Music...
00:00:01.36\00:00:03.06
Jesus says, "I AM
the Light of the world.
00:00:03.10\00:00:07.80
He who follows me,
shall not walk in darkness
00:00:07.84\00:00:12.47
but have the light of life. "
00:00:12.51\00:00:16.11
Music...
00:00:16.14\00:00:19.71
Welcome to 3ABN
Australia Homecoming.
00:00:19.75\00:00:23.95
Music...
00:00:23.99\00:00:30.63
Hello, and welcome to
3ABN Australia Homecoming 2019
00:00:30.66\00:00:35.80
at Wahroonga
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:00:35.83\00:00:38.57
Sydney, Australia.
00:00:38.60\00:00:39.97
We are so glad that you
could join us wherever you are,
00:00:40.00\00:00:43.24
if you're watching on
television around the world,
00:00:43.27\00:00:45.34
we want to invite you.
00:00:45.37\00:00:46.84
If you're listening to
radio somewhere in the world,
00:00:46.88\00:00:49.68
we are happy to
have you listening to us.
00:00:49.71\00:00:52.78
With me up the front
is Pastor Danny Milenkov.
00:00:52.81\00:00:55.78
Danny, tell me, are you looking
forward to these programs?
00:00:55.82\00:00:59.32
Absolutely, it's
going to be wonderful
00:00:59.35\00:01:02.22
and I know God's going to bless.
00:01:02.29\00:01:04.13
I think He... I know He will
00:01:04.16\00:01:05.93
because we are
speaking on subjects
00:01:05.96\00:01:08.10
that are very
important for this time
00:01:08.13\00:01:10.23
in this world's history.
00:01:10.27\00:01:11.73
You teach a lot about
the conditions of the world
00:01:11.77\00:01:15.37
that we are
living in at the moment,
00:01:15.40\00:01:17.11
Danny, what would
you say to us about it?
00:01:17.14\00:01:18.61
How close we are... do
you think to Jesus' coming?
00:01:18.64\00:01:20.98
I think we are in the very toe
nails of the image of Daniel 2,
00:01:21.01\00:01:24.51
I think we're really close.
00:01:24.55\00:01:26.01
We're very close
00:01:26.05\00:01:27.38
and so, we need to be excited
as Seventh-day Adventists
00:01:27.42\00:01:30.59
we are looking forward to
the advent of Jesus Christ
00:01:30.62\00:01:34.06
and we want you
to be ready, amen.
00:01:34.09\00:01:36.52
Audience: Amen.
00:01:36.56\00:01:37.89
You know, this
evening we have a special item
00:01:37.93\00:01:40.83
from Sandra Entermann.
00:01:40.86\00:01:42.20
She's been on 3ABN as long
as I've known about 3ABN Danny,
00:01:42.23\00:01:46.20
and she sings wonderfully.
00:01:46.23\00:01:48.34
Her title is: One and the Same
00:01:48.37\00:01:50.94
and accompanying
her is Sanya Katepski.
00:01:50.97\00:01:53.21
Thank you for what you do
for the cause of God, Sanya.
00:01:53.24\00:01:56.21
She's done a lot for 3ABN.
00:01:56.24\00:01:58.31
Straight after her, the
next voice you will hear
00:01:58.35\00:02:01.72
is Pastor Geoff Youlden.
00:02:01.75\00:02:04.69
Geoff Youlden has been one
of these men that spoke on 3ABN
00:02:04.72\00:02:09.96
the very first time
we did our first program
00:02:09.99\00:02:13.06
in Western Australia
00:02:13.09\00:02:14.43
and do you know what?
People still want to hear him
00:02:14.46\00:02:17.40
so you're going to
have a special treat
00:02:17.47\00:02:19.43
because he's talking on:
Let's Investigate the Judgment.
00:02:19.47\00:02:23.51
Amen... yes, I've got a
soft spot for Pastor Geoff,
00:02:23.54\00:02:27.54
he... he was very instrumental
in getting me up and going
00:02:27.58\00:02:31.21
in public
evangelism back in 2006
00:02:31.25\00:02:34.28
so I really
appreciate his ministry.
00:02:34.32\00:02:36.58
You've got a text for us, Danny?
00:02:36.62\00:02:38.45
Yes, I do...
00:02:38.49\00:02:40.12
Pastor Geoff has
this as his theme text
00:02:40.16\00:02:45.43
for his subject this evening
00:02:45.46\00:02:46.80
and it's found in Daniel
chapter 8 verses 13 and 14.
00:02:46.83\00:02:50.87
"Then I heard
one saint speaking,
00:02:50.93\00:02:53.87
and another saint said unto
that certain saint which spake,
00:02:53.94\00:02:57.67
How long shall be the vision
concerning the daily sacrifice,
00:02:57.71\00:03:01.44
and the
transgression of desolation,
00:03:01.48\00:03:04.01
to give both the
sanctuary and the host
00:03:04.05\00:03:06.55
to be trodden under foot?
00:03:06.58\00:03:07.92
And he said unto me,
00:03:07.95\00:03:09.38
'Unto two thousand
and three hundred days;
00:03:09.42\00:03:12.59
then shall the
sanctuary be cleansed. '"
00:03:12.62\00:03:15.62
Powerful passage...
00:03:15.66\00:03:18.53
and Pastor Geoff
will unpack that for us.
00:03:18.56\00:03:21.13
Can you pray for
these two people please?
00:03:21.16\00:03:23.70
Absolutely, "Father in heaven,
before we open up Your Word,
00:03:23.73\00:03:28.40
before we hear precious music
00:03:28.44\00:03:31.47
that will draw
our hearts heavenward,
00:03:31.51\00:03:34.44
we pray that You will bless
00:03:34.48\00:03:36.21
those that will
minister at this time
00:03:36.24\00:03:38.78
through song... through music...
00:03:38.81\00:03:41.28
and through Your Word.
00:03:41.32\00:03:42.75
Father, be upon your servants,
bless them... bless us...
00:03:42.78\00:03:46.15
may Your Holy Spirit be here in
a very mighty and powerful way
00:03:46.19\00:03:50.59
and we pray all this in the
precious name of Jesus, amen. "
00:03:50.63\00:03:54.13
Amen.
00:03:54.20\00:04:01.74
Pause.
00:04:01.77\00:04:08.48
Piano.
00:04:08.51\00:04:24.19
How shall I begin
00:04:24.23\00:04:28.90
to speak about a God
that I will never comprehend?
00:04:28.93\00:04:38.37
So high and mighty and yet
00:04:38.41\00:04:41.98
closer than a friend
00:04:42.01\00:04:46.11
The beginning and the end
00:04:46.15\00:04:55.92
The mystery of His holiness
00:04:55.96\00:05:01.83
The wonder of
His humanness are one
00:05:01.86\00:05:07.94
One and the same
00:05:07.97\00:05:11.47
I can't do Him justice
00:05:11.51\00:05:15.41
with any one name
00:05:15.44\00:05:21.15
The holy God of Heaven
00:05:21.18\00:05:24.39
the humble man who bore my shame
00:05:24.42\00:05:32.19
Are one, one and the same
00:05:32.23\00:05:41.80
Piano.
00:05:41.84\00:05:48.51
I scarcely understand
00:05:48.54\00:05:51.65
how a simple servant can be
00:05:51.68\00:05:56.32
called the "great I am"
00:05:56.35\00:06:00.62
How the Son of God
00:06:00.66\00:06:03.93
is still the Son of Man
00:06:03.96\00:06:09.13
Both the Shepherd and the Lamb
00:06:09.16\00:06:16.44
Piano.
00:06:16.47\00:06:19.51
The healer and the wounded One
00:06:19.54\00:06:22.48
The Father and the only Son
00:06:22.51\00:06:26.58
are one
00:06:26.61\00:06:29.08
One and the same
00:06:29.12\00:06:32.55
I can't do Him justice
00:06:32.59\00:06:36.42
with any one name.
00:06:36.46\00:06:41.86
The Holy God in Heaven
00:06:41.90\00:06:45.07
the humble man who bore
00:06:45.10\00:06:48.67
my shame
00:06:48.70\00:06:52.47
are one, one and the same
00:06:52.51\00:07:00.82
The way that we can come to know
00:07:00.85\00:07:04.55
The truth that sets us free,
00:07:04.59\00:07:08.36
The life that
died and rose again
00:07:08.39\00:07:12.19
Love revealed to
me that you are one...
00:07:12.23\00:07:19.17
One and the same
00:07:19.20\00:07:22.74
I can't do You justice
00:07:22.77\00:07:26.54
with any one name
00:07:26.57\00:07:31.18
Ohh, the Holy God of Heaven
00:07:31.21\00:07:35.75
the humble man who bore my shame
00:07:35.78\00:07:43.06
are one, one and the same...
00:07:43.09\00:07:53.03
one...
00:07:53.07\00:07:56.20
one and the
00:07:56.24\00:08:00.01
same...
00:08:00.04\00:08:04.65
same.
00:08:04.68\00:08:14.29
Piano.
00:08:14.32\00:08:23.87
Audience: Amen.
