Shall we bow our
heads for prayer?
00:00:34.13\00:00:35.46
Father in Heaven, what a joy
it is to be in Your presence.
00:00:35.50\00:00:40.24
What an awesome privilege to
gather together as Your people
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to sing praises to Your name,
to speak with You in prayer,
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and to hear Your
voice speaking to us through
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the study of Your Holy Word.
00:00:54.32\00:00:55.85
We ask, Father that as we
open that Word this morning,
00:00:55.88\00:00:59.55
that Your Holy
Spirit will be with us
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to instruct us, and to guide us.
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And we thank You,
Father, for hearing,
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and for answering our prayer,
for we ask it in the precious
00:01:06.33\00:01:09.86
name of Your beloved
Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.
00:01:09.90\00:01:14.70
I'd like to invite you to turn
in your Bibles with me to the
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book of Revelation 6, Revelation
6, and I would like to begin
00:01:18.97\00:01:26.35
reading at verse 15.
00:01:26.38\00:01:30.29
We find here a description
of the second coming of Jesus
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in power and
glory to this earth.
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And I want you to notice
that the passage ends by asking
00:01:40.73\00:01:45.17
a very important question.
00:01:45.20\00:01:48.24
I'm reading, once
again, from Revelation 6:15.
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It says there: And the kings
of the earth, the great men,
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the rich men, the
commanders, the mighty men,
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every slave, and every free
man, hid themselves in the caves
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and in the rocks of the
mountains; and said to the
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mountains and rocks, Fall on us,
and hide us from the face of Him
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who sits on the throne,
and from the wrath of the Lamb.
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And now comes the question:
For the great day of His wrath
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has come; and who
shall be able to stand?
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Notice that immediately
following the description of the
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coming of Jesus in power and
glory, when multitudes on planet
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Earth are hiding in the caves,
and they're begging for the
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rocks to fall upon
them, the question is asked,
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The great day of
His wrath is come;
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and who shall be able to stand?
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Now where would
you expect to find the
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answer to this question?
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I think the best place to
look for it would be in the
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immediately succeeding context.
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When this awesome event takes
place, who is going to stand?
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The answer is found
in the very next chapter,
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chapter 7, and verses
1 to 4. It says there:
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And then in the succeeding
verses you have a list of those
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who belong to the 144,000,
tribe by tribe of Israel.
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In other words, those only who
are sealed with the seal of the
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living God will be able to stand
when the winds of strife are
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released, when Jesus
comes once again to this earth.
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Now the Bible has a lot to
say about this special group
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that will be alive, and
will stand when Jesus comes.
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Revelation 7 is not
the only place where the
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144,000 are mentioned.
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Now somebody might be
wondering, Who is this
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group of the 144,000?
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When is this
group going to live?
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The Bible gives us a very
important hint as to when this
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group is going to
live on planet Earth.
00:05:06.70\00:05:09.74
We've already noticed one hint,
and it is than when Jesus comes
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they are going to be able to
stand, which seems to indicate
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that they are going to
be alive when Jesus comes.
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If they were dead they
wouldn't have to stand.
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But there's a passage in
Scripture, which is explicit
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about when these
individuals are going to live.
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The fact is they are those who
will be alive when Jesus comes.
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Notice Revelation 15, and
I would like to begin reading
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at verse 2, Revelation 15:2.
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It speaks about this same group:
the 144,000, who will be able
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to stand when Jesus comes.
00:05:48.48\00:05:50.71
It says there in Revelation
15:2, And I saw something like
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a sea of glass
mingled with fire:...
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And now here comes the key.
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...and those who have
the victory over the beast,
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over his image, and over
his mark, and over the number
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of his name,
standing on the sea of glass,
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having harps of God.
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They sing the song of
Moses the servant of God,
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and the song of the Lamb,
saying, Great and marvelous
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are Your works,
Lord God Almighty.
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Just and true are Your
ways, O King of saints.
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This passage makes it very clear
that this select group is going
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to live during the
final trials on planet Earth.
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You say, How do we know that?
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Because we're told
that they gained the victory
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over the beast, and over
his image, and over his mark,
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and over the number of his name.
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Now we know from
Revelation 13 that this happens
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at the very end of time.
00:07:04.19\00:07:06.15
The trial over the mark of the
beast takes place in the closing
00:07:06.19\00:07:10.79
scenes of the
history of this world.
00:07:10.83\00:07:13.46
And so we know that the
144,000 are going to stand,
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and are going to
remain firm when Jesus comes.
00:07:18.77\00:07:22.30
They will be victorious in
the struggle with the beast,
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and with the image to the beast,
which is placed by the land
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beast of Revelation 13.
00:07:30.21\00:07:32.31
They will resist
the mark of the beast,
00:07:32.35\00:07:34.72
and the number of the beast.
00:07:34.75\00:07:36.52
In other words, this is the last
generation; those who will be
00:07:36.55\00:07:40.62
alive when Jesus comes.
00:07:40.66\00:07:42.66
They are the ones which are
spoken of of the Apostle Paul
00:07:42.69\00:07:45.89
when he says, Then those
who are alive and remain,
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shall be caught up with
them in the clouds to meet
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the Lord in the air.
00:07:53.20\00:07:54.80
Now there's another passage
in the book of Revelation,
00:07:54.84\00:07:58.77
which describes this
group of the 144,000.
00:07:58.81\00:08:02.51
By the way, we're not dealing
with literal Israel here.
00:08:02.54\00:08:06.08
We are dealing
with spiritual Israel.
00:08:06.11\00:08:08.52
In other words, we're not
dealing with literal Israelites,
00:08:08.55\00:08:11.49
and we're not dealing
with a literal number.
00:08:11.52\00:08:13.69
The Apostle Paul made it clear
that a Jew is the one who is one
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inwardly, and circumcision is
the circumcision of the heart.
00:08:18.66\00:08:23.60
The Apostle Paul made it
clear that if we are Christ's,
00:08:23.63\00:08:27.30
then we are Abraham's seed.
00:08:27.34\00:08:29.24
In other words, Scripture makes
it very clear that the end time
00:08:29.27\00:08:32.71
generation is not going to be
composed of literal Israelites,
00:08:32.74\00:08:36.34
but rather spiritual Israelites,
who have accepted Jesus Christ
00:08:36.38\00:08:41.25
as Savior and Lord.
00:08:41.28\00:08:43.49
Now there's another passage in
Revelation which describes this
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group who will be
alive when Jesus comes.
00:08:47.82\00:08:50.26
It's found in Revelation 14:1-5.
00:08:50.29\00:08:54.93
And before we read this passage,
allow me to share with you that
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the passage that we read
in Revelation 7 emphasizes the
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sealing of the 144,000.
00:09:03.94\00:09:06.51
In other words, the winds of
strife are about to be released.
00:09:06.54\00:09:09.74
When they're released you
have the tribulation period
00:09:09.78\00:09:13.08
culminating with the
second coming of Jesus Christ.
00:09:13.11\00:09:16.05
And the Bible tells us that
before the winds are let go,
00:09:16.08\00:09:19.99
before the strife of the time of
trouble comes, and the coming of
00:09:20.02\00:09:23.43
Jesus takes place, they are
going to be sealed to protect
00:09:23.46\00:09:27.73
them in the midst of the
disasters that are going to
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happen in this world,
and to prepare them to
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stand when Jesus comes.
00:09:33.60\00:09:35.74
So in Revelation 7 the emphasis
is upon the sealing of this
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group so that they can
go through the tribulation
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protected by God, and they
can stand when Jesus comes.
00:09:43.61\00:09:47.35
But the passage in Revelation
14 emphasizes another dimension
00:09:47.38\00:09:52.19
of this special group.
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It deals with the
character of the 144,000,
00:09:53.59\00:09:58.09
the character of
these end time Israelites
00:09:58.13\00:10:01.76
who will be
alive when Jesus comes.
00:10:01.80\00:10:03.97
Let's read Revelation 14,
and beginning with verse 1.
00:10:04.00\00:10:08.70
It says there:
00:10:08.74\00:10:10.07
I want you to remember
that; standing on Mount Zion.
