Music...
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I am so very pleased
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that the title or the theme
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for our sitting for
this particular Summit
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is the Hour of His Judgment.
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I rather suspect that
that was a God-inspired idea
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to use that as
the scene... theme...
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for certainly we are in
the hour of His judgment
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and those things
that God's people do...
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those things that
God's people say...
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those things that God's
people involve themselves in
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ought to be done
with respect to the fact
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that we are in the
hour of His judgment.
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The title of our
discussion today is:
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He Sits... then He Stands...
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He Sits and He stands
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and I want to ask
you to turn with me to
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the book of Daniel...
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interestingly
enough, Daniel chapter 12.
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Going to read just the
first three verses of Daniel 12
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but they are somewhat lengthy
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but I need to do
that to set the stage...
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to set the foundation for
what we're going to talk about
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for the next several
minutes that are allotted to us.
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I'm in Daniel chapter 12...
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the Old Testament of your Bible
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reading from the New
King James Version...
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Daniel 12 verses 1, 2 and 3.
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Before we go to the Word of God,
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would you join me as
we speak to our Father
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and ask His blessings
upon our sitting together.
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"Father God, we thank You
for the privilege that is ours
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to know You...
to understand You...
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to be loved by You...
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and to dig into the
depths of Your Word.
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Would you please be our Teacher
and Instructor this day...
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teach us those things that
You'll would have us to know
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and then give us
strength to do them, Father,
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we know that we can
do nothing without You
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but it is also true
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that we can do all things
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through Your power and strength
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including the
understanding of Your Word.
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Give us now Your Holy
Spirit and be our Teacher,
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we pray and thank You
in Jesus' name, amen. "
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Daniel chapter 12...
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reading verses 1... 2
and 3, the Bible says,
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"At that time
Michael... " that is Jesus
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"shall stand up,
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the great
prince who stands watch
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over the sons of your people;
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and there shall
be a time of trouble,
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such as never was
since there was a nation,
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even to that time.
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And at that time your
people shall be delivered,
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everyone who is
found written in the book.
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And many of those who
sleep in the dust of the earth
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shall awake,
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some to everlasting life...
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some to shame and
everlasting contempt... "
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the Word of God
tells me... and verse 3,
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"Those who are wise
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shall shine like the
brightness of the firmament,
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and those who turn
many to righteousness
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like the stars
forever and ever. "
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Ellen White in her discussion
of this particular portion
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of the Word of God
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particularly verse 3 of
these first three verses...
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she... she... as she discusses
this end-time prophecy,
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she uses it to give us...
that is... God's people...
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assurance that the
Lord in these last days
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has a specific
place and a specific work
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for us to do in
this judgment hour.
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She writes in the
book: Christ's Object Lessons
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page 327... she says this,
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"Not more surely is
the place prepared for us
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in the heavenly mansions
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than is the special
place designated on earth
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where we are to work for God. "
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You understand that.
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There is a special
place... a special task...
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a special duty that we
must perform for our Lord
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in these last
days... in this judgment hour
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that must be done by
God's people for the Lord
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and if it were ever true
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and, of course, this
has always been true,
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it is certainly
true in these last days.
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As we come down to the closing
scenes of this earth's history,
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we must understand
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that there is something
that each of us must be doing.
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Christianity... as I said
before and dare say again...
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never has been... is not now...
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nor will it ever
be a spectator sport.
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You cannot go
through Christianity,
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participate in Christianity,
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prosecute your own personal
Christianity... from the couch.
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You must get off of
the couch and into the game
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working for the Lord.
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His judgment...
in these last scenes
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of... of earth's history
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is moving and going on now
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in these hours before
the return of the Lord
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in power and great glory
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but she adds this
particular exhortation
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to those of us who
are laboring for the Lord.
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Sometimes seemingly
unrequited and unrewarded.
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Ellen White says this,
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"Every act of loyalty
and faith will be crowned
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with special tokens of
God's favor and approbation.
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So, when you step out
to do the work of God,
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God takes note of
everything you do for His cause.
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Nothing, as it
were, falls to the ground.
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The Lord is
watching your actions...
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the Lord is
watching the things you do
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and your actions on
behalf of the cause of Christ,
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will receive... she says,
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"His approval
and commendation. "
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She continues,
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"Every worker is given the
promise of Psalm 126 verse 6.
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"He that goeth
forth and weepeth,
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bearing precious seed,
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shall doubtless come
again with rejoicing,
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bringing his sheaves with him. "
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Now, that's the New King James.
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I tend to like the
simplicity and the gravitas
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of the New Living Translation
for this particular...
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for this particular
portion of Scripture.
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It says... New
Living Translation,
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"They weep as they
go to plant their seed,
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but they sing as they
return with the harvest. "
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They weep as
they go planting seed
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but those tears become water
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because they sing as
they return with the harvest.
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Ellen White continues,
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"However short our
service or humble our work,
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if in simple
faith we follow Christ,
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we shall not be
disappointed of the reward... "
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I like that...
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Ellen White says... it doesn't
matter how long you work,
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or in what capacity you work,
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as long as you are faithful
and dedicated to the work
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that is appointed you,
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God has a reward for you
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and you're not
going to be disappointed
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when you get your reward.
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You may think
you've sacrificed a lot...
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you may think
you've worked very hard
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or you may think nobody knows...
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nobody hears...
nobody understands...
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nobody sees the
work that you've done
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but Ellen White assures us
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that God sees...
knows... cares...
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and when He's
passing out His reward...
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when it's time for heaven,
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you're not going
to be disappointed
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at the reward
you will receive...
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at the eternal life
that you are granted
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from the hand of Jesus Christ.
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She continues...
just a little bit more,
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"Though this
life may be hard... "
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and I know there are many of us
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who are going
through very hard things
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for the cause of Christ...
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"though this life may
be hard and self-denying,
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in the sight of heaven,
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it will be a success. "
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No one may ever
call you a success.
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No one may ever pat you on
the back and give you what I...
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what I heard termed
in Texas an "attaboy... "
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nobody may ever say that,
"Hey, you're doing really good"
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but it doesn't matter
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because heaven is
marking your service...
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heaven is marking your sacrifice
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and one day, you will
receive your just reward.
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So, I continue,
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"Though this life may be hard
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and self-denying,
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in the sight of
heaven, it will be a success
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and he will be ranked
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as one of God's noble man. "
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Now, she says, "He... "
that's the tenor of the times...
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I say, "He" and "She"
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doesn't matter...
men.. women... boy... girl...
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Ellen White tells us in effect
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that if you work for
the Lord faithfully...
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if you are at your
point of duty and post of duty
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in these last days,
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even though you may
not receive a gold watch
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or commendation from
anyone here on earth,
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as far as heaven is concerned,
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you are one of God's
noble men noble woman...
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for standing at our post of duty
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and doing what
God has called you
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and asked you
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and equipped you to do.
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If you do it,
you get the reward.
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The importance of this
cannot... Brothers and Sisters,
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be overstated.
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For those of us called to
the front in these last days,
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particularly those
students of eschatology...
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those who know what's coming
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before this
world comes to its end,
00:11:05.49\00:11:08.86
to those of us who are aware
of the times in which we live,
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to every worker for God,
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this thought ought to be
stimulus and encouragement.
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The fact that your deeds...
your efforts... your labors
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in behalf of the kingdom of God,
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are marked and
written and recorded by God
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and will receive their just
reward when Christ comes again.
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So, you may not get a
lot of this world's goods...
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you may not get a lot
of this world accolades
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but in heaven... and
it's heaven that counts,
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Your deeds... your sacrifices...
are being weighed...
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are being measured
and will be rewarded...
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let that encourage you...
00:12:01.15\00:12:02.62
let that motivate you to
continue to work for the Lord.
00:12:02.68\00:12:06.25
Again, I go back to Ellen White.
00:12:06.29\00:12:08.82
In this life, our work for God
often seems almost fruitless,
00:12:08.86\00:12:13.43
sometimes you don't see the...
the reward of your labors,
00:12:13.50\00:12:18.03
you don't see the
results of your labors.
