Participants: Mark Finley
Series Code: OTR
Program Code: OTR001029
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01:01 Back in the year 2000
01:03 a number of us who are in communications 01:06 were working at the General Conference session 01:08 which is the world gathering of Seventh-day Adventists 01:10 from around the world in Toronto, Canada. 01:13 And we've put together a studio that we call G.C. T.V. 01:18 Pastor Mark Finley was one of our nightly news anchors 01:22 and I was a reporter working, gathering stories, 01:25 shooting video, editing video, 01:27 preparing them for the nightly broadcast. 01:29 And we had a chance each evening 01:31 to sort of sit around and just talk about things 01:33 and you know you get a bunch of Christians, 01:34 particularly bunch of preachers around, 01:36 you can be talking about certain things. 01:38 So one night we were talking about the blessings of the Lord. 01:41 How the Lord steps in and takes care of His people 01:43 and I recall Mark Finley telling the story that 01:46 he and Teenie, I think were in Los Angeles 01:48 and were to preach at a certain church 01:50 they have never been to before. 01:52 And evidently he had gotten himself lost 01:55 and the more he tried to get found the more he got lost. 01:59 And of course as you are trying to find your way, 02:03 you are chewing up time. 02:05 And he realized that he would never get to the church in time 02:09 and he sort of strayed into a less desirable neighborhood. 02:13 And he said, you know, 02:16 we're going to have to ask somebody. 02:18 But Teenie was saying, well, 02:20 this is a really spooky neighborhood, 02:21 we should probably just stay in the car 02:23 with the windows rolled up and just see what we can do. 02:25 But time was running out, 02:26 they were not going to get to the church on time. 02:29 And so they pulled up to a 7-Eleven 02:31 and they saw a gang of guys standing out there. 02:33 They are kind of rough neighborhood types 02:36 and time was running out, 02:37 he was going to be late for his appointment. 02:39 And so Pastor Finley got out, locked the car doors 02:43 and went over to an African-American gentleman 02:46 that was, he said was big and huge 02:48 and looked kind of rough and kind of mean. 02:50 And he said, well, if you are going to get beat up 02:51 you may as well talk to the biggest guy there. 02:54 And so he went and he tapped the guy in the shoulder 02:57 and said, excuse me, I am trying to find 02:59 the Seventh-day Adventist church. 03:01 And the guy spun around and said, 03:03 Pastor Finley, I know you. 03:06 The church is right down the road. 03:07 I'll take you there. 03:08 Come on and follow me, we're going to church anyway. 03:13 So we were talking about the goodness of the Lord, 03:15 how the Lord protects His own 03:17 that when you stand up for the Lord, 03:19 the Lord indeed stands up for you. 03:21 And of course as an international evangelist he, 03:24 Mark Finley has preached all over the world. 03:26 We were just trading some stories, 03:28 just a little bit ago about a good friend of ours, 03:31 Charles Haugabrook who got his car towed in New York City 03:34 and if there's a place you don't want to get 03:36 your car towed, it's in New York City. 03:38 So we were just talking about that backstage. 03:41 But God has protected him all over the world, 03:43 he has lifted up the name of Jesus 03:45 and Christ has been by his side. 03:46 And so we are most privileged and pleased 03:50 to have him here with us this afternoon. 03:53 These short series go by so very, very fast. 03:56 You start them and before you know they are over, 03:58 but we do have one more sitting 04:01 and the title of the message is intriguing, 04:04 Surviving Armageddon. 04:06 This is the one that I am anxious to hear 04:07 and I know that you are anxious to hear also. 04:10 So we are very, very please 04:11 to have Mark and Ernestine Finley 04:14 on our campus for the next several days. 04:16 As I mentioned to both of them a little bit earlier on, 04:20 they will be doing some cooking shows on next week 04:23 and the crew is very, very excited 04:24 because they know that 04:26 when Ernestine Finley goes into the kitchen, 04:28 she comes forth with marvelous things. 04:30 And so they are very, very anxious for Monday to come 04:34 so that they can be part of that cooking experience. 04:38 But on this day the word of God will be preached with power 04:43 and we anticipate a very fine message 04:45 in this series that has been entitled, 04:48 When Time Turns Into Eternity, Surviving Armageddon. 04:52 Before Pastor Finley comes to speak, 04:56 our music will be brought to us by the pastor of this church, 04:59 our friend and Pastor John Lomacang 05:02 who is going to be singing "Were it Not for Grace." 05:09 Pastor John Lomacang and then Pastor Mark Finley. 05:34 Time measured out my days 05:41 Life carried me along 05:48 In my soul I yearned to follow God 05:56 But knew I'd never be so strong 06:02 I looked hard at this world 06:07 To learn how heaven 06:10 Could be gained 06:15 Just to end where I began 06:20 Where human efforts 06:24 Is all in vain 06:30 Were it not for grace 06:38 I can tell you where I'd be 06:45 Wandering down some pointless road 06:50 To no where 06:52 With my salvation up to me 06:58 And I know how that would go 07:05 All the battles I would face 07:13 Forever running but losing the race 07:20 Were it not for grace 07:30 So here is all my praise 07:37 Expressed with all my heart 07:44 Offered to the Friend who took my place 07:51 And ran a course I could not start 07:58 And when He saw in full 08:03 Just how much His love would cost 08:11 He still ran my final mile 08:16 between me and heaven 08:19 So I would not be lost 08:26 So were it not for God's grace 08:34 I can tell you where I'd be 08:41 Wandering down some pointless road 08:46 To no where 08:49 With my salvation up to me 08:55 And I know how that would go 09:01 All the battles I would face 09:09 Forever running yet losing the race 09:16 Were it not for His grace 09:23 Forever running yet losing the race 09:32 Were it not for God's grace 09:54 Thank you Pastor John. 09:57 We're focusing on three messages on the second coming of Jesus. 