Participants: Pr. Stephen Bohr
Series Code: GAB
Program Code: GAB000005
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01:09 Shall we bow our heads for prayer?
01:12 Our Father in Heaven, what a joy 01:14 it is to be in Your house of worship on Your holy Sabbath. 01:18 We thank you Father, for the beautiful sunshine, 01:21 but we also thank You for the rain, 01:24 which has made everything so green 01:26 and beautiful in this valley. 01:29 We ask Father, that the rain of Your Holy Spirit 01:31 will fall upon our hearts and our minds this morning. 01:35 We ask that the sunshine of the face of Jesus 01:38 might also shine upon our countenance 01:42 as we open Your Holy Word. 01:45 We thank You for the promise that you will be with us 01:48 when we sincerely ask from our heart. 01:52 And so Father, we ask that You would be present 01:54 through the ministration of angels, 01:56 through Your Spirit. 01:58 And we thank you Lord, for hearing our prayer 02:00 for we ask in Jesus name, amen. 02:05 As we've studied before 02:08 the journey of Israel from Egypt to Canaan 02:13 is actually a symbol of the journey 02:17 that we are in the midst of from the earthly Egypt 02:22 to the heavenly Canaan. 02:24 Now if you remember in the history of Israel, 02:27 Israel arrived on the borders a Promise Land. 02:31 And it was God's plan to introduced Israel 02:34 immediately into the Promised Land. 02:38 But because of a lack of faith, 02:41 because of unbelief we find that God told Israel 02:46 that they would not enter the Promise Land. 02:49 They would have to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. 02:54 And so that whole generation 02:56 with the exception of these two men 02:58 and all of the young people 18 years and under 03:03 went through the course of the wilderness 03:07 for a period of 40 years because of unbelief. 03:11 In other words there was a delay 03:13 in the coming to the Promised Land. 03:17 Four years later, Israel once again arrived 03:21 at the borders of the Promise Land. 03:26 You can imagine what it must have been like for them. 03:29 They have spent 40 years in the wilderness 03:33 at least the 18-year-olds. 03:36 And now they came to the valley of Siddim 03:39 which is on the east side of the Jordan River. 03:43 The valley is filled with fountains of clear waters. 03:49 It has an abundance of trees primarily palm trees 03:53 and acacia tree just absolutely lushly beautiful, 04:00 a sight for sore eyes. 04:03 Imagine this scene after spending 40 years 04:07 of seen only sun, sand, rocks, serpents and dust. 04:15 And now they see this beautiful scene 04:17 before them crystal clear brooks, beautiful palm trees. 04:24 And as they looked out towards the west 04:28 they could see beyond the Jordan River 04:31 the glistening of the city of Jericho 04:37 known as the city of a Thousand Palms. 04:42 But folks, here in the Valley of Siddim, 04:48 Israel was going to face 04:51 a more formidable enemy then they would face 04:56 as they attacked the cities in the Promised Land. 05:01 In that spectacular Valley, 05:05 Israel was going to face a temptation 05:10 which would be far greater than any 05:13 that they had faced up till this time. 05:16 In fact, there in that lush beautiful valley 05:22 there would be a final great shaking 05:25 before Israel entered the Promised Land. 05:30 In fact, we could look at the first arrival 05:35 at the borders of Canaan as the Alpha of apostasy 05:41 and we could look at this second arrival 40 years later 05:46 as the Omega of apostasy. 05:51 It's interesting to notice what this place was like. 05:57 Yes it was beautiful, yes it had crystal-clear brooks, 06:02 yes it had wonderful trees, it was a sight for sore eyes, 06:09 but in that place you have 06:12 all sorts of idolatrous practices. 06:16 In fact, incest, homosexuality 06:22 and prostitution, rampant there. 06:26 Despicable acts of idolatry were practice there. 06:32 In fact, the main god which was worshipped 06:35 in the high places was Baal the sun god. 06:39 And so Israel in this beautiful place 06:43 lush and wonderful after being in the desert in the dry 06:47 and deselect desert was faced with the temptations 06:53 which existed there in that beautiful place. 06:58 Now I want you to notice 07:00 as we enter our study this morning 07:04 that the devil has used two methods throughout 07:07 the course of human history to try and destroy 07:13 God's people as individuals and as a corporate group. 07:19 The first method that the devil has used is persecution. 07:24 He's tried to physically destroy God's people 07:29 by persecution from the face of the earth. 07:33 But there's a second method that the devil uses 07:36 to try and destroy God's people and it's not persecution, 07:41 it's not trying to physically destroy God's people, 07:45 it is the method of infiltration 07:49 or corrupting God's people from within. 07:54 And here on the borders of the Promise Land 07:57 we see the devils two attempts 08:00 to try and destroy the people of Israel 08:04 by using these two methods. 08:08 Now turn with me in your Bibles 08:10 to the Book of Numbers Chapter 22, 08:13 Numbers Chapter 22 08:16 and we're going to go through 08:18 Numbers 22-26 in our study today. 08:22 It's the final apostasy in the encampment of Israel 08:27 before they finally entered the Promise Land. 08:30 And we're going to notice that the devil attempted 08:32 to use the first method and he actually 08:35 was successful in using the second method. 08:39 Now notice Numbers 22:1. 08:44 It says there "Then the children of Israel moved, 08:50 and camped" that's an important word 08:53 "camped in the plains of Moab 08:57 on the side of the Jordan across from Jericho." 