Participants: Pr. Kenneth Cox
Series Code: GMTB
Program Code: GMTB000015
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00:20 I can recall a cool day in September.
00:23 I was making my way from Queens 00:26 into Manhattan, New York 00:28 across the Triborough Bridge 00:30 which connects Queens to the Bronx to Manhattan. 00:33 I was co-writing and co-producing a Christmas special 00:36 that was to be aired later on on Fox Television. 00:39 About halfway across the bridge traffic came to a stop, 00:43 and I noticed a large plume of smoke rising from some 00:49 building at the southern tip of Manhattan. 00:50 I didn't quite know what I was looking at, 00:52 but it occurred to me that a very large fire 00:55 was taking place. 00:56 My view was partially obstructed by a truck 00:59 and after sitting on the bridge for some 40 minutes, 01:02 I turned off the tape I was listening to 01:05 and turned the radio on only to learn 01:07 that the World Trade Center had been hit. 01:11 It was, of course, September 11, 2001. 01:15 I think just about everybody can recall what they were doing 01:18 and where they were at on that particular day. 01:20 But there is another day that has almost slipped 01:23 into obscurity. That date is February 26, 1993. 01:29 And September 11, 2001... February 26, 1993... 01:35 are intimately connected 01:37 because February 26, 1993, was the day that the first 01:42 attack was made on the World Trade Center. 01:44 A truck filled with about 1,500 pounds of explosives 01:49 was detonated just after 12:00 pm. 01:53 They wanted maximum destruction and maximum loss of life. 01:57 They succeeded in neither. 01:59 Six people lost their lives, 02:02 about 1,000 injured in various capacities. 02:04 But we forgot about that. 02:06 We forgot about February 26, 1993. 02:10 And February 26 was a warning for 2001. 02:15 Now you may think of these meetings as just another set 02:18 of very fine meetings being preached by an anointed man 02:21 of God who is steeped in history and a study of the Word, 02:24 but I submit to you that these meetings are a 02:26 February 26, 1993. 02:30 They are God's attempt to warn us, 02:32 to get our heads up, to begin to tell us that God 02:35 is going to do something spectacular... 02:37 something never done in the history of this world... 02:40 and that is TO END IT. 02:42 And so we as God's people need to listen very carefully 02:46 because this is a warning. It is a call from God 02:49 to get ready for the greatest event ever to impact mankind: 02:52 the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 02:55 My name is C.A. Murray, 02:57 and it is my privilege and pleasure once again 03:00 to welcome you to Give Me The Bible: 03:03 this year-long trek through the Word of God 03:06 as we prepare for a higher citizenship 03:08 in the world to come. 03:10 Our speaker is our friend, our pastor, 03:13 our evangelist Kenneth Cox. 03:14 And I know that you have been blessed - as have I - 03:17 during this particular sitting. 03:19 Tonight the Word of God will be preached again with 03:22 power as we discuss the Latter Rain. 03:24 What is it? What does it have to do with us? 03:28 How will we get it? When will be get it? 03:30 What will it prepare us for? 03:32 So many many questions answered from the Word of God 03:35 in Give Me The Bible. 03:37 I know you're going to be blessed as we hear from 03:39 Elder Cox. 03:41 Before he comes, our music ministry this night is coming 03:43 from David Tank... who is going to sing a very beautiful song, 03:46 an old standard, Create in Me a Clean Heart. 04:25 Create in me a clean heart, O God, 04:29 and renew a right spirit within me. 04:33 Because the good that I would that I wish that I could 04:37 I just can't 'cause there's no strength within me. 04:42 Who will deliver me? Thanks be to God. 04:46 He is willing, He is able. Yes, He can set me free. 04:51 Who will now heal me? Praise be to God. 04:55 As He works with me, I'll overcome. 05:06 As I view God's love, I'm awed and amazed 05:10 at the love He gives without condition. 05:14 Then I look at me and my own selfish ways, 05:19 and I'm desperate to find a solution. 05:24 Who will deliver me? Thanks be to God. 05:28 He is willing, He is able. Yes, He can set me free. 05:33 Who will now heal me? Praise be to God. 05:36 As He works with me, I'll overcome. 05:48 My Bible tells me by beholding I'm changed; 05:52 what I worship is what I will go towards. 05:56 As I view God's love, my thoughts rearrange... 06:01 I will slowly become more like my Lord. 06:24 La - la - la. 06:37 I want to come to the place where I do what is right 06:42 as a natural act just because it is right. 