Shall we bow our heads?
00:01:12.78\00:01:14.09
Father in heaven,
we thank you so much
00:01:15.05\00:01:16.89
for the privilege
of being in Your house.
00:01:17.09\00:01:19.21
We thank you for the
awesome privilege of opening up
00:01:20.25\00:01:24.02
Your holy book...
the book of Genesis
00:01:24.32\00:01:26.82
and the book of Revelation...
00:01:27.12\00:01:29.53
to study about that
select group: the 144,000.
00:01:29.83\00:01:34.73
We ask that Your Holy Spirit
will guide us in our study today
00:01:35.69\00:01:38.93
and help us to learn
the lessons which will be
00:01:39.04\00:01:42.00
useful in our own
personal walk with Jesus.
00:01:42.10\00:01:44.66
And we thank you,
Lord, for hearing our prayer
00:01:45.16\00:01:47.54
for we ask it in
Jesus' name, Amen.
00:01:47.75\00:01:51.65
I'd like to invite you to
turn in your Bibles with me
00:01:52.69\00:01:55.25
to the book of
Revelation chapter 21.
00:01:55.35\00:01:58.22
Revelation chapter 21.
00:01:58.62\00:02:01.34
And we want to read
verses 10 through 13.
00:02:02.24\00:02:05.54
Revelation 21
and verses 10 to 13.
00:02:05.64\00:02:10.32
Here the New
Jerusalem is being described
00:02:10.72\00:02:14.18
and it says this:
00:02:14.38\00:02:15.53
We find here a description
00:03:07.39\00:03:09.68
of the New Jerusalem.
00:03:09.79\00:03:11.81
And what I want you to notice
00:03:12.11\00:03:13.51
as we begin our study
00:03:13.61\00:03:14.94
is that the New Jerusalem
00:03:15.14\00:03:16.46
has twelve gates.
00:03:16.66\00:03:18.42
And on each gate
is one of the names
00:03:18.72\00:03:22.02
of the twelve sons of Jacob.
00:03:22.22\00:03:26.55
Now the question is:
what are those names?
00:03:27.29\00:03:30.63
We're not told in the
passage that we just read
00:03:30.83\00:03:33.66
so we must go to
Revelation chapter 7
00:03:34.06\00:03:37.67
and verses 1 through 8.
00:03:37.97\00:03:40.69
Revelation chapter 7
and verses 1 through 8.
00:03:40.99\00:03:46.29
Here we find in the first
three verses a description
00:03:47.34\00:03:51.56
of the great tribulation
which is soon to come
00:03:51.76\00:03:55.57
upon the world.
It says in verse 1:
00:03:55.67\00:03:59.04
By the way, when
the winds are released
00:04:14.80\00:04:17.02
that's the tribulation...
the period of the plagues.
00:04:17.17\00:04:20.01
Time of trouble such as
has never been seen in the
00:04:20.31\00:04:22.70
history of the world. Verse 2:
00:04:22.80\00:04:25.07
I want you to notice here
that the reason for the sealing
00:04:49.99\00:04:53.85
is to identify those who
are going to go through the
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tribulation so that
their lives are preserved,
00:04:57.97\00:05:01.43
their lives are spared.
00:05:01.64\00:05:03.19
That's the reason why it says
before the winds are released
00:05:03.49\00:05:06.86
"seal My servants
on their foreheads. "
00:05:07.16\00:05:10.08
In other words, it is a mark
of protection upon God's people
00:05:10.38\00:05:14.54
who will go through the tribu-
lation when the winds of strife
00:05:14.74\00:05:18.93
are released.
00:05:19.03\00:05:20.99
And then I want you to notice
who are the ones that receive
00:05:21.29\00:05:24.26
the seal. Verse 4:
00:05:24.36\00:05:27.21
So now we're going to notice
the names of the individuals
00:05:41.08\00:05:44.95
that are found on the
doors that we read about
00:05:45.15\00:05:48.29
in Revelation
chapter 21. Verse 5:
00:05:48.49\00:05:52.42
The names of the sons of Jacob
00:06:44.67\00:06:48.39
which later became
the tribes of Israel.
00:06:48.59\00:06:52.81
Now there's a critical
question that we need to ask
00:06:53.78\00:06:56.87
before we move on to
study about the 144,000
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and that is: when
will the 144,000 live
00:07:01.91\00:07:07.74
in the history of the world?
00:07:07.77\00:07:09.64
There's no doubt
whatsoever, folks, as we examine
00:07:09.94\00:07:13.18
the book of
Revelation that the 144,000
00:07:13.38\00:07:16.47
are those who will be
alive when Jesus comes.
00:07:16.67\00:07:20.57
You say: "How do we know that? "
00:07:20.77\00:07:21.96
Well, let's go back to chapter 6
00:07:22.37\00:07:25.23
and we'll notice
that very clearly.
00:07:25.33\00:07:27.07
Revelation 6, and I would like
to begin at verse 15. It says:
00:07:27.27\00:07:33.20
"and from the wrath of the Lamb
00:07:54.84\00:07:56.98
for the great day
of His wrath has come
00:07:57.19\00:08:00.07
and who shall
be able to stand? "
00:08:00.27\00:08:03.39
Now what event is being
described in these verses?
00:08:03.79\00:08:06.23
There's no doubt that it's
talking about the second coming
00:08:06.73\00:08:10.42
of Christ. That's the
"great day of His wrath. "
00:08:10.62\00:08:13.81
Now my question is: who
will live during this period
00:08:14.11\00:08:18.20
of the
outpouring of God's wrath?
00:08:18.30\00:08:20.10
The answer is in the very
next chapter where we read from.
00:08:21.18\00:08:23.91
It says there that the
winds of strife are being held
00:08:24.21\00:08:27.63
until the servants of God
are sealed on their foreheads.
00:08:28.52\00:08:32.02
So when the question is asked:
"Who shall be able to stand? "
00:08:32.32\00:08:36.18
the answer is: "Those
who have received... " What?
00:08:36.38\00:08:41.06
"Those who have
received the seal of God. "
00:08:41.26\00:08:44.72
So when Jesus comes
and He manifests His wrath
00:08:45.02\00:08:49.83
according to the
book of Revelation
00:08:50.03\00:08:51.64
those only ones who
will be able to stand
00:08:51.94\00:08:54.58
are the 144,000
00:08:54.78\00:08:57.64
who have the names of
all of the sons of Jacob
00:08:57.84\00:09:02.22
of the tribes of Israel.
00:09:02.32\00:09:04.87
Now we need to ask the question
00:09:05.17\00:09:07.22
"Who are these 144,000? "
00:09:08.20\00:09:11.49
Are we dealing
here with literal Jews?
00:09:11.89\00:09:15.71
Is this God's final plan
for the literal Jewish nation
00:09:16.01\00:09:20.68
where He's going to rescue
literal people from the literal
00:09:20.78\00:09:24.54
tribes of Israel?
Or is this referring to
00:09:24.64\00:09:28.88
spiritual Israelites
who have the characteristics
00:09:28.98\00:09:33.34
of the sons of Jacob who later
became the tribes of Israel?
00:09:33.45\00:09:38.97
Well, what we need to
do to answer this question
00:09:39.37\00:09:42.48
is examine what
the New Testament means
00:09:42.68\00:09:47.19
by the word Israel.
00:09:47.39\00:09:49.51
Obviously, these
people are going to be saved
00:09:49.81\00:09:52.11
because in the day
of the wrath of the Lamb
00:09:52.41\00:09:54.40
they are going
to be able to stand.
00:09:54.53\00:09:56.51
They are sealed
with the seal of God.
00:09:56.71\00:09:58.43
They're going to be
saved in other words.
00:09:58.46\00:10:00.99
Now if they're going to
be saved and they are Israel,
00:10:01.29\00:10:04.32
we need to
understand what Israel means
00:10:04.52\00:10:07.56
in the New Testament.
00:10:07.77\00:10:09.77
Go with me to Romans
chapter 2 and verses 28 and 29.
