Music...
00:00:01.36\00:00:14.78
Well, good to
see all of you again
00:00:14.81\00:00:17.35
here at the virtual
Secrets Unsealed Summit.
00:00:17.38\00:00:20.92
I wish we could
be there in person
00:00:20.95\00:00:23.75
enjoying the beauty
of Yosemite National Park
00:00:23.79\00:00:27.02
but unfortunately,
we're not able to do
00:00:27.06\00:00:31.33
our live programming this year.
00:00:31.36\00:00:34.66
I still hope
that you're tuning in
00:00:34.70\00:00:37.27
and you're listening to
the different presentations
00:00:37.30\00:00:40.70
here at our Summit
00:00:40.74\00:00:42.07
and I pray that all of them
are a great blessing to you.
00:00:42.10\00:00:46.61
Before we begin, we
want to have a word of prayer
00:00:46.64\00:00:49.68
and then the
title of our Study is:
00:00:49.71\00:00:52.81
Like a Bride
Adorned for her Husband
00:00:52.88\00:00:55.95
so, let's pray.
00:00:55.98\00:00:57.32
"Father in heaven, we
come before Your awesome throne
00:00:57.35\00:01:00.76
in the powerful name of Jesus
00:01:00.79\00:01:02.12
to thank you now for the
privilege of opening Your Word
00:01:02.16\00:01:06.46
and studying some very important
things about the judgment.
00:01:06.49\00:01:10.73
We ask that Your Holy
Spirit will be with us
00:01:10.77\00:01:13.84
to guide our thoughts.
00:01:13.87\00:01:15.20
Help us understand
these complex issues
00:01:15.24\00:01:19.04
relating to Your Word
00:01:19.07\00:01:20.41
and we thank you, Father,
for the promise of Your presence
00:01:20.44\00:01:23.51
and we claim that promise
00:01:23.55\00:01:24.88
in the precious
name of Jesus, amen. "
00:01:24.91\00:01:28.32
Pause.
00:01:28.35\00:01:30.75
In order to understand
what we're going to study today,
00:01:30.79\00:01:33.39
we need to comprehend
eastern wedding customs
00:01:33.46\00:01:37.69
in Biblical times
00:01:37.73\00:01:39.49
and so, I'm going to go through
00:01:39.56\00:01:41.63
the main parts of
an eastern wedding
00:01:41.66\00:01:45.87
in the times of the Bible
00:01:45.90\00:01:47.24
so that we can understand
what we're going to study today
00:01:47.27\00:01:50.91
and it's going to be
more of a class than a sermon.
00:01:50.94\00:01:54.24
First of all, you
have the betrothal
00:01:54.28\00:01:57.11
or what we call: The Engagement.
00:01:57.15\00:01:59.91
The engagement between
the groom and the bride
00:01:59.95\00:02:03.55
took place at the
home of the bride's father.
00:02:03.59\00:02:07.16
That's where the
engagement took place
00:02:07.19\00:02:10.06
and there, at the
home of the bride's father,
00:02:10.13\00:02:13.80
you have the groom paying the
dowry to the father of the bride
00:02:13.83\00:02:21.40
and then, after the betrothal,
the groom went back once again
00:02:21.44\00:02:28.94
to his father's
house to prepare a home
00:02:28.98\00:02:33.21
where he and the bride...
when they got married...
00:02:33.25\00:02:36.45
would live
00:02:36.48\00:02:38.65
and at the same time,
00:02:38.69\00:02:40.26
the bride would
remain in her father's house
00:02:40.29\00:02:43.46
and she would
prepare for the wedding.
00:02:43.49\00:02:46.80
In the interim, the groom
would send out invitations
00:02:46.83\00:02:52.53
to all of the
guests to the wedding
00:02:52.57\00:02:55.20
and only those
who had an invitation
00:02:55.24\00:02:57.84
actually had a right to come
and be in the wedding chamber.
00:02:57.87\00:03:02.68
Now, sometimes the groom
would send out a special garment
00:03:02.71\00:03:07.52
that the invitee had to wear
00:03:07.55\00:03:11.22
in order to be welcome
in the wedding chamber.
00:03:11.25\00:03:14.92
Finally, when
the groom was ready
00:03:14.96\00:03:19.23
and the bride was ready,
00:03:19.26\00:03:21.86
then, the
wedding would take place
00:03:21.90\00:03:25.37
and the wedding took place in
the house of the groom's father
00:03:25.40\00:03:32.44
and so, the
wedding itself took place
00:03:32.47\00:03:35.44
in the home of
the groom's father.
00:03:35.48\00:03:38.51
The wedding
usually was quite short...
00:03:38.58\00:03:41.52
it was just
basically a few minutes
00:03:41.55\00:03:44.42
and then, of course,
the most important event...
00:03:44.45\00:03:47.82
the community event
00:03:47.86\00:03:49.52
was the
reception that took place
00:03:49.56\00:03:52.36
after the wedding itself.
00:03:52.39\00:03:54.66
So, these were the wedding
customs in Biblical times...
00:03:54.70\00:03:58.77
the customs of
an eastern wedding.
00:03:58.80\00:04:01.50
Once again, the betrothal in
the home of the bride's father,
00:04:01.54\00:04:07.68
the paying of the
dowry by the groom
00:04:07.71\00:04:11.51
to the bride's father.
00:04:11.55\00:04:13.65
Then you have the bride going
to stay in her father's house
00:04:13.68\00:04:19.72
to prepare for the wedding
00:04:19.75\00:04:21.19
and the groom going
back to his father's house
00:04:21.22\00:04:24.36
to prepare a home for the bride.
00:04:24.39\00:04:26.90
The sending out
of invitations...
00:04:26.96\00:04:29.30
sometimes, a
special garment was sent out
00:04:29.36\00:04:32.47
that the invitees had to wear
00:04:32.50\00:04:34.94
in order to have a right
to be in the wedding chamber
00:04:34.97\00:04:37.77
and then you have
the wedding itself,
00:04:37.81\00:04:40.34
a very short ceremony
followed by the reception
00:04:40.38\00:04:44.75
in the home of
the groom's father.
00:04:44.78\00:04:48.28
Now, let's take a
look at a parable of Jesus
00:04:48.32\00:04:52.49
where you find many
of these characteristics
00:04:52.52\00:04:56.62
that I just mentioned
regarding an eastern wedding.
00:04:56.66\00:04:59.43
I'm not going to read the entire
parable of the ten virgins
00:04:59.46\00:05:04.03
that we find in Matthew
chapter 25 and verses 1 to 13.
00:05:04.07\00:05:08.54
Probably most of
those, if not all
00:05:08.57\00:05:11.67
have read this
parable many, many times.
00:05:11.74\00:05:14.38
So, I'm only going to
go through the main details
00:05:14.41\00:05:17.88
of the parable
00:05:17.91\00:05:19.25
and I'm going to
make the application
00:05:19.28\00:05:22.78
of each of those
details to the judgment per se.
00:05:22.82\00:05:27.29
First of all, you
have the bridesmaids...
00:05:27.32\00:05:31.29
they have lamps
00:05:31.33\00:05:32.93
and they're lighting the
way to the wedding chamber.
00:05:32.96\00:05:36.50
This represents the
preaching of the gospel
00:05:36.56\00:05:40.47
to invite everyone
who accepts the invitation
00:05:40.50\00:05:44.07
to come and be
present in the wedding chamber
00:05:44.11\00:05:47.58
for the wedding.
00:05:47.61\00:05:48.94
Now, all of the bridesmaids
claimed to be believers.
00:05:48.98\00:05:54.18
All of them had lamps...
00:05:54.22\00:05:56.15
all of them had
oil in their lamps
00:05:56.18\00:05:58.75
but, of course, the wise virgins
had extra oil in their flasks.
00:05:58.79\00:06:04.66
Five of the
virgins, therefore, were wise
00:06:04.69\00:06:09.36
and five of
them were counterfeit
00:06:09.40\00:06:13.13
but there was a delay in the
groom coming for the wedding.
00:06:13.17\00:06:17.47
This represents the
delay, from my perspective,
00:06:17.51\00:06:21.81
in the coming of Jesus to
the wedding chamber in heaven
00:06:21.84\00:06:26.01
to bring the gospel
work in this world to a close
00:06:26.05\00:06:30.62
and then, of course,
you have the midnight cry.
00:06:30.65\00:06:34.02
The midnight cry is the
final invitation to the wedding.
00:06:34.06\00:06:38.56
To those who are alive, it
represents the final loud cry
00:06:38.59\00:06:43.80
that will be given in the world
00:06:43.83\00:06:45.50
inviting people
to receive Christ
00:06:45.53\00:06:48.10
to overcome sin... and to
enter the wedding chamber.
00:06:48.14\00:06:52.61
So, then you notice that when
the midnight cry comes to an end
00:06:52.64\00:06:59.41
everybody has
made their decision...
00:06:59.45\00:07:02.12
the door of the
wedding chamber is shut
00:07:02.15\00:07:05.95
and the wedding takes place.
00:07:05.99\00:07:08.29
The wedding
represents the union of Jesus
00:07:08.32\00:07:13.53
with all of His faithful
believers from all ages.
00:07:13.56\00:07:18.23
In other words, the
wedding is between Christ
00:07:18.27\00:07:21.67
and the totality
of His followers.
00:07:21.70\00:07:25.24
I want you to notice also
that the invitees to the wedding
00:07:25.27\00:07:30.88
are the individuals
that belong to the totality
00:07:30.91\00:07:35.08
of Christ's bride.
00:07:35.12\00:07:36.75
We'll come back to
that a little bit later.
00:07:36.79\00:07:39.65
Now, the foolish coming
back to the wedding chamber
00:07:39.69\00:07:44.13
and knocking on the
door, represents those
00:07:44.16\00:07:48.16
who have not come to Jesus
before the close of probation
00:07:48.20\00:07:53.07
and they find themselves
in the time of trouble
00:07:53.10\00:07:54.87
without having entered the
wedding chamber with Jesus.
00:07:54.90\00:07:58.24
They cry out, "Let us in... "
00:07:58.27\00:08:00.04
and Jesus says, "I
don't know you... "
00:08:00.08\00:08:03.14
and then, of course,
we have the casting out
00:08:03.18\00:08:07.58
of those individuals
00:08:07.62\00:08:09.68
who rejected the
call to the wedding.
00:08:09.72\00:08:12.95
At the end of the
parable, we find Jesus
00:08:12.99\00:08:16.22
telling His followers to watch
00:08:16.26\00:08:18.46
for you do not know the hour
00:08:18.49\00:08:20.63
in which the son
of man is coming.
00:08:20.66\00:08:23.13
Now the coming
there is not describing
00:08:23.16\00:08:25.60
the second coming of Christ,
00:08:25.63\00:08:27.04
the coming is describing the
coming of Jesus to His Father
00:08:27.07\00:08:32.07
to receive the kingdom.
