Well hello, everybody.
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It's good to see you here again
at Anchor School of Theology.
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You are pioneers.
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Because this is our first class.
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That's amazing.
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So someday you'll be
able to say, "We were at the
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first Anchor class."
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Now today we are
going to begin our study
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at principle number seven.
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You should be on
page 19 of your syllabus.
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And I'm going to read the
principle, and then we are
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going to take a
look at this principle
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which is very, very important
in the study of Bible prophecy.
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The principle reads like
this: what was literal and local
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in the Old
Testament with literal Israel
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is spiritual and global
in the age of the Holy Spirit
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with spiritual Israel.
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Do you
understand that principle?
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It is a vital principle.
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And if you read
Louis Were's book,
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The Certainty of the
Third Angel's Message,
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this principle comes
forth time and again,
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time and again.
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Because it's a very
important principle in the study
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of Bible prophecy.
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The first thing that
we want to take a look at
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is the fact that the
reason why the Jewish nation
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of Christ's day rejected
Jesus is because they had
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a rigid literalism.
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And this hid the
identity of the Messiah.
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There are several indications
in the gospels that show
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that they literalized everything
and they missed the deep
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spiritual significance
of the literal things
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of their religion.
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They saw only the literal,
but they did not see the
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spiritual meaning
behind that which was literal.
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In Matthew chapter 23,
if you go with me there,
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Matthew chapter 23
and verses 23 to 28,
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we find Jesus expressing
this idea that the Jews had
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of emphasizing the external.
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Beginning with verse 23,
Jesus is speaking here to the
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scribes and
Pharisees, He says, "Woe to you,
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scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites.
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For you pay tithe of
mint and anise and cumin,
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and have neglected the
weightier matters of the law:
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justice and mercy and faith.
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These you ought to
have done, without leaving
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the others undone."
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In other words, you
need to externally tithe.
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But it has to be with the
correct spiritual motivation.
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Verse 24, "Blind
guides, who strain out a gnat
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and swallow a camel.
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Woe to you, scribes
and Pharisees, hypocrites.
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For you cleanse the
outside of the cup and dish,
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but inside they are full of
extortion and self-indulgence.
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Blind Pharisee, first cleanse
the inside of the cup and dish,
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that the outside of
them may be clean also.
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Woe to you, scribes
and Pharisees, hypocrites.
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For you are like whitewashed
tombs which indeed appear
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beautiful outwardly, but inside
are full of dead men's bones
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and all uncleanness.
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Even so you also outwardly
appear righteous to men,
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but inside you are full of
hypocrisy and lawlessness."
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Did they have an
outside inside problem?
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They most certainly did.
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The outside was emphasized.
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But the inside did not
square with the outside.
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In other words, they had
outward forms and ceremonies,
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but they did not
understand the inner meaning
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of these ceremonies
and these observances.
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There are several examples that
we find in the gospels of this.
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You have the case of Nicodemus.
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Remember Nicodemus?
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This great Jewish
member of the Sanhedrin.
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Jesus said, "You
must be born again."
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And what did Nicodemus think?
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He says to Jesus, "How can I
get into my mother's womb again
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and be born again?"
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He literalized
what Jesus was saying.
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Jesus was speaking
about spiritual birth.
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He was not speaking
about literal birth.
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But Nicodemus took the
words of Jesus literally.
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Jesus also said, "Destroy
this temple, and in three days
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I will raise it up."
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How did they understand
that declaration of Jesus?
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They said, "Listen, this
temple has been built for years.
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And You say that
You can destroy it
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and You can raise
it up in three days?"
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But Jesus was not speaking
about the literal temple.
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He was speaking about what?
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He was speaking about
the temple of His body.
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He was giving a deeply spiritual
significance to the temple.
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We also have evidences
in the gospels that the Jews
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were expecting
literal Elijah to come.
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And that's the
reason why John the Baptist,
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when he was
asked if he was Elijah,
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he said, "No, I am not Elijah."
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Jesus said that he was Elijah.
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Of course, he was
not Elijah literally.
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He came in the
spirit and power of Elijah.
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In other words, John the
Baptist was a spiritual Elijah.
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He was not a literal Elijah.
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But the Jews were expecting
literal Elijah to come.
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And Jesus explained,
"No, this is one who comes
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in the spirit
and power of Elijah."
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But they believed that Elijah
was going to come in person.
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They missed the deep
spiritual significance.
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Jesus once said that
we have to eat His flesh
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and drink His blood.
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That's in John chapter 6.
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Well, the Jews immediately
said, "This Man is guilty
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of recommending cannibalism.
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We cannot eat someone's
flesh and drink someone's blood.
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That is blasphemy."
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But Jesus
explained later on, He says,
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"The flesh
doesn't profit anything.
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The words that I speak, they
are spirit and they are life."
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His flesh represented the Word.
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But they understood what
Jesus was saying literally.
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The Jews believed that
Jesus, that the Messiah was
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going to occupy a
literal throne in Jerusalem
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and He was going
to be like David.
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He was going to sit on
the throne, He was going to
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destroy all of the
literal enemies of Israel,
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and He was going to put literal
Israel at the apex of the world.
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But what they didn't
realize is that Jesus came
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at His first coming
to be a spiritual King.
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A spiritual King of
a spiritual kingdom.
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And you find all of the
text in here in your syllabus
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that illustrate this point.
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They expected the
Messiah to rule literally
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in literal Jerusalem
from a literal throne.
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But Jesus came to
be a spiritual King
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and to establish
His spiritual kingdom.
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Well, the Jews believed
that literal circumcision
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guaranteed salvation.
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In fact, if you
were circumcised,
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you were a member
of the inner circle.
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But if you read several
text in the New Testament,
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like Romans 2 verses 28
and 29, the apostle Paul says,
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"Hey, literal circumcision
in itself means nothing."
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He says that is
simply an outward observance
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that shows that
God wants to circumcise
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your heart spiritually.
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He wants you to be converted.
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But they understood circumcision
only as a literal right.
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They did not understand it
as a deeply spiritual observance
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that God had given them.
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And then you have the issue
of the literal phylacteries.
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You say, "What are
those phylactery things?"
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Well, Matthew 23 verse 5
speaks about these phylacteries.
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And Ellen White, in
Desire Of Ages, 612 and 613,
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explains how the Jews
used their phylacteries.
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Basically, they were small
little boxes where they would
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put a little parchment
inside the box with a Scripture.
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And then they would stick these
little boxes with the Scripture
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on their forehead
and on their right hand.
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Because in Deuteronomy it
says that you're suppose to
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take God's words and
you're suppose to put them
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on your forehead
and on your right hand.
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What they didn't
realize is that the phylacteries
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had a very deeply
spiritual significance.
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It was no good to
paste these Scriptures
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on your forehead
and on your hand.
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The spiritual meaning
was that these Scriptures
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should be in your mind inside,
and that they should affect
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your behavior, which is
represented by your right hand.
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In other words, they
totally missed the spiritual
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significance of their religion.
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And therefore when Jesus came,
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they were not
ready to receive Him.
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Every institution of
Judaism pointed forward to some
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spiritual function of Jesus.
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But the Jews could
only see the literal lamb,
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the literal water,
literal altars, literal incense,
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literal garments, literal veils.
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Their entire religion
was superficial and external.
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And when Jesus attempted
to show the deep spiritual
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significance of their
religion, they rejected Him.
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Now this is
something very interesting.
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Roman Catholicism is a
refined system of Judaism,
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where mere forms take the
place of spiritual realities.
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One finds in the
Roman Catholic churches
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holy water, literal
altars, literal priests,
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literal vestments, literal
candles, literal incense,
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literal images, a literal
interpretation of prophecy,
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literal thrones, a
literal sword, and they believe
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that they partake of the literal
body and blood of Jesus Christ.
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In other words,
Roman Catholicism is a
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continuation of Judaism
as if Jesus had not come.
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That's amazing.
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A Christian system that really
in practice rejects Christ
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and exalts forms of religion,
external forms of religion.
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Regarding the rigid
literalism of the Jewish leaders
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and the disciples of
Jesus, Ellen White explained,
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Desire Of Age, page
391, "They cared not for the
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mysterious spiritual
kingdom of which He spoke."
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What kind of kingdom
did Jesus speak about?
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Spiritual kingdom.
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In Desire Of Ages, page
670, Ellen White explains about
00:12:04.42\00:12:09.56
His disciples, the
disciples of Jesus,
00:12:09.59\00:12:12.39
"The disciples
did not understand
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the spiritual
nature of Christ's kingdom,
00:12:15.75\00:12:19.52
those He had so often
explained it to them."
00:12:19.55\00:12:24.11
So basically, folks,
this principle tells us that
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what was literal has a
spiritual significance today.
00:12:28.22\00:12:34.18
Now let's pursue this by
examining several examples
00:12:34.77\00:12:38.85
from Scripture on how
the literal actually points
00:12:38.88\00:12:43.39
to the spiritual.
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It's not that we
reject the literal.
00:12:45.38\00:12:47.61
The literal is the foundation,
it's the basis for the
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spiritual interpretation.
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If you didn't have the
literal, you wouldn't be able
00:12:52.30\00:12:54.31
to have a spiritual
application of what is literal.
00:12:54.34\00:12:57.29
So the literal is important,
but the meaning of the literal
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in its spiritual sense,
is what is very important.
