Hello and welcome.
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I'm Graham Weir,
and this is part six,
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the final part
in the great series
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of The Reformation Revisited.
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In this series,
we're going to be taking
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a close look at
the fantastic journey
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that God's people can expect
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to participate
in on the way home.
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So this is the
celebration program
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which I think you should
hold in your mind forever.
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We are also going to
take a look, a deep look,
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courtesy of Hubble and NASA,
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deep inside the
constellation of Orion.
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And you gonna see
through the program
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why this constellation
has so much fascination
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for NASA and
Hubble, Interesting.
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It's been called a star factory,
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but in there
there's some amazing things.
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We're going to
take a look at that.
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I think you're gonna
enjoy it, so stay tuned.
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Let's begin with a prayer.
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Loving Father in heaven,
we praise You and thank You
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for all the wonderful things
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that You have
prepared for Your people.
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We have considered the past,
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the heritage of the
great Protestant Reformation.
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And in this program,
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we have to consider its close,
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its completion, and
up mighty journey home
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that you have
prepared for your people,
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the victory
circuit around heaven.
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Please bless us,
give us ears to hear,
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eyes to see, and
incline our heart,
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they want to do your work,
because we ask in Jesus name.
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Amen.
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Now text for the program,
we'll get to that in a minute.
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Have you ever wondered
what a heavenly journey home
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is gonna be like?
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Yes. Ever wondered about that?
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It's a subject of deep thought
and inspiration, isn't it?
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To think about
what God has prepared
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for that seven-day journey home.
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God word holds the key to
what it's going to be like.
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He's revealed in his
word, where heaven will be,
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what heaven will be like,
where its capital will be,
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what its capital will look like,
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what the people
will be like there,
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where people will live,
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and what people
will actually do there.
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And I take
today's Revelation 21:1-2
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and it say's this,
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"And I saw a new
heaven and a new earth,
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for the first
heaven and the first earth
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were passed away, and
there was no more sea.
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And I John," this is
John, the Revelator in vision,
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"I saw, the holy
city, New Jerusalem,
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coming down from
God out of heaven,
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prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband."
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And as we read further,
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we discover an
amazing description
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of the holy city
descending from heaven.
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Reading verse 9,
"And there came unto me
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one of the seven angels
which had the seven vials
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full of the seven last
plagues, and talked with me,
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saying, come hither,
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I will show thee the
bride, the Lamb's wife."
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And he carried me away
in the spirit to a great
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and high mountain.
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And he showed
me that great city,
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the Holy Jerusalem,
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descending out
of heaven from God.
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Imagine what
John must have thought
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when he saw this vision.
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"Having the glory of
God, and her light was like
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unto a stone most precious,
even like a Jasper stone,
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clear as crystal."
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a great and high wall...
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and names written on them,
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which are the names
of the twelve tribes
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of the children of Israel.
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Now the wall of the
city had twelve foundations,
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and on them were the
names of the twelve apostles
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of the Lamb.
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And he measured
the city with the reed,
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twelve thousand furlongs.
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The length and the breadth
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and the height of it are equal."
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So what do these
measurements mean
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in today's terms?
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Well, a furlong is
one-fifth of a kilometer,
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12,000 furlongs will
equal 2,400 kilometers.
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We assume that's
its total circumference,
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approximately 1,491
miles around the city.
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That's kind of big, isn't it?
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If we divide about
four, we get 600 kilometers,
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there were approximately
372 miles down each side.
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And the bit I can't get
my head around is the height,
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372 miles height, really?
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It's enormous, it's stupendous.
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The Bible says that
the length and the breadth
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and the height of it are equal.
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So can you imagine
a city 372 miles high?
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Well, modern jets cruise
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around 9,000
meters or 30,000 feet
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which is only 9
kilometers or 5 miles.
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So in mid-peak terms,
this city would be around
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67 times higher
than passenger jets fly.
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I can't get my head around that.
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Nothing is impossible for God.
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You think, wait a minute,
you got to be way out in space.
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Well, that's not
too hard for God, is it?
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But for a human mind, woo!
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Some commentators say about this
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that the answer lies
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in the interpretation
of the word "equal".
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They say it means which we think
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it means exactly the same as.
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They said it really
means in proportion to.
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Well, I have to
confess, I've done some research
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and I can't find anything,
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any references
to backup the claim.
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So I don't know for sure.
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And in any case, if we question
the meaning of the word, equal,
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in regard to the city's height,
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then we also have to question it
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in regard to the
length and the breath too.
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Don't we?
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So that's all too odd for me.
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I'm happy to leave that to God.
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We're gonna find out
soon enough, aren't we?
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But it's stupendous, isn't it?
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We have an awesome God.
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I'm also mindful of the
Bible text in 1 Corinthians 2:9,
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which says, "Eye hath
not seen, nor ear heard,
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nor has it entered
into the heart of man
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the things that God
hath prepared for him."
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So I'm happy to
wait and see, aren't you?
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It's going to be
incredible, I can't wait.
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I think when we get there
and we see this happening,
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we're gonna say, "Well,
heaven was cheap enough."
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Won't we?
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Amen.
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In Revelation 21:17, it says,
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"Then he measured
its wall, a 144 cubits."
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A cubit is the
average length of a man's arm
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from the tip of
the middle finger
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to the point of the elbow,
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so that's roughly
about 53 centimeters
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or roughly 20 inches.
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Now if we multiply that by 144,
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we get around 76
meters or roughly 249 feet.
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That's a pretty big wall
too, isn't it, 249 feet high?
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And those of you
out there watching,
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you may want to get
your phone and take a picture
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of these
measurements on the screen
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because they're
worth remembering
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and checking out.
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Then it says in verse 19,
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"The foundation of the
wall of the city were adorned
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with all kinds
of precious stones.
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The first foundation was Jasper,
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the second was Sapphire,
the third a Chalcedony,
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the fourth an
Emerald, the fifth Sardonyx,
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the sixth Sardius,
the seventh Chrysolyte,
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the eighth Beryl,
the ninth a Topaz,
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the tenth a Chrysoprasus,
the eleventh a Jacinth,
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the twelfth an Amethyst.
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The 12 gates were 12 pearls.
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Every, several
gate was of one pearl."
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Can you get your
mind around this?
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It's stupendous.
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"And the street of
the city was pure gold,
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like transparent
glass," I can't imagine that.
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What a time it's gonna be!
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"And he showed me a
pure river of water of life,
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clear as crystal,
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proceeding out
of the throne of God
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and of the Lamb."
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And I couldn't find a picture
that would describe that,
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that's the best I could find,
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it's going to be
nothing compared.
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"On each side of the
river stood the tree of life
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bearing 12 manna,
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which meant, which
we may have thought
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as type fruit,
or crops of fruit,
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and yielding its
fruit every month.
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And the leaves of the tree were
for the healing of the nation.
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Yeah, this is the
symbol of the leaf
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of the tree of life.
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They are healing
us now, aren't they?
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And there should
be no more curse,
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but the throne of God and
of the Lamb shall be in it.
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No more hearing aids,
00:09:52.99\00:09:54.69
no more glasses,
no more false teeth,
00:09:54.72\00:09:57.83
no more sore backs,
no more headaches, wow!
00:09:57.86\00:10:04.00
And God will wipe away
every tear in their eyes,
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no more tears, no more
death, nor sorrow, nor crying,
00:10:06.77\00:10:13.71
neither shall
there be any more pain
00:10:13.74\00:10:16.24
for the former
things that passed away.
00:10:16.28\00:10:18.51
Good news, eh? Amen.
00:10:18.55\00:10:20.95
And the city
does not need the Sun
00:10:20.98\00:10:23.18
or the moon to shine on it,
00:10:23.22\00:10:25.12
for the glory of
God gives it light.
00:10:25.15\00:10:28.02
And it will give its
light if the glory of God,
00:10:28.06\00:10:30.86
if the throne of God,
is at the top of that city,
00:10:30.89\00:10:34.66
that's gonna radiate
around the whole place.
00:10:34.70\00:10:37.60
It's gonna be astonishing.
00:10:37.63\00:10:41.07
And the city will be lit up
with the glory of God's throne
00:10:41.10\00:10:44.71
because it says, "And
the Lamb is its lamp."
00:10:44.74\00:10:48.04
So that light
will come from Jesus.
