If a man dies,
shall he live again?
00:00:01.50\00:00:04.41
What does it mean to
be absent from the body
00:00:07.05\00:00:09.90
and present with the Lord?
00:00:09.93\00:00:13.50
Did Jesus go with a thief
to paradise on Good Friday?
00:00:13.53\00:00:19.60
Did the souls of dead people
00:00:19.63\00:00:21.45
really cry out
from below the altar?
00:00:21.48\00:00:25.56
Pastor Bohr
answers these questions
00:00:25.59\00:00:27.48
and more in the amazing series.
00:00:27.51\00:00:29.89
Shall we bow our
heads for prayer?
00:00:34.88\00:00:38.65
Father in Heaven, once again
00:00:38.68\00:00:39.95
we thank You for
the awesome privilege
00:00:39.98\00:00:43.24
of coming into Your presence
00:00:43.27\00:00:45.82
to open up the
book that You inspired
00:00:45.85\00:00:48.19
through ministration
of Your Holy Spirit.
00:00:48.22\00:00:51.80
Father, we're gonna speak about
00:00:51.83\00:00:53.07
some very solemn
things this evening
00:00:53.10\00:00:56.32
and there fore we need
00:00:56.35\00:00:57.38
the guidance of
your Holy Spirit.
00:00:57.41\00:01:00.31
We ask Father,
that You will remove
00:01:00.34\00:01:03.53
any preconceived notion
that we have in our minds
00:01:03.56\00:01:05.95
and in our hearts
00:01:05.98\00:01:07.48
that would keep us
from hearing Your voice.
00:01:07.51\00:01:10.36
Help us to understand Your word.
00:01:10.39\00:01:13.21
And we thank you Father,
00:01:13.24\00:01:14.27
for hearing and
answering our prayer
00:01:14.30\00:01:15.80
for we ask it in
Jesus name. Amen.
00:01:15.83\00:01:21.47
We are going to
talk about today--
00:01:21.50\00:01:25.87
the Undying Worm and
the Unquenchable Fire.
00:01:25.90\00:01:32.44
Now, when we deal with
this topic a question comes up.
00:01:32.47\00:01:37.63
You know, those who have watched
00:01:37.66\00:01:38.91
the previous presentations
in the series say okay.
00:01:38.94\00:01:42.28
So you are saying
when a person dies
00:01:42.31\00:01:45.19
they're dead
until the resurrection.
00:01:45.22\00:01:47.87
When they resurrect
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if they were good
they will go to heaven
00:01:49.68\00:01:51.91
and if they were wicked
00:01:51.94\00:01:53.78
they're not going to
live forever they will to hell
00:01:53.81\00:01:55.94
and they will burn for a
while and then they'll burn out.
00:01:55.97\00:01:59.65
So how do you explain
00:01:59.68\00:02:01.23
those difficult
passages of scripture
00:02:01.26\00:02:04.00
that speak about
the everlasting fire,
00:02:04.03\00:02:07.12
everlasting destruction,
the worm that doesn't die,
00:02:07.15\00:02:12.12
the fire that is not quenched?
00:02:12.15\00:02:14.86
You see, we
can't finish the series
00:02:14.89\00:02:16.71
with out dealing with
these very difficult passages.
00:02:16.74\00:02:20.74
We're not trying to sweep
00:02:20.77\00:02:22.22
the difficult
passages under the rug.
00:02:22.25\00:02:25.14
We have to face these
00:02:25.17\00:02:26.92
and we have to
resolve the problems
00:02:26.95\00:02:29.66
that they bring forth.
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I'd like to invite you
to open your Bibles with me
00:02:31.66\00:02:34.25
to Matthew 25:41.
00:02:34.28\00:02:37.83
We're going to examine
four of those difficult texts
00:02:37.86\00:02:41.48
as we begin our study today.
00:02:41.51\00:02:44.66
Matthew 25:41,
00:02:44.69\00:02:47.35
its speaking now here about
the goats that Jesus placed
00:02:47.38\00:02:50.27
at His left side in
the Day of Judgment.
00:02:50.30\00:02:53.94
It says, "Then He will also
say to those on the left hand,
00:02:53.97\00:02:58.68
'Depart from Me, you cursed,
into the everlasting fire
00:02:58.71\00:03:04.87
prepared for the
devil and his angels'."
00:03:04.90\00:03:08.40
So you say clearest day,
00:03:08.43\00:03:10.50
they're cast into
the everlasting fire.
00:03:10.53\00:03:13.14
What part of that
don't you understand?
00:03:13.17\00:03:16.15
Then we have Matthew 25:46,
00:03:16.18\00:03:19.99
speaking once
again about the goats,
00:03:20.02\00:03:22.74
we are told "And
these will go away
00:03:22.77\00:03:26.21
into everlasting punishment,
00:03:26.24\00:03:30.01
but the righteous
into eternal life."
00:03:30.04\00:03:33.95
So people will say, see they
go into everlasting punishment.
00:03:33.98\00:03:37.84
They're gonna be punished
forever and ever and ever.
00:03:37.87\00:03:41.37
And we notice that
they're going to be
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burn with everlasting fire.
00:03:43.46\00:03:45.17
Now, what part of that
don't you understand people say?
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Well, you see
things are not always
00:03:48.70\00:03:51.68
as they might
appear on the surface.
00:03:51.71\00:03:53.59
We have to look at
these expressions carefully.
00:03:53.62\00:03:56.91
2 Thessalonians 1:9, 10.
00:03:56.94\00:04:02.54
2 Thessalonians 1:9, 10
00:04:02.57\00:04:05.90
it's another one of
these difficult expressions.
00:04:05.93\00:04:09.79
Speaking about
the wicked it says,
00:04:09.82\00:04:11.50
"These shall be punished
with everlasting destruction
00:04:11.53\00:04:17.25
from the presence of the Lord
00:04:17.28\00:04:19.01
and from the
glory of His power."
00:04:19.04\00:04:21.15
Notice once again
everlasting destruction.
00:04:21.18\00:04:25.62
And so some people say,
00:04:25.65\00:04:27.27
see the wicked are going to
be destroyed forever and ever
00:04:27.30\00:04:31.84
because they're punished
with everlasting destruction.
00:04:31.87\00:04:35.94
Let's notice
one further passage.
00:04:35.97\00:04:38.58
This is found in Mark Chapter
9 beginning with verse 43
00:04:38.61\00:04:43.95
and it continues till verse 48
00:04:43.98\00:04:46.76
but I am only going to read
a few verses at the beginning
00:04:46.79\00:04:49.96
because the rest of the verses
merely repeat the same idea.
00:04:49.99\00:04:54.83
See it begins by
speaking about the right hand,
00:04:54.86\00:04:58.69
then it speaks about the foot,
00:04:58.72\00:05:00.13
finally it speaks about the eye.
00:05:00.16\00:05:01.78
I am only gonna
read about the right hand
00:05:01.81\00:05:03.85
because every bit is the same,
00:05:03.88\00:05:05.49
same thing about
the foot and the eye.
00:05:05.52\00:05:07.71
Notice what it says there,
00:05:07.74\00:05:09.65
"If your hand causes
you to sin, cut it off.
00:05:09.68\00:05:14.69
It is better for you
to enter into life maimed,
00:05:14.72\00:05:18.52
rather than having
two hands, to go to hell."
00:05:18.55\00:05:22.00
That is to gain up.
00:05:22.03\00:05:23.68
"Into the fire that
shall never be quenched."
00:05:23.71\00:05:27.93
Now I must tell you that,
00:05:27.96\00:05:28.99
that word never doesn't
appear in the Greek language.
00:05:29.02\00:05:33.44
It is added by the translators.
00:05:33.47\00:05:36.32
In the Greek it simply says,
00:05:36.35\00:05:38.39
"Into the fire that
shall not be quenched"
00:05:38.42\00:05:42.34
or "that is not
quenched better."
00:05:42.37\00:05:45.38
The word never is not there.
00:05:45.41\00:05:47.59
And then it says in verse 44
00:05:47.62\00:05:49.58
"Where 'Their worm does not die,
00:05:49.61\00:05:52.86
and the fire is not quenched."
00:05:52.89\00:05:54.99
Notice that it doesn't say
that "the worm will never die
00:05:55.02\00:05:58.63
and the fire will
never be quenched."
00:05:58.66\00:06:00.61
It says, where
the worm does not die,
00:06:00.64\00:06:03.87
while it's eating and
the fire is not quenched
00:06:03.90\00:06:07.38
while it is burning.
00:06:07.41\00:06:10.28
Now, the greatest
problem text of all
00:06:10.31\00:06:12.85
is found in Revelation
20:10, Revelation 20:10.
00:06:12.88\00:06:20.55
This is speaking about
00:06:20.58\00:06:22.00
the final punishment
of the devil especially.
00:06:22.03\00:06:25.31
And it says
speaking about the devil
00:06:25.34\00:06:28.26
"The devil, who deceived them,
00:06:28.29\00:06:30.26
was cast into the
lake of fire and brimstone
00:06:30.29\00:06:34.79
where the beast and
the false prophet are."
00:06:34.82\00:06:37.27
Actually a better translation is
00:06:37.30\00:06:39.11
where the beast and
the false prophet were cast
00:06:39.14\00:06:43.30
before the thousand years.
00:06:43.33\00:06:45.07
"And they will be tormented
day and night forever and ever."
00:06:45.10\00:06:50.95
See somebody says
see there is gonna be
00:06:50.98\00:06:53.40
torment forever and ever.
00:06:53.43\00:06:56.29
Now the question
is how do we deal
00:06:56.32\00:06:58.01
with these
difficult expressions?
00:06:58.04\00:07:00.08
Everlasting fire,
everlasting punishment,
00:07:00.11\00:07:03.00
everlasting destruction--
00:07:03.03\00:07:05.12
the fire that is not quenched,
the worm that that doesn't die.
00:07:05.15\00:07:09.20
They shall be
torment forever and ever.
00:07:09.23\00:07:11.22
How do we deal
with these expressions?
00:07:11.25\00:07:14.18
The fact is that when we
study scripture carefully
00:07:14.21\00:07:17.18
there is an
explanation different
00:07:17.21\00:07:19.31
than the
explanation that most Christians
00:07:19.34\00:07:22.24
give to these expressions.
00:07:22.27\00:07:24.68
Let's solve first of all
00:07:24.71\00:07:26.47
the issue of the
everlasting fire,
00:07:26.50\00:07:29.40
the everlasting destruction.
00:07:29.43\00:07:32.01
Go with me
00:07:32.04\00:07:35.58
and we'll also read verse 28.
00:07:35.61\00:07:38.12
Genesis 19:24 and then we
will jump down to verse 28.
00:07:38.15\00:07:43.92
It's speaking here about
00:07:43.95\00:07:44.98
the Destruction
of Sodom and Gomorrah
00:07:45.01\00:07:47.72
and we find the following words.
