Participants:
Series Code: ARSS
Program Code: ARSS190017S
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00:15 Well, good morning.
00:18 I trust you had a good night sleep. 00:21 We ordered good weather for this week. 00:24 Because we knew you were all coming from far away places, 00:27 and we have some people from Denver. 00:33 So how many do we have from Denver? 00:37 Five, wow. Praise the Lord. 00:40 I've been promised that next year a bus load 00:43 is coming from Denver. 00:45 Hallelujah for that. 00:47 Well, let's have a word of prayer. 00:49 And then we'll get into our study. 00:52 Father in heaven, thank You for giving a good night's rest 00:55 to each one of us. 00:57 Thank You because You've given us new life this day. 01:01 Thank You so much for being a wonderful God. 01:05 We thank You especially for Your Word. 01:08 What would this world be like if we didn't have any guidance 01:11 as to what's happening. 01:12 But we know exactly what is happening and 01:15 what's going to take place, 01:17 because You have informed us in Your Word. 01:20 So as we study about the interlude in Revelation 7, 01:23 we ask for the presence of Your Spirit. 01:26 Give us a clear mind and willing hearts. 01:30 And we thank You for hearing our prayer. 01:32 We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen. 01:37 We're going to begin our study on page 281. 01:41 Page 281. 01:43 This is the interlude that is found between 01:50 seal number six and seal number seven. 01:53 This afternoon we will be studying seal number seven. 01:57 Let me just give you a little bit of context, 01:59 because we might have some people that are watching the 02:02 live stream and they haven't been with us 02:04 in all the other sessions. 02:06 So let me just give you a little context of 02:08 where the interlude fits within the sequence of the seals. 02:12 The first seal represents what? 02:15 The apostolic church going out conquering and to conquer. 02:19 Thousands are joining the church abandoning paganism. 02:22 So Satan says, "Okay, that's not working. 02:25 Let's persecute them and kill them, 02:27 try to kill the church off." 02:29 But the church grows all the more. 02:32 So Satan says, "That's not working. 02:34 So let's change the plan." 02:37 So then under the third seal, the black horse, 02:40 he introduces apostasy into the church. 02:43 And that's much more successful. 02:45 And the apostasy under the third horse, the black horse, 02:48 now becomes the papacy in the fourth horse. 02:52 And people die of famine because the Word of God is scarce. 02:56 And people also died because they are killed if they 02:58 don't agree with the church of that period. 03:02 And so, then in the fifth seal, the martyrs that were killed 03:05 during the period of the fourth horse are crying out. 03:09 And they're crying out for two things. 03:11 They're crying out for what? 03:13 Judgment and to be avenged. 03:17 And so, where does God answer their pleas. 03:19 In the first part of the sixth seal He announces, 03:22 "I am going to judge." 03:25 In the second part of the sixth seal comes the avenging part, 03:30 which is the second coming of Jesus where Jesus destroys 03:35 those who gave wrong verdicts on earth. 03:39 Now the sixth seal ends with a question. 03:43 "The great day of His wrath has come, 03:46 and who shall be able to stand?" 03:49 Now we would expect that question 03:51 to be answered, wouldn't we? 03:53 And the answer would be, of course, in the next chapter. 03:57 And that next chapter, chapter 7, is the interlude 04:01 that explains who is going to be able to stand. 04:06 Those who receive the seal of God are going to be able 04:09 to stand in the great day of God's wrath. 04:13 So that's where the interlude fits. 04:16 The interlude is referring to the final sealing of those 04:20 who will be alive when Jesus comes. 04:23 It's right before the close of probation, 04:26 right before the time of trouble. 04:28 The 144,000 will be sealed, and the seal will protect them 04:33 during the time of trouble. 04:35 So that's where this interlude fits. 04:37 This is talking about the very end time generation. 04:41 Because it's the sealing of the 144,000, 04:43 and the 144,000 will be those who are alive 04:47 when Jesus comes. 04:48 What a privilege to be alive when Jesus comes. 04:51 So let's go to our syllabus, page 281, as I was mentioning, 04:55 now that we have the context. 04:58 Is this an important subject to study? 05:00 Some people say, "Who cares about the 144,000? 05:03 Let's talk about the love of Jesus." 05:05 Well, we are talking about the love of Jesus. 05:07 Jesus tells us all these things so that we don't 05:11 fall into Satan's traps. 05:13 So His messages are messages of love. 05:16 Two quotations from the spirit of prophecy. 05:18 One is, Selected Messages, volume 1, page 174. 05:23 "It is not His will," that is, God's will, "that they shall 05:26 get into controversy over questions which will not 05:29 help them spiritually, such as, 'Who is to compose 05:34 the hundred and forty-four thousand?' 05:37 This, those who are the elect of God, will in a short time 05:41 know without question." 05:42 So some people say Ellen White is saying that 05:45 we shouldn't even talk about who's going to 05:46 compose the 144,000, when they're going to live. 05:49 No, Ellen White is saying that we can't specify individuals 05:53 who belong to the 144,000. 05:55 We can't say this guy, yes. This one, no. 05:59 This woman, yes. This woman, no. 06:01 No, we can't choose individuals and say 06:03 who is going to be among the 144,000. 06:06 But we can know when that group is going to live. 06:09 The second quotation, Review and Herald, March 9, 1905, 06:13 reads like this: 06:15 "Let us strive with all the power that God has given us 06:20 to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. 06:23 And let us do all that we can to help others 06:27 to gain heaven." 06:29 So it's very important then to struggle with all the power 06:33 that God has given us to be among the 144,000, 06:35 obviously if we are alive during the closing scenes of history. 06:41 Now there are several issues that we need to deal with 06:44 when we talk about the 144,000. 06:46 And that's our next section. The issues. 06:50 What are the biblical sources for the 144,000? 06:56 What is the relationship between 06:58 the 144,000 and the great multitude? 07:02 Because the great multitude is also in chapter 7. 07:05 So we need to discover the relationship between 07:10 the 144,000 and the great multitude. 07:13 Who are the 144,000 and at what stage of history 07:18 do the 144,000 live? 07:21 In what context do they appear in the book of Revelation? 07:25 Not only when they exist historically, but in what 07:28 textual context do they appear in the book of Revelation? 