Participants: Christopher Hudson
Series Code: FRC
Program Code: FRC000011
|
00:45 Hi and you're now with
00:47 The Forerunner Chronicles. 00:49 All right everybody, I'd like to welcome you to 00:51 another special Forerunner Chronicle series, 00:54 and this one is entitled, "Rome's Revenge" 00:57 and I assure you, in this two-part series, 01:00 you are going to learn information 01:02 that is going to astound you. 01:04 Are you ready? Well, let's begin. 01:06 In the book of Revelation, chapter 1 beginning at verse 1 01:11 the Bible tells us, the revelation of Jesus Christ 01:14 which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants 01:18 things which must shortly come to pass 01:22 and He sent and signified it by his angel 01:25 to give unto his servant John 01:27 who bore record of the Word of God 01:30 and of the testimony of Jesus Christ 01:32 and of all things that he saw, blessed is he that readeth 01:37 and they that hear the words of this prophecy, 01:40 and keep those things, which are written therein 01:42 for the time is at hand. 01:45 Unlike any other book in the 66 books of the Bible, 01:50 the book of Revelation has a special blessing 01:54 that God has pronounced upon those that read the book 01:57 those that hear the words that are found within this book 02:01 and keep the teachings that are found within this book 02:04 in their hearts continually because the information 02:07 that God has revealed to us in the book of Revelation, 02:10 is getting ready to unfold even now. 02:14 And in the book of Revelation, 02:16 John bears record of the word of God, 02:18 the testimony of Jesus Christ 02:20 and of all the things that he saw. 02:23 Now many of us know what the Word of God is. 02:25 I hope we know what the Word of God is, 02:27 because it is so important for us 02:30 in our Christian development, because the Bible tells us 02:33 in John 17:17, 02:34 "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. " 02:37 The Word of God has been given to us 02:39 to make us holy, to make us pure, 02:41 to set us aside for God's special use, 02:44 to give us instruction as to how we can live 02:47 separate from this world, 02:48 and not according to the prince of the power of the air 02:51 the spirit which now worketh in the children of disobedience: 02:54 according to Ephesians 2 and verse 2. 02:57 That is the operation of the Word of God 03:00 in the hearts of God's people. 03:01 And many of us know 03:03 that John saw many interesting things 03:05 that he bears record of in the book of Revelation. 03:08 Many of those things terrify some of us 03:10 because we are not familiar with the information 03:13 that decodes the symbols that are found 03:16 within the book of Revelation. 03:17 But when you become familiarized with the information, 03:21 the truths within the Word of God, 03:22 that decodes the information 03:23 found within the book of Revelation, 03:25 it will become one of the most precious books to you 03:28 that you will ever read within the Bible. 03:31 But many of us, many of us do not know 03:33 what the testimony of Jesus Christ is. 03:35 Well, the Bible gives us additional information 03:38 as to what the testimony of Jesus Christ is, 03:41 in the book of Revelation, chapter 19 and verse 10. 03:44 We are told there, 03:45 "And I fell at His feet to worship Him. 03:47 And he said unto me, See thou do it not: 03:50 for I am thy fellow servant, 03:52 and of thy brethren 03:53 that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: 03:57 for the testimony of Jesus 03:59 is the spirit of prophecy. " 04:01 Ladies and Gentlemen, the testimony of Jesus Christ, 04:04 is not only the information found within the books 04:08 of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, it is the spirit of prophecy. 04:13 God has given us prophetic information, 04:16 as to help us understand 04:18 his work in heaven for us right now 04:21 and the things that will go on, on planet earth 04:24 as He is seeking to prepare a people 04:26 that can spend eternity with him. 04:28 The Bible tells us something more, 04:30 about Bible prophecy, the gift of prophecy, 04:34 in the book of 2nd Peter chapter 1 and verse 19. 04:38 We are told there, 04:40 "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; 04:43 whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, 04:46 as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, 04:48 until the day dawn, and the day star 04:51 arises in our hearts:" 04:53 you see, the more sure word of prophecy 04:56 is a guiding light for us in this world of darkness. 04:59 As a matter of fact, when you think of a light 05:01 that shines in the darkness, right before the day dawns 05:04 or right before the sun arises in the sky, 05:07 what light do you think of? 05:08 I hope you say, "the moon" 05:10 because you're right. 