09:03 Now it was God's plan that Israel arise 09:06 and enter the Promise Land immediately, 09:09 but we're told in this verse 09:11 that Israel decided to camp in the plains of Moab. 09:17 Now we're told in verse 3 that when the King of Moab 09:23 actually heard that Israel had arrived on the borders 09:27 of the Promise Land he was scared to death 09:31 along with his people. 09:33 Notice Numbers 22:3, 09:38 "And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people 09:44 because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread 09:50 because of the children of Israel." 09:53 You see, they knew that Israel 09:55 had spent 40 years in the wilderness. 09:59 Who could live 40 years in the wilderness 10:02 and not have your clothes wear out? 10:05 Who could live for 40 years in the wilderness 10:07 and find enough water to drink or enough food to eat? 10:11 They knew that it was the miraculous preservation 10:14 of God that had kept Israel in the midst of the wilderness. 10:18 And now when Israel arrives 10:19 on the borders of the Promise Land, 10:21 Balak is scared to death. 10:26 And so Balak comes up with a plan. 10:29 He is going to curse Israel and if he can curse Israel 10:34 then he will be able to take his armies and destroy them. 10:41 Now Balak had heard that Israel 10:43 had a certain prophet called Balaam. 10:46 He was an insider. 10:48 In fact Balaam, was a faithful prophet of God at first. 10:53 And so Balak said, maybe I can entice Balaam 10:57 the prophet to go and to curse Israel 11:00 so that when I come upon them with my armies 11:03 I'll be able to destroy them. 11:06 And so we're told in the story 11:08 that Balak encouraged Balaam 11:11 to use divination and incantations 11:17 by the way that means sorcery to curse Israel. 11:22 And of course when Balaam hears 11:24 about Balak's plan to have him 11:26 curse Israel Balaam says well, 11:29 I must consult with the Lord to see 11:31 if the Lord will allow me to do this. 11:34 Balaam knew very well that God was not gonna curse Israel, 11:37 because Israel was in a proper good relationship 11:40 with God at this point. 11:42 In other words Israel was faithful to God. 11:44 They were keeping God's covenant. 11:46 They had learned their lesson in the wilderness for 40 years. 11:50 But Balaam anyway consults with God and he says 11:54 Lord, will You give me permission to curse this people 11:57 that You have a blessed? 11:59 And God told him You will dare not curse My people, 12:07 I forbid you to curse them. 12:10 And so Balaam goes back to Balak and he says Balak, 12:13 I'm sorry, but God has told me 12:16 that I cannot curse Israel from outside. 12:19 I cannot pronounce incantations and sorcery against them 12:23 and I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord. 12:28 Now Balak wasn't about to give up. 12:30 So he says maybe I just didn't offer enough money, 12:34 maybe I just did not send princess 12:37 that work high enough in rank to impress Baleem. 12:42 And so now for a second time 12:45 Balak attempts to convince Balaam to curse Israel. 12:51 And so we find in chapter 22 and verse 18 12:56 that when the messengers higher in rank are sent to him 13:01 and with more riches that had been offered before 13:05 refined Balaam saying in chapter 22 and verse 18. 13:10 "Even if Balak gave me his palace 13:15 filled with silver and gold, 13:18 I could not do anything great or small to go beyond 13:22 the command of the Lord my God." 13:26 And so Balaam says to Balak just give me a chance to go 13:29 and check with the Lord again to see 13:32 if He's changed His mind 13:34 if He will allow me to curse Israel. 13:38 And so Balaam decides 13:40 that he is going to consult with the Lord. 13:41 And the Lord this time seen that Balaam is insistent, 13:44 He says yes, go with the princes. 13:48 And so Balaam gets his donkey ready 13:51 and you know the story of the donkey. 13:54 And he begins riding his donkey 13:57 and as he's riding three times the donkey stops. 14:03 And the third time, I'm making a long story short, 14:06 the third time the donkey stops and he will not budge. 14:10 And Balaam begins beating his donkey. 14:15 And you can imagine how angry Balaam must have been, 14:20 but the Bible tells us that the donkey-- 14:23 it doesn't say he turned, but maybe he did. 14:25 The donkey turned and he says, why are you beating me? 14:32 Now if I were in my senses and a donkey spoke to me, 14:39 I would be out of there in no time, 14:42 but Balaam was so furious 14:45 that when the donkey spoke to him 14:48 he actually said to the donkey, 14:50 you know I really ought to kill you for not budging. 14:54 And then the Bible tells us 14:56 that the eyes of Balaam were opened 14:59 and he knew why the donkey had not advanced any further. 15:03 It says there that the angel of the Lord, 15:05 by the way the angel of Lord 15:07 in the Old Testament is Jesus. 15:09 The angel of the Lord had his sword unsheathe 15:13 and therefore the donkey would not budge. 15:16 God was warning the sword 15:17 is the symbol of the Word of God. 15:20 God was giving Balaam a warning, He was saying, 15:23 don't you dare, go and curse my people. 15:29 And so Balaam goes to Balak and he says to Balak, 15:35 I can only speak that which God puts in my mouth. 15:42 And so Balaam goes to a high elevation, 15:45 Balak actually takes him there 15:47 and Balak is expecting Balaam to curse 15:50 the children of Israel and Balaam opens his mouth 15:54 and he pronounces the words 15:56 that we find in chapter 23 and verses 8-10. 16:01 "How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? 16:07 And how shall I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced? 16:13 For from the top of the rocks I see him, 16:16 and from the hills I behold him. 16:19 There! 16:20 A people dwelling alone, 16:22 not reckoning itself among the nations." 16:25 Notice that they were a separate people, 16:27 they were not reckoned among the nation. 16:31 "Who can count the dust of Jacob, 16:34 or number one-fourth of Israel?" 