00:07:47.75\00:07:50.44
"Then the Lord
rained" fire or "brimstone
00:07:50.47\00:07:55.67
and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah,
00:07:55.70\00:07:59.38
from the Lord
out of the heavens."
00:07:59.41\00:08:01.82
Now, notice the
expressions brimstone, fire
00:08:01.85\00:08:05.69
where did it come from?
00:08:05.72\00:08:07.05
From the Lord. Out of where?
00:08:07.08\00:08:09.17
Out of the
heavens, remember that.
00:08:09.20\00:08:11.93
Verse 28 this is the
aftermath of the fire.
00:08:11.96\00:08:16.07
It says there that,
00:08:16.10\00:08:18.37
"Abraham looked
toward Sodom and Gomorrah,
00:08:18.40\00:08:22.14
and toward all
the land of the plain,
00:08:22.17\00:08:25.23
and he saw, and
behold, the smoke of the land
00:08:25.26\00:08:29.87
which went up like
the smoke of a furnace."
00:08:29.90\00:08:34.23
So you have this
fire and brimstone
00:08:34.26\00:08:36.61
that comes from
the Lord out of heaven
00:08:36.64\00:08:39.79
it falls on Sodom and Gomorrah
00:08:39.82\00:08:41.85
and then the smoke ascends
like the smoke of a furnace.
00:08:41.88\00:08:47.78
Now go with me to Jude 7
where the quality of fire
00:08:47.81\00:08:51.82
that destroyed Sodom
and Gomorrah is spoken off.
00:08:51.85\00:08:54.82
Jude 7.
00:08:54.85\00:08:56.63
We only mention the verse
00:08:56.66\00:08:58.24
because this book
has only one chapter.
00:08:58.27\00:09:01.52
So it says there in Jude
7 "As Sodom and Gomorrah,
00:09:01.55\00:09:05.25
and the cities around them
in a similar manner to these,
00:09:05.28\00:09:09.89
having given themselves
over to sexual immorality
00:09:09.92\00:09:14.10
and gone after strange flesh,
are set forth as an example,
00:09:14.13\00:09:18.81
suffering the
vengeance of eternal fire."
00:09:18.84\00:09:23.76
What kind of fire
burns Sodom and Gomorrah?
00:09:23.79\00:09:27.04
The Bible says
that it was eternal fire
00:09:27.07\00:09:29.85
that burned Sodom and Gomorrah.
00:09:29.88\00:09:32.95
And yet we find some thing
very interesting in 2 Peter 2:6.
00:09:32.98\00:09:38.51
Go with me there to 2 Peter 2:6
00:09:38.54\00:09:41.53
just a few pages before Jude 7.
00:09:41.56\00:09:44.52
It says there,
00:09:44.55\00:09:46.05
"And turning the
cities of Sodom and Gomorrah."
00:09:46.08\00:09:49.39
Into what?
00:09:49.42\00:09:51.36
"Ashes, condemned
them to destruction,
00:09:51.39\00:09:54.36
making them an example
00:09:54.39\00:09:55.98
to those who
afterward would live ungodly."
00:09:56.01\00:10:00.10
So you've the strange paradox.
00:10:00.13\00:10:02.42
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
00:10:02.45\00:10:03.94
were destroyed
with eternal fire.
00:10:03.97\00:10:06.50
And yet the Bible says
that they were reduced to what?
00:10:06.53\00:10:09.81
They were reduced to ashes.
00:10:09.84\00:10:12.00
Now let me ask
you what are ashes?
00:10:12.03\00:10:14.08
Can you burn ashes?
00:10:14.11\00:10:16.78
No you can't burn ashes.
00:10:16.81\00:10:18.83
Ashes are the
result that comes from
00:10:18.86\00:10:22.46
when the fire has
already done its complete work.
00:10:22.49\00:10:25.76
In other words, when
there is nothing more
00:10:25.79\00:10:28.05
to be burned you have what?
00:10:28.08\00:10:30.20
You have ashes.
00:10:30.23\00:10:31.42
So you'll say, how
could Sodom and Gomorrah
00:10:31.45\00:10:33.81
have been burned
with eternal fire
00:10:33.84\00:10:36.76
and yet be reduced to ashes
00:10:36.79\00:10:39.23
and at least
have the fire go out
00:10:39.26\00:10:41.84
when Sodom and
Gomorrah were burned up.
00:10:41.87\00:10:44.19
How do we explain this?
00:10:44.22\00:10:47.30
Well, generally the
explanation that is been given
00:10:47.33\00:10:50.22
even with in the
Adventists church
00:10:50.25\00:10:52.18
is that the fire was eternal
in the results that it produced.
00:10:52.21\00:10:56.95
In other words, the fire
produced eternal destruction.
00:10:56.98\00:11:01.27
In other words, it
produced complete destruction.
00:11:01.30\00:11:05.58
But I believe that we need
to go one step beyond this.
00:11:05.61\00:11:10.09
It is true that the fire reduced
Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes.
00:11:10.12\00:11:15.52
In other words,
Sodom and Gomorrah
00:11:15.55\00:11:16.70
didn't continue burning
the fire there went out.
00:11:16.73\00:11:20.18
But, what I want to show you now
00:11:20.21\00:11:21.80
is that the fire that
burned Sodom and Gomorrah
00:11:21.83\00:11:24.31
actually never went out.
00:11:24.34\00:11:25.51
Sodom and Gomorrah did
00:11:25.54\00:11:27.00
but the fire that
burnt them did not.
00:11:27.03\00:11:29.81
You'll say, now
what're you talking about?
00:11:29.84\00:11:32.03
You're contradicting yourself.
00:11:32.06\00:11:34.00
Well, let's notice
what the Bible has to say.
00:11:34.03\00:11:37.08
Deuteronomy 4:23, 24,
00:11:37.11\00:11:41.48
Deuteronomy 4:23, 24.
00:11:41.51\00:11:46.53
Here God is speaking to Israel
about the dangerous idolatry.
00:11:46.56\00:11:50.65
"Take heed to yourselves,
00:11:50.68\00:11:52.83
lest you forget the
covenant of the Lord your God
00:11:52.86\00:11:55.51
which He made with
you, and make for yourselves
00:11:55.54\00:11:58.80
a carved image in
the form of anything
00:11:58.83\00:12:01.65
which the Lord your
God has forbidden you."
00:12:01.68\00:12:03.91
In other words,
don't practice idolatry.
00:12:03.94\00:12:05.96
And now, notice verse 24
00:12:05.99\00:12:08.01
"For the Lord your
God is a consuming fire,
00:12:08.04\00:12:13.62
a jealous God."
00:12:13.65\00:12:15.30
What is the consuming fire?
00:12:15.33\00:12:17.51
God is the consuming
fire according to this.
00:12:17.54\00:12:22.66
How long has God
been a consuming fire?
00:12:22.69\00:12:25.80
Only since He destroyed
Sodom and Gomorrah right?
00:12:25.83\00:12:28.66
Was God a consuming
fire before that? Yes.
00:12:28.69\00:12:31.66
Is He a consuming
fire after that? Yes.
00:12:31.69\00:12:35.33
Notice Hebrews 12:28,
29, Hebrews 12:28, 29.
00:12:35.36\00:12:41.92
It's saying same basic thing
00:12:41.95\00:12:43.81
that we noticed in
Deuteronomy 4:23, 24.
00:12:43.84\00:12:48.07
It says there "Therefore,
since we are receiving a kingdom
00:12:48.10\00:12:52.35
which cannot be
shaken, let us have grace,
00:12:52.38\00:12:55.80
by which we may serve God
00:12:55.83\00:12:57.95
acceptably with
reverence and godly fear."
00:12:57.98\00:13:01.36
Now, why should we serve God
with reverence and godly fear?
00:13:01.39\00:13:05.09
Verse 29 "For our
God is a consuming fire."
00:13:05.12\00:13:12.05
Who is the fire?
00:13:12.08\00:13:13.82
God is the fire
according to the scripture.
00:13:13.85\00:13:16.50
So you are saying, are
you saying Pastor Bohr,
00:13:16.53\00:13:18.53
then that God is a
bunch of flames? No.
00:13:18.56\00:13:22.33
You see the fire
is an illustration
00:13:22.36\00:13:25.55
of something that
God is in His person.
00:13:25.58\00:13:29.20
You'll say, what is that?
Go with me Exodus 24:15-17.
00:13:29.23\00:13:35.32
Exodus 24:15-17
00:13:35.35\00:13:39.95
it's speaking about Israel
at the foot of Mount Sinai.
00:13:39.98\00:13:43.87
And we're told about how Moses
00:13:43.90\00:13:45.97
went up to the
top of the mountain.
00:13:46.00\00:13:48.27
It says there in Verse 15
00:13:48.30\00:13:50.63
"Then Moses went
up into the mountain,
00:13:50.66\00:13:53.56
and a cloud
covered the mountain."
00:13:53.59\00:13:56.22
Now, notice this,
00:13:56.25\00:13:57.55
"Now the glory of the
Lord rested on Mount Sinai."
00:13:57.58\00:14:01.82
What was it that
rested on Mount Sinai?
00:14:01.85\00:14:04.06
"The glory of the
Lord rested on Mount Sinai,
00:14:04.09\00:14:07.70
and the cloud
covered it six days."
00:14:07.73\00:14:09.68
Praise the Lord,
because if the cloud
00:14:09.71\00:14:10.98
hasn't covered the mountain,
00:14:11.01\00:14:12.71
nobody would've remained
alive among the Israelites.
00:14:12.74\00:14:15.88
Continues saying,
"And on the seventh day
00:14:15.91\00:14:18.45
He called to Moses out
of the midst of the cloud."
00:14:18.48\00:14:22.15
Verse 17 "The sight
of the glory of the Lord
00:14:22.18\00:14:26.74
was like a consuming fire
on the top of the mountain
00:14:26.77\00:14:31.28
in the eyes of the
children of Israel."
00:14:31.31\00:14:33.85
Let me ask you, what--
00:14:33.88\00:14:35.82
in what sense is
God the consuming fire?
00:14:35.85\00:14:39.48
Verse 17 says "The
sight of the glory of the Lord
00:14:39.51\00:14:43.86
was like a consuming fire."
00:14:43.89\00:14:45.72
So what is the
consuming fire aspect of God?
00:14:45.75\00:14:50.15
It is His what? It is His glory.
00:14:50.18\00:14:54.31
You see the Bible says that
00:14:54.34\00:14:55.50
God is surrounded
by a glorious light
00:14:55.53\00:14:58.78
which is unapproachable
to sinful human beings.
00:14:58.81\00:15:02.64
In fact if you go
with me to Revelation 15:2
00:15:02.67\00:15:06.65
you will find a
description of the place
00:15:06.68\00:15:08.93
where the
throne of God is found.
00:15:08.96\00:15:11.18
Right before the throne is a sea
00:15:11.21\00:15:13.04
that looks like
glass mingled with fire.
