Participants:
Series Code: UBP
Program Code: UBP000009S
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00:01 If God is so good
00:03 why would He burn people eternally in hell? 00:06 Is this really true or does the Bible say something different? 00:11 Does the Bible teach about a time 00:13 where every question that you have 00:15 especially about God's character would be answered fully? 00:19 The answers may be shocking. 00:21 My name is Cami Oetman 00:23 and this is: Unlocking Bible Prophecies. 00:25 The rise of an international pandemic... 00:28 polarizing global politics... 00:32 increasingly disruptive natural disasters... 00:35 Bush fires in Australia are a warning of what may be to come 00:39 around the world. 00:40 What does it all mean? 00:41 What does the future hold? 00:43 Join international Speaker Cami Oetman 00:48 on a journey for answers in unlocking Bible prophecies. 00:52 In her travels around the world, 00:54 she's come face to face with real-life struggles 00:57 but in the midst of them, 00:58 she's found miracles of hope. 01:00 Join Cami Oetman for: Unlocking Bible Prophecies 01:04 as she shares how Bible prophecy is being fulfilled 01:07 faster than ever before. 01:09 Music... 01:15 Welcome to Unlocking Bible Prophecies 01:19 where we have been on a most exciting exploration 01:22 of the Bible. 01:23 In yesterday's Presentation we discovered with real clarity 01:27 that the greatest rescue mission of all time 01:30 is Christ's second coming. 01:31 The Bible clearly teaches 01:34 that it certainly is no secret at all 01:37 but it will be a visible, audible, 01:39 climactic glorious return. 01:42 I'm so looking forward to that day. 01:45 I hope you are too, Friend. 01:47 There is much curiosity about the topics of judgment, 01:51 hell and the millennium. 01:53 Would you be shocked to know 01:54 that most Christians' concept of hell 01:57 originated in Greek Mythology... 01:59 it has nothing to do with the teaching of the Bible? 02:04 For every Bible truth, 02:05 Satan has his counterfeit. 02:07 Also, remember, you can watch all previous Presentations 02:12 at: awr. org/bible 02:15 Let's pray together and get right into: The Desolation. 02:19 "Heavenly Father, King of the universe... 02:23 King of our hearts. 02:24 Lord, empty me of self... 02:26 fill me with Your Holy Spirit. 02:27 We just adore You Lord and we want to know Your Word, 02:32 and we know that You adore us 02:34 because of the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus. 02:37 Thank You... thank You for loving us so much 02:40 that You made a way to save us. 02:42 In Jesus' precious powerful name, amen. " 02:45 Let me tell you about Tisalavo. 02:49 My film crew and I traveled to the dangerous red zones 02:52 of Madagascar 02:54 to document Tisalavo's shocking life 02:56 and if you like, you can watch the full story 02:59 on awr. org 03:01 Tisalavo had lived a terrible life of unspeakable crimes 03:06 murdering more than ten people. 03:08 He took refuse hiding in the forest like an animal. 03:11 His family had rejected him and he had nowhere to go. 03:14 Like the prodigal son he decided there was nothing to lose 03:18 and ventured out of the forest 03:20 and found a Seventh-day Adventist church. 03:22 An Elder there assured him that he was always welcome 03:26 and promised to pray for him. 03:28 Now, for fear of being caught by the police, 03:31 Tisalavo ran back into the forest 03:33 but this time, he took a small radio with him. 03:36 This was his only connection to the outside world 03:40 and he listened eagerly. 03:42 He tuned the channel to Adventist World Radio 03:45 and found a hope that he'd never known before. 03:47 The words stirred his soul 03:50 and he began to fall in love with God 03:52 who would forgive a sinner like him. 03:54 Excited about his new friend, Jesus, 03:57 Tisalavo began inviting other criminals 03:59 that were also hiding out in the woods 04:01 to listen with him. 04:03 Convinced of their salvation through Christ, 04:06 Tisalavo and 15 other criminals walked out of the forest 04:11 seeking baptism into the Adventist church. 04:14 Today, Tisalavo lives a free life in Jesus. 04:17 He was a murderer and a criminal 04:20 but today, he leads others to know Bible truth. 04:24 He has experienced the total transformation of God's Word... 04:28 the same information we are studying together 04:31 during this Series. 04:32 Friends, we are living in the last days of earth's history. 04:37 Life as we know it is nearly ended. 04:40 This world is tottering... ready to fall 04:44 with all of the violence and riots 04:46 we're seeing right now today around the globe. 04:49 What will come after? 04:50 Soon, Jesus will return 04:53 and we learn from the Bible, 04:55 we only have one period... one period of probation 05:00 and that is now... during our present life. 05:03 What does the Bible say happens 05:05 after the second coming of Christ 05:06 when the righteous have been taken to heaven 05:08 and those that did not choose to follow God 05:11 are dead upon the earth? 05:12 In Revelation it talks about a 1,000-year period 05:17 otherwise known as the millennium. 05:19 Together we will see the simple Bible truth about the millennium 05:23 and the events that mark its beginning and end. 05:26 Jesus explains in Revelation 22:7, 05:30 "Look, I am coming soon! 05:32 Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy 05:36 written in this book. " 05:37 God does not desire us to be ignorant, Friends. 05:41 He made sure His Word was written and preserved 05:44 so that anyone can understand if they want to. 05:47 When studying prophecy, 05:49 the Bible is its own interpreter. 05:51 It provides its own definitions for the symbols it uses. 05:55 We do not need to guess. 05:57 We must not ignore parts of the Bible that do not suit us 06:00 or discard portions of the Bible as not applicable 06:04 or add our own words to it. 06:06 You see, God's Word never changes. 06:10 Both the Old and New Testaments are key... 06:14 they go together 06:15 because God is the same yesterday, today and forever. 06:19 Let's review our theme together. 06:22 If it's in the Bible, I believe it 06:25 and if it disagrees with the Bible, 06:27 it's not for me. 06:29 Revelation chapter 20 states that a mighty angel 06:33 is going to bind Satan with a great chain 06:35 and cast him into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. 