Welcome to
Digging Up the Future,
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Bible Prophecy Exposed.
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We're glad that
each of you are with us
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and we're glad that we
can study God's word together.
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And we've been just
going on this journey
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looking at the prophecies,
looking at Bible truths
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and today we're gonna
be asking the question
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why are there so many
different denominations
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and how can you
tell the difference.
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You know, if you
go to a restaurant
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you go to eating enticement
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and they have
all kinds of choices.
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It's kind of hard to choose.
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You're sitting there and
saying which one should I chose.
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Maybe this one, maybe that one
and sometimes you'll just wish
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there was only
maybe one choice there
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to make it a lot
easier, at least ordering.
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But you know when it
comes to worshipping God
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is it just what we think
or what our inclinations are?
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We're gonna find out
tonight in tonight's message.
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And so let's just bow our heads
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and ask the Lord's
presence to be with us.
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Father in heaven,
we are thankful that
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though there were
many things You could do,
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You decided to come
send Your Son to this earth
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to die on Cavalry's
cross for each person
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that is hearing and
watching this program.
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And You made that choice.
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Tonight we're
going to be looking
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at all the
different denominations.
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We're going to ask
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why are there so
many denominations,
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it doesn't really matter.
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And we just ask that
Your spirit Your presence
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would be with us as we,
as we consider this topic.
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We come in Christ name, amen.
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We're going to
have a special number
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"Come, Thou Fount
of Every Blessing"
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Chris Albrecht and Anthia
Hii will be playing for us.
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Amen.
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Had a call from
someone not too long ago
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who was concerned about
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what particular
church I belong to
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and apparently this
person was considered to be
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what is called a church hopper.
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Have you ever heard
of that term before,
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a church hopper?
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Somebody who hops
from church to church
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to church to church.
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I believe that
there are lot of people
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who are confused and
in fact I've had people
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say listen its so
confusing out there
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as to which is the
right church to go to.
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Did I decide that
if God wants to find
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He is gonna come to my home
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and look me up because
it just too difficult to go
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and find which is
the right religion.
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Have you ever felt that way?
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Have you ever felt that
it's been such a challenge
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that it's almost like
finding a needle in a haystack?
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Tonight we're going
to study the subject
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is to why are there
so many denominations.
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But first join me
for a prayer as we study.
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Father, as we
study Your word again
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we pray Your
spirit to guide direct us
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and give us the
understanding that
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You would want us to
have in Jesus name, amen.
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There is no question that
when Jesus is here on earth
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one of the things that
He instructed His disciples
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was that there would
be a lot of false Christ.
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In other words, that
potential was that the faith
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that the Lord had
given to the disciples
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would get
splintered and divided.
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And so in the Book of Jude
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we find the Prophet
Jude writing and saying
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"Beloved, when I
gave all diligence
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to write unto you of
the common salvation,
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it was needful."
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It was what?
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"Needful for me
to write unto you,
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and exhort you that ye
should earnestly contend
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for the faith which was
once delivered unto the saints."
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Notice, the
emphasis and the urging
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is that there
should be a contending
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for the faith that was
once delivered on to the saints.
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Obviously, then there was
a faith that was delivered
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to the saints that
was a saving faith.
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But there was concern that
other faith would come along
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and consequently
bring about confusion.
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So today if you were to
go into the Yellow Pages
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here in North
America you would find
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that there are over
1,700 different denominations.
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And by the way all of
them claim to be the right one.
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And so the question then is,
how can we find the right one?
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I should tell
you first of all that
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according to the
Scriptures in the beginning
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there was one faith
and in the new beginning
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there will be one faith.
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In other words, if you go
to Genesis Chapter 1 and 2
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"There was one
God and one faith."
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If you go to the
Revelation Chapter 21 and 22
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you will find again
one God and one faith.
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Now the question
is if that's true
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if there was one
faith to begin with
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and it will be
one faith to end with
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or should I say begin or began
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in the new
beginning then why is that
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we have so many
different faiths today
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and what's the answer to that.
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You know, that the Scripture
tells us in Ephesians 4:5
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"There is one Lord,
one faith, one baptism."
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I should explain here that
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Paul who is
writing this is saying
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that there is
only one true Lord,
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there is only one true faith
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and there's only
one true baptism.
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This is not in
reference to numbers
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but in reference to quality.
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So the reason
for that is of course
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that there are many people
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who would call themselves Lord's
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and many faiths would come about
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and many different types of
baptisms would be exercised.
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And so Paul is making it clear
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that there is
only one true Lord,
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there is only one true faith
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and there is
only one true baptism.
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So let's go to the beginning
and discover what happened.
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In the beginning when
God had created Adam and Eve
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it was one faith,
one God with His people.
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But when man
sinned still after that
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there was still one
faith until something happened.
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That the Scripture
reveals that an evil tendency
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came into one of the boys
his name of course is Cain.
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And Cain decided that
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he did not want to
follow the prescribed way
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that God had dictated
concerning what was acceptable.
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In fact he decided
that he was gonna go to God
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and he was gonna bring
his particular offerings
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and basically say well,
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God if you want me to
come You gonna have accept
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what I'm offering You.
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Well, Abel didn't do that.
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Abel actually brought
to God what God had asked.
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And so you find
right there from the start
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after the fall of man
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that there are two
divergent faiths now not one.
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One which is
basically a salvation by works,
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Abel trying to offer
what he wants to offer
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but one is salvation by faith,
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Abel offering to
God what God had asked.
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Cain offering what he wanted.
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Abel asking--
offering what God had asked.
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And right there as you know
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this is a first religious
controversy that took place
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and of course the Bible reveals
00:12:17.54\00:12:19.26
that Cain decided to
kill his brother Abel.
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And so in the Book of Hebrews
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it talking about
this it says " By faith."
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By what?
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"Faith Abel offered unto God
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a more excellent
sacrifice than Cain,
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by which he obtained
witness that he was righteous,
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God testifying of his gifts
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and by it he being
dead yet he speaks."
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In other words, Abel by
faith did what God asked.
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And as a result God considered
Abel to be a righteous man.
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As Abel had passed away
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God then through Eve brought up
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another young man
his name was Seth.
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And Eve
believed that through her
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would come the Savior.
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Since the Savior
had been promised
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God has said in Genesis
3:15 that the seed would come.
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Well, Eve believed that somehow
it would come very quickly.
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In fact, when she had Cain
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she said that she had
received a child of the Lord.
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In other words,
she believed that
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this was the one
who would deliver.
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But it turned out the opposite.
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Cain did not
become the deliverer
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but rather the murderer.
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Well, Seth then
took up the posterity
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and through Seth,
and Cain belong line
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of those who carried
along the genuine faith
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in God all away up
to the time of Noah.
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At the same time as
Cain developed his own ideas
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and his own philosophy
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and his own
religious perspective
00:14:00.44\00:14:02.89
there was another
mass group of people
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who were
following a different way
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than what God had
given to His children.
00:14:08.36\00:14:12.31
So the Scripture
reveals then that there is a--
00:14:12.34\00:14:16.30
this division
between the genuine faith
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and of course other
faiths that had come into place.
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So "the true faith then
was not become extinct."
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It was not to
what? Become extinct.
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"God has ever
preserver remnant to serve Him.
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Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah,
Noah, Shem in unbroken line,
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had preserved from age to age
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the precious
revealings of His will."
00:14:39.26\00:14:41.59
It was necessary
if man was to be saved
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that which God
had given to mankind
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the holy oracles of God
00:14:47.53\00:14:50.30
could be maintained
and contained intact
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so that all the
posterity of Adam and Eve
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all the
children would come along
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would have an
opportunity to know
00:14:59.45\00:15:02.58
what was the true
faith to follow it
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and find the
salvation that God had offered
00:15:05.37\00:15:08.86
through the Son
of God would come
00:15:08.89\00:15:12.12
and finally die for mankind.
00:15:12.15\00:15:14.01
So that seed was kept alive.
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We finally come to
the time of the ark.
00:15:19.48\00:15:22.59
Do you remember
finally mankind had become
00:15:22.62\00:15:27.39
so wicked that
God had to interpose?
00:15:27.42\00:15:31.11
And the Bible
says concerning Noah
00:15:31.14\00:15:35.00
"The Lord said unto Noah,
00:15:35.03\00:15:36.24
Come thou and all
thy house into the ark
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for thee have I seen righteous
before me in this generation."
00:15:38.42\00:15:43.78
In other words, Noah
who was a descendant of Seth
00:15:43.81\00:15:50.19
was a true believer and believed
00:15:50.22\00:15:54.12
in the genuine faith of
God had given to his children.
00:15:54.15\00:15:58.69
God had given to Noah
then the responsibility
00:15:58.72\00:16:01.42
of preserving the
seed that would continue
00:16:01.45\00:16:05.80
to live on after the flood.
00:16:05.83\00:16:07.37
And so Noah preaching the gospel
00:16:07.40\00:16:10.04
allowed people the opportunity
00:16:10.07\00:16:11.67
to come into the
ark to find salvation.
00:16:11.70\00:16:14.19
However we know from history
00:16:14.22\00:16:16.93
and from the
Scriptures that unfortunately
00:16:16.96\00:16:19.95
not many people
responded to that appeal.
