Hello, and welcome to
Behold the Lamb presents.
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I'm Chris Shelton, your host
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and on behalf of
Behold the Lamb Ministries,
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I welcome you to
another wonderful hour
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in the study of
God's precious word.
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Today's message
is part 2 of a series
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that we're calling,
''Religion and Politics."
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Perhaps, we
should have called it,
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"Oil in Water."
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Because so often,
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they clash badly
with one another,
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it's a clash
that, I truly believe
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from the study of God's Word
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is going to continue
to wax worse and worse.
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Morality has hit an
all time low in this,
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so called
Christian nation of ours.
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At one time,
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laws will be
passed by many people
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who allow the Bible to
be their moral compass,
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their guide for direction.
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This country was
raised up by Christians,
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who were willing to
leave all other lands
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in order to live in a country
where they could worship God
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and have
complete religious liberty
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and living out the
principles of God's Holy red
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as directed upon their conscious
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by the Holy Spirit.
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It is so heartbreaking to
see the shift in our land,
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a shift away from God's
word as our moral absolute.
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A shift so profound
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that it is not
uncommon to hear broadcasted,
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that those uplifting
God's word as correct
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are now being labeled begets,
non law abiding citizens,
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narrow-minded,
prejudice and so on.
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They're being looked
down upon more and more.
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Those in political
power, they're the ones
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that are spirit
heading changes in our laws,
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that directly
violate our Christian morals.
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So ask yourself this question.
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Is understanding God's will,
as it pertains to the Christian
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in dealing with
politics important?
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Friends, I truly believe
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that it is much more
important than we imagine.
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So please stay tuned
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as we begin our study
with Pastor Kenny Shelton today
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that is entitled
Religion and Politics.
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This is part 2,
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but first we're so
blessed to listen to a song
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that is entitled, "If we ever,"
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as sung by the
Korean Men's Quartet
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from the 3ABN Worship Center.
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If we ever
needed the Lord before
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We sure do need Him now
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Oh, we sure do need Him now
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Oh Lord, we sure do need Him now
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Oh glory, if we ever
needed the Lord before
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We sure do need Him now
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We need Him
everyday and every hour
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We need Him in the morning
We need Him in the morning
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We need Him in the morning
We need Him in the morning
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We need Him in the
night We need Him in the night
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We need Him in the
night We need Him in the night
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Oh, we need Him in the noon
day We need Him in the noon day
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We need Him in the noon
day We need Him in the noon day
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When the sun is shining bright
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If we ever
needed the Lord before
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We sure do need Him now
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Oh, We sure do need Him now
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Oh Lord, we sure do need Him now
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Oh glory, if we ever
needed the Lord before
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We sure do need Him now
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We need Him
everyday and every hour
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We need Him when we're burdened
We need Him when we're burdened
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We need Him when we're burdened
We need Him when we're burdened
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We need Him when we're
sad We need Him when we're sad
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We need Him when we're
sad We need Him when we're sad
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We need Him when we're happy
We need Him when we're happy
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We need Him when we're happy
We need Him when we're happy
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And when our hearts are glad
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If we ever
needed the Lord before
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Oh glory, we
sure do need Him now
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Oh, we sure do need Him now
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My Lord and Savior,
we sure do need Him now
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Oh glory, If we ever
needed the Lord before
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We sure do need Him now
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We need Him every day
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And every hour.
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Thanks for joining us once again
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here at Behold the Lamb.
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You all have heard,
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this is very,
very important subject
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one probably overlooked.
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Maybe lot of years,
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or maybe you've never
really heard it before,
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or put it in right context.
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We're gonna be talking
about religion and politics,
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do the two mix.
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What was the teachings of Jesus?
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What does the Bible
teach about Christians today?
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There those who say,
we have to get involved.
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We must get
involve as Christians.
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There are others who
say, you know, I don't know,
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I don't know if
it's right or not.
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So they're in question
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and then you have
another group who says no.
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We do not need to be involved
at all in the political scene.
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So we're going to be
looking at God's word
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when we're going
to Spirit of Prophecy.
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We're gonna see,
what this tells us,
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what we should do as
God's last day people.
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I want to do what
God wants me to do.
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If we read, now I
want you to jot down.
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We'll move rather quickly,
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I love to be able to
spend some more time with you.
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But I'm gonna
have prayer right now.
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We're gonna get up
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and then we're gonna
get into the Word of God.
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If you have your
Bible, turn to Revelation 18
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as we have prayer together.
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Loving Father in heaven,
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we truly thank You for
the privilege of prayer.
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We ask You that
Your Holy Spirit now
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would bless us
with Your presence,
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give us clearness of mind.
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Be with each and
every one of your people
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that we may
hear, we may understand
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and we may respond
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to what You've
said in Your Word.
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We thank You for
hearing and answering prayer
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in Jesus' name.
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Amen.
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Again, if we studied
the Book of Revelation 18,
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I wish we had time to
read verses 1 through 8.
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We would see very,
very interesting things
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going on in the world.
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They become so corrupt
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that God is
challenging us as a people
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to try to understand
what is going on in the world
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that we may take
a positional stance.
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I thought how interesting.
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It reveals how dangerous
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and if you're not feeling
not as dangerous in the world
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that we live and there
maybe something wrong with us.
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We need to, maybe go
back and look at things again.
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And I do believe this.
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Those who
understand what truth is,
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this subject is vital.
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In fact, there is a manuscript,
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I want to put down 135
written in 1902, it says this.
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Listen carefully,
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"Makes the comment
on Revelation 18:1-8.
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Notice this, comment.
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It says, "This is
a terrible picture,
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drawn by John, notice this,
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to show how completely
the powers of the earth
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will give themselves,
notice this, to evil."
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Wow. It's going to show, notice.
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"Those who know what
truth is how dangerous it is
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to link up with
secret societies,
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notice this, or to
join them in any way
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with those who do not
keep God's commandments."
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So right quick we're challenged
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where the world
will become so what?
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So corrupt that we're challenged
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not to link up in
any secret societies
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or join with anyone
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that does not keep
the commandment of God.
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That's pretty
heavy duty, isn't it,
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since the majority of the
world find it nine is sufficient
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and made, you
know, they think it is.
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But God says all
ten's very, very important.
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You remember we're just
going quickly as we can.
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In the building of
the Tower of Babel.
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You remember that in Genesis 11?
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This gives us
little background as we go,
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because we're
going to have to look,
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should we vote, should
we be involved in politics
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and so on and so forth.
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We find it after the
flood, what happened?
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As soon as men
repopulated the earth,
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what did they did do?
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They went right back
in rebellion against God.
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Apostasy when it comes
in, there is always division.
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There is always
separation that comes in.
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And then we find that
people rebel against God,
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they begin to
look for other people
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that are rebelling
just like they are.
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Very interesting.
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We look for people who
are sympathizing with us,
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who think like we're thinking.
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and so, a
confederacy has come together,
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that just mean they're
joining together against that
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which is right.
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And so we find
confusion, we find rebellion,
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we find the same thing
existing in the world today
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that existed at the time of
building the Tower of Babel.
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Would you like to
hear a quote on that?
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Let's go and take a
little while to read this,
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but I want you just think on
it with me for just a moment.
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Remember, it tells,
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if you like parallel
this is quite a parallel.
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What went on at the building
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and what's going on
right now in our society
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that we live in today.
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Little article found in little
Review and Herald 12/10, 1903.
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Now these is
couple of paragraphs long,
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don't like to read all
of that, but I'm going to,
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every word I want
you to hang on to.
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Every word I
want you to listen to
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'cause this is referring to
building of the Tower of Babel
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and the mindset of people
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who are rebelling
against the truth.
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How they'll join together
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against those who
want to keep what is truth.
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It said, "This confederacy was
born of rebellion against God.
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The dwellers on
the plain of Shinar
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establish their
kingdom of self-exaltation."
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You see it? "Not
for the glory of God.
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Had they succeeded, notice,
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a mighty power
would have borne sway--"
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What would it have done?
00:10:30.79\00:10:32.13
Notice,
"Banishing righteousness,
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inaugurating a new religion.
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The world would
have been demoralized."
00:10:37.30\00:10:40.04
How? Notice this.
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"The mixture of religious
ideas and erroneous theories
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would have resulted enclosing
the doors, to notice, peace,
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and happiness, and security.
00:10:50.11\00:10:52.78
These suppositions,
erroneous theories, notice.
00:10:52.81\00:10:55.98
what did they do?
00:10:56.02\00:10:57.89
If they were
carried out and perfected,
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or was brought to be perfected
would have directed the mind
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from allegiance to
God or his divine statues,
00:11:03.66\00:11:07.66
and the law of
Jehovah, notice this,
00:11:07.70\00:11:09.86
would have been
ignored and forgotten.
00:11:09.90\00:11:13.60
Determined men,
inspired and urged on
00:11:13.64\00:11:16.17
by the first great rebel--"
00:11:16.20\00:11:17.97
Who's that? The devil.
00:11:18.01\00:11:19.54
"Would have
resisted any interference
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with these plans
or their evil course."
00:11:21.78\00:11:24.15
Does that sound like today?
00:11:24.18\00:11:26.45
"And in the place
of divine precepts--"
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I'm reading on, notice this.
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"They would
have substituted laws
00:11:30.25\00:11:32.55
framed in accordance with
desires of their selfish hearts
00:11:32.59\00:11:36.49
in order that they might
carry out their purpose."
00:11:36.52\00:11:40.06
Do you see what was
happening in the world today?
00:11:40.10\00:11:42.16
This is exactly what's
taking place right now.
00:11:42.20\00:11:45.50
Now, will we follow this?
00:11:45.53\00:11:46.94
Simple question, will we
follow the council of God
00:11:46.97\00:11:48.94
or we going to follow, you know,
00:11:48.97\00:11:51.34
what the world is doing?
00:11:51.37\00:11:52.74
Are we going to rebel like
they did at the Tower of Babel?
00:11:52.77\00:11:55.64
Are we gonna
follow what God says?
00:11:55.68\00:11:57.91
Sometime we want to
do what we want to do,
00:11:57.95\00:11:59.71
because we think that we
have a better plan than God has.
00:11:59.75\00:12:03.49
You don't, you might
think you do, but you don't.
00:12:03.52\00:12:05.95
Psalms 33 gives us some
real good information here,
00:12:05.99\00:12:09.39
verses 10, 11.
00:12:09.42\00:12:10.76
Notice these words.
00:12:10.79\00:12:12.49
"The Lord bringeth the
counsel of the heathen to what?
00:12:12.53\00:12:15.26
Sure, to nought:
00:12:15.30\00:12:16.63
he maketh the devices of
the people of none effect.
00:12:16.67\00:12:20.30
The counsel of the
Lord standeth for ever,
00:12:20.34\00:12:22.97
the thoughts of his
heart to all generations."
00:12:23.00\00:12:26.04
Man's gonna fall apart,
God's not gonna fall apart.
00:12:26.07\00:12:29.18
God inspired this word, right?
00:12:29.21\00:12:30.75
He's gonna bring it to pass
exactly as he says in his word.
00:12:30.78\00:12:34.88
Now we must look.
