Participants:
Series Code: GLM
Program Code: GLM200001S
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00:38 Hello, and I'm very pleased to be with you today.
00:42 We have some very serious things 00:44 to talk about together. 00:46 And I'm very glad 00:47 to be able to welcome each one of you, 00:49 to those of you who are in the studio, 00:51 and those who may be anywhere in the world 00:53 who seems to be watching this program today. 00:57 Welcome. 00:58 I'd like to introduce you to first of all our prayer, 01:03 and then we'll follow. 01:04 And let's bow our heads. 01:07 Our loving Father in heaven, 01:10 we thank You for the wonderful privilege, 01:11 we always have to open Your Word. 01:14 We thank You for its clarity, for its power. 01:17 We thank You for its revelation of Jesus. 01:20 And I pray that this morning, 01:22 the Holy Spirit particularly may be present 01:25 in this gathering, 01:26 that He will bless me and give me the words to speak 01:29 that You would have spoken. 01:31 And may He guide us today into all truth 01:35 is my prayer in Jesus' precious name. 01:39 Some of you who are watching 01:40 may remember seeing Keepers of the Flame, 01:43 which was recorded I hate to say 01:46 more than 30 years ago. 01:48 But I was only thinking the other day 01:50 that in that program, we spoke about some things 01:53 that were going to happen in the future. 01:56 And as I look back over 30 years, 01:58 and more recently to recent times, 02:01 I realized that those things that we talked about 02:03 would happen in the future have happened. 02:07 And that's the way it is with Bible prophecy. 02:10 And so today I make no apology for opening God's Word 02:13 and particularly the prophetic parts of it 02:15 to guide us 02:17 into God's last message to the world, 02:20 a most important topic. 02:23 According to a report 02:24 that was published by the Center 02:26 for the Study of Global Christianity, 02:28 located in the Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, 02:32 in mid 2014. 02:35 Now this is going to surprise you, 02:37 I hope it will even shock you 02:39 that in mid 2014, 02:41 there were over 45,000 02:45 different Christian denominations 02:47 and Christian groups in the world. 02:51 Now think about that, 45,000. 02:54 Each group thinking that they were right 02:55 and separated from everybody else. 02:59 But that report also said that the number was increasing 03:03 at the rate of 2.2 denominations or groups 03:06 every day since 2014. 03:09 Which means and I have to calculate this out 03:12 that by mid 2020, 03:15 the number would be 49, 818 03:19 different groups within Christendom, 03:22 within the Christian Church. 03:24 Among the total number of Christians 03:25 that are in the world, 03:27 which they tell us is two and a half billion people. 03:30 Over 49,000 religious groups with different beliefs 03:35 that have separated them from what other people believe. 03:38 Let me give you a few illustrations. 03:41 You know many people, 03:42 many Christians are divided into what happens when we die. 03:47 Some believe that 03:48 the spirit goes straight to heaven, or to hell, 03:52 or to purgatory when they die. 03:55 But there are other many, many people 03:57 who believe that when you die, 03:59 you sleep in the grave until the resurrection. 04:04 But then what about those who keep holy, 04:06 a special day in the week. 04:08 There are some who keep Saturday, 04:10 the seventh day of the week. 04:12 But there are many, many more millions 04:14 who keep holy day as Sunday, the first day of the week. 04:20 Some say concerning baptism, 04:22 that they baptized little babies 04:24 as soon as they're born, 04:26 they're sprinkled with water. 04:28 But there are others 04:29 who believe that baptism is only for adults. 04:32 And they can act by faith 04:34 when they choose Jesus as their Savior. 04:37 And when they're baptized, 04:38 not just sprinkled with a little water, 04:41 but baptized completely under the water. 04:45 There are over 1 billion people who believe today 04:47 that Mary and the saints are the mediators 04:52 between sinners and God. 04:55 But there are many millions of people 04:57 who believe that Jesus is the only mediator, 05:00 who stands between us and God. 05:04 I read a recent report 05:05 entitled The American Worldwide Inventory. 05:09 And they were reporting that 68% of Christians 05:15 no longer believe that Jesus is the path of salvation. 05:20 And instead, they believe that 05:21 just being a good person is sufficient. 05:25 And they also reported that 59% believe that 05:29 the Bible is not God's true and authoritative word. 05:34 Clearly, dear friends, 05:36 these and many other examples 05:38 that I could give you this morning, 05:40 present a very confusing picture 05:43 of what is truth 05:45 for those who are seeking it. 05:47 Can all these teachings 05:49 that I've just mentioned and many more, 05:51 can they all be true 05:53 when they contradict each other? 05:55 Is the Bible so confused that it doesn't reveal 05:59 what is truth? 06:01 Or has God provided a clear answer 06:04 to that question? 06:06 I remember 2 Timothy 3:16, which says, 06:09 "All scripture, 06:11 all scripture is given by inspiration of God." 06:14 And I think of the words of Jesus 06:16 when that, one in that wonderful prayer 06:17 that He prayed in John Chapter 17, 06:20 where He addressed His Father and said, 06:22 Your Word, the Bible is truth, is truth. 06:27 And then the words of Jesus, 06:28 remember what He said in John Chapter 14. 06:31 I am the way, the truth and the life. 06:36 If God is the author of the Bible, 06:38 and what He's written as truth, 06:41 does the Bible give us a clear direction 06:44 through the maze of conflicting ideas 06:47 that we see in the world today? 06:50 Has God revealed a message that is true, 06:54 and that will guide us 06:55 through all a multitude of confusing ideas, 06:58 and prepare us 07:00 for the second coming of Christ? 07:02 This question becomes more urgent and essential. 07:06 In view of the many warnings the Bible gives us, 07:09 that in the days just before Jesus comes, 07:12 there going to be days of great deception. 07:15 And when I'm deceived at something, 07:17 I believe, to be right when it is really wrong. 07:22 Think of these texts. 07:23 First of all, in Matthew 24:3, 07:27 the disciples are coming to Jesus. 