Participants: Chris Shelton &, Kenny Shelton
Series Code: BTLP
Program Code: BTLP000023
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00:41 Hello and welcome to Behold the Lamb presents,
00:44 I'm Chris Shelton your host, and as always 00:47 we are so grateful, so thankful to have this 00:49 time with you again today to study God's word. 00:52 So stay tuned with us we're going to start 00:55 and begin a new series that I truly believe 00:58 has been Ordained of God to be presented. 01:01 I'm talking about a five part series. 01:03 Pastor Kenny has entitled Are You 01:06 Qualified to Receive the Latter Rain. 01:09 Are You Qualified to Receive the Latter Rain? 01:12 One morning as I was in the kitchen fixing 01:14 breakfast, my husband Pastor Kenny Shelton 01:17 came down from his study upstairs 01:19 and began to relate what the Lord had 01:21 been laying up on his heart to share with you. 01:24 And as I listened, I began to experience 01:27 the heavenly atmosphere that 01:29 had been accompanying him in his study. 01:32 And I sensed the enormous importance 01:34 of these messages needing to be presented 01:37 as soon as possible. Let's turn now to the Bible. 01:41 And let's read in the book of Joel chapter 2 01:44 and verse 23, it reads: Be glad that ye children 01:49 of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord, your God, 01:52 for he has given you the former rain faithfully, 01:56 and he will cause the to come down for you, 01:59 the former rain, and the latter rain in the 02:01 first month. Now in the study of scripture, 02:05 line upon line, precept upon precept. 02:08 We are brought to the awareness that 02:10 this verse has a literal meaning as well as 02:13 being truly prophetic. We know that there 02:16 was a beginning of a tremendous outpouring 02:19 of the early rain or the outpouring of the 02:21 Holy Ghost during the days of the Apostles. 02:25 And the effects were tremendous, 02:27 the early rain spread the Gospel of Christ 02:29 in miraculous ways of which we still may 02:33 have a part even today. But in looking to our 02:36 future as a church prepared to meet 02:39 her savior, we understand that there are still 02:42 severe trials and obstacles that lie 02:46 before us. And we see in scripture 02:48 that in order for the work to be accomplished, 02:51 God has promised a latter rain. 02:53 A latter rain to give power and completion 02:57 of this work right before the second 02:59 coming of Christ. Without this latter rain 03:02 or the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, 03:03 feeling us individually, friends, friends, 03:08 we will be lost. Therefore it begs 03:12 the question and an in depth study asking, 03:16 Are You Ready to Receive the Latter Rain? 03:20 Are your ready? So to begin this study, 03:23 our first message is entitled living in the 03:26 time of it, of spiritual emergency. 03:29 Living in a time of a spiritual emergency, 03:31 but before we delve further into today's 03:34 message. We're blessed to visit 3ABN's worship 03:37 center and listen to brother Christian Berdahl 03:40 as he sings My Redeemer Is Faithful and True. 04:01 As I look back on the road I've traveled, 04:07 I see so many times He carried me through; 04:15 And if there's one thing that 04:19 I've learned in my life, 04:22 Is My Redeemer is faithful and true. 04:29 My Redeemer is faithful and true. 04:36 Everything He has said He will do, 04:44 And every morning His mercies are new. 04:51 My Redeemer is faithful and true. 05:05 My heart rejoices when I read the promise 05:12 There is a place that I am preparing for you. 05:18 I know someday I'll see my Lord face to face, 05:25 'Cause my Redeemer is faithful and true. 05:32 My Redeemer is faithful and true. 05:39 Everything He has said He will do, 05:46 And every morning His mercies are new. 05:53 My Redeemer is faithful and true. 06:01 And in every situation 06:06 He has proved His love for me; 06:09 When I lack the understanding, 06:13 more grace He gives to me. 06:21 My Redeemer is faithful and true. 06:29 Everything He has said He will do, 06:36 And every morning His mercies are new. 06:45 My Redeemer is faithful and true. 06:53 My Redeemer is faithful and true. 07:22 Thanks for joining us today in a very, very 07:25 important study. You know, we're living in a 07:27 time of an spiritual emergency. 07:30 And when I'm talking about emergency, 07:32 I'm talking about, you know we need to 07:33 hear some trumpets, we need to hear some 07:35 sirens, we need to hear some morning sounds. 07:38 And so God is going to work through this 07:39 message about those who, are we qualified? 07:42 Are you qualified? Am I qualified to receive 07:45 the latter rain? I've have heard a lot of 07:47 talk about it. But we're gonna go to God's word 07:49 and find out the truth. Remember, this is a life 07:53 and death topic, so as it is, you want to get 07:57 your Bible out, get some paper as we 07:59 begin to study God's word. Now, always before 08:01 we study what do we do? That's right, that's what 08:04 you should be doing too by the way at home is 08:06 that you ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance 08:08 and I'm going ask for that right now. 08:10 I'm gonna kneel, where you can, those at home, 08:12 why don't you kneel with me and let's 08:13 ask the blessings of God, shall we? 08:19 Most gracious Heavenly Father, 08:20 we thank you for the privilege of prayer, 08:22 thank you that we can be a part of the family 08:24 of God, because of Jesus Christ. 08:27 Lord today, since my unworthiness to be 08:31 able to present this message that is such 08:35 an honor and that we live is so paramount 08:39 that we need to understand it. 08:41 It is life and death issue and sad to say 08:44 that many of us are fast asleep. 08:46 Lord, wake us up by the power of thy Holy Spirit. 08:48 We pray that you will take the things that are 08:51 said today by man and you will anoint them 08:54 with the Holy Spirit and give proper 08:57 understanding in the minds of your people. 08:59 May this be a opportunity and a 09:02 privilege for us to wake up, for the time 09:04 is at hand. Thank you for the power of the 09:06 Holy Spirit. I praise you will consume us, 09:09 forgive me of any sins and mistakes in my life, 09:11 I need to hear from heaven. 09:13 In Jesus name, amen. 09:19 Well, again have your pencil and paper 09:20 we're gonna be studying about, 09:22 are you qualified to receive the latter rain. 09:25 And there is also lot of talk going on in the 09:28 moment today about the latter rain and 09:30 a lot of people have different thoughts 09:31 about it. But you know what? It doesn't 09:33 really matter what man might say. 09:34 We need to go to the Bible Spirit of Prophecy, 09:36 find out exactly what God is, is talking about. 09:39 You know I was reading the great controversy. 