The title of our study today
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is living in the
Day of Atonement.
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But before we study
this very important subject,
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we want to ask the
Lord to be with us.
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So please bow your
heads wherever you are,
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and let's pray to the Lord.
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Father in heaven,
we come before You
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with humility of heart,
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knowing that our
wisdom is so limited.
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Your wisdom is infinite.
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We know that we're
living in the last days
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of the history of this world.
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The signs
reveal it very clearly,
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and You want to prepare a people
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in this crisis to
withstand the awesome events
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that are still to
transpire in this world.
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We're going to
need a preparation
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that we now do not have.
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I ask, Lord, that
You will inspire us
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to prepare for the
events that will soon take place
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and for the
appearing of our Lord.
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We thank You for
the privilege of prayer
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and for hearing our prayer,
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for we ask it in the
precious name of Jesus.
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Amen.
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I'm gonna begin by reading
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Hebrews 8:1-5.
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Here the Apostle Paul,
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whom I believe to be the
writer of the Book of Hebrews
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is comparing the Old Testament
sanctuary service and system
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with the system and
service that Christ instituted
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when He came to this earth
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and as He ministers in heaven.
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This is how it reads.
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"Now, this is the main point
of the things we are saying:
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We have such a High Priest
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who is seated at the
right hand of the throne
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of the Majesty in the heavens,
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a Minister of the sanctuary
and of the true tabernacle
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which the Lord
erected, and not man.
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For every high
priest is appointed to offer
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both gifts and sacrifices.
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Therefore it is necessary
that this one also have
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something to offer.
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For if He were on earth,
He would not be a priest,
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since there are priests
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who offer the gifts
according to the law,
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who serve the copy and
shadow of the heavenly things
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as Moses was divinely instructed
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when he was about
to make the tabernacle.
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For he said,
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'See that you make all things
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according to the pattern
shown you on the mountain.'"
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So this passage clearly tells us
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that there's a correspondence
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between the earthly
sanctuary and its services
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and the heavenly
sanctuary and its services.
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You see, God gave a
description of the sanctuary
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so that His people
could follow Him by faith
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in His work in the sanctuary.
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The people could see
with their physical eyes
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the work that was done
by the priest in the camp
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and in the court
of the sanctuary.
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But when it came to the
work of the priest in the Holy
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and Most Holy Places
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that people could not see
it with their physical eyes,
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they had to
follow the work of Jesus
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on the basis of faith,
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because they could not
see with their physical eyes
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what Jesus was doing in the Holy
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and the Most Holy Place.
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And so we are to
enter the sanctuary,
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the heavenly sanctuary by faith
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to follow Jesus
in His work there
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in the Holy Place
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which He ministered
in till the year 1844,
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and the Most Holy Place
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where He continues
the work of the Holy Place
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and adds the
judgment phase to His ministry
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in the Most Holy Place.
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Now we know that the high priest
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in the Old Testament had bells
in the bottom of his garment.
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The purpose of the bells was
so that the people could follow
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the work of the high
priest in the sanctuary
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as they heard the
sound of the bells.
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And so you know, we
need to follow Jesus
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in the heavenly
sanctuary in the same way.
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Not because we
can hear the bells,
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but because we can
read about the Old Testament
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service of the sanctuary
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and know what
Jesus is doing today
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in the Most Holy Place
of the heavenly sanctuary.
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So today we are gonna
talk about entering by faith
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into the Most Holy
Place to behold the work
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that Jesus is doing
there in the Most Holy Place.
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Now, sometimes we focus so much
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on what Jesus is doing
in the heavenly sanctuary
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that is cleansing
the Most Holy Place
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from the sins of His people,
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that we forget that
something needed to be done
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by Israel outside the sanctuary
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while the high priest
was cleansing the sanctuary
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on the Day of Atonement.
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In other words, we focus
so much on what Jesus is doing
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in cleansing the heavenly temple
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that we forget that we
are supposed to be doing
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a parallel work on earth.
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So let's take a look
at this more closely.
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The Day of
Atonement was announced
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by the sound of trumpets.
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It was an indication
that the Day of Judgment
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was soon to come.
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In the same way,
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the Millerite movement announced
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leading up to 1844,
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that the hour of God's judgment
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was about to arrive.
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And the loud cry at
the very end of time
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is going to announce
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that the time for the judgment
of the living has arrived
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and people need to prepare
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and get ready
to meet their Lord.
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So the feast of
trumpets foreshadowed
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the announcement
of the Millerites
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of the hour of God's judgment.
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It also foreshadowed the
final judgment of the living
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announced by the loud cry
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of Revelation 18:1-5.
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Now on the Day of Atonement,
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everyone in
Israel was to assemble
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around the sanctuary
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to follow the
work of the high priest
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in the sanctuary.
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I'm gonna give
you just the reference
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as Leviticus
23:21, 24, and 27 tells us
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that all Israel was
supposed to assemble
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to follow the
work of the high priest
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in the Most Holy Place.
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Likewise today, we must gather
around the Most Holy Place
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and behold the work
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that Jesus is
doing there by faith.
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Another
interesting characteristic
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about the Day of Atonement is
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that people were
supposed to afflict their souls
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as they gathered
along the sanctuary,
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examine their lives to
see if there was any sin
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that they were hanging on
to that they had not confessed,
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and they had not forsaken.
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In other words, the people
were afflicting their souls
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and they were
crying and sighing to God
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for forgiveness.
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You can find this
in Leviticus 16: 29-30,
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and also Leviticus 23:27.
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Another thing that
the congregation had to do
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on the Day of
Atonement was to fast.
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We find this, for example,
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in Isaiah 58 and
in another passage
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that we're gonna
look at in a few moments,
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Joel 2:11 and following.
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What is true fasting?
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How does that apply today?
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Well, in Medical
Ministry, page, 283,
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Ellen White wrote
the following words.
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"The true fasting
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which should be
recommended to all
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is abstinence from every
stimulating kind of food,
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and the proper use of
wholesome simple food,
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which God has
provided in abundance."
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Usually we think of
fasting as not eating,
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but Ellen White
says that true fasting
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is abstinence from
every stimulating kind of food
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and partaking the
proper use of wholesome
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simple food
which God has provided.
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But there's another
definition of fasting
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that we find in scripture,
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Isaiah 58:6-7 speaks
of practical godliness
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in helping
those who are in need.
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This is what it
says in Isaiah 58:6-7.
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God is speaking,
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"Is this not the
fast that I have chosen:
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To loose the
bonds of wickedness,
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to undo the heavy burdens,
to let the oppressed go free
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and that you break every yoke?
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Is it not to share
your bread with the hungry,
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and that you will
bring to your house,
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the poor who are cast out,
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when you see the
naked, that you cover him,
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and not hide
yourself from your own flesh?"
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Practical
godliness, sharing your food,
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your clothing, and
liberating those who are bound
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by the bindings of sin.
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Another thing that the
people were supposed to do
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on the Day of Atonement
was to abstain from work.
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We find that in
Leviticus 16:29-30 and 23:28,
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it was a day of solemn rest.
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People were to
rest just as they did
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on the Holy Sabbath.
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No work, does that
mean that we don't work
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from 1844 on?
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Of course, it doesn't.
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The purpose of saying
to the people don't work
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is that they
should not be distracted
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from the central idea
of the Day of Atonement
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focusing on the
work that the high priest
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was doing in the sanctuary.
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Likewise, today we
can't allow our jobs.
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We can't allow our entertainment
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or distractions
00:10:06.60\00:10:07.97
to keep us away
from a central focus
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on what Jesus Christ is
doing in the heavenly sanctuary.
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In the Day of Atonement,
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as the high priest blotted
out the sins of the people
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from the sanctuary,
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the people were to blot
out sin from their souls
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by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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The message is that we today
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must be cleansing
our soul temple here
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while Jesus is cleansing
the heavenly temple up there,
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because Jesus is not
gonna cleanse from up there
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anything that has
not been cleansed here
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through the power
of the Holy Spirit.
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Finally, when the
Day of Atonement ended,
00:10:49.84\00:10:52.35
there were only
two groups in Israel,
00:10:52.38\00:10:54.88
those who sighed and cried
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and met all of the requirements
of the Day of Atonement,
00:10:57.19\00:11:00.16
and those who did not.
00:11:00.19\00:11:02.42
Two groups.
00:11:02.46\00:11:03.79
If anyone violated
any of these prescriptions
00:11:03.83\00:11:08.43
for the Day of Atonement,
00:11:08.46\00:11:10.07
we're told two
things about them.
00:11:10.10\00:11:12.17
First, they were
destroyed from among the people.
00:11:12.20\00:11:16.27
Leviticus 23:28-30,
00:11:16.30\00:11:19.81
and they would be cut
off from the congregation.
00:11:19.84\00:11:23.65
You find that in those
same verses and to be cut off
00:11:23.68\00:11:27.32
in the Old Testament means
00:11:27.35\00:11:28.98
to be severed
from the people of God.
00:11:29.02\00:11:32.09
In other words,
they would no longer
00:11:32.12\00:11:34.06
belong to God's people.
00:11:34.09\00:11:37.46
So this is a review
00:11:37.49\00:11:38.83
of what happened on
the Day of Atonement
00:11:38.86\00:11:40.96
and what we should be doing
00:11:41.00\00:11:42.50
as Jesus is cleansing
the heavenly sanctuary.
00:11:42.53\00:11:45.20
You see many times,
as I mentioned before,
00:11:45.23\00:11:47.87
we focus on what Jesus is
doing in the heavenly sanctuary.
00:11:47.90\00:11:50.74
Yeah. He's cleansing
the sanctuary from sin.
00:11:50.77\00:11:54.28
But we forget
everything that the people
00:11:54.31\00:11:57.45
that is us are
supposed to be doing
00:11:57.48\00:12:00.22
on the Day of Atonement
00:12:00.25\00:12:01.58
as Christ is cleansing
the heavenly sanctuary.
00:12:01.62\00:12:05.15
The sound of trumpets tells us
00:12:05.19\00:12:07.16
that the judgment of
the living is soon to begin.
00:12:07.19\00:12:10.26
It tells us that
we should assemble
00:12:10.29\00:12:12.03
around the heavenly sanctuary
00:12:12.06\00:12:13.66
follow Jesus in heaven by faith,
00:12:13.70\00:12:16.23
that we're supposed to
be afflicting our souls,
00:12:16.26\00:12:18.87
searching for sin and
overcoming sin in our lives
00:12:18.90\00:12:21.97
by beholding the
righteousness of Christ.
00:12:22.00\00:12:24.57
We're supposed to be fasting.
