Participants: Pr. Louis Torres
Series Code: OTR
Program Code: OTR000729
|
01:01 Welcome Back to "Digging up the Future".
01:02 We're glad that you've joined us for this Bible prophecy seminar. 01:06 We really have an exciting topic this evening. 01:09 We're going to talk about when the devil takes a vacation. 01:13 Now I know that you're going to be interested in the subject. 01:17 First of all, you know some people wonder 01:19 whether or not there really is a devil. 01:20 We're going to be looking at that. 01:22 and then the fact that he takes a vacation. 01:26 I don't know, but I want to hear all about it this evening. 01:29 But before we do that, let's just ask 01:30 the Lord's presence with us. 01:32 Father in Heaven, we're thankful this evening 01:35 that You never slumber or sleep, 01:37 You're constantly watching over us. 01:41 As we ponder the subject this evening 01:44 we're thankful for that fact, we ask that You 01:46 not only watch over, but You enter 01:49 into this place right here, right now. 01:52 You enter into our hearts and into our homes, 01:55 and You help us understand Your word. 01:58 We thank you and we come in Christ's name. Amen. 02:03 Well, we have a special number, almost a study in contrast, 02:07 talking about the devil's vacation, but before that, 02:10 let's get a picture, a vision, of the Holy City 02:13 as Chris and Anthea play for us. 02:18 [Piano starts playing] 02:29 [Trumpet joins in] 07:34 Amen and Amen! 07:38 I love that piece, and in another presentation 07:42 we're going to speak about that beautiful city 07:46 that God is designing. 07:51 A pastor visited a lady who was sick in the hospital, 07:57 who was one of his parishioners. 08:01 As he neared the bed, she was of course, 08:04 lying down into the bed, 08:07 and the pastor asked a question: 08:11 "Sister, are you sinking?" 08:17 The lady opened her eyes, and raised her brow, 08:23 and the pastor again said: "Sister, are you sinking?" 08:29 Well, the lady sat up on her bed 08:34 and looked at the pastor and said: 08:37 "Pastor, have you heard of anyone sinking" 08:41 "who is standing on a rock?" 08:48 That great exercise of faith 08:51 demonstrated by that lady, 08:55 is the kind of faith that we all ought to have, 08:57 what do you say? 09:02 Shall we pray together as we open God's word. 09:04 Our Father, as we study Your holy word, 09:10 we recognize that it is only through Your Spirit 09:12 that we can have understanding and this subject today, 09:15 is a subject that has been studied and compared 09:19 and debated on by many. 09:23 We pray tonight that Your Spirit will make it clear to us, 09:27 in Jesus' name, Amen. 09:32 The greatest promise that Jesus made to his believers 09:36 was found in John 14:1-3. 09:44 Jesus said to his disciples [text on screen] 10:22 For all Christians throughout the centuries, 10:27 the greatest hope that has lit up their future, 10:32 was the hope that some day Jesus would return. 10:37 The promise had been made and many have longed 10:41 for that promise. Many today are anxious 10:47 and desiring that Christ would return. 10:50 However, we recognize that in as much as this is 10:55 the grandest hope of all Christians 10:58 it is the very subject that the enemy would seek to 11:03 change, or to deceive with something other 11:09 than what Christ has promised. 11:10 In fact, Jesus Himself said to us: "If they say unto you," 11:14 "Lo, He is here!" and "Lo, He is there!" do not go forth. " 11:19 "For as lightning shineth from the East even unto the West," 11:22 "so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. " 11:25 Jesus warned that there would be counterfeits. 11:29 There would be an attempt to counterfeit 11:32 the coming of Christ, and so, 11:34 I believe tonight that one of the first things we ought 11:37 to do is clear up 11:39 that particular issue about the coming of Christ. 11:42 First of all, 11:44 the disciples, whom Jesus had promised 11:47 He would come back, met with Christ 11:50 just prior to Jesus going to Heaven. 11:55 That is found recorded in the book of Acts 1:9-11. 12:02 If you have your Bibles, you could turn there. 12:05 Notice it says that as Jesus was speaking to them, 12:11 all at once he began to rise before their very eyes 12:16 and it says in the scriptures [text on screen]. 12:32 Notice then, that the scripture says 12:34 as they were talking with Him, all of a sudden 12:36 He begins to rise and He was taken up 12:39 in a cloud and receded out of their sight. 12:43 Then verse 10 tells us that [text on screen]. 12:50 In other words, have you ever had one of those balloons, 12:55 or your child has had one of those balloons that float, 12:59 and all of a sudden they let go of it, 13:01 and which was does the balloon go? 13:03 Well, it begins to go up. 13:05 And have you ever watched that balloon go up and up and up 13:08 until finally, it goes out of sight. 