Participants: Christopher Hudson
Series Code: FRC
Program Code: FRC000012
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00:45 Hi and you're now with The Forerunner Chronicles.
00:49 Hello everybody, I'd like to welcome you 00:51 to Part 2 of our special Forerunner Chronicles series 00:54 entitled "Rome's Revenge. " 00:56 In part 1 of this series, we learned some very critical 00:59 and interesting information dealing with the history 01:02 of the ancient Republic of pagan Rome, 01:04 and you may be wondering what does history have to do 01:07 with Bible prophecy 01:09 and last day events. 01:10 Well, the Bible is very clear on this. 01:12 In the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3 beginning at verse 15 01:16 the Word of God tells us, "That which hath been is now; 01:19 and that which is to be hath already been; 01:22 and God requireth that which is past. " 01:25 In other words, the things that have taken place in the past, 01:28 they are now taking place in our present-day Society. 01:32 And that which will unfold in the near future, 01:34 has already at least, in principle, 01:37 taken place in the past. 01:39 Therefore God requires us, 01:40 He commands us to have a knowledge of historical events 01:44 especially those events that have impacted His people... 01:47 His Church throughout the ages of antiquity 01:49 so that we can have a better understanding 01:51 of what's going on now in our present-day Society 01:54 and how things may unfold in the very near future. 01:57 That's where history and prophecy meet hand in hand. 02:01 It's very important for us as God's people 02:04 for our relationship with Jesus Christ as well. 02:06 Now you may not believe this 02:08 but I'm going to prove this from the Word of God. 02:09 In the book of Revelation 02:11 chapter 12 beginning at verse 1, we are told, 02:14 "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; 02:16 a woman clothed with the sun, having the moon under her feet, 02:21 and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:" 02:24 You see, a woman in Bible prophecy 02:26 is symbolic of God's people or God's Church. 02:29 This is told to us clearly in the book of Jeremiah 02:32 chapter 6 and verse 2 which tells us, 02:34 "I've likened the daughter of Zion 02:36 unto a comely and delicate woman. " 02:38 Then in the book of Isaiah chapter 51 and verse 16 02:42 at the very end of that Scripture 02:43 the Bible tells us, "... and say unto Zion, 02:46 'Thou art my people. '" 02:47 Zion is the people of God and He likens His people 02:50 the daughter of Zion unto this comely and delicate woman. 02:54 Clearly, in the Bible, a woman is a symbol of God's people. 02:58 But notice that this woman in Revelation chapter 12 03:02 beginning at verse 1, she is clothed with the sun. 03:05 What is the "sun" a symbol of? 03:06 Well, the Bible tells us in the book of Revelation 03:09 chapter 1 and verse 16, 03:11 which gives us a description of Jesus Christ 03:14 "In His right hand were seven stars 03:16 and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: 03:19 and his countenance was as the sun 03:22 shineth in its strength. " 03:24 Once again, Jesus Christ is the "sun" the spiritual sun 03:28 found within the Word of God, the holy scriptures. 03:31 This means that when the woman is clothed with the sun, 03:35 it is a symbol of God's people, 03:37 His church adorned with 03:39 the beauty, the truth, the love and the power of Jesus Christ. 03:43 And this is spoken of in more detail in the book of 03:47 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 30 03:50 and I hope you're enjoying this just as much as I am. 03:52 The Bible tells us there, 03:54 "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, 03:57 who of God has made unto us 03:59 wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption:" 04:04 so if God's people, His Church, is clothed with the sun 04:09 or clothed with Jesus Christ, we should be experiencing 04:13 the wisdom, the righteousness, the sanctifying power 04:18 and the redemptive power that is made manifest to humanity 04:22 through God through His son, Jesus Christ. 04:25 That is awesome. 04:27 But we can only have this experience 04:30 as we have our feet firmly planted upon the moon, 04:33 remember the woman is standing upon the moon. 04:37 What is this moon a symbol of? 04:39 Remember the Bible gives us clear details about this 04:43 in the book of Psalm chapter 89 beginning at verse 36. 