Back in the year 2000 00:01:01.13\00:01:03.63 a number of us who are in communications 00:01:03.66\00:01:06.20 were working at the General Conference session 00:01:06.23\00:01:08.23 which is the world gathering of Seventh-day Adventists 00:01:08.26\00:01:10.40 from around the world in Toronto, Canada. 00:01:10.43\00:01:13.22 And we've put together a studio that we call G.C. T.V. 00:01:13.25\00:01:18.45 Pastor Mark Finley was one of our nightly news anchors 00:01:18.48\00:01:22.30 and I was a reporter working, gathering stories, 00:01:22.33\00:01:25.70 shooting video, editing video, 00:01:25.73\00:01:27.33 preparing them for the nightly broadcast. 00:01:27.36\00:01:29.66 And we had a chance each evening 00:01:29.69\00:01:31.08 to sort of sit around and just talk about things 00:01:31.11\00:01:33.09 and you know you get a bunch of Christians, 00:01:33.12\00:01:34.82 particularly bunch of preachers around, 00:01:34.85\00:01:36.68 you can be talking about certain things. 00:01:36.71\00:01:37.97 So one night we were talking about the blessings of the Lord. 00:01:38.00\00:01:41.05 How the Lord steps in and takes care of His people 00:01:41.08\00:01:43.62 and I recall Mark Finley telling the story that 00:01:43.65\00:01:46.17 he and Teenie, I think were in Los Angeles 00:01:46.20\00:01:48.94 and were to preach at a certain church 00:01:48.97\00:01:50.70 they have never been to before. 00:01:50.73\00:01:52.71 And evidently he had gotten himself lost 00:01:52.74\00:01:55.52 and the more he tried to get found the more he got lost. 00:01:55.55\00:01:59.93 And of course as you are trying to find your way, 00:01:59.96\00:02:03.35 you are chewing up time. 00:02:03.38\00:02:05.34 And he realized that he would never get to the church in time 00:02:05.37\00:02:09.05 and he sort of strayed into a less desirable neighborhood. 00:02:09.08\00:02:13.13 And he said, you know, 00:02:13.16\00:02:16.34 we're going to have to ask somebody. 00:02:16.37\00:02:18.73 But Teenie was saying, well, 00:02:18.76\00:02:20.10 this is a really spooky neighborhood, 00:02:20.13\00:02:21.78 we should probably just stay in the car 00:02:21.81\00:02:23.09 with the windows rolled up and just see what we can do. 00:02:23.12\00:02:25.49 But time was running out, 00:02:25.52\00:02:26.75 they were not going to get to the church on time. 00:02:26.78\00:02:29.29 And so they pulled up to a 7-Eleven 00:02:29.32\00:02:31.56 and they saw a gang of guys standing out there. 00:02:31.59\00:02:33.95 They are kind of rough neighborhood types 00:02:33.98\00:02:36.15 and time was running out, 00:02:36.18\00:02:37.81 he was going to be late for his appointment. 00:02:37.84\00:02:39.67 And so Pastor Finley got out, locked the car doors 00:02:39.70\00:02:43.20 and went over to an African-American gentleman 00:02:43.23\00:02:46.21 that was, he said was big and huge 00:02:46.24\00:02:48.34 and looked kind of rough and kind of mean. 00:02:48.37\00:02:50.12 And he said, well, if you are going to get beat up 00:02:50.15\00:02:51.90 you may as well talk to the biggest guy there. 00:02:51.93\00:02:54.55 And so he went and he tapped the guy in the shoulder 00:02:54.58\00:02:57.65 and said, excuse me, I am trying to find 00:02:57.68\00:02:59.80 the Seventh-day Adventist church. 00:02:59.83\00:03:01.12 And the guy spun around and said, 00:03:01.15\00:03:03.55 Pastor Finley, I know you. 00:03:03.58\00:03:06.77 The church is right down the road. 00:03:06.80\00:03:07.85 I'll take you there. 00:03:07.88\00:03:08.93 Come on and follow me, we're going to church anyway. 00:03:08.96\00:03:13.27 So we were talking about the goodness of the Lord, 00:03:13.30\00:03:15.27 how the Lord protects His own 00:03:15.30\00:03:17.47 that when you stand up for the Lord, 00:03:17.50\00:03:19.49 the Lord indeed stands up for you. 00:03:19.52\00:03:21.90 And of course as an international evangelist he, 00:03:21.93\00:03:24.83 Mark Finley has preached all over the world. 00:03:24.86\00:03:26.79 We were just trading some stories, 00:03:26.82\00:03:28.83 just a little bit ago about a good friend of ours, 00:03:28.86\00:03:31.43 Charles Haugabrook who got his car towed in New York City 00:03:31.46\00:03:34.42 and if there's a place you don't want to get 00:03:34.45\00:03:36.08 your car towed, it's in New York City. 00:03:36.11\00:03:38.85 So we were just talking about that backstage. 00:03:38.88\00:03:41.04 But God has protected him all over the world, 00:03:41.07\00:03:43.25 he has lifted up the name of Jesus 00:03:43.28\00:03:45.07 and Christ has been by his side. 00:03:45.10\00:03:46.85 And so we are most privileged and pleased 00:03:46.88\00:03:50.07 to have him here with us this afternoon. 00:03:50.10\00:03:52.98 These short series go by so very, very fast. 00:03:53.01\00:03:56.33 You start them and before you know they are over, 00:03:56.36\00:03:58.72 but we do have one more sitting 00:03:58.75\00:04:01.09 and the title of the message is intriguing, 00:04:01.12\00:04:04.39 Surviving Armageddon. 00:04:04.42\00:04:06.22 This is the one that I am anxious to hear 00:04:06.25\00:04:07.88 and I know that you are anxious to hear also. 00:04:07.91\00:04:10.20 So we are very, very please 00:04:10.23\00:04:11.32 to have Mark and Ernestine Finley 00:04:11.35\00:04:14.25 on our campus for the next several days. 00:04:14.28\00:04:16.89 As I mentioned to both of them a little bit earlier on, 00:04:16.92\00:04:20.02 they will be doing some cooking shows on next week 00:04:20.05\00:04:23.22 and the crew is very, very excited 00:04:23.25\00:04:24.95 because they know that 00:04:24.98\00:04:26.30 when Ernestine Finley goes into the kitchen, 00:04:26.33\00:04:28.30 she comes forth with marvelous things. 00:04:28.33\00:04:30.81 And so they are very, very anxious for Monday to come 00:04:30.84\00:04:34.74 so that they can be part of that cooking experience. 00:04:34.77\00:04:38.64 But on this day the word of God will be preached with power 00:04:38.67\00:04:43.10 and we anticipate a very fine message 00:04:43.13\00:04:45.48 in this series that has been entitled, 00:04:45.51\00:04:48.10 When Time Turns Into Eternity, Surviving Armageddon. 00:04:48.13\00:04:52.94 Before Pastor Finley comes to speak, 00:04:52.97\00:04:56.30 our music will be brought to us by the pastor of this church, 00:04:56.33\00:04:59.30 our friend and Pastor John Lomacang 00:04:59.33\00:05:01.97 who is going to be singing "Were it Not for Grace." 00:05:02.00\00:05:09.32 Pastor John Lomacang and then Pastor Mark Finley. 00:05:09.35\00:05:12.92 Time measured out my days 00:05:34.31\00:05:41.13 Life carried me along 00:05:41.16\00:05:48.65 In my soul I yearned to follow God 00:05:48.68\00:05:56.34 But knew I'd never be so strong 00:05:56.37\00:06:02.50 I looked hard at this world 00:06:02.53\00:06:07.19 To learn how heaven 00:06:07.22\00:06:10.76 Could be gained 00:06:10.79\00:06:15.78 Just to end where I began 00:06:15.81\00:06:20.69 Where human efforts 00:06:20.72\00:06:24.38 Is all in vain 00:06:24.41\00:06:27.80 Were it not for grace 00:06:30.80\00:06:38.10 I can tell you where I'd be 00:06:38.13\00:06:45.24 Wandering down some pointless road 00:06:45.27\00:06:50.24 To no where 00:06:50.27\00:06:52.94 With my salvation up to me 00:06:52.97\00:06:58.80 And I know how that would go 00:06:58.83\00:07:05.19 All the battles I would face 00:07:05.22\00:07:12.98 Forever running but losing the race 00:07:13.01\00:07:20.25 Were it not for grace 00:07:20.28\00:07:26.25 So here is all my praise 00:07:30.44\00:07:37.39 Expressed with all my heart 00:07:37.42\00:07:44.71 Offered to the Friend who took my place 00:07:44.74\00:07:51.90 And ran a course I could not start 00:07:51.93\00:07:58.35 And when He saw in full 00:07:58.38\00:08:03.21 Just how much His love would cost 00:08:03.24\00:08:08.21 He still ran my final mile 00:08:11.52\00:08:16.59 between me and heaven 00:08:16.62\00:08:19.58 So I would not be lost 00:08:19.61\00:08:26.80 So were it not for God's grace 00:08:26.83\00:08:31.76 I can tell you where I'd be 00:08:34.82\00:08:41.75 Wandering down some pointless road 00:08:41.78\00:08:46.64 To no where 00:08:46.67\00:08:49.25 With my salvation up to me 00:08:49.28\00:08:55.56 And I know how that would go 00:08:55.59\00:09:01.20 All the battles I would face 00:09:01.23\00:09:06.20 Forever running yet losing the race 00:09:09.39\00:09:16.63 Were it not for His grace 00:09:16.66\00:09:23.58 Forever running yet losing the race 00:09:23.61\00:09:28.58 Were it not for God's grace 00:09:32.00\00:09:38.00 Thank you Pastor John. 00:09:54.84\00:09:57.08 We're focusing on three messages on the second coming of Jesus. 00:09:57.11\00:10:00.78 There's nothing more hopeful, nothing more encouraging 00:10:00.81\00:10:03.52 than to open the word of God and to see the hope 00:10:03.55\00:10:06.57 that there is that this world is not in the hands of man 00:10:06.60\00:10:10.23 but this world is in the hands of the living God. 00:10:10.26\00:10:12.97 Our series is titled, "When Time Fades into Eternity." 