16:37 And then he says "Let me die the death of the righteous, 16:41 and let my end be like his!" 16:46 And of course when Balaam pronounces 16:48 these wonderful words about Israel 16:51 and about the God of Israel, Balak is filled with fury. 16:56 And he says to Balaam, listen, 16:58 I said that I would pay you to curse Israel 17:01 all you've done is speak well of them, 17:03 all you have done is bless Israel. 17:06 And so Balak thinks, he says well, 17:08 maybe it's because I took him to a place 17:10 where he can see all of the people 17:13 and he was intimidated 17:15 by the number of the people in Israel. 17:17 So now he takes Balaam to a place 17:19 where he can only see a portion of the camp of Israel. 17:23 He says maybe if he sees less of them 17:25 he'll be impressed to curse this people. 17:30 And so Balak takes him to this elevation. 17:33 And I want you to notice, 17:35 once again what we find in chapter 23 and verse 20-23, 17:42 the reaction of Balaam. 17:44 "Behold, I have received a command to bless, 17:50 He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it. 17:55 He has" now notice why "He has not observed inequity 18:00 in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel." 18:05 What condition was Israel in? 18:08 According to this God had not seen inequity in Jacob, 18:11 nor had He seen wickedness in Israel. 18:15 "The Lord his God is with him, 18:18 and the shout of a King is among them. 18:22 God brings them out of Egypt, 18:25 He has strength like a wild ox. 18:28 'For there is no sorcery against Jacob, 18:31 nor any divination against Israel. 18:35 It now must be said of Jacob and of Israel, 18:38 Oh, what God has done!'" 18:43 And so here Balaam is supposed to go to the elevation 18:46 and he's supposed to curse Israel 18:49 and all he's doing is pronouncing 18:51 wonderful glittering messages and blessings upon Israel. 18:57 And so Balak says perhaps where was the angle 19:01 at which he saw the people. 19:02 So he takes him to another elevation. 19:05 And he says Balaam curse these people, 19:09 so that when we attacked them they can be destroyed. 19:14 And what's interesting is that Balaam 19:16 instead of cursing Israel 19:19 he curses the enemies of Israel by name. 19:23 He mentions Edom, Amalek, the Canaanites, Ashur and Eber. 19:30 In other words he curses the very nations 19:32 that are scared of Israel. 19:34 And so Balak is simply filled with fury. 19:37 He says forget it. Don't even bless or curse. 19:44 And now Balaam, of course, wanting the money 19:46 and wanting the power and the prestige 19:49 he begins thinking and he says, 19:51 now what could I do to gain these riches 19:55 that Balak has offered me. 19:57 Because he won't give me these riches 19:59 and this prestige if unless I curse Israel. 20:04 And so Balaam comes up with a "plan B." 20:09 Now I want you to notice 20:10 that "plan A" is to destroy Israel 20:14 by removing God's blessing from Israel, by crushing them. 20:20 But they were in a proper relationship with God. 20:23 There was no inequity in Israel 20:25 and therefore Israel had the guarantee 20:28 of the protection of God. 20:29 They could not be cursed, 20:31 they could not be destroyed from outside. 20:34 But now Balaam comes up with another idea. 20:38 He says to Balak, you know I know a plan 20:41 which just might work. 20:43 If you can't fight them, join them. 20:50 And so we find that Balaam speaks with Balak 20:57 and with the harlots of Moab 21:00 and encourages the harlots to come 21:02 in among the Israelites to corrupt them from inside. 21:07 Let's read about it in Numbers 25:1-3, 21:12 Numbers 25:1-3. 21:17 It says "Then Israel" now notice this is important. 21:20 "Israel remained in Acacia Grove." 21:26 Was that God's plan for them to remain? 21:28 Absolutely not. 21:30 They were to arise and conquer the Promise Land, 21:33 but they decided to remain there. 21:35 And so it says "Then Israel remained in the Acacia Grove, 21:40 and the people began to commit harlotry 21:44 with the women of Moab. 21:46 They invited the people to the sacrifices up their gods, 21:50 and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 21:54 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, 21:59 and the anger of the Lord" was against 22:03 or "was aroused against Israel." 22:06 You see Israel felt that they could trust Balaam 22:10 because he was a prophet of the Lord, 22:14 but Balaam the individual who claim to speak 22:18 from God betrayed Israel from within. 22:23 What the devil could not do from outside, 22:26 he did from inside by infiltration, by corrupting 22:30 the children of Israel on the inside. 22:34 There's a very interesting statement. 22:35 And I'm gonna read some statements 22:37 from Patriarchs and Prophets. 22:38 There's a wonderful chapter 22:40 where Ellen White comments on this experience. 22:44 And I want to read a statement 22:46 that's found in Page 451 where she says this. 22:50 Speaking about Balaam's plan. 22:53 "He immediately returned to the land of Moab 22:57 and laid his plans before the king. 23:01 The Moabites themselves were convinced 23:05 that so long as Israel remained true to God, 23:09 He would be their shield." 23:13 Even the Moabites knew that as long as Israel 23:15 was faithful to God, God would be their shield. 23:20 She continues saying. 23:21 "The plan proposed by Balaam was to separate them from God 23:27 by enticing them into idolatry. 23:30 If they could be let to engage 23:32 in the licentious worship of Baal and Ashtaroth, 23:36 their omnipotent protector would become their enemy, 23:41 and they would soon fall a prey to the fierce, 23:44 warlike nations around them. 23:48 This plan was readily accepted by the king, 23:53 and Balaam himself remained to assist 23:56 in carrying get it into effect. 24:00 Balaam witnessed the success of his diabolical scheme." 