Shall we bow our
heads for prayer.
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Father in heaven, as we
open Your holy Word today,
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as we've done before
we ask for the presence
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of Your Holy Spirit.
00:00:38.37\00:00:39.74
We realize that
without Your help we cannot
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understand Your Word.
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And so we ask, Father
that You will come close to us,
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and through the
ministration of the Holy Spirit
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You will open our minds
and hearts that we might
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understand and
receive Your word.
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And we thank You,
Father, for hearing our prayer.
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For we ask it in
Jesus' name, amen.
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Perhaps there's no item
in archeology that has become
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so famous in the Christian
world, as well as in the
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non-Christian world, as
the ark of the covenant.
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You know, there are
many theories about where the
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ark of the covenant is found.
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I'd like to share with
you as we begin our study
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the different
theories about the location
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of the ark of the covenant.
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Some people believe that
it's in Gordon's Calvary.
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That is right underneath
Golgotha where Jesus was
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crucified, in some
cave or tunnel there.
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Others believe that the ark
of the covenant is in Kuwait.
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Still others believe that it's
somewhere in Hezekiah's Tunnel
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near Jerusalem.
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Others still believe
that it's found in Ein Gedi,
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where the Dead Sea
Scrolls were located in 1948.
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Still others believe that it's
found somewhere in Bethlehem
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in a cave.
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Or perhaps in Ethiopia.
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And there's a very strong
theory that it's found somewhere
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in a cave on Mount
Nebo where Moses died
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and was buried.
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Now this is the idea that is
presented in an apocrypha book,
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which is the
second book of Maccabees.
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Now I need to make it very clear
that the books of Maccabees
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are not inspired.
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They're not part of
the canon of Scripture.
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But they are of very
important historical value.
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And so I'm going to read
from 2 Maccabees chapter 2
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and verses 4 through 8
what Maccabees says about
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the location of
the ark of the covenant
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and where it was placed.
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This is speaking
about the prophet Jeremiah
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who supposedly hid
the ark of the covenant
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right before the destruction
of Jerusalem in the year 586
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by Nebuchadnezzar.
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And this is what it
says there in 2 Maccabees 2
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verses 4 through 8.
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"It was also in the writing
that the prophet, Jeremiah,
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having received an
oracle, ordered that the tent
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and the ark should follow
with him, and that he went out
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to the mountain where Moses
had gone up," that's Mount Nebo,
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"and had seen the
inheritance of God.
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And Jeremiah came and found
a cave, and he brought there
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the tent and the ark
and the altar of incense;
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and he sealed up the entrance.
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Some of those who followed
him came up to mark the way,
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but could not find it.
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When Jeremiah learned of it,
he rebuked them and declared,
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'The place shall be unknown
until God gathers His people
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together again
and shows His mercy.
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And then the Lord
will disclose these things,
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and the glory of the Lord
and the cloud will appear,
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as they were shown
in the case of Moses,
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and as Solomon asked
that the place should be
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specially consecrated.'"
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And so basically, this
idea is that Jeremiah hid
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the ark of the covenant
in a cave and it will be
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brought forth when
God manifests Himself
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as He did when He filled
the temple, or the Sanctuary,
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in the days of Moses, and the
temple in the days of Solomon.
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Now Ellen White
adds her testimony.
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She seems to
confirm what is found in the
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second book of Maccabees.
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It appears to be
a genuine tradition.
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In the book,
Prophets and Kings, page 453,
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she had this to say
about what happened to the
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ark of the
covenant; where it was placed
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and if it will be
brought forth again.
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This is what she says.
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"Among the righteous still
in Jerusalem, to whom had been
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made plain the divine purpose,
were some who determined
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to place beyond the reach of
ruthless hands the sacred ark
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containing the tables of
stone on which had been traced
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the precepts of the Decalogue.
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This they did.
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With mourning and sadness
they secreted the ark in a cave,
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where it was to be hidden from
the people of Israel and Judah
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because of their sins, and was
to be no more restored to them."
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That is, to the Jews.
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"That sacred ark is yet hidden.
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It has never been disturbed
since it was secreted."
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And so she confirms
that the ark of the covenant
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was placed in a cave and it has
been in that cave ever since.
00:05:18.22\00:05:22.75
In other places in her writings,
she indicates that the tables
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of the law, which were found
inside the ark of the covenant,
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will be brought forth
before the world as a testimony
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at the end of time
that the law of God
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is still binding even today.
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And so in our study today,
we are going to take a look
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at the ark of the covenant.
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We're going to speak
about the different aspects
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about the ark of the covenant.
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Now the first thing
that I want us to notice
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is something about
the Ten Commandments
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which were found inside
the ark of the covenant.
00:05:54.42\00:05:57.43
If you have your
Bibles, go with me to
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Exodus chapter 19 and verse 11.
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And we're going to
notice several things about the
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Ten Commandments when
they were given to Moses
00:06:04.88\00:06:07.91
and to Israel on Mount Sinai.
00:06:07.94\00:06:10.37
Exodus chapter 19 and verse 11.
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In this verse, we find
that God Himself personally
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came down upon Mount Sinai when
He gave the Ten Commandments.
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This is significant
because the rest of the Bible
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God simply spoke to
the prophet and the prophet
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wrote it in a book or
wrote it on parchment.
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But with the Ten Commandments,
the Bible tells us that God
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did not merely reveal
this to the prophet and have
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the prophet write it.
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God came down in
person, according to Scripture,
00:06:37.76\00:06:41.47
to give the Ten Commandments.
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Notice Exodus
chapter 19 and verse 11.
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It says here, "And let
them," God is speaking...
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So notice that God Himself,
according to Exodus 19 verse 11,
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had told Moses that He was
going to come down in person
00:07:06.79\00:07:10.25
upon Mount Sinai
when He was going to give
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the Ten Commandments.
00:07:12.32\00:07:13.55
But God was not
going to come by Himself.
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The Bible tells us that
He was going to come there
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with ten thousand of His saints.
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In other words, He was going
to come down to Mount Sinai
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with the angels.
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Notice Deuteronomy
chapter 33 and verse 2.
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Deuteronomy
chapter 33 and verse 2.
00:07:28.13\00:07:31.40
This is reminiscing about
the experience at Mount Sinai.
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And it says this...
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Now what was He coming for?
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Notice what the
verse says at the very end.
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Now what were the Ten
Commandments written with?
00:08:06.32\00:08:08.64
They were written in
fire, according to this.
00:08:09.30\00:08:11.95
So did God come by Himself when
He came down to Mount Sinai?
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No, He actually came
down, when He revealed His law,
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with ten thousand of His saints.
00:08:19.43\00:08:21.87
And who are those ten
thousand of His saints?
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They are what?
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They are angels. Exactly.
00:08:26.21\00:08:28.14
Now another unique thing about
the Ten Commandments is that
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God actually spoke
the Ten Commandments.
00:08:31.96\00:08:35.64
He not only came
down Himself personally,
00:08:35.67\00:08:39.12
but the Bible tells us that God
also spoke the Ten Commandments
00:08:39.32\00:08:43.42
with His own lips.
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He didn't tell the
prophet, "You speak them."
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God spoke them Himself.
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Notice Deuteronomy
chapter 4 and verses 11 to 13.
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Deuteronomy chapter 4
and verses 11 through 13.
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Here we find these words.
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And now notice verse 12.
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Notice, God declared
to them His covenant.
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So notice that this
passage tells us very clearly
00:09:38.11\00:09:40.62
that God Himself
spoke the Ten Commandments.
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Another interesting
and unique thing about the
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Ten Commandments,
and we just read it in
00:09:46.92\00:09:49.72
Deuteronomy
chapter 4 and verse 13,
00:09:49.92\00:09:51.97
is that the Ten Commandments
were actually written by
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God Himself as well.
00:09:55.80\00:09:57.33
Notice Exodus 31 and verse
18 which underlines this same
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thought that we read a moment
ago in Deuteronomy chapter 4
00:10:01.81\00:10:05.31
and verse 13.
00:10:05.34\00:10:06.98
Exodus 31 and verse 18.
00:10:07.01\00:10:09.60
Speaking about the
giving of the Ten Commandments
00:10:09.94\00:10:12.38
on Mount Sinai, it says this...
00:10:12.41\00:10:15.22
So God comes down personally,
God speaks them personally,
00:10:33.32\00:10:37.64
and God writes
them personally as well.
00:10:37.84\00:10:41.18
This makes the Ten
Commandments unique.
00:10:41.21\00:10:42.90
And He doesn't come by Himself.
00:10:42.93\00:10:44.44
He comes down with ten
thousand of His saints.
00:10:44.47\00:10:47.79
By the way, when Moses
broke the tables of the law,
00:10:47.99\00:10:51.22
God told Moses to bring
two additional tables of stone
00:10:51.48\00:10:54.66
to the top of the mountain.