00:12:24.61\00:12:26.47
In other words,
partaking of wholesome food,
00:12:26.51\00:12:29.61
and also abstain from
that which harms our health
00:12:29.64\00:12:33.15
and practicing
practical godliness.
00:12:33.18\00:12:35.98
We are not to allow our
work to get in the way of us
00:12:36.02\00:12:39.35
focusing on the
work that Jesus is doing.
00:12:39.39\00:12:42.22
While He cleanses
the heavenly temple,
00:12:42.26\00:12:44.33
we are supposed to be cleansing
the temple of the soul.
00:12:44.36\00:12:47.46
And our decision will determine
what side we're going to be on.
00:12:47.50\00:12:52.03
Whether we're
going to be cut off
00:12:52.07\00:12:53.67
from the congregation,
00:12:53.70\00:12:55.04
taken out of the Book of Life,
00:12:55.07\00:12:56.81
no longer belong to
God's chosen people,
00:12:56.84\00:12:59.77
or whether we will
receive the seal of God
00:12:59.81\00:13:02.41
and belong to God's
people throughout eternity.
00:13:02.44\00:13:07.72
Those who are
alive when Jesus comes,
00:13:07.75\00:13:10.12
require a special preparation
to stand before a holy God.
00:13:10.15\00:13:15.72
The soul temple must be
totally cleansed from sin.
00:13:15.76\00:13:19.86
Those who live
00:13:19.89\00:13:21.23
during the period of
the judgment of the living
00:13:21.26\00:13:23.53
will need an experience
of total victory over sin,
00:13:23.57\00:13:28.84
like the disciples
on the Day of Pentecost,
00:13:28.87\00:13:31.61
they will require
special preparation
00:13:31.64\00:13:34.08
to receive an
outpouring of the latter rain
00:13:34.11\00:13:37.75
in unlimited power.
00:13:37.78\00:13:40.05
The Bible tells us
00:13:40.08\00:13:41.55
that those are
expecting Jesus to come
00:13:41.58\00:13:43.85
must overcome sin.
00:13:43.89\00:13:46.42
Hebrews 12:14-16
and verses 28 and 29
00:13:46.45\00:13:51.89
are very
appropriate for this time.
00:13:51.93\00:13:54.33
It says there in Hebrews 12:14,
00:13:54.36\00:13:57.53
"Pursue peace with
all people, and holiness,
00:13:57.57\00:14:01.50
without which no
one will see the Lord."
00:14:01.54\00:14:05.97
Verse 15,
00:14:06.01\00:14:07.51
"Looking carefully
00:14:07.54\00:14:08.98
lest anyone fall
short of the grace of God,
00:14:09.01\00:14:12.01
lest any root of bitterness
springing up cause trouble,
00:14:12.05\00:14:16.79
and by this many become defiled,
00:14:16.82\00:14:19.39
lest there be any fornicator
or profane person like Esau,
00:14:19.42\00:14:23.69
who for one morsel of
food sold his birthright."
00:14:23.73\00:14:28.13
Like the wife of Lot,
00:14:28.16\00:14:30.77
you know, her
heart was in Sodom.
00:14:30.80\00:14:32.80
She kept on looking back,
everything I'm leaving behind.
00:14:32.83\00:14:36.60
This is what we are
told concerning Esau.
00:14:36.64\00:14:39.54
He preferred to
satisfy his immediate hunger
00:14:39.57\00:14:43.51
rather than
receive the birthright.
00:14:43.55\00:14:46.85
And then we find
in verses 28 and 29,
00:14:46.88\00:14:49.78
"Therefore, since we
are receiving a kingdom
00:14:49.82\00:14:52.25
which cannot be shaken,
00:14:52.29\00:14:54.09
let us have grace
00:14:54.12\00:14:55.69
by which we may
serve God acceptably
00:14:55.72\00:14:58.53
with reverence and godly fear.
00:14:58.56\00:15:01.53
For our God is
a consuming fire."
00:15:01.56\00:15:04.90
So notice, in
the light of the fact
00:15:04.93\00:15:07.14
that Jesus is coming soon,
00:15:07.17\00:15:09.00
we should pursue peace
with all people, holiness,
00:15:09.04\00:15:13.38
without which we
will not see the Lord.
00:15:13.41\00:15:16.64
We are not supposed to
focus on the things of this life
00:15:16.68\00:15:20.12
on our immediate
desires and needs.
00:15:20.15\00:15:22.58
We're to focus
on the birthright,
00:15:22.62\00:15:24.62
that heavenly birthright.
00:15:24.65\00:15:26.42
And we must remember
that God is a consuming fire,
00:15:26.45\00:15:29.16
and we should serve Him
with reverence and godly fear.
00:15:29.19\00:15:32.99
1 John 3:1-3 also
speaks about the need
00:15:33.03\00:15:36.10
to gain the victory over sin.
00:15:36.13\00:15:38.43
Here the beloved disciple wrote,
00:15:38.47\00:15:40.67
"Behold what manner of love
the Father has bestowed on us,
00:15:40.70\00:15:44.14
that we should be
called the children of God!
00:15:44.17\00:15:46.98
Therefore, the
world does not know us,
00:15:47.01\00:15:48.81
because it did not know Him."
00:15:48.84\00:15:50.91
And then he says
in endearing terms.
00:15:50.95\00:15:54.58
"Beloved, now we
are children of God,
00:15:54.62\00:15:58.05
and it has not yet been revealed
00:15:58.09\00:15:59.65
what we shall be,"
00:15:59.69\00:16:01.02
that is when Jesus comes,
00:16:01.06\00:16:02.39
"but we know that
when He is revealed,"
00:16:02.42\00:16:04.03
that is when Jesus comes,
00:16:04.06\00:16:05.66
"we shall be like Him,
00:16:05.69\00:16:08.03
for we shall see Him as He is."
00:16:08.06\00:16:11.07
And what are we
supposed to be doing
00:16:11.10\00:16:12.97
so that we will be like
Him and see Him as He is?
00:16:13.00\00:16:16.77
Verse 3 says,
00:16:16.81\00:16:18.14
"And everyone
00:16:18.17\00:16:19.51
who has this hope in
Him purifies himself,
00:16:19.54\00:16:23.01
just as He is pure."
00:16:23.04\00:16:25.81
Matthew 5:8 says,
00:16:25.85\00:16:28.92
"Blessed are the pure in heart,
00:16:28.95\00:16:31.62
for they shall see God."
00:16:31.65\00:16:33.56
Notice once
again, purity of heart.
00:16:33.59\00:16:36.06
Purified himself as God is pure.
00:16:36.09\00:16:38.69
Serving God with
reverence and godly fear.
00:16:38.73\00:16:41.50
No one will see the Lord
00:16:41.53\00:16:43.26
without holiness and
peace with all people.
00:16:43.30\00:16:46.97
We also need to read
00:16:47.00\00:16:51.17
Titus 2:11-14.
00:16:51.21\00:16:53.27
The Apostle Paul
also understood this.
00:16:53.31\00:16:55.78
"For the grace of
God that brings salvation
00:16:55.81\00:16:58.15
has appeared to
all men, teaching us
00:16:58.18\00:17:01.58
that denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts,
00:17:01.62\00:17:05.55
we should live
soberly, righteously,
00:17:05.59\00:17:09.36
and godly in the present age."
00:17:09.39\00:17:12.13
Why?
00:17:12.16\00:17:13.50
Why should we deny
ungodliness and worldly lusts,
00:17:13.53\00:17:16.56
live soberly, righteously,
and godly in this present age?
00:17:16.60\00:17:20.77
Notice verse 13,
00:17:20.80\00:17:22.60
"Looking for the blessed
hope and glorious appearing
00:17:22.64\00:17:26.84
of our great God
and Savior Jesus Christ,
00:17:26.88\00:17:30.11
who gave Himself for us,
00:17:30.15\00:17:32.15
that He might redeem us
from every lawless deed,"
00:17:32.18\00:17:35.95
and now listen to this,
00:17:35.98\00:17:37.65
"and purify for
Himself His own special people,
00:17:37.69\00:17:42.99
zealous for good works."
00:17:43.02\00:17:45.96
So Jesus died that He
might purify us and cleanse us.
00:17:45.99\00:17:51.87
Ellen White
added in her writings
00:17:51.90\00:17:55.50
a description of those
00:17:55.54\00:17:57.61
who are waiting for
the coming of the Lord.
00:17:57.64\00:18:00.94
Notice this statement
00:18:00.98\00:18:02.31
from the book
Maranatha, page 249,
00:18:02.34\00:18:05.31
"From the Holy of Holies,
00:18:05.35\00:18:07.95
there goes on the
grand work of instruction."
00:18:07.98\00:18:11.22
In other words,
what is happening
00:18:11.25\00:18:12.59
in the heavenly sanctuary
is an instruction to us.
00:18:12.62\00:18:15.26
What is it
trying to instruct us?
00:18:15.29\00:18:17.53
She continues saying,
00:18:17.56\00:18:18.93
"The angels of God
are communicating to men."
00:18:18.96\00:18:23.37
So notice, there's
an instruction going on
00:18:23.40\00:18:25.60
by the angels in heaven.
00:18:25.63\00:18:27.87
They are communicating to us.
00:18:27.90\00:18:30.21
What are they
communicating to us?
00:18:30.24\00:18:32.37
Notice the answer,
00:18:32.41\00:18:34.01
"Christ
officiates in the sanctuary.
00:18:34.04\00:18:36.95
We do not follow Him
00:18:36.98\00:18:38.48
into the sanctuary as we should.
00:18:38.51\00:18:41.25
Christ and angels
work in the hearts
00:18:41.28\00:18:44.32
of the children of men.
00:18:44.35\00:18:45.99
The church above
united with the church below
00:18:46.02\00:18:49.59
is warring the good
warfare upon the earth."
00:18:49.62\00:18:53.96
Now notice what she says.
00:18:54.00\00:18:55.66
"There must be a purifying
00:18:55.70\00:18:58.57
of the soul here upon the earth,
00:18:58.60\00:19:02.20
in harmony with
Christ's cleansing
00:19:02.24\00:19:06.07
of the heavenly sanctuary."
00:19:06.11\00:19:08.28
So notice the
parallel where just like Israel
00:19:08.31\00:19:10.85
on the Day of Atonement
had a role to play, we do also.
00:19:10.88\00:19:14.62
There must be a purifying
of the soul here upon the earth
00:19:14.65\00:19:18.79
in harmony with Christ cleansing
00:19:18.82\00:19:20.96
of the sanctuary in heaven.