00:15:13.07\00:15:15.81
Now have you ever seen a
sea that's so crystal clear
00:15:15.84\00:15:19.70
that it looks like
it's mingled with fire?
00:15:19.73\00:15:21.97
Doesn't seem to make sense,
00:15:22.00\00:15:23.28
water and fire don't mix, right.
00:15:23.31\00:15:25.91
Notice Revelation 15:2,
00:15:25.94\00:15:28.42
"And I saw something like a
sea of glass mingled with fire,
00:15:28.45\00:15:32.99
and those who have the victory
00:15:33.02\00:15:34.33
over the beast, over
his image and over his mark
00:15:34.36\00:15:36.83
and over the number of his name,
00:15:36.86\00:15:38.54
standing on the sea of
glass, having harps of God."
00:15:38.57\00:15:42.03
In what sense was the sea
of glass mingled with fire?
00:15:42.06\00:15:45.83
Well, if you read the context
00:15:45.86\00:15:47.29
you will notice
that the throne of God
00:15:47.32\00:15:49.66
is above that lake of
water or that sea of glass
00:15:49.69\00:15:55.88
and the glory of God
reflex in the sea of glass
00:15:55.91\00:15:58.93
and it makes it look like
it is glass mingled with fire
00:15:58.96\00:16:05.29
because of the glory
of God that shines in it.
00:16:05.32\00:16:09.80
So my question
is, when we are told
00:16:09.83\00:16:13.36
that Sodom, Gomorrah were
destroyed with eternal fire
00:16:13.39\00:16:18.03
is the fire that
burned Sodom and Gomorrah
00:16:18.06\00:16:21.56
still burning
today? Of course it is.
00:16:21.59\00:16:26.59
Because who is
the consuming fire?
00:16:26.62\00:16:29.38
God is the consuming fire.
What is not burning is what?
00:16:29.41\00:16:33.75
Sodom and
Gomorrah, they went out.
00:16:33.78\00:16:37.28
You'll notice that the
expression everlasting fire
00:16:37.31\00:16:41.35
does not say that those who
are being burned are everlasting
00:16:41.38\00:16:45.57
it is the fire
that is everlasting.
00:16:45.60\00:16:47.92
Because the fire is
God's what? God's glory.
00:16:47.95\00:16:51.56
Are you with me or not?
00:16:51.59\00:16:54.06
What does
everlasting punishment mean?
00:16:54.09\00:16:56.41
It simple means that Sodom
and Gomorrah were destroyed
00:16:56.44\00:16:58.92
and they'll never rise again.
00:16:58.95\00:17:00.32
Their punishment lasted forever.
00:17:00.35\00:17:02.36
Its not that they
are being punished
00:17:02.39\00:17:04.30
and punished and punished
continually forever and ever
00:17:04.33\00:17:07.95
the Bible simply is
saying that they were punished
00:17:07.98\00:17:10.03
and they stayed
punished forever.
00:17:10.06\00:17:12.33
In other words, their
punishment was eternal.
00:17:12.36\00:17:15.38
And as to the expression,
everlasting destruction
00:17:15.41\00:17:18.62
it means that
they were destroyed
00:17:18.65\00:17:20.33
and they were
remained destroyed forever.
00:17:20.36\00:17:23.02
It's not the
process of destruction,
00:17:23.05\00:17:25.65
it's not the process of
punishment that is eternal
00:17:25.68\00:17:28.86
it's the result
of the punishment.
00:17:28.89\00:17:31.05
It's the result
of the destruction
00:17:31.08\00:17:33.14
which lasts forever.
00:17:33.17\00:17:35.90
Now, what about
the unquenchable fire?
00:17:35.93\00:17:39.55
The unquenchable fire is
mentioned in Matthew 3:12,
00:17:39.58\00:17:45.04
Matthew 3:12, here it's--
00:17:45.07\00:17:50.53
it's describing the work of
John the Baptist his preaching
00:17:50.56\00:17:54.13
and you will notice here
00:17:54.16\00:17:56.96
that we are told in this verse
speaking about the Messiah.
00:17:56.99\00:18:01.69
"His winnowing
fan is in His hand,
00:18:01.72\00:18:04.97
and He will thoroughly
clean out His threshing floor,
00:18:05.00\00:18:10.16
and gather His
wheat into the barn,
00:18:10.19\00:18:13.27
but He will burn up
the chaff with." What?
00:18:13.30\00:18:16.76
"He will burn up the
chaff with unquenchable fire."
00:18:16.79\00:18:22.58
Do you know what chaff is?
00:18:22.61\00:18:25.16
Chaff is like dry grass,
00:18:25.19\00:18:29.89
dry weeds that you like fire to.
00:18:29.92\00:18:33.37
Let me ask you do
they eventually burn out?
00:18:33.40\00:18:36.83
You better believe they do.
00:18:36.86\00:18:38.37
The fire rages
it's not quenchable
00:18:38.40\00:18:41.57
because you can't put it out
00:18:41.60\00:18:43.06
but eventually you
don't have to put it out
00:18:43.09\00:18:45.30
because it goes out
because it's consumed
00:18:45.33\00:18:47.86
everything that is consumable.
00:18:47.89\00:18:51.08
Let me illustrate,
some of you might remember
00:18:51.11\00:18:54.54
that day several years ago
00:18:54.57\00:18:56.36
when the Branch Davidian
complex was burnt up in Waco.
00:18:56.39\00:19:01.81
I know I watched
that on television.
00:19:01.84\00:19:03.96
There was this very
strong wind that was blowing.
00:19:03.99\00:19:07.94
When that thing
started when the fire started
00:19:07.97\00:19:11.19
there was no fire
department in the world
00:19:11.22\00:19:13.08
that could have
put out that fire
00:19:13.11\00:19:14.40
until that fire
finished its work.
00:19:14.43\00:19:16.37
Because the fire just
raged all of a sudden,
00:19:16.40\00:19:18.60
it took over all of the
complex all of the building.
00:19:18.63\00:19:21.34
Let me ask you, was
that fire unquenchable? Yes.
00:19:21.37\00:19:24.60
You will never find that
the Bible says that it is--
00:19:24.63\00:19:27.07
that it is
eternal unquenchable fire.
00:19:27.10\00:19:30.48
It says that while the fire
is burning it is unquenchable.
00:19:30.51\00:19:34.62
The fire that burnt
the Branch Davidian complex
00:19:34.65\00:19:37.72
was unquenchable fire.
00:19:37.75\00:19:39.94
It doesn't mean that it
was going to burn forever
00:19:39.97\00:19:41.84
it means that it
couldn't be put out
00:19:41.87\00:19:43.70
until it finished its work.
00:19:43.73\00:19:45.83
By the way the Battle
Creek Sanitarium in 1903
00:19:45.86\00:19:49.43
was burnt with
unquenchable fire.
00:19:49.46\00:19:52.02
The fire chief,
his last name was Weeks
00:19:52.05\00:19:54.90
wrote an
article in the newspaper
00:19:54.93\00:19:56.48
after the sanitarium burned down
00:19:56.51\00:19:58.77
because the Review and
Herald also burned down.
00:19:58.80\00:20:01.50
And he said, you
know, these Adventists fires
00:20:01.53\00:20:03.09
are very, very strange
00:20:03.12\00:20:04.26
because when you
pour water on them
00:20:04.29\00:20:06.73
it acts more like gasoline.
00:20:06.76\00:20:09.03
And Ellen White has
seen an angel of God
00:20:09.06\00:20:11.15
with a sword of fire
standing above Battle Creek.
00:20:11.18\00:20:13.70
In other words, that
was a judgment of God.
00:20:13.73\00:20:16.16
And no one could put them out
00:20:16.19\00:20:17.81
until they had
burned to the ground.
00:20:17.84\00:20:20.83
By the way, Eusebius
the great church historian
00:20:20.86\00:20:23.83
mentions four
individuals who are martyred.
00:20:23.86\00:20:26.56
Their names were Cronion,
00:20:26.59\00:20:28.50
Julian, Epimachus and Alexander.
00:20:28.53\00:20:32.10
And Eusebius says
00:20:32.13\00:20:33.60
that these martyrs's were
slain with unquenchable fire.
00:20:33.63\00:20:39.47
So are they still
burning today somewhere?
00:20:39.50\00:20:41.47
Of course, not.
00:20:41.50\00:20:42.58
They were burned with
fire that could not be what?
00:20:42.61\00:20:46.81
Extinguished.
00:20:46.84\00:20:49.16
No where does it say
eternal unquenchable fire.
00:20:49.19\00:20:53.14
That's an
assumption that people make.
00:20:53.17\00:20:56.28
Now let's talk about
the wicked being devoured.
00:20:56.31\00:21:00.36
Notice Malachi
4:1-3, Malachi 4:1-3.
00:21:00.39\00:21:07.33
You tell me if this
sounds like the wicked
00:21:07.36\00:21:09.69
are going to burn and
burn and burn forever and ever.
00:21:09.72\00:21:13.58
It says there, "For
behold, the day is coming,
00:21:13.61\00:21:16.44
burning like an
oven, and all the proud,
00:21:16.47\00:21:20.03
yes, all who do
wickedly will be stubble."
00:21:20.06\00:21:24.24
Stubble burns real nice.
00:21:24.27\00:21:26.25
"And the day which is
coming shall burn them up,"
00:21:26.28\00:21:31.01
What part of that
don't you understand,
00:21:31.04\00:21:32.40
shall burn them up.
00:21:32.43\00:21:35.45
"Says the Lord of hosts,
00:21:35.48\00:21:37.11
'That will leave them
neither root nor branch."
00:21:37.14\00:21:40.25
By the way, the
root is the devil
00:21:40.28\00:21:41.87
and the branches
are his followers.
00:21:41.90\00:21:44.53
Verse 2 "But to
you who fear My name
00:21:44.56\00:21:47.51
The Sun of
Righteousness shall arise
00:21:47.54\00:21:49.11
With healing in His wings
00:21:49.14\00:21:50.62
and you shall go out and
grow fat like stall-fed calves.
00:21:50.65\00:21:55.68
You shall trample the wicked,
00:21:55.71\00:21:57.27
for they shall
be", now notice this
00:21:57.30\00:21:59.30
"they shall be ashes
under the soles of your feet
00:21:59.33\00:22:03.87
on the day that I do
this,' says the Lord of hosts."
00:22:03.90\00:22:07.86
What are the wicked
gonna be reduced to? Ashes.
00:22:07.89\00:22:10.40
So how can they
be burning forever
00:22:10.43\00:22:12.10
if they're going to
be reduced to ashes?
00:22:12.13\00:22:14.94
The Bible says that
they're gonna be burnt up.
00:22:14.97\00:22:17.93
The Bible says,
they're gonna be like stubble.
00:22:17.96\00:22:20.51
"Neither root nor
branch will be left."
