Participants:
Series Code: ARSS
Program Code: ARSS190006S
|
00:16 Welcome back.
00:19 How are you all doing? 00:22 Was the last lesson clear? 00:24 If it wasn't, it's going to be clear now. 00:28 Let's have a word of prayer, and we'll begin. 00:30 Father in heaven, we ask that as we study this lesson 00:33 about earth's two representatives, 00:35 that You will be with us, that You will instruct us, 00:39 and Lord, that You will make our hearts burn 00:43 for the end to come, to be in the presence of Jesus, 00:46 our beloved Savior, to worship Him and to worship You 00:50 throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. 00:52 What an honor that will be. 00:54 We look forward to that day. 00:57 Please instruct us now as we study this particular subject. 01:00 We pray in the name of Jesus, amen. 01:05 Alright, first of all, let's review what we studied 01:07 last time, because it's the foundation for 01:10 what we're going to look at next. 01:12 And page 59 of your syllabus you'll find a brief review 01:18 of the previous presentation. 01:20 First, there is life on other planets. 01:24 And each planet has its ambassador or representative. 01:29 And the inhabitants of other planets existed before 01:32 the creation of this world. 01:35 Secondly, at creation the morning stars, also known as 01:40 sons of God rejoiced and shouted for joy. 01:45 Then we find that God has a heavenly council 01:49 with representatives from the worlds that participate 01:53 in deliberations and decision-making. 01:56 In Job 1, the sons of God, that is the representatives 02:01 of the worlds, came to present themselves before the Lord 02:05 in the heavenly council. 02:07 In Job 2, the sons of God, or representatives of the worlds, 02:12 left after the first meeting and came back for a second meeting. 02:16 So they must not live in the presence of God all the time. 02:21 Ellen White refers to these representatives as strong angels 02:25 or the highest of angels. 02:28 And Satan came to the meetings of the heavenly council 02:31 in the Old Testament representing planet earth 02:35 because he had usurped Adam's position, who was the 02:39 rightful king of this earth when he was created. 02:44 We also noticed in our last study God's plan 02:48 for the human race. 02:49 We noticed that human beings were a new and distinct order 02:54 created for a specific purpose. 02:57 Also, we noticed that earth was the only planet 03:00 with the capacity to reproduce to fulfill that purpose. 03:05 God has a special plan for humans. 03:09 Both before man sinned and after man sinned, 03:14 He had the same plan. 03:16 In that plan, human beings would be equal to the angels, 03:20 sons of God, after passing the test. 03:24 And human beings would fill the vacancies that Satan and his 03:29 angels left when God expelled Lucifer from heaven. 03:35 So basically, in a nutshell, that is a review 03:39 of our last study together. 03:41 Now we want to talk about Adam, 03:44 the original representative of planet earth. 03:48 We're going to look at the characteristics of Adam. 03:51 First of all, Adam of course was a created being. 03:57 Let's read Genesis 1:26-27. 03:59 We probably can repeat this from memory. 04:29 So we find clearly that Adam and Eve were created by God. 04:35 They were created beings. 04:37 Of course, that goes without saying. 04:40 The Bible tells us that Adam was the son of God. 04:44 Notice Luke 3:38. 04:48 This is the end of the chapter. 04:50 It tells us that... 05:00 So Adam is called the son of God. 05:03 So we shouldn't be surprised if he should have been the 05:06 son of God to represent this planet in the heavenly council. 05:10 Now regarding Adam's status as the son of God, 05:14 Ellen White wrote this: 05:16 "The genealogy of our race, as given by inspiration, 05:21 traces back its origin, not to a line of developing germs, 05:28 mollusks, and quadrupeds, but to the great Creator. 05:32 Though formed from the dust, Adam was 'the son of God.' 05:39 He was placed as God's representative 05:43 over the lower orders of being." 05:47 So you'll notice here that both the Bible and the 05:50 spirit of prophecy identify Adam as the original 05:53 son of God on this planet and created by God. 05:59 Now the conclusion that we can reach from this is 06:03 that the original son of God on planet earth was Adam. 06:08 However, he was the son of God in a special and different 06:12 sense than we are. 06:14 Would you agree with that? 06:17 He was the son of God by creation, not by procreation. 06:23 In other words, we are sons of the son of the Son of God. 06:29 So Adam is unique, 06:32 because he came forth from the hands of the Creator. 06:35 He was not procreated, he was created. 06:39 So the son of God in a special sense. 06:43 Adam also wore a crown at creation. 06:46 He was crowned king of this world. 06:50 Of course, under the absolute kingship of Christ. 06:53 Notice Psalm 8:3-8. 06:57 It says, "When I consider Your heavens, 06:59 the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, 07:03 which You have ordained..." 07:05 The psalmist is speaking to the Lord. 07:26 See, because he's king, right? 07:28 So he has dominion. 07:43 When the Bible mentions heaven, earth, and seas, 07:46 it means everything relating to planet earth. 07:49 Heaven, earth, and waters. 07:53 And so, Adam was presented with a position of king. 07:57 He was crowned, according to Psalm 8, and all things 08:05 relating to this earth were his realm of dominion. 08:10 Now going to the next page, Ellen White confirms 08:14 that Adam was crowned king at creation. 08:17 She corroborates what we find in Psalm 8. 08:22 She wrote in, Review and Herald, February 24, 1874, 08:26 "Adam was crowned as king in Eden. 08:31 God gave him dominion over every living thing 08:34 that He had created. 08:36 The Lord blessed Adam and Eve with intelligence 08:39 such as He had not given to any animal creation. 08:42 He made Adam the rightful sovereign over all 08:47 the works of His hands." 