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Series Code: HHJ
Program Code: HHJ000022S
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00:15 The title of our study today
00:17 is living in the Day of Atonement. 00:21 But before we study this very important subject, 00:25 we want to ask the Lord to be with us. 00:27 So please bow your heads wherever you are, 00:30 and let's pray to the Lord. 00:32 Father in heaven, we come before You 00:35 with humility of heart, 00:37 knowing that our wisdom is so limited. 00:41 Your wisdom is infinite. 00:43 We know that we're living in the last days 00:45 of the history of this world. 00:47 The signs reveal it very clearly, 00:51 and You want to prepare a people 00:53 in this crisis to withstand the awesome events 00:57 that are still to transpire in this world. 01:00 We're going to need a preparation 01:02 that we now do not have. 01:04 I ask, Lord, that You will inspire us 01:07 to prepare for the events that will soon take place 01:10 and for the appearing of our Lord. 01:13 We thank You for the privilege of prayer 01:15 and for hearing our prayer, 01:17 for we ask it in the precious name of Jesus. 01:20 Amen. 01:22 I'm gonna begin by reading 01:26 Hebrews 8:1-5. 01:30 Here the Apostle Paul, 01:33 whom I believe to be the writer of the Book of Hebrews 01:37 is comparing the Old Testament sanctuary service and system 01:42 with the system and service that Christ instituted 01:46 when He came to this earth 01:48 and as He ministers in heaven. 01:50 This is how it reads. 01:52 "Now, this is the main point of the things we are saying: 01:56 We have such a High Priest 01:58 who is seated at the right hand of the throne 02:00 of the Majesty in the heavens, 02:02 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle 02:07 which the Lord erected, and not man. 02:10 For every high priest is appointed to offer 02:12 both gifts and sacrifices. 02:15 Therefore it is necessary that this one also have 02:19 something to offer. 02:21 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, 02:24 since there are priests 02:26 who offer the gifts according to the law, 02:29 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things 02:35 as Moses was divinely instructed 02:37 when he was about to make the tabernacle. 02:39 For he said, 02:41 'See that you make all things 02:44 according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.'" 02:49 So this passage clearly tells us 02:51 that there's a correspondence 02:53 between the earthly sanctuary and its services 02:56 and the heavenly sanctuary and its services. 03:01 You see, God gave a description of the sanctuary 03:04 so that His people could follow Him by faith 03:08 in His work in the sanctuary. 03:10 The people could see with their physical eyes 03:14 the work that was done by the priest in the camp 03:17 and in the court of the sanctuary. 03:20 But when it came to the work of the priest in the Holy 03:23 and Most Holy Places 03:25 that people could not see it with their physical eyes, 03:28 they had to follow the work of Jesus 03:32 on the basis of faith, 03:34 because they could not see with their physical eyes 03:37 what Jesus was doing in the Holy 03:40 and the Most Holy Place. 03:43 And so we are to enter the sanctuary, 03:47 the heavenly sanctuary by faith 03:49 to follow Jesus in His work there 03:51 in the Holy Place 03:53 which He ministered in till the year 1844, 03:57 and the Most Holy Place 03:58 where He continues the work of the Holy Place 04:00 and adds the judgment phase to His ministry 04:04 in the Most Holy Place. 04:06 Now we know that the high priest 04:09 in the Old Testament had bells in the bottom of his garment. 04:12 The purpose of the bells was so that the people could follow 04:16 the work of the high priest in the sanctuary 04:18 as they heard the sound of the bells. 04:21 And so you know, we need to follow Jesus 04:25 in the heavenly sanctuary in the same way. 04:28 Not because we can hear the bells, 04:30 but because we can read about the Old Testament 04:33 service of the sanctuary 04:35 and know what Jesus is doing today 04:38 in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary. 04:41 So today we are gonna talk about entering by faith 04:45 into the Most Holy Place to behold the work 04:49 that Jesus is doing there in the Most Holy Place. 04:53 Now, sometimes we focus so much 04:56 on what Jesus is doing in the heavenly sanctuary 05:00 that is cleansing the Most Holy Place 05:03 from the sins of His people, 05:05 that we forget that something needed to be done 05:09 by Israel outside the sanctuary 05:12 while the high priest was cleansing the sanctuary 05:15 on the Day of Atonement. 05:16 In other words, we focus so much on what Jesus is doing 05:19 in cleansing the heavenly temple 05:22 that we forget that we are supposed to be doing 05:24 a parallel work on earth. 05:27 So let's take a look at this more closely. 05:32 The Day of Atonement was announced 05:34 by the sound of trumpets. 05:36 It was an indication that the Day of Judgment 05:38 was soon to come. 05:40 In the same way, 05:42 the Millerite movement announced 05:44 leading up to 1844, 05:46 that the hour of God's judgment 05:48 was about to arrive. 05:50 And the loud cry at the very end of time 05:53 is going to announce 05:54 that the time for the judgment of the living has arrived 05:57 and people need to prepare 05:59 and get ready to meet their Lord. 06:03 So the feast of trumpets foreshadowed 06:07 the announcement of the Millerites 06:09 of the hour of God's judgment. 06:10 It also foreshadowed the final judgment of the living 06:14 announced by the loud cry 06:16 of Revelation 18:1-5. 06:20 Now on the Day of Atonement, 06:22 everyone in Israel was to assemble 06:25 around the sanctuary 06:27 to follow the work of the high priest 06:30 in the sanctuary. 06:31 I'm gonna give you just the reference 06:33 as Leviticus 23:21, 24, and 27 tells us 06:38 that all Israel was supposed to assemble 06:42 to follow the work of the high priest 06:44 in the Most Holy Place. 06:46 Likewise today, we must gather around the Most Holy Place 06:50 and behold the work 06:52 that Jesus is doing there by faith. 06:55 Another interesting characteristic 06:57 about the Day of Atonement is 06:59 that people were supposed to afflict their souls 07:03 as they gathered along the sanctuary, 07:05 examine their lives to see if there was any sin 07:08 that they were hanging on to that they had not confessed, 07:11 and they had not forsaken. 07:14 In other words, the people were afflicting their souls 07:17 and they were crying and sighing to God 07:20 for forgiveness. 07:22 You can find this in Leviticus 16: 29-30, 07:27 and also Leviticus 23:27. 07:31 Another thing that the congregation had to do 07:34 on the Day of Atonement was to fast. 07:37 We find this, for example, 07:39 in Isaiah 58 and in another passage 07:41 that we're gonna look at in a few moments, 07:43 Joel 2:11 and following. 