Participants:
Series Code: GLM
Program Code: GLM200007S
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00:38 Hello and welcome again to this series.
00:42 It's wonderful to see you, 00:43 those of you who are in the audience 00:46 and those of you who are gathered, 00:48 and I don't know where you may be, 00:50 somewhere around the world listening in. 00:52 Thank you for tuning in. 00:54 And today we have 00:55 a very important subject to share. 00:57 So, first of all, let us bow our heads 00:59 in a word of prayer. 01:01 Our loving Father in heaven, 01:03 we thank You that we can always come to You 01:06 and know that we have a God who hears 01:09 and a God who answers our prayer. 01:12 Today we need, 01:13 especially the guidance of the Holy Spirit 01:16 as we open Your Word. 01:18 We have an earnest desire 01:19 to search for truth and to find it. 01:22 And I pray that You will bless every word 01:24 that is spoken today, 01:25 that the Holy Spirit may give us 01:27 to give to those who are listening. 01:29 And I pray this in Jesus' precious name. 01:32 Amen. 01:35 Today we are drawing near to the end of our series 01:39 that have been focusing on the last message 01:42 that God is ever to send to this world. 01:45 Of course, it's to prepare the world 01:48 for the second coming of Jesus. 01:50 And during the first three presentations, 01:52 we laid out a chart, 01:55 a chart based upon Bible prophecy. 01:57 For those of you who heard our first three presentations, 02:01 this chart was all based 02:03 upon what God was predicting 02:05 would happen in the period of time 02:08 called the time of the end. 02:10 And you'll see there on the diagram 02:13 that's behind me 02:14 that the time of the end 02:16 was a time that began in the year 1798. 02:21 And we have been looking particularly at events 02:24 that have been happening 02:26 to fulfill the amazing predictions 02:28 that we saw are outlined 02:30 in the books of Daniel and Revelation. 02:33 And in the time of the end, 02:34 the Book of Daniel particularly was to be opened. 02:38 But, of course also the Book of Revelation, 02:41 because it's interesting that though Daniel was told, 02:43 or the author of Daniel was told 02:45 to close up his book until the time of the end, 02:48 the author of the Book of Revelation 02:50 was told not to close up his book, 02:52 not to seal it 02:54 because it revealed the future 02:56 way back from the time of Jesus down to our time. 02:59 A wonderful book, 03:01 and we're going to open the Book of Revelation 03:03 particularly today. 03:05 As I mentioned to you before, 03:07 the last warning message 03:08 is outlined in the Book of Revelation 03:11 in Chapter 14. 03:13 And today 03:14 in this second last presentation, 03:16 we're going to focus on the third 03:18 of the three angels' messages, 03:21 possibly the most serious of them all. 03:24 Let's read as it is described in Revelation 14:9, 03:30 "Then a third angel followed them 03:33 saying with a loud voice, 03:36 'If anyone worships the beast and his image, 03:40 and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 03:47 he himself shall also drink 03:49 of the wine of the wrath of God, 03:53 which is poured out full strength 03:55 into the cup of his indignation. 03:58 He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone 04:01 in the presence of the holy angels 04:04 and in the presence of the Lamb." 04:08 Those words constitute 04:10 the most severe warning ever to be found in Scripture. 04:17 But I want to remind you today that we have noticed 04:20 that these messages are described 04:22 in the Book of Revelation. 04:23 And the Book of Revelation 04:24 is particularly introduced to us 04:27 as a revelation from Jesus 04:30 and the revelation of Jesus. 04:33 And even though this third message 04:35 sounds so frightening in a way 04:38 that he himself shall drink 04:40 of the wine of the wrath of God, 04:42 which is poured out full strength. 04:45 As I mentioned, a moment ago, 04:47 there is no other warning 04:49 anywhere to be found in the Bible 04:51 where God's wrath is going to be poured out 04:53 full strength 04:55 upon those who worship the beast and his image, 05:00 and receive the mark of the beast in his right hand 05:05 or in his forehead. 05:07 It's basically a message, 05:09 a message of warning 05:10 as we look at these three angels' messages, 05:12 don't worship the beast, 05:16 but I would remind you that earlier than verse 7, 05:20 we have the call to worship the creator 05:25 in verse 7 rather, to worship Jesus. 05:28 And so here is a call once to worship Jesus, 05:32 and then don't worship the beast. 05:37 Don't worship the beast. 05:39 In this third message the seriousness 05:43 of His, Jesus' message 05:45 must be seen in the light 05:46 of what Revelation 13:8 has already told us 05:50 that eventually this world in this world, 05:53 all the world will worship the beast, 05:56 whose names are not written in the Book of Life, 06:00 which means that if your name is written in the Book of Life, 06:04 the good news is 06:05 that you won't worship the beast. 06:07 Who will you be worshiping? 06:09 Well, you'll be worshiping Jesus, 06:11 of course. 06:12 The three angels' messages 06:14 make it very clear, dear friends, 06:16 that the world is soon to be brought 06:19 to a decision 06:20 that will affect the eternal destiny 06:24 of everyone here in this room today 06:27 and everyone listening to my voice, 06:30 no matter where you are. 06:32 All the world, 06:33 all the world must finally decide 06:36 whom they will worship, 06:38 either Jesus or the beast. 06:42 The significance of this choice 06:44 and its consequences 06:46 are the subject of our consideration today. 06:50 Now I know 06:51 that there are those who say today, 06:53 we don't know what is represented 06:55 by the beast 06:56 and how important is it that we do know, 07:00 but I want to remind you this morning, 07:01 that since this message comes from Jesus 07:04 and is attached to this most solemn warning 07:07 to be found anywhere in the Bible. 