Shall we bow our
heads for prayer?
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Father in heaven, we thank You
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for the awesome privilege
of being in Your house.
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We thank you for
your holy Sabbath
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where we can just take
a break for 24 whole hours
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from our own
endeavors, from our own words,
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from our own activities.
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We ask, Father,
that as we open Your word
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and study about
the final apostasy
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that Your Holy Spirit will be
with us to guide our thoughts.
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And we thank You
Father, for hearing our prayer
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for we ask it in the
precious name of Jesus, amen.
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I'd like to begin
our study this morning
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by referring to a
text which I probably quote
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more than any
text from Scripture.
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Genesis 3:15.
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Basically this is after
Adam and Eve had sinned.
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God has come down to the garden
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and He is
addressing the serpent.
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And what He is saying
is that He is going to send
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a seed born of a
woman to this world
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and that seed is going
to do battle with Satan,
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with the
serpent, with the devil.
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In the process of the
battle the seed of the woman
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is going to be
wounded on His heel,
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but the head of the
serpent is going to be crushed
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by the woman seed.
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In other words, God
is serving Satan notice.
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He is saying you
led man into sin,
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you're gonna cause
misery on planet earth,
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but I'm warning you that
I'm sending a seed to the world
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who is going to
do battle with you.
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In that battle
you're gonna hurt him,
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but he is going
to crush your head.
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From that point
on the devil decided
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he was not going to
allow that seed to come.
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And so basically Satan
used two different methods
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to try and keep
the seed from coming
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during the Old Testament period.
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Two methods,
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the first method we find
in the story of Cain and Abel.
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You see when-- when
Abel lived in harmony
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with God's principles
the devil soon discovered
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that Abel
probably wasn't the seed,
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but he was going to bring
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through a lineage
the seed into the world.
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And so was not convenient
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for the devil to
have Abel living.
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And so we're told in Genesis 4:8
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if you go with
me there Genesis 4:8
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"Now Cain talked
with Abel his brother,
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and it came to pass,
when they were in the field,
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that Cain rose up against Abel
his brother and killed him."
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So the first
method that the devil uses
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is to try and destroy
the seed by persecution.
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He tries to kill the
seed and in this case
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he was successful with Abel.
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Of course he was not
ultimately successful
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because we're
told in Genesis 4:25
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that God gave Eve another seed
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and the name of
that seed was Seth.
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So the devil was not
successful by killing the seed
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through whom the seed would
eventually come into the world.
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So the devil soon discovers
that by killing the seed
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he is not going to
accomplish his purposes.
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So he begins to think
there must be a better method
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of keeping the seed from
coming then killing the seed.
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Because I kill the seed
and God brings another one.
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How can I do it?
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And so, now we move to
the moment before the flood,
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actually several
years before the flood.
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Notice Genesis 6:1
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it says "Now it came to
pass, when men began to multiply
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on the face of the earth,
and daughters were born to them,
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that the sons of God
saw the daughters of men,
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that they were
beautiful, and they took wives
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for themselves of
all whom they chose."
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I'm gonna stop
there for a moment.
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The sons of God
here are the righteous,
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the daughters of
men are the wicked women
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that are mentioned in
the genealogy of Cain.
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And what the devil is doing here
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he's not trying to destroy
the sons of God by persecution,
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he's not trying to
annihilate the sons of God,
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what he's doing is he's
blending or mixing the two seeds
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the sons of God
that is the righteous
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with the daughters of
men who are the lineage
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of the wicked or
of the unrighteous.
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In other word Satan is saying
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perhaps the method of
contaminating the seed
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or blending the two
seeds will be more successful
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then trying to kill the seed.
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And by the way this method
was diabolically successful,
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because when you
read the story in Genesis
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in spite of the fact
that 1,656 years had gone
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by between
creation and the flood
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we're told in Genesis
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that out of all the millions
of people that individually
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were on planet
earth and at that time
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because men live to be
almost a 1,000 years old,
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there was no sterility problems,
there was no scarcity of food.
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In other words,
the world was almost
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in its pristine
glory and beauty.
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There must have been millions
of people on planet earth,
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it says the whole
earth had become corrupted.
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We find that out of all
those millions of people
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that probably
were on planet earth
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only eight were
still faithful to God.
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If time had passed,
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if God had not
brought about the flood
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the holy line
would have disappeared.
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I continue reading in verse 3
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"And the Lord said,
'My Spirit shall not strive
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with man forever,
for he is indeed flesh,
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yet his day shall be one
hundred and twenty years.'
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There were giants on
the earth in those days,
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and also afterward,
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when the sons of God came
in to the daughters of men
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and they bore children to them.
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Those were the mighty men
who were of old, men of renown."
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Or men with the name.
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They were the same
builders of the Tower of Babel.
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The identical expression is used
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of those who build
the Tower of Babel.
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In other words,
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a very wicked powerful race
was the result of this mixture
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of the sons of God
with the daughters of men.
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In fact, we're told in Genesis
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that as the result of the
devil blending these two seeds
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the world was
almost totally corrupted.
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Notice Genesis 6:5 it says here
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"Then the Lord saw
that the wickedness of man
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was great in the
earth, and that every intent
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of the thoughts of his heart
was only evil continually."
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And noticed the end result
in society verses 11 and 12,
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it says "The earth
also was corrupt before God,
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and the earth was
filled with violence.
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So God looked upon the
earth, and indeed it was corrupt
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for all flesh had corrupted
their way on the earth."
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So in the early
chapters of Genesis we noticed
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that the devil
uses two methods to try
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and keep the
seed the promised seed
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of Genesis 3:15 from coming.
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Number one, attempt
took kill the holy seed.
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Number two, try to infiltrate
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and corrupt the seed
by mixing or blending them
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with wordlings, blending
them with the unrighteous.
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And of course the
method which worked the best
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was blending the
righteous with the unrighteous.
00:09:04.96\00:09:09.33
Every thought of the
intense of the heart of man
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was only evil continually.
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The earth was filled
with violence as a result
00:09:13.35\00:09:16.42
of this second method of Satan.
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Now Satan has used these methods
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all throughout the
course of human history.
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These are his
primary two methods
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to try and get people to
forsake their allegiance to God
00:09:27.72\00:09:32.62
either kill
them or corrupt them.
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There are many
other smaller methods
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if you please
that the devil uses
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but these are
the two major methods
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that the devil uses in
the course of human history
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either kill the
seed or corrupt the seed,
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either destroy the
righteous through persecution
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or else contaminate
them through false ideas
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and through worldly practices.
00:10:00.23\00:10:03.65
Now there's
another example of this
00:10:03.68\00:10:05.33
that we've studied
previously in this series
00:10:05.36\00:10:07.81
and that is in
the story of Balaam.
00:10:07.84\00:10:12.70
And this morning I'm
gonna review some of the things
00:10:12.73\00:10:14.99
that we've studied
before because this is really
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the concluding
lecture in the series
00:10:16.97\00:10:19.62
on great
apostasies in the Bible.
00:10:19.65\00:10:23.05
Notice Numbers
22:6, Numbers 22:6.
00:10:23.08\00:10:30.12
Israel at this point
00:10:30.15\00:10:31.59
was in a proper
relationship with God,
00:10:31.62\00:10:34.30
in fact they had a
strong covenant relationship
00:10:34.33\00:10:37.11
with the Lord when they came
00:10:37.14\00:10:38.76
to the borders
of the Promise Land,
00:10:38.79\00:10:40.31
they'd learned their lesson,
00:10:40.34\00:10:41.67
they been in the
wilderness for 40 years.
00:10:41.70\00:10:44.92
That whole
generation had passed away
00:10:44.95\00:10:46.79
except for those who
are 18 years and younger.
00:10:46.82\00:10:49.08
And Caleb and Joshua and so now
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they were in a
strong relationship with God
00:10:51.31\00:10:55.17
and the devil knew it.
00:10:55.20\00:10:56.80
And so now the devil is going
to attempt to destroy them.
00:10:56.83\00:11:00.04
And the way that he attempts
to do it is by getting Balaam
00:11:00.07\00:11:02.70
to curse Israel so that
then Balak can come against them
00:11:02.73\00:11:06.21
and destroyed them in battle.
00:11:06.24\00:11:08.05
Notice Numbers 22:6.
00:11:08.08\00:11:11.47
This is Balak the
king of the Moabites
00:11:11.50\00:11:17.31
asking Balaam to
come and curse the people.
00:11:17.34\00:11:20.49
"Therefore please come at
once, curse this people for me,
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for they are too mighty for me.
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Perhaps I shall be
able to defeat them
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and drive them out of the land,
00:11:29.30\00:11:31.38
for I know that he
whom you bless is blessed,
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and he whom you
curse is cursed."
00:11:34.22\00:11:36.66
In other words, come
and curse this people
00:11:36.69\00:11:38.43
so that I can come
against them in battle
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and I can defeat them
in battle and destroy them.
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It's interesting to
notice the response of Balaam
00:11:44.35\00:11:48.70
to the request of Balak.
00:11:48.73\00:11:50.71
Notice Numbers 23:20-23.
00:11:50.74\00:11:55.22
"Behold, I have
received a command to bless.
00:11:55.25\00:12:01.22
He has blessed."