07:47 What is true fasting? 07:49 How does that apply today? 07:51 Well, in Medical Ministry, page, 283, 07:55 Ellen White wrote the following words. 07:58 "The true fasting 08:00 which should be recommended to all 08:03 is abstinence from every stimulating kind of food, 08:09 and the proper use of wholesome simple food, 08:13 which God has provided in abundance." 08:16 Usually we think of fasting as not eating, 08:19 but Ellen White says that true fasting 08:22 is abstinence from every stimulating kind of food 08:26 and partaking the proper use of wholesome 08:29 simple food which God has provided. 08:32 But there's another definition of fasting 08:34 that we find in scripture, 08:36 Isaiah 58:6-7 speaks of practical godliness 08:41 in helping those who are in need. 08:43 This is what it says in Isaiah 58:6-7. 08:46 God is speaking, 08:48 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: 08:51 To loose the bonds of wickedness, 08:53 to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free 08:57 and that you break every yoke? 08:59 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, 09:03 and that you will bring to your house, 09:05 the poor who are cast out, 09:07 when you see the naked, that you cover him, 09:09 and not hide yourself from your own flesh?" 09:13 Practical godliness, sharing your food, 09:17 your clothing, and liberating those who are bound 09:21 by the bindings of sin. 09:24 Another thing that the people were supposed to do 09:26 on the Day of Atonement was to abstain from work. 09:30 We find that in Leviticus 16:29-30 and 23:28, 09:36 it was a day of solemn rest. 09:38 People were to rest just as they did 09:40 on the Holy Sabbath. 09:42 No work, does that mean that we don't work 09:44 from 1844 on? 09:46 Of course, it doesn't. 09:47 The purpose of saying to the people don't work 09:51 is that they should not be distracted 09:53 from the central idea of the Day of Atonement 09:57 focusing on the work that the high priest 09:59 was doing in the sanctuary. 10:01 Likewise, today we can't allow our jobs. 10:04 We can't allow our entertainment 10:06 or distractions 10:08 to keep us away from a central focus 10:11 on what Jesus Christ is doing in the heavenly sanctuary. 10:15 In the Day of Atonement, 10:17 as the high priest blotted out the sins of the people 10:21 from the sanctuary, 10:22 the people were to blot out sin from their souls 10:27 by the power of the Holy Spirit. 10:29 The message is that we today 10:32 must be cleansing our soul temple here 10:35 while Jesus is cleansing the heavenly temple up there, 10:40 because Jesus is not gonna cleanse from up there 10:43 anything that has not been cleansed here 10:47 through the power of the Holy Spirit. 10:49 Finally, when the Day of Atonement ended, 10:52 there were only two groups in Israel, 10:54 those who sighed and cried 10:57 and met all of the requirements of the Day of Atonement, 11:00 and those who did not. 11:02 Two groups. 11:03 If anyone violated any of these prescriptions 11:08 for the Day of Atonement, 11:10 we're told two things about them. 11:12 First, they were destroyed from among the people. 11:16 Leviticus 23:28-30, 11:19 and they would be cut off from the congregation. 11:23 You find that in those same verses and to be cut off 11:27 in the Old Testament means 11:29 to be severed from the people of God. 11:32 In other words, they would no longer 11:34 belong to God's people. 11:37 So this is a review 11:38 of what happened on the Day of Atonement 11:41 and what we should be doing 11:42 as Jesus is cleansing the heavenly sanctuary. 11:45 You see many times, as I mentioned before, 11:47 we focus on what Jesus is doing in the heavenly sanctuary. 11:50 Yeah. He's cleansing the sanctuary from sin. 11:54 But we forget everything that the people 11:57 that is us are supposed to be doing 12:00 on the Day of Atonement 12:01 as Christ is cleansing the heavenly sanctuary. 12:05 The sound of trumpets tells us 12:07 that the judgment of the living is soon to begin. 12:10 It tells us that we should assemble 12:12 around the heavenly sanctuary 12:13 follow Jesus in heaven by faith, 12:16 that we're supposed to be afflicting our souls, 12:18 searching for sin and overcoming sin in our lives 12:22 by beholding the righteousness of Christ. 12:24 We're supposed to be fasting. 12:26 In other words, partaking of wholesome food, 12:29 and also abstain from that which harms our health 12:33 and practicing practical godliness. 12:36 We are not to allow our work to get in the way of us 12:39 focusing on the work that Jesus is doing. 12:42 While He cleanses the heavenly temple, 12:44 we are supposed to be cleansing the temple of the soul. 12:47 And our decision will determine what side we're going to be on. 12:52 Whether we're going to be cut off 12:53 from the congregation, 12:55 taken out of the Book of Life, 12:56 no longer belong to God's chosen people, 12:59 or whether we will receive the seal of God 13:02 and belong to God's people throughout eternity. 13:07 Those who are alive when Jesus comes, 13:10 require a special preparation to stand before a holy God. 13:15 The soul temple must be totally cleansed from sin. 13:19 Those who live 13:21 during the period of the judgment of the living 13:23 will need an experience of total victory over sin, 13:28 like the disciples on the Day of Pentecost, 13:31 they will require special preparation 13:34 to receive an outpouring of the latter rain 13:37 in unlimited power. 13:40 The Bible tells us 13:41 that those are expecting Jesus to come 13:43 must overcome sin. 13:46 Hebrews 12:14-16 and verses 28 and 29 13:51 are very appropriate for this time. 13:54 It says there in Hebrews 12:14, 13:57 "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, 14:01 without which no one will see the Lord." 14:06 Verse 15, 14:07 "Looking carefully 14:09 lest anyone fall short of the grace of God, 14:12 lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, 14:16 and by this many become defiled, 14:19 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, 14:23 who for one morsel of food sold his birthright." 14:28 Like the wife of Lot, 14:30 you know, her heart was in Sodom. 14:32 She kept on looking back, everything I'm leaving behind. 14:36 This is what we are told concerning Esau. 14:39 He preferred to satisfy his immediate hunger 14:43 rather than receive the birthright. 14:46 And then we find in verses 28 and 29, 14:49 "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom 14:52 which cannot be shaken, 14:54 let us have grace 14:55 by which we may serve God acceptably 14:58 with reverence and godly fear. 15:01 For our God is a consuming fire." 15:04 So notice, in the light of the fact 15:07 that Jesus is coming soon, 15:09 we should pursue peace with all people, holiness, 15:13 without which we will not see the Lord. 15:16 We are not supposed to focus on the things of this life 15:20 on our immediate desires and needs. 