Shall we bow our heads?
00:01:12.73\00:01:14.07
Father in heaven,
we thank you so much
00:01:14.94\00:01:16.84
for the privilege
of being in Your house.
00:01:17.04\00:01:19.14
We thank you for the
awesome privilege of opening up
00:01:20.18\00:01:23.98
Your holy book...
the book of Genesis
00:01:24.28\00:01:26.78
and the book of Revelation...
00:01:27.08\00:01:29.48
to study about that
select group: the 144,000.
00:01:29.78\00:01:34.69
We ask that Your Holy Spirit
will guide us in our study today
00:01:35.62\00:01:38.86
and help us to learn
the lessons which will be
00:01:38.99\00:01:41.90
useful in our own
personal walk with Jesus.
00:01:42.00\00:01:44.57
And we thank you,
Lord, for hearing our prayer
00:01:45.07\00:01:47.47
for we ask it in
Jesus' name, Amen.
00:01:47.67\00:01:51.57
I'd like to invite you to
turn in your Bibles with me
00:01:52.61\00:01:55.18
to the book of
Revelation chapter 21.
00:01:55.28\00:01:58.15
Revelation chapter 21.
00:01:58.55\00:02:01.32
And we want to read
verses 10 through 13.
00:02:02.22\00:02:05.52
Revelation 21
and verses 10 to 13.
00:02:05.62\00:02:10.29
Here the New
Jerusalem is being described
00:02:10.69\00:02:14.13
and it says this:
00:02:14.36\00:02:15.66
We find here a description
00:03:07.38\00:03:09.65
of the New Jerusalem.
00:03:09.78\00:03:11.79
And what I want you to notice
00:03:12.09\00:03:13.49
as we begin our study
00:03:13.59\00:03:14.92
is that the New Jerusalem
00:03:15.12\00:03:16.46
has twelve gates.
00:03:16.62\00:03:18.39
And on each gate
is one of the names
00:03:18.69\00:03:21.96
of the twelve sons of Jacob.
00:03:22.16\00:03:26.50
Now the question is:
what are those names?
00:03:27.24\00:03:30.57
We're not told in the
passage that we just read
00:03:30.77\00:03:33.61
so we must go to
Revelation chapter 7
00:03:34.01\00:03:37.61
and verses 1 through 8.
00:03:37.91\00:03:40.65
Revelation chapter 7
and verses 1 through 8.
00:03:40.95\00:03:46.22
Here we find in the first
three verses a description
00:03:47.29\00:03:51.49
of the great tribulation
which is soon to come
00:03:51.69\00:03:55.50
upon the world.
It says in verse 1:
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By the way, when
the winds are released
00:04:14.78\00:04:16.99
that's the tribulation...
the period of the plagues.
00:04:17.15\00:04:19.99
Time of trouble such as
has never been seen in the
00:04:20.29\00:04:22.69
history of the world. Verse 2:
00:04:22.79\00:04:25.06
I want you to notice here
that the reason for the sealing
00:04:49.95\00:04:53.79
is to identify those who
are going to go through the
00:04:53.99\00:04:57.83
tribulation so that
their lives are preserved,
00:04:57.93\00:05:01.40
their lives are spared.
00:05:01.63\00:05:03.16
That's the reason why it says
before the winds are released
00:05:03.47\00:05:06.84
"seal My servants
on their foreheads. "
00:05:07.14\00:05:10.07
In other words, it is a mark
of protection upon God's people
00:05:10.37\00:05:14.51
who will go through the tribu-
lation when the winds of strife
00:05:14.71\00:05:18.91
are released.
00:05:19.01\00:05:20.98
And then I want you to notice
who are the ones that receive
00:05:21.28\00:05:24.25
the seal. Verse 4:
00:05:24.35\00:05:27.19
So now we're going to notice
the names of the individuals
00:05:41.04\00:05:44.91
that are found on the
doors that we read about
00:05:45.11\00:05:48.24
in Revelation
chapter 21. Verse 5:
00:05:48.44\00:05:52.38
The names of the sons of Jacob
00:06:44.60\00:06:48.34
which later became
the tribes of Israel.
00:06:48.54\00:06:52.74
Now there's a critical
question that we need to ask
00:06:53.74\00:06:56.81
before we move on to
study about the 144,000
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and that is: when
will the 144,000 live
00:07:01.92\00:07:07.76
in the history of the world?
00:07:07.79\00:07:09.66
There's no doubt
whatsoever, folks, as we examine
00:07:09.96\00:07:13.19
the book of
Revelation that the 144,000
00:07:13.40\00:07:16.46
are those who will be
alive when Jesus comes.
00:07:16.67\00:07:20.54
You say: "How do we know that? "
00:07:20.74\00:07:22.07
Well, let's go back to chapter 6
00:07:22.34\00:07:25.21
and we'll notice
that very clearly.
00:07:25.31\00:07:27.04
Revelation 6, and I would like
to begin at verse 15. It says:
00:07:27.24\00:07:33.18
"and from the wrath of the Lamb
00:07:54.77\00:07:56.94
for the great day
of His wrath has come
00:07:57.14\00:08:00.08
and who shall
be able to stand? "
00:08:00.28\00:08:03.41
Now what event is being
described in these verses?
00:08:03.81\00:08:06.25
There's no doubt that it's
talking about the second coming
00:08:06.75\00:08:10.42
of Christ. That's the
"great day of His wrath. "
00:08:10.62\00:08:13.82
Now my question is: who
will live during this period
00:08:14.12\00:08:18.23
of the
outpouring of God's wrath?
00:08:18.33\00:08:20.13
The answer is in the very
next chapter where we read from.
00:08:21.16\00:08:23.90
It says there that the
winds of strife are being held
00:08:24.20\00:08:27.60
until the servants of God
are sealed on their foreheads.
00:08:28.50\00:08:32.01
So when the question is asked:
"Who shall be able to stand? "
00:08:32.31\00:08:36.14
the answer is: "Those
who have received... " What?
00:08:36.34\00:08:41.05
"Those who have
received the seal of God. "
00:08:41.25\00:08:44.69
So when Jesus comes
and He manifests His wrath
00:08:44.99\00:08:49.82
according to the
book of Revelation
00:08:50.03\00:08:51.63
those only ones who
will be able to stand
00:08:51.93\00:08:54.56
are the 144,000
00:08:54.73\00:08:57.60
who have the names of
all of the sons of Jacob
00:08:57.80\00:09:02.24
of the tribes of Israel.
00:09:02.34\00:09:04.87
Now we need to ask the question
00:09:05.17\00:09:07.24
"Who are these 144,000? "
00:09:08.21\00:09:11.51
Are we dealing
here with literal Jews?
00:09:11.91\00:09:15.72
Is this God's final plan
for the literal Jewish nation
00:09:16.02\00:09:20.69
where He's going to rescue
literal people from the literal
00:09:20.79\00:09:24.56
tribes of Israel?
Or is this referring to
00:09:24.66\00:09:28.86
spiritual Israelites
who have the characteristics
00:09:28.96\00:09:33.34
of the sons of Jacob who later
became the tribes of Israel?
00:09:33.44\00:09:38.94
Well, what we need to
do to answer this question
00:09:39.34\00:09:42.44
is examine what
the New Testament means
00:09:42.64\00:09:47.18
by the word Israel.
00:09:47.38\00:09:49.48
Obviously, these
people are going to be saved
00:09:49.78\00:09:52.09
because in the day
of the wrath of the Lamb
00:09:52.39\00:09:54.39
they are going
to be able to stand.
00:09:54.52\00:09:56.49
They are sealed
with the seal of God.
00:09:56.69\00:09:58.39
They're going to be
saved in other words.
00:09:58.43\00:10:00.96
Now if they're going to
be saved and they are Israel,
00:10:01.23\00:10:04.27
we need to
understand what Israel means
00:10:04.47\00:10:07.50
in the New Testament.
00:10:07.70\00:10:09.70
Go with me to Romans
chapter 2 and verses 28 and 29.