00:19:20.99\00:19:23.96
In another statement
00:19:23.99\00:19:25.33
that we find in
Manuscript, 15, 1886,
00:19:25.36\00:19:29.03
Ellen white wrote the following.
00:19:29.06\00:19:31.07
"Godliness,
sobriety and consistency
00:19:31.10\00:19:35.64
will characterize
the life and example
00:19:35.67\00:19:38.07
of every true Christian.
00:19:38.11\00:19:40.04
The work which Christ is
doing in the sanctuary above
00:19:40.08\00:19:43.81
will engage the thoughts."
00:19:43.85\00:19:46.51
So what's going to
engage our thoughts?
00:19:46.55\00:19:49.32
"The work which Christ is
doing in the sanctuary above
00:19:49.35\00:19:52.42
will engage the thoughts
00:19:52.45\00:19:54.62
and be the burden
of the conversation,
00:19:54.66\00:19:58.16
because by faith he,"
00:19:58.19\00:20:01.10
now when she says he,
00:20:01.13\00:20:02.46
she's talking
about us, once again,
00:20:02.50\00:20:05.30
"because by faith,
00:20:05.33\00:20:07.04
he has entered
into the sanctuary."
00:20:07.07\00:20:08.94
In other words we have
entered into the sanctuary.
00:20:08.97\00:20:12.04
"He is on earth,"
that is we are on earth,
00:20:12.07\00:20:14.61
"but his
sympathies, our sympathies
00:20:14.64\00:20:17.41
are in harmony with the work
that Christ is doing in heaven.
00:20:17.45\00:20:20.98
Christ is cleansing
the heavenly sanctuary
00:20:21.02\00:20:23.65
from the sins of the people,
00:20:23.69\00:20:25.72
and it is the work of all
00:20:25.75\00:20:28.69
who are laborers
together with God
00:20:28.72\00:20:31.19
to be cleansing the
sanctuary of the soul
00:20:31.23\00:20:34.36
from everything that
is offensive to Him."
00:20:34.40\00:20:37.47
And then she gives a list.
00:20:37.50\00:20:38.83
"Everything like evil surmising,
00:20:38.87\00:20:41.17
envy, jealousy,
enmity and hatred,
00:20:41.20\00:20:44.21
will be put away,
00:20:44.24\00:20:45.61
for such things
grieve the Holy Spirit of God
00:20:45.64\00:20:48.24
and put Christ to open shame.
00:20:48.28\00:20:50.48
Love of self will not exist,
00:20:50.51\00:20:52.78
nor will any engaged
in this work be puffed up.
00:20:52.81\00:20:56.55
The example of Christ's life,
00:20:56.58\00:20:58.75
the consistency of His character
00:20:58.79\00:21:00.96
will make His
influence far reaching.
00:21:00.99\00:21:03.46
He will be an
epistle, a living epistle
00:21:03.49\00:21:05.79
known and read of all men."
00:21:05.83\00:21:09.53
So clearly as
Christ is cleansing
00:21:09.56\00:21:13.13
the heavenly records
of our sins in heaven,
00:21:13.17\00:21:15.77
we must be doing a parallel work
00:21:15.80\00:21:18.27
of cleansing sin
from the human heart.
00:21:18.31\00:21:22.54
Now Revelation 6:14-17,
00:21:22.58\00:21:27.08
contain a description of
the second coming of Christ.
00:21:27.12\00:21:30.45
Let's read verses 14 through 16,
00:21:30.49\00:21:33.92
and then we'll look at verse 17.
00:21:33.96\00:21:36.83
It says there,
00:21:36.86\00:21:38.19
"And the kings of the earth,
00:21:38.23\00:21:39.59
and the great men, the rich men,
00:21:39.63\00:21:41.90
the commanders, the mighty men,
00:21:41.93\00:21:44.30
every slave and every free man,"
00:21:44.33\00:21:46.03
that is all of the inhabitants
of the earth, basically,
00:21:46.07\00:21:50.14
except for the
remnant, of course,
00:21:50.17\00:21:52.04
"hid themselves in the caves
00:21:52.07\00:21:55.18
and in the
rocks of the mountains
00:21:55.21\00:21:57.71
and said to the
mountains and rocks,
00:21:57.75\00:22:00.45
'Fall on us and
hide us from the face
00:22:00.48\00:22:04.42
of Him who sits on the throne
00:22:04.45\00:22:06.29
and from the wrath of the Lamb."
00:22:06.32\00:22:08.82
You remember the
verses that we read,
00:22:08.86\00:22:10.53
no one will see the
Lord without holiness.
00:22:10.56\00:22:13.83
Whoever wants to be like Jesus
00:22:13.86\00:22:17.10
purifies himself
just as He is pure
00:22:17.13\00:22:20.80
if we have the
hope of seeing Him.
00:22:20.84\00:22:23.64
Blessed are pure in
heart for they shall see God.
00:22:23.67\00:22:26.84
In other words,
there's a special preparation
00:22:26.88\00:22:28.84
in order to see
Jesus when He comes.
00:22:28.88\00:22:31.38
The wicked are gonna be hiding.
00:22:31.41\00:22:32.98
They're gonna cry to
the rocks, fall on us.
00:22:33.01\00:22:35.25
They're gonna go into the caves.
00:22:35.28\00:22:37.55
They don't want to
see the face that is One,
00:22:37.59\00:22:40.16
of the One who is
sitting on the throne,
00:22:40.19\00:22:41.92
simply because their
character is so different
00:22:41.96\00:22:45.79
than the character of the One
who is sitting on the throne.
00:22:45.83\00:22:49.36
So we have a description
of the second coming.
00:22:49.40\00:22:51.53
And then verse 17 ends
the passage with a question.
00:22:51.57\00:22:55.77
"For the great day
of His wrath has come
00:22:55.80\00:22:59.41
and who is able to stand?"
00:22:59.44\00:23:02.38
In other words,
when Jesus comes,
00:23:02.41\00:23:03.95
who is not going to cry
for the rocks to fall on them?
00:23:03.98\00:23:07.05
Who is not gonna hide
in the caves of the earth?
00:23:07.08\00:23:10.09
Who is gonna to
say, Lord this is my God.
00:23:10.12\00:23:12.82
I have waited for
Him and He will save me.
00:23:12.85\00:23:15.56
Who's gonna do that?
00:23:15.59\00:23:17.63
Well, the question is
asked, who is able to stand?
00:23:17.66\00:23:21.46
Let's ask, first
of all, the question.
00:23:21.50\00:23:23.80
What does the word stand mean?
00:23:23.83\00:23:27.20
Well, the word stand
is actually an antonym
00:23:27.24\00:23:30.61
of the word fall
in the New Testament.
00:23:30.64\00:23:33.17
Let's notice several verses.
We're not going to read them.
00:23:33.21\00:23:35.21
I'll give you the
references and the content.
00:23:35.24\00:23:37.71
Mark 3:24-25 says,
00:23:37.75\00:23:40.42
"A kingdom divided
against itself cannot stand."
00:23:40.45\00:23:44.69
That means that a
kingdom divided against itself
00:23:44.72\00:23:47.22
is going to fall.
00:23:47.26\00:23:48.69
John 8:44 tells us
that Satan at the beginning
00:23:48.72\00:23:53.16
did not stand in the truth.
00:23:53.19\00:23:55.30
In other words, he
failed from the truth.
00:23:55.33\00:23:57.90
1 Corinthians 10:12 says,
00:23:57.93\00:24:00.70
"He that thinks that he stand,
00:24:00.74\00:24:03.00
let him take heed lest he fall."
00:24:03.04\00:24:05.37
So very clearly in that verse
00:24:05.41\00:24:07.21
stand is the
opposite of falling.
00:24:07.24\00:24:10.41
Ephesians 6:11-13
uses the word stand
00:24:10.45\00:24:14.35
the same word of
Revelation twice.
00:24:14.38\00:24:17.12
Let's read Ephesians 6:11-13,
00:24:17.15\00:24:21.06
"Put on the whole armor of God
00:24:21.09\00:24:23.29
that you may be able to stand,"
here's the first reference,
00:24:23.32\00:24:26.23
"may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil."
00:24:26.26\00:24:29.20
In other words,
not fall for them.
00:24:29.23\00:24:30.97
"For we do not wrestle
against flesh and blood,"
00:24:31.00\00:24:32.93
that is against human beings,
00:24:32.97\00:24:34.60
"but against
principalities, against powers,
00:24:34.64\00:24:37.07
against the rulers of
the darkness of this age,
00:24:37.11\00:24:39.37
against spiritual
hosts of wickedness
00:24:39.41\00:24:41.11
in heavenly places.
00:24:41.14\00:24:43.31
Therefore take up
the whole armor of God,
00:24:43.35\00:24:46.01
that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day,
00:24:46.05\00:24:48.85
and having done all,"
00:24:48.88\00:24:50.59
here it is again, "to stand."
00:24:50.62\00:24:52.59
In other words, not to fall.
00:24:52.62\00:24:54.49
2 Timothy 2:19
uses the same word.
00:24:54.52\00:24:57.73
"Nevertheless the solid
foundation of God stands."
00:24:57.76\00:25:01.16
In other words,
it can't be moved.
00:25:01.20\00:25:03.20
"Having this seal: The
Lord knows those who are His
00:25:03.23\00:25:06.90
and let everyone who
names the name of Christ
00:25:06.94\00:25:10.07
depart from iniquity."
00:25:10.11\00:25:12.67
There's one verse
that deals specifically
00:25:12.71\00:25:14.51
with the second coming.
00:25:14.54\00:25:15.98
Luke 21:36 reads the follows.
00:25:16.01\00:25:19.31
Jesus is speaking,
00:25:19.35\00:25:20.78
"Watch
therefore, and pray always
00:25:20.82\00:25:23.69
that you may be counted worthy
00:25:23.72\00:25:25.09
to escape all these
things that will come to pass,
00:25:25.12\00:25:28.59
and to stand
before the Son of Man.
00:25:28.62\00:25:34.16
So the second
coming is described
00:25:34.20\00:25:36.80
and the passage
ends with a question.
00:25:36.83\00:25:38.63
The great day of
His wrath has come,
00:25:38.67\00:25:40.57
who's gonna be able to stand?
00:25:40.60\00:25:42.04
Who's not gonna fall?
00:25:42.07\00:25:43.57
Who's not gonna cry for
the rocks to fall on them?
00:25:43.61\00:25:45.94
Who is not gonna
hide in the caves
00:25:45.97\00:25:48.94
to not see the face of Jesus?
00:25:48.98\00:25:50.88
Why would we expect
the answer to the question?