06:38 Satan resents the fact 06:40 that this damaging information about his future 06:43 has been made public knowledge in Scripture. 06:46 Unfortunately today, 06:47 the popular teachings about the 1,000 years 06:50 is not factual. 06:51 It suspiciously sounds like something Satan might invent... 06:55 a counterfeit to trap and deceive people. 06:58 The devil is not playing games, Friends. 07:00 He does this to strengthen his own position 07:03 as the leader of those who choose to rebel against God. 07:06 Satan has one goal... 07:09 your destruction. 07:11 Our only safety is in staying in God's Word. 07:15 The Bible exposes the devil's snares. 07:19 So, let's find out tonight what happens after the second coming. 07:23 Revelation 20 verses 4 and 6, 07:26 "And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years... 07:30 Blessed and holy is he 07:32 who has part in the first resurrection. 07:35 Over such the second death has no power, 07:39 but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, 07:42 and shall reign with Him a thousand years. " 07:45 Amen... 07:47 Christ comes... 07:48 the righteous are resurrected 07:49 and rise to meet Jesus in the air. 07:51 We go to heaven 07:53 marking the beginning of the 1,000-year period. 07:56 I want to be in that group, don't you? 07:59 Jesus also speaks of the second resurrection 08:02 when the wicked will be raised from sleeping in their graves. 08:05 John 5:28, 29... 08:08 "Marvel not at this: 08:10 for the hour is coming, 08:11 in which all that are in the graves 08:14 shall hear His voice, 08:15 and shall come forth; 08:17 that they have done good unto the resurrection of life; 08:21 and they that have done evil, 08:23 unto the resurrection of damnation. " 08:25 In Revelation 20 verse 5, we can see when this occurs. 08:29 "But the rest of the dead lived not again 08:33 until the thousand years are finished... " 08:36 The wicked dead remain in their graves 08:39 until after the millennium. 08:41 This is an important fact. 08:43 The millennium is the time 08:45 between the first and the second resurrections. 08:48 A great event takes place at the first resurrection... 08:51 the second coming of Jesus. 08:53 We are told in 1st Thessalonians 4:16, 08:57 "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven 08:59 with a shout, 09:01 with the voice of an archangel, 09:02 and with the trumpet of God. 09:04 And the dead in Christ will rise first. " 09:07 Jesus comes to rescue His people 09:10 who have loved and followed His ways. 09:12 The saints who have been raised from the grave 09:16 and the saints who are alive to see Jesus return 09:18 are instantly given perfect immortal bodies. 09:22 Can't wait... 09:24 1st Corinthians 15:51 to 52, 09:27 "Behold, I tell you a mystery: 09:29 We shall not all sleep, 09:31 but we shall all be changed... in a moment, 09:34 in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. 09:37 For the trumpet will sound, 09:39 and the dead will be raised incorruptible... " 09:41 meaning indestructible... 09:42 "and we shall be changed. " 09:44 2nd Thessalonians 2 verse 8 09:47 tells us what happens to the wicked when Jesus returns. 09:50 "And then the lawless one will be revealed, 09:53 whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth 09:57 and destroy with the brightness of His coming. " 10:00 Revelation 20 verse 5, 10:03 "But the rest of the dead did not live again 10:06 until the thousand years were finished... " 10:08 The wicked from all ages remain dead on earth 10:13 till the 1,000 years are finished. 10:16 Let's review how the Bible lays out the events 10:20 which begin the 1,000 years. 10:22 First: The second coming of Jesus for His saints 10:27 where the righteous dead are then resurrected 10:31 and the righteous living are changed to immortal... 10:34 all the righteous are caught up into the clouds 10:37 to meet Jesus in the air finally on their way to Heaven. 10:42 The wicked have been slain by the Lord's coming... 10:45 and the wicked dead remain dead 10:47 Satan is then bound to wander the desolate earth. 10:52 Here's Jeremiah's description of what he saw 10:56 in a vision on earth just after the coming of Jesus. 11:01 Jeremiah 25:33, 11:05 "And at that day 11:07 the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth 11:11 to even the other end of the earth. 11:13 They shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried; 11:18 they shall become refuse on the ground. " 11:21 Here Jeremiah sees dead bodies covering the earth. 11:26 None were being buried and no one was crying. 11:30 The reason is simple, 11:32 there was no one left alive to mourn or conduct a funeral 11:36 because during the 1,000 years, 11:38 the righteous are all in heaven and the wicked are all dead. 11:43 Some have taught that there will be a second chance 11:46 during the 1,000 years 11:48 but this text states clearly that there is no second chance. 11:53 All the lost remain dead during the 1,000 years. 11:56 Dead bodies cover the face of the earth 11:59 with no one left to grieve over them. 12:02 Pause... 12:04 Jeremiah 4:23, 25 gives us even more details 12:08 about the conditions of the earth during the millennium. 12:11 Verse 23, I beheld the earth and indeed it was without form, 12:17 and void; and the heavens, they had no light. " 12:20 Verse 25, "I beheld and indeed there was no man, 12:25 and all the birds of the heavens had fled. " 12:28 Now let's look in Isaiah 24 verses 3 and 19, 12:33 "The land shall be entirely emptied and utterly plundered, 12:38 for the Lord has spoken this word. " 12:41 Verse 19, The earth is violently broken, 12:45 the earth is split open, 12:47 the earth is shaken exceedingly. " 12:50 These verses paint a vivid picture of desolation 12:55 upon this earth. 12:56 Pause... 12:58 The Bible describes a bottomless pit 13:01 that the devil is bound in for a 1,000 years. 13:04 Revelation 20 verses 1 through 3, 13:07 "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, 13:10 having the key to the bottomless pit 13:12 and a great chain in his hand. 13:14 He laid hold of the dragon... " 13:17 Now, who's the dragon? 13:18 "the serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, 13:22 and bound him for a thousand years; 13:25 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, 13:28 and he shut him up, 13:29 and set a seal on him... " 13:31 Comparing these Scriptures... we can see 13:34 that the bottomless pit is the earth torn up 13:37 from all the chaos. 