00:08:23.90\00:08:28.27
Pause.
00:08:28.30\00:08:30.41
Well, thank you
very much Sandra,
00:08:30.44\00:08:33.17
we're always
blessed when Sandra sings.
00:08:33.21\00:08:35.11
Let's suppose
that we're in heaven
00:08:35.14\00:08:40.75
and you're walking
down the golden streets
00:08:40.78\00:08:42.98
just admiring everything
that's just wonderful in heaven
00:08:43.02\00:08:48.36
and suddenly, alongside you
comes up your guardian angel
00:08:48.39\00:08:53.70
and the guardian angel
00:08:53.73\00:08:56.67
says to you,
00:08:56.70\00:08:58.93
"I would like to take you
00:08:58.97\00:09:01.60
to the home that God
has prepared for you... "
00:09:01.64\00:09:04.51
and you are just beside yourself
00:09:04.54\00:09:07.84
and seeing homes that you
have never ever imagined before
00:09:07.88\00:09:11.55
and then they stop just outside
00:09:11.61\00:09:14.92
your home
00:09:14.98\00:09:17.05
and the angel says,
"This is your home... "
00:09:17.09\00:09:19.22
and you go in
00:09:19.25\00:09:20.59
and you've been
there for an hour or two,
00:09:20.62\00:09:23.32
and you decide,
00:09:23.36\00:09:25.13
"Well, I would like to
meet my next-door neighbor. "
00:09:25.16\00:09:28.00
Who was my next-door neighbor?
00:09:28.03\00:09:30.27
So, you walk
outside your front door
00:09:30.33\00:09:34.87
and knock on the
next-door neighbor's home
00:09:34.90\00:09:38.24
and then the door opens
00:09:38.27\00:09:40.44
and then you get
the shock of your life.
00:09:40.48\00:09:42.91
It is Adolf Hitler.
00:09:42.94\00:09:46.21
Audience: Laughter.
00:09:46.25\00:09:49.48
Well, you don't want to sound
too surprised in front of him
00:09:49.52\00:09:53.15
but after you've had a
little pleasant conversation,
00:09:53.19\00:09:56.66
then you race out into
the golden streets again
00:09:56.69\00:10:00.30
and you see the
first angel and you say,
00:10:00.33\00:10:02.73
"Please, I've got a question
00:10:02.76\00:10:05.97
can I ask a question, please?"
00:10:06.00\00:10:09.10
And the angel says,
"What is your question?"
00:10:09.14\00:10:12.14
And so, you go into the matter
00:10:12.17\00:10:15.58
of Adolf Hitler
being your neighbor
00:10:15.61\00:10:17.85
and the angel
says, "Now, listen,
00:10:17.88\00:10:20.05
there's one thing
you need to understand
00:10:20.08\00:10:22.42
and that is, you don't ask
questions like that up here,
00:10:22.45\00:10:27.36
God knows who he is. "
00:10:27.39\00:10:30.83
Well, you walk
back into your house
00:10:30.86\00:10:35.50
and you are not particularly
happy with that answer
00:10:35.53\00:10:40.84
but, still plenty
of hours in the day
00:10:40.87\00:10:43.81
and you decide,
"I better find out
00:10:43.84\00:10:46.71
who my next-door
neighbor is on the other side. "
00:10:46.78\00:10:51.01
You knock on the door...
this time you get a shock
00:10:51.05\00:10:54.18
because it is the
boy who got your daughter
00:10:54.22\00:10:58.52
into the family way...
00:10:58.55\00:10:59.89
she didn't make it but he did.
00:10:59.92\00:11:02.76
Pause...
00:11:02.82\00:11:05.89
So, you race out into
the golden street again
00:11:05.93\00:11:09.93
and you see an
angel, "Please... "
00:11:09.96\00:11:13.44
and the angel
says, "Can I help you?"
00:11:13.47\00:11:16.87
And you say to him,
"I have a question... "
00:11:16.91\00:11:19.74
and the angel says,
"Now, what is your question?"
00:11:19.77\00:11:23.28
And so, you
explain about the boy,
00:11:23.35\00:11:26.38
and your
daughter not being there.
00:11:26.41\00:11:28.78
"Now listen... " the angel says,
00:11:28.82\00:11:31.09
"Up here, you do not
ask questions like that. "
00:11:31.15\00:11:35.09
I would suggest if
that really happened,
00:11:35.12\00:11:38.96
you would wonder whether
you wanted to spend eternity
00:11:38.99\00:11:43.43
in a place like that.
00:11:43.47\00:11:45.10
I'm going to suggest
that when we get to heaven,
00:11:45.13\00:11:49.67
if you have any
questions at all,
00:11:49.70\00:11:52.74
God will be very happy
to answer those questions
00:11:52.77\00:11:57.11
and whatever issue troubles you
or you have an inquiry about,
00:11:57.15\00:12:03.85
God will answer.
00:12:03.89\00:12:06.99
There are three major reasons
for the pre-Advent judgment
00:12:07.02\00:12:11.69
or sometimes it's referred to
as the Investigative Judgment.
00:12:11.73\00:12:16.36
The first reason is, that
it's going to give us answers
00:12:16.40\00:12:21.07
as to why some of our loved
ones didn't make it to heaven
00:12:21.10\00:12:25.74
and some people that we
had certainty in our minds
00:12:25.77\00:12:29.64
that would be going
to heaven are not there
00:12:29.68\00:12:32.45
and some that we thought
may never get there... are there
00:12:32.48\00:12:36.82
and so one of the first reasons
for the pre-Advent judgment
00:12:36.85\00:12:41.16
is that any
questions that you have
00:12:41.19\00:12:43.26
will be answered.
00:12:43.29\00:12:45.23
The second issue is
00:12:45.26\00:12:47.13
that it's going to silence
the accusations of the devil
00:12:47.20\00:12:51.23
because the devil...
as we know from Zechariah,
00:12:51.27\00:12:54.97
is known as the
accuser of the brethren
00:12:55.00\00:12:58.07
and before God and the
angels, he is accusing you
00:12:58.14\00:13:02.88
and he's accusing
me because he says,
00:13:02.91\00:13:04.95
"What right have you
got to take them to heaven?
00:13:04.98\00:13:07.55
They've sinned like I did. "
00:13:07.62\00:13:09.15
And God is going to
be able to demonstrate
00:13:09.18\00:13:13.12
as a result of the
judgment and the books
00:13:13.15\00:13:17.03
as to why He's
acted as He has acted
00:13:17.06\00:13:21.13
and the third reason is,
that God is going to be seen
00:13:21.16\00:13:26.30
and vindicated by His actions
because they are all public
00:13:26.33\00:13:31.41
before the universe.
00:13:31.44\00:13:33.01
They are the three major reasons
00:13:33.04\00:13:35.81
that God has a
pre-Advent judgment.
00:13:35.84\00:13:38.51
I'd like you to open your
Bibles if you wouldn't mind
00:13:38.58\00:13:41.08
to Revelation chapter 14...
00:13:41.12\00:13:42.75
Revelation chapter
14 and verse 6 and 7,
00:13:42.78\00:13:46.49
sometimes this is referred to
as the three angels' messages,
00:13:46.52\00:13:50.63
Revelation
chapter 14 and verse 6
00:13:50.66\00:13:54.56
which says this,
"And I saw another angel
00:13:54.60\00:13:58.63
flying in the midst of heaven,
00:13:58.67\00:14:00.90
having the everlasting gospel
00:14:00.94\00:14:03.10
to preach unto them
that dwell on the earth...
00:14:03.14\00:14:06.07
to every nation,
tribe, tongue, and people.
00:14:06.11\00:14:08.94
saying with a loud voice,
'Fear God and give glory to Him,
00:14:08.98\00:14:13.75
for the hour of
His judgment has come;
00:14:13.78\00:14:16.38
and worship Him who
made heaven and earth,
00:14:16.42\00:14:18.95
the sea and the
springs of waters. '"
00:14:18.99\00:14:21.02
According to the Bible,
00:14:21.06\00:14:23.02
the judgment is part
of the everlasting gospel.
00:14:23.06\00:14:27.56
Now, there are
many Christians I meet
00:14:27.60\00:14:31.27
that do not think that the
judgment is part of the gospel
00:14:31.30\00:14:34.50
but the Bible says... it is.
00:14:34.54\00:14:36.40
Pause...
00:14:36.44\00:14:39.21
Let me illustrate...
00:14:39.24\00:14:40.78
if we went to court
00:14:40.81\00:14:42.31
and the judge whom we
all have confidence in...
00:14:42.34\00:14:45.61
he's a very, very
good, compassionate judge,
00:14:45.65\00:14:48.98
and he's got a
reputation everywhere he goes
00:14:49.02\00:14:52.45
as being kind and
compassionate and reasonable
00:14:52.49\00:14:55.89
but this particular day,
00:14:55.92\00:14:58.46
there are about 20 people that
are standing before the bar,
00:14:58.49\00:15:02.53
and the judge
gets up and he says,
00:15:02.56\00:15:05.03
"Guilty...
guilty... not guilty...