00:10:17.08\00:10:20.15
Now in Scripture a name is
an indication of the character,
00:10:29.82\00:10:34.26
which means that this
group, having the seal of God,
00:10:34.30\00:10:38.07
or the name of God on their
forehead, means that they have
00:10:38.10\00:10:42.04
the character of
God in their lives.
00:10:42.07\00:10:45.14
Notice verse 2. And I heard
a voice from heaven like the
00:10:45.17\00:10:49.44
And now notice
the characteristics.
00:11:13.17\00:11:15.37
By the way, don't
worry, it doesn't mean that
00:11:20.54\00:11:23.78
you were never married.
00:11:23.81\00:11:25.15
You know, marriage does
not defile you if you're
00:11:25.18\00:11:28.58
married biblically.
00:11:28.62\00:11:30.22
When it says that they
were not defiled with women,
00:11:30.25\00:11:33.09
it means that they did
not commit spiritual adultery
00:11:33.12\00:11:36.46
with the apostate churches
which are symbolized as a woman,
00:11:36.49\00:11:41.03
and her
daughters in Revelation 17.
00:11:41.06\00:11:43.77
In other words, they broke their
relationship, their marriage
00:11:43.80\00:11:47.30
relationship with Christ, and
they had these apostate churches
00:11:47.34\00:11:52.01
called Babylon in
Revelation, and they had
00:11:52.04\00:11:54.68
relationships with them.
00:11:54.71\00:11:56.11
And so it's saying here
that they did not assimilate the
00:11:56.14\00:12:00.25
teachings and
practices of these women,
00:12:00.28\00:12:04.39
or of these apostate churches.
00:12:04.42\00:12:07.02
So it says, once again in verse
4, These are the ones who were
00:12:07.06\00:12:12.13
not defiled with
women; for they are virgins.
00:12:12.16\00:12:16.46
And then notice, it says:
00:12:22.20\00:12:24.47
And now comes a
very key characteristic.
00:12:31.15\00:12:34.05
The Greek word is pseudo,
which means lie. In other words:
00:12:39.55\00:12:46.19
What a character manifestation.
00:12:55.00\00:12:57.61
They remain pure in
their relationship with Jesus.
00:12:57.64\00:13:01.54
They did not assimilate
the teachings and practices of
00:13:01.58\00:13:05.91
the apostate churches,
which are spoken of in the
00:13:05.95\00:13:08.52
book of Revelation.
00:13:08.55\00:13:09.88
They follow the Lamb
wherever the Lamb goes.
00:13:09.92\00:13:13.99
They have the name,
or the character of God
00:13:14.02\00:13:17.03
on their foreheads.
00:13:17.06\00:13:18.39
In other words, they
have a sterling character,
00:13:18.43\00:13:20.70
a character which
reflects that of Jesus Christ.
00:13:20.73\00:13:24.07
Now go with me to Psalm 15 where
this same group is mentioned,
00:13:24.10\00:13:29.80
now not by number,
but by characteristics.
00:13:29.84\00:13:33.81
Did you notice that in
Revelation 14 the 144,000 are
00:13:33.84\00:13:38.98
standing on Mount
Zion, the mountain of the
00:13:39.01\00:13:42.28
Lord with the Lamb?
00:13:42.32\00:13:43.65
Now notice Psalm 15,
and I would like to read
00:13:43.69\00:13:48.06
the first few verses.
00:13:48.09\00:13:50.16
Psalm 15, and I would
like to read through verse 5.
00:13:50.19\00:13:56.40
Psalm 15:5. It says this:
Lord,... Notice the question.
00:13:56.43\00:14:02.27
See, it starts with a
question, just like we
00:14:09.68\00:14:12.58
noticed in Revelation 6.
00:14:12.61\00:14:14.38
Who will be able to stand?
00:14:14.42\00:14:16.28
Those who stand will
stand where? on Mount Zion,
00:14:16.32\00:14:19.82
according to Revelation 14.
00:14:19.85\00:14:21.76
Here the question is asked,
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
00:14:21.79\00:14:25.79
Notice the answer, the
character manifestation.
00:14:25.83\00:14:29.00
Remember that the 144,000 had
no lie on their lips? It says:
00:14:38.54\00:14:42.58
In other words, he keeps
his word and does not change.
00:15:05.43\00:15:08.90
In other words, he doesn't take
advantage of people by charging
00:15:12.07\00:15:15.68
a huge amount of interest.
00:15:15.71\00:15:18.01
Does this have any
relationship with the question,
00:15:27.52\00:15:31.03
Who shall be able to stand?
00:15:31.06\00:15:32.56
It ends by saying,
He shall not be moved.
00:15:32.59\00:15:36.50
You'll notice the
question begins with asking,
00:15:36.53\00:15:38.83
Who will stand on the holy hill?
00:15:38.87\00:15:41.40
And the answer is those who have
these character manifestations
00:15:41.44\00:15:46.37
that are referred
to here in Psalm 15.
00:15:46.41\00:15:50.61
You know folks, soon
Jesus is going to come.
00:15:50.65\00:15:54.85
And we've taught
that for decades.
00:15:54.88\00:15:58.72
In the history of the Adventist
church, for over 160 years,
00:15:58.75\00:16:02.62
we've been teaching
that Jesus is coming soon.
00:16:02.66\00:16:04.99
But the question is, by our
lifestyle do we really believe
00:16:05.03\00:16:09.46
that Jesus is coming soon?
00:16:09.50\00:16:10.97
By the way that we talk, by the
way we act, by the way that we
00:16:11.00\00:16:15.44
administrate our money, by
the way in which we treat our
00:16:15.47\00:16:18.34
neighbor, are we really
revealing that we are expecting
00:16:18.37\00:16:21.78
Jesus to come soon
in power and glory?
00:16:21.81\00:16:24.88
Folks we are going to have to
live in the midst of a consuming
00:16:24.91\00:16:29.05
fire, according to Scripture.
00:16:29.08\00:16:30.82
Because God is a consuming fire.
00:16:30.85\00:16:32.99
And unless the Holy Spirit comes
now and consumes sin in our
00:16:33.02\00:16:37.39
lives, we will be consumed
by the fire when Jesus comes.
00:16:37.43\00:16:41.76
In fact, go with me to one of my
favorite passages of Scripture,
00:16:41.80\00:16:45.30
Isaiah 33, Isaiah 33, and
I want to begin reading at
00:16:45.33\00:16:51.04
Verse 12, Isaiah 33:12.
00:16:51.07\00:16:53.68
You know, many churches teach
that the wicked are going to
00:16:53.71\00:16:56.41
burn in the
fires of hell forever.
00:16:56.44\00:16:58.11
They're going to writhe,
and they're going to turn,
00:16:58.15\00:17:00.08
and they're going to scream
out in anguish and in pain,
00:17:00.12\00:17:02.78
because they're
going to be burning in the
00:17:02.82\00:17:04.22
flames forever and ever.
00:17:04.25\00:17:05.59
Well, I have news for you,
it's not the wicked who are
00:17:05.62\00:17:08.49
going to be in the flames
forever, it's the righteous
00:17:08.52\00:17:10.99
who are going to be
in the flames forever.
00:17:11.03\00:17:12.66
You say, Now what
kind of heresy is this?
00:17:12.69\00:17:15.86
Well, let's allow
the Bible to tell us.
00:17:15.90\00:17:19.20
Isaiah 33, and let's
read beginning at verse 12.
00:17:19.23\00:17:24.31
Speaking, first of all
about the wicked, it says:
00:17:24.34\00:17:27.61
Notice, not the
sinners among the Philistines,
00:17:45.59\00:17:47.80
and the Babylonians,
and the Egyptians. It says:
00:17:47.83\00:17:50.47
And now notice two questions.
00:17:56.40\00:17:58.24
How would you
answer that question?
00:18:09.38\00:18:11.79
Most churches
would say, The wicked.
00:18:11.82\00:18:14.26
But notice the
answer in verse 15.
00:18:14.29\00:18:17.46
Notice again the idea of
the mouth; no lie in the mouth,
00:18:22.63\00:18:26.70
and the actions. It says:
00:18:26.74\00:18:28.30
So you shut your ears and your
eyes from seeing evil, and from
00:18:48.36\00:18:53.43
hearing evil, according to
this passage. Notice verse 16.