00:08:32.11\00:08:33.94
Now, let's take a look
at another parable of Jesus
00:08:33.98\00:08:37.91
that teaches some of
the same basic truths
00:08:37.98\00:08:41.75
that we find in the
parable of the ten virgins.
00:08:41.78\00:08:44.75
I'm referring to the
parable in Matthew 22
00:08:44.82\00:08:48.12
and verses 1 through 14.
00:08:48.16\00:08:50.93
It's the individual who
entered the wedding chamber
00:08:50.96\00:08:54.33
without the garment
that had been provided
00:08:54.36\00:08:58.03
by the groom and
the groom's father.
00:08:58.07\00:09:00.90
I'm not going to
read the entire parable
00:09:00.94\00:09:03.71
because it takes far too
long, we are limited in time
00:09:03.74\00:09:07.61
so, I'm just going to mention
from Great Controversy page 428
00:09:07.64\00:09:14.38
what this parable applies to.
00:09:14.45\00:09:16.99
Ellen White wrote,
00:09:17.02\00:09:18.42
"In the parable of Matthew 22
00:09:18.45\00:09:21.16
the same figure of the
marriage is introduced... "
00:09:21.19\00:09:24.89
that is the same figure as the
parable of the ten virgins...
00:09:24.93\00:09:27.93
"and the Investigative
Judgment is clearly represented
00:09:27.96\00:09:32.80
as taking place
before the marriage. "
00:09:32.83\00:09:36.60
So, the
Investigative Judgment...
00:09:36.64\00:09:39.11
the investigation of the guests
00:09:39.14\00:09:41.51
to see if they
have the wedding garment
00:09:41.54\00:09:43.98
takes place before
the wedding itself.
00:09:44.01\00:09:46.38
So, let me just summarize
what we find in this parable
00:09:46.41\00:09:50.12
in Matthew chapter 22.
00:09:50.15\00:09:51.89
First of all, there's an
invitation to the Jewish nation
00:09:51.95\00:09:55.46
to accept the Messiah
and come to the wedding.
00:09:55.52\00:09:58.33
The invitation is rejected
00:09:58.39\00:10:01.00
so, then...
animals are sacrificed
00:10:01.03\00:10:04.00
which represents
the death of Christ.
00:10:04.03\00:10:06.94
After the death of Christ,
00:10:07.00\00:10:09.34
another invitation is sent
to the same group of people...
00:10:09.37\00:10:12.87
to the Jewish nation
00:10:12.91\00:10:14.24
and they reject the
second invitation as well.
00:10:14.28\00:10:18.15
So, then we find in the parable
00:10:18.18\00:10:20.72
that the king destroys
the city of those who rejected
00:10:20.75\00:10:24.52
the second invitation
00:10:24.55\00:10:26.22
and now, the
invitation to the wedding goes
00:10:26.25\00:10:30.53
beyond the literal
Jewish nation to the Gentiles
00:10:30.56\00:10:35.20
and ultimately to the entire
world during the Christian era.
00:10:35.23\00:10:40.64
When the gospel is preached,
00:10:40.67\00:10:44.07
multitudes of
people accept the gospel
00:10:44.11\00:10:47.08
and they are placed
in the wedding chamber,
00:10:47.14\00:10:51.21
in other words, when they accept
the gospel of Jesus Christ,
00:10:51.25\00:10:53.72
they are portrayed as
being in the wedding chamber
00:10:53.75\00:10:58.32
but then it's necessary
to do an investigation to see
00:10:58.35\00:11:02.79
who... that accepted the
invitation to the wedding
00:11:02.82\00:11:07.23
actually is a true believer
00:11:07.26\00:11:09.73
and who is a
counterfeit believer
00:11:09.76\00:11:12.93
and so, we find in the
parable of Matthew chapter 22
00:11:13.00\00:11:17.21
the following words,
00:11:17.24\00:11:18.74
"So, those servants
went out into the highways
00:11:18.77\00:11:21.94
and gathered
together all whom they found,
00:11:21.98\00:11:25.08
both bad and good.
00:11:25.11\00:11:27.52
And the wedding hall
was filled with guests. "
00:11:27.55\00:11:30.32
See, this is the preaching
of the gospel to the world.
00:11:30.35\00:11:33.49
The wedding chamber
is filled with guests
00:11:33.52\00:11:36.49
but not everyone who has
accepted the gospel invitation
00:11:36.52\00:11:40.76
is a true believer
00:11:40.80\00:11:42.23
and so, it's
necessary to distinguish those
00:11:42.26\00:11:45.57
who are genuine believers
00:11:45.60\00:11:47.57
from those who are
counterfeit believers
00:11:47.60\00:11:49.90
and the way to
distinguish is to see
00:11:49.94\00:11:52.14
who has the wedding
garment that was provided
00:11:52.17\00:11:55.78
by the groom and by his father.
00:11:55.81\00:11:58.71
Notice once again,
Matthew 22 and verses 11 and 12.
00:11:58.75\00:12:03.79
Here's the investigation,
00:12:03.82\00:12:05.72
"But when the king
came in to see... "
00:12:05.75\00:12:08.92
I mentioned in
the previous lecture
00:12:08.96\00:12:12.09
that the word "see" there
00:12:12.13\00:12:13.46
is not the
common word for "seeing"
00:12:13.50\00:12:15.86
it is the Greek word, "theaomai"
00:12:15.90\00:12:18.33
which means to
examine... to scrutinize
00:12:18.37\00:12:21.87
or to investigate.
00:12:21.90\00:12:24.61
So, it says the king came
in to investigate the guests,
00:12:24.64\00:12:28.61
"And he saw a man there
00:12:28.64\00:12:30.98
who did not have on
a wedding garment. "
00:12:31.01\00:12:32.85
Now, notice, he's in
the wedding chamber...
00:12:32.88\00:12:34.68
he got in there... he
accepted the gospel invitation
00:12:34.72\00:12:38.99
but we're told here that he did
not have on a wedding garment.
00:12:39.02\00:12:42.72
In other words, he
claimed to accept Jesus
00:12:42.76\00:12:46.09
but he was a
counterfeit believer
00:12:46.13\00:12:48.46
and so it says in
verse 12, "So he said to him,
00:12:48.50\00:12:52.70
'Friend, how did you come in
here without a wedding garment?'
00:12:52.73\00:12:57.21
And he was speechless. "
00:12:57.27\00:13:00.64
So, the groom's father sent
out an invitation to the wedding
00:13:00.68\00:13:04.85
with a special
garment for each guest.
00:13:04.88\00:13:07.95
Once in the wedding
chamber, the father examines
00:13:07.98\00:13:11.89
the garments of the guests
00:13:11.92\00:13:13.82
to determine if each
guest has on the wedding garment
00:13:13.86\00:13:18.93
which represents the
righteousness of Christ.
00:13:18.96\00:13:22.76
Ellen White described
the meaning of this parable
00:13:22.80\00:13:26.87
in Great Controversy page
482 in the following words,
00:13:26.90\00:13:31.14
"Those who in the
judgment are 'accounted worthy'
00:13:31.17\00:13:34.94
will have a part in the
resurrection of the just.
00:13:34.98\00:13:39.25
Jesus said, 'They which
shall be accounted worthy
00:13:39.28\00:13:43.52
to obtain that world,
00:13:43.55\00:13:45.25
and the
resurrection from the dead...
00:13:45.29\00:13:47.36
are equal unto the angels;
00:13:47.39\00:13:49.16
and are children of God,
00:13:49.22\00:13:50.93
being the children
of the resurrection. '"
00:13:50.96\00:13:53.29
She's quoting Luke 20:35 and 36.
00:13:53.33\00:13:57.07
"And again He declares
that 'they that have done good'
00:13:57.10\00:14:01.07
shall come forth 'unto
the resurrection of life. '"
00:14:01.10\00:14:05.07
She's quoting
John 5 and verse 29.
00:14:05.11\00:14:07.88
And then comes this important
part of this statement,
00:14:07.91\00:14:11.28
"The righteous
dead will not be raised
00:14:11.31\00:14:15.62
until after the judgment at
which they are accounted worthy
00:14:15.65\00:14:19.92
of the resurrection of life.
00:14:19.95\00:14:21.59
Hence they will not be present
in person at the tribunal
00:14:21.62\00:14:26.36
when their records are examined
00:14:26.39\00:14:28.46
and their cases decided. "
00:14:28.50\00:14:30.30
And this is what we studied in
the two previous Presentations
00:14:30.33\00:14:34.34
that I made here at the Summit
00:14:34.37\00:14:36.07
and that is that
people do not appear
00:14:36.10\00:14:38.64
before the
judgment seat of Christ
00:14:38.67\00:14:41.18
before the
second coming in person.
00:14:41.21\00:14:43.68
They appear through the
record of their lives...
00:14:43.71\00:14:47.75
through their
DVD, if you please,
00:14:47.78\00:14:49.75
which is examined in the
heavenly judgment chamber
00:14:49.78\00:14:54.09
to see if they truly
received Jesus Christ
00:14:54.12\00:14:57.09
or whether they did not
00:14:57.13\00:14:59.19
and so, when all
cases are decided
00:14:59.23\00:15:01.86
both of the dead
and of the living,
00:15:01.93\00:15:04.93
then the door
of probation closes
00:15:04.97\00:15:07.90
and Jesus marries His bride
or takes over the kingdom...
00:15:07.94\00:15:13.17
two different ways of
saying the same thing.
00:15:13.24\00:15:15.31
Jesus now... His
kingdom is complete
00:15:15.34\00:15:18.28
because He's revealed who
is a member of His kingdom
00:15:18.31\00:15:21.52
and His bride is complete
00:15:21.55\00:15:23.35
because everyone
who claimed Jesus
00:15:23.39\00:15:26.62
and were true
believers are now in Him
00:15:26.65\00:15:29.79
and so, then, the
door of probation closes...
00:15:29.82\00:15:34.16
all cases decided...
00:15:34.20\00:15:35.53
and then, the wicked are
cast out into outer darkness
00:15:35.56\00:15:41.07
where there is
wailing and gnashing of teeth
00:15:41.10\00:15:43.97
but God's people
are taken to heaven
00:15:44.01\00:15:47.88
to celebrate
the wedding banquet.
00:15:47.91\00:15:51.75
Now, we also need to
examine Daniel chapter 7
00:15:51.78\00:15:55.42
verses 9 and 10
and verses 13 and 14
00:15:55.45\00:15:58.95
and I'm going to
read these verses
00:15:58.99\00:16:01.99
because they're
very, very important
00:16:02.02\00:16:04.39
in the context of
what we're studying.
00:16:04.43\00:16:06.73
Daniel chapter 7 verse 9 says,
00:16:06.80\00:16:10.20
"I watched till
thrones were put in place,
00:16:10.23\00:16:13.60
and the Ancient of
Days was seated... "
00:16:13.64\00:16:16.97
who's the Ancient of Days?
00:16:17.01\00:16:18.34
The Ancient of
Days is God the Father.
00:16:18.37\00:16:21.21
So, where is this taking place?
