I'm taking you back,
00:00:34.76\00:00:36.57
because you know
there is this template
00:00:36.60\00:00:38.93
this underlying
biblical theme of the Bible
00:00:38.96\00:00:41.85
that really pulls
all of the great themes
00:00:41.88\00:00:44.80
of the Bible together.
00:00:44.83\00:00:46.65
And so as we have come
00:00:46.68\00:00:48.42
to a prophetic
sequence this weekend
00:00:48.45\00:00:51.78
I want to remind you
00:00:51.81\00:00:53.24
of some of the
important aspects of this.
00:00:53.27\00:00:55.23
Going back to the
very beginning of time
00:00:55.26\00:00:58.04
we are reminded
that God in the beginning
00:00:58.07\00:01:01.49
had this wonderful plan
for this planet of ours.
00:01:01.52\00:01:05.82
And He put everything in a order
00:01:05.85\00:01:07.60
as He created it
six days He did it,
00:01:07.63\00:01:10.22
and when it was done He
declared it was very good.
00:01:10.25\00:01:15.54
Not just good, it was very good.
00:01:15.57\00:01:17.74
And when God says
something is very good
00:01:17.77\00:01:19.42
let me say--
tell you is perfect.
00:01:19.45\00:01:22.22
And it was a paradise that
God intended for us to inhabit.
00:01:22.25\00:01:27.55
He intended for us
to live out our lives,
00:01:27.58\00:01:31.29
well, really for
eternity in this place
00:01:31.32\00:01:34.13
in which everything was good
00:01:34.16\00:01:35.82
but obviously
something went wrong, didn't it,
00:01:35.85\00:01:38.31
because that's
not the kind of place
00:01:38.34\00:01:39.67
that we are living in today
and we know that it all began
00:01:39.70\00:01:42.52
where as fantastic we've seen
it all began there in heaven.
00:01:42.55\00:01:47.77
All that trouble all
of the that rebelliousness
00:01:47.80\00:01:51.57
and all of the
consequence of sin
00:01:51.60\00:01:54.47
that we see being
played out upon this planet
00:01:54.50\00:01:56.73
actually began
there in God's presence
00:01:56.76\00:01:59.53
among the angels
of God in heaven.
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And remember how many of
them according to the Bible
00:02:01.49\00:02:03.96
join Lucifer and
his angels of rebellion?
00:02:03.99\00:02:07.38
How many of the angels? A third.
00:02:07.41\00:02:10.04
We know that from
Revelation Chapter 12
00:02:10.07\00:02:12.34
and they didn't prevail.
00:02:12.37\00:02:14.88
Where did they end up going?
00:02:14.91\00:02:17.86
Right here to this planet.
00:02:17.89\00:02:20.12
They were cast
down to the earth.
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But remember initially
00:02:22.33\00:02:24.16
they only had
access at what point,
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what place? Yes, I hear it.
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I hear it, at the tree--
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at the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil.
00:02:32.85\00:02:35.88
That was the only place
00:02:35.91\00:02:37.11
and that's where it
would have remained.
00:02:37.14\00:02:39.26
I think that at some point God
00:02:39.29\00:02:40.81
well, said okay, it's over.
00:02:40.84\00:02:43.00
You know, but it was
there faithful decision was made
00:02:43.03\00:02:47.92
by Adam and Eve
and so we as human race
00:02:47.95\00:02:51.53
came in position of
this knowledge of evil
00:02:51.56\00:02:53.57
something that
God never intended.
00:02:53.60\00:02:56.55
He never intended for
us to know or to feel,
00:02:56.58\00:02:59.81
to hear, to see
the kind of things
00:02:59.84\00:03:01.96
that we see in
such a broken world
00:03:01.99\00:03:04.08
that we live in today.
00:03:04.11\00:03:06.47
God had this problem and
of course God stepped in,
00:03:06.50\00:03:09.73
He didn't have to He
could have walked away
00:03:09.76\00:03:13.18
but God stepped in
because He couldn't let us go.
00:03:13.21\00:03:17.10
He loved us and
He provided a way out
00:03:17.13\00:03:21.18
and there's a Calvary
00:03:21.21\00:03:22.80
that we find our way
out of the mess, right.
00:03:22.83\00:03:26.03
It's at Calvary, its everything,
00:03:26.06\00:03:28.08
it is central and so as
I shared with you before
00:03:28.11\00:03:34.65
you know, it all begin
at the tree of knowledge
00:03:34.68\00:03:36.30
of good and evil
that faithful decision,
00:03:36.33\00:03:38.28
there is another decision
to be made at another tree.
00:03:38.31\00:03:42.24
The tree where Jesus--
00:03:42.27\00:03:44.98
the tree on which Jesus was
crucified the cross of Calvary.
00:03:45.01\00:03:48.66
And then what else
have we being studying?
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Well, this weekend we discovered
00:03:50.68\00:03:51.99
that Jesus in heaven is
now our heavenly intercessor.
00:03:52.02\00:03:55.93
He is our high priest.
00:03:55.96\00:03:58.16
Our subject last
night, and this morning
00:03:58.19\00:04:00.52
as we were into the 2,300
day prophecy and if you miss it,
00:04:00.55\00:04:05.46
we are just gonna have
to get that information
00:04:05.49\00:04:07.42
into your hands but
it was talking about--
00:04:07.45\00:04:11.06
we were talking about biblically
00:04:11.09\00:04:12.94
what Jesus has been doing
00:04:12.97\00:04:15.06
and how is all
going to be rapped up.
00:04:15.09\00:04:19.05
This morning we discovered
its gonna be all rapped up
00:04:19.08\00:04:22.35
in the judgment of God's people
00:04:22.38\00:04:25.95
and then of
course, we have studied it,
00:04:25.98\00:04:28.10
this is exciting part of
it as we look to prophecy
00:04:28.13\00:04:31.20
and that is that Jesus
is coming back in power
00:04:31.23\00:04:34.29
and glory for His people.
00:04:34.32\00:04:36.09
And we picked up on that theme
again this morning, didn't we?
00:04:36.12\00:04:39.29
You know, when Jesus is finished
with His heavenly intercessor
00:04:39.32\00:04:41.86
He is gonna come
back in power and glory
00:04:41.89\00:04:44.03
and then He is
going to make a new heaven
00:04:44.06\00:04:46.97
and new earth, doesn't He?
00:04:47.00\00:04:48.98
Paradise is going to be restored
00:04:49.01\00:04:52.03
and every theme of the
Bible fits into this template.
00:04:52.06\00:04:57.42
We keep that in details to it.
00:04:57.45\00:05:00.04
But it fits and it really makes
the Bible much more sensible
00:05:00.07\00:05:03.54
when we understand the template.
00:05:03.57\00:05:05.76
So one of the
thing I would point out
00:05:05.79\00:05:09.18
and I know I
have done this before
00:05:09.21\00:05:10.63
but because there is
some miss understanding
00:05:10.66\00:05:13.88
about prophecy
we have to realize
00:05:13.91\00:05:16.33
as we are in this prophetic
sequences as we are this weekend
00:05:16.36\00:05:20.09
that there is a
direct connection
00:05:20.12\00:05:23.40
between the gospel
and the prophetic things
00:05:23.43\00:05:27.22
that we find in the Bible.
00:05:27.25\00:05:29.67
I remind you that as
Jesus was coming down
00:05:29.70\00:05:32.53
to those last few days,
00:05:32.56\00:05:34.15
just before His crucifixion
00:05:34.18\00:05:36.03
that last week
before His crucifixion
00:05:36.06\00:05:38.48
Jesus made some
of the most startling
00:05:38.51\00:05:41.14
and articulated some of
the most important prophecies
00:05:41.17\00:05:44.18
that we have in the Bible.
00:05:44.21\00:05:45.24
We got in Matthew 24 then 21
00:05:45.27\00:05:47.87
other passage
there in the gospels.
00:05:47.90\00:05:50.96
So it is fascinated me that
as Jesus was facing Calvary,
00:05:50.99\00:05:56.31
He actually was looking
forward down to the end.
00:05:56.34\00:06:02.12
And my friend, what
Jesus did for us at Calvary
00:06:02.15\00:06:05.45
guarantees there is an end
00:06:05.48\00:06:07.11
to the mess that
we are in, right?
00:06:07.14\00:06:09.94
And He guarantees
this wonderful future,
00:06:09.97\00:06:13.29
this is the end
point of the prophecies
00:06:13.32\00:06:15.66
the wonderful future
00:06:15.69\00:06:17.10
that Jesus
purchased for us at Calvary.
00:06:17.13\00:06:19.64
So there are
prophetic implications
00:06:19.67\00:06:21.77
that are all
wrapped up in the gospel
00:06:21.80\00:06:24.25
and to not take note of
the prophetic implications
00:06:24.28\00:06:28.68
is to get an important aspect
of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
00:06:28.71\00:06:35.70
And of course our
study tonight on 144,000
00:06:35.73\00:06:38.86
once again takes us
00:06:38.89\00:06:40.01
to the fascinating
apocalyptic book of Revelation
00:06:40.04\00:06:44.29
as we consider the significance
00:06:44.32\00:06:47.03
of this very unique
group in Bible prophecy.
00:06:47.06\00:06:50.18
Take your
Bibles and turn with me
00:06:50.21\00:06:51.60
to Revelation Chapter 7 is found
00:06:51.63\00:06:54.41
in the New
Testament at about page 192
00:06:54.44\00:06:57.71
depending what edition you
happen to have in your hand.
00:06:57.74\00:07:01.04
Revelation Chapter 7 and
I'm gonna introduce it here
00:07:01.07\00:07:05.32
with the first four
verse that we have here.
00:07:05.35\00:07:07.82
Revelation 7 and
beginning with verse 1
00:07:07.85\00:07:13.83
where we find it says
"After this I saw four angels
00:07:13.86\00:07:18.57
standing at the four
corners of the earth,
00:07:18.60\00:07:20.78
holding back the
four winds of the earth,
00:07:20.81\00:07:22.62
so that no wind
would blow on the earth
00:07:22.65\00:07:25.61
or on the sea or on any tree."
00:07:25.64\00:07:29.25
And immediately we
take now very consistently
00:07:29.28\00:07:31.36
with what we found in our
study the Book of Revelation
00:07:31.39\00:07:34.61
that we find
images that are prophetic
00:07:34.64\00:07:37.62
and that are
symbolic in nature, right?
00:07:37.65\00:07:40.35
It's talking
about winds blowing,
00:07:40.38\00:07:42.04
angels at the four
corners of the earth.
00:07:42.07\00:07:45.54
You know, that's a
picture we have verse 2,
00:07:45.57\00:07:48.41
"And I saw
another angel ascending
00:07:48.44\00:07:50.25
from the rising of the sun,
00:07:50.28\00:07:51.52
having the seal
of the living God
00:07:51.55\00:07:54.06
and he cried out
with a loud voice
00:07:54.09\00:07:55.96
to the four angels to
whom it was granted to harm
00:07:55.99\00:07:58.63
the earth and
the sea and saying,
00:07:58.66\00:08:00.51
'Do not harm the earth
or the sea or the trees
00:08:00.54\00:08:03.61
until we have
sealed the bond-servants
00:08:03.64\00:08:05.86
of our God on their foreheads.'
