Participants: Ranko Stefanovic
Series Code: RCK
Program Code: RCK000025
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00:26 Welcome again to our program, "Revelation of The Coming King."
00:33 Actually our series on the Book of Revelation 00:36 that is covering all 22 chapters, 00:39 it's coming to, it's close. 00:43 So far we dealt with the battle of Armageddon. 00:46 Now we want to see the outcome 00:47 and the conclusion of the battle of Armageddon. 00:50 And finally we'd like to see about that eternal kingdom 00:53 that God is preparing for all those who love them. 00:57 So welcome again to our program. 01:00 And I'm Ranko Stefanovic, Professor of the New Testament 01:04 at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, 01:07 Andrews University. 01:09 So my area of research is the New Testament, 01:13 of course also the Old Testament 01:16 because we cannot understand 01:17 as you can see New Testament without the Old Testament, 01:20 especially the Book of Revelation, okay. 01:22 But my topic that usually I go and preach about 01:26 it's the Book of Revelation. 01:28 Probably, 80% of all calls 01:30 that I have involves study with the Book of Revelation. 01:33 So I'm so excited to be with you here. 01:35 I had the best, the best audience during the series. 01:38 The best crew, not only that they are taping the series, 01:42 but they are providing such a great support and their smile, 01:45 their enthusiasm is great motivation to me. 01:49 And all you viewers, I hope that one day 01:52 when we meet in the Kingdom of God, 01:54 maybe if you'll say, "How some of the insights 01:57 in the Book of Revelation 01:58 prompted you to come in to a relationship with God 02:01 much, much closer, closer to Him." 02:04 But we'd like to encourage you 02:05 that once this program is over that you continuing 02:08 and to study the Book of Revelation for yourself. 02:13 Don't take anybody's word for certain, including myself. 02:20 This is just to stimulate your appetite 02:22 for the word of God. 02:24 Please take the word of God, 02:25 this Bible because this is the best interpretation 02:29 of the Book of Revelation. 02:30 This is the best commentary on the Book of Revelation. 02:33 But also we'd like to encourage you 02:36 that you also refer to the pages of this book that is titled, 02:41 "Revelation of Jesus Christ," 02:43 which is verse-by-verse commentary 02:46 on the Book of Revelation. 02:47 The purpose of this book is not really to give you 02:50 interpretations of everything, but to give you the tools, 02:54 to point to those texts in the Old Testament, 02:58 in the New Testament and many other background texts 03:01 outside of the Bible that can help you 03:04 that you get to that insight 03:05 in understanding of this problematic 03:08 and sometimes confusing passages 03:10 of the-- of the Book of Revelation. 03:12 So today our presentations, 03:14 if you want to study for yourself, 03:17 the pages are here from 551 and on, okay. 03:22 The next two chapters of the Book of Revelation. 03:26 So from page 551, you can go here 03:29 and you will see how many texts, 03:32 how many information you can find here. 03:35 But don't forget, everything that we are doing 03:39 it's nothing if the Holy Spirit does not instruct us, 03:44 okay, into the word of God. 03:46 So please pray to God, pray to God earnestly. 03:50 Let me tell you how I do it. 03:52 I kneel down on my knees and I say, 03:54 "Lord, empty my mind of all understandings 04:00 about the Book of Revelation that I had. 04:03 Give me that open mind that I can really understand 04:07 Your will not to support my ideas 04:10 and try to justify my ideas in the Book of Revelation." 04:13 I'd like to suggest to one of you 04:16 that you do it in that way. 04:18 Once you do it, boy, 04:23 what a golden mine of information 04:25 you'll get from this wonderful book, okay. 04:28 Let us ask God--God for guidance for this presentation. 04:32 Our Heavenly Father, we are asking You again 04:37 for Your presence here in our midst. 04:41 Thank You for being with us so far. 04:43 We're grateful to You for any insights 04:46 that we are able to get from this wonderful book. 04:50 And please help us that our understanding 04:53 of the Book of Revelation help us 04:55 that we can come much closer to each other, 04:58 but it is most important to come much closer to You. 05:02 Father, thank You for Your guidance. 05:04 Thank You for Your help. 05:06 Thank You for all Your love given to us. 05:08 And, Father, we are praying all of this 05:10 in the precious name ofour Savior Jesus Christ, amen. 05:17 Please, would you now turn with me? 05:20 We are now in the Revelation Chapter 20--Chapter 19. 05:23 Boy, I cannot-- I cannot believe 05:25 that we are already in chapter 19 here. 05:29 Okay, let me remind you about 05:31 what we studied in Chapter 17 and 18, okay. 05:37 We saw about the judgment of Babylon 05:40 that is really the outcome of the battle of Armageddon. 05:44 This is the part of the battle of Armageddon, okay. 05:47 And we saw as result of the--of the fall of Babylon, 05:52 that religious and political leaders of this world 05:55 will unite together against Christ 05:57 and His chosen people here on this earth. 06:00 Keep that in mind. 06:02 On one side people will become dissolution. 06:07 They will see that they have lost any hope 06:10 what they had about the future. 06:12 Babylon promise to them too much, 06:14 but nothing what was promised is realized 06:17 because the Babylon itself is crushed and comes to its end. 06:22 Praise God. 06:24 That's what biblical teaching is. 06:26 The kingdoms they come and they are gone. 06:30 Human beings are born, 06:33 they claim to be great personalities and they're gone. 06:37 But there are two things that remain, 06:39 it's our powerful and mighty God and His word that is true, 06:45 and He's promised that one day He will establish His kingdom. 06:49 That's actually what the Book of Daniel Chapter 2 is teaching us. 06:53 Everything will belong to the past in this world, 06:57 but when God establishes His kingdom 06:59 see His kingdom will last forever and ever. 07:03 And please with these thoughts in mind 07:05 let us now move to Chapter 19. 07:08 And I'd like to ask you that you be with me 07:13 as we are reading the following verses. 07:15 It says, "After these things." Which things? 