13:39 There is total darkness with no people left alive. 13:43 The Dragon... Satan is bound. 13:46 Revelation 20 verse 3, 13:48 "so that he should deceive the nations no more 13:51 till the thousand years were finished. " 13:54 Hmmm... 13:55 "But after these things he must be released 13:57 for a little while. " 13:59 This is the time when Satan will remember his evil deeds 14:03 and view all the results. 14:06 Literally chaining him in his pit 14:08 would not prevent his evil work 14:10 but taking away all the people would. 14:13 He can no longer tempt and deceive anyone 14:16 because the wicked are dead on earth 14:19 and the righteous are in heaven. 14:21 Satan is all alone. 14:25 The chain that binds him to earth 14:28 is not a metal chain but a chain of circumstances. 14:32 Now, let's look at what the righteous will be doing 14:35 in heaven during the millennium. 14:36 Participating in the judgment. 14:40 Revelation 20 verse 4, 14:42 "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, 14:45 and judgment was committed to them. 14:48 Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded 14:51 for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, 14:54 who had not worshiped the beast or his image, 14:57 and had not received the mark... his mark on their foreheads 15:01 or on their hands. " 15:02 This "Mark" is tomorrow night's topic... don't miss it. 15:07 "And they lived and reigned with Christ 15:10 for a thousand years. " 15:11 This judgment in which the saints participate 15:14 takes place in heaven during the millennium. 15:17 Let's look at a few points 15:20 regarding what the judgment actually is and isn't. 15:24 First: This judgment does not pertain to the righteous saved. 15:28 Judgment for all the saved 15:31 takes place prior to Christ's second coming. 15:34 We see that in Revelation 22 verse 12, 15:38 "And behold I am coming quickly" Jesus says, 15:41 "and My reward is with Me, 15:43 to give to every one according to his work. " 15:46 You see, Jesus brings the reward of eternal life 15:50 to those who have already been judged 15:52 and determined as loyal followers of Christ. 15:56 Secondly: This judgment concerns only the wicked who are dead 16:02 during the millennium. 16:04 Revelation 20 verse 12 says, 16:07 "And I saw the dead, small and great, 16:10 standing before God, and books were opened. 16:14 And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. 16:17 And the dead were judged according to their works, 16:20 by the things which were written in the books. " 16:23 Those in heaven will see all the details 16:27 of those who were lost and why... 16:31 Thirdly: This judgment decides the degree of punishment 16:36 for all the lost including Satan and his angels 16:40 and clarifies why some we love are not in heaven. 16:44 Lastly: 16:46 The purpose of this judgment 16:48 settles the devastating problem of sin forever. 16:52 Both humans and angels understand and openly confess 16:58 that God has been loving, fair and honest the whole time. 17:03 Finally: His character will be vindicated. 17:07 The judgment in its many phases 17:11 clarifies this for both humans and angels. 17:14 All of our questions are thoroughly answered. 17:18 God already understands everything fully. 17:20 The judgment is not for His benefit but for ours. 17:24 He is so gracious. 17:26 Pause. 17:28 Let's review: Conditions and events during the 1,000 years. 17:32 1. Saints participate in the judgment of the wicked in Heaven 17:36 while the earth is in devastation and total darkness 17:40 and there are no people alive on earth 17:43 while Satan and his angels are forced to remain on earth 17:48 as he is bound. 17:49 Regarding the close of the 1,000 years, 17:53 John writes in Revelation 21 verse 2, 17:56 "Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, 18:00 coming down out of heaven from God, 18:02 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. " 18:05 Now, if you missed last night's presentation: The Rescue... 18:09 we studied Revelation 21 18:11 with its glimpse of the Holy City's description. 18:14 Magnificent! 18:16 Did you know that the Bible even tells us 18:20 where the Holy City will be located on earth 18:23 after the millennium? 18:24 Zachariah 14 verse 4, 18:26 "And in that day His... " meaning Jesus... 18:30 "feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, 18:32 which faces Jerusalem on the east. 18:34 And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, 18:37 from east to west, 18:39 making a very large valley; 18:41 half of the mountain shall move toward the north 18:44 and half of it towards the south. " 18:46 Wow Friends, 18:48 my video crew and I were recently filming 18:51 on the Mount of Olives 18:52 and to think that that's where the Holy City 18:55 will ultimately reside. 18:56 Pause... 18:58 As the Lord stands on the Mount of Olives, 19:00 the mountain will spread out to make a great plain 19:04 as a base for the Holy City. 19:06 Notice, when Jesus comes the third time 19:09 at the end of the 1,000 years, 19:12 it is with His saints. 19:14 Zechariah 14 verse 5, 19:16 "Thus the Lord my God will come, 19:19 and all the saints with You. " 19:21 Whereas, at His second coming, 19:25 when the 1,000 years begin, 19:27 Jesus comes for His saints. 19:30 Continuing in Revelation 20 verse 7, 19:34 "Now when the thousand years have expired, 19:37 Satan will be released from his prison. " 19:40 Remember that the resurrection of the wicked takes place 19:44 at the close of the 1,000 years. 19:45 Revelation 20 verse 5, 19:48 "But the rest of the dead 19:50 did not live again until the 1,000 years were finished. " 19:53 This final resurrection of all the wicked 19:56 is when Satan is released from his "quarantine... " 20:00 a long quarantine. 20:02 Released from his chain of circumstances 20:04 and again deceives people 20:06 convincing them to attack the Holy City 20:09 and pull God off His throne. 20:11 During this time, Satan shows 20:15 he has not had any change of heart. 20:18 Revelation 20 verse 8, 20:20 says that he will go out to deceive the nations 20:23 which are in the four corners of the earth, 20:25 Gog and Magog, 20:27 to gather them together to battle, 20:29 whose number is as the sand of the sea. " 20:32 Pause... 