10:00 There's nothing more hopeful, nothing more encouraging 10:03 than to open the word of God and to see the hope 10:06 that there is that this world is not in the hands of man 10:10 but this world is in the hands of the living God. 10:13 Our series is titled, "When Time Fades into Eternity." 10:18 Last night we looked at the fact 10:19 of Why the Doomsday Prophets are Wrong. 10:22 They are wrong because they are looking 10:23 in the wrong place. 10:25 They are looking at what's going on around us 10:26 rather than focusing on eternity 10:29 and what Jesus is planning to do when He comes again. 10:32 This morning we talked about 10:34 when all of our questions are answered. 10:36 We looked at the four great question of life 10:38 and we've found that God has answers, 10:40 that there will be an ultimate solution 10:43 for the problem of suffering and sorrow 10:45 and disappointment in death 10:47 and the problems of injustice that Jesus Christ will come 10:50 and He will set all things right, 10:51 that righteousness will reign. 10:54 In this presentation we're looking at surviving Armageddon. 10:59 So let's pray together. 11:00 Father, as we open the Bible and study, 11:03 the Bible's last book, the Book of Revelation, 11:06 in particularly as we focus on earth's last war, Armageddon, 11:12 I pray that You would be with us, 11:15 that You would give us a sense of Your presence, 11:18 that You draw near to us with Your love. 11:20 Open our eyes so that we can see divine things 11:24 from Your word and grant to us 11:27 an understanding of this prophecy 11:29 of the final battle of earth's history Armageddon. 11:32 We pray thee in Jesus' name, amen. 11:37 Armageddon is a very hot topic today. 11:41 Not long ago a movie entitled Armageddon 11:45 starring the Hollywood actor Bruce Willis 11:49 grossed over $200 million at the box office. 11:55 In fact if you look at some of the best selling books 11:58 in the religious world today, they have themes of Armageddon. 12:02 Jerry Jenkins and Tim Lahaye wrote a series of books, 12:07 actually novels that were in the Left Behind series 12:11 they promoted the unbiblical concept of the rapture. 12:15 But one of those books was titled Armageddon 12:19 and the publicist spend $5 million 12:23 just to promote the book. 12:26 Now publicists don't spend $5 million to promote the book 12:29 that they don't think is going to sell. 12:30 And the title of the book was Armageddon 12:33 because these publicists knew 12:35 that Armageddon is a very hot topic. 12:38 Just before the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, 12:45 in March of 2003 Newsweek Magazine 12:49 talked about the preemptive strike, 12:52 the moving into Iraq and the news writers said this, 12:57 "The terrible consequence of this action 13:00 will turn a billion Muslims into enemies 13:03 that we might have lived in peace. 13:05 It would be a step toward Armageddon." 13:08 So you read actually about the conflict in the Middle-East, 13:12 the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, 13:14 you read secular news writers using this term Armageddon. 13:19 Now this was not isolated to Newsweek Magazine at all. 13:24 Here is the Washington Post, February 23, 2003. 13:29 Washington Post, quite a scholarly magazine, 13:33 a very well written, well documented says, 13:36 "World-destabilizing aggression could spin out of control 13:40 and lead to other despots arming themselves 13:43 with all manner of apocalyptic weapons 13:45 and, perhaps, to Armageddon." 13:47 So whether it's Newsweek, Washington Posts, 13:49 Hollywood movies, people are concerned about Armageddon. 13:53 They are asking the question, what is Armageddon? 13:57 Is Armageddon a local war in the Middle-East 14:01 that will begin a series of events 14:05 and catapult all humanity into the time of the end? 14:08 When the Bible talks about Armageddon, 14:10 is the Bible speaking about a war 14:13 between Muslim nations in Israel 14:16 in which the west in Russia get involved. 14:19 Will ultimately tanks invade Jerusalem? 14:22 Will a third temple be rebuilt? 14:25 There are those people who believe that 14:27 but yet the Bible teaches something 14:30 far more broadly than that. 14:33 And so as we do with all subjects, 14:34 let's go to the Bible and look at this topic 14:37 of the battle of Armageddon. 14:39 What is the battle of Armageddon? 14:41 Where will the battle of Armageddon be fought 14:43 and how can you and I survive Armageddon? 14:46 Who will win and who will lose? 14:48 If you have your Bible please take it into Revelation 16. 14:53 In Revelation 16, in a Chapter that discusses 14:58 the seven last plagues we read about earth's final war, 15:05 this final battle known as Armageddon. 15:09 So if you have your Bible, you're taking it 15:10 and turning to Revelation, 15:12 you're looking there at the Chapter 16. 15:16 And we're going to begin to read in verse 12. 15:19 Revelation 16 describes the seven last plagues, 15:22 those plagues that are poured out on all humanity 15:25 just before the coming of Jesus. 15:28 All nature seems to be out of control, 15:30 there's calamity and chaos. 15:32 In Revelation 16:12 it says, 15:34 "The sixth angel poured out his bowl 15:36 on the great river Euphrates," 15:38 mark that, we're going to come back to it. 15:40 What is this great river Euphrates? 15:42 "The water was dried up," what does that mean? 15:44 "That the way of the kings of the east might be prepared" 15:47 what's that? 15:48 "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs 15:50 coming out of the mouth of the dragon, 15:52 out of the mouth of the beast, 15:53 and out of the mouth of the false prophet." 15:55 Who are these, the dragon, the beast and the false prophet? 15:58 "They are spirits of demons performing signs, 16:01 that go out to the kings of the whole world 16:04 to gather them to the battle 16:06 of that great day of the Lord Almighty. 16:08 Behold, I am coming as a thief. 16:10 Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, 16:13 lest he walk naked, and see his shame." 16:15 Now here's an interesting thing 16:16 that should give all Bible students pause. 16:19 There are six plagues that are poured out 16:22 and after the sixth plague at the end if it 16:25 Jesus says, I am coming as a thief. 16:28 Now if six plagues have been poured out 16:31 and if after the sixth, before the seventh 16:34 Jesus says, I am coming as a thief, 16:37 I will come as a thief, has He yet come as a thief 16:39 before the plagues began to be poured out? Has He? 16:42 Certainly not because the Bible says, 16:45 after six plagues I am coming as a what? As a thief. 