07:32 Are they natural Israelites who live in the Middle East? 07:37 Will Ellen G. White and Mrs. Hastings 07:41 belong to this group? 07:43 We'll talk about Mrs. Hastings a little bit later on. 07:46 Some people say, "Well, Ellen White said that Mrs. Hastings 07:49 is going to be among the 144,000. 07:51 And Ellen White herself said that she 07:52 would be among the 144,000." 07:54 So we're going to deal with that. 07:56 Is the number literal or symbolic? 07:59 What is the seal that the 144,000 receive? 08:03 What kind of character will they possess 08:06 and how did they develop such a character? 08:09 And then, why are Dan and Ephraim missing from the list? 08:15 So those are some of the things that we will address. 08:18 We're not going to address Dan and Ephraim. 08:22 That would take us far beyond the time that we have here 08:27 in class, but I might mention a few things about that. 08:31 Now let's talk, first of all, about the 144,000 08:34 in the book of Revelation. 08:36 The specific number is mentioned only twice 08:40 in two passages. 08:42 In Revelation 7 and in Revelation 14. 08:47 However, the concept of the 144,000, even though the 08:51 specific number is not mentioned, 08:53 is found in two additional chapters. 08:57 Now let's look at these four sources in the book of 08:59 Revelation to see what the emphasis is. 09:01 Each passage has a particular emphasis. 09:05 Revelation 7:1-8, the emphasis falls on the sealing 09:11 of the 144,000 so that the angels can identify them 09:16 and protect them during the time of trouble. 09:18 In other words, the seal is a sign of protection 09:23 because they have to go through the time of trouble 09:25 when there will be a death decree, 09:27 when they will be thrown into prison, 09:29 and Satan will have full control of the impenitent. 09:32 So they need to be protected. 09:34 And those who have the seal will be protected by God. 09:38 So the emphasis in Revelation 7 is that they receive the seal 09:43 to be protected. 09:45 In Revelation 14:1-5, that's another place where the specific 09:49 number is mentioned, the emphasis is on the character 09:52 of the 144,000. 09:54 And because they have the character, 09:56 they receive the seal. 09:58 And because they have the seal, they are protected 10:01 in the time of trouble. 10:02 Another place where the 144,000 appear in Revelation, 10:06 although the specific number is not used 10:08 but it's very clear as you read these verses 10:10 that it's referring to the 144,000 because the song 10:13 of Moses and the Lamb is mentioned as in chapter 14, 10:18 is Revelation 15:2-4. 10:21 And the emphasis here is on the victory of the 144,000. 10:26 The 144,000 have gained the victory over the beast, 10:30 over his image, over his mark, and over the number of his name. 10:34 So the emphasis in Revelation 15 is on the victory. 10:38 And then the fourth place where it's found 10:42 is Revelation 19:1-8. 10:46 Here, the emphasis is on the jubilatory singing 10:49 of the 144,000 because the harlot has been judged 10:54 and God's people have been avenged. 10:58 So you have these four sources for the 144,000 11:01 in the book of Revelation specifically. 11:04 However, there are other places in the Scriptures 11:07 where you have the concept of the 144,000. 11:12 We have to study the story of Enoch 11:14 in order to understand the 144,000 11:17 because he's a type of the 144,000, 11:20 according to the book, Patriarchs and Prophets. 11:23 It would be helpful to study the story of Elijah. 11:26 The whole story of Elijah is a typology that has to do 11:31 with the end time generation. 11:34 Ezekiel 9:1-6 which refers to the sealing. 11:38 The receiving of the seal on the foreheads of 11:41 those who sign and cry because of the abominations 11:45 that are done in the earth. 11:47 Then yesterday we looked at Joel 2 where the question 11:50 is asked, "The great day of His wrath has come, 11:52 and who is going to be able to stand?" 11:55 Obviously, that passage is dealing with the 144,000. 11:59 Joel 3 in connection with Revelation 14:14-20. 12:04 Once again, we need to study that passage in order to 12:07 get the full picture. 12:08 Then we studied several passages yesterday. 12:10 Psalm 15, Psalm 46, Psalm 91, Psalm 24:3-6. 12:19 All of those passages we looked at yesterday 12:22 where the question is asked, the same question 12:25 basically of Revelation 6:17. 12:27 So we need to study those passages as well. 12:31 Daniel 3 is an illustration of the liberation of God's people 12:35 from the fiery furnace of the time of trouble. 12:37 The whole story of Daniel 3 is a typology. 12:41 The story of Daniel 6, Daniel and the lion's den. 12:44 Once again, that's an illustration of the 12:47 end time generation that will be protected 12:49 from certain death. 12:50 You know, the issue in the days of Daniel 12:52 was over the law of God. 12:54 "The only way that we're going to get this guy 12:55 is because of the law of his God." 12:59 And so, it deals with the law of God and with worship. 13:02 And so, that story needs to be studied in order to 13:05 fully understand the 144,000, the end time generation, 13:10 and the time of trouble. 13:12 And then Exodus 34:28-35. 13:15 This is where the face of Moses shines. 13:18 The book of Hebrews 12:14-29 picks up on this and applies it 13:23 to those who will be alive when Jesus comes. 13:25 Then you have, of course, Zechariah 3, 13:28 which we haven't gotten into. 13:29 Malachi 3:1-5, which we did look at briefly. 13:35 Isaiah 33:12-17, which has the same question, basically, 13:41 as Revelation 6:17. 13:42 And Nahum 1:6-7. 13:44 So there are lots of passages that address the issue of 13:48 the end time generation, the 144,000, 13:50 the type of character they will have. 13:52 So we can't just stay in the book of Revelation 13:56 because we allow other passages to explain 13:59 the book of Revelation. 14:01 Now let's look at the chronology from the close of probation 14:05 to the general resurrection. 14:08 The chronology, we're going to look at the order of events 14:11 from the close of probation to the general resurrection. 14:16 And I'm going to give you the pages from the book, 14:19 The Great Controversy. 14:20 Because Ellen White presents these events 14:22 in the precise order in which they're going to occur. 14:26 In, Great Controversy, page 613... 14:28 By the way, you also find Bible verses that corroborate 14:31 what Ellen White has to say in the book, Great Controversy. 14:35 On page 613 Ellen White quotes Daniel 12:1 14:41 which says that Michael will stand up. 14:46 That expression, "stand up," means, to begin to reign. 14:50 You say, how do we know that? 14:52 Because earlier in the chapter, actually the previous chapter, 14:56 earlier in the previous chapter, Daniel 11:2-4 tell us, 15:02 for example, three kings will yet stand up in Persia. 