Participants: John Stanton & John Dinzey
Series Code: HCL
Program Code: HCL110011
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00:01 Hell friends, grab your Bible and a friend
00:03 and sit back as we explore God's work together 00:05 on this edition of House Calls. 00:22 Welcome back to House Calls. 00:24 We're so excited you have decided to join 00:26 with us today and we're just looking forward 00:29 to opening up God's word and sharing with you, 00:31 inviting you into our living room. 00:33 Thank you for inviting us into yours. 00:35 And we pray that this will be a wonderful program 00:38 where we can lift up Jesus and share His word with all. 00:42 You know, we trust and depend upon you 00:45 for contributions to this program 00:47 and that contribution comes 00:48 in the form of your questions. 00:50 And we want to encourage you to send 00:52 those questions in every, every chance you get. 00:54 But before we dive into them today, 00:56 I want to invite our guest here, 00:58 Johnny Dinzey. 00:59 Thank you for joining me today. 01:01 I want to invite you to kind of open us 01:03 with prayer and then we'll go ahead 01:04 and get to the rest of our questions today. 01:06 Sure, we invite you to join us 01:08 in prayer at this moment. 01:11 Our loving heavenly Father, we want to thank you Lord 01:14 for the holy scriptures 01:16 that are able to make us wise unto salvation. 01:19 We ask for your Holy Spirit Lord that 01:21 as we look into the scriptures, 01:23 you will lead us and teach us. 01:24 And we pray for a blessing upon everyone 01:27 that tunes into this program. 01:28 We pray Father for these blessings 01:30 in Jesus holy and blessed name, amen. 01:34 Thank you very much Johnny, I appreciate that. 01:36 Again we depend upon you for participation 01:39 in this program in the form of your questions 01:41 and there are couple of ways you can send questions to us. 01:44 You can mail them by regular mail to us, 01:46 just send it to House Calls 01:48 or 3ABN in care of House Calls 01:50 or you can e-mail those questions to us 01:52 at housecalls@3abn.org. 01:55 that's housecalls@3abn.org. 01:59 And we thank you so much 02:00 for sending those questions into us. 02:02 We've some very good ones today 02:03 and we want to start off with several. 02:06 And Johnny I think you got one 02:08 already queued up for us. 02:10 Why don't you lead us out in the first question today? 02:12 Well, yes, we do have one 02:13 and it's a very interesting question here that we have. 02:16 And the question is from Abanda and she writes. 02:21 I just want to get your view 02:24 on this idea of Moses being in heaven. 02:27 What does the Bible say about that? 02:30 And so that's a very good question 02:31 because we want to make sure 02:33 that the Bible leads us into the correct answer. 02:37 That's right. So for that I would like to invite 02:39 you to turn to the book of Jude. 02:41 And we're going to look at the book of jude 02:43 and since the book of Jude really has only one chapter, 02:47 we're just gonna say Jude 9. 02:49 In Jude 9, we've a very interesting 02:53 revelation to us and this is what we have. 02:57 Yet Michael the archangel, 02:59 when contending with the devil 03:00 he disputed about the body of Moses, 03:04 durst not bring against him a railing accusation, 03:07 but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 03:10 A following verse 10. 03:12 But these speak evil of things 03:14 which they know not: 03:16 but what they naturally 03:18 but they what they know naturally, 03:20 as brute beasts, in those things 03:21 they corrupt themselves. 03:23 So here we have Michael the Archangel contending 03:26 with the devil about the body of Moses 03:28 and so basically at this time 03:30 we understand that Michael the Archangel 03:32 which we understand to be Jesus Christ. 03:34 If you don't, you can send in a question, 03:36 we deal with at another time. 03:38 But here he is resurrecting Moses 03:41 and how do we know that Moses was resurrected. 03:44 Well, we have another passage that helps us with that. 03:48 Normally it is called the 03:49 transfiguration of Jesus Christ 03:51 when He took the Peter, James and John. 03:54 And we'd like to invite our viewers 03:56 and our listeners 03:57 that are tuning in through radio 04:00 to join us in Matthew Chapter 17. 04:03 And in Matthew Chapter 17 04:04 it's the declaration or the time 04:07 when Jesus Christ really is transfigured, 04:10 that's what the Bible calls this transformation. 04:15 Beginning in verse 1 and it says, 04:17 And after six days Jesus talked taketh Peter, 04:20 James, and John his brother, 04:22 and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart. 04:26 And was transfigured before them: 04:28 and his face did shine as the sun and his raiment 04:31 was white as the light. 04:33 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses 04:35 and Elias talking with him. 04:38 Or he says Elias in here, 04:40 but it's Elijah talking with him. 04:42 And then Peter, said unto Jesus, Lord, 04:44 it is good for us to be here: 04:46 if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; 04:48 one for thee, and one for Moses, 04:50 and one for Elias. 04:53 And in some Bibles it says Elijah. 04:54 Yes! So we have here that Moses is before then we, 04:59 you know, he passed away and he was resurrected 05:03 being a figure in this moment. 05:05 Of those that would be resurrected 05:07 through the power of Jesus Christ at the second coming. 05:10 Elijah as we know the Bible says 05:12 he was carried to heaven in a chariot of fire. 05:15 Without seeing death! Without seeing death, 05:17 so these two individuals are representation 05:20 of the living that would be alive when Jesus returns 05:23 and the dead in Christ which are resurrected 05:26 when Jesus returns. 05:27 And so yes, Moses was resurrected 05:31 and we've these scriptures 05:33 that help us understand that. 05:34 Yeah, you know, there is actually 05:35 only three individuals by name 05:37 that are identified as going to heaven. 05:40 Yes! We know that when Christ was resurrected, 05:42 there were some that were resurrected 05:44 as first fruits along with Him to... 05:46 then appear in heaven. 05:47 And we think that that's probably where 05:49 the 24 elders comes from. 05:50 But there are three by names specifically, 05:53 the first one is Enoch and the second one is Moses 05:59 and the third one is Elijah. 06:00 Yes! And of course I think what you said is 06:02 very kind of key there is. 06:04 Moses saw death, but yet he was resurrected, 06:07 Elijah didn't see death, translated to heaven 06:09 without seeing death 06:11 and there we've the picture of those alive on earth 06:13 when Jesus comes 06:14 and those who were resurrected at that time. 06:15 Amen! So, yeah praise the Lord, thank you. 06:18 And thank you for your question. 06:19 If you have a question about Michael 06:20 the Archangel by the way, feel free to send that in. 06:23 We've answered to you few other times, 06:24 but I know that continues to be an issue that is, 06:29 I won't say hardly debatic because it's not, 06:31 but there is some disagreement on that. 06:32 By the way just to throw it out there, 06:34 Michael is one who is like God. 06:37 That's what Michael means. 06:39 So it's not unique that Michael is called 06:42 or the Archangel is referred to as Michael. 06:45 Oh! I've a question here. 06:47 This question comes from Kuda 06:50 and they write Jesus did not spend three days, 06:54 three nights in the grave, 06:56 what does Matthew 12:40 mean? 06:59 If we look at Matthew 12 verse 40. 