Shall we bow our
heads for prayer.
00:00:34.88\00:00:36.55
Our wonderful heavenly
Father, as we follow Jesus today
00:00:38.53\00:00:43.85
into the Holy Place to
discover how we can reflect
00:00:44.60\00:00:51.62
His beautiful and glorious
character, we ask for the
00:00:52.09\00:00:55.80
guidance of Your Holy Spirit.
00:00:55.83\00:00:57.78
We ask, Father, that
You will help us understand
00:00:58.32\00:01:01.10
how to grow in grace and in
the knowledge of Jesus Christ
00:01:01.75\00:01:06.50
as our wonderful Savior.
00:01:06.53\00:01:08.01
We know that You will be with
us because You have promised
00:01:08.68\00:01:12.27
that when we come
before Your throne in faith
00:01:12.30\00:01:14.79
You will answer our prayer.
00:01:15.29\00:01:16.97
And so we come boldly to
the throne in the name of Jesus
00:01:17.30\00:01:21.32
asking for Your presence.
00:01:21.35\00:01:23.43
Amen.
00:01:23.73\00:01:24.76
Today we are going to
talk about the triangle
00:01:28.46\00:01:32.52
of sanctification.
00:01:33.07\00:01:34.84
Or in other words, the
three ways in which God develops
00:01:35.50\00:01:41.56
in us a holy life.
00:01:41.59\00:01:44.56
Now we need to understand
that Jesus, at this moment,
00:01:45.24\00:01:49.19
is in the heavenly Sanctuary
in the Holy Place of the
00:01:49.22\00:01:52.86
heavenly Sanctuary and He
is pouring out the benefits
00:01:52.89\00:01:58.06
of His atonement, or
of His work on earth.
00:01:58.09\00:02:01.90
You remember that Jesus,
first of all, lived the life
00:02:02.53\00:02:05.72
that we should live.
00:02:05.75\00:02:06.93
And then Jesus died the
death that we should all die.
00:02:07.25\00:02:10.64
And then at the laver,
Jesus resurrected from the dead.
00:02:11.04\00:02:14.28
And then He entered into
the Holy Place of the Sanctuary
00:02:14.31\00:02:18.10
to credit His life and
His death to those individuals
00:02:18.62\00:02:22.16
who come to Him
having confessed their sins
00:02:22.19\00:02:25.76
and repented of sin and trusted
in the merits of Jesus Christ.
00:02:25.79\00:02:31.37
But this is just the
beginning of the Christian life.
00:02:31.52\00:02:35.01
You know, repenting
of sin and confessing sin
00:02:35.47\00:02:38.85
and trusting in the merits
of Jesus and being baptized
00:02:38.88\00:02:42.87
are very important.
00:02:42.90\00:02:44.45
But these are things that
take place at the beginning
00:02:44.68\00:02:48.55
of our Christian life.
00:02:48.58\00:02:50.24
But then after we have
accepted Jesus Christ as our
00:02:51.00\00:02:54.87
Savior and as our Lord, we
need to grow into Jesus Christ.
00:02:54.90\00:03:01.01
We need to come to
reflect His holy character.
00:03:01.04\00:03:04.59
And this morning, we're going
to study the three ingredients
00:03:05.09\00:03:09.18
of a holy walk
with Jesus Christ.
00:03:09.21\00:03:13.21
And those three ingredients
are found in the Holy Place
00:03:13.24\00:03:17.61
of the heavenly Sanctuary.
00:03:18.01\00:03:19.62
Now you find an illustration
here of the Sanctuary
00:03:19.98\00:03:23.07
in its proper
order on the platform.
00:03:23.10\00:03:25.84
We don't have the camp.
00:03:26.56\00:03:28.06
We didn't have
enough panels to go there.
00:03:28.51\00:03:31.91
But there should
be one with a camp.
00:03:31.94\00:03:34.13
And then, of course,
there is the altar of sacrifice.
00:03:34.43\00:03:37.41
Then there is the laver.
00:03:37.61\00:03:39.12
And then as you go into the
Holy Place of the Sanctuary,
00:03:39.35\00:03:43.14
you have three
pieces of furniture.
00:03:43.17\00:03:45.80
Now the entrance to the
Sanctuary was on the east.
00:03:46.23\00:03:49.32
Which means that as you
go through the door into the
00:03:49.66\00:03:53.10
Holy Place, you're
moving from west to east.
00:03:53.13\00:03:57.32
And as you look
towards your left hand side
00:03:57.79\00:04:00.99
in the Holy Place of the
Sanctuary, that would be south,
00:04:01.02\00:04:06.24
you see the seven branched
candlestick that you have here
00:04:06.27\00:04:10.74
illustrated on the platform.
00:04:10.77\00:04:12.79
And then as you go in
through the eastern door
00:04:13.03\00:04:15.76
into the Holy Place, into the
tent, on your right hand side,
00:04:15.79\00:04:19.81
which would be north, you
see the table of the showbread.
00:04:19.84\00:04:25.83
Twelve loaves of
bread in two stacks of six
00:04:25.86\00:04:29.31
on a table overlaid with gold.
00:04:29.34\00:04:33.11
And then
immediately in front of you,
00:04:33.49\00:04:35.79
which would be west, you
see the altar of incense,
00:04:35.82\00:04:40.89
the golden altar of incense,
where incense was burned
00:04:40.92\00:04:45.46
morning and evening
perpetually and continually
00:04:45.49\00:04:49.97
in the Sanctuary.
00:04:50.00\00:04:51.67
Now these three pieces of
furniture actually illustrate
00:04:52.10\00:04:56.64
the secret of a balanced
sanctified and holy life,
00:04:56.67\00:05:02.03
a life similar to
the life of Jesus Christ.
00:05:02.06\00:05:05.90
We're going to find in
our study this morning that
00:05:06.21\00:05:08.46
the seven branched candlestick
represents witnessing to others
00:05:08.49\00:05:15.15
under the power
of the Holy Spirit.
00:05:15.45\00:05:18.00
Because the candlestick had oil.
00:05:18.20\00:05:21.28
And we're going to find that the
oil represents the Holy Spirit.
00:05:21.31\00:05:24.85
And then the
candlestick gives light.
00:05:24.88\00:05:28.33
So in other words, the
seven branched candlestick
00:05:28.36\00:05:30.71
represents witnessing for
Jesus Christ under the power
00:05:30.74\00:05:36.17
of the Holy Spirit.
00:05:36.20\00:05:37.77
The table of the showbread
represents assimilating
00:05:38.07\00:05:42.94
the life of Jesus Christ through
the study of His holy Word.
00:05:42.97\00:05:47.85
Because bread
represents the Word of God.
00:05:47.88\00:05:51.40
In other words, it
means nourishing ourselves,
00:05:51.43\00:05:54.62
spiritually, of Jesus
Christ through a study
00:05:54.65\00:05:59.44
of His holy Word.
00:05:59.47\00:06:01.07
In other words, the
table of showbread represents
00:06:01.10\00:06:04.10
the study of Scripture and
the assimilating of the life
00:06:04.31\00:06:07.66
of Christ through
a study of the Bible.
00:06:07.69\00:06:10.03
And then we're going to
find that the altar of incense
00:06:10.51\00:06:13.51
represents prayer.
00:06:13.54\00:06:16.11
It represents coming to
Jesus to offer Him our praise,
00:06:16.14\00:06:21.07
offer Him our thanks,
offer Him our requests,
00:06:21.10\00:06:25.47
and also our
penitence because of our sins.
00:06:25.50\00:06:29.99
So the altar of
incense represents prayer.
00:06:30.02\00:06:33.90
So actually we
have here a triangle.
00:06:34.15\00:06:37.65
You see, in Bible
study God speaks to us.
00:06:38.16\00:06:42.53
In prayer, we speak to God.
00:06:42.82\00:06:45.77
And in witnessing, we
speak to others about God.
00:06:45.80\00:06:50.52
And so these three
pieces of furniture show us
00:06:50.72\00:06:54.50
how we speak with God,
how God speaks with us,
00:06:54.53\00:06:57.57
and the importance of
speaking to other people
00:06:57.60\00:07:01.20
about our
experience with Jesus Christ.
00:07:01.23\00:07:04.47
Now first of all, we
want to study about the
00:07:05.18\00:07:09.38
seven branched candlestick
that was found on the south side
00:07:09.41\00:07:14.41
of the Holy
Place of the Sanctuary.