00:12:34.92\00:12:36.25
In our approach of this question
00:12:36.28\00:12:38.19
about religion and politics.
00:12:38.22\00:12:41.26
It affects God's church.
00:12:41.29\00:12:42.69
It affects God's
people around the world.
00:12:42.72\00:12:46.29
And you know, here's, here's--
00:12:46.33\00:12:48.40
I want you to think
this through with me
00:12:48.43\00:12:49.76
just a little bit.
00:12:49.80\00:12:51.13
You know, if we're
thinking about truth.
00:12:51.17\00:12:53.40
Is there people that,
00:12:53.44\00:12:54.77
how can we get
involved with other people,
00:12:54.80\00:12:57.44
who don't believe
the way we believe?
00:12:57.47\00:12:59.77
I find there is a
mixing all the time.
00:12:59.81\00:13:01.48
We want to get
involved with this group
00:13:01.51\00:13:03.11
and that group
and the other group.
00:13:03.14\00:13:04.68
They don't believe
the way that you believe
00:13:04.71\00:13:06.61
and it's causing division,
it's causing some rebellion
00:13:06.65\00:13:09.38
and it's causing
some confused minds.
00:13:09.42\00:13:12.22
You know, how can we
agree and join in with a group
00:13:12.25\00:13:16.06
that doesn't believe
in keeping God's law.
00:13:16.09\00:13:19.26
The Bible is very
clear in Amos 3:3, it says,
00:13:19.29\00:13:22.40
"Can two walk together,
except they be agreed?"
00:13:22.43\00:13:26.33
And I have a good
illustration of that
00:13:26.37\00:13:28.04
and you know
from the Word of God.
00:13:28.07\00:13:29.57
The Bible said,
"Enoch walked with God
00:13:29.60\00:13:32.54
in all his
duties of daily life."
00:13:32.57\00:13:34.74
Patriarchs and Prophets 85
says this, talking about this,
00:13:34.78\00:13:38.28
about Enoch, it says here.
00:13:38.31\00:13:40.38
He was distressed,
00:13:40.42\00:13:41.95
will you think go back that far,
00:13:41.98\00:13:43.32
how could a man be distressed?
00:13:43.35\00:13:44.95
"He was distressed of
the increasing wickedness
00:13:44.99\00:13:48.42
of the ungodly."
00:13:48.46\00:13:50.13
I'm distressed
about the ungodly nation
00:13:50.16\00:13:52.33
that we live in, aren't you?
00:13:52.36\00:13:54.10
It distresses
me, it perplexes me.
00:13:54.13\00:13:56.87
When we have a way out,
00:13:56.90\00:13:58.23
when we should
know the Word of God.
00:13:58.27\00:14:00.37
But notice with Enoch here.
00:14:00.40\00:14:02.24
"He was distressed
00:14:02.27\00:14:03.61
about the wickedness of
ungodly fearing, notice this,
00:14:03.64\00:14:06.07
fearing that their infidelity
00:14:06.11\00:14:08.24
might lessen his
reverence for God."
00:14:08.28\00:14:11.61
How many people
you hang around with
00:14:11.65\00:14:13.42
is lessening your
reverence and respect for God?
00:14:13.45\00:14:16.22
I'll tell you they'll do it
if they are not godly people.
00:14:16.25\00:14:19.32
The article goes on, it
says, "Enoch avoided contact
00:14:19.35\00:14:22.82
or constant
association with them,
00:14:22.86\00:14:25.63
wow, and spent
much time in solitude,
00:14:25.66\00:14:28.80
giving himself to
meditation and prayer."
00:14:28.83\00:14:32.00
Think about that.
00:14:32.03\00:14:33.37
This the key to
just taking hold of God
00:14:33.40\00:14:36.00
and keep hold of him.
00:14:36.04\00:14:37.97
We have to have some
solitude, quiet time.
00:14:38.01\00:14:41.61
The devil so arranged this world
00:14:41.64\00:14:43.01
where is no quiet time.
00:14:43.04\00:14:44.78
It's going on
and on from one call,
00:14:44.81\00:14:46.58
one text, on, on, on, on, on.
00:14:46.61\00:14:48.92
We got to put him
down. We got to shut him off.
00:14:48.95\00:14:51.49
We don't have to have contact
with the world as it were.
00:14:51.52\00:14:55.42
Enoch was afraid that
it would lessen his love,
00:14:55.46\00:14:59.16
and his reverence for God
00:14:59.19\00:15:00.53
when he dealt
with the wrong people
00:15:00.56\00:15:02.23
that didn't love God, supremely.
00:15:02.26\00:15:04.33
Patriarchs and Prophets
86 continues, says this.
00:15:04.37\00:15:07.20
"The antediluvian world
rejected the warnings of him
00:15:07.24\00:15:11.84
who walk with God."
00:15:11.87\00:15:13.21
How sad.
00:15:13.24\00:15:14.58
They rejected the
man who walked with God,
00:15:14.61\00:15:17.98
they rejected his warnings.
00:15:18.01\00:15:20.35
Now notice what it says,
00:15:20.38\00:15:21.72
"So will be the last generation.
00:15:21.75\00:15:25.29
They're gonna make
light of the warnings
00:15:25.32\00:15:27.96
of the Lord's messenger."
00:15:27.99\00:15:29.32
Are they doing it
now? Absolutely, they are.
00:15:29.36\00:15:31.89
They're laughing and
they're heckling say,
00:15:31.93\00:15:33.26
well, this can't be so.
00:15:33.29\00:15:35.80
Listen, this
statement is so powerful,
00:15:35.83\00:15:38.63
I don't want you to miss it.
00:15:38.67\00:15:40.84
It should help us
though to make right decision,
00:15:40.87\00:15:42.97
right choice
00:15:43.00\00:15:44.34
on how we're going to
address this political question.
00:15:44.37\00:15:48.38
Somebody said well, I'd
just do what I've always done.
00:15:48.41\00:15:50.41
You need to listen up.
00:15:50.45\00:15:51.98
You want to
follow the Word of God,
00:15:52.01\00:15:53.35
I want to
follow the Word of God.
00:15:53.38\00:15:54.72
Let's put it
together here, shall we?
00:15:54.75\00:15:56.35
Should I, should I vote
00:15:56.38\00:15:57.72
while we're gonna
get real specific on that
00:15:57.75\00:15:59.09
in just a moment.
00:15:59.12\00:16:00.46
But before we do, I
want to read something here
00:16:00.49\00:16:02.12
from Seven Testimonies 107.
00:16:02.16\00:16:05.56
It said, "There are those who,
00:16:05.59\00:16:07.23
in order to
carry out their plans,
00:16:07.26\00:16:09.26
have their words
deny their faith."
00:16:09.30\00:16:12.77
Do you ever had that,
00:16:12.80\00:16:14.14
where your words
denied your faith?
00:16:14.17\00:16:16.64
You know, we're
talking, talking,
00:16:16.67\00:16:18.01
but our word
somehow come back to get us.
00:16:18.04\00:16:20.51
"This shows how
little dependence
00:16:20.54\00:16:21.91
can be placed upon
human wisdom and judgment."
00:16:21.94\00:16:25.61
That reminds me of
1 Corinthians 3:19.
00:16:25.65\00:16:28.05
"For the wisdom of this world,
00:16:28.08\00:16:29.62
the Bible said is
foolishness with God.
00:16:29.65\00:16:32.82
For it is written,
00:16:32.85\00:16:34.19
He taketh the wise in
their own craftiness."
00:16:34.22\00:16:36.66
Very interesting, Jesus
just declares it without me,
00:16:36.69\00:16:40.03
you can do what?
00:16:40.06\00:16:41.40
You can do nothing in John 15:5.
00:16:41.43\00:16:43.57
Without me what?
You can do nothing.
00:16:43.60\00:16:46.63
Without Jesus you'll
not be approved of God.
00:16:46.67\00:16:50.41
See, we have to take time
in our study and in our lives,
00:16:50.44\00:16:54.78
to study our own motives.
00:16:54.81\00:16:56.98
Why are we doing
what we're doing?
00:16:57.01\00:16:58.35
Why are we walking the
way that we are walking?
00:16:58.38\00:17:00.98
We have to make sure
that our lives are in harmony
00:17:01.02\00:17:02.92
with the Word of God.
00:17:02.95\00:17:05.55
Manuscript 49, 1898 says this.
00:17:05.59\00:17:08.56
Now this starts
getting little bit more,
00:17:08.59\00:17:10.23
come on you charred the milk,
00:17:10.26\00:17:12.13
let's get into
some meat, shall we?
00:17:12.16\00:17:15.56
Says, "No business
is to be undertaken."
00:17:15.60\00:17:18.20
Did you get that? No business.
00:17:18.23\00:17:20.44
I know there's
gonna be some who say,
00:17:20.47\00:17:21.80
well, my
business is an exception.
00:17:21.84\00:17:23.44
I just have to
say, no, it's not.
00:17:23.47\00:17:25.11
Your business is
not an exception.
00:17:25.14\00:17:27.61
"No business is
to be undertaken,
00:17:27.64\00:17:30.71
even in ordinary
life, if it corrupting
00:17:30.75\00:17:35.38
in the influence
upon the senses."
00:17:35.42\00:17:38.39
You know the God give us,
you know, corrupts our eyes,
00:17:38.42\00:17:40.89
you know, our ears, and
our taste, and our feel,
00:17:40.92\00:17:43.76
and so on and so forth.
00:17:43.79\00:17:45.79
We can't get involved
in any of those things,
00:17:45.83\00:17:47.80
because the devil is
out to corrupt those things
00:17:47.83\00:17:50.10
that God has given us.
00:17:50.13\00:17:52.07
Again, seven
Testimonies 107 says this,
00:17:52.10\00:17:55.50
let our people, here
what it boils down to.
00:17:55.54\00:17:58.47
"Let our people beware
00:17:58.51\00:17:59.84
of belittling the
importance of the Sabbath
00:17:59.87\00:18:03.11
in order to link
up with unbelievers."
00:18:03.14\00:18:05.91
Now listen, we'll have
time to go right into it,
00:18:05.95\00:18:08.12
unbeliever will say, well,
no, they're believer there be.
00:18:08.15\00:18:10.09
An unbeliever in Spirit
of Prophecy simply says,
00:18:10.12\00:18:13.05
one who does not believe
in Three Angels' Message.
00:18:13.09\00:18:15.99
That's makes it pretty
clear as far I'm concern.
00:18:16.02\00:18:18.06
So we quit giving
this stuff all the time.
00:18:18.09\00:18:20.23
Well, they're
believer, they're believer.
00:18:20.26\00:18:21.86
We're talking about how
can two agree less unless--
00:18:21.90\00:18:23.73
How can they walk
together unless they agree?
00:18:23.77\00:18:25.93
We're not in agreement.
00:18:25.97\00:18:27.30
We may be working
together and doing things,
00:18:27.34\00:18:28.67
but secretly people are
thinking different things.
00:18:28.70\00:18:30.67
They're really not in harmony.
00:18:30.71\00:18:32.04
They're not in unity.
Spirit cannot be poured out.
00:18:32.07\00:18:34.88
But notice what happens.