07:20 "After the fall of Babylon 07:22 as secular and political powers of this world 07:26 are now united to destroy God's people." 07:28 What happens? 07:30 After these things John said, 07:32 "I heard something like a loud voice 07:34 of a great multitude in heaven, saying, 'Hallelujah!'" 07:39 Which means glory to God. Praise God. 07:43 "Salvation and glory and power belong to our God." 07:49 Are you familiar with this--this expression? 07:52 Where did we find it? 07:54 In the Revelation Chapters 4 and 5, 07:56 at the enthronement of Christ. 07:58 Now they--the time has come that finally Jesus Christ comes 08:02 and takes His kingdom. 08:05 There is no rebellion against Him any longer. 08:08 He says, "Because His judgments are true and righteous, 08:13 for He has judged the great harlot." 08:17 What is the name of that harlot? Babylon. 08:21 "Who was--" In my text says, 08:23 "Corrupting the earth with her immorality." 08:27 In Greek it says, "Destroying the earth with her immorality." 08:33 "And he has avenged the blood of his servants on her." 08:38 Do you remember that we read in Revelation 11:18 08:42 that the time will come 08:44 that those who are destroying the earth will be destroyed? 08:50 Who was the one or what was the entity 08:52 that was destroying the earth? 08:54 Babylon with her immorality. 08:56 And now the time has come for Babylon 08:58 to be completely destroyed, including Satan himself. 09:03 "And the second time they said, 'Hallelujah! 09:08 Her smoke arises up forever and ever.'" 09:13 This does not talk about eternal hell, 09:14 it talks about eternal destruction. 09:16 You remember we talked about that 09:18 with the reference to Chapter 14? 09:20 "And the twenty four elders and the four living creatures 09:25 fell down and they worship God 09:27 who sits on the throne saying 'Amen. Hallelujah!' 09:33 And a voice came from the throne, saying, 09:36 'Give praise to our God and all you His servants, 09:40 you who fear Him, the small and the great.' 09:44 Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude 09:47 and like the sound of many waters 09:50 and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, 09:53 saying, 'Hallelujah! 09:55 For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.'" 09:59 This verse are the key-- 10:02 is the key sentence in Handel's Hallelujah. 10:05 Do you remember that chorus? 10:07 This is actually the text, 10:09 but actually the same expression occurs 10:11 in the Book of Revelation 5, 10:13 when Jesus was enthroned at the right hand of the Father. 10:17 But throughout the history of the Christian church, 10:20 there was a Satan who still control the planet earth. 10:23 Now the time has come finally for Jesus Christ to reign. 10:30 But there is something else. 10:32 The time has come finally for Jesus Christ 10:37 to unite Himself with His people. 10:42 And please, I cannot, I'm tempted to preach 10:47 and I have to do it now 10:48 because this is my favorite text. 10:50 I already announced it before, because this, 10:53 a long-awaited union between Christ and His people 10:59 is portrayed here in the Book of Revelation 11:01 in the terms of a wedding ceremony. 11:05 Please, allow me to read this text, okay. 11:09 Our verses-- our verses 7-10, okay. 11:14 Verses 7-10, we read, it says, 11:20 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, 11:27 for the marriage of the Lamb has come 11:30 and His bride has made herself ready. 11:35 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, 11:40 bright and clean, for the fine linen 11:44 is the righteous acts of the saints. 11:47 Then he said to me, 'Write, blessed are those 11:52 who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb."' 11:56 And he said to me, 11:58 'These are the true words of God.'" 12:04 Please, help me now something to understand. 12:08 You see, we are talking here about that long-awaited 12:12 union between Christ and His people. 12:14 Are the God's people the bride 12:20 or the guest at the wedding? 12:24 The answer is yes. 12:26 Actually this is another anomaly in the Book of Revelation. 12:30 Sometimes two different symbols refer to one and the same thing. 12:35 Yes, the church. 12:36 God's people, they are the bride. 12:40 But at the same time, they are the guests. 12:43 You have two different aspects to tell us about something, 12:46 why the guest? 12:48 Because evidently John who was the Apostle of Jesus. 12:50 He remembered all those parables 12:52 that Jesus talks about the guests 12:53 that are invited there 12:55 to the wedding of the king's son. 12:57 Do you remember that-- do you remember that person 12:59 who came there and he was not dressed 13:02 in that wedding dress that was there? 13:04 So he had all these things in mind 13:06 to telling us many things about that wedding. 13:09 Number one, we are invited to be there, 13:12 but we must at the same time be ready to be found there. 13:17 You will notice here-- you will notice here 13:20 that it says, "Let us Rejoice." 13:22 Verse 7, "And be glad and give glory to Him, 13:25 for the marriage of the Lamb has come 13:27 and His bride has made herself ready." 13:31 How did she make herself ready 13:34 because it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen? 13:38 Do you see here another anomaly? 13:42 The bride, she has made herself ready, 13:46 but when you read the following text 13:48 it was not actually she that make herself ready, 13:51 it was given to her to make herself ready. 13:53 Why? Why? 13:56 I can quote many texts from the Book of Revelation, 13:59 but probably one of the most significant 14:01 when God's people find themselves 14:03 before the throne of God, they will be ready, 14:05 wide ready 14:07 because they washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. 14:13 They're there not because they have done it, 14:18 it's rather because what God has did for them. 14:22 But keep in mind, they have to do their part, 14:25 it was given to them. 14:27 Can I ask you something? 14:29 I can--oh, boy, I don't have my valet here. 14:30 I cannot take my valet and give to you 14:32 and stretch to you, does not mean anything. 14:35 It's only 50% of the deal done. 14:39 The second part is to you. 14:41 You have to stretch your hand and to accept that gift. 14:45 So talking about-- about God's people 14:49 who are waiting for His coming 14:52 and finally they prepare themselves 14:54 and they are ready for that-- for that coming. 