Participants: Kenny Shelton
Series Code: BTLP
Program Code: BTLP000045
|
00:41 Hello, I am Chris Shelton your host.
00:43 And welcome, to Behold the Lambs presents. 00:46 Today's message is a second 00:48 of a two-part series that we've entitled 00:50 'The Prophecy of the 144,000, Who are they?' 00:54 Pastor Kenny Shelton certainly gave us much 00:57 to contemplate during the first program 00:59 which all leads up to today's final message 01:02 which is his conclusion of a study 01:05 on this important subject dealing with the 144,000 01:09 and just who they are. 01:11 Or, as Pastor Kenny said, in the first message, 01:14 What they are? Yes, what they are? 01:17 He was referring to the Christ like characters. 01:20 And we're certainly beginning to see that this is a group 01:23 that we should be daily striving to be a part of. 01:26 We learned that this is the last group of people 01:29 who are prepared as a bride for Christ 01:32 that will be living without heavenly mediator 01:35 right before and during His second coming. 01:38 And with the understanding that the very last bits 01:41 of biblical prophecy are drawing to a close in our lifetime. 01:46 It behooves us to make this subject 01:49 an important part of our Bible research. 01:51 So I am looking forward today's message with Pastor Kenny 01:55 and I certainly hope that you're too. 01:57 But first as always, 01:58 we're blessed to go to the 3ABN Worship Center, 02:02 and listen to a song that is entitled, 02:04 'The love of God.' As performed by Reggie Samuel. 04:59 Thanks for joining us. 05:00 Praise God, we're so appreciate 05:01 that special music to our prayer, 05:03 that was a blessing to you. 05:04 Glad, you joined us and that's, you know, as i always said, 05:07 is that when you join us, expect the Bible study, 05:11 because we're gonna get into God's word 05:12 and look at this fantastic subject 05:14 of a special group of people that God is right now preparing. 05:19 And I want to be among that number, don't you? 05:21 We're gonna strive but we need to understand the subject, 05:23 may be just a little bit better. 05:25 So I pray the Holy Spirit will help us 05:26 as we begin to really this is really dig into the word of God. 05:30 May be like never before. 05:32 Needs to become a habit in our life. 05:35 So as we study the subject, the 144,000. 05:38 If you like, I am always feel a need of prayer. 05:41 Before we kneel and have prayer together. 05:44 I know you're gonna be praying along with me 05:45 'cause I desire that I need that prayer, 05:47 and I know I need to be praying. 05:49 And I feel some kind of kindred spirit 05:52 with each of you out there 05:53 that you're gonna be praying along too, 05:55 that the spirit will help us here 05:56 to get into this subject. 05:58 But I want to encourage you to continue 05:59 to send in your letters and your request. 06:01 And we're getting quite a few calls 06:03 and letters and emails about certain subjects. 06:07 You know, can you speak on this 06:09 and can you speak on other subject. 06:10 And another subject can, you know, 06:12 it may take a little time to get there. 06:14 But believe, you, me, I am, putting them on my desk 06:16 and I am marking them down and asking God 06:18 to help me to be able to put things together. 06:20 So, don't get discouraged if it's not like next week. 06:23 But we're gonna be working on these subjects 06:25 because I know that it's important to you. 06:27 And if it's important to you, 06:29 I know it's important to your heavenly Father 06:30 and to us here at Behold the Lamb Ministry. 06:32 Keep those cards and letters coming. 06:34 We appreciate so very much we can't do without you. 06:37 Now, let's just get down 06:38 to our Father's business, shall we? 06:40 I am going to kneel right here and pray 06:41 and please won't you pray along with me 06:42 for the power of the Holy Spirit. 06:46 Merciful God in heaven, 06:48 we thank you for the privilege of prayer. 06:50 We ask now that you forgive, 06:52 may if anything in my heart 06:53 and life and sin that need not be there, 06:55 and weakness that your Holy Spirit, 06:57 the blood of Jesus Christ will come near 06:59 and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. 07:01 And may I will be able to-- 07:03 each one of us hear from heaven today. 07:05 Thank you for your love and your mercy, 07:07 open the ears, the eyes, and hearts 07:08 of each and every one of your children today. 07:10 May this be a study it would be fruitful. 07:13 That will help us along our way toward heaven. 07:16 We thank you for hearing 07:18 and for answering prayer in Jesus name, amen. 07:22 Again it's always good to have a pencil and paper 07:25 to jot down some things, 07:26 because you may remember we are limited. 07:29 Some people will write and say 07:30 well, you didn't go in this area. 07:32 May be you should have said something else over here. 07:34 We're limited on our time in which we can spend 07:36 and we're praying that God will help us to get, what? 07:38 To the main principle and maybe just get encourage you enough 07:42 that you're gonna get and start studying for yourself. 07:45 Now, some of you missed the first part. 07:47 This is the second part of this two-part series. 07:50 So, if you missed the first-part, 07:52 I always like to go back and say, 07:53 here is what we cover the first time 07:56 that we spend on the subject. 07:58 So if you've missed it, this will help you. 08:00 And if you even viewed it and you say, 08:02 ooh I can't wait for the second-one. 08:04 You may even kind say well I forgot 08:06 and kind of everything we study. 08:08 Let us put it in a nutshell quickly, 08:09 Shall we? We'll do it here. 08:11 I've jotted down about seven little areas here 08:12 that we went into and this will probably get you in tune 08:15 and the others who view for the first time, 08:17 saying, ah, now, I am ready to do that. 08:20 Here we go, number one. 08:21 We realize, as we were studying 08:23 this subject here that this is a special group. 08:25 The special group of people, 144,000 is developing. 08:30 Please kind of put that, "They are a developing people." 08:34 And while they were developing, 08:36 the prophets in the word of God saw a famine and pestilence 08:40 and earthquakes and wars and rumors of wars 08:42 and bloodshed and confusion in the world. 08:46 Number two, point two. 08:48 Prophecy points to a group of people 08:51 that are singled out for the truths 08:54 that they're elevating. 08:56 They elevate these beautiful truths 08:57 that not only do they tell the world about, 09:00 but they take them into their own lives 09:02 and they're living them out. 09:04 Number three, point we discuss. 