That is God has blessed.
00:12:01.25\00:12:04.31
"And I cannot
reverse it. 'He has not.'"
00:12:04.34\00:12:07.81
Now notice what reason.
00:12:07.84\00:12:09.36
"He has not
observed iniquity in Jacob,
00:12:09.39\00:12:13.76
nor has He seen
wickedness in Israel.
00:12:13.79\00:12:18.07
The Lord his God is with him,
00:12:18.10\00:12:20.84
and the shout of a
King is among them.
00:12:20.87\00:12:24.27
God brings them out of Egypt.
He has strength like a wild ox.
00:12:24.30\00:12:29.11
'For there is no
sorcery against Jacob,
00:12:29.14\00:12:31.77
nor any
divination against Israel.
00:12:31.80\00:12:34.89
It now must be said
of Jacob And of Israel,'
00:12:34.92\00:12:37.58
Oh, what God has done!"
00:12:37.61\00:12:41.33
No way in which the
devil could destroy Israel
00:12:41.36\00:12:44.35
from the outside
through persecution,
00:12:44.38\00:12:47.56
because Israel was in a
proper relationship with God,
00:12:47.59\00:12:50.56
strong covenant
relationship with God.
00:12:50.59\00:12:53.18
As it says here "He has
not observed iniquity in Jacob,
00:12:53.21\00:12:57.83
nor has He seen
wickedness in Israel.
00:12:57.86\00:13:02.33
So the devil
begins to think he says,
00:13:02.36\00:13:04.60
I'm not able to influence
Balaam by money to curse Israel.
00:13:04.63\00:13:11.21
God is protecting Israel
00:13:11.24\00:13:12.95
they are in a proper
relationship with Him.
00:13:12.98\00:13:14.95
I cannot destroy
them through persecution.
00:13:14.98\00:13:18.07
What method could I use?
00:13:18.10\00:13:19.56
And so suddenly he
brings all of his filing cabinet
00:13:19.59\00:13:23.28
the method that he
had used before the flood.
00:13:23.31\00:13:26.60
If you can't
fight them join them
00:13:26.63\00:13:30.51
and then if they become defiled
with the inhabitants of the land
00:13:30.54\00:13:33.90
God will withdraw His protection
00:13:33.93\00:13:36.89
and they will
be easy to destroy.
00:13:36.92\00:13:39.59
Notice Numbers 31:16
00:13:39.62\00:13:42.98
it was Balaam who
made the suggestion
00:13:43.01\00:13:45.73
that the children of Israel
be enticed to commit idolatry
00:13:45.76\00:13:50.17
and fornication to become
defiled with those Moabites.
00:13:50.20\00:13:54.05
It says here in Numbers 31:16
00:13:54.08\00:13:59.25
"Look, these women
caused the children of Israel,
00:13:59.28\00:14:03.67
through the council of Balaam,
00:14:03.70\00:14:05.86
to trespass against the
Lord in the incidents of Peor,
00:14:05.89\00:14:11.21
and there was a plague among
the congregation of the Lord."
00:14:11.24\00:14:16.71
In other words, God is saying
00:14:16.74\00:14:19.02
as long as you are in a
proper relationship with me
00:14:19.05\00:14:22.28
there is nothing that the
devil can do to destroy you
00:14:22.31\00:14:25.37
from outside
through persecution.
00:14:25.40\00:14:27.30
So the devil says, if you
can't fight them join them.
00:14:27.33\00:14:29.99
And so he brings believers
and unbelievers together.
00:14:30.02\00:14:33.98
The unbelievers
corrupt the believers
00:14:34.01\00:14:36.39
and as a result God
withdraws His protection.
00:14:36.42\00:14:40.61
And the Bible says
that 24,000 of the cream
00:14:40.64\00:14:44.90
of the crop of Israel
died, because of their apostasy.
00:14:44.93\00:14:50.83
Notice Numbers
25:1-4 on this second method
00:14:50.86\00:14:55.68
speaking about
when Israel arrived
00:14:55.71\00:14:57.54
at the borders
of the Promised Land
00:14:57.57\00:14:59.18
they should have been
willing to advance immediately
00:14:59.21\00:15:01.95
into the Promised Land,
00:15:01.98\00:15:03.46
but there's a very
important little word here
00:15:03.49\00:15:05.34
in Numbers 25:1 it says
00:15:05.37\00:15:07.90
"Then Israel" notice
"remained in Acacia Grove."
00:15:07.93\00:15:14.20
They remained in Acacia Grove.
00:15:14.23\00:15:16.55
"And the people began to commit
adultery with the women of Moab.
00:15:16.58\00:15:21.12
They invited the people to
the sacrifices of their gods,
00:15:21.15\00:15:24.06
and the people ate and
bowed down to their gods.
00:15:24.09\00:15:26.88
So Israel was
joined to Baal of Peor,
00:15:26.91\00:15:30.29
and the anger of the Lord
was aroused against Israel."
00:15:30.32\00:15:34.90
So what the devil was not
able to do through persecution
00:15:34.93\00:15:38.19
the devil was able to
do through infiltration.
00:15:38.22\00:15:41.76
Those are the two
methods that the devil uses
00:15:41.79\00:15:44.08
all throughout human
history to try and conquer
00:15:44.11\00:15:48.82
and overcome God's people
00:15:48.85\00:15:50.98
by trying to
destroy them physically,
00:15:51.01\00:15:53.97
by trying to kill
them, by persecution
00:15:54.00\00:15:56.48
and the second method
is by infiltrating them,
00:15:56.51\00:16:00.76
in other words
corrupting their principles
00:16:00.79\00:16:03.11
and leading them to
a wrong belief system.
00:16:03.14\00:16:07.84
We have another
example of this in Scripture.
00:16:07.87\00:16:11.20
We have the case of
Daniel and his three friends.
00:16:11.23\00:16:16.76
Let's read from Daniel Chapter 1
00:16:16.79\00:16:19.74
and we'll being at
verse 3, Daniel 1:3.
00:16:19.77\00:16:24.60
And I want you to
notice three things
00:16:24.63\00:16:26.81
that Nebuchadnezzar does with
Daniel and his three friends.
00:16:26.84\00:16:32.27
It says there,
00:16:32.30\00:16:34.62
"Then the king
instructed Ashpenaz,
00:16:34.65\00:16:38.33
the master of his eunuchs,
00:16:38.36\00:16:40.49
to bring some of
the children of Israel
00:16:40.52\00:16:42.54
and some of the
Kings descendants
00:16:42.57\00:16:44.78
and some of the nobles,
00:16:44.81\00:16:46.47
young men in whom
there was no blemish,
00:16:46.50\00:16:49.32
but good-looking,
gifted in all wisdom,
00:16:49.35\00:16:52.46
possessing knowledge
and quick to understand,
00:16:52.49\00:16:55.81
who had ability to
serve in the king's palace,
00:16:55.84\00:16:58.88
and whom they might teach."
00:16:58.91\00:17:00.83
Now notice this.
00:17:00.86\00:17:01.89
"They might teach the language
00:17:01.92\00:17:04.21
and the
literature of the Chaldeans."
00:17:04.24\00:17:09.69
What was the idea of
teaching these young men
00:17:09.72\00:17:12.17
the literature and
language of the Chaldeans?
00:17:12.20\00:17:15.98
Through the educational
system it was to reprogram
00:17:16.01\00:17:19.68
their way of
thinking from Hebrew thinking
00:17:19.71\00:17:22.32
into Babylonian thinking.
00:17:22.35\00:17:24.67
But there was more.
00:17:24.70\00:17:26.57
Notice what we find in verse 5.
00:17:26.60\00:17:29.97
It says "And the king appointed
for them a daily provision
00:17:30.00\00:17:34.30
of the king's delicacies
00:17:34.33\00:17:36.14
and of the wine
which they drank."
00:17:36.17\00:17:40.04
Interesting, why
would the devil want
00:17:40.07\00:17:44.27
Daniel and his three friends
to eat the food of Babylon
00:17:44.30\00:17:48.31
and to drink
the wine of Babylon?
00:17:48.34\00:17:50.82
Simply, because
our physical habits
00:17:50.85\00:17:53.18
have much to do
with our moral ability
00:17:53.21\00:17:56.06
to distinguish
between right and wrong
00:17:56.09\00:17:59.47
and to chose the
right and reject the wrong.
00:17:59.50\00:18:03.54
So not only is the devil trying
to reprogram their thinking
00:18:03.57\00:18:06.80
through the
educational system of Babylon,
00:18:06.83\00:18:09.10
he is also trying to
lower their physical barriers
00:18:09.13\00:18:12.48
and their mental
barriers to sin by getting them
00:18:12.51\00:18:15.84
to eat the food and
drink the wine of Babylon.
00:18:15.87\00:18:20.97
But there is more.
00:18:21.00\00:18:23.01
Verse 5 again
"And the king appointed
00:18:23.04\00:18:24.98
for them a daily provisional
of the king's delicacies
00:18:25.01\00:18:27.70
and of the wine which he drank,
00:18:27.73\00:18:29.96
and three years
of training for them,
00:18:29.99\00:18:32.22
so that at the end of that time
00:18:32.25\00:18:34.61
they might
serve before the king.