00:16:19.98\00:16:23.89
I suppose that people
might have had their reasons
00:16:23.92\00:16:26.52
for not getting into the ark.
00:16:26.55\00:16:28.56
I suppose that people
could have said look Noah,
00:16:28.59\00:16:31.56
if what you're saying is true
00:16:31.59\00:16:32.76
we don't need to get to the ark
00:16:32.79\00:16:33.87
we can make our own ark,
00:16:33.90\00:16:35.73
thank you or they
could have argued Noah,
00:16:35.76\00:16:40.55
we don't believe
what you're saying.
00:16:40.58\00:16:42.58
Why do you think that
you're the only right one?
00:16:42.61\00:16:45.82
Are you holier
than everybody else?
00:16:45.85\00:16:48.42
And let's think that
same argument is heard today.
00:16:48.45\00:16:50.92
People say what do you think
00:16:50.95\00:16:52.56
you're holier
than everybody else.
00:16:52.59\00:16:54.03
Have you heard that yes or no?
00:16:54.06\00:16:55.84
Yes, and so none the less
00:16:55.87\00:16:59.95
even though people
might have felt that way
00:16:59.98\00:17:02.69
in the days of Noah there
was only one ark of safety.
00:17:02.72\00:17:07.84
How many? One ark of safety.
00:17:07.87\00:17:11.00
It did matter what you believed
00:17:11.03\00:17:12.80
or what you
didn't want to believe
00:17:12.83\00:17:14.56
if you did not believe
the message of salvation
00:17:14.59\00:17:17.58
when the flood
came you were lost.
00:17:17.61\00:17:19.63
So if you were inside
the ark you were what?
00:17:19.66\00:17:23.33
Saved and if you were
outside the ark you were lost.
00:17:23.36\00:17:27.79
And so you could have argued.
00:17:27.82\00:17:30.96
You could say I don't believe
that I don't want to do that.
00:17:30.99\00:17:34.31
I don't want to follow that.
00:17:34.34\00:17:35.72
But friend, if
you wanted salvation
00:17:35.75\00:17:37.74
God had provided one way.
00:17:37.77\00:17:40.65
And our acceptance of that way
00:17:40.68\00:17:43.78
demonstrates our gratitude
that God has merciful enough
00:17:43.81\00:17:47.77
to open to us a door of escape
so that we can find salvation.
00:17:47.80\00:17:52.03
Well, the Bible then reveals
00:17:52.06\00:17:54.10
that after the flood then
as the family of Noah regrouped
00:17:54.13\00:18:00.28
and they began to
settle down into a new life
00:18:00.31\00:18:03.80
unfortunately it happened again.
00:18:03.83\00:18:07.15
You know the rest of
the story what took place.
00:18:07.18\00:18:10.28
The Bible reveals
then that Ham got inflicted
00:18:10.31\00:18:14.55
with that
terrible disease called sin
00:18:14.58\00:18:18.35
and Ham then
decided to establish
00:18:18.38\00:18:22.31
his own way of
thinking and his religion.
00:18:22.34\00:18:24.97
In fact the Bible reveals that
00:18:25.00\00:18:26.63
from Ham came the
descendants of his
00:18:26.66\00:18:30.72
that build what is
called the Tower of Babel.
00:18:30.75\00:18:34.83
And the Tower of
Babel was an attempt
00:18:34.86\00:18:37.25
for man to save himself.
00:18:37.28\00:18:39.68
And so God however
still preserve for himself
00:18:39.71\00:18:44.52
people who would be
faithful and would obey Him.
00:18:44.55\00:18:48.66
And so we come all
the way through Genesis 26
00:18:48.69\00:18:53.45
where we find that
Abraham was a man who had faith
00:18:53.48\00:18:59.05
but also demonstrated
his faith by his obedience.
00:18:59.08\00:19:01.93
What do you say?
00:19:01.96\00:19:02.99
And so the Bible says
"Because Abraham obeyed
00:19:03.02\00:19:05.58
my voice kept my
charge my commandments
00:19:05.61\00:19:07.90
my statutes and my laws."
00:19:07.93\00:19:10.50
In other words Abraham
was a man of integrity.
00:19:10.53\00:19:13.77
He was a man who
was loyal to God.
00:19:13.80\00:19:16.10
And though he had
some of his challenges
00:19:16.13\00:19:18.64
still he chose rather
to follow the way of God.
00:19:18.67\00:19:22.58
And he demonstrated his
faith and his obedience in God.
00:19:22.61\00:19:27.89
So if you notice there
are two identifying marks
00:19:27.92\00:19:31.28
then that mark the genuine
seed carriers or truth carriers.
00:19:31.31\00:19:36.84
Notice then according
to the Book of Hebrews 11:8
00:19:36.87\00:19:41.08
it says "By
faith Abraham" by what?
00:19:41.11\00:19:43.82
"By faith
Abraham, when he was called
00:19:43.85\00:19:46.09
to go out into a place
00:19:46.12\00:19:47.58
which he should after
receive for an inheritance,
00:19:47.61\00:19:51.16
obeyed and he went out,
not knowing whither he went."
00:19:51.19\00:19:55.58
Notice then
there're two qualities.
00:19:55.61\00:19:57.62
Two what? Two qualities.
00:19:57.65\00:19:59.46
Number one, that a
faith exercising faith
00:19:59.49\00:20:02.46
and trusting God and
the other one of obedience.
00:20:02.49\00:20:06.42
So through the centuries then
00:20:06.45\00:20:09.40
God then identifies His people
as those who have genuine faith
00:20:09.43\00:20:14.80
and trust in the
salvation that God offers
00:20:14.83\00:20:19.21
and not that man
develops or makes.
00:20:19.24\00:20:22.26
Well, Abraham separated
from that place called Ur
00:20:22.29\00:20:27.73
where the Tower of
Babel have been built
00:20:27.76\00:20:31.11
and went and followed God
00:20:31.14\00:20:33.22
wherever God
determined he should go.
00:20:33.25\00:20:35.85
We now then recognize that
there is faith and obedience.
00:20:37.91\00:20:44.66
So we can track God's children
00:20:44.69\00:20:47.75
by those true identifying
marks throughout history.
00:20:47.78\00:20:51.06
Well, if you were then remember,
00:20:51.09\00:20:55.57
after Abraham
came this two sons--
00:20:55.60\00:20:59.53
I pardon me its
Isaac and then came Jacob
00:20:59.56\00:21:01.70
and his son Esau and
again you have a separation
00:21:01.73\00:21:06.00
or splitting off
and it is from Esau
00:21:06.03\00:21:09.32
and from Ham
that all the religions
00:21:09.35\00:21:12.88
in the land of
Canaan are established.
00:21:12.91\00:21:15.22
In fact, if you
read the scriptures
00:21:15.25\00:21:16.91
it says that the Canaanites,
00:21:16.94\00:21:18.83
the Mennonites
and all those people
00:21:18.86\00:21:21.82
are descendants of Ham.
00:21:21.85\00:21:23.28
So you have a lot of
different ideas of religion
00:21:23.31\00:21:26.59
that have been established
00:21:26.62\00:21:27.83
but God still
maintains His genuine religion,
00:21:27.86\00:21:30.28
His genuine faith intact
00:21:30.31\00:21:32.69
because there are
those who chose to stay
00:21:32.72\00:21:36.02
in connection with God
00:21:36.05\00:21:37.57
and who chose to
follow God in His ways.
00:21:37.60\00:21:40.54
We have then those two
tracks going side by side.
00:21:40.57\00:21:45.86
The enemy of course is seeking
to thwart the plans of God
00:21:45.89\00:21:49.60
and seeking
through offer mankind
00:21:49.63\00:21:51.59
all manners of salvation
00:21:51.62\00:21:53.68
which he knew perfectly
well would not save mankind.
00:21:53.71\00:21:57.09
God however still
wanting man to be saved
00:21:57.12\00:22:00.99
still offered His
offer of salvation.
00:22:01.02\00:22:05.66
The question was who or
which way people would choose.
00:22:05.69\00:22:11.79
Unfortunately, the
majority chose the way
00:22:11.82\00:22:14.74
of disobedience and God's people
00:22:14.77\00:22:17.93
chose the way of obedience.
00:22:17.96\00:22:20.08
From the time then the
God pulled the Israelites
00:22:20.11\00:22:23.99
out of the land of Egypt
00:22:24.02\00:22:25.41
who were descendants
by the way of Abraham.
00:22:25.44\00:22:28.56
It is interesting that God
now establishes His church.
00:22:28.59\00:22:31.92
His what?
00:22:31.95\00:22:32.98
His church in the wilderness.
00:22:33.01\00:22:34.69
Notice it says "This is
he that was in the church
00:22:34.72\00:22:38.11
in the wilderness with the angel
00:22:38.14\00:22:41.12
that spake to him
in the Mount Sinai,
00:22:41.15\00:22:43.43
and with our
fathers who received
00:22:43.46\00:22:45.03
the lively
oracles to give unto us."