07:30 And they're asking him a very important question. 07:33 In verse 3, 07:34 "Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, 07:36 the disciples came to Him privately, saying, 07:39 'Tell us, when will these things be?' " 07:41 Now Jesus had just spoken about His second coming, 07:45 and the end of the world? 07:47 And the disciples came with that question, 07:48 when's this going to happen? 07:50 And what will be the sign of Your coming 07:52 and of the end of the age? 07:55 I was interested to read again, 07:57 how did Jesus answer that question? 08:01 Well, Jesus answered and said to them, 08:04 "There are many, take heed to yourselves, 08:08 for many will come in My name, 08:10 saying, 'I am Christ,' and I will deceive many.'" 08:14 Jesus is warning us 08:15 that the last days would be a time of great confusion. 08:18 Many would make great claims that would not be true. 08:22 Then He says in verse 11, 08:24 "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive," 08:28 notice that word, "many." 08:30 And then in verse 24, 08:32 "For false christs and false prophets 08:35 will rise and show great signs and wonders, miracles," 08:39 why? 08:41 "To deceive, if possible, the very elect." 08:44 And when Jesus said that 08:45 He was referring to that 08:47 these deceptions would be so powerful, 08:49 that even God's people run the risk of being deceived. 08:53 These are warnings that the Bible gives us. 08:56 And listen to the words that the Apostle Paul wrote. 09:00 "Now the spirit expressly says, 09:03 the Holy Spirit that in latter times," 09:05 that is in the last days of earth's history, 09:08 "some will depart from the faith, 09:11 giving heed to deceiving spirits 09:13 and to the doctrines of demons." 09:16 For these reasons, dear friends, 09:19 during this series of eight presentations, 09:22 we're going to open the Bible. 09:24 And I'm going to put on the screen 09:26 a prophetic chart. 09:29 And all that you see, 09:30 and all that you will see on this chart 09:32 is based upon Bible prophecy, 09:35 where the Lord is revealing in His Word, 09:38 the future, particularly, 09:40 as it reveals the last message 09:44 God is ever going to send to this world. 09:46 Because if Jesus is coming soon, 09:48 and I believe that He is. 09:50 It's a God of love, who says, 09:53 "I'm going to send a warning to the world, 09:56 that they can be ready for that wonderful day." 10:00 As we view this prophetic outline, 10:03 I, and as we deal with the foundation today 10:08 provided by Bible prophecy, 10:10 I remember these words. 10:12 And I want you to remember these words too, 10:14 the words of Jesus when He said this. 10:16 "And now I have told you before it comes, 10:21 that when it does come to pass, you may believe." 10:27 What's the purpose of Bible prophecy? 10:29 And after all, 10:30 the Bible is filled with hundreds 10:31 and hundreds of Bible prophecies, 10:33 predictions of the future. 10:35 But why are they written? 10:38 Because God loves you. 10:40 And He wants you to have faith, 10:41 and He wants you to believe in His Word. 10:43 He wants you to believe that God exists. 10:46 Why? 10:47 Ultimately, because He wants you 10:49 to be with Him in His Kingdom. 10:50 So let's turn to 10:52 one of the Bible's greatest books of prophecy. 10:55 And incidentally, one of Jesus' favorite books. 10:58 Why do I say that? 11:00 Because it's the only book in the Old Testament 11:04 that Jesus ever quotes by name, the Book of Daniel, 11:09 and He takes His favorite title from the Book of Daniel. 11:13 Jesus used to love to refer to Himself 11:15 as the Son of Man. 11:17 And that's taken from the Book of Daniel. 11:20 But Daniel is also a unique book, 11:22 because in no other book, 11:24 and there are 66 books in the Bible, 11:27 but in no other book 11:29 is the author told 11:31 at the end of writing the book, 11:33 the words of Daniel 12:4. 11:40 "But thou, Daniel, but you, Daniel, 11:43 shut up the words, 11:45 and seal the book until a particular time." 11:49 Now I want you to notice these words. 11:51 Now, remember, as I said, 11:53 this is the only book in the Bible 11:54 where the author is told that, 11:56 shut up your Book of Daniel, that you have written, 11:58 particularly a proportion of the Book of Daniel, 12:01 that deals with prophecy, 12:02 and seal it up until the time of the end, 12:09 the time of the end. 12:12 There are two expressions 12:13 that I want to just clarify in your thinking, 12:15 first of all, today. 12:16 There are two expressions like 12:18 the end of time, and the time of the end. 12:21 What's the difference between those two? 12:24 The end of time is referring to that event 12:28 that comes when time ends and eternity begins. 12:33 It's really the time 12:35 that we refer to as the second coming of Christ. 12:39 When Jesus comes, ends human history, 12:42 and then eternity begins. 12:45 So the end of time is the second coming of Christ. 12:48 The time of the end, 12:50 it's a period of time before the end of time. 12:54 It's a period of time 12:55 that leads up to the second coming of Christ. 12:59 And the strange thing is 13:00 that I want to remind you of this morning, 13:02 is that the Book of Daniel was to be closed up, sealed, 13:05 particularly a particular portion 13:07 of the Book of Daniel 13:08 that deals with prophecy was to be closed up, sealed, 13:11 not really understood until the time of the end, 13:17 which means that when that time of the end comes, 13:22 the little Book of Daniel 13:23 is going to have great significance, 13:25 particularly the prophecies in that book. 13:29 So when would this time of the end begin? 13:31 It's most important today that we understand that. 13:35 So when does it really begin? 13:36 Well, in the Book of Daniel 12:4, 13:39 we've just read seal of book until the time of the end. 13:44 If you look at that verse in scripture, 13:46 you'll find that straight after it, 13:49 there is a conversation between two heavenly beings, 13:52 two angels in conversation. 13:55 They are talking with a man clothed in linen. 13:59 And that man clothed in linen who looks like a man. 14:03 In Daniel Chapter 10, it identifies Him as Jesus. 14:07 You say, Well, how come Jesus in the Book of Daniel 14:10 500 years before Jesus was born, 14:12 because we know today, 14:14 of course, that Jesus has always existed. 14:17 And He existed in Old Testament times, 14:20 and sometimes appeared in the Old Testament stories. 