09:06 God's people will give a call to come out of, what? 09:10 Good, to come out of Babylon, 09:12 With what? The churches. 09:13 They've got themselves drunk with the wine. 09:16 You see the false teaching. 09:18 We're not talking about just Catholicism, 09:19 we're talking about Protestants too. 09:21 Number four, there will be a removing, listen carefully. 09:24 A removing of the old landmarks. 09:28 The devil doesn't want a landmark. 09:30 He doesn't want something that's solid. 09:32 He wants to try to move it. 09:33 He knows if you hold on to those landmarks, 09:35 those pillars of our faith 09:37 that you're gonna hang tight till Jesus shall come. 09:40 But notice what I am talking about here. 09:42 They're removing of old landmarks 09:45 and an attempt notice this-- 09:47 an attempt to tear down the pillars of our faith. 09:50 Even, listen carefully 09:52 even the books of a new order 09:55 will somehow be of distributed among us. 09:59 It will be introduced. 10:00 Be careful what you read my friend. 10:02 Five, majority of the Christian world today, 10:06 if we look around, the majority 10:07 of the Christian world they are-- may I use this, 10:10 they're laughing at the warnings 10:12 that are given by God's, what? Messengers today. 10:15 They're laughing at the message that God has send 10:17 in to the world to prepare them for His coming. 10:19 And they're laughing at the messengers. 10:21 Well, you know, as we think about that the Bible say, what? 10:25 This is exactly what's going to take place. 10:27 So we need not be, shook up about it. 10:29 The sixth point, Revelation, Chapter 6, 10:33 we discovered there was a opening of the what? 10:35 Remembered? Good, the Seals. 10:37 As we discover there these seals were open, 10:40 it was a very terrible time in the history of the world. 10:43 The condition was so bad 10:46 that there was question that was asked. 10:48 And you remember if you watch the first part. 10:50 Who shall be able to stand? 10:54 Who is gonna be able to stand in these last days? 10:56 when all this is breaking lose upon the world? 10:58 The devil rampant. We discussed on that. 11:01 Number seven, our last part here, remind you? 11:03 Revelation 7, praise God for that. 11:05 He gives us a little break in the sequences of the events 11:10 of the opening of the seal, you remember? 11:12 And then he begins to reveal to us 11:14 and answers the question, 11:16 who is going to be able to stand? 11:19 Aren't you glad, that God's so merciful 11:20 and kind and long suffering? 11:23 Answer to that question because it seem like 11:25 there was no one that gonna be able to stand, 11:27 but He's answering that. 11:29 And so, he reveals through 11:30 the special group of people who they're? 11:33 And so, we've to realize, 11:35 in order to identify this group, who is it? 11:38 Good, the 144,000 people. What they are? 11:42 We always say who're they-- who's will come, 11:45 but what are they? What they are? 11:48 We must study what? Naturally the characteristics. 11:51 We must make sure we could strive to be in that number. 11:55 Listen, you who're alive today. Listen carefully to me. 11:59 You who're alive today need to be striving. 12:02 We're so near the end of time the coming of Jesus Christ. 12:06 We should be striving 12:07 to be among that number of the 144,000. 12:11 Yeah, an elite group, because they followed Jesus, 12:14 wherever He lives, they are willing to obey Him. 12:17 And so as we look at this study, 12:19 it's dealing with characteristics. 12:22 And so we should strive to be among them. 12:24 Now, the big debated question we talk little bit about. 12:27 Instead, of looking at the characteristics 12:30 of the 144,000, we get into debate. 12:34 Books have been written, 12:35 pamphlets written, division in churches. 12:38 Allover the question hour is the number, 12:41 is it symbolic or is it literal? 12:45 Think about what has caused division 12:47 among God's even remnant. 12:51 Is it symbolic or is it literal? 12:53 Sometime we feel that may be if it's literal-- 12:56 oh there's not a chance for us. 12:59 If it's symbolic, oh good there is a chance. 13:01 We continue kind of live what we're doing. 13:02 So what is our motive for wanting 13:05 to answer this question? 13:06 And I won't say this right up front, 13:08 then some of you can just jump off 13:10 to see if you want to write quick, 13:11 and rest of you might want to turn it off. 13:13 But you know, what I am saying to you, 13:15 listen carefully. Yes, it could be what? 13:19 Literal. Let me just tell you why? 13:22 And then I'll even discuss 13:23 the other side of the coin little bit here. 13:24 Not saying it's exactly, 13:26 but I'm saying here a lot of information is given here. 13:28 And it's enough for you and I to say look. 13:30 Listen God, there must be a reason 13:33 why that you've left us just this amount of information. 13:35 But we discover this, 13:39 have gotten the victory over sin. 13:42 Can you think what that really means to-- 13:44 you get the victory over sin in your life completely. 13:48 This magnificent group-- and I say magnificent, why? 13:52 Because of the power of the spirit of God 13:54 that lives inside of them. 13:56 They've learnt to live by the strength and power of God 13:58 in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. 14:01 That means there's no sin, there's no godless anything, 14:03 you know, that the heaven doesn't say all right. 14:08 Live in the sight of the Holy God 14:09 without a mediator. 14:12 This special group is a group who lived during the outpouring 14:16 of the seven last plagues. 14:18 Now I know some of you're gonna say ooh, 14:20 yeah, but ooh man, we're going to be gone. 14:22 Over and over in our programs 14:23 I am going to say, what if you're not? 14:25 I got to go over the Holy Spirit just constantly reminds me 14:28 to remind the people out there. What if you're not gone? 14:32 Because we'd be ruptured away during that, what if you not? 14:35 Bible doesn't really teach that anyway. 14:37 I do that question just for you. 14:40 But this is a-- there's a group here 14:42 they lived during the time of the seven last plagues. 14:44 Do you know what that means? 14:46 That means, listen to me, 14:47 that probation has already closed for the world. 14:51 Probation closes before the seven last plagues 14:55 poured out this special group 14:57 that gotten the victory over the beast 14:59 and the image to the beast. 15:01 So realize, you see, 15:02 those are in the forming as I speak right now. 15:07 This special group they've let Christ 15:09 fully live within their hearts and their mind. 15:12 Christ is reproduced in them. 15:14 Did you get he's coming through them 15:16 for them to live the Bible says is Christ. 