09:42 Some of you gonna be familiar with some 09:44 of the terms and terminology that is being 09:47 used in this study, because it is a five 09:49 part series. Today we're going to be 09:50 setting a foundation up that we'll spring off 09:54 of that as we go through our future 09:56 studies. So you need to pay special attention. 10:00 So even though you don't understand maybe 10:02 some of the words and many of you will go 10:03 far beyond that. But if not, get acquainted 10:07 because it makes a difference. 10:09 We're going to looking at such things as we're 10:11 talking, if you've ever heard of the Sunday Law. 10:14 Well it scares people they've never heard 10:15 it. We are talking about the sealing of 10:17 God's people, talking about the latter rain 10:20 experience and what it's going to take to be 10:23 qualified to receive it and if we don't receive 10:26 it we will not go to heaven. Oh that, 10:29 that's heavy duty. You know it lays heavy on 10:31 my heart today and I'm sure it's gonna lay heavy 10:34 on you as we study this. Reading the Great 10:36 Controversy page 606 and if you don't mind 10:39 I'm gonna read that it talks about here about, 10:41 Men of faith, men of what? Two things, 10:44 men of faith and prayer will be constrained to 10:48 go forth with holy Zeal. Proclaiming 10:51 the words that God gives them. 10:54 The laborer will be qualified rather by 10:57 the unction of what? God's Spirit, 10:59 His spirit then by the training of literary 11:03 institutions. God is going to use whom He will. 11:07 Here in the last days and men are going to 11:09 go forth and they are going to be saying 11:11 things that maybe they, maybe they quite 11:13 understand themselves, but it's gonna be with 11:15 such conviction and such power that people 11:18 will be compelled to listen. 11:20 Why because we don't have time 11:23 because it is running out, and God said 11:26 there's certain people that will be, 11:27 notice the word qualified to inherit 11:30 the kingdom of God. And so the message 11:33 is going to be carried not so much by argument 11:37 or you know so many different passages 11:39 of scripture, but it's going to carried by 11:41 the power unction of the Holy Spirit. 11:44 The Holy Spirit brings conviction on the hearts 11:47 and lives of people for, maybe the first time 11:50 that here is the message and they will 11:52 take their stand for Jesus Christ. 11:54 How sad it is that many of us heard this 11:56 message most of our life for many years 11:58 and we still are seated. We're still not moving 12:01 forward under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 12:04 You see there is a work to be done that 12:07 of the John the Baptist and oh many people 12:09 studied John the Baptist life. 12:11 What did he do? It's very simply, 12:12 he called men to what? Repentance 12:14 and to what? Preparation. 12:17 The message today for God's Last Day Church 12:21 is to give to the world is what? Repentance 12:24 and it's the same issue. We're talking about 12:26 latter rain here and gaining victories and it's, 12:29 the message is to prayer people to stand in the 12:32 day of God. Friend, are you willing, 12:38 able by the grace of God to be able to stand 12:40 in that day. See we have a message to give 12:44 and you know I don't want to frighten you 12:46 with it, but you know somebody needs to 12:48 wake some of us up sometime and may I say 12:50 this very, very carefully, but I wanna say 12:53 powerful enough by the spirit that you get 12:55 what I'm talking about. Prepare to meat thy God. 12:59 This is the message, this is the time that 13:02 we live in. Little book called 13:04 Testimonies Ministries. I've spend sometime 13:06 reading and studying and how, how desperately 13:09 I need this council. And some of you'll hear 13:12 and it's interesting when we hear little rebuke 13:14 sometime or just the truth there is many, 13:17 that they come offended. 13:20 Oh don't be offended by the truth if you love 13:22 the truth is gonna bring gladness to your heart 13:25 and here it starts out Testimonies to Ministers 13:28 64, it says: The church needs to be converted. 13:32 It's nothing to get delve oh the church needs 13:35 to be converted. Focus on that with me why, 13:39 why should we not prostate ourselves 13:42 at the throne of grace and represent being, 13:45 and representatives of the church with a broken 13:49 and contrite heart spirit, make earnest 13:52 supplications that the Holy Spirit shall be 13:55 poured upon us from on high. 13:58 That's just real count. Why can't we? 14:00 The church needs to be converted, 14:02 so as part of the family got why can't 14:04 we go boldly into the throne room of God? 14:06 Why can't we plea for the outpouring 14:08 of the spirit in such a way. 14:10 Remember I'm talking about a spill here 14:13 that's going to convict us, give us victory 14:15 in our life that we may live the way 14:17 Jesus wants us to live. Well in this study it's 14:21 gonna take a little bit of time to get through it, 14:23 but I'll tell you I know the Holy Spirit of God 14:25 is gonna be speaking to you and to me. 14:27 Because is this the subjects we are living 14:30 in a, in a time of spiritual emergency. 14:34 And again in emergency situation there, 14:36 I mean there is no time to, to lose. 14:39 You know that many people talk about 14:42 this receiving of the latter rain and 14:44 what is going to take to receive it 14:46 and many people speak up as there 14:49 was just automatically going to be given to 14:53 those who just ask for it. 14:54 Other words in the certain we just gonna 14:56 say okay Lord I need the Holy Spirit, 14:57 I need the latter rain and I'm going to 14:59 receive it. Is that really the way that it works? 15:03 I have mentioned before that it's a life 15:05 and death issue. People maybe fooled to what 15:09 God has required of His children. 15:12 Now you will talk about this study. 15:14 You know what prompted this study really 15:15 and I'm thankful for it. A friend of mine I was 15:18 talking to him and he said, and I used the 15:20 word nonchalantly. He used the word 15:23 nonchalantly, here he said none are going 15:26 to be perfect when Jesus comes. 15:28 And he said it won't happen until the latter 15:33 rain is poured out. Well it may, it got my mind 15:36 to thinking right here. That's not what I have 15:37 remembered reading. But if the majority 15:40 of people think that is once the latter rain 15:43 is poured out then we're gonna gain victory. 15:45 Is that really the way that it works? 15:47 And when the Holy Spirit is poured out 15:50 and the latter rain is gonna makeup where we, 15:52 where we lack. Is that what it's all about 15:54 or it's a victory before and then the latter rain? 15:57 Which is a lackadaisical thinking many times 16:02 of people when they think in terms of God 16:06 has set a standard in his world, hasn't he? 16:08 And we have to reach that standard. 