Participants:
Series Code: HHJ
Program Code: HHJ000014S
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00:01 Music...
00:15 I am so very pleased 00:17 that the title or the theme 00:22 for our sitting for this particular Summit 00:27 is the Hour of His Judgment. 00:29 I rather suspect that that was a God-inspired idea 00:35 to use that as the scene... theme... 00:38 for certainly we are in the hour of His judgment 00:42 and those things that God's people do... 00:45 those things that God's people say... 00:47 those things that God's people involve themselves in 00:51 ought to be done with respect to the fact 00:55 that we are in the hour of His judgment. 00:58 The title of our discussion today is: 01:02 He Sits... then He Stands... 01:04 He Sits and He stands 01:06 and I want to ask you to turn with me to 01:09 the book of Daniel... 01:11 interestingly enough, Daniel chapter 12. 01:14 Going to read just the first three verses of Daniel 12 01:20 but they are somewhat lengthy 01:22 but I need to do that to set the stage... 01:25 to set the foundation for what we're going to talk about 01:29 for the next several minutes that are allotted to us. 01:32 I'm in Daniel chapter 12... 01:34 the Old Testament of your Bible 01:35 reading from the New King James Version... 01:38 Daniel 12 verses 1, 2 and 3. 01:44 Before we go to the Word of God, 01:48 would you join me as we speak to our Father 01:50 and ask His blessings upon our sitting together. 01:54 "Father God, we thank You for the privilege that is ours 01:59 to know You... to understand You... 02:02 to be loved by You... 02:04 and to dig into the depths of Your Word. 02:10 Would you please be our Teacher and Instructor this day... 02:13 teach us those things that You'll would have us to know 02:17 and then give us strength to do them, Father, 02:20 we know that we can do nothing without You 02:22 but it is also true 02:23 that we can do all things 02:25 through Your power and strength 02:28 including the understanding of Your Word. 02:31 Give us now Your Holy Spirit and be our Teacher, 02:34 we pray and thank You in Jesus' name, amen. " 02:38 Daniel chapter 12... 02:39 reading verses 1... 2 and 3, the Bible says, 02:43 "At that time Michael... " that is Jesus 02:47 "shall stand up, 02:49 the great prince who stands watch 02:53 over the sons of your people; 02:56 and there shall be a time of trouble, 02:58 such as never was since there was a nation, 03:03 even to that time. 03:05 And at that time your people shall be delivered, 03:09 everyone who is found written in the book. 03:13 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth 03:17 shall awake, 03:18 some to everlasting life... 03:20 some to shame and everlasting contempt... " 03:25 the Word of God tells me... and verse 3, 03:29 "Those who are wise 03:33 shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, 03:38 and those who turn many to righteousness 03:43 like the stars forever and ever. " 03:49 Ellen White in her discussion of this particular portion 03:57 of the Word of God 03:58 particularly verse 3 of these first three verses... 04:04 she... she... as she discusses this end-time prophecy, 04:09 she uses it to give us... that is... God's people... 04:13 assurance that the Lord in these last days 04:19 has a specific place and a specific work 04:24 for us to do in this judgment hour. 04:29 She writes in the book: Christ's Object Lessons 04:32 page 327... she says this, 04:37 "Not more surely is the place prepared for us 04:41 in the heavenly mansions 04:43 than is the special place designated on earth 04:48 where we are to work for God. " 04:51 You understand that. 04:53 There is a special place... a special task... 04:57 a special duty that we must perform for our Lord 05:01 in these last days... in this judgment hour 05:05 that must be done by God's people for the Lord 05:09 and if it were ever true 05:12 and, of course, this has always been true, 05:15 it is certainly true in these last days. 05:18 As we come down to the closing scenes of this earth's history, 05:22 we must understand 05:25 that there is something that each of us must be doing. 05:29 Christianity... as I said before and dare say again... 05:32 never has been... is not now... 05:35 nor will it ever be a spectator sport. 05:38 You cannot go through Christianity, 05:41 participate in Christianity, 05:43 prosecute your own personal Christianity... from the couch. 05:47 You must get off of the couch and into the game 05:50 working for the Lord. 05:52 His judgment... in these last scenes 05:56 of... of earth's history 06:00 is moving and going on now 06:03 in these hours before the return of the Lord 06:07 in power and great glory 06:10 but she adds this particular exhortation 06:13 to those of us who are laboring for the Lord. 06:17 Sometimes seemingly unrequited and unrewarded. 06:20 Ellen White says this, 06:22 "Every act of loyalty and faith will be crowned 06:28 with special tokens of God's favor and approbation. 06:33 So, when you step out to do the work of God, 06:37 God takes note of everything you do for His cause. 06:43 Nothing, as it were, falls to the ground. 06:46 The Lord is watching your actions... 06:48 the Lord is watching the things you do 06:51 and your actions on behalf of the cause of Christ, 06:55 will receive... she says, 06:58 "His approval and commendation. " 07:03 She continues, 07:05 "Every worker is given the promise of Psalm 126 verse 6. 