15:19 Have you ever read that in Philippians 1, verse 21? 15:23 And then we a little bit-- and we kind of wrap that it up. 15:26 Listen, there's gonna be a lot of young people and old people 15:29 that will not be able to endure the time 15:32 that we're talking about here. 15:34 God in his mercy and his wisdom, you see, has a plan. 15:39 But all how it may challenge you 15:41 and it may challenge me 15:43 when you have loved ones that may be are young 15:46 or as a children and may be a little bit older. 15:49 You see, death and disease, 15:51 persecution the Bible says is on hand during this time 15:54 are they perfecting or may 15:56 what they're developing of the 144,000. 16:00 But many will be laid to rest. 16:02 Listen carefully many will be laid to rest 16:05 because they cannot endure the time of trouble. 16:09 Let me just read the quote for you 16:10 this is Counsels of Health, page 375. 16:13 Please, listen carefully. 16:16 It says, many, "Many will be laid away 16:19 to sleep before the fiery ordeal 16:22 of the time of trouble shall come upon our world." 16:26 Heavy, heavy, heavy now lets pursue this a little bit more. 16:30 This may be touches your heart 16:32 because it begins to specific here. 16:34 Second, selected message is 259, 16:37 I am reading now listen carefully. 16:39 "...many little ones are to be laid away 16:45 before the time of trouble. 16:47 We shall see our children again. 16:52 We shall meet them and know them in the heavenly courts." 16:56 God and his mercy sees fit. 16:59 They cannot endure, what's happening in the world 17:02 and he lets them sleep in Jesus. 17:04 But we shall see them again 17:06 that's our hope and our encouragement. 17:08 And we'll know them as we knew them here. 17:11 You'll say, yeah but well I am sure. 17:13 You remember in John chapter 20 about Mary. 17:16 Remember she recognize who? Jesus, when, after the what? 17:21 After the resurrection, 17:23 after He came out in his glorified body. 17:24 She recognized Him. 17:26 We shall recognize our loved ones. 17:30 And then you remember that 17:31 it was Jeremiah 31, verses 15-17, it was Rachel. 17:37 You remember she was lost her children, 17:39 she was weeping for her children. 17:41 And then there in Jeremiah 31, it says, 17:43 "...and they shall come again." 17:45 Listen, "...from the land of the enemy.' 17:48 The promise was made at Jeremiah it says yes, 17:50 that it says the enemy has been allowed to take them 17:53 but you shall see them again. 17:55 they will come from the land of the enemy, 17:57 death land of the enemy. God has promised. 18:01 These are things that we're gonna need to hold on to 18:03 as we see the 144,000 developing. 18:06 And the world going through 18:08 what it's going through, right now. 18:09 And the stages that it's going in. 18:10 its all set up and we must realize 18:13 that in quick context we'll say. 18:15 Playing church, get serious, see what God? 18:19 144,000 they're just like Jesus in character. 18:25 What a difference? 18:28 That in the world when there were one man Jesus Christ, 18:32 What this earth? What a difference he made? 18:36 And thinking 144,000, wow. 18:40 Now made a pretty big statement while ago as told 18:43 might it could be well we'll discuss that a little bit more 18:45 but just think with me as we're studying right here. 18:48 That number, could it be literal or is it symbolic? 18:54 It could be but now remember all the stuff 18:58 that you've been reading about this number 144,000. 19:02 I am not sure that anyone then 19:04 I heard over the years have mentioned this. 19:07 So I am just going throw it out there to you. 19:10 and they were will be some that will question 19:11 that you have that right to do that. 19:14 But I know 'cause somebody say 19:16 well that is a symbolic number but it's very interesting. 19:19 When the spirit of prophecy-- many times you talk 19:21 we just talk about Ellen White being envision 19:24 she was describing, the new heavens, 19:26 and the new earth and it wasn't any symbolic form 19:29 and she said I saw the 144,000. 19:34 wow, food for thought. 19:37 Number of times that's mentioned in the spirit of prophecy. 19:42 Now was that symbolic vision? 19:43 or was that you know was that a literal vision? 19:47 And you know you think about those who say where are 19:50 you know, it's clearly symbolic. 19:52 Let's just quickly go there and say 19:53 that the vision is clearly symbolic and how is it? 19:56 Well you remember as you study you've the 12 what? 19:59 Twelve tribes, twelve full repetition of what? 20:03 12,000 equal what? 144,000. 20:07 Many says it's not the precise number 20:09 that really makes a difference 20:11 and again they refer to the 12,000, 20:13 12 tribes, What? Good, 144,000. 20:18 Let me say what is the most 20:20 important question that can be answered. 20:22 We must decide concerning this number? 20:26 is it literal, or is it symbolic? 20:28 or should we strive to be in that number? 20:33 What's the most important thing? 20:35 Is it to strive to be in that number or try to figure out 20:39 all that which may be has not been made quite clear? 20:43 If God wants you to know 20:45 some clear in scripture, it becomes clear. 20:48 But I see in all my studies the main subject 20:51 that you and I need to be on, 20:52 so we can have some unity among us 20:54 is to say I need to strive to be in that number. 20:56 And here is the characteristics 20:58 of those that will be in this number. 21:00 This is what your life will be like. 21:02 This is what it will be to be like Jesus. 21:04 This is what it's all about gaining these victories. 21:09 Then I read a little paragraph and I am sure what is that, 21:11 but said you know, it makes sense. 21:13 Principle here, don't spend time seeking to know that 21:18 which will not help us spiritually. 21:21 Does that make sense? 21:22 Don't be seeking anything that will not help you spiritually. 21:26 So whether it's literal, right? 21:28 Symbolic, its not gonna help you. 21:30 Is it spiritually? 21:32 Seek that which helps us spiritually. 21:35 Let's look at several of those characteristics, 21:37 shall we while we have some time left here? 21:39 Number one, the 144,000, 21:41 must be those who the Bible said are listen, what? 21:45 Are alive, the 144,000 are alive and that means what? 21:50 They've not died, they have not seen death. 21:53 Now it begins to make sense, some people will say, 21:55 well these people who lived way back 200 years ago, 21:57 they'll be among the 144,000. 