07:02 Let me go ahead and read that there for you. 07:05 Jesus says, "For as Jonah was three days 07:07 and three nights in the belly of a great fish, 07:10 so will the Son of man be three days 07:12 and three nights in the heart of the earth". 07:16 All right, so you know some immediately jumped 07:19 to the interpretation of Jesus words 07:22 there as describing how he will be 07:25 in the grave three days and three nights. 07:28 But I believe there is an expanded view of this, 07:30 it's not just the grave, 07:32 it's the fact of Christ experiencing death. 07:35 And I think you will find that as we turn to 07:38 Matthew Chapter 26 07:40 and you will find these words 07:42 beginning in verse 37 07:45 right after He met with His disciples 07:47 in the upper room. 07:49 They went to the Garden of Gethsemane 07:51 and He says in 37 of Matthew 26 07:55 that He took with Him Peter 07:56 and the two sons of Zebedee, 07:58 which are James and John 07:59 and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 08:03 So notice first here, 08:04 he began to experience already 08:07 sorrow and deep distressed. 08:09 And we know that Jonah in that whale began 08:12 to also experience sorrow, sorrow and distress. 08:16 If you look in verse 38 it says, 08:19 Then he said to them, 08:20 "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful even to, 08:24 what's that word there, death. 08:27 Stay here and watch with me." 08:30 Now I find these words very interesting 08:32 because Jesus isn't just sorrowful and distress. 08:34 He says He is exceedingly sorrowful 08:37 even to death. 08:39 Yes! And Jesus doesn't take this word 08:42 death lightly. 08:43 In fact I would venture Johnny to say 08:45 that Jesus never used the word 08:48 in the context of our present hearing now 08:50 death on this earth. 08:51 The only time He referred to death 08:53 in that way was when his disciples 08:55 weren't understanding the experience of Lazarus, 08:57 because you remember at first Lazarus was sick 09:00 and then he had to tell his disciples, 09:02 no he is dead, yes, not sick. 09:04 And so He was speaking their language, 09:06 but here He is speaking 09:07 the language of His experience. 09:09 And to Jesus death on earth was a sleep. 09:13 Death in reality to Him when using the word 09:15 was eternal death, 09:17 everlasting death that is the final experience 09:20 of anyone who has sin that they must account for. 09:25 And so, anyway Jesus is exceedingly sorrowful 09:28 even to death which means on Thursday night 09:31 in the Garden of Gethsemane, 09:32 He has already begun to experience 09:35 the pain of separation from His Father. 09:37 Yes! And from there we know 09:39 He goes into the courtroom of the Pharisees, 09:41 the Jewish leaders to also be tried 09:45 and to experience the anguish of what man will do 09:48 to Him very soon on the cross. 09:50 So His experience really of those, 09:53 of the crucifixion began on Thursday night. 09:56 Yes! And even in His own words 09:58 He alludes to that as well. 09:59 So when He talks about, you know, 10:01 Jonah being in the belly of the whale for three days, 10:03 three nights and refers to the Son of Man, 10:05 that's what He is speaking about. 10:07 And really He says the heart of the earth, 10:13 you know, Jesus makes a statement. 10:14 He says now the Son of Man 10:15 is betrayed into the hands of wicked men. 10:20 What you were mentioning there from that moment on 10:22 Jesus went wherever He was taken. 10:25 Right! He put Himself in that position. 10:28 He could have walked away, 10:29 you know, He could have called the legion of angels 10:31 to come down and deliver Him. 10:33 But He put Himself in the hands of wicked men. 10:35 From that moment He was in control 10:38 of these individuals. So it's...it make sense. 10:42 Yeah, it does make sense because earth and the world 10:45 is often referred to by Christ Himself 10:47 as the wicked, you know, 10:49 the ones that are seen to at least appear 10:52 to have the rulership. 10:54 They head over this world, so... 10:56 There is also is... very important. 10:58 This thing in the Bible called inclusive reckoning 11:01 from which you, you count the day 11:04 that something happened even though 11:06 it's only part of the day. 11:08 So you have Friday, 11:09 that Jesus went into the tomb, 11:11 you count that as one. 11:12 You have Saturday that He was in the tomb 11:14 and part of Sunday. 11:17 Inclusive reckoning says 11:18 you count that part of the day, 11:20 and so even when I go to some other countries 11:22 and I'm filling out the information 11:24 for how long I'm going to be there, 11:25 I've to count the day that I arrive 11:28 there in that country. 11:29 Right, and the day you leave. 11:30 And the day that I leave. Right. 11:32 And so even though I got there 11:33 at 10'o clock at night, 11:34 I've to count oh, I got into your country 11:36 on this particular day 11:38 but I'm leaving this particular, 11:39 so you have to count that. 11:40 In the same manner, you know, 11:44 this could also be consider that way. 11:47 Yeah, very much so. 11:49 Thank you very much for your question. 11:50 I think we've another one Johnny 11:51 you have a second question there. 11:53 Well yes, we have a second question. 11:55 This one is a little more involved 11:58 and it's by Coreen and she writes, 12:03 please when you write your questions 12:05 it would be nice to know where they are writing from. 12:06 Yeah. Because this is a worldwide ministry. 12:09 It's very true. 12:11 Reaching every country in the world 12:12 and it's nice to find out what country 12:15 these questions are coming from. 12:16 But we appreciate your questions 12:18 and this one is who are the two witnesses 12:20 in Revelation 11:3? 12:23 Are they the Old and New Testaments? 12:26 So as we go in our Bibles 12:28 and we go to Revelation 11:3. 12:32 We want to give that passage for those 12:35 that are hearing this for the first time. 12:38 And she makes a reference 12:39 to are they the Old and the New Testament, 12:42 so that's, that's really the direction 12:44 that we're gonna go here as we discuss this. 12:47 In Revelation 11 beginning in verse 3. 12:53 Notice that, actually I should start here at verse 2. 12:56 It says, But the court which is without the temple 12:59 leave out and measure it not; for it is given 13:01 unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they 13:04 they tread under foot forty and two months. 13:07 "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, 13:09 and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred 13:11 and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth." 13:15 "These are the two olive trees, 13:17 and the two candlesticks standing 13:19 before the God of earth." 13:22 And so this is the main description of that 13:25 as we continue it says if any man, I'm sorry, 13:28 these are the two olive trees, 13:30 and the two candlesticks standing 13:32 before the God of the earth. 13:33 "And if any man will hurt them, 13:35 fire proceedeth out of their mouth, 13:36 and devoureth their enemies: 13:38 and if any man will hurt them, 13:39 he must in this manner be killed." 13:42 And it continues to describe these two witnesses, 13:45 so how do we find out who these two witnesses are? 13:50 The text itself doesn't give us much information, 13:53 but the Bible gives us the principle that we've to look 13:56 at line upon line and precept upon precept. 14:00 That's right. And some people identify 14:01 these two witnesses as Moses and Elijah. 14:04 And it's rather difficult thing to prove that. 14:09 Right. That is Moses and Elijah, 14:11 because all it says these are the two witnesses, 14:13 these are the two olive trees. 