00:10:54.69\00:10:55.92
And God said, "I will
write again on those tablets."
00:10:55.95\00:10:59.71
Interesting that
God, the second time,
00:10:59.91\00:11:01.84
also wrote the Ten
Commandments Himself.
00:11:01.87\00:11:04.27
Notice that in
Exodus 34 and verse 1.
00:11:04.30\00:11:07.18
Exodus 34 and verse 1.
00:11:07.21\00:11:09.71
Speaking about the
second tables of stone,
00:11:09.74\00:11:12.13
it says there...
00:11:12.26\00:11:13.38
So who wrote the Ten
Commandments the second time?
00:11:27.98\00:11:30.31
God did.
00:11:30.69\00:11:31.72
You know, the rest of the
Bible God spoke to the prophet
00:11:31.75\00:11:34.40
and the prophet wrote it down.
00:11:34.43\00:11:35.83
But God said, "When it
comes to the Ten Commandments,
00:11:35.98\00:11:38.65
I'm coming down Myself,
I'm speaking these Myself,
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and I'm writing these Myself.
00:11:42.91\00:11:45.37
And I'm coming down with
ten thousand of My saints."
00:11:45.40\00:11:48.87
Now another interesting
thing about the revealing of the
00:11:49.32\00:11:51.61
Ten Commandments at Mount
Sinai was the so called natural
00:11:51.64\00:11:55.13
phenomena that accompanied the
giving of the Ten Commandments.
00:11:55.16\00:11:58.96
Notice Exodus chapter 19
and verses 16 through 19.
00:11:58.99\00:12:02.38
And don't forget these
details, because we're going to
00:12:02.41\00:12:04.82
come back to this a little
bit later on in our study.
00:12:04.85\00:12:07.77
Exodus 19 verses 16 through 19.
00:12:07.80\00:12:11.17
Speaking about Israel
at the foot of Mount Sinai
00:12:11.89\00:12:14.65
and what took place on
the mountain, we're told this.
00:12:14.79\00:12:17.93
"Then it came to pass on
the third day in the morning
00:12:18.12\00:12:21.34
that there were,"
now listen carefully,
00:12:21.49\00:12:23.57
thunderings and lightenings, and
a thick cloud on the mountain;
00:12:23.60\00:12:29.92
and the sound of the
trumpet was very loud
00:12:30.22\00:12:33.40
so that all the people
who were in the camp trembled.
00:12:33.43\00:12:37.01
And Moses brought the people out
of the camp to meet with God,
00:12:37.22\00:12:40.69
and they stood at
the foot of the mountain.
00:12:40.99\00:12:42.90
Now Mount Sinai was
completely in smoke,
00:12:43.31\00:12:46.08
because the Lord
descended upon it in fire.
00:12:46.11\00:12:49.14
Its smoke ascended
like the smoke of a furnace,
00:12:49.34\00:12:52.18
and the whole
mountain quaked greatly."
00:12:52.21\00:12:54.72
Notice that there
was an earthquake.
00:12:54.75\00:12:56.34
Verse 19, "And when the blast
of the trumpet sounded long
00:12:56.37\00:13:00.03
and became louder
and louder, Moses spoke,
00:13:00.06\00:13:03.30
and God answered him by voice."
00:13:03.51\00:13:06.18
In other words,
God's voice was heard.
00:13:06.21\00:13:08.74
So notice the phenomena
that takes place when God
00:13:08.99\00:13:11.48
reveals the Ten Commandments.
00:13:11.51\00:13:13.03
There's an earthquake, there's
thunder, there's lightening,
00:13:13.06\00:13:17.12
there's fire and smoke,
and the voice of God is heard.
00:13:17.15\00:13:21.74
Now it's interesting to notice
what God told Israel to do
00:13:22.33\00:13:25.88
in the light of the
fact that God was going to
00:13:25.91\00:13:27.86
reveal the Ten Commandments.
00:13:27.89\00:13:29.43
God told them that they needed
to prepare in a special way
00:13:29.63\00:13:33.25
when God was
going to reveal His law.
00:13:33.28\00:13:35.53
We find this in
Exodus chapter 19
00:13:35.84\00:13:38.27
and verses 10 and 11.
00:13:38.30\00:13:39.87
Notice the
response of the people,
00:13:39.90\00:13:41.67
what the people were
suppose to do when God came
00:13:41.77\00:13:45.01
to reveal His law.
00:13:45.04\00:13:46.78
It says there in
Exodus 19 verses 10 and 11,
00:13:47.09\00:13:49.85
"Then the Lord said to
Moses, 'Go to the people and
00:13:50.36\00:13:53.61
consecrate them
today and tomorrow,'"
00:13:53.64\00:13:56.25
and listen carefully, "and
let them wash their clothes."
00:13:56.28\00:13:59.77
What do clothes
represent in the Bible?
00:14:00.05\00:14:02.15
What do garments
represent in the Bible?
00:14:02.18\00:14:04.35
They represent righteousness.
00:14:04.66\00:14:06.61
They represent character.
00:14:06.64\00:14:08.17
In other words, God is telling
them to cleanse their what?
00:14:08.20\00:14:11.05
To cleanse their life,
to cleanse their character.
00:14:11.08\00:14:13.51
Because He's going to
reveal His Ten Commandments.
00:14:13.54\00:14:15.94
Verse 11, "And let them
be ready for the third day.
00:14:15.97\00:14:19.08
For on the third day the Lord
will come down upon Mount Sinai
00:14:19.11\00:14:23.69
in the sight of all the people."
00:14:23.72\00:14:26.01
And so God reveals His
law, the Ten Commandments,
00:14:26.42\00:14:29.80
written by His own
finger on tables of stone.
00:14:29.83\00:14:32.57
Now the question is,
what happened with the
00:14:32.88\00:14:35.27
Ten Commandments after
God gave them to Moses?
00:14:35.30\00:14:38.29
Well, we all know that God
told Moses to build a Sanctuary
00:14:38.48\00:14:41.77
in the wilderness.
00:14:41.80\00:14:42.96
And one of the pieces of
furniture in the Sanctuary
00:14:43.28\00:14:45.68
was the ark of the
covenant, which was found in
00:14:45.71\00:14:47.72
the Most Holy Place.
00:14:47.75\00:14:48.84
You can see it there.
00:14:48.87\00:14:49.95
And God told Moses to
take the tables of the law
00:14:50.73\00:14:53.74
and to place them
inside the ark of the covenant.
00:14:53.77\00:14:57.51
Let's read about that
in Deuteronomy chapter 10
00:14:57.54\00:15:00.50
and we'll read verses
1 and 2, and then we'll
00:15:00.80\00:15:03.45
jump down to verse 5.
00:15:03.48\00:15:05.10
Deuteronomy chapter 10 verse
1, verse 2, and also verse 5.
00:15:05.38\00:15:11.15
Notice what Moses did
with the tables of the law
00:15:11.18\00:15:14.19
after God wrote
the Ten Commandments
00:15:14.39\00:15:16.76
on tables of stone.
00:15:16.79\00:15:18.01
It says there...
00:15:18.04\00:15:19.07
Verse 5, "Then I turned
and came down from the mountain
00:15:43.08\00:15:47.14
and put the tablets in
the ark which I had made;
00:15:47.17\00:15:51.29
and there they are, just
as the Lord commanded me."
00:15:51.32\00:15:56.75
So where were the
Ten Commandments placed,
00:15:56.78\00:15:59.91
were the tables of stone placed?
00:15:59.94\00:16:02.00
They were placed inside the ark.
00:16:02.10\00:16:05.07
By the way, this is the
reason why the ark is called,
00:16:05.60\00:16:08.36
the ark of the covenant.
00:16:08.39\00:16:09.42
Because the Ten Commandments
were the stipulations
00:16:09.45\00:16:11.73
of the covenant
of God with Israel.
00:16:11.76\00:16:13.95
In fact, let's read
that in Deuteronomy chapter 4
00:16:14.18\00:16:16.92
and verses 11 to 13.
00:16:17.02\00:16:19.09
Because the ark is called, the
ark of the covenant of the Lord.
00:16:19.31\00:16:22.58
You can read that in
Numbers 10 and verse 33;
00:16:22.61\00:16:25.65
the ark of the
covenant of the Lord.
00:16:25.68\00:16:27.84
And once again, the
reason why it's called,
00:16:28.04\00:16:29.94
the ark of the
covenant of the Lord, is because
00:16:29.97\00:16:32.33
the Ten Commandments are the
stipulations of the covenant.
00:16:32.36\00:16:35.58
Let's notice
that in Deuteronomy 4
00:16:36.14\00:16:38.26
and verses 11 to 13.
00:16:38.29\00:16:40.41
It says there...