00:10:10.11\00:10:15.38
Romans 2:28-29.
Let's identify Israel.
00:10:15.68\00:10:21.08
It says here, the
apostle Paul speaking:
00:10:21.48\00:10:24.39
Notice that a Jew is not
necessarily one who has been
00:10:37.87\00:10:41.30
circumcised. Verse 29:
00:10:41.40\00:10:44.27
Who is Israel
according to this passage?
00:11:02.36\00:11:05.63
Israel is composed of those
00:11:05.93\00:11:08.20
who have circumcised hearts.
00:11:08.40\00:11:10.87
Who have been converted
00:11:11.17\00:11:13.27
to Jesus Christ as their Savior
00:11:13.47\00:11:16.17
and Lord. That is true Israel.
00:11:16.37\00:11:19.31
Now go with me to
Galatians chapter 3 and verse 16
00:11:19.61\00:11:24.08
further emphasizing this point.
00:11:24.38\00:11:26.48
Galatians
chapter 3 and verse 16.
00:11:26.68\00:11:30.02
It says here: "Now
to Abraham and his seed
00:11:30.22\00:11:35.22
were the promises made.
00:11:35.42\00:11:37.49
He does not say
'and to seeds' as of many
00:11:37.79\00:11:43.33
but as of one. And to
your Seed who is Christ. "
00:11:43.43\00:11:49.37
Who is the only true
Seed of Abraham? Christ.
00:11:49.87\00:11:54.41
The promises were not made
to seeds but to the Seed...
00:11:54.61\00:11:58.91
Jesus Christ.
00:11:59.11\00:12:00.52
Now you say: "Well
that excludes all of us. "
00:12:00.82\00:12:03.95
No it doesn't.
00:12:04.29\00:12:05.79
Notice chapter 3
and verses 27 and 29.
00:12:05.99\00:12:11.63
Galatians chapter
3 verses 27 and 29.
00:12:11.93\00:12:16.36
Here we find the
apostle Paul saying this:
00:12:17.27\00:12:20.90
Verse 29:
00:12:29.28\00:12:31.21
Who are the children of
Abraham according to this verse?
00:12:40.79\00:12:45.26
The children of Abraham
are those who belong to whom?
00:12:45.46\00:12:49.50
To Christ.
00:12:49.70\00:12:51.37
In other words,
Israel is not defined
00:12:51.57\00:12:53.84
by the blood we
have, by the place we live,
00:12:54.07\00:12:57.14
or by the surname we possess.
00:12:57.34\00:12:59.74
Israel is defined as those
who have accepted Jesus Christ
00:13:00.11\00:13:04.81
as Savior and Lord...
00:13:04.85\00:13:06.61
which is a
spiritual relationship.
00:13:07.02\00:13:10.09
In other words, you
can not be a literal Jew
00:13:10.39\00:13:13.76
and still, according
to the Bible, be a Jew.
00:13:13.96\00:13:17.09
You can not be a literal
Israelite and yet still be
00:13:17.39\00:13:21.03
Israel because Israel
is defined spiritually...
00:13:21.13\00:13:24.80
it is not defined
physically and literally.
00:13:25.00\00:13:28.64
Would this apply to the 144,000?
00:13:28.94\00:13:31.87
Obviously the 144,000 by
the New Testament definition
00:13:32.27\00:13:37.18
are not those literal Israelites
00:13:37.38\00:13:40.08
but they are spiritual
Israelites who have received
00:13:40.28\00:13:44.05
Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
00:13:44.15\00:13:47.02
Notice also Romans chapter
9 and verses 6 through 8.
00:13:47.32\00:13:52.26
Romans chapter 9
and verses 6 through 8.
00:13:52.56\00:13:56.30
The apostle Paul could not be
any clearer than he is in this
00:13:57.33\00:14:00.64
passage. He says this:
00:14:00.74\00:14:02.80
"But it is not that the
Word of God has taken no effect
00:14:03.00\00:14:07.61
for they are not all
Israel who are of Israel. "
00:14:07.81\00:14:12.31
Did you notice he said not
all Israelites are Israelites?
00:14:12.71\00:14:16.82
Not all Jews are Jews
00:14:18.02\00:14:20.89
according to the
definition of the apostle Paul.
00:14:21.19\00:14:23.53
Who are Jews? Who is Israel?
00:14:24.53\00:14:26.80
Notice verse 7:
00:14:27.10\00:14:28.40
"Nor are they all children
because they are the seed
00:14:28.43\00:14:31.53
of Abraham. " Notice
that just because you are
00:14:31.63\00:14:33.40
the literal seed of Abraham
you're not a child of Abraham.
00:14:33.50\00:14:36.17
"But in Isaac your
seed shall be called.
00:14:36.47\00:14:39.71
That is... " Notice...
"those who are the children
00:14:39.91\00:14:43.51
of the flesh... "
That is, literal Jews...
00:14:43.71\00:14:46.72
"these are not the children
of God, but the children
00:14:46.92\00:14:50.52
of the promise
are counted as seed. "
00:14:50.72\00:14:54.66
We could go to other
places in the New Testament.
00:14:55.62\00:14:57.56
I'll just mention the
gospel of John in passing.
00:14:57.86\00:15:00.96
John chapter 8. Jesus
is speaking with the Jews
00:15:01.16\00:15:03.53
and He says: "I know that
you are Abraham's children;
00:15:03.73\00:15:07.44
I know that you
are Abraham's seed. "
00:15:07.64\00:15:09.17
But then He goes on to say:
00:15:09.47\00:15:11.57
"I know that you're
really not Abraham's seed
00:15:11.77\00:15:14.04
because Abraham
rejoiced to see My day
00:15:14.34\00:15:17.18
and he was glad but
you want to kill Me.
00:15:17.38\00:15:20.48
And so even though you are
literally children of Abraham
00:15:20.88\00:15:24.05
by wanting to kill Me -
manifesting a different spirit
00:15:24.19\00:15:27.76
than Abraham - you
show that you are not really
00:15:27.86\00:15:30.49
children of Abraham. "
00:15:30.73\00:15:32.43
So Israel in the New Testament
is defined relationally to
00:15:32.73\00:15:37.23
Jesus Christ. Which
means that the 144,000
00:15:37.33\00:15:40.74
are not literal Jews.
They are Jews in the sense that
00:15:40.94\00:15:44.04
the New Testament
uses the word Jew,
00:15:44.24\00:15:47.21
the word Israel. They
are spiritual Israelites
00:15:47.41\00:15:50.21
who have accepted Jesus
Christ as Savior and Lord.
00:15:50.41\00:15:54.82
Now let's go to Revelation
chapter 21 and verse 12
00:15:55.22\00:15:59.75
which we already read.
But I want you to notice here
00:15:59.95\00:16:03.22
another interesting detail.
00:16:03.43\00:16:05.76
Revelation chapter 21
and verse 12. It says here:
00:16:06.06\00:16:11.40
Did you notice this? That
the gates are not just open
00:16:22.48\00:16:25.61
and vacant. The gates have what?
00:16:26.11\00:16:30.79
An angel at each gate.
00:16:31.09\00:16:33.89
And I believe that what
they're doing is checking I.D.
00:16:34.76\00:16:38.39
to make sure that you're
going through the right gate.
00:16:39.76\00:16:43.00
We'll come to that
a little bit later on.
00:16:43.30\00:16:45.23
Now the question is: who
will be allowed by the angels
00:16:45.63\00:16:49.50
into the Holy City?
00:16:49.74\00:16:51.97
Revelation chapter 22
and verse 12 has the answer.
00:16:52.37\00:16:56.01
Revelation chapter 22
and verse 14 actually.
00:16:56.21\00:17:00.95
Revelation 22 and
verse 14. It says:
00:17:01.05\00:17:04.69
Who is allowed to go into
the city through the gates?
00:17:19.23\00:17:22.60
Those who what?
00:17:23.57\00:17:25.37
Those who keep His commandments.
