Participants:
Series Code: GLM
Program Code: GLM200003S
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00:39 Hello, and welcome to another presentation
00:41 in this series, 00:43 God's Last Warning message. 00:45 Wonderful to see those of you 00:46 who are present with us in the studio. 00:49 And we don't forget 00:50 about all those people around the world 00:53 who may be watching our presentation. 00:56 And we thank you for doing that as well. 00:59 So welcome. 01:00 Let's bow our heads first of all, 01:02 in a word of prayer. 01:04 Our loving Father in heaven, 01:06 we thank You for the wonderful privilege 01:08 we have of opening Your Word 01:10 and of hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit 01:13 speaking to our hearts. 01:14 We thank You for the assurance 01:16 that everybody who is within cooee of my voice 01:20 is one who is greatly loved by God. 01:23 And I pray that 01:25 that love might surround them this morning 01:27 and that the Holy Spirit will speak to them 01:29 and speak to me as we speak. 01:31 And we ask this today in Jesus' precious name. 01:34 Amen. 01:37 This is the third of the presentations 01:40 for this series. 01:42 And I'm just going to spend a little while 01:44 as we did last time reviewing what we said in the last one. 01:48 And we hope that 01:50 that will clarify and remind you 01:52 of some of the great truths 01:54 that we're speaking about in this series. 01:57 In the first two presentations, 01:59 we've been developing a chart 02:01 that is based upon Bible prophecies, 02:04 and these prophecies have predicted the great events 02:08 that take place from 1798 onwards, 02:12 because that was the beginning as we discovered, 02:15 of the beginning of the time of the end, 02:18 that very significant phrase used in the Book of Daniel. 02:22 We have seen how there are prophecies 02:24 and one particular prophecy in the Book of Daniel. 02:27 We looked at it on the previous presentation, 02:30 the prophecy that is the 2,300 year prophecy 02:36 that ends in 1844 as you can see on our screen. 02:42 This prophecy that was to be widely proclaimed by the way, 02:46 that was to play a major part 02:48 in the opening of the Book of Daniel, 02:51 as well as providing us with the foundation 02:55 for God's last warning message. 02:58 So today, we're going to look at the content of that message. 03:02 What did God want to say to the world 03:05 in the final days as He prepares for that day, 03:09 when He's going to return to the earth 03:11 and take His people home? 03:13 So we're going to turn to that wonderful book, 03:15 the Book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible. 03:19 This is a book that is unique in many ways, 03:23 not the least of which is its title 03:26 because the Bible says 03:27 the title is the revelation of Jesus Christ. 03:32 It is not as some people believe 03:34 a hidden book that cannot be understood, 03:38 rather it is called a Revelation, 03:40 and the Revelation is not something that's hidden. 03:43 It's something that is to be revealed. 03:45 And it's a revelation. 03:47 And this is important to remember in all I say today, 03:50 it's a revelation both of Jesus and from Jesus. 03:56 It's the only book in the Bible, 03:59 that's significant. 04:00 It's the only book in the Bible 04:02 that pronounces a special blessing 04:04 on those who read the book. 04:08 And we notice, as we think about this, 04:10 that here is the text in Revelation 1:3, 04:14 "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear." 04:19 So there's not only a blessing 04:21 on those of us who are reading it, 04:23 but those of you who are hearing this prophecy, 04:26 and those who keep those things, 04:29 which are written in it. 04:31 In other words, 04:32 there are some things 04:33 that are going to be revealed in the Book of Revelation. 04:35 That it's important that we not only hear about them, 04:38 but also that we keep in our hearts, 04:41 the things that are there. 04:44 And so, I hope that you with me will claim that blessing today. 04:50 Having seen that the Book of Daniel 04:53 was to be sealed or closed up, 04:56 particularly prophecies in the Book of Daniel. 04:59 Is there any other part of the Bible 05:03 that tells what will happen 05:06 when a little book that once was closed, 05:09 but now is opened in the time of the end? 05:13 Is there any other part of the Bible? 05:15 Well, the answer, of course, 05:16 is in the Book of Revelation 05:19 and it's in Chapter 10 of Revelation 05:22 that we read these words. 05:25 And I saw, that's John recording one of the visions 05:29 that God gave him. 05:31 "I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, 05:35 clothed with a cloud: 05:37 and a rainbow was upon his head, 05:39 and his face was as it were the sun 05:41 and his feet as pillars of fire." 05:45 The artists there has tried to portray 05:48 what John saw that day, 05:50 this mighty messenger, who came down from heaven. 05:53 Now I want you to notice something and this may... 05:57 Well, it's an important for us to notice. 05:59 When it says John saw a mighty angel, 06:02 who is this angel? 06:04 I noticed when I looked at the Greek word there, 06:07 it's the word Angelus. 06:08 That's the Greek for the word angel, 06:11 but more commonly 06:12 that's translated as a messenger. 06:15 Sometimes it's translated as an angel, 06:18 but we may need to remember 06:20 that the word Angelus didn't always refer to angels. 06:23 The word Angelus 06:25 sometimes refers to human beings 06:27 who are messengers from God. 06:29 Let me give you a couple of illustrations 06:31 from there of this. 06:32 John, the Baptist, 06:34 who was the messenger 06:36 to prepare the way for Jesus to come. 06:39 He is referred to as an Angelus. 06:41 Now, John, the Baptist wasn't an angel, 06:43 but he was a messenger. 06:45 I noticed in Luke 7:24, the two messengers. 06:51 This is an interesting story. 06:53 There were two messengers 06:54 who were sent from John the Baptist to Jesus 06:58 because John the Baptist was beginning to wonder, 07:01 is Jesus really the promised Messiah 07:03 I've come to prepare the way for Him? 07:06 Is He really the promised Messiah? 07:08 And John the Baptist sends two messengers, 07:10 two of his disciples to Jesus to ask Him, 07:13 are you really the Messiah? 07:17 And the word there 07:18 for the two messengers is Angelus, 07:21 two human beings. 