00:18:34.64\00:18:37.36
Now from among
those of the sons of Judah
00:18:37.39\00:18:40.19
were Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah."
00:18:40.22\00:18:45.48
And now notice this.
00:18:45.51\00:18:47.16
"To them the chief of
the eunuchs gave" what?
00:18:47.19\00:18:51.93
"Names."
00:18:51.96\00:18:54.73
Why would Babylon
want to change their names?
00:18:54.76\00:18:57.44
What does a name
indicate in Scripture?
00:18:57.47\00:19:00.10
A name indicates the
character of the person.
00:19:00.13\00:19:05.61
To them the chief
eunuchs gave names,
00:19:05.64\00:19:08.36
he gave Daniel the
name of Belteshazzar,
00:19:08.39\00:19:11.17
to Hananiah,
Shadrach, to Mishael, Meshach
00:19:11.20\00:19:14.55
and to Azariah, Abednego.
00:19:14.58\00:19:16.35
In fact, these
names were names it
00:19:16.38\00:19:18.14
honor of the Babylonian gods.
00:19:18.17\00:19:20.87
He hoped that as they
listened to their names
00:19:20.90\00:19:22.84
their character would
changed as they listen
00:19:22.87\00:19:25.79
to the names of gods of
the Pantheon of Babylon.
00:19:25.82\00:19:30.74
You know what's interesting?
00:19:30.77\00:19:33.10
The Bible says that even
though Daniel and his friends
00:19:33.13\00:19:35.60
attended the
educational system of Babylon
00:19:35.63\00:19:37.93
they did not allow
their minds to be defiled.
00:19:37.96\00:19:41.90
Not only that when the food
and when the wine was brought
00:19:41.93\00:19:45.13
before them they refused to eat.
00:19:45.16\00:19:48.42
They chose a vegan
diet, water and vegetables.
00:19:48.45\00:19:54.75
And you know something
else never in the Book of Daniel
00:19:54.78\00:19:57.96
do we find Daniel
calling himself Belteshazzar.
00:19:57.99\00:20:04.02
He's always called
that by the Babylonians,
00:20:04.05\00:20:06.71
but whenever Daniel speaks
of himself he says I Daniel.
00:20:06.74\00:20:12.12
He did not allow the change
of names to influence him.
00:20:12.15\00:20:16.54
What was Babylon
trying to do at this point?
00:20:16.57\00:20:19.31
They were trying to convert
the Hebrews into Babylonians.
00:20:19.34\00:20:24.61
They were trying to corrupt them
00:20:24.64\00:20:27.01
and the devil was
not able to do it.
00:20:27.04\00:20:29.64
See the devil work in both ways.
00:20:29.67\00:20:31.31
He'll either kill you
and if he can't kill you
00:20:31.34\00:20:33.46
he'll infiltrate you, or
he'll try to infiltrate you
00:20:33.49\00:20:36.79
and if he can't he'll kill you.
00:20:36.82\00:20:39.52
Are you
following what I'm saying?
00:20:39.55\00:20:40.69
The two methods of the
devil he'll work both ways.
00:20:40.72\00:20:44.30
And so the devil sees
that these three young men
00:20:44.33\00:20:46.31
and Daniel stand firm,
they're not gonna allow
00:20:46.34\00:20:48.41
themselves to be defiled
by the food, by the learning,
00:20:48.44\00:20:51.60
by having names in
honor of Babylonian gods.
00:20:51.63\00:20:56.05
And so the devil says,
I'm gonna have to kill them.
00:20:56.08\00:21:02.99
And so now you
entered Daniel Chapter 3.
00:21:03.02\00:21:06.49
By the way, do you
know that Daniel Chapter 3
00:21:06.52\00:21:08.16
is a prophetic chapter?
00:21:08.19\00:21:10.51
Its history, yes it
took place in history,
00:21:10.54\00:21:12.75
but it also is a prophecy.
00:21:12.78\00:21:15.57
Did
Nebuchadnezzar live for a period
00:21:15.60\00:21:17.80
as a beast yes or no?
00:21:17.83\00:21:20.27
Sure he did for seven years.
He thought he was a beast.
00:21:20.30\00:21:23.40
Did he raise up an
image? He more certainly did.
00:21:23.43\00:21:27.36
Did he command
everyone to worship the image?
00:21:27.39\00:21:30.24
Yes, he did.
00:21:30.27\00:21:32.19
Did he threaten that whoever
did not worship the image
00:21:32.22\00:21:34.75
that he had raised
up would be killed?
00:21:34.78\00:21:37.14
Absolutely, and who were
00:21:37.17\00:21:39.12
the only ones who
stood and refused to worship?
00:21:39.15\00:21:41.78
Those three young men.
00:21:41.81\00:21:42.93
Daniel wasn't
there for some reason.
00:21:42.96\00:21:44.44
We'll have to ask in the
kingdom where Daniel was.
00:21:44.47\00:21:47.58
You know, there's
all kinds of speculation,
00:21:47.61\00:21:49.25
but we know that
Daniel if he had been there
00:21:49.28\00:21:51.71
he wouldn't have bowed either,
00:21:51.74\00:21:53.73
because later on he was
willing to face the lions.
00:21:53.76\00:21:57.39
At the end of his life we know
what his character was like.
00:21:57.42\00:22:00.42
Maybe he was ill, maybe
that's king sent him on a trip,
00:22:00.45\00:22:03.30
maybe the king
kept him someplace
00:22:03.33\00:22:05.46
because he knew he wasn't
gonna worship we don't know,
00:22:05.49\00:22:08.32
but the three young
men stood before the king
00:22:08.35\00:22:11.71
and I want to read the
verses Daniel Chapter 3
00:22:11.74\00:22:14.29
and beginning with verse 16.
00:22:14.32\00:22:16.15
Daniel 3:16
00:22:16.18\00:22:18.93
it says here "Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-nego
00:22:18.96\00:22:24.06
answered and said to
the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar,
00:22:24.09\00:22:29.19
we have no need to
answer you in this matter.
00:22:29.22\00:22:32.96
If that is the case,
our God whom we serve
00:22:32.99\00:22:36.84
is able to deliver us
from the burning fiery furnace,
00:22:36.87\00:22:40.66
and He will deliver us
from your hand, O king.
00:22:40.69\00:22:44.37
But if not, let it
be known to you, O king,
00:22:44.40\00:22:48.76
that we do not serve
your gods, nor will we worship
00:22:48.79\00:22:52.91
the gold image
which you have set up."
00:22:52.94\00:22:57.01
You know, when you look
at the historical context
00:22:57.04\00:22:58.97
of this passage
00:22:59.00\00:23:00.88
they were
standing before the monarch
00:23:00.91\00:23:02.64
of the universe so
to speak at that time,
00:23:02.67\00:23:04.57
of the world, Nebuchadnezzar.
00:23:04.60\00:23:07.15
All of the luminaries and
dignitaries were gathered there
00:23:07.18\00:23:11.44
and this was
embarrassing to Nebuchadnezzar
00:23:11.47\00:23:13.51
because you have
these three young men
00:23:13.54\00:23:15.28
that refused to
bow down to worship.
00:23:15.31\00:23:17.44
Let me ask you, have
they been contaminated
00:23:17.47\00:23:19.59
with the teaching of Babylon?
00:23:19.62\00:23:21.52
No.
00:23:21.55\00:23:22.72
Were they living up to
the meaning of their names,
00:23:22.75\00:23:24.79
The Babylonian names? No.
00:23:24.82\00:23:27.02
Was it worthwhile
having clear minds
00:23:27.05\00:23:30.08
and strong physical constitution
00:23:30.11\00:23:32.31
to be able to
stand for the truth?
00:23:32.34\00:23:34.17
Absolutely, yes.
00:23:34.20\00:23:37.32
So they remain firm to
God and devil says okay,
00:23:37.35\00:23:40.66
if I can't
infiltrate you I will kill you.
00:23:40.69\00:23:44.13
But the interesting thing
is we all know the conclusion
00:23:44.16\00:23:46.79
of the story the Bible says
00:23:46.82\00:23:49.05
that when they were
thrown into the fiery furnace
00:23:49.08\00:23:53.76
clothing and all bound
suddenly Nebuchadnezzar looks
00:23:53.79\00:23:57.71
and he sees in the
furnace not three but four
00:23:57.74\00:24:02.05
and that the fourth one
looks like the Son of God.
00:24:02.08\00:24:04.43
Some people saying how
did Nebuchadnezzar know
00:24:04.46\00:24:07.03
what the Son of God looked like?
00:24:07.06\00:24:08.50
Well, the fact is that the
Prophets and Kings tells us
00:24:08.53\00:24:11.64
that Daniel had
described to Nebuchadnezzar
00:24:11.67\00:24:16.52
what the Son of God was
like according to Scripture
00:24:16.55\00:24:19.31
because he had a
physical description of Him.
00:24:19.34\00:24:21.50
And so Nebuchadnezzar knew
what the Son of God look like.
00:24:21.53\00:24:24.87
And, you know, when they were
brought out of the fiery furnace
00:24:24.90\00:24:29.45
I mean, when God delivers
He really delivers fully
00:24:29.48\00:24:31.65
and completely doesn't He?