00:08:05.89\00:08:08.49
And I heard the number
of those who were sealed,
00:08:08.52\00:08:11.60
one hundred and
forty-four thousand sealed
00:08:11.63\00:08:13.71
from every tribe of
the sons of Israel."
00:08:13.74\00:08:17.64
So we really are
into interested in knowing
00:08:17.67\00:08:19.46
what is this really all about?
00:08:19.49\00:08:20.99
What is this the wind
that is being held back
00:08:21.02\00:08:23.61
by these angelic forces?
00:08:23.64\00:08:25.78
What is that all about?
00:08:25.81\00:08:27.17
And what is this
matter of the sealing,
00:08:27.20\00:08:30.70
the angelic beings
are holding back the winds
00:08:30.73\00:08:33.76
until the one
hundred forty-four thousand
00:08:33.79\00:08:37.52
are sealed in their forehead.
00:08:37.55\00:08:41.52
Now, in contrast to
this matter of the sealing
00:08:41.55\00:08:44.68
that we will be
examining tonight apart,
00:08:44.71\00:08:47.70
tomorrow night we come
to the Mark of the Beast
00:08:47.73\00:08:49.94
we will find in contrast
00:08:49.97\00:08:53.09
that those who sell themselves
out to the final apostasy
00:08:53.12\00:08:57.42
are going to be marked,
00:08:57.45\00:09:00.34
marked in their
forehead and in their hand.
00:09:00.37\00:09:04.20
Now, that's my
subject tomorrow night
00:09:04.23\00:09:05.53
so I'm not say
any more than that
00:09:05.56\00:09:07.74
other than the point out
00:09:07.77\00:09:09.86
that there are going
to be two only two groups
00:09:09.89\00:09:12.76
when it comes down to the end.
00:09:12.79\00:09:15.34
Those who receive the
seal of God in their forehead
00:09:15.37\00:09:18.19
and those who receive
the Mark of the Beast.
00:09:18.22\00:09:22.63
And-- but anyway
what is this talking about
00:09:22.66\00:09:26.19
when it talks about
again this angelic beings
00:09:26.22\00:09:28.24
holding back the
four winds on the earth.
00:09:28.27\00:09:31.82
Well, again the
language is prophetic.
00:09:31.85\00:09:34.09
It is the language that
relates very specifically
00:09:34.12\00:09:36.32
to the tribulation and you know,
00:09:36.35\00:09:38.33
as you are been with us
00:09:38.36\00:09:39.39
we really
haven't talked at all up
00:09:39.42\00:09:41.08
to this point
about the tribulation
00:09:41.11\00:09:42.87
and how this all
fits into end time.
00:09:42.90\00:09:45.40
I'm kind of surprised
some of you haven't asked me
00:09:45.43\00:09:47.42
that question, how
about the tribulation?
00:09:47.45\00:09:50.03
How about the antichrist?
00:09:50.06\00:09:51.83
Of course, the
antichrist is tomorrow night
00:09:51.86\00:09:53.71
though I have a
little segment on it tonight.
00:09:53.74\00:09:56.54
But its really
talking about the tribulation
00:09:56.57\00:09:59.95
and in the Book
of Daniel by the way,
00:09:59.98\00:10:02.65
we have a reference to
tribulation in Daniel 12:1
00:10:02.68\00:10:07.48
it describes it as
the time of trouble.
00:10:07.51\00:10:10.40
Sometimes it's
described as Jacob's trouble.
00:10:10.43\00:10:13.97
And in Daniel 7:2
we find a reference
00:10:14.00\00:10:17.90
to the time of
tribulation it's called--
00:10:17.93\00:10:20.47
it's in reference
to the winds of strife
00:10:20.50\00:10:23.91
is what the Bible tells us.
00:10:23.94\00:10:25.96
So we have a
period of tribulation
00:10:25.99\00:10:29.98
and yet
remember-- remember that song
00:10:30.01\00:10:32.28
"The Darkest Hour
Comes Just Before Dawn."
00:10:32.31\00:10:40.11
You kind of remember that--
that's not biblical but that--
00:10:40.14\00:10:42.31
that's something
important, doesn't it?
00:10:42.34\00:10:44.23
Darkest hour just before dawn.
00:10:44.26\00:10:46.76
Now, the question is
00:10:46.79\00:10:48.08
who is it that's
going to be sealed?
00:10:48.11\00:10:50.32
I mean all of this
is being held back,
00:10:50.35\00:10:52.69
the time of
tribulation is not gonna happen
00:10:52.72\00:10:55.09
until the sealing work is done.
00:10:55.12\00:10:57.39
So who is it
that's gonna be sealed?
00:10:57.42\00:10:59.05
And as you look
through the chapter
00:10:59.08\00:11:00.60
it talks about the
various tribes of the Israel
00:11:00.63\00:11:03.03
and so many are
sealed from this tribe
00:11:03.06\00:11:04.89
et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
00:11:04.92\00:11:07.16
And one of the questions
that we must ask ourselves
00:11:07.19\00:11:09.34
it's from the Book of
revelation in particular,
00:11:09.37\00:11:11.46
is this literal?
00:11:11.49\00:11:13.56
Is it literally
talking about Israel
00:11:13.59\00:11:18.60
or is something else going on?
00:11:18.63\00:11:21.03
Now, again what do we know
about the Book of revelation?
00:11:21.06\00:11:24.24
We know that we find
00:11:24.27\00:11:26.09
prophetic symbolisms embodied
in the Book of Revelation.
00:11:26.12\00:11:30.81
And could there be
something prophetically
00:11:30.84\00:11:33.46
and symbolic indicated
here in reference to the sealing
00:11:33.49\00:11:38.70
of the various tribes of Israel.
00:11:38.73\00:11:42.55
Which brings up an
interesting question,
00:11:42.58\00:11:44.82
it's a vital question.
00:11:44.85\00:11:47.61
So what is God's--
00:11:47.64\00:11:49.30
God's purpose for
the Jews in the end time?
00:11:49.33\00:11:53.04
Is there a purpose for
the Jews in the end time?
00:11:53.07\00:11:56.31
And I'm here to show you tonight
00:11:56.34\00:11:57.81
that God has a purpose
for the Jews in the end time.
00:11:57.84\00:12:03.23
It may not be quite
what some would tell us.
00:12:03.26\00:12:06.26
Let's look at Exodus 19
the Old Testament page 55,
00:12:06.29\00:12:10.36
page 55 Exodus 19
00:12:10.39\00:12:13.81
and we are gonna be
looking at verses 5 and 6.
00:12:13.84\00:12:16.94
For you see there are
some interpreters of the Bible
00:12:16.97\00:12:19.49
that would represent that
all of the covenant promises
00:12:19.52\00:12:21.99
given to ancient Israel
were given unconditionally.
00:12:22.02\00:12:25.22
They are irrevocable is
the word that is often used
00:12:25.25\00:12:29.28
and so that is a question
that we must examine is it so.
00:12:29.31\00:12:33.92
I mean, their fate has
been sealed, has it been sealed?
00:12:33.95\00:12:38.90
They cannot fail.
00:12:38.93\00:12:40.89
Well, as we come to Exodus 19
00:12:40.92\00:12:42.80
we do remember that
the children of Israel
00:12:42.83\00:12:45.52
have been brought out
of the Egyptian bondage,
00:12:45.55\00:12:47.61
they are Sinai as God has
taken His people to Himself
00:12:47.64\00:12:52.15
as He is
organizing them as His people.
00:12:52.18\00:12:54.54
And notice what we
find here Exodus 19
00:12:54.57\00:12:56.56
as I said in beginning
we are looking at verse 5,
00:12:56.59\00:13:00.10
it says "Now
then," as God is speaking
00:13:00.13\00:13:03.84
"Now then, if you
will indeed obey My voice
00:13:03.87\00:13:06.78
and keep My covenant,
00:13:06.81\00:13:08.24
then you shall
be My own possession
00:13:08.27\00:13:10.20
among all the peoples,
for all the earth is Mine,
00:13:10.23\00:13:13.57
and you shall be to
Me a kingdom of priests
00:13:13.60\00:13:15.57
and a holy nation.
00:13:15.60\00:13:17.09
These are the words
00:13:17.12\00:13:18.15
that you shall speak
to the sons of Israel."
00:13:18.18\00:13:21.07
It is a significant statement
00:13:21.10\00:13:23.58
that regards to the
status of God's people
00:13:23.61\00:13:26.84
in the Old Testament.
00:13:26.87\00:13:28.91
And the question
is, is the promise
00:13:28.94\00:13:32.70
by which they were established
as His people is it irrevocable,
00:13:32.73\00:13:37.70
is it unconditional?
00:13:37.73\00:13:39.90
Take a look at the passage
00:13:39.93\00:13:41.12
and you tell me
what do you find there?
00:13:41.15\00:13:45.32
There is that
two letter word "If"
00:13:45.35\00:13:49.47
back there in verse
5 the worst part of it.
00:13:49.50\00:13:51.84
Now then "if."
00:13:51.87\00:13:54.91
you know a lot rises
and falls on the word if
00:13:54.94\00:13:59.10
and what are the
conditions of this condition
00:13:59.13\00:14:01.57
or what are the
conditions if what?
00:14:01.60\00:14:05.00
Well, let's list them.
00:14:05.03\00:14:06.06
Number one that we find,
00:14:06.09\00:14:07.78
If you obey my voice, God says.
00:14:07.81\00:14:14.18
Now, some people
little bit uncomfortable
00:14:14.21\00:14:16.43
with this idea of obedience
00:14:16.46\00:14:18.72
and this idea that we may
be actually accountable to God
00:14:18.75\00:14:23.26
but remember we're accountable
to one that really loves us
00:14:23.29\00:14:26.39
and has our interest
and wants to save us.
00:14:26.42\00:14:29.70
So, you know,
00:14:29.73\00:14:31.34
that are to
color our understanding
00:14:31.37\00:14:32.86
of accountability
but never the less
00:14:32.89\00:14:35.69
because we have
the power of choice.
00:14:35.72\00:14:37.51
There is this
matter of accountability?
00:14:37.54\00:14:40.00
If you obey my voice
00:14:40.03\00:14:41.13
what's the other
one that you see?
00:14:41.16\00:14:44.40
Number two, If
you keep my covenant.
00:14:44.43\00:14:46.85
There are two conditions
00:14:46.88\00:14:48.38
that are indicated
right here in Exodus 19
00:14:48.41\00:14:51.47
as it relates to
the people of God
00:14:51.50\00:14:53.68
in the Old Testament.