24:08 You know, this has a very important lesson for us 24:11 who are living in the very end of time. 24:15 As we look at what's happening in the world folks, 24:17 there's no doubt whatsoever that we're on the brink, 24:21 we're just about there, 24:23 we're about to enter the Land of Canaan 24:25 this time the heavenly Canaan. 24:27 Is it just possible that the devil has determined 24:31 that he is not able to destroy the church 24:34 who is in a proper relationship with God 24:37 and he will attempt to use 24:38 the second method of infiltrating 24:41 and corrupting the church from within 24:44 so that God withdraws 24:45 His protection and the church falls? 24:50 There are several lessons that I want to share with you 24:54 about this experience of Israel in the Valley of Sittim. 24:59 There's actually nine points that I want to cover with you. 25:02 Number one, this temptation came to Israel 25:09 when they were at ease. 25:13 When they should have been out marching for the Lord 25:16 and conquering for the Lord they were at ease. 25:22 You've heard the expression that the idle mind is what? 25:27 The devil's workshop. It's kind of like David. 25:34 You know, when he should have been out 25:35 fighting the wars of the Lord 25:37 it says that he stayed in the palace 25:40 and that's where the big temptation came. 25:42 Solomon when he had all of these riches 25:45 he felt comfortable. 25:47 The Laodicean Church which feels rich 25:49 and increased with goods and in need of nothing. 25:51 These are the most dangerous moments. 25:54 And so while they're at ease they lower their guard. 26:00 In Numbers 25:1, I read. 26:02 "Then Israel remains" that's an important word 26:05 "They remained in Acacia Grove, 26:07 and the people began to commit harlotry 26:10 with the women of Moab." 26:12 Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 459 we find this comment. 26:16 "It was when the Israelites 26:19 were in a condition of outward ease 26:23 and security that they were led into sin." 26:27 And Ellen White goes on to say 26:28 that they should have been meditating 26:30 upon the goodness of God, 26:31 they should have been praying to the Lord as they prepared 26:35 to conquer the nations of Canaan, 26:37 but instead of this they were at ease. 26:39 In other words, their great temptation came 26:42 when they left their guard down. 26:45 The second important lesson that I want us to notice 26:48 about this episode is that the people 26:51 had more to fear from within than from without. 26:56 They were betrayed by an insider 26:59 who had a desire for wealth and popularity and power. 27:07 Once again in the book Patriarchs and Prophets, 27:09 Page 459 we find these words. 27:14 "It was the traitors within the walls 27:19 that overthrew the strongholds of principle 27:23 and betrayed Israel into a power of Satan." 27:28 Not only do we learn the lesson 27:30 that when we are at ease instead of preparing 27:34 for battle and fighting the battles of the Lord 27:37 are we endanger we discovered 27:39 that the greatest enemies to entice God's people 27:42 into apostasy come not from outside, 27:45 but from where, from inside. 27:49 Third lesson, the process of apostasy was slow. 27:57 Ellen White says that the harlots of Moab-- 28:01 notice this word, she says 28:03 they began to steal into the camp. 28:08 Now when a thief comes, steal has to do with the thief. 28:10 When a thief comes he says "here I am, here I come." 28:15 No, they began to steal into the camp. 28:19 In fact she says that they famed interest 28:23 in the religion of Israel. 28:25 And maybe the Israelites thought, 28:27 you know, maybe we can convert these people, 28:29 'cause they're showing an interest in our religion, 28:31 they're showing an interest in our God. 28:37 In other words, at first the apostasy 28:40 did not take place openly, 28:43 it was a slow gradual almost imperceptible process. 28:48 Once again in Patriarchs and Prophets 28:50 we find these words, Pages 453 and 454. 28:54 "On every side were places 28:58 noted for idolatry and licentiousness." 29:01 You know, I could describe to you some of the things 29:02 that archaeologists have discovered 29:04 but if I describe those things to you 29:08 it would be embarrassing for me 29:10 and it would be embarrassing for you it was that bad. 29:13 One archaeologist have discovered 29:15 in terms of the licentiousness and the incest 29:18 and the homosexuality and the corruption 29:21 of their system of religion. 29:23 She says "On every side were places noted for idolatry 29:26 and licentiousness, the very names 29:30 being suggestive of the vileness and corruption of the people. 29:34 These surroundings exerted 29:36 a polluting influence upon the Israelites. 29:40 Their minds became familiar 29:42 with the vile thoughts constantly suggested, 29:46 their life of ease and inaction." 29:49 See the idea again "Their life of ease and inaction 29:53 produced its demoralizing effect, 29:56 and almost unconsciously to themselves 30:00 they were departing from God and coming into a condition 30:05 where they would fall an easy prey to temptation." 30:09 Ease, imperceptibly they could hardly notice 30:13 what was happening, 30:14 but they were exposing their eyes 30:16 and their minds to the religion 30:18 and to the practices of that society. 30:22 Also we find this statement, 30:26 "At first there was little intercourse 30:29 between the Israelites and their heathen neighbors, 30:33 but after a time Midianitish women 30:36 began to steal into the camp." 30:41 On page 459 we find these words. 30:44 A long-- listen to this. 30:45 "A long preparatory process, 30:50 unknown to the world, goes on in the heart 30:54 before the Christian commits open sin." 30:58 That is an important statement. 