20:34 Satan and his followers attempt to capture the Holy City 20:37 in Revelation 20 verse 9, 20:39 "They went up on the breadth of the earth 20:41 and surrounded the camp of the saints 20:44 and the beloved city. 20:45 And fire came down from God out of heaven 20:49 and devoured them. " 20:51 Pause... 20:52 Where must my name be written if I am to escape the fire? 20:56 Revelation 20 verse 15 tells us, 20:59 "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life 21:03 was cast into the lake of fire. " 21:06 Friends, we want our names in the Book of Life. 21:10 What does it take to be in the Book of Life? 21:12 In order for our names to be found there, 21:16 we must have a personal relationship with Jesus 21:20 and ask Him to forgive us of our sins 21:23 so that we may enter the New Jerusalem. 21:27 Here are Biblical events at the end of the 1,000 years. 21:32 Jesus returns to earth with His saints. 21:36 The Holy city descends on Mount of Olives. 21:39 The wicked are then raised from their graves on earth. 21:44 Satan is unbound from his chain of circumstances 21:47 and convinces the wicked to make war on the Holy City. 21:51 They attack the Holy City. 21:54 At that moment, fire from Heaven destroys all attackers. 21:59 Then the fire purifies earth and then goes out. 22:04 God creates New Heaven and New Earth. 22:09 God sets up His new Kingdom on this earth, 22:14 at that time to be with those that love Him. 22:18 Many teach that there will be an opportunity to repent 22:22 during the 1,000 years. 22:24 Some call it a second chance... 22:26 others claim that it will be a first chance 22:28 or opportunity given to those 22:30 who have never heard the plan of salvation 22:32 but according to Scripture, that is impossible. 22:36 Matthew 24 verses 37 to 39 22:39 compares Christ's second coming to Noah 22:42 and the time of the flood. 22:43 We know they did not receive a second chance 22:46 to get into the ark of safety. 22:48 Let's look, 22:49 verse 37, 22:51 "But as the days of Noah were, 22:53 so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 22:56 For as in the days before the flood, 22:58 they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, 23:02 until the day that Noah entered the ark, 23:04 and did not know until the flood came 23:07 and took them all away, 23:09 so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. " 23:14 No, there was no second opportunity. 23:17 The door to life had closed. 23:20 Those that rejected God's invitation 23:23 into the ark of safety 23:24 were swept away and died in the flood. 23:27 The millennium will not be a 1,000 years of glory and peace 23:32 here on earth, Friends. 23:33 It will not be an age of technological progress 23:37 or a second chance for the wicked. 23:39 All mankind will not be converted before it, 23:43 during it or after it 23:45 and neither Christ nor His redeemed ones 23:48 will be on the earth during the 1,000 years. 23:51 Pause... 23:52 The truth is that Jesus will not return to this earth 23:57 until all have heard His wonderful offer of salvation. 24:01 Each person will either decide for it or against it. 24:05 Matthew 24:14, 24:07 "And this gospel of the kingdom 24:10 will be preached in all the world 24:13 as a witness to all the nations, 24:15 and then the end will come. " 24:18 Right now, tonight, 24:20 you are a part of this prophecy fulfilling. 24:24 This gospel message is being streamed 24:27 in every time zone around the world. 24:30 God is doing something spectacular. 24:35 Pause... 24:37 Now, why does God resurrect the lost... only to destroy them? 24:40 The lost need to personally appear 24:44 before the Judgment Seat of God. 24:46 Each need to see the evidence in heaven's books 24:50 that record the reason they are outside the Holy City. 24:53 With the facts before them, 24:56 they will acknowledge God is righteous and true 25:00 in all His judgments. 25:02 Romans 14:10-12 says, 25:05 "But why do you judge your brother? 25:07 Or why do you show contempt for your brother? 25:10 For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 25:14 For it is written: 'As I live,' says the Lord, 25:18 'every... every knee shall bow to Me, 25:23 and every tongue shall confess to God. ' 25:26 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. " 25:31 Revelation 19:2, 25:34 "For true and righteous are His judgments, 25:36 because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth 25:40 with her fornication; 25:41 and He has avenged her 25:43 the blood of His servants shed by her. " 25:45 You don't want to miss our upcoming Presentation: 25:48 The Harlot. 25:49 The saved will witness that even when their lost loved ones 25:55 see the evidence of God's existence and power 25:57 right before them, 25:59 they still choose to rebel against Him. 26:02 There is nothing more that can be done to save them. 26:05 This second resurrection allows the universe 26:09 to see just how far Satan and sinners will go. 26:14 With full knowledge that God sits on the throne, 26:18 the wicked still seek to destroy Him and all His followers. 26:23 It is obvious to all... if the lost are allowed to live, 26:28 they will jeopardize life itself. 26:30 With this final demonstration, 26:33 God is merciful and just to destroy Satan and sinners. 26:39 Now, the redeemed and the rest of the universe 26:43 will be forever secure as God promises in Nahum 1:9, 26:48 "affliction will not rise up a second time. " 26:52 Amen. 26:53 Pause... 26:55 The fire from God will consume all sin 26:58 thereby cleansing the earth. 27:00 Let's take some time to see what the Bible says about this fire 27:05 commonly referred to as hell. 27:07 In most graphic language, 27:09 the Bible repeatedly refers to this Lake of Fire 27:12 and the punishment of the unsaved. 27:15 In Revelation, Jesus mentions the Lake of Fire 15 times. 27:19 So, John will know that the fire is not a fable 27:22 but necessary to wipe out sin forever. 27:26 Many people have been shocked to read 27:28 that the unsaved will be tormented day and night 27:31 forever and ever in Revelation 20:10 27:33 because such words fill the mind with daunting questions 27:37 about God's mercy and justice. 27:40 Are the wicked punished forever 27:42 regardless of the severity or number of their sins? 27:45 Does a sinner who died 3,000 years ago 27:50 receive 3,000 more years of punishment 27:54 than the one who dies today 27:56 and is lost for the same exact sin? 27:58 How can God permanently get rid of sin 28:03 if sinners are kept alive tormented somewhere 28:06 forever burning and screaming in a fire? 28:08 Pause... 