Participants: Kenny Shelton
Series Code: BTLP
Program Code: BTLP000044
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00:41 Hello, and welcome to Behold the Lamb Presents.
00:44 I'm Chris Shelton, your host. 00:45 And I just wanna thank you for tuning in with us today. 00:49 Today, we're going to begin a two part series 00:51 that Pastor Kenny Shelton has prepared for us 00:54 and he's entitled this series "The Prophecy of the 144,000. 00:59 Who are they?" 01:01 This prophecy is spoken 01:02 of in the Book of Revelation, in Chapter 14. 01:06 John here, he is looking into the future of the redeemed 01:09 and he's describing a group of people 01:12 who are standing with Christ on Mount Zion. 01:15 This group has their father's name 01:17 written upon their foreheads 01:19 and they sing a song that only they are able to learn. 01:23 They're described as being pure 01:25 and having had followed Christ wherever He led them. 01:29 John says that these are the first fruits to God 01:32 and to the Lamb and that they are without fault 01:35 before the throne of God. 01:36 It's a beautiful description of harmony with God 01:40 and the salvation of His children. 01:43 But what bothers many of us who read this prophecy 01:46 is that these people who are redeemed 01:48 and standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion are numbered. 01:52 But more important we were told 01:54 that there are only 144,000 of them. 01:58 Think about it with me. 01:59 Think about it in comparison to the population of people 02:03 who have lived on this earth since the beginning of creation. 02:06 This is certainly not a very large number. 02:09 In fact, it's not even a large number for the people 02:13 who are currently living on this earth 02:15 at this very moment. 02:17 So for many of us it troubles our minds at times as together 02:23 we read this prophecy and we begin to wonder 02:25 why, why Lord such a small number of people 02:29 are pictured here with Christ. 02:31 Prayerfully we will gain more insight 02:34 as to what these answers are to our troubling questions 02:38 as we listen and learn from our next two lessons 02:41 dealing with this prophecy of the 144,000. 02:45 But first, let's visit the 3ABN worship center 02:48 and be blessed as we listen to a song that is entitled 02:52 "How Can I Keep from Singing" by Hopes Call. 02:58 How can I keep 03:01 How can I keep 03:03 How can I keep 03:08 From singing 03:15 My life flows on 03:21 In endless song 03:26 Above earth's 03:28 Lamentation 03:34 I hear the sweet 03:37 I hear the sweet 03:39 Though far off hymn 03:45 That hails a new 03:50 A new creation 03:54 Through all the tumult 03:59 And the strife 04:04 I hear the music ringing 04:11 It finds an echo 04:14 In my soul 04:19 How can I keep 04:23 From singing 04:28 The peace of Christ 04:34 Makes fresh my heart 04:39 A fountain ever springing 04:46 All things are mine 04:51 Since I am His 04:57 How can I keep from singing 05:05 Since Christ is Lord 05:09 Of Heaven and earth 05:16 How can I keep 05:21 From singing 05:26 How can I keep 05:28 How can I keep 05:30 How can I keep 05:36 From singing 05:48 Praise the Lord. 05:49 We're glad you joined us today 05:51 and again by that fiery introduction 05:53 you know the subject is vital importance. 05:55 I prayed that it touched to your heart 05:57 and your life even before the message. 05:59 But always, we always go to God in prayer 06:01 and I'm gonna invite you to go with me to prayer. 06:03 You some but--you know, listen to D.V.D.'s and C.D.'s 06:06 and so on and so forth, the internet, 06:08 you may not be able to kneel with me 06:09 but those who can I'm gonna ask you 06:11 to kneel right now in prayer. 06:13 Because this is a vital subject that God's last day 06:16 people need to understand. 06:18 Let's pray about it. Shall we? 06:21 Loving Father in Heaven, 06:23 we thank You for the privilege of prayer. 06:24 We thank You that You love us today. 06:26 Father, we want to know the truth of Your word 06:29 and so we pray your Holy Spirit 06:30 now will come upon each and everyone of us. 06:33 May our ears be open. May we be in tune with heaven. 06:36 May we understand spiritual things 06:38 by the power of the Holy Spirit. 06:40 Consume us all now. 06:42 We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 06:46 I like to have prayer, don't you? 06:48 Can't pray too often because of the subject matter. 06:51 The devil is always angry 06:53 when Gods' people move forward and tell the truth. 06:56 So if you haven't really studied this subject 06:57 it might be new to you 07:01 but if you've been studying it we're gonna pray 07:03 Gods' is gonna help us to understand it 07:05 a little bit better as we go along. 07:07 I might mention that this subject is so very important 07:11 in the hour in which we live. 07:13 When I speak about the 144,000, this is a group of people, 07:18 you see, that is in the future, a very special group of people 07:24 and so we should gather our attention. 07:26 Is it possible that we could be a part of it? 07:28 What are the qualifications of it? 07:31 And so we realize as we study the Book of Revelation, 07:34 that much of the prophecy has been fulfilled. 07:37 Things are being fulfilled right here in our very day 07:41 and the last part just before Jesus comes. 07:44 So I know that you're going to be 07:45 interested as we study together. 07:48 Day by day, you notice in the news, 07:50 you hear that nations are going against nations. 07:53 There's threats. 07:55 There's threats upon this good 07:56 ol' United States of America everyday. 07:59 And around the world nations are angry one with another. 08:03 These are signs of the coming of Jesus. 08:06 And so when there is a threat we need to take it seriously. 08:09 We need to understand in this hour 08:11 in which we live that Jesus is soon to come. 08:14 That the old devil is gonna be working with power 08:17 that we have not seen before. 08:20 So that means we need to understand 08:21 the word of God like never before. 08:24 You know, the prophets of old wrote 08:26 about what would be taking place in this world. 08:29 I know some of you when you mention word prophet 08:31 you get a little, ooh, little tight maybe. 08:33 Oh, don't do that all through the Bible. 08:35 We're gonna be doing a study on that 08:37 and I think that will be an encouragement to you. 08:39 But the prophets of old wrote about what would be 08:42 taking place in the last days of earth's history. 08:45 Now remember the things that take place 08:47 in the last days of earth history 08:49 outcome the 100 and what, and 44,000. 08:53 That's why I think it deems necessary for us 08:56 to do background before we get and say here's the 144,000. 08:59 Here's what they do, here's what they-- 09:01 There is some background that's so imperative 09:03 that we understand what comes out of all this tribulation 09:08 and these problems in the world. 09:09 But some of you will say 09:11 let's start to get over this today, shall we? 09:13 Well, we won't be here for that. Yes, you will. 09:16 Consider it. What if you are? 09:17 I'm going to be saying that program to program. Why? 09:20 Because the devil is using, 09:22 well, we won't be here so we don't have to worry 09:24 about what's going to take place. 