00:12:18.07\00:12:19.93
"Sometimes, in this life, our
work seems almost fruitless... "
00:12:19.97\00:12:24.34
Ellen White says,
00:12:24.37\00:12:25.71
"The Savior assures us
that our work is noted in heaven
00:12:25.74\00:12:31.15
and that the
recompense... the repayment...
00:12:31.18\00:12:35.68
cannot fail. "
00:12:35.72\00:12:37.75
So, Brothers and Sisters,
00:12:37.79\00:12:39.39
even though the day
of reward be delayed,
00:12:39.42\00:12:44.16
be assured it is coming
00:12:44.19\00:12:47.06
and there's nothing
that you've every done
00:12:47.10\00:12:49.60
for the cause of Christ...
00:12:49.63\00:12:51.20
no matter how small...
00:12:51.23\00:12:52.73
no matter how insignificant
in the eyes of man,
00:12:52.77\00:12:56.47
God sees it... God
notes it... God marks it...
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God rewards it
00:13:00.21\00:13:02.04
and you will be aware of
His reward on that great day.
00:13:02.08\00:13:06.75
You know, something as...
as... as... as small as...
00:13:06.78\00:13:09.68
someone said to me...
00:13:09.72\00:13:11.05
this to me years ago,
00:13:11.09\00:13:12.42
they were talking
about a person who had passed
00:13:12.45\00:13:15.62
and they were saying,
"You know, she just...
00:13:15.66\00:13:18.99
she always had a smile for me
00:13:19.03\00:13:21.36
and when I came to church,
I looked for that smile...
00:13:21.40\00:13:25.77
it always made my Sabbath day...
00:13:25.80\00:13:27.80
even when I had a hard week,
00:13:27.84\00:13:29.94
even when I had a tough time,
00:13:29.97\00:13:31.97
when I saw her...
her face lighted up
00:13:32.01\00:13:34.94
and that made my
heart lighted up. "
00:13:34.98\00:13:37.85
Do you think that God
forgot about that smile?
00:13:37.91\00:13:40.52
Do you think that God
was not aware of that smile
00:13:40.58\00:13:43.45
and how that smile
from that particular Sister
00:13:43.49\00:13:46.22
brightened the life
of someone else, no...
00:13:46.25\00:13:48.92
that smile was
recorded in heaven
00:13:48.99\00:13:51.89
and that smile
was marked in heaven
00:13:51.93\00:13:55.16
and that smile
will be rewarded one day
00:13:55.20\00:13:58.40
with a reward that is guaranteed
00:13:58.43\00:14:01.64
and that will
recompense her for all...
00:14:01.67\00:14:04.31
and you don't know
and we don't know...
00:14:04.34\00:14:06.81
she might have
smiled through hard times,
00:14:06.88\00:14:09.31
she might have
smiled through tears
00:14:09.34\00:14:11.61
but she chose to smile
00:14:11.68\00:14:13.35
and pass that
smile on to someone else,
00:14:13.38\00:14:15.82
their life was lighted...
00:14:15.85\00:14:17.49
their burden was made lighter
00:14:17.52\00:14:19.25
and I guarantee you,
00:14:19.29\00:14:20.82
God took note of that smile
00:14:20.86\00:14:22.92
and that smile will be rewarded.
00:14:22.96\00:14:25.06
Ellen white... in assuring
the end-time generation,
00:14:25.09\00:14:30.30
assures us all
00:14:30.37\00:14:33.84
that our efforts to shine
light in darkness are noted...
00:14:33.87\00:14:38.07
they are noted in heaven...
00:14:38.11\00:14:40.11
they're assisted by heaven
00:14:40.18\00:14:41.98
and we will receive a
reward guaranteed from heaven.
00:14:42.01\00:14:46.92
In John chapter 5...
00:14:46.95\00:14:49.12
John chapter 5 verse 35...
00:14:49.15\00:14:51.65
John chapter 5 verse 35,
00:14:51.69\00:14:54.09
Christ
describes John the Baptist
00:14:54.12\00:14:56.86
and he says there in the
latter part of that verse,
00:14:56.89\00:15:00.06
He describes John the Baptist
as a burning and shining light
00:15:00.10\00:15:05.20
light... or lamp rather
00:15:05.23\00:15:07.34
that Israel rejoiced in
00:15:07.37\00:15:09.37
but then Christ
goes on to say...
00:15:09.40\00:15:11.74
to say that I have a
greater witness for the works
00:15:11.77\00:15:17.11
that the Father
has given me to do.
00:15:17.15\00:15:20.68
So, that's what
Jesus anticipates
00:15:20.72\00:15:24.25
and expects from each of us.
00:15:24.29\00:15:28.19
He wants us to
follow Him and to serve Him
00:15:28.22\00:15:33.23
in this judgment hour.
00:15:33.26\00:15:36.56
"They that be wise... "
Daniel chapter 12 verse 3 says,
00:15:36.60\00:15:43.04
"will shine
darker in this world...
00:15:43.07\00:15:46.74
they will shine brighter
as this world gets darker.
00:15:46.78\00:15:52.11
They that be wise
will shine for Him. "
00:15:52.15\00:15:56.45
Now, this is interesting
because the Hebrew word for wise
00:15:56.48\00:15:59.99
is Sakal or Sakel...
00:16:00.02\00:16:02.76
it means:
circumspect action, cautious,
00:16:02.79\00:16:09.40
well-considered
actions that are similar to
00:16:09.43\00:16:16.04
even subservient to the times.
00:16:16.07\00:16:18.37
Those whose
movements and motives
00:16:18.44\00:16:22.01
are governed by
an acute awareness
00:16:22.04\00:16:25.68
of the lateness of the hour.
00:16:25.71\00:16:27.05
Now, what are we
saying? It's a lot of words...
00:16:27.08\00:16:28.42
what are we saying?
00:16:28.45\00:16:30.02
Sakal or wisdom
is: the actions...
00:16:30.05\00:16:36.52
the motives of individuals.
00:16:36.59\00:16:38.93
Everything that they do...
everything that they say...
00:16:38.96\00:16:43.40
all of their actions,
perhaps even what they think
00:16:43.43\00:16:50.14
is driven by... motivated
by an awareness of the times
00:16:50.17\00:16:56.85
in which we live.
00:16:56.88\00:16:59.21
If we are wise,
00:16:59.25\00:17:01.55
our actions must be
motivated by an understanding
00:17:01.58\00:17:07.26
that the hour is
late, Brothers and Sisters,
00:17:07.29\00:17:11.36
Ladies and Gentlemen.
00:17:11.39\00:17:12.86
If you look at the
confused state of the world
00:17:12.89\00:17:15.83
in which we live,
00:17:15.86\00:17:17.20
there are a lot of questions
out there... very few answers.
00:17:17.23\00:17:21.70
A lot of idioms...
isms... and ideologies
00:17:21.74\00:17:28.24
and very few answers.
00:17:28.28\00:17:30.45
Everybody's got an angle
00:17:30.48\00:17:32.61
but nobody... or very
few people know the truth.
00:17:32.65\00:17:36.79
So, those that
are wise understand
00:17:36.82\00:17:42.89
the confusion of the time
00:17:42.92\00:17:45.06
that the only
answer is in Christ
00:17:45.09\00:17:48.10
and that the hour is late
00:17:48.13\00:17:51.00
but interestingly enough
00:17:51.03\00:17:53.84
the word Sakal also means:
wise teachers or instructors.
00:17:53.90\00:18:00.28
It's time to be
wise and to shine...
00:18:00.31\00:18:06.78
wise and shine
00:18:06.82\00:18:08.92
and teach others to do so
00:18:08.95\00:18:11.42
because they are
aware as we must be aware
00:18:11.45\00:18:16.49
that the hour is late.
00:18:16.52\00:18:18.56
If there is one
theme above another...
00:18:18.59\00:18:21.93
if there is one
idea above another,
00:18:21.96\00:18:25.17
it is the idea,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
00:18:25.20\00:18:28.34
that the hour is late
in this earth's history.
00:18:28.37\00:18:33.24
Even the devil knows
that he's got a short time.
00:18:33.27\00:18:37.38
So, then those of us who
name the name of Jesus...