00:17:25.67\00:17:27.94
Who allows them in?
The angels who are standing
00:17:28.14\00:17:32.98
at the gates. But now
we have a serious problem.
00:17:33.18\00:17:37.45
Let me ask you this: were
the sons of Jacob sinners?
00:17:39.59\00:17:44.33
Were they pretty wicked?
00:17:46.80\00:17:48.33
Allow me to tell you something
about the 12 sons of Jacob.
00:17:49.43\00:17:52.47
The names that are immortalized
on the doors of the city.
00:17:53.44\00:17:57.61
The sons of Jacob were
filled with covetousness
00:17:59.81\00:18:04.58
and envy.
00:18:04.91\00:18:06.55
They coveted Joseph's position.
00:18:07.65\00:18:09.82
They were envious because
his father gave him a coat
00:18:10.12\00:18:13.99
of many colors.
00:18:14.19\00:18:15.96
They were liars.
00:18:16.26\00:18:18.33
In fact, they lived a
lie for years and years
00:18:19.46\00:18:23.47
telling their father that Joseph
had been killed by a wild beast.
00:18:23.77\00:18:27.54
And they hid this lie for years.
00:18:27.84\00:18:31.57
They were murderers.
00:18:31.94\00:18:34.11
They were filled with hatred.
00:18:34.61\00:18:36.91
And by the way, the Bible
says that hatred is murder.
00:18:37.31\00:18:40.22
He what hates his
brother is a murderer
00:18:41.12\00:18:43.62
according to I John.
00:18:43.82\00:18:45.15
And so you have them
hating their own brother.
00:18:45.35\00:18:48.19
You have them
having a murderous spirit.
00:18:49.09\00:18:51.46
In fact, when they saw
Joseph coming they said...
00:18:51.56\00:18:53.70
and Simeon and Levi were
probably the main culprits...
00:18:53.90\00:18:56.30
They said: "Let's
kill our brother...
00:18:56.40\00:18:58.87
our own flesh and blood. "
00:18:59.17\00:19:01.20
Not only this. They were cold-
blooded killers and thieves.
00:19:02.24\00:19:07.04
I don't know whether
you're aware of the story
00:19:08.28\00:19:10.05
that we find in
Genesis about Shechem.
00:19:10.25\00:19:14.52
Genesis 34 has the story.
00:19:14.82\00:19:17.19
Just so happens that
these 12 brothers had 1 sister.
00:19:17.69\00:19:20.79
Her name was Dinah.
00:19:20.99\00:19:22.32
And Dinah went with some
of her friends to Shechem
00:19:23.02\00:19:25.89
and there Shechem, who
was the son of the king,
00:19:26.09\00:19:29.16
actually had sexual
relations with their sister
00:19:29.56\00:19:32.97
and she conceived a child.
00:19:33.17\00:19:36.10
And of course Shechem
00:19:36.44\00:19:39.11
the Bible says loved Dinah
00:19:39.31\00:19:41.14
with all of his heart and he
wanted to get married with her.
00:19:41.34\00:19:43.61
So he contacted Jacob
and he said: "You know
00:19:43.91\00:19:47.02
my son Shechem wants to
marry your daughter Dinah. "
00:19:48.12\00:19:53.62
And when Simeon and
Levi heard about this
00:19:53.92\00:19:58.39
they said: "This
cannot go unpunished. "
00:19:58.69\00:20:00.96
And so what they did... they
prepared a very special plot.
00:20:01.43\00:20:04.77
They said to all of the men
of Shechem: "We cannot allow
00:20:05.00\00:20:08.00
our sister to marry
an uncircumcised man.
00:20:08.24\00:20:10.74
If you will be circumcised
and all of the men of Shechem
00:20:10.84\00:20:13.14
are circumcised,
then we'll allow Shechem
00:20:13.34\00:20:16.78
to get married to Dinah. "
00:20:16.88\00:20:18.21
And so they were circumcised.
00:20:19.11\00:20:20.78
And when they were in the
third day - which is the moment
00:20:21.15\00:20:23.75
of greatest pain
from circumcision -
00:20:23.85\00:20:26.79
Simeon and Levi went
to the city of Shechem
00:20:27.09\00:20:30.73
and they killed
every single one of the men
00:20:30.93\00:20:33.46
that were in that town.
00:20:33.56\00:20:34.86
And not only that, they
also went in and they plundered
00:20:35.03\00:20:38.87
and they stole everything
that belonged to the inhabitants
00:20:39.07\00:20:42.67
of Shechem.
00:20:42.87\00:20:44.21
That's the kind of
individuals that these men were.
00:20:44.31\00:20:47.31
And then you have Reuben
who slept with his father's wife
00:20:47.91\00:20:51.85
Bilhah.
00:20:52.11\00:20:53.48
That's called incest.
00:20:53.52\00:20:55.55
And then you have the
merciless and mean-spiritedness
00:20:55.95\00:20:59.72
when Joseph is crying
out "Please don't sell me. "
00:20:59.92\00:21:02.49
They have no mercy.
00:21:02.79\00:21:04.56
No compassion whatsoever.
00:21:04.86\00:21:06.80
And then of course you have
Reuben, who has the backbone
00:21:07.83\00:21:11.83
of a jellyfish.
00:21:11.93\00:21:13.30
You know, when they
throw Joseph into the pit
00:21:13.60\00:21:16.34
Reuben should have
said "This is wrong. "
00:21:17.64\00:21:19.61
He was the oldest brother.
"This cannot go; let him go. "
00:21:19.81\00:21:23.35
But he didn't.
00:21:23.48\00:21:24.95
He worked and said:
"Well, you know, I'll go
00:21:25.25\00:21:27.38
and I'll take him out of the pit
00:21:27.48\00:21:29.05
after the anger calms down
and when my brothers leave. "
00:21:29.38\00:21:34.42
And when he came back
he had already been sold.
00:21:34.66\00:21:36.62
And by the way,
you also have Judah
00:21:37.46\00:21:40.86
lying with his daughter-in-law
00:21:41.10\00:21:43.20
thinking that
she was a prostitute.
00:21:43.40\00:21:45.43
That's amazing.
00:21:46.37\00:21:48.00
You have all of these
children from four mothers
00:21:49.04\00:21:52.91
all living under the same roof.
00:21:53.21\00:21:55.38
In other words, this was a
totally dysfunctional family.
00:21:56.68\00:22:00.32
I mean... with a
dysfunctional lifestyle.
00:22:01.68\00:22:04.85
Totally - almost - corrupt.
00:22:07.06\00:22:09.36
Not totally because
they changed later on.
00:22:09.66\00:22:11.89
And yet their
names stand immortalized
00:22:13.33\00:22:19.20
forever on the gates
of the New Jerusalem.
00:22:19.40\00:22:24.34
You can imagine the
wicked outside the city saying:
00:22:24.84\00:22:27.51
"Oh, You left us
outside 'cause we're liars.
00:22:27.61\00:22:29.58
What about those whose
names are on the doors?
00:22:29.78\00:22:33.08
On the gates? "
"Oh, You cast us out here
00:22:34.02\00:22:37.39
because we're
thieves. What about them? "
00:22:37.59\00:22:39.65
"Oh, you left us out
here because we're murderers.
00:22:40.62\00:22:42.92
What about them? "
00:22:43.12\00:22:44.56
In other words,
those who are inside
00:22:45.53\00:22:48.43
were just as much sinners
as those who were outside.
00:22:49.63\00:22:52.67
At least at one
stage in their lives.
00:22:52.97\00:22:55.07
So how could the sons of Jacob
have their names immortalized
00:22:55.37\00:22:59.01
on the gates of the
Holy City, the New Jerusalem?
00:22:59.21\00:23:03.04
The book of
Revelation has the answer.
00:23:04.05\00:23:06.08
It is true that
they were vile sinners,
00:23:07.15\00:23:09.68
but the book of Revelation
emphasizes that they were
00:23:10.09\00:23:12.75
overcomers. They
overcame their sins.