15:22 We're to focus on the birthright, 15:24 that heavenly birthright. 15:26 And we must remember that God is a consuming fire, 15:29 and we should serve Him with reverence and godly fear. 15:33 1 John 3:1-3 also speaks about the need 15:36 to gain the victory over sin. 15:38 Here the beloved disciple wrote, 15:40 "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, 15:44 that we should be called the children of God! 15:47 Therefore, the world does not know us, 15:48 because it did not know Him." 15:50 And then he says in endearing terms. 15:54 "Beloved, now we are children of God, 15:58 and it has not yet been revealed 15:59 what we shall be," 16:01 that is when Jesus comes, 16:02 "but we know that when He is revealed," 16:04 that is when Jesus comes, 16:05 "we shall be like Him, 16:08 for we shall see Him as He is." 16:11 And what are we supposed to be doing 16:13 so that we will be like Him and see Him as He is? 16:16 Verse 3 says, 16:18 "And everyone 16:19 who has this hope in Him purifies himself, 16:23 just as He is pure." 16:25 Matthew 5:8 says, 16:28 "Blessed are the pure in heart, 16:31 for they shall see God." 16:33 Notice once again, purity of heart. 16:36 Purified himself as God is pure. 16:38 Serving God with reverence and godly fear. 16:41 No one will see the Lord 16:43 without holiness and peace with all people. 16:47 We also need to read 16:51 Titus 2:11-14. 16:53 The Apostle Paul also understood this. 16:55 "For the grace of God that brings salvation 16:58 has appeared to all men, teaching us 17:01 that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, 17:05 we should live soberly, righteously, 17:09 and godly in the present age." 17:12 Why? 17:13 Why should we deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, 17:16 live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age? 17:20 Notice verse 13, 17:22 "Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing 17:26 of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 17:30 who gave Himself for us, 17:32 that He might redeem us from every lawless deed," 17:35 and now listen to this, 17:37 "and purify for Himself His own special people, 17:43 zealous for good works." 17:45 So Jesus died that He might purify us and cleanse us. 17:51 Ellen White added in her writings 17:55 a description of those 17:57 who are waiting for the coming of the Lord. 18:00 Notice this statement 18:02 from the book Maranatha, page 249, 18:05 "From the Holy of Holies, 18:07 there goes on the grand work of instruction." 18:11 In other words, what is happening 18:12 in the heavenly sanctuary is an instruction to us. 18:15 What is it trying to instruct us? 18:17 She continues saying, 18:18 "The angels of God are communicating to men." 18:23 So notice, there's an instruction going on 18:25 by the angels in heaven. 18:27 They are communicating to us. 18:30 What are they communicating to us? 18:32 Notice the answer, 18:34 "Christ officiates in the sanctuary. 18:36 We do not follow Him 18:38 into the sanctuary as we should. 18:41 Christ and angels work in the hearts 18:44 of the children of men. 18:46 The church above united with the church below 18:49 is warring the good warfare upon the earth." 18:54 Now notice what she says. 18:55 "There must be a purifying 18:58 of the soul here upon the earth, 19:02 in harmony with Christ's cleansing 19:06 of the heavenly sanctuary." 19:08 So notice the parallel where just like Israel 19:10 on the Day of Atonement had a role to play, we do also. 19:14 There must be a purifying of the soul here upon the earth 19:18 in harmony with Christ cleansing 19:20 of the sanctuary in heaven. 19:23 In another statement 19:25 that we find in Manuscript, 15, 1886, 19:29 Ellen white wrote the following. 19:31 "Godliness, sobriety and consistency 19:35 will characterize the life and example 19:38 of every true Christian. 19:40 The work which Christ is doing in the sanctuary above 19:43 will engage the thoughts." 19:46 So what's going to engage our thoughts? 19:49 "The work which Christ is doing in the sanctuary above 19:52 will engage the thoughts 19:54 and be the burden of the conversation, 19:58 because by faith he," 20:01 now when she says he, 20:02 she's talking about us, once again, 20:05 "because by faith, 20:07 he has entered into the sanctuary." 20:08 In other words we have entered into the sanctuary. 20:12 "He is on earth," that is we are on earth, 20:14 "but his sympathies, our sympathies 20:17 are in harmony with the work that Christ is doing in heaven. 20:21 Christ is cleansing the heavenly sanctuary 20:23 from the sins of the people, 20:25 and it is the work of all 20:28 who are laborers together with God 20:31 to be cleansing the sanctuary of the soul 20:34 from everything that is offensive to Him." 20:37 And then she gives a list. 20:38 "Everything like evil surmising, 20:41 envy, jealousy, enmity and hatred, 20:44 will be put away, 20:45 for such things grieve the Holy Spirit of God 20:48 and put Christ to open shame. 20:50 Love of self will not exist, 20:52 nor will any engaged in this work be puffed up. 20:56 The example of Christ's life, 20:58 the consistency of His character 21:00 will make His influence far reaching. 21:03 He will be an epistle, a living epistle 21:05 known and read of all men." 21:09 So clearly as Christ is cleansing 21:13 the heavenly records of our sins in heaven, 21:15 we must be doing a parallel work 21:18 of cleansing sin from the human heart. 21:22 Now Revelation 6:14-17, 21:27 contain a description of the second coming of Christ. 21:30 Let's read verses 14 through 16, 21:33 and then we'll look at verse 17. 21:36 It says there, 21:38 "And the kings of the earth, 21:39 and the great men, the rich men, 21:41 the commanders, the mighty men, 21:44 every slave and every free man," 21:46 that is all of the inhabitants of the earth, basically, 21:50 except for the remnant, of course, 21:52 "hid themselves in the caves 21:55 and in the rocks of the mountains 21:57 and said to the mountains and rocks, 22:00 'Fall on us and hide us from the face 22:04 of Him who sits on the throne 22:06 and from the wrath of the Lamb." 22:08 You remember the verses that we read, 22:10 no one will see the Lord without holiness. 22:13 Whoever wants to be like Jesus 22:17 purifies himself just as He is pure 22:20 if we have the hope of seeing Him. 22:23 Blessed are pure in heart for they shall see God. 22:26 In other words, there's a special preparation 22:28 in order to see Jesus when He comes. 22:31 The wicked are gonna be hiding. 22:33 They're gonna cry to the rocks, fall on us. 22:35 They're gonna go into the caves. 22:37 They don't want to see the face that is One, 22:40 of the One who is sitting on the throne, 22:41 simply because their character is so different 22:45 than the character of the One who is sitting on the throne. 