00:10:13.00\00:10:18.16 Last night we looked at the fact 00:10:18.19\00:10:19.77 of Why the Doomsday Prophets are Wrong. 00:10:19.80\00:10:22.23 They are wrong because they are looking 00:10:22.26\00:10:23.62 in the wrong place. 00:10:23.65\00:10:25.08 They are looking at what's going on around us 00:10:25.11\00:10:26.89 rather than focusing on eternity 00:10:26.92\00:10:29.40 and what Jesus is planning to do when He comes again. 00:10:29.43\00:10:32.01 This morning we talked about 00:10:32.04\00:10:34.75 when all of our questions are answered. 00:10:34.78\00:10:36.45 We looked at the four great question of life 00:10:36.48\00:10:38.95 and we've found that God has answers, 00:10:38.98\00:10:40.73 that there will be an ultimate solution 00:10:40.76\00:10:43.34 for the problem of suffering and sorrow 00:10:43.37\00:10:45.56 and disappointment in death 00:10:45.59\00:10:47.26 and the problems of injustice that Jesus Christ will come 00:10:47.29\00:10:50.55 and He will set all things right, 00:10:50.58\00:10:51.86 that righteousness will reign. 00:10:51.89\00:10:54.38 In this presentation we're looking at surviving Armageddon. 00:10:54.41\00:10:59.52 So let's pray together. 00:10:59.55\00:11:00.95 Father, as we open the Bible and study, 00:11:00.98\00:11:03.83 the Bible's last book, the Book of Revelation, 00:11:03.86\00:11:06.60 in particularly as we focus on earth's last war, Armageddon, 00:11:06.63\00:11:12.66 I pray that You would be with us, 00:11:12.69\00:11:15.28 that You would give us a sense of Your presence, 00:11:15.31\00:11:18.21 that You draw near to us with Your love. 00:11:18.24\00:11:20.90 Open our eyes so that we can see divine things 00:11:20.93\00:11:24.17 from Your word and grant to us 00:11:24.20\00:11:27.08 an understanding of this prophecy 00:11:27.11\00:11:29.84 of the final battle of earth's history Armageddon. 00:11:29.87\00:11:32.80 We pray thee in Jesus' name, amen. 00:11:32.83\00:11:37.15 Armageddon is a very hot topic today. 00:11:37.18\00:11:41.86 Not long ago a movie entitled Armageddon 00:11:41.89\00:11:45.65 starring the Hollywood actor Bruce Willis 00:11:45.68\00:11:49.12 grossed over $200 million at the box office. 00:11:49.15\00:11:55.56 In fact if you look at some of the best selling books 00:11:55.59\00:11:58.63 in the religious world today, they have themes of Armageddon. 00:11:58.66\00:12:02.94 Jerry Jenkins and Tim Lahaye wrote a series of books, 00:12:02.97\00:12:07.58 actually novels that were in the Left Behind series 00:12:07.61\00:12:11.19 they promoted the unbiblical concept of the rapture. 00:12:11.22\00:12:15.26 But one of those books was titled Armageddon 00:12:15.29\00:12:19.05 and the publicist spend $5 million 00:12:19.08\00:12:23.24 just to promote the book. 00:12:23.27\00:12:26.07 Now publicists don't spend $5 million to promote the book 00:12:26.10\00:12:28.99 that they don't think is going to sell. 00:12:29.02\00:12:30.72 And the title of the book was Armageddon 00:12:30.75\00:12:33.32 because these publicists knew 00:12:33.35\00:12:35.73 that Armageddon is a very hot topic. 00:12:35.76\00:12:38.43 Just before the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, 00:12:38.46\00:12:45.03 in March of 2003 Newsweek Magazine 00:12:45.06\00:12:49.29 talked about the preemptive strike, 00:12:49.32\00:12:52.90 the moving into Iraq and the news writers said this, 00:12:52.93\00:12:57.29 "The terrible consequence of this action 00:12:57.32\00:13:00.21 will turn a billion Muslims into enemies 00:13:00.24\00:13:03.89 that we might have lived in peace. 00:13:03.92\00:13:05.54 It would be a step toward Armageddon." 00:13:05.57\00:13:08.12 So you read actually about the conflict in the Middle-East, 00:13:08.15\00:13:11.99 the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, 00:13:12.02\00:13:14.43 you read secular news writers using this term Armageddon. 00:13:14.46\00:13:19.51 Now this was not isolated to Newsweek Magazine at all. 00:13:19.54\00:13:24.40 Here is the Washington Post, February 23, 2003. 00:13:24.43\00:13:29.59 Washington Post, quite a scholarly magazine, 00:13:29.62\00:13:33.41 a very well written, well documented says, 00:13:33.44\00:13:36.08 "World-destabilizing aggression could spin out of control 00:13:36.11\00:13:39.99 and lead to other despots arming themselves 00:13:40.02\00:13:43.01 with all manner of apocalyptic weapons 00:13:43.04\00:13:45.38 and, perhaps, to Armageddon." 00:13:45.41\00:13:46.97 So whether it's Newsweek, Washington Posts, 00:13:47.00\00:13:49.15 Hollywood movies, people are concerned about Armageddon. 00:13:49.18\00:13:53.69 They are asking the question, what is Armageddon? 00:13:53.72\00:13:57.71 Is Armageddon a local war in the Middle-East 00:13:57.74\00:14:01.29 that will begin a series of events 00:14:01.32\00:14:05.22 and catapult all humanity into the time of the end? 00:14:05.25\00:14:08.44 When the Bible talks about Armageddon, 00:14:08.47\00:14:10.94 is the Bible speaking about a war 00:14:10.97\00:14:13.59 between Muslim nations in Israel 00:14:13.62\00:14:16.01 in which the west in Russia get involved. 00:14:16.04\00:14:19.28 Will ultimately tanks invade Jerusalem? 00:14:19.31\00:14:22.85 Will a third temple be rebuilt? 00:14:22.88\00:14:25.03 There are those people who believe that 00:14:25.06\00:14:27.81 but yet the Bible teaches something 00:14:27.84\00:14:30.43 far more broadly than that. 00:14:30.46\00:14:33.36 And so as we do with all subjects, 00:14:33.39\00:14:34.91 let's go to the Bible and look at this topic 00:14:34.94\00:14:37.42 of the battle of Armageddon. 00:14:37.45\00:14:39.12 What is the battle of Armageddon? 00:14:39.15\00:14:41.05 Where will the battle of Armageddon be fought 00:14:41.08\00:14:43.60 and how can you and I survive Armageddon? 00:14:43.63\00:14:46.50 Who will win and who will lose? 00:14:46.53\00:14:48.15 If you have your Bible please take it into Revelation 16. 00:14:48.18\00:14:53.57 In Revelation 16, in a Chapter that discusses 00:14:53.60\00:14:58.49 the seven last plagues we read about earth's final war, 00:14:58.52\00:15:05.00 this final battle known as Armageddon. 00:15:05.03\00:15:09.08 So if you have your Bible, you're taking it 00:15:09.11\00:15:10.71 and turning to Revelation, 00:15:10.74\00:15:12.53 you're looking there at the Chapter 16. 00:15:12.56\00:15:16.74 And we're going to begin to read in verse 12. 00:15:16.77\00:15:19.41 Revelation 16 describes the seven last plagues, 00:15:19.44\00:15:22.77 those plagues that are poured out on all humanity 00:15:22.80\00:15:25.75 just before the coming of Jesus. 00:15:25.78\00:15:28.38 All nature seems to be out of control, 00:15:28.41\00:15:30.39 there's calamity and chaos. 00:15:30.42\00:15:32.02 In Revelation 16:12 it says, 00:15:32.05\00:15:34.49 "The sixth angel poured out his bowl 00:15:34.52\00:15:36.70 on the great river Euphrates," 00:15:36.73\00:15:38.42 mark that, we're going to come back to it. 00:15:38.45\00:15:40.06 What is this great river Euphrates? 00:15:40.09\00:15:42.06 "The water was dried up," what does that mean? 00:15:42.09\00:15:44.26 "That the way of the kings of the east might be prepared" 00:15:44.29\00:15:47.22 what's that? 00:15:47.25\00:15:48.38 "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs 00:15:48.41\00:15:50.78 coming out of the mouth of the dragon, 00:15:50.81\00:15:52.34 out of the mouth of the beast, 00:15:52.37\00:15:53.71 and out of the mouth of the false prophet." 00:15:53.74\00:15:55.43 Who are these, the dragon, the beast and the false prophet? 00:15:55.46\00:15:58.09 "They are spirits of demons performing signs, 00:15:58.12\00:16:01.85 that go out to the kings of the whole world 00:16:01.88\00:16:04.61 to gather them to the battle 00:16:04.64\00:16:06.11 of that great day of the Lord Almighty. 00:16:06.14\00:16:08.71 Behold, I am coming as a thief. 00:16:08.74\00:16:10.73 Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, 00:16:10.76\00:16:13.00 lest he walk naked, and see his shame." 00:16:13.03\00:16:15.06 Now here's an interesting thing 00:16:15.09\00:16:16.68 that should give all Bible students pause. 00:16:16.71\00:16:19.41 There are six plagues that are poured out 00:16:19.44\00:16:22.20 and after the sixth plague at the end if it 00:16:22.23\00:16:25.41 Jesus says, I am coming as a thief. 00:16:25.44\00:16:28.46 Now if six plagues have been poured out 00:16:28.49\00:16:31.79 and if after the sixth, before the seventh 00:16:31.82\00:16:34.84 Jesus says, I am coming as a thief, 00:16:34.87\00:16:37.19 I will come as a thief, has He yet come as a thief 00:16:37.22\00:16:39.84 before the plagues began to be poured out? Has He? 00:16:39.87\00:16:42.58 Certainly not because the Bible says, 00:16:42.61\00:16:45.06 after six plagues I am coming as a what? As a thief. 