Our subject for
this presentation,
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"The Mark of the
Beast" is so crucial,
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I'd like to open with prayer.
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Lord, we're dealing
with a very sensitive
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and serious topic,
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please open our minds,
our hearts and our souls
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to the messages of
truths from Your Holy Word.
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We pray in Jesus name, amen.
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Our text is the
most solemn warning
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ever given to
earth's inhabitants.
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And it's recorded in
the Book of Revelation
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the 14: 9, 10, where we read,
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"If any one worships
the beast in his image,
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and receives his mark on
his forehead or in his hand,
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he himself shall
also drink of the wine
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of the wrath of God
which is poured out,
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full strength, into
the cup of His indignation.
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He shall be tormented
with fire and brimstone
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in the presence
of the holy angels
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and in the
presence of the Lamb."
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As we pull back
the curtain of prophecy
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and sneak a peek
into last-day end-time,
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God's Word reveals that you
and I are gonna find ourselves
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in a chilling cosmic
battle of epic proportions.
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Making decisions of
destiny every single day,
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based on which side
we're on in this battle.
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Which is why, every person must
carefully study this prophecy
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to make certain he
or she has nothing to do
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with the mark of the beast.
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Back in Revelation 13,
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John is describing a movement
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of apostasy of
global proportions.
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A huge behemoth beast power
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tries to eliminate
and crush and eradicate
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and stamp out God's
faithful last-day remnant.
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Now the good news
of Bible prophecy is,
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Jesus Christ wins!
He's victorious over evil.
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In Revelation
14, we have a picture
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of what God finally has
to do at the end of time,
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in order to bring
closure to the cancer of sin.
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What God does
is He precipitates,
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what our scientists
would call a mitosis,
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a final crisis,
forcing human beings
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to quit straddling the fence
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and make clear
their final decision.
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And they split into two
clearly identifiable groups.
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Safe to save. Unsafe to save.
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And it's so obvious,
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it results in the
release of God's terrible wrath
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upon those who
insist on being disobedient.
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These unfaithful
receive the mark of the beast,
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which is the result
really, of their own choice.
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Of course, all of those
who do not have this mark,
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they're God's faithful.
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They're His saints.
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And folks we want to
be among them, don't we?
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They keep His commandments,
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therefore they escape the
wrath and they'll be saved
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because they have
another type of I.D. mark.
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Revelation 7:1, 2
says they have a seal,
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a protection on them.
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It says the
servants of God are sealed
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with the seal of the living God.
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Now folks, this isn't
anything new in Scripture.
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In fact, Jesus
very clearly taught
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that the very, very end of time,
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earth's inhabitants would
be divided into two groups:
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the good, the bad.
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The righteous, the wicked.
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The sheep, the goats.
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So we have two groups,
those who are loyal to God,
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they receive God's
seal, they're saved.
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And those who
receive the mark of the beast
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and cannot be
saved, they're lost.
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Now once the mitosis
happens, Revelation tells us,
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this beast
power will bring about
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intense pressure on anyone
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who refuses to worship
the beast or receive his mark.
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Now, that's gonna be a crisis.
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More serious, in fact,
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than what the
three Hebrews faced
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way back there
at Nebuchadnezzar's
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fiery furnace back
in Daniel chapter 3.
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In fact, more
pressure than Daniel felt
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in the lion's den
in Daniel chapter 6.
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It will be the
pressure of forced worship.
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In fact, there'll be the
threat of economic boycott
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and even genocide.
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Revelation 13:16, 17 says,
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"He causes all,
both small and great,
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rich and poor, free and slave,
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to receive a mark
on their right hand
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or on their foreheads,
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and that no one may buy or sell
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except one who has the mark
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or the name of the beast,
or the number of his name."
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Then this beast or
this power of human agency,
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breaks all the rules
of the Geneva Convention
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because it issues a
death decree to anyone
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who refuses the
mark of the beast.
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Torture, perhaps even
parading the prisoners
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before the CNN cameras.
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Notice Revelation 13:15,
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"He was granted
power to give breath
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to the image of the beast,
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that the image of the beast
should both speak and cause
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as many as would not worship
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the image of the
beast to be killed."
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So you see friend,
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the issue in the final
analysis is most serious.
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The most difficult decision
God's people ever have to make.
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A man-made church-state
religio-political power says,
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"If you don't worship the beast,
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we will not buy
anything from you
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or sell anything to you,
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and eventually
we will kill you."
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But God says, "If
you worship the beast,
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you will receive the
wine of the wrath of God."
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Now what is the wrath of God?
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Revelation 15:1,
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"Then I saw
another sign in heaven,
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great and marvelous:
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seven angels having
the seven last plagues,
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for in them the
wrath of God is complete."
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So, the wrath of God then
is the seven last plagues.
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Now you talk about smart bombs.
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By the way, three
of these smart bombs
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specifically target the
beast and those who worship him.
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Three of the
plagues are reserved
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especially for those who
receive the mark of the beast.
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Well, someone asks the question,
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God, is that fair?
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I mean, God, if I don't know
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who the beast is
or what his mark is,
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are You fair to
rain down plagues on me?
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Well, friend, that is
what is so wonderful about God.
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God won't pour out one
of the seven last plagues
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on anyone without
first warning them.
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You know, like
those coalition pilots
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who are raining down all
those tracts and pamphlets
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on the Iraqi people.
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God says, I'm
giving every one of you
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a chance to live, to surrender.
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I'll liberate you. Choose life.
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God gives us opportunity
to avoid the plagues,
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to avoid the mark of the beast.
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No one need face
this crisis unprepared.
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But here's the turning
point, the key crucial issue,
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this is why it's so
absolutely vital for us
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to know who this beast power is,
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and how we can
avoid receiving its mark.
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But I want you to
please understand,
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ladies and gentlemen,
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no one has the
mark of the beast yet.
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It's not received until
just before Jesus returns.
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Can we get that real clear?
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The mark of the
beast is the very last,
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final message
to go to the world,
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just before the coming of Jesus.
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No one has it today.
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Now let's turn to Revelation 13,
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and read the prophecy
about this beast power.
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Now the apostle
John describes a beast
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that's very similar to the
one we saw back in Daniel 7.
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In fact, as we
take a closer look,
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we'll discover it's
the same identical power.
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Only it's just
pictured a little differently.
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Notice, Revelation
13, we begin at verse 1
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"Then I stood on
the sand of the sea.
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And I saw a beast
rising up out of the sea,
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having seven
heads and ten horns,
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and on his horns, ten crowns,
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and on his heads,
a blasphemous name.
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Now the beast, which I
saw was like a leopard,
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his feet were like
the feet of a bear,
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and his mouth like
the mouth of a lion.
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The dragon gave him
his power, his throne,
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and great authority.
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And I saw one of his heads,
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as if it had
been mortally wounded,
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and his deadly wound was healed.
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And all the world
marveled, followed the beast.
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So they worshiped the dragon
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who gave authority to the beast,
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and they
worshiped the beast, saying,
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'who is like the beast?
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Who is able to
make war with him?'
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And he was
given a mouth speaking
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great things and blasphemies,
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and he was given authority
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to continue for
forty-two months.
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Then he opened his mouth
in blasphemy and against God,
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to blaspheme His
name, His tabernacle,
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and those who dwell in heaven.
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It was granted
to him to make war
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with the saints
and overcome them.
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And authority was given him
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over every tribe,
tongue, and nation.
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All who dwell on the
earth will worship him,
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whose names have not been
written in the Book of Life,
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from the Lamb slain from
the foundation of the world."
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Whoa, for just a minute.
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I think we need
to catch our breath.
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And let's examine this prophecy
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in little bit more
detail, more closely.
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Friend, here God
again is using symbols,
00:10:00.79\00:10:04.22
kind of like cartoons to outline
00:10:04.25\00:10:06.42
His warning to the world.