00:24:31.68\00:24:33.41
I mean, the only
thing they had burnt
00:24:33.44\00:24:35.57
was the ropes that had them tie.
00:24:35.60\00:24:39.25
It says not a hair of
their heads with burnt
00:24:39.28\00:24:42.04
and they didn't
even smell like smoke.
00:24:42.07\00:24:45.17
That's what the text
says, because God intervene
00:24:45.20\00:24:48.52
and He delivered
His faithful followers.
00:24:48.55\00:24:51.89
What I want us to
notice in these examples
00:24:51.92\00:24:53.83
that we studied so far is
that the devil uses two methods.
00:24:53.86\00:24:57.25
Number one, he will try
to undermine your principles.
00:24:57.28\00:25:00.28
He will try to
contaminate you with the world.
00:25:00.31\00:25:02.53
He will try to get you
to follow false doctrines
00:25:02.56\00:25:05.64
and false teachings
which are manifested
00:25:05.67\00:25:07.39
then ultimately in behavior.
00:25:07.42\00:25:09.30
If he can't do that he'll say
00:25:09.33\00:25:11.49
the final
solution I'll kill you.
00:25:11.52\00:25:14.26
But sometimes he
works in the opposite way.
00:25:14.29\00:25:16.57
He tries to destroy and to kill
00:25:16.60\00:25:19.31
and if he's not
successful in doing that
00:25:19.34\00:25:22.30
he will try and infiltrate them.
00:25:22.33\00:25:25.59
You know, during prayer
meetings in the last oh,
00:25:25.62\00:25:29.43
I would say about
four or five months
00:25:29.46\00:25:31.81
we've been
studying the seven churches
00:25:31.84\00:25:34.04
of the Book of Revelation.
00:25:34.07\00:25:36.00
It's been a fascinating study.
00:25:36.03\00:25:38.41
We have a small group of people
00:25:38.44\00:25:40.17
probably about 20 to 25
that come out to prayer meeting.
00:25:40.20\00:25:43.85
And I wish the group was larger
00:25:43.88\00:25:45.92
because we
really have a good time.
00:25:45.95\00:25:47.83
You know, I want you to know
00:25:47.86\00:25:48.89
that I don't save the
good stuff for Sabbath.
00:25:48.92\00:25:52.07
You know, they say
oh, prayer meeting,
00:25:52.10\00:25:53.30
you know, they
saved up the "B" stuff.
00:25:53.33\00:25:56.83
You know, no, we're
studying real, real good stuff.
00:25:56.86\00:25:59.41
We're studying the church
of Philadelphia right now.
00:25:59.44\00:26:02.13
And I would
encourage you to attend
00:26:02.16\00:26:05.12
if it all
possible prayer meeting
00:26:05.15\00:26:06.76
and to dwell
into the word with us.
00:26:06.79\00:26:09.51
But anyway we've been
studying the seven churches.
00:26:09.54\00:26:11.66
I'd like to say something
about the first three churches.
00:26:11.69\00:26:15.76
The first church is Ephesus
that is the Apostolic Church
00:26:15.79\00:26:19.60
the church of the apostles.
00:26:19.63\00:26:21.45
That's the church that went
out and set the world on fire.
00:26:21.48\00:26:25.21
That's the church that
baptized thousands in one day.
00:26:25.24\00:26:29.21
That's the church that soon
not only baptized thousands,
00:26:29.24\00:26:32.78
but started
establishing churches
00:26:32.81\00:26:35.29
all over the Roman Empire.
00:26:35.32\00:26:37.51
They grew like grassfire.
00:26:37.54\00:26:40.72
Then you have the second church.
00:26:40.75\00:26:42.65
The second church
is a church of Smyrna.
00:26:42.68\00:26:44.53
If you read carefully
00:26:44.56\00:26:45.87
the description in
Revelation Chapter 2
00:26:45.90\00:26:47.78
you'll find that Smyrna
is the persecuted church.
00:26:47.81\00:26:51.10
There is a lot of death language
00:26:51.13\00:26:53.10
relating to the
Church of Smyrna.
00:26:53.13\00:26:55.75
You know, God says
be faithful unto death
00:26:55.78\00:26:57.70
I will give you
the crown of life.
00:26:57.73\00:26:59.58
You know, Jesus
introduces Himself as
00:26:59.61\00:27:01.48
He who was dead
and yet He is alive.
00:27:01.51\00:27:05.03
Then the name Smyrna
means bittersweet mere
00:27:05.06\00:27:09.97
and mere was used
to inbound the dead.
00:27:10.00\00:27:12.02
In other words, there's
all sorts of death language
00:27:12.05\00:27:14.19
connected to church of Smyrna.
00:27:14.22\00:27:16.85
Why?
00:27:16.88\00:27:18.27
Because we find in history
that when the Apostolic Church
00:27:18.30\00:27:22.21
lift pious lives
and they proliferated
00:27:22.24\00:27:26.15
the gospel message throughout
the whole Roman Empire,
00:27:26.18\00:27:28.59
Satan started losing
his followers by droops.
00:27:28.62\00:27:33.27
Christianity was growing
00:27:33.30\00:27:34.74
and the pagan
temples were empty.
00:27:34.77\00:27:38.27
And so the devil says
this is not convenient for me
00:27:38.30\00:27:41.22
and so we goes to
the plan of persecution.
00:27:41.25\00:27:44.71
The church Ephesus
is the conferring church
00:27:44.74\00:27:47.22
the church that
wins thousands in a day.
00:27:47.25\00:27:50.19
The devil says
under the Church of Smyrna
00:27:50.22\00:27:52.60
I'm gonna destroy them,
I'm gonna persecute them.
00:27:52.63\00:27:54.61
But, you know, the
interesting thing is
00:27:54.64\00:27:56.48
that the more
the devil persecuted
00:27:56.51\00:27:58.64
the more the church grew.
00:27:58.67\00:28:03.09
So he says it
doesn't do any good
00:28:03.12\00:28:05.03
to try and destroy
them through persecution,
00:28:05.06\00:28:08.36
because the more I
tried to destroy them
00:28:08.39\00:28:10.83
the more they are.
00:28:10.86\00:28:13.20
And so now you enter
the church in Pergamum
00:28:13.23\00:28:16.51
and the church by Thyatira.
00:28:16.54\00:28:18.88
This is the Church of
Pergamum is the church
00:28:18.91\00:28:21.34
of the period of
Constantine the Great.
00:28:21.37\00:28:25.55
When suddenly
Christianity joins the world,
00:28:25.58\00:28:28.40
when Christianity is
favored by the Roman Emperor
00:28:28.43\00:28:31.82
and all sorts of false teachings
enter the church in preparation
00:28:31.85\00:28:35.84
for what we know is the
Dark Ages or the Middle Ages
00:28:35.87\00:28:38.50
the period of
the people apostasy,
00:28:38.53\00:28:40.48
which lasted 1,260 years,
00:28:40.51\00:28:43.90
In other words the devil said
00:28:43.93\00:28:45.03
I'm not able to
destroy them by persecution.
00:28:45.06\00:28:47.55
What I'm gonna do is
I'm gonna infiltrate them,
00:28:47.58\00:28:49.93
lead them to fall
in love with the world,
00:28:49.96\00:28:52.18
following a
practices of the world,
00:28:52.21\00:28:53.84
adopt the teachings of the world
00:28:53.87\00:28:55.83
and then if I corrupt them
God is not gonna favor them,
00:28:55.86\00:29:00.13
they'll be overcome.
00:29:00.16\00:29:02.34
Allow me to
read you a statement,
00:29:02.37\00:29:04.89
I'm gonna read you
several statements now
00:29:04.92\00:29:07.00
on these first three churches
on the Book of Revelation.
00:29:07.03\00:29:10.59
I'm gonna read from
the Spirit of Prophecy,
00:29:10.62\00:29:12.80
Great Controversy
specifically page 46.
00:29:12.83\00:29:16.96
Here Ellen White describes
00:29:16.99\00:29:18.32
the faith of the
early Christians,
00:29:18.35\00:29:20.46
of the church of Ephesus.
00:29:20.49\00:29:22.17
She says this
00:29:22.20\00:29:24.17
"The early Christians
were indeed a peculiar people."
00:29:24.20\00:29:29.30
Today people don't
want to be peculiar.
00:29:29.33\00:29:32.79
Now we want to be
one of the crowd, right?
00:29:32.82\00:29:37.15
We don't want to be different.
00:29:37.18\00:29:39.47
We don't want to
be called a cult.
00:29:39.50\00:29:42.40
I don't like
being called a cult.
00:29:42.43\00:29:45.44
But, you know, many
times we even call our churches
00:29:45.47\00:29:48.22
we don't call them
Seventh-day Adventist
00:29:48.25\00:29:49.88
just we call them
Adventist community,
00:29:49.91\00:29:52.35
the fellowship or
Adventist Community Church.
00:29:52.38\00:29:59.10
Is it perhaps
because we're embarrassed?
00:29:59.13\00:30:02.44
She says "The early Christians
were indeed a peculiar people.
00:30:02.47\00:30:05.98
Their blameless
department and unswerving faith
00:30:06.01\00:30:11.49
were a continual reproof that
disturbed the sinner's peace.