14:24 And so there's Jesus present in this conversation, 14:27 and you'll notice it says in Daniel 12:6, 14:31 "And one said, one of those two angels 14:33 said to the man clothed in linen, 14:36 who was above the waters of the river, 14:39 'How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?' " 14:42 In other words, they were asking, 14:43 they've just heard, the word said, 14:46 closed up the book until the time of the end. 14:49 And so the question is, with all the wonders 14:51 we've just described in the Book of Daniel, 14:53 how long will it be before the time of the end comes 14:56 and the fulfillment of all these wonders. 14:59 And I want you to notice the answer in verse 7. 15:02 "Then I heard the man clothed in linen," 15:05 that's Jesus, remember, 15:07 "who was above the waters of the river, 15:08 when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, 15:12 and swore by Him who lives forever." 15:14 So he's taking an oath on this, the answer is so important. 15:18 "That it shall be for a time and times and half a time." 15:25 Strange words. 15:26 Obviously, it's referring to a period of time, 15:29 but using strange words, 15:31 that the time of the end will come 15:33 at the end of the time, times and half a time period. 15:40 Now, I need to point out to you 15:42 that this is the second time in the Book of Daniel, 15:45 that those words are used. 15:47 So I want to go back to the first time 15:49 where we read time, times and half a time 15:53 to see if we can get any close to an answer to that question. 15:59 Well, let's look at it, Daniel 7, 16:01 here is the first time that that expression is found. 16:04 But I want you to notice how it's worded. 16:07 He referring to some particular kingdom, 16:11 represented by a person, 16:13 "He shall persecute the saints, " 16:15 notice the words, 16:17 "of the Most High, 16:19 then the saints shall be given into his hand," 16:22 for how long? 16:24 "Persecution, 16:25 and the saints will be given into his hand 16:27 for a time and times, and half a time." 16:32 Well, remember, 16:34 if we can find out when this period, 16:36 how long that period is. 16:38 And if we can find that when the period begins, 16:41 then we can find out when it ends. 16:43 And when it ends, 16:44 it's the beginning of the time of the end. 16:47 That's why it's important to see the answer. 16:51 And you might say, 16:52 "Well, those are strange words, 16:53 how can we ever find the answer?" 16:55 Because always remember, the Bible provides an answer. 16:59 In Bible prophecy, 17:00 if there's some things that we don't understand, 17:02 God provides somewhere in the scriptures 17:04 the clue, the key if you like, 17:07 as to when that period of time may be fulfilled. 17:12 So let's go to the only book. 17:15 And again, this is one of these statements like the only book, 17:18 the only book in the Bible. 17:21 And this is a surprising thing for me to say. 17:24 The only book in the whole of the Bible 17:26 that pronounces a special blessing 17:28 on those who read the book, 17:31 and those who keep in their hearts 17:33 the things that are written in the book 17:36 is the Book of Revelation. 17:38 Many people today think the Bible, 17:39 the Book of Revelation is a confusing book. 17:42 But here it's the only blessing, 17:43 read it, Revelation 1:3, sometime, 17:47 a blessing on those 17:48 who read the Book of Revelation. 17:50 So let's claim that blessing today. 17:52 And we're going to turn to a particular chapter 17:55 in the Book of Revelation Chapter 12. 17:59 Chapter 12 is an interesting chapter. 18:00 It's a prophecy. 18:01 It's one of the visions that John received 18:03 in writing the Book of Revelation. 18:06 And in writing this up, 18:07 he wrote that the woman in that chapter 18:12 was really a symbol of God's Church, 18:14 you'll find that often mentioned in Scripture. 18:17 And here is this beautiful woman, 18:19 clothed with the sun, standing on the moon, 18:21 a crown of 12 stars. 18:23 The church symbolized as a woman who is pregnant. 18:29 Let's have a look at this text. 18:32 In verse 13, 18:33 it says about this woman, she's pregnant, 18:35 she's about to give birth to Jesus. 18:38 If you read the chapter, Revelation 12:5, 18:42 but down in verse 13 and 14, 18:45 as it continues to unfold 18:46 the future of the Christian Church. 18:48 It says, 18:49 "When the dragon saw that he'd been cast to the earth, 18:51 he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the child, 18:56 to the male child, to Jesus." 18:59 So this is some time after Jesus is born. 19:02 Here is a picture of the dragon. 19:05 And that chapter tells us that the dragon represents Satan, 19:08 the devil, 19:10 that he persecuted the church, 19:12 and he gave 19:13 that had given birth to the male child. 19:16 And then in verses 13, it says, 19:18 "But the woman after that persecution 19:22 was given a two wings of a great eagle, 19:24 that she might fly into the wilderness 19:27 to her place, 19:28 where she is nourished for a time and times 19:31 and half a time, 19:33 from the face of the serpent." 19:34 So here we find in Revelation 12, 19:37 a picture of the church being persecuted 19:41 for a time, times and half a time. 19:43 In Daniel Chapter 7, 19:45 that verse we read a moment ago, 19:46 it's describing a power 19:48 that would be doing the persecuting. 19:51 But notice, it's the same period of time, 19:54 a time, times, and half a time. 19:58 Well, how do we know you might say? 20:00 Well, we're still none the wiser. 20:01 It's still a time, times and half a time. 20:04 Well, have a look at this verse. 20:09 Because it refers to that time, times and half a time 20:13 as a period of 1260 days. 20:19 Because I read in Revelation Chapter 12, 20:22 and where it describes it in verse 6, 20:25 "Then the woman fled into the wilderness, 20:27 where she has a place prepared by God 20:29 that they should have feed her there for 1260 days." 20:34 A little later in the chapter, 20:35 it says that 1260 days 20:37 is equivalent to a time, times and half a time. 20:41 And if we remember the Bible principle, 20:43 that in Bible prophecy, one day stands for one year. 20:48 This is referring to a period of persecution 20:51 of 1260 years. 20:56 And when that ends, 20:59 it's the beginning of the time at the end. 21:02 Well, how do we understand 21:04 what that time period is 1260 years, 21:08 when did it begin? 