07:10 "He that goeth forth and weepeth, 07:15 bearing precious seed, 07:18 shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, 07:22 bringing his sheaves with him. " 07:24 Now, that's the New King James. 07:26 I tend to like the simplicity and the gravitas 07:29 of the New Living Translation for this particular... 07:33 for this particular portion of Scripture. 07:36 It says... New Living Translation, 07:40 "They weep as they go to plant their seed, 07:45 but they sing as they return with the harvest. " 07:50 They weep as they go planting seed 07:52 but those tears become water 07:55 because they sing as they return with the harvest. 08:00 Ellen White continues, 08:02 "However short our service or humble our work, 08:08 if in simple faith we follow Christ, 08:12 we shall not be disappointed of the reward... " 08:16 I like that... 08:17 Ellen White says... it doesn't matter how long you work, 08:20 or in what capacity you work, 08:22 as long as you are faithful and dedicated to the work 08:27 that is appointed you, 08:29 God has a reward for you 08:32 and you're not going to be disappointed 08:35 when you get your reward. 08:36 You may think you've sacrificed a lot... 08:39 you may think you've worked very hard 08:41 or you may think nobody knows... 08:42 nobody hears... nobody understands... 08:45 nobody sees the work that you've done 08:47 but Ellen White assures us 08:49 that God sees... knows... cares... 08:53 and when He's passing out His reward... 08:55 when it's time for heaven, 08:57 you're not going to be disappointed 08:59 at the reward you will receive... 09:01 at the eternal life that you are granted 09:04 from the hand of Jesus Christ. 09:06 She continues... just a little bit more, 09:08 "Though this life may be hard... " 09:10 and I know there are many of us 09:12 who are going through very hard things 09:14 for the cause of Christ... 09:16 "though this life may be hard and self-denying, 09:21 in the sight of heaven, 09:23 it will be a success. " 09:26 No one may ever call you a success. 09:28 No one may ever pat you on the back and give you what I... 09:32 what I heard termed in Texas an "attaboy... " 09:35 nobody may ever say that, "Hey, you're doing really good" 09:38 but it doesn't matter 09:39 because heaven is marking your service... 09:42 heaven is marking your sacrifice 09:45 and one day, you will receive your just reward. 09:50 So, I continue, 09:52 "Though this life may be hard 09:54 and self-denying, 09:56 in the sight of heaven, it will be a success 10:00 and he will be ranked 10:02 as one of God's noble man. " 10:06 Now, she says, "He... " that's the tenor of the times... 10:08 I say, "He" and "She" 10:10 doesn't matter... men.. women... boy... girl... 10:13 Ellen White tells us in effect 10:16 that if you work for the Lord faithfully... 10:19 if you are at your point of duty and post of duty 10:23 in these last days, 10:24 even though you may not receive a gold watch 10:28 or commendation from anyone here on earth, 10:31 as far as heaven is concerned, 10:34 you are one of God's noble men noble woman... 10:39 for standing at our post of duty 10:41 and doing what God has called you 10:44 and asked you 10:45 and equipped you to do. 10:47 If you do it, you get the reward. 10:50 The importance of this cannot... Brothers and Sisters, 10:54 be overstated. 10:55 For those of us called to the front in these last days, 11:00 particularly those students of eschatology... 11:03 those who know what's coming 11:05 before this world comes to its end, 11:08 to those of us who are aware of the times in which we live, 11:12 to every worker for God, 11:15 this thought ought to be stimulus and encouragement. 11:22 The fact that your deeds... your efforts... your labors 11:26 in behalf of the kingdom of God, 11:29 are marked and written and recorded by God 11:34 and will receive their just reward when Christ comes again. 11:42 So, you may not get a lot of this world's goods... 11:45 you may not get a lot of this world accolades 11:48 but in heaven... and it's heaven that counts, 11:51 Your deeds... your sacrifices... are being weighed... 11:56 are being measured and will be rewarded... 12:01 let that encourage you... 12:02 let that motivate you to continue to work for the Lord. 12:06 Again, I go back to Ellen White. 12:08 In this life, our work for God often seems almost fruitless, 12:13 sometimes you don't see the... the reward of your labors, 12:18 you don't see the results of your labors. 12:19 "Sometimes, in this life, our work seems almost fruitless... " 12:24 Ellen White says, 12:25 "The Savior assures us that our work is noted in heaven 12:31 and that the recompense... the repayment... 12:35 cannot fail. " 12:37 So, Brothers and Sisters, 12:39 even though the day of reward be delayed, 12:44 be assured it is coming 12:47 and there's nothing that you've every done 12:49 for the cause of Christ... 12:51 no matter how small... 12:52 no matter how insignificant in the eyes of man, 12:56 God sees it... God notes it... God marks it... 13:00 God rewards it 13:02 and you will be aware of His reward on that great day. 13:06 You know, something as... as... as... as small as... 13:09 someone said to me... 13:11 this to me years ago, 13:12 they were talking about a person who had passed 13:15 and they were saying, "You know, she just... 13:19 she always had a smile for me 13:21 and when I came to church, I looked for that smile... 13:25 it always made my Sabbath day... 13:27 even when I had a hard week, 13:29 even when I had a tough time, 13:32 when I saw her... her face lighted up 13:34 and that made my heart lighted up. " 13:37 Do you think that God forgot about that smile? 