07:22 Let me give you one other illustration 07:24 in James 2:25. 07:28 You remember the story in the Old Testament of Rahab 07:32 who lived in Jericho, 07:34 and there were spies who came from Israel 07:37 to visit this lady Rahab. 07:40 And those two men are called Angelus. 07:44 Now, definitely they're not angels that came, 07:48 but nevertheless, 07:49 they are used, the word used to describe them is Angelus. 07:54 Now, many Bible commentators, I notice, 07:56 identify this mighty messenger from heaven as Jesus. 07:59 Now, that's why I've spent a little time 08:01 to introduce this, 08:03 because this is not really an angel 08:05 as we think that's come down, it's a messenger. 08:08 But why do I say that the messenger is Jesus? 08:11 Because when you consider His description there 08:14 in Revelation 10, 08:16 where He's very brilliantly addressed 08:19 and there's a rainbow around His head, et cetera, 08:22 that's very similar to the description of Jesus 08:25 in Revelation 1:14-15. 08:30 Did you also notice that in the hand of this messenger, 08:35 there is a little book 08:37 and the Bible says 08:39 he had in his hand a little book open. 08:43 I was particularly interested. 08:44 I checked up again on the Greek word for open, 08:48 and I was surprised, 08:49 but not really surprised 08:51 to find that it should strictly be translated as 08:54 He had in his hand 08:56 a little book having been opened. 08:59 Now, that makes quite a difference 09:01 to our understanding of it. 09:02 Because the little book 09:04 that this messenger Jesus had in His hand 09:06 was once closed. 09:08 That's what it's implying. 09:09 If it's a book open, having been opened, 09:12 it was once closed and as recently been opened, 09:17 Well, what is the little book? 09:20 I hope you're beginning to think of the answer. 09:23 What is the little book 09:24 that is opened in the hand of the messenger? 09:28 Remember, dear friends, 09:30 that there is only one book 09:31 as I said in our earlier presentation, 09:33 only one book 09:35 of all the 66 books in the Bible. 09:37 There's only one that was ever closed and sealed 09:41 and to a particular time. 09:44 And that, as we noticed earlier, 09:46 is the little Book of Daniel. 09:48 When the angel came to Daniel and said, 09:50 "Close up your book, 09:52 seal it up until the time of the end, " 09:55 which says in effect that when the time of the end comes, 09:57 the Book of Daniel 09:59 and particularly the prophetic parts of Daniel 10:01 are going to be opened up and presented to the world. 10:07 So here in Revelation 10, 10:09 we see Jesus 10:11 with the Book of Daniel in His hand. 10:15 I want you to notice as we consider this, 10:18 that in Daniel 12:7, 10:22 we see a very interesting parallel 10:26 between Daniel Chapter 12 and Revelation Chapter 10. 10:32 Let me see if I can put it on the screen. 10:35 Here Daniel in Daniel 12 is told by the messenger 10:40 to close his book. 10:42 Then we notice that the messenger Jesus 10:45 takes an oath 10:46 and swears by Him who lives forever. 10:50 Then we also noticed that 10:51 this message that He pronounces then 10:54 concerns the time of the end 10:55 because the little book has to be opened 10:57 in the time of the end. 10:59 And finally, Daniel's book is to be opened 11:02 in the time of the end. 11:04 Now that's found in Daniel Chapter 12 11:06 and Jesus is in that chapter too, 11:08 because there's a description 11:10 that this was told to Daniel by the man clothed in linen. 11:15 And in Daniel Chapter 10, 11:16 the man clothed in linen is identified as Jesus 11:19 in his pre-existing form, speaking to Daniel. 11:22 Now that's in Daniel Chapter 12, 11:24 but have a look at Revelation 10:5-6. 11:29 The messenger comes to John with a little book open. 11:35 Then we read that 11:36 the messenger Jesus takes an oath 11:39 and swears by Him who lives forever. 11:43 The message concerns time no longer. 11:48 And then the little book is open 11:50 in the time of the end 11:51 before the seventh trumpet sounds. 11:55 And you'll understand that in just a moment. 11:58 And so, when we look at those, 11:59 that comparison between Daniel 12 and Revelation 10, 12:03 it confirms that this little book, 12:04 and it's important 12:06 that we spend a little time 12:07 to establish that in your thinking 12:09 that the little book in the angels 12:11 or the messenger's hand 12:12 is the Book of Daniel. 12:15 And we see that brought to us by making that comparison. 12:19 So as we shall see, 12:21 the little book open is in Revelation10 12:24 is opened in the time of the end. 12:26 That's another confirmation. 12:27 That is the Book of Daniel that Jesus comes down with 12:32 to present to the world. 12:34 So let's have a look at Revelation 10:5-7, 12:40 "The angel, " 12:42 the messenger, remember, 12:43 "whom I saw standing on the sea 12:45 and on the land 12:46 raised up his hand to heaven and swore, " 12:51 he's taking an oath or solemn oath, 12:53 "by Him who lives forever and ever 12:55 who created heaven and the things that are in it, 12:58 the earth and the things that are in it, 13:00 and the sea and the things that are in it, 13:01 that they should be delay no longer, 13:03 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh trumpet, 13:08 the seventh angel," 13:09 after that, 13:11 "when he's about to sound, 13:13 the mystery of God is going to be finished." 13:15 Now, there are a few terms there 13:16 that I need to explain to you. 13:19 It says there that there would be delay no longer, 13:25 Some translations say time no longer, 13:29 because the word there in the Greek 13:30 is the word chronos 13:31 from which we get chronology 13:33 and chronology, of course, is the study of time. 13:36 So that's the word that is used here, 13:39 that there should be times no longer 13:41 or no longer any delay. 13:43 Now, why no more than any delay, 13:46 because the Bible goes on to say there in Revelation 10, 13:50 that God is about to finish His work upon the earth 13:54 with the sounding of the seventh trumpet. 13:58 Now, that needs a little explanation as well. 14:01 In the Book of Revelation, 14:02 there are a number of series of sevens. 14:05 We have seven plagues, we have seven churches, 14:09 and we have seven trumpets. 14:10 And those visions that were given to John 14:13 covered a period of time, 14:15 most often from the time of Jesus, 14:17 down to the second coming of Christ. 