00:18:34.91\00:18:36.24
"Let our people
beware of belittling what?
00:18:36.28\00:18:38.35
The importance of the Sabbath
00:18:38.38\00:18:40.08
in order to link
up with unbelievers.
00:18:40.12\00:18:43.15
Let them beware
of, notices this,
00:18:43.18\00:18:45.12
departing from the
principles of our faith,
00:18:45.15\00:18:49.02
and make it appear
00:18:49.06\00:18:50.39
that it is not wrong
to conform to the world.
00:18:50.43\00:18:54.73
Let them be afraid--
00:18:54.76\00:18:56.56
Let them be what?
00:18:56.60\00:18:57.93
Let them be afraid of
heeding the counsel of any man,
00:18:57.97\00:19:00.60
whatever his position may
be, who works counter to that
00:19:00.64\00:19:04.27
which has God has wrought
00:19:04.31\00:19:06.04
in order to keep His
people separate from the world."
00:19:06.07\00:19:09.04
We don't understand the term.
00:19:09.08\00:19:10.41
We don't understand what it
is to separate from the world.
00:19:10.45\00:19:12.31
I don't think we do.
00:19:12.35\00:19:14.12
We like to have the worldly
things that are in the world,
00:19:14.15\00:19:15.98
we think we can have all
friends of the worldly friends
00:19:16.02\00:19:18.19
and still be what
God wants us to be.
00:19:18.22\00:19:20.52
The message is
and will always be
00:19:20.56\00:19:23.12
separation from the world.
00:19:23.16\00:19:25.26
I know there is a balance
00:19:25.29\00:19:26.63
and some of you
really want to balance some.
00:19:26.66\00:19:28.00
Read in the Word of God.
00:19:28.03\00:19:29.36
We go, we seek to
say that which is lost.
00:19:29.40\00:19:31.07
We understand,
we work to get them.
00:19:31.10\00:19:32.57
But we don't have to
hang around all the time.
00:19:32.60\00:19:35.14
We should be afraid that
we're gonna lose our reverences
00:19:35.17\00:19:37.57
for the message
that God has given us.
00:19:37.61\00:19:40.11
I believe this, this
quote is worthy of our notice.
00:19:40.14\00:19:43.45
Surely it applies in some areas
00:19:43.48\00:19:47.12
maybe that we
have concerns on today.
00:19:47.15\00:19:50.05
I do believe this
with all my heart.
00:19:50.09\00:19:51.42
God is asking his
people to be courageous.
00:19:51.45\00:19:55.42
He's asking us to have
his mind and his heart.
00:19:55.46\00:19:58.19
He's asking us
to use self control
00:19:58.23\00:20:02.10
in the giving of
this last day message
00:20:02.13\00:20:04.43
and to act out Bible principle.
00:20:04.47\00:20:07.17
Well, there's a lot passage,
00:20:07.20\00:20:08.54
lot of things could be given on,
00:20:08.57\00:20:09.90
we don't have time,
00:20:09.94\00:20:11.27
you need to do
some study on that.
00:20:11.31\00:20:12.64
God is challenging
us, God is calling us.
00:20:12.67\00:20:14.51
Again seven
Testimonies 108 reads this way,
00:20:14.54\00:20:17.95
"To bind
ourselves up by contracts
00:20:17.98\00:20:20.82
with those not of our faith
is not in the order of God."
00:20:20.85\00:20:26.55
I know I can hear you right now,
00:20:26.59\00:20:28.49
some are jumping off the couch
00:20:28.52\00:20:29.86
and you're just having your fit.
00:20:29.89\00:20:31.23
Well, just have your little fit.
00:20:31.26\00:20:32.59
Hopefully you'll get
over and you'd still love.
00:20:32.63\00:20:35.76
Did you notice what it says,
00:20:35.80\00:20:37.13
"To bind ourselves up
in what, in contracts,
00:20:37.17\00:20:41.07
any kind way
that we're bound up,
00:20:41.10\00:20:42.77
with those not of our faith
is not in the order of God.
00:20:42.80\00:20:46.88
Certainly we are to treat
with kindness and courtesy
00:20:46.91\00:20:50.11
those who refuse
to be loyal to God,
00:20:50.15\00:20:53.11
but we are never,
never to unite with them,
00:20:53.15\00:20:56.42
certainly in this area,
00:20:56.45\00:20:57.79
in any council regarding
vital interest of His work."
00:20:57.82\00:21:01.69
Now, would it be well for us
00:21:01.72\00:21:04.16
to see how Jesus
handle the issues
00:21:04.19\00:21:06.53
because we're
talking about voting.
00:21:06.56\00:21:07.90
We're are in the season.
00:21:07.93\00:21:09.26
Every time you turn round,
00:21:09.30\00:21:10.63
there is some kind of somebody
might be running for office
00:21:10.67\00:21:12.17
we need it, well, we need
to get involved in Christians
00:21:12.20\00:21:14.10
then, you need to
get involved in others.
00:21:14.14\00:21:16.74
How did Jesus handle this?
00:21:16.77\00:21:19.27
How did Jesus
respond to political matters?
00:21:19.31\00:21:23.08
This is the
most important point,
00:21:23.11\00:21:24.75
if you can't get anything
else, this is important.
00:21:24.78\00:21:27.92
After all is he not
our example in all things.
00:21:27.95\00:21:31.25
Sure, he is. No
one's gonna argue that.
00:21:31.29\00:21:34.32
1 Peter 1:20 or
1 Peter 2:21 and 22
00:21:34.36\00:21:39.66
the Bible says, "For
even hereunto were ye called:
00:21:39.69\00:21:43.26
because Christ
also suffered for us,
00:21:43.30\00:21:46.17
leaving us an example."
00:21:46.20\00:21:47.57
I'm just gonna leave
with that because of our time.
00:21:47.60\00:21:49.40
He left us what?
00:21:49.44\00:21:50.81
An example in all areas
of life that we can be safe.
00:21:50.84\00:21:55.21
We can feel safe in following
in the footsteps of Jesus.
00:21:55.24\00:21:57.98
Don't deviate from it.
00:21:58.01\00:21:59.35
Don't think it's all
change, he left us an example.
00:21:59.38\00:22:03.15
In fact, if you read John 13,
we see Jesus, this is simple,
00:22:03.18\00:22:07.06
but we see Jesus doing what?
00:22:07.09\00:22:08.49
He is washing
the disciple's feet
00:22:08.52\00:22:10.39
and he said,
"I'm leaving you what?
00:22:10.43\00:22:11.89
Good. "Do as I've done to you."
00:22:11.93\00:22:13.96
I'm leaving you
what? A good, an example.
00:22:14.00\00:22:16.46
And certainly 1
John 2:6, Bible says,
00:22:16.50\00:22:19.10
"He that saith he abideth in him
00:22:19.13\00:22:21.14
also to walk as he walked."
00:22:21.17\00:22:23.81
We ought to do what?
00:22:23.84\00:22:25.17
If we say we abideth in
him, then walk as he walked,
00:22:25.21\00:22:27.64
it's very simple.
00:22:27.68\00:22:29.51
So how did Christ walk
00:22:29.54\00:22:31.55
when it comes to
political matters?
00:22:31.58\00:22:34.32
Well, it becomes
very clear in scripture
00:22:34.35\00:22:36.08
and Spirit of Prophecy.
00:22:36.12\00:22:37.45
Desire of Ages says this 509,
00:22:37.49\00:22:38.82
and I have to do
reading, notice this.
00:22:38.85\00:22:40.79
You're saying today, I
know what you're saying.
00:22:40.82\00:22:43.86
Well, it was
different back then.
00:22:43.89\00:22:46.03
Let me tell you, the
world is dirty today,
00:22:46.06\00:22:49.03
the world has its issues.
00:22:49.06\00:22:50.93
But let me tell you
in the days of Christ
00:22:50.97\00:22:53.00
exactly the same things
were going on inside the church,
00:22:53.03\00:22:57.21
outside the church,
in the political arena
00:22:57.24\00:22:59.87
that's going on today,
00:22:59.91\00:23:01.98
and Jesus, notice
how he dealt with it.
00:23:02.01\00:23:05.18
Because, I mean,
I felt this for you,
00:23:05.21\00:23:06.55
I've talked to
many sincere Christians
00:23:06.58\00:23:08.22
and hopefully we'll have
time to talk more about that
00:23:08.25\00:23:10.49
who say the world
is in such a mess,
00:23:10.52\00:23:12.05
Christians, we have to
rise, we have take control,
00:23:12.09\00:23:16.52
because the world
is in such a mess.
00:23:16.56\00:23:18.26
Notice how it was in the days
of Christ Desire of Ages 509,
00:23:18.29\00:23:22.40
"The government
under which Jesus lived
00:23:22.43\00:23:26.23
was corrupt and oppressive."
00:23:26.27\00:23:29.10
Well, amen. Somebody with me.
00:23:29.14\00:23:32.44
Does that not say today,
00:23:32.47\00:23:33.81
you want to know
the parallel, do you?
00:23:33.84\00:23:35.31
Sure, it is.
00:23:35.34\00:23:36.68
Notice, "Corrupt and oppressive,
00:23:36.71\00:23:38.48
on every hand, notice this,
00:23:38.51\00:23:40.32
on every hand they
were crying abuses--"
00:23:40.35\00:23:44.35
Well, they're
crying today abuses,
00:23:44.39\00:23:46.19
we're abused
here, we're abused here,
00:23:46.22\00:23:47.56
we left out here, no
one's paying any attention.
00:23:47.59\00:23:50.16
Extortion, oh, you
know it, intolerance,
00:23:50.19\00:23:55.66
grinding cruelty, we know that.
00:23:55.70\00:23:58.33
Notice this
but, "Yet the Saviour
00:23:58.37\00:24:01.57
attempted no civil reforms."
00:24:01.60\00:24:06.47
Did he not care? Absolutely.
00:24:06.51\00:24:09.11
Did he, does he have a
heart for all of us one?
00:24:09.14\00:24:11.35
Absolutely, but
notice there is a reason
00:24:11.38\00:24:14.32
why he did not
attempt any civil reforms.
00:24:14.35\00:24:17.95
Notice, "He did not
attack the national abuses,
00:24:17.99\00:24:22.62
nor condemned
the national enemies.
00:24:22.66\00:24:26.49
He did not
interfere, notice this,
00:24:26.53\00:24:28.76
with the authority
00:24:28.80\00:24:30.13
or the administration
of those in power."
00:24:30.17\00:24:32.90
See Christians today,
00:24:32.93\00:24:34.27
we're going to go and
we're gonna take over.
00:24:34.30\00:24:35.80
We're gonna vote people and all
00:24:35.84\00:24:37.17
and we're gonna get
rid of all this unbelief.
00:24:37.21\00:24:38.54
Jesus knew everything
00:24:38.57\00:24:40.81
and yet he knew what
was going on in the world,
00:24:40.84\00:24:43.04
it was horrible,
he came in a time
00:24:43.08\00:24:44.91
in one of the darkest
hours of earth's history.
00:24:44.95\00:24:47.32
He came down when it seem
to be no hope for this world.