00:15:05.07\00:15:07.44
not guilty...
guilty... not guilty...
00:15:07.47\00:15:09.20
guilty... guilty... not guilty,
00:15:09.24\00:15:10.94
not guilty...
guilty, court dismissed. "
00:15:10.97\00:15:14.14
How would you feel about that?
00:15:14.18\00:15:16.98
Would you feel relaxed
00:15:17.05\00:15:19.45
even though the
judge is compassionate
00:15:19.48\00:15:21.58
and he's been always
honorable in the past,
00:15:21.62\00:15:24.45
he's always judged fairly...
00:15:24.49\00:15:26.82
would you be happy
with that type of reaction?
00:15:26.86\00:15:29.72
I don't think anybody would be
00:15:29.76\00:15:33.40
and neither is
God going to allow
00:15:33.43\00:15:36.97
a judgment to take place
whereby a statement is made
00:15:37.00\00:15:43.81
without an investigation
00:15:43.87\00:15:45.77
as to explain to the
inhabitants of the universe,
00:15:45.81\00:15:49.71
and to the angels
and to human beings
00:15:49.74\00:15:52.11
why God has acted as He's acted
00:15:52.15\00:15:55.18
in fact, in verse seven it says,
00:15:55.22\00:15:58.15
"For the hour of
God's judgment has come. "
00:15:58.19\00:16:01.79
Now, very often we see
the judgment as being...
00:16:01.82\00:16:04.79
God checking up on us.
00:16:04.83\00:16:06.29
I would like to
suggest to you today
00:16:06.36\00:16:09.56
that that's not the full
meaning of the judgment at all.
00:16:09.60\00:16:12.40
In fact, that's a
very insignificant part
00:16:12.43\00:16:14.64
of the judgment.
00:16:14.67\00:16:16.00
The major part of judgment
00:16:16.04\00:16:17.67
is the fact that
God's judgment has come.
00:16:17.71\00:16:20.88
In other words, the purpose
of the person who's on trial
00:16:20.91\00:16:25.15
is God Himself
00:16:25.18\00:16:26.65
because it's the hour of
God's judgment... has come.
00:16:26.72\00:16:32.22
Pause...
00:16:32.25\00:16:35.29
Unfortunately, many of us
have grown up with the idea
00:16:35.32\00:16:39.59
that the judgment is
God checking up on us
00:16:39.63\00:16:42.63
and if He finds
just one unconfessed sin,
00:16:42.66\00:16:45.63
we go down the wrong way.
00:16:45.67\00:16:48.30
That is a very unfortunate
and a very unbiblical stand
00:16:48.34\00:16:52.17
for the judgment,
00:16:52.21\00:16:53.94
in fact, let me read you
Romans chapter 3 and verse 4,
00:16:53.98\00:16:57.25
because the idea
of God's being judged
00:16:57.28\00:17:00.82
is perhaps new to some
00:17:00.85\00:17:02.85
but the Bible is
very clear on it.
00:17:02.88\00:17:04.99
Romans chapter 3 and
verse 4 where it says,
00:17:05.02\00:17:09.46
"Certainly not!
00:17:09.49\00:17:10.83
Indeed, let every...
00:17:10.86\00:17:14.10
Indeed, let God be
true but every man a liar.
00:17:14.13\00:17:21.30
As it is written:
00:17:21.34\00:17:22.67
'That You may be
justified in Your words,
00:17:22.70\00:17:26.24
and may overcome
when You are judged. '"
00:17:26.27\00:17:29.91
And if you will look in
the Bible clearly and simply,
00:17:29.94\00:17:35.52
you'll find that
the "You" is in capitals
00:17:35.58\00:17:38.39
because the
translators of the Bible
00:17:38.42\00:17:41.19
understood very clearly
what is very patently obvious
00:17:41.22\00:17:44.73
that the person...
00:17:44.76\00:17:46.26
the subject here
being judged is God Himself
00:17:46.29\00:17:49.66
and it really gives us a
very, very clear understanding
00:17:49.70\00:17:56.34
of the fact that
God has allowed Himself
00:17:56.37\00:18:00.81
to be scrutinized.
00:18:00.84\00:18:03.38
His actions are open
before the whole universe.
00:18:03.41\00:18:07.12
That helps us to
understand the love of God
00:18:07.15\00:18:10.82
and for a Court
to be successful,
00:18:10.85\00:18:13.42
the whole Court
must be convinced
00:18:13.46\00:18:15.82
by the evidence
that is presented.
00:18:15.86\00:18:18.06
God wants to handle the great
controversy so transparently
00:18:18.09\00:18:24.17
so that, in the
eons of eternity,
00:18:24.20\00:18:27.84
every person will be
satisfied in their minds
00:18:27.87\00:18:31.91
that the way God has acted...
00:18:31.94\00:18:33.91
He's acted in
fairness and in righteousness.
00:18:33.94\00:18:36.95
That's why the Bible
says, "Every knee will bow...
00:18:36.98\00:18:42.32
every tongue will confess
00:18:42.35\00:18:46.25
that God has been
just and fair in His ways.
00:18:46.29\00:18:52.13
Audience: Amen.
00:18:52.19\00:18:54.20
And even if some of
our loved ones are missing,
00:18:54.23\00:18:57.60
we will still recognize
that God has acted fairly
00:18:57.63\00:19:01.00
and justly in what He has done.
00:19:01.04\00:19:03.34
Revelation chapter 15
says that very clearly.
00:19:03.37\00:19:06.44
Let me read it to
you, Revelation chapter 15
00:19:06.47\00:19:10.41
and after talking
about the song of Moses,
00:19:10.45\00:19:14.35
it says in verse 3 chapter 15,
00:19:14.38\00:19:17.89
"They sing the song of
Moses, the servant of God,
00:19:17.92\00:19:21.19
and the song of
the Lamb, saying:
00:19:21.22\00:19:24.09
'Great and
marvelous are Your works,
00:19:24.13\00:19:26.93
Lord God Almighty!
00:19:26.96\00:19:29.16
Just and true are Your
ways, O king of the saints!
00:19:29.20\00:19:32.77
Who shall not fear You, O
Lord, and glorify Your name?
00:19:32.80\00:19:36.30
For You alone are holy.
00:19:36.34\00:19:38.24
For all nations shall
come and worship before You,
00:19:38.27\00:19:41.01
for Your judgments
have been manifested. '"
00:19:41.04\00:19:46.68
What does the
word "manifested" mean?
00:19:46.72\00:19:48.35
Revealed...
00:19:48.38\00:19:49.88
and God is being
praised on the Sea of Glass
00:19:49.92\00:19:54.86
because His
actions have been fair.
00:19:54.89\00:19:58.43
He has acted in righteousness
00:19:58.46\00:20:00.96
and even the devil
himself is going to admit
00:20:01.00\00:20:05.87
that God has been fair.
00:20:05.90\00:20:07.67
Now, people say to
me, "Why are there books?
00:20:07.70\00:20:10.27
God doesn't need books. "
00:20:10.31\00:20:11.64
Is that true?
Does God need books?
00:20:11.67\00:20:14.28
Does He got a filing memory?
00:20:14.34\00:20:16.61
No, not at all.
00:20:16.64\00:20:18.18
God could judge
in a millisecond.
00:20:18.21\00:20:21.08
That's not the
purpose for the books.
00:20:21.12\00:20:23.89
If you lived on a
world where there was no sin
00:20:23.92\00:20:29.52
and sorrow and death
and heartache and jealousy,
00:20:29.62\00:20:32.59
and you heard about
these people down there
00:20:32.63\00:20:36.33
on a planet called earth,
00:20:36.36\00:20:37.73
who had all of those
types of things and they died,
00:20:37.77\00:20:42.50
and then you heard that
they wanted to come up to live
00:20:42.54\00:20:47.11
among you... among
the unfallen worlds...
00:20:47.14\00:20:52.05
what is the question
that you would want to have
00:20:52.08\00:20:55.12
answered in your
mind, do you think?
00:20:55.15\00:20:57.12
What would be the thing that
would be uppermost in your mind
00:20:57.15\00:21:01.69
as to these people who had died
00:21:01.72\00:21:04.09
and had all these terrible
things going on in their lives
00:21:04.13\00:21:07.80
were going to come up and
contaminate your environment,
00:21:07.83\00:21:11.37
what do you think that
you'd be concerned about?
00:21:11.40\00:21:13.30
Pause...
00:21:13.34\00:21:15.77
You would want to
know that they were fit for
00:21:15.80\00:21:19.54
a perfect
environment, wouldn't you?
00:21:19.57\00:21:22.14
And that's the
purpose for the judgment,
00:21:22.18\00:21:24.71
God is going to show
00:21:24.75\00:21:26.38
that even though you
and I have been sinners,
00:21:26.41\00:21:30.12
but by God's grace our
lives have been changed
00:21:30.15\00:21:33.82
and we have
experienced the new birth
00:21:33.86\00:21:36.26
and you can imagine that
if a person wasn't born again,
00:21:36.29\00:21:39.79
the first thing
they would want to do
00:21:39.83\00:21:41.80
is get a pick
when they saw the...