09:26 Very interesting, the 144,000 09:28 those who are like Jesus 09:30 go through this very terrible time 09:32 that the world has never seen. 09:33 So are they any different than you and me? 09:36 Were they eliminated from going through 09:38 some trials and tribulations to perfect character? 09:41 These are things that we need to study. 09:42 The prophets, they saw famine, 09:44 pestilence, and more and bloodshed. 09:47 That's what the Bible says. 09:48 And as we think on these things there was much confusion. 09:53 You say, well I'm not sure. 09:54 Matthew 24:7, read it, confusion was in the land. 09:57 It was rapid. 09:58 But I do believe this, regardless of the confusion, 10:01 regardless of what's going on in this whole dark moral world, 10:06 those who are disloyal to God 10:07 in the keeping his commandments, 10:09 God is still in control. 10:11 Heaven is interested in you and me. 10:15 He's interested in the people of God 10:18 because he knows that we live in a world of what? 10:20 Deep corruption. 10:22 On every hand there is something, 10:24 something going on in the world that's devilish, that's dark. 10:27 And we need to make sure that we have the light of the truth 10:30 and the gospel of Jesus Christ in this hour. 10:33 God said there will be people 10:34 that would deliver a warning message. 10:37 People are gonna love it? No, they will not. Why? 10:40 It demands a change in character and life and may be in our jobs 10:43 and the way we conduct ourselves. 10:45 But God said there will be a people 10:47 that will give a warning message to the world 10:49 pointing people simply to this-- look to the Lamb of God 10:53 which takes away the sins of the world. 10:55 You read that in John 1, verse 29. 10:57 That's what the Bible said. 10:59 So among a very middle of a disloyal people 11:04 in this dark world who're trampling on what? 11:06 The very law of God. 11:08 There would be a people that will be called-- 11:10 listen carefully-- to come out of Babylon. 11:15 Some of you read that saying, oh, Babylon 11:16 and you're just like you dismiss it. 11:19 We need to understand more of this 11:20 when we'll be studying more about this term Babylon 11:22 and what it really, really mean? 11:24 Babylon. Have you ever read that? 11:26 Revelation 18, you can read it. Now let's just touch on it. 11:29 You say, yeah but why touch 11:31 because I want to just get into it. 11:32 Now, listen, listen carefully. 11:34 Because remember the stage as it were as being set, 11:37 this will be taking place in the world 11:39 just prior to the close of probation and what? 11:42 The sealing of Gods' people, the 144,000. 11:47 So it's imperative that they are going through this too. 11:50 Oh, listen, Revelation 18 brings some points here, 11:54 major points that I do not want you to miss 11:57 and I don't want to miss them. 11:59 Babylon falling. 12:01 We realize when Babylon falls it's a progressive fall. 12:06 And so we have to be aware of what's taking place 12:08 and the Bible will help us understand it. 12:11 Because what, as it falls it's affecting the whole world. 12:16 And that's you and that's me, isn't it? 12:19 And so if it affects our world I need to know about it. 12:22 How about you? 12:24 And you realize the fall of Babylon-- 12:25 this might shock you. 12:27 The fall of Babylon can be traced 12:29 all the way back to the Garden of Eden 12:34 where the devil told his, what? 12:36 First lie. Oh, you've read that. 12:39 Genesis 3, verse 4. 12:41 When he said "You shall not" what? 12:43 Good "Surely die." 12:45 And so it began then what? 12:47 Babylon is confusion, we understand, and lies, right? 12:50 False teaching. 12:51 He began to teach it right there. 12:52 And so we need to trace it all way from the beginning, 12:55 all the way to the end of time. 12:57 We find in our world billions and trillions 13:01 of dollars misused, false teachings, 13:05 doctrines in the church running rapid, 13:08 selfishness, heresies of every kind. 13:12 It seems like we're being as Christians 13:14 you're almost being beat on this side 13:15 and that side and down to top. 13:18 In which direction the devil is coming against you 13:20 because he, he hates you. 13:23 These heresies, these false teaching, 13:25 Babylon's teaching has taken the world captive 13:29 and that's the plan of the enemy. 13:31 But you know, when Jesus began His ministry, 13:34 think with me what He did. 13:35 When He first began His ministry what did He do? 13:38 He went in and He cleansed the all good the temple 13:42 from the sacrilegious behavior that was polluting it. 13:46 He went in and as we say clean house. 13:49 That's what Jesus did when He began his ministry. 13:52 He--what, what was defiling the temple right? 13:55 He got rid of it. 13:56 Interesting the word when you look up that 13:58 says the prostitute's ways. Interesting, wow. 14:03 But Jesus didn't want to deal with that 14:05 and so He went in and He cleansed 14:07 that unhealthy behavior, the wicked ways. 14:11 And you'll see where right in the last acts of His life, 14:16 the second cleansing of the temple. 14:19 So there was what? Two calls quickly. 14:20 There were two calls. 14:22 Two calls of warning to cleanse the temple and He cleansed it. 14:26 Two calls and that-- so the last word to the church. 14:30 He is talking to His people. He is talking to the church. 14:33 And He does it through the what? Second Angel's message. 14:36 Now again we're preparing for the 144,000 that's going 14:39 to come out among all of this stuff that we're talking about. 14:43 The Second Angel's message you see is to wake up 14:47 a sleepy church, a sleepy people. 14:50 And it says-- and what does it say? 14:52 "Babylon is," good, "is fallen." "All nations," that means what? 14:57 Listen, all churches are drunk 15:00 with a wine of the false teachings and doctrines. 15:04 And then the second call is the call to what? 15:07 The Third Angel. 15:08 The loud cry of the Third Angel and it says 15:10 "Come out of her, my" what, "my people 15:13 and don't partake of her sins, or receive of her plagues." 15:18 If you don't come out of Babylon 15:20 you're going to receive of her sins. 15:22 Do you want to receive of her sins? 15:23 All that she's done in the world, 15:25 all the wickedness that God said 15:26 I'm gonna pour my wrath out upon her. 15:29 Or you wanna go through the plagues? 15:30 That means you're lost, friend. Come on, somebody help us. 15:34 No, you don't want to do that. We don't want to be fooled. 15:38 He said her plague--her sins have reached up into heaven. 15:41 We need to realize don't fool yourself 15:43 and I don't want to get myself fooled here 15:46 because we realize before Jesus comes I want, 15:49 especially those of you who say you're Bible students, 15:52 there's going to be a removing of the old landmarks. 15:57 A removing of the old landmarks 15:59 is going to have to be taking place. 16:02 And the pillars--there's going to try to be moving 16:05 some of the pillars of the faith of Gods' last day people. 16:08 Do you know truth well enough? 16:11 Do you really understand what the truth is 16:12 that you won't be shaken out? 16:14 Or that you won't accept 16:16 some kind of false teachings and doctrines? 16:19 The enemy is going to be messing with the pillars, 16:22 the anchors, the foundation of our faith. 