00:24:47.35\00:24:50.65
How sad, but it is the way
it is right now, but notice,
00:24:50.69\00:24:55.36
he didn't try to
have any civil reform,
00:24:55.39\00:24:57.63
he didn't do any marching,
he didn't do any demonstration.
00:24:57.66\00:25:00.63
He didn't try to
change the government.
00:25:00.66\00:25:02.56
Notice why?
00:25:02.60\00:25:03.93
As a Christian, we
need not try to whoo,
00:25:03.97\00:25:06.33
to change the government,
00:25:06.37\00:25:07.70
we need to try to change
our own hearts and lives.
00:25:07.74\00:25:10.11
There is a
difference in the kingdom
00:25:10.14\00:25:11.51
you see of this world
and the kingdom of Christ.
00:25:11.54\00:25:14.44
This is what
we're looking at here.
00:25:14.48\00:25:15.81
Keep focus with me.
00:25:15.84\00:25:18.08
The article goes on to say this,
00:25:18.11\00:25:19.88
"Not because He was
indifferent to the woes of men,
00:25:19.91\00:25:24.32
but because the
remedy did not, notice this,
00:25:24.35\00:25:27.66
the remedy did not
lie in merely in human
00:25:27.69\00:25:30.89
and external measures.
00:25:30.93\00:25:33.06
To be efficient,
the cure, notice,
00:25:33.09\00:25:35.76
must reach men individually,
and must regenerate the heart."
00:25:35.80\00:25:40.47
What was Jesus focusing on?
00:25:40.50\00:25:41.84
He passed all the laws you want,
00:25:41.87\00:25:43.20
get all the Christians you want,
00:25:43.24\00:25:44.57
so called Christians in office
is not gonna change anything.
00:25:44.61\00:25:46.94
Laws will be passed to
hurt the minority always.
00:25:46.98\00:25:50.68
It's always been that way.
00:25:50.71\00:25:53.11
Jesus knew the law
was better than any of us,
00:25:53.15\00:25:55.65
yet he did not interfere in
the government in the least.
00:25:55.68\00:25:59.39
Wow, I mean, in the
spiritual things of God
00:25:59.42\00:26:04.49
can never be in harmony
with the spirit of the world.
00:26:04.53\00:26:07.46
They're two
totally opposite poles,
00:26:07.50\00:26:09.80
notice that,
00:26:09.83\00:26:11.17
two principles
directly opposite to each other.
00:26:11.20\00:26:14.90
1 Corinthians 2:14 says,
"The natural man does what?
00:26:14.94\00:26:19.31
Receiveth not the
things of the Spirit of God:
00:26:19.34\00:26:22.94
for they are foolishness to him:
00:26:22.98\00:26:25.81
neither can he know
them, because they are what?
00:26:25.85\00:26:27.98
Spiritually discern."
00:26:28.02\00:26:31.12
Jesus cared, he
knew what was going on,
00:26:31.15\00:26:35.22
he knew the world was in a mess,
00:26:35.26\00:26:36.76
the only hope was for Jesus
to come down to this world.
00:26:36.79\00:26:41.03
And notice, he
still did not get involved
00:26:41.06\00:26:44.07
in the political world.
00:26:44.10\00:26:46.97
He backed way from that.
00:26:47.00\00:26:48.74
Notice what the
Bible says in Luke 20:25,
00:26:48.77\00:26:52.81
and this is one you
could read at the beginning,
00:26:52.84\00:26:54.74
you can read in the
middle, you can read at the end,
00:26:54.78\00:26:56.98
when Jesus was shown the
coin, you remembered and said,
00:26:57.01\00:26:59.98
you know whose is this
and Jesus simply said what?
00:27:00.02\00:27:03.08
Render to Caesar, the
things that are Caesar
00:27:03.12\00:27:05.72
and the things are God unto God,
00:27:05.75\00:27:07.56
so he made it clear
then the things of God,
00:27:07.59\00:27:09.56
they're different than
the things of the government.
00:27:09.59\00:27:12.29
God's kingdom is different
and we need to be careful
00:27:12.33\00:27:14.63
what kingdom
we're trying to ride,
00:27:14.66\00:27:16.16
work in and be involved in,
00:27:16.20\00:27:17.90
and how much responsibility
we have when we do,
00:27:17.93\00:27:21.00
even though we might try
00:27:21.04\00:27:22.37
to make the world
little bit better.
00:27:22.40\00:27:25.37
I think this may be next quote--
00:27:25.41\00:27:28.78
It's couple of paragraphs
but just bear with me.
00:27:28.81\00:27:32.31
I believe this with all
my hearts so let's put it,
00:27:32.35\00:27:34.85
this what I was talking about.
00:27:34.88\00:27:36.38
There are many honest, sincere,
00:27:36.42\00:27:38.65
beautiful
Christians in the world today.
00:27:38.69\00:27:41.82
They think they can make
a difference in the country.
00:27:41.86\00:27:45.63
They think they can make
a difference in the world
00:27:45.66\00:27:48.73
and even in our
legislative halls,
00:27:48.76\00:27:51.40
if they get involved in politics
00:27:51.43\00:27:53.13
or they elect the
right person in the office.
00:27:53.17\00:27:56.44
They really believe
it with all their heart.
00:27:56.47\00:28:00.31
But you know what?
00:28:00.34\00:28:01.68
We think about
the making of laws
00:28:01.71\00:28:03.04
and enforcing them,
they feel this, making laws,
00:28:03.08\00:28:06.51
enforcing them will
make the world a better place
00:28:06.55\00:28:09.58
to live in.
00:28:09.62\00:28:11.39
So, many people will
simply tell us right now,
00:28:11.42\00:28:13.29
we need Christians in office,
we need Christians in what?
00:28:13.32\00:28:18.63
In the government.
00:28:18.66\00:28:21.33
Well, I'm not saying
that not necessarily the truth
00:28:21.36\00:28:23.80
right there but notice, but,
00:28:23.83\00:28:26.17
the heart must
to be true to Christ
00:28:26.20\00:28:29.44
and his laws put into
action in each of our lives
00:28:29.47\00:28:35.38
or we shall be
exactly the way the Jews were
00:28:35.41\00:28:38.95
in the days of Christ.
00:28:38.98\00:28:41.65
You see, they wanted to do what?
00:28:41.68\00:28:43.72
They wanted the world to be
governed by their manmade laws
00:28:43.75\00:28:48.46
instead of God's laws.
00:28:48.49\00:28:51.73
Do you see the same thing today,
00:28:51.76\00:28:53.29
you see that parallel today.
00:28:53.33\00:28:55.26
Men want man's laws,
they don't want God's laws.
00:28:55.30\00:29:00.27
And when you get
Christians together
00:29:00.30\00:29:01.74
and you get them in all,
00:29:01.77\00:29:03.10
well, they think they
want to do the right thing,
00:29:03.14\00:29:04.71
but they still
want to legislate,
00:29:04.74\00:29:06.78
they still want to make,
00:29:06.81\00:29:08.14
you cannot make this
world better by laws.
00:29:08.18\00:29:10.81
We have never learned
that evidently by the millions,
00:29:10.85\00:29:13.08
we have on the books.
00:29:13.11\00:29:15.05
Is God's Ten Commandments law
00:29:15.08\00:29:16.62
that he has for us to look into
00:29:16.65\00:29:19.32
to see where our failures
are at and then look to him
00:29:19.35\00:29:21.69
to gain the
victories that we need.
00:29:21.72\00:29:25.03
This next quote
is just interesting,
00:29:25.06\00:29:26.70
again Desire of
Ages, 509, says this.
00:29:26.73\00:29:30.50
This is what I've just
been talking about, notice,
00:29:30.53\00:29:33.54
"Today in the religious
world there are multitudes
00:29:33.57\00:29:37.31
who, as they believe,
00:29:37.34\00:29:38.97
are working for
the establishment,
00:29:39.01\00:29:40.74
notice this, for
the kingdom of Christ."
00:29:40.78\00:29:44.71
Many people do what?
00:29:44.75\00:29:46.08
Christians they
believe that they're working
00:29:46.11\00:29:47.45
for the establishment
of the kingdom of Christ,
00:29:47.48\00:29:51.02
notice this, "As an
earthly temporal kingdom."
00:29:51.05\00:29:54.49
They're thinking
about, notice this,
00:29:54.52\00:29:55.92
the false doctrine
and the false teaching
00:29:55.96\00:29:57.86
that cannot be substantiated
from the Word of God.
00:29:57.89\00:30:00.73
Thousand years of
peace on this earth,
00:30:00.76\00:30:03.30
and they're
seeing that take place,
00:30:03.33\00:30:04.73
they think peace
and safety and oh,
00:30:04.77\00:30:07.14
more jobs and
everybody's gonna happier,
00:30:07.17\00:30:08.74
everything's
gonna workout real good.
00:30:08.77\00:30:11.07
Interesting thought,
00:30:11.11\00:30:13.81
but they think they're
working toward this end here
00:30:13.84\00:30:16.81
the
establishment of the kingdom,
00:30:16.85\00:30:18.75
"They desire, notice,
to make our Lord the ruler,
00:30:18.78\00:30:23.92
notice, the ruler of
the kingdom of this world."
00:30:23.95\00:30:27.62
Interesting, but notice
how the article goes on,
00:30:27.66\00:30:32.03
it says, "The
ruler in its courts,
00:30:32.06\00:30:35.10
its camps, its
legislative halls,
00:30:35.13\00:30:38.23
its palaces and
its market places.
00:30:38.27\00:30:42.07
They expect him,
talking about Jesus Christ,
00:30:42.10\00:30:44.31
to rule through
legal enactments,
00:30:44.34\00:30:47.94
enforced by human authority."
00:30:47.98\00:30:51.05
And here's what
they say, well, listen,
00:30:51.08\00:30:53.21
"Since Christ is
not here will help him,
00:30:53.25\00:30:56.02
interesting, he is
not here in person,
00:30:56.05\00:30:58.69
they themselves will
undertake this act in His stead,
00:30:58.72\00:31:03.73
they're going to
execute laws of His kingdom.
00:31:03.76\00:31:08.06
They're going to try to
establish such a kingdom,
00:31:08.10\00:31:10.13
of what, the Jews
desired in the days of Christ.
00:31:10.17\00:31:14.54
They would receive
Jesus, notice this,
00:31:14.57\00:31:16.47
the Jews would
have received who,
00:31:16.50\00:31:18.07
they would received
Jesus, had he been willing
00:31:18.11\00:31:20.78
to establish his
temporal kingdom or dominion,
00:31:20.81\00:31:24.41
to enforce what they
regarded as the laws of God."
00:31:24.45\00:31:28.55
Interesting thought here.
00:31:28.58\00:31:31.62
Listen to this what Jesus said,
00:31:31.65\00:31:34.29
that's found in
John 18:36, but he said,
00:31:34.32\00:31:37.33
"My kingdom is
not of this world:"
00:31:37.36\00:31:40.73
Wow!
00:31:40.76\00:31:43.26
Jesus would not
accept any earthly throne,
00:31:43.30\00:31:48.40
but here is that, may be a key.