00:21:41.83\00:21:43.47
the golden
streets, isn't that right?
00:21:43.53\00:21:45.13
Audience: Laughter.
00:21:45.17\00:21:46.50
Because that's what we
would do down on this earth.
00:21:46.53\00:21:48.37
Pause...
00:21:48.40\00:21:50.01
Because a person needs to
be... God needs to demonstrate
00:21:50.04\00:21:55.31
that those whom He is saving
00:21:55.34\00:21:58.55
are ready for
heaven's environment
00:21:58.58\00:22:01.05
because when
Jesus died on the cross,
00:22:01.08\00:22:03.95
He purchased
forgiveness for everybody.
00:22:03.99\00:22:06.79
Audience: Amen.
00:22:06.82\00:22:08.16
Now, not everybody has
accepted that forgiveness,
00:22:08.19\00:22:11.09
but He purchased it for
everybody, isn't that right?
00:22:11.13\00:22:14.23
And during the
pre-Advent judgment,
00:22:14.26\00:22:17.63
God's actions are
forgiving those who are forgiven
00:22:17.67\00:22:22.34
are going to be vindicated
00:22:22.37\00:22:24.07
and during the 1,000 years
00:22:24.11\00:22:27.68
God is going to be vindicated
00:22:27.71\00:22:30.35
for not forgiving
those who were not forgiven.
00:22:30.38\00:22:32.55
Pause.
00:22:32.58\00:22:35.68
You know, some people teach
00:22:35.72\00:22:37.12
that Christians
never come into judgment
00:22:37.15\00:22:41.29
and they quote a verse
that I want to read to you
00:22:41.32\00:22:44.69
in John the 5th
chapter and verse 24
00:22:44.73\00:22:47.36
because if you talk to
some of your Christian friends
00:22:47.40\00:22:50.70
and they know a
little bit about the Bible,
00:22:50.73\00:22:53.07
this is the verse
that they will quote
00:22:53.10\00:22:55.07
against the idea of
believing in a judgment
00:22:55.10\00:22:58.97
in which
Christians are involved.
00:22:59.01\00:23:01.01
John 5 verse 24, Jesus speaking,
00:23:01.04\00:23:05.11
"Most assuredly, I say
to you, he who hears My Word
00:23:05.15\00:23:09.98
and believes in Him Who sent Me
00:23:10.02\00:23:12.22
has everlasting life
00:23:12.25\00:23:14.26
and shall not
come into judgment,
00:23:14.29\00:23:17.56
but has passed
from death into life. "
00:23:17.59\00:23:22.36
Can you see why
they quote that verse?
00:23:22.40\00:23:23.87
It says there... the Christian
will not come into judgment
00:23:23.90\00:23:26.77
and you are teaching
00:23:26.80\00:23:28.44
that Christians do
come into judgment.
00:23:28.47\00:23:30.81
You're against the Bible...
00:23:30.84\00:23:32.34
can you see their argument?
00:23:32.37\00:23:33.84
Well, if you look at
that verse very closely,
00:23:33.88\00:23:39.85
you'll notice that the tense
of the verb is present tense.
00:23:39.88\00:23:43.52
In other words, Jesus is saying,
00:23:43.55\00:23:46.12
"When we accept
Jesus, as our Savior,
00:23:46.15\00:23:49.46
we are no longer
under the judgment of sin
00:23:49.49\00:23:53.76
or as the old version says,
if you've got the old version,
00:23:53.80\00:23:57.93
it says, "Condemnation"
00:23:57.97\00:23:59.30
because it's the same word
00:23:59.33\00:24:00.84
and it agrees with
Romans chapter 8 and verse 1
00:24:00.87\00:24:03.54
which says, "There is,
therefore, now no condemnation
00:24:03.57\00:24:06.41
to them which
are in Christ Jesus
00:24:06.47\00:24:08.28
who walk not after the
flesh but after the Spirit. "
00:24:08.31\00:24:11.15
Pause...
00:24:11.18\00:24:14.22
Now, I'm going to ask a question
00:24:14.25\00:24:17.85
and I'm going to ask
you to put your hand up
00:24:17.92\00:24:21.36
and those who are
watching, can make a decision
00:24:21.39\00:24:24.83
as to the question.
00:24:24.86\00:24:26.19
The question is on the screen,
00:24:26.23\00:24:27.56
now, we're going
to ask this question.
00:24:27.60\00:24:30.30
Will the sins of the Righteous
00:24:30.33\00:24:35.04
be evident or
revealed in the Judgment?
00:24:35.07\00:24:42.31
Now, those who think they
will be, put your hand up.
00:24:42.34\00:24:47.05
Audience: Few
raising their hands.
00:24:47.08\00:24:48.98
All right, there are a few...
00:24:49.02\00:24:50.55
those who think they
won't... put your hand up.
00:24:50.59\00:24:53.25
Audience: A few
put their hand up.
00:24:53.29\00:24:55.12
I want to talk to all of those
who just put their hand up.
00:24:55.16\00:24:57.63
Audience: Laughter.
00:24:57.66\00:25:00.63
Because I want to
ask you a question,
00:25:00.66\00:25:03.33
because the Bible says
00:25:03.37\00:25:04.70
that every work
will come into judgment
00:25:04.73\00:25:08.70
whether it is good
or bad, is that right?
00:25:08.74\00:25:12.61
Yes, that's the first
thing I want you to think about.
00:25:12.64\00:25:15.91
Secondly, can
you have a fair trial
00:25:15.94\00:25:20.25
if only some of the
evidence is presented
00:25:20.32\00:25:22.88
and some evidence is kept back?
00:25:22.92\00:25:25.09
Is that a fair trial?
00:25:25.12\00:25:27.36
Audience: No.
00:25:27.39\00:25:28.92
No, absolutely not
00:25:28.96\00:25:30.29
and we often hear of situations
like that in our Courts.
00:25:30.33\00:25:33.90
Thirdly, King David...
00:25:33.96\00:25:38.70
was he forgiven by God
00:25:38.73\00:25:41.24
for the things that
he did that were wrong?
00:25:41.27\00:25:43.64
Audience: Yes.
00:25:43.67\00:25:45.01
Was he forgiven? Audience: Yes.
00:25:45.04\00:25:46.37
Yeah, we're all agreed on that
00:25:46.41\00:25:47.74
because the Bible
says he was forgiven.
00:25:47.78\00:25:50.28
Has the record of
David's sin been wiped out?
00:25:50.31\00:25:55.95
Audience: No... no...
00:25:55.98\00:25:57.45
Has it?
00:25:57.49\00:25:59.55
Wait a moment...
00:25:59.59\00:26:01.46
let's answer this question,
00:26:01.52\00:26:03.59
"Has the record of
David's sin been wiped out?"
00:26:03.63\00:26:08.16
No, it's in the Bible...
00:26:08.23\00:26:11.10
let alone about in
heaven isn't that right?
00:26:11.13\00:26:14.34
It's still here...
00:26:14.37\00:26:16.81
that's how you know about it
and that's how I know about it.
00:26:16.84\00:26:19.64
but, let me ask
another question,
00:26:19.67\00:26:23.08
"Was David absolutely forgiven?"
00:26:23.11\00:26:26.51
Audience: Yes.
00:26:26.55\00:26:27.88
Yes, a 100% forgiven...
00:26:27.92\00:26:29.82
pause...
00:26:29.85\00:26:31.85
but to have a fair trial...
00:26:31.89\00:26:33.42
all the evidence
must be available
00:26:33.46\00:26:38.63
when David's name
comes into judgment
00:26:38.66\00:26:42.60
because the Bible says,
"Every work... good or bad...
00:26:42.63\00:26:46.87
every person must
come into judgment...
00:26:46.90\00:26:49.10
whether we're Christian
or whether we're not. "
00:26:49.14\00:26:52.61
Pause...
00:26:52.64\00:26:55.74
So, those who
voted and said, "No... "
00:26:55.78\00:26:58.98
I want you to re-think
00:26:59.01\00:27:00.38
because we cannot have a
fair trial without the evidence.
00:27:00.42\00:27:05.69
"What about 1st
John 1:9?" you say.
00:27:05.72\00:27:08.16
And you know that
verse, 1st John...
00:27:08.19\00:27:10.56
"If we confess our sins,
00:27:10.59\00:27:11.99
He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins
00:27:12.03\00:27:15.96
and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness. "
00:27:16.00\00:27:19.87
When does that take place?
00:27:19.93\00:27:21.27
When we confess our
sins... is that right?
00:27:21.30\00:27:25.34
They're blotted out...
00:27:25.37\00:27:27.31
we will never
have to face them again
00:27:27.38\00:27:30.91
but as far as the
universe is concerned,
00:27:30.95\00:27:34.25
they are not
blotted out from the records
00:27:34.28\00:27:37.72
until the end of the judgment
00:27:37.75\00:27:39.85
because God is
going to demonstrate
00:27:39.89\00:27:44.13
and the devil is
going to come along and say,
00:27:44.16\00:27:46.16
"You can't take him... you
can't take her into heaven,
00:27:46.19\00:27:49.00
they are sinners. "
00:27:49.03\00:27:50.37
And God is going to say,
"Yes, you're right, Devil,
00:27:50.40\00:27:52.70
they are sinners,
00:27:52.73\00:27:54.60
but look on the other
side, what does it say there?