14:14 Now there is a passage in the Old Testament 14:16 that mentions this very words and is in the book 14:19 of Zachariah and we're going to find Zachariah Chapter 4, 14:25 Zachariah Chapter 4 is going to help us with that. 14:29 I didn't have a quite a hint, I don't know, 14:31 if you have it already. 14:32 Here we go Zachariah Chapter 4 14:36 and I'm going to begin reading in verse 2. 14:39 In Zachariah Chapter 4 verse 2. 14:41 And he said unto me, What seest thou? 14:44 And I said, I have looked, and, behold, 14:45 a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl 14:49 upon the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon 14:52 and seven pipes to the seven lamps 14:54 which are upon the top thereof. 14:57 And two olive-trees by it, 15:00 one upon the right side of the bowl, 15:02 and the other upon the left side of the bowl. 15:05 And so I answered and spake to the angel 15:07 that talked with me, saying, What are these, my Lord? 15:11 And he goes on to answer then, he answered 15:15 and spake unto me, saying, 15:17 This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, 15:22 Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, 15:25 saith the Lord of hosts. 15:29 Going on as we go down to verse 11 says, 15:32 Then answered I, and said unto him, 15:35 What are these two olive-trees 15:36 upon the right side of the candlestick 15:37 and upon the left side thereof? 15:39 And I answered again, and said unto him, 15:42 What be these two olive-branches 15:44 which are through the two golden spouts empty 15:47 the golden oil out of themselves? 15:48 And he answered and said, 15:50 Knowest thou not what these are? 15:51 And I said, No, my lord. 15:53 And he said, These are the two anointed ones, 15:55 that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. 15:59 Some are the same words that we read 16:00 in Revelation Chapter 11 and verse 3 16:04 onward which talked about the two olive trees 16:11 and these are the anointed ones, 16:14 so what are these things, 16:16 you know, what are the two witnesses? 16:19 We believe they are the Old and the New Testament, 16:22 why? Read this passage as well 16:25 in Zachariah Chapter four points to the Holy Spirit. 16:28 And the Bible says that holy men of old speak 16:33 or speak as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 16:36 The Holy Spirit inspired what we considered the 16:39 Old and the New Testament. 16:41 And so I wondered if you could help me 16:43 by going to Psalm 1:19, 16:48 105 and when we say 10 it's really a number, 16:53 it's really zero 105, and I'm going to look 16:57 at Psalm 11 and verse 4. 17:00 If you have Psalm 119:105, could you read that for us. 17:03 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 17:08 So here we have the word of the Lord 17:11 is a lamp unto our feet, yeah. 17:14 And these are the two witnesses 17:16 of the Lord and Psalm 11 verse 4. 17:19 The Lord, Psalm 11:4, I think I have Psalm 11:3-4 17:26 If the foundations be destroyed, 17:28 What can the righteous do? 17:29 The Lord is in his holy temple, 17:30 the Lord's throne is in the heaven: 17:32 his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men. 17:35 I think I wrote down the wrong scripture, 17:36 but nevertheless we've Psalm 119:105, yeah. 17:40 The word of the Lord is a lamp unto our feet. 17:43 The two witnesses of the Lord 17:44 are the Old and the New Testament. 17:47 They are testified before the earth 17:48 and that declare God's words to mankind. 17:51 Yeah, you know, also if you look to other references 17:54 in the Old Testament, you will find 17:55 that God refers to His word, what is written down, 17:59 what continues to speak to mankind as His testimony. 18:01 Yes! Okay, so witnesses, obviously bear a testimony. 18:06 And so if a witness is going to speak, 18:08 he is going to say something, 18:09 I believe God usually refers to that, 18:12 often refers to that especially 18:14 in the Old and the New Testament 18:15 as in regard to His voice, His testimony in the earth. 18:19 The interesting thing too is, as you go on 18:22 in Revelation Chapter 11 and I think you read this verse 18:25 talking about if anyone wants to harm them 18:27 fire proceeds out of their mouth 18:28 and devours their enemies. 18:31 Interesting to imagine if you take literally 18:36 this to mean Moses and Elijah, 18:38 fire coming out of their mouth, it doesn't work. 18:40 it doesn't work. See, so then you have 18:42 other problems in defining or interpreting this passage. 18:46 But when you understand them in the context 18:48 of the word of God speaking, then these words come alive. 18:52 Let me share a verse with you, a couple of them. 18:54 First of all Jeremiah Chapter 20 verse 9. 18:58 Says, then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, 19:02 nor speak anymore in His name." 19:04 But His word was in my heart like a burning fire 19:08 shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding back, 19:11 and I could not. 19:13 So the word of God was as what? 19:15 It was like a burning fire. Yes! 19:18 Look at Jeremiah 23 verse 29. 19:21 Yes, that's the one I was looking for. 19:23 Yeah, "Is not My word like a fire?" 19:26 says the Lord, " and like a hammer 19:27 that breaks the rock in pieces? 19:29 So God's word is... 19:31 He even speaks of it as being like a fire. 19:33 Yes! So when you understand this symbolically 19:37 it's pointing to Old and New Testaments, 19:39 the testimony of God and wanted to do work, 19:41 to proclaim the work over this 1260 days or years, 19:45 prophetic time would be 1260 years. 19:49 Then you would see that they would speak 19:51 during this time, nothing can shut them up 19:53 because they are like fire, devouring everybody 19:55 that wants to oppose it. 19:56 Yes, that is. It comes alive and then it makes sense. 19:59 The scripture says and they shall prophesy 20:01 a thousand two hundred and threescore days, 20:02 clothed in sackcloth. 20:04 This clothed in sack cloth is a point of time 20:05 when the scriptures were said to be in obscurity 20:09 because of the persecution taking place. 20:11 You could not really preach in liberty 20:14 the gospel without having consequences, 20:17 so during this time they are said to be in sack cloth. 20:21 And a moment, a space of time when the scriptures 20:25 wasn't even readily available to people. 20:27 So they were said to be in sack cloth, 20:29 there was persecution taking place. Right. 20:31 By a power that would, was set to do this. 20:36 And the time before it says 42 months 20:39 is the same period of time 1260 years 20:43 equivalent to days 1260 days is 1260 years. 20:47 Yes, amen. Very good, thank you, well done. 20:50 This next one is from Miss. Rocque. 20:54 And I don't know if I'm pronouncing that right, 20:57 R-O-C-Q-U-E. Anyway, 21:01 she writes before I became saved. 21:03 I believe that the Bible was very sexiest. 21:06 In fact biased to men and kind of belittled women. 21:09 And my mind became open after, 21:12 but I still have questions about 21:15 why women are so harshly punished on issues 21:18 involving both women men and women, 21:20 that could both be, you know, 21:22 called to account for, or to blame for. 21:25 And that's just for her question 21:26 and she asked a couple of other things here 21:28 that are along these lines. 21:30 You know, I think we all need to recognize Johnny 21:32 that the Bible is highly influenced by culture. 21:36 And the culture of that day was in fact 21:39 much different than today. 21:41 Today we've more of a equilibrium 21:43 of rights among men and women especially 21:46 in the country of United States of America 21:48 and in most of the developed world. 