08:50 So you'll notice that Adam was a created being, 08:54 he is called the son of God, in a unique sense, 08:59 he was crowned at creation as king, 09:03 and the realm of his dominion was planet earth. 09:07 He was the rightful sovereign of the earth. 09:10 Now how were Adam and Eve clothed at the very beginning? 09:15 You're going to see where we're going with all of these details. 09:18 Genesis 2:25 tells us that Adam and Eve were naked 09:22 when God created them. 09:31 Now they were naked with regard to human fabric clothing. 09:40 They were covered, but they were covered with a robe of light. 09:45 In other words, their garments were not made of human material. 09:50 They were covered with the glorious light of God. 09:53 Ellen White also wrote in, Christ's Object Lessons, 09:56 page 310-311, "The white robe of innocence 10:02 was worn by our first parents when they were placed 10:05 by God in the holy Eden. 10:08 They lived in perfect conformity to the will of God. 10:11 They gave all the strength of their affections 10:14 to their heavenly Father. 10:16 A beautiful soft light, the light of God, 10:20 enshrouded the holy pair. 10:22 This robe of light was a symbol of their spiritual 10:26 garments of heavenly innocence." 10:29 So how were Adam and Eve clothed at the beginning? 10:32 They were clothed in a robe of light, which Ellen White 10:34 identifies as a white robe of innocence. 10:39 So they were covered with white garments. 10:42 Now do you know that the angels also, wear garments of light? 10:48 In fact, the garments of light, or white, that the angels wear 10:52 are a reflection of the garments that God wears. 10:55 Because God's creation is to reflect God's glory. 11:00 Notice Matthew 28:2-3. 11:03 "And behold, there was a great earthquake..." 11:05 This is the resurrection of Jesus. 11:22 So human beings wear white garments 11:25 and the angels wear white garments 11:27 because both groups of beings reflect the glorious 11:31 robe of light of God. 11:33 Patriarchs and Prophets, page 45, Ellen White wrote, 11:36 "The sinless pair wore no artificial garments; 11:40 they were clothed with a covering of light and glory, 11:44 such as the angels wear." 11:47 So did Adam and Eve have the same garments 11:50 that the angels wear? 11:51 Absolutely. 11:52 Garments of light, white garments of light. 11:56 And this, of course, is a reflection of God's garments. 11:59 Notice Psalm 104:1-2. 12:19 So what kind of garment does God wear? 12:22 God wears a garment of light. 12:25 And He clothed Adam and Eve with a garment of light. 12:28 The angels are covered with a garment of light. 12:32 With white robes of light, if you please. 12:35 One further text on this point, Daniel 7:9. 12:39 Speaking about the beginning of the judgment. 12:55 So what do we find concerning Adam? 12:58 Adam was created, Adam was the son of God 13:02 in a unique sense, Adam was crowned at creation 13:07 to be king and his realm of dominion was planet earth, 13:13 Adam was covered with a robe, a white robe of light, 13:19 and Adam was placed as the father and representative 13:23 of the planet. 13:25 Let's notice, Patriarchs and Prophets, page 48. 13:28 We're at the bottom of page 63. 13:31 "In Eden, God set up the memorial of His work of creation 13:37 in placing His blessing upon the seventh day. 13:40 The Sabbath was committed to Adam..." 13:42 Now listen carefully. 13:44 What was Adam? The what? 13:46 "...the father and representative of the 13:50 whole human family." 13:51 So who would have been at the heavenly council 13:54 if Adam had not sinned? 13:56 Adam. Because he represented, according to this, 13:59 the whole human family. 14:02 So in spite of the fact, this is a very interesting detail, 14:05 in spite of the fact that Eve sinned first, 14:09 God held Adam accountable for the inception of sin. 14:13 Why? 14:15 Because Adam was the head. 14:17 And I know people don't like to hear this. 14:21 Adam was placed at the head of the human race. 14:25 Does that make everybody else inferior? 14:27 No. It simply means that he's the leader. 14:31 He represents the planet. 14:33 Headship isn't bad, in other words. 14:38 Jesus came to redeem the position that Adam lost. 14:42 And for this reason, the Bible refers to Jesus as what? 14:46 The last Adam, not the last Eve. 14:50 As the sons of God in Job 1 and 2 were the representatives 14:54 of the worlds, so Adam represented planet earth. 15:01 Are we clear? 15:03 Now, you're going to see why I dedicated time to things 15:07 that you already knew. 15:10 What beings were present in Revelation chapter 4? 15:14 Now we're going to go to Revelation chapter 4 to see 15:16 who was present there. 15:17 Well, there were actually four orders of beings present there. 15:22 Number one, the Father who was sitting on the throne. 15:25 We studied this yesterday in our session. 15:27 Second, the seven Spirits before the throne. 15:30 Which represent what? 15:32 The fullness of the Holy Spirit. 15:34 The four living creatures, which are seraphim. 15:38 And cherubim, according to the spirit of prophecy. 15:41 And what other group? 15:42 The twenty-four elders. 15:45 Who is missing in chapter 4? 15:48 Jesus, and also what? 15:50 Also the angelic hosts are missing. 15:55 It is important to remember that the twenty-four elders 15:58 already surrounded the throne in chapter 4 before Jesus arrived 16:03 with the angel hosts and the first fruits in chapter 5. 16:07 So the twenty-four elders cannot be those 16:09 who resurrected with Jesus. 16:11 Because they were already there before Jesus arrived 16:14 with the first fruits. 16:16 Now, let's notice who joins the celebration in chapter 5. 16:21 All beings in chapter 4 reappear in chapter 5. 16:25 Except, in chapter 5, two are added. 16:30 The angelic hosts are added, and Jesus who presents Himself 16:35 as the Lamb as though He had been slain 16:39 is now present as well. 16:43 Now let's review something that we noticed before. 16:45 The twenty-four elders are angelic beings. 