and, you know, blending
our prayers with the incense,
00:35:06.10\00:35:09.64
Jesus, when the
prayers arrive in heaven?
00:35:09.67\00:35:11.74
Absolutely.
00:35:11.77\00:35:13.11
Notice this statement.
00:35:13.14\00:35:14.48
"Heavenly beings are
appointed to answer the prayers
00:35:14.51\00:35:17.35
of those who are working
unselfishly for the interests
00:35:17.85\00:35:21.52
of the cause of God."
00:35:21.55\00:35:22.88
And who are the
ones that do this?
00:35:23.45\00:35:25.55
All of the angels?
00:35:25.82\00:35:27.16
No.
00:35:27.32\00:35:28.66
"The very highest of
angels in the heavenly courts
00:35:28.69\00:35:33.63
are appointed to work out
the prayers that ascend to God
00:35:33.80\00:35:37.57
for the advancement
of the cause of God.
00:35:37.60\00:35:40.07
Each angel has his
particular post of duty,
00:35:41.07\00:35:44.21
which he is not permitted
to leave for any other place.
00:35:44.67\00:35:49.04
If he should leave,
the powers of darkness
00:35:49.24\00:35:52.28
would gain an advantage."
00:35:52.31\00:35:54.22
So if the elders
are strong angels,
00:35:55.05\00:35:57.79
or very highest of angels, they
cannot be human first fruits
00:35:57.82\00:36:02.89
who resurrected with Jesus.
00:36:02.92\00:36:04.73
Are you following me so far?
00:36:05.19\00:36:07.16
Now here's a question, why
was Satan among the sons of God?
00:36:08.23\00:36:11.83
Kind of a
discordant note in heaven.
00:36:13.00\00:36:15.70
This pest was up there,
00:36:16.71\00:36:19.14
you know, to kind
of spoil the meeting.
00:36:19.17\00:36:21.64
Why was Satan there?
00:36:23.18\00:36:24.51
Well, Luke 4:5-6 has the answer.
00:36:25.18\00:36:28.18
Satan meets Jesus at
the mount of temptation.
00:36:28.85\00:36:31.55
And it says there...
00:36:31.95\00:36:33.29
"Therefore, if You will worship
before me, all will be Yours."
00:36:53.07\00:36:57.05
So what is Satan saying?
00:36:58.55\00:37:00.58
He said, "This has
been delivered to me."
00:37:00.62\00:37:02.25
Who delivered it to him?
00:37:02.28\00:37:03.62
Adam delivered it to him.
00:37:04.45\00:37:05.95
When Adam obeyed Satan,
he became a servant of Satan.
00:37:06.86\00:37:11.16
Because we're servants of
the one that we choose to obey.
00:37:11.19\00:37:14.16
And so, Adam lost his
position on the throne,
00:37:15.30\00:37:19.70
he lost his territory, and
a usurper took over the throne
00:37:19.90\00:37:25.11
and the territory
over which he governed.
00:37:25.24\00:37:28.84
And this is very
interesting because before Jesus
00:37:29.48\00:37:32.41
died on the cross, Jesus
said, "Now is the judgment
00:37:32.45\00:37:35.92
of this world, now the ruler
of this world will be cast out."
00:37:35.95\00:37:40.26
So did Jesus
recognize that before the cross,
00:37:42.12\00:37:44.39
Satan was the
ruler of this world?
00:37:44.43\00:37:46.39
He most certainly did.
00:37:46.43\00:37:47.76
But what did Jesus say He
was going to do at the cross?
00:37:48.66\00:37:51.20
He said He was going to cast
out the ruler of this world.
00:37:51.83\00:37:55.14
Was Satan cast out at the cross?
00:37:55.47\00:37:57.54
I thought he was
cast out at the beginning.
00:37:58.57\00:38:00.68
Well, this was a
second casting out.
00:38:01.64\00:38:03.81
He was cast out as the
representative of this world.
00:38:04.31\00:38:07.32
After this, he could not go to
heaven representing this earth.