05:11 Look what the Bible tells us about the moon. 05:13 And in connection with the more sure word of prophecy, 05:16 you're going to see that God has given us something 05:19 very important and very special, in the book of Psalm chapter 89 05:23 and verse 37, we are told, 05:26 "It shall be established forever as the moon, 05:29 and as a faithful witness in heaven. " 05:31 You see, Ladies and Gentlemen, according to the Word of God, 05:35 the moon has been established as a faithful witness. 05:39 And what does a witness do? A witness testifies. 05:43 But now, what does the moon testify of? 05:46 Well, think about it, 05:47 every night when you see the moon shining in the sky, 05:51 you know that that light that's coming from the moon, 05:55 it's not coming from the moon itself, 05:58 the light that is being emitted from the moon, 06:01 is nothing more than a reflection 06:03 of the light that comes from the sun, 06:05 so, every night, no matter how dark it is, 06:09 if you can see the moon shining in the sky, 06:13 it testifies to the fact that though you cannot see the sun, 06:17 the sun is in existence 06:20 because the moon is reflecting the light of the sun on you. 06:24 Did you know that the Bible speaks of a spiritual sun? 06:29 In the book of Revelation chapter 22 and verse 16 06:33 we are told there "I Jesus have sent mine angel 06:37 to testify these things unto you in the churches. 06:41 I am the root and the offspring of David, 06:45 I am the bright and morning star. " 06:48 Jesus Christ is the morning star and the morning star is the sun. 06:54 Then, in the book of Revelation, chapter 1 and verse 16, 06:58 which is a description of Jesus Christ 07:00 we are told there, "In his right hand were 7 stars: 07:04 and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: 07:08 and his countenance was as the sun 07:10 shineth in his strength. " 07:12 Once again, Jesus Christ is the spiritual sun 07:17 and God has given us the more sure word of prophecy 07:21 the gift of prophecy, the spirit of prophecy, 07:24 to act like the moon for the sun. 07:28 Let me explain this 07:29 a little bit more clearly. 07:31 You see, we learned earlier, in the book of 07:35 2 Peter chapter 1 and verse 19, 07:38 "We have also a more sure word of prophecy: 07:41 whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, 07:45 as unto a light that shineth in a dark place," 07:49 the same way that the moon shines 07:51 during the darkness of the night 07:53 "until the day dawns or the sun arises in the sky 07:58 and the day star arises in our hearts. " 08:02 Ladies and Gentlemen, 08:04 God has given us the more sure word of prophecy, 08:07 the testimony of Jesus Christ the spirit of prophecy, 08:11 for the purpose of guiding us during these dark hours 08:15 of our earth's existence. 08:16 During the time in which it seems 08:18 that all types of corruption and perversity 08:21 are taking root on all sides we can know, 08:24 although we cannot see Jesus Christ, 08:26 His presence is still there with us. 08:29 And He desires to give us life, and life more abundantly. 08:32 This is why the Bible tells us 08:34 in Revelation 1 and verse 3, 08:36 "Blessed is he that readeth, 08:38 and they that hear the words of this prophecy, 08:40 and keep those things which are written therein: 08:43 for the time is at hand. " 08:45 The blessing only comes when we keep those things 08:49 that are found within this book, 08:51 when we let these truths guide us, 08:53 and direct us and be the governor of all of our decisions 08:57 because the time is at hand, and Ladies and Gentlemen, 09:02 how close are we to the end of all things? 09:04 Well you are about to find out right now, 09:07 as I invite you to watch with me, 09:09 Part 1 of a special 09:12 Forerunner Chronicles documentary 09:13 "Rome's Revenge. " 09:15 Listen, he who doesn't remember his past, 09:23 is doomed to repeat it, because as a wise man once said, 09:28 "There really is no new thing under the sun. " 09:39 Amongst all the empires of antiquity, 09:43 there is one that stands out as noteworthy, 09:47 because of its impact, upon our contemporary society 09:52 I am speaking of the empire of Rome. 09:56 Imperial Rome was the first Republic, 10:00 a form of government that was previously unknown 10:03 in the history of our world, the Bible itself prophesied 10:07 of this historical fact in the book of Daniel chapter 7 10:12 in speaking of the 4th beast 10:15 which Daniel the prophet saw in vision 10:17 we are told in Daniel chapter 7 and verse 19, 10:21 "Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast 10:24 which was DIVERSE from all the others" 10:27 then in verse 23, the Bible expounds on this 10:32 prophetic symbol by giving us the