15:08 What does that mean, three kings are yet to stand up in Persia? 15:11 It means three kings are yet to reign in Persia. 15:15 So, "stand up," means that Jesus is going to begin to reign. 15:19 Why is He going to begin to reign? 15:21 Because His kingdom is made up. 15:23 What is His kingdom? 15:25 His people. 15:26 So how did He reveal who His people are? 15:29 In the investigative judgment. 15:30 So the judgment is finished, His kingdom is complete, 15:35 now probation closes, Jesus is going to reign over His kingdom. 15:38 So in, Great Controversy, page 613, we have 15:42 Jesus standing up. 15:44 That is the close of probation. 15:48 Then I want you to notice also, The Great Controversy, 15:50 pages 613 and 634, through 634, that is. 15:57 Here, we have a description of the great time of trouble 16:00 after the close of probation. 16:03 So in other words, probation closes, Michael stands up, 16:07 and then you have the great time of trouble. 16:10 From page 613 to page 634, a very long chapter, 16:15 Ellen White discusses the issue of the time of trouble. 16:20 Then you get to page 635, and the title of that chapter 16:24 is, God's People Delivered. 16:27 And there you have a description of the death decree. 16:31 And then you go to, Great Controversy, pages 635-636, 16:36 God's voice delivers the 144,000 from the death decree. 16:42 The fact that the names of the 144,000 16:44 are written in the book... 16:47 Did you notice Daniel 12:1 says, "Your people will be delivered, 16:51 everyone who is written in the book." 16:53 When were they written in the book? 16:55 When was their name confirmed in the book? 16:58 In the investigative judgment when their 16:59 cases came up. 17:01 So on page 635 and 636, God's voice delivers 17:06 the 144,000 from the death decree. 17:09 And the fact that the names of the 144,000 17:11 are written in the book indicates that they successfully 17:15 pass the pre-advent investigative judgment. 17:18 Then on page 637, we're going in chronological order, 17:21 you have the special resurrection. 17:24 And that is found in Daniel 12:2, 17:28 also Revelation 1:7, Matthew 26:64. 17:32 There are several verses that address this. 17:34 Revelation 14:13, et cetera. 17:36 The special resurrection includes those who pierced Jesus 17:39 and the greatest enemies of the truth, 17:42 and it includes also those who died in the faith 17:45 of the third angel's message. 17:48 Then interestingly enough, on page 640, God's voice 17:53 announces the day and hour of Jesus' coming. 17:57 Now isn't that interesting. 17:59 So in other words, the special resurrection 18:03 and the deliverance of the 144,000 takes place 18:06 before the second coming of Christ. 18:08 Right before the second coming of Christ. 18:11 So then on page 640, God's voice announces 18:13 the day and hour of Jesus' coming. 18:16 And then in, Great Controversy, pages 640-641, 18:21 Jesus arrives above the surface of the earth. 18:26 Like it says in 1 Thessalonians 4. 18:29 You know, God's people will be caught up in the clouds 18:33 to meet the Lord in the air. 18:35 And then on page 644, you have the general resurrection 18:40 of all of those who died before the third angel's message 18:45 was proclaimed. 18:47 So you have this chronological sequence. 18:49 And it's just exactly in the order in which it appears 18:52 in the book of Revelation. 18:55 Now let's go to Ellen White's chronological portrayal 19:00 in a little more detail? 19:03 Let's follow the sequence of events 19:05 that she portrays in chapter 38 to chapter 40 19:09 of, Great Controversy. 19:10 Chapter 38 is titled, The Final Warning. 19:14 That is the loud cry, by the way. 19:16 And she begins the chapter by quoting Revelation 18:1. 19:22 Let's go through this so that we have the sequence clear. 19:26 The chapter describes the final loud cry message, 19:29 Revelation 18:1-5, accompanied by the power of the latter rain. 19:35 It also brings to view the final test for the whole world 19:39 over the mark of the beast and the seal of God. 19:43 The sealed ones are the 144,000 from the 19:45 twelve tribes of Israel, yet they are from every nation 19:49 kindred, tongue, and people? 19:51 Now isn't that interesting? 19:53 The 144,000 are from the tribes of Israel, 19:56 but they're really from every nation, 19:58 kindred, tongue, and people. 19:59 This would seem to indicate that the 144,000 20:01 are not literal Jews. 20:04 This is Ellen White's commentary on Revelation 7:1-8. 20:08 Notice this. 20:09 "The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, 20:13 for it is the point of truth especially controverted. 20:16 When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, 20:20 then the line of distinction will be drawn between 20:23 those who serve God and those who serve Him not. 20:27 While the observance of the false Sabbath in compliance with 20:30 the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, 20:34 will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that 20:36 is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, 20:41 in obedience to God's law, 20:42 is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. 20:46 While one class, by accepting the sign of submission 20:48 to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, 20:52 the other choosing the token of allegiance 20:55 to divine authority receive the seal of God." 20:58 Are only the Jews going to receive the seal of God? 21:01 They're the only ones that are going to be 21:02 tested over the Sabbath? 21:05 Only the Jews are going to be tested to see whether they 21:08 receive the mark of the beast? 21:10 No. 21:11 The three angels' messages goes to every nation, 21:14 kindred, tongue, and people. 21:15 That includes the third message. 21:18 And so, we begin to discern here in chapter 38 21:22 that the final message is for the entire world, 21:25 not only for the Jews. 21:27 And the seal of God is received not only by 21:29 literal Jews, it's received by people from every nation, 21:34 kindred, tongue, and people. 21:35 Are you with me or not? 21:37 Now let's read the next statement. 21:40 "The restraining Spirit of God is now being 21:43 withdrawn from the world. 21:45 Hurricanes, storms, tempests, fire and flood, 21:50 disasters by sea and land follow each other in quick succession. 21:56 Science seeks to explain all these." 22:01 Is science trying to explain all these things? 22:03 Of course. It's climate change, right? 22:08 You know, scientists today say it is an absolute scientific 22:12 fact that climate change is due to too much oil, you know, 22:19 to much gasoline consumption, and so on. 22:23 The same scientists say that evolution is a proven fact. 22:29 So we have to take it with a grain of salt. 22:32 We know that the explanation of science is not the explanation. 