16:10 But a lot of people say well I, I know what 16:13 the Bible teaches and there is lot of indication 16:15 in there that God wants a victorious people. 16:18 He wants us to gain victory after victory 16:20 and never an defeat. But then they turn around 16:24 and they will well I don't think we're really 16:27 ever gonna gain the victory and over sin 16:29 and we are still gonna be sinning up until 16:31 when Jesus comes and I have heard the other 16:33 person he said just do the best you can. 16:35 Have the kind of attitude that you do 16:36 the best you can and Jesus will make up 16:39 the rest. Is that what the Bible and Spirit 16:41 of Prophecy teaches? If not, then maybe 16:44 we need to make some real changes 16:46 and some says well you remember just in the 16:50 time that we needed and we cry out for it. 16:53 God will give it to us. In this study, let's see 16:55 if that's really what God is saying to us. 16:58 Is this really the case if not, why not? 17:02 What, is there some changes we need to be 17:04 making right now. Does God really require 17:06 more than, more than you thought that 17:08 He required. Just, just kind of do the best 17:12 you can. You're gonna make it through. 17:14 Is the latter rain really gonna just fall 17:17 on anyone who just simply ask for when 17:20 there becomes a desperation mood and 17:23 we need something else and God give me 17:25 the latter rain is that what God is going to do 17:27 as much as he would like to. Is that what God 17:29 is going to do? Other conditions to receiving 17:34 this latter rain. Let me make this clear 17:37 as we open up this study. You know I, 17:41 I feel unqualified as I study, as I pray 17:45 about it and I'll be honest with you. 17:46 There's times in my study that I've had to stop 17:51 and just say Lord I really can't, 17:53 I can't take anymore. It's too much and 17:56 I've heard these things in studying, 17:58 but it's like the Holy Spirit is saying 18:00 this is what needs to be said. 18:03 This is where the life needs to be lived. 18:05 This is the people that I'm coming back after, 18:08 this is their characters and how those characters 18:11 are developed. You know it's just like 18:14 overwhelming at times. And I want overwhelm 18:18 you too to say here I need to, need to study 18:21 this culture. You see there is one thing 18:23 we know for sure that the latter rain is a 18:26 longtime overdue. Now we're gonna study 18:29 that more and I'm gonna prove that to you. 18:32 It's a longtime overdue. We should have already 18:34 fallen and may I see this to get some of 18:36 you thinking, we should already been 18:38 in the kingdom. So something has happened, 18:41 so you will hear different things you know 18:44 as we talk about the, the seal of God and 18:46 we talk about the you know the pouring out 18:49 of His spirit and so on. There are gonna be 18:51 words that will maybe confuse you, 18:53 but let's not do that. Main thing is to be 18:55 ready for the coming of Jesus. 18:56 I believe that God has the time and 18:58 He has a purpose for the outpouring of the 19:00 latter rain, but I wanna say this, 19:03 we need to be very careful in trying to 19:07 pinpoint you know every little, 19:10 all the time sequences and we have people 19:13 in the moment all the time that's trying 19:16 to pinpoint exactly every sequence. 19:19 They're spending all their time, all their 19:21 energy, all their effort on that and they're 19:23 forgetting character building. 19:25 They're forgetting what's really important 19:28 is to be ready for such an hour as you think 19:31 not the son of man cometh. 19:33 So lets spend less time trying to pinpoint 19:36 and be dogmatic about you know why 19:38 because I have seen the lot of you many of you 19:39 I have talk to, you make some big statements. 19:42 And you think you got material to back it up 19:44 and you set some time frames and you know 19:47 what many of that time is elapsed by 19:49 and it didn't happened that way you know what 19:50 that hurts the cause of Christ. 19:52 So let's be open in our study to say as 19:54 God continues to open the windows of heaven. 19:58 As he continues to work through the spirit of God. 20:02 As the scroll unrolls that we will be willing 20:07 and ready and receiptive to the Spirit of God 20:10 that if a change needs to come God help us 20:13 to make that change. More light may come 20:17 on these issues. We need to be prepared 20:20 for that. You know for a long time now 20:22 that the Holy Spirit has been tugging in 20:24 my heart to investigate more fully these issues 20:29 subjects of vital importance to the 20:32 people of God today. And if, and there seems 20:35 to be an urgency today it's because it is 20:38 because we are so, I have mentioned 20:40 lackadaisical, we shall nonchalant in this 20:43 world that we live in. It's like we have all 20:45 the time in the world and the message needs 20:47 to be given with power of the spirit, 20:49 where the conviction comes that you know 20:51 He is near even at the door. 20:53 God's impressed me. We need together a 20:57 little truth here and little truth over here 20:59 and put it together on subjects such as 21:02 the righteousness you see. 21:04 The righteousness of Jesus Christ. 21:05 Oh I'll tell you how interesting that is, 21:08 what a subject that is? And interesting of 21:11 how humanity and divinity working together 21:14 to gain victory over sin in our life, 21:16 complete victory over sin. 21:18 And how God wants us to reveal his character 21:22 to the world. That's going to change the world. 21:26 That's gonna be brought about as God lives in 21:29 Christ and the Holy Spirit lives inside of us. 21:31 The other people see this in us. 21:33 This righteousness by, by faith, working 21:37 together and let me make this comment 21:40 if I might do this. I believe this, 21:42 if we see this message and we understand it 21:45 and there is a time flame and how God is 21:48 gonna pour His spirit out when the real time 21:50 of test really comes to the people of God. 21:53 God's people will be able to stand fast, 21:55 but if you don't have that experience right 21:58 now you will not be able to stand. 22:02 You will not, and today is the day to gather 22:06 that experience. If this message is embraced 22:12 by God's people today. We're gonna find a 22:16 people that's gonna be called out of this, 22:19 I wanna call the lukewarm condition. 22:21 There's gonna be a revival of true godliness 22:24 among God's Last Day people. 22:26 I believe this with all my heart, we need a 22:28 remedy for the poison of lukewarmness and 22:32 it is a poison unto to death. 