16:26 We need to anchor in like never before. 16:30 And you know, we have to realize 16:31 there is going to be an almost over powering effort 16:34 that's going to be made. 16:36 And let me tell you how it's going to be made. 16:37 What? By the Laws of the Land. 16:40 The laws of the land we see right here 16:42 are going to be doing what? 16:44 It's going to be trying to get you 16:45 to follow the enemy, legislative action. 16:50 Now remember, this is dealing with 16:52 what's going to come out of the 144,000. 16:55 They are going to be challenged with these issues 16:57 that I'm talking about right now, 16:59 just like you're going to be challenged with him. 17:02 Legislative, Laws of the--of the Land. 17:06 Friend, we didn't realize what's going on here. 17:09 The Laws of the Land is going to what? 17:10 Institute a false Sabbath. 17:13 A child of the papacy 17:15 and he is going to demand the world, 17:17 you see, to worship on that day. 17:20 The enemy is doing his very best 17:21 to get rid of even the knowledge of God in the land. 17:25 If he could do it he would do it 17:27 but Gods' not going to let him. Praise God. 17:29 He is not gonna let the enemy wipeout the knowledge of God. 17:33 We need to have our minds and our hearts 17:36 in the Bible like never before. 17:39 As God said, you know, he's going to have a people 17:40 that's going to be sanctified by the word. 17:44 I wonder if you're sanctified by the word today. 17:46 You've been really reading it. 17:48 You can say okay, this is the truce of Gods word 17:50 or you're gonna be one of those 17:51 that will go along with the commandments of man 17:53 and the teachings of man today. 17:56 Here's where prophecy begins to point out 17:58 special group of people. 18:00 Here's where prophecy begins to tell us 18:02 and points out this special group. 18:04 They're singled out. 18:06 See this group of people are singled out 18:07 because they hold up the truth like no other. 18:12 They hold up the truth in the midst of 18:13 again a dark world where there seem to be no truth. 18:18 They reflect the image of God. They are like Jesus. 18:23 They're separated-- this group of people 18:26 they are separated from all iniquity, 18:29 from things of the world. 18:32 They dare to be like Jesus. This is the special group. 18:38 They reflect the image of God. 18:42 They are the elect of God, the Bible talks about here. 18:45 Christ formed within. 18:48 You ever read that in Galatians 4:19. 18:51 Christ formed within. 18:53 Oh, how desperately we need that today. 18:56 Letting Christ into our hearts, 18:58 in our life and let flow in every thought, 19:02 in every action and in every deed 19:03 let--let Jesus do this for us. 19:07 Christ within, we need that. 19:10 But can you be among this group? 19:12 Can I be among this illustrious group 19:14 that we are talking about here? 19:18 What they go through. 19:20 See when you just--to me when you take time 19:22 to do a subject like this it's like you're only, 19:24 you're only touching on it. 19:26 Even though there is a very little scripture on it, 19:30 the teaching can certainly just springboard out 19:33 because you can use some of these passages 19:36 that are given in these verses and you can jump 19:38 and you can find a principle of Gods word 19:40 and you say there's a lot more here than 19:42 what maybe you thought before. 19:44 But we would miss something and I think this is why 19:48 I've chosen to spend some time. 19:49 Something vital if we did not mention 19:52 the condition of the world at that time. 19:56 Of what was--where we were going for just before Jesus comes. 19:59 And how the majority of the people 20:02 even today and before Jesus comes, 20:05 they are just unaware of what's going to take place. 20:08 It's just that simple. 20:09 It's almost like they are uninformed 20:11 and they are because they are not going to God's word. 20:14 I believe this prophecy is crying out like never before. 20:17 There is a loud voice that's going on this-- 20:19 they are waking up the saints to say the time is almost gone 20:25 and where we're gonna spend eternity. 20:27 God's judgments are in the land as you well know. 20:31 They are falling everyday right here 20:33 and they are going to continue. Why? 20:34 Why will the judgments continue to fall on this land? 20:37 It seems like there is-- they're all ready, 20:38 one just right on the heels of the other. 20:40 It's because we are a rebellious people. 20:43 It's very simple. 20:45 Warning after warning is being given. 20:47 Signs all over the place. 20:50 Nations, nature, all are crying out. 20:54 You can see what's going on and yet we seem to be confused. 20:58 When prophecy is so clear, 21:00 the prophets of God have been so clear 21:02 and the prophets of God simply say what? 21:04 Prepare, prepare. To what? 21:08 To meet your God. Preparation to meet God. 21:12 And what's happening? Oh, friend. 21:15 Many, many pastors and evangelists today, 21:18 they are trying to give you something smooth, 21:19 something that will, kind of, 21:21 make you set back in a easy chair 21:22 and say, oh, yeah, well, this is going to be good. 21:25 Friend, it's just that many today are pointing forward 21:27 to an age of peace and prosperity. 21:30 You know what, that's Bible prophecy 21:32 before Jesus come. 21:34 You want to say what peace and prosperity, 21:35 peace and safety? 21:37 And the Bible says what? 21:38 First Thessalonians 5, certain destructions going to come. 21:41 And still the minister is getting in the pulpit 21:43 and being a minister of God, a mouth piece for God, 21:46 warning the people to get ready to meet Jesus. 21:48 Get rid of sin in their life, to let Jesus come in 21:51 and fully right--live right out through you and through me. 21:54 After all, as in all of this and the 144,000 21:57 and the great controversy, is those who what? 22:00 The devil said what? No one can be like you. 22:03 He said they can be like you. 22:04 Guess what? God's character was challenged. 22:07 And he said there will be a people, 22:08 you see, who were able to live above sin 22:11 by His grace and by His strength. 22:13 And so we see right here that they are howling, 22:16 oh, peace and prosperity. 22:18 And they are talking about what? 22:19 They are absorbed in pleasure and feasting 22:22 and doing all of these things that the world does or building. 22:25 They are having a good time. They are out making money. 22:29 There's nothing wrong with making money 22:31 but I'm saying that becomes a priority to many people. 22:35 Anyway they let the hand of God 22:37 go whenever comes to the--we saw that the dollar. 22:40 They just, oh, we're gonna make some more money 22:42 and preaching they lose the sensory of heaven 22:44 and heavenly things. 22:45 And so that's it was-Bible says as it was in the days of what? 22:48 Good, of Noah. 22:50 The Bible said it would wax worse and worse 22:52 and still saying, oh, it's going to get better, 22:53 its going to get better. 22:55 If we realize when it talks about waxing worse 22:57 in Second Timothy, waxing worse 22:59 the Bible says here it gets worse. 23:02 It grows worse. It continues to strengthen. 23:07 It advances, it increases 23:10 as it comes closer to the time of Jesus. 