22:35 Yes, the weather is changing. 22:37 Yes, there's more and more disasters. 22:39 But it doesn't have to do with, you know, carbons being thrown 22:44 into the atmosphere. 22:45 It has to do with the sinfulness of humanity. 22:47 And God is releasing the winds of strife. 22:51 So she says, "Science seeks to explain all these. 22:54 The signs thickening around us, telling us of the near 22:58 approach of the Son of God, 22:59 are attributed to any other than the true cause." 23:05 Powerful statement. 23:07 "Men cannot discern the sentinel angels restraining 23:10 the four winds that they shall not blow until 23:13 the servants of God are sealed. 23:16 But when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, 23:20 there shall be such a scene of strife 23:22 as no pen can picture." 23:24 You think things are bad today? 23:27 You ain't seen nothing yet. 23:30 When probation closes and the Spirit is removed, 23:34 the winds are released, this world is going to be a jungle. 23:38 And that's why only the 144,000 that are sealed 23:41 will be protected from death. 23:44 Notice, Maranatha, page 266. 23:47 "Angels are belting the world, 23:50 refusing Satan his claims to supremacy, 23:53 made because of the vast multitude of his adherents. 23:57 We hear not the voices, we see not with the natural sight 24:01 the work of these angels, but their hands are linked 24:04 about the world, and with sleepless vigilance 24:08 they are keeping the armies of Satan..." How? 24:11 "...at bay till the sealing of God's people 24:14 shall be accomplished." 24:16 So are the angels still holding the winds? 24:19 Yes, the angels are still holding the winds. 24:22 Praise the Lord for that. 24:24 In the book, Maranatha, page 266, 24:27 "John sees the elements of nature; 24:29 earthquake, tempest, and political strife, 24:31 represented as being held by four angels. 24:35 These winds are under control until God gives 24:39 the world to let them go. 24:42 There is the safety of God's church. 24:44 The angels of God do His bidding, 24:47 holding back the winds of the earth, 24:49 that the winds should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, 24:53 nor on any tree, until the servants of God 24:56 should be sealed in their foreheads." 24:58 So the question is, is the sealing something that 25:01 takes place during probationary time? 25:04 Yes. 25:05 Does God seal those at the very end of time, 25:08 those who are going to go through the time of trouble? 25:10 Absolutely. 25:12 So that's the chapter, The Final Warning. 25:15 It's the loud cry, through the power of the latter rain. 25:19 Those who decide to accept God's Sabbath 25:23 are sealed with the seal of God. 25:24 Those who reject the loud cry receive the mark of the beast. 25:29 And then, of course, what happens? 25:31 Probation closes. 25:33 In fact, in chapter 39, the chapter on, The Time of Trouble, 25:38 Ellen White begins the chapter by quoting Daniel 12:1; 25:41 Michael shall stand up. 25:43 And then the rest of the chapter describes the time of trouble. 25:47 So let's go through this. 25:49 God seals His faithful ones before the time of trouble. 25:53 When Jesus ceases His intercessions, the four angels 25:57 release the winds of strife. 25:59 There is then a contrast between Satan who numbers 26:04 the world as his subjects and the little company who keep 26:08 the commandments of God. 26:10 That's the contrast that Ellen White draws. 26:12 While God's people suffer hunger and thirst, 26:16 they do not die. 26:18 Ellen White links the thirst with the waters 26:21 turned into blood and hunger with the sun 26:24 that scorches the vegetation. 26:27 That's in, Great Controversy, pages 628-629. 26:29 This is the period of the great tribulation. 26:33 Revelation 7:14 states literally in the Greek 26:37 that the unnumbered multitude... 26:39 Now we start noticing something else. 26:41 That the unnumbered multitude is actually going to 26:44 go alive through the time of trouble as well. 26:46 Because the Greek says that the great multitude 26:51 which no one can number goes through the tribulation, 26:55 the great one. 26:56 That's the way it says it in the Greek. 26:57 It doesn't say, through a great tribulation. 26:59 It says, "through the tribulation, the great one." 27:03 Those who go through this tribulation will not die. 27:06 They will be alive when Jesus comes. 27:09 That's the chapter on, The Time of Trouble. 27:12 The next chapter in the order is chapter 40, 27:16 God's People Delivered. 27:18 After the first four plagues, which are taking place 27:21 during the time of trouble, God's sealed ones 27:25 are still in danger. 27:27 Page 635. 27:28 That's where the wicked are about to rush upon God's people. 27:33 But at the outpouring of the fifth plague of darkness, 27:36 we read this yesterday, they are delivered by the voice of God. 27:41 The wicked multitudes are arrested. 27:43 That is the drying up of the Euphrates. 27:46 The waters that wanted to drown God's people 27:48 in the sixth plague. 27:50 The seventh plague brings about the final fall of Babylon. 27:54 The special resurrection then occurs, and those who 27:57 died in the faith of the third angel stand with the 144,000. 28:02 Important point. 28:03 They don't stand among the 144,000. 28:06 Those who resurrect in the special resurrection 28:08 stand with the 144,000. 28:11 It's a distinct group. 28:13 This all happens before the day and hour 28:15 of Jesus' coming is announced. 28:17 Jesus descends from heaven, and the wicked ask the question 28:21 of Revelation 6:17, "Who shall be able to stand?" 28:25 Now the general resurrection of the righteous takes place. 28:28 The 144,000 then stand victorious in heaven. 28:33 So are you catching the sequence? 28:36 Now let's notice the next paragraph, 28:38 an important point here. 28:40 It is significant that Ellen White never quotes 28:44 Revelation 7:1-8 which speaks of the sealing of the 144,000 28:50 in the chapter titled, God's People Delivered. 28:54 She only quotes Revelation 14:1-5, 28:57 Revelation 15:2-4, and Revelation 7:9-17 29:02 which describes the great multitude. 29:04 Why did Ellen White not quote Revelation 7:1-8 29:09 in the chapter titled, God's People Delivered? 29:13 Simply because she spoke about the sealing in the chapter, 29:17 The Final Warning. 29:19 Now she is concerned, not with the sealing of the 144,000, 29:23 but with their deliverance and final victory. 29:26 In all three passages she quotes, the 144,000 stand 29:30 victoriously upon the heavenly hill of Zion. 29:34 So she wouldn't mention the sealing of the 144,000. 29:37 She mentioned that in the chapter that has to 29:39 do with the final warning. 29:41 In the chapter, God's People Delivered, 29:42 she's dealing with the victory of the 144,000. 29:47 Now let's go to page 288. 