00:14:53.71\00:14:55.60
And so we have to ask
ourselves the question
00:14:55.63\00:14:58.24
were they
faithful to the covenant?
00:14:58.27\00:15:01.71
Were did they obey the
voice of the Lord their God?
00:15:01.74\00:15:04.90
And we have been
through this impart
00:15:04.93\00:15:06.17
as we were in end
of Daniel Chapter 9
00:15:06.20\00:15:09.61
and I told you take
a look at 2 Chronicles,
00:15:09.64\00:15:13.12
take a look at 1 and 2 kings
00:15:13.15\00:15:14.87
the historical books of
record of ancient Israel
00:15:14.90\00:15:19.85
and it really does seem
like they were more in rebellion
00:15:19.88\00:15:22.74
than they were in a state
of faithfulness to God, right?
00:15:22.77\00:15:27.67
That seems to be
the same record of it.
00:15:27.70\00:15:30.18
So did they obey the
voice of Lord their God?
00:15:30.21\00:15:32.32
Well, remember as what
Jesus said in John 1:11
00:15:32.35\00:15:35.84
it says of Jesus,
"He came unto His own"
00:15:35.87\00:15:39.21
who were His own?
He came to His people.
00:15:39.24\00:15:44.29
And remember we
have been studying it
00:15:44.32\00:15:46.03
just recently again.
00:15:46.06\00:15:47.70
We have in the Old Testament
00:15:47.73\00:15:49.09
all of these
messianic prophecies.
00:15:49.12\00:15:51.63
We just went through Daniel 9
00:15:51.66\00:15:53.23
and those messianic prophecies
00:15:53.26\00:15:55.44
that predicted the
coming of Jesus, right?
00:15:55.47\00:15:58.00
We just went through that.
00:15:58.03\00:15:59.93
Again this
morning we went through
00:15:59.96\00:16:02.14
the 70 weeks that been
decreased for your people
00:16:02.17\00:16:05.29
to make an end
to sin, to make a--
00:16:05.32\00:16:07.46
you know, to make atonement.
00:16:07.49\00:16:10.29
All of those sins wrapped
up in the coming of Jesus
00:16:10.32\00:16:14.32
a period of probation
that was given to them.
00:16:14.35\00:16:17.24
And so He came to His own.
00:16:17.27\00:16:19.82
I mean it had been predicted.
00:16:19.85\00:16:22.13
It was foundational
to the covenant promises
00:16:22.16\00:16:25.06
that were given
to the people of God
00:16:25.09\00:16:26.55
in the Old
Testament and sadly it says,
00:16:26.58\00:16:29.63
"And His own received Him not."
00:16:29.66\00:16:35.16
And if they didn't receive
Him it means they rejected Him.
00:16:35.19\00:16:38.44
Now, that's a
general realization
00:16:38.47\00:16:40.67
because there were
many that did embrace Him
00:16:40.70\00:16:43.46
as Lord and Savior
00:16:43.49\00:16:44.84
but as a whole the
nation rejected Him
00:16:44.87\00:16:49.56
and what is the consequence
you tell me for individual for
00:16:49.59\00:16:53.04
or any nation who
rejects the Lord of life.
00:16:53.07\00:16:58.83
What's the consequence?
00:16:58.86\00:17:01.59
It's the rejection of salvation.
00:17:01.62\00:17:03.98
Can God save anybody
00:17:04.01\00:17:07.21
that has rejected Jesus
Christ as Lord and Savior?
00:17:07.24\00:17:10.82
They made it impossibility.
00:17:10.85\00:17:12.49
I tell you God is not--
its not God been obituary,
00:17:12.52\00:17:16.85
we have a choice and
we have a decision in this
00:17:16.88\00:17:19.58
and sad to say that's,
00:17:19.61\00:17:20.99
that's what we find
here in John 1:11 they--
00:17:21.02\00:17:23.90
He came to His own
and rejected them not.
00:17:23.93\00:17:25.59
Take a look at Matthew 23
the New Testament page 20.
00:17:25.62\00:17:30.48
Page 20, Matthew 23 and
beginning with verse 31.
00:17:30.51\00:17:35.19
And Jesus is coming down
to the end of His ministry
00:17:35.22\00:17:38.64
as we come here to Matthew 23.
00:17:38.67\00:17:41.42
His death, His crucifixion
and death is just before Him.
00:17:41.45\00:17:45.62
The leadership of the nation
evolved in this conspiracy
00:17:45.65\00:17:50.39
to eradicate to get rid of Him
00:17:50.42\00:17:53.76
and my friend
all that love could
00:17:53.79\00:17:55.42
do they still had
harden their hearts against Him
00:17:55.45\00:17:58.66
and Jesus did not
leave them unwarned
00:17:58.69\00:18:01.70
to the
consequences that would follow.
00:18:01.73\00:18:07.20
So here we are Matthew 23
and beginning with verse 31
00:18:07.23\00:18:10.98
where He says, so you--
00:18:11.01\00:18:14.12
and He is speaking to
scribes and Pharisees.
00:18:14.15\00:18:17.11
You can see that
back in verse 29.
00:18:17.14\00:18:19.95
"So you testify
against yourselves,
00:18:19.98\00:18:22.50
that you are sons of those
who murdered the prophets."
00:18:22.53\00:18:26.72
Jesus said.
00:18:26.75\00:18:28.66
And then verse 32
00:18:28.69\00:18:30.15
"Fill up, then, the measure
of the guilt of your fathers."
00:18:30.18\00:18:34.32
I mean this is
pretty strong isn't it?
00:18:34.35\00:18:39.07
You are the sons of those
who murdered the prophets,
00:18:39.10\00:18:42.63
what was that all about?
00:18:42.66\00:18:44.13
And remember we
studied the context in Daniel 9
00:18:44.16\00:18:49.48
as Daniel is confessing
the sins of His people.
00:18:49.51\00:18:52.32
Remember I call it
the rebelliousness.
00:18:52.35\00:18:56.37
Their unwillingness
to listen to take council
00:18:56.40\00:19:00.36
and they rejected
00:19:00.39\00:19:02.58
at certain periods of
time in their history.
00:19:02.61\00:19:04.88
They rejected the
testimony of the prophets
00:19:04.91\00:19:07.35
and historically we
know that there were periods
00:19:07.38\00:19:09.50
in which they actually were
out to eradicate the prophets,
00:19:09.53\00:19:12.69
they murdered them.
00:19:12.72\00:19:14.41
For instance at the time
of-- of King Ahab and Jezebel
00:19:14.44\00:19:18.61
they have been
hunting down the prophets
00:19:18.64\00:19:20.24
to eliminate them.
00:19:20.27\00:19:22.24
They didn't want
the prophetic voice
00:19:22.27\00:19:23.85
to be heard among God's people.
00:19:23.88\00:19:26.08
And then there is something--
something about verse 32,
00:19:26.11\00:19:28.92
it says, "Fill up" there
is something about filling up,
00:19:28.95\00:19:32.46
"The measure of the
guilt of your fathers."
00:19:32.49\00:19:35.01
Something in the
rejection of Jesus Christ
00:19:35.04\00:19:38.34
was involved for them
00:19:38.37\00:19:39.70
in filling up the
measure of the guilt.
00:19:39.73\00:19:41.82
And again we are
reminded of the centuries
00:19:41.85\00:19:44.89
in which God waited
00:19:44.92\00:19:46.50
and sort of deal
with them patiently.
00:19:46.53\00:19:49.04
Remember what courage we
took out of the patience of God
00:19:49.07\00:19:51.93
and dealing with His
people in the Old Testament.
00:19:51.96\00:19:55.69
And to be reminded that God
has dealt patiently with you
00:19:55.72\00:19:59.17
and He has dealt
patiently with me
00:19:59.20\00:20:02.64
and He has done it--
00:20:02.67\00:20:03.70
His patience comes
out of tremendous love
00:20:03.73\00:20:07.52
and a tremendous
longing in the heart of God
00:20:07.55\00:20:10.17
that we might be saved.
00:20:10.20\00:20:12.70
And when God sends us
these messages to the prophets
00:20:12.73\00:20:15.82
and we find these
messages of God's word
00:20:15.85\00:20:17.77
and yes, sometimes they
cut across the natural--
00:20:17.80\00:20:20.60
the grain of our
natural inclination
00:20:20.63\00:20:22.48
just that will happen because
00:20:22.51\00:20:24.08
we have been corrupted by
this knowledge of evil, right.
00:20:24.11\00:20:27.49
And it may not always you know,
00:20:27.52\00:20:30.21
its not always just
feeling good sometimes
00:20:30.24\00:20:33.79
you know, the honesty the
Spirit of God convicting us
00:20:33.82\00:20:38.03
that we are
sinners, we are lost,
00:20:38.06\00:20:39.91
we are in darkness without Him
00:20:39.94\00:20:42.90
is really the bases on which
00:20:42.93\00:20:44.82
we discover how great our
need really is of the Savior
00:20:44.85\00:20:51.13
and by His grace
we come and respond.
00:20:51.16\00:20:54.27
But we have a
choice, they had a choice
00:20:54.30\00:20:57.26
and they made the
wrong choice, didn't they?
00:20:57.29\00:20:59.60
And then its
verse 33, Jesus said,
00:20:59.63\00:21:02.21
"You serpents,
You brood of vipers,
00:21:02.24\00:21:04.79
how will you escape
the sentence of hell?"
00:21:04.82\00:21:08.17
They weren't listening,
00:21:08.20\00:21:09.44
all that love could do
they were not listening.
00:21:09.47\00:21:12.57
They had been
hardening their hearts
00:21:12.60\00:21:14.33
and Jesus was seeking
to rest their attention.
00:21:14.36\00:21:21.09
He was seeking to reach them,
00:21:21.12\00:21:23.20
He was sharing with
them the consequences
00:21:23.23\00:21:25.97
of what their
actions were leading them.
00:21:26.00\00:21:30.18
He didn't leave them unwarned.
00:21:30.21\00:21:33.52
He deeply loved them, didn't He?
00:21:33.55\00:21:36.79
He deeply love them
00:21:36.82\00:21:38.96
but He knew what
was going to happen.
00:21:38.99\00:21:40.39
Verse 34, He says,
00:21:40.42\00:21:42.06
"Therefore, behold, I
am sending you prophets
00:21:42.09\00:21:44.11
and wise men and scribes
00:21:44.14\00:21:45.69
some of them you
will kill and crucify,
00:21:45.72\00:21:48.04
some of them you will
scourge in your synagogues,
00:21:48.07\00:21:51.61
and persecute from city to city.
00:21:51.64\00:21:55.40
So that upon you may
fall the guilt of all"
00:21:55.43\00:21:58.88
man this important statement
00:21:58.91\00:22:00.15
"The guilt of the
righteous blood shed on earth,
00:22:00.18\00:22:02.92
from the blood of righteous
Abel to the blood of Zechariah,
00:22:02.95\00:22:06.34
the son of Berechiah,
00:22:06.37\00:22:07.50
whom you murdered between
the temple and the altar."