00:07:14.44\00:07:17.41
First of all, I want to
tell you a few things about
00:07:17.80\00:07:20.32
the golden candlestick.
00:07:20.35\00:07:22.44
It had seven branches.
00:07:22.47\00:07:24.25
Seven representing
totality, or completeness.
00:07:24.28\00:07:28.73
It was made of solid gold.
00:07:29.44\00:07:32.18
And it weighted one
talent, which is equivalent
00:07:33.18\00:07:36.02
to 120 pounds.
00:07:36.05\00:07:39.59
Now at $1,400 an ounce,
which is ballpark these days,
00:07:40.02\00:07:46.20
that would be $2,688,000
just for the golden candlestick
00:07:46.40\00:07:55.10
that was in the Holy
Place of the Sanctuary.
00:07:55.13\00:07:58.34
The Bible tells us that
the wicks of this candlestick
00:07:58.66\00:08:03.15
were trimmed every
day by the high priest.
00:08:03.18\00:08:06.90
And the high priest always made
sure that there was sufficient
00:08:06.96\00:08:11.33
oil for these candlesticks
to continue burning.
00:08:11.36\00:08:16.13
In other words, the
seven branched candlestick
00:08:16.39\00:08:19.26
never burned out.
00:08:19.29\00:08:21.35
It was continually
perpetually giving its light.
00:08:21.38\00:08:26.18
Which, by the way, was
the only source of light
00:08:26.21\00:08:29.71
for the Hebrew Sanctuary.
00:08:30.23\00:08:31.91
Now the oil of these lamps
represents the Holy Spirit.
00:08:32.42\00:08:37.04
Let's turn in our
Bibles to Zechariah chapter 4
00:08:37.07\00:08:40.48
and verse 6.
00:08:40.51\00:08:41.86
Zechariah chapter 4 and verse 6.
00:08:41.89\00:08:45.00
This is the next to the
last book of the Old Testament.
00:08:45.03\00:08:48.49
It says here, after
referring to the candlestick
00:08:48.82\00:08:53.20
in the previous verses,
"So he answered and said to me,
00:08:53.23\00:08:57.79
'This is the word of
the Lord to Zerubbabel,
00:08:57.82\00:09:01.35
"Not by might nor by
power, but by My Spirit,"
00:09:01.65\00:09:08.06
says the Lord of hosts.'"
00:09:08.09\00:09:11.10
So we find the oil as a
symbol of the Holy Spirit.
00:09:11.48\00:09:15.72
And of course, the seven
branches represent that the
00:09:15.75\00:09:18.77
Holy Spirit gives
complete or total light.
00:09:18.80\00:09:23.73
Now what does this
candlestick really represent?
00:09:24.61\00:09:28.72
We know the oil
represents the Holy Spirit,
00:09:28.75\00:09:30.96
but what does the
candlestick itself represent?
00:09:30.99\00:09:34.46
In order to understand
that, we must go to the
00:09:34.89\00:09:37.61
book of Revelation.
00:09:37.64\00:09:38.84
So go with me to
Revelation chapter 1,
00:09:39.04\00:09:42.18
Revelation chapter 1,
and I want you to notice
00:09:42.21\00:09:45.60
that in Revelation 1
we have seven churches
00:09:45.63\00:09:49.59
that are mentioned,
seven churches of Asia Minor.
00:09:49.62\00:09:52.95
Revelation chapter 1
and verses 10 and 11.
00:09:53.13\00:09:57.29
Here it says, and
John is speaking...
00:09:57.57\00:10:00.18
So we have in Asia
Minor seven churches.
00:10:35.84\00:10:40.08
Now I want you to
notice that also in this vision
00:10:40.32\00:10:43.83
that John receives
in Revelation chapter 1,
00:10:43.86\00:10:46.43
there are seven
candlesticks mentioned.
00:10:46.63\00:10:49.45
Seven churches, we've
just read their names,
00:10:49.48\00:10:51.69
but there are also
seven candlesticks.
00:10:51.72\00:10:54.16
Notice Revelation
chapter 1 and verse 12.
00:10:54.36\00:10:57.87
It says, "Then I turned to see
the voice that spoke with me.
00:10:58.00\00:11:02.67
And having
turned I saw..." What?
00:11:02.70\00:11:05.81
"...I saw seven
golden lampstands."
00:11:05.84\00:11:10.51
And so you have seven
churches mentioned by name,
00:11:10.54\00:11:14.03
and you have
seven golden lampstands.
00:11:14.06\00:11:17.99
Now the question is,
what do the seven golden
00:11:18.02\00:11:21.00
lampstands stand for?
00:11:21.03\00:11:22.90
What do they represent?
00:11:22.93\00:11:24.52
We don't have to guess.
00:11:24.56\00:11:26.37
Because in Revelation
chapter 1 and verse 20,
00:11:26.64\00:11:29.72
we find an explanation
of what is represented
00:11:29.94\00:11:32.94
by the seven candlesticks.
00:11:32.97\00:11:34.93
It says here in
Revelation 1 and verse 20...
00:11:34.96\00:11:37.98
So what do the seven
lampstands stand for?
00:11:50.45\00:11:53.43
They stand for
the seven churches.
00:11:53.46\00:11:55.57
They are an illustration
of the seven churches.
00:11:55.60\00:11:59.09
So in other words, the
seven lampstands represent
00:11:59.12\00:12:02.62
God's church, these
seven churches in Asia Minor.
00:12:03.21\00:12:08.10
Now we come up with a
very important question.
00:12:08.99\00:12:11.52
There were many other churches
in Europe and in Asia Minor
00:12:12.82\00:12:17.75
at this time.
00:12:17.78\00:12:18.81
John is writing
around the year 95 AD.
00:12:18.84\00:12:21.84
This is long after Jesus
resurrected and went to heaven.
00:12:21.87\00:12:25.38
For example, just in Asia we
have churches like Troas, Asos,
00:12:25.78\00:12:31.35
Miletus, Colosse, Hierapolis,
Magnesia, among others.
00:12:31.38\00:12:37.14
And there were many
churches also in Europe.
00:12:37.17\00:12:39.30
So why these specific seven
churches chosen in Asia Minor?
00:12:39.80\00:12:46.31
In one of the sheets that
you received this morning,
00:12:47.16\00:12:49.25
you see the reason why.
00:12:49.28\00:12:50.54
If you take Patmos as
the base of a candlestick,
00:12:51.00\00:12:55.15
you'll notice that a candlestick
would project a shadow
00:12:55.55\00:13:00.80
into Asia Minor having the
churches in the exact order
00:13:00.83\00:13:05.72
in which they appear
in the book of Revelation.
00:13:05.75\00:13:08.23
That's no coincidence.
00:13:08.26\00:13:09.80
In other words, the seven
churches form a candelabrum.
00:13:09.83\00:13:13.78
That's the reason why these
seven churches were chosen.
00:13:14.23\00:13:17.50
Specifically because
they formed a candelabrum.
00:13:17.60\00:13:21.97
And of course, the candelabrum
represents the seven churches.
00:13:22.00\00:13:26.50
Of course, the
question still remains,
00:13:26.53\00:13:29.36
why were these seven chosen
over and above the fact that
00:13:29.39\00:13:33.84
you have a candelabrum formed
by the location of the churches?
00:13:33.87\00:13:37.54
Why were seven
specifically chosen?
00:13:37.77\00:13:40.85
Well allow me to read you,
first of all, a statement from
00:13:41.04\00:13:43.70
the book, Acts Of The Apostles.
00:13:43.73\00:13:45.57
This is the book by Ellen
White where she comments about
00:13:45.87\00:13:48.69
the Bible book,
Acts of the Apostles,
00:13:48.72\00:13:51.20
page 585, where she explains
why seven churches were chosen.
00:13:51.23\00:13:56.71
This is what she says.
00:13:56.74\00:13:58.03
So the names are what?
00:14:07.85\00:14:09.26
Symbolic of different
periods of the Christian Era.
00:14:09.65\00:14:14.84
She continues saying...
00:14:14.87\00:14:16.11
So you notice that she
says that the seven churches
00:14:36.24\00:14:39.00
represent seven periods.
00:14:39.03\00:14:40.41
Seven represents totality.
00:14:40.44\00:14:42.07
In other words, the
seven churches represent
00:14:42.10\00:14:44.17
the totality of the
history of the Christian church
00:14:44.20\00:14:47.44
from apostolic times
until the end of time.