21:51 But when it comes to the cultures of old, 21:55 you will find that often women were treated very 21:57 subserviently to men. 21:59 It wasn't God designed that would be, 22:02 but it was what happened as a result of sin. 22:06 In fact God alluded to that fact 22:09 at the beginning of time. Yes! 22:11 Didn't have plan on going to this text, 22:12 but if you turn to Genesis Chapter 3. 22:18 You will find after the fall, there is this judgment 22:22 that comes from God. 22:24 And of course the man pointing to the wife 22:28 is causing him to eat of the fruit. 22:31 And the Lord then in verse 13 responds 22:34 to the women and says, what have you done? 22:36 The woman said the serpent deceive me and I ate, 22:38 so she points to the serpent and then of course 22:42 the Lord pronounce his judgment 22:43 on the serpent first. 22:44 But then in 16 he says to the woman. 22:47 I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; 22:51 In pain you shall bring forth children; 22:54 Your desire shall be for your husband, 22:57 And he shall do what? He shall rule over you." 23:00 Yes! So God's designed from the beginning 23:03 was that Adam and Eve would be together 23:05 standing side by side, that Eve was created to his 23:08 helpmate or support on an equal basis. 23:11 there was no... not to be one above the other. 23:14 But as result of sin we find that Eve became 23:17 "weaker vessel" in strength and other things 23:20 and that man would rule over her. 23:22 And I think there was this illusion to that 23:24 culturally throughout the centuries the Millennia 23:27 that there would be women always striving after man 23:31 to obtain that which man has, had and has done 23:35 in his rulership over the women. 23:38 So, anyway that's what you find I think coming through 23:41 in the text and I think it's very important for us 23:43 to realize that as we read scripture and not scribe 23:48 or somehow assigned that same kind of activity 23:52 or thought or mentality upon our culture today. 23:54 Because that's the way the culture generally 23:58 is not at least in the developed world. 24:00 I know that it is still going on in many 24:02 of the undeveloped countries. 24:03 And of course we continue to and should continue 24:06 to support for the rights of women around the world 24:09 where they are still mistreated 24:10 and "ruled over" in a way that is very ungodly. 24:14 That's right, that's right you know when Jesus appears 24:18 on the same heat, He try to lift women up 24:22 and it's really beautiful to see, amen, to see that 24:25 and they...unfortunately in some countries 24:29 this is not the case and we don't want to 24:32 go too deeply into that. 24:33 But, you know, God made man and woman 24:38 and created them equal. 24:41 That almost reasserted that same equality 24:45 under the new covenant. 24:46 Yes! When He said there is no longer 24:48 male nor female. 24:50 And I understand that, you know, we're built, 24:52 you know, differently, our minds were differently 24:54 and so we found a different roles, 24:56 but there is an equality there. 24:58 Yes! And that's God's design under the new covenant too. 25:00 So just wanted to mention that. 25:02 You know, one other quick question 25:03 because we probably have time for it. 25:06 It's a question from Legune, and she says, 25:10 I'm the Seventh-day Adventist youth. 25:12 And in our church we don't have any drums or symbols 25:14 or lack of variety and we lack variety 25:18 she says as it concerns musical instruments. 25:21 I read a lot of historites writings about music 25:23 in the church and they seem to be okay 25:26 as long as reverence is observed. 25:28 I'm also aware of the verses in Psalms 25:31 that told us about this, but I'm afraid it has been 25:33 misinterpreted several times. 25:35 And I'm curious about why more musical instruments 25:38 are not present in our church? 25:40 Could you shed some more light 25:42 on this subject, please? 25:43 You know, music, Johnny you are aware this to music 25:46 can be an incredible blessing. 25:49 Yes! It is the centerpiece often 25:52 at worship and should be. 25:53 I think God designed music 25:54 to go hand in hand with worship. 25:57 But the same time it can be an incredible curse 25:58 if you allow it to be. 26:00 If we start to degrade or divide 26:04 or find dissention coming about by disagreements 26:08 in music styles and other things 26:11 then it can become a curse to many churches. 26:14 And we've seen churches divide 26:15 over the issue of music. 26:17 Now that being said I do believe that 26:19 there are standards that God has given 26:21 in His word for music. 26:24 God is a God, not of confusion. 26:25 He is a God of harmony, or God of beauty 26:30 and so music then fitting His own character would be 26:34 ones that music that uplifts Jesus, 26:37 that points to Jesus, that points to God, 26:40 to that reverences and praises Him. 26:43 Any music that tends to bring in more 26:46 of a confusing aspect, or prideful aspect, 26:50 it elevate the singer or those that are upfront 26:53 leading out in the music, then would become possibly 26:57 a curse then to that music service, 26:58 because it does, it's not conducive to true worship. 27:02 Now we know even from the book of Daniel, 27:04 in Daniel 3 I believe it is 27:08 where the image was set up. 27:10 Yes! That music was played 27:11 that cause people then or was suppose 27:14 to compel them to then bow down and worship 27:16 the image as commanded by Nebuchadnezzar. 27:18 So as Daniel provides a lot of elements 27:22 that we will see spiritually in the last days. 27:24 I also believe that there is a confusing 27:27 or the devil using music to confuse the minds 27:30 and hearts of young people today. 27:31 And we find that around, 27:33 I believe not only in secular society. 27:35 But it has kind of come into the church. 27:37 I've always said, I'm not so concerned 27:39 about the individual instrument person 27:42 arguing about what instrument should be played. 27:45 I think that if we're playing any instrument, 27:47 it needs to be tastefully, reverently played. 27:50 Yes! Skillfully played in harmony together, 27:53 not something that create excitement or entertainment 27:56 or the aspect that does not lead to worship. 27:59 that is my concern as the pastor, 28:01 not so much what instruments are permisive 28:03 and which instruments are not. 28:05 So, you know, rhythm is something that God 28:09 has brought into life and society in general. 28:12 I mean we walk, we speak with rhythm. 28:14 If I were to speak in simply rhythm terms 28:19 and let's use a simple thing I love you, 28:22 this term I love you. 28:23 And I hope we both say 28:24 I love you to our wives a lot. 28:26 So when I say I love you to Rochelle, 28:28 I don't say I love you, I love you every time 28:33 on the same rhythm. 28:34 It's I love you, or I love you. 28:37 You know, there is a rhythm to life, 28:39 there is rhythm to speaking, 28:40 there is a rhythm to what we do. 28:42 And in some cases sometimes that rhythm 28:44 can be a little spicy too in our rhythm of life. 28:48 But we've got to be very careful 28:49 how this is done in the churches. 28:51 And I've seen in many churches go overboard. 28:53 Yes! Towards the drums come in. 28:56 and then it becomes this entertainment 28:58 and all you have to do is look at the audience 29:01 to begin to see the result of that. 29:03 Now, I'm not trying to levy condemnation 29:06 or anything like that on those that 29:09 are using these aspects of worship 29:12 or music in their worship surfaces. 29:14 But I would say this, I'm saying be careful, 29:17 because when they you do use that, then you've got to, 29:22 see you got to wave very carefully and measure 29:24 what's happening to your worshippers in the service. 