00:16:45.09\00:16:49.10 Now there are many people that believed 00:16:49.13\00:16:50.51 that Christ comes as a thief 00:16:50.54\00:16:52.49 before the first plague to rapture His people 00:16:52.52\00:16:56.35 so they don't have to live through the plagues. 00:16:56.38\00:16:58.76 But that wouldn't make any sense at all, would it? 00:16:58.79\00:17:01.26 Because Jesus says, I am coming as a thief after six plagues. 00:17:01.29\00:17:05.07 Remember the Bible says in 1 Corinthian 10 00:17:05.10\00:17:08.33 that all the things that happened to Israel 00:17:08.36\00:17:11.12 happened as examples that are written for our admonition 00:17:11.15\00:17:15.23 upon whom the ends of the earth would come. 00:17:15.26\00:17:17.51 Where there any other plague spoken about in the Bible 00:17:17.54\00:17:20.58 beside these seven last plagues, where there? 00:17:20.61\00:17:24.22 Where were they found? 00:17:24.25\00:17:26.10 In Egypt, how many plagues were in Egypt? 00:17:26.13\00:17:29.39 How many? Ten in Egypt. 00:17:29.42\00:17:31.59 Why were there 10 there and seven here? 00:17:31.62\00:17:34.67 These are called the seven, what plagues? Last plagues. 00:17:34.70\00:17:38.48 The first three plagues in Egypt affected 00:17:38.51\00:17:40.77 both Egyptians and Israelites, affect the whole land. 00:17:40.80\00:17:43.28 Last seven only affected the Egyptians. 00:17:43.31\00:17:46.71 Where was Israel during the plagues? 00:17:46.74\00:17:49.78 Where were they? 00:17:49.81\00:17:50.96 In or out of Egypt? They were in Egypt. 00:17:50.99\00:17:53.90 Where they protected? Certainly. 00:17:53.93\00:17:56.18 So God had His people in Egypt during the plagues, 00:17:56.21\00:18:01.91 they were protected by God 00:18:01.94\00:18:04.40 but delivered when? After the plagues. 00:18:04.43\00:18:07.73 So in the seven last plagues 00:18:07.76\00:18:10.53 God's people are still present on earth, protected by God, 00:18:10.56\00:18:15.37 they are here surrounded by His angels. 00:18:15.40\00:18:19.10 The bible says, "A thousand shall fall at thy side, 00:18:19.13\00:18:22.17 ten thousand at your right hand, 00:18:22.20\00:18:23.91 but it shall nigh thee nor shall any," what? 00:18:23.94\00:18:26.91 What's the word? 00:18:26.94\00:18:28.12 "Plague come near your dwelling." 00:18:28.15\00:18:30.24 So during the plagues God's people reveal faith, 00:18:30.27\00:18:33.61 confidence in Him but they are protected by God, 00:18:33.64\00:18:37.19 they are delivered at the end of the plagues. 00:18:37.22\00:18:39.23 Now notice something else that's very interesting 00:18:39.26\00:18:42.30 about Revelation 16:14. 00:18:42.33\00:18:46.70 It says that they are gathered the whole world 00:18:46.73\00:18:51.90 to the battle of the great day of God almighty. 00:18:51.93\00:18:54.80 What is this battle of the great day 00:18:54.83\00:18:56.56 of God almighty that they are gathered to? 00:18:56.59\00:18:58.61 Verse 16 tells us, "They gather them together 00:18:58.64\00:19:01.44 to the place called in the Hebrew Armageddon." 00:19:01.47\00:19:03.99 So another name for the battle of Armageddon 00:19:04.02\00:19:06.61 is battle of the great day of God almighty. 00:19:06.64\00:19:10.68 So this is not some limited battle in the Middle East. 00:19:10.71\00:19:15.89 There's a conflict between good and evil, 00:19:15.92\00:19:18.89 a conflict between Christ and Satan. 00:19:18.92\00:19:21.42 The first gun of that war, if I could put it that way, 00:19:21.45\00:19:25.07 the first skirmish in that battle began in haven. 00:19:25.10\00:19:28.27 Lucifer rebelled against God in heaven. 00:19:28.30\00:19:31.70 And the bible says in Revelation 12:7-9, 00:19:31.73\00:19:34.37 and there was what in heaven? 00:19:34.40\00:19:35.68 What was up in heaven? War in heaven. 00:19:35.71\00:19:37.83 Satan and his angels fought against Michel and his angels. 00:19:37.86\00:19:40.75 A third of the angels were cast out 00:19:40.78\00:19:43.23 as they rebelled against God. 00:19:43.26\00:19:44.68 So you have the first battle beginning 00:19:44.71\00:19:48.67 in heaven with this war in heaven. 00:19:48.70\00:19:52.37 Now if you look at the structure of the Book of Revelation, 00:19:52.40\00:19:57.26 from Revelation 12 to Revelation 22, 00:19:57.29\00:20:00.87 the battle of Armageddon comes about in the middle. 00:20:00.90\00:20:05.25 In Revelation 12 there's a conflict 00:20:05.28\00:20:07.84 between good and evil, Christ and Satan in heaven. 00:20:07.87\00:20:11.65 Revelation 12 is the hinge 00:20:11.68\00:20:14.05 upon which the Book of Revelation turns. 00:20:14.08\00:20:17.70 After that battle in Revelation 12, time goes on, 00:20:17.73\00:20:21.98 Satan attacks Jesus on earth, tries to kill Him. 00:20:22.01\00:20:26.05 He looses, Jesus wins, just like Satan lost in heaven. 00:20:26.08\00:20:29.71 Then Satan attacks God's people during the middle ages 00:20:29.74\00:20:35.10 for that 1260 year prophecy. 00:20:35.13\00:20:37.51 Again, Satan doesn't destroy them all, 00:20:37.54\00:20:40.15 Satan looses, God wins. 00:20:40.18\00:20:42.69 Then you come to the under Revelation 12 00:20:42.72\00:20:44.91 and there's war on the remnant. 00:20:44.94\00:20:46.68 The Bible says the dragon was wrath angry 00:20:46.71\00:20:49.32 and went to make war on the remnant of her seed 00:20:49.35\00:20:52.03 that keep the Commandments of God 00:20:52.06\00:20:53.68 and the testimony of Jesus. 00:20:53.71\00:20:55.24 So God, 11, end time remnant Satan will make war on them. 00:20:55.27\00:20:59.22 How does that war take place? 00:20:59.25\00:21:00.55 What takes place in that war? 00:21:00.58\00:21:02.02 Well, that leads to Revelation 13 00:21:02.05\00:21:04.63 where the beast passes and economic boycott 00:21:04.66\00:21:08.64 under the auspices of Rome, 00:21:08.67\00:21:10.12 there's an economic boycott that's pass. 00:21:10.15\00:21:12.55 There is a law that is passed 00:21:12.58\00:21:15.44 to observe the first day of the week 00:21:15.47\00:21:17.22 contrary to the biblical commandments. 00:21:17.25\00:21:20.48 At the end of Revelation 13 the United States 00:21:20.51\00:21:23.53 unites in this great religion-political confederacy. 00:21:23.56\00:21:27.34 When you come to Revelation Chapter 14 00:21:27.37\00:21:30.34 there is a message warning against this, 00:21:30.37\00:21:32.63 in Revelation 14:6-12, 00:21:32.66\00:21:34.54 it's called the Three Angels Message. 00:21:34.57\00:21:36.16 When you come to Revelation 15 and 16 00:21:36.19\00:21:38.80 you have the result of rejecting 00:21:38.83\00:21:41.38 that Three Angels Message, the seven last plagues. 00:21:41.41\00:21:44.27 When you come to Revelation 17 and 18 00:21:44.30\00:21:47.85 it further describes what's gonna happen at end time 00:21:47.88\00:21:50.95 when church and state unite 00:21:50.98\00:21:52.22 under the auspicious of spiritual Babylon. 00:21:52.25\00:21:54.91 When you come to Revelation 19, 00:21:54.94\00:21:58.29 Jesus returns as King of Kings to defeat all the forces of hell 00:21:58.32\00:22:02.76 which leads to Revelation 20, the millennium 00:22:02.79\00:22:05.55 and 21 and 22, the new heavens and new earth. 00:22:05.58\00:22:08.57 So Revelation 16 and the battle of Armageddon 00:22:08.60\00:22:12.20 is set right in the middle 00:22:12.23\00:22:14.50 of this conflict between good and evil, 00:22:14.53\00:22:17.05 this conflict between Christ and Satan. 00:22:17.08\00:22:19.76 So it's not a geographical war limited to the Middle East 00:22:19.79\00:22:25.38 neither it is a physical battle with the sins 00:22:25.41\00:22:29.84 of one nation fighting against another nation. 00:22:29.87\00:22:33.21 It is the battle of good and evil, 00:22:33.24\00:22:35.82 the battle between Christ and Satan. 00:22:35.85\00:22:38.62 It has a battle that has to do 00:22:38.65\00:22:40.06 with the consummation of the great controversy. 00:22:40.09\00:22:42.73 Now let's look at the details of this battle, 00:22:42.76\00:22:45.55 and we'll go back to Revelation 16. 00:22:45.58\00:22:49.43 Revelation Chapter 16, we're gonna go back to verse 12 00:22:49.46\00:22:52.81 and let's look at it phrase by phrase 00:22:52.84\00:22:55.98 to get an understanding of this final battle Armageddon 00:22:56.01\00:23:00.61 and see how we will be participants in that battle 00:23:00.64\00:23:06.05 if we live to the coming of Jesus. 00:23:06.08\00:23:07.67 Revelation 16:12, "The sixth angel poured out his bowl 00:23:07.70\00:23:12.58 on the great river Euphrates, 00:23:12.61\00:23:14.98 and its water was dried up 00:23:15.01\00:23:17.08 so the kings of the East might be prepared." 00:23:17.11\00:23:20.14 When you think of the river Euphrates 00:23:20.17\00:23:24.56 what city do you think of? 00:23:24.59\00:23:27.22 The city of Babylon. 00:23:27.25\00:23:28.69 In the Old Testament, Babylon under King Nebakanezer 00:23:28.72\00:23:32.82 was the capital of the then known world. 