00:16:40.81\00:16:41.85
And now verse 13
is the key verse.
00:16:59.85\00:17:01.90
Now what is that covenant?
00:17:06.36\00:17:07.71
And what is the
covenant? The what?
00:17:13.46\00:17:15.08
The Ten Commandments.
00:17:15.11\00:17:17.08
Are you understanding
why the Ten Commandments
00:17:20.31\00:17:21.89
are called, the covenant?
00:17:21.92\00:17:23.82
And why the ark is
called, the ark of the covenant?
00:17:23.85\00:17:26.87
Because the Ten Commandments
are the stipulations,
00:17:26.90\00:17:29.19
or the rules, of the covenant.
00:17:29.22\00:17:30.96
By the way, the
Ten Commandments were
00:17:31.53\00:17:33.56
also called, the
tablets of the Testimony.
00:17:33.59\00:17:37.42
In fact, let's read
that in Exodus 31 verse 18,
00:17:37.68\00:17:40.45
which we read a few moments ago.
00:17:40.48\00:17:42.00
But let's notice this
particular detail now.
00:17:42.03\00:17:44.61
Exodus 31 and verse 18.
00:17:44.64\00:17:47.83
It says here...
00:17:48.23\00:17:49.36
So the Ten Commandments
are called, the Testimony;
00:18:05.15\00:18:07.38
and they're also
called, the covenant.
00:18:07.58\00:18:09.56
And the ark is called,
the ark of the Testimony;
00:18:09.76\00:18:12.29
and it's called also,
the ark of the covenant.
00:18:12.32\00:18:14.97
So the Ten
Commandments were placed inside
00:18:15.35\00:18:17.55
the ark of the covenant.
00:18:17.58\00:18:18.61
And then the
question is, where was the
00:18:18.64\00:18:20.91
ark of the covenant placed?
00:18:20.94\00:18:22.69
Well, I gave you the
answer a little while ago.
00:18:23.09\00:18:25.54
The ark of the covenant was
placed in the Most Holy Place
00:18:25.57\00:18:29.65
of the Sanctuary.
00:18:29.68\00:18:30.99
Let's read that in Exodus
chapter 26 and verses 31 to 34.
00:18:31.19\00:18:36.52
Exodus 26 and verses
31 through 34 tells us
00:18:36.55\00:18:42.06
where the Ten Commandments
were placed, and then where the
00:18:42.09\00:18:44.84
ark of the covenant was placed.
00:18:44.87\00:18:46.72
It says there in
Exodus 26 and verse 31...
00:18:47.00\00:18:50.27
So the question is, where was
the ark of the covenant placed?
00:19:32.13\00:19:35.20
It was put in the Most
Holy Place of the Sanctuary,
00:19:35.87\00:19:40.24
in the very center of the Most
Holy Place of the Sanctuary.
00:19:40.27\00:19:44.03
Now, when was the ark of
the covenant brought to view
00:19:44.42\00:19:47.92
in the religious year of Israel?
00:19:47.95\00:19:50.59
The fact is that there was the
daily service in the Sanctuary
00:19:50.98\00:19:54.82
and there was
the yearly service.
00:19:54.85\00:19:56.49
The daily service had to
do with things taking place
00:19:56.80\00:20:00.14
in the court; the
sacrifice and the laver.
00:20:00.17\00:20:02.51
And also it had to do with
the implements that were found
00:20:02.82\00:20:06.73
in the Holy
Place of the Sanctuary.
00:20:06.76\00:20:08.62
You can see it
here; the candlestick,
00:20:08.65\00:20:10.31
the table of showbread,
and the altar of incense.
00:20:10.34\00:20:13.38
But there was one apartment
that was brought to view
00:20:13.57\00:20:16.32
once a year at the
end of the religious year.
00:20:16.35\00:20:19.56
And that was the Most
Holy Place of the Sanctuary.
00:20:19.59\00:20:23.26
In other words, the Most
Holy Place of the Sanctuary
00:20:23.29\00:20:26.06
was the central focus at the end
of the year on what was known
00:20:26.09\00:20:30.97
as the Day of Atonement.
00:20:31.00\00:20:33.22
In fact, let's read about
that in Leviticus chapter 16
00:20:33.68\00:20:37.20
and verses 13 through 15.
00:20:37.23\00:20:39.79
Leviticus 16 and
verses 13 through 15.
00:20:39.82\00:20:44.16
It says there...
00:20:44.42\00:20:45.45
And in a moment, I'm
going to add some explanations
00:20:45.48\00:20:47.54
to this passage.
00:20:47.57\00:20:48.60
It says...
00:20:49.51\00:20:50.54
Now on the Day of Atonement,
the Sanctuary was cleansed
00:21:16.82\00:21:21.02
from all of the sins
that had entered the Sanctuary
00:21:21.05\00:21:23.84
in the course of the year.
00:21:23.87\00:21:25.12
But on the Day of Atonement, the
Sanctuary itself was cleansed.
00:21:25.92\00:21:30.41
In other words, sins
entered the Sanctuary
00:21:30.44\00:21:32.61
every day when
people confessed their sins
00:21:32.64\00:21:34.89
and they repented of sin.
00:21:34.92\00:21:36.35
The sins entered the Sanctuary
and were deposited there.
00:21:36.38\00:21:39.72
But on the Day of Atonement,
the blood was sprinkled
00:21:39.75\00:21:42.77
on the mercy seat of the
Most Holy Place of the ark.
00:21:42.80\00:21:46.12
And the sins that had
been transferred there
00:21:46.32\00:21:48.56
throughout the
course of the year now were
00:21:48.59\00:21:51.47
taken out of the Sanctuary.
00:21:51.50\00:21:53.04
In other words, the
Sanctuary was cleansed.
00:21:53.07\00:21:55.70
This is another way of
describing the judgment.
00:21:55.88\00:21:59.49
In other words, on
great judgment day,
00:21:59.52\00:22:01.79
the cases of the
Israelites were examined.
00:22:01.82\00:22:04.38
Those who had confessed
their sins and placed their sins
00:22:04.41\00:22:07.47
in the Sanctuary through
the blood could receive the
00:22:07.50\00:22:10.35
absolute certainty that
their sins had been eradicated,
00:22:10.38\00:22:13.72
not only from their lives,
but they had been eradicated
00:22:13.75\00:22:16.76
from the presence of
God in the Sanctuary.
00:22:16.79\00:22:19.98
Now there's some other
interesting things about
00:22:20.69\00:22:22.83
the ark of the covenant.
00:22:22.86\00:22:24.00
The ark of the covenant
actually had tremendous power.
00:22:24.53\00:22:29.25
The ark of the covenant
had tremendous saving power,
00:22:29.69\00:22:32.58
but it also had
great destroying power.
00:22:32.79\00:22:36.31
I want you to notice Numbers
chapter 10 and verses 35 and 36.
00:22:36.92\00:22:41.98
Numbers 10:35-36.
00:22:42.01\00:22:44.51
You know, when Israel was
in a covenant relationship
00:22:44.54\00:22:47.00
with the Lord, the ark was
a source of comfort for them.
00:22:47.03\00:22:50.66
They could trust that the
ark was going to protect them
00:22:50.90\00:22:53.38
from their enemies.
00:22:53.41\00:22:54.60
In fact, notice
Numbers chapter 10
00:22:54.63\00:22:56.84
and verses 35 and 36.
00:22:56.87\00:22:59.88
It says here...
00:22:59.93\00:23:00.96
So notice that they
took the ark to battle.
00:23:19.21\00:23:21.55
And the Bible tells us
that when the ark was lifted up,
00:23:21.58\00:23:24.31
the enemies of
Israel were scattered.
00:23:24.34\00:23:26.93
It was a source of
comfort and assurance to Israel
00:23:26.96\00:23:30.28
when they were in a covenant
relationship with the Lord.
00:23:30.31\00:23:33.76
In other words, when
God's people came to the Lord
00:23:33.79\00:23:36.12
in humility and in repentance,
confessing their sins,
00:23:36.15\00:23:40.28
the ark was a
symbol of salvation.
00:23:40.31\00:23:42.77
It was a symbol of assurance.
00:23:42.80\00:23:45.12
But on the other hand,
when people trampled upon the
00:23:45.41\00:23:49.25
commandments of God and broke
their covenant relationship
00:23:49.28\00:23:52.45
with the Lord then the
ark became, not a source of
00:23:52.48\00:23:55.74
comfort and salvation,
but it became a source
00:23:55.77\00:23:58.80
of destruction.
00:23:58.83\00:24:00.20
I want to give you one
more example of how the ark
00:24:00.82\00:24:03.61
was actually a
saving piece of furniture
00:24:03.64\00:24:07.61
to the people of the
Lord when they were in a
00:24:07.64\00:24:10.60
covenant relationship with Him.