29:27 You are saying that to be careful not to 29:33 try to get the emotion involved to the point 29:36 of excitement that you are forgetting 29:38 that you are worshipping the almighty God. 29:39 Absolutely, absolutely, that's the key. 29:41 And I, I for the most part my thinking 29:44 and as a pastor I stayed this traditional line. 29:47 You know, I trust the council, 29:48 don't go too far to the left, you hit the bank. 29:50 Don't go too far to the right, 29:51 you will fall off the cliff. 29:52 We keep it traditional line, 29:54 we also have some praise music there, 29:55 but we don't have drums in the church. 29:57 I'm just giving you my example 29:59 that helps to sometime feed that excitement. 30:02 So lets be careful, lets be cognizant 30:06 of what's coming in. 30:07 But let's not be also so rigid 30:09 cold and formal that we start being exacting, 30:12 you know, that instrument is not permissible, 30:13 that one is not permissible. 30:15 And then we actually push people 30:16 out of the church as well. 30:18 I'm not giving a specific answer, I don't want to give 30:20 do's and don'ts, right. 30:21 But I do want to provide some 30:22 general guidelines here, because I think 30:24 that's what this lady, young lady is looking for 30:29 and we don't pay a lot of attention too I think. 30:31 That's right, that's right. 30:32 Amen! All right, 30:34 well thank you very much for your questions. 30:35 We want to just say, not only thank you again, 30:38 but encourage you to write in your questions 30:42 to House Calls. 30:43 If you are not sending them by regular mail 30:44 in care of housecalls@3abn, 30:47 please e-mail them in at housecalls@3abn.org. 30:51 that's housecalls@3abn.org. 30:54 We'll do our best to get them 30:57 and answer them in future programs. 31:00 Thank you very much. 31:01 Well Johnny some great questions there today. 31:04 Yes. It's time now to kind of segue 31:06 into our third program on prophecy, 31:10 biblical rules and methodology 31:13 of interpretation, 31:14 I know that's a long statement there. 31:15 But I point that, or I put that together 31:19 because I think there has been a lot of abuse 31:22 and liberty is taken with the interpretation 31:25 of Bible prophecy out there in the world today. 31:28 And even amongst Christians and denominations 31:31 and non-denominations, whatever you may have. 31:34 So we provided over the last couple of days, 31:37 kind of a recap of where 31:40 the interpretation methodologies have come from. 31:42 We found that the reformers saw Daniel too 31:46 as providing a basic outline of historicism, 31:50 that there is a beginning point in time 31:52 and there remains a line unbroken to the end 31:55 when that prophecy finally culminates or is fulfilled. 31:58 And within that timeline events occur 32:02 which are depicted in symbols 32:04 in the book of Revelation, 32:05 in the book of Daniel as well as book-ins 32:07 to prophecy in the Bible. 32:10 Later day prophecies specifically. 32:13 One of the things we did not get into, 32:15 didn't have time to get into yet, 32:17 is going to be covered in our third program 32:19 which involves the interpretation of symbols. 32:22 This is also something that is really 32:24 a lot of liberty is taken today and in fact 32:29 and you may have some things to weigh in on here 32:30 Johnny because I'm sure you have seen it too. 32:33 But there's lot of reading the newspapers today. 32:35 Yes! To try and figure out, 32:37 well, maybe this prophecy fits here. 32:39 Or look, I think this prophecy is this, 32:41 because look it, it's so close. 32:43 And there is no consideration given 32:45 into the methodology of interpreting prophecy. 32:49 In other words the historical timeline 32:51 that prophecy progresses under 32:54 and it's just like a willy-nilly kind of lets 32:57 put it here because it seems to fit. 32:59 And I think some times when we do that 33:02 we find the false interpretations 33:05 that occurred, don't actually happen 33:07 and then of course people says oh well, 33:09 see look it didn't happen, people that believe 33:11 in prophecy, they don't know what they are talking about. 33:12 And they throw essentially the baby out 33:14 with the bath water, old prophecy is not good. 33:16 The devil likes that kind of thing, 33:18 so God is telling us we should rightly divide 33:21 the word of truth and provide 33:24 or utilize the methods the Bible uses 33:28 for interpreting prophecy and if we don't do that, 33:30 we're in trouble. 33:31 That's right, that's right. 33:32 We're in serious trouble and as we've seen 33:34 throughout history where people have come up with 33:37 different interpretations on different passages 33:40 of the scripture and they wind up being false 33:45 because they did not use 33:46 the correct method of interpretation. 33:49 They... you know, 33:50 there are principles in the scriptures. 33:52 You know, Jesus, I turn to this passage here 33:54 because to me it's really powerful. 33:58 Jesus talking to his disciples 33:59 after He tells them many things that were coming. 34:03 He says to them in John Chapter 14, 34:09 He says, verse 28 and 29. 34:14 "You have heard how I said to you, 34:16 I go away, and come again unto you. 34:18 If you loved me, you would rejoice, 34:19 because I said, I go to the Father: 34:21 for my Father is greater than I. 34:23 And now I have told you before it come to pass, 34:27 that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 34:32 I like that. So we see that the Lord blesses us 34:36 with the scriptures and prophecies 34:38 of things that are coming. 34:40 And when we look at the scriptures 34:43 and we try to understand these things. 34:45 It is a confirmation to be able to look 34:49 at them after they have past and say wow, 34:52 this happened this way exactly 34:54 as was fulfilled in scripture. 34:56 And that let's us know of things 34:58 that are still coming. 34:59 Right. Because we see things fulfilling for us, 35:02 for me it's a great encouragement John 35:04 to see the prophecies and how they were fulfilled 35:08 in the past, you know, how God revealed 35:11 the time when the Messiah would appear 35:13 on the scene of earth's history. 35:14 Yes! And right... 35:16 in that very year predicted now. 35:17 That very year, I mean it's just 35:20 and it's a long prophecy in it, 35:21 a point by point fulfill, fulfill, fulfill, 35:24 fulfill and say praise the Lord. 35:26 Yeah, gives you confidence in the scripture too. 35:28 Yes, absolutely. 35:29 Yeah! So, we know that the things 35:31 that are still coming are going to happen exactly 35:35 as they were mentioned in scriptures. 35:37 I've short story, if you don't mind I'll tell. 35:39 You know, working in the pastoral ministries 35:40 department, I think it was a time about, 35:43 this was a few years ago, okay, 35:45 so I'm not pinpointing to anything 35:46 that has happened recently or any. 35:49 A few years ago, a person called and said 35:51 that he claimed he was the prophet. 35:53 And said that it was around November 35:56 that he began to say Jesus is coming 35:59 and I don't remember the date he mentioned, 36:01 but I'm going to mention, it was in the month of April 36:03 that he was talking about. 36:04 Jesus coming in April 10th to say a date. 36:08 I said, really how do you know this. 36:10 And he mentioned several scriptures 36:12 and I said wow, that's really interesting, 36:14 let me write those down. 36:15 And I really could not see how he came 36:18 to that conclusion. Yeah. 36:19 Of course the Bible says that no man knows 36:21 the day nor the hour. Right, right. 