16:49 Now there are many people that believed 16:50 that Christ comes as a thief 16:52 before the first plague to rapture His people 16:56 so they don't have to live through the plagues. 16:58 But that wouldn't make any sense at all, would it? 17:01 Because Jesus says, I am coming as a thief after six plagues. 17:05 Remember the Bible says in 1 Corinthian 10 17:08 that all the things that happened to Israel 17:11 happened as examples that are written for our admonition 17:15 upon whom the ends of the earth would come. 17:17 Where there any other plague spoken about in the Bible 17:20 beside these seven last plagues, where there? 17:24 Where were they found? 17:26 In Egypt, how many plagues were in Egypt? 17:29 How many? Ten in Egypt. 17:31 Why were there 10 there and seven here? 17:34 These are called the seven, what plagues? Last plagues. 17:38 The first three plagues in Egypt affected 17:40 both Egyptians and Israelites, affect the whole land. 17:43 Last seven only affected the Egyptians. 17:46 Where was Israel during the plagues? 17:49 Where were they? 17:50 In or out of Egypt? They were in Egypt. 17:53 Where they protected? Certainly. 17:56 So God had His people in Egypt during the plagues, 18:01 they were protected by God 18:04 but delivered when? After the plagues. 18:07 So in the seven last plagues 18:10 God's people are still present on earth, protected by God, 18:15 they are here surrounded by His angels. 18:19 The bible says, "A thousand shall fall at thy side, 18:22 ten thousand at your right hand, 18:23 but it shall nigh thee nor shall any," what? 18:26 What's the word? 18:28 "Plague come near your dwelling." 18:30 So during the plagues God's people reveal faith, 18:33 confidence in Him but they are protected by God, 18:37 they are delivered at the end of the plagues. 18:39 Now notice something else that's very interesting 18:42 about Revelation 16:14. 18:46 It says that they are gathered the whole world 18:51 to the battle of the great day of God almighty. 18:54 What is this battle of the great day 18:56 of God almighty that they are gathered to? 18:58 Verse 16 tells us, "They gather them together 19:01 to the place called in the Hebrew Armageddon." 19:04 So another name for the battle of Armageddon 19:06 is battle of the great day of God almighty. 19:10 So this is not some limited battle in the Middle East. 19:15 There's a conflict between good and evil, 19:18 a conflict between Christ and Satan. 19:21 The first gun of that war, if I could put it that way, 19:25 the first skirmish in that battle began in haven. 19:28 Lucifer rebelled against God in heaven. 19:31 And the bible says in Revelation 12:7-9, 19:34 and there was what in heaven? 19:35 What was up in heaven? War in heaven. 19:37 Satan and his angels fought against Michel and his angels. 19:40 A third of the angels were cast out 19:43 as they rebelled against God. 19:44 So you have the first battle beginning 19:48 in heaven with this war in heaven. 19:52 Now if you look at the structure of the Book of Revelation, 19:57 from Revelation 12 to Revelation 22, 20:00 the battle of Armageddon comes about in the middle. 20:05 In Revelation 12 there's a conflict 20:07 between good and evil, Christ and Satan in heaven. 20:11 Revelation 12 is the hinge 20:14 upon which the Book of Revelation turns. 20:17 After that battle in Revelation 12, time goes on, 20:22 Satan attacks Jesus on earth, tries to kill Him. 20:26 He looses, Jesus wins, just like Satan lost in heaven. 20:29 Then Satan attacks God's people during the middle ages 20:35 for that 1260 year prophecy. 20:37 Again, Satan doesn't destroy them all, 20:40 Satan looses, God wins. 20:42 Then you come to the under Revelation 12 20:44 and there's war on the remnant. 20:46 The Bible says the dragon was wrath angry 20:49 and went to make war on the remnant of her seed 20:52 that keep the Commandments of God 20:53 and the testimony of Jesus. 20:55 So God, 11, end time remnant Satan will make war on them. 20:59 How does that war take place? 21:00 What takes place in that war? 21:02 Well, that leads to Revelation 13 21:04 where the beast passes and economic boycott 21:08 under the auspices of Rome, 21:10 there's an economic boycott that's pass. 21:12 There is a law that is passed 21:15 to observe the first day of the week 21:17 contrary to the biblical commandments. 21:20 At the end of Revelation 13 the United States 21:23 unites in this great religion-political confederacy. 21:27 When you come to Revelation Chapter 14 21:30 there is a message warning against this, 21:32 in Revelation 14:6-12, 21:34 it's called the Three Angels Message. 21:36 When you come to Revelation 15 and 16 21:38 you have the result of rejecting 21:41 that Three Angels Message, the seven last plagues. 21:44 When you come to Revelation 17 and 18 21:47 it further describes what's gonna happen at end time 21:50 when church and state unite 21:52 under the auspicious of spiritual Babylon. 21:54 When you come to Revelation 19, 21:58 Jesus returns as King of Kings to defeat all the forces of hell 22:02 which leads to Revelation 20, the millennium 22:05 and 21 and 22, the new heavens and new earth. 22:08 So Revelation 16 and the battle of Armageddon 22:12 is set right in the middle 22:14 of this conflict between good and evil, 22:17 this conflict between Christ and Satan. 22:19 So it's not a geographical war limited to the Middle East 22:25 neither it is a physical battle with the sins 22:29 of one nation fighting against another nation. 22:33 It is the battle of good and evil, 22:35 the battle between Christ and Satan. 22:38 It has a battle that has to do 22:40 with the consummation of the great controversy. 22:42 Now let's look at the details of this battle, 22:45 and we'll go back to Revelation 16. 22:49 Revelation Chapter 16, we're gonna go back to verse 12 22:52 and let's look at it phrase by phrase 22:56 to get an understanding of this final battle Armageddon 23:00 and see how we will be participants in that battle 23:06 if we live to the coming of Jesus. 23:07 Revelation 16:12, "The sixth angel poured out his bowl 23:12 on the great river Euphrates, 23:15 and its water was dried up 23:17 so the kings of the East might be prepared." 