06:46 Do I have to be told not to lie, not to cheat? 06:51 Will I ever grow up? Is this too great a feat? 06:56 Who will deliver me? Thanks be to God. 06:59 He is willing, He is able. Yes, He can set me free. 07:04 Who will now heal me? Praise be to God. 07:08 As He works with me, I'll overcome. 07:14 La - la - la. 07:28 Create in me a clean heart, O God, 07:32 and renew a right spirit within me. 07:36 Because the good that I would that I wish that I could 07:41 I just can't 'cause there's no strength within me. 07:45 I just can't 'cause there's no strength within me. 07:50 So create a clean heart within me. 08:04 Thank you, David, and good evening to each one of you 08:07 and welcome to Give Me The Bible. 08:09 Glad you're here tonight. 08:10 And those of you that are watching by television, 08:13 we're very happy to welcome you. 08:15 And if you're listening by radio 08:17 we're happy that you're able 08:18 to pick it up. 08:19 We hope that you have enjoyed 08:21 this series that we have been doing on the Holy Spirit. 08:24 We have been looking at what the Bible has to say 08:27 about the Holy Spirit. 08:29 What says the Bible? 08:32 What says the Bible? God's Word for you and for me. 08:38 This is what the Lord wants us to know and to understand... 08:41 what the scripture has to say. 08:43 And so we hope you've been blessed. 08:44 We took a look at the promise of the Spirit. 08:48 We took at look at why there are many people who don't receive 08:51 any benefit from the Holy Spirit. 08:53 And we took a look at the fruits of the Spirit. 08:57 And then the gifts of the Spirit, 09:00 and tonight we're looking at the Latter Rain. 09:04 That's what we're taking a look at. 09:06 So we hope that you've been blessed. 09:08 And as you read God's Word, 09:10 follow and see what it has to say. 09:13 What says the Bible, the blessed Bible? 09:16 This should my only question be. 09:19 God gives us His Spirit to lead and to guide us. 09:23 What says the Book of God to me? 09:26 That's what we want to find out and know. 09:29 Of course, tonight is the last presentation 09:33 on the question of the Spirit. 09:36 And so our next presentations will be next month. 09:40 April. Second week in April 09:43 we'll be here and we're going to be talking about the subject 09:46 of the Sabbath. 09:51 That whole series will deal with the Sabbath. 09:54 And so we're going to talk about 09:55 Christ being the Lord of the Sabbath. 09:57 We're going to talk about the Sabbath covenant. 09:59 We're going to talk about how to keep the Sabbath. 10:01 We're going to talk about influences that have been 10:05 around on the Sabbath. 10:07 And so we hope that you'll just be blessed in a special way 10:10 as we take a look at this very important subject 10:13 on the Sabbath. 10:14 So we hope you'll each make a point to be here 10:17 or to tune in wherever you're at 10:19 on this subject coming up in April. 10:24 Tonight the Latter Rain. 10:26 What do you need to look for in this subject? 10:31 You need to be clear, first, 10:34 what is meant by the Latter Rain, you know. 10:37 You need to understand why the scripture uses that term 10:40 so we'll try to define that 10:42 and help you understand what it's talking about there. 10:44 And then you need to watch and see 10:48 what God expects of you and me 10:52 when He pours out His Spirit in a special way. 10:56 So watch for that as we go through because it's very, very 11:01 vital that you and I understand what God is doing for us. 11:06 I'd like to take this time to offer special thanks 11:09 to David for being with us. He's been here 11:14 each night and sang for us. 11:15 I've been blessed in a special way, David. 11:17 And I thank you very much for being here. 11:19 It's been wonderful to have you here. 11:21 Thank you. You're welcome. And David's going to sing 11:25 a song for you entitled Lord, Don't Take Your Spirit Away. 11:39 Lord, hear my prayer. 11:45 Please don't take Your Spirit away from me. 11:52 Stay by my side forever is my plea. 11:59 I need Your loving arms to keep surrounding me. 12:06 Oh, please don't take Your Holy Spirit away. 12:13 Please do not give up on me I pray. 12:19 I need You now, 12:23 I need You every day. 12:26 As You open up my ears, 12:29 I hear the still small voice. 12:33 As You open up my heart, 12:36 I can't help but rejoice. 12:40 As You open up my mind, 12:43 I begin to understand. 