00:23:12.85\00:23:17.29
They overcame their defects.
00:23:17.59\00:23:20.83
They gained the victory
over all of these besetments
00:23:21.00\00:23:24.60
in their lives.
Notice Revelation chapter 21.
00:23:24.90\00:23:28.17
Revelation chapter 21
and verse 7 on this point.
00:23:28.37\00:23:32.14
Revelation
chapter 21 and verse 7.
00:23:32.34\00:23:35.01
It says here:
00:23:35.31\00:23:36.91
"He who... " What?
00:23:37.21\00:23:42.48
"overcomes shall
inherit all things
00:23:42.78\00:23:47.29
and I will be his God
and he shall be My son. "
00:23:47.59\00:23:51.36
He who overcomes what?
00:23:52.29\00:23:54.36
Notice verse 8. The contrast of
those who are outside the city.
00:23:54.63\00:23:58.27
It says: "But the
cowardly, unbelieving,
00:23:58.57\00:24:01.60
abominable, murderers,
00:24:01.70\00:24:04.01
sexually immoral, sorcerers,
00:24:04.21\00:24:06.91
idolaters, and all liars
00:24:07.11\00:24:09.34
shall have their part in
the lake which burns with fire
00:24:11.81\00:24:15.05
and brimstone which
is the second death. "
00:24:15.15\00:24:17.99
Who is inside
the city? The what?
00:24:18.69\00:24:20.99
The overcomers.
00:24:21.29\00:24:22.96
Overcomers over what?
00:24:23.26\00:24:24.96
It has to be over what
is mentioned in verse 8.
00:24:25.26\00:24:28.06
In verse 8 you have a
list of sins and transgressions
00:24:28.36\00:24:33.07
which are violations
of the Ten Commandments.
00:24:33.17\00:24:35.14
And those who are outside
never overcame these things.
00:24:36.00\00:24:39.74
But those who are
inside the Bible says
00:24:40.04\00:24:43.01
that they "overcame. "
00:24:43.21\00:24:45.95
Notice Revelation
chapter 2 and verse 7.
00:24:46.25\00:24:48.95
By the way, this is a formula
that is used after every single
00:24:49.25\00:24:52.02
church. There's 7
churches in Revelation 2 and 3.
00:24:52.12\00:24:54.86
After every single
church is mentioned
00:24:55.16\00:24:57.73
you have this formula.
00:24:57.93\00:24:59.59
It says there in
Revelation 2 and verse 7:
00:24:59.89\00:25:02.50
"He who has an ear let him hear
00:25:03.63\00:25:06.53
what the Spirit
says to the churches. "
00:25:06.74\00:25:08.97
What is the condition for
eating from the Tree of Life
00:25:21.08\00:25:23.85
in the midst of
the Paradise of God?
00:25:24.05\00:25:25.69
It means to what? To overcome.
00:25:25.99\00:25:29.42
By the way, if we compare
with that the verse that we read
00:25:29.62\00:25:32.19
a few minutes ago -
Revelation 22 verse 14-
00:25:32.29\00:25:35.40
it says: "Blessed are
those who do His commandments
00:25:35.70\00:25:38.70
that they may have the
right to the Tree of Life. "
00:25:38.90\00:25:41.00
So what does it mean to overcome
00:25:41.40\00:25:43.04
if we compare these two verses?
00:25:43.24\00:25:44.67
Overcoming means
to obey His what?
00:25:45.07\00:25:48.44
It means to obey His holy law.
00:25:48.64\00:25:51.51
And lest you wonder about this
00:25:51.91\00:25:53.38
notice
Revelation 22 and verse 15
00:25:53.58\00:25:56.05
which comes immediately
after saying that those who keep
00:25:56.25\00:25:59.72
the commandments will be allowed
through the gates into the city
00:25:59.82\00:26:03.22
to partake of the Tree of Life
00:26:03.43\00:26:04.86
it says in verse 15:
00:26:05.06\00:26:06.83
So what have we seen so far?
00:26:25.18\00:26:27.08
First of all we've
seen that the New Jerusalem
00:26:27.48\00:26:30.22
has twelve gates.
00:26:30.42\00:26:32.65
And inscribed on
each gate is the name
00:26:32.85\00:26:35.92
of one of the sons of Jacob.
00:26:36.12\00:26:38.19
We found that the 144,000
00:26:39.16\00:26:43.20
are composed of those who
have those names of the tribes.
00:26:43.40\00:26:47.60
And we
discovered that the 144,000
00:26:47.84\00:26:50.51
are those who are going to
be alive when Jesus Christ comes
00:26:50.71\00:26:54.74
and they're going to be
preserved by the seal of the
00:26:54.94\00:26:57.08
living God. We've noticed
that they're not literal Jews
00:26:57.18\00:27:00.85
because the New
Testament definition of a Jew
00:27:01.05\00:27:03.42
or of Israel is one who
has accepted Jesus Christ
00:27:03.62\00:27:06.92
as Savior and Lord... no matter
what nation they come from.
00:27:07.12\00:27:10.13
We've noticed that at the
gates there will be angels
00:27:10.79\00:27:14.00
guiding the
people through the gates.
00:27:14.20\00:27:16.50
We have notice that
those who go through the gates
00:27:16.77\00:27:19.00
are overcomers. They
are overcomers of all
00:27:19.20\00:27:22.44
of the list of sins that are
mentioned concerning those who
00:27:22.54\00:27:25.94
are outside the Holy City.
00:27:26.04\00:27:29.31
No matter how vile, how
evil, how bad people have been
00:27:30.11\00:27:34.15
the final generation will be a
generation of victorious people
00:27:35.18\00:27:39.05
who will overcome
every defect of character.
00:27:39.35\00:27:42.59
Whether it is inherited
or whether it is cultivated
00:27:42.79\00:27:46.70
they will gain the victory and
they will remain firm to God.
00:27:46.90\00:27:51.00
By the way, go with me to
Revelation chapter 15 verse 2
00:27:51.30\00:27:55.70
and I want you to notice
that this group is going to live
00:27:55.94\00:27:59.21
in the world in the
worst period of its history.
00:27:59.31\00:28:02.08
Revelation chapter 15
and verse 2. It says here:
00:28:02.38\00:28:07.92
By the way, are
these the end-time saints?
00:28:25.77\00:28:28.87
When is it that the beast
is going to manifest its power?
00:28:29.27\00:28:32.01
When is it that the image of the
beast is going to be erected?
00:28:32.41\00:28:35.71
When is it that the mark of
the beast is going to be imposed
00:28:35.91\00:28:38.68
on pain of death. Is that at
the very end of human history?
00:28:38.78\00:28:42.48
Most certainly yes.
00:28:42.88\00:28:45.02
And it says that they were
standing on the sea of glass
00:28:45.42\00:28:49.76
having the harps of God.
00:28:49.96\00:28:51.89
They have overcome.
00:28:52.29\00:28:53.93
They are victorious.
00:28:54.20\00:28:56.20
They have washed their
garments we're going to notice
00:28:56.50\00:28:59.63
in the blood of the Lamb
00:28:59.83\00:29:01.37
and they have gained the
victory over sin in their lives.
00:29:01.67\00:29:06.01
Now I want you to notice
a very interesting detail
00:29:06.91\00:29:09.71
which I did not underline yet
00:29:09.91\00:29:11.68
in Revelation 22:14.
00:29:11.88\00:29:15.55
Revelation 22 and verse 14.
00:29:16.52\00:29:18.32
I don't know whether you've
ever stopped to think about this
00:29:18.52\00:29:20.42
but let me ask you: is
everybody going to enter
00:29:20.72\00:29:23.73
through the same gate?
00:29:23.93\00:29:25.46
There's twelve gates, right?
00:29:29.03\00:29:31.10
So is everybody going to
enter through the same gate?
00:29:32.03\00:29:34.84
No. Notice
Revelation 22 and verse 14.
00:29:35.80\00:29:39.04
It says:
00:29:39.31\00:29:40.74
Plural.