00:24:10.63\00:24:11.92
And then I'm going to
show you several examples
00:24:11.95\00:24:14.04
of how the ark of the
covenant brought destruction
00:24:14.24\00:24:16.69
upon those who were
not faithful to God.
00:24:16.72\00:24:18.90
You remember when
Israel crossed the Jordon River
00:24:19.16\00:24:22.29
when they entered
the Promised Land.
00:24:22.32\00:24:23.92
The story is found
in Joshua chapter 3.
00:24:24.12\00:24:26.48
They came to the edge of
the Jordon River and there was
00:24:26.88\00:24:29.70
this tremendous barrier.
00:24:29.73\00:24:31.11
In fact, the Jordon was
at flood stage at this point.
00:24:31.14\00:24:34.24
"Now how," they
asked themselves, "are we
00:24:34.54\00:24:37.45
going to cross the Jordon
River into the Promised Land?"
00:24:37.48\00:24:40.79
Well, the Lord
performed a tremendous miracle.
00:24:40.94\00:24:43.78
And really, the ark of
the covenant was involved
00:24:43.98\00:24:46.40
in this tremendous miracle.
00:24:46.43\00:24:47.83
I want to read you a
statement that we find in
00:24:48.03\00:24:50.53
volume 4 of the
Testimonies, page 157 and 158,
00:24:50.56\00:24:55.28
about this event of
the drying up of the Jordon
00:24:55.38\00:24:58.23
to allow Israel to
cross into the Promised Land.
00:24:58.26\00:25:01.18
Ellen White says
here, "The priests obeyed
00:25:01.97\00:25:04.31
the commands of their leader
and went before the people,"
00:25:04.34\00:25:07.81
notice, "carrying
the ark of the covenant.
00:25:07.97\00:25:10.77
The Hebrew hosts took up
the line of march and followed
00:25:11.18\00:25:15.96
this symbol of
the divine Presence."
00:25:16.06\00:25:19.03
That is the ark of the covenant.
00:25:19.06\00:25:20.35
"The wide column filed
down the bank of Jordan,
00:25:20.62\00:25:23.82
and, as the feet of the
priests were dipped in the
00:25:23.85\00:25:27.10
brim of the river, the
water was cut off from above,
00:25:27.13\00:25:31.17
and the volume below rolled on,
00:25:31.37\00:25:33.80
leaving the bed
of the stream dry.
00:25:34.12\00:25:36.83
When they, bearing the ark
of the covenant, stood safe
00:25:37.22\00:25:40.74
upon the farther shore,
God removed His mighty hand,
00:25:40.77\00:25:44.67
and the accumulated waters
rushed down, a mighty cataract,
00:25:44.70\00:25:48.99
in the natural
channel of the stream.
00:25:49.02\00:25:51.77
Jordan rolled on,
a resistless flood,
00:25:51.80\00:25:55.16
overflowing all its banks."
00:25:55.19\00:25:57.45
You can almost imagine
what it must have been like
00:25:57.86\00:25:59.95
for the Lord to perform this
tremendous miracle of salvation
00:26:00.21\00:26:03.13
to open up the
Jordon so that the people of
00:26:03.16\00:26:05.44
Israel could cross.
00:26:05.47\00:26:06.54
Because at this point, they were
in a good proper relationship,
00:26:06.64\00:26:09.97
covenant
relationship, with the Lord.
00:26:10.17\00:26:12.03
But as I mentioned,
the ark of the covenant
00:26:12.48\00:26:14.64
was not only a
source of assurance to those
00:26:14.67\00:26:17.31
who were in a covenant
relationship with the Lord.
00:26:17.34\00:26:19.49
The ark also could be
a very destructive power
00:26:19.80\00:26:23.49
when people trampled
upon God's commandments
00:26:23.52\00:26:26.34
and were not in a
covenant relationship with Him.
00:26:26.37\00:26:29.06
You remember the story of
the destruction of Jericho.
00:26:29.87\00:26:33.27
Did the ark play a central role
in the destruction of Jericho?
00:26:34.28\00:26:37.54
It most certainly did.
00:26:37.74\00:26:38.97
It went before the armies
of the children of Israel.
00:26:39.22\00:26:42.44
In fact, let's read
Joshua 6 and verses 6 and 7,
00:26:42.69\00:26:46.90
Joshua chapter 6
and verses 6 and 7,
00:26:46.93\00:26:49.93
so that we can
understand the role of the ark
00:26:50.13\00:26:51.99
in the destruction of Jericho.
00:26:52.02\00:26:54.14
It says here in
Joshua 6 and verse 6...
00:26:54.66\00:26:57.48
And you know, on the
seventh day they marched around
00:27:20.36\00:27:22.52
the city seven times.
00:27:22.55\00:27:23.89
And what happened?
00:27:23.92\00:27:25.03
The walls of Jericho
crumbled and the city
00:27:25.06\00:27:28.18
was taken by Israel.
00:27:28.21\00:27:29.79
The uncircumcised inhabitants
of Jericho were destroyed.
00:27:29.99\00:27:34.41
The ark of the covenant
became a symbol of destruction
00:27:34.44\00:27:37.71
to those who were
enemies of God's people.
00:27:37.91\00:27:40.44
You also remember
the story of Uzzah.
00:27:40.70\00:27:43.17
Do you remember
the story of Uzzah?
00:27:43.20\00:27:44.63
God had told the
priests, "Don't you touch
00:27:44.81\00:27:47.24
the ark of the covenant.
00:27:47.27\00:27:48.54
Don't you dare touch
the ark of the covenant."
00:27:48.85\00:27:51.23
The Bible tells us that when the
ark was coming back to Jerusalem
00:27:51.65\00:27:54.59
after it had been in the
cities of the Philistines,
00:27:54.62\00:27:57.26
that it looked like the ark
was going to fall off the cart.
00:27:57.56\00:28:00.48
And one of the
individuals, his name was Uzzah,
00:28:00.63\00:28:03.54
reached out and touched the ark.
00:28:03.57\00:28:05.56
Let's read about it in 2 Samuel
chapter 6 and verses 6 and 7.
00:28:05.59\00:28:09.55
Uzzah had broken the
covenant of the Lord.
00:28:09.58\00:28:11.48
He had disobeyed God,
an explicit command of God.
00:28:11.51\00:28:14.76
Notice 2 Samuel
chapter 6 and verses 6 and 7.
00:28:15.31\00:28:18.50
It says...
00:28:18.83\00:28:19.86
So the ark was not
only a source of salvation,
00:28:43.79\00:28:47.19
it was also a source
of destruction for those
00:28:47.22\00:28:50.21
who knowingly and willingly
trampled upon God's word.
00:28:50.24\00:28:55.62
You also remember when
the ark was taken to the
00:28:56.10\00:28:58.78
cities of the Philistines, that
from the ark came forth plagues.
00:28:58.81\00:29:02.91
Do you remember this, that
the ark poured out plagues?
00:29:02.94\00:29:05.70
In fact, let's read
it in 1 Samuel chapter 5
00:29:05.90\00:29:08.81
verses 1 and 2, and then
we'll jump down to verse 6.
00:29:08.92\00:29:11.88
1 Samuel chapter 5 verses
1 and 2, and then verse 6.
00:29:11.91\00:29:16.40
It says here...
00:29:17.17\00:29:18.20
That was their patron god.
00:29:31.67\00:29:33.43
Verse 6...
00:29:33.83\00:29:35.01
If you continue reading, you'll
find that the Philistine cities,
00:29:45.07\00:29:48.38
they passed it on
from city to city because
00:29:48.48\00:29:50.74
nobody wanted the
ark of the covenant.
00:29:50.77\00:29:52.56
Because the ark of the
covenant was pouring out plagues
00:29:52.59\00:29:55.27
upon the
uncircumcised Philistines.
00:29:55.30\00:29:58.48
And so we find that
the ark of the covenant
00:29:58.72\00:30:00.67
was powerful to save those who
were in covenant relationship
00:30:00.70\00:30:03.87
with the Lord, but it
was also powerful to destroy
00:30:03.90\00:30:06.83
those who were not in a
covenant relationship with God.
00:30:06.86\00:30:09.77
Now let's
transition to another temple,
00:30:10.49\00:30:13.16
to another ark of the Testimony.
00:30:13.19\00:30:15.84
We're going to talk now
about the Sanctuary in heaven
00:30:16.38\00:30:20.11
and the ark of the covenant
in the heavenly Sanctuary.
00:30:20.14\00:30:23.04
I want you to notice
that the Sanctuary that was
00:30:23.56\00:30:26.33
built on earth was actually
a copy of a pattern of the
00:30:26.36\00:30:30.45
genuine Sanctuary that God
showed Moses on the mountain.
00:30:30.48\00:30:34.16
Notice Exodus
chapter 25 and verse 40.