21:09 Now in order to do this, 21:11 I need to do something very quickly 21:12 to revise and review with you 21:14 two chapters in the Book of Daniel. 21:17 First of all, Daniel Chapter 2. 21:20 Now in Daniel Chapter 2, you see there on the screen, 21:23 a great image. 21:26 And in Daniel Chapter 2, 21:27 this amazing prophecy 21:30 actually foretells, 21:31 and listen to this, 21:33 world history for two and a half thousand years. 21:36 The one chapter. 21:38 Or it's not going into a lot of great detail, 21:40 but the detail it gives us really confirms that 21:43 God is in control of the world. 21:46 And that's a message we need to hear today, 21:48 God is still in control. 21:50 And in Daniel 2, 21:51 you'll notice that the image has a head of gold, 21:56 breast and arms of silver, thighs of brass, bronze, 22:00 legs of iron, 22:01 and feet and toes, part of iron, 22:04 part of clay. 22:06 If you read the whole chapter, 22:07 it goes on to say 22:09 that these four metals represent four kingdoms 22:13 that are going to rise in the world. 22:15 This was given way back nearly 600 years before Christ. 22:19 And in this amazing prophecy, 22:21 it's foretelling that in the future, 22:23 there's going to be four great world kingdoms. 22:26 And then after the fourth kingdom, 22:29 it's not going to be followed by a fifth or sixth, 22:33 it's going to be divided up into 10 divisions, 22:38 10 divisions. 22:39 And in the days of those 10 divisions, 22:43 Jesus is going to set up His kingdom on the earth, 22:46 the second coming of Christ. 22:49 Now, Daniel actually interprets what that means. 22:52 He tells us in Daniel Chapter 2, 22:54 that the four metals, listen to this, 22:56 represent four world kingdoms 22:59 that are going to come on the earth, 23:01 a head of gold. 23:03 And since Daniel is talking to Nebuchadnezzar, 23:06 who's king of Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar's surprise, 23:10 Daniel turns to him and says, 23:11 "You're the head of gold. You're the first kingdom. 23:14 Then after you, there'll be a second kingdom 23:16 represented by the silver, 23:18 and then the third kingdom, represented by the bronze, 23:20 and a fourth kingdom, the iron legs 23:23 will be as strong as iron in the world." 23:27 But then what happened to the fourth kingdom? 23:29 Was it going to be conquered by fifth? 23:31 No, the remarkable thing in this chapter 23:33 is that the fourth one 23:34 is going to be followed by a period of division 23:38 into 10 smaller divisions, the feet and toes. 23:42 And then it says 23:44 that in the days of the feet and the toes, 23:48 a stone is going to come. 23:51 And it's going to strike that image 23:54 on the feet and the toes, 23:57 and notice, 23:59 the whole image will be destroyed. 24:03 And the Bible tells us that 24:04 that stone is the second coming of Jesus, 24:08 setting up in His kingdom, 24:10 and it will become a great mountain 24:12 that fills the whole earth. 24:14 Now remembering that 24:15 I'm going to then very quickly go to Daniel, 24:18 and we're going to look at Daniel Chapter 7, 24:20 because that was the chapter 24:22 where it said that he shall persecute God's people 24:25 for a time, times and half a time. 24:27 So we need to look a little bit more closely 24:30 at Daniel Chapter 7. 24:32 Daniel 7. 24:33 And can I just remind you of this principle, 24:35 that in the Book of Daniel there are four visions, 24:40 and the relationship between each vision 24:43 is that the second one 24:45 gives more detail than the first one, 24:48 and the third one 24:50 gives more detail than the second one, 24:52 and so on with the fourth one, 24:54 it gives, this covers the same period of time. 24:57 They all cover the same period of time, 24:59 but in greater detail. 25:01 Now I've just referred you to the first vision, 25:02 Daniel Chapter 2. 25:04 When we go to the second vision, 25:06 notice more detail that is given in this chapter. 25:09 In Daniel 7, it tells us 25:11 that it was given in the reign of Belshazzar, 25:15 the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, 25:16 and round about 550 years before Christ, 25:20 this vision is given. 25:22 And in this vision he sees 25:24 and let me just remind you of it in Daniel 7:4. 25:29 You'll see there 25:30 the great image of four beasts, 25:33 the first is like a lion, having two wings of an eagle. 25:40 And that's equivalent to the head of gold. 25:43 Because remember, it's more detail. 25:45 Now, Daniel is describing 25:47 the first of those four kingdoms, 25:49 Babylon, equivalent to the head of gold. 25:53 And then there was to be a great significance 25:57 to the book in terms of Babylon 25:59 being the ruler of the world. 26:01 I had the privilege some years ago 26:02 of visiting the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. 26:06 And what they've done there, as you see on the screen, 26:09 they've taken the bricks 26:11 that were once the gates, the main gate into Babylon, 26:15 they've taken the bricks, 26:16 and they've made that beautiful reconstruction of the wall 26:20 that once entered into the city of Babylon. 26:22 And what I was interested to notice is that 26:24 along the wall, they had lions. 26:27 You can see them there, 26:29 made out of the tiles in the entryway to Babylon. 26:33 Significant that God uses the lion 26:36 as a symbol of Babylon. 26:37 But then there was to be a Medo-Persian kingdom, 26:40 represented by a bear. 26:42 And this was a very powerful kingdom, 26:46 that was to conquer the kingdom of Babylon, 26:49 the Medo-Persian, a dual kingdom. 26:52 And then there was to be a Greek Empire, 26:55 the third kingdom of bronze. 26:56 You'll notice the equivalents there on the screen. 26:59 There's the bronze thighs, 27:01 and then also the bronze representing 27:06 this third kingdom of Greece. 27:08 Then after it, you remember the legs of iron, 27:11 there was to come the iron monarchy, 27:13 as it's sometimes called in history, 27:15 the iron monarchy of Rome, 27:17 the great Roman Empire was to conquer Greece. 27:20 And there you see the equivalent. 27:22 But in Daniel 7, 27:24 the fourth beast is an ugly looking beast. 27:27 Whereas I've always been interested 27:28 that the first was like a lion, the second one was like a bear. 27:32 The third one was like a leopard though, 27:34 not like a leopard that we normally see 27:36 because it had four heads. 