Welcome back. I'm glad
you joined us for this series
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titled Three Cosmic Messages:
Earth's Final Conflict.
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I'm Mark Finley,
the host of the series,
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and we've been on a journey...
a journey through the book
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of Revelation but particularly
looking at Rev. chapter 14
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verses 6 to 12.
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In these verses God
presents His last-day message
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for mankind. He pictures
that message as being carried by
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three angels in mid heaven.
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In our last presentation
we looked at Revelation 14:6.
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We saw that the
everlasting gospel,
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the gospel of
God's grace and goodness,
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was to go to the
ends of the earth.
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We saw as well that
God has a plan for us:
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a plan to participate
with Him, to cooperate with Him
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in taking the message of
His love, grace, and truth
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to every nation,
kindred, tongue, and people.
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And that, of course,
begins with our own families,
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with our own neighborhood, with
the workplaces where we work,
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with our
communities and our schools.
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In Revelation 14 verses 6 and 7
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the Bible says:
"I saw another angel
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flying in the middle of heaven
having the everlasting gospel
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to preach to every nation,
kindred, tongue, and people.
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Saying with a loud voice:
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'Fear God and give glory to Him
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for the hour of His
judgment is come. ' "
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When many people
think of the judgment
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they begin to become quite
frightened about their lives
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appearing
before God in judgment.
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In this presentation
we're going to focus especially
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on the good
news of the judgment.
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Let's pray together.
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Father in heaven, thank
you that we need not fear
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that eternal
judgment. That in Christ
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we can have confidence
that You are our Judge,
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our Attorney, and
that You will vindicate us
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in these last days
of earth's history.
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That in Christ we
have nothing to fear.
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So as we study about
the judgment in Revelation
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help us to have that sense
of You're standing by our side.
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But teach us, too, that we're
responsible for the choices
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that we make. In
Christ's name, Amen.
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The title of
this presentation is:
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Now you may not have thought
about it that way before.
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You may have
thought about the judgment
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and trembled at its thought.
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That's legitimate. The judgment
is a very serious issue.
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In fact, some time ago
Daniel Webster, who was one
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of America's best-known
statesman and orators,
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was asked: "What is
the most solemn thought
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that has ever
passed your mind? "
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And Webster responded:
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You and I were
created as free moral agents.
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We were created with
the capacity of choice:
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of the opportunity to make
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decisions based on the
faculties of conscience,
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of reason, and of judgment.
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And the judgment
of God in eternity
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is based on how we
have responded to His grace
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and the choices that
we ourselves have made.
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James Russell Lowell said this:
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You and I are created
to make positive choices.
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The Holy Spirit impresses
our heart to enable us to make
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those choices. God arranges
circumstances in our lives
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so that we can make
the best possible choices.
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But the judgment has to do
with the decisions we've made
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in life. Did you catch what
Lowell quoted in Romans 14:12?
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"So every one of
us... " Not a few of us,
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not one or two of us...
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but "every one of us
shall give account of himself
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to God. " That is
part of our destiny.
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One day we'll appear
before the judgment bar of God.
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What kind of choices
are you making today?
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What kind of choices
have you made this last week?
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What kind of choices
have you made this last month?
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This last year?
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Are your choices guided by
a Spirit-directed conscience?
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Are your choices in life subject
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to the principles of God's Word?
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Are your choices guided
and shaped by the teachings
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of Scripture?
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So in the final
judgment bar of God
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the issues in that judgment bar
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are how have our
choices been made?
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What choices have we
actually made that either
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will lead us to eternal
life or eternal damnation?
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Now someone says:
"But wait a minute!
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In life is it our good deeds are
weighed against our bad deeds? "
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Let me explain it this way:
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When God created us, He
created, of course, Adam and Eve
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as free moral agents.
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Throughout life
since Adam and Eve's fall
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the devil, the
serpent, the evil one
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has been leading men and
women to make poor choices.
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He's been leading us to
make choices that lead us away
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from God. Jesus, on the
other hand appeals to us
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with hands
outstretched to come to Him.
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He appeals to us to
make eternal decisions
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guided by His Spirit...
decisions that are based
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and founded in His very Word.
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You know, some people
say: "Well, it's my genetics
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that has done this.
You know, I'm pre-disposed
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to act this way. My father
got angry so I get angry. "
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"My mother lost her patience.
She wasn't a patient person... "
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they say... "So I, at
times, lose my patience. "
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Somebody says: "Well you know,
I have obesity in my family.
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It's in my genes.
" Other people say:
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"Well you know, I can
avoid anything except smoking
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because my father
was a chain smoker. "
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"He was an alcoholic. "
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You see, all kind
of excuses can be made
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but the truth of the matter is
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although we may have genetic
predispositions to something
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we do not turn on those genes...
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This is called epigenetics.
We don't turn on those genes
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until we make choices to
indulge those inclinations.
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So we are
responsible for our actions.
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Now there are a number
of facts about the judgment
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we're going to study...
this judgment that's outlined
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in the book of Revelation.
Remember Revelation 14:7.
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We're going to
study that very clearly.
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That surprises some people
because they have the idea that
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the Father is the eternal Judge.
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That is true in a sense
but notice what the Bible says:
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So based on Jesus'
own statement in John 5:22
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Jesus is our Judge
in this final judgment.
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You say: "That's kind
of confusing, isn't it? "
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Let's look at it:
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So Jesus is our
Judge; Jesus is our Advocate.
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You say: "That's a
conflict of interest. "
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It really is...
but aren't you thankful
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that Jesus takes upon Himself
that conflict as our Judge
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and our Defense
Attorney. Let's suppose
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that we're going to
court. And let's suppose that
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I have gotten a speeding
ticket. Hopefully as a pastor
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I haven't gotten a speeding
ticket, but let's suppose I did.
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Let's suppose I'm
going 70 mph in a 40 mph zone
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'cause I'm rushing
to get to some meeting.
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And the officer stops
me and he says: "Now you
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we're going 70 miles an
hour in a 40 mile an hour zone.
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That's going to be a fine. "
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Let's say: "Hey, wait a minute.
I was rushing to the hospital
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to see somebody dying. I'm
going to fight this in court. "
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And so I go to
court and I stand up.
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And I look there, and that's
my brother who's the judge.
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And I'm astounded!
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Now I don't have a brother...
this is an illustration.
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Let's suppose that's
my brother who's the judge
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and I'm
astounded. That's good news!
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And then let's
suppose he gets off the bench
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and he says: "I'm going
to be your defense attorney
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as well. " So my brother
is my judge; my brother is
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my defense attorney. I think
that's a pretty good opportunity
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for me that I'm not going
to pay that expensive fine.
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What do you think?
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Jesus, our elder
brother, is our Judge.
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And before the
judgment bar of God
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our elder brother says to us:
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"These wounded
hands were for you. "
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"The thorns that pierced My brow
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were for you. "
"The guilt and shame
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and condemnation I bore
on the cross was for you. "
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"I am your Judge but
I'm also your Attorney. "
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And before the universe, before
thousands and ten thousands
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of times being I
will present your name
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and I will say:
'This man is one of Mine;
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this woman is one of Mine. ' "
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In Christ, because He is
our Judge and our Attorney,
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we need not fear.
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But if we do not have Christ,
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if Christ
doesn't fill our hearts,
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we tremble in the judgment
as our lives are exposed
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before the universe.
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In the book of Revelation
it presents it very clearly
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that there is a judgment.
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These three angels fly
in the midst of heaven.
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They announce to the whole world
"No more business as usual;
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no more pleasures as
usual; no more life as usual. "
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We are living in a critical
time of this earth's history.
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Remember what we read
and have been studying
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in Revelation 14:6-7.
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Do you notice the expression
"For the hour of His judgment? "
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This is not simply
the hour of OUR judgment.
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It is the hour
of God's judgment.