22:49 So we have a description of the second coming. 22:51 And then verse 17 ends the passage with a question. 22:55 "For the great day of His wrath has come 22:59 and who is able to stand?" 23:02 In other words, when Jesus comes, 23:03 who is not going to cry for the rocks to fall on them? 23:07 Who is not gonna hide in the caves of the earth? 23:10 Who is gonna to say, Lord this is my God. 23:12 I have waited for Him and He will save me. 23:15 Who's gonna do that? 23:17 Well, the question is asked, who is able to stand? 23:21 Let's ask, first of all, the question. 23:23 What does the word stand mean? 23:27 Well, the word stand is actually an antonym 23:30 of the word fall in the New Testament. 23:33 Let's notice several verses. We're not going to read them. 23:35 I'll give you the references and the content. 23:37 Mark 3:24-25 says, 23:40 "A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand." 23:44 That means that a kingdom divided against itself 23:47 is going to fall. 23:48 John 8:44 tells us that Satan at the beginning 23:53 did not stand in the truth. 23:55 In other words, he failed from the truth. 23:57 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, 24:00 "He that thinks that he stand, 24:03 let him take heed lest he fall." 24:05 So very clearly in that verse 24:07 stand is the opposite of falling. 24:10 Ephesians 6:11-13 uses the word stand 24:14 the same word of Revelation twice. 24:17 Let's read Ephesians 6:11-13, 24:21 "Put on the whole armor of God 24:23 that you may be able to stand," here's the first reference, 24:26 "may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." 24:29 In other words, not fall for them. 24:31 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood," 24:32 that is against human beings, 24:34 "but against principalities, against powers, 24:37 against the rulers of the darkness of this age, 24:39 against spiritual hosts of wickedness 24:41 in heavenly places. 24:43 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, 24:46 that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, 24:48 and having done all," 24:50 here it is again, "to stand." 24:52 In other words, not to fall. 24:54 2 Timothy 2:19 uses the same word. 24:57 "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands." 25:01 In other words, it can't be moved. 25:03 "Having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His 25:06 and let everyone who names the name of Christ 25:10 depart from iniquity." 25:12 There's one verse that deals specifically 25:14 with the second coming. 25:16 Luke 21:36 reads the follows. 25:19 Jesus is speaking, 25:20 "Watch therefore, and pray always 25:23 that you may be counted worthy 25:25 to escape all these things that will come to pass, 25:28 and to stand before the Son of Man. 25:34 So the second coming is described 25:36 and the passage ends with a question. 25:38 The great day of His wrath has come, 25:40 who's gonna be able to stand? 25:42 Who's not gonna fall? 25:43 Who's not gonna cry for the rocks to fall on them? 25:45 Who is not gonna hide in the caves 25:48 to not see the face of Jesus? 25:50 Why would we expect the answer to the question? 25:53 How about the very next chapter, Chapter 7. 25:57 In Chapter 7 of Revelation 1 through 4, 26:00 you have the sealing of 144,000. 26:03 That's the end time generation. 26:06 Those are, those will be alive when Jesus comes 26:09 that will go through the final time of trouble, 26:10 they will be sealed. 26:12 And when probation closes their case is decided, 26:15 they will survive the time of trouble 26:17 and be alive when Jesus comes. 26:20 Now, Revelation 7:1-4 26:22 describes the sealing of 144,000, 26:25 but does not describe their character. 26:28 Let's read Revelation 7:1-4, 26:31 "After these things, I saw four angels 26:33 standing at the four corners of the earth, 26:36 holding the four winds of the earth, 26:38 that the wind should not blow on the earth, 26:40 on the sea, or on any tree. 26:43 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, 26:45 having the seal of the living God. 26:47 And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels 26:50 to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea saying, 26:53 'Do not harm the earth, 26:54 the sea or the trees till we have sealed 26:58 the servants of our God on their foreheads. 27:01 And I heard the number of those who were sealed 27:03 144,000 of all the tribes 27:06 of the children of Israel were sealed." 27:09 Now we can't fully understand this passage 27:11 without going to the source. 27:13 The source of this passage is Ezekiel Chapter 9. 27:17 There in Ezekiel Chapter 9, 27:19 you'll find a picture of Jerusalem 27:21 in the days of the Prophet Ezekiel. 27:24 The people are practicing all kinds of abominations. 27:27 In Chapter 8, you can find a description 27:29 of some of these abominations. 27:31 The worst of all was that the people 27:33 were worshiping the sun. 27:34 As at the end of time, 27:36 people will be worshiping on the day of the sun, 27:38 but people were committing all kinds of abominations 27:41 in the city. 27:42 So God said, 27:43 "I'm gonna come and I'm going 27:45 to destroy the city. 27:46 And all of those who are practicing 27:47 these abominations." 27:49 But not everybody 27:51 was practicing the abominations. 27:53 There was a group that was sighing and crying 27:56 because of the abominations 27:57 that were being committed in the city. 27:59 By the way, those are the ones who were described here 28:01 in Chapter 7 of Revelation as the servants of our God 28:06 who are sealed on their foreheads. 28:08 They sighed and cried because of the abominations. 28:11 They did not participate in them. 28:13 So there's a work of separation 28:15 among God's people in Jerusalem 28:19 before the destruction comes. 28:21 So in the same way, 28:22 before the destruction comes upon the world 28:24 before the great tribulation such as never has been seen, 28:28 Jesus is gonna separate His servants, 28:30 those who sigh and cry because of the abominations. 28:33 They're not participating in them from all of those 28:36 who are participating in the abominations 28:39 that are taking place on the earth. 28:42 What kind of character will this end time group have? 28:47 Well, Revelation 7 doesn't tell us, 28:50 Revelation 7 simply tells us 28:52 that God is holding back the winds, the winds of strife. 28:55 When probation closes, 28:56 He's gonna totally release them. 28:58 Satan will have total control of the wicked 29:00 and the righteous will be in danger 29:02 of being annihilated, 29:03 although they will be protected from by God. 29:06 So basically, the focus of Chapter 7 29:10 is the sealing of the end time generation. 29:13 But Revelation 14:1-5 29:15 describes the same group and their character. 29:19 Let's read those verses, Revelation 14:1-5, 29:25 "Then I looked and behold a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, 29:29 and with Him 144,000, having His Father's name 29:34 written on their foreheads." 