00:14:47.47\00:14:50.63
Now I want to
read you a statement.
00:14:51.04\00:14:52.79
I normally wouldn't read a
statement from this author,
00:14:52.82\00:14:55.32
but I will read
this statement because
00:14:55.35\00:14:57.75
he agrees with Ellen White.
00:14:57.78\00:14:59.35
Hal Lindsey.
00:14:59.38\00:15:00.59
I disagree with
almost everything else
00:15:00.84\00:15:03.02
that he ever wrote.
00:15:03.05\00:15:04.21
But he's right on this point.
00:15:04.24\00:15:06.05
I wanted to read this
because you might say,
00:15:06.45\00:15:08.49
"Well that's what
Ellen White says."
00:15:08.52\00:15:09.80
Actually, most conservative
scholars believe that the
00:15:09.83\00:15:12.81
seven churches represents
seven periods of church history.
00:15:12.84\00:15:16.07
Not only Adventists,
but also non-Adventists.
00:15:16.10\00:15:19.45
Notice what he had to say.
00:15:19.65\00:15:21.29
This is in his book, Vanished
Into Thin Air, page 276.
00:15:21.32\00:15:26.39
He says...
00:15:26.90\00:15:27.93
So very clearly,
seven were chosen because
00:16:08.83\00:16:11.47
it represents totality.
00:16:11.50\00:16:13.32
These seven churches represent
the totality of the history
00:16:13.56\00:16:17.14
of the Christian church.
00:16:17.17\00:16:18.77
And the reason why you
have these specific churches
00:16:19.07\00:16:22.30
in Asia Minor is
because they form a candelabrum.
00:16:22.33\00:16:25.24
And the candelabrum
represents the seven churches.
00:16:25.27\00:16:29.89
Now let's put all of
the symbols together.
00:16:30.15\00:16:33.45
The candelabrum represents what?
00:16:33.83\00:16:36.57
The church all throughout
the course of history.
00:16:37.32\00:16:41.35
Now what is needed in
order for the candelabrum
00:16:42.85\00:16:46.81
to give light?
00:16:46.84\00:16:47.93
You have to have
oil in the candelabrum
00:16:48.64\00:16:51.61
to give light.
00:16:51.64\00:16:52.78
Let me ask you, what must the
church need in all of the stages
00:16:52.96\00:16:57.09
of its history in
order to shed light?
00:16:57.12\00:17:00.59
It needs the presence of what?
00:17:00.99\00:17:03.54
It need the presence of
God's Holy Spirit in order to
00:17:03.57\00:17:07.97
give light to the world in
all stages of church history.
00:17:08.00\00:17:12.38
Now let's notice how
the Bible portrays Jesus
00:17:12.92\00:17:18.61
in this picture.
00:17:18.64\00:17:19.82
Go with me to Revelation
chapter 1 and verse 13.
00:17:20.00\00:17:23.75
You see, the oil is not
in the lamps automatically.
00:17:23.96\00:17:27.41
In other words, just
by some type of strange
00:17:27.75\00:17:30.70
osmosis the oil is there.
00:17:30.73\00:17:32.41
No.
00:17:32.44\00:17:33.47
The high priest had
to be in the Holy Place
00:17:33.50\00:17:36.13
and he had to be continually
filling the lamps with oil.
00:17:36.16\00:17:40.77
Notice Revelation
chapter 1 and verse 13.
00:17:40.80\00:17:43.98
It says, "And in the midst
of the seven lampstands..."
00:17:44.28\00:17:47.56
And what do the
seven lampstands represent?
00:17:47.59\00:17:49.76
The seven churches.
00:17:50.29\00:17:51.56
And the seven
churches represent what?
00:17:51.59\00:17:53.44
The history of the church when?
00:17:53.47\00:17:55.44
All throughout the history of
the church from apostolic times
00:17:55.81\00:17:59.83
until the end of time.
00:17:59.86\00:18:00.97
Now that's an
interesting description.
00:18:16.60\00:18:18.47
He has, according to
this, a garment down to His feet
00:18:18.50\00:18:22.76
and He has also across
His chest a golden band.
00:18:22.79\00:18:27.27
Now if you go back to
Exodus 28 and verse 4...
00:18:27.47\00:18:30.91
I'm not going to read
that text, but you might
00:18:30.94\00:18:32.74
want to write it down.
00:18:32.77\00:18:33.82
Exodus 28 and verse 4
tells us that these were the
00:18:33.85\00:18:37.51
garments of the high priest.
00:18:37.54\00:18:39.43
In other words, Jesus is walking
among the seven candlesticks
00:18:39.77\00:18:43.46
as the High Priest.
00:18:43.49\00:18:45.09
Now where did the High
Priest go, according to what we
00:18:45.41\00:18:47.86
studied in our last lecture?
00:18:47.89\00:18:49.31
Where did He go?
00:18:49.34\00:18:50.50
He went to the
Most Holy Place, right?
00:18:50.53\00:18:52.93
No, no, no. He
went into the what?
00:18:52.96\00:18:55.36
He went into the Holy Place
to intercede for His people.
00:18:55.66\00:19:00.28
But now we notice that He
went in for another reason.
00:19:00.31\00:19:03.33
You see, the High
Priest is Jesus Christ.
00:19:03.36\00:19:06.69
And Jesus walks among
the seven candlesticks.
00:19:06.72\00:19:09.82
Why does Jesus walk
among the seven candlesticks?
00:19:10.23\00:19:12.72
Because He wants to make
sure that the candlesticks
00:19:12.92\00:19:15.97
have sufficient oil so
that they can give light.
00:19:16.00\00:19:19.23
In fact, let's notice that.
00:19:19.26\00:19:21.02
Let's go back to the
book of Leviticus chapter 24
00:19:21.05\00:19:25.76
and verses 1 to 4 to see what
the role of the high priest was
00:19:25.79\00:19:30.28
in the Holy
Place of the Sanctuary.
00:19:30.31\00:19:32.27
At least one of his roles in
the Holy Place of the Sanctuary.
00:19:32.30\00:19:35.49
Leviticus 24 and
verses 1 through 4.
00:19:35.89\00:19:38.86
Let me ask you, what was Aaron?
00:19:38.89\00:19:40.34
What was the function of Aaron?
00:19:40.37\00:19:42.04
Aaron was the high priest.
00:19:42.52\00:19:44.29
And this passage is
talking about Aaron.
00:19:44.32\00:19:46.92
Notice what it says there
in Leviticus 24 and verse 1.
00:19:47.19\00:19:50.53
So they were to bring oil
so that the lamps would burn
00:20:08.03\00:20:10.99
continually and never go out.
00:20:11.02\00:20:12.73
It continues saying...
00:20:13.62\00:20:14.71
Now notice where this takes
place, where Aaron is performing
00:20:14.74\00:20:17.78
this particular task.
00:20:17.81\00:20:19.33
In other words, outside
the veil that divided the
00:20:23.61\00:20:25.86
Holy from the Most Holy Place.
00:20:25.89\00:20:27.25
This is taking
place in what apartment?
00:20:27.28\00:20:29.44
It's taking place in the
Holy Place of the Sanctuary
00:20:29.81\00:20:33.40
because that's
where the candlestick is.
00:20:33.43\00:20:35.69
So it says in verse 3, "Outside
the veil of the Testimony
00:20:35.72\00:20:39.13
in the tabernacle of meeting."
00:20:39.16\00:20:41.52
Now notice...
00:20:41.55\00:20:42.71
What was the role of Aaron
the high priest in walking among
00:21:04.95\00:21:08.65
the candlesticks?
00:21:08.68\00:21:09.98
It was to make sure that
the candlesticks always had oil
00:21:10.01\00:21:13.74
and the wicks were
trimmed so that the candlestick
00:21:13.77\00:21:17.23
never ceased giving what?
00:21:17.26\00:21:19.39
Never ceased giving its light.
00:21:19.59\00:21:21.63
It was to
perpetually give its light.
00:21:21.66\00:21:25.37
Now let me ask
you this question.
00:21:26.33\00:21:27.79
Were there periods in
church history where the light
00:21:28.37\00:21:31.31
flickered and it looked
like it was going to go out?
00:21:31.34\00:21:33.61
Have any of you ever
heard of the dark ages?
00:21:34.43\00:21:38.79
Why do you suppose
they're called the dark ages?
00:21:39.31\00:21:42.22
Because there was
a scarcity of what?
00:21:42.25\00:21:44.55
There's a scarcity of light.