13:40 Do you think that God was not aware of that smile 13:43 and how that smile from that particular Sister 13:46 brightened the life of someone else, no... 13:48 that smile was recorded in heaven 13:51 and that smile was marked in heaven 13:55 and that smile will be rewarded one day 13:58 with a reward that is guaranteed 14:01 and that will recompense her for all... 14:04 and you don't know and we don't know... 14:06 she might have smiled through hard times, 14:09 she might have smiled through tears 14:11 but she chose to smile 14:13 and pass that smile on to someone else, 14:15 their life was lighted... 14:17 their burden was made lighter 14:19 and I guarantee you, 14:20 God took note of that smile 14:22 and that smile will be rewarded. 14:25 Ellen white... in assuring the end-time generation, 14:30 assures us all 14:33 that our efforts to shine light in darkness are noted... 14:38 they are noted in heaven... 14:40 they're assisted by heaven 14:42 and we will receive a reward guaranteed from heaven. 14:46 In John chapter 5... 14:49 John chapter 5 verse 35... 14:51 John chapter 5 verse 35, 14:54 Christ describes John the Baptist 14:56 and he says there in the latter part of that verse, 15:00 He describes John the Baptist as a burning and shining light 15:05 light... or lamp rather 15:07 that Israel rejoiced in 15:09 but then Christ goes on to say... 15:11 to say that I have a greater witness for the works 15:17 that the Father has given me to do. 15:20 So, that's what Jesus anticipates 15:24 and expects from each of us. 15:28 He wants us to follow Him and to serve Him 15:33 in this judgment hour. 15:36 "They that be wise... " Daniel chapter 12 verse 3 says, 15:43 "will shine darker in this world... 15:46 they will shine brighter as this world gets darker. 15:52 They that be wise will shine for Him. " 15:56 Now, this is interesting because the Hebrew word for wise 16:00 is Sakal or Sakel... 16:02 it means: circumspect action, cautious, 16:09 well-considered actions that are similar to 16:16 even subservient to the times. 16:18 Those whose movements and motives 16:22 are governed by an acute awareness 16:25 of the lateness of the hour. 16:27 Now, what are we saying? It's a lot of words... 16:28 what are we saying? 16:30 Sakal or wisdom is: the actions... 16:36 the motives of individuals. 16:38 Everything that they do... everything that they say... 16:43 all of their actions, perhaps even what they think 16:50 is driven by... motivated by an awareness of the times 16:56 in which we live. 16:59 If we are wise, 17:01 our actions must be motivated by an understanding 17:07 that the hour is late, Brothers and Sisters, 17:11 Ladies and Gentlemen. 17:12 If you look at the confused state of the world 17:15 in which we live, 17:17 there are a lot of questions out there... very few answers. 17:21 A lot of idioms... isms... and ideologies 17:28 and very few answers. 17:30 Everybody's got an angle 17:32 but nobody... or very few people know the truth. 17:36 So, those that are wise understand 17:42 the confusion of the time 17:45 that the only answer is in Christ 17:48 and that the hour is late 17:51 but interestingly enough 17:53 the word Sakal also means: wise teachers or instructors. 18:00 It's time to be wise and to shine... 18:06 wise and shine 18:08 and teach others to do so 18:11 because they are aware as we must be aware 18:16 that the hour is late. 18:18 If there is one theme above another... 18:21 if there is one idea above another, 18:25 it is the idea, Ladies and Gentlemen, 18:28 that the hour is late in this earth's history. 18:33 Even the devil knows that he's got a short time. 18:37 So, then those of us who name the name of Jesus... 18:41 those of us who are called to serve Jesus 18:43 must be aware, Brothers and Sisters, 18:46 that the time is short. 18:48 Now, we've been saying that for years and years 18:51 and years and years... 18:52 I have a Ministry Magazine from, I think 40 years ago. 18:58 On the cover of that magazine 19:00 is a picture of a very old model car. 19:04 On that car is a rusted bumper sticker that says, 19:10 "Jesus is coming soon. " 19:12 Now, when I got that magazine, 19:15 that car was several years old. 19:17 It was one of the first automobiles ever made... 19:21 certainly pre-World War 2. 19:22 Now that we are several years beyond World War 2 19:26 and I've had that magazine for another 40 years, 19:31 it brings into bold relief the idea that we've been saying, 19:35 "Christ is coming soon... " for a long time. 19:39 We have believed Christ is coming soon 19:42 for a long time 19:44 but the truth is, 19:45 we are nearer our salvation than when we first believed. 19:52 We are closer to the coming of the Lord 19:55 than when we started this thing. 19:57 We've been waiting a long time 20:02 but there are those of us who are looking at this earth... 20:06 looking at what this earth is going through... 20:08 looking at how this earth is tearing itself apart 20:12 and how we as Christians are assisting... or... 20:14 or we as people are assisting in that... 20:17 that... that destruction... 20:19 we realize, looking at the prophetic calendar... 20:23 looking at the events 20:24 that it cannot be much longer. 20:27 So there is a sobering... an arresting thought 20:32 that comes to us every day of our lives 20:37 that regardless of how long it's been, 20:42 the truth is... it cannot be much longer. 20:47 Luke chapter 19 verse 44, 20:51 Luke 19:44. 20:54 Maybe I'll just take a moment and turn to that 20:56 in the New Testament. 