00:29:55.16\00:29:56.49
So are different people going to
enter through different gates?
00:29:56.62\00:30:00.40
Obviously yes.
00:30:00.80\00:30:02.26
Because you're not going
to enter through all twelve!
00:30:02.56\00:30:04.97
You're going to
enter through one.
00:30:05.27\00:30:07.47
Now the question
is: through which gate
00:30:07.87\00:30:11.31
will you enter?
00:30:11.51\00:30:14.24
Through which gate will I enter?
00:30:14.54\00:30:16.31
What will determine
which gate we will go through?
00:30:16.61\00:30:20.72
I believe we have
the answer in Genesis 49.
00:30:21.65\00:30:24.52
Go with me to Genesis 49
00:30:24.92\00:30:27.62
and I want to
read verses 1 and 2.
00:30:28.66\00:30:31.89
Genesis 49:1-2.
00:30:31.99\00:30:35.03
Here Jacob
gathers his sons together
00:30:36.90\00:30:39.97
and he's going to pronounce
his final blessing upon them
00:30:41.00\00:30:44.21
before he dies, but he
is also going to predict
00:30:44.41\00:30:48.48
what their
characters are going to produce
00:30:49.58\00:30:52.91
in the last days.
00:30:53.11\00:30:54.88
Notice Genesis
49 verses 1 and 2.
00:30:55.18\00:30:58.69
Let me ask you: were they
going to be literally alive
00:31:13.27\00:31:15.34
in the last days?
Were the sons of Jacob
00:31:15.44\00:31:17.84
going to be literally
alive in the last days?
00:31:18.04\00:31:19.67
Of course not. So
what does this mean:
00:31:19.97\00:31:22.31
"I will show you what will
befall you in the latter days? "
00:31:22.51\00:31:28.18
It's talking about the
influence of their lives
00:31:28.48\00:31:34.36
and people who have similar
characters to the characters
00:31:34.56\00:31:38.96
that they possess.
00:31:39.16\00:31:41.66
And then notice verse 2:
00:31:41.83\00:31:43.67
You know, it's very common
for people today to speak about
00:31:51.24\00:31:54.14
four personality profiles.
00:31:54.34\00:31:56.61
They've got it wrong.
They've got to multiply 4 x 3
00:31:57.81\00:32:02.18
because there are not
four personality profiles...
00:32:03.25\00:32:07.39
there are actually
twelve personality profiles.
00:32:07.59\00:32:10.69
I've done an
extensive study of the names
00:32:11.49\00:32:14.30
of the sons of Jacob and
also all their trajectory
00:32:14.50\00:32:18.07
through scripture, and
I've discovered beyond a shadow
00:32:18.27\00:32:20.77
of a doubt that each
one of the sons of Jacob
00:32:20.87\00:32:23.91
had a character
different than the other one.
00:32:24.11\00:32:26.94
They had different shades or
variations in their character,
00:32:27.34\00:32:31.38
in their way of being.
00:32:31.58\00:32:32.91
And what God is trying to
say is that in the end time
00:32:33.21\00:32:35.78
there's going to be in the world
00:32:36.08\00:32:38.32
twelve different
personality profiles.
00:32:38.52\00:32:42.46
Twelve different
types of persons.
00:32:42.76\00:32:44.99
And your personality
profile will determine
00:32:45.29\00:32:49.40
through which gate in
the Holy City you go through.
00:32:49.60\00:32:53.00
If you have the
personality, for example,
00:32:53.20\00:32:56.77
of Simeon or Levi,
00:32:56.97\00:32:59.57
who would lose it real
fast - they had a short fuse -
00:32:59.77\00:33:02.88
and they said: "Hey,
let's just kill Joseph... "
00:33:03.08\00:33:06.48
because according to Jewish
tradition the ones that came up
00:33:06.68\00:33:08.88
with the idea of killing
Joseph were Simeon and Levi.
00:33:08.98\00:33:12.02
They also were the masterminds
in killing all of the men
00:33:12.32\00:33:15.56
of Shechem. I mean, these
were bloodthirsty killers.
00:33:15.66\00:33:18.73
There's going to be
people in the world that have
00:33:19.03\00:33:21.36
that type of character.
00:33:21.46\00:33:23.20
There are going to
be people like Reuben
00:33:23.50\00:33:25.60
who had the
backbone of a jellyfish.
00:33:25.90\00:33:27.97
Always contemporizing and saying
"I'll take care of it later. "
00:33:28.27\00:33:31.87
Procrastinators... who perhaps
don't stand for truth at the
00:33:32.07\00:33:35.68
moment that they're supposed to.
00:33:35.88\00:33:37.28
And I could go through
each one of the sons of Jacob.
00:33:37.68\00:33:40.48
Each one of them has
a personality profile
00:33:40.68\00:33:43.89
which will be shared by
people who live on planet earth
00:33:44.39\00:33:48.32
in the end time. But
the important thing is:
00:33:48.52\00:33:50.73
that no matter what
the personality profile
00:33:50.76\00:33:53.63
every single one of those
who enter through the gates
00:33:53.86\00:33:57.17
into the city will
eventually be overcomers.
00:33:57.27\00:34:00.34
They will overcome the
defects in their character
00:34:00.54\00:34:02.90
and they will develop the
strength of their character
00:34:03.20\00:34:06.24
and they will overcome the
deficiencies and the weaknesses
00:34:06.44\00:34:09.94
of their characters.
And, like the 12 sons of Jacob
00:34:10.15\00:34:13.42
are inscribed upon
the doors of the city,
00:34:13.62\00:34:16.42
they will go through
the gate into the city
00:34:16.62\00:34:18.85
to partake of the Tree of Life.
00:34:19.05\00:34:21.56
There is no sin,
there is no besetment
00:34:21.86\00:34:25.73
whether inherited or cultivated
that cannot be overcome.
00:34:25.93\00:34:30.17
In fact, the sons of
Jacob are an inspiration to us.
00:34:30.47\00:34:34.80
I mean, how much
more vile could you become
00:34:35.30\00:34:38.34
than sleeping with
your father's mother?
00:34:38.54\00:34:42.48
How much more vile
than to visit a prostitute
00:34:44.88\00:34:48.72
and sleeping with
your daughter-in-law?
00:34:48.92\00:34:50.85
How much more vile could
you be than to want to kill
00:34:51.89\00:34:55.09
your own brother?
00:34:55.29\00:34:56.69
How much more
vile could you become
00:34:57.53\00:34:59.53
than being so bloodthirsty
that you would want to kill
00:34:59.73\00:35:02.80
a whole town of people
00:35:03.03\00:35:04.80
because they had sexual
relations with your sister?
00:35:05.00\00:35:07.30
And yet their names
are inscribed on the gates
00:35:08.30\00:35:11.17
of the Holy City.
00:35:11.37\00:35:12.71
Wow! If that's
not comforting to you
00:35:12.77\00:35:16.24
I don't know what
would be comforting.
00:35:16.44\00:35:18.08
No matter how evil
and how wicked we are
00:35:18.38\00:35:20.95
if we overcome
through the power of Jesus
00:35:21.35\00:35:24.42
who overcome, we will be able
to go through one of the gates
00:35:24.52\00:35:28.12
into the Holy
City, the New Jerusalem,
00:35:28.32\00:35:31.19
and partake of the Tree of Life.
00:35:31.49\00:35:34.30
But we're talking not
about literal Reubenites
00:35:34.50\00:35:37.03
and literal Levites. We're talk-
ing about spiritual Israelites.
00:35:37.23\00:35:42.34
who have the same types
of character as the original
00:35:42.54\00:35:45.77
sons of Jacob.
00:35:45.97\00:35:48.04
It's interesting to notice
that in the list of the sons
00:35:48.98\00:35:51.75
of Jacob that are
found in Revelation chapter 7
00:35:51.95\00:35:55.05
two of them are missing.
00:35:55.35\00:35:57.32
The first one
that is missing is Dan.