00:23:32.85\00:23:36.81 The river Euphrates ran through the center of Babylon. 00:23:36.84\00:23:41.41 When you come to the Book of Revelation, 00:23:41.44\00:23:43.93 does it mention Babylon? 00:23:43.96\00:23:45.76 Does it mention Babylon in Revelation? 00:23:45.79\00:23:47.77 Is this literal Babylon or spiritual Babylon? 00:23:47.80\00:23:50.87 Spiritual Babylon. 00:23:50.90\00:23:52.52 Just as in the Old Testament 00:23:52.55\00:23:54.26 Babylon represented the Citadel of era, 00:23:54.29\00:23:57.15 the center of apostasy and root of all falsehood. 00:23:57.18\00:24:01.42 So when you come to the Book of Revelation, 00:24:01.45\00:24:03.88 we're not talking about literal Babylon 00:24:03.91\00:24:05.84 because that was destroyed 00:24:05.87\00:24:07.63 and never would be rebuilt again, right. 00:24:07.66\00:24:10.02 So we're talking about spiritual Babylon, 00:24:10.05\00:24:12.61 false religion, falsehood. 00:24:12.64\00:24:14.93 Now so if Babylon in the Book of Revelation 00:24:14.96\00:24:18.71 represents falsehood era apostasy rebellion against God, 00:24:18.74\00:24:22.77 if it's spiritual Babylon 00:24:22.80\00:24:24.41 then what is this river Euphrates represents? 00:24:24.44\00:24:28.10 Well, the river Euphrates was the support system of Babylon. 00:24:28.13\00:24:32.22 In the Book of Revelation Chapter 17, 00:24:32.25\00:24:34.70 the Bible says, the waters which you saw are what? 00:24:34.73\00:24:38.76 Nations, kinderen, tongues and people. 00:24:38.79\00:24:41.63 So the river Euphrates would represent 00:24:41.66\00:24:45.06 all of the peoples that supported 00:24:45.09\00:24:49.95 this system of falsehood called Babylon. 00:24:49.98\00:24:53.44 But in the seven last plagues 00:24:53.47\00:24:56.08 that support system would dry up. 00:24:56.11\00:24:59.68 In another words, Revelation 13, 00:24:59.71\00:25:04.87 the beast power uniting with the powers of state 00:25:04.90\00:25:08.84 in this church-state union says to whole humanity. 00:25:08.87\00:25:14.87 Humanity is facing enormous crisis, 00:25:14.90\00:25:18.71 humanity is facing an ecological crisis, 00:25:18.74\00:25:22.68 environmental crisis, economic crisis. 00:25:22.71\00:25:25.67 It's facing political warfare, 00:25:25.70\00:25:27.79 it's facing strife and turmoil in the cities, 00:25:27.82\00:25:32.01 natural disasters. 00:25:32.04\00:25:34.07 And this religious-political confederation would say, 00:25:34.10\00:25:39.66 if you will unite on a single day of the week 00:25:39.69\00:25:44.01 and worship together peace on earth would come again. 00:25:44.04\00:25:47.93 So peoples then support that political-religious system 00:25:47.96\00:25:54.05 in an attempt to have world peace, 00:25:54.08\00:25:55.81 in an attempt to have stable economy. 00:25:55.84\00:25:58.39 But what happens? 00:25:58.42\00:25:59.46 Persecution comes on minority of Sabbath keepers 00:25:59.49\00:26:03.15 who will not go along who are loyal and faithful to God. 00:26:03.18\00:26:08.25 And ultimately the message of Christ 00:26:08.28\00:26:10.98 goes to the ends of the earth 00:26:11.01\00:26:12.46 so everybody who would will have an opportunity 00:26:12.49\00:26:15.90 to know Christ and to accept His last day message 00:26:15.93\00:26:18.60 and respond through His grace to keep His commandments. 00:26:18.63\00:26:22.14 And whenever human being has had that opportunity, 00:26:22.17\00:26:25.64 Jesus says, 00:26:25.67\00:26:28.13 those who are righteous let him do righteous still, 00:26:28.16\00:26:29.96 those that are filthy let them be filthy still, 00:26:29.99\00:26:31.54 human probation closes and the plagues are poured out. 00:26:31.57\00:26:34.72 When the plagues are poured out 00:26:34.75\00:26:37.62 and the support system of Babylon is dried up, 00:26:37.65\00:26:41.07 those people who united with spiritual Babylon 00:26:41.10\00:26:45.89 because they thought peace and economic prosperity 00:26:45.92\00:26:48.50 would come on the earth, 00:26:48.53\00:26:49.71 they see that that has not happened 00:26:49.74\00:26:52.74 and they begin crying out at their religious leaders, 00:26:52.77\00:26:55.30 at their political leaders. They're incensed. 00:26:55.33\00:26:58.64 So what does it mean when it says 00:26:58.67\00:27:01.08 the sixth angel poured out his great-- 00:27:01.11\00:27:03.53 bowl on the great river Euphrates, 00:27:03.56\00:27:05.07 and its water was dried up? 00:27:05.10\00:27:06.60 The support system, the people who supported spiritual Babylon 00:27:06.63\00:27:12.55 turned their support from it in the crisis of the plagues. 00:27:12.58\00:27:16.05 Now it says that the way of the kings of the east 00:27:16.08\00:27:18.94 might be prepared. 00:27:18.97\00:27:20.55 Let's go back and let the Bible interpret itself. 00:27:20.58\00:27:24.74 You know Peter says the Bible is of no private interpretation 00:27:24.77\00:27:29.93 and we allow one Bible text to explain another Bible text. 00:27:29.96\00:27:34.26 We don't have to guess what these things mean. 00:27:34.29\00:27:36.55 Keep your finger in Revelation Chapter 16 00:27:36.58\00:27:39.51 and go back to Isaiah Chapter 44. 00:27:39.54\00:27:42.49 Was there a time that the river Euphrates literally dried up? 00:27:42.52\00:27:47.53 Was there a time 00:27:47.56\00:27:48.59 that the drying up of the river Euphrates 00:27:48.62\00:27:51.16 allowed the kings of the east 00:27:51.19\00:27:53.32 to come and attack and overthrow Babylon? 00:27:53.35\00:27:57.17 Indeed there was. 00:27:57.20\00:27:59.71 Israel was in captive or in bondage to Babylon. 00:27:59.74\00:28:06.05 As Israel is in captive to Babylon, 00:28:06.08\00:28:08.75 Cyrus, the king of the east approached Babylon. 00:28:08.78\00:28:13.10 He dug irrigation ditches, drained the river Euphrates, 00:28:13.13\00:28:18.33 marched his troops down the dry riverbeds 00:28:18.36\00:28:22.04 and the river Euphrates went through the center of Babylon. 00:28:22.07\00:28:27.95 The river--the Babylonians had a 20 year food supply. 00:28:27.98\00:28:31.53 They were--they could withstand any siege 00:28:31.56\00:28:35.64 but what Cyrus did as he dug large irrigation ditches, 00:28:35.67\00:28:40.06 siphoned off the water of the river Euphrates, 00:28:40.09\00:28:42.87 the troops of Cyrus marched down the drive riverbeds 00:28:42.90\00:28:47.54 went like under the walls 00:28:47.57\00:28:49.60 because the river ran through the center of the city, 00:28:49.63\00:28:51.68 there are outer walls and inner walls, 00:28:51.71\00:28:53.79 on the night that Belshazzar had a drunken feast. 00:28:53.82\00:28:57.99 The inner wall gates were left open, 00:28:58.02\00:29:01.29 Cyrus marched his troops under the outer wall gates, 00:29:01.32\00:29:04.67 came up in the inside the city 00:29:04.70\00:29:07.35 usually those gates would be shut, they were left open, 00:29:07.38\00:29:09.59 he came in and attacked Babylon and overthrew it one night. 00:29:09.62\00:29:12.21 But notice the prophecy that would happen, 00:29:12.24\00:29:14.68 Cyrus was named incidentally 150 years ahead of time 00:29:14.71\00:29:18.02 before he was born. 00:29:18.05\00:29:19.24 Here the Bible says in Isaiah 44:27, 00:29:19.27\00:29:24.26 who says to the deep, be dry and I will dry up the rivers. 00:29:24.29\00:29:27.81 What does the prophecy say? 00:29:27.84\00:29:29.42 The literal river Euphrates flowing 00:29:29.45\00:29:32.57 through literal Babylon would be dried up. 00:29:32.60\00:29:34.87 So I would dry up your rivers, 00:29:34.90\00:29:36.57 who says of Cyrus, he's my shepherd. 00:29:36.60\00:29:38.93 Who is Cyrus? 00:29:38.96\00:29:40.13 He was a Medo-Persian king who came from the east 00:29:40.16\00:29:43.55 dried up the river Euphrates and overthrew Babylon. 00:29:43.58\00:29:46.73 He'll perform all my pleasure, saying to Jerusalem, 00:29:46.76\00:29:49.26 you will be rebuilt, what would he do? 00:29:49.29\00:29:50.91 He would overthrow Babylon, 00:29:50.94\00:29:52.13 let the Israelites go free to rebuild Jerusalem 00:29:52.16\00:29:54.63 and to the temple your foundation shall be laid. 00:29:54.66\00:29:57.34 Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, 00:29:57.37\00:30:00.26 whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him, 00:30:00.29\00:30:03.98 to loose the armor of kings, 00:30:04.01\00:30:05.69 to open before him the double doors. 00:30:05.72\00:30:07.90 So let's get the picture. 00:30:07.93\00:30:09.85 You have Old Testament Babylon, 00:30:09.88\00:30:13.40 the river Euphrates supports it, 00:30:13.43\00:30:15.26 it gives its water supply. 00:30:15.29\00:30:17.01 It waters its gardens, it enables Babylon 00:30:17.04\00:30:19.45 to grow a food supply within the city. 00:30:19.48\00:30:21.81 Babylon feels that it is protected. 00:30:21.84\00:30:24.61 Babylon is a political religious system 00:30:24.64\00:30:27.60 that oppresses the people of God in the Old Testament. 