00:16:21.24\00:16:23.48
In heaven...
00:16:23.55\00:16:24.88
because we're told the
Ancient of Days was seated,
00:16:24.91\00:16:27.52
we pray, "Our Father,
which art in heaven. "
00:16:27.55\00:16:29.25
So, it says, "I watched
till thrones were put in place,
00:16:29.28\00:16:32.35
and the Ancient
of Days was seated;
00:16:32.39\00:16:34.86
His garment was white as snow,
00:16:34.89\00:16:36.99
and the hair of His
head was like pure wool.
00:16:37.03\00:16:39.46
His throne was a fiery flame,
00:16:39.49\00:16:41.56
its wheels a burning fire;
00:16:41.63\00:16:43.63
a fiery stream issued and
came forth from before Him.
00:16:43.67\00:16:47.10
A thousand
thousands ministered to Him;
00:16:47.14\00:16:49.67
ten thousand times then
thousand stood before Him. "
00:16:49.70\00:16:52.44
Who are these?
00:16:52.47\00:16:53.81
The ten thousand
times ten thousand?
00:16:53.84\00:16:55.34
The angels...
00:16:55.38\00:16:56.71
Where do the angels live?
00:16:56.75\00:16:58.08
They live in heaven.
00:16:58.11\00:16:59.45
So, now I continue reading,
00:16:59.48\00:17:01.22
notice what it says at
the last part of verse 10.
00:17:01.25\00:17:05.69
"The court was seated,
and the books were opened. "
00:17:05.72\00:17:10.09
So, where does the
judgment take place?
00:17:10.13\00:17:12.69
In heaven.
00:17:12.73\00:17:14.06
Where are the
books opened? In heaven.
00:17:14.10\00:17:16.23
Where does the Court sit?
00:17:16.26\00:17:17.73
In heaven.
00:17:17.77\00:17:19.10
Now, notice verses 13
and 14 of Daniel chapter 7.
00:17:19.13\00:17:25.14
See, the Father is moved...
00:17:25.17\00:17:27.28
He sits... the
books are opened...
00:17:27.31\00:17:30.18
and now, the Son
of Man who is Jesus
00:17:30.21\00:17:33.05
is going to come to
where the Father went
00:17:33.11\00:17:35.55
and what is Jesus
going to come there for?
00:17:35.58\00:17:38.02
Notice verse 13,
00:17:38.05\00:17:40.16
Daniel wrote, I was
watching in the night visions,
00:17:40.19\00:17:44.39
and behold, One
like the Son of Man
00:17:44.43\00:17:47.10
coming with the
clouds of heaven!"
00:17:47.13\00:17:49.73
The Millerites said,
"This is the second coming. "
00:17:49.76\00:17:52.67
It's not the second coming...
00:17:52.70\00:17:54.04
because he comes with the clouds
of heaven... not to the earth,
00:17:54.07\00:17:57.67
He comes with the
clouds of heaven to the Father
00:17:57.71\00:18:00.84
and the clouds, of
course, are the angels.
00:18:00.88\00:18:02.94
So, it says, "I was
watching in the night visions,
00:18:02.98\00:18:05.35
and behold, One
like the Son of Man,
00:18:05.38\00:18:07.48
coming with the
clouds of heaven!
00:18:07.52\00:18:09.72
He came to the
Ancient of Days...
00:18:09.75\00:18:11.92
this is happening in heaven,
00:18:11.95\00:18:13.46
and they brought
Him near before Him. "
00:18:13.49\00:18:15.96
Who is "they" that brought Him?
00:18:16.02\00:18:17.73
They have to be the clouds...
00:18:17.76\00:18:19.39
the angels that we spoke
about in verses 9 and 10.
00:18:19.43\00:18:22.66
Now, why does Jesus go
there to where the Father went?
00:18:22.70\00:18:25.87
Verse 14, "Then to
Him... " that is to Jesus...
00:18:25.90\00:18:29.37
"was given... " who
would give this to Jesus?
00:18:29.40\00:18:32.84
The angels? No...
00:18:32.87\00:18:34.54
Who is the only one that
can give something to Jesus?
00:18:34.58\00:18:37.51
It would have to
be the Ancient of Days
00:18:37.55\00:18:39.51
and so, it says,
00:18:39.55\00:18:40.88
"Then to Him was
given dominion and glory
00:18:40.92\00:18:44.45
and a kingdom
00:18:44.49\00:18:46.09
that all peoples, nations
and languages should serve Him.
00:18:46.15\00:18:50.03
His dominion is an
everlasting dominion,
00:18:50.06\00:18:53.50
which shall not pass away,
00:18:53.53\00:18:55.06
and His kingdom the one
which shall not be destroyed. "
00:18:55.10\00:18:59.73
So, Jesus goes to the
Father to receive the kingdom.
00:18:59.77\00:19:03.30
What is the kingdom?
00:19:03.34\00:19:04.71
The kingdom is composed
of all of his true followers.
00:19:04.74\00:19:08.31
How is it determined
who was a true follower
00:19:08.34\00:19:11.38
in the Investigative
Judgment of the dead
00:19:11.41\00:19:14.38
followed by the Investigative
Judgment of the living?
00:19:14.42\00:19:17.55
It's the same as in the
parable of Matthew chapter 22.
00:19:17.59\00:19:20.66
The distinction between those
who are in the wedding chamber
00:19:20.69\00:19:24.33
who have the wedding garment
00:19:24.39\00:19:26.03
and those who do not
have the wedding garment.
00:19:26.06\00:19:28.33
Now, let's notice another
interesting parable of Jesus.
00:19:28.36\00:19:32.37
It's found in Luke
chapter 12 and verses 35 to 37,
00:19:32.40\00:19:37.11
Luke 12:35 to 37.
00:19:37.14\00:19:40.38
Here Jesus is
speaking to His disciples.
00:19:40.41\00:19:44.58
Now, notice what it says,
00:19:44.61\00:19:46.01
"Let your waist be
girded and your lamps burning;
00:19:46.08\00:19:51.09
and you
yourselves be like men... "
00:19:51.12\00:19:54.16
now, listen carefully...
00:19:54.22\00:19:56.36
"who wait for their master,
00:19:56.39\00:19:58.46
when he will return
from the wedding... "
00:19:58.49\00:20:01.26
now, wait a minute...
00:20:01.33\00:20:03.10
so, if the Master who is Jesus
00:20:03.13\00:20:07.50
is going to
return from the wedding
00:20:07.54\00:20:09.50
to pick up His
faithful disciples,
00:20:09.54\00:20:12.11
that must mean that
his faithful disciples
00:20:12.14\00:20:14.91
were not in heaven when
the decisions were made.
00:20:14.94\00:20:18.51
So, once again,
"Let your waist be girded
00:20:18.55\00:20:22.22
and your lamps burning:
00:20:22.28\00:20:23.69
and you yourselves be like
men who wait for their master,
00:20:23.75\00:20:26.12
when he will
return from the wedding,
00:20:26.15\00:20:27.96
then when he comes and knocks
00:20:27.99\00:20:30.23
they may open
to him immediately.
00:20:30.26\00:20:32.43
Blessed are those servants
whom the master, when he comes"
00:20:32.46\00:20:38.33
see, where is He coming from?
00:20:38.40\00:20:39.87
From heaven to earth...
00:20:39.90\00:20:41.24
when He comes to where
His disciples are watching...
00:20:41.27\00:20:44.21
"when He comes,
will find watching. "
00:20:44.24\00:20:46.84
And now notice
the reception portion.
00:20:46.88\00:20:49.44
"Assuredly, I say to you
00:20:49.48\00:20:51.91
that he will gird himself
and have them sit down to eat,
00:20:51.95\00:20:56.18
and will come and serve them. "
00:20:56.22\00:20:58.25
That is the wedding reception.
00:20:58.32\00:21:00.29
and so, you have... the
wedding takes place in heaven
00:21:00.32\00:21:03.63
Jesus returns
from the wedding...
00:21:03.66\00:21:06.13
He picks up His disciples
00:21:06.16\00:21:08.13
and He takes them to
the Reception in heaven
00:21:08.16\00:21:12.37
and He serves them.
00:21:12.40\00:21:13.94
Another parable which
illustrates this same idea,
00:21:13.97\00:21:17.41
is Luke 19 and verses 11 and 12,
00:21:17.44\00:21:20.94
Luke 19:11 and 12,
00:21:20.98\00:21:23.48
it's known as the
parable of the pounds.
00:21:23.51\00:21:26.48
it says there, "Now as
they heard these things,
00:21:26.51\00:21:31.79
He spoke another parable,
00:21:31.82\00:21:33.86
because He was near Jerusalem
00:21:33.92\00:21:35.89
and because they
thought the kingdom of God
00:21:35.92\00:21:38.43
would appear immediately. "
00:21:38.46\00:21:39.79
So, notice, "They
thought the kingdom of God
00:21:39.83\00:21:42.73
was going to be established
right there where Jesus was.
00:21:42.76\00:21:45.97
It continues,
00:21:46.03\00:21:47.74
"Therefore He said:
00:21:47.77\00:21:49.37
'A certain
nobleman... ' this is Jesus,
00:21:49.40\00:21:52.97
"went into a far
country... " heaven...
00:21:53.01\00:21:56.28
"to receive for
himself a... " what?
00:21:56.31\00:21:59.25
"a" what did
Jesus go to heaven for?
00:21:59.28\00:22:02.18
To receive... what? a kingdom...
00:22:02.22\00:22:03.89
where does He
receive the kingdom?
00:22:03.92\00:22:05.52
When He comes to the
earth and takes it over?
00:22:05.55\00:22:08.22
No... He goes to
heaven to receive the kingdom
00:22:08.26\00:22:10.89
and then it
says, "and to return. "
00:22:10.93\00:22:12.59
The Bible is absolutely clear
that there is going to be a
00:22:12.63\00:22:16.80
pre-Advent
Investigative Judgment, Folks,
00:22:16.83\00:22:19.23
so, it says, once again...
now as they hear these things,
00:22:19.30\00:22:23.10
He spoke another parable
because He was near Jerusalem
00:22:23.17\00:22:26.94
and because they
thought the Kingdom of God
00:22:26.98\00:22:28.64
would appear immediately.
00:22:28.71\00:22:30.05
"Therefore He said, a certain
nobleman went to a far country
00:22:30.08\00:22:33.65
to receive for himself
a kingdom and to return. "
00:22:33.68\00:22:37.92
The Lamb's bride
is the New Jerusalem
00:22:37.95\00:22:40.96
according to the
book of Revelation
00:22:40.99\00:22:42.69
but it's not the New Jerusalem
as a city of gold and silver
00:22:42.72\00:22:48.76
and precious stones... no...
00:22:48.80\00:22:50.57
it's the city
with the people in it.
00:22:50.60\00:22:53.00
In other words,
the kingdom is the city
00:22:53.03\00:22:55.34
with all of the people
who belong to the king...
00:22:55.37\00:22:59.41
of Jesus within the city.