00:31:48.44\00:31:49.77
I pray that will, will help us,
give us a little bit more light
00:31:49.80\00:31:54.24
on what we're talking about here
00:31:54.28\00:31:56.31
and it's gonna
be clear as we go,
00:31:56.34\00:31:58.21
so stay with the
program you may, and I'll say,
00:31:58.25\00:31:59.98
well, I'm not digging
what all, listen carefully.
00:32:00.02\00:32:03.18
Desire of Ages, 509 says this,
00:32:03.22\00:32:06.35
"It's not by the
decisions of courts
00:32:06.39\00:32:09.82
or councils or
legislative assemblies,
00:32:09.86\00:32:14.26
not by the patronage
of worldly great men,
00:32:14.30\00:32:18.57
is the kingdom of
Christ established,
00:32:18.60\00:32:21.24
but by the implanting,
see if this make sense,
00:32:21.27\00:32:23.30
but by the implanting of
Christ's nature in humanity
00:32:23.34\00:32:26.88
through the work
of the Holy Spirit."
00:32:26.91\00:32:29.31
See Jesus understood
the difference in the world,
00:32:29.34\00:32:31.61
right, kingdom of the world,
00:32:31.65\00:32:33.21
and his kingdom of
righteousness and grace.
00:32:33.25\00:32:36.02
He had no part
with that of the world.
00:32:36.05\00:32:38.65
That's not what he came.
00:32:38.69\00:32:40.02
He realized changes
had to take place what?
00:32:40.06\00:32:41.69
It's not by
laws, and manmade laws,
00:32:41.72\00:32:43.36
and all these, the
fallacies is going on,
00:32:43.39\00:32:46.03
but by Christ
living in our heart,
00:32:46.06\00:32:48.40
we need to be
focused on these things.
00:32:48.43\00:32:50.27
In fact, in John
1:12-13 the Bible says,
00:32:50.30\00:32:54.14
it tells of the power
that would change the world.
00:32:54.17\00:32:57.54
Oh, I want to see that,
I love to be a part of that
00:32:57.57\00:33:00.64
and we see that his power
is changing hearts and life.
00:33:00.68\00:33:04.35
The Bible says, "As
many as received him,
00:33:04.38\00:33:06.92
you know this, to
them gave he what?
00:33:06.95\00:33:09.55
Good, he gave them power
to become the sons of God,
00:33:09.58\00:33:13.09
even to them that
believe on his name:
00:33:13.12\00:33:15.92
and which were born,
not of, notice, of blood,
00:33:15.96\00:33:18.83
nor of the will of the
flesh, nor of the will of man,
00:33:18.86\00:33:21.16
but of God."
00:33:21.20\00:33:22.53
Take time to jot
those down and read those.
00:33:22.56\00:33:24.30
You see how much sense it makes.
00:33:24.33\00:33:27.57
Does the world need change?
Absolutely, it needs change.
00:33:27.60\00:33:32.17
But you know many feel
that these changes, you know,
00:33:32.21\00:33:36.48
only way that can take place is
00:33:36.51\00:33:37.91
if we get involved with politics
00:33:37.95\00:33:39.85
or get involved
in the government.
00:33:39.88\00:33:42.75
Get involved in
the political scene,
00:33:42.78\00:33:44.55
I hear that all the time.
00:33:44.59\00:33:45.92
Well, you don't care
then if you don't vote
00:33:45.95\00:33:47.66
and you don't
get, you don't care.
00:33:47.69\00:33:50.63
Interesting
there is responsibility
00:33:50.66\00:33:53.16
when you take a side.
00:33:53.19\00:33:54.53
There is responsibility
00:33:54.56\00:33:56.10
when you spend time on
some kind of a earthly kingdom
00:33:56.13\00:33:59.00
as it were and not
the kingdom of God.
00:33:59.03\00:34:02.00
You become
accountable for certain things
00:34:02.04\00:34:04.74
that we'll read
here in a moment.
00:34:04.77\00:34:08.64
Desire of Ages, 510
says, "Now, as in Christ's day,
00:34:08.68\00:34:11.81
the work of God's kingdom lies
00:34:11.85\00:34:13.65
not with those who are
clamoring for recognition."
00:34:13.68\00:34:18.32
You see it today, people are
clamoring for the highest seat.
00:34:18.35\00:34:22.32
Did they not do that
in the days of Christ?
00:34:22.36\00:34:24.39
They want to be recognize,
they want the highest position,
00:34:24.43\00:34:26.70
they want to, you
know, be involved,
00:34:26.73\00:34:28.26
they want to be recognized
and they wanted to be supported
00:34:28.30\00:34:31.67
as it were by and called
by name by earthly rulers
00:34:31.70\00:34:35.14
and human laws,
but notice these,
00:34:35.17\00:34:39.04
"But with those
who are declaring
00:34:39.07\00:34:40.68
to the people his name, notice,
00:34:40.71\00:34:43.55
those spiritual
truths that will work
00:34:43.58\00:34:47.28
in the receivers
the experience of Paul:"
00:34:47.32\00:34:50.29
Notice there is people
who would present the truth
00:34:50.32\00:34:52.75
and notice how this
gels with what Paul said
00:34:52.79\00:34:55.16
there in Galatians 2:20,
00:34:55.19\00:34:57.76
Paul said this
as an end results,
00:34:57.79\00:35:00.00
"I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live, good,
00:35:00.03\00:35:05.10
not yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me:"
00:35:05.13\00:35:08.97
Interesting, if that
takes place what will happen?
00:35:09.00\00:35:12.94
Then we're going to labor
00:35:12.97\00:35:14.31
and we're going
to work as Paul did
00:35:14.34\00:35:16.04
for the benefit of mankind
00:35:16.08\00:35:17.75
but it sure weren't
in politics, was it?
00:35:17.78\00:35:19.81
He didn't waste
his time on that.
00:35:19.85\00:35:21.38
Jesus said he, he had
nothing to do with it.
00:35:21.42\00:35:23.59
He didn't get
involved in anything,
00:35:23.62\00:35:24.95
he wasn't in a
political world at all.
00:35:24.99\00:35:26.32
Is he our example, or is he not?
00:35:26.35\00:35:27.82
You can say he is my example,
but if you do the opposite,
00:35:27.86\00:35:30.59
then you're not
doing what Jesus lived
00:35:30.63\00:35:32.13
and taught down here, are you?
00:35:32.16\00:35:34.30
It's a question
we are faced with.
00:35:34.33\00:35:38.93
After all are we
not his ambassadors?
00:35:38.97\00:35:41.50
2 Corinthians 5:20 says,
00:35:41.54\00:35:43.74
"Now then we are
ambassadors for Christ,
00:35:43.77\00:35:47.24
as though God did
beseech you by us:
00:35:47.28\00:35:50.61
we pray you in Christ's
stead, be ye reconciled to God."
00:35:50.65\00:35:56.22
You might say,
well, at this point
00:35:56.25\00:35:57.59
I've got a pretty good,
00:35:57.62\00:35:59.29
you know, idea
of what's going on
00:35:59.32\00:36:00.66
and what's been
said on the religion
00:36:00.69\00:36:02.79
and politics on the issue.
00:36:02.82\00:36:04.26
Well, there's some
things that's lot clear
00:36:04.29\00:36:06.63
that we
probably should touch on.
00:36:06.66\00:36:08.86
I know you want to know too.
00:36:08.90\00:36:10.53
Seven Testimonies
252, remember, we all,
00:36:10.57\00:36:13.60
we have the example of
God's people in scripture.
00:36:13.64\00:36:17.47
We have the
example of Jesus Christ
00:36:17.51\00:36:19.44
dealing with politics.
00:36:19.47\00:36:21.21
We will see also
examine those who got involved
00:36:21.24\00:36:24.21
with things they should
not have got involved with
00:36:24.25\00:36:26.25
and what happened to them.
00:36:26.28\00:36:27.65
Interesting, I wish we
had time to go into lot of,
00:36:27.68\00:36:29.55
we won't, we'll use
two or three of those.
00:36:29.58\00:36:32.05
Seven Testimonies 252,
00:36:32.09\00:36:34.56
we have a lot of
preachers standing in a pulpit,
00:36:34.59\00:36:37.69
preaching it more about
who we should elect in office
00:36:37.73\00:36:39.79
than they're talking about,
talking about Jesus Christ,
00:36:39.83\00:36:42.23
and how to get ready for heaven.
00:36:42.26\00:36:44.50
If you are one of
those pastors today,
00:36:44.53\00:36:46.07
you need to
listen this carefully.
00:36:46.10\00:36:48.77
Says, "Gospel ministers
are to keep their office
00:36:48.80\00:36:51.94
free from all things
secular or political,
00:36:51.97\00:36:57.91
employing all
their time and talents
00:36:57.95\00:37:00.48
in lines of Christian effort."
00:37:00.52\00:37:02.82
Does that make sense?
00:37:02.85\00:37:04.59
Preacher, you got no business
getting up in the pulpit
00:37:04.62\00:37:06.65
and we see him
day in and day out.
00:37:06.69\00:37:09.09
Don't care if you're
in the Advent movement
00:37:09.12\00:37:10.56
or any other
kind of the movement,
00:37:10.59\00:37:12.16
all you're trying to do
00:37:12.19\00:37:13.53
is trying to
persuade the congregation
00:37:13.56\00:37:14.90
how to vote and what
they should vote for.
00:37:14.93\00:37:17.20
How do you really
know what truth is?
00:37:17.23\00:37:19.27
How do you really know
what's going to takes place
00:37:19.30\00:37:21.00
as you have heard it,
or you are presenting it?
00:37:21.04\00:37:24.71
Could you mess a
lot of people up?
00:37:24.74\00:37:26.11
Oh, good.
00:37:26.14\00:37:28.54
The preachers should
be free from all of this,
00:37:28.58\00:37:31.81
anything secular,
anything political, free up.
00:37:31.85\00:37:35.35
Another beautiful
book, Gospel Workers,
00:37:35.38\00:37:37.02
listen to this
carefully, page 393.
00:37:37.05\00:37:40.36
This really gets
right down to, you say,
00:37:40.39\00:37:41.92
well, you know I'm not
involved too much, now notice,
00:37:41.96\00:37:44.33
"Every teacher,
minister, or leader in our ranks
00:37:44.36\00:37:50.37
who is stirred with a
desire to, notice this,
00:37:50.40\00:37:53.40
ventilate his opinion
on the political questions,
00:37:53.44\00:37:57.21
should be converted
by a belief in the truth,
00:37:57.24\00:38:00.68
or give up his work.
00:38:00.71\00:38:03.31
His influence must tell as
a laborer together with God
00:38:03.35\00:38:06.82
in winning souls to Christ,
00:38:06.85\00:38:09.28
or his credentials
must be taken from him.
00:38:09.32\00:38:12.42
If he does not change,
00:38:12.45\00:38:13.99
he will do harm, and only harm."
00:38:14.02\00:38:16.66
That's about as
clear as you can get.
00:38:16.69\00:38:20.06
That's about as
clear as you can get.