00:22:07.53\00:22:10.20
How could it be guilt
to all the innocent blood
00:22:10.23\00:22:12.13
ever spilled on this planet?
00:22:12.16\00:22:17.29
My friend, in being guilty
of the blood of the son of God
00:22:17.32\00:22:21.48
who remember is the
life giver as our Creator.
00:22:21.51\00:22:26.00
There was a very real sense
00:22:26.03\00:22:27.80
that they were guilty
of all the innocent blood
00:22:27.83\00:22:32.46
that had ever been split.
00:22:32.49\00:22:34.79
Verse 36, "Truly I say to you,
00:22:34.82\00:22:36.80
all these things will
come upon this generation."
00:22:36.83\00:22:42.13
And then we get a real glimpse
00:22:42.16\00:22:44.53
of what was going on
in the heart of Jesus
00:22:44.56\00:22:46.93
as we come to verse 37,
00:22:46.96\00:22:49.20
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
who kills the prophets
00:22:49.23\00:22:52.93
and stones those
who are sent to her!
00:22:52.96\00:22:56.29
How often I wanted"
00:22:56.32\00:22:59.01
oh, that deep see the
desire in the heart of Jesus.
00:22:59.04\00:23:02.72
"How I wanted to
gather your children together,
00:23:02.75\00:23:06.41
the way a hen gathers
her chicks under her wings,
00:23:06.44\00:23:10.28
and you were unwilling."
00:23:10.31\00:23:14.05
Jesus was heart broken.
00:23:14.08\00:23:17.01
He knew the storm that
was gathering upon His people.
00:23:17.04\00:23:21.82
He knew what was going to happen
00:23:21.85\00:23:23.62
as we study just in Daniel 9.
00:23:23.65\00:23:28.13
You know, after the 69 weeks
00:23:28.16\00:23:30.04
the Messiah would be cut off
and have nothing and the people,
00:23:30.07\00:23:32.47
the prince who is to
come and destroy the city
00:23:32.50\00:23:34.75
and the sanctuary
wars are determined--
00:23:34.78\00:23:37.27
determined desolations
is what was predicted.
00:23:37.30\00:23:43.23
Jesus knew what
was going to happen.
00:23:43.26\00:23:46.05
He was heart broken
of what was gonna happen
00:23:46.08\00:23:48.61
to His people
that were in transcend
00:23:48.64\00:23:50.85
and with this wonderful
beautiful message of His coming
00:23:50.88\00:23:55.11
and when it
happened they rejected Him.
00:23:55.14\00:23:59.53
I hope that
doesn't happen to one of us
00:23:59.56\00:24:02.81
knowing something that
the depths of God's love
00:24:02.84\00:24:05.11
was that we would harden
our hearts in rebelliousness
00:24:05.14\00:24:08.41
as they did He longed,
He longed to gather them,
00:24:08.44\00:24:13.49
He longed to shelter
them from the gathering storm.
00:24:13.52\00:24:17.91
And My friend,
there is a storm coming,
00:24:17.94\00:24:20.07
the tribulation is before us.
00:24:20.10\00:24:23.20
We don't know again you know,
00:24:23.23\00:24:25.92
this matter of
time that you know
00:24:25.95\00:24:27.71
we are in this financial crisis
00:24:27.74\00:24:29.23
that's storm enough right
now for some of us, right?
00:24:29.26\00:24:32.24
We just want to survive,
we want to get through it
00:24:32.27\00:24:35.31
and you know, there are millions
00:24:35.34\00:24:37.32
who are losing
jobs and losing homes
00:24:37.35\00:24:40.50
and let me tell
you they are going
00:24:40.53\00:24:41.57
through their
times of tribulation.
00:24:41.60\00:24:43.85
And let me tell you God
is not this interested in
00:24:43.88\00:24:48.15
what's happening
in people's lives.
00:24:48.18\00:24:51.29
Is He?
00:24:51.32\00:24:52.78
He is not this interested
00:24:52.81\00:24:53.84
in what's
happening in your life.
00:24:53.87\00:24:56.60
You know, I have never seen this
00:24:56.63\00:24:58.50
because I didn't grow
up on the farm now Gale,
00:24:58.53\00:25:01.64
I don't know if you
know this about Gale,
00:25:01.67\00:25:02.97
Gale grew up on the farm.
00:25:03.00\00:25:04.44
So Gale, you
probably saw this a few times
00:25:04.47\00:25:06.34
but I remember I was
holding a series up there
00:25:06.37\00:25:08.96
in the little town of
Idaho which is north of Spokane.
00:25:08.99\00:25:11.98
This is back in the 90's
and once in the afternoon
00:25:12.01\00:25:15.24
I was out visiting folk that
have been coming to the meetings
00:25:15.27\00:25:18.21
when I'm in the country side
00:25:18.24\00:25:19.52
to visit this one
family the summer shining
00:25:19.55\00:25:21.97
it was really
spring, it was a wonder day.
00:25:22.00\00:25:26.02
And it was fairly
warm and so they invited us
00:25:26.05\00:25:29.48
to sit down in the lounge chairs
00:25:29.51\00:25:31.11
that were outside
and so we were engaged
00:25:31.14\00:25:33.28
in a very positive conversation
enjoying the sunshine
00:25:33.31\00:25:36.82
and somebody said, there must--
00:25:36.85\00:25:38.99
there must be a hawk
or something up there
00:25:39.02\00:25:41.23
because they
pointed out over to the--
00:25:41.26\00:25:43.60
the chicken coop.
00:25:43.63\00:25:45.48
They said, do you see the hen?
00:25:45.51\00:25:48.04
There was this hen
with her wings spread out
00:25:48.07\00:25:50.94
and you can see the behinds
of all those little chicks.
00:25:50.97\00:25:55.43
And so somebody have seen that
00:25:55.46\00:25:57.89
and said there must be a
bird of prey up there hawk
00:25:57.92\00:26:00.30
or something and they were
these tall evergreen trees.
00:26:00.33\00:26:04.13
I mean, 40,50 feet whatever
they are they were very tall
00:26:04.16\00:26:07.22
and so we were all
looking up and trying to see it
00:26:07.25\00:26:11.39
and finally saw
it was just a speck,
00:26:11.42\00:26:14.51
just a speck just kind
of you know like a bird prey
00:26:14.54\00:26:18.40
that just going around
00:26:18.43\00:26:20.31
and some how that
mother hen picked up,
00:26:20.34\00:26:24.52
you know, just sense that danger
00:26:24.55\00:26:28.75
and she called for her chicks.
00:26:28.78\00:26:30.01
I don't know how did they
do that Gale, do you know?
00:26:30.04\00:26:34.09
I don't know fluffing to that
00:26:34.12\00:26:36.55
but she was
calling for her chicks
00:26:36.58\00:26:38.37
and they came
running and there she was--
00:26:38.40\00:26:41.69
she was willing
to give up her life
00:26:41.72\00:26:43.37
for those baby chicks of hers.
00:26:43.40\00:26:46.39
I mean that's
pretty tender picture
00:26:46.42\00:26:48.76
that Jesus was
using to show His love
00:26:48.79\00:26:52.15
and His concern for
those who are heading
00:26:52.18\00:26:55.96
into as I said this awful
storm that was before them.
00:26:55.99\00:26:59.85
And then we come to
verse 38, where Jesus said,
00:26:59.88\00:27:02.76
"Behold, your house is
being left to you desolate."
00:27:02.79\00:27:08.28
Point that some
of the saddest words
00:27:08.31\00:27:09.78
written in scripture.
00:27:09.81\00:27:11.27
The word in the Old Testament
00:27:11.30\00:27:12.44
the word Ichabod that
is the glory has departed.
00:27:12.47\00:27:16.24
And what does that mean
00:27:16.27\00:27:17.30
your house is
been left desolated.
00:27:17.33\00:27:18.97
What house? The house of Israel.
00:27:19.00\00:27:22.05
Sadly to say it's desolated
00:27:22.08\00:27:24.73
because they
rejected the Lord of glory
00:27:24.76\00:27:28.10
and they rejected life
itself in rejecting Jesus.
00:27:28.13\00:27:32.90
Now, yet I say God has a purpose
00:27:32.93\00:27:36.43
for the Jews in the end times
00:27:36.46\00:27:37.76
so don't run too far ahead of me
00:27:37.79\00:27:39.66
as we are putting this together.
00:27:39.69\00:27:41.06
Let's take a look at Galatians 3
00:27:41.09\00:27:42.87
the New Testament
page 148, 148 Galatians 3
00:27:42.90\00:27:49.26
and we are going to
being with verses 6 and 7.
00:27:49.29\00:27:54.23
The question is
under the New Testament
00:27:54.26\00:27:58.00
that is under the new
covenant who is that--
00:27:58.03\00:28:00.84
that comprises the people of God
00:28:00.87\00:28:03.34
which would be
relevant to this question
00:28:03.37\00:28:05.25
of who is it talking about
here in Revelation Chapter 7.
00:28:05.28\00:28:09.23
And notice here in Galatians,
00:28:09.26\00:28:10.97
first of all we
take note of the fact
00:28:11.00\00:28:12.36
that it was the Apostle Paul
00:28:12.39\00:28:13.87
that was writing to the churches
00:28:13.90\00:28:17.07
in the region of Galatia
that was located in Asia Minor.
00:28:17.10\00:28:21.04
So this is a cluster of churches
00:28:21.07\00:28:23.32
and these were gentile churches
00:28:23.35\00:28:26.93
largely comprise
of gentile believers
00:28:26.96\00:28:29.98
on unguardedly they
were Jewish believers
00:28:30.01\00:28:32.15
that were in fellowship
I think that's apparent
00:28:32.18\00:28:35.07
as you follow though the
writing of the Apostle Paul.
00:28:35.10\00:28:38.25
And Paul is
addressing this issue
00:28:38.28\00:28:41.86
of who is it that
comprises the people of God
00:28:41.89\00:28:44.39
under the new
covenant in the New Testament.
00:28:44.42\00:28:46.59
For He says, Galatians 3:6
00:28:46.62\00:28:48.73
"Even so Abraham believed God,
00:28:48.76\00:28:51.26
and it was reckoned
to him as righteousness.
00:28:51.29\00:28:55.03
Therefore, be sure that
it is those who are of" what?
00:28:55.06\00:29:01.16
"Of faith who are
the sons of Abraham."
00:29:01.19\00:29:05.73
Over Romans, Paul
makes the point not everybody
00:29:05.76\00:29:09.14
who can literally trace
their ancestry back to Abraham
00:29:09.17\00:29:16.14
or the son's of Abraham.
00:29:16.17\00:29:18.51
The point that he is
making the sons of Abraham--
00:29:18.54\00:29:21.06
sons and daughters
of Abraham are those
00:29:21.09\00:29:23.51
who participate in the
faith of Abraham, right.