00:22:59.44\00:23:01.71
Now, let's notice Revelation
chapter 21 and verse 2
00:23:01.74\00:23:05.18
where we find that the
New Jerusalem is spoken of
00:23:05.21\00:23:08.62
as the bride of the Lamb.
00:23:08.65\00:23:09.98
It says there, "Then I,
John, saw the holy city,
00:23:10.02\00:23:14.26
New Jerusalem, coming
down out of heaven from God,
00:23:14.29\00:23:18.39
prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband. "
00:23:18.43\00:23:22.53
So, some people say,
00:23:22.56\00:23:24.00
"See the bride is
the New Jerusalem"
00:23:24.03\00:23:26.07
yes, it's the New Jerusalem
but not an empty city...
00:23:26.10\00:23:29.60
it's the city with all of
the redeemed from all ages
00:23:29.64\00:23:33.11
which is the bride of Jesus.
00:23:33.14\00:23:35.21
It's the city with
the people in other words.
00:23:35.24\00:23:37.45
Notice what Ellen White wrote
in Early Writings page 280,
00:23:37.48\00:23:42.12
page 280.
00:23:42.15\00:23:43.59
She's speaking about
when probation closes.
00:23:43.62\00:23:47.02
"Every case has been
decided for life or death. "
00:23:47.06\00:23:51.29
The judgment did
that... you remember...
00:23:51.36\00:23:54.56
"While Jesus had been
ministering in the sanctuary,
00:23:54.60\00:23:58.43
the judgment had been
going on for the righteous dead,
00:23:58.47\00:24:02.24
and then for the
righteous living.
00:24:02.27\00:24:05.44
"Christ had
received His kingdom... "
00:24:05.47\00:24:08.54
that's the same thing as
saying Jesus married His bride.
00:24:08.61\00:24:11.31
"Christ had
received His kingdom,
00:24:11.35\00:24:14.08
having made
atonement for His people
00:24:14.12\00:24:16.79
and blotted out their sins. "
00:24:16.82\00:24:18.25
Now, what is the kingdom?
00:24:18.29\00:24:19.62
She continues...
00:24:19.65\00:24:20.99
"The subjects of the
kingdom were made up. "
00:24:21.02\00:24:23.63
So, the kingdom is composed
00:24:23.66\00:24:25.83
of the totality of the
subjects of the kingdom.
00:24:25.86\00:24:29.86
The bride is composed of
the totality of the saved
00:24:29.90\00:24:33.90
who are within
the City of Jerusalem.
00:24:33.94\00:24:36.14
She continues... notice...
00:24:36.20\00:24:38.21
"The subjects of the
kingdom were made up. "
00:24:38.24\00:24:40.91
And now she uses
the other metaphor.
00:24:40.94\00:24:43.78
"The marriage of the
Lamb was consummated. "
00:24:43.81\00:24:47.02
So, taking over the
kingdom and the marriage
00:24:47.05\00:24:50.22
are one and the same thing.
00:24:50.25\00:24:51.65
She continues, "And the kingdom,
00:24:51.72\00:24:54.52
and the greatness of the
kingdom under the whole heaven,
00:24:54.56\00:24:57.03
was given to Jesus and
the heirs of salvation,
00:24:57.06\00:25:00.36
and Jesus was to
reign as King of kings
00:25:00.40\00:25:03.00
and Lord of lords. "
00:25:03.03\00:25:04.93
You see, when the
Bible speaks of Jerusalem,
00:25:04.97\00:25:07.97
it's not talking
about a city... empty...
00:25:08.00\00:25:10.97
Jesus does not marry a city...
00:25:11.01\00:25:13.58
He marries the city with
all of His followers in it.
00:25:13.61\00:25:17.85
Those who had been
shown to be worthy to be there
00:25:17.88\00:25:22.08
in the Investigative Judgment.
00:25:22.12\00:25:23.95
Let me give you some examples
00:25:23.99\00:25:25.75
from the Bible where
Jerusalem is spoken of
00:25:25.79\00:25:30.29
as the population of the city.
00:25:30.33\00:25:33.43
Notice Luke 19 verses 41 to 44,
00:25:33.50\00:25:36.56
Luke 19:41 to 44,
00:25:36.60\00:25:38.87
here Jesus is
descending from the east side...
00:25:38.93\00:25:43.30
from the Mount of Olives,
He's descending to the city
00:25:43.34\00:25:45.87
to enter the city
through the golden gate
00:25:45.91\00:25:48.98
and notice what He had to say.
00:25:49.01\00:25:50.85
"Now as He drew near,
00:25:50.88\00:25:52.88
He saw the city
and wept over it. "
00:25:52.91\00:25:55.45
Was He really weeping
for bricks and mortar?
00:25:55.48\00:25:58.35
Of course not...
00:25:58.39\00:25:59.79
"saying, 'If you
had known, even you,
00:25:59.85\00:26:03.16
especially in this your day,
00:26:03.22\00:26:04.76
the things that
make for your peace!
00:26:04.79\00:26:06.76
But now they are
hidden from your eyes... '"
00:26:06.80\00:26:09.53
hidden from the
eyes of Jerusalem...
00:26:09.56\00:26:11.90
what is this talking about?
00:26:11.93\00:26:13.60
It's the people, Folks...
00:26:13.64\00:26:15.87
it continues, Jesus says,
00:26:15.90\00:26:17.84
"For days will come upon you
00:26:17.87\00:26:19.74
when your enemies will
build an embankment around you,
00:26:19.77\00:26:23.35
surround you and
close you in on every side,
00:26:23.38\00:26:26.75
and level you, and
your children within you,
00:26:26.78\00:26:30.12
to the ground;
00:26:30.19\00:26:31.55
and they will not leave in
you one stone upon another,
00:26:31.59\00:26:34.89
because you... " Jerusalem...
00:26:34.92\00:26:36.83
"you did not know the
time of your visitation. "
00:26:36.86\00:26:39.93
Well, a city is not conscious...
00:26:39.96\00:26:41.63
it's the people in
the city that did not know
00:26:41.66\00:26:45.27
the time of their visitation.
00:26:45.30\00:26:46.94
Notice also,
Matthew 23 and verse 38.
00:26:46.97\00:26:51.24
Here Jesus said, "O
Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
00:26:51.27\00:26:55.51
the one who
kills the prophets... "
00:26:55.54\00:26:57.35
did the brick and
mortar kill the prophets?
00:26:57.38\00:26:59.81
Of course not... it
was the people in the city.
00:26:59.85\00:27:02.15
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
00:27:02.18\00:27:04.15
the one who kills the prophets
00:27:04.19\00:27:06.22
and stones those
who are sent to her!
00:27:06.25\00:27:08.26
How often I wanted to
gather your children together,
00:27:08.32\00:27:11.59
as a hen gathers her
chicks under her wings,
00:27:11.63\00:27:14.56
but you were not willing!"
00:27:14.60\00:27:16.03
Jerusalem was not willing.
00:27:16.06\00:27:17.40
See, the city is the
city with the people in it...
00:27:17.43\00:27:20.67
that's Christ's kingdom,
00:27:20.74\00:27:22.07
it's the city with the people.
00:27:22.10\00:27:24.21
In 2nd Corinthians
chapter 11 verse 2,
00:27:24.24\00:27:27.44
the Apostle Paul stated
00:27:27.48\00:27:28.81
that he had engaged
the church of Christ
00:27:28.84\00:27:31.61
as a pure bride to Him.
00:27:31.65\00:27:34.08
Ephesians 5:25 to 27
tells us that Jesus Christ
00:27:34.12\00:27:38.85
died for the church to
cleanse her and purify her
00:27:38.89\00:27:43.56
that He might marry her.
00:27:43.59\00:27:45.09
Now, let's talk a little
bit about the wedding reception,
00:27:45.13\00:27:49.30
we've already
talked about the wedding,
00:27:49.33\00:27:50.97
now, let's talk
about the reception.
00:27:51.03\00:27:53.40
Revelation
chapter 19 and verse 9,
00:27:53.44\00:27:55.80
Then he said to me, "Write:
00:27:55.84\00:27:58.77
'Blessed are
those who are called
00:27:58.81\00:28:01.64
to the marriage
supper of the Lamb!'"
00:28:01.68\00:28:04.48
And he said to me,
00:28:04.51\00:28:06.38
"These are the
true sayings of God. "
00:28:06.41\00:28:09.88
So, I want you to
notice here that it says,
00:28:09.92\00:28:14.26
"Blessed are
those who are called
00:28:14.32\00:28:16.66
to the marriage
supper of the Lamb. "
00:28:16.69\00:28:19.19
Or those who are invited to
the marriage supper of the Lamb.
00:28:19.23\00:28:21.96
An angel pronounced a
blessing upon the invited guests
00:28:22.00\00:28:27.14
to the wedding
supper of the Lamb.
00:28:27.17\00:28:29.90
Now, listen carefully,
this is a very important nuance.
00:28:29.94\00:28:32.91
The bride... the church
as a whole... was ready,
00:28:32.94\00:28:37.58
clothed in white
linen... bright and pure...
00:28:37.61\00:28:42.18
which represents
their righteous deeds.
00:28:42.25\00:28:45.39
The marriage and
the marriage supper
00:28:45.42\00:28:48.89
are two related
but separate events.
00:28:48.92\00:28:51.99
Now as you have
the wedding in heaven
00:28:52.03\00:28:55.00
before Jesus
returns for His people...
00:28:55.03\00:28:58.00
takes them to heaven
00:28:58.03\00:28:59.77
and then, God's people in heaven
00:28:59.80\00:29:02.64
will enjoy the
wedding reception.
00:29:02.67\00:29:05.44
Now, let's take a look
at the composite picture
00:29:05.47\00:29:09.01
of what we've studied.
00:29:09.04\00:29:10.38
Those who preach the gospel
00:29:10.41\00:29:12.51
are inviting the
guests to the wedding.
00:29:12.55\00:29:16.18
Those preachers are inviting
the guests to the wedding.
00:29:16.22\00:29:19.72
Those who accept the invitation
00:29:19.75\00:29:23.02
become part of
the bride of Christ
00:29:23.06\00:29:26.29
corporately
00:29:26.33\00:29:27.66
but they are the
guests individually...
00:29:27.70\00:29:31.33
very important nuance.
00:29:31.37\00:29:32.83
In 1844, Jesus came to the
Father to begin the process
00:29:32.87\00:29:38.64
that would
eventually make it possible
00:29:38.67\00:29:41.28
for Him to receive His kingdom
00:29:41.31\00:29:43.85
or to marry His bride...
00:29:43.88\00:29:46.08
the church as a whole...
00:29:46.11\00:29:48.25
the faithful of
all ages as a whole.
00:29:48.28\00:29:50.99
Since 1844, the king has
been examining the garments...
00:29:51.02\00:29:57.56
that is the character
of each person individually
00:29:57.59\00:30:01.76
who accept the gospel
invitation to the wedding
00:30:01.83\00:30:05.93
to determine if they have
the right to attend the wedding.