00:18:37.41\00:18:41.45
those of us who are
called to serve Jesus
00:18:41.48\00:18:43.79
must be aware,
Brothers and Sisters,
00:18:43.82\00:18:46.39
that the time is short.
00:18:46.45\00:18:48.52
Now, we've been saying
that for years and years
00:18:48.56\00:18:51.36
and years and years...
00:18:51.39\00:18:52.89
I have a Ministry Magazine
from, I think 40 years ago.
00:18:52.93\00:18:58.23
On the cover of that magazine
00:18:58.27\00:19:00.74
is a picture of a
very old model car.
00:19:00.77\00:19:04.41
On that car is a rusted
bumper sticker that says,
00:19:04.47\00:19:10.51
"Jesus is coming soon. "
00:19:10.55\00:19:12.55
Now, when I got that magazine,
00:19:12.58\00:19:15.18
that car was several years old.
00:19:15.22\00:19:17.69
It was one of the first
automobiles ever made...
00:19:17.75\00:19:21.09
certainly pre-World War 2.
00:19:21.12\00:19:22.66
Now that we are several
years beyond World War 2
00:19:22.69\00:19:26.26
and I've had that
magazine for another 40 years,
00:19:26.29\00:19:31.23
it brings into bold relief
the idea that we've been saying,
00:19:31.27\00:19:35.00
"Christ is coming
soon... " for a long time.
00:19:35.04\00:19:39.07
We have believed
Christ is coming soon
00:19:39.11\00:19:42.04
for a long time
00:19:42.08\00:19:44.35
but the truth is,
00:19:44.38\00:19:45.91
we are nearer our salvation
than when we first believed.
00:19:45.95\00:19:52.65
We are closer to
the coming of the Lord
00:19:52.69\00:19:55.12
than when we started this thing.
00:19:55.16\00:19:57.33
We've been waiting a long time
00:19:57.36\00:20:02.23
but there are those of us
who are looking at this earth...
00:20:02.26\00:20:06.70
looking at what this
earth is going through...
00:20:06.74\00:20:08.87
looking at how this
earth is tearing itself apart
00:20:08.90\00:20:12.04
and how we as Christians
are assisting... or...
00:20:12.07\00:20:14.84
or we as people are
assisting in that...
00:20:14.88\00:20:17.15
that... that destruction...
00:20:17.18\00:20:19.75
we realize, looking at
the prophetic calendar...
00:20:19.78\00:20:22.98
looking at the events
00:20:23.02\00:20:24.55
that it cannot be much longer.
00:20:24.59\00:20:27.49
So there is a
sobering... an arresting thought
00:20:27.52\00:20:32.66
that comes to us
every day of our lives
00:20:32.69\00:20:37.23
that regardless of
how long it's been,
00:20:37.27\00:20:42.10
the truth is... it
cannot be much longer.
00:20:42.14\00:20:46.98
Luke chapter 19 verse 44,
00:20:47.01\00:20:51.48
Luke 19:44.
00:20:51.51\00:20:54.45
Maybe I'll just take a
moment and turn to that
00:20:54.48\00:20:56.52
in the New Testament.
00:20:56.55\00:20:58.02
We'll look at
Matthew, Mark, Luke...
00:20:58.05\00:21:01.72
and we'll go to
chapter 19 and verse 44...
00:21:01.76\00:21:08.53
pause...
00:21:08.56\00:21:14.10
43 and 44...
00:21:14.14\00:21:15.47
pause.
00:21:15.50\00:21:23.11
This is a prediction of Christ
00:21:23.14\00:21:25.21
dealing with the
destruction of Jerusalem
00:21:25.25\00:21:30.29
and He says...
00:21:30.32\00:21:32.72
"and level you, and
your children within you,
00:21:32.75\00:21:36.59
to the ground;
00:21:36.62\00:21:37.96
and they will not leave in
you one stone upon another,
00:21:37.99\00:21:42.23
because you did not know
the time of your visitation. "
00:21:42.26\00:21:46.67
Pause.
00:21:46.74\00:21:48.64
Now, this prophecy had
its primary fulfillment
00:21:48.67\00:21:52.77
in the destruction by the
Romans of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
00:21:52.81\00:21:57.48
But I do believe there
is a secondary application
00:21:57.51\00:22:02.22
or can be at least
applied secondarily
00:22:02.25\00:22:05.05
to the days just prior
to the coming of the Lord.
00:22:05.12\00:22:09.09
It says, "They shall not
leave one stone upon another
00:22:09.12\00:22:13.03
because they did not understand
the time of their visitation
00:22:13.09\00:22:20.04
and that's the
key part of the text,
00:22:20.07\00:22:22.54
perhaps even more than the
"one stone upon another" portion
00:22:22.60\00:22:26.54
the idea that
they did not recognize
00:22:26.57\00:22:30.85
the time of their visitation.
00:22:30.88\00:22:34.15
The NIV version
of the Bible says,
00:22:34.22\00:22:36.89
"They did not understand the
time of God's coming to you. "
00:22:36.92\00:22:43.79
You see, the
three angels' messages
00:22:43.83\00:22:46.59
from which our theme is drawn...
00:22:46.63\00:22:49.36
the hour of His judgment...
00:22:49.40\00:22:52.07
is one message
in three segments.
00:22:52.13\00:22:55.80
It's predicated on the reality
00:22:55.84\00:22:59.41
that the hour of
His judgment is here...
00:22:59.47\00:23:03.55
the hour of His judgment is now.
00:23:03.58\00:23:06.92
It doesn't really
matter when Christ comes back
00:23:06.95\00:23:11.52
because when He comes,
00:23:11.55\00:23:13.76
if we are alive... we should
be watching, waiting and working
00:23:13.79\00:23:17.56
but what is
important is the understanding
00:23:17.63\00:23:22.40
that the hour of
His judgment is now.
00:23:22.46\00:23:26.63
That judgment is
going on in heaven
00:23:26.67\00:23:30.17
and the records
of the saints of God
00:23:30.21\00:23:33.68
are being looked at right now
00:23:33.71\00:23:36.88
and we as God's people
00:23:36.91\00:23:39.88
have no time to lose,
00:23:39.91\00:23:42.85
I've said this
before... I will say it again,
00:23:42.88\00:23:44.95
this COVID situation and
all of these different pandemics
00:23:44.99\00:23:48.59
and things that
have been coming on earth
00:23:48.62\00:23:51.09
are simply the
"check engine light"
00:23:51.13\00:23:54.00
on the lives of the saints...
00:23:54.03\00:23:55.96
God is saying,
"Check your life...
00:23:56.00\00:23:59.13
check your standing... "
00:23:59.17\00:24:00.64
the Bible says, "Let
a man examine himself
00:24:00.67\00:24:04.31
and see if he be in the faith. "
00:24:04.34\00:24:06.21
Each of us... men...
women... boys and girls
00:24:06.27\00:24:08.74
need to re-examine...
00:24:08.78\00:24:10.48
need to address and
redress our lives every day
00:24:10.51\00:24:14.25
and look to see that we
are doing the work of God...
00:24:14.28\00:24:18.59
that we are walking with God...
00:24:18.62\00:24:20.69
that we are about
our Father's business
00:24:20.72\00:24:23.09
during this time when
lives are being examined...
00:24:23.12\00:24:27.20
when judgment is going on...
00:24:27.23\00:24:28.80
when destinies are being
arranged and re-arranged,
00:24:28.83\00:24:32.83
God's people need to
get serious and very serious
00:24:32.87\00:24:36.84
about our eternal salvation.
00:24:36.87\00:24:39.47
So the message is borne by
these three angels in a sense...
00:24:39.51\00:24:44.31
in a sense... is directed
and carried to the world
00:24:44.35\00:24:50.09
by those who are
wise... Daniel tells me.
00:24:50.12\00:24:55.79
Here we see another... in
the constellation of links
00:24:55.82\00:25:00.83
between Daniel and
the book of Revelation...
00:25:00.86\00:25:03.60
between Daniel 12 in particular
00:25:03.67\00:25:05.90
and Revelation chapter 14.
00:25:05.93\00:25:07.80
So, what do we
understand by the term: wise?