14:57 By the way, we can talk a lot about the wedding. 14:59 I know what I did 15:01 because when they wanted to bring the bride here, 15:04 she was just 18. 15:06 I was a pastor in a small church and the building was so awful. 15:11 I had to take those buckets 15:13 because during the rainy season, etcetera, 15:14 but I wanted when my wife comes there, 15:19 it's a beautiful home in ugly building. 15:21 And believe me, I worked for two months. 15:24 Finally, for the day of wedding I was so slim 15:26 that you could count all my ribs there. 15:29 I did not care about that 15:31 because I wanted to make everything ready. 15:34 Boy, readiness. 15:36 I told you I cannot, but preach here. 15:39 Of course, so many times I wonder 15:42 when we read that this text, 15:43 what this text really means to us? 15:46 But let me tell you that this text meant a lot 15:48 to the first century readers, especially the Jewish readers 15:52 because what you have here 15:54 reflects a typical first century Jewish wedding. 16:00 So please now allow me to share with you 16:02 how the Jewish actually wedding look like? 16:06 You know, there is a young man and he comes to his parents. 16:10 Keep in mind, we're talking about not wedding like today. 16:14 What do I mean? 16:16 I remember, when my daughter started dating, 16:21 she fell in love with that young man. 16:23 I told my wife, I cannot wait 16:25 when my daughter will come to me and say, 16:27 "Mom and dad, I'd like to be engaged. 16:30 He asked me. What do you think, etcetera?" 16:33 And I--we told we're waiting for the day. 16:35 And one day, my daughter came with her boyfriend. 16:37 They said, "I'd like to talk to you." 16:39 I said, "What?" 16:40 And we sat there and she said, "We are engaged." 16:44 My wife almost fainted down to the floor. 16:47 It was completely opposite to what we expected to happen. 16:51 And so many times I wonder if younger generation understand 16:55 what actually text is all about, because they don't understand 16:58 what happened in the typical biblical times 17:00 in order to get to the full significance of that message. 17:02 You see, in the first century, 17:05 the wedding was a family arrangement. 17:08 So the young man--by the way, how I got engaged. 17:12 The two families gathered together. 17:15 My today's wife, okay, her parents, 17:18 they prepare a lot of food, two families met together. 17:22 We talked together, I remember. 17:24 I put that ring there. We kiss each other. 17:28 The two families started talking about 17:30 preparation for the wedding. 17:31 It was a family--family occasion. 17:34 But in the first century it was little bit different, 17:36 that boy would say to his father, 17:38 "You know, father, I really like that girl." 17:41 The first question the father would ask, 17:43 "Would she be good for our house? 17:44 It means, can she work?" 17:48 She said, "Oh, yeah. She's okay." 17:51 I said, "Yeah, we like the girl. Let us go to their house." 17:56 And they will announce they're coming 17:58 and they will sit there 18:01 and the father of that young boy, he will say, 18:05 "Do you know why we are here." 18:06 We don't know. Yeah, they did not know. 18:09 Said, "We are here because our son, 18:13 he likes your daughter." 18:17 The first thing that the father of the girl would ask, 18:20 "How much do you offer?" 18:26 And then negotiation starts. 18:29 Finally, they make a deal, okay. 18:33 This is how much we are offering for your daughter. 18:36 It's a family affairs. 18:37 Finally they realized, there was no ring--ring, 18:42 there is nothing and simply the deal is made. 18:46 The hands are shaken, 18:48 and it means that betrothal is done. 18:53 It meant that these two young people 18:58 are now engaged 18:59 and they are pronounced to be husband and wife. 19:01 I know, it looks very strange to us. 19:05 But keep in mind, that act 19:07 what happened there in that house actually was binding. 19:12 They were legally in front of all people they were married, 19:16 even though they could not have sexual relationship yet. 19:20 Now if you go to the Gospel of Matthew 1, 19:23 now you'll understand, when the angel talked to Joseph 19:27 and he--and the text said, "And the Joseph her husband." 19:35 Do you remember that? 19:37 He did not want to break 19:39 with marriage because he was honest man. 19:41 Now you understand why because in the Jewish mind, 19:46 if you're legally bound, why? 19:48 Because a dowry was paid 19:51 and the wedding have to be taken place. 19:53 Now, when the ceremony is done, they will eat and drink. 19:57 At that moment the young man would stand up 20:02 and to say to everybody, especially to his bride. 20:05 He says, "Now I'm going back to my father's house. 20:10 I have to prepare the place where we will live. 20:13 You have to make preparation for yourself. 20:16 Once I prepare the place where we will live, 20:19 I will come back and I will take you to my father's house." 20:24 Do those words look familiar to you? 20:27 Of course, please, I'd like to invite all of you 20:30 that we turn to the Gospel of John 14:1-3. 20:38 Revelation Chapter--Revelation-- Gospel of John 14. 20:42 Gospel of John 14:1-3. 20:48 "Do not let your heart be troubled, 20:51 believe in God, believe also in Me. 20:54 'In My Father's house are many dwelling places, 20:57 if it were not so, I would have told you, 21:01 for I go to prepare a place for you.' 21:04 'If I go and prepare a place for you, 21:06 I will come again, I'll receive you to Myself, 21:10 that where I am, there also you may be.'" 21:17 Friends, you have to understand these words of Jesus 21:20 against that Jewish concept of the wedding. 21:23 It was 2,000 years ago that our Savior Jesus Christ 21:28 came down to this world. 21:31 It is on the cross of Calvary that He paid the dowry for us. 21:37 And after that He told to all of us 21:42 as He was talking to the disciples. 21:45 "Don't be afraid, I'm leaving 21:47 because I'm leaving for one simple reason is." 21:51 There are many rooms in My Father's house. 21:55 Keep in mind. 21:56 Many Christians are waiting one day to live there in heaven. 22:00 Jesus said, "In my father's house 22:03 there are many rooms there." 22:04 But Jesus' intention is not that the Christians 22:06 live there in heaven. 