00:30:11.52\00:30:16.77
Though few in numbers,
without wealth, position,
00:30:16.80\00:30:22.38
or honorary titles, they
were a terror to evildoers
00:30:22.41\00:30:27.38
wherever their character
and doctrines were known.
00:30:27.41\00:30:32.20
Therefore they were
hated by the wicked,
00:30:32.23\00:30:35.62
even as Abel was
hated by the ungodly Cain.
00:30:35.65\00:30:39.70
For the same reason
that Cain slew Abel,
00:30:39.73\00:30:42.01
did those who sought
to throw off the restraint
00:30:42.04\00:30:45.19
of the Holy Spirit,
put to death God's people."
00:30:45.22\00:30:50.02
You see they have
this peculiar church
00:30:50.05\00:30:53.13
whose lives are
different than the world
00:30:53.16\00:30:56.65
and they cause the world
00:30:56.68\00:30:58.62
of course to
react by persecution.
00:30:58.65\00:31:04.76
And so I want you to
notice that the devil attempts
00:31:04.79\00:31:07.47
to destroy the early church,
because of their character.
00:31:07.50\00:31:11.98
We find in the same
page of Great Controversy
00:31:12.01\00:31:14.78
inveigh where Satan
efforts to destroy the Church
00:31:14.81\00:31:17.30
of Christ by violence.
00:31:17.33\00:31:19.85
He wasn't able to
destroy the church by violence.
00:31:19.88\00:31:21.78
Do you know that the church
that is in a proper relationship
00:31:21.81\00:31:24.29
with Christ is indestructible?
00:31:24.32\00:31:27.31
There is an indestructible
to the people of God.
00:31:27.34\00:31:31.61
Jesus says upon this
rock I will build my church
00:31:31.64\00:31:34.74
and the gates of
hell which means Hades
00:31:34.77\00:31:37.31
or the grave shall
not prevail against it.
00:31:37.34\00:31:41.19
You can take it to the bank.
00:31:41.22\00:31:43.92
She says the Great Controversy
in which the disciples of Jesus
00:31:43.95\00:31:47.16
healed up their
lives did not cease
00:31:47.19\00:31:50.03
when these faithful standard
bearers fell at their post.
00:31:50.06\00:31:54.62
By defeat they conquered.
00:31:54.65\00:31:58.05
Wait a minute, by
defeat they conquered?
00:31:58.08\00:32:02.92
What they have been
defeated if they had given
00:32:02.95\00:32:04.54
in to save their lives?
00:32:04.57\00:32:06.92
Yes, but the fact
that they're willing to die
00:32:06.95\00:32:09.84
to be faithful to God show
00:32:09.87\00:32:11.32
that the devil
could not overcome them.
00:32:11.35\00:32:14.16
She continued saying
"God's workmen were slain,
00:32:14.19\00:32:17.70
but His work
went steadily forward.
00:32:17.73\00:32:20.27
The gospel continued to spread
00:32:20.30\00:32:22.16
and the number of its
adherents to increase.
00:32:22.19\00:32:26.37
It penetrated into
regions that were inaccessible
00:32:26.40\00:32:30.54
even to the eagles of Rome.
00:32:30.57\00:32:35.15
Said a Christian, expostulating
with the heathen rulers
00:32:35.18\00:32:39.74
who were urging
forward the persecution:
00:32:39.77\00:32:42.88
You may 'kill us,
torture us, condemn us.
00:32:42.91\00:32:47.92
Your injustice is the
proof that we are innocent.
00:32:47.95\00:32:51.79
Nor does your
cruelty avail you.'
00:32:51.82\00:32:55.47
It was but a stronger invitation
00:32:55.50\00:32:57.30
to bring others
to their persuasion.
00:32:57.33\00:33:00.11
'The oftener we
are mown down by you,
00:33:00.14\00:33:03.04
the more in number we grow,
00:33:03.07\00:33:05.37
the blood of
Christians is seed.'"
00:33:05.40\00:33:10.99
The devil should
have learned a lesson
00:33:11.02\00:33:12.45
that the best
method of getting rid
00:33:12.48\00:33:14.72
of true Christianity
is not by persecution.
00:33:14.75\00:33:18.16
It takes a while even
for the devil to learn.
00:33:18.19\00:33:21.73
You know, by killing Abel
00:33:21.76\00:33:24.59
through Cain God
brings another seed.
00:33:24.62\00:33:28.39
That devil had learned
that infiltrating the seed
00:33:28.42\00:33:30.61
before the flood work
much better only eight left.
00:33:30.64\00:33:35.63
But evidently he
didn't learn well enough
00:33:35.66\00:33:37.42
to apply it here in
the Christian Church.
00:33:37.45\00:33:40.58
He raises persecution first,
the more the church grows.
00:33:40.61\00:33:45.21
Is it perhaps true that
there might be a good idea
00:33:45.24\00:33:47.26
to have a little
persecution today?
00:33:47.29\00:33:51.63
You know, we praise
that what when we say
00:33:51.66\00:33:52.80
oh thank you, Lord,
for the times of peace.
00:33:52.83\00:33:55.01
And we sit in
from the television set
00:33:55.04\00:33:56.46
for hours and hours.
00:33:56.49\00:33:57.94
Thanks for the times of peace.
00:33:57.97\00:34:00.85
There I speak boldly
perhaps the only thing folks,
00:34:00.88\00:34:04.96
that is gonna lift
us up from are pews
00:34:04.99\00:34:08.27
and lead us to
come to prayer meeting
00:34:08.30\00:34:10.98
where we not only
study, but we also pray
00:34:11.01\00:34:13.88
and we have a testimony service
00:34:13.91\00:34:15.93
and when Pastor
Jensen, leads they sing.
00:34:15.96\00:34:21.88
What is it gonna take?
00:34:21.91\00:34:25.67
Now notice Satan's plan "B"
when a church grew phenomenally.
00:34:25.70\00:34:31.35
"Satan therefore laid
plans to war more successfully
00:34:31.38\00:34:34.92
against the government of God
00:34:34.95\00:34:37.54
by planting his banner
in the Christian church."
00:34:37.57\00:34:41.17
Is that what he did
in the days of Balaam?
00:34:41.20\00:34:43.33
Absolutely.
00:34:43.36\00:34:44.76
"If the followers of
Christ could be deceived
00:34:44.79\00:34:47.54
and led to displease God,
00:34:47.57\00:34:50.36
then their strength, fortitude,
and firmness would fail,
00:34:50.39\00:34:55.34
and they would
fall an easy prey."
00:34:55.37\00:34:58.19
It's like she's describing
what happened in days of Balaam.
00:34:58.22\00:35:02.34
She continues
saying "The great adversary
00:35:02.37\00:35:04.69
now endeavored
to gain by artifice
00:35:04.72\00:35:08.53
what he had failed
to secure by force.
00:35:08.56\00:35:11.85
Persecution
ceased, and in its stead
00:35:11.88\00:35:15.96
were substituted the
dangerous allurements
00:35:15.99\00:35:18.97
of temporal
prosperity and worldly honor.
00:35:19.00\00:35:23.73
Idolaters were led to receive
a part of the Christian faith,
00:35:23.76\00:35:29.33
while they rejected
other essential truths."
00:35:29.36\00:35:32.72
Is it just possible
that we're filling the church
00:35:32.75\00:35:34.62
with the mix multitude
people who are not fully
00:35:34.65\00:35:38.79
and completely
committed to all of our message?
00:35:38.82\00:35:42.81
She continues saying
00:35:42.84\00:35:43.87
"They professed to
accept Jesus as the Son of God
00:35:43.90\00:35:47.83
and to believe in His
death and resurrection,
00:35:47.86\00:35:50.88
but they had no
conviction of sin
00:35:50.91\00:35:53.19
and felt no need of repentance
or of a change of heart.
00:35:53.22\00:35:58.49
With some
concessions on their part
00:35:58.52\00:36:01.65
they proposed that Christians
should make concessions,
00:36:01.68\00:36:04.73
that all might unite
00:36:04.76\00:36:06.21
on the platform
of belief in Christ."
00:36:06.24\00:36:11.07
Unite on the platform of what?
00:36:11.10\00:36:14.81
We all believe in Jesus.
00:36:14.84\00:36:20.16
That's ecumenism, as
it's been spoken of the day.
00:36:20.19\00:36:23.35
Let's join on the
points that we have in common.
00:36:23.38\00:36:26.75
We all believe in the same Lord,
00:36:26.78\00:36:28.40
we're all going
to the same place.
00:36:28.43\00:36:31.82
She continues saying
00:36:31.85\00:36:32.88
this is page 42 and
43 of Great Controversy.
00:36:32.91\00:36:35.32
She says "Now the
church was in fearful peril.
00:36:35.35\00:36:39.38
Prison, torture, fire,
and sword were blessings
00:36:39.41\00:36:43.90
in comparison with this.
00:36:43.93\00:36:46.51
Some of the
Christians stood firm,
00:36:46.54\00:36:49.12
declaring that they
could make no compromise.