00:22:20.54\00:22:24.90
Notice
00:22:24.93\00:22:27.45
about the
destruction of the wicked.
00:22:27.48\00:22:29.50
it says,
00:22:29.53\00:22:33.25
"They went up on
the breadth of the earth
00:22:33.28\00:22:35.51
and surrounded
the camp of the saints
00:22:35.54\00:22:38.04
and the beloved city.
00:22:38.07\00:22:39.50
And fire came down from God
00:22:39.53\00:22:42.26
out of heaven
and devoured them."
00:22:42.29\00:22:46.89
Let me ask you what happens
when you devour something?
00:22:46.92\00:22:49.65
Is there anything left? No.
00:22:49.68\00:22:51.87
You know, I use to devour
Snickers bars by the dozens
00:22:51.90\00:22:59.19
because I think
they are delicious.
00:22:59.22\00:23:01.51
Now I don't because
it gave me a headache.
00:23:01.54\00:23:04.24
But I tell you what,
when I open the wrapper
00:23:04.27\00:23:07.38
and I took out that snickers bar
00:23:07.41\00:23:09.25
and I devour that thing
00:23:09.28\00:23:10.78
there was not a
crumble that Snickers bar left.
00:23:10.81\00:23:14.14
And that's what is
been said about the wicked.
00:23:14.17\00:23:16.39
The fire devoured them.
00:23:16.42\00:23:18.11
By the way if you go
with me to Matthew 13:4
00:23:18.14\00:23:21.69
you will notice another text
00:23:21.72\00:23:22.75
that uses the very
same word 'devour.'
00:23:22.78\00:23:25.21
Speaking about the
Parable of the Sower,
00:23:25.24\00:23:27.52
it says, "And as he sowed,
some seed fell by the wayside
00:23:27.55\00:23:32.07
and the birds came
and devoured them."
00:23:32.10\00:23:35.43
Let me ask you,
how many seeds are left
00:23:35.46\00:23:37.27
after the birds
devour them? Absolutely none.
00:23:37.30\00:23:40.73
And so where the Bible says that
00:23:40.76\00:23:42.05
the wicked are
going to be devoured
00:23:42.08\00:23:43.78
it means that
nothing is going to be left.
00:23:43.81\00:23:47.72
also speaks about
00:23:47.75\00:23:51.33
what is gonna
happen with the wicked.
00:23:51.36\00:23:53.22
Revelation 21:8 it says,
"But the cowardly, unbelieving,
00:23:53.25\00:23:58.69
abominable,
murderers, sexually immoral,
00:23:58.72\00:24:02.63
sorcerers, idolaters,
00:24:02.66\00:24:04.77
and all liars shall
have their part in the lake
00:24:04.80\00:24:07.86
which burns with
fire and brimstone,
00:24:07.89\00:24:10.93
which is the second death."
00:24:10.96\00:24:15.17
By the way, second death means
00:24:15.20\00:24:16.79
a death from which
there will be no resurrection.
00:24:16.82\00:24:21.10
Everyone except those
who will be translated
00:24:21.13\00:24:23.17
from the living
will die the first death.
00:24:23.20\00:24:27.38
First death is not the problem.
00:24:27.41\00:24:29.61
You see when you
die the first death
00:24:29.64\00:24:31.00
we have noticed that the
result is that you asleep,
00:24:31.03\00:24:34.44
you're unconscious until
the moment of the resurrection
00:24:34.47\00:24:37.71
and then you resurrect
to the resurrection of life.
00:24:37.74\00:24:40.87
But the Bible says, that
those who did wickedly will die
00:24:40.90\00:24:43.77
they will resurrect in
the second resurrection
00:24:43.80\00:24:46.40
after the thousand years.
00:24:46.43\00:24:47.87
And then the Bible says that
they will suffer second death
00:24:47.90\00:24:51.76
that is the death from which
there will be no resurrection.
00:24:51.79\00:24:56.08
By the way, what
I'm gonna to say now
00:24:56.11\00:24:57.82
might surprise many of you.
00:24:57.85\00:25:00.51
Do you know that
the Bible teaches
00:25:00.54\00:25:01.81
that it's not the wicked
00:25:01.84\00:25:03.03
who are going to
dwell in the fire forever?
00:25:03.06\00:25:06.23
The Bible teaches
that it's the righteous
00:25:06.26\00:25:08.06
who are going to live
in the flames forever.
00:25:08.09\00:25:11.06
You'll say, now pastor
what kind of heresy is this
00:25:11.09\00:25:13.25
that you're teaching us.
00:25:13.28\00:25:14.77
Well the Bible says
so, the wicked can't live
00:25:14.80\00:25:17.55
in the mist of the glory of God,
00:25:17.58\00:25:19.68
who is a consuming fire
00:25:19.71\00:25:21.04
because they're
consumed they are devoured.
00:25:21.07\00:25:23.96
But the righteous, who
have a fireproof character
00:25:23.99\00:25:27.15
who have given
their lives to Jesus
00:25:27.18\00:25:28.98
will be able to dwell
00:25:29.01\00:25:30.25
in the presence
of the glory of God
00:25:30.28\00:25:31.98
and not be consumed.
Let me prove it to you.
00:25:32.01\00:25:34.28
Isaiah 33:14, 15,
Isaiah 33:14, 15 it says,
00:25:34.31\00:25:42.20
"The sinners in Zion are afraid,
00:25:42.23\00:25:44.72
Fearfulness has
seized the hypocrites,
00:25:44.75\00:25:48.07
'Who among us shall dwell
with the devouring fire?'"
00:25:48.10\00:25:51.31
Notice the question,
00:25:51.34\00:25:52.37
"Who among us shall
dwell with the devouring fire?
00:25:52.40\00:25:56.22
Who among us shall dwell
with everlasting burnings?"
00:25:56.25\00:26:00.41
Notice with
everlasting burnings.
00:26:00.44\00:26:03.29
Notice the answer,
00:26:03.32\00:26:04.56
"He who walks righteously
and speaks the truth,
00:26:04.59\00:26:10.41
he who despises the
gain of oppressions,
00:26:10.44\00:26:13.63
Who gestures with his
hands, refusing bribes,
00:26:13.66\00:26:17.71
Who stops his ears
from hearing of bloodshed,
00:26:17.74\00:26:20.75
And shuts his
eyes from seeing evil."
00:26:20.78\00:26:24.28
Isn't that interesting?
00:26:24.31\00:26:26.05
Who are the ones
who are going to dwell
00:26:26.08\00:26:29.17
with the devouring fire
00:26:29.20\00:26:31.00
and are going to live
with the everlasting burnings?
00:26:31.03\00:26:35.09
It is not the
wicked but the righteous.
00:26:35.12\00:26:37.94
The majority of the churches
have it the wrong way around.
00:26:37.97\00:26:43.20
But the question still remains,
00:26:43.23\00:26:45.56
how long are the
wicked going to burn?
00:26:45.59\00:26:49.74
Because the Bible does teach
00:26:49.77\00:26:51.63
that wicked will be destroyed
with fire and brimstone.
00:26:51.66\00:26:54.59
But the big question is
00:26:54.62\00:26:55.90
how long are the
wicked going to suffer.
00:26:55.93\00:27:00.61
The fact is folks
that the Bible teaches
00:27:00.64\00:27:02.76
that there will be
varying lengths of punishment
00:27:02.79\00:27:06.78
because the punishment will be
00:27:06.81\00:27:08.23
according to the
deeds done in the body.
00:27:08.26\00:27:11.82
Let's read a couple of
passages that speak about this.
00:27:11.85\00:27:14.70
Go with me to Luke
12:47, 48, Luke 12:47, 48
00:27:14.73\00:27:22.66
its speaking about the
servant who did the master,
00:27:22.69\00:27:25.87
who did not do
the master's will.
00:27:25.90\00:27:28.04
It says there, "And that servant
who knew his master's will,
00:27:28.07\00:27:33.84
and did not prepare himself
or do according to his will,
00:27:33.87\00:27:39.15
shall be beaten" with what?
00:27:39.18\00:27:41.63
"Many stripes, but
he who did not know,
00:27:41.66\00:27:44.88
yet committed things
deserving of stripes,
00:27:44.91\00:27:47.23
shall be beaten"
with what? "With few.
00:27:47.26\00:27:49.99
For everyone to
whom much is given,
00:27:50.02\00:27:52.01
from him much will be required
00:27:52.04\00:27:54.39
and to whom much
has been committed,
00:27:54.42\00:27:56.39
of him they will ask
the more." Let me ask you.
00:27:56.42\00:27:59.24
Is punishment
according to your works?
00:27:59.27\00:28:03.01
It more certainly is.
00:28:03.04\00:28:04.75
Notice also Revelation 20:13,
Revelation 20:13, it says here
00:28:04.78\00:28:12.49
"The sea gave up
the dead who were in it,
00:28:12.52\00:28:15.61
and Death and Hades
delivered up the dead
00:28:15.64\00:28:18.67
who were in them.
00:28:18.70\00:28:20.31
And they were judged,
00:28:20.34\00:28:22.92
each one according to his" What?
00:28:22.95\00:28:27.43
"According to his works."
00:28:27.46\00:28:30.68
Let me ask you would it be
00:28:30.71\00:28:31.74
just for God to
punish Adolf Hitler
00:28:31.77\00:28:33.95
in the same way as a
common ordinary sinner
00:28:33.98\00:28:37.01
that never hurt anyone?
00:28:37.04\00:28:39.15
Would that be justice?
That would not be justice.
00:28:39.18\00:28:42.44
You see God is a
God of strict justice.
00:28:42.47\00:28:45.85
And God will meet
out the punishment
00:28:45.88\00:28:48.66
according to our works.
00:28:48.69\00:28:52.78
In other words, there
will be varying degrees,
00:28:52.81\00:28:57.71
lengths of punishment
00:28:57.74\00:28:59.84
depending on the degree
of sinfulness of the person.
00:28:59.87\00:29:03.58
Go with me to Isaiah 66:22, 23
00:29:03.61\00:29:07.45
This is a passage
that Adventist love to read
00:29:07.48\00:29:10.40
but unfortunately we
always stop at verse 23
00:29:10.43\00:29:13.09
and we never read verse 24.
00:29:13.12\00:29:15.39
And we're hoping that
people don't see verse 24.
00:29:15.42\00:29:18.75
You gonna see why in a moment.
00:29:18.78\00:29:20.70
Isaiah 66:22
00:29:20.73\00:29:23.71
"'For as the new
heavens and the new earth
00:29:23.74\00:29:25.48
which I will make shall remain
before Me,' says the Lord,
00:29:25.51\00:29:28.46
'So shall your descendants
and your name remain,
00:29:28.49\00:29:31.84
And it shall come to pass
00:29:31.87\00:29:33.11
That from one New
Moon to another.'"