00:38:07.62\00:38:11.05
Jesus now represents this
earth in the heavenly council.
00:38:11.09\00:38:14.16
Not only that, he was
cast out in the sympathies
00:38:15.26\00:38:18.13
of the heavenly beings.
00:38:18.16\00:38:19.49
If you read, Desire of Ages,
the chapters, "Gethsemane,"
00:38:19.53\00:38:21.73
and "Calvary," the
mask was torn off Satan.
00:38:21.93\00:38:25.37
And the last little
itty bit of sympathy that the
00:38:25.93\00:38:29.50
heavenly beings
had with him was gone.
00:38:29.54\00:38:31.64
He was cast out
of the sympathies
00:38:31.97\00:38:34.11
of the heavenly beings.
00:38:34.38\00:38:36.08
So Satan was there in
this meeting in the book of Job
00:38:36.11\00:38:40.55
because he was
representing planet earth.
00:38:40.58\00:38:44.02
However, at the
cross he was cast out,
00:38:44.85\00:38:47.89
and Jesus now is the head and
representative of the planet.
00:38:47.92\00:38:52.73
We'll notice that
in a little while.
00:38:52.76\00:38:55.23
Now let's talk about
God's plan for the human race.
00:38:56.23\00:39:00.50
This is going to
be very interesting.
00:39:00.54\00:39:03.20
God's plan for the
human race was different
00:39:03.97\00:39:06.88
from that of any
other world in His universe.
00:39:07.78\00:39:10.98
Whereas, the other
worlds had strong angels,
00:39:12.31\00:39:15.35
called elders in the
Bible, representing them in the
00:39:15.75\00:39:19.35
heavenly council,
God placed Adam to rule
00:39:19.39\00:39:23.73
and represent this world.
00:39:24.79\00:39:26.86
In other words, the
other worlds have strong angels
00:39:27.43\00:39:30.53
as their representatives.
00:39:30.73\00:39:32.07
This world was different.
00:39:32.10\00:39:34.27
God placed Adam, one of
the creatures that He made,
00:39:34.47\00:39:40.08
to represent planet earth.
00:39:40.11\00:39:42.34
Notice this
statement from Ellen White,
00:39:43.08\00:39:44.61
Sons and
Daughters of God, page 7.
00:39:44.65\00:39:46.92
"All heaven took a deep
and joyful interest in the
00:39:47.78\00:39:52.52
creation of the
world and of man.
00:39:52.55\00:39:54.86
Human beings..." Were what?
00:39:55.79\00:39:58.23
"...a new and distinct order."
00:39:58.83\00:40:02.16
Were they the same as the
inhabitants of other planets?
00:40:03.80\00:40:06.74
No. "...a new
and distinct order.
00:40:06.94\00:40:09.67
They were made
'in the image of God,'
00:40:10.11\00:40:12.14
and it was the Creator's
design that they should
00:40:12.87\00:40:16.11
populate the earth.
00:40:16.14\00:40:18.11
They were to live in
close communion with heaven,
00:40:18.98\00:40:22.25
receiving power from
the Source of all power.
00:40:22.48\00:40:25.59
Upheld by God, they
were to live sinless lives."
00:40:26.02\00:40:30.46
So God's plans for this
world was different and distinct
00:40:30.49\00:40:34.00
from His plans for
any of the other worlds.
00:40:34.03\00:40:36.46
God created Adam and Eve a
little lower than the angels,
00:40:37.27\00:40:40.40
according to Psalm 8:3-5,
and it's repeated once again
00:40:40.44\00:40:44.41
in the book of Hebrews.
00:40:44.44\00:40:45.94
If they passed the test
and trial, God planned...
00:40:47.14\00:40:51.15
Now listen why
the plan was distinct.
00:40:51.18\00:40:53.88
...God planned to fill
the vacancies that Lucifer
00:40:54.15\00:40:57.59
and his angels left
in heaven when they fell,
00:40:57.62\00:41:00.02
with the redeemed of the Lord.