22:34 As we embrace this message of the latter rain 22:38 and the sealing of God's people and the loud cry. 22:42 Friend, what a change will take place in the 22:46 church. The things of earth will grow 22:48 strangely dim. When I say the final loud 22:53 cry listen up, 'cause someone say well the 22:56 loud cry was given before that's exactly, 22:58 but God, there is gonna be a final loud cry 23:02 and the sealing time. People seem to be, 23:05 seem you know saying in Adventism we're waiting 23:08 for some kind of a big event to happen before 23:10 we really get seriously, before I really commit 23:13 my life to Jesus Christ. See what, what it is, 23:16 I heard a lot of time saying how much time 23:18 you think we have left in this world? 23:20 What difference does it make then we need 23:22 to get right now with God. Whether you have 23:25 a year or two, year six but we don't know. 23:26 But shouldn't we get right with God. 23:30 Many people say how long they will tell the 23:33 Sunday Law is past. They are thinking then maybe 23:35 I wanna live for the devil as long as I can. 23:38 I'm gonna live in the world, I'm gonna enjoy 23:40 the things of the world and when I see this 23:42 happen then I'll know for sure they're doubting 23:44 Thomases. They're not living by faith and not 23:47 exercised any faith. They have no experience, 23:49 they will not stand in the last days. 23:52 People miss church, we fool around all the time. 23:55 We got other things to do and we're missing 23:57 opportunities and privileges to gather strength 24:00 and courage for that hour of trial that God 24:04 is going to see fit that we, that we go through. 24:07 What about these people. Are you, you know are 24:10 we to wait to some special occasion. 24:12 Are we to wait till some kind of big event 24:15 takes place. Manuscript 35 written in 1891. 24:18 This little comment and I love the comment 24:21 because it's talking about we are not to 24:23 wait for some big event, but it says today, 24:26 today is the day and here's a commitment. 24:30 I give myself to God today. 24:37 See that's beautiful. That's just rain in my, 24:39 it's just simple that I'm not waiting for some 24:42 kind of, people say we're refreshing 24:43 in the latter rain. I give myself to God how? 24:47 When? Today, today is the day isn't it? 24:51 God's looking for workman men and women today. 24:54 I give myself to God today. 24:56 May I ask you to do that right now as we, 24:58 as we continue in this study. 25:00 As we set the, the ground and the foundation 25:03 is set that you give yourself to God first 25:06 and friend if you do that these things will 25:08 begin to add up like never before. 25:10 Are you qualified to receive the latter rain. 25:14 Are you really qualified. I love the passage 25:18 and scripture found in Revelation 22 verse 17. 25:22 It's talking about somebody that's thirsty. 25:24 Let him that is a thirsty one. The Bible said, 25:27 I heard somebody, he said come who so ever 25:31 will let him take of the water of life how? 25:36 Freely. If you're thirsty Jesus says, come in this 25:41 study if you're thirsty you're going to have 25:44 to pay attention to it. I'm gonna have to pay 25:45 attention to it. I'm gonna have to pay attention 25:48 to God's word like never before. 25:50 It's not the surface read if it's going to 25:52 make it through the time of trouble. 25:54 The little time to trouble, big time of 25:56 trouble living in a side. This is one of our study 25:59 living in a side of our Holy God without a 26:01 mediator. What does that mean when you 26:04 known this all your life and then you turn around 26:06 and say we don't have to gain victory. 26:08 How you gonna live in the side of a Holy God 26:11 without a mediator. Friend the bill is add up 26:16 and we thrown it off and out and we don't 26:19 wanna hear it anymore because it just like 26:20 oh it's going to man too bigger change yes. 26:23 It's gonna demand a change if heaven is 26:24 gonna be your home and heaven is gonna be 26:26 my home. The saddest words I believe in 26:31 my heart that we were ever, ever hear 26:33 and this is what Jesus makes several statements 26:35 like this, but He simply said in Matthew 25 26:38 talking about the parable of the ten virgins. 26:41 He said I don't know you. How could there 26:47 be any sadder words that could be said from 26:50 Jesus when He looks at you and He says 26:52 I don't know you. Why doesn't He know us. 26:57 What has taken place, we profess his name, 27:00 we go to church, we pay our tithe, but why, 27:02 how can He say I don't know you. 27:05 Something we need to pay close attention to. 27:08 God has promised this. He's promised more light. 27:12 He's promise to give us light in these last days. 27:14 But the sad part the light is going to fall, 27:17 but it's going to hit on blind eyes that 27:18 can't see. He's promise to give us more light 27:21 and more encouragement, more strength and words 27:23 of warning, but it's gonna fall on ears 27:25 that no longer hear anymore because 27:27 they're set in their ways. They think heaven is a 27:32 little something that maybe you just you 27:33 toss yes or no. I make it, I won't make it. 27:37 Friend, repopulate Heaven is what it's all 27:39 about and may I warn you and I warn myself 27:43 at the same, yes there is an urgency for those 27:46 you saying he is getting real exciting. 27:47 Yes I'm about it. This is the message. 27:50 A message of getting right with God and doing 27:53 it now well we have the opportunity 27:55 and the privilege to do so, built an experience 27:57 with him like we've never had before all 28:00 how we are going to need it. 28:01 You listen, you know how discouraged you get 28:04 when nothing is going on in your life. 28:07 You give up on God, you give up on everything 28:09 how there was a truth and you said you believe 28:12 it as a truth. Well what if it really gets to. 28:15 What kind of experience have you, have you got? 28:18 I warn you, I warn myself today and all those who, 28:23 who were here right now friends look we 28:26 need to be careful that heaven's door is not 28:29 closed on us why? Be careful that heaven's 28:34 door it's gonna close one of these days. 28:37 Be careful that it's not closed why? 28:40 Because we are unfit to live there. 28:45 And if we are unfit to live there and to go 28:48 there the heaven's door will be shut. 28:50 We will not be there, we're gonna be cast 28:51 out into outer darkness. 28:56 Second Timothy 3 says, last days of men 28:59 are gonna be lovers of pleasure more than 29:03 lovers of God. This is part we're talking about 29:05 God most to pour His spirit out. 29:08 We should already been out, we should already 29:10 done, we should already been home, we're late. 29:13 But men are lovers of pleasure more than lovers 29:16 of God. They had a form of what? Good. 29:19 Godliness that means they have the external 29:23 characteristics of a Christian a throne. 