13:11 And so, that was what was taking place. 13:14 The disciples then were standing there gazing up into heaven, 13:18 and so it says [text on screen]. 13:27 Two angels, and what did they say to the disciples? 13:33 Just think of it. 13:35 They're spellbound, they had never seen 13:38 anything like that before. 13:41 I think friends, that if you were a disciples in that moment 13:47 that you would certainly be stunned 13:51 as for the first time in your life you would see somebody 13:56 defy gravity and ascend into heaven. 14:00 So Jesus rises, they're watching him go up, 14:04 the angels finally come and say: "Why are you standing," 14:07 "looking up into heaven?" 14:08 Notice, they continue to say: [text on screen] 14:17 Notice it doesn't say "a Jesus", it says "this same Jesus". 14:36 The question then, did they see Him go into heaven? 14:39 What's the answer? Yes, of course they saw Him. 14:42 The scripture says "This same Jesus, which was taken up" 14:47 "from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner" 14:52 "as ye have seen Him go into heaven. " So did they see Him? 14:59 The answer is yes, they saw Him go into heaven 15:01 and the angels are saying to them, 15:04 the same way He went will be the same way He'll come back. 15:07 He was seen going up, and He shall be seen returning. 15:13 That's interesting, because there are others 15:17 who are saying that when Jesus comes He'll be invisible. 15:20 But listen, the scripture "as He was seen," 15:25 "so He will be seen again when He returns the second time. " 15:29 In fact, there's another passage in scripture, 15:32 in the book of Revelation 1:7. 15:35 Notice it says [text on screen]. 15:39 Now remember, Acts 1 says: "He was taken up in the clouds" 15:45 and Revelation 1:7 He comes back with what? With clouds! 15:51 As He went, so He returns in the same manner. 15:55 And notice it says: "And a few eyes will see Him. " 15:58 Is that what it says? No, it says [text on screen]. 16:08 In other words, not only will 16:12 the righteous see Him, but also the wicked. 16:14 In fact, the next part of this text says: [text on screen] 16:28 So when He comes, the scripture says 16:30 that all the tribes will mourn. 16:32 It says that every eye will see Him. 16:34 Now here's a problem with that, I've heard people say 16:37 "How's it possible for every eye to see Jesus when He comes?" 16:42 Well, this is a possibility, let me share it with you. 16:51 The Earth is round, and you have 16:54 the North Pole and the South Pole. 16:57 I have been to Australia often, and in Australia you can see 17:02 what is called the "Southern Cross". 17:05 But people in the North Pole can not see the Southern Cross. 17:09 In America, for example, where you may live, 17:13 we can't see the Southern Cross, we see the North Star. 17:16 The Australians however, can't see the North Star, 17:20 or the Polar Star. 17:22 But, what's interesting is this, according to the scriptures, 17:25 Jesus comes from what direction? 17:28 From the east. 17:29 What constellation is out in the east? 17:32 Orion. The constellation of Orion is out in the east. 17:36 Now, what's interesting is this, every eye can see 17:40 from the North, and from the South. 17:43 In Australia, I can see Orion. 17:47 Up in Norway, I can see Orion. 17:51 Wherever I go, I can see Orion. 17:54 Now you may ask the question "How's it possible" 17:57 "to see a 6 foot man?" and I assume that Jesus is 6 feet. 18:01 I don't know how tall He was, 18:03 but let's assume He was 6 feet tall. 18:05 How is it possible for you to see a man up in the sky coming? 18:12 Well, let me explain it to you this way, 18:15 I thank the Russians for this because the Russians 18:19 put up in space something called a Sputnik. 18:24 How many of you have heard of the Sputnik? 18:28 The Sputnik was the first object that went up into space 18:35 and I remember as a young lad seeing 18:38 the Sputnik up in the sky. 18:41 Now we're talking about an object that's up in space, 18:47 several hundred miles up in space. 18:50 Now the question is this: 18:51 "How is it possible for a human being down here on Earth" 18:56 "to actually see Sputnik up there?" 18:58 Do you know how big Sputnik is? 19:02 You may be surprised to discover that the Sputnik 19:04 is no larger than a basketball. 19:09 No larger than what? Than a basketball. 19:13 Then how's it possible for me to see Sputnik up there in space? 19:19 Well, it is simple. 19:23 Because Sputnik was so bright 19:26 it was easily seen in space. 19:30 How many of you have seen what is called a shooting star? 19:33 Any of you have seen a shooting star? 19:35 Well if you've seen a shooting star, 19:37 do you know how big a shooting star is? 19:39 Most shooting stars are the size of a pea. 19:45 However, when it enters into our atmosphere what happens? 