21:59 The Bible is very clear, they'll be alive 22:02 and they'll not have seen death. 22:04 That means those who're living, what? 22:05 In very last hours of earth's history. 22:08 They've not seen death. 22:10 Two points, Revelation 14, 3 and 4 brings that out. 22:14 Revelation 14, what? Verses 3 and 4. 22:17 We're going to study those so I could read them right now. 22:19 But I want you to read them at home, 22:20 because we're going to go over the new song that they sing, 22:23 the experience that they go through. 22:25 And that they'll be alive and dwelling here on the earth. 22:28 Two points in those two passages, 22:30 Revelation 14, 3 and 4. 22:32 It points out these, "They were redeemed from among" 22:36 What? "The earth." 22:38 They were redeemed from the earth 22:39 and they were redeemed from among men. 22:44 Two fantastic points there that we cannot miss. 22:47 As we continue on our Early Writings page 15, 22:52 now the Bible have just said, what? 22:53 From the earth and from among men. 22:55 Early writings, 15 say this, 22:57 "The living saints, 144,000 in number" 23:04 Ooh, starting to-- the weight of evidence is-- 23:06 starting to take me over here, I need to be careful. 23:10 Did you get it? 23:11 The living saints, 144,000 in number. 23:15 The Great Controversy, 649 says, 23:18 "These, having been translated from the earth" 23:23 From among what? "The living." 23:25 Just what the Bible says. Exactly, translated, what? 23:29 From the earth. From among, what? 23:32 The living has not seen death. 23:35 Of course, there're those who believe today 23:37 that the 144,000 are literal, what? Literal Jews. 23:41 Well, you know, we did a study on that-- 23:44 and the previous study was entitled, 23:45 "Is it Time for the Jews to return." 23:47 Some of you might remember that. 23:49 That would be a good one for you to go back 23:50 if you're hung upon this say, 23:52 well they're literal Jews, the 144,000. 23:55 It was discussed and to me 23:57 it was proven over beyond the shadow of doubt 23:59 that the Jew we talk about as a nation 24:02 are no longer God's chosen people. 24:04 Did you get that? 24:06 They're no longer God's chosen people. 24:09 And you say, well listen 24:10 the New Testament church is right, 24:13 God's chosen people today. It's spiritual, what? 24:17 Spiritual Israel. 24:18 The eyes must be kept upon Jesus. 24:20 Not on Israel, not what's going on in Israel, today. 24:23 But the eyes to be kept upon Jesus Christ. 24:26 You say, oh what a-- 24:28 listen there're such clear passages of scripture. 24:30 Galatians, listen to me, chapter 3. 24:32 Galatians Chapter 4, Galatians Chapter 6. 24:36 Romans Chapter 2, especially verses 28 and 29. 24:39 Philippians chapter 3, verse 3. 24:42 These things just bring it into focus to make it clear, 24:45 so that we're not looking 24:46 somewhere where the devil will reign inside us. 24:49 Please remember that. Oh, friend, it's so important. 24:53 You see, spiritual Israel is in the Bible represented 24:57 as being divided into twelve tribes. 25:00 Do you remember that? 25:01 Oh, the Bible said, yeah you say what? 25:03 Twelve, that sounds familiar. 25:04 You remember that there's 12 gates in where? 25:07 Good, the New Jerusalem. 25:09 They have the name of the 12 tribes over them. 25:11 Again we're dealing, what? 25:13 We're dealing with character, 25:15 not the literal tribes back then. 25:18 Well that this tribe weren't there, 25:19 character is what we're talking about here 25:21 who has a right to enter the city of God. 25:23 Those who have right, that right character like Jesus. 25:27 In fact read that Revelation 21:12, 25:30 about those 12 gates and 12 tribes, notice. 25:32 Now Revelation 14, 1 through 5, 25:36 gives us some more information that we need to know 25:38 and it's valuable, so you don't want to miss it. 25:42 I like this because John was envisioned and John said, 25:45 he said, I saw the lamb. 25:48 Wow! Now where do you see the lamb? 25:52 Revelation 5:6, "I saw the lamb." 25:54 And seeing the lamb was used well like 29 times 25:58 in the New Testament in Revelation. 26:00 What is it, Revelation 5:6? 26:03 Now notice John heard Christ called a lion. 26:08 Wow! John heard it. Christ was called what? 26:12 He was called a lion. Which to us is what? 26:15 He's a conqueror or He gained the victory over, what? 26:19 Over, evil here. 26:21 But He looked for a lion because he said 26:24 He was called a lion. 26:26 And he looked around and he said, oh, I saw a, I saw a lamb. 26:30 Ooh, what does this mean? 26:32 "I saw a lamb" What was it again indicates to Christ? 26:36 With what win the battle between good and evil. 26:41 Not listen-- not by force, but by what? 26:45 I didn't hear you? Good, by living a perfect life. 26:50 That's how we gain victory today, isn't it? 26:52 That's how heaven is going to be our home, by what? 26:54 Living the perfect life through the power 26:56 and grace of Jesus Christ. 26:57 Remember John heard it, He is the lion, 27:00 and he saw a lamb. 27:02 Friend, the lamb live, we live without sin. 27:08 Jesus lived without sin. 27:09 And the Bible said in Revelation, 27:10 He is worthy, the spotless lamb. 27:15 And then John looks and he beholds and he see. 27:17 Friend, I'm talking to 144,000. 27:19 You need to wake up, you say now what is this going. 27:21 Listen, John sees this little bleeding lamb 27:25 and he sees him as a sacrifice. 27:28 He sees the lamb, listen, as he had been slain. 27:34 Underline, these words, as he has been slain. 27:37 Did you get as it has the meaning or indicates to us 27:40 that it's what? That's its symbolic. 27:43 So you can follow God's word 27:45 and you can understand literal or symbolic. 27:47 He's not saying that there was a real lamb 27:50 standing before the throne of God. 27:53 You can see, this is a what? A symbolic vision. 27:56 I'll give an example, as the seven lambs, 27:59 as the four creatures, the seven horns, 28:02 seven eyes and so on and so forth. 28:05 The Bible said, as it had been. 28:08 It indicates that it had taken place 28:11 the sacrifice in times past. 28:15 Now, what about this sacrifice that taken place in times past? 28:19 But let me tell you today my friend 28:20 that the sacrifice even though it's taken place, what? 28:23 We were said, 2,000 years ago, 28:25 the sacrifice is still good today. 28:27 Sacrifice made upon Calvary is permanent, 28:31 it's for us today. 28:34 Think about it, it's still good. 28:35 There's still power there, it's powerful, 28:38 it's comforting to know, it brings us hope, 28:41 it changes our life. 28:43 And we must look to that lamb that was slain 28:45 from the foundation of the world, for what? 28:48 For the forgiveness of sin. 28:49 And then John looks around in Revelation 14:1 28:52 and John saw this-- 28:54 that the people who gained the victory in Jesus Christ, 28:58 clean hearts, clean minds, clean hands, 29:00 he saw them stand on Mount Zion. 29:03 He saw them there. 