04:46 And I say "remember" because 04:48 I hope you watched Part 1 of this series, 04:50 if you haven't, make sure you do. 04:52 The Bible tells us in Psalm chapter 89 beginning at verse 36 04:56 "But his seed shall endure for ever, 04:58 and his throne as the sun before me. 05:01 It shall be established for ever as the moon, 05:04 as a faithful witness in the heaven. " 05:07 Well, we know that every time we see the moon 05:10 beaming with all of its celestial glory 05:13 in the midnight sky, 05:14 that light that is shining from the moon, 05:16 it's not simply being emitted from the moon itself, 05:19 but rather, the moon is simply reflecting the light that 05:23 shines forth from the sun. 05:25 So, when we see the moon shining in the sky, 05:28 although we cannot see the sun, the moon testifies 05:32 to the glory and the existence of the sun 05:36 during the dark night hours. 05:38 Therefore, whatever this moon is 05:41 that the woman is standing on top of 05:43 in the Book of Revelation chapter 12 and verse 1, 05:46 it stands as a spiritual symbol 05:48 of that which testifies of the power, the existence, 05:53 and the glory, the authority 05:55 of the spiritual sun, 05:56 Jesus Christ. 05:58 Now what does the Bible teach of 06:00 that does all of these things? 06:02 Well, the Bible tells us, in the book of Revelation 06:05 chapter 19 and verse 10, when John came into contact 06:09 with the angel that was sent to give him the Revelation 06:12 of the Revelation, 06:13 we are told that he fell at his feet to worship him. 06:16 And the angel said unto him, "See that thou doeth not 06:19 from thy fellowservant, and of they brethren that have 06:21 the testimony of Jesus: worship God: 06:24 for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. " 06:29 Here it is Ladies and Gentlemen, 06:30 the holy Scriptures which testify of Jesus Christ 06:33 and the testimony of Jesus Christ 06:36 which is the spirit of prophecy, collectively, they come together 06:40 to form that spiritual moon which testify of Jesus Christ. 06:44 Now, do you understand why I told you earlier 06:48 it is so important for us to understand Bible prophecy 06:52 even in our relationship with Jesus Christ. 06:54 You see, it is only as God's people 06:57 that stand upon the foundation of the Word of God 07:01 and the spirit of prophecy the more sure word of prophecy 07:05 that we have a solid foundation 07:07 so that we can be adorned with the spiritual sun 07:10 so that we can experience the wisdom, the righteousness 07:14 the sanctifying power and the redemptive power that comes 07:19 through a relationship with Jesus Christ. 07:21 And this is why the Bible tells us 07:25 in the book of Amos chapter 3 and verse 7, 07:29 "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, 07:32 but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. " 07:37 As we see the prophetic events unfolding in our world, 07:41 that the Bible has spoken of, God would have us to know 07:45 that in these dark hours, 07:47 Jesus Christ is still in existence 07:49 at the right hand of the throne of the majesty 07:52 located in heaven, he is working on our behalf 07:56 and as we keep our eyes by faith fixed on him, 07:59 He will take us out of this darkness 08:02 into His marvelous light. 08:09 Listen, he who doesn't remember his past, 08:12 is doomed to repeat it 08:14 because, as a wise man once said, 08:17 "There really is no new thing under the sun. " 08:24 Rome's Revenge Part 2 08:26 In the book of Revelation chapter 13 and verse 11, 08:32 we are told, "And I beheld another beast 08:35 coming up out of the earth; 08:37 and he had two horns like a lamb, 08:40 and he spake as a dragon. " 08:43 Now we already learned previously 08:45 that a beast in Bible prophecy is symbolic of a kingdom 08:49 or a political power. 08:51 If you do not recall this information 08:53 in the book of Daniel chapter 7 and verse 3, 08:57 the Bible says, "And four great beasts 09:00 came up from the sea, diverse one from another. " 09:04 Then in Daniel chapter 7 and verse 23, 09:08 speaking of the fourth beast, which we have already learned 09:12 is a symbol of the pagan Republic of Rome, 09:15 we read, "Thus he said, the fourth beast 09:18 shall be the fourth kingdom upon the earth" 09:21 now notice closely, 09:23 that according to Daniel chapter 7 and verse 2 09:27 all of these beasts which are really symbolic of 09:30 kingdoms or political powers, they came up from the sea. 09:34 But in Revelation chapter 13 and verse 11, 09:38 the beast or political power that has two horns like a lamb 09:42 is seen coming up out of the earth. 09:45 In Revelation chapter 17 and verse 15, 09:49 we are told what the sea or waters 09:52 are symbolic of in the Bible. 09:54 We are told there, "And he saith unto me, 09:57 The waters which thou sawest where the whore sitteth, 10:01 are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. " 10:06 This lets us know that waters or the sea in Bible prophecy 10:11 are symbolic of many people or a densely populated area. 10:16 However, the earth is the absolute opposite of the sea. 10:21 Therefore, the beast that is seen rising 10:24 in Revelation chapter 13 and verse 11, 10:27 coming up out of the earth, must be a kingdom or a nation 10:32 that rises to a position of supremacy 10:35 in a sparsely populated area of our globe. 