00:10:10.17\00:10:15.43
Romans 2:28-29.
Let's identify Israel.
00:10:15.73\00:10:21.14
It says here, the
apostle Paul speaking:
00:10:21.54\00:10:24.44
Notice that a Jew is not
necessarily one who has been
00:10:37.96\00:10:41.39
circumcised. Verse 29:
00:10:41.49\00:10:44.36
Who is Israel
according to this passage?
00:11:02.39\00:11:05.65
Israel is composed of those
00:11:05.95\00:11:08.24
who have circumcised hearts.
00:11:08.44\00:11:10.92
Who have been converted
00:11:11.22\00:11:13.33
to Jesus Christ as their Savior
00:11:13.53\00:11:16.24
and Lord. That is true Israel.
00:11:16.44\00:11:19.37
Now go with me to
Galatians chapter 3 and verse 16
00:11:19.67\00:11:24.14
further emphasizing this point.
00:11:24.44\00:11:26.52
Galatians
chapter 3 and verse 16.
00:11:26.72\00:11:30.06
It says here: "Now
to Abraham and his seed
00:11:30.26\00:11:35.27
were the promises made.
00:11:35.47\00:11:37.54
He does not say
'and to seeds' as of many
00:11:37.84\00:11:43.42
but as of one. And to
your Seed who is Christ. "
00:11:43.52\00:11:49.46
Who is the only true
Seed of Abraham? Christ.
00:11:49.96\00:11:54.51
The promises were not made
to seeds but to the Seed...
00:11:54.71\00:11:59.01
Jesus Christ.
00:11:59.21\00:12:00.43
Now you say: "Well
that excludes all of us. "
00:12:00.83\00:12:03.97
No it doesn't.
00:12:04.30\00:12:05.80
Notice chapter 3
and verses 27 and 29.
00:12:06.01\00:12:11.66
Galatians chapter
3 verses 27 and 29.
00:12:11.96\00:12:16.41
Here we find the
apostle Paul saying this:
00:12:17.31\00:12:20.96
Verse 29:
00:12:29.34\00:12:31.26
Who are the children of
Abraham according to this verse?
00:12:40.83\00:12:45.30
The children of Abraham
are those who belong to whom?
00:12:45.50\00:12:49.57
To Christ.
00:12:49.77\00:12:51.45
In other words,
Israel is not defined
00:12:51.65\00:12:53.93
by the blood we
have, by the place we live,
00:12:54.14\00:12:57.22
or by the surname we possess.
00:12:57.42\00:12:59.82
Israel is defined as those
who have accepted Jesus Christ
00:13:00.12\00:13:04.83
as Savior and Lord...
00:13:04.86\00:13:06.62
which is a
spiritual relationship.
00:13:07.02\00:13:10.12
In other words, you
can not be a literal Jew
00:13:10.42\00:13:13.79
and still, according
to the Bible, be a Jew.
00:13:13.99\00:13:17.10
You can not be a literal
Israelite and yet still be
00:13:17.41\00:13:21.07
Israel because Israel
is defined spiritually...
00:13:21.17\00:13:24.86
it is not defined
physically and literally.
00:13:25.06\00:13:28.69
Would this apply to the 144,000?
00:13:28.99\00:13:31.93
Obviously the 144,000 by
the New Testament definition
00:13:32.33\00:13:37.22
are not those literal Israelites
00:13:37.42\00:13:40.15
but they are spiritual
Israelites who have received
00:13:40.35\00:13:44.09
Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
00:13:44.19\00:13:47.09
Notice also Romans chapter
9 and verses 6 through 8.
00:13:47.39\00:13:52.31
Romans chapter 9
and verses 6 through 8.
00:13:52.61\00:13:56.38
The apostle Paul could not be
any clearer than he is in this
00:13:57.43\00:14:00.64
passage. He says this:
00:14:00.74\00:14:02.83
"But it is not that the
Word of God has taken no effect
00:14:03.03\00:14:07.62
for they are not all
Israel who are of Israel. "
00:14:07.83\00:14:12.34
Did you notice he said not
all Israelites are Israelites?
00:14:12.74\00:14:16.83
Not all Jews are Jews
00:14:18.05\00:14:20.91
according to the
definition of the apostle Paul.
00:14:21.22\00:14:23.55
Who are Jews? Who is Israel?
00:14:24.54\00:14:26.83
Notice verse 7:
00:14:27.13\00:14:28.18
"Nor are they all children
because they are the seed
00:14:28.48\00:14:31.60
of Abraham. " Notice
that just because you are
00:14:31.70\00:14:33.45
the literal seed of Abraham
you're not a child of Abraham.
00:14:33.55\00:14:36.22
"But in Isaac your
seed shall be called.
00:14:36.53\00:14:39.75
That is... " Notice...
"those who are the children
00:14:39.96\00:14:43.55
of the flesh... "
That is, literal Jews...
00:14:43.75\00:14:46.78
"these are not the children
of God, but the children
00:14:46.98\00:14:50.56
of the promise
are counted as seed. "
00:14:50.76\00:14:54.72
We could go to other
places in the New Testament.
00:14:55.67\00:14:57.61
I'll just mention the
gospel of John in passing.
00:14:57.91\00:15:00.99
John chapter 8. Jesus
is speaking with the Jews
00:15:01.19\00:15:03.55
and He says: "I know that
you are Abraham's children;
00:15:03.75\00:15:07.45
I know that you
are Abraham's seed. "
00:15:07.65\00:15:09.20
But then He goes on to say:
00:15:09.50\00:15:11.60
"I know that you're
really not Abraham's seed
00:15:11.80\00:15:14.07
because Abraham
rejoiced to see My day
00:15:14.37\00:15:17.19
and he was glad but
you want to kill Me.
00:15:17.39\00:15:20.50
And so even though you are
literally children of Abraham
00:15:20.90\00:15:24.08
by wanting to kill Me -
manifesting a different spirit
00:15:24.19\00:15:27.78
than Abraham - you
show that you are not really
00:15:27.88\00:15:30.52
children of Abraham. "
00:15:30.73\00:15:32.44
So Israel in the New Testament
is defined relationally to
00:15:32.74\00:15:37.30
Jesus Christ. Which
means that the 144,000
00:15:37.40\00:15:40.78
are not literal Jews.
They are Jews in the sense that
00:15:40.98\00:15:44.09
the New Testament
uses the word Jew,
00:15:44.29\00:15:47.26
the word Israel. They
are spiritual Israelites
00:15:47.46\00:15:50.28
who have accepted Jesus
Christ as Savior and Lord.
00:15:50.48\00:15:54.88
Now let's go to Revelation
chapter 21 and verse 12
00:15:55.28\00:15:59.81
which we already read.
But I want you to notice here
00:16:00.01\00:16:03.22
another interesting detail.
00:16:03.42\00:16:05.75
Revelation chapter 21
and verse 12. It says here:
00:16:06.06\00:16:11.43
Did you notice this? That
the gates are not just open
00:16:22.49\00:16:25.65
and vacant. The gates have what?
00:16:26.15\00:16:30.80
An angel at each gate.
00:16:31.10\00:16:33.91
And I believe that what
they're doing is checking I.D.
00:16:34.78\00:16:38.41
to make sure that you're
going through the right gate.
00:16:39.79\00:16:43.06
We'll come to that
a little bit later on.
00:16:43.36\00:16:45.30
Now the question is: who
will be allowed by the angels
00:16:45.70\00:16:49.57
into the Holy City?
00:16:49.78\00:16:52.02
Revelation chapter 22
and verse 12 has the answer.
00:16:52.42\00:16:56.05
Revelation chapter 22
and verse 14 actually.
00:16:56.25\00:17:00.93
Revelation 22 and
verse 14. It says:
00:17:01.03\00:17:04.67
Who is allowed to go into
the city through the gates?
00:17:19.26\00:17:22.62
Those who what?
00:17:23.60\00:17:25.40
Those who keep His commandments.
00:17:25.70\00:17:27.95
Who allows them in?