07:10 Would a God of love 07:12 give us such a warning 07:14 and then not make its message clear? 07:18 But I believe today that we must let 07:20 the Bible tell us its meaning, 07:22 not my ideas, 07:24 I don't want to depend upon human opinion 07:27 in our search for truth 07:30 on this most important subject. 07:32 So let's turn to the Book of Revelation Chapter 13 07:36 and there in the first 10 verses 07:38 of Chapter 13 of Revelation, 07:40 we see a beast rising up out of the sea. 07:45 Now let me just explain, first of all, 07:47 that the sea in Bible prophecy 07:50 is identified in Revelation 17 07:53 as representing many peoples, 07:55 many nations, many times. 07:58 And so this first beast rises up out of the sea. 08:01 And while I, 08:02 why I'm emphasizing this 08:04 is because in Revelation 13, 08:06 the same chapter we read of a second beast 08:09 that I'll explain 08:11 that will be rising up out of the earth. 08:14 But, first of all, we need to focus today 08:18 on the sea beast. 08:21 It's important to remember, 08:22 of course, that a beast in Bible prophecy, 08:24 as we noticed in our earlier presentations 08:27 represents a kingdom or a nation. 08:31 And this beast must in some way 08:33 be connected with religion 08:35 because it's involved in worshiping this beast. 08:39 And it can't be some secret society 08:41 in the world 08:42 that nobody knows 08:43 where they live or where they exist, 08:45 because nearly all the world, 08:48 as I've just quoted 08:49 are going to be worshiping this beast. 08:53 It must have global influence. 08:56 So let's have a look 08:58 at the description of this beast. 09:00 In Revelation we'll see in the first two verses 09:04 the description that is given. 09:07 And as we look at this description, 09:09 and as you see it on the screen, 09:12 I think it should remind you of a chapter 09:14 elsewhere in the Bible, 09:16 but let's have a look at it. 09:18 In Revelation 13:1, 09:21 "Then I stood on the sand of the sea. 09:25 And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, 09:29 having seven heads and ten horns, 09:33 and on his horns 10 crowns, 09:34 and on his head a blasphemous name." 09:39 And then in verse 2. 09:40 "Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, 09:44 his feet were like the feet of a bear 09:47 and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. 09:50 The dragon gave him his power, 09:53 his throne and great authority." 09:56 Now, as you look at the description there 09:59 of this beast, 10:00 I wonder whether it reminds you 10:02 of another chapter that we have discussed together 10:05 in this series in Daniel Chapter 7. 10:10 And let's have a look at a comparison 10:13 between Daniel 7 and the beast of Revelation 13. 10:19 First of all, 10:20 Revelation Chapter 13, the beast, 10:24 we noticed that the description 10:26 that we've just read is given in this order. 10:29 First of all, we see the beast 10:31 and then second, a dragon with 10 horns, 10:35 and then there's a four headed leopard 10:37 and then there's the bear and the lion, 10:41 that's the order in which it is described 10:43 in Revelation Chapter 13. 10:47 But then when we look at Daniel Chapter 7, 10:50 we noticed that we read about four beasts 10:54 coming up out of the sea. 10:55 First of all, the first one was like a lion. 10:59 Then there was a bear. 11:00 Then there was a four headed leopard. 11:03 Then there was a dragon with 10 horns. 11:05 And finally there was that little horn. 11:10 Now I want you to look at the chart 11:11 that I've put on the screen. 11:13 And I wonder whether you notice 11:15 something particularly interesting, 11:18 that the order in Revelation 13 11:21 is opposite to the order in Daniel 7. 11:27 Everything in the Bible is always significant. 11:30 Why do you think that the beast was described 11:33 in the order that is on there on the left 11:36 and yet it's the same order 11:39 only in the other direction in Daniel Chapter 7. 11:43 Let me give you what I think is might be the answer. 11:46 In Daniel 7 on the right hand side, 11:49 Daniel was predicting the future, 11:52 a kingdom, the lion, 11:54 and then there would be the bear, 11:55 Medo-Persia remember, 11:57 then the four headed leopard of Greece, 11:59 then the dragon with 10 horns 12:01 and the empire of Rome. 12:03 And finally a little horn coming up 12:05 out of the head of the 10, 12:08 among the 10 horns out of the head 12:10 of that fourth beast. 12:12 In Daniel's day, those kingdoms were future. 12:15 When we look at Revelation 13, 12:18 it's looking back upon history on the same kingdoms, 12:23 but they're in the past 12:25 when the beast is revealed to John 12:28 in the Book of Revelation. 12:30 Notice also that the little horn 12:32 comes up after the beast with 10 horns, 12:35 which was pagan Rome, 12:37 and then the divisions into Europe. 12:40 They were future in Daniel's day, 12:43 but the beast appears after those four kingdoms 12:47 have passed into history. 12:50 It seems that God, as I look at that chat, 12:53 it seems to me that God here is directing us 12:56 to the identity of the beast 12:59 being found in Daniel Chapter 7, 13:03 because of the similarity 13:04 between the two chapters is really amazing. 13:08 Just as in Daniel 7, 13:10 it predicted the rise of the little horn power, 13:13 which was described as a kingdom 13:15 arising out of the Roman Empire 13:19 that would make war on God's people. 13:22 So in Revelation 13, 13:25 it's predicting the rise of a kingdom, 13:28 the beast following the Roman Empire 13:32 that would make war on God's people. 13:35 And so we see the connection, 13:36 look at the connection on the screen 13:39 between the beast and the little horn. 13:43 Very clearly it is pointing to the fact 13:46 that the little horn of Daniel 7 13:50 is the New Testament's definition 13:52 of the beast of Revelation 13. 13:57 But rather than take my word for it, 13:59 let's go further into Scripture 14:01 and make a comparison or draw a comparison 14:04 between the beast and the little horn. 14:08 We see that this little horn arises out of the Roman Empire. 