10:39 The beast or political power, 10:41 that rises in this sparsely populated region, 10:45 is also described as having two horns like a lamb. 10:48 Horns in Bible prophecy can be used to symbolize power. 10:53 In the book of Habakkuk chapter 3 and verse 4, 10:57 we are told, "his brightness was as the light; 11:01 he had horns coming out of his hand: 11:03 and there was the hiding of his power. " 11:07 And a lamb, primarily, is used in the Bible 11:11 as a symbol of Jesus Christ. 11:13 We are told in the book of John chapter 1 and verse 29 11:17 "And the next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him 11:21 and saith, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, 11:24 which taketh away the sin of the world. '" 11:28 Therefore, these two lamb-like horns that are connected 11:33 to this political power or this nation, 11:35 that rises into prominence, 11:38 in a sparsely populated region of our globe, 11:42 symbolizes that this nation from its inception 11:45 will profess to be Christian in nature, 11:48 and its Government will promote 11:50 two of the most powerful principles of Christ. 11:54 The two great principles of Christ that I am speaking of 11:58 are found in the book of Galatians chapter 5 and verse 1. 12:03 We are told there, "Stand fast therefore 12:07 in the LIBERTY wherewith Christ hath made you FREE, 12:11 and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. " 12:16 Without prolonging the point any further, 12:19 historically it is evident that there was no other nation 12:23 that arose into prominence in a sparsely populated region 12:28 professing to be Christian and promoting liberty and freedom 12:32 and justice for all 12:34 other than the United States of America. 12:37 And the two great principles of power 12:40 that have stood as the pillars of strength 12:43 of the United States of America from its infancy 12:47 are Republicanism and Protestantism. 12:50 A Government of the people, by the people 12:53 and for the people 12:54 and a Constitution that protects 12:58 the religious liberties of the people, 13:00 leaving us free to worship 13:03 according to the dictates of our conscience. 13:06 However, we are warned in 13:09 Revelation chapter 13 and verse 11 13:12 that the great Christian Nation will one day speak as a dragon. 13:19 It is evident that the only way that a Nation can speak 13:23 is through its legislative bodies 13:25 and its judicial authority. 13:28 Therefore, when the United States of America 13:31 speaks as a dragon, the Leaders of our Nation 13:35 will propose legislation to enact laws that will mirror 13:40 the malicious designs of the devil himself, 13:43 which is to make war with those who keep the commandments 13:46 of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ 13:50 according to Revelation chapter 12 and verse 17. 13:54 But still you may be asking, 13:56 "What does this have to do with the Republic of Rome?" 13:59 Well, my friends, 14:01 this is just proof that those who forget their past 14:05 are doomed to repeat it. 14:07 You see on June 21st of 1788, 14:11 when the United States Constitution was ratified, 14:14 the USA officially became a Republic, 14:18 and interestingly enough like the Republic of Rome, 14:22 the American Republic during its infancy 14:26 sustained its existence 14:28 primarily through agricultural industries. 14:31 In the year 1800, 14:32 5 million people populated the USA 14:36 and out of this number, 14:37 4.5 million lived on farms in rural America. 14:41 However, when the industrial revolution 14:45 was kicked into full gear, 14:47 the engines that would profoundly change the face 14:50 of the Republic of the United States of America, 14:53 were set in motion with the invention of the steam engine, 14:56 the cotton gin, the telegraph, the sewing machine, 15:00 the transatlantic cable, the telephone, 15:03 the diesel engine and much more, 15:06 capitalism exploded in the United States. 15:10 And as financial opportunities increased, 15:13 so did a massive influx of immigrants. 15:16 People poured like a running faucet into the cities 15:20 which were the centers of commerce. 15:22 Therefore, the urbanization of the landscape of America 15:27 was inevitable to supply the overwhelming demand 15:30 for affordable housing. 15:32 The wealthy, consequently, 15:34 developed separate neighborhoods for themselves 15:37 building luxurious mansions on the outskirts of the city. 15:42 While the poor... 15:43 the poor huddled together in housing projects 15:46 in the middle of the cities which were notorious 15:49 for the unhealthy living conditions. 