00:36:00.26\00:36:02.92
Dan.
00:36:04.96\00:36:07.00
The second one that
is missing is Ephraim.
00:36:07.83\00:36:10.77
You say: "Why would Dan
and Ephraim be missing? "
00:36:11.17\00:36:14.30
The Bible explains
why Ephraim is not there.
00:36:14.70\00:36:17.24
There's a
declaration of God where He says
00:36:17.54\00:36:20.04
"Ephraim is joined to
his idols. Leave him alone. "
00:36:20.24\00:36:25.88
What a terrible declaration.
00:36:27.58\00:36:29.35
He totally identified himself or
his descendants with idolatry.
00:36:29.98\00:36:35.69
What about Dan?
00:36:35.92\00:36:37.26
Go with me to Genesis
chapter 49 and verse 17.
00:36:37.56\00:36:40.96
One of the worst characteristics
that a person could have.
00:36:41.33\00:36:44.13
You see, Dan's name is not
inscribed on one of the gates
00:36:44.43\00:36:47.94
of the Holy City because
of his trait of character.
00:36:48.04\00:36:50.74
And anyone who has
that trait of character
00:36:51.04\00:36:53.27
will not go through
a gate into the city
00:36:53.48\00:36:57.35
because Dan is not there.
00:36:57.65\00:36:59.51
And you say: "What was
this trait, this evil trait of
00:36:59.81\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
00:37:21.84\00:37:26.04
block to people.
He was a backbiter.
00:37:26.14\00:37:29.51
And by the way,
there's a text in Psalm 104
00:37:30.01\00:37:32.71
that inter-relates the idea
00:37:32.91\00:37:36.42
of lying, the
tongue, and backbiting
00:37:36.62\00:37:42.32
like it says here in
Genesis 49 and verse 17.
00:37:42.62\00:37:45.76
There will be no Ephraimites.
00:37:46.06\00:37:48.13
There will be no
Danites in the Holy City.
00:37:48.43\00:37:50.57
Because you know that sin
originated with one who was
00:37:51.50\00:37:54.37
a liar about God.
00:37:54.47\00:37:56.07
One who was a backbiter.
One who worked underground.
00:37:56.17\00:37:59.94
One who led a third of the
angels to betray their trust
00:38:00.31\00:38:04.28
to God.
00:38:04.48\00:38:06.01
There will be no people who
00:38:06.31\00:38:07.65
have a character like Dan.
00:38:07.68\00:38:09.02
There will be no one who has
00:38:09.28\00:38:10.65
the character like Ephraim.
00:38:10.85\00:38:12.39
Now let's go back once again
to Revelation 22 and verse 14.
00:38:13.99\00:38:17.93
It says:
00:38:18.99\00:38:20.33
Now some of you might
have some versions of the Bible
00:38:32.34\00:38:36.34
that express this
verse differently.
00:38:36.54\00:38:39.41
For example, the NIV will say
00:38:40.08\00:38:42.32
not blessed are those
who keep His commandments
00:38:42.62\00:38:46.55
but many of the modern versions,
in fact, most of them say
00:38:46.86\00:38:50.23
"Blessed are those
who wash their robes
00:38:50.43\00:38:53.86
that they may have a
right to the Tree of Life
00:38:56.13\00:38:58.90
and enter through the
gates into the City. "
00:38:59.10\00:39:00.94
Now the question is: what
is the correct translation?
00:39:01.24\00:39:03.71
Is the correct
translation washed their robes?
00:39:04.01\00:39:07.28
Or keep the commandments?
00:39:07.58\00:39:09.34
The fact is, folks,
that we don't have to choose
00:39:09.84\00:39:12.25
between one or the other.
00:39:12.35\00:39:13.68
I believe that the best
translation is "keep His
00:39:13.72\00:39:15.85
commandments, " by the way.
00:39:15.95\00:39:17.32
I believe that
that can be proven
00:39:17.62\00:39:18.99
by studying the ancient
manuscripts, by studying
00:39:19.19\00:39:21.66
the context, and the
relationship between this verse
00:39:21.76\00:39:24.29
and Genesis chapters 1 and 2.
00:39:24.49\00:39:26.39
I have no doubts whatsoever.
00:39:26.70\00:39:28.00
But just for the sake of
argument, it doesn't really
00:39:28.06\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\00:39:35.94
Notice Revelation
chapter 7 and verse 14.
00:39:36.94\00:39:40.48
Revelation
chapter 7 and verse 14.
00:39:40.78\00:39:43.48
It's speaking about that
great multitude of redeemed
00:39:43.98\00:39:46.78
that no one can number
from every nation, kindred,
00:39:47.08\00:39:49.52
tongue, and
people. And it says there
00:39:49.72\00:39:52.05
in Revelation
chapter 7 and verse 14:
00:39:52.25\00:39:54.72
Is the idea of washing the
robes and making the robes white
00:40:13.44\00:40:17.11
in the blood of the
Lamb contained in the book of
00:40:17.31\00:40:19.58
Revelation? It
most certainly is.
00:40:19.68\00:40:21.45
And by the way, washing
our garments in the blood
00:40:21.75\00:40:24.92
of the Lamb
simply means two things.
00:40:25.02\00:40:29.52
Number one: it
means that we accept Jesus
00:40:29.72\00:40:33.43
as our justification.
00:40:33.63\00:40:35.53
In other words, we
receive Jesus as our Savior
00:40:36.46\00:40:38.77
and He looks upon us
as if we've never sinned.
00:40:38.97\00:40:41.00
One our ledger in
heaven He writes "forgiven. "
00:40:42.64\00:40:45.67
We are accepted in the
beloved not on the basis of
00:40:46.94\00:40:51.78
what we do but on the
basis of what Jesus did.
00:40:51.85\00:40:54.58
When we accept Him
our slate is clean.
00:40:54.78\00:40:58.69
But we can't stop there
00:40:59.62\00:41:01.79
because from a
justified life flows also what?
00:41:02.09\00:41:07.66
A sanctified life.
00:41:07.96\00:41:10.53
In other words, when
Jesus wipes our slate clean
00:41:10.83\00:41:13.70
and He looks upon us
as if we had never sinned
00:41:13.80\00:41:16.17
it will be our
delight and our joy
00:41:17.27\00:41:19.61
to keep the commandments of God
00:41:19.81\00:41:22.41
because we love God.
00:41:22.81\00:41:24.75
And so in Revelation
we find the expression
00:41:24.95\00:41:28.62
"blessed are those
who wash their robes"
00:41:28.82\00:41:30.92
but the expression "blessed are
those who keep the commandments"
00:41:31.22\00:41:34.26
is also used in Revelation.
00:41:34.46\00:41:36.86
You're all acquainted
with Revelation 12 verse 17
00:41:37.06\00:41:40.10
where it says that the
dragon was wroth with the woman
00:41:40.40\00:41:43.33
or enraged with the woman?
00:41:43.53\00:41:44.97
And went to make war
with the remnant of her seed
00:41:45.17\00:41:49.37
who what? Who keep
the commandments of God.
00:41:49.57\00:41:53.61
See the idea wash their robes?
00:41:53.91\00:41:56.68
Keep the commandments.
00:41:56.88\00:41:58.21
We also have
Revelation 14 verse 12
00:41:58.41\00:42:00.72
which is the concluding verse
of God's last message to the
00:42:01.02\00:42:04.25
world: the Three
Angels' Messages. It says:
00:42:04.35\00:42:06.76
So both ideas are there.
00:42:17.70\00:42:19.70
If your garments have been
washed in the blood of the Lamb,
00:42:19.80\00:42:22.67
the natural
consequence will be to what?
00:42:22.97\00:42:27.08
To keep the commandments of God.
00:42:27.38\00:42:29.18
Let me ask you: the
twelve sons of Jacob...
00:42:29.38\00:42:32.01
the ones that are mentioned
on the gates of the City...