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What does that mean?
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The devil has claimed
that God is unfair and unjust
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and that He's not
worthy to rule the universe.
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In the eternal judgment
that takes place in heaven,
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the hour of God's
judgment, it will be revealed
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before a waiting world
and a watching universe
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that God has done
everything He could to save us.
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That there was not one
more thing He could have done.
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And God will be proved right-
eous; God will be proved just.
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God will be proved as the
One worthy to rule throughout
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the ceaseless ages of eternity.
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In the judgment it
will be shown conclusively
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that this Christ that
lived the perfect life
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that we should have lived, that
died the death we should have
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died, that was resurrected...
this Christ has done
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everything possible to save us.
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There was not one more
thing He could have done.
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Now the judgment
reveals God's justice and mercy.
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The law demands that
those who break that law
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suffer eternal death.
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God's justice could not
have let the human race go on
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without paying the
penalty of a broken law.
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If God had done
that, it would have created
00:14:05.34\00:14:08.04
chaos in the entire universe.
00:14:08.24\00:14:10.48
And so God has to deal
justly with the sin problem.
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But God's mercy would not allow
Him to destroy the creatures
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that He created.
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And so justice and
mercy blend together
00:14:21.59\00:14:24.46
at the cross of
Calvary determining for us
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when Jesus determines for us
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to bear the guilt
and shame of our sins
00:14:30.77\00:14:33.84
that enables us to
stand free before the universe
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as our Judge - Jesus -
and as our Advocate - Jesus -
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presents our case
before the entire universe.
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In the final judgment
before the whole universe
00:14:53.22\00:14:57.56
the record books of
heaven will be opened
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and it will be shown that
God sent angels to beat back
00:15:00.53\00:15:05.30
the forces of Satan in our life.
00:15:05.50\00:15:07.57
It'll be shown before the uni-
verse, recorded in those books
00:15:07.77\00:15:10.54
of heaven that at the
times of our deepest temptation,
00:15:10.74\00:15:14.48
at times we're about ready to be
discouraged and couldn't go on
00:15:14.68\00:15:17.71
another step that God
was sending His angels there
00:15:17.91\00:15:21.12
to beat back the forces of hell,
00:15:21.32\00:15:22.98
to bring light into
the darkness of our lives,
00:15:23.18\00:15:26.45
to give us encouragement
and hope and inspiration
00:15:26.65\00:15:29.02
just when we needed it.
00:15:29.42\00:15:30.99
It'll be shown in those books
of record that God arranged
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the providences in our
life, that God brought people
00:15:34.36\00:15:37.33
into our life to
lead us closer to Him.
00:15:37.53\00:15:40.04
It'll be shown that He revealed
Himself in the natural world.
00:15:40.24\00:15:43.47
Every sunrise and
sunset reveals His love.
00:15:43.67\00:15:47.68
The gentle falling rain
that causes the crops to grow
00:15:48.08\00:15:51.31
reveals His love. The
stars twinkling in the sky
00:15:51.51\00:15:55.38
reveal the very
very love of God.
00:15:55.58\00:15:58.52
The earth that spins on its axis
00:15:58.72\00:16:02.12
and orderly makes
its way around the sun
00:16:02.32\00:16:04.39
reveals the precision, the
accuracy, and the love of God.
00:16:04.59\00:16:08.30
You see, in the
judgment it will be shown
00:16:08.70\00:16:11.40
that there's nothing
that God could have done
00:16:11.60\00:16:13.80
that He hasn't done to save us.
00:16:14.00\00:16:17.81
But most of all it
will be shown that Jesus
00:16:18.01\00:16:22.11
left the glories of heaven,
left the worship of the angels,
00:16:22.31\00:16:26.08
left the worship of
the cherubim and seraphim,
00:16:26.28\00:16:30.15
and Jesus plunged into
the snake pit of this world,
00:16:30.35\00:16:33.82
this morally defiled,
this sex-centered, thrill-jaded
00:16:34.02\00:16:38.13
generation, this
crime- riddled polluted world.
00:16:38.33\00:16:42.26
Christ came here, and He
tabernacled in human flesh.
00:16:42.46\00:16:45.50
And as He did, He lived
the life we should have lived
00:16:45.90\00:16:49.00
so that we need not
die the death that He died.
00:16:49.20\00:16:52.87
The judgment
reveals all of that.
00:16:53.07\00:16:55.18
He sent His Holy
Spirit to our hearts
00:17:00.35\00:17:03.39
again and again and again.
00:17:03.59\00:17:05.62
"The hour of God's
judgment has come! "
00:17:05.82\00:17:08.56
Satan has claimed God is unfair.
00:17:08.96\00:17:10.96
Satan has claimed God is unjust.
00:17:11.16\00:17:13.03
Satan has claimed that
God doesn't care for us.
00:17:13.23\00:17:15.36
Satan has claimed that
God is a vindictive Judge...
00:17:15.56\00:17:17.83
that all He wants is selfish
worship from His creatures.
00:17:18.03\00:17:21.20
In the judgment it's revealed
that His love is magnificent.
00:17:22.00\00:17:26.24
That there's no
lengths, no depths, no heights
00:17:26.44\00:17:29.58
that He would not
have gone to redeem us.
00:17:29.78\00:17:32.91
That's why the whole universe
in Revelation 6 and 7 sings:
00:17:33.11\00:17:36.69
At the end of that
judgment every knee will bow,
00:17:44.99\00:17:48.06
every tongue will
confess that He indeed is Lord.
00:17:48.26\00:17:51.90
And in the judgment we
find that it's not good deeds
00:17:57.27\00:17:59.97
weighed against bad deeds.
It's rather have we accepted
00:18:00.18\00:18:03.45
the living
Christ into our lives.
00:18:03.65\00:18:05.48
Now the Bible says
in Romans 6 verse 23:
00:18:05.68\00:18:08.52
Sin has a wage, and that
wage or that price is death.
00:18:11.62\00:18:17.03
But the Bible also says:
00:18:17.69\00:18:19.16
If we have come to Christ,
00:18:24.80\00:18:27.24
if He fills our
hearts with His grace,
00:18:27.44\00:18:29.90
if we are charmed by His love,
00:18:30.11\00:18:32.41
if our lives are
committed to Him,
00:18:32.81\00:18:35.38
we need not fear the judgment.
00:18:35.58\00:18:39.65
Now how do works play
their part in the judgment?
00:18:40.05\00:18:43.18
We talked about choices early on
00:18:43.39\00:18:45.89
and the importance
of positive choices.
00:18:46.29\00:18:48.76
It is not love Christ and simply
do whatever you want to do.
00:18:48.96\00:18:52.86
When you love Christ, you
do what He wants you to do.
00:18:53.26\00:18:55.50
That's why Jesus
said in John 8 verse 29:
00:18:55.70\00:18:58.80
"I do always those
things that please Him,
00:18:59.00\00:19:01.10
that please the Father. "
00:19:01.30\00:19:02.64
That's why it says in
Hebrews 10:7 and onward
00:19:02.67\00:19:05.41
"I come in the volume of the
book to do Thy will, O God. "
00:19:05.61\00:19:08.94
That's why in Gethsemane
when the world trembled
00:19:09.14\00:19:11.58
in the balance
in Matthew 26:36-39
00:19:11.78\00:19:16.72
the Bible says: "Not My will,
Lord, but Your will be done. "
00:19:16.92\00:19:20.82
So when we come to Christ
00:19:21.22\00:19:23.19
and we are truly
changed by Christ,
00:19:23.39\00:19:25.93
when by faith we
grasp His righteousness,
00:19:26.13\00:19:29.33
when His grace changes us,
00:19:29.73\00:19:33.00
we long to do His will...
00:19:33.20\00:19:35.00
not to earn our salvation
but because He has saved us.