14:20 And as you can guess 14:22 when that seventh trumpet sounds, 14:25 that's not way back in the days just after Jesus. 14:28 It's the days just before the second coming of Christ, 14:31 because there are seven trumpets 14:33 that are brought to view there. 14:34 And there in Revelation 10, it says, 14:37 when he's about to sound the seventh trumpet, 14:40 the mystery of God's going to be finished. 14:43 So what is the seventh trumpet sounding? 14:47 What time? 14:49 Because whatever time, 14:50 when the seventh trumpet is sounding, 14:51 that's when this little book open 14:54 is going to have a message for the world. 14:56 So let's have a look. 14:58 What happens 15:00 when the seventh trumpet sounds? 15:02 I'm going to read it there 15:04 because I don't think 15:05 it's going to appear on the screen. 15:06 But in Revelation 11:15 it says this, 15:09 "Then the seventh angel sounded 15:12 and there were loud voices in heaven saying, 15:14 'The kingdoms of this world 15:16 have become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ 15:21 and He shall reign forever and ever.' " 15:24 A mighty message. A glorious message. 15:26 The kingdoms of this world 15:28 are being replaced by the kingdom of God. 15:31 Now that, of course, 15:32 is a reference to the second coming of Jesus 15:34 when all the kingdoms of this earth 15:37 are replaced by the kingdom of God. 15:39 So what happens 15:41 when the seventh trumpet sounds? 15:42 Christ's kingdom replaces all earthly kingdoms. 15:48 But then we also need to ask the question, 15:51 what happens 15:52 when the seventh trumpet is about to sound? 15:56 As you can imagine, 15:57 that's the time before the second coming of Jesus. 16:02 If I can put another expression into that place, 16:05 I would say it's the time of the end. 16:07 You remember I said to you that later, 16:09 we would discover 16:11 when the little book is open and heaven being opened, 16:14 that that happens in the time of the end. 16:17 I say that 16:18 because this message goes to the world 16:21 in the days just before the seventh trumpet sounds, 16:26 that's just before Jesus comes, 16:28 or another way of saying that in the time of the end. 16:32 So here is this mighty messenger 16:35 coming down with a message in the time of the end, 16:38 from the little Book of Daniel. 16:42 Well, what are the events to occur 16:46 when the seventh trumpet is about to sound? 16:50 We find that that also is found in scripture 16:54 and I'm referring to Revelation 11:18. 16:57 And I would just summarize it on the screen for you to see. 17:01 The Bible tells us in Revelation 11:18, 17:03 that when the seventh trumpet is about to sound, 17:06 the nations of the world would be angry. 17:09 Think about this. 17:10 The time of God's wroth has come. 17:14 The time for judging the dead and rewarding God's people. 17:18 That's going to happen in the time of, the end, 17:21 just before Jesus comes. 17:23 And then notice, 17:24 God will destroy those who destroy the earth. 17:31 Again, if I can peal to the Greek 17:32 and identity this very often, 17:34 but it sort of helps to clarify some things. 17:36 If I was to translate that exactly as the Greek says it, 17:40 God will destroy those 17:42 who are in the act of destroying the earth. 17:47 When you think about 17:49 what's happening to today's world, friends, 17:51 is mankind destroying the earth? 17:55 Does it have power now to contribute 17:58 to all the problems of weather 17:59 and all the rest that's happening? 18:02 God will come and destroy those 18:04 who are in the act of destroying the earth. 18:09 So here are these great events that would be happening 18:11 when the seventh trumpet is about to sound its trumpet, 18:15 Nations angry, the time of God's wroth, 18:17 the time for judging the dead, rewarding God's people, 18:20 and God will destroy those who destroy the earth. 18:24 All of those events 18:26 are associated with the time of the end. 18:29 Now I need to ask one other question 18:31 of that verse. 18:32 You remember that says that there would be time no longer, 18:35 no more any delay. 18:37 Why? 18:39 Because they're waiting on the mystery of God 18:42 to be finished. 18:44 What's the mystery of God 18:46 that's going to be finished 18:47 when the seventh trumpet is about to sound? 18:49 His trumpet, the seventh angel? 18:53 I'm just going to refer you to Ephesians 1:9-10 18:57 and also Ephesians 3:3-6, 19:01 because here Paul, 19:03 the Apostle Paul refers to the mystery of God 19:07 that has been hidden in ages past, 19:10 but what has now been revealed 19:12 to prophets and to apostles. 19:15 And what is that mystery? 19:17 That God has planned 19:18 that the Gentiles should be united with the Jews 19:23 by the preaching of the gospel. 19:27 Well, what is the finishing of that mystery? 19:29 Obviously, it's the finishing 19:32 of the work of preaching the gospel to the world 19:35 that's going to gather together all Jews and Gentiles 19:39 to be ready for the coming of the Lord. 19:43 As it is in the days 19:45 when the seventh angel is about to sound 19:47 that the mystery has to be finished. 19:49 That will be the time 19:52 when the preaching of the gospel 19:53 will have gathered together Jews and Gentiles 19:57 to make ready for the coming of Jesus. 20:00 Now, in this amazing prophecy from Jesus in Revelation 10, 20:03 what's it really telling us so far? 20:06 That after 1798 in the time of the end, 20:10 when the Book of Daniel was to be opened, 20:12 God was to send a message to the world 20:16 based upon the Book of Daniel 20:18 and the unsealing of the prophecy 20:20 of the 2, 300 years 20:22 announcing no more delay, time no longer, for Jesus 20:27 is about to come back to this world. 20:30 Now, remember all that I've just said today, 20:33 dear friends, is prophecy. 20:35 We're looking what something has been written 20:38 2, 000 years ago in the Book of Revelation 20:41 and 2, 500 years ago in the Book of Daniel, 20:45 but how wonderfully we're going to see 20:48 that it's been fulfilled. 20:50 I think the next question we need to ask is this message 20:54 that is going to be preached to the world 20:56 from the little Book of Daniel, 20:58 how would it be received by the people who hear it? 21:04 In Revelation 10:8-9, we read this, 21:10 "Then the voice which I heard from heaven 21:14 spoke to me again and said, 21:17 'Go and take the little book, 21:19 which is open in the hand of the angel 21:22 who stands on the sea and on the earth." 