00:42:32.21\00:42:35.45
sons of Israel... were
those individual's sins
00:42:36.65\00:42:40.52
cleansed by the
blood of the Lamb?
00:42:40.62\00:42:42.62
Were they? Were
they given a clean slate?
00:42:42.92\00:42:45.86
Must be... because their
names would not be inscribed
00:42:46.16\00:42:49.86
forever on the gates of the City
unless their sins - all of the
00:42:49.96\00:42:53.97
evil deeds that they performed
- had been cleaned away.
00:42:54.07\00:42:57.21
But let me ask you: did
their lives also change?
00:42:57.61\00:43:00.68
Their lives must have changed
00:43:01.08\00:43:03.14
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\00:43:09.82
We read a long list of
sins that characterizes those
00:43:10.12\00:43:13.25
outside the City. Those inside
will be different than these.
00:43:13.36\00:43:18.29
Notice
Revelation 22 and verse 11.
00:43:18.53\00:43:21.23
Very interesting
verse describing the close
00:43:21.53\00:43:24.30
of human probation.
00:43:24.40\00:43:25.87
Revelation
chapter 22 and verse 11.
00:43:26.17\00:43:30.01
And unfortunately, the
King James Version and the
00:43:30.41\00:43:33.44
New King James does not
capture the full meaning
00:43:33.54\00:43:37.61
of certain words that
I'm going to describe.
00:43:37.81\00:43:40.88
Revelation 22 and verse 11 says:
00:43:41.18\00:43:44.15
It gives the impression
that being unjust is a state
00:43:49.09\00:43:53.36
in which you're found.
00:43:53.66\00:43:54.96
Actually, the Greek
word should be translated
00:43:55.10\00:43:58.57
"He who is unjust, let
him act unjustly still. "
00:43:58.87\00:44:04.31
It has to do not with a
state of being but with action.
00:44:06.17\00:44:09.81
And then it says:
00:44:11.01\00:44:12.35
"and he who is filthy,
let him be filthy still "
00:44:12.38\00:44:15.88
In the Greek really
it say "he who is filthy
00:44:16.02\00:44:18.52
let him continue
to act filthily. "
00:44:18.72\00:44:21.96
I know there's not such a word.
00:44:22.16\00:44:24.23
"he who is righteous,
let him be righteous still"
00:44:25.29\00:44:28.70
In the Greek it
says "he who is righteous
00:44:29.00\00:44:31.17
let him continue
to act righteously"
00:44:31.37\00:44:34.77
"and he who is holy,
let him be holy still"
00:44:35.07\00:44:38.54
The Greek says: "he who is
holy let him continue to act
00:44:38.74\00:44:43.75
in a holy manner. "
00:44:43.95\00:44:45.65
In other words, those who
live in the final generation
00:44:46.05\00:44:49.45
will not only be characterized
by their intellectual belief
00:44:49.65\00:44:53.66
in Jesus. They will
not be characterized
00:44:53.76\00:44:56.39
by their sins being
washed away in justification
00:44:56.59\00:45:00.13
but they will act differently.
00:45:00.26\00:45:02.40
They will act in a holy manner.
00:45:02.70\00:45:04.20
They will act in a just manner.
00:45:04.40\00:45:06.07
Their faith will be
shown by their works.
00:45:06.10\00:45:10.57
Now notice
Isaiah 26 verses 1 to 3.
00:45:10.97\00:45:15.58
Isaiah 26 and verses 1 to 3.
00:45:15.78\00:45:19.81
We have this wonderful passage
which is related to what we're
00:45:20.02\00:45:22.92
studying in Revelation
chapter 7 and chapter 14.
00:45:23.02\00:45:28.46
Notice:
00:45:28.66\00:45:30.19
What will the character of
those who enter in the gates
00:46:14.24\00:46:17.37
be like? It says
here: "open the gates
00:46:17.57\00:46:21.81
that the righteous
nation which keeps the truth
00:46:22.01\00:46:25.51
may enter in. And You
will keep him in perfect peace
00:46:25.61\00:46:28.52
whose mind is stayed on You. "
00:46:28.72\00:46:32.15
As the apostle Paul say in
Colossians chapter 3:1-2...
00:46:32.65\00:46:37.49
he says: "Set your
mind on the things above
00:46:37.69\00:46:41.16
not your mind on
the things below. "
00:46:41.36\00:46:44.13
You know, one author has
said that if we could catch one
00:46:44.43\00:46:46.97
glimpse of heaven we
would never want to live
00:46:47.07\00:46:50.17
on planet earth again.
00:46:50.31\00:46:52.24
Why not then place
our minds in heaven?
00:46:53.31\00:46:56.38
Because that's going
to be our permanent home.
00:46:56.58\00:46:59.15
We focus so much on this world.
00:46:59.45\00:47:01.52
The things of this world.
00:47:01.72\00:47:03.05
The houses of this world.
00:47:03.08\00:47:04.42
The money of this world.
00:47:04.45\00:47:05.79
Our automobiles; our toys.
00:47:05.82\00:47:07.16
We focus so much on this world
00:47:07.26\00:47:08.59
as if this is
going to last forever.
00:47:08.72\00:47:10.73
We're living in
the last days, folks,
00:47:11.59\00:47:13.93
and God wants to separate
for Himself a holy people.
00:47:14.10\00:47:17.83
Now notice Psalm 15.
00:47:18.13\00:47:20.47
Let's go to Psalm 15
00:47:20.77\00:47:22.17
are described.
00:47:22.47\00:47:26.14
Psalm 15. And I'm
going to read the whole Psalm
00:47:26.44\00:47:29.04
because it's not very long.
00:47:29.24\00:47:30.58
It says there the
following... Psalm 15:
00:47:30.78\00:47:36.48
Revelation 6 says
00:49:09.44\00:49:11.58
"Who shall be able
to... " What? "to stand? "
00:49:11.78\00:49:15.22
Psalm 15 says that those
who practice these things
00:49:15.52\00:49:18.59
will not be moved.
00:49:18.79\00:49:21.79
So the 144,000 are going to have
00:49:22.19\00:49:26.23
a sterling character.
00:49:26.43\00:49:29.33
Now go with me to
Isaiah 60 and verse 18.
00:49:29.63\00:49:33.70
Isaiah 60 and verse 18.
00:49:34.00\00:49:36.74
I want you to notice something
very interesting which is said
00:49:37.04\00:49:40.54
about the gates.
00:49:40.74\00:49:42.71
It says there:
00:49:43.95\00:49:45.78
And by the way, if you
read Revelation chapter 19
00:50:06.03\00:50:08.54
verses 1 and 2 it speaks
about a great multitude that are
00:50:08.74\00:50:11.94
singing in heaven. A multitude
which no one can number.
00:50:12.04\00:50:16.24
They're singing praises
and honor and glory to God
00:50:16.54\00:50:19.68
because He has saved
them from final destruction
00:50:19.88\00:50:23.39
at the end of time.
00:50:23.59\00:50:25.49
Now by the way,
Revelation 21 and verse 21
00:50:26.42\00:50:30.93
tells us that
each gate is one pearl.
00:50:31.13\00:50:34.20
Each gate is
one what? One pearl.
00:50:36.30\00:50:40.00
Those must be
some massive pearls!
00:50:42.00\00:50:44.11
Is there anything more
beautiful than a pearl?
00:50:45.14\00:50:47.31
I've seen many precious gems.
00:50:49.14\00:50:50.85
I can't see anything
more beautiful than a pearl.
00:50:51.05\00:50:53.28
You see all of the
colors of the rainbow.
00:50:53.48\00:50:55.52
Beautiful.
00:50:55.85\00:50:57.75
Imagine a gate of a city
00:50:57.95\00:51:02.39
where the city, where you
know... the wall of the city
00:51:02.59\00:51:06.93
is as tall as its
width and its breadth.
00:51:07.13\00:51:10.33
That's some door!
00:51:11.40\00:51:14.60
Now why would God
make the gate of pearl?
00:51:15.84\00:51:20.08
Do you know how
a pearl is formed?