27:38 And then comes this terrible beast, 27:41 with 10 horns on his head, representing the Roman Empire. 27:48 And then it was to be divided up 27:50 into 10 divisions. 27:52 The Bible tells us in Daniel Chapter 7, 27:54 that the horns represent kingdoms 27:57 that would break away 27:58 and follow the Roman Empire when it broke up. 28:02 You remember I mentioned before 28:03 that the Roman Empire wasn't conquered 28:04 by another world empire. 28:06 It was divided up 28:08 into what we call today, dear friends, 28:11 the nations of Europe. 28:13 And that those nations would remain divided, 28:15 even though some people would attempt to unite them, 28:18 which is interesting. 28:19 until Jesus comes. 28:22 And at the end of the vision of Daniel 7, 28:24 we see a beautiful picture 28:27 of what Jesus is going to do in the future 28:31 with His second coming of Christ. 28:34 Then, of course, they would be out of the 10 horns, 28:38 it describes the rise, 28:40 and let me read this to you in Daniel 7:8, 28:44 "That I was considering the horns, 28:46 and there was another horn, a little one, 28:49 coming up among them, 28:50 before whom three of the first horns 28:53 were plucked out by the roots." 28:55 Now remember, I'm giving you a lot more detail 28:57 when we read in Daniel Chapter 2. 29:00 But here it's describing that 29:01 out of those 10 divisions of Western Europe, 29:05 Europe, as we call it today, 29:07 they would arise a horn, a little horn, 29:11 which is identified as another kingdom, 29:13 that would rise up among the 10 29:16 and push three of the first kingdoms 29:20 up out by the roots. 29:22 And so here is this little horn growing up, 29:25 and that little horn 29:27 would do very serious things in the world. 29:30 In fact, the rest of the chapter, 29:32 dear friends, focuses upon that little horn. 29:35 Now, you'll understand why I'm saying this, 29:38 as we consider the rest of history, 29:41 the marvelous predictions that are in this chapter. 29:45 Because this little horn 29:46 would arise among the nations of Europe. 29:49 It would be another kingdom that would rise up 29:51 and it would become 29:52 the major focus of the prophecy, 29:54 and the major influence in European affairs 29:58 for well over... 30:00 Well, nearly 2000 years. 30:02 So what kingdom I ask you 30:05 is referred to by the symbol of this little horn? 30:10 Let's have a look at what the Bible gives us. 30:13 It gives us actually nine identifying characteristics. 30:18 Let's have a look at them. 30:20 First of all in verses, 30:21 and I'm not going to read these verses. 30:23 But if you're taking notes, 30:24 you may like to jot this and read it afterwards, 30:27 because it's amazingly written as a prophecy of the future 30:31 that reaches down to our day. 30:33 This little horn would arise out of the fourth beast, 30:37 out of the Roman Empire. 30:39 It rose to prominence after the 10 horns. 30:44 It was little at first, 30:46 but it became the greatest of the horns. 30:49 Keep that in mind. 30:50 And remember, a horn represents as the Bible tells us, 30:54 a kingdom that grows out of the Roman Empire. 30:58 Then it was to be different from all the other kingdoms. 31:01 Then two, three kingdoms were to be uprooted 31:06 as it rose to power, 31:09 as it gained more influence in world affairs. 31:12 It had a mouth 31:13 speaking boastful words against God. 31:17 It was to make war 31:19 and prevail against God's people. 31:22 A tragic aspect of this little horn power, 31:25 that it would make war on the saints, 31:27 you'll remember, as we read earlier. 31:30 It was to think to change God's times and law, 31:36 God's law, 31:38 this power would think to change. 31:40 It was the persecute for a time, 31:42 there it is, 31:43 and a times and half a time. 31:46 This is this same little horn power. 31:51 Well, let's now identify what power in history, 31:57 what power in history has been fulfilled 32:01 in the descriptions of this power. 32:06 Dear friends, there is only one, 32:08 only one in the world. 32:11 And the only one in the world 32:12 that fulfills all of those nine characteristics 32:16 is the church of Rome. 32:20 Now, having said that, my dear friends, 32:22 I really want to say something very important. 32:26 God here is predicting the rise of a religious system 32:31 that would begin well, please notice those words, 32:35 that would begin well, because after all, 32:38 the Apostle Paul wrote 32:39 one of the major books of the New Testament 32:42 to the church in Rome. 32:44 It's the Book of Romans. 32:46 But afterwards, 32:48 it would begin to change and accept and teach doctrines 32:52 that were no longer found in the Word of God. 32:56 Let me make something very clear, 32:57 dear friends, today, 32:59 God here is not condemning 33:02 faithful members of this church. 33:03 Please notice that. 33:06 People who love the Lord 33:08 and live up to all that they believe to be right. 33:11 God rather is describing a system of organization. 33:15 If you like, a hierarchy of power 33:18 that would eventually come to dominate, 33:20 listen to my words, the world. 33:25 I can say to you today 33:26 that I've met many wonderful Christians, 33:30 wonderful Roman Catholics in my life, 33:33 who can put other Christians to shame 33:36 by their love for Jesus 33:38 and their commitment to service. 33:39 I think of Mother Teresa, 33:41 and the blessing she was in India. 33:44 But I also have thought 33:46 very much of how Jesus had to react 33:49 to a religious organization in His day, 33:53 that was doing a lot of damage 33:55 to what Jesus was trying to teach. 33:58 And I'm referring, of course, to the Pharisees. 34:01 They were a religious group 34:03 that appears a lot in the story of Jesus in the gospels. 34:07 But Jesus in Matthew Chapter 23, 34:09 there's a whole chapter there, 34:11 where He condemns these religious leaders, 34:15 condemns them, 34:16 because even though they were 34:17 some of the most religious people of the time, 34:20 they were far away from teaching the truth 34:24 of the principles of God. 34:27 And if you read the gospels, dear friends, 34:29 it was the Pharisees 34:31 that led the people to crucify Jesus, 34:36 a religious organization, 34:37 believing in God and yet crucifying Jesus. 34:42 And I read in Matthew Chapter 23, 34:44 where He's talking to the religious leaders 34:46 of this religious group 34:47 that were so powerful in His day. 34:50 He calls them hypocrites seven times. 