29:26 But they deny what? The power, there are 29:31 whose power? God's power to change 29:33 my life to change your life, 29:35 to give us victory over sin, to be victorious. 29:38 We are denying that power, we are just 29:39 going through the motions and we go to church 29:41 and go home and we think everything is okay 29:44 and everything is alright when it's not 29:46 God help us. It's a fantastic thing to think 29:52 about heaven and being there, but if we, 29:56 if we can grasp what heaven is? It's holiness, 29:59 it's in the presence of God we have to have 30:01 that kind of relationship. We have to be without 30:05 sin. But we, we need the latter rain. 30:10 We need to be sealed. I think Ezekiel putted, 30:14 he putted a good way if we can say if that 30:17 way Ezekiel 33 verse 31. He is talking about 30:21 his people. He says, they come, they come unto 30:25 thee as the people cometh. Notice they 30:28 sit before me as my people is that sounds 30:31 Familiar? they sit before me as my people, 30:33 and they, they hear thy words, listen they 30:37 hear thy words, but they will not do them. 30:43 Is that happening in your church today? 30:45 You hear the words, but you refuse to do them. 30:48 For with the mouth notice that they show 30:52 much love. Oh listen but with their heart goeth 30:56 after covetousness. Lot of people speaking love 31:00 and talking love, but their heart's in 31:03 another direction. They're only talking, 31:06 they come and they sit. They sit through 31:08 service, but they're not really converted, 31:10 they're not really born again. 31:12 Friend, we live in an hour when the son 31:15 of man cometh. Let's go with this real quickly 31:19 and this is found in Matthew chapter 25. 31:22 Now there is a reason for this. 31:24 Even though you've heard it all your life 31:26 let your ears be opened in the name of Jesus. 31:30 You need to hear what's being said because 31:32 it's from God's word. It's not from men, 31:35 it's from God's world. Matthew chapter 25 31:38 you know the story of the Ten Virgins, 31:40 now you say oh yeah well I've heard that 31:41 a lot, listen the story, the parable of the 31:45 Ten Virgins. Virgins, simply tells us about 31:48 the experience of God's church before 31:52 He comes back the second time. 31:54 Now are you interested now. 31:55 The parable of the Ten Virgins represents 32:00 God's church just before He comes back. 32:04 Well I'm interested in that, because I want to 32:07 know don't you? When He said in the 32:11 Matthew 25 he says, the kingdom of God, 32:14 the kingdom of heaven is likened, so he did, 32:17 he said it's compared but the emphasis of 32:21 this parable has to do with two things, 32:23 preparation. Did you get that? 32:25 On preparation and then being what? 32:29 Ready, you can't be ready without what? 32:32 Preparation. You can't be with, 32:35 you got to have preparation and I 32:37 believe that we are failing to prepare 32:39 and we're gonna find out more and more 32:40 how that we are failing and how we can be 32:43 corrected if you want heaven to be your home. 32:46 Now remember not an individual, not one 32:49 person will be go through the time, the trouble. 32:51 Big time trouble. They'll not be able to do the 32:54 work God wants us to do unless we receive. 32:56 We cannot be sealed with the living God unless 32:59 we receive the latter rain. I can't make it 33:02 any clearer than that. The importance of it is 33:05 overwhelming to the Christian. 33:08 Yeah we've spend little time that, why? 33:10 The devil doesn't want us to, he wants us 33:11 to be occupied with everything else. 33:13 We don't have time to study, we don't have 33:15 time to pray we are busy. 33:16 We're gonna lose eternal life if we don't 33:19 change our lifestyle and what's important to us. 33:22 Kingdom of heaven and so the, the characters 33:26 as it were, if I can say that people say 33:28 we have the Virgins what does the virgins 33:29 represent what? Those who say we have what? 33:32 A pure what? Faith. The Virgins represent those 33:36 who are going about saying we have a 33:38 pure faith. Then you have those who had, 33:41 they had their little lamps within and the 33:43 lamp as well? Come on somebody help me. 33:45 I think I hear somebody out there Psalms 1:19 33:48 it says the word is what? A lamp all 33:51 good into my feet and a light into my path 33:53 and then each one had a little flask. 33:55 They had little container, they had what? 33:57 They had, they suppose to have extra oil in it. 34:00 Oil represents what? Good, Holy Spirit. 34:02 How do you know Zachariah what, 34:04 chapter 4 read it. This represents God's church 34:09 just before He comes back. 34:11 So we're living in a time of spiritual what? 34:15 Emergency. Let's put this parable in just as 34:19 few words as we can and yet not miss out on 34:22 anything. Can you do that with me? 34:28 The bridegroom you remember goes out to 34:30 meet his bride right Jesus writes getting 34:32 ready to do what? Get his bride, who is 34:34 the bride? His church. Jesus getting ready 34:36 to comeback and take, we thought take her home, 34:40 the bride home, his people home. 34:43 Now near the, the bride's house there were 34:48 Ten Virgins if you read Matthew chapter 25 34:51 and you go down the first several verses there. 34:53 It's going to get raised, it's going to take and 34:55 so they have their lamps with them 34:57 and they light them up in their way 35:00 and they got a container of oil and although 35:02 they may, they wait and they watch for the 35:04 bridegroom to come don't they? 35:05 But something is what? Something has happened. 35:09 The bridegroom is not coming and so they get 35:11 a little bit tired. Notice this the church of the 35:13 lukewarmness. They got a little tired and they 35:16 got a little sleepy because Jesus didn't 35:17 come when they thought He was suppose to come. 35:20 And so they thought we'll just take a 35:21 little nap. He delayed His coming, 35:24 so we're just what? We're gonna fell a sleep 35:26 and take a little nap we'll be ready when He, 35:28 when He gets here. You see those who are 35:29 falling sleep they are not prepared. 35:31 All the sudden they hear a shout 35:35 and they waken like oh go out to meet Him, 35:40 He's coming oh all ten of them. 35:43 They woke up and said oh boy we need to get 35:45 him all ten were sleeping, but there were some 35:48 that had been preparing for, let's say, 35:51 an emergency. They grab their lamps and they 35:55 began to trimming and all they began to fill 35:57 with oil and five of them had neglected 36:00 to do what? Fill up with oil. Now notice what 36:03 it was. They were not prepared for an 36:08 emergency. They were not prepared for the 36:12 tough times. Could that be God's church his 36:17 people hear in these last days. 36:19 They panicked and they said oh let's have 36:22 some of your oil. Now that the five that 36:27 had the oil, they weren't selfish. 