00:29:33.14\00:29:35.13
By the way that means
from one month to another,
00:29:35.16\00:29:37.66
"'And from one
Sabbath to another,
00:29:37.69\00:29:39.67
all flesh shall come to worship
before Me,' says the Lord.'"
00:29:39.70\00:29:43.40
See an Adventist
say hallelujah or Amen.
00:29:43.43\00:29:46.05
We're gonna worship
before the Lord, every Sabbath
00:29:46.08\00:29:48.56
and I'll say Amen to that also.
00:29:48.59\00:29:51.40
But then we're
hoping that people won't see
00:29:51.43\00:29:53.67
the very next verse, verse 24
because that's a problem verse.
00:29:53.70\00:29:58.10
Actually Jesus
got it or what he said
00:29:58.13\00:30:01.08
in Mark 9:43, 48
00:30:01.11\00:30:05.34
and let's read it,
00:30:05.37\00:30:06.94
And, is this a continuation
of the previous verse? And?
00:30:06.97\00:30:11.03
Yes, and they go
from month to month
00:30:11.06\00:30:13.85
and from Sabbath to Sabbath,
00:30:13.88\00:30:15.85
and it says "And
they shall go forth"
00:30:15.88\00:30:18.24
that was after worshipping,
00:30:18.27\00:30:19.64
it says, "they shall go forth
and look upon the corpses."
00:30:19.67\00:30:23.98
The King James says carcasses
00:30:24.01\00:30:25.91
"of the men who have
transgressed against Me.
00:30:25.94\00:30:29.38
For their worm does not die,
and their fire is not quenched.
00:30:29.41\00:30:34.66
They shall be an
abhorrence to all flesh."
00:30:34.69\00:30:37.57
You say, pastor are you saying,
00:30:37.60\00:30:38.94
that we are gonna
go from month to month
00:30:38.97\00:30:40.84
and from Sabbath to Sabbath
to worship before the Lord.
00:30:40.87\00:30:43.67
And then when we
turn around and go forth
00:30:43.70\00:30:45.82
we're gonna see outside
the city this grotesque scene
00:30:45.85\00:30:49.73
for week after week
and month after month.
00:30:49.76\00:30:52.84
That is what the Bible says.
00:30:52.87\00:30:54.84
We might not
like it as Adventists.
00:30:58.00\00:31:01.77
We might not like it at all
even if we're not Adventists
00:31:01.80\00:31:05.10
thinking that for a while
at least for a period of time
00:31:05.13\00:31:08.29
those inside the city
00:31:08.32\00:31:09.84
after they worship
the Lord will go out
00:31:09.87\00:31:11.88
and they will see
00:31:11.91\00:31:13.02
this grotesque
scene outside the city.
00:31:13.05\00:31:16.63
Now, in a moment I'm
going to explain exactly
00:31:16.66\00:31:19.63
what the length
of punishment will be
00:31:19.66\00:31:21.98
and what will determine
the length of punishment.
00:31:22.01\00:31:24.78
Notice
00:31:24.81\00:31:27.69
this is our big problem verse
00:31:27.72\00:31:30.32
that we looked
at, at the beginning.
00:31:30.35\00:31:32.28
"The devil, who deceived them,
00:31:32.31\00:31:37.56
was cast into the
lake of fire and brimstone
00:31:37.59\00:31:40.48
where the beast and the
false prophet are over cast.
00:31:40.51\00:31:44.49
And they will be
tormented day and night." How?
00:31:44.52\00:31:49.25
"Forever and ever."
00:31:49.28\00:31:52.05
Let me ask you,
does that sound like
00:31:52.08\00:31:53.43
a pretty long period of time
00:31:53.46\00:31:55.02
in which they are
going to be tormented?
00:31:55.05\00:31:56.81
That word 'torment' by the
way is the Greek word Basanizo.
00:31:56.84\00:32:01.55
And it means conscious torment,
00:32:01.58\00:32:05.15
no matter how you want
to work your way around
00:32:05.18\00:32:07.03
and say well its not really
torment or its this or that.
00:32:07.06\00:32:09.76
That fact is when
you look up that word
00:32:09.79\00:32:11.26
in the New
Testament it means torment.
00:32:11.29\00:32:14.54
And it says here
forever and ever.
00:32:14.57\00:32:16.44
Now don't get nervous on me.
00:32:16.47\00:32:18.96
We're gonna study what
that forever and ever means.
00:32:18.99\00:32:22.16
Now, go with me
to Isaiah 34:9, 10
00:32:22.19\00:32:25.63
its speaking here about
00:32:25.66\00:32:26.74
the destruction of
Edom in Old Testament.
00:32:26.77\00:32:29.75
We're gonna start
catching a glimpse
00:32:29.78\00:32:32.01
of what the
expression forever means.
00:32:32.04\00:32:36.05
Isaiah 34:9, 10 it
says, "Its streams."
00:32:36.08\00:32:42.70
That is of Edom
"shall be turned into pitch,
00:32:42.73\00:32:47.33
And its dust into brimstone,
00:32:47.36\00:32:51.06
Its land shall
become burning pitch.
00:32:51.09\00:32:55.33
It shall not be
quenched night or day
00:32:55.36\00:33:01.42
its smoke shall ascend forever."
00:33:01.45\00:33:05.58
And then we have an explanation
of what forever means.
00:33:05.61\00:33:08.54
It means "From
generation to generation
00:33:08.57\00:33:11.57
it shall lie" what "waste.
00:33:11.60\00:33:14.43
No one shall pass
through it forever and ever."
00:33:14.46\00:33:20.12
Now, let's
analyze that expression
00:33:20.15\00:33:23.72
forever and ever
from Revelation 20:10.
00:33:23.75\00:33:29.21
I decided sometime ago
00:33:29.24\00:33:31.27
that I would go a
seminary at Andrew's University
00:33:31.30\00:33:34.17
and go to the seminary library
00:33:34.20\00:33:36.43
and look at what scholars
had to say about this expression
00:33:36.46\00:33:39.94
forever and ever
in Revelation 20:10.
00:33:39.97\00:33:43.24
And I discovered
something very interesting.
00:33:43.27\00:33:46.10
Scholars, and
I'm not talking about
00:33:46.13\00:33:48.00
Seventh-day Adventists scholars,
00:33:48.03\00:33:49.19
I'm talking about
scholars who are not members
00:33:49.22\00:33:51.36
of the
Seventh-day Adventists church
00:33:51.39\00:33:53.31
say repeatedly that,
that expression forever
00:33:53.34\00:33:57.42
does not
necessary mean never ending.
00:33:57.45\00:34:03.20
It means along period of time,
00:34:03.23\00:34:06.45
whose end can not be
seen from where you are at.
00:34:06.48\00:34:10.63
Allow me to read you
a couple of statements
00:34:10.66\00:34:13.06
and by the way for those
of you who are interested
00:34:13.09\00:34:15.20
you can get a two page document
00:34:15.23\00:34:16.95
that I wrote where we have
00:34:16.98\00:34:18.01
all of these
quotations from scholars
00:34:18.04\00:34:19.84
and an explanation
of Revelation 20:10.
00:34:19.87\00:34:23.66
Allan MacRae who is President
00:34:23.69\00:34:26.41
and Professor of
Old Testament theology
00:34:26.44\00:34:28.58
at the Biblical School
of Theology in Hatfield,
00:34:28.61\00:34:31.68
Pennsylvania states
this, the Septuagint
00:34:31.71\00:34:35.06
which is the Greek translation
of the Old Testament.
00:34:35.09\00:34:37.52
"The Septuagint
generally translates olam"
00:34:37.55\00:34:40.54
that's eternal in
the Old Testament olam
00:34:40.57\00:34:42.76
"generally
translates olam by aion."
00:34:42.79\00:34:46.95
That's the word everlasting
in the New Testament.
00:34:46.98\00:34:50.45
By the way we
use the word 'Eon.'
00:34:50.48\00:34:52.23
Oh, that took eons,
00:34:52.26\00:34:54.62
well, that's where we
get the expression from.
00:34:54.65\00:34:56.56
So it says the "Septuagint
generally translates olam"
00:34:56.59\00:35:00.09
that is the
Hebrew word "by aion"
00:35:00.12\00:35:02.45
which is the Greek word,
00:35:02.48\00:35:04.04
"which has essentially
the same range of meaning."
00:35:04.07\00:35:06.76
In other words,
they mean the same thing
00:35:06.79\00:35:08.03
in different
languages. Then he says.
00:35:08.06\00:35:10.48
"That neither the Hebrew
nor the Greek word itself
00:35:10.51\00:35:15.74
contains the idea of endlessness
is shown both by the fact
00:35:15.77\00:35:21.48
that they sometimes
refer to events or conditions
00:35:21.51\00:35:24.71
that occurred at a
definite point in the past,
00:35:24.74\00:35:29.02
and also by the
fact that sometimes
00:35:29.05\00:35:32.00
it is thought
desirable to repeat the word,
00:35:32.03\00:35:34.93
not merely saying 'forever,'
but 'forever and ever.'"
00:35:34.96\00:35:38.97
In other words he is
saying that the word itself
00:35:39.00\00:35:42.76
does not necessarily
contain the idea of endlessness.
00:35:42.79\00:35:48.28
In another quotation this
is by Moulton and Milligan,
00:35:48.31\00:35:51.42
they wrote a very famous
lexicon of the New Testament.
00:35:51.45\00:35:54.46
They say this, "In
general the word aion,"
00:35:54.49\00:35:59.91
the Greek word
in the New Testament
00:35:59.94\00:36:01.46
that is translated forever.
00:36:01.49\00:36:03.17
"In general, the word depicts
00:36:03.20\00:36:05.68
that of which the
horizon is not in view.
00:36:05.71\00:36:09.96
As you can't see the horizon,
00:36:09.99\00:36:12.59
whether the horizon be
at an infinite distance
00:36:12.62\00:36:16.48
or whether it lies no farther
than the span of Caesar's life."
00:36:16.51\00:36:21.93
In fact the word is used
00:36:21.96\00:36:23.26
to speak about the
span of Caesar's life.
00:36:23.29\00:36:26.52
So it can mean a
very long period of time,
00:36:26.55\00:36:30.65
but a period of
time that is indefinite
00:36:30.68\00:36:33.69
because you can't
see the end of it.
00:36:33.72\00:36:35.69
But it doesn't mean
that there is not necessarily
00:36:35.72\00:36:37.91
going to be an end.
00:36:37.94\00:36:39.33
One further scholar
00:36:39.36\00:36:42.32
who is writing
in the very famous
00:36:42.35\00:36:45.01
theological
wordbook of the Old Testament
00:36:45.04\00:36:47.26
edited by Gerhard Kittel,
00:36:47.29\00:36:49.47
this is used by all students
in the seminaries of the world.
00:36:49.50\00:36:55.15
The author says this,
"In the plural aion formulae"
00:36:55.18\00:37:00.90
in other words, where
the word aion appears.