additional information, 10:36 "Thus he said the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom 10:41 upon the earth which shall be DIVERSE from all kingdoms, 10:46 and shall devour the whole earth 10:48 and shall tread it down and break it in pieces. " 10:51 In its natural succession after the three prophetic beasts 10:56 or three kingdoms that preceded it, 10:59 the first of which was a lion with the wings of an eagle 11:03 which stands as a prophetic symbol of the empire of Babylon 11:07 which fell in the year 539 BC, the pagan Roman empire 11:14 was the fourth kingdom from that starting point 11:18 to ascend to global dominance, and without contest 11:23 it vastly deferred from all the kingdoms before it 11:27 for with the introduction of a never-known-before 11:30 Republican framework for its government, 11:33 the citizens of its dominion were given a role 11:37 in the political process, 11:39 and as it is described in Daniel chapter 7 and verse 23, 11:44 as devouring the whole earth, shredding it down 11:48 and breaking it in pieces so the pages of antiquity 11:52 of grief that the merciless Roman forces 11:56 with their infamous failings battle formation 12:00 obliterated any opposition to Roman supremacy. 12:05 However, there are several other identifiable attributes 12:10 of this former iron empire, that are certainly worthy 12:14 of analytical observation, one of which was 12:18 it's grossly large number of government dependence 12:21 but before we discuss this detestable precursor 12:25 to the decline of the Roman Empire, 12:28 it would be more than advantageous 12:31 for us to take a glimpse at the yesteryears of imperial Rome 12:36 during its youthful glory. 12:38 In its formative years the fledging Roman empire 12:46 was a society that was basically driven 12:48 by agricultural enterprises, sheepherders and small farmers 12:54 were the main arteries of its economy. 12:57 However, by the second century BC, 13:00 a major shift for the supposed betterment of society took place 13:05 large-scale businesses began to make their grand entrance 13:11 into Roman civilization which in turn 13:14 spurred a massive boom in immigrants pouring into Rome 13:19 from many lands who were seeking to capitalize 13:23 on the apparent economic opportunities 13:26 that Rome's rapid industrialization could afford 13:29 and as a result... many sections of Rome became urbanized 13:36 one of which was Italy, 13:38 all that the ambitious heart could desire 13:41 the womb of Mother Rome could provide 13:45 there was free enterprise, prosperity, commerce and trade 13:50 were ever blossoming and best of all 13:53 there was limited Government the successful merchant 13:57 was a social celebrity. 13:59 Furthermore, Rome's networks of communication 14:03 and roads of travel were a catalyst 14:06 for such rapidity that they could not be matched 14:10 until the invention of the 14:12 telegraph, the steamship and the railroad 14:15 in the 19th century. 14:17 In reference to Roman law in Arthur Ferrill's book, 14:22 "The Fall of the Roman Empire" he remarks, 14:25 that the benefits of the peace of Rome 14:28 or Pax Romana include the development of one of man's 14:32 most impressive codes of law, and an administrative system 14:37 that met needs of men of varied languages, 14:40 ethnic backgrounds, and cultural traditions. 14:43 The poet Virgil was not far from wrong 14:47 in claiming that his nation ruled the world 14:49 in peace and justice, 14:52 in addition to this most enviable system of justice 14:56 the political military might of the Roman Empire 15:01 was unquestionably the most dominant 15:04 of the Mediterranean and Europe but nonetheless 15:08 as it is the portion and plight 15:10 of all things that are temporal in nature 15:14 the magnificent glory of the Roman Empire 15:17 came to an end. 15:19 "Bur how," may you ask "did such a thing happened?" 15:22 Well the answer is simplistic, however, nonetheless shocking, 15:27 history shows that the decline of the Roman Empire 15:32 was due to a major change 15:35 in the principles of the Roman people. 15:38 Most notable was the radical shift in their ideas 15:42 concerning their source of personal income 15:46 and personal responsibility. 15:49 In its golden years, 15:50 the average Roman Citizen was independent, 15:54 as farmers and herders 15:56 each individual looked to themselves 15:58 as their source of livelihood. 16:01 They ate what they produced and they profited 16:04 from what they could obtain 16:06 from their own industrious efforts in the marketplace 16:10 and collectively the industrious citizens of Rome 16:14 were the stable foundation of their Country's economy. 16:19 But interestingly enough, as time progressed, 16:23 the descendants of the once industrious Roman patriarchs, 16:27 found a new viable source of income, 16:31 and that source of income was the State. 