19:49 It light's up, and it light's up so bright that it looks 19:53 like a huge thing coming from space, 19:56 when in reality most objects 19:59 that come into our atmosphere 20:02 are small and because they light up so bright, 20:06 you can see them from distances. 20:09 So, if you can see Sputnik, 20:10 which is the size of a basketball, how difficult then 20:15 is it to see someone the size of a man? 20:19 And especially, since that man 20:24 is coming from heaven, 20:27 and He's coming with all the glory of His Father, 20:32 He is coming with the glory of the Angels, 20:36 and He is coming with His own - what? - with His own glory. 20:43 If it's easy to see Sputnik or just see a shooting star, 20:47 then how easy do you think it will be to see Jesus coming 20:50 in all His splendor and glory. What do you say? 20:53 Can you now understand how possible it is for every eye 20:57 to see Him. 20:58 But listen, if Jesus said it, we don't need Sputnik to prove it. 21:04 If the Lord said it, obviously He has a way to make sure 21:07 that everyone will see Him. 21:10 This is just an illustration to help you understand how 21:14 plausible is what the Lord said 21:17 concerning H is second coming. 21:22 When Jesus comes, He says that He brings His reward with Him. 21:26 Notice it says [text on screen]. 21:37 Notice it says he comes with the glory of his Father. 21:41 I wonder how bright that will be? 21:46 I'm sure that He will outshine 21:50 the sun 1,000 times. 21:56 When Jesus comes something wonderful will take place. 22:02 5 years ago, my mother passed away. 22:07 We were saddened to have to lay her to rest, 22:10 right down in Clermont, Florida. 22:15 But we have the promises of the Lord, 22:17 and one of the things that will happen 22:20 when the Master returns, is that the dead 22:23 in Christ will rise. 22:25 Notice the promise [text on screen]. 22:46 Did not the angel say "this same Jesus", 22:50 in other words, the one who you walked with, 22:54 the one who you talked with, the one who you slept by, 22:59 the one whom traveled with, the one who you ate with, 23:03 this same Jesus, and so it says [text on screen]. 23:29 Wonderful promise, what do you say? 23:31 That the Master will return, that the Lord will come back. 23:35 He will come back to gather those 23:38 that have been left resting here on planet Earth 23:41 and He will call them to awake out of their graves. 23:44 The wonderful thing is this, that according to this scripture 23:47 that we just read, our rendezvous with the Lord 23:50 is not on Earth, but it says we will meet Him where? 23:54 In the what? In the Air. 23:56 No wonder Jesus said "If they say "He is here" do not go," 24:01 "if it's in secret, do not believe it," 24:03 "if it's in the desert, do not go forth". 24:05 Why? Because I will not meet you on the Earth, 24:10 I'll meet you where? In the Air. 24:13 No human being, or the devil himself, 24:16 will be allowed to counterfeit what the Master said 24:19 will take place when He comes a second time. 24:22 That gives us assurance then, that anyone who claims to be 24:27 the Christ walking on the Earth, can't be the Christ 24:31 because Jesus says we will meet Him where? In the Air. 24:38 It's wonderful to know how certain His promises are 24:43 and how sure we can be that we will not be deceived 24:47 if we believe in His word. 24:52 According to Matthew 5:31,32 24:57 the Master tells us that when He comes 25:00 He will separate the sheep from the goats. 25:02 In other words, at His coming there will be a separation 25:05 that will take place between the righteous and the unrighteous, 25:09 the faithful and the faithless. 25:17 This is the time when those 25:20 who have loved the Master 25:23 will have the joy of going with Him 25:25 and those who have not believed, will not go with the Master. 25:31 But what will take place? What will happen? 25:34 What is it the scripture says 25:35 will take place at the coming of Christ? 25:37 Well we already know that when He comes, 25:40 the dead in Christ will rise. 25:44 But it also tells us that the wicked will see Him 25:47 and the Bible says, according to Revelation 6:15 [text on screen] 26:05 Now why does it says that they are hiding? 26:07 Notice the rest of the passage, it says [text on screen] 26:25 So let me ask you the question then, 26:27 do the wicked see the Master coming? What's the answer? 26:30 Absolutely so! And what is it that they do? 26:34 They go and pray to the rocks. My friends, they were used to 26:38 praying to the rocks before in the form of idols and statues 26:41 and now they're still praying to the rocks, but unfortunately 26:45 the rocks and statues can't answer. 