00:30:05.97\00:30:10.57
The judgment began with those
who first lived upon the earth
00:30:10.61\00:30:15.18
and ends with
those who are alive
00:30:15.24\00:30:18.11
before the close of probation
00:30:18.15\00:30:19.81
and will go through
the time of trouble.
00:30:19.85\00:30:22.65
These persons...
listen carefully now...
00:30:22.68\00:30:25.45
are... as individuals are the
invited guests to the wedding,
00:30:25.49\00:30:31.59
however, the
people as a whole...
00:30:31.63\00:30:34.63
the faithful
church in its entirety
00:30:34.66\00:30:37.63
is the bride of Christ.
00:30:37.67\00:30:41.00
Ellen White wrote in Christ's
Object Lessons, page 307,
00:30:41.04\00:30:45.07
"The parable of
the wedding garment
00:30:45.11\00:30:47.31
opens before us a lesson
of the highest consequence.
00:30:47.34\00:30:51.58
By the marriage...
" listen carefully...
00:30:51.61\00:30:54.35
"By the marriage is represented
00:30:54.38\00:30:56.45
the union of
humanity with divinity... "
00:30:56.48\00:30:59.12
in other words, all of
humanity with divinity...
00:30:59.15\00:31:01.92
all of those who are
saved... with divinity.
00:31:01.96\00:31:04.89
The wedding garment
represents the character
00:31:04.96\00:31:07.86
which all must possess
00:31:07.90\00:31:09.56
who shall be accounted
fit guests for the wedding.
00:31:09.60\00:31:13.77
So, the wedding is with
humanity... all of the saved
00:31:13.80\00:31:17.91
but the guests
are the individuals
00:31:17.94\00:31:21.14
that were found
written in the book.
00:31:21.18\00:31:24.31
Not everyone who has
claimed Jesus as Savior
00:31:24.38\00:31:28.22
has been true and
faithful to the Lord Jesus.
00:31:28.25\00:31:32.05
Those who are found without a
wedding garment in the judgment
00:31:32.09\00:31:37.36
will be removed
from the Book of Life.
00:31:37.39\00:31:40.40
When the last
case has been examined,
00:31:40.46\00:31:43.43
Christ's kingdom is complete...
00:31:43.47\00:31:45.47
His bride is complete
for Him to get married.
00:31:45.50\00:31:49.50
So, when the judgment is over,
00:31:49.57\00:31:51.51
the bride... that is
the church in its entirety,
00:31:51.54\00:31:54.51
has made herself ready
00:31:54.54\00:31:57.15
and Jesus will marry her...
00:31:57.18\00:32:00.12
which is the same thing
as taking over the kingdom.
00:32:00.15\00:32:03.35
When every person...
and I repeat this point
00:32:03.39\00:32:07.12
because it's...
00:32:07.16\00:32:08.49
the Adventist church is the
only church that understands
00:32:08.52\00:32:11.09
this concept.
00:32:11.13\00:32:12.46
You see, the reason
why the Christian world
00:32:12.49\00:32:14.33
doesn't
understand this is because
00:32:14.36\00:32:16.60
they believe that
when a person dies,
00:32:16.63\00:32:18.80
if they were good...
their soul goes off to heaven
00:32:18.83\00:32:21.37
and if they were evil,
their soul goes to hell.
00:32:21.40\00:32:24.47
So, the judgment takes place
when you die, in other words.
00:32:24.51\00:32:27.18
So, why would you have an
investigation of every case
00:32:27.21\00:32:30.58
in a heavenly judgment chamber
00:32:30.61\00:32:33.08
to determine who
is worthy of life
00:32:33.11\00:32:35.15
and who is not worthy of life
00:32:35.18\00:32:36.69
if everything is
determined at death
00:32:36.72\00:32:39.55
and the church also believes...
00:32:39.59\00:32:41.46
the church, in general, believes
00:32:41.49\00:32:43.29
that the judgment is when
Jesus comes the second time.
00:32:43.32\00:32:46.19
He takes His people to heaven
00:32:46.23\00:32:47.83
and, you know, He condemns
the unrighteous to die...
00:32:47.86\00:32:51.43
they say,
"That's the judgment... "
00:32:51.47\00:32:52.80
no, no, no... but
there's a decision that is made
00:32:52.83\00:32:54.37
before the
execution of the judgment.
00:32:54.40\00:32:56.87
We need to understand this.
00:32:56.91\00:32:58.24
When every person has
either accepted or rejected
00:32:58.27\00:33:02.88
the invitation to the wedding,
00:33:02.91\00:33:04.25
the door will close
00:33:04.28\00:33:06.35
and Jesus will receive the
kingdom or marry His kingdom.
00:33:06.38\00:33:10.55
Any guests who arrive late
00:33:10.59\00:33:13.15
as in the parable
of the ten virgins,
00:33:13.19\00:33:15.22
and are not prepared
will be found unworthy
00:33:15.26\00:33:19.26
and many of them,
00:33:19.29\00:33:20.93
according to Ellen White in the
chapter: In the Time of Trouble,
00:33:20.96\00:33:23.30
will knock on the door
and say, "Let us in... "
00:33:23.33\00:33:25.50
but it will be too late...
00:33:25.53\00:33:27.37
Jesus will say,
"I do not know you. "
00:33:27.40\00:33:29.74
So, after the door is
closed, the Bible tells us
00:33:29.77\00:33:34.28
that there will
be time of trouble
00:33:34.31\00:33:36.08
such as the world has never seen
00:33:36.11\00:33:37.85
and Jesus, at the
critical moment when it appears,
00:33:37.88\00:33:41.48
that the bride that
He has married in heaven,
00:33:41.52\00:33:44.25
is about to be
annihilated He will come
00:33:44.29\00:33:47.46
and He will rescue His
bride from the time of trouble
00:33:47.49\00:33:51.19
and then, He will gather
His kingdom... or His bride
00:33:51.23\00:33:54.90
and take them to the
Father's house in heaven.
00:33:54.93\00:33:58.10
When the
faithful arrive in heaven,
00:33:58.13\00:34:00.50
they will sit at the table
00:34:00.54\00:34:02.60
and Jesus
Himself will serve them
00:34:02.64\00:34:05.34
the marriage supper of the Lamb.
00:34:05.37\00:34:08.08
Ellen White wrote in the book,
The Adventist Home, page 503,
00:34:08.14\00:34:13.01
the following words,
00:34:13.05\00:34:14.92
"To the mind of Jesus
00:34:14.98\00:34:16.79
the gladness of
the wedding festivities
00:34:16.82\00:34:19.95
pointed forward to
the rejoicing of that day
00:34:19.99\00:34:23.39
when He shall
bring home His bride
00:34:23.43\00:34:27.56
to the Father's house... "
00:34:27.60\00:34:28.93
so the bride wasn't
in the Father's house
00:34:28.96\00:34:31.93
when it was determined
who was a member of the bride.
00:34:31.97\00:34:34.64
She continues,
"To the mind of Jesus
00:34:34.67\00:34:37.31
the gladness of
the wedding festivities
00:34:37.34\00:34:39.94
pointed forward to
the rejoicing of that day
00:34:39.97\00:34:42.34
when He shall
bring home His bride
00:34:42.38\00:34:44.41
to the Father's house,
00:34:44.48\00:34:46.01
and the redeemed
with the Redeemer
00:34:46.05\00:34:48.22
shall sit down to the marriage
supper of the Lamb... Jesus. "
00:34:48.25\00:34:52.79
The whole bride will be there
00:34:52.82\00:34:54.32
but as individuals, they
are guests to the wedding.
00:34:54.36\00:34:58.06
Ellen White also
wrote in the book,
00:34:58.09\00:35:00.93
"Counsels to
the Church" page 36,
00:35:00.96\00:35:03.73
"Soon we heard His
lovely voice again... "
00:35:03.77\00:35:07.67
that is the voice of Jesus...
00:35:07.70\00:35:09.57
"saying, 'Come, My people,
00:35:09.60\00:35:11.37
you have come out of
great tribulation... '"
00:35:11.41\00:35:14.94
this is the time of trouble...
00:35:14.98\00:35:16.31
"and done My will;
00:35:16.34\00:35:17.68
suffered for Me;
00:35:17.71\00:35:19.21
come in to supper,
00:35:19.25\00:35:21.02
for I will gird
Myself, and serve you. "
00:35:21.05\00:35:24.45
Then Ellen White wrote,
"We shouted, 'Alleluia! glory!'
00:35:24.52\00:35:29.49
and entered into the city.
00:35:29.52\00:35:31.63
And I saw a
table of pure silver;
00:35:31.66\00:35:34.30
it was many miles in length,
00:35:34.33\00:35:36.73
yet our eyes
could extend over it.
00:35:36.77\00:35:39.70
I saw the fruit
of the tree of life,
00:35:39.73\00:35:42.60
the manna, almonds,
figs, pomegranates, grapes... "
00:35:42.64\00:35:48.01
these are all
California products, Folks,
00:35:48.04\00:35:51.21
why would Ellen White
mention California products
00:35:51.25\00:35:54.38
such as almonds, figs,
pomegranates and grapes?
00:35:54.45\00:35:57.52
Of course, the fruit from the
Tree of Life and the Manna...
00:35:57.55\00:36:00.92
those are not fruits of
anywhere on earth right now,
00:36:00.96\00:36:03.73
they're in heaven
00:36:03.79\00:36:05.13
but the other
things she mentions,
00:36:05.16\00:36:07.00
almonds, figs,
pomegranates and grapes
00:36:07.03\00:36:08.83
are California products...
00:36:08.86\00:36:10.23
well, Ellen White retired
00:36:10.27\00:36:11.60
in the Napa Valley in
California in St. Helena
00:36:11.63\00:36:16.00
and so, you would
expect her to speak in terms
00:36:16.04\00:36:18.77
of the fruits that
she knew at that time.
00:36:18.84\00:36:21.54
However, the good news is,
00:36:21.61\00:36:23.45
for those of you who
like papayas and love mangoes
00:36:23.48\00:36:27.32
and other kinds of fruit,
00:36:27.35\00:36:29.38
she ends the
statement by saying,
00:36:29.42\00:36:31.25
"I saw the fruit of the
Tree of life, the manna,
00:36:31.29\00:36:33.69
almonds, figs,
pomegranates, grapes,
00:36:33.72\00:36:36.02
and many other kinds of fruit. "
00:36:36.06\00:36:38.33
Praise the Lord for that
00:36:38.36\00:36:39.69
and Emmanuel, I
see you nodding...
00:36:39.73\00:36:41.30
yes, we're going to have
tropical fruits down there...
00:36:41.33\00:36:43.77
up there as well.
00:36:43.83\00:36:45.50
Now, we need to
solve the problem.
00:36:45.53\00:36:47.80
The Bible makes it clear
00:36:47.87\00:36:50.21
that the wedding
takes place in heaven
00:36:50.24\00:36:52.84
before Jesus
returns for the second time.