14:13 In Daniel Chapter 7, 14:15 it's very clear you'll remember 14:17 that the fourth beast, 14:18 which was the Roman, the Roman Empire had 10 horns. 14:24 And then among those 10 horns, 14:26 there was to be a little horn 14:27 that would grow up 14:29 pointing to the fact 14:30 that among the nations of Europe 14:31 that developed out of the Roman Empire, 14:34 this little horn power 14:36 would arise from the Roman Empire 14:39 and from the divisions into, 14:42 among the nations of Europe. 14:44 Then two, we noticed 14:46 that it had a mouth 14:47 speaking pompous words against God. 14:51 In Daniel 7:8, 14:53 it describes that this horn power 14:56 would have a mouth speaking, 14:58 great words, pompous words against God. 15:01 Then in Daniel 7:25, 15:05 we noticed that it was given authority over God's people 15:09 for a time, times and half a time. 15:13 And when we discussed this in our very first presentation, 15:16 we discovered that a time, times and half a time 15:19 is equivalent to 1,260 days. 15:25 And if we remember that a day in Bible prophecy 15:28 represents a year. 15:29 That is the length of time 15:31 when this little horn power 15:33 would have authority over God's people. 15:37 And then number four, 15:38 it was given power to make war 15:41 against God's people 15:43 and to prevail against them. 15:46 That too is found 15:47 describing the little horn of Daniel Chapter 7, 15:51 that it would make war 15:53 and destroy many of the people of God. 15:57 But now let's look at the description of the beast 15:59 in Revelation 13. 16:01 As we do so, we notice, first of all, 16:05 that the beast arises out of the Roman Empire. 16:09 On that chart I've just put on the screen, 16:11 it comes after the Roman Empire 16:15 there described in Revelation 13. 16:18 Then two, we notice in Revelation 13:5, 16:23 that the beast has a mouth 16:26 speaking, great things and blasphemies against God. 16:30 And then number three, 16:32 it was given authority to continue for 42 months. 16:36 That's how it's described in Revelation 13. 16:39 But the interesting thing is that 42 months 16:42 multiplied by 30 days in a month 16:44 comes to 1,260 day years. 16:50 And then number four, it is given power, 16:53 the beast power to make war with God's people 16:56 and to overcome them. 16:58 That's in Revelation 13:7. 17:01 Now, when we look at that comparison, 17:04 it's very clear, dear friends, 17:06 that in our study of Daniel 7 17:08 in that first presentation 17:10 we saw how the little horn power 17:13 was fulfilled in only one organization, 17:19 the church of Rome 17:21 that Daniel predicted 17:22 would become a leading authority in Europe 17:26 for 1,260 years 17:29 lasting from 538 to 1798, 17:34 when the church lost 17:35 its political influence in Europe, 17:38 but only for a short time as will notice today. 17:42 As we examine this table, 17:43 clearly the beast of Revelation 13 17:48 is the New Testament 17:49 equivalent of the little horn of Daniel 7. 17:54 The difference is, 17:56 and listen to this, in Daniel 7, 17:58 it's focusing upon the activities 18:01 of the church of Rome 18:03 before 1798 or up to 1798. 18:08 Whereas in Revelation 13, 18:11 that chapter is focusing mainly 18:13 on the activities of the church 18:16 after 1798. 18:20 Perhaps there's, 18:22 we should go continue on 18:24 and notice 18:25 in Revelation 12:4-5, 18:31 these words, 18:33 "And the dragon 18:35 stood before the woman 18:37 who was ready to give birth 18:40 to devour her Child 18:41 as soon as it was born. 18:43 She bore a male Child 18:45 who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. 18:49 And her Child was caught up to God and throne, 18:52 unto his throne." 18:53 Let's just pause on this one, 18:55 because I'm concerned to also establish 18:58 that first point under the beast 19:00 was that it would arise 19:02 after the Roman Empire. 19:06 And also we notice in this verse 19:10 that the dragon stood before the woman. 19:14 Now in the Book of Revelation, 19:15 it tells us that it's the dragon 19:17 who gives his power 19:18 and his throne and his government basically 19:21 to this beast power. 19:23 Who is the dragon? 19:25 Well, the dragon is in Revelation 13:2, 19:27 "The dragon gave him his power, 19:29 his throne and great authority." 19:32 Who is the dragon? 19:34 We read in Revelation 12, 19:36 that the dragon stood in front of the woman 19:38 ready to give birth to devour the child 19:41 as soon it was born. 19:42 Here is a picture of God's church 19:45 represented by a pregnant woman. 19:47 She's soon to give birth 19:49 to a baby boy who clearly is Jesus, 19:52 as you'll see in that picture, 19:54 and in front of her was standing this dragon. 19:59 Do you remember in the story about Jesus' birth? 20:02 Was there any attempt 20:04 to kill Jesus after his birth? 20:09 Do you remember the story of the wise men? 20:12 They came to find the baby boy, 20:15 and then soon after on their way, 20:17 they called in to see the king 20:20 who was ruling at the time in Jerusalem, 20:22 King Herod. 20:24 And when King Herod heard 20:25 that there was a baby boy who was born, 20:27 who would be probably a threat to his reign, 20:31 he expressed great interest in the birth of this baby boy, 20:35 but then afterwards you'd remember King Herod 20:38 issued that terrible decree 20:40 that all the babies in Bethlehem 20:43 under two years of age, 20:45 according to the time that the wise men 20:48 had told him about the birth of Jesus, 20:51 they should all be killed. 20:53 Now, here in this record in Revelation 12, 20:56 when it says, 20:57 "The dragon stood before the woman 20:59 to devour her Child as soon as it was born." 21:02 The dragon primarily in Scripture represents Satan, 21:07 but Satan always works through earthly kingdoms. 21:12 And what was the earthly kingdom 21:13 that was destroying, 21:15 trying to destroy Jesus soon after His birth? 