00:29:23.54\00:29:28.56
That's the point He is making.
00:29:28.59\00:29:30.92
And so anyway, and
then we come to verse 16,
00:29:30.95\00:29:34.98
He says, "Now the promises"
00:29:35.01\00:29:36.40
and He is talking
about the covenant promises
00:29:36.43\00:29:38.62
by which the people
God were established
00:29:38.65\00:29:40.49
in the Old Testament.
00:29:40.52\00:29:42.10
"Now the promises
were spoken to Abraham
00:29:42.13\00:29:44.27
and to his seed.
00:29:44.30\00:29:45.95
He does not say, 'And to seeds,'
00:29:45.98\00:29:47.74
as referring to
many, but rather to one,"
00:29:47.77\00:29:50.00
is singular in other words,
00:29:50.03\00:29:51.65
"and to your
seed, that is, Christ."
00:29:51.68\00:29:54.93
So the promises
were spoken to Abraham
00:29:54.96\00:29:58.65
and among the promises
given to Abraham is that
00:29:58.68\00:30:02.02
the Messiah the
Savior would come, right.
00:30:02.05\00:30:08.39
Okay, and it is by end
00:30:08.42\00:30:11.35
so the promises given to Abraham
00:30:11.38\00:30:14.46
becomes ours
through faith in Christ.
00:30:14.49\00:30:18.12
For the promises were given
to Abraham and to His seed.
00:30:18.15\00:30:23.89
You catching that?
00:30:23.92\00:30:25.20
This is
significant-- significant verse.
00:30:25.23\00:30:27.60
And so that's why we find
00:30:27.63\00:30:29.16
as we drop down here
to the end of the chapter
00:30:29.19\00:30:31.93
and that would be verse 27
00:30:31.96\00:30:33.79
through 29 Paul
continues by saying
00:30:33.82\00:30:37.09
"For all of you
who were baptized
00:30:37.12\00:30:40.57
into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ."
00:30:40.60\00:30:43.49
King James says, "You put
on the Lord Jesus Christ."
00:30:43.52\00:30:46.07
And verse 28 "There
is neither Jew nor Greek,
00:30:46.10\00:30:49.24
there is neither
slave nor free man,
00:30:49.27\00:30:51.49
there is neither male nor female
00:30:51.52\00:30:53.32
for you are all one in" whom?
00:30:53.35\00:30:56.38
"In Christ Jesus."
00:30:56.41\00:30:58.36
There is neither Jew nor Greek.
00:30:58.39\00:31:01.07
No longer these
artificial designations
00:31:01.10\00:31:04.08
I belong to the
people of God you are just--
00:31:04.11\00:31:07.91
you know, you
are not much better
00:31:07.94\00:31:08.97
than a dog being a gentile,
00:31:09.00\00:31:11.82
you know, Jews thinking
back in that period of time.
00:31:11.85\00:31:16.07
As Paul says in Ephesians 2
00:31:16.10\00:31:18.17
the dividing wall in
Jesus has been toured down.
00:31:18.20\00:31:21.69
That wall that
separate Jews and gentiles.
00:31:21.72\00:31:24.77
And actually there was
a war there at the temple
00:31:24.80\00:31:26.93
beyond what your gentile
dare not go into the temple
00:31:26.96\00:31:33.13
and that wall has
been removed in Jesus.
00:31:33.16\00:31:36.82
So there is neither nor gentile
00:31:36.85\00:31:38.97
the ground
level before the cross
00:31:39.00\00:31:42.34
the ground is level
at the cross you see.
00:31:42.37\00:31:46.35
None have a special
standing before God.
00:31:46.38\00:31:51.32
And He makes
this point in Romans
00:31:51.35\00:31:52.81
we all have sinned Jew
and gentiles haven't we?
00:31:52.84\00:31:57.40
We all are in the need
00:31:57.43\00:31:59.39
of the saving grace
of Jesus is His point.
00:31:59.42\00:32:04.82
So we are all in one--
00:32:04.85\00:32:06.79
we are all one in
Christ Jesus verse 28
00:32:06.82\00:32:10.20
as we read and verse 29
00:32:10.23\00:32:11.83
"And if you belong to Christ,
00:32:11.86\00:32:14.12
then you are
Abraham's descendants,
00:32:14.15\00:32:17.00
and heirs according to promise."
00:32:17.03\00:32:21.54
So if you my friend,
belong to Jesus Christ
00:32:21.57\00:32:25.40
and that happens by faith
00:32:25.43\00:32:27.56
then you are
descendant of Abraham.
00:32:27.59\00:32:31.13
You are spiritual
descendent of Abraham
00:32:31.16\00:32:34.87
and you have become an heir.
00:32:34.90\00:32:37.01
Have you ever been an heir?
00:32:37.04\00:32:40.16
Okay, we are in the
heir of the promises
00:32:40.19\00:32:45.27
that we are given to Abraham.
00:32:45.30\00:32:46.79
We will inherit them.
00:32:46.82\00:32:48.83
You see, there are those
00:32:48.86\00:32:50.04
and I'm spending a
little bit time on this
00:32:50.07\00:32:51.39
I do realize but this
is an essential question.
00:32:51.42\00:32:54.43
There are those who
in effect are saying
00:32:54.46\00:32:57.02
there are two
covenants in the end time.
00:32:57.05\00:32:59.90
There is a new
covenant for the church
00:32:59.93\00:33:01.82
there is the old
covenant for the Jews.
00:33:01.85\00:33:04.51
And God will yet
because of covenant promises
00:33:04.54\00:33:07.15
irrevocable God will yet fulfill
00:33:07.18\00:33:09.44
all that the
covenant promises to ancient--
00:33:09.47\00:33:11.85
ancient Israel in the
end time for the Jews.
00:33:11.88\00:33:15.63
But my friend, it is
clear as we study the Bible
00:33:15.66\00:33:18.62
there are not
two covenants at all.
00:33:18.65\00:33:22.18
There are not two
peoples and two covenants.
00:33:22.21\00:33:24.47
There is one
people in Jesus Christ
00:33:24.50\00:33:26.75
under one
covenant and that covenant
00:33:26.78\00:33:29.22
is the new covenant in
the blood of Jesus, right.
00:33:29.25\00:33:34.25
In fact, when
Jesus in the upper room
00:33:34.28\00:33:37.03
He said this
is-- this represents
00:33:37.06\00:33:38.61
the blood of the new
covenant and the New Testament.
00:33:38.64\00:33:43.65
You tell me how many gentiles
were sitting at that table?
00:33:43.68\00:33:49.11
Not a one, not at this point.
00:33:49.14\00:33:53.17
They were all, you know,
00:33:53.20\00:33:54.28
every one of His
disciples were Jews
00:33:54.31\00:33:57.23
and so the new covenant
00:33:57.26\00:33:58.29
was not just given to the church
00:33:58.32\00:34:00.33
that is to the
gentile believer it encompass
00:34:00.36\00:34:04.74
both Jews and gentile
alike the new covenant.
00:34:04.77\00:34:10.15
And my friend
that's the covenant
00:34:10.18\00:34:11.64
that God is going to recognize
00:34:11.67\00:34:14.04
and accept in the
end time for all peoples.
00:34:14.07\00:34:18.49
The old covenant came to an end.
00:34:18.52\00:34:22.02
So how does it relate
to Revelation Chapter 7?
00:34:22.05\00:34:25.56
Well, I'm representing
00:34:25.59\00:34:28.88
that we will find in
the Book of Revelation
00:34:28.91\00:34:30.88
Chapter 7 is
prophetic and symbolic.
00:34:30.91\00:34:34.29
It is not literally
talking about ancient Israel
00:34:34.32\00:34:37.91
or about the
Jews in the end time.
00:34:37.94\00:34:42.05
It is talking
about spiritual Israel,
00:34:42.08\00:34:46.48
a spiritual people
that are going to be sealed
00:34:46.51\00:34:50.97
that's what it's talking about.
00:34:51.00\00:34:52.23
That is an issue
as we come to it,
00:34:52.26\00:34:54.74
what is the
name this name Israel
00:34:54.77\00:34:58.17
and where did it come from?
00:34:58.20\00:34:59.44
Anyway and we trace it
00:34:59.47\00:35:00.69
in the Old Testament
it goes back to Jacob.
00:35:00.72\00:35:02.96
Remember there
was this blood feud
00:35:02.99\00:35:04.93
between Esau and
Jacob over the birth right
00:35:04.96\00:35:08.21
and Jacob stole it
00:35:08.24\00:35:10.56
and his mother said to him
00:35:10.59\00:35:11.62
you better get out of
town, head down to Laban
00:35:11.65\00:35:14.06
because your brother
is so angry he is out,
00:35:14.09\00:35:15.97
he is gonna-- he
is gonna kill you.
00:35:16.00\00:35:18.78
As soon as your father is
dead he is gonna slay you.
00:35:18.81\00:35:21.91
And so Jacob was fleeing
00:35:21.94\00:35:23.83
and He spent oh, man
He began how many years
00:35:23.86\00:35:27.11
they spend out over 20 years
00:35:27.14\00:35:28.65
any way with His uncle Laban
00:35:28.68\00:35:31.43
and God righteously
blessed him, remember this?
00:35:31.46\00:35:35.89
You know, a tribe is forming
00:35:35.92\00:35:39.02
and he had great
riches and wealth
00:35:39.05\00:35:41.78
and he decided it
was time to head home.
00:35:41.81\00:35:45.47
And so he gathered up
all-- he had a sneak away
00:35:45.50\00:35:47.50
because Laban was
not gonna let him do this
00:35:47.53\00:35:49.50
you know, a
little bit of the story
00:35:49.53\00:35:51.06
Laban was not gonna
let him go that easily
00:35:51.09\00:35:53.05
but-- so he had
to sneak out of town
00:35:53.08\00:35:55.40
and he has headed out
00:35:55.43\00:35:56.47
and they cross over
the brook of river Jabbok.
00:35:56.50\00:36:00.57
The report comes
to Jacob at that point
00:36:00.60\00:36:03.31
that Esau is coming
00:36:03.34\00:36:05.83
and he has got
400 mountain soldiers
00:36:05.86\00:36:09.17
and they are going
to meet the next day
00:36:09.20\00:36:12.14
and he remembers the
hatred of his brother Esau
00:36:12.17\00:36:15.87
and fear gripped his heart.
00:36:15.90\00:36:18.42
So he got his
family over the Jabbok
00:36:18.45\00:36:20.24
and then he will cross
in the darkness of the night
00:36:20.27\00:36:22.64
he was in intense prayer.
00:36:22.67\00:36:26.66
And as He was in prayer
00:36:26.69\00:36:28.12
the Bible describes
it-- it was in Genesis 32
00:36:28.15\00:36:31.13
He finds himself in a,
00:36:31.16\00:36:34.37
you know, in the grass
he thinks its his enemy
00:36:34.40\00:36:38.14
and he is fighting for
his life in the darkness.