The angels who are standing
00:17:28.15\00:17:33.00
at the gates. But now
we have a serious problem.
00:17:33.20\00:17:37.48
Let me ask you this: were
the sons of Jacob sinners?
00:17:39.60\00:17:44.34
Were they pretty wicked?
00:17:46.83\00:17:48.39
Allow me to tell you something
about the 12 sons of Jacob.
00:17:49.48\00:17:52.52
The names that are immortalized
on the doors of the city.
00:17:53.49\00:17:57.66
The sons of Jacob were
filled with covetousness
00:17:59.85\00:18:04.58
and envy.
00:18:04.98\00:18:06.52
They coveted Joseph's position.
00:18:07.63\00:18:09.81
They were envious because
his father gave him a coat
00:18:10.11\00:18:13.97
of many colors.
00:18:14.17\00:18:15.95
They were liars.
00:18:16.25\00:18:18.31
In fact, they lived a
lie for years and years
00:18:19.44\00:18:23.48
telling their father that Joseph
had been killed by a wild beast.
00:18:23.78\00:18:27.57
And they hid this lie for years.
00:18:27.87\00:18:31.61
They were murderers.
00:18:31.95\00:18:34.13
They were filled with hatred.
00:18:34.63\00:18:36.92
And by the way, the Bible
says that hatred is murder.
00:18:37.32\00:18:40.23
He what hates his
brother is a murderer
00:18:41.13\00:18:43.64
according to I John.
00:18:43.84\00:18:44.97
And so you have them
hating their own brother.
00:18:45.37\00:18:48.22
You have them
having a murderous spirit.
00:18:49.19\00:18:51.47
In fact, when they saw
Joseph coming they said...
00:18:51.57\00:18:53.71
and Simeon and Levi were
probably the main culprits...
00:18:53.91\00:18:56.34
They said: "Let's
kill our brother...
00:18:56.44\00:18:58.91
our own flesh and blood. "
00:18:59.21\00:19:01.19
Not only this. They were cold-
blooded killers and thieves.
00:19:02.21\00:19:07.04
I don't know whether
you're aware of the story
00:19:08.27\00:19:10.03
that we find in
Genesis about Shechem.
00:19:10.23\00:19:14.52
Genesis 34 has the story.
00:19:14.82\00:19:17.17
Just so happens that
these 12 brothers had 1 sister.
00:19:17.67\00:19:20.79
Her name was Dinah.
00:19:20.99\00:19:22.02
And Dinah went with some
of her friends to Shechem
00:19:23.00\00:19:25.89
and there Shechem, who
was the son of the king,
00:19:26.09\00:19:29.18
actually had sexual
relations with their sister
00:19:29.58\00:19:32.99
and she conceived a child.
00:19:33.19\00:19:36.13
And of course Shechem
00:19:36.46\00:19:39.12
the Bible says loved Dinah
00:19:39.32\00:19:41.17
with all of his heart and he
wanted to get married with her.
00:19:41.37\00:19:43.62
So he contacted Jacob
and he said: "You know
00:19:43.92\00:19:47.05
my son Shechem wants to
marry your daughter Dinah. "
00:19:48.17\00:19:53.64
And when Simeon and
Levi heard about this
00:19:53.94\00:19:58.41
they said: "This
cannot go unpunished. "
00:19:58.72\00:20:01.00
And so what they did... they
prepared a very special plot.
00:20:01.50\00:20:04.83
They said to all of the men
of Shechem: "We cannot allow
00:20:05.04\00:20:08.07
our sister to marry
an uncircumcised man.
00:20:08.28\00:20:10.79
If you will be circumcised
and all of the men of Shechem
00:20:10.89\00:20:13.20
are circumcised,
then we'll allow Shechem
00:20:13.40\00:20:16.84
to get married to Dinah. "
00:20:16.94\00:20:18.18
And so they were circumcised.
00:20:19.18\00:20:20.82
And when they were in the
third day - which is the moment
00:20:21.22\00:20:23.82
of greatest pain
from circumcision -
00:20:23.92\00:20:26.83
Simeon and Levi went
to the city of Shechem
00:20:27.13\00:20:30.77
and they killed
every single one of the men
00:20:30.97\00:20:33.51
that were in that town.
00:20:33.61\00:20:34.81
And not only that, they
also went in and they plundered
00:20:35.11\00:20:38.94
and they stole everything
that belonged to the inhabitants
00:20:39.14\00:20:42.75
of Shechem.
00:20:42.95\00:20:44.19
That's the kind of
individuals that these men were.
00:20:44.39\00:20:47.41
And then you have Reuben
who slept with his father's wife
00:20:47.99\00:20:51.92
Bilhah.
00:20:52.22\00:20:53.38
That's called incest.
00:20:53.59\00:20:55.63
And then you have the
merciless and mean-spiritedness
00:20:56.03\00:20:59.81
when Joseph is crying
out "Please don't sell me. "
00:21:00.01\00:21:02.50
They have no mercy.
00:21:02.80\00:21:04.57
No compassion whatsoever.
00:21:04.87\00:21:06.80
And then of course you have
Reuben, who has the backbone
00:21:07.86\00:21:11.90
of a jellyfish.
00:21:12.00\00:21:13.34
You know, when they
throw Joseph into the pit
00:21:13.64\00:21:16.38
Reuben should have
said "This is wrong. "
00:21:17.71\00:21:19.65
He was the oldest brother.
"This cannot go; let him go. "
00:21:19.85\00:21:23.39
But he didn't.
00:21:23.53\00:21:25.01
He worked and said:
"Well, you know, I'll go
00:21:25.31\00:21:27.44
and I'll take him out of the pit
00:21:27.54\00:21:29.12
after the anger calms down
and when my brothers leave. "
00:21:29.43\00:21:34.48
And when he came back
he had already been sold.
00:21:34.71\00:21:36.69
And by the way,
you also have Judah
00:21:37.57\00:21:40.90
lying with his daughter-in-law
00:21:41.20\00:21:43.27
thinking that
she was a prostitute.
00:21:43.47\00:21:45.51
That's amazing.
00:21:46.47\00:21:48.09
You have all of these
children from four mothers
00:21:49.18\00:21:53.00
all living under the same roof.
00:21:53.30\00:21:55.45
In other words, this was a
totally dysfunctional family.
00:21:56.76\00:22:00.33
I mean... with a
dysfunctional lifestyle.
00:22:01.70\00:22:04.89
Totally - almost - corrupt.
00:22:07.09\00:22:09.38
Not totally because
they changed later on.
00:22:09.68\00:22:11.90
And yet their
names stand immortalized
00:22:13.35\00:22:19.25
forever on the gates
of the New Jerusalem.
00:22:19.45\00:22:24.40
You can imagine the
wicked outside the city saying:
00:22:24.90\00:22:27.56
"Oh, You left us
outside 'cause we're liars.
00:22:27.66\00:22:29.64
What about those whose
names are on the doors?
00:22:29.84\00:22:33.12
On the gates? "
"Oh, You cast us out here
00:22:34.09\00:22:37.44
because we're
thieves. What about them? "
00:22:37.64\00:22:39.70
"Oh, you left us out
here because we're murderers.
00:22:40.66\00:22:42.98
What about them? "
00:22:43.18\00:22:44.61
In other words,
those who are inside
00:22:45.57\00:22:48.52
were just as much sinners
as those who were outside.
00:22:49.72\00:22:52.77
At least at one
stage in their lives.
00:22:53.07\00:22:55.16
So how could the sons of Jacob
have their names immortalized
00:22:55.46\00:22:59.11
on the gates of the
Holy City, the New Jerusalem?
00:22:59.31\00:23:03.05
The book of
Revelation has the answer.
00:23:04.05\00:23:06.11
It is true that
they were vile sinners,
00:23:07.16\00:23:09.71
but the book of Revelation
emphasizes that they were
00:23:10.11\00:23:12.79
overcomers. They
overcame their sins.
00:23:12.89\00:23:17.31
They overcame their defects.
00:23:17.61\00:23:20.85
They gained the victory
over all of these besetments
00:23:21.05\00:23:24.64
in their lives.