00:36:52.87\00:36:55.28
I hope that's clear,
00:36:55.34\00:36:56.68
however, listen carefully now,
00:36:56.71\00:36:59.08
many modern
versions, for example, the NIV
00:36:59.11\00:37:04.02
and the English Standard Version
00:37:04.05\00:37:06.49
leave the erroneous impression
00:37:06.52\00:37:08.89
that Jesus will come to
earth to gather His people
00:37:08.92\00:37:13.60
to Himself... after the
marriage supper has ended.
00:37:13.63\00:37:18.23
So, in other words, modern
versions give the impression
00:37:18.27\00:37:21.20
that Jesus is going to
come to pick up His people
00:37:21.24\00:37:24.24
after the marriage supper
has taken place in heaven.
00:37:24.27\00:37:28.08
These translations are
confusing because other texts
00:37:28.11\00:37:31.85
clearly affirm that Jesus will
sit literally with His people
00:37:31.91\00:37:37.69
at the table in His kingdom
00:37:37.72\00:37:40.22
and He will come
and He will serve them
00:37:40.26\00:37:43.02
such as Matthew
8 verses 11 and 12.
00:37:43.06\00:37:45.76
So, the question is,
when is the marriage supper?
00:37:45.79\00:37:50.27
Does it take place
before Jesus comes for His own
00:37:50.30\00:37:55.07
or does it take place
after He takes them to heaven?
00:37:55.10\00:37:59.84
Let us just compare
the New King James Version
00:37:59.87\00:38:03.14
of Luke 12:35-37
00:38:03.18\00:38:06.11
with the New International
Version translation.
00:38:06.15\00:38:09.88
I read from the
New King James Version.
00:38:09.92\00:38:12.35
Here Jesus is speaking,
00:38:12.39\00:38:14.66
"Let your waist be
girded and your lamps burning;
00:38:14.69\00:38:18.43
and you yourselves be like
men who wait for the master,
00:38:18.49\00:38:22.50
when he will return
from the wedding... "
00:38:22.53\00:38:24.47
not the wedding supper...
00:38:24.50\00:38:27.10
from the wedding...
00:38:27.14\00:38:28.60
"that when he comes and knocks
00:38:28.64\00:38:29.97
they may open
to him immediately.
00:38:30.01\00:38:31.87
Blessed are those servants
whom the master, when he comes,
00:38:31.91\00:38:35.14
will find watching.
00:38:35.18\00:38:36.51
Assuredly, I say to you
that he will gird himself
00:38:36.54\00:38:39.41
and have them sit down to eat,
00:38:39.45\00:38:41.55
and will come and serve them. "
00:38:41.58\00:38:43.55
But now notice the
New International Version.
00:38:43.59\00:38:46.42
"Be dressed ready for service
00:38:46.45\00:38:48.79
and keep your lamps burning,
00:38:48.82\00:38:51.09
like men waiting for
their master to return
00:38:51.13\00:38:54.20
from a wedding banquet,
00:38:54.23\00:38:55.96
so that when he comes and knocks
00:38:56.00\00:38:58.40
they can immediately
open the door for him.
00:38:58.43\00:39:00.54
It will be good
for those servants
00:39:00.60\00:39:02.77
whose master finds
them watching when he comes.
00:39:02.80\00:39:05.17
I tell you the truth, he
will dress himself to serve,
00:39:05.21\00:39:08.48
will have them
recline at the table
00:39:08.54\00:39:10.41
and will come
and wait on them. "
00:39:10.45\00:39:12.28
Well, why would he
come and wait on them
00:39:12.31\00:39:14.45
for the wedding banquet
00:39:14.48\00:39:15.82
if the wedding banquet
took place before Jesus returns?
00:39:15.85\00:39:18.35
It doesn't make much sense.
00:39:18.39\00:39:21.62
So, we notice that the NIV
00:39:21.66\00:39:22.99
and many other
contemporary versions
00:39:23.02\00:39:26.09
tells us that Jesus
returns to the earth
00:39:26.13\00:39:29.20
from the
heavenly wedding banquet
00:39:29.23\00:39:32.00
to gather His waiting people.
00:39:32.03\00:39:33.70
In other words, the
wedding banquet takes place
00:39:33.74\00:39:37.24
before Jesus comes to
take His people to heaven.
00:39:37.27\00:39:40.71
However, the New
King James Version
00:39:40.78\00:39:43.38
tells us that Jesus
returns from the wedding...
00:39:43.41\00:39:46.72
not the banquet...
00:39:46.75\00:39:48.08
to gather His people
to take them to heaven
00:39:48.12\00:39:50.85
to celebrate the banquet.
00:39:50.89\00:39:53.12
So, the question is,
00:39:53.15\00:39:54.52
which
translation makes more sense
00:39:54.56\00:39:56.66
and fits best with all
of the Biblical evidence?
00:39:56.69\00:40:00.30
I think you can
reach a conclusion
00:40:00.33\00:40:03.16
even if I didn't share with
you what I'm going to share now
00:40:03.20\00:40:06.13
because of the parables
that we've already noticed.
00:40:06.17\00:40:08.50
In Greek, the
words used for marriage
00:40:08.54\00:40:12.51
which are: Gamos and Gameo...
00:40:12.54\00:40:14.51
include both the
wedding and the feast.
00:40:14.54\00:40:18.48
So, in Greek the
words Gamos and Gameo
00:40:18.51\00:40:22.35
include both the
wedding and the wedding feast.
00:40:22.38\00:40:24.95
In our times, we make a
distinction between the wedding
00:40:24.99\00:40:29.49
and the wedding reception.
00:40:29.52\00:40:31.73
However, in Biblical times,
00:40:31.76\00:40:33.96
as I mentioned before,
00:40:34.00\00:40:35.50
the covenant vow
took very little time
00:40:35.53\00:40:38.30
while the feast could
last for hours... days...
00:40:38.33\00:40:43.20
or even months in some cases.
00:40:43.27\00:40:45.91
Thus, the wedding was
simply a brief ceremony
00:40:45.94\00:40:49.64
with a celebration that
was a big feast afterwards.
00:40:49.68\00:40:54.02
The Greek language
did not have a word
00:40:54.05\00:40:57.69
that distinguishes
the wedding from the feast
00:40:57.72\00:41:02.12
such as we do today.
00:41:02.16\00:41:03.59
We speak of the
wedding and the reception.
00:41:03.63\00:41:05.89
The Bible did not
have two different words
00:41:05.93\00:41:08.13
to distinguish between those two
00:41:08.16\00:41:10.70
because in the Biblical times,
00:41:10.73\00:41:13.17
they perceived that
the wedding and the feast
00:41:13.20\00:41:15.80
were part of the same event.
00:41:15.84\00:41:18.17
However, here's
an important point,
00:41:18.21\00:41:20.98
although the
Greeks did not have a word
00:41:21.04\00:41:23.75
for the vow as
distinguished from the feast,
00:41:23.78\00:41:27.25
they did have a
word for the feast alone
00:41:27.28\00:41:30.69
when that is what
they wanted to emphasize.
00:41:30.72\00:41:34.19
That word appears in
Revelation 19 verse 9...
00:41:34.26\00:41:36.83
the verse that we
read a few moments ago,
00:41:36.86\00:41:39.36
where the saints are
invited to the wedding feast.
00:41:39.39\00:41:42.46
Therefore, the
process is as follows,
00:41:42.53\00:41:46.03
Jesus will marry His
kingdom, that is His bride...
00:41:46.07\00:41:51.81
His church of all ages...
00:41:51.84\00:41:54.31
who have been pronounced
worthy to be in heaven
00:41:54.34\00:41:57.68
because their case
has been investigated
00:41:57.71\00:42:00.05
and they have been found
with the wedding garment.
00:42:00.08\00:42:03.65
Secondly, Jesus will return
from the wedding in heaven
00:42:03.69\00:42:07.19
to take His people...
his waiting people on earth
00:42:07.22\00:42:10.63
to the heavenly
feast or reception.
00:42:10.66\00:42:13.40
So, once again, I want to
underline a very important point
00:42:13.46\00:42:17.50
because some people
say, "Well, Pastor Bohr,
00:42:17.53\00:42:19.03
the Bible says that Jesus
marries the New Jerusalem,
00:42:19.07\00:42:22.10
I want to
emphasize, Folks, again,
00:42:22.14\00:42:24.37
that it's the New
Jerusalem full of people.
00:42:24.41\00:42:27.28
The New Jerusalem is
the capital of the kingdom
00:42:27.31\00:42:30.08
because all of the
kingdom is found there...
00:42:30.11\00:42:32.81
all of Christ's followers.
00:42:32.85\00:42:34.18
The totality of
believers is the bride.
00:42:34.22\00:42:37.29
The guests are the individuals
that belong to the bride.
00:42:37.35\00:42:41.72
Now, let me just read a
passage from Ellen White
00:42:41.76\00:42:46.33
it's long... Great
Controversy, 426 and 427,
00:42:46.36\00:42:50.90
but very, very meaningful
00:42:50.93\00:42:52.93
where she puts
all of this together.
00:42:52.97\00:42:54.47
This is what she wrote.
00:42:54.50\00:42:56.47
"I saw angels
hurrying to and fro in heaven.
00:42:56.50\00:43:00.11
An angel with a
writer's inkhorn by his side
00:43:00.14\00:43:03.55
returned from the earth
00:43:03.58\00:43:04.91
and reported to Jesus
that his work was done
00:43:04.95\00:43:07.62
and the saints were
numbered and sealed. "
00:43:07.65\00:43:10.42
Every case
decided in other words...
00:43:10.45\00:43:13.15
"Then I saw Jesus,
00:43:13.19\00:43:14.82
who had been
ministering before the ark
00:43:14.89\00:43:16.79
containing the Ten Commandments,
00:43:16.83\00:43:18.33
throw down the censer. "
00:43:18.36\00:43:19.69
That means probation is closing.
00:43:19.73\00:43:21.16
"He raised His hands,
00:43:21.20\00:43:22.80
and with a loud
voice said, 'It is done. '
00:43:22.83\00:43:25.47
Then all the angelic
host laid off their crowns
00:43:25.50\00:43:28.64
as Jesus made the
solemn declaration... "
00:43:28.67\00:43:31.17
see... all cases decided...
00:43:31.21\00:43:33.11
"He that is unjust,
let him be unjust still:
00:43:33.17\00:43:35.64
he which is filthy,
let him be filthy still:
00:43:35.68\00:43:38.08
and he that is righteous,
let him be righteous still:
00:43:38.11\00:43:40.58
and he that is holy,
let him be holy still. "
00:43:40.62\00:43:43.05
Now, she's going to explain,
00:43:43.08\00:43:45.32
"The marriage represents
00:43:45.35\00:43:47.52
the reception by
Christ of His kingdom. "
00:43:47.56\00:43:49.82
So, notice...
absolutely clear...