29:36 Some versions say in their foreheads. 29:39 "And I heard a voice from heaven, 29:41 like the voice of many waters 29:42 and like the voice of loud thunder. 29:45 And I heard the sound of harpists 29:46 playing their harps. 29:48 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, 29:50 before the four living creatures, and the elders, 29:53 and no one could learn that song except the 144,000 29:57 who were redeemed from the earth. 29:59 These ones were not defiled with women, 30:02 for they are virgins. 30:04 These ones follow the Lamb wherever He goes. 30:08 These were redeemed from among men, 30:10 being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 30:13 And in their mouth was found no deceit, 30:15 for they are without fault before the throne of God." 30:19 The sterling character of the end time generation 30:22 is described in these verses. 30:25 What are those characteristics? 30:26 Let's summarize them. 30:28 They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. 30:31 Ellen White states that during the time of trouble, 30:33 they will have their Gethsemane, 30:36 they will carry their cross, they will have their Calvary. 30:40 They will have their trial, just like Jesus had a trial. 30:43 In other words, they will follow Him 30:45 not only in the good times, they will follow Him 30:48 in the greatest trial the world has ever seen. 30:52 They have the Father's name on their foreheads. 30:55 Why their foreheads? 30:56 That's where the frontal lobe is. 30:58 That's where the character is formed. 30:59 In other words, they have the character 31:01 of God the Father. 31:03 They sing a new song, 31:04 which is identified in Chapter 15 31:06 as the song of Moses and the Lamb, 31:09 because the liberation of the end time generation 31:12 will be similar to the liberation 31:14 of the people of Israel there at the Red Sea. 31:18 Now, when it says that only the 144,000 can learn this song 31:22 in Chapter 15, 31:24 we need to understand that, 31:26 all of the redeemed will probably 31:27 be able to sing the song, 31:29 but they will not be able to sing the song 31:31 in the same way as the end time generation. 31:34 Let me ask you this. 31:36 Do you think that someone could put music 31:39 to the lyrics of Exodus Chapter 15, 31:42 which is the song of Moses that Israel sang 31:44 after God drowned all of Egyptians their enemies? 31:47 Could somebody set those words to music? 31:50 Of course, they could. 31:52 Now let me ask you this. 31:54 When we, if we have that song with lyrics, 31:58 would we be able to understand the words and seeing the words? 32:02 Of course, we could, 32:04 at least if they're written in English, 32:06 you know, and they could be translated into Spanish 32:08 and other languages as well. 32:10 We can understand what the word say, 32:12 and we can also sing them. 32:14 Let me ask you, can we sing them 32:15 with the same meaning 32:16 as those individuals who crossed the Red Sea 32:18 and sang the song on the other side of the Red Sea? 32:21 Absolutely not. 32:22 Because it's the song of the experience of Israel 32:27 that they are singing on the other side of the sea. 32:29 At the end time, all of the redeemed 32:31 will probably be able to sing this song, 32:33 but only the 144,000 will be able to sing this song 32:37 from the perspective of their own experience, 32:40 because they've gone through this experience. 32:43 Then we find that they were not defiled with women. 32:46 This is all a symbolic portrayal. 32:48 The women are the harlot and her daughters. 32:51 In other words, they have not assimilated the errors 32:54 of the Babylonian churches, the apostate churches 32:57 that teach contrary to God's Holy Word. 33:00 We're told that there is no deceit in their mouths, 33:03 which means that their heart is clean 33:04 because the Bible says 33:06 out of the abundance of the heart, 33:07 the mouth speaks. 33:09 And then we are told that they are without fault 33:12 before the throne of God. 33:14 Sterling character of the end time generation, 33:17 totally victorious over sin in thought, 33:22 in action, in feeling and emotion. 33:26 Sin no longer will strike a chord 33:30 with this end time generation. 33:33 Now it's interesting that this question in Revelation 6:17 33:37 is not the only place where that question is asked 33:40 and where the answer is given. 33:43 I want you to notice now Joel 2:11, 33:47 another place where this question is asked. 33:51 Now, if you read verses 1 through 10, 33:53 you'll find that it's a description 33:55 of the second coming of Jesus Christ. 33:57 We don't have time to go into all of the details, 33:59 but you read the first 10 verses of Chapter 2. 34:02 Clearly, it's describing the second coming of Christ. 34:05 And then in verse 11, 34:07 you find the climax to the second coming 34:09 and the question. 34:10 Notice, 34:12 "The Lord gives voice before His army, 34:15 for His camp is very great, 34:17 for strong as the One who executes His word." 34:22 So the Lord is giving voice before His army. 34:24 Who is the Lord? 34:26 The Lord is Jesus. Who is His army? 34:27 The angels. 34:29 Read Revelation Chapter 19, 34:30 Jesus is sitting on a white horse. 34:32 The armies of heaven are following Him 34:34 to come to the earth, 34:35 to rescue His people from certain death. 34:38 And so you'll notice here. 34:40 It says, 34:41 "The Lord gives voice before His army, 34:42 for His camp is very great, 34:44 for strong is the One who executes His word." 34:46 And now comes the question. 34:48 "For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible, 34:52 who can endure it?" 34:54 In other words, who can be able to stand? 34:56 Where would you expect the answer to the question? 34:59 How about in verse 12? 35:01 The very next verse. 35:02 You're gonna notice now that the next passage 35:05 starting with verse 12 describes the Day of Atonement. 35:09 In other words, only those who do 35:11 what verses 12 through 17 tell us 35:14 will be able to stand, 35:16 will be able to endure the coming of Jesus Christ. 35:21 "Now therefore says the Lord, 35:24 'Turn to Me with all your heart, 35:26 with fasting," 35:27 notice the connection with the Day of Atonement, 35:29 "with fasting, with weeping and with mourning." 35:33 Here's the affliction of soul of the Day of Atonement. 35:36 "So rend your heart, and not your garments, 35:39 return to the Lord your God, 35:42 for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, 35:44 and of great kindness, and He relents from doing harm. 35:48 Who knows if He will turn and relent 35:50 and leave a blessing behind Him, 35:52 a grain offering, and a drink offering 35:54 for the Lord your God? 35:56 Blow the trumpet in Zion, 35:57 "there you have the connection 35:58 with the Day of Atonement again, 36:00 "consecrate a fast, once again, call a sacred assembly." 