00:13:01.71\00:13:05.40
Now you received the
material on, The Robe.
00:13:05.94\00:13:10.15
And you can read that, if
you haven't, at your leisure.
00:13:10.94\00:13:14.19
But what I want us to
notice is what the Bible means
00:13:14.43\00:13:18.02
by garments.
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This is a good
illustration of this principle
00:13:20.03\00:13:23.24
of the literal
representing the spiritual.
00:13:23.27\00:13:27.55
Now, in the garden of
Eden, were Adam and Eve covered
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with a literal robe?
00:13:33.19\00:13:34.79
Yes they were.
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Their robe was
composed of literal light.
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Correct?
00:13:42.25\00:13:43.28
They were
literally covered with light.
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That was their robe.
00:13:45.96\00:13:47.22
What did that robe
represent spiritually?
00:13:48.04\00:13:51.19
The spirit of prophecy,
if you read the material,
00:13:51.98\00:13:53.91
the spirit of prophecy says it
represented their righteousness.
00:13:53.94\00:13:57.54
They were obedient
and righteous and holy.
00:13:57.89\00:14:00.72
In other words, their
literal robe was light;
00:14:01.47\00:14:04.42
the spiritual
meaning was righteousness.
00:14:05.24\00:14:08.29
Now, what happened
when Adam and Eve sinned?
00:14:09.25\00:14:13.66
What did they lose first?
00:14:14.38\00:14:16.28
They lost their
righteousness first.
00:14:17.80\00:14:20.25
They first lost
their spiritual robe.
00:14:20.35\00:14:22.93
And what happened when
they lost their spiritual robe?
00:14:23.56\00:14:26.27
They lost their what?
00:14:27.04\00:14:28.81
They lost their literal robe.
00:14:29.09\00:14:31.10
Are you understanding the point?
00:14:31.74\00:14:33.39
So the literal and the spiritual
need to be understood together.
00:14:33.59\00:14:38.43
But if you miss the spiritual,
you're missing the lesson
00:14:38.46\00:14:41.27
that God is trying to teach.
00:14:41.30\00:14:43.04
So when Adam and Eve sinned,
they had spiritual nakedness.
00:14:43.14\00:14:49.58
And therefore, they
became literally naked.
00:14:49.78\00:14:53.44
Are you following me or not?
00:14:54.90\00:14:56.34
Spiritual nakedness,
losing the spiritual robe,
00:14:56.74\00:15:00.99
led to physical nakedness.
00:15:01.02\00:15:06.12
Now, here comes
an interesting point.
00:15:06.77\00:15:10.14
How did Jesus hang on the cross?
00:15:11.72\00:15:13.67
He hung naked on
the cross, folks.
00:15:15.12\00:15:17.44
That has deep
spiritual significance.
00:15:17.92\00:15:20.43
Why did Jesus hang naked,
physically naked on the cross?
00:15:21.45\00:15:24.78
Because He was bearing
our spiritual nakedness.
00:15:24.81\00:15:28.35
He was bearing our
transgression of the law.
00:15:29.69\00:15:32.69
Who should have
hung on that cross naked?
00:15:33.44\00:15:35.64
We should have hung
on that cross naked.
00:15:36.22\00:15:38.35
Because we have sinned,
we lost our spiritual robe.
00:15:38.38\00:15:42.73
And therefore, we should
have hung there literally naked.
00:15:42.76\00:15:46.19
But Jesus, on the
cross, took our nakedness
00:15:47.55\00:15:51.53
physically as
well as spiritually,
00:15:51.99\00:15:54.70
because He took
our sins upon Himself.
00:15:54.73\00:15:57.81
Now what happens
when I accept Jesus Christ
00:15:58.27\00:16:00.73
as my Savior and Lord?
00:16:00.76\00:16:02.46
What does He do?
00:16:04.06\00:16:05.19
You know the text.
00:16:06.10\00:16:07.35
He covers me with His
robe of righteousness.
00:16:07.38\00:16:12.45
Is that a literal
robe or a spiritual robe?
00:16:13.12\00:16:15.76
I don't see anyone here
garbed with a robe of light.
00:16:16.67\00:16:19.39
It is a spiritual robe.
00:16:20.44\00:16:22.27
He gives us the
spiritual robe of righteousness.
00:16:22.66\00:16:25.89
And when will He give us
the literal robe of light?
00:16:25.99\00:16:29.60
He will give us the
literal robe of light
00:16:30.30\00:16:32.61
when Jesus comes in power
and glory at the second coming.
00:16:32.64\00:16:36.08
And then what existed in
the beginning will exist again.
00:16:36.11\00:16:40.17
You see how the
spiritual and the literal
00:16:41.76\00:16:44.35
dovetail with one another?
00:16:44.38\00:16:46.32
But if you only
emphasize the literal,
00:16:46.62\00:16:48.80
you miss the whole point of
what God is trying to teach.
00:16:48.83\00:16:53.09
Now let's continue this
list here, because we have
00:16:53.82\00:16:56.66
several examples
of this principle;
00:16:56.69\00:16:58.65
that what is
literal really is symbolic
00:16:58.68\00:17:02.45
of what is spiritual.
00:17:02.48\00:17:04.40
Let's take, for
example, a new creation.
00:17:04.80\00:17:08.73
Do we believe that
someday soon Jesus is going to
00:17:10.51\00:17:14.84
come to this earth, then
we're going to go to heaven
00:17:14.87\00:17:17.58
for a thousand years, then
He's going to bring us back
00:17:17.61\00:17:20.42
to this earth, and He's
going to make a new creation?
00:17:20.45\00:17:23.16
Absolutely.
00:17:23.57\00:17:24.79
But you know what's interesting?
00:17:24.82\00:17:26.23
Right now you can
be a new creation.
00:17:26.94\00:17:30.25
The new creation can be now.
00:17:31.26\00:17:32.95
Not literally, but spiritually.
00:17:33.20\00:17:36.32
Read 2 Corinthians
chapter 5 and verse 17.
00:17:36.52\00:17:41.35
2 Corinthians
chapter 5 and verse 17.
00:17:41.60\00:17:44.60
It says there in a
very well known verse, 5:17,
00:17:46.54\00:17:51.15
"Therefore, if anyone is
in Christ, he is..." What?
00:17:51.88\00:17:56.82
"...a new creation; old
things have passed away;
00:17:56.85\00:18:00.75
behold, all
things have become new."
00:18:00.78\00:18:03.56
So spiritually, we
can be a new creation.
00:18:04.68\00:18:08.88
But we know that literally
it's going to happen when?
00:18:08.91\00:18:12.24
It's going to happen
in the future as there was
00:18:12.50\00:18:15.28
a new creation at the very
beginning with Adam and Eve
00:18:15.31\00:18:18.22
in the garden of Eden.
00:18:18.25\00:18:19.52
Let me ask you, when
Jesus comes, is He going to
00:18:20.25\00:18:23.40
give us everlasting life?
00:18:23.43\00:18:25.07
But you know you can
have everlasting life now?
00:18:26.13\00:18:28.38
You say, "But wait a minute."
00:18:29.57\00:18:30.69
Do you know a lot of people who
had everlasting life that died?
00:18:31.40\00:18:35.41
So if they had everlasting
life, how could they die?
00:18:36.39\00:18:39.14
Well, what they have is the
guarantee of everlasting life.
00:18:40.02\00:18:43.10
Spiritually they
have everlasting life.
00:18:43.13\00:18:45.07
Jesus said, "Though he
may die, yet shall he live."
00:18:45.26\00:18:48.35
Now let's notice
that in 1 John 5.
00:18:48.85\00:18:51.70
You can have
eternal life right now.
00:18:51.73\00:18:53.80
If you have Jesus.
00:18:54.25\00:18:55.63
But we will actually receive
it literally when Jesus comes.
00:18:56.11\00:19:00.19
Are you
understanding the principle?
00:19:00.22\00:19:01.82
1 John chapter 5
and verses 11 and 12.
00:19:01.85\00:19:06.04
It says there in a
very well known passage,
00:19:06.95\00:19:11.41
"And this is the testimony:
00:19:11.44\00:19:12.96
that God has given
us eternal life..."
00:19:13.06\00:19:15.49
That God has what?
00:19:15.52\00:19:16.88
Has given us eternal life.
00:19:17.08\00:19:19.19
"...and this life is in His Son.
00:19:19.29\00:19:22.28
He who has the
Son will have life..."
00:19:22.48\00:19:25.93
Ah, thank you very much.
00:19:26.31\00:19:27.49
"...has life; he who
does not have the Son of God
00:19:27.52\00:19:30.91
does not have life."
00:19:31.11\00:19:33.34
Can you have
eternal life now? Yes.
00:19:33.40\00:19:36.15
But notice what the apostle
Paul says in Romans 6 verse 22.
00:19:36.18\00:19:39.98
Romans chapter 6 and verse 22,
the apostle Paul says something
00:19:40.18\00:19:45.07
a little bit different.
00:19:45.10\00:19:46.19
It's not contradictory.
00:19:46.29\00:19:47.88
We can have, spiritually
we can have eternal life now.
00:19:47.91\00:19:51.18
And later we will actually
receive eternal life physically.