00:10:06.45\00:10:09.21
Now Daniel 7
taught us that a beast
00:10:09.24\00:10:12.02
represents a
kingdom or ruling power.
00:10:12.05\00:10:15.72
Now here in Revelation,
00:10:15.75\00:10:17.03
we find pictured
something truly spectacular,
00:10:17.06\00:10:20.02
we find a
composite beast made up
00:10:20.05\00:10:22.40
of all four of
Daniel's great beasts.
00:10:22.43\00:10:26.35
A quick review of
Daniel's four beasts
00:10:26.38\00:10:28.17
will help us better
understand this beast power
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that we're now studying.
00:10:30.76\00:10:32.60
Do you remember what
the lion represented?
00:10:32.63\00:10:34.54
That's right, Babylon.
00:10:34.57\00:10:36.46
And the bear?
00:10:36.49\00:10:37.91
That was Medo-Persia.
00:10:37.94\00:10:39.57
What about the leopard? Greece.
00:10:39.60\00:10:42.89
And the 10-horn beast?
00:10:42.92\00:10:45.08
That's right, that
was the Roman Empire.
00:10:45.11\00:10:48.65
Now we've studied
on previous nights
00:10:48.68\00:10:50.59
how the little horn power
00:10:50.62\00:10:52.63
followed these four
great world empires.
00:10:52.66\00:10:55.09
And history narrows it down
00:10:55.12\00:10:56.40
so that only one
possible power on earth
00:10:56.43\00:10:59.14
has all of the characteristics
to fit this prophecy.
00:10:59.17\00:11:02.38
Scripture and secular history
00:11:02.41\00:11:04.29
make identification
absolutely certain.
00:11:04.32\00:11:08.15
Now the prophecy
predicted Pagan Rome
00:11:08.18\00:11:11.66
would give its power,
its seat or its capital city,
00:11:11.69\00:11:15.47
and great
authority to this new beast,
00:11:15.50\00:11:18.47
or this little horn power.
00:11:18.50\00:11:21.43
Did this happen?
00:11:21.46\00:11:23.25
Well, history
tells us that it did.
00:11:23.28\00:11:25.90
You may recall that
the Emperor Constantine,
00:11:25.93\00:11:28.91
you know he decided he wanted
a brand new Beverly Hills home.
00:11:28.94\00:11:32.41
So he shifted the Roman Empire's
00:11:32.44\00:11:34.71
capital city of
Rome to Byzantium
00:11:34.74\00:11:39.09
and he renamed
it Constantinople,
00:11:39.12\00:11:41.15
in honor of himself.
00:11:41.18\00:11:42.64
We call it
Istanbul or Turkey today.
00:11:42.67\00:11:46.21
I happen to be there last year.
00:11:46.24\00:11:48.39
But then Constantine
donated his old capital,
00:11:48.42\00:11:51.63
the city of Rome,
00:11:51.66\00:11:52.78
plus a vast
treasury and an army,
00:11:52.81\00:11:55.43
no less, to the bishop of Rome,
00:11:55.46\00:11:57.94
basically
making the Pope a king.
00:11:57.97\00:12:01.74
Now you can check it
out in your history books.
00:12:01.77\00:12:04.24
This all happened in A.D. 300.
00:12:04.27\00:12:07.65
Constantine
gave the city of Rome
00:12:07.68\00:12:10.07
to the Pontiff of the Vatican.
00:12:10.10\00:12:12.96
You talk about the mother
00:12:12.99\00:12:14.02
of all changes in world history.
00:12:14.05\00:12:16.72
Suddenly the Bishop of Rome
00:12:16.75\00:12:18.64
became not only
head of the church,
00:12:18.67\00:12:21.53
he was also a king on a throne.
00:12:21.56\00:12:24.50
Unique in history, a
union of church and state
00:12:24.53\00:12:28.60
with the church
ruling over the state.
00:12:28.63\00:12:33.33
Unfortunately, the evils
and the vices that occurred
00:12:33.36\00:12:36.66
as the result of this marriage
00:12:36.69\00:12:38.23
are a most tragic blot in
the history of Christianity.
00:12:38.26\00:12:43.72
But friend, let me
say something else here,
00:12:43.75\00:12:46.53
as we look back at the
history of the Medieval church,
00:12:46.56\00:12:50.00
let's remember
this is our church
00:12:50.03\00:12:52.71
we're talking
about, mine, yours.
00:12:52.74\00:12:56.71
Yes, there was
persecution, there was abuse.
00:12:56.74\00:13:00.02
But you know to simply call it,
00:13:00.05\00:13:01.36
well, that's the
Roman Catholic Church,
00:13:01.39\00:13:03.29
that's misleading,
friend, because for 1,000 years
00:13:03.32\00:13:06.09
there weren't any
other denominations.
00:13:06.12\00:13:08.95
So, whether you today are
a Protestant or a Catholic,
00:13:08.98\00:13:11.65
listen folks, this was
our heritage, our church.
00:13:11.68\00:13:15.96
Were there problems?
00:13:15.99\00:13:17.82
Did they make tragic mistakes?
00:13:17.85\00:13:19.49
Yes, just like we do today.
00:13:19.52\00:13:22.46
But God used this
church despite its problems.
00:13:22.49\00:13:26.34
You know Catholic universities
00:13:26.37\00:13:28.01
fed the torch of learning
00:13:28.04\00:13:29.44
in law and
medicine and theology.
00:13:29.47\00:13:32.28
Catholic monasteries
maintained hospitals,
00:13:32.31\00:13:34.61
virtually the only
hospitals that existed,
00:13:34.64\00:13:36.92
provided care also for
the orphaned and the aged.
00:13:36.95\00:13:39.95
Catholic Latin
provided a lingua franca,
00:13:39.98\00:13:44.94
a common language
for diplomacy, commerce,
00:13:44.97\00:13:48.56
and the Catholic
schools provided education
00:13:48.59\00:13:50.97
for diplomats
and business clerks.
00:13:51.00\00:13:53.15
Why, the
Cistercian monks in Britain
00:13:53.18\00:13:56.11
greatly improved the
land's vital wool trade.
00:13:56.14\00:13:59.39
But most importantly,
00:13:59.42\00:14:01.25
Roman Catholic missionaries
00:14:01.28\00:14:03.32
Christianized large
areas of Western Europe
00:14:03.35\00:14:06.58
and provided pastoral care.
00:14:06.61\00:14:08.19
So, folks, when one denomination
00:14:08.22\00:14:12.14
is unfortunately and sadly
hit with a sex abuse scandal,
00:14:12.17\00:14:16.72
you know folks, we
should all weep, not gloat.
00:14:16.75\00:14:21.05
When terrorists
break into a church
00:14:21.08\00:14:22.68
and blow up believers
with hand grenades and AK-47s,
00:14:22.71\00:14:26.07
folks, we need to
all mourn together.
00:14:26.10\00:14:29.64
We who are believers,
00:14:29.67\00:14:31.12
we're looking at
ourselves in the mirror here.
00:14:31.15\00:14:34.01
The little horn
power of Daniel chapter 7
00:14:34.04\00:14:36.24
is none other than
the Christian church
00:14:36.27\00:14:38.87
of the Middle Ages.
00:14:38.90\00:14:40.16
It was my church.
00:14:40.19\00:14:42.27
Our Christian Church
committed these crimes.
00:14:42.30\00:14:46.16
And let me say again,
00:14:46.19\00:14:47.22
there are great numbers
of sincere Catholic people
00:14:47.25\00:14:50.09
who worship God
and they do not--
00:14:50.12\00:14:52.55
they don't yet know
00:14:52.58\00:14:53.85
what we are
learning from Bible prophecy.