23:13 In other words it has a wax old and as it gets, 23:16 you know, coldness of the heart we find people in, 23:19 it's that strengthen to the point 23:21 that it comes to the very front and it's very obvious 23:24 what kind of position they are taking. 23:27 You know, Jesus said, I wish that you'd be what? 23:29 Yes, hot or cold and not lukewarm. 23:33 He is talking to a people 23:35 who were in the subject of the 144,000. 23:39 But you know this group of folks here 23:41 they are just--they're avoiding all the warning signs. 23:45 They are not paying attention. 23:46 But the day of God, the Bible says, 23:48 is going to come up on them as a what? 23:50 As a surprise. Why? 23:54 Because they haven't been paying attention. 23:56 They have been lured to sleep by what? 23:58 False security of many in the world today in the pulpits. 24:02 Don't worry about it. Relax, it's going to be okay. 24:06 And God's prophets down through the ages said, 24:08 get ready, get ready. 24:10 Error, falsehood. 24:14 You guys, we gladly accept that today. 24:18 We sit back and let other people to feed us. 24:21 Air and false, you know, 24:23 doctrine and teaching and we sit back smile. 24:25 And say, well, it must be. I guess, it's okay. 24:28 Oh, friend, do not--the great controversy, great book. 24:32 Page 338:9 look at-- 24:34 if you happen to have one read this with me. 24:36 It says this, when the professed people of God. 24:39 Now you professed to be, you know, we love God, 24:42 you're part of the family of God, knows it. 24:44 When they are uniting with the world, 24:47 when Gods people then are doing what? 24:49 Are uniting with the world, living as they live. 24:54 If that doesn't challenge you and me today-- 24:57 that doesn't challenge us. 25:00 The professed people of God are uniting with the world. 25:04 You have to look at your life and I have to look at mine. 25:06 Am I really uniting with the world 25:09 that really you can't see any difference 25:10 between me, you, there, and the worldlings 25:13 and we are living as the world lives? 25:15 Look at your life. 25:17 Are we living like everybody else is living 25:19 down in the neighborhood 25:20 and in the world and where we work? 25:21 Are we just like them? It's part of prophecy. 25:24 When we are doing that we are joining with them 25:27 in forbidden pleasure. 25:30 We are seeking society of the world, you get it? 25:34 It says when the luxury, listen, when the luxury of the world 25:38 becomes the luxury of the church. 25:42 More and more have opened the church doors 25:43 and people come in. 25:45 They say, we get phone calls. 25:47 People who're upset things are going on in their church. 25:50 They don't know what to do about it. 25:53 Morality seems to be gone. Spirit of God seems to be gone. 25:57 It's waning and everything 26:00 it seem like except for the word of God. 26:02 They don't know what to do. 26:05 Has the world come in as, you know, 26:07 luxuries of the church and luxuries of the world 26:09 they are saying? 26:11 And then we're reading on. 26:12 It says when the marriage bells are chiming 26:14 and all are looking forward 26:15 to many years of worldly prosperity 26:19 then suddenly as the lightening flashes 26:22 will come the end of these bright visions 26:25 and they're loosing hope. 26:28 Think about it. 26:30 Oh, we think, oh, it's just wonderful, it's so good. 26:32 Just about--all of a sudden we've got it together now. 26:35 Things are going good. 26:36 I said look out it's going to come to an end. 26:40 Friend, are you really preparing? 26:41 Am I really preparing for what's to come upon this world, 26:45 to be a part of this special group of people 26:48 that will be alive than 144,000? 26:52 You say, yeah but I've read in scripture. 26:53 We realize if you look in scripture, 26:55 I believe, it's only mentioned three, 26:56 three different places. 26:58 And in the Book of Revelation Chapter 7 verse 4, 27:01 Revelation 14 verse 1, Revelation 14 verse 3. 27:06 But you know, I think again before we really give 27:09 we go right back and we say okay, look, 27:11 we've been talking about the condition of the world 27:13 and the condition of the world will be before Jesus comes. 27:18 And then we go back and say, Okay, what was going on 27:21 when this prophecy was given in scripture, 27:23 in Revelation Chapter 7? 27:26 In order to do that we go back 27:29 to the chapter before Revelation Chapter 6 27:32 and it's interesting what it says. 27:33 Revelation Chapter 6 verse 17. 27:36 Here is the question, at least to me 27:38 has vital importance for the people of God today. 27:41 This stops me in my tracks. 27:44 It makes me try the self examination 27:46 and you do the same today. 27:48 It begins with-- it says this. 27:50 "For the great day of his wrath is come" okay, 27:55 and then you say well, yeah, okay, 27:57 the great day of his wrath. 27:58 How many of us really understand 28:00 what the wrath of God is all about? 28:05 We say it like it's just like, 28:06 you know, mom and dad is gonna take a little belt 28:08 and just give--tan our hide 28:09 just a little bit and we are gonna be out. 28:10 The wrath of God when it's poured out, that mixture. 28:15 It says Bible is clear on it 28:17 "The great day of his wrath is come" 28:18 and notice here is the big question 28:20 "who shall be able to stand?" 28:24 Evidently in a prophecy of revelation, 28:27 John the Revelator was like taken back. 28:30 For all the scenes that were passing before him 28:34 he could see that there is no hope. 28:38 Who is gonna be saved? 28:40 When all of this breaks loose upon the world, 28:44 who is gonna be saved? Who is gonna be able to stand? 28:47 And notice he didn't say who is gonna be able to sit. 28:51 Who is gonna be able to stand for God? 28:53 All through scripture the principle, 28:55 he is always saying what? 28:56 Stand, stand up. Stand for me. 29:00 Stand for what is truth. 29:01 You see, stand up, be counted. 29:04 Yes, when you stand you become a spectacle. 29:06 That's right. God wants you to. 29:07 He wants them what, not see you but see Him. 29:10 Stand up, stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross. 29:15 So that question is so legitimate to me. 29:18 Who's gonna be able to stand? Who? 29:23 Then, you know, as you study Revelation 6, 29:26 because some of you say, 29:27 well, I don't know what's happening in Revelation 6. 29:30 That's all right but you need to get in the word 29:32 and you start studying. 29:33 Revelation Chapter 6, 29:35 remember the seals are being dealt with here. 29:37 And the opening of the sixth seal here. 29:40 Now what are the seals? 29:41 Well, they simply contain records, 29:44 records of the advance through the ages. 29:47 And so through the ages they were passing before John 29:50 of what took place down through the ages 29:52 to the end of the world where Jesus is going to come 29:54 and ohn say... 29:56 there is just nobody going to be able to stand. 29:59 No one's is going to be saved. 30:01 John saw these events. That's what the Bible said. 30:04 But you know how he saw them? He saw them in symbolic form. 30:08 Now keep this in mind, until the time 30:12 or till the very end until what? 30:15 We find the character of God is going to be vindicated. 