00:19:51.29\00:19:55.84
It says there in
Romans 6 verse 22,
00:19:56.04\00:19:58.46
"But now having been set
free from sin, and having become
00:19:58.49\00:20:02.50
slaves of God, you
have your fruit to holiness,
00:20:02.53\00:20:06.72
and at the end,
everlasting life."
00:20:06.75\00:20:09.64
So when do we have
everlasting life, now or later?
00:20:10.22\00:20:12.92
Now and later.
00:20:13.45\00:20:15.17
We can have the
guarantee spiritually now,
00:20:15.90\00:20:18.18
if we are in Christ.
00:20:18.21\00:20:19.48
But we will
actually literally receive it
00:20:19.64\00:20:22.04
only when Jesus comes.
00:20:22.07\00:20:24.15
Are you following me?
00:20:24.18\00:20:25.40
Now how about the manna?
00:20:25.90\00:20:27.34
Can we eat manna now?
00:20:27.62\00:20:29.46
We can?
00:20:31.95\00:20:33.24
I want to know
where that bakery is.
00:20:33.49\00:20:35.42
Can we eat manna?
00:20:37.05\00:20:38.37
Of course we can.
00:20:38.70\00:20:39.97
Who is the manna?
00:20:40.31\00:20:41.52
Jesus.
00:20:41.97\00:20:43.03
And how do we eat the manna?
00:20:43.23\00:20:45.48
We eat the manna by
partaking of the Word of God.
00:20:46.05\00:20:48.97
So we can eat manna now.
00:20:49.00\00:20:50.78
But let me ask you,
are we going to eat literal
00:20:51.84\00:20:54.32
manna in the future?
00:20:54.35\00:20:55.74
Ah, absolutely.
00:20:56.12\00:20:57.71
Revelation chapter 2
and verse 17 tells us that.
00:20:58.06\00:21:00.74
I'm not going to read it.
00:21:00.77\00:21:01.93
You can read it at your leisure.
00:21:02.13\00:21:03.90
But it says that God's people
are going to eat the manna
00:21:03.93\00:21:06.72
in the kingdom come.
00:21:06.87\00:21:08.21
The spiritual will
join with the literal.
00:21:08.31\00:21:11.48
See, when Jesus comes things
will become literal again.
00:21:12.46\00:21:16.09
So at the beginning you
have manna, which is literal.
00:21:17.01\00:21:20.85
Today it represents
a spiritual reality.
00:21:21.02\00:21:23.75
And in the future
it will be literal.
00:21:23.78\00:21:25.50
In fact, we're going to
notice that when Jesus comes
00:21:25.53\00:21:28.38
to take us with Him, the
literal and the spiritual
00:21:28.41\00:21:31.42
will meet again.
00:21:31.45\00:21:34.59
See, now we have the spiritual.
00:21:34.69\00:21:36.36
But then when Jesus comes,
the spiritual and the literal
00:21:36.39\00:21:39.57
will meet once again.
00:21:39.60\00:21:41.49
Like the garments
in the garden of Eden.
00:21:41.52\00:21:43.37
Let me ask you, can we eat
from the tree of life even now?
00:21:44.35\00:21:47.06
You better believe we can.
00:21:48.77\00:21:50.18
You say, "Now wait a minute."
00:21:50.78\00:21:51.90
Well let's read,
eight Testimonies, page 288.
00:21:52.20\00:21:55.38
I love this
statement from Ellen White.
00:21:55.94\00:21:57.93
She says there, once
again, eight Testimonies, 288,
00:21:58.38\00:22:02.83
"After the entrance of
sin, the heavenly Husbandman
00:22:03.34\00:22:08.15
transplanted the tree of
life to the Paradise above..."
00:22:08.62\00:22:13.23
So the tree of life that
was in Eden is in heaven,
00:22:15.42\00:22:17.59
the literal tree of life, right?
00:22:17.62\00:22:19.26
"...but its branches hang over
the wall to the lower world."
00:22:19.83\00:22:24.27
This is beautiful.
00:22:25.24\00:22:26.57
"Through the
redemption purchased by the
00:22:27.35\00:22:29.23
blood of Christ, we may still
eat of its life-giving fruit."
00:22:29.26\00:22:35.69
When we get to
heaven, and on the new earth,
00:22:37.40\00:22:39.83
will we be able to literally
eat from the tree of life?
00:22:39.86\00:22:42.67
Yes, what is
spiritual now will then be what?
00:22:42.87\00:22:46.41
Will then be literal.
00:22:46.44\00:22:48.66
Are you
understanding the principle?
00:22:49.89\00:22:51.48
Now in the Old Testament,
you had a literal temple.
00:22:51.99\00:22:55.58
Right?
00:22:56.65\00:22:57.68
With literal stones.
00:22:58.15\00:22:59.39
I'm talking about the temple
that was built by Solomon.
00:22:59.42\00:23:01.81
Literal stones,
literal foundations,
00:23:01.84\00:23:03.87
literal chief cornerstone.
00:23:03.97\00:23:05.82
You had
everything literal in it.
00:23:05.85\00:23:07.90
What is the temple today?
00:23:08.46\00:23:10.44
The temple today is
not a literal temple.
00:23:11.69\00:23:13.60
It is a spiritual temple.
00:23:13.63\00:23:15.37
So those who say that the
literal temple is going to
00:23:16.16\00:23:19.44
be rebuilt in the
Middle East, they're saying
00:23:19.47\00:23:21.52
that the literal takes
place before Jesus comes.
00:23:21.55\00:23:24.78
No, no, no, no.
00:23:25.32\00:23:26.37
We will enter the
literal temple in the future.
00:23:26.81\00:23:31.10
But that temple that was
literal in the Old Testament,
00:23:31.67\00:23:34.13
today is what?
00:23:34.16\00:23:35.74
Spiritual.
00:23:35.84\00:23:36.90
Let's go to Ephesians chapter 2.
00:23:36.93\00:23:38.84
Ephesians chapter 2
and verses 20 to 22.
00:23:39.04\00:23:42.43
And I hope you read all of these
text that I have in parentheses.
00:23:42.53\00:23:45.84
Because I'm only
reading sample verses.
00:23:46.34\00:23:49.10
Ephesians chapter 2
and verses 20 to 22.
00:23:49.13\00:23:52.84
There, the apostle Paul
tells us what is represented
00:23:53.70\00:23:57.14
by the temple.
00:23:57.17\00:23:58.49
And this is what he says.
00:23:58.76\00:24:00.49
And let's begin at verse 19.
00:24:01.61\00:24:02.95
"Now, therefore, you
are no longer strangers
00:24:02.98\00:24:05.13
and foreigners, but
fellow citizens with the saints
00:24:05.16\00:24:08.31
and members of the household
of God, having been built
00:24:08.34\00:24:12.26
on the foundation of the
apostles and prophets..."
00:24:12.75\00:24:15.43
What are the
foundations of this temple?
00:24:15.46\00:24:17.32
They're people, right?
00:24:17.35\00:24:18.94
"...Jesus Christ Himself
being the chief cornerstone..."
00:24:20.33\00:24:23.22
A person is the
chief cornerstone.
00:24:23.25\00:24:26.30
And then we are
built up on the foundation.
00:24:26.81\00:24:28.84
It says, "...in whom the
whole building, being fitted
00:24:28.87\00:24:32.15
together, grows into a
holy temple in the Lord..."
00:24:32.18\00:24:36.04
And then it says in
verse 22 that the Shekinah
00:24:36.24\00:24:39.55
that dwells in the
temple, which is the church,
00:24:39.58\00:24:42.30
is the Holy Spirit.
00:24:42.33\00:24:43.36
Can you see the Holy Spirit?
00:24:43.39\00:24:44.99
Is the Shekinah visible? No.
00:24:45.70\00:24:48.04
Was the Shekinah
visible in the Old Testament?
00:24:48.07\00:24:50.43
Will the Shekinah be
visible in the future?
00:24:50.63\00:24:53.13
Yes.
00:24:53.33\00:24:54.36
And those who
literalize the prophecies today,
00:24:55.64\00:24:58.73
futurists, and they
speak about prophecy being
00:24:58.76\00:25:01.92
fulfilled in a literal
temple with a literal antichrist
00:25:01.95\00:25:05.05
sitting there, and
building up a literal image,
00:25:05.08\00:25:07.26
they are simply
violating this principle
00:25:07.47\00:25:09.98
that says that the
temple is spiritual now,
00:25:10.18\00:25:13.12
and we will only
have the literal temple
00:25:13.15\00:25:15.45
when Jesus comes.
00:25:15.48\00:25:16.85
And that temple will not be
a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.
00:25:16.88\00:25:20.45
It will be the
temple in the New Jerusalem.
00:25:20.48\00:25:23.14
Now let's notice that
Jerusalem is also spiritual.
00:25:24.50\00:25:29.84
Was there a literal
Jerusalem in the Old Testament?
00:25:30.79\00:25:33.17
There certainly was.
00:25:34.17\00:25:35.40
Is there a literal
Jerusalem in heaven?
00:25:35.77\00:25:38.97
But what is Jerusalem now?
00:25:40.47\00:25:42.18
Jerusalem today is a
symbol of God's people.
00:25:42.96\00:25:46.56
And where are God's people?
00:25:46.98\00:25:48.52
All over the world.
00:25:49.20\00:25:50.23
So Jerusalem is worldwide.
00:25:50.26\00:25:52.09
This is a vital principle.