00:22:45.06\00:22:48.29
And so, we see
then from Adam to Noah,
00:22:48.32\00:22:52.61
from Noah to Abraham
from Abraham to Moses
00:22:52.64\00:22:57.06
we see then that is
a consistent doctrines
00:22:57.09\00:23:02.10
that God has given to
His children consistent faith
00:23:02.13\00:23:05.37
and it was always identified
00:23:05.40\00:23:07.97
as those who had faith in God
00:23:08.00\00:23:12.11
and believed in the faith of God
00:23:12.14\00:23:14.30
as well as obeyed
God in what He said.
00:23:14.33\00:23:17.81
Of course, in the
time of the Israelites
00:23:17.84\00:23:20.98
when then they went
into the land of Canaan
00:23:21.01\00:23:24.06
again people had a choice.
00:23:24.09\00:23:26.59
You could have said my religion
00:23:26.62\00:23:28.06
is better than the
religion of the Jews.
00:23:28.09\00:23:30.09
You could have said
anything you wanted to
00:23:30.12\00:23:31.85
but the reality is
this, if you wanted salvation
00:23:31.88\00:23:35.44
you must belong
then to that church
00:23:35.47\00:23:37.58
which God had established.
00:23:37.61\00:23:39.71
I will give you some examples.
00:23:39.74\00:23:41.36
When the Lord went to Jericho
00:23:41.39\00:23:44.02
and sent the people to
Jericho and surrounded Jericho.
00:23:44.05\00:23:47.13
In Jericho there
was a woman in fact
00:23:47.16\00:23:50.37
we don't know how young she was
00:23:50.40\00:23:51.81
but she was a young prostitute.
00:23:51.84\00:23:54.16
That young woman decided
00:23:54.19\00:23:56.28
that she would cast
her allegiance on the side
00:23:56.31\00:23:59.98
of those who she believed were
with the true of God of heaven.
00:24:00.01\00:24:04.39
And so Rahab was her name.
00:24:04.42\00:24:08.32
When the
Israelites surrounded the city
00:24:08.35\00:24:11.75
she had already made a
covenant with the people of God
00:24:11.78\00:24:14.62
that this is what she wanted.
00:24:14.65\00:24:16.16
Obviously, there
are people like Rahab
00:24:16.19\00:24:19.79
who long to find the truth
00:24:19.82\00:24:21.93
and when they find
it they rejoice in it
00:24:21.96\00:24:24.22
and are willing
to leave anything
00:24:24.25\00:24:26.03
behind in order
to become part of it.
00:24:26.06\00:24:28.54
And so when the
Israelites surrounded Jericho
00:24:28.57\00:24:32.45
and Jericho was
destroyed the Bible says
00:24:32.48\00:24:34.69
that Rahab and all
her family was saved.
00:24:34.72\00:24:39.01
Therefore, the
Bible registers Rahab
00:24:39.04\00:24:42.48
in that wonderful
chapter of Hebrew 11
00:24:42.51\00:24:45.84
that gives a whole
list of people of faith.
00:24:45.87\00:24:48.84
Rahab believed
had faith and obeyed
00:24:48.87\00:24:52.76
and therefore
she found salvation.
00:24:52.79\00:24:55.91
Now, as we go on from
the time of the Israelites
00:24:55.94\00:25:00.92
you find that
the camera of heaven
00:25:00.95\00:25:03.91
always focuses
on the seed carriers
00:25:03.94\00:25:07.46
or the truth carriers.
00:25:07.49\00:25:09.12
For example, you may
discover in the Bible
00:25:09.15\00:25:12.49
that a lot of
countries are not mentioned.
00:25:12.52\00:25:14.59
A lot of nations
are not mentioned.
00:25:14.62\00:25:16.39
Only a few nations are mentioned
00:25:16.42\00:25:18.36
you may ask yourself why.
00:25:18.39\00:25:20.01
Why is it that God only mentions
00:25:20.04\00:25:22.00
a certain group of countries?
00:25:22.03\00:25:24.45
Simply because
that's where God's people
00:25:24.48\00:25:28.12
who were
carrying the truth went.
00:25:28.15\00:25:30.87
In other words,
according to the Scriptures
00:25:30.90\00:25:34.49
then if the
people were taken to Rome
00:25:34.52\00:25:38.62
then the Bible
speaks about Rome.
00:25:38.65\00:25:40.58
If they were taken to Egypt
00:25:40.61\00:25:42.13
then the Bible
speaks about Egypt.
00:25:42.16\00:25:43.90
If they're taken
to the land of Canaan
00:25:43.93\00:25:45.44
the Bible speaks
about the land of Canaan.
00:25:45.47\00:25:47.16
If they were taken to Babylon
Bible speaks about Babylon.
00:25:47.19\00:25:50.10
And so all of these
countries are mentioned
00:25:50.13\00:25:53.50
because this is where God's
precious truth of salvation
00:25:53.53\00:25:58.00
has been taken by
those who believed it.
00:25:58.03\00:26:01.61
You think of the mercy
of God and His willingness
00:26:04.14\00:26:10.17
to provide for mankind his
wonderful truths of salvation.
00:26:10.20\00:26:14.97
Now listen...
00:26:15.00\00:26:16.03
even when the people
were taken to Babylon
00:26:20.17\00:26:24.07
and it looked like the
devil well had succeeded
00:26:24.10\00:26:26.52
in destroying the truth carriers
00:26:26.55\00:26:29.21
because God had set
the children of Israel
00:26:29.24\00:26:31.97
right in the
centre of the known world.
00:26:32.00\00:26:34.93
And the reason for
that was so that as people
00:26:34.96\00:26:37.64
came from Europe to go to Africa
00:26:37.67\00:26:40.16
they would pass
through Israel and marvel
00:26:40.19\00:26:42.55
and how great it was to
serve the God of heaven.
00:26:42.58\00:26:45.45
And give them an
opportunity to find salvation
00:26:45.48\00:26:48.23
through that wonderful
demonstration of godly people.
00:26:48.26\00:26:52.31
They had people came Africa.
00:26:52.34\00:26:53.96
They would
traverse through Israel
00:26:53.99\00:26:55.75
and again the
purpose was to inspire people
00:26:55.78\00:26:58.88
with that hope that only comes
00:26:58.91\00:27:00.50
from one excerpt the
truth that's it is in Christ.
00:27:00.53\00:27:03.52
Well, finally because the people
00:27:03.55\00:27:06.97
are not faithful
God then scatters them
00:27:07.00\00:27:11.55
and one of the places that
00:27:11.58\00:27:13.11
they're sent to
of course is Babylon.
00:27:13.14\00:27:15.51
But even though the
majority of the people
00:27:15.54\00:27:18.43
had forsaken God they were
still those that were faithful.
00:27:18.46\00:27:22.57
In fact, if you
remember the Prophet Elijah
00:27:22.60\00:27:25.94
who was concerned
that he was the only one
00:27:25.97\00:27:27.71
that remained God
said I have yet 7,000
00:27:27.74\00:27:31.38
that have not
been they need to Baal.
00:27:31.41\00:27:33.37
In other words, God
still had His faithful people
00:27:33.40\00:27:36.90
even in the midst
of unfaithful people.
00:27:36.93\00:27:38.91
What do you say?
00:27:38.94\00:27:40.26
Which is important?
00:27:40.29\00:27:41.55
My friends, listen
sometimes you may find yourself
00:27:41.58\00:27:45.93
in the midst of people
who supposedly are Christians
00:27:45.96\00:27:50.80
and yet their very
actions betray their profession.
00:27:50.83\00:27:55.57
And you may get discouraged
and begin to criticize
00:27:55.60\00:27:59.36
and call people
hypocrites and all that.
00:27:59.39\00:28:00.89
Remember this
keep you eyes on Jesus.
00:28:00.92\00:28:03.91
As long as you
keep your eyes on Jesus
00:28:03.94\00:28:06.01
He will never let you down.
00:28:06.04\00:28:07.47
If you keep your eyes on people
00:28:07.50\00:28:09.32
they will fall and
you'll fall with them.
00:28:09.35\00:28:12.10
And so remember
that God always wants us
00:28:12.13\00:28:15.18
to keep our faith
in Him and to obey Him.
00:28:15.21\00:28:18.31
What do you say?
Does that make sense?
00:28:18.34\00:28:20.65
Well, from that time of Babylon
00:28:20.68\00:28:23.54
when the three worthies
for example were challenged
00:28:23.57\00:28:26.48
to surrender their
faith, their allegiance to God
00:28:26.51\00:28:30.85
and to give up their,
trust and obedience to God.
00:28:30.88\00:28:36.04
They would test it.
00:28:36.07\00:28:37.35
The king set up a
statue and ask everybody
00:28:37.38\00:28:40.15
to bow down to the statue
00:28:40.18\00:28:42.19
and if they would not bow down
00:28:42.22\00:28:43.67
whoever did not would be
cast into the fiery furnace.
00:28:43.70\00:28:46.81
And these three boys decided
that we're not going to do it
00:28:46.84\00:28:50.10
and so the king threatened them
00:28:50.13\00:28:52.78
and the boys just simply
said to the king "But if not."
00:28:52.81\00:28:56.74
In other words,
God will deliver us.
00:28:56.77\00:28:58.56
"But if not, be
it known unto thee,
00:28:58.59\00:29:01.44
O king, that we
will not serve thy gods,
00:29:01.47\00:29:03.83
nor worship the golden
image which thou hast set up."
00:29:03.86\00:29:06.84
Now why does
these boys say that?