30:18 That's what the great controversy 30:19 is all about, isn't it? 30:21 Vindicating the character of God, 30:24 His people are gonna vindicate His character. 30:27 So the good news about this of the seven seals 30:31 there was in the book, there was one worthy to open it. 30:34 And so what we do? We went to Revelation 7 30:37 and then we're going back Revelation 6, 30:39 we go back to Revelation 5, 30:41 because as we talk about Revelation 5 30:43 we see these seals and the people in heaven 30:46 all saying "who is worthy to open the seals?" 30:50 And then the question is answered what? 30:51 There is only one that's worthy in Revelation 5:5, it's Jesus. 30:55 Only Jesus can open the seals. 30:58 And so that's good news for us today. Why? 31:00 Because he's won the battle between good and evil. 31:03 That's exactly what's going on in the world today. 31:06 Battle between good and evil everyday in your life 31:09 and really everyday in my life. 31:13 But friend, please think about that. 31:15 Everyday you're fighting a battle 31:18 but you need Jesus on your side. 31:19 If you don't, you'll lose every battle. 31:22 With Jesus on your side you'll win every battle. 31:26 Jesus, the one who is worthy. 31:28 The one who is victorious in battle. 31:32 That's the one that will fight for you and fight for me. 31:35 And then we find the admonition 31:37 and we're gonna have to follow this admonition 31:39 as we are studying. 31:41 Giving you food for thought 31:42 before you really attack the subject 31:45 is as we look n Revelation 6:1. 31:49 It says simply this, come and see. 31:52 Revelation 6:1, come and see. 31:54 So we're invited to come and see what was taken. 31:56 John is saying come and see what's going on. 31:58 Come and see, listen, who shall be able to stand. 32:05 But Revelation 6, who's going to be stand-- 32:06 then we are going to go to Revelation 7 32:08 and you'll see those who will be able to what? 32:10 Stand. What does that mean? 32:12 Well, in the New Testament, Luke Chapter 21 verse 36, 32:17 it tells us right here who shall be able to stand. 32:19 "So therefore pray always." 32:21 You remember reading that pray always. 32:23 "That you may be accounted worthy to escape" 32:26 notice this "all of those things that shall come" What? 32:32 "All of those things that shall" what "come to pass, 32:35 and stand before the Son of man." 32:37 See some people will read that and what do they say? 32:39 Ah, see, we're going to be able to escape. 32:42 Take your strong--you know, begin to look up and say, 32:45 what's the Greek on the words to escape. 32:47 It does mean to flea out. 32:49 Notice this, that you maybe accounted worthy 32:52 to escape or to flea out. 32:55 And then it gives a very interesting definition. 32:57 It says, not taken out. Oh, wow. 33:03 So some of you who've been using that 33:04 you gonna have to leave that--go at-- doesn't mean 33:06 to be taken out of it. 33:08 Make sure that we are what? 33:10 Worthy to stand by the grace of God. 33:12 What does it mean to stand? 33:15 That means to continue in what is truth. 33:17 Continue in your belief in God. 33:20 To be staunch in what you believe. 33:22 Some people say, oh, he is too staunch. 33:23 Can you really get too staunch for Jesus? 33:26 To stand means I'm going to abide in Him. 33:29 I'm going to be upright in Him. I'm going to be active in Him. 33:34 I'm going to be-- I'm going to be in a position-- 33:37 positive position for Jesus. 33:40 How many of us there are not even taking a stand on anything. 33:42 We let the world go and the devil have his way 33:45 and we just sit back and we say nothing and do nothing. 33:48 Malachi Chapter 3 verse 2. 33:51 Bible says this "But who may abide in the day of his coming?" 33:57 Interesting, when you're learning what truth is. 34:00 You're finding what this Bible writer said over here 34:02 and what another Bible writer said. 34:04 Malachi, you see in viewing and meditating 34:08 and thinking upon and the Spirit of God working upon his heart. 34:11 He too said what, "Who is going to be 34:13 able to abide in the day of his coming?" 34:15 Who's going to abide? 34:17 And sometime we think it's so easy. 34:18 Oh, well I'll be abiding. Oh, man, I'm going to be here. 34:21 People say it don't matter what's happening in the world. 34:23 I don't care what they do to me. 34:24 I'll tell you I'll just go right--oh, really now? 34:28 You need to take heed, right? Lest you fall. 34:33 I don't care what they do to me. 34:35 And all you have to do is what, little some bad happen 34:37 and you've thrown religion out, 34:38 you've thrown God out and everything out. 34:40 We need to what? We stand firm. 34:41 We need to rely upon God. Don't trust yourself. 34:45 I don't trust myself, not without Jesus. 34:49 Malachi said, John in Revela-- 34:51 who is going to be able to stand? 34:52 Nobody is going to stand. 34:54 Who is gonna abide in the day of his coming? 34:56 Notice, what he said. 34:58 "And who shall stand when he appeareth?" 35:03 That was John was talking about it. 35:05 Look at somebody in the Old Testament, 35:06 look at somebody in the New Testament the last book. 35:09 And they all are saying as they see the events taking place. 35:11 Who's gonna be able to stand? 35:14 So what's make you think, 35:15 what makes me think I'm going to be able to stand? 35:17 Unless I've a close connection with Jesus. 35:20 Unless I have my life right with Jesus. 35:23 If he's my all in all, if I love Him above everything. 35:26 If He's supreme in my life. 35:28 If I put him first and then all these other things 35:32 the Bible said will be added into you. 35:34 If He's my, He's my-- when I go to bed 35:36 and I think, I think about Him before I go to sleep. 35:40 And first thing I think about is Him when I get up, 35:43 about the importance of spending some time 35:44 and studying and praying with Him. 35:46 And God I want to do Your will today. 35:48 Oh, help me to be a blessing to someone today. 35:51 Is that your heart's cry? Is that your plea? 35:53 I believe it's going to be the cry 35:55 and the plea of the 144,000. 35:58 Those who have perfected character to be like Jesus. 36:03 That's what we are leading up to. 36:06 When you look at all of what's going on here. 36:09 Look at what's happening here. 36:11 We see in Revelation 5:11, it's interesting. 36:15 Talks about here in response to the "You have four beasts. 36:19 You have 24 elders." 36:21 Have you ever wondered-- have you studied about that? 36:23 All of heaven is saying "Worthy, worthy is the Lamb." 36:30 Back in Revelation 5:13, let me just read that to you. 36:33 It says "Every creature" that means every created being 36:37 "which is in heaven and on earth 36:39 and under the earth and such are in the sea, 36:41 and all that is in them, I heard saying, 36:43 Blessing and honor and glory and power, 36:46 unto him that sitteth up on the throne 36:49 and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 36:51 Well, the words that are coming forth He's just, 36:54 He's fair, He's good. 36:55 His character has been vindicated. 36:58 Isaiah talks about the prophet. 37:01 And Philippians Chapter 2 talks about 37:02 "Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess." 37:06 And then naturally in Revelation 5:11 we just talked about here. 37:09 We're talking about all of heaven. 