21:26 Now let me just explain 21:27 something in looking at that verse on the screen. 21:30 It says, so I went, the I, of course, 21:32 is the one who's writing the Book of Revelation. 21:35 It's John, the disciple of John. 21:37 He's the one to whom Jesus had revealed 21:40 the wonderful Book of Revelation. 21:42 And so it says there that I, John, 21:45 heard from heaven where the messenger said to me. 21:48 Now the messenger, of course, is Jesus, as we've noticed. 21:52 So what does Jesus say to John? And why John? 21:56 Since this is a symbolic vision, 21:59 John is presenting the people as a disciple of Jesus 22:03 is representing the people 22:05 who are going to hear this message 22:07 from the Book of Daniel, 22:10 from the little book that is open. 22:12 So here he's told to go to the little book, 22:16 which is open in the hand of the messenger, 22:18 who stands on the sea and on the earth. 22:20 And then the next verse in verse 9, 22:23 what does it say to us? 22:24 "So I went to the angel and said to him, 22:28 'Give me the little book.' 22:31 And he said to me.' " 22:32 Now, please notice this strange verse. 22:36 "So He said to me, 'Take it and eat it, 22:39 and it will make your stomach bitter, 22:43 but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.' " 22:48 What strange words? 22:50 Here, John is told, go up to the messenger, 22:54 go up to Jesus, 22:56 who's got a little book open in His hand 22:59 and say to Him, after He said, 23:00 go and take the book out of his hand, 23:03 when he ate it, it was sweet in his mouth, 23:07 but it turned to very bitter experience 23:11 after some time had passed, 23:13 after digestion, if we could put it that way. 23:16 What do you think is meant 23:18 by John being told to eat the book, 23:22 to eat the little book? 23:24 If I say to you that, 23:25 well, I went down to the library the other day 23:27 and I took out a book. 23:30 And since then I've been devouring it, 23:33 what am I saying? 23:35 That I tore the pages out one by one 23:38 and began to eat the pages from the book. 23:41 No, of course not. 23:42 It's saying that 23:44 I really read that book very carefully. 23:46 It was a great challenge and a blessing to me, 23:48 and I enjoyed reading it. 23:50 And I read every part of it. 23:53 That's implied that I devoured the book. 23:55 There's an interesting verse 23:56 that we find in Revelation 15:16. 24:00 Notice, where it says in that book, 24:04 Jeremiah chapter 15, 24:06 "Your words were found," 24:08 Jeremiah says, speaking to God, 24:11 "And I ate them, 24:13 and Your word was to me 24:15 the joy and rejoicing of my heart, 24:18 for I am called by Your name O Lord God of hosts." 24:23 What was Jeremiah's experience? 24:25 I hope those of you who are listening. 24:27 I hope that's been your experience 24:29 with the Word of God. 24:31 But here Jeremiah is saying that 24:33 Your words referring to the Word of God were found, 24:35 and I ate them just like John. 24:39 In Daniel Chapter... 24:40 In Revelation Chapter 10, 24:42 "Your Word was to me 24:43 the joy and rejoicing of my heart." 24:44 It made me happy. 24:46 That's the response 24:48 that Jeremiah had to eating the book 24:52 or the words of God that he was given. 24:55 Well, in Revelation 10:10, 24:59 we read, then I took, this is his response. 25:03 John says, 25:04 "I took the little book out of the angel's hand 25:06 and I ate it, 25:07 and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. 25:11 But when I had eaten it, 25:13 it became bitter in his stomach." 25:17 Strange words. 25:19 This is prophecy, 25:21 it's based upon the experience of God's people 25:24 in the time of the end. 25:26 They were to receive the message 25:28 of the Book of Daniel 25:29 concerning time no longer, 25:31 the 2, 300 year prophecy 25:33 that was to be sealed until the time of the end. 25:37 And when they received and heard that message, 25:41 oh, it was sweet in their mouth when they first heard it. 25:45 But it turned a bitter taste by the time of digestion. 25:51 Well, while you're wondering what this means, 25:56 don't forget to come in our next presentation 25:59 and we'll look at this in far more detail. 26:04 Well, the message was received with joy 26:08 from the Book of Daniel. 26:09 But the experience was to turn into a bitter disappointment. 26:13 Was God still leading them? 26:15 Now, this is a very important question, dear friends. 26:18 Was God still leading them through this bitter experience? 26:23 It's Jesus who gives them the book. 26:26 They ate it as He told them to, 26:29 it's sweet in their mouth and bitter. 26:32 What's Jesus doing? 26:33 Why is He giving them a book to be eaten 26:35 that turns from sweet to bitterness? 26:40 I want you to notice the very next words 26:44 after the bitter experience, 26:46 it's in verse 11 26:48 and notice what the messenger said. 26:52 "And he said to me, 'You must prophesy." 26:56 That mainly really means proclaim or preach. 26:59 But the next word is the word I'm interested in this morning, 27:02 because what does it say? 27:04 "You must prophesy again about or before, " 27:09 some translations translated a little bit differently, 27:12 "before many peoples and nations, 27:15 tongues and kings." 27:18 Notice what He's told you must preach again. 27:21 Don't think that the preaching has been finished 27:23 because you've had a sweet and bitter experience. 27:26 The very word again implies what? 27:28 That they've been preaching proclaiming before, 27:31 but don't think their preaching is finished, 27:33 you've got to preach again, 27:34 but this time you've got to take a message 27:37 to the whole world. 27:40 You've got to take it to many peoples, many nations, 27:44 many tongues, many kings. 27:49 Well, where do we find a reference 27:53 later in the Book of Revelation 27:56 to a message that's got to go to every nation, 28:00 kindred, tongue and people. 28:04 As we continue to read in the Book of Revelation, 28:08 it's interesting to me, dear friends, 28:09 we don't have to wonder about this 28:11 and look at many alternatives, 28:13 because as we read from Revelation 10, 28:16 through towards the end of the Book of Revelation, 28:18 there is only one. 28:20 Did you notice what I said? 28:21 Only one message that is described 28:24 as going to every nation, every kindred, 28:27 every tongue, every people. 