20:58 We'll look at Matthew, Mark, Luke... 21:01 and we'll go to chapter 19 and verse 44... 21:08 pause... 21:14 43 and 44... 21:15 pause. 21:23 This is a prediction of Christ 21:25 dealing with the destruction of Jerusalem 21:30 and He says... 21:32 "and level you, and your children within you, 21:36 to the ground; 21:37 and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, 21:42 because you did not know the time of your visitation. " 21:46 Pause. 21:48 Now, this prophecy had its primary fulfillment 21:52 in the destruction by the Romans of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. 21:57 But I do believe there is a secondary application 22:02 or can be at least applied secondarily 22:05 to the days just prior to the coming of the Lord. 22:09 It says, "They shall not leave one stone upon another 22:13 because they did not understand the time of their visitation 22:20 and that's the key part of the text, 22:22 perhaps even more than the "one stone upon another" portion 22:26 the idea that they did not recognize 22:30 the time of their visitation. 22:34 The NIV version of the Bible says, 22:36 "They did not understand the time of God's coming to you. " 22:43 You see, the three angels' messages 22:46 from which our theme is drawn... 22:49 the hour of His judgment... 22:52 is one message in three segments. 22:55 It's predicated on the reality 22:59 that the hour of His judgment is here... 23:03 the hour of His judgment is now. 23:06 It doesn't really matter when Christ comes back 23:11 because when He comes, 23:13 if we are alive... we should be watching, waiting and working 23:17 but what is important is the understanding 23:22 that the hour of His judgment is now. 23:26 That judgment is going on in heaven 23:30 and the records of the saints of God 23:33 are being looked at right now 23:36 and we as God's people 23:39 have no time to lose, 23:42 I've said this before... I will say it again, 23:44 this COVID situation and all of these different pandemics 23:48 and things that have been coming on earth 23:51 are simply the "check engine light" 23:54 on the lives of the saints... 23:56 God is saying, "Check your life... 23:59 check your standing... " 24:00 the Bible says, "Let a man examine himself 24:04 and see if he be in the faith. " 24:06 Each of us... men... women... boys and girls 24:08 need to re-examine... 24:10 need to address and redress our lives every day 24:14 and look to see that we are doing the work of God... 24:18 that we are walking with God... 24:20 that we are about our Father's business 24:23 during this time when lives are being examined... 24:27 when judgment is going on... 24:28 when destinies are being arranged and re-arranged, 24:32 God's people need to get serious and very serious 24:36 about our eternal salvation. 24:39 So the message is borne by these three angels in a sense... 24:44 in a sense... is directed and carried to the world 24:50 by those who are wise... Daniel tells me. 24:55 Here we see another... in the constellation of links 25:00 between Daniel and the book of Revelation... 25:03 between Daniel 12 in particular 25:05 and Revelation chapter 14. 25:07 So, what do we understand by the term: wise? 25:12 For Daniel chapter 12 verse 3 tells me... 25:16 "those who are wise... 25:19 those who are wise will go about doing the work of the Lord. " 25:24 Well, Proverbs chapter 9 verse 10... you know it, 25:26 we all know it... 25:28 it's a text that we've repeated so many times 25:31 over so many years... 25:33 Proverbs chapter 9 verse 10 tells us 25:35 that the fear of the Lord 25:39 is the beginning of wisdom, 25:42 and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 25:46 I like that text, "The fear of the Lord 25:48 is the beginning of wisdom... " 25:50 in other words, 25:52 you cannot be wise in a Biblical sense... 25:54 you cannot be considered "wise" in a Biblical sense 25:58 if you do not have a love for God 26:04 and a knowledge of God... 26:06 doesn't matter what your intelligence is... 26:09 doesn't matter what your IQ is... 26:11 doesn't matter how much knowledge you have amassed 26:16 or gained... 26:17 you cannot be considered wise 26:20 if you don't love the Lord. 26:22 Of course the Bible says, 26:24 "The fool has said in his heart, 'there is no God. '" 26:26 So, the beginning of wisdom is loving the Lord... 26:29 and those who are wise... 26:31 here in Daniel chapter 12 verse 3 26:33 "who shine like the brightness of the firmament... 26:37 who turn many away from darkness 26:41 and turn many to righteousness are wise 26:45 because they love the Lord 26:47 and the message that they are carrying 26:50 in these last days 26:51 is a message of the soon coming 26:54 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 26:56 So, if you're going to be one of those wise ones, 26:59 you've got to spend your time sharing Jesus. 27:01 You've got to spend your time 27:03 lifting up the name of Jesus. 27:05 That's what makes you wise... 27:07 that's what makes you intelligent... 27:10 as the Bible says in Daniel 12:3, 27:13 "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness 27:18 of the firmament; 27:19 and those who turn many to righteousness. " 27:24 So, wisdom is turning the unrighteous 27:29 away from their unrighteousness 27:32 and turning them to righteousness 27:35 and so, in these last days... that's our job. 27:39 That's what this ministry seeks to do. 27:41 That's what this Summit is all about. 27:44 That's what the Adventist Church is all about. 