36:05 Also the Day of Atonement terminology. 36:08 "Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, 36:11 assemble the elders, 36:13 gather the children and nursing babes. 36:16 Let the bride groom go out from his chamber 36:18 and the bride from her dressing room." 36:20 No time even for marriage according to this. 36:23 It's so urgent to prepare. 36:25 It continue saying, let the priests, 36:28 that's us preachers, us ministers. 36:30 "Let the priests who minister to the Lord, 36:33 weep between the porch and the altar. 36:37 Let them say, 36:38 'Spare your people, O Lord, 36:40 and do not give Your heritage to reproach, 36:43 that the nation should rule over them. 36:45 Why should they say among the peoples 36:47 where is their God?" 36:49 So you'll notice here all of the characteristics 36:52 of the Day of Atonement. 36:54 In other words, the preparation 36:56 to be able to stand in the day of the Lord 36:58 means to do on the Day of Atonement 37:01 what Israel did on the Day of Atonement. 37:05 Return to God with fasting, and weeping, and mourning, 37:10 rending the heart and not the garments. 37:13 Listening to the blowing of the trumpet 37:15 that the hour of God's judgment has come. 37:18 Calling an assembly, proclaiming a fast, 37:21 sanctifying the assembly, ministers weeping 37:26 before, between the porch and the altar 37:29 asking God to spare His people. 37:32 But Joel Chapter 2 and Revelation 6 37:35 are not the only places 37:36 where you have this type of question. 37:39 Let's notice Isaiah 33, 37:41 Isaiah 33:14. 37:45 Isaiah 33:14-16. 37:49 Let's read verse 14 first of all. 37:53 "The sinners in Zion are afraid, 37:56 fearfulness has seized the hypocrites." 38:00 Now, here comes the question. 38:01 "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?" 38:06 Remember Hebrews 12:28-29, 38:09 "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? 38:13 Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" 38:17 In other words who's gonna live in the midst 38:20 of a devouring fire 38:21 because God is a devouring fire. 38:24 You know, the interesting thing is, 38:27 most churches teach 38:29 that the wicked are gonna be in the fire forever, 38:33 but the wicked aren't gonna be in the fire forever. 38:35 The glory of God, 38:36 which is the fire destroys the wicked. 38:37 The fire still burns because it's the glory of God, 38:40 but the wicked are destroyed. 38:43 But who's gonna be able to live in the midst of the fire 38:46 and not be consumed? 38:47 Here's the answer. 38:48 Notice the lifestyle description that is given. 38:53 Verse 15 and 16, 38:56 "He who walks righteously 38:59 and speaks uprightly walks." 39:03 When the Bible uses walk figuratively, 39:06 it simply means behavior or conduct. 39:09 He who says that he is in Jesus ought to walk as Jesus walked. 39:13 It's not talking about physical walking. 39:15 It's talking about conduct or behavior. 39:18 So he who behaves righteously and speaks uprightly. 39:24 "He who despises the gain of oppressions, 39:27 who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, 39:32 who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, 39:35 and shuts his eyes from seeing evil. 39:39 He will dwell on high, 39:42 his place of defense will be the fortress of rocks, 39:46 bread will be given him, his water will be sure." 39:50 And this is referred to in Revelation Chapter 7, 39:53 "The great multitude will thirst no more 39:56 and they will hunger no more." 39:59 But Isaiah 33 is not the only other place 40:01 where this question is asked 40:03 with an answer that emphasizes the sterling character 40:08 that the end time generation will have. 40:10 Psalm 15 asks a very similar question. 40:15 In verse 1, we find the question. 40:18 Actually, there's two questions. 40:20 Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? 40:26 Second question, 40:27 who may dwell in Your holy hill? 40:30 What is God's holy hill? 40:33 God's holy hill is Zion. 40:35 Where are the 144,000 standing? 40:37 They're standing on Mount Zion, according to Revelation 14:1. 40:42 So this is clearly referring to Revelation 14:1. 40:47 These are connected verses. 40:50 So when the question is asked or the questions, 40:52 Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? 40:54 Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 40:58 You have immediately after this the answer. 41:00 And notice once again, the emphasis on the lifestyle 41:05 of those who will be able to stand on Mount Zion. 41:10 Verse 2 through verse 5, 41:12 "He who walks uprightly, 41:15 and works righteousness, 41:18 and speaks the truth in his heart, 41:21 he who does not backbite with his tongue, 41:24 nor does evil to his neighbor, 41:26 nor does he take up a reproach against his friend, 41:29 in whose eyes a vile person is despised, 41:33 but he honors those who fear the Lord, 41:36 he who swears to his own hurt and does not change." 41:39 In other words, doesn't break his promises. 41:41 "He who does not put out his money at usury," 41:44 that's exorbitant interest, 41:47 "nor does he take a bribe against the innocent." 41:50 Now notice this. 41:52 "He who does these things shall never be moved." 41:58 What is the question in Revelation 6? 42:00 Who shall be able to what? 42:02 To stand, here it speaks of those 42:04 who stand upon Mount Zion as not being moved. 42:10 But there's another place where this question is asked. 42:12 Psalm 24. 42:14 Psalm 24:3, we're only gonna notice verse 3 42:19 and then verses 4 through 6. 42:22 Verse 3 says, 42:24 "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?" 42:27 What is the hill of the Lord again? 42:29 It is Mount Zion where the 144,000, 42:32 the end time generation is standing. 42:35 "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? 42:38 Or who may stand in His holy place? 42:41 Notice the word stand, 42:42 who will stand in His holy place?" 42:45 Notice the answer in verses 4 through 6, 42:48 once again, the lifestyle of the person, 42:52 the character of the person, 42:53 their actions and their thoughts, 42:55 how they treat others. 42:57 It says in verse 4, 42:59 "He who has clean hands 43:03 and a pure heart, 43:05 he who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, 43:08 nor sworn deceitfully. 43:11 He shall receive blessing from the Lord 43:13 and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 43:16 This is Jacob, 43:17 the generation of those who seek Him, 43:20 who seek Your face." 43:22 Interesting that Jacob would be mentioned here 43:24 because the Bible tells us that those who will go 43:27 through the time of trouble 43:28 will go through the time of Jacob's trouble. 43:30 And they are the 144,000. 43:33 And here in verse 6, it says, this is Jacob. 