28:10 When will the wicked be punished in the fire? 28:12 2nd Peter 2 verse 9, 28:15 "Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly 28:18 out of temptations 28:20 and to reserve the unjust under punishment 28:23 for the day of judgment. " 28:25 When is the judgment day? 28:26 John 12 verse 48, 28:29 "the same shall judge him in the last day. " 28:32 Matthew 13:40 to 42 mentions in the end of the world. 28:37 We would not think of sending a person to prison 28:41 until he was tried or judged. 28:42 Neither will God punish His people 28:46 till they face Him in the final judgment 28:48 before His throne at the end of the world. 28:51 But if the wicked dead 28:53 are already writhing in the flames of hell today, 28:56 what need is there for a future judgment then? 29:00 Since the wicked are not to be punished in hell 29:04 until the judgment day at the end of the world, 29:08 how many souls are in hell right now? 29:11 Not even one. 29:15 All wicked dead are in their graves now 29:20 awaiting the resurrection of damnation 29:22 at the close of the 1,000 years. 29:25 In my Presentation titled: The Grave, 29:28 we read in the Bible that death is called: Sleep 29:31 at least 50 times like in Daniel 12 verse 2, 29:35 "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth 29:37 shall awake. " 29:39 Psalm 104:29, 29:41 "take away their breath, 29:43 they die and return to dust. " 29:45 And Ecclesiastes 9 verse 5, 29:48 "the dead know not anything. " 29:51 There is no soul that floats up to heaven 29:55 or is shoved into the flames of hell. 29:59 No... 30:00 Since the wicked do not go into hellfire at death, 30:04 where do they go? 30:06 Job 21: 30 and 32, 30:09 "The wicked are reserved to the day of destruction. 30:13 They shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. " 30:16 "Yet shall he be brought to the grave, 30:18 and shall remain in the tomb. " 30:20 Note that the righteous and wicked receive 30:24 different rewards. 30:25 Romans 6:23, 30:27 "For the wages of sin is death, 30:30 but the gift of God is eternal life 30:34 in Christ Jesus our Lord. " 30:35 The righteous receive eternal life 30:39 whereas the wicked receive death. 30:42 But the reward of the wicked is not eternal torment. 30:46 They receive the eternal finality of death 30:52 where there is no resurrection. 30:54 According to God's Word, 30:56 the wages of sin is not 30:58 burning in flames of hellfire for eternity. 31:00 It is permanent extinction. 31:05 The difference in the first and second death 31:08 is that there is no resurrection from the second death. 31:12 It is final. 31:14 The fire comes from above to devour the wicked on earth 31:18 and not from the popular idea 31:20 that there is a smoldering hellfire below somewhere. 31:24 No... 31:25 Revelation 20 verse 9, 31:27 let's always have the Bible give us the answers, 31:30 "and fire came down from God out of heaven 31:33 and devoured them. " 31:34 Many people say... the souls never die. 31:40 But what does God say? 31:42 Ezekiel 18 verse 20, 31:44 "The soul who sins shall die. " 31:47 That's clear. 31:49 At the end of the millennium the Holy City... New Jerusalem 31:53 with all the saints comes down from heaven 31:56 and settles on the Mount of Olives. 31:58 The wicked of all ages are resurrected and Satan leads them 32:03 in a dramatic attempt to capture the city and God's throne 32:07 and just as he rallies his armies and Generals, 32:10 the fire comes down from God out of heaven. 32:13 This is the hellfire spoken of in the Bible 32:17 that consumes the wicked. 32:19 Revelation 20 verse 9, 32:22 "and fire came down from God out of heaven 32:25 and devoured them. " 32:27 When sinners are devoured in the fire, 32:30 they are put out of existence. 32:32 You see, once the wicked graves open, 32:35 the fire that comes down makes this earth's surface 32:39 a Lake of Fire 32:41 and completely destroys the wicked. 32:43 Then the meek shall inherit a purified beautiful new earth. 32:48 Sin is permanently gone forever. 32:51 God is not unmercifully punishing wicked people 32:55 in the fire right now. 32:56 Absolutely not. 32:58 The description of the fire in 2nd Peter 3:10 says, 33:02 "the elements will melt with fervent heat; 33:06 both the earth and the works that are in it 33:10 will be burned up. " 33:11 Hellfire will cover the entire earth 33:15 as everything on the face of the planet will be burned up. 33:20 Malachi 4:1 describes hellfire this way, 33:24 "'For behold, the day is coming, 33:26 burning like an oven, 33:28 and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly 33:32 will be stubble. 33:33 And the day which is coming shall burn them up. ' 33:36 says the Lord of hosts, 33:39 'That will leave them neither root nor branch. '" 33:42 Okay... hot as an oven... 33:46 all those that chose Satan's evil ways 33:49 will be turned to stubble like dry tinder. 33:52 This fire will burn them up. 33:54 The little word "up" denotes completion... 100 percent. 34:00 The fire from God does its work... destroys the wicked 34:05 and they are no more. 34:06 Otherwise, sin would continue to spread like a cancer 34:10 and jeopardize the entire universe. 34:12 You see, if I hang on to my sin, 34:16 I will have to be destroyed with it. 34:19 God cannot permit sin to be eternal. 34:24 Think about it. 34:25 If there was eternal torment, 34:27 it would keep sin around forever. 34:30 All former things are gone. 34:34 No exception is made to keep hell burning 34:38 somewhere in God's universe. 34:39 God's plan is to completely rid the universe of evil. 34:44 An eternal burning hell would perpetuate sin and evil... 34:49 a constant reminder of pain and sadness 34:52 and quite frankly, it would keep Satan alive. 34:56 Pause... 34:58 In the cleansing flames, the wicked are at last destroyed 35:02 root and branch. 35:04 Satan the root... his followers the branches. 35:08 Evil is forever ended. 35:11 Isaiah 47:14, 35:14 "Behold, they shall be as stubble, 35:16 the fire shall burn them; 35:18 they shall not deliver themselves 35:20 from the power of the flame; 35:22 it shall not be a coal to be warmed by, 35:25 nor a fire to sit before!" 35:26 Nobody can escape God's fire 35:29 but when every evil thing is burned up, 35:32 the fire goes out 35:34 and not even a coal is left glowing. 35:37 Pause... 35:39 That's God's mercy. 