00:25:07.84\00:25:12.27
For Daniel chapter
12 verse 3 tells me...
00:25:12.31\00:25:16.71
"those who are wise...
00:25:16.75\00:25:19.21
those who are wise will go about
doing the work of the Lord. "
00:25:19.25\00:25:24.22
Well, Proverbs chapter
9 verse 10... you know it,
00:25:24.25\00:25:26.86
we all know it...
00:25:26.89\00:25:28.66
it's a text that
we've repeated so many times
00:25:28.69\00:25:31.63
over so many years...
00:25:31.66\00:25:32.99
Proverbs chapter
9 verse 10 tells us
00:25:33.03\00:25:35.70
that the fear of the Lord
00:25:35.73\00:25:39.20
is the beginning of wisdom,
00:25:39.23\00:25:42.60
and the knowledge of the
Holy One is understanding.
00:25:42.64\00:25:46.27
I like that text,
"The fear of the Lord
00:25:46.31\00:25:48.41
is the beginning of wisdom... "
00:25:48.44\00:25:50.61
in other words,
00:25:50.65\00:25:51.98
you cannot be wise
in a Biblical sense...
00:25:52.01\00:25:54.55
you cannot be considered
"wise" in a Biblical sense
00:25:54.58\00:25:58.75
if you do not
have a love for God
00:25:58.79\00:26:03.99
and a knowledge of God...
00:26:04.03\00:26:06.09
doesn't matter what
your intelligence is...
00:26:06.13\00:26:09.20
doesn't matter
what your IQ is...
00:26:09.26\00:26:11.93
doesn't matter how much
knowledge you have amassed
00:26:11.97\00:26:16.07
or gained...
00:26:16.10\00:26:17.44
you cannot be considered wise
00:26:17.47\00:26:20.11
if you don't love the Lord.
00:26:20.18\00:26:22.11
Of course the Bible says,
00:26:22.14\00:26:24.01
"The fool has said in his
heart, 'there is no God. '"
00:26:24.05\00:26:26.61
So, the beginning of
wisdom is loving the Lord...
00:26:26.65\00:26:29.18
and those who are wise...
00:26:29.22\00:26:31.15
here in Daniel
chapter 12 verse 3
00:26:31.19\00:26:33.02
"who shine like the
brightness of the firmament...
00:26:33.05\00:26:37.59
who turn many away from darkness
00:26:37.63\00:26:41.73
and turn many to
righteousness are wise
00:26:41.76\00:26:45.93
because they love the Lord
00:26:45.97\00:26:47.87
and the message
that they are carrying
00:26:47.90\00:26:50.37
in these last days
00:26:50.41\00:26:51.84
is a message of the soon coming
00:26:51.87\00:26:54.64
of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
00:26:54.68\00:26:56.44
So, if you're going to
be one of those wise ones,
00:26:56.48\00:26:59.31
you've got to spend
your time sharing Jesus.
00:26:59.38\00:27:01.55
You've got to spend your time
00:27:01.58\00:27:03.55
lifting up the name of Jesus.
00:27:03.59\00:27:05.65
That's what makes you wise...
00:27:05.69\00:27:07.66
that's what makes
you intelligent...
00:27:07.72\00:27:10.46
as the Bible
says in Daniel 12:3,
00:27:10.49\00:27:13.16
"Those who are wise
shall shine like the brightness
00:27:13.19\00:27:18.53
of the firmament;
00:27:18.57\00:27:19.90
and those who turn
many to righteousness. "
00:27:19.93\00:27:24.47
So, wisdom is
turning the unrighteous
00:27:24.51\00:27:29.04
away from their unrighteousness
00:27:29.08\00:27:32.31
and turning
them to righteousness
00:27:32.35\00:27:35.48
and so, in these last
days... that's our job.
00:27:35.55\00:27:39.19
That's what this
ministry seeks to do.
00:27:39.22\00:27:41.76
That's what this
Summit is all about.
00:27:41.79\00:27:44.23
That's what the
Adventist Church is all about.
00:27:44.26\00:27:46.73
That's what all of
these ministries...
00:27:46.76\00:27:48.73
so many across the
country and across the world...
00:27:48.76\00:27:52.90
that's our job
in these last days.
00:27:52.93\00:27:56.67
Our job... our goal...
00:27:56.71\00:27:58.61
our mission...
00:27:58.64\00:27:59.97
our reason for being is
to turn many to righteousness
00:28:00.01\00:28:06.95
that's what makes you wise.
00:28:07.02\00:28:10.49
The Bible says in the
New Living Translation
00:28:10.52\00:28:13.76
and I like to repair to
that every now and again
00:28:13.79\00:28:19.49
that loving the Lord is
the foundation of wisdom.
00:28:19.53\00:28:25.20
Serving God...
00:28:25.23\00:28:27.20
the fear of the Lord is
the foundation of wisdom.
00:28:27.24\00:28:31.57
The International Standard
Version I'm reading here
00:28:31.61\00:28:37.51
says, "The fear of the
Lord is where wisdom begins. "
00:28:37.55\00:28:43.42
So, you cannot be wise
00:28:43.45\00:28:45.89
unless you're doing
the work of the Lord...
00:28:45.92\00:28:48.22
you cannot be wise
00:28:48.26\00:28:50.13
unless you love the Lord
00:28:50.16\00:28:51.79
and the fear of the Lord is
the beginning of all wisdom.
00:28:51.83\00:28:57.20
The fear of the Lord...
00:28:57.23\00:28:59.37
that term... where
have we heard that before?
00:28:59.40\00:29:02.64
Where have we heard:
the fear of the Lord?
00:29:02.67\00:29:05.87
Revelation
chapter 14 verse 6, again,
00:29:05.91\00:29:09.14
the connection between
Daniel and Revelation...
00:29:09.18\00:29:12.25
fear of the Lord... fear
God and give glory to Him
00:29:12.28\00:29:15.28
for the hour of
his judgment is come...
00:29:15.32\00:29:21.12
the hour of his
judgment is come.
00:29:21.16\00:29:24.73
So, the light in the lamps
00:29:24.76\00:29:28.46
that is illuminating the
lives of those who are wise...
00:29:28.50\00:29:33.37
who are doing the work of God...
00:29:33.40\00:29:36.40
the light of these wise ones
will be the love of Christ...
00:29:36.44\00:29:43.08
the life of Christ
00:29:43.14\00:29:46.45
and the light of Christ.
00:29:46.48\00:29:50.15
That's what we are called
to share in these last days.
00:29:50.19\00:29:55.06
You remember Paul said,
00:29:55.12\00:29:58.06
"I... I... I'm determined
to know nothing of you except
00:29:58.09\00:30:01.80
Jesus Christ
and Him crucified. "
00:30:01.83\00:30:05.23
Well, in these last
days, that's our job...
00:30:05.27\00:30:08.67
not to concern ourselves
with the political ramifications
00:30:08.70\00:30:13.34
of the world in
which we find ourselves
00:30:13.38\00:30:16.75
and that can be
absorbing and the... the...
00:30:16.78\00:30:20.32
Supreme Court and
all these other things
00:30:20.35\00:30:23.79
that are absorbing so
much of our time and energy...
00:30:23.82\00:30:26.42
our job is to know
nothing except Jesus Christ
00:30:26.45\00:30:31.79
and Him crucified.
00:30:31.83\00:30:34.66
You know, we... we...
we tend to focus a lot
00:30:34.70\00:30:38.33
on this time of trouble
00:30:38.40\00:30:40.20
that has never been
since there was a nation
00:30:40.24\00:30:43.94
and perhaps rightly so
00:30:44.01\00:30:45.61
because the Bible mentions
it here in Daniel chapter 12
00:30:45.67\00:30:49.28
and... and as we look
at Matthew 24 and we see
00:30:49.31\00:30:52.68
wars and rumors of wars
and other things happening,
00:30:52.71\00:30:55.98
It does... it
occupies much of our thought
00:30:56.05\00:31:01.62
and much of our conversation.
00:31:01.69\00:31:03.36
Daniel chapter 12
verse 1 expresses that...