36:29 They simply said that we can't give you the oil. 36:33 If we give you our oil we'll not have for 36:36 ourselves. Remember you, you can't get to 36:42 heaven by somebody else character, 36:43 somebody else what? Character is 36:45 non-transferable. You can't transfer character. 36:52 And so the five voice says what? Quickly run 36:56 and buy you some oil, to buy some oil and 37:00 what happen? And why they ran to get some 37:02 more oil. He says the procession just passed 37:06 on by. They went into the house and the door 37:08 was what? Shut. Why because they haven't 37:13 prepared for an emergency. People say 37:17 why didn't they, why didn't they share. 37:19 You know the Bible talks about that in 37:20 First Peter 4:18 scarcely the righteous scarcely 37:28 are to be saved. Scarcely would the 37:31 righteous enter the kingdom of God. 37:36 You can't transfer, you can't get to heaven 37:38 because your husband a Christian 37:40 or your wife is a Christian or because someone 37:42 else is living the faith. The ten individuals 37:49 here, notice we're going to the church now. 37:53 Going to the church. These people these 37:54 individuals here had a knowledge of scripture. 37:57 They knew the scripture, they even expected 38:00 Jesus to come. Oh He's going to come and 38:03 they're saying we want Jesus to come. 38:05 They heard the message of warning about 38:09 His coming and what it would take to prepare 38:11 for His coming. But what happened 38:13 they still did not prepare. They heard it, 38:16 they understood it, but they refused to 38:18 make a change. You know why because 38:20 they were destitute of what? Somebody 38:23 said Holy Spirit. They were destitute of the 38:25 Holy Spirit because there was no oil in 38:28 their lamp. Oh friend, how we need that oil today. 38:33 These same ones that was not preparing. 38:36 You know what they were proclaiming? 38:37 And you know if somebody is in the church today 38:39 and they're giving you this message somebody 38:42 needs to get a hold of them. 38:43 Somebody needs to shake them up a little bit. 38:45 If they don't get right, need to show them 38:46 the door. See that's a little bit heavy duty. 38:49 Well you better believe we live in a heavy 38:50 duty time. What were, what were these 38:53 five foolish doing in the church? 38:55 They were giving the message of what? 38:58 Good 1st Thessalonians 5:3 of peace and 39:03 safety don't worry about it it's going 39:05 to be alright. This is the way that 39:06 it's always been. Fine friend. 39:10 We have to listen to the word of God. 39:15 They, they'll secure. It's not going to happen 39:19 and they fell asleep. Somebody needs to 39:24 wake him up. We need to be awake. 39:26 Why? Listen carefully. It is in the time of a 39:32 crisis that the character is revealed. 39:37 Did you get it, what? It's in the time of what? 39:40 Of crisis that the character is revealed. 39:44 In the time of the Christ where Jesus comes back. 39:47 You know the doors closed, probation is shut, 39:49 you can't buy anymore oil, the day is fast 39:51 approaching. We can't have another opportunity, 39:54 may not be able to get out the Holy Spirit 39:55 in our life, the way that we need to. 39:57 That day could be past, we need to be careful. 40:01 That probation doesn't close on us and we have 40:04 not extra oil. That we're not sealed of God. 40:08 Don't feel secure, ever feel secure, 40:12 don't ever fall asleep. And you know when that 40:16 great final test coming. We're talking about the 40:19 out pouring of the spirit in this way 40:21 and the latter rain experience and who is 40:23 going to be qualified to receive it right here. 40:25 The great final test comes at the close of human 40:30 probation. What, the great final test comes 40:33 at the close of human probation and by this 40:37 time what is it? It's too late. 40:39 It's too late to buy the oil, it's too late 40:42 to get any help. It's over rift, it's done, 40:46 it's through. Friend, are you qualified 40:52 to receive the latter rain? 40:54 And what are these qualifications? 40:58 Is God really particular as it seems in His word. 41:01 You see when the bridegroom came, 41:04 when did he come? The Bible says He came at what? 41:08 Matthew 25, He came at midnight, 41:10 He came at the darkest point of the hour as it 41:13 was or the history of this world and the 41:16 Bible says in Isaiah 60 verse 2. 41:18 It said, in gross darkness the people. 41:21 Gross darkness, we're throwing God out 41:26 of everything. Jesus out of everything, 41:28 we don't want a religious country anymore. 41:31 But He comes in a dark period of earth's history. 41:36 I believe the world has lost or maybe the world 41:39 just does not understand the truth 41:41 about God's character. Righteousness by faith, 41:45 we are to manifest that glory to the world. 41:50 What is it? It's a revelation of the love of God. 41:53 That many of us we don't understand it, 41:55 that we don't have, we think we can go through 41:57 life just being good. We're talking about 41:59 Jesus living inside of us. Every action, every 42:03 thought, every deed, everything that we do 42:05 for somebody else. That heaven approves us. 42:09 Well friend it's a discouragement to heaven 42:11 so many times how about you? I don't want 42:14 to be a discouragement. I want to be a vessel 42:18 that God can use. Please remember 42:22 this as maybe you're jotting some stuff down. 42:24 We cannot, we cannot impart to others 42:31 that which we have never received. 42:35 You can't give what you have never received. 42:38 You're trying to give somebody this Holy Spirit 42:41 as you were, you know trying to encourage 42:43 them with it. You are trying to give somebody 42:44 the truth. Well maybe it's never been seated 42:46 in your heart. You can't give what you, 42:48 what you don't have. They say, yeah, but is 42:50 there evidences of the Holy Spirit living inside. 42:54 It's gonna be seen your life friend as it 42:57 flows from us to others in love. 43:03 Do we really have that kind of love. 43:06 You know I've read the, I read the word there 43:09 some people say you know well the Lord 43:10 said that we need to shine. 43:11 We need to be lights unto the world. 43:14 Listen the Lord didn't say you know 43:17 He said I want you to try to shine. 43:20 He didn't say I want you to try to shine. 43:22 He said let your what? Light so shine. 43:26 And in this study and the importance of 43:30 this study we're gonna see. 43:31 I want you to jot down four things quickly 43:33 as our time is running down. 43:35 Four things that we, we need to get on top 43:37 of here that we need to implement in our 43:40 everyday life. It will help us to be prepared 43:45 in an hour of spiritual emergency which we are 43:49 because time is almost gone. 43:55 Number one, you're jotting it down in this study. 