35:40 The fire goes out. 35:43 Malachi 4 verse 3, 35:45 "'You shall trample the wicked, 35:47 for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet 35:51 on the day that I do this,' says the Lord of hosts. " 35:54 Pause... 35:55 Friends, let me pause here. 35:57 Remember, you can avoid all of this 36:02 because you still have time to choose God's way 36:07 and be inside the city gates. 36:09 You are not doomed to hell. 36:12 You have the choice of eternal paradise. 36:15 Take it. 36:17 King David in the Psalm says 36:20 that the wicked will not be found 36:22 no matter how diligently one may search for them. 36:25 Psalm 37:10 and 20, 36:28 "For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; 36:32 indeed, you will look carefully for his place, 36:35 but it shall be no more. " 36:37 Verse 20, 36:39 "But the wicked shall perish; 36:41 and the enemies of the Lord, 36:43 like the splendor of the meadows, 36:44 shall vanish. 36:46 Into smoke they shall vanish away. " 36:49 So, the wicked will not be found 36:52 because in flames of fire they went up in smoke. 36:56 We can plainly see that the man-made belief 36:59 portraying the wicked screaming for mercy somewhere in hell 37:03 is a lie. 37:05 Scripture says, "They are turned to ash 37:09 and disappear forever in a wisp of smoke. " 37:12 Then it's all over forever... 37:16 done... 37:18 When the devil is placed in the fire 37:20 mentioned in Revelation 20 verse 10, 37:22 "The devil, who deceived them, 37:24 was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone 37:27 where the beast and the false prophet are... " 37:30 What exactly happens to Satan? 37:33 Ezekiel 28:18 and 19 tells us, 37:36 "by the multitude of your iniquities... " 37:40 meaning sins... 37:41 "by the iniquity of your trading... " 37:44 your dealings... 37:45 therefore I brought fire from your midst; 37:48 it devoured you, 37:50 and I turned you to ashes upon the earth... 37:53 All who knew you among the peoples 37:56 are astonished at you; 37:58 you have become a horror, 38:00 and shall be no more forever. " 38:02 The wages of sin are permanent death 38:06 not eternal torment as Satan would have us to believe. 38:11 You see, Satan wants to discredit the character of God 38:15 and cause us to be afraid of God. 38:18 Therefore, he continues to spread lies 38:23 like in the 1400s when the Roman pagan invention of purgatory 38:28 was adopted into the Roman Catholic Church 38:30 to terrify superstitious multitudes. 38:34 By this heresy, the existence of a place of torment is promoted. 38:39 Undying souls are in limbo somehow here 38:42 to suffer torture for their sins. 38:45 When free from impurity, 38:48 then... only then they are admitted to heaven. 38:52 It is believed that the payment of money 38:55 to the Roman Catholic Church System 38:57 might release them from these flames. 39:00 A popular book by Jonathan Edwards is titled: 39:04 Sinners in the Hand of An Angry God 39:06 views God as the Puppet Master 39:10 who has a grand plan for humanity. 39:12 He believes that any moment... on a whim 39:16 an angry God above may destroy us. 39:18 He provides gruesome details 39:21 of a God holding the sinner over the fiery pit of hell 39:24 and at any moment, He might let go 39:27 and the sinner would drop into fiery flames. 39:30 Pause... 39:31 He says, "God holds you over the pit of hell 39:35 like some loathsome insect over the fire... 39:37 He abhors you. " 39:39 His man-made concept was popularized in 1741 39:45 while pastoring in Connecticut. 39:47 His ideology is still used in religious academic studies. 39:53 This is a doctrine of devils traced back to the dark ages 39:57 where pagan beliefs found their way into the church. 40:00 It became very advantageous 40:02 because they found that fear is a powerful mechanism. 40:06 You can motivate and increase offerings by fear 40:09 with the false doctrines of indulgences. 40:11 Many churches keep their pews packed by fear. 40:15 Friends, as we read our Bible, 40:20 we see that the God in heaven is not like this. 40:24 Instead, He's all about love, mercy, peace, 40:31 not fear. 40:32 Pause... 40:35 Satan misrepresents God. 40:37 What a tragedy 40:38 that Jesus is credited with a teaching of eternal torment 40:42 when He taught something entirely different. 40:44 Could you stand to see your child burn for even one hour 40:50 for a terrible crime? 40:51 If your child disobeys, 40:53 you would not dream of spanking them non-stop 40:56 for a year... a month... a week or even one hour. 40:59 Yet, men accuse our loving God the Father 41:04 of burning His disobedient children for eternity. 41:07 Pause... 41:09 Eternal torment is not a biblical doctrine but a lie. 41:14 Let me quote a guy who teaches a disturbing idea 41:19 that the non-stop burning of the wicked 41:21 will somehow bring joy 41:23 to the saints throughout all of eternity. 41:26 Dr. Samuel Hopkins authored this, 41:29 "The sight of hell torments, 41:32 will exalt the happiness of the saints forever. 41:35 When they see others who are of the same nature 41:41 and born under the same circumstances, 41:43 plunged in such misery, 41:45 it will make them sensible of how happy they are. " 41:49 Hmmm... what? 41:51 That would not make me happy. 41:54 Where in God's Word is such teachings found? 41:58 Will the redeemed in heaven 42:00 lose their emotions of pity and compassion 42:03 or even feelings of common humanity? 42:05 Does God delight in torment? 42:08 No way. 42:10 Ezekiel 33 verse 11 says, 42:13 "'As I live," says the Lord God, 42:16 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, 42:20 but that the wicked turn from his way and live. " 42:24 God says, "Turn, turn from your evil ways! 42:28 For why should you die, O house of Israel?" 42:31 The doctrine that the wicked dead 42:34 are tormented forever in flames of torture 42:37 is inconsistent with the character of God 42:40 who demonstrated infinite love for you and me 42:45 in the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. 42:48 Sadly, many people have misunderstood these concepts 42:53 and completely reject God as a result of these lies. 42:57 This is Satan's plan. 42:59 Let's not be fooled or fool ourselves. 43:03 God has given in His Word decisive evidence 43:06 that He will punish those who break His law. 43:09 Those who flatter themselves that God is too merciful 43:12 to execute justice to the Sinner 43:15 have only to look to the Cross of Calvary. 