26:49 My friends, we ought to learn now to pray and talk 26:53 to the Lord Jesus Christ, what do you say? 26:55 Now is the time for you and I to get acquainted with Him. 26:59 Well, let's continue then. It says [text on screen]. 27:10 We can see then that when Christ returns, 27:13 several things will take place. 27:15 In the book of Jeremiah 25:33 27:18 it also speak about that time, 27:20 and it says [text on screen]. 27:30 When the Master comes, there'll only two groups on planet earth: 27:34 those who are faithful and those who are unfaithful. 27:37 And according to the scriptures the dead rise up 27:40 and the living rise up, but the wicked, 27:43 according to this, are destroyed. 27:45 [text on screen] 27:53 You may ask the question "why is it that it says" 27:58 "that they will not be buried and they will not be lamented?" 28:03 Well, you'll understand in just a few moments, 28:07 but let's notice here what the scripture says 28:11 concerning the coming of Christ and what will happen. 28:14 In this it says [text on screen]. 28:30 In other words, according to the scriptures 28:35 when people are resurrected at the coming of Christ, 28:37 that is called the first resurrection. 28:40 It says that those who have taken part 28:43 in the first resurrection will not experience something, 28:46 that now is introduced the book of Revelation, 28:49 and that is the second death. Alright? 28:54 Most of us have thought that there is only one death, 28:57 but according to the scriptures there's the first 28:59 and there's the second death. 29:03 If you then, are not part of the group that rises 29:07 when Christ comes, then you will experience the second death. 29:13 But if you rise with Christ, will you experience that? 29:16 The scripture says what? No! 29:18 It says "but they shall reign with" 29:24 "Christ for 1000 years. " 29:29 That's Revelation 20:6. 29:31 You see, this may be new to you, but according to the scriptures 29:36 there are 2 resurrection and 2 deaths. 29:39 You may not have understood that before, 29:42 but I want you to notice what Jesus said when He was 29:44 speaking in His day, He said [text on screen] 30:02 Notice what it says as we continues with the verse 30:06 [text on screen] 30:23 So how many resurrections are there? 2! 30:25 There's the resurrection of life 30:28 and the resurrection of damnation. 30:30 How many deaths are there? 2! 30:32 There's the first death and there's the second death. 30:36 It is the second death that we want to avoid. 30:39 The first death happens to that good and the bad, is that true? 30:44 Yes or No? 30:45 The first death, all of us, unless the Lord returns, 30:48 will have to die. Correct? 30:51 But if we have faith in Christ we will rise again. 30:56 And if we rise with Christ the second death 30:59 will not have an effect on us. But if we do not believe, 31:04 then when that moment comes we will not rise 31:06 and if we do not rise then we will suffer 31:09 what is called the second death. But you may say: "How is that?" 31:12 Let's continues to study and you'll see 31:15 what the scripture says about this. 31:17 According to the scripture there's the first resurrection. 31:23 And there's the second resurrection. 31:27 So there's a first and there's a second, but notice then 31:30 that there's a space in between the first and the second, 31:34 just like there's a space in between the first death 31:37 and the second death. In other words, you and I may die, 31:42 my mother passed away, my little sister passed away 31:46 when I was a little boy. And I'm hoping by God's grace 31:49 that both will come to life when the Master comes. 31:54 But, according to the scriptures there will be people who 31:56 will not come to life when the Master comes. 31:59 Those people then will come to life after 32:02 this thing called the millennium. 32:03 Now you say: "where do we find that?" 32:05 Let's continue to study the scriptures and you'll see. 32:08 According to the Bible when Jesus comes 32:11 those things have happened, Satan himself will be stopped. 32:16 What will happen? Satan himself will be stopped. 32:19 According to Revelation 20, and if you have your Bibles 32:22 we can read it very quickly here, Revelation 20 32:26 notice what it says: "I saw an angel come down" 32:29 "from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit" 32:32 "and a great chain in his hand." 32:33 "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent," 32:37 "which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him for 1000 years. " 32:41 So what happens? The Lord comes and an angel grabs the angel 32:46 and binds him for how long? For 1000 years. 32:49 Then it says: "And cast him into the bottomless pit," 32:52 "and shut him up, and set a seal upon him," 32:54 "that he should deceive the nations no more," 32:57 - now listen to the next words - 32:58 "till the thousand years should be fulfilled. " 33:03 So obviously, according to the scriptures, 33:06 the devil will be stopped 33:10 when Christ comes back, 33:12 and he will not be able to deceive anyone until when? 33:16 Until 1000 years should be fulfilled. 