34:53 He calls them blind five times. 34:55 He calls them serpents twice. 34:57 He calls them a brood of vipers. 35:01 And yet, dear friends, and please remember this. 35:04 Jesus loved individual Pharisees. 35:08 After all, Simon, the Pharisee in the New Testament, 35:13 Nicodemus, the Pharisee, and let me merely remind you, 35:18 the Apostle Paul, 35:20 who does such wonderful things 35:22 and writes so many books of the New Testament, 35:24 he once was a Pharisee. 35:26 I want you to remember that. 35:29 Why did all the reformers of the 16th century, 35:33 and scores of other Bible students 35:35 down through time, 35:37 identify the Church of Rome as the little horn? 35:42 Why? 35:44 I want to just put on the screen 35:45 very quickly, 35:47 those nine characteristics 35:49 that identify who the little horn represents. 35:53 And I want you to see 35:54 how they can only point to one power in human history. 35:59 Let's have a look at them. 36:02 In identifying the little horn, 36:04 first of all, it arose out of the fourth beast. 36:08 Remember, we read that, not in the east, 36:12 not in the United States, not in Australia, 36:15 but arose out of the Roman Empire, 36:18 the fourth beast, 36:19 we must remember that. 36:21 This power is called the Roman Catholic Church. 36:26 The official language of the church 36:28 and to literary very recently, is Latin, 36:31 the language of the Roman Empire. 36:35 They use Roman numerals in their documents. 36:40 Their headquarters are in the city of Rome, 36:43 the ancient headquarters for the Roman Empire. 36:47 Then it was to rise to prominence 36:51 after the 10 horns, 36:53 so that power, remember, 36:54 was to be divided up into 10 kingdoms, 36:57 the kingdoms of Europe, and it would rise, 36:59 not rise into prominence 37:01 until after those divisions 37:03 had been established in Europe, 476 years, 37:08 476 AD is the year for the last Roman Emperor. 37:13 And then you see the divisions into Europe being established. 37:17 There was a Christian Church in Rome 37:18 from the first century. 37:19 But gradually as the power of the emperors weakened, 37:23 the Bishop of Rome rose up 37:25 and asserted more and more influence in Europe. 37:30 I want you to look at these words 37:31 written by Carl Eckhardt. 37:34 "Under the Roman Empire, 37:37 the popes had no temporal power." 37:39 Notice that. 37:40 "But when the Roman Empire had disintegrated, 37:43 notice those words, 37:44 "And its place had been taken 37:45 by a number of rude barbarous kingdoms," 37:48 notice those words, 37:50 "the Roman Catholic Church 37:51 not only became independent of the state, 37:55 states in religious affairs, 37:57 but dominated secular affairs as well." 38:03 Well, it rose to prominence after the horns. 38:07 And notice it was little, 38:08 remember we said that it was little at first 38:10 would become the greatest of the horns. 38:13 Dear friends, 38:15 we've just noticed the quotation there 38:16 that fulfills this prediction that it was started small, 38:21 but it soon became very influential. 38:24 If you know anything 38:26 about the history of the Middle Ages, 38:27 as we call them, 38:28 we will, we would know of the tremendous power 38:31 and the influence 38:33 of the Bishop of Rome in secular affairs, 38:35 sometimes bringing kings to their knees. 38:39 It would be little, 38:41 but then it would become 38:43 the greatest of all the kingdoms of Europe 38:45 in its influence. 38:48 Then number four, 38:49 it was to be different from all the other kingdoms. 38:53 All the other kingdoms were political kingdoms. 38:56 England, and France, and Germany, 38:58 and those nations 38:59 that trace their origin back there. 39:02 But this power was to be a religious 39:04 and a political organization. 39:07 And certainly history bears that out. 39:10 But then also it was to uproot three kingdoms 39:15 as it rose to power. 39:17 A remarkable little detail, did it? 39:21 As the Bishop of Rome rose to power 39:22 and influence in Europe, 39:24 three of the first 10 kingdoms 39:27 opposed the rise of the Bishop of Rome. 39:32 They did so because they were what we call Arian in belief. 39:35 They believe that Jesus was only a created being, 39:40 whereas the Bible teaches that He's always existed. 39:43 And because of that, 39:45 they were opposed by the church of Rome. 39:48 And so gradually, 39:49 the Bishop of Rome used his influence with the emperor 39:52 to destroy those three kingdoms, 39:55 and you will find that 39:56 they are finally removed from history. 39:59 Who were they? 40:00 And when were they uprooted? 40:03 The Heruli in 493, 40:06 the Vandals 40:07 from which we get the word vandalism 40:09 because they were such a cruel people in 534, 40:13 and the Ostrogoths were finally removed from Rome 40:17 in 538 AD, 40:23 in 538 AD. 40:27 Well, there had been a decree by the Emperor Justinian, 40:30 five years earlier in 533, 40:34 that the Bishop of Rome 40:35 was now to be the head of all the churches. 40:38 Notice those words. 40:40 But that couldn't go into effect, 40:41 so long as the Ostrogoths 40:43 were still occupying the city of Rome. 40:45 When they were removed in 538, 40:48 it meant that now the Bishop of Rome 40:50 was the leading kingdom in Europe 40:53 that was to grow in its power and influence 40:57 over the next 1000 years. 40:59 Yes, but then let's look at number six. 41:03 It would speak great things 41:06 and boastful words against God. 41:11 Look at this. 41:13 Lucius Ferraris, 41:14 an 18th century Roman Catholic divine, 41:18 wrote in a very encyclopedia kind of work 41:21 called Prompta Bibliotheca. 41:23 "The pope is of so great dignity 41:26 and exalted that he is not a mere man, 41:31 but as it were God, and the vicar of God." 41:36 Boastful words, boastful words. 41:40 And then in a letter that Pope Leo XIII, 41:43 wrote in June, 1894. 41:47 He wrote these words, 41:48 "We, the pope, 41:51 hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty. 41:55 Hence, the pope is crowned with a triple crown, 41:58 as king of heaven and of earth, and of the lower regions." 42:03 Great words for a mere man to say. 42:07 But then it was to make war against God's people, 42:14 and speak such boastful words. 42:17 I don't like speaking very much about this one, 42:20 I must confess, dear friends. 