00:29:06.87\00:29:08.74
Because one of
the commandments says
00:29:08.77\00:29:10.59
thou shall not worship idols.
00:29:10.62\00:29:16.79
These boys
demonstrated their faith in God
00:29:16.82\00:29:20.11
that God could deliver them
00:29:20.14\00:29:21.73
if God so chose to
but in spite of that
00:29:21.76\00:29:25.40
they were going to
trust Him and obey Him.
00:29:25.43\00:29:28.70
And if God chose
to deliver them fine
00:29:28.73\00:29:30.75
otherwise they
still were going to cast
00:29:30.78\00:29:33.19
their lives in the hands of God.
00:29:33.22\00:29:36.09
That faith paid off
because the Lord protected them
00:29:36.12\00:29:39.35
and they were taken
out of the fiery furnace.
00:29:39.38\00:29:43.33
So friend, when you're tempted
00:29:43.36\00:29:47.01
pressures come upon you
00:29:47.04\00:29:49.15
to go against what
you know to be true,
00:29:49.18\00:29:52.53
go against what you
know the Bible says.
00:29:52.56\00:29:55.09
Remember this if
you're faithful and true
00:29:55.12\00:29:57.66
God will deliver you.
00:29:57.69\00:30:00.17
I can vouch for that
00:30:00.20\00:30:01.84
because I have
experience that often times.
00:30:01.87\00:30:05.48
As we continue then we see then
00:30:05.51\00:30:07.93
how the truth
carriers are traced
00:30:07.96\00:30:10.94
from the time of Adam
00:30:10.97\00:30:12.22
all the way through
to the time of Christ.
00:30:12.25\00:30:15.83
And so you'll find for example
00:30:15.86\00:30:18.14
in the New
Testament two lists of names.
00:30:18.17\00:30:22.07
We call it genealogy.
00:30:22.10\00:30:24.18
And sometimes people kind
00:30:24.21\00:30:25.51
of read over then skip over that
00:30:25.54\00:30:27.32
because they
don't think there's much
00:30:27.35\00:30:29.01
in those lists of names.
00:30:29.04\00:30:31.10
But in reality my friends,
God is demonstrated in proving
00:30:31.13\00:30:34.60
that He was
successful in keeping the truth
00:30:34.63\00:30:37.41
being carried through
from generation to generation
00:30:37.44\00:30:40.17
all the way from
Adam down to Christ.
00:30:40.20\00:30:42.81
And that's why those
lines of names are there
00:30:42.84\00:30:46.33
to demonstrate
that God was successful.
00:30:46.36\00:30:49.77
He did preserve His
truth, all away up to Christ.
00:30:49.80\00:30:54.29
What do you say?
00:30:54.32\00:30:55.50
And if God preserved His
truth all the way up to Christ,
00:30:55.53\00:30:58.30
4,000 years of constant
challenges with His faith,
00:30:58.33\00:31:03.14
even His own people sometimes
would turn their backs on God
00:31:03.17\00:31:06.89
and went and worships statues
00:31:06.92\00:31:08.56
and then false
god's still threw it all.
00:31:08.59\00:31:12.12
God still preserved His
wonderful truth of salvation.
00:31:12.15\00:31:15.71
And when Jesus
came on planet earth
00:31:15.74\00:31:18.37
that truth had been
kept and maintained.
00:31:18.40\00:31:21.60
Now, finally as Jesus
thus shows up on this planet
00:31:21.63\00:31:28.61
there is a desire to restore
00:31:28.64\00:31:32.95
that which
perhaps had been lost.
00:31:32.98\00:31:34.98
Do you remember
that the Israelites
00:31:35.01\00:31:36.68
were supposed to
be the truth carriers?
00:31:36.71\00:31:38.96
They were
supposed to be the one's
00:31:38.99\00:31:40.47
to protect
God's wonderful truth.
00:31:40.50\00:31:42.92
But through the centuries
something had happened.
00:31:42.95\00:31:45.52
And there is a lot of
confusion that took place
00:31:45.55\00:31:47.79
and they'd accepted
philosophies and doctrines
00:31:47.82\00:31:52.48
that would not in harmony
00:31:52.51\00:31:53.89
with God had given
through the fathers.
00:31:53.92\00:31:56.31
And so that's why Jesus
said in vain do you worship Me
00:31:56.34\00:31:59.16
teaching for doctrines
and commandments of man.
00:31:59.19\00:32:02.08
Well if you notice then we
have traced the line of truth
00:32:02.11\00:32:07.97
all the away from Adam
through Moses down to Christ.
00:32:08.00\00:32:12.28
And so when John
the Baptist shows up
00:32:12.31\00:32:17.23
notice Jesus says about him
00:32:17.26\00:32:20.56
"Elias truly shall
first come and do" What?
00:32:20.59\00:32:24.50
"Restore all things."
00:32:24.53\00:32:26.87
Why do things
need to be restored?
00:32:26.90\00:32:28.61
Because they were people
who believed in the truth
00:32:28.64\00:32:31.99
but the majority of people
00:32:32.02\00:32:33.30
had forsaken
the actual teachings
00:32:33.33\00:32:36.51
that God had given
down through the centuries.
00:32:36.54\00:32:38.98
There were zealous to
protect their own ideas
00:32:39.01\00:32:43.40
but not zealous to protect
what God had given to them.
00:32:43.43\00:32:45.94
And often times
the rulers would come
00:32:45.97\00:32:49.27
and have a
controversy with Christ.
00:32:49.30\00:32:51.78
And finally they would
say something like this
00:32:51.81\00:32:54.02
"why do your disciples
disobey the commandment
00:32:54.05\00:32:57.70
or why do you
disregard the traditions?"
00:32:57.73\00:33:00.09
And Jesus simply said "listen,
it is more important to follow
00:33:00.12\00:33:04.35
what God had said than to
follow what man has said."
00:33:04.38\00:33:07.66
Constantly that was
controvert it back and forth
00:33:07.69\00:33:10.42
one time they
came to tempt Jesus
00:33:10.45\00:33:12.77
and they said show
them a coin and said look
00:33:12.80\00:33:16.43
I'm sorry they came and said
00:33:16.46\00:33:17.56
who should we pay
tribute to Caesar or to God.
00:33:17.59\00:33:20.92
And Jesus asked for a
coin and then He said look at
00:33:20.95\00:33:23.73
what the inscription
is and whose image it is.
00:33:23.76\00:33:25.82
They said Caesar.
00:33:25.85\00:33:26.88
Then Jesus said render
to Caesar what's Caesar
00:33:26.91\00:33:29.23
and to God's what's God's.
00:33:29.26\00:33:31.07
But the problem
is that they'd forget
00:33:31.10\00:33:32.81
what belonged to God.
00:33:32.84\00:33:36.11
Why did they forget it?
00:33:36.14\00:33:37.92
They had a Bible they
had the Old Testament.
00:33:37.95\00:33:41.54
Is it possible friends,
00:33:41.57\00:33:43.27
that people can
come to the place
00:33:43.30\00:33:46.63
where from
generation to generation
00:33:46.66\00:33:49.48
they hear things
that they thing are true
00:33:49.51\00:33:52.42
and think of
finding the Scriptures
00:33:52.45\00:33:54.13
when in reality they're not.
00:33:54.16\00:33:55.47
Can that happen? Yes,
it happens all the time.
00:33:55.50\00:33:58.63
I can give you a
list of many doctrines
00:33:58.66\00:34:02.09
that came into
the Christian faith
00:34:02.12\00:34:03.84
through the centuries
they have nothing to do
00:34:03.87\00:34:06.26
with the Bible
or with Christianity
00:34:06.29\00:34:08.42
but there are lot of
people think is from Christ.
00:34:08.45\00:34:11.31
Let me give you one example
00:34:11.34\00:34:13.61
most people practice Easter
00:34:13.64\00:34:15.60
and on Easter Sunday
they have usually here
00:34:15.63\00:34:17.82
in this country anyway
00:34:17.85\00:34:19.01
they have the egg and the bunny.
00:34:19.04\00:34:21.30
And one time I asked the lady,
how come there was a bunny?
00:34:21.33\00:34:24.47
She said oh there must
have been a little rabbits
00:34:24.50\00:34:26.53
at the foot of cross
00:34:26.56\00:34:27.74
and that's why we have a bunny.
00:34:27.77\00:34:29.26
Well, they had nothing to do
00:34:29.29\00:34:30.65
with a bunny at
the foot of the cross
00:34:30.68\00:34:32.34
it actually had
to do with paganism.
00:34:32.37\00:34:34.85
The bunny was
an emblem or symbol
00:34:34.88\00:34:38.03
and the egg was a symbol
00:34:38.06\00:34:39.30
of the worship of
a God as procreation.
00:34:39.33\00:34:41.96
And so when paganism
00:34:41.99\00:34:44.29
and Christianity joined together
00:34:44.32\00:34:46.05
they then adopted
some of the pagan symbols
00:34:46.08\00:34:48.86
into the Christian faith.