43:58 We need to hold more communion with 44:03 our heavenly father. What does that mean? 44:06 Hold more, it's just, we need to spend more 44:09 time with Him. Hold more commune. 44:12 Get to know Him. His attribute, 44:14 His character who he is? And you know what you 44:18 fall in love. You wanna immolate, 44:21 you wanna following His footsteps, 44:23 you go to loving never before. 44:25 It will change your life, your disposition, 44:27 your attitude. We need to hold more commune 44:30 spend some time talking to Him as a friend. 44:33 He wants you to do that. And this study is gonna 44:37 be very important and we'll see that, 44:38 at number two. As we take our Bible 44:41 we need to be studying Spirit of Prophecy, 44:43 we need to be studying the character of God. 44:46 And so studying His character because 44:49 we must have that same kind of character 44:52 if heaven is to be our home. 44:54 Boy, that's quite different you know 44:56 what you get a lot of people in the church 44:57 saying today well we don't have to, 45:00 we just do the best we can and then 45:01 we're going to make it that's not true. 45:03 That's gonna be proven as we go. 45:06 Just I'm talking, as we're in the word 45:08 of God there are so many passage of scripture 45:10 that we have laid aside saying that 45:13 we love the scripture that we love God's 45:15 word that we've laid aside when He is there 45:17 He clear what it means because we look at 45:20 ourselves and we are destitute of that. 45:23 And so we make excuses. Study His character. 45:28 Who He is? Boy I tell you. You even the earthy 45:34 friend if you spend some time with them, 45:36 you learn who they are, in character 45:38 and characteristics. It's kind of easy to 45:41 fall in love with somebody isn't it? 45:42 The more we study about God, Jesus Christ, 45:46 the Holy Spirit, more we're gonna fall in love. 45:48 Number 3, we need to learn to trust God like 45:52 never before. This study we're gonna say, 45:55 we need to learn to trust God, because 45:56 we're talking about outpouring, 45:57 we're talking about latter rain experience. 46:00 We're talking about a little time of trouble, 46:03 we're talking about a big time of trouble here. 46:04 We're talking about a Sunday Law here. 46:06 We're talking about the judgment of the living, 46:08 judgment of the death and we are talking 46:09 about a time that's going on in the history 46:12 of the world here friend that we need 46:14 an experience, that we need to know who we are? 46:17 Who we belong to? Don't get confused, 46:20 you're going to one or the other either God 46:22 or the enemy. Learn to trust Him simplicity 46:28 is in what? In the good times or they say the bad 46:31 times in test and trial. You got all those jotted 46:34 down let's do number 4, shall we number 4 is 46:37 that we must, we must have, we must have 46:40 more than just a, a superficial experience. 46:43 If it's, if it's just on the surface experience 46:46 you're not gonna make it. It's gonna crack, 46:48 it's gonna crumble under pressure and 46:52 in our studies we're seeing that we're gonna 46:53 have to have an experience that's much 46:56 richer and deeper and fuller then we have 46:59 right now in order to make it through. 47:02 Did you get all of those hold more communion 47:04 with him. Study his character, learn to 47:07 trust Him and certainly we need a, 47:09 we need more than a superficial experience 47:12 with Jesus. Friend, the changes that will take 47:15 place in your life and in my life. 47:17 You say well we're feeling pretty good. 47:22 Listen Great Controversy in page 490 makes 47:26 a statement just listen to one liner, but listen 47:27 carefully, those of you who know what I'm 47:29 talking about. This is, this is a Biblical 47:32 principle, the work of preparation is an 47:38 individual work. What was it? 47:40 The work of preparation is an individual work. 47:44 What does that mean? You can't do it for me. 47:47 I can't do it for you. You can't buy, 47:49 you can't sell, you don't, it comes from 47:51 the Spirit of God. It's an individual bases. 47:56 If you are in Herald, Herald May 29 in 1896. 48:00 This was written boy, this is powerful. 48:03 It says the great outpouring of the 48:05 Spirit of God, which lightens the whole earth 48:08 with his glory, will not come until we have an 48:15 enlightened people. We, we want the third angel 48:20 or the power of the third angel and the 48:22 Revelation 18 angel that lights up the whole 48:25 world and earth with the glory of God. 48:27 God's character, His righteousness, 48:29 His love. We want that, but here it says 48:32 it will not come until we have a what? 48:34 An enlightened people, a knowledgeable 48:38 people, understanding the victory is ours 48:41 through Jesus Christ, that we can gain these 48:43 victories through Him. The plan of Salvation 48:45 understanding God's character, understanding 48:48 what's gonna take to receive that latter 48:50 rain to empower us to give this message with, 48:53 I'm talking about with the power that no man 48:55 can stop. To the warn the world and then you come. 48:59 Testimonies to Ministers 1:16 please listen 49:07 we with all of our religious advantages 49:12 some of you have set and puffed up 49:13 and all we know the truth listen, listen 49:16 this is you, this is me. All of us, all of 49:21 our religious advantage ought to know far 49:23 more than we do know. How much, a whole 49:28 lot more than we think that we know right now, 49:31 because the devil has what got in and messed 49:34 up the message that we get the people ready 49:37 for heaven and to give to the world. 49:40 This is powerful. Testimonies to Ministers 49:42 508 says this, by prayer, two thing, 49:45 by prayer and faith we are continually to 49:48 seek more of the Spirit. Now again we're gaining 49:51 ground and momentum as in this study, 49:54 because it's going to get a little stronger 49:57 as we go. It's going to be more pointed, 49:59 it's going to be clear, it's going 50:01 to be straight, it's going to be concise 50:03 because God wants us to know. 50:07 Prayer and faith we are continually 50:09 to seek more of the Spirit. Is that true? 50:13 You think you have enough of the Spirit. 50:15 We'll continue to do what to seek more 50:18 of the spirit. Notice, it will never do to cease 50:23 our efforts. Now here we go, here is the 50:25 if starts coming in. We need to seek what? 50:28 More of the Spirit. It will never do to cease 50:31 if we do not progress. How many are progressing 50:35 in the righteousness of Jesus Christ? 