00:43:49.86\00:43:52.39
the wedding and the
reception of the kingdom
00:43:52.43\00:43:54.63
are the same thing.
00:43:54.66\00:43:56.26
"The marriage represents
00:43:56.30\00:43:57.70
the reception by
Christ of His kingdom...
00:43:57.73\00:43:59.80
the Holy City,
the New Jerusalem,
00:43:59.83\00:44:03.20
which is the capital and
representative of the kingdom,
00:44:03.24\00:44:06.88
is called 'the
bride, the Lamb's wife. '
00:44:06.91\00:44:09.68
Said the angel to
John: 'Come hither,
00:44:09.71\00:44:12.71
I will show thee the
bride, the Lamb's wife. '
00:44:12.75\00:44:15.12
'He carried me away in
the spirit,' says the prophet,
00:44:15.18\00:44:18.05
'and showed me that
great city, the holy Jerusalem,
00:44:18.09\00:44:20.92
descending out of
heaven from God. '"
00:44:20.96\00:44:23.09
She's quoting
Revelation 21 verses 9 and 10.
00:44:23.12\00:44:26.46
"Clearly, then, the bride
represents the Holy City... "
00:44:26.49\00:44:30.53
as we've already
seen, it's the Holy City...
00:44:30.57\00:44:32.50
yes... but with everybody inside
00:44:32.53\00:44:33.87
"and the virgins that go
out to meet the bridegroom
00:44:33.90\00:44:37.24
are a symbol of the church.
00:44:37.27\00:44:38.71
In Revelation the
people of God are said to be
00:44:38.74\00:44:42.64
guests at the marriage
supper. Revelation 19 verse 9.
00:44:42.68\00:44:47.18
If guests, they cannot be
represented also as the bride.
00:44:47.22\00:44:51.65
Christ, as stated
by the prophet Daniel,
00:44:51.69\00:44:54.92
will receive from the
Ancient of Days in heaven,
00:44:54.96\00:44:57.99
'dominion, and
glory, and a kingdom;'
00:44:58.03\00:45:00.60
He will receive
the New Jerusalem,
00:45:00.63\00:45:03.16
the capital of His kingdom,
00:45:03.20\00:45:05.23
'prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband. '
00:45:05.30\00:45:08.60
Having received the kingdom,
00:45:08.64\00:45:10.94
He will come in His glory,
00:45:10.97\00:45:13.24
as King of kings
and Lord of lords,
00:45:13.27\00:45:15.41
for the
redemption of His people,
00:45:15.44\00:45:17.51
who are to 'sit down with
Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,'
00:45:17.55\00:45:20.88
at His table in the kingdom,
00:45:20.92\00:45:23.52
to partake of the
marriage supper of the Lamb.
00:45:23.55\00:45:27.09
The proclamation,
'Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,'
00:45:27.12\00:45:30.63
in the summer of 1844,
00:45:30.69\00:45:32.86
led thousands to
expect the immediate advent...
00:45:32.89\00:45:36.46
the immediate
advent of the Lord.
00:45:36.50\00:45:38.37
At the appointed
time the Bridegroom came,
00:45:38.40\00:45:41.67
not to the earth,
as the people expected,
00:45:41.70\00:45:44.51
but to the
Ancient of Days in heaven,
00:45:44.54\00:45:47.28
to the marriage, the
reception of His kingdom. "
00:45:47.31\00:45:49.91
See, there it is again...
00:45:49.94\00:45:51.28
the marriage... the
reception of His kingdom.
00:45:51.31\00:45:53.11
"They that were ready went
in with Him to the marriage:
00:45:53.15\00:45:58.12
and the door was shut. "
00:45:58.15\00:45:59.85
"They were not to be present
in person at the marriage;
00:45:59.89\00:46:03.22
for it takes place in heaven,
00:46:03.26\00:46:05.56
while they are upon the earth.
00:46:05.59\00:46:07.83
The followers of Christ
are to wait for their Lord,
00:46:07.86\00:46:11.23
when He will
return from the wedding. "
00:46:11.27\00:46:14.07
"However, they are
to understand His work,
00:46:14.14\00:46:16.84
and to follow Him by
faith as He goes in before God.
00:46:16.87\00:46:20.91
It is in this sense
that they are said to go in
00:46:20.94\00:46:24.45
to the marriage. "
00:46:24.48\00:46:25.81
Now, let me read
you one more statement
00:46:25.85\00:46:28.92
in Desire of Ages page 151.
00:46:28.95\00:46:31.39
"In both the Old
and the New Testament,
00:46:31.42\00:46:34.19
the marriage
relation is employed
00:46:34.22\00:46:36.86
to represent the
tender and sacred union
00:46:36.89\00:46:39.89
that exists between
Christ and His people.
00:46:39.96\00:46:42.93
To the mind of Jesus
00:46:42.96\00:46:44.80
the gladness of
the wedding festivities
00:46:44.83\00:46:47.80
pointed forward to
the rejoicing of that day
00:46:47.87\00:46:50.81
when He shall
bring home His bride... "
00:46:50.84\00:46:54.34
notice...
00:46:54.38\00:46:55.94
"when he shall
bring home His bride... "
00:46:55.98\00:46:58.31
so, the bride is the
New Jerusalem in Revelation
00:46:58.35\00:47:01.08
but here it says...
00:47:01.12\00:47:02.45
He's going to
bring home His bride...
00:47:02.48\00:47:04.12
which are all
of His followers...
00:47:04.15\00:47:05.82
all the members of His kingdom.
00:47:05.85\00:47:07.42
So, once again, to
the mind of Jesus...
00:47:07.46\00:47:09.69
the gladness of
the wedding festivities
00:47:09.72\00:47:11.89
pointed forward to
the rejoicing of that day
00:47:11.93\00:47:14.26
when He shall
bring home His bride.
00:47:14.30\00:47:16.73
That is... the
kingdom in its entirety
00:47:16.77\00:47:19.17
to the Father's house
00:47:19.20\00:47:20.54
"and the
redeemed with the Redeemer
00:47:20.57\00:47:23.14
shall sit down to the
marriage supper of the Lamb.
00:47:23.17\00:47:26.81
He says, 'As the bridegroom
rejoices over his bride
00:47:26.84\00:47:30.45
so shall thy God
rejoice over thee. '
00:47:30.48\00:47:33.21
'Thou shalt no
more be termed Forsaken;
00:47:33.25\00:47:35.62
but thou shalt be
called My Delight;
00:47:35.65\00:47:37.92
for the Lord
delighteth in thee. '
00:47:37.95\00:47:40.36
'He will rejoice
over thee with joy;
00:47:40.39\00:47:42.72
He will rest in His love,
00:47:42.76\00:47:46.13
He will joy over
thee with singing. '"
00:47:46.16\00:47:48.70
She's quoting several verses.
00:47:48.73\00:47:50.07
"When the vision
of heavenly things
00:47:50.10\00:47:52.70
was granted to John
the apostle, he wrote:
00:47:52.73\00:47:54.84
'I heard as it were the
voice of a great multitude,
00:47:54.87\00:47:58.27
and as the voice of many waters
00:47:58.31\00:48:00.28
and as the voice of
mighty thunderings, saying,
00:48:00.31\00:48:03.21
Alleluia: for the Lord
God omnipotent reigneth.
00:48:03.24\00:48:06.15
Let us be glad and rejoice,
00:48:06.18\00:48:08.48
and give honor to Him;
00:48:08.52\00:48:09.92
for the marriage
of the Lamb is come,
00:48:09.95\00:48:12.95
and His wife hath
made herself ready. '
00:48:12.99\00:48:15.92
'Blessed are they
00:48:15.96\00:48:17.43
which are called unto the
marriage supper of the Lamb. '"
00:48:17.49\00:48:21.56
So, I hope you're
understanding this, you know,
00:48:21.60\00:48:25.53
many people are confused by
all of these different details
00:48:25.57\00:48:29.37
but they're
very, very important.
00:48:29.40\00:48:31.47
You see, Folks,
the main point is
00:48:31.51\00:48:33.48
that when the wedding chamber
closes... when the door closes,
00:48:33.54\00:48:39.81
all cases are
decided for life or death.
00:48:39.88\00:48:41.88
So, we need to make sure
00:48:41.92\00:48:44.05
that our relationship with
Jesus Christ is genuine now
00:48:44.09\00:48:46.96
because when probation closes,
00:48:46.99\00:48:49.29
there's no
opportunity for changing sides.
00:48:49.32\00:48:52.53
Now, let me give you
another Biblical example
00:48:52.56\00:48:55.70
that will help us understand
00:48:55.73\00:48:57.83
the parables that
we've taken a look at
00:48:57.87\00:49:00.44
and Daniel chapter 7.
00:49:00.47\00:49:01.84
Let's go to Matthew
chapter 4 verses 18 to 20,
00:49:01.87\00:49:06.78
Matthew chapter 4
verses 18 through 20.
00:49:06.84\00:49:10.55
This is the call of
Peter and his brother Andrew
00:49:10.58\00:49:16.28
to be fishers of men.
00:49:16.35\00:49:18.52
It says there,
00:49:18.55\00:49:20.06
"And Jesus, walking
by the Sea of Galilee,
00:49:20.09\00:49:22.89
saw two brothers,
Simon called Peter,
00:49:22.92\00:49:26.66
and Andrew his brother,
00:49:26.70\00:49:29.83
casting a net into the sea;
00:49:29.86\00:49:32.97
for they were fishermen.
00:49:33.00\00:49:34.64
Then He said to
them... " Jesus says to them,
00:49:34.70\00:49:38.17
"Follow Me, and I will
make you fishers of men. "
00:49:38.21\00:49:42.14
They immediately left
their nets and followed Him.
00:49:42.18\00:49:46.58
So, you notice several
things in these verses,
00:49:46.61\00:49:50.39
first of all, they
were casting the net...
00:49:50.42\00:49:53.59
the net was being
cast into the sea...
00:49:53.62\00:49:56.22
obviously they were
going to catch fish.
00:49:56.26\00:49:58.79
They were fishermen
00:49:58.83\00:50:00.93
and they were
supposed to go fish men.
00:50:00.96\00:50:04.63
Now, let's go to
Matthew chapter 13
00:50:04.70\00:50:08.34
and verses 47 through 50.
00:50:08.37\00:50:10.77
This is a parable of Jesus
00:50:10.81\00:50:13.14
where He's picking up on
some of the details that we find
00:50:13.17\00:50:16.85
in Matthew chapter 4
verses 18 through 20.
00:50:16.88\00:50:20.48
Here Jesus gives this parable
00:50:20.52\00:50:23.32
known as the
parable of the dragnet.
00:50:23.35\00:50:25.49
I read Matthew 13 and
beginning with verse 47.
00:50:25.52\00:50:30.73
"Again, the kingdom of
heaven is like a dragnet
00:50:30.76\00:50:35.86
that was cast into the sea
00:50:35.90\00:50:39.37
and gathered some of every kind,
00:50:39.40\00:50:42.17
which, when it was full... "
00:50:42.20\00:50:45.87
in other words,
when the net was full...