12:46 As You open up my eyes, 12:49 You show me all that I can 12:53 be for You. 12:55 For You. 13:01 Please don't take Your Spirit away from me. 13:08 Stay by my side forever is my plea. 13:15 I need Your loving arms to keep surrounding me. 13:22 No, please don't take Your Holy Spirit away. 13:29 Please do not give up on me I pray. 13:35 I need You now, 13:39 I need You every day. 13:42 As You show Yourself to me, 13:46 I love You all the more. 13:49 As I see Your loving face, 13:52 it's You that I adore. 13:56 As I contemplate Your Word, 13:59 I marvel at Your plan. 14:03 As You show me all the ways 14:06 that I can be all I can be for You. 14:13 For You. 14:30 Hear my prayer, Lord. 14:32 Hear my prayer. 14:36 Please don't take Your Holy Spirit away. 14:43 Please do not give up on me I pray. 14:50 I need You now, 14:53 I need You every day. 15:02 Amen. 15:20 Father in Heaven, 15:22 we come to You tonight 15:25 thanking you, Lord, for being with us. 15:29 For Your Spirit 15:31 that goes with us everywhere we go. 15:35 That gives us strength and gives us power. 15:38 Lord help us that we might learn 15:43 more how to walk in the Spirit. 15:46 How to keep our hearts open, soft, and pliable. 15:52 As we take a look at this subject tonight, 15:54 we pray that You will give us understanding 15:57 that we might prepare ourselves for Your return. 16:03 For this we ask in Christ's name, Amen. 16:13 In Israel they looked for a time in the spring 16:19 in which it was going to rain. 16:22 Now I'm not talking about just a shower 16:26 that came through. 16:28 They looked for a time 16:29 in which there would be a 16:30 general rain that would soak 16:33 the earth. This is what they called an early rain. 16:37 It soaked the earth and it gave the moisture that was needed 16:42 for the seed to germinate and come up 16:45 and the moisture that was needed for the plants to grow. 16:48 This was very, very necessary 16:51 for the crop to start and get a good start. 16:54 And this was referred to as the early rain. 16:58 Then through the summer 17:00 you would have showers and so forth 17:02 and, of course, the plants would develop. 17:05 But it was in the fall that again they looked for 17:09 a general rain that would come that would soak the earth 17:13 and this would help those plants to go ahead and finish. 17:18 producing and prepare for a harvest. 17:21 And that was referred to as the latter rain. 17:25 So this is what they're talking about when we're talking about 17:28 an early rain - or former rain - and the latter rain. 17:32 And the scripture says this: 17:40 So he says: "Ask the Lord for rain 17:43 in the time of the latter rain. " 18:15 You see, that latter rain is what brought the plants 18:19 to fruition and they harvested and had a plentiful harvest. 18:25 That was the latter rain. 18:27 The scripture picks that up, folks, 18:29 and makes a spiritual application to it. 18:32 And it talks about the Early Rain and the Latter Rain. 18:37 And when it talks about the Early Rain, 18:40 spiritually it's talking about the Day of Pentecost. 18:46 That's what happened on the Day of Pentecost when 18:48 the Holy Spirit was poured out in great measure 18:52 upon the disciples. 18:54 And from that outpouring of the Holy Spirit 18:57 the gospel went forth. 18:59 And I mean it sprang up everywhere. 19:02 And in a matter of a few years 19:04 it had covered all of Asia Minor. 19:07 So it was that outpouring of the Latter... or the Early Rain 19:12 that made the gospel literally take off. 19:16 Says that down at the end there will be a Latter Rain 19:22 in which the Holy Spirit will be poured out. 19:25 And it will be poured out in great measure, 19:27 and that will bring about the harvest. 19:33 Bring about the harvest. 19:35 And so that's what we're looking at tonight. 19:46 OK, "pour out His... " When is this going to happen? 19:49 The last days. So it can't be talking about 19:52 the Early Rain. 19:54 Has to be talking about the Latter Rain. 19:56 OK. Last days. All right. 20:11 What is just happening here? 20:14 Well, the Holy Spirit is being poured out as he says here, 20:19 and what is happening? 20:20 The gifts of the Spirit are there. 20:24 They are being given in great measure 20:26 and so you have prophecy and all these gifts of the Spirit 20:30 that are taking place that makes the member, 20:34 makes the individual, an effective witness 20:36 for Jesus Christ. 20:38 This is what is happening. 20:40 That's what it's talking about here 20:41 as the Holy Spirit is being poured out. 20:44 And so he tells you and I 20:46 that we need to open up our hearts and our soul 20:50 to be filled with the Spirit. 