31:00 "A long preparatory process, 31:02 unknown to the world, goes on in the heart 31:05 before the Christian commits open sin." 31:08 That's the reason why Jesus said, 31:10 whoever looks upon a woman to covet her 31:13 has already committed adultery in his heart. 31:16 You know, the act of adultery does not happen overnight. 31:20 The act of homosexuality does not happen overnight. 31:24 It's actually the result of a long slow gradual process 31:29 where the mind is corrupted 31:30 and when the mind is corrupted the result is 31:34 that the life or the actions are tainted. 31:37 She continues saying 31:39 "The mind does not come down at once 31:43 from purity and holiness to depravity, 31:46 corruption, and crime. 31:49 It takes time to degrade 31:52 those formed in the image of God 31:54 to the brutal or the satanic." 31:58 Another very important lesson that we learned, 32:00 this is number four from this experience, 32:03 is that not even the leaders 32:06 in Israel perceive the dangers 32:09 of what was happening. 32:12 Allow me to read you 32:14 a couple of statements on this point. 32:17 Page 454 of Patriarchs and Prophets, 32:22 "Their appearance" that is the harlots of Moab. 32:24 "Their appearance excited no alarm, 32:27 and so quietly were their plans conducted 32:31 that the attention of Moses was not called to the matter." 32:35 That's amazing, not even the attention of Moses 32:38 was called to the matter. 32:40 She continues saying. 32:42 By the way, if Moses had actually seen the dangerous 32:45 he would have done something about it, 32:47 but he didn't perceive the dangerous 32:48 that was so slow and gradual. 32:50 She continue saying "It was the object of these women, 32:54 in their association with the Hebrews to seduce them 32:59 into transgression of the law of God, 33:02 to draw their attention to heathen rites and customs, 33:05 and to lead them into idolatry. 33:09 These motives were studiously concealed 33:13 under the garb of friendship, 33:16 so that they were not suspected, 33:18 even by the guardians of the people." 33:23 That's amazing, even the guardians of the people 33:27 did not perceive the dangers 33:29 of what was coming into the camp of Israel. 33:32 And you notice that they concealed this 33:34 under the garb of friendship. 33:37 Let's be friends. 33:39 You know, you're not really so much different than us. 33:42 You know, you would almost be able to use the word ecumenism 33:48 with regards to what was happening there. 33:51 Patriarchs and Prophets, page 454 33:54 we find these words. 33:55 "The rulers and leading men 33:59 were among the first to transgress, 34:03 and so many of the people were guilty 34:06 that the apostasy became national." 34:09 Who were the first ones to transgress? 34:12 Was the leaders. 34:15 By the way, did this happen also 34:16 when Israel worshiped the golden calf? 34:20 Absolutely. 34:21 Aaron should have stood as a strong leader 34:23 and said this is not gonna happen, bury it. 34:27 But instead of doing that 34:28 Aaron gave into the will of the people, 34:30 he did not have the moral backbone to be the leader 34:33 that God wanted him to be. 34:36 Patriarchs and Prophets, page 457 and 458 34:40 we find this comment. 34:42 Speaking about our time now 34:44 "As we approach the close of time, 34:47 as the people of God stand upon the borders 34:49 of the heavenly Canaan" 34:51 Folks, that's us. 34:53 "Satan will, as of old, 34:56 redouble his efforts to prevent them 34:59 from entering the goodly land. 35:02 He lays his snares for every soul. 35:06 It is not the ignorant," notice, "and uncultured merely 35:10 that need to be guarded, 35:12 he will prepare his temptations 35:15 for those in the highest positions, 35:19 in the most holy office, 35:22 if he can lead them to pollute their souls, 35:25 he can through them destroy many." 35:30 The fifth lesson, is that as Israel 35:35 was constantly exposed to sin 35:39 their minds adapted to those sins 35:43 and sin looked less offensive. 35:47 You know, there is a very important principle 35:49 in 2 Corinthians 3:18 35:52 were it says that, by beholding we become what? 35:55 By beholding we become changed. 35:58 And that applies not only to beholding Jesus 36:02 which makes us more like Jesus 36:04 it also applies to beholding evil things 36:07 which make us more in character like Satan. 36:13 Now in Patriarchs and Prophets, page 454, 36:18 we find a few of the things that enticed Israel mentioned. 36:25 She says this, "Beguiled with music." 36:31 That's not a problem today, is it? 36:36 "And dancing 36:42 and allured by the beauty of heathen vestals, 36:49 they cast off their fealty to Jehovah." 36:53 That means their loyal to Jehovah. 36:56 "And they united in mirth and feasting, 37:00 indulgence in wine beclouded their senses 37:03 and broke down the barriers of self-control. 37:07 Passion had full sway, 37:09 and having defiled their consciences by lewdness, 37:13 they were persuaded to bow down to idols. 37:16 They offered sacrifice upon heathen alters 37:20 and participated in the most degrading rites." 37:27 That's Israel who a short while before 37:30 was in a proper relationship with God. 37:32 And they could not be destroyed from outside. 37:36 Here are they under the idea a friendship. 37:41 Oh, let's not say that we're different than they are, 37:43 you know, let's we're all part of the same people, 37:47 let's just make friends with them. 37:49 You know, their practices aren't so bad 37:51 we can refine them and we can make them 37:54 acceptable in the sight of God. 37:57 Patriarchs and Prophets, page 459 38:00 we find these words. 38:01 "Satan is using every means 38:03 to make crime and debasing vice popular. 38:09 We cannot walk the streets of our cities 38:11 without encountering flaring notices of crime 38:15 presented and some novel, 38:17 or to be acted out at some theater." 