00:51:20.38\00:51:22.41
A pearl is formed as
a result of an irritant
00:51:23.55\00:51:26.75
which is planted in the
shell of the mother of pearl.
00:51:29.42\00:51:34.12
There's an irritant... a
grain of sand or something.
00:51:34.52\00:51:36.96
And then begins a secretion
that starts forming the pearl.
00:51:37.16\00:51:42.73
What is God trying to tell us?
00:51:43.13\00:51:45.30
That if we're going to
enter heaven it must be what?
00:51:46.63\00:51:49.47
Through many what?
Through many irritations.
00:51:49.77\00:51:53.68
In fact, that's what
Paul meant in Acts 14 verse 22
00:51:54.94\00:51:57.88
where he says that we must
understand that it is through
00:51:58.18\00:52:02.12
many tribulations that we
must enter the kingdom of God.
00:52:02.25\00:52:07.69
There are many
irritants in our lives.
00:52:07.99\00:52:10.33
But if we use those irritants
to gain strength and to
00:52:10.63\00:52:14.30
draw closer to Jesus we
can make something beautiful
00:52:14.36\00:52:18.00
out of these tribulations
and trials in our lives
00:52:18.30\00:52:21.20
and we will finally enter
through the gates of pearl.
00:52:21.40\00:52:25.34
Finally I ask the
question: who are the only ones
00:52:26.34\00:52:29.71
who are going to
dwell in heavenly society?
00:52:29.91\00:52:32.91
I'm just going to
mention these verses in closing.
00:52:33.21\00:52:35.38
Matthew chapter
5 and verse 8 says:
00:52:37.45\00:52:40.42
What are the rest going to do?
00:52:49.00\00:52:50.83
Did you notice Revelation 6?
00:52:52.13\00:52:53.67
What are those who are
not pure in heart going to do?
00:52:53.87\00:52:55.94
They're going to
hide in the caves
00:52:56.54\00:52:59.71
and they're going to beg
for the rocks to fall upon them
00:52:59.91\00:53:02.58
and hide them from the
face of the One that is sitting
00:53:02.78\00:53:06.15
upon the throne.
00:53:06.45\00:53:08.35
But it says:
"Blessed are the pure in heart
00:53:09.58\00:53:11.92
for they shall see God. "
00:53:12.32\00:53:14.42
Hebrews 12 verse 14 says
00:53:15.66\00:53:17.99
that we need to be
at peace with all men
00:53:18.19\00:53:21.73
and we need to develop holiness
00:53:22.13\00:53:25.13
without which no
one will see the Lord.
00:53:25.53\00:53:30.24
You see, folks,
there's a special preparation
00:53:30.54\00:53:32.94
of character that needs to
take place in order for us to
00:53:33.14\00:53:35.64
be able to stand.
00:53:35.84\00:53:37.18
In order for us to stand
like Shadrach, Meshach, and
00:53:38.21\00:53:40.75
Abednego before the
image of Nebuchadnezzar,
00:53:40.85\00:53:43.59
the image of the
beast so to speak,
00:53:43.79\00:53:45.49
and say: "We will not
worship... no matter what.
00:53:45.69\00:53:49.39
You can throw us in the furnace
but our heart is set in God. "
00:53:49.79\00:53:54.30
In order for
that to happen, folks,
00:53:56.20\00:53:58.13
we need to make everything
in this world secondary
00:53:58.23\00:54:00.64
and our
relationship to God primary.
00:54:00.94\00:54:04.77
I John 3 says that everybody
who has this hope in him -
00:54:05.07\00:54:10.38
the hope of the
coming of Jesus -
00:54:10.58\00:54:11.91
"purifies himself
even as He is pure. "
00:54:12.11\00:54:17.89
What do we do if we have
the hope of the coming of Jesus?
00:54:18.29\00:54:21.76
We purify ourselves.
00:54:21.99\00:54:23.53
The apostle Paul
says... In Ephesians chapter 5
00:54:24.63\00:54:27.00
he says that God wants a
church "without spot or wrinkle
00:54:27.20\00:54:32.47
or any such thing. " You say:
"Pastor, that's impossible! "
00:54:32.67\00:54:35.44
It's not impossible.
00:54:36.40\00:54:37.91
If you believe that it's
impossible, then you have to say
00:54:38.21\00:54:42.11
that Philippians 4
verse 13 says "I can do almost
00:54:42.31\00:54:45.41
all things through
Christ who strengthens me. "
00:54:45.61\00:54:47.65
"I can do most things through
Christ who strengthens me. "
00:54:49.65\00:54:52.59
"I can do some things through
Christ who strengthens me. "
00:54:53.62\00:54:56.79
That's not what the
text says. The text says:
00:54:57.09\00:54:59.06
"I can do ALL
things except overcome sin
00:54:59.26\00:55:02.10
through Christ
who strengthens me. "
00:55:02.40\00:55:04.00
That's not what the text says.
00:55:05.67\00:55:07.54
The text says: "He who is able
to keep you from falling... "
00:55:08.40\00:55:13.31
The end-time
generation will be a generation
00:55:13.41\00:55:16.51
totally victorious over sin;
00:55:16.71\00:55:18.58
washed by the blood of
the Lamb in justification;
00:55:18.88\00:55:21.48
and living a sanctified
00:55:21.68\00:55:23.92
holy life.
00:55:24.12\00:55:26.49
Which means that our dress
00:55:26.79\00:55:28.12
will be holy.
00:55:28.16\00:55:29.49
It means that our
entertainment will be holy.
00:55:29.92\00:55:32.49
It means that our
worship will be holy.
00:55:32.89\00:55:35.53
It means that our
music will be holy.
00:55:35.93\00:55:38.57
It means that
everything that we do and say
00:55:40.37\00:55:43.34
will have a holy focus
00:55:43.54\00:55:45.87
because the 144,000 are
found without guile or spot
00:55:46.98\00:55:51.71
before the throne of God.
00:55:51.91\00:55:53.58
I'd like to end by referring
to one individual that we find
00:55:54.08\00:55:57.05
in Genesis who
experienced before the fact
00:55:57.25\00:56:01.46
what the righteous
living are going to experience
00:56:01.66\00:56:04.09
when Jesus comes.
00:56:04.19\00:56:05.56
His name was what? Enoch.
00:56:05.86\00:56:09.23
Notice Genesis chapter
5 and I would like to read
00:56:10.07\00:56:14.14
verse 22. Genesis
5... actually, verse 24.
00:56:14.30\00:56:18.04
It says in verse 24:
00:56:18.34\00:56:19.94
"And Enoch walked with God
00:56:21.31\00:56:24.81
and he was not
00:56:25.21\00:56:27.28
for God... " What? "took him. "
00:56:27.58\00:56:30.82
What did Enoch do
before he went to heaven?
00:56:31.79\00:56:34.99
He walked with God.
00:56:35.49\00:56:37.36
Now go with me to another
text. The book of Hebrews
00:56:37.66\00:56:40.40
quickly... Hebrews
chapter 11 and verse 5.
00:56:40.60\00:56:44.83
Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 5.
00:56:45.03\00:56:47.54
It explains a little
bit more what it meant
00:56:47.64\00:56:49.87
for Enoch to walk with God.
00:56:50.07\00:56:51.87
It says in verse 5:
00:56:52.07\00:56:53.41
"By faith Enoch was taken away
00:56:53.44\00:56:56.54
so that he did not see death
00:56:56.85\00:56:59.05
and was not found
because God had taken him.
00:56:59.55\00:57:04.82
For before he was
taken he had this testimony:
00:57:05.12\00:57:08.42
that he pleased God. "
00:57:08.62\00:57:11.53
To walk with God
is to please God.
00:57:11.83\00:57:13.56
And the apostle Paul tells us
that those who are in the flesh
00:57:13.66\00:57:16.67
cannot please God.
00:57:16.87\00:57:18.20
How about we make
pleasing God our first priority?
00:57:18.30\00:57:22.07