21:18 It was King Herod who was a Roman king. 21:22 So very clearly the Bible is indicating, 21:24 as I've said before, 21:26 that it was the empire of Rome should there, 21:30 that was used with King Herod 21:33 that was used later to pass on its throne 21:36 and its government and its power in the world. 21:41 It passed it on to this beast power. 21:47 Did this really happen? 21:49 I'm gonna put a quotation on the screen 21:51 that I want you to notice. 21:53 The Roman Church in this way 21:56 privily pushed itself 21:59 into the place of the Roman Empire, 22:01 of which it is the actual continuation, 22:05 the empire, the Roman Empire had not perished, 22:08 but has only undergone a transformation. 22:12 That is no clever remark, says the historian, 22:16 but the recognition of the true state 22:18 of the matter historically 22:21 and the most appropriate and fruitful way 22:23 of describing the character of this church. 22:27 It still governs the nations, the historian writes. 22:31 It is a political creation 22:34 and as imposing as a World-Empire, 22:37 because it is the continuation, 22:39 notice the words, of the Roman Empire. 22:42 The pope, who calls himself 'King' 22:44 and 'Pontifex Maximus' is 'Caesar's successor.' " 22:51 So here very clearly the historian is recognizing 22:54 that the beast power 22:55 took the place of the Roman Empire 22:58 in its power and influence over the world. 23:03 And do I need to remind you of this morning, dear friends, 23:05 that it was the study of these chapters 23:07 in Daniel and Revelation 23:09 by the great reformers of the 16th century 23:13 that led them to break with the Roman Church 23:17 and their conviction that all Bible teachings 23:20 must be tested by what the Bible teaches. 23:24 Before we proceed, 23:26 can I say something 23:27 that is really very close to my heart? 23:31 I said it in our first presentation 23:34 concerning the little horn power, 23:37 but I feel I need to say it again today. 23:40 God here is predicting the rise 23:42 in describing the beast power 23:45 of a religious system 23:46 that would begin well. 23:49 And why do I say that? 23:51 Because of the Apostle Paul 23:52 wrote one of the greatest letters 23:54 that he ever wrote to the church in Rome, 23:58 but gradually doctrines 24:00 and practices 24:02 not found in the Bible 24:04 would lead this church into apostasy. 24:08 This apostasy was actually foretold 24:12 by the Apostle Paul, 24:14 and I would like you to notice the words in Acts Chapter 20, 24:19 and we'll read from verse 25 and then onto verse 31. 24:23 Here, the Apostle Paul 24:25 is calling a meeting of the bishops of the church. 24:29 Now it's important to notice 24:31 to whom Paul is speaking 24:32 when he delivers these words. 24:34 He is called a meeting of the bishops, 24:36 the leadings of the Christian Church 24:39 in his day. 24:40 He knows as he passes through that part of the world, 24:43 that he's not gonna be back there again 24:46 because he knows he's on his way to Rome 24:48 where, of course, Paul lost his life. 24:51 So it's a farewell meeting in a way. 24:53 And therefore I want you to understand 24:55 the background of the council he gave 24:58 to the bishops of the church. 25:00 Keep that in mind. 25:02 "And indeed," he says in verse 25, 25:06 "now I know that you all 25:08 among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, 25:11 will see my face no more. 25:16 For I know this, that after my departure, 25:19 after his death in the future, 25:22 savage wolves will come in among you 25:25 not sparing the flock. 25:29 Also from among yourselves, among the bishops, notice this, 25:33 men will rise up speaking perverse things 25:37 to draw away the disciples after themselves." 25:41 Therefore says the apostle with his pastoral heart, 25:46 "Therefore watch 25:47 and remember that for three years, 25:49 I did not cease to warn everyone 25:52 night and day with tears." 25:55 What is Paul concerned about? 25:57 He's concerned that sometime in the future 25:59 among the bishops of the church, 26:02 that there would be, 26:03 those who would arise 26:05 and make disciples after them 26:08 and leading them away from the truths of the gospel. 26:12 That was Paul's prediction. 26:14 I'm sure under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit 26:17 and that's exactly what was happening. 26:21 So let me make something very clear 26:23 and this weighs very heavily on my heart, dear friends. 26:26 God is not condemning faithful members of this church 26:30 who love the Lord 26:32 and are living up 26:33 to all they believe to be right. 26:36 He's describing a system of organization, 26:38 a hierarchy of power 26:41 that would eventually come to dominate the world 26:44 as we've noticed 26:46 and teach doctrines 26:47 that are not found in the Bible. 26:51 It is significant that Jesus warns, 26:53 as we approach the second coming of Jesus 26:56 of the widespread deception 26:59 that Satan will use 27:01 to turn people away from the truth. 27:06 But during his life on earth, 27:07 Jesus was opposed and criticized 27:10 and finally killed 27:12 by the leading members 27:14 of the most influential religious organization 27:18 in Israel while He was on earth. 27:20 And I'm referring, of course, to the Pharisees. 27:23 How did Jesus relate 27:24 to those who were leading people astray? 27:28 This may surprise some of you, but toward the end of His life, 27:32 Jesus spoke a most scathing denunciation 27:36 of these leaders of the Pharisees. 27:39 He condemned them 27:41 that in spite of their religious profession, 27:44 they were far away 27:45 from the principles of God's kingdom 27:48 and were teaching the people error rather than truth. 27:53 And if you read Matthew Chapter 23, 27:56 you will find that Jesus calls these religious leaders 27:59 with words like this, hypocrites, 28:02 blind, fools, 28:05 serpents and a brood of vipers. 28:08 Words we wouldn't expect to come from Jesus 28:10 when He was talking about people who were religious, 28:13 but it was religion that had gone wrong. 