00:10:48.08\00:10:51.01
And you could read
the full description
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if you want to in
Revelation 21:10 to 22:5.
00:10:52.65\00:10:56.89
It's worth reading, in depth,
00:10:56.92\00:10:59.62
and let your mind
grasp that picture.
00:10:59.65\00:11:02.89
We spoke
extensively in the last episode
00:11:02.92\00:11:05.16
about the
writings of Ellen White
00:11:05.19\00:11:07.36
and how the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:11:07.40\00:11:09.03
regards her writing.
00:11:09.06\00:11:11.63
So in this episode,
I'm just going to repeat
00:11:11.67\00:11:14.00
the official statements
in the book, 28 Fundamentals,
00:11:14.04\00:11:16.50
about Ellen White.
00:11:16.54\00:11:18.17
It says this, "One of the gifts
of the Holy Spirit is prophecy.
00:11:18.21\00:11:23.68
This gift is an identifying mark
00:11:23.71\00:11:25.51
of the remnant
church and was manifested
00:11:25.55\00:11:28.15
in the ministry
of Ellen G.White.
00:11:28.18\00:11:30.82
As the Lord's messenger,
her writings are a continuing
00:11:30.85\00:11:33.66
and
authoritative source of truth
00:11:33.69\00:11:35.92
which provide for
the church comfort,
00:11:35.96\00:11:38.43
guidance,
instruction, and correction.
00:11:38.46\00:11:42.33
They also make clear
that the Bible is the standard
00:11:42.36\00:11:45.53
by which all
teachings and experience
00:11:45.57\00:11:47.74
must be tested." Is it not so?
00:11:47.77\00:11:49.64
We don't put
Ellen White's writings
00:11:49.67\00:11:51.07
above the Bible,
00:11:51.11\00:11:52.77
it's not even
equal to the Bible.
00:11:52.81\00:11:55.01
It is a lesser
light which directs us
00:11:55.04\00:11:57.91
to the true light.
00:11:57.95\00:12:01.02
Now I'm going to
show you something,
00:12:01.05\00:12:03.25
some amazing
descriptions that she made
00:12:03.28\00:12:05.82
about her very first
vision at the age of 19.
00:12:05.85\00:12:10.03
And this vision is
remarkable in its description
00:12:10.06\00:12:13.09
of some of the
glories of heaven.
00:12:13.13\00:12:15.83
I'll be quoting from
the following publications,
00:12:15.86\00:12:18.83
Testimonies For
The Church Volume One,
00:12:18.87\00:12:21.00
which was published in 1855
and 1868, chapter VII titled,
00:12:21.04\00:12:26.74
My First Vision.
00:12:26.78\00:12:28.71
This is also in Early Writing,
which was published in 1882,
00:12:28.74\00:12:32.91
Experience and Views,
00:12:32.95\00:12:34.92
where she
describes her first vision.
00:12:34.95\00:12:38.05
In her opening reports,
00:12:38.09\00:12:39.42
she was obviously
describing her vision
00:12:39.45\00:12:41.26
of the second coming.
00:12:41.29\00:12:42.72
And we read this,
00:12:42.76\00:12:44.76
"Then Jesus'
silver trumpet sounded,
00:12:44.79\00:12:47.36
as He descended on the cloud,
wrapped in flames of fire.
00:12:47.40\00:12:51.20
He gazed on the graves
of the sleeping saints,
00:12:51.23\00:12:54.27
then raised His
eyes and hands to heaven,
00:12:54.30\00:12:56.07
and cried, "Awake!
00:12:56.10\00:12:57.71
Awake! Awake!
00:12:57.74\00:12:59.57
Ye that sleep in
the dust, and arise."
00:12:59.61\00:13:03.45
Then there was a
mighty earthquake.
00:13:03.48\00:13:05.65
The graves opened, and
the dead came up clothed
00:13:05.68\00:13:08.08
with immortality.
00:13:08.12\00:13:09.98
The 144,000 shouted, "Alleluia!"
00:13:10.02\00:13:15.66
as they recognized their friends
00:13:15.69\00:13:17.26
who had been torn
from them by death,
00:13:17.29\00:13:19.86
and in the same
moment we were changed
00:13:19.89\00:13:22.30
and caught up together with them
00:13:22.33\00:13:24.27
to meet the Lord in the air.
00:13:24.30\00:13:27.50
We all entered
the cloud together,
00:13:27.54\00:13:29.77
and were seven days
ascending to the sea of glass."
00:13:29.80\00:13:33.91
Why seven days?
00:13:33.94\00:13:35.68
Why didn't we
get there like that?
00:13:35.71\00:13:37.95
We'll talk more about
that later, seven-day journey.
00:13:37.98\00:13:41.38
"We all entered the
cloud with seven days
00:13:44.92\00:13:46.62
ascending to the sea of glass,
when Jesus brought the crowns,
00:13:46.65\00:13:50.16
and with His own right
hand he put them on our heads.
00:13:50.19\00:13:53.43
And He gave us harps of
gold and palms of victory.
00:13:53.46\00:13:57.60
Here on the sea of
glass the 144,000 stood
00:13:57.63\00:14:00.80
in a perfect square.
00:14:00.84\00:14:02.94
Some of them had
very bright crowns,
00:14:02.97\00:14:05.07
others not so bright.
00:14:05.11\00:14:07.21
Some crowns
appeared heavy with stars,
00:14:07.24\00:14:09.31
while others had but few."
00:14:09.34\00:14:12.21
Now at this point, we
should ask the question,
00:14:12.25\00:14:14.58
"Who are these 144,000?"
00:14:14.62\00:14:18.62
Some denominations,
some churches, out there
00:14:18.65\00:14:20.69
who will try to tell you,
00:14:20.72\00:14:22.06
they know who the 144,000 are.
00:14:22.09\00:14:23.89
Yeah.
00:14:23.93\00:14:25.26
Well, I want you to see
00:14:25.29\00:14:26.63
what Ellen White
said about this number,
00:14:26.66\00:14:28.00
these people.
00:14:28.03\00:14:29.43
She addressed this question
many years later in 1901,
00:14:29.46\00:14:32.60
when she wrote this.
00:14:32.63\00:14:34.84
She said, "When men pick up
this theory and that theory,
00:14:34.87\00:14:38.24
when they are
curious to know something
00:14:38.27\00:14:39.64
it is not
necessary for them to know,
00:14:39.67\00:14:42.04
God is not leading them.
00:14:42.08\00:14:45.58
It is not His
plan that His people
00:14:45.61\00:14:47.18
shall present something
00:14:47.22\00:14:48.55
which they have to
suppose or imagine,
00:14:48.58\00:14:50.59
which is not taught in the Word.
00:14:50.62\00:14:53.12
It is not His will that
they shall get into controversy
00:14:53.15\00:14:55.56
over questions which will
not help them spiritually,
00:14:55.59\00:14:58.46
such as who is to
compose the 144,000.
00:14:58.49\00:15:03.83
For those who
are the elect of God
00:15:03.87\00:15:05.53
will in a short time
know without question."
00:15:05.57\00:15:08.40
That's true, aren't we?
00:15:08.44\00:15:09.80
We'll find out.
00:15:09.84\00:15:11.97
"My brethren and
sisters appreciate
00:15:12.01\00:15:14.11
and study the
truths that God has given
00:15:14.14\00:15:16.28
you and your children.
00:15:16.31\00:15:18.68
She says, "Spend not
your time in seeking to know
00:15:18.71\00:15:20.98
that which will
be no spiritual help.
00:15:21.02\00:15:23.52
'What shall I do to
inherit eternal life?'
00:15:23.55\00:15:26.32
From Luke 10:25,
00:15:26.35\00:15:28.26
that is the
all-important question,
00:15:28.29\00:15:31.06
and it has been
clearly answered.
00:15:31.09\00:15:33.13
What is written in the law?
00:15:33.16\00:15:35.06
How readest thou?'"
00:15:35.10\00:15:37.57
That's a pretty
good answer for me.
00:15:37.60\00:15:40.04
We don't need to waste time
speculating about it, do we?
00:15:40.07\00:15:43.47
We'll find out soon enough.
00:15:43.51\00:15:46.21
There are far
more important topics
00:15:46.24\00:15:48.28
in God's Word to consider.
00:15:48.31\00:15:49.64
What do you say?
00:15:49.68\00:15:51.01
Amen. Amen.