21:00 So you and I as individuals need to learn 21:04 to walk... to walk in the Spirit day by day. 21:10 OK. What many people don't understand is 21:15 what happens here, folks. 21:17 And I want to use an illustration here of Moses 21:20 being up in the mountain. 21:23 And it says here: 21:57 So He's telling Moses: "I'm going to take you, Moses. 21:59 I'm going to put you over here in the cleft of this rock 22:01 and basically I'm going to put My hand over it 22:04 and I'm going to walk by 22:06 and when I remove My hand 22:08 you'll be able to see My back. 22:12 You'll be able to see... glory. " 22:16 Isn't that what he's asking to see? 22:19 OK. Let's watch: 22:45 So when God passed by 22:47 and Moses saw the glory of God, 22:51 what did he see? 22:55 Hmmm? What did he see? 22:58 He saw God's character. 23:01 He saw God's character. You see: 23:08 When you're reading this and it's talking about the glory 23:11 of God, it's not talking about some great shining bright light. 23:15 Its' talking about God's character. 23:18 And so when Moses said: "I want to see Your glory, " 23:21 and God passed by and moved His hand, 23:24 there he saw the character of God which IS God's glory. 23:30 OK? 23:31 Put that real clear in your mind 23:34 because it becomes very, very important. 23:37 So it says: 23:51 What are we beholding? 23:54 A light? 23:56 Huh? Is that what we're beholding is a light? 23:59 No, we're taking a look at His character, see? 24:19 So it says that as you and I look at the Lord, 24:25 as we behold Him, 24:28 as we spend time with Him, 24:30 we find that our character is changed. 24:34 See? Our character becomes like our Lord's. 24:39 That's what it says. 24:40 You're being transformed into the same image. 24:44 That you and I are to become like Jesus Christ. 24:49 That's what He's talking about. 24:51 That's what He wants. And so God's character is 25:03 That is what needs to take place. 25:05 And when we're talking about the Latter Rain and the 25:08 Holy Spirit being poured out, 25:10 this is what needs to happen and take place in the lives 25:15 of men and women: that they must become like their Lord 25:19 and their Savior. 25:21 OK. Now watch: 25:36 Now this is in Revelation 18. 25:38 It talks about the earth being illuminated with the glory. 25:40 Does that mean that an angel is going to come down from heaven 25:44 and the whole earth is going to be lighted up 25:47 by the light of that angel? 25:49 Is that... is that what's being described here? 25:52 No dear friends. 25:54 When it says this angel come down and the earth was 25:59 illuminated with the glory that is talking about God's 26:04 people and the change of their lives and their character. 26:08 Because their characters have been changed, 26:11 this is the glory of God that illuminates the whole earth. 26:15 Are you following me? 26:18 This is what happens. This is what's taking place. 26:21 And people talk about... It bothers me... 26:24 We talked about it in these meetings. 26:26 I find people waiting for the Holy Spirit 26:32 to do something. 26:35 You know? I find them praying, 26:37 waiting on the Holy Spirit 26:39 to do something. That's not the case. 26:42 The case is you and I... 26:44 we need to surrender, 26:46 we need to give our hearts to the Lord. 26:48 We need to put ourselves in a position that the Holy Spirit 26:51 can do His work in our lives 26:54 and make us like our Lord. 26:58 That's what needs to happen, and that's the glory 27:01 that's to go throughout the whole earth. 27:04 Now Daniel... Daniel speaks about this. 27:09 And this is what he says in the 12th chapter of Daniel. 27:12 Follow me carefully: 27:33 Now I don't have time this evening 27:35 to go into this time figure here 27:38 and so I'm not going to even try to go into that at all, 27:41 but he's talking about a period of time in which God's people 27:45 will manifest the Spirit of God in a special way 27:49 because he goes on and says here: 28:01 Did you follow me? 28:04 It says when the power of God's people, God's holy people, 28:07 is shattered, then all these things will be finished. 28:26 So it says here when the power of God's holy people 28:30 is disbursed, THEN that will bring a finish 28:36 to all those things. 28:37 This is what is called the Latter Rain. 28:41 This is also what many refer to as the Loud Cry 28:46 when God's Spirit is poured out on His people 28:49 in a very, very marked way and they go forth 28:53 proclaiming the Word of God. 28:55 And in them you have the character 29:00 of Jesus Christ. 29:02 That's what God's looking for. 29:06 That's what He wants. 