00:19:35.20\00:19:39.94
Apple trees produce apples
00:19:40.44\00:19:42.91
not in order to
become apple trees
00:19:43.31\00:19:46.18
but because
they ARE apple trees.
00:19:46.38\00:19:48.02
Christians produce good works
00:19:48.42\00:19:50.29
not to prove they are Christians
00:19:50.49\00:19:52.49
but the good works
are the spontaneous result
00:19:52.69\00:19:55.32
of a faith
relationship with Jesus Christ.
00:19:55.52\00:19:58.63
Now notice Revelation 20:12:
00:19:58.83\00:20:01.10
What else could
the dead be judged by?
00:20:05.47\00:20:07.74
What else could
they be judged by?
00:20:08.14\00:20:09.97
Our works are the external
manifestation of our faith.
00:20:10.17\00:20:15.18
Now notice how it's
put in Ephesians 2:8-9.
00:20:15.38\00:20:18.51
So in the judgment
it's not our good works.
00:20:26.72\00:20:29.96
It's not because we
have had this striving
00:20:30.36\00:20:35.90
for salvation and we've gone
through this painful torture
00:20:36.10\00:20:39.33
to do good works. It's rather
00:20:39.53\00:20:41.80
because Jesus Christ
has come into our lives
00:20:42.00\00:20:44.11
and changed our lives... that
Christ has made us over again.
00:20:44.31\00:20:48.01
And that's why the Bible says:
00:20:48.21\00:20:49.61
"it's not of works
lest anyone should boast. "
00:20:49.81\00:20:51.58
But look what it says next:
00:20:51.78\00:20:53.11
So we are saved totally
only completely by grace
00:20:58.29\00:21:02.06
but that grace
leads us to obedience.
00:21:02.46\00:21:05.89
And the obedient lives that we
live are the spontaneous result
00:21:06.09\00:21:10.60
of being saved and
transformed by His grace.
00:21:10.80\00:21:15.27
The external
manifestation of our works
00:21:23.51\00:21:26.68
presented in the judgment
00:21:26.88\00:21:28.92
recorded in the books
00:21:29.12\00:21:30.89
based on our choices
00:21:31.05\00:21:32.82
demonstrates that our
faith is indeed genuine.
00:21:33.02\00:21:37.06
Did you ever read the story?
It's rather an amusing story
00:21:37.26\00:21:41.60
of one of these wizards who
is able to do about anything.
00:21:41.80\00:21:45.53
I don't mean
some kind of magician
00:21:45.73\00:21:47.87
but I mean one of these
guys who does strange odd feats.
00:21:48.07\00:21:53.04
He strung... can
you believe this?
00:21:53.44\00:21:56.34
true story... he strung
a wire across Niagara Falls
00:21:56.54\00:22:01.05
and he walked on that
wire across the falls.
00:22:01.45\00:22:04.89
Now people had died trying to
go on a barrel across the falls.
00:22:05.09\00:22:08.59
They had died in other ways
trying to do this tightrope.
00:22:08.79\00:22:11.73
But he strung this tight-
rope wire across the falls...
00:22:11.93\00:22:14.66
Niagara Falls... and he
walked on that tightrope,
00:22:14.86\00:22:18.17
you know, ever so
gently across the falls.
00:22:18.37\00:22:21.04
And he did it 2 or 3 times and
people gathered to see this man
00:22:21.24\00:22:24.64
and they were yelling
and screaming and applauding.
00:22:24.84\00:22:27.54
And he said: "How many of
you... " after he had done it
00:22:27.74\00:22:29.91
3 or 4 times... "how many of
you think I can do it again? "
00:22:30.11\00:22:32.01
They raised their hands.
00:22:32.21\00:22:33.58
"How many of you think I could
do it with a wheelbarrow? "
00:22:33.98\00:22:35.85
They said: "Oh, why
we know you could. "
00:22:36.05\00:22:37.39
So he wheel
barrowed the thing across
00:22:37.49\00:22:39.29
and he brought it
back. "How many of you think
00:22:39.49\00:22:40.99
I could do it
with somebody in it? "
00:22:41.19\00:22:42.62
They raised their
hand: "Yes! Yes! "
00:22:42.82\00:22:44.59
"How many want to get in it? "
00:22:44.79\00:22:46.19
Not one person stepped forth
to get in that wheelbarrow.
00:22:47.30\00:22:51.00
Did they really have faith?
00:22:51.50\00:22:54.07
Did they really
believe? See, if you believe,
00:22:54.27\00:22:58.07
if Christ changes your
heart and you grasp by faith,
00:22:58.27\00:23:01.78
that is
manifest in your choices.
00:23:02.18\00:23:04.91
It's manifest in your actions.
00:23:05.11\00:23:07.12
Our inner faith is
revealed in our outer works.
00:23:19.43\00:23:22.33
Now there's some- thing
else about the judgment.
00:23:22.53\00:23:23.93
According to
Revelation chapter 14 verse 7
00:23:24.33\00:23:27.97
"The hour of God's judgment...
" What does Rev. 14 say?
00:23:32.27\00:23:36.34
"has come. "
00:23:36.54\00:23:37.88
Now you say: "What does that
mean 'the hour of God's judgment
00:23:37.95\00:23:41.55
HAS COME? " It means that
before the coming of Jesus
00:23:41.75\00:23:45.09
there is a judgment
in the courts of heaven
00:23:45.29\00:23:48.09
to determine who will
be ready when He comes.
00:23:48.29\00:23:50.66
If, according to
Revelation chapter 14,
00:23:50.86\00:23:53.40
chapter 22 verse 12
00:23:53.60\00:23:56.20
if Jesus is coming
to give out His rewards,
00:23:56.40\00:24:00.34
there must be a
judgment previous to His coming
00:24:00.54\00:24:03.41
to determine who receives
what rewards when He comes.
00:24:03.61\00:24:06.57
In other words, the destinies
of the entire human race:
00:24:10.55\00:24:14.88
all of those who
have died in ages past
00:24:15.08\00:24:18.09
are currently being settled
in the judgment bar of God.
00:24:18.29\00:24:21.52
When Jesus spoke about
the judgment in His day
00:24:34.70\00:24:38.74
in Matthew 12:36-37
00:24:38.94\00:24:41.41
He said: "Every
idle word that men speak
00:24:41.61\00:24:43.35
they WILL give account
of in the day of judgment. "
00:24:43.55\00:24:45.28
It was future.
00:24:45.48\00:24:46.82
Throughout the gospels, the
judgment is always something
00:24:46.95\00:24:49.48
future. But when
you come to Revelation
00:24:49.68\00:24:52.05
it predicts that just
before the coming of Jesus
00:24:52.25\00:24:55.02
the clock will strike the hour
00:24:55.22\00:24:56.99
and there will be
an end-time judgment.
00:24:57.19\00:24:59.39
We'll in fact study
in a next presentation
00:24:59.59\00:25:03.40
as well the timing.
When did that judgment begin?
00:25:03.60\00:25:06.94
What is the significance to
you and me that we're living
00:25:07.14\00:25:10.37
in this judgment hour?
00:25:10.57\00:25:12.24
Again, Revelation
22 verses 11 and 12,
00:25:23.12\00:25:27.09
Matthew 16 verse 27,
00:25:27.29\00:25:29.66
when Christ comes He
comes to give out the rewards.
00:25:29.86\00:25:32.76
So there must be a judg-
ment previous to His coming
00:25:32.96\00:25:36.10
before the whole universe
so they can see God's wisdom,
00:25:36.30\00:25:39.60
His love, His justice.
00:25:39.80\00:25:41.44
So they can see those men
and women that have responded
00:25:41.64\00:25:45.04
to that love
whose faith has led them
00:25:45.24\00:25:47.74
through the power of the
Holy Spirit to live in harmony
00:25:47.94\00:25:52.05
with His will. They
will receive that reward
00:25:52.25\00:25:55.35
of righteousness, that
reward of eternal salvation
00:25:55.55\00:25:58.45
when He comes.