28:30 And where is that message contained? 28:33 In Revelation Chapter 14, 28:37 and in this tremendous vision given to John again, 28:40 John was shown in vision three angels, 28:44 and each of them had an urgent message 28:48 to be preached to the world. 28:52 Dear friends, that these messages 28:54 are God's last warning message. 28:57 Notice the words I used 29:00 is evident from two considerations. 29:04 If we look in Revelation 14:6, 29:08 beginning to describe 29:09 the message of the three angels. 29:10 We notice this, 29:12 "Then I saw another angel 29:14 flying in the midst of heaven, 29:16 having the everlasting gospel to be... 29:19 To those who dwell on the earth, " 29:21 notice the words that follow, 29:23 "to every nation, every tribe, 29:26 every tongue, and every people." 29:28 There it is, a worldwide message, 29:31 a worldwide message. 29:34 I want you to think 29:36 as you're contemplating that verse 29:38 to think about a statement Jesus made earlier 29:42 when He was alive on earth in Matthew Chapter 24. 29:46 Matthew Chapter 24 is a wonderful chapter. 29:49 That's the chapter that deals with Jesus, 29:52 taking His disciples to a place near the city of Jerusalem 29:57 and talking about the signs of His second coming. 30:01 Notice what the talking is? 30:03 About the signs of the second coming, 30:06 because they'd come to Jesus and said, 30:07 what's the sign of Your coming and of the end of the world? 30:12 Let's have a look at this in scripture. 30:14 In Matthew 24:3, 30:17 "Now, as He sat on the Mount of Olives, 30:19 the disciples came to Him privately saying, 30:23 'Tell us, when will these things be? 30:26 And what will be the sign of Your coming, 30:28 and of the end of the age?" 30:30 The end of the world. 30:33 Now Jesus in His answer tells of some of the signs. 30:37 Can I remind you of some of them? 30:40 He speaks about widespread deception in the world 30:43 just before Jesus comes. 30:45 He speaks about wars and rumors of wars 30:48 among the nations. 30:49 He speaks about an increase in famines and earthquakes. 30:53 He speaks about widespread pandemics. 30:57 Did you hear what I said? 30:59 Now in the Book of Matthew, it's called pestilences. 31:04 But I noticed 31:05 when I looked up the dictionary, 31:07 it said a pestilence 31:08 is a widespread worldwide pandemic 31:13 and many die. 31:15 Think about that. 31:17 A sign of the soon coming of Jesus. 31:19 But then in verse 14, Matthew 24:14, 31:23 we read this also was listed as one of the signs 31:26 and this gospel of the kingdom 31:30 will be preached, whereabouts, in all the world 31:34 as a witness to all the nations. 31:36 And what will happen 31:37 when it's gone to all the world? 31:38 Then shall the end come. 31:41 Now think about what we've just said 31:42 in the Book of Revelation Chapter 10, 31:45 because there the gospel. 31:49 And in Chapter 14, 31:50 the gospel has to go to the whole world. 31:54 And here Jesus says, 31:55 when the gospel has gone to the world, 31:58 then the end shall come. 32:01 That means, dear friends, 32:03 that the last warning message ever sent to this world 32:07 will be the messengers 32:08 or the messages of the three angels 32:11 of Chapter 14. 32:13 But there's a second reason 32:14 that I'd just like to mention to you in relation to this. 32:17 And that is, that in Revelation 14:14 32:22 straight after John sees the three angels' messages 32:27 going to the world. 32:29 The very next thing, 32:30 the very next verse after it is this. 32:34 Then I looked, 32:35 after hearing the three angels going to the world. 32:38 "Then I looked and behold a white cloud, 32:40 and on the cloud, one set like a Son of Man 32:43 having on His head a golden crown, 32:45 and in His hand a sharp sickle. 32:48 And then it says, 32:49 and then another angel in the next verse, 32:53 "I looked and behold, 32:54 another angel came out of the temple, 32:56 crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, 32:59 'Thrust in your sickle and reap, 33:03 for the time has come for You to reap, 33:06 for the harvest of the earth is ripe.' " 33:09 What sort of scene is Jesus showing to John here? 33:13 He's showing a picture of the second coming 33:16 in the imagery of a harvest. 33:19 And that reminds us that sometime before, 33:21 when Jesus lived on the earth, He told a parable one day, 33:24 a parable that we call today, 33:27 the parable of the wheat and the tares. 33:30 And when Jesus explained that parable of sowing wheat 33:33 and tares in the field, 33:35 He said to His disciple then, 33:37 the harvest is the end of the world. 33:42 And so the very fact that John saw 33:44 the second coming in harvest imagery. 33:47 Straight after the three angels' messages 33:50 also points to the fact 33:52 that these messages are to be preached 33:55 in the last days of earth's history. 33:59 And our reminder, dear friends, to tell you again, 34:03 that they come from one 34:04 who loves the people of the world. 34:08 And after all He died for them. 34:10 He wants them to be with Him in His everlasting kingdom. 34:14 And the disciple Peter tells us something 34:17 about the second coming of Jesus. 34:19 And as we look at that chart, 34:21 we can see that the time of the end, 34:24 the three angels' messages are due 34:28 after Daniel's book is being opened 34:31 as we see on the screen. 34:34 But look at 2 Peter 3:9, 34:36 speaking about the second coming 34:38 that we've just been talking about. 34:40 Notice what Peter says, 34:41 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, 34:44 as some men count slackness, 34:47 but is longsuffering towards us, not willing, " 34:51 please notice this, dear friends, 34:53 "that any should perish, 34:54 but that all should come to repentance." 34:57 And I want to say to those of you 34:59 who are listening to my voice, 35:00 no matter where in the world it might be. 35:03 According to Scripture, 35:05 God doesn't want any human being to perish. 35:09 He wants them with Him in His kingdom. 35:11 He's made every provision for them to be in His kingdom. 35:14 He died for them to have them in His kingdom. 35:17 He's not willing that any should perish, 35:20 but notice what He goes on to say in a later verse. 35:27 But before we notice that, 35:29 let's look at 1 Thessalonians 4, 35:31 what Paul tells us about the second coming of Christ. 