00:27:54.67\00:27:57.61
Forgiven... forgiven...
forgiven... forgiven... "
00:27:57.64\00:28:00.54
and the devil will be silenced.
00:28:00.58\00:28:03.45
It's the record that silences
the accusations of the Devil.
00:28:03.48\00:28:07.85
Audience: Praise
the Lord... amen.
00:28:07.88\00:28:09.62
And we must be very careful
00:28:09.65\00:28:13.02
when we use
those beautiful verses
00:28:13.05\00:28:16.12
"as far as the
east is from the west...
00:28:16.16\00:28:18.03
like a thick cloud of
our sins being blotted out. "
00:28:18.06\00:28:22.43
We must not use those verses
against the last-day judgment
00:28:22.46\00:28:26.97
those verses are talking
about my accountability...
00:28:27.00\00:28:31.04
my responsibility for a
sin when I confess them,
00:28:31.07\00:28:34.31
they're removed as far
as the east is from the west
00:28:34.34\00:28:37.55
but the record
is not gotten rid of
00:28:37.61\00:28:42.72
until the end of the judgment.
00:28:42.75\00:28:45.09
Audience: Yes... Oh...
00:28:45.12\00:28:46.52
Because it's there to
demonstrate to everybody
00:28:46.55\00:28:50.39
that God is
"Just" in saving some
00:28:50.43\00:28:53.43
and in allowing
others to be lost
00:28:53.46\00:28:56.40
and it's the record
that demonstrates that.
00:28:56.43\00:28:59.63
Now, the best
and clearest evidence
00:28:59.70\00:29:03.24
of what we might turn
the Investigative Judgment
00:29:03.27\00:29:06.11
or the pre-Advent Judgment
00:29:06.17\00:29:07.61
is found with the parable that
Jesus told in Matthew chapter 22
00:29:07.64\00:29:12.95
and I'd like you just to
have a look at this wonderful,
00:29:12.98\00:29:16.48
wonderful chapter.
00:29:16.52\00:29:17.95
Matthew chapter 22... because
it makes it just so simple
00:29:17.99\00:29:22.19
and so clear.
00:29:22.22\00:29:23.83
There are two
sections to this parable,
00:29:23.86\00:29:25.96
first section is
dealing with the Jews
00:29:25.99\00:29:28.00
and how the gospel came to
the Jews and they rejected it
00:29:28.03\00:29:33.03
and killed the prophets
00:29:33.07\00:29:34.40
and then the rest of the
parable goes on to talk about
00:29:34.44\00:29:37.17
the gospel
going to the Gentiles.
00:29:37.21\00:29:38.97
Let's have a look at it here,
00:29:39.01\00:29:40.34
in Matthew
chapter 22 and verse 1,
00:29:40.38\00:29:44.48
"Jesus answered and spoke to
them saying... by parables...
00:29:44.51\00:29:48.52
'The kingdom of
heaven is like a certain king
00:29:48.55\00:29:51.72
who arranged a
marriage for his son,
00:29:51.75\00:29:54.06
and sent out his
servants to call those
00:29:54.12\00:29:56.39
who were invited to the wedding;
00:29:56.42\00:29:58.49
and they were
not willing to come.
00:29:58.53\00:30:00.53
Again, he sent out
other servants, saying,
00:30:00.60\00:30:03.70
"Tell those who are invited,
'See, I have prepared my dinner;
00:30:03.77\00:30:08.44
my oxen and
fatted cattle are killed,
00:30:08.47\00:30:10.77
and all things are ready.
00:30:10.81\00:30:12.14
Come to the wedding. '"
00:30:12.17\00:30:13.51
But they made light of
it and went their ways,
00:30:13.54\00:30:16.51
one to his own farm,
another to his business.
00:30:16.54\00:30:19.68
And the rest
seized his servants,
00:30:19.71\00:30:21.62
treated them
spitefully, and killed them.
00:30:21.65\00:30:24.39
When the king heard
about it, he was furious.
00:30:24.42\00:30:27.06
And he sent out his armies,
destroyed those murderers,
00:30:27.09\00:30:30.73
and burned up their city. "
00:30:30.76\00:30:32.16
What's Jesus talking about here?
00:30:32.19\00:30:34.10
What's the city
that was burned up?
00:30:34.13\00:30:36.03
Audience: Jerusalem.
00:30:36.06\00:30:37.40
Because those servants...
00:30:37.43\00:30:38.77
or the servants that
Jesus sent were killed...
00:30:38.80\00:30:41.04
who was it?
00:30:41.07\00:30:44.07
It was the city of Jerusalem
00:30:44.11\00:30:46.27
and it's talking
here about the fact
00:30:46.31\00:30:48.91
that God sent His servants
and the prophets to the...
00:30:48.94\00:30:52.08
to the Jews and
they rejected them
00:30:52.11\00:30:54.95
very largely.
00:30:54.98\00:30:56.72
That's what
Jesus is talking about
00:30:56.75\00:30:59.55
in the first
part of this parable.
00:30:59.59\00:31:01.19
Then he goes on to say, verse 8,
00:31:01.22\00:31:06.09
"Then he said to his
servants, 'The wedding is ready,
00:31:06.13\00:31:09.83
but those who were
invited were not worthy.
00:31:09.86\00:31:15.24
Therefore go into the highways,
and as many as you find,
00:31:15.27\00:31:20.88
invite to the wedding.
00:31:20.91\00:31:22.24
So those servants
went out into the highways
00:31:22.28\00:31:25.18
and gathered
together all whom they found,
00:31:25.21\00:31:28.15
both bad and good.
00:31:28.18\00:31:30.82
And the wedding hall
was filled with guests. "
00:31:30.85\00:31:36.62
What's this talking about?
00:31:36.66\00:31:39.36
This is the gospel
going now to the Gentiles.
00:31:39.39\00:31:44.93
"Go out into the highways
and call as many as will come
00:31:44.97\00:31:49.27
both the good and the bad. "
00:31:49.30\00:31:50.91
That gives me
encouragement doesn't it?
00:31:50.94\00:31:52.87
Does it give you encouragement?
Audience: Yes, amen.
00:31:52.91\00:31:55.41
There are some people
who think they're good
00:31:55.44\00:31:57.35
and some people who
think they're bad...
00:31:57.38\00:31:58.71
Well, both come
to the wedding here.
00:31:58.75\00:32:01.72
That's a great
encouragement I think.
00:32:01.75\00:32:04.82
"But when the king
came in to see the guests,
00:32:04.85\00:32:08.86
he saw a man there who did
not have on a wedding garment.
00:32:08.89\00:32:12.36
So he said to him,
00:32:12.39\00:32:14.40
'Friend, how did you come in
here without a wedding garment?'
00:32:14.43\00:32:17.93
And he was speechless.
00:32:17.97\00:32:20.47
Then the king
said to the servants,
00:32:20.50\00:32:23.61
'Bind him hand and
foot, take him away,
00:32:23.64\00:32:26.68
and cast him
into outer darkness;
00:32:26.71\00:32:28.48
there will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth. '"
00:32:28.54\00:32:32.05
When does the
wedding take place?
00:32:32.08\00:32:35.08
This wedding that
everybody is invited to come to?
00:32:35.12\00:32:38.89
What is that wedding about?
00:32:38.92\00:32:42.22
That's when
Christ the bridegroom
00:32:42.26\00:32:46.03
marries His bride who is the...
00:32:46.06\00:32:49.76
the church...
00:32:49.83\00:32:51.17
and that takes place
according to the Bible...
00:32:51.20\00:32:54.34
at the second coming of Jesus...
00:32:54.37\00:32:56.40
when He comes the second time.
00:32:56.44\00:32:59.77
And, what does all this mean?
00:32:59.81\00:33:03.04
Well, in order to
understand this story,
00:33:03.11\00:33:05.75
we must understand
the weddings of yesteryear
00:33:05.78\00:33:10.62
because the weddings that
were conducted 2,000 years ago
00:33:10.65\00:33:15.06
in Palestine were
a little different
00:33:15.09\00:33:16.86
than the weddings
that we operate on.
00:33:16.89\00:33:18.63
For example, if you were
a king and a rich person,
00:33:18.66\00:33:22.30
when you invite...
00:33:22.33\00:33:24.47
and your son or
daughter was being married,
00:33:24.50\00:33:26.57
you would send out an invitation
00:33:26.60\00:33:29.50
to everybody that you
wanted to come to the wedding
00:33:29.54\00:33:32.67
but as well as the invitation,
you also sent out the dress
00:33:32.71\00:33:37.81
that the guests were to wear
when they came to the wedding
00:33:37.85\00:33:42.95
you get the idea?
00:33:42.98\00:33:44.55
Now, that would
solve one problem I know...