16:48 Are we all agreed on that? 16:50 They are angelic beings. 16:51 Not of the regular angel hosts, but they are the highest 16:55 of angels, they are strong angels. 16:58 As we have seen, Ellen White, in the book, The Great Controversy, 17:03 states that the sons of God in the book of Job were angels. 17:07 This harmonizes with her view elsewhere 17:10 that the representatives of the worlds are powerful angels 17:14 or the highest of angels to whom God has delegated 17:19 the responsibility of ruling over the worlds 17:22 and representing them in the heavenly council. 17:25 And I'm not going to read the next statement from, 17:27 Great Controversy, page 518. 17:28 We read that before where Ellen White states clearly 17:32 that in Job when it says, "the sons of God 17:34 presented themselves before the Lord," 17:36 it was the angels of God that presented themselves 17:40 before the Lord. 17:42 So although the twenty-four elders are angelic, 17:45 They must not be confused with the regular angelic hosts. 17:49 Is there a distinction between the angels that presented 17:53 themselves before the Lord and the regular angelic hosts? 17:57 Is there a difference between the twenty-four elders 17:59 and the regular angelic hosts? 18:02 Let's read Revelation 5:11-12 18:04 and you'll see that this is the case. 18:08 Listen carefully now. 18:15 Are the elders part of the angelic hosts? 18:19 Are they? No. 18:21 Because it says, "I looked and I heard the voice of many angels 18:24 around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders..." 18:29 Are the elders distinct from the angelic hosts? 18:32 Absolutely. 18:33 "...and the number of them was ten thousand times 18:35 ten thousand, and thousands of thousands..." 18:37 That's a description of the angelic hosts. 18:49 Now let's take a look at the twenty-four elders. 18:53 Let's read Revelation 4:4 to notice the characteristics of 18:57 the twenty-four elders. 18:58 It says, "Around the throne were twenty-four thrones..." 19:02 So the elders sit on what? 19:05 On thrones. 19:19 Now, some have assumed that the twenty-four elders 19:24 cannot be angelic because their characteristics are human. 19:33 Are the twenty-four elders created beings? 19:37 You can notice that in Revelation 4:10-11. 19:40 They're created beings. 19:44 Do the twenty-four elders sit on thrones? 19:47 Yes. Does that mean that they're rulers? 19:50 Absolutely, yes. 19:52 And supposedly, angels aren't rulers. 19:56 They have crowns on their heads. 19:59 Another indication that they are kings or rulers. 20:03 And the word for, "crown," is, "Stephanos." 20:06 The victor's crown. 20:08 Some claim that the angels never won the victory over sin, 20:11 and therefore they do not wear crowns. 20:15 And finally, the elders wear white garments. 20:20 Elsewhere in the book of Revelation, it says that the 20:22 redeemed are the ones that wear white garments. 20:25 Are you seeing what the problem is? 20:28 They appear to be human by all the characteristics. 20:30 They're created, they sit on thrones, 20:33 which means they're rulers, they have the crowns of 20:35 the victor, which means that they must have overcome sin, 20:38 and they wear white garments. 20:40 Those are characteristics of humans, so they can't be angels. 20:45 Really? 20:47 Well, let's pursue this to see whether it's true or not. 20:52 Now however, hasty assumptions sometimes 20:56 lead to wrong conclusions. 20:58 Is it just possible that these characteristics fit 21:01 angelic beings just as well as human beings? 21:05 As we have seen, Ellen White used three expressions 21:08 to describe the group of the twenty-four elders. 21:11 She clearly believed that the elders were present 21:13 in heaven before Jesus arrived. 21:15 And I'm not going to read this quotation because 21:18 we've already read it before. 21:20 So let's ask, are angels created beings? 21:25 Of course, they are. 21:27 Notice Colossians 1:16. 21:30 Speaking about Jesus, it says, "For by Him 21:33 all things were created that are in heaven..." 21:37 Would that be the angels too? 21:39 "...that are in heaven and that are on earth, 21:41 visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions 21:44 or principalities or powers. 21:46 All things were created through Him and for Him." 21:49 Were the angels created? 21:51 Yes. 21:52 In, Review and Herald, April 5, 1906, 21:54 Ellen White wrote, "Before men or angels were created, 21:58 the Word was with God, and was God." 22:02 So clearly, she says, "Before men or angels were created..." 22:08 There's another quotation that we find in, 22:10 Patriarchs and Prophets, page 36. 22:12 "The son of God had wrought the Father's will 22:15 in the creation of all the hosts of heaven; 22:20 and to Him, as well as to God, their homage 22:23 and allegiance were due. 22:24 Christ was still to exercise divine power 22:27 in the creation of the earth and its inhabitants. 22:31 So humans are created beings. 22:35 Angels are created beings. 22:38 Now do angels wear crowns? 22:41 See, the people who say that the elders cannot be angelic, 22:47 they have to be human because they wear crowns, 22:53 they say that the word, "Stephanos," the word, "crown," 22:56 in Greek, means the crown of the victor. 23:00 And you know, so these people had to have 23:03 gained the victor over sin. 23:04 It should have been human beings who gained the victor over sin. 23:07 Angels never gained the victor over sin. 23:10 That's the argument. 23:12 However, the word, Stephanos, even though generally it applies 23:18 to the victor's crown, it doesn't always apply 23:24 to the victor's crown. 23:26 It is also referred to in Scripture as the 23:30 crown that a king wears. 23:32 Because there's two words in Greek for crown. 23:35 One is the word, Stephanos, where my name comes from, 23:39 Stephen, and the other one is diadem. 23:43 In Revelation 19 where Jesus comes as King of kings 23:46 and Lord of lords, He has many diademata. 23:48 He has many crowns, in other words. 