22:08 The earth is our future where we're living. 22:10 Amen. Amen. 22:12 Jesus said, "I am going to prepare the place for you 22:17 and when I prepare the place, I will come back 22:23 and I will take you and you will be there, where I am." 22:28 By the way, when you read Revelation 22, we will see. 22:31 It says, "That this earth will be the place 22:34 where God Jesus Christ Himself will dwell with His people." 22:39 And Revelation 19, the text that we just read, 22:44 portrays the fulfillment of this promise that Jesus made. 22:49 Now you understand why this symbol is used, 22:53 symbol of the Jewish wedding. 22:55 Because it is in the best way describes 22:59 the fulfillment of Jesus' promises. 23:02 Finally, that long-awaited union 23:06 between Jesus and His people is realized. 23:10 The time has come and all people are invited 23:14 to participate in the wedding supper of the Lamb. 23:18 I just want to tell you, 23:20 I'm waiting for that event to take place. 23:23 Jesus spoke to His disciples, He told them, 23:26 "Don't rejoice about what you see now, 23:28 rejoice about the time because the time is coming 23:31 when you will see yourself 23:32 sitting there at that great table 23:34 with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, you will sit there." 23:39 Oh, boy, I cannot wait for that day to participate and to eat. 23:45 It's about eating. 23:47 Eating about at that great supper of the Lamb, eating. 23:55 We are all invited to participate 23:59 at that wedding supper of the Lamb and eat. 24:02 If not? 24:04 If we turn down that invitation, 24:06 there is only one other chance that is left for us 24:10 to be eaten because the Revelation 19 24:14 portrays two possibilities to eat or to be eaten, 24:19 to eat at the wedding supper of the Lamb 24:22 or to be eaten at the great supper of God. 24:24 Please, the text moves on. 24:27 And this text actually provides the conclusion 24:29 of the battle of Armageddon. 24:33 You see, prior to that the Book of Revelation wants to tell us, 24:38 what is the outcome of our choice for God, okay. 24:41 Now there is a conclusion its verse 11, Chapter 19. 24:45 "And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, 24:50 and He who sat on horse 24:57 is called Faithful and True, 25:01 and in righteousness He wages the war. 25:05 His eyes are like a flame of fire, 25:09 and on His head are many diadems, 25:12 and He has a name written on Him 25:14 which no one knows except Himself. 25:17 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, 25:20 and His name is called The Word of God." 25:23 What is His name here? The Word of God. 25:25 Why the Word of God? 25:26 Friends, the battle of Armageddon 25:28 is not about the military war. 25:33 The weapons that Jesus will conclude 25:35 the battle of Armageddon 25:37 is the Word of God coming out of His mouth, 25:41 is the battle for the minds of people 25:42 for their souls and their hearts. 25:45 Are you still with me? 25:46 And then it says in verse 14, 25:49 "And the armies which are in heaven, 25:51 clothed in fine linen, white and clean, 25:54 were following Him on white horses." 25:58 It's a symbol of ancient conquest. 26:00 "From His mouth comes a sharp sword." 26:02 Do you see that now? 26:04 So that with it, with what? 26:06 With the sword coming out of His mouth, 26:08 what is that sword? 26:09 We already got His pleasure, is the Word of God, okay. 26:13 "He will strike down the nations, 26:15 and He will rule them with a rod of iron, 26:19 and He treads with the wine press 26:22 of the fierce wrath of God Almighty." 26:25 By the way, what you have here, 26:27 it's almost the quotation from Isaiah 11:4. 26:30 Those about--those about messianic proficiencies, 26:33 what the Messiah will do in order to save His people 26:36 from the enemy nations. 26:39 It says verse 16, "And on His robe 26:42 and on His thigh, He has a name written, 26:46 'King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords.'" 26:50 And now it's coming a very drastic picture here, 26:54 is the picture very foreign to us, 26:56 but well-known to the people lived in the first century 26:59 is the scene that people could watch after decisive battle. 27:05 What happens after the battle on the battlefield? 27:08 There are so many dead bodies, nobody could burry them 27:12 and you have all those scavengers and vultures 27:15 coming to feed themselves. 27:17 Friends, we have to understand the purpose of this vision here 27:20 and it says, "And I saw an angel standing in the sun, 27:25 and he cried out with a loud voice, 27:28 saying to all the birds which fly in Midheaven, 27:32 'Come, assemble for the great supper of God, 27:35 so that you may eat the flesh of the kings 27:39 and the flesh of the commanders and the flesh of a mighty men 27:43 and the flesh of the horses 27:45 and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, 27:49 both free men and slaves, and small and great.' 27:53 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth 27:57 and their armies assembled to make the war against Him 28:01 who sat on the horse and against His army--army." 28:04 Keep in mind that the language here is highly symbolic. 28:09 The language is based on the historical reality 28:12 of ancient battles, but in symbolic. 28:15 Keep in mind that John makes very clear 28:17 that this is not a physical war. 28:20 You don't wage with the Word of God that war. 28:23 You don't fight with people against it. 28:24 Keep in mind. 28:26 It's a spiritual battle that brings 28:28 the history of this war to its conclusion. 28:31 But then why John is mentioning 28:33 those scavengers and the birds 28:35 that are called to feed themselves 28:37 because he wants to make a point 28:38 based on this symbolic language, 28:40 telling us in verse 20. 28:42 By the way, is there any other text 28:46 that comes to your mind as we're reading 28:49 here at the conclusion of the battle of Armageddon? 28:51 Please, I don't want to create trouble to you, is Daniel 12:1. 