00:34:48.89\00:34:50.39
That may come as a shock to you
00:34:50.42\00:34:52.24
but I'm just illustrating
that there're people
00:34:52.27\00:34:54.73
who think that
things are biblical
00:34:54.76\00:34:57.36
oh, from God when
reality have nothing to do
00:34:57.39\00:34:59.64
with the God of heaven
00:34:59.67\00:35:01.14
but something to
do more with tradition
00:35:01.17\00:35:03.66
or practices of customs
that people have established.
00:35:03.69\00:35:08.12
That's why it's
so important for us
00:35:08.15\00:35:09.76
to go back to the Word of God.
00:35:09.79\00:35:11.21
What do you say?
00:35:11.24\00:35:12.38
As we studied the Word of God
00:35:12.41\00:35:13.56
we see that God
actually makes it clear
00:35:13.59\00:35:16.89
what we ought to believe
and what we ought to hold to.
00:35:16.92\00:35:20.29
That's why Paul says that--
00:35:20.32\00:35:21.74
Jude said that we've to content
00:35:21.77\00:35:23.89
for that faith that once
delivered onto the saints.
00:35:23.92\00:35:27.44
In Matthew 16:18 then
Jesus made a statement
00:35:27.47\00:35:32.49
that a lot of
people have misunderstood.
00:35:32.52\00:35:34.64
And Jesus basically
is telling the disciples
00:35:34.67\00:35:38.08
that He is restoring
everything upon Himself.
00:35:38.11\00:35:42.04
And so He said to
Peter "Thou art Peter,
00:35:42.07\00:35:45.04
and upon this rock
I will build my church
00:35:45.07\00:35:47.63
and the gates of Hades
shall not prevail against it."
00:35:47.66\00:35:50.31
Well, there is a
people who are saying
00:35:50.34\00:35:52.09
you see God build
the church upon Peter.
00:35:52.12\00:35:54.54
No, Peter was
defeated by the devil
00:35:54.57\00:35:57.26
when he accursed and swore
and denied Christ we know that.
00:35:57.29\00:36:00.39
And so why did Jesus say that?
00:36:00.42\00:36:02.07
Well, Jesus didn't say
Peter, upon you He said Peter,
00:36:02.10\00:36:05.09
you're be well
upon this rock, you see.
00:36:05.12\00:36:08.62
Not upon you but upon this
rock I will build the church.
00:36:08.65\00:36:11.96
Well, Peter
himself confirms that
00:36:11.99\00:36:13.95
because later on
in the book Ephesians
00:36:13.98\00:36:16.36
Paul writes and Peter writes
00:36:16.39\00:36:19.49
that fact that
Jesus is the rock.
00:36:19.52\00:36:22.11
Who is it? It is
Christ that's the rock.
00:36:22.14\00:36:25.01
And it is
important to understand that
00:36:25.04\00:36:27.85
because please remember this
00:36:27.88\00:36:30.78
that the one who gave the first
genuine faith to Adam and Eve
00:36:30.81\00:36:35.14
is the same one who
came to dwell upon the earth.
00:36:35.17\00:36:39.01
Do you think He forgot
00:36:39.04\00:36:40.12
what he talked Adam and Eve?
00:36:40.15\00:36:42.05
Do you think He
forgot the principles?
00:36:42.08\00:36:44.13
No, of course not.
00:36:44.16\00:36:45.35
He knew exactly
what He needed to restore
00:36:45.38\00:36:48.00
because by this time
there were so many things
00:36:48.03\00:36:50.85
that have crept into the faith
00:36:50.88\00:36:52.51
that God had given to the Jews
00:36:52.54\00:36:54.23
there were difficult to
differentiate or distinguish
00:36:54.26\00:36:57.76
what was true
and what was false.
00:36:57.79\00:37:00.06
And that's why Jesus said
a very wonderful statement.
00:37:00.09\00:37:04.86
"I'm the way the
truth and the life."
00:37:04.89\00:37:09.71
So, sanctify them through
thy truth, thy word is truth.
00:37:09.74\00:37:15.81
In other words, if you want
to know how to follow Christ
00:37:15.84\00:37:19.97
come to the truth of Christ
00:37:20.00\00:37:22.02
that He has
revealed through His word.
00:37:22.05\00:37:24.26
Christ is the rock.
00:37:24.29\00:37:25.48
Now, Christ gave the
disciples the understanding
00:37:25.51\00:37:32.90
that He was
establishing a church.
00:37:32.93\00:37:36.20
And He established the church
00:37:36.23\00:37:37.63
so that the truth could continue
00:37:37.66\00:37:39.86
to be carried forth
all the way up to the time
00:37:39.89\00:37:42.51
that He would arrive
on planet earth again.
00:37:42.54\00:37:44.62
In other words, He would come
00:37:44.65\00:37:45.68
the second time to
take all His children home.
00:37:45.71\00:37:49.70
Paul writes and
says in 1 Timothy 3:15
00:37:49.73\00:37:54.04
"But if I tarry
long, that thou mayest know
00:37:54.07\00:37:57.25
how men ought to
behave themselves
00:37:57.28\00:37:59.09
in the house of God,
00:37:59.12\00:38:00.36
which is the
church of the living God,
00:38:00.39\00:38:02.59
the pillar and ground
of" what? "Of the truth."
00:38:02.62\00:38:06.58
In other words, the Lord
had established a church again,
00:38:06.61\00:38:10.00
He had a church
in the wilderness
00:38:10.03\00:38:11.32
that church kind of went wayward
00:38:11.35\00:38:14.73
and so now Christ established
everything anew again
00:38:14.76\00:38:18.66
to help them to realize
00:38:18.69\00:38:20.03
that they needed to get back
to the original faith and truth
00:38:20.06\00:38:22.68
that God had given to them.
00:38:22.71\00:38:24.15
And He then bestowed
that into the disciples
00:38:24.18\00:38:27.64
and they were to be
stewards of that truth
00:38:27.67\00:38:30.24
and they went to
preach that truth
00:38:30.27\00:38:32.40
which because
that particular gospel
00:38:32.43\00:38:34.84
would have power
to bring salvation
00:38:34.87\00:38:37.12
to those that heard it.
00:38:37.15\00:38:38.74
Well, Paul
writes that the church
00:38:38.77\00:38:42.35
then that had been established
00:38:42.38\00:38:43.48
would be the ground
and pillar of the truth.
00:38:43.51\00:38:46.34
And so now we find
the apostolic faith.
00:38:46.37\00:38:49.25
The which
faith? Apostolic faith.
00:38:49.28\00:38:51.75
Now the apostolic
faith is a same faith
00:38:51.78\00:38:54.71
that Adam and Eve had.
00:38:54.74\00:38:56.65
Because Adam and Eve believed
that they needed to have faith
00:38:56.68\00:39:01.33
and obey what God said
00:39:01.36\00:39:03.64
because that would
bring them the security
00:39:03.67\00:39:06.69
that they needed
to have in knowing
00:39:06.72\00:39:09.28
that when Christ would come
00:39:09.31\00:39:10.84
they could find
salvation through Him.
00:39:10.87\00:39:13.37
Well, now we look
back to the same point.
00:39:13.40\00:39:17.07
They had to look
forward we look back
00:39:17.10\00:39:19.60
and all of us
focus on the reality
00:39:19.63\00:39:22.52
that Jesus is the truth.
00:39:22.55\00:39:24.98
What do you say?
00:39:25.01\00:39:26.20
Now, when the
apostolic faith was given
00:39:26.23\00:39:30.62
and the church began to preach
00:39:30.65\00:39:32.83
people began to be
baptized into the church.
00:39:32.86\00:39:36.33
Notice what it says
then in Acts 2:41, 47.
00:39:36.36\00:39:41.26
"Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized
00:39:41.29\00:39:45.12
and the same
day there were added
00:39:45.15\00:39:47.05
unto them about
three thousand souls."
00:39:47.08\00:39:50.01
And in verse 47 it
says "Praising God,
00:39:50.04\00:39:52.84
and having favor
with all the people.
00:39:52.87\00:39:54.58
And the Lord added
to the church daily
00:39:54.61\00:39:57.10
such as" what?
"Should be saved."
00:39:57.13\00:39:59.84
Obviously God has it a harbinger
00:39:59.87\00:40:02.81
all right, a refuge
00:40:02.84\00:40:04.20
where people can
come and find salvation.
00:40:04.23\00:40:07.25
He had it in the
ark did He not of Noah?
00:40:07.28\00:40:10.31
He had it in the
wilderness. Did He not.
00:40:10.34\00:40:12.39
Any one who wanted to be saved
00:40:12.42\00:40:13.79
all they had to
do was believe accept
00:40:13.82\00:40:16.21
and become part of God's people.
00:40:16.24\00:40:18.72
In fact in the even
during the Medes and the Persian
00:40:18.75\00:40:21.94
they have to
follow the Babylon empire.
00:40:21.97\00:40:24.31
There was a time of trouble
that came to God's people
00:40:24.34\00:40:27.10
and they'll say
young lady name Ester
00:40:27.13\00:40:29.64
who became the queen
00:40:29.67\00:40:31.13
and through her
God's spared His people.
00:40:31.16\00:40:34.67
What's amazing is it says
00:40:34.70\00:40:36.23
that the people of
the land became Jews.
00:40:36.26\00:40:38.77
They became
what? They became Jews.