23:51 So, supposedly Stephanos refers only to the victor's 23:54 crown, so they must be human. 23:56 They gained the victory over sin. 23:58 However, the word, Stephanos is also used 24:01 for the crown of a king. 24:03 Notice Matthew 27:29. 24:05 And you can look at the parallel passages in the gospels as well. 24:09 This is when they put a crown of thorns on Jesus. 24:12 "When they has twisted a crown," a Stephanos... 24:28 So, can a Stephanos be the crown of a king, 24:32 and not necessarily of a victor? 24:34 Absolutely. 24:36 Because Jesus certainly was not victorious here 24:38 in the minds of the ones who put the crown on Him. 24:41 Notice Revelation 14:14. 24:43 Once again, the word, Stephanos is used. 24:45 "Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, 24:48 and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man..." 24:53 A Stephanos. 24:58 This text describes the close of probation 25:00 when at the conclusion of the investigative judgment, 25:03 Jesus receives the kingdom from His Father 25:06 and begins to reign as King. 25:09 So once again, this presents Jesus as King. 25:14 The emphasis is not on Jesus as victor, 25:16 the emphasis is on Jesus as King. 25:19 By the way in the Old Testament, the Septuagint translation 25:22 of the Old Testament uses the word, Stephanos, 25:25 as well on several occasions to describe the crown 25:29 that was worn by David and the kings of Israel. 25:32 So to say that because the elders wear a Stephanos 25:37 that means always the victor's crown 25:40 is simply not true. 25:41 Because it's used also for the crown of a king. 25:46 Now the question is, do angels wear crowns? 25:52 Of course, they do. 25:54 Notice all these statements of the spirit of prophecy. 25:57 When man sinned in the Garden of Eden. 25:59 This is on page 69. 26:02 "The news of man's fall spread through heaven. 26:05 Every harp was hushed. 26:07 The angels cast their..." What? 26:10 "...the crowns from their heads in sorrow." 26:14 When Jesus suffered in Gethsemane. 26:17 "There was no joy in heaven. 26:19 The angels cast their crowns and harps from them, 26:22 and with the deepest interest silently watched Jesus." 26:26 When Jesus ascended to heaven. 26:28 "Then the entire heavenly host surrounded their majestic 26:31 Commander, and with the deepest adoration bowed before Him 26:35 and cast their glittering crowns at His feet." 26:39 At the close of human probation. 26:41 "And all the angelic host laid off their crowns 26:44 as Jesus made the solemn declaration, 26:47 'he that is unjust, let him be unjust still; 26:50 he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; 26:53 he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; 26:56 and he that is holy, let him be holy still.'" 26:59 At the second coming. 27:01 "A retinue of holy angels with bright glittering crowns 27:04 upon their heads escorted Him on His way. 27:08 No language can describe the glory of the scene." 27:13 So do angels also wear crowns? 27:16 Are they created beings? 27:19 Yes, they wear crowns and they are created beings. 27:26 Do angels have white garments? 27:30 Notice the next page. 27:32 Matthew 28:2-3 27:48 Acts 1:10, the Ascension of Christ. 27:51 "And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven 27:53 as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in..." What? 27:59 "...in white apparel." 28:00 Do angels also wear white? 28:03 Yes, they do. 28:05 And Ellen White adds these quotations. 28:08 Speaking about the angel who came to resurrect Jesus, 28:11 "His face was like the lightning, 28:13 and his garments..." What? 28:15 "...white as snow." 28:17 So do only the redeemed wear white garments? No. 28:20 See, you have to be careful when you study Scripture. 28:23 And not only conclude, "Well, in Revelation 28:25 the redeemed wear white. 28:27 So the twenty-four elders have to be human beings." 28:30 No, we have to look at all of the evidence, 28:33 and then reach our conclusions. 28:35 Here's another statement that we find 28:37 in, Spirit of Prophecy, volume 3, pages 200-201. 28:43 "As she," that is Mary, "stood weeping, she stooped down 28:46 to once more look into the sepulcher; 28:48 and lo, there were two angels, clothed in..." What? 28:53 "...garments of white." 28:56 And then the statement that we read before, 28:58 Patriarchs and Prophets, page 45. 29:00 "The sinless pair wore no artificial garments; 29:03 they were clothed with a covering of light and glory, 29:06 such as the angels wear." 29:11 Is that clear? 29:13 So do the characteristics of the twenty-four elders, 29:17 are they similar to the characteristics of the angels? 29:23 Sure, so they can very easily be angels. 29:25 They're created, they wear crowns, 29:29 they have white garments. 29:32 And by the way, the elders are the 29:33 representatives of the worlds. 29:35 That's why they wear crowns. 29:37 Because they're rulers of the worlds. 29:39 They sit on thrones. 29:41 They have dominion over a certain realm of God's creation. 29:45 Now once again, even though I read this yesterday, 29:49 and it's a rather extensive quotation, 29:52 I have to read it again in the light of the new evidence 29:54 that we've seen. 29:56 You know, every time that I read this passage, 29:58 it kind of gives me goosebumps. 30:01 And I wish I had been there when this happened, 30:04 when Jesus ascended to heaven. 30:07 Ellen White identifies who the twenty-four elders are. 30:13 Let's read at the top of page 71. 30:17 "All heaven was waiting to welcome the Savior 30:19 to the celestial courts. 30:22 As He ascended, He led the way, and the multitude of captives 30:28 set free at His resurrection followed." 30:30 Were the elders already there before Jesus 30:32 arrived with the captives? 30:34 See, the evidence is clear. 30:37 "The heavenly hosts, with shouts and acclamations 30:41 of praise and celestial song, attended the joyous train. 