00:18:53.46\00:18:57.23
That's Mount Zion, the
high place of the earth
00:19:00.24\00:19:02.97
according to Scripture.
00:19:03.00\00:19:04.34
And then it says in Verse 17:
00:19:11.91\00:19:13.95
By the way, that is Heaven,
in case you were wondering.
00:19:22.12\00:19:26.03
So once again, the idea of
living with the devouring fire,
00:19:26.06\00:19:31.43
the idea of living with
God, who is a consuming fire,
00:19:31.47\00:19:35.34
is connected with the
special ethical lifestyle,
00:19:35.37\00:19:40.64
which we must have in order
to be ready for Jesus to come,
00:19:40.68\00:19:44.95
in order to stand,
according to Scripture.
00:19:44.98\00:19:47.92
Are we really dedicating time
to working on our character?
00:19:47.95\00:19:55.02
Are we dedicating time to
Jesus, so that Jesus can come
00:19:55.06\00:19:59.29
and cleanse us, and purify us
from all sin, so that when the
00:19:59.33\00:20:04.47
tribulation comes, so that when
Jesus comes, we will be able
00:20:04.50\00:20:08.27
not to hide in the caves and cry
for the rocks to fall upon us,
00:20:08.30\00:20:12.74
but to say, Lo this is our
God, we have waited for Him,
00:20:12.77\00:20:17.11
and He will save us.
00:20:17.15\00:20:19.21
I pray to the Lord that it will
be the second and not the first.
00:20:19.25\00:20:23.08
Now go with me to the book
of Joel, where you have the same
00:20:23.12\00:20:26.92
idea all over again.
00:20:26.96\00:20:28.42
You see, the Bible is full
of the idea that we need to
00:20:28.46\00:20:31.86
prepare, in a special
way, to stand when Jesus comes.
00:20:31.89\00:20:36.06
You know, we have in the
New Testament several texts.
00:20:36.10\00:20:39.53
We have Hebrews 12 where it
says that we need to live in
00:20:39.57\00:20:43.10
peace with everyone, and we
need to develop sanctification,
00:20:43.14\00:20:46.81
without which no
one will see the Lord.
00:20:46.84\00:20:49.21
Jesus said, Blessed are the pure
in heart for they shall see God.
00:20:49.24\00:20:53.85
John says anybody who has this
hope in him of the coming of
00:20:53.88\00:20:58.25
Jesus must purify
himself, even as He is pure.
00:20:58.29\00:21:02.39
In other words, the New
Testament is full of the idea
00:21:02.42\00:21:05.33
that there's a special
preparation that needs to take
00:21:05.36\00:21:08.33
place before Jesus comes.
00:21:08.36\00:21:10.33
There's a special
refining of the character
00:21:10.37\00:21:12.63
that needs to take place.
00:21:12.67\00:21:14.27
You know, most churches will
tell you, You know, just accept
00:21:14.30\00:21:17.27
Jesus Christ and you will
be saved; you and your house.
00:21:17.31\00:21:20.31
They'll say, You know, I'm
not perfect; I'm just forgiven.
00:21:20.34\00:21:25.58
You know, that a recipe
for failure, if you ask me.
00:21:25.61\00:21:28.88
Because it's an excuse to
not live a life in harmony
00:21:28.92\00:21:32.95
with the life of Jesus.
00:21:32.99\00:21:34.32
You know, I've quoted
that verse many, many times,
00:21:34.36\00:21:37.06
I can do almost all
things through Christ,
00:21:37.09\00:21:39.26
who strengthens me.
00:21:39.29\00:21:40.63
You know, I like to quote
it that way, because that way I
00:21:40.66\00:21:44.13
notice who's
awake and who isn't.
00:21:44.17\00:21:45.90
What does the text say?
00:21:45.93\00:21:48.44
I can do all things except
overcome sin, through Christ
00:21:48.47\00:21:52.71
who strengthens me.
00:21:52.74\00:21:54.08
There is no parenthetical
statement there folks.
00:21:54.11\00:21:56.54
And people say, Well, I
have a weak human nature.
00:21:56.58\00:22:00.42
You know, if we're going
to sin until Jesus comes,
00:22:00.45\00:22:03.28
because we're so weak,
God understands that we have
00:22:03.32\00:22:06.55
a carnal nature; we
have a sinful nature.
00:22:06.59\00:22:08.86
So are you telling me
that God isn't powerful enough
00:22:08.89\00:22:11.06
for you to gain the
victory over your carnal nature?
00:22:11.09\00:22:13.19
You're actually limiting the
power of God by saying that God
00:22:13.23\00:22:18.10
cannot give us power to overcome
sin, and to have a clean life
00:22:18.13\00:22:22.17
in order to
stand when Jesus comes.
00:22:22.20\00:22:24.81
Now let's go to the book
of Joel, the book of Joel,
00:22:24.84\00:22:28.21
and I want to read, beginning
at chapter 2, and verse 1.
00:22:28.24\00:22:33.82
Joel 2:1. That's one of
those minor prophets, you know,
00:22:33.85\00:22:38.79
that takes awhile
to find in your Bible.
00:22:38.82\00:22:41.26
And so it's taking me a
little longer than usual.
00:22:41.29\00:22:44.53
I'm here at Joel 2, and
I want to read at verse 1.
00:22:44.56\00:22:48.10
And what I want you to notice
here, folks, is that in Joel 2,
00:22:48.13\00:22:52.47
we find the description of
the second coming of Christ.
00:22:52.50\00:22:56.04
And we're going to see that
this passage ends at the same
00:22:56.07\00:22:59.77
point as Revelation 6.
00:22:59.81\00:23:01.51
It's the same event, but it's
described in different language.
00:23:01.54\00:23:05.41
Notice Joel 2:1. Blow
the trumpet in Zion,...
00:23:05.45\00:23:12.62
By the way, is
Jesus when He comes,
00:23:12.65\00:23:15.49
is He going to blow the trumpet?
00:23:15.52\00:23:16.93
Yes, He will come with the
trump of God: 1 Corinthians 15,
00:23:16.96\00:23:21.06
and 1 Thessalonians 4.
00:23:21.10\00:23:23.13
Notice, the day of
the Lord is is the same as
00:23:39.15\00:23:41.72
the day of His wrath
in Revelation 6. It says:
00:23:41.75\00:23:46.55
A fire... By the way, this is
talking about Jesus coming with
00:24:08.74\00:24:12.25
the hosts of heaven.
00:24:12.28\00:24:13.62
You can find another description
of it in Revelation 19,
00:24:13.65\00:24:16.69
beginning with verse 11.
00:24:16.72\00:24:18.05
It speaks about Jesus
coming on a white horse,
00:24:18.09\00:24:20.22
and behind Him are
the armies of Heaven.
00:24:20.26\00:24:23.19
And so it continues
saying here in verse 3:
00:24:23.22\00:24:27.43
In other words, once they go
by, the earth is a wilderness.
00:24:41.04\00:24:44.85
The earth is desolate.
00:24:44.88\00:24:46.55
Is that what's going to happen
when Jesus comes to the earth?
00:24:46.58\00:24:49.38
Is the earth going to be a
desolate wilderness? Absolutely.
00:24:49.42\00:24:52.22
Verse 3, the last part.
00:24:52.25\00:24:55.06
Surely nothing
shall escape them.
00:24:55.09\00:24:57.53
See, there's the
connection with Revelation 19.
00:25:00.53\00:25:02.93
The Bible says that
Jesus will come with fire.
00:25:15.58\00:25:18.15
Coming for the
battle of Armageddon
00:25:21.35\00:25:23.59
according to Revelation.
00:25:23.62\00:25:24.95
Does that sound similar to
what we read in Revelation 6,
00:25:31.49\00:25:34.86
people hiding in the
caves, and crying for the rocks
00:25:34.90\00:25:37.47
to fall upon them?
Absolutely. Notice verse 7.
00:25:37.50\00:25:40.50
In other words, there is no
weapon that can do them damage.
00:25:58.55\00:26:02.19
This is a supernatural
army, in other words. Verse 9.