Notice Revelation chapter 21.
00:23:24.94\00:23:28.24
Revelation chapter 21
and verse 7 on this point.
00:23:28.44\00:23:32.18
Revelation
chapter 21 and verse 7.
00:23:32.41\00:23:35.06
It says here:
00:23:35.37\00:23:36.95
"He who... " What?
00:23:37.25\00:23:42.55
"overcomes shall
inherit all things
00:23:42.85\00:23:47.33
and I will be his God
and he shall be My son. "
00:23:47.63\00:23:51.43
He who overcomes what?
00:23:52.34\00:23:54.43
Notice verse 8. The contrast of
those who are outside the city.
00:23:54.73\00:23:58.34
It says: "But the
cowardly, unbelieving,
00:23:58.65\00:24:01.61
abominable, murderers,
00:24:01.71\00:24:04.04
sexually immoral, sorcerers,
00:24:04.24\00:24:06.94
idolaters, and all liars
00:24:07.14\00:24:09.38
shall have their part in
the lake which burns with fire
00:24:11.85\00:24:15.08
and brimstone which
is the second death. "
00:24:15.18\00:24:18.00
Who is inside
the city? The what?
00:24:18.70\00:24:21.02
The overcomers.
00:24:21.32\00:24:22.97
Overcomers over what?
00:24:23.27\00:24:24.97
It has to be over what
is mentioned in verse 8.
00:24:25.27\00:24:28.12
In verse 8 you have a
list of sins and transgressions
00:24:28.42\00:24:33.11
which are violations
of the Ten Commandments.
00:24:33.21\00:24:35.19
And those who are outside
never overcame these things.
00:24:36.05\00:24:39.81
But those who are
inside the Bible says
00:24:40.11\00:24:43.07
that they "overcame. "
00:24:43.27\00:24:46.01
Notice Revelation
chapter 2 and verse 7.
00:24:46.31\00:24:49.00
By the way, this is a formula
that is used after every single
00:24:49.30\00:24:52.08
church. There's 7
churches in Revelation 2 and 3.
00:24:52.18\00:24:54.90
After every single
church is mentioned
00:24:55.20\00:24:57.77
you have this formula.
00:24:57.97\00:24:59.65
It says there in
Revelation 2 and verse 7:
00:24:59.95\00:25:02.51
"He who has an ear let him hear
00:25:03.65\00:25:06.56
what the Spirit
says to the churches. "
00:25:06.76\00:25:08.98
What is the condition for
eating from the Tree of Life
00:25:21.12\00:25:23.86
in the midst of
the Paradise of God?
00:25:24.06\00:25:25.72
It means to what? To overcome.
00:25:26.02\00:25:29.46
By the way, if we compare
with that the verse that we read
00:25:29.66\00:25:32.20
a few minutes ago -
Revelation 22 verse 14-
00:25:32.31\00:25:35.45
it says: "Blessed are
those who do His commandments
00:25:35.75\00:25:38.76
that they may have the
right to the Tree of Life. "
00:25:38.96\00:25:41.07
So what does it mean to overcome
00:25:41.47\00:25:43.08
if we compare these two verses?
00:25:43.28\00:25:44.72
Overcoming means
to obey His what?
00:25:45.12\00:25:48.49
It means to obey His holy law.
00:25:48.69\00:25:51.58
And lest you wonder about this
00:25:51.98\00:25:53.43
notice
Revelation 22 and verse 15
00:25:53.63\00:25:56.09
which comes immediately
after saying that those who keep
00:25:56.29\00:25:59.77
the commandments will be allowed
through the gates into the city
00:25:59.88\00:26:03.21
to partake of the Tree of Life
00:26:03.41\00:26:04.84
it says in verse 15:
00:26:05.04\00:26:06.83
So what have we seen so far?
00:26:25.20\00:26:27.09
First of all we've
seen that the New Jerusalem
00:26:27.49\00:26:30.23
has twelve gates.
00:26:30.44\00:26:32.67
And inscribed on
each gate is the name
00:26:32.87\00:26:35.93
of one of the sons of Jacob.
00:26:36.13\00:26:38.20
We found that the 144,000
00:26:39.18\00:26:43.24
are composed of those who
have those names of the tribes.
00:26:43.44\00:26:47.66
And we
discovered that the 144,000
00:26:47.89\00:26:50.55
are those who are going to
be alive when Jesus Christ comes
00:26:50.75\00:26:54.80
and they're going to be
preserved by the seal of the
00:26:55.00\00:26:57.13
living God. We've noticed
that they're not literal Jews
00:26:57.23\00:27:00.83
because the New
Testament definition of a Jew
00:27:01.03\00:27:03.41
or of Israel is one who
has accepted Jesus Christ
00:27:03.61\00:27:06.91
as Savior and Lord... no matter
what nation they come from.
00:27:07.11\00:27:10.12
We've noticed that at the
gates there will be angels
00:27:10.78\00:27:13.99
guiding the
people through the gates.
00:27:14.19\00:27:16.53
We have notice that
those who go through the gates
00:27:16.77\00:27:19.02
are overcomers. They
are overcomers of all
00:27:19.22\00:27:22.47
of the list of sins that are
mentioned concerning those who
00:27:22.57\00:27:25.97
are outside the Holy City.
00:27:26.07\00:27:29.34
No matter how vile, how
evil, how bad people have been
00:27:30.14\00:27:34.18
the final generation will be a
generation of victorious people
00:27:35.19\00:27:39.07
who will overcome
every defect of character.
00:27:39.37\00:27:42.60
Whether it is inherited
or whether it is cultivated
00:27:42.80\00:27:46.73
they will gain the victory and
they will remain firm to God.
00:27:46.93\00:27:51.05
By the way, go with me to
Revelation chapter 15 verse 2
00:27:51.35\00:27:55.75
and I want you to notice
that this group is going to live
00:27:55.98\00:27:59.25
in the world in the
worst period of its history.
00:27:59.35\00:28:02.08
Revelation chapter 15
and verse 2. It says here:
00:28:02.38\00:28:07.89
By the way, are
these the end-time saints?
00:28:25.79\00:28:28.90
When is it that the beast
is going to manifest its power?
00:28:29.30\00:28:32.02
When is it that the image of the
beast is going to be erected?
00:28:32.42\00:28:35.73
When is it that the mark of
the beast is going to be imposed
00:28:35.93\00:28:38.69
on pain of death. Is that at
the very end of human history?
00:28:38.80\00:28:42.50
Most certainly yes.
00:28:42.90\00:28:45.04
And it says that they were
standing on the sea of glass
00:28:45.44\00:28:49.79
having the harps of God.
00:28:49.99\00:28:51.92
They have overcome.
00:28:52.32\00:28:53.95
They are victorious.
00:28:54.25\00:28:56.24
They have washed their
garments we're going to notice
00:28:56.54\00:28:59.68
in the blood of the Lamb
00:28:59.88\00:29:01.37
and they have gained the
victory over sin in their lives.
00:29:01.67\00:29:06.00
Now I want you to notice
a very interesting detail
00:29:06.89\00:29:09.70
which I did not underline yet
00:29:09.90\00:29:11.67
in Revelation 22:14.
00:29:11.87\00:29:15.54
Revelation 22 and verse 14.
00:29:16.52\00:29:18.31
I don't know whether you've
ever stopped to think about this
00:29:18.51\00:29:20.40
but let me ask you: is
everybody going to enter
00:29:20.70\00:29:23.71
through the same gate?
00:29:23.91\00:29:25.45
There's twelve gates, right?
00:29:29.05\00:29:31.13
So is everybody going to
enter through the same gate?
00:29:32.07\00:29:34.86
No. Notice
Revelation 22 and verse 14.
00:29:35.82\00:29:39.06
It says:
00:29:39.36\00:29:40.77
Plural.
00:29:55.17\00:29:56.35
So are different people going to
enter through different gates?
00:29:56.65\00:30:00.40
Obviously yes.