00:41:00.49\00:41:02.32
Actually, even before
there was a need of redemption,
00:41:03.02\00:41:06.19
God had planned that
there would be procreation
00:41:07.23\00:41:10.57
on earth to replace
the vacancies that Satan
00:41:10.60\00:41:13.97
and his angels left in heaven.
00:41:14.00\00:41:15.34
Even before redemption became
necessary, that was God's plan.
00:41:15.37\00:41:18.41
You say, "How do we know that?"
00:41:19.07\00:41:20.41
Well, notice this statement
from, The Truth About Angels.
00:41:20.81\00:41:24.51
"God created man
for His own glory
00:41:25.25\00:41:27.88
that after test and trial..."
00:41:28.18\00:41:30.59
That is, if they
pass the test, right?
00:41:32.02\00:41:34.52
"...that after test and
trial the human family might
00:41:34.62\00:41:39.83
become one with
the heavenly family.
00:41:39.86\00:41:42.36
It was God's
purpose to..." What?
00:41:43.03\00:41:45.53
"...to repopulate
heaven with the human family."
00:41:46.07\00:41:49.87
So what was the
purpose of procreation?
00:41:51.64\00:41:53.84
To repopulate heaven.
00:41:55.24\00:41:57.25
The vacancies
that were left there
00:41:58.41\00:42:00.78
by Satan and his angels
when they were cast out.
00:42:00.82\00:42:03.35
The idea is the redeemed
are going to replace them.
00:42:03.39\00:42:08.79
Now this was God's plan
before the inception of sin.
00:42:09.82\00:42:12.79
However, was this still God's
plan after the inception of sin?
00:42:14.16\00:42:18.87
The answer is yes.
00:42:20.10\00:42:21.44
Notice, Prophets and
Kings, pages 588-589.
00:42:22.07\00:42:25.77
"Satan has an
accurate knowledge of the sins
00:42:26.78\00:42:29.28
that he has tempted
God's people to commit
00:42:29.31\00:42:31.55
and he urges his accusations
against them, declaring
00:42:32.28\00:42:35.62
that by their sins they
have forfeited divine protection
00:42:35.82\00:42:39.05
and claiming that he has
the right to destroy them.
00:42:39.25\00:42:42.26
He pronounces them
just as deserving as himself
00:42:42.89\00:42:45.69
of exclusion from
the favor of God."
00:42:45.73\00:42:48.06
Now notice, she's
quoting Satan's words.
00:42:48.36\00:42:51.43
"'Are these,' he says, 'the
people who are to...'" What?
00:42:51.53\00:42:56.00
"...to take my place in heaven,
and the place of the angels
00:42:56.81\00:43:01.24
who united with me?"
00:43:01.28\00:43:02.81
Are you catching
a view of the plan.
00:43:03.71\00:43:05.81
"They profess to
obey the law of God,
00:43:07.32\00:43:09.38
but have they kept its precepts?
00:43:09.42\00:43:11.82
Have they not been lovers of
self more than lovers of God?
00:43:11.85\00:43:15.02
Have they not placed their
own interests above His service?
00:43:15.26\00:43:17.99
Have they not loved
the things of the world?
00:43:18.09\00:43:20.26
Look at the sins that
have marked their lives.
00:43:20.30\00:43:22.93
Behold their
selfishness, their malice,
00:43:22.96\00:43:24.97
their hatred of one another.
00:43:25.00\00:43:26.67
Will God banish me and
my angels from His presence,
00:43:26.94\00:43:29.77
and yet reward those who have
been guilty of the same sins?
00:43:29.80\00:43:33.71
Thou canst not do
this, O Lord, in justice.
00:43:33.74\00:43:37.18
Justice demands that sentence
be pronounced against them."
00:43:37.21\00:43:42.42
Here's another statement.
00:43:44.15\00:43:45.55
"The Father consulted
His Son in regard to at once
00:43:46.32\00:43:52.39
carrying out their purpose to
make man to inhabit the earth.