00:21:44.58\00:21:46.42
But listen up.
00:21:46.45\00:21:47.48
Even though this period was
dark, it was not totally dark.
00:21:47.73\00:21:52.85
The light of the
church never went out.
00:21:53.14\00:21:56.74
Because Jesus was walking
throughout the history of the
00:21:56.99\00:22:00.75
Christian church, illustrated
by the fact that He was walking
00:22:00.78\00:22:03.65
among the seven candlesticks.
00:22:03.68\00:22:05.20
He was always walking in
the midst of the history of the
00:22:05.23\00:22:08.30
church to make sure
that the light of the church
00:22:08.33\00:22:11.62
never went out.
00:22:11.65\00:22:14.16
Let me ask you, on
the day of Pentecost
00:22:15.22\00:22:18.34
what was it that gave the
disciples the power to preach
00:22:18.37\00:22:22.05
the message to the world?
00:22:22.08\00:22:23.44
The Holy Spirit was poured out.
00:22:24.21\00:22:26.15
And so here you have illustrated
the disciples would be
00:22:26.42\00:22:29.74
like the candlesticks.
00:22:29.77\00:22:31.69
This would be the
first candlestick because
00:22:31.72\00:22:33.87
it's the apostolic church.
00:22:33.90\00:22:35.58
And they needed what?
00:22:35.61\00:22:37.34
They needed the oil.
00:22:37.37\00:22:38.69
Now who poured
out the oil upon them?
00:22:38.72\00:22:40.81
Jesus Christ.
00:22:41.13\00:22:42.50
Through the power of what?
00:22:42.53\00:22:44.31
Through the power
of the Holy Spirit.
00:22:44.34\00:22:47.20
So the seven branched
candlestick simply represents
00:22:47.23\00:22:50.14
God's church in all ages
giving the light of Jesus Christ
00:22:50.44\00:22:56.26
through the power
of the Holy Spirit.
00:22:56.29\00:22:58.70
And who is in the midst
of the church making sure
00:22:58.73\00:23:01.90
that the light never goes out?
00:23:01.93\00:23:03.55
Jesus Christ, the High
Priest, is in the Holy Place
00:23:03.58\00:23:07.35
making sure.
00:23:07.38\00:23:08.43
Now go with me
to Matthew chapter 5
00:23:08.46\00:23:10.70
and verses 14 through 16.
00:23:10.73\00:23:13.01
Matthew chapter 5
and verses 14 through 16.
00:23:13.04\00:23:17.41
Here, Jesus is
speaking about His followers
00:23:17.71\00:23:20.82
and one of the
roles of His followers?
00:23:20.85\00:23:23.26
He says here...
00:23:23.81\00:23:25.05
What are we?
00:23:27.88\00:23:28.91
The light of the world.
00:23:29.56\00:23:31.16
And then Jesus
explains what He means by this
00:23:46.76\00:23:49.15
by saying that we are
light and we're like a lampstand
00:23:49.18\00:23:51.69
that needs to be put on a
place where everyone can see it.
00:23:51.72\00:23:54.40
Notice verse 16.
00:23:54.43\00:23:55.92
Folks, anyone who
has the Holy Spirit
00:24:07.73\00:24:12.07
in his or her life will
shed light to the world.
00:24:12.10\00:24:18.84
If we don't have any
light to give, it's because
00:24:19.08\00:24:22.58
we are not connected
with the Source of light.
00:24:22.61\00:24:25.35
Notice in the book,
Christian Service, page 21.
00:24:25.70\00:24:28.67
Ellen White had
this awesome statement.
00:24:29.40\00:24:31.96
"Everyone who is connected with
God will impart light to others.
00:24:31.99\00:24:40.06
If there are any who have
no light to give, it is because
00:24:40.09\00:24:46.52
they have no connection
with the Source of light."
00:24:46.55\00:24:51.05
That's an awesome statement.
00:24:51.22\00:24:52.34
Which means that if
we're not witnessing,
00:24:52.37\00:24:53.84
if we're not telling
others, we don't have the oil.
00:24:53.87\00:24:57.33
We are not connected
with the Source of light.
00:24:57.58\00:25:00.23
And by the way, when Jesus
said, "You are the light of
00:25:00.61\00:25:02.71
the world," actually
Jesus is the light of
00:25:02.74\00:25:05.92
the world, isn't He.
00:25:05.95\00:25:07.27
Jesus said, "I am
the light of the world."
00:25:07.30\00:25:09.30
So how can He say to the church,
00:25:09.33\00:25:10.95
"You are the
light of the world?"
00:25:10.98\00:25:12.16
Well let me give
you an illustration.
00:25:12.19\00:25:13.54
Let's take the sun.
00:25:15.07\00:25:16.75
Does the sun have its own light?
00:25:17.24\00:25:19.55
Does it have its
own original light?
00:25:20.32\00:25:22.53
Absolutely.
00:25:22.56\00:25:23.75
Now at night, the
sun shines on what?
00:25:24.24\00:25:26.85
It shines on the moon.
00:25:27.53\00:25:29.20
Is the light of the moon light?
00:25:29.54\00:25:31.65
Of course it is.
00:25:31.94\00:25:33.12
But is it original
light or is it derived light?
00:25:33.15\00:25:35.65
It's derived light.
00:25:36.01\00:25:37.05
So when you go out at night
and you see the beautiful moon,
00:25:37.08\00:25:39.67
you say, "Oh, what a
beautiful full moon."
00:25:40.19\00:25:43.17
That's only partially true.
00:25:43.76\00:25:45.30
What you should really say is,
"Oh, the sun is sure beautiful
00:25:45.50\00:25:49.53
tonight, isn't it."
00:25:49.56\00:25:50.89
Because the glory of the
moon is the glory of the sun.
00:25:51.72\00:25:54.70
And so it is with us.
00:25:55.20\00:25:56.94
When we are connected with
the sun, we are like the moon
00:25:56.97\00:26:01.07
and we project the light
of Jesus Christ to the world.
00:26:01.10\00:26:03.99
If we are not
projecting light, it is because
00:26:04.19\00:26:07.04
we have no connection
with the Source of light.
00:26:07.07\00:26:09.82
Now let's talk about
the table of the showbread.
00:26:11.40\00:26:13.36
Do you understand what
the candlestick represents?
00:26:13.39\00:26:15.48
It represents the
church doing what?
00:26:15.51\00:26:17.93
Witnessing through the
power of the Holy Spirit.
00:26:17.96\00:26:21.18
One of the
ingredients of a holy life.
00:26:21.21\00:26:23.52
Is that what Jesus did?
00:26:24.38\00:26:25.71
Was Jesus constantly
doing missionary work?
00:26:25.74\00:26:28.53
Was He constantly
shedding light to other people?
00:26:29.00\00:26:31.82
Absolutely.
00:26:31.85\00:26:32.92
Now let's talk about
the table of the showbread.
00:26:33.12\00:26:35.28
What does bread
represent in Scripture?
00:26:35.79\00:26:39.28
Let's read three
verses, or three passages.
00:26:39.31\00:26:41.70
Matthew chapter 4 and
verses 3 and 4 tells us
00:26:41.73\00:26:45.26
explicitly what
bread represents.
00:26:45.29\00:26:47.21
Matthew chapter
4 verses 3 and 4.
00:26:47.24\00:26:50.35
So what does bread represent?
00:27:11.77\00:27:13.73
It represents God's Word.
00:27:13.76\00:27:16.57
Notice Isaiah
chapter 55 and verse 2.
00:27:16.95\00:27:20.00
Another text that speaks
about the meaning of the bread.
00:27:20.03\00:27:23.18
Isaiah 55 and verse 2.
00:27:23.21\00:27:25.35
Here God says...
00:27:25.68\00:27:27.54
How do we listen
carefully to God?
00:27:38.53\00:27:40.35
Through His What?
00:27:40.38\00:27:41.47
Through His Word.
00:27:41.50\00:27:43.11
So listening to God's Word
is eating, according to this.
00:27:47.41\00:27:50.51
Notice also in the same chapter,
Isaiah 55 and verses 10 and 11.
00:27:55.57\00:28:00.33
Isaiah 55 verses 10 and 11.
00:28:00.36\00:28:03.29
It says there...
00:28:03.77\00:28:04.80
Notice that bread is
being compared to what?
00:28:24.49\00:28:27.96
To the Word of God.
00:28:27.99\00:28:29.31
So the showbread
represents God's Word.