00:14:53.88\00:14:56.31
But an honest love
for our Lord demands
00:14:56.34\00:14:58.40
that we prayerfully
and with humble repentance
00:14:58.43\00:15:00.86
open our Bibles
and study all things.
00:15:00.89\00:15:03.72
So lest anyone think
that we're building up
00:15:03.75\00:15:05.75
some sort of prejudice
against Roman Catholic people,
00:15:05.78\00:15:08.85
friend, it's very
important to keep in mind
00:15:08.88\00:15:11.21
that the prophecy here is
talking about an organization,
00:15:11.24\00:15:14.26
a system of theology,
and not about individuals.
00:15:14.29\00:15:20.20
Well, I was in
Vatican City two years ago.
00:15:20.23\00:15:22.90
You know what lies right
smack in the middle of Rome,
00:15:22.93\00:15:26.10
which was the
original pagan city
00:15:26.13\00:15:27.91
that was the political
seat of the old Roman Empire.
00:15:27.94\00:15:31.70
But now the Vatican
is a religious power
00:15:31.73\00:15:35.66
and a political power, too.
00:15:35.69\00:15:37.21
In fact, it has its own postage,
00:15:37.24\00:15:38.78
has its own money,
00:15:38.81\00:15:39.89
even has its own National Guard,
00:15:39.92\00:15:41.44
I saw them there,
the Vatican guards.
00:15:41.47\00:15:43.82
And every nation on this planet
00:15:43.85\00:15:45.70
sends
ambassadors to the Vatican.
00:15:45.73\00:15:49.09
Now the bottom line is this.
00:15:49.12\00:15:51.04
Revelation 13 and
14 makes it clear,
00:15:51.07\00:15:54.59
this same
religio-political power
00:15:54.62\00:15:58.27
is the same one
as the rampaging,
00:15:58.30\00:16:00.36
truth-challenging
little horn of Daniel 7.
00:16:00.39\00:16:05.18
So now let's proceed.
00:16:05.21\00:16:07.25
The prophet John says,
00:16:07.28\00:16:09.69
this beast power would
have a distinguishing mark
00:16:09.72\00:16:14.95
and that in the very last days
00:16:14.98\00:16:16.68
it would try to
force that mark upon anyone
00:16:16.71\00:16:19.20
and everyone in
the whole wide world.
00:16:19.23\00:16:21.39
Notice Revelation 13:16, 17,
00:16:21.42\00:16:25.53
"He causes all,
both small and great,
00:16:25.56\00:16:28.30
rich and poor, free and slave,
00:16:28.33\00:16:30.60
to receive a mark
on their right hand,
00:16:30.63\00:16:33.42
or on their foreheads:
00:16:33.45\00:16:35.06
and that no one may buy or sell,
00:16:35.09\00:16:37.11
except one who has the mark,
00:16:37.14\00:16:38.80
or the name of the beast,
or the number of his name."
00:16:38.83\00:16:43.44
Now according to God's Word,
00:16:43.47\00:16:45.61
this mark
somehow becomes a symbol
00:16:45.64\00:16:48.82
of rebellion or disloyalty
to the government of God.
00:16:48.85\00:16:52.46
Because remember, the Bible
clearly described another group
00:16:52.49\00:16:55.71
who will not receive
the mark of the beast.
00:16:55.74\00:16:58.27
Revelation 14:12, here they are,
00:16:58.30\00:17:01.06
"Here is the
patience of the saints.
00:17:01.09\00:17:03.65
Here are those who keep
the Commandments of God,
00:17:03.68\00:17:07.79
and the faith of Jesus."
00:17:07.82\00:17:10.38
So right there is
the issue, crystal clear.
00:17:10.41\00:17:13.41
The Commandments of God,
00:17:13.44\00:17:15.81
one group keeps
them, the other doesn't.
00:17:15.84\00:17:19.91
It has its own
mark or badge or seal.
00:17:19.94\00:17:23.20
That is the issue.
00:17:23.23\00:17:25.13
God's seal or the
mark of the beast.
00:17:25.16\00:17:29.81
Now we read that God
also has a mark, or a seal.
00:17:29.84\00:17:34.75
It is placed in the
foreheads of His followers.
00:17:34.78\00:17:39.14
Someone says, well, is
that some sort of a tattoo?
00:17:39.17\00:17:42.12
No.
00:17:42.15\00:17:43.66
It's in the forehead.
00:17:43.69\00:17:46.20
It's something they
evidently choose in their minds.
00:17:46.23\00:17:50.40
Something they remember.
00:17:50.43\00:17:52.57
It's a matter of conscious
choice, moral behavior.
00:17:52.60\00:17:56.29
Notice Revelation 7: 2, 3,
00:17:56.32\00:17:59.88
"I saw another angel
ascending from the east,
00:17:59.91\00:18:02.89
having the seal
of the living God.
00:18:02.92\00:18:04.61
And he cried with a loud voice
00:18:04.64\00:18:06.28
to the four angels
to whom it was granted
00:18:06.31\00:18:08.03
to harm the earth
and the sea, saying,
00:18:08.06\00:18:10.20
'Do not harm the earth, the sea,
00:18:10.23\00:18:11.47
or the trees till we have sealed
00:18:11.50\00:18:14.34
the servants of our
God in their foreheads.'"
00:18:14.37\00:18:17.63
Oh, friend, I want that seal
00:18:17.66\00:18:20.38
in my conscience
and mind, don't you?
00:18:20.41\00:18:22.82
And nothing is more
important than that.
00:18:22.85\00:18:25.74
Because the final
conflict of world history
00:18:25.77\00:18:28.73
is over the seal of God
and the mark of the beast,
00:18:28.76\00:18:32.63
between God's sign
and a counterfeit sign.
00:18:32.66\00:18:36.88
So let's take a few moments
00:18:36.91\00:18:38.24
to discover God's seal, or mark,
00:18:38.27\00:18:40.49
because then it will
be very easy to discover
00:18:40.52\00:18:42.84
the counterfeit mark that
the beast power will enforce.
00:18:42.87\00:18:47.10
And of course we
don't have to go very far
00:18:47.13\00:18:48.99
to search and find it out.
00:18:49.02\00:18:51.09
From Genesis to Revelation,
God tells us repeatedly,
00:18:51.12\00:18:53.79
exactly what His
sign or what His seal is.
00:18:53.82\00:18:56.87
Here's just a few
examples, Ezekiel 20:12,
00:18:56.90\00:19:00.68
"Moreover I also
gave them my Sabbaths,
00:19:00.71\00:19:03.57
to be a sign
between them and Me..."
00:19:03.60\00:19:07.74
Again, we read
also in Exodus 31:13,
00:19:07.77\00:19:12.57
"Speak also to the
children of Israel,
00:19:12.60\00:19:14.53
saying, surely My
Sabbaths you shall keep,
00:19:14.56\00:19:18.03
for it is a sign
between Me and you
00:19:18.06\00:19:20.78
throughout your generations,
00:19:20.81\00:19:22.02
that you may know
that I am the Lord
00:19:22.05\00:19:24.61
who sanctifies you."
00:19:24.64\00:19:26.85
God Himself announced
the Sabbath is His sign,
00:19:26.88\00:19:30.50
the Sabbath is
His mark of authority.
00:19:30.53\00:19:32.81
The Sabbath is the symbol,
00:19:32.84\00:19:34.64
He is creator,
redeemer, King of Kings,
00:19:34.67\00:19:37.22
Lord of Lords and
of heaven and earth.
00:19:37.25\00:19:39.84
And we get His seal
in our foreheads you see,
00:19:39.87\00:19:43.16
by remembering the Sabbath day,
00:19:43.19\00:19:45.79
to keep it Holy.
00:19:45.82\00:19:46.85
Showing the
world and the universe,
00:19:46.88\00:19:48.67
we have made a conscious choice.