00:36:49.15\00:36:52.39
Others were in favor of yielding
00:36:52.42\00:36:54.41
or modifying some
features of their faith
00:36:54.44\00:36:58.13
and uniting with those who had
accepted a part of Christianity,
00:36:58.16\00:37:02.68
urging that this might be
00:37:02.71\00:37:04.39
the means of
their full conversion."
00:37:04.42\00:37:08.53
Did you catch that?
00:37:08.56\00:37:10.99
You know, if we
just concede a little bit
00:37:11.02\00:37:13.04
we'll reach all of
those on Church out there.
00:37:13.07\00:37:16.47
If we just worship that the way
00:37:16.50\00:37:17.96
that they are
comfortable worshiping.
00:37:17.99\00:37:20.61
You know, if we allow in church
00:37:20.64\00:37:22.66
the behavior that
they are partake of.
00:37:22.69\00:37:25.41
If we use, you know,
instead of preaching a sermon
00:37:25.44\00:37:27.61
we show movie now and then.
00:37:27.64\00:37:30.25
They'll feel more
comfortable in our midst.
00:37:30.28\00:37:33.35
It's happening now in
the Adventist church, folks.
00:37:33.38\00:37:38.91
It's quite in here.
00:37:38.94\00:37:42.17
She continues saying
"That was a time of deep anguish
00:37:42.20\00:37:45.20
to the faithful
followers of Christ.
00:37:45.23\00:37:47.98
Under a cloak of
pretended Christianity,
00:37:48.01\00:37:51.65
Satan was insinuating
himself into the church,
00:37:51.68\00:37:57.36
to corrupt their
faith and turn their minds
00:37:57.39\00:38:00.86
from the Word of God."
00:38:00.89\00:38:04.85
See how the devil works.
00:38:04.88\00:38:07.51
Persecution and infiltration
00:38:07.54\00:38:12.37
and he does them in both orders.
00:38:12.40\00:38:15.52
Persecution and infiltration
or infiltration and persecution
00:38:15.55\00:38:19.12
it doesn't make
any difference to him.
00:38:19.15\00:38:21.38
If we can't get you one way
he will get you another way.
00:38:21.41\00:38:26.09
Now I would like to
dedicate my concluding remarks
00:38:26.12\00:38:33.42
to a passage from
the Spirit of Prophecy
00:38:33.45\00:38:36.91
where Ellen White
is discussing a meeting
00:38:36.94\00:38:42.52
that she saw in vision of Satan
00:38:42.55\00:38:44.94
and his angels
to plan the strategy
00:38:44.97\00:38:48.15
for God's remnant
church in the last days.
00:38:48.18\00:38:52.50
Now I must say that
00:38:52.53\00:38:54.19
though I'm gonna
read this passage
00:38:54.22\00:38:55.52
from the writings of Ellen White
00:38:55.55\00:38:58.76
what she says is
contained already in Scripture
00:38:58.79\00:39:01.90
primarily Matthew
24 and 25, Luke 21
00:39:01.93\00:39:06.44
where Jesus speaks about being
prepared for His second coming.
00:39:06.47\00:39:10.74
Jesus said pray, watch,
00:39:10.77\00:39:14.88
don't be caught up by
the cares of this world.
00:39:14.91\00:39:18.92
Less that they
catch you unawares.
00:39:18.95\00:39:20.66
Now I'm not gonna
read the whole passage,
00:39:20.69\00:39:23.32
it's in Testimonies to
Ministers, pages 473 to 475.
00:39:23.35\00:39:30.31
I'm just gonna mention a
few of Ellen White's comments
00:39:30.34\00:39:33.52
in the first
half of this chapter
00:39:33.55\00:39:35.55
and then I'm gonna
dedicate my remarks especially
00:39:35.58\00:39:37.99
to the second
half of this chapter,
00:39:38.02\00:39:41.43
it's called the Snares of Satan.
00:39:41.46\00:39:44.82
In the first
half of this chapter
00:39:44.85\00:39:46.23
Ellen White speaks about Satan
00:39:46.26\00:39:49.66
influencing the religious world
00:39:49.69\00:39:52.27
to move for the establishment
of laws which restrict
00:39:52.30\00:39:57.31
and remove
liberty of conscience.
00:39:57.34\00:40:00.66
She speaks about the religious
00:40:00.69\00:40:02.36
and political powers of
the world joining forces
00:40:02.39\00:40:05.40
to actually
implement a Sunday law
00:40:05.43\00:40:09.24
which will force God's people
00:40:09.27\00:40:11.94
to observe Sunday
as the day of worship.
00:40:11.97\00:40:14.96
I just like to read
the concluding section
00:40:14.99\00:40:18.14
of this first
part of the chapter
00:40:18.17\00:40:20.57
the Snares of Satan.
00:40:20.60\00:40:22.13
This is the combination
of the devils first method
00:40:22.16\00:40:24.47
which is to
restrict religious liberty
00:40:24.50\00:40:26.68
and ultimately to persecute
00:40:26.71\00:40:28.32
and tried to destroy
God's people by destroying them
00:40:28.35\00:40:31.29
from the face of
earth through persecution.
00:40:31.32\00:40:34.61
She says this,
00:40:34.64\00:40:36.49
Satan here is speaking,
she is hearing him speak.
00:40:36.52\00:40:39.92
"We led the Romish church
00:40:39.95\00:40:41.64
to inflict
imprisonment, torture, and death
00:40:41.67\00:40:46.17
upon those who refused
to yield to her decrees
00:40:46.20\00:40:50.85
and now that we are
bringing the Protestant churches
00:40:50.88\00:40:54.41
and the world into harmony
00:40:54.44\00:40:57.12
with this right
arm of our strength."
00:40:57.15\00:40:59.46
Notice the three fold union.
00:40:59.49\00:41:02.46
"We will finally
have a law to exterminate
00:41:02.49\00:41:06.98
all who will not
submit to our authority.
00:41:07.01\00:41:11.96
When death shall
be made the penalty
00:41:11.99\00:41:14.25
of violating our Sabbath,
00:41:14.28\00:41:17.16
then many who are now
ranked with commandment keepers
00:41:17.19\00:41:21.16
will come over to our side."
00:41:21.19\00:41:25.87
But do you know that this method
of the devil is the last resort.
00:41:25.90\00:41:30.18
This method of the
Sunday law and the death decree
00:41:30.21\00:41:33.03
against God's people who
observe His only Sabbath.
00:41:33.06\00:41:35.99
This is only the last resort
that He is gonna use for those
00:41:36.02\00:41:40.97
that He is not able to conquer
first through another method.
00:41:41.00\00:41:45.50
Allow me to continue
reading the statement she says.
00:41:45.53\00:41:49.14
The devil once again
is saying these words.
00:41:49.17\00:41:51.79
"But before proceeding
to these extreme measures"
00:41:51.82\00:41:57.26
Did you catch that? Before what?
00:41:57.29\00:42:01.48
Proceeding to
these extreme measures.
00:42:01.51\00:42:03.18
What extreme measures?
00:42:03.21\00:42:05.51
Sunday law, a death decree
00:42:05.54\00:42:08.30
to exterminate
God's faithful people.
00:42:08.33\00:42:11.00
She says that before this
something is gonna happen.
00:42:11.03\00:42:12.99
She says "Before proceeding
to these extreme measures,
00:42:13.02\00:42:18.47
we must exert all our
wisdom and subtlety to deceive
00:42:18.50\00:42:24.65
and ensnare those who
honor the true Sabbath."
00:42:24.68\00:42:31.30
So who is the target before
the world before the Papacy
00:42:31.33\00:42:36.31
and Protestantism joining
with the powers of the world,
00:42:36.34\00:42:40.04
give this Sunday law
and this death decree?
00:42:40.07\00:42:43.73
Who is the target
of the devil's work?
00:42:43.76\00:42:46.90
Sabbath keepers.
00:42:46.93\00:42:49.91
"But before proceeding
these extreme measures,
00:42:49.94\00:42:51.98
we must exert all our
wisdom and subtlety to deceive
00:42:52.01\00:42:54.94
and ensnare those who
honor the true Sabbath."
00:42:54.97\00:42:58.21
Now notice this.
00:42:58.24\00:42:59.65
"We can
separate many from Christ
00:42:59.68\00:43:03.75
by worldliness,
00:43:03.78\00:43:06.56
lust, and pride."
00:43:06.59\00:43:11.94
Wow.
Worldliness, lust, and pride.
00:43:11.97\00:43:17.35
"They may think themselves safe
because they believe the truth,
00:43:17.38\00:43:24.05
but indulgence of
appetite or the lower passions,
00:43:24.08\00:43:31.38
which will confuse judgment
and destroy discrimination,
00:43:31.41\00:43:36.03
will cause their fall."
00:43:36.06\00:43:38.14
You know, what
she is listing here?
00:43:38.17\00:43:41.46
She says once again
00:43:41.49\00:43:45.62
"Worldliness, lust,
00:43:45.65\00:43:50.46
pride, appetite
00:43:50.49\00:43:56.11
or feeding the lower
passions confuses judgment.
00:43:56.14\00:44:00.08
She goes on, but devil
speaking to his angels.
00:44:00.11\00:44:04.76
"Go, make the
possessors of lands
00:44:04.79\00:44:08.40
and money drunk with
the cares of this life."