00:28:40.46\00:28:44.06
Now let's read a passage
that describes the showbread.
00:28:44.26\00:28:48.76
Go with me to
Leviticus chapter 24
00:28:48.79\00:28:51.20
and verses 6 through 8.
00:28:51.23\00:28:53.30
Leviticus chapter 24
and verses 6 through 8.
00:28:53.33\00:28:56.78
It's speaking
about the showbread.
00:28:56.81\00:28:58.51
It says there...
00:28:59.31\00:29:00.49
In other words, how many loaves
on the table of showbread?
00:29:05.54\00:29:08.52
There were twelve.
00:29:08.55\00:29:10.30
Is there sufficient
bread for all of God's people?
00:29:11.27\00:29:13.84
Twelve is the symbol of God's
people, we studied last night.
00:29:13.87\00:29:16.52
Right? So is there
sufficient bread for everyone?
00:29:16.55\00:29:19.76
Absolutely. For all of Israel.
00:29:19.79\00:29:21.76
So it says...
00:29:22.15\00:29:23.18
And now notice when
the fresh bread was put.
00:29:42.11\00:29:44.68
It says in verse 8...
00:29:44.71\00:29:46.42
Now let's notice several
details from this passage
00:29:56.66\00:29:59.57
as well as some
details that are found in other
00:29:59.60\00:30:02.04
passages of Scripture.
00:30:02.07\00:30:03.62
First of all, the
bread was there every day.
00:30:03.65\00:30:07.32
Right?
00:30:07.35\00:30:08.38
It was changed on Sabbath, but
the bread was there every day.
00:30:08.41\00:30:12.55
And when was the
bread placed on the table?
00:30:12.58\00:30:15.60
It was placed there, the
fresh bread was placed when?
00:30:16.24\00:30:19.42
On Sabbath.
00:30:19.45\00:30:20.48
Let me ask you, when is it
that you get your fresh bread?
00:30:20.51\00:30:22.86
You're getting it right now.
00:30:23.97\00:30:25.65
On Sabbath.
00:30:26.55\00:30:28.09
That's the reason
why the bread was changed
00:30:28.12\00:30:31.02
on God's holy Sabbath.
00:30:31.05\00:30:32.49
Notice also that frankincense
was placed on top of the bread.
00:30:32.52\00:30:36.06
Frankincense
represents praying through the
00:30:36.26\00:30:39.91
merits of Jesus Christ.
00:30:39.94\00:30:41.09
We'll come to that when
we talk about the altar.
00:30:41.12\00:30:43.14
Should we ever partake of
God's Word without prayer?
00:30:43.17\00:30:47.32
Absolutely not.
00:30:47.56\00:30:48.82
The prayer, the frankincense,
is on top of the bread.
00:30:49.02\00:30:52.71
It's connected with the bread.
00:30:52.74\00:30:55.10
Also, and I'll give you the
reference, Leviticus 2 verse 5,
00:30:56.04\00:30:59.58
says that this bread
had to be unleavened.
00:30:59.61\00:31:01.84
What does leaven represent?
00:31:01.95\00:31:03.54
It represents sin.
00:31:03.82\00:31:05.26
Let me ask you, is
the Bible free from sin?
00:31:05.29\00:31:10.19
It most certainly is.
00:31:10.76\00:31:12.21
It's free from sin.
00:31:12.31\00:31:13.67
Does the Bible rebuke sin?
00:31:14.07\00:31:15.94
Does the Bible rebuke darkness?
00:31:16.25\00:31:18.29
It most certainly does.
00:31:18.32\00:31:19.41
Because it's holy,
it's undefiled by sin.
00:31:19.44\00:31:23.07
It tells the truth.
00:31:23.10\00:31:24.30
And so the bread was
suppose to be unleavened.
00:31:24.33\00:31:27.78
Furthermore, the Bible
tells us that this bread
00:31:28.23\00:31:32.15
had to be salted.
00:31:32.18\00:31:33.44
Leviticus 2 and verse
13 says that the showbread
00:31:33.47\00:31:36.36
had to be salted.
00:31:36.39\00:31:37.63
You know, salt
performs several functions.
00:31:37.83\00:31:40.71
First of all, it seasons.
00:31:40.74\00:31:42.08
Let me ask you, does
the Bible season our life?
00:31:42.11\00:31:44.60
Oh, it most certainly does.
00:31:45.00\00:31:46.61
The salt also preserves.
00:31:46.64\00:31:49.87
Does the Bible preserve us?
00:31:50.37\00:31:52.39
It most certainly does.
00:31:52.42\00:31:53.59
And the salt purifies
and cleanses, doesn't it.
00:31:53.90\00:31:57.54
Does the Bible
purify and cleanse?
00:31:57.83\00:32:00.53
It most certainly does.
00:32:00.68\00:32:02.13
And so the table of showbread
represents God's holy Word
00:32:02.16\00:32:08.15
undefiled by human
bias, by human sin.
00:32:08.18\00:32:11.34
It is salty because it
gives flavor to our lives,
00:32:11.68\00:32:15.70
it cleanses our
lives, it seasons our lives.
00:32:15.73\00:32:19.35
Every Sabbath,
it's to be given fresh.
00:32:19.67\00:32:22.74
That's why we come to
church on the Sabbath.
00:32:22.77\00:32:25.75
Unfortunately, some people
prefer other kinds of food.
00:32:27.14\00:32:32.02
You remember in John chapter 6.
00:32:32.90\00:32:35.12
Let's go there, John chapter 6.
00:32:35.54\00:32:38.58
The Bible tells us there
that many people followed Jesus
00:32:39.08\00:32:42.81
because of the
miracles that He performed.
00:32:42.84\00:32:44.92
In fact, if you read
John 6 you'll find that people
00:32:44.95\00:32:47.13
follow Jesus for
three main reasons.
00:32:47.16\00:32:49.29
Number one, they followed Him
because they loved His miracles.
00:32:49.77\00:32:52.64
Number two, they followed Him
because they got a free lunch.
00:32:53.80\00:32:57.97
In other words, for
the loaves and the fishes.
00:33:00.06\00:33:02.47
And in the third place,
they had the hopes that Jesus
00:33:02.59\00:33:06.27
would establish His
earthly kingdom here.
00:33:06.30\00:33:08.95
In other words, they
had political aspirations,
00:33:09.79\00:33:12.18
they had material aspirations,
and they loved the sensational
00:33:12.60\00:33:17.20
and they loved miracles.
00:33:17.23\00:33:18.81
Let's read John chapter
6 and verse 1 and verse 2.
00:33:18.84\00:33:22.58
It that the right
reason for following Jesus?
00:33:40.60\00:33:42.65
Ah you know, people
will go to a church where
00:33:43.33\00:33:45.49
there's all kinds of
signs, and wonders, and jumping,
00:33:45.52\00:33:48.36
and tongues, and
all kinds of things.
00:33:48.39\00:33:50.65
But when it comes to preaching
the Word it's a different story.
00:33:51.11\00:33:53.50
We're going to
see in a few moments.
00:33:53.53\00:33:54.77
Now let's go down to verse 14.
00:33:54.80\00:33:56.45
See, they're impressed
by the miracles of Jesus.
00:33:58.51\00:34:00.88
Because He fed 5000 with
five loaves and two fishes.
00:34:06.15\00:34:09.16
See, they said, "This is
the Prophet because He does
00:34:16.03\00:34:19.03
signs and wonders.
00:34:19.06\00:34:20.11
He feeds 5000 people with
five loaves and two fishes.
00:34:20.14\00:34:25.15
This Guy would
make a great king."
00:34:25.39\00:34:27.63
But then Jesus
started preaching.
00:34:30.18\00:34:31.94
Notice John
chapter 6 verses 53 to 56.
00:34:33.82\00:34:36.59
He says some
revolutionary words.
00:34:36.62\00:34:38.54
And when the people
heard Jesus say this,
00:35:09.54\00:35:12.13
they said, "This Guy is
teaching us cannibalism.
00:35:12.16\00:35:14.80
How can anyone eat His
flesh and drink His blood?"
00:35:16.53\00:35:19.55
And Jesus made it
very clear what He meant.
00:35:19.75\00:35:22.07
Notice John
chapter 6 and verse 63.
00:35:22.34\00:35:24.71
What He was saying is, we eat
the flesh and drink the blood
00:35:24.74\00:35:28.86
of Jesus through a
study of His holy Word.