00:25:50.91\00:25:53.78
How about the very
next chapter, Chapter 7.
00:25:53.82\00:25:57.15
In Chapter 7 of
Revelation 1 through 4,
00:25:57.19\00:26:00.62
you have the sealing of 144,000.
00:26:00.66\00:26:03.96
That's the end time generation.
00:26:03.99\00:26:06.03
Those are, those will
be alive when Jesus comes
00:26:06.06\00:26:09.00
that will go through
the final time of trouble,
00:26:09.03\00:26:10.93
they will be sealed.
00:26:10.97\00:26:12.93
And when probation
closes their case is decided,
00:26:12.97\00:26:15.84
they will survive
the time of trouble
00:26:15.87\00:26:17.77
and be alive when Jesus comes.
00:26:17.81\00:26:20.48
Now, Revelation 7:1-4
00:26:20.51\00:26:22.54
describes the
sealing of 144,000,
00:26:22.58\00:26:25.81
but does not
describe their character.
00:26:25.85\00:26:27.98
Let's read Revelation 7:1-4,
00:26:28.02\00:26:31.75
"After these
things, I saw four angels
00:26:31.79\00:26:33.62
standing at the four
corners of the earth,
00:26:33.66\00:26:36.12
holding the four
winds of the earth,
00:26:36.16\00:26:38.49
that the wind should
not blow on the earth,
00:26:38.53\00:26:40.53
on the sea, or on any tree.
00:26:40.56\00:26:43.06
Then I saw another
angel ascending from the east,
00:26:43.10\00:26:45.53
having the seal
of the living God.
00:26:45.57\00:26:47.67
And he cried with a
loud voice to the four angels
00:26:47.70\00:26:50.21
to whom it was granted to harm
the earth and the sea saying,
00:26:50.24\00:26:53.54
'Do not harm the earth,
00:26:53.58\00:26:54.91
the sea or the
trees till we have sealed
00:26:54.94\00:26:58.28
the servants of our
God on their foreheads.
00:26:58.31\00:27:01.48
And I heard the number
of those who were sealed
00:27:01.52\00:27:03.89
144,000 of all the tribes
00:27:03.92\00:27:06.32
of the children of
Israel were sealed."
00:27:06.35\00:27:09.86
Now we can't fully
understand this passage
00:27:09.89\00:27:11.89
without going to the source.
00:27:11.93\00:27:13.93
The source of this
passage is Ezekiel Chapter 9.
00:27:13.96\00:27:17.80
There in Ezekiel Chapter 9,
00:27:17.83\00:27:19.40
you'll find a
picture of Jerusalem
00:27:19.43\00:27:21.74
in the days of
the Prophet Ezekiel.
00:27:21.77\00:27:24.47
The people are practicing
all kinds of abominations.
00:27:24.51\00:27:27.81
In Chapter 8, you
can find a description
00:27:27.84\00:27:29.81
of some of these abominations.
00:27:29.84\00:27:31.18
The worst of all
was that the people
00:27:31.21\00:27:33.25
were worshiping the sun.
00:27:33.28\00:27:34.75
As at the end of time,
00:27:34.78\00:27:36.12
people will be worshiping
on the day of the sun,
00:27:36.15\00:27:38.85
but people were committing
all kinds of abominations
00:27:38.89\00:27:41.09
in the city.
00:27:41.12\00:27:42.46
So God said,
00:27:42.49\00:27:43.83
"I'm gonna come and I'm going
00:27:43.86\00:27:45.19
to destroy the city.
00:27:45.23\00:27:46.56
And all of those
who are practicing
00:27:46.59\00:27:47.93
these abominations."
00:27:47.96\00:27:49.83
But not everybody
00:27:49.86\00:27:51.20
was practicing the abominations.
00:27:51.23\00:27:53.44
There was a group
that was sighing and crying
00:27:53.47\00:27:56.30
because of the abominations
00:27:56.34\00:27:57.87
that were being
committed in the city.
00:27:57.91\00:27:59.51
By the way, those are the
ones who were described here
00:27:59.54\00:28:01.84
in Chapter 7 of Revelation
as the servants of our God
00:28:01.88\00:28:06.82
who are sealed
on their foreheads.
00:28:06.85\00:28:08.68
They sighed and cried
because of the abominations.
00:28:08.72\00:28:11.32
They did not
participate in them.
00:28:11.35\00:28:13.46
So there's a work of separation
00:28:13.49\00:28:15.92
among God's people in Jerusalem
00:28:15.96\00:28:19.13
before the destruction comes.
00:28:19.16\00:28:21.26
So in the same way,
00:28:21.30\00:28:22.63
before the
destruction comes upon the world
00:28:22.66\00:28:24.63
before the great tribulation
such as never has been seen,
00:28:24.67\00:28:28.10
Jesus is gonna
separate His servants,
00:28:28.14\00:28:30.74
those who sigh and cry
because of the abominations.
00:28:30.77\00:28:33.68
They're not participating
in them from all of those
00:28:33.71\00:28:36.81
who are participating
in the abominations
00:28:36.85\00:28:39.61
that are taking
place on the earth.
00:28:39.65\00:28:42.52
What kind of character
will this end time group have?
00:28:42.55\00:28:47.72
Well, Revelation
7 doesn't tell us,
00:28:47.76\00:28:50.33
Revelation 7 simply tells us
00:28:50.36\00:28:51.99
that God is holding back
the winds, the winds of strife.
00:28:52.03\00:28:55.40
When probation closes,
00:28:55.43\00:28:56.77
He's gonna totally release them.
00:28:56.80\00:28:58.20
Satan will have
total control of the wicked
00:28:58.23\00:29:00.94
and the
righteous will be in danger
00:29:00.97\00:29:02.54
of being annihilated,
00:29:02.57\00:29:03.91
although they will be
protected from by God.
00:29:03.94\00:29:06.47
So basically, the
focus of Chapter 7
00:29:06.51\00:29:10.08
is the sealing of
the end time generation.
00:29:10.11\00:29:13.28
But Revelation 14:1-5
00:29:13.31\00:29:15.92
describes the same
group and their character.
00:29:15.95\00:29:19.82
Let's read those
verses, Revelation 14:1-5,
00:29:19.85\00:29:25.69
"Then I looked and behold a
Lamb standing on Mount Zion,
00:29:25.73\00:29:29.40
and with Him 144,000,
having His Father's name
00:29:29.43\00:29:34.24
written on their foreheads."
00:29:34.27\00:29:36.84
Some versions say
in their foreheads.
00:29:36.87\00:29:39.81
"And I heard a
voice from heaven,
00:29:39.84\00:29:41.18
like the voice of many waters
00:29:41.21\00:29:42.81
and like the
voice of loud thunder.
00:29:42.84\00:29:44.98
And I heard the
sound of harpists
00:29:45.01\00:29:46.65
playing their harps.
00:29:46.68\00:29:48.05
They sang as it were a
new song before the throne,
00:29:48.08\00:29:50.92
before the four living
creatures, and the elders,
00:29:50.95\00:29:53.49
and no one could learn
that song except the 144,000
00:29:53.52\00:29:57.56
who were
redeemed from the earth.
00:29:57.59\00:29:59.76
These ones were
not defiled with women,
00:29:59.79\00:30:02.93
for they are virgins.
00:30:02.96\00:30:04.53
These ones follow the
Lamb wherever He goes.
00:30:04.57\00:30:08.10
These were
redeemed from among men,
00:30:08.14\00:30:10.64
being firstfruits
to God and to the Lamb.
00:30:10.67\00:30:13.44
And in their mouth
was found no deceit,
00:30:13.48\00:30:15.81
for they are without
fault before the throne of God."
00:30:15.84\00:30:19.41
The sterling character
of the end time generation
00:30:19.45\00:30:22.82
is described in these verses.
00:30:22.85\00:30:25.35
What are those characteristics?
00:30:25.39\00:30:26.79
Let's summarize them.
00:30:26.82\00:30:28.36
They follow the
Lamb wherever He goes.
00:30:28.39\00:30:31.56
Ellen White states that
during the time of trouble,
00:30:31.59\00:30:33.90
they will have their Gethsemane,
00:30:33.93\00:30:36.83
they will carry their cross,
they will have their Calvary.
00:30:36.87\00:30:40.47
They will have their trial,
just like Jesus had a trial.
00:30:40.50\00:30:43.71
In other words,
they will follow Him
00:30:43.74\00:30:45.47
not only in the good
times, they will follow Him
00:30:45.51\00:30:48.54
in the greatest trial
the world has ever seen.
00:30:48.58\00:30:51.98
They have the Father's
name on their foreheads.
00:30:52.01\00:30:55.32
Why their foreheads?
00:30:55.35\00:30:56.69
That's where
the frontal lobe is.
00:30:56.72\00:30:58.05
That's where the
character is formed.
00:30:58.09\00:30:59.75
In other words,
they have the character
00:30:59.79\00:31:01.59
of God the Father.
00:31:01.62\00:31:03.29
They sing a new song,
00:31:03.32\00:31:04.79
which is
identified in Chapter 15
00:31:04.83\00:31:06.59
as the song of
Moses and the Lamb,
00:31:06.63\00:31:09.23
because the liberation
of the end time generation
00:31:09.26\00:31:12.13
will be similar
to the liberation
00:31:12.17\00:31:14.57
of the people of
Israel there at the Red Sea.
00:31:14.60\00:31:18.47
Now, when it says that only
the 144,000 can learn this song
00:31:18.51\00:31:22.81
in Chapter 15,
00:31:22.84\00:31:24.28
we need to understand that,
00:31:24.31\00:31:26.18
all of the
redeemed will probably
00:31:26.21\00:31:27.55
be able to sing the song,
00:31:27.58\00:31:29.42
but they will not be
able to sing the song
00:31:29.45\00:31:31.35
in the same way as
the end time generation.
00:31:31.39\00:31:34.32
Let me ask you this.
00:31:34.36\00:31:36.42
Do you think that
someone could put music
00:31:36.46\00:31:39.79
to the lyrics of
Exodus Chapter 15,
00:31:39.83\00:31:42.03
which is the song of
Moses that Israel sang
00:31:42.06\00:31:44.73
after God drowned all
of Egyptians their enemies?
00:31:44.77\00:31:47.74
Could somebody set
those words to music?
00:31:47.77\00:31:50.41
Of course, they could.
00:31:50.44\00:31:52.07
Now let me ask you this.
00:31:52.11\00:31:54.08
When we, if we have
that song with lyrics,
00:31:54.11\00:31:58.85
would we be able to understand
the words and seeing the words?