28:16 And that is why God is concerned 28:19 about the rise of the beast. 28:22 And yet in spite of His denunciations 28:23 of the Pharisees, 28:25 did Jesus love any Pharisees? 28:27 Jesus loves everybody as you know. 28:30 And can you think of any people 28:32 who were Pharisees, 28:34 who came to love Jesus 28:36 and were great leaders in the church? 28:39 I can think of, well, Simon, 28:41 not so much a leader in the church, 28:42 but he was called a Pharisee. 28:45 And then there was Nicodemus, 28:46 the man who came to visit Jesus by night 28:48 and Jesus explained the new birth to him. 28:52 But then, of course, there was the Apostle Paul. 28:56 Saul, as he was first, a Pharisee, 29:00 a terrible Pharisee 29:01 because he was on his way to kill the Christians. 29:06 When he met Jesus on the road 29:08 and Jesus turned his life around 29:11 and Saul, Paul 29:13 became the great founder of so many Christian churches. 29:17 Jesus loves, you know this, all people, 29:22 He loves every one of you 29:23 that I'm speaking to today 29:27 in spite of where you may be living 29:29 on the earth. 29:31 But it's also true that He condemns 29:33 the hierarchy of a system 29:35 identified as the little horn or the beast 29:39 that murdered millions of Christians 29:41 and taught doctrines 29:43 that are not found in the Word of God. 29:47 Notice that the Bible predicted 29:49 what would happen to this beast power 29:52 after its 1260 years, 29:54 because in Revelation 13:3, 29:58 it speaks about a deadly wound. 30:03 And I saw one of his heads, John writes in Revelation, 30:08 of this beast power 30:09 as if it had been mortally wounded, 30:13 wounded almost to the death. 30:16 And here the Bible predicts 30:17 that this beast would suffer a deadly wound 30:20 that would finally almost destroy it 30:24 at the end of that 1,260 years of Bible prophecy. 30:30 In our first presentation, 30:32 we learned that right at the end 30:34 of that 1,260 years 30:37 of the church's dominance in Europe, 30:39 the pope was taken captivity 30:44 and the papal states were abolished 30:47 by the French General Berthier, 30:49 when he entered Rome in February, 1798. 30:54 And the painting you see on the screen 30:56 is a painting commemorating, 30:58 if I could use that word, 31:00 that event 31:01 that's there in the Vatican museum, 31:03 even to this very day. 31:06 Napoleon announced 31:08 that there would be no more popes. 31:10 He did not understand Bible prophecy. 31:13 And why do I say that? 31:14 Because look at Revelation 13:3 again, 31:19 and see what the Bible says. 31:22 "And I saw one of his heads 31:24 as if it had been mortally wounded," 31:25 we've just noticed that, 31:27 "and his deadly wound was," 31:30 and look at the next word 31:31 "would be healed 31:33 until all the world would marvel 31:37 and follow this beast power." 31:41 All the world would marvel 31:44 that the power that was almost killed 31:47 as it were in 1798, 31:50 slowly it would be healed. 31:53 And can I remind you from history, dear friends, 31:55 that a significant step 31:58 in the healing of that deadly wound 32:00 took place on the 11th of February, 1929. 32:06 Known as the Lateran Treaty, 32:08 it was an agreement signed by Mussolini 32:11 and I'm sure many of you may have heard 32:12 of his name before, 32:14 signed by Mussolini 32:16 and a representative of the pope 32:18 that gave the pope a territory 32:21 of 121 acres 32:24 in the city of Rome 32:26 called Vatican City 32:29 guaranteeing to the pope, 32:31 complete independence and sovereignty. 32:35 Once again, 32:37 the wound was being healed. 32:41 And as we look at the, 32:43 what is happening in today's world, 32:47 we see for example, 32:49 and I have it here, a copy in front of me, 32:52 a copy of Time Magazine. 32:56 And you'll notice that on the front, 32:57 there it is on the screen behind, 33:00 a copy of Pope Francis, 33:03 and you notice what he's called? 33:05 The New World Pope, an interesting title. 33:12 And then as we think of what has been happening 33:14 in the world since that time, 33:17 we find that also leaders of the world 33:22 have been meeting with the pope. 33:24 Here is Putin, the man in charge of Russia, 33:27 meeting with the pope. 33:28 We see also the picture of the pope 33:33 meeting other world leaders 33:36 and speaking to the world with great authority. 33:40 Finally, until all the world, it says, 33:43 will worship again this revived beast. 33:48 This process is very much seen 33:53 in what we are seeing in our newspapers 33:56 and television stations today. 33:59 The sort of political power 34:02 that the pope had before 1798 34:06 is to be restored with the aid 34:10 of a most unexpected nation. 34:16 Its identity is revealed in a remarkable prophecy 34:21 in the Book of Revelation 34:22 that I want you to notice as we read. 34:26 It's found in the second half of Revelation. 34:29 You remember I mentioned to you earlier that in Revelation 13, 34:32 there are two beasts. 34:33 The first beast that we've just described 34:36 comes up out of the sea. 34:37 The second beast 34:39 that I'm about to share with you 34:41 comes up out of the earth. 34:43 Let's read what the Bible says 34:45 in Revelation 13:11, 34:51 "Then I saw," John says, 34:53 "another beast coming up out of the earth, 34:58 and he had two horns like a lamb, 35:02 and spoke as a dragon." 35:05 Notice that this second nation 35:08 will compel the earth to worship the first beast. 35:13 Look at that very important statement 35:16 in prophecy in the next verse, 35:19 that he, that second beast, 35:21 will exercise all the authority of the first beast 35:25 that we've just been talking about. 35:28 And he will cause the earth, 35:30 those are softer words 35:33 than what it's really saying 35:35 that this second beast will make the earth 35:38 and the people who dwell in it to do what? 35:42 To worship the first beast 35:45 whose deadly wound was healed. 