16:34 The Republic of Rome was the first Government 16:38 in the history of the nations to institute the Welfare System. 16:43 Emperor Aurelian changing the old practice 16:47 of giving the citizens wheat 16:48 so that they could bake their own bread 16:51 provided the Welfare recipients of the Roman Government 16:55 with baked bread, 16:57 and not only did the Government provide its welfare dependents, 17:00 with baked bread... but pork, olive oil and salt 17:04 were also included in their Welfare Grab Bag. 17:09 Furthermore, Emperor Aurelian in a landmark declaration 17:14 in AD 274 declared that the children of parents 17:20 that received Welfare benefits, were entitled by Right 17:24 to receive Government benefits as well, 17:27 making these Welfare recipients Government Dependents 17:32 from the cradle to the grave. 17:34 But the question arises as to why would the Government of Rome 17:40 do such a thing. 17:41 Well, the answer to this question is sad 17:45 but nevertheless it's factual. 17:48 In their desire to maintain control, but more importantly, 17:53 to invest more power into the Roman Republic 17:57 than the Framework of the 17:59 Republic-style Government afforded 18:01 that Heads of State sought to subtly strip the 18:05 Roman Citizens of their power within the political process 18:10 which they naturally maintained 18:12 as a result of their industrious lifestyles 18:16 that made them independent. 18:18 Therefore, to make them into surrendering their independence, 18:24 they offered them the securities and basic necessities 18:28 that they previously 18:29 had to rely on their individual industries to obtain, 18:33 thereby, turning a once-independent civilization 18:39 into a sick ward of Welfare Dependents. 18:43 And as the people became more dependent on the State, 18:48 the State became more independent of the people 18:52 and although Rome, until its demise, 18:55 retained the name of a Republic, 18:58 it was evident to even the most unlearned man of Society 19:03 that the beauty of Rome 19:05 had degenerated into an imperial tyranny. 19:09 Once the independent citizens became dependents of the State, 19:14 the Head of the Roman Republic knew 19:17 that they would have the power to do whatever they wanted, 19:21 because as the old adage says, 19:24 "You don't bite the hand that feeds you. " 19:28 And lastly, as an extra precautionary measure, 19:32 to ensure that they wouldn't have to deal with any 19:35 undesirable uprisings of the people, 19:38 the Government provided the citizens of Rome, 19:42 with an abundance of entertainment. 19:45 They called this, "Bread and Circus. " 19:48 In other words, 19:49 "Keep the people fed, and keep their minds preoccupied 19:53 with entertainment, and the Government can get away 19:56 with anything it wants. " 19:58 Now, the million dollar question is, how does this apply to you? 20:04 Well, if you live within the United States of America, 20:07 it has everything to do with you. 20:10 You see, the Bible tells us 20:13 in the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 1 and verse 10, 20:17 "Is there any thing whereof it may be said, 20:20 See this is new? 20:21 it hath been already of old time, 20:24 which was before us" 20:25 then, in Ecclesiastes chapter 3 and verse 15, 20:30 the Bible goes on to say, "That which hath been is now; 20:34 And that which is to be hath already been; 20:38 and God requireth 20:39 that which is past. " 20:41 Simply put, the events that took place in the past, 20:45 are taking place in our present-day Society. 20:48 And the events that are going to take place in the future, 20:51 hath in principle, at the very least, 20:54 taken place in the past. 20:56 And God wants us to be knowledgeable of world history 21:00 so that we can better understand why certain activities 21:04 are taking place in our world today 21:07 and what will be the inevitable results 21:11 we are going to reap from these actions in the near future. 21:15 Because, remember, 21:17 there really isn't anything new under the sun. 21:21 In the Bible, in the book of Revelation 21:24 the Roman Empire is actually identified 21:27 under a very terrifying symbol. 21:30 In Revelation chapter 12 and verse 3, 21:33 we are told, "And there appeared another wonder in heaven; 21:36 and behold a great, red dragon having seven heads 21:40 and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 21:44 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, 21:48 and did cast them to the earth: 21:50 and the dragon stood before the woman 21:53 to devour her child 21:55 as soon as it was born. " 21:57 Now this dragon here 21:59 in Revelation chapter 12 verses 3 and 4 22:03 primarily stands as a symbol of Satan. 