Again, Revelation 22:12,
00:25:58.65\00:26:01.86
again, throughout the Bible:
00:26:02.06\00:26:03.39
I believe His coming is soon.
00:26:04.86\00:26:07.16
That the signs of the
times indicate that He's coming
00:26:07.36\00:26:09.93
rapidly, soon, quickly:
00:26:10.13\00:26:12.23
So again, the judgment
takes place before His coming.
00:26:15.84\00:26:19.21
Could we be living in
the judgment hour now?
00:26:19.41\00:26:21.41
Is time running out?
00:26:21.81\00:26:23.28
We're going to study
the exact time period
00:26:23.48\00:26:26.55
of when that judgment began.
00:26:26.75\00:26:28.28
We're going to sense from
the Scripture the prophecies
00:26:28.48\00:26:31.29
of Daniel exactly the
time the clock struck the hour.
00:26:31.49\00:26:36.19
Revelation's prophecies, my
friends, are being fulfilled.
00:26:36.39\00:26:39.39
We are living in critical
times of earth's history.
00:26:39.79\00:26:43.00
The sands in the hourglass
of time are running out.
00:26:43.20\00:26:46.94
This is a time
to open our hearts.
00:26:47.34\00:26:50.91
This is a time to make
a full complete absolute
00:26:51.07\00:26:54.78
commitment to Jesus Christ.
00:26:54.98\00:26:56.64
We're going to study
that, and this is why it's so
00:27:00.68\00:27:02.92
critically important not to
miss one of these presentations.
00:27:03.12\00:27:07.72
Invite your friends
to watch these DVDs;
00:27:07.92\00:27:10.56
invite your friends
to watch these telecasts
00:27:10.76\00:27:14.33
because we're going
to be identifying exactly
00:27:14.53\00:27:17.17
when that judgment hour began.
00:27:17.37\00:27:19.83
The books of Daniel and
Revelation are companion books.
00:27:20.34\00:27:22.97
The book of Revelation is
explained in the book of Daniel
00:27:23.37\00:27:27.01
and the book of Daniel
is explained in Revelation.
00:27:27.21\00:27:29.38
Both of them are prophetic
books of prophetic visions.
00:27:29.58\00:27:33.35
The book of Daniel
provides a foundation
00:27:33.55\00:27:37.05
for the book of Revelation.
00:27:37.25\00:27:38.59
One can never fully
understand Revelation
00:27:39.09\00:27:41.72
and the message
of the three angels
00:27:41.92\00:27:43.53
unless you first
understand the book of Daniel.
00:27:43.73\00:27:46.03
So let's go back and
study this judgment scene
00:27:46.23\00:27:49.63
from Revelation 14:7 in
the book of Daniel itself.
00:27:49.83\00:27:54.24
There is a magnificent scene
in heaven in the book of Daniel.
00:27:54.44\00:27:57.94
Now in Daniel chapter 7
you have the rise and fall
00:27:58.34\00:28:01.51
and the destiny of the nations.
00:28:01.71\00:28:04.11
There in chapter 7
nations rise and fall.
00:28:04.31\00:28:07.98
These nations want to
usurp the very kingdom of God.
00:28:08.18\00:28:12.62
Babylon rises and falls.
00:28:13.02\00:28:15.46
Daniel says: "I watched
00:28:15.66\00:28:17.73
as these nations
were rising and falling:
00:28:17.93\00:28:19.86
Babylon,
Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome. "
00:28:20.06\00:28:22.13
You have the
breakup of the Roman Empire.
00:28:22.33\00:28:23.87
All of these nations.
00:28:24.07\00:28:25.40
And Daniel says: "I
looked beyond the rise and fall
00:28:25.43\00:28:27.57
of these nations. I looked
beyond the conflict of nations
00:28:27.77\00:28:30.94
on earth. "
00:28:31.14\00:28:32.47
The thrones are moveable thrones
the thrones put in place.
00:28:36.11\00:28:39.85
"the Ancient of Days... "
Who's that? The Ancient of Days?
00:28:40.05\00:28:42.08
God the Father, right?
00:28:42.28\00:28:43.62
Do you get the sense of this?
00:29:02.94\00:29:05.01
Here is an
intergalactic meeting.
00:29:05.47\00:29:08.54
Here is a universal
meeting of thousands times
00:29:08.74\00:29:13.52
ten thousands. Every
heavenly being is there.
00:29:13.72\00:29:16.99
Cherubim and seraphim are there.
00:29:17.19\00:29:19.12
Angelic beings are there.
00:29:19.32\00:29:21.62
We have the whole
host of heaven crowding in
00:29:22.22\00:29:25.49
in the courtroom of God.
00:29:25.69\00:29:27.40
The destinies of the
human race are to be settled.
00:29:27.60\00:29:30.33
But even beyond that,
God's name is to be cleared.
00:29:30.53\00:29:34.77
On the cross of Calvary
Jesus Christ demonstrated
00:29:34.97\00:29:39.37
His love and the name of God was
vindicated before the universe.
00:29:39.57\00:29:43.45
But the question is:
"Is God fair in dealing with
00:29:43.65\00:29:47.05
every human being? "
00:29:47.25\00:29:48.58
"Has God truly given
everybody the opportunity
00:29:48.62\00:29:51.52
to be saved? " In
the final judgment
00:29:51.72\00:29:54.26
before the universe it will
be revealed the justice of God.
00:29:54.46\00:29:57.43
I want you to catch
the majesty of this moment.
00:29:57.63\00:30:00.10
I want you to catch the
solemnity of this moment,
00:30:00.30\00:30:02.73
the significance of this moment.
00:30:02.93\00:30:04.60
Let your mind dwell on
it. Thousands times thousands
00:30:04.80\00:30:08.67
of beings gather
'round the throne of God!
00:30:08.87\00:30:11.27
They are there to see
God's name honored and exalted
00:30:11.67\00:30:15.94
before the entire universe.
00:30:16.14\00:30:17.75
But more than that, God is deal-
ing with the great controversy
00:30:22.48\00:30:26.82
between good and evil
00:30:27.02\00:30:28.92
in a way so that sin will
never rise up a second time.
00:30:29.12\00:30:32.29
Once we see how bad sin is,
00:30:32.49\00:30:34.73
how evil sin is,
how wicked sin is
00:30:34.93\00:30:37.47
and once we see how good God is
00:30:37.63\00:30:40.14
we will never want to go back
to the cesspool of sin again.
00:30:40.34\00:30:46.04
Who does He come to?
He comes to the Father.
00:30:54.65\00:30:57.12
Father and Son meet together.
00:30:57.32\00:30:59.69
And there, in the
courtroom of the universe
00:30:59.89\00:31:02.12
in the Most Holy
Place - the inner sanctum
00:31:02.32\00:31:04.96
of the heavenly
sanctuary - Jesus presents
00:31:05.16\00:31:08.16
His blood. He
presents His sacrifice
00:31:08.66\00:31:12.27
before the whole
universe and He says:
00:31:12.47\00:31:15.47
"I am the Savior of mankind
00:31:15.67\00:31:19.64
and those that have accepted Me
00:31:20.04\00:31:21.84
they in Me,
through Me, because of Me
00:31:22.04\00:31:24.48
they are accepted in the
beloved and they have rights
00:31:24.68\00:31:27.48
to enter into heaven.
00:31:27.68\00:31:29.35
What happens in the judgment?
00:31:39.16\00:31:40.93
Christ in the
judgment... did you catch it?
00:31:41.13\00:31:43.77
Did you catch it? Don't miss it!