00:43:52.43\00:43:57.47
He would place man upon
probation to test his loyalty
00:43:57.83\00:44:02.00
before he could be
rendered eternally secure.
00:44:02.04\00:44:04.87
If he endured the test wherewith
God saw fit to prove him,
00:44:05.37\00:44:10.28
he should
eventually be..." What?
00:44:11.55\00:44:13.75
What was God's
plan for human beings?
00:44:14.65\00:44:16.55
He would eventually be what?
00:44:16.58\00:44:18.22
"...equal with the angels.
00:44:18.99\00:44:21.19
He was to have the favor of
God, and he was to converse with
00:44:22.09\00:44:26.76
angels, and they with him."
00:44:26.80\00:44:29.26
So in other words, the
plan was that human beings,
00:44:30.67\00:44:33.10
if they passed the
test, they eventually would be
00:44:33.13\00:44:35.50
equal to the angels.
00:44:35.54\00:44:37.04
Because they're going
to replace the vacancies
00:44:37.41\00:44:39.54
that were left by
Satan and his angels.
00:44:39.57\00:44:41.88
In, The Truth About
Angels, page 49, Ellen White
00:44:42.84\00:44:45.31
makes it explicit.
00:44:45.35\00:44:46.68
She stated, "The vacancies
made in heaven by the fall of
00:44:47.28\00:44:50.95
Satan and his angels
will be filled by the
00:44:50.99\00:44:53.32
redeemed of the Lord."
00:44:53.36\00:44:54.69
Is that clear?
00:44:55.42\00:44:56.76
Crystal clear.
00:44:57.23\00:44:58.56
Now where do we find
evidence in the Bible
00:44:59.43\00:45:01.96
that God established
procreation for this purpose?
00:45:03.37\00:45:06.37
Where in the Bible do we find
the idea that God created humans
00:45:07.20\00:45:10.57
a little lower than the angels,
and that if they passed the
00:45:10.81\00:45:14.18
test, they would
be as the angels,
00:45:14.21\00:45:17.01
on the same level as the angels?
00:45:17.05\00:45:19.01
There is a
biblical basis for that.
00:45:19.48\00:45:22.52
You remember the
conversation that Jesus had
00:45:22.92\00:45:25.19
with the Sadducees
about the resurrection?
00:45:25.22\00:45:27.69
It's found in Luke 20:34-36.
00:45:28.26\00:45:32.79
Luke 20:34-36.
00:45:32.83\00:45:36.40
Because they presented
this imaginary scenario of
00:45:37.30\00:45:39.93
seven marriages, right?
00:45:39.97\00:45:42.60
And so they're trying
to put Jesus between a
00:45:43.04\00:45:45.54
rock and a hard place.
00:45:45.57\00:45:46.91
The Sadducees did not
believe in the resurrection.
00:45:46.94\00:45:49.58
The Sadducees believed
that you lived your life,
00:45:50.18\00:45:52.31
and once you died, that was it.
00:45:52.35\00:45:54.08
There was no resurrection.
00:45:54.42\00:45:55.98
And they also did not believe
in the immortality of the soul.
00:45:56.69\00:46:00.56
They didn't believe that,
you know, when a person dies
00:46:00.76\00:46:03.12
their soul continues living on.
00:46:03.16\00:46:05.09
That's why they hated
the Pharisees, because
00:46:05.13\00:46:07.40
the Pharisees believed in
the immortality of the soul
00:46:07.60\00:46:10.40
and the Pharisees believed
in the resurrection of the dead.
00:46:10.43\00:46:13.00
The apostle Paul says
that in the book of Acts.
00:46:13.03\00:46:15.07
You know, it's interesting
that in the times of Christ
00:46:16.17\00:46:18.67
you have all these Jewish sects.
00:46:18.97\00:46:21.11
We could call
them denominations.
00:46:21.51\00:46:23.55
And they totally
disliked each other.