22:06 We are told in Revelation chapter 12 and verse 9 22:10 which says, "And the great dragon was cast out, 22:13 that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, 22:16 which deceiveth the whole world: 22:18 he was cast out into the earth, 22:20 and his angels were cast out with him. " 22:22 However, as we look closely, there is some information 22:26 contained within Revelation chapter 12 and verse 4 22:30 that tips us off to the fact that the symbol of the dragon 22:35 is used here secondarily to identify the activities 22:39 of the pagan Roman Empire. 22:41 At the end of Revelation chapter 12 and verse 4, 22:44 we are told, 22:46 "And the dragon stood before the woman 22:48 to devour her child as soon as it was born. " 22:53 And then verse 5 goes on to say, 22:56 "And she brought forth a man child, 22:58 who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: 23:02 and her child was caught up unto God, 23:05 and to his throne. " 23:07 This man child "who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron, 23:12 and was caught up unto God, and to his throne," 23:15 is none other than the messiah, Jesus Christ. 23:18 We know this for a certainty because the Bible tells us 23:22 in Psalm chapter 2 verses 7 through 9, 23:26 "I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, 23:30 Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. " 23:34 "Ask of me, and I shall give thee 23:37 the heathen for thine inheritance, 23:39 and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. " 23:43 "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; 23:47 thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. " 23:51 According to these verses, 23:54 the only begotten son of God, Jesus Christ, 23:57 is the one who shall rule with a rod of iron. 24:01 Then, in the book of Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 2, 24:06 we are told, 24:07 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; 24:11 who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, 24:15 despising the shame, and is set down 24:19 at the right hand of the throne of God. " 24:21 It is evident from these verses 24:23 that the man-child that is spoken of 24:26 in Revelation chapter 12 verses 3 and 4, 24:29 is no more than a symbol of the messiah, Jesus Christ. 24:33 and this means that it was Jesus that the dragon tried to devour 24:39 as soon as He was born here on planet earth. 24:42 However, there is no account found in the Bible 24:46 of Satan as a literal great red dragon, 24:50 having 7 heads and 10 horns 24:52 attacking Baby Jesus at the time of His birth. 24:55 However, we can read in the book of Matthew the 2nd chapter 25:00 that Herod who was the ruler of the Roman Empire 25:04 at the time of the birth of Jesus, 25:06 seeking to murder Jesus as soon as He was born. 25:10 We are told in the book of Matthew, chapter 2, 25:14 "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, 25:18 in the days of Herod the king, 25:20 behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 25:24 Saying, 'where is he that is born King of the Jews? 25:28 for we have seen his star in the east, 25:31 and are come to worship him. '" 25:34 Verses 7 and 8 of that same chapter, tell us, 25:38 "Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, 25:42 enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 25:45 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, 25:49 'Go and search diligently for the young child; 25:52 and when ye have found him, bring me word again, 25:56 that I may come and worship him also. '" 26:00 Then, in Matthew chapter 2 and verse 12, the Bible tells us, 26:05 "And being warned of God in a dream 26:08 that they should not return to Herod, 26:10 they departed into their own country another way. " 26:14 And finally, in verse 16 of Matthew chapter 2, 26:18 we are told, "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked 26:23 of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, 26:26 and sent forth, 26:27 to slay all the children that were in Bethlehem, 26:31 and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, 26:36 according to the time which he had diligently enquired 26:40 of the wise men. " 26:42 As you can see, it was not Satan himself 26:46 but it was the pagan Roman Empire 26:49 that was used by Satan as his puppet 26:53 to attempt to destroy the life of the messiah, 26:57 which brings us to our point, 27:00 the dragon is secondarily used as a symbol 27:04 in Revelation chapter 12 to represent the activities 27:08 of the pagan Republic of Rome. 27:11 Now, you may be wondering 27:14 what all of this has to do with the United States of America. 27:17 Well, if you are, pay close attention 27:20 because you are about to find out. |
Revised 2016-03-15