29:07 I wish that I could say that 29:15 that people would pick up the scripture and take it 29:18 and read it and would accept it and follow it. 29:24 How much better off we would be, folks. 29:27 Because we don't, listen to this, 29:30 this is still Daniel: 29:44 It says that many shall be what? 29:50 Purified, made white, and refined. 29:56 Folks, that refining is not a nice thing. 30:03 Refining is hard. 30:05 Do you know what's used in refining? 30:10 Fire. 30:11 Fire. 30:12 And so what I'm trying to tell you tonight 30:16 is if you and I don't wake up to where we are 30:20 and we don't wake up to the time in which we are in, 30:24 then many of us are going to go through a period of time 30:28 of refinement that will be extremely difficult. 30:32 When if we would just today 30:36 open up our hearts and give ourselves to God 30:38 and let the Holy Spirit work in our lives, 30:41 how much easier it would be. 30:44 But instead, we get caught up with the world 30:48 and we get... go out and get involved in the things 30:52 of the world and we miss what God is willing to do for us. 30:57 How severe will this refining be? 31:15 OK, 31:41 This is a process that's to take place 31:45 in which the Holy Spirit will seal God's people 31:51 in preparation for the Lord's coming. 31:53 You see, the latter rain is what got things ready 31:57 for the harvest. 32:00 Spiritually, the Latter Rain is what gets men and women ready 32:04 for the harvest or the coming of Jesus Christ. 32:08 That's what happens here. 32:10 And so as I was telling you, 32:12 the seal of God is given. 32:14 The seal of God is placed where? 32:18 On the forehead. 32:20 By the way, it's placed only on the forehead. 32:26 See? That is God's seal. 32:28 What does that mean when it's placed? 32:32 Does that mean that God's going to come down here and 32:34 take some kind of stamp and stamp you on the forehead? 32:37 And you're going to run around 32:39 with some kind of a spot up there where you've been sealed? 32:43 No. That isn't what that's talking about. 32:45 When it talks about the seal being in the forehead 32:49 that means that you and I have given mental ascent 32:54 to turning ourselves over and we've said to Him 32:57 "You be our God. We will be Your people. " 33:02 You be my God; I'll be Your people. 33:06 And I walk with Him and follow Him 33:08 and I do His bidding. 33:12 Not because I have to but because I want to. 33:18 Great, great difference. 33:20 This is the seal of God. 33:21 At the same time, you have the mark of the beast. 33:26 Please understand what's going on here. 33:28 It says there will be many that will be purified, 33:32 made white, and refined. 33:34 And it says "the wicked shall do wickedly. " 33:38 So at this time in which the Latter Rain and the Holy Spirit 33:42 is being poured out in great measure 33:44 and God's people are going forth 33:46 under the power of the Holy Spirit 33:48 preaching the Word of God 33:50 and many things are happening and miracles are taking place... 33:53 All that is happening during this time. 33:56 At that very same time the devil is working overtime 34:02 and you have, it says, "the wicked will do wickedly. " 34:05 And so you're going to have all the things that the devil can do 34:10 to stop God's people. 34:14 Therefore, don't look for an easy time. 34:18 Don't expect it to be easy. 34:20 But what I can rest assured of 34:24 is if I have turned my life over to the Lord 34:28 and I have surrendered myself to Him, 34:33 then He has given me the fruits of the Spirit. 34:38 And therefore, even though the devil may harass me, 34:44 I can have joy in my heart. 34:48 Even though things all around me may be a mess, 34:52 I can have peace. 34:54 You see, all of those fruits he cannot take away from you. 35:00 Just can't take them away. 35:02 And so the devil during this time 35:05 will do all that he can. 35:06 "The wicked shall do wickedly. " 35:09 They're going to do everything they can 35:11 to stop God's people. 35:15 And it says: 35:40 Six men... each with a battle ax 35:46 in their hand. 35:58 Now watch here: 36:14 You see, 36:17 when the character of God 36:19 is reproduced in His people, 36:24 Jesus will come back. 36:29 And when that happens 36:31 and the character of God is reproduced in His people, 36:35 that glory - that is, the glory of God - 36:38 will go up and Jesus will say 36:40 "It is finished! I'm coming back. " 36:44 So, what you and I need to do 36:47 is to make sure that our hearts are surrendered. 36:52 That we are letting the Holy Spirit do its work 36:55 in our lives. 37:19 In other words, this was the sealing. 