00:31:58.88\00:32:02.32
Of course, we could,
00:32:02.35\00:32:04.12
at least if
they're written in English,
00:32:04.15\00:32:06.15
you know, and they could
be translated into Spanish
00:32:06.19\00:32:08.62
and other languages as well.
00:32:08.66\00:32:10.33
We can understand
what the word say,
00:32:10.36\00:32:12.39
and we can also sing them.
00:32:12.43\00:32:14.03
Let me ask you, can we sing them
00:32:14.06\00:32:15.40
with the same meaning
00:32:15.43\00:32:16.77
as those individuals
who crossed the Red Sea
00:32:16.80\00:32:18.63
and sang the song on the
other side of the Red Sea?
00:32:18.67\00:32:21.20
Absolutely not.
00:32:21.24\00:32:22.77
Because it's the song
of the experience of Israel
00:32:22.80\00:32:27.18
that they are singing on
the other side of the sea.
00:32:27.21\00:32:29.41
At the end time,
all of the redeemed
00:32:29.44\00:32:31.35
will probably be
able to sing this song,
00:32:31.38\00:32:33.92
but only the 144,000
will be able to sing this song
00:32:33.95\00:32:37.92
from the perspective
of their own experience,
00:32:37.95\00:32:40.26
because they've gone
through this experience.
00:32:40.29\00:32:43.83
Then we find that they
were not defiled with women.
00:32:43.86\00:32:46.93
This is all a
symbolic portrayal.
00:32:46.96\00:32:48.80
The women are the
harlot and her daughters.
00:32:48.83\00:32:51.27
In other words, they have
not assimilated the errors
00:32:51.30\00:32:54.17
of the Babylonian
churches, the apostate churches
00:32:54.20\00:32:57.04
that teach
contrary to God's Holy Word.
00:32:57.07\00:33:00.04
We're told that there is
no deceit in their mouths,
00:33:00.08\00:33:03.08
which means that
their heart is clean
00:33:03.11\00:33:04.81
because the Bible says
00:33:04.85\00:33:06.18
out of the
abundance of the heart,
00:33:06.21\00:33:07.68
the mouth speaks.
00:33:07.72\00:33:09.25
And then we are told
that they are without fault
00:33:09.28\00:33:12.85
before the throne of God.
00:33:12.89\00:33:14.72
Sterling character of
the end time generation,
00:33:14.76\00:33:17.76
totally victorious
over sin in thought,
00:33:17.79\00:33:22.83
in action, in
feeling and emotion.
00:33:22.86\00:33:26.74
Sin no longer
will strike a chord
00:33:26.77\00:33:30.31
with this end time generation.
00:33:30.34\00:33:33.34
Now it's interesting that
this question in Revelation 6:17
00:33:33.38\00:33:37.55
is not the only place
where that question is asked
00:33:37.58\00:33:40.45
and where the answer is given.
00:33:40.48\00:33:43.02
I want you to
notice now Joel 2:11,
00:33:43.05\00:33:47.42
another place where
this question is asked.
00:33:47.46\00:33:51.33
Now, if you read
verses 1 through 10,
00:33:51.36\00:33:53.66
you'll find that
it's a description
00:33:53.70\00:33:55.26
of the second
coming of Jesus Christ.
00:33:55.30\00:33:57.53
We don't have time to
go into all of the details,
00:33:57.57\00:33:59.77
but you read the first
10 verses of Chapter 2.
00:33:59.80\00:34:02.64
Clearly, it's describing
the second coming of Christ.
00:34:02.67\00:34:05.81
And then in verse 11,
00:34:05.84\00:34:07.24
you find the climax
to the second coming
00:34:07.28\00:34:09.41
and the question.
00:34:09.44\00:34:10.78
Notice,
00:34:10.81\00:34:12.31
"The Lord gives
voice before His army,
00:34:12.35\00:34:15.22
for His camp is very great,
00:34:15.25\00:34:17.59
for strong as the One
who executes His word."
00:34:17.62\00:34:22.06
So the Lord is giving
voice before His army.
00:34:22.09\00:34:24.59
Who is the Lord?
00:34:24.63\00:34:25.99
The Lord is
Jesus. Who is His army?
00:34:26.03\00:34:27.76
The angels.
00:34:27.80\00:34:29.13
Read Revelation Chapter 19,
00:34:29.16\00:34:30.77
Jesus is sitting
on a white horse.
00:34:30.80\00:34:32.57
The armies of
heaven are following Him
00:34:32.60\00:34:34.40
to come to the earth,
00:34:34.44\00:34:35.77
to rescue His
people from certain death.
00:34:35.80\00:34:38.74
And so you'll notice here.
00:34:38.77\00:34:40.11
It says,
00:34:40.14\00:34:41.48
"The Lord gives
voice before His army,
00:34:41.51\00:34:42.84
for His camp is very great,
00:34:42.88\00:34:44.21
for strong is the One
who executes His word."
00:34:44.25\00:34:46.45
And now comes the question.
00:34:46.48\00:34:48.22
"For the day of the Lord
is great and very terrible,
00:34:48.25\00:34:52.02
who can endure it?"
00:34:52.05\00:34:54.36
In other words, who
can be able to stand?
00:34:54.39\00:34:56.93
Where would you expect
the answer to the question?
00:34:56.96\00:34:59.59
How about in verse 12?
00:34:59.63\00:35:01.23
The very next verse.
00:35:01.26\00:35:02.90
You're gonna notice
now that the next passage
00:35:02.93\00:35:05.37
starting with verse 12
describes the Day of Atonement.
00:35:05.40\00:35:09.24
In other words,
only those who do
00:35:09.27\00:35:11.81
what verses 12
through 17 tell us
00:35:11.84\00:35:14.58
will be able to stand,
00:35:14.61\00:35:16.44
will be able to endure
the coming of Jesus Christ.
00:35:16.48\00:35:21.68
"Now therefore says the Lord,
00:35:21.72\00:35:24.05
'Turn to Me with all your heart,
00:35:24.09\00:35:26.55
with fasting,"
00:35:26.59\00:35:27.92
notice the connection
with the Day of Atonement,
00:35:27.96\00:35:29.49
"with fasting, with
weeping and with mourning."
00:35:29.52\00:35:32.99
Here's the affliction of
soul of the Day of Atonement.
00:35:33.03\00:35:36.26
"So rend your heart,
and not your garments,
00:35:36.30\00:35:39.53
return to the Lord your God,
00:35:39.57\00:35:41.97
for He is gracious and
merciful, slow to anger,
00:35:42.00\00:35:44.67
and of great kindness, and
He relents from doing harm.
00:35:44.71\00:35:48.14
Who knows if He
will turn and relent
00:35:48.18\00:35:50.48
and leave a blessing behind Him,
00:35:50.51\00:35:52.21
a grain offering,
and a drink offering
00:35:52.25\00:35:54.42
for the Lord your God?
00:35:54.45\00:35:56.02
Blow the trumpet in Zion,
00:35:56.05\00:35:57.39
"there you have the connection
00:35:57.42\00:35:58.75
with the Day of Atonement again,
00:35:58.79\00:36:00.26
"consecrate a fast, once
again, call a sacred assembly."
00:36:00.29\00:36:05.29
Also the Day of
Atonement terminology.
00:36:05.33\00:36:08.36
"Gather the people,
sanctify the congregation,
00:36:08.40\00:36:11.73
assemble the elders,
00:36:11.77\00:36:13.57
gather the
children and nursing babes.
00:36:13.60\00:36:16.00
Let the bride groom
go out from his chamber
00:36:16.04\00:36:18.41
and the bride from
her dressing room."
00:36:18.44\00:36:20.74
No time even for
marriage according to this.
00:36:20.78\00:36:23.28
It's so urgent to prepare.
00:36:23.31\00:36:25.58
It continue
saying, let the priests,
00:36:25.61\00:36:28.02
that's us
preachers, us ministers.
00:36:28.05\00:36:30.19
"Let the priests who
minister to the Lord,
00:36:30.22\00:36:33.62
weep between the
porch and the altar.
00:36:33.66\00:36:37.13
Let them say,
00:36:37.16\00:36:38.49
'Spare your people, O Lord,
00:36:38.53\00:36:40.10
and do not give Your
heritage to reproach,
00:36:40.13\00:36:43.37
that the nation
should rule over them.
00:36:43.40\00:36:45.53
Why should they
say among the peoples
00:36:45.57\00:36:47.57
where is their God?"
00:36:47.60\00:36:49.90
So you'll notice here
all of the characteristics
00:36:49.94\00:36:52.31
of the Day of Atonement.
00:36:52.34\00:36:54.08
In other words, the preparation
00:36:54.11\00:36:56.28
to be able to stand
in the day of the Lord
00:36:56.31\00:36:58.91
means to do on
the Day of Atonement
00:36:58.95\00:37:01.62
what Israel did on
the Day of Atonement.
00:37:01.65\00:37:05.19
Return to God with fasting,
and weeping, and mourning,
00:37:05.22\00:37:10.73
rending the heart
and not the garments.
00:37:10.76\00:37:13.90
Listening to the
blowing of the trumpet
00:37:13.93\00:37:15.66
that the hour of
God's judgment has come.
00:37:15.70\00:37:18.83
Calling an
assembly, proclaiming a fast,
00:37:18.87\00:37:21.74
sanctifying the
assembly, ministers weeping
00:37:21.77\00:37:26.54
before, between
the porch and the altar
00:37:26.57\00:37:29.18
asking God to spare His people.
00:37:29.21\00:37:32.81
But Joel Chapter
2 and Revelation 6
00:37:32.85\00:37:35.35
are not the only places
00:37:35.38\00:37:36.75
where you have
this type of question.
00:37:36.79\00:37:39.15
Let's notice Isaiah 33,
00:37:39.19\00:37:41.56
Isaiah 33:14.
00:37:41.59\00:37:45.86
Isaiah 33:14-16.
00:37:45.89\00:37:49.86
Let's read
verse 14 first of all.
00:37:49.90\00:37:53.37
"The sinners in Zion are afraid,
00:37:53.40\00:37:56.54
fearfulness has
seized the hypocrites."
00:37:56.57\00:38:00.11
Now, here comes the question.
00:38:00.14\00:38:01.84
"Who among us shall
dwell with the devouring fire?"
00:38:01.88\00:38:06.28
Remember Hebrews 12:28-29,
00:38:06.31\00:38:09.35
"Who among us shall
dwell with the devouring fire?
00:38:09.38\00:38:13.09
Who among us shall dwell
with everlasting burnings?"