35:35 "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, 35:38 that we who are alive and remain 35:41 until the coming of the Lord 35:43 will by no means precede or go to heaven 35:48 before those who are asleep. 35:51 For this, we say to you, 35:53 that the Lord Himself will descend." 35:55 And now he's describing the second coming, 35:57 "For the Lord Himself 35:59 will descend from heaven with a shout, 36:00 with the voice of an archangel, with the trumpet of God." 36:04 And what will happen? 36:06 "The dead in Christ shall rise first. 36:08 Then we who are alive and remain 36:11 shall be caught up together with them in the clouds 36:14 to meet the Lord in the air. 36:16 And so, shall be we be ever with the Lord." 36:21 Oh, what a wonderful promise, my friends. 36:24 In the darkness of living in the world today, 36:27 with the fear of death, the fear of this pandemic. 36:32 This is called in the Bible a blessed hope 36:36 when Jesus is preparing something 36:38 ever so glorious for His people. 36:42 But I want you to notice 36:44 what Peter says about the same event. 36:47 The Apostle Peter writes, 36:48 "But the day of the Lord, " 36:49 that's the second coming of Jesus, 36:51 "will come as a thief in the night 36:53 in which the heavens will pass away 36:55 with a great noise, 36:56 and the elements will melt with fervent heat, 36:58 both the earth and the works that are in it 37:01 will be burned up." 37:04 But he goes on to say, 37:05 "Therefore, and since this world is facing this end, 37:11 therefore, 37:12 since all these things will be dissolved, 37:14 what manner of persons ought you to be 37:19 in holy conduct and godliness 37:21 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, 37:26 because of which the heavens 37:29 will be dissolved being on fire, 37:31 and the elements will melt with fervent heat." 37:36 Oh, dear friends, 37:37 that's a thought provoking question, isn't it? 37:41 What manner of people 37:42 should all of you who are listening be, 37:45 in view of the fact 37:46 that this world is facing its end? 37:49 But because God loves us all, because God loves the world, 37:53 He's sending 37:54 His last warning message to the world. 37:57 So let us very quickly review 38:00 the messages of these three angels. 38:05 Messages that come from His heart of love. 38:10 The first angel's message, here it is. 38:15 In Revelation 14:6, the first angel's message. 38:21 "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, 38:26 having the everlasting gospel 38:28 to preach to those who dwell on the earth, 38:31 to every nation, tribe, tongue and people." 38:36 I'm glad that, that's first 38:39 because the good news of the gospel 38:41 is not being put aside 38:43 for this last warning message to the world. 38:45 It's the good news of Jesus 38:48 that has been preached everlastingly 38:50 from the days of the Garden of Eden, 38:52 God set into operation a plan 38:55 whereby people on this earth 38:57 could one day have their sins forgiven 39:00 and could live with Him for eternity. 39:03 You remember that text 39:05 and we see it here 39:07 to illustrate this first angel's message 39:09 that is preaching 39:11 the everlasting gospel to the world, 39:13 where Jesus spoke these wonderful words 39:16 that are in essence of the gospel. 39:18 "For God so loved the world 39:21 that He gave His only begotten Son 39:24 that whoever believes in Him should not perish, " 39:28 that's the choice, 39:30 "but have ever lasting life." 39:34 The message of the everlasting gospel 39:36 is that Jesus, the son of God 39:38 died the most cruel death 39:41 at the hands of those for whom He died, 39:44 the ones who crucified Him, 39:46 He died for them, 39:48 that all sinners might be forgiven 39:50 and their lives transformed, 39:52 that's the gospel. 39:54 And all that follows 39:56 in these three angels' messages afterwards, 39:59 will meet the great issues and choices 40:03 that will be confronting the people of the world 40:07 just before Jesus comes. 40:10 In Revelation 14:7, it says, 40:15 "Saying with a loud voice, 40:17 'Fear God, give glory to Him, 40:21 for the hour of His judgment has come, 40:24 and worship Him who made heaven and earth, 40:28 the sea and the springs of waters." 40:31 Do you notice, my friends, 40:32 that this first angel's message, 40:34 after having the everlasting gospel to preach, 40:38 calls the world to respect God, not to be afraid of God, 40:42 but to respect Him to acknowledge that God is God. 40:47 And the reason given, why should we respect God? 40:51 Because the hour of His judgment has come. 40:54 Notice, it's not the hour of His judgment is coming. 40:58 It's come, it's here. 41:01 It's present tense. 41:03 That's what Jesus, 41:04 what we read of in the Book of Acts 41:09 in 17:1, 41:12 where God has appointed a day, 41:14 look at the text as it reads that 41:18 "He has appointed a day 41:19 on which he will judge the world." 41:21 God has appointed that day. 41:23 "In righteousness by the Man whom he has ordained. 41:26 He's given assurances of the fact 41:28 that there's coming a judgment 41:30 by raising Jesus from the dead." 41:33 That's a guarantee 41:35 that we are all still accountable to God 41:37 for the way we live, 41:39 appointed a day of judgment. 41:44 Next, in our next assignment, 41:48 we will show you the actual year 41:52 when that judgment began 41:54 because the Bible reveals it. 41:57 And so that year is such an important year. 42:01 It's not a day that is future. 42:03 The judgment has come, the first angel announced. 42:08 But then we noticed too, 42:09 that the second part of that chart, 42:12 urges all people to worship the Creator. 42:17 Who is the Creator? 42:19 The Bible tells us in a number of places 42:21 in the New Testament 42:22 that the one who actually created this world 42:26 was Jesus Himself. 42:29 Think about it. 42:31 Here is a call in this last message 42:34 to worship the One who created the world, 42:39 a message to be given, amazingly, 42:41 I believe at a time 42:44 when an alternative explanation 42:46 for the origins of the world 42:48 is being preached to millions of people today. 42:53 A message by the way, 42:54 that leaves Jesus entirely out of the story of evolution. 43:00 But there is much more to this part of the message 43:03 than just acknowledging that Jesus is the creator 43:06 and that we'll deal with, in a future presentation. 