00:15:51.05\00:15:52.71
Now let's return
to that first vision
00:15:52.75\00:15:54.32
as she
continues her description,
00:15:54.35\00:15:58.25
she says, "All
were perfectly satisfied
00:15:58.29\00:16:00.06
with their crowns.
00:16:00.09\00:16:01.42
And they were all clothed
with a glorious white mantle
00:16:01.46\00:16:03.89
from their
shoulders to their feet.
00:16:03.93\00:16:06.56
Angels were all
about us as we marched
00:16:06.59\00:16:08.63
over the sea of glass
to the gate of the city...
00:16:08.66\00:16:12.20
Here we saw the tree of
life and the throne of God.
00:16:12.23\00:16:15.57
Out of the throne
came a pure river of water,
00:16:15.60\00:16:19.24
and on either side of the
river was the tree of life.
00:16:19.27\00:16:24.71
On one side of the
river was a trunk of a tree,
00:16:24.75\00:16:27.58
and a trunk on the other
side of the river, both of pure,
00:16:27.62\00:16:31.99
transparent gold.
00:16:32.02\00:16:34.42
Can you imagine that?
00:16:34.46\00:16:36.69
A gold tree, even boys and girls
00:16:36.73\00:16:39.19
will be fascinated with it.
00:16:39.23\00:16:42.00
"At first I thought I
saw two trees," she said,
00:16:42.03\00:16:45.10
"I looked again, and
saw that they were united
00:16:45.13\00:16:47.50
at the top in one tree.
00:16:47.54\00:16:50.04
So it was the tree of life
00:16:50.07\00:16:51.41
on either side of
the river of life.
00:16:51.44\00:16:54.54
Its branches bowed to
the place where we stood,
00:16:54.58\00:16:57.98
and the fruit was glorious;
00:16:58.01\00:16:59.81
it looked like
gold mixed with silver."
00:16:59.85\00:17:03.35
Ever seen an apple
that looks like gold
00:17:03.39\00:17:06.65
mixed with silver?
00:17:06.69\00:17:10.16
Describing this vision
and its effect on her later,
00:17:10.19\00:17:13.46
she said this, "I
related this vision
00:17:13.50\00:17:17.00
to the believers in Portland,
they had full confidence
00:17:17.03\00:17:19.90
that it was from God.
00:17:19.93\00:17:21.70
They all believed that
God had chosen this way,
00:17:21.74\00:17:24.67
after the great
disappointment in October 1844,
00:17:24.71\00:17:28.41
to comfort and
strengthen His people.
00:17:28.44\00:17:32.58
The Spirit of the Lord
attended the testimony,
00:17:32.61\00:17:35.35
and the solemnity of
eternity rested upon us.
00:17:35.38\00:17:38.82
An unspeakable awe filled
me that I so young and feeble,
00:17:38.85\00:17:44.93
should be chosen
as the instrument
00:17:44.96\00:17:47.50
by which God would
give light to His people."
00:17:47.53\00:17:50.00
What an awesome experience,
"While under the power
00:17:50.03\00:17:53.70
of the Lord, I
was filled with joy,
00:17:53.74\00:17:56.71
seeming to be
surrounded by holy angels
00:17:56.74\00:17:59.04
in the glorious
courts of heaven,
00:17:59.07\00:18:01.21
where all is peace and gladness,
00:18:01.24\00:18:04.25
and it was a sad
and bitter change
00:18:04.28\00:18:05.81
to wake up to the
realities of mortal life."
00:18:05.85\00:18:08.62
After she came out of
vision, what a disappointment!
00:18:08.65\00:18:12.12
Well, in early 1847,
00:18:12.15\00:18:13.86
the Whites
accepted an invitation
00:18:13.89\00:18:15.62
from the
Stockbridge Howland family
00:18:15.66\00:18:17.86
to come and
live on the top floor
00:18:17.89\00:18:19.39
of their spacious
well-constructed home
00:18:19.43\00:18:21.96
in Topsham,
00:18:22.00\00:18:23.33
which is about 35 miles
north of their former home
00:18:23.37\00:18:26.50
at Gorham.
00:18:26.53\00:18:28.34
And it was here on
Sabbath, April 3rd, 1847,
00:18:28.37\00:18:33.17
before a small
group of the assembled
00:18:33.21\00:18:34.94
fellow Sabbath keepers
that 19-year old Ellen White
00:18:34.98\00:18:38.85
was given one of her
most important vision.
00:18:38.88\00:18:41.05
This would have been
before she was Ellen White,
00:18:41.08\00:18:43.59
she would have
been Ellen Harmon.
00:18:43.62\00:18:46.79
Four days after
this impressive vision,
00:18:46.82\00:18:49.22
Ellen wrote of it in
detail to Joseph Bates.
00:18:49.26\00:18:53.29
And please note in
particular the prepositions
00:18:53.33\00:18:57.00
that she employs in describing
00:18:57.03\00:18:59.07
this
mind-boggling cosmic journey
00:18:59.10\00:19:01.54
to this celestial city.
00:19:01.57\00:19:03.81
I'm quoting, "Soon," she says,
"I was lost to earthly things
00:19:03.84\00:19:08.84
and was wrapped in a
vision of God's glory.
00:19:08.88\00:19:12.15
I saw an angel
flying swiftly to me.
00:19:12.18\00:19:15.18
He quickly carried me
00:19:15.22\00:19:16.55
from the earth
to the Holy City."
00:19:16.58\00:19:19.62
She says,
"There is perfect order
00:19:19.65\00:19:20.99
and harmony in the Holy City.
00:19:21.02\00:19:23.26
All the angels
that are commissioned
00:19:23.29\00:19:24.79
to visit the earth
had a golden card."
00:19:24.83\00:19:29.60
Wow, and we thought we
invented plastic cards.
00:19:29.63\00:19:33.64
Yeah.
00:19:33.67\00:19:35.07
They have a golden
card and they present it
00:19:35.10\00:19:38.51
to the angels at
the gates of the city
00:19:38.54\00:19:41.28
as they pass in and out.
00:19:41.31\00:19:44.35
She says, "In the
city I saw a temple,
00:19:44.38\00:19:47.45
which I entered.
00:19:47.48\00:19:49.18
I passed through a door
00:19:49.22\00:19:50.99
before I came to the first veil.
00:19:51.02\00:19:54.02
This veil was raised,
00:19:54.06\00:19:56.09
and I passed
into the holy place.
00:19:56.12\00:19:58.83
Here I saw the altar of incense,
00:19:58.86\00:20:01.83
the candlestick
with seven lamps,
00:20:01.86\00:20:04.40
and the table on
which was the shewbread.
00:20:04.43\00:20:08.34
After viewing the
glory of the holy,
00:20:08.37\00:20:10.51
Jesus raised the second veil
00:20:10.54\00:20:12.87
and I passed into
the holy of holies."
00:20:12.91\00:20:16.75
Remember, this is
the temple in heaven
00:20:16.78\00:20:20.85
that Moses was
given a pattern of.
00:20:20.88\00:20:22.92
This is the real thing.
00:20:22.95\00:20:26.39
"In the holiest I saw an ark.
00:20:26.42\00:20:29.49
On the top and sides
of it was purest gold.
00:20:29.52\00:20:32.69
On each end of the
ark was a lovely cherub,
00:20:32.73\00:20:35.83
with its wings
spread out over it.
00:20:35.86\00:20:39.13
Their faces were
turned toward each other,
00:20:39.17\00:20:41.34
and they looked downward.
00:20:41.37\00:20:43.74
Between the angels
was a golden censer.
00:20:43.77\00:20:47.14
Above the ark,
where the angels stood,
00:20:47.18\00:20:49.04
was an exceeding
bright glory that appeared
00:20:49.08\00:20:52.11
like a throne where God dwelt.
00:20:52.15\00:20:55.85
Jesus stood by the ark,
and as the saints' prayers
00:20:55.88\00:20:59.95
came up to Him, the incense
in the censer would smoke,
00:20:59.99\00:21:04.19
and He would
offer up their prayers
00:21:04.23\00:21:06.39
with the smoke of the
incense to His Father.
00:21:06.43\00:21:11.03
In the ark was the
golden pot of manna,
00:21:11.07\00:21:14.10
Aaron's rod that
budded, and the tables of stone
00:21:14.14\00:21:18.04
which folded
together like a book.