00:40:38.80\00:40:40.85
In other words, it was clear
00:40:40.88\00:40:42.91
then that these
people were the people of God
00:40:42.94\00:40:45.74
because they had faith in God
00:40:45.77\00:40:47.79
and trust in God and obeyed Him.
00:40:47.82\00:40:49.99
But for example
Mordecai which is the reason
00:40:50.02\00:40:53.84
why the trouble came around
00:40:53.87\00:40:55.33
with not bow
down to somebody else
00:40:55.36\00:40:58.39
and that created some problems.
00:40:58.42\00:40:59.82
Well, let's continue on
00:40:59.85\00:41:01.39
because we have a lot to cover.
00:41:01.42\00:41:03.60
Paul then recognizing
the trouble would come
00:41:03.63\00:41:06.61
to that genuine
faith began to warn
00:41:06.64\00:41:09.06
and say "I marvel that ye
are so soon removed from him
00:41:09.09\00:41:11.59
that called you
into the grace of Christ
00:41:11.62\00:41:13.50
unto another" what?
00:41:13.53\00:41:15.04
"Unto another
gospel which is not another
00:41:15.07\00:41:17.18
but there be
some that trouble you,
00:41:17.21\00:41:19.01
and would pervert
the gospel of Christ."
00:41:19.04\00:41:20.78
In other word
that gospel that given
00:41:20.81\00:41:23.15
that gospel which could save
00:41:23.18\00:41:25.12
the saving gospel
began to be affected.
00:41:25.15\00:41:28.30
Again the enemy was
successful in watering it down
00:41:28.33\00:41:32.03
so that the power that it had
00:41:32.06\00:41:33.98
through faith and
obedience was lost.
00:41:34.01\00:41:36.24
And Paul warns and said
00:41:36.27\00:41:37.81
"But though we, or
an angel from heaven,
00:41:37.84\00:41:40.77
preach any other gospel unto you
00:41:40.80\00:41:42.45
than that which we
have preached unto you,
00:41:42.48\00:41:43.91
let him be accursed."
00:41:43.94\00:41:45.70
So again he says
"As we said before,
00:41:45.73\00:41:49.84
if any man preach
any other gospel unto you
00:41:49.87\00:41:53.06
than that ye have
received, let him be accursed."
00:41:53.09\00:41:55.08
So there was a gospel given
00:41:55.11\00:41:58.98
and that gospel
contained teachings
00:41:59.01\00:42:01.52
and when you find that
gospel that has the teachings
00:42:01.55\00:42:05.35
that Christ gave you'll find
then assurance of salvation.
00:42:05.38\00:42:10.13
But what would
happen to that faith?
00:42:10.16\00:42:11.91
Well...
00:42:11.94\00:42:12.97
there was a great concern
that it would be lost side of
00:42:16.69\00:42:20.35
and so in 3 John
notice it said "Beloved,
00:42:20.38\00:42:23.61
when I gave all diligence
00:42:23.64\00:42:25.04
to write unto you
of the common salvation
00:42:25.07\00:42:27.38
it was needful for
me to write unto you
00:42:27.41\00:42:29.65
and exhort you
that you should earn
00:42:29.68\00:42:31.52
the contend for the faith
00:42:31.55\00:42:32.68
which was once
delivered unto the saints."
00:42:32.71\00:42:35.77
And of course,
how could you know
00:42:35.80\00:42:38.92
who was a saint
and who wasn't a saint?
00:42:38.95\00:42:41.32
Well, God had
given some indication.
00:42:41.35\00:42:44.21
You shall know
them by there what?
00:42:44.24\00:42:46.20
By there fruits.
00:42:46.23\00:42:47.78
You shall know them by what?
00:42:47.81\00:42:48.92
Their fruit.
00:42:48.95\00:42:49.98
Why because people will say
I'm Christian, I'm a Christian
00:42:50.01\00:42:52.97
and everybody
now is a Christian.
00:42:53.00\00:42:54.69
In fact once
the apostolic church
00:42:54.72\00:42:57.79
got going it became
a real force in history
00:42:57.82\00:43:01.61
and thousands
who've been converted
00:43:01.64\00:43:03.59
by the power of God
00:43:03.62\00:43:04.96
people who were
thieves became honest,
00:43:04.99\00:43:07.56
drunkards became sober,
00:43:07.59\00:43:09.30
prostitute
became pure and noble.
00:43:09.33\00:43:13.35
The wife beater
became the loving husband
00:43:13.38\00:43:15.99
and there was
another tremendous effect
00:43:16.02\00:43:18.35
on the community.
00:43:18.38\00:43:19.68
People began to
rejoice in the freedom
00:43:19.71\00:43:22.43
that they found through
Christ to depart from the evil
00:43:22.46\00:43:26.21
that they were committing
and find power in the gospel
00:43:26.24\00:43:29.98
to be obedient to
that which beforehand
00:43:30.01\00:43:33.26
they could not be obedient too.
00:43:33.29\00:43:34.92
So God in His mercy
had through the gospel
00:43:34.95\00:43:38.24
brought salvation to people.
00:43:38.27\00:43:40.49
But there were certain
things that they needed to know
00:43:40.52\00:43:47.01
as this problem
came into the church
00:43:47.04\00:43:51.01
and that was how to identify
the genuine from the false.
00:43:51.04\00:43:56.43
"And so hereby we
know that we know him."
00:43:56.46\00:44:00.61
We know who? The Lord.
00:44:00.64\00:44:02.87
"If we keep His commandment
00:44:02.90\00:44:05.05
He that saith, I
know him, and keepeth
00:44:05.08\00:44:07.15
not his commandments is a" what?
00:44:07.18\00:44:09.73
"Is a liar, and the
truth is not in him."
00:44:09.76\00:44:12.35
Can you see
what's happening now?
00:44:12.38\00:44:14.22
There is clear and
clear counsel to the believers
00:44:14.25\00:44:18.47
to be able to
tell the difference
00:44:18.50\00:44:20.36
between the
genuine and the what?
00:44:20.39\00:44:22.62
And the false. Can you see that?
00:44:22.65\00:44:25.22
Paul writes, Peter
writes, Jude writes
00:44:25.25\00:44:28.09
and it was all because
00:44:28.12\00:44:30.62
falsehood was
creeping through the church.
00:44:30.65\00:44:33.81
And finally "Who so
keepeth his words in him
00:44:33.84\00:44:38.60
verily is the love
of God perfected him
00:44:38.63\00:44:41.03
by we know that we are in him."
00:44:41.06\00:44:45.18
So you can see then
that it was essential
00:44:45.21\00:44:51.34
to have some
mechanism of some way
00:44:51.37\00:44:54.31
of determining the
false from the truth.
00:44:54.34\00:44:57.49
And of course Christ said warn
00:44:57.52\00:44:59.38
that they would be false Christ.
00:44:59.41\00:45:01.07
And if there
would be false Christ
00:45:01.10\00:45:02.74
it would mean
that they would use
00:45:02.77\00:45:03.85
His very name to mislead people.
00:45:03.88\00:45:06.38
Is it possible then
that people can have
00:45:06.41\00:45:09.19
a good name for their church
00:45:09.22\00:45:11.55
and yet be leading people
in wrong direction yes or no?
00:45:11.58\00:45:15.33
Of course, it's possible
00:45:15.36\00:45:16.68
and that's why
Christ was warning.
00:45:16.71\00:45:19.47
Well, in the Book
of Hebrews now we find
00:45:19.50\00:45:22.92
that there is
faith is necessary.
00:45:22.95\00:45:25.43
Without faith it is
impossible to please God.
00:45:25.46\00:45:29.21
"For he that cometh to
God must believe that he is,
00:45:29.24\00:45:31.66
that he is a rewarder of
them that diligently seek him."
00:45:31.69\00:45:35.40
So now the
apostolic church is growing
00:45:35.43\00:45:37.49
and it's conquering the
world people are being converted
00:45:37.52\00:45:40.27
and the enemy is dissatisfied.
00:45:40.30\00:45:42.45
He begins to
persecute the church
00:45:42.48\00:45:44.30
many of the first apostles died,
00:45:44.33\00:45:47.06
the church then begins
to be affected by people
00:45:47.09\00:45:51.02
who came into the church
00:45:51.05\00:45:52.30
who were not
necessarily converted
00:45:52.33\00:45:54.15
and the gospel
began to be voted down.
00:45:54.18\00:45:56.96
And finally as the
church is affected by paganism
00:45:56.99\00:46:02.41
God has to do something.
00:46:02.44\00:46:03.96
And the scripture says then
00:46:03.99\00:46:05.86
that something when
happened to the genuine faith.
00:46:05.89\00:46:09.21
And that is revealed
00:46:09.24\00:46:10.31
in the Book of
Revelation Chapter 12,
00:46:10.34\00:46:12.87
in the Book of
Revelation Chapter 12
00:46:12.90\00:46:14.33
you have a woman dressed in
00:46:14.36\00:46:17.43
with the sun and
standing on the moon
00:46:17.46\00:46:19.19
and crown of
stars upon her head.
00:46:19.22\00:46:21.27
The crown of stars representing
00:46:21.30\00:46:22.71
of course the twelve messengers
that's what stars represent.