38:22 You know, used to be in the Adventist church 38:23 that we say that we shouldn't go to the movie theatre, right? 38:27 How many people really actually follow that 38:30 teaching of the church anymore? 38:33 Not all. 38:36 Let me ask you, is there really anything 38:38 good to see in the theatre? 38:42 You know, we've made a mistake as Adventist. 38:43 We've said that it's the place that's wrong. 38:45 And our kids don't buy it. 38:49 Because movie theatres I understand are pretty nice 38:52 and they don't allow smoking and they don't allow drinking. 38:56 So you're in a pretty good environment. 38:58 So it doesn't have anything to do with the place. 39:01 It has everything to do 39:03 with what you're gonna see in that place. 39:07 And I sustain today that there's nothing 39:09 that Hollywood produces that is worth watching 39:13 because even the good is tainted with immorality 39:18 and vulgarity and pride 39:22 and a desire for fame and riches. 39:25 If you don't believe so just watch the Oscars sometime. 39:30 It's all a huge exercise in vanity 39:33 and as we expose our minds to these things 39:36 our minds adapt to what we're watching 39:38 and the mind says, 39:40 you know, this thing really isn't so bad, 39:41 the more we watch it the mind says this is okay, 39:43 it's all right, it's all right, 39:45 until finally we think it's okay. 39:47 We deceive our own mind, 39:49 we deceive our own conscience. 39:51 She continues saying 39:54 "The mind is educated to familiarity with sin. 40:00 The course pursued by the base and vile 40:03 is kept before the people in the periodicals of the day, 40:06 and everything that can excite passion 40:09 is brought before them in exciting stories." 40:12 What would she say today 40:13 with the exciting stories on television? 40:15 She is talking about newspapers here. 40:18 She wrote in a time 40:19 when they were only printed materials. 40:22 She says "They hear and read so much of debasing crime 40:28 that the once tender conscience, 40:31 which would have recoiled with horror from such scenes, 40:36 becomes hardened, and they dwell upon these things 40:40 with greedy interest." 40:44 And then she says "By beholding we become changed. 40:47 By the indulgence of impure thoughts 40:50 man can so educate his mind that sin 40:54 which he once loathed will become pleasant to him." 41:00 What, sin which once you hated 41:05 and you said this is terrible, 41:08 come to the point where you would actually 41:10 think that it's okay? 41:15 Sixth lesson and this is very significant. 41:20 Have you ever noticed 41:21 what happened with the leaders in this rebellion? 41:25 This is one of those episodes 41:26 that people don't like to read these days. 41:29 They only like to read about the love 41:30 and mercy of God and by the way, 41:32 God is loving and merciful. 41:35 God is grace, yes He is. 41:38 But God also will not be trifled with 41:42 because God is our Father, 41:43 but God also is the judge of the universe. 41:47 And so we need to look at several models 41:49 of God in Scripture. 41:51 Notice what God had done with the leaders. 41:56 Numbers 25:4, 5 42:00 it says "Then the Lord said to Moses, 42:05 'Take all the leaders of the people 42:07 and hang the offender's before the Lord, 42:12 out in the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord 42:16 may turn away from Israel.' 42:18 So Moses said to the judges on Israel, 42:21 'Every one of you kill his men 42:23 who were joined to Baal of Peor.'" 42:27 Whoa, it's God that is saying this. 42:31 God wanted the people to see the leader's hung in the sun, 42:35 because He wanted them to know 42:36 how terrible this apostasy was. 42:41 How sinful sin is in the sight of God. 42:45 He wanted them to be clear on this point 42:48 and it was the leaders that suffered this. 42:50 You say well, that doesn't happen today. 42:52 But you know Ellen White says that 42:55 it might not happen now, 42:58 but it will happen when Jesus comes. 43:02 It's just a matter of when the destruction 43:03 is gonna take place. 43:05 In the Old Testament it was a theocracy 43:07 so it took place at that point. 43:09 And by the way, the Book of Revelation says 43:12 that those who are rebellious against God 43:16 will be destroyed with the sword 43:17 that comes from the mouth of Jesus. 43:20 Do you know how Balaam died? 43:22 He refused to listen to the warning of the sword 43:26 saying, don't go down that road. 43:28 And therefore we're told in the Book of Numbers 43:31 that he went out the battle 43:33 and he was actually killed by the sword. 43:37 The sword which he refused to listen to, 43:39 which was warning him arose to destroy him. 43:44 This has a very important message to us, leaders. 43:46 I'm talking to myself now. 43:49 I'm talking to ministers, to church leaders, 43:54 to leaders in the church 43:56 of the different departments of the church folks, 43:59 we are held more accountable in the sight of God. 44:02 In fact we find in early writings 44:03 that the leaders in the final rebellion 44:07 will be punished ten times worse than the common ordinary person 44:10 which they deceived, 44:12 because we as leaders of the people 44:14 are to give a good example. 44:16 We're supposed to lead people down the right road. 44:20 And do you know what was happening 44:21 as people were dying by plague, 44:24 in the encampment this is besides the leaders 44:26 thousands were dying by a plague that came into the camp. 44:32 Something happened which you'd say this is unbelievable. 44:35 Let's read about it in Numbers 25:6-8, 44:39 Numbers 25:6-8. 44:43 This is while Israel is wailing and crying out to God, 44:46 because of a plaque that's killing thousands of people. 44:50 It says "And indeed, 44:52 one of the children of Israel came 44:55 and presented to his brethren 44:56 a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses 44:59 and in the sight of all the congregation 45:02 of the children of Israel, 45:03 who were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of meeting." 