00:38:13.12\00:38:17.46
In other words who's
gonna live in the midst
00:38:17.49\00:38:20.06
of a devouring fire
00:38:20.10\00:38:21.76
because God is a devouring fire.
00:38:21.80\00:38:24.93
You know, the
interesting thing is,
00:38:24.97\00:38:27.17
most churches teach
00:38:27.20\00:38:28.97
that the wicked are
gonna be in the fire forever,
00:38:29.00\00:38:32.97
but the wicked aren't
gonna be in the fire forever.
00:38:33.01\00:38:35.18
The glory of God,
00:38:35.21\00:38:36.54
which is the fire
destroys the wicked.
00:38:36.58\00:38:37.95
The fire still burns
because it's the glory of God,
00:38:37.98\00:38:40.55
but the wicked are destroyed.
00:38:40.58\00:38:43.49
But who's gonna be able to
live in the midst of the fire
00:38:43.52\00:38:46.02
and not be consumed?
00:38:46.05\00:38:47.56
Here's the answer.
00:38:47.59\00:38:48.92
Notice the lifestyle
description that is given.
00:38:48.96\00:38:53.40
Verse 15 and 16,
00:38:53.43\00:38:56.36
"He who walks righteously
00:38:56.40\00:38:59.40
and speaks uprightly walks."
00:38:59.43\00:39:03.51
When the Bible
uses walk figuratively,
00:39:03.54\00:39:06.04
it simply means
behavior or conduct.
00:39:06.07\00:39:09.68
He who says that he is in Jesus
ought to walk as Jesus walked.
00:39:09.71\00:39:13.75
It's not talking
about physical walking.
00:39:13.78\00:39:15.25
It's talking about
conduct or behavior.
00:39:15.28\00:39:18.89
So he who behaves righteously
and speaks uprightly.
00:39:18.92\00:39:24.83
"He who despises
the gain of oppressions,
00:39:24.86\00:39:27.60
who gestures with his
hands, refusing bribes,
00:39:27.63\00:39:32.07
who stops his ears
from hearing of bloodshed,
00:39:32.10\00:39:35.40
and shuts his
eyes from seeing evil.
00:39:35.44\00:39:39.21
He will dwell on high,
00:39:39.24\00:39:42.34
his place of defense
will be the fortress of rocks,
00:39:42.38\00:39:46.65
bread will be given
him, his water will be sure."
00:39:46.68\00:39:50.32
And this is referred to
in Revelation Chapter 7,
00:39:50.35\00:39:53.25
"The great
multitude will thirst no more
00:39:53.29\00:39:56.32
and they will hunger no more."
00:39:56.36\00:39:59.26
But Isaiah 33 is
not the only other place
00:39:59.29\00:40:01.50
where this question is asked
00:40:01.53\00:40:03.40
with an answer that emphasizes
the sterling character
00:40:03.43\00:40:08.17
that the end time
generation will have.
00:40:08.20\00:40:10.81
Psalm 15 asks a
very similar question.
00:40:10.84\00:40:15.21
In verse 1, we
find the question.
00:40:15.24\00:40:18.31
Actually, there's two questions.
00:40:18.35\00:40:20.35
Lord, who may
abide in Your tabernacle?
00:40:20.38\00:40:26.22
Second question,
00:40:26.25\00:40:27.59
who may dwell in Your holy hill?
00:40:27.62\00:40:30.73
What is God's holy hill?
00:40:30.76\00:40:33.06
God's holy hill is Zion.
00:40:33.09\00:40:34.96
Where are the 144,000 standing?
00:40:35.00\00:40:37.83
They're standing on Mount Zion,
according to Revelation 14:1.
00:40:37.87\00:40:42.74
So this is clearly
referring to Revelation 14:1.
00:40:42.77\00:40:47.54
These are connected verses.
00:40:47.58\00:40:50.05
So when the question
is asked or the questions,
00:40:50.08\00:40:52.61
Lord, who may
abide in Your tabernacle?
00:40:52.65\00:40:54.92
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
00:40:54.95\00:40:58.62
You have immediately
after this the answer.
00:40:58.65\00:41:00.49
And notice once again,
the emphasis on the lifestyle
00:41:00.52\00:41:05.56
of those who will be
able to stand on Mount Zion.
00:41:05.59\00:41:10.37
Verse 2 through verse 5,
00:41:10.40\00:41:12.93
"He who walks uprightly,
00:41:12.97\00:41:15.60
and works righteousness,
00:41:15.64\00:41:18.47
and speaks the
truth in his heart,
00:41:18.51\00:41:21.58
he who does not
backbite with his tongue,
00:41:21.61\00:41:24.45
nor does evil to his neighbor,
00:41:24.48\00:41:26.48
nor does he take up a
reproach against his friend,
00:41:26.51\00:41:29.55
in whose eyes a
vile person is despised,
00:41:29.58\00:41:33.19
but he honors
those who fear the Lord,
00:41:33.22\00:41:36.36
he who swears to his own
hurt and does not change."
00:41:36.39\00:41:39.66
In other words,
doesn't break his promises.
00:41:39.69\00:41:41.80
"He who does not put
out his money at usury,"
00:41:41.83\00:41:44.23
that's exorbitant interest,
00:41:44.27\00:41:47.40
"nor does he take a
bribe against the innocent."
00:41:47.44\00:41:50.67
Now notice this.
00:41:50.71\00:41:52.14
"He who does these
things shall never be moved."
00:41:52.17\00:41:57.98
What is the
question in Revelation 6?
00:41:58.01\00:42:00.12
Who shall be able to what?
00:42:00.15\00:42:02.05
To stand, here
it speaks of those
00:42:02.08\00:42:04.69
who stand upon Mount
Zion as not being moved.
00:42:04.72\00:42:10.36
But there's another place
where this question is asked.
00:42:10.39\00:42:12.96
Psalm 24.
00:42:12.99\00:42:14.66
Psalm 24:3, we're
only gonna notice verse 3
00:42:14.70\00:42:19.93
and then verses 4 through 6.
00:42:19.97\00:42:21.97
Verse 3 says,
00:42:22.00\00:42:24.01
"Who may ascend into
the hill of the Lord?"
00:42:24.04\00:42:27.58
What is the hill
of the Lord again?
00:42:27.61\00:42:29.54
It is Mount Zion
where the 144,000,
00:42:29.58\00:42:32.78
the end time
generation is standing.
00:42:32.81\00:42:35.25
"Who may ascend into
the hill of the Lord?
00:42:35.28\00:42:38.45
Or who may stand
in His holy place?
00:42:38.49\00:42:41.09
Notice the word stand,
00:42:41.12\00:42:42.46
who will stand
in His holy place?"
00:42:42.49\00:42:45.69
Notice the answer
in verses 4 through 6,
00:42:45.73\00:42:48.93
once again, the
lifestyle of the person,
00:42:48.96\00:42:52.07
the character of the person,
00:42:52.10\00:42:53.80
their actions
and their thoughts,
00:42:53.84\00:42:55.60
how they treat others.
00:42:55.64\00:42:57.34
It says in verse 4,
00:42:57.37\00:42:59.01
"He who has clean hands
00:42:59.04\00:43:03.21
and a pure heart,
00:43:03.24\00:43:05.61
he who has not lifted
up his soul to an idol,
00:43:05.65\00:43:08.78
nor sworn deceitfully.
00:43:08.82\00:43:11.12
He shall receive
blessing from the Lord
00:43:11.15\00:43:13.19
and righteousness from
the God of his salvation.
00:43:13.22\00:43:16.26
This is Jacob,
00:43:16.29\00:43:17.73
the generation of
those who seek Him,
00:43:17.76\00:43:20.13
who seek Your face."
00:43:20.16\00:43:22.03
Interesting that Jacob
would be mentioned here
00:43:22.06\00:43:24.63
because the Bible tells
us that those who will go
00:43:24.67\00:43:27.47
through the time of trouble
00:43:27.50\00:43:28.84
will go through the
time of Jacob's trouble.
00:43:28.87\00:43:30.87
And they are the 144,000.
00:43:30.91\00:43:33.24
And here in verse 6,
it says, this is Jacob.
00:43:33.27\00:43:37.35
The generation of
those who seek Him,
00:43:37.38\00:43:39.58
who seek Your face.
00:43:39.61\00:43:42.32
Let's examine another two places
00:43:42.35\00:43:44.15
where this same question or
a similar question is asked.
00:43:44.19\00:43:47.82
Nahum 1:6,
00:43:47.86\00:43:53.43
once again, a double
question that basically,
00:43:53.46\00:43:57.07
both questions are synonymous.
00:43:57.10\00:43:59.63
"Who can stand
before His indignation?
00:43:59.67\00:44:03.17
Who can endure the
fierceness of His anger?
00:44:03.20\00:44:06.57
His fury is
poured out like fire,
00:44:06.61\00:44:08.81
and the rocks are
thrown down by Him."
00:44:08.84\00:44:11.98
So the question is,
who is going to endure
00:44:12.01\00:44:14.82
the fierceness of God's wrath?
00:44:14.85\00:44:18.49
The answer is in the
very next verse, verse 7,
00:44:18.52\00:44:22.02
the Lord is good,
00:44:22.06\00:44:24.86
a stronghold in
the day of trouble.
00:44:24.89\00:44:28.66
Very interesting, a stronghold
in the day of trouble.
00:44:28.70\00:44:32.90
And He knows
those who trust in Him.
00:44:32.93\00:44:36.14
Just read Psalm 91.
00:44:36.17\00:44:38.44
And you're gonna find
that's the tribulation Psalm
00:44:38.47\00:44:41.48
that describes God's people
00:44:41.51\00:44:43.65
that will go through
the final tribulation,
00:44:43.68\00:44:46.05
very similar language, a
stronghold in day of trouble.
00:44:46.08\00:44:50.19
And God knows
those who trust in Him.
00:44:50.22\00:44:53.49
Let's notice one
more biblical reference
00:44:53.52\00:44:56.62
where a similar
question is asked.
00:44:56.66\00:44:59.56
Malachi 3:2.
00:44:59.59\00:45:05.27
And then we'll read verse
3, and we'll read verse 5.
00:45:05.30\00:45:09.57
Here's the question,
00:45:09.60\00:45:11.27
"But who can endure
the day of His coming?
00:45:11.31\00:45:15.44
And who can
stand when He appears?"
00:45:15.48\00:45:17.81
Notice the word stand again,
00:45:17.85\00:45:19.28
who is gonna be able to
stand when Jesus appears?
00:45:19.31\00:45:23.05
Here's the answer.