43:10 But then very quickly 43:11 we'll look at the second angel's message. 43:14 And here it reads, 43:17 "And another angel followed saying, 43:20 'Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, 43:25 because she may has made all the nations 43:30 drink of the wine 43:32 of the wrath of her fornication." 43:35 That's a strange message. 43:37 You might, as you read that say, 43:39 well, I thought the city of Babylon fell way 43:42 back there in 539 BC, 43:45 as we've talked about, 43:46 as one of the first great kingdoms of the world. 43:50 Well, what is the meaning of this strange word, 43:54 announcing the fall of Babylon? 43:58 In the Book of Revelation, 44:00 there are two women that are mentioned 44:02 only two 44:04 and they are presented as symbols of the church. 44:08 Both of these women as symbols of the church. 44:11 A call in this message 44:13 is to separate from the end time confusion 44:19 that is represented by the city of Babylon. 44:23 So what are these two women that I'm referring to? 44:26 In Revelation 12, 44:27 there is a beautiful woman that is presented. 44:30 She's clothed with the sun. She has a crown of 12 stars. 44:34 She's standing on the moon, and she's pregnant, 44:37 waiting for the birth of a baby. 44:40 In Revelation 12, 44:42 the baby is identified as Jesus Christ. 44:45 And this is a picture of God's pure church 44:47 down through time. 44:49 But in strong contrast with that, 44:51 there is the picture of another woman, 44:54 a woman dressed in purple and scarlet. 44:57 She's sitting on a beast if you'll notice there. 45:00 She has a golden cup in her hand, 45:03 filled with, it says, the wine of her fornication. 45:07 She's made all the world drunk 45:10 with the false doctrines of this second woman. 45:15 And you notice that she has a name on her forehead 45:18 and that name, Babylon the great, 45:23 the mother of harlots 45:25 and of the abominations of the earth. 45:26 This is not talking about harlotry 45:28 as we normally know it. 45:30 It's speaking about the spiritual harlotry 45:33 where a church, 45:34 the Christian Church normally at the start 45:38 has joined with the state, 45:40 the kings of the world 45:41 and given them the wine of her false doctrine. 45:45 This is Babylon. 45:47 And the second angel's message 45:49 is to call God's people out of Babylon, 45:54 into the woman clothed with the sun 45:57 that is identified in Revelation 12. 46:00 That word Babylon is an interesting word 46:02 that I should just explain to you very quickly, 46:04 because in Genesis 11, 46:06 it tells a story of the building 46:08 of a great tower 46:11 built by the people 46:13 who were living after the flood, 46:14 who had rebelled against God, 46:17 and during its construction 46:18 as we read the story there in Genesis 11, 46:21 God came down 46:22 and made all the builders speak different languages 46:26 because of their rebellion against God. 46:29 And in Genesis 11:9, we read, 46:32 "Therefore its name is called Babel, 46:35 the tower of Babel, 46:37 because there the Lord confused 46:39 all the language of the earth, 46:42 and from there the Lord scattered them abroad 46:44 over the face of the earth." 46:47 There it is, 46:48 Babel from which of course the city of Babylon or Babylon 46:53 developed from that particular event 46:57 recorded in biblical history. 46:59 In fact, the word Babel is a word in our language. 47:03 If we say that's a babel of voices, 47:05 what do we mean? 47:06 I noticed that dictionary said, 47:08 "A babel is a confused noise made by a number of voices." 47:14 And God has used that symbol of Babel and Babylon 47:17 and the confusion that existed 47:19 to represent His people in the last days 47:23 that are still in Babylon. 47:25 And He wants to call them out from Babylon. 47:29 Look at Revelation 18:2, 47:32 "And he cried mightily with a loud voice," 47:35 this is the second angel, 47:37 "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, 47:39 and has become a dwelling place of demons, 47:41 a prison of every foul spirit 47:43 and a cage for every unclean and hateful bird." 47:48 This is not as I just mentioned the second angel, 47:52 it's a fourth angel 47:54 that joins with the second angel 47:57 to reinforce the message in the last days. 48:00 The second angel's message merely announces 48:02 Babylon is fallen. 48:03 She's made all the nations drunk, 48:06 but then when we come down to Revelation 18, 48:09 there we find a fourth angel coming down saying these words. 48:14 But notice what happens after it in verses 4 and 5. 48:20 "And I heard another voice from heaven saying, 48:23 'Come out of her,'" 48:24 this woman Babylon, 48:26 and the next two words, dear friends, 48:29 I want you to think about. 48:32 Knowing what Babylon is represented, 48:33 the confusion that will exist in the religious world 48:37 in the last days, 48:39 God is sending a message, 48:41 "Come out of her, My people." 48:44 We must never forget those two words that God has, 48:48 still had people scattered 48:49 among all the confusion of the last days. 48:53 People who love Him, 48:54 people who are living up to all the light 48:56 that they've received. 48:58 And He's going to send especially powerful message 49:01 in that last morning, 49:03 come out of Babylon, my people. 49:06 Why? 49:07 "Lest you share in her sins 49:11 and lest you receive of her plagues. 49:14 For her sins have reached to heaven, 49:17 and God has remembered her iniquities." 49:23 Oh, dear friends, 49:24 it's clear that the message of the second angel 49:27 is so important 49:28 that God sends a fourth angel 49:30 with a messenger, with a message 49:33 to call God's people 49:36 to separate from the confusion of the last days. 49:42 But then we read of a third angel's message. 49:45 In Revelation 14:9-10, we read this, 49:51 "Then a third angel followed them 49:54 saying with a loud voice..." 49:58 Pardon me from using another Greek word, 50:00 but you'll understand why. 50:02 Do you know what the two Greek words 50:03 are from a loud voice? 50:05 Mega phone, 50:08 what's that make you think about. 50:11 You know what a megaphone is? 50:13 What it does? 50:14 And here it says this third angel 50:16 is going to come down with a loud voice, 50:18 because what he's going to say 50:19 and send to the world is tremendously important 50:22 with a megaphone he speaks. 