36:23 So I would say that every week at least 36:25 once he would call and say this is prophet 36:28 and he would mention his name 36:30 and he would remind us Jesus Christ is coming April 10th. 36:33 you know, here is November and every week, 36:36 so comes the month of March and he says 36:39 Jesus Christ is coming April 10th. 36:41 And that time I say you know, brother 36:43 I really have to say I'm really concerned 36:47 about what you are saying. 36:48 He says why, aren't you happy that Jesus Christ 36:49 is coming April 10th. 36:50 I says I would be, however there are many things 36:55 still that have not happened and that are going to happen. 36:58 As describe in Revelation 13, 37:00 it talks about the Mark of the Beast. 37:02 And that everyone is going to be called upon 37:05 to make a decision 37:06 whether or not to take the mark or not. 37:08 No man could buy or sell except he has the mark. 37:11 Right. And so all these things, 37:12 have these things have not taken place yet. 37:15 And you say they are going to happen in just 37:16 three or four weeks, I really have difficulty 37:19 saying how you are coming up with this data. 37:21 How all these things that are still yet to come 37:24 are going to happen. Right. 37:25 And you know the seven last plagues and he says brother 37:30 it's going to happen he said. 37:31 Well, you know, in four weeks time 37:33 there was just no way, I mean it was just 37:36 and it did not happen. Didn't happen. 37:37 Because this was a few years ago 37:38 that I'm talking to you about. 37:40 So it was a month later that he called 37:44 and said this is prophet so and so, 37:45 he mentioned his name. 37:46 Aren't you the same guy that said Jesus Christ 37:48 is coming April 10th? 37:50 And he said, no that was not me. 37:53 That was somebody or I didn't say that. 37:56 And so, but he had been saying it for months. 37:58 Right. And so I knew he was him, 37:59 I just, you know, didn't want to press him, 38:01 I think I don't want to discourage the man. 38:03 However, you know, the scriptures say 38:07 no man knows the day nor the hour 38:09 and the Lord has chosen not to reveal these things. 38:12 Right. So really no message that comes 38:14 to us with a date, we can put much confidence in, 38:19 because no man knows the day nor the hour 38:21 the scripture says. Yeah, 38:22 and, you know, even when you look at the prophecies 38:25 that Christ had given about the signs. 38:28 He wasn't ever talking about the day or hour, 38:30 he was talking about the season of time. 38:32 Yes! You know, we've been talking about the fig tree, 38:34 you know, when it begins to, when you see its leaves, 38:36 you know, the season when you see the rapprochement, 38:39 when you the signs happening, then you know, 38:41 yes, that's it's near even at the door. 38:43 Yes! And so, God does design 38:46 that we know what the signs are of the imminent return. 38:50 Yes! The nearness of his return. 38:51 But he has given us the day or hour. 38:53 I like that you said that because, you know, 38:55 we may not know the date or the hour, 38:57 but we know it's there. 38:59 Right! And we can rejoice 39:00 the deliverance is coming, you know. 39:02 And time prophecy helps us know that as well, 39:05 because if you look at the time prophecies of Daniel, 39:07 which referred to the lateral days. 39:09 This time prophecies take us into the latter days, 39:11 the last days. Yes! You find that 39:13 that the messianic prophecy that starts 39:16 also the 2300 year prophecy which begins in 457 BC. 39:23 Started that timeline points to Christ, 39:25 he came right on time and continues on 39:27 the end of time 1844, where Christ resumed, 39:31 then transition His ministry into the most holy place, 39:34 the heavenly sanctuary and continues now 39:36 in the pre-advent judgment phase prior to His return. 39:40 We know these things as Adventist, 39:41 but we know them because the time prophecies 39:44 have told us that we're now living in the last days. 39:46 And if you accept futurism, if you accept preterism 39:49 and you throw out historicism, 39:51 you loose the element of time. 39:52 Yes! And that's where people 39:54 are going wrong today in trying to figure out 39:59 when Jesus is coming. 40:00 And they do that, you know, out of honest heart. 40:03 I'm not going to judge that. 40:04 For the most part we can say that's true. 40:05 Yeah, and I think that, 40:08 I think they are doing also because they sense 40:10 that this world 40:11 cannot continue much longer as it is. 40:14 It is really falling apart quickly. 40:16 Yes, that's true. 40:17 And of course but we would tell you that 40:19 just by the time prophecies when the last days begin. 40:23 So anyway what I like to do here 40:25 for the rest of this, because we kind of 40:27 reestablish our foundation in historicism. 40:30 Now we want to transition into interpretation 40:32 of symbols that we take a look at few examples. 40:36 Let me share with you a text though before we go there. 40:39 It's from Isaiah Chapter 28 verses 9 and 10. 40:43 If you want to turn with me there, 40:46 Isaiah 28 verses 9 and 10. 40:56 Very good. 40:57 This passage comes about... 41:00 it's a prophecy I believe against Ephraim, 41:04 but they are also within the prophets of old, 41:09 they are also contained within the prophecies 41:11 from the old prophets 41:13 elements of end time event prophecies as well. 41:18 And so we see here several things 41:20 that are going on with regard to Ephraim, 41:23 but then we see a general prophecy 41:24 or general statement about knowledge 41:27 knowing these things that are coming to past. 41:30 And so we read in verse 9. 41:33 To whom will He teach knowledge? 41:37 And whom will He make to understand the message? 41:40 Those just weaned from milk? 41:42 Those just drawn from the breast? 41:44 For precept must be upon precept, 41:47 precept upon precept; line upon line, 41:50 line upon line; here a little, 41:51 there a little. 41:53 For with stammering lips and another tongue 41:55 he will speak to his people, to this people. 41:58 To whom he said, This is the rest 42:00 with which you may cause the weary to rest; 42:02 and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. 42:06 But the word of the Lord was to them. 42:08 Notice the word of the Lord was to them 42:10 precept upon precept, precept upon precept; 42:13 line upon line, line upon line; 42:14 here a little, there a little; 42:15 but that they might go, and fall backward, 42:18 and be broken, and snared, and be caught. 42:21 So they rejected the word that was supposed 42:23 to be established precept upon precept, 42:26 so that they might fall backward and be caught 42:29 in their own snare 42:30 by rejecting the word of the Lord. 42:31 But notice here it says the word of the Lord 42:33 to understand it you must go precept by precept. 42:36 That's right. Line upon line, 42:38 here a little, there a little. 42:39 And so scripture cannot or should never be 42:43 and especially with regard to prophecy 42:44 we're talking about today 42:45 should never be of one's own opinion. 42:49 That's right. And the Bible is clear about that. 42:50 We've read another text about no prophecies 42:53 given by the will of man and it should be 42:56 never given as a private interpretation 42:59 by an individual, but interpreted 43:01 by the Bible itself. 43:03 So we want to give you some examples of what the Bible, 43:06 how the Bible interprets itself, 43:08 so that you may get into study of the scriptures. 43:11 I've this chart that I've created over few years 43:16 and it's titled a biblical interpretation 43:18 of prophetic symbols. 43:20 And I basically put together symbols found in prophecy. 