00:36:38.17\00:36:40.27
He doesn't know who it is
00:36:40.30\00:36:41.33
but he is struggling
for all that is worth
00:36:41.36\00:36:44.97
and so only as the day
is about ready to break
00:36:45.00\00:36:47.61
and he sees he break off,
00:36:47.64\00:36:49.78
you know, this
begin whoever it was
00:36:49.81\00:36:51.24
is trying to
break off the engagement
00:36:51.27\00:36:55.37
that he discovered the
divine nature of the being
00:36:55.40\00:36:58.65
that he was wresting
with because it was God.
00:36:58.68\00:37:05.47
That sounds a little
fantastic to us, doesn't it?
00:37:05.50\00:37:08.58
But he was wresting with God.
00:37:08.61\00:37:12.02
And so Jacob finally said
00:37:12.05\00:37:13.30
I'm not gonna let you
go until you bless me.
00:37:13.33\00:37:16.34
And so God blessed Him.
00:37:16.37\00:37:17.86
Genesis 32:28 "And he said,
00:37:17.89\00:37:20.48
'Your name'"
this is the blessing
00:37:20.51\00:37:21.61
"Your name shall
no longer be Jacob"
00:37:21.64\00:37:24.27
you realize when
we get up in heaven
00:37:24.30\00:37:25.81
we are gonna get a
new name all of us?
00:37:25.84\00:37:29.01
Okay, let's start it with Jacob.
00:37:29.04\00:37:30.97
"Your name shall
no longer be Jacob
00:37:31.00\00:37:33.75
but Israel, for you
have striven with God
00:37:33.78\00:37:36.73
and with men
and have prevailed."
00:37:36.76\00:37:40.40
The name Israel means
over comer or prevailer.
00:37:40.43\00:37:46.25
And my friend that is
the prophetic symbolism
00:37:46.28\00:37:49.29
that we find in Revelation 7
00:37:49.32\00:37:50.87
in reference to
all of God's people
00:37:50.90\00:37:53.11
in the end time
filled by the grace of Jesus
00:37:53.14\00:37:56.52
they are going to be prevailers,
00:37:56.55\00:37:58.80
they are going
to be over comers.
00:37:58.83\00:38:03.25
Jesus gained the victory
00:38:03.28\00:38:05.19
that victory is guaranteed
to each one of us by faith.
00:38:05.22\00:38:09.08
That's what he has promised us
00:38:09.11\00:38:11.44
and so that is the significance
00:38:11.47\00:38:13.99
about Israel
being-- being sealed.
00:38:14.02\00:38:17.97
They are the over comers
00:38:18.00\00:38:20.66
and I think I will prove it
00:38:20.69\00:38:23.03
to you even more
directly than that.
00:38:23.06\00:38:26.35
But we must view
this matter of the number.
00:38:26.38\00:38:28.46
What do we do with 144,000?
00:38:28.49\00:38:30.39
What is it literally a number?
00:38:30.42\00:38:32.57
My friend, again
the Book of Revelation
00:38:32.60\00:38:34.56
is prophetic in is symbolic
00:38:34.59\00:38:36.38
and I'm not going to
be diagrammatic about this
00:38:36.41\00:38:38.39
but this is what I think.
00:38:38.42\00:38:39.45
This is what I think.
00:38:39.48\00:38:40.77
The number 144,000 is build
upon this number right here
00:38:40.80\00:38:45.07
is the number 12
00:38:45.10\00:38:46.81
it is called a kingdom
number in Bible prophecy.
00:38:46.84\00:38:49.46
The number 12 is
consistently associated
00:38:49.49\00:38:51.40
with God's
covenant people from the 12
00:38:51.43\00:38:55.52
from the 12 tribes of Israel
00:38:55.55\00:38:58.53
we have the people of
God in the Old Testament
00:38:58.56\00:39:02.08
from the 12
patriots the 12 tribes
00:39:02.11\00:39:04.34
and the New
Testament from the 12 apostles,
00:39:04.37\00:39:07.02
we have the establishment
of the Christian church.
00:39:07.05\00:39:10.41
Next Friday night as
we get to the subject
00:39:10.44\00:39:12.56
the time of the end we
will back into Revelation 12
00:39:12.59\00:39:16.12
we find this pure version
00:39:16.15\00:39:17.88
will end with a
crown of 12 stars
00:39:17.91\00:39:21.39
it represents God's
covenant people in the end time.
00:39:21.42\00:39:24.88
It's associated
with God's people.
00:39:24.91\00:39:27.11
And you are not
gonna find the math here
00:39:27.14\00:39:28.61
but basically what happens here
00:39:28.64\00:39:30.03
to magnify the
significance of this number
00:39:30.06\00:39:33.27
they multiplied it by
itself as we get the 144
00:39:33.30\00:39:37.07
and a further emphasize a
significance of this number
00:39:37.10\00:39:40.11
is multiplied by 1000
00:39:40.14\00:39:41.60
that's where we get the 144,000.
00:39:41.63\00:39:43.70
Again I'm not gonna
diagrammatic about it
00:39:43.73\00:39:45.25
but I believe-- I
believe that's basically
00:39:45.28\00:39:48.33
how the number is put
together prophetically.
00:39:48.36\00:39:52.26
Let's take a look at
Revelation Chapter 7,
00:39:52.29\00:39:54.78
let's get back to it
the New Testament page 192
00:39:54.81\00:39:58.74
as we are
talking about this number
00:39:58.77\00:40:01.07
and let's look
at verse 9 and 10.
00:40:01.10\00:40:05.15
Revelation 7,
00:40:05.18\00:40:08.73
and if you lost your place like
00:40:08.76\00:40:10.33
I did just turn
right on back there
00:40:10.36\00:40:12.39
and here we are as
we pick it up in verse 9
00:40:12.42\00:40:16.75
and we have the description.
00:40:16.78\00:40:17.94
You got the
structure here Revelation 7
00:40:17.97\00:40:20.84
the first half of the chapter
00:40:20.87\00:40:24.47
they are facing tribulation,
00:40:24.50\00:40:26.07
it's been held back
until they are sealed.
00:40:26.10\00:40:29.27
That's what we have.
00:40:29.30\00:40:30.59
And then we come to
verse 9 the scene changes.
00:40:30.62\00:40:34.06
In verse 9 this is
what we find it says,
00:40:34.09\00:40:35.91
"And after
these things I looked"
00:40:35.94\00:40:38.51
John says, "And
behold, a great multitude
00:40:38.54\00:40:41.70
which no one could count,
00:40:41.73\00:40:45.08
from every nation and all tribes
00:40:45.11\00:40:47.48
and peoples and tongues,
standing before the throne
00:40:47.51\00:40:50.17
and before the Lamb,
clothed in white robes,
00:40:50.20\00:40:52.67
and palm branches
were in their hands."
00:40:52.70\00:40:55.38
Where are they standing?
00:40:55.41\00:40:58.17
Before the throne.
00:40:58.20\00:40:59.23
So where is this taking place?
00:40:59.26\00:41:01.25
There in heaven.
00:41:01.28\00:41:03.64
And verse 10, "They cry
out with a loud voice, saying,
00:41:03.67\00:41:06.16
'Salvation to our God
who sits on the throne,
00:41:06.19\00:41:08.68
and to the Lamb.'"
00:41:08.71\00:41:10.39
They are rejoicing,
they are rejoicing just like
00:41:10.42\00:41:15.51
we are gonna rejoice, right.
00:41:15.54\00:41:20.63
Because it's over. It's done.
00:41:20.66\00:41:25.03
But then we come
down to verse 13 it says,
00:41:25.06\00:41:27.22
"Then one of the
elders answered, saying to me,
00:41:27.25\00:41:29.52
'These who are
clothed in the white robes,
00:41:29.55\00:41:31.88
who are they, and
where have they come from?'"
00:41:31.91\00:41:33.69
The white robes
look back in verse 9.
00:41:33.72\00:41:37.39
The white robes are those who--
00:41:37.42\00:41:40.65
this great multitude
which no one could count.
00:41:40.68\00:41:44.01
They are the ones that
are clothed in white robes.
00:41:44.04\00:41:46.30
So John is wanting
to know who are they.
00:41:46.33\00:41:51.15
And notice the
response in verse 14,
00:41:51.18\00:41:53.13
and John says, "I said
to him, 'My lord, you know.'
00:41:53.16\00:41:56.24
And he said to me,
00:41:56.27\00:41:57.30
'These are the ones who come
out of the great tribulation,
00:41:57.33\00:42:01.79
and they have washed their robes
00:42:01.82\00:42:03.10
and made them white in
the blood of the Lamb.''
00:42:03.13\00:42:05.94
The robes actually
represent our characters.
00:42:05.97\00:42:09.93
So who is that are
there standing victorious
00:42:09.96\00:42:13.51
before the throne of God?
00:42:13.54\00:42:16.24
It is those who went
threw the great tribulation.
00:42:16.27\00:42:19.56
And who is it that goes
through the great tribulation?
00:42:19.59\00:42:23.15
Put it together, the ones
who are facing tribulation,
00:42:23.18\00:42:27.78
the first half of the chapter.
00:42:27.81\00:42:29.81
It is those who are sealed
00:42:29.84\00:42:32.56
that are going to go
through the tribulation, right.
00:42:32.59\00:42:36.62
Absolutely.
00:42:36.65\00:42:39.17
And that's a structure
that we have in Revelation 7.
00:42:39.20\00:42:42.63
First half they are
facing the people of God
00:42:42.66\00:42:45.89
are facing
tribulation the later half
00:42:45.92\00:42:48.35
they stand
victorious a great multitude
00:42:48.38\00:42:51.11
of every nation was
to say every nation,
00:42:51.14\00:42:53.78
tribes and peoples and tongues.
00:42:53.81\00:42:56.71
They stand victorious
they are one and the same.
00:42:56.74\00:42:59.89
Well, I would share with you
00:42:59.92\00:43:00.95
that this is not
talking first of all literally
00:43:00.98\00:43:03.38
of Israel its talking
about a spiritual people
00:43:03.41\00:43:07.17
and the number is not literal
00:43:07.20\00:43:09.01
because they
couldn't be counted.
00:43:09.04\00:43:12.47
But let's take a look
at 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4,
00:43:12.50\00:43:16.17
the New Testament page 161.
00:43:16.20\00:43:18.71
Now some of you-- I must--
00:43:18.74\00:43:20.45
I may be really walked,
00:43:20.48\00:43:22.54
you are thinking just
a little bit here tonight
00:43:22.57\00:43:26.07
to share with you
that the people of God
00:43:26.10\00:43:29.34
in the end time are going
to go through the tribulation
00:43:29.37\00:43:33.79
when we have been told no
00:43:33.82\00:43:35.43
the church is not going to
go through the tribulation.