27:46 That's what all of these ministries... 27:48 so many across the country and across the world... 27:52 that's our job in these last days. 27:56 Our job... our goal... 27:58 our mission... 28:00 our reason for being is to turn many to righteousness 28:07 that's what makes you wise. 28:10 The Bible says in the New Living Translation 28:13 and I like to repair to that every now and again 28:19 that loving the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. 28:25 Serving God... 28:27 the fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. 28:31 The International Standard Version I'm reading here 28:37 says, "The fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins. " 28:43 So, you cannot be wise 28:45 unless you're doing the work of the Lord... 28:48 you cannot be wise 28:50 unless you love the Lord 28:51 and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. 28:57 The fear of the Lord... 28:59 that term... where have we heard that before? 29:02 Where have we heard: the fear of the Lord? 29:05 Revelation chapter 14 verse 6, again, 29:09 the connection between Daniel and Revelation... 29:12 fear of the Lord... fear God and give glory to Him 29:15 for the hour of his judgment is come... 29:21 the hour of his judgment is come. 29:24 So, the light in the lamps 29:28 that is illuminating the lives of those who are wise... 29:33 who are doing the work of God... 29:36 the light of these wise ones will be the love of Christ... 29:43 the life of Christ 29:46 and the light of Christ. 29:50 That's what we are called to share in these last days. 29:55 You remember Paul said, 29:58 "I... I... I'm determined to know nothing of you except 30:01 Jesus Christ and Him crucified. " 30:05 Well, in these last days, that's our job... 30:08 not to concern ourselves with the political ramifications 30:13 of the world in which we find ourselves 30:16 and that can be absorbing and the... the... 30:20 Supreme Court and all these other things 30:23 that are absorbing so much of our time and energy... 30:26 our job is to know nothing except Jesus Christ 30:31 and Him crucified. 30:34 You know, we... we... we tend to focus a lot 30:38 on this time of trouble 30:40 that has never been since there was a nation 30:44 and perhaps rightly so 30:45 because the Bible mentions it here in Daniel chapter 12 30:49 and... and as we look at Matthew 24 and we see 30:52 wars and rumors of wars and other things happening, 30:56 It does... it occupies much of our thought 31:01 and much of our conversation. 31:03 Daniel chapter 12 verse 1 expresses that... 31:07 that sentiment... that statement 31:09 but it doesn't stop there because it goes on to say, 31:15 "At that time, God's people shall be delivered... " 31:20 and so, as important as it is to know and understand 31:25 that we are approaching before the end of all things 31:30 a time of trouble 31:32 that has never been since men and women walked this earth, 31:37 it is also crucially important to understand 31:42 that during this time, God will stand up 31:48 and God's people will be delivered. 31:52 See, that's a comforting thought, 31:56 that's the thought that ought to motivate 31:59 and encourage and keep us. 32:01 The fact that you won't be lost... 32:05 you won't be scattered... 32:06 you won't be destroyed, God is standing to deliver. 32:12 Satan is going to work powerfully... 32:17 the Bible predicts that... 32:19 the Bible, yeah, assures that. 32:21 Satan is going to work with all lying wonders. 32:27 Satan is going to move like never before 32:33 but Ladies and Gentlemen, 32:35 Brothers and Sisters, 32:37 so is God. 32:41 As powerful as Satan is, 32:44 God is more powerful. 32:47 As hard as Satan works, God will work harder. 32:53 Satan's lying wonders will be superseded 33:00 by God's loving miracles. 33:04 God's people shall be delivered... 33:09 the Word of God makes that promise. 33:14 The Word of God says, 33:16 "And at that time... " 33:18 I'm in the back-end of verse 1, 33:21 "At that time, your people... " Daniel is being told 33:27 "shall be delivered... " 33:30 and by extension, that promise is made for us today. 33:35 Everyone who is found written in the book... 33:40 "At that time, God's people will be delivered, 33:46 everyone who's name is found in the Book of Life. 33:51 You see, this... this standing from Daniel chapter 12 verse 1, 33:57 and I... I... I like this... 33:58 "At that time, Michael shall stand up... " 34:02 Michael, of course, is Christ... that Archangel... 34:04 the Commander General of all of the angels... 34:07 Michael who is Christ shall stand up. 34:10 Now, notice the sequence and the Bible pattern. 34:14 This is something I just... in just looking at the Bible, 34:18 sometimes, something just appears to you, 34:20 the... the light kind of shines on it 34:22 and you... you kind of see it for the first time 34:24 but the pattern that I saw... 34:26 the pattern that I see... 34:27 is the title for our message today. 34:31 "He Sits... Then He Stands... " 34:34 He sits... then He stands... 34:37 He always sits before He stands. 34:41 Christ always sits before He stands 34:45 and we'll come back to that 34:46 because it has a very specific and important meaning 34:50 for you and for me 34:51 and for God's people in these last days... 34:53 these days of His judgment. 34:55 You can discern the outline of this... 34:59 it's stated in Daniel chapter 12 verse 1, 35:02 "At that time, shall Michael... shall stand up... " 35:07 but you can see this outline very beautifully 35:11 in Daniel chapter 7, verses 1 through 14. 