00:44:08.43\00:44:16.29
What place this money occupy
in your list of priorities?
00:44:16.32\00:44:21.98
She continues saying
00:44:22.01\00:44:23.89
"Present the world before them
in its most attractive light
00:44:23.92\00:44:29.53
that they may lay
up their treasure here,
00:44:29.56\00:44:33.53
and fix their
affections upon earthly things."
00:44:33.56\00:44:39.95
Only we can answer
if we're doing that.
00:44:39.98\00:44:42.74
Do we have far
more than what we need
00:44:42.77\00:44:46.85
while the work of
God is languishing
00:44:46.88\00:44:50.45
and the churches in need?
00:44:50.48\00:44:53.04
You say oh, it's
easy for you to say
00:44:53.07\00:44:54.39
that 'cause our
budget is behind.
00:44:54.42\00:44:57.23
Yes our budget is
behind, but I don't say it,
00:44:57.26\00:44:59.19
because of our budget,
I say it because of us.
00:44:59.22\00:45:03.00
It's not about the
church having the money
00:45:03.03\00:45:04.99
it's about us having the
heart to return the money
00:45:05.02\00:45:07.70
that belongs to God.
00:45:07.73\00:45:11.09
She continues saying
"We must do our utmost
00:45:11.12\00:45:13.21
to prevent those
who labor in God's cause
00:45:13.24\00:45:16.59
from obtaining
means to use against us."
00:45:16.62\00:45:21.34
Means, means money.
00:45:21.37\00:45:23.66
She continues saying "Keep
the money in our own ranks.
00:45:23.69\00:45:28.34
The more means they obtain,
the more they will injure
00:45:28.37\00:45:31.44
our kingdom by
taking from us our subjects.
00:45:31.47\00:45:35.71
Make them care
more for money than
00:45:35.74\00:45:37.56
for the upbuilding
of Christ's kingdom
00:45:37.59\00:45:39.99
and the spread of
the truths we hate,
00:45:40.02\00:45:42.93
and we need not
fear their influence
00:45:42.96\00:45:45.45
for we know that every selfish,
00:45:45.48\00:45:47.39
covetous person will
fall under our power,
00:45:47.42\00:45:50.63
and will finally be
separated from God's people."
00:45:50.66\00:45:56.92
Now listen, through those
who have a form of godliness
00:45:56.95\00:46:03.89
and some of that
means the form a godliness
00:46:03.92\00:46:06.09
because through all the
routine and all the forms
00:46:06.12\00:46:09.57
and all the ceremonies,
becoming go from church.
00:46:09.60\00:46:13.67
"Through those that
have a form of godliness
00:46:13.70\00:46:15.62
but know not the power,"
00:46:15.65\00:46:18.03
the devil says "we can gain many
00:46:18.06\00:46:19.85
who would otherwise do us harm.
00:46:19.88\00:46:23.23
Lovers of pleasure
more than lovers of God
00:46:23.26\00:46:25.97
will be our most
effective helpers.
00:46:26.00\00:46:29.77
Those of this class
who are apt and intelligent
00:46:29.80\00:46:32.64
will serve as decoys to
draw others into our snares.
00:46:32.67\00:46:38.65
Many will not
fear their influence,
00:46:38.68\00:46:42.49
because they
profess the same faith.
00:46:42.52\00:46:45.89
We will thus
lead them to conclude
00:46:45.92\00:46:47.53
that the requirements of Christ
00:46:47.56\00:46:49.78
are less strict
than they once believed."
00:46:49.81\00:46:53.72
See lowering the standard,
00:46:53.75\00:46:55.21
lower according to this
the requirements of Jesus.
00:46:55.24\00:47:00.64
"And that by
conformity to the world
00:47:00.67\00:47:03.16
they would exert a greater
influence with worldlings.
00:47:03.19\00:47:07.91
Thus they will
separate from Christ,
00:47:07.94\00:47:10.87
then they will have no
strength to resist our power,
00:47:10.90\00:47:14.01
and erelong they will be ready
00:47:14.04\00:47:16.11
to ridicule their
former zeal and devotion.
00:47:16.14\00:47:22.96
Until the great
decisive blow shall be struck,
00:47:22.99\00:47:26.70
our efforts against commandment
keepers must be untiring.
00:47:26.73\00:47:30.99
We must be present at
all their gatherings."
00:47:31.02\00:47:35.78
He is here today
00:47:35.81\00:47:39.04
whispering in people's ears
00:47:39.07\00:47:44.53
trying to get
you to go to sleep.
00:47:44.56\00:47:49.89
She continues saying
"In their large meetings
00:47:49.92\00:47:53.41
especially our
cause will suffer much,
00:47:53.44\00:47:57.32
and we must
exercise great vigilance,
00:47:57.35\00:47:59.82
and employ all our
seductive arts to prevent souls
00:47:59.85\00:48:03.96
from hearing the truth
and becoming impressed by it.
00:48:03.99\00:48:08.38
I will have upon the
ground, as my agents,
00:48:08.41\00:48:12.17
men holding
false doctrines mingled
00:48:12.20\00:48:15.59
with just enough
truth to deceive souls."
00:48:15.62\00:48:19.38
See here you have heresy,
not only lifestyle issues,
00:48:19.41\00:48:23.98
not only money, not only
pride, not only worldliness,
00:48:24.01\00:48:29.42
but also false doctrines
mingled with the truth.
00:48:29.45\00:48:34.51
Folks, we need in our Bibles.
00:48:34.54\00:48:38.75
What would happen if
you only ate once a week?
00:48:38.78\00:48:42.65
Physically speaking.
00:48:42.68\00:48:45.83
Tell me, what would
happen if we ate once a week?
00:48:45.86\00:48:49.93
We would be
alive very long, right.
00:48:49.96\00:48:52.35
And yet many
Adventist their only meal
00:48:52.38\00:48:55.86
is the sermon
on Sabbath morning.
00:48:55.89\00:48:58.35
Spiritually speaking.
00:48:58.38\00:49:01.00
And that's why as
the church of Sardis
00:49:01.03\00:49:02.88
we have a name that we're alive,
00:49:02.91\00:49:04.16
but we're what? We're dead.
00:49:04.19\00:49:08.88
"I will have upon
the ground, as my agents,
00:49:08.91\00:49:10.64
men holding
false doctrines mingled
00:49:10.67\00:49:12.24
with just enough
truth to deceive souls.
00:49:12.27\00:49:14.51
I will also have
unbelieving ones present
00:49:14.54\00:49:17.00
who will express doubts
00:49:17.03\00:49:19.20
in regard to the Lord's messages
of warning to His church.
00:49:19.23\00:49:22.88
Should the people read and
believe these admonitions."
00:49:22.91\00:49:25.10
She is speaking about
her writings by the way.
00:49:25.13\00:49:27.05
"We could have little
hope of overcoming them.
00:49:27.08\00:49:30.51
But, if we can divert their
attention from these warnings,
00:49:30.54\00:49:34.06
they will remain ignorant
of our power and cunning,
00:49:34.09\00:49:36.91
and we shall secure
them in our ranks at last."
00:49:36.94\00:49:41.29
Like the Ellen
White speaks of a group
00:49:41.32\00:49:42.69
in the time of
trouble that cried out to God
00:49:42.72\00:49:44.48
and they said,
why didn't you tell us
00:49:44.51\00:49:45.81
that this time was
gonna be so terrible,
00:49:45.84\00:49:47.68
so that we could be prepare.
00:49:47.71\00:49:50.42
And God is gonna
say I did warn you,
00:49:50.45\00:49:52.14
I gave you a
testimonies of the spirit
00:49:52.17\00:49:54.07
and you chose to ignore
them and to reject them.
00:49:54.10\00:49:58.10
Now more than ever we should be
reading the Spirit of Prophecy
00:49:58.13\00:50:00.51
and implementing the
principles into our lives,
00:50:00.54\00:50:03.25
because they are
Biblical principles,
00:50:03.28\00:50:04.90
they amplify, they
explain the principles
00:50:04.93\00:50:08.76
that we contain in Scripture.
00:50:08.79\00:50:11.38
She continues saying
speaking about the devil,
00:50:11.41\00:50:15.06
speaking "God will
not permit His words
00:50:15.09\00:50:17.53
to be slighted with impunity.
00:50:17.56\00:50:19.83
If we can keep
souls deceived for a time,
00:50:19.86\00:50:23.01
God's mercy will be withdrawn,
00:50:23.04\00:50:25.35
and He will give them
up to our full control."
00:50:25.38\00:50:28.19
And now notice this.
00:50:28.22\00:50:29.56
"We must cause
distraction and division.
00:50:29.59\00:50:36.30
We must destroy their
anxiety for their own souls,
00:50:36.33\00:50:40.08
and lead them to
criticize, to judge,
00:50:40.11\00:50:43.13
and to accuse and
condemn one another,
00:50:43.16\00:50:46.53
and to cherish
selfishness and enmity."
00:50:46.56\00:50:51.63
So if they are
strive in the church
00:50:51.66\00:50:52.93
we know where it comes from.
00:50:52.96\00:50:56.61
"For these sins, God
banished us from His presence
00:50:56.64\00:51:00.36
and all who follow our example
will meet a similar fate."