35:47 Do you remember that I mentioned to you 35:49 that that third message of God's last warning message 35:52 says, if any man worships the beast and his image, 35:57 he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God. 36:00 And here, the Bible is revealing to us, 36:02 dear friends, 36:03 of a second power, 36:05 a second nation 36:06 that is going to force the world 36:09 to worship that first beast 36:12 whose deadly wound was healed. 36:15 This must happen after 1798, 36:18 well after 1798, 36:21 because it's going to take time 36:22 for the healing of the wound 36:25 that had suffered at that time. 36:27 So what political power 36:29 is this second beast referring to? 36:32 I want to give you 36:34 five identifying characteristics 36:38 that the Bible gives us 36:39 all in Revelation 13:10 and onwards. 36:44 First of all, I want you to notice 36:46 the timing of its rise. 36:50 In Revelation 13:10-11, 36:53 notice these words. 36:56 First of all, in verse 10, 36:58 he who leads into captivity, 37:00 now this is referring to the beast power. 37:02 The first beast, the one out of the sea. 37:05 "He who leads into captivity," notice the words, 37:07 "shall go into captivity." 37:09 I've just talked about what happened in 1798. 37:13 "He who kills with the sword," 37:15 as the power and organization did 37:17 over many centuries 37:18 "must be killed with the sword, " 37:20 that mortal wound. 37:22 "Here is the patients and the faith of the saints." 37:24 Now that's at the end 37:26 of the description of the first beast. 37:28 The very next verse says this in Revelation 13:11. 37:35 Then as the first beast is going into captivity, 37:40 "Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth 37:43 and he had two horns 37:44 like a lamb and spoke like a dragon." 37:47 In other words, the timing 37:49 of this rise of this kingdom would be about 1798. 37:54 In 1798 the first beast went into captivity as we saw. 37:59 And at that time, John envision, 38:00 sees something happening. 38:03 A second beast is rising up out of the earth. 38:06 So it is rising up 38:08 as the first beast is going down. 38:12 It must be a kingdom or a nation 38:14 that rises about the 1790s. 38:19 But then the second activity 38:21 of this beast is the location of its rise. 38:26 I've already mentioned to you that in Revelation 13:11, 38:30 we notice that it says, 38:32 I saw another beast 38:33 coming up out of the earth, 38:36 not the sea, but out of the earth, 38:40 all the other beasts. 38:42 This is interesting, dear friends, 38:43 all the other beasts in Bible prophecy 38:45 rise up out of the sea. 38:47 The ones in Daniel came up out of the sea. 38:50 The first beast rises up out of the sea. 38:52 This is the only one of all the nations 38:55 that are represented in the scriptures 38:57 that rises up out of the earth. 39:02 What does that mean? 39:04 Well, since the sea represents 39:06 as it tells us in Revelation 17:15, 39:10 representing many nations, 39:13 tongues and peoples. 39:15 This one rising up out of the earth 39:18 must represent that this nation will rise 39:21 in a sparsely populated area of the earth. 39:25 But then number three. 39:28 It would have an unobtrusive rise. 39:32 What do I mean by that? 39:34 In Revelation 13:11, it says, 39:38 "Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth." 39:44 I was interested in that word coming up. 39:46 It doesn't come up and exist as a nation 39:50 after fighting battles with other nations. 39:52 Remember it's growing up in a part of the world, 39:54 where it's not heavily populated before. 39:58 And that word coming up the same Greek word 40:01 is used in one of Jesus' parables. 40:04 When it talks about the parable of the wheat and the tares 40:08 and how those plants were coming up in the field 40:13 that Jesus talks about. 40:15 And the word coming up is the same word as used here. 40:20 It's like the sprouting of plants. 40:23 That's the word coming up. 40:25 And I was very interested to find 40:26 that one historian describes 40:28 the early history of the United States, 40:31 like a silent seed we grew into an empire. 40:37 But notice number four, 40:39 that it has two horns like a lamb, 40:42 but speaks like a dragon. 40:47 In Revelation 13:11, 40:50 "Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, 40:53 he had two horns like a lamb and spoke look like a dragon." 40:59 Revelation always uses the word lamb 41:03 to refer to Jesus. 41:06 And so when this nation is first rising up, 41:09 it would be lamb like. 41:10 It would be a Christian nation, 41:13 a Christian nation, 41:16 but it has two horns like a lamb. 41:19 What are horns represent? 41:21 You may remember that 41:23 when we looked at Daniel Chapter 7, 41:24 that beast had 10 horns representing 10 kingdoms, 41:28 Medo-Persia that kingdom has two horns 41:32 with the ram 41:34 and they represented two kingdoms, 41:36 the Medes and the Persians. 41:38 Well, what does it mean to say 41:40 that there would be two kingdoms 41:42 in the one beast, 41:44 two kingdoms in the one nation? 41:46 Because these two kingdoms 41:48 are referred to by Jesus Himself. 41:52 In Matthew 22:21, 41:57 Jesus is talking to His disciples, 42:00 particularly to Peter. 42:01 And He says, 42:03 "Render therefore to Caesar 42:06 the things that are Caesar's 42:09 and to God the things that are God's." 42:13 What two kingdoms was Jesus recognizing here? 42:17 That in the world, there was the civil to Caesar, 42:21 the obligations we have to legitimize government 42:25 of where we're living, 42:27 but render also to God, 42:29 the things that are God's. 42:31 This is suggesting 42:32 that this nation would begin as a Christian nation 42:36 with the separation of the civil and the spiritual, 42:41 a separation of the church and the state, 42:43 but in the future and listen to me, 42:47 in the future 42:49 it would contradict its profession 42:52 and speak like a dragon. 42:55 But then there's the fifth and final characteristic 42:57 that I want you to notice from Revelation, 43:00 that this kingdom would become in the future 43:04 a global superpower. 