33:17 Then it says after that, after what? After 1000 years, 33:23 he must be loosed a little season. 33:25 Isn't that interesting? 33:27 So after 1000 years he'll be lose how long? A little season. 33:34 That's what it says about the devil. 33:36 Let's then consider what's happening. 33:39 According to the scriptures, the Bible says that Christ returns 33:43 with all his angels, He gathers his righteous, 33:45 and the dead in Christ rise, 33:47 the righteous living rise, 33:50 the wicked are destroyed, and the other wicked are not raised. 33:55 But also it says that the devil is taken 33:57 and cast into a bottomless pit. 33:59 What is the word "bottomless pit"? What does that mean? 34:03 The word bottomless pit is the word [text on screen]. 34:07 And this is the same word that you find in Genesis. 34:11 In the book of Genesis it says that 34:14 "the earth was without form and void". 34:16 In other words, darkness was upon the face of the deep. 34:20 What happens to this Earth when Christ returns? 34:23 It's that it will be enveloped in darkness. 34:27 And that's why it says "into the bottomless pit". 34:30 So, that then begins what we call the millennium. 34:34 By the way, the word "millennium" 34:35 is not from the scriptures, it is a Latin word. 34:39 "Mille" means thousand "Annum" means years. 34:45 What you find in the scriptures is the words "1000 years", 34:48 you don't find the word "millennium". 34:51 But the millennium is a concept that most people understand 34:54 as 1000 years. 34:55 We now see then what transpires before the millennium 35:00 Let's review that very quickly and see what happens. 35:04 There are several events that take place 35:06 at the coming of Christ [text on screen]. 35:31 That's the beginning of the millennium. 35:35 Now the question is this then: 35:37 What happens during the millennium? What takes place? 35:41 Let's see what the scripture says. 35:43 According to the scriptures, what happens 35:45 during the millennium is very articulated here in the Bible. 35:49 In the book of Jeremiah 4:23. 35:53 I want you to notice the wording here, 35:56 notice what it says [text on screen]. 36:08 In other words, the sky will have no light. 36:11 As I mentioned before, there will be darkness on planet Earth 36:15 [text on screen] 36:53 So when does all this taken place? 36:55 At the presence of the Lord, with His fierce anger. 37:00 According to the scriptures then, when Christ comes back 37:03 He devastates the planet, and the planet is left in chaos, 37:08 in darkness, and that's where the devil is placed. 37:15 [text on screen] 37:23 Why does the prophet write this? Because according to what we 37:27 understand so far, when Christ comes back everything 37:31 is not finished because there is 1000 years that takes place, 37:35 and during this 1000 years several things happen; 37:37 the devil is bound to Earth, the Earth was left in a 37:40 devastated condition, chaotic condition, 37:43 but what about the devil? 37:47 According to the Bible this is where he takes his vacation. 37:53 It is a forced vacation. 37:56 One that he would not chose to take. 38:00 According to the scriptures, during this time it says: 38:03 "He shall deceive the nations no more," 38:06 "until 1000 years are finished". 38:09 What is it that the devil loves to do the most? 38:13 He loves to deceive, 38:15 he loves to entrap, 38:18 he loves to enslave, 38:20 he loves to harass, to taunt, to bring pain and suffering, 38:27 and what he loves the most he will not be able to do 38:31 for how long? 1000 years. 38:38 Think of it friends. Think of that enemy 38:44 surrounded by all the dead, 38:46 the darkness and the chaos. 38:49 Everything that he worked to build 38:52 to his own glory, is all in ashes and rubble. 38:58 No longer able to tempt and harass, 39:02 has no access any longer to heaven, 39:07 as he did before. 39:09 And he is tied down here by chains of circumstances that God 39:14 has provided so that he can't do anything for 1000 years. 39:19 My friends, I can't think of any more great a punishment 39:24 then for that being to have to look at all that he has done 39:28 for 1000 years. Look at all the chaos, look at all that has 39:32 transpired, the ruin that he had brought to this earth. 39:36 God had created a gorgeous world, had He not? 39:40 And what has the devil done, he's brought it to ruin. 39:46 Now he can stay on this earth in that chaotic state, but listen, 39:54 Satan is chained according to the scriptures, 39:56 and is chained to this earth so he can no longer tempt. 