00:26:02.22\00:26:06.33
Now notice this. This isn't some
local historical event. It says:
00:26:14.94\00:26:19.34
You know, there's a few verses
right before Revelation 6:15
00:26:30.19\00:26:34.29
that speak about
signs in the sun,
00:26:34.32\00:26:36.39
and the moon, and in the stars.
00:26:36.42\00:26:38.33
Verses 13-14, which we didn't
read as we began our study.
00:26:38.36\00:26:42.33
There's no doubt that this
passage is describing the same
00:26:42.36\00:26:46.13
event as Revelation 6.
00:26:46.17\00:26:48.87
Notice once again verse 10.
00:26:48.90\00:26:52.71
The earth quakes before
them, the heavens tremble;
00:26:52.74\00:26:56.31
the sun and moon
grow dark, and the stars
00:26:56.34\00:26:59.51
diminish their
brightness. And now notice:
00:26:59.55\00:27:02.48
Oh, so this is the Lord's army.
00:27:06.52\00:27:08.66
This isn't any human army.
00:27:08.69\00:27:10.59
And now notice:
00:27:19.70\00:27:21.04
And what's the question?
00:27:25.77\00:27:27.14
Is this the same question
that we found in Revelation 6?
00:27:30.48\00:27:34.55
Absolutely. Both passages are
describing the coming of Jesus.
00:27:34.58\00:27:39.19
And the question is
asked, Who will be able to stand
00:27:39.22\00:27:43.63
when this day comes?
00:27:43.66\00:27:45.09
Well, the fact is where would
you expect to find the answer
00:27:45.13\00:27:48.43
to this question
in the book of Joel?
00:27:48.46\00:27:50.10
How about verse 12?
00:27:50.13\00:27:52.37
The very next verse.
00:27:52.40\00:27:54.20
You see, in Revelation
7 you have the answer.
00:27:54.24\00:27:57.47
It speaks about the
sealing of the 144,000.
00:27:57.51\00:28:00.01
It doesn't tell us much
about their character other than
00:28:00.04\00:28:03.01
the winds are being held back
so that these individuals can be
00:28:03.04\00:28:07.32
sealed on their foreheads.
00:28:07.35\00:28:08.68
Then the winds are going to
be released, and a cataclysm is
00:28:08.72\00:28:12.59
going to take place on planet
Earth, which culminates with
00:28:12.62\00:28:15.32
the second coming of Jesus.
00:28:15.36\00:28:16.69
But here in Joel 2 we have
additional details that we don't
00:28:16.73\00:28:21.23
have in Revelation.
00:28:21.26\00:28:23.20
We are told how to
prepare to stand in this
00:28:23.23\00:28:28.10
great day of wrath.
00:28:28.14\00:28:29.47
Let's go back to
Joel 2, and let's read
00:28:29.50\00:28:32.11
beginning with verse 12.
00:28:32.14\00:28:34.78
In other words, in the
light of what I've spoken,
00:28:37.38\00:28:40.52
in the light of what I've said.
00:28:40.55\00:28:42.38
What do we need to do?
00:28:45.22\00:28:47.46
By the way, do you
know that when Jesus has our
00:28:52.99\00:28:55.93
heart He has everything?
00:28:55.96\00:28:57.30
From the abundance of
the heart the mouth speaks.
00:28:57.33\00:29:01.20
So if He has your
heart, you have no
00:29:01.24\00:29:02.57
problems with your mouth.
00:29:02.60\00:29:03.94
Where your treasure is,
there will your heart be.
00:29:03.97\00:29:07.31
If He has your heart,
the money will come pouring
00:29:07.34\00:29:10.45
out of your pockets,
and the church budget
00:29:10.48\00:29:13.85
will never be behind.
00:29:13.88\00:29:15.22
Maybe we have a heart problem.
00:29:15.25\00:29:18.52
Maybe we need to call
the heavenly Cardiologist
00:29:18.55\00:29:22.89
to perform a little bit of heart
surgery here in our church.
00:29:22.92\00:29:25.89
Don't you think? No, I don't
see or hear very many Amen's.
00:29:27.13\00:29:31.17
Everybody is ready.
00:29:31.20\00:29:33.34
Notice verse 12 again.
00:29:33.37\00:29:35.24
Now therefore, says the Lord,
turn to me with all your heart,
00:29:35.27\00:29:39.84
...Notice... with fasting,...
00:29:39.87\00:29:42.91
You say, Well, are we
supposed to fast since 1844?
00:29:42.94\00:29:47.65
as we're preparing
for the coming of Jesus?
00:29:47.68\00:29:49.48
as we're preparing
for the tribulation? No.
00:29:49.52\00:29:51.45
Do you know,
fasting has two dimensions
00:29:51.49\00:29:53.39
according to Scripture.
00:29:53.42\00:29:54.76
1. Isaiah 58, which I won't
go to, says that fasting means
00:29:54.79\00:30:01.06
helping those
individuals who are hungry,
00:30:01.10\00:30:04.50
and thirsty, and in need.
00:30:04.53\00:30:06.47
It means depriving
ourselves of food and drink,
00:30:06.50\00:30:10.51
to give food and drink
to those who don't have it.
00:30:10.54\00:30:12.87
In other words, it's
speaking about practical piety,
00:30:12.91\00:30:17.55
practical Godliness.
00:30:17.58\00:30:19.15
Also the servant of the Lord
has told us that the true fast,
00:30:19.18\00:30:23.65
which God approves, is partaking
of the food, healthy food,
00:30:23.69\00:30:29.86
fruits and vegetables, which
God has made for our enjoyment.
00:30:29.89\00:30:33.76
In other words, fasting means
partaking of the foods that God
00:30:33.80\00:30:37.90
has made for our
spiritual health.
00:30:37.93\00:30:40.94
In other words, it
says here very clearly,
00:30:40.97\00:30:43.94
because the condition of our
body has a lot to do with the
00:30:43.97\00:30:46.94
condition of our mind, and the
condition of our mind has to do
00:30:46.98\00:30:50.51
with our communication with God.
00:30:50.55\00:30:52.41
Once again, it says:
with fasting,... With what?
00:30:52.45\00:30:56.38
...with weeping,
and with mourning.
00:30:56.42\00:30:59.72
You know, one thing I cannot
understand these days is that
00:30:59.75\00:31:02.82
everybody says that in
the worship service today
00:31:02.86\00:31:04.99
you have to be jumping,
and you have to be raising your
00:31:05.03\00:31:08.30
hands, and praising the Lord,
and having a jolly good time.
00:31:08.33\00:31:11.33
Now there's nothing wrong with
singing in the worship service.
00:31:11.37\00:31:15.27
We had some wonderful singing
today in the worship service.
00:31:15.30\00:31:17.74
There's nothing wrong with
praising the Lord, but this is a
00:31:17.77\00:31:20.88
time to afflict the soul.
00:31:20.91\00:31:23.04
This is a time to examine our
life to see if our life is in
00:31:23.08\00:31:27.95
harmony with the
beautiful, glorious
00:31:27.98\00:31:29.98
character of Jesus Christ.
00:31:30.02\00:31:31.82
Notice what it continues saying.
00:31:31.85\00:31:34.66
It says: with fasting, with
weeping, and with mourning:...
00:31:34.69\00:31:39.93
And then it says in verse 13:
00:31:39.96\00:31:41.93
In other words, don't have
a superficial response to the
00:31:48.70\00:31:53.54
Lord of rending the
garments, ripping your clothes.
00:31:53.58\00:31:56.34
He says you need
to rip your heart.
00:31:56.38\00:31:57.98
And now notice verse 15.
00:32:19.13\00:32:21.34
This is speaking about
the trumpet which is blown on
00:32:24.04\00:32:26.81
the feast of trumpets,
announcing the day of atonement.
00:32:26.84\00:32:29.51
Because on the day of
atonement there was fasting.
00:32:34.08\00:32:36.65
On the day of
atonement everybody was required
00:32:38.52\00:32:41.06
to come and assemble.
00:32:41.09\00:32:42.42
This was to be
done in preparation for
00:32:46.49\00:32:48.60
the day of atonement.