00:25:53.23\00:25:54.96
Because what is being taught
by futurism is that, you know,
00:25:55.64\00:25:58.96
Jerusalem, the temple
is going to be rebuilt,
00:25:59.19\00:26:01.78
and then the enemies
are going to come to attack
00:26:01.81\00:26:04.00
literal Jerusalem.
00:26:04.03\00:26:05.44
But when you
understand that Jerusalem today
00:26:06.18\00:26:09.23
is spiritual and
Jerusalem is worldwide...
00:26:09.43\00:26:14.55
Are you following me or not?
00:26:14.71\00:26:16.15
...then what is the
attack against Jerusalem?
00:26:16.26\00:26:20.14
It's not in the Middle East.
00:26:20.58\00:26:21.98
It's an attack against God's
true people all over the world.
00:26:22.09\00:26:26.43
Because Jesus said that
where two or three are gathered
00:26:27.14\00:26:31.24
together in His name,
there is the Shekinah.
00:26:31.27\00:26:34.80
The temple is spiritual,
and Jerusalem is spiritual.
00:26:35.59\00:26:39.14
And by the way, you can
read in Hebrews 12:22-24,
00:26:39.40\00:26:43.69
it says that those believers in
Christ have come to Jerusalem.
00:26:43.72\00:26:47.60
Not will come,
have come to Jerusalem.
00:26:47.80\00:26:50.42
Because we are
citizens of Jerusalem.
00:26:50.45\00:26:53.19
You see, our
citizenship is in heaven.
00:26:53.88\00:26:56.46
So even though we live
here, our citizenship is there.
00:26:56.74\00:27:01.01
So it is as if we are there.
00:27:01.16\00:27:03.32
We are spiritually there.
00:27:03.35\00:27:04.83
Let me ask you, can we drink
from the river of life today?
00:27:06.14\00:27:09.85
Absolutely.
00:27:11.86\00:27:13.00
Volume seven of the
Testimonies, page 152,
00:27:13.97\00:27:17.63
Ellen White says, "The
editors of our periodicals,
00:27:18.84\00:27:21.92
the teachers in our schools, the
presidents of our conferences,
00:27:22.37\00:27:27.24
all need to drink of the
pure streams of the river
00:27:27.27\00:27:31.24
of the water of life."
00:27:31.27\00:27:33.25
How interesting.
00:27:34.03\00:27:35.20
Are we going to literally
drink from the river of life
00:27:35.23\00:27:37.41
in the future?
00:27:37.44\00:27:38.47
Yeah, it's going
to be literal H2O.
00:27:38.60\00:27:41.18
And it's actually
going to taste like water.
00:27:41.21\00:27:43.35
We don't have any idea.
00:27:44.75\00:27:45.97
We talk about
sweet water. Come on.
00:27:46.00\00:27:47.85
We don't know what
water tastes like until we
00:27:47.88\00:27:49.78
drink from that river that
flows from the throne of God.
00:27:49.88\00:27:53.58
As the hymn says.
00:27:53.61\00:27:54.93
And so can we drink
the water from the river
00:27:55.17\00:27:58.25
of life even today?
00:27:58.28\00:27:59.83
Yes we can, spiritually.
00:28:00.01\00:28:03.24
Will we drink
literally in the future?
00:28:03.77\00:28:06.22
Absolutely.
00:28:06.25\00:28:07.28
Did Adam and Eve
drink from the river of life
00:28:07.31\00:28:09.35
in the garden of Eden literally?
00:28:09.38\00:28:11.15
They most certainly did.
00:28:11.18\00:28:12.39
Now here comes another point.
00:28:13.23\00:28:14.81
Jesus died literally.
00:28:18.37\00:28:22.87
He was buried literally.
00:28:23.47\00:28:25.32
And He resurrected literally.
00:28:26.08\00:28:28.15
Now do you know what
happens when I am baptized?
00:28:29.09\00:28:33.90
What happens when I'm baptized?
00:28:36.75\00:28:38.38
I die, I am
buried, and I resurrect.
00:28:39.74\00:28:45.84
How do I die, and am I
buried, and do I resurrect?
00:28:46.65\00:28:50.09
Spiritually.
00:28:50.42\00:28:52.06
And folks, as Adventists,
I don't think that we have
00:28:53.10\00:28:55.52
understood really the full
meaning of what baptism is.
00:28:55.55\00:29:00.08
You see, we believe that
baptism is our death to sin,
00:29:00.90\00:29:04.26
and it's our burial,
and it's our resurrection.
00:29:04.66\00:29:07.71
To a certain point that's true,
but it's much deeper than that.
00:29:07.74\00:29:10.58
Let me explain how it happens.
00:29:11.03\00:29:13.70
The only type of baptism
that is acceptable to God
00:29:14.92\00:29:18.01
is baptism by immersion.
00:29:18.04\00:29:19.82
And the number one reason
is because the Bible says that.
00:29:20.42\00:29:23.80
But the significance,
the spiritual significance,
00:29:23.83\00:29:26.95
of baptism can only be true if
you have baptism by immersion.
00:29:26.98\00:29:31.98
Let me explain the reason why.
00:29:32.01\00:29:33.28
You've all seen baptisms.
00:29:33.31\00:29:34.91
The candidate is
in the baptistery,
00:29:35.12\00:29:37.84
the pastor is
facing the congregation,
00:29:37.87\00:29:40.54
the pastor raises his
hand and says, "I baptize you
00:29:40.82\00:29:43.87
in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
00:29:43.90\00:29:46.76
Amen."
00:29:46.79\00:29:47.91
What does the person
do immediately before
00:29:48.59\00:29:51.55
he or she is
put under the water?
00:29:52.01\00:29:54.11
They stop breathing.
00:29:54.99\00:29:56.70
They better do it.
00:29:57.54\00:29:58.68
They stop breathing.
00:29:59.78\00:30:01.11
What do they do while
they're under the water?
00:30:02.85\00:30:04.66
They don't breathe.
00:30:05.92\00:30:07.45
What is the first thing they do
when they come out of the water?
00:30:08.08\00:30:10.71
They breathe again.
00:30:12.26\00:30:13.32
What do you have in baptism?
00:30:13.93\00:30:15.51
You have.
00:30:16.35\00:30:17.61
You are repeating
the experience of Christ.
00:30:17.91\00:30:20.46
Because Christ on the
cross breathed His last.
00:30:20.95\00:30:23.62
He was buried, and
then He breathed again
00:30:23.95\00:30:26.78
when He resurrected.
00:30:26.81\00:30:27.84
Do you know what
happens at baptism?
00:30:27.87\00:30:29.40
At baptism when a person
is baptized, they are included
00:30:29.43\00:30:33.55
in what Christ did.
00:30:33.58\00:30:34.78
The death of Christ counts
as his death or her death.
00:30:35.79\00:30:39.20
The burial of Christ counts
as his death or her death.
00:30:39.30\00:30:42.34
And the
resurrection of Christ counts as
00:30:42.37\00:30:44.57
his death or her death.
00:30:44.60\00:30:46.31
In other words, we are
included in the death, burial,
00:30:47.08\00:30:50.70
and resurrection of Christ.
00:30:50.73\00:30:52.27
God looks at us in Him.
00:30:53.20\00:30:55.58
Isn't that wonderful?
00:30:56.41\00:30:57.68
In other words, I'm not dying
my own little vicarious death.
00:30:58.28\00:31:02.10
My death doesn't have
any value. It's His death.
00:31:02.13\00:31:04.53
I'm being included in His
death, according to Romans 6.
00:31:04.56\00:31:08.03
And God looks at me
dead, buried, and resurrected
00:31:08.32\00:31:12.23
in Jesus Christ.
00:31:12.26\00:31:13.71
Wow.
00:31:13.74\00:31:14.77
Now is there also a
literal application to this?
00:31:15.21\00:31:18.82
What if I should
die before Jesus comes?
00:31:18.85\00:31:21.34
I breathe my last.
00:31:23.26\00:31:24.80
I was buried.
00:31:25.56\00:31:26.77
And Jesus is
going to resurrect me.
00:31:27.83\00:31:29.75
So what is spiritual
now, if I should die,
00:31:30.53\00:31:34.41
in the future is literal.
00:31:34.44\00:31:37.25
Are you following me?
00:31:37.79\00:31:39.12
Now, let's notice a
few other things here.
00:31:39.72\00:31:42.35
Can we be
spiritually resurrected?
00:31:43.33\00:31:45.90
We certainly can.
00:31:46.41\00:31:47.62
Go with me to John chapter 5.
00:31:48.20\00:31:50.44
John chapter 5 and verse
24, John chapter 5 and verse 24.
00:31:50.47\00:31:55.02
Here, Jesus had something
very interesting to say.
00:31:56.53\00:31:59.46
It says there, "Most assuredly,
I say to you, he who hears
00:31:59.81\00:32:05.17
My word and believes in Him who
sent Me has everlasting life,
00:32:05.20\00:32:10.05
and shall not come into
judgment, but has passed
00:32:10.08\00:32:12.78
from death into life."
00:32:12.88\00:32:14.33
Whoever has accepted
Jesus has passed from what?
00:32:15.25\00:32:19.13
Has passed from death to life.
00:32:19.16\00:32:21.46
But I want you to
notice in the same chapter
00:32:22.77\00:32:25.28
verses 28 and 29,
Jesus recognizes that people
00:32:25.31\00:32:28.96
are still going
to die physically.