00:19:48.70\00:19:50.65
We choose Jesus.
00:19:50.68\00:19:52.57
We're
re-created, we're redeemed,
00:19:52.60\00:19:54.54
we're sanctified, we're holy,
00:19:54.57\00:19:55.75
we're set apart as
God's own children.
00:19:55.78\00:20:00.17
We know that we don't
get to heaven by our works.
00:20:00.20\00:20:02.38
No, we rest, that's
what the Sabbaths all about,
00:20:02.41\00:20:05.28
we rest in Jesus by faith.
00:20:05.31\00:20:09.18
And when we live out
the Sabbath in our lives,
00:20:09.21\00:20:11.46
hey, we've got
God's "Good Housekeeping"
00:20:11.49\00:20:13.94
seal of approval, God tells us.
00:20:13.97\00:20:15.62
We're sealed forever
00:20:15.65\00:20:16.81
because Sabbath
becomes an outward sign
00:20:16.84\00:20:20.10
of an inward transformation.
00:20:20.13\00:20:22.54
They're saved by grace
through faith in Jesus Christ,
00:20:22.57\00:20:25.76
the Bible says.
00:20:25.79\00:20:28.04
But now let's
discover whether or not
00:20:28.07\00:20:29.86
Satan has set up
a counterfeit sign
00:20:29.89\00:20:33.20
of sovereignty, a
mark of his authority.
00:20:33.23\00:20:36.96
Has to be something
closely resembling the genuine--
00:20:36.99\00:20:40.39
something closely resembling
00:20:40.42\00:20:42.11
God's mark of the
seventh-day Sabbath.
00:20:42.14\00:20:46.23
Well, now what do
historical official records
00:20:46.26\00:20:49.59
of the beast
power say, in writing,
00:20:49.62\00:20:53.00
is the mark of its authority?
00:20:53.03\00:20:55.55
What is the beast's mark?
00:20:55.58\00:20:58.59
Well, the following quotations
00:20:58.62\00:21:00.00
are taken from the
Catholic catechism,
00:21:00.03\00:21:03.05
and they do it in a
question and answer form,
00:21:03.08\00:21:04.80
you want to look at the screen.
00:21:04.83\00:21:06.27
"Question: How prove you
00:21:06.30\00:21:09.19
that the church hath power
00:21:09.22\00:21:10.74
to command feast and holy days?"
00:21:10.77\00:21:13.64
"Answer: By the
very act of changing
00:21:13.67\00:21:16.87
the Sabbath into Sunday,
which Protestants allow of:
00:21:16.90\00:21:20.66
and therefore they
fondly contradict themselves
00:21:20.69\00:21:23.09
by keeping Sunday strictly
and breaking most other feasts
00:21:23.12\00:21:26.13
commanded by the same church."
00:21:26.16\00:21:27.95
"Question: Have
you any other way
00:21:27.98\00:21:30.76
of proving that the church
00:21:30.79\00:21:31.94
has power to
institute festivals of precept?"
00:21:31.97\00:21:35.28
"Answer: Had she
not had such power
00:21:35.31\00:21:38.95
she could not have substituted
the observance of Sunday,
00:21:38.98\00:21:41.81
the first day of the week,
00:21:41.84\00:21:43.20
for the observance of
Saturday, the seventh day,
00:21:43.23\00:21:45.93
a change for which there
is no scriptural authority."
00:21:45.96\00:21:50.83
Do see it, friend?
00:21:50.86\00:21:52.93
The Catholic Church says
00:21:52.96\00:21:54.70
Sunday is the mark of
their religious authority,
00:21:54.73\00:21:58.43
according to her own testimony.
00:21:58.46\00:22:00.42
In fact she readily
admits and even boasts
00:22:00.45\00:22:03.27
that she changed
the day of worship
00:22:03.30\00:22:05.15
from Saturday to Sunday.
00:22:05.18\00:22:07.51
What would you say,
wait a minute, Lonnie,
00:22:07.54\00:22:09.92
does she call it
the mark of her power?
00:22:09.95\00:22:14.15
I want you to
notice these precise words
00:22:14.18\00:22:16.19
from Catholic
Chancellor C.F. Thomas
00:22:16.22\00:22:18.34
in a letter to Cardinal Gibbons
00:22:18.37\00:22:19.90
where he says regarding
their changing the Sabbath,
00:22:19.93\00:22:22.31
and I'm quoting,
"that act is the 'mark
00:22:22.34\00:22:27.06
of her ecclesiastical
power and authority.'"
00:22:27.09\00:22:31.43
Isn't that an amazing claim?
00:22:31.46\00:22:33.88
I think it's an incredibly
prophetic choice of words.
00:22:33.91\00:22:37.26
This is our 'mark' of our power,
00:22:37.29\00:22:41.27
our 'mark' of authority.
00:22:41.30\00:22:42.45
In fact, the Catholic
Church challenges Protestants.
00:22:42.48\00:22:45.44
Why do you desecrate
God's Sabbath Saturday?
00:22:45.47\00:22:49.92
Why have you turned
from the Bible Sabbath
00:22:49.95\00:22:52.15
to follow Sunday?
00:22:52.18\00:22:53.34
Sunday is a day
that was entirely
00:22:53.37\00:22:54.99
instituted by
custom, wholly traditioned,
00:22:55.02\00:22:59.11
and only by the
command of the Catholic Church.
00:22:59.14\00:23:03.59
Isn't that amazing?
00:23:03.62\00:23:05.60
Now what's even
more remarkable is this.
00:23:05.63\00:23:08.26
Daniel predicted
that this beast power
00:23:08.29\00:23:12.24
would think to
change times and laws.
00:23:12.27\00:23:15.22
It would purport to do
just that, as a mark of her
00:23:15.25\00:23:18.72
ecclesiastical
power and authority.
00:23:18.75\00:23:22.44
But now John, in
the Book of Revelation,
00:23:22.47\00:23:24.32
predicts something else.
00:23:24.35\00:23:25.46
He adds something new,
00:23:25.49\00:23:26.55
something that's
still in the future.
00:23:26.58\00:23:29.95
That Satan would
try to force everyone,
00:23:29.98\00:23:32.84
through this beast power,
00:23:32.87\00:23:34.47
to receive the
mark of the beast.
00:23:34.50\00:23:36.72
In other words, force people
00:23:36.75\00:23:38.99
by law to keep another day holy.
00:23:39.02\00:23:43.06
Notice Revelation 13:16,
00:23:43.09\00:23:46.17
"He causes all,
both small and great,
00:23:46.20\00:23:48.86
rich and poor, free and slave,
00:23:48.89\00:23:50.82
to receive a mark
on their right hand,
00:23:50.85\00:23:52.79
or on their foreheads:
00:23:52.82\00:23:54.25
and that no man may buy or sell,
00:23:54.28\00:23:56.14
except one that has the mark,
00:23:56.17\00:23:57.81
or the name of the beast,
or the number of his name."
00:23:57.84\00:24:02.60
Now, friend, in
order for this power
00:24:02.63\00:24:04.77
to fulfill all of this prophecy,
00:24:04.80\00:24:08.20
evidently it will
at the end of time,
00:24:08.23\00:24:11.45
try to use the
power of civil governments
00:24:11.48\00:24:14.26
to enforce its mark
of authority on everyone.
00:24:14.29\00:24:17.61
I want to tell
you something, folks,
00:24:17.64\00:24:19.17
that hasn't happened yet.
00:24:19.20\00:24:21.30
So that's why no one has
the mark of the beast yet.
00:24:21.33\00:24:25.27
But, before I tell you
how that's going to happen,
00:24:25.30\00:24:27.94
it's interesting to notice
00:24:27.97\00:24:29.05
how God even more explicitly
00:24:29.08\00:24:30.92
identifies this
beast power as "666."