00:32:48.63\00:32:49.96
In other words, even the
children are to be brought
00:32:55.17\00:32:58.37
on the day of atonement.
00:32:58.41\00:32:59.74
And listen newly
weds, if there are any.
00:32:59.77\00:33:03.55
In other words, you have
to come and gather together
00:33:09.05\00:33:11.92
for the day of atonement,
no matter who you are.
00:33:11.95\00:33:15.39
And then it says, in
verse 17, and now the
00:33:15.42\00:33:18.29
Lord is speaking to me.
00:33:18.33\00:33:19.66
That's what needs
to be happening now
00:33:44.82\00:33:46.39
among God's people.
00:33:46.42\00:33:47.76
I don't know whether many
of you have perhaps seen on the
00:33:47.79\00:33:51.56
Internet a special, I
hate to call it a program,
00:33:51.59\00:33:56.26
but let's do, a program
called Operation Global Rain.
00:33:56.30\00:34:00.57
This was begun by two of
our ministers here in the
00:34:00.60\00:34:05.07
Central California Conference,
and the idea is that not only
00:34:05.11\00:34:08.91
the churches in
Central California Conference,
00:34:08.94\00:34:11.01
but the churches
all over the world...
00:34:11.05\00:34:12.98
That's why it's
called Global Rain.
00:34:13.01\00:34:14.52
...are to pray for
the outpouring of God's
00:34:14.55\00:34:18.12
Holy Spirit without
measure; the outpouring of the
00:34:18.15\00:34:21.56
latter rain with power.
00:34:21.59\00:34:23.56
But do you know that the Bible
says that there's a preparation
00:34:23.59\00:34:26.59
that needs to
take place in order to
00:34:26.63\00:34:28.80
receive the latter rain?
00:34:28.83\00:34:30.17
It's not only a
matter of praying.
00:34:30.20\00:34:32.40
It's a matter of dedicating time
to Jesus, contemplating Jesus,
00:34:32.43\00:34:37.11
spending time in His
Word, spending time witnessing,
00:34:37.14\00:34:41.04
investing our means, our
strength, putting everything
00:34:41.08\00:34:44.41
on the altar of sacrifice.
00:34:44.45\00:34:46.21
And then when we
have been emptied of self,
00:34:46.25\00:34:49.45
Jesus will be glad to
come in and occupy the vacuum
00:34:49.48\00:34:54.16
which has been
left in our heart.
00:34:54.19\00:34:55.59
In other words, the Holy Spirit
will not occupy half a heart.
00:34:55.62\00:34:59.16
Jesus is not satisfied
with half of our heart.
00:34:59.19\00:35:02.03
Let me ask you, What happens
if in your garden half of
00:35:02.06\00:35:04.80
your garden has weeds, and
half of the garden is okay?
00:35:04.83\00:35:10.17
You know,
eventually the weeds will what?
00:35:10.21\00:35:12.17
The weeds will
take over your garden.
00:35:12.21\00:35:14.54
And so it is with the heart.
00:35:14.58\00:35:16.58
That's why constantly in
the Bible God says that we're
00:35:16.61\00:35:19.91
supposed to give Him our
whole heart, the entire heart.
00:35:19.95\00:35:23.49
And, as I mentioned before,
when we give Him our heart,
00:35:23.52\00:35:26.25
He has everything.
00:35:26.29\00:35:27.62
Because the heart is
the center of decisions,
00:35:27.66\00:35:31.09
the center of will,
the center of choices.
00:35:31.13\00:35:34.03
In other words, when He
sits on the throne of the heart,
00:35:34.06\00:35:37.07
Jesus, by my permission, is the
One who is making the decisions.
00:35:37.10\00:35:42.30
So God is expecting His people
in this day and age to prepare
00:35:42.34\00:35:50.51
for that awesome event,
which has been described as the
00:35:50.55\00:35:54.85
judgment of the living.
00:35:54.88\00:35:56.58
You know, it's an awesome thing
to think that you're going to be
00:35:56.62\00:35:59.85
judged while you're dead,
because your case is closed.
00:35:59.89\00:36:04.06
But imagine what it's going to
be like with those who will be
00:36:04.09\00:36:08.40
judged from among the living.
00:36:08.43\00:36:10.37
Allow me to
read you a statement,
00:36:12.10\00:36:13.67
a very significant statement
from the Spirit of Prophecy.
00:36:13.70\00:36:16.47
And some people
criticize this statement.
00:36:16.50\00:36:18.61
They say, Oh, no,
that could never happen.
00:36:18.64\00:36:21.04
You know, we have this
defeatist attitude, don't we,
00:36:21.08\00:36:24.18
about overcoming sin?
00:36:24.21\00:36:25.55
It's because we
don't want to make the
00:36:25.58\00:36:26.92
sacrifice to overcome sin.
00:36:26.95\00:36:28.42
You see, it's a struggle.
00:36:28.45\00:36:30.25
You say, Oh no,
it's a piece of cake!
00:36:30.29\00:36:31.99
Just give your life to Jesus,
and everything will pan out.
00:36:32.02\00:36:34.86
Don't you think so!
00:36:34.89\00:36:36.22
It's a struggle. The
Bible describes that it's a
00:36:36.26\00:36:39.33
struggle to give up self.
00:36:39.36\00:36:40.70
It's a struggle to give
up my desires, and my will.
00:36:40.73\00:36:46.10
It's a struggle to
say, Your will be done
00:36:46.13\00:36:48.54
rather than my will.
00:36:48.57\00:36:49.90
I want you to
notice this statement.
00:36:49.94\00:36:51.87
It's an awesome statement.
00:36:51.91\00:36:53.44
For those who are going
to be judged alive, folks,
00:36:53.48\00:36:56.51
we know from the Spirit of
Prophecy that we will have to
00:36:56.54\00:36:59.61
live during the
time of the tribulation
00:36:59.65\00:37:01.32
without an
intercessor. Say, Wow!
00:37:01.35\00:37:06.09
Now listen up! I'm
not trying to scare you.
00:37:06.12\00:37:08.59
We're to live without an
intercessor, but we will not
00:37:08.62\00:37:13.13
live without a protector.
00:37:13.16\00:37:14.50
See, some preachers in the
Adventist church have given
00:37:16.20\00:37:18.80
the idea that when
probation closes Jesus is gone,
00:37:18.83\00:37:22.50
and we're left
here by ourselves.
00:37:22.54\00:37:24.21
No, no, the presence of Jesus
and His Spirit will be with us,
00:37:24.24\00:37:29.68
but there will be no
more intercession for sin,
00:37:29.71\00:37:32.71
because the sanctuary
service will be closed.
00:37:32.75\00:37:36.08
Those awesome words
will have been pronounced;
00:37:36.12\00:37:38.42
He who is filthy,
let him be filthy still.
00:37:38.45\00:37:41.32
He who is unrighteous,
let him be unrighteous still.
00:37:41.36\00:37:44.99
He who is holy,
let him be holy still.
00:37:45.03\00:37:47.63
He who is righteous,
let him be righteous still.
00:37:47.66\00:37:50.43
The door will have closed.
00:37:50.47\00:37:52.20
The sanctuary
service will be finished.
00:37:52.23\00:37:55.57
Jesus will have finished
not only His intercessory
00:37:55.60\00:37:58.74
ministry, but the judgment.
00:37:58.77\00:38:00.48
And now will be the time
to come and claim His own.
00:38:00.51\00:38:04.35
Notice this powerful statement,
Great Controversy, page 623.
00:38:04.38\00:38:10.42
The servant of the Lord says
this: Now... When? Tomorrow?
00:38:10.45\00:38:17.93
No, now... While our great high
priest is making the atonement
00:38:17.96\00:38:24.50
for us, we should seek
to become perfect in Christ.
00:38:24.53\00:38:29.94
Perfect. Nobody can be perfect.
00:38:31.77\00:38:33.58
Now I realize that we're
not going to have sinless flesh
00:38:33.61\00:38:36.34
before Jesus comes to transform
this body into the likeness
00:38:36.38\00:38:39.78
of His glorious body.
00:38:39.81\00:38:41.15
I'm not talking
about holy flesh.