29:05 A group of people, special people. 29:08 Interesting, and you back to the Old Testament 29:10 in Psalms 48 verse 1 and 2. 29:12 Let me just read that to you. 29:14 It say, "Great is the Lord, 29:16 and greatly is He to be praised." 29:18 Listen, "...in the city of our God." 29:21 "In the mountain of his holiness. 29:24 Beautiful for situation." 29:27 You know, what that means? Beautiful for the elevation. 29:31 "the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion." Or is it? 29:36 The joy of the whole earth is what? 29:38 Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north." 29:41 People started to say and let's see 29:43 what does that means, sides in the north here. 29:44 Its means there's a place to hide. 29:46 It's a place of protection. 29:48 It's a secret place that God has 29:50 as it were for us that He's going to shelter us 29:52 and to take care of us, it is the city of the King. 29:57 That's fantastic to know, isn't it? 29:59 Interesting, now as we read scripture 30:01 and then we go back to Early Writings, page 19. 30:04 Listen carefully what it says. 30:05 "Mount Zion was just before us." 30:10 We were just reading that wasn't we in Psalms 48. 30:14 Mount Zion was just before us. 30:17 "On the mount was a glorious temple," Oh, somebody listen. 30:20 "The temple was supported by seven pillars, 30:24 all of transparent gold, 30:26 set with the most precious and glorious pearls." 30:30 Think about that. 30:32 And "I saw the tables of stone in which, 30:36 listen, in which the name of the 144,000 30:41 were engraved in letters of gold." 30:44 Notice engraved in what? Letters of gold. 30:49 You see when I read scripture in Isaiah 49, 30:52 Jesus says it like this, He says, 30:55 I have graven thee upon what? 30:57 I have graven thee upon the palms of my hand. 31:02 And here in heavenly say, I saw that it looked gold, 31:06 precious holy unto the Lord. 31:10 Revelation 14:1, interesting these, this 144,000 31:16 they had the father's name written in the their forehead. 31:20 Here's the special group of people. 31:22 And I believe that they're being what? 31:23 They're being prepared right now. 31:26 They had the father's name written in their forehead, 31:28 their frontal lobe, decision making part of their brain. 31:34 In Revelation 7:3, you know, what it says. 31:37 Says, "This group had been sealed in their foreheads." 31:41 They've been sealed in their foreheads. 31:43 And now we realize that being sealed, right? 31:46 And the father's name are closely related. 31:50 So, being sealed and the fathers name 31:52 are closely related as we study. 31:55 John saw a people sealed with father and the son's name. 32:01 What does that mean? 32:03 He sees a group of people who're what? 32:05 Who are, we say that owns, God owns. 32:09 Who owns us? God owns us. 32:10 Who owns us? Jesus owns us. We've been sealed. 32:14 We have His name, the name then represents, what? 32:19 Oh, simple ownership. We belong to God. 32:23 Listen, if you belong to God, 32:24 you know and hereafter you knew 32:26 that you belong to God right now, 32:27 then won't be any hereafter, I hope you're with me. 32:29 Not in the heavenly portals. 32:32 Belong to God into it deals once again with our characters. 32:38 It deals with our characters. 32:40 This group reflects the image of Jesus fully. 32:46 I wish they say that human language 32:49 if somehow could get this point across 32:52 and help me to understand it more, 32:54 and may be you to understand it more, 32:55 what this group and what is going on here. 32:58 This group reflects the image of Jesus fully. 33:03 Then you look at your own, 33:04 oh man I'll say may be miserable life today. 33:06 My own miserable life and I was always such a far cry 33:10 of being what God wants us to be. 33:13 I think we've come to a point almost that we call 33:15 daylight dark and dark daylight. 33:18 We justify every time, 33:19 we excuse for why we're not like Jesus, 33:21 and why our characters are bad, 33:23 and why we're just not gaining victory, 33:24 and we're going whole harmon, lukewarm 33:27 and we have need of everything 33:28 and we say we had need of nothing. 33:30 Friend, what's wrong with us today? 33:33 What is wrong with us today that we don't see? 33:35 that this group of people here 33:39 are dealing with the character, the 144,000. 33:42 Let me read three Testimonies, 266. 33:44 It says, "Especially in the." Wow! listen. 33:47 "The closing work of the church, 33:49 in the sealing time of the 144,000 33:55 who are to stand without fault before the throne of God." 33:58 Now do I need to read that again. 34:00 144,000 stand before the throne of God without fault. 34:04 You couldn't stand before the throne of God 34:06 if you have sinned. 34:11 It says, here is this special group listen, 34:13 they will feel most deeply. 34:16 Ooh, "the wrongs of God's professed people." 34:24 This is heavy duty in my heart. 34:26 I thought on to it often. 34:30 This group who God is perfecting, 34:35 developing right now. 34:37 Please think with me, come on. 34:41 This developing right now 34:43 as they see things that are happening 34:48 may be in their church with the relatives 34:51 and friends and people who professed to know Jesus 34:53 and love Him and you'll keep His commandments. 34:57 They're grieved in their heart. 35:00 They're turned upside down. 35:02 They're sickened and they begin to voice their opinion 35:06 about these wrong, because God said, 35:07 it's wrong in His word. 35:10 They feel most deeply 35:13 the wrongs of God's professed people. 35:15 And inside it makes you sigh and cry for the abominations 35:21 that be done within the church and without. 35:25 You've read it, we've spoken, we've spoken on this subject. 35:29 You can't help but raise your voice. 35:31 You feel it intensely inside and its got to come out. 35:37 Early Writings 15 says, "The 144,000 35:41 were all sealed and perfectly united." 35:45 Oh, how we lack that. 35:46 We get together, we have our meetings 35:48 and we decide that we can't decide. 35:54 Disagree, we disagree, 35:57 but we want to do it in a nice sweet way. 36:01 We're not negating anywhere. 36:05 And so we learn to just accept what this will say 36:07 and that will say rather than 36:08 use the word of God, say here it is. 36:10 We don't want to do that. 36:12 We don't want to take a stand. 36:15 The 144,000 will stand perfectly united. 