43:08 Remember this is a prediction in the future, 43:09 in the Book of Revelation, 43:11 it would become, it would start lamb like, 43:14 coming up slowly like a plant 43:16 into the world into a sparsely populated area. 43:21 But it would become in the future, 43:23 a global superpower. 43:24 You might say, "Well, how do you know that?" 43:26 Well, have a look at, what it describes. 43:29 Then I saw another beast coming up. 43:32 And he exercises all the authority 43:35 of the first beast in his presence," 43:37 the authority of the Church of Rome, 43:39 "and causes the earth 43:41 and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast 43:45 whose deadly wound was healed. 43:47 Notice that the Bible predicts 43:49 that this power would have the authority, 43:52 if I can use that word as a superpower 43:55 to cause and to speak to the whole world, 43:58 cause the earth 43:59 and those who dwell in it one day to worship the beast. 44:04 But then look at the very next verse. 44:06 Well, the verse 14, as it goes on to say, 44:09 speaking about the same second beast. 44:11 "He deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs, 44:16 which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, 44:20 telling," 44:21 listen to this, 44:22 "telling those who dwell on the earth 44:25 to make an image to the beast 44:30 who was wounded by the sword and lived." 44:34 Here again, notice what this power is doing. 44:36 He's telling the whole world 44:39 to make an image to the beast. 44:41 And then these words 44:42 in Revelation 13:16, 44:48 "He, " the same beast, 44:50 "causes all," notice that, 44:53 "small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, 44:57 to receive a mark on their right hand 45:00 or on their forwards." 45:04 What power, 45:05 a power that would tell the world 45:09 about receiving the mark of the beast 45:12 in their forehead or in their right hand. 45:16 What power is brought to view in these five descriptions? 45:21 Of all the nations on the earth, dear friends, 45:25 there is only one that meets 45:29 the specifications of Bible prophecy, 45:32 only one that was rising about 1798 45:38 in a sparsely populated area of the world 45:41 called the new world 45:43 with a government 45:45 based upon lamb like Christian principles, 45:49 democracy and religious freedom, 45:53 guaranteeing the separation of church and state 45:59 that has become a global superpower. 46:04 And that is the United States of America. 46:10 I want you to notice this painting 46:13 that has been painted 46:14 of the signing of the Constitution 46:17 of the United States 46:20 because the United States began as a nation around 1798, 46:25 just as the Bible says, 46:27 the first beast would be going down 46:29 into captivity and this nation would be growing. 46:32 In 1776, 46:36 it wrote its Declaration of Independence 46:40 and that is portrayed in that painting, you see. 46:44 And then in 1787, 46:48 its Constitution was finalized 46:51 and its Bill of Rights 46:53 amendments to the Constitution in 1791, 46:59 it began as a Protestant nation 47:01 guaranteeing, dear friends, 47:04 religious freedom 47:05 and the separation of church and state. 47:09 As you'll see, there portrayed, 47:12 the state had its role render to Caesar the things 47:15 that are Caesar's 47:17 and unto God the things that are God's. 47:22 And this nation began separating the church 47:24 and the state writing that into its very Constitution 47:28 and into its amendments. 47:31 And the world has never seen and had never seen 47:34 before such a nation guaranteeing religious freedom 47:40 and guaranteeing 47:41 that the church and the state would be separated. 47:45 I want you to notice these words, dear friends. 47:48 Thomas Jefferson was the primary author 47:52 of the Declaration of Independence. 47:55 And he wrote some words 47:56 that are thought provoking words. 47:58 When he was writing concerning the first amendment 48:02 in the Bill of Rights. 48:03 Notice what he says, 48:06 "I contemplate with solemn reverence 48:08 that act of the whole American people, 48:12 which declared 48:13 that their legislature should make" 48:15 and he's quoting from that amendment, 48:17 "should make no law 48:18 respecting an establishment of religion 48:22 or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." 48:26 And do you notice what he said 48:27 and how he concluded those words? 48:30 "Thus building a wall 48:32 of separation between church and state." 48:38 That was the beginnings of this great nation 48:41 that is described there in Revelation 13. 48:45 In spite of these ideal, dear friends, 48:48 I wish I didn't have to say this, 48:50 but in spite of this ideal, 48:52 the Bible predicts in Revelation 48:55 that there will come a day soon, I believe, 48:59 when a change will take place in the United States, 49:03 as we have noticed. 49:04 Let's look at Revelation 13:12 again, 49:08 "And he, this power 49:11 will exercise all the authority 49:13 of the first beast in his presence, 49:15 and he will cause the earth, 49:17 and that will affect all of us here today 49:20 and those of you who are in TV land, 49:22 everyone living in the world 49:25 to worship the first beast 49:28 whose deadly wound was healed. 49:31 Clearly in these words, 49:33 the Bible is predicting a growing relationship 49:37 between the United States and the Church of Rome. 49:43 I want you to look at the pictures that follow. 49:47 I won't make much comment, 49:49 but I want you to have a look at them 49:50 and think what it's speaking to you. 49:55 The first picture. 49:57 The pope speaking 49:59 to the President of the United States 50:02 and his wife 50:04 having fellowship with Bill Clinton, 50:07 the President of the United States, 50:11 speaking to Donald Trump and his wife, 50:17 then having communication 50:21 with the Vice President to Donald Trump, Mike Pence, 50:26 and then three presidents 50:31 and the secretary of state 50:33 bowing before the body of Pope Paul II 50:37 after his death. 