40:00 But what about the righteous, what are they doing 40:02 during this time in heaven? [text on screen] 40:30 So you can see then that according to the scriptures, 40:35 God's people will reign with Christ for 1000 years in heaven. 40:39 Look, this is in perfect harmony with what He said: 40:42 "I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go to prepare" 40:45 "a place for you, I will come again, and receive thee" 40:48 "unto myself, so that where I am, you may be also. " 40:51 Here's the question, where is Jesus now? 40:55 He is in heaven. 40:57 He says: "Where I am, there ye may be also. " 41:01 So when Christ comes, He comes to take his children 41:03 to that place that He's preparing. 41:05 But I want you to notice something also, it says 41:07 that we will also be judging. 1 Corinthians 6 [text on screen] 41:32 Which angels do you think will be judged? 41:35 Not the good angels, but it would be the fallen angels. 41:39 The tables will be turned at last, what do you say? 41:43 Now we're victims of the enemy, but the time will come 41:46 when that will turn around, and we will the ones 41:50 to bring judgment upon the devil and his angels. 41:54 Notice that it says 41:56 "How much more, things have pertain to this life?" 41:59 In other words, it's saying that if you're going to be judging 42:02 angels, can't you take care of matters down here on earth? 42:05 And of course, the answer should be "Yes". 42:08 During this time then, there'll be a terrible time of searching. 42:16 This will be a time when the saints will be wondering why 42:19 this person, or that person did not make it, 42:23 or why a person did make it. 42:26 You know, some of us will be surprised to be there, 42:29 and some of us will be surprised to discover that the ones 42:32 we thought should be there, will not be there as well. 42:35 You may say: "Well, what about that preacher?" 42:37 "I thought he was a good man. " 42:39 Well, you may discover on the books it is written 42:41 all the things that he secretly was doing. 42:44 It's just like you understand there was a certain man 42:47 right here in Wichita, who all the time was attending a certain 42:50 church and while he was attending this certain church 42:54 he was the murderer who titled himself the "BTK". 43:01 All the time, going to church, he seemed to be a model citizen, 43:06 only to discover that he was the one taking poor innocent women 43:10 and murdering them. So, you may not understand 43:14 what's hidden behind, and you may wonder. 43:18 There in the kingdom you may ask the question: "Lord why?" 43:22 "Why didn't he make it? Why didn't she make it?" 43:25 I believe friends and husbands will be asking the question, 43:28 I believe wives will be asking the question, fathers, mothers, 43:31 children, will be saying: "Why? Why isn't he here?" 43:34 And God will have to reveal all, so that you will understand 43:38 that God was just. 43:39 Every person who could be saved, will be saved! 43:42 What do you say? There will not be one person 43:45 that could be saved that will not be saved. 43:48 But then there are people who, 43:49 for some reason, were not chosen, 43:51 and God will reveal what takes place. 43:54 During the millennium then, we find that: [text on screen] 44:04 What happens after the millennium? You remember 44:06 it says that "he shall be loosed a little season. " 44:09 The devil shall be loose how long? A little season. 44:12 So the millennium must come to an end, 44:15 what happens after the millennium? 44:18 And you remember it says that the dead 44:20 rise not again till after the millennium. 44:23 In other words, there's a group that does not rise again 44:26 until after the millennium and also, that the devil 44:28 is not loosed until after the millennium. 44:30 So apparently, from the scripture we find 44:33 that all who have died will all of a sudden be raised to life 44:39 after the millennium. That's why it says that the devil 44:42 can't deceive the nations until the 1000 years are completed. 44:46 In other words, at the end of 1000 years, the devil is loosed 44:50 all who have ever lived who are not saved will be raised to life 44:53 and that's why it says "blessed and holy is he" 44:56 "that takes part in the first resurrection," 44:58 "on such, a second death has no part. " Now notice that 45:02 [text on screen]. 45:20 My friends, all who ever lived, all the great generals of war, 45:25 all the warriors, all the wicked, all the evil, 45:29 all the proud, all the murderers will be raised 45:32 together after the millennium. 45:36 As I had mentioned in another presentation, 45:39 that the first death is not a punishment 45:42 because it happens to the good and the bad. 45:45 So where is the punishment? The punishment comes 45:48 after the millennium to all who have ever lived, 45:51 who have no accepted the love of Christ. 