00:30:27.63\00:30:31.07 God brings a mighty king of the east, Cyrus. 00:30:31.10\00:30:34.28 He dries up the river Euphrates 00:30:34.31\00:30:36.45 and he marches his troops under the city walls. 00:30:36.48\00:30:40.28 They attack Babylon and overthrow it, 00:30:40.31\00:30:42.89 that is a parallel of the last days, 00:30:42.92\00:30:45.05 at the last days. 00:30:45.08\00:30:46.57 Spiritual Babylon that are again sun worshippers, 00:30:46.60\00:30:50.18 just like ancient Babylon worshipped sun worship, 00:30:50.21\00:30:52.55 spiritual Babylon again that teaches 00:30:52.58\00:30:54.75 spiritual of the immortality of the soul 00:30:54.78\00:30:56.77 just like Old Testament Babylon. 00:30:56.80\00:30:58.52 Spiritual Babylon where the wine flows 00:30:58.55\00:31:01.27 and the parties go, just like Old Testament Babylon. 00:31:01.30\00:31:04.11 There is a king of the east, 00:31:04.14\00:31:05.74 he is the King of Kings and lord of lords. 00:31:05.77\00:31:08.10 Take your Bible please and turn to Revelation Chapter 19. 00:31:08.13\00:31:11.12 Once again, once again 00:31:11.15\00:31:15.57 spiritual Babylon will oppress God's people. 00:31:15.60\00:31:18.15 Once again laws will be passed contrary to the law of God. 00:31:18.18\00:31:23.18 Once again Church and State will unite. 00:31:23.21\00:31:26.03 Once again under the confederation 00:31:26.06\00:31:27.90 of spiritual get Babylon. 00:31:27.93\00:31:29.39 God's people will be oppressed and trampled down. 00:31:29.42\00:31:32.14 But once again from the east, the King of Kings will come. 00:31:32.17\00:31:36.77 Revelation Chapter 19, notice, verse 16, 00:31:36.80\00:31:40.66 and he had on His robe 00:31:40.69\00:31:42.45 and on His thigh a name written. 00:31:42.48\00:31:44.80 What's the name written? 00:31:44.83\00:31:46.08 King of Kings. And what? 00:31:46.11\00:31:47.90 Lord of Lords. Who is this? 00:31:47.93\00:31:49.71 Jesus. And what is Jesus called? 00:31:49.74\00:31:51.80 The king of what? The King of Kings. 00:31:51.83\00:31:55.37 Where will He come from? 00:31:55.40\00:31:57.16 Matthew 24:27, notice how the Bible explains itself 00:31:57.19\00:32:03.15 these complex passages of Bible, 00:32:03.18\00:32:05.79 of the Bible can be explained 00:32:05.82\00:32:07.69 as you let the Bible explain itself. 00:32:07.72\00:32:10.46 Matthew 24:27, "For as lightning shines 00:32:10.49\00:32:16.59 from the east, even unto the west, 00:32:16.62\00:32:19.83 so shall the sign of the Son of Man be." 00:32:19.86\00:32:23.14 Matthew 24:27, "A lightning comes from the east 00:32:23.17\00:32:26.22 and flashes to the west, 00:32:26.25\00:32:27.93 so shall the coming of the Son of Man be." 00:32:27.96\00:32:29.93 So Jesus is the King of Kings that comes from the east. 00:32:29.96\00:32:33.81 So here is the scenario 00:32:33.84\00:32:35.79 that will break upon this world before the coming of Christ. 00:32:35.82\00:32:39.82 Before Jesus comes 00:32:39.85\00:32:41.53 this earth will be involved in political turmoil. 00:32:41.56\00:32:44.37 Before Jesus comes 00:32:44.40\00:32:45.76 this earth will be involved in economic disaster. 00:32:45.79\00:32:48.41 Before Jesus comes 00:32:48.44\00:32:49.79 the riches of man will come to not. 00:32:49.82\00:32:52.04 Before Jesus comes 00:32:52.07\00:32:53.50 there'll be natural disasters. 00:32:53.53\00:32:55.26 Are we seeing this world today 00:32:55.29\00:32:57.32 with America with $17 trillion of national debt? 00:32:57.35\00:33:00.73 Are we seeing on the verge of economic disaster? 00:33:00.76\00:33:03.16 Are we seeing it that way? 00:33:03.19\00:33:04.70 Are we seeing today 00:33:04.73\00:33:06.43 natural unprecedented natural disasters? 00:33:06.46\00:33:09.18 Are we seeing that take place? 00:33:09.21\00:33:11.00 Are we seeing the world at times on the verge of 00:33:11.03\00:33:14.38 destabilizing aggression with war around the world? 00:33:14.41\00:33:17.97 Do we see that today? 00:33:18.00\00:33:19.40 Do we see rising crime and violence? 00:33:19.43\00:33:21.68 So these things will get more and more prevalent 00:33:21.71\00:33:25.47 before the coming of Jesus. 00:33:25.50\00:33:27.09 In an attempt to solve those problems, 00:33:27.12\00:33:29.37 there'll be an attempt to unite Church and State. 00:33:29.40\00:33:32.65 As that occurs every human being will have an opportunity 00:33:32.68\00:33:36.35 to accept Christ or reject Him, 00:33:36.38\00:33:38.36 to accept His last day message of truth. 00:33:38.39\00:33:40.79 When every human being has had that opportunity, 00:33:40.82\00:33:44.18 human probation will close, the plagues will be poured out, 00:33:44.21\00:33:47.92 the support system for this religious political union 00:33:47.95\00:33:51.62 that claim they could bring peace on earth will fall apart. 00:33:51.65\00:33:54.63 The spiritual river Euphrates will dry up. 00:33:54.66\00:33:57.13 There'll be chaos everywhere. 00:33:57.16\00:33:58.94 That prepares for the last battle, 00:33:58.97\00:34:01.75 Satan's last attempt to destroy the people of God 00:34:01.78\00:34:04.53 but the kings of the east, 00:34:04.56\00:34:05.74 Jesus and the angels will come. 00:34:05.77\00:34:07.48 Now let's go back to Revelation Chapter 16. 00:34:07.51\00:34:11.04 Revelation Chapter 16, this fascinating chapter, 00:34:11.07\00:34:15.59 in the 16th chapter the Book of Revelation, 00:34:15.62\00:34:17.65 notice what it says, verse 12. 00:34:17.68\00:34:20.98 "Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl 00:34:21.01\00:34:22.84 on the great river Euphrates," 00:34:22.87\00:34:24.31 the support system of Babylon dries up. 00:34:24.34\00:34:26.61 "Its water was dried up 00:34:26.64\00:34:27.67 that the way the kings of the east might be prepared." 00:34:27.70\00:34:30.16 So just before the coming of Jesus, 00:34:30.19\00:34:31.93 the support system of Babylon is gonna dry up. 00:34:31.96\00:34:34.35 But something is gonna happen, 00:34:34.38\00:34:35.78 Satan recognizes that he has his last chance, 00:34:35.81\00:34:39.24 second--Satan recognizes that this is his last opportunity. 00:34:39.27\00:34:43.41 So what does he do? 00:34:43.44\00:34:44.67 What does he do with one more attempt 00:34:44.70\00:34:47.78 to bring a political religious confederation? 00:34:47.81\00:34:50.91 Verse 13, "I saw three unclean spirits 00:34:50.94\00:34:53.78 like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, 00:34:53.81\00:34:57.38 and out of the mouth of the beast, 00:34:57.41\00:34:59.22 and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 00:34:59.25\00:35:01.20 They are the spirits of demons, performing signs, 00:35:01.23\00:35:04.61 which go out to the kings of the earth, 00:35:04.64\00:35:06.65 to the whole world, to gather them together 00:35:06.68\00:35:08.16 for the battle of the great day of God, Almighty." 00:35:08.19\00:35:11.62 Notice what it says, first it says in verse 13, 00:35:11.65\00:35:15.89 three unclean spirits. 00:35:15.92\00:35:18.46 Now in the Book of Revelation numbers make a difference. 00:35:18.49\00:35:23.10 Seven is a number of perfection. 00:35:23.13\00:35:26.05 You have seven churches, seven seals, 00:35:26.08\00:35:28.96 seven trumpets, a seven branch candle stick, 00:35:28.99\00:35:32.23 you have the seven spirits that speak, 00:35:32.26\00:35:34.71 you have the Seventh-day Sabbath. 00:35:34.74\00:35:37.10 So seven is a number of God's perfection, 00:35:37.13\00:35:42.82 12 is a number of completeness in the Book of Revelation. 00:35:42.85\00:35:47.02 You have the 12 apostles 00:35:47.05\00:35:49.00 that completely represent complete New Testament church. 00:35:49.03\00:35:51.94 The 12 patriarchs represent 00:35:51.97\00:35:53.40 the complete Old Testament church. 00:35:53.43\00:35:55.15 You have the 12 foundations 00:35:55.18\00:35:57.26 of the holy city, the 12 gates, 00:35:57.29\00:35:59.90 12 times 12,144, 144,000 a number 00:35:59.93\00:36:04.13 that represents the completeness 00:36:04.16\00:36:06.23 of the living redeem before Jesus comes. 00:36:06.26\00:36:08.59 So you have this 12 of completeness, 00:36:08.62\00:36:11.09 you have seven of perfection, you have four of universality. 00:36:11.12\00:36:15.48 Universality indicating the four winds of the earth, 00:36:15.51\00:36:18.95 the stride comes from all different directions. 00:36:18.98\00:36:21.43 But then in Revelation as well, you have this number three. 00:36:21.46\00:36:25.97 Number three in Revelation stands for the Father, 00:36:26.00\00:36:29.63 the Son and the Holy Spirit. 00:36:29.66\00:36:30.69 It's a number that represents divinity, 00:36:30.72\00:36:33.12 Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 00:36:33.15\00:36:34.95 But here you have the false trinity, 00:36:34.98\00:36:37.77 the dragon, the beast and the false prophet. 