36:19 "On their foreheads was written." 36:21 Notice this what? "God." 36:23 Destination, "New Jerusalem, glorious star." 36:27 Was in there, up there it said "containing Jesus' new name." 36:32 You belong to him. For eternity, wow!. 36:37 Just a few test and trials down here. 36:40 Just a few good decisions to make right now. 36:43 This can be your faith and mine. 36:45 The 144,000, all I want you to just, 36:50 you need to pay some real special attention 36:52 when I am getting ready to talk about now. 36:57 Found in the Early Writings, page 37. 37:01 And when I read this I-- this is years ago I grieved 37:06 and as I studied for it again, I grieved again. 37:10 Now you will see why if you haven't read this 37:12 or may be never read it. 37:15 Because I see it coming to past now. 37:18 I sense that it's happening right now. 37:27 And it should wake some of us up. 37:34 I am fearful that someone sleeping so sadly 37:40 that they may never awake because they have no desire. 37:42 If they want to wake up they can wake up. 37:44 The spirit of God can steer you to a new walk with Him. 37:49 Then take much to steer us up and things of this world, 37:52 but steer us up in the things of God. 37:55 Early writings, 37, listen. 37:57 triumphed." 38:02 Oh, wonderful. 38:04 "Their faces were lighted with the glory of God." 38:08 Ooh, you remember Moses when he came down from the mount. 38:13 His face was so bright he had to cover, 38:15 people couldn't even look upon him that's reflecting. 38:17 Oh, 144,000 triumphant, reflecting the glory of God. 38:24 I am sure there were shouts, oh, this is wonderful 38:27 and then all of a sudden you notice in it, then I saw, 38:31 "Then I was shown a company 38:35 who were howling in agony." 38:38 Somebody listen, "They were howling in agony. 38:43 On their garment was written in large characters 38:49 weighed in the balance and found wanting." 38:54 Here's a group of people. They're howling. 39:02 This group of people everyone that Jesus died for that love, 39:05 they loved their everlasting love. 39:08 But they're howling in agony over there 39:10 for what could have been but our large letter said 39:13 they're weighed in the balances and they were found wanting, 39:16 don't you remember in Daniel Chapter 5, 39:19 Belshazzar you remember that hand that wrote on the wall. 39:23 The Babylon you're weighed in the balances and found wanting, 39:25 and that very night while it was taken. 39:27 It was gone. Probation had closed for them. 39:30 There was no hope. 39:32 They were living in that very, very hour dear friend. 39:35 I tell-- I want you to know 39:38 and when you see this wouldn't you if you saw this take place 39:40 or you had a question like Nebuchadnezzar had it, 39:43 he wanted to know what he had dreamed 39:44 and here that was shown that this group of people 39:47 and they were howling and said, oh, God, oh mercy. 39:51 And so the question was asked, 39:54 I asked who this company were? 39:57 Who are these people? 40:01 The angel said, 40:05 "These are they who once kept the Sabbath." 40:20 Notice, 40:24 "And they've given it up." 40:29 Are you listening? 40:31 This is a group of people 40:35 who studied the word of God 40:37 and they knew, they knew it was true. 40:42 They made a commitment to keep God's Ten Commandments. 40:47 And the angels said, 40:49 they are those who once kept the Sabbath, 40:52 but now they've given it up. 40:56 He said "I saw that they had drunken deep waters 40:59 and fouled the residue with their feet. 41:02 And they've trodden the Sabbath underfoot." 41:08 This is why they were weighed 41:10 in the balances and found wanting. 41:17 That's heavy duty, isn't it? 41:19 For those who believe in keeping the commandments of God. 41:22 Your neighbors, your friends, 41:24 your relatives, people you went to church with 41:25 and you've turned your back on God 41:28 because you know what is right. 41:30 There's no hope for you 41:32 and no hope for me outside of Jesus 41:34 once we know what the truth is 41:36 and the obligation that we have? 41:38 Once we understand about the Sabbath, 41:40 the observance of the Sabbath 41:42 and when you say I don't need to keep it anymore, 41:43 it's not important, you have thrown God out of your life. 41:48 Why because that's what the Sabbath is what? 41:49 Recognizing Him as our Creator, 41:51 our Redeemer, our Sustainer? 41:52 You say I don't need God anymore. 41:55 Oh, friend, we must remember 42:02 when we talk about the name 42:05 or the mark, the seal of God. 42:10 You realize that's in opposition 42:13 the opposites side of the mark of the beast, 42:16 and image of the beast, or the mark of Satan. 42:19 Do we get that? 42:24 These are issues that we are faced with. 42:31 These are choices that we're making right now. 42:33 We're so close to the end of time, 42:34 we don't' have any time to waste, 42:36 and yet the devil is sidetracking us 42:39 and you're going to be weighed 42:40 in the balances and found wanting. 42:43 Somebody say, well you know better than I might. 42:45 Friend we're still here trying by the grace of God. 42:47 We're still putting forth an effort. 42:50 And there is hope. 42:52 But when you put forth no effort there will be no hope. 42:57 You don't do your part, there's no hope. 43:02 You turned down the weight of evidence. 43:05 That's powerful and you say oh, 43:06 I know it says it but-- 43:10 there is no hope. 43:16 These issues needed to be studied out, 144,000. 43:24 Revelation 14:3, well, we got to move on Lord help us. 43:29 144,000 it says, they sing a new song. 43:33 144,000 is going to sing a new song. 43:36 Listen to this that "No man can learn 43:39 except this special group." 43:41 They have a special song. Why? 43:45 No one else could learn it. 43:47 Why is this song so important to the 144,000? 43:53 I thought about it little bit. 43:55 I'm just--I'm jus talking, I'm thinking about it. 43:57 I said you know. 43:59 I know some song writers and people who write songs 44:02 and so on and sometime when they write a song, 44:05 they write an experience of what? Of their life. 44:09 And they pen down words of things 44:11 that have happened to them, 44:12 sorrows and joys and may be disappointments 44:15 and loses and passion and they write it down many times. 44:20 They feel it inside when they pen the words 44:23 and then they go to sing it. 44:24 They sing it with such passion 44:28 and such reality that you feel it. 44:31 Because there's something that they went through. 44:34 Its something they experience and its real to them 44:37 and somebody else comes along and they all listen to it. 44:40 They sing the same song, the same words, 44:42 but its just not there, 44:44 because they didn't go through it. 44:47 They didn't have to-- they didn't live it. 44:50 Something is missing. 