00:21:18.07\00:21:20.91
Jesus opened them, and
I saw the Ten Commandments
00:21:20.94\00:21:25.05
written on them
with the finger of God.
00:21:25.08\00:21:28.98
On one table were
four, and on the other six.
00:21:29.02\00:21:33.49
The four on the
first table shone
00:21:33.52\00:21:35.36
brighter than the other six.
00:21:35.39\00:21:37.99
But the fourth, the
Sabbath commandment,
00:21:38.03\00:21:41.33
shone above them
all, for the Sabbath
00:21:41.36\00:21:44.47
was set apart to be kept
in honor of God's holy name."
00:21:44.50\00:21:48.17
Do you believe that?
00:21:48.20\00:21:49.54
What a privilege it is
to keep the Sabbath day holy
00:21:49.57\00:21:51.97
and remember this!
00:21:52.01\00:21:53.34
What do you say? Amen.
00:21:53.38\00:21:54.71
Amen.
00:21:54.74\00:21:56.61
"The holy
Sabbath looked glorious.
00:21:56.64\00:21:59.31
A halo of glory
was all around it."
00:21:59.35\00:22:03.42
Well, its vision
was indeed impressive,
00:22:03.45\00:22:06.35
and Ellen was totally struck
00:22:06.39\00:22:08.29
with the reality
of the experience.
00:22:08.32\00:22:10.63
She was in a real place,
00:22:10.66\00:22:11.99
accompanied by real
supernatural persons,
00:22:12.03\00:22:14.80
and looking at real
liturgical furniture,
00:22:14.83\00:22:18.13
concerning which we previously
already read about in Scripture
00:22:18.17\00:22:22.17
and forever after she would
represent this heavenly temple
00:22:22.20\00:22:25.07
and its high priest,
00:22:25.11\00:22:26.44
that's something
very real, very literal.
00:22:26.47\00:22:31.25
It's not just a
story folks, it is real.
00:22:31.28\00:22:33.72
These visions of heaven
00:22:38.35\00:22:39.69
must certainly
raise the question,
00:22:39.72\00:22:41.76
"Is there really
life on other worlds?"
00:22:41.79\00:22:44.69
You know NASA
spends a lot of money
00:22:44.73\00:22:47.30
trying to find
and trying to answer
00:22:47.33\00:22:48.66
that question, don't they?
00:22:48.70\00:22:50.13
Billions...
00:22:50.17\00:22:51.73
Sending rockets up
there and radio telescopes,
00:22:51.77\00:22:54.97
who knows what else, to try
00:22:55.00\00:22:56.64
and discover
life on other worlds.
00:22:56.67\00:22:59.04
Well, all they've
to do is look in here,
00:22:59.07\00:23:01.31
the answer's in here.
00:23:01.34\00:23:03.81
You know the book,
The Great Controversy,
00:23:03.85\00:23:05.45
she makes it very
clear that there is...
00:23:05.48\00:23:08.05
She said this, "The
connection of the invisible
00:23:08.08\00:23:11.82
with the visible world,
00:23:11.85\00:23:14.06
the ministration
of the angels of God,
00:23:14.09\00:23:16.36
and the agency of evil spirits,
00:23:16.39\00:23:19.03
are plainly
revealed in the Scriptures
00:23:19.06\00:23:21.10
an inseparably woven,
interwoven with human history."
00:23:21.13\00:23:25.17
It's clear. It's all layers.
00:23:25.20\00:23:28.37
She quotes 10,000 times 10,000
and thousands of thousands,
00:23:28.40\00:23:32.04
were the heavenly messengers
beheld by the prophet Daniel.
00:23:32.07\00:23:35.84
The Apostle Paul declared them
to be in innumerable company.
00:23:35.88\00:23:40.18
Daniel 7:10, Hebrews 12:22,
00:23:40.22\00:23:43.39
"As God's
messengers they go forth,
00:23:43.42\00:23:45.42
like the appearance
of a flash of lightning."
00:23:45.45\00:23:47.59
We find that in Ezekiel
1:14, "So dazzling their glory,
00:23:47.62\00:23:52.39
and so swift their flight
and the angel that appeared
00:23:52.43\00:23:56.40
at the Savior's tomb, his
countenance like lightning,
00:23:56.43\00:24:00.04
and his raiment white as snow."
00:24:00.07\00:24:01.94
Caused the keepers
for fear of him to quake
00:24:01.97\00:24:04.74
and fall like dead men."
00:24:04.77\00:24:07.71
No human could do that."
00:24:07.74\00:24:10.21
Thus God's people
exposed to the deceptive power
00:24:10.25\00:24:13.15
and unsleeping malice
of the prince of darkness,
00:24:13.18\00:24:16.02
and in conflict with
all the forces of evil,
00:24:16.05\00:24:18.75
are assured of the
unceasing guardianship
00:24:18.79\00:24:22.06
of heavenly angels.
00:24:22.09\00:24:23.43
Is that good news? Amen.
00:24:23.46\00:24:24.79
Amen.
00:24:24.83\00:24:27.16
You know, in another compilation
00:24:27.20\00:24:28.53
she wrote, the book
Maranatha, she wrote this,
00:24:28.56\00:24:32.47
"God has worlds upon worlds
that are obedient to His law.
00:24:32.50\00:24:39.21
These worlds are
conducted with reference
00:24:39.24\00:24:41.18
to the glory of their Creator.
00:24:41.21\00:24:43.95
And as the
inhabitants of these worlds see
00:24:43.98\00:24:46.38
the great price
that has been paid
00:24:46.41\00:24:49.08
to ransom man, they
are filled with amazement."
00:24:49.12\00:24:54.09
An un-fallen world, they
look at the struggle down here,
00:24:54.12\00:24:57.06
they see the great
price that Christ has paid
00:24:57.09\00:24:59.93
to redeem man, and
they are astonished.
00:24:59.96\00:25:03.87
And this one she
wrote about in the book,
00:25:03.90\00:25:05.50
Patriarchs and Prophets,
one of my favorite books.
00:25:05.53\00:25:08.77
She said, "The whole
universe had been witness
00:25:08.80\00:25:10.71
to the scenes at Sinai.
00:25:10.74\00:25:13.14
In the working yard of
the two administrations,
00:25:13.17\00:25:15.21
we've seen the contrast
00:25:15.24\00:25:16.88
between the government
of God and that of Satan."
00:25:16.91\00:25:20.72
She says, "Again
the sinless inhabitants
00:25:20.75\00:25:22.55
of other worlds
00:25:22.58\00:25:23.92
beheld the results
of Satan's apostasy,
00:25:23.95\00:25:27.19
and the kind of government
He would have established
00:25:27.22\00:25:29.22
in heaven if He'd been
permitted to bear sway."
00:25:29.26\00:25:32.89
And this one in a compilation,
That I May Know Him,
00:25:32.93\00:25:36.60
she says " We should
consider that it was not merely
00:25:36.63\00:25:39.23
to accomplish
the redemption of man
00:25:39.27\00:25:41.54
that Christ came to earth,
00:25:41.57\00:25:44.04
it was not merely
that the inhabitants
00:25:44.07\00:25:45.74
of this little world
might regard the law of God
00:25:45.77\00:25:48.88
as it should be regarded,
00:25:48.91\00:25:51.01
but it was to
demonstrate to all the worlds
00:25:51.05\00:25:54.25
that God's law is unchangeable
00:25:54.28\00:25:56.65
and that the
wages of sin is death."
00:25:56.69\00:25:59.25
The whole story
isn't just on this planet.
00:25:59.29\00:26:01.22
Is that right?
00:26:01.26\00:26:02.79
It's a much
more universal story.
00:26:02.82\00:26:05.43
And this one, in The Review
and Herald article in 1896,
00:26:05.46\00:26:09.63
she said, "Many seem to
have the idea that this world
00:26:09.66\00:26:12.57
and the heavenly mansions
constitute the universe of God.
00:26:12.60\00:26:16.64
Not so.
00:26:16.67\00:26:18.67
The redeemed throng will
range from world to world,
00:26:18.71\00:26:23.24
and much of their
time will be employed
00:26:23.28\00:26:24.98
in searching out the
mysteries of redemption.
00:26:25.01\00:26:28.45
And throughout the
whole stretch of eternity
00:26:28.48\00:26:31.69
this subject will
be continually opening
00:26:31.72\00:26:34.86
to their minds."