00:24:30.95\00:24:36.24
Notice Revelation 13:18,
00:24:36.27\00:24:38.83
"Here is wisdom.
00:24:38.86\00:24:41.16
Let him who has understanding
00:24:41.19\00:24:42.85
calculate the
number of the beast,
00:24:42.88\00:24:45.19
for it is the number of a man:
00:24:45.22\00:24:47.74
His number is 666."
00:24:47.77\00:24:53.02
Now what does the "number
of the beast '666'" mean?
00:24:53.05\00:24:56.81
Many people have
asked that question.
00:24:56.84\00:24:59.26
And by the way,
00:24:59.29\00:25:00.32
they suggested many, many
different, various meanings.
00:25:00.35\00:25:03.78
You know, in olden times
they had a way of figuring up
00:25:03.81\00:25:06.47
the numerical
value of a person's name
00:25:06.50\00:25:08.49
by adding up the numerical value
00:25:08.52\00:25:10.46
of the Latin
letters, in Roman numerals.
00:25:10.49\00:25:13.63
Take my name for example,
00:25:13.66\00:25:15.34
in Roman numerals you look
at Elorie Lonnie Melashenko.
00:25:15.37\00:25:20.29
Look at the columns there,
00:25:20.32\00:25:21.64
they add up to 1,152.
00:25:21.67\00:25:27.74
So you could call me,
well, you're number 1,152.
00:25:27.77\00:25:31.47
Now folks, we got to
be very, very careful here
00:25:31.50\00:25:33.14
because you could add up
00:25:33.17\00:25:34.61
several different
people's numerical numbers,
00:25:34.64\00:25:36.80
even some presidents
and come up with 666.
00:25:36.83\00:25:43.11
Now the Bible does
not specifically say
00:25:43.14\00:25:45.30
that the number is
the numerical added value
00:25:45.33\00:25:48.65
of the letters of a name,
00:25:48.68\00:25:49.88
because would we
add it up in Greek then,
00:25:49.91\00:25:51.84
or Hebrew, or Latin, or English?
00:25:51.87\00:25:55.28
But I do want you to
notice an amazing coincidence
00:25:55.31\00:25:59.08
and a statement
from the Catholic Church
00:25:59.11\00:26:01.43
on this very subject.
00:26:01.46\00:26:02.84
By the way, Latin is
the official language
00:26:02.87\00:26:04.51
of the Catholic Church.
00:26:04.54\00:26:06.59
The Pope, in Catholic theology,
00:26:06.62\00:26:09.38
of course, stands
for the whole church.
00:26:09.41\00:26:12.63
Well, the pope's official title
00:26:12.66\00:26:14.23
in Latin is Vicarius Filii Dei,
00:26:14.26\00:26:19.29
meaning "Vicar
of the Son of God."
00:26:19.32\00:26:22.86
I am God on earth
00:26:22.89\00:26:24.92
because I'm the
representative of Jesus Christ,
00:26:24.95\00:26:27.26
that's what it means.
00:26:27.29\00:26:28.55
Now I want you to
notice "Our Sunday Visitor",
00:26:28.58\00:26:30.45
their official
journal, Apr. 18, 1915,
00:26:30.48\00:26:34.30
"Catholics hold that the Church,
00:26:34.33\00:26:36.30
which is a visible society,
must have a visible head."
00:26:36.33\00:26:40.61
The Pope.
00:26:40.64\00:26:42.28
Now Our Sunday
Visitor, Nov. 15, 1914,
00:26:42.31\00:26:45.29
it's a question and answer here.
00:26:45.32\00:26:47.11
"Question: Is it
true that the words
00:26:47.14\00:26:50.23
of the Apocalypse
in the 13th chapter,
00:26:50.26\00:26:52.55
18th verse refer to the Pope?"
00:26:52.58\00:26:55.67
"Answer: The words
referred to are these:
00:26:55.70\00:26:59.74
'Here is wisdom.
00:26:59.77\00:27:00.90
He that hath understanding
00:27:00.93\00:27:02.63
let him count the
number of the beast.
00:27:02.66\00:27:04.35
For it is the number of a man;
00:27:04.38\00:27:06.18
and the number of him
is six hundred sixty-six.'
00:27:06.21\00:27:10.98
The title of the Pope of
Rome is VICARIUS FILII DEI.
00:27:11.01\00:27:15.21
This is inscribed on his mitre;"
00:27:15.24\00:27:17.24
now notice the
rest of this passage,
00:27:17.27\00:27:19.26
"and if you take
the letters of his title
00:27:19.29\00:27:21.72
which represent Latin numerals
00:27:21.75\00:27:23.50
and add them
together, they come to 666."
00:27:23.53\00:27:31.40
Now you will notice
that the numerical values
00:27:31.43\00:27:33.33
of the Latin letters
are easy to calculate.
00:27:33.36\00:27:35.67
VICARIUS, you put
the numbers in there
00:27:35.70\00:27:38.26
that comes up to 112, FILII-53,
00:27:38.29\00:27:44.62
and DEI would be 501,
00:27:44.65\00:27:50.61
making the total of course, 666.
00:27:50.64\00:27:56.37
Now friend,
personally I don't believe
00:27:56.40\00:27:57.81
we should use this
as conclusive evidence,
00:27:57.84\00:28:00.43
since the Bible gives
us so many unmistakable
00:28:00.46\00:28:04.03
identifying characteristics
other than that one.
00:28:04.06\00:28:07.04
But that's just another little,
00:28:07.07\00:28:08.27
tiny identifying prophetic
mark of the beast power,
00:28:08.30\00:28:11.97
another piece of the
puzzle for Revelation 13.
00:28:12.00\00:28:15.24
So after we've now looked
00:28:15.27\00:28:17.59
at all of the other
crystal clear Bible evidence,
00:28:17.62\00:28:21.30
friend, what can we conclude
from our study of God's Word?
00:28:21.33\00:28:25.16
Well, the prophecy
says a time is coming soon,
00:28:25.19\00:28:29.03
when everyone, under
threat of boycott and death,
00:28:29.06\00:28:32.70
will be required to keep
the first day of the week,
00:28:32.73\00:28:36.94
in direct violation
of the command of God.
00:28:36.97\00:28:40.48
You say, come on, Lon.
00:28:40.51\00:28:42.13
In America? Canada?
00:28:42.16\00:28:44.47
Australia? Or Europe?
00:28:44.50\00:28:46.28
We value our pluralism.
00:28:46.31\00:28:48.47
Freedom of
religion for everyone.
00:28:48.50\00:28:50.14
No way would our
country repudiate
00:28:50.17\00:28:52.33
the separation
of church and state,
00:28:52.36\00:28:54.25
persecute minorities.
00:28:54.28\00:28:55.90
Oh?
00:28:55.93\00:28:57.73
I want you to put
on your seat belts.
00:28:57.76\00:29:00.69
Do you recognize this person?
00:29:00.72\00:29:03.71
Just recently the
Holy Father, John Paul II,
00:29:03.74\00:29:07.50
he sent out a
directive entitled,
00:29:07.53\00:29:09.61
'Apostolic Letter, Dies Domini,
00:29:09.64\00:29:12.82
of the Holy
Father, John Paul II,
00:29:12.85\00:29:15.43
to the Bishops, Clergy,
and Faithful of the Church,
00:29:15.46\00:29:18.17
on keeping the Lord's Day Holy."
00:29:18.20\00:29:20.78
Now that was sent out
to Catholic church leaders
00:29:20.81\00:29:23.52
admonishing them to
press their governments
00:29:23.55\00:29:26.97
to enact civil
laws making it mandatory
00:29:27.00\00:29:29.57
to keep the 'Lord's Day,'
00:29:29.60\00:29:30.86
Sunday, as the time of
universal rest and worship.