23:20 When you think of the river Euphrates 23:24 what city do you think of? 23:27 The city of Babylon. 23:28 In the Old Testament, Babylon under King Nebakanezer 23:32 was the capital of the then known world. 23:36 The river Euphrates ran through the center of Babylon. 23:41 When you come to the Book of Revelation, 23:43 does it mention Babylon? 23:45 Does it mention Babylon in Revelation? 23:47 Is this literal Babylon or spiritual Babylon? 23:50 Spiritual Babylon. 23:52 Just as in the Old Testament 23:54 Babylon represented the Citadel of era, 23:57 the center of apostasy and root of all falsehood. 24:01 So when you come to the Book of Revelation, 24:03 we're not talking about literal Babylon 24:05 because that was destroyed 24:07 and never would be rebuilt again, right. 24:10 So we're talking about spiritual Babylon, 24:12 false religion, falsehood. 24:14 Now so if Babylon in the Book of Revelation 24:18 represents falsehood era apostasy rebellion against God, 24:22 if it's spiritual Babylon 24:24 then what is this river Euphrates represents? 24:28 Well, the river Euphrates was the support system of Babylon. 24:32 In the Book of Revelation Chapter 17, 24:34 the Bible says, the waters which you saw are what? 24:38 Nations, kinderen, tongues and people. 24:41 So the river Euphrates would represent 24:45 all of the peoples that supported 24:49 this system of falsehood called Babylon. 24:53 But in the seven last plagues 24:56 that support system would dry up. 24:59 In another words, Revelation 13, 25:04 the beast power uniting with the powers of state 25:08 in this church-state union says to whole humanity. 25:14 Humanity is facing enormous crisis, 25:18 humanity is facing an ecological crisis, 25:22 environmental crisis, economic crisis. 25:25 It's facing political warfare, 25:27 it's facing strife and turmoil in the cities, 25:32 natural disasters. 25:34 And this religious-political confederation would say, 25:39 if you will unite on a single day of the week 25:44 and worship together peace on earth would come again. 25:47 So peoples then support that political-religious system 25:54 in an attempt to have world peace, 25:55 in an attempt to have stable economy. 25:58 But what happens? 25:59 Persecution comes on minority of Sabbath keepers 26:03 who will not go along who are loyal and faithful to God. 26:08 And ultimately the message of Christ 26:11 goes to the ends of the earth 26:12 so everybody who would will have an opportunity 26:15 to know Christ and to accept His last day message 26:18 and respond through His grace to keep His commandments. 26:22 And whenever human being has had that opportunity, 26:25 Jesus says, 26:28 those who are righteous let him do righteous still, 26:29 those that are filthy let them be filthy still, 26:31 human probation closes and the plagues are poured out. 26:34 When the plagues are poured out 26:37 and the support system of Babylon is dried up, 26:41 those people who united with spiritual Babylon 26:45 because they thought peace and economic prosperity 26:48 would come on the earth, 26:49 they see that that has not happened 26:52 and they begin crying out at their religious leaders, 26:55 at their political leaders. They're incensed. 26:58 So what does it mean when it says 27:01 the sixth angel poured out his great-- 27:03 bowl on the great river Euphrates, 27:05 and its water was dried up? 27:06 The support system, the people who supported spiritual Babylon 27:12 turned their support from it in the crisis of the plagues. 27:16 Now it says that the way of the kings of the east 27:18 might be prepared. 27:20 Let's go back and let the Bible interpret itself. 27:24 You know Peter says the Bible is of no private interpretation 27:29 and we allow one Bible text to explain another Bible text. 27:34 We don't have to guess what these things mean. 27:36 Keep your finger in Revelation Chapter 16 27:39 and go back to Isaiah Chapter 44. 27:42 Was there a time that the river Euphrates literally dried up? 27:47 Was there a time 27:48 that the drying up of the river Euphrates 27:51 allowed the kings of the east 27:53 to come and attack and overthrow Babylon? 27:57 Indeed there was. 27:59 Israel was in captive or in bondage to Babylon. 28:06 As Israel is in captive to Babylon, 28:08 Cyrus, the king of the east approached Babylon. 28:13 He dug irrigation ditches, drained the river Euphrates, 28:18 marched his troops down the dry riverbeds 28:22 and the river Euphrates went through the center of Babylon. 28:27 The river--the Babylonians had a 20 year food supply. 28:31 They were--they could withstand any siege 28:35 but what Cyrus did as he dug large irrigation ditches, 28:40 siphoned off the water of the river Euphrates, 28:42 the troops of Cyrus marched down the drive riverbeds 28:47 went like under the walls 28:49 because the river ran through the center of the city, 28:51 there are outer walls and inner walls, 28:53 on the night that Belshazzar had a drunken feast. 28:58 The inner wall gates were left open, 29:01 Cyrus marched his troops under the outer wall gates, 29:04 came up in the inside the city 29:07 usually those gates would be shut, they were left open, 29:09 he came in and attacked Babylon and overthrew it one night. 29:12 But notice the prophecy that would happen, 29:14 Cyrus was named incidentally 150 years ahead of time 29:18 before he was born. 29:19 Here the Bible says in Isaiah 44:27, 29:24 who says to the deep, be dry and I will dry up the rivers. 29:27 What does the prophecy say? 29:29 The literal river Euphrates flowing 29:32 through literal Babylon would be dried up. 29:34 So I would dry up your rivers, 29:36 who says of Cyrus, he's my shepherd. 29:38 Who is Cyrus? 29:40 He was a Medo-Persian king who came from the east 29:43 dried up the river Euphrates and overthrew Babylon. 29:46 He'll perform all my pleasure, saying to Jerusalem, 29:49 you will be rebuilt, what would he do? 29:50 He would overthrow Babylon, 29:52 let the Israelites go free to rebuild Jerusalem 29:54 and to the temple your foundation shall be laid. 29:57 Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, 30:00 whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him, 30:04 to loose the armor of kings, 30:05 to open before him the double doors. 30:07 So let's get the picture. 30:09 You have Old Testament Babylon, 30:13 the river Euphrates supports it, 30:15 it gives its water supply. 