00:36:37.80\00:36:41.00 So you have a false holy ghost movement, 00:36:41.03\00:36:44.39 you have the triumphant not of divinity, 00:36:44.42\00:36:47.62 not the triumphant of truth 00:36:47.65\00:36:49.53 but you have the triumphant of error. 00:36:49.56\00:36:51.68 So you have the dragon representing paganism. 00:36:51.71\00:36:54.92 Remember the dragon in Revelation 12 represent Satan. 00:36:54.95\00:36:57.84 You have the dragon paganism, 00:36:57.87\00:36:59.74 you have the beast power 00:36:59.77\00:37:00.90 representing the great papal power of the world 00:37:00.93\00:37:03.44 and you have the false prophet representing 00:37:03.47\00:37:09.45 both Protestantism and all false religion 00:37:09.48\00:37:12.30 under that umbrella. 00:37:12.33\00:37:13.59 So you have the pagan religions of the world, 00:37:13.62\00:37:15.37 the papal religions of the world, 00:37:15.40\00:37:17.28 protestant in all false religions of the world. 00:37:17.31\00:37:20.44 And notice what this passage says 00:37:20.47\00:37:22.76 which is really fascinating. 00:37:22.79\00:37:24.62 It says, verse 13, "I saw three unclean spirits 00:37:24.65\00:37:28.54 like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, 00:37:28.57\00:37:30.98 out of the mouth of the beast, 00:37:31.01\00:37:32.13 and out of the mouth of the false prophet." 00:37:32.16\00:37:33.48 In other words, all false religions 00:37:33.51\00:37:38.11 are taken over by Satan and out of-- 00:37:38.14\00:37:42.65 and through these false religions 00:37:42.68\00:37:45.27 enormous miracles are worked. 00:37:45.30\00:37:47.61 Now let nobody misunderstand. 00:37:47.64\00:37:49.79 Are there honest hearted people in every religion today? 00:37:49.82\00:37:53.34 Do they love Jesus? 00:37:53.37\00:37:54.94 Are there many Muslims that are honest hearted, 00:37:54.97\00:37:58.07 they're devoted, they're committed 00:37:58.10\00:37:59.74 and are some of these Muslims even more committed 00:37:59.77\00:38:02.79 than some Christians are today? 00:38:02.82\00:38:05.17 More committed to their cause, are they honest? 00:38:05.20\00:38:08.05 Are there Hindus that are honest? 00:38:08.08\00:38:10.16 Are there Buddhists that are honest? 00:38:10.19\00:38:13.70 Are they those of the lovely Roman Catholic faith 00:38:13.73\00:38:16.13 that are honest? 00:38:16.16\00:38:17.19 Certainly and are either even some Adventists that are-- 00:38:17.22\00:38:19.72 no, most definitely there are. 00:38:19.75\00:38:23.43 But are there some Adventists, 00:38:23.46\00:38:24.84 they're Adventists the name only? 00:38:24.87\00:38:27.12 Are there some Baptists that are Baptists to name only? 00:38:27.15\00:38:30.00 Are there people of all faith? 00:38:30.03\00:38:31.39 So what is gonna happen at end time? 00:38:31.42\00:38:34.47 First, God is gonna bring out from fallen religions 00:38:34.50\00:38:40.54 to His Sabbath keeping Adventist movement, 00:38:40.57\00:38:44.12 those that are honest in heart. 00:38:44.15\00:38:46.64 And those that are superficial Adventists 00:38:46.67\00:38:49.99 that are just playing games with religion, 00:38:50.02\00:38:53.05 that are going through the forms and the emotion, 00:38:53.08\00:38:55.35 will they eventually be shaken up? 00:38:55.38\00:38:58.20 You know there are some people when I travel say, 00:38:58.23\00:39:00.51 oh, Pastor Mark, 00:39:00.54\00:39:01.94 look what's happening over here in the Adventist church, 00:39:01.97\00:39:04.01 look what's happening over there, this is horrible. 00:39:04.04\00:39:07.15 We should leave and start our own little group. 00:39:07.18\00:39:10.96 And you know what I say to them? 00:39:10.99\00:39:12.46 The weeds and the tares will grow together 00:39:12.49\00:39:15.29 until the what? Harvest. 00:39:15.32\00:39:17.64 And it's not your job or mine 00:39:17.67\00:39:19.49 to go pick up the weed or the tares 00:39:19.52\00:39:21.18 and try to pluck them all out, right? 00:39:21.21\00:39:23.35 They're gonna go out in the shaky. 00:39:23.38\00:39:25.51 Did God tell Noah what to get on the Ark? 00:39:25.54\00:39:27.96 Did God tell Noah to do that? 00:39:27.99\00:39:30.09 Did Noah get in the ark? 00:39:30.12\00:39:31.75 Did he bring a few animals in that ark? 00:39:31.78\00:39:34.25 Were those animals house broken? 00:39:34.28\00:39:35.82 Was there some time a little stink in the ark? 00:39:38.57\00:39:41.28 So did Noah say the storm is coming on this ark, 00:39:41.31\00:39:44.26 there's a little stink in the ark, 00:39:44.29\00:39:45.97 I'm gonna get out and jump into the water. 00:39:46.00\00:39:48.44 Is that what Noah did? 00:39:48.47\00:39:49.73 Did Noah abandon the ark because sometime 00:39:49.76\00:39:52.18 the smell in the ark wasn't too nice? 00:39:52.21\00:39:55.66 He that has ears to hear, 00:39:55.69\00:39:57.64 let him hear what the preacher says to the churches. 00:39:57.67\00:40:01.85 This church like that ark is going through. 00:40:01.88\00:40:07.36 This is no time to jump off the ark. 00:40:07.39\00:40:11.00 This is no time to abandon the ship. 00:40:11.03\00:40:14.26 There may be some thunder, there may be some lightning, 00:40:14.29\00:40:17.62 there may even be a little stench in some quarters 00:40:17.65\00:40:21.42 but God can take care of all of that, 00:40:21.45\00:40:23.24 God can take care of all of that and He will. 00:40:23.27\00:40:26.36 So there will be a time that thousands 00:40:26.39\00:40:29.26 come in to this glorious Advent movement 00:40:29.29\00:40:31.89 just before the coming of Jesus. 00:40:31.92\00:40:33.75 There'll be a time that many leave 00:40:33.78\00:40:36.43 but what will be the agency that the devil uses, 00:40:36.46\00:40:42.43 what will be the agency the devil uses 00:40:42.46\00:40:46.30 to bring the world 00:40:46.33\00:40:49.03 to this political religious confederation, 00:40:49.06\00:40:52.57 it tells you here, verse 13, "I saw three unclean spirits 00:40:52.60\00:40:56.28 like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, 00:40:56.31\00:40:58.21 out of the mouth of the beast, 00:40:58.24\00:40:59.27 out of the mouth of the false prophet 00:40:59.30\00:41:00.71 for they are the spirits of demons, performing signs." 00:41:00.74\00:41:05.44 Some versions say wonders and some say miracle, 00:41:05.47\00:41:09.35 supernatural miracles 00:41:09.38\00:41:13.02 through all false religions 00:41:13.05\00:41:17.37 will be used by the devil, 00:41:17.40\00:41:20.32 signs and wonders 00:41:20.35\00:41:22.87 to appeal to the kings of the earth 00:41:22.90\00:41:25.71 in a last ditch movement 00:41:25.74\00:41:28.33 to appeal to the political leaders to bring unity, 00:41:28.36\00:41:32.79 that unity will be temporary. 00:41:32.82\00:41:35.28 Revelation 17 says that, let's go back and look at it. 00:41:35.31\00:41:39.31 Revelation Chapter 17 so we don't miss it. 00:41:39.34\00:41:42.32 It says, Revelation 17 00:41:42.35\00:41:46.29 and you're going to look there at verse 13 and 14. 00:41:46.32\00:41:49.51 "These are of one mind," 00:41:49.54\00:41:51.53 this is a political religious confederation. 00:41:51.56\00:41:54.38 "They will give their power and authority to the beast." 00:41:54.41\00:41:58.94 But notice right before that at the end of Revelation 17:12, 00:41:58.97\00:42:03.77 how long do they receive this authority? 00:42:03.80\00:42:05.93 They receive authority for one hour 00:42:05.96\00:42:07.54 as kings with the beast. 00:42:07.57\00:42:08.86 So this spiritualistic phenomena that takes place 00:42:08.89\00:42:13.38 leads to a political religious confederation 00:42:13.41\00:42:17.19 for a very short period of time 00:42:17.22\00:42:19.67 that leads to the battle of Armageddon. 00:42:19.70\00:42:21.92 Verse 14, "These will make war with the lamb," 00:42:21.95\00:42:25.42 Revelation 17, "but the lamb overcome them 00:42:25.45\00:42:28.35 for He is Lord of Lords" and what else? "King of Kings. 00:42:28.38\00:42:31.72 Those that are with Him are called 00:42:31.75\00:42:33.38 and chosen and faithful." 00:42:33.41\00:42:34.72 So this war that occurs 00:42:34.75\00:42:38.69 when political and religious leaders unite 00:42:38.72\00:42:41.93 based on spiritualism just before the coming of Jesus 00:42:41.96\00:42:46.28 that war is called Armageddon. 00:42:46.31\00:42:47.62 Now let's go back to Revelation 16 00:42:47.65\00:42:49.61 and look at Revelation 16:16, 00:42:49.64\00:42:54.16 "They gather them together 00:42:54.19\00:42:55.66 in a place called in the Hebrew Armageddon." 00:42:55.69\00:42:58.34 Now, why does it say 00:42:58.37\00:43:00.91 in a place called in the Hebrew Armageddon? 00:43:00.94\00:43:03.81 What language was the New Testament written in? 00:43:03.84\00:43:08.57 What language is that? Greek. 00:43:08.60\00:43:10.67 So why do you say Hebrew? 00:43:10.70\00:43:12.54 Was there ever a time 00:43:12.57\00:43:14.34 that a derivative of the word Armageddon 00:43:14.37\00:43:16.99 which used in the Hebrew language, 00:43:17.02\00:43:19.16 if so what does it symbolize? 