28:57 At that time Michael the great prince, 29:01 the one who defend his people he will come to defend them, 29:05 because there will be time like never before in history, 29:10 at that time everybody will be delivered 29:12 whose name is written in the book. 29:18 Why God's people do not need to worry 29:20 because their names are written in the Book of Life. 29:23 Their future is the wedding supper of the Lamb, okay. 29:29 But it says in verse 20. Praise God. 29:33 "And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet 29:39 who performed the signs in his presence, 29:42 by which he deceived those who had received 29:45 the Mark of the Beast 29:47 and those who worshiped his image, 29:51 these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire 29:57 which burns with a brimstone. 30:01 And the rest were killed with the sword 30:04 which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, 30:09 and all the birds were filled with their flesh." 30:19 This is the conclusion of the battle of Armageddon. 30:23 Keep in mind one more time 30:24 that the language is highly symbolic. 30:27 Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 1, 30:30 he describes it in different-- 30:32 In also 2 Thessalonians 2, 30:34 he repeats the same concept, he says, 30:36 "That all those wicked who are rebellious against God 30:40 will be killed by the glory of the coming of the Christ." 30:43 There is no sword that Jesus will fight and kill people, 30:46 as many people are trying to find it in the Bible. 30:48 Keep in mind the symbolic language 30:50 is taken from ancient battles. 30:52 We have here the conclusion of the battle of Armageddon. 30:55 Jesus will come to defend His people. 30:57 Are you still with me? 30:58 What will happen with all those who are rebellious, 31:01 who turned their back to God? 31:02 What will happen to them? 31:04 According to Apostle Paul, 31:05 "The glory of Jesus coming will kill them." Why? 31:10 Because the sinners they cannot stand in the presence of God. 31:18 Do you remember what Apostle Paul says? 31:20 "That the glory of God to the sinners 31:22 is the fire that consumes." 31:25 Why will God's people at that time be able to stand? 31:28 Boy, we're coming now to completely different theology 31:31 because according to Apostle Paul 31:33 at the moment of Jesus coming, 31:35 we will have the resurrection of the dead. 31:37 What will happen to those who resurrect? 31:39 They will resurrect into transformed body. 31:42 What will happen to those who are alive? 31:44 According to 1 Corinthians 15, 31:46 "They will be transformed in the moment." 31:48 According to Apostle Paul, "In the twinkle of the eye." 31:50 That's why God's people will not be killed 31:53 by the glory of the second coming of Christ, 31:55 but the sinners will be 31:57 because they cannot stand 31:58 in the presence of God and be alive. 32:01 Keep in mind, symbolic language. 32:02 This is very important to keep in mind, okay. 32:05 But it's taken from those ancient motives 32:07 and what is the message here is. 32:10 What will happen to all those who refuse the call 32:15 for the wedding supper of the Lamb. 32:18 You see, the call is coming 32:20 to the wedding supper of the Lamb and you will eat. 32:24 If you refuse, turn down that call, you will be eaten, 32:30 because you read here verse 21, 32:34 "And the rest were killed with the sword 32:36 which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the throne, 32:39 and all the birds were filled with their flesh." 32:45 In a drastic language that is today very foreign to us, 32:50 because the modern people 32:52 will probably use different expressions, 32:54 but this is the way how the Bible was written. 32:58 Spiritual writer Ellen White is making very clear to us. 33:02 The Bible was written in human language 33:05 that probably God will never used to describe any things. 33:09 But people who are inspired by God, 33:12 they are portraying human language 33:13 what they saw in the vision. 33:15 They used the concept that are familiar to them 33:18 and they were familiar also to their readers. 33:21 God does not like that language, 33:23 but we have to find out 33:25 what comes out of that language and the languages. 33:28 We really have only two choices that are available to us, 33:34 either be with God and to enjoy all those blessings 33:39 that God has promised to all of those 33:42 who are waiting for His second coming of Christ. 33:45 This is the message to participate 33:47 at the wedding supper of the Lamb and eat. 33:49 You know, the wedding is about eating. 33:51 Everyone talks about the food at the wedding, okay. 33:55 But if you turn your back to God 33:58 and you spurn His call to repentance 34:00 and come closer to Him. 34:02 There's only one choice that you have, 34:04 you will be consumed. 34:07 This is actually the conclusion of the battle of Armageddon. 34:09 There's no other choice. 34:11 Friends, the Book of Revelation 34:12 does not teach about the second chance. 34:17 Because that's why the Christians do not understand 34:21 what seven last plagues are all about? 34:23 The seven last plagues, 34:25 their purpose is to tell us today 34:29 that all those who reject God's call to repentance 34:33 and they refuse to side with God. 34:36 Even if God gives them 1,000 years, 34:41 they will not change their mind, 34:43 it will only reveal their characters. 34:45 You will notice in seven last plagues, 34:49 the more people suffer, more rebellious they become 34:52 and they blasphemy against God. 34:54 By the way, we are now coming-- 34:56 going to the to the next section of the Book of Revelation 34:59 and we'll tell us that those are same people 35:03 who refused to repent 35:06 and their character is revealed during the seven last plagues 35:09 even after the millennium when they resurrect again. 35:12 In them there will be the same spirit of rebellion. 35:15 Friends, there is no second chance. 35:18 I just want to tell you. 35:20 Don't misunderstand me. 35:22 If God believes and God knows in His wisdom 35:26 that people would repent, 35:27 God would give people not second chance, 35:30 He would give them more than third chance, 35:31 the fourth and the fifth. 35:33 Amen. Amen. 35:34 When I read the Book of Daniel, 35:36 how many chances did God give to the King Nebuchadnezzar? 35:41 And after 20 years, finally the King Nebuchadnezzar repented. 35:45 This is the picture of God in the Bible. 35:48 It's not that God does not want to give the second chance 35:51 because the preaching of the everlasting gospel 35:54 will be so clear, will be so direct 35:57 and if people decide not to accept that gospel 36:01 and they knowingly and willingly rejected gospel 36:05 and side with the beast even if God gives them 100 chances, 36:12 they will not be changed. 