30:17 It waters its gardens, it enables Babylon 30:19 to grow a food supply within the city. 30:21 Babylon feels that it is protected. 30:24 Babylon is a political religious system 30:27 that oppresses the people of God in the Old Testament. 30:31 God brings a mighty king of the east, Cyrus. 30:34 He dries up the river Euphrates 30:36 and he marches his troops under the city walls. 30:40 They attack Babylon and overthrow it, 30:42 that is a parallel of the last days, 30:45 at the last days. 30:46 Spiritual Babylon that are again sun worshippers, 30:50 just like ancient Babylon worshipped sun worship, 30:52 spiritual Babylon again that teaches 30:54 spiritual of the immortality of the soul 30:56 just like Old Testament Babylon. 30:58 Spiritual Babylon where the wine flows 31:01 and the parties go, just like Old Testament Babylon. 31:04 There is a king of the east, 31:05 he is the King of Kings and lord of lords. 31:08 Take your Bible please and turn to Revelation Chapter 19. 31:11 Once again, once again 31:15 spiritual Babylon will oppress God's people. 31:18 Once again laws will be passed contrary to the law of God. 31:23 Once again Church and State will unite. 31:26 Once again under the confederation 31:27 of spiritual get Babylon. 31:29 God's people will be oppressed and trampled down. 31:32 But once again from the east, the King of Kings will come. 31:36 Revelation Chapter 19, notice, verse 16, 31:40 and he had on His robe 31:42 and on His thigh a name written. 31:44 What's the name written? 31:46 King of Kings. And what? 31:47 Lord of Lords. Who is this? 31:49 Jesus. And what is Jesus called? 31:51 The king of what? The King of Kings. 31:55 Where will He come from? 31:57 Matthew 24:27, notice how the Bible explains itself 32:03 these complex passages of Bible, 32:05 of the Bible can be explained 32:07 as you let the Bible explain itself. 32:10 Matthew 24:27, "For as lightning shines 32:16 from the east, even unto the west, 32:19 so shall the sign of the Son of Man be." 32:23 Matthew 24:27, "A lightning comes from the east 32:26 and flashes to the west, 32:27 so shall the coming of the Son of Man be." 32:29 So Jesus is the King of Kings that comes from the east. 32:33 So here is the scenario 32:35 that will break upon this world before the coming of Christ. 32:39 Before Jesus comes 32:41 this earth will be involved in political turmoil. 32:44 Before Jesus comes 32:45 this earth will be involved in economic disaster. 32:48 Before Jesus comes 32:49 the riches of man will come to not. 32:52 Before Jesus comes 32:53 there'll be natural disasters. 32:55 Are we seeing this world today 32:57 with America with $17 trillion of national debt? 33:00 Are we seeing on the verge of economic disaster? 33:03 Are we seeing it that way? 33:04 Are we seeing today 33:06 natural unprecedented natural disasters? 33:09 Are we seeing that take place? 33:11 Are we seeing the world at times on the verge of 33:14 destabilizing aggression with war around the world? 33:18 Do we see that today? 33:19 Do we see rising crime and violence? 33:21 So these things will get more and more prevalent 33:25 before the coming of Jesus. 33:27 In an attempt to solve those problems, 33:29 there'll be an attempt to unite Church and State. 33:32 As that occurs every human being will have an opportunity 33:36 to accept Christ or reject Him, 33:38 to accept His last day message of truth. 33:40 When every human being has had that opportunity, 33:44 human probation will close, the plagues will be poured out, 33:47 the support system for this religious political union 33:51 that claim they could bring peace on earth will fall apart. 33:54 The spiritual river Euphrates will dry up. 33:57 There'll be chaos everywhere. 33:58 That prepares for the last battle, 34:01 Satan's last attempt to destroy the people of God 34:04 but the kings of the east, 34:05 Jesus and the angels will come. 34:07 Now let's go back to Revelation Chapter 16. 34:11 Revelation Chapter 16, this fascinating chapter, 34:15 in the 16th chapter the Book of Revelation, 34:17 notice what it says, verse 12. 34:21 "Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl 34:22 on the great river Euphrates," 34:24 the support system of Babylon dries up. 34:26 "Its water was dried up 34:27 that the way the kings of the east might be prepared." 34:30 So just before the coming of Jesus, 34:31 the support system of Babylon is gonna dry up. 34:34 But something is gonna happen, 34:35 Satan recognizes that he has his last chance, 34:39 second--Satan recognizes that this is his last opportunity. 34:43 So what does he do? 34:44 What does he do with one more attempt 34:47 to bring a political religious confederation? 34:50 Verse 13, "I saw three unclean spirits 34:53 like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, 34:57 and out of the mouth of the beast, 34:59 and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 35:01 They are the spirits of demons, performing signs, 35:04 which go out to the kings of the earth, 35:06 to the whole world, to gather them together 35:08 for the battle of the great day of God, Almighty." 35:11 Notice what it says, first it says in verse 13, 35:15 three unclean spirits. 35:18 Now in the Book of Revelation numbers make a difference. 35:23 Seven is a number of perfection. 35:26 You have seven churches, seven seals, 35:28 seven trumpets, a seven branch candle stick, 35:32 you have the seven spirits that speak, 35:34 you have the Seventh-day Sabbath. 35:37 So seven is a number of God's perfection, 35:42 12 is a number of completeness in the Book of Revelation. 35:47 You have the 12 apostles 35:49 that completely represent complete New Testament church. 35:51 The 12 patriarchs represent 35:53 the complete Old Testament church. 35:55 You have the 12 foundations 35:57 of the holy city, the 12 gates, 35:59 12 times 12,144, 144,000 a number 36:04 that represents the completeness 36:06 of the living redeem before Jesus comes. 36:08 So you have this 12 of completeness, 36:11 you have seven of perfection, you have four of universality. 36:15 Universality indicating the four winds of the earth, 36:18 the stride comes from all different directions. 36:21 But then in Revelation as well, you have this number three. 36:26 Number three in Revelation stands for the Father, 36:29 the Son and the Holy Spirit. 