00:46:24.08\00:46:26.08
You had the
Zealots, the Essenes,
00:46:26.72\00:46:29.38
you had the Pharisees,
you had the Sadducees.
00:46:29.98\00:46:33.56
All different denominations.
They didn't like each other.
00:46:34.12\00:46:36.99
They all claimed to be Jews,
but they didn't like each other.
00:46:37.03\00:46:40.26
But the interesting thing is,
that when it came to destroying
00:46:40.30\00:46:43.87
public enemy number
one, they all came together.
00:46:43.90\00:46:46.84
They set aside their
theological differences.
00:46:46.87\00:46:49.24
Does that sound familiar?
00:46:49.27\00:46:50.77
It's exactly the thing that's
happening in the world today.
00:46:51.47\00:46:54.31
You know, this pope,
this pope is an extremely
00:46:54.78\00:46:57.28
dangerous pope; Francis I.
00:46:57.31\00:46:59.58
He's traveling far and wide
to all of the religious leaders.
00:46:59.81\00:47:03.12
And they're trying to
draw all Christendom together
00:47:03.52\00:47:07.46
in unity, forgetting
the differences in doctrines
00:47:08.09\00:47:11.93
and just saying,
"Let's love one another.
00:47:11.96\00:47:13.63
Let's solve the
problems of the planet."
00:47:13.66\00:47:16.90
You know, "Let's solve
the issue of climate change.
00:47:17.43\00:47:20.34
Let's solve the
issue of poverty.
00:47:20.50\00:47:22.80
Let's solve the
issue of immigration.
00:47:23.04\00:47:25.51
Let's solve the problem
of divisions in the family.
00:47:25.54\00:47:28.51
Let's just all get along.
Let's forget about theology."
00:47:28.54\00:47:32.15
But theology is
the foundation of life.
00:47:33.55\00:47:35.98
You see, is it
important to understand
00:47:37.72\00:47:40.66
the state of the dead?
00:47:40.69\00:47:42.02
Yes? Why?
00:47:42.59\00:47:43.93
Isn't that just
an academic thing?
00:47:44.59\00:47:46.49
How important is understanding
the state of the dead?
00:47:48.33\00:47:51.13
It's vitally
important because if you believe
00:47:52.13\00:47:54.84
that the dead are not dead,
Satan is going to deceive you
00:47:54.87\00:47:58.21
by counterfeiting a supposed
relative who's going to appear
00:47:58.94\00:48:01.84
to you and is going to teach you
things that aren't in the Bible.
00:48:01.88\00:48:04.75
And you're going to believe it
because you're going to believe
00:48:04.78\00:48:06.82
your eyes and your ears
more than what God says.
00:48:06.85\00:48:09.15
So is the
theological position on the
00:48:10.39\00:48:12.75
state of the dead
vitally important?
00:48:12.79\00:48:14.69
You better believe it is.
The doctrine is important.
00:48:14.72\00:48:17.33
How about the Sabbath?
00:48:17.79\00:48:19.13
Is the doctrine of
the Sabbath important?
00:48:19.16\00:48:20.80
You better believe it.
00:48:20.90\00:48:22.23
It's the great
test at the end of time.
00:48:22.26\00:48:23.93
The thing is, people
today, they say, "Oh, let's just
00:48:24.53\00:48:26.97
get along and love each other.
00:48:27.00\00:48:28.64
Let's just gather together, hold
hands, and sing, 'Kum ba ya.'
00:48:28.67\00:48:32.07
Let's just have a good
time in the worship service.
00:48:34.04\00:48:36.14
You know, let's just
have one hour of praise
00:48:36.18\00:48:40.05
and a ten-minute sermon."
00:48:40.08\00:48:41.42
That's what is
common these days.
00:48:42.85\00:48:45.15
Because people
don't want theology.
00:48:45.25\00:48:47.19
The post-modern mind, and I'm
digressing now from the lesson,
00:48:47.22\00:48:50.66
but the post-modern mind is
that there's no absolute truth.