00:33:44.59\00:33:47.46
because I know
in a certain house,
00:33:47.52\00:33:52.76
when that house gets an
invitation to go to a wedding,
00:33:52.79\00:33:56.40
there is one part of
the household who says,
00:33:56.43\00:33:59.53
"What am I going to wear?"
00:33:59.57\00:34:00.97
Audience: Laughter.
00:34:01.00\00:34:02.54
And I'm not going to say
which side of the house that is
00:34:02.57\00:34:04.61
because she's here
00:34:04.64\00:34:06.47
and I need to be very careful.
00:34:06.51\00:34:08.94
But that would solve
that problem wouldn't it?
00:34:08.98\00:34:12.35
Because you didn't
have to worry about that,
00:34:12.38\00:34:15.68
you were given the dress
00:34:15.75\00:34:17.29
and another thing is,
00:34:17.32\00:34:18.79
it didn't matter
whether you were rich or poor,
00:34:18.82\00:34:21.36
you're all dressed the same way
00:34:21.39\00:34:24.69
which is a wonderful
message of the gospel...
00:34:24.73\00:34:28.50
is teaching us here
00:34:28.53\00:34:30.13
and you can understand what an
insult this whole thing would be
00:34:30.17\00:34:33.37
to the king
00:34:33.40\00:34:34.80
that this man has the audacity
00:34:34.84\00:34:39.54
to show up in
his old, filthy rags
00:34:39.57\00:34:43.51
and when the King
comes in to investigate
00:34:43.55\00:34:47.62
or to overlook the guests
before the festivities begin,
00:34:47.65\00:34:52.05
this man with all
his filthy garments
00:34:52.09\00:34:55.42
stands out like a sore thumb
00:34:55.46\00:34:56.96
and so, an ancient
wedding... there were two things
00:34:56.99\00:35:04.70
the invitation and the robe
00:35:04.73\00:35:09.87
both were supplied
as a gift from the king
00:35:09.90\00:35:16.54
or from the rich man.
00:35:16.58\00:35:18.91
Now, this brings
us down to verse 12
00:35:18.95\00:35:22.45
when this man with
his filthy garments
00:35:22.48\00:35:25.99
showed up at the king's wedding
00:35:26.02\00:35:29.19
and didn't have the garment
on and so, notice verse 12,
00:35:29.22\00:35:33.50
"So he said to him,
00:35:33.53\00:35:34.96
'Friend, how
did you come in here
00:35:35.03\00:35:39.10
without a wedding garment?'"
00:35:39.13\00:35:40.97
Pause...
00:35:41.00\00:35:43.71
Now, this man is
given the opportunity...
00:35:43.74\00:35:47.34
maybe there was
a misunderstanding
00:35:47.38\00:35:49.81
but you received
the invitation...
00:35:49.84\00:35:52.25
that's why you're here.
00:35:52.28\00:35:53.72
So, this man had received
the invitation hadn't he?
00:35:53.75\00:35:58.99
That's why he showed up
00:35:59.02\00:36:00.72
and he now gives the
man an opportunity...
00:36:00.76\00:36:05.13
"Why haven't you
got the robe on?"
00:36:05.16\00:36:09.03
Maybe Australia
Post didn't deliver...
00:36:09.06\00:36:12.87
Audience: Laughter.
00:36:12.93\00:36:15.10
What was the problem?
00:36:15.14\00:36:17.24
And so, he treats
this man with dignity
00:36:17.27\00:36:21.64
and gives him opportunity now
00:36:21.68\00:36:24.71
to explain why he
hasn't got the robe on
00:36:24.78\00:36:27.45
and the man comes
back with what excuse?
00:36:27.52\00:36:30.15
He was speechless
00:36:30.19\00:36:34.46
which means... he
had nothing to say
00:36:34.49\00:36:36.96
and it's only then
00:36:36.99\00:36:39.53
according to the
Scriptures here, verse 13,
00:36:39.56\00:36:42.26
that the king orders him to be
thrown out into outer darkness
00:36:42.30\00:36:48.67
when he didn't have an excuse.
00:36:48.70\00:36:51.74
So, what is Jesus talking
about here in this story?
00:36:51.77\00:36:58.31
Every person is
invited to come to the wedding.
00:36:58.35\00:37:04.82
That is
represented by the invitation
00:37:04.85\00:37:09.89
and even this man who
turns up in his own garments
00:37:09.92\00:37:14.50
he received the invitation
00:37:14.53\00:37:17.33
and showed up.
00:37:17.37\00:37:19.57
You see, when
Jesus died on the cross,
00:37:19.63\00:37:24.61
He died and provided an
opportunity for the invitation
00:37:24.64\00:37:30.81
to go to every single
person living on the earth.
00:37:30.85\00:37:34.65
Audience: Amen.
00:37:34.68\00:37:36.25
That invitation was won
when He bowed His head there
00:37:36.28\00:37:39.59
on the cross and
said, "It is finished... "
00:37:39.62\00:37:43.86
and all we have to do today
is to accept the invitation,
00:37:43.93\00:37:50.07
that's all that
God asks us to do.
00:37:50.13\00:37:52.17
Accept the invitation.
00:37:52.20\00:37:54.47
Well, what about the robe?
00:37:54.50\00:37:57.31
What does the robe represent?
00:37:57.34\00:37:59.91
Let's go over to
Revelation chapter 19,
00:37:59.94\00:38:04.31
it's an interesting verse...
00:38:04.35\00:38:05.68
if you haven't read
this for a long time,
00:38:05.71\00:38:07.68
you might get a
shock when you read it.
00:38:07.75\00:38:10.69
This is Revelation
chapter 19 and verse 7.
00:38:10.72\00:38:13.62
It says, "Let us
be glad and rejoice
00:38:13.66\00:38:19.83
and give Him glory,
00:38:19.86\00:38:21.20
for the marriage
of the Lamb has come,
00:38:21.23\00:38:24.67
and His wife has
made herself ready. "
00:38:24.73\00:38:28.14
All right, that's...
we've been talking about that,
00:38:28.20\00:38:31.81
now, verse 8,
00:38:31.84\00:38:33.17
"And to her it was granted
to be arrayed in fine linen,
00:38:33.21\00:38:38.35
clean and bright,
00:38:38.38\00:38:41.45
for the fine linen is the
righteous acts of the saints. "
00:38:41.48\00:38:49.76
Well now, hang on,
did I read that correctly?
00:38:49.79\00:38:54.06
Does the Bible say that?
00:38:54.10\00:38:56.77
"For the fine linen is
the righteous acts... "
00:38:56.80\00:39:01.14
or actions... "of the saints. "
00:39:01.17\00:39:05.84
Pause...
00:39:05.87\00:39:08.51
That sounds a bit different
to sometimes what we hear
00:39:08.54\00:39:11.65
preached and taught...
00:39:11.68\00:39:14.02
pause...
00:39:14.05\00:39:16.28
what are these righteous
deeds or actions of the saints?
00:39:16.32\00:39:21.36
Jeremiah
chapter 23 verse 6 says,
00:39:21.42\00:39:24.96
"The Lord is our
righteousness... "
00:39:24.99\00:39:28.50
so, whenever righteousness
is attributed to us,
00:39:28.53\00:39:34.34
it's not our righteousness,
00:39:34.37\00:39:36.47
it is... righteousness
is a gift from Christ.
00:39:36.50\00:39:40.28
Pause...
00:39:40.31\00:39:42.74
This story really reminds
me of the two-fold aspect
00:39:42.78\00:39:47.32
of the righteousness of Christ
00:39:47.35\00:39:50.25
and sometimes, many of
us have failed to understand
00:39:50.29\00:39:55.62
this very important part
of righteousness by faith.
00:39:55.66\00:40:00.70
First of all, the righteousness
that was provided at the cross
00:40:00.73\00:40:05.73
is providing the invitation.
00:40:05.77\00:40:08.67
Pause...
00:40:08.70\00:40:11.27
The righteousness that Christ
has done for us on the cross...
00:40:11.31\00:40:18.28
that is the
equivalent of the invitation
00:40:18.31\00:40:21.72
pause...
00:40:21.75\00:40:23.89
but there's a second part
of the righteousness of Christ
00:40:23.92\00:40:26.76
and that is, the
righteousness of Christ
00:40:26.79\00:40:29.72
that He wants to work in us
00:40:29.76\00:40:32.03
through the
actions of the Holy Spirit
00:40:32.06\00:40:37.90
as He works in us
to produce victory
00:40:37.93\00:40:43.74
and overcoming and to
produce the righteousness
00:40:43.77\00:40:49.71
of the saints.
00:40:49.74\00:40:51.41
That is what the
wedding garment represents
00:40:51.45\00:40:54.88
and there are two things
that Christ is looking for
00:40:54.92\00:41:00.29
when it comes to the
matter of the judgment
00:41:00.32\00:41:03.32
before we are taken in
to the wedding festivities.
00:41:03.36\00:41:07.03
One is, that we have
received the invitation
00:41:07.06\00:41:11.30
pause...