00:37:00.93\00:37:03.97
"The meaning of aion
merges into that of a long
00:37:04.00\00:37:09.31
but limited stretch of time."
00:37:09.34\00:37:11.82
So what does that mean?
00:37:11.85\00:37:12.88
A long but what
limited stretch of time.
00:37:12.91\00:37:16.61
"In particular,
aion in this sense
00:37:16.64\00:37:20.95
signifies the time or
duration of the world."
00:37:20.98\00:37:24.21
So eon means the time
or duration of the world.
00:37:24.24\00:37:27.91
"Time as limited by
creation and conclusion."
00:37:27.94\00:37:33.33
Interesting that word forever
00:37:33.36\00:37:34.98
would be used for the period
between creation and conclusion.
00:37:35.01\00:37:38.63
He continues saying, "At
this point we are confronted
00:37:38.66\00:37:42.09
by the remarkable
fact that in the Bible
00:37:42.12\00:37:45.36
the same word aion is
used to indicate two things
00:37:45.39\00:37:50.19
which are
profoundly antithetical.
00:37:50.22\00:37:53.08
Namely, the eternity of God
and the duration of the world.
00:37:53.11\00:37:58.89
This twofold sense,
00:37:58.92\00:38:00.67
which aion shares
with the Hebrew olam,
00:38:00.70\00:38:04.38
points back to a
concept of eternity
00:38:04.41\00:38:07.38
in which eternity is identified
00:38:07.41\00:38:10.29
with the duration of the world."
00:38:10.32\00:38:14.88
And I found
statement after statement
00:38:14.91\00:38:16.51
where the scholars
say that the word aion,
00:38:16.54\00:38:18.72
the word olam in
the Old Testament
00:38:18.75\00:38:20.77
does not
necessarily mean endless
00:38:20.80\00:38:23.23
forever and ever that
will never have an end.
00:38:23.26\00:38:26.25
It can refer to a
long period of time
00:38:26.28\00:38:29.18
whose end cannot be
seen in the distance
00:38:29.21\00:38:32.08
because it is so long.
00:38:32.11\00:38:34.44
So, you're saying Pastor Bohr,
00:38:34.47\00:38:35.64
you're saying that the devil
00:38:35.67\00:38:36.70
is going to
suffer an awful longtime?
00:38:36.73\00:38:38.62
Yes, that's
exactly what I am saying.
00:38:38.65\00:38:40.96
Much longer than what
we have generally thought
00:38:40.99\00:38:44.78
even as Seventh-day Adventists.
00:38:44.81\00:38:46.88
By the way, even the
though the devil will burn long,
00:38:46.91\00:38:50.48
he will eventually go out.
00:38:50.51\00:38:54.09
You'll say how do we know that?
00:38:54.12\00:38:56.30
Doesn't it say that he is going
00:38:56.33\00:38:57.48
to be cast in the
fire and he is gonna--
00:38:57.51\00:38:59.88
he is gonna to be tormented
day and night forever and ever.
00:38:59.91\00:39:02.99
Well, but the
Bible says something else
00:39:03.02\00:39:04.78
that proves that the word
forever doesn't mean endless.
00:39:04.81\00:39:08.20
Go with me to Ezekiel 28:19, 20,
00:39:08.23\00:39:12.02
Ezekiel 28:19, 20
00:39:12.05\00:39:14.69
and while you are
looking for that let me ask you
00:39:14.72\00:39:16.74
what do you mean when
you'll say to your wife,
00:39:16.77\00:39:18.67
"I love you forever and ever."
00:39:18.70\00:39:20.46
It means that you are
never going to die, right.
00:39:20.49\00:39:23.00
Of course it doesn't.
00:39:23.03\00:39:24.09
It means I'm gonna
love you as long as I what?
00:39:24.12\00:39:27.07
As long as I live.
00:39:27.10\00:39:28.31
It's going to be a long
time I don't know how long
00:39:28.34\00:39:30.66
but I'm gonna love
you forever and ever.
00:39:30.69\00:39:34.38
Are you
understanding what I am saying?
00:39:34.41\00:39:36.05
Now let's go to
Ezekiel 28:18, 19
00:39:36.08\00:39:40.89
which is speaking about
the destruction of the devil.
00:39:40.92\00:39:43.26
It says, "You
defiled your sanctuaries
00:39:43.29\00:39:46.13
By the multitude
of your iniquities,
00:39:46.16\00:39:48.43
By the iniquity of your trading,
00:39:48.46\00:39:50.39
Therefore I brought
fire from your midst
00:39:50.42\00:39:53.23
It devoured you."
Notice the expression.
00:39:53.26\00:39:55.94
"It devoured you, and
I turned you to." What?
00:39:55.97\00:39:59.76
"To ashes upon the earth
00:39:59.79\00:40:01.84
In the sight of
all who saw you."
00:40:01.87\00:40:04.01
What is the devil
gonna reduce to? Ashes.
00:40:04.04\00:40:06.92
Then forever and ever
it cannot mean endless
00:40:06.95\00:40:09.06
that is never going to end,
00:40:09.09\00:40:10.69
or else the Bible
contradicts itself.
00:40:10.72\00:40:12.59
Are you with me?
00:40:12.62\00:40:13.90
Verse 19 "All who knew you
00:40:13.93\00:40:17.06
among the peoples
are astonished at you,
00:40:17.09\00:40:20.39
You have become a horror,
00:40:20.42\00:40:22.39
And shall be no more forever."
00:40:22.42\00:40:27.03
Now, what part of shall be
00:40:27.06\00:40:28.56
no more forever
don't you understand?
00:40:28.59\00:40:30.83
To be or not to be
that is the question.
00:40:30.86\00:40:34.93
Is the devil going to be
after his reduce to ashes?
00:40:34.96\00:40:38.71
No, the Bible says,
"you will be no more."
00:40:38.74\00:40:43.91
Let's read Malachi 4:1-3
00:40:43.94\00:40:46.04
once again, Malachi 4:1-3
00:40:46.07\00:40:50.36
"For behold, the day is coming,
00:40:50.39\00:40:51.98
burning like an
oven, and all the proud,
00:40:52.01\00:40:54.36
yes, all who do
wickedly will be stubble.
00:40:54.39\00:40:57.80
And the day which is
coming shall burn them up,"
00:40:57.83\00:41:00.51
Says the Lord of hosts,
00:41:00.54\00:41:01.75
"That will leave them
neither root nor branch.
00:41:01.78\00:41:05.62
But to you who fear My
name The Sun of Righteousness
00:41:05.65\00:41:09.57
shall arise With
healing in His wings,
00:41:09.60\00:41:11.49
and you shall
go out and grow fat
00:41:11.52\00:41:13.50
like stall-fed calves."
00:41:13.53\00:41:15.74
Now notice, "You
shall trample the wicked,
00:41:15.77\00:41:18.28
for they shall be ashes
00:41:18.31\00:41:20.06
under the soles of
your feet on the day
00:41:20.09\00:41:22.71
that I do this,
Says the Lord of hosts."
00:41:22.74\00:41:25.23
Let me ask you.
00:41:25.26\00:41:26.29
Is root or branch
or our root or branch
00:41:26.32\00:41:30.25
going to be left
after the destruction?
00:41:30.28\00:41:32.72
No, the devil is the root
00:41:32.75\00:41:34.53
and his
followers are the branches.
00:41:34.56\00:41:35.87
You remember Jesus says,
00:41:35.90\00:41:37.20
"I am the vine,
you are the branches.
00:41:37.23\00:41:39.00
Well, the devil
also has branches
00:41:39.03\00:41:41.30
and the Bible
says "that the root
00:41:41.33\00:41:43.39
and the branches
both will be." What?
00:41:43.42\00:41:45.72
"Will be destroyed
and reduced to ashes."
00:41:45.75\00:41:49.29
Now, allow me to read you
00:41:49.32\00:41:50.80
a couple of very
significant statements
00:41:50.83\00:41:53.23
from the pen of Ellen White
00:41:53.26\00:41:54.61
she caught this,
she understood this
00:41:54.64\00:41:57.25
that some
wicked people are gonna
00:41:57.28\00:41:58.48
suffer longer than the others
00:41:58.51\00:41:59.88
and the one who had
suffered a longest is Satan.
00:41:59.91\00:42:01.80
And you would say.
well how could God do this?
00:42:01.83\00:42:04.08
Let me ask you. What's worst?
00:42:04.11\00:42:05.74
Believing that God is
going to cast sinners into hell
00:42:05.77\00:42:08.74
and they're
going to burn forever
00:42:08.77\00:42:10.42
or is it much more
palatable to believe
00:42:10.45\00:42:13.63
that they'll be
cast into the fire
00:42:13.66\00:42:15.23
and they'll burn
the amount of time
00:42:15.26\00:42:17.32
that is necessary
to satisfy justice.
00:42:17.35\00:42:21.75
See people don't
have any trouble saying,
00:42:21.78\00:42:23.58
Oh, I believe that the wicked
00:42:23.61\00:42:24.99
are going to
burn forever and ever.
00:42:25.02\00:42:26.33
But the minute you say,
00:42:26.36\00:42:27.48
you know, that some sinners
00:42:27.51\00:42:29.87
are going to burn
longer than others.
00:42:29.90\00:42:31.19
Oh, well you know
that doesn't sound--
00:42:31.22\00:42:33.33
that doesn't sound
fair, that doesn't sound like
00:42:33.36\00:42:35.04
something that God would
do that he would burn people
00:42:35.07\00:42:37.46
especially among Adventists.
00:42:37.49\00:42:39.43
But the fact is that God
is a God of infinite justice,
00:42:39.46\00:42:42.67
and the justice of God demands
00:42:42.70\00:42:44.79
a certain length of punishment
00:42:44.82\00:42:46.48
according to the works
that were done in the body.
00:42:46.51\00:42:49.58
The first
statement that we find is
00:42:49.61\00:42:51.75
in Early Writings, page 290.
00:42:51.78\00:42:54.00
Ellen White says this.
00:42:54.03\00:42:56.34
"Then I saw thrones,
00:42:56.37\00:42:58.26
and Jesus and the
redeemed saints sat upon them,
00:42:58.29\00:43:02.94
and the saints reigned as
kings and priests unto God."
00:43:02.97\00:43:06.04
This is during
the thousand years.
00:43:06.07\00:43:07.86
"Christ and
unison with His people,
00:43:07.89\00:43:10.41
judged the wicked dead."
00:43:10.44\00:43:11.83
Remember that the Bible says,
00:43:11.86\00:43:13.23
that we will judge the
world not only wicked dead.
00:43:13.26\00:43:17.02
She continue saying,
00:43:17.05\00:43:18.14
"comparing their acts
with the statute book."
00:43:18.17\00:43:20.98
The Word of God.
00:43:21.01\00:43:22.22
"And deciding every case
00:43:22.25\00:43:23.86
according to the
deeds done in the body.