00:31:03.39\00:31:07.20
that sentiment... that statement
00:31:07.23\00:31:09.23
but it doesn't stop there
because it goes on to say,
00:31:09.26\00:31:15.07
"At that time, God's
people shall be delivered... "
00:31:15.10\00:31:20.54
and so, as important as
it is to know and understand
00:31:20.58\00:31:25.55
that we are approaching
before the end of all things
00:31:25.58\00:31:30.55
a time of trouble
00:31:30.59\00:31:32.35
that has never been since
men and women walked this earth,
00:31:32.39\00:31:37.23
it is also crucially
important to understand
00:31:37.29\00:31:42.93
that during this
time, God will stand up
00:31:42.96\00:31:48.57
and God's people
will be delivered.
00:31:48.60\00:31:52.64
See, that's a
comforting thought,
00:31:52.67\00:31:56.61
that's the thought
that ought to motivate
00:31:56.64\00:31:59.41
and encourage and keep us.
00:31:59.45\00:32:01.55
The fact that
you won't be lost...
00:32:01.58\00:32:05.09
you won't be scattered...
00:32:05.12\00:32:06.96
you won't be destroyed,
God is standing to deliver.
00:32:06.99\00:32:12.76
Satan is going to
work powerfully...
00:32:12.79\00:32:17.47
the Bible predicts that...
00:32:17.53\00:32:19.73
the Bible, yeah, assures that.
00:32:19.77\00:32:21.94
Satan is going to work
with all lying wonders.
00:32:21.97\00:32:27.51
Satan is going to
move like never before
00:32:27.54\00:32:33.18
but Ladies and Gentlemen,
00:32:33.21\00:32:35.42
Brothers and Sisters,
00:32:35.45\00:32:37.65
so is God.
00:32:37.69\00:32:41.32
As powerful as Satan is,
00:32:41.39\00:32:44.56
God is more powerful.
00:32:44.59\00:32:47.73
As hard as Satan
works, God will work harder.
00:32:47.76\00:32:53.57
Satan's lying
wonders will be superseded
00:32:53.64\00:33:00.51
by God's loving miracles.
00:33:00.54\00:33:03.98
God's people
shall be delivered...
00:33:04.01\00:33:09.32
the Word of God
makes that promise.
00:33:09.35\00:33:14.62
The Word of God says,
00:33:14.66\00:33:16.66
"And at that time... "
00:33:16.69\00:33:18.59
I'm in the back-end of verse 1,
00:33:18.66\00:33:21.56
"At that time, your
people... " Daniel is being told
00:33:21.60\00:33:27.24
"shall be delivered... "
00:33:27.27\00:33:30.21
and by extension, that
promise is made for us today.
00:33:30.24\00:33:35.24
Everyone who is found
written in the book...
00:33:35.28\00:33:40.35
"At that time, God's
people will be delivered,
00:33:40.38\00:33:46.39
everyone who's name is
found in the Book of Life.
00:33:46.42\00:33:51.23
You see, this... this standing
from Daniel chapter 12 verse 1,
00:33:51.26\00:33:56.97
and I... I... I like this...
00:33:57.00\00:33:58.50
"At that time,
Michael shall stand up... "
00:33:58.53\00:34:02.20
Michael, of course, is
Christ... that Archangel...
00:34:02.27\00:34:04.91
the Commander General
of all of the angels...
00:34:04.94\00:34:07.58
Michael who is
Christ shall stand up.
00:34:07.61\00:34:10.65
Now, notice the
sequence and the Bible pattern.
00:34:10.71\00:34:14.78
This is something I just...
in just looking at the Bible,
00:34:14.85\00:34:18.89
sometimes,
something just appears to you,
00:34:18.92\00:34:20.72
the... the light
kind of shines on it
00:34:20.76\00:34:22.52
and you... you kind of
see it for the first time
00:34:22.56\00:34:24.66
but the pattern that I saw...
00:34:24.69\00:34:26.26
the pattern that I see...
00:34:26.29\00:34:27.76
is the title for
our message today.
00:34:27.83\00:34:31.07
"He Sits... Then He Stands... "
00:34:31.10\00:34:34.04
He sits... then He stands...
00:34:34.07\00:34:36.94
He always sits before He stands.
00:34:37.01\00:34:41.11
Christ always
sits before He stands
00:34:41.14\00:34:45.21
and we'll come back to that
00:34:45.25\00:34:46.65
because it has a very
specific and important meaning
00:34:46.72\00:34:50.15
for you and for me
00:34:50.19\00:34:51.52
and for God's people
in these last days...
00:34:51.55\00:34:53.39
these days of His judgment.
00:34:53.42\00:34:55.82
You can discern
the outline of this...
00:34:55.86\00:34:59.33
it's stated in
Daniel chapter 12 verse 1,
00:34:59.39\00:35:02.80
"At that time, shall
Michael... shall stand up... "
00:35:02.83\00:35:07.47
but you can see this
outline very beautifully
00:35:07.54\00:35:11.91
in Daniel chapter
7, verses 1 through 14.
00:35:11.94\00:35:16.24
Now, time will not
allow us to read Daniel 7...
00:35:16.28\00:35:20.18
all those 14 verses
00:35:20.22\00:35:22.48
but you can see in Daniel
chapter 7... a judgment scene.
00:35:22.52\00:35:26.92
Pause...
00:35:26.96\00:35:29.69
It is note worthy
that that judgment scene
00:35:29.72\00:35:33.76
ends with the establishment
of an everlasting kingdom.
00:35:33.80\00:35:39.20
So, since at the end
of that judgment scene,
00:35:39.23\00:35:43.20
an everlasting
kingdom is established,
00:35:43.24\00:35:46.27
that is analogous to...
00:35:46.31\00:35:49.84
or represents that which happens
00:35:49.88\00:35:52.85
at the coming of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
00:35:52.88\00:35:56.52
Once Christ puts an end
to this world and to sin
00:35:56.55\00:35:59.82
and to all of the
things that are going on here,
00:35:59.85\00:36:03.09
the new
kingdom... the new heaven...
00:36:03.12\00:36:05.26
the new earth...
the new Jerusalem...
00:36:05.29\00:36:08.20
once established,
will last forever.
00:36:08.23\00:36:11.33
So, any
judgment... follow me now...
00:36:11.37\00:36:14.37
any judgment that
takes place prior to that
00:36:14.40\00:36:18.77
has to be the judgment
scene that is going on now.
00:36:18.81\00:36:23.48
The next event
that we are looking for
00:36:23.51\00:36:26.68
is the second coming of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
00:36:26.72\00:36:30.82
so, when that happens,
00:36:30.85\00:36:34.89
this new kingdom is established.
00:36:34.92\00:36:38.26
So, that means
that the judgment scene
00:36:38.29\00:36:40.96
that we are
looking at in Daniel 7
00:36:41.00\00:36:43.60
is the same judgment
scene that we talked about
00:36:43.67\00:36:47.80
that is going on right now.
00:36:47.84\00:36:50.54
It is the hour of His judgment.
00:36:50.57\00:36:53.17
Then comes that new
and everlasting kingdom.
00:36:53.21\00:36:59.11
It's granted.
00:36:59.15\00:37:00.48
Michael is going
to stand to intervene
00:37:00.52\00:37:06.05
and protect His saints
from Satan's final assault
00:37:06.09\00:37:11.56
just prior to the second coming
00:37:11.59\00:37:14.86
of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
00:37:14.90\00:37:16.80
All right, let's
walk our way through this,
00:37:16.87\00:37:20.34
the pattern that I
detected in God's Word
00:37:20.37\00:37:25.34
is that He always
sits before He stands.
00:37:25.37\00:37:30.61
He... Jesus...
always sits before He stands
00:37:30.65\00:37:36.92
and the sitting must
precede the standing.
00:37:36.95\00:37:42.52
One of the most...
one of the places again
00:37:42.59\00:37:46.83
that this is most clearly seen
00:37:46.86\00:37:49.03
is Daniel chapter 7
00:37:49.06\00:37:50.73
and I wish we
had time to read it
00:37:50.77\00:37:52.37
but it would take several
sermons just to walk through
00:37:52.40\00:37:55.10
Daniel chapter 7.