29:52 And let's notice here the case of a Mrs. Hastings. 29:59 You say, who was Mrs. Hastings? 30:01 Well, let's take a look. 30:02 Because people say, "Ellen White is going to 30:04 be among the 144,000." 30:06 "Mrs. Hastings is going to be among the 144,000." 30:09 So we're dealing with some technical matters because 30:11 people are going to bring these things up. 30:13 Will Ellen White be a member of the 144,000? 30:17 The evidence clearly indicates that she will not. 30:20 If God will translate the 144,000 to heaven from among 30:24 the living, Ellen White cannot be among them 30:27 because she is dead. 30:29 I mean, that's pretty clear, isn't it? 30:32 Furthermore, Ellen White never says that she will 30:34 be among the 144,000. 30:37 It is always with the 144,000. 30:42 Is there a difference between among and with? 30:44 Absolutely. 30:45 To be among means that you belong to the group. 30:48 With means that you're with them, 30:50 but not necessarily a member of the group. 30:54 Notice one example where Ellen White says that 30:56 she's going to be among the 144,000. 31:00 Early Writings, page 39. 31:02 "Then the angel said, 'You must go back, 31:04 and if you are faithful, you, with the 144,000, 31:10 shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds 31:13 and viewing the handiwork of God.'" 31:16 So not among, but with. 31:18 Every time that she refers to herself, 31:20 she says, "with," not, "among." 31:25 Furthermore, Ellen White does not fit the description 31:28 of the 144,000 she herself gives 31:31 in, Great Controversy, pages 648-649. 31:34 There she says that they go through the time of trouble, 31:36 they experience hunger and thirst, 31:39 you know, they suffer the anguish of Jacob, 31:42 they'll be alive when Jesus comes. 31:44 Well, she doesn't fit any of the descriptions 31:47 she herself gives of when the 144,000 are going to live. 31:52 Now in 1850 Ellen White wrote a letter of condolence 31:57 to a brother Hastings who had just lost his wife. 32:02 And I want to read that statement by Ellen White, 32:05 because she had a custom of writing to people who were 32:09 in bereavement because of the passing of a relative. 32:13 This is what she wrote. 32:15 "I hardly know what to say to you. 32:17 The news of your wife's death was to me overwhelming. 32:21 I could hardly believe it and can hardly believe it now. 32:26 God gave me a view..." 32:27 When she uses the word, view, she means, vision. 32:29 "God gave me a view last Sabbath night that I will write. 32:33 I saw that she was sealed..." 32:36 Mrs. Hastings was sealed. 32:38 "...and would come up at the voice of God..." 32:41 Notice, "come up at the voice of God." 32:44 "...and stand upon the earth, and would be..." What? 32:48 "...with the 144,000. 32:52 I saw we need not mourn for her; 32:55 she would rest in the time of trouble..." 32:57 Can she be one of the 144,000 if she's resting 33:00 during the time of trouble? 33:01 No. 33:03 "...she would rest in the time of trouble, 33:05 and all that we could mourn for was our loss 33:09 in being deprived of her company. 33:11 I saw her death would result in good." 33:17 Now, God seals the 144,000 during the loud cry 33:21 just before the close of probation, as we've noticed. 33:25 Further, the 144,000 do not rest during the time of trouble. 33:29 They're going to go through the time of trouble. 33:31 How could God have sealed Mrs. Hastings in 1850? 33:36 According to Ellen White, God will impress His seal 33:40 on the 144,000 in the same period as the unrighteous 33:43 receive the mark of the beast. 33:45 Was the mark of the beast being stamped on people in 1850? 33:49 Were people receiving the seal of God in 1850? 33:52 Absolutely not. 33:54 In, Manuscript 51, 1899, Ellen White stated that 34:00 no one has yet received the mark of the beast. 34:04 This is almost 50 years after the death of Mrs. Hastings. 34:08 Nobody had yet received the mark of the beast, 34:10 or the seal of God, for that matter. 34:12 So if Ellen White says that Mrs. Hastings was sealed, 34:16 it must not be the final end time seal of God that is 34:21 spoken of in relationship to the 144,000. 34:24 It must be the seal of the Holy Spirit. 34:26 It must mean that she is secure, 34:29 not necessarily the end time seal. 34:32 We'll come back to that in a moment. 34:33 Notice this statement. 34:35 This is, Evangelism, page 234. 34:37 "No one," this is in 1899, "has yet received 34:41 the mark of the beast. 34:43 The testing time has not yet come. 34:46 There are true Christians in every church, 34:48 not excepting the Roman Catholic communion. 34:51 None are condemned until they have had the light 34:54 and have seen the obligation of the fourth commandment. 34:57 However, when the decree shall go forth enforcing 35:01 the counterfeit Sabbath, and the loud cry of the third angel 35:05 shall warn men against the worship of the beast 35:07 and his image, the line will clearly be drawn between 35:11 the false and the true. 35:12 Then those who still continue in transgression 35:15 will receive the mark of the beast." 35:19 So Mrs. Hastings must have received a different seal 35:24 than the end time seal of God which is given at the same 35:27 time period as the mark of the beast. 35:30 In, Great Controversy, page 605, Ellen White once again tells us 35:34 when the seal of God will be given 35:37 and when the mark of the beast will be given. 35:39 It's right before the close of probation 35:41 during the loud cry. 35:43 The loud cry will separate the living into 35:45 two groups, basically. 35:47 Here is the statement. 35:49 "The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, 35:51 for it is the point of truth especially controverted. 35:55 When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, 35:58 then the line of distinction will be drawn between 36:01 those who serve God and those who serve Him not. 36:04 While the observance of the false Sabbath in compliance 36:07 with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth 36:10 commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power 36:13 that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, 36:19 in obedience to God's law, 36:21 is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. 36:24 While one class, by accepting the sign of submission 36:27 to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, 36:30 the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, 36:33 receive..." What? "...receive the seal of God." 36:37 So is this clear? 36:38 Is Mrs. Hastings going to belong to the 144,000? 36:41 No. She's going to be with them. 36:44 Because she's going to be raised up at the voice of God. 36:48 And what happens when the voice of God speaks? 36:51 We already noticed when we studied the chronology of 36:54 these events that it's when the special 36:56 resurrection takes place. 