36:30 It's a number that represents divinity, 36:33 Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 36:34 But here you have the false trinity, 36:37 the dragon, the beast and the false prophet. 36:41 So you have a false holy ghost movement, 36:44 you have the triumphant not of divinity, 36:47 not the triumphant of truth 36:49 but you have the triumphant of error. 36:51 So you have the dragon representing paganism. 36:54 Remember the dragon in Revelation 12 represent Satan. 36:57 You have the dragon paganism, 36:59 you have the beast power 37:00 representing the great papal power of the world 37:03 and you have the false prophet representing 37:09 both Protestantism and all false religion 37:12 under that umbrella. 37:13 So you have the pagan religions of the world, 37:15 the papal religions of the world, 37:17 protestant in all false religions of the world. 37:20 And notice what this passage says 37:22 which is really fascinating. 37:24 It says, verse 13, "I saw three unclean spirits 37:28 like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, 37:31 out of the mouth of the beast, 37:32 and out of the mouth of the false prophet." 37:33 In other words, all false religions 37:38 are taken over by Satan and out of-- 37:42 and through these false religions 37:45 enormous miracles are worked. 37:47 Now let nobody misunderstand. 37:49 Are there honest hearted people in every religion today? 37:53 Do they love Jesus? 37:54 Are there many Muslims that are honest hearted, 37:58 they're devoted, they're committed 37:59 and are some of these Muslims even more committed 38:02 than some Christians are today? 38:05 More committed to their cause, are they honest? 38:08 Are there Hindus that are honest? 38:10 Are there Buddhists that are honest? 38:13 Are they those of the lovely Roman Catholic faith 38:16 that are honest? 38:17 Certainly and are either even some Adventists that are-- 38:19 no, most definitely there are. 38:23 But are there some Adventists, 38:24 they're Adventists the name only? 38:27 Are there some Baptists that are Baptists to name only? 38:30 Are there people of all faith? 38:31 So what is gonna happen at end time? 38:34 First, God is gonna bring out from fallen religions 38:40 to His Sabbath keeping Adventist movement, 38:44 those that are honest in heart. 38:46 And those that are superficial Adventists 38:50 that are just playing games with religion, 38:53 that are going through the forms and the emotion, 38:55 will they eventually be shaken up? 38:58 You know there are some people when I travel say, 39:00 oh, Pastor Mark, 39:01 look what's happening over here in the Adventist church, 39:04 look what's happening over there, this is horrible. 39:07 We should leave and start our own little group. 39:10 And you know what I say to them? 39:12 The weeds and the tares will grow together 39:15 until the what? Harvest. 39:17 And it's not your job or mine 39:19 to go pick up the weed or the tares 39:21 and try to pluck them all out, right? 39:23 They're gonna go out in the shaky. 39:25 Did God tell Noah what to get on the Ark? 39:27 Did God tell Noah to do that? 39:30 Did Noah get in the ark? 39:31 Did he bring a few animals in that ark? 39:34 Were those animals house broken? 39:38 Was there some time a little stink in the ark? 39:41 So did Noah say the storm is coming on this ark, 39:44 there's a little stink in the ark, 39:46 I'm gonna get out and jump into the water. 39:48 Is that what Noah did? 39:49 Did Noah abandon the ark because sometime 39:52 the smell in the ark wasn't too nice? 39:55 He that has ears to hear, 39:57 let him hear what the preacher says to the churches. 40:01 This church like that ark is going through. 40:07 This is no time to jump off the ark. 40:11 This is no time to abandon the ship. 40:14 There may be some thunder, there may be some lightning, 40:17 there may even be a little stench in some quarters 40:21 but God can take care of all of that, 40:23 God can take care of all of that and He will. 40:26 So there will be a time that thousands 40:29 come in to this glorious Advent movement 40:31 just before the coming of Jesus. 40:33 There'll be a time that many leave 40:36 but what will be the agency that the devil uses, 40:42 what will be the agency the devil uses 40:46 to bring the world 40:49 to this political religious confederation, 40:52 it tells you here, verse 13, "I saw three unclean spirits 40:56 like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, 40:58 out of the mouth of the beast, 40:59 out of the mouth of the false prophet 41:00 for they are the spirits of demons, performing signs." 41:05 Some versions say wonders and some say miracle, 41:09 supernatural miracles 41:13 through all false religions 41:17 will be used by the devil, 41:20 signs and wonders 41:22 to appeal to the kings of the earth 41:25 in a last ditch movement 41:28 to appeal to the political leaders to bring unity, 41:32 that unity will be temporary. 41:35 Revelation 17 says that, let's go back and look at it. 41:39 Revelation Chapter 17 so we don't miss it. 41:42 It says, Revelation 17 41:46 and you're going to look there at verse 13 and 14. 41:49 "These are of one mind," 41:51 this is a political religious confederation. 41:54 "They will give their power and authority to the beast." 41:58 But notice right before that at the end of Revelation 17:12, 42:03 how long do they receive this authority? 42:05 They receive authority for one hour 42:07 as kings with the beast. 42:08 So this spiritualistic phenomena that takes place 42:13 leads to a political religious confederation 42:17 for a very short period of time 42:19 that leads to the battle of Armageddon. 42:21 Verse 14, "These will make war with the lamb," 42:25 Revelation 17, "but the lamb overcome them 42:28 for He is Lord of Lords" and what else? "King of Kings. 42:31 Those that are with Him are called 42:33 and chosen and faithful." 42:34 So this war that occurs 42:38 when political and religious leaders unite 42:41 based on spiritualism just before the coming of Jesus 42:46 that war is called Armageddon. 42:47 Now let's go back to Revelation 16 42:49 and look at Revelation 16:16, 42:54 "They gather them together 42:55 in a place called in the Hebrew Armageddon." 42:58 Now, why does it say 43:00 in a place called in the Hebrew Armageddon? 43:03 What language was the New Testament written in? 43:08 What language is that? Greek. 