00:26:34.89\00:26:37.49
She said, "The
privileges of those who overcome
00:26:37.53\00:26:39.96
by the blood of the Lamb
00:26:40.00\00:26:41.53
and the word of their testimony
are beyond comprehension."
00:26:41.56\00:26:46.50
Friends, you don't
want to miss out, do you?
00:26:46.53\00:26:49.14
You don't want to miss that.
00:26:49.17\00:26:52.01
And in the book,
Adventist Home, she wrote this,
00:26:52.04\00:26:55.14
she wrote a
chapter on the privileges
00:26:55.18\00:26:57.58
of the redeemed with
these terms, she said,
00:26:57.61\00:27:02.12
"The Lord has given me
a view of other worlds.
00:27:02.15\00:27:05.45
Wings were given me,
and an angel attended me
00:27:05.49\00:27:08.42
from the city to a place
that was bright and glorious."
00:27:08.46\00:27:11.69
Out of this city
to another world.
00:27:11.73\00:27:15.66
"The grass of the
place was living green,
00:27:15.70\00:27:18.33
and the bird there
warbled a sweet song."
00:27:18.37\00:27:20.64
Bird...
00:27:20.67\00:27:22.30
The inhabitants of the
place were of all sizes,
00:27:22.34\00:27:25.11
they were noble,
majestic, and lovely.
00:27:25.14\00:27:28.88
They bore the
express image of Jesus,
00:27:28.91\00:27:32.05
and their countenances
beamed with holy joy,
00:27:32.08\00:27:35.28
expressive of the freedom
and happiness of the place."
00:27:35.32\00:27:39.42
She said, "I asked one of them
00:27:39.45\00:27:40.99
why they were
so much more lovely
00:27:41.02\00:27:42.66
than those on the earth.
00:27:42.69\00:27:44.56
The reply was, 'We have
lived in strict obedience
00:27:44.59\00:27:48.00
to the commandments of God.
00:27:48.03\00:27:49.36
We have not
fallen in disobedience,
00:27:49.40\00:27:52.53
like those on the earth.'"
00:27:52.57\00:27:56.17
Then she said, "I saw two trees,
00:27:56.20\00:28:00.61
one looked much like the
tree of life in the city.
00:28:00.64\00:28:04.18
The fruit of both
looked beautiful."
00:28:04.21\00:28:07.15
Now notice this, "but
of one they could not eat.
00:28:07.18\00:28:12.52
They had power to eat of both,
00:28:12.55\00:28:14.86
but were
forbidden to eat of one."
00:28:14.89\00:28:17.43
Well, the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil
00:28:17.46\00:28:22.50
is also present on other worlds.
00:28:22.53\00:28:26.53
Imagine that, the
beings on other worlds
00:28:26.57\00:28:30.44
have an opportunity
00:28:30.47\00:28:33.84
to choose evil.
00:28:33.88\00:28:38.38
They have a choice
00:28:38.41\00:28:39.75
and that is the
basis of their choice.
00:28:39.78\00:28:42.22
But they don't choose it.
00:28:42.25\00:28:45.15
Then my
attending angel said to me,
00:28:45.19\00:28:47.52
"None in this place have
tasted of the forbidden tree,
00:28:47.56\00:28:50.33
but if they should
eat, they would fall."
00:28:50.36\00:28:53.93
Well, the thing is this,
00:28:53.96\00:28:57.40
perhaps because I can see
00:28:57.43\00:28:58.77
what has
happened on this planet,
00:28:58.80\00:29:00.84
and believe it or
not, we are all on stage
00:29:00.87\00:29:04.24
in the theater of the
universe, what do you say?
00:29:04.27\00:29:07.68
This isn't a battle
going on this planet only.
00:29:07.71\00:29:11.41
We are warriors.
00:29:11.45\00:29:12.78
We are representatives of Christ
00:29:12.81\00:29:15.18
in the trenches
of a fallen world.
00:29:15.22\00:29:18.22
And not only are people
on this world watching us,
00:29:18.25\00:29:21.06
but un-fallen beings on
other worlds are watching
00:29:21.09\00:29:24.29
who we represent, not
only by what we do on Sabbath,
00:29:24.33\00:29:29.10
but what we do
every day of the week,
00:29:29.13\00:29:31.87
by how we talk to our friends,
by how we talk to our spouses,
00:29:31.90\00:29:36.67
by what we
think, by what we eat,
00:29:36.71\00:29:40.91
by what we dress, by what we do.
00:29:40.94\00:29:44.01
All of these
actions demonstrate, exhibit
00:29:44.05\00:29:48.18
who it is we're really serving.
00:29:48.22\00:29:50.29
By what we watch,
00:29:50.32\00:29:52.35
it demonstrates
who were serving.
00:29:52.39\00:29:54.42
Do you believe
that? How important is it?
00:29:54.46\00:29:57.26
Let me ask God
for supernatural power
00:29:57.29\00:29:59.49
to overcome sin and represent
His character correctly,
00:29:59.53\00:30:03.06
what do you say?
00:30:03.10\00:30:04.43
She said, "Then I
was taken to a world
00:30:08.04\00:30:09.84
which had seven moons.
00:30:09.87\00:30:11.81
There I saw good-old
Enoch, who had been translated."
00:30:11.84\00:30:16.14
Wow!
00:30:16.18\00:30:17.88
I'm looking forward to
meeting Enoch, aren't you?
00:30:17.91\00:30:20.55
Well, and Elijah too.
00:30:20.58\00:30:23.82
"On his right arm he
bore a glorious palm,
00:30:23.85\00:30:26.45
and on each leaf
was written 'Victory.'
00:30:26.49\00:30:29.16
Around his head was a
dazzling white wreath,
00:30:29.19\00:30:31.79
and leaves on the wreath,
and in the middle of each leaf
00:30:31.83\00:30:34.86
was written
'Purity,' and around the wreath
00:30:34.90\00:30:38.20
were stones of various colors,
00:30:38.23\00:30:39.90
that shone
brighter than the stars
00:30:39.93\00:30:42.20
and cast a reflection
00:30:42.24\00:30:43.57
upon the letters
and magnified them.
00:30:43.61\00:30:46.54
On the back part
of his head was a bow
00:30:46.57\00:30:49.21
that confined the wreath,
00:30:49.24\00:30:50.88
and upon the bow
was written 'Holiness.'
00:30:50.91\00:30:55.08
Above the wreath
was a lovely crown
00:30:55.12\00:30:57.19
that shone
brighter than the sun.
00:30:57.22\00:31:00.29
I asked him if
this was the place
00:31:00.32\00:31:02.32
he was taken to from the earth.
00:31:02.36\00:31:04.79
He said, 'It is
not; the city is my home,
00:31:04.83\00:31:07.83
I've just come to
visit this place.'
00:31:07.86\00:31:10.90
He moved about the
place as if perfectly at home.
00:31:10.93\00:31:14.50
I begged of my attending angel
to let me remain in that place.
00:31:14.54\00:31:18.21
I could not bear the
thought of coming back
00:31:18.24\00:31:20.38
to this dark world again.
00:31:20.41\00:31:22.81
But then, the angel said
to me, 'You must go back.
00:31:22.84\00:31:27.58
And if you are faithful,
you, with the 144,000 shall have
00:31:27.62\00:31:32.32
the privilege of
visiting all the worlds
00:31:32.35\00:31:35.69
and viewing the
handiwork of God.'"
00:31:35.72\00:31:37.56
Wow!
00:31:37.59\00:31:38.93
What do you say, friends? Wow!
00:31:38.96\00:31:44.37
"Heaven is a
good place," she said,
00:31:44.40\00:31:46.94
"I long to be there
and behold my lovely Jesus,
00:31:46.97\00:31:50.54
who gave His life for me,
00:31:50.57\00:31:52.84
and be changed into
His glorious image."
00:31:52.87\00:31:55.48
Are you looking forward to that?
00:31:55.51\00:31:56.98
Wow!
00:31:57.01\00:31:58.68
She says, "Oh!
00:31:58.71\00:32:00.05
For language to
express the glory
00:32:00.08\00:32:01.75
of the bright world to come!"
00:32:01.78\00:32:04.09
She said, "I thirst
for the living streams
00:32:04.12\00:32:06.99
that make glad
the city of our God."