00:37:55.17\00:37:56.64
The aggressor is Satan as always
00:37:56.67\00:38:02.51
but he uses human agencies
in the 7th chapter of Daniel,
00:38:02.54\00:38:11.12
he employs a Little Horn Beast
00:38:11.15\00:38:13.39
identified in
Daniel chapter 7 verse 8...
00:38:13.42\00:38:17.49
he has eyes like a man
and speaks pompous words.
00:38:17.53\00:38:22.50
Now, the words are coming out of
the mouths of this Little Horn
00:38:22.53\00:38:26.30
but make no mistake,
00:38:26.33\00:38:28.10
they are motivated by Satan.
00:38:28.14\00:38:31.37
The words are spoken against God
00:38:31.41\00:38:34.94
who... he...
this Little Horn Power
00:38:34.98\00:38:38.48
persecutes the saints of God
00:38:38.51\00:38:41.18
so, we know we're
talking about Satan...
00:38:41.25\00:38:44.75
he seeks to change
times and laws... 7:25...
00:38:44.79\00:38:48.22
he is introduced early in
Daniel 7 verses 8 through 10
00:38:48.26\00:38:54.60
and then he is
re-examined a little bit closer
00:38:54.63\00:38:59.90
beginning at verse 20.
00:38:59.93\00:39:01.90
So, between these two...
looks at the Little Horn...
00:39:01.94\00:39:06.71
this Little Horn antagonist...
00:39:06.74\00:39:08.74
there is a judgment scene.
00:39:08.81\00:39:10.75
This judgment scene begins
in Daniel chapter 7 verse 9.
00:39:10.78\00:39:16.85
When you read Daniel
chapter 7, it's kind of a...
00:39:16.89\00:39:20.09
almost like a
peek-a-boo prophecy...
00:39:20.16\00:39:22.72
now you see
it... now you don't...
00:39:22.76\00:39:24.66
now you see it, now you don't,
00:39:24.69\00:39:26.33
it goes... it
disappears... it comes back...
00:39:26.36\00:39:29.70
first, we... we...
we... we see a judgment scene
00:39:29.73\00:39:33.03
then it is followed by a
look at the Little Horn Power
00:39:33.07\00:39:37.37
then, there is a re-examination
of the judgment scene,
00:39:37.41\00:39:41.61
then, there is a verdict on
the... the Little Horn Power,
00:39:41.64\00:39:45.88
so, it... it... it's like a
basket-weaving that's done there
00:39:45.91\00:39:50.09
in Daniel chapter 7.
00:39:50.12\00:39:51.62
It's really
quite... quite wonderful
00:39:51.65\00:39:53.56
and quite beautiful to
understand and to study.
00:39:53.62\00:39:56.22
A... the principle
players in this drama
00:39:56.26\00:40:00.10
are the Ancient of Days...
00:40:00.13\00:40:01.63
the Son of Man...
00:40:01.66\00:40:03.00
and the saints of God.
00:40:03.03\00:40:04.47
This judgment is
heaven's response
00:40:04.53\00:40:08.30
to the Little Horn Aggressor
00:40:08.34\00:40:10.61
but it is also a determination
of those who will be saved.
00:40:10.64\00:40:15.91
Verse 10 tells me
that the Court was seated
00:40:15.94\00:40:21.92
and the books were opened.
00:40:21.95\00:40:25.15
These books... these
books contain the records
00:40:25.19\00:40:29.62
that are used in the rendering
of a verdict for God's people
00:40:29.66\00:40:35.33
and you've got to love
the way Daniel chapter 7
00:40:35.36\00:40:39.73
sort of does this... I
call... basket-weave narrative,
00:40:39.77\00:40:43.84
now you see
it... now you don't...
00:40:43.87\00:40:45.34
visions of earthly
kingdoms and the judgment
00:40:45.37\00:40:48.48
and vision of
heavenly and eternal kingdoms.
00:40:48.54\00:40:51.58
They appear... disappear...
re-appear... disappear...
00:40:51.61\00:40:55.25
and as... when they re-appear,
00:40:55.28\00:40:57.49
each time we get a
little clearer vision
00:40:57.52\00:40:59.65
and a little closer look of
what Daniel is trying to tell us
00:40:59.69\00:41:05.26
as motivated by
the Spirit of the Lord.
00:41:05.29\00:41:08.26
So, the seating of the
Court in Daniel begins...
00:41:08.30\00:41:14.47
Daniel 7:26 is not a
new trial from Daniel 7:9...
00:41:14.50\00:41:20.64
it's the same
trial but looked at...
00:41:20.68\00:41:24.35
viewed at from a
little different position...
00:41:24.38\00:41:27.05
a little closer lens...
00:41:27.08\00:41:29.12
a little... it's put
under a microscope, dare I say,
00:41:29.15\00:41:34.22
a little tighter.
00:41:34.26\00:41:35.59
It's the same as Daniel 7:9.
00:41:35.62\00:41:38.19
It's not a
different judgment scene...
00:41:38.23\00:41:41.16
it's a look at the
same judgment scene
00:41:41.20\00:41:44.10
but just a little closer look.
00:41:44.13\00:41:46.13
In Daniel chapter 7 verse 11,
00:41:46.17\00:41:48.10
it tells me that
the Little Horn...
00:41:48.14\00:41:50.71
this loud-mouthed Little
Horn that blasphemes against God
00:41:50.74\00:41:54.88
is condemned
00:41:54.94\00:41:56.28
and the saints of God...
00:41:56.31\00:41:57.68
and the saints of
God are determined
00:41:57.71\00:42:02.45
in terms of who will be
part of the eternal kingdom
00:42:02.48\00:42:07.22
so, it's all
packaged there very neatly...
00:42:07.26\00:42:09.82
very nicely in
the book of Daniel.
00:42:09.86\00:42:12.03
We see the
condemnation of the Little Horn
00:42:12.06\00:42:15.46
but we also see
the selection of those
00:42:15.50\00:42:18.90
who will be sealed for eternity.
00:42:18.93\00:42:21.97
We see this parallel again
00:42:22.00\00:42:26.37
in Matthew chapter
25 verse 31 and on.
00:42:26.41\00:42:29.28
So, this judgment as viewed
in Daniel chapter 7 two times
00:42:29.31\00:42:35.02
from two different perspectives
00:42:35.05\00:42:38.02
is a
comprehensive judgment scene.
00:42:38.05\00:42:41.56
The devil... his
tricks... his lies...
00:42:41.59\00:42:45.06
the powers that he
uses are being condemned...
00:42:45.09\00:42:49.10
at the same time, the
saints of God are being judged
00:42:49.13\00:42:54.80
and are being
selected for reward.
00:42:54.84\00:43:01.51
God... in Daniel chapter 7
00:43:01.54\00:43:05.75
is trying to tie up the loose
ends of this cosmic controversy
00:43:05.78\00:43:12.79
and settling of scores
00:43:12.82\00:43:15.16
prior to the second
coming of our Lord and Savior
00:43:15.19\00:43:20.43
but when all is said and done,
00:43:20.46\00:43:22.96
when He sits in judgment...
00:43:23.00\00:43:25.63
after He sits in judgment
00:43:25.67\00:43:28.24
as we see in Daniel chapter 7,
00:43:28.27\00:43:31.04
then He stands in
a determined effort
00:43:31.07\00:43:36.14
to protect those whom the
devil would like to destroy.
00:43:36.18\00:43:40.75
You see...
the... the saints of God
00:43:40.78\00:43:43.89
are being sealed
and are being saved
00:43:43.92\00:43:47.06
and being brought into
closer relationship to Him
00:43:47.09\00:43:50.73
even as we speak
00:43:50.76\00:43:52.29
through this judgment process.
00:43:52.33\00:43:56.03
When Christ comes again,
00:43:56.06\00:43:59.20
those who will be saved...
00:43:59.23\00:44:02.30
that determination
has already been made.
00:44:02.37\00:44:06.81
Revelation chapter 22 verse 12,
00:44:06.84\00:44:09.74
Christ says,
"Behold I'm coming quickly
00:44:09.78\00:44:11.81
and my reward is with Me. "
00:44:11.85\00:44:14.65
So then, those who are
going to get that reward
00:44:14.68\00:44:21.19
have been
pre-determined before He comes.