37:11 All of them are saying "Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb." 37:16 When's the last time that you said "worthy is the Lamb?" 37:19 When is the last time you praised God in the church 37:21 instead of coming in the church with a long face 37:23 and all--half mad because you went to church 37:27 and may be you had to go to church 37:28 instead of I can't wait to get there. 37:30 And something was said and you said, 37:31 Oh, Hallelujah, praise the Lord. 37:33 "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain." 37:35 You guys, your life might just change 37:37 or you think you're gonna crack apart 37:39 but you won't crack apart. 37:40 They'll bring real joy, and peace, 37:42 and happiness in your heart 37:43 when you can be able to lift up your voice in praise 37:46 and adoration to the king of kings and the Lord of Lords. 37:48 All of heaven, the Bible said, they're shouting together 37:51 "Worthy, worthy is the Lamb." 37:54 Do you think "worthy is the Lamb?" 37:55 Dear friend, we need to know 37:57 what he is worthy down here, isn't that right? 37:58 Accepting and praising down here 38:00 you're going to be praise him up there. 38:02 Why not join in, in the group? 38:04 The 144,000 are joining in their group. 38:08 Do you want to be a part of that? 38:11 See before that seventh seal is opened up. 38:14 You know how many seals are there? 38:15 There's only seven. And may I say this? 38:18 Just give you food for thought. Can't go into it right now. 38:21 If you realize that there are seven seals 38:25 and that we are between the-listen, 38:27 the sixth, end of the sixth and the opening of the seventh. 38:32 There is no more after that. 38:34 If you study the Book of Revelation, 38:35 you know, it began and started in the churches. 38:38 You know, starting with Ephesus 38:39 and just going round down 38:41 to the last church, the Laodicea Church. 38:43 We're at the end of the sixth, right? 38:44 And we're beginning the what? The seventh. 38:47 There are no more churches. 38:48 The history of the church, what does that mean? 38:52 That means there is no more time. We're at the end. 38:54 That tells you there's nothing else beyond. 38:57 Perfecting of the saints, getting ready to meet Jesus. 39:03 And then as that seventh seal is opened, 39:05 once again the question, who shall be able to stand? 39:09 Well, what an awesome question. 39:11 You say yeah, but why? 39:13 Oh, friends, listen, 39:15 because we've taken all this time to explain. 39:17 Because of the horrible events that have been announced. 39:22 All the horrible things that have taken place 39:25 and will take place before Jesus comes. 39:31 But you realize as we studied this 39:32 and we've looked in it quickly, right at this point, listen, 39:37 at this very point in Bible prophecy 39:40 there is no indication that anyone will survive. 39:47 You realize after Revelation 6 which opens up here 39:51 and there is only one seal to go 39:52 there is no evidence that anyone will survive. 39:58 Well, shouldn't that bring concern to you or to me? 40:02 What do you mean? What is God doing here? 40:05 Why is there a going to be-- 40:07 why is there break between the sixth and the seventh seal? 40:09 What? All because God is an encourager. 40:12 He wants you to realize their will be a people, 40:15 realize those people will be different, 40:17 they'll be separate, they'll stand forth. 40:19 They'll be obvious in the world 40:21 because they teach something different. 40:23 They live differently. They act differently. 40:24 Talk differently. Dress differently. 40:26 They eat differently. They think differently. 40:30 They striving to be like Jesus. 40:32 You can't be the world and think 40:34 you're gonna go to heaven dear friends. 40:36 The Bible says there's amity against God. 40:40 We have to be the so unlike the world is possible. 40:45 Don't love the world 40:46 and the things that are in the world. 40:48 Say, oh God, if you do something, 40:50 oh God, help me not to love these things. 40:52 If you say don't help me, God don't help me you know 40:54 I'd help me not to love these things well, 40:56 don't you be going out in the middle of it then. 40:58 There's part that we can play, 41:01 say God, help me make right choices and right decisions. 41:04 Will anyone survive? 41:07 Oh, praise God, Revelation Chapter 7 41:09 God gives us a break, a break in the sequences 41:14 of advance in opening of the seals, 41:16 so that the question can be asked, 41:18 answered for once and for all. Whose, gonna be able to stand? 41:24 Revelations 7 verse 1, 41:26 the story just begins to really really unfold. 41:30 Revelations 7, verse 1, I'm just gonna read that. 41:32 Now stay with me if you've got your Bible. 41:34 If you don't have your Bible, shame on you, 41:37 get that Bible, I could be lying to you. 41:41 You not gonna know unless you walk, 41:43 unless you're reading right along with me, 41:44 and you're studying, remember we're scratching, 41:46 the edges of some beautiful just real--I mean real truths 41:50 that we need to understand right now, 41:52 because we're Gods last day people. 41:56 Revelations 7:1 says, "And after these things 41:59 I saw four" what? 42:00 "Four angels standing 42:02 on the four corners of the earth, 42:03 holding the four winds of the earth, 42:05 that the wind should not blow on the earth, 42:06 nor on the sea, nor on any tree." 42:08 Simply saying what? 42:09 God is in charge, He's holding back 42:11 what the forces of was getting ready 42:12 evil getting ready to break upon the world, 42:13 but he's holding it back, verse 2, 42:15 "I saw another angel ascending from the east." 42:18 Now this angel coming from the east 42:19 had the seal of the what? 42:21 Good, "of the living God." 42:23 You're going to have to have the seal of the living God 42:26 or you're not gonna make it. I'm not gonna make it. 42:31 And this angel that had the seal, 42:33 that's going to seal God's people. 42:36 Remember the blood over the door post, 42:37 just study come on. 42:40 This having the seal of the living God 42:42 "He cried with a loud voice to those four angels," 42:44 what was those four angels doing? 42:46 Encircling the earth, in that right 42:48 "To whom it was given to hurt the earth 42:49 and the sea, Saying, hurt not." 42:51 Verse 3 "The earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, 42:54 till we seal the servants of our God," 42:57 Where? "In their foreheads." 42:59 Contemplate that we'll talk a bit more in a minute. 43:01 Here come verse 4, now notice, 43:02 "And I heard the number, 43:06 I heard the number of them which we're sealed 43:10 and there we're sealed an 144,000 43:13 of all the tribes of the children of Israel." 43:16 Now keep that in mind because there are guys 43:18 gonna go in kind off different you know, 43:19 phases of it right now, oh boy, I don't know that Gods angel. 43:22 Gods' angel holding back 43:24 the powers of the earth right now. 43:27 Where god's people are preparing to take 43:29 their stand their last stand, in this last great conflict. 43:34 The angles holding back the enemies, 43:36 cant you just picture the angel of God standing there 43:39 holding back those evil angels 43:41 and they just cant cross the line 43:43 as long as the angels of God are standing there. 