36:14 This is the message. 36:16 That's why such a drastic conclusion of this vision 36:19 and the conclusion of the battle of Armageddon. 36:23 Finally, the first beast 36:27 and the second beast find its end. 36:31 All the rebellious people are killed 36:33 by the glory of the second coming of Christ, 36:34 I'm showing smile not rejoicing over that, 36:36 but rejoicing that the end finally will come. 36:42 But there is one question. 36:44 And what is that question? 36:45 Keep in mind. 36:47 The first beast, the second beast they're destroyed, 36:51 but what about Satan? 36:54 Because everything is about him here. 36:56 That's why we have to go to Revelation 20. 36:58 So please, I would like to invite you 37:01 to go with me to Revelation 20. 37:04 I'd like to see what we have here. 37:07 Read Chapter 20, John said, 37:12 "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven." 37:16 Keep in mind. 37:17 This is after the conclusion of the battle of Armageddon. 37:21 Okay, okay. 37:23 "I saw an angel coming down from heaven, 37:27 holding the key of the abyss 37:30 and the great chain in his hand. 37:34 And he laid hold of the dragon, 37:39 the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, 37:44 and bound him for a thousand years, 37:48 and he threw him into the abyss." 37:50 What is the keyword here? 37:51 "The abyss. 37:53 And shut it and sealed it over him, 37:57 so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, 38:01 until the thousand years were completed, 38:05 after these things he must be released for a short time." 38:09 Please, allow me to take few minutes, 38:11 so that we understand what we have here is. 38:14 John see an angel. 38:16 What is angel holding in his hands? 38:18 Chains, okay, shackles putting there. 38:24 And he said, he comes and he takes the hold. 38:28 Can we say, he arrest, 38:31 Satan himself with the dragon and what does he do with him. 38:36 He puts him into the chain and puts him into the abyss 38:41 and that abyss Satan has to be, for how long? 38:44 It says, "For 1,000 years." 38:48 And he says, "Once 1,000 years are completed 38:52 then Satan will be release from the chains, for how long? 38:57 For a short--for a short--short time." 39:00 The Greek word for short here, 39:03 it means quantitatively very short, very short time. 39:06 Okay, few things. 39:08 Where is Satan going to be confined for 1,000 years? 39:13 It's in the abyss. 39:16 This is the problematic things that what we have is here. 39:19 What is the meaning of the word abyss? 39:21 Do you know where the word abyss 39:23 for the first time occurs in the Bible? 39:25 It's in Genesis 1 in the Greek translation 39:28 of the Old Testament into Greek for the first time, it's used. 39:32 It says that, 39:34 "In the beginning god created the heaven and the earth. 39:37 And the Spirit of God was above the abyss." 39:42 Okay. What is abyss? 39:45 Abyss is the reference to the chaotic condition of earth. 39:50 When the earth is not arranged, 39:52 is not created, it's not formed. 39:55 What are we talking about? 39:56 Why the earth is here referred to as abyss? 40:00 Friends, after the seven last plagues, 40:05 by the way, we did not really deal with every detail. 40:07 We'll see the seven last plagues 40:09 that talks about hell that will come 40:11 from the sky of a huge size. 40:16 The earth will be completely destroyed 40:20 by the impact of those seven last plagues. 40:25 You remember the Book of Revelation also talks 40:27 seven last plagues of the terrible earthquake 40:33 that will shatter the earth 40:35 and destroy the building, etcetera? 40:37 So we're talking about the earth 40:38 that will be in very chaotic condition. 40:40 What will happen with those who are against God? 40:43 They will be killed with the glory of Jesus coming there. 40:46 What will happen with the righteous? 40:49 And we now have to go to some other places 40:51 with the Bible like, for instance, 40:54 it's 2 Thessalonians 4:16 were telling us 40:59 that the righteous will be taken to meet Jesus there in the sky 41:03 and they will spend sometime with Jesus Christ. 41:07 We will not live through all eternity there in heaven, 41:09 but evidently God's people will live 41:11 for certain period of time in heaven. 41:13 Why, why, why? 41:15 Let's come to that. Let's come to that. 41:18 It says now verse 4, 41:22 "Then I saw thrones and they sat on them, 41:25 and judgment was given to them. 41:28 And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded." 41:32 Who are those? 41:33 Do you remember in the scene of the fifth seal? 41:37 Those martyrs crying to God for the vindication. 41:40 All of these are now here. 41:42 "And those who had not received 41:45 did not worship the beast or his image, 41:47 cannot receive the mark on their foreheads 41:50 and on their hand, they came to life 41:53 and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years." 41:58 Here comes the fulfillment of the promise that Jesus made. 42:02 Everybody whoever come will sit with me on my throne 42:06 as I overcame and sat with my father on his throne. 42:10 Finally, we have here the fulfillment 42:12 of the promise of Jesus here. 42:15 Friends, we are not sure 42:17 according to the Book of Revelation, 42:18 if 1,000 years it's a literal number of 1,000 years 42:24 or it is symbolic number. 42:26 The literal number would hardly fit to the symbolism 42:31 of everything here in the Book of Revelation. 42:33 But I don't have a problem. 42:34 We're talking about very long time. 42:37 If you believe that it is literally 1,000 years, 42:40 that's okay, it's one--it's long period, 42:43 it's beyond the question, 42:45 but the thing is that God's people will spend there 42:48 with Jesus on His throne, okay, 42:51 for a long time there in the heavenly places. 42:56 What will they be doing there in the heavenly places? 42:59 First, they said they will reign with Christ. 43:02 Second thing is, they say, what will they do the rest? 43:08 What will-- what will be they? 43:10 They will reign with Christ, okay. 43:13 And it says the rest of the dead will not come to life 43:17 until the 1,000 years were completed. 43:19 It says, if God's people will now they judge the people. 43:24 What does it mean? What will be they doing? 43:26 Okay, we have to use imagination actually 43:28 what will happen is, what is judgment? 