45:08 Can you believe that? 45:10 In other words Israel was crying, 45:12 because of what was happening 45:14 and here this guy is presenting his harlot 45:17 to the congregation of Israel 45:18 in the sight of Moses and everybody was crying. 45:22 This is rebellion with a high hand against God. 45:26 And now notice verse 7, 45:29 "Now when Phinehas the son of Eleazar, 45:34 the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, 45:36 he rose from among the congregation 45:39 and took a javelin in his hand, 45:42 and he went after the man of Israel into the tent 45:46 and thrust both of them through, 45:49 the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. 45:52 So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel." 45:59 Folks, we might not like the picture 46:03 that's been presented here, but it is biblical. 46:07 And it teaches us tremendous lessons. 46:09 It doesn't mean that we're going to slaw 46:10 everybody in the church that practices sin, 46:15 but it does mean that 46:16 we can use the sword of the Spirit 46:18 to get rid of sin in the church, 46:20 at least open known sin as leaders. 46:24 In other words we have to rebuke known 46:27 and open sin in the church. 46:30 Lesson number eight, 46:32 there was a terrible shaking in Israel 46:34 before they enter the Promise Land. 46:37 In fact 24,000 were shaken out of Israel 46:43 before the plague ended before Israel 46:46 was ready to go into the Promise Land. 46:48 We find that in Numbers 25:9, 46:51 it says "And those who died in the plague 46:53 were twenty-four thousand." 46:59 And then point number nine, this is so interesting. 47:03 After the camp of Israel had been cleansed 47:07 from the transgressors in Numbers Chapter 26 47:11 you have a census of the 12 tribes of Israel. 47:17 By name, by each of the names of the sons of Jacob 47:21 you have the census the number 47:23 of those who were going to enter the Promise Land 47:26 from among the Israelites. 47:29 Now some of you might be wondering Pastor Bohr, 47:31 can you really take this passage 47:33 in Numbers and apply it to us. 47:37 The fact is that not only can I apply it, 47:40 but the Apostle Paul does apply it. 47:44 Notice what we find in 1 Corinthians Chapter 10, 47:48 1 Corinthians Chapter 10 47:51 the Apostle Paul speaks about this experience. 47:53 I'm not gonna read the whole passage. 47:55 But the Apostle Paul speaks about this experience 47:59 among others. 48:01 And notice what he says in verse 11. 48:04 He says "Now all these things happened to them 48:10 for examples and they are written for our admonition, 48:15 upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 48:21 Have the ends of the ages come upon us? Yes. 48:24 For whom are these experiences written? 48:27 They are written for us. 48:30 Let me ask you, does God still command His people 48:33 to remain separate from the practices, 48:36 from the sinful practices and ideas 48:39 and philosophies of the world? 48:41 You look at the Christian churches today 48:43 you don't see any difference 48:44 between Christians and non-Christians. 48:47 The dresses the same, the food is the same, 48:50 the entertainment is the same, the divorce rate is the same, 48:55 the music is the same. 48:58 Now there as hardly a distinction 48:59 between Christians and non-Christians, 49:02 because the leavening process has been taking place. 49:05 You say, well, Pastor, your being a fanatic, 49:08 you been a legalist. 49:09 Let me tell you what this is all about folks, 49:12 in order to enter the kingdom 49:14 we must reflect the character of Christ. 49:17 We must reflect Jesus. 49:20 And when we're looking at these things 49:22 and listening to this music 49:23 and participating in this entertainment 49:25 we're developing a character 49:26 totally unlike the character of Jesus. 49:29 How was Jesus gonna take us to heaven 49:32 if we have a character totally unlike His? 49:35 It's about Jesus, 49:38 it's not about rules and regulations and legalism, 49:41 it's about not exposing our minds, 49:44 it's not exposing ourselves to that which corrupts 49:47 and makes us like the devil 49:48 instead of making us like Jesus. 49:51 That's what it's about. 49:53 Notice James 4:4. 49:57 This is New Testament by the way, 49:58 for those who say it's only the Old Testament 50:00 that speaks about the need to remain separate. 50:02 It says "Adulterers and adulteresses! 50:06 Do you not know that friendship 50:08 with the world is enmity with God? 50:12 Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world" 50:15 we would say Moab in the Old Testament. 50:18 "Whoever would be a friend of the world 50:20 makes himself" what? 50:22 "An enemy of God." 50:24 See the matter is, you're a friend of God 50:26 or an enemy of God? 50:28 To use the words of George Bush 50:29 you're either with Him or you're against Him. 50:33 There's no two ways about it. 50:35 You can't be a Christian and live like a worldly. 50:39 God says you're either My friend or My enemy. 50:42 And what determines that 50:43 is your attitude towards the world. 50:46 Notice 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 50:49 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. 50:52 We've all read this before 50:53 and we usually applied to marriage, 50:55 it applies to much more than marriage. 50:57 It says here "Do not be unequally yoked 51:00 together with unbelievers." 51:02 That is what the Moabites. 51:04 "For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? 51:08 And what communion has light with darkness? 51:11 And what accord has Christ with Belial? 51:14 Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 51:17 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? 