44:55 The significance of the song covers several areas. 45:00 We don't' have time to do much talk about but review it. 45:03 Number one, it's a new song. 45:06 The Bible says, number two, 45:07 they stand before the throne of God and sing this song. 45:11 Oh, hallelujah. 45:14 The Bible said it's a song of experience. 45:19 It's a song of deliverance. Did you get it? 45:23 Oh, we won't be here, we'll be gone. 45:27 It's a song of experiences what they went through. 45:30 It's a song of deliverance. 45:31 How God delivered and when there seem 45:32 to be no hope in the world 45:34 and everything you can think about was turned against him. 45:37 And you know what? 45:39 Because they went through and because their character 45:40 was purified in the blood of the lamb, 45:42 no others can sing that song. 45:48 Great Controversy, 649, it's what it say, it says. 45:51 "It is the song of Moses and the lamb. 45:54 A song of deliverance. 45:56 It's a song of their experience-- 45:58 an experience such as no other company have ever had." 46:03 Wow! And "They are they which follow 46:07 the lamb whithersoever He goeth." 46:11 See what kind of experience that they received here. 46:15 And reading on the Great controversy 46:17 makes this statement 650. 46:19 Listen, people have a misconception 46:21 about the 144,000 and we gonna talk about all they're virgins 46:25 and they're this and they're that. 46:27 All pay attention to the word of God. 46:31 So there's no confusion. 46:34 It says "By their own painful experiences 46:39 this 144,000 have learned the evil" 46:42 Of what? "Of sin." 46:45 So it simply means these group of people 46:47 have lived you know what? 46:49 And that means they're what? 46:50 All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 46:52 Its not that they have never ever sinned 46:53 and they have learned how painful that sin is 46:58 and the consequences of sin. 47:02 "They've learned the power of sin, 47:05 they've learned the guilt and its woe 47:07 and they look now upon it with abhorrence. 47:12 And then they look at 47:14 their infinite sacrifice made for its cure. 47:18 They're humble in their own sight. 47:22 Their hearts is filled with gratitude" 47:25 think of gratitude "and praise." 47:29 Listen, listen "And praise which those 47:32 who have never fallen can never appreciate it." 47:35 That's talking about the angels of heaven. 47:37 Can't even appreciate what the 144,000 have been through 47:41 because they had never been through it. 47:43 Wow! 47:48 And it says listen the 144,000, 47:50 this needs to apply to you and me today. 47:52 They loved much because they've been forgiven much. 48:00 They partaking of the sufferings of Christ. 48:06 And you know what my brother and sister, 48:07 because they have partaken with Him, 48:10 His sufferings they're fitted to sit with Him 48:14 and be partakers of Him in glory. 48:17 We gonna have to walk in His footsteps friend. 48:20 It's awesome. People don't want to preach it. 48:23 They don't want to talk about it. 48:24 They don't want to live it. 48:25 They don't want to hear in the churches. 48:27 It's a truth. 48:29 He's looking after a special group of people. 48:34 What is Revelation 14:4 and few minutes we've left. 48:37 Think about me when it tells us 48:39 listen that 144,000 where does it say, Revelation what? 48:43 14:4, what does it mean what says, 48:46 "These 144,000 are not defiled 48:50 with women for they are virgins." 48:53 Interesting other people will say, well, 48:54 it means they can never be married 48:56 and that means they can never. 48:57 Come one, let's study this now, 48:59 let's see what he's talking about here. 49:01 First of all you remember women in the Bible 49:03 many times is used as what? The true church. 49:06 Jeremiah 6:2, what does it say. 49:08 It said, I've liken the daughter of Zion 49:10 to a crumbling and delicate women. 49:12 Revelation 12 gives a pure women. 49:14 Revelation 17:1 through 5 gives us what? 49:16 They apostate woman. 49:18 Keep that in mind as we go there's a true church 49:22 and there's a false church. 49:24 Impure women is what defiled. It represents to you what? 49:28 Apostate church. May I just be real bold here? 49:32 We realize when we talk about the church of Rome 49:34 and other churches including Protestant churches today, 49:37 that you need to listen up all of you. 49:39 You follow her the Roman church. 49:44 Follow after her. 49:46 It's symbolized as by following what? 49:48 The impure women and her daughters. 49:52 That's what its talking about here. 49:53 We're following after something that's impure. 49:57 The 144,000 the Bible said they are not defiled 50:00 and you say what does that mean? They're not defiled. 50:02 That means the 144,000 are not stained, 50:06 they're not soiled by any kind of what? 50:10 Any kind of illicit relationship with the world. 50:15 Any religious element, any kind of apostasy, 50:18 they will not join, listen carefully some of you, 50:21 they will not join the ranks of those 50:23 who do not keep the commandments of God. 50:27 We've too much about joining rights where it doesn't matter 50:30 and that's why people just don't have a concept 50:32 of what it means to be what, 50:33 God asks us to be in scripture. 50:35 144,000 are not defiled, they're not stained, 50:37 they're not soiled by any religious element, 50:39 did you get that? 50:41 And they will not join up 50:42 with those who do not keep the commandments of God. 50:44 They did not yield to any kind of power 50:46 on this earth that's contrary to the law of God. 50:51 What a group of people? 50:52 Oh, God, help us to be among that number, why? 50:55 Because they're not defiled by these things. 51:00 Did you get that? Bible says, here they're what? 51:03 For they're virgins, 51:06 passage is metaphorical it's very, very clear. 51:08 You can see, it's a figure of what? 51:10 A figure of speech when one thing is liken to another. 51:14 Now why do we say that? 51:16 Literal virginity, man and woman. 51:18 It's not the point even discussed here in the subject. 51:22 If it would, if it were what we were it would contradict 51:26 that with other scripture 51:28 that comments marriage and marriage relationship. 51:31 Read that in First Corinthians 7. 51:32 So that's not the issue here. It say washed their what? 51:35 Their bodies, their minds, 51:37 their heart in the blood of the lamb-- 51:38 they won't partake if they're not defiled 51:40 by the things of the world 51:41 or the Roman church or Apostate Protestantism. 