00:41:11.33\00:41:13.57
and accepted that invitation,
00:41:13.60\00:41:15.60
the second is that
we have the robe on
00:41:15.64\00:41:21.18
and the robe represents
the righteous acts or actions
00:41:21.21\00:41:25.78
of the saints
00:41:25.81\00:41:27.22
and I like to remind us
all that both are of faith...
00:41:27.28\00:41:31.39
both are gifts from God.
00:41:31.45\00:41:35.89
Audience: Amen.
00:41:35.92\00:41:37.26
And the King comes
in to examine the guests
00:41:37.29\00:41:40.53
and He saw this man that
didn't have the garment on.
00:41:40.60\00:41:44.17
He wanted to be
at the wedding...
00:41:44.20\00:41:46.74
that's why he was there
00:41:46.77\00:41:48.84
but he had
accepted the invitation
00:41:48.87\00:41:51.41
but didn't want
to wear the robe.
00:41:51.47\00:41:53.98
Pause...
00:41:54.01\00:41:56.64
He wanted to go to
heaven but he had no desire
00:41:56.68\00:41:59.15
to accept Christ
00:41:59.18\00:42:00.78
and to bring honor
and glory to His name.
00:42:00.82\00:42:03.82
Pause...
00:42:03.85\00:42:07.66
You know, in
evangelism over the years
00:42:07.69\00:42:11.49
I have noticed that
it is relatively easy
00:42:11.53\00:42:15.26
to get folk to accept
Christ as their Savior...
00:42:15.30\00:42:18.20
pause...
00:42:18.23\00:42:20.54
that's not too difficult
00:42:20.57\00:42:22.20
but to get those same people to
have the righteousness of Christ
00:42:22.24\00:42:29.64
in their life...
00:42:29.68\00:42:31.05
for the Holy Spirit
to change their life
00:42:31.11\00:42:33.92
and to lead them to want to
do what God wants them to do
00:42:33.95\00:42:37.89
is a different matter entirely
00:42:37.92\00:42:39.65
and this man that
Jesus is talking about here
00:42:39.69\00:42:44.33
was... he wanted to go
to the wedding all right...
00:42:44.39\00:42:47.46
he accepted the invitation
00:42:47.50\00:42:49.76
but he didn't want
to put on the garment...
00:42:49.80\00:42:52.03
he didn't want to allow the
Holy Spirit to change his life
00:42:52.07\00:42:56.24
and to make him ready
for heaven's environment.
00:42:56.27\00:43:00.61
You know, this text
over in Matthew chapter 5
00:43:00.64\00:43:04.85
and verse 16
00:43:04.88\00:43:07.25
where it says here,
00:43:07.28\00:43:09.52
"Let your light
so shine before men,
00:43:09.55\00:43:13.96
that they may
see your... " what?
00:43:14.02\00:43:18.39
"good works... "
00:43:18.43\00:43:19.93
there it is
again... your good works...
00:43:19.96\00:43:23.26
"that they may bring
glory to themselves... "
00:43:23.30\00:43:29.20
is that what the text says?
00:43:29.24\00:43:31.54
No... "that they may bring
glory and honor to... " whom?
00:43:31.57\00:43:36.44
"To God... "
00:43:36.48\00:43:38.25
and the purpose
of our good works...
00:43:38.28\00:43:41.22
the purpose of
our health message...
00:43:41.25\00:43:43.92
the purpose of
all the doctrines...
00:43:43.95\00:43:46.32
the things that
God has given to us
00:43:46.35\00:43:49.26
is to prepare us and make us fit
00:43:49.29\00:43:52.19
for heaven's environment...
00:43:52.23\00:43:53.56
to bring honor and glory to God.
00:43:53.60\00:43:56.46
Audience: Amen.
00:43:56.50\00:43:57.90
You know, the 23rd Psalm...
00:43:57.93\00:43:59.40
you know very well,
00:43:59.43\00:44:00.80
in Psalm 23 verse 3 it says,
00:44:00.84\00:44:03.54
"... He leadeth me beside...
the paths of righteousness
00:44:03.57\00:44:08.54
for... " what?
00:44:08.58\00:44:09.91
"for His name's sake. "
00:44:09.94\00:44:12.48
In other words, the purpose of
us being involved in good works
00:44:12.51\00:44:19.69
is to bring honor and
glory to our heavenly Father.
00:44:19.75\00:44:23.49
Audience: Amen.
00:44:23.53\00:44:24.89
And that's why this matter of
obedience is so very important
00:44:24.93\00:44:28.56
and there's
something more important
00:44:28.60\00:44:31.93
than getting to heaven.
00:44:31.97\00:44:33.34
I mean, from our perspective,
00:44:33.37\00:44:35.24
we think getting to heaven
is the most important thing,
00:44:35.27\00:44:37.14
I want to tell you,
00:44:37.17\00:44:38.51
there's something even
more important than that
00:44:38.54\00:44:39.97
and that is to bring honor
and glory to our heavenly Father
00:44:40.01\00:44:43.58
and it's a by-product
that we get to heaven as well,
00:44:43.61\00:44:47.98
that's a wonderful thing
00:44:48.02\00:44:49.35
and so, when the king
comes in to examine the guests,
00:44:49.38\00:44:52.39
he looks for two things.
00:44:52.42\00:44:54.39
He looks for those who
have accepted the invitation...
00:44:54.42\00:44:59.19
and secondly,
just as important...
00:44:59.23\00:45:03.73
because there's no going
into the marriage without both.
00:45:03.77\00:45:07.30
You've got to
have the garment on.
00:45:07.34\00:45:08.87
No wedding
unless you have both...
00:45:08.90\00:45:13.68
the invitation
and the garment...
00:45:13.71\00:45:17.51
pause...
00:45:17.55\00:45:20.62
and Christ, in this
story, is investigating
00:45:20.65\00:45:25.15
all that were
invited to the wedding
00:45:25.19\00:45:28.02
to see whether
they had the garment on.
00:45:28.06\00:45:30.83
That's the issue in
the Investigative Judgment.
00:45:30.89\00:45:34.06
Have we got the garment on?
00:45:34.10\00:45:36.13
We've accepted the invitation
because we've heard about that
00:45:36.16\00:45:41.37
over and over and
over and over again,
00:45:41.40\00:45:43.67
but we don't hear too
much about the garment.
00:45:43.71\00:45:45.97
Pause...
00:45:46.01\00:45:48.28
Let me read you another verse
00:45:48.31\00:45:50.25
here in Revelation
chapter 3 and verse 5,
00:45:50.28\00:45:54.22
look at this, Revelation
chapter 3 and verse 5,
00:45:54.25\00:45:59.72
pause...
00:45:59.75\00:46:04.39
where it says,
"He who overcomes... "
00:46:04.43\00:46:08.60
that's an interesting word...
00:46:08.63\00:46:11.77
"he who overcomes...
00:46:11.80\00:46:13.74
shall be clothed in... " what?
00:46:13.77\00:46:17.21
"white raiments,
00:46:17.24\00:46:19.21
and I will not blot out
his name from the Book of Life;
00:46:19.24\00:46:22.94
but I will confess
his name before My Father
00:46:22.98\00:46:25.88
and before His angels. "
00:46:25.91\00:46:27.65
So, God wants us not only
to respond to the invitation,
00:46:27.68\00:46:32.05
but God wants us
to be overcomers.
00:46:32.09\00:46:34.66
Audience: Amen.
00:46:34.69\00:46:36.02
God wants us to
have victory in our life.
00:46:36.06\00:46:38.39
That's what the
robe is all about.
00:46:38.43\00:46:41.23
That's what it means to put
on the robe... the garment...
00:46:41.26\00:46:45.33
pause...
00:46:45.37\00:46:48.54
and so, when it comes
to the investigation part
00:46:48.60\00:46:52.01
of the judgment,
00:46:52.04\00:46:53.48
the king comes in
to look over the guests
00:46:53.51\00:46:57.05
and what He's looking for...
those that have the garment on.
00:46:57.08\00:47:02.55
Pause...
00:47:02.58\00:47:04.59
So, only those who
have accepted the invitation
00:47:04.62\00:47:06.96
and have accepted the garment...
00:47:06.99\00:47:09.36
who live a life of
victory and overcoming.
00:47:09.42\00:47:14.96
That's as much
the gospel as it is
00:47:15.00\00:47:20.14
to accept Jesus as our Savior.
00:47:20.17\00:47:22.00
Audience: Amen.
00:47:22.04\00:47:25.51
Because there are
many who want to emphasize
00:47:25.54\00:47:27.64
the fact that
Jesus has died for us
00:47:27.68\00:47:30.11
and we can never
over-emphasize that
00:47:30.15\00:47:32.51
but I want to tell you,
that's only half the gospel.
00:47:32.55\00:47:37.22
The gospel is more than
Jesus dying on the cross.
00:47:37.25\00:47:41.89
Audience: Amen.