00:43:35.46\00:43:39.57
And may be that's troubling
00:43:39.60\00:43:41.42
and I find some people
00:43:41.45\00:43:42.72
have been really
comforted by this idea.
00:43:42.75\00:43:44.52
Well, I don't
have to worry about it
00:43:44.55\00:43:46.03
you know and the church
is going to be swept away
00:43:46.06\00:43:47.89
before this all happens.
00:43:47.92\00:43:49.77
You know, I'm
gonna be out of the here.
00:43:49.80\00:43:51.62
Is it so?
00:43:51.65\00:43:52.75
Well, I made my case
for Revelation Chapter 7
00:43:52.78\00:43:57.06
but I would add
2 Thessalonians 2,
00:43:57.09\00:44:00.48
Paul says, "Now we
request you, brethren,
00:44:00.51\00:44:02.91
with regard to the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
00:44:02.94\00:44:05.32
and our gathering
together with Him"
00:44:05.35\00:44:07.05
I really like this
language are gathering together.
00:44:07.08\00:44:10.56
We are gonna go to
home to heaven together,
00:44:10.59\00:44:12.58
they will forget that.
00:44:12.61\00:44:14.19
It's gonna be
wonderful as an unbroken family.
00:44:14.22\00:44:17.77
It says, "That you
not be quickly shaken
00:44:17.80\00:44:21.26
from your composure
or be disturbed either
00:44:21.29\00:44:23.51
by a spirit or a message
or a letter as if from us,"
00:44:23.54\00:44:29.01
as if from us, "to the effect
00:44:29.04\00:44:31.53
that the day of
the Lord has come."
00:44:31.56\00:44:33.97
The day of the Lord is
reference to the coming of Jesus
00:44:34.00\00:44:36.89
and evidently there
were and they were deceivers
00:44:36.92\00:44:40.10
who were suggesting
they were communicating
00:44:40.13\00:44:42.72
with the church in
Thessaloniki they were--
00:44:42.75\00:44:45.64
they were
presenting these aberrant views
00:44:45.67\00:44:47.97
about the coming of Jesus
00:44:48.00\00:44:49.21
as if He had already come
00:44:49.24\00:44:50.99
that's why Paul is
addressing the issue
00:44:51.02\00:44:55.28
as if He had already come
00:44:55.31\00:44:57.87
which itself implies
that may be they were
00:44:57.90\00:45:00.29
may be teaching
us spiritual coming
00:45:00.32\00:45:02.56
or it has some potentially
00:45:02.59\00:45:05.29
some interesting parallels
to this idea of a secret coming,
00:45:05.32\00:45:11.02
a closed rapture.
00:45:11.05\00:45:13.62
Doesn't it?
00:45:13.65\00:45:15.07
And that's why
again clarity in regards
00:45:15.10\00:45:18.30
to what the Bible
teaches about the end time
00:45:18.33\00:45:20.29
and about the coming of Jesus
is so absolutely necessary.
00:45:20.32\00:45:25.38
So he is dealing with
this issue don't let you--
00:45:25.41\00:45:27.40
don't get caught
up in these things.
00:45:27.43\00:45:28.98
And then He makes this argument
why it couldn't have happened.
00:45:29.01\00:45:31.79
He says "Let no one" verse 3
00:45:31.82\00:45:33.42
"In any way deceive
you, for it will not come"
00:45:33.45\00:45:36.61
speaking of the day of
our Lord the coming of Jesus.
00:45:36.64\00:45:39.42
"It will not come unless
the apostasy comes first."
00:45:39.45\00:45:45.53
Apostasy, what is
that talking about?
00:45:45.56\00:45:48.40
Who is that talking about?
00:45:48.43\00:45:50.58
And what does that mean?
00:45:50.61\00:45:52.55
It literally
means a falling away.
00:45:52.58\00:45:57.19
It could not be
talking about the ungodly
00:45:57.22\00:46:00.02
for they have not taken a
position to fall away from.
00:46:00.05\00:46:05.01
"And the man of
lawlessness is revealed,
00:46:05.04\00:46:07.62
the son of
destruction, who opposes
00:46:07.65\00:46:10.05
and exalts himself
above every so-called God
00:46:10.08\00:46:12.77
or object of worship,
00:46:12.80\00:46:14.01
so that he takes his
seat in the temple of God,
00:46:14.04\00:46:16.30
displaying
himself as being God."
00:46:16.33\00:46:18.07
And who is that talking about?
00:46:18.10\00:46:19.97
That is talking
about the antichrist.
00:46:20.00\00:46:23.26
And so Paul is arguing,
00:46:23.29\00:46:26.21
Jesus couldn't have come
the apostasy hasn't happened
00:46:26.24\00:46:29.44
and the antichrist
has not yet appeared.
00:46:29.47\00:46:33.17
Which means before Jesus comes
00:46:33.20\00:46:35.97
both will happen
and significantly
00:46:36.00\00:46:39.36
the antichrist will be
reviled in the end time
00:46:39.39\00:46:42.60
before the coming of Jesus
00:46:42.63\00:46:43.87
not after as
some are suggesting.
00:46:43.90\00:46:46.20
Are you with me?
00:46:46.23\00:46:49.58
And by teaching, it means
00:46:49.61\00:46:52.04
that at the
antichrist comes first
00:46:52.07\00:46:54.52
so does the
tribulation not after.
00:46:54.55\00:46:59.49
This is when the
seven last plagues
00:46:59.52\00:47:01.80
fall upon this
final display of the evil
00:47:01.83\00:47:05.43
and apostasy in the end time.
00:47:05.46\00:47:08.67
In Revelation 16:19 it says,
00:47:08.70\00:47:10.60
and Babylon it's talking
about the apostate system.
00:47:10.63\00:47:13.62
It's the beast in Revelation 13
00:47:13.65\00:47:15.43
that we are
coming to tomorrow night.
00:47:15.46\00:47:17.46
"And Babylon the great
was remembered before God,
00:47:17.49\00:47:20.11
to give her the cup of
the wine of His fierce wrath."
00:47:20.14\00:47:24.00
Somebody up there better be
upset about the horrible things
00:47:24.03\00:47:28.72
that are begin
played out upon this planet,
00:47:28.75\00:47:31.39
the tragic things
that are happening.
00:47:31.42\00:47:36.00
In Daniel 12:1,2
00:47:36.03\00:47:39.06
lets look at the study
of the tribulation again
00:47:39.09\00:47:41.94
it's called the
time of trouble here.
00:47:41.97\00:47:43.79
It says, "And there
will be a time of trouble,
00:47:43.82\00:47:45.96
such as there never was
since there was a nation
00:47:45.99\00:47:48.32
even to that same time
and at that time thy people,
00:47:48.35\00:47:53.46
shall be delivered"
00:47:53.49\00:47:55.44
notice the
promise, shall be delivered.
00:47:55.47\00:47:58.16
It goes on to say "Everyone
00:47:58.19\00:47:59.73
that shall be found
written in the book."
00:47:59.76\00:48:02.05
And remember we are studying
00:48:02.08\00:48:03.11
about the book of
life this morning.
00:48:03.14\00:48:06.25
Everyone whose
names were written
00:48:06.28\00:48:07.33
in the book of life
is going to be delivered
00:48:07.36\00:48:10.56
when the King of
Kings and the Lord of Lords
00:48:10.59\00:48:14.28
comes back in power
00:48:14.31\00:48:15.51
and glory to
claim His people for
00:48:15.54\00:48:17.78
His very own to establish
His everlasting kingdom.
00:48:17.81\00:48:21.67
And my friend, when at
the darkest hour tribulation
00:48:21.70\00:48:24.78
engulfs this planet
00:48:24.81\00:48:26.50
we know our redemption was lie.
00:48:26.53\00:48:30.52
Our time in
deliverance is at hand.
00:48:30.55\00:48:34.15
And it goes on to
say "And many of them
00:48:34.18\00:48:35.83
that sleep in the dust
of the earth shall awake."
00:48:35.86\00:48:39.70
That's talking
about the resurrection
00:48:39.73\00:48:41.43
which takes place
at the coming of Jesus
00:48:41.46\00:48:44.44
so we've got the time
of trouble the tribulation
00:48:44.47\00:48:47.46
then deliverance
at the coming of Jesus
00:48:47.49\00:48:52.22
when the people of
God who are asleep,
00:48:52.25\00:48:55.74
who are dead will be resurrected
is what the Bible indicates.
00:48:55.77\00:49:00.03
So again the
tribulation takes places
00:49:00.06\00:49:02.61
just before the resurrection
before, the coming of Jesus.
00:49:02.64\00:49:04.88
Now, let's look at
this matter of sealing.
00:49:04.91\00:49:07.47
I say the most important
00:49:07.50\00:49:08.81
for the last part
of the presentation.
00:49:08.84\00:49:11.25
So let's go back to remind us--
00:49:11.28\00:49:12.84
let's remind
ourselves of the language
00:49:12.87\00:49:14.46
back at verses 2 and 3
00:49:14.49\00:49:16.48
as we are in Revelation
7 again, where it says,
00:49:16.51\00:49:18.94
"I saw another angel
ascending from the east,
00:49:18.97\00:49:22.74
having the seal
of the living God.
00:49:22.77\00:49:24.76
And he cried with a
loud voice to the four angels
00:49:24.79\00:49:27.85
to whom it was
given to hurt the earth
00:49:27.88\00:49:29.83
and the sea saying,
00:49:29.86\00:49:30.91
'Hurt not the earth or
the sea, nor the trees,
00:49:30.94\00:49:33.98
till we have sealed the servants
00:49:34.01\00:49:36.19
of our God in their foreheads.'"
00:49:36.22\00:49:40.60
We got this
picture the sealing angel
00:49:40.63\00:49:42.52
coming from the
direction of the east.
00:49:42.55\00:49:45.03
Language is prophetic
00:49:45.06\00:49:46.18
but anyway
tremendous powerful things
00:49:46.21\00:49:48.60
come from the direction
of the east as we will see.
00:49:48.63\00:49:51.50
So the sealing angel comes
from the direction of the east.
00:49:51.53\00:49:55.33
Someone else
follows soon from the east
00:49:55.36\00:50:00.56
the sealing angel
and by now who it is?
00:50:00.59\00:50:05.89
Jesus.
00:50:05.92\00:50:07.02
Matthew 24:27,
00:50:07.05\00:50:08.94
"For just as the
lightning comes from the east
00:50:08.97\00:50:11.44
and flashes even to the west,
00:50:11.47\00:50:13.52
so shall the coming
of the Son of Man be."
00:50:13.55\00:50:17.22
So the sealing
work among God's people
00:50:17.25\00:50:20.15
precedes the coming of Jesus
00:50:20.18\00:50:23.57
and prepares God's
people for the coming of Jesus.
00:50:23.60\00:50:28.77
So who is that sealed?
00:50:28.80\00:50:30.00
Well, the people of God.