00:31:43.97\00:31:45.57
So in the kingdom of God,
00:31:52.67\00:31:55.34
in the
courtroom of the universe,
00:31:55.54\00:31:57.25
in the inner sanctum
of heaven's sanctuary
00:31:57.45\00:32:00.28
Jesus steps forth, and He
is presented with the kingdom.
00:32:00.68\00:32:06.12
His sacrifice is enough.
00:32:06.32\00:32:08.26
His righteousness is enough.
00:32:08.46\00:32:10.06
His grace is enough,
00:32:10.26\00:32:11.59
and the whole universe
sings for the glory of His name!
00:32:11.79\00:32:15.96
He is given the
kingdom. The judgment shows that
00:32:16.16\00:32:19.27
Christ is the
rightful Ruler of the kingdom.
00:32:19.47\00:32:22.30
Now the judgment also reveals
00:32:31.88\00:32:34.08
the saving
righteousness of Christ
00:32:34.28\00:32:36.18
and His triumph over the prin-
cipalities and powers of hell.
00:32:36.38\00:32:39.59
The judgment reveals that
Christ will be honored, exalted
00:32:39.99\00:32:44.03
in the universe, and
that all the powers of hell
00:32:44.23\00:32:46.96
will be ultimately destroyed.
00:32:47.16\00:32:48.83
Daniel 7 shows us the judgment.
00:32:54.47\00:32:57.37
Revelation 14 shows us it.
00:32:57.87\00:33:00.34
And also there is
this vision in heaven
00:33:00.54\00:33:03.18
that John has of the judgment.
00:33:03.38\00:33:04.85
We get some added insights
here. When you study the Bible
00:33:05.05\00:33:08.28
you have to
compare text with text.
00:33:08.48\00:33:10.85
You get a little bit
here and a little bit there
00:33:11.25\00:33:13.15
and you put it
together. Revelation 4:1:
00:33:13.36\00:33:15.62
There's a door open in
heaven for you, my friend.
00:33:19.26\00:33:21.66
Whatever experiences
you're having in life,
00:33:22.70\00:33:25.07
however you feel oppressed,
discouraged, disappointed
00:33:26.43\00:33:29.10
there's a door open in
heaven. And what does God say?
00:33:29.30\00:33:31.07
And God says: "Come!
Look through the open door.
00:33:34.31\00:33:35.94
You'll get new courage,
new hope, new inspiration. "
00:33:36.14\00:33:38.15
Here the voice from
heaven says: "Come up here. "
00:33:45.95\00:33:48.06
"Come up here into the
throne room of the universe. "
00:33:48.46\00:33:50.53
"Come up here into
the judgment bar of God. "
00:33:50.93\00:33:53.19
Now when John looked
there through that open door
00:33:53.60\00:33:56.56
in heaven in Revelation
chapter 4 what does he see?
00:33:56.77\00:34:00.27
This is a magnificent scene.
00:34:00.47\00:34:02.64
Revelation the 4th
chapter and I want you to see it
00:34:02.84\00:34:06.41
as I read it from Scripture.
00:34:06.61\00:34:08.18
Revelation chapter 4:
"After these things I looked
00:34:08.38\00:34:10.61
and a door is open in heaven. "
00:34:10.81\00:34:12.15
Whoever you are tonight, there's
a door open in heaven for you.
00:34:12.35\00:34:14.65
Whatever you're
experiencing tonight,
00:34:15.05\00:34:16.62
there's a door
open in heaven for you.
00:34:16.82\00:34:18.29
God invites you as He
invited John: "Come up
00:34:18.49\00:34:20.76
higher. Take another step.
By faith see what Christ is
00:34:20.96\00:34:24.33
doing in your behalf. In
the light of the judgment hour
00:34:24.53\00:34:27.13
see this Jesus who
stands for you in the judgment.
00:34:27.33\00:34:30.00
Gather round the
throne room of the universe. "
00:34:30.40\00:34:33.03
Notice what it says.
00:34:33.23\00:34:34.57
It says: "And He who
sat on the throne... "
00:34:34.74\00:34:37.74
verse 3... "was like a
sardius stone in appearance.
00:34:37.94\00:34:41.74
There was a rainbow
around the throne. "
00:34:41.94\00:34:43.28
The rainbow
indicates judgment and mercy.
00:34:43.31\00:34:45.68
God put a rainbow in the
sky after the destruction of the
00:34:46.08\00:34:48.98
world by the flood indicating
the world would never be
00:34:49.18\00:34:51.99
destroyed by a flood again.
00:34:52.19\00:34:53.52
Notice: "Around the throne
were four and twenty thrones
00:34:53.62\00:34:56.86
and on the thrones
were twenty-four elders
00:34:57.06\00:34:59.29
sitting clothed in white robes.
00:34:59.49\00:35:01.06
They had crowns of
gold upon their heads. "
00:35:01.26\00:35:03.10
Who are these 24 elders
that sit on the thrones?
00:35:03.50\00:35:07.84
The Bible says they were
"redeemed from the earth. "
00:35:08.04\00:35:09.97
Those priests
represented Israel.
00:35:15.51\00:35:19.45
So the twenty-four elders
are those who have been redeemed
00:35:19.65\00:35:24.32
from the earth, resurrected
at the time of Christ's death
00:35:24.52\00:35:29.09
and resurrection. And
remember the Bible says
00:35:29.29\00:35:31.46
when Christ died
the graves were opened.
00:35:31.66\00:35:33.80
After His resurrection
there were those that came out.
00:35:34.00\00:35:36.80
Who are these
twenty-four elders?
00:35:37.00\00:35:39.10
They are men just
like you, just like me.
00:35:39.50\00:35:42.14
These are people
around the throne of God
00:35:42.34\00:35:44.94
that God has brought
up there to His throne.
00:35:45.14\00:35:47.51
Why are they there?
00:35:47.71\00:35:49.11
To represent us
before the throne of God.
00:35:49.31\00:35:51.51
You know the Bible says -
I Peter chapter 2 verse 9:
00:35:51.91\00:35:55.15
We, too, are
priests and kings of God.
00:36:02.02\00:36:04.46
And those 24
elders that are there
00:36:04.66\00:36:07.90
represent us at God's throne.
00:36:08.10\00:36:10.93
And if they are there, if they
made it we can make it, too.
00:36:11.13\00:36:14.90
They stand with
Jesus around God's throne.
00:36:15.10\00:36:17.97
Notice what the Bible also says:
00:36:18.37\00:36:20.48
It says that these 24 elders
that represent all the redeemed
00:36:20.68\00:36:24.55
that one day will
rejoice around the throne of God
00:36:24.75\00:36:27.82
it says that they
"come from earth. "
00:36:28.02\00:36:30.39
They faced
temptations; they faced trials;
00:36:30.69\00:36:33.32
they faced
difficulty but they are there.
00:36:33.52\00:36:36.26
If they made it, we can make it.
00:36:36.46\00:36:38.23
Now the Bible also says
00:36:38.63\00:36:40.20
in Revelation
chapter 4 verses 6 and 7
00:36:40.40\00:36:43.50
it says that
there are four creatures
00:36:43.70\00:36:45.70
around the throne of God.
It's a little strange theme.
00:36:45.90\00:36:48.47
It says these 4
creatures are like a lion,
00:36:48.67\00:36:51.64
like a calf, like
man, like an eagle.
00:36:51.84\00:36:54.74
What about these 4 creatures?
00:36:55.14\00:36:56.58
What can we learn from the
history of Israel about them?
00:36:56.78\00:36:59.81
These were the banners
that Israel marched under.
00:37:07.19\00:37:09.92
Now think of it:
00:37:20.94\00:37:22.27
Jesus is the Lion
of the tribe of Judah.
00:37:22.30\00:37:24.41
The Lion. He becomes
a sacrifice or a calf,
00:37:24.61\00:37:28.41
an animal of sacrifice, for us.
00:37:28.61\00:37:30.68
He tabernacles in human flesh
as a man, the face of a man.