00:30:00.80\00:30:02.32
Because you're not going
to enter through all twelve!
00:30:02.62\00:30:05.03
You're going to
enter through one.
00:30:05.33\00:30:07.53
Now the question
is: through which gate
00:30:07.93\00:30:11.37
will you enter?
00:30:11.57\00:30:14.29
Through which gate will I enter?
00:30:14.59\00:30:16.36
What will determine
which gate we will go through?
00:30:16.66\00:30:20.77
I believe we have
the answer in Genesis 49.
00:30:21.70\00:30:24.56
Go with me to Genesis 49
00:30:24.97\00:30:27.67
and I want to
read verses 1 and 2.
00:30:28.72\00:30:31.94
Genesis 49:1-2.
00:30:32.04\00:30:35.13
Here Jacob
gathers his sons together
00:30:37.00\00:30:40.05
and he's going to pronounce
his final blessing upon them
00:30:41.08\00:30:44.29
before he dies, but he
is also going to predict
00:30:44.49\00:30:48.56
what their
characters are going to produce
00:30:49.66\00:30:53.00
in the last days.
00:30:53.20\00:30:54.97
Notice Genesis
49 verses 1 and 2.
00:30:55.27\00:30:58.78
Let me ask you: were they
going to be literally alive
00:31:13.32\00:31:15.40
in the last days?
Were the sons of Jacob
00:31:15.50\00:31:17.88
going to be literally
alive in the last days?
00:31:18.08\00:31:19.74
Of course not. So
what does this mean:
00:31:20.04\00:31:22.37
"I will show you what will
befall you in the latter days? "
00:31:22.57\00:31:28.24
It's talking about the
influence of their lives
00:31:28.54\00:31:34.42
and people who have similar
characters to the characters
00:31:34.62\00:31:39.02
that they possess.
00:31:39.22\00:31:41.75
And then notice verse 2:
00:31:41.92\00:31:43.74
You know, it's very common
for people today to speak about
00:31:51.34\00:31:54.22
four personality profiles.
00:31:54.42\00:31:56.69
They've got it wrong.
They've got to multiply 4 x 3
00:31:57.89\00:32:02.22
because there are not
four personality profiles...
00:32:03.27\00:32:07.40
there are actually
twelve personality profiles.
00:32:07.60\00:32:10.72
I've done an
extensive study of the names
00:32:11.53\00:32:14.34
of the sons of Jacob and
also all their trajectory
00:32:14.54\00:32:18.13
through scripture, and
I've discovered beyond a shadow
00:32:18.33\00:32:20.83
of a doubt that each
one of the sons of Jacob
00:32:20.93\00:32:23.95
had a character
different than the other one.
00:32:24.16\00:32:27.01
They had different shades or
variations in their character,
00:32:27.41\00:32:31.42
in their way of being.
00:32:31.62\00:32:32.96
And what God is trying to
say is that in the end time
00:32:33.26\00:32:35.85
there's going to be in the world
00:32:36.15\00:32:38.38
twelve different
personality profiles.
00:32:38.58\00:32:42.51
Twelve different
types of persons.
00:32:42.81\00:32:45.05
And your personality
profile will determine
00:32:45.35\00:32:49.47
through which gate in
the Holy City you go through.
00:32:49.67\00:32:53.09
If you have the
personality, for example,
00:32:53.29\00:32:56.85
of Simeon or Levi,
00:32:57.05\00:32:59.65
who would lose it real
fast - they had a short fuse -
00:32:59.85\00:33:02.90
and they said: "Hey,
let's just kill Joseph... "
00:33:03.10\00:33:06.49
because according to Jewish
tradition the ones that came up
00:33:06.69\00:33:08.92
with the idea of killing
Joseph were Simeon and Levi.
00:33:09.02\00:33:12.04
They also were the masterminds
in killing all of the men
00:33:12.34\00:33:15.59
of Shechem. I mean, these
were bloodthirsty killers.
00:33:15.69\00:33:18.75
There's going to be
people in the world that have
00:33:19.05\00:33:21.43
that type of character.
00:33:21.53\00:33:23.25
There are going to
be people like Reuben
00:33:23.55\00:33:25.66
who had the
backbone of a jellyfish.
00:33:25.96\00:33:28.02
Always contemporizing and saying
"I'll take care of it later. "
00:33:28.32\00:33:31.94
Procrastinators... who perhaps
don't stand for truth at the
00:33:32.14\00:33:35.73
moment that they're supposed to.
00:33:35.93\00:33:37.34
And I could go through
each one of the sons of Jacob.
00:33:37.74\00:33:40.54
Each one of them has
a personality profile
00:33:40.74\00:33:43.93
which will be shared by
people who live on planet earth
00:33:44.43\00:33:48.39
in the end time. But
the important thing is:
00:33:48.59\00:33:50.79
that no matter what
the personality profile
00:33:50.82\00:33:53.69
every single one of those
who enter through the gates
00:33:53.90\00:33:57.24
into the city will
eventually be overcomers.
00:33:57.34\00:34:00.34
They will overcome the
defects in their character
00:34:00.54\00:34:02.93
and they will develop the
strength of their character
00:34:03.23\00:34:06.25
and they will overcome the
deficiencies and the weaknesses
00:34:06.45\00:34:09.98
of their characters.
And, like the 12 sons of Jacob
00:34:10.18\00:34:13.45
are inscribed upon
the doors of the city,
00:34:13.65\00:34:16.43
they will go through
the gate into the city
00:34:16.64\00:34:18.87
to partake of the Tree of Life.
00:34:19.07\00:34:21.58
There is no sin,
there is no besetment
00:34:21.88\00:34:25.76
whether inherited or cultivated
that cannot be overcome.
00:34:25.96\00:34:30.22
In fact, the sons of
Jacob are an inspiration to us.
00:34:30.52\00:34:34.85
I mean, how much
more vile could you become
00:34:35.35\00:34:38.40
than sleeping with
your father's mother?
00:34:38.60\00:34:42.52
How much more vile
than to visit a prostitute
00:34:44.94\00:34:48.76
and sleeping with
your daughter-in-law?
00:34:48.96\00:34:50.91
How much more vile could
you be than to want to kill
00:34:51.94\00:34:55.15
your own brother?
00:34:55.35\00:34:56.75
How much more
vile could you become
00:34:57.65\00:34:59.59
than being so bloodthirsty
that you would want to kill
00:34:59.79\00:35:02.83
a whole town of people
00:35:03.04\00:35:04.83
because they had sexual
relations with your sister?
00:35:05.03\00:35:07.31
And yet their names
are inscribed on the gates
00:35:08.31\00:35:11.21
of the Holy City.
00:35:11.41\00:35:12.71
Wow! If that's
not comforting to you
00:35:12.81\00:35:16.27
I don't know what
would be comforting.
00:35:16.47\00:35:18.11
No matter how evil
and how wicked we are
00:35:18.41\00:35:20.98
if we overcome
through the power of Jesus
00:35:21.38\00:35:24.45
who overcome, we will be able
to go through one of the gates
00:35:24.55\00:35:28.16
into the Holy
City, the New Jerusalem,
00:35:28.36\00:35:31.21
and partake of the Tree of Life.
00:35:31.51\00:35:34.36
But we're talking not
about literal Reubenites
00:35:34.56\00:35:37.10
and literal Levites. We're talk-
ing about spiritual Israelites.
00:35:37.30\00:35:42.39
who have the same types
of character as the original
00:35:42.59\00:35:45.84
sons of Jacob.
00:35:46.04\00:35:48.10
It's interesting to notice
that in the list of the sons
00:35:49.03\00:35:51.80
of Jacob that are
found in Revelation chapter 7
00:35:52.00\00:35:55.11
two of them are missing.
00:35:55.41\00:35:57.37
The first one
that is missing is Dan.
00:36:00.24\00:36:02.91
Dan.
00:36:04.95\00:36:06.99
The second one that
is missing is Ephraim.
00:36:07.81\00:36:10.80
You say: "Why would Dan
and Ephraim be missing? "
00:36:11.20\00:36:14.34
The Bible explains
why Ephraim is not there.