37:22 When the Holy Spirit goes through and seals God's people. 37:28 The Holy Spirit's been poured out, 37:30 and it's done its work. 37:32 Men and women have responded. 37:36 The Holy Spirit has worked in their lives 37:38 and they have become like their Lord, if you please. 37:42 And therefore He can say "It's time to go back... 37:46 time to go back and get My people. " 37:48 He's going to come back and gather all of His people. 37:52 How? How severe is this going to be? 38:11 One-third. 38:14 He said these will be made white and refined. 38:20 How many? One-third. 38:24 You and I need to look seriously at that. 38:28 Only one-third. 38:30 Only one-third of those who claim 38:34 to be followers of the Lord 38:37 are going to make it. 38:40 Why? 38:42 Why just a third? 38:47 See? There's a very definite reason why there's just a third 38:52 and no more. 39:07 This is what He wants to do in your life. 39:10 What He wants to do in my life. 39:13 He wants to change us and make us different. 39:17 That's what He wants to do. 39:19 You and I cannot... 39:22 I cannot continually fight Him. 39:26 God is not going to force you, friend. 39:29 He's just not going to do that. 39:31 And when you are doing things 39:35 that is not Christian 39:39 and you are doing things that you know 39:43 are contrary to God, 39:46 God is not going to force you to change. 39:52 But God WILL change you if you'll let Him. 39:56 But in order to let Him, I have to be willing. 40:01 Do you understand what I mean? 40:04 I have to be willing. I have to say "OK, Lord. " 40:07 And I have to surrender my heart 40:10 and give it to Him and say: "OK, I'll follow You. 40:13 I'll do Your bidding; I'll do what You ask. " 40:16 And if you and I will surrender our lives to Him, 40:20 then He can bring about the change that needs to take place. 40:26 Now it says that with the sealing of the Holy Spirit 40:31 this is a guarantee. 40:34 That's what it says. Listen: 40:52 In other words, if you will turn your life over to the Lord 40:56 and let the Holy Spirit do its work in your life, 40:59 THAT is a guarantee you'll be in the kingdom of God. 41:04 Let... let me make something clear, folks. 41:07 There is no such thing, 41:11 there is absolutely no such thing, 41:13 as a person getting up each day 41:17 and surrendering his heart to the Lord 41:21 and just giving his life to the Lord each day 41:25 and that person miss heaven. 41:28 That's impossible. 41:31 If I get up every day and surrender my heart and soul 41:35 to the Lord, you'd better believe 41:37 the Lord will work in your life. 41:39 And is a guarantee you'll be in His kingdom. Amen! 41:43 That He promises us. 41:45 And so we need to learn day by day to follow Him. 41:49 So what does the Latter Rain accomplish? 41:52 What does it accomplish? 41:54 What's the purpose of it? 41:55 Well, 1: 42:00 That's why you've got to have the Latter Rain: 42:03 it finishes the work of the Early Rain. 42:06 So you have the Latter Rain. Secondly: 42:15 You see, in the early rain... 42:19 if they didn't get an early rain, folks, 42:24 then they didn't get a very good result as far as the planting 42:29 of the seed is concerned. 42:30 When it's... the seed didn't come up very well. 42:34 If they got a good early rain 42:36 and they didn't get a good latter rain, 42:40 then their harvest was not much. 42:44 It took both of them. 42:46 You have to have both for that to take place. 42:48 And so, the Latter Rain helps to prepare for the harvest. 43:04 Have you realized 43:08 that God has put you here on this earth 43:11 at this particular time 43:14 for a very definite reason? 43:18 And do you realize 43:20 that it's your life 43:23 that affects people around you? 43:28 Do you know that there are people 43:32 that will only be in heaven 43:35 if you do what God put you here to do? 43:41 Did you know that? 43:42 You have an influence on people, folks. 43:46 Every one of us do. 43:48 You aren't an island by yourself, 43:51 and you've been put here for a purpose. 43:54 And I must let the Holy Spirit work in my life 43:59 for the salvation of others. 44:00 This is what I have to do. 44:03 Now, it speaks of 10 virgins. 44:07 These are virgins, and it says: 44:19 What did they go to do? 44:20 Meet the bridegroom. So this is down at the end of time. 44:24 This is what is called the Latter Rain. 44:27 They're going out to meet the bridegroom. 44:37 Ten virgins. 44:39 Five were wise; five were foolish. 44:43 I want us to take a look at the five foolish virgins. 44:50 Because you need to understand some things. 44:53 These are not non-believers, folks. 