00:38:20.10\00:38:22.56
We often say
00:38:22.60\00:38:23.93
and just don't want too
get to involved with it,
00:38:23.97\00:38:25.30
lot of political leaders,
00:38:25.33\00:38:26.67
you'll say, well,
they're politicians
00:38:26.70\00:38:28.04
so you expect a
politician to lie all the time.
00:38:28.07\00:38:30.41
How do you know what
they're telling the truth?
00:38:30.44\00:38:31.87
How do you know
what to take a stand on?
00:38:31.91\00:38:33.54
How did you know what
to tell to other people
00:38:33.58\00:38:36.54
what they should vote on,
what they shouldn't vote on?
00:38:36.58\00:38:38.95
It's something that
we need to stay clear of,
00:38:38.98\00:38:41.15
not just politics,
ministers and teachers,
00:38:41.18\00:38:44.75
all others, we
have responsibility.
00:38:44.79\00:38:48.79
Again nine Testimonies,
notice this, 218, gets clear,
00:38:48.82\00:38:52.19
"Again and again
Christ had been asked
00:38:52.23\00:38:55.23
to decide legal and
political questions."
00:38:55.26\00:38:59.03
Let this make
sense again and again
00:38:59.07\00:39:01.70
he was put in the position
00:39:01.74\00:39:03.30
you have to make a
statement on some kind of legal
00:39:03.34\00:39:05.91
or political question.
00:39:05.94\00:39:08.01
Notice this, "But
he refused to interfere
00:39:08.04\00:39:11.88
with temporal matters.
00:39:11.91\00:39:14.12
He stood in our world
00:39:14.15\00:39:15.48
as Head of the
great spiritual kingdom
00:39:15.52\00:39:18.22
that He came to our world
00:39:18.25\00:39:19.82
to establish the
kingdom of righteousness."
00:39:19.85\00:39:23.32
He knew the difference in
the kingdom of this world,
00:39:23.36\00:39:25.76
and the kingdom
of righteousness.
00:39:25.79\00:39:27.13
He knew why he came. Do
you know why you are here?
00:39:27.16\00:39:30.20
I guarantee you
it's not to be involved
00:39:30.23\00:39:31.73
in all this mess that's
going on in the world today.
00:39:31.77\00:39:34.90
This seems to be
at least clear to me,
00:39:34.94\00:39:36.77
I don't know how it is to you,
00:39:36.81\00:39:38.77
that is a follower of
Jesus Christ will not,
00:39:38.81\00:39:42.78
will not even
address political questions.
00:39:42.81\00:39:46.35
Man, have we all been
caught in that from time to time
00:39:46.38\00:39:49.38
but it's not too late to change.
00:39:49.42\00:39:52.25
Let me read Gospel
Workers 292 on that.
00:39:52.29\00:39:55.16
Notice what it says.
00:39:55.19\00:39:57.13
It's talking about are
we to talk about political,
00:39:57.16\00:39:59.63
or politics or so on.
00:39:59.66\00:40:01.00
Here's what it says.
"What are we to do, then?"
00:40:01.03\00:40:04.20
Here's the answer.
00:40:04.23\00:40:05.57
"Let political questions alone."
00:40:05.60\00:40:10.14
Even I can understand
that, leave them alone.
00:40:10.17\00:40:12.47
Now some of you're
not going to do it anyway,
00:40:12.51\00:40:13.84
because you think
you know everything
00:40:13.88\00:40:15.21
about what's going on?
00:40:15.24\00:40:16.58
And you're gonna,
why don't you follow up
00:40:16.61\00:40:17.95
the Word of God,
the Spirit of Prophecy.
00:40:17.98\00:40:19.31
Won't you follow what God says?
00:40:19.35\00:40:20.68
Won't you follow your
leader which is Jesus Christ
00:40:20.72\00:40:22.05
who had nothing to
do with those things?
00:40:22.08\00:40:25.12
See this passage
fits at least to me
00:40:25.15\00:40:27.92
pretty much exactly
with 2 Corinthians 6:14,
00:40:27.96\00:40:30.89
which you know well.
00:40:30.93\00:40:32.39
"Be ye not unequally
yoked together with what?
00:40:32.43\00:40:35.70
Good, with
unbelievers, notice this,
00:40:35.73\00:40:38.00
for what
fellowship hath righteousness
00:40:38.03\00:40:40.24
with unrighteousness?
00:40:40.27\00:40:42.20
And what communion
hath light with darkness?"
00:40:42.24\00:40:46.98
See, think about this,
00:40:47.01\00:40:48.34
we look in the political
world and the government
00:40:48.38\00:40:50.35
and all the stuff
that's going on, all that's--
00:40:50.38\00:40:55.65
I love to go in
detail, I'm not much gonna do.
00:40:55.68\00:40:57.42
You understand
what I'm talking about?
00:40:57.45\00:40:59.55
How do you really
know what is truth?
00:40:59.59\00:41:01.32
How do you know
what they're promising
00:41:01.36\00:41:02.69
they can bring to pass?
00:41:02.72\00:41:04.16
Most of them can't do it.
00:41:04.19\00:41:06.13
They want to tell you
what you want to hear.
00:41:06.16\00:41:09.43
And then, we go and
tell everybody else,
00:41:09.46\00:41:10.93
and we all become
involved in something
00:41:10.97\00:41:12.47
rather than what
he said, he said,
00:41:12.50\00:41:13.90
"Go Tell It on the
Mountain that song says.
00:41:13.94\00:41:16.44
Go tell about Jesus.
00:41:16.47\00:41:17.81
"If I be lifted
up from the earth
00:41:17.84\00:41:19.17
will draw all men unto me."
00:41:19.21\00:41:20.54
As Christians, we're
followers of Jesus Christ,
00:41:20.58\00:41:22.71
let the political questions
alone and lift up Jesus,
00:41:22.74\00:41:26.31
talk to people about
Jesus, study the Word of God,
00:41:26.35\00:41:29.12
instead on internet all time
00:41:29.15\00:41:30.49
talking about
this politician said,
00:41:30.52\00:41:31.85
I'm gonna vote for him.
00:41:31.89\00:41:33.22
I'm gonna vote for
that and right there.
00:41:33.25\00:41:34.59
Lord, have mercy on us.
00:41:34.62\00:41:37.69
I say that because you
gonna be held accountable.
00:41:37.73\00:41:41.23
You're accountable for
your time, just like I am,
00:41:41.26\00:41:43.90
use it wisely, my
brothers and sisters.
00:41:43.93\00:41:47.20
2 Corinthians 6:17 just says,
00:41:47.24\00:41:48.90
"Wherefore come
out from among them,
00:41:48.94\00:41:50.81
and do what?
00:41:50.84\00:41:52.17
And be ye
separate, saith the Lord,
00:41:52.21\00:41:54.44
and touch not the unclean thing,
00:41:54.48\00:41:56.44
and I will receive you."
00:41:56.48\00:41:57.81
So if you're
touching the unclean what?
00:41:57.85\00:42:01.18
He can't receive you,
00:42:01.22\00:42:03.69
don't touch the
unclean then I'll receive you.
00:42:03.72\00:42:07.56
This is a matter we
have to look and say okay,
00:42:07.59\00:42:09.72
by the grace of
God, I can do this.
00:42:09.76\00:42:12.26
Ever since talk
about the politics,
00:42:12.29\00:42:13.66
and who we should elect,
00:42:13.70\00:42:15.03
I need to be
talking about Jesus.
00:42:15.06\00:42:16.40
I need to be talking
about the spiritual kingdom
00:42:16.43\00:42:18.27
of righteousness that he came.
00:42:18.30\00:42:20.04
Jesus did not get sidetracked,
not one instance day.
00:42:20.07\00:42:24.67
I'm being nice for
us maybe to notice the,
00:42:24.71\00:42:26.81
the word fellowship
there in 2 Corinthians 6:14,
00:42:26.84\00:42:30.55
means no participation,
and it means no partnership.
00:42:30.58\00:42:35.78
So we have a
groupers seeking Christ,
00:42:35.82\00:42:38.12
and his
righteousness can have no union,
00:42:38.15\00:42:40.66
they can have no participation,
they can have no partnership,
00:42:40.69\00:42:45.96
they can't support,
00:42:45.99\00:42:47.46
they shouldn't be working for
or with unbelievers or infidels
00:42:47.50\00:42:52.07
people who do not
believe the message
00:42:52.10\00:42:53.57
or keeping the
commandments of God.
00:42:53.60\00:42:56.27
So though we, we
identified with him,
00:42:56.30\00:42:58.14
I don't want to be identified
with the things of this world.
00:42:58.17\00:43:02.74
Let's get little
bit clearer shall we?
00:43:02.78\00:43:04.11
You say, well,
that's pretty clear already.
00:43:04.15\00:43:05.55
Well, let's clear it up.
00:43:05.58\00:43:07.32
Some of you
making little bit muddy,
00:43:07.35\00:43:10.22
I think by the way,
you're thinking right now.
00:43:10.25\00:43:13.15
We want to get it
right, don't we want to plea,
00:43:13.19\00:43:14.86
I want to please Jesus.
00:43:14.89\00:43:17.36
Remember, Christ is in control.
00:43:17.39\00:43:19.36
God is in control of this world.
00:43:19.39\00:43:21.90
He sets up kings,
and he takes them down.
00:43:21.93\00:43:25.10
Oh, but my vote is important.
00:43:25.13\00:43:27.30
God's still is in
control, whether you vote
00:43:27.34\00:43:30.37
or whether you don't vote,
God will allow certain things,
00:43:30.41\00:43:33.98
and certain
things he will intervene,
00:43:34.01\00:43:36.81
because he's written the book,
00:43:36.85\00:43:38.18
and he tells exactly
what's gonna takes place,
00:43:38.21\00:43:39.75
and he bring it to the pass.
00:43:39.78\00:43:41.38
Don't be so
concerned about this world,
00:43:41.42\00:43:44.52
and things in this world.
00:43:44.55\00:43:45.89
Be concerned
about the things of God.
00:43:45.92\00:43:48.72
Gospel Workers 395 said,
00:43:48.76\00:43:51.53
"There is a large
vineyard to be cultivated,
00:43:51.56\00:43:55.13
but while
Christians are to work among,
00:43:55.16\00:43:57.87
notice, unbelievers, they are
not to appear like worldlings."
00:43:57.90\00:44:03.61
Notice, "They are not to spend
their time talking politics
00:44:03.64\00:44:08.34
or acting politics."
00:44:08.38\00:44:09.71
Are you still with me?
00:44:09.74\00:44:11.71
"For so by doing they
give the enemy opportunity
00:44:11.75\00:44:15.72
to come in and
cause, oh, notice this,
00:44:15.75\00:44:19.25
variations he's
talking about here,
00:44:19.29\00:44:20.69
we're separated and discord."
00:44:20.72\00:44:23.99
Variance of one another.
00:44:24.03\00:44:26.36
When we're talking these things,
00:44:26.39\00:44:27.90
church members
have left the church
00:44:27.93\00:44:29.26
because of political questions.
00:44:29.30\00:44:32.50
How can this be?
00:44:32.53\00:44:34.00
Should we not be
focused on the things of God?
00:44:34.04\00:44:35.70
Do we not believe
that Jesus is coming
00:44:35.74\00:44:37.87
and we need to be ready?