00:36:14.74\00:36:17.26
There's a
declaration of God where He says
00:36:17.56\00:36:20.05
"Ephraim is joined to
his idols. Leave him alone. "
00:36:20.26\00:36:25.90
What a terrible declaration.
00:36:27.60\00:36:29.36
He totally identified himself or
his descendants with idolatry.
00:36:30.02\00:36:35.71
What about Dan?
00:36:35.95\00:36:37.28
Go with me to Genesis
chapter 49 and verse 17.
00:36:37.59\00:36:40.97
One of the worst characteristics
that a person could have.
00:36:41.37\00:36:44.19
You see, Dan's name is not
inscribed on one of the gates
00:36:44.49\00:36:47.99
of the Holy City because
of his trait of character.
00:36:48.09\00:36:50.80
And anyone who has
that trait of character
00:36:51.10\00:36:53.33
will not go through
a gate into the city
00:36:53.53\00:36:57.39
because Dan is not there.
00:36:57.69\00:36:59.56
And you say: "What was
this trait, this evil trait of
00:36:59.86\00:37:02.28
character? It says
in Genesis 49 verse 17:
00:37:02.38\00:37:06.09
In other words, Dan was of those
types that become a stumbling
00:37:21.86\00:37:26.05
block to people.
He was a backbiter.
00:37:26.15\00:37:29.52
And by the way,
there's a text in Psalm 104
00:37:30.02\00:37:32.73
that inter-relates the idea
00:37:32.93\00:37:36.44
of lying, the
tongue, and backbiting
00:37:36.64\00:37:42.33
like it says here in
Genesis 49 and verse 17.
00:37:42.63\00:37:45.77
There will be no Ephraimites.
00:37:46.07\00:37:48.20
There will be no
Danites in the Holy City.
00:37:48.50\00:37:50.61
Because you know that sin
originated with one who was
00:37:51.54\00:37:54.44
a liar about God.
00:37:54.54\00:37:56.11
One who was a backbiter.
One who worked underground.
00:37:56.21\00:38:00.00
One who led a third of the
angels to betray their trust
00:38:00.30\00:38:04.28
to God.
00:38:04.48\00:38:06.00
There will be no people who
00:38:06.30\00:38:07.36
have a character like Dan.
00:38:07.46\00:38:08.97
There will be no one who has
00:38:09.27\00:38:10.64
the character like Ephraim.
00:38:10.84\00:38:12.39
Now let's go back once again
to Revelation 22 and verse 14.
00:38:13.99\00:38:17.91
It says:
00:38:18.98\00:38:20.05
Now some of you might
have some versions of the Bible
00:38:32.37\00:38:36.35
that express this
verse differently.
00:38:36.55\00:38:39.42
For example, the NIV will say
00:38:40.16\00:38:42.34
not blessed are those
who keep His commandments
00:38:42.64\00:38:46.59
but many of the modern versions,
in fact, most of them say
00:38:46.89\00:38:50.25
"Blessed are those
who wash their robes
00:38:50.45\00:38:53.88
that they may have a
right to the Tree of Life
00:38:56.17\00:38:58.97
and enter through the
gates into the City. "
00:38:59.17\00:39:00.91
Now the question is: what
is the correct translation?
00:39:01.21\00:39:03.70
Is the correct
translation washed their robes?
00:39:04.00\00:39:07.27
Or keep the commandments?
00:39:07.57\00:39:09.32
The fact is, folks,
that we don't have to choose
00:39:09.82\00:39:12.24
between one or the other.
00:39:12.34\00:39:13.42
I believe that the best
translation is "keep His
00:39:13.62\00:39:15.85
commandments, " by the way.
00:39:15.95\00:39:17.31
I believe that
that can be proven
00:39:17.61\00:39:18.96
by studying the ancient
manuscripts, by studying
00:39:19.16\00:39:21.65
the context, and the
relationship between this verse
00:39:21.75\00:39:24.27
and Genesis chapters 1 and 2.
00:39:24.47\00:39:26.37
I have no doubts whatsoever.
00:39:26.68\00:39:27.71
But just for the sake of
argument, it doesn't really
00:39:28.09\00:39:30.37
make that much difference be-
cause in the book of Revelation
00:39:30.47\00:39:33.54
both expressions
are used elsewhere.
00:39:33.74\00:39:35.96
Notice Revelation
chapter 7 and verse 14.
00:39:36.97\00:39:40.50
Revelation
chapter 7 and verse 14.
00:39:40.80\00:39:43.49
It's speaking about that
great multitude of redeemed
00:39:44.00\00:39:46.81
that no one can number
from every nation, kindred,
00:39:47.11\00:39:49.53
tongue, and
people. And it says there
00:39:49.73\00:39:52.09
in Revelation
chapter 7 and verse 14:
00:39:52.29\00:39:54.73
Is the idea of washing the
robes and making the robes white
00:40:13.51\00:40:17.17
in the blood of the
Lamb contained in the book of
00:40:17.37\00:40:19.62
Revelation? It
most certainly is.
00:40:19.73\00:40:21.49
And by the way, washing
our garments in the blood
00:40:21.79\00:40:24.99
of the Lamb
simply means two things.
00:40:25.09\00:40:29.57
Number one: it
means that we accept Jesus
00:40:29.77\00:40:33.47
as our justification.
00:40:33.67\00:40:35.61
In other words, we
receive Jesus as our Savior
00:40:36.54\00:40:38.85
and He looks upon us
as if we've never sinned.
00:40:39.05\00:40:41.08
One our ledger in
heaven He writes "forgiven. "
00:40:42.72\00:40:45.77
We are accepted in the
beloved not on the basis of
00:40:47.04\00:40:51.88
what we do but on the
basis of what Jesus did.
00:40:51.92\00:40:54.66
When we accept Him
our slate is clean.
00:40:54.86\00:40:58.76
But we can't stop there
00:40:59.71\00:41:01.81
because from a
justified life flows also what?
00:41:02.11\00:41:07.71
A sanctified life.
00:41:08.01\00:41:10.57
In other words, when
Jesus wipes our slate clean
00:41:10.87\00:41:13.77
and He looks upon us
as if we had never sinned
00:41:13.87\00:41:16.24
it will be our
delight and our joy
00:41:17.32\00:41:19.66
to keep the commandments of God
00:41:19.86\00:41:22.46
because we love God.
00:41:22.86\00:41:24.80
And so in Revelation
we find the expression
00:41:25.00\00:41:28.66
"blessed are those
who wash their robes"
00:41:28.86\00:41:30.98
but the expression "blessed are
those who keep the commandments"
00:41:31.29\00:41:34.32
is also used in Revelation.
00:41:34.52\00:41:36.92
You're all acquainted
with Revelation 12 verse 17
00:41:37.12\00:41:40.15
where it says that the
dragon was wroth with the woman
00:41:40.45\00:41:43.42
or enraged with the woman?
00:41:43.62\00:41:45.06
And went to make war
with the remnant of her seed
00:41:45.26\00:41:49.46
who what? Who keep
the commandments of God.
00:41:49.66\00:41:53.68
See the idea wash their robes?
00:41:53.98\00:41:56.76
Keep the commandments.
00:41:56.96\00:41:58.20
We also have
Revelation 14 verse 12
00:41:58.50\00:42:00.73
which is the concluding verse
of God's last message to the
00:42:01.04\00:42:04.26
world: the Three
Angels' Messages. It says:
00:42:04.36\00:42:06.77
So both ideas are there.
00:42:17.75\00:42:19.75
If your garments have been
washed in the blood of the Lamb,
00:42:19.85\00:42:22.71
the natural
consequence will be to what?
00:42:23.01\00:42:27.13
To keep the commandments of God.
00:42:27.43\00:42:29.22
Let me ask you: the
twelve sons of Jacob...
00:42:29.42\00:42:32.06
the ones that are mentioned
on the gates of the City...
00:42:32.27\00:42:35.51
sons of Israel... were
those individual's sins
00:42:36.70\00:42:40.59
cleansed by the
blood of the Lamb?