00:35:28.89\00:35:31.10
In other words, it's not
by eating Jesus physically,
00:35:31.69\00:35:34.52
like is taught by
the Roman Catholic Church
00:35:34.55\00:35:36.52
that in the mass you're actually
eating the literal flesh and
00:35:36.55\00:35:40.11
you're drinking the blood
of Jesus even though it appears
00:35:40.14\00:35:42.83
like bread and it
appears like grape juice.
00:35:42.86\00:35:45.31
It's still the
flesh and blood of Jesus.
00:35:45.34\00:35:47.28
That's not what
Jesus was saying.
00:35:47.31\00:35:49.06
Notice what we
find in John 6 verse 63.
00:35:49.98\00:35:53.08
Jesus explained what He
did not mean and what He meant.
00:35:53.11\00:35:56.82
He says here...
00:35:56.85\00:35:58.12
In other words,
"The Spirit gives life.
00:36:04.43\00:36:06.02
Eating My flesh
doesn't profit anything."
00:36:06.05\00:36:08.87
And then He explains.
00:36:08.90\00:36:10.20
So what does it
mean to eat the flesh and
00:36:15.62\00:36:17.46
drink the blood of Jesus?
00:36:17.49\00:36:18.69
It means to listen to
His what? To His word.
00:36:18.72\00:36:22.41
"The words that I speak to you,
00:36:22.44\00:36:24.27
they are spirit
and they are life."
00:36:24.30\00:36:26.39
And do you know when Jesus
said that, almost everybody that
00:36:26.42\00:36:30.20
was present there,
the multitude left.
00:36:30.23\00:36:31.87
They said, "We love miracles,
and we'd love to have an
00:36:31.90\00:36:34.90
earthly king, and we love
it when we have the material
00:36:34.93\00:36:39.06
things, but forget it.
00:36:39.09\00:36:40.87
If it comes to following this
Guy's words, not interested."
00:36:40.90\00:36:44.98
And so it says in John 6:66...
00:36:45.01\00:36:49.43
It's coincidence.
00:36:51.98\00:36:53.25
But you can always
remember this verse.
00:36:53.28\00:36:55.33
It says in John 6 verse 66...
00:36:55.36\00:36:58.32
But you know, Peter, in spite
of the fact that many times
00:37:07.67\00:37:10.28
he put his tongue in
fourth gear before putting his
00:37:10.31\00:37:13.52
brain in first gear, he
caught the point that Jesus
00:37:13.55\00:37:16.78
was trying to teach.
00:37:16.81\00:37:18.03
Because Jesus
says to His disciples,
00:37:18.06\00:37:19.46
"Are you going to leave too?"
00:37:19.49\00:37:20.54
Let's notice, John
chapter 6 and verse 67.
00:37:20.57\00:37:23.54
Beginning with verse 67.
00:37:23.57\00:37:25.10
Did Peter understand what
it meant to eat the flesh and
00:37:39.87\00:37:42.58
drink the blood of Jesus?
00:37:42.61\00:37:43.70
He said, "Yes,
You have the..." What?
00:37:43.73\00:37:45.41
"You have the
words of eternal life."
00:37:45.44\00:37:47.90
Physically, we
eat through our mouth.
00:37:50.03\00:37:54.18
Spiritually, we eat
primarily through our eyes
00:37:55.10\00:37:59.05
and through our ears.
00:37:59.08\00:38:01.13
And what we eat makes us
either healthy or makes us sick.
00:38:01.63\00:38:07.14
Is that true?
00:38:07.55\00:38:08.60
Absolutely.
00:38:08.98\00:38:10.03
The question is, are we
feeding on spiritual junk food?
00:38:10.80\00:38:16.12
Television, novels,
worldly music that make us
00:38:16.97\00:38:23.02
totally unlike Jesus Christ?
00:38:23.05\00:38:25.89
Spiritually, we
become what we eat.
00:38:26.56\00:38:29.75
Just like physically,
we become what we eat.
00:38:30.18\00:38:33.65
In other words, this is
a principle of Scripture
00:38:33.85\00:38:37.28
that we are composed of
spiritually what we eat.
00:38:37.31\00:38:41.34
And that's the reason
why we must guard our senses,
00:38:42.10\00:38:44.89
primarily our
sight and our hearing,
00:38:44.92\00:38:47.46
and not allow anything to come
through the avenue of our senses
00:38:47.69\00:38:51.49
that would defile
our spiritual health.
00:38:51.52\00:38:54.63
Allow me to read you a statement
from, Messages To Young People,
00:38:54.90\00:38:57.91
page 271 and 272.
00:38:57.94\00:39:01.26
Listen to this solemn statement.
00:39:01.46\00:39:03.21
And I think today she
would add going to the show,
00:39:23.72\00:39:26.37
and she would add watching
certain things on television,
00:39:26.40\00:39:29.28
and she would add music,
and many other things as well.
00:39:29.31\00:39:32.52
But at that time,
these things did not exist.
00:39:32.55\00:39:35.65
At least iPods where you
can put your music, and so on.
00:39:35.86\00:39:38.86
She continues saying...
00:39:38.89\00:39:39.96
Let me ask you, if
you've accustomed a child
00:40:18.53\00:40:22.39
to eating cookies
and cake and ice cream,
00:40:22.96\00:40:27.31
and that is the child's
diet, and then one day you
00:40:28.06\00:40:31.93
come and you have a
plate of ice cream...
00:40:31.96\00:40:34.55
...butter pecan...
00:40:35.51\00:40:36.87
...and you have a bag
of carrots, and you say
00:40:39.39\00:40:42.64
to the child, "Choose
which of the two you want."
00:40:42.67\00:40:45.84
The child says,
"Give me the carrots."
00:40:46.22\00:40:48.21
No way.
00:40:48.42\00:40:49.50
The child says,
"Give me the ice cream."
00:40:49.53\00:40:51.06
Why?
00:40:51.09\00:40:52.12
Because that is how you have
trained your physical habits.
00:40:52.15\00:40:55.94
Well spiritually,
it's the same thing.
00:40:56.43\00:40:58.77
We are spiritually
composed of what we eat.
00:40:59.16\00:41:02.20
And when we train
ourselves to eat junk food,
00:41:02.23\00:41:05.71
spiritually speaking, that
is what we are going to crave.
00:41:05.74\00:41:10.85
What God wants us to do
is He wants us to contemplate
00:41:11.77\00:41:15.36
Jesus Christ as
found in His Word.
00:41:15.66\00:41:18.56
So that we can
receive spiritual nourishment
00:41:18.59\00:41:21.24
and Jesus can become
part of us through a study
00:41:21.27\00:41:25.42
of His holy Word.
00:41:25.45\00:41:26.66
Do you know, as we
behold Jesus and His Word,
00:41:26.69\00:41:29.27
a spiritual
metamorphosis takes place.
00:41:29.30\00:41:32.45
Go with me to 2 Corinthians
chapter 3 and verse 18.
00:41:32.48\00:41:35.26
2 Corinthians
chapter 3 and verse 18.
00:41:35.44\00:41:39.18
Here, we find the apostle
Paul giving us one of the
00:41:39.52\00:41:43.19
secret ingredients of a
sanctified and holy life.
00:41:43.22\00:41:46.47
The first ingredient, of course,
is receiving the Holy Spirit
00:41:46.65\00:41:49.70
so that we can give the
life of Jesus to the world
00:41:49.73\00:41:52.83
and His message to the world.
00:41:52.86\00:41:54.07
The second is the
table of the showbread.
00:41:54.10\00:41:56.07
Now notice 2 Corinthians
chapter 3 and verse 18.
00:41:56.47\00:42:00.16
What are we beholding?
00:42:06.70\00:42:07.84
We're beholding
the glory of the Lord.
00:42:08.17\00:42:10.50
What happens when we
behold the glory of the Lord?
00:42:10.53\00:42:13.74
It says...
00:42:13.77\00:42:14.82
What happens as we
continue to behold Jesus?
00:42:24.22\00:42:27.59
We are being what?
00:42:27.62\00:42:30.30
We are being changed.
00:42:30.53\00:42:31.68
If you don't believe that
what you watch changes you,
00:42:31.71\00:42:35.00
I'll give you an example.
00:42:35.03\00:42:36.18
When I was
teaching in South America,
00:42:37.01\00:42:38.97
one Saturday night
they decided that they would
00:42:39.49\00:42:41.76
project this movie.
00:42:42.12\00:42:43.22
I don't know why
they did it at our school.