00:32:28.99\00:32:31.05
It says there, "Do not marvel
at this, for the hour is coming
00:32:31.45\00:32:35.10
in which all who are in
the graves will hear His voice
00:32:35.13\00:32:38.60
and come forth;
those who have done good,
00:32:38.90\00:32:41.28
to the resurrection of life,
and those who have done evil,
00:32:41.31\00:32:44.37
to the
resurrection of damnation."
00:32:44.40\00:32:46.46
So, is it possible to
be spiritually alive now,
00:32:46.49\00:32:53.17
and if we die, to be
literally alive later?
00:32:53.38\00:32:56.65
Absolutely.
00:32:57.00\00:32:58.21
Spiritual resurrection
now when we are in Christ.
00:32:58.49\00:33:02.33
Literal resurrection later.
00:33:02.36\00:33:04.91
How about spiritual birth?
00:33:04.94\00:33:06.73
Can we be born spiritually now?
00:33:08.92\00:33:11.14
Of course we can
be born spiritually.
00:33:11.85\00:33:14.11
You remember the conversation
of Jesus with Nicodemus.
00:33:14.48\00:33:17.39
He says, "You
have to be born again."
00:33:17.58\00:33:19.38
Nicodemus, you know, the
literalizer, a good member of
00:33:20.03\00:33:23.33
the Sanhedrin, says to
Jesus, "Now, wait a minute.
00:33:23.36\00:33:26.05
How can I get into my mother's
womb again and be born again?"
00:33:26.35\00:33:29.19
Jesus says, "No,
you don't understand.
00:33:29.22\00:33:30.56
You have to be born of
the water and of the Spirit."
00:33:30.59\00:33:33.02
In other words, you
have to be spiritually born.
00:33:33.63\00:33:36.04
And then if you die,
you will be literally born
00:33:36.98\00:33:39.12
when you come
forth from the grave,
00:33:39.15\00:33:40.51
when you come
forth from the tomb.
00:33:40.54\00:33:42.25
Let me ask you, can
we be spiritually seated
00:33:42.93\00:33:45.25
with Christ in heavenly places?
00:33:45.28\00:33:47.14
This is the amazing thing.
00:33:48.16\00:33:49.57
Can we enter the Sanctuary now?
00:33:49.60\00:33:52.54
Really?
00:33:53.46\00:33:54.49
So what kind of, what kind of...
00:33:55.35\00:33:56.92
Do you have to go to
NASA to be able to do that?
00:33:56.95\00:34:00.91
You know, how can we...
00:34:02.54\00:34:04.05
How is it possible that we can
be seated with Christ right now,
00:34:04.08\00:34:08.24
and that we can enter
the Sanctuary right now?
00:34:08.27\00:34:10.74
Well, let's read it in
Ephesians chapter 1 and verse 3.
00:34:11.09\00:34:15.64
Ephesians chapter 1 and verse 3.
00:34:15.67\00:34:18.51
Here, the apostle Paul
doesn't say that we will sit.
00:34:19.34\00:34:22.01
He says we are
seated with Christ.
00:34:22.45\00:34:24.94
It says there in the book of
Ephesians chapter 1 and verse...
00:34:25.26\00:34:31.95
What did I say?
00:34:32.65\00:34:33.82
...verse 3 the following.
00:34:34.17\00:34:37.68
"Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
00:34:38.18\00:34:42.11
who has blessed us with
every spiritual blessing
00:34:42.49\00:34:46.05
in the heavenly places..." How?
00:34:46.08\00:34:48.90
"...in Christ."
00:34:48.93\00:34:50.44
Notice chapter 2 and verse 6.
00:34:50.85\00:34:52.96
Chapter 2 and verse 6.
00:34:52.99\00:34:55.65
After speaking about our
spiritual resurrection, it says,
00:34:56.03\00:34:58.64
"...and raised us up together,
and made us sit together
00:34:58.67\00:35:03.01
in the heavenly
places in Christ Jesus..."
00:35:03.04\00:35:05.61
If we have accepted
Jesus Christ as our Savior,
00:35:05.73\00:35:08.45
we are seated with
Him in heaven even though
00:35:08.69\00:35:12.54
we are on earth.
00:35:12.57\00:35:14.32
Isn't that good news?
00:35:14.61\00:35:16.17
That's wonderful news.
00:35:16.52\00:35:17.55
But, you know, we will be
seated literally in the future.
00:35:17.58\00:35:21.15
Notice Revelation
chapter 3 and verse 21.
00:35:21.54\00:35:24.31
Revelation
chapter 3 and verse 21.
00:35:24.34\00:35:26.80
We find there that
this sitting with Jesus
00:35:28.55\00:35:32.22
has a future
dimension, literal dimension.
00:35:32.25\00:35:35.18
It says there in
Revelation 3 verse 21,
00:35:35.57\00:35:38.07
"To him who overcomes I
will grant to sit with Me
00:35:38.10\00:35:42.37
on My throne, as I
also overcame and sat down
00:35:42.40\00:35:46.84
with My Father on His throne."
00:35:46.87\00:35:48.49
Is there a time in the
future when we will be able to
00:35:48.52\00:35:50.74
literally sit with
Jesus on His throne?
00:35:50.77\00:35:53.12
Absolutely.
00:35:53.15\00:35:54.18
But we can be
seated there now in Him.
00:35:54.21\00:35:56.99
Because He is
our Representative.
00:35:58.01\00:35:59.95
He is our Advocate.
00:35:59.98\00:36:01.27
We are in Him.
00:36:01.30\00:36:02.33
If we were
baptized, we are in Him.
00:36:02.36\00:36:04.99
His death, burial,
and resurrection is ours.
00:36:05.33\00:36:08.33
He is our Representative,
He is our Intercessor.
00:36:09.24\00:36:12.06
And so we are
seated with Him now.
00:36:12.09\00:36:15.22
Now, is Jesus with
us on this earth now?
00:36:16.68\00:36:20.61
What did Jesus say?
00:36:23.01\00:36:24.52
"And lo, I am with
you always, even until the
00:36:24.80\00:36:28.24
close of probation."
00:36:28.27\00:36:29.64
No.
00:36:30.04\00:36:31.10
He says, "I am with you always,
even until the end of the age."
00:36:31.20\00:36:34.49
Or the end of the world.
00:36:34.52\00:36:35.86
But where is Jesus physically?
00:36:36.65\00:36:38.65
Jesus is physically in heaven,
but He is spiritually here.
00:36:39.66\00:36:43.58
That's why His temple
on earth is spiritual.
00:36:45.41\00:36:48.00
That's why
Jerusalem is spiritual.
00:36:48.36\00:36:50.92
That's why all of
these symbols are spiritual.
00:36:51.11\00:36:53.76
Because now we live in
the spiritual dispensation.
00:36:54.16\00:36:57.31
But the spiritual
things, when Jesus comes,
00:36:57.81\00:37:00.05
will become literal.
00:37:00.08\00:37:01.66
Are you
understanding the principle?
00:37:01.69\00:37:03.25
When you apply this to
prophecy, it becomes an
00:37:03.94\00:37:06.52
eye opening experience.
00:37:06.55\00:37:08.33
Suddenly, prophecy
becomes deeply spiritual
00:37:08.55\00:37:11.42
and deeply meaningful.
00:37:11.45\00:37:13.22
Now can we approach the
throne of God boldly by faith?
00:37:13.95\00:37:19.14
We can certainly approach
the throne of God boldly.
00:37:19.17\00:37:22.82
It says in Hebrews chapter
4 and verses 14 through 16
00:37:22.85\00:37:26.43
that we can come
boldly to the throne of grace.
00:37:26.46\00:37:28.72
You say, "How can we do that?"
00:37:28.75\00:37:30.49
Now do you know
what's interesting?
00:37:30.85\00:37:31.88
As you look at the Sanctuary,
the Sanctuary was a tent.
00:37:31.91\00:37:36.46
Israel could watch
what happened in the court,
00:37:37.38\00:37:42.18
because it only
had a fence around it.
00:37:42.68\00:37:45.65
But they could not watch what
was happening in the building.
00:37:46.23\00:37:49.65
How did they know then
what the priest was doing
00:37:50.39\00:37:53.92
in the Holy Place and
what the high priest was doing
00:37:53.95\00:37:56.44
in the Most Holy Place?
00:37:56.47\00:37:57.84
Even in the Old Testament,
they had to follow the work
00:37:59.38\00:38:03.13
of the priest and of
the high priest by faith.
00:38:03.16\00:38:06.99
That's why God gave them a
description of the Sanctuary.
00:38:07.02\00:38:10.12
The reason why He gave them
a description of the Sanctuary
00:38:10.50\00:38:13.34
was so that even though
they had never been in there
00:38:13.44\00:38:16.05
to see it with their
physical eyes, they could follow
00:38:16.08\00:38:19.73
what the priest was
doing in the Sanctuary
00:38:19.76\00:38:22.21
because of what was
written in the Scriptures.
00:38:22.24\00:38:24.38
So even in the Old
Testament, the people could not
00:38:24.74\00:38:27.41
literally go in and see
what the priest was doing.
00:38:27.51\00:38:30.02
They had to follow
the priest by faith.