36:59 So what seal did Mrs. Hastings have? 37:02 Well basically, when Ellen White says that she was sealed, 37:07 she simply means that her case is secure. 37:10 She's secure. 37:12 She's going to be saved, in other words. 37:14 She has the seal of the Holy Spirit. 37:16 The apostle Paul mentions that people who have accepted Christ 37:19 and are saved have the seal of the Holy Spirit 37:22 when they believe. 37:24 And so Mrs. Hastings was a believer. 37:25 She had the seal of the Holy Spirit, 37:27 but she did not have the end time eschatological seal 37:31 that will separate the righteous from the unrighteous. 37:36 Now let's notice the sealing as it relates to the four winds. 37:41 Because Revelation 7 refers to the four winds. 37:45 We've already noticed, you know, several things 37:47 in our study together. 37:49 We've noticed Bible sources where the 144,000 are mentioned. 37:55 We've noticed what the issues are. 37:57 We've also noticed the 144,000 in the book of Revelation. 38:02 The chronology of end time events. 38:04 We've also noticed more specifically 38:06 the case of Mrs. Hastings. 38:08 Now let's take a look at the sealing 38:11 as it relates to the winds. 38:14 Both Scripture and Ellen White explain that while Jesus is 38:17 interceding in the heavenly Sanctuary, 38:19 the winds of strife are restrained. 38:22 The Holy Spirit restrains the winds 38:24 through the ministration of the angels. 38:27 When Jesus changes His garments and intercession ends, 38:31 the Holy Spirit is withdrawn from the earth, 38:34 which is another way of saying that the angels 38:37 cease to hold the winds. 38:38 So through whom does the Holy Spirit do His work? 38:42 He does it through the ministry of the angels. 38:45 In fact, Ellen White has a statement where she says 38:47 that through the ministry of the angels 38:49 the Holy Spirit is enabled to work upon human hearts. 38:53 These are very interesting statements. 38:56 Let's notice a couple of statements here from 38:59 the writings of Ellen White. 39:01 Signs of the Times, November 17, 1898. 39:04 This has to do... 39:06 You know, we say the Holy Spirit is withholding the winds. 39:12 But the angels are holding the winds. 39:14 So in other words, the Holy Spirit through the angels 39:16 holds the winds. 39:17 So when the Holy Spirit is withdrawn, 39:19 what does that mean? 39:21 It means that the angels release the winds. 39:24 Notice this statement. 39:26 "The Lord is in active communication 39:29 with every part of His dominions. 39:32 He is represented as bending toward the earth 39:36 and its inhabitants. 39:37 He is listening to every word that is uttered. 39:41 He hears every groan; He listens to every prayer; 39:45 He observes the movements of every one; 39:48 He approves or condemns every action. 39:50 The hand of Christ draws aside the veil which conceals 39:54 from our eyes the glory of heaven; 39:56 and we behold Him..." Where? 39:58 "...in His high and holy place, not in a state of silence 40:03 and indifference to His subjects in a fallen world, 40:06 but surrounded by all the heavenly host: 40:09 ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands, 40:14 all waiting to go out at His bidding 40:17 on errands of mercy and love." 40:21 So how does God remain in active communication 40:23 with His creation? 40:26 Through the ministry of the angels. 40:29 Now let's notice, Ministry of Healing, page 417, 40:31 which is similar, but it has some additional information. 40:37 "The Bible shows us God in His high and holy place, 40:42 not in a state of inactivity, not in silence and solitude, 40:47 but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand 40:50 and thousands of thousands of holy beings, 40:53 all waiting to do His will." 40:55 Now here comes something that we didn't find 40:57 in the previous statement. 40:59 "Through these messengers He is in active communication 41:05 with every part of His dominion." 41:09 Let me ask you, where is God? 41:13 He's everywhere? 41:16 No He's not everywhere. 41:19 Yes, but personally we don't pray, 41:23 "Our Father which art everywhere." 41:27 We pray, "Our Father which art in heaven." 41:28 God is sitting on His throne in heaven. 41:30 Jesus has a human body and He's standing 41:32 before the Father in heaven. 41:35 So who takes our prayers so that the Lord hears our prayers? 41:39 The angels. 41:40 Who brings the answers back? 41:43 The angels. 41:45 So once again, she states that God is "surrounded by 41:50 ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands, 41:53 all waiting to do His will. 41:54 Through these messengers He is in active communication 41:57 with every part of His dominion. 41:59 By His Spirit He is everywhere present. 42:01 Through the agency of His Spirit and His angels..." 42:05 And the angels are really the foot soldiers 42:07 of the Holy Spirit. 42:09 "...He ministers to the children of men. 42:12 Above the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; 42:16 all things are open to His divine survey; 42:20 and from His great and calm eternity 42:23 He orders that which His providence sees best." 42:28 How important is the ministry of angels? 42:32 Extremely important. 42:33 That's why all throughout... 42:35 Have you ever noticed how the angels were involved 42:37 in the ministry of Christ? 42:39 That would be an interesting study to do. 42:41 Go to the gospels, look up the word, angel or angels, 42:44 and see how many times the angels were involved in the 42:47 ministry of Christ. 42:48 In fact, Ellen White, in the book, Desire of Ages, 42:53 tells us that the miracles of Christ were done by the 42:57 power of God through the ministry of the angels. 43:01 So the angels were involved in the ministry of Christ. 43:04 You know, some people say, "Well, how was Jesus able 43:06 to walk on water?" 43:09 You can't walk on water. 43:10 Gravity makes it impossible to walk on water. 43:13 How did Jesus walk on water? 43:15 Did He defy the laws of physics? 43:18 No. 43:20 You know, I don't have any proof for this, 43:22 but I believe that the angels just bore Him in their arms 43:26 so that He could walk on the water. 43:28 You know, so you have all of these events 43:31 in the ministry of Christ. 43:33 We mentioned the centurion, you know. 43:35 He understood how it works. 43:37 He said, you know, "I'm a man of authority. 43:38 I tell this servant, 'Go do this,' 43:40 and I tell the other servant, 'Go do that.'" 43:42 He said, so basically he's saying, you know, 43:44 "You have also Your emissaries that can 43:46 go and heal my servant." 43:49 So the centurion understood this. 43:52 Now, Ellen White wrote about the moral condition of 43:55 the world when angels release the winds. 43:59 Here's the moral condition of the world. 44:01 "When He leaves the sanctuary, 44:03 darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. 