43:37 The generation of those who seek Him, 43:39 who seek Your face. 43:42 Let's examine another two places 43:44 where this same question or a similar question is asked. 43:47 Nahum 1:6, 43:53 once again, a double question that basically, 43:57 both questions are synonymous. 43:59 "Who can stand before His indignation? 44:03 Who can endure the fierceness of His anger? 44:06 His fury is poured out like fire, 44:08 and the rocks are thrown down by Him." 44:12 So the question is, who is going to endure 44:14 the fierceness of God's wrath? 44:18 The answer is in the very next verse, verse 7, 44:22 the Lord is good, 44:24 a stronghold in the day of trouble. 44:28 Very interesting, a stronghold in the day of trouble. 44:32 And He knows those who trust in Him. 44:36 Just read Psalm 91. 44:38 And you're gonna find that's the tribulation Psalm 44:41 that describes God's people 44:43 that will go through the final tribulation, 44:46 very similar language, a stronghold in day of trouble. 44:50 And God knows those who trust in Him. 44:53 Let's notice one more biblical reference 44:56 where a similar question is asked. 44:59 Malachi 3:2. 45:05 And then we'll read verse 3, and we'll read verse 5. 45:09 Here's the question, 45:11 "But who can endure the day of His coming? 45:15 And who can stand when He appears?" 45:17 Notice the word stand again, 45:19 who is gonna be able to stand when Jesus appears? 45:23 Here's the answer. 45:24 The last part of verse 2 and verse 3 as also verse 5, 45:29 it says, 45:30 "At the end of verse 2, 45:32 "For He is like a refiner's fire 45:36 and like launderer's soap." 45:38 In other words, Jesus is not only gonna cleanse 45:40 the heavenly sanctuary, 45:42 He's going to cleanse the lives of His people 45:44 through the power of the Holy Spirit. 45:46 So it says, 45:47 "For He is like a refiner's fire 45:50 and like launderer's soap. 45:52 He will sit as a refiner," 45:54 notice the emphasis on refining and purifying. 45:57 "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. 46:01 He will purify the sons of Levi 46:04 and purge them as gold and silver 46:07 that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness." 46:12 And then verse 5 tells us about the group of people 46:16 that will be pronounced deficient in the judgment. 46:19 Notice what we find in verse 5, 46:22 "And I will come near you for judgment, 46:25 I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, 46:28 against adulterers, against perjurers, 46:31 against those who exploit wage earners 46:34 and widows and orphans, 46:35 and against those who turn away an alien, 46:38 because they do not fear Me,' says the Lord of hosts." 46:41 Notice what the lifestyle of those 46:43 who did not receive Christ is like. 46:46 Ellen White commented 46:48 on these verses in Malachi 3:2-3. 46:52 Let me read what she wrote immediately 46:54 after quoting Malachi 2... 46:57 Malachi 3:2-3. This is what she wrote. 47:01 "Those who are living upon the earth 47:04 when the intercession of Christ shall cease 47:07 in the sanctuary above 47:09 are to stand in the sight of a holy God 47:11 without a mediator." 47:15 You know, there are those in the Adventist Church 47:17 today that are saying, 47:18 I don't believe that we'll ever be, 47:20 have to live without a mediator, 47:22 but Ellen White is saying we're gonna have 47:23 to live without a mediator so does the Bible. 47:26 Jesus is gonna change His garments 47:28 from His priestly garments to His garments a king. 47:31 He's no longer gonna be the intercessor. 47:33 Now don't get me wrong. 47:34 Jesus is gonna be the great protector 47:36 of His people. 47:37 He's not gonna just bail out and leave us. 47:39 No, no, He's gonna be here to protect His people 47:42 who have been sealed, 47:43 but He's not going to intercede for sinners during this period. 47:46 He's not going to take sins 47:48 of even of His people into the sanctuary. 47:51 So once again, it says, 47:52 "Those who are living upon the earth 47:54 when the intercession of Christ 47:55 shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight 47:58 of a holy God without a mediator. 48:00 Their robes must be spotless, 48:03 their characters must be purified from sin 48:06 by the blood of sprinkling. 48:08 Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort 48:12 they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. 48:16 While the investigative judgment 48:18 is going forward in heaven, 48:21 while the sins of penitent believers 48:23 are being removed from the sanctuary, 48:25 there is to be a special work of purification, 48:29 of putting away of sin, among God's people upon earth. 48:33 This work is more clearly presented 48:35 in the messages of Revelation 14. 48:38 When this work shall have been accomplished, 48:41 the followers of Christ 48:43 will be ready for His appearing." 48:46 Wow. 48:48 In the devotional book To Be Like Jesus, page 259. 48:53 Ellen White wrote, 48:54 "Satan is constantly alluring 48:57 away from righteousness and thoroughness 49:00 in the essential work of preparedness 49:02 for the great event 49:04 that will try every person's soul. 49:06 The work in the heavenly sanctuary 49:09 is going forward. 49:11 Jesus is cleansing the sanctuary." 49:14 Now listen to this. 49:15 "The work on earth 49:17 corresponds with the work in heaven. 49:20 The heavenly angels are at work 49:22 constantly to draw human beings, 49:24 the living agents," 49:25 now notice the synonyms that Ellen White uses, 49:29 "the heavenly angels are at work 49:30 constantly to draw human beings, 49:32 the living agents, to look to Jesus, 49:36 to contemplate and meditate upon Jesus 49:41 that as they view the perfection of Christ, 49:45 they may be impressed with the imperfections 49:47 of their own characters. 49:49 This is the burden of the message for this time." 49:52 Ellen White writes. 49:54 Wow. 49:56 Let me read you another statement 49:57 from the Spirit of Prophecy. 49:59 Great Controversy, page 623, 50:02 "Now, while a great High Priest is making the atonement for us, 50:07 we should seek to become perfect in Christ. 50:10 Not even by a thought 50:13 could our Savior be brought to yield 50:15 to the power of temptation," 50:17 not even by a thought folks. 50:19 "Satan finds in human hearts 50:21 some point where he can gain a foothold. 50:24 Some sinful desire is cherished 50:28 by means of which his temptations assert their power. 50:33 But Christ declared of Himself: 50:35 'The prince of this world cometh, 50:36 and hath nothing in Me." 50:38 John 14:30. 50:40 "Satan could find nothing in the Son of God 50:43 that would enable him to gain the victory. 50:46 He had kept His Father's commandments, 50:48 and there was no sin in Him 50:51 that Satan could use to his advantage." 50:54 And now notice the incredible conclusion. 50:58 "This is the condition in which those must be found 51:02 who shall stand in the time of trouble." 51:07 Not even by a thought. 