35:16 Now, time will not allow us to read Daniel 7... 35:20 all those 14 verses 35:22 but you can see in Daniel chapter 7... a judgment scene. 35:26 Pause... 35:29 It is note worthy that that judgment scene 35:33 ends with the establishment of an everlasting kingdom. 35:39 So, since at the end of that judgment scene, 35:43 an everlasting kingdom is established, 35:46 that is analogous to... 35:49 or represents that which happens 35:52 at the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 35:56 Once Christ puts an end to this world and to sin 35:59 and to all of the things that are going on here, 36:03 the new kingdom... the new heaven... 36:05 the new earth... the new Jerusalem... 36:08 once established, will last forever. 36:11 So, any judgment... follow me now... 36:14 any judgment that takes place prior to that 36:18 has to be the judgment scene that is going on now. 36:23 The next event that we are looking for 36:26 is the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 36:30 so, when that happens, 36:34 this new kingdom is established. 36:38 So, that means that the judgment scene 36:41 that we are looking at in Daniel 7 36:43 is the same judgment scene that we talked about 36:47 that is going on right now. 36:50 It is the hour of His judgment. 36:53 Then comes that new and everlasting kingdom. 36:59 It's granted. 37:00 Michael is going to stand to intervene 37:06 and protect His saints from Satan's final assault 37:11 just prior to the second coming 37:14 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 37:16 All right, let's walk our way through this, 37:20 the pattern that I detected in God's Word 37:25 is that He always sits before He stands. 37:30 He... Jesus... always sits before He stands 37:36 and the sitting must precede the standing. 37:42 One of the most... one of the places again 37:46 that this is most clearly seen 37:49 is Daniel chapter 7 37:50 and I wish we had time to read it 37:52 but it would take several sermons just to walk through 37:55 Daniel chapter 7. 37:56 The aggressor is Satan as always 38:02 but he uses human agencies in the 7th chapter of Daniel, 38:11 he employs a Little Horn Beast 38:13 identified in Daniel chapter 7 verse 8... 38:17 he has eyes like a man and speaks pompous words. 38:22 Now, the words are coming out of the mouths of this Little Horn 38:26 but make no mistake, 38:28 they are motivated by Satan. 38:31 The words are spoken against God 38:34 who... he... this Little Horn Power 38:38 persecutes the saints of God 38:41 so, we know we're talking about Satan... 38:44 he seeks to change times and laws... 7:25... 38:48 he is introduced early in Daniel 7 verses 8 through 10 38:54 and then he is re-examined a little bit closer 38:59 beginning at verse 20. 39:01 So, between these two... looks at the Little Horn... 39:06 this Little Horn antagonist... 39:08 there is a judgment scene. 39:10 This judgment scene begins in Daniel chapter 7 verse 9. 39:16 When you read Daniel chapter 7, it's kind of a... 39:20 almost like a peek-a-boo prophecy... 39:22 now you see it... now you don't... 39:24 now you see it, now you don't, 39:26 it goes... it disappears... it comes back... 39:29 first, we... we... we... we see a judgment scene 39:33 then it is followed by a look at the Little Horn Power 39:37 then, there is a re-examination of the judgment scene, 39:41 then, there is a verdict on the... the Little Horn Power, 39:45 so, it... it... it's like a basket-weaving that's done there 39:50 in Daniel chapter 7. 39:51 It's really quite... quite wonderful 39:53 and quite beautiful to understand and to study. 39:56 A... the principle players in this drama 40:00 are the Ancient of Days... 40:01 the Son of Man... 40:03 and the saints of God. 40:04 This judgment is heaven's response 40:08 to the Little Horn Aggressor 40:10 but it is also a determination of those who will be saved. 40:15 Verse 10 tells me that the Court was seated 40:21 and the books were opened. 40:25 These books... these books contain the records 40:29 that are used in the rendering of a verdict for God's people 40:35 and you've got to love the way Daniel chapter 7 40:39 sort of does this... I call... basket-weave narrative, 40:43 now you see it... now you don't... 40:45 visions of earthly kingdoms and the judgment 40:48 and vision of heavenly and eternal kingdoms. 40:51 They appear... disappear... re-appear... disappear... 40:55 and as... when they re-appear, 40:57 each time we get a little clearer vision 40:59 and a little closer look of what Daniel is trying to tell us 41:05 as motivated by the Spirit of the Lord. 41:08 So, the seating of the Court in Daniel begins... 41:14 Daniel 7:26 is not a new trial from Daniel 7:9... 41:20 it's the same trial but looked at... 41:24 viewed at from a little different position... 41:27 a little closer lens... 41:29 a little... it's put under a microscope, dare I say, 41:34 a little tighter. 41:35 It's the same as Daniel 7:9. 41:38 It's not a different judgment scene... 41:41 it's a look at the same judgment scene 41:44 but just a little closer look. 41:46 In Daniel chapter 7 verse 11, 41:48 it tells me that the Little Horn... 41:50 this loud-mouthed Little Horn that blasphemes against God 41:54 is condemned 41:56 and the saints of God... 41:57 and the saints of God are determined 42:02 in terms of who will be part of the eternal kingdom 42:07 so, it's all packaged there very neatly... 42:09 very nicely in the book of Daniel. 