00:30:34.36\00:30:37.31
Exodus chapter 25 and verse 40.
00:30:37.34\00:30:40.30
What I want you to notice here
is that the earthly Sanctuary
00:30:40.49\00:30:43.73
was actually a copy, or a
scale model if you please,
00:30:43.76\00:30:48.86
of the heavenly Sanctuary.
00:30:48.89\00:30:50.42
It says there in
Exodus 25 and verse 40,
00:30:50.86\00:30:53.65
God is speaking to Moses...
00:30:53.68\00:30:55.19
In other words, God
showed Moses on the mountain
00:31:02.50\00:31:04.67
a scale model of the
heavenly Sanctuary, and He said
00:31:04.70\00:31:07.65
make the earthly Sanctuary in
harmony with this scale model.
00:31:07.68\00:31:11.40
Now the book of
Hebrews amplifies this point.
00:31:11.87\00:31:14.78
Go with me to Hebrews
chapter 8 and verses 1 through 5
00:31:14.81\00:31:18.76
where clearly we find the
idea that the earthly Sanctuary
00:31:18.79\00:31:22.70
was actually a shadow or a
copy of the heavenly Sanctuary.
00:31:22.73\00:31:26.70
Hebrews chapter 8 and
we'll read verses 1 through 5.
00:31:26.91\00:31:30.62
Here it says...
00:31:32.01\00:31:33.04
That is, if Jesus were on earth.
00:32:02.93\00:32:04.54
In other words,
the earthly Sanctuary
00:32:13.38\00:32:15.81
and the earthly
priests serve as what?
00:32:15.84\00:32:18.81
The copy and shadow of what?
00:32:19.26\00:32:21.96
Of the heavenly things.
00:32:22.27\00:32:24.23
Hebrews chapter 9 and
verse 24 amplifies this point
00:32:36.08\00:32:39.61
about the earthly Sanctuary
being a copy or a shadow
00:32:39.64\00:32:43.77
of the replica that God
showed Moses on the mountain,
00:32:43.97\00:32:47.63
which is really a scale model
of the great heavenly Sanctuary.
00:32:47.66\00:32:51.67
Notice Hebrews
chapter 9 and verse 24.
00:32:51.88\00:32:54.84
It says here...
00:32:54.87\00:32:55.90
So the question is, is
there a heavenly Sanctuary
00:33:09.56\00:33:12.96
which is the great original
of which the earthly Sanctuary
00:33:12.99\00:33:16.42
is a shadow, or a
copy, or a scale model?
00:33:16.45\00:33:19.83
Absolutely.
00:33:19.91\00:33:20.94
The Bible is
very clear about this.
00:33:20.97\00:33:23.76
So I'd like to ask you,
do you suppose that in the
00:33:24.21\00:33:26.66
heavenly Sanctuary
there was also going to be
00:33:26.69\00:33:29.67
a Day of Atonement, a
day of judgment when God was
00:33:29.70\00:33:33.39
going to cleanse the Sanctuary
as well and was going to
00:33:33.42\00:33:35.95
perform a work of judgment?
00:33:35.98\00:33:37.53
Absolutely.
00:33:37.95\00:33:38.98
In fact, let's
notice Daniel chapter 7
00:33:39.14\00:33:42.04
and verses 9 and 10, and then
we'll read verses 13 and 14.
00:33:42.07\00:33:46.55
Let me give you a little
bit of the chronology here.
00:33:46.83\00:33:49.27
And this is something that we're
going to study in more detail
00:33:49.93\00:33:52.33
a little bit
later on in this series.
00:33:52.36\00:33:54.38
Daniel chapter 7
gives a sequence of powers.
00:33:54.84\00:33:58.50
You have a lion,
which represents Babylon.
00:33:58.65\00:34:00.83
You have a bear,
which represents the
00:34:00.86\00:34:02.37
Medes and Persians.
00:34:02.40\00:34:03.43
You have a leopard
that represents Greece.
00:34:03.46\00:34:05.62
You have a dragon beast that
represents the Roman Empire.
00:34:05.65\00:34:08.46
Then the dragon
beast sprouts ten horns,
00:34:08.66\00:34:11.73
which represents the
divisions of the Roman Empire.
00:34:11.76\00:34:14.70
And then among those ten
horns rises a little horn
00:34:14.90\00:34:17.97
who rules 1260 years.
00:34:18.35\00:34:21.74
And those 1260 years
end in the year 1798.
00:34:21.77\00:34:26.40
And then as soon as this
little horn power receives
00:34:26.87\00:34:30.50
its deadly wound in 1798,
we find this interesting scene
00:34:30.53\00:34:35.38
in Daniel 7 and verses 9 and 10.
00:34:35.83\00:34:38.85
Let's read about it.
00:34:38.88\00:34:39.92
Here Daniel says...
00:34:40.25\00:34:41.65
By the way, those thrones are
occupied by the heavenly jury.
00:34:46.33\00:34:49.22
And it continues saying, "...and
the Ancient of Days was seated."
00:34:50.08\00:34:54.19
Which means that He must
not have been seated before.
00:34:54.39\00:34:56.68
Who is the Ancient
of Days, by the way?
00:34:57.64\00:34:59.46
The Ancient of
Days is God the Father.
00:34:59.91\00:35:02.38
Now it describes what this
Ancient of Days looks like.
00:35:02.99\00:35:06.42
Is this the same expression
that we found when God
00:35:28.32\00:35:31.77
on Mount Sinai revealed
His Ten Commandment law?
00:35:31.80\00:35:34.41
Absolutely.
00:35:34.44\00:35:35.47
He comes now for the judgment
with ten thousand of His saints.
00:35:35.50\00:35:38.93
And notice what
it continues saying.
00:35:39.23\00:35:41.10
So where is this
judgment taking place?
00:35:46.91\00:35:48.53
On earth or in heaven?
00:35:48.56\00:35:49.75
It's taking place in heaven,
because it's taking place
00:35:50.12\00:35:52.28
before the Ancient of
Days and it's taking place
00:35:52.31\00:35:54.51
in the midst of the angels.
00:35:54.54\00:35:56.28
Now let's go to verse 13.
00:35:56.31\00:35:58.43
Who would the Son of Man be?
00:36:04.02\00:36:05.06
Jesus Christ.
00:36:05.47\00:36:06.63
What do the clouds
of heaven represent?
00:36:08.30\00:36:10.16
The angels.
00:36:10.49\00:36:11.63
He came where?
00:36:11.66\00:36:12.89
And now notice
what He goes there for.
00:36:17.62\00:36:19.48
Do you know what the
purpose of the judgment is?
00:36:37.00\00:36:39.22
You know, we talk
about Jesus going into the
00:36:39.25\00:36:41.31
presence of His
Father to get the kingdom.
00:36:41.34\00:36:43.46
You know, usually we
think of the kingdom as
00:36:43.76\00:36:45.54
a geographical territory.
00:36:45.57\00:36:47.19
But really, what is the
kingdom of Jesus Christ?
00:36:47.46\00:36:49.80
The kingdom of Jesus
Christ is composed of what?
00:36:50.16\00:36:52.88
It's composed of His people.
00:36:53.43\00:36:55.18
But does He have to determine
and reveal who His people are
00:36:55.59\00:36:58.87
before He can
establish His kingdom?
00:36:58.90\00:37:00.77
Of course.
00:37:00.80\00:37:01.83
So what Jesus does, He goes
into the presence of His Father.
00:37:01.86\00:37:04.66
His Father sits, the
court session begins.
00:37:04.69\00:37:07.62
Jesus goes in.
00:37:07.65\00:37:09.14
And now, at the
conclusion of the judgment,
00:37:09.17\00:37:11.90
it's been revealed who are His.
00:37:11.93\00:37:13.91
The Sanctuary is
cleansed, in other words,
00:37:13.94\00:37:15.92
from the sins of the people.
00:37:15.95\00:37:17.74
And Christ's kingdom is made up.
00:37:17.77\00:37:19.95
Are you
understanding what I'm saying?
00:37:19.98\00:37:21.59
Now, if this judgment
takes place in heaven,
00:37:22.27\00:37:25.86
which it does, and it
takes place in the midst of
00:37:25.89\00:37:28.93
ten thousand of His
saints, what would be the
00:37:28.96\00:37:31.99
standard of the judgment?
00:37:32.02\00:37:33.62
What was in the very center
of the ark of the covenant?
00:37:33.65\00:37:37.05
The Ten Commandments.
00:37:37.64\00:37:38.96
Are the Ten Commandments
the standard of the judgment?
00:37:39.11\00:37:42.02
In other words, the norm that
God uses to evaluate people?
00:37:42.05\00:37:45.11
Absolutely.
00:37:45.28\00:37:46.31
Notice what we find in
James chapter 2 and verse 12.