00:42:43.25\00:42:44.89
But it was a Bruce Lee movie.
00:42:45.09\00:42:46.88
And you know,
Bruce Lee's movies are...
00:42:49.26\00:42:51.98
Kicking out, you know.
00:42:54.05\00:42:55.25
After the movie was over,
you would have thought that
00:42:57.08\00:43:01.13
you were in a
training school of karate.
00:43:01.16\00:43:04.11
Because all of the kids
went outside and they...
00:43:04.37\00:43:07.42
Let me ask you, where
did they learn to do that?
00:43:09.78\00:43:12.28
They learned that by what
they saw and by what they heard.
00:43:12.77\00:43:16.89
This is only a small example.
00:43:17.67\00:43:19.31
But it happens every day.
00:43:19.34\00:43:21.22
We are changed into the
image of what we behold.
00:43:21.25\00:43:24.52
And incidentally, that
word that is used here,
00:43:25.15\00:43:28.80
"are being transformed,"
the word, "transformed,"
00:43:28.83\00:43:32.11
is the word, "metamorphosis."
00:43:32.14\00:43:36.65
Do you know what
a metamorphosis is?
00:43:37.48\00:43:39.27
You know, when I was a
kid, I collected butterflies.
00:43:41.09\00:43:43.49
Sometime I'll tell
you the whole story.
00:43:43.52\00:43:45.32
We don't have time right now.
00:43:45.35\00:43:46.52
But I became a very
proficient and professional
00:43:46.55\00:43:49.93
collector of butterflies.
00:43:49.96\00:43:50.99
Classifying them and
being careful about the way
00:43:51.02\00:43:53.55
that they were
dissected, and so on.
00:43:53.58\00:43:55.16
Now I can't kill them anymore.
00:43:55.19\00:43:56.92
You know, they're more
beautiful flying in the air
00:43:56.95\00:43:59.63
the way God made them.
00:43:59.66\00:44:00.73
But you know, I was
able to observe what happens
00:44:00.98\00:44:04.59
when the caterpillar attaches
itself to a tree or to a wall,
00:44:04.62\00:44:08.99
or whatever, and then buries
itself inside the chrysalis
00:44:09.02\00:44:12.56
or inside the cocoon.
00:44:12.94\00:44:14.44
Inside the cocoon, a process
of transformation takes place.
00:44:15.03\00:44:19.91
One of the most miraculous
things in nature called,
00:44:19.94\00:44:22.47
a metamorphosis.
00:44:22.50\00:44:23.71
And after several days, the
cocoon starts shaking violently.
00:44:24.44\00:44:29.40
And all of a
sudden, the cocoon breaks.
00:44:29.85\00:44:32.15
And lo and
behold, out of the cocoon
00:44:32.18\00:44:35.46
comes a what?
00:44:35.49\00:44:38.15
A butterfly.
00:44:38.55\00:44:39.86
Notice that even
the name has changed.
00:44:40.09\00:44:42.76
Before, it was a caterpillar.
Now it's a butterfly.
00:44:43.07\00:44:45.48
The caterpillar, you know,
drags himself along the ground
00:44:46.76\00:44:50.62
and can be stepped
on, but a butterfly flies.
00:44:50.65\00:44:53.22
That's what Jesus meant.
00:44:53.43\00:44:54.74
That those who are in
Christ are a new creation.
00:44:54.77\00:44:57.48
Old things have passed
and everything is made new.
00:44:57.86\00:45:00.74
But we must feed
that new spiritual nature.
00:45:00.77\00:45:04.38
Notice what Desire Of
Ages, page 390, has to say.
00:45:04.92\00:45:08.83
This is what Jesus meant when
He said that we should pray,
00:46:07.58\00:46:10.71
"Give us this
week our daily bread."
00:46:10.74\00:46:14.53
Thank you very much.
00:46:15.36\00:46:16.70
My mind is still working.
00:46:17.07\00:46:18.74
It says, "Give us
this day our daily bread."
00:46:19.02\00:46:23.39
Let me ask you, do
you eat once a week?
00:46:23.42\00:46:25.20
I doubt it.
00:46:26.75\00:46:27.78
I don't see anyone
here who eats once a week.
00:46:28.39\00:46:30.87
I can see your robust faces.
00:46:32.85\00:46:35.56
See, we're all well fed.
00:46:35.86\00:46:38.56
What would happen if
you only ate once a week?
00:46:39.00\00:46:40.90
You'd get sick and die.
00:46:41.60\00:46:43.13
And yet many
people, there only diet is a
00:46:43.84\00:46:46.35
Sabbath morning sermon.
00:46:46.38\00:46:47.79
Now I'm into meddling.
00:46:49.58\00:46:50.90
But it's true.
00:46:52.50\00:46:53.56
What happens spiritually
when you only partake of
00:46:54.46\00:46:56.73
the showbread
on Sabbath morning?
00:46:56.76\00:46:58.76
Our spiritual life
shrivels up and dies.
00:46:59.10\00:47:02.88
Now let's talk about the
third piece of furniture.
00:47:03.57\00:47:05.38
Are we learning anything from
what we have in the Holy Place?
00:47:05.41\00:47:08.56
It's the triangle
of sanctification.
00:47:08.59\00:47:11.04
Now let's notice
the altar of incense,
00:47:11.35\00:47:14.15
the golden altar of incense.
00:47:14.18\00:47:16.19
This piece of furniture
was immediately before the veil
00:47:16.76\00:47:20.67
that divided the Holy
from the Most Holy Place.
00:47:20.70\00:47:23.26
It's orientation, even
though it was in the Holy Place,
00:47:23.62\00:47:26.42
it's orientation was
towards the Most Holy Place.
00:47:26.45\00:47:29.85
In fact, if you read a
couple of verses from Scripture,
00:47:30.47\00:47:34.31
Exodus chapter 30 and verse
6, it tells us that this altar
00:47:34.34\00:47:39.28
was immediately
before the veil that divided
00:47:39.48\00:47:41.87
the Holy from the Most Holy.
00:47:41.90\00:47:42.93
You see, what happened is
when the incense was placed
00:47:42.96\00:47:45.81
upon this altar with the
fire, the smoke would ascend the
00:47:45.84\00:47:49.77
veil and it would go over the
veil into the presence of God
00:47:49.87\00:47:53.50
where the ark of
the covenant was.
00:47:53.53\00:47:55.33
Notice Exodus
chapter 30 and verse 6.
00:47:55.62\00:47:58.62
Do you notice the orientation?
00:48:10.00\00:48:11.75
It says the veil that
leads into the Most Holy Place.
00:48:11.78\00:48:14.44
The veil behind
which the mercy seat is.
00:48:14.47\00:48:17.17
"And I will
meet with you there."
00:48:17.20\00:48:19.00
In other words, even
though it was in the Holy Place,
00:48:19.03\00:48:20.98
its orientation was
towards the Most Holy Place.
00:48:21.01\00:48:24.07
Perhaps this is the reason
why in the book of Hebrews
00:48:24.24\00:48:27.14
the altar of incense
is actually placed inside
00:48:27.39\00:48:29.95
the Most Holy Place.
00:48:29.98\00:48:31.19
Notice, for example, Hebrews
chapter 9 verses 2 through 4.
00:48:31.39\00:48:35.05
It says...
00:48:35.39\00:48:36.43
And so notice that the
censer is placed in the content
00:49:01.08\00:49:05.03
of the Most Holy Place.
00:49:05.06\00:49:06.66
Now let's talk a little
bit about the altar of incense.
00:49:06.69\00:49:10.79
The altar of incense was so
important that only holy fire
00:49:11.63\00:49:17.15
could be placed upon that altar.
00:49:17.18\00:49:19.06
And what does fire represent?
00:49:19.35\00:49:21.04
The fire
represents the Holy Spirit.
00:49:21.36\00:49:23.68
The oil gives light,
the Holy Spirit gives light.
00:49:23.71\00:49:26.72
Secondly, the incense
was of a very special kind.
00:49:27.80\00:49:35.82
Which means that it
could not be duplicated.
00:49:36.20\00:49:38.70
The Bible says that
anyone who tried to duplicate
00:49:39.38\00:49:42.24
or to replicate the formula
that was used for the incense
00:49:42.87\00:49:48.69
was to be put to
death it was so serious.
00:49:48.89\00:49:51.34
You can read that
in Exodus chapter 30
00:49:51.37\00:49:54.13
and verses 34 through 38.