43:18 The death of innocent Jesus testifies 43:22 that the wages of sin is death. 43:24 That every violation of God's law must receive payment. 43:28 Christ the sinless became sin for man. 43:32 In no other way could man be freed from the penalty of sin. 43:35 God's desire for you and me is that we be eternally saved 43:40 but it is completely our choice. 43:43 The Lord will by no means clear the guilty. 43:46 It is because God is loving that justice is a must. 43:51 God's justice is based upon the freewill choices 43:55 people make after being fully informed. 43:58 It would be unfair to impose a lifestyle 44:01 upon a person opposite to the one he has chosen. 44:04 God loves us enough to permit us freedom 44:07 to choose the lifestyle we prefer. 44:09 God's justice simply insists 44:11 that we receive what we have chosen 44:14 with all its consequences. 44:16 Those who choose sin choose death 44:19 and God will cry out, "How can I give you up? 44:24 What more could I have done than what I did?" 44:27 It will be the most horrible moment heaven has experienced 44:31 when God's disobedient children must be destroyed 44:35 because they refuse His love. 44:37 Those who refuse to follow Jesus here on earth 44:40 would be miserable in heaven... 44:42 a place where only holiness exists. 44:45 God wants every person in heaven. 44:49 Not one person needs to be lost. 44:53 There isn't one person that isn't worthy of forgiveness. 44:57 Heaven is open for you, Friend. 45:00 You still have time to choose eternity in Paradise. 45:04 No matter what you have done in your past, 45:07 Jesus has more than enough mercy to cover you. 45:12 Just surrender to His love. 45:15 This makes me think about a man we will call: The Ox. 45:20 It's an AWR miracle story. 45:23 Pastor Borshaun is one of our AWR Broadcasters. 45:28 Recently he received a phone call 45:30 with a very quiet voice on the other end. 45:33 It whispered, "I only have two minutes, 45:36 is this the Pastor who sends the audio messages of hope?" 45:40 The Pastor replied, "Yes. " 45:43 "Well, listen carefully and don't say anything. " 45:46 The man proceeded to tell the Pastor that he was the Commander 45:50 in a well organized anti-Government force 45:53 that has been creating chaos and terror for many years. 45:57 "I've been listening to the audio messages 46:00 and I have many questions. 46:02 Would you be willing to meet with me? 46:04 I will personally guarantee your safety... " he said. 46:07 Pastor Borshaun was astonished. 46:10 He swallowed hard and agreed to meet this General. 46:14 The Pastor offered a prayer for wisdom and protection 46:17 when he entered the room where this tall, powerful man stood. 46:21 He immediately realized why they call him: The Ox. 46:26 He was an ox of a man. 46:28 His face was deeply lined by a life of hate and crime 46:32 and now, at retirement age... 46:34 he had been in this Organization since he was 17 years old 46:38 and after a few pointed questions to verify 46:41 that he was indeed Pastor Borshaun, 46:44 the Commander began to speak with a quiet voice of authority. 46:48 "I have never been a religious person 46:51 and I have lived an active life of crime. 46:53 For most of my adult life, 46:56 I have been unable to sleep much at night. 46:58 All I do is replay in my mind the things that I have done. 47:03 I am not a good man. " 47:05 For the next two hours, 47:08 this powerful man confessed crime after crime 47:13 after crime. 47:15 "Despite all this, when I began to receive the audio messages, 47:21 I knew for the first time in my life that God is real 47:26 because as I listened, I had a strange sense of peace 47:29 and of God's presence. 47:31 I now sleep much better at night 47:35 but I would like you to pray for me. 47:37 I simply can't believe that God could fully forgive me. " 47:42 Pastor Borshaun said, 47:44 "Yes, you have done terrible things 47:47 but God's grace is greater than all our sins combined. 47:52 He is able and willing to forgive you if you ask Him. 47:58 He died for you... even before you were born... 48:01 before you committed your first crime. " 48:05 They spoke into the wee hours of the morning 48:08 as the General asked questions 48:10 and received answers from God's Word. 48:13 A few weeks passed 48:15 and Pastor Borshaun received another strange call. 48:18 "Do you remember the man you spoke with 48:21 the last night you were here?" 48:23 And Pastor Borshaun was evasive not knowing who was calling. 48:27 But the man continued, 48:29 "I'm talking about the man who said he didn't know 48:32 if God could forgive him. 48:34 Well, he now believes God has forgiven him 48:38 and wants to be baptized. " 48:40 Music... 48:43 Hallelujah... 48:45 This man chose God's way 48:46 and recently did accept Jesus as his personal Savior in baptism. 48:51 Heaven is open for all just like The Ox. 48:56 The record of your life can be clean... just ask. 49:01 Isn't it wonderful to know that during the millennium, 49:04 all questions will be answered 49:06 and God's character will be vindicated. 49:09 There may be those of you... 49:11 those you thought would not be in heaven... that are 49:15 and some you expected to be there... and are not. 49:19 The heavenly records will be open for all to see 49:22 how many times the Holy Spirit pled and pursued 49:28 and wooed... only to be rejected. 49:30 You will see that when they were given the light, 49:34 they refused to follow it. 49:36 The opposite scenario will also happen 49:40 with a person that we didn't expect to be in heaven. 49:42 Imagine when Stephen who was stoned by Paul in Acts 7, 49:47 when he meets the eyes of Paul his persecutor, 49:51 the books will show Stephen how Paul repented 49:55 and became a great evangelist. 49:58 The entire history of the world will be on display 50:03 before all eyes to see. 50:05 Our Mighty God is so merciful 50:09 that He permits Satan to wander a deserted planet 50:12 for a 1,000 years. 50:14 Satan will have time to review and think over all the evil 50:18 he has done. 50:20 This is also the time the whole universe including us 50:24 will see the results of sin on our planet. 50:27 Absolute desolation... 50:29 forevermore there will be no more questions 50:33 as to what sin has done. 50:36 After the 1,000 years, the Holy City descends 50:39 made of gold... transparent like glass 50:41 and rests on the Mount of Olives. 