30:46 As they drew near to the city of God, 30:49 the escorting angels give the challenge, 30:52 'Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be lifted up, ye everlasting 30:57 doors; and the King of glory shall come in.' 30:59 Joyfully, the waiting sentinel angels respond, 31:02 'Who is this King of glory?' 31:05 This they say, not because they know not who He is, 31:07 but because they would hear the answer of exalted praise. 31:11 'The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 31:14 Lift up your heads...'" 31:15 Why would it say, "mighty in battle," by the way? 31:19 Because He's just come from battle with the devil 31:21 in the Garden of Gethsemane on the cross. 31:24 And He's gained the victory. 31:25 Yeah, He's wounded. That's true. 31:27 He has the battle wounds. 31:28 But He's alive. 31:30 And so it says, "'The Lord strong and mighty, 31:33 the Lord mighty in battle. 31:35 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, 31:38 ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.' 31:41 Again the challenge is heard, 'Who is this King of glory?' 31:44 For the angels never weary of hearing His name exalted. 31:48 The escorting angels make reply, 'The Lord of hosts; 31:51 He is the King of glory.'" 31:54 Would you have liked to have been there? 31:56 Oh wow! 31:58 You know, we would need different eardrums 32:01 than what we have now. 32:04 God is going to have to give us new physiology 32:07 in order to be able to hear the praise of 32:09 millions of angels singing. 32:11 You know Enrico Caruso, the great tenor, 32:15 you know, he could break glasses with his voice. 32:18 Now image, that's why God's voice causes an earthquake, 32:22 a global earthquake that, 32:24 you know, makes mountains disappear and islands disappear. 32:28 She continues writing, "Then the portals of the 32:30 city of God are opened wide, and the angelic throng," 32:35 that is the multitude of angels, "sweep through the gates 32:39 amid a burst of rapturous music." 32:42 In other words, the angels are singing. 32:45 "There is the throne..." 32:46 Now you tell me if she's commenting 32:48 on Revelation 4 and 5. 32:49 "There is the throne..." 32:51 That would be Revelation 4:2. 32:53 I've added in brackets explanations. 32:56 "...and around it the rainbow of promise." 32:58 Is the rainbow in Revelation 4? 33:00 Yes. 4:3. 33:01 "There are cherubim and seraphim." 33:03 Who would they be equivalent to? 33:06 The four living creatures. 33:08 "The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, 33:11 the representatives of the unfallen worlds..." 33:14 Who would they be? 33:15 The twenty-four elders. 33:17 "...are assembled. 33:18 And then she explains who these representatives are. 33:21 "The heavenly council before which Lucifer had accused 33:25 God and His Son, the representatives 33:27 of those sinless realms over which Satan had thought 33:31 to establish his dominion, 33:32 all are there to welcome the Redeemer." 33:35 See, the heavenly council is gathered together. 33:37 What for? For the party. 33:40 For the reception of Jesus back to heaven. 33:43 The victorious war Hero is coming back. 33:47 He had promised He was coming back. 33:49 And He did. 33:50 "They are eager to celebrate His triumph 33:52 and to glorify their King." 33:54 But now suddenly there's going to be silence. 33:56 "However, He waves them back. 33:59 Not yet, He cannot now receive the coronet of glory 34:03 and the royal robe." 34:04 So is He going to be installed as King? 34:07 of the kingdom of grace? Yes. 34:09 "He enters into the presence of His Father." 34:11 See, this is Revelation 5:7. 34:13 It says He comes to the one who is seated on the throne. 34:17 "He point to His wounded head, the pierced side, 34:20 the marred feet; He lifts His hands, 34:23 bearing the print of the nails." 34:24 What is Jesus presenting Himself as 34:27 according to Revelation? 34:28 The Lamb as though it has been slain. 34:30 Are you noticing that Ellen White is not using the symbols? 34:33 She is interpreting the symbols. 34:36 She's telling us what the symbols mean. 34:38 She doesn't say, four living creatures. 34:39 She doesn't say, twenty-four elders. 34:41 She doesn't say, a Lamb as though He had been slain. 34:44 She doesn't say, one sitting on the throne. 34:46 She says, the Father. 34:48 She says, the representatives of the worlds. 34:50 She says, the cherubim and the seraphim. 34:56 And she says, Jesus with His wounds. 34:59 She's interpreting and explaining Revelation 4 and 5. 35:04 She continues writing, "He points to His wounded head, 35:06 the pierced side, the marred feet; 35:09 He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails, 35:11 He points to the tokens of His triumph; 35:14 He presents to God the wave sheaf, 35:17 those raised with Him as representatives 35:19 of that great multitude who shall come forth 35:22 from the grave at His second coming. 35:24 He approaches the Father..." 35:26 Remember that everything is silent at this moment. 35:28 "He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy 35:31 over one sinner that repents, 35:33 who rejoices over one with singing. 35:35 Before the foundations of the earth were laid, 35:37 the Father and the Son had united in a covenant 35:39 to redeem man if Satan should overcome him. 35:42 They had clasped their hands in a solemn pledge 35:45 that Christ should become the surety," or the guarantee, 35:48 "for the human race. 35:50 This pledge Christ has fulfilled. 35:52 When upon the cross He cried out, 'It is finished,' 35:55 He addressed the Father. 35:57 The compact had been fully carried out. 36:00 Now He declares, 'Father, it is finished. 36:03 I have done Thy will, O My God. 36:05 I have completed the work of redemption. 36:08 If Thy justice is satisfied, I will that they also 36:13 whom Thou hast given Me be with Me where I am.'" 36:19 And what will reveal the right that they have 36:22 to be with Him where He is? 36:25 The contents of the scroll. 36:27 The will that is found in this scroll. 36:31 "The voice of God is heard proclaiming 36:33 that justice is satisfied. 