00:48:50.89\00:48:54.20
Your truth is just
as valid as my truth.
00:48:54.23\00:48:56.40
So if you want to believe
that 2 + 3 is 7, that's fine.
00:48:56.43\00:49:00.60
If you want to believe that
2 + 3 is 5, that's fine too.
00:49:00.97\00:49:04.31
Both are true
because truth is relative.
00:49:04.34\00:49:06.71
Because there's no
interest in theology today.
00:49:07.84\00:49:10.45
People are only
interesting in the sentimental,
00:49:10.95\00:49:13.42
in the existential,
what makes me feel good.
00:49:13.45\00:49:16.75
And feelings change.
00:49:17.95\00:49:19.39
I can be happy right
now and sad the next second.
00:49:19.42\00:49:22.42
But what does not
change is the Word of God.
00:49:23.76\00:49:26.19
The Word of God abides forever.
00:49:26.39\00:49:28.53
Now, I'm preaching.
00:49:29.76\00:49:31.53
Notice Luke 20:34-36.
00:49:33.74\00:49:37.37
So is marriage
God's plan in this age?
00:49:48.18\00:49:50.45
Yes.
00:49:50.49\00:49:51.82
That is, the age to come.
00:49:57.13\00:49:58.73
What conclusions
can we reach from this?
00:50:25.99\00:50:28.19
The first conclusion,
God established marriage
00:50:29.02\00:50:31.93
only for this age
for a specific purpose.
00:50:31.96\00:50:36.30
Second, there will be no
marriage in the world to come
00:50:36.93\00:50:41.80
because marriage will
have fulfilled its purpose.
00:50:42.67\00:50:46.04
Is that point clear?
00:50:48.14\00:50:49.48
Will marriage have
fulfilled the purpose of
00:50:50.71\00:50:52.68
filling the vacancies that Satan
and his angels left in heaven?
00:50:52.71\00:50:56.95
Absolutely.
00:50:56.99\00:50:58.32
Third conclusion,
in the world to come
00:50:58.59\00:51:01.86
the redeemed will be what?
00:51:02.49\00:51:04.33
Equal to the angels.
00:51:05.09\00:51:08.53
Thus, fulfilling
God's original plan.
00:51:09.00\00:51:12.63
And finally, like
the angels, human beings
00:51:13.54\00:51:16.34
will be called what?
00:51:16.64\00:51:19.34
The sons of God.
00:51:19.44\00:51:22.31
So is there a biblical
foundation for Ellen White's
00:51:24.31\00:51:27.65
comments about
procreation being established
00:51:28.32\00:51:32.25
in order to fill the vacancies
that were left in heaven
00:51:32.29\00:51:35.62
when Satan and his angels fell?
00:51:35.66\00:51:37.96
Absolutely.
00:51:37.99\00:51:39.33
There's a firm
biblical foundation,
00:51:39.36\00:51:41.23
and that foundation is found
here in the words of Jesus.
00:51:41.53\00:51:46.00
We have this interesting
comment from Ellen White
00:51:47.80\00:51:50.14
in the book,
Medical Ministry, page 99,
00:51:50.21\00:51:53.38
where Ellen White
confirms what we just discussed.
00:51:54.08\00:51:57.68
"There are men today
who express their belief
00:51:58.48\00:52:03.32
that there will be marriages
and births in the new earth..."
00:52:03.52\00:52:07.52
You know, everywhere I go,
and there's young people there,
00:52:10.79\00:52:14.90
they ask the question, "Pastor
Bohr, is there going to be,
00:52:14.93\00:52:16.93
is there going to be
marriage in the world to come?"
00:52:17.13\00:52:19.77
And I say, "You know, the
Bible and the spirit of prophecy
00:52:21.57\00:52:25.34
are very clear that there's
not going to be marriage.
00:52:25.37\00:52:27.74
So if you're going to
get married, do it here."
00:52:27.94\00:52:29.88
Because it will
not happen there.
00:52:31.95\00:52:33.98
And then, of course, I say,
00:52:34.68\00:52:36.02
"But make sure
that you do it right.