00:38:41.18\00:38:43.08
I'm talking
about a holy character.
00:38:43.12\00:38:45.85
We will still have
sinful flesh, but a holy
00:38:45.89\00:38:49.12
character in sinful flesh.
00:38:49.16\00:38:51.13
This is the
marvel of the gospel.
00:38:51.16\00:38:53.29
The gospel not only
forgives, the gospel cleanses,
00:38:53.33\00:38:56.63
the gospel perfects, the
gospel gives victory over sin
00:38:56.67\00:39:02.04
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
00:39:02.07\00:39:03.77
She continues saying, notice
this: Not even by a thought
00:39:03.81\00:39:10.31
could our Savior be
brought to yield to the
00:39:10.35\00:39:14.72
power of temptation.
00:39:14.75\00:39:16.12
Not even by a thought did
Jesus yield to temptation.
00:39:16.15\00:39:20.02
Then she speaks about us.
00:39:20.42\00:39:21.79
She says, Satan finds
in human hearts some point
00:39:21.82\00:39:25.73
where he can gain a foothold.
00:39:25.76\00:39:27.20
Some sinful desire is
cherished by means of which his
00:39:27.23\00:39:31.77
temptations assert their power.
00:39:31.80\00:39:33.90
Notice, some sinful desire
is cherished... There's the key.
00:39:33.94\00:39:38.37
...by means of which his
temptations assert their power.
00:39:38.41\00:39:41.71
See, you cherish sin, and then
he tempts you, and as a result
00:39:41.74\00:39:45.21
his temptations gain a foothold.
00:39:45.25\00:39:48.05
She continues saying, but
Christ declared of Himself:
00:39:48.08\00:39:52.65
The prince of this world
cometh and hath nothing in Me.
00:39:52.69\00:39:58.16
Satan could find nothing in
the Son of God that would enable
00:39:58.19\00:40:03.57
him to gain the victory.
00:40:03.60\00:40:05.97
He had kept His
Father's commandments,
00:40:06.00\00:40:08.60
and there was no sin
in Him that Satan could
00:40:08.64\00:40:13.78
use to his advantage.
00:40:13.81\00:40:16.18
And she's talking
about cherished sin.
00:40:16.21\00:40:17.91
There was no cherished sin
there through which Satan could
00:40:17.95\00:40:21.12
use to take advantage.
00:40:21.15\00:40:23.02
And then she says this.
00:40:23.05\00:40:24.39
This is awesome. She says:
This is the condition in which
00:40:24.42\00:40:28.89
those who must be
found who shall stand
00:40:28.92\00:40:32.39
in the time of trouble.
00:40:32.43\00:40:34.40
Not even by a sinful thought.
00:40:34.43\00:40:40.37
And you say,
Pastor this is impossible.
00:40:41.34\00:40:43.71
And you're right. For
human beings this is impossible.
00:40:43.74\00:40:48.74
It is impossible to do
good with our sinful heart
00:40:48.78\00:40:53.62
that cherishes sin.
00:40:53.65\00:40:55.42
We cannot gain the victory.
00:40:55.45\00:40:57.75
With our sinful human nature
unaided, we are attempting an
00:40:57.79\00:41:02.52
impossibility to
live righteously.
00:41:02.56\00:41:05.16
However, once we have been
born again, and we have invited
00:41:05.19\00:41:11.60
Jesus to come into our hearts,
and day to day we spend time
00:41:11.63\00:41:16.14
with Jesus, Jesus
begins the process of expelling
00:41:16.17\00:41:20.94
sin from our hearts.
00:41:20.98\00:41:22.31
And His will is merged with our
will, His choice is merged with
00:41:23.78\00:41:32.05
our choice, His life
is merged with our life,
00:41:32.09\00:41:36.46
and suddenly we're
not living our life;
00:41:36.49\00:41:39.03
He's living His life in us.
00:41:39.06\00:41:42.66
But we have to,
folks, meet the conditions.
00:41:42.70\00:41:47.97
And, unfortunately, we're
not meeting the conditions.
00:41:48.00\00:41:51.64
Let's just do an
inventory of our lives.
00:41:51.67\00:41:54.84
What did we dedicate most
of our time to this last week?
00:41:56.44\00:41:58.91
To our job? That's okay.
00:42:00.95\00:42:02.78
Nothing wrong with our job.
00:42:02.82\00:42:04.15
Recreation? Television?
00:42:04.19\00:42:09.02
How much of our time that
we dedicate, or yeah we say,
00:42:09.06\00:42:16.03
our time; it's
really God's time.
00:42:16.06\00:42:17.67
How much of our time did we
dedicate to study the Bible?
00:42:17.70\00:42:21.77
How much of our
time did we dedicate
00:42:24.21\00:42:26.31
to come to prayer meeting?
00:42:28.38\00:42:29.78
How much of our time
did we dedicate to speak
00:42:29.81\00:42:35.62
to others about Jesus?
00:42:35.65\00:42:37.25
How much of our time did
we dedicate to just behold the
00:42:38.62\00:42:42.76
beauty of Jesus
in contemplation,
00:42:42.79\00:42:44.89
just reflecting upon His beauty?
00:42:44.93\00:42:47.00
You know, if you're like me, the
amount of time that we dedicated
00:42:47.03\00:42:52.50
to the Lord is practically
nothing, and we expect to
00:42:52.53\00:42:58.67
reflect the character of Jesus
without spending time with Him?
00:42:58.71\00:43:02.81
You know, Scripture makes it
very clear how this awesome goal
00:43:02.84\00:43:07.98
that God gives
us is made possible.
00:43:08.02\00:43:10.42
In 2 Corinthians 3,
if you go with me there,
00:43:10.45\00:43:14.32
this is one of my
favorite passages of Scripture.
00:43:14.36\00:43:16.69
2 Corinthians 3:18, we have
the secret, 2 Corinthians 3:18.
00:43:16.73\00:43:26.37
Here the Apostle
Paul is speaking about
00:43:27.57\00:43:29.90
the process of sanctification,
and he says this:
00:43:29.94\00:43:32.34
But we all, with unveiled
face beholding, as in a mirror
00:43:32.37\00:43:41.72
the glory of the Lord,...
00:43:41.75\00:43:44.45
What are we
beholding with unveiled face?
00:43:44.49\00:43:47.16
...the glory of the Lord, are
being transformed into the same
00:43:47.19\00:43:54.46
image from glory to glory, just
as by the Spirit of the Lord.
00:43:54.50\00:44:00.00
How are we transformed
into the same image of Jesus?
00:44:00.04\00:44:04.04
By beholding we become changed.
00:44:04.07\00:44:10.21
In other words, we reflect in
our life that which we dedicate
00:44:10.25\00:44:15.68
our time and our efforts to.
00:44:15.72\00:44:18.12
We are what we allow to
enter through our five senses.
00:44:18.15\00:44:23.99
The five senses are
the avenues to the soul,
00:44:24.03\00:44:27.16
and what comes in
makes us what we are.
00:44:27.20\00:44:30.60
As a man thinketh
in his heart, so is he.
00:44:30.63\00:44:36.17
By the way, the word that
is used here for transformed is
00:44:36.20\00:44:42.64
the Greek word metamorphosis.
00:44:42.68\00:44:46.41
Do you know what
a metamorphosis is?
00:44:46.45\00:44:49.28
It's when a
pollywog becomes a frog.
00:44:49.32\00:44:54.69
Now you explain that one to me.
00:44:54.72\00:44:57.66
Does a frog look
like a pollywog? No.
00:44:57.69\00:45:01.33
It's when a
caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
00:45:01.36\00:45:07.14
Let me ask you, how
much do a butterfly and a
00:45:07.17\00:45:11.01
caterpillar look
alike? Not at all.
00:45:11.04\00:45:13.91
It is a total, and radical
transformation that takes place.
00:45:13.94\00:45:19.51
That's what this
is talking about.
00:45:19.55\00:45:22.68
As we behold
Jesus, we are transformed.
00:45:22.72\00:45:27.02
We are changed from glory
to glory into the same image.
00:45:27.06\00:45:33.56
Now go with me to
Acts 3:19, Acts 3:19.