00:45:23.08\00:45:24.89
The last part of verse 2
and verse 3 as also verse 5,
00:45:24.92\00:45:29.19
it says,
00:45:29.22\00:45:30.56
"At the end of verse 2,
00:45:30.59\00:45:32.26
"For He is like a refiner's fire
00:45:32.29\00:45:36.13
and like launderer's soap."
00:45:36.16\00:45:38.90
In other words, Jesus
is not only gonna cleanse
00:45:38.93\00:45:40.60
the heavenly sanctuary,
00:45:40.64\00:45:41.97
He's going to cleanse
the lives of His people
00:45:42.00\00:45:44.57
through the power
of the Holy Spirit.
00:45:44.61\00:45:46.37
So it says,
00:45:46.41\00:45:47.74
"For He is like a refiner's fire
00:45:47.78\00:45:50.31
and like launderer's soap.
00:45:50.35\00:45:52.75
He will sit as a refiner,"
00:45:52.78\00:45:54.48
notice the emphasis on
refining and purifying.
00:45:54.52\00:45:57.09
"He will sit as a
refiner and purifier of silver.
00:45:57.12\00:46:01.36
He will purify the sons of Levi
00:46:01.39\00:46:04.76
and purge them
as gold and silver
00:46:04.79\00:46:07.76
that they may offer to the Lord
an offering in righteousness."
00:46:07.80\00:46:12.53
And then verse 5 tells
us about the group of people
00:46:12.57\00:46:16.64
that will be pronounced
deficient in the judgment.
00:46:16.67\00:46:19.51
Notice what we find in verse 5,
00:46:19.54\00:46:22.14
"And I will come
near you for judgment,
00:46:22.18\00:46:25.21
I will be a swift
witness against sorcerers,
00:46:25.25\00:46:28.65
against
adulterers, against perjurers,
00:46:28.68\00:46:31.65
against those who
exploit wage earners
00:46:31.69\00:46:34.16
and widows and orphans,
00:46:34.19\00:46:35.62
and against those
who turn away an alien,
00:46:35.66\00:46:38.03
because they do not fear
Me,' says the Lord of hosts."
00:46:38.06\00:46:41.06
Notice what the
lifestyle of those
00:46:41.10\00:46:43.50
who did not
receive Christ is like.
00:46:43.53\00:46:46.57
Ellen White commented
00:46:46.60\00:46:48.20
on these verses
in Malachi 3:2-3.
00:46:48.24\00:46:52.27
Let me read what
she wrote immediately
00:46:52.31\00:46:54.68
after quoting Malachi 2...
00:46:54.71\00:46:57.65
Malachi 3:2-3.
This is what she wrote.
00:46:57.68\00:47:01.65
"Those who are
living upon the earth
00:47:01.68\00:47:04.79
when the intercession
of Christ shall cease
00:47:04.82\00:47:07.82
in the sanctuary above
00:47:07.86\00:47:09.62
are to stand in
the sight of a holy God
00:47:09.66\00:47:11.89
without a mediator."
00:47:11.93\00:47:15.36
You know, there are
those in the Adventist Church
00:47:15.40\00:47:17.33
today that are saying,
00:47:17.37\00:47:18.70
I don't believe
that we'll ever be,
00:47:18.73\00:47:20.07
have to live without a mediator,
00:47:20.10\00:47:22.14
but Ellen White is
saying we're gonna have
00:47:22.17\00:47:23.57
to live without a
mediator so does the Bible.
00:47:23.61\00:47:26.21
Jesus is gonna
change His garments
00:47:26.24\00:47:28.08
from His priestly
garments to His garments a king.
00:47:28.11\00:47:31.25
He's no longer
gonna be the intercessor.
00:47:31.28\00:47:32.98
Now don't get me wrong.
00:47:33.01\00:47:34.35
Jesus is gonna be
the great protector
00:47:34.38\00:47:36.25
of His people.
00:47:36.28\00:47:37.62
He's not gonna just
bail out and leave us.
00:47:37.65\00:47:39.45
No, no, He's gonna be
here to protect His people
00:47:39.49\00:47:42.19
who have been sealed,
00:47:42.22\00:47:43.56
but He's not going to intercede
for sinners during this period.
00:47:43.59\00:47:46.23
He's not going to take sins
00:47:46.26\00:47:48.60
of even of His
people into the sanctuary.
00:47:48.63\00:47:51.20
So once again, it says,
00:47:51.23\00:47:52.80
"Those who are
living upon the earth
00:47:52.83\00:47:54.17
when the intercession of Christ
00:47:54.20\00:47:55.54
shall cease in the sanctuary
above are to stand in the sight
00:47:55.57\00:47:58.01
of a holy God
without a mediator.
00:47:58.04\00:48:00.44
Their robes must be spotless,
00:48:00.48\00:48:03.28
their characters
must be purified from sin
00:48:03.31\00:48:06.65
by the blood of sprinkling.
00:48:06.68\00:48:08.72
Through the grace of God
and their own diligent effort
00:48:08.75\00:48:12.59
they must be conquerors
in the battle with evil.
00:48:12.62\00:48:16.96
While the investigative judgment
00:48:16.99\00:48:18.76
is going forward in heaven,
00:48:18.79\00:48:21.36
while the sins of
penitent believers
00:48:21.40\00:48:23.13
are being removed
from the sanctuary,
00:48:23.16\00:48:25.80
there is to be a
special work of purification,
00:48:25.83\00:48:28.97
of putting away of sin,
among God's people upon earth.
00:48:29.00\00:48:33.38
This work is
more clearly presented
00:48:33.41\00:48:35.51
in the messages
of Revelation 14.
00:48:35.54\00:48:38.35
When this work shall
have been accomplished,
00:48:38.38\00:48:41.58
the followers of Christ
00:48:41.62\00:48:43.25
will be ready
for His appearing."
00:48:43.28\00:48:46.65
Wow.
00:48:46.69\00:48:48.82
In the devotional book
To Be Like Jesus, page 259.
00:48:48.86\00:48:53.03
Ellen White wrote,
00:48:53.06\00:48:54.60
"Satan is constantly alluring
00:48:54.63\00:48:57.00
away from
righteousness and thoroughness
00:48:57.03\00:48:59.97
in the essential
work of preparedness
00:49:00.00\00:49:02.80
for the great event
00:49:02.84\00:49:04.17
that will try
every person's soul.
00:49:04.21\00:49:06.64
The work in the
heavenly sanctuary
00:49:06.68\00:49:09.04
is going forward.
00:49:09.08\00:49:11.15
Jesus is
cleansing the sanctuary."
00:49:11.18\00:49:14.15
Now listen to this.
00:49:14.18\00:49:15.52
"The work on earth
00:49:15.55\00:49:17.42
corresponds with
the work in heaven.
00:49:17.45\00:49:20.22
The heavenly angels are at work
00:49:20.26\00:49:22.02
constantly to draw human beings,
00:49:22.06\00:49:24.19
the living agents,"
00:49:24.23\00:49:25.66
now notice the
synonyms that Ellen White uses,
00:49:25.69\00:49:29.06
"the heavenly angels are at work
00:49:29.10\00:49:30.63
constantly to draw human beings,
00:49:30.67\00:49:32.50
the living
agents, to look to Jesus,
00:49:32.53\00:49:36.47
to contemplate and
meditate upon Jesus
00:49:36.50\00:49:41.41
that as they view
the perfection of Christ,
00:49:41.44\00:49:45.11
they may be impressed
with the imperfections
00:49:45.15\00:49:47.35
of their own characters.
00:49:47.38\00:49:48.98
This is the burden of
the message for this time."
00:49:49.02\00:49:52.22
Ellen White writes.
00:49:52.25\00:49:54.02
Wow.
00:49:54.06\00:49:56.42
Let me read you
another statement
00:49:56.46\00:49:57.79
from the Spirit of Prophecy.
00:49:57.83\00:49:59.16
Great Controversy, page 623,
00:49:59.19\00:50:02.70
"Now, while a great High Priest
is making the atonement for us,
00:50:02.73\00:50:07.54
we should seek to
become perfect in Christ.
00:50:07.57\00:50:10.94
Not even by a thought
00:50:10.97\00:50:13.51
could our Savior
be brought to yield
00:50:13.54\00:50:15.34
to the power of temptation,"
00:50:15.38\00:50:17.51
not even by a thought folks.
00:50:17.55\00:50:19.38
"Satan finds in human hearts
00:50:19.41\00:50:21.82
some point where he
can gain a foothold.
00:50:21.85\00:50:24.89
Some sinful desire is cherished
00:50:24.92\00:50:28.79
by means of which his
temptations assert their power.
00:50:28.82\00:50:32.99
But Christ declared of Himself:
00:50:33.03\00:50:35.20
'The prince of
this world cometh,
00:50:35.23\00:50:36.63
and hath nothing in Me."
00:50:36.67\00:50:38.13
John 14:30.
00:50:38.17\00:50:40.07
"Satan could find
nothing in the Son of God
00:50:40.10\00:50:43.44
that would enable
him to gain the victory.
00:50:43.47\00:50:46.24
He had kept His
Father's commandments,
00:50:46.27\00:50:48.88
and there was no sin in Him
00:50:48.91\00:50:51.31
that Satan could
use to his advantage."
00:50:51.35\00:50:54.08
And now notice the
incredible conclusion.
00:50:54.12\00:50:58.05
"This is the condition
in which those must be found
00:50:58.09\00:51:02.72
who shall stand in
the time of trouble."
00:51:02.76\00:51:07.00
Not even by a thought.
00:51:07.03\00:51:09.60
In the book Maranatha,
page 240, Ellen White wrote,
00:51:09.63\00:51:13.23
"Not one of us will
ever receive the seal of God
00:51:13.27\00:51:16.84
while our
characters have one spot
00:51:16.87\00:51:19.61
or stain upon them.
00:51:19.64\00:51:21.88
It is left with us
00:51:21.91\00:51:23.88
to remedy that
defects in our characters,
00:51:23.91\00:51:26.68
to cleanse the soul
temple of every defilement.
00:51:26.72\00:51:30.69
Then the latter
rain will fall upon us
00:51:30.72\00:51:33.96
as the early rain
fell upon the disciples."
00:51:33.99\00:51:38.06
There's a lot of discussion
00:51:38.09\00:51:39.43
in the Adventist
Church these days
00:51:39.46\00:51:40.96
about whether it
is possible to gain
00:51:41.00\00:51:44.23
absolute and
complete victory over sin
00:51:44.27\00:51:47.60
before the
second coming of Christ.
00:51:47.64\00:51:50.01
They say, "Well,
that's legalism."