00:50:30.03\00:50:31.06
But more
specifically who is it that seal
00:50:31.09\00:50:34.59
how are we sealed
look at 2 Timothy 2
00:50:34.62\00:50:37.17
the New Testament page 166.
00:50:37.20\00:50:41.80
2 Timothy 2 and we are
gonna look at verse 19.
00:50:41.83\00:50:47.37
Chapter 2:19
talking about the seal.
00:50:47.40\00:50:51.84
There we got it.
00:50:51.87\00:50:53.16
It says, Nevertheless,
00:50:53.19\00:50:54.76
the firm
foundation of God stands,
00:50:54.79\00:50:56.81
having this seal,
00:50:56.84\00:50:58.91
The Lord knows
those who are His,
00:50:58.94\00:51:01.44
and, 'Everyone
who names the name
00:51:01.47\00:51:02.87
of the Lord is to
abstain from wickedness.'"
00:51:02.90\00:51:06.05
So those who receive the seal
00:51:06.08\00:51:07.45
of the living
God in the end time
00:51:07.48\00:51:09.25
God in effect of
saying I know whom are mine.
00:51:09.28\00:51:15.25
who are sealed for eternity
00:51:15.28\00:51:16.95
those who are in the end time
00:51:16.98\00:51:19.17
if we are alive at
that period of time.
00:51:19.20\00:51:22.05
And it says something
00:51:22.08\00:51:23.11
about their
experience in Jesus Christ.
00:51:23.14\00:51:26.64
Let every one who names
the name of the Lord do what?
00:51:26.67\00:51:31.49
Abstain from wickedness.
00:51:31.52\00:51:33.26
As we have on one hand
this fine display of evil
00:51:33.29\00:51:37.18
in the end time in
the apostate system
00:51:37.21\00:51:40.51
the beast that is
marked in contrast
00:51:40.54\00:51:43.78
to this display of evil
00:51:43.81\00:51:45.57
we have God's people
00:51:45.60\00:51:49.63
who will
receive the seal of God.
00:51:49.66\00:51:53.05
They are a burning light
00:51:53.08\00:51:55.99
in the darkness
that covers the earth.
00:51:56.02\00:51:59.70
And that light comes from whom?
00:51:59.73\00:52:03.57
Its not
sub-generated does it work?
00:52:03.60\00:52:07.63
That light comes from Jesus
00:52:07.66\00:52:11.09
and it is a
testament of the life of Jesus
00:52:11.12\00:52:15.14
by which He
possesses His people, okay.
00:52:15.17\00:52:19.34
Ephesians 1 the
New Testament page 150,
00:52:19.37\00:52:27.01
Ephesians 1:13
00:52:27.04\00:52:31.16
and there are some
texts that are just so full
00:52:31.19\00:52:34.12
and this one is as it relates
to the sealing Ephesians 1
00:52:34.15\00:52:38.12
and here it is as
we come to verse 13
00:52:38.15\00:52:40.60
and notice it
begins with two words
00:52:40.63\00:52:43.41
and they are vital
00:52:43.44\00:52:45.24
and those words are
"In Him" that is in Jesus.
00:52:45.27\00:52:49.73
And my friend
with out being in Jesus
00:52:49.76\00:52:53.37
we will find
ourselves out of Jesus
00:52:53.40\00:52:56.73
and we will find
ourselves in deep trouble.
00:52:56.76\00:53:01.29
So, it begins
with "In Him" in Jesus
00:53:01.32\00:53:04.92
"You also, after
listening" listening to what?
00:53:04.95\00:53:09.92
"Listening to
the message of truth"
00:53:09.95\00:53:13.45
have you been
listening these three weeks?
00:53:13.48\00:53:16.80
We have been studying God's word
00:53:16.83\00:53:18.09
we have been seeking truth
00:53:18.12\00:53:20.03
some of it guidance our hearts
00:53:20.06\00:53:22.85
some of it goes against
our natural inclinations
00:53:22.88\00:53:25.49
that's just the
nature of truth, right?
00:53:25.52\00:53:29.76
And the genuineness of
our experience in Jesus
00:53:29.79\00:53:33.63
is reviled with
how we relate to truth
00:53:33.66\00:53:37.62
for Jesus is the truth.
00:53:37.65\00:53:41.43
So we can't be
casual about truth
00:53:41.46\00:53:43.61
can we in all of this?
00:53:43.64\00:53:46.35
So after listening
to the message of truth.
00:53:46.38\00:53:48.25
That's all that's necessary
00:53:48.28\00:53:49.60
being in Jesus just listening
00:53:49.63\00:53:51.33
just being there in
the pews and listening
00:53:51.36\00:53:53.66
that's all that's necessary.
00:53:53.69\00:53:54.82
No, no, no it goes on to say
00:53:54.85\00:53:56.91
"Listening to
the message of truth,
00:53:56.94\00:53:58.29
the gospel of your
salvation having also believed"
00:53:58.32\00:54:03.24
so it's not enough to hear
00:54:03.27\00:54:04.59
but we must
believe and my friend,
00:54:04.62\00:54:07.21
we act on what we
believe by the grace of Jesus.
00:54:07.24\00:54:10.45
We will.
00:54:10.48\00:54:11.66
"Having also
believed you were sealed"
00:54:11.69\00:54:14.19
again it says, "In Him."
00:54:14.22\00:54:16.64
So how do we receive the seal?
00:54:16.67\00:54:18.59
We receive it in Jesus
00:54:18.62\00:54:21.13
and there is this
connection of truth
00:54:21.16\00:54:24.21
that is vital in
the sealing process
00:54:24.24\00:54:27.07
for we are sealed in Jesus
00:54:27.10\00:54:28.90
as we respond to the
truth that is in Jesus.
00:54:28.93\00:54:35.27
And it says,
"You are sealed in Him
00:54:35.30\00:54:36.77
with the Holy
Spirit of promise."
00:54:36.80\00:54:39.21
Of course the Holy
Spirit will be a part
00:54:39.24\00:54:41.13
of the sealing
process, wouldn't it?
00:54:41.16\00:54:44.54
And Jesus said
of the Holy Spirit,
00:54:44.57\00:54:47.39
John 16:13
00:54:47.42\00:54:49.09
"But when He, the
Spirit of truth, comes,
00:54:49.12\00:54:51.68
He will guide you
into all the truth."
00:54:51.71\00:54:56.76
And my friend, we need
all of the truth, don't we?
00:54:56.79\00:55:01.72
Hebrews 8:10 the
New Testament page 172
00:55:01.75\00:55:06.76
as we are bring
this to a conclusion.
00:55:06.79\00:55:10.21
Hebrews Chapter 8
00:55:10.24\00:55:12.80
let's talk about
how the sealing works
00:55:12.83\00:55:15.88
and it relates to
the new covenant promise
00:55:15.91\00:55:18.07
that we find right
here beginning with verse 10
00:55:18.10\00:55:20.47
where it says "For
this is the covenant
00:55:20.50\00:55:22.81
that I will make
with the house of Israel
00:55:22.84\00:55:25.02
after those days, says the Lord
00:55:25.05\00:55:26.91
I will put my
laws into their minds,
00:55:26.94\00:55:29.29
and I will write
them on their hearts.
00:55:29.32\00:55:31.55
And I will be their god,
and they shall be my people."
00:55:31.58\00:55:36.72
That's powerful,
that happens in Jesus
00:55:36.75\00:55:39.46
and that happens
with the mighty power
00:55:39.49\00:55:40.80
of the Holy Spirit.
00:55:40.83\00:55:42.71
The very principles
of the law are imprinted
00:55:42.74\00:55:47.01
into our thinking
and into our hearts.
00:55:47.04\00:55:50.27
And what is the fundamental
principle of the law?
00:55:50.30\00:55:53.86
Romans 13:10 says, law is
the fulfillment of the law
00:55:53.89\00:55:58.86
and so is the principles of love
00:55:58.89\00:56:01.52
that are embedded
into our thinking.
00:56:01.55\00:56:03.47
Its part of the
regeneration experience.
00:56:03.50\00:56:06.41
The new birth
experience is taking place.
00:56:06.44\00:56:10.30
You know in anciently
when they have a seal,
00:56:10.33\00:56:12.39
I mean they actually had seals
00:56:12.42\00:56:13.86
they would take wax
00:56:13.89\00:56:14.95
it would be in harden condition
00:56:14.98\00:56:16.53
they would have
the warming it up
00:56:16.56\00:56:17.60
so its almost semi fluid
00:56:17.63\00:56:19.22
and then they would
put that seal into the wax
00:56:19.25\00:56:22.36
and then they were taken out
00:56:22.39\00:56:23.93
there you would see you know
00:56:23.96\00:56:25.37
you will see the seal
and then I would harden.
00:56:25.40\00:56:28.17
And my friend, the
corresponding experience
00:56:28.20\00:56:29.91
in the hearts of God's people
00:56:29.94\00:56:31.82
in the minds and
hearts of God's people
00:56:31.85\00:56:33.82
is our hearts who
that have been so harden
00:56:33.85\00:56:37.03
because of sin must be softened.
00:56:37.06\00:56:41.15
Do we see the seal of God
00:56:41.18\00:56:44.17
and how will the heart
harden by sin be softened?
00:56:44.20\00:56:49.09
Now friend, there is only
one thing that will soften
00:56:49.12\00:56:52.24
a harden heart is
the love of Jesus.
00:56:52.27\00:56:56.32
It's the love of God in Jesus
00:56:56.35\00:56:59.23
that does a softening work in us
00:56:59.26\00:57:02.36
and makes us
playable in the master's hand
00:57:02.39\00:57:05.96
and in that condition
00:57:05.99\00:57:08.53
the people of
God will be sealed.
00:57:08.56\00:57:13.68
Be written into our
heats and to our minds
00:57:13.71\00:57:16.93
Revelation 3:10
here is the promise.
00:57:16.96\00:57:22.84
I'm gonna leave with you,
00:57:22.87\00:57:24.11
"Because you have kept
the word of My perseverance,
00:57:24.14\00:57:28.13
I will also keep you
from the hour of testing,
00:57:28.16\00:57:32.13
that hour which is about
to come upon the whole world,
00:57:32.16\00:57:34.79
to test those who
dwell on the earth."
00:57:34.82\00:57:38.30
My friend, we again
have nothing to fear of Jesus
00:57:38.33\00:57:40.74
because He is going to keep us
00:57:40.77\00:57:42.53
during this time of testing.
00:57:42.56\00:57:44.27
And my friend, it
is a time of testing
00:57:44.30\00:57:46.54
and it will
demonstrate the power
00:57:46.57\00:57:48.43
of the gospel of Jesus
Christ in transforming lives.
00:57:48.46\00:57:54.43
In spite of this
final display of evil
00:57:54.46\00:57:58.77
the people of
God have been sealed
00:57:58.80\00:58:00.77
and by His grace they
will be faithful till the end.
00:58:00.80\00:58:03.46