00:45:33.60\00:45:43.51
You see what Jesus
is doing today folks,
00:45:45.34\00:45:47.48
Jesus is
forgiving sin, isn't he?
00:45:47.51\00:45:52.98
Isn't that what happened
in the sanctuary every day?
00:45:53.01\00:45:56.15
It's called the daily service.
00:45:56.18\00:45:58.55
People would come.
00:45:58.59\00:45:59.92
They would place their
hand on the head of the lamb.
00:45:59.95\00:46:01.36
Then they would slay the lamb.
00:46:01.39\00:46:02.92
The blood was
taken into the sanctuary.
00:46:02.96\00:46:04.66
That way sin was
placed in the sanctuary.
00:46:04.69\00:46:06.49
The person could go home.
00:46:06.53\00:46:07.86
He was cleansed from his sin.
00:46:07.90\00:46:09.23
He could say,
Praise the Lord, I'm free!
00:46:09.26\00:46:11.23
But once a year those sins that
had entered the sanctuary needed
00:46:13.10\00:46:17.87
to be blotted out
from the sanctuary.
00:46:17.91\00:46:19.51
Not from the life, because
they'd been taken from the life
00:46:19.54\00:46:22.54
when the
individual confessed the sin.
00:46:22.58\00:46:23.91
The sins were forgiven.
00:46:23.95\00:46:25.28
The individual didn't
have to say, Am I forgiven?
00:46:25.31\00:46:27.78
Am I not forgiven? No.
00:46:27.82\00:46:29.48
The Bible tells us, If we
confess our sins, He is faithful
00:46:30.95\00:46:34.06
and just to forgive us
our sins, and cleanse us
00:46:34.09\00:46:36.26
from all unrighteousness.
00:46:36.29\00:46:37.63
And so the daily
service illustrates forgiveness,
00:46:37.66\00:46:42.13
remission of sin, if you please.
00:46:42.16\00:46:45.13
But on the Day of Atonement,
the sanctuary was cleansed from
00:46:45.17\00:46:50.11
the presence of sin.
00:46:50.14\00:46:51.47
The sins in the
sanctuary were blotted out.
00:46:51.51\00:46:54.11
Now notice the book of Acts.
00:46:54.14\00:46:57.41
Let's go to the book of
Acts, and I want you to notice
00:46:57.45\00:47:01.02
something very interesting here.
00:47:01.05\00:47:02.65
Acts, first of all chapter
2, and verse 38, Acts 2:38.
00:47:02.68\00:47:08.89
And then we'll go to chapter 3.
00:47:08.92\00:47:10.26
Acts 2:38 says: Then
Peter said to them, Repent,
00:47:10.29\00:47:18.23
and let everyone of you be
baptized in the name of Jesus
00:47:18.27\00:47:23.14
Christ for what? for
the remission of sins.
00:47:23.17\00:47:28.84
By the way, that same
word is aphesis in Greek.
00:47:28.88\00:47:31.88
It's translated many times in
the New Testament forgiveness.
00:47:31.91\00:47:35.48
Remission means forgiveness.
00:47:35.58\00:47:36.92
So it says:... for the remission
of sins, and you shall receive
00:47:36.95\00:47:40.96
the gift of the Holy Spirit.
00:47:40.99\00:47:43.16
So Peter preached that the
people, when they repented,
00:47:43.19\00:47:47.30
they would
receive what? remission,
00:47:47.33\00:47:49.86
or forgiveness of sins.
00:47:49.90\00:47:51.73
But do you know that God
wants to do more than just
00:47:51.77\00:47:54.20
remit, or forgive sins?
00:47:54.24\00:47:55.60
The day is coming when He
is going to want to blot out
00:47:55.64\00:47:59.81
sin from the sanctuary.
00:47:59.84\00:48:01.34
And in order to blot
it out there, it has to be
00:48:01.38\00:48:04.75
blotted out from here.
00:48:04.78\00:48:06.21
He's never going to blot out
anything in heaven that has not
00:48:06.25\00:48:11.69
been blotted out on earth.
00:48:11.72\00:48:13.72
The earthly temple has to be
cleansed, if the heavenly temple
00:48:13.76\00:48:18.79
is going to be
cleansed from the record of sin.
00:48:18.83\00:48:21.30
Go with me to
Acts 3 now, and notice
00:48:21.33\00:48:24.07
something very interesting.
00:48:24.10\00:48:25.43
Acts 3:19, Acts 3:19, and
this verse merits a total sermon
00:48:25.47\00:48:36.01
just on this one verse.
00:48:36.04\00:48:37.38
And maybe I'll do that some day,
because there's several steps
00:48:37.41\00:48:40.12
here that are very
important. Here Peter says:
00:48:40.15\00:48:44.79
Do you know
what converted means?
00:48:52.39\00:48:54.40
It means to turn around and
go in the opposite direction.
00:48:54.43\00:48:58.03
So if your life is going in the
wrong direction, your marriage,
00:48:58.07\00:49:04.01
your habits, whatever it is, if
you're going in one direction,
00:49:04.04\00:49:09.64
the direction of sin, conversion
means making a U-turn,
00:49:09.68\00:49:13.95
and coming in the opposite
direction away from that.
00:49:13.98\00:49:16.89
And so it says: Repent
therefore, and be converted.
00:49:16.92\00:49:20.72
And now notice this: that your
sins may be what? blotted out.
00:49:20.76\00:49:26.59
Do you know that that
expression, blotted out,
00:49:26.63\00:49:28.93
is not the same as remission
in chapter 2, verse 38,
00:49:28.96\00:49:31.77
and it's the same
person who is speaking, Peter.
00:49:31.80\00:49:34.74
It must be that he's trying
to teach a separate lesson from
00:49:34.77\00:49:39.44
the idea of remission of sin.
00:49:39.47\00:49:41.18
He says, Repent and be
converted that your sins
00:49:41.21\00:49:43.55
may be blotted out.
00:49:43.58\00:49:44.91
So is repentance and
conversion a condition
00:49:44.95\00:49:47.52
for the
blotting out of sin? Yes.
00:49:47.55\00:49:50.15
Repent and be converted, that
your sins may be blotted out.
00:49:50.19\00:49:55.02
And now notice what
it continues saying.
00:49:55.06\00:49:57.19
Repent and be converted, that
your sins may be blotted out.
00:49:57.23\00:50:01.33
And then what comes as a result
of the blotting out of sins?
00:50:01.36\00:50:04.73
So that... Is the blotting
out of sins a condition for what
00:50:04.77\00:50:11.17
we're going to talk about now?
00:50:11.21\00:50:12.54
Is it a condition? So
that, what does so that mean?
00:50:12.57\00:50:15.01
It means that
you have to do this,
00:50:15.04\00:50:16.44
in order for this to take place.
00:50:16.48\00:50:17.95
By the way, that expression,
blotted out, does not mean to
00:50:17.98\00:50:23.65
forgive or to remit,
it means to wipe out.
00:50:23.69\00:50:27.16
It's the same word that is
used in Revelation 21:4 where
00:50:27.19\00:50:32.79
it says that God will wipe
away every tear from their eyes.
00:50:32.83\00:50:38.83
Notice, the tear is gone.
00:50:41.10\00:50:42.80
It's talking here about blotting
out sin, not forgiveness.
00:50:44.51\00:50:49.48
Forgiveness is
receiving, received every day
00:50:49.51\00:50:51.78
in the daily service.
00:50:51.81\00:50:53.15
This is talking
about the yearly service.
00:50:53.18\00:50:54.52
It says, Repent and be
converted, that your sins
00:50:54.55\00:50:58.62
may be blotted out, so that...
notice... times of refreshing
00:50:58.65\00:51:04.46
may come from the
presence of the Lord.
00:51:04.49\00:51:06.33
What are those
times of refreshing?
00:51:06.36\00:51:08.46
What event is being described
here, the times of refreshing?
00:51:08.50\00:51:11.87
Somebody want to
tell me what it means?
00:51:11.90\00:51:15.00
It's talking about
the outpouring of what?
00:51:15.04\00:51:19.34
of the Holy Spirit are
the times of refreshing.