00:32:07.02\00:32:11.06
Well, Ellen White
didn't have the benefit
00:32:11.09\00:32:12.73
of Hubble Space Telescope
or any other technology
00:32:12.76\00:32:15.30
the NASA could cook up.
00:32:15.33\00:32:17.47
Well, she certainly
didn't need it, did she?
00:32:17.50\00:32:20.17
And she surely saw much
more than we could ever hope
00:32:20.20\00:32:22.70
to say with our
technology today.
00:32:22.74\00:32:25.97
And yet, she still
could not find the language
00:32:26.01\00:32:28.71
to accurately describe
the wonders that she saw.
00:32:28.74\00:32:32.71
Well, we're
going to take a look at
00:32:32.75\00:32:34.08
what has been
revealed by NASA and Hubble.
00:32:34.12\00:32:37.49
You see in this picture,
00:32:37.52\00:32:38.95
a close-up,
look at the Pleiades,
00:32:38.99\00:32:41.56
mentioned in the Book of Job.
00:32:41.59\00:32:43.66
And you can see
this star cluster
00:32:43.69\00:32:45.19
with your naked eye
or a good telescope.
00:32:45.23\00:32:48.10
And maybe Job could see
it even clearer in his day.
00:32:48.13\00:32:50.53
Did you ever look for
that, through the telescope?
00:32:50.57\00:32:52.93
And here is one
of the Orion Nebula,
00:32:56.07\00:32:58.84
one of the most
fascinating objects
00:32:58.87\00:33:00.78
in our Milky Way.
00:33:00.81\00:33:03.31
And this one is a
closer view of Orion.
00:33:03.35\00:33:05.31
And another one closer still
00:33:08.55\00:33:12.65
and this one is an
extremely close-up view
00:33:12.69\00:33:15.52
of amazing objects in
Orion described by NASA
00:33:15.56\00:33:20.96
as newly forming
planetary system.
00:33:21.00\00:33:23.60
They're called Proplyds.
00:33:23.63\00:33:28.00
And these things
are forming star system
00:33:28.04\00:33:31.21
just like our Milky Way.
00:33:31.24\00:33:32.57
Each one of these things,
you see in the screen there,
00:33:32.61\00:33:35.54
is actually a star system
like a Milky Way in formation.
00:33:35.58\00:33:39.51
This is awesome.
00:33:39.55\00:33:41.62
When you look at that,
if you take a close-up view
00:33:41.65\00:33:43.89
of these things, it
is absolutely awesome.
00:33:43.92\00:33:48.86
Maybe it's why, one reason why,
Orion is called a Star Factory.
00:33:48.89\00:33:53.73
Now back to Ellen
White's first vision
00:33:53.76\00:33:55.63
where she described her
journey to the Heavenly City
00:33:55.66\00:33:58.93
was taking seven days.
00:33:58.97\00:34:01.97
We're gonna take another
look and listen carefully
00:34:02.00\00:34:05.87
to what she said about Orion.
00:34:05.91\00:34:09.84
She said, "We all
entered the cloud together,
00:34:09.88\00:34:12.35
and were seven days
ascending to the sea of glass,
00:34:12.38\00:34:16.82
when Jesus brought the crowns,
00:34:16.85\00:34:19.12
and with His own right
hand placed them on our heads.
00:34:19.15\00:34:22.42
He gave us harps of
gold and palms of victory."
00:34:22.46\00:34:26.36
She said, "Dark
heavy clouds came up
00:34:26.39\00:34:28.06
and clashed against each other.
00:34:28.10\00:34:29.86
The atmosphere
parted and rolled back.
00:34:29.90\00:34:32.30
Then we could look up
00:34:32.33\00:34:33.67
through the open space in Orion,
00:34:33.70\00:34:35.77
whence came the voice of God,
'The Holy City will come down
00:34:35.80\00:34:41.81
through that open space.'"
00:34:41.84\00:34:46.08
How interesting!
00:34:46.11\00:34:47.98
The Holy City will descend
00:34:48.02\00:34:49.75
through that
open space in Orion.
00:34:49.78\00:34:52.29
Maybe NASA doesn't realize it
00:34:52.32\00:34:54.36
but the Holy
Spirit is inspiring them
00:34:54.39\00:34:56.29
to take a close
look at this place.
00:34:56.32\00:34:59.76
The scientific
relevance of this statement
00:34:59.79\00:35:01.70
is fascinating
because Orion is in line
00:35:01.73\00:35:05.30
with the earth's
celestial equator,
00:35:05.33\00:35:07.94
and celestial objects
near this theoretical line
00:35:07.97\00:35:10.67
are visible worldwide.
00:35:10.71\00:35:12.77
And this fact
gives great relevance
00:35:12.81\00:35:15.28
to the Bible statement
00:35:15.31\00:35:16.78
about the second
coming in Revelation 1:7,
00:35:16.81\00:35:19.48
which says this,
"Behold, He cometh with clouds,
00:35:19.51\00:35:23.49
and every eye shall see Him,
00:35:23.52\00:35:27.99
and they also which pierced Him,
00:35:28.02\00:35:29.66
and all kindred's
of the earth shall wail
00:35:29.69\00:35:31.83
because of Him.
00:35:31.86\00:35:33.19
Even so, Amen."
00:35:33.23\00:35:35.26
Well, if the Holy
City is going to come down
00:35:35.30\00:35:37.23
through that
open space in Orion,
00:35:37.27\00:35:39.47
as Ellen White said,
00:35:39.50\00:35:41.10
so that it will
be seen by every eye,
00:35:41.14\00:35:44.17
then it would seem very likely
that Jesus will also return
00:35:44.21\00:35:48.14
through that same
open space in Orion.
00:35:48.18\00:35:53.08
What are you thinking about?
00:35:53.11\00:35:54.45
I can't prove that,
but it looks interesting.
00:35:54.48\00:35:58.85
And perhaps it will also
mean that God's remnant people
00:35:58.89\00:36:01.66
will complete their seven-day
return journey with Him
00:36:01.69\00:36:05.03
back through
Orion to the Holy City.
00:36:05.06\00:36:10.13
Rosemarie pointed out
to us yesterday afternoon,
00:36:10.17\00:36:12.30
after talking to you about this,
00:36:12.33\00:36:13.77
about this
journey to the Holy City.
00:36:13.80\00:36:16.20
She ever wondered why
its got to take seven days.
00:36:16.24\00:36:19.91
She made the comment that,
remember in Old Testament times
00:36:19.94\00:36:22.51
when someone overcome,
00:36:22.54\00:36:23.88
someone conquered
a city or a nation,
00:36:23.91\00:36:25.98
they brought all
the captives back
00:36:26.01\00:36:27.35
and they paraded them around.
00:36:27.38\00:36:29.35
Well, may be God
is going to take us,
00:36:29.38\00:36:31.69
His captives from
birth, He's going to take them
00:36:31.72\00:36:34.16
around heaven, a
journey through heaven
00:36:34.19\00:36:36.46
for seven days
parading the captives,
00:36:36.49\00:36:39.63
the victors, the
victory march to heaven.
00:36:39.66\00:36:42.80
Wow! Think about that.
00:36:42.83\00:36:45.60
It's a fascinating idea,
00:36:45.63\00:36:47.34
especially in the
light of this amazing video
00:36:47.37\00:36:49.84
from NASA and
the Hubble telescope,
00:36:49.87\00:36:52.37
zooming right down into
the open space in Orion.
00:36:52.41\00:36:56.11
And as you watch this
video, let your mind imagine
00:36:56.14\00:36:59.51
that this is
just a brief glimpse
00:36:59.55\00:37:01.62
of what our journey home
00:37:01.65\00:37:03.05
to the heavenly
City is going to be like.
00:37:03.08\00:37:05.82
All the
treasures of the universe
00:37:18.60\00:37:20.47
will be open to the
study of God's redeemed,
00:37:20.50\00:37:23.47
unfettered by mortality,
00:37:23.51\00:37:25.44
they've wing
their tireless flight
00:37:25.47\00:37:27.41
to world's afar.
00:37:27.44\00:37:29.04
Worlds that shrilled
with sorrow at the spectacle
00:37:29.08\00:37:32.08
of human woe and
rang with glad songs
00:37:32.11\00:37:35.98
at their tidings
of a ransom soul,
00:37:36.02\00:37:38.82
with unutterable
delight the children of earth
00:37:38.85\00:37:41.62
enter into the joy and
wisdom of un-fallen beings.