51:45 They've come out of it. 51:47 Why they call virgins because they separated from Babylon 51:53 that's why and her daughters. 51:56 They no longer have any relationship 51:57 with those who will not honor God. 51:59 They severed relationship with family and friends 52:02 and all those who will not have 52:03 relationship with God they won't honor God. 52:07 They won't have fellowship 52:08 with those who deviate from the truth. 52:10 They're not defiled by any kind of association with evil. 52:15 Even though they once, 52:16 listen carefully even they once belonged to some of the bodies, 52:20 religious bodies of the world have joined together 52:23 at this time to eradicate the 144,000, 52:26 somebody pay attention. 52:29 They've gained some victories by the grace 52:31 and blood and power of Jesus Christ. 52:34 Remember, the 144,000 they suffered 52:38 during the seven last plagues. 52:41 They triumphed in the time of trouble, praise God. 52:44 They're the first fruits that Bible talks about in the sense 52:47 they're part of the larger harvest 52:49 and they gift and the offering to God. 52:53 They stand in a oooh, in a perfect square 52:57 on the sea of glass. 52:59 I want to make this point clear 53:01 before we end up the study. 53:03 And I am going to try by God's grace 53:05 I have been really impressed over and over 53:07 and haven't said anything about for a while. 53:08 Listen, I noticed that the saints here on earth, 53:13 when you gather to pray sometime in a group 53:14 you want to gather in a circle. 53:20 We should be careful of circles swirl. 53:25 Circles play such a large part in pagans worship. 53:29 But in scripture you always see God's people doing what? 53:32 They're beginning to esquire. 53:36 Never a circle, anything but a circle. 53:39 And if you're gonna join that group you know, 53:41 we need to be gain you know 53:42 could see miles of this table all way down 53:45 and they would gather in a perfect square. Oh, wow!. 53:49 The saints we need to be thinking 53:53 about these things today. 53:56 Do we really want to please God 53:57 with all of our heart and soul and mind? 53:59 Do we want to be part of the 144,000? 54:03 Then we need to say, well it doesn't matter 54:05 about this or that. Yes it does matter. 54:07 Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. 54:10 To be ready for such a grand occasion as the coming of Jesus. 54:13 I want to be ready couple of minutes left. 54:15 I just want to encourage you that part one, 54:18 part two if you didn't get it all you need to give us a call. 54:20 So I need those DVDs or CDs whatever it might be. 54:24 Because I want to share this with friend, 54:25 because we ask many bold will stand up 54:27 and my not hold this is whether the Bible is clear, of what? 54:30 Not who they are, but what they are? 54:33 What constituents? 54:35 And how do describe 54:36 to be among that number by the grace of God. 54:39 Strive, how do you strive? 54:41 Divinity and humanity working together. 54:45 For this human being to be submissive to the grace 54:48 and power and the strength of God. 54:50 And it will always deny those things inside of me. 54:53 The flesh that wants to do something else, 54:55 but I must be able to submit to the spirit and power of God 54:57 and then victory is assured. 54:59 Keep those cards and letters coming my friends? 55:01 You know, again now where we can bring 55:03 these programs through your what? 55:04 Your prayers and your continued support, your offerings. 55:08 So continue we pray by God's grace to pray for us everyday. 55:10 We gonna pray for you. 55:12 In fact, we gonna pray for you right now before we close. 55:14 Would you kneel with me where it's possible please? 55:17 Father in heaven, we thank You for Your precious word. 55:19 We thank You that You have reminded us about character, 55:23 about our characters and how they need to be transformed 55:27 and to be like Jesus. Oh, we need some help. 55:29 Please send Your Holy Spirit. 55:30 May this be important time in each of our hearts 55:33 and life that the reformation right now has started? 55:35 A commitment right now is, oh God, 55:37 please help me to be among that number, 55:39 in Jesus name we pray, amen. 55:43 Remember keep studying. 55:45 It's very, very important what we've covered today 55:48 or in the message or any previous message. 55:50 It's simply, what? Hopefully to get you--oh, 55:54 I want to get into the word, 55:55 I want to know more about this 55:56 and so you begin to get your Bible and pencil and paper, 55:58 may be you're strong where it might be and you begin to study. 56:01 Why because you gonna have to show yourself prove unto God. 56:04 Faith cometh by hearing, hearing by the word of God. 56:07 This is the time in earth's history where we cannot fail. 56:09 We must stand fast 56:11 in the power of Jesus Christ and the victory. 56:14 You want that victory. You need a prayer, right? 56:17 Why don't you give us a call? 56:18 Send your prayer request we'll be sure and get back to you. 56:20 We thank you for your support. 56:21 Thank you for your love and we look forward 56:23 to spend a lot more time with you. 56:25 We'll see you next time. 56:28 Hello again friends, as we now know with certainty, 56:32 this group of people living at the coming of Christ 56:34 is a group that we should be all praying 56:37 and so ordering our lives to be a part of. 56:40 It is time--it is past time that we gain godly wisdom 56:44 and knowledge in the word of God 56:46 through continued daily study and prayer. 56:50 And it is our sincere desire that these two messages 56:53 just presented on the prophecy 56:54 of the 144,000 was a blessing in aiding you 56:58 with your study and your walk with God. 57:01 And we encourage you to order this set 57:03 for your own personal DVD library. 57:06 By ordering you'll be helping yourself 57:08 as well as helping Behold the Lamb Ministries 57:11 continue to bring messages such as this to your homes 57:14 through this wonderful television station. 57:17 You may wish to order this two part series 57:20 for a love gift of just $15 or more. 57:23 And you can do so by calling us here 57:25 at Behold the Lamb Ministries at 618-942-5044 57:30 at Central Standard Time in the United States, 57:33 or you may write us at Behold the Lamb Ministries, 57:36 P.O. Box 2030 here in Illinois, 62948. 57:41 Email us we love to receive your emails. 57:43 You may email us at Behold TheLambMinistries@yahoo.com, 57:47 and you may also order on our website 57:50 that is www.BeholdTheLambMinistries.com. 57:55 Friends, until next time may our precious Lord 57:58 continue to richly bless you and yours. |
Revised 2014-12-17