00:29:30.89\00:29:36.76
He was saying in
essence, Priests,
00:29:36.79\00:29:38.64
Cardinals, Bishops, listen up.
00:29:38.67\00:29:41.10
People out there aren't
keeping Sunday like they should,
00:29:41.13\00:29:42.98
they're watching football games,
00:29:43.01\00:29:44.04
doing all sorts of--
00:29:44.07\00:29:45.12
so we need to press
for civil legislation
00:29:45.15\00:29:47.88
to make it a reality.
00:29:47.91\00:29:50.18
Now my friend, does
that sound eerily familiar?
00:29:50.21\00:29:54.62
Does it sound prophetic?
00:29:54.65\00:29:56.71
Just as this prophecy says?
00:29:56.74\00:30:00.38
And folks, this
idea is not new here
00:30:00.41\00:30:02.16
in United States of America.
00:30:02.19\00:30:04.47
You know, for decades
00:30:04.50\00:30:05.53
we've had groups
over here in this country,
00:30:05.56\00:30:07.20
advocating what
we call Sunday laws.
00:30:07.23\00:30:10.02
We've had Sunday laws,
00:30:10.05\00:30:11.13
Blue laws in America
since the days of the pilgrims.
00:30:11.16\00:30:15.49
Now we don't choose to enforce
00:30:15.52\00:30:16.83
most of those
Sunday laws or else
00:30:16.86\00:30:18.25
we'd have our shopping
malls closed on Sunday.
00:30:18.28\00:30:20.14
We wouldn't go to
the grocery store,
00:30:20.17\00:30:21.34
to the ice cream shop,
00:30:21.37\00:30:22.40
or buy gasoline
or to the car market.
00:30:22.43\00:30:25.05
But back in 1961,
00:30:25.08\00:30:26.80
the United States
Supreme Court ruled
00:30:26.83\00:30:29.60
Sunday laws are constitutional.
00:30:29.63\00:30:33.45
Some states already have them.
00:30:33.48\00:30:35.79
We call them "blue laws".
00:30:35.82\00:30:37.51
Only they're
cloaked under language
00:30:37.54\00:30:39.21
that is secular
rather than religious.
00:30:39.24\00:30:41.45
You know, we've Sunday laws
00:30:41.48\00:30:42.72
'cause we want to cut down smog
00:30:42.75\00:30:44.21
and driving on Sundays.
00:30:44.24\00:30:45.74
Or it'll reduce weekend traffic.
00:30:45.77\00:30:47.81
It'll help conserve energy.
00:30:47.84\00:30:50.94
Now prophecy says,
00:30:50.97\00:30:52.32
Lon, it may sound preposterous.
00:30:52.35\00:30:57.00
But watch, for
the impossible to--
00:30:57.03\00:30:59.56
for the-- improbable
to become the probable,
00:30:59.59\00:31:03.43
because it's coming.
00:31:03.46\00:31:05.10
Someday, a national
Sunday law will be passed,
00:31:05.13\00:31:08.45
forcing people to
bow to the beast power
00:31:08.48\00:31:12.06
as part of an ongoing attempt
00:31:12.09\00:31:14.15
to change God's Commandment.
00:31:14.18\00:31:18.72
Now for me to
predict anything else tonight
00:31:18.75\00:31:22.54
would be sheer speculation.
00:31:22.57\00:31:24.96
So right now I want to
turn to the big question
00:31:24.99\00:31:26.95
that I'm sure as on your mind,
00:31:26.98\00:31:29.24
Lonnie, does anyone now
have the mark of the beast?
00:31:29.27\00:31:34.59
No, friend, not
one single person
00:31:34.62\00:31:38.00
has the mark of
the beast, not yet.
00:31:38.03\00:31:40.54
In fact, God has true
followers in every church,
00:31:40.57\00:31:44.46
including the
Roman Catholic Church.
00:31:44.49\00:31:46.73
Most of His people
are out there, He says.
00:31:46.76\00:31:50.25
You know, I used
to honestly wonder
00:31:50.28\00:31:51.82
how in the world
this Sabbath truth
00:31:51.85\00:31:54.19
would become a world-wide,
00:31:54.22\00:31:56.26
national issue
known by everyone.
00:31:56.29\00:31:59.16
But you know something,
00:31:59.19\00:32:00.25
after our last
election here in America
00:32:00.28\00:32:02.61
I don't wonder anymore.
00:32:02.64\00:32:04.71
Remember when
Senator Joseph Lieberman
00:32:04.74\00:32:06.94
accepted the vice-presidential
nomination for Al Gore
00:32:06.97\00:32:10.28
and the Democratic Party,
00:32:10.31\00:32:12.16
why the Sabbath question
suddenly hit world headlines
00:32:12.19\00:32:15.26
because Lieberman was a Jew.
00:32:15.29\00:32:18.56
And the question that was
being asked on the talk shows,
00:32:18.59\00:32:21.07
CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS,
00:32:21.10\00:32:23.81
what would
Lieberman do on the Sabbath?
00:32:23.84\00:32:25.92
The Sabbath was
debated everywhere.
00:32:25.95\00:32:28.30
What would he do if it
was a national emergency?
00:32:28.33\00:32:30.13
Would he go to the White House?
00:32:30.16\00:32:32.60
Friend, listen, when
God's ready that Sabbath issue
00:32:32.63\00:32:35.14
will become a world
issue in God's perfect timing.
00:32:35.17\00:32:39.58
But this Word says
00:32:39.61\00:32:41.89
that when Sunday keeping
is enforced by civil law,
00:32:41.92\00:32:46.56
then prophecy says,
00:32:46.59\00:32:47.99
the final crisis is precipitated
00:32:48.02\00:32:50.67
and every person
must make a choice.
00:32:50.70\00:32:52.94
Allegiance to God and
His 10 Commandment Sabbath?
00:32:52.97\00:32:55.72
Or allegiance to keep the
day substituted by the beast,
00:32:55.75\00:33:00.67
by man's own authority.
00:33:00.70\00:33:03.15
Then, friend, and only then,
00:33:03.18\00:33:04.60
will anyone receive
the mark of the beast.
00:33:04.63\00:33:09.66
And the crucial test will come.
00:33:09.69\00:33:11.56
It will come, to every person.
00:33:11.59\00:33:14.38
Shall I obey God,
or shall I obey man?
00:33:14.41\00:33:19.43
Friend, do you
see the real issue?
00:33:19.46\00:33:22.40
This isn't just
a matter of days.
00:33:22.43\00:33:25.19
Paul writes and says,
it's a matter of masters.
00:33:25.22\00:33:30.16
You're either
slaves of sin and death,
00:33:30.19\00:33:33.89
or of obedience
leading to righteousness.
00:33:33.92\00:33:36.89
See, it's a matter of
love, it's a matter of loyalty.
00:33:36.92\00:33:39.87
It's a matter of
obedience and conscience.
00:33:39.90\00:33:43.03
And Jesus says to me, Lonnie,
00:33:43.06\00:33:46.07
Lonnie, if you love
Me, keep My Commandments.
00:33:46.10\00:33:51.98
In other words, a
most solemn moment
00:33:52.01\00:33:54.15
will soon face
every inhabitant on Earth.
00:33:54.18\00:33:57.55
No one will be
able to buy or sell,
00:33:57.58\00:34:00.00
who does not have
the mark of the beast,
00:34:00.03\00:34:03.09
on penalty of death.
00:34:03.12\00:34:05.82
But God says, Ah,
these are My people.
00:34:05.85\00:34:09.29
They have My seal of approval.
00:34:09.32\00:34:11.29
They still remember the Sabbath.
00:34:11.32\00:34:15.22
But over on the other side
are those who receive the mark.