00:37:46.59\00:37:50.04
James chapter 2 and verse 12.
00:37:50.25\00:37:53.10
It says here...
00:37:53.30\00:37:54.36
So what is it that's
going to judge God's people?
00:38:02.66\00:38:04.78
What are God's people
going to be compared with,
00:38:04.81\00:38:07.73
their works or their lives?
00:38:07.76\00:38:09.74
With what?
00:38:09.77\00:38:10.80
With the law.
00:38:10.83\00:38:11.95
And notice, it's
not a law of bondage.
00:38:11.98\00:38:14.17
It's a law of what?
00:38:14.20\00:38:15.98
Of liberty.
00:38:16.01\00:38:17.18
Notice also
Ecclesiastes chapter 12
00:38:17.38\00:38:19.91
and verses 12 and 13.
00:38:19.94\00:38:21.67
Ecclesiastes chapter
12 and verses 12 and 13.
00:38:21.70\00:38:25.99
Here in these verses that
are very well know, it says,
00:38:26.48\00:38:29.42
"Let us hear the
conclusion of the whole matter:
00:38:29.45\00:38:32.06
fear God and..." What?
00:38:32.57\00:38:34.50
"...and keep His commandments,
for this is man's all.
00:38:34.73\00:38:39.64
For God will bring
every work into judgment,
00:38:39.94\00:38:43.87
including every secret
thing, whether good or evil."
00:38:43.90\00:38:47.98
Do the commandments of
God have anything to do
00:38:48.01\00:38:50.25
with the judgment?
00:38:50.28\00:38:51.31
Of course.
00:38:51.71\00:38:52.80
Here, Solomon inspired
by the Holy Spirit says,
00:38:53.07\00:38:55.76
"Fear God and
keep His commandments,
00:38:56.48\00:38:58.70
this is the whole duty of man."
00:38:58.73\00:38:59.85
Because God is going to
bring every work into what?
00:38:59.88\00:39:02.57
God is going to bring
every work into judgment,
00:39:02.92\00:39:05.60
whether it be a good
work, or whether it be what?
00:39:05.63\00:39:08.74
An evil work.
00:39:08.77\00:39:09.80
And by the way, some people
say, "Well, I'm saved by faith."
00:39:09.83\00:39:12.96
That's true.
00:39:13.00\00:39:14.03
The Bible says that we're
saved by grace through faith.
00:39:14.06\00:39:16.28
But the Bible also says
that we will be judged by works.
00:39:16.31\00:39:19.31
See, we're saved by
grace through faith,
00:39:20.39\00:39:22.24
but what is the evidence
that we have genuine faith?
00:39:22.27\00:39:24.79
The evidence is
found in our works.
00:39:25.53\00:39:27.73
And what are our
works compared with?
00:39:27.76\00:39:30.26
They are compared
with God's holy law.
00:39:30.59\00:39:33.69
Now the question is, does
God have a right to judge us?
00:39:33.72\00:39:36.20
Why does God have
a right to judge us?
00:39:37.11\00:39:38.86
Well of course,
because He's our Creator.
00:39:39.60\00:39:41.54
Notice Revelation
chapter 14 and verses 6 and 7.
00:39:41.91\00:39:45.10
Revelation 14
and verses 6 and 7.
00:39:45.13\00:39:48.04
Here, we find the end
time judgment described.
00:39:48.24\00:39:51.93
And it gives us the
reason why God has a right
00:39:52.30\00:39:54.90
to judge the human race.
00:39:54.93\00:39:57.71
It says there in
Revelation 14:6-7...
00:39:57.74\00:40:00.45
Now let's stop there
for a moment and let me
00:40:10.87\00:40:12.79
ask you this question.
00:40:12.82\00:40:13.95
While this gospel
is being preached,
00:40:14.92\00:40:17.22
is it possible to be saved?
00:40:17.42\00:40:19.29
Is the door of mercy
still open while the gospel is
00:40:20.65\00:40:23.29
being preached to every nation,
kindred, tongue, and people?
00:40:23.32\00:40:25.62
Of course.
00:40:25.65\00:40:26.68
Because if the door of probation
has closed, why preach?
00:40:26.71\00:40:29.39
Now I want you
to notice something
00:40:30.59\00:40:32.07
very interesting in verse 7.
00:40:32.10\00:40:33.52
After saying that
the everlasting gospel
00:40:33.55\00:40:35.83
is given to preach to
those who dwell on the earth,
00:40:36.15\00:40:38.75
to every nation,
tribe, tongue, and people,
00:40:38.78\00:40:40.57
it says,
"...saying with a loud voice,
00:40:40.60\00:40:42.61
'Fear God and give
glory to Him, for the hour of
00:40:42.96\00:40:47.20
His judgment will come.'"
00:40:47.23\00:40:49.06
Ah, thank you very much.
00:40:49.75\00:40:51.07
It doesn't say, "The hour
of His judgment will come."
00:40:51.10\00:40:53.48
It says, "The hour of
His judgment has come."
00:40:53.51\00:40:56.19
Does the judgment take
place while the door of
00:40:57.69\00:40:59.85
mercy is still open?
00:40:59.88\00:41:01.06
While the gospel
is being preached?
00:41:02.06\00:41:03.29
Yes or no?
00:41:03.32\00:41:04.35
Absolutely.
00:41:04.38\00:41:05.41
So this must be a pre-advent
judgment, and it must mean
00:41:05.44\00:41:08.79
that it's taking place where?
00:41:08.82\00:41:10.47
Not in earth, but in heaven.
00:41:11.04\00:41:12.57
Where in heaven, specifically?
00:41:12.60\00:41:14.22
Where did the
judgment take place in Israel?
00:41:14.25\00:41:16.62
In the Most Holy Place.
00:41:17.13\00:41:18.59
And what was at the
center of the Most Holy Place?
00:41:18.74\00:41:21.04
The ark. And what
was inside the ark?
00:41:21.07\00:41:23.46
The Ten Commandments.
00:41:24.10\00:41:25.68
Now, notice what
it continues saying.
00:41:25.91\00:41:28.25
"Fear God and give
glory to Him, for the hour of
00:41:28.28\00:41:30.98
His judgment has come."
00:41:31.01\00:41:32.67
And here it gives us the reason
why God has a right to judge us.
00:41:32.70\00:41:36.80
So the judgment transpires
while the door of mercy
00:41:43.57\00:41:47.42
is still open, while
the three angels messages
00:41:47.45\00:41:49.55
are being proclaimed.
00:41:49.58\00:41:50.82
It there a time, however,
when the Sanctuary service
00:41:51.13\00:41:54.68
in the Most Holy Place is going
to close and it's going to end?
00:41:54.71\00:41:57.83
Absolutely.
00:41:58.27\00:41:59.30
And the very next chapter
in the book of Revelation,
00:41:59.49\00:42:02.32
after saying, "The hour
of His judgment is come,"
00:42:02.35\00:42:04.78
and after telling us
that this event takes place
00:42:05.17\00:42:08.31
in heaven before Jesus comes,
while the door of mercy is
00:42:08.34\00:42:12.41
still open, in the very
next chapter we're told that the
00:42:12.44\00:42:15.65
time is coming when
the Sanctuary service
00:42:15.68\00:42:18.11
is going to close.
00:42:18.14\00:42:19.42
And nobody is going to be able
to enter the Sanctuary anymore
00:42:19.63\00:42:22.41
for forgiveness of sin.
00:42:22.58\00:42:24.06
Notice Revelation
chapter 15 and verses 5 and 6.
00:42:24.32\00:42:27.89
Revelation 15 verses 5 and 6.
00:42:27.92\00:42:31.41
This is the very next
chapter after John has written
00:42:32.01\00:42:35.61
about the hour of God's judgment
and the preaching of the
00:42:35.64\00:42:38.47
everlasting gospel.
00:42:38.50\00:42:39.60
He says this...
00:42:39.63\00:42:40.95
Where was that
temple of the tabernacle?
00:42:49.24\00:42:51.53
Oh, "...in heaven
was..." What? Was opened.
00:42:51.99\00:42:55.20
Which means that it
must have been what?
00:42:55.30\00:42:56.96
It must have been closed before.
00:42:57.37\00:42:59.24
Because Jesus was
in a different place.
00:42:59.64\00:43:01.72
Now notice...
00:43:01.75\00:43:02.85
So who comes out
of the temple now?
00:43:18.61\00:43:20.39
The seven angels with what?
00:43:20.85\00:43:22.94
With the seven last plagues.
00:43:23.20\00:43:24.70
And if you continue
reading there, it tells us
00:43:24.90\00:43:28.07
that the temple
is filled with smoke.
00:43:28.24\00:43:30.86
And no one is able to what?