43:24 The next column is a literal meaning of that symbol. 43:27 And the last column is the Bible text to establish that. 43:31 And so, for example the first one we'll talk about 43:34 here is the word beast. 43:37 Johnny I've heard for years with regard 43:40 to the mark of the beast. 43:41 That the beast is some government 43:44 or the beast is some computer. 43:46 Some computer, yes. 43:47 Or the beast is some kind of world, 43:50 you know, controlling power. 43:52 There was for a time some people saying 43:55 that the mark of the beast was the bar code 43:58 that is on the product labels. 44:00 There you go, there is another one and then now 44:02 we're seeing that the mark of the beast involves 44:04 the chips that are going to go, you know, 44:05 being planted into people wrist or heads or whatever. 44:08 All kinds of inventions is to 44:10 what this mark of the beast is. 44:13 But to understand the mark, you got to find out 44:15 what the beast means? 44:16 Right! You know, who is this beast? 44:18 And so instead of thinking well what kind of thing 44:22 could happen today that we'll be able to impose 44:24 a mark that must be the beast. 44:26 You need to say 44:27 what is the Bible say that the beast is? 44:31 And so let's see what the Bible says 44:33 that the beast is using this chart. 44:37 The literal meaning of beast is king or kingdom, 44:40 or someone wants to say king with a kingdom. 44:43 This is the definition of what a beast is. 44:46 And I get that definition, we get that definition 44:49 from the scriptures found in Daniel Chapter 7. 44:53 We'll turn there Daniel Chapter 7 verses 17 and 23. 45:00 And so going to Daniel Chapter 7. Daniel 7. 45:05 Wants you to read 17 first and then we'll read 23. 45:08 Daniel Chapter 7 verse 17. 45:10 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, 45:14 which shall arise out of the earth. 45:16 Okay, so these great beasts which are 45:18 four are four kings, so the first thing 45:20 we find is that a king is connected 45:22 to this beast power, any beast power 45:24 that is a symbol in prophecy. 45:26 But if you look down little further, 45:27 it gets a little more specific. 45:29 Yes! It says in verse 23 45:32 in regard to the fourth beast. 45:34 This is the fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom 45:37 on the earth. 45:38 So evidently it's not a king that stands alone, 45:42 it's more a reference to a king over a kingdom. 45:44 Yes! He has got a power that he can move, 45:46 he can drive and he can lead and control things 45:50 around him, people around him, whatever it maybe. 45:53 And so that's why I put here as a definition 45:56 of beast it's king with a kingdom. 45:58 That's right. All right. 46:00 So there is...the Bible pretty much is interpreting itself. 46:04 We don't have to guess what a beast is. 46:06 The Bible tells us what the beast is 46:08 in Bible prophecy. 46:09 That's right. I'm talking about in Bible prophecy. 46:10 That's right. And so yeah, we don't have 46:12 to start guessing now, so we can plug that right in, 46:15 so as you are reading beast in Daniel and Revelation 46:18 put in their kingdom. 46:19 Now you won't identify the specific kingdom 46:21 until you understand the historicist timeline, 46:24 the progression of kingdoms through our time. 46:27 And we talked about in the previous program. 46:29 I think it was part two of this program 46:31 where Daniel Chapter 2 refers to an image 46:35 with various medals starting with 46:37 a head of goat which is Babylon. 46:39 We read them in Daniel 8 a shift from medals 46:43 to beast powers. 46:45 Yes! Daniel 7 and 8 into this beast 46:48 that go forward and conquer one and another. 46:50 And we find that after Babylon comes Medo-Persia. 46:55 After Medo Persia comes Greece. 46:57 Two kingdoms specifically identify to Daniel 8. 46:59 That's right. So we don't even have to answer that. 47:01 We interpret that from the Bible and from history. 47:05 And then we get into our fourth kingdom. 47:08 And so we must ask our self as we're interpreting 47:10 what is this fourth beast, because it didn't tell us 47:12 specifically, it just describe him, he is, 47:14 he is got iron involved, we know, 47:16 that's the legs of iron. 47:18 This beast is dreadful and terrible and breaks 47:20 in pieces anything that he conquers. 47:22 It's an empire worldwide, worldwide, 47:25 and so you start to nail these things down, 47:28 the last question you got to ask yourself 47:29 is which beast or which kingdom conquered Greece? 47:34 Because that's who he succeeded. 47:36 That's right. And who is that beast power, 47:38 the entire Rome. That's right. 47:40 So you can only conclude it's got to be Rome. 47:42 It's got to be Rome. 47:43 And then of course out of Rome comes 47:44 this little horn power that is not only political 47:46 but is also religious because it gets into... 47:49 it gets involved with the picture of God. 47:52 The blasphemies against God 47:54 or poses God and another things. 47:55 So then you have out of Rome comes a church. 47:59 And so this is where the progression, 48:00 this is where the Protestant reformers, yes, 48:03 started and they understood this progression, 48:06 but only in the last couple centuries or three centuries, 48:11 maybe I'd say, futurism has really kind of 48:14 replaced in the minds of many 48:17 the interpretive method of historicism. 48:20 And people are now throwing all the prophecies 48:23 of Daniel and Revelation into the future. 48:25 Yes! And they really destroy the prophetic time 48:29 and intended very much by God 48:31 through the visions given To Daniel and to John. 48:36 You know, you we were talking one of the questions that 48:41 the word of God is a lamp unto our feet 48:44 and light into our path. 48:46 Now here we have the word of God 48:47 shedding light as to what a beast is? 48:50 We don't have to guess. 48:52 To deviate from that, then you are in darkness. 48:54 Right! You are not in the path of light. 48:56 Good point. 48:57 So we have here what the Bible has declared 49:00 and really when you are looking at a prophecies 49:03 you have to find what fulfills all the details 49:06 of the prophecy. 49:07 And so when you say what kingdom follows 49:12 Greece and really all we've to do from our perspective 49:15 now in history to look back and says 49:17 which kingdom was this. 49:18 And there is a fit, the specifications 49:21 of the prophecy, the details that we find there. 49:23 Right. We're sure enough it does, 49:24 we find it Rome was that devour. 49:27 And it may not be politically correct, you know. 49:30 That's true. As some people say oh, that's hateful, 49:31 you know, that's wrong. 49:33 That's what the word says. 49:34 We're just following what the word says 49:36 in interpreting itself. 49:38 Another one here that we can find as just an example. 49:43 A woman, what does the woman represent? 49:46 While there are two kinds of woman represented 49:48 in the book of Revelation, 49:50 you find a pure woman in Revelation 12. 49:54 She talks about having garland of 12 stars on her head, 49:57 her feet stand on the moon, she is pure. 50:02 There is definitely a picture there of purity and holiness. 50:05 Then there is another woman in Revelation 17 50:07 which is a harlot. 50:09 In fact referred to as the Babylon, 50:11 the mother of harlots. 50:13 She has children as well who are also committing harlotry. 50:16 And so we need to ask well what is the woman represent 50:20 then, because there is also, there are two women. 50:23 There is a pure woman and there is this harlot woman. 50:25 What does the Bible say about a woman? 