00:34:15.25\00:34:20.28
By the way they also
receive the seven last plagues,
00:34:20.31\00:34:23.63
judgment, punishment.
00:34:23.66\00:34:25.79
Friend, do you
see why this issue
00:34:25.82\00:34:27.31
is so absolutely
vital and important?
00:34:27.34\00:34:30.54
Do you see why it is
a life and death matter?
00:34:30.57\00:34:33.31
A moral issue?
00:34:33.34\00:34:34.63
And why it's so vital that
we choose now to honor God?
00:34:34.66\00:34:39.14
Now the good news
00:34:39.17\00:34:40.64
is that if we
choose to honor God today
00:34:40.67\00:34:43.27
and receive His
seal today, we win.
00:34:43.30\00:34:46.53
God wins.
00:34:46.56\00:34:49.24
No, survival may not be
easy when we can't buy or sell.
00:34:49.27\00:34:53.52
Oh, but God says
He'll take care of us.
00:34:53.55\00:34:56.23
Listen to promises like
these over in Isaiah 33:16.
00:34:56.26\00:35:01.28
Bread will be given
him; his water will be sure
00:35:01.31\00:35:06.16
oh, and those
seven last plagues?
00:35:06.19\00:35:08.52
Folks, they won't fall
on God's people either.
00:35:08.55\00:35:11.47
Listen to Psalm 91:10.
No evil shall befall you,
00:35:11.50\00:35:16.54
nor shall any plague
come near your dwelling.
00:35:16.57\00:35:20.93
Friend, I'd so much
rather be on God's side
00:35:20.96\00:35:23.35
when those seven last
plagues begin to fall,
00:35:23.38\00:35:24.90
wouldn't you?
00:35:24.93\00:35:27.12
Before we close,
the book of Revelation,
00:35:27.15\00:35:29.74
John was shown a
beautiful, beautiful vision.
00:35:29.77\00:35:33.64
A vision of those who gained
the victory over the beast,
00:35:33.67\00:35:37.09
Revelation 15:2.
00:35:37.12\00:35:40.22
And I saw as it were a sea
of glass mingled with fire:
00:35:40.25\00:35:45.40
and them that had gotten
the victory over the beast,
00:35:45.43\00:35:47.60
and over his
image, and over his mark,
00:35:47.63\00:35:49.33
and over the number of his name,
00:35:49.36\00:35:50.93
stand on the sea of
glass, having the harps of God.
00:35:50.96\00:35:55.46
Here in the picture we're
finally home, home at last.
00:35:55.49\00:36:01.95
But today, friend, right now,
00:36:01.98\00:36:04.19
God is pleading
with His true followers
00:36:04.22\00:36:06.72
through this
message, inviting us to step
00:36:06.75\00:36:08.99
out of the
counterfeit religious systems
00:36:09.02\00:36:11.17
to follow Him completely.
00:36:11.20\00:36:13.96
In fact, the Book of
Revelation Chapter 18
00:36:13.99\00:36:16.50
is God's last, final call
to people in all churches,
00:36:16.53\00:36:20.56
of all faiths, including my own,
00:36:20.59\00:36:23.17
to come out of Babylon.
00:36:23.20\00:36:25.05
Verse 4, "Come
out of her, my people,
00:36:25.08\00:36:27.20
lest you share in her sins,
00:36:27.23\00:36:28.89
and lest you
receive of her plagues."
00:36:28.92\00:36:33.64
God's not calling us,
by the way, to step out
00:36:33.67\00:36:35.60
and form another denomination.
00:36:35.63\00:36:38.91
Because God doesn't
save us by denominations,
00:36:38.94\00:36:41.16
not even mine.
00:36:41.19\00:36:43.08
No, friend, He's calling us
00:36:43.11\00:36:44.33
to step out of our
man-made organizations
00:36:44.36\00:36:46.87
and form a
movement of all faiths
00:36:46.90\00:36:50.21
and become
"God's called out ones."
00:36:50.24\00:36:54.04
In fact, did you know
that Seventh-day Adventists
00:36:54.07\00:36:56.17
don't consider themselves
just another denomination?
00:36:56.20\00:36:59.80
We believe that
we're a prophetic movement
00:36:59.83\00:37:02.80
comprised of every
nation, race, kindred, tongue,
00:37:02.83\00:37:05.85
and people coming out
00:37:05.88\00:37:07.86
and embracing the
light of end-time truth.
00:37:07.89\00:37:12.13
And we have an
invitation for you tonight,
00:37:12.16\00:37:13.75
would you like to
answer that call too?
00:37:13.78\00:37:17.11
It will cost you something
to choose to follow Jesus.
00:37:17.14\00:37:21.68
But, remember the
burning fiery furnace
00:37:21.71\00:37:24.26
and the three Hebrews' there,
00:37:24.29\00:37:25.99
their courage in the
face of certain death?
00:37:26.02\00:37:29.12
In Daniel 3, when Nebuchadnezzar
00:37:29.15\00:37:31.39
ordered Shadrach, Meshach,
00:37:31.42\00:37:32.82
and Abednego to be thrown
into the burning fiery furnace,
00:37:32.85\00:37:36.18
"bow down, worship by
man-made golden image,
00:37:36.21\00:37:40.22
receive my mark of authority.
00:37:40.25\00:37:41.88
Worship me, worship the
beast, the power, or else...
00:37:41.91\00:37:46.36
But they didn't,
00:37:46.39\00:37:48.40
and because they had God's seal.
00:37:48.43\00:37:51.82
He could take care
of them and He did.
00:37:51.85\00:37:52.88
Miraculously preserved them.
00:37:52.91\00:37:55.66
But their choice
sealed their destiny.
00:37:55.69\00:37:59.21
And it saved them.
00:37:59.24\00:38:01.54
And that's the
lesson for us today.
00:38:01.57\00:38:03.85
It's a promise.
00:38:03.88\00:38:05.98
Remember Daniel
there facing the lions den
00:38:06.01\00:38:08.17
when God shut the lion's mouths?
00:38:08.20\00:38:11.35
Well, the law was saying,
00:38:11.38\00:38:12.97
"Daniel, you
worship our way, or else--
00:38:13.00\00:38:17.11
our authority, our mark."
00:38:17.14\00:38:20.03
But friend,
because Daniel was faithful
00:38:20.06\00:38:22.67
and he obeyed God,
he received God's seal
00:38:22.70\00:38:26.50
and God's miracle, too.
00:38:26.53\00:38:28.86
Without
hesitating or rationalizing,
00:38:28.89\00:38:30.95
they took their stand for God.
00:38:30.98\00:38:33.02
And God came
through. He took care of them.
00:38:33.05\00:38:36.53
And friend, the
lesson for us today
00:38:36.56\00:38:37.96
is God will take
care of you and me, too.
00:38:37.99\00:38:41.56
In that last final
day, if we accept His seal,
00:38:41.59\00:38:45.12
if we follow His
will, if we obey His Word.
00:38:45.15\00:38:50.46
Throughout this
series of prophecy meetings,
00:38:50.49\00:38:53.05
God through His Holy Spirit
has been speaking to hearts
00:38:53.08\00:38:56.38
all over this
world night by night,
00:38:56.41\00:38:58.62
illuminating our
minds and inviting us,
00:38:58.65\00:39:00.95
pleading with us.
00:39:00.98\00:39:02.82
He is making His
last call to a dying world
00:39:02.85\00:39:06.08
to get ready for the
Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
00:39:06.11\00:39:10.14
Won't you this
moment, without hesitation,
00:39:10.17\00:39:14.14
step forward and say, Lord,
00:39:14.17\00:39:17.34
I want to take my stand for You.
00:39:17.37\00:39:20.83
I want to place
myself on God's side,
00:39:20.86\00:39:23.48
regardless of the cost.