00:38:30.05\00:38:32.07
How can we enter
the heavenly Sanctuary?
00:38:32.37\00:38:35.19
We enter the heavenly
Sanctuary in the same way.
00:38:35.62\00:38:38.09
It's hidden from our eyes.
00:38:38.12\00:38:39.64
You see, the life of
Jesus, and the death of Jesus,
00:38:40.16\00:38:42.88
and the resurrection of
Jesus all happened on earth.
00:38:42.91\00:38:45.43
In other words, in the heavenly
Sanctuary there's no court,
00:38:45.62\00:38:47.76
because the court represents
Christ's earthly work.
00:38:47.79\00:38:50.59
And so we can't see
what is happening in the
00:38:52.03\00:38:54.67
heavenly Sanctuary right now,
but we can follow it by faith.
00:38:54.70\00:38:58.74
In other words, spiritually
our mind can be there
00:38:58.77\00:39:03.19
with what Jesus is doing.
00:39:03.22\00:39:04.71
And then someday we
will literally be able
00:39:04.74\00:39:08.55
to enter the temple, according
to Revelation chapter 7.
00:39:08.58\00:39:12.33
It says God's people will serve
Him in His temple day and night.
00:39:12.53\00:39:17.67
Can we taste the powers of
the world to come even now?
00:39:18.44\00:39:22.27
Absolutely.
00:39:23.13\00:39:24.30
Notice Hebrews
chapter 6 and verse 4.
00:39:24.62\00:39:28.21
Hebrews chapter 6 and verse 4.
00:39:28.58\00:39:31.09
We can taste the powers
of the world to come even now
00:39:31.39\00:39:34.85
in the world that we live in.
00:39:34.88\00:39:36.57
Hebrews chapter 6 and verse 4
00:39:37.11\00:39:39.26
makes this
interesting statement.
00:39:39.29\00:39:41.48
And actually, let's
begin reading with verse 1.
00:39:41.51\00:39:44.22
It says, "Therefore,
leaving the discussion of the
00:39:44.25\00:39:46.34
elementary principles of Christ,
let us go on to perfection,
00:39:46.37\00:39:50.04
not laying again the foundation
of repentance from dead works
00:39:50.24\00:39:53.87
and of faith toward God,
of the doctrine of baptisms,
00:39:53.90\00:39:57.08
of laying on of hands,
of resurrection of the dead,
00:39:57.11\00:39:59.60
and of eternal judgment.
00:39:59.63\00:40:01.19
And this we will
do if God permits."
00:40:01.39\00:40:03.18
In other words, we need
to go beyond the basics.
00:40:03.21\00:40:05.27
Beyond the ABC's,
is what he's saying.
00:40:05.30\00:40:07.40
Verse 4, "For it is
impossible for those who were
00:40:07.43\00:40:10.49
once enlightened, and
have tasted the heavenly gift,
00:40:10.52\00:40:13.48
and have become
partakers of the Holy Spirit..."
00:40:13.51\00:40:16.19
So let me ask you, is
it possible to taste the
00:40:16.82\00:40:20.43
heavenly gift even now?
00:40:20.46\00:40:21.91
Yes.
00:40:21.94\00:40:22.97
"For it is impossible for
those who were once enlightened,
00:40:23.25\00:40:25.72
and have tasted the heavenly
gift, and have become partakers
00:40:25.92\00:40:28.70
of the Holy Spirit, and
have tasted the good word of God
00:40:28.73\00:40:32.20
and the powers of
the age to come..."
00:40:32.23\00:40:34.75
We can even taste the
powers of the age to come,
00:40:35.37\00:40:38.20
according to Scripture.
00:40:38.23\00:40:39.56
Now we're all
acquainted with that text in
00:40:39.88\00:40:42.26
2 Corinthians chapter
2 and verses 9 and 10.
00:40:42.29\00:40:46.26
We usually apply this to,
you know, to when Jesus comes
00:40:46.29\00:40:51.33
and we go to heaven;
there are things that
00:40:51.36\00:40:53.46
eye has not seen, nor ear heard
that Jesus has prepared for us
00:40:53.49\00:40:57.09
when we go to heaven.
00:40:57.12\00:40:58.15
But within its
context, it's talking about
00:40:58.18\00:41:00.73
things that we
can see even here.
00:41:00.76\00:41:03.30
See, we can see the
things that God is preparing
00:41:04.00\00:41:06.34
for us even here.
00:41:06.37\00:41:07.73
Let's notice that in
2 Corinthians chapter 2
00:41:07.92\00:41:11.08
and verses 9 and 10.
00:41:11.11\00:41:13.03
2 Corinthians 2 verses 9 and 10.
00:41:13.06\00:41:16.41
This is a very
well known passage.
00:41:18.41\00:41:20.40
It says, "For this end..."
00:41:20.43\00:41:23.27
Uh, let's see.
00:41:23.30\00:41:24.60
Is this the right reference?
00:41:25.64\00:41:27.16
It's 1 Corinthians. I'm sorry.
00:41:27.74\00:41:29.53
1 Corinthians
chapter 2 verses 9 and 10.
00:41:29.56\00:41:32.52
Okay, now we're on track.
00:41:32.86\00:41:34.70
It says there, "But as it
is written, 'Eye has not seen,
00:41:35.38\00:41:40.33
nor ear heard, nor have
entered into the heart of man
00:41:40.68\00:41:45.18
the things which God
has prepared for those
00:41:45.21\00:41:47.78
who love Him.'"
00:41:47.81\00:41:49.03
Now can we see those things now?
00:41:50.08\00:41:51.92
Yes.
00:41:54.11\00:41:55.17
Let's read the next verse.
00:41:57.84\00:41:59.61
"But God has revealed
them to us through His Spirit.
00:42:00.15\00:42:03.69
For the Spirit
searches all things, yes,
00:42:05.08\00:42:07.63
the deep things of God."
00:42:07.66\00:42:09.00
So can we see
those things even now?
00:42:09.03\00:42:11.14
We can see those things
now through the Holy Spirit,
00:42:11.81\00:42:14.85
and through the Word of God.
00:42:14.95\00:42:17.78
Now we will literally
see heaven when Jesus comes.
00:42:20.28\00:42:23.18
But we can
spiritually see it now.
00:42:24.01\00:42:27.01
Is the kingdom of
Jesus with us even now?
00:42:28.49\00:42:31.33
You can read Mark 1 verse 15.
00:42:32.26\00:42:34.02
Jesus says, "The
kingdom of God has come to you."
00:42:34.05\00:42:38.00
And in fact, He
said in Luke 17:20-21,
00:42:38.69\00:42:41.29
"The kingdom of
God is within you."
00:42:41.32\00:42:43.29
You see, the kingdom
of God has to be within us
00:42:43.74\00:42:46.27
before we can be in
the literal kingdom of God.
00:42:46.30\00:42:48.97
Because we have to
be converted first.
00:42:49.43\00:42:51.50
But then in the future,
there is a kingdom of glory.
00:42:51.53\00:42:54.77
And we will literally enter the
kingdom of glory, according to
00:42:54.80\00:42:58.17
Luke 22 and verse 30.
00:42:58.20\00:43:00.81
So the things that
are in heaven are literal,
00:43:01.68\00:43:05.00
but have spiritual
reflections on earth.
00:43:05.44\00:43:08.73
The bottom line is that
in the future, the spiritual
00:43:09.43\00:43:13.57
and the literal will what?
00:43:13.60\00:43:16.04
Will meet.
00:43:16.39\00:43:17.75
Jesus is
spiritually with us now.
00:43:18.58\00:43:21.00
According to Scripture.
00:43:21.67\00:43:22.98
But someday we
shall see His face.
00:43:23.45\00:43:25.79
"Face to face with
Christ, my Savior," as is says
00:43:26.62\00:43:29.76
in the well known hymn.
00:43:29.96\00:43:31.58
So what we
experience spiritually now
00:43:31.94\00:43:34.40
will be experienced
literally later in the kingdom.
00:43:34.50\00:43:39.19
Now let's notice the
next paragraph, because
00:43:40.40\00:43:42.75
the next paragraph has
some very important information
00:43:42.78\00:43:46.68
in the study of Bible prophecy.
00:43:46.71\00:43:48.68
Christ is in the
literal heavenly Sanctuary
00:43:49.25\00:43:54.06
in the literal New Jerusalem,
literally and personally.
00:43:55.54\00:44:02.21
And you have
some references there.
00:44:03.64\00:44:05.43
Hebrews 8:1-2
and Hebrews 9:11-12.
00:44:05.46\00:44:09.37
Is the heavenly
Sanctuary literal?
00:44:09.40\00:44:11.74
Is there a real
Sanctuary up there?
00:44:12.90\00:44:14.76
You know, we have
scholars in our midst that say
00:44:14.79\00:44:16.50
that there's no
real Sanctuary in heaven?
00:44:16.60\00:44:18.68
Ellen White begs to differ.
00:44:19.59\00:44:20.80
She makes it very
clear that there is a literal
00:44:20.83\00:44:22.84
Sanctuary in heaven.
00:44:22.87\00:44:24.29
A real one.
00:44:24.83\00:44:26.06
You say, "Well, why
do you need a Sanctuary?
00:44:26.93\00:44:28.67
Jesus is the Sanctuary."
00:44:28.70\00:44:30.07
Well, because you
have the literal and the
00:44:30.10\00:44:31.78
spiritual together.