36:35 Satan is vanquished. 36:38 Christ's toiling, struggling ones on earth 36:41 are 'accepted in the Beloved.' 36:43 Before the heavenly angels and the representatives 36:47 of unfallen worlds..." 36:49 Is there a distinction between the angels 36:51 and the representatives? 36:52 Yes, absolutely. 36:54 "...they are declared justified. 36:57 Where He is, there His church shall be. 37:01 'Mercy and truth are met together; 37:03 righteousness and peace have kissed each other.' 37:05 The Father's arms encircle His Son, 37:08 and the word is given, 'Let all the angels 37:11 of God worship Him.'" 37:14 And now the silence is broken. 37:17 The suspense is over. 37:19 "With joy unutterable, rulers, principalities and 37:24 powers acknowledge the supremacy of 37:27 the Prince of life. 37:28 The angel host prostrate themselves before Him, 37:32 while the glad shout fills all the courts of heaven, 37:35 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, 37:38 and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, 37:41 and glory, and blessing.' 37:44 Revelation 5:12" 37:45 In case you still don't believe that Ellen White 37:47 is dealing with Revelation 4 and 5. 37:50 "Songs of triumph mingle with the music from angel harps, 37:54 till heaven seems to overflow with joy and praise. 37:58 Love has conquered. 38:00 The lost is found. 38:02 Heaven rings with voices in lofty strains proclaiming; 38:06 'Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power 38:09 be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, 38:12 and unto the Lamb forever and ever.'" 38:15 By the way, the first fruits that Jesus took to heaven 38:19 are the little down payment that all of His children 38:23 are going to be taken there, all of those who died in Christ. 38:26 They are the sample, they are the guarantee. 38:30 So we don't say, "I hope that Jesus will 38:33 resurrect people some day." 38:34 He's already done it so that we can be sure 38:38 that if He's taken the sample, He's going to take 38:41 all of His children home, all of those who died in Christ. 38:46 But now we notice that a star is missing in heaven 38:50 at this great celebration. 38:52 Praise the Lord that there is no sour note there. 38:56 Who was absent? 38:59 Satan was absent when the heavenly council met 39:01 to receive the Redeemer. 39:03 Why was Satan absent? 39:06 Because at the cross, Jesus cast out 39:09 the ruler of this world. 39:11 And now the world has a new Ruler. 39:15 Shortly before dying on the cross... 39:17 This is page 74. 39:19 Shortly before dying on the cross, Jesus predicted 39:23 that He would evict Satan from heaven as the ruler 39:28 and representative of the world in John 12:31-33. 39:33 See, there's a casting out of Satan also at the cross, folks. 39:37 And in context, Revelation 12:7-12 39:42 is really dealing with the second casting out of 39:44 Satan from heaven at the cross in the sympathies of the 39:47 heavenly beings and as the representative of this world. 39:51 Satan no longer represents this world. 39:53 Jesus does. 39:54 Because He bought it back by paying a price. 39:57 That's what the word, redeemed, means. 40:00 So John 12:31-33 says, "Now is the judgment of this world; 40:04 now the ruler of this world..." 40:07 This is just a few days before the death of Christ. 40:10 "...now the ruler of this world will be..." What? 40:13 "...cast out." 40:14 Was Satan cast out at the cross? 40:15 Yes. 40:17 "'And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, 40:19 will draw all peoples to Myself.' 40:21 This He said signifying by what death He would die." 40:25 What is it that expelled Satan from heaven? 40:28 The death of Christ. 40:29 That's why Jesus presenting Himself as the Lamb 40:32 with the wounds is significant. 40:34 He's gained the victory. 40:35 He's come from the battlefield. 40:38 Many years later, John described the victory 40:41 celebration that transpired in heaven when Jesus 40:45 gained the victory on the cross and resurrected from the dead. 40:48 In Revelation 12:10-12 we have this victorious song. 40:52 "Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 40:55 'Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, 40:59 and the power of His Christ have come, 41:01 for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them 41:04 before our God day and night has been..." What? 41:07 "...has been cast down." 41:09 This cannot be referring to the original casting down 41:12 of Satan from heaven, because at that time 41:14 there were no brethren to accuse. 41:18 Because the brethren had not even been created yet. 41:21 So this must refer to another casting out later on. 41:25 Ellen White, in, The Present Truth, 41:27 February 18, 1886, wrote about this heavenly celebration. 41:31 She actually applies this hymn of Revelation 12 41:35 to the victory of Jesus at the resurrection. 41:37 "At the death of Jesus, the earth was wrapped in profound 41:40 darkness at midday; but at the resurrection 41:44 the brightness of the angels illuminates the night, 41:47 and the inhabitants of heaven sing with great joy and triumph, 41:51 'Thou hast vanquished Satan and the powers of darkness. 41:54 Thou has swallowed up death in victory. 41:58 "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven..."'" 42:00 Now she's going to quote Revelation 12. 42:02 "Now is come salvation, and strength, 42:04 and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ; 42:07 for the accuser of our brethren is cast down..." 42:10 Notice, cast down just like Jesus said, 42:13 "The prince of this world will be cast down." 42:16 "...the accuser of our brethren is cast own, 42:18 which accused them before our God day and night." 42:25 So who is the new representative now 42:28 that has the crown, and is the Son of Man, 42:32 and is clothed in white? 42:35 Who is it? It's Jesus. 42:37 So let's talk about that new representative. 42:40 This is the bottom of page 74. 42:42 Jesus is the new representative 42:44 of the human race in the heavenly courts. 