43:10 So why do you say Hebrew? 43:12 Was there ever a time 43:14 that a derivative of the word Armageddon 43:17 which used in the Hebrew language, 43:19 if so what does it symbolize? 43:21 Let me share with you something amazing, 43:22 we're gonna go back to the book of Judges, 43:23 Judges Chapter 5, Judges the 5 Chapter. 43:27 In Judges the 5 Chapter I'll give you the background, 43:30 you begin Judges the Chapter 5 with the song of Deborah, 43:33 this judge of Israel sings the victory and praise to God. 43:39 Now here's the background. 43:41 Israel God's people Judah, 43:43 in Israel, God's people were surrounded, 43:47 the forces of hell were and the forces of paganism, 43:51 the forces of evil, the forces of wickedness, 43:54 the pagan nations surrounded Israel, 43:58 surrounded God's people 43:59 and they were gonna stamp them out. 44:00 There's no way around, no way through. 44:03 Death was certain for God's people. 44:06 Defeat was on the horizon. 44:09 The dark clouds were ominous. 44:12 It appeared that nothing could be done 44:15 to save God's people. 44:17 but then the Bible says, 44:20 look, Judges 5:19, 44:24 "In this moment of darkness, in the moment of gloom, 44:27 the kings came and fought, 44:30 then the kings of Canaan fought, 44:32 in Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo, 44:36 the word Har-Magedon, 44:39 Har is mountain, Megiddo is slaughter, 44:42 so the word Armageddon literally translated 44:45 as mountain of slaughter. 44:47 What happened? 44:48 God's people were surrounded, 44:50 it appeared that there is no way over the mountain, 44:53 no way around the mountain, no way through the darkness, 44:56 no way out and what happened? 44:59 God brought kings from Canaan, 45:02 He brought reinforcements that were unexpected 45:05 that beat back the powers of the evil one. 45:08 Now notice what it says here, 45:11 it says, verse 20 is your key in Judges Chapter 5, 45:16 "They fought from the heavens, 45:17 the stars fought from their sources against Sisera." 45:20 Sisera was attacking God's people. 45:22 notice let your eyes drop down, 45:26 even to verse 23, 45:29 it's talking about Meroz who didn't come, 45:31 Meroz didn't make a commitment, 45:33 Meroz compromised, 45:35 Meroz didn't stand for the Lord in the battle, 45:37 "Curse Meroz, said the angel," 45:38 verse 23, "of the Lord, curse its inhabitants bitterly, 45:42 because they did not come to the help of the Lord, 45:45 to the help of the Lord against the mighty." 45:47 God brought an Armageddon in ancient Israel, 45:52 reinforcements that destroyed the forces of evil 45:57 so the forces of righteousness would triumph. 45:59 What is gonna happen at end time? 46:01 It's gonna appear that every earthly support is gonna, 46:04 be cut off for God's people. 46:06 It's gonna appear that death is certain, 46:09 a death decree is passed to take their lives. 46:14 It's gonna appear 46:15 that the great forces of earth are against them. 46:18 It's gonna appear that all powers of hell 46:21 are gonna stamp them out. 46:23 It's gonna appear that there is no way 46:25 that they're gonna survive. 46:27 Then at the last moment of time, 46:31 Revelation the 16 Chapter, in the last moment of time 46:37 when God's people are hanging on by faith, 46:40 when they cannot see through the darkness, 46:43 when death seems inevitable, 46:46 when it seems that deliverance is impossible, 46:48 when it seems that they're gonna be annihilated, 46:51 at that last moment of time the Bible says, verse 7, 46:57 then the seventh angel poured out his bowl 47:00 and a loud voice came out of the temple 47:03 from the throne saying it is done. 47:05 God said it is done, 47:07 my people have suffered enough, it is done. 47:10 They have revealed my light in a darkened world, it is done. 47:14 They've shown commitment to me in the face 47:17 of un-mitigating circumstances like Job with the boils, 47:22 like Job losing family, like Job that has gone through, 47:27 economic and political and every other disaster. 47:29 Like Job being criticize. 47:31 My people have hung on, they've shown, 47:33 they served me not because what I can do for them, 47:36 not because of material blessing, 47:38 not even because of their help. 47:39 They served me because they loved Me, 47:41 they served me because they redeem by grace, 47:43 they served Me because they've accepted me 47:46 as Savior of Lord. 47:47 It's enough before our waiting world, 47:49 before our watching universe, 47:51 it is enough the great controversies 47:53 has been demonstrated that God is faithful 47:57 and that even in the most difficult times, 47:59 He can sustain His people, 48:00 He can watch over His people 48:02 that nothing will break their love from Him. 48:04 He says it is done, it is finished 48:07 and there was lightning and thunder 48:09 and there's a great earthquake 48:11 and that earthquake is the earthquake 48:12 that shakes the graves that open. 48:14 That earthquake is the earthquake 48:16 that shakes those graves open, 48:19 the great city that is Babylon divide into three parts. 48:23 The cities of the nations fell 48:25 and great Babylon as was remembered 48:27 before God this false political religious conglomeration, 48:32 it falls, every mountain and island floods away, 48:36 flees away, there's a plague of hailstones 48:38 and since there was not, 48:40 and the artillery of heaven falls, 48:43 the forces of hell are defeated. 48:46 The forces of the demons are destroyed. 48:50 Satan is totally utterly defeated. 48:54 Jesus Christ comes 48:56 and delivers His people in those last moments of time. 49:00 I love the way the Old Testament puts it. 49:03 You know the battles in the Old Testament reveal 49:07 that the victory is not in man's hands, it's in God's. 49:10 Take you Bible please and turn to 1 Samuel Chapter 17, 49:14 1 Samuel Chapter 17. 49:17 Look at those majestic texts all through the Old Testament. 49:21 David comes to fight Goliath 49:25 and you would think there's no way 49:27 that this little shepherd is gonna have any chance 49:32 against this great giant Goliath. 49:35 If you and I get through the time of the end 49:37 by the grace of God we will. 49:39 We will have giants arrayed against us. 49:42 First Samuel Chapter 17, looking at that verse 47. 