50:37 How many are progressing in our, 50:38 in your growth with Him right now. 50:40 How many? It says, if we do not progress, 50:45 if we do not place ourselves in an attitude 50:49 to receive both the former and the latter rain. 50:56 We shall lose our souls. 51:05 I don't, I don't think you got that. 51:10 If we cease effort, we cease pleading 51:13 for the Spirit of God. If we're not progressing, 51:17 growing in Jesus and this one and some of 51:20 you go I want to say guiltiest sin. 51:23 Knowing by jump other seat how judge 51:28 not be judge by the fruits you're gonna 51:30 know them, listen. Do not place ourselves 51:34 in an attitude to receive both. 51:37 There is a place where we can place ourselves 51:39 till we can receive the former and latter rain 51:41 we shall lose our soul and the responsibility 51:45 lies at our door. Now what does it mean to 51:50 place ourselves in the channels of blessings. 51:54 what does, what does that really mean, 51:56 where how, If we can, if we can place 51:58 ourselves in a better advantage that we can 52:00 receive the early and the latter rain, 52:02 shouldn't we be doing it? Yes. 52:04 Testimonies of Ministers 508 notice this, 52:08 here is where we can receive it, 52:09 here is where people are missing out. 52:11 It's very clear. And some of you listen 52:14 very carefully, some will be judgmental, 52:16 some would jump up and shout you love it 52:18 and rest of you won't like it. 52:19 Here's where we can place ourselves in 52:22 channels of blessings to receive it here the 52:25 convocation of the churches. 52:27 The convocation of the church. 52:30 You say how? As in camp meetings. 52:32 In the assemblies of the home church. 52:36 All occasions where there is personal labor 52:41 for souls. Our God's, listen our God's 52:44 appointed for giving the early and latter rain. 52:48 These are the pointed agencies that God 52:51 can pour out what? His spirit where is it? 52:53 Convocations of the church, camp meeting time. 52:56 It says right here what? Assemblies of the home 52:58 church wherever we may gather together 53:01 is an opportunity for God to pour out His Spirit 53:04 upon us. Now notice it says, it have attended 53:07 these meetings and I'm going to receive it. 53:08 Oh it's deeper than that. 53:10 The article goes on Testimonies of Ministers 53:13 508 it says, it's mere attendance upon all 53:17 the meetings will not itself bring a blessing 53:21 to the soul. Now get this if you don't get 53:24 anything else. Last couple of minutes 53:26 please listen. But God himself must command 53:34 the rain to fall. We have to place ourselves 53:40 in the possible to receive communion 53:44 with Him learning to trust Him, 53:46 study His character, ask for a better 53:49 experience with Him then you've got 53:52 right now. Attend church, attend camp 53:56 meetings, places where the early and the 53:58 former rain are going to come out, 53:59 but look what, but God himself is going 54:02 to command the rain to do what? To fall. 54:05 Brother, what are you doing to questions 54:08 that we close? What are you doing this 54:10 great work of preparation. 54:12 I will say just quickly right here, 54:14 but friend listen God will never place upon 54:16 the forehead of a impure man or woman. 54:18 He will never be placed upon the forehead. 54:20 I'm talking about the seal of God of an ambitious 54:22 or loving man or woman. It will never be place 54:25 upon the forehead of men and women 54:27 or false terms deceitful hearts 54:30 or who receive the seal must be without 54:32 spark before God candidates for heaven. 54:36 It's gonna leave you lot to think about 54:37 for our next program because we're gonna 54:39 be talking about they're fit to live in 54:41 the side of God. Being fit to live in the side 54:44 of God. Are you a candidate for heaven. 54:46 Let's quickly pray about before we close. Shall we? 54:49 Merciful Father in heaven we pray that 54:52 we are candidates for heaven. 54:54 As you come in take control of our hearts, 54:56 our soul, our mind, our will today make us, 54:59 make us clean vessels that you can use us 55:02 prepare us now we pray and we think you 55:04 in Jesus name, amen. Well the time has run out, 55:09 but you know until next time I want you to be 55:10 sure and be praying. This is a five part series, 55:13 we've just what scratched the surface 55:15 on the information that's, we're gonna be given 55:17 here pray for that latter rain. 55:20 Be prepared for the latter rain, give your life 55:22 and heart to Jesus Christ until then 55:23 we love and we'll see you next time. 55:28 Welcome back I know that there was so much 55:32 to contemplate in today's message which 55:35 by the way was the first in a five part series 55:38 that we have entitled 'Are You Qualified to 55:41 Receive the Latter Rain' in closing I would 55:44 like to share a quote with you found in the book 55:47 The Great Controversy pages 611 and 612. 55:51 The great work of the gospel is not to close 55:55 with less manifestation of the power of God 55:58 that marked its opening. The prophecies which 56:01 were fulfilled in the outpouring of the 56:04 former rain at the opening of the gospel, 56:06 are again to be fulfilled in the 56:08 latter rain at its close. Here are the times 56:12 of refreshing to which the apostle Peter looked 56:16 forward when he said: Repent you therefore, 56:18 and be converted, that your sins maybe 56:21 blotted out. When the times of refreshing 56:24 shall come from the presence of the Lord. 56:26 He shall send Jesus. Because of the vital 56:31 importance of our fully understanding 56:34 this message we are offering this five part 56:36 series to you, to view time and again with 56:39 family and friends. You may order yourself 56:42 by requesting program 23 or asking for the series 56:46 'Are You Qualified to Receive the Latter Rain.' 56:50 This series includes today's message 56:53 "Living in a Time of a Spiritual Emergency" 56:57 followed by "Fit to Live in the Sight of a 57:00 Holy God". The third message is entitled 57:03 "Those living up to the light that they 57:05 have will receive greater light!" 57:08 The fourth "Our characters must 57:12 reach full maturity before probation closes" 57:15 and finally "How to remedy the defects 57:19 of our characters" we ask that you consider 57:22 donating $35 or more for this set and for the 57:25 support of these messages. 57:28 You may order yours by writing to 57:30 Behold the Lamb Ministries, PO Box 2030, Herrin, 57:35 IL 62948 or calling us central standard time 57:39 here in the United States at 618-942-5044 57:45 and as always send us an email at 57:48 BeholdTheLamb Ministries@Yahoo.com 57:51 or you can visit us on the web at 57:53 www.BeholdThe LambMinistries.com 57:58 until next time may our precious Lord 58:01 continue to richly bless you and yours. |
Revised 2014-12-17