00:44:31.81\00:44:33.14
So Jesus is the
meaning of the Sanctuary.
00:44:35.08\00:44:37.27
He is there.
00:44:37.30\00:44:38.33
But the literal Sanctuary
is there along with Him.
00:44:38.36\00:44:40.77
Because in heaven, the
literal and the spiritual meet.
00:44:41.07\00:44:44.15
Are you
understanding the principle?
00:44:44.18\00:44:45.63
Now let me ask
you what's more real.
00:44:46.64\00:44:48.32
What is more real, the
substance or the shadow?
00:44:50.45\00:44:54.68
What's more...
Okay, I'm outside.
00:44:58.96\00:45:01.36
I'm standing in the sun.
00:45:02.69\00:45:04.31
And my body is
projecting a shadow.
00:45:05.22\00:45:07.59
What is more
real, the shadow or me?
00:45:08.65\00:45:11.38
I am.
00:45:13.06\00:45:14.09
I would hope so.
00:45:14.37\00:45:15.64
Because I'm not a shadow.
00:45:16.39\00:45:17.77
Let me ask you, can
you walk through my shadow?
00:45:17.95\00:45:20.24
Can you walk through me?
00:45:20.73\00:45:22.37
So what is more
concrete, the shadow or me?
00:45:22.74\00:45:25.64
I am more concrete.
00:45:26.07\00:45:27.79
You cannot have a
shadow without a reality
00:45:28.60\00:45:31.52
that projects the shadow.
00:45:31.55\00:45:33.35
And the heavenly
Sanctuary is the reality.
00:45:35.08\00:45:37.65
And what we have on earth;
the church, and the foundations,
00:45:39.01\00:45:45.87
and the cornerstone, are what?
00:45:46.24\00:45:48.89
Are the shadow.
00:45:48.99\00:45:50.02
Now you know what happens when
the sun is directly overhead?
00:45:50.52\00:45:53.38
The shadow disappears.
00:45:54.33\00:45:56.06
So when Jesus comes, the
shadow will meet the reality.
00:45:56.29\00:46:01.41
And they will be
together in the kingdom.
00:46:02.03\00:46:04.41
And so Christ is in the
literal heavenly Sanctuary
00:46:05.36\00:46:08.46
in the literal New Jerusalem,
literally and personally.
00:46:08.49\00:46:12.10
We have a High Priest up there.
00:46:12.13\00:46:14.10
But He is also
present in the earthly temple.
00:46:14.93\00:46:18.42
And what is the earthly temple?
00:46:19.13\00:46:20.84
The church.
00:46:20.87\00:46:21.97
And He is present
here spiritually and what?
00:46:22.00\00:46:25.42
And universally.
00:46:25.71\00:46:27.74
So on earth the
temple is worldwide.
00:46:29.46\00:46:33.01
On earth Jerusalem is worldwide.
00:46:34.12\00:46:37.06
So the final battle
is going to be what?
00:46:37.92\00:46:40.52
Worldwide.
00:46:40.99\00:46:42.14
And you know, it's interesting
somebody like Dave Hunt,
00:46:42.17\00:46:45.31
who has a lot of good
points in his books...
00:46:45.34\00:46:47.80
He's a futurist,
dyed in the wool futurist.
00:46:47.83\00:46:50.08
But he has some points
that might lead me to think that
00:46:50.58\00:46:54.49
someday he might see the light.
00:46:54.52\00:46:56.47
I hope so.
00:46:57.03\00:46:58.15
But he says, you
know, Babylon, in his book,
00:46:59.21\00:47:03.53
Global Peace, he says
Babylon is a global apostate
00:47:03.56\00:47:09.12
religious system
at the end of time.
00:47:09.15\00:47:11.54
But he says Jerusalem is a
literal city in the Middle East.
00:47:12.40\00:47:16.56
It's a contradiction.
00:47:18.04\00:47:19.63
Because Babylon is
the enemy of Israel.
00:47:20.48\00:47:23.05
And if Babylon is
global, then God's people
00:47:24.00\00:47:30.62
must also be global.
00:47:30.65\00:47:32.57
You can't say Babylon is
symbolic, but Israel is literal.
00:47:33.29\00:47:38.84
Because you're being
inconsistent in the principles
00:47:39.29\00:47:42.10
of
interpretation that you apply.
00:47:42.13\00:47:44.10
Now we continue here.
00:47:45.07\00:47:46.52
The Holy Land
today is where Jesus is.
00:47:47.29\00:47:51.44
Are you agreed?
00:47:53.71\00:47:54.83
And Jesus is in
the earthly temple,
00:47:55.75\00:47:59.20
universally and spiritually.
00:47:59.40\00:48:01.82
Thus the temple on earth is
worldwide, while the temple,
00:48:02.51\00:48:06.68
heavenly temple, is
local in the New Jerusalem.
00:48:06.71\00:48:10.04
Jesus is in two
places at the same time.
00:48:10.64\00:48:14.97
He is present in
heaven, because He went there
00:48:15.39\00:48:18.47
to prepare a place for us.
00:48:18.50\00:48:20.08
And He is also present where?
00:48:20.35\00:48:23.02
He is also present on earth.
00:48:23.05\00:48:24.83
And you know what
Roman Catholicism does?
00:48:24.86\00:48:26.81
They reverse this.
00:48:26.84\00:48:28.56
And this is the
worst blasphemy of all.
00:48:30.64\00:48:32.41
Let me explain the reason why.
00:48:32.44\00:48:34.55
Where is the
visible representative
00:48:35.45\00:48:37.58
of the church today?
00:48:37.61\00:48:39.01
Not according to Catholicism,
but according to the Bible.
00:48:39.34\00:48:42.01
The visible representative
of God's church is in heaven.
00:48:43.19\00:48:48.35
Where is the
invisible representative?
00:48:49.74\00:48:52.17
On earth.
00:48:52.86\00:48:53.93
Christ through the Holy Spirit.
00:48:54.13\00:48:55.83
The Roman Catholic
Church reverses it.
00:48:56.79\00:48:58.98
And they say the
visible representative is where?
00:48:59.88\00:49:03.48
On earth.
00:49:03.95\00:49:04.98
And the invisible one is where?
00:49:05.01\00:49:07.02
In heaven.
00:49:07.05\00:49:08.16
So basically, what
they're committing is blasphemy.
00:49:09.03\00:49:12.37
Because there is only
one individual who is the
00:49:12.40\00:49:15.18
representative of the
church, visible and invisible.
00:49:15.21\00:49:18.22
And that is Jesus Christ.
00:49:18.25\00:49:20.81
Now let's go to
the next paragraph.
00:49:21.53\00:49:23.44
We can also be in two
places at the same time.
00:49:24.89\00:49:27.72
Is that true?
00:49:30.03\00:49:31.06
Before finishing this paragraph,
let me express the principle.
00:49:33.68\00:49:37.74
Jesus is in heaven
physically and personally,
00:49:40.10\00:49:47.14
but on earth He is in a book.
00:49:47.24\00:49:49.42
Written.
00:49:51.65\00:49:52.92
Because this is
totally about Jesus.
00:49:53.23\00:49:55.23
So in heaven
He's there personally,
00:49:55.26\00:49:57.20
but on earth He's in a book.
00:49:57.40\00:49:59.21
We are personally on earth,
but in heaven we are in a book.
00:50:00.51\00:50:05.37
Right?
00:50:10.02\00:50:11.05
Do you know that God in
heaven has an exact transcript
00:50:11.45\00:50:13.96
of what we are?
00:50:13.99\00:50:15.05
Nothing missing.
00:50:15.94\00:50:17.12
Our thoughts, our feelings,
our emotions, our works,
00:50:17.97\00:50:20.80
our intentions, our motivations.
00:50:20.83\00:50:23.40
You know, everything; our
words. Everything is there.
00:50:23.57\00:50:26.98
There's another
Steve Bohr in heaven
00:50:27.04\00:50:29.11
in written form.
00:50:29.42\00:50:30.57
And God has a purpose in that.
00:50:32.54\00:50:34.04
You see, if I
should die someday,
00:50:35.19\00:50:36.68
what happens to
all of my memories?
00:50:36.71\00:50:38.88
What happens to my brain?
00:50:38.91\00:50:40.28
It disintegrates.
00:50:40.31\00:50:41.48
But God keeps a backup.
00:50:41.81\00:50:43.50
And I like to think that
maybe it's an electronic backup.
00:50:45.25\00:50:48.58
See, in biblical
times they use books,
00:50:50.54\00:50:52.34
because that's what they knew.
00:50:52.37\00:50:53.62
You know, if John
spoke about computers,
00:50:53.65\00:50:56.35
what's that?
00:50:56.38\00:50:57.65
Ellen White used photography.
00:50:58.51\00:50:59.88
She said we're being
photographed in heaven.
00:50:59.91\00:51:01.85
Because
photography existed in her day.
00:51:02.52\00:51:04.61
Today, I'm sure that
God would say we are being
00:51:04.64\00:51:07.80
computerized in heaven.
00:51:07.83\00:51:09.31
And by the way, God
has a whole record of the
00:51:11.00\00:51:12.61
whole history of the human race.
00:51:12.64\00:51:14.17
And we will see it
during the thousand years.