00:43:31.57\00:43:33.83
No one is able to
enter the temple until
00:43:34.33\00:43:38.41
the seven last
plagues have been what?
00:43:38.44\00:43:41.27
The seven last
plagues have been poured out.
00:43:41.59\00:43:45.01
Incidentally, Revelation
chapter 11 and verse 19
00:43:45.52\00:43:49.29
describes this moment when
the temple of God was opened.
00:43:49.89\00:43:54.64
And in Revelation chapter 15,
it tells us when it's closed.
00:43:54.74\00:43:58.05
Notice
Revelation 11 and verse 19.
00:43:58.08\00:44:00.28
The moment in which the
temple or the Most Holy Place
00:44:00.31\00:44:02.79
was opened in heaven.
00:44:02.82\00:44:03.89
It says, "Then the
temple of God was..." What?
00:44:04.04\00:44:06.74
"...was opened in heaven,
and the ark of His covenant
00:44:06.84\00:44:10.73
was seen in His temple."
00:44:10.76\00:44:12.50
And then what does it say?
00:44:13.25\00:44:14.79
"And there were..." What?
00:44:15.87\00:44:17.37
Lightening and
noises and thunderings,
00:44:17.67\00:44:22.69
and an earthquake.
00:44:22.72\00:44:25.24
Did we see those things before?
00:44:25.27\00:44:26.91
Where did we see those things?
00:44:27.51\00:44:29.03
On Mount Sinai when
God revealed His law.
00:44:29.49\00:44:31.96
So let me ask you,
when the temple of God was
00:44:31.99\00:44:33.61
opened in heaven
for the final judgment,
00:44:33.64\00:44:35.79
do we find the same phenomena
that were found when God
00:44:35.99\00:44:38.78
revealed the Ten Commandments?
00:44:38.81\00:44:40.46
Absolutely.
00:44:40.66\00:44:41.73
The same identical phenomena.
00:44:41.76\00:44:44.14
Now you remember that the people
at the foot of Mount Sinai
00:44:45.27\00:44:48.89
were required to
make a special preparation
00:44:50.24\00:44:52.62
when God came to reveal His law.
00:44:52.65\00:44:56.06
They were suppose to wash what?
00:44:56.44\00:44:58.18
They were suppose
to wash their garments.
00:44:58.64\00:45:00.51
Is there a special preparation
that needs to take place
00:45:00.54\00:45:03.95
in the context of the
judgment that is transpiring
00:45:05.35\00:45:08.15
in heaven now in preparation
for the coming of Christ?
00:45:08.18\00:45:11.94
Absolutely.
00:45:12.24\00:45:13.38
Notice several texts that we
find in the book of Revelation.
00:45:14.08\00:45:17.28
Revelation
chapter 14 and verse 12.
00:45:17.62\00:45:19.65
It's speaking about
God's people in the end time.
00:45:19.68\00:45:22.11
It says, "Here is the
patience of the saints;
00:45:22.14\00:45:25.98
here are those who..." What?
00:45:26.40\00:45:28.36
"...who keep the
commandments of God
00:45:28.85\00:45:31.13
and the faith of Jesus."
00:45:31.16\00:45:32.23
Is God going to have a
group of people who keep
00:45:32.34\00:45:34.36
His commandments
at the end of time?
00:45:34.39\00:45:36.04
Absolutely.
00:45:36.35\00:45:37.38
Is the devil enraged
against those who keep
00:45:37.71\00:45:39.74
the commandments?
00:45:39.77\00:45:40.80
Absolutely.
00:45:40.97\00:45:42.00
Notice Revelation
chapter 12 and verse 17.
00:45:42.03\00:45:44.59
Revelation
chapter 12 and verse 17.
00:45:44.79\00:45:47.65
And what
characterizes that remnant?
00:45:55.40\00:45:57.46
Notice once again, they
keep the commandments of God.
00:46:03.65\00:46:06.18
Notice also Revelation
chapter 22 and verses 14 and 15.
00:46:07.03\00:46:10.84
Same idea coming through.
00:46:10.87\00:46:12.13
Revelation 22 verses 14 and 15.
00:46:12.16\00:46:15.82
It says there...
00:46:16.02\00:46:17.05
So are all of those who
are going to enter through
00:46:25.53\00:46:27.65
the gates commandment keepers?
00:46:27.68\00:46:29.21
They most certainly are.
00:46:29.41\00:46:30.63
What about those outside?
00:46:30.66\00:46:32.12
Are they commandment
keepers or commandment breakers?
00:46:32.60\00:46:35.19
Breakers. Notice verse 15.
00:46:35.40\00:46:37.47
"But outside are dogs and
sorcerers and sexually immoral
00:46:37.77\00:46:42.87
and murderers and
idolaters, and whoever loves..."
00:46:42.90\00:46:46.70
And what?
00:46:46.73\00:46:47.76
"...and practices a lie."
00:46:47.79\00:46:49.15
Is there a special work of
purification that takes place
00:46:49.61\00:46:52.95
in preparation for the
second coming of Jesus Christ?
00:46:52.98\00:46:55.58
Absolutely.
00:46:55.61\00:46:56.64
Let's read several
other verses in Scripture.
00:46:56.67\00:46:59.28
Notice 1 John chapter
3 and verses 1 through 3.
00:46:59.48\00:47:03.00
We're talking now about the
preparation that Israel made
00:47:03.17\00:47:05.97
when God came to
reveal the Ten Commandments,
00:47:06.00\00:47:08.01
how they washed their garments.
00:47:08.04\00:47:09.62
The equivalent is that
God's people, through the power
00:47:09.65\00:47:12.32
of the Holy Spirit, are
to wash their characters
00:47:12.35\00:47:15.94
through the power
of the Holy Spirit.
00:47:15.97\00:47:17.87
Notice 1 John
chapter 3 and verses 1 to 3.
00:47:17.90\00:47:21.66
And now notice verse 3.
00:47:45.48\00:47:47.04
That is, the hope
of the coming of Jesus.
00:47:49.20\00:47:51.30
Notice Isaiah 33:14-16.
00:48:01.23\00:48:03.83
This same idea in the
context of the second coming.
00:48:03.86\00:48:06.80
The emphasis is
constantly that God's people
00:48:07.00\00:48:10.05
will have prepared.
00:48:10.08\00:48:11.11
They will be pure.
00:48:11.14\00:48:12.26
Their lives will be in
harmony with God's holy law.
00:48:12.36\00:48:15.64
Isaiah 33 and
verses 14 through 16.
00:48:15.67\00:48:19.30
It says here...
00:48:19.33\00:48:20.50
Who is the devouring fire?
00:48:31.87\00:48:33.51
God.
00:48:33.85\00:48:34.89
In other words, who's
going to be able to live
00:48:37.81\00:48:39.70
in the presence of God?
00:48:39.73\00:48:41.02
Notice the answer.
00:48:41.05\00:48:42.42
So who are those who
are going to be ready
00:49:05.22\00:49:07.94
when Jesus comes?
00:49:07.97\00:49:09.14
Notice the details,
the character details.
00:49:09.17\00:49:12.54
They walk righteously,
they speak uprightly,
00:49:12.72\00:49:15.47
they despise the
gains of oppressions,
00:49:15.50\00:49:17.42
they gesture with
their hands, refusing bribes,
00:49:17.45\00:49:19.91
they stop their ears
from hearing bloodshed,
00:49:19.94\00:49:22.41
they shut their
eyes from seeing evil.
00:49:22.44\00:49:24.72
In other words, their
lives have been cleansed
00:49:25.10\00:49:27.26
through the power of
God; through the power of
00:49:27.29\00:49:29.10
the Holy Spirit.
00:49:29.13\00:49:30.18
Incidentally, on
the Day of Atonement
00:49:30.51\00:49:33.33
when the high priest
was cleansing the Sanctuary
00:49:33.74\00:49:37.20
from the sins of the people,
the people were suppose to be
00:49:37.23\00:49:39.91
outside the Sanctuary
afflicting their souls
00:49:40.01\00:49:42.61
and cleansing
their lives from sin.
00:49:42.64\00:49:44.61
Notice Leviticus chapter
23 and verse 29 on this point.
00:49:44.90\00:49:48.52
Leviticus 23 and verse
29, speaking about what the
00:49:48.55\00:49:52.27
people were suppose to be
doing, just like Israel at the
00:49:52.30\00:49:54.81
foot of Mount Sinai.
00:49:54.84\00:49:56.03
Leviticus 23:29
00:49:56.06\00:49:57.87
It tells us...
00:49:58.05\00:49:59.08
In fact, it says in that same
chapter that He who does not
00:50:08.20\00:50:11.38
sympathize with the
work of the high priest
00:50:11.41\00:50:13.58
will be destroyed
from among the people.
00:50:13.78\00:50:17.11
Notice also
Joel chapter 2:12-13.