00:44:21.22\00:44:26.33
So, now, the judgment has set...
00:44:26.36\00:44:30.17
Christ sits in judgment
00:44:30.20\00:44:32.40
and then He
stands to protect those
00:44:32.43\00:44:35.90
who are worthy of salvation
00:44:35.94\00:44:38.67
and as a judgment is
made... and I like this text,
00:44:38.71\00:44:43.45
Daniel 7:22...
00:44:43.48\00:44:44.81
you... you...
you've got to love this
00:44:44.85\00:44:47.12
because the Bible says,
00:44:47.15\00:44:48.72
"Judgment is made in favor
00:44:48.75\00:44:53.32
of the saints
of the Most High. "
00:44:53.36\00:44:56.29
Pause...
00:44:56.32\00:45:00.16
When Christ sits to judge,
00:45:00.20\00:45:02.73
He's not trying to
keep anybody out of heaven,
00:45:02.76\00:45:09.30
He is trying
00:45:09.34\00:45:13.38
to get you into heaven.
00:45:13.41\00:45:15.41
The Bible says,
"He's not willing
00:45:15.44\00:45:19.08
that any should perish. "
00:45:19.11\00:45:22.25
So, judgment is in your favor...
00:45:22.28\00:45:28.42
judgment is skewed
positively for you.
00:45:28.46\00:45:37.40
Jesus wants to save you.
00:45:37.47\00:45:41.67
Jesus died to save you.
00:45:41.70\00:45:45.84
God commended
His love towards us
00:45:45.87\00:45:50.55
in that while we
were yet sinners,
00:45:50.58\00:45:55.18
Christ died for us.
00:45:55.22\00:45:58.55
So, He didn't wait
for you to get good
00:45:58.59\00:46:01.92
to sacrifice His life.
00:46:01.96\00:46:03.73
He sacrificed His life
when we were yet enemies
00:46:03.76\00:46:08.63
and the Bible says...
that's proof that He loves you
00:46:08.66\00:46:13.97
because He didn't wait
for you to get perfect.
00:46:14.00\00:46:16.30
He sacrificed His life in
order to give you a chance
00:46:16.34\00:46:21.11
at perfection.
00:46:21.14\00:46:22.64
So, judgment is
nothing to be afraid of...
00:46:22.68\00:46:25.81
judgment indeed is in
our favor and for our favor
00:46:25.85\00:46:31.42
because Christ wants to save us.
00:46:31.45\00:46:36.32
So, at that time, the
saints possess the kingdom
00:46:36.36\00:46:40.50
but the truth
is, they must be kept
00:46:40.53\00:46:44.73
during this time
of persecution...
00:46:44.80\00:46:48.94
they must be
protected during this time
00:46:48.97\00:46:53.78
when Satan opens up his
final assault on God's people
00:46:53.81\00:47:01.45
so, after Jesus sits to
judge... He stands to protect.
00:47:01.48\00:47:10.13
Praise God that He is able
to keep that which He says...
00:47:10.16\00:47:18.77
that which He
selects for salvation.
00:47:18.80\00:47:23.94
Let me turn to one of
the most reassuring passages
00:47:23.97\00:47:28.04
in all of Scripture
00:47:28.08\00:47:29.41
written by Paul to Timothy
00:47:29.44\00:47:32.21
it is part of his
second letter to Timothy,
00:47:32.28\00:47:35.78
I'm in 2nd Timothy
chapter 1 and verse 12,
00:47:35.82\00:47:39.29
2nd Timothy 1 verse 12,
00:47:39.35\00:47:44.46
pause...
00:47:44.49\00:47:46.86
I like this and it
is a reassuring text
00:47:46.90\00:47:50.63
for all of those of
us who love the Lord.
00:47:50.67\00:47:54.37
Paul says, "For this
reason I suffer these things;
00:47:54.40\00:47:59.77
but I am not ashamed,
00:47:59.81\00:48:03.38
for I know whom I have
believed and am persuaded
00:48:03.41\00:48:11.75
that He is able to keep
00:48:11.79\00:48:14.82
what I have committed
to Him until that Day. "
00:48:14.86\00:48:20.96
I want to read it again
00:48:21.00\00:48:23.06
because it's just that powerful
and just that important.
00:48:23.10\00:48:26.84
"For this reason I
suffer these things... "
00:48:26.87\00:48:29.50
and you look at
the life of Paul...
00:48:29.54\00:48:31.67
you know he suffered many
things for the cause of Christ.
00:48:31.71\00:48:34.54
"But I'm not ashamed... "
00:48:34.58\00:48:36.54
I'm not ashamed of God...
I'm not ashamed of my suffering,
00:48:36.58\00:48:39.28
I'm not ashamed of
the life I have chosen...
00:48:39.31\00:48:41.55
I'm not ashamed of the
sacrifices that I've made...
00:48:41.58\00:48:44.25
I'm not ashamed of
anything that has to do
00:48:44.29\00:48:47.36
with this walk
towards glory... why?
00:48:47.42\00:48:50.53
For I know whom
I have believed...
00:48:50.56\00:48:53.60
I know Christ... I
understand Christ...
00:48:53.66\00:48:56.46
I trust Christ...
00:48:56.50\00:48:57.90
and I pray and
hope that each of you
00:48:57.93\00:49:00.04
can make that same statement.
00:49:00.10\00:49:01.44
"I know whom I have
believed and am persuaded...
00:49:01.47\00:49:06.94
I'm convinced beyond
the shadow of a doubt
00:49:06.98\00:49:09.41
that He is able to keep. "
00:49:09.44\00:49:11.75
That's that "Stand" function.
00:49:11.81\00:49:14.05
After He selects
you for salvation...
00:49:14.08\00:49:17.79
after He has
judged you worthy...
00:49:17.82\00:49:21.46
then he's got to keep you
until He comes back to get you.
00:49:21.49\00:49:26.23
He sits... and then He stands
00:49:26.26\00:49:29.86
and so, He is
able to keep you...
00:49:29.90\00:49:32.67
or to keep what I
have committed to Him
00:49:32.70\00:49:37.01
until that day.
00:49:37.04\00:49:38.57
Well, what day is that?
00:49:38.61\00:49:40.04
That's the day when
He comes to get you.
00:49:40.08\00:49:42.21
He selects you
and then He keeps you
00:49:42.24\00:49:44.88
until He comes to get you.
00:49:44.91\00:49:46.88
Now, why would
Paul... why could Paul
00:49:46.92\00:49:49.78
write such a strong affirmation
to his young protégé Timothy?
00:49:49.82\00:49:55.42
The answer lies
in the text itself.
00:49:55.46\00:49:58.23
The answer is that
Jesus is able to keep...
00:49:58.26\00:50:04.23
He's able to
keep you... to keep me
00:50:04.27\00:50:08.10
until He comes to take us home.
00:50:08.14\00:50:12.17
John chapter 10
verse 29 says that
00:50:12.21\00:50:16.24
nothing is able to...
00:50:16.28\00:50:17.95
depending on which
translation you have,
00:50:18.01\00:50:20.58
some translations say,
"Nothing is able to pluck you
00:50:20.62\00:50:24.52
out of His hand. "
00:50:24.55\00:50:25.89
Other translations say,
00:50:25.92\00:50:28.39
"Nothing is able to
snatch you out of His hands. "
00:50:28.42\00:50:32.49
Some translations say...
00:50:32.53\00:50:34.76
nothing is able to
rescue from His hands
00:50:34.83\00:50:39.90
but my Father is able to keep
00:50:39.93\00:50:42.94
and nothing... no one...
no power in heaven or earth...
00:50:42.97\00:50:47.48
not even the devil himself
00:50:47.51\00:50:49.41
can take you out
of Christ's hands
00:50:49.44\00:50:52.51
once you put your hand
in Jesus, it stays there
00:50:52.55\00:50:56.99
until Jesus lets you go
00:50:57.05\00:50:59.22
and Jesus will not let you go
00:50:59.25\00:51:01.66
until He walks you through
the gates and into the city.