50:43 Once that happens, 50:45 the wicked who died are raised and one last time 50:49 to witness all that they have rejected. 50:51 Satan rounds up armies for his finale... 50:54 last big last big hurrah. 50:55 Satan knows... these are his final moments 50:59 because he too knows Bible prophecy. 51:02 Can you imagine what the army would look like? 51:05 Because remember... the wicked are not made new 51:09 and given perfect immortal bodies. 51:11 How they went down into the grave 51:14 is exactly how they come back out. 51:16 This will be quite a scene. 51:19 At this time, all the righteous will be assured 51:22 that God's decisions have been just 51:25 because all the wicked still make the same choice for evil. 51:30 Their hearts have not changed. 51:32 They charge the Holy City as their last act of sin 51:37 to try to overtake God's throne. 51:40 Because our God is faithful and does not change, 51:45 He keeps His promise that sin will never rise again 51:48 and how can God keep this promise? 51:52 All sin must be destroyed. 51:55 God is like a burning fire. 51:57 Sin cannot exist in God's glory... 52:00 therefore, the fire burns up sin in God's mercy. 52:04 Since God promised there will never be another world flood, 52:09 this time, He uses fire to cleanse the earth. 52:12 How merciful... because fire consumes quickly. 52:17 It burns like a match... 52:19 it burns up completely... 52:21 then extinguishes forever 52:24 as it will be on this earth's final pages... 52:27 only ashes remain under our feet. 52:30 Music... 52:31 Isn't it amazing that in the millennium 52:34 we actually judge God's judgment. 52:38 Pause... 52:39 Think about that for a moment. 52:41 The God who created the entire universe, 52:46 wants your relationship with Him 52:48 to be on such a level 52:50 that He is willing to spend a thousand years 52:54 making sure all questions are answered. 52:58 Can you picture in your mind 53:00 sitting down with God 53:02 and asking Him about a particular subject 53:04 or event in your life? 53:06 Friend, that is a God we can trust. 53:10 Let me pray for you. 53:12 Music... 53:13 Heavenly Father, 53:15 I pray for a special blessing on each listener tonight. 53:19 You know each heartache... 53:22 each struggle... 53:23 You care deeply for each one. 53:26 I pray for those that are in the valley of decision 53:30 on whether to choose You fully 53:32 and walk in your footsteps. 53:34 I pray that each will experience the love for truth 53:39 and gladly serve Jesus for the rest of their lives. 53:43 In Jesus' precious powerful name, amen. " 53:48 Thank you for spending this time with me. 53:52 Meet me back here tomorrow night 53:55 for the Mark... yes... The Mark of the Beast 53:58 on: Unlocking Bible Prophecies. 54:01 Choose God's way. 54:03 Good night Friends. 54:05 As a special bonus for our 3ABN Viewers, 54:10 we want to share this story 54:11 featuring one of God's incredible miracles 54:14 before we end this Program. 54:16 Thank you for your prayers and support 54:18 of Adventist World Radio. 54:19 Every day, lives like these are being changed for eternity. 54:24 Music... 54:30 I used to hate the Adventists. 54:33 Music... 54:35 If they had Evangelistic Series, 54:37 I would throw stones on the roof. 54:39 Music... 54:49 One day Sialavo watched as many young beautiful ladies 54:54 walked into the Adventist meetings. 54:56 An idea popped into his head. 54:59 "I need a good wife... " he thought, 55:01 "maybe I can find one here. " 55:04 Music... 55:08 He entered the meeting 55:09 and sitting in the back surveyed his options. 55:12 One girl stood out to him 55:14 and after the meeting, he introduced himself. 55:17 I didn't tell her about my bad past 55:21 and I started praying to impress her. 55:24 We were married soon after 55:26 but instead of marriage 55:27 and a beautiful wife fixing my problems, 55:30 things got worse. 55:32 Sialavo had a criminal record which caught up to him 55:36 and after being found guilty of murder, 55:39 he was placed on the Most Wanted List. 55:41 Realizing his situation, Sialavo fled to a remote forest. 55:47 Music... 55:52 He lived here for four years. 55:56 "I was living like an animal in the woods. 56:01 I had made a mess of my life 56:03 and felt like there was no hope for me. " 56:06 Music... 56:09 Like the prodigal son who realized he had nothing to lose, 56:13 Sialavo ventured out of the forest 56:15 knowing his family had surely abandoned him, 56:18 he went to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 56:20 An Elder met him and assured Sialavo 56:23 that his place was in the Church 56:25 and he was always welcome. 56:27 These words brought a glimmer of hope to his heart. 56:30 Though the church Elder was very welcoming, 56:34 the other members avoided me. 56:36 My past began to haunt me again 56:39 and in fear, I returned to the woods. 56:42 Music... 56:49 But this time, Sialavo took something with him to the woods, 56:53 a radio. 56:56 This was his only connection to the outside world 57:00 and he listened eagerly to different programs. 57:03 Pause... radio... 57:12 One day, he stumbled across an AWR Broadcast. 57:15 The words stirred his soul 57:19 and he began to fall in love 57:21 with the Jesus who would forgive a sinner like him. 57:23 Radio... 57:28 Excited about his new friend, Jesus, 57:30 Sialavo began inviting other thieves and criminals 57:33 in the area... to come and hear the AWR Programs too. 57:37 Convinced of their salvation through the blood of Jesus, 57:42 Sialavo and 15 other Ex-Criminals 57:46 came out of the woods 57:47 and were baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 57:50 Together with my friends who were once thieves, 57:56 we built a church where we all worshipped together on Sabbath. 58:02 Music. 58:05 Today, Sialavo also leads out in a small group study 58:08 where they listen to AWR Programs 58:10 and pray together. 58:12 Music... 58:16 Sialavo preaches like John the Baptists 58:18 wherever he goes and is often called "Apostle" 58:22 by those who know him. 58:23 AWR changed my life. 58:27 Through it, I found forgiveness and hope. 58:32 Music... 58:35 Thank you so much 58:36 for your support of Adventist World Radio. 58:38 Truly, great things are happening 58:40 even in the remotest parts of the earth. 58:43 And together, we are making waves from Broadcast to Baptism. 58:48 This is AWR 360. |
Revised 2022-01-24