42:12 We see the condemnation of the Little Horn 42:15 but we also see the selection of those 42:18 who will be sealed for eternity. 42:22 We see this parallel again 42:26 in Matthew chapter 25 verse 31 and on. 42:29 So, this judgment as viewed in Daniel chapter 7 two times 42:35 from two different perspectives 42:38 is a comprehensive judgment scene. 42:41 The devil... his tricks... his lies... 42:45 the powers that he uses are being condemned... 42:49 at the same time, the saints of God are being judged 42:54 and are being selected for reward. 43:01 God... in Daniel chapter 7 43:05 is trying to tie up the loose ends of this cosmic controversy 43:12 and settling of scores 43:15 prior to the second coming of our Lord and Savior 43:20 but when all is said and done, 43:23 when He sits in judgment... 43:25 after He sits in judgment 43:28 as we see in Daniel chapter 7, 43:31 then He stands in a determined effort 43:36 to protect those whom the devil would like to destroy. 43:40 You see... the... the saints of God 43:43 are being sealed and are being saved 43:47 and being brought into closer relationship to Him 43:50 even as we speak 43:52 through this judgment process. 43:56 When Christ comes again, 43:59 those who will be saved... 44:02 that determination has already been made. 44:06 Revelation chapter 22 verse 12, 44:09 Christ says, "Behold I'm coming quickly 44:11 and my reward is with Me. " 44:14 So then, those who are going to get that reward 44:21 have been pre-determined before He comes. 44:26 So, now, the judgment has set... 44:30 Christ sits in judgment 44:32 and then He stands to protect those 44:35 who are worthy of salvation 44:38 and as a judgment is made... and I like this text, 44:43 Daniel 7:22... 44:44 you... you... you've got to love this 44:47 because the Bible says, 44:48 "Judgment is made in favor 44:53 of the saints of the Most High. " 44:56 Pause... 45:00 When Christ sits to judge, 45:02 He's not trying to keep anybody out of heaven, 45:09 He is trying 45:13 to get you into heaven. 45:15 The Bible says, "He's not willing 45:19 that any should perish. " 45:22 So, judgment is in your favor... 45:28 judgment is skewed positively for you. 45:37 Jesus wants to save you. 45:41 Jesus died to save you. 45:45 God commended His love towards us 45:50 in that while we were yet sinners, 45:55 Christ died for us. 45:58 So, He didn't wait for you to get good 46:01 to sacrifice His life. 46:03 He sacrificed His life when we were yet enemies 46:08 and the Bible says... that's proof that He loves you 46:14 because He didn't wait for you to get perfect. 46:16 He sacrificed His life in order to give you a chance 46:21 at perfection. 46:22 So, judgment is nothing to be afraid of... 46:25 judgment indeed is in our favor and for our favor 46:31 because Christ wants to save us. 46:36 So, at that time, the saints possess the kingdom 46:40 but the truth is, they must be kept 46:44 during this time of persecution... 46:48 they must be protected during this time 46:53 when Satan opens up his final assault on God's people 47:01 so, after Jesus sits to judge... He stands to protect. 47:10 Praise God that He is able to keep that which He says... 47:18 that which He selects for salvation. 47:23 Let me turn to one of the most reassuring passages 47:28 in all of Scripture 47:29 written by Paul to Timothy 47:32 it is part of his second letter to Timothy, 47:35 I'm in 2nd Timothy chapter 1 and verse 12, 47:39 2nd Timothy 1 verse 12, 47:44 pause... 47:46 I like this and it is a reassuring text 47:50 for all of those of us who love the Lord. 47:54 Paul says, "For this reason I suffer these things; 47:59 but I am not ashamed, 48:03 for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded 48:11 that He is able to keep 48:14 what I have committed to Him until that Day. " 48:21 I want to read it again 48:23 because it's just that powerful and just that important. 48:26 "For this reason I suffer these things... " 48:29 and you look at the life of Paul... 48:31 you know he suffered many things for the cause of Christ. 48:34 "But I'm not ashamed... " 48:36 I'm not ashamed of God... I'm not ashamed of my suffering, 48:39 I'm not ashamed of the life I have chosen... 48:41 I'm not ashamed of the sacrifices that I've made... 48:44 I'm not ashamed of anything that has to do 48:47 with this walk towards glory... why? 48:50 For I know whom I have believed... 48:53 I know Christ... I understand Christ... 48:56 I trust Christ... 48:57 and I pray and hope that each of you 49:00 can make that same statement. 49:01 "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded... 49:06 I'm convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt 49:09 that He is able to keep. " 49:11 That's that "Stand" function. 49:14 After He selects you for salvation... 49:17 after He has judged you worthy... 49:21 then he's got to keep you until He comes back to get you. 49:26 He sits... and then He stands 49:29 and so, He is able to keep you... 49:32 or to keep what I have committed to Him 49:37 until that day. 49:38 Well, what day is that? 49:40 That's the day when He comes to get you. 49:42 He selects you and then He keeps you 49:44 until He comes to get you. 49:46 Now, why would Paul... why could Paul 49:49 write such a strong affirmation to his young protégé Timothy? 49:55 The answer lies in the text itself. 