45:54 According to the scripture, it says the devil 45:57 is set loose, all the people resurrected 45:59 are gathered together by the devil to make the last attempt 46:04 to conquer God by force when he could not do it by deception. 46:08 Notice verse 5 of the same chapter, 46:10 it says [text on screen] 46:17 If they lived not again until the 1000 years were finished, 46:21 it means that they will live again after the 1000 years. 46:25 Can you see that? Yes or No? 46:28 So it says: "They don't live again" 46:31 "until the 1000 years are finished". 46:34 This is the first resurrection. In other words, referring to 46:36 those who were resurrected in Christ's name. 46:39 So we find the masses of wicked, people raised, the devil then 46:44 ushers them together to fight against God 46:47 and to finally conquer that city. 46:50 According to the scriptures, it also tells us 46:52 that the place where all the saints are, the Holy City, 46:56 comes down out of heaven, down to this earth, 46:58 with all the saints who have been taken there. 47:01 So here is a picture: that city comes back down to planet earth 47:05 and settles on planet earth. The devil then takes all of those, 47:09 all the generals, all the wicked, and the scripture says 47:12 they surround the city to make that last, final attempt 47:16 to save themselves. The Bible says in verse 9 [text on screen] 47:33 My friends, I believe that this is the time 47:36 where God's name is finally vindicated. 47:39 God has given opportunities for every soul 47:42 to respond to his wonderful love. 47:44 Listen, I'm a witness of that. 47:47 There was a time when I was in gangs, 47:49 and I was going a lot of wicked things. 47:51 But God, in His mercy, spoke to my heart, and I heard his voice 47:56 and decided to turn from my wicked ways and follow Him. 47:59 I can tell you numbers of people who I've preached to, 48:03 who have been doing all sorts of things, 48:06 yet they have heard the voice of God, and have said 48:09 "Yes, I'll follow Him," and have changed their ways 48:11 and followed the Master, but then there are others 48:14 who will never turn, no matter what God has done for them. 48:19 The many times that God delivered them, 48:21 and I know of people who have been in accidents and say 48:24 "Now I'm going to follow You", and as soon as the fear 48:26 passes by they go right back to what they were used to doing. 48:31 My friends, here at this moment I believe that as the wicked 48:36 surround the city, that God will reveal to each one 48:39 all the opportunities they had, all the times 48:42 they pushed back the voice that was pleading to their hearts: 48:46 "Oh my son, give me your heart." 48:49 At this time my friends, all will know that God 48:53 did everything to save them. 48:55 And the Bible says that every knee shall bend, 48:59 and this is the time when every knee bends in acknowledgement 49:03 that God was righteous, that God did everything possible 49:06 to save them, but my friends, a person who has not allowed Jesus 49:10 to change their hearts will not be happy in heaven. 49:15 And God, out of mercy, has to bring them to a final end. 49:19 The scripture says that the fire comes down and devours them. 49:35 Now you may think, that means they'll burn for ever. 49:38 No, it means the torment is finished, 49:40 it's done forever and ever. 49:42 In fact, the Bible says there shall be ashes 49:44 under your feet in Malachi 4:1,2. 49:49 According to the scriptures, the Bible says 49:52 that the whole Earth is enveloped in flames. 49:55 I want you to notice what it says: [text on screen] 50:05 In other words, the final conflagration of the earth, 50:07 the final fire where the devil himself is cast into 50:10 is the final end of all wickedness. 50:14 Praise the Lord my friends. I don't know how many of you long 50:18 for sin and wickedness to finish. 50:21 I think, for example, right now, 50:23 with all the things that are going on in the middle east; 50:25 innocent people losing their lives, 50:27 children, mothers, fathers. Many people are hurting, 50:31 our hospitals are full of people in pain and suffering. 50:36 And I believe that the last prayer in the Bible 50:38 should be our prayer. 50:41 Even so, come Lord Jesus. What do you say? 50:45 But finally the end of wickedness must come. 50:48 God must destroy wickedness so that finally, 50:51 righteousness can reign. In the book of Peter it tells us 50:54 [text on screen] 50:58 And by the way, that means an element of surprise, 51:01 you will not know when He's come, but when He comes 51:04 it's too late for you to do anything about it. 51:06 Either you're right, or your wrong. 