15:52 But then, with the force of a Mack truck 15:55 colliding with a steel reinforced brick wall, 15:58 the apparent economic juggernaut experienced a humbling defeat. 16:03 When the Great Depression touched down, 16:05 the gears of the United States of America stopped 16:09 and because the once-farm-oriented Society 16:13 had surrendered their agricultural birthright 16:17 for the pleasures of instant gain, 16:19 starvation ran rampant 16:22 through the urban regions of America. 16:24 So what do you think happened next? 16:27 You already know what happened next. 16:29 To relieve the pressure of the Depression upon the masses, 16:33 the Government stepped in with a new deal. 16:36 Under the presidential administration of 16:39 Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Government intervened 16:42 with several work and public relief programs 16:46 to ease the monumental unemployment epidemic. 16:49 These programs laid the foundation 16:52 for the new welfare state of the Republic. 16:55 However, these programs quickly degenerated 16:58 into the irremovable thorn in the heart of the Nation. 17:02 for the philosophy amongst the people quickly developed 17:06 that generous Welfare Stipends and free healthcare benefits 17:10 were better than an entry-level job. 17:13 And, of course, to keep the morale of the people high 17:17 during the Great Depression, the United States Government 17:21 included entertainers and artists 17:24 in their Welfare Assistance Program. 17:27 And, in turn, the entertainers 17:30 provided cheap or free amusements to the people 17:33 to help them forget all of their troubles. 17:37 During this time, Walt Disney's animated films 17:41 such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 17:43 and the Three Little Pigs were a big hit with all ages 17:48 and as to be expected, 17:51 as the people of America were so preoccupied, 17:56 the Oval Office was pushing legislation 18:00 to consolidate more power in the hands of the President. 18:04 By now I'm sure that you can see that there really is 18:09 no new thing under the sun. 18:12 Since then, we have continued to see the same trend 18:16 metastasize within America. 18:19 In 2011, CNN reported that there 18:24 are 48.7 million Food Stamp Recipients in the USA. 18:29 That means one out of every 18:32 7 citizens of the United States of America, 18:35 are Welfare dependents. 18:37 And since September 11, 2001, 18:42 we have steadily watched the increase of Government 18:46 authority at the expense of our civil liberties, 18:50 and on December 31st, 2011, 18:54 when President Obama signed the 18:57 National Defense Authorization Act, 19:00 which empowers the US Military 19:03 to indefinitely detain US citizens 19:06 in Military Detention Facilities 19:08 without a trial in a Court of Law 19:11 we just witnessed 19:13 the final death knell of our Bill of Rights. 19:17 And as the civil liberties 19:20 of the citizens of the United States of America, 19:23 are literally unraveling at the seams, 19:26 for five years straight, 19:29 Hollywood has posted record sales at the Box Office. 19:35 So, where do we go from here? What will happen next? 19:40 Well, as history, thus far, has proven to be a helpful guide 19:46 I perceive that on this point 19:48 it will be of great assistance as well. 19:51 In the closing years of the Roman Republic, 19:55 when the disparity between the rich and the poor 19:58 became frighteningly apparent, 20:00 sparks flew that initiated social wars 20:04 which quickly transformed into civil war. 20:08 Could it be possible that this may be the ominous future 20:13 that lies ahead of the so-called 20:15 Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave? 20:18 With the "Right Wing Tea Party Movement" 20:21 numbering in the millions 20:23 the "Occupy Movement" growing by the second, 20:27 led by no specific head and supported by 20:31 many powerful anonymous members, 20:34 it is clear the poor have begun to consolidate their strength 20:39 to push against the bloated one percent. 20:43 But how will this all end? 20:45 Well the Bible tells us in the book of James chapter 5 20:50 beginning at verse 1, "Go to now, ye rich men, 20:54 weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 20:58 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 21:02 Your gold and your silver is cankered; 21:05 and the rust of them shall witness against you, 21:08 and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. 21:10 Ye have heaped together treasures for the last days. " 21:15 Here, the Bible specifically pronounces judgment 21:19 against the rich, 21:21 those who have amassed enormous sums of wealth. 21:25 We are told that their gold and their silver 21:29 which they have heaped together for their selfish benefit 21:32 would canker in the last days. 21:35 However, it is scientifically impossible 21:38 for gold and silver to canker or to rust. 21:42 But yet, the Bible says that it would happen. 