42:47 Scripture describes Jesus as the last Adam 42:50 because He recovered what the first Adam lost. 42:54 1 Corinthians 15:22 states... 43:04 In chapter 15:45, the apostle Paul wrote... 43:14 Because the last Adam has the power to resurrect. 43:17 In Romans 5:18, the apostle Paul wrote, 43:21 "Therefore, as by the offense of one, judgment came upon 43:25 all men to condemnation; even so, by the righteousness 43:31 of one, the free gift came upon all men 43:34 unto justification of life." 43:38 So Jesus is the second Adam. 43:42 Jesus gained the victory where the first Adam failed. 43:45 Therefore, Jesus now occupies the position 43:48 that the original Adam had before he sinned. 43:53 Now let me ask you, is Jesus the Son of God? 43:57 Like Adam was? 43:58 Yes. 44:00 Before His incarnation, Jesus was the divine Son of God. 44:04 And after His incarnation, He continued being 44:06 the divine Son of God, I might say. 44:08 In, Manuscript 40, 1886, Ellen White wrote, 44:11 "The divine Son of God left the throne of heaven 44:14 and gave His life for us, and for our sakes became poor. 44:18 He clothed His divinity with humanity." 44:21 So Jesus is the Son of God by divine 44:26 because He has the divine nature, 44:28 but Jesus is the Son of God in a new sense when 44:31 He becomes incarnate. 44:33 Because God prepared a body for Him. 44:37 His body was created by God the Father. 44:40 It says in Luke 1:35... 44:42 This is speaking about Jesus as the Son of God 44:45 after His incarnation. 45:01 So Jesus, in His humanity, was He created? 45:04 Is Jesus created as a human being? 45:07 Yes, He is. 45:08 Not as the divine Son of God. 45:11 He is created like Adam. 45:13 In His humanity He was created. 45:16 Is He the Son of God, therefore, in His incarnation? 45:20 Absolutely. 45:21 When Jesus went to heaven, was He crowned as King? 45:25 Does Jesus now have a crown as King? 45:28 Absolutely. 45:30 Hebrews 4:16 45:39 So is Jesus King of the kingdom of grace? 45:43 Yeah, because He sits on a what? 45:45 On a throne. 45:47 Like Adam was to sit on a throne originally. 45:51 We find this statement in, God's Amazing Grace, page 68. 45:54 "The throne of grace represents the kingdom of grace; 45:59 for the existence of a throne 46:02 implies the existence of a kingdom." 46:06 So whose kingdom is this now, this earth? 46:09 It is the kingdom that belongs to Jesus. 46:12 He sits on the throne. He is the Son of God. 46:16 He gained the victory. 46:19 And He, of course in His humanity, 46:21 was created by the Father. 46:23 So who is the new head and representative 46:26 of planet earth? 46:29 Jesus is the second Adam. Or the last Adam. 46:33 He now represents this earth. 46:37 Notice the next session on page 77. 46:41 You have this quotation actually from Psalm 8:3-5. 46:47 And now this is going to be very interesting. 46:50 When you read Psalm 8:3-5 in its original context, 46:55 it's speaking about Adam. 46:58 The first Adam. 47:00 But when the apostle Paul, who I believe is behind 47:04 the writing of the book of Hebrews, 47:05 when he quotes Psalm 8:3-5, he applies it to Christ. 47:11 Interesting, isn't it? 47:13 In its original context, it applies to Adam. 47:16 In its second context, it is re-applied to Jesus Christ. 47:21 Let's read Hebrews 2:5-9. 47:25 "For He..." 47:27 That is God the Father. 47:43 See, he's quoting Psalm 8. 47:54 So in its original context, this is talking about Adam 47:57 before he sinned. 47:58 It continues. 48:16 Was Adam made a little lower than the angels? 48:18 Yes. 48:30 So once again you have the theme of the two Adams. 48:33 The creation of the first Adam. 48:35 He was given dominion over all things. 48:38 He blew it. He lost it. 48:39 Satan took it away and occupied the throne. 48:43 He usurped it. 48:44 But then comes the second Adam. 48:46 And all things are now under subjection to Him 48:49 because He is the King of this planet 48:52 and the new representative of planet earth, 48:54 because He tasted death for all. 48:57 Ellen White expands upon this. 49:00 "The human race does not stand in the righteousness 49:03 of character which Adam possessed at his creation. 49:07 Although neglect to keep the requirements of God is sin, 49:11 and the wages of sin is death, yet there is no claim made 49:15 that man may have eternal life except through the obedience 49:19 and righteousness of Jesus Christ..." 49:22 And now notice, we read this about Adam. 49:25 But now it says, "...is the representative 49:28 and head of all humanity." 49:31 So who was the original head and representative? 49:34 Adam. Who is it now? 49:37 So why not the first Adam? 49:38 Because he blew it. 49:41 Notice this statement. 49:43 Signs of the Times, January 16, 1896. 49:46 "Jesus humbled Himself, clothing His divinity with humanity, 49:51 in order that He might stand as the head and representative 49:56 of the human family, and by both precept and example 49:59 condemn sin in the flesh, 50:01 and give the lie to Satan's charges." 50:05 Two more statements, and then we'll ask whether Adam 50:08 will be restored to his original ruler ship. 50:12 It's a fascinating statement from the spirit of prophecy. 50:15 Manuscript 126, 1901 50:19 "As representative of the fallen race, Christ passed over 50:23 the same ground on which Adam stumbled and fell. 50:27 By a life of perfect obedience to God's law, 50:29 Christ redeemed man from the penalty 50:32 of Adam's disgraceful fall." 50:35 The Gospel Herald, March 1, 1901 50:38 "Christ was to suffer in our behalf, standing..." Where? 50:41 "...at the head of humanity as representative of the race. 50:46 He was to work out the character which every follower of His 50:51 is to work out, through the provision He has made: 50:54 His infinite sacrifice, His life and death on earth." 50:58 Not only His death but His life and death on earth. 51:01 By the way, let me ask you this, what was more important, 51:04 the life of Jesus or His death? 51:11 What was more important, His perfect life or His death? 