43:31 Actually, if you open 1 Corinthians 6:2, 43:38 Apostle talk--Apostle Paul urges the Christians in Corinth, 43:44 not to go to the court, okay, against each other. 43:49 He says, "Do you know that one day we will judge the world. 43:53 We will judge even the angels." 43:57 Apostle Paul talks about the future event, 43:59 event that will take place. 44:01 Now we have the fulfillment of these words of Apostle Paul. 44:05 What will God's people will be doing during the millennium? 44:14 Friends, please, 44:16 for me this is very, very emotionalc moment 44:18 when I'm talking about this, 44:21 because I know whenever we talk 44:24 about the second coming of Christ, 44:26 we're talking about the great rejoicing 44:28 that God's people will experience. 44:31 The truth. God's people will shout, "Here is our God. 44:35 We have been waiting for Him." 44:37 The wedding supper, at the wedding everybody rejoices. 44:41 But I don't see Christians so many times 44:43 they're talking about what the Bible says 44:45 that the second coming of Christ will be equally 44:48 the day of warning and lamentations. 44:53 Why? 44:56 Do you imagine about parents 45:00 as Jesus is coming they're resurrected, 45:02 their bodies are transformed and their children 45:06 are killed by the glory of Jesus coming 45:08 and they're not in that group. 45:11 What about children and their parents? 45:15 What about friends? What about relatives? 45:19 Can I whisper something what you resurrect 45:21 and you don't see Professor Stefanovic, 45:23 who is lecturing about the Book of Revelation? 45:29 Have you ever thought about that? 45:33 When I don't see my father 45:36 because of him I am what I am today and he's left there. 45:41 What will be my question? 45:42 Lord, why? 45:47 Have you ever thought of that, friends? 45:50 Friends, I just want to tell you 45:53 the second coming of Christ will bring the end of all suffering, 45:56 but will not bring the end of all our questions 46:00 that we have before God. 46:02 Lord, why? 46:07 But there is something more, 46:09 but to another side when I see in God's kingdom, 46:13 some people that I've never expected to see there. 46:17 Is it possible that he is there? 46:20 I wonder how many people in Palestine 46:23 who accepted the preaching of Peter in their Pentecost, 46:26 will be surprised in Kingdom of God 46:28 when they see one of those crucified criminals 46:30 with Jesus on the cross, 46:31 they never heard his repentance there on the cross. 46:36 When they see him there and maybe that criminal killed 46:39 some of their relatives so many from them. 46:41 Are you still with me? We will have many questions. 46:44 This is what God's people will judge. 46:47 God allows one long period, 1,000 years for God's people 46:53 to get the answer to all their questions that they have. 46:58 That's what Apostle Paul meant. 47:00 That finally all the secrets will be revealed. 47:05 Can I say something, friends? 47:07 It is at that moment that the sealed Book of Revelation 5 47:12 will be finally opened 47:15 and all secrets will be revealed. 47:19 We will get the question to all-- 47:21 We will get the answer to all the questions 47:24 that we have-- that we had in our lives. 47:28 We will understand why certain people 47:29 are not there in the kingdom 47:31 because God will show to us why not. 47:37 We will say to God, yes, these people 47:39 should be in Your kingdom 47:40 because finally we'll realize 47:42 that maybe that person repented at that time 47:44 when nobody watched. 47:46 There are many things we will have to settle before God, 47:48 that's why the millennium. 47:50 Millennium comes after the second coming of Christ. 47:56 Are you still with me? 47:58 What will happen with us when suddenly 48:00 we go driving in car, using computers 48:02 and we know about this life? 48:03 Suddenly God puts us in his kingdom. 48:07 You see, we need the time of transition, 48:10 a time for adjustment. 48:12 That's why we have to live there among the holy angels 48:14 to see that better glory, better life 48:17 that does not need computers, does not need cell phone. 48:20 Are you still with me? 48:22 Does not need gasoline to drive the car. 48:23 We have to live there. 48:26 It's the time of transition for us. 48:28 We have to live there 48:33 because God has decided in that wisdom. 48:35 He knows that is good for us. 48:37 We will reign with Christ probably during that time, 48:39 we will go travel to other planets 48:41 to share with those people because they'll ask, 48:45 "Tell us what does it mean to suffer 48:47 because of the gospel message." 48:49 Boy, we'll tell them stories. 48:51 We'll tell about God how much patience He had with me, 48:54 how much time I was lying, I was stealing, I had anger. 48:58 How much I was unloving person in this life? 49:00 How God had a great patience with me? 49:02 How God saved me? 49:04 But the stories we will share with other 49:06 and they'll say, "Wow." 49:07 Because keep in mind, that song 49:09 nobody can sing except 144,000. 49:12 Are you still with me? Amen. 49:14 This is the need for the millennium. 49:18 And I believe that there is somebody in this world, 49:20 dear viewers who try to distort this message 49:24 of the millennium telling you 49:25 that prior to the second coming of Christ, 49:27 there will be time and Christians 49:29 will have prosperity and enjoyed. 49:31 Some people when they see the nuances of those teachings, 49:35 they simply go and they believe in so called amillennialism, 49:40 it means that it's a symbol of something 49:42 that never exist and never will be realized. 49:46 But I'm thankful to God 49:49 that I belong to a group of people 49:52 who call themselves postmillennialist. 49:56 It means that we believe 49:58 what is very justifiable in the Book of Revelation 50:01 and this book shows clearly 50:03 that actually the millennium follows 50:07 the second coming of Christ. 50:10 So let us go back here to the text 50:13 and to see what will happen at the end of the millennium. 50:16 Keep in mind that Satan was bound 50:20 by the chains during the millennium. 50:22 What does it mean? 50:23 Keep in mind, we're dealing with symbol, 50:25 it does not mean literal binding of Satan, 50:28 it means that Satan is on the earth 50:30 which looks like abyss, chaotic condition of the earth. 