00:42:40.69\00:42:42.68
Were they? Were
they given a clean slate?
00:42:42.98\00:42:45.93
Must be... because their
names would not be inscribed
00:42:46.23\00:42:49.96
forever on the gates of the City
unless their sins - all of the
00:42:50.06\00:42:54.05
evil deeds that they performed
- had been cleaned away.
00:42:54.15\00:42:57.28
But let me ask you: did
their lives also change?
00:42:57.68\00:43:00.70
Their lives must have changed
00:43:01.10\00:43:03.15
because they were
overcomers. We read it.
00:43:03.35\00:43:07.32
They were not like
those outside the Holy City.
00:43:07.52\00:43:09.83
We read a long list of
sins that characterizes those
00:43:10.13\00:43:13.28
outside the City. Those inside
will be different than these.
00:43:13.38\00:43:18.32
Notice
Revelation 22 and verse 11.
00:43:18.55\00:43:21.28
Very interesting
verse describing the close
00:43:21.58\00:43:24.37
of human probation.
00:43:24.47\00:43:25.93
Revelation
chapter 22 and verse 11.
00:43:26.23\00:43:30.07
And unfortunately, the
King James Version and the
00:43:30.47\00:43:33.49
New King James does not
capture the full meaning
00:43:33.59\00:43:37.67
of certain words that
I'm going to describe.
00:43:37.87\00:43:40.95
Revelation 22 and verse 11 says:
00:43:41.25\00:43:44.22
It gives the impression
that being unjust is a state
00:43:49.14\00:43:53.42
in which you're found.
00:43:53.72\00:43:54.89
Actually, the Greek
word should be translated
00:43:55.19\00:43:58.66
"He who is unjust, let
him act unjustly still. "
00:43:58.96\00:44:04.33
It has to do not with a
state of being but with action.
00:44:06.20\00:44:09.83
And then it says:
00:44:11.05\00:44:12.11
"and he who is filthy,
let him be filthy still "
00:44:12.32\00:44:15.89
In the Greek really
it say "he who is filthy
00:44:16.04\00:44:18.55
let him continue
to act filthily. "
00:44:18.75\00:44:21.97
I know there's not such a word.
00:44:22.17\00:44:24.23
"he who is righteous,
let him be righteous still"
00:44:25.38\00:44:28.76
In the Greek it
says "he who is righteous
00:44:29.06\00:44:31.23
let him continue
to act righteously"
00:44:31.43\00:44:34.81
"and he who is holy,
let him be holy still"
00:44:35.11\00:44:38.61
The Greek says: "he who is
holy let him continue to act
00:44:38.81\00:44:43.80
in a holy manner. "
00:44:44.00\00:44:45.69
In other words, those who
live in the final generation
00:44:46.09\00:44:49.51
will not only be characterized
by their intellectual belief
00:44:49.71\00:44:53.72
in Jesus. They will
not be characterized
00:44:53.82\00:44:56.44
by their sins being
washed away in justification
00:44:56.64\00:45:00.11
but they will act differently.
00:45:00.24\00:45:02.41
They will act in a holy manner.
00:45:02.71\00:45:04.22
They will act in a just manner.
00:45:04.42\00:45:06.10
Their faith will be
shown by their works.
00:45:06.13\00:45:10.58
Now notice
Isaiah 26 verses 1 to 3.
00:45:10.98\00:45:15.60
Isaiah 26 and verses 1 to 3.
00:45:15.80\00:45:19.82
We have this wonderful passage
which is related to what we're
00:45:20.02\00:45:22.95
studying in Revelation
chapter 7 and chapter 14.
00:45:23.05\00:45:28.47
Notice:
00:45:28.68\00:45:30.21
What will the character of
those who enter in the gates
00:46:14.25\00:46:17.39
be like? It says
here: "open the gates
00:46:17.59\00:46:21.83
that the righteous
nation which keeps the truth
00:46:22.03\00:46:25.55
may enter in. And You
will keep him in perfect peace
00:46:25.65\00:46:28.54
whose mind is stayed on You. "
00:46:28.74\00:46:32.16
As the apostle Paul say in
Colossians chapter 3:1-2...
00:46:32.66\00:46:37.50
he says: "Set your
mind on the things above
00:46:37.73\00:46:41.23
not your mind on
the things below. "
00:46:41.43\00:46:44.18
You know, one author has
said that if we could catch one
00:46:44.48\00:46:47.01
glimpse of heaven we
would never want to live
00:46:47.11\00:46:50.22
on planet earth again.
00:46:50.35\00:46:52.28
Why not then place
our minds in heaven?
00:46:53.37\00:46:56.42
Because that's going
to be our permanent home.
00:46:56.62\00:46:59.20
We focus so much on this world.
00:46:59.50\00:47:01.49
The things of this world.
00:47:01.69\00:47:02.90
The houses of this world.
00:47:03.00\00:47:04.13
The money of this world.
00:47:04.33\00:47:05.41
Our automobiles; our toys.
00:47:05.61\00:47:07.03
We focus so much on this world
00:47:07.23\00:47:08.52
as if this is
going to last forever.
00:47:08.72\00:47:10.71
We're living in
the last days, folks,
00:47:11.64\00:47:13.92
and God wants to separate
for Himself a holy people.
00:47:14.12\00:47:17.84
Now notice Psalm 15.
00:47:18.14\00:47:20.50
Let's go to Psalm 15
00:47:20.80\00:47:22.20
are described.
00:47:22.50\00:47:26.15
Psalm 15. And I'm
going to read the whole Psalm
00:47:26.45\00:47:29.05
because it's not very long.
00:47:29.25\00:47:30.50
It says there the
following... Psalm 15:
00:47:30.80\00:47:36.52
Revelation 6 says
00:49:09.44\00:49:11.58
"Who shall be able
to... " What? "to stand? "
00:49:11.78\00:49:15.20
Psalm 15 says that those
who practice these things
00:49:15.50\00:49:18.57
will not be moved.
00:49:18.77\00:49:21.79
So the 144,000 are going to have
00:49:22.19\00:49:26.20
a sterling character.
00:49:26.40\00:49:29.34
Now go with me to
Isaiah 60 and verse 18.
00:49:29.64\00:49:33.73
Isaiah 60 and verse 18.
00:49:34.03\00:49:36.75
I want you to notice something
very interesting which is said
00:49:37.05\00:49:40.55
about the gates.
00:49:40.75\00:49:42.74
It says there:
00:49:43.97\00:49:45.80
And by the way, if you
read Revelation chapter 19
00:50:06.08\00:50:08.60
verses 1 and 2 it speaks
about a great multitude that are
00:50:08.80\00:50:12.01
singing in heaven. A multitude
which no one can number.
00:50:12.11\00:50:16.29
They're singing praises
and honor and glory to God
00:50:16.59\00:50:19.73
because He has saved
them from final destruction
00:50:19.93\00:50:23.44
at the end of time.
00:50:23.64\00:50:25.55
Now by the way,
Revelation 21 and verse 21
00:50:26.55\00:50:30.98
tells us that
each gate is one pearl.
00:50:31.18\00:50:34.27
Each gate is
one what? One pearl.
00:50:36.40\00:50:40.10
Those must be
some massive pearls!
00:50:42.08\00:50:44.20
Is there anything more
beautiful than a pearl?
00:50:45.23\00:50:47.38
I've seen many precious gems.
00:50:49.24\00:50:50.93
I can't see anything
more beautiful than a pearl.
00:50:51.13\00:50:53.38
You see all of the
colors of the rainbow.
00:50:53.58\00:50:55.61
Beautiful.
00:50:56.01\00:50:57.85
Imagine a gate of a city
00:50:58.05\00:51:02.42
where the city, where you
know... the wall of the city
00:51:02.62\00:51:06.94
is as tall as its
width and its breadth.
00:51:07.14\00:51:10.40
That's some door!
00:51:11.47\00:51:14.66
Now why would God
make the gate of pearl?