00:46:22.74\00:46:26.59
The colt with the
sun and Malachi says
00:46:26.62\00:46:29.13
Jesus is the sun as
you in the righteousness
00:46:29.16\00:46:31.96
and of course,
standing on the moon
00:46:31.99\00:46:33.57
the types of shadows
of the Old Testament.
00:46:33.60\00:46:35.66
So here is the church
00:46:35.69\00:46:36.72
that stands on the Old Testament
00:46:36.75\00:46:38.97
but as the
righteous has of Christ
00:46:39.00\00:46:41.31
and it says first propagators
of the message the 12 apostles.
00:46:41.34\00:46:47.23
But what happens to this church,
00:46:47.26\00:46:48.77
this apostolic church?
00:46:48.80\00:46:50.30
Well, as you already
know there was warning
00:46:50.33\00:46:53.16
that was given to the church
00:46:53.19\00:46:54.60
that it would be
effected in the pure gospel
00:46:54.63\00:46:57.57
would be lost side up.
00:46:57.60\00:46:59.06
And so the Bible says
00:46:59.09\00:47:00.84
then that when the woman was--
00:47:00.87\00:47:02.60
when the woman was
attacked by the enemy
00:47:02.63\00:47:04.72
and false
doctrines began to creep in
00:47:04.75\00:47:07.61
there were people in the church,
00:47:07.64\00:47:09.01
who could not go
along what's taking place
00:47:09.04\00:47:11.73
they began to be persecuted
00:47:11.76\00:47:13.24
and they had no alternative
00:47:13.27\00:47:14.90
than to try to find
refuge away from society
00:47:14.93\00:47:19.08
and found it in mountains
and hills and valleys et cetera
00:47:19.11\00:47:23.47
where they could worship God
00:47:23.50\00:47:25.10
according to what
they knew was true.
00:47:25.13\00:47:28.55
The Bible says "that the
woman fled into the wilderness
00:47:28.58\00:47:30.74
where she hath a place prepared
00:47:30.77\00:47:32.19
that they should feed her
00:47:32.22\00:47:33.40
there a thousand two
hundred and three score days."
00:47:33.43\00:47:38.33
In other words one thousand
two hundred and sixty years
00:47:38.36\00:47:41.52
that God had said
00:47:41.55\00:47:43.29
that the church
would go into hiding.
00:47:43.32\00:47:44.63
So here is something
00:47:44.66\00:47:46.02
that's important
for you to recognize.
00:47:46.05\00:47:47.74
The apostolic church is growing.
00:47:47.77\00:47:49.25
And finally it attacked
00:47:49.28\00:47:50.66
finally becomes
to get watered down
00:47:50.69\00:47:53.09
and God to
preserve the genuine message
00:47:53.12\00:47:55.45
the genuine
faith God then allows
00:47:55.48\00:47:57.68
the faith to go into
the wilderness into hiding.
00:47:57.71\00:47:59.92
For how long?
00:47:59.95\00:48:00.98
Twelve hundred and sixty years.
00:48:01.01\00:48:02.69
Why does that happening?
00:48:02.72\00:48:04.24
Because at the same time
00:48:04.27\00:48:05.73
the beast power
comes up into position
00:48:05.76\00:48:08.97
and it begins to
control the world
00:48:09.00\00:48:12.16
and any one who did not go
00:48:12.19\00:48:13.86
along with his
teachings suffered death.
00:48:13.89\00:48:16.94
And so you have
the genuine faith
00:48:16.97\00:48:19.76
goes into hiding for
twelve hundred sixty years
00:48:19.79\00:48:22.08
then the false faith
begins rein in Europe
00:48:22.11\00:48:25.30
and control people's consciences
00:48:25.33\00:48:27.58
and the dogmas of teachings
that people could believe.
00:48:27.61\00:48:32.87
Of course, according to prophecy
00:48:32.90\00:48:34.38
the twelve hundred sixty days
00:48:34.41\00:48:35.75
equals the twelve
hundred sixty years.
00:48:35.78\00:48:37.67
And so when that began,
00:48:37.70\00:48:40.31
538AD was when the
apostasy took place
00:48:40.34\00:48:45.47
and church became a
ruling church in the world
00:48:45.50\00:48:48.90
and it was at this point
00:48:48.93\00:48:50.58
then that many
faithful believers
00:48:50.61\00:48:53.55
had to go into the hiding.
00:48:53.58\00:48:55.18
This is what happened of course
in the Old Testament as well
00:48:55.21\00:48:58.34
where God had people in Israel
00:48:58.37\00:49:00.29
who had not yet
bend their kneel to Baal
00:49:00.32\00:49:02.51
but had to find refuge or hiding
00:49:02.54\00:49:04.34
in order to preserve the
truth that God had given to Ham.
00:49:04.37\00:49:07.61
Well, now the
church is in hiding
00:49:07.64\00:49:09.57
for twelve hundred sixty days
and the church is persecuted.
00:49:09.60\00:49:12.98
Those who love God, those
who believed in the scriptures,
00:49:13.01\00:49:15.64
those who had faith and
obedience were persecuted.
00:49:15.67\00:49:19.50
Well, they had no choice
and to hide in the wilderness.
00:49:19.53\00:49:22.28
And you have many groups
00:49:22.31\00:49:23.76
for example
through the dark ages
00:49:23.79\00:49:25.64
who are faithful to
God and who rather died
00:49:25.67\00:49:28.44
and give up
their faith in Christ
00:49:28.47\00:49:30.25
and in the word that
he had given to them.
00:49:30.28\00:49:32.57
They wanted to be
people of the word.
00:49:32.60\00:49:34.99
And friends, you
and I should be--
00:49:35.02\00:49:36.56
want to be people of
the word, what do you say.
00:49:36.59\00:49:39.32
Well, as that
church is persecuted
00:49:39.35\00:49:42.56
the church is in hiding.
00:49:42.59\00:49:44.04
The Bible then finally says that
00:49:44.07\00:49:46.71
that church would
come out of hiding.
00:49:46.74\00:49:49.23
But listen it says
00:49:49.26\00:49:50.87
"And to the woman were given
two wings of a great eagle,
00:49:50.90\00:49:53.26
that she might fly into
the wilderness, into her place,
00:49:53.29\00:49:55.62
where she is
nourished for a time,
00:49:55.65\00:49:56.83
and times, and half a time."
00:49:56.86\00:49:58.52
That's our 1,260 years
that we've talked about.
00:49:58.55\00:50:02.46
"And the serpent
cast out of his mouth
00:50:02.49\00:50:04.42
water as a
flood after the woman,
00:50:04.45\00:50:06.46
that he might cause her to
be carried away of the flood.
00:50:06.49\00:50:09.89
But the earth
fortunately helped the woman,
00:50:09.92\00:50:12.51
and the earth opened her mouth,
and swallowed up the flood
00:50:12.54\00:50:15.89
which the dragon
cast out of his mouth."
00:50:15.92\00:50:18.13
I have been to Europe
to the Waldensian Valleys
00:50:18.16\00:50:20.50
and I can tell you
that people were hiding
00:50:20.53\00:50:21.89
in caves to worship in caves.
00:50:21.92\00:50:23.69
They wanted to follow God
00:50:23.72\00:50:24.93
according to the dictates
of their own consciences
00:50:24.96\00:50:26.95
but the popular
church would not allow that
00:50:26.98\00:50:29.83
and they
suffered great persecution
00:50:29.86\00:50:31.50
as a result of that.
00:50:31.53\00:50:33.53
Would that come to an end?
00:50:33.56\00:50:35.30
The question is
what would God do?
00:50:35.33\00:50:38.34
Well, because of
the great intolerance,
00:50:38.37\00:50:40.51
religious intolerance in Europe.
00:50:40.54\00:50:42.44
Finally, the Lord
spoke to people's hearts
00:50:42.47\00:50:45.22
and they began to leave Europe
to come to a new continent.
00:50:45.25\00:50:49.09
And where is that
continent? America.
00:50:49.12\00:50:52.66
It was people who desired
to find religious freedom.
00:50:52.69\00:50:56.95
They fled from Europe
because they weren't to worship
00:50:56.98\00:51:00.06
according to the
dictates of their own conscience
00:51:00.09\00:51:01.87
and follow what we understand
to be the Word of God.
00:51:01.90\00:51:06.31
At this time there is, there
is a lot of leaving of Europe
00:51:06.34\00:51:09.79
and people fled to America
to find religious freedom.
00:51:09.82\00:51:14.48
Now what's
interesting about that is this.
00:51:14.51\00:51:17.13
That according to
the Bible it's said
00:51:17.16\00:51:18.74
and that woman or that truth
00:51:18.77\00:51:21.47
that woman carried
will be hiding for 1,260.
00:51:21.50\00:51:25.13
Which means then that from 538,
1,260 years bring you the 798
00:51:25.16\00:51:30.45
you see, which
means then that after 798
00:51:30.48\00:51:34.02
the wonderful
gospel would again surface.
00:51:34.05\00:51:37.73
All right, so keep that in mind
00:51:37.76\00:51:40.89
because that's a
very important thing
00:51:40.92\00:51:44.75
because the Bible again says
that when that woman surfaces
00:51:44.78\00:51:48.46
or that faith surfaces
the true gospel surfaces.
00:51:48.49\00:51:52.83
It would again be
identified by two things.