50:28 And this chart as I go through 50:30 and find scripture to support this. 50:34 If you keep mentioning this chart, I guess, 50:35 our listeners and viewers are wondering, 50:38 well where can I get one of these charts, 50:39 so if you continue with us, 50:42 we're gonna share with you. 50:43 Yeah, we'll share in a couple of minutes 50:44 where you can get his chart from. 50:45 Thank you for reminding me that, 50:46 because I do intend to provide that information. 50:50 If you look at then, you're looking scriptures 50:53 to what defines or what provides 50:55 the key to understanding what the symbol of woman means. 50:59 You can go to Jeremiah 6 verse 2, 51:03 which Johnny if you can pick up Jeremiah 6:2, 51:06 I'll go to 2nd Corinthians 11:2. 51:11 Jeremiah Chapter 6 verse 2, we have the following words. 51:16 I have likened the daughter of Zion 51:19 to a comely and delicate woman. 51:23 So the daughter of Zion, God's people are referred 51:26 to as a lovely, delicate woman. 51:29 So not a harlot, but one that is pure. 51:32 Yes! It's interesting too that when Jerusalem 51:36 and Israel for that matter the northern kingdom 51:38 began to astray and bow down to other Gods. 51:41 He referred to them as a harlot. 51:42 Yes. Yes. 51:44 So, the woman had become corrupted, 51:46 but still it was a woman and it was the people 51:50 that claim to follow God. 51:51 Yes! But they were doing it through harlotries 51:53 which was not God's way. 51:55 What God wants pure faithfulness. 51:57 Yes, and this is why we, even during the time of Jesus, 52:00 he says these people draw nigh to me with their lips. 52:04 But their heart if far from me. 52:06 So that in itself tells you some details, 52:10 so Israel have become corrupt. 52:11 Yeah, then if you look at another verse 52:14 I got to 2nd Corinthians 11 verse 2. 52:18 Speaking to the church now, this letter is to the church. 52:21 Paul says, For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. 52:24 For I have betrothed you to one husband, 52:29 that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 52:33 Beautiful. So the virgin, the bride of Christ, 52:36 the pure woman is the church. 52:39 Amen! So and there is a couple of others here. 52:42 And let me share this chart we're reading from, 52:44 I'm happy to send to you if you like 52:46 to send me an email. 52:48 I'll put the onus on you to ask for it. 52:50 You can send me an email 52:51 at pastorstanton@gmail.com. 52:54 that's pastorstanton@gmail.com. 52:58 And I'll be happy to just reply 53:00 without saying much just with an attachment 53:02 of this specific chart to you. 53:04 Feel free to send me that email 53:06 and I'm happy to do just that. 53:08 And there is a lot of difference... 53:09 So you are saying that's free. Pardon. 53:11 It will be free. 53:12 It will be free, absolutely, so just send me an email, 53:15 I'll send you back to you free no charge absolutely. 53:17 Lots of symbols represented in prophecy are found here 53:21 with the interpretive meaning and scripture references 53:25 for that, so you know 53:27 some of these are, I'll just mention a few of these here, 53:30 so that people are aware 53:32 of what that maybe coming on this chart. 53:33 It is a really full sheet of information in small fonts. 53:38 Yes, very small font. 53:39 So you have the symbol of angel, Babylon, 53:43 beast image, lamb, lion, serpent, stars, wilderness, 53:49 wine and many more here are in this chart. 53:53 And so we would like to encourage you to 53:56 do yourself a favor. Yes! 53:57 And get this chart again where do you get it from. 54:00 Pastor Stanton, just straight 54:02 together pastorstanton@gmail.com. 54:07 And I'm happy to return it just free of charge 54:09 with the attached reference here. 54:13 And I pray that I'll be blessing to you. 54:14 Now Johnny we've talked about then several things 54:19 here in the study of how to understand prophecy. 54:21 We've talked about the method, methodology. 54:24 Yes! How important is to stick 54:25 to the Bibles description of how prophecy 54:28 should be read which is historical timeline, 54:33 known as a historicism that has a beginning 54:34 and has an end, it's unbroken. 54:36 That's a key point, it's unbroken. 54:38 Yes! The second part is that 54:42 you would use scripture in define it symbols 54:44 within the context of comparing it 54:46 with other scripture. Yes! 54:48 Let the Bible define itself, 54:49 don't give some private interpretation, 54:51 but let the Bible speak for itself. 54:53 And when you do that then prophecy comes alive. 54:57 Yes, it does, you know, and I like to say 54:58 I'm glad you said it that way, 54:59 because just as you said 55:03 the scripture is not a private interpretation. 55:06 I've heard, I've talked to some people that say 55:08 well I know what that says, 55:10 but the Holy Spirit has revealed to me 55:15 that this is what it is. 55:16 Right. When the scriptures are clear 55:18 and when there is line upon line, precept upon precept, 55:20 you say, you know, a beast is a king of a kingdom, 55:23 or king with a kingdom. 55:25 And they say well I know what that says, 55:26 however thus the Holy Spirit has revealed to me 55:30 and this is dangerous, you know, the Lord does 55:32 through the Holy Spirit reveal things to people, 55:34 but when you are going contrary 55:35 to what is written in scriptures 55:37 and then you have to put that away. 55:39 Right! And say let me follow what the scripture say. 55:41 Yeah, amen, very important to do, 55:43 because then you say I stand on the word of God, 55:46 not on man's opinion, not on my own opinion. 55:50 And of course, you know, 55:51 who can find out the ways of God. 55:52 I mean the only way do that is to go into the scriptures 55:54 and see what he says, not to depend upon ourselves. 55:58 I like to read this scripture for me. 55:59 Yeah, please do. Just before the close. 56:01 And so after concerning the study of the scriptures 56:03 and understanding them 56:05 in Isaiah Chapter 8 verse 20. 56:07 It says to the law and to the testimony 56:10 if they speak not according to this word 56:12 it is because there is no light in them, or not truth. 56:16 When he is referring to the word, the law, 56:18 he is talking about the first five books of the Bible, 56:20 the testimony, or the testimony of the scriptures. 56:22 And all scriptures are given by inspiration of God. 56:26 Yeah, amen. 56:27 You know, what the other things too that connecting 56:29 with that is Revelation itself 56:31 talks about the testimony of Jesus. 56:33 You know, Revelation is a revealing 56:37 of what is to come to past by the words 56:39 and the testimony of Christ himself 56:41 given through the angel to John. 56:43 Amen. And if you look there 56:45 though our scripture, the testimony is referred to 56:47 as the prophetic books specifically, 56:51 the major prophets, the minor prophets 56:52 found in the can of scripture. 56:54 And so testimony is still speaking today 56:57 when we prophesize, when we give testimony. 57:00 Sometimes as we're talking about those things 57:02 within the context of prophecy, 57:04 we're saying just that the testimony is 57:06 God speaking through His prophets to others. 57:09 And so praise the Lord that we've that testimony 57:11 that is a light and the lamp to our feet 57:15 and to our path today. 57:16 Well, we pray that your experience here with us 57:19 in House Calls has been one of a good keen insight 57:24 and helpful in your direction, 57:25 in your desire to understand prophecy better. 57:27 May the Lord lead you. 57:29 May continue to encourage you to read the word 57:31 and to unite with Him 57:33 to understand things better in Jesus name. |
Revised 2014-12-17