00:51:00.39\00:51:07.38
That Satan's plan
for the remnant church.
00:51:07.41\00:51:11.17
Not to destroy them
first that's the last resort
00:51:11.20\00:51:13.67
just like Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego
00:51:13.70\00:51:15.46
if, you know, I
can't corrupt them
00:51:15.49\00:51:17.20
they remain firm
I'm gonna kill them.
00:51:17.23\00:51:20.59
It's a same thing that the devil
00:51:20.62\00:51:21.91
is gonna do at the end of time.
00:51:21.94\00:51:23.63
He's gonna try to
corrupt God's people
00:51:23.66\00:51:25.54
by worldliness, by
pride, by the love of money,
00:51:25.57\00:51:28.91
by criticism, by
all of these things
00:51:28.94\00:51:31.53
that we've
described in this passage
00:51:31.56\00:51:32.92
which is also found
in Matthew 24 and 25,
00:51:32.95\00:51:35.94
but there is
still gonna be a group
00:51:35.97\00:51:37.88
that will not bow to
the power of the devil.
00:51:37.91\00:51:41.80
And so the devil is gonna
say if I cannot corrupt them
00:51:41.83\00:51:45.14
I'm going to destroy them
from the face of the earth
00:51:45.17\00:51:47.96
and then only those
who really know Jesus
00:51:47.99\00:51:51.48
as their personal
Savior will be willing to die
00:51:51.51\00:51:54.74
in order to be faithful to Him.
00:51:54.77\00:51:58.90
I'd like to conclude
by reading one statement
00:51:58.93\00:52:02.64
that we find in
Great Controversy page 48.
00:52:02.67\00:52:05.68
We rejoice that
we live in a country
00:52:05.71\00:52:07.31
where there is no persecution,
00:52:07.34\00:52:08.90
where there is
freedom to worship God
00:52:08.93\00:52:10.27
according to the
dictates of our conscience.
00:52:10.30\00:52:12.22
And I say praise the Lord,
00:52:12.25\00:52:13.28
it's nice to live
in a country like this.
00:52:13.31\00:52:16.69
God has been good
to the United States.
00:52:16.72\00:52:19.23
It's based on
wonderful principles,
00:52:19.26\00:52:21.64
separation of church and state,
00:52:21.67\00:52:23.10
full religious
liberty to worship God
00:52:23.13\00:52:26.03
according to the
dictates of our conscience.
00:52:26.06\00:52:28.25
It's marvelous.
00:52:28.28\00:52:30.62
But I believe
that the time is coming
00:52:30.65\00:52:31.96
when God is gonna have to
take measures into His own hands
00:52:31.99\00:52:34.76
and He is going to have
to allow some persecution
00:52:34.79\00:52:36.77
to come in to sift the church.
00:52:36.80\00:52:43.19
Notice this
statement, closing statement.
00:52:43.22\00:52:46.98
"There is another and
more important question
00:52:47.01\00:52:49.01
that should engage the attention
of the churches of today.
00:52:49.04\00:52:53.37
The apostle Paul declares
that "all that will live godly
00:52:53.40\00:52:56.99
in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution."
00:52:57.02\00:53:01.44
All who will
live godly in Christ
00:53:01.47\00:53:03.90
Jesus shall suffer persecution.
00:53:03.93\00:53:07.02
And then she asks this question.
00:53:07.05\00:53:08.75
"Why is it, then,
that persecution seems
00:53:08.78\00:53:13.79
in a great degree to slumber?"
00:53:13.82\00:53:17.63
Why not persecution?
00:53:17.66\00:53:19.84
If those who live piously
in Christ Jesus will suffer,
00:53:19.87\00:53:22.53
will suffer doesn't say might
it says will suffer persecution.
00:53:22.56\00:53:25.80
Why is there no persecution?
00:53:25.83\00:53:27.10
Here's her answer.
00:53:27.13\00:53:28.66
"The only reason"
00:53:28.69\00:53:30.78
How many reasons? One.
00:53:30.81\00:53:32.53
"The only reason is
that the church has conformed
00:53:32.56\00:53:36.85
to the world's standard
00:53:36.88\00:53:38.92
and therefore
awakens no opposition.
00:53:38.95\00:53:44.33
The religion which
is current in our day
00:53:44.36\00:53:47.32
is not of the
pure and holy character
00:53:47.35\00:53:49.75
that marked the Christian faith
00:53:49.78\00:53:51.57
in the days of
Christ and His apostles.
00:53:51.60\00:53:54.88
It is only because of the
spirit of compromise with sin,
00:53:54.91\00:53:59.17
because the great
truths of the word of God
00:53:59.20\00:54:01.50
are so indifferently regarded,
00:54:01.53\00:54:04.47
because there is so little
vital godliness in the church,
00:54:04.50\00:54:10.39
that Christianity is apparently
so popular with the world."
00:54:10.42\00:54:14.73
And then she gives this warning.
00:54:14.76\00:54:17.30
"Let there be a
revival of the faith
00:54:17.33\00:54:22.76
and power of the early church,
00:54:22.79\00:54:27.20
and the spirit of
persecution will be revived,
00:54:27.23\00:54:30.64
and the fires of
persecution will be rekindled."
00:54:30.67\00:54:36.38
So what is God waiting for?
00:54:36.41\00:54:38.70
I guess God is
waiting for more signs
00:54:38.73\00:54:40.57
in the sun, moon and stars.
00:54:40.60\00:54:45.16
He is waiting for Bible
prophecy to be fulfilled.
00:54:45.19\00:54:48.78
No.
00:54:48.81\00:54:51.30
What He is doing is
He is waiting for people,
00:54:51.33\00:54:54.94
a people who will get
serious about the Lord,
00:54:54.97\00:54:57.88
a people who will make
00:54:57.91\00:54:59.57
that kingdom
number one on the list.
00:54:59.60\00:55:02.23
The kingdom of God
and its righteousness,
00:55:02.26\00:55:05.71
not the added things.
00:55:05.74\00:55:07.54
Folks, the day has
coming when everything
00:55:07.57\00:55:09.31
that we possess is gonna burn.
00:55:09.34\00:55:12.66
And the more we have
the more is gonna burn.
00:55:12.69\00:55:17.57
Do we really need
everything that we have
00:55:17.60\00:55:19.36
or should we place it
on the altar of sacrifice
00:55:19.39\00:55:23.77
to be used in the
finishing of God's work on earth
00:55:23.80\00:55:26.80
so we can go home.
00:55:26.83\00:55:30.32
Kind of reminds me of a
chapter in Early Writings
00:55:30.35\00:55:32.46
where Ellen White says
that during the time of trouble
00:55:32.49\00:55:34.70
there will be many people,
00:55:34.73\00:55:36.23
this is the
short time of trouble
00:55:36.26\00:55:37.33
before the close of probation
00:55:37.36\00:55:39.89
where God's
people will not be able
00:55:39.92\00:55:40.95
to get rid of their properties.
00:55:40.98\00:55:44.35
Can't buy or sell.
00:55:44.38\00:55:47.00
And she heard that cry
not and lamenting before God
00:55:47.03\00:55:50.48
how we could have
taken the funds that we had,
00:55:50.51\00:55:53.47
the excess that we didn't need
00:55:53.50\00:55:55.51
and we could have
invested it in the cause of God
00:55:55.54\00:55:57.94
and shows that have been save
00:55:57.97\00:56:00.09
and now we can't get rid
of our property for any price.
00:56:00.12\00:56:05.43
In fact the Bible says
that the time is coming
00:56:05.46\00:56:08.57
when people will take
their silver and their gold.
00:56:08.60\00:56:11.65
Ezekiel 7:19 says
00:56:11.68\00:56:13.65
"People will take
their silver and their gold
00:56:13.68\00:56:15.33
and they will
throw it in the streets,
00:56:15.36\00:56:16.82
they say what good is
this silver and this gold."
00:56:16.85\00:56:20.15
We're lost, eternally lost.
00:56:20.18\00:56:25.18
And it's no good to us anymore.
00:56:25.21\00:56:29.63
I pray to God
folks, this morning
00:56:29.66\00:56:31.21
that we will get serious about
the order of things in our lives
00:56:31.24\00:56:38.95
that we will fulfill what Jesus
spoke about in Matthew 6:33
00:56:38.98\00:56:44.19
"Seek ye first
the kingdom of God
00:56:44.22\00:56:49.24
and its righteousness."
00:56:49.27\00:56:51.59
And all of these things
will be added out to you,
00:56:51.62\00:56:54.26
don't put the added things first
00:56:54.29\00:56:56.27
and then think that the kingdom
of God will come as a result.
00:56:56.30\00:56:59.92
We must place the kingdom of
God and its righteousness first
00:56:59.95\00:57:04.52
and then the added
things will come in their train.
00:57:04.55\00:57:07.63
Folks, we're living
on the brink of eternity.
00:57:07.66\00:57:10.64
I believe that what
we're seen in the world
00:57:10.67\00:57:12.23
shows that we're living
in the last moments of time.
00:57:12.26\00:57:15.80
What will our priorities being?
00:57:15.83\00:57:18.91
The answer to that question
is in our hearts and our minds.
00:57:18.94\00:57:24.82