00:50:17.54\00:50:20.40
Describing once
again the Day of Atonement
00:50:20.43\00:50:22.46
when the life is going to be
compared with God's holy law.
00:50:22.49\00:50:25.97
Joel chapter 2
and verses 12 and 13.
00:50:26.22\00:50:29.58
"'Now
therefore,' says the Lord..."
00:50:30.07\00:50:32.35
What did Israel
do at Mount Sinai?
00:50:43.59\00:50:45.56
They cleansed their garments
and they rend their garments.
00:50:45.59\00:50:47.54
But God is saying now,
"Don't rend your garments.
00:50:47.57\00:50:49.99
That was a symbol."
00:50:50.02\00:50:51.43
What is He saying now?
00:50:51.46\00:50:52.79
"Don't rend your
garments, but your..." What?
00:50:52.82\00:50:55.88
Your heart.
00:50:56.09\00:50:57.12
Psalm 15 describes this
same necessary preparation
00:51:06.01\00:51:09.13
for the coming of Christ.
00:51:09.16\00:51:10.27
Notice Psalm 15.
00:51:10.68\00:51:12.39
And it's a short psalm, so
we'll read all five verses.
00:51:12.42\00:51:14.91
It says, it begins
by asking a question...
00:51:15.24\00:51:18.08
Notice the answer.
00:51:25.12\00:51:26.27
Let's notice several other
texts from the New Testament.
00:51:56.26\00:51:58.48
2 Corinthians
chapter 7 and verse 1.
00:51:58.51\00:52:01.10
This theme comes
through time and again
00:52:01.13\00:52:03.25
that in preparation
for the coming of Christ,
00:52:03.28\00:52:05.33
not only must Christ
cleanse the sins from
00:52:05.50\00:52:08.00
the heavenly Sanctuary, but
Christ, through the power of
00:52:08.03\00:52:10.89
the Holy Spirit, must cleanse
the life from sin as well.
00:52:10.92\00:52:14.40
2 Corinthians 7 verse 1.
00:52:14.43\00:52:16.27
Notice Hebrews
chapter 12 and verse 14.
00:52:34.59\00:52:36.97
Time and again this
theme comes through.
00:52:37.00\00:52:39.06
Hebrews 12 and verse 14.
00:52:39.16\00:52:41.40
Here, the
writer of Hebrews says,
00:52:41.99\00:52:44.41
"Pursue peace with
all people, and..." What?
00:52:44.44\00:52:48.27
"...holiness, without
which no one will see the Lord."
00:52:48.47\00:52:54.68
Let's read one more.
00:52:54.91\00:52:56.02
Titus chapter 2
and verses 11 to 14.
00:52:56.05\00:52:58.70
Titus 2 and verses 11 to 14.
00:52:58.86\00:53:01.24
Speaking once again about
the sterling character that
00:53:01.27\00:53:03.67
God's people must have.
00:53:03.70\00:53:05.09
It says there in
Titus 2 verse 11,
00:53:05.30\00:53:07.98
"For the grace of
God that brings salvation
00:53:08.56\00:53:11.20
has appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying..."
00:53:11.23\00:53:15.41
now listen
carefully, "denying ungodliness
00:53:15.44\00:53:17.98
and worldly lusts..."
00:53:18.28\00:53:20.22
What do we need to deny?
00:53:20.59\00:53:22.13
"...ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly,
00:53:22.63\00:53:27.17
righteously, and godly in
the present age, looking for..."
00:53:27.57\00:53:33.75
Notice, this is in the
light of the coming of Christ.
00:53:34.05\00:53:36.58
"...looking for the blessed
hope and glorious appearing
00:53:36.61\00:53:40.43
of our great God
and Savior Jesus Christ,
00:53:40.46\00:53:43.32
who gave Himself for
us, that He might redeem us
00:53:43.35\00:53:46.60
from every..." What?
00:53:46.63\00:53:48.20
"...lawless deed..."
00:53:48.23\00:53:49.84
And then do what?
00:53:49.87\00:53:51.83
"...purify for Himself
His own special people,
00:53:52.14\00:53:56.97
zealous for..." What?
00:53:57.00\00:53:59.24
"...zealous for good works."
00:53:59.60\00:54:02.23
One final point that I
want to share with you as we
00:54:02.43\00:54:04.67
draw this to a close.
00:54:04.70\00:54:05.86
Do you remember that
the ark of the covenant
00:54:06.06\00:54:07.71
poured out plagues
upon those who were not in a
00:54:08.08\00:54:10.74
covenant
relationship with the Lord?
00:54:10.77\00:54:12.49
It was a source of
protection for those who had a
00:54:12.52\00:54:14.91
covenant relationship with God,
but it was a destructive power
00:54:14.94\00:54:18.41
upon those who were
not right with the Lord.
00:54:18.44\00:54:21.89
Go with me to
Revelation chapter 16
00:54:22.50\00:54:24.45
and verses 17 to 21.
00:54:24.48\00:54:26.29
This is our final
passage in our study today.
00:54:26.54\00:54:29.96
I want you to notice
that when the temple is opened
00:54:30.16\00:54:33.22
at the very end of time,
and the angels come out to
00:54:33.25\00:54:36.19
pour out the plagues,
the seventh angel, when he
00:54:36.22\00:54:39.00
pours out his plagues,
you have the same phenomena
00:54:39.03\00:54:42.40
that you had at Mount Sinai.
00:54:42.43\00:54:44.09
But now not in a saving context,
but in a destroying context.
00:54:44.12\00:54:49.48
Notice
Revelation 16 and verse 17.
00:54:49.51\00:54:52.73
Was there a voice
heard at Mount Sinai?
00:55:00.85\00:55:02.83
Was it God's voice?
00:55:03.16\00:55:04.47
Absolutely.
00:55:04.50\00:55:05.53
Notice what it continues saying.
00:55:05.56\00:55:06.97
"And there were noises..."
00:55:07.09\00:55:08.87
Did that happen at Sinai?
00:55:09.21\00:55:10.84
Yes. "...and thunderings..."
00:55:11.14\00:55:12.62
Did that happen? Yes.
00:55:12.65\00:55:14.42
"...and
lightenings... How about that?
00:55:14.45\00:55:16.12
Sure.
00:55:16.32\00:55:17.52
"...and there was
also a great..." What?
00:55:17.87\00:55:20.38
"...earthquake..."
00:55:20.74\00:55:21.77
Did that happen at Sinai?
00:55:21.80\00:55:23.25
Absolutely.
00:55:23.28\00:55:24.40
Do you remember that there
was also fire on Mount Sinai?
00:55:45.05\00:55:47.57
Notice that there are
now stones of fire that fall.
00:55:48.02\00:55:51.29
It says then in verse 21...
00:55:51.32\00:55:52.97
And by the way, this
was not hail made of ice.
00:56:08.39\00:56:11.60
This was fiery hail.
00:56:11.70\00:56:13.51
You can read about it in Exodus
chapter 9 and verses 24 and 25.
00:56:13.54\00:56:17.82
And also the fact that the
book of Revelation says that
00:56:17.85\00:56:20.18
upon the wicked
will fall fire and what?
00:56:20.21\00:56:23.56
Fire and brimstone.
00:56:23.85\00:56:25.46
Which takes place at the
moment of the seventh plague.
00:56:25.49\00:56:28.11
And so what has
God tried to teach us
00:56:28.74\00:56:30.85
with the ark of the covenant?
00:56:30.88\00:56:32.15
What God is saying is that
there was a Sanctuary on earth
00:56:32.51\00:56:36.39
in which was the
ark of the covenant.
00:56:36.63\00:56:38.17
In the ark of the
covenant was the law of God
00:56:38.61\00:56:41.26
that was used to
evaluate the lives of His people
00:56:41.46\00:56:45.02
on the great Day of Atonement.
00:56:45.05\00:56:46.41
His people were
suppose to cleanse their lives
00:56:46.44\00:56:49.10
so that God would
save them in the great Day.
00:56:49.20\00:56:52.17
Is that parallel to what
is transpiring now in heaven?
00:56:52.52\00:56:56.71
The same thing is
happening in heaven.
00:56:57.06\00:56:59.29
Only now, Israel is not in view.
00:56:59.99\00:57:02.52
The whole human race is in view.
00:57:02.55\00:57:04.85
The lives of all are
being compared with the
00:57:05.14\00:57:07.92
great standard of
justice; God's holy law.
00:57:07.95\00:57:11.91
And God is inviting us now
in this time of mercy and grace
00:57:12.11\00:57:15.61
to come into the Sanctuary with
our sins, to confess our sins,
00:57:15.64\00:57:19.63
to repent of sin, so
that our sins can be cleansed
00:57:19.83\00:57:23.27
from the Sanctuary
and from our lives.
00:57:23.30\00:57:26.11