42:23 Because if you've ever heard of the actions 42:25 of the Inquisition, 42:28 and the burning of heretics, 42:31 over the hundreds of years 42:33 of the Church of Rome's existence, 42:36 there's a tragic fulfillment of this prediction. 42:40 In fact, look at these words 42:41 written by the historian, Lecky. 42:44 When he says, 42:46 "The Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood 42:50 than any other institution 42:54 that has ever existed among mankind." 42:59 That really moves me, dear friends, 43:02 to think that a church claiming to be God's church 43:06 would execute and burn at the stake 43:09 when they're still alive. 43:12 Do you know how many, 43:13 the lowest recommendation 43:15 that I've ever read in history is 50 million. 43:18 The highest number I've ever read is 120 million. 43:23 But 50 million 43:25 men, women and children burned at the stake, 43:28 sent to a cruel death. 43:32 I want to take you very quickly to Oxford. 43:34 In Oxford in England, we have the Martyrs' Memorial. 43:41 And you'll notice it there on the screen, 43:42 a very impressive monument. 43:45 And there are the pictures of the three men 43:48 who were burned at the stake near this spot, 43:51 back in 1555 and 1556. 43:55 And you'll notice that 43:56 on one of the sides of the memorial, 43:59 there is the words that are written to explain 44:02 what the monument is all about. 44:04 And here are these words, listen, read them, 44:06 "To the Glory of God, 44:08 and in grateful commemoration of His servants, 44:11 Thomas Cranmer, Nicholas Ridley, Hugh Latimer, 44:15 Prelates, in other words, 44:17 leaders of the Church of England, 44:19 who near this spot yielded their bodies to be burned, 44:23 bearing witness to the sacred truths 44:25 which they had affirmed and maintained 44:28 against the errors of the Church of Rome, 44:31 and rejoicing that to them 44:33 it was given not only to believe in Christ, 44:36 but also to suffer for His sake, 44:39 this monument was erected by public subscription." 44:42 Notice that, dear friends, 44:44 and just after I took these photographs, 44:46 I walked into Broad Street very nearby. 44:50 And there I read this sign 44:54 that on the cross in the middle of Broad Street, 44:57 and there it is, 44:59 and I stood on that cross, dear friends, 45:02 in the middle of the street, 45:04 and thought of all 45:06 that had happened right there at that spot, 45:08 where Nicholas, Hugh Latimer, 45:11 one time Bishop of Worcester, 45:13 Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London 45:15 and Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, 45:19 was burned for their faith in 1555 and 1556. 45:25 Oh, dear friends, 45:26 it would make war on the saints, 45:28 and prevail against them. 45:31 Then it would also think to change 45:33 God's times and laws. 45:35 In that same work that we noticed before, 45:38 we have these words. 45:40 "The pope is of so great authority 45:43 that he can modify, and that means change, 45:47 explain, or interpret even divine laws." 45:53 And then, dear friends, finally, 45:56 it was to think to change God's times and laws. 46:00 It claims that it has done that. 46:02 In fact, in Roman Catholic Catechisms, 46:04 they've put the second commandment 46:06 of the 10 God's law with the first 46:09 and then they've completely changed 46:10 the fourth commandment. 46:12 And we'll talk more about that in a later presentation. 46:15 And then they've divided 46:17 the 10th commandment into two 46:18 to make up 10 commandments. 46:20 But they would think to change God's holy law. 46:24 And prophecy says, 46:25 and you can read it in any Catechism, 46:28 change particularly the fourth commandment. 46:31 And then finally, it would persecute the saints. 46:36 And then, for a time, and times and half a time. 46:42 When would this period begin? 46:46 You remember the time, times and half a time 46:48 was 1260 years. 46:50 When did it begin? 46:52 It began when those three horns were uprooted, 46:56 who were opposing its rise. 46:59 Once they were out of the way as it were, 47:01 then that little horn 47:02 could become greater and greater in power 47:05 in European affairs, 47:06 which history bears to be so true. 47:10 And we know 47:12 when that little last of those horns were uprooted. 47:14 Do you remember the year? 47:16 538 AD. 47:20 That was when its power was finally established, 47:23 having removed the last of those three horns. 47:27 March, 538 is the year. 47:32 If we add 1260 years to 538, 47:37 what year do we come to? 47:39 1798. 47:44 1798. 47:47 And you remember, 47:48 and I know you might be thinking 47:49 I've taken quite a while to establish this. 47:52 But I wanted you to see this in Scripture, 47:54 because the Bible is to be the source 47:56 that guides us through the confusion 47:58 of the last days. 48:00 And in 1798, if this prediction is true, 48:03 as I have explained it to you today, 48:06 then something should have happened in 1798 48:12 to bring this great church 48:14 power and organization to an end, 48:18 at least temporarily. 48:21 And did it? 48:22 Did it? 48:25 Let's have a look. 48:27 538 down to 1798. 48:32 What happened in 1798? 48:36 Dear friends, right on time, 48:40 1260 years after 538, 48:43 right on time in February, 1798, 48:49 the French revolutionary government 48:51 and if you know anything about history, 48:52 you know that the 1790s 48:54 was the time of the Great French Revolution 48:57 when they were rebelling against anybody in authority. 49:01 And the French government decided that 49:03 the Church of Rome was in opposition 49:05 to all that the French government 49:07 was now trying to establish. 49:09 And so they sent a French general, 49:11 General Berthier is his name. 49:13 There he is down to Rome 49:18 to take the reigning pope prisoner, 49:22 Pius VI. 49:26 And they took him in prison into imprisonment. 49:30 And in February, 49:32 they proclaimed a Roman Republic 49:35 and that the power and authority of the pope 49:37 was at an end. 49:39 Please notice this, a remarkable event, 49:42 exactly 1260 years after the beginning. 49:47 And on February the 20th, after taking the pope prisoner, 49:51 they took him on a long journey to France, Valence, 49:56 the city of Valence, 49:57 where he died the following year. 50:00 And Napoleon said, 50:02 "There will be no more popes elected." 50:06 Can I just hasten to say, 50:08 he wasn't the student of Bible prophecy. 