00:39:23.51\00:39:25.20
Whatever
sacrifices I'm called to make,
00:39:25.23\00:39:27.90
I'm going to follow Jesus.
00:39:27.93\00:39:30.72
Today, just now, by faith,
00:39:30.75\00:39:33.12
Lord, I choose to
embrace all of the truth
00:39:33.15\00:39:36.01
I've learned
from these programs.
00:39:36.04\00:39:39.91
Friend, it will be worth it all.
00:39:39.94\00:39:42.85
Jesus is coming soon
to take us home with Him
00:39:42.88\00:39:46.75
and all those who choose
to follow Him, all of the way.
00:39:46.78\00:39:51.55
Won't you, like
those three Hebrews,
00:39:51.58\00:39:54.01
take your stand for God
00:39:54.04\00:39:56.25
and His truth
right now as Joey sings.
00:39:56.28\00:40:01.37
Jesus calls me - I must follow
00:40:04.05\00:40:11.03
Follow Him today
00:40:11.06\00:40:15.99
When His tender
voice is pleading
00:40:16.02\00:40:21.90
How can I delay?
00:40:21.93\00:40:28.04
Follow
00:40:28.07\00:40:31.03
I will follow Thee, my Lord
00:40:31.06\00:40:37.65
Follow every passing day
00:40:37.68\00:40:45.48
My tomorrows are all known
00:40:45.51\00:40:52.00
To Thee
00:40:52.03\00:40:55.54
Thou will lead me
00:40:55.57\00:41:00.07
All the way
00:41:00.10\00:41:05.15
Let us pray together.
00:41:08.88\00:41:11.09
Lord, we're coming to the end,
00:41:11.12\00:41:13.00
soon, the end for these meetings
00:41:13.03\00:41:16.01
but also the end for
this whole planet, our world.
00:41:16.04\00:41:21.04
So it's decision time,
00:41:21.07\00:41:23.63
God's earnestly
calling individuals
00:41:23.66\00:41:25.83
willing to accept
Jesus at His word.
00:41:25.86\00:41:28.14
Willing to pay a
price for their faith.
00:41:28.17\00:41:30.96
Willing to suffer
even die, if need be.
00:41:30.99\00:41:34.42
Thank You, Lord, for your
promises to see us through
00:41:34.45\00:41:37.65
and guarantee eternity for us.
00:41:37.68\00:41:41.18
Lord, if is one
person listening today
00:41:41.21\00:41:42.99
who's felt impressed to make his
00:41:43.02\00:41:44.52
or her decision
for Jesus Christ.
00:41:44.55\00:41:48.37
Would You help them to do that?
00:41:48.40\00:41:50.44
Now, before it's too late.
00:41:50.47\00:41:54.96
While our heads are
bowed and in attitude of prayer
00:41:54.99\00:41:57.01
I want to invite
the row captains to pass
00:41:57.04\00:41:58.92
that little
commitment card down the row.
00:41:58.95\00:42:01.71
Please take your pencil
and the commitment card.
00:42:01.74\00:42:04.76
I want you to put
a response for Jesus
00:42:04.79\00:42:07.60
on that card, just now.
00:42:07.63\00:42:09.53
Going to go over
that quickly with you.
00:42:09.56\00:42:12.65
Number one, since I love Jesus,
I desire to obey Him fully.
00:42:12.68\00:42:20.49
I hope everyone will check that.
00:42:20.52\00:42:24.68
Since I love Jesus, I
desire to obey Him fully.
00:42:24.71\00:42:28.95
Put a check beside number one.
00:42:28.98\00:42:30.17
Number two, I
choose to lovingly keep
00:42:30.20\00:42:33.76
Jesus' Holy Sabbath
day as the "seal of God."
00:42:33.79\00:42:37.83
Number two, I choose to keep
00:42:37.86\00:42:40.50
Jesus' Holy Sabbath day
as the "seal of living God."
00:42:40.53\00:42:44.38
Put a check beside number two.
00:42:44.41\00:42:45.83
Number three, some of
you have been studying
00:42:45.86\00:42:48.31
from night to
night, weekend to weekend,
00:42:48.34\00:42:51.12
perhaps you'd like
to check number three,
00:42:51.15\00:42:52.43
I desire to be baptized soon
00:42:52.46\00:42:55.00
and to follow Jesus all the way.
00:42:55.03\00:42:57.00
Put a check beside number three.
00:42:57.03\00:42:58.48
If you'd like
to be baptized soon
00:42:58.51\00:42:59.98
and follow Jesus all the
way, we'll help you get ready,
00:43:00.01\00:43:02.70
we'll help you prepared.
00:43:02.73\00:43:04.55
There may be someone here
00:43:04.58\00:43:05.61
who might have just come
for the very first time tonight
00:43:05.64\00:43:07.56
and this is brand new to
you and you have some questions
00:43:07.59\00:43:09.98
and maybe you
have a prayer request.
00:43:10.01\00:43:11.78
Number four, would
you like to check that,
00:43:11.81\00:43:14.81
put your prayer request
on the back of the card.
00:43:14.84\00:43:17.49
We gladly pray
for you at 10 o' clock
00:43:17.52\00:43:19.66
in our staff meetings.
00:43:19.69\00:43:21.69
Just make your decision
right now as Joey sings.
00:43:21.72\00:43:25.50
Follow
00:43:28.25\00:43:31.10
I will follow Thee, my Lord
00:43:31.13\00:43:38.07
Follow every passing day
00:43:38.10\00:43:45.49
My tomorrows are all known
00:43:45.52\00:43:51.16
To Thee
00:43:51.19\00:43:54.29
Thou wilt lead me
00:43:54.32\00:43:58.76
All the way
00:43:58.79\00:44:03.62
Amen, let's continue in prayer,
00:44:07.81\00:44:09.31
Lord, help us, help
us make the right choice,
00:44:09.34\00:44:13.72
regardless of what others think,
00:44:13.75\00:44:16.76
and I specially
want to pray for those
00:44:16.79\00:44:18.19
who are beginning to
keep your Commandments.
00:44:18.22\00:44:21.35
Lord, that is
such a great change
00:44:21.38\00:44:23.15
and it's such a
great test of our faith
00:44:23.18\00:44:26.35
but Jesus saves,
00:44:26.38\00:44:28.71
thank You for your
messages of love and truth
00:44:28.74\00:44:32.23
so that we can
prepare for Your soon coming.
00:44:32.26\00:44:36.13
Father, may we never be afraid
00:44:36.16\00:44:37.86
to stand up for
truth and follow Jesus.
00:44:37.89\00:44:42.32
We pray in His
wonderful name, amen.
00:44:42.35\00:44:48.89
I want to remind you
00:44:48.92\00:44:49.95
that we have a
discover less in that parallels
00:44:49.98\00:44:52.29
precisely what we
presented tonight,
00:44:52.32\00:44:54.94
Mark of the Beast.
00:44:54.97\00:44:56.50
Be sure to stop by your local
discover Bible school table,
00:44:56.53\00:45:00.17
ask for it or write to us
here at the Voice of Prophecy,
00:45:00.20\00:45:02.68
the Mark of the Beast.
00:45:02.71\00:45:04.56
Be sure to pick that up tonight.
00:45:04.59\00:45:07.01
Remember our next
subject, next week,
00:45:07.04\00:45:09.79
same time, same place
00:45:09.82\00:45:11.39
is Surviving the
Coming Tribulation.
00:45:11.42\00:45:15.91
Thanks so much for
joining us tonight.
00:45:15.94\00:45:17.88
May God bless you
till we meet again.
00:45:17.91\00:45:19.44
Remember as we
close our broadcast,
00:45:19.47\00:45:21.27
friend, God
really does love you.
00:45:21.30\00:45:26.13