00:51:19.37\00:51:22.44
So let me ask you, Do we need
to repent, and turn around our
00:51:22.48\00:51:28.65
life through the power of the
Lord, and have our sins blotted
00:51:28.68\00:51:33.22
out so that the times of
refreshing can come to us?
00:51:33.25\00:51:38.56
Absolutely. And you say,
No wonder we haven't received
00:51:38.59\00:51:43.60
the times of refreshing.
00:51:43.63\00:51:44.97
See God can't fill what's full.
00:51:46.23\00:51:48.27
We're full of self in
everything that we do:
00:51:49.97\00:51:53.07
the way we use our time,
the way we use our money,
00:51:53.11\00:51:56.28
the way we use our talents,
the way we use our influence.
00:51:56.31\00:51:59.91
Everything is
centered in ourselves.
00:51:59.95\00:52:01.88
So how can God give us
the times of refreshing unless
00:52:01.92\00:52:05.39
sin has been remitted,
unless sin has been blotted out,
00:52:05.42\00:52:08.92
because of victory over sin.
00:52:08.96\00:52:10.63
And now notice the next event.
00:52:10.66\00:52:13.33
It says, once again, Repent
therefore and be converted
00:52:13.36\00:52:17.30
that your sins may be blotted
out, so that times of refreshing
00:52:17.33\00:52:22.07
may come from the
presence of the Lord...
00:52:22.10\00:52:24.34
And now notice this.
00:52:24.37\00:52:25.71
...and that... What
does that mean? and that?
00:52:25.74\00:52:32.81
It says, so that what? notice.
00:52:34.58\00:52:38.39
...and that He may
send whom? Jesus Christ,
00:52:38.42\00:52:44.39
who was preached to you before.
00:52:44.43\00:52:47.33
And then it says, in verse
21: whom heaven must receive,...
00:52:47.36\00:52:53.50
That is His ascension.
00:52:53.54\00:52:54.87
...until the times of
restoration of all things.
00:52:54.90\00:52:57.77
That's when He comes.
00:52:57.81\00:52:59.14
...which God has spoken by
the mouth of all His prophets
00:52:59.17\00:53:02.14
since the world began.
00:53:02.18\00:53:04.28
Four steps in this
verse: repent and be converted.
00:53:04.31\00:53:07.88
That's the condition.
00:53:07.92\00:53:09.25
So that, if you repent and
your life is turned around,
00:53:09.28\00:53:12.82
you've gained the
victory through the
00:53:12.85\00:53:14.72
power of God over sin.
00:53:14.76\00:53:16.22
Sin is blotted out, and now
you're prepared to receive what?
00:53:16.26\00:53:20.00
the refreshing, the latter rain.
00:53:20.03\00:53:23.40
And as a result of
receiving the latter rain,
00:53:23.43\00:53:27.04
what is God going to do?
00:53:27.07\00:53:28.40
He is going to send Jesus
back to this earth to restore
00:53:28.44\00:53:34.04
all things as they
were at the very beginning.
00:53:34.08\00:53:37.38
So there's a work for
us as we bring this to a
00:53:39.05\00:53:43.62
conclusion this morning.
00:53:43.65\00:53:44.99
You know, we've been talking
about catching up to Jesus.
00:53:45.02\00:53:48.69
Do you know that this message
about going into the sanctuary,
00:53:48.72\00:53:54.10
gaining the victory over sin,
and having your sins blotted
00:53:54.13\00:53:59.00
out from the sanctuary, that's
the message of Revelation 18.
00:53:59.03\00:54:02.04
God is going to have a people
who receive the power of the
00:54:02.07\00:54:03.87
Holy Spirit, who are going to
go out and they're going to fill
00:54:03.91\00:54:06.27
the earth with
the glory of the Lord.
00:54:06.31\00:54:07.64
Ellen White says that that's the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
00:54:07.68\00:54:10.28
And they will say,
Babylon is fallen, is fallen.
00:54:10.31\00:54:13.92
And they will make the
call, Come out of her my people,
00:54:13.95\00:54:18.12
so that you can
experience the same experience
00:54:18.15\00:54:20.92
that God has given to
those who have entered
00:54:20.96\00:54:23.73
the most holy
place with Jesus Christ.
00:54:23.76\00:54:26.06
Do you know how the churches are
going to react to that message?
00:54:26.09\00:54:29.56
Allow me to read you a statement
from the Spirit of Prophecy.
00:54:31.80\00:54:34.47
When that message is
proclaimed to the world,
00:54:34.50\00:54:37.01
Ellen White says this: The
clergy will put forth almost
00:54:38.47\00:54:45.05
super human efforts
to shut away the light
00:54:45.08\00:54:48.72
lest it should
shine upon their flocks.
00:54:48.75\00:54:51.82
By every means at their command
they will endeavor to suppress
00:54:51.85\00:54:57.43
the discussion of
these vital questions.
00:54:57.46\00:55:00.26
Nothing new under the sun.
00:55:00.30\00:55:02.96
It happened in all of
the previous four stages.
00:55:03.00\00:55:05.37
It's going to happen at
the end of time as well.
00:55:05.40\00:55:08.37
So God is going to publicize
this event through a people.
00:55:08.40\00:55:12.27
And, by the way, allow me to
say this: There will be no more
00:55:12.31\00:55:16.88
catching up to
Jesus after this point.
00:55:16.91\00:55:21.18
The people who experience what
we've talked about this morning,
00:55:23.39\00:55:26.25
they will have
fully caught up to Jesus.
00:55:26.29\00:55:28.62
They will be in the most holy
place with Jesus, and they will
00:55:28.66\00:55:31.19
be experiencing forgiveness,
and victory over sin.
00:55:31.23\00:55:35.30
Because as soon as Jesus
is finished with this work,
00:55:37.43\00:55:40.40
the Bible tells us that the door
of probation is going to close.
00:55:40.44\00:55:46.78
And we're told in Revelation
15 that the temple is going to
00:55:46.81\00:55:50.85
be filled with smoke.
00:55:50.88\00:55:52.21
And no one will be able to enter
the heavenly temple until the
00:55:52.25\00:55:58.39
seven last plagues are ended.
00:55:58.42\00:56:01.29
So now is the time, folks, for
us to dedicate our lives totally
00:56:01.32\00:56:08.56
and completely on
the altar of sacrifice,
00:56:08.60\00:56:11.00
without any reservations.
00:56:11.03\00:56:12.43
You know, if we were on an
airplane, and we start losing
00:56:12.47\00:56:19.21
altitude because two
of the engines went out,
00:56:19.24\00:56:21.78
and it only has three engines.
00:56:21.81\00:56:23.14
You know, it's a 727.
00:56:23.18\00:56:24.75
And the pilot says, We have to
start throwing things overboard.
00:56:27.55\00:56:30.85
Would you be willing to throw
overboard your precious things,
00:56:33.89\00:56:36.73
or would you rather
have the plane crash
00:56:38.89\00:56:40.40
and die in the plane crash?
00:56:40.43\00:56:41.76
I'll be you anything, we'd
throw over anything that we had
00:56:41.80\00:56:45.37
in order to survive.
00:56:45.40\00:56:47.07
And yet we're on a plane ride
to heaven, and we're so loaded
00:56:47.10\00:56:52.37
down that the plane is in a
crash mode, and we hang onto
00:56:52.41\00:56:56.88
all of our stuff, and all of our
money, and all of our talents,
00:56:56.91\00:57:01.02
and all of our influence.
00:57:01.05\00:57:02.38
We hang onto it as if
we're going to make it to heaven
00:57:02.42\00:57:05.42
with an overloaded airplane.
00:57:05.45\00:57:07.09
It's time,
folks, to put everything
00:57:08.62\00:57:10.23
on the altar of sacrifice,
to get serious about the Lord,
00:57:10.26\00:57:14.36
and to dedicate our all,
without reservations, to Him.
00:57:14.40\00:57:19.37
And I pray to God that this will
be a reality for those of us
00:57:19.40\00:57:24.57
who are gathered here,
and those who will be watching
00:57:24.61\00:57:27.81
this programming on television.
00:57:27.84\00:57:30.11