44:55 These are not people that don't believe in the Lord. 44:59 These are virgins that had their lamp and went out 45:03 to meet the bridegroom. 45:04 They've been convicted of sin. 45:09 The Holy Spirit has worked on their hearts... 45:11 convicted them of sin. 45:14 And so they understood that. 45:16 This wasn't something that they didn't know anything about. 45:19 Secondly: 45:26 They had lamps, 45:29 and they were in the church. 45:34 Did you get that? 45:36 They were in the church. 45:38 They were considered good people. 45:43 They were considered followers of the Lord 45:48 and that when the time came they, with the other five, 45:52 went out to meet the Lord. 45:56 The bridegroom... prepared to meet the bridegroom. 46:01 They had pure faith. 46:03 They believed the truth. 46:06 They did all this. 46:07 Had a pure faith; they believed the truth. 46:10 Not only that, all their functions are the work of the 46:15 Holy Spirit in the Latter Rain. 46:18 Excuse me, in the Early Rain. 46:20 All those things that I have just said to you... 46:24 those are the things that the Holy Spirit does 46:27 in the Early Rain. 46:29 He convicts of sin. 46:31 He calls people out of the world. 46:34 He helps them understand God's Word so they have 46:38 a pure faith. 46:40 They believe the Word of God. 46:42 That all is the work of the Early Rain. 46:49 So you need to stop and ask yourself: 46:53 what is my experience? 46:55 Strictly the Early Rain? 46:59 Is that where you are? 47:01 You know, you've been convicted of sin. 47:06 You've come out of the world. 47:08 Uh, you have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 47:13 You believe the truth. 47:16 What I'm trying to get across to you... 47:18 If that's all you have, 47:20 then you aren't involved in the Latter Rain. 47:26 That's the work of the Early Rain to do all that. 47:29 It had done that for those five foolish virgins. 47:33 That's what it had done, 47:35 and they had all entered into that. 47:41 this is the five foolish ones... 47:47 So, the bridegroom came. 47:50 The five wise virgins went in with the bridegroom 47:55 and the door was shut. 47:59 And now here comes the five foolish virgins, 48:03 and they're knocking on the door saying: "Lord, let us in. 48:06 Let us in. " 48:10 See? They want to follow the Lord. 48:14 "Let us in. " 48:24 Now do you understand what's wrong here? 48:29 Hmmm? 48:30 When He says to them: "I don't know you, " 48:34 why would He say that to them? 48:38 Because there is no likeness of character. 48:45 That's why He doesn't know them. 48:46 See, He's looking for people 48:48 that their characters have been changed. 48:51 They have been transformed. 48:52 They have become like their Lord. 48:53 And so when He looks at them, He said: "Oh, yeah. 48:56 That's mine. " 48:58 Why? Because there's a likeness of character 49:01 that He would say: "Yes, this one belongs to Me 49:04 because He's like me. " 49:06 That's what God is looking for. 49:10 So tonight, is that where you are? 49:14 In character, are you like your Lord? 49:19 Folks, we're moving into serious times. 49:28 I plead with you, give more attention to your 49:33 spiritual life and not so much to the physical things 49:38 that you need. But make sure your spiritual life 49:42 is what it should be. 49:44 Make sure that you are being transformed into the likeness 49:49 of your Lord and your Savior. 49:51 It's so important that we are. 49:54 And as He works in our life, 49:56 He'll change those things. 49:59 But let me tell you something. 50:02 You can't be proud. 50:06 You can't be arrogant. 50:09 You can't be puffed up. 50:12 You can't consider yourself better than others. 50:18 If those are problems you're having, 50:22 that stops the work of the Holy Spirit. 50:25 Has to work in your life, and you and I have to be 50:29 in a position to let Him do His work in our lives. 50:34 And if we do that, then He'll change us. 50:37 He'll make us different, and when He comes 50:41 and the sound goes out "the bridegroom's coming" 50:45 and we go out to meet Him, 50:49 then He needs to be able to look at you and say: 50:52 "Yes, that's one of My children because they're like Me. 50:56 They look like Me. They act like Me. 51:00 They're My children. " 51:02 That's what He wants to do. 51:12 Reached out in faith; accepted my Lord as my Savior. 51:25 You heard the word of truth. You're sitting here tonight. 51:28 You're watching by television; you're listening by radio. 51:31 You heard the word of truth; you accepted the truth. 51:45 Let the Holy Spirit do its sealing in your life. 51:50 This is what the Latter Rain is about. 