00:51:01.69\00:51:06.56
The translation... "He
Sits... then He stands. "
00:51:06.59\00:51:14.77
Let's return to
Daniel chapter 12
00:51:14.80\00:51:20.68
because Christ is
able to protect and defend
00:51:20.74\00:51:24.11
those that are His.
00:51:24.15\00:51:27.48
The text starts
with: "At that time... "
00:51:27.52\00:51:31.89
that time when
things look most black...
00:51:31.92\00:51:36.09
that time when
things look most bleak...
00:51:36.12\00:51:40.23
that time when things look
depressing and discouraging.
00:51:40.26\00:51:46.10
That time when
things look forbidding
00:51:46.13\00:51:50.27
and foreboding.
00:51:50.31\00:51:51.84
That time when things
look dark and distressing
00:51:51.87\00:51:57.08
and the world is
plunged into a scene of calamity
00:51:57.11\00:52:02.22
that has never been...
since there was a nation.
00:52:02.25\00:52:07.29
In the midst of
all of that confusion,
00:52:07.32\00:52:11.13
all of that
mayhem and destruction,
00:52:11.16\00:52:14.86
the Bible says, "Jesus
is going to stand up. "
00:52:14.90\00:52:20.60
He's going to protect His people
00:52:20.64\00:52:24.01
and Daniel chapter 12 tells me
00:52:24.04\00:52:27.31
that God's people shall
be delivered, amen and amen.
00:52:27.34\00:52:34.38
Everyone whose names
were written in the Book...
00:52:34.45\00:52:41.42
those who have been determined
to be worthy of eternal life
00:52:41.46\00:52:47.33
through acceptance of the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
00:52:47.36\00:52:52.73
You see, it's a sacrifice
of Christ that makes us worthy.
00:52:52.77\00:52:55.50
There's nothing innate in us...
00:52:55.54\00:52:57.11
there's nothing that you have...
00:52:57.17\00:52:58.67
that you are...
nothing that you possess...
00:52:58.71\00:53:00.61
nothing that you do...
00:53:00.64\00:53:01.98
that will commend
you to the Lord...
00:53:02.01\00:53:05.15
it is simply your faith
in... your sacrifice to...
00:53:05.18\00:53:09.88
your love of Jesus
00:53:09.92\00:53:12.72
that makes you
worthy of salvation.
00:53:12.75\00:53:15.86
It is the blood of
Christ shed in your behalf
00:53:15.89\00:53:20.40
that gives you value
00:53:20.43\00:53:22.23
that indeed gives you worth
00:53:22.26\00:53:25.57
and if you've
not heard it before,
00:53:25.60\00:53:28.27
I will say it again,
00:53:28.30\00:53:30.21
judgment is nothing to dread...
nothing to be afraid of...
00:53:30.24\00:53:36.71
heaven's determination is
that you get what you deserve.
00:53:36.75\00:53:43.18
You get what
you have worked for.
00:53:43.22\00:53:46.72
If you love
Jesus and serve Jesus,
00:53:46.76\00:53:50.23
then, the promises
of Christ are yours.
00:53:50.26\00:53:55.50
Jesus says, "You stand
for me in this dark world,
00:53:55.53\00:53:59.93
I will stand for
you before my Father
00:54:00.00\00:54:05.27
which is in heaven. "
00:54:05.34\00:54:07.74
So, we return to
these last several verses
00:54:07.78\00:54:13.52
that we began our message with
00:54:13.55\00:54:18.02
particularly Daniel
chapter 12 and verse 3.
00:54:18.05\00:54:22.42
The Bible says,
"Those who are wise
00:54:22.46\00:54:26.93
shall shine like the
brightness of the firmament
00:54:26.96\00:54:32.10
and those who turn
many to righteousness,
00:54:32.13\00:54:35.90
like the stars
for ever and ever. "
00:54:35.94\00:54:40.21
Those who love the Lord...
00:54:40.24\00:54:43.71
those who accept
the glory of the Lord...
00:54:43.75\00:54:48.22
who accept the
goodness of the Lord...
00:54:48.25\00:54:52.65
who accept the grace of
the Lord in these dark days
00:54:52.69\00:54:56.42
and who stand for the Lord.
00:54:56.46\00:54:59.03
The Bible says here...
00:54:59.06\00:55:02.30
you're going to shine
like the stars of heaven.
00:55:02.36\00:55:06.23
What makes you shine?
00:55:06.27\00:55:08.47
The indwelling
of the Spirit of God
00:55:08.50\00:55:12.14
and I've... I've read
some Spirit of Prophecy quotes,
00:55:12.17\00:55:14.84
I don't have them in my
mind right at this second
00:55:14.88\00:55:17.45
but you remember when Moses
came down from the mountain,
00:55:17.48\00:55:22.02
when Moses came down after
40 days of communion with God,
00:55:22.05\00:55:26.55
the Children of Israel asked
him to put a little hankie...
00:55:26.59\00:55:31.09
a little
handkerchief over his face
00:55:31.13\00:55:32.79
because they could actually
see the light of the Lord
00:55:32.83\00:55:36.87
shining from His countenance...
00:55:36.90\00:55:39.70
shining from his
face and it scared them.
00:55:39.73\00:55:44.51
You remember in
the Garden of Eden,
00:55:44.54\00:55:47.18
before sin, Adam
and Eve were naked
00:55:47.21\00:55:49.71
but they did not know it
00:55:49.74\00:55:51.41
because there was
this heavenly light
00:55:51.45\00:55:54.58
that enshrouded
them and covered them
00:55:54.62\00:55:57.35
and, of course,
once they sinned,
00:55:57.39\00:56:00.12
that light left.
00:56:00.16\00:56:01.49
Could it be... I
conjecture this...
00:56:01.52\00:56:03.96
could it be that as we come down
00:56:03.99\00:56:06.59
to the closing scenes
of this earth's history,
00:56:06.66\00:56:10.33
as men and women draw closer
and closer to Jesus Christ,
00:56:10.37\00:56:15.80
as they more reflect
the image of our Lord,
00:56:15.84\00:56:21.71
could it be that that same glow
00:56:21.74\00:56:26.75
will shine in the
lives and in the faces
00:56:26.78\00:56:30.52
of God's people?
00:56:30.55\00:56:32.45
Not just
figuratively but literally.
00:56:32.49\00:56:36.66
The Bible says,
"Those who are wise...
00:56:36.69\00:56:40.83
those whose foundation is Jesus,
00:56:40.86\00:56:43.26
shall shine like the
brightness of the firmament. "
00:56:43.30\00:56:48.30
Now, it is right to take
that in a figurative sense.
00:56:48.34\00:56:54.14
Could it be that as we
approach the minimum essentials
00:56:54.18\00:56:59.91
for righteousness...
00:56:59.98\00:57:01.55
as we surrender
our lives to Christ...
00:57:01.58\00:57:04.19
and live closer
and closer to Christ,
00:57:04.22\00:57:07.19
as this world gets
darker and darker...
00:57:07.22\00:57:10.16
the light of Christ's life...
00:57:10.19\00:57:12.83
the light of
Christ's righteousness
00:57:12.86\00:57:15.76
will shine in the lives
of those who love the Lord...
00:57:15.80\00:57:21.37
who are doing the
work of the Lord...
00:57:21.40\00:57:23.74
who surrender
themselves to the Lord...
00:57:23.77\00:57:26.04
and who are awaiting
the coming of the Lord.
00:57:26.07\00:57:30.68
Christ says, "Stand for me here,
00:57:30.71\00:57:35.38
I will stand for you there
00:57:35.42\00:57:38.79
and those who turn
many to righteousness...
00:57:38.82\00:57:44.66
they will shine like
the stars in the firmament
00:57:44.69\00:57:50.43
forever
00:57:50.47\00:57:52.33
and ever. "
00:57:52.37\00:57:54.17
That is my prayer...
00:57:54.20\00:57:56.27
I pray it is yours
00:57:56.30\00:57:58.17
as we walk through
this hour of judgment
00:57:58.21\00:58:01.71
in Jesus' name, amen.
00:58:01.74\00:58:04.81