51:08 [continues to read text on screen] 51:28 My friends, it may sound like a thief in the night, 51:31 but as [?] is telling you the element of surprise, 51:33 what do you say? Because if the world is burnt up, 51:36 then you know that you're either on one side or the other side. 51:40 It'll be too late to change your destiny then. 51:43 "But the day of the Lord will come" 51:45 "as a thief in the night" it says. 51:47 Notice as it continues in Chapter 3: [text on screen] 52:07 Finally God is vindicated, at last the Earth is at peace, 52:12 at last all wickedness has ended, 52:14 and the devil himself is destroyed. 52:17 He can no longer harass the world or the beings 52:21 who will have loved God. 52:23 Praise God that there's finally an end to it all. 52:26 And then according to Revelation 20 it says: [text on screen] 52:35 I wonder friends, I wonder where you would be in those days? 52:40 According to the scriptures, it says that God 52:43 makes a new heaven and a new earth. 52:46 Revelation 21 [text on screen] 52:58 Nevertheless, it says: [text on screen] 53:13 Don't you long for a world like that? 53:15 A time when there'll be righteousness on this earth? 53:20 A time when God will restore all things 53:22 back to its Edenic beauty. A time when, at last, 53:26 there won't be any more temptation, 53:28 no more suffering, no more pain, no more death. 53:33 The scripture thus tells us that that's going to happen. 53:36 The Bible does promise us, God does say that 53:39 the day will come when there will be 53:42 no more suffering on the earth. 53:44 There'll be no more tears, no more pain for the former things 53:48 have passed away. 53:49 Listen, I was in Romania preaching 53:53 at an evangelistic meeting, 53:55 and there were about 4500 people in the audience, 54:01 and one particular night a gentleman, well dressed, 54:04 came up to me with a translator, 54:07 asking if I could visit him in his home. 54:09 "Well," I said, "certainly. " 54:11 "I'll try to make time and visit you. " 54:13 He seemed like an important person in the community, 54:15 and so, I was delighted to meet with him. 54:18 Well, when he left the translator said to me: 54:21 "You know who that is?" and I said "No". 54:24 "He's the secretary of the Communist Party. " 54:27 "Oh!" I said. He said to me: "He's a ruthless man. " 54:31 "I personally, have suffered, as a Christian by his hand. " 54:37 "Well" I thought, "I wonder what he wants then?" 54:41 Finally, a Sunday morning I arrived at the house, 54:44 knocked on the door, the lady opens the door 54:46 and she says: "Come in!" 54:48 She didn't say "Please come in". She said "Come in!" 54:50 She was used to bossing people around, 54:53 and so, the translator and I sat down 54:56 and as we sat down she then said "What are you doing down there?" 55:01 Not knowing what she was getting at, 55:03 I said: "I don't know what you're asking," 55:04 "tell me what you're asking. " She said: 55:07 "I want to know what you're doing down there. " 55:09 I said: "Madam, what is it that you want to know?" 55:12 Then she began to cry, and she began to say: 55:14 "I can't understand it. My husband... I can't tell you" 55:18 "how many times I've had to go out in the night" 55:20 "to find them drunk and have to drag them off of the street." 55:24 "I can't understand, he used to hate Christians. But", she said, 55:29 "he's been going to those meetings" 55:31 "and things are happening. He's not the same man. " 55:34 "What are you doing down there?" 55:36 "Ahh," I said "we're preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. " 55:40 Well, the man finally came in, saw his wife crying, 55:44 sat next to her and said: "Pastor," 55:49 "something's happening to my life," 55:52 "and I've decided to follow Jesus. " 55:55 "Is it possible for me to be baptized?" I was surprised. 56:00 I said: "Well, I'll help you. " 56:04 That man then, on the day of his baptism, 56:08 said: "Can I speak to my people?" 56:10 I said: "Certainly. " He stood there 56:13 as a former communist secretary and he said: 56:16 "You all know who I am," and you could hear "Da. Da. ", 56:19 which means "Yes", and he said: "I want to tell you this;" 56:23 "for 50 years I've been an atheist" 56:25 "and communist and an alcoholic," 56:28 "and what atheism" 56:30 "and communism, could not do for me in 50 years," 56:34 "the Lord Jesus Christ has done for me in 3 weeks. " 56:38 I tell you, that audience was electrified. 56:41 Our friends who are listening, 56:43 why not accept Jesus while you can still accept Him? 56:47 Why not make Him your friend and your Savior? 56:51 Will you turn to Him tonight, will you find in Him your peace, 56:56 your hope and your salvation? 56:58 Will you determine by God's grace, to say: 57:00 "I want to be among those who are living or who rise" 57:05 "to meet the Lord in the air. " 57:07 Shall we pray. Our Father, we thank You so much 57:10 for Your grace and mercy and we ask that You help us to be ready 57:14 for that wonderful day and be on the Lord's side. 57:17 In Jesus' name, Amen. |
Revised 2014-12-17