00:51:15.21\00:51:17.57
In fact, after the
thousand years the wicked and
00:51:18.02\00:51:20.32
the devil and
his angels will see.
00:51:20.35\00:51:21.74
Ellen White says, in
panoramic view the whole history
00:51:21.77\00:51:24.48
of the world will be shown
with each life in its fullness.
00:51:24.51\00:51:31.41
It's amazing.
00:51:31.96\00:51:33.12
What kind of tech...
00:51:33.46\00:51:34.49
How many gigabits are
you talking about here?
00:51:34.52\00:51:37.05
You know, we brag; we say,
"Oh, man has done so much."
00:51:38.72\00:51:41.65
Man has done nothing.
00:51:41.68\00:51:43.37
We only reflect a
little droplet of what God has.
00:51:44.73\00:51:49.37
And so Jesus is
in heaven personally,
00:51:52.09\00:51:56.95
but on earth He's in a book.
00:51:57.59\00:51:59.20
We are on earth personally,
00:52:00.32\00:52:02.77
but in heaven we
are written in books.
00:52:03.36\00:52:05.62
Now, let's go back here.
00:52:08.04\00:52:09.54
We can also be in two
places at the same time.
00:52:10.40\00:52:12.94
We are here on earth
personally and literally.
00:52:13.67\00:52:16.94
But we can enter the heavenly
Sanctuary spiritually by faith.
00:52:18.31\00:52:22.29
Colossians 2:12-13
informs us that we have already,
00:52:23.94\00:52:30.19
right now, been translated
into Christ's kingdom.
00:52:30.29\00:52:34.73
Let's read that.
00:52:35.61\00:52:36.84
Colossians chapter
2 verses 12 and 13.
00:52:38.13\00:52:41.20
We've already
been translated, folks.
00:52:42.13\00:52:44.35
Spiritually, we've
been translated to heaven.
00:52:45.81\00:52:49.98
Colossians chapter 2
and verses 12 and 13.
00:52:50.49\00:52:54.98
It says there,
"...buried with Him in baptism,
00:52:56.01\00:52:58.92
in which you were also
raised with Him through faith
00:52:58.95\00:53:01.72
in the working of God,
who raised Him from the dead.
00:53:01.75\00:53:04.42
And you, being
dead in your trespasses
00:53:04.52\00:53:06.38
and the
uncircumcision of your flesh,
00:53:06.41\00:53:08.48
He has made us
alive together with Him,
00:53:08.68\00:53:11.50
having forgiven all trespasses,
00:53:11.53\00:53:14.03
having wiped out the
handwriting of requirements
00:53:14.06\00:53:16.88
that was against us,
which was contrary to us.
00:53:16.91\00:53:19.82
He has taken it out of the way,
having nailed it to the cross."
00:53:19.85\00:53:23.84
Now I want you to notice
particularly what verse 13 says.
00:53:24.33\00:53:27.18
It says, "And you,
being dead in your trespasses
00:53:27.21\00:53:29.68
and the
uncircumcision of your flesh,
00:53:29.71\00:53:31.75
He has made..." What?
00:53:31.78\00:53:33.52
"... alive together with Him..."
00:53:33.55\00:53:36.01
So are we alive together
with Jesus Christ even today?
00:53:36.72\00:53:40.94
Absolutely.
00:53:40.97\00:53:42.02
Even now, as we
noticed in Ephesians 1 verse 3
00:53:42.63\00:53:45.82
and Ephesians 2 verses 5 and 6,
00:53:46.39\00:53:48.78
we are even now seated
with Christ in heavenly places.
00:53:49.12\00:53:54.51
But we also, according
to Revelation 3 verse 21,
00:53:55.07\00:53:58.80
we will be seated with Christ
literally in heavenly places
00:53:58.83\00:54:03.73
when Jesus comes.
00:54:03.76\00:54:05.95
Does this have
importance when it comes
00:54:06.41\00:54:10.41
to the study of Bible prophecy?
00:54:10.44\00:54:12.01
Are we to expect the
fulfillment of Bible prophecy
00:54:13.34\00:54:16.14
in the Middle East in
a rebuilt Jewish temple
00:54:16.34\00:54:20.18
in literal Jerusalem with
literal sacrifices being offered
00:54:20.71\00:54:25.62
with literal enemies coming,
the Chinese and the Russians
00:54:26.10\00:54:29.26
and the Arabs,
coming against the Jews?
00:54:29.29\00:54:32.05
It totally distracts you
from the true fulfillment
00:54:32.95\00:54:37.84
of Bible prophecy and
from the global systems that
00:54:37.87\00:54:41.35
will be involved in persecuting
God's people in the end time,
00:54:41.38\00:54:44.89
and the deep spiritual
issues that will be involved.
00:54:44.92\00:54:48.34
See, it's not about literal oil.
00:54:49.06\00:54:51.66
It's not about the
blood that you have.
00:54:52.61\00:54:55.39
It's not about your last name.
00:54:55.42\00:54:57.54
It's not about your ethnicity.
00:54:58.77\00:55:01.24
The final battle
is a spiritual battle.
00:55:02.03\00:55:05.00
It's very real,
but it's spiritual.
00:55:05.87\00:55:08.36
And it deals
with spiritual issues.
00:55:08.39\00:55:10.47
It does not deal with
material issues such as oil
00:55:10.50\00:55:14.53
and, you know, whether you're
a Jew or you're not a Jew,
00:55:14.56\00:55:17.16
or where you live, or
what nationality you have.
00:55:17.19\00:55:19.80
All of those are distractions.
00:55:19.83\00:55:21.71
Bible prophecy will
be fulfilled globally
00:55:23.10\00:55:26.15
with a global people of God
who keep the commandments of God
00:55:27.13\00:55:31.86
and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ.
00:55:31.99\00:55:34.13
On the other side will be
those who perhaps professed the
00:55:34.69\00:55:38.12
name of Christ, but really
are not spiritually with Him.
00:55:38.15\00:55:41.46
And they will despise
the commandments of God,
00:55:42.96\00:55:45.42
particularly the holy Sabbath.
00:55:45.45\00:55:47.34
And they will
practice false worship.
00:55:48.06\00:55:49.96
They will worship
the image of the beast.
00:55:49.99\00:55:51.99
And of course, the image
of the beast represents the
00:55:52.03\00:55:54.14
union of church and state.
00:55:54.17\00:55:55.42
It's a reflection
of what the papacy is.
00:55:55.45\00:55:58.52
The papacy, by its very nature,
is a union of church and state.
00:55:59.06\00:56:03.66
That is its nature.
00:56:03.95\00:56:05.10
In fact, the word,
"papacy," is not talking about
00:56:05.13\00:56:08.01
the Roman Catholic
Church as a church.
00:56:08.04\00:56:10.01
It's talking about
the Roman Catholic Church
00:56:10.04\00:56:12.14
as an amalgamation
of church and state.
00:56:12.25\00:56:16.20
That's what, "papacy," means.
00:56:16.23\00:56:17.65
So in 1798, the Catholic
church didn't disappear.
00:56:18.33\00:56:21.30
What disappeared was the papacy,
because the union of the state
00:56:21.33\00:56:25.33
with the church was severed.
00:56:25.36\00:56:27.08
And so there was
no longer any papacy,
00:56:27.64\00:56:29.62
although there was still
the Roman Catholic Church.
00:56:29.65\00:56:31.43
Are you following with me?
00:56:31.46\00:56:32.82
And so, folks, the
issues at the end of time
00:56:33.26\00:56:35.97
are deeply spiritual issues.
00:56:36.00\00:56:37.88
And the Bible tells us
who the dangerous powers are.
00:56:37.91\00:56:41.24
But those who are
looking to the Middle East,
00:56:41.27\00:56:43.38
to a literal place,
are going to be deceived.
00:56:43.97\00:56:47.58
Because they're going
to be looking to where
00:56:47.91\00:56:50.02
the conflict isn't
instead of looking at Rome
00:56:50.05\00:56:53.87
and looking at the United
States, which is pointed out
00:56:53.90\00:56:57.22
in Bible prophecy.
00:56:57.25\00:56:58.28
They will be
looking to the Middle East,
00:56:58.31\00:57:00.03
to a literal
antichrist, a literal image,
00:57:00.06\00:57:03.73
a literal
tattoo in the forehead.
00:57:03.76\00:57:05.90
And meanwhile, things
will be fulfilled spiritually.
00:57:05.93\00:57:08.64
And they will not see
that things are being fulfilled
00:57:08.67\00:57:11.38
because they have violated
this very important principle
00:57:11.41\00:57:14.68
of literal,
spiritual, and literal.
00:57:14.71\00:57:17.83
Is this clear?
00:57:19.07\00:57:20.15
This is one of the
most important principles
00:57:20.88\00:57:23.17
that we need to understand
in order to comprehend
00:57:23.27\00:57:26.01
Bible prophecy.
00:57:26.04\00:57:27.24
In our next session together,
we are going to take a look
00:57:27.27\00:57:31.63
at the story of the flood.
00:57:31.91\00:57:33.73
Which I hope that you
filled out the spaces,
00:57:34.52\00:57:36.99
because it will go a lot better
if you filled out the spaces.
00:57:37.19\00:57:40.87
We'll see that it
is a typological story
00:57:40.90\00:57:42.73
that illustrates what
we've been talking about.
00:57:42.76\00:57:44.94