00:51:52.86\00:51:55.94
Notice it that says
00:51:55.97\00:51:57.40
that "Here is a
patience of the saints
00:51:57.43\00:52:00.90
here are they that keep
00:52:00.93\00:52:02.49
the commandments of God
and the faith of Jesus."
00:52:02.52\00:52:05.61
Again what did he
finds obedience and faith.
00:52:05.64\00:52:09.87
You see those two things.
00:52:09.90\00:52:11.11
So if you're going
to find a church today
00:52:11.14\00:52:15.45
that is in harmony with all
that has trespassed in the past
00:52:15.48\00:52:19.14
that follows the Bible
and follows the will of God
00:52:19.17\00:52:22.21
you must find the
church that rises after 798.
00:52:22.24\00:52:26.93
Now that's interesting
00:52:26.96\00:52:28.34
because many
churches existed before 798.
00:52:28.37\00:52:32.33
But there are few that
have come up after 798.
00:52:32.36\00:52:35.13
So then you have the problem.
00:52:35.16\00:52:36.59
You still have the
needle in the haystack, right.
00:52:36.62\00:52:39.42
But how do you solve that?
00:52:39.45\00:52:41.41
Notice it says
the faith of Jesus--
00:52:41.44\00:52:44.18
not in Jesus but the faith
of Jesus and the commandments.
00:52:44.21\00:52:48.45
So if you want to know
which church is in harmony
00:52:48.48\00:52:53.05
with the old gospel
with the everlasting gospel
00:52:53.08\00:52:56.24
then you have to have
one that has faith of Jesus
00:52:56.27\00:52:59.08
and what else and obedience.
00:52:59.11\00:53:01.39
What do you say?
00:53:01.42\00:53:02.67
Now you may say well
that sounds simplistic.
00:53:02.70\00:53:06.06
How can you apply that?
Well, it's simple my friends.
00:53:06.09\00:53:08.85
As we have studied
from the scriptures
00:53:08.88\00:53:10.53
you know that
the Ten Commandments
00:53:10.56\00:53:13.07
are those that God gave
00:53:13.10\00:53:14.76
with his own
hand for our purpose
00:53:14.79\00:53:16.95
so that we could live
in harmony with his will.
00:53:16.98\00:53:19.62
And as I mentioned
before if everybody kept
00:53:19.65\00:53:22.58
the Ten
Commandments in this city,
00:53:22.61\00:53:23.90
what kind of
city would you have?
00:53:23.93\00:53:25.88
You'll have a
perfect city wouldn't you?
00:53:25.91\00:53:27.63
If everybody kept
00:53:27.66\00:53:28.69
the Ten
Commandments in the world
00:53:28.72\00:53:29.93
what kind of
world would you have?
00:53:29.96\00:53:31.37
You would have a perfect world.
00:53:31.40\00:53:33.25
But think then what would happen
00:53:33.28\00:53:35.79
if people not only
kept the letter of law
00:53:35.82\00:53:37.93
but the spirit of the law.
00:53:37.96\00:53:39.20
In other words if
they actually loved
00:53:39.23\00:53:40.98
then what kind of world
that you would you have?
00:53:41.01\00:53:43.03
You'll have a
perfect loving world.
00:53:43.06\00:53:44.76
What do you say?
00:53:44.79\00:53:45.82
And so God gave
the Ten Commandments
00:53:45.85\00:53:47.89
for that purpose to identify
00:53:47.92\00:53:49.92
the difference between
the truth and the false.
00:53:49.95\00:53:52.62
So you have to
have the faith of Jesus
00:53:52.65\00:53:55.04
and you have to
have the commandments.
00:53:55.07\00:53:57.10
So if you come
across the church today
00:53:57.13\00:53:59.40
that says that they follow Jesus
00:53:59.43\00:54:01.32
but do not keep the commandments
00:54:01.35\00:54:02.88
can they be the genuine one?
00:54:02.91\00:54:04.72
Yes or no?
00:54:04.75\00:54:05.78
There maybe sincere people
00:54:05.81\00:54:07.73
but we're not talking
about sincerity friends,
00:54:07.76\00:54:09.86
we're talking
about whether or not
00:54:09.89\00:54:11.45
we have found the genuine faith.
00:54:11.48\00:54:13.91
And the genuine faith must
have both the faithful Jesus
00:54:13.94\00:54:16.89
and what else the
commandments of God.
00:54:16.92\00:54:19.13
But they also
have to rise after 1798
00:54:19.16\00:54:22.74
because they would be a
different faith out there.
00:54:22.77\00:54:26.39
Notice then that you
either have to have both
00:54:26.42\00:54:29.84
or you can have
one or the other.
00:54:29.87\00:54:32.26
There are people
who have faith in Jesus
00:54:32.29\00:54:35.31
or obey but not both.
00:54:35.34\00:54:40.12
God wants us to have
both, what do you say?
00:54:40.15\00:54:42.86
That faith that saves us
00:54:42.89\00:54:46.21
and also that
obedience that demonstrates
00:54:46.24\00:54:49.37
that we are a loving people.
00:54:49.40\00:54:51.63
Jesus says if you love
Me, keep My commandments.
00:54:51.66\00:54:55.41
And so the Bible then says
00:54:55.44\00:54:56.69
"that the dragon would
be wroth with the woman,"
00:54:56.72\00:54:59.59
that is the woman
that rises up after 1798,
00:54:59.62\00:55:03.03
"which keep the
commandments of God
00:55:03.06\00:55:05.01
and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ."
00:55:05.04\00:55:06.68
There you have it again.
00:55:06.71\00:55:07.84
So who is the
devil angry against?
00:55:07.87\00:55:09.41
Well, he is angry
against that faith
00:55:09.44\00:55:11.31
that has the faith of Jesus
00:55:11.34\00:55:13.37
and that keeps the
commandments of God.
00:55:13.40\00:55:16.26
You can see then that God
has a literal church, a what?
00:55:16.29\00:55:20.36
A literal group of people.
00:55:20.39\00:55:22.48
In fact, we understand
00:55:22.51\00:55:24.78
then that there are
several identified marks
00:55:24.81\00:55:28.64
for you to determine
which is the genuine faith.
00:55:28.67\00:55:31.62
So let's review them
again as we come into a close.
00:55:31.65\00:55:35.03
Number one, Has its
truth in the Old Testament.
00:55:35.06\00:55:38.44
Number two,
00:55:38.47\00:55:39.50
has the dual
characteristics of genuine faith
00:55:39.53\00:55:42.58
and keeping the
commandments of God.
00:55:42.61\00:55:43.70
Number three, accepts
00:55:43.73\00:55:44.79
and teaches from
the entire Bible.
00:55:44.82\00:55:46.38
How much? The entire Bible.
00:55:46.41\00:55:48.16
Number four, goes into
hiding for 1,260 years.
00:55:48.19\00:55:51.15
Number five,
comes up after 1798.
00:55:51.18\00:55:53.87
Number six, recaptures the pure
Apostolic Faith and teachings.
00:55:53.90\00:55:57.68
Number seven, calls people
00:55:57.71\00:56:00.36
to a total commitment to Christ.
00:56:00.39\00:56:01.71
Number eight,
00:56:01.74\00:56:02.77
be a worldwide
Mission driven movement.
00:56:02.80\00:56:04.78
Number nine, lead
people back to obedience
00:56:04.81\00:56:06.95
to all
Commandments including what?
00:56:06.98\00:56:09.35
Including the Sabbath.
00:56:09.38\00:56:11.06
You can see that, friends,
00:56:11.09\00:56:12.38
that God does
make it simple for us
00:56:12.41\00:56:15.07
to find the genuine faith.
00:56:15.10\00:56:16.59
What do you say?
00:56:16.62\00:56:17.65
And I want to tell you
today I'm thankful that the Lord
00:56:17.68\00:56:20.55
has allowed me by His
mercy to find that church
00:56:20.58\00:56:25.83
that is in harmony
with the teachings of Christ
00:56:25.86\00:56:29.72
and I just want you to know
that church in my estimation
00:56:29.75\00:56:33.64
is the
Seventh-day Adventist church.
00:56:33.67\00:56:36.98
Our friends,
listen, finally Jesus says
00:56:37.01\00:56:40.40
there will be one
fold and one Shepherd.
00:56:40.43\00:56:44.39
I want to be in that fold
00:56:44.42\00:56:46.13
and I want to only
follow that Shepherd.
00:56:46.16\00:56:47.97
What do you say?
00:56:48.00\00:56:49.32
How many of you tonight
would like to say, Lord,
00:56:49.35\00:56:51.62
I want to be part of that fold
00:56:51.65\00:56:53.82
and I want to
follow only that Shepherd?
00:56:53.85\00:56:57.33
Shall we pray together?
00:56:57.36\00:56:58.76
Our Father, how thankful we are
00:56:58.79\00:57:01.66
that through
history You have maintained
00:57:01.69\00:57:04.37
Your wonderful truth.
00:57:04.40\00:57:06.11
And we see that
Your commandments plays
00:57:06.14\00:57:08.51
an important
role in such of a God.
00:57:08.54\00:57:11.05
Help us to have faith in You
00:57:11.08\00:57:12.93
and to be willing
to follow that truth.
00:57:12.96\00:57:15.56
We pray 1in Jesus name, amen.
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