00:37:30.88\00:37:35.35
But after His death
He flies again to heaven
00:37:35.55\00:37:38.49
as a soaring eagle. So
what do these represent?
00:37:38.69\00:37:42.32
Just as these banners represen-
ted God's everlasting guidance
00:37:42.72\00:37:46.76
and just as they
emphasized His protection
00:37:46.96\00:37:50.13
so likewise these 4 creatures
around the throne of God
00:37:50.33\00:37:55.67
represent the total
ministry of Christ for us.
00:37:55.87\00:37:58.77
The One who is the
Lion of the tribe of Judah:
00:37:58.97\00:38:00.98
our King, the divine Christ.
00:38:01.14\00:38:02.61
The One who became a
man to sacrifice His life
00:38:02.81\00:38:06.08
in our behalf.
00:38:06.28\00:38:07.62
The One that was
resurrected from the dead.
00:38:07.75\00:38:09.62
As we look into
the judgment bar of God
00:38:09.82\00:38:12.69
there are the
elders that are there.
00:38:12.89\00:38:15.42
They represent all humanity.
00:38:15.82\00:38:17.36
They represent all the redeemed.
00:38:17.56\00:38:19.59
There are there the 4 creatures
00:38:20.00\00:38:25.03
representing the living Christ.
There before the throne of God
00:38:25.23\00:38:28.90
Jesus stands for you and me.
00:38:29.10\00:38:31.34
And we can come from
all points of the compass:
00:38:31.54\00:38:33.78
the north, the south,
the east, and the west.
00:38:33.98\00:38:35.74
Whoever we are, every nation,
kindred, tongue, and people
00:38:35.94\00:38:39.61
to gather at that
throne through faith in Christ
00:38:39.81\00:38:42.32
knowing that Jesus
indeed is our Savior.
00:38:42.72\00:38:46.05
That's why at the end
of Revelation 4:11 it says:
00:38:46.25\00:38:49.22
This is what the
judgment is about.
00:38:53.66\00:38:55.26
It's about the honor of Christ.
00:38:55.46\00:38:57.17
It's about the glory of Christ.
00:38:57.37\00:38:58.77
We exist by the will of God.
00:39:06.34\00:39:08.38
We were brought into
existence by God's will.
00:39:08.58\00:39:11.31
We were created by a
loving Christ and redeemed by
00:39:11.51\00:39:14.62
a loving Christ. And one day
we will be ushered into eternity
00:39:14.82\00:39:18.59
by that loving Christ.
00:39:18.79\00:39:20.52
Now in Revelation chapter
5 it builds on Revelation 4.
00:39:20.72\00:39:23.43
In Revelation chapter
5 John sees the scene.
00:39:23.83\00:39:26.16
There is a being with a scroll.
00:39:26.56\00:39:28.26
The scroll is
sealed with seven seals.
00:39:28.46\00:39:31.03
John asks the question:
"Who can open the scroll? "
00:39:31.43\00:39:33.87
John senses that this
is the scroll of judgment.
00:39:34.07\00:39:36.14
He senses that if
nobody can open that scroll
00:39:36.54\00:39:39.01
the sins of humanity are there.
00:39:39.21\00:39:41.34
He watches as Jesus comes forth.
00:39:41.54\00:39:44.28
First John is weeping because
it appears nobody can open
00:39:44.68\00:39:47.35
the scroll. But
then Jesus steps forth
00:39:47.55\00:39:50.15
and Jesus is
worthy to open the scroll.
00:39:50.35\00:39:53.15
The question is
asked, Revelation 5 verse 2:
00:39:53.36\00:39:55.82
The answer: Revelation 5:3:
00:39:56.79\00:39:59.09
Nobody in heaven,
nobody in earth could open it
00:40:04.13\00:40:06.57
except who? Except Jesus!
00:40:06.77\00:40:08.67
No angel could
ensure your salvation.
00:40:09.07\00:40:13.17
No cherubim or seraphim
could ensure your salvation.
00:40:13.58\00:40:16.98
No being on earth
could ensure your salvation.
00:40:17.38\00:40:20.48
But there is One
who can! In the judgment
00:40:20.68\00:40:22.85
Jesus... the
living Christ. John says:
00:40:23.05\00:40:25.59
There before the
judgment bar of God
00:40:35.26\00:40:37.60
is the picture of a slain lamb:
00:40:37.80\00:40:39.97
the living Christ who
has died for you and for me.
00:40:40.37\00:40:43.77
Here is the
incredible good news:
00:41:03.86\00:41:06.46
Before the judgment bar of God
00:41:06.86\00:41:09.36
the authority of all heaven
00:41:10.80\00:41:14.54
before all of that
authority of heaven
00:41:14.74\00:41:17.21
Jesus steps forth.
He is given the kingdom!
00:41:17.41\00:41:21.74
Salvation is
given to His people.
00:41:22.14\00:41:25.15
Why? Because Christ
has provided ransom.
00:41:25.35\00:41:29.95
We need not
fear at the judgment.
00:41:38.99\00:41:41.06
Some time ago,
it's a fascinating story
00:41:41.26\00:41:44.27
that took place
in New York City.
00:41:44.47\00:41:45.83
There was a judge who
was known to be very kind
00:41:47.14\00:41:51.07
and very compassionate.
00:41:51.27\00:41:53.07
And as this judge was
trying a particular case
00:41:53.27\00:41:56.28
a man came in before him.
00:41:56.48\00:41:58.41
And the man was tried
because he was a thief.
00:41:58.81\00:42:02.05
He was arrested as a thief.
00:42:02.25\00:42:03.79
He had gone into a bakery
00:42:03.99\00:42:06.05
and he had stolen 8
or 10 loaves of bread.
00:42:06.25\00:42:09.82
And as he was
leaving with the bread
00:42:10.23\00:42:12.13
the police had apprehended him
00:42:12.33\00:42:14.10
because the owner of the
bakery had pressed the alarm.
00:42:14.30\00:42:17.73
The police came
00:42:17.93\00:42:20.77
and they arrested this man.
00:42:20.97\00:42:22.80
He was brought to court,
and when he was brought before
00:42:23.20\00:42:25.81
the judge the judge said to him:
00:42:26.01\00:42:28.18
"You stole that
bread? " "I did. "
00:42:28.58\00:42:32.15
"Do you confess to
stealing it? " "I do. "
00:42:32.35\00:42:34.78
"Do you deem that
you're guilty? " "I do. "
00:42:35.18\00:42:38.22
And the judge said: "I
have a question for you:
00:42:38.62\00:42:40.32
why did you steal the bread? "
00:42:40.52\00:42:42.52
The man said
this: "I have a wife
00:42:43.22\00:42:46.76
and I have four children.
00:42:46.96\00:42:48.36
I tried to get a job
but I have not been able
00:42:48.76\00:42:51.33
to get a job. I've
been out of work for months.
00:42:51.53\00:42:54.20
My money had run
out; my kids were starving
00:42:55.24\00:42:58.64
so I therefore
went down to find out
00:42:59.04\00:43:03.78
where I could
possibly get them some food.
00:43:03.98\00:43:06.05
And in a weakened
moment I went into the bakery
00:43:06.45\00:43:09.32
and stole that bread. "
00:43:09.52\00:43:10.85
The judge looked at him
and he said: "You're guilty.
00:43:11.79\00:43:14.36
And what I'm going
to do is charge you
00:43:15.06\00:43:17.06
a $50 fine. "
00:43:17.26\00:43:19.49
But he said:
"Look, any man in my city
00:43:19.69\00:43:23.80
that has to steal bread
to feed his children... "
00:43:24.20\00:43:27.07
he said: "I am taking off
my judge's cloak right now
00:43:27.47\00:43:32.07
and I am coming
down by your side
00:43:32.47\00:43:34.84
to pay the $50 in your behalf.