43:46 Yeah, those angels are protecting you, 43:48 the devil can't go across that line, 43:49 you have to go across that dear friend, 43:51 but while you're standing on the side of God, 43:52 you got angels who exhale in strength. 43:55 That take care of you, you have nothing to fear 43:57 because God is with you. 43:59 He's asking men and women to stand for truth. 44:02 Yeah, that's right be a spot out there 44:04 where people say, Who is this? What are they saying? 44:07 Oh friend, last great battle, 44:13 And you know, if you really just think 44:14 about this with me for just a moment, 44:17 because the angel that's coming from the east 44:20 getting ready to tell the angels to let loose, 44:23 think about what that means? 44:25 When the angels let loose of control 44:27 as it we're of this world, 44:29 the devil is gonna take possession. 44:32 If you think things are bad now, 44:35 think about when God said that's enough. 44:38 And He tells his angels to loose the grip 44:41 on the hold, step back. 44:43 And watch the devil began to do, what? 44:45 To work his works. 44:47 Let the enemy whose seated come into destroy. 44:52 If you know what, it's gonna fall 44:54 on the children of disobediences. 44:56 That's what the bible said. 44:58 Like what, God's cup is full did you see it? 45:01 Ephesians 5, Chapter 5, verse 6, it said, 45:06 "Gods wrath falls upon the disobedient." 45:10 God's wrath is what? Falls on-- 45:12 we want to be obedient then don't we not disobedient. 45:14 Revelation 18, talks about it. Revelation 17 talks about it. 45:18 Isaiah 51, talks about-- the cup of his fury, his cup is full. 45:22 It's running over. 45:24 It's time, he said that's it, 45:26 and the devil begins to take charge. 45:27 He begins the advance of killing and destroying. 45:30 Falling upon what? The children of disobedience. 45:33 Great controversy, page 614 says 45:37 at this point listen to me carefully it says, 45:40 "The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible 45:47 than that which came upon Jerusalem of old." 45:51 Where mothers bore and ate their own children, 45:56 can I think of anything worse? 45:59 This is what the bible says, 46:01 you can ignore it if you want to, 46:04 you can say we're not gonna be here for that. 46:07 I always come back and say, Yeah, but what if you are? 46:11 Then you are unprepared. The devil wants you unprepared. 46:16 He knows that what the only way 46:17 he could be defeated by prepared people, 46:20 then understand the power of the Holy Spirit, 46:24 the whole world is going to be involved. 46:28 Not just the little airy over here over there, 46:31 but the whole world will be what? 46:33 Oh! Friend. You said what? 46:36 The Bible is very clear you've read Daniel chapter 12 46:39 it says what a time of trouble that the world not what? 46:43 Ever witnessed ever seen before. 46:46 And yeah we keep saying, yeah but the Lord of bad things 46:49 that you read, you know the Fox's Book of Martyrs 46:52 and lot of this other stuff right and you say oh surely, 46:54 if some part of people supposed to be right in the mind, 46:56 surely this kind of stuff wouldn't take place childs play. 46:59 When the devil is finally let loose, why do I say that? 47:03 Because all the things that happen in this world, 47:06 God has had his eye and wheather there's been 47:08 some what mercy mingled with it. 47:10 But when God says my cup is full He lets the enemy run ramped. 47:17 What a time, we need a savior. 47:21 At this time we realized this sealing takes place 47:24 and it prepares the people to go through this time of fearful 47:28 time of stress and perplexity just before Jesus comes. 47:34 Remember it says the angel comes by and he's sealing. 47:37 Or it's a mark, so a seal and a mark 47:42 testify's the ownership, who owns you? 47:47 Who do you work for? 47:50 Who do you live for? Who's your greatest joy? 47:55 He's gonna put a mark on those, a seal. 47:59 He's saying they belong to me 48:01 and when all this stress all this stuff comes past 48:03 right there the devil can't touch one of God's saints. 48:08 Because he's marked his own, he reads the heart, 48:11 he knows who you are, he knows who I am. 48:15 The seal does what? It testify's the ownership. 48:18 You read it, you've studied what, 48:19 Ezekiel chapter 9? Right? 48:22 Well go through marking his people, 48:23 you read Second Timothy right to verse 19. 48:26 But now come, Revelations 7:4, John says, 48:29 notice with me, John says, "I heard." 48:32 This is powerful. John in vision says, I heard. 48:38 I heard a number. 48:42 I heard a number of a 144,000 48:47 and so this begins so many questions. 48:49 Who from this last generation 48:53 will make up the 144,000? 48:58 It's a question that needs to be answered. 49:01 But I hear people with the question 49:03 you know "Who are the 144,000?" 49:07 Its not-- its not who are the 144,000 49:13 but "what they are?" 49:16 Not who they are they? didn't get named, you get it. 49:18 But it's what they are? 49:21 So we're talking about the kind of character 49:24 that they have formed by the power 49:26 of the Holy Spirit inside them. 49:28 The kind of character that God expects form His people. 49:32 A people without fault, a people without guilt, 49:37 sinless, victorious in Him. All this is through Him. 49:43 we justhave to commit ourself to Jesus. 49:46 What we're talking about what? 49:47 Characters here the only thing we can take with us to heaven. 49:51 So, in order to we thought identify the 144,000, 49:55 what they are? We must study what? 50:00 Some characteristics. 50:02 That helps us to understand characteristics of the 144,000. 50:07 And so we can say, we should strive more than say, 50:10 oh, who's going to be, what's going to-- 50:12 Listen friend please strive, to be in, the 144,000. 50:18 Strive, there's too much debate in the Christian world. 50:24 The Adventism of the 144,000, and it begins to be a-- 50:30 you know, a subject of contention and-- 50:31 and separation and a division that shouldn't be. 50:35 It's probably the most debated question 50:38 when it comes to the 144,000. 50:40 You say, well, you know, it here's what they'll say, 50:43 is it symbolic or is it literal? 50:47 And of course a lot of people want to say 50:48 oh, well yeah, well, it's symbolic for sure 50:51 because all this got to be more than that 50:53 that's going to perfect the character of Jesus. 50:55 May be that, is that may be what you want to think. 50:58 And others will say, oh, its literal 51:01 that means 144,000 is exactly what is going to be like. 51:04 Let me ask you a question here, we just have a few minutes left. 51:08 Could the number, be literal? 51:11 Now I'm going to be honest with you. 51:13 I know a lot of the people here and different places 51:15 and they teach something different. 51:16 I'm not really interested in so much of that. 51:18 I'm interested in God's word. How about you? 51:20 I'm interested in looking at the issue 51:23 and the weight of evidence. 51:25 So I just pose this to you. Could it be literally 144,000? 51:30 And somehow we have to say, yes it could be. 51:33 Remember that's not all of us 51:35 are going to be saved because this is-- 51:36 we're talking about a special group here, 51:37 but know it's a special group and we'll go more into detail. 