00:47:41.92\00:47:43.26
That's the
foundation of everything
00:47:43.29\00:47:45.49
but just as
important is the garment
00:47:45.53\00:47:48.86
and when it comes
to the... the judgment,
00:47:48.90\00:47:53.20
the king comes to look
at whether we have accepted
00:47:53.23\00:47:57.74
the invitation as
well as the garment
00:47:57.77\00:48:00.14
and people say to me,
00:48:00.18\00:48:01.51
"Well, I'm not doing so well
of that one... of overcoming,
00:48:01.54\00:48:03.98
that's where I'm
not doing so well. "
00:48:04.01\00:48:06.11
Well, I like to remind
them and I like to remind myself
00:48:06.15\00:48:10.89
that the "overcoming"
part of the Christian life,
00:48:10.92\00:48:15.16
is God's responsibility
not yours and mine.
00:48:15.19\00:48:19.29
Audience: Amen.
00:48:19.33\00:48:21.50
God is the One Who
gives us the victory.
00:48:21.53\00:48:25.00
Audience: Amen.
00:48:25.03\00:48:26.37
God is the One
Who gives us the robe.
00:48:26.40\00:48:28.67
The robe is not one
stitch of human devising
00:48:28.70\00:48:34.24
in the entire robe.
00:48:34.28\00:48:35.64
Audience: Amen.
00:48:35.71\00:48:37.05
It's a gift.
00:48:37.08\00:48:38.45
Audience: Amen.
00:48:38.48\00:48:39.81
And too many have
been brought up on the idea
00:48:39.85\00:48:42.12
that... that accepting Jesus...
00:48:42.15\00:48:45.12
that's a gift so I
can understand that,
00:48:45.15\00:48:46.99
but then I've got to
grit my teeth and work hard
00:48:47.02\00:48:49.62
to become an overcomer
00:48:49.66\00:48:52.63
and to do what
God wants me to do.
00:48:52.66\00:48:54.66
That is not what
the Bible teaches
00:48:54.70\00:48:57.90
nor is it what the gospel says.
00:48:57.93\00:49:01.04
Overcoming is
primarily God's responsibility.
00:49:01.07\00:49:05.17
Now, in the parable,
the invitation is free
00:49:05.21\00:49:09.31
pause...
00:49:09.34\00:49:12.51
and I don't think any of
us here have any trouble...
00:49:12.55\00:49:15.08
most Christians have no trouble
00:49:15.12\00:49:16.99
accepting the idea
that the invitation is free.
00:49:17.02\00:49:20.26
Pause...
00:49:20.29\00:49:22.69
What we haven't understood
clearly in our minds many of us
00:49:22.72\00:49:27.63
is the fact that the garment
is as free as the invitation.
00:49:27.66\00:49:32.53
Audience: Amen.
00:49:32.57\00:49:35.90
In fact, I heard a
preacher from yesteryear,
00:49:35.94\00:49:37.87
pause...
00:49:37.91\00:49:41.08
so it is...
00:49:41.11\00:49:43.78
"The garment is as
free as the invitation... "
00:49:43.81\00:49:49.05
the garment is as
free as the invitation.
00:49:49.08\00:49:52.79
The garment is as
free as the invitation!
00:49:52.85\00:49:56.52
That's the
problem with many of us,
00:49:56.56\00:50:00.10
we have never grasped that
00:50:00.16\00:50:01.96
and those who don't
see overcoming in victory
00:50:02.00\00:50:04.93
as part of the Christian
life, have a misunderstanding
00:50:04.97\00:50:08.14
of the fact that the
robe is as free as the gift...
00:50:08.17\00:50:11.27
as the invitation...
00:50:11.31\00:50:13.14
They're both gifts...
00:50:13.17\00:50:14.94
pause...
00:50:14.98\00:50:18.71
and so, the gospel
is a two-fold thing.
00:50:18.75\00:50:24.35
The gospel is justification
00:50:24.39\00:50:28.59
and justification
is a big word I know
00:50:28.62\00:50:31.93
but it simply means that we are
just as if I'd never sinned...
00:50:31.96\00:50:35.60
God accepts us as we are
00:50:35.63\00:50:38.07
but He doesn't want
us to stay as we are.
00:50:38.10\00:50:41.54
That's why He gives us the robe
00:50:41.57\00:50:44.31
and the robe
represents sanctification
00:50:44.34\00:50:46.74
and the two must be together.
00:50:46.78\00:50:49.38
The gospel is not
one or the other...
00:50:49.41\00:50:51.65
the gospel is both together.
00:50:51.68\00:50:53.82
Audience: Amen.
00:50:53.88\00:50:55.22
You know, the old hymn
writer, had it correctly,
00:50:55.25\00:51:00.46
you know that hymn,
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
00:51:00.49\00:51:05.83
Let me hide myself in Thee;
00:51:05.86\00:51:13.23
Let the water and the blood,
00:51:13.27\00:51:20.54
From Thy riven
side which flowed,
00:51:20.58\00:51:26.75
Be of sin the double cure... "
00:51:26.78\00:51:32.92
now tell me, what
is the double cure?
00:51:32.95\00:51:35.69
the "double cure" is,
00:51:35.72\00:51:39.73
"cleanse me from its guilt
00:51:39.76\00:51:43.63
and its power. "
00:51:43.67\00:51:47.24
That's justification
00:51:47.27\00:51:49.40
and sanctification.
00:51:49.44\00:51:51.47
Even the hymn
writer understood that.
00:51:51.51\00:51:53.48
Audience: Amen.
00:51:53.54\00:51:54.88
And God wants us to understand
that the gospel is two-fold
00:51:54.91\00:51:59.25
and the judgment...
00:51:59.31\00:52:03.45
the purpose of
the judgment is to see
00:52:03.49\00:52:05.19
that we've not only
accepted the invitation...
00:52:05.22\00:52:09.12
that that we've
accepted the robe as well.
00:52:09.16\00:52:13.03
I want to read
you one last verse,
00:52:13.06\00:52:15.50
2nd Corinthians
chapter 10 and verse 5...
00:52:15.53\00:52:19.30
2nd Corinthians
chapter 10 and verse 5,
00:52:19.33\00:52:22.97
and it says this,
00:52:23.00\00:52:25.94
this is a
challenging verse, listen,
00:52:25.97\00:52:28.01
chapter 10 and verse 5,
00:52:28.04\00:52:30.98
"... casting down arguments
00:52:31.01\00:52:33.85
and every high
thing that exalts itself
00:52:33.88\00:52:37.89
against the knowledge of God,
00:52:37.95\00:52:40.59
bringing... " what does it say?
00:52:40.62\00:52:44.89
"every thought into captivity
00:52:44.93\00:52:48.03
to the obedience of Christ. "
00:52:48.06\00:52:51.13
According to Paul,
00:52:51.17\00:52:52.53
is it possible to live a
life of victory and overcoming?
00:52:52.57\00:52:55.54
Audience: Yes.
00:52:55.57\00:52:56.97
Absolutely...
00:52:57.01\00:52:58.34
and anyone who denies that
00:52:58.37\00:53:00.41
is denying simple
truth of the gospel.
00:53:00.44\00:53:03.14
Audience: Amen.
00:53:03.18\00:53:04.71
And Paul talked here
about every thought...
00:53:04.75\00:53:08.88
not just some
thoughts... but every thought.
00:53:08.92\00:53:13.29
Obedience comes by
faith alone in Jesus.
00:53:13.36\00:53:17.69
It's not
something that we achieve,
00:53:17.73\00:53:20.16
it is something that we receive
00:53:20.20\00:53:22.60
from... from Christ
00:53:22.63\00:53:24.87
and it comes by
spending time with God alone
00:53:24.90\00:53:29.20
and as we spend
time with God alone,
00:53:29.24\00:53:33.07
He will change us
from the inside out.
00:53:33.11\00:53:36.98
Audience: Amen.
00:53:37.01\00:53:38.35
And if God works
on the inside of me,
00:53:38.38\00:53:40.92
then it's His
responsibility to change me.
00:53:40.95\00:53:43.22
It is my responsibility
to spend enough time with Him
00:53:43.25\00:53:48.72
so that He can change me.
00:53:48.76\00:53:50.19
Audience: Amen.
00:53:50.23\00:53:51.83
That's my responsibility...
00:53:51.86\00:53:53.36
that's the fight of fight
00:53:53.40\00:53:54.80
to spend enough time with
Him so that He will change me
00:53:54.83\00:53:58.03
from the inside out,
00:53:58.10\00:53:59.43
but God's responsibility
is that He will change me
00:53:59.47\00:54:02.77
from the inside out.
00:54:02.80\00:54:04.57
Audience: Amen.
00:54:04.61\00:54:05.94
Let's bow our heads in prayer.
00:54:05.97\00:54:07.31
"Lord, thank you
again that you have provided
00:54:07.34\00:54:10.41
not only the invitation
but the garment as well.
00:54:10.45\00:54:13.72
Please bless us.
00:54:13.75\00:54:15.08
Help us to accept
that wonderful truth today
00:54:15.12\00:54:18.02
and be changed
by Your Holy Spirit,
00:54:18.05\00:54:20.39
I pray for Christ's sake, amen.
00:54:20.42\00:54:22.72