44:07 In that fearful time the righteous must live in the 44:10 sight of a holy God without an intercessor." 44:15 Not without a protector, folks. 44:18 Without an intercessor. 44:20 You know, we need to be careful about scaring people 44:24 about the time of trouble. 44:25 You know, some ministers say, "During the time of trouble 44:29 you're on your own." 44:30 No, you're not on your own. 44:32 If you were on your own, everybody would be killed. 44:36 There's no longer an intercessor, 44:38 but there's a protector, because Michael is going to stand up 44:41 to protect His people. 44:44 So let's, during the time of trouble let's say, 44:46 "Hey, it's going to be a difficult time, 44:50 but you're going to have somebody protecting you." 44:53 So once again, "In that fearful time the righteous 44:57 must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. 45:01 The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, 45:05 and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent." 45:09 Does Satan have full control of the finally impenitent today? 45:13 Praise God that he doesn't. 45:15 And the world is a mess. 45:17 But can you imagine what the world is going to be like 45:20 when Satan has full and complete control 45:23 over all of the wicked? 45:25 He can't kill the righteous. 45:27 It's kind of like the story of Job. 45:29 God said, "You can do whatever you want, 45:31 but you can't kill him." 45:34 That story is going to be repeated again. 45:36 So God protected Job. 45:38 So notice, she continues writing, 45:40 "God's long-suffering has ended. 45:42 The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, 45:46 and trampled upon His law. 45:48 The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation; 45:51 the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, 45:54 has been at last withdrawn. 45:57 Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection 46:01 from the wicked one." 46:02 Wow! 46:04 It's amazing. 46:05 "Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into 46:09 one great, final trouble. 46:12 As the angels of God cease to hold in check 46:15 the fierce winds of human passion..." 46:17 That's what the winds represent. 46:19 Fierce winds of human passion. 46:22 "...all of the elements of strife will be let loose. 46:26 The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible 46:31 than that which came upon Jerusalem of old." 46:36 You want to know what happened in Jerusalem of old? 46:39 Read the first chapter of, Great Controversy. 46:42 Ellen White says that Satan was in control of the nation. 46:46 It was kind of like the French revolution, 46:50 where Satan, a power from the abyss, 46:52 had total control over France. 46:55 Just read those two chapters 46:57 on the destruction of Jerusalem 46:59 and the one on the French revolution; 47:00 The Bible and the French Revolution. 47:02 That is what the world is going to be like. 47:05 In the past it was just the city of Jerusalem, 47:07 and just France. 47:09 But the whole world is going to be that way 47:11 when the winds are released. 47:13 So why would God seal the 144,000? 47:17 Folks, because if He didn't seal the 144,000 47:20 before the winds were released, they would cease to exist. 47:25 God is going to care for His own. 47:28 That's the message. 47:30 Notice the next statement. 47:33 "Angels are now restraining the winds of strife, 47:36 that they may not blow until the world shall be warned 47:39 of its coming doom; but a storm is gathering, 47:43 ready to burst upon the earth; and when God shall bid His 47:48 angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife 47:54 as no pen can picture." 47:59 The next statement we're going to skip because 48:01 I already read that one. 48:02 That's where Ellen White tells us that science 48:05 tries to explain what is happening, scientifically. 48:10 They say, "All of our problems are caused by global warming. 48:13 And the problem is solved by solving global warming. 48:18 Then we'll have a nice world. 48:20 You know, nice beautiful environment." 48:24 Is that what the Bible says? 48:26 No, the Bible says things are going to get worse and worse. 48:30 The environment is going to fall apart. 48:32 That's what the book of Isaiah says. 48:34 It doesn't mean that we should not care for the environment. 48:37 As Adventists, we should care very much for the environment, 48:41 shouldn't we? 48:42 You know, we should be good environmentalists. 48:46 But we know that no matter how much man tries 48:51 to resolve the issues of this world, 48:53 the world is disintegrating. 48:57 And our hope is in a new heavens and a new earth. 49:00 Not created by man, but a new heavens and a new earth 49:04 created by God. 49:07 Now the next point, which I think we might have time 49:10 to just finish this one, are the 144,000 literal Jews? 49:15 We should have answered this question already, right? 49:18 Have we already answered this question? 49:20 Are they literal Jews? 49:23 To whom do the three angels' messages go to? 49:26 Every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. 49:28 Only to Jews? 49:30 No. 49:31 So does the third angel's message warn against 49:34 receiving the mark of the beast? 49:36 So how many nations are being warned about 49:39 the mark of the beast? 49:42 So is the mark of the beast going to be received 49:46 by people from every nation? 49:48 So is the seal of God going to be received 49:51 by people from every nation? 49:53 If that's true, then the 144,000 cannot be literal Jews 49:57 because they're the sealed one. 49:59 So if we just use a little common sense 50:03 we can reach that conclusion. 50:04 They are not literal Jews. 50:06 Although, the evangelical world today says that after the 50:10 rapture there's going to be 144,000 Billy Grahams 50:15 that are going to go out and proclaim the gospel. 50:18 And they're going to win over the great multitude. 50:20 That is not biblical. 50:22 Because people from every nation, kindred, tongue, 50:24 and people are going to receive the mark of the beast 50:27 and also the seal of God. 50:28 Because the three angels' messages go to everyone. 50:31 But let's go through this material anyway. 50:33 Ellen White well understood that the 144,000 sealed ones 50:36 from the twelve tribes of Israel are not literal Jews. 50:40 Notice the following clear statement where Ellen White 50:42 intermingles the texts that speak of the 144,000 50:46 with those of the numberless multitude and states that the 50:49 sealed ones will be from every nation, kindred, 50:51 tongue, and people. 50:54 This is, Counsels to Teachers, page 532. 50:57 "The message of the renewing power of God's grace 51:00 will be carried to every country and clime 51:04 until the truth shall belt the world. 