00:43:19.19\00:43:21.26 Let me share with you something amazing, 00:43:21.29\00:43:22.71 we're gonna go back to the book of Judges, 00:43:22.74\00:43:23.96 Judges Chapter 5, Judges the 5 Chapter. 00:43:23.99\00:43:27.68 In Judges the 5 Chapter I'll give you the background, 00:43:27.71\00:43:30.56 you begin Judges the Chapter 5 with the song of Deborah, 00:43:30.59\00:43:33.69 this judge of Israel sings the victory and praise to God. 00:43:33.72\00:43:39.20 Now here's the background. 00:43:39.23\00:43:41.63 Israel God's people Judah, 00:43:41.66\00:43:43.87 in Israel, God's people were surrounded, 00:43:43.90\00:43:47.13 the forces of hell were and the forces of paganism, 00:43:47.16\00:43:51.54 the forces of evil, the forces of wickedness, 00:43:51.57\00:43:54.89 the pagan nations surrounded Israel, 00:43:54.92\00:43:58.31 surrounded God's people 00:43:58.34\00:43:59.59 and they were gonna stamp them out. 00:43:59.62\00:44:00.91 There's no way around, no way through. 00:44:00.94\00:44:03.62 Death was certain for God's people. 00:44:03.65\00:44:06.53 Defeat was on the horizon. 00:44:06.56\00:44:09.84 The dark clouds were ominous. 00:44:09.87\00:44:12.59 It appeared that nothing could be done 00:44:12.62\00:44:15.81 to save God's people. 00:44:15.84\00:44:17.20 but then the Bible says, 00:44:17.23\00:44:20.04 look, Judges 5:19, 00:44:20.07\00:44:24.77 "In this moment of darkness, in the moment of gloom, 00:44:24.80\00:44:27.94 the kings came and fought, 00:44:27.97\00:44:30.53 then the kings of Canaan fought, 00:44:30.56\00:44:32.92 in Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo, 00:44:32.95\00:44:36.64 the word Har-Magedon, 00:44:36.67\00:44:39.10 Har is mountain, Megiddo is slaughter, 00:44:39.13\00:44:42.62 so the word Armageddon literally translated 00:44:42.65\00:44:45.59 as mountain of slaughter. 00:44:45.62\00:44:47.24 What happened? 00:44:47.27\00:44:48.45 God's people were surrounded, 00:44:48.48\00:44:50.74 it appeared that there is no way over the mountain, 00:44:50.77\00:44:53.46 no way around the mountain, no way through the darkness, 00:44:53.49\00:44:56.79 no way out and what happened? 00:44:56.82\00:44:59.54 God brought kings from Canaan, 00:44:59.57\00:45:02.47 He brought reinforcements that were unexpected 00:45:02.50\00:45:05.64 that beat back the powers of the evil one. 00:45:05.67\00:45:08.48 Now notice what it says here, 00:45:08.51\00:45:11.32 it says, verse 20 is your key in Judges Chapter 5, 00:45:11.35\00:45:16.03 "They fought from the heavens, 00:45:16.06\00:45:17.68 the stars fought from their sources against Sisera." 00:45:17.71\00:45:20.15 Sisera was attacking God's people. 00:45:20.18\00:45:22.50 notice let your eyes drop down, 00:45:22.53\00:45:26.05 even to verse 23, 00:45:26.08\00:45:29.80 it's talking about Meroz who didn't come, 00:45:29.83\00:45:31.96 Meroz didn't make a commitment, 00:45:31.99\00:45:33.46 Meroz compromised, 00:45:33.49\00:45:35.03 Meroz didn't stand for the Lord in the battle, 00:45:35.06\00:45:37.30 "Curse Meroz, said the angel," 00:45:37.33\00:45:38.66 verse 23, "of the Lord, curse its inhabitants bitterly, 00:45:38.69\00:45:42.36 because they did not come to the help of the Lord, 00:45:42.39\00:45:45.09 to the help of the Lord against the mighty." 00:45:45.12\00:45:47.75 God brought an Armageddon in ancient Israel, 00:45:47.78\00:45:52.51 reinforcements that destroyed the forces of evil 00:45:52.54\00:45:57.04 so the forces of righteousness would triumph. 00:45:57.07\00:45:59.44 What is gonna happen at end time? 00:45:59.47\00:46:01.43 It's gonna appear that every earthly support is gonna, 00:46:01.46\00:46:04.62 be cut off for God's people. 00:46:04.65\00:46:06.45 It's gonna appear that death is certain, 00:46:06.48\00:46:09.40 a death decree is passed to take their lives. 00:46:09.43\00:46:14.40 It's gonna appear 00:46:14.43\00:46:15.46 that the great forces of earth are against them. 00:46:15.49\00:46:18.60 It's gonna appear that all powers of hell 00:46:18.63\00:46:21.70 are gonna stamp them out. 00:46:21.73\00:46:23.26 It's gonna appear that there is no way 00:46:23.29\00:46:25.96 that they're gonna survive. 00:46:25.99\00:46:27.57 Then at the last moment of time, 00:46:27.60\00:46:31.71 Revelation the 16 Chapter, in the last moment of time 00:46:31.74\00:46:37.69 when God's people are hanging on by faith, 00:46:37.72\00:46:40.88 when they cannot see through the darkness, 00:46:40.91\00:46:43.60 when death seems inevitable, 00:46:43.63\00:46:45.99 when it seems that deliverance is impossible, 00:46:46.02\00:46:48.64 when it seems that they're gonna be annihilated, 00:46:48.67\00:46:51.85 at that last moment of time the Bible says, verse 7, 00:46:51.88\00:46:56.97 then the seventh angel poured out his bowl 00:46:57.00\00:47:00.52 and a loud voice came out of the temple 00:47:00.55\00:47:03.02 from the throne saying it is done. 00:47:03.05\00:47:05.39 God said it is done, 00:47:05.42\00:47:07.14 my people have suffered enough, it is done. 00:47:07.17\00:47:10.02 They have revealed my light in a darkened world, it is done. 00:47:10.05\00:47:14.05 They've shown commitment to me in the face 00:47:14.08\00:47:17.29 of un-mitigating circumstances like Job with the boils, 00:47:17.32\00:47:22.30 like Job losing family, like Job that has gone through, 00:47:22.33\00:47:27.48 economic and political and every other disaster. 00:47:27.51\00:47:29.71 Like Job being criticize. 00:47:29.74\00:47:31.01 My people have hung on, they've shown, 00:47:31.04\00:47:33.60 they served me not because what I can do for them, 00:47:33.63\00:47:36.51 not because of material blessing, 00:47:36.54\00:47:38.06 not even because of their help. 00:47:38.09\00:47:39.45 They served me because they loved Me, 00:47:39.48\00:47:41.10 they served me because they redeem by grace, 00:47:41.13\00:47:43.21 they served Me because they've accepted me 00:47:43.24\00:47:46.36 as Savior of Lord. 00:47:46.39\00:47:47.52 It's enough before our waiting world, 00:47:47.55\00:47:49.70 before our watching universe, 00:47:49.73\00:47:51.28 it is enough the great controversies 00:47:51.31\00:47:53.74 has been demonstrated that God is faithful 00:47:53.77\00:47:57.38 and that even in the most difficult times, 00:47:57.41\00:47:59.23 He can sustain His people, 00:47:59.26\00:48:00.87 He can watch over His people 00:48:00.90\00:48:02.26 that nothing will break their love from Him. 00:48:02.29\00:48:04.38 He says it is done, it is finished 00:48:04.41\00:48:07.30 and there was lightning and thunder 00:48:07.33\00:48:09.61 and there's a great earthquake 00:48:09.64\00:48:11.06 and that earthquake is the earthquake 00:48:11.09\00:48:12.84 that shakes the graves that open. 00:48:12.87\00:48:14.24 That earthquake is the earthquake 00:48:14.27\00:48:16.62 that shakes those graves open, 00:48:16.65\00:48:19.03 the great city that is Babylon divide into three parts. 00:48:19.06\00:48:23.48 The cities of the nations fell 00:48:23.51\00:48:25.46 and great Babylon as was remembered 00:48:25.49\00:48:27.24 before God this false political religious conglomeration, 00:48:27.27\00:48:32.63 it falls, every mountain and island floods away, 00:48:32.66\00:48:35.97 flees away, there's a plague of hailstones 00:48:36.00\00:48:38.75 and since there was not, 00:48:38.78\00:48:40.27 and the artillery of heaven falls, 00:48:40.30\00:48:43.71 the forces of hell are defeated. 00:48:43.74\00:48:46.53 The forces of the demons are destroyed. 00:48:46.56\00:48:50.16 Satan is totally utterly defeated. 00:48:50.19\00:48:54.18 Jesus Christ comes 00:48:54.21\00:48:56.02 and delivers His people in those last moments of time. 00:48:56.05\00:49:00.61 I love the way the Old Testament puts it. 00:49:00.64\00:49:03.22 You know the battles in the Old Testament reveal 00:49:03.25\00:49:07.13 that the victory is not in man's hands, it's in God's. 00:49:07.16\00:49:10.69 Take you Bible please and turn to 1 Samuel Chapter 17, 00:49:10.72\00:49:14.88 1 Samuel Chapter 17. 00:49:14.91\00:49:17.48 Look at those majestic texts all through the Old Testament. 00:49:17.51\00:49:21.59 David comes to fight Goliath 00:49:21.62\00:49:25.55 and you would think there's no way 00:49:25.58\00:49:27.59 that this little shepherd is gonna have any chance 00:49:27.62\00:49:32.93 against this great giant Goliath. 00:49:32.96\00:49:35.28 If you and I get through the time of the end 00:49:35.31\00:49:37.23 by the grace of God we will. 00:49:37.26\00:49:39.01 We will have giants arrayed against us. 00:49:39.04\00:49:42.65 First Samuel Chapter 17, looking at that verse 47. 00:49:42.68\00:49:48.02 "Then all the assembly shall know 00:49:48.05\00:49:50.68 that the Lord does not save with the sword and the spear, 00:49:50.71\00:49:54.84 for the battle is the Lord's 00:49:54.87\00:49:58.48 and He will give you into our hands." 