00:43:23.89\00:43:27.32
Then they meted
out to the wicked
00:43:27.35\00:43:30.62
the portion
which they must suffer,
00:43:30.65\00:43:33.91
according to their works."
00:43:33.94\00:43:35.11
Is this Justice yes or no? Yes.
00:43:35.14\00:43:38.77
Now notice, "And it was written
00:43:38.80\00:43:40.78
against their names
in the book of death.
00:43:40.81\00:43:43.08
Satan also and
his angels were judged
00:43:43.11\00:43:45.95
by Jesus and the
saints." Is that biblical?
00:43:45.98\00:43:48.53
1 Corinthian 6:3
00:43:48.56\00:43:50.94
"Do you not know that
we shall judge." What?
00:43:50.97\00:43:53.59
"Angels" And so it says here,
00:43:53.62\00:43:58.14
"Satan also and
his angels were judged
00:43:58.17\00:44:02.43
by Jesus and the saints."
00:44:02.46\00:44:04.96
And here comes the key portion
00:44:04.99\00:44:06.72
"Satan's punishment
was to be far greater
00:44:06.75\00:44:10.67
than that of those
whom he had deceived.
00:44:10.70\00:44:14.88
His suffering would
so far exceed theirs
00:44:14.91\00:44:19.81
as to bear no comparison
00:44:19.84\00:44:24.20
after all those whom he
had deceived had perished.
00:44:24.23\00:44:28.76
Satan was still to live
00:44:28.79\00:44:31.15
and suffer on much longer."
00:44:31.18\00:44:36.85
In another statement,
00:44:36.88\00:44:38.32
Early Writings, 293
and 294 she says this,
00:44:38.35\00:44:42.63
and by the way I'm gonna
give you the biblical rationale
00:44:42.66\00:44:44.75
from what she says in a moment.
00:44:44.78\00:44:47.16
She says, "I saw that
some were quickly destroyed."
00:44:47.19\00:44:50.66
Speaking about the wicked.
"While others suffered longer.
00:44:50.69\00:44:55.44
They were punished according
to the deeds done in the body."
00:44:55.47\00:44:58.90
And now notice this,
00:44:58.93\00:45:00.15
"some were many days consuming."
00:45:00.18\00:45:04.88
Some of the wicked
what were many what?
00:45:04.91\00:45:07.25
"Many days consuming
00:45:07.28\00:45:10.03
and just as long as there was
a portion of them unconsumed,
00:45:10.06\00:45:13.56
all the sense of
suffering remained."
00:45:13.59\00:45:15.85
Now, I've find it
impossible to explain that.
00:45:15.88\00:45:19.86
"Said the angel, the
worm of life shall not die,
00:45:19.89\00:45:24.28
their fire shall
not be quenched,"
00:45:24.31\00:45:25.92
she is quoting the
angel is quoting scripture,
00:45:25.95\00:45:28.92
"as long as there is the least
particle for it to prey upon.
00:45:28.95\00:45:34.95
Satan and his
angels suffered long."
00:45:34.98\00:45:38.07
She says, Satan
bore, now why did--
00:45:38.10\00:45:40.85
why did they suffer long.
00:45:40.88\00:45:42.03
Notice Satan "Satan bore
00:45:42.06\00:45:43.90
not only the weight and
punishment of his own sins,
00:45:43.93\00:45:47.50
but also of the
sins of the redeemed host
00:45:47.53\00:45:50.90
which had been placed upon him
00:45:50.93\00:45:53.14
and he must also suffer
for the ruin of the souls
00:45:53.17\00:45:56.13
which he had caused."
00:45:56.16\00:45:59.03
Amazing, "Then I saw that Satan,
00:45:59.06\00:46:02.59
and all the
wicked host were consumed
00:46:02.62\00:46:05.79
and the justice
of God was satisfied,
00:46:05.82\00:46:09.60
and all the angelic host,
and all the redeemed saints,
00:46:09.63\00:46:14.11
with a loud voice said, Amen!
00:46:14.14\00:46:17.35
Said the angel,
Satan is the root,
00:46:17.38\00:46:20.28
his children are the branches.
00:46:20.31\00:46:22.22
They are now
consumed root and branch.
00:46:22.25\00:46:25.52
They have died an
everlasting death.
00:46:25.55\00:46:28.35
They are never to
have a resurrection
00:46:28.38\00:46:31.52
and God will have
a clean universe."
00:46:31.55\00:46:37.66
Some people will
say, how could God
00:46:37.69\00:46:39.32
do this to the wicked?
00:46:39.35\00:46:40.38
The fact is God isn't
doing this to the wicked
00:46:40.41\00:46:42.73
the wicked did it to themselves,
00:46:42.76\00:46:44.74
by their choices, by their sins.
00:46:44.77\00:46:47.65
Now you say, where does
Ellen White get this idea
00:46:47.68\00:46:50.63
that the devil is
going to suffer much longer
00:46:50.66\00:46:53.36
and there is other wicked people
00:46:53.39\00:46:54.47
who are gonna suffer many days
00:46:54.50\00:46:55.87
and some that will be
extinguished very quickly.
00:46:55.90\00:46:58.44
Where does she get that idea?
00:46:58.47\00:47:00.48
Well, the Bible says,
00:47:00.51\00:47:01.74
that everyone will be punished
according to their works.
00:47:01.77\00:47:04.89
But with regards to the devil
00:47:04.92\00:47:06.56
the reason why the devil
00:47:06.59\00:47:07.62
is going to
suffer such a long time.
00:47:07.65\00:47:09.47
A very long period
00:47:09.50\00:47:11.27
whose end cannot be
seen in the distance,
00:47:11.30\00:47:14.58
that's what
forever and ever means
00:47:14.61\00:47:17.48
according to the scholars
a very long period of time
00:47:17.51\00:47:21.30
much longer than
we have ever imagined.
00:47:21.33\00:47:23.99
Well outside of the
city worm will not die,
00:47:24.02\00:47:26.76
the fire will not be quenched
as we go from week to week
00:47:26.79\00:47:30.22
and month to month to
worship before the Lord.
00:47:30.25\00:47:34.19
Now where does
Ellen White get this from?
00:47:34.22\00:47:36.39
I'll go through it quickly.
00:47:36.42\00:47:39.62
Through out the
course of the year in Israel
00:47:39.65\00:47:44.21
the people could come and sack
00:47:44.24\00:47:46.02
and place their
sins upon an animal.
00:47:46.05\00:47:50.23
The animal was slain
00:47:50.26\00:47:51.66
and then the sin was
introduced into the sanctuary
00:47:51.69\00:47:54.76
through the blood of the animal.
00:47:54.79\00:47:57.00
In other words, their sins
00:47:57.03\00:47:58.48
were transferred
from them to the victim
00:47:58.51\00:48:01.04
and through the
victim into the sanctuary.
00:48:01.07\00:48:04.30
As long as there are
sins and to the sanctuary
00:48:04.33\00:48:06.79
covered by the
blood they were safe.
00:48:06.82\00:48:09.27
There was nothing dangerous
00:48:09.30\00:48:11.27
or nothing risky about having
their sins in the sanctuary.
00:48:11.30\00:48:14.21
It was a blessing for
them to have their sins
00:48:14.24\00:48:16.58
covered by the
blood in the sanctuary.
00:48:16.61\00:48:18.29
Those who needed to worry
00:48:18.32\00:48:19.75
were those that
hold on to their sins
00:48:19.78\00:48:21.90
and didn't put
them in the sanctuary
00:48:21.93\00:48:23.56
through the blood of the victim.
00:48:23.59\00:48:25.86
And on the Day of Atonement
00:48:25.89\00:48:26.92
the Bible tells us
that two goats were chosen.
00:48:26.95\00:48:30.33
One goat was sacrificed.
00:48:30.36\00:48:32.21
It was the goat for the Lord
00:48:32.24\00:48:34.60
and that goat atoned
for the sins of God's people
00:48:34.63\00:48:38.40
it cleanse the
sanctuary from all of our sins
00:48:38.43\00:48:41.15
that had entered the sanctuary
00:48:41.18\00:48:42.96
through out the
course of the year.
00:48:42.99\00:48:44.53
Only the sins that
have been confessed
00:48:44.56\00:48:47.02
and enter the
sanctuary through the blood
00:48:47.05\00:48:50.27
were taken out
by that same blood.
00:48:50.30\00:48:52.57
Where taken out the sanctuary
was cleansed the Bible says,
00:48:52.60\00:48:55.83
that these sins
of all the righteous,
00:48:55.86\00:48:59.03
all of the sins that had
been confessed were taken out
00:48:59.06\00:49:03.08
and placed upon the head
00:49:03.11\00:49:04.74
of a scapegoat
called the Azazel.
00:49:04.77\00:49:08.37
By the way, do you know
00:49:08.40\00:49:09.43
that the sins of the
wicked were not placed on Azazel
00:49:09.46\00:49:12.74
because in Leviticus 23:29, 30
00:49:12.77\00:49:16.57
it tells us that
whoever didn't sympathize
00:49:16.60\00:49:19.50
with the work that was
done on the day of atonement
00:49:19.53\00:49:22.74
they were to be cut off
from among the congregation.
00:49:22.77\00:49:25.23
In other words, they were
cast outside the camp of Israel.
00:49:25.26\00:49:28.98
They were no longer part of
God's people. Let me ask you.
00:49:29.01\00:49:31.33
Where are the wicked
after the thousand years?
00:49:31.36\00:49:33.97
Are they inside with the camp
00:49:34.00\00:49:35.64
of the saints or
are they outside?
00:49:35.67\00:49:37.84
They are actually outside.
00:49:37.87\00:49:39.64
They have been exiled
00:49:39.67\00:49:40.70
because they didn't
place their sins, where?
00:49:40.73\00:49:42.58
In the sanctuary.
00:49:42.61\00:49:43.64
So the only sins
00:49:43.67\00:49:44.82
that are taken out of
the heavenly sanctuary
00:49:44.85\00:49:47.18
and placed on
the head of scapegoat
00:49:47.21\00:49:49.16
are the sins that God's people
00:49:49.19\00:49:50.91
put into the sanctuary
00:49:50.94\00:49:52.46
through the
ministration of the blood.
00:49:52.49\00:49:56.46
And all of those
sins are gonna be
00:49:56.49\00:49:58.07
taken out of the sanctuary
00:49:58.10\00:49:59.47
and they're gonna be
placed upon the perpetrator
00:49:59.50\00:50:02.08
and the originator of sin.
00:50:02.11\00:50:05.05
Are you
understanding what I'm saying?
00:50:05.08\00:50:07.69
The Bible tells us
00:50:07.72\00:50:09.83
that this
scapegoat was then sent
00:50:09.86\00:50:12.92
to the wilderness to
a non-inhabited land.
00:50:12.95\00:50:16.30
Do you know where in the Bible
this ceremony is fulfilled?