49:48 "Then all the assembly shall know 49:50 that the Lord does not save with the sword and the spear, 49:54 for the battle is the Lord's 49:58 and He will give you into our hands." 50:00 The battle is who everybody? The Lord's. 50:03 In the last days of earth history 50:05 when church and state unite with a political confederation, 50:09 when the demons of hell work their powerful miracles, 50:12 and incidentally is God gonna work miracles too? 50:14 He sure is but look 50:17 God's people will hold on by faith. 50:19 God's people will not compromise because they know 50:23 that no matter what they see around them, 50:26 the battle is what? The Lord's. 50:29 I love the way it's put in Psalm 24. 50:32 Take your bible and turn to Psalm 24. 50:35 This is a real Adventist psalm. 50:38 It's a real Adventist psalm. 50:40 Look, it's talking about the Lord, 50:42 the king of glory, the Christ that died, 50:45 the Christ that was resurrected, 50:46 the Christ that entered heaven sanctuary for us, 50:49 the Christ that will come again for us and it says, 50:53 "Lift up your heads," Psalm 24:7, 50:57 "Lift up your heads, O you gates, 50:59 be lifted up you everlasting doors, 51:01 the King of glory shall come in." 51:03 Who is this king of Glory? 51:05 The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty and battle. 51:09 Is Jesus mighty in battle, is He? 51:11 Did he defeat Satan on the cross? 51:13 He did. 51:14 Was He resurrected from the dead? 51:16 He was. 51:17 Is he coming again? He is. 51:19 Will He defeat Satan at the end of time? 51:21 He will. He is the Lord mighty in battle. 51:25 Notice, "Lift up your head, O you gates, 51:26 lift them up you everlasting doors, 51:29 and the King of glory shall come in." 51:31 Who is this king of Glory? 51:34 He is the lord of hosts, He is the king of Glory. 51:38 We are on the winning side. 51:41 With Jesus there is no possibility of being lost. 51:45 But this is no time to sell out. 51:48 This is no time to compromise your integrity. 51:50 This is no time to compromise faith. 51:54 A compromised faith 51:56 will never make it through the crisis ahead. 52:00 A superficial faith 52:03 will never make it to the crisis ahead. 52:08 A half hearted faith 52:10 will never make it through the crisis ahead. 52:13 Come with me 52:16 to the ancient days of ancient Rome, 52:19 to the city of Smyrna 52:22 for an example of an faith that was uncompromising. 52:27 Revelation the 2 chapter, 52:31 the lessons from the seven churches, 52:33 although they reveal 52:35 a historical narrative in every age, 52:38 bring to us lessons for our age, 52:41 Revelation Chapter 2 and you're looking that verse 10, 52:46 the words leap off the pages, 52:48 they speak to you and they speak to me this day. 52:53 Revelation 2:10, "Do not fear anything 52:56 you are about to suffer." 52:58 Will there be heartache and suffering in the days ahead? 53:00 There will be. 53:01 But do not fear anything you are about to suffer. 53:04 "Indeed the devil is about to try to destroy you, 53:10 it's gonna cast some of you into prison, 53:12 some of you are gonna be tested." 53:14 But notice, what does it say at the end of that passage? 53:18 It says "You will have tribulation 10 days." 53:21 They did instead there were 10 years tribulation. 53:23 We need not press that too far, 53:26 that's referring not to the end time 53:29 but rather the principle 53:31 is there will be tribulation, that's the principle. 53:34 Then it says, "Be faithful unto death, 53:37 and I'll give you a crown of life." 53:39 Notice, "He who has an ear, 53:41 let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 53:44 He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." 53:47 One of the great Christian leaders 53:50 who lived in the days of ancient Smyrna 53:54 was a leader by the name of Polycarp. 53:58 Once a year at least in ancient Smyrna, 54:02 the God's of Aphrodite and Dionysos. 54:06 The God's of Apollo, 54:08 the great statues in the marketplace of Smyrna, 54:12 I've often visited that site. 54:15 It's Izmir today the second largest city in Turkey. 54:18 We love to take groups to the seven churches site 54:21 and we study Revelation 54:22 and go out to the Island Patmos and study Revelation. 54:26 All of the citizens of ancient Smyrna were 54:31 commanded to come to the marketplace of Smyrna 54:35 and burn incense to the gods of Dionysus or Aphrodite 54:41 the God of Apollo 54:44 and Polycarp, ancient Christian leader said I can't do this. 54:48 He was 86 years old. 54:51 He was arrested by the roman soldiers 54:54 and he was brought into the marketplace of Smyrna. 54:59 The crowd went wild, burn him at the stake, 55:02 burn him at the stake, burn him! 55:04 The proconsul knew the Roman proconsul knew 55:08 that Polycarp was a godly man. 55:12 He knew that he was honest 55:14 and had integrity and did nothing wrong. 55:17 So he said to him, Polycarp, 55:18 I'll give you a chance, repent. 55:21 Here is the bowl, here is the incense, 55:23 simply sprinkle it before the statue to the gods 55:30 and Polycarp said I cannot do this. 55:32 And then he stood up and stretched out his hands 55:36 and said for eighty and six years, 55:41 I have served my Lord 55:43 and He has done me nothing wrong, 55:47 how can I deny Him now? 55:51 He was taken to the stake, burned that day 55:56 but others stepped forward and the Christian faith grew. 56:04 God invites you and God invites me 56:08 to make that kind of surrender, 56:11 to make that kind of surrender. 56:13 To make that kind of commitment to say Lord, 56:17 you have guided me all of my life, 56:20 you've done me no wrong. 56:22 I'm not gonna sell out You. 56:24 I'm not gonna compromise now. 56:27 Lord, I am Yours today and forever. 56:34 The battle is Christ's, 56:37 you and I are on the winning side 56:40 as we commit our lives to Him to live uncompromising lives. 56:48 He will get us through the crisis. 56:51 Our responsibility is to be faithful. 56:54 His responsibility is to get us through the crisis. 56:58 He that has begun a good work in us will do what? 57:02 Finish it. Praise His Holy name. 57:05 We are on the winning side. 57:07 Let's pray, Father in Heaven, 57:08 thank you that for Jesus and by Jesus and with Jesus, 57:13 we're winners and not losers. 57:15 Thank You that You're coming again. 57:17 Thank You that we can grasp on to hope 57:20 in the dark days of hell. |
Revised 2014-12-17