00:52:36.05\00:52:37.95
Make sure that you
don't just get married because
00:52:38.25\00:52:40.39
you want to get married.
00:52:40.42\00:52:41.76
Find the right person.
00:52:41.79\00:52:43.12
If you don't
find the right person,
00:52:43.16\00:52:44.49
then just remain single.
00:52:44.53\00:52:45.86
But marriage is
only for this life.
00:52:45.89\00:52:48.80
The statement continues.
00:52:49.43\00:52:51.00
"There are men today
who express their belief
00:52:51.87\00:52:53.87
that there will be marriages
and births in the new earth,
00:52:53.90\00:52:56.94
but those who
believe the Scriptures..."
00:52:57.27\00:53:00.11
Like the one that we just read.
00:53:00.31\00:53:01.94
"...cannot
accept such doctrines."
00:53:02.41\00:53:05.71
The doctrine that children
will be born in the new earth
00:53:06.31\00:53:09.58
is not a part of the
'sure word of prophecy.'
00:53:09.62\00:53:12.65
The words of Christ are
too plain to be misunderstood.
00:53:13.86\00:53:17.83
They should forever settle the
question of marriages and births
00:53:18.66\00:53:22.76
in the new earth.
00:53:22.80\00:53:24.20
Neither those who shall
be raised from the dead,
00:53:24.73\00:53:27.34
nor those who shall be
translated without seeing death,
00:53:27.54\00:53:31.21
will marry or be
given in marriage.
00:53:31.24\00:53:34.71
They will be as
the angels of God,
00:53:34.74\00:53:38.75
members of the royal family."
00:53:38.95\00:53:41.58
So, is this lesson clear?
00:53:43.52\00:53:46.19
Are the 24 elders those
who resurrected with Christ?
00:53:47.42\00:53:50.56
No.
00:53:50.89\00:53:52.23
They're angels.
00:53:52.33\00:53:53.66
The highest of angels.
00:53:53.70\00:53:55.36
Strong angels.
00:53:55.70\00:53:57.87
Angels that represent
the planets of the universe
00:53:58.30\00:54:01.84
in the heavenly council.
00:54:01.87\00:54:03.30
Now you say, "But 24.
Are there only 24 of them?"
00:54:03.84\00:54:06.47
No, the number 24
is a symbolic number.
00:54:06.51\00:54:09.11
And in our final
lesson on the 24 elders
00:54:10.18\00:54:13.08
we're going to discuss
the issue of the number 24.
00:54:13.11\00:54:16.48
The number 24 has to
do with the 24 courses
00:54:16.82\00:54:21.59
in the Sanctuary
where the priests served.
00:54:21.62\00:54:24.76
Let me ask you, do the 24
elders perform priestly duties,
00:54:24.93\00:54:29.00
according to what we noticed?
00:54:29.10\00:54:30.43
Do they present the
prayers of the saints?
00:54:30.47\00:54:32.73
Yes they do.
00:54:32.77\00:54:34.10
And so what happens is,
the 24 courses of the priests
00:54:34.20\00:54:38.54
on earth, and I'm
getting ahead of myself here,
00:54:38.57\00:54:40.68
are a shadow of the
courses that take place
00:54:40.88\00:54:45.21
in the heavenly Sanctuary
because the earthly service
00:54:45.25\00:54:47.82
is a reflection of
the heavenly service.
00:54:47.85\00:54:50.02
And so, as you have elders that
serve in the church on earth,
00:54:51.19\00:54:57.06
their functions are a
reflection of the functions
00:54:57.09\00:55:00.80
of the elders in
the heavenly economy.
00:55:00.83\00:55:03.40
Because the church on
earth is a reflection of
00:55:04.63\00:55:09.20
the church in heaven, according
to the spirit of prophecy.
00:55:09.24\00:55:12.17
So I hope this lesson
has been very clear, because
00:55:12.94\00:55:17.88
it's foundational for
what we're going to discuss
00:55:17.91\00:55:20.42
in our next class.