00:43:35.04\00:43:37.88
And I want to invite you
and your wife and your family
00:43:38.28\00:43:41.48
to my home to eat
with me tonight. "
00:43:41.68\00:43:44.22
Jesus says to you
and Jesus says to me:
00:43:44.62\00:43:47.82
"I'm stepping out
of the judgment seat.
00:43:48.22\00:43:50.76
I'm coming by your side.
00:43:51.16\00:43:52.89
I'm putting My arm around you.
00:43:53.29\00:43:55.10
I'm paying the price for you
00:43:55.60\00:43:58.03
and I want to invite you home. "
00:43:58.43\00:44:00.17
"I want to invite you home. "
00:44:00.37\00:44:01.70
Jesus wants more
than anything else
00:44:01.90\00:44:04.64
to have you at home with Him.
00:44:04.84\00:44:07.04
And that's what
the universe sees.
00:44:07.24\00:44:09.11
That's what the
universe sees in the judgment:
00:44:09.51\00:44:11.55
this amazing manifestation
of the love of God.
00:44:11.75\00:44:15.42
And that's why the
universe sings: "Worthy, worthy
00:44:15.62\00:44:18.05
is the Lamb. " They
have seen a manifestation
00:44:18.25\00:44:21.76
of His love on the cross.
00:44:21.96\00:44:23.83
They have seen His
intent in the judgment
00:44:24.03\00:44:27.00
to save every human being.
00:44:27.20\00:44:28.96
They've seen the ways
that He was wooed human hearts.
00:44:29.16\00:44:32.40
Daniel and Revelation
describe powers that rise.
00:44:44.31\00:44:48.35
They describe Babylon that rises
but it does not reign forever.
00:44:48.75\00:44:52.62
It falls. Medo-Persia rises
but it does not reign forever.
00:44:52.82\00:44:56.09
It falls. Greece rises
but it does not reign forever.
00:44:56.29\00:44:59.16
It falls. Rome rises but
it does not reign forever.
00:44:59.36\00:45:01.70
It falls. The
kingdoms of this world rise.
00:45:01.90\00:45:05.00
There is a power that rises
that unites church and state.
00:45:05.40\00:45:11.37
Rome is divided
00:45:11.57\00:45:13.24
and out of Rome
there's this power that rises.
00:45:13.44\00:45:15.64
In Daniel 7 it's
called the "little horn"
00:45:15.84\00:45:17.88
with eyes like
the eyes of a man.
00:45:18.08\00:45:19.41
We're going to study that
in this series to understand
00:45:19.48\00:45:21.72
the whole issue of the anti-
Christ, the mark of the beast.
00:45:21.92\00:45:23.69
But here's the point:
political kingdoms rise
00:45:23.89\00:45:27.99
A religious-political
kingdom rises.
00:45:28.19\00:45:30.36
But then Daniel's eyes
are taken away from earth.
00:45:30.56\00:45:33.50
They're pointed to heaven.
00:45:33.70\00:45:35.03
John in Revelation
points us to heaven
00:45:35.20\00:45:37.03
and says: "Beyond what is
00:45:37.23\00:45:38.57
there will be the
eternal kingdom of God. "
00:45:38.77\00:45:41.54
All the universe one
day will worship Christ
00:45:41.94\00:45:44.71
and live with Him forever
and ever and ever and ever
00:45:44.91\00:45:47.41
through the
ceaseless ages of eternity.
00:45:47.61\00:45:49.61
Christ's kingdom
will never come to an end!
00:45:50.01\00:45:52.58
In the judgment the
whole universe will see
00:45:52.78\00:45:55.42
the glory, the
magnificence, the beauty
00:45:55.62\00:45:58.19
of the plan of salvation.
00:45:58.39\00:46:00.06
They will say: "Worthy,
worthy, worthy is the Lamb! "
00:46:00.26\00:46:02.89
Christ will step
forth; judgment is made
00:46:13.44\00:46:16.64
in favor of the saints of God.
00:46:16.84\00:46:19.34
One night Martin
Luther was sleeping.
00:46:19.74\00:46:22.31
And as he was sleeping
he had this terrible dream.
00:46:22.71\00:46:25.91
He dreamed that
the devil came to him
00:46:26.31\00:46:28.55
and he dreamed that there
was a scroll in the devil's hand
00:46:28.75\00:46:31.49
and the devil
unrolled the scroll.
00:46:31.69\00:46:33.02
And he saw this
hideous, evil angel
00:46:33.29\00:46:35.59
and he saw a
list of all his sins.
00:46:35.79\00:46:37.63
It was the judgment and it was
before the judgment bar of God.
00:46:37.79\00:46:40.63
And in Luther's dream he said:
00:46:41.03\00:46:44.17
"Those are my sins!
" And the devil said:
00:46:45.10\00:46:47.24
"Are they your
sins? " "Yes they are. "
00:46:47.44\00:46:49.10
"Are you guilty of
every one? " "Yes, I am. "
00:46:49.30\00:46:51.44
"Is the wages of sin
death? " "Yes it is. "
00:46:51.94\00:46:54.78
"Do you deserve to
die eternally? " "Yes! "
00:46:55.18\00:46:57.45
And the devil said:
"You're condemned! "
00:46:57.65\00:46:59.08
But then Luther saw the devil's
hand on top of that scroll
00:46:59.28\00:47:02.68
and he said: "In the name
of Christ move your hand. "
00:47:02.88\00:47:04.62
And the devil said:
"No. " "In the name of Christ
00:47:04.82\00:47:06.15
move your hand. "
The devil moved his hand.
00:47:06.19\00:47:07.52
It said: "The blood of Jesus
Christ cleanses Martin Luther
00:47:07.59\00:47:10.39
from all his
sins. " In the judgment
00:47:10.59\00:47:13.63
NOT good deeds
against bad deeds.
00:47:13.83\00:47:15.40
Our deeds reflect our faith.
00:47:16.77\00:47:19.37
Our deeds are
important because they reflect
00:47:19.57\00:47:22.04
whether or not we made a
full commitment to Christ.
00:47:22.24\00:47:24.74
In the judgment Jesus
wants to step forth for you.
00:47:25.47\00:47:28.41
In the judgment Jesus says
that He wants to make judgment
00:47:28.61\00:47:32.11
in favor of the
saints in the judgment.
00:47:32.31\00:47:35.05
All evil powers
will be destroyed.
00:47:35.25\00:47:37.25
In the judgment all
wicked powers will crumble.
00:47:37.45\00:47:40.46
In the judgment Christ
will be exalted as Lord of all.
00:47:40.66\00:47:44.19
In the judgment the Father
gives to the Son the kingdom,
00:47:59.87\00:48:03.11
and you and I participate as
the royal line in that kingdom.
00:48:03.51\00:48:07.92
We become princes and
princesses and sit on thrones
00:48:08.12\00:48:12.35
with Christ and worship with
Him through the ceaseless ages
00:48:12.55\00:48:15.62
of all eternity.
Would it not be foolish...
00:48:15.82\00:48:18.43
would it not be foolish?
00:48:18.93\00:48:22.26
I was thinking of another
word but that's the only word
00:48:23.37\00:48:25.67
I can think of: FOOLISH.
Wouldn't it be a foolish choice
00:48:25.87\00:48:28.70
to turn your back
on that love of Christ?
00:48:29.10\00:48:32.17
To turn your back on that invi-
tation to be with Him in heaven?
00:48:32.37\00:48:35.74
Wouldn't it be
foolish to make choices
00:48:36.14\00:48:39.88
for the tawdry
pleasures of this world
00:48:40.08\00:48:43.02
when Jesus offers us eternity?
00:48:43.22\00:48:45.65
When we can sit
on a throne with Him?
00:48:46.05\00:48:48.06
When we can worship with Him?