00:44:37.91\00:44:39.24
Does this not make sense?
Let's get little clearer yet.
00:44:39.27\00:44:44.21
Gospel Workers 395 said,
00:44:44.25\00:44:46.51
"God's children are to separate
themselves from politics."
00:44:46.55\00:44:50.95
I can't get any
clearer than that.
00:44:50.99\00:44:52.79
God's people are to
separate from politics.
00:44:52.82\00:44:55.89
Jesus already said it.
Jesus already lived it out.
00:44:55.92\00:44:59.29
Jesus was challenged with
it, he left it alone, right.
00:44:59.33\00:45:02.46
Because this is not
your kingdom Christian,
00:45:02.50\00:45:05.07
this is not your
kingdom, this world is not.
00:45:05.10\00:45:08.04
He is trying for a
higher, better place
00:45:08.07\00:45:09.70
where we need to spend our time
and our energy and our means.
00:45:09.74\00:45:13.64
So, "God's children
must separate, notice,
00:45:13.68\00:45:16.44
himself from politics,
00:45:16.48\00:45:18.58
from any
alliance with unbelievers.
00:45:18.61\00:45:22.55
They are not to
link their interest
00:45:22.58\00:45:25.45
with the interest of the world."
00:45:25.49\00:45:27.39
Does that make sense?
00:45:27.42\00:45:29.16
Right now, you Lord have mercy,
00:45:29.19\00:45:32.13
you can't turn a
radio, you can't turn TV,
00:45:32.16\00:45:34.73
you can't turn news,
you can't turn anything.
00:45:34.76\00:45:37.20
You hear about two people.
00:45:37.23\00:45:40.64
What they are
saying about each other.
00:45:40.67\00:45:43.07
That's all you hear about,
00:45:43.10\00:45:45.67
that's the
interest of the world.
00:45:45.71\00:45:47.04
I know who is in
charge, don't you?
00:45:47.08\00:45:48.94
I know who is in charge.
00:45:48.98\00:45:50.31
And it's not the people
who will be elected to office.
00:45:50.35\00:45:52.61
God will
overrule, he will overturn,
00:45:52.65\00:45:54.78
overturn the Bible tells us.
00:45:54.82\00:45:57.42
We are not to link our interest
with interest of the world.
00:45:57.45\00:46:01.76
Notice this, "Do not take,"
00:46:01.79\00:46:04.59
well, "Do not take
part in political strife.
00:46:04.63\00:46:09.36
Separate from the world,
00:46:09.40\00:46:11.53
refrain from
bringing into the church
00:46:11.57\00:46:13.74
or the school ideas that lead
to contingent and disorder."
00:46:13.77\00:46:18.31
Man, that's, that's
just so clear to me.
00:46:18.34\00:46:21.78
I don't think I have
any question on that.
00:46:21.81\00:46:24.28
I'm sure plain
information for you also,
00:46:24.31\00:46:27.15
but your heart and
mind has to be open.
00:46:27.18\00:46:28.52
Why?
00:46:28.55\00:46:29.88
Because you've
been taught different
00:46:29.92\00:46:31.25
than this all your life.
00:46:31.29\00:46:32.62
Mummy and
daddy, granny and grand
00:46:32.65\00:46:33.99
they fought for
years with everybody.
00:46:34.02\00:46:35.52
They don't talk to
neighbors and friends anymore
00:46:35.56\00:46:36.99
because of political question.
00:46:37.03\00:46:41.63
But information we
needed should, should we vote?
00:46:41.66\00:46:44.77
Let's get down to it,
shall we? Should we vote them?
00:46:44.80\00:46:48.14
We are not to leak
up with any society
00:46:48.17\00:46:49.60
or anybody who doesn't
keep the commandments of God,
00:46:49.64\00:46:51.77
for many, you
know, contracts with
00:46:51.81\00:46:53.74
and we had to stay
away, be separated,
00:46:53.78\00:46:55.88
not get, you're tied
into the things of this world
00:46:55.91\00:46:58.25
and what's
going on in the world.
00:46:58.28\00:46:59.98
Man, every time I say, you look,
00:47:00.02\00:47:01.35
you know what's
going on in the world
00:47:01.38\00:47:02.72
over, and over,
and over, and over.
00:47:02.75\00:47:04.25
The devil's trying
to tie up your time.
00:47:04.29\00:47:06.45
He's trying to tie you
00:47:06.49\00:47:07.82
and get you involved
until probation closes
00:47:07.86\00:47:09.32
and you are lost for eternity.
00:47:09.36\00:47:11.19
Don't let him do it.
00:47:11.23\00:47:12.76
But the grace of God
say, "It doesn't matter,
00:47:12.79\00:47:14.26
my God shall supply."
00:47:14.30\00:47:16.16
He is in control.
00:47:16.20\00:47:18.70
Let's just look in, you know,
00:47:18.73\00:47:20.70
we have clearer council on this.
00:47:20.74\00:47:23.64
But somebody's
gonna refuse do it anyway.
00:47:23.67\00:47:26.51
But let me just
give you quick three
00:47:26.54\00:47:28.18
that refused the council of God.
00:47:28.21\00:47:29.94
You remember, one
was David and Solomon,
00:47:29.98\00:47:33.01
you remember and
Israel, what happened there?
00:47:33.05\00:47:35.75
You go over
some of these points,
00:47:35.78\00:47:37.12
you'll find out.
00:47:37.15\00:47:38.49
God, notice this,
00:47:38.52\00:47:39.85
God erects barriers of
safety for his children.
00:47:39.89\00:47:41.96
And if you go
past those barriers,
00:47:41.99\00:47:43.49
around those
barriers or break them down,
00:47:43.53\00:47:45.09
you get yourself into trouble.
00:47:45.13\00:47:47.30
The results are separation
from God, do you notice?
00:47:47.33\00:47:50.37
David, though he
sincerely repented
00:47:50.40\00:47:52.83
and he paid a price,
00:47:52.87\00:47:55.04
God forgave him
but you know what?
00:47:55.07\00:47:58.11
It didn't turn David's people
00:47:58.14\00:48:00.14
around from
transgressing God's law.
00:48:00.18\00:48:02.14
David plant some seeds
and man, they bore some fruit.
00:48:02.18\00:48:04.75
Even though he turned
around, the people didn't.
00:48:04.78\00:48:07.12
How about Solomon?
00:48:07.15\00:48:08.95
He start out with
strict obedience to God,
00:48:08.98\00:48:10.95
but eventually he
became broke down,
00:48:10.99\00:48:13.15
he broke down the barrier
00:48:13.19\00:48:14.52
that God had put
around him the wall,
00:48:14.56\00:48:17.23
to protect him, he
let it, how did he do it.
00:48:17.26\00:48:19.79
Listen, he
wanted to get involved,
00:48:19.83\00:48:22.16
notice this with me, he want
it to get involved in politics.
00:48:22.20\00:48:26.67
Wow!
00:48:26.70\00:48:28.30
He desired political
power, read it for yourself,
00:48:28.34\00:48:31.74
and building up of self
00:48:31.77\00:48:33.41
and he made
alliances with other nations.
00:48:33.44\00:48:37.48
He associated with idolaters
00:48:37.51\00:48:38.98
as like many you're doing today.
00:48:39.01\00:48:40.48
He married the heathen
wives, they corrupted his faith,
00:48:40.52\00:48:45.62
God choose him to be
a leader, and to lead.
00:48:45.65\00:48:51.96
And many followed his leading,
00:48:51.99\00:48:55.16
notice, though
he repented later.
00:48:55.20\00:48:58.17
Notice this, it did not
prevent the evil seed sawn
00:48:58.20\00:49:02.60
and they produced a harvest.
00:49:02.64\00:49:04.21
Did you get it?
00:49:04.24\00:49:05.57
Even though we
change, we have to be careful,
00:49:05.61\00:49:07.01
we have to be so careful.
00:49:07.04\00:49:09.18
What do we do,
voting as a Christian?
00:49:09.21\00:49:11.98
Two Selected
Messages 336 and 337,
00:49:12.01\00:49:14.65
"We are not as a
people to become mixed up
00:49:14.68\00:49:17.39
with the political questions.
00:49:17.42\00:49:19.12
All would do well to
take heed to the Word of God,
00:49:19.15\00:49:22.29
Be ye not
unequally yoked together
00:49:22.32\00:49:23.93
with unbelievers
in political strife,
00:49:23.96\00:49:26.29
nor bind them up
in their attachments.
00:49:26.33\00:49:28.66
There is no safe ground
00:49:28.70\00:49:30.53
in which they can
stand and work together.
00:49:30.57\00:49:33.57
The loyal and the
disloyal have no equal ground
00:49:33.60\00:49:36.37
on which to meet."
00:49:36.40\00:49:37.91
Fundamentals of Education,
I'm gonna have to hurry up,
00:49:37.94\00:49:39.57
there's few
moments and minutes left.
00:49:39.61\00:49:41.31
Fundamentals of Education, 475,
00:49:41.34\00:49:44.21
"We cannot with safety
vote for political parties,
00:49:44.25\00:49:48.12
for we do not know
whom we are voting for.
00:49:48.15\00:49:51.32
We cannot with safety take
part in any political schemes.
00:49:51.35\00:49:55.16
We cannot labor to please men
00:49:55.19\00:49:57.03
who will you use their influence
00:49:57.06\00:49:58.69
to repress religious liberty,
00:49:58.73\00:50:00.90
and to set in
operation oppressive measures
00:50:00.93\00:50:03.97
to lead and to
compel their fellow men,
00:50:04.00\00:50:05.80
notice this, to keep
Sunday as the Sabbath.
00:50:05.83\00:50:08.94
The first day of the week
is not a day to be reverenced."
00:50:08.97\00:50:12.64
Gospel Workers 392 says,
00:50:12.67\00:50:14.84
"The people of
God are not to vote
00:50:14.88\00:50:17.28
to place such men in
office, for when they do this,
00:50:17.31\00:50:21.78
when we vote, when
we vote, notice this,
00:50:21.82\00:50:24.75
for when they do this,
00:50:24.79\00:50:26.12
they are partakers
with them in their sins
00:50:26.15\00:50:29.79
which they commit
while they're in office."
00:50:29.82\00:50:31.39
Is that clear enough.
00:50:31.43\00:50:34.70
When we vote and
put somebody in office,
00:50:34.73\00:50:36.77
we be, we're partaker
of the decisions they make
00:50:36.80\00:50:39.40
and their sins.
00:50:39.43\00:50:40.77
So what are we to do?
00:50:40.80\00:50:42.14
Let the
political question alone,
00:50:42.17\00:50:43.97
Gospel Workers 393,
00:50:44.01\00:50:45.77
"Those who stand as
educators, as ministers,
00:50:45.81\00:50:49.24
as laborers together
with God in any line, notice,
00:50:49.28\00:50:53.05
have no battle to
fight in the political world.
00:50:53.08\00:50:57.29
Their citizenship is in heaven."
00:50:57.32\00:50:59.69
Interesting Gospel
Workers, notice this, 395,
00:50:59.72\00:51:03.32
"God's children are
to be separate themselves
00:51:03.36\00:51:06.16
from politics, from
any alliance unbelievers.