00:51:15.89\00:51:20.13
Do you know how
a pearl is formed?
00:51:20.43\00:51:22.48
A pearl is formed as
a result of an irritant
00:51:23.61\00:51:26.79
which is planted in the
shell of the mother of pearl.
00:51:29.46\00:51:34.16
There's an irritant... a
grain of sand or something.
00:51:34.57\00:51:37.00
And then begins a secretion
that starts forming the pearl.
00:51:37.20\00:51:42.83
What is God trying to tell us?
00:51:43.23\00:51:45.39
That if we're going to
enter heaven it must be what?
00:51:46.72\00:51:49.57
Through many what?
Through many irritations.
00:51:49.87\00:51:53.77
In fact, that's what
Paul meant in Acts 14 verse 22
00:51:55.02\00:51:57.97
where he says that we must
understand that it is through
00:51:58.27\00:52:02.15
many tribulations that we
must enter the kingdom of God.
00:52:02.26\00:52:07.70
There are many
irritants in our lives.
00:52:08.00\00:52:10.34
But if we use those irritants
to gain strength and to
00:52:10.64\00:52:14.31
draw closer to Jesus we
can make something beautiful
00:52:14.41\00:52:18.06
out of these tribulations
and trials in our lives
00:52:18.36\00:52:21.25
and we will finally enter
through the gates of pearl.
00:52:21.45\00:52:25.41
Finally I ask the
question: who are the only ones
00:52:26.39\00:52:29.78
who are going to
dwell in heavenly society?
00:52:29.98\00:52:32.96
I'm just going to
mention these verses in closing.
00:52:33.26\00:52:35.43
Matthew chapter
5 and verse 8 says:
00:52:37.52\00:52:40.46
What are the rest going to do?
00:52:49.10\00:52:50.92
Did you notice Revelation 6?
00:52:52.23\00:52:53.76
What are those who are
not pure in heart going to do?
00:52:53.96\00:52:56.01
They're going to
hide in the caves
00:52:56.61\00:52:59.81
and they're going to beg
for the rocks to fall upon them
00:53:00.01\00:53:02.60
and hide them from the
face of the One that is sitting
00:53:02.80\00:53:06.18
upon the throne.
00:53:06.48\00:53:08.38
But it says:
"Blessed are the pure in heart
00:53:09.62\00:53:11.95
for they shall see God. "
00:53:12.35\00:53:14.44
Hebrews 12 verse 14 says
00:53:15.68\00:53:18.01
that we need to be
at peace with all men
00:53:18.21\00:53:21.79
and we need to develop holiness
00:53:22.19\00:53:25.19
without which no
one will see the Lord.
00:53:25.59\00:53:30.30
You see, folks,
there's a special preparation
00:53:30.60\00:53:32.99
of character that needs to
take place in order for us to
00:53:33.19\00:53:35.69
be able to stand.
00:53:35.89\00:53:37.19
In order for us to stand
like Shadrach, Meshach, and
00:53:38.28\00:53:40.80
Abednego before the
image of Nebuchadnezzar,
00:53:40.90\00:53:43.64
the image of the
beast so to speak,
00:53:43.84\00:53:45.53
and say: "We will not
worship... no matter what.
00:53:45.73\00:53:49.46
You can throw us in the furnace
but our heart is set in God. "
00:53:49.86\00:53:54.40
In order for
that to happen, folks,
00:53:56.27\00:53:58.22
we need to make everything
in this world secondary
00:53:58.32\00:54:00.64
and our
relationship to God primary.
00:54:00.94\00:54:04.78
I John 3 says that everybody
who has this hope in him -
00:54:05.11\00:54:10.41
the hope of the
coming of Jesus -
00:54:10.61\00:54:11.82
"purifies himself
even as He is pure. "
00:54:12.12\00:54:17.91
What do we do if we have
the hope of the coming of Jesus?
00:54:18.31\00:54:21.78
We purify ourselves.
00:54:22.02\00:54:23.56
The apostle Paul
says... In Ephesians chapter 5
00:54:24.66\00:54:27.03
he says that God wants a
church "without spot or wrinkle
00:54:27.23\00:54:32.52
or any such thing. " You say:
"Pastor, that's impossible! "
00:54:32.72\00:54:35.48
It's not impossible.
00:54:36.46\00:54:37.95
If you believe that it's
impossible, then you have to say
00:54:38.25\00:54:42.18
that Philippians 4
verse 13 says "I can do almost
00:54:42.38\00:54:45.46
all things through
Christ who strengthens me. "
00:54:45.66\00:54:47.69
"I can do most things through
Christ who strengthens me. "
00:54:49.70\00:54:52.63
"I can do some things through
Christ who strengthens me. "
00:54:53.68\00:54:56.83
That's not what the
text says. The text says:
00:54:57.13\00:54:59.12
"I can do ALL
things except overcome sin
00:54:59.32\00:55:02.13
through Christ
who strengthens me. "
00:55:02.43\00:55:04.01
That's not what the text says.
00:55:05.70\00:55:07.54
The text says: "He who is able
to keep you from falling... "
00:55:08.41\00:55:13.32
The end-time
generation will be a generation
00:55:13.42\00:55:16.53
totally victorious over sin;
00:55:16.73\00:55:18.60
washed by the blood of
the Lamb in justification;
00:55:18.90\00:55:21.52
and living a sanctified
00:55:21.72\00:55:23.93
holy life.
00:55:24.14\00:55:26.52
Which means that our dress
00:55:26.82\00:55:28.01
will be holy.
00:55:28.11\00:55:29.15
It means that our
entertainment will be holy.
00:55:29.96\00:55:32.52
It means that our
worship will be holy.
00:55:32.92\00:55:35.57
It means that our
music will be holy.
00:55:35.97\00:55:38.62
It means that
everything that we do and say
00:55:40.42\00:55:43.38
will have a holy focus
00:55:43.58\00:55:45.94
because the 144,000 are
found without guile or spot
00:55:47.03\00:55:51.78
before the throne of God.
00:55:51.98\00:55:53.62
I'd like to end by referring
to one individual that we find
00:55:54.12\00:55:57.12
in Genesis who
experienced before the fact
00:55:57.32\00:56:01.44
what the righteous
living are going to experience
00:56:01.64\00:56:04.09
when Jesus comes.
00:56:04.19\00:56:05.56
His name was what? Enoch.
00:56:05.86\00:56:09.25
Notice Genesis chapter
5 and I would like to read
00:56:10.09\00:56:14.14
verse 22. Genesis
5... actually, verse 24.
00:56:14.34\00:56:18.07
It says in verse 24:
00:56:18.37\00:56:19.95
"And Enoch walked with God
00:56:21.34\00:56:24.83
and he was not
00:56:25.23\00:56:27.30
for God... " What? "took him. "
00:56:27.60\00:56:30.83
What did Enoch do
before he went to heaven?
00:56:31.87\00:56:35.01
He walked with God.
00:56:35.51\00:56:37.39
Now go with me to another
text. The book of Hebrews
00:56:37.69\00:56:40.41
quickly... Hebrews
chapter 11 and verse 5.
00:56:40.61\00:56:44.90
Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 5.
00:56:45.10\00:56:47.60
It explains a little
bit more what it meant
00:56:47.70\00:56:49.94
for Enoch to walk with God.
00:56:50.14\00:56:51.93
It says in verse 5:
00:56:52.13\00:56:53.24
"By faith Enoch was taken away
00:56:53.44\00:56:56.60
so that he did not see death
00:56:56.91\00:56:59.10
and was not found
because God had taken him.
00:56:59.60\00:57:04.82
For before he was
taken he had this testimony:
00:57:05.12\00:57:08.41
that he pleased God. "
00:57:08.61\00:57:11.51
To walk with God
is to please God.
00:57:11.81\00:57:13.55
And the apostle Paul tells us
that those who are in the flesh
00:57:13.65\00:57:16.67
cannot please God.
00:57:16.87\00:57:18.11
How about we make
pleasing God our first priority?
00:57:18.31\00:57:22.09