00:49:58.51\00:50:00.87 The battle is who everybody? The Lord's. 00:50:00.90\00:50:03.43 In the last days of earth history 00:50:03.46\00:50:05.69 when church and state unite with a political confederation, 00:50:05.72\00:50:09.52 when the demons of hell work their powerful miracles, 00:50:09.55\00:50:12.27 and incidentally is God gonna work miracles too? 00:50:12.30\00:50:14.67 He sure is but look 00:50:14.70\00:50:17.05 God's people will hold on by faith. 00:50:17.08\00:50:19.67 God's people will not compromise because they know 00:50:19.70\00:50:23.24 that no matter what they see around them, 00:50:23.27\00:50:26.75 the battle is what? The Lord's. 00:50:26.78\00:50:29.59 I love the way it's put in Psalm 24. 00:50:29.62\00:50:32.03 Take your bible and turn to Psalm 24. 00:50:32.06\00:50:35.01 This is a real Adventist psalm. 00:50:35.04\00:50:38.04 It's a real Adventist psalm. 00:50:38.07\00:50:40.04 Look, it's talking about the Lord, 00:50:40.07\00:50:42.64 the king of glory, the Christ that died, 00:50:42.67\00:50:45.07 the Christ that was resurrected, 00:50:45.10\00:50:46.81 the Christ that entered heaven sanctuary for us, 00:50:46.84\00:50:49.61 the Christ that will come again for us and it says, 00:50:49.64\00:50:53.96 "Lift up your heads," Psalm 24:7, 00:50:53.99\00:50:57.47 "Lift up your heads, O you gates, 00:50:57.50\00:50:59.20 be lifted up you everlasting doors, 00:50:59.23\00:51:01.39 the King of glory shall come in." 00:51:01.42\00:51:03.61 Who is this king of Glory? 00:51:03.64\00:51:05.37 The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty and battle. 00:51:05.40\00:51:09.11 Is Jesus mighty in battle, is He? 00:51:09.14\00:51:11.42 Did he defeat Satan on the cross? 00:51:11.45\00:51:13.38 He did. 00:51:13.41\00:51:14.44 Was He resurrected from the dead? 00:51:14.47\00:51:16.12 He was. 00:51:16.15\00:51:17.32 Is he coming again? He is. 00:51:17.35\00:51:19.16 Will He defeat Satan at the end of time? 00:51:19.19\00:51:21.57 He will. He is the Lord mighty in battle. 00:51:21.60\00:51:25.06 Notice, "Lift up your head, O you gates, 00:51:25.09\00:51:26.89 lift them up you everlasting doors, 00:51:26.92\00:51:29.09 and the King of glory shall come in." 00:51:29.12\00:51:31.76 Who is this king of Glory? 00:51:31.79\00:51:34.58 He is the lord of hosts, He is the king of Glory. 00:51:34.61\00:51:38.90 We are on the winning side. 00:51:38.93\00:51:41.60 With Jesus there is no possibility of being lost. 00:51:41.63\00:51:45.39 But this is no time to sell out. 00:51:45.42\00:51:48.01 This is no time to compromise your integrity. 00:51:48.04\00:51:50.94 This is no time to compromise faith. 00:51:50.97\00:51:54.09 A compromised faith 00:51:54.12\00:51:56.81 will never make it through the crisis ahead. 00:51:56.84\00:52:00.91 A superficial faith 00:52:00.94\00:52:03.14 will never make it to the crisis ahead. 00:52:03.17\00:52:08.14 A half hearted faith 00:52:08.17\00:52:10.12 will never make it through the crisis ahead. 00:52:10.15\00:52:13.90 Come with me 00:52:13.93\00:52:16.26 to the ancient days of ancient Rome, 00:52:16.29\00:52:19.54 to the city of Smyrna 00:52:19.57\00:52:22.19 for an example of an faith that was uncompromising. 00:52:22.22\00:52:27.35 Revelation the 2 chapter, 00:52:27.38\00:52:31.19 the lessons from the seven churches, 00:52:31.22\00:52:33.77 although they reveal 00:52:33.80\00:52:35.01 a historical narrative in every age, 00:52:35.04\00:52:38.46 bring to us lessons for our age, 00:52:38.49\00:52:41.19 Revelation Chapter 2 and you're looking that verse 10, 00:52:41.22\00:52:46.07 the words leap off the pages, 00:52:46.10\00:52:48.41 they speak to you and they speak to me this day. 00:52:48.44\00:52:53.01 Revelation 2:10, "Do not fear anything 00:52:53.04\00:52:56.72 you are about to suffer." 00:52:56.75\00:52:58.06 Will there be heartache and suffering in the days ahead? 00:52:58.09\00:53:00.70 There will be. 00:53:00.73\00:53:01.87 But do not fear anything you are about to suffer. 00:53:01.90\00:53:04.76 "Indeed the devil is about to try to destroy you, 00:53:04.79\00:53:10.79 it's gonna cast some of you into prison, 00:53:10.82\00:53:12.60 some of you are gonna be tested." 00:53:12.63\00:53:14.15 But notice, what does it say at the end of that passage? 00:53:14.18\00:53:18.60 It says "You will have tribulation 10 days." 00:53:18.63\00:53:21.27 They did instead there were 10 years tribulation. 00:53:21.30\00:53:23.96 We need not press that too far, 00:53:23.99\00:53:26.40 that's referring not to the end time 00:53:26.43\00:53:29.17 but rather the principle 00:53:29.20\00:53:31.36 is there will be tribulation, that's the principle. 00:53:31.39\00:53:34.13 Then it says, "Be faithful unto death, 00:53:34.16\00:53:37.13 and I'll give you a crown of life." 00:53:37.16\00:53:39.77 Notice, "He who has an ear, 00:53:39.80\00:53:41.72 let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:53:41.75\00:53:44.02 He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." 00:53:44.05\00:53:47.58 One of the great Christian leaders 00:53:47.61\00:53:50.62 who lived in the days of ancient Smyrna 00:53:50.65\00:53:54.63 was a leader by the name of Polycarp. 00:53:54.66\00:53:58.02 Once a year at least in ancient Smyrna, 00:53:58.05\00:54:02.02 the God's of Aphrodite and Dionysos. 00:54:02.05\00:54:06.42 The God's of Apollo, 00:54:06.45\00:54:08.28 the great statues in the marketplace of Smyrna, 00:54:08.31\00:54:12.62 I've often visited that site. 00:54:12.65\00:54:15.17 It's Izmir today the second largest city in Turkey. 00:54:15.20\00:54:18.72 We love to take groups to the seven churches site 00:54:18.75\00:54:21.09 and we study Revelation 00:54:21.12\00:54:22.30 and go out to the Island Patmos and study Revelation. 00:54:22.33\00:54:26.68 All of the citizens of ancient Smyrna were 00:54:26.71\00:54:31.39 commanded to come to the marketplace of Smyrna 00:54:31.42\00:54:35.88 and burn incense to the gods of Dionysus or Aphrodite 00:54:35.91\00:54:41.88 the God of Apollo 00:54:41.91\00:54:44.14 and Polycarp, ancient Christian leader said I can't do this. 00:54:44.17\00:54:48.94 He was 86 years old. 00:54:48.97\00:54:51.51 He was arrested by the roman soldiers 00:54:51.54\00:54:54.04 and he was brought into the marketplace of Smyrna. 00:54:54.07\00:54:58.99 The crowd went wild, burn him at the stake, 00:54:59.02\00:55:02.24 burn him at the stake, burn him! 00:55:02.27\00:55:04.89 The proconsul knew the Roman proconsul knew 00:55:04.92\00:55:08.80 that Polycarp was a godly man. 00:55:08.83\00:55:12.49 He knew that he was honest 00:55:12.52\00:55:14.52 and had integrity and did nothing wrong. 00:55:14.55\00:55:17.72 So he said to him, Polycarp, 00:55:17.75\00:55:18.95 I'll give you a chance, repent. 00:55:18.98\00:55:21.13 Here is the bowl, here is the incense, 00:55:21.16\00:55:23.54 simply sprinkle it before the statue to the gods 00:55:23.57\00:55:30.10 and Polycarp said I cannot do this. 00:55:30.13\00:55:32.96 And then he stood up and stretched out his hands 00:55:32.99\00:55:36.02 and said for eighty and six years, 00:55:36.05\00:55:41.22 I have served my Lord 00:55:41.25\00:55:43.71 and He has done me nothing wrong, 00:55:43.74\00:55:47.21 how can I deny Him now? 00:55:47.24\00:55:51.62 He was taken to the stake, burned that day 00:55:51.65\00:55:56.95 but others stepped forward and the Christian faith grew. 00:55:56.98\00:56:04.92 God invites you and God invites me 00:56:04.95\00:56:08.60 to make that kind of surrender, 00:56:08.63\00:56:11.48 to make that kind of surrender. 00:56:11.51\00:56:13.37 To make that kind of commitment to say Lord, 00:56:13.40\00:56:17.41 you have guided me all of my life, 00:56:17.44\00:56:20.34 you've done me no wrong. 00:56:20.37\00:56:22.23 I'm not gonna sell out You. 00:56:22.26\00:56:24.81 I'm not gonna compromise now. 00:56:24.84\00:56:27.60 Lord, I am Yours today and forever. 00:56:27.63\00:56:34.20 The battle is Christ's, 00:56:34.23\00:56:37.12 you and I are on the winning side 00:56:37.15\00:56:40.95 as we commit our lives to Him to live uncompromising lives. 00:56:40.98\00:56:48.93 He will get us through the crisis. 00:56:48.96\00:56:51.12 Our responsibility is to be faithful. 00:56:51.15\00:56:54.64 His responsibility is to get us through the crisis. 00:56:54.67\00:56:58.41 He that has begun a good work in us will do what? 00:56:58.44\00:57:02.26 Finish it. Praise His Holy name. 00:57:02.29\00:57:05.15 We are on the winning side. 00:57:05.18\00:57:07.01 Let's pray, Father in Heaven, 00:57:07.04\00:57:08.62 thank you that for Jesus and by Jesus and with Jesus, 00:57:08.65\00:57:13.42 we're winners and not losers. 00:57:13.45\00:57:15.30 Thank You that You're coming again. 00:57:15.33\00:57:17.77 Thank You that we can grasp on to hope 00:57:17.80\00:57:20.32 in the dark days of hell. 00:57:20.35\00:57:21.92