00:51:06.19\00:51:09.70
They are not to
link up their interest
00:51:09.73\00:51:11.47
with the
interests of the world."
00:51:11.50\00:51:12.83
I hope this is clear.
00:51:12.87\00:51:14.20
I want to just go
quickly, Gospel Workers, 396,
00:51:14.24\00:51:18.27
"Let those who are tempted
to take part in politics,
00:51:18.31\00:51:20.88
remember
00:51:20.91\00:51:22.24
that every move they make
has its influence on others.
00:51:22.28\00:51:27.52
Then let the
stewards of God's grace
00:51:27.55\00:51:30.35
in any line of service,
00:51:30.39\00:51:31.72
beware how they mingle
the common with the sacred."
00:51:31.75\00:51:36.66
Politics is what? It's common.
The word of God is sacred.
00:51:36.69\00:51:40.50
You can't mingle
the two together.
00:51:40.53\00:51:43.03
Testimonies to Ministers 337.
00:51:43.06\00:51:46.70
Now, notice he's talking,
00:51:46.74\00:51:48.07
I know it gets little
bit, little plain here,
00:51:48.10\00:51:50.34
Testimonies 337,
says, "When he talks,"
00:51:50.37\00:51:53.07
or talking about the
pastors, talking about pastors,
00:51:53.11\00:51:57.31
"When they talks, they shepherd
about politics to the people.
00:51:57.35\00:52:01.05
"He is mingling the
common with the scared."
00:52:01.08\00:52:04.55
Is somebody still with me?
00:52:04.59\00:52:06.55
"He dishonors God,
00:52:06.59\00:52:09.12
for He has now
real evidence from God
00:52:09.16\00:52:11.46
that he is speaking the truth.
00:52:11.49\00:52:13.76
How dare they advance ideas
00:52:13.80\00:52:16.56
when they do not know
certainly whence they came,
00:52:16.60\00:52:20.00
or that they are the truth?"
00:52:20.04\00:52:22.57
Wow! That's pretty
heavy duty, isn't it?
00:52:22.60\00:52:25.54
We don't know.
00:52:25.57\00:52:26.91
Somebody saying
this is the truth,
00:52:26.94\00:52:28.28
this is the way it's gonna be.
00:52:28.31\00:52:29.64
You don't know that for
sure and you're advocating it.
00:52:29.68\00:52:31.31
And it causes the
disasters, it's a mess,
00:52:31.35\00:52:33.72
you become responsible.
00:52:33.75\00:52:35.98
When you vote and
you put into office.
00:52:36.02\00:52:41.76
Fundamentals of
Education 477 says,
00:52:41.79\00:52:43.96
"The teachers in
our church in the school
00:52:43.99\00:52:47.63
who distinguish themselves
by their zeal in politics,
00:52:47.66\00:52:51.17
should be relieved of their work
00:52:51.20\00:52:53.37
and
responsibilities without delay,
00:52:53.40\00:52:55.97
for the Lord will not
co-operate with them."
00:52:56.00\00:52:59.24
Did you get that?
00:52:59.27\00:53:01.81
Teachers in the church,
in the school, when you say,
00:53:01.84\00:53:05.68
oh, they're always
talking about politics,
00:53:05.71\00:53:07.25
there is zeal for politics.
00:53:07.28\00:53:08.62
They should be
relieved off their work,
00:53:08.65\00:53:10.62
and responsibility without delay
00:53:10.65\00:53:13.02
'cause God's not
gonna cooperate with him.
00:53:13.05\00:53:14.49
Fundamentals of Education
484, just a couple more,
00:53:14.52\00:53:18.13
time is running out, notice,
00:53:18.16\00:53:20.30
"God calls upon
teachers in our schools
00:53:20.33\00:53:24.30
not to become interested
00:53:24.33\00:53:26.57
in the study of
political question.
00:53:26.60\00:53:30.74
Take the knowledge of
God into our schools."
00:53:30.77\00:53:34.74
I want this to
make sense to you.
00:53:34.78\00:53:37.85
Why are we here
my fellow Christians?
00:53:37.88\00:53:41.38
Is it here to build up
the kingdom of this world?
00:53:41.42\00:53:44.32
Or is it build up
the kingdom of Christ?
00:53:44.35\00:53:47.16
Do we have that much
time that we can go out,
00:53:47.19\00:53:49.49
and try to built something
up that's built on lies
00:53:49.52\00:53:52.39
and deception, or
can we built something up
00:53:52.43\00:53:55.46
that's built upon
truth and righteousness,
00:53:55.50\00:53:57.77
that will change our
hearts and change our lives.
00:53:57.80\00:54:00.84
Remember, when we vote,
00:54:00.87\00:54:03.10
you take responsibility
for what that person you vote
00:54:03.14\00:54:06.54
does well in office.
00:54:06.57\00:54:08.04
And remember, every
little thing you say,
00:54:08.08\00:54:09.64
well, they didn't,
leaves an influence.
00:54:09.68\00:54:11.75
Every decision
they may call in office
00:54:11.78\00:54:14.12
leaves an
influence on countless,
00:54:14.15\00:54:15.68
hundreds and
thousands of people.
00:54:15.72\00:54:18.22
You become
accountable for that too
00:54:18.25\00:54:19.95
and I become accountable.
00:54:19.99\00:54:21.49
Don't worry about, we
put somebody in office,
00:54:21.52\00:54:23.32
God knows.
00:54:23.36\00:54:25.96
Remember, he sets them
up and he takes them down.
00:54:25.99\00:54:28.86
Friend, today, I want to
pray with you before we end,
00:54:28.90\00:54:31.07
because I think this is
such an important subject.
00:54:31.10\00:54:33.30
Remember it either is
truth or it's not the truth.
00:54:33.34\00:54:36.71
It is the right thing to do
00:54:36.74\00:54:38.11
or it's not the
right thing to do.
00:54:38.14\00:54:39.47
If I have nothing else,
this is a best possible,
00:54:39.51\00:54:41.78
I have Jesus.
00:54:41.81\00:54:43.31
I have the
example of Jesus Christ,
00:54:43.35\00:54:45.35
how he dealt with
the political question.
00:54:45.38\00:54:47.75
How he left that alone
00:54:47.78\00:54:49.12
because he came to
build up the kingdom of God.
00:54:49.15\00:54:50.69
You know, why you're
here as his ambassador?
00:54:50.72\00:54:52.92
To follow in his
footsteps. Absolutely.
00:54:52.95\00:54:54.89
Can we just pray about this?
00:54:54.92\00:54:56.26
If you've done the
wrong thing before,
00:54:56.29\00:54:57.86
God will forgive you.
00:54:57.89\00:54:59.29
Let's just pray about right now
00:54:59.33\00:55:00.66
and make a right
choice, shall we?
00:55:00.70\00:55:02.56
Loving Father in
heaven, we thank You
00:55:02.60\00:55:04.00
for the truth of Your
word maybe hurtful to some,
00:55:04.03\00:55:06.80
but Lord because we
see this may we rejoice
00:55:06.84\00:55:08.84
and be exceedingly glad,
00:55:08.87\00:55:10.67
because You're presenting things
00:55:10.71\00:55:12.04
that we need to know
00:55:12.07\00:55:13.41
here in this closing
hours of earths' history.
00:55:13.44\00:55:14.98
Thank You for
hearing, answering prayer
00:55:15.01\00:55:16.34
and those who've made
that decision in Jesus name.
00:55:16.38\00:55:18.35
Amen.
00:55:18.38\00:55:21.82
We want to encourage
each and everyone of you
00:55:21.85\00:55:24.59
to stay in the Word of God.
00:55:24.62\00:55:26.45
We want to encourage you
00:55:26.49\00:55:27.86
to continue pray
for Behold the Lamb.
00:55:27.89\00:55:30.33
You know,
support Behold the Lamb,
00:55:30.36\00:55:31.69
we needed to keep
the programs on the air.
00:55:31.73\00:55:33.53
We need to hear what is truth.
00:55:33.56\00:55:36.33
The axe need to be laid to
the root right off the tree,
00:55:36.36\00:55:39.30
sin needs to be rooted out,
00:55:39.33\00:55:40.94
it can only be
as we look to Jesus
00:55:40.97\00:55:43.00
who is the author and
the finisher of our faith.
00:55:43.04\00:55:45.21
We love you, God loves you,
00:55:45.24\00:55:46.57
and we look forward
to seeing you next time.
00:55:46.61\00:55:50.05
Hello, and
welcome back, friends.
00:55:50.08\00:55:52.11
Religion and Politics, you
have now been given scripture
00:55:52.15\00:55:56.79
and Spirit of Prophecy quotes
00:55:56.82\00:55:58.75
to guide your
decision in this area.
00:55:58.79\00:56:01.42
Let's not be as
the common politician.
00:56:01.46\00:56:04.69
Let's not strive to
be a people pleaser.
00:56:04.73\00:56:07.73
Let's all strive to please God,
00:56:07.76\00:56:10.67
out of a heart of
love and obedience.
00:56:10.70\00:56:13.57
What do you say?
00:56:13.60\00:56:15.00
We pray that you'll
agree with us here today,
00:56:15.04\00:56:18.07
and to reaffirm
your correct decision.
00:56:18.11\00:56:21.04
We hope that you will
order this two part series
00:56:21.08\00:56:23.91
that is entitled
Religion and Politics.
00:56:23.95\00:56:27.48
It's definitely one
that we need to share
00:56:27.52\00:56:30.25
with other believers.
00:56:30.29\00:56:31.85
These messages are
being made available to you
00:56:31.89\00:56:34.76
for a love gift
today of just $15 or more.
00:56:34.79\00:56:38.89
And should you
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00:56:38.93\00:56:41.03
which I hope you will.
00:56:41.06\00:56:42.70
We also have it what
we call our sharing price.
00:56:42.73\00:56:45.93
When you order any ten
copies of any single message
00:56:45.97\00:56:49.44
that we produce, we'll be
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00:56:49.47\00:56:52.51
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00:56:54.64\00:56:57.38
This is a great
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00:56:57.41\00:57:00.05
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00:57:00.08\00:57:01.98
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00:57:04.09\00:57:09.02
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00:57:09.06\00:57:12.93
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00:57:12.96\00:57:14.90
So please don't forget that,
00:57:14.93\00:57:17.17
we need your
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00:57:17.20\00:57:20.30
and in finance.
00:57:20.34\00:57:21.80
Simply contact us here at
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00:57:21.84\00:57:25.14
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00:57:25.17\00:57:29.61
That's Central
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00:57:29.64\00:57:32.45
Or write to for us, write
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00:57:32.48\00:57:35.92
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00:57:35.95\00:57:40.82
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00:57:42.76\00:57:46.33
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00:57:46.36\00:57:48.36
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00:57:48.40\00:57:49.73
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00:57:49.76\00:57:54.34
My precious
friends, until next time
00:57:54.37\00:57:56.47
may our precious Lord
00:57:56.50\00:57:58.84
continue to richly
bless you and yours.
00:57:58.87\00:58:02.44