50:24 And what does he say? 50:25 "If any man, if anyone worships the beast 50:29 and his image 50:31 and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 50:36 then it says he himself 50:38 shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, 50:41 which is poured out full strength 50:43 into the cup of His indignation." 50:45 And it goes on to say that 50:47 "He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone 50:50 in the presence of the holy angels 50:53 and in the presence of the Lamb." 50:55 Do you realize, my friends, 50:56 that there is no text anywhere in the whole of the Bible 51:00 that contains such as a severe warning 51:03 as that attached to the third angel's message. 51:06 Because what is it saying? 51:08 If anybody worships the beast and his image 51:11 and receives this mysterious mark 51:13 in the forehead or in the right hand, 51:15 he's going to drink, it says, 51:16 of the wine of the wrath of God, 51:19 which is poured out full strength. 51:22 What a message. 51:24 It reminds me, dear friends, 51:25 that recently somebody was speaking to me 51:26 and he said to me, 51:28 "Look, why do you say this is from a God of love?" 51:31 Would a God of love actually talk about His wroth 51:35 and mixed with mercy, full strength? 51:40 Where's your God of love? 51:42 You know what I said, when I answered him, I said, 51:46 "It's precisely because God is a God of love, 51:51 that knowing the future and the issues and choices, 51:55 the people of the world will have to make, 51:59 and knowing the consequences of their choices, 52:02 He sends such a strong message. 52:06 He's sending a fearful message from His heart of love 52:08 that warns of a worldwide perversion 52:12 of the everlasting gospel in the time of the end, 52:16 a message that will lead to a worldwide 52:19 and forced false worship." 52:21 That's what the Book of Revelation says 52:24 that will turn people away from the worship of Jesus. 52:28 The first angel's message, worship Jesus, 52:31 the third message, don't worship the beast. 52:34 And why does it say that? 52:36 Have a look in Revelation 13:8. 52:41 As we look at the serious nature 52:43 of this experience. 52:45 The Bible tells us, and I'll say more about this 52:47 in a future presentation. 52:49 The day is coming just before Jesus comes 52:52 when all the earth, all who dwell on the earth, 52:57 that's everybody, almost, will worship this beast. 53:02 No wonder Jesus sends a warning. 53:05 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, 53:08 whose names have not been written 53:11 in the Book of Life 53:12 of the Lamb 53:13 slain from the foundation of the world. 53:16 What does that mean? 53:18 All the world shall worship, 53:22 whose names have not been written 53:25 in the Book of Life. 53:27 If I can put that in a more positive way 53:31 that all the world will worship him, 53:33 except those whose names are written 53:38 in the Book of Life. 53:40 And that's why I want towards as I close, 53:43 why I want to say to you who are listening, 53:46 do you have your name written in the Book of Life? 53:50 You might want to say to me, 53:52 "Well, how do I do that? 53:53 How do I have my name written in the Book of Life?" 53:56 The Bible tells us very clearly 53:58 that when you have accepted Jesus as your savior, 54:02 when you've looked at the cross and realized 54:04 that He died for you, 54:06 when it leads you to repentance of your sins, 54:09 you've confessed them to the Lord. 54:12 He completely forgives you 54:15 and writes your name in the Book of Life. 54:19 And yet the solemnity of this message is 54:23 that all the world one day is going to worship the beast. 54:27 They've been deceived. 54:28 They don't know who they're really worshiping. 54:30 And I'll say more about that in a future presentation, 54:34 but all the world will worship whose names are not written. 54:37 A most serious consequence. 54:41 Does God give any further description 54:44 of those who are going to be preaching 54:46 His last warning message? 54:49 As we think of Revelation Chapter 14, 54:52 here is the message. 54:54 Here is the patience of the saints. 54:56 This is the summary 54:58 and a description of the people 55:00 who are going to be preaching this message to the world. 55:03 "Here is the patience of the saints, God says, 55:06 here are those who keep the commandments of God 55:10 and the faith of Jesus." 55:13 At a time when many people will be so laying aside 55:16 the commandments of God, 55:18 when many will be saying, 55:20 we don't have to keep the commandments, 55:21 we're saved by grace. 55:24 At a time when many people will believe 55:26 that, well, we can't earn our salvation 55:29 by our obedience to the commandments, 55:31 and that's true. 55:33 But Jesus describes the people 55:35 proclaiming the messages of the three angels. 55:38 You remember in the first message 55:39 they are preaching the gospel. 55:42 When it comes to the third message, 55:44 it describes them as keeping God's commandments. 55:48 Believing the gospel 55:49 doesn't cancel out our obligation 55:51 to keep the commandments of God. 55:53 Why not? 55:55 Because as we read the words of Jesus 55:58 in John Chapter 14 56:01 and how powerful these words are, 56:04 "If you love Me, Jesus said, what will you do? 56:09 "Keep My commandments." 56:13 And that's the reason why these people in the last days, 56:16 delivering this last message to the world, 56:19 will be keeping God's commandments. 56:22 And then it goes on to say, 56:24 they will have faith 56:27 and believe in the faith of Jesus. 56:30 They will remain faithful to Jesus 56:32 at a time 56:33 when all the world has forgotten Him. 56:37 We will continue next week 56:38 by looking at the history of the prophecies 56:43 that have been talked about 56:44 over the last three presentations. 56:47 We hope you will come. Let's bow our heads. 56:51 Our loving Father in heaven, 56:53 we've been made solemn 56:54 as we think of this last warning message 56:56 to go to the world. 56:58 But we thank You that You, 57:00 these messages come from You 57:02 and that You are concerned 57:04 in sending them to the whole world 57:06 because You want the world to be saved, 57:09 but it will present to us a choice. 57:11 And we ask that You will accept us as today. 57:14 We choose to follow Jesus and to worship Him, 57:18 in His wonderful name we ask. 57:21 Amen. |
Revised 2021-02-05