50:34 How many people are on the earth during the millennium? 50:37 Nobody. 50:38 So it means that Satan is bound by the circumstances. 50:41 He cannot go and to deceive anybody any longer. 50:45 He is alone. 50:47 By the way, as God's people are there judging, 50:49 Satan has opportunity to judge his actions 50:53 and to think about those thousand, thousand of years 50:56 of his rebellion against God 50:58 and how many people he pulled into destruction. 51:01 So now let's go here to verse 5, 51:04 "The rest of the dead did not come to life 51:08 until the thousand years were completed. 51:11 This is the first resurrection." 51:12 Keep in mind, there are two resurrections, 51:14 the first and the second. 51:16 "Blessed and holy is the one 51:18 who has a part in the first resurrection, 51:21 over these the second death has no power, 51:26 but they will be priests of God and Christ 51:29 and they will reign with him for one thousand years." 51:35 So, what happens at the end of one thousand years? 51:39 There is the second resurrection. 51:42 Keep in mind. There are two resurrections. 51:44 Who will resurrect in the first resurrection? 51:47 We saw, blessed is the one 51:49 who's resurrecting the first resurrection. 51:53 They will not die with the second death, 51:55 but those who will participate in the second resurrection, 51:59 they will die again. 52:00 Did you notice it here? Okay. 52:03 Now verse 7. 52:05 When the thousand years are completed, 52:08 Satan will be released from the prison. Praise God. 52:14 The following verse explained to us 52:16 how Satan is released from this prison. 52:19 What actually the meaning of this symbol is about? 52:23 It says, okay. 52:26 "And he will come out to deceive the nations 52:30 which are in the four corners of the earth." 52:33 Who are the people that Satan is now allowed to deceive again? 52:40 Those who are resurrected in the second resurrection. 52:44 Are you still with me? 52:45 John is talking now that there is a second resurrection 52:48 who will resurrect in those second resurrections? 52:52 Who is the first person that you can begin with evidently Cain. 52:58 Okay, all those people from Adam 53:01 who were rebellious against God, 53:02 all those people finally will resurrect and be in one place. 53:07 Oh, boy, drastic picture. 53:09 But Satan will come among them to deceive them. 53:14 It says, "Which are in the four corners of the earth? 53:17 Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war, 53:23 the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. 53:27 And they came up to the broad plain of the earth 53:31 and they surrounded the camp of the saint 53:33 and the beloved city and fire came down 53:37 from heaven and devour them." 53:39 What will happen in meantime? 53:40 Please, the Book of Revelation does not provide all details. 53:44 Evidently, as the wicked are resurrected 53:46 in the second resurrection. 53:48 The New Jerusalem is coming from heaven there 53:50 with God's people there, okay. 53:54 And now the wicked prompted by Satan 53:57 are now surrounding the city. 53:59 What is that that Satan is deceiving them? 54:01 Evidently telling them. 54:02 Now it's our chance, let's conquer the city. 54:05 This is the city actually that they wanted 54:08 to promise to you and they come-- 54:11 And the Bible says, please, I'm not going anything 54:13 what is beyond the text, okay. 54:15 They surround the city and they said, 54:17 "The fire came down from heaven devours them. 54:20 And the devil who deceived them 54:22 was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, 54:26 where the beast and the false prophet are also, 54:29 they will be tormented day and night 54:31 for ever and ever." 54:35 And with this, the chapter concludes. 54:37 We know what happens. 54:39 But note John wants to provide more, more details 54:43 about what indeed happens. 54:45 So keep in mind that the verses 11-15, 54:49 it's actually deliberation of the statement, 54:51 giving us more details about really 54:54 how did final destruction of Satan will take place. 54:57 Verse 11, it's telling us that there is now the final judgment. 55:02 This final judgment must be distinguished 55:04 from the pre-advent judgment. 55:07 In the pre-advent judgment, God's people are judged. 55:10 Here are those who are the enemies of God 55:15 and His people and said, 55:17 "Then I saw a great white throne 55:20 and Him who sat upon it, 55:22 from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, 55:26 and no place were found for them. 55:28 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, 55:33 standing before the throne, and books were opened: 55:38 and another book was opened, which is the book of life." 55:41 Let me stop here for a while. 55:43 Do you remember that all those 55:46 whose names are not written in the book of life? 55:48 They are the worshippers of the beast. 55:49 Do you remember that? 55:51 So to have the name in the book of life, 55:52 it means to belong to God 55:55 and the dead were judged from the things 55:57 which are written in the books according to their deeds. 56:01 "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, 56:06 and Death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them, 56:11 and they were judged every one of them 56:14 according to their deeds." 56:18 And now conclusion. 56:20 "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. 56:26 This is the second death, the lake of fire. 56:32 And if anyone's name was not found in the book of life, 56:37 he was thrown into the lake of fire." 56:41 Friends, this section of the Book of Revelation 56:45 is the final judgment that will actually conclude 56:50 the rebellion against God. 56:52 This section of the Book of Revelation concludes 56:54 this world history and brings us into the next section, 56:59 with the establishment of God's kingdom here on this earth. 57:03 Remember, who will be judged? 57:05 All those whose names are not written 57:09 in the book of life, okay. 57:12 Actually Jesus said to His disciples, 57:15 "Don't rejoice that's even Satan and the demons 57:19 have to be subjected to you, 57:21 but rejoice that your name is written in the book of life." 57:26 Praise God for that great opportunity. 57:28 If your name is not there yet, 57:30 now is the chance respond to God's call 57:33 and He will accept you and He will save you. |
Revised 2014-12-17