00:37:41.66\00:37:45.66
They share the
treasures of knowledge
00:37:45.69\00:37:47.50
and understanding
gained through ages and ages
00:37:47.53\00:37:50.57
of contemplation
of God's handiwork.
00:37:50.60\00:37:53.74
With un-dim
vision they gazed upon
00:37:53.77\00:37:56.54
the glory of creation, the
sun, and stars, and systems
00:37:56.57\00:38:01.08
all in their appointed order
circling the throne of deity.
00:38:01.11\00:38:06.35
Upon all things, from
the least to the greatest,
00:38:06.38\00:38:09.65
the Creator's name is written,
00:38:09.68\00:38:12.22
and in all the riches
of his power displayed.
00:38:12.25\00:38:15.96
And years of eternity as
they roll will bring richer
00:38:15.99\00:38:19.89
and still more
glorious revelation
00:38:19.93\00:38:22.23
of God and of Christ.
00:38:22.26\00:38:25.03
As knowledge is progressive,
00:38:25.07\00:38:26.90
so will love, reverence,
and happiness increase.
00:38:26.94\00:38:31.27
The more men learn of
God, the greater will be
00:38:31.31\00:38:34.21
their admiration
of His character.
00:38:34.24\00:38:37.28
As Jesus opens before
them riches of redemption
00:38:37.31\00:38:40.62
and amazing achievements
of the great controversy
00:38:40.65\00:38:43.49
with Satan, the
hearts of the Ransom
00:38:43.52\00:38:46.32
thrilled with
more fervent devotion,
00:38:46.35\00:38:49.69
and with more rapturous joy
they sweep the harps of gold.
00:38:49.72\00:38:54.20
And 10,000 times 10,000
00:38:54.23\00:38:57.10
and thousands of
thousands of voices
00:38:57.13\00:39:00.07
unite to swell a
mighty chorus of praise,
00:39:00.10\00:39:05.27
In Revelation 5:13, we
read, "And every creature
00:39:05.31\00:39:10.11
within heaven, and on the earth,
00:39:10.15\00:39:12.91
and under the earth,
and such as are in the sea,
00:39:12.95\00:39:16.55
and all that are in
them, heard I saying,
00:39:16.58\00:39:20.12
'Blessing, and
honor, and glory, and power,
00:39:20.16\00:39:23.06
be unto him that
sitteth upon the throne,
00:39:23.09\00:39:26.03
and unto the Lamb
for ever and ever.'"
00:39:26.06\00:39:29.83
The great controversy is ended.
00:39:29.86\00:39:32.63
Sin and sinners are no more.
00:39:32.67\00:39:35.64
The entire universe is
clean, one pulse of harmony
00:39:35.67\00:39:40.34
and gladness beats
through the vast creation
00:39:40.38\00:39:44.25
from Him who created
all flow life, and light,
00:39:44.28\00:39:48.22
and gladness
00:39:48.25\00:39:49.65
throughout the
realms of illimitable space,
00:39:49.68\00:39:53.12
from the minutest
atom to the greatest world,
00:39:53.15\00:39:57.16
all things animate and inanimate
00:39:57.19\00:40:00.06
in their un-shadowed beauty
00:40:00.10\00:40:02.16
and perfect joy
declare that God is love.
00:40:02.20\00:40:07.74
Friends, as Ellen White
said, "We are homeward bound.
00:40:22.85\00:40:28.59
He loved us so
much to die for us,
00:40:28.62\00:40:30.69
has builded for us a city.
00:40:30.73\00:40:33.29
The New Jerusalem
is our place of rest.
00:40:33.33\00:40:38.87
There will be no
sadness in the city of God.
00:40:38.90\00:40:41.97
No wail of sorrow, no
dirge of crushed hopes,
00:40:42.00\00:40:45.11
and buried affections
will ever more be heard,
00:40:45.14\00:40:47.34
isn't that good news?
00:40:47.38\00:40:50.18
Soon the garments of
heaviness will be changed
00:40:50.21\00:40:52.75
for the wedding garment.
00:40:52.78\00:40:54.85
Soon we shall witness
the coronation of our King.
00:40:54.88\00:41:00.02
Those whose lives have
been hidden with Christ,
00:41:00.06\00:41:04.19
those who on
this earth have fought
00:41:04.23\00:41:05.96
the good fight of faith,
00:41:05.99\00:41:07.93
will shine forth
with the Redeemer's glory
00:41:07.96\00:41:10.63
in the kingdom of God."
00:41:10.67\00:41:12.00
What do you say?
You want to to do that?
00:41:12.03\00:41:14.30
I tell you what,
it makes everything
00:41:14.34\00:41:15.67
on this planet worthwhile.
00:41:15.70\00:41:17.97
It will not be long
till we shall see Him,
00:41:18.01\00:41:21.38
on whom our hopes of
eternal lives are centered.
00:41:21.41\00:41:24.91
And in his presence all
the trials and suffering
00:41:24.95\00:41:27.75
of this life will
be as nothing else,
00:41:27.78\00:41:31.59
therefore as it
says in Hebrews 10:35-37,
00:41:31.62\00:41:36.79
"Cast not away
therefore your confidence,
00:41:36.83\00:41:39.79
which hath great
recompense of reward."
00:41:39.83\00:41:41.80
He does, doesn't He?
00:41:41.83\00:41:43.43
Great recompense of reward.
00:41:43.47\00:41:45.90
"For ye have need
of patience, that,
00:41:45.93\00:41:48.30
after ye have
done the will of God,
00:41:48.34\00:41:50.71
ye might receive the promise.
00:41:50.74\00:41:52.94
For yet a little while,
00:41:52.97\00:41:54.38
and He that shall come
will come, and will not tarry."
00:41:54.41\00:41:59.11
Look up, look up,
00:41:59.15\00:42:02.78
and let your faith
continually increase.
00:42:02.82\00:42:06.35
Let this faith guide
you along the narrow path
00:42:06.39\00:42:09.22
that leads through the
gates of the city of God
00:42:09.26\00:42:12.36
into the great beyond, the wide,
00:42:12.39\00:42:15.63
unbounded future of
glory that is for the redeemed.
00:42:15.66\00:42:20.34
Listen to this final message
from Pastor John Bradshaw
00:42:20.37\00:42:23.71
and the Fountainview Orchestra,
00:42:23.74\00:42:25.57
"Jesus is coming again."
00:42:25.61\00:42:31.21
And really that's
what it's all about,
00:42:31.25\00:42:34.05
being reunited with
our good friend Jesus,
00:42:34.08\00:42:37.42
and that's what God wants.
00:42:37.45\00:42:39.45
This production
demonstrates that, you know,
00:42:39.49\00:42:41.22
speaking of earthquakes
more than 6,000 years ago,
00:42:41.26\00:42:44.69
there was a great earthquake
in the Garden of Eden,
00:42:44.73\00:42:47.06
the greatest earthquake
ever to strike this earth.
00:42:47.10\00:42:49.26
It was the earthquake of sin
00:42:49.30\00:42:50.90
because sin
separates us from God.
00:42:50.93\00:42:54.40
The human family and
a Holy God was separated
00:42:54.44\00:42:56.64
which is why God sent
Jesus into this world,
00:42:56.67\00:43:00.01
to bring us back
into harmony with God.
00:43:00.04\00:43:03.45
The light of
truth burned brightly
00:43:03.48\00:43:05.28
in the early Christian
church, but before long,
00:43:05.31\00:43:07.98
it was obscured.
00:43:08.02\00:43:09.35
The dark ages came.
00:43:09.38\00:43:10.72
They were dark because
there was no light of truth.
00:43:10.75\00:43:13.92
Then came the
reformers, and slowly
00:43:13.96\00:43:17.06
but surely the light of truth
00:43:17.09\00:43:19.19
started to shine brightly again.
00:43:19.23\00:43:21.36
Not just truth as a theory,
00:43:21.40\00:43:24.47
but truth in
the person of Jesus.
00:43:24.50\00:43:28.07
You see as we look
back over where we've been
00:43:28.10\00:43:30.04
as we've spent
this time together,
00:43:30.07\00:43:31.67
what we see is that God
is doing everything he can
00:43:31.71\00:43:35.84
to get us to the
place where we are ready
00:43:35.88\00:43:38.51
to spend eternity with him.