51:54 This is what it's to do for you and for me. 51:57 And pray. Pray, dear friend, 52:01 that your eyes may be opened. 52:08 Open my eyes, 52:11 that I may see 52:15 Glimpses of truth 52:18 Thou hast for me; 52:22 Place in my hands 52:26 the wonderful key 52:30 that shall unclasp 52:34 and set me free. 52:39 Silently now I wait for Thee, 52:46 Ready, my God, 52:49 Thy will to see; 52:54 Open my eyes - 52:58 illumine me, 53:03 Spirit 53:07 divine! 53:11 Let us pray. 53:13 Father, tonight we come to you as 53:19 leaking vessels, Lord. 53:22 We need Your Spirit. 53:25 We need it to fill our lives. 53:28 To fill it till it runs over. 53:32 And oh, Lord, help us that we might go to the fountain 53:37 and that we might drink, and drink, 53:42 until our cup runs over. 53:45 That we might witness, and we might speak, 53:49 and we might influence all those around us. 53:53 That they too may be able to reach out in faith 53:57 and take hold of the promises of God 54:00 and be in Your kingdom. 54:02 Grant to us, Lord, Your blessing. 54:06 May our hearts be surrendered 54:10 and may we day by day walk with You. 54:14 For this we ask in Christ's name, Amen. 54:21 Well, we thank you for being with us 54:23 as we went through this series on the Holy Spirit. 54:25 And we want to invite you 54:27 to be sure and be with us 54:30 the next series on the Sabbath. 54:32 We hope it will bless you in a special way. 54:35 And by the way, there are some very definite connections 54:39 about what we talked tonight 54:42 and about the Sabbath. 54:43 So you're going to see how those all fit together. 54:46 So we're very, very happy that you're here. 54:49 God bless you, take care of you. 54:51 Good night and take care of yourself. 54:54 A coal miner of old would leave his family every day 54:58 and descend into the depths of the earth 55:00 with the certain knowledge that the smallest mistake 55:04 could keep him and others from ever seeing daylight again. 55:07 Walking along in the dark, 55:09 he could only rely upon his feeble oil lamp 55:13 to keep him alive. 55:15 He faced many dangers down there. 55:17 Rockfalls, flooding, fires. 55:20 But perhaps the danger he feared the most 55:23 was the one that he could not see. 55:26 They called it chokedamp or blackdamp: 55:29 an unbreathable mixture of gases 55:32 that could quickly snuff out his life. 55:34 Imagine for a moment the terror he felt when he realized 55:38 he had hit a pocket of blackdamp. 55:40 The sudden drop in oxygen would put out his lamp 55:44 leaving him in terrifying darkness, fumbling in vain 55:48 to relight it before he lost consciousness. 55:51 Then in the late 1800's, 55:54 a bright new light began to shine in the dark world. 55:59 Using marble-sized pellets of calcium carbide 56:03 and a few drops of water, 56:04 this new lamp produced a gas which burned six times brighter. 56:09 Not only did it make his job a whole lot easier 56:12 but it also saved lives. 56:14 You can see this tiny reflector 56:17 could focus that beam of light 56:19 on the roof of a mine so that he could detect dangerous cracks. 56:24 The lamp was also easy to re-light. 56:26 And since it required far less oxygen, 56:29 it could illuminate the way out 56:31 should they encounter the chokedamp. 56:33 What an incredible illustration this is 56:37 of the condition of fallen man. 56:39 After struggling to survive the pitfalls of life, 56:42 he suddenly realizes the danger he could not see 56:46 had left him without hope and gasping for his last breath 56:51 in utter spiritual darkness. 56:53 For him there is no eternal life through Jesus. 56:57 In fact, he may not have ever heard about Him. 57:02 But friends, just as that bright light 57:05 of the carbide lamp saved lives, 57:08 so does the light of the Bible. 57:10 We need the light of God's Word to illuminate the dark corners 57:14 of our hearts. It focuses our attention on Jesus Christ... 57:18 our only hope for salvation. 57:20 And all who read and study it 57:22 are warned about the rockfalls of life. 57:25 That's why we call this series Give Me The Bible. 57:29 We're trying our best to bring the light of God's truth 57:32 to those who are living and dying in despair. 57:35 It's our mission. It's our passion. 57:38 Won't you join us? 57:41 Please consider what you can do 57:43 for those who still don't know about Jesus. 57:46 As the Holy Spirit impresses, 57:48 you may send your tax-deductible gifts to: 58:02 Thank you for helping us to bring the Blessed Hope 58:05 to millions all around the world. |
Revised 2014-12-17