00:50:45.91\00:50:48.38
"they drew it to shore.
00:50:48.41\00:50:50.21
and they sat down and
gathered the good into vessels,
00:50:50.25\00:50:54.05
but threw the bad away. "
00:50:54.08\00:50:56.28
Interesting...
00:50:56.32\00:50:58.29
and so, in verse 49, we have
the application of the parable.
00:50:58.32\00:51:02.22
"So it will be at
the end of the age.
00:51:02.26\00:51:05.96
The angels will come forth,
00:51:05.99\00:51:08.46
separate the wicked
from among the just,
00:51:08.53\00:51:11.73
and cast them into
the furnace of fire.
00:51:11.80\00:51:14.94
There will be wailing
and gnashing of teeth. "
00:51:15.00\00:51:18.74
Now, let's go through
the symbols that we find
00:51:18.77\00:51:22.34
in this particular parable.
00:51:22.38\00:51:25.35
First of all, we have a sea.
00:51:25.38\00:51:28.02
What does the sea represent?
00:51:28.05\00:51:30.65
The sea
represents all of humanity.
00:51:30.69\00:51:35.12
It represents the human race,
00:51:35.16\00:51:37.39
men... women...
children... infants...
00:51:37.43\00:51:41.60
the sea are the
inhabitants of the entire world.
00:51:41.63\00:51:46.33
You know, sometimes we
speak about a sea of humanity.
00:51:46.37\00:51:50.84
Well, the sea represents
the totality of the human race
00:51:50.87\00:51:55.31
from the beginning
of history till the end
00:51:55.34\00:51:57.75
and then you have fish.
00:51:57.78\00:52:00.02
What do the fish represent?
00:52:00.05\00:52:02.75
The fish represent
00:52:02.78\00:52:04.85
the individuals
that live in the world.
00:52:04.89\00:52:08.12
Now, this is an
important detail.
00:52:08.16\00:52:09.86
You say, "Now, wait a
minute, how can you say
00:52:09.89\00:52:13.03
that the sea represents
the totality of human beings
00:52:13.06\00:52:18.20
and the fish
represent individuals?"
00:52:18.23\00:52:20.47
Well, it's the same principle
of what we've been studying.
00:52:20.50\00:52:24.04
You see, the
totality of Christ's kingdom
00:52:24.07\00:52:27.61
is the bride...
00:52:27.64\00:52:29.64
the totality of
believers is His kingdom
00:52:29.68\00:52:32.21
but the individuals are
the guests to the wedding.
00:52:32.25\00:52:36.25
It's the same principle.
00:52:36.28\00:52:37.62
I hope you're
understanding what I'm saying.
00:52:37.65\00:52:39.42
So, you have the fish...
00:52:39.45\00:52:41.86
the fish are the individuals
that live in the sea of humanity
00:52:41.89\00:52:47.16
and then, of course,
you have the fishermen.
00:52:47.20\00:52:50.60
You know, I had that snicker
when I went to my computer
00:52:50.63\00:52:54.07
to prepare this sermon
00:52:54.10\00:52:56.91
and as I
examined the spell check,
00:52:56.94\00:52:59.64
I noticed that, you know,
00:52:59.67\00:53:01.44
the word "Fishermen"
was actually underlined
00:53:01.48\00:53:06.55
saying that it
was a mistake in term.
00:53:06.58\00:53:08.75
So, I said, "Now, wait a minute,
00:53:08.78\00:53:10.92
it can't be mistaken,
00:53:10.95\00:53:12.29
I know the words
'fishermen' exists... "
00:53:12.32\00:53:13.96
so, I went to spell check
00:53:14.02\00:53:17.79
and it said that I was
supposed to use "anglers"
00:53:17.83\00:53:21.76
instead of "fishermen"
00:53:21.80\00:53:23.47
because "fishermen"
applies only to men.
00:53:23.50\00:53:27.07
It's amazing the world
that we live in right now...
00:53:27.10\00:53:30.17
this politically-correct world
00:53:30.21\00:53:34.24
where you cannot
even say, "fishermen"
00:53:34.28\00:53:36.71
because
apparently it excludes women
00:53:36.75\00:53:39.18
but that's just a side light...
00:53:39.21\00:53:40.55
So, the fishermen represent
those who proclaim the gospel...
00:53:40.58\00:53:45.35
those who are going to gather
the fish... in other words.
00:53:45.39\00:53:50.36
Now, what does
the "net" represent?
00:53:50.39\00:53:52.89
The net that the fishermen use?
00:53:52.93\00:53:55.10
The net represents the
gospel as it is contained
00:53:55.13\00:54:00.04
in the holy Scriptures.
00:54:00.07\00:54:01.40
In other words,
the net is the gospel.
00:54:01.44\00:54:04.04
So, what do the fishermen do?
00:54:04.07\00:54:06.04
The fishermen...
they cast out the net
00:54:06.07\00:54:09.08
into the sea of humanity
00:54:09.11\00:54:10.68
because they want to
catch individual fish.
00:54:10.71\00:54:13.28
So, the net represents
the preaching of the gospel.
00:54:13.31\00:54:17.32
That is... the
casting of the net
00:54:17.35\00:54:20.62
represents the
preaching of the gospel.
00:54:20.66\00:54:22.36
What does the boat represent?
00:54:22.39\00:54:25.19
Well, the boat will
represent the church.
00:54:25.23\00:54:28.83
You see, when fishermen go out
00:54:28.86\00:54:31.97
and they gather
in the net... fish...
00:54:32.00\00:54:34.90
let me ask you this.
00:54:34.94\00:54:36.27
Does the net
only gather good fish
00:54:36.30\00:54:39.64
that are going to be
taken to the marketplace?
00:54:39.67\00:54:41.38
No, the net
gathers good and bad fish.
00:54:41.41\00:54:45.18
You know, I
know this for a fact,
00:54:45.21\00:54:47.25
when I a... a child...
00:54:47.32\00:54:48.65
my parents would take
a vacation every year...
00:54:48.68\00:54:50.65
at that time, it was a
pristine island in Venezuela,
00:54:50.69\00:54:54.06
the Island of Margarita
00:54:54.09\00:54:55.42
and one of our
favorite endeavors
00:54:55.46\00:54:57.43
was to go to this
place... this beach...
00:54:57.46\00:55:00.96
and watch the fishermen come in
00:55:01.00\00:55:02.76
at about 4
o'clock in the morning
00:55:02.83\00:55:04.57
and when they
brought their nets in,
00:55:04.60\00:55:07.17
they had all
kinds of different...
00:55:07.20\00:55:09.67
different kinds of
marine animals in their boat.
00:55:09.70\00:55:13.14
They had little sharks...
00:55:13.17\00:55:14.81
they had starfish...
00:55:14.84\00:55:17.01
they had, you know, catfish...
00:55:17.05\00:55:20.55
they had all
different kinds marine animals
00:55:20.58\00:55:24.35
and then, what they would do...
00:55:24.39\00:55:25.72
they would take all
these things to the shore
00:55:25.75\00:55:27.32
and they would have baskets
00:55:27.36\00:55:29.39
and they would
place all of the fish
00:55:29.42\00:55:31.26
that were going to
go to the marketplace
00:55:31.29\00:55:32.63
into one basket
00:55:32.66\00:55:34.00
and all of the
other marine animals
00:55:34.03\00:55:36.46
that they could not sell...
00:55:36.50\00:55:37.83
they placed in
another basket to discard.
00:55:37.87\00:55:40.34
So, this is the picture
of... of what we're seeing here
00:55:40.37\00:55:44.67
in Matthew chapter 13
00:55:44.71\00:55:47.34
so, the boat
represents the Church.
00:55:47.38\00:55:50.78
But you notice that in the...
00:55:50.81\00:55:53.31
in the boat you
have good and bad fish.
00:55:53.35\00:55:55.42
So, what's necessary?
00:55:55.45\00:55:57.22
Well, you have to
take the boat to the shore,
00:55:57.25\00:56:00.36
and then you have to separate
the good fish from the bad fish
00:56:00.39\00:56:04.83
and, of course,
that represents what?
00:56:04.86\00:56:08.16
That represents the
Investigative Judgment.
00:56:08.20\00:56:11.63
The Investigative
Judgment is where Jesus now...
00:56:11.67\00:56:16.77
He examines the
cases of every...
00:56:16.81\00:56:18.64
of all of the fish, so to speak,
00:56:18.67\00:56:20.48
that have accepted the gospel
and have come into the boat
00:56:20.51\00:56:23.71
but when Jesus
does the examination,
00:56:23.75\00:56:27.12
He's going to find that
there are some individuals
00:56:27.15\00:56:30.49
who are true believers.
00:56:30.52\00:56:32.05
You see, the church
has wheat and tares...
00:56:32.09\00:56:34.69
the church has wise
and foolish virgins...
00:56:34.72\00:56:37.29
the church has
good and bad fish...
00:56:37.33\00:56:39.26
the church has people who
have only the form of godliness.
00:56:39.29\00:56:42.73
The church has people
who perform miracles...
00:56:42.76\00:56:45.37
cast out demons and prophesy
00:56:45.40\00:56:47.67
and Jesus is going to
say, "I never knew you... "
00:56:47.70\00:56:50.21
even though they
profess Jesus Christ.
00:56:50.27\00:56:51.94
Satan even transforms
himself into an angel of light
00:56:51.97\00:56:56.18
and Paul says that his Ministers
also transform themselves
00:56:56.24\00:57:00.15
into angels of light.
00:57:00.18\00:57:01.62
and so... a division of the
righteous from the unrighteous
00:57:01.65\00:57:06.32
is necessary before
the righteous are taken
00:57:06.35\00:57:11.36
into Christ's
kingdom... into heaven
00:57:11.39\00:57:14.66
and the wicked, of course,
are discarded or cast out.
00:57:14.70\00:57:18.90
So, all of these parables
of Jesus make it clear, Folks,
00:57:18.93\00:57:23.07
that there's an
examination that takes place
00:57:23.10\00:57:25.24
before the
second coming of Christ.
00:57:25.27\00:57:26.81
This is what
Revelation 14 verse 7 means.
00:57:26.84\00:57:30.78
You have the preaching of the
gospel... the everlasting gospel
00:57:30.81\00:57:33.85
to every nation,
kindred, tongue and people
00:57:33.88\00:57:35.82
saying with a loud voice,
00:57:35.88\00:57:37.29
"Fear God...
give glory to Him...
00:57:37.32\00:57:39.95
for the hour of His
judgment has come. "
00:57:39.99\00:57:43.16
We are now living in the
awesome time of the judgment.
00:57:43.19\00:57:46.93
May God help us.
00:57:46.96\00:57:48.63
In our next lecture, we're going
to study this more carefully.
00:57:48.66\00:57:51.07
May God help us to
prepare a character
00:57:51.10\00:57:54.97
that will be able to dwell
with Jesus throughout eternity.
00:57:55.00\00:58:00.04