51:40 This special group they've gotten the victory over sin. 51:44 This group, dear friend, 51:45 lived in the side of a Holy God without a mediator. 51:50 This special group lived during the time 51:53 of the seven last plagues. 51:55 Did you get it? That means what? 51:57 Probation is really already closed. 51:58 God's people are already sealed. They just don't know it. 52:03 This 144,000 people have gotten the victory 52:06 over the beast and over the image to the beast. 52:09 Do you realize what that is, 52:10 when the death decree goes out on you? 52:13 You'll not be able to buy or sell. 52:15 Do you realize that? Oh, how trying this must be? 52:20 These 144,000, that have the character 52:23 of Christ is fully reproduced in them. 52:28 As the Bible said in Philippians 1:21, 52:30 "For them" and they say, "for them to live is" 52:32 what? "Is Christ." 52:34 For you to live is Christ, not yourself. 52:37 Oh, the 144,000? 52:42 Death, disaster, disease on every hand, persecution. 52:48 Let me just say this dear friend, 52:50 many are going to be laid to rest before there's time 52:53 and I'll tell you we'll talk about that next time. 52:56 This was part I, but part II we're going to talk about 52:58 some of the older folks will be laid to rest 53:00 and some of the babies will be laid to rest 53:03 because they will not be able to go through this severe time. 53:06 It becomes very apparent. 53:08 It's an awesome time, but just to look at it. 53:11 Could it be? Oh, yes it could be. 53:13 Now we're going to discuss the other 53:15 when somebody says is it symbolic or is it literal? 53:19 and you'll have to decide by the weight of evidence. 53:22 But you know, we need to pray about it today. 53:24 You know, we're busy here 53:25 with Behold the Lamb and we're-- 53:26 We're doing our very best 53:28 by the grace of God to get his message out. 53:30 We need your help you know, 53:31 as every ministry does preaching the truth. 53:33 The devil is just fighting tooth and nail. 53:34 We pass out a lot of books 53:36 and do a lot of offers on and free offers, 53:37 but you know, it's not free. It cost to have it. 53:40 You may have it on your heart today to say you know, 53:41 oh, boy I love to get so and so books out. 53:44 And you want to support those books and you want to come in 53:47 and you will send an offering and say what, 53:48 for books, giving out of books, 53:50 and for offers that you give on there. 53:52 Oh, praise God for that. 53:53 Only means of support for Behold the Lamb 53:55 is your free will offerings. 53:57 And I think we have a right 53:59 to say that Bible says you have not, 54:00 because you ask not. So please don't forget. 54:02 You want the messages to continue to come, 54:04 you want to hear the truth of God's word, 54:06 you want the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. 54:08 How about now pray about what you can do. 54:10 We'll pray about now in the closing seconds. 54:12 Won't you pray with me that God will help us? 54:13 Father in heaven, we thank You for your precious word today, 54:16 thank You for the promise 54:17 that You're coming back after special people. 54:19 Help us to be among that is my pray In Jesus name. 54:22 Amen. Amen. 54:24 Thank you for watching this as usual 54:26 and jot down the times that were on 54:28 and remember, we just did the first part. 54:30 Second part we will really get into a lot more detail 54:32 and we need you like to be a part of Behold the Lamb. 54:36 Part of 3ABN, you know. 54:38 We're going to all the world to preach 54:39 the gospel and then Jesus can come. 54:42 Make that, put that on your prayer list. 54:44 Pray about it and we'll see you next time. 54:50 Welcome back, friends. 54:51 In the closing of today's program, 54:53 I want to give you just a little food for thought. 54:56 It's from a vision of Mrs. White's 54:58 and it's found in the book 54:59 Counsels for the Church on page 33. 55:02 We read here, "While I was praying 55:04 at the family altar, the Holy Ghost fell upon me, 55:08 and I seemed to be rising higher and higher, 55:11 far above the dark world. 55:14 I turned to look for the advent people in the world, 55:16 but could not find them, when a voice said to me, 55:19 'Look again, and look a little higher.' 55:22 At this I raised my eyes, 55:24 and saw a straight and narrow path, 55:27 cast up high above the world. 55:29 On this path the Advent people were traveling to the city 55:33 which was at the farther end of the path. 55:35 They had a bright light that was set up behind them 55:38 at the beginning of the path 55:40 which an angel told me was the midnight cry. 55:43 This light shone all along the path 55:45 and gave light for their feet so that they might not stumble. 55:50 If they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, 55:53 who was just before them, 55:55 leading them to the city, they were safe. 55:58 But soon some grew weary, 56:00 and said the city was a great way off, 56:03 and they expected to have entered it before. 56:06 Then Jesus would encourage them 56:08 by raising His glorious right arm, 56:12 and from His right arm came a light which waved over 56:16 the Advent band, and they shouted, 'Alleluia!' 56:19 Others rashly denied the light behind them 56:22 and said that it was not God that had led them out so far. 56:26 The light behind them went out, 56:29 leaving their feet in perfect darkness, 56:31 and they stumbled and lost sight 56:33 of the mark and of Jesus, and fell off the path 56:37 down into the dark and wicked world below. 56:41 Soon we heard the voice of God 56:43 like many waters which gave us 56:46 the day and the hour of Jesus' coming. 56:49 The living saints 144,000, in number, 56:54 knew and understood the voice, 56:56 while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. 56:59 When God spoke the time, 57:00 He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, 57:03 and our faces began to light up 57:05 and shine with the glory of God, 57:07 as Moses' did when he came down from Mount Sinai. 57:11 Friends--Friends, as we close today's program with that, 57:16 that prophetic vision that was given to Mrs. White, 57:21 I pray that you have been touched of Heaven 57:24 during today's message and if so, as always, 57:27 we would love to hear from you 57:29 here, at Behold the Lamb Ministries. 57:31 In fact, you may want to order this two part series. 57:34 Why wait another week to listen to the second part? 57:36 Let's jump and get this first part 57:39 and let's get it ordered. 57:40 It's available to you 57:41 for a love gift of just $15.00 or more. 57:45 And we encourage you to order this 57:47 by calling us here at, Behold the Lamb Ministries. 57:49 At area code 618-942-5044, 57:54 that's Central Standard Time here in the United States 57:57 or you may write us to, Behold the Lamb Ministries. 58:00 PO Box 2030. Herrin, IL 62948. 58:06 You may also email us at, 58:08 BeholdTheLambMinistries @yahoo.com 58:11 or you can even go on our website and order it there. 58:14 That address is, www.BeholdTheLambMinistries.com. 58:20 Friends, until next time, may our precious Lord 58:23 continue to richly bless you and yours. |
Revised 2014-12-17