50:11 Because as I'll show you in a future presentation 50:15 that was only temporary. 50:18 Much greater things remained for the Church of Rome to do 50:23 that will feature 50:24 in God's last message to the world. 50:28 And as we'll learn more about that as we go. 50:33 But there I had a visit 50:35 to the Vatican Museum some time ago. 50:38 And as I was walking down the corridor, I looked up, 50:41 and to my amazement I saw that painting 50:44 that you see on the wall. 50:46 It was just above the door, and I walked through the door, 50:48 but before I walked through the door, 50:50 I took a photograph of the painting. 50:52 Why did I take the photograph of the painting? 50:55 Because that was there to commemorate. 50:57 And this surprised me that it was in the Vatican Museum. 51:01 This was there to commemorate, you see the pope, 51:04 and General Berthier and others, 51:07 he's saying goodbye to Rome, 51:09 he's being led to the chariot on the right hand side. 51:12 And there he's going to be taken to France, 51:15 a long journey in those days for an old man. 51:18 And he died, as I said in 1799. 51:22 Notice these words of the historian, 51:25 George Trevor, 51:27 in his book, 51:28 Rome from the fall of the Western Empire. 51:30 A remarkable statement, 51:32 talking about the events of 1798, 51:35 "The papacy, 51:36 the rule of the Church of Rome, 51:38 was extinct, 51:40 not a vestige of its existence remained, 51:43 and among all the Roman Catholic powers, 51:45 not a finger was stirred in its defense. 51:49 The Eternal City had no longer prince 51:52 or pontiff, 51:54 its bishop was a dying captive in foreign lands in France, 51:59 and the decree was already announced 52:02 by Napoleon, 52:04 that no successor would be allowed in his place." 52:10 A remarkable fulfillment 52:13 right on time at the end of the 1260 years. 52:18 That brings us, dear friends, can I remind you, 52:21 as we come to a close today, 52:23 that the 1260 years ending in 1798, 52:28 was the beginning of the time of the end for the world. 52:34 And just as Jesus revealed in the Book of Daniel, 52:38 that at the end of the 1260 years, 52:41 the time of the end would begin. 52:44 And the great events, the Bible predicts, 52:47 in the time of the end, 52:48 that we're going to deal with in our next program 52:51 will take place. 52:54 Dear friends, 52:55 the Book of Daniel was to be opened, 52:58 particularly prophecies in the Book of Daniel, 53:01 in the time of the end. 53:03 And in our next presentation, 53:05 we're going to look at one of Daniel's prophecies, 53:08 where Daniel actually says, 53:10 this one is to be fulfilled in the time of the end. 53:15 This is the longest time prophecy in the Bible. 53:19 And it's this prophecy, 53:21 included in the explanation predicts, 53:24 and this to me is amazing. 53:27 It's this prophecy that predicts 53:29 the very year 500 years in advance 53:33 when Jesus would appear in the world. 53:37 It's a remarkable prediction. 53:39 Imagine myself trying to giving a prophecy now, 53:42 and saying what's going to happen 53:43 in the year 2500. 53:46 The future, as you know, is close to you, even tomorrow, 53:50 we may think what we're going to do, 53:52 but we may not do it 53:53 because of other series of events. 53:55 But let alone predict 53:57 what's going to happen one year in time, 53:58 or 10 years in time on the very year. 54:02 But I'm going to show you in our next presentation, 54:05 and unfold that remarkable prophecy in Daniel, 54:09 that not only fixes the very time 54:12 when Jesus would appear, 54:15 but fixes the very time, the very year 54:19 when God is going to give 54:20 His last warning message to the world. 54:26 That's why I've spent this time together with you this morning. 54:29 laying that foundation, because in this wonderful book, 54:33 pointing to the time of the end, 54:35 1798. 54:37 You and I have been living in the time of the end 54:39 for quite a long period of time. 54:42 But because it's the time of the end, 54:45 we know that when that time it finishes, 54:48 Jesus is going to come, a wonderful hope. 54:52 And I believe that in this world today 54:54 filled with so much pandemic, 54:57 so much disease, 54:58 where people are afraid of what the future holds. 55:02 I'm reminded of those words of Jesus 55:03 when he said that in the last days, 55:06 men's hearts will be failing them for fear 55:09 as they look at the things that are coming on the earth. 55:11 Is that a condition of the world today? 55:13 It certainly is. 55:16 And it's so wonderful that the Bible gives us a hope, 55:19 a blessed hope 55:20 that all the troubles in this world 55:23 are going to be finished when God sets up that kingdom. 55:26 You remember the stone 55:27 that smoke the image on the feet and toes. 55:30 In Daniel Chapter 7, Daniel describes 55:32 and I don't think we read the text that 55:34 in at the end of this reign of this little horn, 55:38 Jesus is going to come in power and great glory. 55:43 Bring the world to an end. Yes. 55:45 But He's going to bring it to an end, 55:47 only to establish a brand new world 55:51 where there'll be no more pain, no more death. 55:55 We're going to live forever with Jesus. 55:57 I can't think of a more wonderful hope 56:00 that is in front of us all. 56:03 So I would urge you to come next time 56:06 for our next presentation. 56:08 Those of you who are listening in another parts of the world, 56:10 I hope you'll tune into 56:12 as well look at this longest time prophecy 56:15 that fixes the very year 56:17 when God's last warning message 56:20 is going to be presented to the world. 56:23 So come. 56:25 Let us bow our heads in a word of prayer. 56:29 Our loving Father in heaven, 56:31 we thank You so much 56:34 for what You've written in Your Word. 56:37 Help us to know and to understand that 56:38 it is only because You love us so much. 56:41 Each one of us no matter what we've done 56:43 or how bad sinners we've been, 56:45 that You love us so much 56:47 that this message is given in the Word 56:50 that each one of us might take notice 56:54 to believe in You and believe in God 56:57 as Jesus reminded us, 56:59 "I've told you things before they come to pass 57:02 that when they come to pass, you may believe." 57:06 Help us, dear Father, 57:07 to believe, to trust Your Word, 57:10 and we thank You for it in Jesus' precious name. 57:14 Amen. |
Revised 2021-02-11