51:07 Of the number of them that shall be sealed 51:11 will be those who have come from every nation, 51:14 and kindred, and tongue, and people." 51:18 So are they literal Jews? 51:20 No. 51:21 From every country will be gathered men and women 51:25 who will stand before the throne of God 51:28 and before the Lamb, crying..." 51:29 Now notice, this is the great multitude 51:31 she's talking about now. 51:32 We begin to catch a glimpse that the 144,000 51:35 and the great multitude are the same group. 51:40 You say, "Well, how is that possible? 51:41 144,000 is a number that you can compute. 51:44 A numberless multitude you can't compute. 51:47 So how do you say that the 144,000 51:49 and the great multitude are the same group?" 51:50 We're going to address that later on. 51:53 So, "From every country will be gathered men and women 51:56 who will stand before the throne of God 51:57 and before the Lamb, crying, 'Salvation to our God 52:02 which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.'" 52:04 That's Revelation 7:10 about the great multitude. 52:07 "But before this work can be accomplished, 52:10 we must experience here in our country the work of the 52:14 Holy Spirit upon our hearts." 52:17 Clearly, although Revelation 7:4 states that the sealed ones 52:23 are of the tribes of the children of Israel, 52:26 Ellen White perceptively understands that these 52:29 sealed ones are from every nation, kindred, 52:32 tongue, and people. 52:34 Therefore, the sealed ones cannot be literal Jews. 52:37 The 144,000 are members of what? 52:42 Spiritual Israel. 52:44 The spiritual tribes of Israel, if you please. 52:48 And we don't have time to get into the idea that really 52:52 you have twelve personality profiles in the twelve tribes. 52:57 And you will go through the gate depending on 52:59 what your personality profile is. 53:01 But that's a subject for a different time because 53:03 that would actually take a whole Anchor school 53:05 to study the characters of the 144,000. 53:08 Maybe we'll do that sometime if the Lord doesn't come before. 53:12 The three angels' messages are God's final warning 53:16 to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. 53:19 The third angel warns the world about the dangers of 53:21 worshiping the beast and his image and receiving his mark. 53:25 It is clear that people from every nation, kindred, 53:28 tongue, and people must be warned to receive 53:30 the seal of God and refuse the mark of the beast. 53:35 In contrast to those from every nation, kindred, 53:38 tongue, and people who worship the beast and his image 53:40 and receive his mark on their foreheads or in the right hand 53:44 are those from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people 53:46 who have the seal of God in their foreheads. 53:49 If people from every nation, tribe, tongue, and people 53:51 receive the seal of God, they cannot be literal Jews. 53:57 And the next paragraph adds another thought. 53:59 The four angels hold the four winds of strife 54:02 until God's servants are sealed. 54:05 So, why four angels at the four corners of the earth? 54:09 Because they're globally holding the winds, right? 54:12 Of the world. 54:13 Not only in Israel, of the whole world. 54:16 His seal on the foreheads of His people who live 54:19 in the four corners of the earth. 54:21 In other words, those who are in the four corners of the earth 54:23 receive the seal. 54:25 That is international. That's not only the Jews. 54:28 When Jesus returns He will gather His elect from where? 54:32 From the four winds of heaven. 54:35 So once again, that's a clear indication that 54:38 you're not dealing just with the Middle East, 54:40 with the literal nation of Israel. 54:42 The final crisis is global. 54:45 And so, this indicates that God's people lived 54:49 in all the world, not only in literal Israel. 54:54 So is this clear? 54:58 Are the 144,000 literal Jews that live in Israel? 55:04 No. 55:06 And I would like to just mention that the Seventh-day Adventist 55:10 church has a huge task with the Protestant world. 55:15 Because conservative Protestantism 55:18 basically has imbibed futurism from beginning to end. 55:23 What they teach is that the church is going to be 55:26 raptured to heaven. 55:28 And once the church is raptured to heaven, 55:30 then begins the seven year tribulation. 55:33 And the seven year tribulation is primarily for the Jews. 55:37 And so, you know, all of the nations 55:40 will be against the Jews. 55:42 But there will be 144,000 faithful literal Jews 55:46 that will become Christians, and then they will go and proclaim 55:49 the message to other Jews and to the world. 55:52 Basically, what happens is, the attention of people is 55:56 directed to the Middle East for the 55:58 fulfillment of Bible prophecy. 56:00 And people are looking over there and saying, 56:02 "Well, let's wait and see what the Muslims are going to do." 56:05 You know, "Let's wait and see if the Russians attacks them, 56:09 the bear attacks Israel." 56:10 You know, and they're all looking at what's 56:12 happening in the Middle East. 56:13 They're expecting a personal antichrist 56:16 to rebuild a literal Jewish temple, 56:18 and to sit in the temple, and to build a great big 56:21 statue of himself, and command everyone to worship 56:24 the image of himself. 56:26 And so, everybody in the Christian world 56:29 is looking to the Middle East for the fulfillment of prophecy, 56:32 for a future antichrist, for a tattoo that is going to be 56:36 placed on people's foreheads or on their hands. 56:40 Meanwhile, the true antichrist sits in Rome. 56:45 And the emissary that will help him get his power back 56:49 is in the United States of America 56:52 in Washington DC, and nobody can see it. 56:55 The politicians can't see it. 56:58 The people can't see it. 57:00 And the reason why is because they're 57:02 looking in the wrong place. 57:05 The devil has used a counter play. 57:07 He's getting people to look at where the conflict isn't. 57:10 It kind of reminds me of football. 57:12 You know, in football you have a counterplay. 57:15 It's where all of the guards pull to one side, 57:20 and the opposite teams says, 57:22 "Oh, the runner is running to that side." 57:24 So they all go to that side. 57:25 And then the runner goes left. 57:28 And even though there's no blockers, 57:30 because all of the linemen went one way, 57:34 many times the runner is able to score a touchdown. 57:37 So that's what the devil has done. 57:38 He's done a counter play, saying, 57:39 "This is where it's going to take place." 57:41 But it's really going to take place over here. 57:44 So as Adventists, we have a huge message 57:46 to present to the religious world. 57:49 And they need to know what the true issues are 57:52 in the final conflict between good and evil. |
Revised 2022-09-06