21:46 In other words the Bible is here telling us 21:49 of a time in which an unforeseeable financial crisis 21:55 would hit the fortunes of the wealthy. 21:58 A financial crisis that would be just as unforeseeable 22:03 as gold or silver rusting and the time in which 22:08 this financial crisis would hit, would be in the last days. 22:16 And according to James chapter 5 and verse 3, 22:19 while the wealthy would be experiencing this torment 22:23 of the financial crisis that jeopardizes their fortunes, 22:28 something else, very important, would take place. 22:31 In James chapter 5 and verse 3 we are told, 22:35 "Behold the hire" or the wages "of the laborers 22:40 who have reaped down your fields, 22:43 which is of you kept back by fraud, 22:45 crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped 22:49 are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. " 22:54 In other words, 22:55 at the time in which this financial crisis would hit, 22:59 the poor working class 23:01 who have worked for and been defrauded by their 23:05 wealthy employers, would begin to protest 23:09 and their protests would be heard by the Lord of sabaoth. 23:14 The word "sabaoth" in the original Greek means 23:17 "The Lord of armies" which means 23:20 that the Lord of armies is hearing these protests 23:24 from the poor and working class and His heart is being stirred 23:29 by their protests. 23:30 And according to the book of Revelation, 23:33 chapter 19 verses 13 through 14, 23:36 The Lord of armies is the 23:38 Word of God, Jesus Christ himself. 23:41 We are told there, "And he was clothed with a 23:44 vesture dipped in blood: 23:46 and his name is called the Word of God. 23:49 And the armies which were in heaven followed him 23:52 upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, 23:56 white and clean. " 23:58 Ladies and Gentlemen, 24:00 these activities which are now taking place, 24:04 are not only sure harbingers 24:07 that we are currently living in the last days, 24:11 but that Jesus Christ is getting ready to adorn Himself 24:17 with His kingly robes of vengeance 24:19 and return to planet earth to give to every man 24:23 his due reward, and whether you are a part 24:27 of the 99 percent or the 1 percent, 24:32 we all will have to stand 24:35 before the judgment seat of Christ, 24:37 that everyone may receive the things done in His body 24:42 according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad, 24:48 according to 2 Corinthians chapter 5 and verse 10. 24:53 For Jesus Himself said, in Revelation chapter 22 24:58 and verse 12, "And behold I come quickly; 25:02 and my reward is with me, 25:05 to give to every man according as his work shall be. " 25:10 The only question that remains is, 25:14 "How will you stand on that day?" 25:18 Will you be amongst those who during their lifetime 25:22 surrendered their hearts to Jesus Christ 25:25 to be cleansed from all their sins, 25:30 and to be empowered by his Holy Spirit 25:33 to obey all of God's Commandments 25:37 including His forgotten 4th Commandment 25:41 which enjoins upon all of his loving servants 25:45 to remember and to be blessed 25:48 by keeping His seventh-Day Sabbath holy 25:51 which comes on the day which we know as "Saturday" 25:56 or will you be amongst those who will be lost because 26:01 you chose to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of this world 26:06 rather than serving the Creator of this world? 26:10 The choice is yours. 26:13 However, please don't be fooled when the men of this world 26:20 begin to promise you peace and safety 26:23 for they did the very exact same thing 26:26 in the time of the now-fallen Republic of Rome. 26:31 In an effort to quench the civil unrest 26:35 that was threatening to destroy the Roman Empire, 26:39 Emperor Constantine the Great in 321 AD 26:44 passed a National Sunday Law forcing all the citizens 26:50 of the Roman Empire to cease from all labor on Sunday 26:55 and by the year 538, they persecuted anyone 27:00 who continued to honor God's seventh-day Sabbath. 27:05 Constantine the Great united the powers of Church and State. 27:11 Now, do you think perhaps as a proposed solution 27:16 to the civil unrest which is currently 27:20 coursing through the veins of the United States of America, 27:24 and the rest of the world, for that matter, 27:27 that when the United States of America speaks 27:30 as a dragon, it will unite Church and State 27:34 and pass a National Sunday Law as well. 27:37 Well, as I've told you before, I'll tell you once again, 27:42 Listen, he who doesn't remember his past, 27:50 is doomed to repeat it because as a wise man once said, 27:55 "There really is no new thing under the sun. 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Revised 2016-03-15