51:21 For you are the temple of the living God. 51:24 As God has said, 'I will dwell in them 51:27 and walk among them. 51:28 I will be their God, and they shall be my people."' 51:31 But there's a condition for God. 51:33 Being our God and us being His people. 51:36 It says "Therefore 'Come out from among them 51:40 and be separate, says the Lord. 51:44 Do not touch with is unclean, and I will receive you.' 51:48 'I will be a Father to you, 51:50 and you shall be my sons and daughters, 51:53 says the Lord Almighty.'" 51:57 There are condition for being sons and daughters of God. 52:00 There is conditions for God being our God. 52:03 There are conditions for us 52:04 being His peculiar special people. 52:07 And there is come ye out from among them and be separate. 52:11 Let me ask you in the end time, 52:12 is God gonna use the harlots spiritually speaking 52:16 to try and entice God's people into apostasy. 52:18 You've all read Revelation Chapter 17. 52:21 It speaks up about the mother and her daughters, 52:24 apostasy Christianity which will try 52:26 to entice God's people into rebellion against God. 52:32 You see, Satan is not able to destroy the church 52:34 when it is in a proper relationship with God. 52:38 So it says if I can't fight them, 52:40 I will join them. 52:43 But in the Seventh-day Adventist Church 52:45 almost imperceptibly we have embraced 52:47 all types of worldly practices. 52:51 Dress, music, entertainment, television, 52:57 video games, the theatre, Sabbath, 53:01 lack Sabbath observance, laxness in our diet. 53:05 You know it used to be 53:06 that people didn't drink caffeinated drinks 53:08 in the Adventist church. 53:10 So Pastor, now you really becoming legalist, 53:12 you're living in the Stone Age. 53:15 So what happened recently that makes caffeine okay now 53:18 and it wasn't okay before? 53:22 Is there any radical thing 53:23 that happened that sanctified caffeine? 53:27 I don't think so. 53:29 I mean, if caffeine was detrimental 53:30 for our health before it is today. 53:33 So who is changed? 53:35 Not the caffeine, what's changed is us, 53:40 our perspective of things, 53:42 because we become familiarize with the world. 53:46 You know, if you want to read some challenging books 53:48 that have not been too popular in the Adventist church 53:52 read some books that were written 53:53 by Joe Crews many years ago, 53:55 Creeping Compromise, Reaping the Whirlwind, 53:58 Enemy at the Gate 54:00 and if you don't particularly like Adventist literature 54:02 read the book "Love Not the World" 54:04 by Watchman Nee that Chinese theologian. 54:08 Little booklet tremendous 54:11 or is even stronger than Joe Crews 54:13 in speaking about the need of the church 54:15 being special and unique. 54:19 You see like Israel 54:20 we're on the borders of the Promise Land 54:23 and the devil knows it. 54:25 And there's gonna be a tremendous shaking 54:27 among God's people. 54:29 And whatever can be shaken out will be shaken out 54:32 and what will be shaken out is that 54:34 which has conformed and adapted to the worldly standard 54:38 both according to the Bible and to the Spirit of Prophecy. 54:42 You see, the story of Cain and Abel shows 54:44 that the devil destroyed Abel by persecution. 54:50 But of course Abel died a conquer, 54:52 because he was faithful to God. 54:54 But in Genesis 6 we have the other method of the devil 54:57 joining the Sons and God with the daughters of men. 55:00 See there you have the amalgamation idea 55:02 and of course the devil did much more by doing that, 55:07 because the whole world became corrupted 55:09 out of millions of people 55:10 when the devil blended the righteous 55:12 with the unrighteous the Sons of God with the daughters of men 55:15 there were only eight people left faithful to God. 55:18 So the devil were saying if I can't destroy the seed, 55:21 but like I did by destroying Abel 55:23 God raised up another seed itself 55:25 I can destroy them by persecution 55:27 I'll blend the two seeds, I will amalgamate them. 55:29 And the whole world became demoralized before the flood. 55:34 You know, on the borders of the Promise Land, 55:36 God is also gonna do a census. 55:40 It's found in Revelation Chapter 7. 55:41 Have you ever read the census of the 144,000? 55:44 Those who are the living saints when Jesus comes. 55:48 The sons up Jacob are mentioned by name 55:50 and the numbers from each one of the tribes 55:53 are mentioned in a census before we enter the Promise Land. 55:57 Folks, we are on the brink of eternity. 56:00 God is telling us to get serious about Him. 56:03 He's telling us to fill our minds and our hearts 56:06 with that which will make us more like Jesus. 56:09 "Be like Jesus, this my song. 56:11 Be like Jesus, all day long! I would be like Jesus." 56:16 That's what it's all about. 56:17 In fact we need to prepare 56:19 a special character for eternity. 56:22 You know, it says in Hebrews 12:14 56:25 that "We need to develop holiness 56:26 without which no one will see the Lord." 56:30 In Matthew 5:8 it says "Blessed are the pure in heart, 56:34 for they shall see God." 56:36 Psalm 119 says "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, 56:40 that I might not sin against thee." 56:43 1 John 3:3 says 56:45 "Everyone who has this hopes of the coming of Jesus, 56:48 cleanses or purifies himself even as Jesus is pure." 56:52 Jesus will have a church which will be shifted. 56:57 Those who have confirmed to the world 56:59 will be shaken out, 57:00 but God will have a church that will be without spot 57:04 or wrinkle or any such thing, 57:08 but it will be pure and perfect in the sight of God. 57:12 Not because she is perfect, 57:15 but because they have accepted Jesus into the heart 57:18 and Jesus lives his life 57:20 through the instrumentality of the church. 57:23 I pray that God will do that with our church. |
Revised 2014-12-17