00:49:54.36\00:49:57.87
Now you say, "Why in the
world would God pronounce such a
00:49:58.44\00:50:00.92
dire sentence against
people for trying to replicate
00:50:00.95\00:50:04.55
or duplicate this incense?"
00:50:04.58\00:50:07.23
The reason is that the
incense represented the merits
00:50:07.49\00:50:11.47
of the
righteousness of Jesus Christ.
00:50:11.67\00:50:13.99
And that cannot be replicated.
00:50:14.37\00:50:17.12
That cannot be reproduced.
00:50:17.62\00:50:20.01
The righteousness of Christ is
a one of a kind righteousness.
00:50:20.30\00:50:25.71
In fact, I want you to
notice that the altar of incense
00:50:25.91\00:50:29.44
is connected with prayer.
00:50:29.47\00:50:31.94
Notice Psalm 141 and verse 2.
00:50:31.97\00:50:34.97
Psalm 141 and verse 2.
00:50:35.00\00:50:37.63
It says here...
00:50:38.01\00:50:39.04
So notice, what is
connected with the incense?
00:50:49.14\00:50:52.08
With the incense is connected
prayer, according to this text.
00:50:52.11\00:50:57.57
You can also read Revelation
chapter 8 and verses 3 through 5
00:50:57.82\00:51:01.25
where it speaks about
the prayers of the saints
00:51:01.63\00:51:05.18
ascending to the
Sanctuary through the incense
00:51:05.21\00:51:10.61
that is offered on the altar.
00:51:10.64\00:51:12.36
Now I want to read you a
statement that we find in
00:51:12.72\00:51:15.48
The Youth's
Instructor, April 16, 1903,
00:51:15.51\00:51:18.64
where we find these
very significant words.
00:51:19.08\00:51:21.75
Your prayers, if they go
to the heavenly Sanctuary
00:51:49.20\00:51:52.06
without the incense,
they will be rejected by God
00:51:52.09\00:51:55.00
because they're going
from sinful human channels.
00:51:55.03\00:51:57.64
She continues
saying, listen carefully...
00:51:57.89\00:52:00.29
And so the altar of
incense represents prayer
00:52:32.22\00:52:36.19
intermingled with the
righteousness of Jesus Christ.
00:52:36.22\00:52:40.06
Now do you know the Bible
tells us that it's the angels
00:52:40.72\00:52:43.71
who take our prayers to heaven?
00:52:43.74\00:52:45.37
And the angels bring the
answers from God back to us?
00:52:45.98\00:52:50.59
You say, "Where
does the Bible say that?"
00:52:51.02\00:52:52.43
Do you remember that on
the veil that divided the Holy
00:52:52.63\00:52:55.20
and Most Holy
Place, there were what?
00:52:55.23\00:52:57.25
There were cherubim.
00:52:57.55\00:52:58.60
We studied this last Sabbath.
00:52:58.63\00:53:00.04
Cherubim
embroidered on the veil,
00:53:00.33\00:53:03.16
ascending and
descending on the veil.
00:53:03.19\00:53:05.53
So when the smoke of the
incense went over the veil
00:53:05.56\00:53:10.00
into the presence of God,
it represents the fact that the
00:53:10.03\00:53:13.02
angels actually bore
the prayers to heaven
00:53:13.05\00:53:15.84
and brought answers back
to human beings who prayed.
00:53:15.87\00:53:20.02
Incidentally, you remember
the story of the ladder?
00:53:20.82\00:53:23.18
The misnomered Jacob's ladder?
00:53:24.17\00:53:27.19
It wasn't Jacob's ladder,
it was the Lord's ladder.
00:53:27.50\00:53:29.31
See, we speak of Noah's
ark. It wasn't Noah's ark.
00:53:29.34\00:53:32.09
Solomon's temple.
00:53:32.53\00:53:34.09
You know, really it
wasn't Solomon's temple.
00:53:34.69\00:53:37.58
It was the temple of the
Lord that was built by whom?
00:53:37.61\00:53:40.64
That was built by Solomon.
00:53:40.67\00:53:42.14
But you remember the ladder.
00:53:42.17\00:53:43.42
The Bible tells us that
the ladder represents Christ.
00:53:43.45\00:53:46.05
The top of the ladder represents
His divinity, or His deity.
00:53:46.84\00:53:49.83
The bottom of the
ladder represents His humanity.
00:53:49.86\00:53:51.95
But ascending and
descending upon the ladder,
00:53:51.98\00:53:54.65
what was there?
00:53:54.68\00:53:55.73
Angels were ascending and
descending upon the Son of man.
00:53:56.14\00:54:00.28
In other words, the Holy Spirit
works through the ministration
00:54:00.31\00:54:03.78
of the angels.
00:54:03.81\00:54:05.35
When we pray, the
angel takes our plea to Jesus
00:54:05.65\00:54:08.60
in the Sanctuary and
presents it before His Father.
00:54:08.63\00:54:10.72
And then Jesus
pleads with His Father,
00:54:10.75\00:54:13.03
and His Father gives
us answers back through
00:54:13.06\00:54:15.83
the ministration of the angels.
00:54:15.86\00:54:17.44
In other words, the
angels are very, very important
00:54:17.72\00:54:20.58
in the economy of salvation.
00:54:20.61\00:54:23.49
Now let me read you
just one more passage as we
00:54:25.25\00:54:27.70
draw this to a close
about the altar of incense.
00:54:27.73\00:54:31.09
Luke chapter 1
verses 8 through 10.
00:54:31.82\00:54:33.99
This is a very
important passage.
00:54:34.02\00:54:35.47
Because it gives us the symbol
and what the symbol represents.
00:54:35.77\00:54:40.83
Notice Luke chapter 1
and verses 8 through 10.
00:54:41.86\00:54:46.55
It says here...
00:54:46.91\00:54:48.02
That is Zacharias, the
father of John the Baptist.
00:54:51.50\00:54:54.08
Isn't that interesting.
00:55:19.33\00:55:20.46
You have the symbol
and what the symbol means.
00:55:20.49\00:55:22.85
Because you have
Zacharias offering what?
00:55:23.86\00:55:27.19
Incense.
00:55:27.55\00:55:28.58
But what are the
people doing outside while the
00:55:28.61\00:55:30.31
incense is ascending?
00:55:30.34\00:55:31.60
The people are what?
00:55:31.63\00:55:32.75
Praying.
00:55:32.78\00:55:33.81
So in other words, the
altar of incense represents
00:55:33.84\00:55:36.73
our praises, and our
thankfulness, and our petitions,
00:55:36.76\00:55:41.49
and our praises to God for
how wonderful He is with us.
00:55:41.52\00:55:46.57
Steps To Christ,
page 91. Excuse me, 93.
00:55:46.60\00:55:50.79
We find this very
significant statement.
00:55:51.60\00:55:53.66
Some people say,
"Well how do I pray?"
00:55:58.68\00:56:00.46
Well let me ask you, how
do you talk to your friends?
00:56:00.49\00:56:02.27
That's how we should pray.
00:56:03.55\00:56:04.80
We're all acquainted
with that very short verse in
00:56:24.69\00:56:26.82
1 Thessalonians
chapter 5 verse 17 where the
00:56:26.85\00:56:29.24
apostle Paul says...
00:56:29.27\00:56:30.63
So my question is this.
00:56:34.53\00:56:36.39
What is the secret of a
holy balanced spiritual life?
00:56:36.42\00:56:41.61
It is being in the Holy
Place with Jesus Christ.
00:56:42.00\00:56:45.12
Number one, receiving
the oil of His Holy Spirit
00:56:45.55\00:56:48.99
to give His light to the world.
00:56:49.02\00:56:50.59
Number two, assimilating
Jesus Christ as our life
00:56:50.79\00:56:55.40
through a study
of His Holy Word.
00:56:55.43\00:56:57.05
And number three,
raising on a regular basis
00:56:57.08\00:57:00.95
our prayers to God with
our praises, our thanks,
00:57:00.98\00:57:05.33
our penitence, and our requests.
00:57:05.36\00:57:08.23
And when we have
these three ingredients
00:57:08.26\00:57:11.07
in perfect balance, not one
predominating over the other,
00:57:11.10\00:57:16.03
we have a balanced spiritual
life, and we are in the
00:57:16.06\00:57:20.35
Holy Place with Jesus
Christ, our Savior and our Lord.
00:57:20.38\00:57:26.10