49:58 The answer is that Jesus is able to keep... 50:04 He's able to keep you... to keep me 50:08 until He comes to take us home. 50:12 John chapter 10 verse 29 says that 50:16 nothing is able to... 50:18 depending on which translation you have, 50:20 some translations say, "Nothing is able to pluck you 50:24 out of His hand. " 50:25 Other translations say, 50:28 "Nothing is able to snatch you out of His hands. " 50:32 Some translations say... 50:34 nothing is able to rescue from His hands 50:39 but my Father is able to keep 50:42 and nothing... no one... no power in heaven or earth... 50:47 not even the devil himself 50:49 can take you out of Christ's hands 50:52 once you put your hand in Jesus, it stays there 50:57 until Jesus lets you go 50:59 and Jesus will not let you go 51:01 until He walks you through the gates and into the city. 51:06 The translation... "He Sits... then He stands. " 51:14 Let's return to Daniel chapter 12 51:20 because Christ is able to protect and defend 51:24 those that are His. 51:27 The text starts with: "At that time... " 51:31 that time when things look most black... 51:36 that time when things look most bleak... 51:40 that time when things look depressing and discouraging. 51:46 That time when things look forbidding 51:50 and foreboding. 51:51 That time when things look dark and distressing 51:57 and the world is plunged into a scene of calamity 52:02 that has never been... since there was a nation. 52:07 In the midst of all of that confusion, 52:11 all of that mayhem and destruction, 52:14 the Bible says, "Jesus is going to stand up. " 52:20 He's going to protect His people 52:24 and Daniel chapter 12 tells me 52:27 that God's people shall be delivered, amen and amen. 52:34 Everyone whose names were written in the Book... 52:41 those who have been determined to be worthy of eternal life 52:47 through acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 52:52 You see, it's a sacrifice of Christ that makes us worthy. 52:55 There's nothing innate in us... 52:57 there's nothing that you have... 52:58 that you are... nothing that you possess... 53:00 nothing that you do... 53:02 that will commend you to the Lord... 53:05 it is simply your faith in... your sacrifice to... 53:09 your love of Jesus 53:12 that makes you worthy of salvation. 53:15 It is the blood of Christ shed in your behalf 53:20 that gives you value 53:22 that indeed gives you worth 53:25 and if you've not heard it before, 53:28 I will say it again, 53:30 judgment is nothing to dread... nothing to be afraid of... 53:36 heaven's determination is that you get what you deserve. 53:43 You get what you have worked for. 53:46 If you love Jesus and serve Jesus, 53:50 then, the promises of Christ are yours. 53:55 Jesus says, "You stand for me in this dark world, 54:00 I will stand for you before my Father 54:05 which is in heaven. " 54:07 So, we return to these last several verses 54:13 that we began our message with 54:18 particularly Daniel chapter 12 and verse 3. 54:22 The Bible says, "Those who are wise 54:26 shall shine like the brightness of the firmament 54:32 and those who turn many to righteousness, 54:35 like the stars for ever and ever. " 54:40 Those who love the Lord... 54:43 those who accept the glory of the Lord... 54:48 who accept the goodness of the Lord... 54:52 who accept the grace of the Lord in these dark days 54:56 and who stand for the Lord. 54:59 The Bible says here... 55:02 you're going to shine like the stars of heaven. 55:06 What makes you shine? 55:08 The indwelling of the Spirit of God 55:12 and I've... I've read some Spirit of Prophecy quotes, 55:14 I don't have them in my mind right at this second 55:17 but you remember when Moses came down from the mountain, 55:22 when Moses came down after 40 days of communion with God, 55:26 the Children of Israel asked him to put a little hankie... 55:31 a little handkerchief over his face 55:32 because they could actually see the light of the Lord 55:36 shining from His countenance... 55:39 shining from his face and it scared them. 55:44 You remember in the Garden of Eden, 55:47 before sin, Adam and Eve were naked 55:49 but they did not know it 55:51 because there was this heavenly light 55:54 that enshrouded them and covered them 55:57 and, of course, once they sinned, 56:00 that light left. 56:01 Could it be... I conjecture this... 56:03 could it be that as we come down 56:06 to the closing scenes of this earth's history, 56:10 as men and women draw closer and closer to Jesus Christ, 56:15 as they more reflect the image of our Lord, 56:21 could it be that that same glow 56:26 will shine in the lives and in the faces 56:30 of God's people? 56:32 Not just figuratively but literally. 56:36 The Bible says, "Those who are wise... 56:40 those whose foundation is Jesus, 56:43 shall shine like the brightness of the firmament. " 56:48 Now, it is right to take that in a figurative sense. 56:54 Could it be that as we approach the minimum essentials 56:59 for righteousness... 57:01 as we surrender our lives to Christ... 57:04 and live closer and closer to Christ, 57:07 as this world gets darker and darker... 57:10 the light of Christ's life... 57:12 the light of Christ's righteousness 57:15 will shine in the lives of those who love the Lord... 57:21 who are doing the work of the Lord... 57:23 who surrender themselves to the Lord... 57:26 and who are awaiting the coming of the Lord. 57:30 Christ says, "Stand for me here, 57:35 I will stand for you there 57:38 and those who turn many to righteousness... 57:44 they will shine like the stars in the firmament 57:50 forever 57:52 and ever. " 57:54 That is my prayer... 57:56 I pray it is yours 57:58 as we walk through this hour of judgment 58:01 in Jesus' name, amen. |
Revised 2021-04-05