00:55:20.72\00:55:22.22
And if you want
to go to page 59,
00:55:22.25\00:55:23.92
we'll introduce that next class.
00:55:23.95\00:55:25.99
The title on page
59 of your syllabus is,
00:55:27.06\00:55:31.59
Earth's Two Representatives.
00:55:31.99\00:55:35.96
And you say, "Well, the
earth has two representatives?"
00:55:37.03\00:55:40.44
Yes, it had one, and
it now has another one.
00:55:40.64\00:55:45.04
And then it will be returned
to the original individual
00:55:45.07\00:55:49.21
who had the headship
and who was a representative
00:55:49.24\00:55:53.31
of planet earth.
00:55:53.35\00:55:55.22
And then we're
going to take a look at
00:55:55.55\00:55:57.82
earth's two representatives.
00:55:58.32\00:55:59.69
That's our next lesson.
00:55:59.72\00:56:01.06
The following lesson is,
The Elders; Human or Angelic?
00:56:01.42\00:56:06.39
Because some people, you
know, they use Revelation 5:9-10
00:56:07.36\00:56:12.67
where it seems to
indicate that the elders
00:56:13.00\00:56:16.74
are redeemed from every
nation, tongue, and people,
00:56:16.77\00:56:19.64
and they are going
to reign upon the earth.
00:56:19.67\00:56:21.78
And we have to
come to terms with that.
00:56:21.98\00:56:24.31
We have to resolve that
issue in Revelation 5:9-10.
00:56:24.35\00:56:29.92
And then the last presentation
that we're going to have
00:56:29.95\00:56:32.19
on the elders is found
on page 95 of your syllabus.
00:56:32.22\00:56:36.16
And that is, The Future History
and Functions of the Elders.
00:56:36.52\00:56:41.66
What are the elders going to
do throughout eternity future?
00:56:42.93\00:56:46.30
Are there going to be
elders in God's economy that are
00:56:46.47\00:56:48.87
going to belong to
the heavenly council
00:56:48.90\00:56:51.27
where decisions
are going to be made?
00:56:51.31\00:56:52.64
What will their functions be?
00:56:52.67\00:56:54.28
So basically, this is what
we're going to take a look at
00:56:54.71\00:56:58.21
in our next few lessons.
00:56:58.51\00:57:00.08
You know, we ended this lesson
a lot sooner than I thought.
00:57:01.02\00:57:05.55
We went very
quickly, which is nice.
00:57:05.59\00:57:08.26
And so, I think that
we can end this session
00:57:08.29\00:57:10.56
with a word of prayer.
00:57:10.59\00:57:11.93
Father in heaven, we thank
You for revealing these things
00:57:11.96\00:57:14.93
so clearly in Your Holy Word.
00:57:14.96\00:57:16.83
We thank You that You did
have a plan to redeem humanity
00:57:17.13\00:57:22.97
after Adam and Eve sinned.
00:57:23.17\00:57:25.27
We're thankful that
You will give us a position
00:57:25.51\00:57:27.81
of leadership in
Your kingdom to come.
00:57:28.11\00:57:30.38
Help us, Lord, to be good
leaders and to be faithful in
00:57:30.85\00:57:33.38
this life so that
when we reach heaven,
00:57:33.42\00:57:36.52
we are able to use all of
the gifts that You have given us
00:57:36.55\00:57:40.22
for Your glory
and for Your honor,
00:57:40.56\00:57:42.56
and for the growth and
prosperity of Your kingdom.
00:57:42.76\00:57:46.29
We thank You, Father, for having
been with us in this session.
00:57:46.59\00:57:49.43
We ask that You will
continue being with us
00:57:49.46\00:57:51.33
the rest of this day.
00:57:51.53\00:57:52.87
And we ask this in the
precious name of Jesus,
00:57:52.90\00:57:55.40
our Lord and Savior, amen.
00:57:55.44\00:57:57.54