50:41 I ask you this today in all sincerity, dear friends, 50:46 are these prophecies slowly, 50:49 but certainly being fulfilled in our world today? 50:53 Is Protestantism in the United States 50:55 that began so well with those two horns 50:58 that were like a lamb? 51:00 Is Protestantism forgetting its origins 51:04 and reaching across the gulf 51:06 to join hands with the Church of Rome 51:10 as the Bible has predicted? 51:13 In 2014, 51:16 the Anglican Bishop Tony Palmer 51:21 spoke to a large Pentecostal gathering 51:25 in the United States. 51:27 I quote his words, 51:30 "Brothers and sisters, 51:32 Luther's protests are over. 51:36 If there is no more protest, 51:38 how can there be a Protestant Church? 51:41 We now teach the same gospel. 51:45 We now teach the same faith. 51:48 The protest is over." 51:52 Now those words were spoken in 2014. 51:57 But look at the second man that I want to notice. 52:00 Joel Osteen, 52:02 and the picture that you see on the screen 52:05 is Joel Osteen's church 52:08 in the United States of America. 52:10 He's one of the most influential Protestant leaders 52:13 in America. 52:15 And he too has expressed his agreement 52:18 with a move towards unity with Rome. 52:23 He met Pope Francis in June, 2014, 52:27 and expressed those concerns and wishes to him. 52:32 Then two, there is Rick Warren, 52:35 also one of the most influential 52:37 of evangelical Christians in the United States. 52:41 He served as the minister 52:43 of the Saddleback Southern Baptist mega church 52:46 in California. 52:47 And is the author of the book 52:49 that many of you may have heard, 52:51 The Purpose Driven Life. 52:53 Some years ago, he was named as one of the 15 people 52:56 who have made America great, 52:59 but he is been embracing unity with Rome. 53:05 And before he died, Billy Graham, 53:08 Dr. Billy Graham 53:10 was giving strong endorsement to unity with Rome. 53:17 And then on September the 24th, 2015 53:21 Pope Francis was the first pope in history 53:25 to address the houses of Congress 53:29 in the United States. 53:32 And there you see him. 53:34 And I guess you might recognize the man 53:38 who is standing before, 53:40 behind him applauding, it is Joe Biden. 53:45 And on this occasion, 53:47 he was speaking with authority to the congresses 53:51 and the main parliament building 53:53 there in the United States. 53:56 Dear friends, it may appear 53:58 that I've been diverted in our presentation 54:00 of God's last warning message 54:02 by introducing the role of the United States 54:05 in Bible prophecy. 54:08 But as you would have heard, 54:09 I have done this 54:11 for some very important reasons. 54:14 And I want to mention just one more 54:17 because included in God's last message 54:20 of warning to the world. 54:22 We read in Revelation 14:9, 54:27 where it says, 54:30 "Then a third angel followed them 54:32 saying with a loud voice, 54:34 'If anyone worships the beast and his image." 54:39 What do those words mean? 54:42 This is referring to the United States. 54:44 The earth beast 54:45 that will tell the world 54:47 to make an image to the Church of Rome. 54:52 In verse 15, "It is called an image of the beast." 54:56 What's an image? 54:58 Did you look into a mirror this morning 55:01 and see your image? 55:03 What did you see? 55:05 You saw a likeness to yourself. 55:10 If there is to be an image of the beast, 55:14 what will the church look like? 55:17 What will the image look like? 55:20 As it grew in power, 55:22 the Church of Rome 55:24 destroyed the teachings of Jesus and the early church. 55:27 And church and state 55:29 was not to be separated 55:31 according to the growth of this church. 55:34 But the church, 55:35 as it exercise that authority 55:38 for over a thousand years controlled the state. 55:42 In its long history it's demonstrated 55:45 that the state would yield, 55:46 should yield to the demands of the church 55:49 and it's strongly opposed any separation of the two. 55:53 But the Bible is here predicting 55:55 that the United States will in the near future 55:57 overturn the separation of church and state 56:01 that was established 56:02 by those founding documents that we've looked at. 56:06 How will this be accomplished? 56:09 It will be accomplished when the leading churches 56:11 in the United States 56:13 shall influence the state to pass laws, 56:18 limiting religious freedom. 56:22 And evidently from what the Bible says, 56:24 it will persuade the world to follow its agenda. 56:27 I know you're probably sitting there 56:29 listening to this and saying, that sounds impossible. 56:32 That can never happen, 56:35 but can I remind us all this morning 56:37 that history informs us 56:40 that our freedoms can be easily restricted 56:44 in times of national and global emergency, 56:49 such as global warming and pandemics. 56:56 And the Bible indicates that we are living 56:58 in the most serious of times. 57:01 That is why God's message to the world 57:04 presents a message to worship Jesus. 57:07 Jesus is our only safeguard to get to really know Him, 57:12 dear friends, 57:13 and to believe the everlasting gospel, 57:15 the good news 57:16 that He is sending to all the world, 57:20 calling each one of us to stand for truth. 57:25 May these messages 57:26 that I've been sharing with you, 57:28 these three angels' messages, 57:30 not just be a transmission of information 57:34 from me to you. 57:37 I want you to recognize that this is a call from Jesus 57:40 to think seriously about what's ahead, 57:43 but about what we can do now 57:45 to prepare for the crisis that is ahead. 57:49 Let us bow our heads in a word of prayer. 57:52 Our loving Father in heaven, 57:53 we thank You for these warnings. 57:55 We know that they come from a heart of love 57:58 because You don't want anybody to perish. 58:01 You want all of us to receive the gospel, 58:03 the good news about Jesus. 58:06 Help us all today to open our hearts to His voice 58:09 and to His leading in our lives. 58:12 And I pray this in Jesus' precious name. 58:15 Amen. |
Revised 2021-03-04