00:43:38.55\00:43:41.05
I hope, you'll
take the opportunity
00:43:41.08\00:43:42.68
to read the book that
this production is based on.
00:43:42.72\00:43:45.35
I can recommend it personally.
00:43:45.39\00:43:47.19
It's the book
outside of the Bible
00:43:47.22\00:43:49.96
that absolutely changed my life.
00:43:49.99\00:43:52.89
Read it, be
encouraged, be blessed.
00:43:52.93\00:43:55.20
See the fingerprints of
God down through history
00:43:55.23\00:43:59.13
leading to the place
when that great day comes,
00:43:59.17\00:44:02.70
the sky splits wide
open and Jesus appears.
00:44:02.74\00:44:06.78
Friend, is the appearance
of Jesus your great hope?
00:44:06.81\00:44:10.65
It can be, it must be.
00:44:10.68\00:44:13.62
If you open up your
heart to Jesus Christ,
00:44:13.65\00:44:16.58
then what Jesus did
when he was on the earth,
00:44:16.62\00:44:19.02
what the Reformers did
when they put their lives
00:44:19.05\00:44:21.59
in peril to deliver us truth
00:44:21.62\00:44:23.73
and light will
all be for something.
00:44:23.76\00:44:26.90
There's something
you can look forward
00:44:26.93\00:44:28.53
to beyond the
hurt, and the heartbreak,
00:44:28.56\00:44:30.63
and the disappointments,
and the trials of this world.
00:44:30.67\00:44:33.60
You can look forward
to the return of Jesus.
00:44:33.64\00:44:36.87
When He comes back,
He wants to take you home
00:44:36.91\00:44:40.71
to be with Him forever.
00:44:40.74\00:44:43.65
The best news is
Jesus is coming again.
00:44:43.68\00:44:49.18
Lift up the
trumpet, and loud let it ring
00:45:53.88\00:45:58.12
Jesus is coming again
00:45:58.15\00:46:02.52
Cheer up, ye
pilgrims, be joyful and sin
00:46:02.56\00:46:07.03
Jesus is coming again
00:46:07.06\00:46:11.40
Coming again, coming again
00:46:11.43\00:46:16.04
Jesus is coming again
00:46:16.07\00:46:20.21
Echo it, hilltops
proclaim it, ye plains
00:46:30.02\00:46:34.52
Jesus is coming again
00:46:34.56\00:46:38.96
Coming in glory,
the Lamb that was slain
00:46:38.99\00:46:43.80
Jesus is coming again
00:46:43.83\00:46:48.30
Coming again, coming again
00:46:48.34\00:46:52.94
Jesus is coming again
00:46:52.97\00:46:57.91
Heaving's of earth, tell
the vast, wondering throng
00:47:13.70\00:47:18.30
Jesus is coming again
00:47:18.33\00:47:23.47
Tempests and whirlwinds,
00:47:23.51\00:47:26.11
The anthem prolong
00:47:26.14\00:47:31.01
Jesus is coming again
00:47:31.05\00:47:37.49
Coming again
00:47:37.52\00:47:43.32
Coming again
00:47:43.36\00:47:49.36
Jesus is
00:47:49.40\00:47:52.00
Coming again
00:47:52.03\00:47:58.74
Nations are
angry, by this we do know
00:48:10.29\00:48:15.02
Jesus is coming again
00:48:15.06\00:48:19.86
Knowledge
increases, men run to and fro
00:48:19.89\00:48:24.63
Jesus is coming again
00:48:24.67\00:48:29.90
Coming again, coming again
00:48:29.94\00:48:34.84
Jesus is coming again
00:48:34.88\00:48:39.85
Coming again, coming again
00:48:39.88\00:48:44.52
Jesus is coming again
00:48:44.55\00:48:49.59
Coming again, coming again
00:48:49.62\00:48:54.23
Jesus is coming again.
00:48:54.26\00:48:58.03
Coming again
00:48:58.07\00:49:02.90
What do you say?
00:49:11.38\00:49:12.71
Amen. Amen.
00:49:12.75\00:49:14.82
You're looking forward to that?
00:49:14.85\00:49:16.75
There's nothing
to compare with it.
00:49:16.79\00:49:20.26
Now for our viewers
who've been watching
00:49:20.29\00:49:21.82
this program, you
heard Pastor Bradshaw
00:49:21.86\00:49:25.29
talk about the
great controversy.
00:49:25.33\00:49:28.76
And if you'd like
a copy of the music
00:49:28.80\00:49:30.53
that you've seen on this program
00:49:30.57\00:49:31.90
together with a copy
of the great controversy,
00:49:31.93\00:49:34.70
here's the information
you need, take up your pen,
00:49:34.74\00:49:37.11
get your phone and be prepared.
00:49:37.14\00:49:39.11
Inspired by the Reformation,
00:49:44.05\00:49:45.91
The Great Controversy
DVD production is a musical
00:49:45.95\00:49:49.15
and historical
journey through Europe.
00:49:49.18\00:49:51.79
It Is writtens' John Bradshaw
joins Fountainview Academy
00:49:51.82\00:49:55.42
to host this production,
00:49:55.46\00:49:56.79
filmed in five
different countries of Europe,
00:49:56.83\00:49:59.29
at historically
meaningful sites.
00:49:59.33\00:50:01.96
These young
musicians share not only music,
00:50:02.00\00:50:04.70
but personal testimonies
00:50:04.73\00:50:06.10
and powerful reformation stories
00:50:06.13\00:50:08.27
still relevant
to our lives today.
00:50:08.30\00:50:10.21
To order your own set of
The Great Controversy DVD
00:50:13.27\00:50:15.94
and book by Fountainview Academy
00:50:15.98\00:50:17.55
or Writtens' singers,
visit their online web store
00:50:17.58\00:50:20.28
at Store.Fountainview.ca.
00:50:20.32\00:50:24.35
That's Store.Fountainview.ca.
00:50:24.39\00:50:28.52
Or you may call
them in North America
00:50:28.56\00:50:30.76
on 1877 490 4141.
00:50:30.79\00:50:35.36
Let us pray.
00:50:40.67\00:50:42.00
Loving father, what a
joy it is to pray to You
00:50:46.57\00:50:50.48
and give thanks
and praise to You Lord,
00:50:50.51\00:50:53.48
for that what You've
prepared within that love You.
00:50:53.52\00:50:57.49
We are conscious
that we are mortal.
00:50:57.52\00:51:00.66
There's a great gulf between
us and You because of sin,
00:51:00.69\00:51:04.53
but Jesus has bridged that gulf.
00:51:04.56\00:51:08.10
Lord, we are so thankful,
00:51:08.13\00:51:10.57
and we accept
that mighty sacrifice.
00:51:10.60\00:51:13.17
We're so grateful for it, Lord.
00:51:13.20\00:51:16.00
Please forgive us our sins,
00:51:16.04\00:51:17.47
cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.
00:51:17.51\00:51:20.48
And move us by Your
spirit to want to be transformed
00:51:20.51\00:51:22.94
by the renewing of our mind,
00:51:22.98\00:51:25.81
that we might have a
mindset that is fit to be
00:51:25.85\00:51:29.08
a resident in the Holy City,
00:51:29.12\00:51:31.99
that we may
withstand all the trouble
00:51:32.02\00:51:34.22
that's in this world,
00:51:34.26\00:51:36.32
and perhaps of
more trouble to come.
00:51:36.36\00:51:38.99
Lord, we want to be
ready to go home with You,
00:51:39.03\00:51:41.36
and not only do
we want to be ready,
00:51:41.40\00:51:44.43
we want to have a
train of captives with us.
00:51:44.47\00:51:47.20
He will join us
on that victory march
00:51:47.24\00:51:49.20
of seven days
throughout the universe
00:51:49.24\00:51:52.51
displaying the
wonderful result of Jesus' work.
00:51:52.54\00:51:57.95
Please keep this
foremost in our mind
00:51:57.98\00:52:01.15
as we move forward
in this old dark world,
00:52:01.18\00:52:04.19
knowing that you
are coming again soon.
00:52:04.22\00:52:06.76
Help us to tell
as many as we can,
00:52:06.79\00:52:09.16
and to be ready ourselves
to meet you in the clouds
00:52:09.19\00:52:11.93
because we ask these
things in Jesus precious name.
00:52:11.96\00:52:15.30
Amen.
00:52:15.33\00:52:16.67