00:51:50.04\00:51:51.91
You know, people who say
that they're pretty arrogant.
00:51:51.94\00:51:54.88
They think they're pretty good.
00:51:54.91\00:51:56.41
Well, that's
where the problem is.
00:51:56.44\00:51:58.31
Many times those who
speak about perfection,
00:51:58.35\00:52:00.95
they have lives
00:52:00.98\00:52:03.12
that are not in
harmony with Christ.
00:52:03.15\00:52:05.39
And so people mock
at them and they say,
00:52:05.42\00:52:07.49
oh, look who look, who's
talking about perfection.
00:52:07.52\00:52:09.46
He just got angry
just a few seconds ago.
00:52:09.49\00:52:13.50
So what is perfection?
00:52:13.53\00:52:15.30
Listen, folks, perfection
is not looking at my life
00:52:15.33\00:52:18.80
and comparing it with
the Ten Commandments saying,
00:52:18.83\00:52:20.44
"Well, how did I do today?
00:52:20.47\00:52:21.90
Hey, I didn't do too bad.
00:52:21.94\00:52:23.27
I sinned less today
than I did yesterday."
00:52:23.30\00:52:25.54
No, the victory over sin
is gained by beholding Christ.
00:52:25.57\00:52:30.38
It's not by
looking at our lives.
00:52:30.41\00:52:32.31
It's by beholding Jesus,
by beholding we are changed.
00:52:32.35\00:52:36.62
We contemplate the perfect
holiness of His character.
00:52:36.65\00:52:39.49
As we look, as we
spend that thoughtful hour
00:52:39.52\00:52:42.19
that Ellen White talked about,
00:52:42.22\00:52:43.69
especially the final
scenes of the life of Christ,
00:52:43.73\00:52:46.39
and we're beholding
the perfection of Christ.
00:52:46.43\00:52:49.33
And yet we behold Him,
in Gethsemane crying out,
00:52:49.36\00:52:52.43
"Father, if this
cup can pass from Me."
00:52:52.47\00:52:54.57
He's agonizing
because He's bearing the sins
00:52:54.60\00:52:56.77
of the whole world.
00:52:56.81\00:52:58.97
And on the cross, He cries out,
00:52:59.01\00:53:00.54
"My God, My God, why
have You forsaken Me?'
00:53:00.58\00:53:03.35
And so, as we look
at Jesus, we say, Jesus,
00:53:03.38\00:53:05.75
Your life was so
perfect and so sinless
00:53:05.78\00:53:09.05
and yet look
what happened to You.
00:53:09.08\00:53:11.15
Why did this happen to You?
00:53:11.19\00:53:12.95
And Jesus will say,
because of your sins.
00:53:12.99\00:53:16.06
That's how terrible sin is.
00:53:16.09\00:53:18.56
If you wanna see
how terrible sin is,
00:53:18.59\00:53:20.43
look at what it did to Jesus.
00:53:20.46\00:53:22.50
If you long for holiness,
00:53:22.53\00:53:24.60
keep your eyes on Jesus.
00:53:24.63\00:53:25.97
Don't keep your eyes
on that Adventist person
00:53:26.00\00:53:28.34
that you think should
be dressing differently,
00:53:28.37\00:53:30.81
or that should be
eating differently,
00:53:30.84\00:53:33.11
or they should be
going to different places
00:53:33.14\00:53:35.28
than you do.
00:53:35.31\00:53:36.64
Don't look at other people.
00:53:36.68\00:53:38.58
Listen, I have enough
issues dealing with my own life
00:53:38.61\00:53:42.72
to be dealing with
the lives of other people
00:53:42.75\00:53:44.89
and trying to
find their mistakes
00:53:44.92\00:53:46.32
and correct their mistakes.
00:53:46.35\00:53:48.09
The Bible says
that God will have
00:53:48.12\00:53:50.36
on victorious
end time generation
00:53:50.39\00:53:52.99
that will totally overcome sin.
00:53:53.03\00:53:55.96
And they will not sin
00:53:56.00\00:53:57.63
during the time
of trouble in action,
00:53:57.67\00:54:00.04
in thought or in
feeling they will say like Job,
00:54:00.07\00:54:03.30
though He slay me
yet will I trust in Him.
00:54:03.34\00:54:08.88
What is the
secret of victory then?
00:54:08.91\00:54:10.95
How are we cleansed from sin?
00:54:10.98\00:54:13.65
I want to read
three places in Scripture
00:54:13.68\00:54:18.79
that give us the clue.
00:54:18.82\00:54:20.66
Ephesians 5:25-27,
00:54:20.69\00:54:23.53
"Husbands, love your wives
00:54:23.56\00:54:26.43
just as Christ
also loved the Church
00:54:26.46\00:54:28.86
and gave Himself for her,
00:54:28.90\00:54:30.90
that He might
sanctify and cleanse her."
00:54:30.93\00:54:34.14
How does He sanctify
and cleanse the church?
00:54:34.17\00:54:36.14
Notice,
00:54:36.17\00:54:37.51
"That He might
sanctify and cleanse her
00:54:37.54\00:54:40.68
with the washing
of water by the Word."
00:54:40.71\00:54:44.01
The water is a
symbol of the Holy Spirit.
00:54:44.05\00:54:46.58
The word is a
symbol of Scripture.
00:54:46.61\00:54:48.62
So as we behold
Christ in Scripture,
00:54:48.65\00:54:52.32
the Holy Spirit
directs our minds to Him.
00:54:52.35\00:54:55.96
And we are purified
because it says the Church
00:54:55.99\00:54:59.59
is sanctified and cleansed
00:54:59.63\00:55:01.86
with the washing
of water by the Word.
00:55:01.90\00:55:05.27
And what happens when
we're washed by the water
00:55:05.30\00:55:07.80
through the Word?
00:55:07.84\00:55:09.17
Verse 27,
00:55:09.20\00:55:10.54
"That He might present her
to Himself a glorious Church,
00:55:10.57\00:55:14.08
not having spot or
wrinkle or any such thing,
00:55:14.11\00:55:17.51
but that she should be
holy and without blemish."
00:55:17.55\00:55:22.58
Psalm 119:9-11,
very well-known verses.
00:55:22.62\00:55:26.62
"How can a young
man cleanse his way?'
00:55:26.65\00:55:29.32
The word way
means behavior, conduct.
00:55:29.36\00:55:31.86
"How can a young
man cleanse his way?
00:55:31.89\00:55:34.33
By taking heed
according to Your word.
00:55:34.36\00:55:37.63
With my whole
heart I have sought you.
00:55:37.67\00:55:40.20
Oh, let me not wander
from Your commandments
00:55:40.24\00:55:42.34
and then Your word, Your word,
00:55:42.37\00:55:46.04
I have hidden in my heart
00:55:46.07\00:55:48.18
that I might not
sin against You."
00:55:48.21\00:55:52.21
And, of course, we know
what the Apostle Paul wrote
00:55:52.25\00:55:55.65
in the Book of 2
Corinthians 3:18,
00:55:55.68\00:55:59.49
"But we all with unveiled face,
00:55:59.52\00:56:02.22
beholding as in a
mirror the glory of the Lord,
00:56:02.26\00:56:05.46
are being transformed
00:56:05.49\00:56:07.13
into the same image
from glory to glory,
00:56:07.16\00:56:09.46
just as by the
Spirit of the Lord."
00:56:09.50\00:56:11.30
You know, when I
give talks to youths
00:56:11.33\00:56:13.64
the many will come and
they'll say, Pastor Bohr,
00:56:13.67\00:56:16.47
what is the secret for
overcoming sin in the life?
00:56:16.50\00:56:20.01
What is the secret
for having a victory
00:56:20.04\00:56:22.21
in our Christian life?
00:56:22.24\00:56:24.18
And I say, this
formula is very simple.
00:56:24.21\00:56:28.62
Keep out of your mind
everything that defiles it,
00:56:28.65\00:56:32.32
music, television,
movie, theater, whatever,
00:56:32.35\00:56:37.69
and then don't let anything
00:56:37.73\00:56:41.10
worldly come into your brain
00:56:41.13\00:56:43.83
and then fill your
brain with Jesus Christ
00:56:43.87\00:56:48.00
by studying the Word,
00:56:48.04\00:56:50.67
by contemplating
Jesus and the Word.
00:56:50.71\00:56:52.97
Spending that thoughtful hour
00:56:53.01\00:56:54.98
will come closer
and closer to Jesus
00:56:55.01\00:56:57.48
and gain the victory over sin.
00:56:57.51\00:56:59.31
We're living in the last days.
00:56:59.35\00:57:00.68
And I pray that this
will be our experience,
00:57:00.72\00:57:03.69
that we will
cleanse the soul temple
00:57:03.72\00:57:05.39
so that we will be ready
for the coming of the Lord.
00:57:05.42\00:57:07.99
Well, folks, this brings
our Secrets Unsealed Summit
00:57:29.61\00:57:32.65
for 2020 to an end.
00:57:32.68\00:57:34.78
It's always sad
to end the summit,
00:57:34.82\00:57:37.35
even if it is virtual.
00:57:37.39\00:57:39.15
I want to take this opportunity
to thank each one of you
00:57:39.19\00:57:43.73
for tuning in to our Secrets
Unsealed Summit this year.
00:57:43.76\00:57:47.60
We're sad that it
had to be virtual,
00:57:47.63\00:57:50.17
but we trust that next year,
00:57:50.20\00:57:52.60
the last weekend in October,
00:57:52.63\00:57:54.24
we'll be able to have our
summit once again in person
00:57:54.27\00:57:57.47
and enjoy the
fellowship, the Bible study,
00:57:57.51\00:57:59.87
the good food,
00:57:59.91\00:58:01.24
praying together
and exercising together.
00:58:01.28\00:58:04.28
It's gonna be a
wonderful experience.
00:58:04.31\00:58:06.38
I want to remind you to
please tell your friends
00:58:06.41\00:58:09.98
about the
Secrets Unsealed Summit,
00:58:10.02\00:58:12.09
so that we have a
full house next year.
00:58:12.12\00:58:14.79
Once again, I
wanna thank all of you
00:58:14.82\00:58:16.86
for being with us.
00:58:16.89\00:58:18.46
Please keep us in your
prayers and also remember
00:58:18.49\00:58:22.10
to support Secrets
Unsealed in your donations.
00:58:22.13\00:58:24.77
The only way we
can take present truth
00:58:24.80\00:58:26.90
to the church in the world.
00:58:26.94\00:58:28.27
God bless you all.
00:58:28.30\00:58:29.64