00:48:48.26\00:48:49.76
When we can travel from star
to star and planet to planet
00:48:49.96\00:48:53.40
and see the vast technology
of civilizations that have
00:48:53.60\00:48:57.23
never fallen by sin?
00:48:57.43\00:48:59.10
And be His honored convoy,
sharing with the universe
00:48:59.30\00:49:02.64
the depths of His love
and the glory of His grace.
00:49:02.84\00:49:06.27
We with the angels and
the redeemed of all ages:
00:49:17.15\00:49:20.99
What was that message
of Revelation 14 verse 6?
00:49:34.30\00:49:37.17
"I saw another angel
flying in the midst of heaven
00:49:37.37\00:49:39.67
having the everlasting gospel...
to every nation, kindred,
00:49:39.87\00:49:42.14
tongue, and
people. " Here it is:
00:49:42.34\00:49:43.68
Now those that have accepted
that message, those that have
00:49:43.85\00:49:47.58
responded to this
message of the three angels,
00:49:47.78\00:49:51.22
those who have understood
these three cosmic messages
00:49:51.42\00:49:54.72
in earth's last hour.
00:49:54.92\00:49:57.33
We are kings and priests of God!
00:50:09.74\00:50:12.24
Do not throw away your heritage.
00:50:12.44\00:50:14.54
Do not turn your back on a
love that is appealing to you.
00:50:14.74\00:50:18.08
Many years ago
there was a farmer
00:50:18.28\00:50:22.38
who visited London for
the very very first time.
00:50:22.58\00:50:26.12
He had never
been to London before,
00:50:26.52\00:50:28.66
and he was awed by
things like the London Bridge.
00:50:28.86\00:50:32.73
Awed by things like
Big Ben and the Parliament.
00:50:33.13\00:50:37.83
One day he had a
little time so he decided
00:50:38.23\00:50:40.90
that he would go to one of
London's famous art galleries.
00:50:41.10\00:50:44.11
This farmer was a Christian.
00:50:44.74\00:50:46.94
And as he was walking
through the art gallery
00:50:47.34\00:50:49.51
he came to a
picture. It was a picture
00:50:49.71\00:50:52.81
of Christ hanging on the cross.
00:50:53.01\00:50:54.78
He stood there.
00:50:55.18\00:50:56.79
Was gripped by that picture.
00:50:57.19\00:50:59.65
Overwhelmed again
by the thought of Jesus
00:51:01.82\00:51:04.83
with nails through His hands,
00:51:05.23\00:51:07.50
blood running down His wrists,
00:51:08.56\00:51:10.33
with a crown of
thorns upon His head,
00:51:10.73\00:51:12.77
bearing the sin and
the guilt of all humanity.
00:51:14.24\00:51:18.57
And as this man stood there
00:51:19.77\00:51:21.84
15 minutes went
by, 20 minutes went by.
00:51:23.81\00:51:26.15
Soon there were tears
running down his face.
00:51:26.65\00:51:30.52
And all he said
was... all he could say was:
00:51:32.05\00:51:34.69
Somebody standing
by heard the old man.
00:51:40.20\00:51:43.70
Stood by his side and
looked at the picture and said:
00:51:44.10\00:51:46.23
"I love Him, too. "
00:51:46.43\00:51:47.77
Somebody else stood by his side
and said: "I love Him, too. "
00:51:47.84\00:51:51.41
Pretty soon there was a
group of people there...
00:51:51.81\00:51:53.98
arms around one another.
00:51:54.38\00:51:56.04
Riveted to that picture, they
made a decision in their life.
00:51:57.18\00:52:01.58
"I'd rather have
Jesus than silver or gold.
00:52:01.98\00:52:06.15
I'd rather have
Jesus than riches untold. "
00:52:06.76\00:52:12.56
In the judgment
you need not fear.
00:52:13.06\00:52:16.67
Christ reaches
out to you right now.
00:52:17.07\00:52:19.57
Deep within your
heart as Charles sings
00:52:20.54\00:52:23.37
would you like to say
"I'd rather have Jesus? "
00:52:23.57\00:52:27.78
I'd rather have Jesus
00:52:35.02\00:52:39.95
than silver or gold.
00:52:40.36\00:52:44.86
I'd rather be His
00:52:45.06\00:52:49.63
than have riches untold.
00:52:49.93\00:52:54.74
I'd rather have Jesus
00:52:55.14\00:52:59.54
than houses or lands.
00:53:00.04\00:53:04.45
I'd rather be led
00:53:04.85\00:53:09.18
by His nail-pierced hand.
00:53:09.38\00:53:14.19
Than to be
00:53:14.69\00:53:16.89
the king of
00:53:17.09\00:53:19.59
a vast domain
00:53:19.79\00:53:23.93
or be held in sin's
00:53:24.13\00:53:28.47
dread sway.
00:53:28.67\00:53:33.11
I would rather have Jesus
00:53:33.58\00:53:38.25
than anything
00:53:38.65\00:53:43.05
this world
00:53:43.89\00:53:46.15
affords today.
00:53:46.35\00:53:52.03
I would rather have Jesus
00:53:53.16\00:53:57.27
than men's applause.
00:53:57.77\00:54:02.64
I'd rather be faithful
00:54:03.04\00:54:07.31
to His dear cause.
00:54:07.81\00:54:11.81
I'd rather have Jesus
00:54:12.21\00:54:16.42
than world-wide fame,
00:54:17.19\00:54:21.22
I'd rather be true
00:54:21.62\00:54:25.69
to His holy name.
00:54:26.09\00:54:30.27
Than to be the king
00:54:30.67\00:54:35.10
of a vast domain
00:54:35.30\00:54:39.51
and be held
00:54:39.71\00:54:42.04
in sin's dread sway.
00:54:42.24\00:54:48.05
I'd rather have Jesus
00:54:48.92\00:54:52.99
than anything
00:54:53.39\00:54:58.23
this world
00:54:58.43\00:55:00.40
affords today.
00:55:00.80\00:55:06.23
Yes, He's fairer than lilies
00:55:07.57\00:55:11.81
of rarest bloom.
00:55:12.21\00:55:16.24
He is sweeter than honey
00:55:16.64\00:55:20.82
out of the comb.
00:55:21.02\00:55:25.22
He's all that my hungering
00:55:26.35\00:55:30.73
spirit needs.
00:55:31.13\00:55:34.70
I'd rather have Jesus
00:55:35.36\00:55:39.07
and let Him lead.
00:55:39.57\00:55:43.77
Than to be the king
00:55:44.17\00:55:48.44
of a vast domain
00:55:48.84\00:55:53.28
and be held
00:55:53.68\00:55:55.58
in sin's dread sway.
00:55:55.98\00:56:01.86
I'd rather have Jesus
00:56:03.46\00:56:07.96
than anything...
00:56:08.86\00:56:14.87
anything
00:56:16.91\00:56:22.81
this world
00:56:25.18\00:56:29.68
affords
00:56:30.09\00:56:34.92
today.
00:56:35.72\00:56:41.73
Will you open your
heart to pray with me
00:56:48.80\00:56:51.84
right now?
00:56:52.04\00:56:53.78
Father in heaven,
00:56:54.18\00:56:56.28
we have heard the
appeal of the song
00:56:56.68\00:56:58.91
and deep within
our hearts we respond
00:57:00.45\00:57:03.59
that we would rather have Jesus.
00:57:03.79\00:57:05.65
Help us each day
00:57:06.89\00:57:09.19
to make those eternal decisions:
00:57:09.39\00:57:11.23
decisions prompted
and guided by Your Spirit.
00:57:12.03\00:57:17.00
Enable us today
deep within our hearts
00:57:17.70\00:57:21.40
to say: "I would
rather have Jesus. "
00:57:21.60\00:57:24.54
In Christ's name, Amen.
00:57:24.94\00:57:27.94