00:50:16.33\00:50:19.68
The Bible says in
Revelation Chapter 20,
00:50:19.71\00:50:23.71
that a great angel
came down from heaven
00:50:23.74\00:50:25.76
with a chain in his hand.
00:50:25.79\00:50:28.13
And he chained the
devil and Satan to the earth
00:50:28.16\00:50:31.58
to the Abyss to the earth
00:50:31.61\00:50:34.02
without form and
without void, and void.
00:50:34.05\00:50:38.79
And it also says there
00:50:38.82\00:50:40.89
that all of his
followers are dead
00:50:40.92\00:50:42.77
because the rest of the
dead did not live again,
00:50:42.80\00:50:44.83
until a thousand
years were finished.
00:50:44.86\00:50:47.30
So that the
devil is sent to a land
00:50:47.33\00:50:50.19
that is like a
wilderness the earth
00:50:50.22\00:50:52.12
without form and void
00:50:52.15\00:50:53.64
and he is also sent to a world
00:50:53.67\00:50:55.60
where there are no inhabitants.
00:50:55.63\00:50:57.18
Because all of his
followers are what?
00:50:57.21\00:50:59.61
All of his followers are dead.
00:50:59.64\00:51:04.80
Now let me ask you, let's
do a little bit of math here.
00:51:04.83\00:51:08.50
If some wicked people suffer
many days for their own sins,
00:51:08.53\00:51:16.05
how long do you think
the devil is gonna suffer
00:51:16.08\00:51:19.85
bearing the sins of
all of the righteous
00:51:19.88\00:51:22.58
through out the
history of the whole world?
00:51:22.61\00:51:27.47
Just do the math. I
hate to say centuries.
00:51:27.50\00:51:33.25
But you know the Spanish version
00:51:33.28\00:51:35.04
instead of
saying forever and ever
00:51:35.07\00:51:36.43
it says "Por los
siglos de los siglos."
00:51:36.46\00:51:40.66
For centuries and centuries
of translation in English says
00:51:40.69\00:51:44.14
'unto the Ages of the Ages.'
00:51:44.17\00:51:48.27
And Ellen White says, that
00:51:48.30\00:51:49.50
while this is
happening outside the city
00:51:49.53\00:51:51.61
God's people will live
safely inside the city.
00:51:51.64\00:51:55.60
But now listen up,
00:51:55.63\00:51:57.45
eventually after this long
00:51:57.48\00:52:00.25
but indefinite period of time
00:52:00.28\00:52:02.70
God's justice will be satisfied
00:52:02.73\00:52:04.98
and the devil and his angels
will also be reduced to ashes.
00:52:05.01\00:52:09.47
By the way, does the Bible say
00:52:09.50\00:52:11.51
that the fire
falls upon the earth?
00:52:11.54\00:52:14.18
Where are the wicked
00:52:14.21\00:52:15.24
when they
surround the holy city?
00:52:15.27\00:52:17.25
They are on the surface
of the earth, aren't they?
00:52:17.28\00:52:19.31
And the Bible says
that fire and brimstone
00:52:19.34\00:52:21.30
falls from heaven upon them.
00:52:21.33\00:52:22.99
In fact let's read that
in Revelation 20:7-10 says,
00:52:23.02\00:52:28.43
"Now that the
thousand years have expired,
00:52:28.46\00:52:29.93
Satan will be
released from his prison
00:52:29.96\00:52:32.11
and will go out to
deceive the nations
00:52:32.14\00:52:34.34
which are in the
four corners of the earth,
00:52:34.37\00:52:36.20
Gog and Magog, to
gather them together to battle,
00:52:36.23\00:52:39.10
whose number is as
the sand of the sea.
00:52:39.13\00:52:41.48
They went up on the
breadth of the earth."
00:52:41.51\00:52:43.02
So are they on
the earth yes, or no?
00:52:43.05\00:52:45.08
Outside the city? Certainly.
00:52:45.11\00:52:46.84
It says "They went up
on the breadth of the earth
00:52:46.87\00:52:48.84
and surrounded
the camp of the saints
00:52:48.87\00:52:50.73
and the beloved city."
00:52:50.76\00:52:51.96
And now, notice,
"And fire came down
00:52:51.99\00:52:54.57
from God out of
heaven and devoured them."
00:52:54.60\00:52:59.42
So does the fire
that comes from God
00:52:59.45\00:53:01.48
does it fall upon
the earth? Of course.
00:53:01.51\00:53:04.10
Can that fire burn
forever and ever and ever?
00:53:04.13\00:53:07.50
No. Do you know why?
00:53:07.53\00:53:09.37
Because the bible
says that God is gonna make
00:53:09.40\00:53:10.92
a new heaven and a new earth.
00:53:10.95\00:53:13.55
If the wicked were
outside the holy city
00:53:13.58\00:53:15.82
burning forever and ever,
00:53:15.85\00:53:17.41
how could God make a new earth?
00:53:17.44\00:53:20.92
The fact is that
the Bible teaches
00:53:20.95\00:53:23.30
that they are going to burn out
00:53:23.33\00:53:26.78
and then God is going to make
a new heaven and a new earth
00:53:26.81\00:53:30.51
and He will have
a clean universe.
00:53:30.54\00:53:34.93
Allow me to read
a passage in closing
00:53:34.96\00:53:38.12
that comes from Desire of Ages,
00:53:38.15\00:53:39.74
pages 107 and 108 and
this will be a call to us.
00:53:39.77\00:53:44.65
Ellen White says,
"To sin, wherever found,
00:53:44.68\00:53:50.36
our God is a consuming fire."
00:53:50.39\00:53:52.75
What is God to
sin? A consuming fire.
00:53:52.78\00:53:56.88
Then she says, "In all
who submit to His power
00:53:56.91\00:54:01.37
the Spirit of God
will consume sin."
00:54:01.40\00:54:05.80
You submit to God the
spirit of God will consume sin.
00:54:05.83\00:54:09.42
"But if men cling to sin,
they become identified with it.
00:54:09.45\00:54:16.29
Then the glory of God."
00:54:16.32\00:54:18.13
Notice "The glory of God
00:54:18.16\00:54:20.17
which destroys
sin, must destroy them.
00:54:20.20\00:54:25.71
Jacob, after his night
of wrestling with the Angel,
00:54:25.74\00:54:28.49
exclaimed, 'I have
seen God face to face,
00:54:28.52\00:54:31.37
and my life is preserved.'
00:54:31.40\00:54:34.73
Jacob had been
guilty of a great sin
00:54:34.76\00:54:38.01
in his conduct toward Esau,
00:54:38.04\00:54:40.69
but he had repented.
00:54:40.72\00:54:43.84
His transgression
had been forgiven,
00:54:43.87\00:54:46.25
and his sin purged,
00:54:46.28\00:54:49.38
therefore he could endure
00:54:49.41\00:54:51.75
the revelation
of God's presence.
00:54:51.78\00:54:55.00
But whoever,
00:54:55.03\00:54:56.22
but wherever men came before God
00:54:56.25\00:55:00.31
while willfully cherishing
evil, they were destroyed.
00:55:00.34\00:55:04.89
At the second advent of Christ
the wicked shall be consumed
00:55:04.92\00:55:08.01
with the Spirit of His mouth,
00:55:08.04\00:55:09.56
and destroyed 'with the
brightness of His coming.'
00:55:09.59\00:55:12.37
The light of the glory of
God.'" Notice what the fire is.
00:55:12.40\00:55:16.59
"The light of the glory of God
00:55:16.62\00:55:18.68
which imparts
life to the righteous,
00:55:18.71\00:55:21.10
will slay the wicked."
00:55:21.13\00:55:25.68
You know today in this world
00:55:25.71\00:55:26.86
nobody wants to talk
about the justice of God.
00:55:26.89\00:55:30.34
To all the God is loving
He is gonna save everyone.
00:55:30.37\00:55:32.93
You know the
idea of universalism.
00:55:32.96\00:55:35.32
The fact is that God is
merciful but God is a just.
00:55:35.35\00:55:39.49
And by the way His
destruction of the wicked
00:55:39.52\00:55:41.46
is an act of
mercy not only justice.
00:55:41.49\00:55:44.62
The Bible says that the wicked
00:55:44.65\00:55:45.94
are gonna beg
God to destroy them
00:55:45.97\00:55:48.50
because they can
stand the idea of living
00:55:48.53\00:55:50.54
in the presence of the holy God
00:55:50.57\00:55:52.26
whose lifestyle
they cannot stand.
00:55:52.29\00:55:55.81
You see they haven't learned
to live the lifestyle of heaven
00:55:55.84\00:55:59.82
and therefore in heaven
there would be miserable.
00:55:59.85\00:56:02.40
And so they beg
God to destroy them.
00:56:02.43\00:56:06.80
And God accedes to their wishes.
00:56:06.83\00:56:09.96
Not wanting to torture them
00:56:09.99\00:56:11.78
through out eternity
living in His presence
00:56:11.81\00:56:14.93
when they don't love Him
00:56:14.96\00:56:16.78
and when they
don't enjoy the lifestyle
00:56:16.81\00:56:20.09
that God has prepared
for those who love Him.
00:56:20.12\00:56:25.36
So, God is not
going to arbitrarily
00:56:25.39\00:56:27.34
destroy the wicked.
00:56:27.37\00:56:29.15
He is not gonna to
destroy them with Joy
00:56:29.18\00:56:31.29
and with glee it is with sadness
00:56:31.32\00:56:34.35
and with sorrow that
God will destroy Satan,
00:56:34.38\00:56:39.24
his angels and the wicked.
00:56:39.27\00:56:41.69
It is with tears in His
eyes along with the tears
00:56:41.72\00:56:45.12
of those who were in the city.
00:56:45.15\00:56:47.23
But after the
wicked are destroyed
00:56:47.26\00:56:50.88
the Bible says
that God will wipe away
00:56:50.91\00:56:53.06
all tears from their eyes.
00:56:53.09\00:56:55.48
And there must
be no more sorrow,
00:56:55.51\00:56:57.82
there will be no more suffering,
00:56:57.85\00:56:59.83
there will be
no more crying out,
00:56:59.86\00:57:02.20
there will be no more pain,
00:57:02.23\00:57:04.01
and there will be no more death.
00:57:04.04\00:57:06.09
If the wicked still
burning out side the city
00:57:06.12\00:57:08.56
death would have
never come to an end
00:57:08.59\00:57:10.67
because they would
continuously be dying.
00:57:10.70\00:57:12.53
But the time is coming
00:57:12.56\00:57:13.59
where there will
be no more death.
00:57:13.62\00:57:16.54
May we receive
Jesus as our Savior,
00:57:16.57\00:57:19.15
send our sins into the sanctuary
00:57:19.18\00:57:21.03
covered by the blood
00:57:21.06\00:57:22.52
so that we might
live eternally with Jesus
00:57:22.55\00:57:25.16
in the New
Jerusalem the Holy City.
00:57:25.19\00:57:29.04