51:18 They're both absolutely essential. 51:21 Because He wove a robe of righteousness, 51:26 that's His life, His sinless life, 51:29 so that we can claim that robe to cover us. 51:34 And then He took all of the sins upon Himself 51:38 and suffered the penalty. 51:40 So He weaves the robe by His life 51:43 and He pays the penalty by His death. 51:46 So both are vitally important. 51:48 And you know, you have people say, 51:49 "Well, it's the cross. Only the cross." 51:51 No, it's not only the cross. 51:53 Let me ask you, what's more important, 51:57 the life of Christ, the death of Christ, or His resurrection? 52:04 What's more important, the life of Christ, the death of Christ, 52:07 His resurrection, or His intercession? 52:12 There's no one thing that's more important than the other. 52:15 The cross is central, yes. 52:18 It's a central pillar. 52:21 However, all of the other steps that Jesus takes 52:25 are equally important because one builds on the other. 52:29 And to say, "Everything was finished at the cross. 52:31 All we have to do is talk about the cross." 52:33 No, no, no. 52:35 Now the question is, is God going to restore 52:40 the throne and the realm to the original head and 52:45 representative and cover him with white robes, 52:49 put a crown on his head, and restore him to what he was 52:54 before he sinned? 52:55 We have this remarkable statement from, 52:57 Great Controversy, page 647. 53:01 This is after the second coming and the ascension into heaven. 53:07 "As the ransomed ones are welcomed to the City of God, 53:10 there rings out upon the air an exultant cry of adoration. 53:16 The two Adams are about to meet. 53:20 The Son of God is standing with outstretched arms 53:23 to receive the father of our race; the being whom He created, 53:27 who sinned against his Maker, and for whose sin 53:30 the marks of the crucifixion are borne upon the Savior's form. 53:34 As Adam discerns the prints of the cruel nails, 53:38 he does not fall upon the bosom of his Lord, 53:41 but in humiliation casts himself at His feet, crying, 53:45 'Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain!' 53:50 Tenderly the Savior lifts him up and bids him to look 53:54 once more upon the Eden home from which he has 53:58 so long been exiled. 54:01 After his expulsion from Eden, Adam's life on earth 54:05 was filled with sorrow. 54:07 Every dying leaf, every victim of sacrifice, every blight upon 54:12 the fair face of nature, every stain upon man's purity, 54:17 was a fresh reminder of his sin. 54:20 Terrible was the agony of remorse as he beheld 54:23 iniquity abounding, and in answer to his warnings 54:27 met the reproaches cast upon himself as the cause of sin." 54:32 People are saying, "Who are you to lecture us? 54:36 We're here in this condition because of you." 54:40 He had to live with that for over 900 years. 54:47 Must have been a terrible experience to see the world 54:49 fall into the condition that it was before the flood. 54:53 She continues, "With patient humility, he bore for nearly 54:58 a thousand years the penalty of transgression. 55:02 Faithfully did he repent of his sin and trust in the merits 55:07 of the promised Savior, and he died in the hope 55:11 of the resurrection." 55:12 And now comes the portion that we want to notice. 55:15 "The Son of God redeemed man's failure and fall; 55:20 and now, through the work of the atonement, 55:23 Adam is reinstated in his first dominion." 55:30 Everything will have come full circle. 55:33 Adam will be restored to the throne as the head 55:38 and representative of humanity. 55:41 Jesus will have occupied that position until He can 55:44 return the position to Adam, having rescued that position 55:49 back by His life and by His death. 55:53 There's nothing more that Jesus wants... 55:57 There's nothing that Jesus wants more 55:59 than for us to be with Him. 56:03 He expressed that in John chapter 14, 56:06 where after He had told the disciples He was leaving, 56:10 and Peter says, "Where are You going?" 56:13 Jesus says, "Where I am going, you can't follow Me now. 56:15 You will follow Me later." 56:16 Peter says, "No, I don't want to follow later. 56:18 I want to go now." 56:21 Jesus knows the disciples are very troubled, 56:23 so He says, "Let not your heart be troubled. 56:26 You believe in God, believe also in Me. 56:31 In My Father's house are many mansions." 56:34 You know, sometimes we think that Jesus went to heaven 56:36 to do some heavenly contracting. 56:39 You know, "He went to build mansion for us." 56:40 Now I realize that Ellen White says that Jesus is preparing 56:43 mansions for us, but Jesus does not need 2000 years 56:47 to build houses. 56:49 The mansion, by the way, we're already there. 56:52 "In My Father's house are many mansions," Jesus said. 56:56 "If it were not so, I would have told you. 56:59 I go to prepare a place for you." 57:02 And you know, usually we say, "Well, you know, 57:05 He goes to prepare the place by planting trees 57:07 and making the place pretty." 57:08 Well, He's going to do that too. 57:11 But He actually prepares the place by the work 57:14 that He does in heaven. 57:15 By His intercession and by His work in the judgment. 57:19 "In My Father's house are many mansion. 57:21 If it were not so, I would have told you. 57:22 I go to prepare a place for you. 57:24 And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again..." 57:28 And now comes this passion, "I will come again 57:31 and receive you to Myself, that where I am, 57:35 there you may be also." 57:39 The apostle Paul ends that famous passage, 57:41 resurrection passage in 1 Thessalonians 4, 57:44 where he speaks about those who are asleep rising 57:47 and those who are alive and remain caught up in the clouds. 57:49 Have you ever noticed how the apostle Paul ends that? 57:52 He says, "And thus we shall always be with the Lord." 57:58 It's all about being with Jesus. 58:01 That's the culmination of the whole plan of salvation. |
Revised 2022-06-06