51:09 In the book Maranatha, page 240, Ellen White wrote, 51:13 "Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God 51:16 while our characters have one spot 51:19 or stain upon them. 51:21 It is left with us 51:23 to remedy that defects in our characters, 51:26 to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. 51:30 Then the latter rain will fall upon us 51:33 as the early rain fell upon the disciples." 51:38 There's a lot of discussion 51:39 in the Adventist Church these days 51:41 about whether it is possible to gain 51:44 absolute and complete victory over sin 51:47 before the second coming of Christ. 51:50 They say, "Well, that's legalism." 51:51 You know, people who say that they're pretty arrogant. 51:54 They think they're pretty good. 51:56 Well, that's where the problem is. 51:58 Many times those who speak about perfection, 52:00 they have lives 52:03 that are not in harmony with Christ. 52:05 And so people mock at them and they say, 52:07 oh, look who look, who's talking about perfection. 52:09 He just got angry just a few seconds ago. 52:13 So what is perfection? 52:15 Listen, folks, perfection is not looking at my life 52:18 and comparing it with the Ten Commandments saying, 52:20 "Well, how did I do today? 52:21 Hey, I didn't do too bad. 52:23 I sinned less today than I did yesterday." 52:25 No, the victory over sin is gained by beholding Christ. 52:30 It's not by looking at our lives. 52:32 It's by beholding Jesus, by beholding we are changed. 52:36 We contemplate the perfect holiness of His character. 52:39 As we look, as we spend that thoughtful hour 52:42 that Ellen White talked about, 52:43 especially the final scenes of the life of Christ, 52:46 and we're beholding the perfection of Christ. 52:49 And yet we behold Him, in Gethsemane crying out, 52:52 "Father, if this cup can pass from Me." 52:54 He's agonizing because He's bearing the sins 52:56 of the whole world. 52:59 And on the cross, He cries out, 53:00 "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' 53:03 And so, as we look at Jesus, we say, Jesus, 53:05 Your life was so perfect and so sinless 53:09 and yet look what happened to You. 53:11 Why did this happen to You? 53:12 And Jesus will say, because of your sins. 53:16 That's how terrible sin is. 53:18 If you wanna see how terrible sin is, 53:20 look at what it did to Jesus. 53:22 If you long for holiness, 53:24 keep your eyes on Jesus. 53:26 Don't keep your eyes on that Adventist person 53:28 that you think should be dressing differently, 53:30 or that should be eating differently, 53:33 or they should be going to different places 53:35 than you do. 53:36 Don't look at other people. 53:38 Listen, I have enough issues dealing with my own life 53:42 to be dealing with the lives of other people 53:44 and trying to find their mistakes 53:46 and correct their mistakes. 53:48 The Bible says that God will have 53:50 on victorious end time generation 53:53 that will totally overcome sin. 53:56 And they will not sin 53:57 during the time of trouble in action, 54:00 in thought or in feeling they will say like Job, 54:03 though He slay me yet will I trust in Him. 54:08 What is the secret of victory then? 54:10 How are we cleansed from sin? 54:13 I want to read three places in Scripture 54:18 that give us the clue. 54:20 Ephesians 5:25-27, 54:23 "Husbands, love your wives 54:26 just as Christ also loved the Church 54:28 and gave Himself for her, 54:30 that He might sanctify and cleanse her." 54:34 How does He sanctify and cleanse the church? 54:36 Notice, 54:37 "That He might sanctify and cleanse her 54:40 with the washing of water by the Word." 54:44 The water is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. 54:46 The word is a symbol of Scripture. 54:48 So as we behold Christ in Scripture, 54:52 the Holy Spirit directs our minds to Him. 54:55 And we are purified because it says the Church 54:59 is sanctified and cleansed 55:01 with the washing of water by the Word. 55:05 And what happens when we're washed by the water 55:07 through the Word? 55:09 Verse 27, 55:10 "That He might present her to Himself a glorious Church, 55:14 not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, 55:17 but that she should be holy and without blemish." 55:22 Psalm 119:9-11, very well-known verses. 55:26 "How can a young man cleanse his way?' 55:29 The word way means behavior, conduct. 55:31 "How can a young man cleanse his way? 55:34 By taking heed according to Your word. 55:37 With my whole heart I have sought you. 55:40 Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments 55:42 and then Your word, Your word, 55:46 I have hidden in my heart 55:48 that I might not sin against You." 55:52 And, of course, we know what the Apostle Paul wrote 55:55 in the Book of 2 Corinthians 3:18, 55:59 "But we all with unveiled face, 56:02 beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, 56:05 are being transformed 56:07 into the same image from glory to glory, 56:09 just as by the Spirit of the Lord." 56:11 You know, when I give talks to youths 56:13 the many will come and they'll say, Pastor Bohr, 56:16 what is the secret for overcoming sin in the life? 56:20 What is the secret for having a victory 56:22 in our Christian life? 56:24 And I say, this formula is very simple. 56:28 Keep out of your mind everything that defiles it, 56:32 music, television, movie, theater, whatever, 56:37 and then don't let anything 56:41 worldly come into your brain 56:43 and then fill your brain with Jesus Christ 56:48 by studying the Word, 56:50 by contemplating Jesus and the Word. 56:53 Spending that thoughtful hour 56:55 will come closer and closer to Jesus 56:57 and gain the victory over sin. 56:59 We're living in the last days. 57:00 And I pray that this will be our experience, 57:03 that we will cleanse the soul temple 57:05 so that we will be ready for the coming of the Lord. 57:29 Well, folks, this brings our Secrets Unsealed Summit 57:32 for 2020 to an end. 57:34 It's always sad to end the summit, 57:37 even if it is virtual. 57:39 I want to take this opportunity to thank each one of you 57:43 for tuning in to our Secrets Unsealed Summit this year. 57:47 We're sad that it had to be virtual, 57:50 but we trust that next year, 57:52 the last weekend in October, 57:54 we'll be able to have our summit once again in person 57:57 and enjoy the fellowship, the Bible study, 57:59 the good food, 58:01 praying together and exercising together. 58:04 It's gonna be a wonderful experience. 58:06 I want to remind you to please tell your friends 58:10 about the Secrets Unsealed Summit, 58:12 so that we have a full house next year. 58:14 Once again, I wanna thank all of you 58:16 for being with us. 58:18 Please keep us in your prayers and also remember 58:22 to support Secrets Unsealed in your donations. 58:24 The only way we can take present truth 58:26 to the church in the world. 58:28 God bless you all. |
Revised 2021-07-09